Category: Uncategorized

Fall Brings Renewed Vision Challenges

Back-to-school and the coming of Oregon’s rainy season present renewed challenges for us visually. Kids are moving from a year of intense computer work to in-classroom learning. It’s pretty easy for them to tell that they are having trouble trying to read the board in the classroom. Less obvious are problems that might interfere with their reading comprehension or ability to concentrate on near work. We recommend a yearly eye exam for school age kids, during which we check not only their distance vision, but their binocular function and focusing ability as well. This helps catch problems that might be interfering with their learning without them being aware of it!

For adults, especially older adults, the change in the weather and amount of daylight can cause problems while driving. Our rainy conditions make driving a challenge in several ways, but an out-of-date prescription can add to the difficulty of reading street signs or seeing the curve ahead. Developing cataracts are another source of decreased comfort with driving vision, especially the glare from oncoming headlights. As our days get shorter, we find ourselves unable to avoid driving in the dark, even in early evening. A routine eye exam may be able to help you feel safer and more confident in your driving vision as we enter the fall and winter season.

Blue-Light Filtering Glasses and Digital Eye Strain

With the recent Covid-related increase in computer and tablet use for all ages, it is important to do what we can to make our eyes comfortable while working on digital devices. Research studies do not indicate that the blue-light emitted by our electronic devices causes damage to the eye. However, many people claim symptomatic relief from digital eye strain while wearing blue light glasses. This may be due to an increase in contrast created by the blue light filter.  Studies have shown that exposure to blue light can affect our sleep patterns, and reducing exposure a couple of hours before bed is advised – by placing your deivce in night mode, using blue light glasses or simply turning them off.

Because some people are finding them helpful, we are carrying a selection of blue-light filtering glasses that can be purchased in the office with no prescription necessary. We have both no power (just blue-light filtering) and reading glasses with blue-light filtering available.

Many other factors contribute to digital eye strain.  Dry eye, uncorrected astigmatism, and eye misalignment are some factors that may need to be explored in an eye exam.  Improper positioning of the monitor and infrequent visual breaks are some things you may be able to improve upon yourself.  The screen should ideally be about 4-5 inches below eye level, and seating should allow you to have both feet on the floor and face the screen squarely.  Vision breaks are recommend every 20 minutes for 20 seconds (20/20) and should include looking into the distance to allow your eye’s focus to relax.  Strong squeezing blinks can also be helpful for dry eye symptoms.

More information about Digital Eye Strain can be found on the American Optometric Association website at https://www.aoa.org/news/clinical-eye-care/health-and-wellness/covid-19-digital-eyestrain.

Clean Up with our Fall Give-Away

We’re giving away a Zoria Skin Cleanser and a Zoria Eye-Makeup Remover to one lucky customer!

Stop in and fill out an entry slip or email us at [email protected] with “Zoria Giveaway” in the Subject line, include your name and contact information.

Drawing on November 1 – we will contact the winner, you do not need to be present to win.

Value $50

  • Winner must pick-up the products in the office.
  • One entry allowed per person
  • No purchase necessary

Zoria products are gentle and hypoallergenic for people with sensitive skin and contact lens wearers

Zoria Lash Intensifying Serum

Safer Results with Drug-Free Zoria® Lash Intensifying Serum from OCuSOFT – Monday, April 30, 2018

Safer Results with Drug-Free Zoria® Lash Intensifying Serum from OCuSOFT®

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rosenberg, TX (April 25, 2018) – In light of recent news reports, OCuSOFT Inc., a privately-held eye and skin care company with an established reputation for innovation in eyelid hygiene reiterates that Zoria® Lash Intensifying Serum, part of the Zoria® skin care line from OCuSOFT®, is completely drug-free. These reports have shown that prostaglandin or prostaglandin analog based lash enhancement products, both prescription and over-the-counter, can cause serious side effects to the eyes and surrounding areas.

Presently, there is some confusion in the marketplace due to FDA regulation between cosmetic ingredients and drug ingredients. Many cosmetic over-the-counter (OTC) formulas continue to use unapproved prostaglandin analog ingredients such as isopropyl proclostenate, decloro dihydroxy difluoro ethycloprostenolamide, and cloprostenol isopropyl ester, which are closely linked chemically to approved prescription drug ingredients (bimatoprost) thus subjecting users to potential side effects. There are no safety studies with such unapproved prostaglandin analogs. A recently filed class action lawsuit is an example where users of some cosmetic OTC eyelash enhancers containing unapproved prostaglandins experienced side effects normally associated with drug formulas. These include: eye irritation, iris color change, inflammation, and/or eye pressure changes. Upper eyelid sulcus deepening or orbital fat loss has also been reported resulting in a sunken, “hollow” eye appearance.

Non-prescription Zoria® Lash Intensifying Serum is a clinically proven, drug-free OTC formula that is non-irritating and delivers noticeable results without the potential side effects associated with other lash-enhancement products. Zoria® contains polypeptides in a patented formulation that work on all three phases of the eyelash growth cycle to strengthen, nourish and condition the eyelashes so that they will remain in their natural growing cycle longer. The result is the appearance of naturally thicker, darker, longer-looking eyelashes.

Troy Smith, Vice President Professional and Technical Relations OCuSOFT® states, “Just as we have marketed products that help maintain healthy eyelids, we also understand the importance of healthy, fuller, longer-looking eyelashes. As such, Zoria® Lash Intensifying Serum contains no prostaglandins and has NO SIDE EFFECTS.”

In the News

Check out these 5 tips from Medical News Today to help keep your eyes healthy! It’s not new advice, we’ve been saying it for years, but sometimes it’s good to hear it again! Like the rest of our body, our eyes need healthy habits for best health.