What to Expect at Yardley Eye Care

At Yardley Eye Care, we work hard to make each appointment for every patient a comfortable and pleasant experience. We make the effort to help you schedule an appointment that best fits your schedule and we try to make the best use of your valuable time. We offer an online New Patient Center that allows you to fill out necessary forms prior to your visit to better facilitate the process. Whether you are visiting for an eye exam, contact lenses, eyeglasses or other optical care, here is what else you can expect at Yardley Eye Care.

A TEAM OF CARING, EYE CARE PROFESSIONALS

Dr. Brian Cohen, our optometrist at Yardley Eye Care, chooses each member of our team to provide the best in personalized care for our optometry patients. Our eye doctor and his team are committed to superior vision care and patient services. You should expect individualized attention and a genuine concern for the vision of you and your family.

FAMILY EYE CARE FROM YOUR EYE DOCTOR NEAR YARDLEY

Yardley Eye Care provides eye care for the entire family. Whether you are interested in eye care for school aged children or concerned about the deteriorating vision of a senior, we are here to help. You can expect to find a wide range of services from eye exams to contact lenses and eyeglasses. Our optical care includes designer frames, sunglasses, and disease detection and treatment. We offer pre and post-operative care for LASIK and other eye surgeries.

THE BEST IN EYE CARE SERVICES FROM YOUR YARDLEY OPTOMETRIST

We have been named “One of the Best” in the Optometrist category for 2015 and 2016 in the Courier Times. Our customers often leave nice comments about us on our social media pages and each day we strive to bring each patient the superior level of service they deserve. Our Professional and friendly staff at Yardley Eye Care can help you understand your insurance options. We can also help you locate financial alternatives to ensure you get the best eye care possible.

SEE FOR YOURSELF! MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!

We invite you to call us at 215-369-3937. Make an appointment and discover the Yardley Eye Care experience for yourself. We are located at 1581 Big Oak Road in Yardley, PA.

Types of Contact Lenses

TYPES OF CONTACT LENSES PROVIDED BY YOUR OPTOMETRIST IN YARDLEY

First available over 40 years ago, contact lenses originally came in one type–hard and thick. In addition, getting used to these early contacts took repeated visits to your eye doctor who monitored your eyes for signs of abrasions or infection. Fortunately, advanced contact lens technology now offers a variety of contact lenses that are soft, flexible and much more comfortable to wear. Today, just about anybody can wear contact lenses regardless of their vision or eye health problems. Following a contact lens eye exam, your optometrist in Yardley will discuss the different types of contact lenses and which type may work best to accommodate your vision needs.

GAS PERMEABLE CONTACT LENSES

People with keratoconus or giant papillary conjunctivitis benefit from GP contacts that reduce accumulation of protein deposits while providing crisp, clear vision. Giant papillary conjunctivitis often arises from wearing traditional hard or soft contact lenses. Symptoms of GPC include burning, stinging, excess tearing and mucus production. For those with keratoconus (bulging cornea due to weak fibers holding the cornea in place), wearing GP contacts helps prevent worsening of corneal bulging by providing support of damaged fibers.

TORIC CONTACT LENSES

If your optometrist in Yardley diagnoses you with astigmatism, toric contacts may be prescribed to correct blurriness and distortion attributed to astigmatism. Toric lenses are uniquely designed to actually rotate and align with the astigmatic curvature of your eye to remove blurriness. Toric lenses are customized to precisely fit the shape of your eye’s surface.

MULTIFOCAL/BIFOCAL CONTACT LENSES

People with nearsightedness or farsightedness often need to switch to bifocal or multifocal lenses in their 40s or 50s as aging eyes become presbyopic. This means different prescriptions are necessary to improve up close and distant vision simultaneously. A standard eye exam can discover if you have presbyopia.

CONTACT LENSES FOR DRY EYES

Your eye doctor will prescribe lubricating eye drops if you have chronically dry eyes and want to wear specialty contacts. In some cases, dry eyes may require a minimally invasive procedure involving insertion of tiny plugs in eye ducts to help retain fluid levels in the eyes.

CONTACT OUR LOCAL OPTOMETRIST IN YARDLEY, PA FOR MORE INFORMATION TODAY!

Schedule an appointment for a contact lens eye exam today by calling Yardley Eye Care at 215-369-3937.

Toy Safety & Eye Injuries

Children see a lot of action-adventure movies and television shows and they want their toys to help them act out many of the characters, but this also means they will be playing with toys such light sabers, spider web-makers and wands. Many of these toys come with sharp edges and loose pieces; all of which can put your kids at risk of an eye injury. The last thing any parent wants is for their children to get an eye injury, especially when it comes from one of their toys. Choosing the right toys for eye safety is an important concern for all parents, so here are a few tips to ensure your children are playing with age-appropriate, eye safe toys.

CHOOSING AGE APPROPRIATE TOYS

Before buying your children expensive web-makers or light sabers and other toys that do special effects, make sure that you check the packaging. Most, if not all toys, have a recommended for age included on the packaging, so only buy toys that are the appropriate age limit for your children. Your children’s eyes are vulnerable to injury, especially small children. The size of the toy is also important. If toys are small enough to fit in their mouth, it can also fit into their eye and easily cause eye injuries.

AVOID HAZARDOUS TOYS

It is important to buy only toys that are sturdily constructed, so there isn’t a risk of them breaking apart. Also remember to check to make sure there aren’t any toxic paints or finishes that could peel off and land in children’s mouths and/or eyes. Stuffed animals should be washable and not have any small pieces that can be pulled off, such as eyes or buttons. Toys with handles should have rounded handles and be firmly attached to other pieces. Avoid toys with rough and/or sharp edges as well as toys that shoot objects up in the air. Make sure children wear eye safety goggles when playing with toys, such as woodworking or chemistry sets. If you aren’t sure wish goggles provide the best protection, talk with your local optometry center for recommendations.

Educate older children about the safety of playing with toys that may be unsafe for younger siblings. For example, encourage older siblings to play with toys, such as slingshots or toys with sharp edges away from where younger children are playing and make sure toys for older children are kept out of the reach of younger children.  An ounce of prevention can prevent help eye injuries in your children. If you have any concerns about age appropriate toys and eye safety, be sure to talk with your Yardley optometrist.

CONTACT OUR YARDLEY EYE DOCTOR FOR MORE SAFETY TIPS TODAY

One of the best ways to ensure eye safety for your children is by scheduling regular eye exams, so contact Yardley Eye Care today to schedule your children’s annual eye exam.

The Importance of UV Protection

The summer months invite you to spend time in the sun and exploring outdoor activities. The challenges are maintaining the health of your eyes and preventing complications from UV radiation. By taking measures to protect your eyes, you reduce the risk of complications to your vision.

WHAT IS UV PROTECTION?

When an optometrist discusses UV protection, it relates to the measures you take to prevent sun damage to your eyes. We may suggest prescription lenses with UV protective coatings or similar tools to limit sun exposure in your eyes.

WHY CONSIDER SUNGLASSES OR PROTECTIVE LENSES?

You want to wear sunglasses or protective lenses with UV protection as a strategy to prevent certain complications with your vision. Excessive exposure to UV radiation during the summer months or throughout the year increases the risk of damage to your eyes, cataracts or even a loss of vision. We may suggest additional measures to keep your eyes healthy when you have a higher risk of certain conditions or when your eyes are sensitive to light.

While bright light raises concerns about your eye health, a key part of eye care is recognizing the dangers in different conditions. Do not assume that cloudy weather does not require UV protection. You should protect your eyes with proper prescription lenses and UV coatings in every weather condition.

WHEN TO TALK TO AN EYE DOCTOR

Talking to an eye doctor about your vision and sun protection depends on your situation. As a general rule, you want an eye exam each year to check on the current health of your eyes. We may also recommend more regular visits when you have certain conditions, a risk of eye conditions or for pregnant women. Children and older adults may also benefit from regular visits with an optometrist to prevent damage to the eyes.

Visiting our clinic during the spring and summer months allows us to help you find the right strategies to protect your eyes. We may suggest sunglasses, wearing a hat or similar eye care solutions to prevent damage to the eyes and limit the risks from the sun.

CONTACT YARDLEY EYE CARE FOR MORE INFORMATION TODAY!

Protecting your eyes from UV radiation is a key part of maintaining your vision and preventing complications in your eyes. At our clinic, we help you find the right strategies to keep your eyes healthy when you spend time in the sun or engage in outdoor activities. To learn more about protecting your eyes during nice weather conditions or to set up an appointment in our clinic, contact us at (215) 369-3937 today.

The Different Types of Prescription Lenses

The prescription lenses that are placed inside of your glasses vary based on your eye needs. An optometrist in Yardley will perform an eye exam to determine what type of lenses you need and the strength of the lenses. Here are a few of the different types of prescription lenses that may be prescribed to you by an eye doctor.

SINGLE VISION LENSES

Single vision lenses are the most common type of lenses prescribed by optometrists. These types of lenses can help a patient see one distance, either near, intermediate or at a distance. If you only need help while reading or at a distance, this is the right type of lens for you.

PROGRESSIVE LENSES

If you have trouble seeing at multiple distances, progressive lenses may be best for you. These lenses allow you to see at multiple distances without having to take your glasses off or swap them for other ones. If you need help seeing all the time, this lens may be prescribed to you by an eye doctor.

BIFOCAL LENSES

Bifocal lenses allow the person wearing them to clearly see up close and to clearly see at a distance. There is no transition or intermediate length between them though. This is best for those who can’t see long distances or short distances but can see at an immediate length fine.

ACTIVE LENSES

Active lenses are often prescribed to children and those who live an active lifestyle. This type of lens is thinner and lighter than traditional lenses, yet is more durable and less likely to crack or break if dropped, sat on or stepped on.

HIGH INDEX LENSES

If you have a strong prescription, you may expect to have thick glasses. But high index lenses are changing that up. These lenses are ideal for those who have strong prescriptions but are much thinner and lighter. This allows you to see without having to hide behind bulky glasses that can take away from your face.

CALL OUR OPTOMETRIST IN YARDLEY!

If you are looking to schedule an appointment with an optometrist in Yardley, Yardley eye care would be happy to provide you with the best treatment. Call us today at (215) 369-3937 to schedule an appointment.

Glaucoma Awareness

Did you know that glaucoma is the most common cause of vision loss in this country? All of us at Yardley Eye Care want to make sure our patients know about the signs and symptoms of the disease, as well as the treatments available for those who develop it. If it’s caught early enough, glaucoma can be controlled in almost all cases, delaying or eliminating the danger of loss of vision.

OPTOMETRIST EXPLAINS GLAUCOMA RISK FACTORS

While it’s possible for anyone, at any age, to develop glaucoma, some people are more likely depending on certain history and lifestyle factors. According to Dr. Bryan Cohen, our optometrist, you’re more likely to develop the disease if you:

  • Are African-American, Asian, or of Hispanic descent
  • Have a family history of the disease
  • Have diabetes
  • Are over 60
  • Are extremely nearsighted

CAUSES OF GLAUCOMA

The inside of your eye is filled with a fluid, with enough to equalize the pressure from outside and inside the eyeball. This fluid circulates in and out of the eye, much like the water flows into a swimming pool and out the filter. In almost all cases of glaucoma, something blocks the drainage ports that allow the fluid to drain, causing it to back up and causing pressure inside the eye. This increased pressure damages the optic nerve in the back of the eye.

In some rare cases, patients have sensitive optic nerves that are damaged with normal pressure, or they suffer from optic nerve damage from other causes.

DIAGNOSING AND TREATMENT

The only way to diagnose glaucoma is during a comprehensive optometry examination. If our optometrist finds signs of developing the disease, the first treatment is almost always prescription eye drops designed to lower the pressure inside your eyes. More advanced cases call for other treatments like those using lasers or surgical procedures. Eye exams are key, though, so if you haven’t had one in at least a year, call our office at 215-369-3937 to schedule an appointment today.

Differences between Comprehensive Eye Exams & Contact Lens Exams

Here at Yardley Eye Care, our optometrists in Yardley offer both comprehensive eye exams and contact lens exams. The type of exam you need will depend on when you had your last eye examination and your corrective lens needs.

COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAM VS EXAMS FOR CONTACT LENSES

Comprehensive eye exams are an in-depth vision and eye health exams that test your visual acuity and for certain eye diseases. Exams for contacts, by contrast, only check your visual acuity and fit you for contact lenses.

COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMS

When you schedule an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam, you can expect your visual acuity, depth perception, and peripheral vision to be tested. You’ll also undergo an eye pressure test for glaucoma.

These exams also include a dilated eye examination to check the back of your eyes. This allows our eye doctor to check your retina, macula and optic nerve for signs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy and problems with the retina.

If you have any eye health problems, our optometrist will explain the finding and recommend a course of treatment along with monitoring. If any problems with your visual acuity are found, you will be given a prescription for eyeglasses.

CONTACT LENS EXAMS AND EVALUATIONS

Contact lens exams and evaluations include two appointments. These exams do not include an eye health examination beyond a glaucoma test and tests for conditions that would affect your ability to wear contacts.

  • First Appointment – Your first appointment for a contact lens evaluation with our eye doctor includes a visual acuity test via a Snellen eye chart, vision correction testing, evaluation and measurement of the cornea to determine the type and size of the contact lens to be used.  Trial contact lenses will be put on the eyes and your vision re-assessed.  This evaluation may or may not be done at the same time as your annual comprehensive exam.   If this is your first time wearing contact lenses, you will be instructed on the proper wear and care and taught techniques for insertion and removal of the lenses.
  • Second Appointment – Your second appointment is scheduled after you have been given the opportunity to wear your new contact lenses for a period of time.   This appointment double-checks the fit of your lenses and your corrected vision and to ensure that you are happy with the comfort and vision with the lenses.

SCHEDULING YOUR EYE CARE EXAM WITH OUR OPTOMETRIST

If you are unsure as to which type of exam you need, our optometrist would be happy to answer your questions. In general, you need a comprehensive eye examination every 12 months, and you need a contact lens exam every 12 months or when your last contact lens prescription expires.

Annual Comprehensive Eye Exams

HEALTH BENEFITS OF COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMS AT YARDLEY EYE CARE IN YARDLEY, PA

Your annual comprehensive eye exam at Yardley Eye Care in Yardley, PA check for more than your visual acuity. Annual eye health exams can detect eye diseases and chronic illnesses before they start negatively impacting your vision and your overall health.

SEE CLEARLY WITH ANNUAL EYE CARE EXAMS

Annual eye care exams are essential for children, teenagers, adults and senior citizens. These exams test your near and distance vision for refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia and astigmatism. If your vision is not 20/20, you will need a prescription for glasses or contacts so that you can see clearly. If you already wear glasses or contacts, annual exams help keep your prescription up-to-date.

DETECT EYE DISEASES EARLY WITH EXAMS FROM OUR EYE DOCTOR

Annual eye exams help detect chronic eye diseases, like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, cataracts, detached retinas and macular dystrophy. These eye diseases often do not cause any other symptoms than vision loss, which can lead to blindness if the condition is caught in the advanced stages. While you should definitely see an eye doctor anytime you notice changes in your vision, once you lose vision due to an eye disease, that vision is often not recoverable.

DETECT CHRONIC DISEASES EARLY

Annual eye exams can help detect chronic diseases and health problems at extremely early stages. This is because certain diseases can impact the health of your eye, especially if they affect the blood vessels or nervous system. Common diseases detected by eye exams include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and certain types of tumors.

Two other diseases include multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One of the symptoms of MS is optic neuritis or inflammation of the optic nerve. RA can be detected if an individual has multiple bouts of iritis, which is inflammation of the iris or colored part of the eye.

WHEN TO SCHEDULE A COMPREHENSIVE EYE HEALTH EXAM WITH OUR OPTOMETRIST

Our optometrist recommends that everyone receive a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year. Senior citizens and those with certain eye conditions and/or health problems, like diabetes and high blood pressure, may need more frequent eye exams in order to monitor their vision and eye health.

To schedule your yearly comprehensive eye exam with our eye doctor in Yardley, contact us at 215-369-3937.

Diabetic Retinopathy 101: Causes & Symptoms

Diabetes is a common health problem that can lead to many complications for people afflicted with it—including diabetic retinopathy.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY 101: CAUSES & SYMPTOMS

One of the hallmark issues for a person with diabetes is they have a hard time controlling the amount of sugar in their blood. Sugar, which is known to have an inflammatory effect on the body, can lead to damage and leaking of the small blood vessels located behind the retinas (thin tissues in your eyes, in the back, which collects and converts visual information so that it can be sent to the brain (via the optic nerve) for processing. Over time, diabetic retinopathy can cause new abnormal blood vessels to grow behind the retina, leading to scar tissue and further retinal damage.

Unfortunately, retinal damage can occur for a while before any symptoms develop. When symptoms do present, they often include blurry vision and “floaters” in the line of sight.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Dr. Brian Cohen has been a leading doctor of optometry serving the Yardley community and surrounding Pennsylvania communities since 1997. In that time, he’s met thousands of individuals living with diabetes and related eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy.

If you or a loved one has diabetic retinopathy, then consider consulting with our optometrist. After providing an accurate diagnosis (which includes visual acuity testing and a dilated eye exam), he can offer you a customized treatment plan to meet your current and future vision needs.

Common treatments for diabetic retinopathy offered at our optometry clinic include vision correction and low vision tools. Including eyeglasses and magnifying devices. We can also work closely with your primary care physician to ensure you’re managing your diabetes well, since this will significantly impact the progression of your diabetic retinopathy.

PROTECT YOUR EYESIGHT WITH HELP FROM OUR YARDLEY EYE DOCTOR!

At Yardley Eye Care, we consider it to help you and your loved ones achieve better eyesight no matter what type of health condition you may be facing. If you have diabetes, don’t wait until you notice an issue with your eyesight before coming in to see us. Contact us today to schedule an appointment! Our phone number is 215-369-3937. We look forward to serving you!

Causes and Symptoms of Dry Eyes

DRY EYES IN YARDLEY

Dry eye is an extremely common eye condition, affecting persons with and without vision correction needs. Dry eye tends to affect people more as they age, and it is more common in women than in men. Your Yardley optometrist is here to assist you with determining the cause of your dry eye condition and connecting you with the best possible course of treatment. Our mission is always to help restore clear vision, comfort and optimal eye health for all our clients.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DRY EYES?

Dry eye can cause the eyes to feel and become:

  • Itchy
  • Irritated
  • Gritty
  • Cloudy
  • Sensitive to light
  • Less amenable to contact lens wearing
  • Intermittent watering

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DRY EYES?

The causes of dry eye can be internal, artificial and environmental. Some of the top causes of dry eye include:

  • Exposure to windy, dry conditions
  • Lack of humidity
  • Side effect of medication
  • Neurological condition
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Tear gland malfunction
  • Hormonal changes during pregnancy
  • Aging (women over 40 are most prone to dry eye)

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TREATMENTS FOR DRY EYES?

Some of the most effective treatments for dry eye are prescription eye drops and ointments. However, lifestyle changes can also make a big difference. Avoiding dry conditions, changing medications, placing a humidifier in the home and modifying device usage can also make a big difference. A procedure using plugs to slow or stop the drainage of tears from the eyes can also be implemented. Scleral contact lenses can help individuals who have ocular surface disease. Yardley Eye Care For Effective Dry Eye Treatment Your Yardley optometrist Yardley Eye Care is here to assist you in finding relief from the condition of dry eye. We’ll begin with a thorough exam and expert diagnosis of your condition so that we can treat it at the root. Our goal is to use the least invasive method and intervention possible so that you can experience lasting relief.

Contact Us Today No matter what the cause, we offer a range of optometry services to assist you in getting lasting relief and experiencing improved vision. Don’t suffer from dry eye any longer when relief is close at hand. Contact your Yardley optometry clinic Yardley Eye Care to make an appointment.

Questions?

Contact us today! We’re here to help!