Category: Contact Lenses

Azman Contact Lens Specialists is Maryland’s top contact lens specialty practice. We have successfully helped many patients who had trouble wearing lenses all day long and patients who were told that they could not wear contacts at all.

Contact Lens Eye Care: The way it should be

Contact Lens Eye Care: The way it should be

 

When it comes to contact lens eye care, there are a lot of different options out there. But when you want the highest quality, most meticulous contact lens eye care in Maryland, you have to see Drs. Thomas and Irwin Azman at Azman Eye Care Specialists.

Founded in 1975 by the two brothers as a specialty practice limited to contact lens care, Azman Eye Care Specialists has since been recognized both nationally and internationally for excellence not just in the contact lens field, but also in dry eye care.

Contact Lens Specialists
Contact Lens Specialists

Azman Eye Care has the expertise and specialized equipment to focus on contact lens eye care problems that other offices can’t address: helping dry-eye patients, treating patients who have trouble wearing contact lenses, need bifocal lenses or those who have been told they can’t wear contact lenses. The Azman Eye Care practice maintains all the latest diagnostic equipment available. They have the latest instruments that can be found in only a few places in the country, including a wavefront topographer, which can detect slight irregularities of the cornea. The practice is also continually involved in FDA studies involving contact lenses, contact lens solutions, dry eye diagnosis and treatment. All of their specialized testing offers the highest quality contact lens eye care to each and every patient.

Many contact lens wearers and eye doctors believe that dry eyes are a normal part of wearing contact lenses and that nothing can be done about the problem. Symptoms like eye fatigue, red eyes, and slightly blurred vision are all symptoms that can be addressed. The problem is that many offices do not have the knowledge and experience to manage and treat these critical symptoms. That’s why patients come from Texas, Florida, Oregon, Colorado, New York, New Jersey and other states for the expert contact lens care that they can’t find anywhere else.
The Azman Eye Care team of doctors, technicians and staff work together to offer the most meticulous and personalized contact lens eye care available.

Doctors listen carefully to patients and develop treatment plans for each person and situation. “The most common complaint we get from people about doctors they have seen in the past is about the quality of the examination,” says Dr. Thomas Azman. “A meticulous, comprehensive contact lens eye examination is essential,” he says. “Not an eye-glass exam, but one specifically for contact lenses.” Dr. Irwin Azman continues, “Most eye doctors see about 3,000 patients a year, and because of that they have less time to do a thorough review of a patient’s medical records and history. As a result, they don’t always have a complete picture of the patient’s contact lens and eye-care background.” In contrast, the doctors at Azman Eye Care limit their patient load to 1,200 patients per year, allowing them to gather all the facts pertinent to each patient’s visual and contact lens requirements.

The doctors at Azman Eye Care ask about symptoms that many people live with, thinking they are normal. They take the time to listen to their patients’ needs and symptoms, and then discuss and explain all the contact lens treatment options available. Many doctors also limit the type of lenses that they fit to patients. Azman Eye Care Specialists are different. They prescribe the best contact lens for the individual’s visual needs. As a result, their patients are comfortable and have crisp and clear vision all wearing hours.

The differences between Azman Eye Care team and other seemingly similar practices are clear. Azman Eye Care has the state-of-the-art diagnostic instruments necessary to help their patients, but use them with customized care, knowledge and compassion. The doctors at Azman Eye Care form a relationship with their patients, and that is a rarity today. They have received hundreds of testimonials from patients expressing their gratitude for resolving problems that other doctors could not. Dr. Thomas Azman says, “I am most proud that each and every patient leaves my office with the understanding that they know we care about their eyes and their well-being.” That’s a level of commitment and service you won’t often find in today’s other offices.

When it comes to contact lenses they are the “Doctor’s doctor”.

Contact Lenses Specialty:

Azman Eye Care Specialists is the preeminent contact lens specialty practice in the greater Baltimore area. Patients are referred to Azman Eye Care Specialists from eye care professionals throughout the United States.

Azman Eye Care Contact Lens Specialists is specifically designed, equipped, and staffed to provide the contact lens patient with nothing but the finest in professional care. As contact lens specialists, we have successfully treated thousands of patients with contact lenses, including many who were previously told they could not wear contact lenses.

When it comes to personalized contact lens care, no doctor can match the attention given by Dr. Irwin Azman and Dr. Thomas Azman. The Azman team is world renowned for their expertise, unwavering commitment to superb patient care, passion, and education in providing personalized eye care for contact lens patients. They have earned a reputation by their peers as being the “Doctor‘s doctor”.

One characteristic that sets Azman Contact Lens Specialists apart from other eye care practitioners is that they neither avoid nor decline the challenge of prescribing the most difficult cases. They tend to have a perfectionist demeanor.
Physicians, Optometrists, and Ophthalmologists from all over the nation refer their challenging and complex contact lens patients to the Azman team. The doctor’s meticulous contact lens evaluation is unique and will not only determine if a patient’s eye are appropriate for contacts; but also will let the Azman team prescribe the correct type of lens that is the most compatible for the patient’s eyes and visual needs. The Azman doctors prescribe all types of contact lenses including; bifocals, progressive, lenses for astigmatism, dry eyes, keratoconus, color vision correction, post-lasik failures, and many other specialty lenses. Only a comprehensive contact lens evaluation will assure long term eye health, perfect all day eye sight, and all day comfort.

The Azman team of specialists have redefined and set the gold standard of care in the contact lens profession and are known as the experts by their peers.

Lens cover for storing contact lens
Lens cover for storing contact lens (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Times Have Changed – Technological Advances at Azman Eye Care Specialists

Contact lenses are not what they used to be… even two years ago. Technological advances have greatly improved contact lenses and lens care products – revolutionizing vision correction.

At Azman Eye Care Specialists, our doctors keep well informed of emerging technologies by being involved in research studies and FDA clinical trials. We design and develop new contact lenses on an ongoing basis. Our doctors will recommend the contact lenses that will work best for your eyes and your lifestyle.

Our doctors prescribe contact lenses made by all major manufacturers, as well as contact lenses from smaller custom labs, and even develop our own unique contact lenses for patients whom other doctors may consider difficult or impossible to fit. Due to our doctor’s vast experience in contact lenses, they often find that patients who have not had past success with contact lenses are now able to enjoy safe, healthy contact lens wear.

As experts in the field of contact lenses, our doctors stay involved in research and development of the newest products associated with contact lenses, lectures at vision conferences, and has published numerous articles in professional contact lens literature and journals. You can be assured that our doctors will provide the highest quality of contact lens care, whether your needs are as straight forward as soft-disposable contact lenses, or as complex as fitting lenses for Keratoconus or following corneal trauma.

Bifocal and Multi-focal Contact Lenses
Astigmatism Contact Lenses
Scleral Specialty Contact Lenses 
• Post-Surgical Vision Loss
• Keratoconus
• Corneal Ectasia
• Radial Keratotomy and Lasik Complications / Failures
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
• Pellucid Marginal Degeneration

Dr. Azman Pirouettes through the contact lens exam

The ballet shoes of a dancer en pointe.
The ballet shoes of a dancer en pointe. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When choosing schools for one’s children one tends to be very picky. One never settles for anything less than the best, and one makes sure that all aspects of the education process—from the school’s cleanliness to the experience and talent of the teachers to the principal’s professionalism— fit perfectly with one’s parenting values, Similar should be one’s mindset when choosing a healthcare provider, especially for an aspect of one’s anatomy—the eyes-upon which depends so much of one’s life.

However, I only followed my own advice after this story:

I decided I wanted to try wearing contacts when I had had just about enough of the literal and figurative headaches that were involved with wearing glasses, I couldn’t enjoy rollercoasters to their fullest potential, couldn’t swim In the summer, couldn’t roughhouse with my brothers. So I went to the eye doctor who was covered under my pitiful health insurance and asked for contacts. He quickly went through the tests, the measuring, the dilating of my pupils, but I never felt he A) was the expert in his field or B) took enough time to get to know my eyes.

My gut wasn’t wrong—after wearing the contacts for a few hours, I felt as though they were dirty and needed so be cleaned, so I took  them out rubbed them with solution , rinsed them with saline, put them hack in. And for a few more minutes, that was great. Until the blurriness came back. Now I know that I suffer from Dry Eye Syndrome, but then I Just thought I wasn’t cleaning my contacts well enough or that something was wrong with the actual hydrophilic lenses.

So, I gave up contacts, went back to the suffering of spectacles, resigned myself to the fact that there was an entire world out there that I’d never get to experience due to the limitations of my lorgnette.

However, that world kept tugging, kept calling, kept encouraging me to partake of it, and not long after we moved from New York to Maryland, it became too loud to ignore any longer.

I chose Dr Irwin Azman at Azman Eye Care because my In-laws went there and since then have not thought of any place else. As far as I’m concerned, if you don’t come here, you’re doing your eyes, and the rest of your body, a great disservice.

If you look at a ballet dancer, one who is trained classically and does nothing but dance, you will see that she makes an arabesque look effortless; a pirouette and a pile, as simple as pie; a cabriole, with apparent casualness. You only understand that there are days and literally years of hard work, sweat and preparation that go into dancing if you study them.

Dr. Irwin Azman and Dr. Thomas Azman not only have years of education and experience under their belts, but they also seriously enjoy their profession. They have put in, and continue to do so, their 80+ hours per week. They have racked up countless sleepless nights preparing for med school exams. And they have experimented to discover the absolute best way to treat patients—as Individuals and with a personal touch.

So, like the ballerina, whose beauty and style are only a result of painstakingly precise practice, Dr Irwin Azman and Dr. Thomas Azman do what any other eye doctor would consider either unnecessary or even Impossible, with such grace and apparent ease, I suggest that anyone who values his eyes and the importance of good vision to a healthy lifestyle go see Dr Irwin Azman and Dr Thomas Azman!

-Josh G. Pikesville, 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

Specialty Contact Lens Services

Dr. Irwin Azman is one of the few contact lens specialists that has extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of the keratoconus patient. With over 30 years of experience, his team of technicians, new technologies in instrumentation, contact lens materials and designs, Dr. Azman is able to prescribe each keratoconus patient with the perfect fit.The one characteristic that sets Dr. Irwin Azman apart from other eye care practitioners is that he neither avoids nor declines the challenge of prescribing the most difficult keratoconus cases. Dr. Azman tends to have a perfectionist demeanor.
Dr. Irwin
Azman will take all factors into consideration to prescribe the
best lens system for his  keratoconus patients: To Schedule appointment call(410) 561-8050

Corneal specialists agree that it is best to exhaust all non-surgical options for keratoconus before undergoing corneal transplant surgery, especially for younger patients. Optometrists and Ophthalmologists from all over Maryland and surrounding states refer their challenging keratoconus patients to Dr. Irwin Azman.

Diagnosing Keratoconus

We are now able to detect the presence of keratoconus well before subjective symptoms develop. Corneal Topography and Aberrametry measurements has become the standard of care in diagnosing and management of keratoconus. A computerized system images the shape of the cornea together with the entire optical system by taking tens of thousands of data points. The results are instantly analyzed and wave front topography maps are generated. These printouts will show Dr. Irwin Azman a map print (just like a finger print) of the patient’s location and severity of any corneal distortion and high order aberrations (HOA).

Dr. Irwin Azman maintains a practice devoted to patient care, with cutting edge technology, to the restoration of vision and comfort lost as a result of refractive eye surgery (including LASIK and Radial Keratotomy), keratoconus, corneal transplant surgery, pellucid marginal degeneration, extreme dry eye, corneal dystrophies, corneal trauma and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

I was simply told by my previous optometrist that I “am not a candidate” for contact lenses.

I am currently a patient of Dr. Irwin Azman. I underwent cataract surgery of my right eve in January 2003 and now have an astigmatism problem in that eye. In addition. I have a cataract in my left eye and also have the normal reading vision problems that comes with age. I was simply told by my previous optometrist that I “am not a candidate” for contact lenses. That was that. Nothing else was said. So I continued with glasses. Since going to Dr. Irwin Azman, he and his staff have spent an enormous amount of time doing tests and fitting me for contact lenses. Even though I get frustrated. Dr. Irwin Azman persists in trying to keep “tweaking” the prescription to make my vision as good as possible. I now can see better with my contacts than with my glasses!! Dr. Irwin Azman has taken a lot of time and effort in order for me to be able to wear contact lenses and I would not hesitate referring anyone wanting the same.

-Phyllis B. Owings Mills, Maryland

I was “just another patient”

I would like to say that honestly, my experience with your, Dr Irwin Azman’s, office has been the most satisfying eye doctor experiences thus far. I feel like you, Dr Irwin Azman, actually care about my condition and all that is necessary to complete the diagnosis and treatment is performed in a timely and efficient manner. My past experience with contact lenses and exams was very nonchalant: it seemed the doctor’s didn’t really care and that I was “just another patient”. During my first appointment, I received tests that I had never had, which are supposedly required prior to contact lens wearing. I felt cheated by the other places I had been to and I strongly believe that the lack of attention to my condition undoubtedly led to the damage in my corneas. After I was referred to your facility, Azman Eye Care, I instantly felt confident that I would receive the care I needed when I visited your facility. My expectations were exceeded and I am now on the road to recovery and hope to once again wear contacts in the near future. If I hadn’t made an appointment with your office and continued wearing the “wrong” contacts, I would have caused even more damage to my eyes. My pleasant experience with your office, the friendly personnel and the generally comfortable atmosphere, enable me to recommend your office to friends and family without hesitation.

– Stephanie B. T. Baltimore, Maryland

Contact lenses: I was told “that’s as good as it gets”.

It is with great pleasure that I testify to the wonderful treatment I have received at the Azman Eye Care Clinic. Prior to becoming a patient here, my past experiences were unsatisfactory — as despite my complaints to one doctor about not seeing clearly with the contacts he prescribed, I was told “that’s as good as it gets”. Had I continued in his “care”, I would have required corneal transplants. The last doctor I saw prior to the Dr Irwin Azman , in addition to not noticing my corneas were again very dry, was prescribing lenses for me that were not even being manufactured. At the Azman Clinic I feel like I’m the only patient there. The care and patience extended to me make me feel quite certain I’m in “good hands” with professionals who sincerely care about fitting me with proper lenses and a treatment schedule to keep my corneas from ever approaching the poor state they were in when I first arrived for treatment. I won’t hesitate to recommend the Azman Center to anyone!

-Elaine R. Pikesville, Maryland

“You get what you pay for.”

First, I have been wearing contact lenses since I was 20, twenty years. They were quite new then, and I have to say not very comfortable. I experienced a great deal of discomfort and could not keep a pair for long due to protein deposits. It got to the point that I only wore my contact lenses on special occasions. I could not possibly wear them daily. Dr Irwin Azman never gave up though, as new lenses hit the market, they hit my eyes!! We finally found lenses that were not only comfortable, but also affordable. I grant you that technology had a good bit to do with acquiring lenses that were compatible with my eyes, however, if Dr Irwin Azman were not a leader in the contact lens market, you would not have been able to continue recommending lenses until I was comfortable! This is what I have discovered about other eye care facilities that “claim” to specialize in contact lenses. I hear the same complaint over and over from individuals wearing contacts. Burning eyes, red eyes, uncomfortable eyes, itching eyes, blurry vision. The list goes on. I know when I refer Azman Eye Care to a friend or acquaintance, these problems will be resolved. Many times people do not take my recommendation, they refuse to believe any one can help them. I know Azman Eye Care does not just sell contact lenses, the patient must come in for follow up visits. This is a very important part of the lens compatibility. It is the only way of detecting a problem before it turns into a serious issue. Azman Eye Care includes all of this in their sale of the contact lens and the yearly maintenance; therefore, the patient is encouraged to take care of their eyes. I believe this is what is so different about Azman Eye Care and other contact lens facilities. They want to sell lenses for as cheap as possible, their is no regard for the patient and their eyes, only the sale of the product. Since follow up eye care is not included in the price, their is no incentive for the patient to return. This leads to poor eye care, all the problems I previously mentioned. You know what they say, “You get what you pay for.”

-Debbie M. Baltimore, Maryland