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Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

Posted on September 12, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

A subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs when a tiny blood vessel breaks underneath the clear surface of your eye called the conjunctiva.

The most common sign/symptom of a subconjunctival hemorrhage is a bright red spot on the white of your eye.

The cause of a subconjunctival hemorrhage isn’t always known. However, some activities and health conditions can briefly raise the blood pressure in your veins causing the blood vessels in your eyes to break. These can include:

Straining (during coughing, sneezing, vomiting, or while using the toilet)
Injury to your head or eye, including an infection
Lifting, pushing, or bending forward
Rubbing your eye too hard
Wearing contact lenses
Taking medications, including blood thinners or certain cancer medications

Some less common subconjunctival hemorrhage causes include:

Diabetes
High blood pressure
Blood-clotting disorders

A healthcare provider or eye care specialist can diagnose a subconjunctival hemorrhage by looking at your eye. Other tests may be needed if you have recurrent subconjunctival hemorrhages. Your healthcare provider may also:

Ask questions about your general health and symptoms
Conduct an eye examination
Take your blood pressure
Obtain a routine blood test to make sure you don’t have a potentially serious bleeding disorder

Treatment for a subconjunctival hemorrhage usually isn’t necessary even though it may look alarming. More often than not, it is a harmless condition that disappears within two weeks or less.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a subconjunctival hemorrhage, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Center by calling (718) 206-5900.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

The Importance of Back-To-School Eye Exams

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

It is important to get children’s vision checked before going back to school because healthy vision is a vital part of their development. It is how they learn, play, and interact with the world around them.

Unfortunately, many eye problems such as nearsightedness and infections in children go undetected, which can lead to long-term issues. There are many things to be aware of that may indicate a problem with your child’s eyes. They include:

Their eyes do not line up or appear crossed
Their eyelids are red-rimmed, crusted, or swollen
Their eyes are watery or inflamed
They rub their eyes a lot
They close or cover one eye
They tilt their head forward
They have trouble reading or doing other close-up work
They hold objects close to their eyes to see
They blink more than usual or seem cranky when doing close-up work
Things are blurry or hard to see for them

Regular eye examinations can prevent issues from occurring or stop them from getting worse.

In addition to getting a comprehensive eye exam, there are several ways to protect your child’s eye health, including:

Wearing protective eyewear during sports and other activities
Limiting screen time
Practicing healthy nutrition

If you would like to schedule an eye exam for your child, you can visit a pediatric ophthalmologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call 718-206-5900.

Healthy Vision Month

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

It is important to care for your eyes to prevent vision loss caused by eye diseases. Losing your vision has a life-altering impact on your daily life.

There are many risk factors to be aware of that can lead to vision loss and blindness. They include:

Race, ethnicity, and other demographic factors
Having a family history of glaucoma
Having diabetes

One of the most effective ways to care for your eyes is by getting routine eye exams. A dilated eye exam can detect eye diseases early when there are no symptoms.

Other ways you can care for your eyes and prevent vision loss include:

Using protective eyewear- You can protect your eyes when doing household chores, working in the garden, playing sports, or at work to prevent eye injuries from happening. Wear safety glasses, goggles, safety shields, and eye guards made of polycarbonate.
Wearing sunglasses- You can protect your eyes by using sunglasses that block out 99-100% of UVA and UVB radiation.
Eating healthy- Eating more nutritious foods can support your overall eye health.

This includes a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, such as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Your diet should consist of:

Leafy greens
Orange-colored vegetables and fruit rich in vitamin A
Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C
Foods rich in vitamin C
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids

You should avoid:

High in caffeine beverages
High sodium foods
Excessive alcohol

Exercising regularly to maintain a healthy weight. Endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility training are options. You can mix up your routine to not get bored.
Washing your hands- Ensure your hands are clean before and after handling your contact lenses. Clean them properly using the designated contact lens cleaning solutions to avoid infection.
Quit smoking.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of vision loss, schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Center now by calling (718) 206-5900.

What is Eye Cancer?

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Eye cancer is an extremely rare form of cancer that first develops in the eyeball or nearby structures such as the tear ducts and eyelids.

There are several different types of eye cancer. The most common form is intraocular melanoma. These often develop in the choroid, a structure in the uvea (the middle part of the eye), but can also begin in the iris (the colored part of the eye) and the ciliary body (the muscles behind the iris that allow you to focus on close or distant objects). Intraocular melanoma can also develop in the conjunctiva (the membrane that covers the front of your eyeball).

Other forms of eye cancer include:

Eyelid cancer
Orbital cancer
Retinoblastoma
Intraocular lymphoma

Symptoms of eye cancer generally include vision loss, blurred vision, flashes of light, and spots in your vision, and can also potentially include eye bulging or irritation, a growing dark spot in the iris, a growing lump on the eyelid or eyeball, and changes in the movement or positioning of the eyeball. However, many people with eye cancer may not experience any symptoms and, as a result, may not be aware of their condition until it’s discovered by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Several factors may increase your risk of developing eye cancer. It occurs most commonly in people over the age of 50 (with the exception of retinoblastoma, which is most common in children under five years of age). It’s also more common for people with pale skin complexion, people with light-colored eyes, and people with certain inherited conditions, such as dysplastic nevus syndrome or BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome.

Radiation therapy and surgery are common treatment options for eye cancer. These may be supplemented by additional treatment approaches, such as laser therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted drug therapy. Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that minimizes your risk of vision loss or other potential complications.

The specialists at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Ophthalmology can help you get the care you need to treat your eye cancer effectively, achieve remission, and preserve your vision. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-5900.

What is Optic Neuritis?

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, which transmits visual signals from the eye to the brain. This inflammation causes damage to the myelin (an insulating sheath that covers the nerve and helps transmit these signals), leading to symptoms such as eye pain, temporary vision loss in one eye, a decreased ability to perceive colors vividly, and flashing or flickering lights.

Optic neuritis can be one of the first indicators of multiple sclerosis, a condition that can also cause inflammation in the optic nerve as well as the brain. Your lifetime risk of developing multiple sclerosis is roughly 50% after a single episode of optic neuritis; this risk is higher in people with lesions on their brain, which may appear on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

Other conditions are also frequently associated with optic neuritis. These include neuromyelitis optica (a condition that causes more severe inflammation in the optic nerve and spinal cord than multiple sclerosis), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody disorder (which also causes inflammation in the optic nerve, spinal cord, or brain), bacterial infections, viruses, sarcoidosis, Behcet’s disease, and lupus. Certain substances, such as methanol and ethambutol, are also associated with optic neuritis.

It is rare for symptoms such as vision loss or reduced color perception to be permanent after an episode of optic neuritis. Although most people will regain most or all of their normal vision, some degree of permanent optic nerve damage is also common.

An ophthalmologist can diagnose optic neuritis based on a variety of tests, including:

A standard eye exam
An ophthalmoscopy
A pupillary light reaction test
An optical coherence tomography (OCT)
A visual field test
A visual evoked response test

In addition to these exams, you may require other diagnostic procedures such as an MRI scan or a blood test to check for other potential indicators of optic neuritis. Your doctor may refer you to other specialists or locations for these tests.

You can receive a diagnosis or treatment for optic neuritis at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Ophthalmology. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-5900.

Low Vision Awareness Month: What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nearly three million Americans suffer from low vision, a visual impairment that cannot be corrected through medical treatments such as surgery, medication, or specialized eyewear. Low vision is most common among people aged 40 years and older.

One of the most common causes of low vision (and the leading cause of vision loss in people aged 50 and older) is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which impairs a person’s central vision and interferes with tasks such as reading or driving. Your risk of developing this condition increases as you age, but this risk may be higher for people who have a family history of AMD, are Caucasian, or smoke.

This condition can occur as either “dry” (also known as “atrophic”) AMD or “wet” (also known as “advanced neovascular”) AMD. The majority of AMD cases involve dry AMD, which occurs in three stages: early, intermediate, and late.

Early dry AMD usually doesn’t involve any obvious symptoms, but during the intermediate stage, you may experience mild blurry vision or difficulties seeing in low lighting. Late AMD may cause symptoms such as straight lines appearing crooked, increased blurry vision, greater difficulty seeing in low lighting, colors appearing less bright, and visual blank spots.

There are no specific treatments available for the early stage of dry AMD, but during its intermediate and late stages, special dietary supplements may be able to slow or halt the progression of the disease. These supplements contain:

Vitamins C (500 milligrams)
Vitamin E (400 International Units)
Copper (2 milligrams)
Zinc (80 milligrams)
Beta-carotene
Lutein (10 milligrams)
Zeaxanthin (2 milligrams)

Wet AMD is a form of late-stage AMD that progresses quickly as abnormal blood vessels grow in the back of the eye, damaging the macula. It always begins as dry AMD and can occur during any stage of the condition. Unlike late-stage dry AMD, however, it can be treated through anti–vascular endothelial growth factor drugs or through photodynamic therapy (PDT), which combines injectable medications with laser treatments.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of dry or wet AMD, schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Center now by calling (718) 206-5900.

National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Posted on January 4, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes damage to your optic nerve, which transmits signals from your eye to your brain and allows you to see. This causes blind spots in your vision to develop over time.

Glaucoma often occurs due to increased pressure in the eye, which is itself typically caused by a buildup of fluid in the eye. However, it can still develop in an eye with normal pressure.

Glaucoma is also one of the most common causes of blindness for people over the age of 60, but it can occur at any age. Other risk factors for this disease include:

A family history of glaucoma
Eye injuries
Chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or sickle cell anemia
Extended use of corticosteroids
Extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness

Glaucoma encompasses several different conditions that present varying symptoms, making it potentially challenging to identify. Additionally, many forms of glaucoma, such as open-angle and normal-tension glaucoma, may not present any symptoms in their early stages. Forms of glaucoma include:

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

There is no cure for glaucoma. However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing it. The first is to regularly visit an ophthalmologist for eye exams, including a comprehensive dilated eye exam by the age of 40. The second is to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle by maintaining a healthy weight, blood pressure, and physical activity level.

You can schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist for glaucoma diagnosis or treatment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Department by calling (718) 206-5900.

Jamaica Hospital Opens New, State-Of-The-Art Pediatric Eye Center

Posted on December 15, 2022 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Earlier today, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new pediatric ophthalmology center. Construction of the state-of-the-art facility and the purchase of equipment was made possible thanks to a generous donation of $1 million from Maspeth Federal Savings, one of New York City’s strongest community banks.

Maspeth Federal Savings has been working with Jamaica Hospital throughout the pandemic and has provided mission-critical equipment and supporting donations. Today, the organization is the sole donor to the pediatric ophthalmology center, which addresses an urgent need in the local area.

“As a community bank, it’s incredibly important to us that the people and facilities in our community have the resources they need to do what they do best; in this case, providing care that our children desperately need,” said Thomas Rudzewick, President and CEO of Maspeth Federal Savings.

Jamaica Hospital provides quality healthcare to an underserved community, including much-needed vision services to children who have limited access to comprehensive ophthalmologic care. By creating a dedicated ophthalmology center for children, the hospital aims to address the lack of access to care and other healthcare disparities that impact its community.

The need for a comprehensive pediatric ophthalmology service is reflected in current statistics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in four preschool-aged children and approximately 6.8% of children younger than 18 years of age in the United States has undiagnosed or untreated vision problems. These numbers are amplified in communities that encounter disparities in receiving optimal healthcare. Children who reside in underserved communities are found to be at nearly twice the risk for developing eye disorders compared to children living in neighborhoods that are supplied with sufficient health services.

The Maspeth Federal Savings Pediatric Ophthalmology Center at Jamaica Hospital will be the only one of its kind to service Queens. “We are bringing a world-class, state-of-the-art center to Queens. Residents who live in our community no longer have to travel outside their local area to receive high-quality pediatric eye care. Our center is staffed by physicians who are among the best in their specialty and are highly skilled in performing a wide range of services to diagnose and treat pediatric ocular conditions,” said Bruce J. Flanz, Jamaica Hospital’s President and CEO.

“We are thrilled to have a center of excellence in pediatric ophthalmology in Queens County. This center will allow us to provide cutting-edge technology and treatment to our youngest patients,” shared Dr. Julia Shulman, Chairperson of Ophthalmology at Jamaica Hospital. The newly constructed 2900 square foot center consists of a modernly designed area waiting area, four spacious examination rooms, two testing rooms, three consultation offices, and two charting workstations. Each room is equipped with amenities to provide a comfortable environment for children.

“Our community needed a facility like this in Queens for a very long time. When our board member Dr. Cono Grasso came to us and explained the importance of the center, we immediately made it a priority,” stated Mr. Rudzewick of Maspeth Federal Savings.

“Jamaica Hospital is grateful to Maspeth Federal Savings for their generous donation to our pediatric ophthalmology center. Their philanthrophy and commitment to helping our communities thrive has helped our hospital make critical advancements that will greatly benefit our growing patient population,” said Mr. Flanz.

Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

Posted on August 9, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

This August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, a time to learn more about some of the most common problems affecting children’s vision and ways to prevent and treat those conditions.

According to the CDC, about 1 in every 4 children in the United States suffers from an undiagnosed eye health problem. These issues come in a wide variety of different forms, but some are more frequent than others, including:

Strabismus: This condition causes crossed eyes, preventing both eyes from focusing on the same object.

Amblyopia: Also known as “lazy eye,” amblyopia disrupts communication between the brain and the affected eye, leading to a greater reliance on the stronger eye and deteriorating vision in the affected eye.

Blurred vision: This issue can result from a few different conditions, including refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism (a misshapen cornea). Convergence insufficiency can also blur your child’s vision when looking at an object up close.

Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD): This problem occurs when your child’s eyes are misaligned and failing to work together, leading to symptoms like double vision and light sensitivity.

Nystagmus: As many as 1 in 1,000 school-aged children suffer from nystagmus, which causes uncontrollable eye movements that may lead to dizziness, balance problems, and shaky vision.

You can prevent these problems from negatively impacting your child’s quality of life in a few different ways, including getting recommended vision screenings during your child’s regular checkups with a pediatrician or other healthcare professional.

If any signs of an eye health issue are found during a vision screening, an eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist can more accurately diagnose the cause of that problem and help create an effective treatment plan. Protective eyewear, adequate sleep, and limited screen time also go a long way toward preserving your child’s eye health.

To schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Department, please call 718-206-5900.

Pink Eye Or Allergies?

Posted on July 14, 2020 by Xavia Malcolm

Allergies of the eye and pink eye are both types of conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the outer membrane that covers the eyeball.

Many of the symptoms of pink eye and eye allergies are similar, and this can sometimes make it difficult to tell each condition apart. However, it is important that we learn about the characteristics that make them distinct- especially now that pink eye is considered a warning sign of a COVID-19 infection.

The symptoms of eye allergies can include:

Redness
Tearing
Gritty feeling in the eye
Itchiness
Blurred vision
Swelling of the eyelid

Symptoms of bacterial or viral pink eye can include:

Redness
Tearing
Gritty feeling in the eye
Itchiness
A green or white discharge in one or both eyes, that can result in crusting at night
Soreness of the eyes

Although eye allergies and pink eye share common symptoms, the causes of each condition are different. Allergies are typically caused by a reaction to an allergen such as pollen while pink eye can be caused by bacteria or a virus.

An additional distinction between the two conditions is viral or bacterial pink eye is extremely contagious and can be spread by contact with an infected individual or exposure to a contaminated surface. Eye allergies on the other hand are non-infectious.

If you are experiencing symptoms associated with either type of conjunctivitis, it is important that you consult your eye doctor. Your physician will be able to examine your eyes or order tests to determine the reason for inflammation and provide the appropriate treatment.

To schedule an appointment with an eye doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5900.