Yearly Archives: 2019

Symptoms and Treatment of Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a condition in which the front part of the eyeball, known as the cornea, is shaped incorrectly, and therefore light does not focus properly on the retina.  This leads to blurred vision at any distance from an object.

Symptoms 

Astigmatism can affect both children and adults.  The following factors might indicate the presence of this condition:

  • Headaches
  • Eyestrain
  • Squinting
  • Distorted or blurred vision at all distances
  • Difficulty driving at night

Some of these symptoms may be mild and therefore go unnoticed, especially in children.  That is why it is important to have regular eye exams with an experienced optometrist like Dr. Martin at Family Vision Development Center in Aurora.

How Is It Diagnosed? 

A comprehensive eye exam is the most effective way to diagnose common eye conditions like astigmatism.  At Family Vision, Dr. Martin will first complete a thorough consultation, asking detailed questions about family history, medications, and any current vision symptoms you may be experiencing.  The eye exam will then allow the doctor to evaluate your overall eye health and determine the presence of any issues that need to be addressed, including astigmatism.

Treatment 

Fortunately, most cases of astigmatism can be treated with eyeglasses or contact lenses.  Your optometrist can easily prescribe appropriate lenses to correct your vision and can help you determine if glasses or contacts are the best choice for your lifestyle.

In some cases, however, refractive surgery may be required.  This involves permanently changing the shape of the cornea, therefore correcting the focusing ability of the eye by allowing light rays to precisely focus on the retina.

Only your eye care professional should help you determine the best type of treatment.  Contact Family Vision in Aurora at 630-862-2020 to schedule your appointment or you can also use our convenient online appointment request form .

Read the fully referenced article HERE

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Improve Performance With Sports Vision Therapy

Improve Performance With Sports Vision Therapy

Just like speed and strength, vision also plays a big role in sports.  Many different vision skills work together to affect how well you play a sport.  Exercise and practice can not only increase your strength and speed, they can also improve your visual fitness and accuracy through sports vision therapy.  Unlike other forms of exercise, the goal of this therapy is not to strengthen the eye muscles, but to change how you process or interpret visual information.

What Is Sports Vision Therapy?

Sports Vision Therapy is a progressive program of vision exercises that enhance fundamental vision skills and abilities that are critical to athletic performance.  Many athletes in a variety of different sports use this type of therapy, and the right therapist and program can help an athlete gain an edge over the other competitors on the field.

Sports Vision Therapy Can Enhance Or Improve A Wide Range Of Visual Skills Including The Following:

  • Peripheral vision – seeing out of the corners of your eyes
  •  Depth perception – judging the distance and speed of objects or players on the playing field
  • Visual tracking – the ability to follow a moving object easily and accurately with your eyes
  • Visual reaction time – the time you need to see and react to visual information (such as a ball coming at your head)
  • Hand-eye coordination – the ability to effectively coordinate your eyes and hands during a game

What Vision Therapists Offer

At Family Vision Development Center in Aurora, IL, we offer evaluations that are individually designed to improve sports vision skills, and go above and beyond a normal eye exam.  We will create a personalized vision therapy program designed to improve visual efficiency, which will in turn improve athletic performance.

Contact us at 630-862-2020 for more information or request an appointment online.

Full article can be read HERE

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Avoid Cheap Glasses at All Costs

Avoid Cheap Glasses At All Costs

When considering the purchase of prescription glasses or sunglasses, it is often easy to be lured in by advertisements for cheap eyewear that are promoted by online retailers, discount stores or mall kiosks. These outlets often make promises that the glasses will be of the same quality as higher-priced pairs, and offer a tempting way to save some money.

But is it really worth it?

While it is logical to want to save money whenever possible, it is important to keep in mind that you really do get what you pay for and deals that seem too good to be true probably are.

There Are A Number Of Problems With Purchasing Cheap Eyeglasses Or Sunglasses That You Should Be Aware Of.

  • Cheap glasses and sunglasses can actually cause damage to your eyes through inadequate UV protection or incorrect magnifying power
  • Cutting out the brick and mortar store also eliminates personal service and fitting expertise
  • A larger selection can be confusing without a professional to help you make the right choice for your face
  • Cheap frames can irritate skin and break easily, and the discount sellers may not be around long enough to honor any warranties

There Are Ways To Get High-Quality Glasses And Still Get A Good Value

  • Take advantage of your insurance benefits.  Many people have vision benefits included in their plans and can get discounts on eyewear this way.
  • Read the warranty information.  Some warranties will protect against scratches and frame defects.
  • Ask your eye care professional if they have any special discounts available

The professionals at Family Vision Development Center want to make sure you do not sacrifice your vision just to save a few dollars.  Protecting your eyes and your eyesight is so important, as our lives become much more difficult when our vision is compromised.  High-quality eyewear is one way to accomplish this and we offer a great selection for you to choose from with the most up-to-date lens technology.

Contact Family Vision Development Center at 630-862-2020 or visit our location at 452 N. Eola Rd, Suite D in Aurora for more information.

Read the full article HERE

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Vision Screenings vs. Eye Exams

VISION SCREENINGS VS. EYE EXAMS

While many people interchange the terms vision screening with eye exam, they are actually two very different things.  This means that even if you have passed a vision screening, it is still important to also get an eye exam.

What Is A Vision Screening?

Vision screens are typically designed to only detect subnormal visual acuity and major vision problems.  This short test, in which a person is asked to name the smallest letters in a chart that they can see, is usually performed by a non-professional and only takes a few minutes.  While quick and cost-effective, these tests are generally ineffective at detecting more subtle vision problems or eye diseases.

What Is An Eye Exam?

 Unlike vision screenings, eye exams are performed by a licensed eye doctor, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist .  In addition to testing visual acuity, the eye exam also evaluates the complete health of your eyes, including checking for early signs of serious eye problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and detached retina.  The eye doctor can also detect signs of health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and risk of stroke, based on the blood vessels and other structures within the eye.

Do Children Need More Than A Vision Screening?

Yes!  Vision problems can have a profound effect on learning and good vision is essential in allowing kids to reach their full academic potential.  However, research has shown that up to 20% of children have vision problems, and many have undiagnosed binocular (two-eyed) vision problems that are interfering with their visual comfort and is directly impacting their performance in school.  The increased use of digital devices with illuminated screens, along with the increase of myopia and nearsightedness in children, makes it more important than ever for eye exams to be performed with kids.  Passing a vision screening may give parents a false sense that their child has perfect vision, when in fact there could still be serious problems present.

Older adults may hold the same false belief that vision screenings will provide adequate monitoring of their eyesight, and incur vision loss because of it.  Call Family Vision Development Center at 630-862-2020 to learn more about the importance of eye exams at all ages.  Click HERE to take advantage of our convenient online appointment scheduling.

Read the full article here

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Computer Vision Symptoms and Treatments

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), also referred to as Digital Eye Strain, is caused by prolonged use of electronics such as computers, tablets, e-readers or smartphones.  Eye discomfort and vision problems seem to increase the longer a person views these screens.

 What Are The Symptoms?

The most common symptoms associated with CVS are:

  • Eye strain
  • Headaches
  • Blurred Vision
  • Dry eyes
  • Neck and shoulder pain

These symptoms may be caused by poor lighting, the glare on a digital screen, viewing screens from the wrong distance, poor posture or the presence of uncorrected vision problems.

 How Is Computer Vision Syndrome Diagnosed?

The best way to diagnose CVS is through a thorough eye examination.  Testing may include a complete patient history and visual acuity measurements, as well as tests to determine how the eyes focus, move and work together.

 How Is CVS Treated?

There are a number of ways to avoid or alleviate the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome or Digital Eye Strain.

Eye Care

  • Specialized eyeglasses or contact lenses may be required to meet the unique visual demands of the digital viewing.
  • If glasses or lenses do not correct the problems, vision therapy may be required.

Viewing the Computer 

  • Maintaining a screen angle of 20 degrees below eye level is optimal for most people
  • Avoid glare on the computer screen from overhead lighting or windows, or by using anti-glare screens
  • Be sure to maintain a proper seating position with feet flat on the floor
  • Blink frequently to avoid dry eye
  • Try to follow the 20-20-20 rule, in which you take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away every 20 minutes

Family Vision Development Center understands Computer Vision and can help successfully treat it.  Visit our Aurora location at 452 N Eola Rd, Suite D or call us at 630-862-2020 or click HERE to schedule an appointment online.

 

Read the full article here: https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/protecting-your-vision/computer-vision-syndrome

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Successful Treatment Programs for Vision Problems Associated with Brain Injuries

WHEN VISION PROBLEMS OCCUR AS A RESULT OF BRAIN INJURIES, THERE ARE SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT PROGRAMS AVAILABLE.

Brain injuries come in many forms, such as Concussion, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), or Acquired Brain Injury.  These types of injuries result from an insult to the brain, such as a blow to the head or neurological dysfunction, and can produce cognitive, sensory or physical impairments.

There are numerous visual problems that can develop from a brain injury, including:

  •  blurred vision
  • chronic headaches that can become worse with near work
  • sensitivity to light
  • double vision
  • aching eyes, tired eyes
  • inability to focus
  • reduction of visual field
  • difficulties with eye movements (such as alignment, depth perception, shifting gaze or focusing)
  • difficulty with reading and computer work
Fortunately, These Problems Can Be Successfully Treated With Vision Treatment Services Such As Optometric Vision Therapy, Vision Rehabilitation, Corrective Lenses And Phototherapy Programs.

Family Vision Development Center has advanced Visual Rehabilitation services for treating post-concussive vision syndrome and traumatic injury.  We believe the most effective treatment programs for visual rehabilitation involve input from other health professionals such as your neuro-developmental optometrist, medical doctor, psychologist or neurologist to create the most comprehensive plan.

We also have rehabilitation programs that cater to those with special needs.  Children and adults with Downs Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome and certain genetic conditions tend to have a higher rate of vision problems than the general population, and may have trouble focusing, tracking objects or processing visual information.

Call Family Vision at 630-862-2020 to get more information about our Vision Rehabilitation services or visit our location at 452 N. Eola Rd, Ste D in Aurora, IL.

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What is Vision Therapy and How Can It Resolve Eye Conditions?

VISION THERAPY IS A TYPE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR THE EYES AND BRAIN.

This non-surgical treatment can be very effective in treating conditions such as lazy eye, crossed eyes, double vision, or correcting visual problems which interfere with reading or learning.

Vision therapy is generally conducted in-office, under a doctor’s supervision and is individualized to fit the needs of each patient.  A progressive program of vision “exercises” will help improve basic visual skills, abilities and comfort.

The in-office therapy is not simply exercises, however, and may often involve a number of specialized equipment such as corrective or therapeutic lenses, prism lenses, optical filters, balance boards or visual-motor-sensory-integration training devices.

The Family Vision Development Center provides expert Vision Therapy services with a highly trained team of professionals.  After a comprehensive vision exam and diagnosis, Dr. Martin will work one on one with each patient to determine the best course of treatment and vision therapy techniques to be completed both in-office and at home.

Click HERE To Learn How The Vision Therapy Process Works In Our Office.  Visit Family Vision At 452 N. Eola Rd, Ste D In Aurora, IL Or Call 630-862-2020 To Schedule Your Appointment During Our Convenient Office Hours.

As excerpted from http://www.visiontherapy.org/

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