National Safe Toy and Gifts month

 Roughly 1 in 10 children's eye injuries that end up in the ER are caused by toys. In support of Safe Toys and Celebrations Month this December, Doctors advise parents to be cautious when choosing holiday gifts for young people and recommends avoiding those that launch projectiles, such as crossbows and BB guns. 

• Read labels for age recommendations before you buy. To select appropriate gifts suited for a child's age, look for and follow the age recommendations and instructions about proper assembly, use, and supervision.

• Don't just give presents. Make sure to be present. Always make sure an adult is supervising when children are playing with potentially hazardous toys or games that could cause an eye injury. 

• Know what to do (and what not to). If someone you know experiences an eye injury, seek immediate medical attention from an optometrist. As you wait for medical help, make sure to never to touch, rub, apply pressure, or try to remove any object stuck in the eye.

Injuries other than grit in the eye or small scratches to the eye should be considered potentially serious. If you can't get to an optometrist right away (we have emergency numbers on our answering machines for you to call), go to the emergency room.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

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

www.drboyeroptometrist.com

November is Diabetic Awareness Month

 People with diabetes are more likely to develop blinding eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. Yet recent studies have revealed low awareness of the issue among ethnicities at higher risk for diabetes. With the findings signaling that many Americans may not be defending themselves against diabetes-related vision loss, Dr Boyer and Dr Brian encourages those with diabetes to take proactive steps to protect their vision.

Diabetic eye disease has no warning signs, however, early detection and timely treatment can help reduce the risks.  An annual, comprehensive dilated eye examination is one of the best ways to detect early signs of diabetic eye disease.  Taking your diabetic medication as prescribed, maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and refraining from smoking can also help control your diabetes which lessens your risks of diabetic eye disease.

Ways that diabetic eye disease may affect your eyes:

• Cataract: Clouding of the lens of the eye
• Diabetic retinopathy: damage to the blood vessels in the retina
• Glaucoma: increases the fluid pressure inside your eye and leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision

It is a good idea to have an annual comprehensive eye examination even if you do not suffer from diabetes and especially if you’ve experienced any visual problems.  If you suffer from diabetes, make sure you have a comprehensive eye examination with dilation each year.  Make an appointment with our experienced trained doctors today.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

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

Healthy Aging Month 👵🏼

 

Like any other part of your body, your eyes age as you get older. In honor of Healthy Aging Month, here are a few tips to help keep your eyes healthy as you age.

Aging is a process that brings many changes. Vision loss and blindness, however, do not have to be one of them. There are several simple steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy for the rest of your life.

One in six Americans age 65 and older have a vision impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. The risk of eye disease increases with age, yet many older adults neglect to see an optometrist for care. We want to bring attention to taking care of our eyes as we age, by recognizing Healthy Aging Month, and to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of vision loss - and steps to help seniors take care of their sight.

• Get regular eye exams                                        Comprehensive eye exams are recommended on a regular basis for adults and those who frequently use computers. *For those 65 and older, as well as those with family history of eye disease, it is advised that you visit your eye doctor more frequently. We have two convenient locations and hours to see you.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.                                           Loading up on fruits and vegetables can help keep your eyes healthy and disease free. Dark, leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and collard greens, which are good for your overall health and well-being, are especially good for eye health. Eye health benefits also come from eating fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut.
• Know your risk factors 
  As you age, you are at higher risk of forming age-related eye diseases and ailments such as AMD, cataract, diabetic eye disease, dry eye, and glaucoma. Having a family history of eye disease also puts you at higher risk. And being heavy or obese increases your risk of forming diabetes and other systemic conditions that can lead to vision loss. If you are having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, talk to your doctor.
• Use protective eyewear                                                          Put on protective eyewear like goggles, safety glasses, face shields, and eye guards when playing sports or doing activities around the home and encourage your family and close friends to do the very same. Most protective eyewear lenses are made of polycarbonate, which is 10 times sturdier than other plastics. Our office sells protective eyewear. 

One of the most common changes to your vision as you age is an increased difficulty in performing near-vision tasks, like reading and close work. This is known as presbyopia, the worsening of vision that occurs with age. As you age, the lenses in your eyes thicken and lose their elasticity, and the muscles surrounding the lenses weaken. 

• Did you know that you should have a baseline comprehensive eye exam at least by age 40?

While vision loss and blindness are not a normal part of aging, some vision changes such as losing focus, having trouble distinguishing between colors such as blue and black, and needing more light to see well are common. These changes can often be corrected with contact lenses or glasses and improved lighting.

Visit our offices today and get a comprehensive eye exam 

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

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

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

Why does Grampa need reading glasses?

A normal aging change that affects everyone is presbyopia. Presbyopia means old eyes. It is the loss of focusing of the crystalline lens in the eye. Sometimes confused with far sightedness or hyperopia it is something different. With hyperopia the eye works harder to focus a near object but it is able to focus. With presbyopia the eye is unable to focus. That's why Grampa needs reading glasses. Presbyopia typically begins around 40 and gradually gets worse as you approach your fifties. It usually levels off around 60. It can be corrected with glasses. Traditionally bifocals or reading glasses were used. Now there are other options. Today most people use progressive addition glasses or PAL's. PAL's have no lines. They look like regular glasses. PAL's have gotten quite sophisticated and work well for all vision tasks. Multifocal contact lenses are also available. Mono vision contacts or LASIK is an option. Presbyopia is another reason to get a regular eye exam. When you get your eyes checked ask your eye doctor about the the new options available for old eyes that keep you looking younger.

Call or go online to schedule a evaluation and eye exam

Dr Boyer Optometrist