Blog Archive

We might not think much about the tears our eyes make unless we’re watching a sad movie or dealing with a bad bout of allergies. But those tears are working all the time to keep our eyes protected and hydrated.  If your eyes feel dry a lot of the time,...

Your child should get their first eye exam by age 1. That might seem like a fairly early start, especially considering they can’t even read an eye chart yet. But getting their eyes checked by an optometrist gives them a shot to start treatment early, when it can work best.  If...

By the time they turn 80, more than half of Americans will either have cataracts or have already chosen surgery to remove them. In other words, this eye condition is widespread. But is it inevitable? The answer is complicated. To some extent, we have no control over the way cataracts...

As far as illnesses go, pink eye isn’t one of the most problematic. While the symptoms can be uncomfortable, the biggest issue usually comes from the need to quarantine at home while they’re present. As long as a person has pink eye symptoms, they can spread the infection to others....

Strabismus can take a lot of forms, from crossed eyes to one eye turning inward, downward, or in another direction (i.e. a lazy eye). Ultimately, when your child gets diagnosed with this condition, it means their eyes don’t line up the way they should.  They’re not alone. Around one in 20 kids lives...

Some health conditions dramatically change your daily life. Colorblindness isn’t one of them. The vast majority of people with this condition learn to adapt relatively easily. In fact, in some cases, they may go years before realizing colorblindness affects them. Ultimately, the impacts of colorblindness usually aren’t overly serious. But...

As you watch your baby grow, you continually monitor their behavior. You want to make sure they hit certain milestones and are healthy and happy. So when something seems out of the norm, it might leave you worried. If your baby blinks a lot, for example, you might be concerned...

In rare cases, pink eye (also called conjunctivitis) isn’t contagious. But that’s only true if you have allergic conjunctivitis. The vast majority of pink eye cases are either bacterial or viral, and that means they’re highly contagious.  In fact, pink eye can — and often does — spread extremely quickly....

Many people give special attention to the skin around their eyes. In fact, a walk down any drugstore skincare aisle will tell you that companies offer countless eye-focused products.  In some cases, the skin around your eyes might need more than a specialized cream to stay healthy. That’s why we...

Even if you don’t struggle with vision problems yourself, you can probably imagine how frustrating it could be for your child. They’re sitting in class, struggling to see the board, or they’re out on the playground, unable to see the ball clearly. Ultimately, you want to avoid this situation. That’s...

Roughly 40% of the American population deals with the same problem: nearsightedness. Also called myopia, this eye condition develops because your eye doesn’t focus light into it the way it should.  While myopia is common, it can be hard to spot. In many people, vision worsens gradually over time. And...

Most people expect to deal with some eye issues as they age. Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) can cause faster, more severe vision loss than you anticipated, though.  The good news? If you catch it early, applying targeted treatment can slow your macular degeneration, protecting your vision through the years. To...

As you get older, you take additional steps to protect yourself. You might get physicals more regularly or be more conscientious about what you eat or how frequently you exercise. Don’t stop there, though. You should also get regular eye exams, especially if you have a family history of glaucoma. ...

Have you ever wondered why different people need different types of glasses? Or why some people need glasses in childhood, while others only start to need them later in life? If so, you’ve come to the right place.  Our Benjamin Optical team is here to break down nearsightedness and farsightedness, the two most common eye...

Getting your first pair of glasses can feel life-changing. Suddenly, the world around you snaps into focus. You can see things you couldn’t before, and that allows you to experience the world in a whole new way.  But then you want to wear sunglasses. Or go for a run. You...

As a parent, you’re constantly on the lookout for any warning signs in your child. You notice their runny noses or scraped knees straightaway. And that means you’re also clued into their specific behaviors. You might notice, for example, that whenever your child is trying to see something at a...

Your body changes in a lot of ways as you get older, and one of the most noticeable areas of change is your eyes. Suddenly, reading the menu at a restaurant is a lot harder. That’s a normal sign of aging. But if you’ve noticed that your vision starts to...

Blurry vision might be a common issue, but it’s not normal. Your eyes should be able to focus so that you can see clearly. If they can’t, something is to blame. The good news? That something is treatable. Here at our Benjamin Optical offices throughout New York City, our team...

Pink eye is as common as it is annoying. Not only are the symptoms uncomfortable but, because pink eye is very contagious, it means taking time off work or pulling your kids out of school until your symptoms pass. That leaves a lot of people wondering: Will pink eye go...

Choosing a pair of eyeglasses can feel daunting. You’re going to be wearing them a lot and you want to make sure they look good on you. You have to temper the desire to make a bold statement with the knowledge that these glasses need to work in a variety...

With so many pediatric appointments on the calendar early in your kids’ lives, it’s easy to let vision checks fall by the wayside. And, certainly, your pediatrician should perform at least some level of eye check when you visit them. Still, though, a regular eye exam with an optometrist trained...

As far as eye problems go, nearsightedness tops the charts. Roughly 40% — or two in five Americans — have trouble seeing things far away. And that number is rising, especially in kids.  The good news is that nearsightedness, also called myopia, can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses,...

Your vision is probably the sense that you rely on most. Your eyes let you navigate through life. Just as importantly, they let you take in beautiful scenery and precious moments with your loved ones. All told, your ability to see is worth protecting.  That’s why we’re so passionate about...

Getting older brings a lot of changes, and your eyes are no exception. The American Optometric Association recommends that people over 60 watch for specific changes to their vision. Knowing what to look for ensures that you get prompt, proper treatment, which can help with everything from driving safely to...

Our eyelids do a lot for our eyes, protecting them and keeping them moisturized. All of that work can take its toll. If you’ve noticed that your eyelids seem irritated, they could be suffering from blepharitis, or eyelid inflammation.  Fortunately, the team at our Benjamin Optical offices throughout New York...

Your eye relies on your eyelids and lashes to protect it. But because those aren’t particularly strong defensive layers, a lot of different injuries can affect your eyes. Whether you’re dealing with a scratched cornea, a chemical burn, or another issue, getting prompt treatment can play a critical role in...

You expect your eyes to change over time. You probably knew that at some point, you would likely need reading glasses to see small print. But there’s another ocular change that fewer people anticipate: cataracts. While not as common as age-related farsightedness, cataracts are widespread. The National Eye Institute estimates...

When we think about people who need glasses, our minds usually go to older individuals. Most people know that having trouble seeing is a common side effect of aging.  But some people’s eyes need a little help a lot earlier in life. In fact, roughly one-third of American kids ages...

If you don’t have 20/20 vision, you’re probably glad you live in a time when it’s easy to get the corrective lenses you need. And we’ve come a long way from the fragile eyeglass frames of old. Contact lenses can help you see perfectly clearly no matter what you’re doing,...

As you get older, you expect certain physical changes. In fact, you might have already been prepped for a harder time reading everything from menus to texts. But age-related farsightedness is far from the only condition that can affect your eyes over the years.  Here at our Benjamin Optical offices...

Everyone sees color slightly differently. But if you have trouble distinguishing between colors that others seem to think are very clearly different, you might be living with colorblindness. Colorblindness is much more common than most people think, affecting as many as 1 in 10 men. That’s why our team at...

Pink eye is pretty common in kids, but that doesn’t give you much peace of mind if you notice that your little one’s eye is irritated-looking and goop-filled. When you think your child might have pink eye, you want to get them treatment as quickly as possible.  That’s why our...

You assume your vision will worsen as you age. You’ll probably start carrying readers with you at a certain point, for example. But don’t assume that all vision loss is something that’s just par for the course. If you have cataracts, early treatment can make a big difference in your...

Depending on your available time and money, getting new glasses can feel fun or feel like a chore. But there are some cases where it’s a must, no matter how you feel about it.  At our Benjamin Optical offices throughout New York City, our team of optical experts can help...

The skin around your eyes is fragile and sensitive. Something as simple as dry eyes, an allergy to a makeup or eye medication, or clogged oil glands can cause blepharitis. Inflammation in your eyelids marks this often-uncomfortable condition.  Fortunately, our team of optical experts at Benjamin Optical offers effective treatment...

Contact lenses have many advantages over glasses. One is that you don’t need to worry about caring for your glasses. But, out of all the types of contacts available, which kind is right for you? There are many factors to consider when selecting contact lenses. And our team of optical...

To ensure your child’s eyes are healthy and functioning optimally, Benjamin Optical provides customized pediatric eye exams starting when your child is one year old. Building a solid foundation with a skilled pediatric optometrist like Sheldon Retkinski, OD through early eye exams will not only protect your child’s long-term vision and eye...

Having a cough, sore throat, and pink eye all at the same time? What luck. It’s common to think that an upper respiratory infection isn’t related to pink eye, but in truth, they’re more related than you think. Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, affects around three million Americans each year....

More than 25 million Americans experience vision impairment from cataracts. While cataracts are one of the most common eye conditions, many people don’t know they have them. This is because cataracts develop slowly, as do their symptoms. Fortunately, regular eye exams and screenings for cataracts prevent them from damaging your...

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes fluid to build up in your eye. It increases pressure in your eye, which can damage your eye’s optic nerve. The two main types of glaucoma are open-angle glaucoma and narrow-angle glaucoma. Each one has different warning signs, but they can both result...

Your child broke their glasses and needs a new pair. Maybe your vision has lost some of its sharpness from more screen time. You know handling these problems is a priority, but you’re worried that venturing out to an eye care clinic could expose you to COVID-19. At Benjamin Optical,...

Glasses are a low maintenance way to correct your child’s vision. However, your child may start to show an interest in contact lenses at some point.  As a parent, you’re probably wondering if your child’s old enough to wear them. But in truth, age has little to do with wearing...

Should you get glasses or contacts? This is a question you might be asking yourself, and it’s one our team at Benjamin Optical hears it often. Simply telling you to get one or the other isn’t that easy, as both types of corrective lenses offer unique benefits. That’s why you...

Colorblindness, also known as color vision deficiency, is a common condition that affects 8% of men and almost 1% of women. The two types of colorblindness are red-green colorblindness, the most common form, and blue-yellow color blindness. Unfortunately, there’s no way to treat or reverse colorblindness, but there are a...

The lenses of your eyes usually are clear, bending rays of light so that they come into focus at the back of your eyes, giving you the ability to see in crisp focus. Cataracts occur when the clear lens tissue starts to become cloudy, impairing your vision progressively until you...

Pink eye, known as conjunctivitis to your optometrist, is no laughing matter. It’s an infection of the mucus in your eye, it hurts, it’s unsightly, and it’s contagious. That’s what it is. But do you know what it isn’t?  So many urban myths and legends have surrounded the stigma of...

If you are one of the 150 million Americans who wear corrective eyewear, you know the importance of an eye exam. If you have vision problems, you likely see an optometrist once a year to check for any updates to your current prescriptions. Even if you are lucky enough to...

Are you unable to wear contact lenses comfortably due to chronic dry eye? Is the irritation making it difficult to engage in situations where you must make eye contact with others? If so, your eyes may not be producing enough natural lubrication on their own. This can impact your ability...

We’ve all been there. You look in the mirror and red, irritated eyes look back. If you’ve got red eyes, you may be concerned, left wondering what caused them. The caring providers at Benjamin Optical with offices in Harlem, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Inwood understand. That’s why we’ve put together...

Do you wear contact lenses? Then you know the basics on how to care for them and avoid losing them. But there are other important do's and don’ts that revolve around caring for your eyes, as well as your lenses. Unfortunately, these are the ones we tend to see ignored...

Age brings with it a richness of life experiences and occasionally changes in the way you see the world, figuratively and literally. Age-related vision loss impairs your ability to do and see the things you love. Fortunately, there are several measures you can integrate into your daily life to reduce...

When you wear eyeglasses to see the world clearly, you want them to complement your face and express your personal style. At Benjamin Optical, we help people in New York, Staten Island, and Harlem find the glasses that are just right for their functional and fashion needs. Read on to...