Don't Gamble With Glaucoma

The second leading cause of blindness in the United States and the leading cause of blindness in African-Americans, Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease that causes 50% of the blindness seen in African-Americans. If left untreated, Glaucoma causes a buildup of pressure, damaging the optic nerve at the back of the eye. The bad news is that sight loss to Glaucoma cannot be restored. However, the good news is that the Bronx Eye Institute and Bronx Diabetes Center offers complete early detection and treatment procedures.

Who's At Risk?

As baby boomers begin to turn 50 years of age, they are at a greater risk of developing Glaucoma. Also, people with a family history of Glaucoma, and anyone afflicted with diabetes or extreme nearsightedness and farsightedness, hypertension, or steroid users should receive a thorough Glaucoma examination. Others, once a year beginning at age 40. African-Americans should begin annual screenings at age 35.

Early Treatment Is Key

Loss of sight is preventable if treatment is started early enough.  With proper medication and advanced laser microsurgery, Glaucoma can be successfully treated.   Currently, there are over a dozen different medications which help in the treatment and management of Glaucoma. Laser and Glaucoma microsurgery have also been used in the treatment of the disease.  For more information, call the Bronx Eye Institute and Bronx Diabetes Center today.

CATARACT SURGERY: Dramatically improve your vision.

Small-Incision Cataract Surgery

Did you know there's a technique for cataract surgery that allows you to go home the same day? It's safer and allows for a faster healing with less hassle. The incision is smaller and causes less trauma, which allows the body's tissues to heal more rapidly. The opening into the delicate tissues of the eye is smaller. Plus, with no expensive hospital stay involved, you'll be back to your regular activity within a few days! The results yield improved vision and you will once again be able to do things that you have been unable to do before. If you'd like to learn more about this new procedure, simply call us.

Do you know?

What are the 4 diseases that most commonly cause blindness?

1. Cataract
2. Glaucoma
3. Macular Degeneration
4. Diabetic retinopathy

Two of these four have no symptoms! That's why it's so important to have your eyes checked regularly -- especially if you are over 40. Call us for more information.

How Good Are We?

"I was constantly thirsty and I was losing weight without dieting -- something I've never been able to do before. So I decided to call Dr. Ezekwo's office for an appointment. Thanks to her advanced training in both ophthalmology and internal medicine, she was able to effectively diagnose my diabetes, and prescribed a low-salt, diabetic diet and medications that not only saved my eyesight -- but also saved my life!"

FARSIGHTEDNESS?

Help Is Near

Since the Visx Excimer Laser was approved by the FDA a few years ago, lots of success stories treating patients with nearsightedness have been documented. However, for those of us who are farsighted, the results haven't been as good. Until now.

Outside the United States, the Visx laser has been successful in the treatment of farsightedness. Just recently, the FDA has approved several laser centers in the United States to perform clinical treatments for people who are farsighted. Those who participate in the study are obliged to return for follow-up treatment for 24 months so the data can be accumulated and submitted to the FDA for possible approval of the Visx Excimer Laser for farsightedness.

Dr. Ezekwo is highly qualified to perform laser surgery for her patients. If you're interested in obtaining further information, just call our office.

Q: My uncle was recently diagnosed with Pterygium. What exactly is it?

A: Pterygium is a membrane inside your eye that can grow across the eye and interfere with your ability to see. It's most common in Blacks and Hispanics and is caused by excessive exposure to wind and sun. It's very treatable and, in fact, I use an advanced surgical technique that helps prevent Pterygium from coming back!

Q: My 10-year-old daughter has a cross eye. It's really affecting her self-esteem. We were told that she'd have to wait until she was older to have it corrected, True?

A: Years ago that may have been the case -- but not anymore. With today's advancements in eye surgery, I regularly perform corrective muscle surgery on patients as young as 6 years old to correct their cross eye!

E-Mail Questions To: iezekwo@bronxeye.com

Dr. Ezekwo has won the prestigious American Medical Association Physician Recognition Award with Commendation for self-directed learning -- three years in a row!

Dr. Ezekwo is board certified in Internal Medicine in addition to her board certification in Ophthalmology. She's much more than an eye surgeon -- she can help you in the areas of diabetes, sickle cell diseases, hypertension, asthma, arthritis, and lung and heart disorders.

So, when you choose Dr. Ezekwo, not only will she keep your eyes healthy, but she'll protect your overall health, too!

Ifeoma E. Ezekwo, MD, FAA0 Board Certified in Ophthalmology and Internal Medicine Diplomate: American Board of Ophthalmology Fellow: American Academy of Ophthalmology