Mitchell Ashkanazy, MD

We provide comprehensive eye care to patients of all ages. Our doctor is fully trained and experienced to diagnose, treat and prevent conditions from myopia and hyperopia to glaucoma, cataracts and everything in between. We strive to provide our patients with safe, minimally invasive treatments to effectively relieve symptoms and preserve vision and overall eye health. As a comprehensive ophthalmology practice, our services include not only laser vision correction and small-incision cataract surgery but also treatments for a range of conditions such as glaucoma, the diabetic eye, dry eye and macular degeneration. Regular eye exams are an invaluable tool in maintaining your eyes' health by detecting and preventing disease. Some diseases develop slowly without causing pain or vision loss. Early detection of any problems can reduce the risk of further harm and allow for a choice of treatment options. We regularly screen for diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, which can develop without any noticeable symptoms. Certain advanced eye conditions may require surgery in order to restore or maintain vision and prevent serious complications. Surgery for cataracts, glaucoma, corneal disease and other serious conditions are an effective means of correcting these diseases and returning the eyes to a more optimal state of health. Dr. Ashkanazy performs surgery only when needed to reduce the invasiveness of treatment and any associated trauma or downtime, and after less invasive treatment such as medications, eye drops and laser procedures have failed. To learn more about the comprehensive eye care services provided at our practice, please call us today to schedule an appointment. Clear vision and healthy eyes are important not only to your child's overall health and well-being, but are also directly related to their academic performance in school. Comprehensive eye exams are essential in the diagnosis and treatment of vision problems, injury and disease. While vision is likely tested at your child's school each year, these exams only evaluate eyesight and do not test the overall health of the eyes. Vision screenings are recommended every other year while your child is in school, or every year for children who need eyeglasses or contact lenses. Regular testing helps detect any problems early, which allows treatment to begin before the child experiences difficulty in school due to poor vision, or before any permanent damage has occurred. Thanks to advances in optical technology, almost everyone can now wear contact lenses, regardless of the type or extent of their vision problems. That includes patients with astigmatism and those who need bifocal or multifocal lenses. Unlike glasses, contact lenses move with your eyes so you can enjoy a larger field of vision with fewer distortions. You also don't have to deal with frames hovering in your peripheral vision or external lenses that fog up on cold days or get wet in the rain. There are many different kinds of contacts, including rigid and flexible, extended wear, disposable and planned replacement lenses. Some can be made as bifocals or in different colors. After a thorough eye exam and consultation with an experienced physician, patients who qualify for contact lenses can discuss which type is right for them. All contact lenses require special care and cleaning. You'll need to make regular follow-up visits to ensure your eyes remain healthy.

Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed procedure in the US, replacing the cloudy natural lens of the eye with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). Cataracts affect millions of people each year, including more than half of all Americans over the age of 65, and cause a progressive, painless loss of vision, as well as: Blurred/hazy vision Spots in front of the eye(s) Sensitivity to glare A feeling of "film" over the eye(s) A temporary improvement in near vision We perform a minimally invasive, small-incision, no-stitch cataract surgery called phacoemulsification ("phaco") surgery. During this procedure, a tiny incision is made in the eye to make room for a small ultrasonic probe. This probe breaks up, or emulsifies, the cloudy lens into tiny pieces. The pieces are then suctioned out through the probe. Because of its small size, the incision can heal on its own and only requires a topical (eye drop) anesthesia, so there is no injection or stitching in the eye at all. Once the cloudy lens has been removed, the artificial IOL is implanted in the eye. Advanced foldable IOLs can be inserted through the same small incision that the original lens was removed from. This significantly reduces recovery times while improving safety and reducing the risk of bleeding, scarring, irritation and distortion. For more information about this topic please click here During cataract surgery, your doctor replaces the clouded, blurry area of the lens with an artificial one to correct vision. However, after surgery, many people experience a gradual clouding on the covering of the new lens, a condition known as aftercataract or secondary membrane. A procedure called a posterior capsulotomy, using an Nd: YAG laser, can be performed to remove the back lining of the lens capsule and let light pass through to the retina. The laser creates a space in the back lining and helps remove cloudiness in the lens. The capsulotomy is a painless procedure that does not require any anesthesia. It is considered a safe procedure and most people only experience short-term increased eye pressure. Most people experience improved vision and reduced glare after undergoing a posterior capsulotomy.

Laser Vision Correction, also known as LASIK, is quickly becoming the new standard in vision correction as it offers the most accurate, individualized results for each patient. This FDA-approved procedure uses three-dimensional measurements of the eye to help guide the laser as it reshapes the cornea and corrects your vision. Laser Vision Correction lets patients benefit from a higher chance of achieving 20/20 vision, with many patients achieving vision that is better than 20/20, a feat often unachievable with traditional LASIK, glasses, or contacts. Laser Vision Correction also reduces the risk of poor night vision and glare, side effects that are common with traditional LASIK. We perform bladeless “All Laser” LASIK utilizing the latest Intralase FS 60 laser and the VISX Star S4 IR laser, which accepts Wavescan data to perform CustomVue LASIK. The VISX Star S4 IR laser utilizes four dimensional eye tracking and iris recognition to ensure that the custom treatment plan is properly aligned on the eye’s visual axis. This combination of lasers sets the new standard for safety and efficacy in the LASIK procedure. The VISX Star S4 IR produces the shortest treatment time of any laser on the market through the use of variable spot scanning. Not everyone is a good candidate for vision correction surgery by LASIK. If it is determined that you are not a good LASIK candidate, as an experienced cataract surgeon, we recommend alternative treatment plans which may accomplish your goals such as intraocular lens implantation. Lifestyle intraocular lenses nearly eliminate the need for both distance and near glasses or contact lenses.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. It occurs when the pressure inside the eye rises, damaging the optic nerve and causing vision loss. The condition often develops over many years without causing pain or other noticeable symptoms - so you may not experience vision loss until the disease has progressed. People at high risk include those who are over the age of 40, diabetic, near-sighted, African-American, or who have a family history of glaucoma. To detect glaucoma, your physician will test your visual acuity and visual field as well as the pressure in your eye. Treatments to lower pressure in the eye include non-surgical methods such as prescription eye drops and medications, laser therapy, and surgery.

The macula is a part of the retina in the back of the eye that ensures that our central vision is clear and sharp. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs when the arteries that nourish the retina harden. Deprived of nutrients, the retinal tissues begin to weaken and die, causing vision loss. AMD is the number-one cause of vision loss in the U.S. Macular degeneration doesn't cause total blindness because it doesn't affect the peripheral vision. Possible risk factors include genetics, age, diet, smoking and sunlight exposure. Regular eye exams are highly recommended to detect macular degeneration early and prevent permanent vision loss. Symptoms of macular degeneration include: A gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly A gradual loss of color vision Distorted or blurry vision A dark or empty area in the center of vision There are two kinds of AMD: wet (neovascular/exudative) and dry (non-neovascular). Dry AMD is much more common than wet AMD, and involves vision loss that is slower and often less severe than with wet AMD. Recent developments in ophthalmology allow doctors to treat many patients with early-stage AMD with the help of lasers and medication.

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that weakens the blood vessels that supply nourishment to the retina (the light-sensitive lining in the back of the eye where vision is focused). These weak vessels can leak, swell or develop thin branches, causing a loss of vision. Changes to your vision may not be noticeable at first. But in its advanced stages, the disease can cause blurred or cloudy vision, floaters and blind spots - and, eventually, blindness. This damage is irreversible. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye complication and a leading cause of blindness in American adults. Fortunately, diabetic retinopathy is preventable. People with diabetes are most susceptible to developing it, but your risk is reduced if you follow your prescribed diet and medications and undergoing regular eye exams. Diabetic retinopathy can be detected through a visual acuity test, a dilated eye exam or tonometry. Although damage caused by diabetic retinopathy cannot be corrected, patients diagnosed with the condition can be treated to slow its progression and prevent further vision loss. Treatment modalities include laser and surgical procedures.

Although most flashes and floaters occur in people with healthy or merely nearsighted eyes, they can be symptoms of serious problems including injury and retinal and posterior vitreous detachments. Flashes in vision are caused by pressure on the retina, the bundle of nerves in the back of the eye where images are detected and transmitted to the brain. Patients complain of flashing lights or lightning streaks. Floaters are often seen when fibers move within the vitreous humor, the gelatinous substance made of water and protein fibers that fills the eye. Patients complain of small specks or dots that can be seen against clear backgrounds. Serious vision loss can occur if the retina or vitreous detach from the eye wall. Patients experiencing flashes and floaters should contact their doctor immediately so an examination can be performed.

In addition to detecting vision problems, our school eye exams also check for common childhood conditions such as a lazy eye (amblyopia) or crossed eyes (strabismus). These conditions are often present at birth as a result of genetic factors, and should be treated early to reduce the risk of complications. Treatment may include glasses to improve focusing or eye exercises to correct improper vision habits. Our exams also test for dyslexia and other learning disabilities that may inhibit your child's ability to perform well in school. Children with dyslexia have trouble processing letters and sounds, and must work hard in order to read properly and efficiently. It is important for parents to explain the importance of professional eye care and treatment to their children in order to promote proper eye health and a lifetime of strong, healthy eyes.