The Physicians at Primary Eyecare Associates would like to make sure everyone knows that we are not only available for your Eye Health Examinations, eye care supplies and LASIK eye surgery but we are also available to treat eye infections and injuries. Our 4 facilities are stocked with all the supplies and equipment needed to diagnose and treat all your ocular symptoms. Emergencies happen, and more than likely, they happen after regular business hours, or during the weekend instead of during regular office hours, and because of that, we are available after hours and weekends. We constantly see patients that went to a walk-in medical clinic for eye problems only to see us a few days later when things are not any better. Save your time and money and see an Eye Specialist for your Ocular emergencies. At Primary Eyecare Associates, we are a patient centered clinic; we believe in not only treating your eye diseases/emergencies, but also educating you on treatments and prevention. Our Physicians see you when it is convenient for you, not when it is convenient for us.
 

I can't wear contact lenses because of my astigmatism.  I hear this all the time from patients when I ask if they have ever worn contact lenses.  While this may have been true 20 years ago, technology has allowed us to fit many people who thought they couldn't wear them.  New contact lens materials and designs have made contact lenses for astigmatism almost the same as regular contacts; many times the only difference patients can notice is the different numbers on the box.  If you have ever been told you couldn't wear contacts because of astigmatism, just set up an appointment and we will see if one of these new lenses is right for you.

I can't wear contacts anymore because I have to wear bifocals now.  Wrong.  There are great options available that will give you good distance and reading vision.  One option is a multifocal contact lens that is worn the same way as a regular contact lens but acts as a pair of bifocals.  Another option is called monovision, where we make one eye good for distance and one eye good for reading; it sounds weird but your brain learns to switch eyes without you even noticing it.  With the right lenses, we can keep you in contacts for as long as you want to wear them.  At Primary Eyecare Associates, we will do everything we can to put your vision and needs first, no matter how long it takes to find the right solution.  Our goal is to use the best technology available to ensure that everyone who wants to wear contacts can.
 

Sunglasses. 

This is an area of eyecare that seems simple on the surface but is actually quite complex.  Most people think of sunglasses as something that makes them look cool in the summertime.  While this is true, it is not the only reason to wear sunglasses.  The number one reason to wear sunglasses is for UV radiation protection.  Ultraviolet light is a high wavelength high energy radiation that has an effect on several parts of the eye.  First, it can cause ocular irritation and exacerbate dry eyes.  UV light also causes cataracts;  however, this is a cumulative effect so the all the times you ran around outside in your youth adds up and eventually causes cataracts in your later years.  While not completely understood, there is also a link between UV and high energy blue light and macular degeneration.  

OK, those are the boring medical reasons to wear sunglasses.  Well, what kind should you wear?  I always tell people that with sunglasses, you typically get what you pay for.  A pair of high end polarized sunglasses will make everything sharper and reduce glare and eyestrain.  A pair of 5 dollar cheapos will make you see like you have cataracts.  The difference between the good lenses and the bad is the quality of the optics, since almost all sunglasses offer UV protection.  Many times a pair of cheap lenses will warp and cause induced astigmatism, which can distort your vision.  If you do any kind of outdoor activities, polarized lenses are a must.  Polarization is a way to reduce glare off reflecting surfaces, such as water, roads, and windshields.  Another great option for sunglasses is Transition lenses.  These are the lenses that darken outside and lighten inside.  They have the advantage of having your prescription in them so you can wear the same glasses for all activities.  If you want to know if your sunglasses are any good, just bring them by and ask one of our opticians.  Some of the expensive designer sunglasses popular with certain celebrities actually have poor quality lenses.  We are able to take those lenses out and put in a pair of optical quality sunglass lenses.  Now, go get a pair of sunglasses and enjoy your summer.


 

Well here goes nothing, my first (hopefully of many) official blog.  As I thought about a topic for the opening blog, I happened to notice the eyes of my 3 month old son crossing.  Being an optometrist, I didn't think twice about it because I know the eyes take a while to get fully lined up.  However, I wondered how many parents of infants see this and think something is wrong with their child.  Most parents then do what everybody does for everything and look it up on the internet.  This will give you an answer but little peace of mind.  

Luckily, the American Optometric Association has developed a program to deal with issues such as this.  InfantSEE (www.infantsee.com ) is a program by the AOA to deliver no cost eye exams to any and all infants within the first year of their life (usually at 6-9 months).  This exam goes beyond the standard pediatrician eye screening to detect issues with vision and eye health that might lead to future problems.  One of the main things we are looking for is a large or asymmetric prescription that could lead to a lazy eye or poor visual development.  The earlier we know something is wrong, the better we are able correct it.  Unfortunately, many children don't get an eye exam until well after they have started school.  It is tragic that a child could suffer from a lazy eye or poor school performance when a simple pair of glasses could have solved the problem.  We at Primary Eyecare Associates are proud to be a part of this great program.  If you have an infant child or know someone who does, please visit the InfantSEE website and spread the word about this vision saving program.  Remember ITS FREE!  All you have to do is give us a call and say you want to schedule an InfantSEE exam.  Look for my next blog its coming soon.