Sea View Optometric Center Blog

Lo(w) and Behold

Administrator — Sat, 26 May 2012 15:30:10 +0000

Individuals suffering from “low vision” (defined as 20/70 vision or worse that cannot be corrected by conventional lenses) must make the most of the vision they have left. While low-tech solutions such as handheld magnifying glasses continue to be an effective option, there are also some newer high-tech alternatives that offer greater capability. For example, a hand-held digital magnifier or portable CCTV (closed-circuit television) is perfect for such tasks as inspecting food labels or reading outside the home. When the device is placed over the reading matter, simply pressing a button increases or decreases magnification, enhances the contrast, or freezes the image. For the solution that best suits their needs, those with low vision should get an assistive technology evaluation.

To determine the extent of their useful vision, those with low vision should undergo an eye examination that includes refraction, visual field, and ocular motility tests.

Projecting an Image

Administrator — Sat, 26 May 2012 15:27:59 +0000

It hardly comes as news that people have been known to don a pair of glasses to change the way people perceive them. Perhaps the most common example of this quick image change involves wearing a pair of horn-rimmed glasses to make a person look more “serious” or “intellectual.” A pair of eyeglasses with thick black frames, such as those worn by Buddy Holly, also denotes an air of “cool.” These bold glasses have been used by celebrities and non-celebrities alike to lend some gravity to their appearances. The most curious recent example of this fashion involves high-visibility court defendants, who have been urged by their attorneys to wear the glasses so that they will look more innocent.

Wearing a pair of eyeglasses to a job interview may induce the interviewer to take the job applicant more seriously.

The fitting room at Sea View Optometric Center is fully stocked with a wide variety of the latest designer glasses to the latest in current sunglass styles. We are sure you will find your style at Sea View.

Is Your Future Cloudy?

Administrator — Sat, 26 May 2012 15:21:04 +0000

As we age, it is important to get regular eye exams, during which the optometrist can diagnose a cataract. The risk of developing this clouding of the natural eye lens increases after age 60, but people as young as 40 or 50 are also known to get them. By age 80, half of all Americans have cataracts. Those with increased susceptibility include diabetics, smokers, and those who spend a great deal of time in the sun; however, a diet rich in carotenoids is thought to stave off cataracts. Symptoms include perception of muddied colors, compromised night vision, and increased sensitivity to glare. If cataracts do not seriously interfere with vision, a different eyeglass prescription may help improve vision.

Carotenoids such as beta carotene, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin are found in dark leafy greens, tomatoes, carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, green peas, and nearly all dark green/yellow fruits and vegetables.

Insight Into Refractive Errors

Administrator — Sat, 26 May 2012 15:17:54 +0000

While “astigmatism” is a type of refractive error along with “farsightedness” and “nearsightedness,” it is not as well understood. Each of these types of refractive errors is so-called because each affects how the eye bends, or refracts, light. In the case of astigmatism, the cornea, which is usually round (like a basketball), is more conical in shape (like a football). As a result, the eye is rendered incapable of focusing incoming light on a single point on the retina, and vision is blurred at any distance. Fortunately, astigmatism is easy to detect during a comprehensive eye exam. Just as easily, this type of refractive error can be corrected through the use of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Most people have some degree of astigmatism, which frequently occurs with nearsightedness and farsightedness.

Rubbing the Right Way

Administrator — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:59:02 +0000

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises contact-lens wearers to rub (and rinse) their contacts clean. This policy, supported by the American Optometric Association, applies to all contacts, even those advertised as “no rub.” The FDA also advises that wearers of contact lenses throw out cleansers after their expiration date, wash their hands before handling lenses, and allow their contact lens storage cases to dry when not in use. Moreover, lenses should never be cleaned with non-sterile water (including tap water), bottled water, water from lakes and oceans, or homemade saline solution. These recommendations followed an outbreak in fungal infections in 2006 and an outbreak of amoeba infections in 2007. The FDA recalled two products after those outbreaks and remains vigilant about preventing others.

The FDA lens-rubbing recommendation is made on the basis that simple rubbing of contacts removes more debris than mere rinsing.

Special Lenses for Computer Use

Administrator — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:55:45 +0000

With 31 percent of people over the age of 18 saying that they spend an average of five hours daily on a computer, tablet, or cell phone, it is no wonder that eyestrain has become an even greater problem. As computer users’ eyes not only stay focused for long periods of time, their eyes must also remain converged (moved inward). Reduced blinking makes matters even worse. As a result, focusing fatigue and convergence fatigue lead to eyestrain and blurred vision. Unfortunately, these problems cannot be adequately addressed with regular prescription lenses or reading glasses. The best solution involves the use of single-vision eyeglasses that are specifically prescribed for computer and desk work. To do specific work, specific tools are needed.

To better focus their eyes on computer screens or smartphones, desk workers who already wear glasses may avail themselves of progressive lenses that have a limited amount of added magnification for intermediate and near vision.

Not Taking Tears for Granted

Administrator — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:53:20 +0000

As we go through life, there are some things that we just take for granted. It therefore often comes as an eye-opening experience to “dry eye” sufferers that they are no longer producing enough tears (or tears of sufficient quality) to lubricate and nourish their eyes. Tears are produced by a number of glands in and around the eyelids. As we age, tear production tends to fall off. Dry eye may also be associated with certain medical conditions and can be a side effect of certain medications. The most common cause of dry eye is an inadequate amount of water in the tears. This condition, known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), is also referred to as “dry eye syndrome.”

Once properly diagnosed and its underlying cause identified, “dry eye syndrome” can be effectively treated with artificial tear solutions.

Two Eyes With Different Focusing Ability

Administrator — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:51:39 +0000

On occasion, an eye exam will reveal that a person has a significant difference between the refractive power of each eye. For example, one eye may be nearsighted while the other is farsighted. The potential problem with this disparity in refractive power, known as “anisometropia,” is that youngsters with eyes of different focusing ability may have eyes that appear normal, which leads to the condition going undetected. As a result, the child may go on to develop amblyopia (“lazy eye”) and below-normal stereoacuity (3-D vision) if their brains were to selectively ignore the image from one eye. Providing glasses that correct any significant difference between the eyes maximizes the potential for clear 3-D vision.

People with anisometropia are also prone to “aniseikonia,” which causes affected individuals to see images that differ in size or shape with each eye.

emPower! Wins Gold for Improving Quality of Life

Administrator — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:55:58 +0000

May 3, 2012 – PixelOptics’ emPower! eyewear has been honored with the 2012 Gold Edison Award for Quality of Life in the competition’s Lifestyle and Social Impact category. emPower! received the highest award in this category and won over such competition as 3M Health Care, sharing the spotlight with other winners including Apple, IBM Watson, Dow Chemical, Ford Motor Company and GE Healthcare.

For the past 25 years, The Edison Awards have been synonymous with excellence in technology and business innovation. Created in honor of famed inventor Thomas Alva Edison, the awards are judged by a panel of more than 3,000 leading business executives, including past winners, members of the Marketing Executives Networking Group (MENG), academics and leaders in product development, design, engineering, science and medicine.

We, at Sea View Optometric, are proud to be a part of the first group of eyecare providers who offer such a revolutionary product. Click here to find out more about the new emPower! electronic eyewear.

Get Social With Us

Administrator — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 01:59:57 +0000

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