Northcenter Eye Care

25% off 2nd pairs and 20% off most sunglasses at Yelp!

May 10, 2016

Yelp! has been a great resource to our practice, because knowing what we do well and where we need to improve is critical to our ability to best serve our patients.

This month we are inviting patients, new and current, to stop by our Yelp! page and take advantage of two special offers we have.

25% off second pairs. Second pairs are something to consider for a variety of reasons, including computer work, time spent outdoors and behind the wheel, and for participation in sports. Not to mention, a new pair might be just the thing you need for your summer wardrobe.

20% off most sunglasses (restrictions apply). Of course, sunglasses are an essential summer accessory — and a must-have for protecting your eyes. Learn more about what to look for in the perfect pair here.

As always, if you have any questions about your vision or eye health, feel free to call us or make an appointment.

Family history reveals key info about your eyes

May 4, 2016

Knowing your family history is an important step in keeping your eyes healthy. Just like eye color, many eye diseases and conditions have a genetic factor.

Glaucoma. If you have a family history of glaucoma, you are four to nine times more likely to be affected by the disease. While there is no cure for glaucoma, you can manage its progression and impact on your vision with early detection and treatment. Untreated glaucoma can result in permanent blindness.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Having a family member with AMD puts you at a 50 percent greater risk of developing the disease yourself. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among people 50 and older in the U.S. Like many other eye diseases, early detection and treatment makes a significant difference in the progression of the disease and a person’s ability to maintain good vision for as long as possible.

Diabetic retinopathy. Type 2 diabetes, one of the fastest growing health conditions in this country, is genetically influenced. While there are a variety of other factors that cause Type 2 diabetes, family history does play a role. You would be surprised how often diabetes is detected through a comprehensive eye exam due to the presence of diabetic retinopathy.

Knowing your family health history can actually save your vision! Make sure to share all the details at your next comprehensive eye exam.

Graphic courtesy of National Eye Institute (NEI)

Eye exam misconceptions explained

April 29, 2016

We rely heavily on our sense of sight and need to keep our eyes healthy and fully functioning. Comprehensive eye exams are the foundation of eye care, but some people don’t have the complete story on why. The following addresses three common misconceptions about visits to the optometrist to take care of your eyes.

Vision screenings are not substitutes for comprehensive eye exams.

Vision screenings can help identify individuals who are at risk for a vision problem, but they are far more limited than a comprehensive eye exam. Screenings can be performed by anyone trained to do so, regardless of their experience with eye health. A comprehensive eye exam is done by an optometrist.

While a screening can detect potential vision problems, it cannot address the presence or risk of eye disease and other aspects of eye health. One of the best ways to take care of your eyes is to have yearly comprehensive exams, even if you’ve gone through vision screening that gives you the “all clear.”

Patients who wear contact lenses will have a longer exam.

Occasionally we get questions from our contact lens patients about the extra time and expense of their appointments. Working with patients who wear contacts requires additional testing to make sure their lenses not only correct their vision, but also fit properly and are comfortable. After all, contact lenses are applied directly to the eyes which results in increased risk of injury and infection if the fit isn’t right.

While eyeglass prescriptions are valid for up to two years, contact lens prescriptions expire after one year. This is a federal law designed to optimize contact lens safety.

Even people with “perfect” vision need to have their eyes examined each year.

Comprehensive exams include more than just vision testing, so those who skip them are missing out on tracking other aspects of their eye health, including additional measures of visual performance and the early detection of eye diseases. This is as important for children as it is for adults.

Changes in vision are not always easily detected, especially by children who aren’t aware of what “perfect” vision means. Even adults have a hard time recognizing more subtle vision changes for what they are.

We make it easy to schedule your comprehensive eye exam. Call us or click on the scheduling button to the right.

Early detection is the best defense against AMD

February 23, 2016

Macular degeneration, or AMD, is the leading cause of severe vision loss in the U.S. for people 50 and older. In fact, given the size of the aging Baby Boomer population, experts predict that AMD will reach epidemic proportions in less than 15 years.

Unfortunately there is no cure for AMD, so knowing risk factors and sharing them with your eye care professionals is critical, especially as you approach your fifties and beyond. For patients with AMD, early detection has a significant impact on disease progression and vision loss.

Following are some of the risk factors for AMD. As you can see some are genetic, but others are environmental and within your control.

Age. People 55 years and older are at greater risk.
Race. Caucasians develop the disease at a higher rate than other races.
Genetics. People with a family history of AMD have greater risk than those without.
Smoking. Research shows the more people smoke, the more likely they are to develop AMD.
UV exposure. UV light, and blue light, can damage the retina, the part of the eye effected by AMD.
Unchecked cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure. Research indicates a correlation between cardiovascular disease and AMD. The two share common risk factors, such as smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise.

Because symptoms in the early stages of AMD often go unnoticed, regular comprehensive eye exams are the best defense for addressing the disease. Make sure we are aware of your risk factors, especially family history.

Tips for transitioning your child to glasses

September 11, 2015

You’ve just been told that your child needs glasses. You may feel relief that your instincts about his or her vision were right. Then you may feel apprehension at the extra responsibility of selecting and getting your child to wear a pair of glasses. The following tips can help make wearing glasses a smooth transition for you and your child:

Let them choose. Children who are allowed to choose their own frames are more invested in wearing them right from the beginning. Before you head over to the optical section, give your child some parameters, especially if you are on a budget. Our optical specialists can walk you through the features you’ll want to consider, such as polycarbonate lenses and durable frames, and ensure the right fit.

Pay attention to fit. Sometimes children are so excited about their glasses that they gloss over the questions we ask during fittings. If your child finds that his or her glasses are less comfortable a few days after receiving them, know that we are always available to make adjustments. Kids need to be comfortable in their glasses, whether they are for schoolwork only or worn full-time.

Make wearing them non-negotiable. Sometimes children will resist wearing their glasses. One child may be particularly sensitive to having something on the face. Another may feel self-conscious. Find out why your child is resisting and do what you can to address the issue.

If you know your child will be uncomfortable, use the time before they receive their prescription glasses to get them used to the sensation with dress-up glasses or sunglasses. This will help prepare them for the “real thing” when it comes.

For kids who are afraid of teasing or “being different,” read them books on wearing glasses, point out people they admire who wear glasses and reassure them that their new glasses offer a great benefit — better eyesight!

Regardless of your child’s concern, wearing the glasses should be mandatory. If you do opt to give them time off from their glasses, make sure it is limited, clear and easy to follow, as well as appropriate for their vision needs.

Consider a spare pair. Sometimes the responsibility of wearing and keeping track of glasses is difficult for children. This is especially true for children who don’t need to wear their glasses full-time and end up removing them frequently throughout the day. Having a pair for home and one that your child keeps at school is a good way to ensure that when the homework comes out, your child doesn’t have to muddle through (and vice-versa).

For children who wear glasses full-time, parents should consider keeping a back-up pair for times when the primary pair breaks or is left behind somewhere that isn’t easily accessible. Giving them the choice of which pair they wear each day is another strategy for avoiding a power struggle.

Check in and check up. Once your child has adjusted to the idea of wearing glasses, he or she may not say much about them, including if they are working sufficiently. Kids’ eyes are developing more rapidly than adults’, and their glasses will need adjustments to the frames and changes to the prescription more frequently. Make sure you are communicating with them regularly about their glasses and stick to an annual schedule for comprehensive exams. Do not hesitate to contact us with questions if an issue arises between annual check-ups.

*Photo courtesy of allaboutvision.com