Glaucoma Specialists Confirm Reduced Risk of Blindness with Better Diagnosis & Treatment

"In conjunction with Glaucoma Awareness Month, as designated by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, each January we expend extra effort to raise the level of patient awareness about glaucoma risk factors and the need for early detection, diagnosis and treatment," noted Ivan Jacobs, M.D. End Quote

Bergen-Passaic, NJ (1888PressRelease) January 06, 2015 - Glaucoma Specialists Ivan Jacobs, M.D. and Roslyn Stahl, M.D. of The Eye Care & Surgery Center commented on the positive results they observe in preventing vision loss and blindness from glaucoma.

"Knowing your personal risk factors can go a long way in helping avoid vision loss and ultimately potential blindness. Many risk factors have been well established. We know that glaucoma risk increases considerably after the age of 40, and once over 60 years of age your risk increases six fold, even without any family or medical history. Then, if you have any family history of glaucoma your risk is further increased 4-9 times," shared Dr. Jacobs.

"We need to make patients aware that according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it would appear that long term oral contraceptive users are at twice the risk of developing glaucoma. Further, women who experience an early natural menopause may be at greater risk of open angle glaucoma according to studies published in the American Journal of Epidemiology," commented Glaucoma Specialist Roslyn Stahl, M.D. "Further, anyone suffering from sleep apnea needs to know that they are at increased risk of glaucoma and should have a thorough examination."

The efforts in patient awareness and education clearly have had a positive impact in that according to researchers from the Mayo Clinic reporting in Ophthalmology, the likelihood of losing sight in one eye was 28 percent for patients diagnosed with glaucoma between 1965 and1980. That number fell to 13.5 percent for patients diagnosed between 1981 and 2000.

"The Mayo Clinic study results are very similar to what we see in our New Jersey and metro New York patient population. The advances in glaucoma testing such as in office Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and high resolution digital photography of the optic nerve along with the major improvements in glaucoma treatment such as lasers and microscopic glaucoma implants, have helped us achieve a meaningful decrease in blindness from glaucoma today," explained Dr. Stahl. "However, even with these advances, patients must continue to do their part and schedule regular eye exams with glaucoma testing as this is the best way to detect glaucoma early and if needed, initiate treatment as quickly as possible."

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is staffed by fellowship trained ophthalmologists who are board certified Diplomats of the American Board of Ophthalmology. They provide eye exams for adults and children, cataract exams, laser cataract surgery & lens implants and laser eye surgery for vision correction such as bladeless all-laser LASIK. Additional specialties include diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease along with cornea transplants, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina, treatment of diabetes and age related macular degeneration (AMD), diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, reconstructive and cosmetic facial surgery including eyelid surgery and facial and skin rejuvenation as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services.

With locations at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, The Eye Care & Surgery Center is a conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

To learn more about The Eye Care & Surgery Center you may visit http://www.newjerseyvision.com, http://www.facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter or follow our eye care blog.

For additional information, contact:
Jerette Lerner, The Eye Care & Surgery Center, 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, jllerner ( @ ) newjerseyvision dot com, (P) 908-789-8999

SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, LLC
http://www.aboutcataractsurgery.com
http://www.seewithlasik.com

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