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Multifocal Eyeglass Lenses

Multifocal Eyeglass LensesJust as eyeglass frames have continually changed to reflect the latest fashions, eyeglass lenses also have evolved. This is particularly true for multifocal lenses – eyeglass lenses with more than one power to help those of us over age 40 deal with the normal, age-related loss of near vision called presbyopia.

History of multifocal eyeglass lenses

Benjamin Franklin, the early American statesman and inventor, is credited with creating the first multifocal eyeglass lenses. Prior to Franklin’s invention, anyone with presbyopia had to carry two pairs of eyeglasses – one for seeing distant […]

By |January 30th, 2014|Categories: Eyeglasses, Vision Over 40|0 Comments

Occupational Bifocal And Trifocals

Occupational Bifocal and Trifocal Lenses

Occupational Bifocal and Trifocal LensesAn occupational lens is a type of multifocal that is specifically suited for performing a particular job or hobby. Glasses with these lenses are special-purpose eyewear and are not designed for everyday wear.

The Double-D Bifocal: For reading and overhead near work

The Double-D is an occupational bifocal which consists of a D-shaped flat-top bifocal at the bottom of the lens and an upside-down flat-top near segment located at the top of the lens. The rest of the lens area consists of distance correction.

People […]

By |January 30th, 2014|Categories: Eyeglasses, Vision Over 40|0 Comments

How Progressive Lenses Work

Progressive Lenses

Progressive LensesProgressive addition lenses (also called progressives or PALs) are the most popular multifocal lenses sold in the United States. Sometimes called “no-line bifocals,” these line-free multifocals provide a more complete vision solution than bifocals. Instead of having just two lens powers like a bifocal – one for distance vision and one for up close – progressives have a gradual change in power from the top to the bottom of the lens, providing a range of powers for clear vision far away, up close and everywhere in between.

Progressive lenses […]

By |January 30th, 2014|Categories: Vision Over 40|0 Comments

Reading Glasses

Reading GlassesAre you someone who never needed glasses before, but you now can’t read a newspaper without stretching your arms to the limit?

This normal change in our eyes is called presbyopia. As the lens inside our eyes ages, it loses its ability to focus on close-up objects. Most people notice this some time after age 40, when small print starts to blur.

The simple solution to presbyopia is reading glasses. Single vision reading glasses (those that have just one power and are used just for near vision) come in two styles: full-size, in […]

By |January 30th, 2014|Categories: Vision Over 40|0 Comments

Dry Eye After Menopause

What is Dry Eye?

Dry EyeStudies show that more than 14% of older Americans have dry eye syndrome. If you are 50 or older and female, your chance of developing dry eye is even greater. In fact, the American Academy of Ophthalmology says hormonal changes make older women twice as likely as older men to develop dry eye and accompanying symptoms such as eye irritation and blurred vision.

Women who have undergone menopause may experience disrupted chemical signals that help maintain a stable tear film. Resulting inflammation also can lead to decreased tear production. […]

By |January 30th, 2014|Categories: Vision Over 40|0 Comments

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

What is Lazy Eye?

Amblyopia, also known as “lazy eye,” is the lack of normal visual development in an eye, despite the eye being healthy. If left untreated, it can cause legal blindness in the affected eye. About 2% to 3% of the population is amblyopic.

Lazy Eye signs and symptoms

Amblyopia generally starts at birth or during early childhood. Its symptoms often are noted by parents, caregivers or health-care professionals. If a child squints or completely closes one eye to see, he or she may have amblyopia. Other signs include overall poor visual acuity, eyestrain and headaches.

What causes amblyopia?

The most common cause […]

By |January 30th, 2014|Categories: Eye Conditions|0 Comments

Astigmatism

What is Astigmatism?

AstigmatismAstigmatism is one of the most common vision problems, but most people don’t know what it is.

Many people are relieved to learn that astigmatism is not an eye disease. Like nearsightedness and farsightedness, it is a type of refractive error – a condition related to the shape and size of the eye that causes blurred vision.

In addition to blurred vision, uncorrected it can cause headaches, eyestrain and make objects at all distances appear distorted.

Astigmatism signs and symptoms

If you have only a small amount of astigmatism, you may not notice it […]

By |January 30th, 2014|Categories: Eye Conditions|0 Comments

Blepharitis

What is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids, occurring particularly at the lid margins. It’s a common disorder and may be associated with a low-grade bacterial infection or a generalized skin condition.

It occurs in two forms: anterior blepharitis and posterior blepharitis.

Anterior blepharitis affects the front of the eyelids, usually near the eyelashes. The two most common causes of anterior blepharitis are bacteria and a skin disorder called seborrheic dermatitis, which causes itchy, flaky red skin.

Posterior blepharitis affects the inner surface of the eyelid that comes in contact with the eye. It is usually caused by problems with the oil (meibomian) […]

By |January 30th, 2014|Categories: Eye Conditions|1 Comment

Cataracts

What are Cataracts?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. The lens works much like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The lens also adjusts the eye’s focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away.

The lens is mostly made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and allows light to pass through it. But as we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud […]

By |January 30th, 2014|Categories: Eye Conditions|0 Comments

CMV Retinitis

What is CMV Retinitis?

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is a sight-threatening disease associated with late-stage AIDS. In the past, about 25% of active AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) patients developed CMV retinitis. However, this figure appears to be dropping thanks to a potent combination of drugs that help restore the function of the immune system.

CMV retinitis signs and symptoms

When the cytomegalovirus invades the retina, it begins to compromise the light-sensitive receptors that enable us to see. This does not cause any eye pain, but you may see floaters or small specks and experience decreased visual acuity, distorted vision or decreased peripheral vision. […]

By |January 30th, 2014|Categories: Eye Conditions|0 Comments