All posts by Fine Eyewear

Contacts, Glaucoma, New Advances in Optometry

Next-Generation Contact Lenses May Help Monitor Health

On its website, KDKA-TV  Pittsburgh (1/12) reported that next-generation contact lenses, “called ‘smart lenses’…are packed with circuits, sensors and wireless technology — all designed to keep an eye on your health.” Researchers are now testing contact lenses that may someday “replace the standard blood test,” pointing out that “biomarkers found in the blood — such as cholesterol, sodium, potassium and glucose — can also be found on the surface of the eye.” Currently, one type of smart contact lens already out on the market in Europe monitors eye pressure over the course of a day. Called the Trigger Fish, it can diagnose glaucoma. Contact lenses still in the developmental stage may one day slowly release eye medication over a long period of time.

 

Fine Eyewear and Eyecare optometrists provides advanced vision care to the families of Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Round Rock and surrounding communities. Stop by and check out our world class optical studio.  Our mission is to help you look and see your best!  We don’t have these contacts available just yet, but we do have just about every other contact made on earth! More info can be found at www.FineEyewear.Net

Eye Health

Hormone Produced By Exercise May Help Control Obesity, Blood Sugar Levels

A study in Nature showing that irisin, “a hormone naturally found in muscle cells…rises during exercise, converting white fat into brown fat, a substance whose primary function is to generate body heat.” When irisin was injected “into obese, pre-diabetic mice, the animals lost weight and their blood sugar levels improved.”  Researchers suggested that this “may lead to treatments for obesity and diabetes, as well as other disorders where exercise may benefit patients who are too weak to engage in it.”

 

Fine Eyewear and Eyecare optometrists provides advanced vision care to the families of Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Round Rock and surrounding communities. Stop by and check out our world class optical studio.  Our mission is to help you look and see your best!  More info can be found at www.FineEyewear.Net

 

Macular Degeneration

New Study Links Daily Aspirin Use to Increased Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

A large European study, published in the January issue of the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, links daily aspirin use to increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The study found that people aged 65 and older who took aspirin daily had double the risk of developing “wet” AMD (an advanced form of the disease that occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow and bleed or leak fluid into the macula), compared with those who took it less frequently. The study also found a somewhat elevated risk of early-stage AMD in daily aspirin users. No higher risk was found for advanced “dry” AMD.

For more information, visit www.aao.org.

Nutrition & Supplements

Sodium-Potassium Ratio May Be More Important Than Total Sodium Intake

The New York Times  (12/26, D7, Brody, Subscription Publication) reported in “Personal Health” that research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine “found that while a diet high in sodium — salt is the main source — increases your risk” of heart disease, “even more important is the ratio of sodium (harmful) to potassium (protective) in one’s diet.” One of the study’s authors, Dr. Elena V. Kuklina, a nutritional epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said, “We controlled for all the major cardiovascular risk factors and still found an association between the sodium-potassium ratio and deaths from heart disease.” The Times points out that “according to an Institute of Medicine report on sodium released last year, ‘No one is immune to the adverse health effects of excessive sodium intake.'”

Fashion Eyewear, Sunglasses

Giorgio Armani Precious Materials Collection Debut

Presenting the Giorgio Armani Precious Materials Collection, the new 2011/2012 collection from the luxury brand featuring exotic leather finishes.

One ophthalmic style, two sun styles and one exclusive sun style.

 

Fine Eyewear & Eyecare is a full service eye care facility. We offers Giorgio Armani and other unique collections. We offer one of the largest collections of unique eyewear in Central Texas. Our eye care facility is staffed by eye doctors who care about your vision requirements.  We’re located in the Heb shopping center at Parmer and 1431, located at the three corners of Cedar Park, Austin and Round Rock, TX and a short drive from Georgetown, TX , Teravista and Avery Ranch.

You can find more information at www.FineEyewear.Net

 

Eye Disease & Problems

Sudden Onset Of Floaters or Flashes Requires Prompt Medical Attention

When blood flow through the retina is blocked or when the retina pulls away from the wall of the eye, getting the problem properly diagnosed needs to be done ASAP.  Treatments can do wonders if   begun before the damage is irreversible.  A delay in getting to a retinal specialist can diminish the ability for therapy to preserve or restore normal vision.”

Patients who experience symptoms of a “mini-avalanche of the spots referred to as floaters” along with “lightning-bolt” flashes should see an eye doctor immediately. In some cases, a detached retina may present with “blind spots or…black curtains,” and laser surgery is necessary to save sight.

Eye glasses lens technology, Industry News

AOA Study Cites Safety and Compliance Issues for Rx Eyeglasses Ordered Online

Make no mistake, Glasses are not TV’s or Cell phones or other things you might order online. When you receive your glasses in the mail, you can’t just turn it on to verify if the prescription is working and accurate. Glasses are medical device’s used to help organ’s in your body function better. A good pair of glasses help your visual/brain and hand eye coordination perform better. A bad Rx or cheap lenses can cause headaches and other problems. A cheap pair of Sunglasses may cause even more harmful UV rays to enter into and cause permanent to damage your eyes. Manufacturing a great pair of glasses to specific tolerances is a difficult thing to do and requires highly experienced, trained personal. We don’t take your vision lightly and neither should you – FE.

Consumers who order prescription eyeglasses online often receive glasses that fail to comply with optical tolerance and impact resistance requirements, according to a newly released study conducted by the American Optometric Association in conjunction with the Optical Laboratories Association and The Vision Council.

The study, which was published in the September issue of Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association, found that nearly half of the prescription eyewear ordered online in the U.S.—44.8 percent—had incorrect prescriptions or did not meet physical parameters to provide sufficient protection to the wearer.

 

Sunglasses

Car Windows Do Not Filter Out UVA Rays

Car windows  and those in your home — are good at filtering out ultraviolet B rays, which cause sunburns. But car and home windows generally don’t filter out ultraviolet A rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin” and “can interfere with your body’s ability to protect against skin cancer,”

Dry Eye

About Dry eye

Dry eye is one of the least understood ocular diseases and yet one of the most common complaints we hear from  patients.

Women are more frequently affected than men. Dry Eye Disease is often caused by hormonal changes due to aging, menopause, and other medical conditions or their treatments.

Your eyes need a constant layer of healthy, balanced tears called the “tear film” to stay nourished and protected. A change in the quality or the quantity of your tears can result in an un-balanced tear film.

Dry Eye Symptoms

Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease may include:

Stinging
Burning
Scratchy Sensation
Sensitivity to Light
Tearing
Tired Eyes
Contact Lens Discomfort
Blurred Vision

These dry eye disease symptoms often worsen at the end of the day or after visually focusing for a prolonged period on a nearby task.

Often dry eye symptoms are mistaken for allergies, climatic conditions or just “eyestrain”. While all of these may aggravate Dry Eye Disease, they are not the cause.

Dry Eye Causes

Environmental Causes:

Hot, dry and/or windy climates, high altitudes, excessive sun exposure, central heating, air conditioning, cigarette smoke, air pollution, air travel.

Refractive eye surgeries:

Dry eye is the most common complaint following LASIK. Your doctor should test your eyes prior to surgery to ensure the best outcome.

Contact Lens Wear:

Two million people a year give up on wearing contact lenses. 50% of these contact lens “dropouts” say its due to dryness or discomfort. If you have Dry Eye Disease, your doctor can prescribe a specific lens for your condition or prescribe treatment to allow you to wear your lenses more comfortably.

Low blink rate:

Blinking is critical in stimulating tear production, as well as spreading the tears across the eye’s surface. The three common culprits responsible for reducing your blink rate are computer use, reading, and watching TV. Sometimes just remembering to blink can improve how your eyes feel.

Medications:

It is important that your eye doctor know all of the medications that you take. Some medications known to aggravate dry eye disease are; allergy medications, decongestants, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, birth control pills, diuretics, and pain medications just to name a few.

Diseases:

Some diseases associated with dry eye disease are; Diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Sjögren’s syndrome, Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Lacrimal Gland Deficiency, Blepharitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and Rosacea.

Hormonal deficiencies or changes:

Thyroid conditions, hormonal changes during menopause, decreased production of androgen, estrogen supplementation can all affect ocular health. Be sure to let your doctor know if you are taking hormone replacement therapy or have a thyroid condition.

Treatment

Many treatments for dry eyes are available without a prescription.  However, it’s wise to see an optometrists to evaluate the cause of the condition and to create the best treatment plan for you.

Treatments for dry eyes may include:

  • Changes in diet
  • Supplementation
  • Artificial Tears: There are many artificial tears available over the counter. Ask an Accredited Dry Eye Center which drop is best for your specific condition.
  • Ointments. If your eyes dry out while you sleep, you can use a thicker lubricant, such as an ointment, at night.
  • Plugs (temporary and permanent punctual occlusion). Sometimes it is necessary to close the ducts that drain tears out of the eye. Temporary or permanent plugs can be inserted to hold tears around the eyes longer. Many patients find that plugs improve comfort and reduce the need for artificial tears.
  • Restasis®. For the treatment of chronic dry eye, Restasis is currently the only prescription eye drop that helps your eyes increase their own tear production with continued use.
  • Other medications. Other medications, including topical steroids, may also be beneficial in some cases.
  • Surgery. If needed, the ducts that drain tears into the nose can be permanently closed to allow more tears to remain around the eye. This is done with local anesthetic on an outpatient basis. There are no limitations in activity after having this surgery.

Our doctors at Fine Eyewear & Eye care in Cedar Park treat patients who suffer from dry eye every day. Fine Eyewear is  located at the three corners of Cedar Park, Austin and Round Rock, TX and a short drive from Georgetown, TX . Some of the local neighborhoods served by Fine Eyewear include Forest Oaks, Silver Oaks, Teravista, Avery Ranch, Stone Canyon, Mayfield Ranch, The Ranch at Brushy Creek, Vista Oaks and Wood Glen – we have an eye doctor close by for you! Come and See us! Visit our main website at www.FineEyewear.net

Children

Eye Exams May Help Rule Out Eye-Related Links To Behavior, Learning Problems

According to the American Optometric Association, “even though a child may have 20/20 vision, the following habits also can signal less obvious vision problems: loses place while reading, avoids close work,” and “holds reading material closer than normal.”

A visit to the eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam is an important part of overall health,” and is especially important for kids about to return to school.  According to an American Optometric Association survey of K-12 teachers, 81 percent believe vision and learning are interdependent.”