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The Benefits of Multifocal Contact Lenses

Reading the small print becomes a challenge when presbyopia changes your ability to focus on nearby objects. The age-related eye condition happens when the lens inside your eye becomes less flexible, making it harder to see close objects clearly. If you're already nearsighted or farsighted, a presbyopia diagnosis used to mean wearing trifocals, bifocals, or progressive eyeglass lenses. Luckily, that changed with the introduction of multifocal contact lenses that provide clear vision at any distance.
 

How Multifocal Contact Lenses Work

Multifocal lenses feature several different vision zones in one contact lens, allowing for clear vision near, far, and in-between. When you switch your focus from the traffic light several car lengths away to the dashboard in front of you, your vision seamlessly transitions from far to near.

Concentric multifocal lenses have alternating bands of near and far lens powers, while the center of the aspheric multifocal lens contains one power that gradually strengthens or weakens over the surface of the lens. A segmented, or translating, multifocal lens contains two distinct lens powers, just like bifocal eyeglass lenses. These gas-permeable lenses are made of rigid plastic, while the concentric and aspheric lenses use soft plastics.

Multifocal contacts are available in disposable, daily-wear and extended-wear lenses. Although they're frequently prescribed for people who have presbyopia in addition to other refractive errors, like nearsightedness or farsightedness, multi-focal lenses can be worn by people of any age.
 

7 Advantages of Multifocal Contact Lenses

Multifocal contact lenses offer several benefits that may make them a good choice for you, including:

• No Need for Glasses. You won't need to rely on reading glasses to decipher labels or instructions when you opt for multifocal contact lenses. Scratched or fogged eyeglass lenses, and painful earpieces or nose pads won't be problems either. Of course, you should keep a pair of backup eyeglasses on hand for those times when you aren't wearing your contact lenses. Be sure to follow your optometrist's recommendations for maximum contact lens wear times.

• No More Head Tilting. When you use progressive eyeglass lenses, trifocal, or bifocals, seeing well often involves moving your head slightly to correspond with the specific vision power you need for a task. Since multifocal contact lenses adjust automatically, you'll no longer have to tilt your head to see clearly. That may seem like a minor benefit, but it's a big advantage if you happen to have arthritis in your neck.

• Better Vision. Since multifocal lenses don't have abrupt shifts in lens powers, you may notice that everything looks sharper and clearer.

• A Good Option for Astigmatism. Were you told that multifocal lenses weren't right for you because of your astigmatism? Recent advances in multifocal lens technology mean that people with astigmatism can now take advantage of the many benefits of multifocal contact lenses.

• Better Sports Performance. Multifocal lenses help you see the field, court, track, or your opponents clearly, no matter the distance. They can be paired with sports goggles to offer excellent vision when you're participating in your favorite activity or sport.

• Good Depth Perception. Poor depth perception can be an issue with progressive eyeglass lenses, especially during the transition period when you're getting used to them. Multifocal contact lenses make it a little easier for the brain to combine and process the information it receives from your eyes while using this type of lens.

• Slower Progression of Myopia. Wearing multifocal lenses could slow the rate of myopia (nearsightedness) in children. When researchers evaluated the differences between wearing high- and medium-power lenses, they discovered that high-power lenses slowed the myopia progression rate significantly compared to medium-power lenses. Their study, which was published in JAMA in 2020, focused on children aged 7 to 11.
   

Would you like to find out if multifocal contact lenses are a good choice for you? Contact our office to schedule an appointment with the optometrist.
 

Sources:

JAMA: Effect of High Add Power, Medium Add Power, or Single-Vision Contact Lenses on Myopia Progression in Children: The BLINK Randomized Clinical Trial, 8/11/2020

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2769263

Optometry Times: 4 Ways to Maximize Success with Multifocal Contact Lenses, 6/23/2022

https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/4-ways-to-maximize-success-with-multifocal-contact-lenses

All About Vision: Multifocal Contact Lenses for Presbyopia, 2/27/2019

https://www.allaboutvision.com/over40/multifocalcls.htm

Modern Optometry: Myopia Control with Multifocal Contact Lenses, May/June/2020

https://modernod.com/articles/2020-may-june/myopia-control-with-multifocal-contact-lenses?c4src=article:infinite-scroll

Why You Should Wear Sunglasses in the Winter

Sunglasses aren't just a summer fashion accessory. The tinted lenses protect your eyes from the damaging rays of the sun no matter what the season. In fact, wearing sunglasses during the winter could reduce your risk of several common eye diseases.
 

Sun Exposure Affects Your Eyes Year-Round

When it's cold and windy outside, sun damage is probably the last thing you're worried about. UVA light damages the skin and eyes, although it can't be seen or felt. Two types of ultraviolet light rays, ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB), can cause eye disease or conditions ranging from cataracts to cancer. UVA and UVB rays aren't just a problem during sunny days. The rays also affect your skin and eyes on cloudy days.

Shielding your eyes from the harmful effects of the sun is a simple way to protect your eyes and prevent vision changes. Specially tinted sunglass lenses block UVA and UVB light, preventing it from entering your eyes.
 

3 Eye Conditions Caused by Sun Exposure

If you don't protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses, you may be more likely to develop one of these eye conditions:

• Dry Eye. A layer of tears constantly covers the eyes, keeping them moist and lubricated. Exposure to sun and wind, whether on a sunny summer day or a cloudy winter day, may cause tears to evaporate too quickly causing painfully dry eyes.

• Sunburned Corneas: Have your eyes ever felt sore after shoveling snow or spending the day on the ski slopes? You may have photokeratitis, a condition that occurs when the clear corneal tissue that covers your iris and pupil becomes sunburned. Snow reflects sunlight, which increases your risk for developing photokeratitis. Spending time around fresh snow doubles your sun exposure, according to the World Health Association.

• Growths. Sun exposure may also cause bumpy growths on your sclera, the white part of your eyes. Called pterygium, these growths usually aren't a cause for concern unless they grow over your cornea and affect your vision. Pinguecula, another sun-related condition, occur when raised yellow growths appear on the whites of your eyes.
   

Want to Avoid These Serious Eye Diseases? Start Wearing Sunglasses Now

Exposure to UV light may be a factor in cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and cancer. These diseases take years to develop and can be affected by other factors in addition to the sun. Although you may not always be able to prevent one of these eye diseases, you can reduce your risk by wearing sunglasses every day of the year.

Cataracts happen when the clear lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. Removal of the lens and replacement with an artificial lens implant is the only way to improve your vision if you have cataracts. In addition to causing cloudy or blurry vision, cataracts make colors look faded, worsen glare, and make night driving difficult.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs when cells begin to die in the macula, the center part of the retina. The retina captures light, interprets that light, and sends impulses to the brain, which processes and stores them as images. AMD causes blurry vision or a blind spot in your central vision.

Cancer on your eyelids or in your eye may also be a hazard of sun exposure. The American Cancer Society expected almost 3,500 cases of cancer affecting the eye or orbit (the structures around the eye) to be diagnosed in 2023.

Protect your eyes from the harmful effects of the sun. Follow the American Optometric Association's advice and wear sunglasses that block 100% UVA and UVB, in addition to scheduling regular visits with the optometrist. Need to make an appointment? Contact our office to schedule your visit.
 

Sources:

World Health Association: Radiation: Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation, 3/9/2016

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-ultraviolet-(uv)

American Cancer Society: Key Statistics for Eye Cancer, 1/12/2023

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/eye-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation and Sun Exposure, 7/6/2023

https://www.epa.gov/radtown/ultraviolet-uv-radiation-and-sun-exposure

American Optometric Association: Ultraviolet (UV) Protection

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/uv-protection?sso=y

Could Ocular Migraines Be Responsible for Temporary Vision Changes?

Ocular migraines, also called retinal migraines, cause temporary vision loss and changes in your vision. Although the symptoms don't last long, ocular migraines can be frightening, particularly if you've never experienced these visual symptoms before.
 

What Happens During an Ocular Migraine?

During an ocular migraine, you might notice a blind spot in your central vision, see flashing or twinkling lights, notice a change in your peripheral (side) vision, or experience temporary blindness. In most cases, ocular migraines only last an hour or less, although permanent vision loss can happen in rare cases. The vision changes occur in one eye and happen due to a temporary reduction in blood flow to the retina at the back of the eye.

The retina serves as the processing center for the eye and changes light rays into electrical signals. The brain uses the information contained in the signals to produce images. When blood flow in the retina is restricted, the brain may not receive complete information from the eyes. As a result, you may notice vision loss or disturbances during an ocular migraine. You may get a headache about an hour after the vision symptoms occur, although it's possible to experience an ocular migraine without a headache.

You're more likely to develop ocular migraines if you have a family history of migraine, are female, or are between the ages of 30 and 39, according to the American Optometric Association.
 

What Should I Do if I Experience Ocular Migraine Symptoms?

Sudden changes in vision can also occur if you have glaucoma or other serious eye diseases. If you haven't been diagnosed with ocular migraines and suddenly experience a loss of vision, call your optometrist immediately or go to the emergency room.

If you have been diagnosed with ocular migraines, the changes to your vision should improve soon. Your doctor may prescribe medications that prevent migraines, which can reduce the number of retinal migraines you experience.

Avoiding migraine triggers can also be helpful. In fact, the same things that cause classic migraines may also trigger retinal migraines. These include:

• Foods and Drinks. Some people have more migraines after eating chocolate or drinking wine or caffeinated beverages, while others aren't affected by foods and drinks. If you notice that a particular food or beverage triggers your retinal migraines, avoiding it could reduce the number of migraines you get.

• Stress. Exercise, meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and making time for fun can lower stress and anxiety and help keep your retinal migraines under control.

• Bright Lights. Eighty percent of migraine patients have photophobia (light sensitivity), according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Any type of light can trigger migraines, including sunlight and light from digital screens. Overhead lights, particularly flickering fluorescent lights, may also cause migraines. The American Migraine Foundation suggests wearing sunglasses inside and outside if you're sensitive to light. Yellow, orange, or red tinted lenses can be helpful if blue light from screens is a problem, according to the Foundation.

• Eyestrain. Eyestrain may also be a contributing factor in migraines. Taking frequent breaks when reading or viewing digital screens can help you avoid eyestrain.

• Smoking. Smoking or the smell of smoke can trigger migraines and make them worse. Any product that contains nicotine, whether it's a cigarette, vape cartridge, or cigar, may cause migraines. If you've been thinking about quitting smoking, now is the perfect time to give up the habit.

• Other Triggers. Other migraine triggers include high blood pressure, exercise, dehydration, and high blood pressure. If you're female, you may have noticed that you experience migraines more often during your period or shortly before it starts.
   

What's the Difference Between Retinal Migraines and Migraines with Auras?

Although both types of migraine cause vision disturbances, migraines with auras start in the brain and usually affect both eyes. In contrast, retinal migraines start in your eye and only affect one eye.

An aura is a set of symptoms you may experience an hour before a migraine starts. Migraines with aura symptoms can include blind spots, colorful stars or jagged lines, flashing lights, numbness, tingling, trouble speaking, or muscle weakness. Avoiding triggers and taking over-the-counter or prescription medication can also be helpful if you have migraine with aura.

Any change in your vision should be evaluated as soon as possible. If you've experienced vision loss or vision disturbances, even if the symptoms were only temporary, contact our office.
 

Sources:

American Optometric Association: Ocular Migraines

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/ocular-migraine?sso=y

American Migraine Foundation: Photophobia (Light Sensitivity) and Migraine, 12/21/2017

https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/photophobia-migraine/

American Academy of Ophthalmology: Eye Net: Photophobia: Looking for Causes and Solutions, November/December 2005

https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/photophobia-looking-causes-solutions

All About Vision: Ocular Migraines, 5/12/2023

https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/ocular-migraine.htm

StatPearls: Retinal Migraine Headache, 6/26/2023

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507725

How Your Environment Affects Your Eyewear Choice

Imagine wearing a rain coat every day of the year, no matter what the weather conditions are. Although you'd be appropriately dressed for rainy days, your coat wouldn't do much to protect you from the bitter cold during the winter and would be much too hot on a balmy summer day. The same principal applies to your eyewear. Matching your eyewear with your environment could help you avoid irritation or injuries.
 

Spending Time Outdoors on a Sunny Day?

Sun protection is essential 365 days of the year. Although the sun's rays aren't as intense during the winter or on cloudy days, ultraviolet (UV) light can still damage your eyes. Long-term exposure to UV light may increase your risk for cataract development, macular degeneration, and skin cancer. Sunglasses keep your eyes moister on hot days and protect your eyes from sand and other airborne debris on windy days.

Polarized sunglasses reduce glare and improve contrast. They're a good choice for anyone but can be particularly helpful if you spend a lot of time in the snow or sand. Both surfaces reflect light, intensifying the effects of the sun. Wearing sunglasses can also help you avoid photokeratitis, sunburn that affects the eyes.

Do you wear contact lenses? Some lens manufacturers offer styles that offer protection against UV light. Because the lenses don't completely cover the eyes, you'll still need to wear sunglasses for maximum protection.

If you normally wear prescription eyeglasses outdoors, talk to your optometrist about prescription sunglasses or goggles. They're available in many styles and protect your eyes from the sun while offering clear, crisp vision.
 

Do You Work Around Dust and Debris?

Prescription or non-prescription safety goggles or glasses are a must if you spend any time around dust, debris, or chemicals. Eye protection is equally important if you're at work, mowing your lawn, or sanding an old door. If there's any possibility that a task that could produce airborne debris, put on your safety specs.
 

Staying Safe from Pollution and Smoke

Air pollution triggers air quality alerts throughout the year in every state in the US. Pollution and smoke travel on wind currents and even affect those who don't live in a major city or near a manufacturing plant. In addition to drying and irritating your eyes, pollution could increase your risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology. AMD affects your central vision and can cause blind spots or blurry vision.

Keep an eye on the air quality index for your area, available on weather websites, and plan accordingly. If the index is high, stay indoors if you can. If not, wear sunglasses or goggles when you're out and use lubricating eyedrops to moisten your eyes.

Every summer, one or more areas of the US are affected by wildfire smoke. Smoke causes breathing difficulties and irritates your eyes. After spending time outdoors, your eyes may burn and itch and look red. If you must go outside when the air is smoky, put on a pair of goggles or wraparound sunglasses.

Leave your contact lenses in their case on smoky days. Sooty debris can become trapped under your lenses, irritating your eyes.
 

In the Water

Goggles (either prescription or non-prescription) are a good choice if you plan to spend the day at the beach or pool. The eyewear stops bacteria from entering your eyes and prevents eye irritation from salt and chlorine.

Do you wear your contact lenses at the beach? That's not a good idea, according to the American Optometric Association. Germs in the water can stick to your contacts, causing a serious eye infection. In fact, it's not a good idea to expose your contacts to water at all, whether it's in the shower, hot tub, ocean, lake, stream, or pool.
 

On a Plane

Low humidity in airplanes may make your skin and eyes feel dry. Bring artificial tears or lubricating eye drops in your carry on bag and use them often during your flight. Tempted to wear your contact lenses when you fly? Unfortunately, contact lenses dry out quickly when you're in the air. Wear your glasses or bring rewetting solution to use throughout the flight.

Is it time to update your eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions or upgrade your eyewear? Contact our office to make your appointment with the eye doctor.
 

Sources:

American Optometric Association: Environments

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/vision-and-vision-correction/environments?sso=y

All About Vision: Wildfire Smoke and Your Eyes, 11/5/2019

https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-care/wildfire-smoke-and-vision/

British Journal of Ophthalmology: Association of Ambient Air Pollution with Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Retinal Thickness in the UK, 5/2022

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33495162/

National Eye Institute: Protecting Your Eye from the Sun’s UV Light?, 7/5/2022

https://www.nei.nih.gov/about/news-and-events/news/protecting-your-eyes-suns-uv-light

Is Your Prescription Up-to-Date? What You Need to Know About When and Why You Should See Your Optometrist

Walking out of the optometrist's office with a new pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses is literally an eye-opening experience. The world around you no longer looks fuzzy, and the words on your digital screens suddenly become crisp and clear. Like many people, you may have waited longer than necessary to see the eye doctor in the past. So how often should you pay a visit to the optometrist?
 

When to Schedule a Vision Checkup

The American Optometric Association offers several age-related recommendations for eye exams, including:

• Once at 6 to 12 Months of Age

• At Least One Exam Between Ages 3 - 5

• Just Before Starting First Grade

• Every Year Between 6 - 17

• Every Two Years for People 18 - 64

• Every Year for People 65 and Older
   

Keep in mind that these are just general recommendations. You may need to see the optometrist more often due to:

• Blurry Vision. If things start to look a little blurry, don't wait for your next checkup to see the eye doctor. Although your eyesight usually becomes more stable when you're an adult, you may still experience vision changes that happen well before your next regular eye exam. Prescription changes are particularly common in children. In fact, your son or daughter's vision may change more than once during some years.

• Pain or Sudden Vision Issues. If your eye hurts or you notice a sudden change in your vision, let your eye doctor know. Call your optometrist immediately or go to the emergency room if your vision suddenly becomes blurry, your eye is extremely painful, or you notice dark or blank spots in your vision. If you have a serious eye condition or disease, such as a detached retina or angle-closure glaucoma, prompt treatment will help protect your eyesight.

• An Eye Injury. Don't wait to see if your eye gets better on its own. Call your eye doctor and ask if you need to be seen if you've poked, punctured, or cut your eye, or came in contact with chemicals. Delaying treatment could result in partial or complete vision loss in some cases.

• A Dwindling Supply of Contact Lenses or A Desire for New Eyeglasses. Prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses are only good for one year. If you're running low on contacts, or you'd like to try a new frame style, you'll need to schedule an appointment with the optometrist.

• Eye Disease. Your eye doctor may need to see you more frequently if you have an eye disease, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma or macular degeneration,

• A Family History of Eye Disease. If others in your family have an eye disease, you may be at increased risk for developing the same disease. Regular eye exams make it possible to detect early changes and start treatment as soon as possible.
   

Other Reasons to See the Eye Doctor

You may also need to visit the optometrist if you:

• Find It Hard to Read the Small Print. After age 40, most people develop presbyopia, an age-related refractive error that makes it difficult to see close objects clearly. Presbyopia happens when the lens in your eye becomes less flexible and can't adjust as quickly when you shift your focus from far to near objects. Fortunately, reading glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery like LASIK will help you see clearly once again.

• Participate in Sports. Sports goggles protect your eyes from injury when playing sports or swimming. If you normally wear corrective lenses, ask your eye doctor about fitting you with a pair of prescription goggles. In addition to providing clear vision, prescription goggles are shatterproof and can be tinted to reduce glare or enhance contrast.

• Use Computers. Eyestrain, a common complaint among people who use digital devices, causes blurred vision, dry eyes, headaches, and neck and shoulder pain. According to a Vision Council survey, almost 60% percent of American report at least one symptom of digital eyestrain. If eyestrain is a problem for you, wearing computer glasses can be helpful. The glasses provide clear vision at the optimal viewing distance for your screen and reduce glare and blue light transmission.
   

Do you need to pay a visit to the optometrist? Call us to schedule a convenient appointment.
 

Sources:

American Optometric Association: Comprehensive Eye Exams

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/eye-exams?sso=y

Vision Council: Vision Council Shines Light on Protecting Sight – And Health – in a Multi-Screen Era, 1/7/2019

https://thevisioncouncil.org/blog/vision-council-shines-light-protecting-sight-and-health-multi-screen-era

All About Vision: Questions to Ask Your Eye Doctor, 1/21

https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-exam/ask-my-eye-doctor/

American Academy of Ophthalmology: What Is Presbyopia?, 1/7/2019

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-presbyopia

This entails a wall-mounted square board with a starburst design. Along the various striations of the starburst are lighted buttons. As the buttons light up, the patient works quickly to see how many of these lit buttons they can push before they go out. The key is to keep the head still. Peripheral vision can be enhanced by having the individual look at the center of the board and use only their peripheral vision to locate the lights. Saccadic fixators are employed by optometrists to test, evaluate and develop eye-hand coordination, reaction times and spatial integration. This works best for patients who have problems with eye movements, hand-eye coordination and peripheral vision.

Frequently Asked Questions About Glaucoma

Are you at risk for vision loss due to glaucoma? The eye disease affects more than three million Americans, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), and often has no symptoms initially.
 

What Is Glaucoma?

Aqueous humor, the clear fluid that fills the center part of your eye, creates pressure that helps your eye maintain its rounded shape. Unfortunately, sometimes the pressure inside your eye becomes too high.

If you have glaucoma, damage to your optic nerve can occur if the pressure remains high for too long. The optic nerve, the pathway between the eye and the brain, is essential for good vision. When the nerve is damaged, electrical impulses from the eye never reaches the brain, and vision loss occurs.
 

What Are the Types of Glaucoma?

Primary open-angle glaucoma and acute angle-closure glaucoma are the two most common forms of glaucoma. Pressure increases gradually in open-angle glaucoma, due to blockages in the eye's drainage canals or excess production of aqueous humor.

Acute angle-closure glaucoma happens quickly and occurs when drainage channels become completely blocked, often by the iris (colored part of your eye). If this happens, you'll need emergency treatment to save your vision.
 

What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?

If you have primary open-angle glaucoma, you probably won't notice any vision changes at first. In fact, you may not even be aware that you have an eye disease if you don't visit your eye doctor for annual vision exams. As the disease worsens, your peripheral (side) vision may be damaged, causing tunnel vision. You may also notice blurry vision.

Acute angle-closure glaucoma does cause noticeable, severe symptoms, which may include:

• Blurred Vision

• Severe Eye Pain

• Redness

• Halos Around Lights

• Bad Headache

• Nausea and Vomiting
   

If you have these symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately. Quick treatment is essential to protect your eyesight.
 

Are There Any Glaucoma Risk Factors?

Although anyone can get glaucoma, several factors can increase your risk, including:

• Chronic Diseases. High blood pressure, diabetes, sickle cell anemia or heart disease can increase your chances of being diagnosed with glaucoma.

• Age. People 60 and over are most likely to develop glaucoma.

• Ethnicity. Native Alaskans and people of Asian, Hispanic or African descent have a higher-than-normal glaucoma risk. If you're African American, your risk rises after age 40, according to the GRF.

• Nearsighted. Being extremely nearsighted raises your glaucoma risk.

• Family History. If a close family member has had glaucoma, you automatically have a higher risk.

• Injuries or Surgery. Eye surgery or an eye injury or infection may make it easier to develop glaucoma.

• Long-Term Steroid Use. People who have taken steroids for a long time or take high doses may be more likely to be diagnosed with glaucoma, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Steroid use can be a factor in increased eye pressure.

• Eye Irregularities. Narrow angles between your iris and cornea (the clear, rounded tissue over your iris) could lead to fluid blockages. In some cases, part of the iris covers drainage channels, causing pressure to rise. Abnormalities in your corneas or optic nerves might also increase the likelihood of developing glaucoma.
   

What Treatments Are Available?

Primary open-angle glaucoma is usually treated with prescription eye drops that improve fluid drainage and lower the pressure inside your eye. Sometimes, pills are also used to lower eye pressure.

If you have acute angle-closure glaucoma, you'll also receive eye drops designed to decrease eye pressure. Your eye doctor may use a laser to create a tiny hole in your iris to improve drainage or might use surgery to move part of the iris away from drainage channels.
 

How Can I Reduce My Risk of Developing Glaucoma?

Following these recommendations may help you lower your glaucoma risk:

• Keep Chronic Health Conditions Under Control

• Quit Smoking

• Eat a Healthy Diet, Lose Excess Weight, and Exercise Often

• Wear Sunglasses Year-Round

• Use Goggles or Eye Protection When Playing Sports, Mowing the Lawn or Working with Hazardous Substances
   

It's also important to visit your optometrist every year, even if you don't notice any changes in your vision. During a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor can spot early signs of the disease and start treatment to help you avoid vision loss.

Is it time to schedule your next eye exam? Call our office to make an appointment with the optometrist.
 

SourcAes:

Glaucoma Research Foundation: Glaucoma Facts and Stats, 2/28/2022

https://glaucoma.org/glaucoma-facts-and-stats/

Glaucoma Research Foundation: African Americans and Glaucoma, 2/28/2022

https://glaucoma.org/african-americans-and-glaucoma/

American Academy of Ophthalmology: 10 Things to Do Today to Prevent Vision Loss from Glaucoma

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/easy-steps-to-prevent-vision-loss-from-glaucoma

National Eye Institute: Glaucoma, 4/21/2022

https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma

American Optometric Association: Glaucoma

https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/glaucoma

Don't Overindulge This Holiday Season - Your Eyes Will Thank You

Your waistline isn't the only thing that may change if you enjoy too many holiday treats. Eating unhealthy foods could also affect your eyesight.
 

Why Healthy Eating Is Important for Good Vision

Need another reason to embrace healthy eating this holiday season? The foods you eat could lower your risk of developing several eye diseases and conditions that may cause vision loss.

Fats, carbohydrates, cholesterol, and sodium are essential for good health, yet eating too many of these nutrients, or eating unhealthy forms, increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, and obesity. Unfortunately many holiday foods, including appetizers, cakes, cookies, pies and casseroles, contain sugar, unhealthy carbohydrates and fats, or high sodium. Overindulging in these foods can increase your risk of:

• Diabetic Retinopathy. Foods high in sugar and carbohydrates increase your risk of developing diabetes and diabetic retinopathy, a disease that can affect people who have diabetes.

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). AMD damages cells in the macula, the central part of the retina. Damage to the macula means that electrical impulses sent from this part of the retina never reach the brain. As a result, blind spots or blurry vision affect the center part of your vision. Although macular degeneration is often related to aging, a poor diet can also be a factor.

• Central Retinal Artery Occlusion. This serious eye condition happens when an artery in the eye becomes clogged with clotted blood or cholesterol. Eating too many fatty foods increases your chance of developing high cholesterol and hardening of the arteries, conditions that increase your risk of central retinal artery occlusion.

• Other Eye Conditions. Health conditions caused by poor eating habits may also raise your risk of glaucoma, cataracts and optic nerve damage.
   

Choosing the Best Foods for Your Eyes

Many of the same foods that are essential for a healthy lifestyle are also good for your eyes. If you'll be hosting a holiday meal or attending holiday parties this year, these tips will help you select eye-healthy foods:

• Stay Away from Trans and Saturated Fats. Many tasty foods, including baked goods, potato chips, red meat, full-fat dairy products, fried food, fast food, and processed and prepared foods, contain trans and saturated fats. These fats are also found in butter, lard, shortening, coconut oil, and stick margarine. Eating too many of these fats increases your risk of high cholesterol and the health problems that can come with it.

• Use Healthier Fats Instead. Foods made with polyunsaturated or monosaturated fats offer a better choice. Use healthier canola or olive oils when you prepare your holiday feast instead of butter or margarine. If you'll be baking holiday treats, use skim or low-fat dairy products and replace some of the fats with pureed fruit.

• Fill Up with Fruits and Vegetables. When you nibble on fruits and vegetables, you won't have much room for foods high in unhealthy fats, sugar, sodium or carbohydrates. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), foods that contain vitamin C, like tomatoes, strawberries, citrus fruits, and green peppers, may reduce your cataract risk and slow AMD.

• Make Eye-Healthy Foods the Focus of Holiday Meals. Swap fatty and/or salty foods, like bacon, hot dogs, and red meat, for healthier selections. Salmon, herring, tuna, mackerel, walnuts, canola oil, and fortified milk and juice are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These acids help keep your eyes moist and may offer some protection against macular degeneration and glaucoma, according to All About Vision.

• Go Low Carb. Carbohydrates found in white flour, bread, rice, cookies, cakes, and pasta are converted into sugar by your body. In addition to increasing your diabetes risk, eating too many sugary or high-carb foods can lead to weight gain. Carbs found in whole-grain flour, bread and pasta offer a healthier choice. Other good sources of healthier carbohydrates include sweet potatoes, lentils, quinoa, brown rice, oats, chickpeas, black beans, apples, pears, blueberries, bananas, beets, and low-fat milk.

• Start Small. Once you fill your plate with food, you may feel guilty if you don't finish every morsel, even if you're full. Avoid that problem by using a smaller plate, or filling your plate half-full to avoid overeating. When you reach the dessert table, choose one cookie instead of three or opt for the smallest slice of cake or pie.
   

Do you have any concerns about your vision this holiday season? Contact our office to schedule a visit with our optometrist.
 

Sources:

National Institutes of Health: Omega-3 Fatty Acids, 7/18/2022

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/

All About Vision: Omega-3 and Your Eyes, 2/27/2019

https://www.allaboutvision.com/nutrition/fatty_acid_1.htm

American Optometric Association: Diet and Nutrition

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/diet-and-nutrition?sso=y

Are You Ready to Celebrate Healthy Vision Month?

Good vision is essential for everything you do from using the computer to playing or watching your favorite sport or TV show. Healthy Vision Month, an annual event held in May, encourages Americans to appreciate and safeguard their vision.
 

9 ways to protect your vision

Healthy Vision Month is the perfect time to take a look at your eye care habits and make a few changes. Following these tips will help you protect your vision and could even improve your eye health.

• Wear Sunglasses Year-Round: Sunglasses aren't just warm weather accessories. The sun emits ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays whether it's June or January. Exposure to UVA and UVB rays increases your risk of eye cancer, cataracts, and growths, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. For maximum protection, choose wraparound sunglasses that completely block sunlight from reaching your eyes.

• Put on Eye Protection: Safety glasses and goggles are a must when you're playing sports, working with power towels or are exposed to airborne debris. Eye protection helps you avoid injuries that could permanently or temporarily damage your vision. Unfortunately, eyeglasses or sunglasses don't offer enough protection, as small pieces of dust, metal, or other debris can enter your eyes through the gaps.

• Stop Smoking. Smoking increases your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.

• Keep Your Hands Clean. Wash your hands before you touch your eyes, particularly if you wear contact lenses. Germs can enter your eyes from your hands and cause serious eye infections. Washing offers a simple way to avoid painful infections.

• Follow Your Eye Doctor's Contact Lens Care Instructions: Improper handling of contact lenses is responsible for many contact lens-related infections. Reduce the risk of infection by only using commercially made cleaning and wetting solutions instead of saliva or water. Follow your eye doctor's cleaning instructions and make sure that the products you use are intended for the type of lenses you wear. Clean contact lens cases every day, and replace the cases every 3 months (sooner if they're damaged or contaminated.)

• Avoid Digital Eyestrain. Like most people, you probably couldn't imagine life without your digital devices. Although smartphones, tablets and laptops definitely make life easier, they can be hard on your eyes. People blink less when they look at digital screens, which can cause eyestrain. If you have eyestrain, you may experience sore eyes, headaches, dry eye and tearing. Prevent the problem by looking at an object 20 feet in the distance for 20 seconds every 20 minutes while you use digital devices.

• Improve Your Diet. Healthy eating helps every part of your body, including your eyes. Stay away from junk food, fried food and foods with empty calories. Instead, fill your plate with vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean meat, poultry or fish. Add a variety of eye-friendly foods, like leafy greens, carrots and orange vegetables, salmon, strawberries, citrus fruit, broccoli, sunflower seeds and beans.

• Don't Settle for Blurry Vision. Has the world started looking blurry later? There's no need to spend your days squinting when your eye doctor can prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses that provide crisp, clear vision.

• Schedule an Annual Exam. See your eye doctor every year for a comprehensive eye examination. When you're asked if you'd like your eyes to be dilated, be sure to answer "Yes!" Dilation makes it easier for your optometrist to view the retina and optic nerve at the back of your eye. Your visit also includes a test of the pressure inside your eye. High pressure causes an eye disease called glaucoma that can lead to permanent vision without prompt treatment.
   

Is it time for your next comprehensive eye exam? Contact us and we'll help you schedule a convenient appointment with the optometrist.
 

Sources:

American Academy of Ophthalmology: The Sun, UV Light and Your Eyes, 6/11/2020

Eatright: Foods for Eye Health, 1/7/2022

Bright Focus Foundation: The Dilated Eye Exam: Why It's So Important, 7/5/2021

A wandering eye is a type of eye condition known as strabismus or tropia, and it may be caused by damage to the retina or muscles that control the eye, stroke or brain injury, or an uncorrected refractive error like farsightedness. With a wandering eye, one eye deviates or wanders in a different direction when looking at an object.

What Causes a Wandering Eye?

The eyes contain muscles to which they are attached to, and these muscles receive signals from the brain that direct eye movement. Normally, the eyes work together so that they focus in the same direction at the same time. However, with a wandering eye, there is poor eye muscle control and one eye turns away from the object that the person is attempting to hone in on—either up, down, in or out. The eye that turns may do so all the time, or it may only do so at certain times, such as when the person is fatigued, sick or has overworked the eyes as a result of prolonged reading or staring at a computer. There are other cases where the eyes may alternate turning.

Because the eyes are misaligned, the brain receives a different image from each eye. While the brain will learn to ignore the image it gets from the wandering eye, if left untreated, lazy eye or amblyopia can present. This is characterized by a permanent reduction of vision in the traveling eye, and can lead to poor depth perception.

A wandering eye can be classified by the direction the eye turns:

• Inward (esotropia)

• Outward (exotropia)

• Downward (hypotropia)

• Upward (hypertropia)
   

It may also be classified in other ways:

• Alternating (the eye that turns alternates from left to right)

• Unilateral (always involves the same eye)

• Constant or intermittent (the regularity with which it occurs)
   

Testing and Treatment

To determine the classification, and in order to develop a treatment plan for a wandering eye, an optometrist will look at a number of factors to understand the cause of the condition, as well as how the eyes move and focus. This may include:

• Looking at the patient’s family history

• Reviewing the patient’s medical history

• Observing the external and internal structures of the turned eye

• Refraction – a string of lenses are put in front of the patient’s eyes and a handheld instrument with a light source is waved pass. This is done to gauge how the eyes focus and can conclude the lens power needed to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, astigmatism and farsightedness.

• Visual acuity – reading letters on distance or near reading charts to measure and estimate the amount of visual impairment

• Focusing and alignment testing to determine how well your eyes move, focus and work together.
   

Information gathered from these assessments will help your optometrist devise a treatment plan, which could consist of vision therapy, eyeglasses, prism or eye muscle surgery. If treated early, a wandering eye can be corrected and vision can be restored.