BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Spotlight on…… Masha (Friedman) Lewin, O.D.

Business Name and Position: One-Two 1-Care, LLC

Location: 1577 East 18th Street.

Number of Employees: 2

Years in Business: 8

What’s the difference between an optometrist, ophthalmologist, and optician? 

An optician makes the glasses. An optometrist’s degree is O.D, optometry doctor. We do full routine eye exams, including refracting (checking for the glasses prescription), contact lens fittings, as well as check for the general health of the eyes.

An ophthalmologist is an M.D. They do the same as an optometrist, but they do surgery as well.

The main difference between the two types of eye doctors is typically that an optometrist is often more focused on a really good glasses prescription and contact lens fitting, while an ophthalmologist is more focused on surgery. We both check for the health of the eyes as well as treat disease.

At what age should children have their first eye exam? 

According to the AOA (American Optometric Association), one should have their first eye exam at six months of age.

What do you look for during an eye exam?

We check for refractive error (glasses prescription) as well as for general eye health.

What can we do to promote good eye health? 

Using sunglasses to protect the eyes from the damaging rays of the sun and taking breaks as often as possible while on the computer.

How detrimental is screen time to our eyes?

Screen time definitely does affect the eyes. Unfortunately, in today’s day and age, there is a whole lot of screen time all around. The best thing one can do is to take frequent breaks. We call it the 20/20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break, and look 20 feet away. This gives the eyes a chance to relax from over focusing.

There has been a tremendous uptick in eye strain vision complaints since COVID-19 due to all of the increased screen time by both adults and children.

What are your thoughts on Lasik surgery? 

I think it very much depends on the situation.  There is not a one size fits all answer.

For someone who is extremely nearsighted, for example, a -10.00, I think it makes sense to go ahead with it if the person is interested. However, if someone has a mild prescription, for example, a -1.00, I personally don’t feel that the risk is justified. That isn’t a scientific fact; that is just my opinion.

Another thing to take into account is a patient’s age. If someone is nearing their 40s where they will need reading glasses soon, I personally don’t think it’s an ideal time to go ahead with it, as once the distance vision is corrected, the person will still need reading glasses.

Although the risks involved in LASIK surgery are low, it is a surgical procedure and every surgical procedure carries its own set of risks. Personally, I wouldn’t do it. I prefer to use glasses and contact lenses instead.

What’s it like running a practice out of your home?

 That is a great question!  I am very proud of this practice. It’s a family-owned business run by my husband and I. The short answer is that it’s a wonderful opportunity and experience that I am very grateful for. But like everything in life, it comes with its pros and cons.  I love being able to be home, but at the same time, you really never leave work. It’s not uncommon for me to go downstairs to take care of the paperwork, billing, etc. at 11:00 P.M. Although, in today’s times, this is not uncommon, especially now with so many people working remotely.

One of the wonderful things about this opportunity is the ability to be available to help people out at all times. I have people calling me late at night with eye infections as well as people knocking on my door on Shabbos with extremely painful corneal abrasions. I am so happy to be able to be equipped to help people out.

What do you like most about your job? 

I have been an optometrist for nearly 15 years, and I  just love being able to help people see better! It brings me great satisfaction and a lot of joy. From young kids getting their first pair of glasses, to adolescents getting their first pair of contact lenses. I especially enjoy doing presbyopic contact lens fittings. Presbyopia is when people reach their early 40s and start to have trouble seeing up close. It is a challenge to achieve good vision at both distance and near at that stage with contact lenses. When we get it, the patient is so happy and so am  I!