William C. Fruchtman, O.D. - Blog

4 Eye Diseases You Need to Know About if You're 40+

4/14/2020

Your eyes are not only the windows to your soul but also to your health. That’s we recommend you have regular eye exams starting at age 40—even if you have no vision issues. That’s not to say that you don’t need an eye exam if you’re younger. But after age 40, you are more susceptible to signs of aging, which can lead to debilitating—and even dangerous—conditions if not caught early, especially if you have a family history.

So, let’s look at four eye diseases you need to know about if you’re age 40 or over.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages your eye's optic nerve, which communicates visual cues to your brain. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). More than three million people in the U.S. suffer with glaucoma—but only half of them know. If it’s caught early enough, it can be treated.

There are a few forms of glaucoma, and some have no symptoms at the start. As eye pressure increases, blind spots can develop in your peripheral vision. Regular eye exams can catch this early before the blind spots grow and affect your daily living and quality of live. Your doctor may prescribe medicated eye drops, although surgery may also be an option. Without treatment, vision loss can start with your peripheral vision and grow into total blindness.

If you have a family history of eye disease or if you are of African, Latino, or Asian heritage, you may be at an increased risk for glaucoma.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration occurs when an area in your retina, that helps you see fine details clearly, starts to break down. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in U.S. adults. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), the number of people with AMD is estimated to more than double from about 2.07 million now to 5.44 million by the year 2050.

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20 Easy Ways to relieve dry eyes

3/4/2020

Your eyes constantly make tears, which keep your eyes moist, lubricated, and clean—and they do it with every blink. However, if your eyes are irritated or when you cry, your eyes produce an excess of tears. But what happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears? This issue is called Dry Eye Syndrome. Let’s look at dry eye symptoms and causes plus 20 easy ways to relieve dry eyes.

What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Millions of Americans suffer with dry eye syndrome each year. This condition occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears to stay moist. This condition can cause pain, irritation, and even vision problems. The good news is that there are many ways to keep your eyes healthy and lubricated while making dry eye syndrome easily manageable.

Dry Eye Symptoms

Although dry eye syndrome needs to be diagnosed by your optometrist or other eye professional, you may have dry eye if you are experiencing some of these symptoms.

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6 Big Reasons your Patient experience is better with us

2/4/2020

Each year, the last week of April is Patient Experience Week. We love our patients, and we enjoy seeing you in our office each visit. And because we treasure our patients, this year we want write down the six big reasons that your patient experience is better with Dr. Fruchtman—straight from the eyes of our patients.

1. Dr. Fruchtman Is Great with Kids

Dr. Fruchtman is patient with a great sense of humor, and he knows how to make kids feel comfortable before, during, and after their eye exam. He understands that some of the equipment may look a little large and intimidating to children. Whether it’s your child’s first eye exam or he/she is a regular patient, and whether your child is quiet or chatty or somewhere in between, Dr. Fruchtman has a cheerful way of distracting children and providing a fun experience.

Plus, Dr. Fruchtman was voted by his patients as one of New Jersey’s 2020 Favorite Kids’ Docs, sponsored by New Jersey Family Magazine.

P.S. We’ve been told we have an amazing rubber tree in the office that is “to die for!”

2. Dr. Fruchtman Is Available the Same Day—and When You Have an Emergency

Dr. Fruchtman will be happy to see you the same day, and he has been known to take emergency phone calls after hours and on the weekends. His patients are his priority. One patient said that Dr. Fruchtman was a “calming and reassuring presence at an extremely stressful and frightening time” after experiencing an accidental injury.

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The Best Way to Clean Your Glasses

1/6/2020

Do you struggle with getting your glasses clean?

It’s true that some cleaners and some methods work better than others. In addition, the type of cloth you use to clean your eyeglasses can make the difference between clear vision and scratched-up lenses, making it harder to see over time. So, let’s look at the best way to clean your glasses right here.

The Best Cleaner for Your Glasses

You can buy special cleaners over the counter, use readily available household cleaners, or make your own eyeglasses cleaner. Whichever you choose, you’ll want to be sure that your glasses are left clean, clear, and smear free.

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The Best Eye Exercises to Help Improve Your Eyesight

12/9/2019

Your eyes work hard every day. In fact, they’re working every minute of every day that you’re awake. And did you know that your eye muscles are the most active in your body? It’s true. However, your eye muscles can get tired just like any other muscle in your body too. Try these six best eye exercises to help improve your eyesight, plus reduce headaches, eye strain, and your risk of glaucoma.

Easy Eye Exercise #1: Blinking
Start by sitting comfortably with your eyes open. Blink rapidly 10 ̶ 15 times. Then close your eyes and relax for 20 seconds. Repeat this exercise 4 ̶ 5 times.

Easy Eye Exercise #2: Palming
Again, start seated and relaxed. If your hands are not warm, rub them together vigorously. Gently place your palms over your eyes and allow the heat to transfer onto your eyelids. Take deep breaths, feel your muscles relax, and rest for a moment in the darkness. Doing this will reduce stimuli to both your eyes and brain. Once your eyes have absorbed the heat, repeat 2 ̶ 3 times.

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How to Improve Your Vision

11/7/2019

You may think that once your eyesight starts to fade, there’s no going back to what it once was. But that may not be the truth for every case. Of course, the first thing you need to do in order to improve your vision is make an appointment with your optometrist. A professional consultation will help determine the cause of your change in eyesight. And your optometrist can also decide the best course of treatment.

In the meantime, if you want to improve your vision naturally, there may be some ways that you can do it. Here are three ways that you can start improving your eyesight today.

Eat Your Way to Better Vision
It’s true that your body is a machine. And like any other machine, it needs the proper care and fuel to operate efficiently. If you put regular gas in a high-performance sports car, the motor won’t run as well, and you’ll definitely notice a difference in the way it drives. The same is true for your body, including your eyes. Consider including more of these power health foods to boost your vision.

Vitamins A, C, and E, and minerals such as copper and zinc. Greasy, sugary foods don’t provide any nutrition or benefit to your eyes. In fact, a diet full of fatty, sugary foods can damage your eyes over time. Eating foods rich in these vitamins and minerals can help your eyes function better: carrots, asparagus, red peppers, broccoli, spinach, strawberries, sweet potatoes, and citrus fruits.

Water. The average human body contains 50–65% water. So, it only makes sense that we need to keep that ratio to keep our body’s biome healthy and functioning.

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4 Common Eye Problems

10/7/2019

Most people experience eye problems at some point in their lives. Most of these eye problems minor and will go away on their own or with a little assistance. As an optometrist, you can bet I’ve seen my share of eye issues over the years. From common eye problems to the occasional odd or bizarre circumstance, almost nothing surprises me anymore. Let’s look at some common eye issues, what you need to know, and what you can do about it.

Of course, no article is a substitute for seeing a professional optometrist when it comes to your eyesight. Please don’t hesitate to call us for any eye issue, even if it is minor.

Eye Twitching

I get asked about eye twitching a lot. Many people have experienced this involuntary movement of the eyelid or muscles around the eye. Although eye twitching is harmless, it can certainly be annoying. An eye twitch may last a few minutes, a few hours or even a few weeks. Eye twitching may be associated with several other health issues.

Fatigue
Stress
Caffeine consumption
Pink eye
Panic disorder or panic attack
Tourette syndrome

Eye twitching will go away on its own without intervention. If you find yourself experiencing eye twitching for an extended period, lie down and rest.

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10 Steps to Protect Your Eyes from Computer Time

9/9/2019

Whether we’re working at a computer by day or staring at our phone screens by night, we are getting a whole lot of screen time. Unfortunately, our screen time—whether by necessity or habit—can result in eye strain and eye injury over time. Protecting your eyes from computer time is essential. That’s why it’s important to take steps to preserve your eyesight as much as possible.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Keep Your Distance

When working at a computer, sit at least an arm’s length away from your screen. If you can place your hand on your computer screen, you’re too close.

Look Slightly Down

Place your computer screen so that your gaze is downward at a 15–20% angle. The top of your computer monitor should be at or just below eye level. This eye position keeps more of your eyeball covered by the eyelid; therefore, it stays more moisturized.

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10 Surprising Secrets Your Eyes Reveal about Health Problems

8/5/2019

It’s all in the eyes! We’ve heard that phrase numerous times. But what does that really mean? Are there really secrets that your eyes can reveal about your health? Yes. It’s true.
Scheduling an annual visit with your eye doctor is important for more than just your vision. In fact, even if you aren’t having vision problems, you should still make a yearly appointment. Here are 10 health issues your eyes reveal about you…

Nutritional Deficiency
If you are not eating properly or consuming the right balance of foods (e.g., extremely picky eaters or people on highly restrictive diets), it may show up in your eyes. People who are lacking in certain vitamins and nutrients will experience dry eyes, irritated eyes, and blurry vision.
Cataracts
Has the color of your eyes changed recently? Do they look a little faded? Changes in eye color can be one of the early signs of cataracts and other health issues.

To read more, click here.

Pink Eye Symptoms and Treatment

7/15/2019

If you’ve ever experienced red, itchy eyes, you may have wondered if you are experiencing common allergies or a more serious eye infection called conjunctivitis, or pink eye. The good news is that while pink eye looks bad, it is typically more inconvenient than serious, and it will rarely cause issues with your vision. Here’s what you need to know about pink eye symptoms and how to treat them.

What Causes Pink Eye?

First, a little biology—the conjunctiva is a thin, clear tissue that covers the white part of your eye and lines the inside of your eyelid. When this tissue gets irritated or exposed to bacteria or a virus, a variety of symptoms can occur.

Bacteria
Viruses, such as the common cold
Allergic reaction to eyedrops
Allergic reaction to pollen, smoke or dust
Contact lens allergy
Foreign body in the eye
Fungi
Amoeba
Parasites
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) – could be dangerous and lead to vision loss
Birth when mother is suffering with Gonorrhea or Chlamydia – can affect baby’s vision

To read more, click here

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