Link for safe viewing of Eclipse 2024

The safest way to watch eclipse 2024-NASA shares conversations with experts and provides telescope views of the eclipse from several sites along the eclipse path on this link or or on the link in Instagram bio

 https://www.youtube.com/live/2MJY_ptQW1o?si=Z2uPSaEh7lIbuoGh

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #eyewear #sunglasses #eclipse2024 #eclipse

Solar Eclipse 2024

On April 8, a total solar eclipse will sweep across North America, passing through parts of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Vermont, New York, and Maine. Watching a partial eclipse outside the path of totality without proper eye protection can result in permanent damage including blurred and altered vision. It’s never safe to look at a solar eclipse. Depending on the time of the eclipse, even looking at it for a few seconds can damage the eye and the fovea.

When exposed to intense sunlight like during a solar eclipse, the cells in the retina can become damaged and cause long-term vision issues. Essentially, it’s like getting a sunburn on the most sensitive spot of the retina.

Even brief exposure lasting just a few seconds can cause solar retinopathy, resulting in mild to moderate loss of central vision. It can be permanent in some cases.

The astronomical society also recently warned of counterfeit “eclipse” glasses. It’s important also not to turn to regular sunglasses as an alternative. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the sun. Smoked glass, unfiltered telescopes or magnifiers, and polarizing filters are also unsafe.

If you experience discomfort or vision problems following the eclipse, visit our office for an in-person, comprehensive eye exam. In the meantime, avoid touching, rubbing, or applying pressure to your eyes. All symptoms should be treated as urgent until viewed by a doctor of optometry. It can take a few hours to a few days after viewing the solar eclipse to realize the damage that has occurred. 

Some common symptoms of eye damage from an eclipse include:

• Loss of central vision
• Distorted vision (e.g., a straight line looks bent)
• Color changes
• Blurry vision
• Headache
• Increased sensitivity to light

Our Doctors recommend NOT watching an eclipse. When in doubt, play it safe, watch the eclipse from a tv broadcast or YouTube.

(909) 596-6756 LaVerne (909) 982-0100 Upland

 www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Eye Love My Patients ♥️

 

Your eyes love you. Love your eyes. 😍 There are things you can do to help keep your eyes healthy and make sure you are seeing your best:

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Your diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially deep yellow and green leafy vegetables. Eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut can also help your eyes.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or having obesity increases your risk of developing diabetes. Having diabetes puts you at higher risk of getting diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.
• Get regular exercise. Exercise may help to prevent or control diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. These diseases can lead to some eye or vision problems. So if you exercise regularly, you can lower your risk of getting these eye and vision problems.
• Wear sunglasses. Sun exposure can damage your eyes and raise your risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Protect your eyes by using sunglasses that block out 99 to 100% of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.
• Wear protective eye wear. To prevent eye injuries, you need eye protection when playing certain sports, working in jobs such as factory work and construction, and doing repairs or projects in your home.
• Avoid smoking. Smoking increases the risk of developing age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts and can damage the optic nerve.
• Know your family medical history. Some eye diseases are inherited, so it is important to find out whether anyone in your family has had them. This can help you determine if you are at higher risk of developing an eye disease.
• Know your other risk factors. As you get older, you are at higher risk of developing age-related eye diseases and conditions. It is important to know you risk factors because you may be able to lower your risk by changing some behaviors.
• If you wear contacts, take steps to prevent eye infections. Wash your hands well before you put in or take out your contact lenses. Also follow the instructions on how to properly clean them, and replace them when needed.
• Give your eyes a rest. If you spend a lot of time using a computer, you can forget to blink your eyes and your eyes can get tired. To reduce eyestrain, try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds.
• Eye Exams and Tests Getting comprehensive dilated eye exams is especially important because some eye diseases may not have warning signs. The exams are the only way to detect these diseases in their early stages, when they are easier to treat.The exam includes several tests:

• A visual field test to measure your side (peripheral) vision. A loss of peripheral vision may be a sign of glaucoma.
• A visual acuity test, where you read an eye chart about 20 feet away, to check on how well you see at various distances
• Tonometry, which measures your eye's interior pressure. It helps to detect glaucoma.
• Dilation, which involves getting eye drops that dilate (widen) your pupils. This allows more light to enter the eye. Your eye care provider examines your eyes using a special magnifying lens. This provides a clear view of important tissues at the back of your eye, including the retina, macula, and optic nerve.

 (909) 596-6756 LaVerne (909) 982-0100 Upland

 www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Battling Dry Eyes In Colder Weather

For starters, cold air doesn’t hold as much moisture as warm air. The drop in humidity makes your tears evaporate even faster. Plus, you probably spend more time indoors with dry, heated air when temperatures are low.

This winter wallop can leave you with eye pain, blurry vision, and/or a gritty feeling. Your eyes might tear up when it feels like something is stuck in them. But these watery drops don’t stick around long enough to provide long-lasting moisture.

The good news is there are ways to protect and soothe your eyes this winter. You might need special drops, lifestyle changes, or other treatments. Your eye doctor can tell you what’s best. Here are some tips to get you started.

Use Artificial Tears

Over-the-counter (OTC) eyedrops are likely the first thing your eye doctor will suggest. If symptoms are mild, these “artificial tears” might be the only treatment you need. But there’s more than one kind. Ask your eye doctor which one is right for you. 

Many eyedrops come with preservatives. They help keep germs from growing inside the bottle, but they might bother your eyes. Consider switching to preservative-free drops if you use them four or more times a day. These come in single-use vials.

You can also try artificial tears in a gel or ointment form. They may blur your vision a bit, so it’s usually best to use them before bed.

Make Lifestyle Changes

Blink more. This helps give your eyes a fresh coat of moisture. You might blink less if you look at screens all day. Take a 5-minute computer break at least every hour. Or look 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This is called the 20/20/20 rule.

Change your contacts. Try soft lenses you throw away every day. If that doesn’t help, ask your eye doctor if you should get contact lenses made for people with dry eyes. Or you can switch to glasses.

1. Cover your eyes outdoors. Try wraparound sunglasses if regular shades don’t give you enough protection from the wind.
2. Turn heat away from your face. Shift car vents or heaters so they don’t blow directly toward your eyes.
3. Check your medication. Certain drugs or ingredients in them worsen dry eyes. Some examples include antihistamines and decongestants, antidepressants, birth control pills, and blood pressure meds. Tell your doctor about everything you take, including vitamins and supplements.
4. Add more omega-3 fatty acids. These are healthy oils found in fatty fish like salmon and tuna. There’s some evidence these fats may lower inflammation in your eyes or eyelids. They might help your glands make oily tears. You can also take omega-3 supplements. Ask your doctor if they’re right for you.
5. Drink more water. This is good advice for anyone. But your eyes might make their own moisture a little easier when you’re hydrated.
6. Take care during travel. Go over your winter vacation plans with your doctor, especially if you want to fly somewhere or take a mountain getaway. The air is dryer in airplanes and at high altitudes. You might need to take extra steps to protect your eyes.

Try Home Remedies

1. Use a humidifier. This’ll add moisture to indoor air. Keep one by your bed when you sleep. A humidifier might help a lot if you use a CPAP machine. CPAP machines help you breathe easier, but it can blow air toward your eyes. You can buy a small, portable humidifier. But a central humidifier can up moisture throughout your home.
2. Apply warm compresses. Cover your eyes with constant low heat for about 5 to 10 minutes. This might help boost blood supply to your meibomian glands. These are tiny glands along the edges of your eyelids. They make the oily part of your tears, which are a key part of your eye’s moisture layer.
3. Massage and clean your eyelids. This is another way to help the oil in your glands flow better.

Talk to Our Doctors

Dry eyes can hurt your vision over time. Keep our doctors in the loop if lifestyle changes and OTC choices aren’t enough. They may want to check for other health issues, including Sjogren’s syndrome.

Some, like uncontrolled diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, can worsen dry eyes. No matter what’s causing your symptoms, our doctors can work with you to help keep your eyes healthy.

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #eyewear #sunglasses #winter #dryeyes www.drboyeroptometrist.com

 

Sunglasses are important in winter 🥶

 

Winter brings cloudy days and dropping temperatures, but don’t put your shades away. Wearing your sunglasses when it’s cold is just as important as shielding you from the sun’s rays when it’s warm. 

So keep those sunglasses around (or opt for a special winter pair) to keep your eyes comfortable and protected from the harsh winter elements.

Here are five reasons wear sunglasses in winter:

1. Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays in winter

One big question everyone asks: Should you wear sunglasses in winter? 

In short, yes. No matter the time of year, your eyes need protection from the sun's ultraviolet rays. 

However despite the health risks and warnings, Vision Impact Institute research finds that while 75 percent of Americans are concerned about UV safety, only 31 percent wear sunglasses when they step outside. 

For optimal eye sun-safety, the American Optometric Association recommends wearing sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays and screen out 75% to 90% percent of visible light. 

2. Sunglasses should be worn for winter activities

Sunglasses aren’t just for sunny days at the beach or the slopes. In fact, everyone should be protecting their eyes in winter, too.  

For adults, sunglasses should be part of every daytime driving routine. Because a car’s windshield offers very little protection from UV rays and glare, protective eyewear is needed for safety. 

Outdoor leisure and exercise like skiing, running and hiking also call for proper eyewear to keep activities easy on the eyes, no matter your age. 

Ask your eye care professional for recommendations for the right sunglasses to fit your activities and lifestyle. 

3. High-quality sunglasses fend off some eye diseases

Well-made sunglasses do more than just keep your eyes covered and comfortable. 

In fact, wearing a high-quality pair of sunglasses also can help prevent certain eye diseases related to the sun, including cataracts, macular degeneration, pinguecula and pterygia.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world, according to the World Health Organization, with many cases believed to be enhanced by UVB rays. 

Macular degeneration also can occur after unprotected sun exposure, along with pinguecula and pterygia, which cause yellowish and raised bumps on the whites of the eyes. 

So whether the weather is looking bright or snowy, be sure to bring your sunglasses with you at all times to keep your eyes clear and healthy. 

4. UV rays are intensified during winter 

If sunglasses are for blocking the sun, should they still be worn on dreary winter days? Yes. And in some cases, it’s even more important to wear sunglasses in cold weather.

While the sun sits lower in the sky in the winter months, the UV rays are just as intense. And in some cases, the colder months actually bring a risk of double exposure to UV rays.

Sunlight bounces off wet and icy surroundings, producing a glare and doubling our exposure to harmful UV rays. So if it’s wet or snowy outside, be sure to bring your polarized sunglasses to shield your eyes from the glare. 

5. Sunglasses and goggles prevent snow blindness

As mentioned above, water is one of the most reflective surfaces. And whether the sun is fully visible or not, being on or near snow or ice increases the amount of UV radiation you receive. Many winter sport activities also usually take place at high altitudes, where the sun’s UV rays are stronger. 

When combined, reflective surfaces and high altitudes double your risk of getting sunburned eyes. This temporary loss of vision is also known as “snow blindness” or photokeratitis. 

In addition to preventing snow blindness, wearing sunglasses from November through March can help reduce winter glare and vision-related headaches. So if you’re hitting the slopes, selecting appropriate sunglasses for skiing and snowboarding is essential. 

Schedule an eye exam and discuss your winter activities with our doctors. They will help you find the right eyewear to keep your peepers protected and comfortable through the winter months.

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #eyewear #sunglasses #winter www.drboyeroptometrist.com

New Years hours 2024

Our offices will be closed Monday Jan 1st. Regular business hours resume Jan 2nd. 

Limited hours in our La Verne location only, Saturday December 31st 8-noon 

(909)596-6756 2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100 1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #eyewear #holidayhours #happynewyear www.drboyeroptometrist.com

 

Merry Christmas 🎄

 Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world  and is celebrated religiously by a majority of Christians, as well as culturally by many non-Christians The traditional Christmas narrative recounted in the New Testament, known as the Nativity of Jesus, says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in accordance with messianic prophecies. When Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, the inn had no room, and so they were offered a stable where the Christ Child was soon born, with angels proclaiming this news to shepherds, who then spread the word~Merry Christmas  #Christmas 

(909) 596-6756 LaVerne (909) 982-0100 Upland www.drboyeroptometrist.com