Ophthalmology
At Westchester Health, our Ophthalmology Department consists of a board trained and certified physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the eye and vision system.
Our ophthalmologist is highly trained to perform eye exams, diagnose and treat diseases of the ocular system, prescribe medications and perform eye surgery. He also writes prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses, performs laser surgery, and manages chronic diseases of the eye such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Prevention as well as treatment
At Westchester Health, our focus is not only on the evaluation and treatment of health problems but also on preventative care.
In addition to providing the highest quality of eye and vision care, our ophthalmologist works closely with other specialists who are part of your healthcare team to coordinate and implement a total treatment plan that is customized for your specific needs to achieve the best possible outcome. He also focuses on educating you about lifestyle changes you can make to control, improve or even eradicate your particular eye-related condition.
What makes Westchester Health’s Ophthalmology Department different?
At Westchester Health, we firmly believe that good treatment starts with good listening. We also believe that the best patient is an informed patient, and that patient education is critical to your long-term health.
From the first time you arrive at our offices, we spend as much time with you as is necessary to make sure you understand your condition, the diagnostic tests we are recommending and all of your treatment options. Throughout your journey with us, we will continue to explain our recommended course of treatment and answer any questions you may have so that you understand what to expect.
Whether you have been with Westchester Health for years or are new to our practice, you quickly recognize that our Ophthalmology Department truly cares about each and every one of our patients. When you need us, we are here for you.
Always at the forefront of medicine
The world of medicine continues to change and evolve, especially regarding the field of ophthalmology. As part of Northwell Health, our ophthalmologist participates in its Department of Ophthalmology training programs, making sure he is continually up-to-date on the newest breakthrough treatments for our patients’ vision and eye care needs.
Ophthalmologists are experts at treating a variety of vision-related conditions, including:
Cataracts
Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over 40 and is the principal cause of blindness in the world. A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. People with cataracts gradually notice changes in their vision, such as blurry vision, seeing double, light sensitivity, trouble seeing at night, needing more light when they read, and seeing bright colors as faded or yellow. Treatments include different eyeglasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses. If these solutions don’t help, surgery is a highly effective option, in which the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid. Easily passed from person to person (especially in children), it can be caused by bacteria, viruses, allergies and irritants such smoke or pool chlorine. Treatments include antibiotics, antihistamines, rinsing the eyes with water, avoiding eye makeup and contact lenses, and frequent hand washing.
Corneal Abrasions
A corneal abrasion, or scratch on the surface of the eye, can be very painful, and requires immediate medical treatment to prevent serious ocular infections and potential loss of vision.
Eye Emergencies
Many eye emergencies require urgent evaluation by a professional ophthalmologist. These conditions include but are not limited to: blunt ocular trauma, chemical exposure, ultraviolet light exposure (arc burns), new onset of floaters or flashing lights, sudden blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, double vision and eye pain.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages your eye's optic nerve. It is linked to a buildup of pressure inside your eye and gets worse over time, possibly leading to permanent vision loss. Glaucoma tends to be inherited and may not show up until later in life. Most people with glaucoma have no early symptoms or pain, which is why you should see an ophthalmologist regularly and get treated if necessary. If you’re over age 40 and have a family history of glaucoma, you should get a complete eye exam from an ophthalmologist every 1-2 years.
LASIK
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is an outpatient refractive surgery procedure used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. With LASIK, a laser is used to reshape the cornea (the clear, round dome at the front of the eye) to change the way the eye focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye, thereby improving eyesight. The procedure is not painful and most eye surgeons perform LASIK on both eyes at the same time, allowing patients to leave their office with dramatically improved eyesight within approximately 20 minutes.
Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss nationwide, affecting more than 10 million Americans—more than cataracts and glaucoma combined. It is caused by deterioration of the retina and can severely impair vision. Symptoms include dark, blurry or white areas that appear in the center of your vision. There is no cure for macular degeneration, but it can be treated with vitamins, laser therapy, medications and vision aids.
Red Eye
An eye that is red can be a sign of many different ocular surface abnormalities, ranging from conditions that are not serious to ones that require immediate intervention. Since it’s impossible to diagnose the underlying medical condition causing a red eye without an examination, we highly recommend that any change in the color of the eye be evaluated by an ophthalmologist.