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July is Dry Eye Month!

Written by Envision Eyecare on . Posted in Uncategorized.

July is Dry Eye Awareness Month!

In recognition of Dry Eye Month, Dr. Greyson Ramos introduces our patients to some of the treatments and care that we offer for Dry Eye Disease at Envision.
What causes Dry Eye Disease?

Dry Eye Disease, or DED, is caused by many environmental and lifestyle factors. Symptoms occur when the ocular surface and structures begin to breakdown from a lack of lubrication. There are two sources of lubrication: the aqueous (water) tear layer and the lipid (fatty) tear layer. In DED, it is possible for both sources to be impacted, although the fatty layer is more commonly affected. Many experience excessive watering, dry, and gritty-feeling eyes. The best solutions is not only treating the symptoms, but also increasing overall health and solving the cause of DED. When diagnosed, our doctors begin by educating patients on small daily changes. Drinking sufficient amounts of water and blinking exercises can help increase healthy, natural tear production. After patients incorporate these changes into their routines, we begin treatment of DED with ocular therapeutics.

Level 1:

The first level of DED treatment begins with artificial tears, eyelash cleaning, and warm eye compress masks. These solutions encourage a clean, well-lubricated ocular surface free of pollen, old make-up, etc. If after three months or sooner “Level 1” is not resolving symptoms, we move the patient to “Level 2”.

Level 2:

Second level treatment incorporates more robust artificial tears designed to treat the cause of fatty tear film deficiency. We also introduce an “Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)” therapy treatment at this stage. The IPL uses purposely selected light intensity to cause a decrease of leaky, inflammatory blood vessels that develop in DED. IPL therapy assists in kickstarting the tear film production factory, and has an added benefit of relaxing wrinkles, removing acne scars, and eliminating sun/age spots! If “Level 2” does not resolve symptoms, we begin “Level 3” treatment.

Level 3:

Level 3 incorporates specialty contact lens materials embedded with stem cells to encourage new production of damaged eye tissue, and eye drops that are made from the affected patient’s own blood as a therapeutic remedy! Since most patients will receive complete symptom relief from a “Level 2” treatment, this level is reserved for more advanced cases of DED.

If dry eye is something that you struggle with, call us at Envision to schedule a dry eye work-up. Remember, a little goes a long way in the treatment of DED. A few simple solutions from your favorite eye doctor may be all that’s needed to get complete relief and improve your quality of life!

New Policy for Special Testing Appointments

Written by Envision Eyecare on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Hello Wonderful Patients!

We wanted to update our patients on our NEW No-Show/Cancellation Policy for Special Testing appointments. This new policy is effective immediately.

If you are scheduled for this appointment type, your doctor has ordered it for you to help identify and/or monitor an eye health condition. These include Glaucoma, Age-Related Macular Degeneration and more.

We work to maintain a high-quality scheduling system and availability. The time allocated for this appointment is scheduled specifically for you. When an appointment is cancelled last minute, that appointment opportunity is lost for another patient who may also need this level of care.

We strive to provide the best care for your eyes. Confirming and attending your appointments is very important for your precious eye health!

If you need to make changes or cancel your appointment, we require at least 24 hours notice to avoid the $100 cancellation fee.

 

Please keep in mind, this same $100 fee also applies to our yearly comprehensive eye health exams.

 

Please give us a call at 828-254-6757 if you have any questions!

Thank You to Our Community of Patients!

Written by Envision Eyecare on . Posted in About Envision Eyecare, Asheville, Personal Development, the team, Uncategorized.

“Don’t let the sun go down without saying thank you to someone, and without admitting to yourself that absolutely no one gets this far alone.” — Stephen King

A letter of thanks and remembering from our Office Manager.

Present Day.

As the Integrator for successful guidance, team collaboration and positive patient results over the last 6 years, I’ve had the opportunity to lead this organization and team through many changes, challenges, celebrations and creative advancement. Every aspect of how we engage with each other, our patients and our physical office space has adapted to life during a pandemic and it was A LOT to work through. It still is!

As we persevere we are feeling refreshed that spring is upon us again and that we are one year away from that traumatic time of closing our doors with uncertainty of what was to come. With all the changes from 2020, one thing holds true: this team desires to continue enhancing the eyecare and eyewear experience, for you. To support you to see and perform your best in this age of digital connection, helping to build comfort and ease in your world. As a local business, your support, referrals and return to us for your eyecare means the world to us.

Without YOU, we wouldn’t have survived the last year.

Seven weeks.

That was the duration of time we closed our doors to our patients and community when the pandemic hit last March. It changed our way of practicing eye care indefinitely, our systems shifted drastically as the shut-downs impacted every one of us. It was unknown and straight-up scary.

We asked ourselves ad nauseam, “How do we do this? Who do we call for more information? What happens if…? What does that symptom mean? Is it COVID? What processes are in place to ensure our team and patients stay healthy and safe?” Every day was an adventure as we remained steadfast and loyal to “get it right” as best we could.

Thank you.

I wanted to share this perspective with you to tell you that we are proud and honored to be here. We are inspired by other local businesses that survived the last year. We may be small, but we are Asheville! Strong and mighty!

We stay encouraged to continue to grow and develop this team, this practice and our care for our community. For you.

Thank you sincerely and endlessly for supporting Envision Eyecare, for trusting us in our care and for understanding that we want to get it right, even through all the changes and challenges of years past. Your patience is paramount as we carry on!

Together, we do.

Stay strong and well!

In deep gratitude,

Christine Maiello

Office Manager

Envision Eyecare Receives Outstanding Dry Eye Practice Award

Written by Envision Eyecare on . Posted in About Envision Eyecare, Asheville, Education, Eye Care & Eye Health, Featured, In the Media, Uncategorized.

At Eye Eco we are dedicated to finding solutions that provide relief from dry eyes, and we’re not the only ones.

Dry eyes affect more than 40 million Americans, but less than 5% of people have been properly diagnosed with Dry Eye Disease. Dry Eye Disorder can cause many health issues including obscured vision, dry skin, and even blindness. It can be caused by many things – including time looking at screens. For most of us that activity isn’t going away anytime soon.

At Eye Eco, we believe the best thing that can be done to keep eyes healthy and comfortable is regular visits to an eye care professional.

Because dry eye can have several causes, figuring out the cause is an important step in finding the best treatment option. Optometrists and Ophthalmologists do incredible work to make sure we can clearly and comfortably see everything in our lives.

Envision Eyecare receives the Outstanding Dry Eye Practice Award

From left to right: Suzanne Paulson of Eye Eco, Dr. Larry Golson

We want to highlight some of the doctors who are as committed as we are to helping dry eye patients find relief. That is why we are starting a new campaign to acknowledge doctors by presenting them with Eye Eco‘s Outstanding Dry Eye Practice Award.

Envision Eyecare in Asheville, North Carolina, is one of our first recipients of the award. Here’s what Dr. Larry Golson had to say about receiving the award and about treating patients with dry eye.

What were your thoughts when Envision Eyecare received the Eye Eco Outstanding Dry Eye Practice Award?
We were really excited to get the award. We devote a good deal of our resources into treating dry eye. The Envision Eyecare team is trained on the condition as well as the many different treatments available. Then, after a comprehensive eye health evaluation, we design treatment plans for our patients individual needs. Finally, we spend adequate time educating out patients on his/her treatment plans and the products we are prescribing. We find our patients “buy in” and are more likely to be compliant when they understand their condition and why they’d benefit from the treatment. We have dry eye products on display in our reception area so patients are aware of the level of care we provide in this area. Our doctors research new technologies and then invest in the ones which will have the most benefit to our community of patients. We were surprised and honored when we received Eye Eco‘s Outstanding Dry Eye Practice Award, as we are grateful to receive recognition for our care in this area.

Please tell us a little about Envision Eyecare:
Envision Eyecare opened in 2008 with two employees in Asheville, North Carolina. We understand the difference between eye care which is executed as a transaction, versus personalized eye care. Therefore, the focus is on personal eye care because we believe in living life to the fullest through the best eyesight and health. We take the time to educate our patients to ensure they leave with an in depth understanding about their eyes and the condition of their eyes. The Envision Eyecare Experience is provided in a beautiful space with well trained team members so our patients can gain a sense of what sets us apart from conventional eye care.

Do you have a story you can share about how your practice helped a patient(s) find relief from dry eyes? Please share.
We had a patient who had been suffering for years from debilitating dry eye. She was a local acupuncturist who had rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome, which she was treating holistically with acupuncture. Since she wasn’t getting her dry eye symptoms under control, she was willing to try anything to get relief from her dry eyes.

After trying several treatment modalities, a huge improvement was derived from the Lid Pro and Meibo Pro devices in conjunction with lid scrubs, artificial tears, and warm compress goggles. We were able to get her dry eye symptoms under control for the first time in over a decade. At one point, she actually texted me personally and said, “This is the best my eyes have felt, ever!”

What advice or tip do you have about treating patients with dry eye?
Many of our patients have become accustomed to having dry eye and don’t realize there’s an issue. Every person’s dry eye symptoms are different and there are many causes. It could be environmental, medication use, associated with a systemic condition or due to lifestyle habits. For instance, do they get enough sleep; do they drink enough water? Could the problem stem from too much caffeine or alcohol intake. Ask how often and for how long are they using devices on a daily basis. Look at their medications and consider medical conditions. Also age and gender demographics plays a role in who’s at risk for dry eye syndrome. Good dry eye care starts with asking enough questions and asking the right questions. Then really take time to develop a customized plan for the individual. Some patients just want to do the minimum and other patients will want to try everything. Compliance is key to success, so make sure the patient understands how important it is to follow the prescribed treatment plan.

Lastly, invest in products to help your patients, both retail and treatment devices. If you have the retail products on-hand (instead of sending them to the pharmacy) there is a higher chance of compliance using the highest quality products. It’s also convenient for the patient and adds to the practice’s revenue. Show them how to use the products and make sure they leave with a firm understanding on how to achieve relief. It’s amazing how grateful these patients become once relief is achieved.

What advice do you have for someone who is experiencing dry eye?
So many patients think their eyes are normal and don’t realize they are suffering from dry eye. It’s not until a doctor asks the right questions or has the right clinical assessment for the diagnosis to be made. Find a practice that takes the time to sit down with the patient to get the right info. So often the exam is rushed, which doesn’t allow time to assess the condition and adequately explain a treatment plan.

Is there anything else you’d like to say about Envision Eyecare, this award, or dry eye and treatment?
Dry eye treatment is a dynamic field and advances in treatment protocols are constantly being developed. It’s easy for eye doctors to get in a place in their head where they think, ‘I am so tired of hearing about this.’ Could I possible sit through another dry eye lecture or article? It is important to look at dry eye treatment with a ‘beginner’s mind.’ Look at it as though it’s something you’ve never seen before. Educate yourself on the new products and technologies. It is an opportunity to help a huge patient population and differentiate yourself from the competition.

At Eye Eco, we are very fortunate to be able to work with some of these passionate helpful people who are improving the lives of others. We plan to highlight more of these practices that are dedicated to providing relief. If you have a recommendation for a recipient of the Outstanding Dry Eye Practice Award, please send us an email at [email protected].

TOP reasons to buy your next pair of glasses with Envision Eyecare

Written by Envision Eyecare on . Posted in About Envision Eyecare, Asheville, Cost, Education, Eye Care & Eye Health, Eyewear, Frame, Lens, Uncategorized.

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TOP REASONS TO BUY YOUR NEXT PAIR OF GLASSES WITH ENVISION EYECARE!

  • QUALITY- Unlike items purchased throughout the year, it can be difficult for you to judge quality in a pair of glasses. That’s why it’s important to purchase your eye wear through a doctor’s office you can trust. At Envision Eye Care, we use only the finest materials, so your glasses will be dependable and attractive long after they’ve been purchased. We also work with one of the finest, state-of-the-art optical labs in the nation. We have chosen to partner with this lab to custom craft your eye wear because of their quality workmanship and our access to the very best advancements in lens designs.
  • SELECTION- Regardless of your budget or insurance allowance, everyone deserves to look fabulous! That’s why our optical boutiques offer a wide range of eye wear options and styles at various price points – from exclusive, high-end designer frames to fashionable values for the entire family.
  • VALUE PROMISE- We promise to provide you the best value – quality eye wear at a fair price. We do not carry cheaply made frames that easily break, outdated designer styles, and inferior lens products that can distort vision so we can offer you a cheap price. Nor do we advertise low prices so we can “up sell” you once you arrive at our optical boutique. Our fees reflect the quality of our workmanship – and when comparing glasses of similar quality – are often lower than many “one-hour” stores and  (online) optical chains.
  • TEAM OF EXPERTS- Our knowledgeable and courteous optical team will expertly help you select the frame and lens package that’s right for your lifestyle and budget, and support you to understand your lens options, frame materials, warranties, etc. We want to ensure you are completely happy with your new pair of glasses.
  • SATISFACTION GUARANTEE- When you purchase a pair of frames and lenses from the optical boutique at Envision Eyecare, you have our commitment to your satisfaction. We guarantee our workmanship and the accuracy of your prescription lenses, and offer free adjustments, minor repairs, and cleanings for the life of your eye wear.

What 30,000 Consumer Reports’- survey respondents had to say. A recent Consumer Reports study confirms independent eye care practices score higher for quality, frame selection, care taken to fit glasses, staff expertise, and follow-up service.

“ … you might do better getting your specs at a doctor’s office or independent optical boutique; those typically scored high marks across the board, particularly when it came to employee know-how, service, and the quality of the finished glasses. You might even spend less than you would at some high-profile chains.” Consumer Reports, December 2010

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESS!
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Why Do My Eyes Need to be Dilated?

Written by Envision Eyecare on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Why Do My Eyes Need to be Dilated?

 

This is a common question that we hear from patients.  A simple explanation will explain the importance and reason this process is performed as part of a comprehensive eye health exam.  The inside of eye is lined with a delicate tissue called the retina.  The retina is a crucial component of the eye which allows light to be interpreted for central and peripheral vision.  In order to evaluate the retinal health, we have to look through the pupil, which is the dark spot or opening in the center of the eye.  Pupil sizes vary depending on a variety of factors. For example, two of the most common factors affecting pupil size are age (as age increases, pupil size decreases) and medications.

 

When light is shined in the eye, the iris, or colored part of the eye constricts, which decreases the pupil size. If one thinks of the pupil as the aperture of a camera, then the smaller the pupil (or aperture) the more limited the hole your eye doctor can look through. This translates to a smaller amount of retina we can evaluate.  Typically, we can evaluate about 40% of this tissue without dilation, depending on the natural pupil size of that individual.  Dilation is necessary to assess the peripheral retina for tears, thinning, holes, or other lesions that could potentially lead to vision loss.  

 

Once performed and the retina is determined to be healthy, dilation may not need to be repeated every year.  However, certain symptoms may develop which necessitate dilating the eyes in an urgent manner such as flashes of light, new floaters, or peripheral vision loss.  Diabetics should be dilated every year.

 

Different strength dilation medications and side effects are dependent on the size of the pupil and color of iris.  The side effects of dilation are: reduced focusing ability at near, and light sensitivity that typically lasts about 3-4 hours.

 

Our goal as your eye care provider is to ensure healthy eyes, lifelong.  Performing dilation allows for completion of your comprehensive exam at the time of your annual visit.  Indications and contraindications for dilation are determined on an individual patient basis.  

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vision problems in children

Vision Issues Can Affect Learning in Children

Written by Envision Eyecare on . Posted in Eye Care & Eye Health, Uncategorized. No Comments on Vision Issues Can Affect Learning in Children

It’s estimated that up to 80 percent of learning occurs through a child’s eyes. But what happens when a preschooler or early grade school child has vision problems such as hyperopia, also known as farsightedness? If you are farsighted that means you can see far away, but you have trouble focusing on things that are up close. For a farsighted child in a classroom that means they have trouble focusing on close-up items, such as a book or computer screen. Learning to read and write is visual. Reading and writing skills are learned very early on in a child’s school years.

Do you know if your young child is farsighted? Do your young child’s teachers recognize if he or she is farsighted? Hyperopia is often undiagnosed without a proper eye exam by an optometrist. School exams may not catch hyperopia. If it was not known that your child had vision problems then it could certainly affect your child’s learning and development, in particular learning of reading and writing skills. The Boston Globe reports “even moderate uncorrected farsightedness in four- and five-year-old children significantly affects early literacy skills, according to” the findings of a 492-child study published in the journal Ophthalmology and supported by the National Eye Institute. The study’s findings indicate, “An untreated vision problem can delay a child’s grade school readiness, says lead author Marjean Kulp of Ohio State University’s College of Optometry.”

Hyperopia can not only affect your child’s academic success, it also can affect a child in the classroom in a more physical way by causing fatigue, tension, and discomfort. Learning can become difficult and stressful for a child. The inability to see well can create a short attention span in the classroom or when completing homework. Your child may even flat our refuse to do schoolwork due to frustration.

All of this frustration for your child can be avoided by a simple eye exam by an optometrist! Envision Eyecare can determine if your child is nearsighted or farsighted and either condition can be corrected. Regularly scheduled exams are important as a child’s vision can change throughout the years. The AOA recommends a child visit an optometrist every 2 years, unless of course there is a condition that allows for more frequent visits. Please discuss with your eye doctor and follow their recommendation.

Women’s Eye Health Month

Written by Envision Eyecare on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Women’s Eye Health Month

Did you know that women are more likely to have vision problems than men are? April is designated Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month for that very reason. Most women don’t even realize the greater risks to their eyesight, so awareness is key to raising attention. According to Friends for Sight, two-thirds of blindness and visual impairments worldwide occur in women.

Eye issues that commonly and more frequently occur in women are Cataracts, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Dry Eye, refractive error, impairment, and even blindness. That’s multiple major eye issues! Now the question is why do these issues occur more frequently in women? There are many factors that contribute to vision concerns in women.

According to Friends For Sight, two reasons are that women typically live longer than men and the impact of hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman’s life. There are other significant things that could impact a woman’s sight, such as birth control, pregnancy, menopause, breast cancer, and fertility drugs. There are also autoimmune diseases that women are more likely to have that can have negative impacts on the eyes, such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. A few risk factors for eyesight are obesity, smoking, age, and poor nutrition.

What you can you do as a woman (or anyone) to protect your vision? First of all, make sure you regularly schedule eye exams with your optometrist. Your eye doctor can catch vision issues early on, potentially when you’re able to correct the issue or slow the onset. If you are pregnant, you should be sure to see your eye doctor regularly. Eating a healthy diet can help anyone maintain healthy sight. Quit smoking to significantly lower your risks of eye disease. Use cosmetics and contact lenses safely. Wear quality sunglasses year-round.

If it’s time for you to schedule your eye exam, give us a call!

Envision Eyecare Referral Program

Written by Envision Eyecare on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Envision Eyecare Referral Program

Sharing is caring! Did you know that Envision Eyecare offers a referral program to our patients? Have you had a great Envision Experience? Tell a friend! We’d love, love, love it if you share about us with a friend, family member, co-worker, or hey, even a stranger who needs eye care or glasses! For each person that you refer that becomes a patient of ours, you’ll receive a $25 credit in optical! To think, all you have to do is mention Envision Eyecare to someone you know that may need to see us anyway! They need a professional eye doctor or great new glasses and you get $25 that you could spend on a new pair of sunnies…that’s a win-win for us all!

Our eye care practice thrives on patient referrals and our great reviews. Sharing our good work with someone in your life, tells us you value of the care you received here. It also means that we are doing a good job and we love to know that our patients feel that way! We truly appreciate all of our patients and clients. We want to thank you for spreading the word about Envision Eyecare and believing in our level of care enough to refer your loved ones.

We hope you’ll think of us when you have a friend who needs eye care, new glasses, or even a stylish pair of sunglasses and send them our way. We’ll take excellent care of them! Be sure that your friend mentions your name or let us know whom you referred, that way we can make certain you are properly thanked.

We appreciate you taking the time to spread the word about Envision Eyecare! It means a lot to our team. Thank you!

sunglasses by Maui Jim

Why You Should Wear Sunglasses in the Winter

Written by Envision Eyecare on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Why You Should Wear Sunglasses in the Winter

Newsflash: Sunglasses aren’t just for summertime! It’s very important to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun year round. It’s no less important to wear sunglasses in the winter than it is in the summer. Don’t worry; it’s still fashionable to wear sunglasses in the winter too!

Both long and short-term exposure to UV rays can be harmful to your eyes and affect your vision. Extended exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays has been linked to eye damage, including cataracts, macular degeneration, pingueculae, pterygia, and photokeratitis that can cause temporary vision loss, according to All About Vision. Cancer around the eyelids and around the eyes is a possibility from sun exposure.

If you’re out in the snow, the risk of damage increases. According to the Sun Safety Alliance, snow can reflect up to 85% to 90% of the sun’s UV rays directly back into your eyes! Glare is an issue in the winter as well, whether you’re outdoors, skiing, or driving. For us in Asheville and the mountains, it’s important to realize that UV exposure is greater in the mountains. Exposure increases with elevation.

Protect yourself by wearing a pair of quality UV-blocking sunglasses. They should block 98% of UV rays, at the least. The frames should fit closer to your face and have wide lenses to cover and protect your entire eye area. Gray lenses are the best to maintain color quality. Be aware that the darkness of the tint does not mean it blocks more rays. Tint is purely cosmetic. Quality lenses help reduce glare, block rays, and overall help you to see better.

We have a large collection of prescription and non-prescription sunglasses, as well as eyeglasses that are available for our clients. We’re currently offering $50 off sunglasses with the purchase of a supple of contact lenses. Come by and see us and try on some frames! Our optical specialists can help you choose the right look.