Mark R. Mandel, MD Blog

Why Staring at the Sun during a Solar Eclipse Is So Dangerous

On August 21, North America experienced the first total solar eclipse in 99 years. The skies darkened from Oregon to South Carolina as the moon passed in between the sun and the Earth. Millions of people headed outside to catch a glimpse of the exciting natural phenomenon.
In the weeks leading up to the eclipse, national news outlets warned viewers about the dangers of staring directly into the sun during the eclipse. As a Bay Area vision specialist, Mark Mandel, MD, wants to explain why these warnings were so important, why it is dangerous to stare at the sun during a solar eclipse and how to take the proper precautions. With scientists predicting the next total eclipse for North America coming in 2024, it’s a good idea to know how to protect yourself!

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This entry was posted in Eye Health on October 16, 2017 by Dr, Mark Mandel

People Are Happier, More Satisfied with Their Lives after Cataract Surgery

Mark Mandel, MD, of Optima Eye is acutely aware of the ways cataract surgery in the Bay Area can change his patients’ lives. A new study from Alcon, which manufactures cataract surgery technology, confirms what Dr. Mandel and his patients already know to be true: cataract surgery can have tremendously positive emotional and physical impacts on a person’s life.
Dr. Mandel hopes that by sharing more information about this study, prospective cataract surgery patients can feel confident and excited as they pursue their treatment options.

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This entry was posted in Cataracts on September 18, 2017 by Dr, Mark Mandel

Top 5 Reasons to Choose LASIK

For the right candidates, LASIK laser vision correction can be life changing. And thanks to advances in technology, the surgery is becoming more popular among adults of all ages.
If you are on the fence about pursuing your LASIK options, this blog post is for you — Bay Area cornea and LASIK specialist Mark Mandel, MD, of Optima Eye is sharing five of the top reasons to consider LASIK.

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This entry was posted in LASIK Surgery on August 21, 2017 by Dr, Mark Mandel

What to Expect from PRK Surgery

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a laser eye surgery procedure that corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. PRK is similar to LASIK in that the same Wavefront laser is used for the treatment, however, there is no LASIK flap. Accordingly, the recovery is quite different. In this post, Bay Area vision specialist Mark Mandel, MD, describes what patients can expect from PRK.
PRK is performed for those individuals who are not candidates for LASIK either because the cornea is too thin, or the patient prefers not to have a LASIK flap because it might interfere with work or everyday activities.

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This entry was posted in PRK on July 24, 2017 by Dr, Mark Mandel

LASIK Costs: Is It Worth It?

LASIK surgery has many benefits including clearer vision and a decreased dependence on glasses and contact lenses. But despite these benefits, many patients may be hesitant to undergo the laser vision correction procedure because of the cost. In actuality, LASIK can help patients save thousands of dollars in vision-related costs over time. Leading LASIK specialist in the Bay Area, Mark Mandel, MD, explains how in this blog post.

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This entry was posted in LASIK Surgery on June 26, 2017 by Dr, Mark Mandel

Protect Your Eyes from Summertime Dangers

By now you are aware that the sun can take a toll on your skin. But did you know your eyes are also at risk of sun damage? In addition, the summer season brings with it certain dangers that can put your eye health at risk. San Jose LASIK expert Dr. Mark Mandel outlines summer eye health risks. Before you step outside to enjoy the sun, take a moment to read these tips on how to keep your eyes happy and healthy during the summer season.

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This entry was posted in Eye Health on May 29, 2017 by Dr, Mark Mandel

Can Eating Foods Rich in Vitamin C Prevent Cataract Progression?

More than 22 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts, which is the clouding of eye’s natural lens. Common symptoms of cataracts include hazy, blurry vision, glare and halos around lights. Although there is no medical cure for cataracts, there are several ways to reduce your risk of developing the condition or if you have it, slow down its progression. According to one study, eating foods rich in vitamin C can cut the risk of cataract progression by a third. Here, cataract surgeon Mark Mandel, MD, discusses the study’s findings in detail.

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This entry was posted in Cataracts on May 01, 2017 by Dr, Mark Mandel

3 Common Vision Conditions to Watch Out for As You Age

Around age 40, many people begin to notice changes in their vision. Although some of these changes are common and a normal part of the aging process, some may be a symptom of a serious underlying eye condition. In this blog post, San Jose corneal specialist Mark Mandel, MD, discusses common age-related vision problems and how they can be treated.

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This entry was posted in Cataracts, Eye Health on April 03, 2017 by Dr, Mark Mandel

Survey: Majority of Adults Have Eye Problems But Don’t Get Treatment

When you notice a change in your vision or a problem with your eyes, do you get your eyes checked? If you answered no, you’re not alone. According to a recent poll commissioned by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the majority of American adults report having eye or vision problems but most fail to have their eyes checked. In this blog post, Mark Mandel, M.D., of Optima Eye discusses the findings of the survey and explains the importance of routine eye exams.

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This entry was posted in Eye Health on February 02, 2017 by Dr, Mark Mandel