Severe Flu Season and Pink Eye
What You Need to Know to Protect Your Eyes
This flu season has been especially severe, with viruses spreading quickly through schools, workplaces, and communities. Along with influenza and other respiratory illnesses, eye infections—particularly pink eye (conjunctivitis)—tend to rise during peak flu season. Understanding the different types of pink eye, how it spreads, and how to prevent it can help protect both your eye health and overall wellness.
What Is Pink Eye?
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva—the clear tissue covering the white part… Continue reading
Glaucoma Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Why Regular Eye Exams Protect Your Sight
Glaucoma is often called the “thief of sight”—and for good reason. This group of eye diseases can quietly damage the optic nerve without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. By the time vision changes are detected, permanent vision loss may have already occurred. Understanding glaucoma, how it affects vision, and the tools available to support those living with it can help protect your eyesight for life.
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma occurs when increased pressure inside the eye, or poor blood flow to… Continue reading
Seeing More Clearly: How Low Vision Glasses Can Help You Stay Independent
For those living with low vision, everyday activities—like reading, driving, or enjoying a night at the theater—can feel increasingly challenging. The good news is that advances in low vision glasses are helping people maintain their independence and continue doing the things they love.
Unlike traditional prescription lenses, low vision glasses are designed to maximize your remaining vision by enhancing contrast, magnifying detail, or expanding your field of view. They allow you to move freely and keep your hands free—something that’s not always possible with handheld magnifiers or other aids.
Types… Continue reading
Protecting Your Eyes from Diabetic Vision Loss
November is National Diabetes Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness about diabetes and the importance of regular health checkups, including eye exams. If you have diabetes, caring for your eyes should be a top priority. Diabetes can silently damage your vision before you notice any symptoms, making early detection through routine eye care essential to maintaining healthy sight.
How Diabetes Affects the Eyes
Diabetes can cause several eye conditions collectively known as diabetic eye disease. These include:
- Diabetic Retinopathy:
The most common form of diabetic eye… Continue reading
Keep Your Eyes Boo-tiful: Halloween Safety
Halloween Eye Safety Tips: Protecting Your Vision While Having Fun
Halloween is a favorite time of year for kids and adults alike—costumes, candy, and spooky fun. But while you’re picking out the perfect costume, it’s important to keep eye safety in mind. As optometrists, we want families to enjoy the holiday without accidents or eye injuries. Here are some Halloween safety tips for costumes, masks, and decorative contact lenses to help protect your vision this season.
Choose Masks Kids Can See Out Of Clearly
Masks are a popular part of… Continue reading
Protecting Your Eyes During Fall Clean-Up – Why Safety Glasses Matter
Autumn is a beautiful season—the air turns crisp, leaves change color, and neighborhoods come alive with fall activities. But for many homeowners, fall also means yard clean-up: raking leaves, trimming branches, clearing gutters, and preparing the yard for winter. While it may feel like routine outdoor work, these chores can put your eyes at risk if you’re not careful.
As optometrists, we want to remind you that eye safety during fall clean-up is just as important as protecting your hands or back. Here’s why safety glasses should be a… Continue reading
6 New Advances in Macular Degeneration Treatment for 2025
More than 200 million people around the world are living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss among older adults. While treatments have existed for years to slow the disease, exciting new advancements are bringing us closer than ever to protecting—and even restoring—vision.
In this article, we’ll highlight six promising new treatments for macular degeneration, from gene therapy and stem cell research to cutting-edge drug delivery systems.
What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
AMD is a condition that damages the macula, the central part of… Continue reading
Healthy Aging and Your Eyes: A Guide to Preserving Vision
As we grow older, our bodies naturally change—and our eyes are no exception. According to the National Eye Institute, vision loss from age-related eye disease is becoming a major public health concern. Today, more than 40 million Americans are over the age of 65, and that number is projected to rise to 88 million by 2050.
Protecting your eyesight is vital to maintaining independence and quality of life. By understanding common age-related eye conditions and making healthy choices now, you can enjoy clearer vision well into your later years.… Continue reading
Back-to-School Eye Exams: An Important Step for Academic Success
As the school year begins, many parents focus on gathering school supplies, organizing schedules, and preparing their children for the classroom. But there’s one essential item that’s often overlooked—an annual eye exam. Good vision is foundational to a child’s ability to learn, and yet vision issues can often go unnoticed, especially by children themselves.
Why Eye Exams Matter More Than You Think
Did you know that 80% of what children learn in school is presented visually? From reading and writing to using digital devices and viewing the board, clear… Continue reading
Managing Light Sensitivity with Stargardt Disease This Summer
Summer’s long, sunny days are something many look forward to—but if you’re living with Stargardt disease, this season can bring increased challenges. Bright sunlight and glare can significantly impact your comfort and ability to see clearly, making everyday activities more difficult.
At Dr. Bissell’s low vision clinic, he understands how overwhelming bright light can be for individuals with Stargardt disease. That’s why he offers personalized solutions to help you manage light sensitivity and maintain your independence.
As a proud member of the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS),… Continue reading