Dr. Lawrence M. Buono, Long Island Eye Surgeon and Partner of North Shore Eye Care Interviewed during radio show at Peconic Bay Medical Center CEO, Andy Mitchell
Smithtown,New York (PRWEB) November 30, 2015 -- In an interview with Andy Mitchell of Peconic Bay Medical Center, Dr. Lawrence Buono speaks of his role as a top ophthalmologist on Long Island’s east end. During the broadcast, entitled “Eyes: the Window to the Soul,” Dr. Buono discusses his educational background, teaching, innovations in surgery and treatment of glaucoma and cataracts, and how a visit with his grandmother to her physician put him on a rewarding path to practicing medicine. He also shares his experiences in neuro-ophthalmology. “It is a sub-specialization of ophthalmology. It focuses on the neurologic underpinning of the eye. How the eye moves and how it receives and processes visual information,” explains Dr. Buono.
An important topic discussed during the interview was Dr. Buono’s involvement in complex eye conditions and surgeries. “In contrast to when I was at Duke where I spent time dealing with neuro-ophthalmic issues, I see mostly patients with glaucoma, cataracts, and general eye problems. Glaucoma is a disorder of the optic nerve and is really a subset of diseases,” remarks Dr. Buono. There are various types of glaucoma, including primary open angle and secondary glaucoma, which results from trauma. There is also pigmentary glaucoma in which pigment granules flake off the back of the iris. Glaucoma produces a slow decline in vision from loss of optic nerve tissue. Controlling it is typically done with drops to relieve eye pressure or with lasers. Dr. Buono performs a general screening using a tonometer to measure the intraocular pressure within the eye. “However, the gold standard to measuring pressure is applanation, in which the patient must be anesthetized,” adds Dr. Buono.
The improvements in cataract surgery over the past few decades have been nothing short of astounding. When asked by Mr. Mitchell about the history of cataract surgery, Dr. Buono explains: “Cataract surgery has undergone an evolution since its beginning. The old-style surgery was to make a big arch incision and then cut and remove the lens. This procedure was wrought with problems since it created astigmatism, which is an irregularity of the corneal surface. Phacoemulsification allowed us to do cataract surgery with smaller incisions. We remove the lens without cutting the cornea.” Surgical technology has improved and has become much more efficient. “We went from a 5 mm down to a 2.7 mm incision and recently I went to a 2.4 mm incision,” continues Dr. Buono. Cataract surgery has seen numerous advancements, but Dr. Buono believes that laser cataract surgery is one of the most significant. “Laser-assisted cataract surgery is more precise and has greater repeatability. No needles are necessary and the incision is self-sealing,” states Dr. Buono. “In your hands, one can expect a great outcome,” exclaims Mr. Mitchell.
Mr. Mitchell also inquired about replacement lenses used after surgery. Dr. Buono explains: “One of the goals in addition to removing the cataract is trying to reduce dependency on glasses as much as possible. If a person has astigmatism in their cornea, we use a toric lens and effectively cure the astigmatism.”
Dr. Buono shares with listeners his journey to becoming an ophthalmologist. “Taking my grandmother to her urologist in Yonkers for an office visit led to a summer mentorship, which steered the way toward medical school.” After graduating from New York University, he completed his medical degree at Thomas Jefferson Medical College. During this time, Dr. Buono received both the Schulman and Barnes scholarships for academic merit. After completion of a medical/surgical internship at the Presbyterian Hospital/University of Pennsylvania, he returned to New York for his ophthalmology residency at New York Medical College in Valhalla. He completed his training at the world-renowned Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. “It is a fantastic place. The sub-specializations I think are unparalleled. The amount of brainpower is incredible from the oncology service to neuro-ophthalmology to retina. It is unsurpassed,” affirms Dr. Buono. Prior to joining private practice, he served as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the prestigious Duke University Eye Center. “We are fortunate to have you on the staff at Peconic Bay Medical Center and your credentials speak for themselves.” remarks Mr. Mitchell.
Dr. Buono has authored numerous papers on neuro-ophthalmic disorders in the ophthalmic literature and serves as a reviewer for several of the major ophthalmic journals. His academic interests include ischemic optic neuropathy, giant cell arteritis, and pseudotumor cerebri. He also holds a patent for his experimental work in the use of injectable dyes for the staining of the anterior lens capsule and vitreo-retinal interface, which aids cataract surgeons in performing safer surgery. Dr. Buono has lectured extensively on ophthalmology as both a clinical instructor at the American Academy of Ophthalmology and as an invited speaker. He actively participates at national ophthalmic meetings.
The interview was aired on Saturday, November 7th on WPPB 88.3 as a feature to “What’s Up Doc,” a weekly radio show, hosted by Peconic Bay Medical Center CEO, Andy Mitchell. A link to the broadcast can be found on PBMC’s Web site.
North Shore Eye Care is Long Island’s most established full-service comprehensive eye care provider. This year they are celebrating 52 years of eye care excellence since Dr. Sidney Martin founded the practice in 1962. North Shore Eye Care is also the official LASIK Provider of the New York Mets. Many of their doctors have been voted ‘TOP DOCTORS’ in the New York Metro Area by Castle Connolly and North Shore Eye Care has earned ‘Best of Long Island’ honors for the past few years.
North Shore Eye Care maintains offices in Smithtown, Riverhead, Holbrook, Deer Park, Southampton, Southold, Garden City and Hempstead. They specialize in cataract care, LASIK laser vision correction, glaucoma management, diabetic eye disease, ocular plastic surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, and retinal care. For more information about North Shore Eye Care, please contact Jacqueline Hernandez at 631-265-8780.
Jacqueline Hernandez, North Shore Eye Care, http://www.nseye.com, 631-265-8780 Ext: 139, [email protected]
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