Piggy bank with glasses

Use-It-or-Lose-It – FSA $$ for Eye Care!

If you’ve been contributing to a Flexible Savings Account to cover healthcare expenses this year, don’t forget that you can use these funds for eyecare, too. The year is almost over and with most accounts, at the end of the year or grace period, you lose any money left over. The good news is, that […]

graphic image of Eyelashes

Lashes: Why They Drop Like Leaves!

It’s natural for things to fall in the Fall, like leaves and temperatures, and it’s also natural that eyelashes fall out all year long. However, our eyes require those delicate fringes for purposes beyond mere aesthetics. Eyelashes protect the eyes from debris that can obstruct vision or cause infection or injury. Like hair, eyelashes grow, fall […]

Apps-olutely Essential: Tech Tools for Low Vision

Did you know there are technological tools available to help make everyday life easier for people with low vision? If you or someone you know is living with low or impaired vision, there is a wide range of assistive apps, devices, and resources that can be accessed from most smartphones or tablets. In observance of […]

Stress and the Eyes: The Surprising Connection

Is there a connection between the level of stress a person experiences, and the eyes? All indications are that yes, there is. When we feel stressed, our body releases cortisol and adrenaline, the “fight or flight” hormones. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, high levels of these hormones, either for short or longer periods, […]

Contacts for Kids?

Parents, have you been wondering at what age your child could start wearing contact lenses? There is no set age, but much will depend on how responsible your child is, along with how much parental support is needed and available. Children as young as 8 years old may do well with contacts, while some teens […]

6 Signs of Vision Problems in Children

As the busy summer months are coming to a close and back-to-school is just around the corner, it’s a good time for parents to pay closer attention to their child’s eyes. August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, and at Atlantic Eye we want to remind parents that eye health affects your child’s development […]

Polarized Lenses vs. UV Protection: “SPF” for the Eyes!

We know it’s important to protect our skin when out in the sun, but it’s just as important to protect our delicate eyes from discomfort and possible damage from the sun’s rays. July is UV Safety Awareness Month, a perfect time to talk about polarized lenses and UV protected lenses: what’s the difference, and when […]

The Lowdown on Lenses

When it’s time for your next pair of eyeglasses, you may initially feel bewildered by the array of available lens choices. What type, material, and lens coatings do you need? Let’s demystify some current lens technology to help prepare for your next visit to the Atlantic Eye Optical Department. I. Types of Lenses Single-vision lenses […]

Summer Makeover: How LASIK Surgery Can Transform Your Life

June brings warm days and freedom from winter coats and hats – but what if you could also be free from remembering your glasses or dealing with contacts? By now, most of us have heard of LASIK surgery, or know someone who has had it and raved about the result. At Atlantic Eye, we offer […]

You don’t need to live with a drooping eyelid!

If one (or both) of your eyelids are drooping, it’s probably nothing serious but also nothing to be ignored. Upper and lower eyelids are important for protecting your eyes from injury. They also help control how much light reaches your eyes as well as spread the tear film to keep them from drying out. Drooping […]

The Gold Standard

Did you know that 20/20 vision is not the perfect vision? It’s the standard measure for normal visual acuity, which is how sharp or clear your vision is at a distance. Eyeglasses or contacts help us have 20/20 vision. But what does the 20/20 fraction actually mean? Reading the letters The most common eye chart […]

Vision Revolution: Exploring the World of Advanced IOL Lens Implants

Most of us will need cataract surgery as we age, but the great news is that steady advances in intraocular lens (IOL) technology have made it possible for many of us to enjoy glasses-free vision after the surgery. During cataract surgery, the eye’s natural clouded lens is replaced with an artificial lens. However, many patients don’t […]

Do Your Eyes Need a Digital Detox?

After hours of using a computer, smartphone, or other digital device, you may notice that your vision blurs and your eyes feel achy, tired, and dry. This is digital eye strain, and it affects screen users of all ages. Thankfully, long periods of digital viewing will not cause permanent eye damage, but digital eye strain […]

Commander-in-Sight: A Look at Presidential Eye Problems

Despite their exalted position, even presidents are only human and therefore subject to common maladies that can affect us all. This includes problems with their eyes. Presidents Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Harry Truman, and John F. Kennedy all wore glasses, while Richard Nixon opted for contact lenses. President James Buchanan had a noticeable eye twitch, […]

What’s Up, Doc? Bugs Bunny’s Carrots & Other Eye Myths

Would that rascally cartoon rabbit get supercharged eyesight from eating so many carrots? In real life we hear all sorts of ideas about what is good and bad for our eyes, but are they true? To separate fact from fiction, let’s look into 10 common myths about eyes: 1. Eating carrots will improve your vision. […]

Eat, Drink & Be – Blurry? Alcohol and Your Eyes

The winter holidays come but once a year, a special time when we may be forgiven for overindulging in good food and drink. As we at Atlantic Eye wish you all the best in the holiday season, we also think this is a good time for a gentle reminder about the effects that drinking alcohol […]

Monovision Contact Lenses: What Santa May Not Know

We all know that Santa Claus wouldn’t be the same without those iconic glasses perched on the tip of his nose. But if you’re tired of struggling to read small print on holiday gift instructions or experiencing blurry vision while driving to grandma’s house, there may be a solution: monovision, also known as blended vision. […]

Eye Spy with My Diabetic Eye: Tips for Keeping Your Vision in Check

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and earlier this month we discussed one of the serious eye disorders that can result from diabetes: diabetic retinopathy, or DR. We said that anyone who has diabetes can develop DR — but also that it is largely preventable. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says […]

Diabetes and Your Eyes: Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy

If you (or a loved one) have diabetes, you know that the disease affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin effectively to control blood sugar (glucose) levels. Over time, this excess glucose can damage vital organs of the body, including the eyes. Even when the disease is well-controlled, people with diabetes should get […]

For Contact Lens Safety Ditch the Risks

This month, in our earlier blog, we took a look at the main types of contact lenses so you can feel better informed when talking with your Atlantic Eye doctor. After you’ve received your contact lens prescription, the easiest and safest option is to have the doctor’s office order them. There can be a temptation […]

Contact Lenses – More Than Meets the Eye!

As you probably know, contact lenses are thin, clear plastic disks that float on the tear film that covers the eye’s cornea. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nine out of ten people who want to correct their vision with contacts can wear them successfully. If you’re wondering if contacts might be right for […]

10 Sporting Heros who Goggle – Can you name their sport?

Did you know that tens of thousands of sports-related eye injuries occur every year, and most are preventable through the use of protective eyewear? Below is a list of ten-star athletes who recognized the risks and made sports safety eyewear a priority. For fun, see if you can identify the sport each athlete played (or […]

The Eye Exam, Take 2: The How and The What

Earlier this month, we discussed the “Why” and “When” (https://atlanticeye.com/2023/07/the-why-and-when-of-eye-exams/) of having a comprehensive eye exam. Now, let’s take a look at how it’s done and what happens during your eye exam. During a comprehensive eye exam, your Atlantic Eye ophthalmologist checks a number of aspects of your eye health. The exam will commonly include: […]

The WHY and WHEN of EYE EXAMS

August is National Eye Exam Month, the perfect time to remember the importance of regular eye exams, even if you haven’t noticed any problems with your vision. Let’s talk about why eye exams are so important, and when you and your family members should have them. The Why – A No-Brainer Many people think their […]

Can Menopause Cause Dry Eyes?

You’ve probably heard of (or experienced!) the hot flashes, irregular periods and other discomforts said to go along with the hormonal changes of menopause for women. But did you know that these changes also mean a higher risk of developing dry eye syndrome? Though tear production decreases for both men and women as we age, […]

Watch Out for Chronic Dry Eye

Sometimes we may be able to manage the symptoms of Dry Eye with over-the-counter (OTC) remedies, usually with things like “artificial tear” eye drops, warm compresses, and avoidance of irritants. But at some point, OTC treatments and lifestyle changes may not work as well or at all. July is National Dry Eye Awareness Month, a […]

Let’s Talk About Cataract Surgery: What to Expect

Continuing our June theme of Cataract Awareness Month, we thought we’d answer some common questions about the most effective proven treatment: cataract surgery. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, recent data suggests that over 50% of Americans will have cataract surgery before age 75. At Atlantic Eye, we are committed to making our patients […]

Let’s Be Clear About Cataracts

Most of us know someone who has, or had surgery to correct, the common eye disease known as cataract. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that cataract is the leading cause of vision loss in the United States, and the leading cause of blindness worldwide. That’s why the Prevent Blindness organization has declared June […]

Don’t gamble with your eye health: Place your bets on Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Healthy Vision Month is celebrated every year in May to stress the importance of promoting and maintaining the health of our eyes. In a previous blog, we talked about general tips for improving eye health, including some dietary recommendations (https://atlanticeye.com/2022/01/eat-more-kale-dump-the-smokes-making-2022-an-eye-healthy-year/). Today, we’d like to focus on two particular nutrients that research suggests are emerging as healthy-vision winners: […]

Autoimmune Disease and Eye Health

You’ve probably heard the saying, “The eyes are the windows to the soul,” but it’s less well-known that the eyes are often the windows to our physical health. Since May is Healthy Vision Month, let’s look into how physical health and eye health are related when it comes to the increasingly common disorders known as […]

Feeling the Sting of Dry Eyes? Ask us About LipiFlow®

Dry Eye Disease is a common condition that occurs when your tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. Dry eyes feel uncomfortable, and your eyes may itch, sting or burn and become inflamed. Allergies that increase in the beautiful spring weather can add to the irritation. That’s why we think this is […]

Springtime Eye Allergies: How do you Spell R-E-L-I-E-F

Ah, Spring! We usually can’t wait for it to arrive, but when it does many of us will experience eyes that are irritated due to seasonal allergies. When an allergen (like pollen) comes in contact with your eye, certain cells within your eye (called mast cells) release histamine and other substances to fight off the […]

Ocular Migraine: When Migraine is not a Headache

We usually associate migraine with the painful headaches that some people experience, often accompanied by feeling sick and visual disturbances known as “aura”. Ocular migraine, also known as retinal migraine, is different in that it happens without the classic pain and throbbing of a headache. Also, an ocular migraine — unlike a migraine aura — […]

Show Your Eyes and Heart Some Love

We all know how important it is to take good care of our eyes with regular Atlantic Eye checkups, but did you know that eye doctors may also be able to detect signs of heart disease during a comprehensive eye exam? According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a new study finds that people with […]

Fear of Eye Surgery — You’re Not Alone!

If you are considering vision correction surgery, it’s normal that you feel a bit apprehensive about the procedure. But at Atlantic Eye, we have seen first-hand how life-changing vision correction surgery can be, and each member of our team is dedicated to ensuring that your vision correction experience is as comfortable as possible. Procedures like […]

Bloodshot Eyes: What to Do, When to Worry

New Year’s Eve partying may have resulted in some temporary red eyes on New Year’s Day (we hope you had a good one) but there are many and varied reasons why sometimes our eyes get red, or bloodshot. Many of these cases are caused by minor irritation and will go away on their own or […]

Looking Toward the Future

As we extend our fond Thanksgiving memories forward into the December holidays, we at Atlantic Eye are reminded that, first and foremost, this is the season of giving. And what better gift could there be than the gift of sight? That’s why at this time of year we thought it important to share some information […]

Do You Know Snellen?

Most of us are familiar with the chart an eye doctor asks us to read during an eye exam to help determine if we need glasses or contacts, or to make changes to an existing prescription. The eye chart measures visual acuity, which is clarity or sharpness of vision. But where does that chart come […]

Ten Things You Probably Don’t Know About Tears

Our everyday tear film is essential for the way it protects our eyes, keeps them moist, and allows us to see clearly. And if you’ve ever had a run-in with a raw onion or sad movie, or numerous other triggers, you’re familiar with the uniquely human phenomenon known as crying. It turns out that tears […]

Progressive Lenses – Are They For You?

Starting around age 40 and as we age, we may begin to notice changes in the ability of our eyes to see clearly at various distances. The ability of our eyes to change focus between near, middle, and far distances tends to diminish as we age. Progressive eyeglass lenses are designed to enable you to […]

Back-to-School Checklist: #1: Eye Exam for your Child

September means back-to-school, a time when, as a parent, you try to do everything you can to prepare your child for success in the new academic year. New clothes, school supplies, haircuts and new schedules all play their part; but one of the most important learning tools is good vision, an essential factor that is […]