Category: Eye Examination

What Happens at a Dry Eye Evaluation?

Karen Griffith

What happens at a dry eye exam?

If you are suffering from gritty, burning, red eyes; chances are your eyes are dry. The best treatment for your symptoms will depend on the cause of the condition which can be determined during a dry eye evaluation.

A dry eye exam begins with a questionnaire to help the doctor understand how dry eyes is affecting you daily and determine causes. Causes can be hormonal, medication induced, environmental factors and mechanical.

Meibomian gland dysfunctionTear quantity will be measured

Tear quality will be assessed.

The eyelids will be examined for underlying disease and contributing factors.

Once the doctor diagnoses the cause(s) of your dry eye she will develop a treatment plan.

What are dry eye treatments?

Eyelid hygiene is very important to the quality of the tears. The doctor will prescribe a hygiene program which may include hot compresses and a type of lid cleaning depending on the underlying cause of the dry eye condition.

Prescription eye drops may be required to quiet inflammation or improve the quality of tear producing goblet cells.

Non-preserved artificial tears may be prescribed

Oral supplements such as omega 3 can be prescribed to enhance tear quality.

Resolution of dry eyes takes time. Ongoing maintenance is often required to keep the eyes clear and comfortable.

How to Schedule an Evaluation

Westside Optometry is scheduling Dry Eye Visits on Thursdays. We ask that you’ve had a complete eye examination within the last 12 months, before a dry eye work-up. To schedule an exam or dry eye evaluation online hit the appropriate link below or call 707-762-8643

Schedule an Eye Examination

Schedule a Dry Eye Evaluation

What is Glaucoma?

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Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases in which the pressure inside the eye may or may not be elevated. If untreated, vision loss or blindness may occur.

glaucoma prevention

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month
Unfortunately, the most common type of glaucoma – open angle, causes no symptoms. Vision doesn’t change, and there is no pain. However, as the disease progresses, a person with glaucoma may notice his or her side vision gradually failing. That is, objects in front may still be seen clearly, but objects to the side may be missed. As the disease worsens, the field of vision narrows and blindness results.
Studies have shown that early detection and treatment of glaucoma, before it causes major vision loss, is the best way to control the disease. So, if you fall into one of the high-risk groups for the disease, make sure to have your eyes examined annually. Individuals at high risk for glaucoma include African Americans over the age of 40, everyone over 60 and people with a family history of glaucoma.

There isn’t a single test to diagnose glaucoma. Drs. Griffith and Staton examine the appearance of the optic nerve, the intra-ocular pressure and visual field results. Further testing such as measurement of the corneal thickness (pachymetry), examination of the anterior chamber and measurement of the  integrity of the nerve fiber layer can be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

Schedule your appointment.

Aging Eyes

Karen Griffith

 

It’s a fact of life that vision can change over time, resulting in a number of noticeable differences in how aging adults see the world around them.
Common age-related vision problems include difficulty seeing things up close or far away, problems seeing in low light or at night, and sensitivity to light and glare. Some symptoms that may seem like minor vision problems may actually be signs of serious eye diseases that could lead to permanent vision loss, including:

  • Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). An eye disease affecting the macula, the center of the light sensitive retina at the back of the eye. AMD can cause loss of central vision.
  • Cataracts. A clouding of the lens of the eye that usually develops slowly over time and can interfere with vision. Cataracts can cause a decrease in visual contrast between objects and their background, a dulling of colors and an increased sensitivity to glare.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy. A condition occurring in people with diabetes, which causes progressive damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they are to develop the condition, which can lead to blindness.
  • Glaucoma. An eye disease leading to progressive damage to the optic nerve due to rising internal fluid pressure in the eye. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness.
  • Dry Eyes. Dry Eye occurs when there is insufficient tears to nourish the eyes. This can be caused by medications, hormones and environmental factors. Poor tear quality can cause dry eye symptoms too.

Many eye diseases have no early symptoms and may develop painlessly; therefore adults may not notice changes in vision until the condition is quite advanced. Healthy lifestyle choices can help ward off eye diseases and maintain existing eyesight. Eating a low-fat diet rich in green, leafy vegetables and fish, not smoking, monitoring blood pressure levels, exercising regularly and wearing proper sunglasses to protect eyes from Ultraviolet (UV) rays can all play a role in preserving eyesight and eye health. Early diagnosis, treatment of serious eye diseases and disorders is critical and can often prevent a total loss of vision, improve adults’ independence and quality of life.

The best way to prevent eye disease and continue leading an active productive live is to maintain yearly eye exams or follow the doctor’s recommendations.

Eyes on the Road

Karen Griffith

On the Road

As summer approaches, millions of California drivers will hit the road for family vacations, ball games, barbecues, and beach parties. Many will have their car checked out to ensure it is in good working order before embarking on a major trip. However, not many drivers will even think about having their eyes checked as well. Not surprisingly, a driver’s vision guides 90% of driving decisions, so good eyesight is essential for road safety.
Having the proper vision skills and/or prescription is important for many reasons:
Distance Vision
Adequate distance vision acuity is imperative for judging distances and reaction time when driving. Poor distance vision increases the risk of making unreliable judgements with potentially disastrous results – even the simplest reactions take 0.4 seconds, so if distance vision is poor, signs or objects may not be seen until it is too late to react safely.
Peripheral Vision
Good peripheral vision allows drivers to survey the area without looking away from the road. This includes early recognition of cross-traffic, pedestrians, animals, signs, and changes in flow of traffic. Impaired peripheral vision can result in the driver failing to react to a hazard on the far left or right, failing to stop at a stoplight suspended over an intersection, weaving while negotiating a curve, or driving too close to parked cars.
Night Vision
Safe night driving requires the ability to see low contrast objects and in low light conditions. Impaired night vision can result in tailgating, failing to steer when necessary (since it is difficult to see low contrast features such as edges or irregularities in the road surface), and recovery from glare of oncoming headlights.
Glare
Glare refers to the disruption of vision due to veiling luminance. Important visual skills for drivers are glare resistance – the extent to which the driver can still see critical objects while facing a steady source of glare (setting sun, headlights), and glare recovery – rapidity with which the driver’s functioning vision returns to what it was before the glare was encountered. If these skills are not adequate, the driver can miss curves, strike an animal or pedestrian, or crash into slow moving or stopped vehicles.
Besides regular optometric exams, additional tips for good vision while driving include:

  • Always wear sunglasses when driving to reduce glare – especially in sunny California!
  • Keep headlights, tail lights, windshields and eye glasses clean.
  • Keep side and rear view mirrors adjusted correctly to increase your field of vision and reduce glare from headlights.
  • Always wear glasses or contact lenses if they have been prescribed for driving use.

Regular optometric exams are especially important for senior citizens who drive. Visual ability decreases with age, and certain skills lessen with age-related eye diseases such as glaucoma, which narrows peripheral vision , and cataracts, which increases sensitivity to glare.

Schedule your eye exam before you hit the road.

What is Your Vision?

Karen Griffith

SNELLENWhen patients come to see me, I need to have a way to compare how they see in relation to someone with “normal” vision. I also need to have a consistent measurement for year to year comparison. So, like most eye doctors, I use a number system called Snellen visual acuity. This measure of the clarity of vision uses black letters on a white background. This is the part of the eye examination, when I ask you to read the letters on the chart. The letters are called optotypes and they have a very specific design that takes into account the size of the lines and the space between them While there are other types of visual acuity measurements, Snellen acuity is the most common. One of the circumstances when I will use other types of tests is when I’m examining my younger patients. Then I might use shapes or broken wheel charts.Children's Acuity

The measure most people want to achieve with the Snellen visual acuity is 20/20 vision. This is considered normal. But what does 20/20 mean? Take for example a person with 20/40 vision. A person with 20/40 vision is at a disadvantage compared to a person with normal, 20/20 vision. In fact, a person with 20/40 vision would have to stand 20 feet away from something that a person with normal vision can stand 40 feet away from and still see clearly.

A number of factors like eye disease, the eye’s length and curvature, and the quality of connection between the eye and the process centers in the brain come together to determine visual acuity. Some factors, like nearsightedness, come with easy solutions like glasses or contact lenses. Others conditions like macular degeneration, are much more complex and simple solutions like glasses only offer minimal improvement.

Examining your Baby’s Eyes

Karen Griffith

Baby Eye ExamsI recommend a baby’s first eye examination by 12 months. Your baby can’t tell you about his eyes, so it’s up to you to make the appointment. I feel so strongly about this first exam that I participate in the American Optometric Association (AOA) InfantSee program. The infant exam is on me!

As your baby grows there are a few signs you can look for that may indicate a vision problem. They include:

  • Frequent eye rubbing
  • Excessive blinking
  • Failure to maintain eye contact
  • Inability to maintain  gaze while looking at objects
  • Crossed or misaligned eyes

Remember some children with poor vision do not show obvious signs and need to have regular comprehensive eye exams to detect any eye health issues.

A history of prematurity and delayed motor skills development, plus a family history of poor vision and eye health are also factors indicating an assessment. If you infant is between 9 and 12 months, call the office now for a free infant exam. (707)762-8643.

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

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There are no symptoms for glaucoma. Vision stays normal and there is no pain. However, as the disease progresses, a person with glaucoma may notice a decrease in his or her side vision. Once vision is lost to glaucoma, it can’t be restored. That is why it is important to have regular eye examinations with pupil dilation.
Measurement of the “eye pressure” is just one factor in determining glaucoma. In fact, it is the damage to the optic nerve that confirms the diagnosis of glaucoma. The optic nerve is examined by dilating the pupil to view it with stereopsis (with depth). The dilation also allows better, clearer fundus (back of the eye) pictures to be taken for year-to-year comparison.

Glaucoma

Visual field testing measures the nerve fiber layer in the eye and can detect loss of important nerve tissue before optic nerve changes occur.

Studies have shown that early detection and treatment of glaucoma is the best way to control the disease. To learn more about glaucoma and how it is treated, click here.

 

2014 Eye Resolutions

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[big_heading centered=”no”]Your vision and eye health  are important every day of the year. Make changes now for a lifetime of good vision.[/big_heading]

Eat Smart. Diet and nutritional supplements go a long way in promoting eye health. Studies show a diet rich in fruits, leafy vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids may reduce your risk of eye problems like macular degeneration and dry eye syndrome.

Get Moving. Research has shown higher levels of physical exercise can reduce certain risk factors for glaucoma, as well as macular degeneration. iStock_000023582367Small
Quit smoking. Put simply, smoking harms your vision. Studies show smoking dramatically increases the likelihood of developing cataracts, macular degeneration,uveitis and diabetic retinopathy.
Wear Sunglasses. Protect your eyes from the sun (and make sure your kids do, too). Always wear sunglasses with UV protection when outdoors — no matter what time of year — to shield your eyes from UV rays. This may reduce your risk for cataracts and macular degeneration.
Start using safety eyewear for lawn-mowing, home repairs and other chores. Experts say 90 percent of eye injuries requiring a visit to the emergency room can be prevented with proper safety eyewear.

Properly Care for your Contact Lenses. Dirty contact lenses, even if they are not uncomfortable, can cause serious eye infections. Clean your contact lenses and contact lens case properly, and always replace your contacts as recommended.
Reduce Computer Eye Strain. Rest your eyes from computer work every 20 minutes to relieve computer vision syndrome and avoid dry, red eyes. Also, ask Dr. Griffith or Staton about stress-relieving computer glasses.
Improve Your Vision. If you’ve been putting up with contact lens discomfort, dry eyes, eye allergies or blurry vision, talk to us about changes you can make to improve or eliminate these problems.

Upgrade your contact lenses. Contact lenses come in a wide variety of materials, replacement schedules and wearing times — not to mention the array of color contact lenses and special effect contacts available. With the advancement in contact lens technology, there’s sure to be a type of contact lens that suits your individual requirements and lifestyle.

Improve Your Appearance. Upgrade your eyewear. Get with the times and refresh your look, as well as take advantage of the latest in lens and frame technologies. Try eyeglass lens coatings. Various lens coatings keep your field of view clear by reducing reflections, fogging and scratches. And eliminate glare during outdoor activities with polarized sunglasses. If you have a strong prescription, try high index eyeglass lenses. High index lenses provide the same optical power as regular ones, but are thinner and lighter.

Considering LASIK? If you’re tired of wearing glasses or contacts, ask your us if you are a good candidate for LASIK or other vision correction surgery.

Schedule an Eye Exam for everyone in your family. Kids and seniors, especially, should have comprehensive annual eye exams to monitor vision changes. Also, have your family doctor screen you for diabetes and hypertension — if left untreated, these diseases can lead to serious eye problems. (707)762-8643.

Astigmatism

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Most astigmatism is caused by the shape of the cornea. The cornea is the outer most surface of the eye. It is the clear structure that first bends light (refracts). Instead of being spherical with a single curvature, it has two curvatures that result in the light focusing in two different locations within the eye. Ideally, the light focuses at one point on the retina. (emmetropia). If the eye is myopic (nearsighted) the light focuses in front of the retina. If the eye is hyperopic, far-sighted, the light focuses behind the retina. If the eye is astigmatic, the light focuses in two different places, one focus can be on the retina and one in front of or behind the retina.

Astigmatism is not a disease, it is a refractive condition. A common example optometrists use to describe astigmatism is the difference between a basketball and a football. A basketball is round, and has only one curve for the entire ball. You can think of that curve as a lens power. A football on the other hand has two curves. This is like an eye that has two powers or an astigmatism.

Like other refractive errors, astigmatism can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery.

 

 

Jury Duty

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jury duty

I am doing my civic duty and serving on a jury. Of course I can tell you nothing about the case, except that I will probably be out of the office for 6 days. The court is not in session on Mondays, so I will be in the office seeing patients on November 18th and 25th. Dr. Staton has graciously adjusted her life and schedule to cover for me. She will be doing eye exams and available for emergencies through November 27th, the day the case should be settled. The office is open regular hours for exams, glasses and contact lenses.

I thank you for your patience, this has really tried mine.

 

Sincerely,

Juror 218