Request Your Consultation

A A A

Home | Blog

Outlook Eyecare Blog

What Is Keratoconus, and What are its Treatment Options?

Posted on December 21, 2017 by Dr. Margaret Ritterbusch

Keratoconus is a progressive disorder which causes thinning and cone-like steepening of the cornea. This characteristic steepening results in distortion, which decreases visual acuity. It can cause severe astigmatism and and increased sensitivity to glare and light. In our Princeton ophthalmology practice, we offer a number of therapies to reduce the symptoms of keratoconus and help you preserve your vision. One of the best options for improving vision in early keratoconus is the use of speciality contact lenses. They’re available in the following varieties: Soft, astigmatic contact lenses Rigid, gas-permeable contact lenses Scleral contact lenses As keratoconus progresses, the individual may … Continue reading

What Is a Refraction?

Posted on November 15, 2017 by Dr. Wayne Grabowski

Also called a “vision test,” a refraction is given as part of a routine eye examination in our Princeton-area ophthalmology practice. This test allows your eye doctor to determine the best prescription lens for your eyeglasses and contact lenses. A value of 20/20 is considered optimum, or “perfect” vision. When performing a refraction, your eye care professional uses an instrument called a phoropter, which resembles an oversized pair of glasses. As an individual gazes through the phoropter, the doctor flips different lenses in front of their eyes until the patient chooses the correct combination of lenses. The refraction is best … Continue reading

Correcting Drooping Eyelids With Surgery

Posted on June 13, 2017 by Dr. Joseph Shovlin

Drooping eyelids are a common problem usually associated with aging, but can be seen in younger people, too. As an eye doctor in Hamilton, NJ, I know the effects of time and gravity are the most common cause of drooping eyelids, but it’s important to know that more sinister neurologic conditions — such as myasthenia gravis or an aneurysm — could be to blame. In most cases involving neurological issues, drooping eyelids seem to appear overnight and may be associated with double vision and pain. In these cases, patients should be promptly evaluated and get medical or neurological treatment as soon as … Continue reading

Ortho-K: A Unique Vision Correction Option

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Dr. Margaret Ritterbusch

Here at our Princeton ophthalmology group, we’re pleased to offer a better way to treat a common visual condition. Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, corrects an individual’s vision with the use of custom contact lenses while the patient sleeps. The contact lenses are made of a rigid, gas-permeable (hard) material. Due to their unique curvature, they can reshape the corneas overnight. Optimum vision is usually achieved after 1 to 2 weeks of wearing the contact lenses each night. Continued wear maintains excellent vision throughout the day without the need for glasses or soft contact lenses. Studies have proven that this is a … Continue reading

What Causes Excessive Tearing?

Posted on April 18, 2017 by Dr. Joseph Shovlin

Excess tearing can be a perpetual nuisance. The condition occurs when the amount of tears produced by the eye overwhelms the tear drainage mechanism. Even though tearing by itself never harms the eye, it can blur vision and produce discomfort in social situations. Our eye doctors in Hamilton, N.J. understand the problems caused by excessive tearing and can treat its causes. The tear film — a complex solution made up of mucous, salt water and oil — is essential for the health of the eye. There must be a balance between the tears produced and the tears drained. That balance is achieved … Continue reading

Lens Selection in Cataract Surgery

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Dr. Joseph Shovlin

So you note symptoms of decreased vision and glare. Your ophthalmologist determines cataract surgery is required to improve your visual function. What additional information do you require to make an informed decision about your cataract surgery? As our Hamilton eye doctors can attest, cataract surgery has improved drastically over the past 3 decades. Two advancements have been the vanguard of this revolution:  small incision surgery and the refinement of the intraocular lens (IOL). Cataracts can now be removed using incisions less than one-tenth of an inch across. Surgical microscopes, a vibrating needle to break up the lens (phacoemulsification), and foldable … Continue reading

Staying One Step Ahead of Macular Degeneration

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Dr. Wayne Grabowski

Age-related macular degeneration is one of the most common causes of blindness in older adults — but that doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. Early detection can be the key to saving your sight, and it’s easier than you think. In fact, your best line of defense against macular degeneration may be something you’re already doing: getting regular exams with your eye doctor here in Hamilton, NJ. If you’re over 65, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends getting a regular eye exam at least once every 2 years, even if you don’t have any symptoms. In fact, this is a good schedule … Continue reading

Dry, Irritated Eyes: Causes & Treatment Options

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Dr. Joseph Shovlin

Over 25 million Americans suffer from dry, irritated eyes, making it the number-one complaint seen by eye doctors. Our Hamilton, New Jersey practice is no different. Symptom severity can vary from a mild intermittent nuisance to severe pain and loss of vision. Although the condition cannot be cured, advances in treatment options allow most symptoms to be brought under control, restoring comfort and preserving vision. If left untreated, dry eye progresses over time. How Dry Eye Happens The tear film is a complex solution made up of mucous, salt water and oil. It functions to protect the surface of the … Continue reading

When Is It Time for Cataract Surgery?

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Dr. Wayne Grabowski

Cataracts develop gradually, and it can be difficult to know when cataract surgery is needed. Our eye doctors in Hamilton, Princeton, and other central New Jersey communities see men and women daily who wonder if it’s time to undergo surgery to improve their blurred vision. Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 40, and the condition currently affects more than 22 million Americans. And as our population grows older, more than 30 million Americans are expected to have cataracts by the year 2020. So, how do you know if you’re at risk? What are … Continue reading

Cataracts and Steroids: Exploring the Connection

Posted on November 29, 2016 by Dr. Wayne Grabowski

Steroids are a broad, versatile group of drugs that effectively reduce inflammation anywhere from the lungs to the skin. If you have asthma, COPD, or even seasonal allergies, you may rely on inhaled or oral steroids to keep you feeling your best. But a recent study links steroids to the development of cataracts, and it’s something that we want our cataract surgery patients here in New Jersey to be aware of. What the Study Found The study followed more than 3,600 adults over the course of a decade. The study found that the risk of cataract development was significantly elevated … Continue reading

Request Your Consultation Visit Our Optical Shop

Newsletter Sign-Up

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a coupon for a discount on a complete pair of glasses.