Posts Categorized: Uncategorized

At Eye Medical Clinic, we want our patients to enjoy their best possible vision at every stage of life. June is Cataract Awareness Month, so we’re taking this opportunity to educate our senior patient family about the risk factors and symptoms of cataracts. We will cover how you know you have cataracts, when you should see your doctor and when is the best time to have cataract surgery. 

What is a Cataract?

Starting with the basics, a cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens that most often happens slowly as you age. This cloudiness is progressive and it blocks and distorts light passing through the eye, making your vision cloudy and blurry. Over time, the cataract will grow larger and cloud more of the lens. Your vision will continue to diminish until you have the cataracts removed.

How Common Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness among older Americans. The most recent statistics provided by Prevent Blindness America show that cataracts affect more than 25 million people in the U.S. aged 40 and older. And more than half of all Americans will have cataracts by the time they are 80 years old. 

What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

Symptoms can vary from person to person depending on the degree of cataract progression, and not every person will experience every symptom, but there are a few common symptoms and they include:

• Glare or halos from headlights, lamps or sunlight
• Poor night vision, especially when driving
• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Colors appear dull or yellowish
• Frequent prescription changes in eyeglasses or contacts
• Difficulty reading in low light
• Sensitivity to light and glare

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please schedule a cataract evaluation with one of our experienced eye doctors, because they could be signs of cataract development. It’s important to be evaluated by a trained eye doctor because many of these same symptoms could also be signs of other eye problems.

When Should I Have Cataract Surgery?

Are you struggling to drive confidently? Are you worried about falling because you can’t see as well as you used to? When cataracts begin to affect your everyday life in a negative way, that’s when it is time to see your doctor about having your cataracts removed.

If you are no longer able to enjoy the things you love, like playing golf or pickleball, reading, traveling or crafting, we would love to perform a cataract evaluation for you. Additionally, yearly eye exams allow us to follow and monitor the cataracts. And they are helpful in determining when to start talking about cataract surgery. Take our helpful cataract self-evaluation to help determine if it’s time to see us about your cataracts.

If our experienced clinical team determines that you or your loved one is dealing with cataracts, you have nothing to fear. From diagnosis to surgery to post-op care, we will work with you every step of your journey. 

Upgrade Your Vision with an Advanced Technology Lens

Major advances in the field of ophthalmology allow people just like you to continue to live life the way they want to live it after cataract surgery. Although standard cataract surgery has been proven very successful at removing the cataract and replacing the eye’s natural lens with a clear lens, many people find they still need glasses, bifocals or multifocals in order to achieve their best vision. Compared to standard intraocular lenses (IOLs), Advanced Technology Lenses greatly reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses after your cataract surgery procedure.

Your comprehensive cataract evaluation will tell us everything we need to know about your unique ocular situation and which lenses you may be a good candidate for.

See Every Moment

We invite you to experience the VIP treatment every patient can expect to receive at Eye Medical Clinic. Our team of experienced doctors John Sullivan, MD; Jeanie Paik, MD; Tamer Hadi, MD; and Christina Nguyen Deane, OD, as well as a highly trained staff, is dedicated to helping you enjoy your life to the fullest…with the clear vision you deserve. Schedule your comprehensive cataract evaluation today.

Taking care of your eyes is as important as eating a healthy diet and taking part in regular physical activity. To help keep your eyes healthy for a lifetime, have an annual comprehensive dilated eye exam. It’s the best way to find out if you need glasses or contacts, or are in the early stages of any eye-related conditions or diseases.

This month and every month, the experienced professionals at Eye Medical Clinic want to help you and your loved ones See Every Moment with the vision you deserve. A comprehensive eye exam at Eye Medical Clinic goes way beyond a basic eye exam and will include:

• a visual acuity test to measure how sharp your vision is
• a motility exam to see how well your eyes work together and to rule out strabismus (crossed eyes)
• refraction to determine your best corrected vision prescription
• tests to assess your risk for developing glaucoma
• pupil dilation to help detect cataracts, macular degeneration and other serious retina conditions

Retina Conditions Can Steal Your Sight

There are a number of conditions that affect the retina (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and retinal detachments are the main ones) and need to be diagnosed and treated by an experienced retina specialist. Sometimes, flashes of lights and floaters in your vision are harmless and nothing to worry about, and at other times, they can be an early sign of a problem that needs careful and timely attention to preserve your vision! A retina specialist has the additional training and expertise to diagnose and treat a host of conditions relating to the retina.

“You can reduce the risk of developing many retina conditions by having an annual dilated comprehensive eye exam.”

Dr. Tamer Hadi, Retina specialist at Eye Medical Clinic

If you haven’t met our retina specialist Dr. Tamer Hadi, we’d love to introduce him. Dr. Hadi is a board-certified ophthalmologist, and fellowship-trained vitreoretinal specialist and eye surgeon. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS). 

Our Advanced Treatments for Retina Conditions

Eye Medical clinic is a regional leader in the diagnosis and treatment of many retina conditions. Dr. Hadi specializes in the management of all diseases of the vitreous and retina, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and vein occlusions, as well as mechanical, vascular, infectious and inflammatory diseases of the eye.

He performs an array of procedures and surgeries ranging from vision-preserving intravitreal injections and lasers for diabetic retinopathy and macular edema, to retinal detachment and macular hole repair, to epiretinal membrane and vitreous hemorrhage removal.

Dr. Hadi tailors individual treatment plans to meet each patient’s unique needs to meet the shared goal of a lifetime of high quality vision. Rest assured if you are dealing with a retinal condition, you are in good hands at Eye Medical Clinic.

See Every Moment with the Vision You Deserve

Eye Medical Clinic is home to world-class surgeons and advanced medical, surgical and laser procedures for many eye conditions. From routine eye exams to complicated cataract surgeries and the management of many eye conditions and diseases, Eye Medical Clinic can expertly care for every member of your family. We’d be honored to serve you. Schedule your appointment today.

If you are over the age of 50, you may have noticed your vision isn’t as sharp as it once was. You may even have to reach for your readers to see the text on your phone or read a menu when dining out. But did you know you are also at greater risk of developing an eye disease called Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)? Since February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month, we want to take some time to educate our patient family about this sight-stealing eye condition you should be aware of as you age.

At Eye Medical Clinic, we are passionately dedicated to helping our patients enjoy healthy vision for a lifetime. This includes educating you about the various eye conditions that have the potential to rob you of your precious sight. AMD is one such condition.

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Age-Related Macular Degeneration, also called AMD, is an eye disease that has a strong hereditary factor. It affects your central vision, where sharpest vision occurs, causing difficulty with daily tasks like driving, reading and even recognizing faces. AMD, in its later stages, is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss, and nearly 20 million people in the United States are living with some type of age-related macular degeneration.

There are two main types of AMD. The most common form is “dry” AMD, and it is caused by the appearance of small yellow deposits called drusen, which form under the retina. Most cases of AMD are the dry kind, which typically progresses slowly over a period of years. “Wet” AMD is more rare and typically causes rapid and more serious vision loss. With wet AMD, tiny blood vessels grow under and into the retina, breaking, leaking and ultimately causing an irreversible loss of vision.

How Will I Know If I Have AMD?

If you’re in the early stages of macular degeneration, you may not have any noticeable symptoms. The first sign you may notice is a gradual or sudden change in the quality of your vision or straight lines appearing distorted to you. This can gradually turn into a dramatic loss of your central vision.

How is AMD Treated?

Early detection of AMD is the key to protecting your vision as you age. At Eye Medical Clinic, treatment for dry AMD begins with having regular eye exams, especially for our patients who are age 60 or older. Although there is no cure for AMD, timely treatment can prevent or slow the progression of the disease.

If detected, our specialists may prescribe a combination of nutritional supplements, including a supplement called AREDS2, which is a special combination of vitamins and minerals that have been shown to slow the progression of dry macular degeneration.

Wet AMD treatment can include a number of options, including intravitreal injections that inhibit the growth of the abnormal blood cells that cause wet AMD. Our experienced eye doctors can help you determine the best course of treatment for your unique condition.

Am I at Risk for AMD?

AMD runs in families, but beyond the hereditary element, other risk factors associated with age-related macular degeneration include:

• Age (50 and older)
• Smoking
• A high-fat diet
• High blood pressure

Especially if other people in your family have been diagnosed with macular degeneration, it is extremely important to proactively do what you can to prevent the disease by eating a healthy diet, avoiding smoking, and, most importantly, having annual comprehensive eye exams.

Comprehensive Eye Care to Help You See Every Moment

Dr. Tamer Hadi is our retina specialist and he is an experienced, board-certified and skilled eye surgeon with fellowship training in vitreoretinal conditions. Dr. Hadi specializes in the management of all diseases of the vitreous and retina, including ARMD, diabetic retinopathy, and vein occlusions, as well as mechanical, vascular, infectious and inflammatory diseases of the eye.

Since many eye diseases and conditions come with no early warning signs, an annual comprehensive eye exam enables early detection of conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic eye changes, glaucoma and more. Routine eye examinations are the best safeguard for maintaining good vision at any stage of life. Schedule one today and let the team at Eye Medical Clinic help you See Every Moment with the vision you deserve.

If you, like many of us, let the holiday season sneak up on you in this busy, busy year, you may be just now working on your holiday gift giving list. As most Americans are tightening up their belts in a tough economic climate, holiday gift giving may take on a more practical theme in 2022. And what could be more practical than healthy vision? It’s truly a gift that will last a lifetime! 

At Eye Medical Clinic, we often reflect on what a privilege it is to serve generations of families for more than 75 years. The field of ophthalmology changes so much, decade over decade, and we are excited about many new advances that allow us to help the San Jose area See Every Moment with the vision you deserve.

From our family to yours, a very happy holidays! Now let’s get gift giving!

SET YOUR SIGHTS ON SEEING EVERY MOMENT

At Eye Medical Clinic, we embrace the most advanced and proven technologies in eye care. From routine eye exams and the diagnosis and treatment of retinal conditions to complicated cataract surgeries and glaucoma treatment, we can expertly care for every member of your family.

Our services include:

Annual Eye Exams

No matter your age or health status, making regular eye exams a part of your overall approach to healthy living is a wise habit. From the youngest member of your family to the most senior, we offer comprehensive eye exams catered to your unique circumstances.

Glasses and Contacts

Give yourself the gift of a new look for the new year! At Eye Medical Clinic, we know that selecting your eyewear is a big decision. The frames you choose make a statement about who you are. Our experienced optical specialists can help you find the best fit, style and color for your specific needs and style.

Dry Eyes No More!

If your eyes feel drier and more irritated than they used to be, you’re not just imagining things. Dry eyes are more common today than ever before. At Eye Medical Clinic, we are set up to help meet the growing demand for dry eye treatment. Our dry eye specialists will perform diagnostic testing – including ocular allergy testing – to determine the root cause of your dry eyes. Chronic dry eye symptoms are similar to allergy symptoms and even some infections, so testing will help us determine the best course of treatment for you. Your dry eye can be treated conveniently and efficiently at Eye Medical Clinic so you can get back to your life quickly! You’ll be ready to walk into 2023, waving goodbye to dry eye!

Modern Cataract Surgery

More than 2 million men and women undergo cataract surgery every year, making it one of the most common and successful medical procedures performed in the U.S. today. Eye Medical Clinic is proud to offer the latest technologies and techniques in cataract surgery, including Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery with advanced technology lenses. Schedule an appointment to learn about how a premium lens implant could not only restore your vision, but make it even better than it was before cataract surgery! Want to get rid of those pesky reading glasses? We can help! 

Bright Eyes for the Coming Year and Beyond

Signs of aging often show first around the eyes with excess, puffy or drooping skin that makes you appear sad, angry or just not as youthful as you’d like to look. If this is you, you’re in luck. Our expert surgeons can help. While eyelid surgery is more well-known for its cosmetic benefits, there are some instances where the procedure is a medical necessity to improve vision. In the case of the latter, your insurance may even cover a portion or all of the procedure. Schedule a complimentary consultation today.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases

Unfortunately, many eye diseases and conditions offer no early warning signs. Thankfully, the technology we use at Eye Medical Clinic allows for early detection of things like retinopathy, keratoconus, macular degeneration and more. We are also able to address smaller eye concerns including scratches, infections, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and even pterygiums (small growths on the cornea). Regular eye examinations by your Eye Medical Clinic eye doctor is the best practice for maintaining healthy eyes for a lifetime.

SAN JOSE VISION SPECIALISTS

At Eye Medical Clinic, we know that excellent results are directly related to excellent patient care. For more than seven decades, we have understood that each and every patient has unique eyes and therefore, unique vision needs. We welcome you to learn more about the experienced California eye doctors that call Eye Medical Clinic home.

SEE EVERY MOMENT IN THE COMING YEAR AND BEYOND

At Eye Medical Clinic, we have worked hard building a reputation for quality eye care that generations of California families have come to trust. We would be honored to welcome you and yours to the Eye Medical Clinic Family. Happy holidays and we can’t wait to serve you!

The holidays are crawling closer, and the end of the year will be here before you know it. If you have year-end insurance benefits or flex spending account dollars that will expire once the clock hits midnight on New Year’s Eve, now is the time to use them at Eye Medical Clinic. The only thing better than great vision is great vision that doesn’t cost you anything out of your own pocket!

Though the extent of each person’s benefits are dependent upon their own personal insurance provider and plan, for anyone who has an FSA fund or deductible benefits, you definitely don’t want to lose out on getting the most bang for your buck! If you have questions about how your benefits can be applied at our clinic, feel free to reach out to one of our team members to get more information at (408) 457-7311, or call your insurance provider for more information.

But what can you use this money on? We’re glad you asked! There’s a plethora of options for spending this money at Eye Medical Clinic including eye exams, glasses, contacts, vision correction surgery and more. We’re more than happy to help you figure out what is best for you and your family’s eye health.

Our Optical Shop

We have a wide variety of frame options for your new pair of glasses and/or sunglasses.  We also offer a range of lens choices to best meet your specific vision needs, including photochromic lenses, progressive lenses and computer lenses, for those who spend hours a day in front of a computer screen. When it comes to contacts, our optometrist, Dr. Deane will work with you to find the right brand from a variety of contacts for the best fit as well as your lifestyle and budget.

When it comes to frame options, we have offerings from the world’s most sought-after designers including Chloe, Maui Jim, Gucci, Rag & Bone and more. If you’re looking for a new pair of glasses to spend your FSA dollars on, our team would be more than happy to schedule an appointment with you to check your eyes and help you discover what the best options are for your eye health.

Vision Appointments and Vision Correction

If it’s time for your annual eye exam, your year-end insurance benefits could help cover it at Eye Medical Clinic. Or, if you’re looking to make the best decision you’ve made this year and go through with vision correction surgery, your benefits could help cover that, too!

Should you need surgery for a specific medical condition like cataracts and want to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses post-surgery the team at Eye Medical Clinic can help you. We offer a range of Advanced Technology Lenses that correct near, mid and distance vision as well as astigmatism.  And if you can get these procedures done for less money, that makes the investment in your vision an even easier decision.

Schedule an Appointment with Us to See Every Moment

No matter your eye care needs, we would be honored to work with you to make sure your vision needs are taken care of. When it comes to flex spending dollars or deductible benefits, you definitely want to use them before you lose them! Feel free to reach out to us at your earliest convenience to schedule an appointment. You can call us at (408) 457-7311 or visit our appointment page to get yourself on the books! We look forward to hearing from you.

Eye Medical Clinic in San Jose, CA, provides eye care for the whole family, but this September (also known as Healthy Aging Month!), we’re focusing on the eye care that the older members of your family might need. 

From cataracts to glaucoma and more, as we get older, our eyes need more and more attention. Luckily, the vast majority of age-related vision problems are able to be treated with modern technology and medical practices. Let us walk you through a couple of the most common ocular issues and what treatment for them looks like. And remember, the faster you get these conditions evaluated and treated, the better and more effective your outcomes will be! 

Cataracts

Cataracts are an inevitable part of aging. As we get older, the natural lenses in our eyes start to yellow and get cloudy, which can lead to a whole host of symptoms. Some of those symptoms include vision that is discolored and/or blurry, seeing halos around lights, difficulty seeing in low light situations (including night driving) and frequent changes in glasses/contacts prescriptions. It is important to get cataracts treated because worsened vision can increase the risk of other accidents, such as falls or car wrecks, that can cause long-term health complications. 

Luckily, highly effective cataract treatment exists in the form of cataract surgery. Here at Eye Medical Clinic, we are experts in cataract evaluation and treatment. Our doctors can effectively treat your cataracts. Plus, with Advanced Technology Implants, we could decrease or even eliminate your dependency on reading glasses!

If you’re over 60, it’s time to get evaluated for cataracts. Don’t hesitate to call us or schedule online to get the ball rolling on your cataract treatment. We want you to be able to See Every Moment. 

Glaucoma

Another common eye disease that occurs as we get older is glaucoma. According to the CDC, around 3 million people in America have glaucoma, and it is the second leading cause of blindness in the country!

So what is it? Glaucoma is defined as increased pressure in the eye. This can occur if your eye produces too much new fluid or if there is a blockage preventing old fluid from draining out of the eye when your body is ready to replace it.

The most common type of glaucoma (open-angle glaucoma) is rarely accompanied by symptoms until it progresses enough to produce irreversible vision loss. Though less common, closed-angle glaucoma can cause symptoms other than vision loss, including but not limited to headaches, eye pain, nausea and vomiting, red eyes and more.

Right now, glaucoma is not curable, but there are a number of effective treatment options that are available depending on the patients’ needs. Among these options are eye drops, medication, laser treatment or surgery. If you have glaucoma, your doctor will work with you to recommend the best course of treatment for your specific situation.

It is common for people to be diagnosed with glaucoma and cataracts at the same time, so for those patients, we have a dual-treatment option that will enable you to address your glaucoma and cataracts simultaneously. This means you’ll have to spend less time in appointments and recovery than you would if you had them treated separately. For more information about combined cataract and glaucoma treatment, click here.

Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), is a disorder of the retina and another eye condition that can impact our eye health as we age.  The macula is an area at the center of the retina and is in charge of central vision, which is necessary for seeing fine detail. There are two types of AMD – wet and dry. With wet AMD, atypical blood vessels appear around the macula and retina and these blood vessels can leak which impairs vision. Dry AMD occurs when cells of the macula begin to thin or break down. It is critical to begin treatment of AMD as soon as it is diagnosed. Dr Tamer Hadi, a fellowship trained retina surgeon on staff with Eye Medical Clinic, has the latest diagnostic equipment to catch and treat AMD before significant vision loss occurs. 

Celebrate Healthy Aging with Us!

No matter your eye care needs, we would be honored to work with you to make sure you and your vision needs are taken care of. Feel free to reach out to us at your earliest convenience to schedule an appointment! You can call us at (408) 457-7311 or visit our appointment page to get yourself on the books! We look forward to hearing from you.

At Eye Medical Clinic, we want to change the way people think about the idea of needing cataract surgery. In truth, we believe cataract surgery is an exciting opportunity! And we like to say it’s something you should look forward to! In fact, we love to guide our patients through the journey to restored, and possibly even improved, vision with modern cataract surgery at Eye Medical Clinic. Not sure if you’re ready for cataract surgery? No worries; our cataract self-evaluation can help.

Maximize Your End-of-Year Savings

Need a reason to consider saying yes to cataract surgery? Well, we’ve got a great one. Or two or three! By now, most people have met their annual deductible, making it a great time to schedule needed medical procedures like cataract surgery.

With your deductible met, your supplemental insurance may help pay for any portion not covered by insurance or Medicare. And if you have a Flex Spending Account (FSA) or a Health Savings Account (HSA), you can use those, too. Not sure how all that works? Let us help.

Customized Cataract Surgery with Personalized Vision

At Eye Medical Clinic, we really do want you to See Every Moment. Our experienced vision experts will meet with you one-on-one to assess the health of your eyes, learn about your lifestyle, hobbies and goals after surgery to decide on a plan together. We are committed to excellence in the latest techniques utilizing the most current technologies.

Why do we do all this? We want you to leave your cataract consultation feeling as confident and excited as we are about your upcoming surgery and potential new vision.

It’s a New Day in Cataract Surgery

Today, more than ever before, you have the opportunity to make a lifestyle decision about your vision after cataract surgery. Eye Medical Clinic is at the forefront of advancements in lens exchange procedures that take your lifestyle into consideration.

Do you read or spend a lot of time on the computer? We have a lens for that. Or are you an avid gardener, golfer or pickleball champion? We’ve got you. Photography? Crafting? Traveling? Yes, yes and yes!

We offer many Advanced Technology Lens Implants (Multifocal and Extended Depth of Focus) that can replace your cataracts and possibly even eliminate the need for progressive glasses, bifocals or contacts. Specifically, they are designed to give you a high-quality vision at several distances and in any light condition, including low light.

Candidates for Advanced Multifocal IOLs include any of the following conditions: Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, Presbyopia and Cataracts, either with or without astigmatism. While there are no lens options that can guarantee 20/20 vision at all distances, most patients who choose an Advanced Technology Lens Implant are happily glasses-free for most activities.

How wonderful!

We’re Here to Safely Serve You

All our cataract surgeries are performed at a trusted ASC (ambulatory surgery center). And an ASC is probably the safest place to receive care; perhaps even safer than a hospital. Why? Because ASCs do not treat sick patients. Additionally, they are highly regulated and held to extremely high safety standards at the federal and state level.

From initial cataract consultations to pre-op testing, surgery day and every post-op appointment, our COVID protocol goes above and beyond to protect you and our team.

See Every Moment with the Vision You Deserve

Our VIP patient experience begins with your first point of contact and extends through every encounter you have with the Eye Medical Clinic team. In fact, from the moment you walk through the doors at Eye Medical Clinic, you will feel valued and appreciated as an individual. You are more than a number, even more than a patient, at Eye Medical Clinic – you are family.

Trust your eyes to the San Jose cataracts specialists at Eye Medical Clinic. Our team is anchored by board-certified, fellowship-trained, experienced ophthalmologists. Schedule an initial cataract consultation today and learn more about the amazing advances in Lens technology.

It is estimated that, currently, more than 3 million people in the United States have glaucoma. The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030; a significant increase.

At Eye Medical Clinic, we are committed to educating our patients about this sight-stealing disease and providing the latest glaucoma treatments and management strategies.

All About Glaucoma

Glaucoma is called “the silent thief of sight” since there are typically no symptoms, and once vision is lost, it cannot be reversed. Glaucoma, in fact, is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Among African American and Latino populations, glaucoma is even more prevalent.

Over 3 million Americans, and over 60 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it. 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. The World Health Organization estimates that 4.5 million people worldwide are blind due to glaucoma.

Glaucoma comes in many different forms, but the two main types are open-angle and angle-closure. Both are marked by increased pressure within the eye. Open-angle glaucoma is far more common, accounting for more than 90 percent of diagnosed cases.

Glaucoma Treatments at Eye Medical Clinic

The goal of glaucoma treatment at Eye Medical Clinic is to preserve your current level of vision and to prevent any further vision loss. Treatment can vary, depending on the type of glaucoma diagnosed, the degree to which the condition has progressed, your underlying risk factors and other variables.

Glaucoma is more complex than most people understand. For this reason, it’s so important to choose a trusted and experienced doctor for your glaucoma management. For most patients with glaucoma, medication alone (eye drops) will be enough to control eye pressure. In some cases, several medications working together are necessary to maintain adequate pressure control. When medical treatment alone fails to sufficiently reduce the pressure, surgery is another option.

Glaucoma treatment options include:

MLT (Micropulse Laser trabeculoplasty)

MLT is a form of laser surgery that is used to lower intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma. It is used when eye drop medications are not lowering the eye pressure enough or are causing unwanted side effects. MLT can be performed as an outpatient procedure at Eye Medical Clinic, has very little downtime and most patients report little to no discomfort.

LPI (LASER PERIPHERAL IRIDOTOMY)

Laser peripheral iridotomy is a standard first-line treatment in closed-angle glaucoma. The procedure creates a tiny hole in the outer edge of the iris, leading to an opening of the angle in the majority of cases. After the angle is widened from the procedure, the trabecular meshwork (which directs fluid out of the eye) is exposed and fluid outflow is enhanced.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)

MIGS lower eye pressure in a much safer manner with rapid recovery and minimal restrictions. Instead of creating an artificial drain in the eye, they unclog the natural drainage system of the eye and enhance drainage.
Eye Medical Clinic is pleased to offer the revolutionary iStent Microstent. The tiny iStent is placed in the eye during cataract surgery, saving patients time and money! The device is so small, it can’t be felt. In other words, you won’t even know it’s there! iStent can effectively lower eye pressure by improving the outflow of fluid from the eyes.

There are several advantages offered by the MIGS procedures like iStent. They are minimally invasive, nonpenetrating procedures that do not create a permanent opening in the wall of the eye. Additionally, most can be performed either as stand-alone procedures or at the time of cataract surgery with similar recovery, postoperative drop regimen and restrictions of activity as cataract surgery alone.

A large majority of patients can not only achieve independence from glasses but minimize or eliminate/minimize glaucoma eye drops.

See Every Moment with the Vision You Deserve

At Eye Medical Clinic, our board-certified ophthalmologists have the training and experience to treat your glaucoma safely and effectively. After careful evaluation of the type and severity of your glaucoma, age, lifestyle and a host of other factors, we will recommend a personalized treatment plan that is customized for your individual needs. Schedule an appointment today.

If your eye doctor has told you it’s time to consider cataract surgery, you may be thinking, “Welllll, maybe I should wait.” After all, the pandemic is still affecting the lives of people across the world. But the truth is, now is actually a great time to have cataract surgery and for more reasons than you might think.

Cataract surgery is an exciting opportunity, and we like to say it’s something you should actually look forward to! At Eye Medical Clinic, we love to guide our patients through this journey to restored, and possibly even improved, vision. Let’s talk more about why now is an ideal time to have cataract surgery at Eye Medical Clinic.

Extra Measure of Safety

If safety is a concern to you at this time, you’re not alone. Many of our patients have asked us about this very thing! Here is what we tell them. All our cataract surgeries are performed at a trusted partner ASC (ambulatory surgery center). And an ASC is probably the safest place to receive care; perhaps even safer than a hospital. Why? Because ASCs do not treat sick patients. They are highly regulated healthcare facilities held to extremely high safety standards at the federal and state level.

Maximize End-of-Year Savings

Need another reason to consider moving forward with cataract surgery at this time? We’ve got a great one! By the final months of the year, most people have met their annual deductible, making it a great time to schedule needed medical procedures like cataract surgery (before deductibles reset in January).

With your deductible met, your supplemental insurance may very well help pay for more of your procedure costs. Not sure how all that works? We can help.

Customized Care with Personalized Vision

At Eye Medical Clinic, we really do want you to See Every Moment. Our experienced vision experts will meet with you one-on-one to assess the health of your eyes, learn about your lifestyle, hobbies and goals after surgery to decide on a plan together. It is our goal that you leave your consultation feeling confident and excited about your upcoming surgery and potential new vision.

See Every Moment, Your Way

Now, more than ever before, you have the opportunity to make a lifestyle decision about your vision after cataract surgery. Eye Medical Clinic is at the forefront of major advancements in lens exchange procedures that let you live the way you want. We also offer a variety of Premium Lens Implants (Multifocal and Extended Depth of Focus) that can replace your cataracts and possibly even eliminate the need for progressive glasses, bifocals or contact lenses. Specifically, Premium Lenses are designed to give patients high-quality vision at several distances, and in any light condition, including low light.

Premium IOLs are appropriate for the majority of patients who also seek a return to the vision of their youth. Most of these patients report no longer needing distance or reading glasses to see clearly in any and all light conditions. Candidates for Premium Multifocal IOLs include patients who have any of the following conditions: Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, Presbyopia and Cataracts, either with or without astigmatism.

While there are no lens options that can guarantee 20/20 vision at all distances, most patients who choose a Premium Lens Implant are happily glasses-free for most daily activities.

Trust your eyes to the San Jose cataracts specialists at Eye Medical Clinic. Our team is anchored by board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologists who have completed countless successful cataract surgeries. Schedule an initial cataract consultation today and learn more about the amazing advances in Premium Lens technology. Play golf with 20/20 in 2020 and walk into the new year with the confidence that comes from Seeing Every Moment.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. At Eye Medical Clinic, we also want to highlight that it’s Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. Diabetes is a debilitating and potentially sight-stealing disease, so this topic is important to talk about!
You might be surprised to learn that diabetes affects more than 34 million people in the United States. That’s more than one in 10 Americans living with diabetes!

Must-Knows of Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetic Eye Disease is a significant possibility for anyone who suffers from diabetes. There are several different kinds of diabetic eye disease, but all of them have the potential to result in vision loss and even blindness.
At Eye Medical Clinic, we know that preserving your vision is an important part of maintaining your health and well-being. Our own Dr. Tamer Hadi regularly sees many diabetic patients to monitor their eye health. As a Retina specialist, he knows exactly what to look for, as many diabetic eye diseases don’t have symptoms in their earliest stages. Here are his top tips to know:

1. 1. If you have diabetes, you could develop diabetic eye disease at any time. Elevated blood sugar levels from diabetes can damage small blood vessels throughout the body, including those that nourish the retina. Often the earliest damage goes undetected by patients. In other words, it’s possible to develop diabetic eye disease without having ANY symptoms.
2. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of irreversible blindness in working-age Americans. As the disease progresses, blood vessels become blocked, damaged, and leak, preventing areas of the retina from receiving vital blood and nutrients. This leads to a host of problems, often starting with retinal swelling (diabetic macular edema), which blurs the fine vision needed for reading and recognizing faces, progressing to poor circulation and retinal damage (ischemia and hemorrhages) which prompts the development of growth factors that cause ABNORMAL new blood vessels (neovascularization) to grow on the retina (proliferative diabetic retinopathy). New vessels may bleed into the center of the eye, cause scarring, retinal detachment, or high pressure and pain by blocking the drainage system of the eye. All of these can be devastating for vision.
3. Other vision complications from diabetes include glaucoma and cataracts. People with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts at a younger age and are twice as likely to develop glaucoma as are non-diabetics.
4. Diabetic eye disease can be treated! It’s true, if you have diabetic eye disease, the reality is, you are at risk for losing vision. But great strides have been made over the years to minimize complications from diabetes. Regular eye exams, early detection, and timely disease management can help protect from and even reverse vision loss! And it all starts with knowledge and prevention. Educate yourself on the following symptoms and risk factors.

Symptoms

Diabetic eye disease may occur in one or both eyes and may include the following symptoms:

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Difficulty reading
• Difficulty with color perception
• The appearance of spots – often called “floaters” – in your vision
• A shadow across the field of vision
• Risk Factors

Anyone who has diabetes is at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Additional factors can increase the risk, including:

• Disease duration – the longer you have diabetes, the greater the risk of developing diabetic eye disease
• Poor control of blood sugar levels
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Pregnancy

Treatments for Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Edema

Each treatment plan is highly individualized and will be based on your age, medical history, lifestyle and degree of damage to your retina. In its earliest stages, diabetic retinopathy may not require treatment beyond regular monitoring by your Eye Medical Clinic doctor.
Medical management in the clinic typically includes intravitreal injections for diabetic macular edema and laser therapy to seal or shrink leaking blood vessels in a process called photocoagulation. In severe cases, the retina can become detached due to diabetic retinopathy and may require surgery.

Prevention

Patients with diabetes often ask if there is anything they can do to keep from getting diabetic eye disease or to prevent vision loss once it occurs.
If you have diabetes, the National Eye Institute suggests that you keep your health on TRACK

Take your medicines as prescribed by your doctor
Reach and maintain a healthy weight
Add physical activity to your day
Control your ABCs—A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol
Kick the smoking habit

Regular dilated eye exams reduce the risk of developing more severe complications from the disease. It is extremely important for diabetic patients to maintain the eye examination schedule put in place by the retina specialist. How often an examination is needed depends on the severity of your disease. Through early detection, the retina specialist can begin a treatment regimen to preserve your vision.

Commit to an Annual Sight-Saving Exam

Researchers found that more than half of patients with diabetes skip an annual comprehensive eye exam. This should not be! Annual comprehensive eye exams are critical as they can reveal hidden signs of disease, resulting in more timely treatment. This is why the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends people with diabetes have them annually or more often, as recommended by their ophthalmologist.

“If you have diabetes, regular monitoring by a Retina specialist
is one of the best things you can do to prevent vision loss.”

Tamer Hadi, MD, board-certified ophthalmologist at Eye Medical Clinic

At Eye Medical Clinic, we want our patients to enjoy a high quality of life while also managing their diabetes. Our experienced clinical team has extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of diabetic eye disease. If you have diabetes, schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Eye Medical Clinic today, and protect yourself from preventable vision loss.

Eye Medical Clinic is happy to welcome you back beginning June 1st (by APPOINTMENT ONLY). We are committed to our patients’ health and safety, so we’re implementing new protocols in accordance with established guidelines. If you have a scheduled appointment, we ask that you follow these steps.

1. Complete ALL paperwork prior to your appointment. This will be sent to you by the staff so you have time to complete. (New patients only)
2. Limit the number of people accompanying you to your appointment (1 adult per child, 1 caregiver per adult when medically necessary.)
3. Adhere to social distancing rules (6 feet)
4. Refrain from/limit talking during your appointment
5. Prior to entering the clinic, put on a face covering and wear it for the duration of your appointment (click here for the proper way to wear face covering)
6. Before leaving for your appointment, check your temperature at home. Anything higher than 100.0, please reschedule your appointment.
7. Upon arrival, please wait in the designated area. Please use the entrance door located facing the parking lot.
8. Contact Lens Wearers: Please bring your own contact lens solution and case to your appointment. We will not be providing communal solutions at this time.

The Eye Medical Clinic Staff will:

• USE FOGGING TREATMENT TO PROFESSIONALLY DISINFECT OUR ENTIRE OFFICE USING EPA REGISTERED DISINFECTING AGENTS.
• PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED SYMPTOM SCREENING FOR PATIENTS AND STAFF.
• LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS IN THE OFFICE TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING (6 FEET). SPEAK AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE WHILE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY AND REQUEST THE PATIENT TO MINIMIZE SPEAKING AS WELL.
• WEAR MASKS AND FACE SHIELDS WHEN THEIR TASK REQUIRES THEM TO BE CLOSER THAN 6 FEET.
• CLEAN EVERY SURFACE. WE HAVE ENHANCED OUR CLEANING PROCEDURES TO DISINFECT AND SANITIZE ALL CLINICAL SETTINGS, WAITING ROOMS, OPTICAL DEPARTMENT, AND PUBLIC AREAS. WE WILL METICULOUSLY DISINFECT BETWEEN EACH PATIENT.
• SANITIZE ALL ITEMS BETWEEN USE…OFFICE SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, FRAMES, ETC.

Patients will be required to:

• DISCLOSE IF THEY ARE EXPERIENCING ANY SYMPTOMS SUCH AS FEVER OR RESPIRATORY ILLNESS AND/OR IF THEY OR HAD CONTACT WITH SOMEONE CONFIRMED OR HAS SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS. (please call and reschedule your appointment if the answer is yes to any and call your PCP about testing)
• SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT PRIOR TO COMING TO OFFICE. NO WALK-IN APPOINTMENTS: APPLIES TO BOTH OPTICAL AND CLINIC
• WEAR FACE COVERINGS AT ALL TIMES. (READ HOW TO PROPERLY WEAR FACE COVERING HERE)
• ADHERE TO OUR REDUCED VISITOR POLICY
• USE HAND SANITIZER PRIOR TO ENTERING THE WAITING AREA
• ASK FOR ASSISTANCE WITH FRAMES/GLASSES AND AN OPTICIAN WILL REMOVE FROM CASE. PLEASE LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF FRAMES YOU TRY ON.
• BRING ALL CURRENT EYE DROPS AND CONTACT LENS SOLUTIONS WITH YOU TO YOUR APPOINTMENT.

Dear Patient,

As we all navigate the rapidly evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) situation together, we want to share with you the extra precautions we’re taking at Eye Medical Clinic to serve you. We will continue to keep you, our valued patient, at the center of our planning and decision making. We encourage you to be informed and prepared surrounding the outbreak of coronavirus.

Keeping Our Office Safe

We’ve always been proud of the cleanliness and operations of our clinics, and we know that keeping them clean and sanitized is even more important now. 

If You’re Feeling Ill

If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, please contact our office. We will discuss your symptoms and determine if it is necessary to reschedule your appointment.

In the meantime, we suggest taking the same preventative measures always recommended during cold and flu season.

• Wash your hands frequently. Use an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
• Maintain social distancing. Keep a distance of about three feet between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Hands pick up viruses easily because of all the surfaces they touch. Once transferred through the eyes, nose or mouth, you can become sick.
• If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. 
• Stay home if you don’t feel well. 

Recent Travel/Exposure

If you or a family member have traveled to a high-risk area in the past 14 days, we ask that you please let us know so that we can reschedule your appointment. Or if you may have been exposed, we’ll need to reschedule your appointment. We also recommend that you speak with your primary care physician.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Sincerely,

The Eye Medical Clinic Team

Drooping eyelids can interfere with vision and make for tired-looking, aged eyes. At Eye Medical Clinic, we offer a unique approach to eyelid surgery that can restore a bright-eyed, youthful appearance.

What is Blepharoplasty?

The medical term for eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty is designed to correct the drooping or sagging skin of the eyelids.

What can blepharoplasty accomplish? Glad you asked! Blepharoplasty can:

• Remove excess skin and fat from upper lids
• Reduce upper eyelid fold
• Sharpen eyelid crease
• In some cases, improve vision (functional upper eyelid blepharoplasty)
• Create a more youthful, refreshed appearance

Who is a Good Candidate for Blepharoplasty?

With age, the skin and muscles of the eyelid can begin to sag and droop. Additionally, the fat that surrounds and cushions the eyeball can bulge forward through the skin of the upper lid. Excess skin, muscle and fat can weigh down the upper lid and in some cases, impair vision. If you have any of the following, eyelid surgery might be right for you:

Tired looking eyes
Upper eyelid skin hanging over normal lid crease
Smaller or more saggy-appearing eyes

About the Surgery?

At Eye Medical Clinic, our blepharoplasty procedure address both functional and aesthetic concerns for upper eyelids.

Functional Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty addresses upper eyelid droopiness that is significant enough to interfere with vision and daily tasks like reading and driving.

• Removes excess skin and fat hanging over normal lid crease
• Medicare and private insurance will cover at least a portion
• Consultation, exam and testing can help determine coverage eligibility

How is Blepharoplasty Performed?

During an upper blepharoplasty, small incisions are made within the natural crease of the eye, so excess skin and fat can be removed. We can discuss the best approach for you at a consultation.

Blepharoplasty at Eye Medical Clinic is performed in-office using local anesthesia. You may also opt for light sedation during the procedure but you will still be able to return home the same day. Patients report very little discomfort. You will be asked to return five to seven days post-op to have your sutures removed. Most people return to most daily activities including work within a week of blepharoplasty surgery.

Who Will Perform My Blepharoplasty?

John Sullivan, MD is a board-certified ophthalmologist with vast experience in cataract, reconstructive, cosmetic and plastic surgery. He holds a clinical professor faculty appointment in the ophthalmology department at the University of California-San Francisco where he shares teaching responsibilities training ophthalmology residents and oculoplastic fellows.

Schedule an initial consultation today with the experts at Eye Medical Clinic. We will share all of our eye-opening options to give you a clear idea of what will benefit your vision and lifestyle. At Eye Medical Clinic, we have been dedicated to helping the people of Santa Clara Valley with all their eye care needs for more than 70 years.

Eye Medical Clinic Providing Aid to Wildfire Victims

Join us!

As the Camp Fire continues to impact northern California as the deadliest and most destructive in the state’s history, our team at Eye Medical Clinic is immediately providing aid for those impacted by the fire.  

To assist affected and displaced individuals, families, and first responders, we are:

• Providing free eye exams to anyone suffering from exposure to smoke or other irritants because of the fire, through December 8th, 2018.  
• Offering free repair or replacement of prescription eyeglasses to anyone whose glasses were broken or lost due to the wildfire. We will try to accommodate as many patients as possible.  Some restrictions will apply.
• Accepting donations of water, non-perishable foods, hygiene kits, diapers, and baby formula and will distribute them to aid organizations, including the Red Cross, to help affected individuals and families.

If you’d like to make a donation, we’re located at 220 Meridian Avenue in San Jose.  Call (408) 869-3402 or visit www.EyeMedicalClinic.com/california-fires for more information.  

“At times like this, we must do everything we can to care for our neighbors who are suffering.”
-Dr. Mona Bagga, Ophthalmologist at Eye Medical Clinic