PRESBYOPIA:  THE VISION PROBLEM OF THE MIDDLE-AGED

    A vision condition called presbyopia may well precede thickening waistlines and gray heirs as the first sign of middle age, says the American Optometric Association.  Despite its strange sounding name, presbyopia is an age-related vision problem that affects everyone after about age forty and brings about the need for reading glasses, bifocals or trifocals.  And because it progresses, it calls for a thorough eye examination every 12 to 18 months.  Telltale signs include a tendency to hold reading material at arm’s length; difficulty reading in dimly lit environments; tired eyes or headaches after concentration on reading a computer screen or other close work; and blurred vision at the normal reading distance.  Presbyopia actually begins at age ten but only becomes noticeable after age forty.  It occurs because the eye’s lens, which is responsible for focusing, loses its flexibility, as it grows older.  By age seventy, it will not bend at all.

    Optometrists can readily solve the presbyopia problem with prescription glasses or contact lenses.  And there are a lot of great lens choices today.  They include:

• Reading Glasses – have one prescription for close work throughout the lens.  A choice for those with good distance vision or who wear contact lenses for distance seeing.  Look up from reading or close work while wearing these glasses, however, and the world’s a blur.  Half-lenses (we’re talking bottom half) suit some folks.
• Multifocals – contain two (bifocal) or three (trifocal) prescriptions in one lens.  Lots of lens designs are possible to meet varied needs.  An example is the wideband trifocal for computer users or a double D seg for overhead close work.
• Progressive Addition Lenses (PALS) – gradually change lens power from top to bottom.  Offer versatility with no telltale bifocal/trifocal lines or disconcerting jumps between lens powers.  For successful wear, choose an optometrist who has considerable experience in prescribing PALS.
• Bifocal Contact Lenses – contain two prescriptions in one lens.  Some have the distance prescription on top and the near one on the bottom.  Others have the near prescription completely around the edge of the lens and the distance portion in the center.  They are available in both soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses.  For successful wear, find an optometrist who has considerable bifocal contact lens experience.
• Monovision – a contact lens focused for near vision is worn on the non-dominant eye.  If a distance vision prescription is also needed, it’s worn on the dominant eye.  Sounds strange but it works for lots of people.  Dr. Bernstorf had laser correction for his nearsightedness in the form of monovision.

DIABETIC EYE EXAM

   Diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness in the United States and there are approximately 14 million Americans with diabetes who are at risk of vision loss.  Vision loss, however, can be prevented if retinal changes are detected and treated early.

   Several major health care groups in the diabetes area have recently issued reports and statements pointing up the importance of dilated examinations in the prevention of vision loss due to diabetes.

• A report recently issued by the Diabetes Quality Improvement Project (DQIP), a group of seven public and private organizations, states that a dilated eye examination by an eye care professional, an optometrist or ophthalmologist, is a cost-effective method to reduce the burden of diabetic retinopathy and blindness.
• The DQIP report reconfirms recent recommendations of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) that encourages health plans to allow diabetic patients to see an optometrist for regular eye exams without a referral or co pay.
• The 1998 clinical practice recommendations of the American Diabetes Association agree.  They stress the importance to diabetic patients of a comprehensive dilated eye and visual examination annually by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
• And, recommendations of The Centers for Disease Control, published in 1991, states that the primary care physician should refer diabetic patients to optometrists or ophthalmologists for a dilated eye examination.

   * Dr. Bernstorf provides dilated diabetic eye examinations in his optometric practice.  In addition, he routinely faxes a report of findings to the diabetes doctor.

WE ACCEPT MANY DIFFERENT INSURANCE PLANS.  INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO :

• UNITED HEALTHCARE
• BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
• MEDCOST
• MEDICARE
• MEDICAID(no new patients at this time, return patients only)
• UHC MEDICARE COMPLETE 
• AND MANY MORE........

 IF YOU ARE UNSURE IF WE TAKE YOUR INSURANCE YOU CAN CALL THE 1 800 NUMBER ON YOUR ID CARD FOR MORE DETAILS.