Eyecare Insights

FAQ: Contact Lenses

2012-01-23T21:31:00.000-05:00

Do patients experience discomfort or pain when using contact lenses?Most first time wearers are surprised when they experience how properly fit contact lenses feel in their eyes. I recommend a trial period for first time contact lens wearers and these patients will often comment that after a few days of this initial adjustment period with a properly fit contact lens they no longer even feel the contact lens in their eyes. Can I wear contacts when I participate in sports?Absolutely, competitors in every area of athletics have discovered the advantages of wearing contact lenses. Unlike eyeglasses, contacts don't steam up from perspiration, don't smudge and don't become foggy when you transition from cold to warm temperatures. They provide distortion free depth perception and allow you to appreciate full peripheral vision. Properly fit contacts stay on your eyes, even during strenuous exercise.Can I swim with contact lenses?We really discourage patients from swimming in contact lenses. Water, even chlorinated pool water, contains a number of agents that can cause very serious corneal infection, and this risk is increased if you are wearing contact lenses. In the same way, we don't recommend that patients shower with their contact lenses or use hot tubs.Can I wear soft contact lenses if I have astigmatism?Yes. Patients with astigmatism can wear a special type of soft contact lens called a toric lens that will correct your astigmatism. Some newer lenses are also simply called lenses for astigmatism rather than toric lenses. Patients with a large amount of astigmatism may also benefit from wearing a specialty contact lens such as a rigid gas permeable contact lens or a synergeyes hybrid contact lens. I currently wear reading glasses over my contact lenses in order to read. Is there an alternative so I don't have to wear glasses at all?Yes. Multifocal contact lenses are available both in the rigid gas permeable material as well as the soft lens material. It offers the best of both worlds allowing patients good vision both close up and in the distance with no to very minimal dependence on reading glasses. Monovision is another option for contact lens wearers that want to avoid reading glasses - where one eye is corrected for viewing distant objects (usually the dominant eye) and the other eye (usually the non dominant eye) is corrected for reading and close work.If my disposable contact lenses are still comfortable beyond their replacement period, can I continue to wear the same pair?No. In order to maintain optimal eye health, it is important to adhere to the wearing schedule prescribed by your eye care professional. Lipid and protein deposits can accumulate on the contact lens over time, leading to chronic irritation. The main advantage of wearing disposable lenses is that you are able to put a fresh new pair of contact lenses in your eyes at a regularly scheduled interval - this leads to healthier lens wear and the most optimal vision possible.

Glaucoma Awareness Month and Annual Eye Exams

2012-01-03T15:37:00.000-05:00

It's a new year and what better resolution than leading a healthier lifestyle in 2012. One item on everyone's list this year seems to be heading back to the gym - to improve their fitness level, or just eating healthier overall for a better quality of life. However, how many of you think about going to the doctor more often for preventative health care screenings? Though it may be down your resolution list a bit, making it a point to see your eye doctor for regularly scheduled eye exams is a must in order to keep seeing your best in 2012 and beyond. It does not matter whether you wear corrective lenses or not, or even if you think our eyes are in perfect condition. Getting a regular eye exam is a necessary part of your overall health care, and vital to make sure you continue with healthy vision. Prevent Blindness America is helping promote the importance of regular annual eye exams by recognizing January as Glaucoma Awareness Month. Close to three million people actually have glaucoma, but half of them do not realize it because there are often no warning symptoms. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States of America and the first major leading cause of preventable blindness. Approximately 120,000 Americans are mostly blind because they suffer from glaucoma, accounting for 9% to 12% of all cases of blindness in the United States of America. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among the African-American population in the U.S. as well. The condition is 6 to 8 times more common to be found in African-Americans than in Caucasians. Annual eye exams are the number one deterrent from individuals suffering vision loss from Glaucoma and other preventable eye diseases. This is because even in a routine eye examination, your eye doctor can detect signs and/or risk factors of glaucoma. If the condition is detected early enough their are many steps that can be taken to maintain the amount of healthy vision you currently have through topical (eye drops), laser, or surgical treatments. So make sure you make an annual eye exam a part of your healthier lifestyle in 2012 and keep seeing your best this year and beyond.

Cataract Surgery Can Benefit Those With Alzheimer’s Disease

2011-12-06T14:21:00.001-05:00

As we age the natural lens in the middle of the eye will eventually become more cloudy, this is known as a cataract. With the cloudy discoloration present in a cataract, the eye’s natural lens begins to act like a filter causing a decrease in vision, contrast and the overall amount of light entering into the eye. In turn, everyday activities of daily living such as moving about the house, reading, and cooking can become more difficult. Studies have shown those with Alzheimer’s Disease also have difficulty perceiving contrast.Recently several studies have been released showing the benefits of cataract surgery for Alzheimer’s patients. Reports show with better vision comes better sleep patterns, less depression, and a better overall mood. Patients studied had mild dementia and at least one significant cataract. A neuropsychologist evaluated patients at their 1 month and 3 month post-operative visits. Mood, behavior, sleep patterns, the ability to function independently, and cognitive abilities were assessed. Results showed an overall increase in mood, recognition, ability to function independently, and sleep patterns.Dr Alan Lerner says, “If you can’t perceive something, it is hard to remember it.” A simple statement that is so true. The overall conclusion of the study showed that by improving the ability to perceive, cataract surgery can give an Alzheimer’s patient a better quality of life.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month!

2011-11-01T20:31:00.002-04:00

Diabetes is becoming more and more prevalent in our country. Today, 21 million Americans have Diabetes and it is estimated that one third of this population do not even know they have the condition. During the month of November, I am proud to spotlight the importance of frequent eye exams for individuals with Diabetes and those at risk for this disease.

Dilated eye exams at appropriate intervals are extremely important for individuals with Diabetes and those at risk for this disease due to the possibility of substantial vision loss with long term uncontrolled Diabetic eye disease. In these cases of advanced diabetic retinopathy, an individual may have irreversible vision loss or even total blindness as a result.To avoid these complications to your eyes make sure to include your eye doctor in your team of healthcare professionals and to visit us regularly just as you would with your primary care physician and dentist. As your eye care team we can often be your first line of detection for diabetes due to the findings of your annual dilated eye exam. The photos above show retinal photos taken during a comprehensive eye exam, the top image show a normal healthy retina while the bottom image displays the damage that can be done by advanced diabetic eye disease.At my practice we are helping to contribute to a healthier patient population by meeting three specific objectives set by the American Optometric Association and their National Diabetes Month Campaign. These three vision objectives of the Healthy People 2010 campaign are: to increase the proportion of persons who have a dilated eye examination at appropriate intervals, reduce visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy, and to increase vision rehabilitation.

Keep decorative colored contacts from causing a ghastly sight this Halloween

2011-10-20T13:26:00.006-04:00

AN EYE INFECTION FROM DECORATIVE CONTACT LENSES COULD BE A VERY SCARY SIGHT THIS HALLOWEEN

Over the last few years you may have seen decorative contact lenses as a halloween costume accessory for some enthusiasts getting completely into character. However, with celebrities such as Lady Gaga routinely wearing them in her music videos, the popularity of these lenses is likely to hit an all time high this Halloween.

While these contacts may impress your friends or even win you a costume contest, it is important to know the risks involved in wearing contact lenses that aren’t approved for your eyes. Contact Lenses are medical devices that should not be worn without approval and a current prescription from an eye doctor.

These decorative contact lenses often have many pitfalls when they are worn or cared for incorrectly, or when they are worn by an individual that should not be wearing contact lenses at all.

These are some important basics of contact lens care to remember:
• Do not buy contacts without a doctor’s prescription. These are medical devices that fit your eye and if they do not fit properly or are the wrong material for your eyes then they can damage your eyes.
• Do not share lenses, wear them longer than the recommended replacement time, or sleep in contact lenses. Remember to wash your hands every time before handling lenses, change your contact lens case monthly, and always use the proper solution for your contact lenses.
• If your eyes are red, painful, creating mucus discharge, or if your vision is blurry make sure to contact your eye doctor as soon as possible.

Above all remember to be safe this Halloween season, and if your eye doctor has not approved your eyes for a special decorative lens – then it is not worth the risk, because you only get one pair of eyes.

Happy Halloween!

Sjogren's Syndrome in the News!

2011-09-13T19:14:00.004-04:00

Tennis champion Venus Williams recently made headlines when she had to withdraw from the U.S. Open Tennis Championship just before the tournament began. Many fans were surprised to find out that she suffers from a mysterious autoimmune disease known as Sjogren's Syndrome. This condition was making her extremely fatigued to the point that she barely had enough energy to get out of bed much less to excel at the highest level of tennis competition.
Though Sjogren's syndrome may seem to be new information to the general public, eye doctors have been experts on this condition for years due to its ocular manifestations.
Sjogren's syndrome and other autoimmune disorders are well known causes of dry eye syndrome. That is one reason that you may have had your eye doctor ask you if you have been tested for autoimmune diseases and/or arthritis if you experience unresolving dry eyes. It is not uncommon for an eye doctor to order bloodwork to rule out this type of condition if dry eye symptoms continue to manifest despite ocular therapy. Some of the hallmark signs of Sjogren's Syndrome include unresolving dry eye and dry mouth symptoms. If these symptoms sound familiar to you it is definately worth mentioning to your eye doctor and general primary care physician in order to rule out Sjogren's Syndrome or other underlying systemic cause.
As an interesting side note I once attended the same school as Venus Williams growing up in central florida where she attended a nearby tennis academy, and we both have degrees from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She is now being successfully treated for her condition and I'm sure we will all see her back on the court soon.

Remember to schedule your child's Back to School eye exam

2011-06-26T22:34:00.008-04:00

It's that time of year when the activities of summer are keeping you so busy having fun that it's easy to forget the start of a new school year is just around the corner. The majority of all we learn is attributable to the information we are able to process from the images we see. We know that reading is enhanced when our eyes are functioning properly, and many learning difficulties can be attributed to poor vision. A back to school eye exam from our eye doctors can help put your mind at ease that your child is being given the best opportunity to succeed in the classroom. To learn more about children's eye exams and learning please follow this link.

What is that floating spot in my vision?

2011-06-02T14:20:00.004-04:00

Floaters are small semi-transparent or cloudy particles that are suspended within the vitreous body of your eye. The vitreous body is the clear, jelly-like fluid that fills the inner portion of the eye.

Generally a few floaters are normal and are seen by many individuals at one time or another. These floaters often appear as specks of various shapes and sizes or similar to cobwebs in your vision. These floaters are often more apparent in your vision when in natural lighting and staring at a constant light background; such as when reading a book outside.

There are a few different causes for floaters. They may be small flecks of protein trapped during the formation of the eyes before birth that remain suspended in the clear fluid of the vitreous. Deterioration of the vitreous fluid may also cause floaters to develop. This deterioration is a normal part of the aging process, though this process can be brought on by certain eye diseases or injuries as well.

However, if you are experiencing the appearance of streaks of light in your vision this may be a sign of a vitreous or retinal detachment. If you experience any of these signs or symptoms please see you eye doctor for an eye exam. In a comprehensive eye examination, your eye doctor can examine the vitreous, retina and the other interior parts of the eye to determine the causes of the flashes and floaters that you see.

Allergy Eyes

2011-04-19T15:33:00.014-04:00

It's that time of year again when pollen counts are high, you can't stop crying, and no matter how many times you wash your car it stays yellow.

If itcy, red, watery eyes are constantly bothering you this spring you are probably suffering from allergic conjunctivitis. This condition can be effectively treated by your eye care professional with medication eye drops.

To learn more about this condition, its treatment, and the states that have the highest pollen counts this time of year - please click here.

Protective Eyewear and Sports Safety

2011-03-08T15:28:00.007-05:00

When I was growing up there was not much of an emphasis on protecting the eyes during sporting competitions.
At that time many did not have the knowledge of how simple protective sports eyewear could help prevent eye injury and in many cases save vision and prevent blindness in the unfortunate event of a serious sports related eye injury.
Today, many more individuals and parents are diligent to make sure they and their children are properly protecting their vision during sporting activities, and furthermore there are many choices in today's protective eyewear market that allow athletes to play safely and look good at the same time.

Please read the information below from Prevent Blindness America and All About Vision about the importance of Sports Safety.

Eye Safety News

Tips for Keeping Your Kids' Eyes Safe During Spring/Summer Sports

February 16, 2011 — Each year in the United States, 25,000 kids under 15 have sports-related eye injuries, most of which are preventable (source: Prevent Blindness America).

To protect your children's eyes, follow these valuable tips from Dr. Scott Lambert, a professor of ophthalmology at Emory University and a member of the advisory council for the
Pediatric Cataract Initiative:

• Children in sports need protective eyewear, just as they need helmets and protective padding. Balls, bats and jabs from other participants can cause both temporary injuries and long-term vision problems — even cataracts and blindness. Choose protective eyewear with wraparound frames, to protect the eyes from all sides.

• Regular eyeglasses and sunglasses don't protect the eyes, because they are not strong enough to withstand flying objects and hard blows; your kids need protective eyewear as well. You can get it with or without a prescription, but be sure the lenses are both impact-and scratch-resistant.

• Sun exposure damages the eyes, so kids need protection from both UVA and UVB rays with either good-quality sunglasses or protective eyewear. If the labels don't specify UVA and UVB protection levels, you can find out how protective the products are by having your eye doctor check their UV blockage with a spectrophotometer.

These tips can help you and your family remain as safe as possible when engaging in sports this spring and summer.

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month!

2011-01-24T18:45:00.006-05:00

Glaucoma has often been referred to as "the silent thief of sight", due to the fact that many symptoms of the disease can affect you without your knowledge. This is because glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve and can reduce your peripheral vision without you noticing any change.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness today and affects over 4 million americans. Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than Caucasians.

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, "The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is to get a comprehensive eye examination. Then, if you have glaucoma, treatment can begin immediately."

New technologies are also helping detect glaucoma in patients earlier, leading to initiating treatments faster, and thus helping preserve vision. One type of this technology is found in scanning lasers that are able to effectively show the retinal nerve fiber layer and the optic nerve head. Two such instruments that effectively use this type of technology are the OCT, and GDX.
These instruments work by helping your eye doctor map out the retinal nerve fiber layer and thus examine your risk for glaucoma and track any progression of the disease. If you have a family history of glaucoma, are over 40 years old, or have other risk factors an annual comprehensive eye exam is a must to help rule out the presence of glaucoma.

Look to start the year off right with your annual eye exam!

2011-01-11T00:04:00.007-05:00

The new year is a great time to look at making your health a priority. And your annual eye exam is a great place to start. Everyone knows how important their eyesight is, yet so many of us put off this essential exam.

A comprehensive eye exam can help detect many issues early leading to proper treatment and preservation of your eyesight. Childhood eye exams are also important to monitor proper visual development and function. With a proper exam your eye doctor can find abnormalities in your eyes and vision due to diabetes, hypertension, systemic autoimmune diseases, systemic arthritic diseases, and more if these are present.

To learn more about eye exam frequency recommendations from the American Optometric Association please click here.

Responsible contact lens wear can improve self image in children compared to glasses

2010-12-28T11:38:00.005-05:00

Do you find yourself constantly reminding your child to wear their glasses? Does this often lead to a battle you know that you can’t win once they are away at school? If so you may take heart in knowing that contact lenses can have certain advantages over glasses in some younger patients. Though contact lenses are not a perfect option for every child, many children can benefit from the new technologies of the contact lens industry leading to a better quality of life.

Daily contact lenses are a great option for children as they allow these patients to wear a fresh contact lens each day without the hassle of remembering to store and clean the lenses properly. This simplifies the contact lens experience for children and their parents as they only have to remember to throw the lenses away each night before bed. In addition the less time a lens is on your eye and reused, the result is a lower chance of infection and potential allergic complications.

A former study shows that contact lenses can have a dramatic effect on self image for children. In our office I often see this in terms of younger patients feeling better about their appearance without glasses, or even in their ability to excel athletically with contacts aiding their vision. You can read the details of this study from The Ohio State University College of Optometry by clicking the above link.

Above all contact lenses are a medical device and may present a risk for certain patients. Therefore, the decision for your child to go into contact lenses should be agreed upon by the eye doctor, parents, and a responsible child to ensure safe and healthy contact lens wear.

Taking Advantage of New Progressive Lens Designs

2010-12-16T09:21:00.004-05:00

Have you noticed that your computer and reading material are not as clear as they used to be? Do you feel like overnight you have lost the ability to focus on reading material up close? If so you may be suffering from a normal aging process known as presbyopia. This condition refers to a loss of the ability to focus on objects at a near distance that usually occurs around the age of forty when the lens in the middle of the eye has become less flexible.

The best technology for overcoming this condition in eyeglasses is known as a progressive lens. Progressive lenses are true multifocal lenses that provide a seamless progression of many lens powers for all viewing distances.

With progressive lenses, you can look up to see clearly across the room during an office presentation or when driving. You can also look ahead to view your computer in the intermediate zone and drop your gaze downward to read and do fine work comfortably.

A corridor of optimum vision runs vertically down each progressive lens. Your eye care practitioner will take careful measurements of your eyes and eyeglass frame in order to place the corridor in just the right location so your eyes can naturally access the various powers within the lens for comfortable viewing at all distances.
Progressive lenses also enable you to avoid the annoying image jump phenomenon that occurs with lined bifocals.

Thanks to today's modern progressive lenses it is also easier than ever to adapt to these lenses.

A recent exciting improvement in progressive lens technology has come in the technology of Free Form Progressive Lenses. Free Form is a computer-aided design and manufacturing process that allows for larger intermediate and near visual field areas when looking at your computer and reading material. This makes the lenses much easier to adapt to and adds to their overall clarity and reduced distortion thanks to a reduction of optical aberration level.

If your eyes are feeling tired at the end of the day and you are stretching things away from you so that you can read them, then this new progressive lens design could help you see more clearly at comfortably at all distances.

Dry Eye Syndrome

2010-12-02T13:44:00.010-05:00

You may have noticed the sensation that your eyes feel more dry this time of year. As the heaters have been turned on and the humidity drops, dryness can often creep in. This dryness can be particularly bothersome if you are a person suffering from Dry Eye Syndrome or what is also referred to as Ocular Surface Disease.

A person suffering from Dry Eye Syndrome may often feel like they have burning, stinging eyes, redness, and a foreign body sensation. There are certain systemic diseases as well as eye and eyelid conditions that can exacerbate this condition. Some of the most common systemic diseases that put you more at risk for dry eye include Diabetes Mellitus, Thyroid disease, Lupus, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. In addition, lifestyle factors such as increased caffeine consumption, increased computer use, and certain medications can lead to dry eye if not properly managed.

Your eye doctor plays a very important role in the fight against dry eye by diagnosing and treating this condition in a number of ways. The first line of treatment is often properly managing any eye conditions (i.e. blepharitis) or systemic diseases (i.e. Diabetes). Once this is under control your doctor will emphasize the necessity to change any lifestyle factors that are increasing your dry eye symptoms, such as making sure your work environment is ergonimically friendly for your eyes.

Artificial tears can be found over the counter and help alleviate dry eye symptoms in the short term, but if you find yourself using these more than 4 times a day, you should talk to your eye doctor about the possibility of using a prescription eye drop for your irritated eyes. Omega 3 vitamin supplements have been shown to improve your tear film and alleviate many symptoms of dry eye syndrome. Still another option for treating dry eye include punctal plugs which keep your tears from draining as quickly and thus keeps the tear film on your eyes for a longer period of time.

There are many different ways that your eye doctor can effectively treat your dry eye symptoms so be sure to mention it if you have any of these symptoms the next time you are in the office.

Decorative Contacts can be a Dangerous Costume Accessory

2010-10-28T10:04:00.006-04:00

AN EYE INFECTION FROM DECORATIVE CONTACT LENSES COULD BE A VERY SCARY SIGHT THIS HALLOWEEN

Over the last few years you may have seen decorative contact lenses as a halloween costume accessory for some enthusiasts getting completely into character. However, with celebrities such as Lady Gaga routinely wearing them in her music videos, the popularity of these lenses is likely to hit an all time high this Halloween.

While these contacts may impress your friends or even win you a costume contest, it is important to know the risks involved in wearing contact lenses that aren’t approved for your eyes. Contact Lenses are medical devices that should not be worn without approval and a current prescription from an eye doctor.

These decorative contact lenses often have many pitfalls when they are worn or cared for incorrectly, or when they are worn by an individual that should not be wearing contact lenses at all.

These are some important basics of contact lens care to remember:
• Do not buy contacts without a doctor’s prescription. These are medical devices that fit your eye and if they do not fit properly or are the wrong material for your eyes then they can damage your eyes.
• Do not share lenses, wear them longer than the recommended replacement time, or sleep in contact lenses. Remember to wash your hands every time before handling lenses, change your contact lens case monthly, and always use the proper solution for your contact lenses.
• If your eyes are red, painful, creating mucus discharge, or if your vision is blurry make sure to contact your eye doctor as soon as possible.

Above all remember to be safe this Halloween season, and if your eye doctor has not approved your eyes for a special decorative lens – then it is not worth the risk, because you only get one pair of eyes.

Happy Halloween!

Read more about safe lens wear by clicking here.

Keep Driving Safely and Comfortably with Polarized Sunglasses

2010-10-17T22:06:00.009-04:00

I always look forward to the cooler weather and watching the leaves change this time of year. But something I usually don’t expect is having to reach for my sunglasses more and more often. However, as the season has changed, you also may have noticed your day getting shorter and the sun setting earlier (especially on your evening drive home).
Hopefully like me, you have some polarized sunglasses you can rely on to reduce glare when you are driving, for a safe and comfortable ride home.

Most light reflected from surfaces such as a flat road or smooth water is generally horizontally polarized, meaning that this light is traveling in a horizontally oriented direction. Polarized lenses have a filter within them that blocks this reflected light and thus reduces glare.

Polarized lens technology has been popular with fishermen for years due to their ability to help eliminate the reflected glare off the water. Today many other outdoor enthusiasts have discovered the benefits of polarized sunglasses as well; including golfers, skiers, bikers, joggers, and more. Of particular benefit, these lenses can reduce eyestrain and fatigue from squinting on the golf course for enhanced sports performance. Also, when driving these lenses can help reduce glare off the hood of your car and the surface of the road.

When choosing a Polarized sunglass lens it is important to choose a lens that blocks glare from every angle, effectively manages blue light, and enhances colors for the best optical clarity available. For more information on polarized sunglases check out this article and link.

Computer Use and Your Vision

2010-08-24T17:42:00.009-04:00

Computers are so consistently integrated into our lifestyles today from the work station at our jobs, to the family laptop, and even our smart phones; it is no wonder we often spend the majority of the day with our eyes locked into some sort of virtual screen display.

If you routinely spend hours in front of a computer screen you have probably experienced symptoms of Computer vision syndrome (CVS) at one time or another. CVS symptoms can include eye strain, headaches, loss of focus, burning eyes, double vision, blurred vision, neck and shoulder pain, and much more.

Creating a work environment that is more ergonomically friendly can help reduce eye and musculoskeletal symptoms associated with Computer vision syndrome. A custom pair of computer eyeglasses may also alleviate your symptoms by helping you see better at precisely the right distance range of your computer monitor.

Read more about practical tips to ease computer eye strain to improve your visual efficiency, productivity, and comfort while in front of the computer.

Are Daily Disposable Contact Lenses Right for you?

2010-06-27T22:14:00.005-04:00

Are your current contact lenses causing increasing redness, dryness, and overall irritation as you continue to wear them throughout the month? Daily disposable contact lenses can help stop these problems that may occur as protein deposits build up on less frequently replaced contacts.

Daily disposable contact lenses are a great option for any patient looking for the best comfort and healthiest contact lens available today. There is no healthier way to wear contact lenses other than to use a fresh contact lens each day and discard it each night.

The more frequently you can replace a contact lens the less your eye will be affected by anything absorbed into your contact lens material from the outside world, such as the local swimming pool or preservatives within your current contact lens solution. This makes daily disposable contacts the ideal choice for seasonal allergy sufferers that want to enjoy the freedom and convenience of contacts, as well as for athletes looking for a competitive edge on game day. Click here to learn more about daily disposable contact lenses, why I recommend them to my patients, and enjoy wearing them myself.

Tis the Season for UV Protection

2010-06-03T21:28:00.009-04:00

While spending the Memorial Day weekend at the beach this year, I couldn't help but notice the lack of sunglasses for so many beach goers. It always amazes me that everyone on the beach remembers to protect their skin with sunscreen while in the sun, but the majority have not thought about the importance of sunglasses for eye protection.

UV-A and UV-B rays produced from the sun represent the largest danger to your eyes in both the short term and long term. Large amounts of UV radiation over a short period of time can result in photokeratitis, or a "sunburn to the eye". This can be extremely painful giving extreme light sensitivity, burning eyes, and excessive tearing to someone on a summer vacation, and can also be common in snow skiers without sunglasses. Over the long term, conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration are more common with extended UV exposure.

A high quality pair of polarized sunglasses will block 99 percent of UV rays and help reduce glare when outdoors. These tips from the AOA explain how to properly protect your eyes from the sun this summer.

A Glaucoma Test in a Contact Lens?

2010-05-25T14:11:00.013-04:00

Advances in technology are all around us today, and if you want to stay on the cutting edge then you have to keep up to date with the latest information and constantly be on the lookout for what's next in your industry.

Eyecare is no different and if you are standing still then you will be left behind, so it is important to keep an eye on some of the emerging technologies out there to see if the knowledge behind the technology, the practicality of its use, and the evolving industry's practices can combine to support its overall implementation.

The picture above represents an interesting technology that is on the horizon, it is a contact lens that measures your intraocular pressure throughout the day. The information yielded from this contact lens could be particularly valuable in the area of glaucoma management because the main area of treatment in glaucoma is controlling intraocular pressure.

Glaucoma, which is an eye disease where eye pressure is often elevated causing optic nerve damage and peripheral vision loss, can present with varying intraocular pressure readings throughout the span of an entire day. Thus, monitoring intraocular pressure through a contact lens in someone with suspected glaucoma or one who is being treated for glaucoma would present a wealth of information to possibly help prevent damage to the eye from glaucoma and related eye diseases.

Read more about this exciting technology now being studied in Europe, by clicking here .

How often should one have their Eyes Examined?

2010-05-16T20:09:00.014-04:00

When was the last time you had your eyes examined? It is a common question and you are likely to be asked it the next time you come into the eye doctor's office. But how often should you have your eyes examined?

The short answer for most individuals is every year. However, if you have diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of eye disease you may need to be followed more closely. A family history of macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, cataracts, and other conditions are particularly important to tell your eye physician at the time of your visit.

Childhood eye exams are also important to monitor proper visual development. Some conditions that might place a child more at risk for eye disease include premature birth, family history of retinoblastoma, congenital cataracts, high refractive error, and strabismus.

To see a detailed list of eye exam frequency recommendations from the American Optometric Association please click here.