SEEING SPORTS THROUGH DIFFERENT EYES

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

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

HOW YOU CAN HELP TO PREVENT INJURIES

While wearing eye protection is important, it is equally import to be aware of what is protecting you and your children and what can actually be putting them at an increased risk. Wearing glasses, sunglasses, or other non-ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) approved glasses can put you at a higher risk for injury. Eye wear that is not specifically designed to help protect your eye can shatter or break. These shards can enter the eye or the area around the eye and make wearing non-approved eye protection more dangerous than wearing nothing at all. Wearing approved goggles or face masks can help to prevent up to 90% of eye related injuries.

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

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

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

MACULAR DEGENERATION AND LOW VISION DEFINED

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

What is Macular Degeneration?

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

Detection

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

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

Prevention

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

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

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

 

MACULAR DEGENERATION, FAITH AND HOPE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RELIEF FROM COMPUTER EYE STRAIN

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

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

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

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

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

EYE INFECTIONS AND COLD AND FLU SEASON

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Woman with watery eyes

Experts are predicting epidemic levels of cold and flu during the upcoming season. It seems like everywhere you turn, someone is sick. For those individuals who received a flu shot your symptoms may not be quite as severe, but we’ve also learned that the flu shot may not be as effective in 2015.

When we think of the flu, things such as body aches, fever, and stomach viruses come to mind but flu season may also bring an unexpected surprise in the form of conjunctivitis most commonly referred to as “pink eye”.

There are three types of conjunctivitis:

1) Bacterial 2) Allergic and 3) Viral Conjunctivitis.

Symptoms that present with conjunctivitis include:

  • Gritty feeling in the eye or both eyes
  • Excessive tearing
  • Itchy or burning sensation
  • Discharge and/or swollen eyelids
  • Pink Discoloration
  • Sensitivity to light

Conjunctivitis is contagious so take these steps to avoid “sharing the joy” with others:

  • Practice good hygiene and teach your children how to properly wash their hands
  • Don’t touch your face with your hands
  • Avoid using cosmetics and eye care items and discard those currently used (particularly mascara) when first diagnosed with conjunctivitis to prevent spreading the infection.
  • Change towels and washcloths daily and avoid sharing with others
  • Avoid wearing contact lenses and dispose of those used at the start of the infection.

Conjunctivitis treatment varies. Topical steroid drops and/or antibiotics based on which type of conjunctivitis you have will be used to treat conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis much like the common cold must run the course and only in severe cases are steroids used.

The best course of action is to schedule an appointment with your optometrist to properly diagnose and treat your infection. At Bissell Eye Care, we also have tests that examine the optic nerve to ensure there’s not an underlying problem that can become more serious.

 

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.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GLAUCOMA

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Did you know over 2.8 million Americans have glaucoma and that number is expected to rise by 50% by the year 2032? Glaucoma is caused by the eye’s failure to maintain the balance of pressure between the internal fluid and the amount of fluid it drains away. High eye pressure caused by this imbalance causes pressure to build up against the optic nerve causing nerve damage.

Damage typically starts in the outside peripheral vision and is often not recognized by patients. A dilated eye exam is necessary to examine the optic nerve. This video from the National Eye Institute explains the importance of regular eye exams and how glaucoma patients are diagnosed and treated.

Treatment generally begins with eye drops. Just as in any other prescribed medication, it’s important to consistently take the drops as prescribed. Since glaucoma symptoms are typically undetected, patients will not realize the damage that can be done without following the prescription.

If your optometrist deems that eye drops aren’t the best course of action, lasers or in extreme cases surgical procedures may be necessary to treat the disease.

Types of glaucoma include:

Chronic (Open Angle) Glaucoma: The most common form. In open angle glaucoma, aqueous fluid drains too slowly and pressure inside the eye builds up. It usually results from aging of the drainage channel, which doesn’t work as well over time. However, younger people can also get this type of glaucoma.

Normal Tension Glaucoma: This is a form of open angle glaucoma not related to high pressure. People with normal tension glaucoma may be unusually sensitive to normal levels of pressure. Reduced blood supply to the optic nerve may also play a role in normal tension glaucoma.

Acute (Angle Closure) Glaucoma: Those of Asian and Native American descent are at higher risk for this form of glaucoma. It occurs when the drainage system of the eye becomes blocked. It causes a sudden rise in pressure, requiring immediate, emergency medical care. The signs are usually serious and may include blurred vision, severe headaches, eye pain, nausea, vomiting or seeing rainbow-like halos around lights.

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month.

If you haven’t scheduled a regular eye exam, now is the time to do so. Call it your New Year’s Resolution to better health. Take action and call our office at 724-443-6767 today!

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.

HAVE YOU SPENT DOWN YOUR FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT?

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Perhaps you over budgeted for this year’s Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and coming to the end of the year have too much left in the account. Are you taking steps to use up those monies? Depending on your employer and the type of plan you have, left over monies may or may not be eligible to carry over into 2015. So now is the time to act.

Confused on how and what an FSA is? A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a tax-favored program offered by employers that allows their employees to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. By using pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses, an FSA gives you an immediate discount on these expenses that equals the taxes you would otherwise pay on that money.

In other words, with an FSA, you can both reduce your taxes and get more for your money by saving from 20% to more than 40% of what you would normally pay for out-of-pocket health care and dependent care expenses with after-tax (as opposed to taxed) dollars.

Your participation in any FSA is completely voluntary, and it’s important to remember that unlike other Federal benefits, your FSA election is only effective for one Benefit Period. In other words, you must enroll each year that you choose to participate. If you do not enroll during Open Enrollment in November and December each year, you will not be able to participate in the next Benefit Period, unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event that allows you to make an election outside of Open Enrollment.

The most common type of FSA is used to pay for medical, vision and dental expenses not paid for by insurance; usually deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for the employee’s health plan. Over-the-counter medical devices, such as bandages, crutches, and eyeglass repair kits are allowable. Generally, allowable items are the same as those allowable for the medical tax deduction, as outlined in IRS publication 502.

Some employers choose to issue a debit card to their employees who participate in the FSA. Participants may use the debit card to pay for their FSA-eligible expenses at the point of sale. Pharmacies and grocery stores who choose to accept the debit card as payment must disallow transactions at point of sale if the participant attempts to pay for items that are not eligible under an FSA. In addition, employers still must require employees to provide itemized receipts for all expenses charged to the debit card.

The key in budgeting and using the FSA account is unless your employer approves carrying monies forward into the next year, these pretax dollars must be spent in the current calendar year. So as the year comes to a close, if you have monies left in your account, consider purchasing a new pair of eye glasses, extra contact lenses, contact solution or some other type of approved medical deduction so you don’t lose monies you’ve put into your account.

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.

NATIONAL DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH

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November is National Diabetes Month, just like having a yearly physical, November is a perfect time to remind people with diabetes how important it is to take care of their eyes. Everyone with diabetes, type 1 and type 2, are at risk for diabetic eye disease, a leading cause of vision loss and blindness.

Unfortunately, diabetic eye disease often has no early warning signs so people with diabetes might not even know they have an eye disease until it progresses and they start to notice problems with their vision.

 

You are at increased risk for developing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes if you:

  • are 45 years of age or older
  • overweight
  • have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes
  • have a family background that is African-American, Hispanic/Latino, American-Indian, Asian-American, or Pacific-Islander
  • had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes)
  • gave birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more
  • or are physically active less than three times a week

Some types of eye problems people with diabetes may have may include: cataracts, clouding of the lens of the eye, diabetic retinopathy, damage to blood vessels in the retina, glaucoma, or damage to the optic nerve. There are 7.7 million people ages 40 and older that have diabetic retinopathy and it is projected that number will reach 11 million people by 2030.

There are often NO early warning signs, but 95% of severe vision loss from diabetic retinopathy can be prevented by early detection, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up.

The longer you have diabetes, the higher your risk of getting diabetic eye disease. Early detection for eye disease is done through a yearly comprehensive dilated eye exam.

Take control of your health and particularly if you are diabetic, your diabetes. Get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Take your medications. Reach and maintain a healthy weight. Add physical activity to your daily routine and control your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Kick the smoking habit. Only YOU can make these changes in your lifestyle.

Taking steps to take care of yourself today can lead to an improved quality of life tomorrow.

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.

HALLOWEEN COSTUME SAFETY

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Happy group of children in costumes during Halloween party playing around the table with pumpkins and bottle of potion

There’s a nip in the air, pumpkin patches are in full swing and children’s Halloween costumes are being planned. We wanted to offer a few tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for you and your family.

Does your costume block your vision?

Masks, wigs and eye patches may make an outfit complete, but make sure these accessories don’t significantly obstruct your field of view. Some masks are very dangerous for children because they block their side vision and can cause a trip hazard. A better, safer option is to decorate your child’s face with face paint or makeup.

Use FDA approved makeup

If you decide to disguise your child with makeup instead of a mask, use hypo-allergenic options and keep it away from the eyes. Make sure that any color additives to the face paint are FDA approved (check the Summary of Additives on the FDA website). When applying make-up near or around the eye, stay away from the lid margin, or lash line—the area where you would normally apply eye liner. If you are applying make-up very close to the eye, use only products approved for use in that area such as an eye-liner or eye shadow. 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.

Don’t allow sharp objects to be used as props

Some costumes don’t seem complete without swords or wands. Elementary and nursery schools are very strict in prohibiting these props for school parties. Sharp, pointed props endanger your child’s eyes as well as the eyes of other children. 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.

Avoid decorative contact lenses

Don’t buy or wear decorative contact lenses that have not been prescribed by an eye doctor. The decorative lenses make the wearer’s eyes appear to glow in the dark, create the illusion of vertical “cat eyes,” or change the wearer’s eye color. These lenses are particularly popular for teens.

Despite the fact that it’s illegal to sell decorative contact lenses without a valid prescription, FDA says the lenses are sold on the Internet and in retail shops and salons. Decorative lenses from unlicensed manufacturers may be made from inferior plastic or may contain toxic dyes. In addition, untrained individuals may not follow proper hygiene in inserting or removing the devices. Eye infections related to improper wearing and handling of contact lenses can rapidly develop into corneal ulcers, which can cause permanent blindness.

Make sure costumes are reflective

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.

Be informed…be safe….and have a Happy Halloween.

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 - Eye Safety Monthg

EYE INJURY PREVENTION MONTH

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Bissell Eye Care - Eye Safety Monthg

October is eye injury prevention Month. Did you know that nearly 2.5 million people suffer eye injuries each year in the United States, and nearly one million people have lost some degree of vision as a result of their injury? Most injuries could have been prevented with protective eyewear.

Think about the things you do around the house to get ready for winter. Flying debris or other small particles can be created from outside jobs such as trimming shrubs, raking leaves, mowing the lawn and cleaning up after a wind storm. These particles can get into your eyes and have the potential to scratch or damage your eye. Put on protective eyewear before you use a lawnmower, power trimmer or edger and be sure to check for rocks and stones when mowing as they can become dangerous projectiles as they shoot from these machines

Closing up swimming pools, cleaning windows and other projects around the house that involve the use of chemicals can lead to injury. Splashing chemicals can burn your eyes causing permanent damage. When using household chemicals, be sure to work in a well-ventilated area and keep the spray nozzle pointed away from you.

Flying fragments, fumes, dust particles, sparks can occur in the workshop or while doing woodworking projects. For those car buffs, battery acid sparks and debris from damaged or improperly jump-started auto batteries can severely damage your eyes. Learn the proper way to jump-start an automobile, and keep protective goggles in the trunk of your car to use for those emergencies and everyday repairs.

We recommend that every household have at least one pair of ANSI-approved protective eyewear to be worn when doing projects and activities at home to safeguard against eye injuries.

At Bissell Eye Care, we have many options for safety and sport eye wear available both our Bakerstown and Natrona Heights locations. If you would like to make an investment in your eye health, consider purchasing a reliable pair of safety glasses! As always, UV Protection is also important for optimum ocular health. Ensuring that the exposure of the eye to harmful UV radiation is as limited as possible is equally as important as wearing protective glasses during risky activities. Sunglasses may be covered under your insurance care provider (especially if they are dispensed with your current prescription). If you have any questions or concerns or would like to schedule an appointment for an eye examination, call us today!

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.