customized eyecare

Performance Eyecare carries contacts for ‘hard-to-fit’ eyes

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eye doctor in Swansea IL & St. Louis

Not everyone is an ideal candidate for contact lenses. If you have one or more of the following conditions, contact lens wear may be more difficult:

  • astigmatism
  • dry eyes
  • presbyopia
  • giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC)
  • keratoconus
  • post-refractive surgery (such as LASIK)

But “difficult” doesn’t mean impossible. Often, people with these conditions can wear contacts quite successfully. Let’s take a closer look at each situation – and possible contact lens solutions.

Contact lenses for astigmatism

Astigmatism is a very common condition where the curvature of the front of the eye isn’t round, but is instead shaped more like a football or an egg. This means one curve is steeper or flatter than the curve 90 degrees away. Astigmatism won’t keep you from wearing contact lenses – it just means you need a different kind of lens.

Lenses specially designed to correct astigmatism are called “toric” lenses. Most toric lenses are soft lenses. Toric soft lenses have different corrective powers in different lens meridians, and design elements to keep the lens from rotating on the eye (so the varying corrective powers are aligned properly in front of the different meridians of the cornea).

In some cases, toric soft lenses may rotate too much on the eye, causing blur. If this happens, different brands that have different anti-rotation designs can be tried. If soft lens rotation continues to be a problem, gas permeable (GP) lenses (with or without a toric design) can also correct astigmatism.

Dry eyes can make contact lens wear difficult and cause a number of symptoms, including:

  • a gritty, dry feeling
  • feeling as if something is in your eye
  • a burning sensation
  • eye redness (especially later in the day)
  • blurred vision

If you have dry eyes, the first step is to treat the condition. This can be done a number of ways, including artificial tears, medicated eye drops, nutritional supplements, and a doctor-performed procedure called punctal occlusion to close ducts in your eyelids that drain tears away from your eyes.

Once the dry eye condition is treated and symptoms are reduced or eliminated, contact lenses can be tried. Certain soft contact lens materials work better than others for dry eyes. Also, GP lenses are sometimes better than soft lenses if there’s a concern about dry eyes since these lenses don’t dry out the way soft lenses can.

Replacing your contacts more frequently and reducing your wearing time each day (or removing them for specific tasks, such as computer work) can also reduce dry eye symptoms when wearing contacts.

Contact lenses for giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC)

Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) is an inflammatory reaction on the inner surface of the eyelids. One cause of GPC is protein deposits on soft contact lenses. (These deposits are from components of your tear film that stick to your lenses and become chemically altered.)

Usually, changing to a one-day disposable soft lens will solve this problem, since you just throw these lenses away at the end of the day before protein deposits can accumulate on them. Gas permeable lenses are also often a good solution, as protein deposits don’t adhere as easily to GP lenses, and lens deposits on GP lenses are more easily removed with daily cleaning.

In some cases of GPC, a medicated eye drop may be required to reduce the inflammation before you can resume wearing contact lenses.

Contact lenses for presbyopia

Presbyopia is the normal loss of focusing ability up close when you reach your 40s.

Today, there are many designs of bifocal and multifocal contact lenses to correct presbyopia. Another option for presbyopia is monovision. This is wearing a contact lens in one eye for distance vision and a lens in the other eye that has a modified power for near vision.

During your contact lens fitting we can help you decide whether bifocal/multifocal contact lenses or monovision is best for you.

Contact lenses for keratoconus

Keratoconus is a relatively uncommon eye condition where the cornea becomes thinner and bulges forward. The term “keratoconus” comes from the Greek terms for cornea (“kerato”) and cone-shaped (“conus”). The exact cause of keratoconus remains unknown, but it appears that oxidative damage from free radicals plays a role.

Gas permeable contact lenses are the treatment option of choice for mild and moderate keratoconus. Because they are rigid, GP lenses can help contain the shape of the cornea to prevent further bulging of the cornea. They also can correct vision problems caused by keratoconus that cannot be corrected with eyeglasses or soft contacts.

In some cases, a soft contact lens is worn under the GP lens for greater comfort. This technique is called “piggybacking.” Another option for some patients is a hybrid contact lens that has a GP center, surrounded by a soft “skirt”.Contact lenses after corrective eye surgery

More than one million Americans each year have LASIK surgery to correct their eyesight. Sometimes, vision problems remain after surgery that can’t be corrected with eyeglasses or a second surgical procedure. In these cases, gas permeable contact lenses can often restore visual acuity and eliminate problems like glare and halos at night.

GP lenses are also used to correct vision problems after corneal transplant surgery, including irregular astigmatism that cannot be corrected with eyeglasses.

GP lenses prescribed after LASIK and corneal transplants sometimes have a special design called a “reverse geometry” design to better conform to the altered shape of the cornea. The back surface of these lenses is flatter in the center and steeper in the periphery. (This is the opposite of a normal GP lens design, which is steeper in the center and flattens in the periphery.)

Problem-solving contact lens fittings cost more

Fitting contact lenses to correct or treat any of the above conditions will generally take much more time than a regular contact lens fitting. These “hard-to-fit” cases usually require a series of office visits and multiple pairs of trial lenses before the final contact lens prescription can be determined. Also, the lenses required for these conditions are usually more costly than regular soft contact lenses. Therefore, fees for these fittings are higher than fees for regular contact lens fittings. Call our office for details.

Find out if you can wear contact lenses

If you are interested in wearing contact lenses, call our office to schedule a consultation. Even if you’ve been told you’re not a good candidate for contacts because you have one of the above conditions or for some other reason, we may be able to help you wear contact lenses safely and successfully.

Are You an Athlete? Let Us Protect Your Eyesight!

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Every spring, both professional and amateur athletes head out to the play their favorite sports. And while many people love to look cool sporting their jerseys on the field, it’s important to remember to protect your body from injury, especially your eyes.

Why protect your eyes when playing baseball, basketball, or any other sport? Just imagine an errant pitch or a baseball lost in the sun going right toward your unprotected face. Perhaps another player on the basketball team accidentally hits you in eye with his or her elbow. These instances can cause scratched corneas, fractured eye sockets, and even permanent vision loss, all because you didn’t think it was “cool” to protect your eyesight in front of your friends or rivals.

And think about it – you protect your knees, shoulders, head, and other parts, bones, and joints when you play sports, so why not your eyesight? After all, broken bones and bruises will heal in time, but serious eye injuries can take you off your favorite sport’s roster permanently.

Luckily, we at Performance Eyecare can provide you with your sport’s eyewear needs! Check out some of the great products we offer!

For Baseball Players – America’s favorite pastime is a very visually-demanding sport, especially when you need to hit a 90+ mile per hour fastball. We offer some fantastic, special sunglasses just for you!

For Football Players – Since football players must wear helmets, we recommend that you wear our very own retainer contact lenses and take advantage of the Gentle Vision Shaping System (GVSS).

For Tennis Players – We have many types of lenses that will improve contrast and enhance the color of the yellow tennis ball. We also have lenses that are best for certain weather conditions when playing from sunny to cloudy and everything in between.For Golfers – Did you know that we are one of only a few offices in the St. Louis area to specialize in Golf Vision? That’s right! We carry several different styles of golf sunglasses. The latest is the Rudy Project Ketyium featuring a green-tinted lens that enhances all green colors, thus enhancing the contrast of the white golf ball while it is resting on the green, tee box, or fairway. This wrap-style of frame provides great coverage for the golfer and can also incorporate a prescription.

For Swimmers – Don’t let chlorine get you down! We carry an assortment of swimming and scuba goggles. You can even have your own prescription lenses inserted into them so that you can see whenever you swim.

For the Hunters – We provide several lens tints that can be utilized to achieve optimal visual performance based on various weather conditions,

If you’re ready to get out there and play your sports while protecting your vision, schedule an appointment at your local Performance Eyecare office today!

Contact Lens Myths

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Are you afraid of wearing contact lenses? Check out these contact lens myths debunked and then decide if they are right for you.

MYTH: I can’t wear contact lenses

Just about everyone can now wear contact lenses thanks to technological advances. Some of the advances now allow those with astigmatism and those who need bifocal contact lenses.

MYTH: A contact lens will get lost behind my eye

It’s impossible for a contact lens to get lost behind your eye. That’s because a thin membrane called the conjunctiva covers the white of your eye and connects to the inside of your eyelids.

MYTH: Contact lenses are uncomfortable

There is a brief period for you to get adapted to the change, but you will likely not notice that you are wearing contact lenses. There are remedies available should the contact lenses cause discomfort.

MYTH: Contact lenses can get permanently stuck to my eye

Soft contact lens can stick to the surface of your eye if it’s dried out. However, you can remoisten the lens by applying sterile saline or multipurpose contact lens solution to get it moving again.

MYTH: Contact lenses are too much trouble to take care of

One-bottle contact lens care systems make cleaning your lenses easy. Alternatively, you can choose to eliminate the care altogether by getting daily disposables or 30-day extendable wear ones.

MYTH: Wearing contact lenses cause eye problems

If you follow your eye doctor’s instructions on how to care for your lenses, how long to wear them and how frequently to replace them, wearing contact lenses is safe.

MYTH: I’ll never be able to get them in my eyes

It might be difficult at first, but your eye care professional will make sure you learn how to apply and remove them before you leave their office.

MYTH: Contacts can pop out of my eye

The old-fashioned hard ones could, but today’s contacts fit closer to the eye so it’s very rare for one to dislodge from a wearer’s eye unexpectedly.

MYTH: Contact lenses are too expensive

They can be less expensive than a good pair of eyeglasses. Even daily disposable lenses can cost about a dollar a day.

MYTH: I’m too old to wear contact lenses

Thanks to the bifocal contact lenses and contacts designed for dry eyes, getting older is no longer a barrier to successful contact lenses. You should ask your doctor if you’re a candidate for contacts.

At Performance Eyecare, we can routinely fit our contact lens patients the same day as their exam. Get in touch with your local office to schedule your contact lens appointment today!

Fulfill your New Year’s Resolutions at Performance Eyecare

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Performance Eyecare in St. Louis and Swansea, IL is the place to go for better eye health and to see more clearly.

Another year has come and pass which means it’s another year of making New Year’s resolutions, some new and some old, some reasonable and some way out of reach.

So what will your New Year’s resolution be for the new year? Here’s an easy one to choose: take better care of your eyes.

All it takes to start is one phone call and appointment. Here’s how to get started:

Get an eye exam

A regular eye exam is a good idea even if you think they are healthy. Many eye diseases don’t have symptoms so it’s imperative you have a yearly exam. Also, January is the perfect month for an eye exam because it’s easy to remember – a new year, new eye exam.

Get screened for glaucoma

You need to get regular glaucoma screenings if you are 40 or older. This terrible disease is known as the “silent thief of sight” because it can cause vision loss before you know you have it.

Update your prescription

Your eyeglass or contact lens prescription might be outdated or wrong for your activities. You should get your prescription checked out yearly, especially if you begin to get headaches or dry eyes after working at a computer.

Performance Eyecare is the perfect place for you to put your vision first in the new year. We offer quality services including high-tech eye exams to detect diseases and Lasik eye surgery as well as designer eyeglass and sunglass frames.

We can begin treating your dry eyes, red eyes, pink eye, eye infections and more starting with one visit. Seeing correctly is important during your daily activities, so isn’t it time you scheduled an appointment to see us soon?

When is eye pain an emergency?

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Eye pain can be a complicated matter because the severity of the pain does not indicate the cause of the discomfort. A relatively minor problem, such as a superficial abrasion of the cornea, can be very painful. However, a serious eye problem such as cataracts, macular degeneration or a detached retina, may cause no pain.

The eye’s cornea is one of the most sensitive tissues of the body and can be very useful because it’s the first line of defense against external injury to the eye. You’ll be sure to notice something irritating the front surface of your eye.

Blurred vision, redness and sensitivity to light often accompany eye pain. So what are the common causes of eye pain?

Corneal foreign body

Metal shavings, sawdust and other organic material are common foreign bodies that can become embedded in the surface of the cornea. This pain ranges from mild to severe and is most bothersome when you’re blinking.

Blurred vision and sensitivity to light are common and most corneal foreign bodies can be removed in the doctor’s office.

Corneal abrasion

To put is simply, this is a scratched cornea. Most of these are not serious. These scratches can be uncomfortable and cause sensitivity to light and watery eyes.

Many scratches will heal on their own within 24 hours. Deeper abrasions can lead to serious eye infection and even a corneal ulcer if left untreated.

You should see an eye doctor for any sharp discomfort of the eye that doesn’t resolve quickly to determine the cause.

Dry eyes

Dry eye usually begins slowly and gradually increases in pain compared to eye pain from a corneal foreign body or abrasion. They can sometimes lead to a corneal abrasion because there aren’t enough tears to determine the severity of the dryness.

Other eye pain causes

– Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
– Eye infections
– Iritis (inflammation of the iris)
– Contact lens discomfort

What about pain behind your eye? This is usually caused by migraine headaches and sinus infections.

A migraine headache usually has pain behind one eye accompanied by pain elsewhere on the same side of the head. Pain behind the eye from a sinus infection is usually less severe and both eyes may be affected.

If you’re suffering from eye pain, stop in to see the professional eye doctors at Performance Eyecare. Our eye experts give the special attention everyone deserves. We will help you get back to living a pain-free life and seeing clearly!

Choosing the right eye drops

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Performance Eyecare has tips for which kind of eye drops to use when you have certain eye conditions such as red eyes and pink eye.

Remember, please contact the eye doctors at Performance Eyecare if you have any of the following symptoms. We can help determine the cause and severity, as well as the best treatment.

Lubricating eye drops for dry eyes can provide relief for short-term dry eyes, such as computer eye strain, being outdoors on a sunny or windy day, and tiredness. Avoid ‘decongestant eye drops’ for dry eyes because it’s typically advertised as relief for red eyes. This can worsen dry eye symptoms in the long run.

Decongestant eye drops can eliminate red eyes by shrinking tiny blood vessels on the white part of the eye to make them look less visible. These drops are effective at getting rid of redness, but they could just be masking a more serious problem. It’s important to consult with an eye doctor to identify the cause of the red eyes.

When to Use Eye Drops

Allergy season is ramping up and so you will want to use antihistamine eye drops to treat your eyes. If the eye drops don’t contain the itching and doesn’t improve your symptoms, you should see an eye doctor.

It’s also important to see the eye doctor if you are considering using eye drops for soreness. Your eyes may be sore because they are dry, strained or tired, but you should have an eye exam if they are continually sore. This could be because you need vision correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia.

Those of us who wear contact lenses should use rewetting drops to provide relief for dry eyes and discomfort from your contacts. Like all of these eye drops, it’s important to check with the eye doctor to make sure the contact lens type is compatible with the eye drop you’re considering.

Be sure to schedule an appointment at Performance Eyecare to rule out any serious eye problem from the above eye symptoms.

The Top Five Reasons To Get Your Eyeglasses From Performance Eyecare!

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There’s a lot more to purchasing glasses than picking out a frame and getting some lenses put in it.  You want to purchase a quality pair that is going to hold up while you wear them and last for a couple of years  And if something were to go wrong with them, you want it fixed.  You also want to feel good wearing eyeglasses, knowing they work well with your face, style and that they represent you.  This is where PERFORMANCE EYECARE comes in.  We can take away the stress of worrying about all of these things while picking out your eyewear.

In fact, we’ve compiled a list as to why you should buy your next eyeglasses (and sunglasses) from us!  Check it out.

Reason #1: We’ve Got the Best Selection of Frames in the Metro-East

Our optical selection is one of the best in the area with over 700 quality eyeglasses and sunglasses to choose from. Whatever your style or budget is, we are confident that we have several frames that you will love.

Reason #2: Our Opticians Are Specially-Trained to Fit You in a Frame

We have a custom selection-process to fit your optical needs and our non-commissioned opticians pick frames for you according to your face shape, skin tone, brow structure, and so much more! We also have the ability to fit you into specialty eyewear, including sport sunglasses, sport goggles, and even scuba goggles!

Reason #3: We Have Our Own Eyeglass Laboratory

We make eyeglasses in the office with our state-of-the-art edging instruments. We can grind lenses for most prescriptions in our office to ensure the best quality. This also decreases turnaround time so that your new eyeglasses are ready sooner.

Reason #4: We Carry Quality Products

Like most products, there is a wide spectrum of quality among lenses and frames in the optical industry. We offer the most technologically advanced lenses that allow you to see your absolute best. Our frames are that of the highest quality, which hold adjustments. They’re built to last for many years to come.

Reason #5: Five-Star Warranty You Won’t See Anywhere Else

We are so confident in our eyeglasses that we carry a 2-year warranty on lenses and frames at no additional cost. If your glasses break, simply bring them back and your glasses will be repaired or replaced for free. We also offer a 60-day exchange policy, so if you decide you don’t like the shape or color, you can return it for another frame. If new lenses are required, a small lab regrinding fee will be charged depending on the type of lens you require.

If you’re ready to buy your eyeglasses now or even if you simply have more questions about what we do, don’t hesitate a minute longer! We can help you find eyeglasses that you will love!

 

Coping with Low Vision

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Low vision is the loss of eyesight that is not correctable through surgery, glasses/contacts, or pharmaceuticals. It’s most often characterized by blurred vision or blind spots. It can make everyday tasks such as reading, watching television, or driving a car difficult or even impossible in some cases.

However, there are many techniques available for those suffering low vision that can make many of these tasks still possible. Simple things such as improved lighting, glare reduction, or increased contrast can make things easier.

RE-VAMP YOUR HOME TO HELP YOUR VISION

There are lots of products available to help you set yourself up for success in your home! Step one will be making sure you have adequate lighting throughout. You can also buy special products with reduced glare, or better contrast to help you remain independent during your day-to-day life.

Make the Most of Your Remaining Vision: Using Your “Next-Best Spot”

When you have a blind spot (scotoma) in the center of your vision you will naturally find a “next-best spot.” You may hear this referred to as your preferred retinal locus or PRL. Adapting to using noncentral vision usually will require magnification and some training.

CREATE A SUPPORT TEAM

Your vision rehabilitation team may include:

  • An optometrist
  • A low-vision specialist
  • An occupational therapist
  • A rehabilitation teacher
  • An orientation and mobility specialist, who focuses on independent and safe travel
  • A social worker
  • A counselor
  • An assistive technology professional

For more information visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology. If you think your eyesight may be getting worse, please schedule an appointment at one of our offices today.

Non-Surgical Vision Correction While You Sleep

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VRSS

VRSS, Visual Correction, Performance Eyecare Alton IL, Illinois Eye Doctor

Few things are as precious as our eyesight. When our sight is less than perfect, it reduces our quality of life by making everything more difficult. If you don’t want to wear glasses because they’re bulky on your face or you just dislike the look, and you don’t want to deal with contacts or can’t wear them, and you’re uncomfortable with the idea of having surgery on your eyes, another option to help your vision does exist.

There’s now a new technology, started in 2010, called the Vision Retainer Shaping System. This procedure provides non-surgical vision correction while you sleep. It works similar to a dental retainer, but it’s for your eyes.

The special lenses involved are only worn at night while you sleep. They gradually reshape the cornea to reduce (or even eliminate) myopia or astigmatism. The lenses are comfortable to wear and easy to care for. You’ll feel no pain, and you can wear lenses in both eyes at the same time. Take them out in the morning, and you’ll have clearer vision all day long.

The treatment is most effective on mild to moderate cases. More severe cases may still require additional vision correction. If you’re not happy with the results for any reason, this process is also completely reversible. Simply stop wearing the lenses at night, and your vision will gradually return to its original state.

Because this system doesn’t work on every cornea shape, only specially trained optometrists can evaluate your suitability for this treatment and perform the procedure. The optometrists at the Vision Centers of Performance Eyecare in St. Louis & Illinois have received the special training necessary and have the proper diagnostic equipment and expertise to perform VRSS.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll review your prescription and let you know if the Vision Retainer Shaping System is right for you!

Should I Worry About Eye Floaters?

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What are Eye Floaters?

Eye Floater, Eye Floaters, My Doctor Says I have Eye Floaters, Performance Eyecare, Eye care, What Are Eye Floaters

Eye floaters are gray or black spots, squiggly lines, or cobweb-like shapes that drift across your field of vision as you move your eyes. While they may be annoying, they usually do not indicate a serious eye condition.

Causes of Eye Floaters:

Most floaters are the result of age-related changes in the eye. Our eyes are filled with a gel-like substance called vitreous. As we age, this gel can become partially liquefied. This causes collagen protein fibers in the vitreous to clump together and cast shadows on the retina. In rare cases, different eye diseases and disorders can cause floaters or flashbulb-like bursts of light, including

  • a detached or torn retina,
  • bleeding in the vitreous,
  • eye injuries,
  • diabetic retinopathy,
  • eye tumors, or
  • inflammation in the retina or vitreous.

When to See An Eye Doctor:

If you only have a few floaters that do not change over time or significantly interfere with your vision, you do not have to worry. In some instances, they may improve on their own with time. You can also try to move them out of your field of vision by moving your eyes up and down. You should see an eye care professional immediately if you notice

  • floaters associated with sudden flashes of light,
  • a sudden increase in the number of floaters,
  • floaters associated with eye pain,
  • floaters following eye surgery or trauma,
  • a loss of side vision, or
  • your symptoms worsen over time.

These symptoms can be indications of a detached retina or other serious conditions that can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated quickly.

Are Treatments Available For Eye Floaters?

In some instances, a laser can be used to break up large floaters so that they are less noticeable. If you have so many floaters that they significantly interfere with your vision, a surgical procedure is available in which the vitreous is removed and replaced with a saline solution.

Performance Eyecare is proud to offer preventative and emergency eye care services to patients in Creve Coeur, MO; Alton, IL; and Swansea, IL. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

Customized Eye Prescriptions

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Did you know that Performance Eyecare is one of the only eye centers that customizes Eye prescriptions in Scuba Diving Masks in our St. Louis, MO & Swansea, IL area? We provide affordable pricing on specialty lenses made to custom fit into your scuba mask to help you see at distance and also up close to see your gauges and watch.

Or, that we make eyeglasses in the office with our state-of-the-art edging instruments? And that we have a custom selection-process to fit your optical needs and we pick frames according to your face shape, skin tone and brow structure? Our staff and selection makes us the premiere eyecare center in St. Louis.