Is Blue Light Harmful to our Eyes?

Taking care of our skin from harmful light has always been a prime concern for people especially the over exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun which can lead to sunburn and even skin cancer.  Protecting our eyes from harmful light is also very important since apart from the UV rays that can wreak havoc on us, there is another light that we need to be aware of, blue light.

So what is the blue light and how does it affect our eyes?

Blue light comes from the sun as well as LED lights and digital device screens. Blue light is the part of the visible light spectrum which is known to produce a highest levels of energy. Blue light is the kind of light is characterized by a higher form of energy and thus it can affect deeper into our eyes when we least expect it.  We must understand that our eyes are easily affected by this kind of light.  Blue light suppresses our body's release of melatonin, which can affect our sleep cycles and can cause insomnia. Some studies have shown that when our eyes are overexposed to the blue light, it can have a negative effect on the eye’s retina that could lead to a vision disorder that usually shows up as we age. One of the vision disorders thought to be caused by blue light is called  macular degeneration.

Although more research is needed to determine how much natural and man-made blue light is harmful to the retina, many eye care providers are concerned that the added blue light exposure from computer screens, smartphones and other digital devices might increase a person's risk of macular degeneration later in life.

Can Blue Light Be Harmful?

Two of the most obvious and harmful effects of blue lights to our eyes are macular degeneration as well as digital eye strain. As we have mentioned earlier, the blue light is known to reach deeper into the eyes. Such instance badly affects the retina’s sensitive cells which later on leads to macular degeneration when we get older.

It is an unfortunate fact, as well that the sources of blue light are some of the things that we love to use and we have been using for almost every day. Some of these include flat screen TVs, computers, mobile phones, and other digital devices like iPads and tablets.

Another thing which makes the blue light a problem for our eyes is that digital eye strain is very common nowadays in a generation of so many digital devices such as mobile phones and tablets. What the blue light is known to emit is a scattered energy instead of a focused energy. And our eyes are more susceptible to the scattered light which leads to digital eye strain.

What can be done to reduce exposure to blue light?

Optometrists highly suggest that in order to combat the degenerative effects of the blue light the easiest solution is getting blue filtering or yellow tinted lenses. These lenses can be very helpful since it can reduce the amount of discomfort that can be derived from prolonged staring exsposure to blue light. These are also helpful in limiting the exposure of our eyes to a safer level of these lights.

Other options to help reduce the amount of blue light exposure include digital device filters, and computer eye glasses with blue blocking lenses by BluTech.

Make sure to schedule an eye exam appointment today with Dr. Johnson at iCare Family Vision to discuss Blue Light and lenses that can help reduce the effect of this light.

When Buying Glasses Online - Buyer Beware!

Ever thought about buying glasses online?  Purchasing eyeglasses online may offer convenience to patients, but the American Optometric Association (AOA) warns that the consequences of making an uninformed purchase could cost you more time and money in the long run. 

The AOA stresses that eyeglasses are an investment in your health and must be custom-fitted not only to meet particular prescriptive, but also to provide the greatest level of ocular comfort which only an eye doctor can determine.  

“Without visiting an eye doctor, patients run the risk of purchasing eyeglasses online with an improper fit or receiving the wrong prescription,” said Dr. Elizabeth Johnson. “Patients can spend more time dealing with online order mistakes and making returns than had they simply visited their local eye doctor in the first place.” 

An AOA study published in coordination with the Optical Laboratories Association and The Vision Council highlights the disadvantages of ordering eyeglasses online. The study concluded:

• Of 200 glasses ordered online, only 154 pairs were actually received;
• 44.8% had the wrong prescriptions or posed a safety issue;
• 29% had at least one lens fail to match the requested prescription;
• 19% of adult lenses failed impact resistance testing; and,
• 25% of children’s lenses failed impact resistance testing.

Purchasing eyeglasses from a local optometrist like iCare Family Vision is the AOA’s first and foremost recommendation, but if patients are still interested in making a purchase online, the AOA strongly warn consumers to do their research before making a final decision.

“If a patient believes that ordering a pair of glasses online is in their best interest, it is important for the patient to know about the potential downsides in doing so,” said Dr. Johnson. “In multiple studies it has been revealed that nearly half of all glasses ordered online had either the wrong prescription or were made with a very low safety standard. Personally, I find that an unacceptable standard of care and a disservice to the patient. Patients deserve much better than that.”

iCare Family Vision and the AOA reccomend patients to consider the following factors before making a eyeglass purchase online:

The Fit

The fit of eyeglasses is critically important — if the fit is incorrect, not only can a patient experience discomfort, such as pinching and headaches, but can also cause additional vision problems which could affect the long term health of your eyes..

The Materials

Consumers also need to consider the various lens options available, and what is best lens for their particular prescription and lifestyle. Lenses come in various materials, such as traditional plastic, as well as thinner (high-index), lighter materials. Other considerations are the different anti-reflective coatings and UV treatments available such as non-glare coatings and photochromic (transitions) lenses. 

The Prescription

Just because the eyeglasses “look right” on your face, it doesn’t mean the measurements are correct. Pupilary distance (PD) determines where to place the optical center of each lens in your frames to customize the optics to your eyes. This measurement is necessary to ensure the eyeglasses serve your vision needs properly and you can see properly through them.  

Patients need an optometrist like Dr. Johnson at iCare Family Vision to provide the PD and to ensure precise measurements.  Measuring your PD is a service provided at no-charge with all eyeglass purchases at iCare Family Vision. The measurements needed for multi-focals and progressive lenses are more complex and can only be accurately made once the frame is selected and properly fitted to your face, so typically this measurement is simply estimated at best for eyeglasses available online.  Buyer Beware!

Why You Should Purchase Your Next Eyeglasses From iCare Family Vision

At iCare Family Vision, we stand behind our products 100%.  We guarantee the accuracy of the prescription, and the fit of your eyeglasses.  We always recommend products that will help you see clearly and that fit your lifestyle.  We offer only the finest selection of frames and lenses available. Our fashion-forward inspired optical boutique comes alive with locally-sourced furnishings and displays that provide a unique backdrop for our incredible collection of high-quality, handcrafted eyewear from around the world. Our team of American Board of Opticianry Certified (ABOC) eye care professionals will help you and your family select the perfect glasses.  

You're going to love the way you look!

Why Eye Exams Are Important for Everyone

Most people experience an eye screening as their first introduction to eye care, whether during school or at the DMV.  An eye screening is basically a test to determine if you can see 20/20. While an eye screening is a great way to determine a need for a prescription, it is not in any way determining the health of your eyes. Even if you can pass an eye screening and see 20/20, you should still have an annual eye exam to check the health of your eyes.

At iCare Family Vision, we do more than just determine your glasses and contacts prescription during an eye exam. By providing early detection of health issues, your eye doctor is often the first line of defense against chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms, and you may be completely unaware of them.

Only a small percentage of your time during an eye exam is actually spent determining your prescription. The majority of the testing time in an eye exam is devoted to tests such as visual field, tonometry, retinal evaluation, slit lamp, etc.

These tests are just a few of the ways that your eye doctor can check your overall health and well being:

• Eye diseases: glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, etc.
• Refractive error: farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia
• Other diseases: high blood pressure, high cholesterol
• Amblyopia, strabismus, and focusing problems

Treatment plans following your eye exam can include a prescription for glasses or contact lenses to correct refractive errors, vision therapy, medical treatment for eye disease and in some cases your eye doctor may also recommend that you take vitamins or supplements to maintain good eye health or to help alleviate specific problems like dry eyes.

In the end, regular eye exams are important for seeing more clearly, early detection of health issues, and preserving your vision for life.

Schedule your annual eye exam today at iCare Family Vision.