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ANTI-BACTERIAL ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING BY VSP

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If you've spent time at Dr. Bladh's office, you know what anti-reflective (A/R) coating is and does. Back in the early days of optometry, A/R coating was primarily used to get rid of glare when taking pictures and get a clearer view of the world through your lenses. Both solid reasons to commit to adding this product onto your glasses, but there were some flaws. Typically, the lenses were hard to keep clean and often times the coating would peel after several months so scientists went back to the lab and developed newer technology to combat those problems. After perfecting the anti-reflective product, laboratories started to add other benefits to the coating (insert blue-light filters). The most recent advancement has come with the recent COVID-19 pandemic as a way to defend your eyes from harmful blue light rays as well as BACTERIA! Yes you read that correctly; the new blue-light A/R coating has been ISO-certified as anti-bacterial technology. Sound like a gimm

VSP EXTENDS PRIMARY EYECARE BENEFIT TO VSP MEMBERS

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Vision Service Plan (VSP) members already have the backing of one of the strongest vision insurance companies in the United States. There are several plans that VSP offers, but one that gets unnoticed the most is their Primary EyeCare plan. This plan allows patients to visit one of the participating VSP doctors for acute and sometimes chronic diagnosis. Think pinkeye, infections, foreign body removal , etc. Instead of waiting for hours at urgent care or the ER to visit someone who might see an eye problem twice in the month, you can instead visit Dr. Bladh, who sees almost 2 eye problems per day. Not only is the experience alone worth the PEC plan, the time you wait to see Dr. Bladh is less than half the time you would wait to see an inexperienced doc at urgent care!  The only problem with the PEC plan under VSPs umbrella of options is the fact that most employers opt out of these services and figure you can go see your primary care physician instead. Well, with the recen

8 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR EYES AT THE OFFICE

Everyone seems to be staring at a screen these days, whether their computer, their smartphone or another digital device. The stress it puts on your eyes can cause a condition called "digital eye strain" (DES) or "computer vision syndrome" (CVS) . Symptoms include eye fatigue, dry eyes, blurred vision, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, red eyes, and eye twitching. How To Protect Your Eyes While You Work Below are a few things you can do to lower your risk or mitigate any discomfort associated with DES. 1. See your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam This is one of the most important things you can do to prevent or treat symptoms associated with computer vision syndrome. During your eye doctor’s appointment, make sure to speak with Dr. Bladh about your working habits, including the frequency and length of time you use a computer and other devices at work and at home. If you get a chance before you come, measure the distance between your eyes and your comp

KNOW YOUR SUNGLASSES OPTIONS

Anyone who has purchased a pair of sunglasses from Dr. Bladh OD knows that we make sure you look good in what you purchase and sure, sunglasses might add the final touches to your chic ensemble, but the real reason to purchase your shades is to protect your eyes from the sun. Not only does glare from the sun make it difficult to see, but the UV rays it reflects can cause permanent damage to your eyes and vision. You want to make sure your sunglasses offer optimal protection, fit, comfort and of course, the best possible vision. Here are some things to consider when purchasing your next pair. UV Protection There are two types of UV radiation, UVA and UVB . UVA rays are less intense yet more prevalent than UVB rays, making up 95% of the UV radiation that reaches the surface of the Earth. They have been linked to skin cancer, aging and the development of cataracts. UVB rays are very dangerous to the eyes and are the primary cause of sunburns and cancer. While they are dangerous year r

ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT AND YOUR EYES

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If you want strong, healthy eyes and clear vision for life, a major step you can take is to protect your eyes from UV radiation.  Wearing proper eye protection from the sun reduces the risk of a number of eye diseases and other conditions that are caused or worsened by UV exposure. Eye Diseases Linked to UV Exposure UV exposure has been linked to a number of serious eye diseases including macular degeneration and cataracts. Macular Degeneration Macular degeneration  is a condition in which the macula of the eye breaks down, leading to a loss of central vision and is a leading cause of age-related vision loss.  Macular degeneration develops over time so a lifetime of exposure to UV can contribute it’s likelihood. Cataracts Cataracts  occur when the natural lens of the eye becomes clouded, resulting in blurred vision and eventually blindness. The lens is responsible for focusing the light that comes into the eye, allowing clear vision. Cataracts can be treated by a simpl

SHOULD I BE CONCERNED WHEN MY EYELID TWITCHES?

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We all experience the occasional  eyelid twitch , which is when the muscle of the eyelid spasms involuntarily. Usually, it comes and goes without intervention and while sure, it can be irritating, is a twitching eyelid ever something to be concerned about? An eyelid twitch, also known as a myokymia, can affect the upper or lower lid and usually lasts for at least a few seconds and then may continue off and on for a few minutes. Usually unpredictable, twitching episodes can last several days and sometimes they may go away and then return weeks or months later. Causes of Eyelid Twitching Although they may be bothersome, most eyelid twitches are nothing to cause concern and usually resolve on their own. However, in some rare cases, they may be a sign of a more serious problem, especially if they are accompanied by other symptoms - we will discuss this further below. Some known causes of eyelid twitches include: Fatigue or lack of sleep Stress Eye irritation or dry eyes

SIGNS OF EYE AND VISION PROBLEMS IN INFANTS

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Infant Eyesight Despite nine months of growth in utero, babies are not born with fully developed eyes and vision - just like they can't walk or talk yet. Over the first few months of life, their visual systems continue to progress, stimulated by their surroundings. Babies will develop the ability to track objects, focus their eyes, and move them like a team. Their visual acuity will improve and they will gradually be able to see more colors. They will also form the neural connections that will allow them to process what they see, to understand and interact with the world around them.Healthy eyes and good vision are necessary for proper and timely progress; ocular or visual problems can lead to developmental delays. So how do you know if your infant is developing normally? What can you do to ensure your baby's eye health and vision are on track? While infant eye problems are not common, here are some steps you can take to ensure your child's eyes are healthy.