JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, May 3, 2012- May is Healthy Vision Month and Clay Eye and the National Eye Institute (NEI) encourage people to recognize the value of sight and make vision health a top priority.

The NEI recently conducted a focus group and found that American adults indicated that the loss of eyesight would have a serious impact on their daily life. However, while this result came of the study, it also indicated that more than 25 percent said their last eye examination was longer than two years, and over 9 percent had never had an eye exam.

According to John Donovan, M.D., Ophthalmologist with Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons,"A comprehensive, dilated eye exam is the best way to detect vision problems at the earliest, most treatable stage. This exam allows an Ophthalmologist or Optometrist to examine the eye through an enlarged pupil and obtain a more comprehensive look at any changes in their eye health. These exams help to determine common and correctable refractive errors as well as eye diseases that may be rare and have no warning signs or symptoms. Early detection of any eye disease is key, if you haven’t had an eye exam in the past year, schedule one today."

Clay Eye Physicians and Surgeons offers comprehensive eye care in the following specialties: Cataract Surgery, Cornea Surgery, Medical Retina, Diabetic Eye Disease and Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma Surgery, LASIK Surgery, Cosmetic Eye Procedures, Pediatric Ophthalmology, and Pediatric Eye Exams. In addition, they offer Routine Eye Exams, Contact Lenses, and Boutique Eyewear for the entire family.

Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons was established in 1977 and is an eight physician group. They currently have offices in Orange Park, Fleming Island and Mandarin. If you would like more information about Clay Eye, please contact (904) 272-2020, or visit their website at www.clayeye.com

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, March 22, 2012- According to a recent National Health Interview Survey, 21.5 million Adult Americans 18 and older reported experiencing vision loss. Of these 21.5 million American adults, 12.7 million were women, and 8.8 million were men. The survey concluded that each year, more women than men are diagnosed with eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. This is predominantly due to hormone changes and life longevity.

According to Melanie Javier, O.D., Optometrist at Clay Eye,"As a mom, career woman, and wife, often times my family comes first. I hear the same sentiment from so many of my female patients. While it is important to take care of your family, it is equally as important to take care of yourself and your eyes."

Clay Eye Physicians and Surgeons offers comprehensive eye care in the following specialties: Cataract Surgery, Cornea Surgery, Medical Retina, Diabetic Eye Disease and Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma Surgery, LASIK Surgery, Cosmetic Eye Procedures, Pediatric Ophthalmology, and Pediatric Eye Exams. In addition, they offer Routine Eye Exams, Contact Lenses, and Boutique Eyewear for the entire family.

Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons was established in 1977 and is an eight physician group. They currently have offices in Orange Park, Fleming Island and Mandarin. If you would like more information about Clay Eye, please contact (904) 272-2020, or visit their website at www.clayeye.com

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, February 21, 2012-Dr. Lawrence Levine of Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons will be presenting a lecture titled,"The View on Maintaining Excellent Lifelong Vision." The presentation will be held on Thursday, March 8th, at the Thrasher-Horne Center located at 283 College Drive in Orange Park. A light buffet will be served at 5:00 PM, and the lecture is scheduled to begin at 5:30-6:30 PM. Registration is required, and attendance is $5.00 per person. To register, please call 800-889-3627. For additional information, please contact Jill Buie at Orange Park Medical Center at (904) 213-2601.

Clay Eye Physicians and Surgeons offers comprehensive eye care in the following specialties: Cataract Surgery, Cornea Surgery, Medical Retina, Diabetic Eye Disease and Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma Surgery, LASIK Surgery, Cosmetic Eye Procedures, Pediatric Ophthalmology, and Pediatric Eye Exams. In addition, they offer Routine Eye Exams, Contact Lenses, and Boutique Eyewear for the entire family.

Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons was established in 1977 and is an eight physician group. They currently have offices in Orange Park, Fleming Island and Mandarin. If you would like more information about Clay Eye, please contact (904) 272-2020.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, February 1, 2012- February is Macular Degeneration Month. Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people 50 and older, and as you age, the risk increases. It is a chronic condition that causes central vision loss and affects more than 25 million people worldwide.

ARMD occurs when the macula—the central part of the retina that is important for reading and color vision becomes damaged. Some common symptoms of ARMD are: gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly, distorted vision, a gradual loss of color vision, and a dark areas appearing in the center of vision. If you notice any new distortion or visual changes, it is critical to contact your eye care provider immediately.

Board Certified Ophthalmologist and Retina Specialist with Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeon, Russell Pecoraro, M.D. says,"Age Related Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in our senior population. I am excited to see new and better treatment options being developed to help patients maintain and improve their vision." He continues,"Clay Eye Physicians and Surgeons have recognized the need for a facility specifically dedicated to diseases of the retina, and have established The Northeast Florida Macular Degeneration and Diabetes Eye Institute.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, January 25, 2012- On Saturday, April 28, 2012, Clay Eye Physicians and Surgeons will participate in the 4th Annual Jacksonville VisionWalk. VisionWalk is the national signature fundraising event of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. This program has raised over $19 million dollars since its inception in the Spring of 2006.

"This is the second year that Clay Eye has participated and sponsored the Jacksonville Vision Walk. We are proud to support our patients and our community, and believe in giving back to the communities that we serve," said Donald Downer, MD, Ophthalmologist with Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons.

The walk will be held at the University of North Florida and will commence at 9:00 a.m. If you would like to join the Clay Eye Team, please contact our office at 904-272-2020.

Clay Eye Physicians and Surgeons offers comprehensive eye care in the following specialties: Routine Eye Exams, Cataract Surgery, Cornea Surgery, Medical Retina, Diabetic Eye Disease and Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma Surgery, LASIK Surgery, Cosmetic Eye Procedures, and Contact lenses.

Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons was established in 1977 and is an eight physician group. They currently have three locations in Orange Park, Fleming Island, and Mandarin.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, December 28, 2011- January is dedicated to Glaucoma Awareness Month, and according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, over 4 million Americans, and nearly 70 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness, and is often called the"the sneak thief of sight", since there are typically no symptoms, and once vision is lost, it is irreversible.

Glaucoma is when vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for carrying images from the eye to the brain. When a patient develops glaucoma, those images are modified as vision becomes impaired and limited. The most common forms of glaucoma primarily affect the middle-aged and the elderly, however, glaucoma can affect people of all ages.

C.M. Harris, M.D., Ophthalmologist with Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons states,"It's hard to believe that as much as 40% of vision can be lost without patients even knowing it. In fact, most people diagnosed with glaucoma, don't even know they have it." Dr. Harris continues,"While there is no cure for glaucoma, medication and/or surgery can slow the progression of this disease. Early detection is critical, so annual eye exams are key."

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, May 23, 2011 - On Saturday, May 21, 2011, Clay Eye Physicians and Surgeons sponsored and participated in the 3rd Annual Jacksonville VisionWalk. VisionWalk is the national signature fundraising event of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. This program has raised over $15 million dollars since its inception in the Spring of 2006.

“This event had great energy and enthusiasm. It was a pleasure to support such a worthy cause, as Clay Eye believes in giving back to the communities that we serve ,” said Russell Pecoraro, MD, Ophthalmologist with Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons.

Clay Eye Physicians and Surgeons offers comprehensive eye care in the following specialties: Routine Eye Exams, Cataract Surgery, Cornea Surgery, Medical Retina, Diabetic Eye Disease and Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma Surgery, LASIK Surgery, Cosmetic Eye Procedures, Pediatrics and Contact lenses.

Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons was established in 1977 and is an eight physician group. They currently have three locations in Orange Park, Fleming Island and Mandarin.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, May 23, 2011- Clay Eye Physicians and Surgeons recently opened a third eye clinic, located in Mandarin at 11790 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32223. A ribbon cutting ceremony and open house event was held on May 5, 2011.

“We are excited about expanding our Ophthalmology services to the residents of Mandarin and surrounding areas. We appreciate the support that we received at the open house and look forward to continued community partnerships,” said John Donovan, MD, Ophthalmologist with Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons.

Clay Eye Physicians and Surgeons offers comprehensive eye care in the following specialties: Routine Eye Exams, Cataract Surgery, Cornea Surgery, Medical Retina, Diabetic Eye Disease and Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma Surgery, LASIK Surgery, Cosmetic Eye Procedures, Pediatrics and Contact lenses.

Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons was established in 1977 and is an eight physician group. They have been committed to offering the most advanced and comprehensive eye care available with the most innovative, advanced therapies and latest technologies. They currently have three locations in Orange Park, Fleming Island, and Mandarin.