- ArthritisWhen most people experience dry eyes or have dry eye problems they mainly think about the common symptoms that cause discomfort such as dryness, grittiness or burning and do not even realize that in order to have normal vision, it is critical to have a sufficient quantity of healthy tears on the surface of the eye at all times. Dry Eye is a condition in which there is a deficiency of the tear film that is due to either an insufficient production of natural tears or an excessive evaporation of tears. Systemic conditions such as Sjorgren’s Syndrome or autoimmune connective tissue diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Erythematosus, inflammation of the Lacrimal Gland, long term contact lens wear, past eye infections, medications such as antihistamines or allergy medicine, blood pressure medicine, certain allergies and even vitamin deficiencies may decrease the quantity of tears that you produce. Your tears may evaporate too quickly if you suffer from low-grade eyelid inflammation, called blepharitis, which is often caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), a problem within the tiny tubular glands in your eyelids. Hormonal changes make perimenopausal woman particularly susceptible to dry eyes. Whether you suffer from insufficient production of tears or excessive evaporation of tears, or both, you may experience a decrease in the quantity and quality of your tear film resulting in the surface of the eye being affected.
- Primary CareKaira Kwong, O.D. is Primary Care Optometrist at Bethlehem Eye Associates serving the eastern Pennsylvania Lehigh Valley region including the Allentown, Bethlehem & Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area. Dr. Kwong earned her Doctorate in Optometry at SUNY College of Optometry in New York followed by a Residency in Ocular Disease, also at SUNY College of Optometry.
- Smoking CessationWhile we do not have all the answers to the thyroid eye disease puzzle, we do have good evidence that patients with thyroid eye disease will exacerbate their problems if they smoke. Furthermore, patients who stop smoking, often benefit with an improvement in their thyroid eye disease. Smoking cessation will also improve the healing process should you require surgery.
- High Cholesterol
- Emergency CareDuring business hours, patients should call any of our office locations to speak with a staff member. After business hours, our answering service is available to route your call to a member of our on-call patient care team. Please note, any patient with a medical emergency is advised to dial 911 to receive emergency medical care.
- GlaucomaGlaucoma is a chromic degenerative eye disease that is most commonly associated with an elevated pressure inside the eye- Intraocular Pressure (IOP)- that damages the optic nerve and causes loss of vision. More than three million Americans are living with glaucoma, 2.7 million of whom-aged 40 and older-are affected by its most common form, Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) which begins without any symptoms or obvious loss of vision.
- OphthalmologyMarlene Wang, M.D. is an Ophthalmologist, Retina Specialist & Vitreoretinal Surgeon Bethlehem Eye Associates at Bethlehem Eye Associates serving the eastern Pennsylvania Lehigh Valley region including the Allentown, Bethlehem & Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area. Dr. Wang received her medical degree from Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and completed a residency in Ophthalmology at Columbia University Medical Center-Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute followed by a Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Surgery at Harvard University- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
- Macular DegenerationAge Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in seniors in which the central portion of the retina, called the macula, is damaged as a result of the hardening of the small arteries supplying oxygen and nutrients to the retinal tissue. There are two main types of Age Related Macular Degeneration: Dry Macular Degeneration and Wet Macular Degeneration. Dry Macular Degeneration is the most common type of Age Related Macular Degeneration making up 85-90% of cases, resulting in a slow progressive loss of vision. Typically, we see small, yellow colored deposits between the retinal layers, which are called drusen. Many people 50 years of age or older have some drusen as they age and may be asked to schedule eye exams more frequently in order to monitor them as there is some possibility that Dry Macular Degeneration will progress to Wet Macular Degeneration. We need to detect Wet Macular Degeneration quickly as it has far more serious consequences for vision loss. Wet Macular Degeneration is characterized by an abnormal growth of new blood vessels under the retina, called “neovascularization,” which is prone to be leaky and can easily break and bleed. If leakage occurs, the macula may actually begin to swell, bleed and scar causing severe loss of central vision, which may be irreversible.
- Laser Eye SurgeryLASIK Surgery is a type of laser eye surgery called “lamellar eye surgery” because it is performed between the layers of corneal tissue. This is accomplished by creating a very thin flap of corneal tissue that can be lifted and the laser energy applied, followed by returning of the flap to its original position without the need for sutures or stitches. LASIK offers patients a laser vision correction procedure with minimal discomfort and a quick visual recovery.
- CataractsCataracts are a problem experienced by a great number of people just like you. Cataracts are a common cause of vision problems among people in their 50’s and 60’s and they are actually a major cause of senior eye problems and vision loss. More than 20 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts and more than half of all Americans develop cataracts by age 80. A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye preventing light rays from passing through it easily. This results in a clouding and blurring of vision. For many patients, cataracts start out slowly and have little effect on vision at first. But, as the cataract becomes denser, so does the impact on vision.
- Cataract SurgeryDuring cataract surgery we remove cataract and replace it with a clear permanent lens implant (IOL) in order to correct your vision. Among seniors and “baby boomers,” cataract surgery is one of the safest, most effective, predictable and common operations performed the U.S with more than 2.5 million people having cataract surgery & lens implants each year. At Bethlehem Eye Associates our cataract surgeons Dr. Eugene Saravitz, Dr. Anthony Grosso & Dr. Michael Alterman offer advanced surgical options using state-of-the-art technology at The Center for Specialized Surgery and typically perform the cataract operation and lens implant surgery on an outpatient basis which offers comfortable and convenient same-day surgery.
- Eye ExamDiagnosis of dry eye problems requires a careful eye exam. We will thoroughly review your medical history, eye history and eye conditions including any medications that you are taking. Please be sure to tell us about all of the medications you take or have taken recently, including not only the ones prescribed, but those that you may have purchases on your own at the pharmacy. We will use a microscopic technique to observe the height of the tear film as well a clinical test called a Schirmer Test along with specially formulated dyes such as Fluorescein, Lissamine and Rose Bengal to help investigate the functioning of the various layers of the tear film as well as the underlying surface of the eye. This is not uncomfortable and will not interfere with your vision.
- Diabetes Care
- ThyroidApproximately 70% of thyroid disease sufferers will at some point develop problems related to their eyes. Referred to as Grave’s disease, the eye changes associated with thyroid disease are seen in all types of thyroid disorders. Most commonly, they develop in patients who are or were hyperthyroid (overactive thyroid). Eye problems can occur in patients who have an underactive thyroid or even normal thyroid. The eye disease is not necessarily related to the control of your thyroid levels. Most people will develop thyroid eye problems within 1 year of their thyroid diagnosis. While most eye problems related to thyroid disease are mild, some can be quite disfiguring and traumatic. There is a great deal that can be done to evaluate and treat patients with thyroid related eye problems.
- Diabetic RetinopathyTractional Retinal Detachment may occur when fibrous or fibrovascular scar tissue has been formed on the retina as a result of an injury, inflammatory disease or the presence of neovascularization, such as in Diabetic Retinopathy. The scar tissue actually pulls the Retina free from the underlying pigment layer it is normally attached to, causing a Retinal Detachment.
- Wound CareWe perform eyelid reconstruction most commonly to repair defects and damage to the eyelid that has resulted from trauma or removal of eyelid tumors. More superficial eyelid defects that occur after minor trauma or removal of small growths only require a few sutures and proper wound care to properly heal. With more significant traumatic injuries or removal of larger growths or skin cancers, larger defects may course through the entire lid. Sometimes these wounds can be sutured together directly, but many others may require more complex reconstructions. In more complex cases, we may need to create “flaps” to transfer closely adjacent tissues or transfer skin “grafts” from other parts of the eyelid, face or body to complete the reconstruction. In instances where the eyelid reconstruction is particularly complex, we may need to perform multiple surgeries in a “staged reconstruction” in order to get the best results.
- OtolaryngologyDr. Grosso is certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology (AOBOO) and performs surgery at the Center for Specialized Surgery.
- Reconstructive SurgeryThe approach to early detection, diagnosis and treatment of growths on the eyelids and face is similar to elsewhere on your body. Changes in appearance, size or color are all considered important to bring to our attention. Sometimes a quick and relatively simple in office biopsy procedure may be required to determine whether the lesion is problematic. Should the growth in question be malignant, we may remove it or, depending on the type of malignancy, the breadth and depth, ask that a dermatological oncologist perform a MOHS Micrographic Surgery after which we will perform a reconstructive surgery to create a proper cosmetic result for you. There are several types of malignant growths of the eyelid and face that we want to observe and identify.
- BotoxBOTOX® Cosmetic Injections can dramatically improve your facial wrinkles. During the BOTOX® Injection procedure, a small amount of BOTOX® is injected directly into the individual facial muscles that are responsible for creating wrinkles in the overlying skin to temporarily weaken them and prevent the pulling on the skin which helps to minimize diminish the wrinkles. Having BOTOX® Injections take only minutes and noticeable results can usually be seen within two to eight days. Our patients are able to return to work and wear makeup immediately after treatment. BOTOX® Cosmetic has the most dramatic effect on “expression wrinkles.” These are the frown lines or furrows found between the eyebrows, the horizontal forehead lines or furrows, and the crow’s feet around the eyes. The lines will be softened, but may not completely disappear. The effect of a single treatment will usually last three to four months, at which time another BOTOX® Injection may be required to continue seeing desirable results. The best way to find out if you are a good candidate for BOTOX® Cosmetic is to schedule a thorough evaluation and discussion so that we can determine if BOTOX® Cosmetic will produce the effects and results you desire.
- Brow LiftPatients who might find a brow lift beneficial are typically concerned about having a sad expression due to the outside of their brow sagging or those who have an angry expression because their central brow hangs or droops downward. Others who can benefit from brow lifts are unhappy with the presence of “frown lines” on their forehead, women who have difficulty applying makeup to their upper eyelid as the surface has been obscured by droopy skin and those who can see a pleasant improvement in appearance by gently lifting the skin above their eyebrows. For some, combining a brow lift with a blepharoplasty has a major benefit as it allows us to improve baggy tissue and crow’s feet providing a much happier overall look.
- Eyelid SurgeryCongenital ptosis is a droopy lid that is present at birth. There are several causes of congenital ptosis and is sometimes can associated with other eye problems including misdirected or misaligned eye muscles. In many instances, the eyelid muscle that elevates the eyelid does not develop well. When significant, the droopy eyelid can block the visual input to the child’s eye and impair the development of that eye and normal vision and often the child may maintain an abnormal head posture in an attempt to see underneath the droopy eyelids. If surgical correction is deemed necessary, your child will have a consultation with our specialist who will then explain the possible approaches to the surgical correction of congenital ptosis, each guided toward severity and cause of the droopy eyelid. The eyelid surgery for correction of congenital ptosis may range from a simple tightening of the upper eyelid muscle if it has good function to even utilizing the brow muscles to elevate the eyelid. There are several ways of accomplishing this goal including the use of specialized materials and grafting techniques and if necessary we will guide you through this process so we can be helpful in achieving the best possible results.
- Plastic SurgeryBlepharoplasty eyelid surgery is a popular type of cosmetic facial plastic surgery to help you look your best. In our society, looking your best and preserving your youthful features are important parts of who we are.
- BlepharoplastyUpper eyelid blepharoplasty involves the improvement of two characteristics of the aging upper eyelid area. The first is correction of excess skin of the upper eyelid, a condition referred to as “hooding of the upper lid.” The second condition that can be corrected is the puffiness that is seen in the inner corner and middle of the eyelid as a result of herniation or pushing forward of fat located in these areas above the eye.
- Forehead LiftA forehead lift, or “browlift,” is a procedure that we use to restore a more youthful, refreshed look to the area above the eyes and is often performed in patients in the 35-65 age range to minimize the visible effects of aging. It can also help people of any age who have developed furrows or frown lines due to stress or muscle activity. Some individuals with inherited low, heavy brows or furrowed lines above the nose can also achieve a more alert and refreshed look with this procedure. A forehead or brow lift may be combined with eyelid surgery such as blepharoplasty to provide the best results for a more harmonious, youthful appearance. We find that sometimes patients who seek consultation for an upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery find that a forehead lift better meets their personal appearance goals. The surgical objective of a browlift is to tighten excess loose skin, smooth forehead wrinkling and modify drooping brows in order to create a smoother brow and a more youthful expression. The primary goal, in most patients, is to rejuvenate the eyes, making them look more rested and youthful. Having a thorough and careful consultation will help us identify your areas of concern and personal goals.
- Skin CancerGrowths on or around the eyelids and face are common. The eyelid is an extremely common site of skin cancer accounting for up 10% of the more than 5 million cases diagnosed each year. The vast majority of eyelid and facial lesions are benign and we are able to remove them easily and comfortably right in the office.
- LesionsLike other parts of the body, an abnormal coloration to the skin can represent a melanoma or something along the spectrum of a melanoma. While eyelid and facial melanomas are rare, any pigmented lesion around the eyelid deserves attention. Similar guidelines to pigmented lesions or moles on other parts of the body, certainly apply to the eyelids. Changes in color, size and behavior all warrant evaluation and possible biopsy.
- Allergies