Eye Doctors Blog
Glaucoma 
Approximately 3 million people in the United States have glaucoma—unfortunately, 50% of them have not been diagnosed, due to lack of vision exams.
Don’t wait for your vision to get to the level seen in the attached illustration—at this point in glaucoma, “it’s too late” and vision loss is permanent.
Glaucoma is an eye disease of the optic nerve, which carries the signal from the retina to the brain. In the early to moderate stages, there are no symptoms. There is no pain and peripheral vision loss is slow to occur over many years. Only special testing during an eye exam can detect glaucoma in its early stages. If detected early and treated, most people with glaucoma retain normal vision during their lifetime.
The Eye Doctors office has the most sophisticated technology available to detect glaucoma in its earliest stages (FDT threshold visual fields and OCT nerve fiber layer analysis). Please schedule an eye exam today.
No Line Bifocals, Progressive Lenses, Free Form Technology
Everyone eventually has difficulty focusing at a near distance, sometime over the age of 40. This is known as presbyopia.
You don't need to have glasses with the obvious bifocal appearance anymore. Newer technology allows viewing at multiple distances without lines in the glasses—this is known as progressive no-line technology.
Recently, free form progressive no-line technology has allowed better optics: larger “sweet spots” and elimination of peripheral distortion that was present in the original no-line designs. All this is possible with lenses which look exactly like regular glasses.
At the Eye Doctors, our most popular, state-of-the-art, free form progressive lens is the Hoya idLifestyle. Hoya is the world leader in optical innovation and this lens has an extremely high rate of success among our patients. Come in and see us today to learn more.
The Eye Doctors Earns Coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award
Award reflects businesses’ consistently high level of customer service
The Eye Doctors has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the businesses rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service and health providers.
Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their clients and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines. Ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2011 Super Service Award logo next to business names in search results on AngiesList.com.
A special thank you goes out to all our patients who rated our services on Angie’s List to make this award possible. We will continue to work hard to earn and keep your trust.
Itchy Eyes
The symptom of itching eyes is a very common problem. Eye itching is often accompanied by redness, mucous, watering, and sometimes blurred vision and even pain. Any combination of these symptoms, particularly itching, is a hallmark of ocular allergy.
Ocular allergy and itching can be treated by a number of different means. Cold compresses, eye rinsing, oral medications, and eye drop medication—either OTC or prescription, are common treatment modalities. While forceful rubbing of the eyes is a common patient method to temporarily relieve itching, it should be avoided as this can cause other problems with eye health and often times creates further irritation. Please make an appointment with one of our doctors to evaluate your eye condition and recommend the proper treatment for you.
Winter’s Effect on Our Eyes
The cold and dry air that Winter brings to the Midwest region of the United States has deleterious effects on our eye. The less humid air of the atmosphere and the forced dry air in our heating systems tend to make our eyes more dry. This leads to symptoms of dry, scratchy, burning eyes with intermittent excess tearing and blurred vision. Cold windy conditions tend to create excess tearing of our eyes, as well, which creates blurred vision.
UV Rays are also a source of potential damage to our eyes in the Winter, and can contribute to corneal irritation, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV Rays are important in the Winter Season, as well as Summer. Our office specializes in the treatment of dry eyes and we have a wide selection of quality Sunglasses to fully protect your eyes from UV Radiation.
Reading Glasses, “Readers”, “Cheaters”, Progressive no-line, Free form.
Everyone has difficulty focusing for near visual tasks, sometime over the age of 40. This gradual loss of near focusing due to aging is known as presbyopia. Typical near vision activities include: Reading, computer use, sewing, viewing restaurant menus, cooking and eating, and viewing fine print such as medicine bottles or maps.
There are many options for correcting presbyopia. Reading glasses (near vision only) allow focusing at a given near distance, depending on the power of the lens. These glasses typically blur distance vision, so you must remove them, or look over them, to see objects farther than 3 feet away. Line bifocals or trifocals allow viewing far away and near without removing your glasses. Newer technology allows viewing at multiple distances without lines in the glasses—this is known as progressive no-line technology. Recently, free form progressive no-line technology has allowed better optics: larger “sweet spots” and elimination of peripheral distortion that was present in original no-line designs.
Come visit The Eye Doctors for the perfect reading glasses. Our advanced diagnostic equipment allows us to determine the ideal solution for your vision.
Contact Lenses: Bifocals
The Eye Doctors, serving the Indianapolis-Carmel-Zionsville community for the past 25 years, specialize in Contact Lens Care.
Focusing at near becomes difficult for everyone, sometime after age 40. This condition is called presbyopia.
Contact lenses that correct presbyopia are know as bifocal or multifocal contacts. Our office carries the newest technology in bifocal contact lenses and we have thousands of diagnostic lenses in stock to match your eye to the best possible lens for vision and comfort.
Contact Lenses for Astigmatism
The Eye Doctors, serving the Indianapolis-Carmel-Zionsville community for the past 25 years, specialize in Contact Lens Care. Astigmatism refers to an irregular shape of the cornea, which causes blur at all distances.
Soft contact lenses for astigmatism are called toric contact lenses. Our office carries the newest technology in toric soft contact lenses and we have thousands of diagnostic fitting lenses to match your eye to the best possible lens for vision and comfort.
Other lenses that correct astigmatism are called gas permeable or semisoft contact lenses. Call our office for an appointment today for a contact lens fitting with our guaranteed success program.
What is an Optometrist?
Doctors of Optometry (Optometrists) earn the postgraduate degree, O.D. (Optometry Doctor). They are licensed medical professionals who provide primary vision care, including sight testing and correction with contact lenses and eyeglasses. Optometrists are licensed to diagnose and treat eye diseases with prescription medications.
Doctors of Optometry in the State of Indiana are licensed by the Medical Professions Bureau, and they are required to participate in ongoing continuing education courses to stay current on the latest standards of care.
Prior to admittance into optometry school, optometrists typically complete four years of undergraduate study.There are currently 20 optometry schools in the United States, and admission into these schools are considered to be extremely competitive.
The Doctor of Optometry degree requires four years of post graduate training. Optometrists must then pass a national board examination including Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD), as well as a state board examination in the State in which they will practice, including a license to prescribe prescription medications.
All our doctors have earned their O.D. (Optometry Doctor) degree. If you see Dr. Gelarden, Dr. Koval, or Dr. Markley, you are sure to receive the best possible eye care.
Visual Skills in Children Related to Academic Achievement
A study in the May 2011 issue Journal of the American Optometric Association concluded that children with low academic achievement are more likely to exhibit problems with their vision. The study tested more than one-thousand second grade students for visual acuity and other visual analysis skills. This finding supports the concept that visual performance is key to learning and therefore of chief concern as to school achievement. Drs. Koval, Gelarden, and Markley, of The Eye Doctors, have actively participated in volunteer school vision screenings on more than 20,000 local students, spanning 1990-2011.
Sunglasses and UV Protection
Quality sun eyewear for your protection from UV damage is very important. 
UV (ultraviolet) rays are an "invisible" band of damaging electromagnetic rays we receive from the sun on a daily basis. Almost all of the damaging effects of sunlight on us are due to radiation from UV rays. The UV system is split into three sub-spectral bands: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA rays cause sunburn and are believed to induce macular degeneration. UVB are high-energy rays that can cause phototkeratitis (snow-blindness) and have been associated with skin cancer and cataracts. Fortunately, UVC rays are usually absorbed in the Earth's ozone layers and are not commonly in contact with us. The same UV rays that are believed to cause skin cancer are also believed to cause at least nine visual disorders:
1. Macular Degeneration
2. UV-Induced Keratitis
3. Cataracts
4. Pterygia
5. Pinguecula
6. Actinic Keratopathy
7. Post PRK UV-Induced Keratitis And Regression
8. Lenticular Degenerative Changes
9. Skin Cancer Around The Eye
Some people are definitely at higher risk than others. But no one is excluded from the sun's damaging rays. People that spend large amounts of time outdoors, whether for work or leisure, are definitely at higher risk. Some prescription and OTC (over-the-counter) drugs have been known to increase people's sensitivity to UV radiation.
Our office carries many fashion lines of fully protective sun eyewear. Our opticians are available to make certain that your eyewear fits you face properly and gives you a sharp look.
Stopping in to browse for eyewear does not require an appointment.
The Eye Doctors
Migraine and Vision
Migraine headache affects approximately 30% of women and 10% of men. Migraine tends to run in the family (hereditary). Migraine often causes pain on one side of the head. It is often a throbbing pain that produces nausea. Sensitivity to light and sound are common. In severe cases, neurological symptoms may even be produced. Sometime migraine causes a shimmering blindspot in the field of vision that tends to last 10 to 30 minutes and is often followed by a headache. This is called migraine with visual aura. Sometime visual aura will occur without headache and this is termed acephalgic or migraine without headache, or “ocular migraine”.
If you have a visual aura, see your eye doctor for an evaluation. If you suffer from migraines, you should try to get a good night sleep and do not skip meals. Be aware that there are dietary triggers of migraine and that what you eat may contribute to the process. Try to get 30 minutes of gentle exercise per day, e.g. walking, biking, swimming. This helps control stress and helps the body produce its natural pain suppressing chemicals. There are numerous medications that may be used to manage migraine headaches, both long term prophylactic use, and for more immediate relief. You should discuss this with your primary care physician.
Larry Koval, O.D.
Vision Link to Dementia
A 9 year study showed that regular eye exams to correct vision abnormalities reduced the risk of loss of cognitive ability, or dementia. Patients with worse vision and lack of eye care were 9 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
It may be that poor vision made it difficult to perform tasks that are known to curb the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, such as doing mentally stimulating tasks (e.g. reading or puzzles). There is also a known link with an eye disease called glaucoma, and neuro-cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Larry Koval, O.D.
Glasses and Sunglasses: What to Look For
Experienced Opticians
Our opticians have over 50 years of combined experience. Whether you need help making a fashion statement or technical assistance, we’re prepared to answer your questions.
Warranties
Are the frames and lenses warranted? For how long? Does the warranty cost extra, or is it included in the eyewear purchase?
High Quality Materials and Cost
Only high quality materials can be backed with a long warranty. Will the frame enamel corrode or flake off, or cause skin irritation? Are the lenses free of optical distortion (e.g. Trivex rather than polycarb and free form progressive no-line rather than one with distortion and swim)? Will the lenses be replaced if the lens coating scratches or fails? Do you get a complementary optical cleaning cloth and spray with your purchase? Is there is an extra cost for lens size, astigmatism, extra power charge? Don’t be falsely enticed by low price.
New Technology at The Eye Doctors
The doctors and staff at The Eye Doctors are excited to announce the addition of new technology, which allows detection of eye diseases such as glaucoma at its earliest stages. Detecting eye disease early can save vision and save lives.
High definition Cirrus OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography), is an instrument which reveals minute details of the retinal layers (e.g. microscopic thinning or swelling of retinal nerves). The Cirrus OCT is currently available in less than 10% of eye care practices.
We will be offering a screening version of this test as part of your annual eye exam, at no additional charge to you. The test is very non-invasive and you do not have to have your pupils dilated to obtain results in most cases. If screening shows a possible defect, a more comprehensive version of the test will be scheduled to more thoroughly view the affected area. Most major medical plans may be billed for this medical procedure.
What to do about dry eyes
Dry Eyes often cause our eyes to have the following symptoms: Dry, Scratchy, Burn, Red, Itch, and sensitive to light. Itermittent blurred vision in which we blink frequently to clear our vision is a common symptom. Intermittent watering (excess reflex tearing) is often a common paradoxical symptom of dry eyes.
Causes
Dry Eyes are typically age related, commonly occurring over the age of 30. Other factors that contribute to dry eyes are: climate (worse in winter when humidity is low), medication use (e.g. antihistamine use), excessive reading or computer use, hormonal changes, contact lens wear, forced air (heating and cooling systems), and eyelid inflammation. 
Modern Eye Drops
The first line of treatment relief is lubricating eye drops or "artificial tears". Newer technology has evolved with lubricating eye drops that have a more gentle or no preservative, better healing properties, and longer contact time without blurring of vision. Some of the more recent brands to look for on the OTC shelf are: Optive, SystaneUltra, and Thera Tears. If you wear contact lenses, often times changing to a different contact lens, or contact lens care solution can be helpful. Disposing of your contact lenses more frequently is often helpful.
Diet
Omega 3 fatty acids can play an important role in dry eye management: Eating cold water fish such as salmon, fish oil supplements, or flaxseed supplements can increase tear quality. If you do not tolerate fish oil tablets (indigestion), there are tear enhancing multvitamins available such as BioTears or Hydrotears (our office carries these, or you can order them on-line).
See Our Eye Doctors
If the eyelid is found to be inflamed through examination with a microscope by your doctor, a number of treatments are used to quiet this inflammation, which helps to comfort the eyes. Prescription eye glasses or quality sunglasses can act as a comforting shield from wind and sunlight (UV). A prescription medication called Restasis is sometimes used to calm inflammation in the eye, which often helps with tear production. Punctal occlusion (punctal plug) can be utilized, attempting to slow down the pumping of tears away from the eye, preserving moisture. All of these things can be done and discussed with you in our office, either during a routine eye exam, or may be billed as a separate visit, often under major medical insurance coverage with the diagnosis of dry eyes.
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