How CEENTA takes your eye care to the next level

At Charlotte Eye Ear Nose and Throat Associates, eye care goes far beyond your annual eye exam.

What you need to know: CEENTA's expert team offers comprehensive medical and surgical care for a variety of vision needs.

• CEENTA is the largest medical eye group in Charlotte, offering care in 13 locations.

Dr. Alexandra "Ola" Pietraszkiewicz is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in adult neuro-ophthalmology and cataract surgery at CEENTA's Belmont and Pineville locations.

• Dr. Pietraszkiewicz treats eye conditions related to the nervous system, such as double vision, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), optic neuropathies and blepharospasm.
• She also provides comprehensive adult eye care including cataract surgery, glaucoma and diabetic eye care.

Get to know Dr. Pietraszkiewicz — from her specialties to what she enjoys about living in Charlotte.

What brought you to the Charlotte region?

"I'm not a local, but I was drawn to Charlotte because it has everything you can find in a bigger city with a small-town feel and lots of green spaces — I moved here specifically to join CEENTA!"

Why did you choose your specialty?

"I chose neuro-ophthalmology because there's a huge need for neuro-ophthalmologists — and because it's interesting and rewarding."

The deets: "I split my clinic time between comprehensive ophthalmology and neuro-ophthalmology because cataract surgery is also very rewarding; I like helping patients with all sorts of different eye problems."

What conditions do you typically treat?

"I treat cataracts, optic neuropathies, blepharospasm, idiopathic intracranial hypertension and thyroid eye disease."

How common is thyroid eye disease, and how is it typically treated?

The background: "Thyroid eye disease is a rare autoimmune condition that occurs in some people with Graves' disease but can also occur in some cases of hypothyroidism or normal thyroid function."

• About one in every three people with Graves' disease develop eye symptoms, according to the American Thyroid Association.

An expert's take: "There are many different treatments for thyroid eye disease, depending on how it affects the eyes, but there's a relatively new infusion treatment that has transformed how we approach helping patients who develop significant orbital swelling and proptosis or bulging eyes."

What do you like to do in your free time?

"Explore the great outdoors around Charlotte and beyond, travel and spend time with my husband and dog!"

The takeaway: Your eye health is essential for your overall wellness.

Schedule an appointment with a specialist like Dr. Pietraszkiewicz or another provider.