Posts

Showing posts from 2016
Image
Amazing Facts About The Human Eye: An Infographic The human eye is a fascinating organ--that's why this week we're sharing a nifty infographic full of amazing facts about the eye. Enjoy!  
Image
Are Contact Lenses OK for Your Child? There are many factors to consider when determining whether or not your child is ready for contact lenses. To help you make the right decision, here are three key questions to you need to ask yourself:  1. Are contact lenses safe? Physically speaking, contact lenses are safe for children at a younger age than you might realize. In some cases, infants are fitted with contact lenses for conditions that are present at birth. And unlike adults, children are less likely to suffer from dry eyes, which makes them better candidates for wearing contact lenses.  2. Is my child ready for the responsibility? The answer to this is obviously subjective. Only you know if your child is ready to take care of his or her contact lenses. Think about how they handle current responsibilities, such as homework and chores. Are they having issues with that? If so, contact lenses might not be in their best interest until they can properly manage these aspects of their
Image
What is Color Blindness? Color blindness is more common and less serious than you may think. Being completely color blind is very rare; it’s more likely that if someone is color blind they have trouble seeing red, green, blue, or a mix of those colors. Most color blind problems are genetic and originate at birth; they usually don’t develop later in life (although it does occasionally happen). Color blindness occurs when one of the three types of cone cells in your eyes is missing or doesn’t work correctly. Symptoms of color blindness (or color vision problems) include: Seeing some colors but not others Having difficulty telling a difference between two colors (for example, not being able to differentiate between red and green) Difficulty noticing the different shades in colors If you or your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with our office. We can perform tests to determine if color blindness is the culprit and what, if any, treat
Image
Diabetes: How Does Your Optometrist Fit In? You probably associate diabetes with monitoring your blood sugar and diet and taking insulin shots. But did you know that diabetes is also the leading cause behind new cases of blindness in adults? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 15 minutes there is someone with diabetes who loses their vision.   Diabetes is a serious disease that requires consistent treatment and vigilant monitoring by someone who has diabetes and their team of health professionals. In fact, 8 percent of the entire U.S. population is afflicted with this disease—that’s nearly 24 million people.  For those who don’t have the disease, your optometrist can detect the symptoms of diabetes during a comprehensive eye exam. This is just another reason why it’s important to regularly schedule your exams.  With early discovery, we can help treat and prevent any blindness due to the disease.    Please give our practice a call at 814-234-6060 to sc
Image
4 Habits That are Bad for Your Eyes We all have our individual quirks or habits. Some of them, like biting your nails, procrastinating, and texting while on the road, are behaviors you know you should avoid. Well, you can also add the following to your list because they can adversely affect your eye health.   Eating unhealthy foods.  Many age-related eye diseases can be prevented or alleviated if you consume a diet that’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids as well as essential vitamins and minerals. You also need to make sure you’re drinking enough water, as this will help prevent the painful condition of dry eyes.  Getting poor sleep.  The aging process can speed up, especially if you don’t allow your body to get enough rest. Studies have shown that your eyes need at least five hours of sleep every night to properly replenish. Without that downtime, your eyes won’t be able to work at their full potential. Eye spasms, dry eye, and popped blood vessel due to eye strain can all happen when
Image
What Causes Double Vision? Double vision, which is also known as diplopia, is a condition that happens when you simultaneously see two images of one object. The vision displacement can happen horizontally, vertically, or even diagonally. It can also occur occasionally, all the time, or when looking in one specific direction. While some causes of double vision are relatively insignificant, others are serious and should receive immediate medical attention. Here are some of the common causes of double vision: Cataracts, which is a common problem with the eye lens. The condition may appear in one or both eyes, but it’s treatable with minor surgery.  Corneal problems, such as corneal scars, dry corneas, and corneal infections.  Weak eye muscles can distort vision, as a weak eye can no longer smoothly move in unison with the healthy eye. Those who have certain autoimmune illnesses and thyroid conditions are more likely to have weak eye muscles. Any condition that can cause
Image
Protect Your Eyes With Antioxidants Antioxidants are nutrients that defend cells from damage caused by molecules known as free radicals. Too many free radicals can cause eye health issues, including cataracts and advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Not only do antioxidants help reduce the formation of free radicals, but they also protect and repair any cells damaged by them. To lower your risk for cataracts and AMD, you need to focus on eating more fruits and veggies. The American Optometric Association recommends at least five servings every day to increase the amount of antioxidants in your diet.  Vitamins C and E are the antioxidants you need to protect your eyes, and they’re often found in colorful fruits and vegetables. Focus on adding the following nutrient-rich foods to your meals, and you’re well on your way to good eye health: Good sources of vitamin C:  orange juice, grapefruit juice, papaya, cantaloupe, green pepper, orange, tomato juice, strawberries, broc
Image
Should I be Concerned About Eye Twitches? If you’ve ever been short on sleep or stressed to the max, you might have also experienced repetitive, uncontrollable eye spasms known as blepharospasm, or eye twitching. While it can be annoying, eye twitching is usually painless and harmless. It typically happens when you have an increase in fatigue, stress, or caffeine intake. Once these issues stop, you’ll notice your eye twitch is likely to disappear. In very rare cases, eye twitching can become a chronic condition and affect an individual’s quality of life. In some circumstances, it can also progress to the point of severe vision impairment. If an eye twitch doesn’t resolve itself within a few days or the twitch is strong enough to close the entire eye or affect other areas of someone’s face, it’s time to set an appointment with our optometrist. Give our office a call at 814-234-6060 and we can determine the underlying cause of your eye twitch and begin any possible treatments.
Image
Students’ Success Begins With Healthy Vision Now that the new school year is approaching, your kids will have classes, projects, and homework to complete every day. You’ve done a great job preparing them with everything they need to succeed—lunchboxes filled with healthy meals; lots of pens, pencils, and notebooks for assignments; and plenty of help with math homework.  But consider that more than 80% of a child’s learning happens through vision, and it’s easy to understand how an undiagnosed vision problem could impact learning and performance, grades, self-esteem, and more. That’s why regular eye exams are so important for your child. Sometimes, undetected vision problems are mistaken for a learning disability, such as dyslexia or ADD. Below are some of the major warning signs that your child is suffering from vision problems. Sitting too close to the TV or other electronic device, or holding a book too close Using their finger as a guide and/or frequently losing their p
Image
A Look at Your Pet’s Eyes You may already know that animals have very different ways of seeing than humans. But did you know, for example, that dogs aren’t really color blind (contrary to popular belief)? Here are some fun facts about your pets and how they see: Goldfish These little aquatic guys have excellent, full-spectrum vision, and they also have a visual memory of up to three months. So, if you’re the person responsible for feeding them, they are able to recognize and remember you. They’re also sensitive to sudden light changes because they have no eyelids. Cats Furry felines see things in a lower resolution than humans, and they also see less vibrant colors than humans. However, they do have better night vision and their eyes are developed to detect small, quick movements so they are better able to catch prey. Dogs Your trusty old sidekick can see colors, although it’s a common misconception that dogs are color blind. However, they see the world with less colors than we do
Image
The Benefits & Drawbacks to Contact Lenses Welcome back for the second half of our series on the pros and cons of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Today, we break down the good things and not-so-good things about wearing contact lenses. The Pros of Contact Lenses You don’t have to worry about fogged lenses, which often plague glasses wearers when the climate changes. As a matter of aesthetic preference, some prefer the natural look of wearing contact lenses over eyewear. Contact lenses are less cumbersome for those that play sports. The Cons of Contact Lenses Contacts require a daily commitment of cleaning and care to avoid bacterial infections.  While daily contact lenses reduce the need for regular care, they can be a more costly option.  Contact lenses are more likely to increase your risk of dry, irritated eyes.  Unlike eyewear, contact lenses can be difficult for some wearers to insert or remove.  So, what’s your opinion? Do you think glasses or
Image
The Benefits & Drawbacks to Glasses Today we’re kicking off a two-part series on the pros and cons of both glasses and contact lenses. There are pluses and minuses to both, but today we'll be focusing solely on glasses.  The Pros of Glasses: Depending on the glasses you purchase, they can be more affordable as they may not need to be replaced as often. Glasses have made a great comeback in recent years as a fun, stylish accessory. New, trendy frame styles abound. With glasses, you avoid an increased risk of dry eye or eye infections. The Cons of Glasses: Glasses do have the dreaded “fogging” issue—this can be worse depending on the area you live in, especially colder climates. Peripheral vision may be an issue, as glasses sit further away from your eyes. While maintenance is easier, a scratched lens or unadjusted frame can make wearing glasses uncomfortable.
Image
Everyday Tips For Healthy Eyes Keeping your eyes healthy is of utmost importance as a person grows and ages. You may not realize that some of the most everyday activities and routines can help keep your eyes healthy and ensure you’re seeing your very best. Get a comprehensive eye exam. Even if you think your vision is just fine, a comprehensive vision exam can help detect the early signs of diseases such as glaucoma, diabetes, and macular degeneration. Likewise, an eye exam may point out common vision problems you didn’t even know you had. Maintain diet and exercise.  You already know how important diet and exercise is for healthy living, but did you know it can also affect your eyes? A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, as well as fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, can help sustain good vision. And maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of diabetes, which can often lead to vision loss. Invest in protective eyewear and sunwear.  Whether you’re playing your favori
Image
What Are Eye Floaters? You’re seeing specks, spots, threads, or cobweb-like objects in your field of vision, but when you try to focus on them, they never stay still long enough to be visible. What’s going on? You’re experiencing eye floaters, and although these phantom forms can be a bit unnerving at times, you likely have nothing to worry about. Eye floaters generally occur as you age, and are caused by the natural degeneration of your eye’s vitreous, the gel-like substance that helps maintain the round shape of your eyeball. Over time, the vitreous can dissolve, shrink, and liquefy, causing the vitreous to have a stretched or string-like consistency. When this happens, the usually transparent vitreous casts shadows on your retina, ultimately appearing in your vision as an eye floater. Most often, eye floaters affect older individuals, those with diabetes, or people who have undergone cataract surgery. The occasional floater is nothing to worry about, but in some situation
Image
My First Eye Exam: What to Expect? Whatever the reason may be, you’ve decided it’s time to visit an optometrist. Good for you! But now you’re wondering, what happens next? Here’s a basic rundown of what to expect: Prepare.  You’ve made an appointment for a reason. Be prepared with a list of questions for your optometrist. Know your (and your family’s) medical and vision history. Be open on the reason for your visit. Test.  Next, your optometrist will perform a series of tests. These tests will determine how clearly you can see, the overall health of your eyes, and your eye pressure. Depending on the type of test, your optometrist will use the following tools to assess your vision: letter charts, lights, color patterns and eye drops to dilate your pupils.  Review.  Following your eye exam, your optometrist will review the results of all of the tests and provide an assessment of your vision, preventative measures, and next steps.  Now that you know the basics, it’s time to call ou