November Frame of the Month

Featuring NIKE sport glasses

The 7071 is a light weight frame with adjustable rubber temples. It comes in nike7071Platinum and blue, Platinum and red, anthracite, black, grey and volt (yellow), and metallic grey. We recommend the opti-fog coating to prevent your lenses from steaming up during events and exercise. For more information about the Nike sport collection click here.

Eyes and Make-up

The best advise I can give regarding make-up and eyecare is remove all of it thoroughly every single night. This seems so obvious but is ignored. Any make-up left on the eyelids and lashes will plug important glands that effect the tear quality. Old make-up will stay in the eye all night, irritating the delicate eye surfaces. Red, tired and burning eyes are the result. I can’t stress it enough – Take off your make-up every night. eye make-up

Other important make-up tips are to be careful where eyeliner is applied. Apply it to the outside of the lashes. There are glands near the lashes that are susceptible to plugging from the oils, and waxes in the eyeliner. This results in poor tear quality and make-up in the tears. It can also introduce bacteria right into the eye.

Be gentle with eyelash curlers, don’t tug on the eye lashes or you may damage the follicle.

Don’t share make-up.

Replace your make-up regularly (every 3 months).

If you wear contact lenses, put your lenses on then apply your make-up. In the evening, remove your contact lenses before taking off your make-up.

If you have any questions contact us at Westside Optometry, (707)762-8643. Here is a download for safe contact lens use.

Myopia

Not seeing clearly in the distance is usually caused by myopia or nearsightedness. Nearly 30% of Americans are myopic. Children with one myopic parent have a 2X greater risk of developing myopia whereas those with two myopic parents have an 8X greater risk. Physical length of the eye seems to be the biggest factor. In addition to heredity, visual stress is thought to be a contributing factor to myopia.Visual stress is caused by too much close work. Even though the tendency to develop myopia may be inherited, its actual development may be affected by how a person uses his eyes. Individuals who spend considerable time reading, working at a computer or doing other intense close visual tasks increase their visual stress and possibly the incidence of myopia.

A common symptom of nearsightedness is difficulty seeing things far away like a movie or street signs. Generally, myopia first occurs in school-age children. Because the eye continues to grow during childhood, myopia progresses until about age 20.

Correction Options for Myopia

Not quite myopia:

  • Some people experience blurred distance vision only at night. This “night myopia” may be due to the low level of light making it difficult for the eyes to focus properly or the increased pupil size during dark conditions, allowing more peripheral,unfocused light rays to enter the eye.
  • People who do an excessive amount of near vision work may experience a false or “pseudo” myopia. The blurred distance vision is caused by over use of the eyes’ focusing mechanism. After long periods of near work, the eyes are unable to relax and refocus to see clearly in the distance. The symptoms are usually temporary and clear distance vision may return after resting the eyes.
  • Symptoms of nearsightedness may also be a sign of variations in blood sugar levels in persons with diabetes or an early indication of a developing cataract.

If you are experiencing blurry vision at any distance give Westside Optometry a call.

Special Effect Contact Lenses


cosmetic contact lenses Cosmetic contact lenses can add the perfect effect to many Halloween costumes. But it isn’t worth losing your eyesight over. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has released a consumer update video on the dangers of wearing special effects contact lenses when not properly prescribed by an authorized eye care professional, not properly worn and cared for and purchased from an illegal source.
Improper use of contact lenses can result in serious eye infections, eye abrasions, vision problems and even blindness. To minimize the risk, visit us for a contact lens exam, fitting and prescription before purchasing any contact lenses – even if they are non-prescription lenses.
If you are already a successful contact lens wearer, ask about colored and cosmetic contact lenses in your prescription.

To watch a video from the FDA click this link. Cosmetic Contact Lens Safety

For Safe Use of Cosmetic Contact Lenses:

1. Even if you don’t need a vision correction, have a contact lens exam and fitting.

2. Buy contact lenses only from licensed distributors that require a prescription. Never buy contact lenses from an unlicensed source that doesn’t require a prescription.

3. Always follow wearing instructions and use only prescribed contact lens solutions for disinfection.

4. Never share your contact lenses. While it may seem like a fun idea to swap special effects lenses with your friends, sharing contacts can spread bacteria and result in serious eye health problems, including loss of vision.

5. Most “crazy” contact lenses are designed for daily wear only and are not FDA approved for overnight wear. Do not sleep in cosmetic contacts.

6. If you experience any eye redness, swelling, or discomfort, immediately remove the contact lenses and call me as soon as possible. This could be the sign of a potentially sight-threatening eye infection.

Eye Safety Month

October is eye safety month, what precautions are you taking to prevent eye injury and trauma?

Protective EyewearAt Westside Optometry we have a complete selection  of sports eyewear for the young and the experienced athlete. Protective eyewear is as important to your game as proper shoes and padding. Sports goggles can be made in all prescriptions, with or without a tint.

 

Protective eyewear isn’t just for the workplace or industrial setting, Most eye injuries happen at home. Non-prescription protective eyewear is available at hardware stores. If you safety framesusually wear glasses, prescription safety glasses are recommended. All our safety eyewear is available with side shields and meet the ANSI.

 

Click here to learn more about eye emergencies.

Mirror Coatings

Mirror coatings are available in every color of the spectrum. While there is an aesthetic appeal, mirror coatings also have tangible benefits, especially for outdoor activities on water or snow. Glare reduction is the main benefit. The mirror coating adds a level of comfort and glare protection in situations where a polarized lens may not be enough.

mirror coated lenses

Indoors, at clubs, casinos, and the poker table, mirrored lenses can benefit players looking to hide their eyes. Mirror coatings can be applied to clear lenses so the wearer has maximum light transmission.

The color of the mirror does not affect the visual perception of the wearer. Solid mirror and flash mirror are both popular in sunwear. Flash mirrors are less intense aesthetically – they have a less intense mirror look and allow a little more light to pass through.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

A common complaint I hear is  “my eyes burn and water.” Meibomian Gland Dysfunction is a common, chronic condition and is usually the cause of the discomfort. MGD occurs when the opening to the meibomian gland is plugged. The openings to the glands are at the edge of the eyelid margins, near the base of the eyelashes. The blockage can be caused by make-up, lotions, and sunscreens that plug the opening. Other factors are usually involved too. For example, skin conditions such as acne rosacea are a common cause of MGD.  Age, sex, hormonal disturbances, allergies and certain medications negatively affect the glands too.
The treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Hot compresses and eyelid hygiene is always recommended. Dietary modifications, inclusion of omega-3 fatty acids and hydration are beneficial. For more advanced cases, topical and/or oral medications may be required to control MGD.
If left untreated, the glands will thicken and scar causing chronic dry eye signs and symptoms and more discomfort.

Westside Optometry Expands Services

I’m going to crow a little here. The California State Board of Optometry notified me that I’m officially licensed to provide glaucoma care. This is an endeavor I started 10 years ago with Dr. Karen Griffithcourse work at UC Berkeley. I put it on hold because the state requirements were insurmountable. Laws changed and last January I made the decision to finish what I started with more coursework through UC Berkeley. After hours of online cases and tests (how things changed in 10 years) and two days of grand rounds at the  School of Optometry I had completed all the education and patient cases.
Most of my patients won’t experience any difference in their care. But for those who I’ve been observing more closely for suspicious glaucoma findings, I won’t have to refer you to someone else as I can now treat the disease.

 

Fall Eyewear Event

Westside Optometry is proud to host the Fall Eyewear Spectacular.

Saturday, September 7

between 10 and 2

Maui Jim Fall 2012

First you’ll see the Maui Jim tent in the parking lot. You can try on every style in every color. Our knowledgeable company representative can answer all your questions on the different lenses and features.

Inside we will have several of our favorite designers including FYSH, William Morris, Kliik, Evatik, Lisa Loeb and some new children’s frames. Call ahead to schedule your eye exam, or come on by for a snack and fun. william morris eyewear

Glasses before Medications

High, undiagnosed hyperopia (far-sightedness) can cause children to display symptoms similar to ADD/ADHD, including difficulty concentrating and problems with reading. Before any child is prescribed medication for ADD or ADHD, a thorough eye examination is vital. Vision  Screenings done at the pediatricians or by a school nurse often miss hyperopia. Most children with hyperopia can see in the distance fine, but have difficulty focusing on objects close to them. It’s scary to think about how many kids are taking medications just because they’re farsighted.

Schedule an eye examination!