Cataract Awareness Month

Tips on Cataracts and Eye Floaters

by ArticlesBlog

June is Cataract Awareness Month. Did you know by the age of 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery?

What happens when you have a cataract?

Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye, which prevents the passage of light into the eye. Seeing with cataracts is like looking through a frosty or fogged window. Cataract sufferers may also experience sensitivity to light, see “halos” around lights, notice fading or yellowing colors or have double vision in one eye.

The solution to cataracts is cataract surgery, which requires a surgeon to remove the deteriorated lens and replace it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens or IOL. There are over 3 million cataract surgeries performed in the US each year with each surgery lasting about 20 minutes. Recovery time is minimal and most people can resume normal activities fairly rapidly.

Diseases such as diabetes, lifestyle choices such as smoking, excessive alcohol use, and prolonged exposure to UV rays all can contribute to your chances of developing cataracts.

Did you know there are different types of cataracts?

  • Secondary cataract. A side effect of the cataract surgery procedure affecting approximately 1/3 of the people who have had surgery is that cataract symptoms return. The side effect is called posterior capsule opacification, also known as a secondary cataract.
  • Traumatic cataract. Cataracts can develop after an eye injury, sometimes years later.
  • Congenital cataract. Some babies are born with cataracts or develop them in childhood, often in both eyes. These cataracts may be so small that they do not affect vision. If they do, the lenses may need to be removed.
  • Radiation cataract. Cataracts can develop after exposure to some types of radiation.

Moving Spots Called Eye Floaters

Do you ever see moving spots that appear in your field of vision? They’re called eye floaters and could be especially noticeable when you look at something bright, such as white paper or a blue sky. As you age, often between the ages of 50 and 75, the vitreous and its millions of fine collagen fibers shrink and become shred-like. Shreds can accumulate in the vitreous that can cause a change in the amount of light that hits the retina — the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. This change causes the symptoms of eye floaters.

Eye floaters can be annoying, but they generally don’t interfere with your sight and can improve over time. These floaters come in many shapes such as black or gray dots, squiggly lines, threadlike strands, which can be knobby and semi-transparent, cobwebs, or ring shaped.

But sometimes eye floaters are a sign of a more serious condition as a result of a retinal detachment, retinal tear, or bleeding within the eye. You should seek immediate medical attention if you notice a sudden increase in the number of eye floaters or the floaters are accompanied by flashes of light or a loss of side vision.

Annual eye exams to include dilation can detect the onset of cataracts, eye floaters, as well as other types of eye disease. These preventive measures, along with healthy eating will help to maintain overall eye health. Call 724-444-6767 or 724-226-4444 to schedule your exam today!

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 Better Eye Health

by ArticlesBlog

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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Trick-or-Treating Fun

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The pumpkins are out, the leaves are changing, and fall is in the air.  Pumpkin patches are in full swing and children’s Halloween costumes are being planned.  To boot – 2020 brings about a full moon on Halloween so we want to do our part to keep our little ghouls and goblins out of harm’s way.  Trick or Treating can be a fun time for children and families and there are a few tips we’d like to share to keep everyone safe.

 

KEEP A CLEAR LINE OF VISION 

Does your costume or its accessories obstruct your view?  Masks, wigs, and eye patches may make an outfit complete, but make sure your child can see. Some masks are very dangerous for children because they block their side vision and can cause a trip hazard. You might want to consider decorating your child’s face with face paint or makeup.

FDA APPROVED MAKEUP

If you decide to disguise your child with makeup instead of a mask, use hypo-allergenic options, and keep makeup away from the eyes.  Make sure that any color additives to the face paints are FDA approved (check the Summary of Additives on the FDA website). When applying makeup near or around the eye, stay away from the lid margin, or lash line—the area where you would normally apply eyeliner. If you are applying make-up very close to the eye, use only products approved for use in that area such as an eyeliner or eyeshadow. Do not use blush or lip-liner to create a “red” effect.  It is a good idea to carry a damp towel or washcloth in case the makeup begins to run while trick-or-treating.

Use a makeup remover or cotton ball with baby oil for safe removal after a night of fun.

DECORATIVE CONTACT LENSES CAN BE DANGEROUS

Decorative lenses that appear to glow in the dark or create the illusion of “cat eyes” are popular with teens.  Buying the decorative contact lenses from a source other than an eye doctor can open the door to health issues.

Did you know according to the FDA that it is illegal to sell decorative contact lenses without a valid prescription?  This would include the lenses that are sold on the internet, in retail shops and salons.  Decorative lenses from unlicensed manufacturers may be made from inferior plastic or may contain toxic dyes. Untrained individuals may not follow proper hygiene while inserting or removing the devices. Eye infections related to improper wearing and handling of contact lenses can rapidly develop into infection and corneal ulcers, which can cause permanent blindness.

TRIP HAZARDS WITH LONG COSTUMES

Dark streets, porch steps and uneven ground are challenging especially for young children.  Be sure your child’s costume ends well above their ankles to avoid a trip hazard.  Use well-fitting shoes or boots for safe walking.  Make sure your child’s costume is flame resistant and avoid baggy, billowing skirts and cloaks that might brush against a candle-lit jack-o’-lantern or luminary.

SHARP OBJECTS TO BE USED AS PROPS CAN BE DANGEROUS

Some costumes don’t seem complete without swords or wands.  Sharp, pointed props endanger your child’s eyes as well as the eyes of others.   If your child must carry a sword, find a belt carrier or scabbard where the sword can stay safely nestled while the kids roam the neighborhood. Buy or construct only accessories made of soft or flexible materials.

REFLECTIVE COSTUMES ARE A MUST

See and be seen!  Give trick-or-treaters flashlights to find their way in the dark.  There are several glow in the dark devices children can wear such as necklaces or glow sticks.  If the costume your child chooses is not made of reflective material, sew on reflective fabric strips or use stick-on strips of reflective tape. You want your child to be seen, especially crossing streets in the dark. Place reflective material on the front, back, and sides of your child’s costume.

Happy haunting….be informed, be safe and have a Happy Halloween.

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 for Healthy Aging

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September is National Healthy Aging Month an effort to recognize aging adults.  The Healthy Aging® organization was created over 25 years ago to draw attention to the importance of healthy lifestyles for adults, 45-plus. With proper diet and exercise and regular health screenings, each generation is proving that many older adults are vibrant, passionate, and not the image of old age at all. From the Greatest Generation (those now over 93), the Silent Generation (those between 75 and 92), and Baby Boomers (56 to 74) to Gen-Xers (40 to 55), individuals are determined to remain active by setting healthy goals.

As part of those goals, we want to point out some advantages of annual exams and health visits.  When it comes to your vision many diseases can be slowed down, stopped, or even reversed if caught early.  Having an annual comprehensive eye exam that includes dilation helps to give a baseline for your doctor to better be able to notice changes in your eyes.

Are you squinting a little more to read labels or catch that email on your phone? You’re not alone. As you age, it’s normal to notice changes in your vision. According to the National Eye Institute, some changes are normal, however, some may be cause for concern.

As we age, it’s normal to:

  • Lose focus, find it harder to focus vision up close.
  • Find it challenging to distinguish colors, such as blue from black, or to see where an object ends and its background begins.
  • Need more light to see well and more time to adjust to leaving a dark room and going into a brightly lit room.

Actual vision loss is not a normal part of aging.

If your eyes aren’t giving you any discomfort, they may become a second thought.  However, a condition called dry eye can become unpleasant, painful, and create a gritty feeling as well as blurred vision.  Based on data from the National Health and Wellness Survey, 6.8 percent of the United States adult population (approximately 16.4 million people) have been diagnosed with Dry Eye Disease with women more likely to develop dry eyes after menopause.

Certain medical conditions can impact our tear function, triggering dry eye — among them, systemic autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus), as well as diabetes, strokes, and thyroid problems. Antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medication, and hormone replacement therapy to relieve symptoms of menopause can also lead to dry eyes.

Other types of eye diseases that appear as we age can include age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and Glaucoma.

Are you ready to take control of your health?  Here are some tips.

  • Stop smoking.
  • Exercise.
  • Maintain normal blood pressure.
  • Control diabetes (if you have it).
  • Wear sunglasses and a brimmed hat any time you are outside in bright sunshine.
  • Eat a diet rich in green, leafy vegetables and fish.
  • Wear protective eyewear when working around your house or playing sports.

Vision loss is not always immediately noticeable.  Many times an individual can lose a significant amount of vision before it becomes noticeable.  When vision loss is detected early, the person stands a much greater chance of being able to slow down or even prevent their vision loss.

Medical screenings are important too.  Annual physicals, bloodwork, and regular cancer screenings can be a pivotal point of identifying a problem and taking the proper steps to treat it.  These screenings also provide peace of mind that you are as healthy as you can be.

Diet and exercise also play in role in healthy aging.  It’s easy to come home from a long day at the office, run through the take out window and grab a quick bite.  Taking time to plan and cook meals on the weekend allows for better eating habits and healthier food all around.

Put regular exercise into your routine that will help shed some unwanted pounds.  Take a walk at lunch or right after work if you can.  As we grow older, gone are the responsibilities of running kids to their various activities.  Make taking care of yourself the priority and put exercise into your calendar.

While we, at Bissell Eye Care, focus on vision and helping our patients to see to the best of their ability, we want to stress the importance of not just routine eye appointments, but all suggested medical appointments and screenings.  As we age it becomes more important than ever to take care of yourself. The quality of our lives as we age will depend on what we do today.   Stay positive. Try to think beyond yourself. Sure, these are complicated, unsettling times but you can use these days to work on your own health as well as to support your friends, neighbors, and family.

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.

Blurry vision

Night Driving Safety Tips

by Blog

Night driving hazards.  Did you know according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTSA) road fatalities triple during the night?  Because you see less road ahead, there is less time to stop.

Night vision is the ability to see well in low-light conditions. As we age, we have greater difficulty seeing at night. Did you know that 9 of every 10 decisions you make behind the wheel are based on what you see?  A 50-year-old driver may need twice as much light to see as well as a 30-year-old. At age 60 and older, driving can become even more difficult, according to the American Optometric Association. If night driving is challenging, you aren’t alone – millions of Americans feel the same way.

Driving becomes more difficult as we age because the cornea and lens in the eye become less clear causing light to scatter inside the eye, which increases glare. These changes also reduce contrast sensitivity — the ability to discern subtle differences in brightness — making it harder to see objects on the roadway at night.

We can’t change the aging process so what steps can be taken to ensure safe nighttime driving?

Protect your vision – One of the most damaging things to the eyes is being exposed to bright sunlight without protection. The more often your eyes must adjust to bright sunlight, the harder time they will have adjusting to the darkness. Always wear sunglasses when outdoors and reduce the brightness of your computer screen or phone, especially in a dark room.

Diet plays a role in helping your night vision and furthermore for your overall health.  Eating foods rich in Vitamin A can help night vision and also protect the eyes from cataract formation, which is one of the most common causes of night blindness. Vitamin A-rich foods include dark green leafy vegetables, carrots, potatoes, dairy products, broccoli, squash, and fish.

Driver fatigue is prevalent between midnight and 6 am.  Be extra vigilant during that time for tired drivers and becoming sleepy yourself.  Roll down the window, play music, or stop for a cup of coffee.

Dirty or damaged windshields can scatter light and potentially increase the effects of glare, according to NHTSA. Newspaper and Windex are a great combination for your windshield.  The group also reports that dirty or damaged headlights can decrease your visibility and cast glare onto oncoming drivers. So clean headlights and windshields regularly; you can use a special cleaning kit for headlights.

Collisions with deer often happen at dusk or at night and are more common from October to January. Your high beams can help you spot an animal’s glowing eyes. Nocturnal animals such as raccoons and possums are often seen scurrying across the road.   When you see them, the safest way to avoid an accident is by slowing down and stopping—not by swerving.

Glasses—prescription or otherwise—add another reflective surface between the driver’s eyes and the road, so choosing the correct glasses to wear is crucial to improved nighttime visibility. The best option? Prescription lenses with anti-reflective coating. This coating stops additional, unnecessary light from reflecting inside your lenses while allowing more light to pass through.

Many different things may cause trouble in seeing at night.  It can be as simple as needing a new eyeglass prescription, lacking vitamins, overexposure to the sun, or the presence of cataracts.  If you find that you are having trouble seeing at night, contact your eye doctor who can help to rule out diseases that could cause long term loss of vision.

Be proactive in taking care of your health and be safe on the road.    Be honest with yourself.  If a driving situation makes you uncomfortable, don’t do it. Many older drivers voluntarily begin to make changes in their driving practices. If fast-moving traffic bothers you, consider staying off freeways, highways, and find street routes instead. You may also decide to avoid driving in bad weather (rain, thunderstorms, snow, hail, ice). If you are going to a place that is unfamiliar to you, it is a good idea to plan your route before you leave so that you feel more confident and avoid getting lost.

You can have the cleanest windshield and the best headlights, but they do nothing if your eyes are strained and they can’t correctly perceive road objects or other dangerous hazards.  If friends or relatives are concerned about your driving ability – it may be time to take a hard look at your safety and the safety of others.

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.