My Quest for Contact Lenses

My quest for a contact lens specialist!

In 1989, I began my quest for a comfortable pair of contact lenses, only to encounter a considerable amount of disappointment, discomfort, and frustration. Some of this was due to being very nearsighted and possessing slight astigmatism, but most of it was caused by eye doctors who claimed they were contact “specialists”. I discovered in 1994 that they weren’t specialists, but were really doctors who only knew the mechanics of fitting contacts. That year, I was able to be fitted with a pair of contacts that were comfortable and provided me with good vision after some relatively short examinations performed by Dr. Irwin Azman.

Right before meeting Dr. Irwin Azman, I went to see a prominent eye care specialty firm because it had been recommended as the best in Maryland in a magazine. Unfortunately, visits there were stressful and unpleasant. At this office, not only did I usually have to wait long periods of time in a crowded waiting room, but I usually had to wait just as long in the examination room for my assigned doctor. Doctors in training would first examine me and I would have to explain my situation during every visit to these novices who wouldn’t even read my history chart. The doctor would then come in, examine me, and perform dozens of calculations while I sat there and watched. With this kind of treatment, my visits became increasingly more stressful because I couldn’t even get fitted with a comfortable pair of contacts. The doctors there prescribed me soft toric lenses time after time. I found the soft toric lenses to be uncomfortably thick; it felt as though they rubbed harshly against my eyes. Vision was unsatisfactory too; it was blurry and seemed to change every time I would blink my eyes. People would say they could see the contacts moving around my eyes. The doctors started becoming frustrated themselves. One finally said he could do absolutely nothing about the rotation of the soft toric lenses and recommended I go back to semi-hard gas permeable lenses. That’s exactly what I didn’t want. That’s why I went to this office in the first place – to get fitted with soft contacts! I had worn gas perms at one time and my eyes were constantly red. That same doctor finally told me in a direct manner that he would rather I just went somewhere else. Since I had had enough, I later agreed and accepted the refund they gave me. At that time, I began looking for someone who really knew what he was doing in this area and found Dr. Irwin Azman in the telephone book. I called Dr. Irwin Azman and to my surprise, Dr. Irwin Azman listened very intently to my situation. He seemed to understand it quite well and seemed very confident that it could be fixed. I scheduled an , appointment, and from that point on, I began to have some luck in my quest for a decent pair of contacts.

My first exam at Dr. Irwin Azman’s turned out to be the easiest one I had ever experienced. A thorough eye exam was performed, and I was very much delighted when I didn’t have to have my eyes dilated. Dr. Irwin Azman’s high-tech equipment made dilation unnecessary: I wouldn’t have trouble driving home afterwards.  Dr. Irwin Azman then assessed my situation and explained all the options. He prescribed a pair of contacts with what seemed minimal effort. I didn’t have to witness him performing an extensive number of calculations. Finally, it was a great feeling to get a pair of contacts which were fine-tuned with only two or three visits. Unlike the soft tone, these were a comfortable pair of lenses which gave me good vision. In addition, Dr. Irwin Azman gave me recommendations about cleaning and using solutions on my lenses; after this, there was no more stinging from lenses improperly cleaned the previous night. Dr. Irwin Azman seems to be the real eye care “specialist” because he knows the latest in contact lens technology. On my first visit alone, I learned more about contacts than I had the four years before meeting Dr. Irwin Azman. He had shown me the newest inventions in contact lenses. Nowadays, I’m doing just great with my contacts and continue to make my yearly visits to Dr. Irwin Azman. I have had such good luck with Dr. Irwin Azman that I’m afraid to go elsewhere for my contact lens care!

Lynn O.
Vienna, VA
Patient since 1994

Dry Eye: Itchy, Burning, Scratchy Eyes

It really is amazing how much Dr Azman has taught me about my eyes. I have been dealing with so many issues of dry eye, I was sure I was just one of the few percentiles that nothing can be done for!

At first it didn’t seem like some of the changes made much of a difference, but the way you, Dr Azman had me do things in steps, I was able to feel the extreme change once the “changes” stopped working, or wore off.

The most amazing was when the trial punctal plugs were put in. At first, it was just a strange feeling, my eyeballs felt as though they were floating! After awhile, my body adjusted and it didn’t seem as fascinating as I first thought. However, when those little things dissolved I felt that fire once again! I knew it the day it happened. My blinking started to take longer and the burning sensation came back every time I closed my eyes. It was just awful! Even at night, once again my eyeballs felt as though they were sticking to my eyelids! I knew then, that the plugs really made an enormous difference in my life!

I couldn’t believe I had put up with the burning and the sticking for 12 years!

Working with you, Dr Azman really made me pay attention to the way I treated my eyes. I thought I took great care of them. Being so sensitive to certain contact lens solutions and eye drops, I was so careful!

Without you, Dr Azman and the help of your wonderful staff, I would still be struggling with sleeping and making it through an entire 8 hour day without getting headaches!

I appreciate everything you and your staff have done for me and for being patient with me. We worked at this for awhile, but it was well worth it!

I would do it again in a heartbeat! THANK YOU!

-Wendy Z. Baltimore, Maryland

A Dry Eye Christmas Miracle!

The following explains my complete satisfaction with the Azman Dry Eye Center.

The past several years I noticed a significant change in my ability to see clearly, plus my eyes were always very irritated. I went to Lens Crafters first. They changed my eyeglass prescription, but I still could not see clearly. The following year, since I was now in my 50’s, I decided to bypass the “storefront” eyeglass establishment and see someone more professional. I went to an Eye Group, hoping for a more thorough exam and evaluation. After giving me the standard tests, the doctor wrote a new eyeglass prescription. He also mentioned that I had a birthmark in back of my eye, but did not elaborate on it or recommend further tests. I noted that the doctor seemed distracted and showed no sincere interest in me as a patient. His answers to my

christmas tree
christmas tree (Photo credit: peminumkopi)

questions were short, and he offered very little explanation to my eye irritation. I had glasses made from the new prescription that he gave me, but I was still experiencing blurry, irritated eyes.

Through my new insurance plan, Eye Care Plan of America (ECPA), I selected Azman Dry Eye Center for my next eye exam. This turned out to be one of the best choices I have ever made! I had no problem getting a late afternoon appointment, so I didn’t lose any time from work. The office is clean and aesthetically pleasing, and the staff is courteous and helpful.

On my first visit, Dr. Irwin Azman took his time and gave my eyes a thorough examination. He tested my eyes for dryness. After the exam, I went to his office where he thoroughly explained my problem and answered all my questions. I never felt that he was rushing me through, and he was extremely kind and courteous. Like the doctor at the previous Eye Group, Dr. Azman also saw the “birthmark” in back of my eye. However, unlike the visit to my former doctor, Dr. Irwin Azman sent me to a retina specialist just to make sure that a more serious problem wasn’t being overlooked.

On my return visit, I told Dr. Azman that my eyes were still irritated. Since it was Christmas time, I called this my Christmas miracle! In just a few hours, my vision improved 100%. Everything looked clear and sharp for the first time in several years!

I am extremely pleased with the care I received at the Azman Dry Eye Center. Doctor Irwin Azman was thorough in his examination, evaluation and explanations. I felt very confident that he really got to the root of my problem, instead of just prescribing another pair of glasses that probably would not have improved my vision. My entire experience at the Azman Dry Eye Center was positive, and I have already recommended them to my friends and family!

-Beverly G. Baltimore, Maryland

Dry Eyes: My eyes were so red that my co-workers would ask what’s wrong?

Eye (red)
Eye (red) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Since the mid to late 90s, I began to notice the dryness in my eyes. Nothing too serious, just a lot of redness and itching. Plagued by allergies, I attributed my eye symptoms to that and treated it with allergy eye drops. I saw an optometrist at that time for a regular eyeglass exam, and he tested my eyes with a type of litmus paper. It was positive for having “dry eyes”. He gave me a form of prescription eye drops and sent me on my way.

Despite the attempts to alleviate my problem, the dry eye symptoms persisted and actually became worse by early 2001. At this point, they would burn and felt a little scratchy—like the finest of sand paper grades. I began to excessively use lubricant eye drops—at least once, sometimes twice every 2 to 3 hours a day. I kept a bottle in my purse, in my car, and in my refrigerator for relief from the burning. I continued using allergy drops as well. At night, I would apply cold packs for relief from the swelling that I began to notice at the end of each day.

By 2002, I acquired a job requiring me to constantly use a computer. Despite having had tear duct plugs, lubricant eye drops, and nighttime eye gel lubricant, my symptoms became worse. My eyes would redden so badly that my co-workers would comment on what was wrong? I couldn’t wear makeup for long periods of time, as the redness would become worse. My eye lids were mildly swollen and made my eyes look much smaller. The burning at the end of the day again called for cold packs. Assuming that I would just have to live with this, I went on with my life, my eye lubricants, allergy eye drops, and cold packs. When I would cry, my eyes would swell so badly, that despite the use of ice packs, it would take a good 24 hours to get my eyelids back to “normal.”

In the winter of 2005, I miraculously was captured by a building’s address that read “Azman Eye Care DRY EYE CENTER”. I made an appointment and Dr. Irwin Azman himself called me to ask me what my situation was—and he was in California at the time! I was very impressed with this type of attention.

After the most thorough eye exam I have ever experienced, I eagerly listened as Dr. Irwin Azman specifically explained every test result; the anatomy and physiology of the eyelid and tear duct system, and best of all, the treatment of my dry eye condition. Within 4 weeks, I began to notice 70% improvement with my dry eye symptoms. My eyes felt less like sandpaper, the redness was not as apparent, the itching was gone, and the burning had subsided. The most evident sign of improvement was the lack of my need for excessive lubricant eye drops AND allergy eye drops. By 6 weeks, I was 90 to 95% symptom free. By far, the most superb result was when I cry, whether a soft cry or hard cry, my eyes never swell at all.

At my 8-week visit, I was so pleased.

I am eternally grateful to Dr. Irwin Azman for introducing me to the most effective treatment for my dry eye condition. My eyes are at last relieved!

-Martha W. Baltimore, Maryland

We are extremely fortunate to have Dr Azman in the Baltimore area!

I have been a patient of Azman Eye Care Specialists, Dr Irwin Azman, for approximately 4 years. My first hint that this organization puts the customer’s needs first is when they advised me that I was not a candidate for laser correction. At that time, the most thorough exam I had ever had was administered, and I was prescribed glasses. I have been more satisfied with both the prescription and glasses, then any other time in my bifocal adult life.

I had tried contacts in the past, found my eyes to be red, watery, and itchy, and the optometrist blamed menopause as the culprit. No solution was ever suggested. I went back to glasses. Because of my prescription, I was constantly taking glasses on and off and was never really comfortable. Dr.Irwin Azman advised that first we need to correct the dry eye issue, then find the appropriate lenses. After everything was said and done, I was fitted with the most comfortable lenses, and have no dry eye problems whatsoever!

The professionalism and care exhibited by both Dr Irwin Azman and Dr Thomas Azman are evident in the time they spent with me, the efforts to find the right solution for me. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone in need of excellent eye care, service, and compassion. We are extremely fortunate to have Dr Azmans in the Baltimore area!

True Family Eye Care!

Recently, my daughter and I went to Dr. Thomas Azman for our eye exams. I was so impressed by the eye care we received. I thought we were there only to have a routine eye exam. Dr. Thomas Azman spent quite a bit of time with the both us. He performed a number of tests and over the next several months treated us for dry eyes. I could not believe the difference in the way my eyes felt. My daughter had been experiencing headaches, which have disappeared since the treatments. I have gone regularly for eye exams and only received the routine eye exam and the glaucoma test, but Dr. Azman was so thorough and explained each test and the purpose of the test. It also explained to us that his practice was about the wellness of the eye. I have since referred my husband to Dr. Thomas Azman. He has been going for treatments for approximately 3 months. His eyes were constantly red and he always complained that his eyes hurt. Since being treated by Dr. Thomas Azman, his eyes have improved greatly. You can actually see the whites of his eyes! I am very thankful for the time Dr. Azman has spent with my daughter, my husband and myself. He is very professional and also has a very pleasant personality. I will return to Dr. Thomas Azman for all my future eye exams and also recommend him to friends and family members.

You’ll never be able to ever wear contact lenses…..

I have always been told by every eye doctor/office that I was seen at: You will never be able to ever wear contacts because of your vision and/or because you have trouble even placing eye drops in your eyes and/or you have trouble sitting through the glaucoma air test, how do you think you will be able to put contacts in your eyes’?

When I called Azman Eye Care and was waiting to be helped, they have a recording about dry eyes, contacts, computer vision, etc. Their statement about contacts was that they could teach “anyone” to put contacts in. Well, I thought we will just have to see about that. I made an appointment so that I could get new glasses as I was hesitant to ask about contacts because of always being told “NO”. My hesitation was immediately swept away by the friendly, courteous staff that I met when I entered the office and lasted through my meeting the doctors. The response to my stating that I had been repeatedly told “NO” was met with “we can (and will) teach anyone to put contacts in”. My dry eyes were the first thing to be taken care of and corrected. This alone was more than I could have asked for, as I had never heard of the term “dry eyes” but knew that I suffered with itchy, scratchy, mucous heavy, dry eyes for many years. I had no idea that I could get medical help for a situation that had bothered me for many years, not one of my previous eye doctor’s had even acknowledged this condition. With my dry eye problem now an issue from the past, it was now time for contacts. I received reassurance from all and the staff member, who helped me to learn how to put the contacts in and take them out, was most patient and  understanding. I must admit, I was scared, but immediately I was put at ease by the kind words of assurance, along with the expert eye exam and fittings for contact lens. There was hope and it made me feel great. When contacted that the contacts were in, I again went back to feeling hesitation and scared. This was erased immediately when I sat down at the table with the staff member. She put me at ease by letting me know that there was no rush and I could have as many nights of trying as needed. She explained that she would work with me for a short time only because the eyes become tired and irritated by the process to learn (and I found out how correct she was about this). This information allowed me to know that I was not expected to sit down and in 10 minutes become an expert or that I would be dismissed, contacts in hand, before learning the skill. Since accomplishing the task of putting my contacts in and taking them out, I have had excellent care by the doctors and staff. My first contacts where handled by Dr. Tom. It amazed me that when I would come back for my checkups and explain to him issues that I was having, he was reassuring and was never surprised/shocked by what I was telling him. When it was realized that the contact lenses that he was fitting me with would not work for me, I then switched over to see Dr. Irwin Azman who expertly worked with me. I was reassured that even though the first type of contacts did not work that I must not give up and that the contacts Dr. Irwin Azman was going to prescribe would be an excellent solution (and they have been) Dr. Irwin Azman fitted me for a different type of contact lens and as we go for the exact fitting, I have found freedom. I am now able to wear contacts and my new found freedoms are to name just a few – freedom to be in the family pool and allowing the boys to splash all they want, freedom to sit in front of the computer and not get headaches from eye strain, and so much more.

I am so glad that I changed health insurances which lead me to find a new eye doctor. Instead of just finding one new eye doctor, I have found two excellent eye doctors. I have recommended the doctors to my co-workers; one which is now a patient and the other passed the information to her sister who is also now a patient.

THANK YOU!

Dry eyes

When I came to Dr. Thomas Azman I thought I was just going to have a routine eye exam. I had no idea that my eyes were too dry. I had dry eyes…

Usually, I would jut have my eyes examined, get my new prescription, and be on my way. After Dr. Azman checked my eyes and discovered they were dry, I was given a regiment to follow. What a difference! It was so refreshing. I felt everything looked so much clearer even though I didn’t have my new prescription yet. My eyes didn’t feel scratchy or irritated. It was just a soothing, refreshing feeling. I would recommend Dr Thomas Azman to anyone I know.

Thanks again!