If you’re constantly dealing with a runny nose, congestion, or post-nasal drip, it’s easy to assume it’s just allergies or a lingering cold. But for many people, these symptoms can actually be a sign of chronic rhinitis — a condition that doesn’t always improve with typical medications. Over time, this can become more than just an inconvenience. It can affect your sleep, focus, and day-to-day comfort — especially if symptoms keep coming back despite sprays or antihistamines. The good news? There are now simple, in-office treatments designed to address the root cause — not just manage the symptoms. One of these is RhinAer, a non-surgical treatment that helps calm overactive nasal nerves and improve airflow, with little to no downtime. If you’ve been living with ongoing nasal symptoms, it may be worth taking a closer look. 👉 Take our quick 1-minute nasal health quiz to see if you could be a candidate for treatment and take the first step toward lasting relief.

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about one of the leading causes of irreversible vision loss in the United States. Often called the “silent thief of sight,” glaucoma can develop without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, making regular eye exams in New Jersey essential for protecting long-term vision health. More than four million Americans are currently living with glaucoma, and many do not realize they have it. The condition damages the optic nerve, typically due to increased eye pressure, and often begins by affecting peripheral vision. Without early detection and treatment, this vision loss can become permanent. Who Is at Risk for Glaucoma? While anyone can develop glaucoma, certain factors can increase your risk, including: Being over the age of 60 Having a family history of glaucoma Belonging to certain ethnic backgrounds Living with diabetes or high eye pressure Understanding your personal risk and scheduling routine glaucoma screenings in New Jersey can make a meaningful difference in preserving your sight. The Importance of Comprehensive Eye Exams The most effective way to detect glaucoma early is through a comprehensive dilated eye exam. This exam allows your eye care provider to measure eye pressure, evaluate the optic nerve, and check for subtle changes in your field of vision—often before symptoms appear. Book Your Glaucoma Screening in New Jersey At NJ Eye and Ear, our ophthalmology and optometry team provides personalized care using advanced diagnostic technology to help patients detect and manage glaucoma as early as possible. This January, take a proactive step toward protecting your vision. Book your glaucoma screening in New Jersey today and safeguard your sight for the future.

At NJ Eye and Ear, providing exceptional care isn’t just our mission; it’s something our patients and peers continue to recognize as part of our identity. With this in mind, we are ecstatic to highlight and celebrate two recent honors that showcase the expertise, trust, and quality behind our practice. Our Director of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ENT), Facial Plastic Surgery, and Hair Restoration, Dr. Kevin Ende, has been named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for 2026. This prestigious honor is awarded to only the top 7% of board-certified physicians nationwide. This distinction is especially meaningful, as it is based on peer nominations and rigorous review, recognizing clinical excellence, leadership, and professionalism among fellow physicians. We are also proud to announce that Dr. Jennifer Ariola has been named a BusinessRate Top 3 Optometrist in Clifton, NJ for 2025. This achievement is particularly noteworthy, as it is based on verified Google Reviews and reflects consistent patient satisfaction, outstanding service, and a strong local reputation. Earning this distinction signifies that Dr. Ariola’s commitment to thorough, compassionate eye care is being recognized directly by the community she serves. Huge congratulations to Dr. Ende and Dr. Ariola. These recognitions speak to the depth of expertise and quality of care patients can expect at NJ Eye and Ear. From routine eye exams to advanced surgical and specialty services, our team is dedicated to delivering the highest quality care you can trust—backed by experience, innovation, and proven results. At NJ Eye and Ear, award-winning care isn’t the exception; it’s the standard.

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Let’s face it—traditional makeup wasn’t made with your eyes in mind. If your eyeliner stings, your mascara flakes, or your lash serum irritates, you’re not imagining it. Most beauty products were never tested with your ocular health as a priority. But that ends now. NJ Eye and Ear is thrilled to introduce a new collaboration with Twenty/Twenty Beauty , the revolutionary makeup brand founded by Dr. Diane Hilal-Campo , a board-certified ophthalmologist who decided to shake up the beauty industry for good. And the best part? It’s now available to purchase exclusively at our Englewood, NJ, location. What Is Twenty/Twenty Beauty? Developed by an eye doctor who saw how traditional cosmetics were wreaking havoc on her patients’ vision, Twenty/Twenty Beauty was created to fill a major gap in the market: makeup that’s safe, effective, and ophthalmologist-tested. This innovative line features: ✅ Eye-Safe Ingredients – No prostaglandin analogues, parabens, or harsh preservatives ✅ Clean Formulas – Formulated without toxins ✅ Designed to nourish lashes, lids, and brows—not irritate them ✅ Free from harmful preservatives, parabens, and prostaglandin analogues ✅ Ophthalmologist-developed and tested—because your eyes deserve more than just “hypoallergenic”

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and in this month we dive into aspects of glaucoma care to help our patients. To learn more about general facts about glaucoma, please refer to the article from 2024. In this post, we will touch on the different types of treatments available for glaucoma. In glaucoma, eye pressure damages the optic nerve and leads to irreversible vision loss. The goal of glaucoma treatment is to lower the eye pressure. This can be accomplished in several ways: eye drops, procedures, and surgeries. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The treatment of glaucoma is highly personalized and different treatments apply to different patients. The most straightforward and often first line treatment of glaucoma involves the use of eye drops . There are multiple classes of eye drops, and each has its own set of side-effects that are taken into account when providing recommendations to patients. Eye drops are typically used anywhere from one to three times daily. As glaucoma advances, the eye pressure may respond less well to eye drops and require additional treatments, such as procedures or surgeries. Procedures for glaucoma involve lasers and injections. Laser treatment varies depending on the type of glaucoma. The most common form of glaucoma, termed open-angle glaucoma, occurs when the natural drain in the eye does not function well. One cause of this poor function occurs due to a clogging of the natural sieve that filters out the fluid in the eye, called the trabecular meshwork. For this form of glaucoma, a laser may be used to clean this sieve, a procedure called trabeculoplasty. Trabeculoplasty has been in use for decades, supported by a well established scientific literature. In fact, it is now recommended as first line therapy in many instances. The second form of glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, occurs when the natural drain is blocked. A different laser procedure, called an iridotomy, attempts to relieve this blockage. A relatively new procedure involves the injection of a medication into the eye , whereby it slowly dissolves over a period of months. This injection effectively acts as a substitute for an eye drop and may be beneficial in patients who do not tolerate eye drops well. Sometimes, eye drops and procedures are not enough to control the eye pressure, and the eye remains at risk of vision loss. In these cases, surgery may be required. Surgery can be divided into minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) and traditional surgeries. MIGS, often performed at the time of cataract surgery, try to rehabilitate the natural drain in the eye. These involve the use of stents and other instruments to open the natural drain. Sometimes, even these surgeries are not enough, and the use of traditional surgeries is required. In these cases, the natural drain cannot be rehabilitated, and a bypass procedure is performed, whereby a tiny window is created in the eye to allow the fluid to exit the eye and lower the eye pressure. There are two variants of this procedure: in one, the tiny window is created and left as is, and in the other, a small tube is inserted into the tiny window. The treatment of glaucoma has evolved over many years and now encompasses a wide variety of therapies that allow for a personalized approach. And fortunately, for the great majority of patients, appropriate treatment can slow or stop the progression of glaucoma. If you have any questions or concerns about glaucoma or its treatment, we here at the Glaucoma Center at NJ Eye and Ear, consisting of myself, Dr. Khelly Savant, Dr. Nahndi Bush , and Dr. Daniel Stegman , are always available to assist you in making decisions regarding your glaucoma care.

Eat Pistachios for Better Eye Health

Dry eye disease is a prevalent and sometimes debilitating condition due to inadequate lubrication or rapid evaporation from the surface of the eye. It can cause blurry vision, discomfort, redness, and a chronic gritty sensation. The prevalence of dry eye disease in the United States is estimated to affect over 16 million adults. This might be an underestimate, as many people may not seek medical attention for milder symptoms. The impact of dry eye disease is more than simple discomfort; it can impair many daily activities such as reading, driving, and working on a computer. It is considered a chronic pain condition and can deteriorate one’s quality of life. Causes of dry eye can be numerous, including even a fan, heater, or air conditioner near your bed while sleeping. Wearing contact lenses or prolonged computer and cellphone use can also be culprits. Lastly, eye surgeries, such as LASIK and cataract surgery, are known to worsen dry eye symptoms. Patients undergoing these procedures are advised to optimize their dry eye before surgery to minimize issues afterwards. Addressing any dryness before surgery is also critical for the ophthalmologist to get the most accurate measurements for the best chance at good vision after surgery. The good news is, with proper management before and after surgery, the symptoms of dry eye can be minimal to none. There are various treatments for dry eye and they must be customized for every patient depending on the severity. Initial therapies can include over-the-counter medications, such as artificial tears that can relieve symptoms by lubricating the surface of the eye. If these do not adequately control symptoms, prescription medications, such as cyclosporine (Restasis) and lifitegrast (Xiidra) among others, can be used to increase natural tear production and reduce inflammation on the surface of the eye. For some individuals, even these treatments are not sufficient however. This can be due to underlying medical conditions, such as Sjogren’s disease or thyroid imbalances. These patients and others who are dissatisfied with their symptoms can benefit from treatments such as amniotic membrane application. These can protect the cornea, reduce inflammation, and promote regeneration of the eye’s surface. For those patients struggling despite consistent use of eyedrops, these and other therapies can be game changing. Thankfully, there are a multitude of treatments available to alleviate dry eye. With a comprehensive and tailored approach from an eyecare specialist, your dry eye symptoms can be better by next July.

Dry eye disease is becoming increasingly common, affecting millions of people worldwide. This chronic condition can significantly impact your life, sometimes making even the smallest of tasks seem difficult. If you have eye pain, blurry vision, and dry or watery eyes, it could be a sign that you have dry eye disease. But don’t worry! With an in-depth eye exam, our team can assess your vision and eye health to get you the treatment you need. With treatments like OptiLight by Lumenis, we can help manage your dry eye symptoms and get you back to seeing clearly and comfortably. Keep reading to learn more about OptiLight by Lumenis and how it can improve your life. What Is Dry Eye Disease? Dry eye disease is a common eye condition that occurs when there is an issue with any one of the three components of your tears. Your tears are made up of 3 distinct layers, all of which work together to keep your eyes healthy: ● The oily layer prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly ● The watery layer delivers nutrients to your eyes ● The mucus layer keeps your tear film stuck to the surface of your eyes What are the 2 Types of Dry Eye Disease? There are two types of dry eye disease. Evaporative Dry Eye (EDE) EDE is the most common type of dry eye disease. This type of dry eye occurs when you lack the proper amount of oil in your tears. When this happens, your tears can evaporate too quickly, drying out your eyes. In some cases, EDE can be caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, a disorder where the meibomian glands in your eyes become blocked, limiting the amount of oil being produced for your tears. Aqueous Tear Deficiency (ATD) If you suffer from ATD, your eyes lack the aqueous layer in your tears. This means that your eyes aren’t producing enough tears to keep the eye moist, which can lead to irritating and uncomfortable symptoms. What are the Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease? If you are suffering from dry eye disease, you may notice any of the following symptoms: ● A burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes ● Stringy mucus in or around your eyes ● Irritated or overly-watery eyes ● Sensitivity to light orphotophobia ● Eye redness, blurred vision, or eye fatigue ● A sensation of having something in your eyes ● Difficulty wearing contact lenses If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, book an appointment with your eye doctor to receive a dry eye disease diagnosis and get the treatment you need. What Is OptiLight by Lumenis? OptiLight by Lumenisis a safe, gentle, and effective treatment done to manage dry eye disease. This non-invasive procedure is the first and only FDA-approved intense pulsed light(IPL) treatment for dry eye management. OptiLight uses pulses of light precisely administered in the area below the eyes to reduce dry eye symptoms. This 10-15 minute procedure can relieve dry eye symptoms by: ● Increasing tear break-up time ● Reducing the amount of demodex mites and bacteria around your eyes ● Decreasing inflammation inflammation ● Improving meibomian gland functionality What to Expect If your eye doctor has recommended the OptiLight treatment , they will go over everything you can expect before, during, and after your appointment. Preparing for Your Appointment To prepare for your appointment you should avoid: ● Using skin brightening agents or serums for the week before your appointment ● Using tanning beds 1 month prior to your appointment ● Getting any neuromodulators (anti-wrinkle injectables) for at least 3 months before your appointment ● Taking oral medicines in the 3 months prior to your appointment The OptiLight Treatment This treatment is fast and simple, taking only 10–15 minutes. During your treatment your doctor will apply a cool gel on the treatment area and cover your eyes with shields to protect them. As light is applied to the skin, you may experience a warm or a tapping sensation, but you shouldn’t feel any pain. Post-Procedure Care While side effects are uncommon, your eyes may feel slightly more dry or gritty for the day following your procedure. If you do experience dry eyes, you can use preservative-free artificial tears. Following your treatment, your skin will be sensitive, so we recommend avoiding sun exposure and wearing sunscreen. Am I a Good Candidate for OptiLight by Lumenis? How do you know if OptiLight is the right treatment for you? During an eye exam, your doctor can determine whether or not it is the right option for you. In general, OptiLight isn’t recommended for patients who: ● Are taking certain medications, like Accutane ● Have active acne ● Suffer from certain skin disorders ● Are susceptible to keloid scarring ● Have severe scarring ● Have severely sunburned recently Find Relief Today You don’t have to live with the uncomfortable symptoms of dry eye disease. With OptiLight by Lumenis, your symptoms can be managed effectively and efficiently, restoring your quality of life. Our team is always here to help you find relief from dry eyes. Book an appointment today to see how OptiLight by Lumenis can help you!