Back to school time is time for an eye exam!

From our website  www.snjeyecare.com…..

Back to school season is in full swing. Before getting back to school, the American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends a visit to the eye doctor. Healthy eyesight is key to the learning processes and a child’s success in school. There are many tasks that depend on visual skills, such as reading, writing and computer assignments, which children are required to perform everyday. Despite this, studies show that 86 percent of children start school without ever having a vision exam.

Many of the issues a child suffers from in the classroom may result from sight impairment. The number of children who are affected by undiagnosed vision problems is exceedingly high. Over 60% of children identified as students with learning-disabilities actually have undiagnosed vision troubles. You can avoid childhood trauma if you make it a priority to ensure your child’s vision is up to par.

Don’t wait until your child enters kindergarten for his first comprehensive eye exam. Your child’s doctor should perform a dilated eye exam to discover any serious eye problems within the age of two months. Every child should have a comprehensive eye exam by three years, as early intervention can avoid developmental delay. Additionally as a parent, it’s important to see whether your child enjoys reading. Generally, most kindergarteners are excited to look at books and attempt to read. Children that don’t read books may have a vision issue. A comprehensive vision check-up by a pediatric optometrist should be one of the tools used in making a diagnosis.

Take note that the sooner a vision problem is identified and treated, the greater the chances for successful treatment. And eyesight is an essential component for school work. If a child’s vision is impaired, he will have a much harder time in school. At the same time new technology in the classroom, such as the use of interactive SMARTboards, can also potentially make less obvious vision problems worse. A student with poor vision will be affected both at school, and emotionally and physically. Before school starts this year, make sure your child’s vision is on par!

Access our Website faster with our new QR code…..

What is a QR code?  Read below for the definition from Wikipedia……

“A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) that is machine readable and designed to be read by smartphones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded may be text, a URL, or other data.

Common in Japan, where it was created by Toyota subsidiary Denso Wave in 1994, the QR code is one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. The QR code was designed to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.^“

You can now use your smartphone to find us….just scan the code below (must have a QR app downloaded onto your smartphone)

Children and Contact Lenses

Are contact lenses an option for children?  What is the appropriate age to start with contact lenses?  Theses are questions we are asked on a daily basis.  Click the link below for all the answers and more!

FFContactLenses.pdf (application/pdf Object).

“Contact lenses provide
significant benefits
to children beyond
correcting their vision”

The damaging social effects of vision problems….

Did you know that undiagnosed vision problems can have potentially damaging social effects on children?  Transitions® has created the “Little Janie” video to  demonstrate these effects and to help children with vision problems.  Click on the link below to view the video….

http://www.healthysightforlifefund.com/helpjanie/#/holder_complete-0/

Related Articles

• August Is National Children’s Vision And Learning Month (firstbook.org)

With Regard to NBC’s Today Show Segment on Sunglasses…

On the Friday, July 23, 2010 edition of NBC’s Today Show, a segment was shown which concluded that no difference existed between expensive and cheap sunglasses.  Luxottica, an industry leader in the frame and ophthalmic lens field, was also featured in the segment.  I viewed the segment when it aired yesterday, and watched it again on-line.  I disagree with the conclusions reached by the reporters, and feel that the public has been misinformed.  There were two aspects of the report that I felt were positive, the emphasis for the need for sunglasses to protect the eyes from damage, and the need for children to wear sunglasses as well as teens and adults.  Having been a leaseholding doctor affiliated with Luxottica for many years, I am in agreement with the letter from Luxottica which I have posted below:

Wayne Goldschneider, O.D.

Dear Doctor,

NBC’s Today Show aired a story this morning focused on the difference between cheap sunglasses and designer frames.  The story concludes that all glasses are created equal.  This is misleading to consumers. There are inaccurate facts within the story that you should be aware of in the event you saw the story yourself or that customers mention the story.

Lenses

NBC inaccurately reported that there is no difference in the lens of cheap sunglass and a more expensive sunglass.  This is not true-those manufacturing lower price frames use sub-standard lens materials that have a high level of visual distortion and minimal scratch resistance.

• Industry standards require all sunglasses to have a standard level of UV protection, but this is not good enough for Luxottica. Luxottica sunglasses also protect against HEV (High Energy Visible) light, thought to cause age-related macular degeneration
• Luxottica uses only lens materials that provide the best visual acuity and scratch resistance: Glass (highest optical quality), CR-39 (strong impact resistance), polycarbonate (the most impact-resistant of all the materials, durable and light weight), APX (good for rimless and wrapping frames).

Frames

Luxottica is a fashion leader in worldwide premium sunglasses and designs, many of which are hand crafted by Italian artisans.  We establish global trends that are often imitated by others.

The story did casually mention that designer brands provide better frames. Luxottica’s internal quality control system ensures every frame meets the highest quality lens and frame standards.  Luxottica tests every model for corrosion strength, surface coating strength, aging, stability (ensure lenses are secure and don’t pop out), stress resistance, lens strength (drop ball test), scratch resistance (beyond the current laws), and optics (ensuring the right lens is matched to the curve/wrap of the frame).

Profit

NBC inaccurately reported that “half” of our sales price is “pure profit.”  This is not true. Net profit is approximately 6%.  And you can be proud that Luxottica makes the largest investment in R&D, technology and quality control in the industry.

Oakley

Thanks to the commitment to R&D and technology, Oakley has created unique technologies and has earned its heritage of authenticity with world-class athletes, iconic design and performance technology.

• Oakley holds more than 600 patents and 1,200 trademarks, and offers technological and lifestyle performance products to customers in more than 100 countries.
• Oakley’s High Definition Optics (HDO) offers the best clarity and protection on the planet. HDO enables you to see clearer, sharper and without the magnification of ordinary lenses.
• Unrivaled impact protection. Oakley’s patented technologies surpass all tests of the American National Standards Institute.

You can confidently reassure your patients, customers and guests of the superior benefits of a quality pair of sunglasses from our retail brands, including:

• Quality raw materials
• Superior grade lens material
• Superior UV light protection
• Exceptional visual acuity due to the quality lens material
• Superior frame construction
• Industry-leading UV-A and UV-B light protection, ensuring at least 99% protection
• Industry-leading innovation in lens options, including polarized lenses
• Industry-leading service, guarantees and warranties
• Industry-leading high performance sport lenses and frames, which is why the world’s most competitive athletes wear Oakely product, including those competing in Tour de France, in-progress now.

Luxottica Expertise

Luxottica and our incredibly strong retail brands provide customers with the most sought-after collection of designer and sports brands in the world, bar none.  We have one additional distinguishing factor in our arsenal-our people.  Our affiliated doctors and associates are the most knowledgeable sunwear and eyewear experts in the country.  The Today Show is wrong-not all glasses are created equal nor is every retail outlet.

CooperVision – On Eye | Gear Up for Hunting and Shooting Season with Multifocal Contacts

Are you a hunter, or involved in shooting sports?  Good vision is critical for maximum performance in these activities.  Now is the time for your annual eye examination to ensure that your vision is at its best.  Follow the link below for more information  (From CooperVision)

http://www.coopervision.com/us/blog/post/Gear-Up-for-Hunting-and-Shooting-Season-with-Multifocal-Contacts.aspx

Eye Safety At a Glance Protecting Your Vision at Home

Great Fact Sheet from The Vision Council!  Click below for information on how to protect your eyes around the house….

Eye Safety At a Glance Protecting Your Vision at Home FINAL.pdf (application/pdf Object).

Refractive Surgery 2010….what’s new?

Vision Correction/Refractive Surgery Updates

One of the most common questions we hear concerns patient interest in “permanently”correcting vision.  While we caution patients that surgical correction may not be forever, there are many options now available that can be offered  patients to eliminate or reduce the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.  Most patients are inquiring about Lasik, probably the most well know and most popular procedure.  However many other procedures exist which may be a better option for some individuals.

The  original Lasik procedure, a two step procedure using a device know as a microkeratome to make the initial corneal flap, and a laser to shape the cornea, has evolved significantly since being introduced into the United States in the 1990’s.  Wavefront Custom Lasik is a much more advanced procedure using wavefront technology to create a precise map of the cornea which guides the laser procedure, leading to much greater accuracy.  This greatly reduces the chance of side effects like glare or haloes, and may lead to better than 20/20 uncorrected vision in some individuals, according to FDA studies.  The introduction of IntraLase®, a different type of laser which creates the initial corneal flap has yielded even greater results.  This laser replaces the microkeratome, and is bladeless, and has made Lasik an option for patients who were previously regarded as poor candidates for the procedure.

PRK, LASeK, and Epi-Lasik may be options for patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism who, for various reasons are not candidates for Lasik.  No corneal flap is made, but the recovery time is longer.  These are good options for patients who have corneal disease, dry eye or thin corneas.

A new and exciting option for nearsighted patients is a phakic intraocular lens implant, called the Visian ICL.   Especially good for very nearsighted individuals and individuals who are not candidates for Lasik; the Visian ICL provides consistently good results.  The lens is implanted in the eye behind the pupil, but does not replace the natural crystalline lens of the eye.  (See video below)

Other options that are available include INTACS® Corneal Ring Segments, which are made from a biocompatible plastic that are implanted into the cornea, and work for individuals with mild degrees of nearsightedness, and for individuals with keratoconus, a degenerative disease of the cornea.  CK, or Conductive Keratoplasty®, is for farsighted and presbyopic patients, and uses radiofrequency energy (RF) to alter the shape of the cornea.

Finally, Clear Lens Extraction is an option for patients that are not candidates for other refractive surgery procedures.  It is essentially cataract surgery without the presence of a cataract.  The natural lens of the eye is removed, and is replaced with an intraocular lens implant (IOL).  Individuals that have this procedure will not require cataract surgery later in life.

For more information, and to see if refractive surgical correction is an option for you, schedule an appointment in one of our four locations.  We co-manage all of these procedures with several surgeons in the central and southern New Jersey Region.

And Yet another!

Another great video from Coopervision!