An Eye Exam Can Save Your Vision from Glaucoma

Its estimated that about four million people in the United States have glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve and silently destroy eyesight. Nearly half of those with glaucoma are not even aware that they have it. So waht about you? The number of cases that loose vision is unfortunate considering there are some high technology offices like Facchiano & Associates who maintain eye care offices with technology that can detect early signs of glaucoma long before that damage threatens vision. You owe it to yourself to find out your relative risk of lossing vision to glaucoma by getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam that includes having drops put in your eye and if the eye doctor orders extra diagnostics tests, an OCT optic nerve scan and threashold visual fields. With its painless and gradual loss of vision, glaucoma may have no early warning signs, but it can be detected during a comprehensive dilated eye exam.

Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Eye Institute (NEI), one of the National Institutes of Health, said, "NEI-funded research has shown that treatment during the early stages of glaucoma can control the disease and prevent future vision loss and blindness. This is why NEI encourages people at higher risk for glaucoma to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam every one to two years."

Anyone can develop glaucoma, but those at higher risk for developing the disease include:
African Americans over age 40
Everyone over age 60, especially Mexican Americans
People with a family history of the disease

During a comprehensive dilated eye exam, an eye care professional can see inside the eye to detect signs of glaucoma, such as subtle changes to the optic nerve, before any symptoms appear. This allows the eye care professional to determine if you have glaucoma or are at risk for it, to monitor your condition, to treat glaucoma as early as possible, and to look for other vision problems. Once symptoms appear, it may be too late to prevent vision loss and the progression to blindness.

If glaucoma is detected early, treatments such as eye drops or surgery can slow or stop vision loss. High pressure inside the eye, which may be associated with glaucoma, does not by itself mean that you have glaucoma. Only a comprehensive dilated eye exam and evaluation of the optic nerve by an eye care professional can tell you that.

If you know someone at risk for glaucoma, let them know you care - schedule an eye exam with your eye care professional today.

Tto your eye health,

Dr Vince Facchiano

Happy Holidays

" And so this is Christmas; and what have we done?
" Anther year over; a new one just begun;
" And so Happy Christmas; I hope you have fun;
" The near ones and dear ones; the old and the young."
John Lennon

Warm Holiday well wishes from our family to yours!

May your vision be clear and your future bright.

To your health,

Dr Vincent Facchiano & Staff.

Are digital high definition lenses right for me?

[caption id="attachment_1294" align="alignleft" width="333" caption="Amazingly sharp images with HD lens technology"][/caption]Did you know that there are higher-order aberrations that can affect your vision, even if your prescription eyeglasses fully correct your special ophthalmic prescription needs? Well eye Drs have known for years that there are aberrations due to the optical characteristics of your eyes and often more from the optical limitations of conventional eyeglass lenses. The frustrating issue for an optometrist was that there was no ideal lens treatment or process that could either solve or reduce such aberrations. Drs knew many patients just did not see as well as they could but there was nothing Drs could due because of the limitations in eyeglass lens fabrication technology.

Times have changed now and recent advances in eyeglass lens manufacturing have made possible new high-definition digital eyeglass lenses that correct these aberrations, potentially giving a patient sharper vision than what was ever possible with conventional eyeglasses. These lenses are designed to provide sharper vision in all lighting conditions, provide wider progressive lens corridors, keep the prescription optically true over a much wider zone in the lens and reduce glare for nighttime driving and other night vision tasks.

Many brands of high-definition eyeglass lenses currently are available today, including high-definition versions of high-index lenses and progressive lenses.

Digital lens surfacing is six times more accurate than conventional lens processing because the new digital surfacing equipment uses less tooling and has direct contact with the lens enabling a high degree of accuracy. The analogy can be just like a digital camera. The higher pixal count yields a higher degree of resolution. When this happens as you have seen in your digital camera images, you get this amazing crisp image. So this is the same experience with the HD digital ophthalmic lenses today. The result is a very highly defined vision along with and unmatched depth and clarity never before possible. In the case of progressive addition lenses fabricated using the digital technology get ready for a refreshing change because of a 20% wider progressive field of view. From personal experience I know it makes for exceptional intermediate and near working ranges exceeding the conventional options. I am getting the benefit right now with my new digital lenses I am wearing. It really makes reading and computer use so much more comfortable and enjoyable; my eyes just get less tired with near visual tasks.

So wow! I can really appreciate the HD lenses wider, sharp and true optical zone and the crispness of detail is an awesome experience. You owe it to yourself to investigate this option the next time you fill your new eyeglass presciption.

Please ask your optometrist if these new lenses are right for your eyes.

To your eye health,

Dr Vincent Facchiano

Teens in Contacts?

Needing to purchase eyeglasses is often met with great resistance from a teenager. Adolescents may cringe at the idea of being seen in eyeglasses and looking ''nerdy''. As opposed to glasses, kids and teens who opt for contact lenses feel a significant enhancement in their appearance, a newly published report shows. The research results show that starting at the age of eight, children may prefer being offered the choice of contact lenses. Results were recorded in the November issue of Eye & Contact Lens, published by the Contact Lens Association.

What is it about contacts that adolescents prefer? Young adults are self-conscious, and they often feel better about themselves if they don't have eye glasses being the center of their appearance. Contact lenses may increase a young adult's self-image by providing them a less visible alternative for their vision needs.

Although teens are generally provided with contact lenses, children under 13 are usually not offered the choice of contacts, since eye care providers or parents don't feel that children are ready to deal with them appropriately. However, with proper guidance, children as young as eight are as competent at using and caring for contacts and they should be offered the choice.

Generally before your child purchases lenses you will want to consult your optometrist to go over any possible problems your child might have. Our Rockford IL optometry practice can assist you in determining the right prescription for your teenager's contact lenses.

There are many options in disposable lenses that make lens wear both safe and convenient Dr Facchiano says. The ultimate in safety if your concerned about your child's compliance is our the daily use type available in single vision and with astigmatism. With emerging nearsighted prescriptions some patients are great candidates for our genital corneal molding programs ( CRT). The CRT programs offer device free vision throughout the day while treating the condition in just overnight wear. ( for more information please review our links under More Eye Care Resources: Paragon Contact Therapy Lenses " "> ) & Contact Lens headlines

If your pre-teen or teenager is in need of vision correction, why not consider contacts? Through just a simple contact lens, you can really change your teen's life. With the wide variety of contacts on the market, you and your eye doctor can work with your child to decide what modality is most suitable for their personality, maturity and lifestyle.

To your eye health ,

Dr Facchiano and Staff

What can a parent do to keep their child's eye safe??

Are you aware that annual statistics show that sports-related eye injuries account for 40,000 trips to the hospital? That's one injury every 13 minutes! Eye Care professionals report that most of the injuries would have been easily prevented by wearing protective eyewear. More often than not eye damaging accidents take place when playing recreational activities or doing work around the house. Kids are especially vulnerable to accidents involving eye damage, which often happen during active play.So the remedy is safety glasses and they don't have to be some dreaded ugly glasses that make your child look like they are from another planet. Safety glasses come in school colors, all clear, can also include fashion sun wear with the correct protective lens material and tint. Don't forget the age old accessory the sport band that keeps the glasses attached and in place in contact sports. A popular brand of sport elastic band is Croakies offering the original band to color cords and floating cord options. Every household should have plano safety goggles available if outdoor work is done to protect the eyes from projectiles that can result from activities that may seem benign such as simple grass clipping to the more dangerous weed whacking. This summer don't forget the swim goggles either and if you have a swimmer in the family swim goggles can be made in prescription too.

Being strong about ensuring your kids use protective glasses during contact sports will protect them from potential eye damage. A good idea is to lead by example by purchasing a pair of new wraparound safety glasses for yourself that you use when involved in contact sports or working with power tools. Insist your children follow your example. In addition, let your kids select safety glasses in the style they prefer. Safety also involves consideration of sun protection when outdoors to prevent not only damaging UV rays from harming the eyes and creating eye sun burns but also enhances performance by promoting a higher degrees of clarity and less hesitation that is produced with glare.

To ensure you choose a pair with the right fit and the proper amount of safety, ask an experienced eye care professional for recommendations. Our professionals can help you in purchasing the right pair of glasses for your child, based on your child's particular needs. If your child has glasses, safety glasses can be customized with prescription lenses from your eye care center. Trivex or polylcarbonate lenses are recommended for a child that plays contact sports such as football. They are not only more shatter-proof, they are also lighter than plastic lenses, offering greater comfort.

Don't skimp when purchasing safety eyewear. It's a simple step to guard your child's eyes!

Photoker-what?

Photokeratitis. This is the “sunburn” of the cornea. During the past 4th of July holiday were you out playing yard games with the family? Boating on the lake? Sunbathing on a beach? More importantly, were you wearing eye protection?



Sunglasses are beneficial to help prevent Photokeratitis. Symptoms may include discomfort, blurred vision, and light sensitivity. Many times the sunburn is not usually noticed until several hours after exposure. The temporary vision loss that may result from Photokeratitis is called “snow blindness.” Ultraviolet (UV) rays and excessive sunlight, especially the type of rays which bounce off of snow and ice may lead to this painful sunburn. Being knowledgeable in regards to UV light is important to protect your eyes.

Outdoor risk factors including geographic location, altitude, the time of day, setting, and medications all determine the risk of damage. UV levels are greater when the sun is high in the sky, typically from 10am to 2pm. Also UV levels are greater in wide open spaces, especially when highly reflective surfaces are present such as sand. Always be aware of your medications, birth control pills, sulfa drugs, and tranquilizers are a few of the medications that may increase your body’s sensitivity to UV radiation.

This “sunburn” of the eye is preventable by understanding what Photokeratitis is, how UV rays are harmful, and wearing sun protection. Sunglasses or eye protection that transmits 5-10% of visible light and absorbs almost all UV rays are most beneficial. Look for sun protection that has large lenses and side shields to avoid incidental exposure from light as well. Call your optician in Lenscrafters at (815) 332-3233 to discuss more options.

If you feel that you or a family member may have symptoms of Photokeratitis, please call Dr. Facchiano and Associates at (815) 332-2223 to schedule an appointment.

Please read more information here: http://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/protective.htm#ixzz1RRvNN8SN

Can I sleep in my contacts?

Yes.. and no.


There are two different types of contact lenses available daily wear (you remove them before sleeping) and extended wear (you leave them in overnight). The extended wear lenses allow for more oxygen to reach your cornea, thus making it more acceptable to be slept in. These lenses are typically allowed to be left in without removal for up to seven days.

The latest technology in contact lens material called silicone hydrogel, are approved by the FDA for up to 30 days of wear without removal. If interested, please consult your doctor about these lenses. “Continuous wear” lenses, also known as gas permeable lenses may also be worn for up to a month at a time. “After recent improvements in design and materials, these lenses now can be worn safely for the full 30 days for those who can tolerate them. Your optometrist will advise you about how your eyes are responding to extended wear and how frequently you should remove your lenses.”

So you’ve heard the “You’ll be more prone to eye infections if you leave your contacts in!” Well its true, researchers found that eye infections are greater among people who sleep with their contacts in. FDA has approved the maximum extended wear period to just seven days.

Our doctor’s still do not recommend leaving them in for a full seven-day period. Taking them out before you go to sleep will help decrease the chance of getting an eye infection significantly. Extended wear lenses are a concern for dangerous little organisms that start on your finger, may get on your contact, and then in your eye! These bacteria may lead to infections such as pink eye and in very serious conditions even blindness! If you feel you are having any problems with your contacts from extended wear, please consult with your Optometrist.

Sleeping in your contacts is possible with new silicone hydrogel lenses as they provide more oxygen to the eye than previous soft lenses. Although these materials make overnight wear safer, keep in mind the possibility for infections!

If you are interested in extended wear type contacts, please consult with your Optometrist at Dr. Facchiano and Associates. Call (815) 332-2223

Read more here: http://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/extended.htm#ixzz1QbZ0NkfY