LASIK, Cataract, and Glaucoma Experts in Long Island New York Tweet

Shirley is a hamlet located in Suffolk County, on the South Shore of Long Island, New York. It is within the Town of Brookhaven. Shirley is served by the Mastic-Shirley Long Island Rail Road station. The Amagansett, Conscience Point, Target Rock, Wetheim, Oyster Bay, Seatuck and Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuges are clearly the most valuable parts of Shirley. Maybe no other town in the world can boast of such a galaxy of nature, animals, birds and flora. There are plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking trails, canoeing and nature viewing can be found at the 2,550-acre Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, while white, sandy beaches, camping facilities and other amenities are at Smith Point County Park. The Links at Shirley is a public course.

The community is named for developer Walter T. Shirley who had the vision in the 1950s to turn the area on Mastic Bay into an affordable enclave. He is primarily remembered as a real estate investor and promoter. With over 40 years in the business, most of them on Long Island, it is no surprise that we associate his name with land. Shirley's company priced its 4,000 four-room homes starting at $4,700, and lots were priced at $295. A large part of Shirley's success was due to his being a gambler, willing to take great financial risks. He saw the value in the land of Long Island and he took a chance. Mr. Shirley's impact on the community can be appreciated or denounced but it cannot be ignored.

North Shore Eye Care serves the residents of Shirley with a variety of concerns including Macular Degeneration. Macular degeneration is an eye disease that damages the macula (the central part of the retina), which is responsible for central vision. When the macula is damaged, it becomes difficult to see detail, such as small print or small objects. Symptoms include blurred vision, seeing objects that seem to fade or disappear, seeing wavy lines that are actually straight, and impaired color vision. If left untreated, macular degeneration can lead to total blindness. There are two different types of the disease: dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration. In dry macular degeneration, material builds up in the tissues underneath the macula, reducing blood flow to the retina. With wet macular degeneration, newer, weaker blood vessels grow in or under the retina. When these fragile blood vessels break, they leak fluid into the space under the macula.

Wet macular degeneration is treated most commonly with intraocular injections. There are several medications currently available that have been shown to reduce the abnormal blood vessel formation that occurs in wet macular degeneration. These injections often need to be repeated, but are relatively painless and work better than other treatments to date. There are currently no medical or surgical treatments for dry macular degeneration; however, there are two laser treatments for wet macular degeneration: photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy. During photocoagulation, a hot laser is applied to slow the progression of abnormal blood vessels. Photodynamic therapy involves using a cold laser and intravenous drugs to slow the progression of abnormal blood vessels in the retina. Regular eye care appointments are imperative to the early detection and successful treatment of macular degeneration. Don't wait until you have symptoms.