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Second pairs — a great investment in your eyes

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Do you work on a computer? Enjoy time outdoors? Spend a good portion of time driving?

If you wear glasses and do any of these things, you might consider getting a second pair.

When it comes to having an extra pair of glasses, convenience is important, but there are other reasons to build your eyewear collection.

Computer work. People spend time in front of computer screens more than ever before, and for many patients it’s mandatory for their jobs. Unfortunately, computer eye strain is a common outcome.

There are two primary ways that computer work impacts vision. One is that computer screens are situated in what is called the “intermediate” zone for vision. Most vision correction addresses distance or near vision, not intermediate, so there is a good chance your current prescription isn’t quite right for computer work. Second is that computers emit “blue light,” which studies indicate is harmful to the eyes because of its high level of UV rays.

Glasses specially prescribed for computer work factor in the typical distance of a monitor or laptop screen and include tints to reduce glare and block blue light. They are an ideal solution for anyone who spends four or more hours on the computer most days of the week.

Time spent outdoors. While photochromatic lenses that darken when exposed to UV rays are an option for people who wear glasses, a second pair in the form of prescription sunglasses is sometimes preferred. Contact lens wearers should consider opting for prescription sunglasses in places like the beach and the pool, where contacts can be less convenient.

Time spent behind the wheel. One place that photo chromatic lenses aren’t as effective as prescription sunglasses is in the car. Because the windshield blocks a certain amount of UV rays, these lenses do not darken enough for most drivers’ comfort. Prescription sunglasses do a better job of reducing glare while driving.

Participation in sports. The vast majority — an estimated 90 percent — of sports-related eye injuries are preventable. If you wear glasses and participate in sports, make sure you have the proper eyewear. Most protective eyewear for sports is made of impact-resistant polycarbonate, which also offers the bonus of being UV protective, and has features to boost comfort and wearability during the action.

To make it easier on our patients, we offer 20 percent off second pairs. This is also a great way to use any healthcare flex spending funds you have. Please schedule an appointment if you’d like to talk more about your second pair needs.

*Photo courtesy of usamedeniz/freedigitalphotos.net.

Your child’s eyes — an important tool for learning

As learning becomes more digital, taking care of kids' eyes is important than ever.

As classroom learning becomes more digital, taking care of kids’ eyes is more important than ever.

With back-to-school time approaching, we want to remind patients how important healthy eyes are to learning.

According to experts, 80 percent of what students are taught is presented visually, which makes healthy eyes one of the most important tools for the classroom. But that’s not the only reason to stay on top of regular check-ups and eye care.

  • According to the American Optometric Association, more than 41 percent of parents report their children use digital devices more than three hours a day. With increasing use of technology at school and home, it’s important to stay on top of issues related to digital eye strain.
  • One in four children has a vision problem that could affect learning if left untreated, per Prevent Blindness America. A comprehensive eye exam is the best way to detect, prevent and treat vision problems.
  • The Vision Council reports that eye care providers are seeing an increase in myopia among children. Research points to the rise in near-vision activities like using digital devices and a decline in time spent outdoors in natural light as possible contributors.

Unfortunately, many parents are unaware of the importance of annual eye exams for kids. More than half (60%) don’t feel an eye exam is an essential part of a child’s healthy checkup schedule, based on a recent survey of more than 1,000 parents. You can find more information on eye health for children here.

The State of Illinois requires that all students entering a public, private or parochial schools, starting at kindergarten, have their eyes examined by a licensed optometrist. Even if your child is returning to the same school, annual exams are recommended for keeping their eyes healthy.

Virtual care is no substitute for a face-to-face exam

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Face-to-face care is the best way to keep your eyes healthy.

We’ve talked about digital eye strain and other eye health risks associated with technology over the past few months. Another concern with the online world is the increasing number of sites and apps that promise prescription eyeglass fitting and even exams.

An annual comprehensive eye exam performed by an eye care professional, such as one of our doctors at Northcenter Eye Care, is the single most effective way to make sure that you have the information and care you need to keep your eyes healthy and to make sure that your vision correction needs are met.

Virtual exams are very limited in scope, offering only vision correction to individuals who fit a narrow profile. Such exams do not assess any eye health or medical concerns, let alone provide consultation for fitting, adjustments, etc. In addition, many of the services that are part of a comprehensive exam are additional costs in a virtual one. The accuracy of this type of exam is highly questionable too.

March is Save Your Vision Month, and this is a great time to make sure you have your yearly appointment on the calendar. You can book with us online, by phone and even email. Keep in mind that we provide care for the whole family, including children as young as four.

These are a few of your favorite things

At Northcenter Eye Care, our philosophy is to treat every patient as an individual with distinct needs, preferences and sense of style. Yet, there are eyewear brands and features that stand out as favorites among our patients. Here is a quick rundown of some of your favorite things.

Silhouette Urban LiteSilhouette Frames
They are light and durable, making them a great solution for comfort and long wear. Silhouette combines innovation and craftsmanship to create some of the lightest eyewear available, which our patients appreciate.

No-Glare Crizal Coating
The benefits of non-glare lenses are significant. Not only does glare affect your vision, it also can cause headaches and eye irritation. Our patients love these for computer work and night driving, as well as for general appearance. They also are scratch-resistant and offer SPF25 UV protection.

Ray Ban Look Up at the SkyRay-Ban
It’s a classic brand, which is probably why it remains so popular with our patients. Their modern, stylish frames appeal to people of all ages.

 

 

Something else we hope to add to the list of patients’ favorite things is protective eyewear for sports. We continue to see studies that support its benefits. Recently the Wall Street Journal reported on a study presented in Eye journal that wearing shatter-proof eyewear while golfing has been shown to prevent injuries such as ruptured eyeballs and orbital wall fractures. Talk to us if you participate in sports or other activities that pose a risk to your eyes.

Protect your eyes from digital damage

It seems like computers, smart phones and tablets are an indispensable part of our lives for work, hobbies and home life. Have you ever considered how much time you spend with your eyes on a screen?

Earlier this year, the Vision Council did some research on digital use and found that more than 93 percent of adults spend more than two hours each day on a digital device. Sixty percent spend five hours or more. If you have ever felt physical discomfort after viewing a screen for more than two hours, you’ve suffered from digital eye strain.

Here are the most commonly used digital devices, per the Vision Council.

Digital devices most commonly used

Blurred vision, dry eyes, headaches, neck/shoulder/back pain and general discomfort are all symptoms of digital eye strain. Taking a break every 20 minutes for 20 seconds and looking at something 20 feet away is a great way to give your eyes some rest. Other things you can do to alleviate digital eye strain include:

  • Increase the text size on devices to better define content on your screen.
  • Set up your desk for maximum comfort. When sitting in your chair with your arm extended, your palm should rest comfortably on the monitor.
  • Consider eyewear specifically designed for computer work. Glasses with blue light blocking, anti-reflective coating and/or progressive lenses can provide substantial relief to people who spend long hours in front of a screen.

If you think you are suffering from digital eye strain, please let us know. We can discuss various options for relief, from dry eye treatment to special lenses. As always, give us a call or schedule an appointment online.

Beware of Costume Contacts

Applying costume contacts is to be taken seriously.If you think costume contact lenses are scary, you’re right. But it isn’t because they can make you look like a ravenous zombie or a yellow-eyed banshee. Costume contact lenses can do serious damage to your eyes if not properly fitted and prescribed by an eye care professional.

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