Every year, I stock up on over-the-counter allergy eye drops and pre-write prescriptions for allergy medications in anticipation of the droves of patients reporting to me with eye allergy symptoms.  These symptoms include itchy, red and watery eyes, a gritty feeling and reduced contact lens tolerance.  These symptoms are caused by airborne allergens including pollen, mold, dust and pet dander.

The best way to treat allergies is to avoid the allergens that cause them.  But, given the reality that life brings, we all know that this is nearly impossible.  So we have to find alternative methods to treat the symptoms that allergies bring.

Sunglasses help to prevent pollen from blowing into your eyes especially on windy days.  Staying indoors on bad allergy days is a choice for some.  For others, contact lenses usually become difficult to wear during allergy season.  But certain types of contact lenses approved by the FDA for people with allergies can also help to reduce symptoms.  If possible, one way to reduce allergy related eye symptoms is to wear disposable contact lenses that are replaced daily.  Since 1990, I have been recommending daily disposables and truly believe that this is the healthiest contact lenses type to wear.  Think about it.  You always have a fresh lens, you never put a less than perfectly clean lens in your eyes, you don’t have to clean them, you cannot be sensitive to cleaning solutions, and they are very convenient.

Here in New York, around mid to late March, I start prescribing allergy eye medications in an attempt to reduce patient symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.  These prescription medications include Pataday, Patanol, Elestat, and Optivar.  These are usually used daily but some doctors recommend them for as-needed symptomatic relief.  Consult your doctor for the proper way to use these medications.

In addition to prescription medications that are stronger, I sometimes recommend over-the-counter allergy eye drops to provide temporary relief of allergic conjunctivitis symptoms.  Use for extended periods of time may make redness in the eye worse; therefore these drops should be used with caution and with your doctors recommendation.

Fortunately for most people, seasonal allergies usually last only about 6 weeks. Whether you use sunglasses, OTC eye drops, prescription medications, One-Day Contact Lenses or move to the North Pole, preventing symptoms is the true goal.

ENJOY SPRING.

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum

www.optixeyecare.com

A visual defect in which distant objects appear blurred because their images are focused in front of the retina rather than on it; nearsightedness. Also called short sightedness.

My Definition:

A perceptual defect in which an individual thinks he or she is seeing well and refuses to admit to themselves that they need glasses.  These people are either nearsighted, farsighted and or have and astigmatism.  But in every case, they are short sighted.

When William Shakespeare’s character said “To be or not to be,” he really meant “To see or not to see.” That was the question.   And apparently many of today’s adult population who were rebellious back when they read Shakespeare as a child are still rebellious today.

It amazes me how when I demonstrate to a seemingly intelligent person that they are not seeing as well as they could possibly see, that the choice is often made not to see.

I, for one, when given the chance to see at my best always choose to do so.  In this way, I can always be at my best.

Try not to be myopic.

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum

www.optixeyecare.com

Note- although this picture shows that myopia is due to a LONGER eye, myopia is often the result of an eye that is TOO powerful. This additional power is generated by the cornea, the principle refracting surface of the eye. In both situations, this causes light to be focused in front of the retina, causing a blur circle on the retina and hence blurry vision.

This photo was recently taken at our annual holiday dinner.  Thanks to a great staff and very loyal patients, Optix recently celebrated our 25^th year serving our community.

Now that I have a new photo of our staff, I just had to rave about what a good job they do.  Along with my associates Dr. Michelle Zalaznick and Dr. Todd Lustig, each member of my staff is an integral part of the great Optix eyecare experience.

Our Opticians:
Judy, Jan, Cathy and Jack

Our Technicians:
Gilma and Eileen

Our Support Staff:
Sharon and Jeanette

Our man in charge operations:
Evan

Our optometry student intern missing from this photo but just as important to us:
Matt Geller

Thank you to my staff.

Thank you to my patients.

We are all looking forward to treating your eyecare needs for the next 25 years, one day at a time.

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum

www.optixeyecare.com

What’s Your 2010 New Years Resolution?

New Years 2010 is upon us.  It’s not only the end of a tumultuous decade; it’s the beginning of a new one.  I for one have a lot to look forward to in this next decade.  It is my feeling that my visions will only be achieved if I set goals for myself.

As a baby boomer, good health is at the top of my list.  So I resolve to eat better, exercise more, and attempt to reduce as much stress in my life as possible.

As a husband married almost 30 years, special time with my wife is up near the top too.  So I resolve to take more time off to spend more quality time with my wife Judy.

As a father of two grown sons, more quality time is needed there too.

As an optometrist in practice 30 years, I resolve to continue to provide the quality of care that I have provided in the first 30 years of practice…….and better.

As a business owner and person in charge of a terrific staff, I resolve to be a role model, educator and compassionate leader while promoting a rewarding work environment.

As a person, I resolve to be a good friend and neighbor, increase my charitable contributions, to smile and to be HAPPY.

So what is your New Year’s Resolution for 2010?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum

www.optixeyecare.com

We wish all of our patients, friends and family a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season. Our vision is to help you with your vision in the future. We hope all your wishes come true in 2010.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum and Staff

Optix Family Eyecare Center

www.optixeyecare.com

Everywhere we shop we are exposed to over-the-counter readers. They are in all the drug stores, supermarkets, department stores, big-box retailers and even in eye doctor’s offices. They come in so many sizes and colors that it is hard to resist the temptation of buying one or a box full of these “cheap readers.” And yes, there are differences in the quality of these eyeglasses and the vision a person gets from them.

The biggest danger in over-the-counter readers is that a person will not get their eyes examined. When a person thinks he or she can see, there is a false sense of security that the eyes are healthy. But there are eye diseases, like glaucoma, that are what we call silent diseases that can rob your sight without any symptoms.

Eyestrain, headaches, glare, prescription changes, and fatigue are just a few of the symptoms that can be caused by over-the-counter readers. Why does this happen? Over-the-counter readers make the assumption that a person has the same prescription in each eye. The truth is that most people have different prescriptions in each eye.

What else? Cheap readers assume that all people are built alike. Again, not true. One of the most important measurements that an eyecare professional takes before fabricating eyeglasses is the distance between your eyes. Do you know if the lens magnification in over-the-counter glasses is centered in front of your eyes?

OTC readers are not all bad. They can be used to read a map, a menu or even take out a splinter. But I personally would never use them to read a book or work at a computer. Short term use only or for emergencies……..that’s it.

Have your eyes examined regularly. Let your eye doctor recommend the proper correction for your eyes.

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum

www.optixeyecare.com

Have you ever thought about how to improve your quality of life with the proper eye wear? Think about all the things you do every day and how you can make your visual life easier.

• Everyday Living - Contact Lenses, Eyeglasses, Sunglasses
• Work Environment – Computer eyeglasses (Gunnar Eyewear), Safety Eyewear, Reading glasses
• Tennis- Sports protective eyeglasses, Sunglasses, Contact lenses
• Golf- Golf Glasses, Contact Lenses, Sunglasses
• Reading- Reading Glasses, Bifocals, Progressives
• Biking- Sun glass wraps for protection with interchangeable lenses, Contact Lenses
• Skiing- Ski Goggles with prescription eyeglass insert, Contact Lenses
• Fishing- Polarized Sunglasses
• Misc Sports- Contact Lenses, Sports safety eyewear
• TV- Single Vision TV Glasses, (in addition to progressives for everyday living)
• Computer- Computer Glasses, Progressives
• Driving- Clear non-glare eyeglasses for night driving, Polarized Sunglasses for daytime. (One for each car)

This is just a thought. What do you think? What special needs do you have that need vision correction. How have you helped your vision today?

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum

www.optixeyecare.com

Many employers offer flex spending plans to their employees as a benefit to help reduce Uncle Sam’s tax bite.  A medical flex account is an employer-provided benefit that allows you to contribute a set amount from your paycheck in order to cover out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses such as health insurance co-pays, uninsured treatments, or even over-the-counter drug purchases.

If you have been fortunate enough to be healthy this year, you may have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that you must use before year’s end?

Everyone needs eyecare to maintain healthy eyes and most people need eyewear to provide clear, comfortable vision.  An FSA can help reduce the costs.
An FSA can be used for:

• Eye Examinations and Contact Lens Fittings
• Eyeglasses
• Sunglasses
• Lasik (Laser Vision Correction)
• Contact Lenses and Solutions

Come speak to our staff at Optix Family Eyecare Center.  Let us help you maximize your benefits.

Joel Kestenbaum, OD
www.optixeyecare.com

Recently, we added a new Retinal Camera from Kowa. This is also called a fundus camera.  What is a retinal camera?  This special camera takes a high resolution digital photograph of the back of the eye allowing for easier diagnosis of diseases that affect the film of our eyes…… the retina.

What diseases can the retinal camera help diagnose?

• Diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)
• Glaucoma
• Hypertension
• High Cholesterol
• Brain Tumors
• Cancer of the eye
• Macular Degeneration
• Fluid on the Retina
• Retinal Holes or Tears

And many more

This simple test can be completed for most people without dilating the eyes.  It takes only a few seconds and the results are immediately available to the doctors to explain to our patients.  The retinal camera is an invaluable tool allowing the doctors to magnify even the smallest of images for easier diagnosis.  By attaching the images to our patient’s electronic file, we can compare small changes from year to year making treatment decisions easier.

Come see one of our associates.  At Optix, we provide 21st century eyecare.

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum
Optix Family Eyecare Center
www.optixeyecare.com

• 80% of learning is through the eyes.
• 80% of a person’s lifetime exposure to ultraviolet light comes before he age of 18.
• Vision screening in a pediatrician’s office is NOT an eye examination.
• Vision screening in a school nurses office is NOT an eye examination.
• An eye doctor should examine a child by age three.

Signs that a child might have a problem with their eyes are:
•    Difficulty making eye contact
•    Difficulty tracking moving objects
•    Constant or intermittent crossing or misalignment of one or both eyes
•    The pupils appear white
•    Red, crusty, watery or painful eyes
•    Droopy eyelids
•    Squinting often
•    Eye rubbing
•    Constant blinking
•    Eyes appear to bulge

Here are some definitions of some common terms related to the eyes:

•    Nearsightedness… Can see near but has difficulty seeing far away.
•    Farsightedness… The eyes work harder than normal to see far away and work. even harder to see close up.  High degrees of farsightedness need to be treated in children.
•    Astigmatism… A distorted image created by a misshapen cornea.
•    Glaucoma…related to elevated pressure inside the eye.
•    Lazy Eye or Amblyopia… reduced vision from lack of use.  Early detection (before age 5 is mandatory) and treatment is necessary to ensure best visual results.
So parents, please be concerned about your child’s eyes and have their eyes examined at the earliest age possible.  You will be assuring that they have all the visual tools for a proper education and enjoyment of life’s experiences.  Isn’t now a good time?

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum
Optix Family Eyecare Center
www.optixeyecare.com