FALL IS IN THE AIR

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Are you enjoying the change in color on the landscape? Fall is certainly upon us as we see the leaves turning color and falling from the trees. It’s the time of year where fall cleanup will soon be in full swing. With the temperature dropping and the leaves changing color, they are falling to the ground covering your yard in what seems like a never ending task of clean up.

As you step outside with your rake or leaf blower, be sure to use the proper eye and ear protection to help keep you safe. Dead leaves tend to break apart as your rake them up or use your leave blower to corral them into a pile. Having proper eye safety can help prevent pieces of these leaves from being blown into your eyes. October is eye safety awareness month. Every year, 2.5 million eye injuries occur, and almost half of those injuries take place in the home.

While using a rake can seem harmless, when working outside moving large amounts of leaves, sticks, and other debris from your yard, you run the risk of having a foreign object enter your eye. I’m sure as a child you remember raking a giant pile of leaves and then jumping into them. Your kids will find the same joy that you did when you were younger. Perhaps you ended up with pieces of leaves in your eyes as you jumped into that massive pile. If your children are having fun with piles of leaves and get something in their eyes, be sure to flush with water to clean the eye.

If you’re using a leaf blower you may feel as though there is no danger, that all of the leaves are being blown away from you. Your eyes and ears are at danger of permanent damage when using a leaf blower if proper protection is not worn. Like any engine, leaf blowers, even electric ones, emit sound. This sound can be harmful to your ears and can cause hearing loss. A good sign of needing hearing protection is if you hear ringing, or feel uncomfortableness during or after the use of power tools. Next is to be sure to have eye protection. Even sunglasses are a good source of protection when using a leaf blower. As you blow the leaves, they get thrown up into the air where the wind can grab them and pull them back toward you. This can cause dirt and dust particles that have also been picked up to be blown back toward you. If they get into your eyes you can experience discomfort and may also scratch your cornea.

When using chemicals to clean stains before winter sets in, be sure to wear eye protection. Fully read labels on all chemical products. Never mix chemicals like bleach, detergents and cleansers together. Use cleaners and chemicals in well-ventilated areas, and wear safety goggles to avoid chemical splashes.

Remember this year as you step outdoors that even a simple pair of sunglasses can help to protect your vision. If you intend on using power tools to help clear the yard of those pesky leaves, add ear protection while using power tools along with the eye protection. Happy raking!

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.

NIGHT DRIVING

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Driving on an asphalt road towards the headlights

Do you prefer to drive during the daytime?  Do you have trouble seeing at night?  If night driving is difficult, millions of Americans feel the same way.  There are many different things that may cause trouble seeing at night.  It can be as simple as needing a new eyeglass prescription, lacking vitamins, over exposure to the sun or the presence of cataracts.  If you find that you are having trouble seeing at night, contact your eye doctor to rule out diseases that could cause long term loss of vision.

Below are some of the most common causes of vision loss in adults.

  • Cataracts. The eye’s lens is located behind the pupil.  As you age cells grow and die inside of the lens.  This causes debris to build up and leads to cataracts.  Cataracts are not painful, however they will gradually cloud your lens.  One of the first symptoms of cataracts is decreased visibility at night.  Blurry vision is also common with cataracts or seeing halos around objects.
  • Lack of vitamin A.  Vitamin A is found in many leafy vegetables and also in carrots.  It helps to keep the retina healthy.  While it is not common for many Americans to lack vitamin A, diseases such as Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease or Gastric bypass may make it difficult for the body to absorb needed vitamins.  Not getting enough of needed vitamins can increase the chance of having decreased night visibility.
  • Retinitis pigmentosa.  This is a rare genetic disorder that mostly affects younger people before they reach the age of 30.  A decline in night vision is usually the first symptom, but can lead to total loss of vision.
  • Sunlight exposure.  Having large amounts of sun light exposure, after a trip to the local ski resort or laying out on the beach, can burn your eyes.  This is known as sun blindness and can last for a few days or longer depending on the amount of exposure and the frequency that you experience this exposure.  Wearing sunglasses helps to prevent permanent damage to your eyes from the sun.

While many of these conditions can cause difficulty seeing at night, most of them are preventable or able to be treated.  If night driving is difficult for you, talk with your eye doctor to rule out any treatable cause.

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.

BACK TO SCHOOL

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It’s getting to be that time of year. Have you been bombarded with all of the health forms and documents that need filled out for your little one to either go back to school, or to start a new adventure in attending school for the first time? With all of the hustle and bustle in buying new clothes, school supplies, getting immunizations, and reviewing schedules, something as simple as your child’s eyesight can be overlooked.

Children often start their first few years of school without having an eye exam by an optometrist. While you can tell when your child is sick it is nearly impossible to determine when there is a problem that could be affecting their vision.

With August being Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, we want to remind parents the importance of scheduling routine eye exams for children starting at the age of three. There is no better time to schedule your child’s checkup than before they start back to school and after school schedules and activities become hectic.

There are some signs to watch for that could indicate your child is having trouble seeing:

  • Wandering or crossed eyes.
  • Squinting or turning their head in an unusual manner while watching TV.
  • Disinterest in reading or focusing on things in the distance.
  • Or if there is a family history of childhood vision problems.

By having routine eye visits, eye doctors can monitor your child’s vision and eye health. This will help to detect any problems with your children’s eyes that could affect their vision long term. If their vision deteriorates, you may also see a decline in your child’s grades as struggling to see may set them at a disadvantage when it comes to watching and understanding what is being taught.

We want to stress the importance of eye safety. As school starts back, fall sports are in full swing. With high school sports become faster paced and highly competitive, more injuries are occurring. Eye injuries are often top of the list. By having your children wear the proper eye protection you can help reduce the chances of sustaining an eye injury, an injury that could leave them with a permanent vision loss.

Remember, as fall approaches it is important to have a regular eye exam done for children three and older and to have your children use the proper, approved eye protection as they participate in fall sports.

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.

eyeglass frames, Bissell Eye Care

DOES THE FRAME FIT?

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eyeglass frames, Bissell Eye Care
What style of eyeglass frames are best for you?

If you are like most people when needing new glasses, you have tried on frame after frame, looking for the one that fits your face just right. It can be very overwhelming as you look at the wall of frames, trying to decide which frame you like best.

There are some ways that you can easily narrow the selection from hundreds of frames down to a select few, which will help you to find a pair that compliment your facial features.

The first part of choosing a set of eyeglass frames is to consider the shape and size of your face. Every face has a shape, round, oval, square, diamond or even heart-shaped.

Determining your facial shape will help you to narrow down the types of frames will best compliment your look.

  • Round: Square or rectangular frames often tend to be wider than a round face. This can help your face to appear slimmer and longer.
  • Oval: These often have a strong bridge. Avoid frames that are overlarge and cover up more than half of your face as it can throw off the symmetry of your face.
  • Square: You want to look for frames that sit high on the bridge of your nose. Oval or round glasses will add a thinner appearance. Avoid boxy eyeglass frames which will make your face appear squarer.
  • Diamond: You want to look for frames that sweep up and or are wider than then the cheekbones. You want to find frames that will accentuate your cheek bones.
  • Heart shaped: Ideal frames are low-set templets and bottom heavy frame lines. Round eyeglasses or square eyeglasses with curved edges will help draw attention away from a broad forehead.

When looking for eyeglass frames remember that in most cases opposites attract. You want to find a balance to your face. If you find frames that are the same shape as your head they can often throw the balance off.

The next thing to consider is what type of lifestyle you lead. Are you physically active, a gamer, or looking to make a fashion statement? You need to find frames that are flexible if you are active, enhance your gaming experience if you’re a gamer, and look stylish and sophisticated if you are looking to make a fashion statement.

At Bissell Eye Care, our trained staff are always available to help you select that perfect frame that best fits your face and lifestyle.

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.

color blindness

SEEING IN COLOR

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color blindness
Have you inherited one of the three main types of color blindness?

For many people being, able to walk along a crowded downtown street, look up at the streetlight, and be able to see if the light is red, yellow, or green, is a common occurrence that we rarely think twice about. There are many people, however, who have never experienced this. They are color blind or are color blind to some degree.

While color blindness is most common in men, affecting as many as 8% of men, it can also occur in women. They experience a much lower percent, with as little as .5% of women being color blind.

The reason that men are much more susceptible to suffering from color blindness is that gene responsible for color blindness is on the X chromosome. With males only having one X chromosome, if there is any deficiency they will begin to lose the ability to see colors. Women, have two X chromosomes. Because of this, women have the advantage that if one X chromosome is deficient, the other is able to overcome that gene allowing them to see in color.

The most common types of color blindness are inherited. Color blindness can range greatly in the degree of colors which are able to be seen. Some people can see darker colors easier than light, such as a dark red vs. a light red, with the light red being more difficult to distinguish.

There are three main categories that people who are color blind fall into.

  • Red-Green Color Blindness. The most common type of color blindness. It is caused by the loss or limited function of red cone or green cone photo pigments. People with red-green color blindness struggle to distinguish red and green colors, seeing them as different colors or even black.
  • Blue-Yellow Color Blindness. This color loss is rarer than red-green color blindness. The blue-cone photo pigments are either missing or have limited function. This form of color blindness affects the ability to distinguish yellow, and often shows yellow and red as pink. Blue can also appear as green and yellows as violet or light gray. 
  • Complete Color Blindness. People who suffer from complete color blindness see no colors at all. They may also have the clearness of their vision affected in people who suffer from complete color blindness.

There are many tests that your eye doctor can perform to determine if you are in fact color blind. If so, to determine what category of color blindness that you fall into. It is important to have children checked at a young age as many times they do not know that they are color blind. Children that are born with difficulty seeing colors do not know the difference of what life is like with all colors being portrayed as they should be. Because color blindness is hereditary, it is especially important if one parent is color blind to have regular checkups for the entire family.

There is currently no cure for color blindness, however people with red-green color blindness may be able to use a special set of lenses to help them see colors more accurately. These lenses are typically only to be used outdoors under bright light conditions.

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.

SEE BETTER BY EATING HEALTHY

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Age related eye-diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration commonly cause impaired vision and blindness in older adults. By changing your diet to include proper nutrition, you may be able to help delay or prevent certain eye problems, as well as prevent diseases caused by being overweight.

As children we were always told to eat our vegetables so that we would grow up big and strong. As time passed and you grew older, and wiser, it is often all too easy to forget about those things that our parents instilled in us when we were younger. Simple life choices, such as what you eat, may affect your eye sight more that you think.

Your diet is one of your life choices that will affect the quality of your life both now and as we age. A diet that is high in saturated fat and sugar may increase your risk of eye disease. By choosing a diet that has greens, fruits and vegetables, you may help to prevent eye diseases, along with other health-related conditions that occur with being overweight.

Age-related cataracts and age-related macular degeneration have been shown to occur less frequently in people who eat diets rich in vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids and healthy protein. You should try to consume at least 5-10 servings of fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables daily.

Proper hydration can also play a role in your eye health. Healthy beverages such as 100% vegetable juice, fruit juices, caffeine free teas and plenty of water, are extremely important to eye health. As you look at the labels, check out the sugar content. Try to consume less juice and more water. By staying properly hydrated you help to prevent dry eyes, which can cause irritation and lead to other eye complications.

As we grow older, and wiser, it is important to take care of our bodies. Having a proper diet is not only important to your body’s overall health, but is also important to you eye sight. Eating the proper amount of fruits and vegetables, along with staying properly hydrated, are keys to success. So take advantage of the summer and support your neighborhood farmers. Stop by the local farm stand and pick up some fresh fruits and vegetables to help boost your immune system and live a happy healthy life!

About the author: John D. Bissell, owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-Sate 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.

SUMMERTIME FUN

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Towel, swim suit, flip flops, a cooler full of drinks, a bag of snacks, and sunscreen are common items to grab as you run out the door to the neighborhood pool, waterpark, or beach. With the sun blazing down there is nothing better than taking a dip in the water to cool off while you kick back and relax and enjoy the summer. Did you notice the one important item left of this list? Your sunglasses.
Eye care is essential as you head out this summer to take that dip and cool off in the summer sun. The Ultra Violet rays of the sun, or UV rays, can harm more than burning your skin. UV rays can also have a negative effect on your eyes. By wearing the proper eye protection, you can help reduce the short term and long term effects of UV exposure to your eyes.

The short term exposure to high amounts of UV rays can be similar to your skin becoming sunburned. This is referred to as photo keratitis, and is considered a sunburn of the eye. Photo keratitis can be painful and is usually accompanied with symptoms such as, red eyes, the feeling of foreign object in your eyes, gritty feeling in the eyes, excessive tearing and sensitivity to light. These symptoms are usually temporary and rarely result in permanent damage.

Long term effects of high exposure to UV rays can include a greater risk of developing cataracts or developing macular degeneration in the later years of life. Wearing a hat with a wider brim and proper sunglasses can help to reduce your exposure to these damage causing rays of the sun.

With sunglasses coming in all shapes and sizes, it is important to insure that your sunglasses have the following features to help block out the most UV rays possible:

  • Screen out 75-90 percent of visible light.
  • Block out 99-100 percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation.
  • Have gray lenses to aid in proper color recognition.

If you spend a large amount of time outdoors consider wrap around style of glasses. This style blocks out the most light possible granting the most protection. Also, if you are involved in outdoor work or sports, be sure to have sunglasses that are impact resistant to prevent eye injuries from broken glasses entering the eye.

Remember as you grab your outdoor gear and get ready to hit up the pool, beach or spend time outdoors, to grab your sunglasses and eye protection. Don’t forget…the kids need sunglasses too. Prevention is the easiest way to help ensure that your vision lasts well into the future, keeping your head up and you moving forward.

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.

FIREWORKS SAFETY

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Happy young intercultural people dancing with sparkling bengal lights

As the beginning of July approaches, many families will find themselves on vacation, at a neighborhood party or family get together celebrating our country’s freedom.  Often a staple of the back yard barbeques, parades, family gathering and other events are sparklers, fireworks, and other colorful explosions that light up the night.  It is also a time that many individuals find themselves taking a trip to the E.R. or doctor’s office with an eye injury resulting from improper handling of fireworks and sparklers.

Many people find it increasingly easy to forget about eye care at night.  With the lower levels of light the desire to have a shield in front of your eyes decreases.  During the day it is easy to throw on a pair of safety sunglasses which serve a dual purpose; however protective eyewear for dark environments requires clear glasses that are much easier to overlook, as there is not an obvious irritation or danger to your eye.

On average about 9,000 eye injuries result from the use of fireworks every year.  Of those injured, 45% are children under the age of 15.  The most common “harmless” firework is the sparkler.  In many cases these easy to light novelties are given to small children to play with.  Many people either overlook, or simply do not realize sparklers burn at 1,200 degrees, which can make them dangerous to children, especially unsupervised children.

Prevention is key to avoid ending up in the E.R. during this time of celebration.  There are a couple of considerations when handling fireworks this Fourth of July season.

  • Do not let children play with fireworks.  If you allow older children to handle fireworks make sure they are supervised.
  • Never light fireworks without using protective eye wear. Ensure that bystanders are also using eye protection.
  • Be sure the immediate area is clear of any debris, flammable items, or tripping hazards.
  • Most importantly… leave professional-grade fireworks to trained and certified pyro technicians.

Remember as you prepare for a night of celebration this Fourth of July, to purchase safety glasses before you swing by the local fireworks outlet.  It’s a time to celebrate, be sure to do it safely.  Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

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.

COMBATING CATARACTS

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Have you noticed that your vision has become cloudy, or that you have trouble seeing in dark settings? These are signs of cataracts. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the United States; however, vision loss due to cataracts is reversible!

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens which blocks or changes the light that passes into the eye. Cataract surgery is one of the most common types of eye surgery with a 95% success rate. Recent studies have also shown that cataract surgery patients have a significantly reduced rate of bone fractures from falls.

Some of the signs of cataracts are:
• Blurred vision, double vision, a sense of film over the eyes or ghost images.
• Reading, working or driving in low light is difficult.
• Changing your prescription for your eyes often and the changes may not seem to help.
• A milky or yellowish spot in the pupil.
• Halos around lights.
• Sensitivity to light.

If you have these symptoms it may be time to talk to your doctor. Cataracts are caused by natural aging. Old, dead cells build up in the lens of your eyes, causing them to become cloudy. As light passes through the lens, your sight becomes distorted causing your vision to be degraded. Cataracts often develop slowly over a period of years before they are formed enough for an individual to notice them.

If you are diagnosed with cataracts there is good news. This is one form of vision loss that is reversible. Surgeons are able to remove the deteriorated lens and replace it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens. Annually over 3 million Americans undergo surgery to correct cataracts with a 95% success. The surgery is short and lasts only about 20-25 minutes and most people are able to return to a normal, clearer life in a short amount of time.

There is no way to prevent cataracts other than living a healthy lifestyle. You can help to avoid the progression of cataracts by avoiding smoking, reducing exposure to UV rays by wearing sunglasses, eating a healthy balanced diet and wearing proper eye protection to avoid eye injuries.

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 SPOTS?

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Have you ever experienced a spot in your field of vision? This is often referred to as eye floaters. In most cases these floaters will appear in your field of vision when you look at something bright such as a white screen or the sky. These are spots that you can see and appear to float as you look around. Eye floaters can be present in one or both eyes.

Floaters are caused by strands, deposits, or liquid pockets developing on the vitreous humor, or the back part of the eye. This is the part of the eye that the light going to the retina passes through. It is a jelly like material that occupies the back two-thirds of the eye.

When the light is blocked by these strands, deposits, or liquid pockets, it casts a small shadow onto the surface of the retina, and the shadows that result are seen as floaters. They are usually black or gray in color. These shadows appear to move as the eye moves, left, right, up and down. This is why patients often say that they see a dot or spot floating in their field of vision.

Floaters are most commonly experienced as we age. About 50% of people who are age 60 have floaters and most people over the age of 70 experience some sort of floater. While many people notice them at first, they may find that after a few months they are less noticeable as the brain and eye begin to ignore or get used to them being there.

While floaters are common, and most people will experience them, it is important to get your regular check up with your eye doctor. In some rare cases a floater can be linked to eye tumors including lymphoma and leukemia. These are however extremely rare. If you see a shower of floaters and spots, especially if they are accompanied by flashes of light, you should seek medical attention immediately from an eye care professional.

Be sure to maintain your routine visit to your optometrist and tell them if you notice any changes in your eyesight, such as floaters. Grab those sunglasses, get out and enjoy summer!

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.