By Camille Sperrazza
Many people think that when they need a specialist, they have to travel to Manhattan to receive high quality care. Not true. Brooklyn has its share of high caliber specialists, and when it comes to the eyes, one of them is Dr. Alexander Aizman (4050 Nostrand Avenue, 718-646-2025). Dr. Aizman is an ophthalmologist, surgeon, and retinal specialist. He treats diseases that affect the retina, the part of the eye which impacts vision. To become a specialist in this field, Dr. Aizman completed medical school, a four-year residency, then an additional two-year fellowship to treat retinal disease. He was trained at NYU and at the University of Michigan, considered “one of the top ten retinal centers in the country,” he says. He is also on staff as the attending retinal surgeon at the New Year Eye and Ear Infirmary in Manhattan. His commitment to such extensive training and excellence in his field was inspired, in part, because his grandmother suffered from a blinding retinal disease. The experience “allows me to retain sensitivity,” the doctor says. “Retinal diseases are complicated and require a lot of patience.” His exceptional training, personal insight, the “hundreds and hundreds” of surgeries he has performed, and the state-of-the-art equipment at his practice, allow him to, “take care of everyone, one patient at a time, taking care to guard vision and save it,” he says. Dr. Aizman is the only doctor you will see at his practice, assuring patients that they are provided with the utmost personal care. As Dr. Aizman says, “We have the latest equipment, but we do things the old-fashioned way,” when it comes to taking time with patients and getting to know them. Incredibly, people can have retinal disease and not know it, Dr. Aizman says. Sometimes, people are so busy concentrating on treating more noticeable ailments, they neglect to get eye care, and don’t realize vision has been impacted until much damage has already been done to the retina, he says. For example, “the number one cause of blindness among 18-64 year-olds is diabetes,” says Dr. Aizman. Other diseases that could affect the retina include high blood pressure, anemia, and many different cancers, including melanomas, lymphomas, and leukemia. Early diagnosis is essential, says the doctor. “Many are unaware of the problems the retina can have with 20/20 vision,” he says. Because of the thorough examination, with the most sophisticated equipment, that his office provides, “We can see the abnormal blood vessels and changes in the retina.” He notes, “Just because you get an eye exam every year and get a new pair of glasses, you still need a thorough exam from a retinal specialist.” That’s because the examination performed by a retinal specialist, he says, “goes above and beyond,” the average eye examination, “using the most sophisticated equipment available for screening, diagnosis, and treatment.” Special photos are taken of the retina, that allow the doctor to see “early changes” that may be taking place in the retina. For people with diabetes, such an exam is essential, because this disease is known as “the silent killer,” he says. “It does damage for many years, and goes unnoticed until it’s too late.” Often, people may think this disease is “under control,” he notes, but when they are “looked at by a retinal specialist, we find evidence of advanced disease of the eye.” For many patients, it is somewhat comforting to know that Avastin, special injections that are placed into the eye, has been “selected as one of the top ten discoveries in the medicine in 2006,” says Dr. Aizman. “The reason it is so exciting, especially in the case of Macular degeneration, is that it is the only treatment shown to improve vision so far,” he says. “In the past, treatments have only slowed its progression.” This treatment is “revolutionary for many patients,” Dr. Aizman says. “They can improve, but only your doctor can tell you if it’s right for you.” Of course these injections, “can only be performed by a retinal specialist because of the skill required.” Dr. Aizman also performs the latest laser treatments, “that reduce the risk of blindness,” he says. These treatments are done right in the office. If you haven’t seen a retinal specialist, now is the time to make an appointment to do so. The office is open Mondays through Saturdays. Call for an appointment.
