Check in with Dr. Moscot for tips on everything from how to shave 10 years off your look with an updated pair of frames to diagnosing and treating Computer Vision System (if you are reading this, you probably suffer from CVS).
1.
Dr. Moscot’s Tips for Eyeglass Wearing Jocks
If you wear glasses but have an active lifestyle, Dr. Moscot offers tips for you to step up your game!
Your glasses may look winning off the court, but on the court, they aren’t doing you any favors. In fact, eyeglasses fall off, fog up, get wet when you sweat, provide no peripheral vision, and are unsafe to wear while playing contact sports. You don’t have to give up your glasses off the court but on the court, Dr. Moscot recommends new disposable contacts that require no upkeep and are much better than glasses for playing sports. With disposable lenses you can throw your contacts in before the big game and throw them out as you’re running off the court victorious.
Dr. Moscot recommends Bausch & Lomb's new Soflens Daily Disposables because the special aspheric optics provides sharper night vision, less distortion and finer details.
Click here for more information on Soflens Daily Disposables – or schedule an appointment to receive a free trial offer.
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2.
Play Sports? Got Disposable Contacts?
Sound like you?
With the warm weather finally here, you are becoming more active – playing sports, cycling, running and more. You’ve never worn contact lenses before and rely on your eyeglasses for clear vision. You’ve thought about contact lens wear before, but hesitated because you didn’t want the hassle or the expense, and frankly, you felt you couldn’t devote the time to get fitted and evaluated for them anyway.
Great News!
One day, or one-time use contact lenses are available for this purpose – and they are easy to obtain, easy to wear and inexpensive to boot!
Put them in your eyes for your activity, and simply take them out and throw them away when you’re done. No solution needed! No care required! And the lenses cost less than $2.00 per use – a relatively small price for improved peripheral vision, no foggy spectacle lenses to deal with when perspiring, safety from broken glasses during rough play and freedom from eyewear, even for just a short while.
Call or click to schedule a contact lens examination.
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3.
Dr. Moscot’s Guide to Dealing with Dry Eyes
According to the National Women’s Health Resource Center, 20-30 million Americans suffer from Chronic Dry Eye Disease (CDED), or Dry Eyes as it is commonly called, with one-third of these individuals suffering from moderate to severe symptoms.
What is Dry Eye Disease?
There are two types of Dry Eye disease: Aqueous Deficient, wherein not enough tears are produced, and Evaporative, wherein tears evaporate too quickly. In both cases, people suffering from Dry Eye will experience one or more of the following symptoms: itchy, watery eyes, a sandy feeling or a burning sensation, and/or blurred vision after periods of reading, watching TV or computer use.
What Causes Dry Eye?
There are many factors that can contribute to Chronic Dry Eye Disease including medications, diet, advancing age, hormonal changes, environmental humidity and temperature, contact lens wear, specific prolonged activity such as computer use or driving, and systemic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes. Women are more likely to suffer from Dry Eyes due to the hormonal impact of the lacrimal gland, which is responsible for producing the water (or aqueous) part of your tears, and the meibomian glands, which are responsible for producing the oil component of your tears that prevent premature evaporation of tears. The elderly are also highly susceptible to Dry Eye disease.
How Can I Tell if I’m Suffering from Dry Eyes?
1. How often do you use artificial tears?
3 times/week 2 times/day more than 2 times/day
(Sometimes) (Often) (Always)
2. Do your eyes feel dry, gritty/sandy, painful, or sore?
Sometimes Often Always
3. Do you experience episodes or periods of blurred or fluctuating vision?
Sometimes Often Always
4. Are your eyes often sensitive to light?
Sometimes Often Always
5. Do you have problems with your eyes when you are working on a computer, watching TV, or reading?
Sometimes Often Always
If you responded “Often” or “Always” to 2 or more questions, you may have Dry Eye Disease. Please call or click here to schedule an appointment to be evaluated for Dry Eye Disease and initiate treatment.
What Can I Do to Treat Dye Eye?
There are many treatments that exist to relieve Dry Eye symtoms, but for maximum effectiveness, Dr. Moscot strongly recommends a thorough evaluation so treatment can be tailored to the individual’s needs. Dr. Moscot recommends the following treatments:
1. Use non-preserved artificial tears – there are many over-the-counter forms available but avoid products that contain vasoconstrictors, such as Visine. While such products may temporarily whiten the eyes, they do nothing to help in the long term and may cause negative reactions if used too often – click here to purchase Dr. Moscot recommended artificial tears
2. Try Restasis – this prescription eye drop medication, available from your optometrist, doesn’t just alleviate symptoms, it actually cures dry eye – click here to schedule an appointment
3. Nurture your eyes – nutritional supplements in the form of fatty acids or Flax seed oils help lubricate your eyes from the inside out – click here to purchase HYDROEYE, specially formulated to relieve Dry Eye symptoms
4. Punctal Occlusion – a safe, harmless and routine office procedure that provides long lasting relief and is performed right in your optometrist’s office – and even better, many insurance companies cover the procedure – click here to schedule an appointment
5. Visit your optometrist – since only he or she can quickly and easily diagnose the problem and recommend the best cure for your individual condition – click here to schedule an appointment
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4.
‘Tis the Season for Dry Eyes
Dr. Moscot’s tips for beating Dry Eye this Winter
Once the temperature drops and the radiators come on, it’s officially dry eye season. During the winter months, Dr. Moscot generally sees an increase of 15-20 patients per day who come in complaining of blurry vision and/or persistent watery, itchy, burning eyes.
In fact, more than 20-30 million Americans suffer from Dry Eye Disease, particularly in the winter months when the dry, hot air inside their homes and offices causes a chronic lack of lubrication and moisture in the eyes.
There are many treatments that exist to relieve Dry Eye symtoms, but for maximum effectiveness, Dr. Moscot strongly recommends a thorough evaluation so treatment can be tailored to the individual’s needs. Dr. Moscot recommends the following treatments:
Dr. Moscot recommends the following tips for treating Dry Eye Syndrome:
1. Use non-preserved artificial tears – there are many over-the-counter forms available but avoid products that contain vasoconstrictors, such as Visine. While such products may temporarily whiten the eyes, they do nothing to help in the long term and may cause negative reactions if used too often – click here to purchase Dr. Moscot recommended artificial tears
2. Try Restasis – this prescription eye drop medication, available from your optometrist, doesn’t just alleviate symptoms, it actually cures dry eye – click here to schedule an appointment
3. Nurture your eyes – nutritional supplements in the form of fatty acids or Flax seed oils help lubricate your eyes from the inside out – click here to purchase HYDROEYE, specially formulated to relieve Dry Eye symptoms
4. Use a humidifier – particularly important during the dry months of winter to add much needed moisture back into your home, and your eyes!
5. Punctal Occlusion – a safe, harmless and routine office procedure that provides long lasting relief and is performed right in your optometrist’s office – and even better, many insurance companies cover the procedure – click here to schedule an appointment
6. Visit your optometrist – since only he or she can quickly and easily diagnose the problem and recommend the best cure for your individual condition – click here to schedule an appointment
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5.
As if Airplane Travel Wasn’t Bad Enough…Even Your Eyes Don’t Like It
On your next flight, you may be able to escape cramped legs, stiff backs and soar necks by negotiating your way into Business or First Class, but Dry Eye Syndrome is an equal opportunity irritant for anyone onboard an airplane.
Relative humidity inside most airplane cabins is only 10-20%, well below the preferred level of 30-60% for optimum eye comfort. In fact, in-flight air is even drier than a desert, which enjoys a comparatively robust 20-25% relative humidity.
At such low humidity levels, symptoms such as scratchiness, blurry vision and persistent watery, itchy and/or burning eyes can occur within just two hours of boarding and worsen steadily throughout the duration of the flight, since humidity levels continually fall on long-distance, high-altitude flights.
There are many treatments that exist to relieve Dry Eye symptoms, but for maximum effectiveness, Dr. Moscot strongly recommends a thorough evaluation so treatment can be tailored to the individual’s needs. Dr. Moscot recommends the following treatments:
1. Use non-preserved artificial tears early and often – before, during and after your flight – there are many over-the-counter forms available but avoid products that contain vasoconstrictors, such as Visine. While such products may temporarily whiten the eyes, they do nothing to help in the long term and may cause negative reactions if used too often – click here to purchase Dr. Moscot recommended artificial tears
2. Try Restasis – this prescription eye drop medication, available from your optometrist, doesn’t just alleviate symptoms, it actually cures dry eye – click here to schedule an appointment
3. Nurture your eyes – begin a regimen of nutritional supplements in the form of fatty acids or Flax seed oils at least three months in advance of your next flight – such supplements help lubricate your eyes from the inside out – click here to purchase HYDROEYE, specially formulated to relieve Dry Eye symptoms
4. Drink plenty of water – six to eight glasses of water per day and at least eight ounces of water for every hour you’re on board. Also when flying, limit soda, caffeine and alcohol all of which can contribute to dehydration
5. Turn off the overhead air vent away from you, or better yet, off. It only recycles the dry air making matters worse.
6. Wear your glasses, not contact lens, while on the plane – remember, contact lenses
require moisture, which as we’ve established, does not exist on board the airplane
7. Punctal Occlusion – a safe, harmless and routine office procedure that provides long lasting relief and is performed right in your optometrist’s office – and even better, many insurance companies cover the procedure – click here to schedule an appointment
8. Visit your optometrist – since only he or she can quickly and easily diagnose the problem and recommend the best cure for your individual condition – click here to schedule an appointment
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6.
Eye Health After 40
Women over 40 are living better than ever before!
According to Dr. Moscot the importance of eye care after 40 should not be underestimated. Lack of proper eye care can keep you from living your best life and in some cases can even speed up the aging process.
Dr. Moscot shares news on several eye health advancements and tips that will keep women in their 40’s looking towards a fabulously bright future!
- If it’s getting more and more difficult to see the paper, the computer screen or messages on your blackberry, you may be suffering from Presbyopia (far-sightedness) a very common condition at this age. Thank goodness you can skip the bi-focal granny glasses that scream “my eyes are old” and get the newly available Purevision Multi-focal contact lenses by Bausch & Lomb for a timeless look.
- Make your dry, red, puffy eyes pretty again. Hormonal changes that occur in your 40’s increase the incidences of Dry Eye Syndrome. Take Omega-3 supplements daily, drink plenty of water and have your optometrist provide drops to alleviate dry eye.
- Incidences of Glaucoma increase in women over 40. Since the disease has no symptoms, it cannot be diagnosed without testing. A few quick, simple, pain-free tests will catch glaucoma at its onset and prevent loss of peripheral vision and in the worst case, your eyesight.
- Your eyes are truly the windows to your soul. Surprisingly an eye exam isn’t just about eye-care, it can also reveal signs of general health concerns including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol - all without drawing a single drop of blood!
- If you hate the lines but despise cosmetic procedures like Botox even more, consider simpler methods for reducing wrinkles and puffiness around the eyes. Dr. Moscot advises his beauty conscious patients to use certain eye creams as a great quick fix for a hot date!
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7.
Dr. Moscot’s Tips & Tricks to Protect Your Eyes and Your Sunglasses this Summer
Before you shell out the big bucks for a hot new pair of shades, consider the following tips and tricks for a fabulous and problem-free sunglass season.
1. Blue or yellow lenses are a big no-no! When it comes to sunglasses, blue or yellow colored lenses only serve to increase contrast and brightness. This clearly defeats the purpose of what sunglasses are supposed to do: shade! Stick with darker tinted lenses.
2. Plastic frames stretch from heat! Avoid leaving glasses or sunglasses in direct sunlight, such as on dashboards or in your beach bag at the pool or beach. Instead, always store glasses in a protective case. Repeat this mantra: If not on your face - keep in the case!
3. Look for titanium frames with silicon nose pads. When the heat is on, the sweat pours. Avoid heavy frames that turn up the heat index - keep cool with lightweight titanium frames. And look for glasses with silicon nose pads to prevent summer slippage and keep you from channeling your inner Poindexter as you repeatedly push sliding glasses back up your face with you index finger.
4. Buy wrap frames. Not only will you hit the mark style wise, wrap frames also offer the maximum protection for eyes against the sun’s damaging UV rays by shielding your peripheral view as well as your front view. You’ll avoid the squinting that still occurs with regular sunglasses, and if you squint less, you’ll wrinkle less!
5. Say goodbye to sand and saltwater smeared shades! Show your glasses the love with MOSCOT’s secret cleaning weapon: add a drop of Joy or Palmolive to bowl of water big enough to submerge your glasses (remember, one squirt will do.) Soak glasses overnight and then simply wipe clean in the morning with a premium paper towel. We’re not snobs but cheap paper towels and tissue paper are made with wood chips that can scratch your precious lenses.
Click here to view MOSCOT’s picks for this year’s hottest sunglasses!
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8.
Screen Time Shouldn’t Mean Scream Time
Dr. Moscot’s tips for maintaining healthy vision at the computer and on other electronic devices.
Everywhere you look these days, there’s a screen. According to the American Optometric Association, 65 percent of Americans 18 and older work with a computer on a frequent basis – some as long as eight to 10 hours per day. If you own a BlackBerry or PDA, add an additional three hours of screen time. Spend your commute watching your Video iPod or similar gadget? Add another two. Enjoy relaxing in front of your flat screen TV after a hard day’s work? Tag on another three to four hours. In total you’re staring at some type of screen an average of 16-18 hours per day!
Those who spend two or more uninterrupted hours per day in front a computer screen and/or other devices are at greatest risk for Computer Vision Syndrome, or CVS, a term that refers to a cluster of symptoms and disorders related to computer use including eyestrain, eye fatigue, dry irritated eyes, burning eyes, focusing problems, light sensitivity, blurred vision and headaches.
Fortunately, a few preventative measures can help you avoid CVS – so screen time won’t have to equal scream time:
1. The Omega 3’s in flaxseed and fish oil supplements are excellent for achieving long-term lubrication for your eyes. Add them to your must-take supplement list! - Click here to purchase HYDROEYE, specially formulated to relieve Dry Eye symptoms
2. Follow the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes take a break and with each eye look at something about 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds.
3. Make sure you have an unobstructed view over the top of your screen. Looking up at the screen you’re exacerbating dry eye syndrome. Looking down puts undue strain on your eyes
4. Extend your arm directly ahead of you. If the tips of your fingers just brush the front of your screen give yourself a pat on the back, your computer is the right distance from you. Any closer or farther will put undue strain on your eyes.
5. Lighting is key! If you have a choice in the matter, make sure outside windows are neither directly behind nor ahead of your workstation. Ambient overhead light is best.
6. Most important of all – don’t skip out on your yearly eye exam. Your eyes are just as important as your teeth and an eye exam is way less intimidating than a visit to the dentist’s office. Click here to schedule an appointment
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9.
Dr. Moscot Explains Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)
Everywhere you look these days, there’s a computer screen. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), more than 70 million Americans use computers at work every single day. 140 million Americans clock time surfing the Internet and more than 30 million US households own a computer – more than the number of TV sets! While computers allow us to be more productive, the increased productivity often comes at a price. The human vision system is not designed for long hours of computer viewing. Computer display images are made up of pixels- tiny dots of light - that are hard for your eyes to focus on. As a result, more than 15 million Americans sought eye examinations last year from symptoms and problems associated with computer use.
Those who spend two or more uninterrupted hours per day in front of a computer screen are most prone to what Computer Vision Syndrome, or CVS, which the American Optometric Association defines as “the complex of eye and vision problems related to near work, which are experienced during or related to computer use.”
Symptoms include eyestrain, eye fatigue, dry, irritated eyes, burning eyes, focusing problems, light sensitivity, Diplopia (double vision), blurred vision, and even back, neck and headaches.
Fortunately, a few preventative measures can help you avoid CVS – resolving your computer vision issues will lead to greater productivity in the workplace and improved overall comfort:
1. The Omega 3’s in flaxseed and fish oil supplements are excellent for achieving long-term lubrication for your eyes. Add them to your must-take supplement list! - Click here to purchase HYDROEYE, specially formulated to relieve Dry Eye symptoms
2. Follow the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes take a break and with each eye look at something about 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds.
3. Make sure you have an unobstructed view over the top of your screen. Looking up at the screen you’re exacerbating dry eye syndrome. Looking down puts undue strain on your eyes
4. Extend your arm directly ahead of you. If the tips of your fingers just brush the front of your screen give yourself a pat on the back, your computer is the right distance from you. Any closer or farther will put undue strain on your eyes.
5. Lighting is key! If you have a choice in the matter, make sure outside windows are neither directly behind nor ahead of your workstation. Ambient overhead light is best.
At MOSCOT Eyecare, we offer a specialized Computer Vision Syndrome Eye Exam. This exam is separate from our standard eye exam and offers specialized technology (PRIO) for the purpose of evaluating your specific problem. The widely tested PRIO test enables our doctors to prescribe a special computer lens for your specific needs, which cannot be obtained without this technology. Our doctors will further provide you with ergonomic tips, suggestions, and other solutions for your computer vision syndrome.
Remember, studies show that almost 80% of people working on the computer for more than two hours suffer from some form of CVS so call or click to schedule a CVS exam today.
We will be happy to discuss our program with your HR coordinator.
To schedule the MOSCOT Computer Vision Exam (14th street office only) please click………
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10.
Multifocal Lenses for the Mature Masses
The Latest and Greatest in Contact Lens Technology from Dr. Moscot
Does this sound like you?
You are 40+ years old and are starting to have problems reading up close, even when wearing your contact lenses. You reluctantly purchased ready-made readers from the drugstore and are forced to use these for reading. And you are concerned that contact lenses may not work for you any longer.
Don’t worry – help is on the way!
New multifocal contact lens technology is now available that enables you to read up close, and also see clearly in the distance. The new multifocal contact lenses are even available as disposable lenses, and can help alleviate prior contact lens dryness issue. Even if you’ve been told that you have an astigmatism and multifocal lenses won’t work, we even have a lens for you that will!
There are many different multifocal designs available and your lifestyle requirements will enable our doctors to select the best one for you. The MOSCOT team of eye doctors is skilled in the fitting of these various lenses and is happy to offer you free trials after your contact lens exam is complete.
Click or call today to schedule your contact lens fitting.
TIPS FOR THE OTHER TIPS SECTION
1.
Eyewear Updates That Can Help Shave 20 Years Off Your Face
According MOSCOT, women can shave 20 years off their face by simply switching to contact lenses and/or updating the look of their eyeglasses.
Much like eyebrow shaping, the right eyewear can play up all the right features, highlight your beauty and give you a more youthful appearance – not to mention help you see!
MOSCOT specifically recommends the following tips to look and feel half your age:
- According to MOCOT, an authorized Bausch and Lomb Multifocal specialist, 90% of women over the age of 40 will find they need bifocals – skip the “granny” line of bifocal glasses and instead try Bausch & Lomb’s brand new Purevision Multi-focal contact lenses. Multifocal contact lenses offer the best of both worlds: no glasses, along with good near and distance vision.
- Look for shapes that offset gravity. Curvy, feminine eyewear that tilts upwards will help lift the face and give you a younger look.
- Consider color! Funky plastic frames in bold colors will draw attention away from wrinkles and help light up the face. Also, selecting frames that fit where the bottom of the frame coincides with the wrinkles and bags of the eye (below the eye) helps hide these bags
- Accentuate the positive! If your eyes are blue have your Optometrist tint your eyeglass lens to draw attention to your pretty eye color. (Don’t overdo it though – the operative word here is “light.”)
- Lighten & brighten with colored contacts! Whereas a drastic change from dark brown to blue may make you too self-conscious, a lighter shade of your natural color might be just the update you need.
- Update, update, update! If you’ve been wearing the same frames for the past decade, it’s probably time to experiment with the latest styles to keep your look young and fresh. Like a new haircut, a new style of eyewear can change everything.
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2.
Here’s Looking at You, Kid
What do the movies The Terminator, Risky Business and The Matrix have in common? Sunglasses were the stars! According to Kenny Moscot, president of MOSCOT Eyewear and Eyecare since 1915, a New York City institution for nearly 100 years, the following ten movies were that much more memorable because of sunglasses. Moscot ranked the movies in order of sunglass importance and believes there’s no arguing which movie is #1:
Top 10 sunglasses in movies:
10. Men in Black
9. Midnight Run
8. Blade
7. Cool Hand Luke
6. Top Gun
5. Reservoir Dogs
4. The Matrix
3. Risky Business
2. The Terminator
1. Blues Brothers
(* Honorable mentions: Taxi Driver, The Big Lebowski, Dirty Harry, The Lost Boys & Easy Rider)
