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The crystalline lens of the eye which has a function somewhat analogous to a zoom lens on a camera begins to harden with age, making the closest point of focus further out from the body, resulting in the symptom of "arm shortening." This is a very gradual process that most people begin to realize between the ages of 37 and 45. It is also a process that reaches an endpoint by age 60 in most individuals, after which the strength of one's reading prescription usually remains stable. By the way, the technical name for this condition is presbyopia (pronounced prez-bee-OH-pee-uh).

Years ago, very few options were available to battle this natural aging process. Before 1785, those who could afford two prescriptions simply bought one for distance vision and one for reading. However, many-including Benjamin Franklin-often found this dreadfully inconvenient, that is, always having to switch back and forth between pairs of spectacles. Consequently, he had his lenses cut in half and half of each kind mounted into the same frame. This bifocal is similar to today's executive bifocal; however the two lenses are now fused.

Additionally there are numerous other options today, including all types of lined bifocals-and thanks to technology-progressive addition lenses that have been dubbed "no-line bifocals." The "no-lines," of course carry the advantage of hiding one's age, while offering an infinite range of focal points. The trick is learning what part of the glasses to look through, depending upon what one wants to see. The top-center portion of the lens should be utilized for distance viewing, and as one looks further down toward the bottom part of the lenses, the reading power increases. It should be noted, however, that a person wearing this type of bifocal must move his or her head toward an object off to one side or another (rather than eyes only) to avoid peripheral lens distortion.

The prospect of wearing contact lens in this age group should not be overlooked. In many instances, they are able to provide sharp, clear vision-including better peripheral vision than with glasses. Lenses are specially designed for your eye size, the curvature of your eye, the tightness and dimensions of your eyelids, the pupil size, the health of your eyes and, of course, to allow you to see clearly both at distance and near.

Unfortunately, technology has not provided us a viable option of laser correction for presbyopic patients except in select cases. These cases involve nearsighted patients who are willing to have one eye corrected for distance vision and one eye corrected for near. However, this method is not foolproof, and glasses or contact lenses may be required after such a procedure in order to realize maximum vision.

The advent of the computer has brought, forth an increase in an entire range of symptoms-from intermittent blurry vision and headaches to stiff necks. Some compare the continual use of a computer throughout the day to holding a pair of ten-pound weights for the same eight hour period. In actuality, it is quite a valid comparison when one considers the strain that data entry, computer programming and word processing can put on the visual system-not to mention the rest of the body. One suggestion to relieve this strain is to look away from the computer for 30 seconds every 30 minutes. Look out the window, down the hall or simply close your eyes. This gives the visual system time to recoup.

A stiff neck is most likely the result of an inherent design flaw in a conventional bifocal. Bifocals are designed for reading written material below eye level. Having to tilt one's head back to accommodate the computer screen and maintain clarity can be a frustrating and even painful process. You can buy a new computer system, hire a masseur or more economical and practical buy a second pair of glasses made specifically for computer use. After all most people own more than one shirt or more than one pair of shoes-why not glasses?

Because our sight is so important to each one of us, preserving this precious gift becomes paramount. Yearly examinations are essential to rule out age related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and ocular pathology.

Over the years, our patients have come to expect state of the art care and services. Our Doctors are committed to providing the very latest in technical innovations to our patients. Many of the procedures available in our office are not available from any other practice in the area. This is one reason that patients have come to relay on us for their eye care needs.

We are pleased to inform you of the addition of an instrument that compliments our comprehensive list of twenty-first century, state-of-the-art equipment. DIGITAL RETINAL IMAGING is a new technology that allows instant viewing of retinal images by the doctor and the patient. This computerized technology aids us by establishing baseline images of the inside of your eyes. We can then compare this image with future images and carefully observe any normal or abnormal changes. We believe this will promote earlier diagnosis of many abnormal vision conditions, some of which can result in permanent vision loss if not caught and treated in a timely manner.

DIGITAL RETINAL IMAGING combines the technology of retinal photography and computerized digital imaging to produce remarkably clear retinal images. We recommend DIGITAL RETINAL IMAGING every year for patients who are at risk of developing eye disease, such as diabetics, patients With high blood pressure those at risk of age related macular degeneration and those with a family history of glaucoma. For those individuals who already show some type of retinal abnormality, retinal imaging is medically necessary and will be performed at the interval deemed appropriate by the doctor.

Medical insurance companies reimburse DIGITAL RETINAL IMAGING only when when there is existing eye disease. All other imaging is non-reimbursable. Our fee for DIGITAL RETINAL IMAGING is $35.00. We are overwhelmed with the results of this procedure and highly recommend DIGITAL RETINAL IMAGING as an optional addition to your examination today. Please indicate your preference below.

Please perform baseline DIGITAL RETINAL IMAGING as an optional additional procedure to my examination.

I do not wish to have baseline DIGITAL RETINAL IMAGING performed.

It is that easy!

When you think about the skills and tools you need to do your job, what do you think of. If you work in manufacturing, you operate complicated, high-tech machinery and use years of experience to produce high-quality products. If you're a secretary or receptionist, you probably use the computer, answer the phone and type. If you work in construction, you may prepare cost estimates, read blueprints and use surveying equipment, hammers and nails.

But would you be able to do any of these tasks well without the most important tools of all your eyes and good vision? Probably not.

Your eyes and good vision can be the most important tools in your job and all the other daily activities of your life. But do you, like many people, take them for granted?

Have you noticed more mistakes in your work lately? As the day progresses, do you get more and more fatigued? Do you have frequent headaches or eye strain? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you probably need a thorough vision examination. Often mistakes, fatigue and difficulty with new tasks, are a result of a vision deficiency.

It is important to seek professional optometric care on a regular basis.

When you visit us . . . keep us informed when you take on new tasks, or notice any changes in vision or the way you feel at the end of the day.

We will check a variety of different factors including visual acuity work together as a team, as well as for eye disease and general health. Correcting these conditions may improve your productivity, reduce errors and, of course, increase comfort on the job.

You might need two different prescriptions: one for your regular vision needs, and another for specific job-related tasks such as close inspections of products coming off the assembly line, for long hours spent looking into a VDT screen, or for reading a chart or dial above eye level.

In a thorough exam, we might determine that your prescription for your new tasks is fine. But you might benefit from a simple "extra" such as a lens tint for outdoor work, an anti-reflection coating, or safety lenses for added eye protection or perhaps contact lenses.

No matter where you work... in an Office, in a Factory, on a Construction site and even at Home, good vision will make your work more productive, more comfortable, and more enjoyable. Even if you don't detect any changes in your vision . . . your job depends on it.

"I'd been seeing this particular patient let's call him 'Joe' - for about 15 years," says Dr. Brownlow, "and one morning he came in for his regular eye exam.

"At first everything seemed strictly routine. Joe's vision hadn't changed in two years, and his eyes looked perfectly normal.

"After reviewing his chart and listening to his symptoms, I knew something was wrong and that we had to take action," recalls Dr. Brownlow. "Thankfully, my education and experience paid off that day. Countless other patients have also benefited over the years when visiting an optometrist because they believe they have a routine vision problem, but leave the office with a far different diagnosis."

Dr. Brownlow moved quickly. He referred his patient to a general physician, who sent him to a specialist. The diagnosis: carotid artery disease, in which fatty deposits build up on artery walls where they can trigger fatal blood clots.

"Joe had a major blockage in the carotid artery on one side of his neck," says Dr. Brownlow, and the blockage was cutting down on the blood supply to the brain and eye. "They hurried him into surgery, and he managed to avoid what could have been a life-threatening stroke."

Most eye exams don't produce such dramatic consequences, but there's no doubt that getting your eyes checked every year or two is a key step in protecting the priceless asset that is your vision.

Depth perception, peripheral vision, and the clarity and accuracy of vision at various distances also are tested. The doctor will prescribe corrective eyewear where appropriate.

The desktop computer: It's revolutionized the workplace, but in its wake have come new challenges to the eyes and vision system.

Health experts now point to "computer vision syndrome" as a major workplace concern. Millions of people in the United States may suffer from this condition, and the number of cases is on the rise, says Jeffrey Anshel, O.D., a Carlsbad, Calif, Vision Service Plan optometrist who specializes in treating the disorder.

Computer vision syndrome, or CVS, is a catchall term for computer-related eye fatigue, blurred vision, headaches and back or neck aches.

"The human eye wasn’t really designed to stare into a cathode ray tube for eight hours at a stretch," says Dr. Anshel, who advises employers on ways to combat CVS. "In many cases, the quality of the image on the screen is poor, which can cause enormous strain on the eyes although it doesn't damage them.

"Many optometrists feel that people who work with computers should get their eyes checked regularly," says Dr. Anshel.

Fight CVS with Three Bs and the 20-20-20 Rule

"If you follow the Three Bs and the 20-20-20 Rule, you'll reduce your chances of computer-related vision problems," says Dr. Anshel.

Want a monitor that will ease the wear and-tear on your overworked eyes? Look for the following:

Minimum glare. Some monitors have glare-reducing screens. Others feature hoods or shields that keep light away. Remember to dust the screen frequently -dust buildup reduces image quality.

Finally, once your child starts school, be sure to have his or her eyes checked for focusing problems and for nearsight. "Both are common conditions that develop during school years, so it's a good idea to get a checkup periodically, particularly if your child is struggling with school work," says Dr. Marsh Tootle. "Most eye problems are easily treated once the problem is diagnosed."

While the condition never causes total blindness, it often impairs the central vision to the point that many patients can no longer read, drive or enjoy television. The good news is that peripheral vision is not affected and most people with macular degeneration continue to lead independent lives. Frequently, a low vision evaluation by a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist is helpful in allowing people to get the most out of what little vision they may have left.

"Contact lenses fit over the cornea of the eye, and it's important to protect the health of the cornea with a proper fit. An inadequate fitting could damage the sensitive tissues of the cornea, leading to irritation, infection or even an ulcer in that part of the eye."