Why Diagnostic Equipment Matters at Your Optometrist

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When eye issues can develop at any time, it helps to find out what’s going on as quickly as possible. As new diagnostic equipment debuts on the market, eye doctors in Riverdale, NJ have to do the same thing that their patients do: evaluate not just what the technology offers, but how it specifically applies to their everyday practice. Here, we’ll look at why the equipment matters, and what types of devices can help you diagnose serious disorders, like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy — all of which can lead to blindness if left untreated.

The Level of Detail

Imaging tests have long been available for optometrists, and they’ve always been extremely helpful for revealing the internal structure of the retina and optic nerve. However, just like your phone is far better at taking photos than a standard camera, there are new devices that can reveal more details than ever before.

At [practice_name], we invest in our testing equipment, which reveals every layer to our staff, so we can better assess how your eye functions, if it’s suffering from deterioration, and how we can best fast-track you on a treatment plan if we find anything abnormal or concerning.

How It Works

Here, our imaging equipment can stretch across the eye, measuring everything from the cornea to the anterior. With an array of options at the ready, including anterior segment imaging, fundus photography imaging, ultrasound, corneal topography, and ocular coherence topography, we can ensure we attack any issues from all angles. For example, if you have small amounts of protein building up within the eye, it’s far more likely that we can catch it right at the beginning.

Find Eye Doctors with the Best Diagnostic Equipment

If you’re looking for eye doctors with diagnostic equipment in Riverdale, NJ, you’ll find them in every corner of your city. However, if you’re looking to invest in the quality of your vision, whether it’s because you have a genetic history of eye disorders or you just want to do everything you can to maintain your independence as you age, the staff at [practice_name] has the equipment you need to stay on top of your ocular health!

What Happens During a Dilated Eye Exam

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A dilated eye exam is done to give optometrists a crystal clear view of the inside of the eye—enabling them to detect a range of issues that they might not be able to detect by a simple vision check alone. Dilation is often a component of a comprehensive eye exam in Riverdale, NJ.

Your optometrist will never do the dilatation without first letting you know what to expect. But in the meantime, here’s some basic info to help you understand its importance to your eye health.

Why Dilation Is Important

This improved view into the inside of your eyes during dilation helps your optometrist detect problematic conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal tears. It can also reveal changes related to high blood pressure or other systemic health concerns. This simple procedure can help save your eyesight!

What to Expect During the Exam

The appointment typically begins with a review of your vision history and any current symptoms. Your optometrist may first do the typical vision check, and measure eye pressure. Then, dilation drops are placed in each eye. These drops usually take about 15 to 30 minutes to fully work. During this time, you may notice a slight stinging sensation and increased sensitivity to light as your pupils expand.

Once the pupils are dilated, the optometrist uses a bright light and special magnifying lenses to examine the internal structures of the eye. They will look closely for signs of disease, damage, or changes that could affect vision. This part of the exam is painless, though the light may feel intense.

After the Exam

The effects of dilation can last several hours. Your near vision may be blurry, and your eyes will be more sensitive to sunlight or bright indoor lighting. Sunglasses are recommended when leaving the office to reduce glare and protect your eyes. Driving immediately afterward can be challenging for some people, so arranging transportation is a good idea.

A dilated eye exam is one of the most effective ways to protect vision and catch problems early. By making it part of routine eye care, you give your optometrist in Riverdale, NJ the best opportunity to safeguard your sight and address concerns before they lead to lasting changes in vision.

Tips For a Lifetime of Good Vision

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Your eyes work hard every single day, and if you’re like everyone, you want to maintain your good vision for as long as possible. Your optometrist in Riverdale, NJ wants you to know that keeping your eyes healthy as you age doesn’t have to be complicated. A few consistent habits can help protect your vision and reduce the risk of common issues down the road. Whether you’re already wearing glasses or just trying to preserve what you have, small changes today can make a big difference tomorrow.

Don’t Skip Eye Exams

Routine eye exams are one of the best ways to safeguard your sight. Some eye diseases—like glaucoma and macular degeneration—develop without early symptoms. Regular checkups allow your optometrist to catch small changes before they turn into bigger problems. Even if your vision seems fine, it’s still important to go in every year or two, depending on your age and health.

Ease the Strain from Screens

Digital devices are part of daily life for most people, but extended screen time can lead to tired, dry eyes. The 20-20-20 rule helps: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Adjust your lighting to reduce glare, and don’t forget to blink—many people blink less when focused on a screen, which leads to discomfort over time.

Use Proper UV Protection

Ultraviolet light from the sun can do lasting damage to your eyes—including making the likelihood of your developing macular degeneration in Riverdale, NJ higher. A good pair of sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays can help reduce your risk of cataracts and other problems. If you spend a lot of time outside, wraparound sunglasses offer added protection.

Eat for Better Eye Health

Foods rich in nutrients like lutein, vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc can support long-term eye health. Leafy greens, carrots, citrus fruits, and fish like salmon are excellent options. A balanced diet doesn’t just help your eyes—it benefits your whole body.

Everyday Choices Add Up

Managing your overall health matters, too. Smoking, uncontrolled blood pressure, and diabetes all raise the risk of vision loss. Staying active and maintaining regular checkups with your doctor and your optometrist can go a long way in keeping your eyes healthy for life.

Vision Exams Vs. Comprehensive Eye Exams: What’s the Difference?

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When you make an appointment with your eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ, you may be asked if you need a vision exam or a comprehensive eye exam. To some people, this procedure may sound like the same thing. If you’re not sure which type of exam you need, it’s important to know the difference. Here’s what to know about both types of exams, so you can pick the right type of exam for you.

What is a vision exam?

During a standard vision exam, the eye doctor will take time to check your visual acuity, to determine if you need corrective lenses. Vision exams focus primarily on determining how clearly you can see objects up close and in the distance, and if you have vision impairment, how severe it is.

During the eye exam, your eye doctor may also look into your eyes and assess your eye health. If you need prescription lenses, the eye doctor will write you a prescription. You can use this prescription to find the glasses that are right for you.

What is a comprehensive eye exam?

A comprehensive eye exam is a much more thorough examination of your eyes and eye health. During the comprehensive eye exam, the eye doctor will check for conditions like glaucoma. To do this, the eye doctor may dilate your pupils and look inside your eyes.

During the comprehensive eye exam, the eye doctor will also check your vision to determine if you need corrective lenses. Once you’re finished with the comprehensive eye exam, you’ll know how healthy your eyes are and whether you need glasses.

Which type of exam do I need?

Most people need vision exams regularly, and comprehensive eye exams only occasionally. Some people, like people with diabetes, need comprehensive eye exams regularly. If you are at high risk for any eye conditions, your eye doctor will let you know if you need a comprehensive vision exam (and how often).

Do you need a comprehensive eye exam in Riverdale, NJ? Call Riverdale Vision Care to make your next appointment. Our eye professionals will be happy to help. We also have a large showroom with many glasses to choose from, so you can find the right pair of corrective lenses for your tastes.

3 Things Your Optometrist Can Tell You About Your Health During an Eye Exam  

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The main goal of an eye exam is always to reveal the inner workings of your eye. Whether you need corrective eyewear or not, regular exams help catch eye problems when they’re most treatable. However, there are other reasons why you should visit an eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ, and they have nothing to do with your contact lenses.

1. Blood Pressure Health

Bleeding eyes may sound exceptionally scary, but most eye bleeds are actually harmless. There are cases, though, where high blood pressure can cause the arteries within the retina to stiffen, which can end up pressing against a blood vessel until it bursts. During an eye exam in Riverdale, NJ, your doctor can clarify the type of bleed you have and whether it requires additional attention.

2. Heart Health

As with high blood pressure, clogged arteries can present in a number of ways. If the plaque in the carotid artery breaks off, it will travel to the eye and form a deposit there. (The carotid artery doesn’t supply all of the blood to the brain, but it supplies most of it.) Plaque can travel within the body, and not always with notable consequences. If it reaches the brain, though, it can cause a stroke.

3. Insulin Health

Underlying diabetes refers to people who have diabetes but haven’t had it officially diagnosed yet. Retinal imaging devices help doctors find what other doctors may have missed. This disorder, which is often associated with the risks of going blind, is best managed when it’s caught at the beginning. The earlier your eye doctor can see the retinal damage, the better your odds are of remaining healthy over the longer course of treatment.

Eye Exams in Riverdale, NJ

At Riverdale Vision Care, our staff is here to treat the whole person, not just their eyes. Whether you’re concerned about double vision or you’re just due for a regular checkup, we want to be a part of how you care for this vital organ. If you want to learn more about eye exams as a way to catch larger health problems before they have the chance to spiral out of control, schedule us today.

 

Working Remotely? Protect Your Vision at Home

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Spending more time at home working remotely? If so, you are definitely part of a growing population. As of 2022, there were roughly 4.7 million people who were working remotely at least part of the time in the U.S. As great as it can be to hang out at home and fulfill your workplace duties, the added screen time can be a challenge for your vision. In fact, a lot of remote workers seek dry eye treatment in Riverdale, NJ because of too much screen time. Take a look at some ways you can protect your vision while working from home.

1. Follow the 20-20-20 Rule

After working for 20 minutes using a screen, focus your eyes on something at least 20 feet away for around 20 seconds. The 20-20-20 rule gives your eyes a break. When spending a lot of time focused on a task, it is easy to stay glued to a screen right in front of you for so long that it becomes hard on your eyes.

2. Keep Your Lighting Right

The best lighting when you are working at a computer is natural lighting. So be sure to open up your curtains and allow some sunlight to stream into the room. Avoid working for long hours at a screen in the dark.

3. Adjust the Font Size on Your Screen

Pay attention to how your eyes feel as you work. If you recognize that you are squinting or your eyes feel more tired than usual, adjust the font size on your screen. This helps you focus on something larger instead of tiny font, which can be easier on tired eyes.

4. Negate Blue Light Exposure When You Can

A lot of modern computers, laptops, and even phones have a blue screen filter you can use to adjust the lighting being emitted from the screen. Blue light exposure may lead to permanent vision changes, so reduce exposure as much as possible.

Visit a Riverdale, NJ Eye Doctor for an Exam

If your eyes are feeling the strain after working from home, it may be time to visit a Riverdale, NJ eye doctor for an exam. Reach out to us at Riverdale Vision Care to schedule an appointment.

Happy 2022! Is It Time for Your Annual Eye Appointment?

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2022 is here! It’s time to make an eye appointment! There are many reasons why you should see an eye doctor in Riverdale NJ once per year. Knowing those reasons can help you take care of your eyes and prioritize your eye appointments! Here’s what you need to know about making your eye appointment for 2022.

Why You Should See the Eye Doctor Annually

There are many reasons why you should see the eye doctor annually! Whether you have glasses or not, you should be making appointments with your eye doctor once annually. Here’s why:

  • Your eyeglasses prescription may change. If you have prescription glasses, that prescription may change over time. As the prescription changes, you may need more powerful lenses to continue to function in school or out in the world.
  • If didn’t need eyeglasses before, you may need them now. Just because you didn’t need eyeglasses in the past doesn’t mean that you won’t ever need them. Your eyes will change with time. The only way that you can ensure that you’ve got the right tools for maintaining good vision is to see the eye doctor regularly.
  • Your eye doctor will check for eye diseases. Some eye diseases have no symptoms until vision loss occurs. The only way to detect these eye diseases is to see the eye doctor, who will be able to run tests to find out if you have one of these conditions.

Make Your Appointment a Routine

Lots of people forget to see the eye doctor because they forget when it’s time to make an appointment. If you start making your eye appointments in Riverdale NJ at the same time every year, you’re less likely to forget to make your appointment. Choose the same month to see the eye doctor, then make your first appointment.

What You Can Do to Take Care of Your Eyes in 2022

Wondering what else you can do to take care of your eyes in 2022? Wear sunglasses. Know the symptoms of an eye problem. And see your eye doctor at least once annually. Call today to make your appointment.

How Often Should My Little One See the Eye Doctor?

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How many times have you taken your little one to see the eye doctor? Children need to visit the eye doctor for a pediatric eye exam in Riverdale NJ on a regular basis, to ensure they have healthy eyes. If you’ve never taken your little one for an eye checkup, it may be time. Below, we’ve listed a schedule of times when you should bring your child to get their eyes checked.

Once Before Age 1

Take your child to the eye doctor for the first time when before they turn one year old. This eye checkup at a very young age can help catch eye conditions early. Some eye conditions are reversible if they’re treated as soon as possible, so don’t wait to see the specialist.

Again at Three Years Old

After your child goes to the eye doctor in Riverdale NJ for the first time at age one, take them to the eye doctor again when they’re around three years old. This will catch eye conditions that your child’s eye doctor couldn’t identify in the first exam, and will allow the eye doctor to check up on any conditions they may have identified in the first examination.

Before School

Even if your child isn’t diagnosed with any conditions during the first two eye exams, they should see the eye doctor again every year before school. Eye health is vitally important for success in school. Your child needs to be able to see so they can read, follow what’s happening in the classroom and beyond.

Remember that eye conditions and eye health can change over time. Even if your child’s eyes were healthy at the first two appointments, that can change. Going to the eye doctor will ensure that your child gets the help they need to be successful in school.

When You Notice Symptoms

Any time you notice symptoms that your child is having a problem with their vision, bring them to the eye doctor. Symptoms include:

  • Squinting to see distances or close up
  • Sits close to the TV
  • Headaches
  • Complains of blurry vision

Does your child need to see the eye doctor? Call today to make an appointment.

Eye Glasses or Contact Lenses? What to Consider When Trying to Decide

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Eyeglasses and contact lenses can both improve your vision, whether you’re far-sighted or near-sighted. However, there are many differences between glasses and contact lenses in Riverdale NJ. Knowing the differences between these two options can help you decide which one is right for you.

What to Know About Contact Lenses

Not everyone is a good candidate for contact lenses, so before you can order contacts, you’ll have to work with your eye doctor in Riverdale to find out whether you’re a good candidate for contacts.

Contact lenses need to be properly cleaned, maintained and removed on a regular basis. Patients who are too young are not able to handle the care regimen for contact lenses. Most patients aren’t eligible to have contacts until their teen years, and not every teenager is ready to take care of contacts.

Some eye conditions, like dry eyes, make use of contact lenses problematic. To find out if you’re a good candidate for contact lenses, speak to your eye doctor. Your eye doctor will evaluate your eye health and talk to you about what must be done to maintain contact lenses. Together, you two can determine whether contacts are right for you.

What to Know About Eye Glasses

Eye glasses sit on the bridge of your nose and are visible to everyone who sees you. Because they’re so visible, some people don’t want eye glasses. Others prefer glasses because they like the way glasses look, they’re easy to take on and off and harder to lose than contact lenses.

Which One Is Right For You?

If you’re not sure whether eye glasses or contacts are right for you, make an appointment with your eye doctor. To determine which product is best for you, follow these tips:

  • Have a discussion with your eye doctor about what is involved in each type of vision correction tool.
  • Try on glasses to see how you like them.
  • Find out whether you’re even eligible for contact lenses (if contact lenses appeals to you).

Finally, remember that some people who need vision correction have both contacts and glasses. They might wear glasses at night before bed, and contacts during the day. Your eye doctor can help you decide what is the right choice for you.

To find out more, make an appointment at Riverdale Vision Care.

Symptoms of COVID-19-Related Conjunctivitis

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Conjunctivitis is a big word, but it’s really only a fancy term for an eye infection. You may know it better as pink eye. Conjunctivitis can be caused by several factors, including bacteria, virus, and allergens. It’s a relatively common condition that usually clears up through medication, and it’s a known symptom of COVID-19, though not everyone who contracts COVID-19 will develop conjunctivitis. And just because you may have pink eye, this doesn’t mean you have Coronavirus. Your eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ, can give you more information regarding pink eye.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

Symptoms of conjunctivitis are the same regardless of the cause. They include:

  • Itchy eyes
  • A pink tint to the whites of the eyes
  • A feeling of grittiness when you rub your eyes
  • Excessive tearing
  • Discharge
  • Crusty eyes in the morning

When you have pink eye, this means the conjunctiva, or transparent membrane that covers the whites of your eyes, has become inflamed. The tiny blood vessels in your eye become more visible as a result. This makes your eye appear pink where it’s usually white.

Pink eye is irritating and may cause pain and discomfort. It’s also contagious. It’s easily treated, however, with artificial tears, warm or cold compresses, and frequent cleaning of the area around your eye with a clean, wet cloth. Your eye doctor may also recommend over-the-counter medicines for pain.

Symptoms of COVID-19-Related Conjunctivitis

If your conjunctivitis is caused by the COVID-19 virus, it will usually be accompanied by other symptoms, including:

  • Sore Throat
  • Congestion
  • Fatigue
  • Cough
  • Headache

If you think you may have COVID-related pink eye, it’s important to contact your health care provider right away. If you’re not terribly sick, a phone call may be best. If you have the symptoms of pink eye without the accompanying cold symptoms, schedule a pink-eye screening in Riverdale, NJ.

Riverdale Vision Care Can Help

Riverdale Vision Care is a top choice of eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ. We offer comprehensive eye exams that can help detect the early stages of eye disorders and diseases such as pink eye. In addition, we’re a one-stop shop for contact lenses. Stop by our location inside Pearle Vision Center today, or call to book a consultation.