Atlantic Medical Eye Care

Hereditary Eye Diseases

editor — Fri, 11 May 2012 01:20:57 +0000

Genetic factors are responsible for many eye diseases and conditions. More than sixty percent of cases of blindness among infants are caused by inherited eye diseases. Congenital cataracts and congenital glaucoma are present at birth. Up to forty percent of patients with strabismus (ocular misalignment) have a family history of the condition.
In adults both glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration have been shown to be inherited in many cases. There is evidence that problems such as amblyopia (lazy eye), myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism are genetically determined.
Eye abnormalities are present in one-third of inherited systemic diseases such as Marfan syndrome and Tay Sachs disease. Inherited conditions such as diabetes often have complications involving the eyes. For all of these reasons it is very important to share your family history with your doctor

Eye Myths of Old Bridge residents

editor — Fri, 11 May 2012 01:14:18 +0000

Has anyone ever told you that reading in dim light or using computers frequently can damage your eyes? Both of these statements are actually myths. While these activities may cause eye fatigue, neither will cause permanent damage. Some myths have some truth to them. For example, many people believe that wearing the wrong kind of eyeglasses will damage your eyes. Wearing the wrong kind of eyeglasses won’t damage the eyes, but children under the age of eight should wear their own prescription to prevent the development of amblyopia or “lazy eye.”
One of the most common myths about cataracts is that it needs to be “ripe” to be removed. A cataract is a thickening and discoloration of the eye’s lens. There is no such thing as a “ripe” cataract. When a cataract interferes with the activities of daily living and enjoyment, it is time to fix the problem. Sadly, the myth that wearing eyeglasses causes you to become dependent on them is very popular although it has no basis in fact. Rather than becoming “dependent,” on your glasses, you are simply getting used to seeing clearly. And that’s a good thing.

Medications that affect the eyes

editor — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 01:23:09 +0000

When people visit their Ophthalmologist or Eye M.D. they expect to be asked about any medical conditions they may have. But, did you ever wonder why your Eye Doctor inquires about the medications that you take? The reason is that medications can sometimes affect the eyes. Some antibiotics can cause red, itchy, and dry eyes while others can cause blurred vision and light sensitivity. Antidepressants like Prozac can cause blurred vision, inability to focus, dilated pupils, double vision, and dry eyes. Antihistamines relieve allergy symptoms by “drying you out,” but unfortunately they may also cause dryness in the eyes. Many people take blood pressure medications. Diuretics can cause dry eyes; however other types of blood pressure regulators can cause dilated pupils, blurry vision, and light sensitivity. While some side effects are a temporary annoyance, others may have more serious consequences. For example, steroids such as Prednisone increase the risk of cataracts and glaucoma. Those who take Plaquenil for arthritis must have an eye exam every six months to check for retinal damage. As you can see it is imperative to discuss all medications you take with your Eye M.D.

Welcome to our blog!

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:10:45 +0000

Within this regularly updated feature of our website, we will provide visitors with practice news and specials, as well as information regarding the most recent technological advances and new treatments in ophthalmology.

We believe that patient education and open communication with your doctor are the keys to achieving healthy, fully functional results and patient satisfaction, which is why we strive to provide the highest quality of eye care for patients of all ages. This is done by combining technical skill and broad experience with cutting-edge technology for impeccable medical results.

We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to visit our new blog. Please check back often to learn about the latest news, updates and additions to the practice and within the field of eye care, and feel free to post comments and/or suggestions on any posts that you find of interest.