WHEN IS TOO EARLY FOR A CHILD’S FIRST EYE EXAM?

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Did you know that Bissell Eye Care provides eye examinations for children as young as 6 months of age? For children under the age of one we do not charge for the examination.

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), “infants should have their first comprehensive eye at 6 months of age. Experts say 5 -10 % of preschoolers and 25 % of school-aged children have vision problems.  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.”

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 near sightedness
  • Overall Eye Health

For young children who can’t read letters yet, we use of shapes and colors.  No matter what age, regular eye exams are important.  Don’t let your children fall behind in preschool or school as a result of a vision problem.

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.

IS YOUR CHILD READY FOR CONTACTS

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Children are beginning to wear glasses at a younger age than ever before.  Increased cases of overuse and eyestrain needing visual correction are being realized with the high demand and usage of technology gadgets, iPads and tablets, computers and cell phones that are used by young children.

Competitive sports add a different component in the need to see distance, increased chance of eye injury from glasses in contact sports and difficulty in seeing during inclement weather.  These factors are prompting the switch to contact lenses.

The Contact Lenses in Pediatrics (CLIP) study that was conducted found that children as young as 8 years old are capable of properly inserting, removing and caring for contact lenses and had no increased risk of contact lens-related eye problems compared with teenagers enrolled in the study.

Contact lenses have changed in their makeup and offer a variety of brands to choose from.  New materials allow for oxygen to flow to the eye and provide higher water content in lenses that add comfort in wearing them.

Cost can be another factor to consider.  Daily lenses can run as little as $2 per day.   They are worn once and then discarded.  There is no need for sterilization and storage.

Children ages 8-12 make up 40% of new contact wearers.  It’s not surprising that the switch to contacts may occur during those awkward pre-teen years where kids want to fit in and they feel glasses make them stand out in the crowd.

Children who are ready for contacts must take responsibility for their care and understand the importance of having clean hands when putting contact lenses in or taking them out.  Because it takes effort in learning how to wear and care for contact lenses, children must be willing to learn.

Bissell Eye Care works with families through the use of trial lenses to find the right fit to meet your needs.  Once we have identified the correct brand for you, then we order the contacts.  Young and old alike enjoy the freedom that contact lenses 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.

DIGITAL EYE STRAIN

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Do your eyes hurt after a day at the office?

Think about all the screens you use every day – desktop, laptop, tablets, ipads, and smart phones.  “Digital Eye Strain” is the level of eye discomfort that occurs for many users.

Symptoms included are dry eyes, blurry vision, fatigue and neck and shoulder cramping. In a recent survey released by the Vision Council, a trade group for makers of eye care products, warned of serious long-term eye risk, including macular degeneration and cataracts.

Because of intense staring, we don’t blink as much when using screens and therefore don’t spread tears across the eyes, causing dryness.  A solution is to blink every 10 seconds or so.  People using a computer daily could stare at the screen 6-10 hours a day.

Here are some prevention tips from organizations such as Prevent Blindness, the National Eye Institute, and Get Eye Smart:

Make changes to your computer screen, such as:

  • Place the screen 20-26 inches away from your eyes and a little below eye level.
  • Regularly clean off dust and fingerprints from the screen. Smudges on the screen can reduce contrast and increase problems with glare and reflections.
  • Choose screens that tilt and swivel.
  • Consider using a glare filter over your screen.

In addition to promoting cardiovascular health, stepping away from computer screens periodically will help prevent digital eye strain.

Glasses can be tinted and regular eye exams should be done to determine if you may need a prescription change, or if the amount of time you’re spending at your desk is leading to tired or dry eyes.

About the author:  John D. Bissell, OD is the owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-State Low Vision Services.    Bissell Eye Care 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. The practice accepts most types of vision and health insurance plans.

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.

Eye Injuries and Snowball Fights

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Avoid eye injuries from snowball fights. Pittsburgh has seen a good dose of winter already.  We’ve encountered delays and school closings due to the arctic temperatures. But those same winter conditions are ripe for eye injuries received as a result of a good snowball fight.

The fact is that children and adults will always enjoy a good romp in the snow, making snow forts, snow angels sledding and throwing snowballs. So, please play it safe and avoid eye injuries.  Never aim for the head and do not use snowballs that contain chunks of ice or other debris.

During the winter season, emergency room doctors see a number of injuries related to sports like skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and sledding. Regular eyeglasses and contact lenses do not offer adequate protection from sports-related eye injuries. We recommend the use of protective eye wear for winter sports, including downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing.  The lenses are made with polycarbonate lenses, so they’re impact resistant and good for all sports.

On a sunny day on the ski slopes, the snow can create sun glare that is harmful to your eyes.  In addition to tinted goggles for skiing, it’s good to have a pair of sunglasses on hand for hanging out in the lodge. Ski goggles help to protect your eyes from wind and ice particles, as well as minimize injury during a fall.

Cold-related injuries common to winter and snow sports that related to cold and wet conditions include:

•           Blisters on toes, heels and feet caused by the friction of wet socks and badly fitting footwear can cause blisters on

•           Sprains and strains and soft tissue injuries due to less elasticity in ligaments causing injuries in knees, shoulders and wrists due to falls while skiing, snowboarding or ice skating.

•           Hypothermia occurs when the body’s temperature falls below 35°C. Symptoms include: shivering, drowsiness and lack of coordination. The person may lie down to rest, lapse into unconsciousness and die if not treated quickly.

•           Frostbite – this occurs when the tissues of the skin freeze. Ice crystals in and around skin cells block the movement of blood through the fine blood vessels (capillaries), which means the skin is deprived of oxygen and nutrients and dies.  We’ve seen some of that on the news recently.

•           Sunburn – ultraviolet radiation is present, even in cold and cloudy conditions. This, and the reflections off the snow, can cause sunburn to exposed skin. What many people may think is ‘windburn’ is actually sunburn.

•           Snow blindness – this is sunburn of the cornea of the eye, caused by ultraviolet radiation. Symptoms include painful, watery eyes and temporary blurring of vision equipment.

Most cold related injuries can be prevented with planning, adequate preparation and proper equipment.

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.

 

Eye Injury Emergency Tips

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According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, approximately 44% of eye injuries occur in the home.  Wearing the proper eye protection can help to prevent eye injuries.  However, should an eye injury occur notify your optometrist and seek medical attention immediately.

For Chemical Burns:

  • Immediately flush the eye with water by holding the eye under a faucet or shower.  Or pour the water into the eye using a clean container while keeping the eye open as wide as possible while flushing.
  • DO NOT use an eye cup or bandage the eye.
  • Seek immediate medical treatment.

Specks In the Eye:

  • DO NOT rub the eye.
  • Try washing the speck out with an eyewash.
  • Lift the upper eyelid outward and down over the lower lid.
  • If the speck remains – bandage the eye and seek medical attention.

Blows to the Eye:

  • Apply a cold compress or ice without putting pressure on the eye.
  • Internal eye damage symptoms include – pain, reduced vision or discoloration and emergency medical care should be sought.

Cuts and Punctures:

  • DO NOT wash out the eye with water.
  • DO NOT attempt to remove an object that is stuck in the eye.
  • Cover the eye with a shield – the bottom half of a paper cup can be used in a pinch and seek emergency medical care at once.

Know and apply first aid accordingly.  By acting quickly and with the appropriate treatment during an emergency may save your sight.  Treat all eye injuries as potential emergencies, and never hesitate to contact or see an eye doctor immediately. Don’t take risks with your eyesight. Remember, you have only one pair of eyes.

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.

Diabetes and Vision Loss

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Diabetes and vision loss can go hand in hand.  Vision loss is one of the most common and debilitating complications of diabetes. An annual eye exam will help in early detection of  diabetes as for many people with Type 2 Diabetes the disease goes undetected.   For those individuals who have been diagnosed as a diabetic, extra attention should be made to monitor their diabetes and have regular eye exams.

According to Medical News Today, “Diabetes describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both. Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience frequent urination they will become increasingly thirsty and hungry”.

There are three types of diabetes:

  • Type 1 Diabetes- account for approximately 10% of all diabetics and occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin.  Diabetics generally develop Type 1 Diabetes before their 40th birthday.
  • Type 2 Diabetes account for approximately 90% of the remaining diabetics.  The body does not produce enough insulin for proper function, or the cells in the body do not react to insulin (insulin resistance).  Typically type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease and eventually may lead to medication dependency to control the disease.    Overweight and obese people have a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with a healthy body weight.  That’s why diet and exercise play a key role in prevention.
  • Gestational Diabetes   affects females during pregnancy. Some women have very high levels of glucose in their blood, and their bodies are unable to produce enough insulin to transport all of the glucose into their cells, resulting in progressively rising levels of glucose.  Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can raise the risk of complications at childbirth.

Diabetic Eye Disease is a group of eye problems people with diabetes could face as a result of the disease, which can lead to vision loss or blindness. These include:

•  Cataract (clouding of the lens of the eye)

•  Diabetic retinopathy (the most common form of diabetic eye disease, which damages the blood vessels in the retina)

•  Glaucoma (damage to the optic nerve that affects peripheral or side vision)

People often are unaware they have diabetes but In fact, about 90% of diabetes-related blindness is preventable through early detection, timely treatment and appropriate follow-up care.  To learn more about diabetes, low vision and vision loss, visit Tri-State Low Vision Services, a division of Bissell Eye Care.

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.