4 Signs You Need New Glasses

/0 Comments/in /by

Your glasses bring clarity to your vision and help you see the world. Typical glasses last about two or three years before they need to be updated. Many people get new glasses annually to keep up with their prescription.

Getting new glasses can help ensure that your prescription meets your needs and that your glasses are in good condition. If you need new glasses, your eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ can help. Below, see the signs that you need to replace your eyeglasses.

1. Blurry Vision

One of the most obvious signs that you need new eyeglasses is blurry vision. Blurry vision even while wearing eyeglasses indicates that your glasses prescription has changed since your eye doctor prescribed your lenses.

Blurry vision can be hazardous when driving. Even when you’re not driving blurry vision can lead to embarrassing situations (like failure to recognize someone you know!). If you have blurry vision, talk to your eye doctor.

2. Squinting

Squinting to see clearly is a sign that you have blurry vision. Squinting can lead to headaches and also means that your body is struggling to see properly. If you squint frequently to see clearly, make an appointment with your eye doctor to get a new prescription.

3. Glasses Have Become Loose, Poorly Fitting

Glasses can start to wear out over time. Sometimes tightening the screws that hold your glasses together can help. Adjusting the frames can help as well.

If this doesn’t work, it’s time to get a new pair of glasses. Your eye doctor will help you find a pair of glasses that fits your face properly. When the new glasses arrive, your eye doctor will adjust them to ensure they fit properly.

4. It’s Been More Than a Year Since Your Last Evaluation

See the eye doctor once per year. If it’s been over a year since you last saw the eye doctor, it’s time to get a new prescription evaluation. Contact your eye doctor for an eye exam in Riverdale, NJ. The professionals at Riverdale Vision Care can help. Call today.

Protect Your Vision This Summer With These Tips

/0 Comments/in , /by

Most people in Riverdale, NJ are overjoyed when summer finally arrives. The beautiful blue skies and green grass are a vision to behold. But along with all this bounty from Mother Nature comes a hidden danger; the UV rays emitted from the sun. While some sun exposure boosts production of Vitamin D, which is beneficial for overall health, too much exposure can endanger vision. Other vision dangers also lurk in the summer months. Here are some tips to ensure you and your family’s vision is protected.

Invest in Quality Sunglasses

UV rays increase your risk for macular degeneration and other eyesight problems. Spend a little bit of extra money on quality sunglasses that have UV protection built in. The cheaper sunglasses that you find in discount stores simply don’t offer the protection that your eyes need.

Get UV Protection in Your Prescription Eyewear

If you dislike having to deal with multiple pairs of glasses, talk to your eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ about UV filters or transitional prescription eyewear. This extra feature will protect your eyes and help you see better.

Wear Sports Goggles

Summertime means that you or your loved ones may be outside playing more sports or just having fun running around. Protective eyewear is an important aspect of sports that shouldn’t be ignored. Whether it’s a lively game of street hockey, a competitive LaCrosse match, a backyard football game, or just a relaxing day out on the golf course, consider wearing protective eyewear or sports goggles. These will prevent injuries from stray balls, game sticks or elbows and keep your vision protected.

Use a Blue Light Blocker

Many people enjoy reading on their favorite device while outside on the front porch, lying on a hot and sunny beach or in the back of the RV while someone else drives. Often, glare from the sun means you have to turn up the screen brightness in order to make out the words. Do your eyes a favor and either install a blue light filter on your device or wear blue light glasses. Blue light from screens is a known strain on the eyes, as well as being harmful in other ways.

No matter where this summer takes you, try to remain thoughtful about protecting your vision. For more helpful tips about protecting your precious eyesight, contact us to book your next eye exam in Riverdale, NJ.

Can I Get Blue Light Protection In My Prescription Eyeglasses?

/0 Comments/in , /by

Extended exposure to screens, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets, exposes your eyes to blue light, a high-energy visible (HEV) light. This prolonged exposure can lead to eyestrain, headaches, and disturbed sleep patterns. Consequently, many individuals wonder if they can incorporate blue light protection into their prescription eyeglasses instead of having to get a completely different pair of blue light glasses.

Integrating Blue Light Protection into Prescription Eyewear

Fortunately, it is possible to incorporate blue light protection into prescription eyeglasses. Numerous eyeglass manufacturers now offer lenses specifically designed to block blue light. These lenses feature a unique coating that filters out blue light while permitting other types of light to pass through. Mention this request during your eye exam in Riverdale, NJ.

Choosing Between Clear and Yellow-Tinted Lenses

There are two primary types of blue light-blocking lenses: clear and yellow-tinted. Clear lenses provide an excellent option for those who wish to block blue light without altering their vision’s color. However, some individuals find yellow-tinted lenses to be more effective in reducing eyestrain and enhancing visual comfort.

Consulting with Your Optometrist or Optician

To explore blue light protection options for your prescription eyeglasses, consult with your optometrist or optician in Riverdale, NJ. They can help you select the appropriate type of blue light-blocking lenses based on your unique needs and preferences. They may also recommend other methods to minimize blue light exposure, such as adjusting your electronic devices’ settings or utilizing a blue light filter on your computer screen.

Additional Benefits of Blue Light-Blocking Lenses

Apart from reducing eyestrain and enhancing visual comfort, blue light-blocking lenses may offer other advantages. Some research indicates that they can improve sleep quality by decreasing blue light exposure at night. This is particularly important for individuals who use electronic devices before bedtime, as blue light can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.

If you’re concerned about blue light’s harmful effects on your eyes, rest assured that you can obtain blue light protection in your prescription eyeglasses. Blue light-blocking lenses are an excellent choice for individuals who spend considerable time in front of screens, as they can help alleviate eyestrain, enhance visual comfort, and potentially improve sleep quality. Contact us today to schedule your next eye exam.

Are Over The Counter Readers Bad For Eyes?

/0 Comments/in , /by

If you require the use of reading glasses to see for short distances, you are probably aware of over-the-counter readers. These readers are available without a prescription from drugstores, supermarkets and even dollar stores. They come in a range of mild prescriptions, and you can simply pick them off the rack, try them on and buy them. This makes them very appealing for folks who feel they are too busy to go to the eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ to get prescription eyewear. They are also appealing because over-the-counter readers come in a wide range of color and styles for men and women, and are highly affordable. However, are over-the-counter readers bad for the eyes?

Users May Avoid the Eye Doctor

A huge drawback to over-the-counter readers is that they are a little too easy to access. In fact, using over-the-counter readers may inadvertently make user avoid seeing the eye doctor. If adequate reading vision can be achieved by buying a cheap pair of readers, then why would a person want to go to the trouble of making an eye doctor appointment?

The inherent danger is that most people who need readers are older people. This demographic is more prone to vision problems than younger generations. Serious problems like glaucoma need to be detected and diagnosed as soon as possible in order to prevent total blindness. If an older person skips regular eye doctor appointments in favor of relying on over-the-counter readers, it’s much more likely that any eye conditions will go undetected until they cause serious damage.

Readers Can Improve Quality of Life

Now, if an older person is on a low, fixed income, those cheap over-the-counter readers can help to improve quality of life. For as little as a dollar, a person could wear readers and be able to pursue favorite hobbies like reading, doing puzzles, sewing and more. Those things are important to everyone, but especially retired persons.

The best scenario is monitored use of over-the-counter readers. This simply means that, if you choose to wear cheap readers, you should still have regular visits with your eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ. Bring in your over-the-counter readers for examination to make sure they are okay for you to use. This way, you and your eye doctor can help to make sure your vision is protected.

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

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

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.

4 Tips to Help Your Child Stop Losing Their Glasses

/0 Comments/in , /by

Many kids have a hard time keeping track of their glasses, but as a parent, there are many things you can do to help your child stop losing their glasses. By helping your child develop good habits with their glasses, you can avoid problems that can lead to a lost or broken pair. Below are some suggestions that we give to parents of young children who are learning to take care of their glasses.

1. Let Them Pick the Specs

Your child will be more invested in their glasses if they’re allowed to pick the pair. Don’t worry if the color isn’t your favorite, or if the shape of the glasses isn’t quite what you would choose. It’s better to get buy-in from your child! If you’re worried that your child will pick a pair of glasses you don’t quite like, narrow their choices to some you find acceptable and let them pick from there.

2. Encourage Them to Use a Case

Youth glasses can be easy to lose because they’re small. Glasses cases, on the other hand, are more likely to stand out in a room. Buy your child a glasses case that is as brightly colored as possible – and preferably glow in the dark! Encourage your child to use that case whenever their classes are off their face.

3. Put the Glasses on a Chain

If your child likes to take their glasses off for certain activities, put the glasses on a chain so they can be hung around your child’s neck. This way, they won’t be putting the glasses down where they might get lost.

4. Pick a Spot Where the Glasses “Live”

Have your child pick one spot, maybe in their room or in their bathroom, where they will always put their glasses down when they’ve been removed from their face. This way, your child will always know where to find their glasses when they’re looking for them.

Does Your Child Need Glasses? Start With An Appointment At Riverdale Vision Care

Before your child can get their first pair of glasses, they’ve got to start with an eye appointment and examination. Contact Riverdale Vision Care to make an appointment for a pediatric eye exam today.

eye-glasses-2

Adjusting to Your First Pair of Glasses? 5 Tips  

/0 Comments/in /by

Adjusting to your first pair of glasses can be tough! If you’ve never worn glasses before, then you may go through a period of adjustment that lasts about two or three days. For some people, this period of adjustment is easy, but for others, glasses can be distracting. At Riverdale Vision Care, we can help you get through this period of adjustment by providing you with tips and information, and by helping you choose the right glasses.

1. Keep Your Glasses Clean

Over time, you’ll get used to seeing specks of dirt on your glasses lenses, but in the beginning dirt on the lenses might bother you. Keep your glasses clean by wiping them regularly with microfiber glasses cleaner, multiple times per day.

2. Wear Your Glasses the Whole Time…

It will be tempting to take off your glasses throughout the day. Allowing yourself to remove your glasses periodically can lead you to develop poor habits that could continue for a long time. Keep your glasses on your face, unless there’s a good reason to remove them.

3. …But Know When to Take a Break

You may start to get a headache as your eyes adjust to your new lenses. One of the reasons this could be happening might have to do with a straining of the eyes against the new lenses, or you could be experiencing this problem because the weight of the glasses themselves.

This is an especially common problem people experience with plastic glasses, which tend to weigh more than wire-frame glasses. Know when to take a break and remove the glasses from your face.

4. Avoid Straining Your Eyes on Long Car Trips

Avoid driving your car on a long trip during that two or three-day period of adjustment. If you get a headache or get drowsy due to the strain of looking through new glasses, you could find yourself unable to drive home.

5. Put Your Glasses on First Thing Every Day

Put on your glasses first thing every morning when you wake up. This will help you get into the habit of wearing your glasses and may prevent you from forgetting to put them on at all.

Get Your First Pair of Eyeglasses with Riverdale Vision Care

It’s important to find the right pair of glasses for your first pair. Contact Riverdale Vision Care to find your first set of glasses.

 

Can I Buy New Eyeglasses During the Pandemic?

/0 Comments/in , /by

With the new COVID-19 restrictions on business practices, you may wonder if it’s possible to buy new eyeglasses during the pandemic. If you’re a person with poor vision, you know how essential new eyeglasses are for daily life. When your old eyeglasses have been lost or broken, will you be able to buy new ones during this pandemic? The short answer is yes, but there are some important things you’ll need to know. Buying new eyeglasses right now will be a different experience than it was before COVID-19. Here’s what to expect.

Obtain Your Prescription From Your Eye Doctor

Be sure to obtain your latest prescription from your Riverdale Vision Care eye doctor. You can ask to have your prescription emailed or faxed to you so that you don’t need to have personal contact with the office. Alternatively, you can have your prescription faxed or emailed directly to your eyeglass store if you’ve already chosen a new pair of frames.

Wear Your Mask

Whether or not your state currently has mandatory mask requirements, chances are that the frames shop will require masks. Bring a mask that you feel comfortable in because you’ll need to keep it on while you try on frames.

Expect a Temperature Check

Many frames stores check visitors’ temperatures at the door using a forehead, contactless thermometer. Don’t be personally offended. This is for the added safety of other customers and staff members.

Prepare to Wear Gloves

It’s possible that the frames store will also require customers to wear gloves while shopping for frames. If you have a latex allergy, be prepared by bringing your own vinyl or cloth gloves, just in case.

Place Frames in Bins

Many frame stores have implemented a protocol for disinfecting frames after they have been tried on by customers. You may be presented with a small plastic basket for frames that you’ve tried. Instead of putting the frames back on the display wall, you’ll put them in the basket so the staff can disinfect them.

Once you find a pair of frames that you like, a staff member will fit the frames to your face as usual. However, they will be wearing a mask as well. Don’t put off getting needed eyeglasses during the pandemic. Although the process is different, you can still anticipate getting the prescriptive eyewear you need.

 

Macular Degeneration RIverdale, NJ

What You Need to Know About Adjusting to New Glasses and Contacts

/0 Comments/in , /by

New eyewear – whether it’s glasses or contacts – is different from many other types of treatment you’ll receive in that it helps you see correctly and also impacts your overall appearance. Noting this, it can be fun to get that new glasses prescription and frame or switch to a better contact lens. But it does not always love at first sight (pun intended), as there’s often an adjustment period that the eyes have to go through.

Indeed this period is the most significant if you previously didn’t wear any corrective lens and are now adjusting to life with them. However, even when receiving a new prescription or new glasses frame, there’s bound to be some adjustment. Here’s a look at what you can do to ensure a smooth transition:

Wear them first thing in the morning: If you just got new glasses, don’t put off wearing them. The sooner you put them on in the day, the faster you’ll adjust to them. Additionally, you don’t want to put off wearing them until mid-day, as any sudden change in sight could throw you off and even make you feel sick. You don’t want that.

Don’t overdo it: It can be natural to want to wear new contact lenses as much as possible, but it’s also important not to overstate it. Your optometrist will likely give you some limits on how much you should be wearing your lenses as your eyes adjust to them, so be sure to stick to said limits for a smooth transition. Additionally, be sure to adhere to the proper cleaning methods for your lenses.

If something feels off, see your optometrist: Your new glasses should fit comfortably. The same is true of new contact lenses. If something doesn’t feel comfortable, or if you’re experiencing eye irritation, redness, watering or other detrimental side effects, consult your doctor immediately. While there’s an adjustment period with new eyewear, it shouldn’t be a trying one.

For more information on adjusting to new contacts or glasses, contact us today.