FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS & EYE SAFETY!

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We’d like to take a moment and recognize our service men and women as well as their families for the sacrifices they’ve made in protecting our freedom.

As we celebrate the 4th of July, families are planning their picnics, vacations and fireworks celebrations. When you begin your search for fireworks you look for the best deals, the most spectacular displays, and the biggest bang for your buck. Many people tend to overlook safety, which can result in your holiday being much less spectacular that expected.

Did you know on average 9,000 injuries a year result from fireworks with 1 in 8 of those injuries being eye injuries according to the fireworks injury report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission? Nearly half of those injuries are bystanders with 30% of the total injuries being age 15 and under.

Some of the most commonly experienced eye injuries from fireworks are: burns, lacerations, abrasions, retinal detachment, ruptured eyeballs and optic nerve damage. An important misconception is that once the firework explodes it is no longer dangerous. However the sparks that produce the amazing glow often burn at temperatures over 1000 degrees and Fireworks release shrapnel as they explode.

As you prepare to celebrate and light off your own fireworks or watch a spectacular show put on by professionals, be sure to consider these safety tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe this year:

  • Contact your local fire department if a firework does not explode to properly handle it.
  • Never let children play with fireworks. Even sparklers can be very dangerous to young children.
  • ALWAYS wear approved protective eyewear if you plan on detonating fireworks.
  • Abide by ALL safety barricades and give yourself extra room well behind them at least 500-1000 feet away!
  • Leave building and launching professional grade fireworks to the professionals.

If you are injured from fireworks be sure to seek medical attention immediately. Be sure to follow these safety tips to help prevent making the injure worse.

  • Do not remove any objects that are stuck in or protruding from your eye.
  • Do not rinse or add solution to your eye.
  • Do not rub your eyes.
  • If any foreign objects enter the eye do not take any pain killers that will cause your blood to thin such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Remember this year as you venture out to celebrate our nation’s freedom and independence that it’s important to respect fireworks. They are not a toy and can cause serious damage to not only your eyes but also to other parts of your body. Have a safe and happy holiday.

About the author: John D. Bissell, owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-State Low Vision Services, offers comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family, ocular disease detection and treatment, eye glasses, sun glasses, active wear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. He has undergone specialized training for treatment of low vision by the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists utilizing customized telescopic eyeglasses, prisms and telescopic implants for patients who qualify. The practice accepts most types of vision and health insurance plans.

DITCHING YOUR PRESCRIPTION GLASSES FOR GOOD!

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Perhaps now is the time to look into laser eye surgery. While it is not a perfect solution 100% of the time it is pretty close and continues to get safer and more accurate as technology improves. Next time you have your annual eye exam ask about the benefits of laser eye surgery and how it could help to improve the quality of your life.

When a patient decides that they may want to look into laser surgery one of the first questions I receive is, “is it safe” followed by “will I ever need glasses again”? Like any surgery there are some risks involved. While there are very few major problems that result from the surgery it is important to talk both your optometrist and your eye surgeon about all risks and the how complications can be handled.

On to the question about glasses. While most corrective eye surgeries bring your eyes to better than 20/20 vision there is still the chance that you could need glasses after surgery or later down the road. It is impossible for the surgeon to be 100% accurate in predicting how your eyes will react to the surgery. There is the chance that following the surgery you still may need glasses to assist in seeing clearly. Most people however choose to have additional surgeries to get the errors corrected. Also as we age our prescription will change and you may find that years down the road you may either need to have surgery again or may find the need to wear glasses for either distance or close up.

While there are many different types of surgeries, talking with your optometrist can help determine the proper procedure for you. They also, being in the industry, can best recommend a surgeon who has a good reputation and specialize in the surgery you wish to move forward with. Remember, they are your eyes and don’t be afraid to ask questions. If your surgeon doesn’t answer your questions or avoids them, it may be time to move on and find someone who can.

About the author: John D. Bissell, owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-State Low Vision Services, offers comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family, ocular disease detection and treatment, eye glasses, sun glasses, active wear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. He has undergone specialized training for treatment of low vision by the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists utilizing customized telescopic eyeglasses, prisms and telescopic implants for patients who qualify. The practice accepts most types of vision and health insurance plans.

DIDN’T SEE IT COMING ON SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DAY

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As we move into the summer season many people are excited to finally put away those winter coats and head outdoors. Spring yardwork is in full force and we’re busy cleaning up the yard so it looks nice and is ready to enjoy for summer entertaining. 

It happens all too often that I receive a call from a frantic patient that needs to be seen ASAP. They have been poked or jabbed in the eye by a stray branch, caught by a pesky rock in the face while doing some much needed weed whacking or have scratched their eye with flying dust from the leaf blower.

By being proactive about eye health, you can help prevent eye injuries. These injuries can hinder your ability to enjoy the warm summer days playing golf and nights that could be spent around a campfire. There are simple steps that can be taken to avoid those accidents that you just didn’t see coming.

One misconception that people have is that you must wear safety glasses to protect your eyes which many people find bulky and cumbersome or unfashionable. While it is important to wear safety glasses or goggles for some outdoor activities it is not always necessary for everything. By simply wearing a pair of sunglasses you protect your eyes in several ways.

First the sunglasses help with just general yard work to prevent foreign objects such as a stray branch from entering the eye. They also help to prevent eye damage from the sun. Even on days when it is overcast or not extremely bright you still receive ultraviolet rays from the sun. By wearing sunglasses you help to prevent these rays from doing damage to the eye in the same way that sunscreen helps to prevent your skin from being burned.

As you move on to the heavier yard work such as mowing the grass, weed whacking, or cutting and splitting logs for your campfires it is a good idea to switch to safety glasses. The biggest different between regular eye glasses or even sun glasses and safety glasses is that regular glasses are not rated for high impact object as safety glasses are.

When I recommend safety glasses to my patients they usually look at me and roll their eyes as they think that I am referring to those biology goggles that I’m sure you (like many others) had when you were in high school. Many of them however are surprised to learn that many safety goggles or glasses today are modeled after fashionable sunglasses being tinted so they also help to block out the sun. Often, you are unable to tell the difference between safety sunglasses and regular sunglasses.

So next time you head out the door to do some yard work make sure to grab the sunscreen and reach those sunglasses or even a pair of safety sunglasses to help protect your eyes. You will be glad you did when that stray branch appears out of nowhere and bounces off of your glasses only giving you a momentary sting but doesn’t send you running for the optometrist’s chair.

About the author: John D. Bissell, owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-State Low Vision Services, offers comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family, ocular disease detection and treatment, eye glasses, sun glasses, active wear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. He has undergone specialized training for treatment of low vision by the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists utilizing customized telescopic eyeglasses, prisms and telescopic implants for patients who qualify. The practice accepts most types of vision and health insurance plans.

Bissell Eye Care, Sunglasses

ARE YOUR SUNGLASSES REALLY PROTECTING YOUR EYES?

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Bissell Eye Care, Sunglasses
We offer a variety of ‘safe’ sunglasses!

As summer approaches it is time to break out those sunglasses and head to the pool or jump in the car to go watch your favorite sporting event. In either case as you rush past the mirror you catch a quick glimpse of yourself and stop taking a moment to ensure that you are up with the newest fashion trends before heading on your way. That’s when it hits you, time for a new pair of sunglasses to help maintain the new fashionable look.

Buying a pair of sunglasses that offer little more than looks and some shade for your eyes can not only fail you at blocking out the proper amount of sunlight, but they can also cause short term and long term damage to your eyes. Bissell Eye Care carries a full line of RXable (either prescription or nonprescription) sunglasses in a variety of styles and colors. Did you know that buying the right pair of sunglasses can help to ensure your vision well into the future?

With May being Ultraviolet Awareness Month, I want my readers to learn the importance of wearing not just any pair of sunglasses but the right pair of sunglasses. Your eyes, just like your skin, are vulnerable to not only the UV rays that are given off by the sun but also by the blue light that the sun produces. Some damages from UV rays and blue light include but are not limited to:

  • Ultraviolet damage can include:
    • Photokeratitis which is often referred to as snow blindness or sunburn of the eye. This is usually a short term but can be very painful.
    • Long term effects of UV exposure can include but are not limited to cataracts, cancer of the eyelids, eye, or surrounding areas and a condition known as Pterygium. Pterygium is a condition where the covering of the white of the eye grows onto the cornea.
  • Blue light damage can include:
    • Blue light has been shown to cause damage to the retina which can lead to macular degeneration which is the leading form of blindness. Macular degeneration can cause difficulty to see at night, read, recognize people and faces and even can cause total loss of vision.

When looking for a new cool pair of shades there are a couple different qualities that you should look for to not only stay fashionable but to also help protect your eyes from both short term and long term damage.

  • Ensure the lens is 99-100% resistant against UV rays.
  • Polarized lenses block out not only direct rays from the sun but also light reflecting off surfaces such as water, snow or reflective metals.
  • Blue light blocking.
  • Photo Chromic lenses adjust with the light and can be a compromise from buying dark lenses allowing you to see well in different level of brightness.
  • Wrap around frames and lenses help to block out the light from all angles providing the best protection for your eyes.

Remember this summer as you grab the keys running out the door to go enjoy the nice weather the effects the sun has on our bodies. It is important to protect not only your skin but also your eyes. If you have any questions about proper eye protection stop in and see us so we can help you ensure you enjoy your summer and seeing all it has to offer!

About the author: John D. Bissell, owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-State Low Vision Services, offers comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family, ocular disease detection and treatment, eye glasses, sun glasses, active wear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. He has undergone specialized training for treatment of low vision by the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists utilizing customized telescopic eyeglasses, prisms and telescopic implants for patients who qualify. The practice accepts most types of vision and health insurance plans.

ALLERGIES AND EYE INFECTIONS

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Have your eyes started to water? Do you feel your nose starting to get stuffed up again? It’s that time of the year, the time when the weather gets warmer, you want to get outside and all the plants and trees start to bloom. As spring approaches learn how to help prevent symptoms and avoid eye infections.

Among eye infections associated with allergies, pink eye is one the most common. Pink eye 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. It is more frequently experienced with people who are in close proximity to others such as students, school workers, daycare workers and medical professionals.

Types of Pink Eye

  • Allergic: This form of pink eye may be associated with pollen but can also be flared up by dust or pet dander
  • Bacterial: Bacterial pink eye is caused by bacteria entering the eye. It can cause serious damage to the eye if left untreated.
  • Viral: Caused by a virus similar to the common cold. This is the most contagious form but will usually clear up on its own in a few days without medical treatment.

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 will run its course over several days requiring no medical treatment. Using a cold wet compress will help relieve some of the symptoms do not to share this compress as the viral form is the most contagious.

As we approach spring and allergy season follow these tips to help prevent eye infections.

Prevention

  • Avoid sharing 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.
  • If you experience seasonal allergies consult your doctor on how to minimize symptoms.
  • Remove contacts before using a hot tub, being in water, and even showering.
  • 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 the author: John D. Bissell, owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-State Low Vision Services, offers comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family, ocular disease detection and treatment, eye glasses, sun glasses, active wear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. He has undergone specialized training for treatment of low vision by the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists utilizing customized telescopic eyeglasses, prisms and telescopic implants for patients who qualify. The practice accepts most types of vision and health insurance plans.

ARE BIFOCAL CONTACT LENSES RIGHT FOR YOU?

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Do you have a separate pair of glasses for reading; or, do you rely on bifocals in order to see both near and far? Some people find that they struggle to read newspapers, books or menus and must hold them further away to be able to see the print better. If that is the case, it may be time to look at contacts again. Bifocal contact lenses are great for people with active lifestyles that do not want to be chained to their reading glasses.

The perception is that as your vision gets worse you must have bifocals or reading glasses but there may be a better option. There are several different types of contacts that can be used to replace your need for reading glasses or bifocals.

The main vision disorder that multifocal and bifocal lenses are used for is presbyopia – a condition that happens as we age that affects our ability to focus on objects which are near. For instance, if tasks such as threading a needle or reading your favorite book have become nearly impossible without the help of reading glasses, then you may be suffering from this condition. The doctors at Bissell Eye Care can give a proper diagnosis as well as help you find the best treatment options.

Bifocal and multifocal lenses come in both soft and rigid gas permeable materials. They also come in a hybrid form. This means that the contacts have the option to be used and disposed of at set times, and can be daily wear lenses in some cases.

What Is The Difference

Bifocal contact lenses have two different prescriptions in the same lens. They are similar to bifocal glasses where the top half is used for seeing far while the bottom is used for seeing close. A segmented bifocal, and sometimes also referred to as an alternating or translating bifocal, places the near vision prescription in the lower part of the lens. The normal, distance prescription is in the rest of the lens.

How Multifocal Contact Lenses Work

Multifocal contacts have a range of powers in each lens and are designed two different ways.

  1. Simultaneous Vision. This option is set up so your eye looks through both near and far at the same time. Your brain adapts and allows focus on either the near or far prescription depending on the distance of the object.
  2. Alternating Vision. In the alternation set up is more like a bifocal glasses design. It allows your pupil to move up or down as necessary to get the proper focus.

If you’re tired of carrying around two pair of glasses or are always searching for a pair of reading glasses, consider giving bifocal and multifocal contact lenses a try. Patients report feeling “free” of their heavy glasses, and are able to enjoy activities such as sports more easily. Those who once thought they could never benefit from contact lenses now have a second chance.

Remember that as you begin to rely on reading glasses for tasks of everyday living, that there are alternatives to the standard bifocal glasses. As technology continually finds new ways of improving vision patients realize new alternatives to seeing well into the future.

About the author: John D. Bissell, owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-State Low Vision Services, offers comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family, ocular disease detection and treatment, eye glasses, sun glasses, active wear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. He has undergone specialized training for treatment of low vision by the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists utilizing customized telescopic eyeglasses, prisms and telescopic implants for patients who qualify. The practice accepts most types of vision and health insurance plans.

SEEING SPORTS THROUGH DIFFERENT EYES

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As the snow melts it becomes time to grab the baseball bat and glove, the tennis racket, lacrosse sticks or the volleyball uniform, brush the dust off of those sneakers and get involved in sports. But one important piece of sports equipment that is often forgotten is eye protection. While a sprained ankle or pulled muscle can bother an athlete for a few weeks or even months, an eye injury can be a life changing event that may last forever.

Each year approximately 13,500 sports eye injuries result in the patient becoming legally blind in the injured eye. While there are many causes for loss of sight, eye injuries are the leading cause of loss of vision in one eye. These injuries can be a result of impact from a ball, bat, racket, elbow, or other equipment. They can also come from fingers or other foreign objects entering the eye. Fortunately, you can reduce eye injury probability greatly by using protective eye gear!

HOW YOU CAN HELP TO PREVENT INJURIES

While wearing eye protection is important, it is equally import to be aware of what is protecting you and your children and what can actually be putting them at an increased risk. Wearing glasses, sunglasses, or other non-ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) approved glasses can put you at a higher risk for injury. Eye wear 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. Wearing approved goggles or face masks can help to prevent up to 90% of eye related injuries.

Many teens argue that they will not look “cool” if they use eye protection; however, the optical industry has made great strides in fashion in recent years helping to make eye protection more appealing to the younger generations. It is also important to make sure that you are fitted specifically by an eye care professional to make sure that protective eyewear fit properly and are designed for the sport to be played.

Remember this year as you and your children get ready for another fun filled spring season that you can look fashionable while protecting your eyes, and SEE another great season through!

About the author: John D. Bissell, owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-State Low Vision Services, offers comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family, ocular disease detection and treatment, eye glasses, sun glasses, active wear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. He has undergone specialized training for treatment of low vision by the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists utilizing customized telescopic eyeglasses, prisms and telescopic implants for patients who qualify. The practice accepts most types of vision and health insurance plans.

MACULAR DEGENERATION AND LOW VISION DEFINED

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Imagine the area around the center of your vision becoming fuzzy and then that fuzziness continues to worsen until you are unable to see clearly. You no longer can function independently and are unable to perform the tasks of daily living such as reading prescription labels, driving or preparing food. That is what happens to people who have Macular degeneration. You may ask what Macular Degeneration is, how can it be cured, or how can I help prevent it?

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration is the irreversible destruction of the central area of the retina, known as the macula. It can cause a patient to lose sharpness in vision making it difficult to see fine details. As the disease progresses it can become increasingly difficult for a person to be able to read drive or even recognize faces. Macular Degeneration is most common in people over the age of 60 and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness and visual impairment in the world. There are two forms of this disease, dry and wet macular degeneration. While dry macular degeneration accounts for 90% of diagnoses, wet macular degeneration accounts for 90% of legal blindness. The wet form is considered advanced macular degeneration and is always preceded by the dry form.

Detection

There are several tests that can be performed by eye care professional that specialize in low vision. A dilated eye exam, including a visual acuity test, are tests that an eye specialist will perform to diagnose dry macular degeneration. If wet macular degeneration is suspected they may also perform fluorescein angiography, where the eye specialist uses a dye to detect blood vessels that are leaking. It is important to be seen and tested regularly by an eye care specialist.
Treatment.

Currently there is no cure for dry macular degeneration. If a patient is in the intermediate stage of macular degeneration, a high dosage formula of zinc and antioxidant vitamins may be used to help delay and or possibly prevent the disease from progressing to the advanced stage. Research into treatment for this disease is hopeful to help find a means of prevention and reversal, but have not been able to find one as of yet!

Prevention

While there is no 100% sure way of preventing this disease, there are measures that you can take to help reduce the risk of developing it. The first course of action is to schedule regular eye exams to help in the early detection of macular degeneration and other diseases such as glaucoma.
Studies show that individuals who exercise, eat leafy green foods eating a balanced diet and who maintain a healthy blood pressure reduce their risk of developing macular degeneration; while smoking can greatly increase your risk of developing this disease.

As a member of the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS), Dr. Bissell has undergone extensive training to treat patients with low vision. You have one set of eyes, make it a priority to take care of them. Call our office today to schedule your exam.

About the author: John D. Bissell, owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-State Low Vision Services, offers comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family, ocular disease detection and treatment, eye glasses, sun glasses, active wear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. He has undergone specialized training for treatment of low vision by the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists utilizing customized telescopic eyeglasses, prisms and telescopic implants for patients who qualify. The practice accepts most types of vision and health insurance plans.

 

MACULAR DEGENERATION, FAITH AND HOPE

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Macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD)- is a medical condition which may result in blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field. Diagnosis in Opthalmology.

Many people have a vision loss that is not correctable with typical eyeglasses or contact lenses. They’ve lost some vision and are unable to see well enough to participate in activities that are important to them – activities of daily living such as reading, driving, safely walking down a sidewalk and enjoying a sunset. These people are said to have low vision. Eye diseases like macular degeneration, Stargardt’s Disease, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, are among the many causes of low vision. Some people have been told that they are legally blind.

Low Vision Optometrists trained through the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS) use telescopic glasses to help improve vision loss. With the use of telescopic glasses, they often are able to improve vision and the lives of those affected with vision loss.

There is a wonderful article in Guidepost magazine of how these glasses worked for a set of twins who suffered from Stargardt’s disease (juvenile macular degeneration) since they were teens. The article “Double Vision” by Karen Young shared the journey that Karen and her twin sister, Sharon had with Stargardt’s disease since they were teenagers.

Their progressive vision loss caused them to change their college and career plans. They remained positive and were sustained by their faith and live very full lives. Both married and have children. A friend told them of a low vision optometrist who prescribed low vision reading glasses. “For the first time in thirty years we could read” says Karen.

As a trained IALVS Optometrist, it is one of the most rewarding experiences to watch someone regain the ability to read a book, watch TV or walk safely down a sidewalk without fear of injury. Low Vision appointments last longer than regular appointments due to the additional time needed to test various telescopic prescription lenses. The glasses are not covered by insurance with costs starting at $500. But, it’s a small price to pay for independence.

These sisters are experiencing a better quality of life and have new goals in mind as a result of their low vision glasses. If you know of someone who suffers from vision loss that isn’t correctable with typical eyeglasses, we may be able to help. To learn more about low vision, visit Tri-State Low Vision – a division of Bissell Eye Care or call 1-855-552-2020.

About the author: John D. Bissell, owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-State Low Vision Services, offers comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family, ocular disease detection and treatment, eye glasses, sun glasses, active wear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. He has undergone specialized training for treatment of low vision by the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists utilizing customized telescopic eyeglasses, prisms and telescopic implants for patients who qualify. The practice accepts most types of vision and health insurance plans.

RELIEF FROM COMPUTER EYE STRAIN

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Are your eyes tired from working too long at your computer? Do you see your kids rubbing their eyes after staring at a tablet or laptop too long? Additional health problems such as physical fatigue, decreased productivity and increased numbers of work errors, to minor annoyances like eye twitching and red eyes can occur from eye strain.

Eye strain isn’t limited to those in the workforce. With advanced placement classes at school and time spent playing games on the computer, many children suffer from eye strain too. Take these steps to help alleviate the problem.

    1. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam and share with your doctor how much you use the computer at work and at home.
    2. Use proper lighting to help minimize eye strain which can often be caused by excessively bright light either from outdoor sunlight coming in through a window or from harsh interior lighting. The use of drapes or blinds can help to eliminate exterior light and using fewer light bulbs, a desk lamp, floor lamp or fluorescent tubes can help minimize interior lighting.
    3. Minimize glare by installing an anti-glare screen on your monitor and, if possible, paint bright white walls a darker color with a matte finish.
    4. Upgrade your screen by replacing your old tube-style monitor with a flat-panel liquid crystal display (LCD), like those on laptop computers. When choosing a new flat panel display, select a screen with the highest resolution possible. Resolution is related to the “dot pitch” of the display. Generally, displays with a lower dot pitch have sharper images. Choose a display with a dot pitch of .28 mm or smaller.
    5. Adjust your computer display settings for brightness, text size, contrast and color temperature. For Microsoft Windows operating system display settings are found in the Control Panel. Apple users can find them in the Systems Preferences.
    6. Blink more often to moisten your eyes and prevent dryness.
    7. Avoid fatigue by exercising your eyes and looking at a distant object to refocus eye muscles.
    8. Take frequent breaks to not only rest your eyes, but your neck, back and shoulders as well.
    9. Using ergonomic furniture or a stand to hold papers can help to modify your workstation and avoid eye strain.
    10. Consider computer eyewear for extensive computer work. Individuals might benefit from having your eye care professional modify your eyeglasses prescription to create customized computer glasses. This is especially true if you normally wear contact lenses, which may become dry and uncomfortable during sustained computer work.

Experiencing regular eye strain isn’t normal. If you or your family suffer from eye strain, take steps to modify your environment, avoid extensive time infront of a computer screen without taking a break and be sure to have regular eye exams.

About the author: John D. Bissell, owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-State Low Vision Services, offers comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family, ocular disease detection and treatment, eye glasses, sun glasses, active wear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. He has undergone specialized training for treatment of low vision by the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists utilizing customized telescopic eyeglasses, prisms and telescopic implants for patients who qualify. The practice accepts most types of vision and health insurance plans.