There are many causes of dry eye, including medications, oil gland dysfunction, blepharitis, rheumatoid arthritis, rosacea, menopause, thyroid disease, and Sjogren’s Syndrome.
Primary Care
In the interest of time, if your health insurance plan requires authorization from your primary care physician, please let us know in advance.
Emergency Care
If you are unsure about the danger of a chemical, if you do not know what it is, or if you have significant symptoms, go immediately to the nearest hospital’s emergency department.
Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve, which transmits images to the brain. The condition, which is most often caused by increased pressure in the eye, gets worse over time and can lead to permanent blindness if untreated.
Ophthalmology
She received her doctorate from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia, PA, where she graduated cum Laude. While a student, she was inducted into the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society. She then completed externships at the Ophthalmology Department of the Lankenau Hospital and at the Pediatric Department of The Eye Institute located in the Philadelphia area. While at the Eye institute, she was awarded the Thomas P. Lynch Award for Clinical Excellence.
Macular Degeneration
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in older North Americans. Approximately 13 to 14 million Americans, and 30 percent of those over age 75, have some form of AMD. Unfortunately, due to aging baby boomers, AMD is expected to increase by 50 percent by the year 2020.
Laser Eye Surgery
Corneal laser surgery is a very successful safe way of achieving vision correction. Unfortunately, some people are uncomfortable with the idea of eye surgery. Fortunately, contact lenses are a great way to gain independence from glasses without surgery.
Cataracts
We will also check for congenital cataracts or other eye problems and determine whether the baby has nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Although a baby can’t tell us anything, we can conduct several tests that will give us information about the child’s sight.
Cataract Surgery
In our daily patient exams, we frequently find ourselves saying “You have a cataract,” followed by “Don’t worry.” We then attempt to reassure you by discussing the benefits versus risks of proceeding with cataract surgery.
Eye Exam
Although a cure for AMD has not been found, options for managing this sometimes devastating disease are expanding. If you have AMD, have a family history of AMD, or are age 60 or older, it is important to have an annual fully dilated eye exam with special attention to the macula.
Dr. Drabik received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Vermont. Following graduation she was hired by the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania as a research assistant, where she co-authored and published work in the field of gastroenterology in several medical journals.
Prostate Cancer
Most recently, Dr. Gleitsmann completed a Preventive Medicine Residency and a Masters of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Oregon Health and Science University. He has been involved with population health issues, including publications on topics ranging from macular degeneration and telemedicine to diabetic retinopathy, prostate cancer screening, and robotic surgery.
The impact of eye disease on public health is significant. Vision plays an important role in mobility, preventing falls, and preventing disability. Cataract surgery in older drivers subsequently reduces their rate of motor vehicle accidents. Treating ocular disorders and improving vision also enhances mental health, everyday activities, and overall satisfaction in life.
With appropriate intervention, patients with, or at risk for such potentially blinding diseases as glaucoma, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy often have favorable outcomes. Studies reveal that 40% of legal blindness in nursing home residents, whether in urban or rural communities, could have been prevented or improved by appropriate ophthalmologic care.
To diagnose retinal detachment, your doctor may use an opthalmoscope (a special lens) or an ultrasound to examine or test for retinal holes, tears, or detachment.