Top Docs: 5 fast facts about contact lenses
Many people with eye issues have thought for years that contact lenses weren't for them. But they might want to think again.
Here's what you need to know about today's contact lenses:
1. MULTIFOCAL LENSES OFFER NEW OPTIONS FOR THOSE MIDDLE-AGED AND BEYOND
Once you reach age 40 or so, many contact lens wearers with nearsightedness -- meaning they have difficulty seeing things at a distance -- discover that they now have trouble reading up close, too. For some, that means having to wear reading glasses in addition to their contacts, which largely defeats the purpose.
"Now, there are blended contact lenses that people can wear for both distance and close-up vision," said Dr. Leslie Goldberg, director of ophthalmology at St. Francis Hospital and an eye surgeon based in Manhasset.
These lenses are known as bifocal or multifocal lenses because they allow two or more levels of vision correction.
2. SOFT LENSES ARE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT ASTIGMATISM
Astigmatism, a condition that causes blurred vision, has long been difficult to correct through contact lenses, especially the widely favored soft ones.
But today, more soft contact lenses -- including daily disposables -- are available to treat astigmatism, Goldberg said. However, their availability still may be limited by a particular person's prescription.
Daily disposable lenses, for example, aren't available for some people who need higher levels of correction, he said, because there aren't enough people with those prescription levels for contact lens manufacturers to sell the lenses at a high volume.
3. CONTACT LENSES CAN COMBAT DRYNESS
Though some people can't wear contact lenses because their eyes are naturally too dry and become irritated by the contacts, "there are several new materials and designs which incorporate a lubricating agent within the lens or other treatments that can improve the long-term 'wetability,' " Goldberg said. "Dryness is less of a problem, and some people who couldn't have previously been able to wear contacts can wear them."
However, dryness still can be troublesome for some contact lens wearers, cautioned Dr. Gerard D'Aversa, an ophthalmologist in Valley Stream. "The contacts need to float on the surface of the eye for them to function properly," he explained. "Patients that have a dry eye syndrome could have difficulty wearing the contacts and, in turn, could have complications from the contacts mechanically rubbing up against the surface of the cornea without proper lubrication being present."
4. DON'T WEAR YOUR LENSES OVERNIGHT
"We see the most common problems related to contacts in patients who sleep with the contacts overnight," D'Aversa said.
"The contact lens is placed on the cornea at the front of the eye," he said. "This structure receives its oxygen and nutrients from the tear layer covering the cornea. Contacts slow or may prevent the flow of oxygen and nutrients
from being absorbed by the cornea. This leads to a breakdown of the corneal surface, which, in turn, can lead to infections of the cornea and ultimately scar tissue formation and loss of vision."
To prevent this from happening, it's crucial to allow the cornea "to breathe," he said, by giving it a break from contacts.
5. DAILY DISPOSABLES REMAIN THE SAFEST LENSES
To reduce the chances of developing an eye infection, ophthalmologists recommend that contact lenses be worn for the shortest time possible. The best way to do that is to put in new lenses each day, they say.
Dr. Pamela Weber, an ophthalmologist in Commack and Shirley who specializes in retina disorders, said that daily disposable lenses don't require chemical disinfection or cleaning, nor do they need to be stored in contact lens cases that can become contaminated.
She suggested that people who don't have daily disposable lenses replace their lens cases every month to avoid contamination.
And if you feel an eye irritation, Weber said, contact your eye doctor right away because you could have an infection. "Don't hold off," she said -- and be sure to take the lens with you to your appointment so your doctor can inspect it.
This is the 23rd installment of a 26-week series in which Newsday presents Castle Connolly's list of top Long Island doctors.
Ophthalmologists
Dr. Philip Aries
375 E. Main St., Rm. 24
Bay Shore; 631-665-1330
Dr. Stanley J. Berke
901 Stewart Ave., Ste. 255
516-794-2020
Dr. Vivien Boniuk
600 Northern Blvd.
Ste. 214
516-470-2020
Dr. Robert Broderick
585 Plandome Rd., Ste. 104
Manhasset; 516-627-3232
Dr. Alfred J. Cossari Jr.
311 Barnum Ave.
Port Jefferson
631-928-6400
Dr. Gerard D'Aversa
65 Roosevelt Ave.
Rm 204
516-374-4199
Dr. Frank Di Leo
365 County Rd. 39A
Ste. 2
Southampton
631-283-3677
Dr. Fadi Elbaba
33 Research Way
Ste. 13
631-444-4090
Dr. David M. Fastenberg
600 Northern Blvd.
Rm. 216
516-466-0390
Dr. Philip J. Ferrone
600 Northern Blvd., Ste. 216
516-466-0390
Dr. Perry Garber
800 Community Dr.
516-627-6630
Dr. Anthony Girardi
8 Medical Plaza, Bldg. 8
Glen Cove; 516-676-4596
Dr. Leslie P. Goldberg
2110 Northern Blvd.
Ste. 208
516-627-5113
Dr. Alexander Hatsis
2 Lincoln Ave., Ste. 401
516-763-4106
Dr. William S. Kasper
520 Franklin Ave.
Ste. L9
516-742-3937
Dr. Sajid Malik
Woodbury Optical
185 Woodbury Rd.
Hicksville
516-681-3937
Dr. Alan B. Marks
2110 Northern Blvd.
Ste. 208
Manhasset; 516-627-5113
Dr. Jeffrey Martin
260 Middle Country Rd., Ste. 201
Smithtown; 631-265-8780
Dr. Robert P. Morris
222 E. Main St., Ste. 330
631-724-4488
Dr. Richard J. Nattis
500 W. Main St., Ste. 210
Babylon; 631-957-3355
Dr. David B. Nelson
2000 N. Village Ave.
Ste. 402
516-766-2519
Dr. Grace M. O'Malley
186 Old Towne Rd.
Southampton 631-283-3533
Dr. Samuel Packer
600 Northern Blvd.
Ste. 214
516-465-8400
Dr. Henry Perry
2000 N. Village Ave.
Ste. 402
516-766-2519
Dr. Louis Pizzarello
137 Hampton Rd.
Southampton
631-283-5152
Dr. Arnold S. Prywes
4212 Hempstead Tpke.
Bethpage; 516-731-4800
Dr. John Romanelli
222 E. Main St., Ste. 330
631-724-4488
Dr. Kenneth J. Rosenthal
310 E. Shore Rd.
Rm. 102
Great Neck
516-466-8989
Dr. Charles Rothberg
331 E. Main St.
Patchogue
631-758-5300
Dr. Laurence Rubin
Mid-Island Eye
Physicians & Surgeons
4277 Hempstead Tpke., Ste. 109
Bethpage; 516-796-4030
Dr. Steven E. Rubin
600 Northern Blvd.
Ste. 220
Great Neck
516-465-8444
Dr. David A. Schlessinger
75 Froehlich Farm Blvd.
516-496-2122
Dr. Gideon Schneck
2500 Nesconset Hwy. 17B
Stony Brook
631-246-9140
Dr. Patrick A. Sibony
Stony Brook Ophthalmology
33 Research Way, Ste. 13
East Setauket; 631-444-4090
Dr. Richard T. Sturm
360 Merrick Rd., Fl. 3
Lynbrook
516-593-7709
Dr. Paul Svitra
3003 New Hyde Park Rd., Ste. 203
516-327-0505
Dr. Ira J. Udell
LI Jewish Med. Center
Dept. Ophthalmology
600 Northern Blvd.
Ste. 218
Great Neck
516-470-2020
Dr. Pamela Weber
1500 William Floyd Pkwy., Ste. 304
Shirley; 631-924-4300
Dr. Joseph Weinstein
4212 Hempstead Tpke.
Eye Care Assoc.
Bethpage; 516-731-4800
Dr. Lawrence Zweibel
260 Middle Country Rd.
Ste. 201
631-265-8780
Gilgo-related search expands ... Father faces child abuse charges ... Islip school threat ... Back to the future at these LI businesses
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