Page 84 - The Connection Warren-Watchung Edition September 2012

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Health and Wellness
PAGE 84
SUSAN R. CARTER, M.D.
Director of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Diplomat American Board of Ophthalmology
Fellow American Society Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons
Former Professor at the University of California at San Francisco
With over 15 years of cosmetic and reconstructive experience
CALL FOR YOUR CONSULTATION TODAY
(732) 356-6200
www.The-Eye-Center.com
Restore Your
Natural Beauty
65 Mountain Blvd. Ext., Warren, NJ 07059
In the Warren Medical Center
Across from the A&P
COSMETIC EYELID
ENHANCEMENTS
BOTOX
LATISSE
RECONSTRUCTIVE EYELID
SURGERY
THE
EYE
CENTER
THE EYE CENTER
65 Mountain Blvd. Ext.
Warren
By: Jennifer Millman
Dr. Arthur Siegel
For people with impaired or what is
commonly called low vision, simple
activities such as reading, writing and
watching television are no longer easy.
Vision tasks we take for granted such
as recognizing faces may become
extremely difficult. Dr. Arthur Siegel, an
optometric physician with The Eye
Center in Warren, helps patients of all
ages who suffer from vision loss with
the tools they need to lead more inde-
pendent and enriching lives.
Now in his 13th year with The Eye
Center, Dr. Siegel serves as the director
of Low Vision Services, overseeing treat-
ment of individuals who have long been
patients of this ophthalmology practice.
In addition, many new patients come to
the office specifically seeking his help
since their eye doctor does not offer this
added level of care. Patients with low
vision need more than conventional
eyeglasses or contact lenses for their
daily lives, and the necessary guidance is
offered by few private practices.
In a typical office, eye doctors have
to tell patients they are losing sight all
the time. Dr. Siegel says people leave
composed but go home and fall apart.
This is followed by a long and frustrat-
ing attempt to solve this problem on
their own. He says The Eye Center
has a different approach and patients
are told, “This is your eye condition,
we know you are struggling, let’s see
how we can help you.”
Dr. Siegel first tries to see if he can
prescribe eyeglasses above and beyond
standard strengths. This requires a spe-
cial way to use eyeglasses, usually
requiring a closer reading distance and
increased lighting. If this doesn’t work,
magnification aids are introduced. If
patients are not carefully directed on
the use of vision aids, it will lead to fur-
ther frustration and depression.
As an active Low Vision Panel Mem-
ber of the New Jersey Commission for
the Blind and Visually Impaired, Dr.
Siegel helps many people maximize
their vision. Specific attention is given
to help those where vision loss takes
away their ability to receive an educa-
tion or stay in the work force. Help in
this area might come from the use of
electronic video magnification where
patients tell Dr. Siegel they would not
have had any other avenue of care to
even know this is available. Software
programs for computers to permit easy
view of the screen are discussed with
everyone when indicated.
Always reaching out to the low
vision community, Dr. Siegel has been
instrumental in helping support groups
find direction and purpose as well as
giving advice to local and state agen-
cies serving the needs of the visually
impaired. He lectures to other physi-
cians at continuing education seminars
and is currently involved in a major
research study on vision loss, depres-
sion and how people cope. In addition
to being a clinician, he has always been
an advocate for more attention and
improved care in this field.
The Eye Center of Warren offers
numerous services in addition to its
low vision care, including routine eye
exams and doctors who specialize in
the treatment of cataracts, glaucoma,
macular degeneration and diabetic
retinopathy. Refractive and cosmetic
surgeries are also performed. Its full
service optical department offers
expert fitting with brand name and
designer eyeglasses. Twenty-four hour
emergency care, contact lens fitting,
LASIK consultations and other services
are also available at this location.
732-356-6200
www.the-eye-center.com
Optometric Physician Oversees Low Vision Services
in Multispecialty Warren Practice
Specializing in Prosthodontics
Including Cosmetic, Restorative & Implant Dentistry
Laminates • Crowns
Bridges • Whitening
Dentures
Metal Free Restorations
THE SIMPLEWAYTOA
PERFECT SMILE
Replace Missing Teeth - BEAUTIFULLY
1966 Washington Valley Road
Martinsville
George T. Favetta Jr., D.M.D.
NJ Specialty Permit No. 3543