contact lens Archives - Page 2 of 4

Dr. Azman Pirouettes through the contact lens exam

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

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

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

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

Orthokeratology, A better alternative to surgery.

Precision Accelerated Orthokeratology
I had originally planned on having the Lasik procedure done, but found out I wasn’t a good candidate. I never heard of Precision Accelerated Orthokeratology when I came in to Dr. Irwin Azman’s office. I was planning on getting my prescription renewed for glasses and contacts, until Dr. Irwin Azman informed me about his non-surgical procedure. WOW! What a blessing! Definitely a better alternative to surgery. It’s great not having to worry about things blowing in to my eyes, and having to take the contacts out to get the debris out, or having to be extra careful when rubbing my eyes. I could go on and on about what I no longer have to worry about, but the biggest plus for me is being able to go to the pool and beach, and not worry about keeping my eyes closed under water. I recommend Precision Accelerated Orthokeratology to anyone who wants the freedom. I can’t believe one day I was wearing contacts, and the following morning didn’t have to wear any! Thanks to Dr. Irwin Azman.

-Robert S. Baltimore, 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

Orthokeratology:I was told I could not wear lenses by 3 other eye doctors

Precision Accelerated Orthokeratology :
I was told I could not wear contact lenses by 3 other eye doctors due to my dry eyes. You did concur that I had dry eyes, but you introduced me to Orthokeratology. You explained your Precision Accelerated technique to me. Even though I was a little skeptical about it ,because I never heard of it, I decided to trust you. I also looked into lasik and was told I could have it. After researching lasik and dry eyes I learned that if you have dry eyes you should not have lasik surgery. It has now been 2 years since going through your procedure and I am still experiencing comfortable, clear vision all waking hours. Thank you Dr. Azman for guiding and educating me and protecting my eyes from having Lasik which could of been a disaster. You have changed my life.

-A.J. Baltimore, Maryland

Orthokeratology: Free from glasses and contacts, with no surgery!

A. K. (Patient)

Precision Accelerated Orthokeratology

As a student wearing glasses, my vision deteriorated to 20/400. Now thanks to Dr. Irwin Azman’s Precision Accelerated Orthokeratology technique, I passed my drivers test and go to school without lenses on. I am now free from glasses all waking hours. Thank you Dr. Irwin Azman!!