Dr. Lee Friedman

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Banzai Friedman May June 2013

The Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute offers a full range of comprehensive ophthalmologic care, including routine eye care and examinations, pediatric eye care, dry eyes, advanced corneal, retinal and cataract procedures, laser treatments, glaucoma and diabetic procedures, ophthalmic plastics, orbital surgery and various other sophisticated treatments. With its own pediatric wing and fully accredited outpatient surgical center in Boynton Beach, the Institute has additional offices in Boca Raton, Wellington and Juno Beach. For additional information contact gwen@fleyedocs.com.

Boynton Beach, FL, October 24, 2011… There are approximately 29 million Americans age 18 and older that have diabetes and almost one third of those are at risk for vision loss because they do not know they have the disease. Those numbers make Randy Katz, M.D., Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute’s Retinal, Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Degeneration Specialist very upset. “This is a tragedy waiting to happen because people with diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy, a degenerative disease of the retina (the sensitive area at the back of the eye), which affects 5.3 million Americans age 18 and older.”

According to Dr. Katz, “More than one third of those diagnosed with diabetes do not adhere to vision care guidelines by forgoing a dilated eye exam every year. So, as part of November’s Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, I am urging Americans with diabetes to get a dilated eye exam this year, and every year. Also – pregnant women with diabetes should have an eye exam in the first trimester, since diabetic eye disease can progress rapidly during pregnancy.”

The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risk for developing diabetic retinopathy, says Dr. Katz,, who also points out that diabetic retinopathy does not only affect people who have had the disease. For some people, diabetic retinopathy is one of the first signs of the disease. What are the signs to look for? Fluctuations in blood sugar levels can temporarily affect vision, so it’s sometimes difficult to know if a serious eye problem is developing. That’s one of the reasons strict control of a diabetic’s blood sugar is so important, says Dr. Katz. “If a diabetic notices a vision change in one eye, a change that lasts more than a day or two or changes not associated with fluctuations in blood sugar, call your ophthalmologist immediately.” “The best way to prevent the disease from evolving is to have your eyes examined annually,” says Dr. Katz. “I can’t stress the importance of those yearly exams enough. A routine eye exam truly can save your vision.”

December 27th, 2010, Boynton Beach, FL… Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Everyone, from infants to seniors is vulnerable. Over 4 million Americans and nearly 70 million people worldwide have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them don’t even know they have it. Moreover, among African-American and Hispanic populations glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness. Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision.

Dr. Barry Schechter of Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute is one of the few doctors in Palm Beach County who performs SLT in the Institute’s office in Boynton Beach. He has been performing the procedure for the past two years. According to Schechter, who is the Institute’s Refractive Cataract Surgery, Glaucoma, Cornea & External Disease Specialist, SLT has become a common Glaucoma treatment in his practice for several reasons. “Many of my patients are on multiple medications,” Schechter explains, “and often, they simply forget to take one or all of them. Also, for some patients, cost is an issue. Some drugs may be too expensive, and some may not be covered by insurance.” Schechter adds that some patients exhibit sensitivities to using multiple medications. “With Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, or SLT, we are often able to reduce the number of medications or eliminate Glaucoma eye drops.” Another great advantage of SLT, “the laser procedure is done in the office, it takes about two minutes to complete, and is painless,” says Schechter.

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March is Age-Related Macular Degeneration & Low Vision Awareness Month

March 1st, 2011 – Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment for individuals age 50 and older, and while there is still no cure, there is hope for those with AMD. As part of Age-Related Macular Degeneration / Low Vision Awareness Month in March, Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute’s Macular Degeneration & Diabetic Retinopathy Specialist Randy Katz MD is urging those at risk to be screened for age-related vision problems by having regular eye exams and talking with their ophthalmologist about new treatments and low vision resources, if experiencing vision loss. Macular degeneration is a progressive, usually painless disease that affects the macula, the spot on the retina at the back of the eye responsible for central vision, causing central vision to blur, but leaving peripheral vision intact. Thus, AMD does not lead to total blindness.
“I urge you to know your risk factors and if you experience changes in your vision, such as straight lines appearing wavy, an inability to see details, dark or empty spots in the center of your vision or decreased ability to distinguish colors, see your ophthalmologist promptly,” says Dr. Katz, adding that those most at risk are individuals 50 years and older, people that suffer from hypertension, individuals who smoke and those with a family history of AMD.
“Research continues for AMD treatments, and I think we’ll see increasingly effective treatments becoming available in the near future. For example, current findings show that high levels of zinc and antioxidants can play a key role in slowing the progression of advanced AMD and that conventional laser and photodynamic therapy can reduce the risk of moderate to severe vision loss in patients with specific forms of “wet” macular degeneration,” says Dr. Katz. “Other experimental treatments, including intraocular injections of antineovascular factors and the insertion of a “retinal chip” which may restore vision loss are also currently being investigated.” “Beware of claims being made on the Internet, in newspapers and in magazines announcing cures for macular degeneration. Investigate the claims thoroughly and talk with your ophthalmologist before undergoing any treatments,” adds Dr. Katz. “Most of these treatments have not been proven safe or effective and may be very costly.”

Follow these tips for a safe and fun July 4th

Boynton Beach, FL, July, 2012…While Americans consider The Fourth of July a favorite holiday, what’s not always considered is practicing eye safety during fireworks displays. Taking proper precautions to safeguard your family’s vision is easy to do, and it can mean the difference between a memorable holiday and one that could end in tragedy. Each July 4th, thousands of Americans are injured using fireworks, and 1,300 people injure their eyes. Eye injuries from fireworks include cuts, burns, abrasions, retinal detachment, optic nerve damage, rupture of the eyeball, and complete blindness. This damage is often permanent.

According to Eye Smart and the American Academy of Ophthalmologists, young children and teenagers account for more than half of all fireworks injuries in the United States. In one case, a six-year-old boy in San Diego found an M-80 firework in his home and lit it with a barbeque lighter. The explosion resulted in a traumatic injury that impacted the boy’s throat, face and eyes. He called 911 for help and his eye injuries required an immediate cornea transplant and lens replacement, and he has undergone several additional eye surgeries since then.

“While fireworks are fun and as American as apple pie, they are not toys, and under no circumstances should children be allowed near them,” said Dr. Barry Schechter, M.D., F.A.A.O., Florida Eye’s Director of Cornea & Cataract Services, External Diseases & Comprehensive Ophthalmology. As a matter of fact, no one but a professional pyrotechnician should be handling them. In a split second a firework can misfire or explode and precautions should always be taken when viewing a fireworks display.”

For a safe and fun July 4th celebration, follow these five tips:

                           •Never let children play with fireworks of any type.

                           •View fireworks from at least 500 feet away.

                           •Leave the lighting of fireworks to trained professionals.

                           •Respect safety barriers that allow pyrotechnicians to do their job safely.

                           •If you find unexploded fireworks, do not touch them. Immediately contact your local fire or police departments.

If you do experience an eye injury during a fireworks accident, seek immediate medical help.

                The Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute offers a full range of comprehensive ophthalmologic care, including routine eye care and examinations, pediatric eye care, dry eyes, advanced corneal, retinal and cataract procedures, laser treatments, glaucoma and diabetic procedures, ophthalmic plastics, orbital surgery and various other sophisticated treatments. With its own pediatric wing and fully accredited outpatient surgical center in Boynton Beach, the Institute has additional offices in Boca Raton, Wellington and Juno Beach. For more information about Florida Eye physicians, outpatient surgery center, national clinical treatment trials and specialties and services: http://www.fleyedocs.com. For more information on eye safety during the Fourth of July: http://geteyesmart.org

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   Dr. Barry Schechter, M.D., F.A.A.O.

Boynton Beach, FL – July, 2012 - Florida Eye’s Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy Specialist Randy Katz, M.D. recently announced that in clinical trials, a new combination of therapies has proven to be more affective in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) than the previous single treatment therapy.

According to a company release, in its prospective, randomized, controlled Phase 2b clinical trial of 449 patients with wet AMD, Ophthotech’s FovistaTM anti-PDGF therapy (1.5 mg), administered in combination with Lucentis anti-VEGF therapy, met the pre-specified primary efficacy endpoint of mean vision gain. Patients receiving the combination of Fovista (1.5 mg) and Lucentis gained a mean of 10.6 letters of vision on the ETDRS standardized chart at 24 weeks, compared to 6.5 letters for patients receiving Lucentis monotherapy (p=0.019), representing a 62% additional benefit. No significant safety issues were observed for either treatment group in the trial.

The company release further stated that enhanced visual outcomes of Fovista anti-PDGF (1.5 mg) combination therapy as compared to Lucentis monotherapy were demonstrated at every monthly time point. In addition, the relative magnitude of visual benefit continued to increase over time. The visual benefit of anti-PDGF (1.5 mg) combination therapy compared to Lucentis monotherapy was greater at the 6-month time point than at the 3-month time point. The increasing divergence of the efficacy curves suggests the benefit of chronic anti-PDGF combination therapy. A classic dose-response curve was observed.

"I feel very fortunate that Florida Eye is recognized as a premier center for conducting national clinical trials, enabling us to offer patients who qualify the opportunity to be involved in these cutting edge treatments. This new combination of therapies has provided wonderful result for patients living with wet AMD,” said Dr. Katz. "The success of these clinical trials has set the stage for a new era of combination therapy via co-formulation or fixed-combination delivery."

While this phase of the clinical trial has ended, phase three will be enrolling patients in the next six months. If you are a physician and think you have a patient who might benefit from enrollment in this or any of Florida Eye's clinical trials, please call Study Coordinator Debbie Rankin at 561.737.5500. For  current/upcoming clinical trials visit http://fleyedocs.com/clinicaltrials. If you are a patient and already have been diagnosed with this condition, please inform your doctor about this trial. Dr. Katz will be happy to discuss the details and requirements for enrollment. Clinical trials treatments are free to patients who qualify for the studies.

The Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute offers a full range of comprehensive ophthalmologic care, including routine eye care and examinations, pediatric eye care, dry eyes, advanced corneal, retinal and cataract procedures, laser treatments, glaucoma and diabetic procedures, and various other sophisticated treatments. With its own pediatric wing and fully accredited outpatient surgical center in Boynton Beach, the Institute has additional offices in Boca Raton, Wellington and Juno Beach (pediatrics only).

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Ophthotech Corporation is a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company located in Princeton, NJ and New York, NY.

Cataracts affect nearly 22 million Americans age 40 and older and are the world’s leading cause of blindness

Boynton Beach, FL, August 2012…In an effort to educate the public and promote good eye health, Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute is happy to share the following information regarding cataracts, such as who’s at risk, what to expect during cataract surgery and a host of other valuable information.

What are cataracts?

Cataracts (a clouding of the lens of the eye) are the leading cause of vision loss in people over age 55. More than half of people over age 65 have some degree of cataract development, and more than half of people over age 80 either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.

Check for these symptoms.

• Blurry vision.
• Colors that appear faded.
• Glare.
• Difficulty seeing well at night.
• Double vision.

What causes cataracts?

• Extensive exposure to sunlight.
• Serious eye injury or inflammation.
• Prolonged use of steroids, especially combined use of oral and inhaled steroids.
• Congenital (run in the family).

How can I reduce my risk of developing cataracts?

• Wear UV-rated sunglasses.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat when you go outdoors during the day.
• If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar with diet, exercise and medication if needed.
• Eat dark leafy veggies like spinach, kale and broccoli (antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin), carrots (vitamin A), citrus fruits, berries and grapes, and fish such as salmon, tuna and halibut.
• Know your family’s eye health history and get regular annual eye exams.                                                                                                                                             

You have cataracts, but you may not be ready or even need surgery yet…

If you have early signs of cataracts but don’t want to opt for surgery, a stronger pair of eyeglasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses may help. However, the only permanent ‘cure’ for restoring excellent vision is through surgery, which involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens.

What are my choices for lens replacement?

“Due to improving technology, there are a variety of choices in lens for patients who opt for cataract surgery. The lens chosen depends upon the outcome each patient is looking for.   A patient who is a photographer or sculptor may choose to go with a high definition lens implant which incorporates the ability to see at near and distance, while a patient who plays a lot of golf or tennis is more likely to be happy with a distance dominant lens. - Dr. Barry Schechter, M.D., F.A.A.O., Director of Cornea & Cataract Services External Diseases & Comprehensive Ophthalmology

How often do I need to have an exam?

“If you are age 60 or older, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once every two years. In addition to checking for cataracts, your eye doctor can check for signs of age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and other vision disorders. Early treatment for many eye diseases may save your sight.” — Dr. Jason Gorscak, M.D., Refractive Cataract Surgery, Glaucoma & Comprehensive Ophthalmologic Care

Are there risks associated with cataract surgery?

Like any surgery, cataract surgery carries a risk of infection and bleeding. However, this type of surgery is recognized as one of the safest and most effective types of surgery, with a success rate of about 90 percent.

What can I expect during a normal cataract surgery?

The actual surgery takes no longer than about 10 minutes, usually under light sedation. But immediately After the surgery, you’ll need to rest for about thirty minutes. You’ll be given protective sunglasses to wear home, and someone must be available to drive you home from the surgery center. You’ll also be given post op instructions to follow and you’ll be expected to come for a follow up visit the next day.

How long will my recovery take?

Many patients tell Dr. Schechter and Dr. Gorscak that they can see clearly only hours after surgery, but each person heals differently. It could take a week or two to experience the final results.

If I have cataracts in both eyes, how long must I wait in between surgeries?

At Florida Eye the recommendation is to wait two weeks between surgeries.

For more information about cataracts:

http://www.fleyedocs.com/medical-specialties/cataract-treatments-designer-iols/

For more information about Florida Eye specialties and services:

http://www.fleyedocs.com/

The Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute offers a full range of comprehensive ophthalmologic care, including routine eye care and examinations, pediatric eye care, dry eyes, advanced corneal, retinal and cataract procedures, laser treatments, glaucoma and diabetic procedures and various other sophisticated treatments. With its own pediatric wing and fully accredited outpatient surgical center in Boynton Beach, the Institute has additional offices in Boca Raton, Wellington and Juno Beach. Also at Florida Eye is Dr. Randy Katz, the Institute’s Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy & Medical/Surgical Retina Specialist and Dr. Lee Friedman, Pediatric Ophthalmology, ROP & Adult Strabismus Specialist.

Florida Eye is a premier center for national clinical trial studies. For information on current or future studies contact Debbie Rankin or call (561) 736-5055. For any additional information contact Gwen Cohan at (561)736-5050.

For the latest eye care news and info on the most current treatments and technologies, follow us on twitter at @fleyedocs.com, like us on facebook and sign up to receive our quarterly enewsletter, Florida Eye, News and Views.

Florida Eye Locations

1717 Woolbright Road, Boynton Beach, FL 33426

1397 Medical Park Blvd., Wellington, FL 33414

9980 Central park Blvd., Suite 204, Boca Raton, FL 33428

13901 U.S. Hwy. 1, Suite 7, Juno Beach, FL 33408

Main Phone: 561-737-5500

Central Fax: 561-737-7055

Boynton Beach FL, November 1^st, 2012… Almost 30 million Americans age 20 and older that have diabetes and almost one third of those are at risk for vision loss because they do not even know they have the disease.

“This is a tragedy waiting to happen because people with diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy, a degenerative disease of the retina (the sensitive area at the back of the eye), which affects 5.3 million Americans age 18 and older,” says Randy Katz, M.D., Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute’s Retinal, Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Degeneration Specialist.

According to Dr. Katz, “More than one third of those diagnosed with diabetes do not adhere to vision care guidelines by forgoing a dilated eye exam every year. So, as part of November’s Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, I am urging Americans with diabetes to get a dilated eye exam this year, and every year. Also – pregnant women with diabetes should have an eye exam in the first trimester, since diabetic eye disease can progress rapidly during pregnancy.”

“The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risk for developing diabetic retinopathy,” says Dr. Katz, who also points out that diabetic retinopathy does not only affect people who have had the disease. “For some people, diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed before a patient even knows he or she has diabetes.”

Fluctuations in blood sugar levels can temporarily affect vision, so it’s sometimes difficult to know if a serious eye problem is developing. That’s one of the reasons strict control of a diabetic’s blood sugar is so important, says Dr. Katz. “If a diabetic notices a vision change in one eye, a change that lasts more than a day or two or changes not associated with fluctuations in blood sugar, call your ophthalmologist immediately.” Dr. Katz also recommends calling your ophthalmologist immediately if:

• your vision becomes blurry
• you have trouble reading signs or books
• you see double
• one or both of your eyes hurt
• your eyes get red and stay that way
• you feel pressure in your eye
• you see spots or floaters
• straight lines do not look straight
• you can’t see things at the side as you used to

For more information on diabetic retinopathy and/or to watch educational videos: fleyedocs.com.

The Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute offers a full range of comprehensive ophthalmologic care, including routine eye care and examinations, pediatric eye care, dry eyes, advanced corneal, retinal and cataract procedures, laser treatments, glaucoma and diabetic procedures, and various other sophisticated treatments. With its own pediatric wing and fully accredited outpatient surgical center in Boynton Beach, the Institute has additional offices in Boca Raton, Wellington and Juno Beach. Also at Florida Eye with Dr. Katz is Dr. Barry Schechter, Director of Cornea & Cataract Services, Glaucoma, External Disease & Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Dr. Lee Friedman, Pediatric, ROP & Adult Strabismus Specialist and Dr. Jason Gorscak, Refractive Cataract Surgery, Glaucoma & Comprehensive Ophthalmologic Care. 

Florida Eye is a premier center for national clinical trial studies. For information on current or future studies contact Debbie Rankin or call (561) 736-5055. For any additional information contact Gwen Cohan at (561)736-5050.

For the latest eye care news and info on the most current treatments and technologies, follow us on twitter at @fleyedocs.com, like us on facebook and sign up to receive our quarterly enewsletter, Florida Eye, News and Views.

Florida Eye Locations

Boynton Beach

Wellington

Boca Raton

Juno Beach

Main Phone: 561-737-5500

A new treatment for pending macular holes has retinal specialists reporting very positive results.

A macular hole is a small break in the macula, located in  the center of the eye’s light-sensitive tissue called the retina. The macula provides the sharp, central vision we need for reading, driving, and seeing fine detail. A macular hole can cause blurred  and distorted central vision.

Macular holes are related to aging and usually occur in people over age 60.

JETREA (ocriplasmin) Intravitreal Injection is a proteolytic enzyme indicated for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion. The treatment is administered one time only. Dr. Katz has been using this treatment for several months now and is extremely pleased with the results his patients have experienced.

Dr. Katz

“My patients are responding beautifully and they are thrilled that only one injection is required for the treatment,” says Dr. Katz. “A recent patient with a pending macular hole experienced incredible results just one week after receiving the single dose JETREA® injection. Most patients can expect to see similar results.”

To see if JETREA^® may be an option for your patient, contact Florida Eye at 561- 737-5500.