Return to Vista in the news

"Channel 4 Live at Five"
WNBC-TV, New York, NY

Dr. Barrie Soloway appeared on a December 7 broadcast of "Live at Five" with anchor/reporter Dr. Max Gomez, where he explained what people  can do to protect themselves from dry eyes this winter.

Dr. Max Gomez asked several dry eye suffers about their condition.

"It feels scratchy, like there's something in the eye. It hurts when I blink.

And my eyes just feel tight, said one woman.

"I could be placing drops in my eyes all day and it still probably wouldn't alleviate the scratchiness," said another dry eye sufferer.

According to Dr. Soloway, while dry eyes are primarily a comfort issue,. they can distort a person's vision, and in extreme cases, the condition can become a medical problem.

"The skin of the eye gets dry, and it starts to become a less effective barrier for bacteria," Dr. Soloway tells Max. "It gets weaker and you can get scratches on the eye and ultimately end up with infections."

In most cases, the best treatment is eyedrops to restore the missing moisture, according to Dr. Soloway.  All eyedrops vary in thickness and different ones will work better for different people. However, Dr. Soloway warns you should avoid those that say "get the red out." Such drops can actually make dry eyes worse.

"That medicine should be restricted to an as needed intermittent use.  By constricting the blood vessels, you're actually going to decrease the amount of mucus and end up with a dryer eye."

A humidifier helps, though, Dr. Soloway told Max.  Best to keep one in the bedroom because when you sleep, you don't blink. And, blinking works as a pump for tears. That's why first thing in the morning is often the worst time for dry eye sufferers."

If you would like to see a copy of this and other television segments in which Dr. Soloway has appeared, please call toll-free 1-888-821-EYES, or 1-888-NYLASIK.

If you don't want to be dependent on glasses or contact lenses call Vista Alliance Eye Care Associates, The New York LASIK doctors toll free at 1-888-NYLASIK (1-888-695-2745) for more information on any of our Vision Correction procedures (LASIK, INtacs, ICL or SRP), to schedule a personal evaluation to help you determine the right prodecure for you, or to register for one of our classes or  seminars