Blurred vision is the most common symptom, but others include loss of color perception, glare and haloes around lights, and a darkening of the vision.

Dr. Gerstenfeld and Dr. Nejat will explain in detail how the procedure works.  It is done as an outpatient at the South site of Staten Island University Hospital, which means a brief stay of a couple of hours.  Most of the time is spent getting prepared for the procedure and resting afterward.  The surgery is brief and painless, and while the patient is not put to sleep, a small amount of relaxation medicine is given through an IV by the anesthesiologist for comfort.  Afterward no patch is needed and vision begins to return within minutes.

With the new techniques of cataract surgery the return to full activity is the next day.  Patients can play sports, exercise, lift heavy objects and generally resume their normal routine right away. Eyedrops are required for a few weeks after the surgery.

Laser vision correction can treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.  Dr. Nejat, after a thorough eye exam, will determine if you are a candidate, but generally speaking there are a few major criteria:

1) You must be over age18
2) You must have a stable prescription for two years
3) The cornea must be of a certain thickness and shape
4) Your prescription must fit within the range of possible correction by the laser

All laser vision correction procedures are done by Dr. Nejat at the Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat Hospital using the Visx laser, the state of the art in laser vision correction today.  Usually both eyes are done together, and the procedure is brief and painless, often lasting less than 10 minutes.  Patients go home immediately after and begin taking eyedrops.  There can be a feeling of sand in the eye for several days afterward, but it is very well tolerated and a return to full activity and work is possible right away.  Vision generally clears rapidly within days.

Most patients are free of glasses for all distance activities.  When presbyopia sets in around age 40 reading glasses will be required.  Rarely an enhancement procedure will need to be done to correct residual prescription.

LASIK has been performed for many years and has been found to be quite stable and safe.  The major risk is usually due to problems creating the corneal flap before using the laser.  Dr. Nejat will review this and other factors. The vast majority of patients see 20/40 or better without distance glasses.

There are a number of other procedures for correction of vision including PRK, LASEK, and clear lensectomy.  Dr. Nejat will discuss with you which is the right procedure for your eyes.

Many eye diseases are insidious in onset and have no symptoms until it’s too late.  An examination by an ophthalmologist is crucial to diagnose and treat these disorders.  Annual exams are especially important for those older than 65.

Although optometrists are called eye doctors there is a vast difference in training between them and an ophthalmologist. All ophthalmologists are medical doctors who go through a rigorous surgical training program after medical school and are expert at detecting and treating medical and surgical diseases of the eye.  Optometrists attend optometry school but are not physicians and do not perform surgery.

Every diabetic should have a full eye exam with dilation of the pupils every year by an ophthalmologist.  Dr.s Nejat and Gerstenfeld are expert at detecting and treating diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can cause blindness if left untreated.