There are two types of HSV. Type I is the most common. It causes the cold sore or fever blister. Type II is the sexually transmitted form, and it infects the genitals.

Though both types can spread to the eye, Type I is the more frequent cause of eye infections. It can be transferred to the eye by touching an active lesion and then touching the eye.

Symptoms of Herpes in the Eye

Symptoms of Herpes Keratitis may include:

• pain
• redness
• rash
• blurry vision
• tearing
• discharge
• and light sensitivity

If the infection involves only the cornea’s outer layer (epithelium), it will usually heal without scarring. However, if it goes deeper into the cornea, the infection can lead to corneal scarring, vision loss, and even blindness.

How to Decrease Complications of Herpes in the Eye

Once you have Herpes you are susceptible to recurrences. You can decrease complications of Herpes Keratitis by:

1. Don’t touch your eyes when you have a cold sore or blister.
2. Avoid the use of steroid eye drops, unless paired with an anti-viral medicine.
3. Refrain from wearing contact lenses if you’re prone to Herpes infections.

It’s best to see your Ophthalmologist promptly if the symptoms of Ocular Herpes return. To make an appointment with Atlantic Medical Eye Care in central New Jersey, click here and contact us.

The post Can You Really Get Herpes In Your Eye? appeared first on Atlantic Medical Eye Care.

1. Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens in the eye. It is the result of proteins in the lens breaking down with time causing blurred vision. Generally, cataract surgery is the preferred treatment option.

If you have questions about treating cataract, download our free guide featuring 34 questions you should ask BEFORE having cataract surgery.

2. Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy occurs when excess glucose damages the blood vessels in the retina. Over time people with both Type I and Type II Diabetes can develop vision loss, especially if the disease is uncontrolled.

3. Detached Retina

The incidence of Detached Retina can also occur with age since the vitreous material in the eye changes in texture and shrinks in time. This is associated with flashes and floaters which may lead to permanent vision loss.

4. Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (or AMD) occurs when the central portion of the retina (the macula) wears down. While AMD can destroy straight ahead and color vision, Glaucoma can reduce peripheral vision and lead to complete blindness.

5. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the result of fluid not draining properly from the eye, increasing eye pressure and damaging the optic nerve. Glaucoma often reduces peripheral vision and sometimes even lead to total blindness.

Other Eye Conditions Associated with Aging

There are other eye conditions associated with aging. Therefore, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that those over 65 have a complete eye exam at least every year or so. Catching eye problems early is key to more favorable outcomes.

If an eye problem has been diagnosed or there is a medical problem or medication that could affect the eyes, patients should follow the guidance of their Ophthalmologist or Eye MD and have more frequent visits.

Contact Atlantic Medical Eye Care today to schedule an appointment to ensure your eyes remain in top condition.

The post 5 Eye Problems that Can Occur as You Get Older appeared first on Atlantic Medical Eye Care.

Unfortunately, every Ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) has heard scary stories about the use of non-prescription or over-the-counter contact lenses.

Reason #1: Costume Lenses Can Scratch the Cornea

If contacts are not professionally fitted to the eye, they can scratch the cornea. One patient’s lens was too tight. It adhered to her eye causing a permanent eye scar, vision loss, and a drooping eyelid.

Remember — there is no such thing as a “one size fits all” contact lens. They should always be professionally fitted by an experienced eye care physician.

Reason #2: Costume Lenses Often Cause Serious Infections

Infections are also common with costume-type lenses. These lenses may not be sterilized when packaged. They even may contain harmful chemicals, such as chlorine.

A patient described her need for surgical intervention following a very serious infection that left her with permanent blurry vision and persistent dry eyes. Another patient regrets his use of color changing lenses that caused complete vision loss in one eye, even after having about a dozen surgeries to try to fix the problem.

Over-the-Counter Lenses Are Now Illegal in the United States

In response to cases like these, non-prescription or over-the-counter lenses are now illegal in the United States — whether purchased in costume stores, beauty supply shops or online.

So, avoid using these color-changing costume contact lenses at all costs. They are just too risky in terms of the permanent damage they can cause to your eyes.

The post 2 Reasons to Avoid Color-Changing “Costume” Contact Lenses appeared first on Atlantic Medical Eye Care.

Symptoms of Lazy Eye

Symptoms of Amblyopia include:

• misalignment of the eyes, or strabismus
• eyes that don’t work together
• poor depth perception and peripheral vision
• tilting the head to see correctly
• squinting or shutting one eye
• abnormal vision screening results

Treatment of Lazy Eye

Traditionally, the treatment for amblyopia has been to correct the underlying problem and then to cover the “good” eye with a patch to encourage use of the lazy eye.

However, the downside of using a patch over the good eye is that it may be only partially successful, and it typically doesn’t work after about age eight.

New Hope: A Possible Cure

Recent research by Professor Mark Bear from the Picower Institute at MIT (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), my own undergraduate alma mater, may change this trajectory. The study showed that when an eye is deprived of normal vision the connections from that eye to the brain can become dormant.

However, animal experiments indicated that the lazy eye can be “rebooted” after a brief treatment of the retinas with a local anesthetic, and that this protocol has the potential to restore vision even in adults.

Researchers are hopeful that progress toward curing amblyopia will continue based upon these preliminary findings.

The post Lazy Eye (aka Amblyopia): Symptoms, Treatment and Hope appeared first on Atlantic Medical Eye Care.

Retinal Detachment

A Retinal Detachment occurs when the retina pulls away from its supportive tissue. Patients often experience blurred vision, and they may see flashes of light and floaters. Addressing the condition quickly can save vision in the eye.

Central Retinal Artery Occlusion

Similarly, a CRAO or Central Retinal Artery Occlusion must be treated promptly because this blockage of a blood vessel in the eye can cause stroke if a blood clot breaks free and goes to the brain. It is characterized by a sudden painless loss of vision.

Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma

Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma occurs when the drainage apparatus or angle of the eye closes causing a sudden severe increase in eye pressure. Vision loss due to Glaucoma cannot be reversed, so it is incumbent to see an Eye Doctor immediately for symptoms, which include:

• eye pain
• severe headache
• nausea
• sudden loss of sight

Eye Rupture

When a sharp object penetrates the eye, the eye loses pressure, and the contents may actually leak out of the eye. This is known as a ruptured globe, and it requires surgical repair.

Eye Infections

This discussion would not be complete without the mention of infections such as Orbital Cellutis (an infection around the eye) and Endophthalmitis (an infection within the eye).

Both of these infections may cause pain, redness, tenderness, and swelling.

Other Eye Emergencies

There are many additional eye emergencies, but in general patients should seek immediate attention for eye problems, such as:

• cuts
• scratches
• objects in the eye
• burns
• chemical exposure
• injuries to the eye or eyelid
• infections
• pain
• sudden vision loss

The post What is Considered an Eye Emergency? 5 Serious Eye Problems appeared first on Atlantic Medical Eye Care.

What is Glaucoma?

In the United States, about 2% of the population has glaucoma. Glaucoma is a disease marked by elevated pressure in the eye. Though it is often painless, left untreated it can cause irreversible vision loss.

Glaucoma cannot be cured. However, by lowering the pressure in the eye, the progression of the disease can be halted. Common therapies include:

• eye drops
• laser surgery (via the SLT)
• incisional surgery (traditional surgery using a knife)

Click here to learn more about surgical treatment options for glaucoma.

Why We Use the SLT Laser to Treat Glaucoma

Because of its convenience and cost effectiveness, SLT is rapidly becoming the first line of treatment — even before eye drops.

During SLT, a focused beam of light is used to treat the eye’s trabecular meshwork (the eye’s drainage system). This helps increase the flow of fluid from the eye.

The SLT procedure is painless and quick. Usually it is done in a matter of minutes. Afterwards one might experience a slight headache and have blurry vision. These symptoms usually resolve within a day, and most people can return to work the next day.

Advantages of SLT

SLT has the advantages of working continuously without requiring the patient to remember to instill drops in their eyes. The surgery can last up to 10 years, which adds up to significant cost savings on medications.

Not only is the SLT quick and painless, but it is also covered by insurance and can be repeated as necessary.

Dr. Scharfman has done thousands of laser procedures in his office using the most advanced SLT. Contact us today to request an appointment.

The post The SLT Laser: A First Line of Treatment for Glaucoma appeared first on Atlantic Medical Eye Care.

Technology Advances to Predict Glaucoma Progression

At present, disease progression is monitored through comprehensive eye examinations. In office testing can include measuring eye pressure and assessing a patient’s central and peripheral vision using visual field testing.

The Problem

The problem with measuring eye pressure in the doctor’s office is that it only provides a measurement for a single point in time. In addition, eye pressure commonly rises at night when it is impractical to see a doctor.

The Solution

Researchers from Columbia University in New York City have come up with a remarkable solution:

A contact lens with a built-in sensor that can monitor eye pressure 24 hours a day.

The sensor in the lens picks up any change in lens curvature which indicates a change in eye pressure. With the help of an attached wireless antenna, the data is sent to the patient’s physician via Bluetooth.

Where Are We Now?

Since this post was originally written in 2021, continuous eye pressure monitoring has made meaningful progress. A smart contact lens system known as the Triggerfish, developed by Sensimed, has been approved in several countries and is now used in specialized clinics to help track 24-hour pressure patterns in glaucoma patients.

In the United States, these technologies are still limited in availability and are primarily used for research or complex cases, but ongoing clinical trials continue to refine accuracy, comfort, and data integration with electronic health records.

Additionally, artificial intelligence is now being used alongside these sensors to better predict which patients are most at risk of progression, helping doctors personalize treatment plans earlier than ever before.

For Now, Regular Eye Exams are Key

This advanced contact lens is not yet available in the United States, but our hope is that it will be available soon.

So for now, in order to detect glaucoma, your physician will need test your visual acuity and visual field and test the pressure in your eye. Regular eye exams help to monitor the changes in your eyesight and to determine whether you may develop glaucoma.

If you’re located in central New Jersey, our Eye M.D.’s can help monitor your eyesight. Contact us to set up an appointment.

The post New Technology to Predict the Risk of Glaucoma Progression appeared first on Atlantic Medical Eye Care.

What Caused the Man’s Blindness?

Zderad, a patient at the Mayo Clinic, is affected by retinitis pigmentosa.

Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited condition that causes the degeneration of specific cells in the retina called photoreceptors. Unfortunately, in addition to causing poor vision at night, retinitis pigmentosa can also advance to complete vision loss.

How Does the Eye Implant Work?

The eye implant that Zderad received works by bypassing the damaged retina and sending light wave signals directly to the optic nerve. There is a small chip attached to the back of the eye.

The system also includes special glasses and a computer worn in a belt pack.

The prosthesis enables the recipient to see shapes, light, and closer objects. In this case when the device was activated, Zderad was able to see his wife again for the first time in ten years. It was a very dramatic moment.

Progress, But Not Perfection

At this time, recipients of the prosthesis cannot see details of faces or read. Of the device, Zderad said:

It’s crude, but it’s significant.

And researchers agree. This technology takes a big step forward.

Researchers believe that in time adjustments to the device will extend the technology to create more functional vision that’s much closer to way human’s see without such devices.

The post Blind Man Receives a “Bionic Eye” Implant and is Able to See appeared first on Atlantic Medical Eye Care.

Symptoms of Ocular Myasthenia Gravis

Symptoms of Ocular Myasthenia Gravis include:

• drooping of one or both eyelids (ptosis)
• blurred vision
• double vision (diplopia)

A hallmark of Ocular MG is that muscle weakness increases with activity and improves with rest.

Diagnosis of Ocular Myasthenia Gravis

To diagnose Ocular Myasthenia Gravis, a physician will review the patient’s history, do a physical and neurological exam, and observe symptoms.

Various tests used to confirm the diagnosis are:

• a blood test
• a nerve conduction study
• single fiber electromyography (EMG)

The doctor may also apply cold packs to the eye or give the patient a medication. An immediate remittance of symptoms indicates Myasthenia Gravis.

Treating Ocular Myasthenia Gravis

Treatments of Ocular Myasthenia Gravis may include:

• medications
• assistive devices
• surgery (on occasion)

Approximately 15% of people with MG will experience only ocular problems. Often an Ophthalmologist will diagnose this condition because eye symptoms are frequently the first symptoms to emerge.

The post Ocular Myasthenia Gravis: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment appeared first on Atlantic Medical Eye Care.

The shingles virus can reemerge many years after a person has had chickenpox. The risk increases with age, a weakened immune system, and stress.

General Symptoms of Shingles

More generalized symptoms may include:

• painful blisters
• intense tingling or burning pain
• flu-like symptoms
• headache
• fatigue
• fever

Shingles in the Eyes

In 10-20% of cases, shingles appears in and around the eye. When this occurs, there may be additional symptoms, such as:

• burning or throbbing pain in the eye
• eye redness
• tearing
• eye irritation
• blurry vision
• extreme light sensitivity

Complications of Shingles in the Eyes

Complications of a shingles infection reaching spreading to the eyes can include:

• swelling in the eyelid
• retinal swelling
• swelling of the cornea

Shingles in the eye is a serious problem because swelling of the cornea can lead to permanent scarring and vision loss. Retinal swelling may also cause loss of vision. In addition, pain due to nerve damage (postherpetic neuralgia) can continue for an extended period of time.

Patients with shingles can also sometimes experience an increase in ocular pressure, which can cause glaucoma and — in turn — lead to blindness.

See Your Eye M.D. if You Suspect Shingles

Patients with symptoms consistent with shingles in or around the eye should see their Eye M.D. immediately.

If you’re in central New Jersey and you suspect you may have a shingles infection that has spread to your eyes, contact our office to set up an immediate appointment. As noted above, this can pose serious long-term problems to your eyesight.

The post When Shingles Infects Your Eyes: Symptoms and Complications appeared first on Atlantic Medical Eye Care.