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Why is Driving at Night so much harder than Driving during the Daytime?

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Even with the longer days of spring, driving at night is still challenging.
When you are behind the wheel of a car, your eyes are constantly on the move – looking at vehicles ahead and to the side, reading  traffic signs, checking your rear view mirror, and shifting your gaze inside and outside your vehicle in order to check the speedometer, look at your global navigation system, or change a radio station.
During darkness these tasks can become even more difficult for some drivers. According to a nationwide survey 32% of the drivers say they have difficulty seeing all or most of the time while driving in the dark.
Low light levels cause the pupil to dilate, which can accentuate existing focusing problems and result in blurred vision. Wearing the best distance correction will minimize this vision problem. At Westside Optometry we also recommend a non-glare coating to eliminate reflections from annoying headlights.

Dry eyes will effect your vision when driving at night also. If the tear layer is uneven, thick or thin, the quality of vision is negatively impacted. I compare this phenomena to the windshield and wipers. Every blink is like the windshield wiper across the windshield, in the case of the eye, the eyelid wipes across the cornea. If the windshield is dry, the wiper makes it smeary. You can resolve this by squirting water on the windshield and wiping again. If the eye is dry, vision gets smeary and sometimes there are not any tears to clear it up. I recommend applying a drop of artificial tear solution before starting to drive at night.
When you do not see well you have to get closer or drive slower, and if you do not account for that need, you are at risk of causing accidents.

Glasses vs. Contact Lenses

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What are the differences between glasses and contact lenses?

Eyeglasses

  • Side (peripheral vision) is compromised.
  • Possible reflections off the eyeglass lenses.
  • Weight on nose, pressure on sinuses.
  • Glasses fog up with change in temperature.
  • Glasses are a distraction during sports.
  • Eyeglasses do not have windshield wipers and get speckled in the rain.

 

Contact Lenses

  • More natural vision, correction right on the eye.
  • Field of view is full, especially important for driving and sports.
  • No weight on face or frame slipping down nose.
  • Contacts match everything you wear.
  • Can wear non-prescription sunglasses.

There are similarities between glasses and contact lenses too:

  • Both require careful handling and cleaning to maintain the best vision.
  • Both can correct astigmatism.
  • Both are affordable, when you consider that you wear glasses or contact lenses every single day, the amount you spend on them is far less than for any other item in your wardrobe. Add in the importance to the quality of your life and they are invaluable.

Eye Allergies

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Driving through the Sonoma wine country last weekend, I thought how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place. The fields were green, the lambs were frolicking and the mustard was in full bloom. Gorgeous! But if you suffer from allergies, Sonoma County can be wicked to your eyes and sinuses. Petaluma tends to be particularly windy, stirring up the pollen even more.

Eye allergies are also called “allergic conjunctivitis.” It is a reaction to indoor and outdoor allergens (such as pollen, mold, dust mites or pet dander) that get into your eyes and cause inflammation of the conjunctiva, the white tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and eyeball. Eye allergies are not contagious.

Other substances called “irritants” (such as dirt, smoke, chlorine, etc.) and even viruses and bacteria, can compound the effect of eye allergies, or even cause irritating symptoms similar to eye allergies for people who are not even allergic. The eyes are an easy target for allergens and irritants because like the skin , they are exposed and sensitive. Dry eyes tend to be more susceptible to ocular allergies because there are less tears to rinse allergens and irritants away.

Certain medications and cosmetics can also cause eye allergy symptoms. By way of response to these allergens and irritants, the body releases chemicals called histamines, which in turn causes inflammation. This reaction makes the eye tissues red and swollen.

The signs of eye allergies are red, itchy, burning, tearing, swollen eyes, along with a gritty sensation. These symptoms may be accompanied by a runny or itchy nose, sneezing, coughing, or a sinus headache. Many sufferers also find that their vision is temporarily blurred.

I find it best to treat eye allergies before the onset of symptoms, but treatment can improve comfort and the appearance of the eye anytime. Do not suffer, there are treatments to control eye allergies.

Save your Vision

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Here we are closer to the end of March than the beginning and I have not talked about Save-Your-Vision month yet. March is Save-Your-Vision month. The American Optometric Association (AOA) selects a theme for Save-Your-Vision month and this year the theme is the importance of annual eye examinations. Having an eye exam every year can, ..well…, save your vision.

There are a number of eye conditions that do not have symptoms, like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and brain lesions. In most cases, early detection and the proper treatment can prevent blindness, disability or death. Some conditions do have symptoms, but they are still ignored. Blurred vision, eye strain and red eyes can be treated to make your life much more comfortable.

If you have not had a comprhensive eye examination in the last 12 months, make that call (707)762-8643, it can save your vision.

What to Expect from your Eyes when Expecting

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During pregnancy a woman’s body undergoes miraculous changes, some good, some uncomfortable and some that are puzzling. Everyone experiences different things as every pregnancy is unique.

The eyes do not escape the wild hormonal ride during pregnancy. The lens and/or cornea respond to fluctuations in hormones. Not every pregnant woman will see vision changes but for those who do the impact is significant. Ocular structures swell and deswell causing refractive changes. The result of these changes is blurry vision. The women I have treated with vision changes notice shifts in their vision for most of their pregnancy. Some woman experience increased dry eye and/or contact lens intolerance.

The good news is I can usually help patients through their pregnancy with temporary vision corrections. And the best news is that most symptoms resolve post-partum.

Another ocular concern during pregnancy is the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions such as Graves disease and diabetes. Although these are systemic diseases, they have significant effects on the eye health.

Spring Eyewear Event

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Westside Optometry Spring Eyewear Event

Saturday, March 10th
10-2:00pm

Featuring our Newest Classique Collections

Lisa Loeb Eyewear
FYSH
KLiik
Evatik

Stop by to enter a raffle for a featured frame and other prizes

Bifocal Contact Lenses

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Yes, there is such as thing as bifocal contact lenses. Actually there are several different types of lenses. The rigid gas permeable multifocals provide the clearest, most stable vision. These lenses are custom designed and manufactured. Ocular health is excellent and so is the vision. Recent advancements in soft multifocals offer great comfort at most distances. The soft multifocal options include several different lens materials including the newer silicone hydrogel. They are also available for planned replacement, usually 2 weeks or 1 month, increasing convenience. Both types of contact lens multifocals minimize dependency on reading glasses.

A study published in the Optometry Visual Science journal showed that 7 out of 10 contact lens patients prefer multifocals over monovision.  Many people are successful in monovision, one eye corrected for distance and the other eye compromised for near tasks. But others struggle with the disparity between the eyes, especially driving at night and working at the computer.

Multifocal contact lenses are an alternative to monovision or using reading glasses over contact lenses.

The above pictures show some of the different rigid gas permeable multifocal options. Certain designs work better for particular tasks. For example a lens design emphasizing distance clarity is indicated if you do a lot of driving , but  if you spend most of the day in front of a computer screen you will need a lens with a large intermediate zone. If  bifocal contact lenses are something you would like to try, give the office a call or make sure to ask about it at your next visit.

New Maui Jim Sunglasses

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Maui Jim has really outdone itself in 2012. There are many new sunglass styles and some very exciting lens updates.

Gradient lenses and frames are the trend. If you like reading outdoors but find most sunglasses too dark, try a lens that is darker at the top and lighter at the bottom. It still has all the fantastic features of a Maui Jim sunlens: polorization, waterproof coatings, anti-reflective treatment and distortion-free optics.

Lani is shown here in the amethyst fade. It also comes in gloss black and Koa tortoise.

 Lava Flow is pictured below in the gloss black with neutral grey lenses. It is a modified rectangle with a mid-size wrap. It is also available in a colorful burgundy tortoise frame with HCL bronze lenses.

 

Westside Optometry still carries the light weight sporty styles too. Most of the Maui Jim sunglasses can be customized with your prescription. What can be better than sitting on a lounge chair reading or fly-fishing in your favorite river with your progressive Maui Jim sunglasses? If excellent distance vision is most important for a day in the boat or whale watching on the bluffs of the Pacific coast, prescription sunglasses are an excellent choice for you. 

We have received our new selection of Maui Jim sunglasses, come try them on.

Kids and Glasses

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Over the winter holiday we saw a lot of kids and fit a lot of “first pairs of glasses.” It is a thrill for everyone at Westside Optometry to see a child’s face light up when he or she puts on the glasses for the first time. Usually, she is a little surprised at the new vision, but a smile quickly follows as she tries to look at everything, running to the window, picking up magazines, and especially looking in the mirror.

Because children mimic what they see, I encourage parents to set a good example and attitude about how to wear and care for the new glasses. Here are some suggestions:

  • Use both hands when taking glasses off to protect the hinges.
  • Do not try to bend any part of the frames. If the glasses feel too tight or loose, bring them to our office for adjustment.
  • Never place your glasses anywhere they can be stepped or sat on.
  • Do not let anyone play or try on your glasses.
  • Keep your glasses in their case when you are not wearing them.
  • Clean your glasses with water and a soft cloth, not your shirt.

If your child plays sports, remember that regular glasses do not provide protection from injury. Make sure your child wears the right kind of sports safety eyewear at all times when playing sports.

2012 New Years Resolutions

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If you make your 2012 resolutions with the intention of achieving good health and well-being, you will be benefiting your eyes also. Here are recommendations from Westside Optometry to get you started:

1. QUIT SMOKING

Smoking contributes to cataract formation, macular degeneration and dry eyes.

2. EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Anti-oxidants and other nutrients found in a variety of fruits and vegetables can prevent age-related ocular conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

3. EXERCISE REGULARLY

Exercise can benefit you in many ways. It reduces stress, helps control weight and improves circulation all benefits for you and your eyes.

4. SCHEDULE EYE EXAMINATIONS FOR THE KIDS

It is never to early for children to have their eyes examined. The American Optometric Association recommends the first eye exam at 6 months of age. Early detection of vision problems can save your child much frustration when learning to read and play sports.

Happy New Year