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Bringing Vision into Focus

Resources

Learning about your eye health can be complicated – and might even seem overwhelming at times. To simplify things for our patients, we have created our Eye Health Resource Section, a comprehensive section of vision-related information. We invite you to browse through this section of information to help you better understand how your vision works, common eye conditions, surgeries and how your vision changes as you age. Come back and check this page often as we are constantly adding to it.

Links

Contact Lens Companies

Proper Care and Handling of Contact Lenses

It is relatively simple to care for contact lenses. A single, multi-purpose lens solution is generally all that’s required for cleaning, disinfecting and storing your lenses. With daily disposables, routine care is totally eliminated and you can enjoy the feeling of a brand new fresh clean lens every day.

Your eye doctor or contact lens technician will instruct you how to take care of your contact lenses before you leave the office.

This video demonstrates proper insertion and removal of contact lenses: https://youtu.be/OrQ9nr9lQzY

Articles

Halloween Hazard: Never Buy Decorative Contact Lenses Without a Prescription

Date: June 17, 2021

Source: Dan T. Gudgel

Summary:

Just 10 hours after she first put in a pair of colored contact lenses that she’d bought at a souvenir shop, Laura Butler of Parkersburg, W.Va., had "extreme pain in both eyes". This was not an isolated occurrence. Click to read the full story.


Casual Wine Drinkers Less Likely to Get Cataracts

Date: March 31, 2021

Source: Vered Hazanchuk

Summary:

Good news for low to moderate wine drinkers, a new study shows they are the least likely people to develop cataracts compared with nondrinkers and people who drink other types of alcohol. Click to read the full article.


Eye Injuries Cost the NBA $2.4 Million in Single Season

Date: March 16, 2021

Source: Susanne Medeiros

Summary:

Eye injuries sustained during the 2018-2019 season cost the NBA $2.4 million in lost productivity, based on the salaries of the players who suffered eye injuries. Click to read the full article.


Do People With AMD Have a Higher Risk of COVID Complications?

Date: March 10, 2021

Source: Reena Mukamal

Summary:

Patients with macular degeneration may have an elevated risk of COVID complications and possibly death, a new study suggests. However eye experts caution that more research is needed to understand this risk. Click to read the full article.


A healthy lifestyle for cardiovascular health also promotes good eye health

Date: August 20, 2020

Source: Elsevier

Summary:

Investigators found that ideal cardiovascular health, which is indicative of a healthy lifestyle, was associated with lower odds for ocular diseases especially diabetic retinopathy. These findings suggest that interventions to prevent cardiovascular diseases may also hold promise in preventing ocular diseases.


Multifocal contact lenses slow myopia progression in children

Date: August 11, 2020

Source: NIH/National Eye Institute

Summary:

Children wearing multifocal contact lenses had slower progression of their myopia, according to new results. The findings support an option for controlling the condition, also called nearsightedness, which increases the risk of cataracts, glaucoma and retinal detachment later in life.


OCT-based technique captures subtle details of photoreceptor function
New instrument paves the way to earlier detection and treatment of diseases that cause blindness

Date: August 18, 2020

Source: The Optical Society

Summary:

Researchers have developed a new instrument that has, for the first time, measured tiny light-evoked deformations in individual rods and cones in a living human eye. The new approach could one day improve detection of retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in people over 55 worldwide.


Researchers discover predictor of laser treatment success in patients with glaucoma
Pre-treatment eye pressure is best gauge of laser effectiveness

Date: August 5, 2020

Source: University of Missouri-Columbia

Summary:

More than 70 million people worldwide suffer from glaucoma. Treatment options have traditionally included eye drops to reduce the fluid the eye produces or surgery to unclog the eye's drainage. But a new study provides insight into which patients might benefit most from a noninvasive treatment called selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), which relieves pressure by using a laser to alter the eye tissue, resulting in better fluid drainage.


Special filters in glasses can help the color blind see colors better, study finds
Effect persists even when glasses are not worn

Date: July 13, 2020

Source: University of California - Davis Health

Summary:

A new study found that special patented glasses engineered with technically advanced spectral notch filters enhance color vision for those with the most common types of red-green color vision deficiency ('anomalous trichromacy'). Notably, the ability to identify and experience expanded color was also demonstrated when color blind test subjects were not wearing the glasses.

Equipment

At Prism Eye Care Inc., we use state-of-the-art equipment to properly examine your eyes, ensuring your prescription is accurate and your eyes free of disease. As members of the American Optometric Association, we stay up on changes in medicine and advances in technology, mastering innovative techniques and methods in order to give you the best possible eye care.

autorefractorAutorefractor

An autorefractor is a computer-controlled machine used during an eye exam to help determine visual acuity. It provides an objective measurement of a person's refractive error and prescription for glasses or contact lenses. This is achieved by measuring how light is changed as it enters a person's eye. The autorefractor has been in use since the 1970’s because of its’ ease of use and accuracy.

Daytona Retinal Imaging Device - Optos

Optos Retinal Imaging DeviceRetinal imaging allows optometrists to see signs of eye diseases that they couldn’t see before. The test itself is painless and the results are easy for optometrists to interpret.

In addition to helping detect diseases early, retinal images provide a permanent and historical record of changes in your eye. Through retinal imaging technology, Prism Eye Care Optometrists can diagnose: Macular degeneration and Ocular cancers.

Digital retinal imaging uses high-resolution imaging systems to take pictures of the inside of your eye. This helps our optometrists assess the overall health of your retina and helps them to detect and manage such eye and health conditions as diabetes, glaucoma, and existing macular degeneration.

Retinal imaging plays a critical role in the diagnosis and on-going management of diabetic retinopathy.

Zeiss Visual Field MachineHumphrey Zeiss The Frequency Doubling Technology (FDT) Visual Field Machine

A visual field test is an eye examination that can detect dysfunction in central and peripheral vision which may be caused by various medical conditions such as glaucoma, stroke, pituitary disease, brain tumors or other neurological deficits.

Visual field testing maps the visual fields of each eye individually and can detect blind spots (scotomas) as well as more subtle areas of dim vision. The visual field test is a subjective examination, so the patient must be able to understand the testing instructions, fully cooperate, and complete the entire visual test in order to provide beneficial information to the optometrist.

Auto Refractor Optical Phoropter

Auto Frefractor Optical PhoropterA phoropter or refractor is an ophthalmic testing device that provides an objective reading prior to the subjective tests that follow on a phoropter. An auto refractor works by shining light into the eye and measuring how it bounces off the back of the eye.

It is commonly used by an optometrist during an eye examination, and contains different lenses used for refraction of the eye during sight testing, to measure an individual's refractive error and determine his or her eyeglass prescription.

FAQ's

Q: What is diabetic retinopathy?

A: Diabetic retinopathy is a condition which can occur at any stage or type of diabetes. In fact, many times diabetes is identified during an eye exam in a person who never suspected they may have diabetes. It is caused by damage to the very delicate blood vessels within the retina. Over time, these blood vessels may start to leak blood and fluid into the retina or other areas of the eye. If the condition progresses, new vessels may begin to grow within the retina, which places the retina at risk of additional and sometimes sudden complications including internal bleeds and retinal detachment.

Q: How do I know if I have Dry Eye?

A: Dry eye can cause quite a few symptoms, anything from the eyes actually feeling dry to the eyes watering often, or having a burning, itchy, or irritated feeling. One of the most common symptoms is the eyes feeling gritty or like something is in your eye. Most people will often experience blurred vision since the tears, which comprise the outermost surface of the eye, are unstable.

Q: My optometrist says I have a cataract, but he wants to wait a while before removing it. Why?

A: A cataract usually starts very small and practically unnoticeable but as it advances it gradually becomes cloudier. Your optometrist is probably waiting until the cataract interferes significantly with your vision and your lifestyle. You need to continue to visit your optometrist regularly so the cataract's progress is monitored. Some cataracts never really reach the stage where they should be removed. If your cataract is interfering with your vision to the point where it is unsafe to drive, or doing everyday tasks is difficult, then it's time to discuss surgery with your ophthalmologist.

Q: My eye is suddenly red and irritated/painful, what should I do?

A: Whenever you get a red eye, it is very important to make an emergency eye appointment immediately with our optometrist to see what the cause is. Some red eyes will go away with rest, but some are vision threatening and could cause blindness within 24 hours (ie. If the cause was a microorganism from contact lens wear). If you wear contact lenses, remove them immediately and do not wear until the redness subsides. Our optometrist uses a high magnification slit lamp to examine your eyes to determine the exact cause of the problem and will treat accordingly. A family doctor usually does not have the necessary equipment and will treat based on your symptoms only. If your eyes need antibiotic eye drops, our optometrist can prescribe the proper ones for your condition.

Q: Am I a good candidate for refractive surgery?

A: Patients who are at least 18 years of age, have healthy eyes that are free from retinal problems, corneal scars, and any eye diseases are generally suitable. Many patients who are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism are potential candidates. We will also discuss your lifestyle needs to help you decide if LASIK is the best alternative for you. If you would like to schedule a free LASIK consultation, please contact our office.