Northcenter Eye Care

Flex Funds for Your Eyes

November 8, 2016

According to investment experts at Motley Fool, taking care of your flex spending surplus is a smart money move for November. For those who have flexible spending account (FSA) money to use before the end of the year, there are a number of ways you can ease eye care expenses with those funds.

If you haven’t scheduled your yearly exam, make November the month to get your check-up and offset any deductibles. For those who have had their exam already this year, there are several ways you can use FSAs for the good of your eyes.

Computer eyewear. We are seeing more patients experiencing the effects of digital eye strain. Eyewear designed specifically for computer use is one way to make this aspect of modern life easier. Things like progressive lenses designed for mid-distance work, anti-reflective coating and blue light coating are some of the features that can benefit patients.

Prescription sunglasses. Many people are surprised that prescription sunglasses are a medical device and covered under FSAs. Ditch the clip-ons and treat yourself to a quality pair of sunglasses that are tailored to your eyes. Prescription sunglasses are a good alternative for contact lens wearers at the beach and pool, where contacts aren’t ideal. Anyone who uses readers will find prescription sunglasses very helpful.

Another advantage to prescription sunglasses is our ability to select the right UV protection for your needs, from blue-blockers and yellow lenses that heighten color contrast to gradient lenses that are lighter at the bottom (good choice for distance drivers).

Protective eyewear. It is estimated that the vast majority of eye injuries can be prevented with protective eyewear, but it has yet to catch on. Sports and home improvement projects are popular among our patients. Flex funds can make the difference between having the protection your need and a trip to the ER for an eye injury.

Schedule an appointment for an exam or talk to us about eyewear options. We are happy to help you find the right fit for your funds.

October is a big month for sight

October 11, 2016

Image courtesy of Sight: The Story of Vision

October is a big month for vision awareness and advocacy. On October 13, many organizations will recognize World Sight Day, a day that focuses on the prevention of blindness and vision loss around the globe. More than 285 million people in the world are blind or visually impaired, and 90 percent of those live in developing countries with limited or no access to treatment. International organizations involved in World Sight Day are making a difference by connecting underserved populations with services that will help address their eye health needs.

Even those of us with great vision and healthy eyes can benefit from knowing more about our sight. We encourage our patients to check out Sight: The Story of Vision, a documentary narrated by Sir Elton John on the science, technology and medical advancements that help us understand sight, correction vision problems and cure eye diseases. It will air on WYCC, Channel 20, on October 16 at 4 p.m., and on October 17 at 7 p.m. Make sure to watch!

October is also Eye Injury Prevention Month. It is estimated that 90 percent of eye injuries can be prevented with the use of protective eyewear and taking precautions. Think about the risks you may be taking on the job or during activities such as sports, working on home improvement projects or even participating in leisure activities like paintball. Learn about corneal abrasions, one of the most common types of eye injuries by clicking here.

If you are in need of protective eyewear for any reason, please consult us. We offer a wide range of safety goggles for many situations. As always, we are here to help you address any of your vision and eye health needs.

Three things to consider for your student’s eye health

September 29, 2016

As learning becomes more digital, taking care of kids’ eyes is important than ever.

You’ve heard us before — 80 percent of what students learn in a classroom is processed visually — so back-to-school time is an important one for healthy eyes. For students of any age, here are three things to consider when school begins again.

Digital device use. Parents may have spent much of the summer trying to get their children off their devices, but digital learning has become a reality in many schools. Unfortunately there seems to be a gap in how long parents believe their kids use digital devices each day and what kids report themselves. According to a recent study from the American Optometric Association, 83 percent of children say they use their devices three hours or more a day, while only 40 percent of parents believe their children are on their devices that long.

One possible reason is that parents may not be taking classroom use of devices into account. If you aren’t aware of how much time your students spend on devices, ask their teachers. Older students who spend more time at the computer may need glasses to help reduce strain, much in the same way adults who use computers on the job do.

Participation in sports. Back-to-school time means that more kids will be hitting the fields and courts. The top five sports for the most eye injuries include two of Chicago’s favorites — football and basketball. Unfortunately awareness of sports eye injuries is still low among sports programs. If you have a student-athlete — or participate yourself — click here for more information on eye protection for sports.

Study habits. Some research supports the idea that the close work of reading and other study activities can have an impact on eyesight. Other studies have shown that more time spent outdoors decreases the incidence and degree of myopia.

While more research is necessary for conclusive recommendations, it’s a good idea for parents to be conscious of their children’s study habits. Make sure the student in your life is supported with the right eyewear and make time for breaks away from the books by being active outdoors whenever possible.

If eyewear is on your back-to-school list this year, we have many fashionable and functional options. We recently added a new collection of Tom Ford eyewear to our practice and are now offering 30% off all Gucci frames through the end of the year.

As always, if you have any questions about your eyes, please get in touch.

Protect your eyes from corneal abrasions

August 26, 2015

Wear the right eye protection for participation in sports and other hobbies.

Corneal abrasions are one of the most common eye injuries. While they generally are not serious, they often cause discomfort and temporary vision impairment. Sometimes eye infections enter the abrasion and lead to more significant damage. In any case, it is important to know how to prevent corneal abrasions and seek treatment when they happen.

The causes of corneal abrasions are numerous. They can result from something as simple as rubbing your eye when there is a foreign object in it, like sand or dirt, or getting poked in the eye. If you’ve ever had a corneal abrasion — and most of us have — you know they can be painful. They also cause light sensitivity, redness, swollen eyelids, excessive tearing and a feeling that something is in your eye.

If you do experience a corneal abrasion, it is important to seek treatment with us right away. We can diagnose the severity of the injury, which isn’t always apparent, and ward off infections, some of which can lead to blindness. We also can give you prescription ointments or eyedrops that help with healing.

Because many eye injuries are preventable, the best thing you can do to keep your eyes safe.

Wear protective eyewear if your job, DIY projects or hobbies pose a treat to you eyes. Chemicals, even those used in household tasks, can also injure your cornea.
Wear protective eyewear when participating in sports, especially those where elbows, racquets, balls and pucks can cause injury. It was recently reported that a mandate from the National Federation of State High School Associations requiring protective eyewear for field hockey players resulted in a three-fold reduction in injuries.
If you wear contact lenses, make sure they are fitted properly and that you are keeping them clean and in good condition. If you wear disposables, stick to the schedule for changing them. Wearing them longer than recommended increases your risk for abrasions.

Talk to us if you have any concerns about corneal abrasions and protecting your eyes from injury. Keep in mind that we are available for emergencies. Make sure you seek treatment as soon as possible for any kind of injury to the eye.