Vertical Eye Problems

Many times a patient will will be able to see clearly out of each eye separately but has trouble using both eyes together.

One problem that could be causing this is the eye's being out of alignment in the vertical direction.  If the eyes are the least bit out of alignment vertically, straining to see or double vision could occur.  This finding is often not measured during the course of an examination.

Also, when an individual has a very significant difference in prescription between the two eyes, especially with bifocal wearers, the patient can feel this same strain.  Regarding this particular situation, prism might need to be added to the prescription  to help compensate for this difference between the two eyes.

Glaucma Certification

I am currently going through continuing education coursework  to become certified in prescribing for patients who have glaucoma.  I anticipate completing the courses by mid-March, 2013. 

This is a significatnt expansion of the scope of care that I can provide.  One of the factors I so love about optometry is that nothing is static.  There is constant change within the profession.  I feel so fortunate that I picked such a profession to make my career. 

I am also able to share this with individuals either in optometry school or students who are trying to decide what career path to follow.

Mastermind Group

Most Thursday evenings at my office at 7:00 P.M., we have a Mastermind Group meeting.  In these meetings which usually last about one and one half hours, we discuss the tenets of Jim Rohn.  He writes on everything from economic gains, physical well being, business, networking and even spirituality.  Our next two meetings, are November 29 and December 6.

I so enjoy these meetings.  I get a great feeling after their conclusion.  If you're interested in attending, please give me a call at (951) 206-1747.  I think you'll find it very fulfilling.

Just a reminder.  My office is located at 7211-A Haven Ave. in Rancho Cucamonga in the Ralph's Shopping Center.  Our office has the sign "optometry" in front of

Continuing Education

Optometry is such an expansive field.  When I go to continuing education seminars, it amazes me the developments that are occurring within the eye and vision fields.  New contact lenses and lenses for glasses have come a long way over the last few years.

Medical advanements in refractive surgery (lasik for example), cataract surgery and being able to treat macular degeneration  has also grown by leaps and bounds.  It's great to be witness to the patients receiving the benefits of these developments.

Also, the fact that almost everyone is in front of a hand-held device, tablet or monitor will help insure the needs for my services will only grow. The effects of viewing extensive close up work, for some, affects one's vision. To be honest, this area alone is a very exciting area for me.

Attention To Detail

I was recently at a Chamber of Commerce function last week.  One of my patients came up to be me and was very happy about her glasses.  She said it was the first time she was able to read comfortably then look up and see clearly with her bifocal.

The patient had problems previously because she had a very significant difference between her two eyes.  This meant that when she looked down to read, she was struggling from seeing double vision.  A lot of times, consideration for this is overlooked.  We prescribed what's called "slab-off" prism to help with the situation.  It made a significant difference for the patient.

Mastermind Group

On a weekly basis, a group of about ten indiviuals have been getting together weekly at my office studying the tenets of Jim Rohn and his pillars of success.  This has been of great value to the participants and myself.  We share in a discussion group areas of life pertaining to networking, spirituality, physical well being and other areas of life.

Our meetings are usually on Thursday at 7 P.M. on a weekly basis.  The feedback of guests who have attended has been really positive.  We'd like to see our group grow.  If you'd like to attend, please cally my cell at (951) 206-1747.

I came across the term"mastermind group" in Napolean Hill's great book, "Think and Grow Rich."  If you haven't read this book, you should.  If you haven't read it in a while, you should.

HOPE TO SEE YOU.

Refractive Surgery and Age Consideration

People usually ask me if they're a candidate for refractive surgery.  Most surgeons usually want the patient to be at least 21 years old although I have seen some surgeons perform surgery with the patient at 18 years old.

A prime consideration for performing surgery at any age is if the eyes are changing.  If they are, usually the surgeon will not perform surgery no matter what the age is.

A third and very important consideration are the ages between 35 and 42.  This is a critical age because around this time the focusing system of the eyes is changing.  Let's say you perform a surgery at 39 years of age.  The patient should be able to see both distance and near.  However, as the patient gets into the early 40's, the patient will not be able to see as well close up and will probably need reading glasses.

If the patient is in their mid 40's or older, they already know they can't focus through the distance prescription .  In this case they'll either have surgery where one eye's for reading and one eye's for distance or they'll need reading glasses for up close if both eyes are corrected for distance.

The above surgeries only pertains to corneal surgery.  If the older patient elects, they can have surgery where a multifocal lens is implanted into the eye and they can see far and near.