Gordon & Weiss Vision Institute Blog
Posted on August 2, 2010 in Latest News
One early symptom of a cataract is a blurring of the vision that makes everything appear as if you’re looking through a foggy window or cloudy piece of glass. Left untreated, the outlook is dim. But if detected early, we can help you manage cataracts and explore treatment options such as new eyeglasses, magnification aids or Intraocular Lens (IOL) implants. The first step to early detection is a comprehensive eye examination in our office. Call and schedule an appointment today.
Posted on June 29, 2010 in Latest News, New Technology
Premier Surgeon Magazine named Dr. Jack Weiss as a leading innovator in the field of premium IOL implant surgery. This honor was given to only 250 surgeons world wide. The surgeons were selected by the PS250 for:
- Educating their colleagues about premium IOLs at ophthalmic meetings
- Conducting research to optimize patient clinical outcomes
- Digging into the diagnostic technology to assist in selecting the best patient, and the best lens for that patient
- Looking into the unique business aspects of premium IOL surgery, and
- Were the early adopters of the IOL technology
Click the image below to read the article in full:
Posted on May 6, 2010 in Latest News, New Technology
Our regular lives revolve around screens. TV screens, laptop screens, and workstation screens are the top three that dominate our time. While the majority of our time at work is spent sitting in front of a computer screen, one of the things we must be reminded of is how to keep our eyes healthy when constantly starting at the computer screen.
Some of the key things we need to take into account are the glare from our computer screens, font size, and the visual distance we need to keep away from the computer. Common symptoms that you may experience while at work are dry eyes, headaches, fatigue, and difficulty focusing. Surfing on the web or editing a Word or Excel document for long periods of time can take a toll on your eye muscles.
In some cases eye muscles become so consistently fatigued that it can lead to blurry distance vision. Here are some tips to ensure eye health while at work:
1) Exercise and Rest your Eyes – After 20 minutes of computer work, make sure to rest your eyes by scanning your office and looking at different objects at different vantage points around your room. This exercises the muscle in your eyes and gives them a break from being focused at such a close distance for a long period of time.
2) Artificial Tears and Blinking – We tend to blink less when staring at fixed objects for long periods of time. As a result, our eyes become dry and irritated. If you have ever experienced a sandy, irritated feeling in your eyes after spending so much time in front of the computer, you need to use artificial tears. Using these drops before the symptoms start will help you make better use of your computer time.
3) Adjust lighting – Glare from overhead fluorescent lighting or other competing light sources can cause a lot of strain on your eyes. Make sure your screen does not conflict with other lighting in your office. Close the blinds or shades on your office window if this helps. Remember, the more your eyes strain to see the computer, the less healthy this is in the long run.
Posted on May 4, 2010 in Latest News, New Technology
Latisse is being touted as one of the biggest beauty innovations of the decade. With the ability to give women longer, thicker lashes – it’s no surprise that more and more people are looking into alternatives. Latisse requires a doctor’s prescription and many patients who are enamored by the lash lengthening fluid want to get their hands on it without consulting their doctor. Many websites now actively sell bimatoprost (the active ingredient in Latisse) and advertise it as an easier way to lengthen lashes without a prescription. Many of these sites that sell bimatoprost are internationally based as to avoid US FDA laws that forbid the selling of the fluid to consumers without a prescription.
Using bimatoprost 0.03% ophthalmic solution as an off-label method of growing longer lashes can be dangerous for patients. The ophthalmic solution is meant to be used on the eye as an eyedrop as a treatment for glaucoma. The usage of ophthalmic solutions such as Careprost and Lumigan as a substitute for Latisse can be harmful – even when both contain the same percentage of bimatoprost as Latisse.
Using Careprost or Lumigan to imitate Latisse can lead to serious complications such as renegade lash growth, red eyes, irritation, and infection. While Latisse comes with disposable applicators, Careprost and Lumigan do not. Instead of using disposable applicators, users of Latisse substitutes will use q-tips or eyeliner brushes to apply the solution. Not sterilizing these tools can lead to bacteria build-up, increasing the risk of an eye infection.
It’s important to remember that the FDA approves these drugs for their intended purposes only. Lumigan and Careprost were created to treat glaucoma and were not created to lengthen lashes. Although all three do contain bimatoprost this does not mean that they all work to grow lashes in the same manner. Saving a few dollars may seem like a steal, but when it comes to the health of your eyes it is a high price to pay.
Posted on March 30, 2010 in Latest News
Have you ever experienced a stinging, burning feeling in your eyes? More often than not the feeling is caused by a condition called Dry Eye Syndrome. Many people may mistake symptoms of Dry Eye for getting a foreign substance like makeup or lotion in one’s eye. However if none of these substances is the culprit, this uncomfortable feeling is a sign that your eyes are not producing enough tears to keep them moist.
There are many external and internal culprits that cause dry eye syndrome. Living in a windy, dusty and dry area can be the sole cause. Many women experience dry eye syndrome due to hormone fluctuation. Birth control pills may contribute to dry eyes, along with menopause. Air-conditioned office environments also may increase dry eye symptoms. Diet is another factor as well – a lack of omega 3 fatty acids can cause the syndrome. A change in any of these factors can cause or cure dry eyes. But what if the symptoms still persist?
Frequent usage of artificial tears can relieve these symptoms. Depending on the severity of dryness, individuals can use artificial tears once a day and as frequently as once every hour. Bringing tears to air-conditioned or dry, windy places can help prevent discomfort before it occurs.
Please note that not all eye drops are good for dry eyes. Eye drops that are used to eliminate redness are NOT artificial tears. Unless the package label states that the formula contains artificial tears, do not use this to relieve dry eyes. Consult your optometrist or ophthalmologist to see what brands may work best for you.
For those with sensitive eyes, preservative-free artificial tears are recommended. Each brand of artificial tears may work differently on every individual – so try a few different brands and see which one works the best for you!
Posted on March 29, 2010 in Latest News
Here at GW Vision many of our patients who are big proponents of LASIK have been wearers of contacts. Over 35 million Americans wear contact lenses as a form of vision correction. Out of these 35 million 15% use extended wear contacts while another 15% wear gas permeable lenses – meaning a good 10.5 million Americans must be cognizant of maintaining their contact lenses daily.
Did you know that 1 out of 2,000 contact lens wearers will experience a vision-threatening infection? These odds are due to the fact that many contact lens wearers will oftentimes sleep with their contacts on, clean them poorly, or use their contacts longer than they are supposed to.
The odds of a vision- threatening infection due to LASIK are 1 out of 10,000 patients. These odds are indicative of the fact that LASIK is now safer than contacts. After decades of refinement and adjustment, LASIK is now the preferred form of correction because it eliminates the usage of contacts along with exposure to the health risks that frequent wear brings. Of course, the chances of contact lens-related infection will vary according to each person’s hygiene.
Contacts can, however, be a great solution for patients who are not good candidates for LASIK or PRK. A good contact lens fitting can make all the difference concerning eye health. Contact lenses that are too steep or flat for one’s eye can cause corneal damage. Be sure to consult your optometrist about your vision correction options before proceeding with either contacts or LASIK.
Posted on November 18, 2009 in Latest News
Have you ever experienced a stinging, burning sensation in your eyes? More often than not the feeling is caused by a condition called Dry Eye Syndrome. Many people may mistake symptoms of Dry Eye for getting a foreign substance like makeup or lotion in one’s eye. However if none of these substances is the cause, this uncomfortable feeling is a sign that your eyes are not producing enough tears to keep them moist.
There are many external and internal influences that cause dry eye syndrome. Living in a windy, dusty and dry area can be the sole cause. Many women experience dry eye syndrome due to hormone fluctuation. Birth control pills may contribute to dry eyes, along with menopause. Air-conditioned office environments also may increase dry eye symptoms. Diet is another factor as well – a lack of omega 3 fatty acids can cause the syndrome. A change in any of these factors can cause or cure dry eyes. But what if the symptoms still persist?
Frequent usage of artificial tears can relieve dryness. Depending on the severity, individuals can use artificial tears once a day and as frequently as once every hour. Bringing tears to air-conditioned or dry, windy places can help prevent discomfort before it occurs.
Please note that not all eye drops are good for dry eyes. Eye drops that are used to eliminate redness are NOT artificial tears. Unless the package label states that the formula contains artificial tears, do not use this to relieve dry eyes. Consult your optometrist or ophthalmologist to see what brands may work for you.
For those with sensitive eyes, preservative-free artificial tears are recommended. Each brand of artificial tears may work differently on every individual – so try a few different brands and see which one is most effective!
