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WOMEN AND DRY EYE

Dry eye syndrome is among the most common eye conditions in the United States. What is dry eye syndrome? In healthy eyes, a thin layer of tears coats the outside surface of the eye and keeps it moist. Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eye doesn’t make enough tears, or doesn’t make effective tears, or the tears that it does make evaporate too quickly and leave the eye dry and vulnerable.

People with dry eyes often experience dryness, stickiness, and stinging or burning of their eyes. The eyes are often red and irritated. Sometimes the eyes water excessively in an effort to soothe the irritation, but these reflex tears are usually not adequate to fix the problem, and all they do is spill over the eyelid and run down the cheek.

The cause of dry eye syndrome is unknown, but the disease affects approximately 77 million Americans. The disease becomes more common as we age, and is particularly common in women over the age of 35.

Dry eye syndrome affects women two to three times more often than men. This is thought to be related to hormones. Male hormones (such as testosterone) seem to be good for the tear glands, and female hormones (particularly estrogen) seem to be bad for the tear glands. In a recent study, women who were on hormone replacement therapy after menopause had up to a 70% higher risk for developing dry eyes than women not using hormone replacement therapy.

One particular form of dry eye syndrome occurs in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome. Patients with Sjögren’s syndrome suffer from dry eyes and dry mouth, because their bodies mistakenly produce small molecules that attack their moisture-producing glands, in addition to causing other problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Ninety percent of people with Sjögren’s syndrome are women.

Dry eye syndrome is more than a nuisance. Left untreated, severe cases of dry eye syndrome can lead to problems such as inflammation, infection, and scarring of the eye surface.

Treatment options: If you have dry eye syndrome, there are numerous treatments available to help protect your eyes and your sight. For many dry eye sufferers, small changes in their daily habits can make the problem better, such as smoking cessation or making sure heating and air-conditioning ducts are aimed away from your face and eyes at home and at work. Diets high in omega-3 fatty acids—including fish, nuts, or supplements—can also improve dry eye symptoms. For others, tear replacement drops can help re-establish moisture to the eye. In addition, a new prescription medication called cyclosporin is now available. Marketed under the brand name Restasis®, cyclosporin helps your tear glands produce more of your own natural tears.

Your doctor can help you develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Call your doctor today at North Shore Eye Care.
Our staff will be more than happy to make an appointment for you, 631-265-8780.

DRY EYE: WHY IS IT A DISEASE AND NOT JUST A NUISANCE?

Do you have dry eyes? Up to 12 million Americans suffer from a disease called dry eye syndrome. People with dry eyes frequently experience burning and stinging of their eyes, their eyes often feel sticky, and their eyes are often red. Some people with dry eyes also have periods when their eyes get so watery that tears spill over their eyelids and run down their cheeks.

Your eyes normally make small amounts of tears all day long. Tears play several important roles in keeping your eyes healthy and your vision clear. Tears lubricate the eye’s surface, wash away debris, provide a smooth surface to help keep your vision clear, and also contain natural antibiotics that keep your eyes safe from germs that might cause infections.

Tears coat the eye in a smooth film made up of three separate layers. The layer of tears closest to the front surface of the eye is called the mucin layer. Its job is to smooth out the uneven spots on the eye surface. Next, a layer of aqueous tears covers the mucin layer. The aqueous layer is watery, and makes up the majority of the tear film. Its job is to lubricate the eye and keep it moist. The final layer of the tear film is an oily layer called the lipid layer. This is the outermost layer, and its job is to cover the aqueous layer and prevent it from evaporating.

Each layer of the tear film is made by a different part of the eye. The mucin layer is made by the eye surface itself. The aqueous layer is made by a tear gland tucked under the upper eyelid. And the lipid layer is made by small glands in the eyelids. For the tear film to do its job, all three layers have to be in their proper places in the correct amounts, like a recipe. If any layer is missing or abnormal—which can happen for a number of reasons—the tear film becomes disorganized and no longer soothes the eye like it should.

When that happens, the symptoms of dry eye syndrome occur. The front surface of the eye gets dried out (causing stickiness) and gets inflamed (causing stinging and burning). Once it gets inflamed, the eye ignores the proper tear film recipe and starts making large quantities of the aqueous layer in an effort to soothe itself. These bad tears don’t soothe the eye at all—they just run down your face, washing away the mucin and lipid layers as well. This makes the eye even more irritated, so it makes even more bad tears, and the cycle continues.

For some people, the stinging and burning and redness and watering may seem like little more than a nuisance, but in fact, if left untreated, dry eye syndrome can lead to serious eye problems. Dry eyes are inflamed eyes. Inflammation of the front surface of the eye increases the risk of some infections, and can also lead to scarring.

If you have symptoms of dry eye syndrome, ask your Long Island doctor’s at North Shore Eye Care for a dry eye evaluation. Treatments are available to halt the disease.

What Can I Do for My Dry Eyes?

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that affects as many as 10 million people in the United States. Symptoms of dry eye syndrome include burning and an itchy or scratchy sensation, like having sand or grit in your eyes. Many people with dry eye syndrome have intermittent blurry vision that temporarily improves with rapid blinking. There are many causes of dry eye syndrome, but in general, the condition occurs because your tears are either abnormal or they are evaporating from your eye’s surface too quickly.
Dry eye syndrome is often a nuisance, and in some cases, can lead to scaring of the eye’s surface with loss of vision. There are several treatments available. These range from simple lifestyle modifications to prescription medications, depending on the severity of the condition.
If you have mild dry eyes, you may be able to improve your symptoms just by changing your environment. Sitting too close to a heating or air conditioning vent exposes the eye to a constant flow of forced air, which can make tears evaporate too quickly. Most heating systems dry out your home’s air even if you don’t sit too close to the vent; a humidifier can help put moisture back into the air. Cigarette smoke can irritate and dry out the eye surface as well, and quitting smoking often improves symptoms of dry eye syndrome.
If your eyes don’t produce enough tears or don’t produce healthy tears, there are tear replacements available. These artificial tears are sold over the counter in most drugstores and grocery stores. If your symptoms are mild to moderate, putting artificial tears into your eyes two to four times daily often helps relieve your symptoms. Artificial tears are available in multi-dose bottles and single-dose vials. The multi-dose bottles are less expensive but contain preservatives that some people cannot tolerate more than four times daily. The single-dose vials contain no preservatives, and can be used more than four times daily, but they are generally more expensive.

Moderate to severe dry eye may require medical therapy. Prescription eye drops are available that stimulate your tear glands to produce more of your own natural tears. All medications have side effects, and prescription medications can be costly, so this solution may not be for everyone.
If you have dry eye symptoms, talk to your eye doctor at North Shore Eye Care. Based on your lifestyle and the severity of your symptoms, your doctor will work with you to design a treatment plan to make your eyes comfortable.

Call us today to make an appointment.

North Shore Eye Care
260 Middle Country Road
Suite 201
Smithtown, NY 11787
631-265-8780

Dry Eye is a Treatable Disease!

See the Dry Eye Experts at: NORTH SHORE EYE CARE

Schedule Your Appointment Today!

Dry Eye Symptoms:

Contact Lens Discomfort
Burning Watery/Tearing Eyes
Foreign Body Sensation
Sandy/Gritty Feeling
Light Sensitivity
Itching
Red Eyes
Eye Soreness
Arthritis/Joint Pain

Don’t suffer from Dry Eye one more day! There is an exciting, new range of treatment to combat Dry Eye Disease!

Call Today for More Information!

NORTH SHORE EYE CARE
260 MIDDLE COUNTRY ROAD
SUITE 201
SMITHTOWN, NY 11787
631-265-8780

July is Dry Eye Awareness Month
· Dry Eye is one of the most common ocular problems.· An estimated 7.1 million people in the U.S. over the age of 40 experience the symptoms of Dry Eye disease … and don’t know it is a treatable condition.· If left untreated, Dry Eye can be a progressive condition, leading to serious consequences.· Dry Eye symptoms include: red eyes, burning, itching, foreign body sensation, sandy/gritty feeling, light sensitivity, eye soreness, watery/tearing eyes, contact lens discomfort, and arthritis/joint pain.

The doctors at North Shore Eye Care treat patients with dry eye everyday. If you suffer from any of the symptoms above, contact our office for an appointment today.

Call our Smithtown office at 631-265-8780, our friendly staff will be glad to make you an appointment.

Here comes the sun!

Protect Your Eyes from UV Radiation!

This means it’s time to protect your eyes from potentially harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Long Island beaches will be full of people enjoying the summer sun. Not only is it important to protect your skin from harmful rays, but your eyes as well.
Our Smithtown doctors want to encourage everyone to protect their eyes from the harmful rays. Wear protective sun glasses.

Doctor’s Lawrence Zweibel, Jeffrey Martin, and Sidney Martin from North Shore Eye Care.

The doctors at North Shore Eye Care are very concerned about safety. On Long Island, not only Smithtown there will be many firework displays.

Fireworks Safety Tips:

· View public fireworks displays from
at least 500 feet away.

· Respect the safety barriers set up
by pyrotechnicians.

Let trained professionals light the fireworks.
· Follow the directions of local firemen
and police at public displays.

Do not touch unexploded fireworks

The staff at North Shore Eye Care want to wish everyone a safe 4th of July.

It is with great pleasure that I announce the inclusion of Dr. Sidney Martin, Dr. Lawrence Zweibel, and Dr. Jeffrey Martin in the Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. 11th edition of Top Doctors: New York Metro Area. To be recognized by the leading source of quality medical care is wonderful news for the doctors. As practice administrator, I take pride in delivering quality care and service to every patient. This endorsement not only reflects the reputation and skill of the doctors, but also the professionalism of our office.

Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. is a healthcare research and information company. Their reputable books and website have allowed consumers to painlessly find the best healthcare since 1991. Doctors and hospitals do not and cannot pay to be selected for inclusion. Their peers must nominate them. Only those who are among the very best in their specialties and in their communities are selected for inclusion.

We are delighted to share this exciting news and will continue to deliver superior eye care. For more information regarding Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., please visit www.castleconnolly.com or pick up a copy of the Top Doctors: New York Metro Area in our waiting room.

Peg Mangano
Practice Administrator
North Shore Eye Care

Choosing a physician is one of the most important choices in our lives. However, most of us don’t put much thought into our selections. We get names and recommendations from our family and friends. We make appointments with doctors knowing very little about them. With the Castle Connolly Guide - Top Doctors: New York Metro Area, you can learn about the doctor’s medical school education, residency training, fellowship, board certifications, hospital appointments and much more.
All of the doctors at North Shore Eye Care have been selected for inclusion in the 11th edition of Top Doctors: New Metro Area. This guide represents the top 10% of practicing physicians in the New York tri-state area. This selection reflects the high esteem and respect accorded them by their peers.
Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. is a healthcare research and information company founded in 1991 by a former medical college board chairman and president to help consumers find America’s top doctors.
In this new and rapidly changing healthcare environment, patients must be well informed. Many do not trust the healthcare system. They are not confident that their HMO, their hospital, or even their doctor is motivated to protect them and to ensure that they get excellent care.
When a consumer is searching for a car or even a restaurant, you can easily find guidebooks to help. When it comes to choosing healthcare providers, the bookshelves are nearly bare.

Look for a copy of Top Doctors: New Metro Area, 11th edition in our waiting room.
You have already made the choice to have our doctors at North Shore Eye Care take care of you. The Castle Connolly Top Doctor guide will confirm that the choice you made is the right one.

Improving your vision:
Understanding Cataracts:
Developing a cataract doesn’t mean a permanent loss of vision quality, or having to give up the things you love, because cataract surgery is a safe, effective way to improve your vision.
As we grow older the eye’s natural crystalline lens often stiffens and hardens-this condition is called a cataract.
Without its youthful suppleness, the natural lens loses its ability to focus, creating vision problems.
Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgery in the United States, with well over 2 million Americans having the procedure every year.
Performed almost exclusively on an outpatient basis, cataract surgery is microsurgery, whereby the natural lens is removed and replaced with what is called an intraocular lens(IOL).
The procedure is highly successful and most people regain very good distance vision, somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40.

The Accommodating Lens:
How it works:
Designed like your natural lens:
The crystalens accommodating lens takes its design cues from a single source-nature! Working in concert with the eye’s natural muscle, crystalens “flexes” to accommodate near, intermediate and distance subjects. No lens comes closer to mirroring the function of the natural lens.
The human lens uses the ciliary muscle to move the lens and allows you to focus on the subject at hand. The crystalens works the same way.
The lens rests back in the eye to accommodate distance vision, then gently flexes forward to accommodate intermediate vision, and then further forward for near vision.
Movement is enabled by a flexible hinge within the lens.
The crystalens Advantage:
Superior Results:
More than twice the number of patients implanted with a crystalens could see at all distances compared to a standard IOL.
Effective Near Vision
98.4% of crystalens patients are able to read the newspaper or a phone book without glasses.
Effective Intermediate Vision
100% of crystalens patients are able to see their computers, dashboards and anything else at arm’s length without glasses.
Effective Distance Vision
98.4% of crystalens patients are able to see 20/40 or better after surgery, so the clock across the room or the TV in the corner are clearly within sight without glasses.
Ready for crystalens?
Ask us if you’re a candidate:
Your physician will perform a thorough eye exam to determine the most appropriate treatment for you, but you may be a good candidate for the crystalens if:
Your eyes are healthy
You have NOT had previous cataract surgery
You have no major health problems
You’ve had a refractive procedure such as LASIK