Summer is here!  Are your eyes protected?

More than one million people suffer from eye injuries each year in the United States. Ninety percent of these injuries could have been prevented if the individual had been wearing appropriate protective eyewear. 

In the house...when using household chemicals, read instructions and labels carefully, work in a well-ventilated area and make sure to point spray nozzles away from you. Many chemicals are extremely hazardous and can permanently destroy the surface of your eyes, resulting in blindness. 

In the workshop...think about the work you will be doing and wear protective eyewear to shield your eyes from flying fragments, fumes dust particles, sparks and splashing chemicals. Many objects can fly into your eyes unexpectedly and cause injury. 

In the garden...put on protective eyewear before you use a lawnmower, power trimmer or edger and be sure to check for rocks and stones because they can become dangerous projectiles as they shoot from these machines. Do not forget the risk to bystanders when using these machines.

In the workplace...wear appropriate safety eyewear for your job. Many of the 2,000 employees who ere injured each day didn't think they needed eye protection or were wearing eyewear inappropriate for the job.

Around the car...battery acid, sparks and debris from damaged or improperly jump-started auto batteries can severely damage your eyes. Keep protective goggles in the trunk of your car to use for those emergencies and everyday repairs.

Prevention is the first and most important step in protecting your eyes from injuries, so be sure to protect your eyes with appropriate protective eyewear. If you do experience an eye injury, seek medical attention promptly.

Mid Atlantic Eye Physicians Welcomes New Ophthalmologist
Dr. Samuel Himelstein retires after 45 years in practice

Roanoke Rapids, NC – After 45 years in practice, Dr. Samuel Himelstein has announced his retirement.  Himelstein joined Mid Atlantic Eye Physicians in 1998 and retired effective February 18, 2010.    Dr. James Pulaski who joined the group in 2009, will assume the care of Himelstein’s patients.  

“I feel accomplished in that I’ve been able to take care of one of our most precious possessions and senses, which is vision.  It’s always been a joy of mine to help people see the things they have not been able to see before,” Himelstein said. 
James P. Pulaski, M.D. graduated from the University of Toronto with a BA degree and from Upstate Medical School in Syracuse, New York.  After internship at the Harkness Medical Center in San Francisco, he completed his Ophthalmology residency at Upstate Medical Center.

Dr Pulaski then opened a private solo practice in Ophthalmology, specializing in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery, in San Diego, Ca where he resided for 25 years. To be closer to family, he relocated to North Carolina in 2008.  

He is a board certified fellow of the American Board of Ophthalmology and member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive surgery. He has written a number of peer reviewed papers for Journals in the field of Ophthalmology. He was one of the first surgeons in the US to perform refractive surgery and helped pioneer many advances in modern cataract surgery. 

“Dr. Pulaski is a great addition to our practice.  His extensive experience in the area of refractive surgery and cataract surgery will only help us treat more patients in the Roanoke Valley and Southern Virginia with serious eye complications,” said Mid Atlantic Eye Physicians Practice Owner, Dr. Brian Crichlow.

Mid-Atlantic Eye Physicians, employing more than 25 people, is known for its specialized treatment of common eye diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic eyes.  In addition to maintaining its superior services in the areas of cataract, laser, and eyelid surgeries, the practice has also expanded in recent years to include specialized services such as cornea surgery.  Mid Atlantic also hosts a complete eyewear solutions center offering services from consultation to custom fittings.  More information is available at www.midatlanticeye.net.

Mid Atlantic Eye Physicians Is Giving Back To Those in Need

New Program Allows Patients to “Give the Gift of Sight”

Roanoke Rapids, NC – Mid Atlantic Eye Physicians has announced a new program that will allow its patients to help those less fortunate this holiday season and throughout the coming year. “Give the Gift of Sight,” is a program that encourages patients to donate old eyeglasses to people who otherwise couldn’t afford them, while also receiving a discount on their new purchase.

“This economy is challenging, and we at Mid Atlantic wanted to find a way to help those who can’t afford glasses, while at the same time, helping those who can, but could still use a discount on their purchase,” said Dr. Brian Crichlow. “ The ‘Give the Gift of Sight’ program is a great opportunity for the Roanoke Valley to give back to those less than fortunate, while saving money at the same time. It’s a win-win situation!”

“The program is simple. A patient simply brings in their old frames, and we donate them to the Lion’s Club, who then recycles them and distributes them to the needy. The benefactor will then receive twenty dollars off of the purchase of their new frames”, said Crichlow.

“Give the Gift of Sight,” begins immediately and runs throughout 2010. For more information, call Mid Atlantic Eye Physicians in Roanoke Rapids, or visit them on the web at midatlanticeye.net.