Did you know that the quality of the plastic used in your eyeglasses can impact their lifespan and durability? At Performance Eyecare, we source only high-quality plastics to ensure that your glasses last as long as possible. Plus, we offer a 1-year warranty on all of our eyeglasses for your peace of mind.
In this video, we share the importance of quality plastic for your eyeglasses and how your eye doctor’s sourcing can make all the difference. We also provide some signs to look out for that may indicate that your glasses’ plastic is wearing out, so you can take action to maintain their longevity.
The Best Materials Create The Best Frames
Don’t settle for subpar eyeglasses – choose Performance Eyecare for quality materials and expert care. Schedule an exam with our optical experts today!
Contact lenses are a convenient and comfortable alternative to glasses, but they do require regular maintenance to ensure optimal vision and eye health. In this video, we provide tips for cleaning and storing your contact lenses, including the use of proper solutions and avoiding common mistakes like sleeping in your lenses.
Ensuring you get the most out of rewearable contacts begins at the eye doctor’s office. Our team will help you find contacts that fit with your lifestyle, and determine the best schedule for replacing your lenses. If you’ve had any changes in your vision or eye health, we’ll pick the perfect pair to help you enjoy clear vision and comfortable contact lens wear every day.
Quality Contact Lenses
Performance Eyecare offers a variety of contact lens options, including lenses for dry eyes, astigmatisms, and more. We love helping patients who are exploring contacts for the first time, as well as those who have struggled to get fit for contacts in the past. Schedule an exam with our optical experts to explore the comfort and flexibility of contacts today!
Your prescription eyeglasses are a significant investment in your vision and style, so it’s important to take proper care to ensure they last as long as possible. Our team at Performance Eyecare will teach you all about how to maintain your glasses. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy comfortable, clear vision for years to come:
Clean your glasses regularly – a simple bath with warm water and dish soap will do the trick
Always store your glasses in a hardshell case when you aren’t wearing them
Make sure your frames are properly fit to your face, without leaning towards one side or the other
Keep your glasses away from possible damage – impact sports, hot cars, or curious pets are some of the top perpetrators
Our Glasses Are Built To Last
Performance Eyecare is proud to offer high quality glasses frames, including styles from our exclusive private label collections. Schedule your next eye exam today to find your new favorite pair of glasses!
If you’re reading this article, chances are you’ve experienced some dry eye symptoms. You’re in luck, despite misconceptions, dry eye is a curable condition.
There are several effective treatment options available to alleviate its symptoms and improve overall eye health. If you’ve noticed changes in your eye lubrication or frequently experience dryness, itchiness, or a gritty sensation, it is crucial to seek an evaluation from your eye doctor.
Causes and Symptoms of Dry Eye
Dry eye occurs when your eyes fail to produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly.
Several factors contribute to this condition, including:
Environmental conditions
Medical conditions
Certain medications
Environmental factors such as dry air, wind, or exposure to smoke can exacerbate dry eye symptoms. Medical conditions like autoimmune disorders, diabetes, and hormonal changes can also impact tear production. Furthermore, certain medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, and antidepressants, can cause dryness in the eyes.
Symptoms
Dry eye presents with various symptoms, including:
Persistent dry sensation
Redness
Itching
Blurred vision
Light sensitivity
Discomfort when wearing contact lenses.
These symptoms can range from mild to severe and can significantly affect your quality of life if left untreated.
Your eye doctor will conduct a thorough examination to diagnose dry eye accurately and determine the underlying causes. During the evaluation, your eye doctor will review your medical history, assess your symptoms, and perform specific tests to measure tear production and evaluate the quality of your tears.
Treatment Options for Dry Eye
Whether your symptoms are mild or severe, understanding these treatment options can help you find relief and improve your overall eye health. From artificial tears and lubricating eye drops to lifestyle modifications and advanced procedures, each approach aims to address the underlying causes of dry eye and provide the necessary moisture and lubrication your eyes need
Artificial Tears and Lubricating Eye Drops
One of the most common treatment options for dry eye is the use of artificial tears or lubricating eye drops.
These products supplement the natural tear film and provide relief from dryness and discomfort. Your eye doctor may recommend different types of eye drops, including those that reduce inflammation or stimulate tear production, based on the severity of your dry eye.
Lifestyle Modifications
In addition to eye drops, certain lifestyle changes can help manage dry eye symptoms effectively.
Increasing humidity levels in your environment, avoiding excessive screen time, taking regular breaks to rest your eyes, and wearing protective eyewear outdoors can significantly alleviate dry eye symptoms and improve overall eye health.
Advanced Procedures
For severe cases of dry eye, advanced procedures may be recommended.
Punctal occlusion is one such option where tiny plugs are inserted into the tear ducts to slow down tear drainage and maintain better eye lubrication. Other advanced treatments may involve techniques like intense pulsed light therapy or prescription medications to address the underlying causes of dry eye and provide long-lasting relief.
Trust the Experts for Dry Eye Treatment at Performance Eyecare
By seeking timely treatment for dry eye, you can enjoy clear vision and comfortable eyes without any pain or discomfort. If you are experiencing dry eye symptoms, schedule an appointment with one of our experienced eye doctors at Performance Eyecare.
With ten convenient locations in Missouri and Illinois, we offer personalized care and tailor dry eye treatment options to your specific needs. Don’t let dry eye hold you back from living life to the fullest. Schedule your next eye exam today to take the first step towards relieving your dry eye symptoms. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you on your journey to optimal eye health.
To celebrate National Sunglasses Day 2023, we’re shedding light on the importance of protecting our eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. The Vision Council, a leading authority in the eyewear industry, has been instrumental in raising awareness about the significance of UV sunglasses.
In this blog post, we delve into the history of National Sunglasses Day, discuss the vital role of The Vision Council, and emphasize the significance of shielding your eyes with UV sunglasses.
The History and Purpose of National Sunglasses Day
National Sunglasses Day was established by The Vision Council to educate the public about the harmful effects of UV radiation on eye health and promote the use of sunglasses as a protective measure. This annual observance, held on June 27th, serves as a reminder to prioritize eye protection and raise awareness about the importance of selecting quality sunglasses.
Advocacy for Eye Safety
The Vision Council is a non-profit organization that serves as a unified voice for the entire eyewear industry. Comprising manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers, this esteemed council collaborates to foster innovation, set industry standards, and promote best practices.
The Vision Council’s commitment to advocating for eye safety is evident in their efforts to promote National Sunglasses Day. Through this campaign, they aim to emphasize the role of sunglasses as a fashionable accessory and a vital tool in safeguarding vision.
Protecting Your Eyes: The Importance of UV Sunglasses
Understanding UV Radiation
UV radiation, a component of sunlight, can cause various eye conditions, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and corneal sunburn. Prolonged exposure to UV rays without adequate protection can lead to long-term damage and vision impairment.
Benefits of UV Sunglasses
UV Protection: High-quality sunglasses with UV filters block harmful UVA and UVB rays, reducing the risk of eye damage and potential vision problems.
Glare Reduction: Sunglasses minimize glare from reflective surfaces, enhancing visual comfort and reducing eye strain.
Blue Light Filtering: Certain sunglasses are designed to filter out harmful blue light emitted by electronic devices, reducing eye fatigue and potential long-term effects on vision.
Choosing the Right Sunglasses
To ensure optimal eye protection, consider the following factors when selecting sunglasses:
UV Protection: Look for sunglasses labeled with 100% UV protection or UV400 to ensure maximum shield against harmful rays.
Lens Quality: Opt for lenses that provide distortion-free, high-definition vision while blocking UV radiation.
Fit and Coverage: Select sunglasses that provide adequate coverage, shielding your eyes from all angles and minimizing peripheral light exposure.
Accurate Prescription: Make sure you’re getting your prescription sunglasses from a trusted eye care provider. At Performance Eyecare, we specialize in comprehensive eye exams to ensure the prescription in your sunglasses are exact.
Check out this helpful infographic for fun facts about sunglasses and UV protection:
Remember to celebrate this day by wearing your favorite pair of UV sunglasses and encouraging others to prioritize their eye health. Let’s keep our vision clear and bright for years to come!
Need Prescription Sunglasses?
Fill out the form below to schedule an appointment at your nearest Performance Eyecare location to get fitted for prescription sunglasses for the whole family!
Preparing for your first time in contacts? In this video, Dr. Thomas Cunningham, a top-rated eye doctor for Performance Eyecare, shares his tips for first time contact lens wearers.
Our best advice for patients preparing to wear contact lenses is to not worry! Before attempting to put the lenses in, we recommend practicing getting your (clean) finger close to your eye. Take your time with this, getting closer until you’re comfortable enough to touch your eye. This will take some of the anxiety away from putting lenses in for the first time.
Once patients learn that touching their eye is not harmful or painful, they quickly pick up how to insert the contact lenses into their eyes.
Wearing contact lenses for the first time can seem daunting, but with the right guidance and practice, you’ll be able to wear them with ease. Dr. Cunningham’s tips for first-time contact lens wearers are an excellent resource for those who are new to the world of contacts. So, whether you want to wear contacts for cosmetic reasons or medical necessity, Performance Eyecare has you covered.
Book an appointment today and experience the benefits of wearing contacts with the help of our experienced and knowledgeable eye doctors.
Hey, listen up! Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans have hearing loss in at least one ear? That’s right! That comes out to be about 48 million people.
Just because we care for your eyes doesn’t mean we ignore everything else! In fact, our optometrists are focused on providing you with excellent eye care AND improving your total health. That’s why we’re pleased to offer all of our patients hearing services in our office with the help of Hearing Professionals of America.
When you come in for your annual eye exam, we will conduct a FREE one-minute hearing screening to test for any and all hearing loss you may have. Loss of hearing can range from minor loss from wax build-up to serious loss due to health problems such as cancerous tumors.
In case you do not pass the hearing screening, you will be scheduled with our on-staff hearing specialist who will perform comprehensive hearing evaluation for you! He will then determine if you will need any hearing devices or not.
So if you’re experiencing anything out of the norm with your hearing, find it difficult to understand a conversation in a noisy restaurant, or have found that your loved ones have been constantly complaining that you set the volume too high on the TV or the car radio, then you don’t have to worry. You can just come in to see us at Performance Eyecare, and we’ll make sure your hearing is up to par.
Whether it concerns your vision or your hearing, you can be confident that we have your best interest in mind.
Snow lovers everywhere are gearing up for winter to officially hit, and many are wondering if this year’s winter will be a winter wonderland or a mild season. Many forecasters are calling for more wintery precipitation than last year in the St. Louis area.
You might be one of the many who dread winter and are currently putting away your shorts, flip-flops, and swimsuits for the rest of the year. One important “summer” item that you shouldn’t put away – your sunglasses!
You may not realize it, but spending a day in the snow can be much harder and detrimental to your eyes than a day at the beach. That’s because snow reflects nearly 80% of the sun’s rays, which means that more harmful ultraviolet rays are directed into your unprotected eyes.
Hours of bright sunlight can actually burn the surface of your eyes. This causes a temporary yet painful condition called photokeratitis. As time passes, unprotected exposure to the sun can contribute to cataracts and even cancer of the eyelids and to the skin around the eyes. Ultraviolet exposure can also increase your risk of macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 65.
Winter Eye Protection
How do you ensure that your eyes are protected during the winter? Easy! Wear the proper eye gear.
When you go outside to build a snowman, take a walk in the snow, start a snow fight, or attempt to drive to work in the snowy wonderland, always wear a pair of sunglasses that will block out the harmful ultraviolet light. Make sure that your sunglasses can block out 100% of UV light. Remember, just because the lenses are dark doesn’t guarantee that they will block out 100% of the light.
If you plan on hitting the slopes this winter, be sure to wear protective eyewear. Goggles or sunglasses should do the trick and should help ensure your safety.
Most importantly of all, please do remember to wear sunglasses while on the road. Too often we are blinded by the bright light reflecting off the snow, and this can cause harm to ourselves and others around us. Avoid any and all accidents by wearing sunglasses so you can see where you are going.
If you’re looking for the perfect pair of sunglasses for you to wear during the winter (and the rest of the year, too!), come see us. We have hundreds of frames for you to choose from. Protect your vision this winter with help from your friends at Performance Eyecare!
Buying your child’s first pair of glasses can be a very exciting time, but it can also become a confusing and very overwhelming endeavor if you’re not certain what to look for. After all, there are so many choices available out there when it comes to eyewear that it’s nearly impossible to choose the perfect frame! What’s a parent to do?
Sometimes, your optometrist might make a specific recommendation about which frames would work best for your child, but usually that choice is yours alone to make. To make the decision easier on you, check out our 7 most essential tips for purchasing eyeglasses for your child!
Through Thick and Thin
Your child’s prescription is always the most important choice when it comes to selecting glasses, and you should consult with your optician about the lenses before you choose the frames. As a rule of thumb, if your child’s lenses are thick, try to find the lightest frame for them so the glasses won’t be so heavy. Keep in mind also that smaller lenses usually have fewer higher-order aberrations near the end of the lenses than larger lenses do so blurred or distorted peripheral vision shouldn’t be a big problem for your child.
Lens Material Matters
In addition to the thinness and thickness of your child’s lenses, you must also be sure that the lens material will not only help your child to see but will also protect his or her eyesight. Lenses should be made of polycarbonate or a material called Trivex. These materials are lightweight and can take much more tough love than other lens materials. They also usually include protection against potentially harmful ultraviolet rays and are coated with scratch resistant materials. Ask your optician’s opinion on the matter if you’re in doubt.
Metal or Plastic
Frames are made of two types of material – metal (that is, wire) or plastic. In the past, plastic was a popular choice because it was seen as more durable and lighter in weight and in price, but anymore, manufacturers are making metal frames that have the same advantages as plastic frames. When in doubt, be sure to ask your optician which material is the better choice for your child.
Take It to the Bridge
Perhaps one of the most difficult parts of the entire decision is the bridge fit of the frames. After all, children’s noses aren’t yet fully developed, so glasses can have a tendency to slide down a child’s face, especially when they’re playing. Many frames, especially metal ones, tend to be made with adjustable nose pads to help fit the glasses to everyone’s bridge, so keep a look out for frames with nose pads!
Choose Your Earpiece Style
Essentially, there are two types of earpiece styles: cable temples, which feature a more curved earpiece that reaches around the ear, and standard temples, which are a straight edge. Cable temples tend to be very advantageous for very young children or for times when children are playing since they tend to not slide off the child’s face. Standard temples are great for those who wear glasses only some of the time since they are easier to take on and off.
Find the Cool Frames
Wearing glasses usually subjects the child to a good amount of teasing, especially when they’re wearing them for the first time. Try to avoid frames that aren’t pricey, inappropriate for their age, or make them look “uncool.” Remember, the real goal is to get your child to keep wearing his or her glasses, so make sure that they like the glasses that you choose!
Plan B
Children can be pretty tough on eyewear, so it might be a good idea to have an extra pair of glasses just in case the pair that you plan on having them wear is lost or broken. An extra pair is particularly advantageous for children who have strong prescriptions and can’t function without the use of their glasses.
If you’re ready to pick out your child’s eyeglasses, don’t wander around in the dark! Stop by to see us at Performance Eyecare for all of your eyecare needs.
Your flexible spending deadline is most likely fast approaching, so be sure to spend your flex dollars wisely. Many flexible spending plans have a deadline of December 31st, so be sure and check with your plan administrator to determine the specific requirements of your FSA plan so that you can make sure you are utilizing it before it is gone and the new year begins.
Did you know that virtually ALL of your eye health costs qualify for your FSA?
8 smart ways to use your health benefit dollars, so you don’t have to kiss them goodbye!
Set up an eye exam
Order new contact lenses
Eyeglasses
Computer glasses
Prescription sunglasses
Laser vision correction
Reading glasses
Contact lens solution & supplies
If you are ready to put your flexible spending dollars to use on high quality care at Performance Eyecare, contact your local office today. Your family’s eye heath is our number one priority. We look forward to seeing you in our office soon.
Computer Vision Syndrome is a condition resulting from extended use of display devices such as computers, tablets, or cell phones. Though often temporary, the condition can result in symptoms such as blurred visions, headaches, redness of the eye, dry eyes, double vision, or dizziness. CVS affects as many as 90% of computer users who spend more than three hours a day at a computer.
Most instances of CVS are caused by one of the following: glares, poor posture, poor lighting, or uncorrected vision problems.
Addressing CVS
To mitigate the effects of extended computer use, doctors recommend following the 20-20-20 rule; take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away every 20 minutes.
Your glasses can also help prevent eye damage! Consider upgrading to blue-light resistant lenses, which can lesson the impact of screen time.
If you think you may be suffering from CVS, schedule an appointment at one of our offices today.
Diabetes is a debilitating disease affecting over 29 million Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than one-fourth of this population is not diagnosed. Although most commonly associated with controlling blood sugar levels, diabetes is a systemic disease that, left untreated or poorly managed, can cause damage throughout the body including the heart, kidneys and retina. It is also a leading cause of blindness in the US (National Eye Institute).
November is recognized as National Diabetes Month. Take the time to learn your risk factors and, if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, learn how you can protect your vision.
Diabetes’ impact on the eyes
Diabetes causes progressive nerve damage and damage to the blood vessels leading to the retina, resulting in several types of diabetic eye disease:
Diabetic retinopathy: When the blood vessels are damaged, they will leak blood or other fluids, causing distorted vision and blindness.
Diabetic macular edema: The macula is in the center of the retina, and enables sharp central vision. Diabetic retinopathy can cause the macula to swell: blurring vision.
Cataracts: Although most people will develop cataracts, diabetics often develop cataracts earlier in life.
Glaucoma: Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve due to elevated pressure in the eye. Diabetics are twice as likely to develop glaucoma than other people.
Diabetics can protect their vision and improve their health by:
Managing blood sugar levels through good nutrition, exercise and (if prescribed) medication;
Regular doctor visits to monitor HBA1C (blood glucose) levels and kidney function;
Annual complete dilated eye exams. In a dilated exam, your eye doctor can see things that might not be apparent through a routine vision screening.
For more information on Diabetic Eye Disease and protecting your vision, contact Performance Eyecare.
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