Winter 2018
“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see” Mark Twain
Jerry N. Shuster, MD Robert W. Hered, MD Lynda Z. Kleiman, MD Larry S. Lewis, OD Robert S. Gold, MD David B. Auerbach, DO Rebecca J. Adams, MD Andrew J. Schneier, MD Louis C. Blumenfeld, MD Victor B. Thomas, MD
Maitland Office
407-767-6411
Eye Physicians of the Web By Megan U.
The amount of information that can be accessed on the web today is tremendous. In order to keep our website current with fresh content, we recently updated both our website: www.eyephy.com, and our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/eyephycfl. For example, on our home page the top right corner now has several useful links for our patients. With just a click of the mouse, a patient can request an appointment and be specific about which doctor they would like to see, and what time of the day that works best for their schedule. Our office will call that patient to schedule their next appointment in one easy phone call. Patients can also access our patient portal log in. By creating an account with our office, it allows patients the ability to view their medical charts with convenient 24 hour access to personal health information from anywhere with an internet connection. They can also communicate with us through secure messaging, and view health information such as recent doctor visits, medications, lab results, and view educational materials. There is also a glasses and contact lenses link to make it easier to see what brands of eyewear and sunglasses we offer in our optical department. Contact lenses can be ordered online with a valid prescription. Plus, there are also videos about the various lens options highlighted further on the next page of this newsletter. What are you waiting for? Go take a look. “Eyewonder” what you will find?
BIFOCALS,
TRIFOCALS,
PROGRESSIVES
Oh my! By Carissa W.
Have you noticed lately that your reading vision is less than ideal? Is it getting harder for you to read without holding your reading material further away? The most likely culprit for this situation is called Presbyopia. Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the ability to see things clearly up close, and it is a natural part of the aging process. This usually begins around our 40th birthday. The clear lens, which focuses light on your retina, begins to become more rigid. Corrective eyeglasses are the best solution to hinder the consequences of Presbyopia. Here we will help you choose which lenses will be right for you.1
BIFOCALS
Bifocal prescriptions are often given to people with presbyopia. They are made of two different prescriptions, one for distance and one for reading. The upper section of the lens is used for your distance vision and the lower section is used for reading. Usually there is a visible line separating the two sections. With bifocals, the intermediate vision, which is approximately 24 inches from your face (computer or dash board) is not corrected and can make activities in this range difficult. Interesting fact: bifocals were invented by Benjamin Franklin in the later 1700’s, which he called “double spectacles”.2
TRIFOCALS
Trifocals were invented to make up for what bifocals lack, intermediate vision correction. Trifocals still offer the near and far correction that bifocals do, with an added small lens section between the distance and reading for a third power. These will now allow you to see the computer and dash board, and other objects in the same range. Just as the bifocals have a visible line between prescriptions, so do trifocals.
PROGRESSIVE LENSES
Progressive lenses give us all three ranges of vision, like the trifocals, however they have the extra benefit of a smooth transition between the ranges. There are no lines, and the prescriptions progressively change power from the bottom of the lens to the top. This is more natural vision correction, thus reducing eye strain. You will sometimes hear people refer to these as no line glasses or bifocals. Your experienced doctor and our opticians here at Eye Physicians will be able to help you make the appropriate choice in lens type based on your individual needs, wants and prescription. Please remember that if you have never worn this type of prescription before, it will take some time getting used to. Be patient as your eyes and your brain adjust.3
1 https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-presbyopia, 2 http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/science/bifocals.htm, 3 https://essilrusa.com/newsroom/the-differences-in-bifocals-trifocals-and-progressive-lenses
$50 OFF ALL PROGRESSIVE LENSES!* $50 OFF ALL PROGRESSIVE LENSES!* Thank you for being our valued patient!
Thank you for being our To valued patient! show our appreciation, please use the To show our appreciation, please usecode the*EyeWonder* code EyeWonder a for a $50for discount on ANY Progressive lenses!* Visit the $50 discount on ANY Progressive lenses!* Visit the optical department optical department for the newest Varilux for the newest Varilux progressive technology. progressive technology. *With purchase of frames. No coupon required. *With purchase of frames. No coupon required. Provide code to your optician at the time of purchase. Provide code to your optician at the time of purchase. Valid through March 31, 2018. Valid through March 31, 2018 www.eyephy.com
Cataracts in
Children By Dr. Blumenfeld
Most people tend to think of cataracts as an adult eye problem. In fact, when this is mentioned to parents regarding their children they often express surprise and disbelief. Cataracts are very common in adults with increasing frequency as they age. In children they are relatively uncommon. The incidence of cataracts in children is approximately 3 out of every 10,000 children. A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye. The lens in the eye helps focus light on the back wall of the eye (retina). A cloudy lens prevents a clear image from forming on the retina causing decreased vision. There is a wide range of cataracts that affect children. Some are severe at birth necessitating surgery within the first weeks to months of life. Others are extremely mild and may never require surgery. The way a cataract is typically discovered is by the pediatrician or other health care provider looking at the light reflection from the back of the eye. A clear red-orange reflection should be seen in both eyes similar to the red eyes often seen in photographs. A cataract would block all or some of this light. Some cataracts in babies occur as an isolated problem with no known cause. In some, this propensity to develop cataracts is inherited. In others the cataract may be part of a medical problem affecting more than the child’s eyes or a problem affecting multiple parts of the eye. In some cases additional testing is needed to look for medical problems that may first be discovered by the eye findings.
Dr. Blumenfeld and family in Israel
Not all cataracts in children are present from birth. Some develop or worsen during childhood. Eye trauma is one example of a way a person may develop a cataract during childhood
Best results are generally obtained by prompt discovery by the pediatrician or other primary care provider along with appropriate management of the cataract and amblyopia by an ophthalmologist.
One of the biggest differences from adults is that it is often important to promptly remove the cataract in a child to allow the visual part of their brain to develop properly. The visual pathways in the brain continue to develop during childhood. Anything, including a cataract that prevents a clear image being transmitted to the brain from the eye may prevent this development. The medical term for this is amblyopia, often referred to as a lazy eye.
JANUARY FEBRUARY
Glaucoma Awareness January marks the start of a New Year, and many New Year’s resolutions involve improving one’s own health. But do you consider the health of your eyes as much as the rest of your body? Glaucoma, by definition, is increased intraocular pressure inside of the eye that can damage your eye sight. Symp-
AMD/Low Vision Awareness AMD, or Age-related Macular Degeneration, is an eye condition that affects those that are primarily over the age of 55. This progressive eye condition damages the macula – a part of the retina – and it can affect your central vision. AMD has two different categories – dry, which is more common, and wet, which is less common but more destructive to your eye. Dry AMD affects the retinal pigment epithelial cells in the macula, which support the light sensitive rods and cones that allow you to transmit what you see to your brain.
MARCH
Workplace Safety Awareness Many patients who frequent our facility work at places that have a higher risk of eye injuries occurring. Careers such as construction workers, welders, lawn care specialists, woodworkers, and other types of work that involve many airborne particles always run the risk of causing injury to one’s eyes. Your eyesight is important – and protecting it properly while on the job is just as crucial as protecting it while relaxing at home. When working with woods or metals, wearing proper safety glasses reduce the risk of suffering any injuries to your eyes from projectiles. If working with potentially hazardous chemicals, facial shields are ideal. Make sure that you have an eye washing
toms often go unnoticed, and if left untreated can lead to decreased vision, and in worse cases, pain and blindness. So, if you’re making a resolution this year to improve your health, take your eyes into consideration as well. Many people aren’t even aware of this disease, or how it affects your eyes. So be sure to have your eyes checked regularly, and even consider reading up on your own family history to find out if you may be at risk for the disease. https://www.glaucoma.org/news/glaucoma-awareness-month.php
Wet AMD is classified as new blood vessels forming under the macula, which can bleed and leak fluid. Wet AMD can cause a rapid decline in one’s vision, and images like straight lines can appear waved or distorted. Both forms of AMD can also affect color vision. Patients with AMD often experience decreased central vision, which can obscure details that are looked upon directly – the face of a friend, fine print on reading material, or even cars or street signs while driving. If you have been diagnosed with AMD, be sure to have regular eye examinations to stay on top of the condition. Glancing at an Amsler grid and eating a healthy diet can help manage the condition. http://www.visionaware.org/info/your-eye-condition/age-related-macular-degenerationamd/wet-and-dry-amd/125
station nearby in the event that an injury occurs. If a foreign body enters the eye, do your best not to try and remove it yourself, as this may cause further injury. If you are someone that instead spends a lot of time on the computer while at work, take note. Your computer is a bright screen that you’re likely staring at for long periods of time. Taking breaks to relax your eyes every 15-20 minutes reduces eye strain, and having a pair of glasses made specifically for computer work can reduce eye strain as well. Try to set your computer’s brightness setting down to more tolerable levels, and have the computer set 25-30 inches away from where you are sitting. Remember to blink frequently! Proper eye safety should be maintained at all times, so if you’re someone who is often at risk for eye injuries, ensure that your eyes are adequately protected. https://www.preventblindness.org/eye-safety-work
Carissa W’s Daughter’s Artwork
Celebrate! WORK ANNIVERSARIES
PET
CORNER
Raymond R. 1-4-12 Katherine M. 1-12-15 Ruth A. 1-16-17 Gina D. 1-20-15 Kit S. 1-23-17 Diane M. 1-25-99 Jen W. 1-29-07 Josie U. 2-11-13 Rachel L. 2-13-17 Sue P. 2-20-17 Tanisha S. 2-22-17 Denise A. 2-22-16 Kristina C. 2-22-16 Amanda W. 2-23-15 April H. 3-17-14 Jen G. 3-20-17 Nicole N. 3-23-15 BIRTHDAYS
Kris G’s German
sper en Retriever, Ja Denise A’s Gold h la Ly , ix m huahua and Terrier/Chi
Nicole M’s ferret, Pandora
Shepherd, Max
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Sarah M. Alma M. Amy C. Ruth A. Rossana D. Melba F. Carissa W. Jessica M. Amanda W. Katherine M. Tristin N. Caroline R. Debbie P. Pam A. Josie U.
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