Fouad Melamed, OD Los Angeles Eye Doctor

Corneal abrasion is a painful scratch that occurs on the clear covering over the pupil and colored portion or iris of the eye. Even though the cornea is clear, there are many nerve endings sitting right under the surface. These nerve endings an early warning detector. When there is pain in the eye something is wrong and needs to be treated. This early warning lets the patient know to see their eye care professional immediately. How to deal with corneal abrasion will involve the services of a Los Angeles Eye Doctor, or an eye doctor in your part of the U.S.

Corneal abrasions occur usually occur when a foreign object hits the cornea and scratches it. This can be almost anything from a piece of sand or small rock, a finger nail, an animal scratch, a piece of metal from an industrial accident to a tree branch

Corneal abrasions can be very difficult for the casual observer to see with the naked eye. There is also the danger in some corneal injuries that a small fragment penetrated the eye to involve deeper structures. That is a true medical emergency and demands immediate attention to preserve eye sight. If you can’t get in to see your eye care professional immediately, you will need to go to Urgent Care Eye Doctor (if one cannot be reached, seek an Emergency Room). These usually occur when small, fast moving objects hit the eye, like small pieces of metal or wood.

The most common sensation with a corneal abrasion is the feeling that there is something in the eye and you can’t get it out. You probably will not be able to see anything, but the sensation continues and is painful. You may also have a new sensitivity to bright lights. Your eye may even be red and watery. It is time to seek the help of your eye care professional.

Your eye care professional may use a local anesthetic eye drop to temporarily numb the eye. A drop of a yellow medication will then be used. Under a special light the scratch or abrasion can then be viewed by your eye care professional. A treatment plan can then be formulated.

You may be prescribed antibiotic drops or an ointment to use in your eye at home. This will help with the healing process and help prevent infection. Many times, a bandage contact lens, is used to cover the abrasion, help healing and dramatically improve comfort, but must be used under a supervision of an eye doctor.

Wearing sunglasses will help with the sensitivity to light. Simply lying down and taking a nap between eye drops may help with the discomfort. Your eye will start to feel better within a day or two. You will probably go back to see your Los Angeles Eye Doctor in a couple of days, just to make sure the cornea is healing properly.

The name Prada in Los Angeles, California  is synonymous with luxury, fashion and good taste. That is also true of Prada eyewear. Although frames for glasses might not be the first thing that pops in your mind when you think of Prada, after you see the eyewear selection available it will be.

In true Prada fashion, no pun intended, there is something for everyone and every mood in eyewear. For those who like their eyewear to look serious and connote professional, upward mobility, Prada has serious eyewear. Solid frames in blacks, browns, and silver are available. These frames are all business; just one look at your face with these frames on will let the world know you a devoted professional.

In contrast, the Prada eyewear line also has wonderfully fun and whimsical colors available. Reds, pinks and even purple frames will let you show your funky, side. Even the most serious person has to have a little fun now and again. And some of us were just born to be fun all the time.

There are also frames with a nice combination of serious and whimsical. Serious black frames on the outside, with wonderful splashes of color on the inside of the frame. These frames are the best of both worlds. At first glance they are all business, but as people look at your eyes for a few moments, they will get glimpses of a more playful person hiding in that serious demeanor.

Color choices are only the first decision to be made when choosing Prada eyewear. The shapes available include rectangular, oval, butterfly, semi-rimless, and cat’s eye. The perfect frame shape to match your face is just waiting to be picked.

While it is important to know your face shape and pick frames that will look balanced on your face, the most important factor is to pick frames that you love. You will be living with these frames for about a year, so you will want to love them. With so many different Prada choices, finding the pair of glasses that you absolutely love will be easy.

In fact you may want to buy two or three pairs. One pair for the serious, business side, one for the fun loving evening time, and a pair of sunglasses for the beach. Sun glasses are an absolute must in this day and age, and Prada sunglasses are sure to get you noticed when you wear them.

View a few samples of Prada eyewear on our Facebook photo gallery.

In fact, when you buy Prada frames, the name is tastefully displayed on the sides of the frame. Everyone will see your attention to every detail. Nothing is left to chance in even your eyewear. Glasses are not just a minor thing to you; they are a serious fashion statement. So go ahead, wear that Prada eyewear with pride. You deserve them! Pay a visit to your local Los Angeles Eye Doctor soon.

Kerataconous is the thinning and the subsequent development of a dome shaped cornea. The cornea is the clear lens that covers the pupil and iris of the eye. For reasons that are not fully understood this gently curved surface can become dome shaped.

The purpose of the cornea is to focus light on the retina that is located in the back of the eyeball. As the cornea becomes dome shaped, the area of focus on the retina changes. Vision then becomes blurred and images are no longer distinct.

Kerataconous is usually diagnosed during puberty until the late teenaged years. The dome will usually increase in size for about 10 years and then stop growing. Nothing can be done to stop the progression of kerataconous. Kerataconous will decrease visual acuity dramatically as the cornea becomes more misshaped.

Initially the condition may be helped by glasses or soft contact lenses. However, as the dome shape a progress, the best vision acuity is obtained when the patient is fit with rigid gas permeable (RPG) lenses. Both eyes may be affected but not always to the same degree. Severe cases of kerataconous may require surgery.

If you are diagnosed with kerataconous, it is important to go to an eye care professional that has experience with treating this condition. This is a progressive condition that will require a change from soft contacts or glasses to rigid gas permeable lenses over time. Your eye care professional will need to be ever vigilant to your changing cornea shape to make the appropriate changes.

Generally patients with kerataconous will not see optimally with glasses or soft contact lenses because of the irregular corneal shape. In most cases, RGP lenses, or rigid gas permeable contact lenses, will give the best vision. It takes a skilled practitioner to get the right fit of the RGP lens over the cone shaped cornea. You will need to expect to make a couple of trips back to your eye care professional to have the initial fit checked and the prescription fine tuned. Regular eye exams will need to become part of your routine for the rest of your life. But that really isn’t any different from anyone who doesn’t have kerataconous.

The symptoms of kerataconous can be easily dismissed at first, which is why yearly eye exams are so important. Headaches that are caused by eye strain, blurry or distorted vision, and increased sensitivity to bright lights are a few of the common symptoms. Patients can also have real issues with glare from lights.

Some patients find out they have kerataconous when they are being examined for LASIK surgery because their glasses or soft contact lens have become ineffective. Unfortunately, at this time LASIK surgery is not advised for patients that have kerataconous.

The cause of kerataconous is not known. Patients that frequently, vigorously rub their eyes are more prone to develop the condition. It has also been occasionally known to run in families, although generally someone will develop kerataconous without any family history.

Catching kerataconous early and then following up with the treatment plan is absolutely essential. If left untreated, kerataconous can cause scar tissue to form at the point of the cone. This scar tissue will have a devastating effect on visual acuity. The only reliable treatment at that point is surgical corneal transplantation.

Kerataconous is a manageable eye condition. If left untreated vision can become very poor. If treated early by an eye care professional that is experienced with kerataconous, visual acuity can be optimized. Early treatment is key is maintaining excellent vision. Your eye care professional will also keep you abreast of any new treatment options that may become available.

Fouad Melamed, O.D.

Punctal plugs are a very effective treatment for dry eyes, when other treatments have been less than effective. Dry eyes can be more than a minor inconvenience for patients. It can be very painful.

Punctal plugs are not generally a first line treatment for dry eyes. Your eye care professional will need to make a definitive diagnosis first. Then other treatments may be tried to evaluate your response.

If these other treatments aren’t giving you the relief you need, you may be a candidate for punctual plugs. Here is how they work. Your eyes have lacrimal glands that produce the liquid or “tears” that bath the eye. Tears keep the eyes moist and help rid the eye of small particles of dust, dirt and pollutants.

These tears normally exit the eye through the tear ducts that are located in the upper and lower lids of the eyes at the bridge of the nose. You can see the puncta or openings on the inside of the lids. A small portion of tears are lost to evaporation also.

Punctal plugs are placed in these tear duct openings to keep the tears in the eyes. This dramatically decreases the amount of tears lost due to drainage. Increasing the amount of tears in the eyes and thus the lubrication will make the eye feel better.

Punctal plug insertion generally involves two different insertion procedures. The first insertion will be temporary plugs. This temporary plug will allow your doctor to evaluate how well this procedure is going to work for you. Occasionally, patients will have excessive tearing of the eyes when the puncta are plugged.

These temporary plugs will generally last 10 days to a few months. This is enough time for both you and your doctor to evaluate the effectiveness of punctal plugs for you. Punctal plugs are easily inserted and can easily be removed if necessary in your doctor’s office.

Your eye will first be numbed with an eye drop. Then the punctal plug will gently be inserted in the puncta using a sterile instrument. The procedure takes about a minute to perform. Your doctor will discuss with you prior to the procedure which type of plugs will be inserted. Upper and lower tear ducts can be plugged in this manner. Your doctor may elect to do just the lower ducts, or all four may be plugged.

Patients generally have no discomfort with this procedure and tolerate the plugs well. Plugs are tiny and not visible to others.  Although the plugs are designed to be permanent, plugs do come out on occasion. Your Los Angeles eye doctor can insert another plug if this happens.

If you are bothered by dry eyes, be sure to discuss punctal plugs with your eye care professional. If your Los Angeles eye doctor does not put them in, a referral can be made to an eye care professional that places punctal plugs. Comfort can be one small procedure away.

You may want to know more about what causes dry eyes in Los Angeles. This is a pick up from my last blog on dry eye syndrome. Apart from the natural irritants that come with living in a big city like Los Angeles, you might also experience issues with dry eyes from some of the following conditions as well.

Air conditioning can be a contributing factor to dry eye  syndrome. The constant flow of cooler air is designed to work by removing humidity. This can cause an imbalance in the amount of tears produced.  Heating can also cause the same issue.

For women, the natural aging process can also cause  problems with dry eyes. Menopausal women can experience issues with the production of tears, which is related to the change in hormones in the body.  Taking birth control pills, for some patients, can also cause the natural balance of tear production to be interrupted. Other medications such as anti-anxiety medications also are known to cause lower tear production. Your Los Angeles eye doctor can discuss these issues with you, and provide some possible treatment options.

In the larger population, rheumatoid arthritis is known to cause dry eyes. Less common conditions like collagen vascular disease and Siogren’s syndrome can produce  problems with the body’s natural ability to produce tears. These types of issues require the help of a Los Angeles Optometrist.

The question of what causes dry eyes in Los Angeles can be more complex than one might first think. If you live in the Los Angeles area, and would like the chance to have your dry eye condition evaluated by a Los Angeles eye doctor, you can get a consultation appointment by using the following link Los Angeles Optometrist.

Here’s to the health of your eyes in Los Angeles, or anywhere you go.

Fouad Melamed, O.D.

1-Day Acuvue TruEye is the world’s FIRST daily disposable contact lens that comes in a new breathable silicone hydrogel material – an cutting edge  material saturated with a super smooth wetting agent which does not slow release onto the eye, delivering 98% oxygen flux to the cornea. A Los Angeles eye doctor will be able to provide you with better eye care, thanks to the new product.

Acuvue’s new TruEye contact lenses are truly remarkable as patients will regain incredible white eyes and comfort at the end of the day because the super wet and super smooth surface has the lowest friction coefficient of any daily disposable lens on the market today – even exceeding Acuvue Oasys and 1-Day Moist. This is great news for contact lens wearers experiencing pink eyes after a long day.

What are the Features and Benefits of 1-Day Acuvue TruEye Contacts ?

• Acuvue TruEye lenses are made from Narafilcon A, a new silicone hydrogel material that allows for 98% oxygen flux to the cornea, resulting in fewer red and dry eyes – even at the end of a long day.
• Featuring Hydraclear technology combining an exceptional wetting agent with oxygen transmitting silicone hydrogel polymers. The result is an outstanding smooth and moist lens.
• 1-Day Acuvue TruEye contacts have the highest level of UVA and UVB blocking of any daily disposable contact lens with a minimum of 96% UVA and a minimum of 99% UVB blocking.
• A 1-2-3 inside-out indicator and the visibility tint support easier handling.

Who should wear 1-Day Acuvue TruEye?

• People with higher prescriptions who need more breathable lenses
• Patients wanting more comfort with their contact lenses.

Get fitted today with your local Los Angeles optometrist who carries it, Melamed Eye Care!

I live in the Los Angeles area, and I treat a lot of patients for dry eyes. Dry eye syndrome in Los Angeles is a very common problem. Put basically, it is a condition whereby the surface of the eye does not have enough moisture.  People who suffer from dry eye syndrome in Los Angeles can have problems ranging from minor, but constant, irritation to chronic inflammation of the anterior (front) tissues of the eyes. Having a good Los Angeles eye doctor can help you with the problem.

The medical term for dry eyes is keratitis sicca. It refers to the fact that some people develop a tendancy to produce less, or no, tears for moisture. Keratoconjuctivitis sicca refers to a dry eye condition that ends up affecting the cornea and conjunctiva. 

So, what are the symptoms of dry eyes? You may have a problem with dry eyes if you have persistent dryness in your eyes, and/or a persistent scratching and burning sensation. Often, people will have tried liquid tears to no complete effect.  Another symptom of dry eyes can be a nagging and persistent feeling of having a foreign body in the eye.

Dry eye syndrome in Los Angeles can be affected by our climate, our issues with the environment, and our issues with pollutants in the air. We live in a big city, and there are inherent issues like pollution, allergens, etc., that we live with. Whatever the case, dry eyes need to be treated by a competent Los Angeles eye doctor.

Are you suffering from World Cup blurry vision?  No,  I don’t mean the kind you get from watching too much World Cup Soccer, if that’s possible. What I am talking about is blurry vision that comes from your eyes losing that perfect 20/20 vison over time.

As we get older, suffer from certain diseases like diabetes, etc., we can slowly lose our 20/20 vision. Even our genetics can  play a role. The problem is, we may not notice right away, until we find ourselves starring at a blurry television screen, or perhaps notice we are getting more headaches than normal. The process can be slow.

Even when we are watching sporting events in the outdoors, we can suffer from blurry vision. The numbers on the uniforms get harder to read. We can’t keep up with the action. All of these things are signs that it is time to get your eyes checked.

Blurry vision may be corrected with  simple  solutions like glasses or contact lenses.  Getting your eyes checked by a qualified Optometrist can fix this problem quickly. But they can’t help if you don’t go in to have your eyes checked, at least once a year.

On a different note, your blurry vision could be a sign of something much worse.  There could be problems with your eyes  that require more in depth medical care.  Again, the problem cannot be corrected by staying at home and starring at the television.

World Cup blurry vision is bad. Missing your chidren’s soccer game, due to poor vision is even worse. Life is too short not to enjoy the best vision possible. Go see an eye doctor. If you live in the the Los Angeles, California area, and need an LA eye doctor, I would be pleased to help you with your blurry vision problem.  For more information, you can call 323-655-6582, or check out our website to make an appointment at Melamedeyecare.

Fouad Melamed, O.D.

With the coming of summer it is time to stress protection from the sun’s rays. While skin cancers and their prevention receive a large amount of attention, it is also just as important to protect your eyes from the sun. This is not to minimize the need for skin protection but rather to add eye protection to your summer routines.

Our sun emits powerful ultraviolet rays along with the visible light that we see and the heat that we feel. These ultraviolet rays can cause eye damage in several forms. Certain cataracts are thought to be formed when the eye is exposed to UV light. Cataracts are a clouding of the normally clear lens that covers the pupil of the eye. This cloudiness can drastically decrease vision.

Another form of eye damage is pterygium. This is a fibrovascular proliferation or overgrowth of cells. The pterygium grows from the corner of the eye closest to the nose and then over the lens. While the cause is not certain, the main culprits seem to be sand, dust, wind and exposure to UV rays from the sun. The thought is that as the sunlight passes through the cornea it is focused on the white of the eye or the sclera closest to the nose. It is this concentrated damage that may cause the pterygium to form.

Pingueculae is another growth that forms in the whites of the eye. These are usually small yellowish growths that generally cause few problems. However, some people feel like there is something in their eye with these growths or scratchy eyes.

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in older populations. While exposure to UV rays has not been proven to be a causative factor in developing macular degeneration, there is some thought that frequent unprotected exposure to the sun can be a contributing factor.  Smoking, hypertension, obesity, family history and a sedentary lifestyle are also thought to be culprits in this devastating affliction.

Intraocular melanoma may have a link to unprotected exposure of the eyes to the sun or tanning beds. Although the connection has not been proven, there is still sufficient concern, and precautions should be taken. Skin cancers of the eye lid and around the eye do have a direct connection to sun exposure. These areas are often under protected when sun screen is applied.

How can you protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun? Good sunglasses are a must for starters. If you are unsure of how good your sunglasses are, take them to your eye care professional. They can let you know how effective they will be at blocking the UV rays. If you are pretty sure you bought your sunglasses based on looks rather than effectiveness, it may be time for a new pair. There are great looking sun glasses that also block 99-100% of UV rays.

In addition to blocking UV rays, (both UV-A and UV-B) the sunglasses need to block out at least 80% of visible light. If you are out in the sun frequently, you should consider wrap around lenses. These will block out the sunlight from all portions of your eye. Don’t forget to get proper sunglasses for your kids. The effect of the sun on the eye is cumulative. This means the more eye protection you have over the course of your life; the less likely you will be to develop sun related issues.

In addition to good sunglasses, a wide brimmed hat can also block a large amount of the sun from reaching your eyes. Interestingly, while you may be tempted to take your sunglasses off in the shade, you may still need to wear them to protect your eyes from reflected light. The lesson here is leave all your protective gear on until it is too dark to see with them on or you are totally out of the suns rays.

If you have any questions about any possible eye damage from the sun, make an appointment to see your eye care professional. Your eye care professional has special training to see damage at a very early stage. This is the best time to catch a problem and receive treatment if needed. Simple changes at an early stage can have big payoffs in the long run.  Don’t forget to wear your sunglasses anytime you are out in the sun regardless of the season.