Glaucoma & Eye Disease Management in Staten Island

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Protecting Your Long-Term Vision

Diagnosing and managing eye disease early is crucial to your overall eye health care. Eye diseases can severely affect your eyesight if left untreated, undiagnosed, and unmanaged. In some cases, eye diseases can even lead to blindness.

Get in touch with our team to book your next eye exam and assess your eye disease risk today.

Understanding Your Risk

About 12 million Americans over 40 experience some vision impairment. And the prevalence of eye disease among Americans is projected to increase in the near future.

Your eye disease risk can increase with age since conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration are more common in older individuals. That’s why the American Optometric Association recommends eye exams at least every 2 years for adults aged 18–64 and every year for those over 65.

Common Eye Diseases & Challenges

We see a few common eye diseases and challenges on a near-daily basis. Our team is committed to comprehensively diagnosing your condition and providing you with quality, personalized care to preserve your long-term vision as much as possible.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is caused by a gradual breakdown of the macula, the very center of the retina. The macula is responsible for central vision, which allows you to read, write, drive, and recognize faces.

There are 2 types of AMD: dry and wet.

Dry AMD is more common, caused by a thinning of the macula. Wet AMD is less common but more severe, caused by burst blood vessels under the retina, which leaks fluid into the macula. Wet AMD is considered an eye emergency.

AMD symptoms may include:

  • Blurry or distorted vision
  • Straight lines appearing wavy
  • Dark spots in central vision
  • Difficulty recognizing faces
  • Challenges with reading & writing

A cataract occurs as part of the normal aging process. As we age, the normally clear inner lens of the eye hardens and becomes cloudy. It can become more challenging to see as cataracts develop. If left untreated, cataracts can eventually lead to vision loss and blindness.

Symptoms of cataracts may include:

  • Blurry or dim vision
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Seeing halos around lights
  • Colors appear yellow
  • Frequent prescription changes

Check out Dr. Saysha Blazier talking about cataract care here at South Shore Eyecare Associates.

Conjunctivitis is characterized by an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the transparent tissue covering the inner eyelids and whites of your eyes. This inflammation causes the blood vessels in the conjunctiva to become more visible, leading to eye redness.

There are 3 types of conjunctivitis:

  • Viral conjunctivitis
  • Bacterial conjunctivitis
  • Allergic conjunctivitis

Check out Dr. Raymond Pirozzolo talking about conjunctivitis diagnosis and care here at South Shore Eyecare Associates.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to use or produce insulin, leading to excess blood sugar. When blood cells don’t respond to insulin, too much blood sugar stays in the bloodstream, which can lead to other health problems, including vision challenges.

The most common diabetes-related eye conditions are diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. Both conditions occur when blood sugar buildup cuts off blood supply to the retina and macula, reducing their functionality. In some cases, these conditions can lead to blindness when left untreated.

We recommend those with diabetes visit us for a diabetic eye exam every year so we can monitor their vision and make actionable recommendations about their eye health.

Check out Dr. Saysha Blazier and Dr. Mitchell Horowitz discussing diabetes and the eye.

We spend more time on our screens now than ever. From smartphones to laptops to televisions, we seem to look at devices constantly. Digital eye strain is often caused by prolonged screen use.

Digital eye strain can lead to symptoms like:

Check out Dr. Saysha Blazier discussing digital eye strain and computer vision syndrome.

Glaucoma refers to damage to the optic nerve caused by high intraocular pressure. As pressure builds at the back of the eye, vision loss can occur. Glaucoma often occurs without notable symptoms, which is why it’s sometimes called the silent thief of sight.

There are a few different types of glaucoma, including:

  • Open-angle glaucoma
  • Acute angle-closure glaucoma
  • Normal-tension glaucoma
  • Pigmentary glaucoma

We perform specific tests during your eye exam to uncover signs of glaucoma and create a treatment plan centered on protecting your vision.

Check out Dr. Frank J. Pirozzolo and Dr. Saysha Blazier discussing glaucoma diagnosis and care at South Shore Eyecare Associates.

Early Diagnosis is Key

Regular eye exams are crucial in preventing eye diseases from damaging your vision and taking away your ability to create new memories with your friends and family. 

We’re here to help. Get in touch with us today to book your next appointment and receive a comprehensive overview of your eye disease risk.

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Our Location

Our Address

  • 50 Cooper Ave
  • Staten Island, NY 10305

Contact Us

Practice Hours

  • Monday: 10:00 AM 5:45 PM
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM 5:45 PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM 5:45 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM 5:45 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM 5:45 PM
  • Saturday: 8:00 AM 2:45 PM
  • Sunday: Closed
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