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Our Services

Retinal Detachment Treatment

The retina is a nerve layer at the back of your eye that senses light and sends images to your brain. You can think of the retina as the film that lines the back of a camera.

Retinal Detachment

This disease occurs when the retina is pulled away from its normal position. The retina does not work when it is detached. Vision is blurred, like a camera picture would be if the film were loose inside a camera. If this is left untreated, blindness could occur.

The middle of the eye is filled with a clear gel, called the vitreous. As we get older, the vitreous may pull away from its attachment to the retina at the back of the eye. Normally, the vitreous separates from the retina without causing problems. At times, however, the vitreous pulls hard enough to tear the retina in one or more places.

Fluid may pass through the retinal tear, lifting the retina off the back of the eye, like wallpaper can pull off a wall.

The following conditions increase risk of retinal detachment.

Nearsightedness
Previous cataract surgery
Glaucoma
Severe injury
Previous retinal detachment in you other eye
Family history of retinal detachment
Weak areas in your retina that can be seen by your ophthalmologist

The following symptoms may indicate the presence of a retinal detachment:

Flashing lights
New floaters
Gray curtain moving across your field of vision

These symptoms do not always mean a retinal detachment, but your ophthalmologist should see you as soon as possible.

Treatment

Retinal tears need to be treated with laser surgery or cryotherapy (freezing), which seals the retina to the back wall of the eye. In some cases it can be observed without treatment. Almost all patients with retinal detachments require surgery to put the retina back in its proper position.

Our retinal specialist comes down from Wills Eye Hospital. He can help explain the various conditions, treatments, surgical procedures, benefits and risks involved. Call our office to schedule an appointment.

Some retinal conditions include retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.

Adolescent Eye Care

Adolescent Eye Care | Galloway | Manahawkin | Margate Children experience a variety of eye problems, many quite distinct from adult eye diseases. Their eyes are constantly changing. Horizon Eye Care monitors the eyes of its youngest patients, striving to anticipate problems before they occur. Every child should have a comprehensive eye exam before entering school.

Call us now to schedule an appointment at one of our six convenient offices.

School age signs of Eye and Vision Problems

A child may not tell you that he or she has a vision problem because they may think the way they see is the way everyone sees.

Signs that may indicate a child has vision problem include:

Frequent eye rubbing or blinking
Short attention span
Avoiding reading and other close activities
Frequent headaches
Covering one eye
Tilting the head to one side

Holding reading materials close to the face
An eye turning in or out
Seeing double
Losing place when reading
Difficulty remembering what he or she read

Preschool signs of Eye and Vision Problems

According to the American Public Health Association, about 10% of preschoolers have eye or vision problems. However, children this age generally will not voice complaints about their eyes.

Parents should watch for signs that may indicate a vision problem, including:

Sitting close to the TV or holding a book too close
Squinting
Tilting their head
Frequently rubbing their eyes
Short attention span for the child's age

Turning of an eye in or out
Sensitivity to light
Difficulty with eye-hand-body coordination when playing ball or bike riding
Avoiding coloring activities, puzzles and other detailed activities

If you notice any of these signs in your child, please call us to schedule an appointment.

Macular Degeneration & Progressive Treatments

The macula is a part of the retina in the back of the eye that ensures that our central vision is clear and sharp. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs when the arteries that nourish the retina harden. Deprived of nutrients, the retinal tissues begin to weaken and die, causing vision loss. Patients may experience anything from a blurry, gray or distorted area to a blind spot in the center of vision.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration develops as a part of the body's natural aging process. There are two types of macular degeneration; Dry AMD (non-exudative, atrophic), which accounts for 90% of all cases and Wet AMD (exudative, neovascular disciform), which accounts for the remaining 10%. Wet AMD is an irreversible eye disorder that can lead to blindness. Early detection and close observation by a qualified ophthalmologist can offer some hope.

AMD is the number-one cause of vision loss in the U.S. Macular degeneration doesn't cause total blindness because it doesn't affect the peripheral vision. Possible risk factors include genetics, age, diet, smoking and sunlight exposure. Many people do not realize they have a macular problem until blurred vision becomes obvious. Your ophthalmologist can detect early stages of macular degeneration during a medical eye exam. Regular eye exams are highly recommended to detect macular degeneration early and prevent permanent vision loss.

Treatment varies depending on severity and many other factors. Treatments include but are not limited to laser therapy, photodynamic therapy and injections.

Dry Eye Treatment

Dry eye is one of the most common ocular conditions today. Dry eye problems arise when a person does not have enough tears, or the correct composition of tears, to properly lubricate the eye. It affects millions of people and while most suffer from mild symptoms that often disappear after a short time, the condition can lead to permanent vision problems. As a result, severe, long-lasting symptoms should be addressed immediately.

If your eyes feel dry, irritated, or scratchy on a regular basis, you most likely have dry eye problems. Determining the exact causes of your dry eye and the best solution for the condition, however, can be much more complex. To accomplish these goals, your doctor has several tools at his or her disposal.

Dry eyes result from systemic diseases (Sjogrens, RA, lupus, Stevens Johnson, thyroid disease, Bell's palsy), eye conditions (meibomian gland disease, blepharitis, ocular rosacea, corneal dystrophies), elective surgeries (LASIK, PRK, blepharoplasty), eyelid conditions (lagophthalmos, ptosis) medically necessary surgeries, drug side effects (antihistamines, diuretics, beta blockers), eye injuries and burns, chemotherapy and radiation, aging, menopause, or any others of the many causes of dry eye.

Allergic Eye Disease (Conjunctivitis)

Allergic eye disease, or allergic conjunctivitis, makes the eyes feel itchy, red, watery and light-sensitive and can cause swelling of the eyelids. The allergy may be seasonal, often occurring alongside hay fever, or it may occur throughout the year, known as perennial, as a result of exposure to allergens such as dust mites, mold or animal dander. Both are common, especially for patients with family histories of asthma, eczema or rhinitis. People can also develop allergic eye disease from wearing hard or soft contact lenses, as a complication of atopic eczema, or for other reasons. Patients with this condition may also suffer from dry eyes and blepharitis.

Allergic eye disease is uncomfortable but it rarely causes injury. Treatment varies depending on the cause, history and symptoms, and may include topical or oral antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers or topical corticosteroids. Cold compresses may also relieve discomfort.