Davis EyeCare Associates EyeCare Update A Quarterly bulletin on new developments in the field of eyecare from Davis EyeCare —Your EyeCare Specialists Spring 2003 Vol. 9 No. 2

With innovative technol- ogy, excellent service and New Contact Lens Makes Glasses Obsolete a caring team, we at Davis EyeCare have a re- Monica Guterez has an many cases of astigmatism. who do not like wearing sponsibility to make our unusual contact lens glasses or contacts during patients aware of what wearing schedule. She Nearsightedness is caused the day but leery of the total eye health really puts them in before going by a steepening of the cor- LASIK surgical procedure. means. We do this with to bed and takes them out nea, the transparent tissue The LASIK patients often great pride and commit- when she wakes up. in front of the colored part complain of halos at night ment of the eye. In the LASIK and dry eyes and some- The lenses, described as procedure, a doctor uses a Special points of interest: times require a follow-up an alternate to LASIK laser and secondary proce- surgery, gently reshape surgical dure. Laser sur- DAVISEYECARE.COM Monica’s cornea while she knife to flat- gery did not Visit us at our new website. sleeps, allowing her to see ten the cor- seem like an op- You can now make an appointment, clearly during the day. nea. tion for me said order your contact lenses and solu- Wearing contacts during These spe- Rod Hurst of tions, find out information about the day can be a hassle. Chicago. It is so important new developments in cial de- The lenses pop out, need permanent. eyecare and general knowledge adjusting or can make the signed con- about your eye health. tact lenses apply a slight Hurst said his vision is bet- eyes itch. Contacts can be ter than 20/20.”It’s a mira- hard to wear in dry, dusty pressure to the center of On Call 24 Hours the eye, flattening the cor- cle, I can see without any- or smoky environments or thing in my eyes. Phone 708-636-0600 while swimming. nea and bringing the eye Cell: 708-935-7375 into focus. The lens must be In a FDA study of 205 us- In an emergency situation don't Dawn says contacts are worn nightly, or the cornea ers, 4 percent dropped out panic, just pick-up the phone and easier to wear at night. will revert to its original because the lenses were call someone you can trust. Treat- “When my eyes are closed, shape and the nearsighted- ment of all types of ocular infec- uncomfortable. The study I hardly notice them” said ness will return. Many found that 67% of the pa- tions, removal of foreign bodies Dawn who lives in Plain- times some patients can get from the eye, such as wood or metal, tients had 20/20 vision or treatment of allergies or dry eye, field. Another advantage: away with wearing the better and 95% had vision patient advocate for laser vision If she gets up during the lenses every second or third 20/40 or better. consultation and in a pinch contact night to look after the night. The lenses are made lens and eye glass replacements. children, I don’t have to out of an extended wear If your interested in wear- Davis EyeCare is now proud to have put on my glasses to see. material. The material is ing these new contacts that at its disposal the most sophisticated gas permeable meaning it will make your glasses ob- instrumentation for glaucoma diag- The corneal reshaping allows oxygen to reach the solete call Davis Eyecare nosis and treatment. Don’t worry, lenses can correct for all call the EyeCare Specialist— Davis eye during sleep. The night for an appointment. Ask for EyeCare but the most severe near- lenses will appeal to people the corneal reshaping lens. sightedness as well as Loaner Lenses Available HydroEye: Relief from Dry Eye Discomfort Professional contact lens care could make the difference! SO if you are without your lenses in the event of a Millions of Americans suffer tial fatty acids, plus the are experienced within 30 loss or damage, we can supply an from some form of dry eye. vitamins, minerals and -60 days although many immediate replacement lens for The key to relieving irri- essential cofactors neces- begin to experience relief uninterrupted lens wear. Eyeglasses tated dry eyes is to main- sary to regulate tear pro- within the first few can also be replaced immediately. If tain a healthy tear film that duction. weeks. If you experience you are in need of an immediate protects and lubricates your scratchy, gritty, burning, contact lens or eyeglass replacement eyes. It is estimated that 1 HydroEye works from in- excessive watering, red- visit our office or our web site at side out by delivering key daviseyecare.com. out of 5 suffer from discom- ness ask Davis EyeCare fort associated with dry nutrients that support about HydroEye Vita- eye.HydroEye contains a proper tear secretions and mins. Feel the difference. balanced mixture of essen- healthy tear film. Results PAGE 2 EYECARE UPDATE ISSUE 1 Unsung Heroes: eye clinic receptionists

Doctors, opticians, and technicians According to our clinic manager Lin ing than people in their 20’s. For- may play the leading roles in the Rose, the receptionists greet and eign language patients can provide theater of vision care, but at Davis check in about 150 patients a day special challenges notes optician EyeCare the show would not go on as well as answer about 225 tele- Patricia. You really feel satisfied without the receptionists. phone calls. "they when you have been able to lead are the first contact them through the process of filling “Ringing phones to be an- a patient has with their prescription. It is also chal- swered, patients appoint- our clinic”. “They lenging to be on the phone helping ments to be scheduled, are like a public re- a hearing impaired person with arriving patients to be lations department people standing in line waiting to greeted and checked in, and are critically be helped Jean continues. Other charts and bills to be important in facili- patients sometimes get impatient processed and countless tating patient vis- or don’t understand why you are questions to be answered– that’s all its.” Dr. Harold Davis agrees, “I taking so long. part of a days work for us,” says lead think of our receptionists as good- receptionist Kim Johnson. Kim is will ambassadors for me and my Despite all the challenges of their one of four receptionists at Davis colleagues.” positions, the receptionists say they EyeCare where adults and pediatric seldom feel unappreciated. “The patients come for routine eye exams, Simplifying the experience for pa- doctors respect us and let us know as well as for specialized care for tients can pose some challenges they are thankful we are here”, Kim conditions such as glaucoma, macu- when you have patients who don’t says. It is difficult to say enough lar degeneration, retinal detach- really understand the system says about the important role our recep- ment, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts Beth. They sometimes require more tionist play in the overall process of and lazy eye. patience in explaining and clarify- patients getting healed. Stop your Frustration: Disposable Bifocal Contact Lens

Most people don't know that contact lenses can cals. Still others opt for bifocal contact lenses. changing. A single word describes why Carol be bifocal, trifocal, or even progressive. But it's Reading glasses are inconvenient. loves her bifocal contact lenses: free- true: new multifocal contacts are being de- One of the most common com- dom. "I can go anywhere, do anything, signed each year for people with presbyopia, a plaints among presbyopes is having and don't have to be always looking for natural condition brought on by age, where the to put on and take off their reading my glasses, whether around my house, at eye's natural ability to focus on close objects is glasses all day long. Reading the office, or out shopping," says Carol, a lost. Eventually everyone glasses must be carried every- manager at a Chicago stock brokerage. "I after the age of forty needs where. And they are often put my lenses in the first thing in the a reading prescription. misplaced or forgotten, forc- morning and only take them out right Where people differ is how ing some people to buy sev- before the lights go out at night," she they deal with it. Some use eral pairs for different areas of their home says. She never wore contact lenses before get- reading glasses or bifocals. and workplace. ting her disposable bifocals. Next time your at Others choose progressive Readers and bifocals are unattractive. Davis EyeCare ask one of our Doctors about the eyeglass lenses, which They hide the eyes from the world and new disposable monthly soft bifocal lenses that correct near, intermediate, and far vision but emphasize age. will give the freedom as well as the comfort of without the unsightly lines of traditional bifo- Today Bifocal Disposable Contact Lenses are not wearing anything at all. Corneal Thickness adds breakthrough knowledge in Glaucoma A new risk factor for glaucoma that is chang- coma and might benefit from early treatment of include age, African descent, a family history of ing the way doctors evaluate a patient's chances elevated eye pressure. the disease and elevated eye pressure. Last year, of developing this eye disease has been discov- Glaucoma is actually a group of diseases that a major government-funded study looked at a ered. It's called central corneal thickness. can lead to damage of the eye's optic nerve and large group of patients with elevated intraocular Among patients with elevated eye pressure - the loss of vision. Most of the diseases are charac- eye pressure, but without signs of glaucoma main characteristic of the disease - those with terized by increased fluid pressure in the eye. such as nerve damage or loss of peripheral vi- thinner central corneal thickness measurements Glaucoma can affect anyone at any age. If de- sion. Half of the patients were observed but not were found to have a higher risk of developing tected early and treated, the condition can usu- treated for the elevated pressure, and half were glaucoma. ally be controlled and sight preserved. treated to lower their pressure. This study con- Measuring central corneal thickness is a simple The disease is often called "the sneak thief of firmed that Early glaucoma treatment with pre- test done with an ultrasound machine. It's sight”, because if it is not caught early and scription eye drops used on the patients with painless and brief, and the test is providing new treated effectively, it can lead to blindness. Well elevated eye pressure, but no signs of glaucoma clues to those who are at greatest risk for glau- -known risk factors for developing glaucoma damage, was effective in delaying or even pre- venting the onset of the disease. ISSUE 1 EYECARE UPDATE PAGE 3

Glaucoma and Retinal disease Nerve Fiber Analysis

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes The disease is indicated by the deterio- Nerve Fiber Analysis offers signifi- of preventable blindness in the ration and destruction of the retinal cant advantages over eye pressure United States. This year approxi- nerve fiber layer, which now can be measurements, which misses glau- mately 67 million people worldwide detected earli- coma approximately half of will suffer from this disease. About 2 est with a scan- the cases, and the visual fields million Americans have glaucoma but ning laser im- test is only effective at the about half are unaware that they aging. This new later stages of glaucoma, at have the disease. Others will be diag- technique is which time considerable loss of nosed only when it is too late to save known as nerve fiber and vision may vision. Currently 800,000 Americans Nerve Fiber have occurred. are legally blind from glaucoma. Analysis. It is made possible These tests are approved for Individuals at highest risk are those by a new device Medicare reimbursement and who are diabetic, nearsighted, or that measures by many insurance plans. have a history of eye injury or previ- the nerve fiber Call Kim at Davis Eyecare for an ap- ous eye surgery, those with a family layers thickness, thereby assessing the history of glaucoma, and for unknown pointment for a scanning laser image. level of optic nerve damage. Nerve Fi- The nerve fiber analyzer is just an- reasons, African and Mexican Ameri- ber Analysis is a non-invasive, com- cans. other investment Davis EyeCare has pletely painless procedure. made to care for your eyes. Ocular Allergies: Finally there is Relief

Allergies are one of the most common being annoying, ocular allergies may be Ocular allergy occurs when histamine is diseases experienced by Americans. In very disabling. Allergic released from mast cells. The symptoms fact, as many as 85 million people in the symptoms often interfere include burning, itching, watery discharge that is often white, thick U.S. suffer from allergies. Airborne aller- with everyday activities, ropey and is accompanied by nasal gens and other particles can land directly such as reading, working discharge and other allergic symp- on the surface of the eye, causing irrita- on a computer, driving toms. tion and redness. Although tears con- and playing sports. stantly wash the eyes, they can't always Allergic eye symptoms Allergies can't be cured, but they keep out allergens like pollen or pet dan- may be seasonal, usually can be alleviated to a large extent. der. in the late spring or fall For itchy allergy eyes, eye drops Those who have ocular allergies know when pollen counts are work faster than tablets and don't that they are a major source of discom- the highest. This is com- overmedicate by treating symptoms fort. They can contribute to eye dryness mon in persons with allergic rhinitis, you don't have. Ask Davis EyeCare about and other eye discomforts such as itchy, asthma, and eczema or hay fever. Up to PATANOL™, a fast-acting eye drop for redness, swelling and watery. But beyond 80% of hay fever patients may have aller- itchy eyes that works for 12 hours. gic eye conditions. Sunglass Protection for Prescription Wearers If you're a prescription wearer method developed to snap in be- lens with your there's good news. The eyewear hind the bridge and adapt a favor- custom prescrip- industry has adapted to your ite frame style for prescription tion. Often, the needs and you can now easily lenses. Inexpensive, fast, easy to manufacturer's wear sunglasses and sports eye- keep using the best of our opti- logo is etched wear that is precisely matched to cians at Davis EyeCare. onto the lens as a your prescription needs!  Authentic Rx symbol of au-  Fitovers: A separate Lens: Comes directly thenticity. You can order lenses sunglass developed to fit over 90% from the frame manufac- mounted in a wide variety of tints, of the prescription eyewear made turer, thereby giving you frames and lens styles directly from today. all the features of that our optical boutique.  Rx Adapters: A lens adapter manufacturer's specialty Having problems with your vision?

DAVIS EYECARE ASSOCI ATES Blurry vision causes difficulty driving at night as well as comprehen-

Davis EyeCare sion problems while reading for prolong periods of time. Sometimes 4663 West 95th Street blurry vision can signal other health related problems. Use this check Oak Lawn, IL 60453 list to determine if you should have an examination at Davis EyeCare. 708-636-0600 www.eyemanage.com  Eyes burn or feel strained after short periods of reading or other

Phone:708-636-0600 close work? Fax: 708-636-0606 Email: daviseyecare.com  Vision gets blurry when reading?

 Letters or words run together or move when reading?

 Get double vision when reading?

 Often loses place or omit words when reading? Davis EyeCare  Holds material very close when reading?

 Vision seems to come in and out of focus? Vision is Priceless  Experience flashes of lights or floaters?

 Feel pain around the eyes or headaches?

 Eyes itch or filled with debri?

If you answer yes to any of these questions and have been experienc- ing vision problems, you should call Davis EyeCare for an eye health appointment..

30-Day extended wear like wearing nothing at all

For many myopic consumers, performance in clinical tests has contact lenses have a reduced trans- tempted by laser surgery but been excellent. mission of oxygen of about 25-35 squeamish about the procedure, ex- Like all parts of our bodies, the Dk, 30-day lenses have a transmis- tended-wear contact lenses seem to cornea needs oxygen. When our sion of 175 Dk. Compared to nor- offer the ideal solution. They par- eyes are open, even if we are wear- mal disposable contact lenses, they ticularly suited, to busy and active ing contact lenses, it is easy to ob- enable up to 6 times more oxygen nearsighted and farsighted patients, tain a sufficient amount of oxygen, to reach the eye. who are tired of wearing spectacles but when we are asleep, with our Extended wear contact lenses, for and unhappy with contact lens clean- eyelids closed, oxygenation is re- up to 30 days of continuous wear, ing regimes. These patients may duced to only a third. give you undreamed freedom and even find the routine of inserting and Until recently sleeping with con- convenience. However, these new removing daily disposable contact tact lenses on had 30-day ex- lenses a chore. created another bar- tended For all its convenience, the extended rier to the flow of wear are -wear contact lens has had to over- oxygen to the eye, different come a certain amount of bad press. but things have now from tradi- The first examples of this lens, changed because tional soft launched in the '80s, caused some non-stop wear 30- lens con- user to complain of sore and red day, 24-hour contact lenses are tacts because they require more dili- eyes. Since then, however, great now available. A recent research gence in areas of fit, comfort, edu- leaps in contact lens technology study showed that, for safe use cation, and compliance. If your in- have given birth to a new generation during sleep, contact lenses must terested make an appointment for a of materials that offer much higher be able to transmit oxygen to at free trial supply of the 30-day ex- oxygen transmissibility and whose least 125 Dk level. While ordinary tended wear lens at Davis EyeCare.