children's eye exam

THE AB – ‘SEES’ OF BACK TO SCHOOL

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children's eye exam
Children’s eye exams before the start of school can make a difference all year long!

It’s been a great summer, but kids and parents are gearing up for a new school year.  Whether it’s the first time attending preschool or kindergarten, it’s important to make Eye Exams a Back-to-School Tradition.

According to the American Optometric Association, 49% of parents have not had an eye exam on their children who are under six years of age, by an optometrist.  A comprehensive eye exam is different that the eye screenings done by your pediatrician and/or school nurse.

Although a child may have 20/20 vision, they may experience a vision problem that could impact their ability to learn.  Even if there are no complaints over the summer about blurry vision or headaches, children still need to have frequent eye exams. Just like their bodies are rapidly growing, children’s eyes are changing, as well.

Having clear vision is an essential part of the school experience, because so much of learning is visual. An undiagnosed eye problem could result in an academic setback in just a few short months. Some behavior problems could be linked to vision issues.  These students may seem uninterested or unfocused in school when in actuality they simply cannot see clearly.

Eye issues such as strabismus (misaligned eyes), astigmatism or amblyopia (lazy eye) are also detectable through an eye exam. For some eye conditions, vision can be permanently affected if the problem is not corrected. Regular exams mean earlier diagnosis and earlier treatment.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common condition in children, which often develops around the age of 6 or 7. This condition results when the cornea is curved too much or when the eye is longer than normal. When light comes into the eye, it is focused in front of the retina instead of directly on the retina and the child’s vision is blurred.

Nearsightedness can worsen rapidly, especially between the ages of 11 and 13, which means that an eye prescription can change dramatically over a short period of time. Changing eyesight is not a reason for worry, and vision tends to stabilize in the later teenage years and early twenties. During the growing years, it is important to make regular eye appointments with your child’s eye doctor. Making comprehensive eye exams a part of your back-to-school tradition guarantees that your children’s eyes are examined at least once every year.

Even a small change in vision can cause eye strain, headaches or blurred vision, which can be very distracting while in school. Staying consistent with eye exams will help your children to have clear vision and be able to concentrate and perform to the best of their ability.  Start your child on the right track to learning with clear vision.  From the doctors and staff at Bissell Eye Care, we wish you the best in the upcoming school year!

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.

BIONIC EYE BRINGS SIGHT

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Prostheses come in many forms; limbs, cochlear implants, dental implants and now the bionic eye is making its mark and a difference.

A visual prosthesis, often referred to as a bionic eye, is an experimental visual device intended to restore functional vision in those suffering from partial or total blindness. In 1983, Joao Lobo Antunes, a Portuguese doctor, implanted a bionic eye in a person born blind. Many devices have been developed, usually modeled on the cochlear implant or bionic ear devices, a type of neural prosthesis in use since the mid-1980s. The idea of using electrical current (e.g., electrically stimulating the retina or the visual cortex).

The entire system runs on a battery pack that is housed with the video processing unit. When the camera captures an image — of, say, a tree — the image is in the form of light and dark pixels. It sends this image to the video processor, which converts the tree-shaped pattern of pixels into a series of electrical pulses that represent “light” and “dark.” The processor sends these pulses to a radio transmitter on the glasses, which then transmits the pulses in radio form to a receiver implanted underneath the subject’s skin. The receiver is directly connected via a wire to the electrode array implanted at the back of the eye, and it sends the pulses down the wire.

The electrical signals generated by the stimulated electrodes then travel as neural signals to the visual center of the brain by way of the normal pathways used by healthy eyes — the optic nerves. In macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa, the optical neural pathways are not damaged. The brain, in turn, interprets these signals as a tree and tells the subject, “You’re seeing a tree.”

Just as muscles need retraining following an accident or surgery; it takes some training for patients to actually see a tree. At first, they see mostly light and dark spots. But, they learn to interpret what the brain is showing them, and they eventually perceive that pattern of light and dark as a tree.

There have been two versions of the system created, each version containing substantially more electrodes to enable patients to perceive shapes and detect movement.  Researchers are already planning a third version that has a thousand electrodes on the retinal implant, which they believe could allow for facial-recognition capabilities.   Until then, we believe patients prefer seeing outlines and shapes, right now than nothing at all.

Click here to view a video on how a bionic eye helped a man with impaired vision.  The article is provided by Gillian Mohney with ABC NEWS: “Bionic Eye Helps Man See After Decade of Impaired Vision” 

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.

TIME TO GIVE BACK!

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As a small business owner I have always looked at Bissell Eye Care and wondered how I could make my practice better as well as serve my patients to the best of my abilities.  As Bissell Eye Care has grown to two locations over the years, I have looked for ways to give back.  We are an eye wear collection center for the local Lion’s Club.

Recently I became aware of an eye wear brand that gives back and wanted to introduce the Modo and Eco brands in our offices.  Bissell Eye Care has paired up with MODO, a company that was founded in 1990 in New York.  Modo was founded on the principals of helping those who need it most.  Click here to learn about the “buy a frame give a frame” and the “buy a frame plant a tree” programs.  These are a couple of ways we will continue to be a community partner in helping those in need.

The slogan for Modo is “Buy a Frame-Give a Frame.”  When a pair of Modo’s are purchased the company donates a free pair of spectacles to someone in need.  They have paired with an organization called the SEVA Foundation to have the best possible outreach.

The Eco slogan of “One Frame – One Tree”, where the company along with help from the organization called Trees for the Future, will plant a tree for every frame purchased.  These frames are also build out of recycled or bio based materials.  The goal is to help create a cleaner world for everyone by using materials that otherwise may be discarded or left unused.

As a business owner I see true value in companies that not only look out for their own well-being but also contribute to society.  As my practice has grown I have always looked for ways to give back and help those in need.  By carrying the Modo and Eco frames we look to give back and say thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way! 

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.

THROUGH A CHILD’S EYES

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Being a parent myself I understand the joy of seeing your child grow and having all of their firsts.  Their first crawl, walk, words, real food etc.  For Baby Piper’s parents, having had their child fit for glasses allows her to see them clearly for the first time.  They will always remember the way their child’s face lit up as she saw them clearly for the first time EVER!

As parents we want the best for our children.  We record every moment we can and cherish the memories we will make with them.  With all of these memories and “firsts” many parents find it difficult to take their children for routine eye exams until their children are in grade school.  Being proactive can help your child see better which can lead to better overall development and growth.

There are over 23 million children who experience vision problems.  As a parents you know how important it is to have routine doctor’s appointments as your child grows to ensure proper health and development.  Eye doctor’s appointments are often over looked leaving over 86% of children not have their first eye exam until they enter the first grade.  Taking into account that 10% of children between ages 0 and 4 have vision problems this leaves many children with difficulty seeing throughout the early years of their lives.

Another benefit to routine eye doctor’s appointments as your children grow up is that 7-12% of children have eye problems that can lead to permanent loss of vision if not detected early.  Did you know that 95% of those problems are completely correctable with early detection?

Remember as your experience all of your “firsts” with your young ones that you remember the importance of eye health.  Having a yearly checkup can change the way that your child looks at the world and can help them to see their “firsts” as clearly as you do!

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.

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.