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Dr. Richard Lehrer

Glaucoma
Alliance, OH
35 years experience male

Locations

Office

Alliance, OH

Address

Ohio Eye Alliance, 985 Sawburg Ave, Alliance, OH
Directions

Insurances accepted

AultCare Corporation

Ohio Eye Alliance

Alliance, OH

Ohio Eye Alliance

Canfield, OH

Ohio Eye Alliance

Canton, OH

About

Bio

Dr. Richard Lehrer earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Brandeis University and his medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in 1988. He pursued his postgraduate career with a fellowship in glaucoma at Tufts Medical Center in Boston and completed his residency in Ophthalmology at the Scheie Eye Institute of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He then completed fellowship training in Cornea and Glaucoma at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Dr. Lehrer established his practice with Ohio Eye Alliance in 1993, where he is currently the Director of Glaucoma Services, with offices in Canton, Alliance and Canfield Ohio. He serves on the medical staffs of Alliance Community Hospital where he served as past president of the medical staff and past chair of surgery, and Surgery Alliance where he is the medical director. He is also on staff at Aultman Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, Summa – Akron City Hospital, and the Southwoods Hospital in Boardman. In addition to keeping up with the latest glaucoma surgical and diagnostic techniques, he is also an experienced cataract and intraocular lens implant and corneal transplant surgeon. He has been the first glaucoma specialist in NE Ohio to perform new and innovative surgeries such as Viscocanalostomy, AquaFlowTM, Ex‑PressTM Shunt, Canaloplasty and iStentTM. Dr. Lehrer has been involved in ophthalmic and neurological research since 1984 and continues to maintain an interest in teaching, having distinguished himself with six faculty appointments from 1983 through the present. He is co-author of numerous original research papers and delivers many ophthalmology lectures throughout the United States. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Ohio State University and at NEOMED in Rootstown. He serves as Course Director for Schlemm’s Canal (Advanced Glaucoma) Surgery at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting. He is also a regular speaker on Advanced Glaucoma Surgery at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery national meetings. Dr. Lehrer has also been invited to speak and present at the American Glaucoma Society annual meetings. He is dedicated to sight preservation and is a member of the Jackson Township Lions Club and serves as surgical advisor to the Melvin Jones District 13-D Lions Eye Foundation and is the Lions District 1 3-D Chairman for Sight Conservation. He also is a consultant for the The Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired.

Specialties
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.

Glaucoma

Cataract Surgery

Cornea

Ophthalmology

Doctor Q&A

59 Answers
19 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Yes: Many studies have examined this. Risk factors are elevated intraocular pressure, thin corneas, suspicious appearing optic nerves and positive family h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 58-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Yes: Many glaucoma specialists will recommend slt laser as first line treatment in appropriate patients.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Likely sinus probs: The eye sockets are surrounded by sinuses. When planes change pressure, sinuses need to change pressure too. If the sinus is blocked, pressure is uneq... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Sometimes: It depends on the focusing of your eyes with your lens implants. Many patients now are able to achieve freedom from glasses or contact lenses with mo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Vision loss: Blurriness can also be caused by extremely high eye pressure and corneal edema, inflammation, side effects from medications or surgery. If your visio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
No: Alphagan or brimonidine drops are a in a class of drugs known as alpha-agonists. In normal adults, this drug does not cross the blood-brain barrier a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
2 different things: There are many types of cataract. Posterior subcapsular cataract refers to cloudiness on the back part of the lens just under the capsule. This may ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Usually Surgery: Most cases of congenital glaucoma will ultimately require surgery either by a pediatric ophthalmologist or glaucoma specialist. Sometimes medications... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 38-year-old male asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Usually not: Most of the time patients have very little discomfort after surgery. Sometimes there is occasional sensation like an eyelash in the eye.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 55-year-old male asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Blink: If the eye is extremely irritated, can try artificial tears or gentle sterile eye wash. If irritation persists after another hour, i would recommend ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
What type?: With most types of glaucoma, vision loss can be prevented. This requires constant surveillance by your eye specialist. Depending on type and severity,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 69-year-old male asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
There are many types: Glaucoma surgery can be done when medical and laser treatment are ineffective. Please see your ophthalmologist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Need to see your doc: Changes in the cornea can occur after an abrasion. Only your eye doctor can examine this under the microscope (slit lamp) to determine whether your e... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Depends: In the general population of us adults over 40, about 1%. As your age your risk increases. If you have a family history or are in a high risk populati... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Prostaglandin Analog: Latanoprost is the first pga that was approved for treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. First released as Xalatan (latanoprost) but is now ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Prostaglandin Analog: Latanoprost is the first pga that was approved for treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. First released as Xalatan (latanoprost) but is now g... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Many Factors: Many studies have examined this. Risk factors are elevated intraocular pressure, thin corneas, suspicious appearing optic nerves and positive family h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Usually not measured: When laser eye surgery is done in an office setting, blood pressure is usually not measured unless the surgeon is concerned about it. In that case, i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Different techniques: In refractive surgery such as lasik, a flap is created in the cornea prior to the vision correction with laser. There are 2 ways to make the flap: wi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
It is possible: Modern cataract surgery can correct farsightedness and presbyopia. You should discuss these lens implant options with your surgeon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Suspicious Exam: Unfortunately, in the most common glaucoma called open angle glaucoma, there are no symptoms until the disease becomes advanced. About half of people ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Many Factors: Many studies have examined this. Risk factors are elevated intraocular pressure, thin corneas, suspicious appearing optic nerves and positive family h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
None: No glaucoma drops have to be taken at night. Most doctors prescribe prostaglandin analog drops in the evening or at bedtime based on original studies ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 59-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Every Eye Differs: While most patients are controlled with drops and laser, not all are. When medicines and laser are inadequate, surgery is usually required.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Not always related: You need to see your eye doctor. Vision and eye pressure do not always correlate. Vision in glaucoma does not usually worsen until it becomes quite ad... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Sometimes: Sometimes these are hereditary or sporadic conditions.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
No: Pressure in the eye is independent of sinus congestion and independent of blood pressure.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 59-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
New Class of Drug: Rock inhibitors or rho-kinase inhibitors are currently under investigation for glaucoma therapy by at least 2 pharma companies. They show promise in ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 60-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
It depends: Sometimes, despite iridotomies, the angle may remain narrow and any drugs that cause pupil dilation, either systemic or nasal spray, can increase angl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 75-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Depends: Many antidepressants are in the category of tricyclics and others which can cause worsening of narrow angle glaucoma. It is important to check with y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Depends: Surgeons may charge anywhere fro $800 per eye to $4000 per eye depending on your local market and the surgeon. Look for an experienced surgeon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
No: Glaucoma is a condition where there is damage to the optic nerve which can lead to blindness, sometimes associated with elevated eye pressure. There a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Usually: As long as you are waiting at least 5-10 minutes after your glaucoma drops. Otherwise you may be rinsing out medication. Make sure you don't use "red ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
See your doctor: While these tests are useful in helping your doctor diagnose glaucoma, the test will not make the diagnosis. You still need to have visual field testi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 58-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
No problem: As long as you use the drops at about the same time daily, that should be just fine. I even have some patients use the drops in the am because they fo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 58-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Hard to tell: In most states you only need one eye to drive legally. Before signs of standard visual field damage occurs, 50% of the nerve may be lost. Studies have... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 30-year-old male asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Sounds like cataract: Any time there are opacities in the lens it may be called a cataract. There are many types of cataracts, some focal and small opacities, some diffuse... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Common Problem: Eyelid twitching or "orbicularis myokymia" is usually a short term issue lasting 2 weeks and is benign. If twitching persists, you should see your ey... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Depends which part: Brown areas on the eye can be benign or suspicious for malignancy. Any new dark or brown areas of the eye should be examined by your eye doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 59-year-old male asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
It is possible: Some of the newer toric lens implants have a light yellow tint which is designed to reduce glare. If the other eye has a clear lens implant some pati... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Surgery: Many different types of eyedrops and vitamins have been tried in many studies to reduce cataract. To my knowledge, they have not shown to reduce cata... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Probably not: Sounds like sinus issues. I would recomment that you see your physician.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Sounds like Dry eye: Try using artificial tears especially before the irritation starts. Avoid smoke, wind on eyes, take breaks while reading or using the computer. If n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 59-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Yes, once healed: The trabectome procedure, unlike a trabeculectomy does not produce a bleb as the entire procedure is done internally, inside the eye with no external ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 61-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
No sure what you mea: Sounds like your mom may need surgery with a glaucoma specialist. Please see one asap. To find a glaucoma specialist near you i would recommend the a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
It depends: Depends on the severity of glaucoma, control of pressure, age ... There is not one correct answer. For some patients yearly is enough, for others, m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
It is possible: While some glaucoma medications, especially in the category of beta-blockers, may have heart rhythm side effects, the majority do not. I would recomm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Aka Angle Closure: Most glaucomas have no symptoms until they become severe. In acute angle closure there may be pain, blurred vision and redness. This is caused by a ra... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 61-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Yes: It is possible that when your pars planitis was active, you had elevated pressure and damage to the nerve. Inflammatory disorders can also cause opti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Lehrer
Glaucoma 35 years experience
Not usually related: Astigmastism usually applies to the shape or curvature of the front of the eye or cornea. It is usually correctable with glasses, contacts or refract... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Testimonials
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.

5
Recommendations
149
Thank you notes
Mar 30, 2013
A very compassionate and qualified surgeon. At the top of the list.
I highly recommend Dr Lehrer! He is a superb surgeon!!
Jun 22, 2013
Great responses. Very accurate.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I got my BP checked & its 144/80,..if you have any more suggestions that'll be great..thanks again!
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! And your answer was very helpful. Thank you so much once again.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Share thanks in your own words...

Education & Training

Medical/Graduate school

Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY
Graduated 1988MD

Residency

Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania

Awards

AAO Honor Award
AAO Lifetime Learning Achievement
Most Influential, Third Place, Canton, OH - Winter
2013

Affiliations

American Glaucoma Society
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
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