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Tips to Better Eye Health

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By taking control of your eye health now, you could set yourself up for a lifetime of seeing well. We’d like to share some tips to keep you and your family healthy. Just because your eyes feel okay doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t an underlying eye problem. Often patients take their eyesight for granted until they begin having problems with their vision. When day-to-day activities become challenging, that will trigger a call for an eye appointment. Having good vision and healthy eyes may determine your ability to remain independent and self-sufficient.

Did you know an annual comprehensive dilated eye exam is the best thing you can do for your eyes? The eye drops dilate or (widen) your pupil. Think of it this way, dilating your pupil lets more light into your eye — just like opening a door lets light into a dark room. Dilation helps the doctors at Bissell Eye Care see further into the eye enabling them to check for many common eye problems, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Detection is key to preventable vision loss. The good news is most vision loss is preventable. Here are some additional tips to take control of your eye health today:

  1. Early signs of disease or changes in vision may begin at 40. Get a yearly comprehensive medical eye exam. A comprehensive eye exam to include dilation by an eye care professional provides the opportunity to identify diseases and conditions that are not symptomatic in the early stages.
  2. Know your family history. Certain eye diseases can be inherited – macular degeneration and glaucoma in your family’s history can increase your risk by 50% for macular degeneration and from four to nine times for glaucoma. If you haven’t talked with family members about their eye conditions, now is the time to do so.
  3. Eat healthy foods. A diet low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains benefit the entire body, including the eyes.
  4. Stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk for eye diseases such as cataract and age-related macular degeneration. Tobacco smoke worsens dry eye.
  5. Wear sunglasses. Exposure to ultraviolet UV light raises the risk of eye diseases, including cataracts, fleshy growths on the eye, and cancer.
  6. Bacteria will form from your eyelashes and requires daily eyelid hygiene. Like brushing your teeth, your eyelids need daily care. Hot compresses help keep tear-producing glands working at top efficiency.

In a comprehensive eye exam at Bissell Eye Care, our state-of-the-art technology allow us to look at the overall health of your eyes. During these exams, we may discover conditions that affect your eyes. In some cases, we may uncover an underlying medical condition in your overall general health. This will ultimately help your medical doctor to provide care toward your overall wellbeing.

By taking control of your eye health now, you could set yourself up for a lifetime of seeing well. If you haven’t scheduled your annual eye exam – now is the time to do so. The choices you make today will affect the overall quality of life as you age.

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.

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Designer Frames To Fit Your Lifestyle

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Last month we talked about facial features when it comes to eyewear frame selection, but other factors play a role in selecting the best fit. Frame shape and size may also be dictated by bi-focal or trifocal lines that could be needed. Although they may be a top choice, those little rectangle frames may not be an option for patients who need trifocal lenses. Our optical specialists will be able to guide you as to the best style and shape not only for your facial shape, skin tone, and lifestyle; but they keep in mind the type of eye correction that is needed.

Skin Tone and Eye Frame Colors

Just as the shape of your face helps determine which frames look best, so does your skin tone. More important than hair color and more decisive than eye color, skin tone sets the tone for high fashion frames.

Warm Skin Tone – If you have a yellow, bronze, or golden cast to your skin, you have a warm complexion. You might want to stay away from contrasting colors such as pastels. White and black frames are not flattering either. Instead, the best frame colors for you are a light tortoise, browns shades, gold or honey, beige, and olive green.

Cool Skin Tone – If your skin has pink or blue undertones, you have a cool complexion. Avoid colors that wash you out and instead reach for frames that are silver, black, dark tortoise, pink, purple, blue, mauve, and gray.

Lifestyle

There are eyeglass frames for every way of life! Think about the activities you will do while wearing your eyeglasses. If you’re active, perhaps you want to choose frames that can twist and bend without breaking. Need computer or gaming glasses? Gamers can choose from a wide selection of stylish frames that enhance the gaming experience.

The frames you wear can say a lot about your personality. You can have a pair of glasses that showcase your fun-loving side on the weekends and a pair that emphasizes your get down to business tone during the week.

At Bissell Eye Care – we have you covered. We carry a vast selection of designer eyewear to fit your facial shape, skin tone, and lifestyle. Are you ready for a new look for spring? Give our office a call at 724-443-6767 or 724-226-0444 to schedule a visit and see what’s new.

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.

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Spring Weather, Allergies and Eye Infections

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Spring has sprung and the buds are ready to burst. For some individuals it means watery eyes and eye infections! It’s that time of the year, the time when the weather becomes warmer, you want to get outside and all the plants and trees start to bloom. As spring approaches learn how to help prevent watery eye symptoms and avoid eye infections.

Among eye infections associated with allergies, pink eye is one the most common. Pink eye or conjunctivitis is inflammation of the thin, clear covering of the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. While this part of the eye is clear it contains small blood vessels. When an infection occurs these blood vessels dilate, giving the eye the red color. These infections are more frequently experienced by those who are in close proximity to others such as students, school workers, daycare workers and medical professionals. Did you know the bacteria that cause pink eye is the same bacteria that cause strep throat? Both bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are easily spread from person to person.

Bacterial and Viral Pink Eye are contagious and are spread by direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, usually through hand-to-eye contact. Not cleaning contact lenses properly can also lead to infection. We talk about decorative contacts a lot during the Halloween season. These types of contacts pose infection risks as well. Allergic pink eye is not contagious and is often associated with pollen, dust, or sometimes pet dander.

Treatments

  • Allergic: Allergy medications can often help to prevent or shorten the duration of the infection. It is a common practice to start the medication prior to allergy season or known flare-ups.
  • Bacterial: An optometrist appointment is necessary and they will prescribe eye drops.
  • Viral: This form of infection will run its course over several days. Using a cold wet compress will help relieve some of the symptoms. Do not share this compress as the viral form of conjunctivitis is the most contagious.As we approach spring and allergy season follow these tips to help prevent eye infections.

Stop the Spread

  • Don’t share items such as washcloths, tissues, or towels.
  • Avoid rubbing or touching your eyes after covering your mouth to cough or sneeze.
    Never share contact lenses with anyone.
  • Bacteria can live in makeup. This can cause pink eye which can lead to a dangerous infection of the cornea. Do not use eye makeup while your eyes are infected. Replace your makeup if you have an eye infection. And never share eye makeup with others.
  • If you experience seasonal allergies, consult your doctor on how to minimize symptoms.
    Wash hands frequently, especially in areas of high public traffic (schools, daycares, public places).

If you do experience an infection, don’t hesitate to contact the doctors at Bissell Eye Care to confirm if you will need medication to help combat the infection and prevent future eye damage.

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.

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Tips to Choosing Eyewear Frames

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Bissell Eye Care prides itself on carrying unique brands of eyewear frames. Based on your face shape here are tips we take into account when helping our patients select just the right frame. Some patients struggle in their frame selection when it’s time for new glasses. Because we offer different frames that are often found in the big box stores, patients are sometimes overwhelmed with the selection. Personalized service and fit are what our staff specializes in which in turn helps our patients look their best in the frames they select.

We carry brands such as Scott Harris, Ray-Ban, Steve Madden, Ted Baker, State, Nike, Tiffany, and many more.

Face Shape

Round Face

  • If you have a round face… look for eyeglass frames that are square or rectangular. These shapes tend to be wider than a round face and can enhance your face by making it appear slimmer and longer, adding balance to your round features.
  • Avoid rimless frames and round frames. Small frames will accentuate the roundness, making your round face look even rounder.

Square Face

  • Eyeglasses for a square face soften the angularity and sit high on the bridge of the nose. It’s hip to be square. Oval or round eyeglasses will balance and add a thinner appearance to the angles of a square face. Think about rimless or semi-rimless frames.
  • Avoid angular and boxy eyeglass frames. They will sharpen and draw attention to your angular features, making a square face appear bulky.

Oval Face

  • If you have an oval face… frames that look best have a strong bridge, are wider than the broadest part of the face and are geometric in shape. Most styles will work with an oval face. Feel free to go bold with a funky color, texture, or frame shape. Square, trapezoid, tortoise, and rectangular – the possibilities are endless!
  • Avoid eyeglasses that are overlarge and cover up more than half of your face. This frame style will throw off the natural balance and symmetry of the oval face.

Diamond Face

  • Diamond face shapes play up a narrow forehead and chin with eyeglass frames that sweep up or are wider than the cheekbones, a rimless or oval frame with a strong brow line such as cat-eyeglasses and oval frames. These frames will accentuate your cheekbones and delicate features.
  • Avoid boxy and narrow frames that will accentuate the width of your cheeks, drawing attention to your narrow features rather than enhancing them.

Heart-Shaped Face

  • Heart-Shaped face look best with frames that balance the width of the forehead with the narrowness of the chin. Eyeglasses with low-set temples and bottom-heavy frame lines will add width to that narrower part of your face. Round eyeglasses or square eyeglasses with curved edges will help draw attention away from a broad, high forehead.
  • Avoid any style or color of frames that draw attention to the forehead. This includes frames with decorative temples or embellished tops.

When it comes to face shape, select eyeglasses that contrast from your facial contours and bring symmetry and balance to your prominent features. Spring into a new look and select frames that best fit your facial features. Schedule an appointment to see what’s new at Bissell Eye Care.

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.

Kick-Off-Spring-Sports

Kick Off Spring Sports

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Spring sports are making their way into homes across the region and families are gearing up. Whatever sport your child enjoys, it’s important that his or her eyes are protected appropriately. Did you know according to the American Optometric Association, sports related injuries are the leading cause of school-age children’s eye injuries? Approximately 40,000 sports-related eye injuries are severe enough to require emergency room care in the United States every year, according to Prevent Blindness America. Experts say that 90% of these injuries could be prevented with protective eyeglasses.

NOW…the good news is that with proper protection, these injuries are preventable.

WHICH SPORTS CAUSE THE MOST EYE INJURIES?

Sports-related injuries in all age groups happen most often in basketball, racquet sports, and baseball. Other high-risk sports are hockey, football, lacrosse, boxing, and soccer. Not only are these sports high impact, but there is the risk of dust and dirt from the field of play.

The sport your child plays will determine the best protective glasses. Wearing glasses, sunglasses, or other non-ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) approved glasses can put you at a higher risk for injury. Eyewear that is not specifically designed to help protect your eye can shatter or break. These shards can enter the eye or the area around the eye and make wearing non-approved eye protection more dangerous than wearing nothing at all.

The guide below will help you determine which type of eye protection is necessary for the sport your child plays.

  • Baseball/Softball: Polycarbonate or wire faceguard attached to the helmet; sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses while on the field
  • Basketball: Sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses
  • Field hockey: Full face mask for the goalie; sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses/wire mesh goggles while on the field
  • Football: Polycarbonate eye shield attached to the helmet with wire face mask
  • Ice hockey: Helmet with full face protection
  • Lacrosse: Helmet with full face protection or sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses/wire mesh goggles
  • Paintball: Full-face-protection goggles – covering the cheeks, ears, and eyes – with eye protection lenses at least 1/10 inch thick
  • Racquet sports: Sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses

Most sports glasses are available with both prescription and non-prescription lenses, so even if your child does not need corrective lenses to see, the added protection of sports glasses can be beneficial. At the end of the day, your child’s personal preferences and type of sport they are involved in will be the best deciding factor for his or her sports glasses.

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.

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Eye Exams and Learning – A Winning Combo

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When should you schedule your child’s first eye exam? We know 2020 was quite a different year for kids and school. For some children, spending multiple hours in virtual classrooms has taken a toll on their vision. Parents have turned to computer glasses that help reflect the UV lights from the blue screen. Children may be experiencing eye strain, headaches or you see them squinting. This could be a sign they need glasses.

Many preschools were on hold this past year, but there are signs of change as you may begin to notice registration advertisements for the 2021-2022 school year. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), “infants should have their first comprehensive eye exam at 6 months of age.” Bissell Eye Care is a proud member of the InfantSEE® program and will do a free comprehensive examination on any child between six months and one year of age. Experts say 5 – 10 % of preschoolers and 25 % of school-aged children have vision problems.

As you prepare your child for their adventure into preschool, they will depend on their vision to learn tasks that will prepare them for school. Visually-guided eye-hand-body coordination, fine motor skills and visual perceptual abilities will be developed to enable your child to learn to read and write.

Amblyopia or lazy eye is not just a crossed eye (because everyone thinks that), but it is an eye that does not see as well as the other eye causing it to not develop proper vision for many reasons. Amblyopia is reversible when detected early. Treatment involves patching the better-seeing eye or blurring its vision using atropine drops. Amblyopia is the most common cause of vision problems in children.

Early identification of a child’s vision problem is crucial because, if left untreated, some childhood vision problems can cause permanent vision loss. Children then should have additional eye exams at age 3, and just before they enter the first grade – at about age 5 or 6.”

The AOA estimates one in four school-aged kids have undetected vision problems that critically impact their visual perceptual skills:

  • RECOGNITION – knowing the difference between letters like ‘b’ and ‘d’
  • COMPREHENSION – ‘picturing’ what’s happening in a story they’re reading
  • RETENTION – remembering and recalling details about what they’ve just read

Here are some tips for eye exams for young children.

  • Schedule the appointment during a time when your child is alert and happy taking into account napping and eating times.
  • A case history will be conducted to determine birth history, birth weight, medical issues, and any allergies.
  • Be sure to note any delayed motor development, failure to maintain eye contact, poor eye tracking, frequent eye rubbing or blinking.

Making a child comfortable with puppets and the use of our “Special Lights” allow us to have fun with children as we look for the following things:

  • How the eye tracks and turns
  • High Refractive Error – meaning significant far or nearsightedness
  • Overall Eye Health

For young children who can’t read letters yet, no worries, we use shapes and colors. No matter what age, regular eye exams are important. If you have concerns about your child’s vision, tracking ability or overall eye health, give our offices a call at 724-443-6767 or 724-226-0444.

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.

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Sunglasses – Not Just for Summer Months

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Sunshine and snow – a winning combination that brings sledding, tubing, and skiing.  When you break out the snow gear and get ready to go sled riding make sure that the proper eye gear and sunglasses are on the list.  Having the proper eyewear can help to reduce the chances of developing snow blindness.

Sunburn can only occur during the summer – right? Wrong. Sunburn is caused by excessive ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. The amount of the sun’s UV light that reaches us is highest over the summer months, but is still present year-round and can cause a sunburn if there’s enough exposure. This is especially true when there’s snow on the ground. Snow is very reflective, so when we are outside on a sunny winter day, we experience UV light from above and from reflected light from below.  Without protective eyewear, there is potential for sun damage to your eyes.

Because the snow acts as a reflector and magnifier for UV rays that would otherwise be absorbed by the ground, the sun can be more damaging to the eyes. When that happens, your eyes and skin are open to conditions that can have long-term health consequences.  Did you know according to the World Health Organization that fresh snow can reflect up to 80 percent of incident UV radiation?

Snow blindness, also known as Photokeratitis, is when the cornea becomes inflamed from exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun.  The reason this condition is referred to as snow blindness is due to the reflection of the sun’s rays off of the snow.

Some symptoms of Photokeratitis include bloodshot eyes, uncontrollable eyelid twitching, eye pain, and increased tearing or watering of the eyes.  Many times, these symptoms will not immediately present themselves.  Like your skin becoming burned by the sun on that summer vacation at the beach, you will often begin to experience symptoms of snow blindness hours after the damage has already been done.  If you find that you experience these symptoms, get out of the sunlight.

The best course of action to help speed up the recovery is to stay inside in a darker environment, cover your eyes with a cloth or material to block out light from getting to your eyes, and, most importantly, remove your contacts.  Full recovery can take anywhere from 1-3 days depending on the severity of damage done.  If symptoms persist, it is important to seek medical treatment to help reduce the chances of permanent damage.  Repeated suffering from snow blindness can also increase your risk of permanent damage to your eyes and can reduce your ability to see.

PREVENTION!  The best way to reduce the chances of suffering from snow blindness is to make sure that you have the proper sunglasses, snow goggles, or glacier goggles.

Sunglasses:  If you choose to use sunglasses make sure that they have high UV protection.  Wrap-around style with full eye coverage are the best to prevent light from getting around the glasses to your eyes.  Also be sure to get polarized, dark, mirror-coated sunglasses for the best protection.

Glacier Goggles:  Glacier goggles or glacier glasses are specifically designed for people who partake in outdoor activities that would lead to snow blindness.  They are usually darker than most sunglasses or goggles and come with mirrored and polarized lenses.  The glacier sunglasses often have added plastic or other material that helps to block the sun from getting around the glasses to your face.

Snow Goggles:  While many snow goggles help to keep snow out of your eyes and do help block out the sunlight, most often they do not provide great protection from the sun.  While we all look for the best deal and go with a cheaper product, this is one of those things that you might want to consider spending a little more to get a pair of goggles that will properly protect your eyes.

Get outside and enjoy the fresh air, but remember to keep your eyes protected.

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.

Are you at risk for Macular Degeneration

Are You at Risk for Macular Degeneration?

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February is national Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) awareness month.  Macular Degeneration causes loss in the center of the field of vision. In dry macular degeneration, the center of the retina deteriorates. With wet macular degeneration, leaky blood vessels grow under the retina.

While there is no cure for Macular Degeneration early detection is key to slowing down vision loss and keeping your sight. Studies have also shown that AMD can affect cognitive functioning.  For those that are visually impaired memory is one of the most important things.

Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision loss.  It is caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina.  The central portion of the retina, known as the macula, is responsible for focusing vision for the eye, allowing us to read, recognize faces or colors, drive and do many day-to-day activities.

AMD is best detected by maintaining routine eye exams and sharing family history of anyone having Macular Degeneration.  Bissell Eye Care utilizes Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a non-invasive office-based imaging test that uses a special light to scan the macula and determine whether there is fluid in the macula, potentially signifying wet AMD.  Often people question why dilation is part of a regular exam.  This allows us to look into the back of your eyes for any changes that may be occurring. This disease like so many is very difficult to notice until you have already lost a large portion of your vision.

Lifestyle changes can help lower your risk of developing AMD.  Some lifestyle changes might include proper exercise and diet, avoiding smoking, and protecting your eyes from the UV rays of the sun.  People that run a higher risk of developing AMD are people who have a family history, race, Caucasians are more likely to develop the disease than African American or Hispanic heritage, and smokers.

There are three stages of AMD:

  1. Early AMD: At this stage most, people do not experience vision loss.  The presence of medium-sized drusen (yellow deposits beneath the retina), is usually an early sign your eye doctor looks for.
  2. Intermediate AMD: This is where vision loss may start to be noticed, however it may not be enough to be noticeable.  Specific tests will look for pigment changes in the retina and larger drusen deposits.
  3. Late AMD: At this stage vision loss has become noticeable.

Additional factors that may increase your risk are:

  • Research shows that smoking doubles the risk of developing AMD.
  • Family history. If your family history includes AMD you are at a higher risk.
  • AMD is more common in Caucasians than other races.

You have the power to take control of your health.  These are some things you can do to help prevent AMD:

  • Exercise Regularly
  • Eat a healthy diet rich in leafy veggies and fish
  • Avoid smoking
  • Maintain proper vitals such as blood pressure and cholesterol.

You have the power to choose.  Take control and choose a healthier lifestyle.  Your eyes will thank you for it.

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.

Eye strain

Eyestrain, Tired Eyes, Sore Neck – What’s the Answer?

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Are your eyes tired from straining to see the computer?  Is your neck sore from tipping it up to see the screen through the bottom piece of your bifocal or trifocal glasses?  With limited exposure to in-person meetings, people are spending more time than ever in online meeting platforms.  The result is realized in health-related issues such as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).

With CVS, the most common symptoms include headaches, focusing difficulties, burning eyes, tired eyes, general eyestrain, aching eyes, dry eyes, double vision, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and neck and shoulder pain.

Computer glasses are becoming more common and are designed to wear when doing computer work.  They allow your eyes to focus on a computer which is generally further away than normal reading material.

We are seeing more patients who wear bifocals that are struggling with increased computer usage.  Wearing bifocal glasses forces a computer user to tilt their head back and move closer to focus on the screen to see through the lower part of the bifocal lenses. Such a position can cause neck and shoulder pain, as well as back pain and headaches. In this situation, a lens that corrects at the intermediate distance (arm’s length, not near or far) is needed to adequately focus on the computer screen.

There are three types of specialty computer glasses that our patients come to Bissell Eye Care to be fit

  • Monofocal or single-vision glasses designed for computer work will provide the appropriate optical correction for the working distance between the screen and the computer user’s eyes. This option allows users to view the whole screen with a minimum up-and-down head movement.
  • Bifocal glasses can be adjusted so that the upper segment is set up for the screen distance and a lower segment for work that is closer than the screen (reading distance).
  • Trifocal glasses have lenses that combine a segment for far vision, another for near vision, and a third one for vision at the screen distance.

A computer tint can be added to decrease the amount your eyes have to focus on the screen pixels.  These tints filter out unwanted effects of certain colors – in particular blues in fluorescent lighting.

Old and young alike experience blurred vision and eyestrain that arise from their eyesight correction or lack of eyesight correction, which adds to the fatiguing effects of CVS. Computer glasses can make a world of difference in your comfort while using a computer. Not only do computer glasses correct blurred vision, but they also relieve symptoms such as headaches, eyestrain, tired eyes, and burning caused by people struggling to focus on their computer screen.

There is no one size fits all.  Visual ability, personal preference, the type of activity or work needed for specialized computer glasses are all things that are considered when consulting with the staff at Bissell Eye Care.

For more information regarding computer glasses, CALL our office at 724-443-6767 or 724-226-0444.

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.

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What You Should Know About Glaucoma

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Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the United States. The disease has no noticeable symptoms in its early stages, and vision loss progresses at such a gradual rate that people affected by the condition are often unaware of it until their sight has already been compromised.

Glaucoma is caused by the eye’s failure to maintain the balance of pressure between the internal fluid and the amount of fluid it drains away.  High eye pressure triggered by this imbalance causes pressure to build up against the optic nerve resulting in nerve damage.  Damage typically starts in the outside peripheral vision and is often not recognized by patients.  A dilated eye exam is necessary to examine the optic nerve.

Why is an annual eye exam so important? 

Because Bissell Eye Care conducts comprehensive annual exams including dilation, we can see the nerves into the back of the eye and the health of those nerves.  As an added step following dilation, through the use of OCT exam machine technology, we can see layers of the eye, much like an MRI.

Glaucoma often referred to as the “thief of sight” displays no symptoms.  Loss of vision occurs so gradually that people that have glaucoma don’t realize they have the disease until it’s too late.  The best defense against developing glaucoma-related blindness is to have an annual eye exam.

In our exams we look for the following:

  • Inner eye pressure
  • Shape and color of the optic nerve – done by dilation
  • Complete field of vision test
  • Angle in the eye where the iris meets the cornea
  • Thickness of the cornea

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, “It is estimated that over 3 million Americans have glaucoma but only half of those know they have it.  In the U.S., more than 120,000 are blind from glaucoma, accounting for 9% to 12% of all cases of blindness. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, according to the World Health Organization.”

Treatment generally begins with eye drops.  Just as in any other prescribed medication, it’s important to consistently take the drops as prescribed.  Since glaucoma symptoms are typically undetected, patients will not realize the damage that can be done without following the prescription.

If your optometrist deems that eye drops aren’t the best course of action, lasers or in extreme cases surgical procedures may be necessary to treat the disease.

TYPES OF GLAUCOMA

  • Chronic (Open Angle) Glaucoma: The most common form. In open angle glaucoma, aqueous fluid drains too slowly and pressure inside the eye builds up. It usually results from the aging of the drainage channel, which doesn’t work as well over time. However, younger people can also get this type of glaucoma.
  • Normal Tension Glaucoma: This is a form of open angle glaucoma not related to high pressure. People with normal tension glaucoma may be unusually sensitive to normal levels of pressure. Reduced blood supply to the optic nerve may also play a role in normal tension glaucoma.
  • Acute (Angle Closure) Glaucoma: Those of Asian and Native American descent are at higher risk for this form of glaucoma. It occurs when the drainage system of the eye becomes blocked. It causes a sudden rise in pressure, requiring immediate, emergency medical care. The signs are usually serious and may include blurred vision, severe headaches, eye pain, nausea, vomiting or seeing rainbow-like halos around lights.

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month.  If you haven’t scheduled a regular eye exam, now is the time to do so.  Call it your New Year’s Resolution to better health.

 TAKE ACTION and CALL our office at 724-443-6767 or 724-226-0444 today to schedule your appointment!

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.