UPNEEQ Has Arrived

When someone has acquired blepharoptosis—also known as droopy eyelid—it may impact how well the person can see, and how that person sees him or herself.1

Droopy eyelid may result from an underlying issue requiring additional medical attention such as neurologic conditions. It’s important to have it examined by an eye care provider to establish its cause and possible effects on your vision.2

No two cases are exactly alike. Each person’s case of droopy eyelid should be assessed and managed on an individual basis. Focused neurological examination should be conducted prior to treating droopy eyelid. In some cases, droopy eyelid can be a sign of more serious underlying neurological disease.2

When Blue Lights are Not Special

We have always heard of UV protection for your eyes to protect from the sun, but now there is talk about the harmful blue lights.

UV is short for ultraviolet, one of the colors on the light spectrum. All visible light contains the entire spectrum of the rainbow, from red to violet. What makes this light different is electromagnetic radiation, which is present in sunlight.  This light is also produced by electric arcs, and specialized lights such as mercury-vapor lamps, tanning lamps, and black lights. UV light is associated with suntan, freckles and sunburn on skin which are the familiar effects of overexposure to it, along with higher risk of skin cancer.

It has similar effects to your eye and is known to be responsible for cornea burns and cataracts.

Less known is the effect blue lights have on your health. Blue lights are found inside and outside in your environment. Within the color spectrum are blue light waves or rays, they have shorter wavelengths and more energy. Any source of observable light gives off blue light waves, it is naturally emitted by the sun but also comes from fluorescent bulbs, and LED screens like your computer and phone. You are exposed to this throughout your waking day.

Almost all visible blue light passes through the cornea and lens and reaches the retina. This light may affect vision and could prematurely age the eyes. Is has been linked to damage to the retina, causing long term visual impairment such as Age- Related Macular Degeneration. Blue light from computer screens and digital devices can decrease contrast, leading to digital eye strain. Symptoms of eyestrain include sore or irritated eyes and difficulty focusing.

Blue light is not all bad, it has been successful in helping us overcome sleep issues by disrupting our usual circadian rhythm. It is also known to boost alertness and help memory and cognitive function.  As with sunlight, blue light also elevates mood.

The average office worker spends 1,700 hours per year in front of a computer screen while at work. Think about the personal time we are spending using our phones all day long.

Today’s youth are addicted to their phones, laptops and tablets. While we are all susceptible to these rays, children are particularly vulnerable. Their eyes are developing, and they are exposed more-so due to their lifestyle. They are three times more exposed, spending more time outdoors. Their pupils are larger, letting more harmful rays in and a younger lens is more crystalline and transparent, letting in more light than an adult.

 

What Can You Do to Protect Your Eyes from Blue Light?

  • Limit Screen time and/or take frequent breaks to give your eyes a rest.
  • Invest in screen filters which are available for smart phones, tablets, and computer screens.
  • Go buy blue light blocking glasses-Specially designed Computer glasses have yellow-tinted lenses that block blue light can help ease computer digital eye strain by increasing contrast.
  • Have Anti-reflective lenses to reduce glare, increase contrast, and also block blue light
  • Talk to an eye care professional about options about ways to protect your family and your eyes from blue light.

Call any of our 3 convenient locations and visit to speak to our EXPERT staff to determine your family’s optical needs.

 

Mercerville NJ

395 Highway 33
Mercerville NJ 08619

609-586-0273
609-981-7183

 

Millstone NJ

498 Monmouth Rd
Millstone NJ 08510

609-259-2221

 

Newtown PA

11 Friends Lane, Suite 101
Newtown PA 18940

215-550-6136

What is Cataract Surgery?

Cataract Surgery Basics

Cataracts happen to almost everyone, but cataract surgery has been established as one of the safest, most common, and most effective procedures performed today.

Cataracts form gradually as our eyes get older, and 9 in 10 Americans develop them by the time they’re 65. If you have cataracts, you’ll need an outpatient surgery to remove and replace the clouded lens within your eye.

  • Relief Most people say cataract surgery was easier than they expected.
  • Comfort There is little to no discomfort during the process.
  • Clarity Cataract surgery offers the opportunity to enhance your vision for greater, clearer focus.
  • Satisfaction Most people who have had cataract surgery say they wish they had done it sooner.

Your Vision, Your Health

Cataract surgery can have a transformative impact on your vision, which may affect many other areas of your health and happiness.

Cataract surgery and clear vision may be associated with:

  • Mind Reduced risk of cognitive decline
  • Spirit Increase in happiness
  • Balance Reduced risk of falls and hip fractures
  • Overall Health Walking faster and sleeping better

Benefits Beyond the Basics

Taking full advantage of your cataract surgery means understanding your options. While the procedure provides outstanding benefits in its own regard, cataract surgery also gives you the opportunity to enhance the quality and range of your vision.

Cataract Surgery

  • Replaces the clouded cataract lens with a new, clear lens
  • Can provide clear vision at one or more distances, depending on your cataract lens selection

Enhancing Your Vision

  • Can help free you from glasses and contacts, which can cost around $1,000 each year
  • Can provide full clarity, near through far, without blurry zones
  • May be associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline
  • Can help you fully embrace and immerse yourself in life

AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Family of Trifocal IOLs

Important Product Information

CAUTION: Restricted by law to sale by or on the order of a physician.

DESCRIPTION: The AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL is a type of multifocal IOL used to focus images clearly onto the back of your eye (retina) to allow clear vision after the cataract removal. In addition, the center of the AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL allows for better near (reading) vision and intermediate (computer work) vision versus what a monofocal lens would provide.

There is a chance that you still may need glasses for distance, intermediate, and/or near vision. You will get the full benefit of the AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL when it is placed in both eyes. Please discuss with your eye doctor whether this is the right IOL for you.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS: Due to the design of multifocal IOLs, there are some side effects that can be associated with the AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL models. These may be worse than with a monofocal IOL, including visual disturbances such as glare, rings around lights, starbursts (rays around light sources), and reduced contrast sensitivity (decrease in ability to distinguish objects from their background, especially in dim lighting). These side effects may make it more difficult to see while driving at night or completing tasks in low lighting conditions, such as at night or in fog or in a dimly lit room, after surgery as compared to before surgery.

Further, a toric IOL corrects astigmatism only when it is placed in the correct position in the eye. There is a possibility that the toric IOL could be placed incorrectly or could move within the eye. If the toric lens is not positioned correctly following surgery, the change in your astigmatism correction by the IOL, along with any necessary correction with glasses, may cause visual distortions. If the lens rotates in your eye, you may need additional surgery to reposition or replace the IOL.

ATTENTION: As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved. Prior to surgery, ask your eye doctor to provide you with the Patient Information Brochure for the proposed AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL to be implanted. This document will further inform you of the risks and benefits associated with this IOL. Discuss any questions about possible risks and benefits with your eye doctor, as well as your medical condition and any eye disease you may have.

Learn More Here

Face Masks Can Prove Tricky for Those With Eyeglasses

As more Americans don face masks to venture outside during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of those who wear glasses are finding that their lenses fog up. It’s a problem that bespectacled surgeons, as well as goggle-wearing skiers, have long experienced.

Why does it happen? In a 1996 article in Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics, Tom Margrain, a professor at Cardiff University’s School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, explained that in general “when a spectacle wearer enters a warm environment after having been in a cooler one, his/her spectacles may ‘mist up’ due to the formation of condensation on the lens surface.” He went on to say that polycarbonate lenses demisted more rapidly than those made of glass.

Best Face Mask Materials: Cotton With Chiffon

If you are making a homemade mask, a new study published in the scientific journal ACS Nano found that homemade face masks that use a combination of tightly woven cotton and polyester-spandex chiffon or silk will provide a very effective filter for the aerosol particles that spread the COVID-19 virus. Masks made with one layer of cotton and two layers of chiffon (a netlike fabric often found in evening gowns) or silk will filter out some 80 to 99 percent of particles — similar to the effectiveness of the N95 mask material — due to the electrostatic barrier of the fabric. But here’s the kicker: The mask must have a snug fit. Even a 1 percent gap reduces the filtering of all face masks by 50 percent or more.

With that in mind, if your eyeglasses are fogging when you put on a face mask, it’s because warm, moist air you exhale is being directed up to your glasses. To stop the fogging, you need to block your breath from reaching the surfaces of your lenses. (See instructions on how to make your own cloth face mask at home.)

The Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England published an article in 2011 that offered a simple method to prevent fogging, suggesting that, just before wearing a face mask, people wash their spectacles with soapy water, shake off the excess and then allow the lenses to air-dry.

“Washing the spectacles with soapy water leaves behind a thin surfactant film that reduces this surface tension and causes the water molecules to spread out evenly into a transparent layer,” the article reveals. “This ‘surfactant effect’ is widely utilised to prevent misting of surfaces in many everyday situations.” Antifogging solutions used for scuba masks or ski goggles also accomplish this.

Another tactic is to consider the fit of your face mask, to prevent your exhaled breath from reaching your glasses. An easy hack is to place a folded tissue between your mouth and the mask. The tissue will absorb the warm, moist air, preventing it from reaching your glasses. Also, make sure the top of your mask is tight and the bottom looser, to help direct your exhaled breath away from your eyes.

If you are using a surgical mask with ties, a 2014 article in the Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England advises going against your instincts. Tie the mask crisscross so that the top ties come below your ears and the bottom ties go above. It will make for a tighter fit.

learn more about article here

March is save your vision month

Beyer Eye Associates is partnering with the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) new public awareness campaign, ‘Start With Eye’, to highlight the critical importance of eyecare in overall health. According to AOA’s newEye-Q survey, only half of Americans are actually going for annual eye exams.

“Good vision is essential to quality of life and a comprehensive eye exam is an important, preventive way to preserve vision andmaintain overall health,” says [affiliate / spokesperson name here]. “We are thrilled to join with the AOA to spread awareness and encourage the citizens of [state] to schedule their in-person #2020EyeExam with a local doctor of optometry today.”

A multi-phased campaign, ‘Start With Eye’ serves as a platform to ensure people understand why an annual comprehensive eye exam is necessary. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the benefits of eye exams even to those with 20/20 vision and to remove the barriers stopping patients from turning proper eyecare into an ongoing part of their healthcare routine.

Because eye health and vision problems may develop without any obvious signs or symptoms, in-person, annual comprehensive eye exams with doctors of optometry are important to detect early signs of visual system diseases such as glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness. In addition, eye exams safeguard overall health by enabling the doctor of optometry to detect more than 270 serious health conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases and cancers.
For instance, according to the AOA data, 21 percent of participants said they have been diagnosed with a non-eye related health issue such as STIs, high cholesterol, and diabetes, by an eye health professional; while 52 percent said they had not received a comprehensive eye exam in the past two years.

“Doctors of optometry play a pivotal role in identifying various health care needs beyond eye health,” said AOA President Barbara L. Horn, O.D. “AOA’s new ‘Start With Eye’ 2020 campaign gives the public the facts tied to the benefits of an annual comprehensive eye examwhile also encouraging people to take the time to get their eyes checked.”
March’s Save Your Vision Month is the perfect time to ‘Start With Eye’ and schedule an in-person, comprehensive eye exam. NJ residents can find a local doctor at AOA.org.

Eye Health Resolutions for 2020

“20/20” is the standard for good vision, making this a great time to think about ways to take care of our eyes, both for now and as an investment in our future health and independence.

Four million seniors today are living with vision loss, and that number will climb as our population ages. Vision loss can be caused by genetic factors, age-related changes to the eyes, injuries, and certain health conditions.

Here are 10 resolutions that can help you prevent vision loss, or make the most of the vision you have:

1. Toast safely! Let’s start with a timely and appropriate reminder. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) warns us that during our New Year’s Eve festivities, we should take care to avoid eye injury from champagne corks. The AAO offers some helpful hints for popping the bubbly safely. And talk to your doctor about other ways to prevent eye injuries, such as wearing safety glasses during sports or other risky activities.

2. Get an eye exam. Many eye conditions develop slowly, and damage can be done before we notice there’s a problem. It’s recommended that we get a comprehensive, dilated eye exam at least once a year beginning at age 60, and earlier if we’re at higher risk or have symptoms of vision problems. An ophthalmologist can diagnose conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and dry eye syndrome — and at an early stage, when these conditions might be reversed or slowed with special eye supplements, other medications, or surgical treatment.

3. If you notice sudden vision changes, don’t wait. Report them promptly. Redness, sudden blurriness, eye pain, flashes of light, a spot of lost vision or trouble focusing mean it’s time to call the doctor right away. Some of these changes could be temporary and harmless. But others, such as acute glaucoma or a retinal tear, need to be treated immediately to minimize permanent damage to your vision.

4. Keep your glasses or contact lens prescription up to date. Some people purchase eyeglasses and wear them for years without an eye check. Bad idea! Over time, our vision can change without us noticing, and that outdated prescription can cause headaches, raise our risk of falling, and make it more likely we’ll have a car accident. Your eye care professional can not only prescribe the proper correction, but also advise you on the type of lenses that are best for you.

5. If your eyes feel dry, tell your doctor. This is the season when indoor heating removes moisture from the air — and from our eyes. Dry eye also can be caused by certain medications and health conditions, or even by prolonged computer use. The doctor might recommend eye drops and using a humidifier. In some cases, surgery is advised. Dry eye disease can damage vision, so don’t ignore it.

6. Protect your eyes from the sun. You can actually get sunburn of the eye, and exposure to the sun can cause permanent eye damage. Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat when you’re in the sun. And though it’s tempting to select a pair of sunglasses by style alone — who doesn’t want to look hip or glamorous? — check the label first to be sure the lenses block 100% of ultraviolet (UV) rays. Lens color doesn’t matter, but bigger is better to give you maximum coverage.

7. Follow a healthy lifestyle. Many health practices that support heart health, brain health and overall good health also lower the risk of eye disease. As you might guess, “quit smoking” is at the top of the list. In addition, get plenty of exercise, follow a healthy diet that includes lots of fruits and veggies, and maintain a healthy weight. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for managing diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and other conditions that can lead to eye damage.

8. Get a shingles shot. When we think of shingles, most of us think of the painful rash caused by the disease. But one of the most serious side effects of shingles happens when the virus infects the nerves of the eye, which can damage the cornea and raise the risk of other eye conditions. A vaccine called Shingrix is recommended for everyone age 50 and older; if you had an older type of vaccine, ask your doctor if you also should get the new shot.

9. If you are already living with vision loss, ask your doctor about vision rehabilitation. Vision rehab professionals can help you make the best of your remaining vision by recommending optical and magnifying devices, teaching you new ways of doing things, and helping you adapt your home to better meet your needs. If cost is an issue, talk to your doctor; resources are available.

10. Keep up with your eye care regimen. If you’re living with a serious eye condition, it can seem that managing your eye health is a full-time job. For example, people with advanced age-related macular degeneration or diabetic eye disease might need an eye exam and an injection into the eye as often as once per month. If you can’t drive to these appointments (and your doctor may advise you not to, even if you still drive), find alternate transportation. If you’re using professional in-home care, the caregiver can accompany you to appointments. To keep things in perspective, consider that we are extremely fortunate to live in a time when many eye conditions can be treated!


Right at Home, Inc. is a national organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those we serve. We fulfill that mission through a dedicated network of locally owned providers of in home care services.

See Full Article Here

Enter The #seebeyond2020 Contest!

Thanks for Your Interest in Entering the #seebeyond2020 Contest!

At Think About Your Eyes, we believe that vision health is so much more than 20/20 vision, and that life can be enhanced with an annual comprehensive eye exam. Annual eye exams can detect conditions and improve health outcomes. They are essential for seeing more clearly, learning more easily and preserving your health and wellness for life.

We want to hear your inspirational eye health story! Enter below for a chance to have your story featured and WIN one of 13 prizes. We’re selecting 12 people to win a $25 American Express gift card and one grand prize winner to win a $1,000 American Express gift card! The #seebeyond2020 contest is only open to U.S. residents age 18 or older. It ends on November 30, 2019.

About Think About Your Eyes

Think About Your Eyes is a national public awareness campaign, presented by The Vision Council and the American Optometric Association, designed to educate the public on the benefits of vision health and promote the importance of getting an annual comprehensive eye exam.

Why Pirates Use Eye Patches

If you grew up reading storybooks or watching movies about pirates, you know two things are true. First, they’re always searching for a treasure trove. Second, they wear eye patches. Since pirates are notorious for being combative — Shiver me timbers! — the assumption has always been that they wear patches to cover an injured or missing eye. But according to new theories, perhaps those parrot-friendly buccaneers were pioneers in tactical technology, not stealing treasure.

Some historians have an interesting perspective — that pirates wore eye patches to enhance their night vision.  If you think about it, obviously pirate ships were dark, but can you imagine just how dark they must have been at night?

Life at sea

The reality of life at sea meant pirates had to know how to navigate every inch of their vessels during the daytime and nighttime to survive. In the dead of darkness, pirates had to be able to not only maneuver through their vast ships with windowless corridors and minimal lighting, but also jump from ship to ship in the dark. Plus, they fought battles with adversaries under the cover of darkness too.

Veil of darkness

There’s a theory that pirates and other warriors throughout history were well versed in nighttime combat. After all, surprising unassuming opponents at night was a proven method of success. Over time, swashbucklers who often found themselves embroiled in combat had learned how to adapt. Of course, the only way to move stealthily through the dark of night was to utilize your eyes to the fullest. By wearing a patch over one eye, pirates could “trick” their vision into adjusting to darkness more quickly.

Nifty night vision

Your eyes, while capable of doing amazing things, have a built-in delay when trying to switch from light to darkness. It actually takes 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust to night vision. One flash of light restarts the clock. This occurs because of the rhodopsin that naturally exists in your rods. Rhodopsin is a biological pigment that is extremely sensitive to light.

Chemical reaction

When you are in a brightly lit room and shut off the light, the first thing that happens is your pupil gets bigger (dilates) to let in more light.  Even though your pupil lets in more light, it’s not enough to see in the dark. This is when the chemical rhodopsin in your rods splits into a few other chemicals and sends a message to the optic nerve, allowing your eyes to process even the faintest of light. Yet in total darkness, the chemical rhodopsin isn’t produced. It takes 10-30 minutes for your eye to recombine those chemicals again for proper vision.

So what does this have to do with pirates, you ask?

A tactile advantage

Well, the theory is that pirates discovered the best of both worlds. By wearing an eye patches at night, their eyes could adjust more quickly in the dark. Plus, rhodopsin was still being produced. Then, once they focused on their target or found themselves in a well-lit area, they could flip the eye patch up for optimal vision.

Avast me hearties!

You can test this theory for yourself to see if you agree. The next time you wake up in the middle of the night, cover one eye before you turn on the light. Find a target and then turn the light off and open both eyes. Perhaps you’ll notice that your eyes adjust to your target more quickly despite switching between darkness and light.

Myopia or Near-sightedness

With just about a month into school, many parents have gotten teacher feedback or comments from their children about difficulty seeing the board in front of the classroom or their reading skills have diminished. Don’t panic Myopia or Near-sightedness and Short-sightedness typically begins as early as age 6 and can come at any age through adulthood.

This would be a great time to schedule your child’s appointment with us to have their vision and overall eye health checked. You do not want them to fall behind in school for this simply corrected issue. There are some other symptoms to be alert to other than problems seeing:

  • Blurred vision when viewing distant objects
  • Frequent squinting and blinking
  • Headaches
  • Eye Strain
  • Difficulty with nighttime driving
  • Needing to sit closer to the television or computer
  • Holding books and tablets uncomfortably close while reading

Myopia is not something that will go away or cure itself, it is a progressive visual disorder that results in poor distance vision. Interestingly, in the year 2,000, it is estimated that approximately 25% of the world’s population was nearsighted. By the year 2050, it’s anticipated that nearly half the people on the planet will be Myopic.

Severe myopia severe may impair near vision as well. In addition to deteriorating vision, it also changes the physical form of the eye which may increase the chance of eye disease in the future. It can steepen the front surface of the eye (cornea) and/or stretch the retina (axial elongation). It is one of the leading causes of blindness around the world and has a direct association with retinal detachments and glaucoma.

Nearsightedness can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery. Eyeglasses are no longer the dreaded items they were when the baby boomers were kids.  They are a wonderful fashion accessory to add to your child’s already blooming personal taste.

A new treatment you may want to consider is CRT, or Corneal Refractive Therapy.  This is a non-surgical option that helps correct nearsightedness without the daytime use of contacts or glasses. CRT lenses are worn at night and correct the curvature of the cornea while sleeping so you can see clearly during the day.

Another option is Ortho-K (short for Orthokeratology) is a non-surgical solution for patients with myopia (nearsightedness) that uses specially designed contact lenses (like Paragon CRT lenses) to improve vision.

When worn overnight, Paragon CRT contact lenses gently correct the curvature of the cornea, resulting in a corneal shape that focuses light correctly onto the retina. When removed in the morning, distant objects will come back into focus and patients can see clearly without the use of glasses or daytime contacts.

Call any of our 3 convenient locations and visit to speak to our staff to determine which option is best for you or your child.

395 Highway 33
Mercerville NJ 08619
609-586-0273

498 Monmouth Rd
Millstone NJ 08510
609-259-2221

11 Friends Lane, Ste 101
Newtown PA 18940
215-550-613