2019 - Page 2 of 2 - Bright Vision Optometry | Chino Hills, CA 91709 | Eye Doctors

MIDO 2019 – Eyewear Show in Milan, Italy

15 March, 2019 Dr. Steven Soong

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The world is so big yet so small.

Or is it the other way around? The world is so small yet so big?

With over 1100 vendors and 59,000 attendees from every corner of Earth, the MIDO 2019 eyewear show compacts the global eyewear industry into one location. Milan, Italy.

My sister and I flew in on a Friday afternoon. (Poor Sophie, she threw up a lot during the flight.)

Unbeknownst to me, it was Milan Fashion Week. I looked down.

Sweatpants are fashionable right?

WHY MILAN?

Simple, it’s for you and your family. Our patients.

Sometimes you forget how big Earth is. Here’s a reminder, look at these population numbers:

Chino Hills: 80,000
United States: 327,000,000
World: 7,530,000,000

To ensure you and your family are getting the highest standard of care and highest quality eyewear, we explore the world, looking for answers to your eyewear needs.

We don’t just explore what’s new in the U.S. because what’s new in the U.S. could be “what’s old” on a global scale.

This is why we fly to Italy to attend MIDO 2019, the largest international show dedicated to the global eyewear.

See more of Carin: CLICK HERE

Last year at MIDO, we discovered Korean brand, Carin.

4 PHRASES

When traveling to a foreign country, there are 4 simple phrases that will always help you.

Hi (Ciao). Bye (Ciao). Thank you (Grazie)! You’re welcome (Prego)!

My sister and I were riding the Milan metro back to our hotel. It was crowded and luckily we secured seats.

During a stop, a group of elder ladies entered and one of them made eye contact with me.

I smiled at her and said “Ciao.”

She smiled back, “Ciao.” I offered my seat with my hands.

She sat down and smiled, “Grazie.”

I smiled back, “Prego.”

Apparently kindness is an universal language.

WHAT’S NEW?

Ultra light weight and comfortable eyewear for you.

Kio Yamato is an optical industry leader in processing of titanium metals for eyewear.

Each frame is hand-made in Japan. It’s our MIDO 2019 discovery for Bright Vision Optometry.

Learn more about Kio Yamato: CLICK HERE

My sister and I landed in LAX on a Monday afternoon.

Jet lagged and tired, we were craving asian food.

On the drive back home my sister passed out. I looked at her and wondered, “Where to next?”

Paris? Perhaps Korea?

3 Benefits of Optos Retinal Imaging

15 March, 2019 Dr. Steven Soong

Eye Care

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A dilated eye exam is a crucial part of every comprehensive eye exam. Optos retinal imaging eliminates the need for traditional eye dilation.

To examine the whole back of the eye or retina, eye doctors traditional performed dilated eye exams. It helps eye doctors detect any eye disease such as glaucoma, diabetes, eye tumors and retinal detachments.

Optos retinal imaging can capture over 85% of the back of the eye in less than a second. All this, without the need of a dilation eye drops. This technology has been proven to detect eye disease early and prevent vision loss.

It’s understandable why our patients at Bright Vision Optometry love this new technology.

We summarize the side-effects of traditional eye dilation. Then we summarize 3 benefits of Optos retinal imaging.

Traditional Eye Dilation

Here are 3 side-effects from traditional eye dilation drops:

(PICTURED ABOVE: traditional eye dilation sometimes requires a total of 3 different eye drops)

1. LIGHT SENSITIVITY
Because the pupils are physically bigger, more light will entered the eyes after a dilated eye exam. Meaning your eyes will be more sensitivity to outdoor sunlight as well as indoor lights.

Sunglasses should be worn after dilation. Sometimes even indoors. This is the reason we always recommend first time dilation patients to avoid driving and bring a driver with them.

2. READING BLUR
Dilated eyes will cause blurred vision especially for reading and computer work. Dilation eye drops will paralyze the focusing ability of the eyes. Yup, this means even reading your text messages on your phone would be difficult.

It’s the reason why after most dilated eye exam, patients can’t go back to work or kids can’t back to school or do homework.

3. LONG RECOVERY TIME
The effects of dilation can lasts between 4-8 hours. This variation depends on the type of drops used and the color of your eyes. Darker eye color, like brown, will have a shorter dilation period compared to someone with lighter colored eyes, like blue eyes.

Blurred vision for near and computer work will also last 4-8 hours after dilation too. We usually recommended our patients to go home, relax in a dark room, avoid reading after dilation.

Modern Optos Retinal Imaging

Here are 3 benefits of Optos retinal imaging:

1. COMFORT
Because Optos retinal imaging can be captured without dilation, no eye drops will be necessary. This also means no blurred vision or light sensitivity for the next 4-8 hours. This is especially beneficial to examine kids’ eye health!

Kid do not like eye drops anymore than they like shots. It’s often difficult to convince a kid to let us put in eye drops. Usually kicking, screaming and crying ensues, leading to wasted time for both parents and doctors.

2. EYE HEALTH
Detecting eye disease and subtle changes is quick and easy with Optos retinal imaging. With detailed digital images, we are able to compared photos year after year to ensure your eyes are healthy.

(PICTURED ABOVE: a patient that we detected diabetic changes inside the eye)

Just like how parents document how their kids grow with photos, at Bright Vision Optometry, we document how our patients eyes have changed or not changed throughout the years.

The best part? These digital photos are part of your medical record that we keep permanently. If you or your family members are in another state, we can easily transfer your retinal images digitally (in a blink of an eye) to your new doctor.

3. TIME
They say time is the most precious resource we have. By using Optos retinal imaging, we are able to save you time. Retinal photos of both eyes can be taken in less than 30 seconds.

There is no need to wait for dilation eye drops to kick it or the need to take time off from work or school because there are no side-effects of blurred vision and light-sensitivity.

Money is time. Time is money. Save time and money with Optos retinal imaging.

Summary

Traditional eye dilation has side-effects specifically, light-sensitivity, blurred vision and has a long recovery time. Optos retinal imaging provides our eye doctors the same quality pictures of the back of the eyes without those side-effects.

Every patient at Bright Vision Optometry is offered this technology because Optos retinal imaging is more comfort, detects eye disease at it’s earliest stage and it saves time.

Optos retinal imaging has proven to catch eye disease early and prevent vision loss at Bright Vision Optometry.

During your next eye exam, be sure to ask for Optos retinal imaging.

Text Bright Vision Optometry: (909)627-1111
Schedule your eye exam online today: CLICK HERE

Bright Vision Optometry is a family-owned & operated optometry office located in Chino Hills, CA 91709

How Are Daily Contact Lenses Different From Monthly Contacts?

1 March, 2019 Dr. Steven Soong

Eye Care

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If you wear contact lenses, you may have tried both monthly contact lenses and daily contact lenses before. You may have also asked yourself, “What is the difference between a daily contact lens from a monthly contact lens?”

(Milan, Italy)

In one corner, we have the undisputed champion of convenience – DAILY CONTACT LENSES!

In another corner, we have the undefeated champion of value – MONTHLY CONTACT LENSES!

So exactly how are daily contact lenses different from monthly contact lenses? Let’s explore the obvious and obscure differences.

THE OBVIOUS

Daily contact lenses are worn for just a single day. Pop them open in the morning, wear them throughout the day and toss them in the trash when you are done wearing them.

Monthly contact lenses are worn for the whole month. Open a new pack to start the month, reuse the same contact lenses by storing them in disinfecting solution each night, throw them out after one month of opening a new pack.

Daily contact lenses are famous for being more convenient than monthly contacts. Simply open a new packet each day and toss when you are done with your wear. No contact lens solution necessary, no need to keep a schedule or thinking about avoiding over-wear.

However, daily contacts are more costly compared to monthly contacts. A year supply of daily contacts is equal to 720 lenses for both eyes compared to a year supply of monthly contacts of 24. The quantity difference results in a huge cost difference too. Here is an estimate of price ranges for a year supply of contact lenses:

Daily lenses: $400 to $900
Monthly lenses: $200 to $450

Keep in mind, cost for contact lenses can differ depending on brand, package size, manufacturer’s rebate and more.

Lastly, because daily lenses encourage better contact lens wearing habits and you are not reusing the same lens over and over, daily lenses are the healthiest type of contacts for your eyes.

BONUS: Here are some ways you can avoid contact lenses related eye problems: CLICK HERE

THE OBSCURE

Back in 2001, Johnson & Johnson the makers of the popular contact lens brand Acuvue settled in a class-action lawsuit. In the end, Johnson & Johnson paid out roughly $860 million to consumers.

The reason behind the lawsuit? The suit claimed Johnson & Johnson had misled consumers and eye doctors that their Acuvue 1-day lenses had some type of special physical property that limited its use to 1 day when, in fact, they were identical to regular Acuvue lenses, which were bi-weekly contacts.

Acuvue 1-day and regular Acuvue lenses have since been discontinued but the question still lingers, are daily contact lenses physically the same as bi-weekly or monthly contact lenses?

After deep research, the answer is NO. Daily contact lenses are not physically the same as a bi-weekly or monthly contact lens. Here is an interesting example of a daily vs. 2-week disposable (note the same brand name “Oasys”):

Daily: Acuvue Oasys 1-Day With HydraLuxe vs. Monthly: Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus

Looking closely at the lens details, there are some obvious physical difference between center of thickness, Dk/t (oxygen transmissibility), BC (base curve) and diameter or size of the contacts. The biggest difference is the technology, which makes up the coating of the lenses themselves.

THE VERDICT

There are obvious and some obscure differences between daily and monthly contact lenses as mentioned above. Daily contact lenses are trending up and being prescribed more and more as our visual demands have increased due to technology. I predict by 2030, everyone will be wearing daily contact lens.

Not all type of contact lenses are made the same. Personally, I have tested and tried to wear daily contact lenses for more than one day. After the second day, the contact lenses just do not feel good anymore.

(Milan, Italy)

If you are extending your contact lens wear longer than what your eye doctor recommends, consider asking yourself this question, “What’s the worst that can happen?“

Remember your eyes are too valuable to be put at risk! You only get 2 eyeballs in your life. Enjoy your best vision throughout your life and see what really matters.

Watch Video: Which Contact Lenses Do Our Doctors Wear?: CLICK HERE

Text Bright Vision Optometry: (909)627-1111
Schedule your eye exam online today: CLICK HERE

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. Bright Vision Optometry is a family-owned & operated optometry office located in Chino Hills, CA 91709.

The Man From Easter Island

17 February, 2019 Dr. Steven Soong

Family

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A warrior like necklace hung from his neck. He was tan with white flowers dangling at the tips of his long hair.

I don’t know why he decided to sit next to me.

You can tell he was proud of his tradition. It was 11:30 pm inside a restaurant and he was half-naked.

It was my last night here and I spent it with the man from Easter Island.

Easter Island is one of the most isolated inhabited islands in the world, if not, the most intriguing too.

There are hundreds of huge stone head statues called moai across Easter Island. These statues are so famous, there is even an emoji of it (🗿)!

The lingering mystery behind these statues and the people of Easter Island attract tourists from all over the world.

How did native people, the Rapa Nui, come to live here? Why and how did they construct these massive monuments?

The man from Easter Island and I spoke for hours. He described to me the powers that come from the sun, the moon, the water, and mother nature.

For example, if he was hungry, he would go fishing in the waters and that was dinner. Life was that simple.

He emphasized the importance of awareness to one’s spirit and of being in the moment. Perhaps it was something he had observed as lacking in our modern culture.

While summoning my own spirit, I had one question for him.

“Do you want to meet my mom? She is sleeping in the hotel room right now.”

“Yes! Let’s go.” he said.

As we walked to our hotel room, the man from Easter Island picked a pink flower.

Inside, my spirit giggled with excitement.

My mom was asleep when I entered, still wearing her sleeping mask.

“Mom, there is someone I want you to meet.” I said.

She woke up, dazed and confused. She gave me a look as if to say “WTF?”

The man from Easter Island entered. He does his native dance and hum. My mom smiled and laughed. A pink flower was was handed to her. Their spirits embraced.

This is the story of the man from Easter Island.

MORE: Mother Nature – Banff and Jasper National Park with My Mom – CLICK HERE

MORE: Part 2 – “The Wedding Day” – CLICK HERE

What Does Marriage Mean?

30 January, 2019 Dr. Steven Soong

Family

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It’s Monday, 10:47 pm in Santiago, Chile. Outside, the streets are surprisingly quiet. Inside our hotel room, the AC is on.

Tomorrow my mom and I start our journey to Patagonia. The famous “W Circuit” or “W Trek” hike awaits us.

I look down at this mess that is me packing. I see 3 neat zip-lock bags filled with clothes.

It reminds me of my wife.

I see my hiking shoes that still needs to be packed.

It reminds me of the meaning of marriage.

COMMITMENT
Weather in Patagonia is unpredictable and the winds are infamously wild. It’s common to experience all “4 seasons” in one day.

I did not know that. But luckily my wife did.

To ensure her husband’s survival, she packed him 3 zip-lock bags labeled “OUTERS”, “CLEAN INNERS”, and “WARMTH”.

Marriage means commitment.

It means always caring for each other’s ultimate well-being, physically and mentally.

TOGETHER
The W Trek of Patagonia totals 50 miles of nature’s best. Parts of this adventure involves terrain that require some tricky scrambling. Legit hiking boots are required.

I did not know this. But luckily my wife did.

Together, we went to REI and found the perfect hiking boots. Together, we went on a practice hike, up towards Mt. Wilson, to break-in my new hiking boots.

Marriage means doing life together.

It means her situation is my situation, and my need for new hiking boots is her need too.

FAMILY
Bucket-list worthy, breathtaking landscape and heavenly views, hiking Patagonia is every hiker’s dream. Including my mom’s.

Read: Mother Nature – Banff and Jasper National Park with My Mom – CLICK HERE

Now I did know this. Luckily my wife did too.

She knew this trip was important to me but more important to our mom. I didn’t even have to ask, she was already encouraging me to go.

Marriage means family.

It means starting a family together but more importantly, it means integrating family to the point “in-laws” are said by no one.

It’s Tuesday, 11:20 pm in Puerto Natales, Chile. Outside, the streets are understandably quiet. Inside our hotel room, the heater is on.

Tomorrow my mom and I start our hike to attack the famous W Circuit of Patagonia.

I look at down, my backpack is stuffed with 3 neat zip-lock bags filled with clothes and my hiking boots.

I am reminded of my wife. I am reminded of the meaning of marriage.

READ MORE: Part 2 – “The Wedding Day” – CLICK HERE

Can Computers Make My Eyes Worse?

20 January, 2019 Dr. Steven Soong

Eye Care

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If you are in front of the computer daily, you may have wondered, “Can computers make my eyes worse?”

More than 50% of our adult patients at Bright Vision Optometry report using the computer for more than 6 hours a day. Not to mention, we find that most computer users are not just in front of 1 screen, but in front of multiple screens.

Last week, one of our patients reported working on 4 different screens for 8 hours a day! Now that’s a lot of screen time for a pair of eyes!

With our increased usage of digital devices, there is a growing worry that digital devices that are helping us navigate our lives may actually be harming our eyes. So let’s answer the pressing question, “Can computers make my eyes worse?”

Eyesight vs. Eye Damage

For the purpose of answering our question, we will separate “eyes worse” into 2 categories: eyesight and eye damage. As we probe to find the answer to our question, let’s explore the differences between eyesight and eye damage.

Eyesight
Eyesight is simply a person’s ability to see. So the question we will answer is, “Can computers make my eyesight worse?”

In other words, can working in front of computers make my vision worse? Will my prescription increase because of my computer use?

Eye Damage
Eye damage refers to any damage to the overall health of the eyes. Eye damage includes conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration or any other conditions that harm the health of the eyes.

So the question we will answer is, “Can computers harm or damage my eyes?”

Can Computers Make My Eyesight Worse?
Probably to one’s surprise, the answer is no. Working on the computer does not make your eyesight worse.

Eye prescription changes are due to natural changes to the eyeball size and shape. Working in front of the computer will not cause changes to your eyeball size and shape. Therefore, computers have little to no influence on changes to your natural eye prescription.

Keep in mind, heavy computer use can cause temporary blurry vision when eyes become too fatigued to see properly.

Parents, there is research evidence that students and young kids who spend many hours working on near-viewing tasks, such as reading textbooks, tend to become nearsighted. Additionally, kids who spend more time playing outside tend to have better distance vision.

It is now a fact that over 2 hours of screen time a day for children can do damage. Heavy computer or iPad use in kids can increase their risk of becoming nearsighted. It’s still too early to say how long-term digital device use could change eyesight in kids.

Can Computers Damage My Eyes?
Computers can cause temporary eye damage. However, permanent eye damage is still unknown.

Temporary eye issues such as eye strain, tired eyes, headaches, dry eyes, eye discomfort, and difficulty focusing are common among computer users. These issues have been bundled into the medical term “Computer Vision Syndrome” or CVS.

Digital devices, like the computer, emit significant amounts of blue light. There is a growing concern among eye doctors about the possible long-term effects of blue light on eye health.

Blue light can penetrate into the eyes, and research has shown that blue-light can damage cells in the retina. The long term effects of blue light on human eyes are still uncertain. There is a growing concern that blue light damage can contribute to early cataracts and macular degeneration.

There are still many questions that need to be answered about blue light and its relationship to our eyes. While scientists work toward the answers, the best thing we can do right now is to protect our eyes with blue light blocking computer glasses.

Watch Video: Dr. Soong Gives 3 Tips to Reduce Computer Eye Strain: CLICK HERE

Text Bright Vision Optometry: (909)627-1111
Schedule your eye exam online today: CLICK HERE

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Year: 2019

WHY MILAN?

4 PHRASES

WHAT’S NEW?

Traditional Eye Dilation

Modern Optos Retinal Imaging

Summary

THE OBVIOUS

THE OBSCURE

THE VERDICT

COMMITMENT Weather in Patagonia is unpredictable and the winds are infamously wild. It’s common to experience all “4 seasons” in one day.

TOGETHER The W Trek of Patagonia totals 50 miles of nature’s best. Parts of this adventure involves terrain that require some tricky scrambling. Legit hiking boots are required.

FAMILY Bucket-list worthy, breathtaking landscape and heavenly views, hiking Patagonia is every hiker’s dream. Including my mom’s.

Eyesight vs. Eye Damage

COMMITMENT
Weather in Patagonia is unpredictable and the winds are infamously wild. It’s common to experience all “4 seasons” in one day.

TOGETHER
The W Trek of Patagonia totals 50 miles of nature’s best. Parts of this adventure involves terrain that require some tricky scrambling. Legit hiking boots are required.

FAMILY
Bucket-list worthy, breathtaking landscape and heavenly views, hiking Patagonia is every hiker’s dream. Including my mom’s.