Optometry Office News & Updates

We received another updated about our sweet Sabrina! She is once again a proud mama to another litter of puppies. We could not be happier for her!

Computer use is at an all-time high. We frequently hear the complaints of our patients’ dry, blurry, and tired eyes after long periods of time at the computer. With many jobs transitioned to working virtually from home and children doing much of their schoolwork on the computer, eyestrain is more common. What can be done to make the eyes feel better?

Studies have shown that computer use, and the blue light that it emits, stimulates the brain to keep it awake and alert. While this may seem beneficial during the day, it causes a disruption to the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. Prolonged exposure to the blue light, especially an hour or two before bedtime, has been show to disrupt one’s sleep. Blue-blocking lenses have been proven to help the use maintain normal circadian rhythm and get to sleep with less trouble.

The eyes are muscles and need to be flexed. Long-term computer viewing causes the eye muscles to cramp up and can lead to eyestrain and headaches. We tend to stare at the computer when we are concentrating on what we are doing. When we stare, we do not blink, and the eyes can dry out. We recommend setting a timer and getting up every hour or so and walking away from the screen. By looking at something at a distance for a few minutes, the eye muscles can relax.

The glare from the computer screen can also lead to discomfort. Glare can be decreased by applying an anti-reflective coating to the lenses and a mild tint. Anecdotally, some people get relief from a combination of blue-blocking lenses and anti-reflective coating.

Dryness is worse this time of year due to the heat in our homes and low natural humidity. Just as our skin dries out, so can our eyes. The use of an over-the-counter lubricating drops every hour while on the computer and consciously remembering to blink will help to minimize dryness.

Eyestrain due to prolonged computer use can be minimized following these few suggestions and making small changes to your viewing habits. If it has been a year since your last exam, call for an appointment—the eyestrain you are experiencing may be due to a prescription change!

We know that the COVID-19 Pandemic has really thrown a lot of people off their normal routine. We just wanted to remind you that the end of the benefit year is rapidly approaching and now is the time to get your eyes examined!

If you don’t use your insurance benefit or flex spending by the end of the year, you lose it. So, if you have been putting off ordering your contact lenses, or just want to schedule your annual exam, call us today!! We want to help you take advantage of those tax-free dollars you’ve set aside for your health. The schedule books up very quickly this time of year and we don’t want anyone to miss this opportunity!!

Phone: 908-464-0123
Email: suburbaneyeinstitute@gmail.com

To Our Suburban Eye Institute Family,

We wanted to thank everyone for your generosity over these last two weeks. We participated in a drive organized by one of our amazing patients, Marie Kung, to support a local organization called The Covenant House. If you did not see our previous email, The Covenant House in Newark, New Jersey serves our homeless young adults by giving them a place to stay, basic needs, access to technology and education, and a support system to help rebuild their lives. Because of your generosity, she was able to deliver new fall jackets, hoodies, flannel shirts, pajamas, backpacks, underwear, socks and endless hygiene products including shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, body washes and much more! With monetary donations, Marie was able to purchase many more essential items at Costco.

With all of your help, The Suburban Eye Institute was able to collect and donate about one-third of the total donations that were delivered. Everything she collected took up two large SUVs and Marie and her family delivered everything on Sunday August 16th. We could not be more proud of our community and are so looking forward to doing more drives like this one in the future. Thank you all so much for your participation and overwhelming generosity!  Follow our facebook page for pictures of all of the wonderful donations – we have provided the link below!

facebook.com/suburbaneyeinstitute

Best Wishes!

Suburban Eye Institute

Dr. Lukaszek, Dr. Lynly, Dr. Mackey,

and the Suburban Eye Institute Staff!

To Our Valued Patients,

In observance of the 4th of July holiday, the office will be closed on Friday July 3rd through Sunday July 5th!  We will reopen on Monday July 6th at 9:00 AM.  If you need any non-urgent assistance please feel free to call the office at 908-464-0123 and leave a message – a member of our staff will get back to you as soon as we return.  If you would like to set up an appointment, feel free to send us an e-mail at suburbaneyeinstitute@gmail.com and someone from our staff will get back to you!

Enjoy the weekend,

Dr. Lukaszek, Dr. Lynly, Dr. Mackey

and Office Staff

With all of the uncertainty surrounding this COVID-19 pandemic, and the aftermath that we will be dealing with for some time to come, we know it has been hard to prioritize your eye health!

If you are putting off going to the doctor, you are not alone. According to Kaiser Health News:

-1 in 3 Americans are delaying medical care due to financial loss or even stress caused by COVID-19

-29% of adults said they avoided medical care because they were afraid of contracting the virus.

Each day that passes where you put off your medical treatment causes more concern about the impacts of the delays. Putting off treatment delays the detection and treatment of early stage diseases and causes lack of proper management care for chronic conditions.

THERE IS GOOD NEWS!! The Suburban Eye Institute doctors and staff are here and ready to see you. Here are just a few of the steps we have taken to ensure the health and safety of each of our patients:

-Strict social distancing policies throughout the office

-Visitor restrictions (meaning only the patient is permitted in the office during the exam unless there are special needs that require assistance)

-Strict monitoring of patient and staff temperatures using non-contact thermometers

-Mandatory use of masks throughout the office for patients and staff

-Rigorous cleaning an disinfecting in exam rooms, screening rooms, and throughout the office

If you have been putting off getting your annual eye exam, or management appointments for a chronic condition, give our office a call  908-464-0123  to set up your appointment today! Spots are filling fast for the summer and we want to do everything we can to have you seen in a timely manor.

Your health and safety are our top priority and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Suburban Eye Institute

Dr. Lukaszek, Dr. Lynly, and Dr. Mackey

It is our hope that this letter finds you and your families safe and well during this new COVID-19 reality.  Over the last several weeks, we have been available to our patients for urgent visits and telemedicine evaluations.  We are happy to announce that we were able to reopen our office for patient visits on Tuesday May 26th 2020, in a careful and well-considered way.  Our main concern is to keep our patients and staff healthy.  

The following safeguards are going to be introduced:

• All staff will have their temperatures taken each day when they arrive at the office for their shift.
• The front door will remain locked at all times and patients will remain in their cars and call the office upon arrival.
• All patients will be asked COVID screening questions and have their temperatures taken prior to entering the office as well.
• All patients and staff must wear masks while in the office.
• Hand sanitizer, tissues, and hands-free trash receptacles will be available.
• Sneeze guards have been installed where appropriate.
• Regular sanitizing will be performed in public spaces as well as exam rooms using disinfectants appropriate for the surfaces being cleaned.
• Social distancing will be maintained in the waiting room and all clinical areas.  
• We ask that no family members accompany patients except for those under 18 or those who need special assistance or accommodations.
• Special office hours will be designated for immunocompromised and those in the high risk categories.
• We will continue to direct ship contact lenses orders to the patient home or office.

During the first few weeks, the volume of patients evaluated will be less; we will add more each following week as safety allows.  At this point, patients can choose to come to the office by appointment only or continue with telemedicine visits dictated by the severity of each person’s condition versus the safety of leaving one’s home.  At this time we ARE NOT offering telemedicine appointments for routine eye exams, telemedicine is restricted to non-routine office visits only.  

Suburban Eye Institute is committed to the care of our patients and the welfare of our communities.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

You can request an appointment by giving the office a call at 908-464-0123 or you can fill out the contact form on our website!

As our community copes with the fast-moving spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus we hope you and yours are in good health during these stressful times.

In an effort to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, the office will be closed to all examinations effective immediately through May 3, 2020. A doctor WILL be available during limited times for telemedicine calls as well as medication and contact lens renewals. We are happy to schedule any routine appointments for future dates.

Please call at 908-464-0123 or e-mail us at suburbaneyeinstitute@gmail.com and leave a message with your request and someone will get back to you within one business day. The messages and e-mails are checked periodically throughout the day.

If you need essential emergency care where there is a threat to vision or visual function, please refrain from going to the already overwhelmed emergency rooms. The doctors at Omni Eye Services are available at (973) 325-6734.

You can visit our website suburbaneyenj.com/ for the most up-to-date information about the office. Our main priority is to encourage good health among our patients and staff by decreasing our social interaction. We thank you for your understanding.

When we are given the green-light to renew business operations we will update you. We thank you for your patience during this interruption and hope to see you when we re-open, happy and healthy.

Also, please note Suburban Optik will be open from 11-1 Monday-Saturday to assist with any of your glasses needs.

Please feel free to contact us anytime if you have any questions and we will respond back as quickly as we can.

908-464-0123

suburbaneyeinstitute@gmail.com

Thank you and stay well,

Suburban Eye Institute

Dr. Lukaszek, Dr. Lynly, Dr. Mackey, and Office Staff

The CDC has encouraged all non-emergent medical offices to refrain from seeing routine exams in an effort to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). In the spirit of “social distancing”, the office will be closed to routine examinations. The office will be OPEN for emergencies at the following times:

Mondays 3-4 pm
Tuesdays 3-4 pm
Wednesdays 11 am-12 pm
Thursdays 3-4 pm
Fridays 3-4 pm
Saturdays 11 am-12 pm

Contact lenses will be dispensed at these times, also. You may leave a message on our answering machine if you have a specific question or concern and one of the doctors or our staff members will return your call during the times the office is open. Our office phone number is:

(908) 464-0123

If you need immediate emergency attention, please do not go to the already overwhelmed emergency room! The doctors at Omni Eye Services are available, their phone number is:

(973) 325-6743

We will consider resuming routine exams on a daily basis following a review of the public health recommendations.

Thank you for your understanding,
Dr. Lukaszek, Dr. Lynly, Dr. Mackey, and Office Staff

The Suburban Eye Institute doctors and staff are committed to ensuring the health and safety of each of our patients. Due to the recent arrival of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) we wanted to reach out and give our patients some information about the ways we are working to prevent the spread in our office. COVID-19 can cause symptoms that are similar to the common cold, including fever, cough, sore throat, and feeling generally unwell. Symptoms that are currently being seen with the Coronavirus infection are fever and respiratory symptoms, such as couch and shortness of breath.

We are working to keep everyone as safe as we can. We are disinfecting surfaces frequently throughout the day. We are also spacing out our schedule so the waiting room does not become too crowded. If the waiting room should become busy, our staff will work to put patients in rooms as quickly as possibly to help separate you. If you have traveled out of the country within the last 14 days OR are experiencing cold symptoms, we request that you reschedule your appointment. Our staff will work with you to get you in as quickly as possible once you are feeling better.

The CDC recommends the following in order to prevent the spread of infection:

Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Using alcohol based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid being in close contact with people who are sick. Stay home when feeling sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or the bend of your elbow. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

For more information you can visit the CDC web page on COVID-19 at https://www.cdc.gove/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html or the New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 web page at https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml.

We had yet another very successful Girl Scouts event. This time with the local Brownies troup. We had a blast learning all about the anatomy of the eye, the doctors tools, and what its really like to walk and eat with low or no vision. We also got to meet two more local seeing eye puppies! What fun!!

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As we approach the end of 2019 we wanted to send out a friendly reminder to everyone, do not forget to use your benefits before the year is over! Spots are limited this time of year with the rush of people trying to get their eye exams in and their FSA or HSA used up before the year is over! We want to make sure everyone can be seen in a timely fashion so they don’t lose out on their benefits for the year!! Call our office as soon as possible to make an appointment with one of our doctors!!

Here is a list of the insurances we currently participate with:
-Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield (most plans)
-Aetna
-UnitedHealthcare (specific doctors only)
-Medicare (with or without supplements)
-Qualcare (most plans)
-PVCN (discount plan)

We also accept FSA and HSA cards as forms of payment as well!!

**THIS DOES NOT GUARANTEE PAYMENT FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE TO FIND OUT YOUR EXACT BENEFITS**

**Unfortunately we DO NOT participate with any SEPARATE VISION PLANS. If you have a separate vision plan through any of these companies the visit will need to be paid out of pocket and submitted to the insurance company independently.**

Great option for an active lifestyle, for both children and adults!
“Ortho-K” is a non-surgical treatment that helps correct distance vision without the use of daytime contact lenses or glasses.

Call to set up your regular eye exam and receive a complimentary consultation to see if you are a candidate for the Orthokeratology Program!

369 Springfield Ave ~ Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Phone: 908-464-0123 ~ Website: suburbaneyenj.com

Orthokeratology Program at Suburban Eye Institute

This month we would like to take a quick look at how Orthokeratology works. Orthokeratology is a less invasive therapy that is used as an alternative to LASIK. This is a non-surgical process that allows patients to break free from their dependence on glasses and daytime contact lenses. This program can also be performed starting at a young age. At the end of this article we will also answer three of our most frequently asked questions.

How It Works:

Orthokeratology uses specially designed and patient specific lenses to gently reshape the cornea while the patient is sleeping. When the patient removes the lenses the next morning they are able to go about their day free of glasses or contact lenses. To determine candidacy, patients will need a consultation with the doctor. At this visit the doctor will perform a basic eye exam.  (It is recommended that patients have one every year to be sure their eyes are healthy.) The doctor will then perform tests and measurements that will be necessary later to determine if the patient is an appropriate candidate for the Orthokeratology program. Each exam, pair of lenses, and treatment program is patient specific. Each customized program is performed with the end goal of providing the patient with sharp, clear, and natural vision all day long.

Equipment:

Our office has all of the equipment necessary to participate in the Orthokeratology program. The piece of equipment used most often for our Orthokeratology patients is our Topographer. Topography is a non invasive way to look at the surface of the cornea. It is also one of the ways the doctor determines whether or not the patient is a candidate.  The results show how much correction the candidate will need to complete the program. These measurements will also help the doctor to determine the customized prescription lenses for each patient’s individual case.

Orthokeratology is reversible if the patient stops wearing the lenses as prescribed by the doctor. Many have found it to be an excellent and less invasive alternative to LASIK.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.  Question: “Will Orthokeratology be covered by my insurance?”
   Answer: No, like LASIK, Orthokeratology is an elective procedure and will not be covered by most insurance companies. However, we do accept FSA and HSA accounts and patients are more than welcome to use them to pay for this program.
2. Question: “Does Orthokeratology hurt?”
   Answer: No, this program is virtually painless. There is a break in period when the patients first begins wearing the lenses. Much like when you buy a new pair of shoes, the patient might have an awareness of the lens itself in their eye if they are thinking about it. There will be no sensation of physical changes to the cornea itself. Our goal is that the patient will notice visual improvements as soon as the lenses are removed from their eyes.
3. Question: “How long does the Orthokeratology Program take to correct my vision to 20/20?”
   Answer: The answer to this is case specific.  Most patients should notice a marked difference in their vision within the first couple of days in the program. After that, the vision should gradually improve over the next couple of weeks until patients have reached their optimal vision as determined by the doctor.

 

All of our doctors are CRT Certified.

They can all be found on www.ortho-k.net or

http://www.paragonvision.com/consumer/find-a-doctor

 

For the doctors specific appointment hours please give our office a call. We will be happy to find an appointment time that fits into your busy schedules. Don’t forget to keep checking in on our webpage and our Facebook page for the most up-to-date information!

Dr. Laura Lukaszek: Monday – Thursday

Dr. Brian Mackey: Tuesday & Thursday – Saturday

Dr. Brenda Lynly: Monday & Wednesday