2021 - Bright Vision Optometry | Chino Hills, CA 91709 | Eye Doctors

Do you have dry eyes?

17 December, 2021 Tiffany Jeng

Eye Care

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If you’re like me, my eyes tend to feel itchy and tired throughout the day, especially during the winter. Turns out, the cause of these feelings is not caffeine-deprivation. Rather, it’s dry eyes!

Dry eye occurs when our eye’s tear film becomes unstable. As a result, your eyes aren’t properly moisturized, causing you to experience symptoms of itchiness, tiredness, dryness, and blurry vision. In a sense, our eyes behave just like the skin on our hand does. When our skin isn’t able to hold moisture well, our hands feel cracked, dry, and painful.

Similar to how our hands feel more cracked during the winter, our eyes tend to feel more dry during the winter. Dry eye symptoms tend to intensify more during this time of the year due to the low moisture and humidity of the winter air that further deprives our eyes of moisture.

Aside from environmental influences, dry eyes can also be a consequence of allergies, medications, systemic conditions such as rosacea, or ocular conditions such as meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis. Due to the wide variety of things that can cause dry eyes, most people in the world actually have dry eyes, whether they are symptomatic of it or not.

Fortunately, there are a wide variety of options to combat the wide variety of influences that may cause dry eyes. For those with less severe symptoms, dry eyes can be treated with non-preservative eye drops.

non preservative artificial tears for dry eyes

Some brands that we love at Bright Vision Optometry include Systane, Refresh and Optase. If you are able to, we recommend getting non-preservative eye drops since certain preservatives, such as BAC, are more harmful for your eyes and pose a greater risk to your eyes. Artificial tears for our eyes act in the same way as lotion does for our skin. They provide our eyes with the extra boost of moisture and relief that our eyes desperately need.

For those with moderate symptoms, we recommend using a Bruder mask. This mask opens up the glands that produce different components of your tear film. By opening up the glands, more components of your tear film can be produced, bringing more stability to the tear film, and ultimately, more moisture to your eyes.

For those with severe symptoms, intense treatment options are available, including prescription drops (Restasis, Xiidra, Cequa) and in-office treatments (Punctal Plugs, Lipiflow, Eyelux, and BlephEx).

Although many people experience itchy and tired eyes, they are often unaware that these symptoms may be caused by dry eyes. If you think that you may have dry eyes and are curious about dry eyes, or have questions about dry eyes and how to treat it, ask one of our eye doctors at your next eye exam!

Why does everyone eventually need reading glasses?

17 November, 2021 Tiffany Jeng

Eye Care

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Whether you currently wear glasses or not, you eventually will need reading glasses at some point in your life. Say what? That’s right! Even if you’ve never had to wear glasses growing up, it is inevitable that you will need a pair of reading glasses or multifocal contact lenses by your early 40’s to mid 40’s.

Why?
In order for our eyes to see things that are up close like a book, a sewing needle, or text messages on our cell phone screen, the lens inside our eye must bend itself. The more that it can bend, the more clear nearby objects appear to us.

As we ~~age~~ become wiser and more mature, the lens inside of our eye becomes more stiff. It’s not able to bend as much as it could before, causing nearby objects to appear more blurry.

I like to think of it as a comparison between squeezing an inflated balloon versus a basketball. When our eyes are young, our lens is like an inflated balloon – malleable and bendable, allowing for clear near vision. As our eyes age, our lens starts to become like a basketball – stiff and inflexible, causing blurry near vision.

This natural process is formally known as presbyopia. It starts to become more apparent at around 40 years old, and it remains with you for the rest of your life.

bifocal lenses vs. progressive lenses, different options to reading glasses — The difference between bifocal and progressive lenses.

During this time, it may be frustrating since objects that were once clear without reading glasses or contact lenses now require some additional help. Thankfully, there are a multitude of solutions to help you adjust to this very natural process! These include:

Reading Glasses
Bifocal Lenses
Progressive Lenses
Multifocal Contact Lenses
Monovision Contact Lenses
FDA-Approved Eye Drops for Presbyopia
Multifocal Intraocular Lenses
Corneal Inlays

Vuity eye drops instead of reading glasses — FDA recently approved Vuity (AbbVie) as the first and only eye drop treatment for presbyopia

In addition to all of these solutions, researchers are in the process of gathering FDA approval for multifocal LASIK procedures, such as PresbyLASIk, Supracor, and Intracor.

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At Bright Vision Optometry, we specialize in helping our presbyopic patients through these modalities:

Reading Glasses – Helps you see clearly at near objects only. While readers are available over-the-counter (OTC) at drug stores, many of our patients have astigmatic corrections, which require a custom-made reading prescription. In addition, some patients experience prismatic effects (which causes dizziness) with OTC reading glasses since they are not customized to each individual’s pupil distance (which varies from person-to-person).
Progressive Lenses – Helps you see distant, intermediate, and near objects clearly. Progressives are our favorite lenses to fit our patients with because they offer a wide range of clear vision for our patients, all in a single pair of glasses. How convenient!
Multifocal Contact Lenses – Helps you see distant, intermediate, and near objects clearly. We love to fit these for our patients who cannot live without their contact lenses and despise the thought of wearing glasses. Essentially, these are like progressive lenses, but in a contact lens format.

Eventually, everyone needs a pair of reading glasses or contact lenses to help them see nearby objects clearly. While it may be difficult to accept, one of our goals in serving our presbyopic patients is to help them adjust to this natural process of aging as seamlessly as possible, so that their daily activities and quality of life are not impaired. We hope that we can help you out once you reach this milestone in life! 🤓

call or text Bright Vision Optometry: (909)627-1111
schedule your next appointment online: CLICK HERE

the content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. please seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding your medical or vision conditions.

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

Are You a Good LASIK Candidate?

24 September, 2021 Tiffany Jeng

Eye Care

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Have you ever thought, “Am I a good LASIK candidate?” If you wear glasses or contact lenses, it is likely that you have grown to have a love-hate relationship with them. While your glasses or contact lenses help you see clearly, they can often be quite annoying. For instance, the feeling of a frame on your face may start to irritate you throughout the day, and the worry of running out of contact lenses may be unsettling.

In either case, the most inconvenient thing about glasses and contact lenses is that without them, you cannot see. Can you imagine being able to see clearly from the moment you wake up without having to grab your glasses or put in your contact lenses? LASIK has the opportunity to make that dream a reality!

Our patient Shanna’s LASIK story.

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is an FDA-approved surgical procedure on the eye that reshapes the front of your eye so that you can see clearly. While you are awake during the procedure, anesthetic is applied to prevent you from feeling any pain.

Typically, the recovery time is only 24 hours, after which you’ll be able to clearly see day and night! In addition, LASIK is a safe procedure. In fact, 90% of patients are successful at achieving 20/20 vision or better, and 99% of patients are successful at achieving 20/40 vision or better (JCRS, Vol. 42, Issue 8, August 2016), both of which would make you eligible to pass the DMV Vision Standards in California. It is important to note that the likelihood of achieving a successful outcome with LASIK depends on whether you are a good LASIK candidate for the procedure.

So, what makes a good candidate for LASIK? Take a look at the following list:

Having refractive error (within certain limits)
1. Nearsightedness (Myopia) < -11.00 D
2. Farsightedness (Hyperopia) < +5.00 D
3. Astigmatism < 5.00 D
Older than 18 years old (best age after 25 years old)
By this time, your vision and overall development is generally stabilized. If your prescription is still changing, you will need to wait until your vision has been stable for at least one year before getting LASIK done.
Not pregnant
LASIK is not recommended for patients who are pregnant because your vision can change during pregnancy. We recommend completing the LASIK procedure after you have given birth and after your vision has remained stable for at least 12 months.
Have a healthy body and healthy eyes
LASIK is recommended for people who have no underlying systemic conditions like an autoimmune disease, which may potentially prevent you from healing properly. In addition, it is recommended for people who do not have ocular conditions such as keratoconus, dry eyes, glaucoma, or cataracts.

Keep in mind, if you are someone who has higher amounts of nearsightedness and you are not a good LASIK candidate, there’s a newer procedure called ICL (implantable collamer lens). This may be a good alternative surgery option if you have ever been told your prescription is too high for LASIK.

If you are interested in getting LASIK done, we encourage you to come in for a consultation appointment! At the appointment, our eye doctors will carefully evaluate your prescription, eye health and personal lifestyle to determine whether you are a good candidate for LASIK. If you are a good candidate for LASIK, we will refer you out to our trusted partner LASIK surgery center so that you can part ways with your glasses and/or contact lenses. If you have any questions, feel free to call or text us as 909-627-1111 so that we can help you out. We hope to see you soon!

Should I Try Contact Lenses?

25 August, 2021 Tiffany Jeng

Eye Care

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I started wearing glasses back in fifth grade, but switched over to try contact lenses during my freshman year of high school. Just the thought of wearing glasses while playing tennis seemed utterly unbearable. Ever since then, I have never turned back!

At the time, I was really hesitant about trying contact lenses, especially after hearing horror stories of these plastic lenses getting stuck in the back of people’s eyes. Truth is, this is one of many common misconceptions that surround contact lenses. Speaking of myths, let’s debunk some!

Myth: Contact lenses can get stuck in the back of your eye

Truth: Due to the anatomy of our eyes, it is literally impossible for contact lenses to get stuck in the back of your eye. Our eyes have a fornix, which is a folding of soft tissue that acts like a barrier by preventing foreign objects from getting into the back of our eye.

Myth: There is no way to find a contact lens that fits my eye or my prescription

Truth: Whether you have astigmatism or presbyopia (inability to focus on close objects), there is a lens for you! With modern-day technology, new lenses for minus prescriptions, plus prescriptions, astigmatism, and presbyopia are constantly being developed. We also fit both soft and hard lenses, and we can even make lenses that are custom to your eye if needed!

Myth: I’m too young / too old to be fit with contact lenses

Truth: Did you know that we have patients as young as 3 years old and as young as 70 years old who wear contact lenses? Truth is, no one is too young or too old to try contact lenses!

Now that we’ve debunked some frightening misconceptions that are commonly thrown around, you may be wondering: What special benefits do contact lenses have that glasses don’t?

fogging with glasses, try contact lenses

No fogging: With the ongoing pandemic, a common struggle we’ve heard our patients express is that their glasses tend to fog up when they wear their masks. Aside from the pandemic, patients complain about their glasses fogging up when drinking hot, soupy foods like ramen or pho. Luckily, with contact lenses, this is not an issue!

Your vision will feel more natural, and you’ll have a wider, more clear field of view: Since contact lenses sit on your eye, you get to experience a full 180 degrees of clear vision, rather than being limited by the size of your glasses frame. In addition, you won’t have to experience the sensation of having something sitting on your face, adding to a more natural sense of vision as you go about your daily life.

Useful for a multitude of specialty and everyday tasks: Whether you love to play sports or work at a job where you’re constantly having to alternate between looking up and down, glasses can often become a nuisance. For some people, that nuisance may come in the form of glasses sliding down frequently. For others, it may be the fear of getting your glasses knocked off and broken. With contact lenses, you can say good riddance to those inconveniences!

Whether you are super eager or are on the fence about trying out contact lenses, we’ll be sure to make the process as easy and comfortable as we can. To start off, we want to be absolutely sure that we find a lens that is perfect for you! To accomplish this, we offer contact lens follow-ups for up to 60 days, just to ensure we have plenty of time to trial and error through as many lenses as needed.

All sample contact lenses we dispense is included in our contact lens fitting fee in order to dissolve any financial burdens that may hinder you from finding your perfect lens. In addition, we carry a wide range of contact lenses, which enables us to find a lens that is not only comfortable for you, but also fits within your lifestyle and budget.

Whether you want colored lenses, or lenses that can replace your reading glasses so you have one less thing to carry around, we have it all! We also provide training on how to insert, remove, and properly care for your lenses in order to equip you as you start this new journey. Whether you need one training or three, they are all included with our contact lens fitting fee!

Should you try contact lenses? Ask our eye doctors about contact lenses at your next eye exam at Bright Vision Optometry!

call or text Bright Vision Optometry: (909)627-1111
schedule your next appointment online: CLICK HERE

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

When Should My Child Get Their First Eye Exam?

29 June, 2021 Tiffany Jeng

Eye Care

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I remember going into my first eye exam as a kindergartner with a TON of butterflies in my stomach. I always associated the doctor’s office with discomfort, intimidation, and fear, but all of this changed once I visited my optometrist. Oddly enough, I actually looked forward to seeing my optometrist every single year!

Turns out, my parents did it right when it came to bringing me in for my first eye exam. We recommend bringing your child in for their first eye exam before they start 1st grade. Why? Our eyes have a critical developmental period that exists within the first 8 years of our life.

During this time, we form important neural connections that enable us to see 20/20 vision. Improper formation of these connections may cause us to never see the world with 20/20 vision, as seen in cases of amblyopia that were diagnosed and treated after this critical period.

Needless to say, the first 8 years of your child’s life is a critical time where our eye doctors may effectively treat your child if he/she/they are at risk for these eye-related vision problems:

Myopia (Nearsightedness): Blurry vision for objects that are far away
Hyperopia (Farsightedness): Blurry vision for objects that are up close
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): Blurry vision in one eye due to misalignment across both eyes
Strabismus (Crossed Eyes): Eyes look at different places at the same time, resulting in either headaches, poor depth perception, or double vision

The Good News: If detected early enough, most of these conditions can be treated through non-invasive methods. With myopia and hyperopia, glasses may be used to help your child clearly see the board in class or a ball while playing sports.

With myopia specifically, Ortho-K contact lenses and Atropine eye drops can be used to slow the progression of it. For amblyopia and strabismus, both vision therapy and patching may be done to realign your child’s eyes, allowing them to see the world clearly.

ipad glasses for blue light protection — Ryan has been taught to always wear his blue-light glasses

The Bad News: If amblyopia and strabismus are not detected early enough, invasive procedures, such as surgery, may be required to help realign your child’s eyes.

If myopia and hyperopia are not detected early enough, your child may struggle to learn in school, simply because they cannot see what is written on the whiteboard or in a book.

You may be wondering “What can my child and I expect for their first eye exam?”. One promise that we can give to you is that we try to make the eye exam as fun and educational as we can for both yourself and your kids!

blue light glasses for kids — Dr. Sophie’s kids Nick and Ryan playing Roblox

We understand how scary the doctor’s office may be for kids, especially since it’s their first time meeting our doctors and staff. Because of this, we promise to not do anything that would make your child cry. Seeing the empathy, care, and impact that my childhood optometrist had actually inspired me to pursue optometry! Who knows, maybe the same will happen with your child too!

call or text Bright Vision Optometry: (909)627-1111
schedule your next appointment online: CLICK HERE

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

Wear Sunglasses to Prevent These 3 Eye Problems

5 June, 2021 Tiffany Jeng

Eye Care

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I used to play varsity tennis back in high school, which meant spending countless hours in the BLAZING Southern California sun. Since I was young and healthy, I never thought about wearing sunglasses to protect my eyes.

Fast forward to my first year of optometry school where I’m sitting in as a patient for my classmate to practice on. As I was thinking about what boba drink I wanted to get after class, I heard my friend say “Hey! You have a nevus!”

Excuse me, a ne-what? Well, that sounds totally not normal. Turns out, a nevus is one of three eye problems that may occur due to excessive sun exposure:

1. Pterygium – A growth over the white part of your eye, which may result in redness, inflammation, and/or reduced vision.

2. Cataracts – A cloudiness within the lens in your eye, which results in foggy vision.

3. Nevus – A colored growth on/within your eye that may affect your vision, depending on where it grows. Similar to a mole on your skin, it may become cancerous over time.

Why does this happen? The sun emits three types of UV rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. The outer layer of your eye does a great job at absorbing all UVC rays. However, it is unable to absorb all UVA and UVB rays.

As a result, these harmful UVA and UVB rays can penetrate past your eye’s protective outer shell and reach your eye’s innermost structures. These innermost structures are oftentimes essential for you to see clearly, so damage to these components may result in reduced vision, irritation, or inflammation.

So, what can you do to protect yourself? Throw on a pair of sunglasses that block both UVB and UVA rays since your eye cannot fully filter them out on its own. Not only will a cute pair of sunglasses protect your eyes, but they can totally tie your outfit together for a nice day out during this summer!

In addition, we recommend wearing a hat to further protect your eyes from the harmful UVA and UVB rays. If you have any questions, feel free to ask any of our doctors or opticians at your next visit. We hope to see, serve, and connect with you soon!

call or text Bright Vision Optometry: (909)627-1111
schedule your next appointment online: CLICK HERE

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

Why Get Eye Exam?

4 May, 2021 Dr. Steven Soong

Eye Care

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American author Zig Ziglar once said, “I opened two gifts this morning. They were my eyes.”

At Bright Vision Optometry, we agree with you Zig. Our human ability to see is miraculous. We open our eyes each day to see so many different things including the people we love, the beautiful environment we live in and of course, Netflix.

In this blog post, we’ll answer the question, “why get an eye exam?”. Let’s get into it.

Vision

Do you ever get the feeling that your vision has changed? Or your vision is not as good as it was a year ago?

One of the biggest reason to get an eye exam is to ensure you are seeing your best.

Prescriptions for both eyeglasses and contact lenses often will fluctuate with time. During your eye exam, your eye doctor will measure your new prescription to make sure you are seeing as good as you can.

Especially during COVID times, we are seeing more and more patients who are on the computer for the majority of the day. Think about all the people working from home. Think about all the kids doing social distance learning. Getting an eye exam will check for changes in your vision that you may or may not have noticed.

Eye Health

An eye exam can help detect eye health problems at the earliest stage when it is the most treatable.

For example, if left undetected, Glaucoma is an eye disease which can lead to blindness. However, if you have glaucoma and your eye doctor catches this problem early, it was a very treatable disease which can prevent blindness from ever happening.

Another example is retinal detachment. Sometimes retinal detachments can happen suddenly but there are also times where retinal detachments can be prevented.

During your eye exam, your eye doctors will perform a retinal evaluation which can catch early signs and risks of retinal detachments such as retinal holes and lattice degeneration. If caught early, there may be surgical options to prevent retinal detachments from ever occurring.

Systemic Health

Lastly, getting an eye exam can detect systemic health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and even brain tumors.

Diabetes is one of the most common health disease humans are facing. 1 out of 10 people in the U.S. are diabetic. Diabetes not only affects our human bodies but it could also affect our human eyes.

At Bright Vision Optometry, there were more a than a few times where we referred our patients to get checked for diabetes because of the eye health changes our doctors detected inside their eyes.

Lastly, during your eye exam your burning questions will be answered by a credible and trusted source. With the internet, it is easy to get answers to your questions but are the answers credible?

When was your last eye exam?

call or text Bright Vision Optometry: (909)627-1111
schedule your next appointment online: CLICK HERE

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

Year: 2021

Vision

Eye Health

Systemic Health