Use It or Lose It

 

As we approach year's end and if you happen to be one of those that has a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that does not roll over after December 31st, then now is the time to use it.

What is a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)? An FSA is typically funded by the employee as a health benefit. This account allows employees to contribute pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified health expenses not covered under insurance plans and funds must be used by December 31st. You may use these to pay for eligible health care expenses such as co-payments, deductibles, pharmacy expenses, dental, and vision.

You can pay for eye exams and prescription glasses and contacts with your FSA. But did you realize that prescription sunglasses are also covered? You can also buy reading glasses with your FSA. You can receive a Lasik procedure with FSA dollars, since Lasik is considered cosmetic it is not covered by insurance.

Schedule your appointment today.

412.331.9696


#eyegotcha

#UseItorLoseIt

#PittsburghOptometrist

#PittsburghEyeCare


Sources:
www.goodrx.com
www.etf.wi.gov
www.healthcare.gov

Are you joking-Thanksgiving Edition

 

Q. Who is scared the cranberry?
A. The boo berry

Q. What’s a running turkey called?
A. Fast food

Q. Knock knock
who’s there.?
Dewey
Dewey who?
Dowey have to wait long to eat

Q. How did the salt and pepper welcome all the guests?
A. By saying “seasonings greetings”

Q. Why do turkeys gobble?
A. Because they never learned table manners

Q. What is a turkey's favorite Thanksgiving food?
A. Nothing it’s already stuffed

Progressive Addition Lenses: Premium versus Standard

Progressive lenses are also called multifocal lenses, progressive edition lenses, varifocal lenses, progressive power lenses, graduated prescription lenses, or progressive spectacle lenses, but most commonly referred to as “no-line” bifocals.

Image: https://www.zennioptical.com

Bifocals versus progressive lenses bifocals correct just two types of vision, they will help you see objects far away and close up. Bifocals have the near vision prescription at the bottom of the lens and distance at the top, separated by a line. Progressive lenses provide multiple powers of vision correction. Progressive lenses are true “multifocal” lenses that provide an infinite number of lens strengths in one pair of glasses. Progressive lenses require less head movement and provide a wider channel for reading.

What is the difference between standard and premium progressive lenses? Standard and premium lenses offer similar benefits for your eyes, such as clearing up your vision at three distances.

Standard progressive lenses:

• Larger frames are needed for various focal points
• Are more affordable
• Cover most prescriptions
• Suitable for most people including children

Premium progressive lenses:

• The cost is a little higher
• A broader viewing area
• Less visual distortion
• Custom made for your eyes
• Can accommodate a smaller frame
• Gives the clearest vision
• Are easier to get used to
• Most natural vision possible

Premium progressive lenses can be manufactured to individual specifications, it is just like a tailored suit versus a suit "off of the rack".

#eyegotcha

#PittsburghOptometrist

#PittsburghEyeCare

#ProgressiveLenses


Sources:

www.foreyes.com

www.healthgrades.com

www.readingglasses.com

Anti-reflective coatings you get what you pay for

 

Image: www.lastcallattheoasis.com

I am sure you have heard the saying “you get what you pay for”. Well, this applies to the choices you make when choosing an A/R treatment.

Anti-reflective (A/R) treatment on eyeglasses is a treatment that is applied to reduce glare and to also help to protect against scratches.

AR treatments for glasses are cosmetic for the lenses and depending on your vision needs can potentially improve comfort and safety. One size does not fit all in this case. Some eyeglass treatments come bundled in the purchase price while others come in a range of prices. This is strictly a personal decision. Uses and needs should be discussed with your eye care professional.

Somethings you may want to consider:
Does this treatment carry a warranty? (Ours are guaranteed for 2 years)
What kind of extra care does this treatment require?

If the coating is applied during the purchase, the coating becomes part of the manufacturing process, it is more cost-effective and integrated. Adding the coating after purchasing, first will typically cost more. The coating may not stick as well if the lens has already been exposed to skin oils. If the lenses have already been scratched the scratches will be magnified by the coating and made worse for the wearer.

Advantages of an A/R treatment:


A/R treatments give sharper and clearer vision than uncoated lenses.
A/R treatments can improve night vision.
A/R treatments reduce glare/strain/fatigue from computers/phones/tablets.
A/R treatments are more resistant to scratches and more resistant to watermarks and dirt than untreated lenses
A/R treatments reduce the halo effect more than regular glasses.
A/R treatments make the lenses look clearer



It’s best to select a quality A/R treatment. A/R treatments allow you to see better, look better, and make for a better pair of glasses. Get the best A/R you can afford. If you can afford it, get good treatment on every pair of glasses you have. Just like lenses, your optician should be able to tell you what brand and what type of A/R treatment you are getting and give you information about your treatment. If you must choose between cheap A/R treatment or none at all, choose none at all. Cheap A/R treatments do nothing but scratch, smudge, and smear. If you have had issues with treatments chipping and peeling and flaking in the past, this is caused by a poor-quality treatment. Our treatments do not do that. We are so confident in our treatments they are guaranteed for two years.

Sources:
www.allaboutvision.com
www.eyeweb.com
www.visionsource.com
www.consumerreports.org


#eyegotcha
#PittsburghEyeCare
#PittsburghOptometrist

November Is National Diabetes Awareness Month

 

Image:www.zazzle.com

National Diabetes Awareness Month is an annual campaign throughout the month of November in the USA to bring awareness to the growing prevalence of diabetes, the health risks associated with it, raise funds for research into the condition, and support people living with it. This year the days and dates are Monday-Tuesday, 1-30 November 2021.

Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing, preventable medical conditions in the world.

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), at 31 million the US has one of the highest prevalences of diabetes in the world.

Recent research by the Diabetes Research Institute published in 2020 also points to some alarming statistics. Among the US population overall the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed people with the condition for 2018 were (crude estimates):

• 34.2 million people of all ages—or 10.5% of the US population—had diabetes
• 34.1 million adults aged 18 years or older—or 13.0% of all US adults—had diabetes
• 7.3 million adults aged 18 years or older who met laboratory criteria for diabetes were not aware of or did not report having diabetes. This number represents 2.8% of all US adults and 21.4% of all US adults with diabetes.

 

The percentage of adults with diabetes increased with age, reaching 26.8% among those aged 65 years or older.

 

Diabetes also affects different ethnic groups differently. The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes was highest among American Indians/Alaska Natives (14.7%), people of Hispanic origin (12.5%), and non-Hispanic blacks (11.7%), followed by non-Hispanic Asians (9.2%) and non-Hispanic whites (7.5%).

 

Diabetes is a condition where the body can’t naturally control the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Blood sugar levels rise and in turn cause medical complications. Diabetics are likely to be diagnosed with more medical problems than the average man or woman, but many are preventable. These include stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, eye problems, dental disease, and foot problems.

 

Many people with diabetes-related eye disease are at risk for vision loss; the good news is that it is preventable with early detection, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up care.

 

What Is Diabetic Eye Disease?

Diabetic eye disease is a term for several eye problems that can all result from diabetes. Diabetic eye diseases include: 

• diabetic retinopathy
• diabetic macular edema
• cataract
• glaucoma

Diabetes can cause vision problems even if you do not have a form of diabetic eye disease. These can include:

• Blurry vision. If your blood sugar levels change quickly, it can affect the shape of your eye’s lens, causing blurry vision. Your vision goes back to normal after your blood sugar stabilizes. Have your blood sugar controlled before getting your eyeglasses prescription checked. This ensures you receive the correct prescription.
• Double vision. Diabetes can damage the nerves that move the eyes and help them work together. This nerve damage can lead to double vision. 

Diabetic eye care can be controlled by using these seven tips to protect your eyes:

• Schedule appointments with your eye doctor at least once a year so they can spot any problem early and treat it. During your exam, your eye doctor will use special drops to widen (dilate) your pupils and check the blood vessels in your eyes for early signs of damage. Including a retinal image during a yearly exam is wise so as to have a pictorial record showing changes year to year.
• Keep your blood sugar under control. If you do that, you can slow any damage to the tiny blood vessels in your eyes. Several times a year, you should have an A1c blood test. It shows your blood sugar levels over the past 2 or 3 months. Your result should be around 7% or less.
• Keep high blood pressure in check. It can lead to eye disease, too. If you have high blood pressure and diabetes, you need to be even more careful about your health. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure at every visit. For most people with diabetes, it should be less than 130/80.
• Check your cholesterol levels. All it takes is a blood test to find out how much “bad” LDL and “good” HDL cholesterol you have. Too much LDL is linked to blood vessel damage.
• Eat for wellness. Go for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. If that’s a big change for you, you can get ideas and encouragement from a nutritionist. You can also ask your doctor’s advice about when you should eat and how much is OK if you take insulin.
• If you smoke, quit. Lighting up causes problems with your blood vessels, which makes you more likely to end up with eye trouble. It’s not easy to kick the habit, so don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for help. Or go to a support group or quit smoking program.
• Move more. Exercise can have a big influence on blood sugar. If you use insulin or medication to lower your blood sugar, ask your doctor when you should check your levels before and during your workouts. Also, ask what type of workout you should do. 

 

#eyegotcha

#PittsburghEyeCare

#PittsburghOptometrist

#diabetesawarenessmonth 

 

 

Sources:

www.diabetes.org

www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/diabetic-eye-disease

www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/eye-care