Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss, affecting about 3 million people in the United States. But this potentially blinding eye disease does not affect all people equally. During Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, Laservision Eye Care Center and the American Academy of Ophthalmology is urging people to be screened, especially if you are at increased risk of glaucoma.

Who is at risk?

African Americans are 6 to 8 times more likely to get glaucoma than white Americans. Blindness from glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than white Americans.

People with diabetes are 2 times more likely to get glaucoma than people without diabetes.

Hispanic Americans face an increased risk comparable to African Americans, but the disease may also progress faster as they age, compared with other ethnic groups.

Asians are at an increased risk for the less common types of glaucoma: angle-closure glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma.

Also at risk are people over age 40, those who are severely nearsighted, and those who have a family history of glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damages the eye’s optic nerve, often due to increased fluid pressure inside the eye. The optic nerve transmits visual information to the brain, allowing us to see. Because glaucoma often progresses slowly, affecting just peripheral or side vision, people with glaucoma can lose most of their vision before they even experience any symptoms. Central vision, the vision used to read, drive or watch TV, is unaffected until the disease is advanced.

“Just because you think you can see well, doesn’t mean all is well,” said Dianna Seldomridge, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Once vision is lost to glaucoma, it can’t be regained. That’s why regular screening, especially among those at higher risk for glaucoma, is absolutely vital. When caught early, glaucoma can be treated with eye drops or an in-office laser treatment. But in advanced cases, surgery may be required to slow the vision loss and prevent further damage.” This information has been provided as a public service announcement by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

“Smart glasses” are eyeglasses that have “built in” computer technology. They were first developed in 2012, when Google introduced the prototype named “Google Glass.” These glasses had a high resolution camera that was able to record and send pictures and videos via the internet. Initially, the glasses were used to train doctors how to perform various surgeries by showing the surgeon’s view of the procedure as recorded by the eyeglasses.

Over the years, many advancements have occurred and the technology has been refined. The glasses are now able to superimpose information onto the wearer’s field of view, allowing him or her to still be able to see through it if desired. Smart sunglasses are able to change the amount of tint and color to the lenses. Smart glasses use WiFi or cell phone technology to access the internet ‘hands free” via voice commands or by touching the control bar on the eyeglass temples along the side. Smart glasses utilize apps similarly found on smartphones to perform such activities as fitness tracking, GPS location and directions, checking email, sending texts, taking and sending videos and sharing photos.

The speaker for wireless audio inputs and cellphone reception rests on the end of the temple. Audio can be transferred to the ear via bone conduction instead of air conduction through the ear canal. Bose has developed smart glasses with a high quality audio system with hidden headphones and no earbuds or bone-conduction. Smart  glasses can use Bluetooth technology as well. Other smart phones have been produced by several companies including the Amazon Echo Frames, Facebook Smart Glasses and the newly released RayBan Stories Smart glasses. Battery time continues to improve and the weight of the frames continues to get lighter. The frames also have become much more stylish than the bulky prototypes that first came out. Initially, Google glass had a price tag of $1500 and this was too expensive for most consumers. It was taken off the market after only 18 months. Now these glasses can often be purchased for less than $300.

 The concept of hands free access to the internet and many computer applications through the use of eyeglasses is clearly an exciting one. However, smart glasses have considerable potential to distract the wearer, which could increase the danger to themselves and others, especially while driving. Therefore, as with texting messages, use your device when appropriate and be aware of your surroundings at all times to ensure your safety and the safety of others as well.

Do you know whether you are right-eye or left-eye dominant?  In general, eye dominance goes along with handedness. In other words, left-handed people are more likely to be left eye dominant while right-handed people are more likely to be right eye dominant. But there are many exceptions to this rule. For example, according to one study, about 35% of right-handers and 57% of left-handers are left eye dominant.

Most people automatically use their dominant eye when looking through a camera eyehole, microscope or a telescope. Studies show that eye dominance can affect a person’s performance in sports, photography, and other activities. In fact, several sports organizations encourage their athletes to adjust their performance based on their dominant eye—for example, pitchers in baseball and golfers may favor one side of their bodies over the other. 

You can check which eye is dominant with a simple test.  

1.  Extend your arms in front of you with your palms facing away.

2.  Bring your hands together, forming a small hole by crossing the thumbs and forefingers.

3.  Choose a small object about 20 feet away from you. With both eyes open, focus on the object as you look through the small hole.

4.  Close one eye and then the other. When you close one eye, the object will be stationary. When you close the other eye, the object should disappear from the hole or jump to one side.

5.  If the object does not move when you cover one eye, then that eye is dominant. The eye that sees the object and does not move is the dominant eye.

        Eye dominance should not be overlooked in children. In some cases, very strong eye dominance could lead to a condition known as amblyopia (more commonly known as “lazy eye”).  Amblyopia is commonly caused by one eye being unable to focus as well as the other. Childhood amblyopia typically develops when there is loss of clear vision due to nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism and this occurs in only one eye. The child’s brain, in response, will focus on using the “better” eye to see more clearly and not “use” the lazy eye. This will result in decreased visual acuity and often requires treatment by patching the good eye completely to force the amblyopic eye to work. This is why children must have had a thorough eye examination by the time they turn five years of age.

The following information is taken from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Did you know that too much sun on unprotected eyes increases the risk of eye disease? The good news is that prevention is simple: Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. But there are a lot of common myths about sunglasses and eye health.

Myth #1: Sunglasses are only for sunny days
False. UV light gets through clouds and haze. Regardless of the season, sun exposure can increase the risk of developing cataracts, eyelid cancer and various growths on the eyeball itself. Sun reflecting off ice and snow can also lead to photokeratitis, a painful eye condition sometimes referred to as “snow blindness.”

Myth #2: Babies and children don’t need to wear sunglasses
False. Children are just as susceptible to the sun’s harmful rays as adults. Start them on healthy habits early.

Myth #3: Cheap sunglasses don’t offer protection
False. Sunglasses don’t have to cost a lot of money to provide adequate eye protection. Less expensive pairs marked as 100 percent UV-blocking can be just as effective as more expensive options, but labels can sometimes be confusing and misleading. Some indicate sunglasses offer 100 percent protection from UVA/UVB radiation, others offer 100 percent UV 400 protection. Both block 100 percent of the sun’s harmful radiation.

Myth #4: Size doesn’t matter
False. The more coverage sunglasses provide, the less sun damage inflicted on the eyes. Consider oversized sunglasses or wraparound-style glasses, which can help cut down on UV light entering the eye from the side. Wraparound glasses may also protect against dry eye due to the wind.

Myth #5: Polarized lenses offer more protection from the sun
False. Polarized lenses do not block more radiation; however, they can cut down on glare reflecting off cars, water or pavement, which can make activities such as driving or boating more enjoyable. 

Myth #6: Darker lenses offer more protection from the sun
False. The darkness of the lens isn’t indicative of protection. Make sure the label on the lens says 100% UV-blocking.

Myth #7: Tinted lenses offer more protection from the sun
False. Amber, green and grey lenses do not block more of the sun’s harmful rays. However, tinted lenses do offer increased contrast for those who play sports, making a baseball or a golf ball easier to see. Rose and rose copper lenses provide the highest contrast and do the most to separate and boost colors. You’ll find it easier to spot the baseball against the blue sky or the green grass if you wear sunglasses with this color. Brown lenses are a little denser than rose or rose copper, so they’re better for bright conditions while still providing great contrast enhancement. Gray is a great tint color for blocking excessively bright light. Yellow and orange tints enhance contrast in low light or overcast conditions and protect against blue light emissions.

With the summer approaching, be sure to have your eyes protected from the UV rays.

As the old saying states : “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in people 50 years or older.. The disease harms central vision and limits a person’s ability to read, write and recognize faces. There are two types of macular degeneration: dry and wet. About 80% of people who have AMD have the dry form. Dry AMD occurs when the macula (the center of the retina in the back of the eye) gets thinner with age and tiny clumps of protein called drusen grow. Wet AMD is when new, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. These vessels may leak blood or other fluids, causing scarring of the macula. People lose vision much faster with wet AMD than with dry AMD.

AMD causes your vision to change over time. You may not notice these subtle changes when they happen. But you need to catch vision changes as soon as possible. Treating them early can help slow or stop further loss of sight. You should use an Amsler grid like the one below to monitor your vision.

Here is how to use the Amsler grid:

• Keep the Amsler grid in a place where you see it every day. Many people keep an Amsler grid on their refrigerator door or on their bathroom mirror.
• In good light, look at the grid from about 12–15 inches away. Be sure to wear your reading glasses if you normally use them.
• Cover one eye. Look directly at the dot in the center of the grid with your uncovered eye. Notice if any of the lines look bent or wavy. See if any part of the grid looks blurry, dim, or out of shape.
• Now cover your other eye and test your vision this same way again.

Call your eye doctor right away if you notice that any lines or parts of the grid look wavy, blurry, or dim.

Many studies have found that smoking cigarettes can increase risk of AMD. Smoking also increases the speed at which the disease worsens. If you smoke, you are twice as likely to get AMD compared with a nonsmoker. You are also more likely to develop AMD if you are overweight, have high blood pressure, have high cholesterol levels and a family history of AMD. 

Fifteen years ago, there was little that could be done to stop AMD from stealing people’s vision, especially from wet AMD. Thanks to major advances in treatment, such as the use of anti-VEGF drugs, fewer people are going blind. These medications are usually administered by a retina specialist and the procedure is done in the office. Laser surgery is also sometimes used. In the future, treatments like stem cell therapy and gene therapy may be available to prevent vision loss from AMD. At this time, there is no treatment for dry AMD. According to recent study called “AREDS2”, people with drusen might benefit from taking a certain combination of nutritional supplements daily including Vitamin C (500 mg), Vitamin E (400 IU), Lutein (10 mg), Zeaxanthin (2 mg), Zinc (80 mg), and Copper (2 mg). These are commercially formulated and available over the counter. Beta carotene should not be used by smokers as it raises the risk of lung cancer. Other studies have shown that foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are good for eye health. To help cut AMD risk and maintain eye health, one should eat foods such as salmon, tuna, citrus fruits, kale, spinach, corn, broccoli, squash, and black-eyed peas.

Macular degeneration is a very serious condition. Older Americans who are unaware of the disease may be putting themselves at risk. The good news is that they can protect their sight with routine eye exams and some lifestyle changes. 

If you are visiting your doctor’s office for routine eye care or for an urgent need, you may feel nervous about going to your appointment during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Here at Laservision Eye Care Center, we follow strict hygiene and disinfection guidelines, as defined by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. 

We have implemented new procedures limiting close physical contact among people to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. 

1. Patients with symptoms of coronavirus—such as fever, cough and shortness of breath—will not be allowed in the office. 
2. You should wear a mask to your appointment. If you do not have a mask, the eye clinic may provide one for you. 
3. The clinic may ask you to wait outside, or in your car, instead of in the normal waiting room. This is to protect you, the other patients, and the office staff from possible virus exposure in crowded waiting areas. 
4. Our office is restricting the number of people that enter. If you do not need someone there with you, please do not bring your driver or companion inside the office to your appointment. 
5. Our staff will check your temperature to make sure you do not have a fever.
6. We have installed special plastic breath shields on the slit-lamp machine and phoropter machine used to check your eyes and measure you for glasses. 
7. Our entire staff wears masks and may wear gloves and goggles or a plastic shield over their eyes. 
8. We have placed hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the office and chairs have been spaced out to six feet and beyond.
9. If you have a cough or a fever, or have been in close contact with someone who has these symptoms, you must call the office ahead of time and let us know. If your visit is not an emergency, you will need to stay home. If you arrive sick, you will be asked to go home. If you have an eye problem that must be seen right away, you will be asked to wait in a special room away from other patients. 

Our goal here at Laservision Eye Care Center will always be to provide excellent care for you and your family, while working in a safe environment for all of us.

The different types of eye care providers are known as the “three O’s” : optometrists, opticians, and ophthalmologists. Each has a different level of training and expertise, and each will provide different types of care. Keep in mind that these professionals work together and that a team approach can be the best option for complete eye care. 

Optometrists provide primary health care for the eyes. After college, they spent 4 years in a professional program to obtain a doctor of optometry degree. Some optometrists get additional clinical training or complete a specialty fellowship after optometry school. The practice of optometry involves:

• conducting comprehensive eye examinations
• prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses
• prescribing medication for certain eye conditions
• in some states, performing specialized surgical procedures

Opticians provide services to dispense the corrective lenses that are prescribed by the eye doctor for the patient to see as clearly as possible. They receive their degree after specialized training in a university or college and then are required to pass two tests to become board certified licensed opticians. Opticians also:

• Provide, adjust, and repair eyeglasses, frames, and contact lenses 
• Help decide which type of lenses and frames will work best
• Take facial measurements for customization to the patient’s needs
• Instruct patients on contact lens care, insertion and removal

Ophthalmologists provide the same medical eye care as optometrists, but also provide surgical services as well.  Ophthalmologists complete at least eight years of medical school and residency training and are licensed to practice both medicine and surgery. Many ophthalmologists routinely perform cataract and laser surgery. Some ophthalmologists may choose a subspecialty which requires continuing their education and training in a specific area of medical or surgical eye care. Some subspecialties of ophthalmology include cornea, retina, glaucoma, pediatric, neuro-ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery.

The question will sometimes arise how to choose an eye doctor. The right choice depends on your individual needs. The best eye doctor for you should be:

• Recommended by your doctor, friends, or family
• Appropriate to your vision problems (If you need routine eyeglasses or contact lens care, you have many choices. If you have a specific eye condition, you may want to choose a doctor that is a subspecialist.)
• Someone you like and trust

People who wear eyeglasses have always had to deal with them fogging up when walking outside into the heat after being in an air conditioned building. Since COVID 19 safety protocols went into effect, many people have experienced the annoyance of putting on a mask, only to have glasses fog up immediately. When you are wearing a face mask, you breathe out warm air which can sneak out of the top of your mask and steam up the lenses of your glasses. Of course, this can make it difficult to see and requires the person to wipe the glasses, only to have them fog up again a few seconds later.  Fortunately, there are several ways to combat this problem and make your life, already dealing with a pandemic, less stressful.

Here are some suggestions:

• Get more air circulating: Try pushing your glasses forward on your nose just a bit. This allows more air to circulate so your breath doesn’t fog your vision. You could also adjust your glasses. If the eyeglass frame has nose pads, you can tweak the pads so that the frame sits slightly farther from your face.

• Breathe downward: It might be awkward, but breathing downward can be a quick anti-fog fix.This sends the air away from your glasses. You breathe downward by holding your upper lip over your lower lip. Then blow air downward, as if you’re playing a flute.

• Create a tighter seal: Pinch the mask over the bridge of your nose so it fits comfortably and adjust the seal along the top edge of the surgical mask. Twist the loops once and put them over your ears (they’ll form a figure eight when viewed from the side). Twisting the loops puts slight downward pressure on the top part of the mask, redirecting your breath so it doesn’t flow up into your eyes.

• Close the gap: If your mask isn’t snug enough on the bridge of your nose, you can tape your mask down around the bridge of your nose and to your cheeks with sports or medical tape. Don’t use duct tape or tape that wasn’t made to be used on the skin. If you have sensitive skin, test the tape out beforehand to make sure that it doesn’t cause irritation.

• Rest your glasses on your mask: Whatever type of mask you’re wearing, once you’ve fit the mask to the bridge of your nose, try resting your eyeglasses on it. Covering a quarter inch of the mask with the bottom of your frames creates a seal. 

• Use an anti-fogging cream or spray on your lenses or safety goggles. This is available from most optical shops or drugstores.  

• Washing your lenses with soap and water before wearing them may help. Simply wash your lenses with soapy water and shake off the excess liquid. You can allow your lenses to air dry or gently wipe them off with a soft cloth before wearing your glasses again. This method work? because the soap leaves behind a thin film that acts as a fog barrier. If you have special coatings on your lenses, check with your optician before trying this so you don’t ruin them.

• Order a coating for new lenses: If you’re buying new eyeglasses, consider lenses with a permanent anti-fogging coating. It prevents the fogging that happens when you transition from a cold environment to a warm one. It can also keep your lenses from fogging up while perspiring while playing outdoor sports like tennis or football.

 Unfortunately, it looks like we may be dealing with masks for the foreseeable future, so hopefully these ways to prevent eyeglasses from fogging while wearing a mask will make your life a little easier.

Myopia typically gets worse in children because their eyes are still growing. Genetics is clearly one reason why children get more nearsighted, However, recent research shows that children who spend a lot of time indoors are five times more at risk of developing myopia than those who don’t. If children, as well as adults, spend many hours daily looking at cell phones or tablet devices close-up, the risk can increase significantly. Encouraging more outdoor activities and less screen time can certainly help to slow down the process.

Another way to slow down and prevent worsening of myopia involves the use of special contact lenses called orthokeratology contact lenses. Many studies show that it helps prevent progression of myopia in children. These contact lenses also correct vision at the same time, so the child or adult does not need glasses or contact lenses to see clearly throughout the day.  Over two million people worldwide put on these specialty contact lenses at bedtime, go to sleep wearing them, wake up to remove them and have clear vision throughout the day without glasses or contact lenses! While the patient is asleep, the lenses gently reshape the front surface of the eye, the cornea, so the person can see clearly after remove them. In 2002, Corneal refractive lenses (CRT) lenses became the first lenses approved by the FDA for use to correct and prevent myopia in patients six years of age and older. Made by Paragon Vision Sciences, these lenses have the longest track record and an excellent safety profile. Much like how you may have had to wear a dental retainer to maintain straight teeth after getting your braces off, these lenses also require nightly wear. Some patients maintain clear vision by using the lenses only several nights a week, while others require nightly wear. This is done on an individual basis and under the guidance of your eye care professional. 

When beginning to wear CRT lenses, one will likely have some awareness of the lenses on the eyes until falling asleep.That is why they are inserted just prior to going to bed. The sensation of the lenses is similar to the awareness felt initially with a dental retainer. As the cornea is reshaped by the lenses, the lenses typically become more comfortable. This usually occurs after two or three nights of use.

Children and young adults who want to be glasses-free but are too young for LASEK are excellent candidates for CRT lenses.  People who participate in contact sports, work in dusty environments, have severe dry eyes or elect not to undergo eye surgery also benefit from CRT lenses. The lenses are designed using computer scanning technology and controlled lathes to create one’s custom lenses. Keep in mind that, as with all contact lenses, there are some possible side effects and complications of wearing CRT lenses. These would include scratching the eye or getting an infection. These complications are extremely rare and significantly lower than routine soft contact lens daytime wear use. Ask your eye care practitioner for details.

In the United States, certified licensed opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists can perform fittings for CRT lenses. These professionals must complete an extensive training program and pass a certification test before being allowed to use these precise medical devices. Not everyone who routinely fits contact lenses, also fits CRT lenses.  Fitting CRT lenses is a more time-consuming process and requires more expertise and training than fitting regular contact lenses, as well as several periodic office visits. It is important to realize that the contact lenses usually need to be purchased only once. The same lenses can be used for a long time if taken care of properly,  up to twenty years in some cases. If CRT lenses interest you or your child, ask for a screening with your eye care professional to see if you are a candidate.

All of us are subjected to blue light exposure throughout the day and evening. The sun outside, as well as indoor lights, all emit some level of blue light. Also, as we spend more time in front of computer monitors, iPads, and smartphones, we increase the amount of blue light we are exposed to. “Blue light” doesn’t actually appear blue to the naked eye. It is the portion of the visible light spectrum with the shortest wavelengths (400 to 500 nanometers) but has the highest energy, hence it is often referred to as high-energy visible (HEV) light. The cornea and lens of the eye do not block blue light well and therefore blue light can reach the retina in the back of the eye and increase the risk of macular degeneration. This is why some intraocular lenses used in cataract surgery have a blue light filter built into them, to protect the retina postoperatively.

Blue light can also affect physical and emotional health, and it can throw off our natural body clocks. The brain associates blue light as daytime, so if a person is exposed to blue light for long periods of time during the night, blue light makes it more difficult for us to fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning. Late-night computer screen time throws off sleep patterns, because blue light affects levels of melatonin, which is the sleep hormone. Normally, the decreased amount of light at night signals the body to generate melatonin. Blue light disrupts these signals, and less melatonin is generated.

Blue light is also one of many causes for digital eye strain according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. For some, blue light filtering glasses are a great way to combat eye strain and sleeplessness that come with excessive screen time. These special lenses filter out blue light by blocking the transmission of the specific range of wavelength that blue light travels. within. The blue light blocking lenses usually have a pale yellow tint or can be completely clear, depending on the lens manufacturer. Even if you don’t need glasses to see clearly, many eye doctors believe it is a good idea to wear blue light blocking glasses when using digital devices. Many adults can spend up to eleven hours per day looking at a computer screen or cell phone.

When purchasing blue light blocking glasses, patients should look at the manufacturer’s certificate that specifies the wavelength range that is filtered by the lenses. For blue light filtering, this range should at least cover up to 455 nanometers. One can also download “sleep aware” apps on electronic devices like cell phones,  which reduce blue light transmission during evening hours 

The American Academy of Ophthalmology also recommends taking these steps to avoid computer eye strain:

• Adjust your seat, or the position of your computer, so your eyes are about 25 inches from the screen. Position the screen so you are gazing slightly downward.
• Use artificial tears when your eyes feel dry or burning.
• Pay attention to the lighting in the room where you work. You might try increasing your screen contrast if needed.
• Follow the 20/20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. 
• If you wear contact lenses, give your eyes a break by wearing glasses now and then.

Blue light blocking computer glasses may help with eye strain. If you are having these symptoms, plan on discussing them with your eye doctor at your next visit.