As with any medical field, eye care has continued to evolve and transform over the years through technological advancements and holistic practices. Your eye doctor strives to provide you with the best possible care by staying up to date with movements within the industry. Here at Art of Optiks, we guarantee each patient will receive a high-quality care experience based on unique, individual needs. But how have we gotten here, and how has eye care continued to evolve in 2020?
Smart What?
It’s likely that you’ve heard of or used a smartwatch at some point. As technology has continued to advance, manufacturers transitioned to discovering how to invent another convenient electronic wearable. Initially released in 2014, smartglasses have continued to transform over the years, having now been introduced into today’s consumer market. The first version of smartglasses released to the consumer market was bulky, had few practical purposes, and required a hefty investment. Today, smartglasses have many similar functions to a smartwatch such as activity tracking, call and text notifications, appointment reminders, and more. Many glasses-wearers are drawn to smartglasses as they already wear their glasses each day, making this more convenient than a smartwatch or other electronic wearable. Smart glasses’ technology is continually evolving, meaning manufacturers will continue making advancements to bring the best design to the consumer market.
Blue Light Protection and Beyond
As the use of electronic devices and digital screens has continued to grow in popularity for work, school, and leisure, many have begun studying the effects of blue light exposure on your vision. Blue light is produced by many different electronic devices, from television and computers to gaming systems and smartphones. The concern of blue light exposure has surfaced due to blue light’s ability to cast a glare that reduces your visual contrast, and as a result, the clarity and sharpness of your sight are affected. This occurrence can cause individuals to experience many different symptoms, such as:
- Eyestrain
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Sleeplessness
Due to the noticeable effects of extended blue light exposure, the consumer market is encouraged to utilize blue light filters on their devices or blue light-blocking glasses. Adding a blue light filter to your device will help reduce the amount of blue light emitted from the device during use. Blue light filters generally appear as a thin tempered glass sheet that can easily be affixed to your device. Aside from blue light filters, the consumer market also has access to blue light-blocking glasses, which help reduce blue light exposure from digital devices. These eyeglasses can be made for individuals in need of vision correction and those that are merely looking for enhanced protection.
Enhanced Materials for Eyeglasses and Contacts
Both eyeglasses and contacts have made outstanding advancements since origination. Individuals that require vision correction can benefit exponentially from each solution as manufacturers have worked to create comfortable and affordable options. A variety of materials have been used for eyeglasses and contacts, meaning you may already be familiar with silicone hydrogel or high-index plastic. While these aren’t necessarily new technologies, these materials have become more available for manufacturers, thus meaning the designs are more affordable and accessible for the consumer market. In the past, more rigid plastics and even glass were utilized for contact lenses, and silicone hydrogel has opened the door to soft contact lenses, which allows for more comfort and breathability compared to older designs. Eyeglasses have been around for thousands of years, having gone through many transitions to become what we know today, from a reading stone and spectacle to today’s style that fits snuggly around the wearer’s ears. Advancements will continue to be made in the materials utilized for both eyeglasses and contacts, so wearers can experience maximum comfort at all times.
Cutting-Edge Technology to Correct Vision
One of the eye doctor’s main priorities is helping correct defective vision, and throughout the progression of eye care, many technological advancements have been made. Different tools and methods have been developed that are influencing the future of eye care.
- LASIK: Many searching for a permanent vision correction solution have turned to LASIK. This form of eye surgery utilizes a high-powered laser beam to reshape the cornea creating a permanent correction to existing refractive errors. This procedure is minimally invasive and requires little to no downtime for recovery.
- Wavefront analysis: This procedure is utilized to diagnose potential eye care issues in patients by creating a detailed map of the eye that your eye doctor can study, such as how light is focused within the eye. Wavefront analysis helps eye doctors diagnose serious eye problems in their early stages.
- Diode laser treatment: Your retina plays a crucial role in your eyes’ overall functioning, and any damage could lead to blindness. Diode laser treatment utilizes a special laser to repair retinal tearing and retinal detachment by creating retinal scarring that bonds to underlying tissues.
- Fundus cameras: Eye doctors utilize a tool called a fundus camera to take real-time pictures of a patient’s eyes, which allows for detailed monitoring of the condition of each. Fundus cameras are useful for monitoring various diseases and their progression.
What About Fashion?
Aside from the materials used for eyeglasses and contacts, many different designs exist, allowing wearers the opportunity to find an option that complements their lifestyle and fashion preference. Gone are the days of utilizing glasses or contacts for simple vision correction. Many needing vision correction consider glasses as an opportunity to further display their personality, which has impacted vision care exponentially. Art of Optiks, in particular, offers patients access to many designer eyeglass collections, some even being luxury. Luxury collections typically use precious, exotic materials such as metal varieties, wood, and even bone to create eccentric frame designs that many love. There are many different frame styles available, both past and present:
- Cat-eye
- Aviator
- Rimless
- Semi-rimless
- Rectangular
- Round
- Oversized square
- And more
If you’re not a glasses wearer, patients can access a variety of colored contact lenses to change their eyes’ color. It’s vital that you and your eye doctor verify that the contact lenses fit correctly to allow for optimal comfort during wear.
Holistic Health
In addition to medical optometry offerings, many eye care establishments offer holistic disease management techniques like ocular nutrition and vision therapy. These practices have come to fruition, as many have begun to recognize the direct correlation between eye health and an individual’s overall health. Many health issues can present as vision problems initially. Even though an eye doctor can’t treat the underlying issues, eye health and care are becoming essential components of overall disease management and detection. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), adding an assortment of powerful antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, and essential fatty acids can help improve your eye health. In turn, medical professionals are hoping that holistic health will communicate to patients that regular comprehensive eye exams play an essential part in their overall health, rather than just an opportunity to upgrade eyeglasses.
Eye Care Will Continue to Evolve – Will You?
Finding an experienced eye doctor invested in the future of eye care is necessary as these healthcare providers stay up to date with recent advancements, methods, and treatments. The team at Art of Optiks is prepared to provide you with industry-leading eye care backed by only the best methodologies and products. As eye care continues to evolve each year, patients grow with it. Now is the time to schedule your comprehensive eye exam, so you can be on your way to impeccable overall health.
