State College Eye Care

Back to School! It seems as though summer just began and already it’s nearly time to get ready to go back to school. Have you scheduled your child’s annual eye exam yet? If not, it’s time to do so! Appointment times fill up fast for back-to-school exams, and for good reason. Many parents today understand the importance of a back-to-school eye exam for their children. Vision is a crucial element of your child’s learning and development. There are many instances where I have seen children who were diagnosed with a behavior or learning disability when, in fact, they actually were struggling with an undetected vision problem. An undetected vision problem can greatly hinder your child’s ability to read, learn, and progress in school. A standard in-school vision test isn’t comprehensive enough to detect many of the vision problems our youth are struggling with. A professional, comprehensive eye exam with your friendly neighborhood optometrist can uncover a variety of potential visio...

Protect Your Children's Eyes with Sunwear this Summer With summer right around the corner, it’s time to break out the tank tops, sunblock and sunglasses. When it comes to children, sunglasses are an essential part of protecting young eyes from potentially harmful UV (ultraviolet) and HEV (high energy visible) rays. Children spend a significant amount more time outside than most adults, and their eyes are still developing and growing. Children’s eyes are also less able to filter out damaging UV and HEV rays, meaning they are at an even higher risk for eye damage. Here are some things to consider when purchasing sunwear for your child:   Verify with your optician that the sunglasses you choose will block 100% of UV rays. Keep in mind that the color of lenses that block HEV rays will be a copper shade. Polycarbonate lenses are a good option for children’s sunglasses because they’re particularly hardy. Choose sunglasses that are designed specifically for physical ...

Is Your Computer Screen Hurting Your Vision? Desktops, laptops, iPads and tablets, smartphones…as the advent of technology has become even more prevalent in people’s everyday lives, we’re starting to see more and more how it affects patients’ vision. The difference between viewing a computer screen and reading text on a piece of paper is significant, from distances and lighting to the sharpness of words on a screen versus print. Viewing a computer screen makes your eyes work much harder, which can result in Computer Vision Syndrome. If you’re suffering from headaches, burning or tired eyes, blurred vision, or a loss of focus, you may have Computer Vision Syndrome. Other vision problems can be exacerbated by viewing computer screens as well. Your optometrist can determine if you are suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome and treat it accordingly. There are several adjustments you can make that will help ease your discomfort, such as the angle at which your computer screen is positi...

  Combat Spring Allergies We’ve all been waiting anxiously for the weather to clear up and spring to arrive, and it’s finally here! However, spring weather comes with the frustration of eye allergies for some. Here’s our advice on combating the flare-ups of eye allergies in the springtime. Pinpoint the problem first. Verify that the arrival of allergens like pollen is what’s exacerbating your eye issues—if the problem is a new eyedrop or contact lens, it can be treated differently. Sunglasses are a great way to protect your eyes from the many allergens floating around in the spring. Take other measures like keeping your car windows rolled up and staying indoors during high pollen count times (such as early evening). Antihistamines and decongestants are also helpful in combating your allergies. Schedule an appointment and ask us about what we recommend for your particular situation—in some cases you may need a prescription-strength antihistamine like Zyrtec or Claritin....

Are You at Risk for Glaucoma? Glaucoma is often called the “sneak thief of sight.”  Glaucoma slowly causes the loss of eyesight by damaging the optic nerve through high eye pressure. Because symptoms often don’t accompany glaucoma and because it’s not usually painful, you may be suffering from this condition and not even know it. Thankfully, your eye doctor can monitor your risk levels if you stay committed to regular exams. If you have any of the well-known risk factors for glaucoma and  haven’t  had an exam recently, you definitely need to be seen by your optometrist. Some risk factors to watch for include age (60 years or older), ethnicity (African-Americans and Hispanics are at a higher risk), family history, and steroid use (to treat serious asthmatic conditions). Others include diabetes, high-blood pressure, and high eye pressure levels. If you fall into any of these categories, make an appointment with me today. And if you suffer from glaucoma, share yo...

December is Safe Toys & Gifts Month It’s the most wonderful time of the year, with the holiday season and Christmas shopping in full swing. It’s also a time of increased toy-related injuries to children, which is why December is Safe Toys & Gifts Awareness month. So what are some ways to ensure the toys you give and receive this season are of minimal risk to children? Here are some suggestions from Prevent Blindness America: Follow the age-appropriate guidelines when it comes to gifts. The suggested guidelines can be very helpful in determining at what age a child can safely play with a toy. Examine any toys to determine their safety before allowing your child to play with them. Be sure that any sports equipment is given or used with the appropriate protective wear (sports goggles, helmets, etc.). Save warranties and receipts for toys—and provide gift receipts for recipients. Remember that nothing can substitute your better judgment. If you feel a toy mi...

Theatrical Contacts: Safe or Not? If you’re looking to add an extra touch of flair to your Halloween costume, you may be considering special-effects contact lenses. There are all kinds of fun options these days, from red and black lenses (to get the “undead” look) to black slit pupil lenses (for that extra feline touch). But the question is, are theatrical contacts safe? Alarmingly, larger (supposedly) reputable companies are now selling special-effects contacts. Some online companies even claim their theatrical contacts are FDA-approved. However, this is NOT the case. Theatrical contacts can be perfectly safe, but purchasing them online without a prescription is an invitation for eye problems. They may be expired or unsterile. Whether you have perfect vision or not, you need to get a prescription from your friendly neighborhood eye doctor to ensure you’re getting your contacts legally and safely. Any online retailer that does not require a prescription is not being held to the sam...

What Causes “Double Vision”? One eye health symptom we encounter is what we call “double vision,” or diplopia. 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: Lens Problems. The most common lens problem that causes double vision is known Cataracts. Cataracts can affect and distort vision in one or both eyes, and are treatable with minor surgery. Corneal Problems. It’s common for double vision caused by an issue with the cornea to affect just one of your eyes. Corneal problems include corneal scars, dry corneas, and corneal infections. Muscle Problems.     A weak eye muscles can distort vision, as the week eye can no longer move smoothly with the healthy eye. Week eye muscles are seen in people with certain autoimmune illnesses and thyroid conditions. Nerve Problems. Conditions such as multiple sclerosis and diabetes ca...

Is Eye Twitching Serious? If you’ve ever been short on sleep or greatly-stressed, you might have also experienced repetitive, uncontrollable eye spasms known as blepharospasm, or eye twitching. While it can be annoying, eye twitching is usually fairly painless and harmless, indicating nothing more than increased fatigue, stress, or caffeine intake. Once these issues are resolved, the eye twitching usually disappears. In rarer cases, eye twitching will become chronic, affecting the individual’s quality of life or progressing to the point of severe vision impairment. If an eye twitch doesn’t resolve itself within a few days, or your eye twitch is strong enough to close the entire eye or affect other areas of your face, you should make an appointment to be seen at our office to determine the underlying cause and begin any possible treatments.

Do contact lenses bother your eyes? It’s not uncommon for people to complain that their contact lenses are uncomfortable. But whether you wear them every day or just occasionally, you shouldn’t feel discomfort or irritation when you wear your contact lenses. Let’s review some things you can do to ensure a great experience with your contact lenses every time you wear them. Replace your lenses on schedule. You should replace your lenses as often as suggested, even if you don’t wear them every day. Wearing lenses beyond their recommended use is a common reason for eye irritation, and it also increases your risk of developing serious eye infections. Clean your lenses well. There are several different systems for keeping your lenses clean. Many people use a multipurpose solution for cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting, and storing their contact lenses each day. While some solutions are marketed as “no-rub” solutions, we still find that rubbing your contacts thoroughly during the cleani...

Antioxidants and your eyes 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 advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Antioxidants help reduce the formation of free radicals and help protect and repair cells damaged by them. We recommend a diet high in antioxidants, plus vitamin and mineral supplements, for all people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Some common antioxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium. You’ll usually find them in colorful fruits and vegetables, especially those with purple, blue, red, orange, and yellow hues.

Work-Related Eye Trauma: Know Your Risks You may know that there are many things that can hurt your vision—smoking, poor nutrition, computer eye strain…but did you know that your day job could create an even bigger risk to your overall eye health than you realize? Over 300,000 Americans suffer eye injuries on the job every day without realizing the damage that occurred could be long-term. While many companies do a huge part by training their employees on eye safety if they are in high-risk positions, it’s also important to take personal responsibility for your eye safety. Here are some common ways workers injure their eyes: Burns from flying sparks Chemical burns Welding fumes Flying particles Flying objects like metal or glass Tools Machine operator error Even if you don’t work in a labor-intensive environment, you still may be exposed to a combination of these dangers. Be smart about your situation and protect your eyes with OSHA-compliant eye safety wea...

Prepping for Your Next Eye Appointment Whether you’re visiting our office for the first time or you’ve been a patient for years, you can do a little homework to be better prepared for your next appointment. To identify some items you should discuss during your next visit, consider the following: What daily activities impact your eyes?  For instance, do you spend lots of time in front of a computer screen or do you find yourself mostly outdoors? Those who frequently use digital devices might experience eye strain while those who work outside are more susceptible to eye sunburns or cancer caused by UV light. If you tell us about the conditions that impact your vision, such as the examples listed here, we can better address your personal eye health. Have you noticed a change in your eye sight?  Even if you answered “no,” your vision can gradually decline without your knowledge. As you age, the sharpness of your visual acuity declines. By the time you reach 40 years old, it’s co...

Traumatic Brain Injuries & Vision It’s not uncommon for someone who experiences a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to develop visual problems. A TBI can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. TBIs can range in severity from mild to severe—in fact, the CDC says that most TBIs that occur in the United States are mild and more commonly known as concussions.  Each year, TBIs contribute to a substantial number of disability cases. A short- or long-term loss in vision quality is just one of the many symptoms an individual may experience. A TBI can also impact attention and memory, coordination and balance, hearing, perception, and touch. Personality changes, aggressive behavior, poor impulse control, and mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, can also appear after a TBI.    In addition to cognitive, physical, or other sensory impairments, here are some common visual probl...

The Skinny on Eye Color Genes You may have learned in biology class that your eye color is determined by the genes you inherited. (Genes are essentially “sets of recipes” that are provided in our DNA.) Along with that, you were probably taught about dominant and recessive genes. For eyes, the dominant gene for the color brown always won over the recessive gene for blue eyes. Unfortunately, that information isn’t right. In the past decade, scientists have discovered the influence of genes on eye color is a little more complicated. A number of different factors define a person’s eye color, the most important of which is eight different color-related genes. The genes control how much melanin, or color pigment, exists in the iris of your eyes. For instance, a gene called OCA2 controls almost 75 percent of the blue-brown color spectrum. Other genes can overrule OCA2, but that rarely happens. This can explain why green eyes are a rarity throughout the world.

Presbyopia is a Part of Getting Older As we age, our bodies change due to natural wear and tear. Our skin starts to wrinkle and sag, muscles begin to shrink and lose mass, and hair becomes grayer. Your visual acuity also begins to decline, and this typically happens after you reach the age of 40. This common condition is called presbyopia, which means “old eyes” in Latin.    Because it’s an age-related change and not a disease, presbyopia can’t be prevented. However, living a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and a well-balanced diet can help slow the process.  What causes presbyopia?  The lenses of our eyes lose their flexibility, causing them to become weaker over time. This makes it difficult to focus on close objects. While the condition may seem to occur suddenly, it actually takes a few years for your lenses to become weak.     Common symptoms.  If you hold reading materials at arm’s length, you might have presbyopia. Additional signs ...

Are You Playing it Safe? Spring is finally here, and more people are getting outdoors to participate in sports and recreation.   According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, tens of thousands of sports and recreation-related eye injuries occur every year. This ranges from scratches on the surface of the eye to blinding injuries. Because your regular eyewear doesn’t offer protection from such incidents, you need protective eyewear that’s appropriate for your level of activity. By doing this, you can prevent up to 90 percent of serious eye injuries. According to  www.geteyesmart.org , the following will help protect your and your family’s vision during sports and outdoor recreation activities.  Youth that play sports should wear eye protection such as polycarbonate lenses or masks that meet the requirements of the American Society of Testing Materials, even if the league doesn’t require it. People who wear contacts or glasses should also wear protective e...