The doctor only checks for your ability to read an eye chart.  If you can't, he will refer you to an Eye Doctor for further evaluation.  However, your family doctor does not check for glaucoma, the leading cause of blindness in the United States.  In addition, your family doctor most likely does not thoroughly examine the internal structures of your eye.  It is here that an Optometrist can see signs of hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes, atherosclerosis (the hardening of blood vessels), and certain cancers.  In all, more than 40 systemic diseases and disorders can be detected in an eye examination alone.  In addition, our vision changes as we grow older due to the natural changes in the eye.  It becomes increasingly more difficult to focus on near objects as we pass forty years old.  This condition, Presbyopia, requires a special prescription for reading and near work, and is diagnosed using a special near-point eye chart not commonly found in general practitioner's offices.  Eye exams are an imperative preventive step in maintaining general health and optimum visual acuity.

The natural aging process effects the eye as it does every other part of the body.  As we age, the lens in the eye becomes hazy and cloudy.  The lens focuses images on the light sensitive nerve endings (the retina) in the back of the eye.  When it becomes cloudy, sharp images cannot be accurately focused.  The symptoms of cataracts often go unnoticed because the change is gradual.  For this reason, it is very important to have a regular eye exam to help ensure early detection of cataracts.  There is good scientific evidence now to lead eye doctors to the conclusion that the development of cataracts is hastened by exposure to Ultra Violet radiation.  For this reason, every pair of glasses sold by Dr. Tavel's One Hour Optical includes a UV filter to provide enhanced protection to your eyes.

Who is susceptible to Glaucoma?
Everyone. But Conditions believed to increase risk are:

• Age over 45
• Family history of glaucoma
• African descent
• Diabetes, myopia (nearsightedness), or long exposure to cortisone products
• Previous eye injury

There are no symptoms to warn of glaucoma's attack. The only way to ensure that the disease does not lead to blindness is to detect it ... and treat it ... in its early stages. That's why the Dr. Tavel Optical Group has made it a top priority to educate the public about glaucoma and the critical importance of routine eye exams.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States.  This condition typically involves an increase in intra-ocular pressure, but can occur with low or normal pressure as well.  It is typified by certain changes to the optic disk (the place where the optic nerve enters the eye) and by losses in the visual field - a narrowing of peripheral vision.  It is an easy vision problems to treat if caught early, yet its damage is irreversible if left unchecked.  Glaucoma usually does not have noticeable symptoms until it has progressed and caused significant, irreversible vision loss.  Tonometry, which measures the intra-ocular pressures, and ophthalmoscopy, where the doctor actually views the inside of the patient's eye, are the only tests to detect glaucoma in the early stages.  Every eye examination at Dr. Tavel's One Hour Optical includes both tonometry and ophthalmoscopy.  The only way to detect glaucoma in the early stages is through an annual eye exam.  If you have not had an eye exam in the last twelve months, contact the Dr. Tavel One Hour Optical closest to you.

Normal eye with a clear flexible lens (white area)	Eye with presbyopia - lens becomes less flexible(yellow lens)

The lens of the eye becomes less flexible as we age.  The lens focuses images on the light sensitive nerve endings (the retina) in the back of the eye by adjusting it's shape according to its distance from the image being viewed.  As the lens becomes less flexible, it can no longer adjust itself to focus on near objects.  As you enter your forties, you may find that you need to hold reading matter farther out in order to comfortably focus on it.  This condition is called Presbyopia.  Bifocals, trifocals, or progressive (no-line bifocal) lenses are used to correct this condition.  If you have noticed that your arms are not long enough to read, contact the Dr. Tavel's One Hour Optical closest to you to schedule an eye examination.

Progressive lenses, also known as No-Line Bifocals, are lenses that include your distance prescription in the upper portion of the lens.  The bottom portion of the lens contains your near point prescription.  There is a "channel" between the near and distance sections where the power gradually progresses from your distance, through intermediate to near prescription.  This is accomplished without the tell-tale lines of a standard bifocal.  So not only do you experience more natural vision with a Progressive lens, nobody but you and your eye doctor need to know that you are old enough for bifocals!

Protective eyewear should be worn for most sports to protect your eyes.  Just as there are differences in eyewear for reading or safety goggles, different sports require various types of eyewear.  Skiers should have special goggles, contact sports require special frames and lenses to protect the eyes from injury.  Every year, you see more and more professional athletes wearing protective eyewear.  Soon, it may be mandatory in many sports.  Every day eyewear will not afford you protection from injury, and may even make matters worse.  Contact Dr. Tavel's One Hour Optical to learn more about the type of sports glasses you need.

The claims that you will not need glasses after surgery are not necessarily true.  According to the Federal Trade Commission, some people still need corrective lenses after the surgery.  Also, as we grow older the lens in our eye changes.  Virtually everyone will need glasses, at least for reading, eventually.  In addition, the surgeons who perform this operation consider 20/40 vision correction to be good enough.  Do you?  It may be good enough to pass a driving test, but it is certainly not satisfactory vision for optimal performance.  Ask your Dr. Tavel Associate Optometrist for more information on refractive surgery.