The Eye Associates is a place where patients can come for comprehensive eyecare as well as education on eye conditions and treatments. Read the following frequently asked questions for information on a range of topics. Feel free to contact The Eye Associates with any additional questions you have.
- What are some tips to keep eyes healthy?
- Is using a computer bad for your eyes?
- Why does vision worsen with age?
- How can I protect my vision?
- Is there a certain way I should store my eye drops?
- What should I know about sunglasses?
- How can glare be dangerous while driving?
- How are lasers relevant in modern eyecare?
- What should I ask my eye doctor?
- What should I share with my doctor at my next exam?
- What can I do between exams?
- How can I tell if my child has a vision problem?
- Is there a link between eye disease and nutrition?
- What can diabetics do to protect their vision?
- How are memory loss and vision connected?
- How does poor vision affect ones' safety?
LASIK Questions
- Why do you use The Orbscan II Topographer to measure corneal thickness?
- Why is pupil measurement so important with LASIK?
What are some tips to keep eyes healthy?
- Have your child's vision screened regularly. Common childhood problems such as strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye) must be detected and treated at a young age to prevent vision loss. Screenings are recommended for children starting at age three.
- Wear sunglasses and hats. These help protect your eyes from UV light, which can promote the development of cataracts and retinal disease.
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. These foods contain antioxidants, which have been proven to prevent the progression of some eye diseases.
- Wear eye protection at work and play. Playing sports and exposure to chemicals and yard debris are among the most common sources of eye injury. Your eye doctor or optician can recommend appropriate protective eyewear for your activity.
- Treat contact lenses with respect. Contacts that aren't cleaned properly, or that are worn too long, can cause eye injury, infection, and even blindness.
- Schedule an eye exam. Even if you don't wear glasses, a routine eye exam can detect many general health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. In addition, serious and sight-threatening eye diseases may not present symptoms, but can be diagnosed during a preventative exam and often treated before damage occurs. Everyday activities and even your safety depend on good vision, so please make regular eye exams a part of your yearly schedule.
Is using a computer bad for your eyes?
It is a rare person who does not use a computer at some point during his or her day and The National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety reports that nearly 90 percent of computer users suffer some type of eye discomfort specifically associated with computer use. The good news is that there is no evidence that prolonged computer use causes long-term damage to the eyes. The symptoms generally subside once the computer activity is discontinued. Still, the discomfort is real and finding relief is important for improved performance and productivity, as well as enjoyment.
One thing that might help is to "Blink, Blink, Blink." The average person blinks 22 times per minute during most activities, but when using a computer, the blink rate can go down to 4 blinks per minute, which causes the eyes to dry out. Another easy fix could be to adjust your monitor so that it is at least an arm's length away and four to six inches below your eyes. Also consider GUNNAR Computer & Gaming Eyeglasses; especially if you wear bifocals or multifocals. You'll find that these special prescription glasses will aid in the relief of neck and shoulder pain as well as improve your vision. And don't forget to give your eyes a rest periodically by focusing away from the screen.
Call 941-792-2020 or toll free 1-866-865-2020 to set up a FREE optical consult and learn how computer glasses can benefit your eyes as well as neck and shoulder pain.
Why does vision worsen with age?
As we age, so do our eyes. If you are one of the 119 million people born between 1946 and 1965, perhaps you've noticed that suddenly the print on menus is too small, and the numbers on your caller ID are blurry. Sooner or later, most people realize that their vision is changing. That's why, as people get older, regular comprehensive eye exams are more important than ever. Some of the conditions our physicians and opticians look out for are:
- Presbyopia: Often the first sign of aging, this progressive condition makes reading and doing close work more difficult. Even people with perfect eyesight find they can no longer read printed materials at “normal” distances. Glasses and bifocals can help people adapt to the changes. CK (Conductive Keratoplasty) is another vision correction option to consider.
- Age-related macular degeneration: This condition primarily affects the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision, and is common in older Americans. Early detection and treatment can slow or prevent vision loss.
- Glaucoma: A build-up of fluid in the eye is the cause of glaucoma. Often, significant damage to the optic nerve can occur before symptoms are noticed. Caught in its early stages, glaucoma can be successfully treated.
Click here to make an eye examination appointment with one of our award winning physicians.
How can I protect my vision?
Your eyesight is one of your most precious senses, and protecting it should be a top priority. It is estimated that one person becomes blind every 11 minutes due to injury, aging, or disease. A proactive approach of early detection and treatment can prevent the occurrence of half of these tragedies. Many eye diseases develop slowly without symptoms, so a regular yearly eye exam is the most crucial step to ensure that problems are caught early. You should also remember to wear safety eyewear during work and sports, and to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays with a pair of good quality sunglasses. Click here to make an eye examination appointment with one of our board certified doctors.
Is there a certain way I should store my eye drops?
Absolutely! You should always store your eye drops in their own special location, seperate from any other bottles that look similar. There has been an increase in patients reaching for what they think are artificial tears, and instead placing a drop of nail cleaner, ear wax remover, super glue or white out into their eye.
If you do inadvertently put the wrong liquid into your eyes, immediately rinse with lots of plain water or saline solution. The Eye Associates always has a doctor on call 24/7 who can advise you if immediate attention is needed. If something more toxic, such as drain cleaner, battery acid, ammonia based cleaning products, dry wall or concrete dust, gets into your eyes, you should immediately rinse and then go to the emergency room or medical clinic nearest to you.
Email The Eye Associates or call us at Toll-free 1-866-865-2020.
What should I know about sunglasses?
Did you know that during summer the level of ultraviolet radiation (UVA & UVB) is at least three times higher than it is during the winter? Scientific studies indicate that spending long hours in the sun without eye protection can damage the eyes and contribute to cataracts, macular degeneration, and growths on the eye, including cancer. Wearing proper sunglasses is the best way to shield your eyes from the damaging effects of UV radiation.
Look for these features when buying sunglasses:
- Lenses that block 99 percent to 100 percent of all UV light. Both plastic and glass lenses are available with this feature—with or without a prescription.
- Lens Darkness: Medium-dark lenses are good for everyday use, but darker lenses are suggested for extremely bright conditions. Lenses can be gray, green, or brown, and the larger they are, the better. (Remember that darkness and color do not determine the lenses' ability to block UV light.)
- Wraparound Style: Large, wraparound sunglasses provide an extra measure of protection because they keep the light from shining into your eyes.
- Polarized Lenses: These lenses cut reflected glare. They are particularly useful for driving or boating.
Call 941-792-2020 or toll free 1-866-865-2020 to set up a FREE optical consult and learn what type of sunglasses would be best for your needs.
How can glare be dangerous while driving?
Glare is a serious danger in relation to driving, during both the day and night, but especially when driving directly into the sun. Glare can temporarily blind the driver so that curves, other cars, or even people are not seen, sometimes resulting in tragedies that could have been avoided. Most accidents from glare happen in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is at eye level.
There are two ways to find relief from glare. The first is by wearing polarized sunglasses during the day. Polarized lenses not only offer 100 percent UV protection for the health of the eye, but they also dramatically reduce glare caused by reflected light. People who wear polarized sunglasses for the first time are amazed at how much better they see as well as how rested their eyes feel at the end of the day.
You can significantly improve your vision after dark by adding an anti-reflective coating to your regular glasses. Reflections decrease vision and safety, so by adding an anti-reflective coating to the lenses of your glasses, you can reduce glare, annoying reflections, and the halos often seen around lights. You will find this to be especially helpful when driving during rainstorms.
Call 941-792-2020 or toll free 1-866-865-2020 to set up a FREE optical consult and learn what type of glasses would be best for your driving needs.
How are lasers relevant in modern eyecare?
What is so amazing about modern lasers is that they are so controlled. A small laser beam can be focused on a spot as small as one millionth of a meter, the power can be controlled to one thousandth of a watt, and the exposure time to one billionth of a second.
Lasers have replaced some conventional surgical techniques because lasers generally cause little or no pain, and there is no need for anesthesia and hospitalization, which lowers the cost of the surgery. Additionally, since lasers do not make an incision, the incidence of infection after surgery is greatly reduced.
One of the most common laser treatments is for diabetic retinopathy, in which the laser is used on the retina to stop blood vessel leakage and growth. Lasers are also used for treating glaucoma to lower eye pressure, and they are very useful in treating retinal detachment, macular degeneration, capsular fibrosis following cataract surgery, and even dry eye syndrome. Refractive lasers, such as the excimer laser, are used for LASIK and PRK to reshape the cornea in order to reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses.
The doctors at The Eye Associates are board certified and specialty trained in the use of lasers. Using our in-house lasers, our doctors are able to provide prompt, leading edge treatment for most of our patients. Click here to make an eye examination appointment with one of our board certified doctors.
What should I ask my eye doctor?
No doctors appointment should be a one-way conversation. We encourage you to ask the following questions to help you get the most out of your time with the physician:
- What do you check for in an eye exam besides my eyeglass perscription?
- Are there different methods to performing an eye exam? What method do you use and why?
- What eyeglass lenses are best for my vision needs?
- Can customized eyeglasses improve my vision quality and comfort?
- Will one pair of glasses meet all of my vision needs?
Call 941-792-2020 or Toll-free 1-866-865-2020 to schedule an appointment with one of our Board Certified Physicians.
Information courtesy of Carl Zeiss Vision
What should I share with my doctor at my next exam?
To help ensure that you receive the best possible care, at your next eye exam you should let your doctor know about:
- Chronic health conditions that affect you and/or your family such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and allergies.
- Eye health problems that run in your family, such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma.
- The prescription and non-prescription medications that you take
- Work-related factors that may affect your eyes, such as computer use, work outdoors, and lighting.
- How you use your eyes at play in the pursuit of hobbies, sports, and other activities.
- Eye symptoms and difficulties that you are experiencing such as headaches, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light.
Click here to make an eye examination appointment with one of our award winning physicians.
What can I do between exams?
Stop by one of our offices to pick up a free Amsler Grid to monitor any changes in your vision. Use the Amsler Grid every day. Just hold it 12 inches from your face, cover one eye, and look at the lines. Then repeat with the other eye. If you notice any distortion, that is a signal to have your eyes examined right away.
How can I tell if my child has a vision problem?
Did you know that 80 percent of a child's learning comes through the eyes? That’s why it’s so important to look for the four warning signs that your child may have a vision problem:
- Excessive blinking or rubbing of eyes
- Complaints of headaches
- Tilting or turning of head to one side and squinting
- Placing head too close to a book or losing place often
One in four school-age children has a vision problem that affects his or her ability to learn.
It is recommended that all children be screened for vision problems at birth and then again at six months. A full eye exam should be performed by the time a child is three years old and then before the child starts school at age five. Click here to make an eye examination appointment for your child.
Is there a link between eye disease and nutrition?
More and more people are talking about nutrition and antioxidants, and the role they play in reducing the risks of certain diseases. Research shows that people who consume optimal levels of antioxidants have a better chance of neutralizing the damaging effects of free radicals that threaten eye health as well as general body health.
Free radicals are by-products your body creates in the daily process of converting food to energy. Pollutants in the air and even ultraviolet rays increase the number of free radicals that can cause cell damage. Some scientists think that free radicals ultimately may contribute to the onset of cataracts and macular degeneration. Fortunately, antioxidants have been shown to counteract these harmful effects. Antioxidants and nutrients that are beneficial for your eyes include:
- Vitamin A (cod liver oil, liver, sweet potatoes, butternut squash)
- Vitamin C (sweet peppers, strawberries, broccoli, oranges)
- Vitamin E (sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts)
- Lutein and zeaxanthin: (spinach, kale, collard greens)
- Fatty acids (salmon, mackerel, trout)
Before beginning a vitamin therapy program, be sure to consult with your eye doctor and your general physician. Sometimes there can be a dangerous interaction between prescription medications and over-the-counter vitamins. Your doctors can help determine which supplements are beneficial, and safe, for you to take.
What can diabetics do to protect their vision?
- Get their eyes checked. Good diabetes management includes regular eye exams. A condition called diabetic retinopathy can develop which may diminish or even destroy a patient's vision by injuring delicate blood vessels in the eye's retina. This can happen before you notice any impairment, but will be revealed by a comprehensive eye exam.
- Monitor your own vision between exams. Pay close attention to any changes in your vision and report any problems to your eye doctor immediately.
- Get treatment early. The best protection against any significant vision loss is always early detection and treatment. Laser surgery can often be helpful in treating the early stages of diabetic retinopathy.
Click here to make a diabetic eye examination appointment with one of our award winning physicians.
How are memory loss and vision connected?
Memory loss is difficult, and when one’s world is blurry, it can greatly add to the confusion. Studies show that a lack of visual sensory input can even cause changes in the brain. People with low vision stop participating in stimulating activities, become depressed, and withdraw from family and friends, making good vision especially important for those with memory impairment. Since lost eyeglasses are a recurring problem, surgical options may be a better solution. The Eye Associates specializes in CustomEyes Vision, and our doctors’ caring manner and expertise will help you understand the choices for your loved one’s eyes.
How does poor vision affect ones' safety?
Poor vision can have many adverse effects, such as depression, car accidents, and medication errors, but none of these are more concerning than a fall. Falls are among the leading cause of death for people age 65+, and people with low vision are at even greater risk. Reduced contrast, decreased depth perception, and a reduced field of vision can inhibit balance and the ability to detect obstacles. Increased safety is one of the most compelling reasons to have an annual eye exam.
Click here to make an eye examination appointment with one of our award winning physicians.
Why do you use The Orbscan II Topographer to measure corneal thickness?
The Orbscan II is the most highly sophisticated corneal topographer on the market. Every LASIK evaluation must include corneal topography, which is a high resolution analysis of the cornea. Most corneal topography units in use today analyze the front surface of the cornea only. The Orbscan II analyzes both the front and back surfaces of the cornea as well as determines the corneal thickness. This additional information can be crucial in determining whether a patient can have LASIK surgery performed on them safely. Experienced LASIK surgeons would refuse to perform LASIK without an Orbscan II as part of the pre-operative evaluation.
Why is pupil measurement so important with LASIK?
Pupil measurement is critical with preoperative LASIK evaluations because "too large" pupils are the #1 reason that some LASIK patients report having glare or halos after surgery. That is why it is so important to know how your LASIK surgeon is measuring your pupil size BEFORE having surgery. Currently there are three means of pupil measurement. The most primitive involves looking at the patient and looking at a card with various diameters of black circles and then making an educated guess. Another uses a handheld instrument with an infrared light to look in one eye at a time and then it rounds it off to the nearest mm. Both of these methods can be extremely inaccurate. What the other eye is looking at and how dark the room is can cause inaccuracy. At The Eye Associates, we use the Procyon P2000SA Dynamic Pupillometer; clearly the most accurate method available. The Procyon measures the pupils binocularly, ridding the potential error of the other eye. Also, 10 measurements are taken within seconds thereby giving the surgeon a mean, a range, and a standard deviation. Additionally, 3 different light settings are used to measure pupils according to the lighting conditions whether it is daylight, dim or absolutely dark. So you see...how your LASIK surgeon measures your pupils can very much affect your vision after LASIK.
West Bradenton:
Office, Surgery Center & The Optical Gallery
6002 Pointe West Blvd.,
Bradenton, FL 34209
(1 block south of Blake Hospital off 59th Street W)
Office & Optical: (941) 792-2020
East Bradenton:
Office & The Optical Gallery
7230 55th Avenue East
Bradenton, FL 34203
(Twelve Oaks Plaza at SR 70 & I-75)
Office: (941) 758-1916
Optical: (941) 758-6996
Ellenton:
Office & The Optical Gallery
7915 U.S. Hwy 301 North
Ellenton, FL 34222
(Corner of Hwy 301 and Wellon Ranch Road)
Office: (941) 729-2020
Optical: (941) 729-2031
Sarasota:
Office, Laser Center & The Optical Gallery
2111 Bee Ridge Road
Sarasota, FL 34239
(Just south of Southgate Mall on Bee Ridge off US 41)
Office: (941) 923-2020
Optical: (941) 924-5941
Sun City:
Office & The Optical Gallery
779 Cortaro Drive
Sun City Center, FL 33573
(In the Marketplace at Cypress Creek, Behind Taco Bell off SR 674)
Office: (813) 634-2020
Optical: (813) 633-0601