JULY is Ultraviolet Safety month (UV)

Studies show that long-term exposure to bright sunlight may increase the risk of cataracts and growths on the eye, including cancer.

UV rays reflected off sand and water can cause eyes to sunburn, potentially resulting in temporary blindness in just a few hours. In support of UV Safety Month this July, our office reminds our patients and friends of the importance of shielding eyes from the sun’s harmful rays with 100% UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats.

Here are some tips:

• Don’t focus on color or darkness of sunglass lenses: Select sunglasses that block UV rays. Don’t be deceived by color or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the price tag or how dark the sunglass lenses are.
• Check for 100 percent UV protection: Make sure your sunglasses block 100 percent of UV-A rays and UV-B rays.
• Choose wrap-around styles: Ideally, your sunglasses, either the lenses of the frame, should wrap all the way around to your temples, so the sun’s rays can’t enter from the side.
• Wear a hat: In addition to your sunglasses, wear a broad-brimmed hat to protect your eyes.
• Don’t rely on contact lenses: Even if you wear contact lenses with UV protection, remember your sunglasses
• Don’t be fooled by clouds: The sun’s rays can pass through haze and thin clouds. Sun damage to eyes can occur anytime during the year, not just in the summertime.
• Protect your eyes during peak sun times: Sunglasses should be worn whenever outside, and it’s especially important to wear sunglasses in the early afternoon and at higher altitudes, where UV light is more intense.
• Never look directly at the sun. Looking directly at the sun at any time, including during an eclipse, can lead to solar retinopathy, damage to the eye’s retina from solar radiation.
• Don’t forget the kids: Everyone is at risk, including children.
• Protect their eyes with hats and sunglasses. In addition, if possible, try to keep children out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest.

In addition to the proper safety eyewear, regular eye exams for early detection and treatment of eye conditions and diseases are essential to maintaining good vision at every stage of life.

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

 

JULY: UV Safety Month

Studies show that long-term exposure to bright sunlight may increase the risk of cataracts and growths on the eye, including cancer.

UV rays reflected off sand and water can cause eyes to sunburn, potentially resulting in temporary blindness in just a few hours. In support of UV Safety Month this July, we’d like to remind our patients of the importance of shielding eyes from the sun’s harmful rays with 100% UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats.

Here are some tips:

• Don’t focus on color or darkness of sunglass lenses: Select sunglasses that block UV rays. Don’t be deceived by color or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the price tag or how dark the sunglass lenses are.
• Check for 100 percent UV protection: Make sure your sunglasses block 100 percent of UV-A rays and UV-B rays.
• Choose wrap-around styles: Ideally, your sunglasses, either the lenses of the frame, should wrap all the way around to your temples, so the sun’s rays can’t enter from the side.
• Wear a hat: In addition to your sunglasses, wear a broad-brimmed hat to protect your eyes.
• Don’t rely on contact lenses: Even if you wear contact lenses with UV protection, remember your sunglasses.

• Don’t be fooled by clouds: The sun’s rays can pass through haze and thin clouds. Sun damage to eyes can occur anytime during the year, not just in the summertime.
• Protect your eyes during peak sun times: Sunglasses should be worn whenever outside, and it’s especially important to wear sunglasses in the early afternoon and at higher altitudes, where UV light is more intense.
• Never look directly at the sun. Looking directly at the sun at any time, including during an eclipse, can lead to solar retinopathy, damage to the eye’s retina from solar radiation.
• Don’t forget the kids: Everyone is at risk, including children.
• Protect their eyes with hats and sunglasses. In addition, if possible, try to keep children out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest.

In addition to the proper safety eyewear, regular eye exams for early detection and treatment of eye conditions and diseases are essential to maintaining good vision at every stage of life.

Schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam today with Dr Boyer or Dr Brian to ensure you’re staying on top of your health and can work with your doctor’s to address any issues.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750

 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD www.drboyeroptometrist.com

How To Get Rid Of Under Eye Bags

 

Under-eye swelling or puffiness is a common cosmetic concern. Often referred to as “eye bags,” these areas of swollen tissue under eyes can add to the appearance of aging or sleepiness. According to the Mayo Clinic, bags under eyes rarely signal a serious health condition, but many people still struggle with this feature of their appearance. 

Puffy eyes and dark circles under the eyes occur for many reasons, including genetics, allergies, stress, eye fatigue, and salt consumption. Swelling around the eyes is caused by an accumulation of fluid in the surrounding skin tissue. Because the skin around the eyes is very thin, swelling and discoloration can be easily visible.

Bags under eyes generally result from a variety of factors, including:

• A weakening of the muscles around the eyes, which happens naturally with age
• Consuming too much salt
• Allergies
• Genetics
• Dehydration
• Lack of Sleep 
• Stress

Lifestyle Changes

Reduce your salt intake: Too much salt in your diet can cause your eyes to puff, as excess sodium levels can lead to fluid retention. If you think too much salt may be the cause of your puffy eyes, cut back on salty foods

Eat potassium-rich foods: A healthy intake of potassium acts as a counterbalance to high sodium levels. The combination of too much sodium and not enough potassium not only causes puffy eyes but relates to your cardiovascular health as well. Bananas, avocados, spinach, sweet potato, coconut water, yogurt, and other potassium-rich foods help restore the balance of potassium in your body and reduce the water retention that contributes to bags under the eyes.

Stay hydrated: When your body is dehydrated, it tries to retain more water, causing your under eye area to swell. The Mayo Clinic’s water drinking recommendations are that men drink about 3.7 liters of water per day, while women drink about 2.7 liters.

Manage Stress

Medical studies show that stress changes the salt balance in your body. If salt and water balances are off, your eyes can retain more water and swell as a result. Stress also causes some people to lose sleep. Lack of sleep causes the blood vessels under the thin skin of the eyes to dilate, creating the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Look for ways to reduce your stress, such as the following recommended by the Cleveland Clinic:

• Exercise
• Quitting smoking
• Meditation
• Deep breathing
• Counseling

Another way to reduce stress is by maintaining a relaxing bedtime routine.

Home Remedies for Puffy Eyes

To accelerate your treatments of puffy eyes, you can also use home remedies such as: 

• Chilled spoons
• Frozen bags of peas
• Gentle facial massages
• Eye creams*

*Be aware some eye cream preservatives and retinoids around the eyes can cause skin dryness to the sensitive under eye area, or even do damage to the glands that nourish the eye, and can cause dry-eye syndrome. [dry eye syndrome or blepharoconjunctivitis are the most common side effects, appearing in 20-50% of patients treated with retinoids. They often contribute to other occurrences or side-effects such as ocular discomfort and contact lens intolerance.]

Surgery

With aging, and in other cases, the only true treatment might be a surgical procedure known as lower eyelid blepharoplasty. It’s always good to talk to our doctors who can recommend qualified surgeons in our area.

And last but not least…

Skin Protection 

Protect your skin from the sun (sunlight damages the skin and makes eye bags worse)

• Use UV protection sunblock 
• Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection (polarized vs non polarized sunglasses-we’ll post that in another blog article)

Schedule an appointment for your yearly eye exam and discuss this information with our doctors to get the best medical advice for your personal situation.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

#undereyebags www.drboyeroptometrist.com

March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month

Smart phones, laptops, tablets and the other digital devices we use at work and on the go put information at our fingertips. They can also put a strain on our eyes.

7 Ways to Prevent and Relieve Eye Strain

• Adjust your work space – looking down at your workstation can be the ideal position for keeping your eyes comfortable.  Make sure you keep your distance between 20 to 24 inches between your eyes and your computer screen.  Also, the center of your screen should be about 10 to 15 degrees below your eye level.  Adjusting your workstation to these ideal positions will help keep your eyes, back and neck most comfortable.
• Use proper lighting – use curtain, blinds, other window treatments to avoid glare and eye strain.
• Blink more – blinking is healthy and provides your eyes with much needed nutrients and moisture.
• Modify your computer’s display setting – adjust your settings, text size and color temperature to reduce eye strain.
• Take breaks – give your eyes a break from the screen by following the 20/20/20 rule. This will help avoid and relieve digital eye strain. Every 20 minutes, look away from your computer toward something 20 feet away and focus on it for at least 20 seconds.
• Use prescribed specialized eyeglasses that can improve your productivity, comfort and vision.

During Save Your Vision Month, we want to remind you to be alert for symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome: eye strain, dry eyes, headaches, fatigue, blurred vision and loss of focus. 

If you experience any of these signs, schedule an appointment at one of our 2 offices. We can suggest changes in your digital work habits or prescribe specialized eyeglasses.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

#workplaceeyewellnessmonth www.drboyeroptometrist.com

UV Safety Awareness Month

Studies show that long-term exposure to bright sunlight may increase the risk of cataracts and growths on the eye, including cancer.

One day can still do damage 

If your eyes are exposed to excessive amounts of UV radiation over a short period of time, you will likely experience photokeratitis. Like a "sunburn of the eye," photokeratitis can be painful, with symptoms including red eyes, a foreign body sensation or gritty feeling in the eyes, extreme sensitivity to light and excessive tearing....potentially resulting in temporary blindness in just a few hours. Fortunately, these symptoms are usually temporary and rarely cause permanent damage to the eyes.

Overexposure Over time

The longer the eyes are exposed to solar radiation, the greater the risk of developing cataracts, eye cancer, pterygium (surfer’s eye) or macular degeneration later in life. It is not clear how much exposure to solar radiation will cause damage. So, whenever you spend time outdoors, wear a wide-brim hat as well as quality sunglasses that offer UV protection.

To provide adequate protection for your eyes, sunglasses should:

• Block out 99 to 100% of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.
• Screen out 75 to 90% of visible light.
• Have lenses that are perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors in bright sunlight, consider wearing wraparound frames for additional protection from the harmful solar radiation. Don't forget protection for children and teenagers. They typically spend more time in the sun than adults. 

Also, certain contact lenses can provide additional UV protection, which is why it is so important to visit your optometrist when renewing your prescription—to ensure your contacts are the right fit for your lifestyle and level of sun exposure, which is something that so-called “online vision tests” cannot provide.

Don’t forget indoor risk

Artificial sources of UV light such as welding machines, tanning beds and lasers can also pose serious eye health issues. As part of your annual comprehensive eye exam, be sure to talk to your doctor of optometry about any indoor risks—as well as your outdoor activities in all seasons—so that your level of UV exposure can be assessed and the appropriate UV absorbing glasses and/or contact lenses prescribed for your individual needs and ongoing protection. 

Our Dr.’s can provide you with best and most up-to-date information on protecting your eyes. 

Call for an appointment today. (909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 or (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Eye Strain

 You probably use screens for just about everything -- to work, to relax, or just to keep up with daily life. If your eyes feel dry and tired, your vision is blurry by the end of the day, or your head, neck, and shoulders ache, all that time with your digital devices might be to blame.

If you change how you use smartphones, computers, tablets, and other screens, you can keep from straining your eyes.

Why Do Screens Cause Eyestrain?

Normally, we blink about 15-20 times a minute. That spreads tears evenly over your eyes, which keeps them from getting dry and irritated. But researchers have found that people blink less than half as often when they’re reading, watching, or playing on a screen. Also, the contrast of text against the background, the glare, and flickering from digital screens can be hard on your eyes.

Prevent Digital Eyestrain

No, you don’t have to cut out all screen time. But a few changes to how your use your devices can be easier on your eyes.

• Make sure your computer screen is about 25 inches, or an arm's length, away from your face. The center of the screen should be about 10-15 degrees below eye level.
• Cut glare by using a matte screen filter. You can find them for all types of computers, phones, and tablets.
• Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
• Take a longer break of about 15 minutes after every 2 hours you spend on your devices.
• Use artificial tears to refresh your eyes when they feel dry.
• Try putting a humidifier in the room where you most often use a computer or other device.
• Make sure the lighting in the room you’re in is bright enough. You don’t want your device to be brighter than the surroundings.
• If you wear contact lenses, give your eyes a break by wearing your glasses.
• Get regular eye exams. You might need to use a different pair of glasses when you’re working on a computer.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Can Your Eyes Get Sunburned?

The simple answer is YES! Our skin and our eyes are organs. This makes them susceptible to the elements, which mean that like our skin, our eyes can become sunburned from prolonged exposure. There are simple things you can do to prevent photokeratitis, which is essentially damage to the cornea from sunlight exposure. Cataracts and macular degeneration are some of the long-term issues linked to prolonged UV exposure.

3 Ideas for Protecting Your Eyes in the Summer

• SUNGLASSES! Wearing protective eyewear is an essential for summer. There are a lot of great stylish sunglasses to choose from that can protect your eyes while keeping you looking great. Larger frames will always protect more of your face so consider oversized styles for prolonged exposure. Also, when shopping for sunglasses, the most important feature to keep in mind is full UV coverage. You want to look for a sticker that says UV 400 which covers UVA and UVB lights or 100% UV protection.
• Large brim hats are very much in style right now. When outside and exposed to the sun, wear one that shades your eyes.
• While at the pool, beach, lake, or river, consider an umbrella to create a shaded spot for yourself and your family.

How Are Sunburned Eyes Treated?

There are things you can do to make yourselves more comfortable while waiting for it to resolve. These include:

• Applying a cold compress to the eyes. A cold wash cloth over the eyes can reduce pain and swelling.
• Using artificial gel teardrops or a lubricating ointment. This can reduce the gritty or sandy feeling in the eye.
• Taking over-the-counter pain medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium can help reduce inflammation and irritation in the eye.
• Avoiding further sunlight exposure. Don’t worsen your existing injury.

Don’t Forget About Those Overcast Days

Even on days when you don’t see the sun, your eyes are exposed to UV rays. Wind, glare, and ultraviolet radiation exposure are always present. Regardless of the time of year, sporting the right protective eyewear is important for your overall eye health. Avoid the short and long-term effects of UV damage (and look stylish) by simply throwing on a pair of shades year-round.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and safe summer!

Haven’t had your annual eye exam yet? Call for an appointment today.(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Can I get sunglasses in my contact lenses?

Yes! Transition lenses are now available in contact lenses. Vistakon has partnered with Transitions to create Acuvue Oasys contact lenses with Transitions. 

Oasys is the number one contact lens in the world. It is a proven 2 week disposable lens that provides excellent comfort, vision and now with Transitions, filters out harmful UV rays and protects the eye from bothersome glare. These lenses darken outdoors in the sun and then lighten up when you walk inside so they can be worn all day long. 

If you’re interested in contact lenses that have Transitions sun lenses come on in. We have free trials and they could be a great option for you.

Easily make an appointment at Drboyeroptometrist.com

Watch how ACUVUE® OASYS with Transitions™ works

Come in and try these new contact lenses out with a pair of free trials at www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Introducing ACUVUE® OASYS with Transitions™

Lenses are not a replacement for sunglasses.

Light - while essential for sight - is also challenging for the visual system to cope with. Nearly two-thirds of people (64%) admit to being bothered by harsh or bright lighting conditions on a daily basis.

The coping mechanisms adopted when light becomes troublesome include shading or averting the eyes, turning down the brightness of digital devices and turning off room lights. Actions which are certainly inconvenient, and for some behaviors such as squinting, have the potential to cause visual discomfort.

Introducing ACUVUE^® OASYS with Transitions™

Ten years in development, ACUVUE^® OASYS with Transitions™ is a first-of-its-kind light-responsive contact lens that combines the proven senofilcon A material with a photochromic additive copolymerized homogeneously throughout the lens matrix.
ACUVUE^® OASYS with Transitions™ seamlessly adapts to balance the amount of indoor and outdoor light entering the eye, including filtering blue light* and blocking UV rays.

• The lens blocks up to 15% of light indoors, mainly in the high energy visible (HEV) range, and up to 70% of visible light at full activation.
• It begins to darken as soon as it is exposed to sunlight, is dark in 45 seconds, and fades back within 90 seconds.
• In objective measures of functional vision, ACUVUE^® OASYS with Transitions™ has been shown to deliver significant improvements in both the partially-activated (outdoor state) and inactivated states (indoor state) over the leading reusable contact lens.
• In subjective clinical evaluations, ACUVUE^® OASYS with Transitions™ has been shown to be superior in multiple indoors and outdoors performance metrics over the leading reusable contact lens.
• Among those with a preference, ACUVUE^® OASYS with Transitions™ was preferred over the leading reusable lens. 

Come in and discuss if this lens is right for you with Dr Boyer today... Click on our website to call or schedule an appointment.

The Contact Lens That Knows Light

When the light gets too bright, these contact lenses can filter it. Ask us how you can #SquintlessSeeMore with NEW ACUVUE^® OASYS with Transitions^TM
These lenses are not a replacement for sunglasses.
See Safety Info: https://www.acuvue.com/important-safety-information