What Is A Comprehensive Eye Exam?
First, it is important to understand that a comprehensive eye exam is not just a simple vision screening. Instead, a comprehensive eye exam utilizes a number of different tests to determine your prescription strength and the health of your eyes and vision in general. The comprehensive test can determine if there are any immediate risks to your health and also help you understand how to change your current routine to protect your vision for the future better.

Patient Background – One of the most important things to consider is your background. This includes your medical history and family history. There are a number of issues that are genetic in nature. Understanding if you have a higher likelihood can help us determine if there are additional tests that we should complete or specific things to look for. Additionally, your own medical history helps us better understand any issues in the past and how that could affect your vision. Diabetes is an important factor in considering your future vision risks.

Visual Acuity – This test utilizes the Snellen Eye Chart, which is the chart you generally see on the wall that has larger letters at the top, and each row becomes progressively smaller. This chart allows us to get a quick understanding of how well you can currently see. The results of this test are expressed in a format such as 20/20, which means that you can see as well as the average person. 20/40 is a vision that means that you can see an object 20 feet away, where the average person with good vision can see the same object at 40 feet.

Refraction – For patients who cannot see clearly, the refraction test will help determine what your actual prescription-strength should be in order to get you to see with 20/20 vision. This test can help to correct the refractive error for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.

Retinoscopy – This test can be used to help aid in determining your prescription strength. The test uses a retinoscope that shines a light into your eye and then measures the reflex of the light from your eye to calculate the appropriate prescription.

Eye Focusing and Teaming – These are a series of tests that see how well your eyes function both independently and together. The test is used to make sure that your eyes track together around your entire field of vision, and that the structures of each eye are working appropriately to focus the light entering the eye.

Eye Health – There are a number of other tests that can be used to determine your overall eye health. These tests are used to evaluate each of the different structures of the eye to ensure that they are healthy and functioning properly.

Your eyes are very complex, and it takes a number of different parts of your eye to help properly interpret the picture for your brain. If any of the systems within your eye are not completely healthy, your vision may suffer.

Better Vision
Clearly, the biggest reason for choosing LASIK is improved vision. While some patients have relatively mild problems with their eyesight, others experience major disturbances in their vision that makes functioning day to day almost impossible without the use of visual aids. LASIK can dramatically improve the quality of your vision, reducing the need to wear visual aids, or in some cases, completely eliminating it.

A Good Investment
Eyesight is also notoriously inconsistent, with the majority of people finding that their vision marginally improves or deteriorates with each visit to their optician. When this happens, it is necessary for the optician to recommend a different prescription, and this means expense as the patient finds themselves purchasing new eyeglasses or contacts to reflect their new visual requirements.

Although there is no guarantee that you will be able to completely prescription-free after LASIK, most patients find that eyesight is so improved that any changes to their prescription are much less frequent.

Eyeglasses and contacts are known for being fiddly and fragile, and the need for maintenance and replacements are a common complaint. However, with less need for such devices, the cost of caring for them is also reduced.

A Short, Painless Procedure
LASIK surgery can be performed in one, very short procedure. You should expect to spend around 30 minutes in the surgery suite, but the actual time it takes can be as little as 10 minutes – for both eyes! The remainder of the time will be spent preparing you and ensuring you are comfortable afterward. The entire process is carried out after anesthetic drops have been placed into your eyes, so you can rest assured you will feel absolutely no pain throughout. However, if you are particularly anxious about the process, it may be possible to be given a sedative to help you relax.

Fast Recovery
LASIK eye surgery is renowned for its fast, simple recovery process. You will be able to return home the very same day as your procedure, and the flap that was created in the corneal tissue will start to heal itself without the need for sutures or bandages. Most patients can return to work within a day or two of their procedure. However, you will be expected to attend a follow-up appointment with our Doctors within 48 hours of your surgery so that he can ensure that your eyes are healing correctly.

Extremely Safe
LASIK is an extremely safe procedure when performed by a certified and experienced eye surgeon. Laser technology means that the incisions are made with total precision and accuracy, and the process is completely sterile. The risk of complications in laser vision correction is very low, occurring in only around 1 in every 10,000 cases.

Better Quality Of Life
Eyesight problems can be a huge inconvenience. Activities like swimming and snowboarding are much more difficult if you need to wear glasses or contact lenses. In regular day to day activities, there can be the worry that your eyeglasses may fall off, or that you have left them behind when you need them. If you suffer from pollen allergies, you may find putting contact lenses in nearly impossible. In short, there are lots of ways in which the need for visual aids can interrupt your life, and it can be extremely frustrating. LASIK reduces or removes the inconvenience of eyeglasses or contact lenses and makes it much easier to get on with living life to the fullest.

What Is Ortho-K?
Generations ago, eye doctors knew that the tissue in the eye was soft and somewhat malleable. This knowledge caused them to wonder if they could push the eye back into the proper shape, would an individual be able to see clearly even if they were not wearing their prescription lenses. With the development of gas permeable contact lenses, a few eye doctors began to notice that their patient’s prescriptions did not change as rapidly as previously noted and that they appeared to be able to see correctly even when they were not wearing their contacts.

From these early discoveries, the world of Ortho-K was born. Ortho-K is a special treatment to help patients see clearly even when they are not wearing a prescription lens. Instead, a special gas permeable contact lens is placed into the eye each night before bed and the lens gently pushes the eye into the proper shape while you sleep. In the morning, you can remove the lenses and still see clearly throughout the day. Some patients can even see clearly for up to three days after wearing them for just one night!

Who Should Consider Ortho-K?

• There are a number of issues that our patients can have with prescription lenses. If you have one of the following conditions or concerns, call our office today to schedule an appointment.
• Allergies to the materials in contact lenses
• Dry eye that is made worse by wearing prescription lenses
• Dirt or other debris that gets under contact lenses
• You play sports and do not want to worry about glasses or contacts
• The ability to wake up at night and see clearly
• A general dislike of glasses or contacts

How Long Does It Take?
Once you receive your custom Ortho-K contact lenses, it will take anywhere from one to four weeks to fully see all the benefits to your vision that they will provide. However, some of our patients find that their vision has improved after only wearing their lenses for a single night! During the first few days, you may also still need to wear prescription lenses to see clearly enough to drive or get through your normal day, but that is generally quickly resolved. Also, some patients experience some mild discomfort for the first few nights, but as your eyes adjust over a few days, you should no longer be bothered by the feel of your lenses. Is the Procedure Safe? Orthokeratology was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002. The procedure is considered safe, effective, and reversible. However, there are some side effects associated with Ortho-K. Most of these side effects are a result of improper cleaning of the lenses that can lead to a minor infection. These infections are usually remedied fairly quickly with the use of antibiotic eyedrops.

Overview
If you are sick and tired of wearing contact lenses or glasses every single day and would like an alternative way to correct your vision, consider trying Ortho-K. If you would like more information on Ortho-K, please call our offices today and see how we can improve your everyday life.

Depending On The Type Of Injury, Any Of The Following Symptoms May Be Present:

• Bleeding or other discharge from or around the eye
• Bruising
• Decreased vision
• Double vision
• Loss of vision, total or partial, in one eye or both
• Pupils of unequal size
• Eye pain
• New or severe headaches
• Itchy eyes
• Redness or bloodshot appearance
• A sensation of something in the eye
• Sensitivity to light
• Stinging or burning in the eye
• One eye is not moving like the other
• One eye is sticking out or bulging
• Nausea or headache occurring with eye pain (this may be a symptom of glaucoma or stroke).

A black eye is usually caused by direct trauma to the eye or face, causing a bruise resulting from bleeding under the skin. The skin around the eye turns black and blue, gradually becoming purple, green, and yellow over several days. Swelling of the eyelid and tissues around the eye may also occur. The abnormal color usually disappears within 2 weeks.

A blow to the eye can potentially damage the inside of the eye. Trauma is also a common cause of hyphemia, which is blood inside the front of the eye and is often due to a direct hit to the eye from a ball. Besides, certain types of skull fractures can cause bruising around the eyes, even without direct injury to the eye.

A chemical injury to the eye can be caused by a work-related accident, common household products such as cleaning solutions, garden chemicals, solvents, or other types of chemicals. Fumes and aerosols can also cause chemical burns. With acid burns, the haze on the cornea often clears and there is a good chance of recovery. However, alkaline substances such as lime, lye, drain cleaners, and sodium hydroxide found in refrigeration equipment may cause permanent damage to the cornea. It is important to flush out the eye with large amounts of clean water or salt water (saline).
Photic retinopathy, also known as foveomacular retinitis or solar retinopathy, is damage to the eye’s retina, particularly the macula, from prolonged exposure to solar radiation or other bright light, e.g., lasers or arc welders. It usually occurs due to staring at the sun, watching a solar eclipse, or viewing an ultraviolet, Illuminant D65, or other bright light. Immediate evaluation by your doctor is advised.

In case of an eye injury, cut or trauma, gently apply a clean cold compress to the eye to reduce swelling and help stop the bleeding. Do not, however, apply pressure to control bleeding. If blood is pooling in the eye, cover both eyes with a clean cloth or sterile dressing. And, call your doctor immediately.

In case of eye injury be sure NOT to:

• rub or apply pressure to your eye
• try to remove foreign objects that are stuck in any part of your eye
• use tweezers or any other tools in your eye (cotton swabs can be used, but only on the eyelid)
• put medications or ointments in the eye

As for contact lenses wearers, attempting to remove your contacts can make the injury worse. The only exceptions to this rule are in situations where there is a chemical injury and the lenses didn’t flush out with water, or where immediate medical help cannot be received.

Protect Your Eyes From The Sun
The National Eye Institute recommends protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) and high-energy visible (HEV) rays by always wearing good quality sunglasses while outdoors. Look for sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV rays and absorb most HEV rays with large lenses or a close-fitting wraparound style. Remember that the peak hours for sun exposure are between 10 am and 3 pm or 11 am and 4 pm during daylight savings time and that the sun’s rays are strong enough to pass through clouds, so you need your sunglasses every day.

Avoid Steroid Eye Drops
Steroid eye drops are routinely prescribed to treat dry eyes or an arthritic flare-up in the eyes. Unfortunately, they can also speed up the progression of cataracts. Talk to your Optometrist about how you can manage both conditions without inadvertently making your cataracts worse – and hastening the need for surgery.

Check Your Medications
There are over 300 commonly prescribed medications with side effects that may impact cataract progression. Since your primary care physician may not have access to your eye doctor’s medical records, be sure to ask your doctor if your current medications will affect your cataracts. If you must stay on the medication, it’s even more important to avoid sunlight during peak hours and to wear sunglasses.

Quit Smoking
If you haven’t quit already, here’s another good reason to do it: over time, the damage from smoking can double or triple an individual’s risk of developing cataracts. If you’ve been a smoker, your habit was probably a big contributor to the diagnosis. The good news is – by quitting smoking now, you can slow the progression of cataracts.

Follow Eye Health Diet Guidelines
Studies have shown that certain vitamins and nutrients may reduce age-related decline in eye health, particularly antioxidants. If you’ve already been diagnosed with cataracts, adding foods rich in antioxidants to your diet will help slow the progression. This list isn’t exhaustive, but here are some examples to get you started: dark chocolate, blueberries, strawberries, pecans, carrots, sweet potatoes, artichokes, kale, red cabbage, beans, beets, spinach, apples, and plums.

Doctors also recommend eating more fish high in omega-3 fatty acids. This has been linked to a potentially reduced risk of cataracts or their progression. You may also consider taking a multivitamin that contains Vitamin C and E. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist about how you might adopt a healthy eating plan that’s designed to prevent cataracts.

Fortunately, making these healthy modifications to your diet can prevent many other lifestyle diseases such as diabetes. Studies have shown that a diet rich in processed carbohydrates can increase your risk of both developing cataracts and speeding up its progression. It’s important to develop a plan that works for you and supports your holistic health.

Take control of your cataract diagnosis by getting regular eye exams, communicating with your doctor, and putting these tips into practice. You’ll have better vision and prevent the need for cataract surgery in the near future.

What Is The Macula?
The macula is the most sensitive part of the retina and is responsible for our central vision and what allows us to see fine details with clarity.

Varieties Of AMD

Wet AMD
Wet AMD is one variety of the condition in which abnormal blood vessels grow into the macula, leaking blood or fluid which then causes scarring and a rapid loss of central vision. Wet AMD can develop suddenly and rapid referral to a specialist is essential as it can be treated if caught quickly.

Dry AMD

Dry AMD is the most common variety of age-related macular degeneration and is a gradual deterioration of the retina as the cells die off over time and are not regenerated. Up to 15% of people with dry AMD go on to develop wet AMD, and so any sudden changes in your vision should be followed up with your optometrist as soon as possible.

Symptoms Of Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration affects each person differently, which means that it can sometimes be difficult to diagnose, particularly as you may not notice any change in your vision early on in the condition. However, as the cells deteriorate, you will start to see an increasing range of symptoms, including:

• Distortion or bends in what should be straight lines (such as lampposts or door frames)

Dark spots in your central vision

• Fading colors
• Difficulty adapting from dark to light environments
• Blurred vision
• Objects may appear to change shape, size or color, or may move or disappear
• Bright lights may be difficult to tolerate
• Words may disappear while you are reading

Is There Any Way I Can Reduce My Risk Of Developing AMD?
Unfortunately, there is no clear reason as to what triggers the process that causes macular degeneration. However, you are at an increased risk if you have a family history of the condition, or if you are over 60.

Experts suggest that the best thing you can do to minimize any potential risk is to ensure that you live a healthy, active lifestyle. You can do this by:

• Stopping smoking
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables
• Moderating your alcohol consumption
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Getting regular exercise

There is also some limited research that suggests that eating leafy, green vegetables can slow the deterioration of vision in cases of dry AMD.

Treatment For AMD
Sadly, there is currently no cure for either variety of AMD. In the case of dry AMD, the treatments suggested are done so with the aim of aiding the patient to make the most of their remaining vision. This can include things such as using magnifying glasses to help with reading.

Wet AMD can be treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor medication. This should stop additional blood vessels from developing and stop your vision from deteriorating further.

Occasionally, laser therapy is suggested as a possible treatment for destroying abnormal blood cells, but this is only suitable for cases of wet AMD and usually only around 1 in 7 sufferers may be potential candidates for this procedure.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding macular degeneration, we highly recommend that you speak with your optometrist who will be happy to assist you.

Pink eye is well known as conjunctivitis and it is the infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva or the transparent membrane that serves as a covering for the white part of the eye called the sclera that lines the eyelid. In addition to inflammation, there is usually tearing in the eyes that emits a sticky discharge which develops into a crust while one is sleeping, making it difficult for the patient to open their eyes in the morning.

One thing about the pink eye, which could affect one or both eyes, is that it is highly contagious. While it is more common in children, adults can also victims of this eye condition. Here are the 3 major causes of pink eye:

• Bacteria
• Allergies
• Viruses

General Symptoms of Pink Eye:

• Itchy eyes
• Redness of the sclera
• Pain
• Watery discharge
• Swollen eyelids
• Hazy or blurry vision
• Oversensitivity to light

Prevention
The best way to prevent pink eye is by practicing good hygiene which includes:

• Avoid putting dirty hands in your eyes
• Make it a habit to wash your hands often
• Avoid sharing towels and other personal items
• Do not use dirty items
• Changing your pillow cover regularly
• Do not leave a makeup item open for too long
• Avoid sharing makeup items like eyeliners, mascara, etc.

Treatment Of Pink Eye

• The treatment of pink eye is dependant on its underlying cause. If it is caused by a virus, you just might have to wait for the virus to run its course which could last for about four to seven days. Virus caused pink eye could be easily contracted so it is imperative to try and prevent further spreading. Viruses cannot be cured by antibiotics, but some antiviral drugs could be helpful.
• Antibiotics are most effective against pink eye caused by bacteria as they reduce the lifespan of these bacteria and could come in the form of eye drops or pills. Based on the doctor’s prescription, an eye drop should be administered about four to six times daily. It is important you finish using your drugs even after the disappearance of symptoms.
• To deal with pink eyes caused by allergies, the allergy should be treated. Once treated, pink eye should disappear. It is also important to avoid allergens as much as possible so as to avoid pink eye.

Whenever the symptoms of pink eye emerge, the best preventive measure is to stay at home until the watery discharge ceases to avoid the spread of the bacteria or virus. You should also visit your doctor immediately to begin treatment. While mild pink eyes generally go away on its own, some of the more serious forms can cause a scar on the cornea.

GLAUCOMA MANAGEMENT
The American Glaucoma Society states that there are at least 3 million Americans who suffer from glaucoma and it is the leading cause of worldwide preventable blindness. Eye Care Specialties – Sylvania has invested in advanced equipment available to accurately diagnose and manage this treatable disease.