About Photochromatic vs. Tinted lenses

Photochromatic lenses change from light to dark as you go from indoors to outside, then lighten again as you return indoors. This makes a great choice for professions that require continually walking between indoors and out, such as real estate or construction. Without photochromatics, these patients would constantly have to switch between their clear glasses and sunglasses. The darkening mechanism in these lenses is a chemical called silver halide. When exposed to UV light, the molecules are excited into a state of darkening. The more UV light exposure, the darker the lenses become. Photochromatic lenses do not darken very well inside a car because most windshields block out UV rays. So for people who want driving sunglasses, it is best to recommend a separate pair that is permanently tinted. Newer and more advanced technology allows more rapid darkening when you go outside and a more rapid return to clear when you go inside, and 100 percent UV protection.

In contrast to the changeable photochromatic lenses, another option in colored lenses is a permanent tint. Tints are available in almost any color desired. Lighter tints are often used as a fashion accent, while darker tints allow the wearer to use the lenses as sunglasses when paired with a UV coat. A tint can be solid-in which the entire lens is the same color-or gradient, a gradual fade from dark to light, usually fading from the top down. Keep in mind that a tint alone does not provide UV protection. To truly make a pair of sunglasses, you must combine the tint with a UV coat.

If you or someone you know has questions about eyeglass lenses including photochromatic lenses, tinted lenses or Transitions® lenses please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, Google+ or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.

Eye Infection: What You Should Know!

If you’ve experienced red, itchy eyes, you may have wondered whether it’s a symptom of allergies or dry eyes or a more serious condition, such as an eye infection. Here is an overview of allergies and dry eye as compared to an eye infection.

About Allergies & Dry Eyes
Symptoms of Allergies or Dry Eyes

• If you work at a computer for an extended time or have allergies to products or airborne substances, you may experience dry, red or irritated eyes.
• Generally allergies and dry eyes affects both eyes.
• Treatment options usually include resting your eyes or using an over-the-counter or prescription eye drops, as recommended by your eye doctor.

About Eye Infections
Symptoms of Eye Infections

• Frequently occurs when bacteria, fungi or viruses attack any part of your eye, including the surface, membrane lining of the outer eye and inner eyelid, interior portions or the soft tissue of the eyelid.
• Infections inside the eye or in the soft tissue of the eyelid are the most dangerous and if left untreated, the condition may spread throughout the eye.
• Symptoms usually include redness, pain, discharge, watering and sensitivity to light; usually occurs only in one eye; if symptoms are detected, immediately contact your eye doctor for an evaluation

Types of Eye Infections
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) – A common infection that is highly contagious.
Viral Keratitis – Can be simply related to a respiratory virus or cold or more serious such as Ocular Herpes that occurs when exposed to the Herpes Simplex Virus.
Fungal Keratitis – A fungus commonly found in organic matter such as soil, leaves or branches of a tree.
Acanthamoeba Keratitis – A parasite that attacks the eye more often in individuals wearing contact lenses and swimming in pools, lakes, ponds, hot tubs or streams who are at increased risk for contracting this infection.
Trachoma – Usually found in underdeveloped countries. Typically infects the inner eyelid along with eyelashes touching the area can infect the cornea and cause permanent blindness.
Endophthalmitis – Occurs with a penetrating eye injury or complication following eye surgery and if left untreated, may lead to blindness.

Preventing Eye Infections

• If you experience symptoms associated with an eye infection, contact Doctor & Associates immediately. Prompt treatment is necessary to reduce the risk of permanent blindness.
• To avoid eye infections, wash your hands throughout the day, especially if you are near an individual with a red eye or other signs of infection. Contact lens wearers should follow care and handling instructions provided by their eye doctor.

If you or someone you know is concerned about having an eye infection please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, Google+ or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.

ADHD, Eye & Vision Problems

Parents of school age children often approach us and wonder if some of the attention or behavior issues that their kids experience are related to a vision problem or are simply a manifestation of their ADHD or ADD. This is a question MANY parents of children diagnosed with ADHD and ADD ask!

ADHD, Vision & Refractive Error
A recent study reported in the journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus (AAPOS) discussed the notion that there was an association between ADHD/ADD, uncorrected refractive-errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism-and visual acuity. The investigators performed a case matched controlled study that included 56 ADD/ADHD children diagnosed according to criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV-TR), along with 66 age-matched control children and then examined both groups for uncorrected visual acuity for distance and near, cycloplegic refraction-an eye test to measure uncorrected refractive error with eye drops, ocular motility, and binocular function. Their results showed that ADD/ADHD children had similar visual acuity at distance and near and refractive errors as normal subjects. Eye movement and the ability to use both eyes together, or “binocular function”, as well as focusing ability were also found to be similar in both groups and thus probably did not contribute to ADD/ADHD type behavior.

If you or someone you know has ADHD and is concerned about any effects of vision problems, refractive errors or decreased visual acuity please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, Google+ or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.

Cataracts Cause Night Driving Problems

As we age, the onset of cataracts is sometimes very slow and subtle. In fact many patients try to ignore the symptoms of cataracts-blur, cloudiness, glare and light sensitivity-and just cope with the vision decrease. One symptom of cataracts that is difficult to ignore and is also the most troubling, is how disturbing cataracts can be while trying to drive at night. Driving at night is already difficult enough as reduced lighting can cause you to misjudge distances and boundaries like the edge of the road or distance between you and other vehicles, as well as simply causing an overall dimming of your vision. If you are becoming afraid to drive at night and you suspect or have been told that you have the beginning of a cataract it might well be time to consider whether cataract surgery might be a good option to help you regain your night driving safety and comfort level.

If you or someone you know feels they have night driving problems that might be related to cataracts or has a question about cataracts, laser cataract surgery or lens implants please feel free to schedule an eye exam by calling Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, Google+ or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.

Why is Polycarbonate THE Lens of Choice for Kids?

Polycarbonate is the type of high-index lens. It is thin and lightweight like other high-index lenses, but it has some extra features that make it a very appealing option. It is the standard for safety glasses and for children's glasses due to its impact resistance. In case of an eye injury polycarbonate material will not shatter and will protect the eye. Poly can withstand impact forces much greater than any other lens material. In addition, polycarbonate provides excellent inherent UV protection without having to pay extra for a UV coat application to the lens. It has low specific gravity, which means, ounce for ounce, that poly is lighter than other lens materials. Polycarbonate should be the only material used in rimless or semi-rimless frames, any other material will likely crack in such a frame. Finally, poly's impact resistance allows a laboratory to ground it thinner than any other material. With all these good points, polycarbonate is a very soft material and therefore is more prone to scratches. For this reason, most labs will automatically apply a scratch coating to poly lenses. Polycarbonate is also more difficult to tint, especially in dark shades. Despite some drawbacks, choosing polycarbonate as a lens option is often easy to justify; it is lightweight, thin, has UV protection as an inherent property, is very safe, and typically has a scratch coat automatically applied. It is one of our most used lens materials.

 If you or someone you know has questions about children’s eyewear or eyeglasses, please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County,  Google+ or or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.