Category: Uncategorized

Myopia

Myopia is the medical term used for nearsightedness. Of all correctable visual impairments, myopia ranks number one. With this condition, the eye grows too long from the front to the back. As a result, images don’t focus on the retina. Instead, they focus at the front of it. With this refractive error, individuals can see things up close without any problem but everything at a distance appears blurry. Over time, myopia in children typically worsens. This refractive error puts them at risk of developing other problems. For example, they’re more prone to having premature cataracts and detached retinas as an adult.

To treat this condition, most opt for prescription eyeglasses or contacts. Although MiSight Lenses work similarly to conventional lenses, they’re unique.

Benefits of MiSight Lenses

These contacts slow the progression of myopia in children between the ages of eight and 12. Even more exciting, they slow the progression by as much as 59%. For instance, if an ophthalmologist or optometrist diagnoses a child with nearsightedness and predicts a diopter of -8.00, MiSight contact lenses can reduce that to about -3.50.

As the only contact lens on the market capable of doing this, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fully approved them in 2019.

Another benefit of wearing MiSight contacts over traditional lenses is their soft lens. Especially for younger wearers, they provide optimal comfort.

Also, an individual only wears them once before discarding them. It’s important to note that these contacts aren’t made for overnight wear. For that reason, users need to remove them from the eyes and discard them at the end of each day.

Uniquely Designed

MiSight contact lenses work because of their unique design. After placing them in the eyes, one portion of the lens corrects the refractive error of nearsightedness. This allows the individual to see things at a distance. Another part of the lens focuses some light in front of the retina. This element of the design causes the progression of myopia to slow down. 

MiSight contact lenses are ideal for both slight and severe cases of myopia. Even some of the other more advanced contacts can only correct around 1.00D. For short-sight prescriptions, an optometrist can prescribe MySight contacts as low as -0.250 and as high as -6.00D.

Correcting Vision Safely and Effectively

MiSight contacts are not ordinary lenses. Rather, they treat the myopia refractive error so that children can see better and prevent their vision from becoming worse. They also reduce the risk of additional eye and vision-related problems. Everything combined makes these contact lenses a perfect choice for treating myopia in children..

However, there is a lot of confusion around eye exams, and this primarily due to the different names that are used to describe eye appointments that are designed to check the health and condition of your eyes, and of course the effectiveness of your actual vision itself. These include but aren’t limited to:

• Vision screenings
• Medical eye exams
• Routine vision exams
• Comprehensive eye exams

Many people make the mistake of thinking that all eye exams are the same, but this is absolutely not the case. So, what is the difference between a routine eye exam and a comprehensive eye exam? Read on to find out more…
 

What is a routine eye exam?

The main purpose of a routine eye exam is to identify if you are suffering from a vision impairment such as a refractive eye error. Refractive eye errors are extremely common, accounting for around 80% of vision impairment in the United States. The most prevalent is myopia, beer known as short-sightedness. This is where the patient can see objects close to their face clearly, but those that are further away appear blurred or distorted. Other refractive eye errors include hyperopia (far-sightedness), astigmatism and presbyopia.

Refractive errors are caused by the light in the eye not being reflected normally, and not hitting the light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye properly. This causes the images that are sent to your brain to appear distorted and blurred, making it hard or even impossible for you to focus on them. Patients with refractive eye errors might also experience other symptoms including glare, halos around light sources, headaches and eye strain.

A routine eye exam will assess how well you can see at different distances and whether you would benefit from refractive error correcting devices such as glasses or contact lenses. If this is the case, your eye doctor will determine what prescription you will need and will organize your corrective eyewear. If you select glasses, you will receive advice on selecting the right type of lenses and frames based on your requirements. Similarly, if you choose contact lenses, you will be advised which contact lenses will best suit your needs and given a contact lens fitting which will ensure that your lenses are easy and comfortable to wear.

A routine eye exam can usually be carried out in less than 30 minutes and in most instances, patients are recommended to attend them at least once every two years.
 

What is a comprehensive eye exam?

A comprehensive eye exam is very different from a routine eye exam because, in addition to checking for refractive eye errors, your eye doctor will also evaluate the overall health of your eyes by screening you for common eye diseases. Exactly what will happen at your comprehensive eye exam can vary between providers, but typically you may be given the following assessments:

• A visual acuity test, as is performed in a routine eye exam.
• A cover test, where one eye is covered so that your eye doctor can evaluate how the eyes work independently of one another.
• A test to check your depth perception.
• An ocular motility test to test the movement of the eyes.
• A slit lamp exam which enables your eye doctor to check the shape of the eyeball and spot any abnormalities.
• Pupil dilation, which enables your eye doctor to look into your eyes to check for the presence of any internal eye diseases.
• Glaucoma testing, which checks the pressure inside your eyes.

All of the tests in a comprehensive eye exam should be painless and your eye doctor will explain to you what to expect and why each test is important. Regularly attending a comprehensive eye exam will give your eye doctor a greater opportunity to pick up any of the many common eye diseases that could potentially affect the health of your eyes and your vision. These include glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, keratoconus, binocular vision dysfunction and more. In identifying them early on, you could potentially prevent any damage to your vision or eye health.

Most eye doctors recommend that patients attend a comprehensive eye exam at least once every two years, although if you have a pre-existing eye condition, the frequency with which you are asked to attend could be increased.

For more information on a routine or comprehensive eye exams, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team of eye care specialists today.

One of the key benefits of an FSA is that the funds contributed to it are deducted directly from the employee’s earnings before they can be made subject to payroll taxes. As a result, regular contributions to an FSA can significantly lower your annual tax liabilities.

So, now you know what an FSA is and how it can benefit you. However, did you know that FSA can cover a wide range of qualifying optometric products and services too? Here are a few of the key eye care expenses that you can save money on by using your FSA.

Eye Exams

Most visits to your eye doctor involve an eye exam to check the health of your eyes and the quality of your vision. The American Optometric Association recommends that patients have their eyes checked at least once every two years, or as per your eye doctor’s advice. This is because patients who have an eye disease or problem with their vision may need to be monitored more closely. The great news is that your regular comprehensive eye exam is covered by your FSA!

Eye Surgery

If you suffer a disease or injury that has caused your vision to become severely impaired and you are recommended to have surgery, the cost of this will be covered by your FSA. This includes surgery to reattach a detached retina, cataracts surgery and more. You’ll also be pleased to learn that laser vision correction surgeries such as LASIK are also FSA eligible. This means that it is possible to correct refractive vision errors such as myopia, hyperopia and presbyopia permanently so that you no longer need to rely on glasses or contact lenses.

Eye Drops

Many people rely on eye drops to keep their peepers healthy and functioning well. There are many reasons why someone might take eye drops, from relieving dry eye syndrome to helping to manage allergies that cause itchy, watery and sore eyes. Fortunately, most types of eye drops are covered by your FSA

Glasses

There are several different refractive eye conditions that can mean that patients are reliant on prescription eyewear to help them to see clearly, and glasses remain the most popular solution for these people. If you wear glasses, an FSA can help to save you a considerable amount of money on the frames, lenses and other accessories such as cleaning kits, cases and repair kits that will help you to keep your glasses in great condition for as long as possible.

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are generally more expensive than glasses, but they remain a popular choice for patients with refractive eye errors. Not only do you have to pay out for the lenses themselves, but depending on the type of lens you choose, you may also need carrying cases, cleaning solutions and more. Again, your FSA will cover the cost of these items, helping to make your choice of prescription eyewear affordable!

For more advice on FSA eligible eye care expenses, please get in touch with our experienced eye care team.

There are lots of different contact lenses to choose from, with two of the most popular being daily disposables and toric lenses. 

Disposable Lenses

As their name suggests, these daily contact lenses are disposable. This means that they can and should be discarded at the end of each day rather than re-worn. Disposable lenses do tend to be a little more expensive than some repeat-wear varieties, but the benefits usually outweigh the cost. 

Some of the advantages of choosing daily disposable contact lenses include:

• You don’t have to clean them, which saves patients a great deal of time and hassle. It also helps save money in terms of the ongoing cost of cleaning solution. 
• Disposable lenses are also great for people with eye allergies. This is because with ordinary lenses, there’s an opportunity for deposits and microorganisms to build up. With daily disposables, allergens have less chance to attach themselves to the lenses and cause irritation and other allergy symptoms. 
• You don’t need to schedule regular replacements either, which makes wearing contact lenses easier on your schedule. 
• Disposable contact lenses are particularly good for people who have busy lives and are likely to cut corners when it comes to caring for their eyes or contacts since there is no cleaning or maintenance required.

Daily disposable contact lenses are available in a wide range of prescriptions, including those for patients with nearsightedness and farsightedness. Your eye doctor will be able to advise you if you are a candidate for disposable contact lenses. 

Toric Lenses

Toric contact lenses are recommended for patients who have a refractive eye problem called astigmatism. Patients with astigmatism have corneal abnormalities that cause the refraction of the eye to be different between the vertical and horizontal planes, causing blurred vision and difficulty seeing fine details. Toric contact lenses are shaped in a particular way that creates the different focusing powers needed in each part of the lens to correct your vision. For this reason, it’s essential that Toric lenses are placed into the eyes in the correct position.

Fortunately, manufacturers design Toric lenses with features that help them to stay in place, including:

• Thin/thick zones
• Creating areas of the lens that are thicker or heavier which helps secure it in position 
• An area where the bottom of the lens is slightly cut off 

To keep them stable, Toric lenses are a little firmer than conventional soft lenses. This means that some patients can find them a little less comfortable, but the superior vision they obtain outweighs this. Your eye doctor will be able to advise you if you are a good candidate for Toric contact lenses and which variety would best suit you. 

To find out more about daily contact lenses, speak to our friendly and knowledgeable team. 

You can reduce the stress related to a keratoconus diagnosis and increase the benefits of treatment by understanding your treatment options.

Understanding Keratoconus

Keratoconus is an eye disease that causes the cornea to thin and bulge. This bulge generally takes on the appearance of a cone. As light enters the eye, it becomes distorted by the cone causing vision abnormalities.

Modern research is connecting keratoconus with an enzyme imbalance in the cornea. This imbalance leaves the eye susceptible to oxidative free radicals. Keratoconus has also been linked to UV damage, excessive eye rubbing, poorly fitting contacts, and chronic eye irritation.

Treatment Options

While your eye professional will have the best understanding of what treatment option is right for you, we have compiled ten of the most common treatments here.

Prosthetic Lenses – This lens is used specifically for patients that have very advanced keratoconus and have ruled out other options. The advanced scleral lens also doubles as a protective prosthetic shell. There are special requirements to qualify for this lens though, so check with your eye care professional if this is an option for you.

Corneal Cross-linking (CXL) – There are two different types of this procedure, but they both introduce riboflavin to the cornea in order to strengthen the corneal tissue and stop the bulging from progressing.

Custom Soft Contact Lenses – Soft contacts are generally more comfortable to wear than gas permeable lenses. Recently, some contact companies have been able to create a contact specifically to correct the issues related to mild and moderate cases of keratoconus.

Gas Permeable Contact Lenses – Gas permeable lenses are a hard contact lens that physically forces the eye to adhere to the lens shape. This allows for the correction of keratoconus. The fit is often time-consuming and may take several different lenses to achieve the proper fit.

Piggybacking Contact Lenses – This method is used for individuals who require a gas permeable lens but cannot tolerate wearing rigid contacts. Piggybacking utilizes a soft lens placed on the eye first, and then a gas permeable lens is placed over the top. This offers the comfort of soft contacts with the rigidity and clarity of the gas permeable lenses.

Hybrid Contact Lenses – Hybrid contact lenses were designed specifically for keratoconus. This technology blends a rigid contact lens center with a softer edge, or skirt, of the contact

Scleral and Semi-Scleral lenses – These lenses are gas permeable lenses but cover a larger area of the eye than a standard rigid lens. These lenses don’t put pressure onto the cone shape of the eye. The reduced pressure results in a more comfortable fit for patients.

Optikam Posture Devise (OPD)

You may be surprised to learn that wearing glasses can and likely will affect your posture. Glasses lenses are most accurate when you look directly through their center. This means if your glasses are sitting too low or have slipped down your nose, you may find that you are subconsciously tilting your head back and this can affect your overall posture.

Optikam’s OPD measurement device is a cutting-edge tool that obtains eyewear measurements that take into account how the frame will be worn by patients, enabling the fit to be customized to their individual parameters. The ten measurements taken into account when determining each patient’s position of wear include:

• Monocular pupillary distance
• Multifocal seg heights
• Pantoscopic tilt
• Rear vertex distance
• Wrap (face form tilt)
• Near pupillary distance

This results in frames that not only look fantastic, but that also fit perfectly, remaining both comfortable and stable on the face without you needing to adopt an unnatural posture. The measurements obtained by the Optikam OPD measurement tool are immediately visible on your eye doctor’s tablet so that they can recommend which alterations to the frames are needed to ensure that the frames fit with precision and gives you the best visual experience.

Benefits of OptikamPad and Optikam OPD

Traditionally, the process of a comprehensive eye exam, choosing frames and fitting glasses requires fairly close contact with your eye doctor or other eye care professionals. However, with social distancing being a new process variable, many patients are looking for more virtual options. Fortunately, OptikamPad makes it possible for optical stores to dispense eyeglasses with minimal human contact. This is because the OptikamPad can take measurements from a further distance or even through plexiglass screens. It can even be placed on a stand and the app operated using a Bluetooth mouse, putting even greater distance between your eye care professional and you. 

If you would like to find out more about Optikam OPD and OptikamPad, our knowledgeable team would be delighted to help. Please contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment.

The term lazy eye is misleading because the eye is not actually lazy. In fact, it is a developmental problem in the nerve connecting the eye to the brain, affecting the brain’s ability to use both eyes together. It is not a problem in the eye itself, but in the brain which actively ignores the visual input from the misaligned eye, leading to amblyopia in that eye.

In addition to poor visual acuity, people with amblyopia are more prone to having difficulties with depth perception, eye movements related to reading, and visual decision making while driving.

What Are The Causes of Amblyopia?

Amblyopia develops in childhood due to:

• Significant differences in the prescription (refractive) status between the two eyes due to nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism;
• Constantly misaligned eyes or crossed eyes (strabismus);
• An obstruction of vision in early childhood i.e. cataract, ptosis (droopy eyelid)
   

It is important to note that, because amblyopia is typically a problem of infant vision development, symptoms of the condition can be difficult to detect. Symptoms may include noticeably favoring one eye over the other, an eye turn (either upward-downward outward or inward) or a tendency to bump into objects on one side.

The best way to identify children who are at risk for or already have amblyopia is by performing comprehensive eye examinations. 

How Is Amblyopia Treated?

Amblyopia can be treatable at any age, although the earlier the problem is found and treated, the more successful the outcomes tend to be.

LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), is the most popular refractive surgical procedure. In this procedure, a laser is used to permanently change the shape of the cornea (the clear covering on the front of the eye) to correct common vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. This improves vision and reduces a person’s need for glasses or contact lenses.

LASIK uses an excimer laser (an ultraviolet laser) to remove a thin layer of corneal tissue, giving the cornea a new shape, so that light rays are focused clearly on the retina. In the case of a nearsighted person, the goal of LASIK is to flatten the too-steep cornea; with farsighted people, a steeper cornea is desired. LASIK can also correct astigmatism by smoothing an irregular cornea into a more normal shape.

LASIK is an outpatient surgical procedure with no need to stay at the surgery center overnight as it will take 10 to 15 minutes to perform for each eye. The procedure is done while the patient is awake, but the patient may request mild sedation. The only anesthetic used is eye drops that numb the surface of the eye. LASIK can be done on one or both eyes during the same session.

How to Prepare for LASIK Eye Surgery?

Before LASIK eye surgery, the eye surgeon will evaluate the patient’s medical history and perform a full eye examination, including measuring corneal thickness, refraction, corneal mapping, eye pressure, and pupil dilation. Afterward, the surgeon will discuss what to expect during and after the procedure.

On the day of the surgery, eat a light meal before going to the doctor and take all prescribed medications, if any. Do not wear eye makeup, creams, perfumes or lotions on the day before and the day of surgery, or have any bulky hair accessories that will interfere with positioning head under the laser.

Contact lenses shouldn’t be worn for at least three days prior to the evaluation. In the case of, rigid gas permeable contact lenses, they should not be worn for at least three weeks before. Patients should arrange for a ride home from the place of surgery, as their vision might be blurry.

What Is The Normal Value for Refraction Test?

A value of 20/20 is normal (optimum) vision. This means that individuals who have 20/20 vision are able to read letters that are 3/8-inch (1 centimeter) tall from 20 feet (6 meters) away. The normal uncorrected vision (without glasses or contact lenses) refractive error is zero (plano). Individuals who don’t have 20/20 vision, have what is called a refractive error. A refractive error means that the light is not bending properly when it passes through the lens of the eye. The refraction test will tell the doctor what prescription lens should be used in order to have 20/20 vision.

For people over age 40 who have normal distance vision but difficulty with near vision, a refraction test with a small type size is used to determine normal near vision and the correct power of reading glasses.
 

How Is The Refraction Test Performed?

The test is performed by having the patient seated in a chair that has a special device (called a phoropter or refractor) attached to it. The patient looks through the device and focuses on an eye chart 20 feet (6 meters) away. The device contains lenses of different strengths that can be moved into the patient’s view. The test is performed one eye at a time. If the patient is wearing contact lenses, they should be removed before the test.

In case the final vision is less than 20/20 even with lenses, then there is probably another non-optical problem with the eye. The vision level achieved during the refraction test is called the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

What Are The Causes of Abnormal Refraction Test Results?

• Abnormal results may be due to:
• Astigmatism (abnormally curved cornea causing blurred vision)
• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Presbyopia (inability to focus on near objects that develop with age)
   

Other conditions under which the test may be performed:

• Corneal ulcers and infections
• Loss of sharp vision due to macular degeneration
• Retinal detachment (separation of the light-sensitive membrane (retina) in the back of the eye from its supporting layers)
• Retinal vessel occlusion (blockage in a small artery that carries blood to the retina)
• Retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited disorder of the retina)
   

There is an art to refraction and the optometrist will always answer the patient’s questions and as well as discuss their findings. Based on the results of the refraction test, they can determine the amount of myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.

It treats dry eye syndrome by combining heat and pressure to clear obstructions from the meibomian glands. Learning how it works and its advantages in treating dry eyes may help you.

What Is iLux?

Millions of individuals worldwide suffer from the prevalent ailment known as dry eye syndrome. This happens when your eyes do not produce tears in sufficient amounts or when tears evaporate too soon. Discomfort, irritability, and even eyesight issues may result from this. Although several treatments for dry eyes exist, many are transient and call for repeated application.

iLux is a medical device designed to treat dry eye syndrome. It combines heat and pressure to remove blockages from the meibomian glands. These glands in the eyelids produce the oil that prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly. 

The handheld device is easy to use, making it a convenient and effective solution for those who suffer from dry eyes. It is a practical choice for people with busy schedules because no downtime or recovery period is necessary.

How Does It Work?

The device works by applying gentle heat and pressure to the eyelids. This helps loosen and remove blockages from the meibomian glands. The treatment allows the glands to function properly, producing the necessary oils to keep the eyes moisturized and healthy. The device also provides targeted treatment to specific areas of the eyelids. This allows for a more customized and effective treatment experience.

Benefits 

Using this medical device to treat dry eyes offers numerous benefits, including:

• Improved Comfort: Dry eyes can cause discomfort, irritation, and even pain. By treating dry eyes with iLux, you can experience improved comfort and reduced symptoms.
• Enhanced Vision: Dry eye syndrome can affect vision, causing blurriness or difficulty focusing. Treating the condition with iLux can help improve vision and clarity. 
• Noninvasive: Unlike other treatments for dry eyes, such as surgery, iLux is a noninvasive solution that requires no downtime or recovery period.

How to Use the Device

Using iLux to treat dry eyes is straightforward. Since it is handheld and portable, this device is easy to use at home and when traveling.
To use it, follow these steps:
 

• To determine if it is a good fit for you and to get usage instructions, consult your eye doctor.
• Position the device against your closed eyelid over the affected area.
• It will apply gentle heat and pressure to the eyelid, helping remove blockages from the meibomian glands.
• Repeat this process on each eyelid as instructed by your doctor.

After using it, you may experience some mild discomfort or redness in the treated area. These are usually not severe; they should go away within a day or two.m of eye care specialists today.