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  • Get your Eyes Ready for the Summer

    Get Your Eyes Ready for the Summer

    People often talk about getting their bodies ready for beach season, but have you ever considered whether your eyes are summer ready? Just as you get your body into shape for summer and take measures to protect it from the sun while you enjoy the outdoors, you can take measures to care for your eye health as well.

    • Get the right kind of sunglasses. You know that you need sunscreen to protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation, but you may not realize that UV rays can harm your eyes as well. Even if you’re not directly in the sun, and even if the day is cloudy, wear sunglasses with 100 percent protection against UVA and UVB rays. This will protect your eyes from short term problems like photokeratitis, and long term issues like cataracts and skin cancer of the eyelids.
    • Don’t forget goggles in the pool. The chemicals in pool water can hurt your eyes. Of course, you know that chlorine can cause your eyes to feel a burning sensation and get red and gritty, but research indicates that frequent exposure to chlorine can also compromise your corneal epithelium. After you get out of the pool, rinse your eyes immediately with fresh water.
    • Other outdoor activities require eye protection as well. You might think of chemical burns as something that happens in a science lab or at a dangerous job, but some common household solutions can be hazardous to your eyes as well. Soap bubbles that pop near your eyes, spray paint, which can blow back into your face while you’re using it, and splashing cleaning solutions can all hurt your eyes. Whenever you’re working with chemicals, wear protective eyewear. It’s also wise to wear eye protection when you are doing activities that could cause foreign bodies to fly into your eyes, like yard work, woodworking, and sports. You can also wear wraparound glasses to protect your eyes from windy conditions.
    • Toss on a hat for added assurance. A wide-brimmed hat, especially used in conjunction with sunglasses, can offer another layer of protection against the sun. The hat can provide shade that makes up for the gaps where the sunglasses let UV rays get around their frames and into your eyes.
    • Keep your hands out of your eyes. One of the best ways to protect your eyes from communicable disease or infection is to wash your hands frequently and avoid rubbing your eyes. You should also wash your hands carefully if you have to put in eye drops, ointment, or contact lenses.
    • Lead a healthy lifestyle. Getting enough sleep, refraining from smoking, and eating a healthful diet are all steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy. Foods rich in vitamins and other nutrients can improve your vision and your eye health, so make sure to fill your diet with fatty fish, fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water, because hydration is just as important to your eye health as it is for your overall health, and it’s even more vital in hot weather. If you smoke, quit, to begin to reverse the damage you’ve already done to your eyes. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. Additionally, for optimal eye health, see an eye doctor regularly.

    No matter what time of year it is, you can always feel confident trusting Gerstein Eye Institute with the care of your eyes. Since 1968, the Gerstein Eye Institute has been providing exceptional ophthalmologic care to patients in the Chicago area. With decades of experience in ophthalmology, our certified professional staff members work hard to provide the kind of personalized care that keeps patients coming back year after year, eventually entrusting the eye health of their children and grandchildren to us as well. To schedule an appointment, call us at (773) 973-3223 or contact us through our website.

  • Why your Eye is Twitching, and What to Do About it

    Eye Twitching

    Sooner or later it happens to all of us: a twitching eye. It’s annoying, and it can seem to start out of the blue, but is there a reason behind it? Do you know why your eye is twitching? Perhaps more importantly, do you know what to do about it?

    Eye twitching, called myokymia in medical terms, is typically harmless, and usually goes away in a few minutes. Sometimes, however, it can last for days or even longer. That’s when it might be time to call an eye doctor. Eye twitching that doesn’t go away could mean a serious neurological condition like blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm.

    That kind of condition, however, is rare. Most cases of eye twitching are triggered by something far more mundane and easy to manage. In many cases, thinking about what may have caused the twitching can lead you to the solution to the problem.

    • Stress: If you think stress may be causing your eye to twitch, try to alleviate some stress. Yoga and breathing exercises, spending time with loved ones and pets or finding a way to get a little more downtime can help reduce your stress levels.
    • Fatigue: Lack of sleep can trigger eye twitching, but aiming for a consistent sleep schedule may alleviate an eye twitch caused by fatigue.
    • Eye strain: In this digital age, it’s easy to get digital eye strain from staring at screens. Overuse of computers, tablets, and smartphones is a cause of eye strain, which in turn triggers eyelid twitching. To avoid straining your eyes, use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and focus on an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. You might also consider computer eyeglasses, especially if your job requires excessive screen time.
    • Caffeine: Too much caffeine can lead to twitching eyes, but cutting back on coffee, tea, and soft drinks for a week or two may be the cure.
    • Alcohol: If your eye twitching seems to occur after you’ve had an alcoholic beverage, try abstaining for a while.
    • Dry eyes: Dry eyes are not uncommon, especially in people over 50 and those who use computers, take certain medications, wear contact lenses and consume alcohol or caffeine. If your twitching eyelid is accompanied by feeling that your eyes are gritty or dry, you might want to talk to your doctor about a dry eye evaluation.
    • Nutrition problems: Certain nutritional deficiencies, like a lack of magnesium, can cause eyelid spasms and twitching. If you think this may be a concern for you, talk to your eye doctor about nutritional supplements that might help.
    • Allergies: Allergies cause itching, swelling, and watery eyes, and when you rub your allergic eyes, histamine is released into your eyelid causing eye twitching. You might be able to treat this problem with over-the-counter allergy eye drops, but antihistamines in those drops can cause dry eye, so it’s smart to talk to your doctor about your best options.

    Sometimes, eye twitches can be relieved through the use of warm compresses and gentle eyelid massage. If you’ve considered all of the previously mentioned causes, adjusted your habits where necessary, and tried warm compresses, and the twitching persists, it may be time to call a doctor. There are treatments available for persistent eye twitching, including medications, Botox injections, and surgery.

    One piece of good news: even though a twitching eye may be annoying and make you feel self-conscious, it’s unlikely that anyone else will notice it. If your eye twitch concerns you enough that you think you need an eye doctor, the Gerstein Eye Institute in Chicago can help. Since 1968, the Gerstein Eye Institute has been providing exceptional ophthalmologic care to patients in the Chicago area. With decades of experience in ophthalmology, our certified professional staff members work hard to provide the kind of personalized care that keeps patients coming back year after year, eventually entrusting the eye health of their children and grandchildren to us as well. To schedule an appointment, call us at (773) 973-3223 or contact us through our website.

  • How to Heal your Eyes Overnight

    Heal Your Eyes Overnight

    Ah, bedtime! Sleep is one of the most restorative things we can do for our bodies, and as we rest overnight, we’re giving our bodies the chance to burn calories, renew our minds, and even heal from injuries. How does getting a full night of sleep affect our eyes? Additionally, what can we do to help promote eye health while we’re sleeping? Here, we offer tips on how to heal your eyes overnight.

    • Getting the right amount of sleep can help prevent several eye issues. Those who do not get a full night of sleep each night are at risk of conditions like ischemic optic neuropathy, eye spasms, eye strain, and dry eye. The quality of your sleep matters, too. Sleep apnea, a condition that causes sporadic interruptions in breathing that disrupt your sleep, has been linked to the development of glaucoma. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get somewhere between six and ten hours of sleep each night, and studies have shown that getting at least five hours of sleep each night is vital for eye health.
    • Go to bed with a clean face. Gently remove any eye makeup, using eye makeup remover or a cotton pad with olive oil or another pure oil. Steer clear of anything with heavy fragrance or essential oils, to avoid irritating the sensitive skin around your eyes. Use patting motions and light, gentle, swipes, avoiding any rubbing or pulling at this tender area. Be similarly careful in the selection and application of any eye cream or nightly moisturizer.
    • What you do during the day matters, too. Eat a balanced diet, full of nutrient-dense foods like greens, fish, and sweet potatoes, and consider taking a daily vitamin to promote eye health. If you must spend a great deal of time working at a computer, follow the 20-20-20 rule to prevent eye strain. Look away from the computer for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes, focusing on something 20 feet away.
    • If your eyes seem puffy or tired, try a home remedy. Resting your eyes for a few minutes under cucumber slices, cooled chamomile tea bags, or even cold spoons. You may also find it helpful to find an eye cream with antioxidants, vitamins, and moisturizers.
    • See an eye doctor regularly. While sleeping and eating well can provide your body with the resources it needs to heal your eyes overnight, regular visits to the eye doctor are important for finding and treating eye problems. Many eye diseases have no symptoms in their beginning stages, yet are most easily remedied when they’re discovered early.

    If you are looking for an eye doctor, the Gerstein Eye Institute in Chicago can help. Since 1968, the Gerstein Eye Institute has been providing exceptional ophthalmologic care to patients in the Chicago area. With decades of experience in ophthalmology, our certified professional staff members work hard to provide the kind of personalized care that keeps patients coming back year after year, eventually entrusting the eye health of their children and grandchildren to us as well. To schedule an appointment, call us at (773) 973-3223 or contact us through our website.

  • Maintaining Healthy Eyes in Winter

    Maintainance for healthy eyes in winter

    Most people have plenty of health concerns during winter. Cold and flu season can be rough, it’s often hard to stay warm, and winter is a risky time for slips and falls. What many don’t realize, though, is that eyes need extra protection during the winter, too. Maintaining healthy eyes in winter requires a little bit of effort, but it’s worth it to keep your vision strong and your eyes in tip-top shape.

    • You may not realize it, but you definitely need sunglasses in the winter. It’s easy to remember to wear sunglasses when it’s hot outside, but there are several ways the sun can damage your eyes when it’s cold. Snow is especially problematic because UV rays can enter your eyes directly or from being reflected off of the snow. Wear sunglasses that protect against UV rays, and if it’s especially bright outside, wear a hat or a visor.
    • Sometimes, sunglasses aren’t quite enough protection. When you’re being active outdoors in winter, it’s easy to get debris like dirt, bark, slush, or ice into your eyes. Sunglasses protect against some mishaps, but goggles are a better bet for maximum protection. Look for goggles with UV protection built in, or choose goggles that allow you to wear sunglasses underneath.
    • What you eat has a huge impact on your eyes. Dry eyes are one of the biggest problems in winter, and eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help alleviate this problem. About three and a half ounces of fatty fish like mackerel, tuna, salmon, anchovies, or trout can provide about one gram of omega-3s.
    • Staying hydrated is important for every part of your body, including your eyes. Sometimes, people forget to drink water when it’s cold outside, but maintaining the proper hydration can help keep your eyes from feeling dry.
    • It’s important to keep your eyes moist in winter. Cold air outside and hot air from the heater indoors can really dry out your eyes, causing them to feel uncomfortable and gritty. Try not to sit too close to heat sources, and use a humidifier or artificial tears to help keep your eyes from getting too dry.
    • To keep eyes healthy, keep your hands off of them. Your hands tend to carry bacteria, and putting them up to your eyes can cause an infection. What’s more, rubbing dry eyes can cause them to become even more irritated and uncomfortable.
    • For good eye health, take frequent breaks from screens. Whether you’re working at your computer all day or bingeing your favorite show when it’s too cold to want to go out, too much staring at a screen can leave your eyes dry and irritated. Take frequent breaks, adhering to the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away from the computer, focusing on something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. It’s also smart to think about blinking because people tend to blink less when they’re staring at a computer screen.

    If you are looking for an eye doctor, the Gerstein Eye Institute in Chicago can help. Since 1968, the Gerstein Eye Institute has been providing exceptional ophthalmologic care to patients in the Chicago area. With decades of experience in ophthalmology, our certified professional staff members work hard to provide the kind of personalized care that keeps patients coming back year after year, eventually entrusting the eye health of their children and grandchildren to us as well. To schedule an appointment, call us at (773) 973-3223 or contact us through our website.

  • How to Strengthen your Vision and Keep it Strong

    Your vision is precious, and protecting it as you age is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your quality of life. Since sight-threatening eye problems affect one in six adults over the age of 45, it’s extremely important to take steps to keep your eyes healthy and your vision strong. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to care for your eyes.

    • Know your risk. Some health conditions can raise your risk of developing eye diseasesStrengthen your vision with Gerstein Eye Institute If you have high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, or diabetes, for example, you’re at risk for eye problems. Even if you don’t have a medical condition yourself, your family’s health history can have an impact on your eye health.
    • Be proactive. Take charge of your health, seeing your doctor regularly and following medical advice to the letter. Manage medical conditions, particularly those that cause chronic inflammation, to protect your eyes. Pay attention to your vision, and report any changes to your eye doctor immediately. Some symptoms that warrant prompt attention include double vision, hazy vision, difficulty seeing in low light, red eyes, frequent flashes of light, floaters, eye pain, and swelling.
    • Eat your veggies. A healthy, balanced diet is important for your eyes, and that diet should include Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as zinc, carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, and Omega-3 fatty acids. You can get these nutrients by eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, dark leafy greens, eggs, salmon, and flaxseed.
    • Stay active. Studies have shown that regular exercise can reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration by as much as 70 percent.
    • Be protective. Wear protective eyewear when you’re doing anything that could injure your eye. This means protecting your eyes from anything that could cause damage or injury, including chemicals, sharp objects, and UV rays.
    • Stop smoking. It’s best if you never smoke at all because smoking can raise your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, uveitis, and other eye problems. Even if you have been a smoker, stopping now can improve your eye health.
    • See your doctor. At least every two years, have a comprehensive eye exam to determine your risk for major eye diseases. It’s also important to see your eye doctor regularly to make sure your prescription for eyeglasses or contacts is up to date.

    If you are looking for an eye doctor, the Gerstein Eye Institute in Chicago can help. Since 1968, the Gerstein Eye Institute has been providing exceptional ophthalmologic care to patients in the Chicago area. With decades of experience in ophthalmology, our certified professional staff members work hard to provide the kind of personalized care that keeps patients coming back year after year, eventually entrusting the eye health of their children and grandchildren to us as well. To schedule an appointment, call us at 773.596.9545 or contact us through our website.

     

  • How to Maintain Healthy Eyes as You Age

    Tips to maintain healthy eyes

    The older you get, the more your doctor emphasizes the importance of eating well and exercising to stay healthy. Good nutrition and physical activity certainly benefit your body, but making specific lifestyle changes can also help delay or prevent age-related eye diseases. Follow these tips to maintain healthy eyes as you age.

    Schedule Regular Eye Exams

    Annual visits to the eye doctor are recommended for everyone, but once you hit 40, regular eye exams become even more crucial. Yearly visits can help catch glaucoma, macular degeneration and other eye diseases in their early stages, making them easier to treat. Your eye doctor can also detect other non-sight related illnesses during a comprehensive eye exam, including hypertension, diabetes, STDs and some forms of cancer.

    Visit the Eye Doctor if You Injure Your Eyes

    It isn’t enough to rinse your injured eye under cool water and hope it gets better. If you experience vision problems or eye discomfort at any time, call your eye doctor right away. Receiving professional medical attention is the best way to safeguard your vision.

    Protect Your Eyes from Bright Light

    Chronic exposure to UV rays and sources of high-energy “blue light” can damage the macula, cornea and lens. To shield your eyes, try these suggestions:

    • Wear dark-tinted sunglasses while outside.
    • Turn on your computer’s “night light” feature to decrease the amount of blue light the screen emits.
    • Wear blue-blocking computer glasses with yellow-tinted lenses.
    • Illuminate your home with CFLs and LEDs that emit “warm” light.

    Adopt a Healthy Diet

    The food you eat doesn’t just affect your waistline – it also contributes to healthy eyes. If you eat a diet high in saturated fat and sugar, you increase your risk of eye disease. On the other hand, eating natural, healthy food can help prevent vision problems. Here’s what to include in your diet to improve eye health as you age:

    • Dark green and brightly colored fruits and vegetables for vitamin A, vitamin C, lutein and zeaxanthin
    • Fish, nuts and plant-based oil for omega-3 essential fatty acids
    • Lean meat, legumes, fish and eggs for protein
    • Whole grains to avoid the sugars in refined white flour
    • Water and other sugar-free, caffeine-free drinks to stay hydrated

    Quit Smoking

    Smoking increases the amount of oxidative stress in your body, which can increase your chances of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts and glaucoma. Give up smoking, and you’ll improve nearly every aspect of your health, including your vision.

    Get Enough Sleep

    Maintaining a healthy sleeping pattern improves your overall well-being. It’s also a chance to rest your eyes and help them rejuvenate for the following day. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night. Avoid looking at your Smartphone right before bed, as the blue light of the LED screen can keep you awake.

    For more tips to maintain healthy eyes as you age, or to schedule an eye exam in Chicago, IL, please contact Gerstein Eye Institute at 773.596.9545.

  • Seasonal Allergies and Eye Care

    Spring is on its way, bringing with it pollen, in all its allergy-inducing glory. If you’re sensitive to pollen, you’re probably already gearing up for a miserable couple of months, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can minimize allergens in your home, protect yourself outside, and give your eyes the care they deserve. Here, we offer a few tips from the experts on seasonal allergies and eye care. Pollen is the main cause of springtime allergies, and it can travel for miles before finding its way into your nose. If you’re allergic to pollen, your immune system mistakes it for something dangerous and releases antibodies to attack it. Histamines are released into the blood, triggering a runny nose, itchy eyes, and other allergy symptoms. Fortunately, there are some good ways to keep pollen at bay.

    • Don’t let pollen into your house. Even though the weather may be pleasant, it’s best to keep doors and windows closed, especially at night. Stay inside as much as possible in the early morning hours, because pollen is typically emitted between 5 and 10 am. If you’ve been outside, take a shower and change clothes as soon as you get home, and never dry clothing or linens outside, where it can pick up pollen.
    • Clean your home thoroughly to remove allergens. Pollen is one culprit, but there’s also dust, pet dander, mold, and cockroach droppings to contend with. Cleaning on a regular schedule can help minimize allergens in your home and help you breathe easier. Wear a dust mask when you’re cleaning, and use a damp or treated cloth to dust, so you don’t scatter the dust. Vacuum once or twice a week, using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Wash your bedding at least once a week in hot water, and dry it in a hot dryer. If you have pets, bathe them once a week to keep dander under control, and wash your hands any time you pet an animal.
    • Protect yourself from allergens when you’re outside. Wear glasses, to keep pollen out of your eyes. If you want to enjoy the outdoors, do it on cloudy, windless days, because pollen levels are higher when it’s dry, warm, and windy. Finding out what you’re allergic to can be very helpful: if you can recognize it on sight you can more easily avoid it, and if you know what it is you can stay inside during its high pollen hours.
    • If you’re suffering from eye allergies, have a plan to treat them. Using lubricating eye drops can help rinse away pollen, as can saline nose spray. Decongestant eye drops can constrict the blood vessels in the eyes, reducing redness, but shouldn’t be used for more than three days. Oral antihistamines can sometimes help, but in some cases, they can cause dry eyes and may worsen eye allergy symptoms.
    • Ask your doctor for help. There are prescription medications that can be helpful in controlling eye allergy symptoms. There are antihistamine, mast cell stabilizer, NSAID and corticosteroid eye drops that can alleviate or prevent allergy symptoms. Your doctor may also prescribe non-sedating oral antihistamines, or recommend allergy shots.

    One of the leading eye centers in Illinois, the Gerstein Eye Institute in Chicago has been helping patients take care of their eyes since 1968. Our certified professional staff has decades of ophthalmologic experience and has worked together to perform over 20,000 procedures. Dr. Gerstein, well-versed in the most advanced technologies, is committed to helping patients find the treatment that’s right for you. For more information call (773) 596-1245 or visit our website today.

  • Eyewear Trends 2018

    If you wear glasses, it can be fun to keep up with the latest eyewear trends, because the right eyewear can be an accessory that completes your signature style. Do you know what’s hot this year? If you want to be on point for 2018, here are some trends you’ll need to know.

    • Two-tone frames are a fun trend. Whether the frames are one color on the rims and another on the temples, or the tops and bottoms of the rims are shaded differently, expect to see plenty of pairs of two-toned glasses this year.
    • Bold colors are everywhere in eyewear this year. Whether your favorite color is purple, teal, blue or red, you’ll find frames to suit your style. There is also a wide range of pastel hues from which to choose in 2018. Not feeling the full force of color? Try a subtler look, wearing translucent frames with faded colors, or go for clear, white or neutral frames.
    • 2018 is the year of unique shapes in eyewear. Look for lots of angles, and lenses set in contradictory frames to create a shape within a shape. You’ll also see square and round frames, and frames embellished with crystal, beads, and other decorative touches.
    • Eyewear styles in 2018 will give you a look forward and back. Look for lots of angles, and lenses set in contradictory frames to create a shape within a shape. You’ll also see square and round frames, and frames embellished with crystal, beads, and other decorative touches.
    • Cat eye wood frames are a twist on a couple of different trends. Cat eye frames are a big part of the retro look this year, and can really come in any color, from tortoiseshell to bright primary tones. A natural material like wood makes them modern, though. Whether they’re made of pear wood, bamboo, maple, sandalwood, or zebrawood, these frames are a conversation starter. One benefit of wooden frames? They float.

    Are you ready to take the plunge and update your glasses? Schedule a doctor’s visit to make sure your eyes are healthy, first. One of the leading eye centers in Illinois, the Gerstein Eye Institute in Chicago has been helping patients take care of their eyes since 1968. Our certified professional staff has decades of ophthalmologic experience and has worked together to perform over 20,000 procedures. Dr. Gerstein, well-versed in the most advanced technologies, is committed to helping patients find the treatment that’s right for you. For more information call (773) 596-1245 or visit our website today.

  • Common Mistakes Wearing Contact Lenses

    When it comes to wearing contact lenses, are you doing it right? When you first got your lenses, you were given information from your doctor about how to care for them. However, as time has gone on, you may have gotten lax about following those instructions precisely. Many contact lens wearers make mistakes that could potentially have a negative impact on their eye health. Are you making these common mistakes?

    • Do you wear your contacts too long? Some people wear their contact lenses until they begin to feel uncomfortable, but this is a mistake. Follow your doctor’s instructions, because wearing contacts that have outstayed their expiration date can be bad for your eyes, and may keep you from being able to see well.
    • Stick with the program. Keeping your contact lenses clean is of utmost importance, yet some people don’t follow instructions about how to do this. Use contact lens solution every time- not, saliva, water, or any other liquid.
    • Don’t neglect to wash your hands. Part of keeping your lenses clean is not introducing them to more germs. If you touch lenses with dirty hands, you’re contaminating them. This can cause eye infections which sometimes cause permanent damage to the eyes.
    • Washing isn’t enough- you’ve also go to dry them! You’ve washed your hands, but did you dry them? Many people don’t think about it, but water on your hands can conduct harmful microorganisms onto the lenses and then right into your eyes.
    • Cheaper isn’t always better. The desire to be frugal is admirable, but choosing a cheap, generic contact lens solution will cost you in the long run. It’s a much better idea to choose the care system made specifically for your lenses, so that you can properly care for them and, by extension, your eyes.
    • Dirty cases mean dirty lenses. Clean hands- check! Clean lenses- check! But if you put them away in a dirty case, you’re undoing all the good work you just did, when you took so much care to get them clean. Empty out the old solution, wash the case with new solution and allow it to dry. Every now and then, clean it with boiling water. Even if you keep it perfectly clean, though, the case should still be replaced every three months.
    • You snooze, you lose. While there are some lenses approved by the FDA for overnight use, it’s best not to sleep in your lenses. That’s because sleeping in your lenses can decrease the amount of oxygen your eyes take in, and can also cause little abrasions on the surface of your eyes. This damage to the eyes can have a negative effect on your vision, but it can also make it impossible to even wear lenses at all. It’s a better idea to take the extra few seconds and remove your lenses before you doze.

    Ultimately, it comes down to this: choose a good eye doctor, and then follow your doctor’s instructions when it comes to caring for your eyes. One of the leading eye centers in Illinois, the Gerstein Eye Institute in Chicago has been helping patients take care of their eyes since 1968. Our certified professional staff has decades of ophthalmologic experience, and has worked together to perform over 20,000 procedures. Dr. Gerstein, well-versed in the most advanced technologies, is committed to helping patients find the treatment that’s right for you. For more information call (773) 596-1245 or visit our website today.

  • Benefits of Various Lenses

    If you wear glasses, do you wear the same lenses all the time? It may be time to rethink that. Advances in eyewear have created so many different options that it’s possible to find lenses that make everything you’re doing a little bit easier, from computer work to playing sports and everything in between. In fact, there are so many options that you may be confused about which lenses are right for you. Here, we break down some different types of lenses to help clear up any confusion.

    • Glass lenses are not a great idea. Glass used to be the only option, but it’s heavy and prone to breakage. That’s unfortunate because glass has the best optical clarity, but with all the other choices, it’s just not very practical. Now that there are so many other good options on the market, glass lenses are hardly ever used.
    • CR-39 plastic lenses provide almost as much optical clarity as glass but are half as heavy. They’re also inexpensive, resistant to shattering, and not easily scratched. However, if you have a high prescription, CR-39 lenses will be very thick. Also, while they’re tough enough to handle the stress of regular life, they may not be the best option if you’re rough with your glasses. If you plan to go mountain-biking, for instance, you might want to choose another option.
    • High-index plastic is lighter and thinner than CR-39. High-index lenses come in a variety of prescription options and are compatible with anti-reflective coating.
    • Polycarbonate has been around since the 70’s, but it’s still a popular choice. Lighter and more impact-resistant than CR-39 plastic, polycarbonate was originally developed for safety applications, like bulletproof glass and Air Force helmet visors. It’s a great choice for children’s eyewear, safety glasses, and sports eyewear.
    • Trivex is a lot like polycarbonate, but better. It’s got the same impact-resistant properties, but is lighter weight and is less likely to cause optical distortions in the peripheral vision. Both Trivex and polycarbonate lenses block UV rays without the need for special coating, which is also beneficial.
    • Gunnar lenses make screen time easier on the eyes. That’s because they have a special anti-reflective coating that blocks high-energy artificial blue light, UV light, and glare, in order to protect your vision and reduce eye-strain. They’re expensive, even when they’re not prescription lenses, but it may be worth the money if you spend a lot of time in front of a screen, and you’re experiencing issues like strained, dry, or red eyes, blurred vision, or headaches.
    • Transition lenses work both in and out of the sun. A convenient option, these lenses darken when the wearer goes out into the sunlight, and lighten indoors. This eliminates the need for two pairs of glasses, which saves money and hassle. They come in many different varieties, including shatter-resistant, bifocal and progressive.

    The first step in choosing the right lenses is choosing the best eye doctor. One of the leading eye centers in Illinois, the Gerstein Eye Institute in Chicago has been helping patients take care of their eyes since 1968. Our certified professional staff has decades of ophthalmologic experience and has worked together to perform over 20,000 procedures. Dr. Gerstein, well-versed in the most advanced technologies, is committed to helping patients find the treatment that’s right for you. For more information call (773) 596-1245 or visit our website today.