Category: Eye Health

Westside Optometry Expands Services

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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.

 

Cataract Myths Busted

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There are many myths about cataracts, here are the facts:

  • Cataracts cause blindness. While it is true that cataracts can cause severe vision loss and even blindness if left untreated, in most cases vision can be fully restored by cataract surgery. In fact, people who have needed prescription eyeglasses most of their life often see better without glasses after cataract surgery. cataract
  • Only older people get cataracts. Though the risk for the most common type of cataract increases as we get older, cataracts can occur at any age – even among children. Cataracts developing at an early age can be caused by heredity, certain diseases, medications or eye injuries.
  • A cataract is a film that grows on the front of the eye. Actually, a cataract is the clouding of the lens inside the eye that is located behind the iris (colored part of the eye) and the pupil. The eye’s natural lens consists primarily of water and protein. When something affects the normal arrangement of protein in the lens, the lens becomes cloudy and causes blurry vision.
  • There is nothing you can do to prevent cataracts. You may not be able to prevent some types of cataracts – such as those caused by an eye injury – but you can reduce your risk of some of the more common types by choosing a healthful diet, protecting your eyes from the sun’s UV rays, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding smoking.
  • Cataracts have to be fully developed or “ripe” before they can be removed. Cataracts can be removed at any stage. The best time to remove the cloudy crystalline lens (cataract) is when the vision is compromising your quality of life. This includes the inability to drive at night due to excessive glare.
  • Cataract surgery is dangerous. Modern cataract surgery is one of the safest operations performed today. More than 95% of cataract procedures are successful and fewer than 5% of patients have complications such as inflammation, bleeding, infection and retinal detachment, according to the Prevent Blindness America. In most cases, no stitches are required and it’s safe to return to work after a day of rest.

To read more about cataract, click here.

Handling Contact Lenses

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The last thing to touch your contact lens before it goes into your eye is your finger.

hand-washing
I can’t stress enough the importance of proper hand-washing before handling contact lenses. Wash  your hands thoroughly with mild soap, rinse completely, and dry with a clean lint-free towel.
Recent studies reinforce the importance of clean hands:
1. Poor or no hand-washing before handling contact lenses increased lipid deposits on the lenses. This can adversely affect contact lens comfort, fit, wearing time, and visual acuity – not to mention attract microbial contamination to the contact lens surface.
2. Poor hand-washing results in increased bacterial deposits on the lens and/or eye. There may also be an inflammatory response to the bacteria, including redness and inflammation of the anterior surfaces of the eyes. Ultimately, less frequent hand-washing is a risk factor for microbial keratitis (eye infections and ulcers). Good hand hygiene, meanwhile, removes hand lotions, makeup, and other oils, which can make lenses uncomfortable or blurry.

To maximize contact lens comfort and longevity, wash your hands.

Eye Damage from the Sun

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How does UV affect the eyes?

One of the most common conditions I see due to UV radiation is pinguecula. This is a raised nodule that appears on the white of the eye. It can become inflamed, discolored, and dry with chronic sun exposure.

Pterygium

Pterygium is a similar condition to pinguecula, but is grows onto the cornea (the clear part of the eye). Pterygia can grow and affect the vision. Removal is possible, but there is a high recurrence rate.

Photokeratitis is like a sunburn on the cornea, also known as “snow blindness.” Photokeratitis is directly attributed to environmental UV radiation exposure and generally occurs 8 to 24 hours after being in the sun. It is more typical in individuals who have not used sunglasses or hats. The primary symptoms include photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light) and pain.

One of the causes of cataracts is UV exposure. The crystalline lens is made up of proteins. These proteins can be altered or denatured by exposure to UVB or UVC radiation.

Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is another eye condition associated with UV exposure. The worldwide prevalence rate of ARMD resulting in impairment and blindness is 8.7%, making it one of the most common causes of blindness in patients over age 60. Studies have shown that many individuals with macular degeneration have had greater UV exposure over their lifetime.

Skin Cancers can present on and around the eyelids. Removal and excision is complicated by the importance of proper blinking and eyelid closure. Malignant melanoma can appear in the choroid (under the retina), the iris (colored part) and the conjunctiva (white of the eye). These tumors can be very aggressive. In fact, malignant melanomas of the choroid are the most common intraocular malignancy.

UV Radiation

To read more about how the eyes are effected by UV Radiation click here.

What to Expect during your Eye Exam

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Welcome to Westside Optometry!
Your eye exam will include questions about you, how you use your eyes, your health and visual challenges. Preliminary testing includes keratometry  (measure of the surface of the eye), photographs of your fundus (retina, macula, optic nerve head), and visual field testing.

Normal Retina Photo
Drs. Griffith and Staton will refract your eyes (find spectacle prescriptions for distance, near and possibly the intermediate range). We will thoroughly exam the health of your eyes. This includes dilating the pupils to do a complete examination of the inside of the eyes. The dilation typically lasts 3-4 hours. Most people are comfortable driving afterwards, we recommend sunglasses. Working on a computer or at near may be difficult immediately after your exam so schedule your day accordingly.

The doctors will discuss their findings and recommendations with you. This may include, treatment for dry eye, glasses, contact lenses, LASIK, safety glasses or referral for cataract consultation.

Play Safe

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Westside Optometry is a Sports Eye Injury Prevention Center. We have added a complete collection of sports frames in all sizes, styles and colors. Nearly all sports related eye injuries are preventable.
If your child wears prescription glasses, what does she do with them before Soccer Goggle Girlwalking out onto the soccer field? Take them off so they don’t get broken. Now she can’t see to play her best. I bet she has a pair of cleats, shin guards… Doesn’t a pair of sports goggles sound like a good idea?

F8 Rec SpecsChildren between 5 and 14 are at most risk for eye injuries playing baseball and softball. Basketball represents the greatest risk for eye injury for older children.

Come by to see the options.

Optimize your Visit

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“Dr. Griffith, why are you so nosy?”

I do ask a lot of personal questions butPhoroptor 1945 they are relevant to your health and how you use your eyes. Changes in medications, your health, occupation, hobbies and interests all effect your eyes. Did you know that many medical conditions can affect your eyes? Some  diseases like rosacea, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and diabetes can have a negative impact on the eyes and related structures. Smoking affects the circulation in your retina and dries out the surface of your eye. Topical and systemic medications can also affect the eyes. For example, many drugs contribute to dry eyes and blurry vision. Some medications even cause cataracts, glaucoma and retinal changes.
How you use your eyes is also very important. If you work on a computer many hours a day, your needs are different than someone who is in a retail setting or a classroom. Other activities such as playing music, bike riding and fishing all can be enhanced with the right pair of glasses or correction. If you play certain sports, protective eyewear is important. So at your next visit, give me as much information as possible so that I can provide you with the best vision care.

Swollen Eyelids

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A swollen eyelid occurs when there is inflammation or excess fluid (edema) in the connective tissues surrounding the eye. Swollen eyes can be painful or non-painful, and involve one eye or two and top or bottom eyelids.

Symptoms of Swollen Eyelids

Swelling of the eyelids is a symptom of an underlying cause, such as allergy or infection. Swollen eyes usually are accompanied by one or more of the following:

  • Eye irritation, such as an itchy or scratchy sensation
  • Excess tear production, resulting in watering eyes
  • Obstructed vision (depending on the extent of the swelling)
  • Redness of the eyelid
  • Redness and inflammation of the white of the eye (conjunctiva)
  • Discharge from the eye
  • Pain, particularly when swollen eyelids are caused by infection

Treatment of Swollen Eyelids

The first step in treating swollen eyelids is to identify the cause. The doctors at Eyelid Swollen Westside Optometry may write a prescription, recommend an over the counter remedy or suggest hot or cold compresses depending on the diagnosis.

Tips for Preventing Swollen Eyelids

Control your allergies
Choose and use cosmetics, lotions and skin products carefully
Pay attention to eye drops you use, do not share them, check the expiration date and verify the intended use.
If you wear contact lenses, you can minimize your risk of eye infection or irritation by practicing proper hygiene, replacing contacts and contact cases as prescribed and not over-wearing your lenses.

To read more about the causes of swollen eyelids click here

Safety Glasses

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Most people wouldn’t dream of mowing the lawn barefoot. But most people don’t hesitate to  weed-whack without protective eyewear. Eye injuries from  rocks and debris thrown by household tools like lawn mowers, chain saws and weed trimmers occur daily.

weed wacker

In California, OSHA regulations and enforcement of personal protective equipment have reduced the number of injuries in the workplace. Now most eye injuries happen at home.

 

What makes safety glasses safe?

Safety frames must pass two rigorous impact tests, which dress frames do not undergo, to be marked Z87 (the ANSI, American National Standards Institute, requirement). A special device call an Alderson Head Form, which simulates a physical human head is used.

The High Velocity Impact Test

A 1/4″ steel ball traveling at 150 feet per second is directed at different designated positions on the front and side of a frame glazed with plano lenses. No contact with the eye or head form is permitted as a result of the impact, nor shall any parts or fragment be ejected from the protector that could contact an eye of the head form.

The High Mass Impact Test

A pointed projectile weighing 17.6 ounces is dropped from a height of 51.2″ on a glazed frame. No parts or fragments shall be ejected from the protector that could contact an eye of the head form.

Prescription Safety Frames

If you need correction to see, safety frames can be made with prescription lenses that meet ANSI. The lenses and frame will have Z87 on them. The lenses must pass a drop ball test. (A 1″ steel ball is dropped on the lens from 50″ high.)

Please note that safety glasses and sports glasses are not interchangeable. Sport glasses do not need to pass ANSI tests and safety glasses are not appropriate for sports applications.

If you are working in the yard or the garage, put on a pair of safety glasses. Westside Optometry has different styles of ANSI approved safety glasses to make in prescription. We offer safety frames in plastic and metal materials with side shield options.

To see chart of  eye hazards and the recommended protective device, click here.

Magic Lenses

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Eyeglass lenses that darken and lighten depending on the light level are called photochromic. Transition is the trade name for photochromic lenses.  Transition lenses offer more than clear corrected vision. Like our eyes which are constantly adapting to changes in light levels, Transition lenses have trillions of molecules that respond to changing light conditions. Our pupils dilate and constrict all day long. It doesn’t seem like much but over the course of a day it can all add up to eyestrain and fatigue. Transition lenses filter the light for you so your eyes don’t have to work as hard, allowing your eyes to stay relaxed and comfortable all day long.

Transition Vantage is a technological breakthrough where lenses are virtually clear indoors and darken and polarize outdoors. They filter even more harsh glare caused by light bouncing off everyday objects such as cars, water and the street. The polarization level adjusts to match the level of outdoor glare.

Most prescriptions can be made in Transition lenses. Ask us, next time you visit the office.