January 13, 2012We are pleased to announce to our patients that Dr. Pamela Young will be joining our practice for the next few months in order for Dr. Mandy Pietig to be able to be home with her baby when it arrives and have some maternity leave!! Keep watching our pages for Dr. Young's biography and her picture. We will post this as we get closer to Dr. Pietig's due date. Dr. Pietig is planning to continue to see her patients as long as she can. She is due the end of this month. Dr. Todd Pietig will also be filling in for her on some Wednesdays for the next few months. We certainly appreciate that we have willing Doctors to help Dr. Mandy Pietig at this special time for her and her husband....welcoming their first child!!!
November 15, 2011
Maui Jim Sunwear has a new "click" on its website! It is called "Virtual Fit Live"!! You can go to their website and upload a photo of yourself and try on their sunwear to see which particular pair you fall in LOVE with!! No looking through pictures on the website trying to determine what would look best! You can just try them on!!
Is this COOL or WHAT??!!!
Go to www.mauijim.com Click on "virtualfitlive" at the top and follow the instructions!! Have fun!!
Then stop in at Ankeny Family Vision Center and try them on in person or order the pair you decide is your absolute favorite!!! Our wonderful staff of opticians will see that you receive them promptly and fit them so you go out of our office "perfectly satisfied"!!
HAVE FUN!!!! October 27, 2011Congratulations to our staff member, Amy Marie, her husband, Tom and daughter, Ella!! Amy gave birth this morning to a healthy little girl weighing in at 7 lbs 7 oz and is 19.5 inches long. All are doing well. Her name is Alana Grace! We will miss Amy during her leave, but wish all the best and cannot wait to see her!!!! September 9, 2011An Instrument to Detect Early Macular Degeneration? AWESOME!!! Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects millions of people every year and is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 55. AMD affects the macula – the small part of the retina responsible for central vision. The effects of AMD can be permanent and irreversible. Because AMD is debilitating, it is important to understand the most common risk factors. These include family history of AMD, smoking (past or present), high exposure to sunlight, light colored skin and eyes, obesity, poor diet, and low macular pigment. The QUANTIFEYE is an instrument that can identify low macular pigment. Testing by the Quantifeye is a simple non-invasive test that actually measures the two types of macular pigment that help block the blue light found in sunlight. This blue light is known to contribute to the onset of AMD. Although there is no cure for AMD, if a patient is found to have low macular pigment, Dr. Kenneth Hansen or Dr. Mandy Pietig of Ankeny Family Vision Center, can recommend dietary changes or nutritional supplements that can raise the macular pigment levels to a healthier level. The beauty of having this technology is the ability to see how taking the supplements are actually helping you. The two most important nutritional supplements are lutein and zeaxanthin. Dr. Hansen and Dr. Pietig usually recommend EyePromise supplements that have the highest level of zeaxanthin in any ocular supplement. If there are any questions concerning macular degeneration or how to have your macular pigment evaluated, please call Ankeny Family Vision Center at 515.964.1671. June 17, 2011BACK-TO-SCHOOL CHECKLIST SHOULD INCLUDE A TRIP TO THE EYE DOCTOR Teachers Recognize that Vision and Learning are Interdependent Parents and students throughout the country are crossing items off their back-to-school checklists, but most are missing an important task to ensure learning success – a visit to the eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam. According to an American Optometric Association (AOA) survey of K-12 teachers, 81 percent believe vision and learning are interdependent. “Healthy vision is critical to learning and excelling in school,” said Dr. Pamela Lowe, optometrist and the American Optometric Association’s vision & learning specialist. “Comprehensive eye exams should be performed to detect problems like astigmatism, eye coordination and moderate amounts of farsightedness, conditions that can prohibit optimal learning.” Many experts believe that approximately 80 percent of learning comes through a child’s eyes. Reading, writing and computer work are just a few of the tasks students are expected to perform daily that require visual skills. As classrooms adopt more technologically advanced tools, such as interactive blackboard presentations, the dependence on adequate visual capabilities will increase. Below are essential elements Dr. Hansen and Dr. Pietig will check during a comprehensive eye exam to make certain learning is maximized through good vision. • Visual acuity is measured at several distances so students can comfortably and efficiently read, work on the computer and see the blackboard.
• Focusing is an important skill that is tested. Eyes must be able to focus on a specific object and to easily shift focus from one object to another. This allows the child to move visual attention from a book to the blackboard and back.
• Visual alignment and ocular motility are evaluated. Ideally, the muscles that aim each eye converge so that both eyes are aimed at the same object, refining depth perception.
• Binocular fusion (eye teaming) skills are assessed. These skills are critical to coordinate and align the eyes precisely so the brain can fuse the pictures it receives from each eye into a single image.
• Eye tracking skills are tested to determine whether the child can track across a page accurately and efficiently while reading, and can copy material quickly and easily from the blackboard or another piece of paper.
• Testing preschoolers’ color vision is important because a large part of the early educational process involves the use of color identification.
• Eye-hand-body coordination, critical for handwriting, throwing a ball or playing an instrument, and visual perception, used to interpret and understand visual information like form, size, orientation, texture and color perception, are important visual functions that are reviewed.
• Overall eye health is determined by examining the structures of the eye. Studies indicate that some children with undetected vision problems can be misdiagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHA). The AOA survey revealed that 64 percent of teachers witnessed a direct improvement in a child’s academic performance and/or classroom behavior after an eye or vision problem was diagnosed and treated. If your child experiences any of the following, Dr. Hansen or Dr. Pietig should be consulted about a possible vision problem: • Loses place while reading
• Avoids close work
• Tends to rub eyes
• Has headaches
• Turns or tilts head
• Makes frequent reversals when reading or writing
• Uses finger to maintain place when reading
• Omits or confuses small words when reading
• Consistently performs below potential
• Struggles to complete homework
• Squints while reading or watching television
• Has behavioral problems
• Holds reading material closer than normal Early detection and treatment are the key in correcting vision problems and helping children see clearly. Dr. Hansen and Dr. Pietig recommend that a child’s first eye assessment take place at 6 months of age. Comprehensive eye exams should be conducted beginning at age 3, before a child enters school, and then every two years, unless otherwise advised by Dr. Hansen or Dr. Pietig. In between exams, parents and teachers should monitor children for the more prevalent signs that a student’s vision may be impaired. June 2, 2011 Stop your eyes from aging this summer!! Only 32% of adults consider UV protection an important factor when purchasing sunwear. Most of us know the importance of UV blocking sunscreen to protect our skin from aging and disease. Unfortunately, only 32 % of us understand the same is true when it comes to protecting our eyes from the same. Summer can be such a dangerous time for the eyes. We all spend so much time outdoors exposed to the sun. Overexposure to these ultraviolet rays can fast forward aging of our eyes and it also increases the risk for serious disease. (Read more in the article dated May 16). Please consider sunwear for the whole family. Ankeny Family Vision Center's new expanded dispensary has many different kinds of sunwear from Oakley, Maui Jim and others. It is also possible to place sunglass lenses in any frame you may find that you like and prefer more than the available sunwear. We also stock frames with matching clip-on sunglass lenses and have a company that will make custom sunclips for most frames. In addition to sunglasses, certain contact lenses incorporate an ultraviolet blocker in the lens which helps further reduce exposure to UV light. Besides wearing sunglasses or protective contact lenses, applying UV-blocking sunscreen around the eye area and wearing a baseball cap or hat will further protect the eyes and help prevent premature aging! Remember that your sunglass lenses need to block out 99 to 100 % of both UV-A and UV-B radiation and they need to screen out 75 to 90% of visible light. Do not forget those infants, children, and teens when thinking of sun protection. Starting them early with sunwear will help keep their eyes healthly in their later years. Call Iwa or Bethany and have them schedule an appointment with Dr. Hansen or Dr. Pietig. They can monitor your eye health and give you additional information on how best to protect your eyes from UV radiation. May 16, 2011 May is Sight Saving - Ultraviolet Awareness Month Did you know that UV rays can burn delicate eye tissue and raise the risk of developing cataracts and cancers of the eye? The sun supports all of the life on earth, but its rays also pose danger. The UV-A and UV-B rays our sun gives off is its primary danger. There are also artificial sources of these radiations in the form of welding machines, tanning beds and lasers. Most of us are aware of the dangers of these harmful rays to our skin, but exposure to the UV radiation can also harm eyes and vision. UV-A and UV-B radiation can have long and short term effects. "Sunburn of the eyes" or "photokeratitis" is one effect you may experience after exposure to excessive amounts over a short period of time. Symptoms include sensitivity to light, red eyes, foreign body sensation and a lot of tearing. Fortunately, this condition is only temporary and rarely causes permanent damage. Studies have shown that long term exposure can be more serious. Exposure to small amounts of the UV radiation over a period of years can raise your risk of developing cataracts, damage to the retina, macular degeneration, and even cancers of the eye. Since it is not clear how much exposure will cause this damage, Dr. Hansen and Dr. Mataya Pietig suggest wearing quality sunglasses with UV protection whenever you spend time outdoors. To provide adequate protection for your eyes, sunglasses should: - Block out 90 to 100% of UV-A and UV-B radiation
- Screen out 75 to 90% of visible light
- Be perfectly matched in color and free of distortion or imperfection
If you spend most of your day outdoors, wrap around protection can provide additional protection from the harmful solar radiation. Do not forget teens and even infants. They typically spend more time in the sun and outdoors than adults. Ankeny Family Vision Center offers a wide variety of sunwear for all ages. Stop in and check out our selection or schedule a comprehensive eye examination. That is the best way to monitor your eye health, maintain good vision and keep track of your solar radiation protection needs as well as the advancements in eye protection. April 12, 2011 What Sports Need Eye Protection? Baseball represents the greatest risk of sports eye injuries to players ages 5 to 14 years old. It is estimated that over 200 baseball players are legally blinded each year due to sports eye injuries. 55% of these are caused by ball impact, with impact from a batted ball happening more often than a pitched ball. Soccer is the leading cause of sports eye injuries in Europe with the United States seeing more and more of these same type of injuries. Soccer eye injuries can be serious...retinal tears, vitreous hemorrhages, and chorioretinal ruptures being the most severe. Minor injuries such as corneal abrasions and contusions are also seen. Basketball represents the greatest risk for eye injury when compared to all other sports and has been shown to be the leading cause of sports eye injuries requiring emergency room treatment. It is estimated that 2800 basketball players are legally blinded each year due to sports eye injuries. Football teams will experience four eye injuries each season and one severe eye injury every two seasons. Although facemasks have reduced facial injuries by approximately 80 - 90%, facial injuries continue to represent approximately 10% of all football injuries. Racket Sports accounted for 25% of all reported eye injuries and 8% of all eyes blinded by sports. In a U.S. study, racket sports were responsible for 40% of sports eye injuries seen in a private practice. 60% of the members of the American Amateur Racquetball Association believe that eye protection should be mandated for the sport. Our objective at Ankeny Family Vision Center is to increase the use of appropriate personal protective eyewear in recreational activities and hazardous situations around the home. We, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Optometric Association, and The Coalition to Prevent Sports Eye Injuries, strongly advise the use of Protective Eyewear. Ankeny Family Vision Center is an authorized Liberty Sports Eye Injury Prevention Center. While no single device can prevent all injuries, sports eye protection that meets stringent ASTM Standards can significantly reduce the risk of sport-related eye injury. Stop in and see our knowledgable opticians and have them help you find the correct sport eye protection for your child. In this way, you are helping to keep your child from becoming a statistic. "Prevent Blindness America estimates that over 90% of all sports related eye injuries are avoidable." March 26, 2011One month from today is our Open House for our new facility, April 26, 2011. Ribbon Cutting with the Chamber of Commerce begins at 4:00pm with the Open House following until 7:00pm. Please stop by to see our newly expanded office, meet Dr. Hansen and Dr. Mataya Pietig and all the staff. Refreshments will be served!! We look forward to seeing you!!! February 11, 2011 February is AMD Month... Check out our facebook page for February 11 and read about how nutrition plays an important part in AMD - Age Related Macular Degeneration! January 18, 20114,000,000 Americans never saw it coming. There is no pain...there are no symptoms in the early stages...there is no way to know if you have it without an eye examination. What am I writing about? GLAUCOMA!! January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. We would like to encourage all of you to familiarize yourself with this disease. Comprehensive eye examinations are critical for diagnosis, as an individual with early-stage Glaucoma may not notice any symptoms at all. Those with more advanced Glaucoma may notice blurred vision, the presence of halos around light, loss of peripheral vision, and even difficulty focusing on objects. Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders leading to progressive damage to the optic nerve, and is characterized by loss of nerve tissue resulting in loss of vision. The most common form of glaucoma is associated with an increase in the fluid pressure inside the eye. Vision loss may result. Advanced glaucoma may even cause blindness. Not everyone with high eye pressure will develop glaucoma, and many people with normal eye pressure will develop glaucoma. When the pressure inside an eye is too high for that particular optic nerve, whatever that pressure measurement may be, glaucoma will develop. Glaucoma is the 2nd leading cause of blindness in the United States. Glaucoma cannot currently be prevented, but if diagnosed and treated early it can usually be controlled. Medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. However, vision already lost to glaucoma cannot be restored. That is why the American Optometric Association recommends an annual dilated eye examination for people at risk for glaucoma as a preventive eye care measure. Depending on your specific condition, Dr. Hansen or Dr. Mataya Pietig may recommend more frequent examinations. Those at higher risk include: - Individuals over the age of 60
- African-Americans over the age of 40
- Those with diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease are potentially at risk
- Individuals that have experiences a serious eye injury
- Anyone with a family history of Glaucoma
- Also those with thinner corneas, chronic eye inflamation and those taking medications that would increase the pressure in the eye
There is no cure for glaucoma. Patients with glaucoma need to continue treatment for the rest of their lives. Because the disease can progress or change silently, compliance with eye medications and eye examinations are essential, as treatment may need to be adjusted periodically. By keeping eye pressure under control, continued damage to the optic nerve and continued loss of your visual field may slow or stop. Dr. Hansen or Dr. Mataya Pietig may focus on lowering the intraocular pressure to a level that is least likely to cause further optic nerve damage. Pressure may change over the course of a lifetime. Newer medications are always being developed to help in the fight against glaucoma. Early detection, prompt treatment and regular monitoring can help to control glaucoma and therefore reduce the chances of progression vision loss.
January 14, 2011 Ankeny Family Vision Center is delighted to introduce you to two new employees. Please help us welcome Susan Frein and Bethany Larsen to our staff. Check out our "Meet our Staff" page and read their "bios". They are a wonderful addition! Stop in and meet them! January 9, 2011Thank you all for your patience last week as we trained on our new computer system, laid carpet in the main areas, and put down ceramic tile. It was a week to remember! We appreciate your willingness to enter our back door and become a member of our family, since "back door guests are best"!! We hope through all this that we will be better able to serve you with "the personal vision care you deserve"! Thank you again and have a good week. Check out our facebook page and keep up with our construction. Also, we have two new employees we will be posting pictures of soon! January 2, 2011Change of hours for January 3 - 7, 2011 (Due to staff computer training) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - January 3,4,5 - we will be open ONLY from 4-5pm. Thursday, January 6 - we will be open ONLY from 3-6pm. Friday, January 7 - we will be open 8am - 5pm. Due to construction at our front entrance this week, please park behind the office and enter the middle door marked with a yellow sign. If you need assistance, please call our office ahead of time, leave a message for Iwa, and someone will be there to help you. If you have a medical emergency, instructions may be found by calling our office at 515.964.1671. Happy New Year from all of us at Ankeny Family Vision Center! December 24, 2010 Dr. Ken Hansen, Dr. Mandy Mataya Pietig, and the staff of Ankeny Family Vision Center - Angie, Amy, Amy Marie, Barbara, Becky, and Iwa - wish you a very blessed Christmas!! December 21, 2010Please note our holiday hours: Thursday December 23: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday December 24: CLOSED Monday through Thursday - December 27 - 30: Regular business hours Friday December 31: CLOSED Due to our conversion from one computer system to another, hours the 1st week of January are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - January 3,4,5 - open ONLY 4 - 5 p.m. for glasses pickup, contact lenses pickup and adjustments Thursday, January 6 - open ONLY 3 - 6 for exams and the above Friday, January 7 - open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. If you have a medical emergency, instructions may be found by calling our office at 515.964.1671. Thank you for your continued patience as we improve on giving you "the personal vision care you deserve"! December 14, 2010  The stockings were hung by the fire with care, waiting for gifts from Ankeny Family Vision Center to appear!!! Do you need creative stocking stuffer ideas? Fill those Christmas stockings with a gift certificate in any amount to apply towards a full vision exam, contact lenses, or glasses! We also have many other items to help fill that special someone's stocking...vitamins for eye health, children's sunwear called Baby Banz (for infants and above), glasses cleaner, glasses cloths, athletic bands, small screwdrivers, sunwear for adults....the list goes on!  Check out our display of all of these and more in our display case in the area where you pick up your new glasses! You will never go wrong with a stocking stuffer from Ankeny Family Vision Center!! December 10, 2010 Do you have a flexible spending account that needs to be used? We are still making appointments with Dr. Hansen and Dr. Mataya Pietig for December. Those dollars could be used for your exam, a pair of glasses, contact lenses or even gift certificates. Stop by and see the stocking stuffers we have available just for that special someone. It looks like we are not open, but WE ARE!! While you are taking care of that flex plan, check out all our progress on our building project! We are getting closer every day to being done!!!
November 1, 2010 50% OFF!!!!!! 50% OFF!!!!!! Would you like a pair of RAY BAN Sunglasses? Have you been saving your money just waiting to get enough to purchase a pair? Well, this is your lucky day (week, month)!!! We have a 50% off sale of in stock only Ray Ban Sunwear. Stop in and see the collection we have for you at this special offer! No warranty is included, but we will still adjust and fix any minor problems you might experience in the future! See Susan, Barbara, or Amy Marie and they will find that perfect look for you! Be there or be square ! 50% off won't last forever!!! September 29, 2010 Phase 1 of our office expansion is coming to a close. We are very excited. Monday, October 11, we will be working out of the north side of our new office while the demo starts on the south side, the present existing office. We have had many delays during the construction of Phase 1 and are hoping that Phase 2 will move along a bit more smoothly. Please bear with us as we relocate temporarily to the north side. You will still be able to enter our existing doors and then just follow the black plastic aisle to find Iwa waiting for you on the other side. It will continue to be a construction area until the entire office is completed. We appreciate your patience so far and look forward to being able to better serve you and see that you have "the personal vision care you deserve". May 3, 2010 Ankeny's "Best"!!! Each year the Ankeny Register and Press Citizen (our local newspaper) discovers who is the "Best of Ankeny". The categories are many...Best Restaurants, Best Car Dealers, Best Plumbers, Massage Therapists, Salons, Electricians...you name it - they have a category. They even have a category for Best Vision Care Provider!!
First, second and third places are announced. These places are determined by online and written votes from the community. Ballots are available and also placed in the newspaper. Three weeks are allowed for voting. Only one vote is allowed per computer address and per ballot name.
I am pleased to announce that Ankeny Family Vision Center was voted #1 in the BEST VISION CARE PROVIDER category.
Dr. Hansen, Dr. Mataya Pietig and the staff would like to thank all of you who voted for us. We appreciate your confidence in us and your support.
We will continue to work hard to serve you in 2010 with "the personal vision care you deserve"!!
March 17, 2010 - March is Save Your Vision Month - a good reminder of the importance and necessity of eye health and regular vision exams. Healthy Vision at the Computer People who sit in front of a computer for long periods of time often encounter a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Headaches, neck strain, backaches and wrist pain are common, but, sadly, the most prevalent symptoms of prolonged computer use—eye strain, blurred vision and dry eye—are often overlooked. In fact, eye and vision problems are the most frequently reported health care problems among computer users. Computer Vision Syndrome These symptoms contribute to computer vision syndrome, which the American Optometric Association defines as “the complex of eye and vision problems related to near work that are experienced during or related to computer use.” Sitting at a computer generally causes a person to look straight ahead for long stretches, work in a dry office or home environment, and to blink less often. These factors can lead to vision problems. Additionally, computer use requires specific vision skills, which add further demands to the visual system and contribute to eye and vision discomfort. These skills include: Ocular motility- the ability of the eyes to move in various positions. Accommodation- the ability of the eyes to focus clearly at various distances. Vergence- The ability to move the eyes in (convergence) or out (divergence).
Is Your Work Station Properly Arranged?
Effects of Working Environment Computer work places various demands on the visual system. Each of these factors can play a part in computer vision syndrome. Screen resolution- Better resolution offers greater clarity and usually leads to improved comfort. Adjust the resolution to the highest resolution your monitor will support. If the increased screen resolution makes items too small, try increasing the font size (DPI) to compensate. Screen contrast- Adjust the contrast between the characters on the monitor and the background so the letters are easily read. Adjust the brightness of the monitor to an intensity that is comfortable to your eyes--not too bright and not too dim. Adjust both brightness and contrast for the best clarity. Screen glare and reflections- Minimize reflected glare on your monitor by using window treatments, dimmer switches on lights and glare reduction filters. Look for glare reduction filters that have received the American Optometric Association Seal of Acceptance. Proper adjustment should eliminate any reflected images from the monitor screen. To reduce glare, eliminate bright light sources from your peripheral vision and position your monitor perpendicular to windows or other bright light sources. Image refresh rates and flicker- A higher refresh rate for your monitor is best. The image on the screen should not flicker at all. (This is not a concern with LCDs.) Working distances and angles- It is important to work at a distance that is comfortable for you and where the image on the screen is clear. Having to move your head to an awkward angle to see the screen clearly suggests that your prescription may need adjustment. General eyeglass prescription may not be adequate- Computers are usually further and higher than a typical reading task. Glasses for most people wearing bifocals are not adjusted for this new distance or angle and therefore often are not adequate for using the computer. Repetitive and stressful tasks- Difficult tasks are challenging. Don’t forget to take occasional breaks and let the eyes look far away while resting. Tips for Healthy, Comfortable Vision at the Computer While decreasing time spent at a computer may not be an option, there are ways to maximize healthy vision for comfortable use of the computer. Have a regular comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Hansen or Dr. Mataya to ensure your eyes are healthy and that you have the correct eyeglass or contact lens prescription (if necessary). Be certain to tell them about the computer work you do. Wear glasses that are specifically designed to function comfortably at the computer. The lenses you wear for day-to-day activities may not be the best for working at the computer. - Rest the eyes - Blink forcefully - Use a humidifier - Instill artificial tears After you have had a comprehensive eye examination with Dr. Hansen or Dr. Mataya, there are a number of things that you can do to arrange and use the elements of your workstation to eliminate or minimize discomfort. Workstation Setup for Comfortable Computer Use Feet should be flat on the floor (or on a slightly angled foot rest) with knees bent close to or greater than 90 degrees. Chair seat should support the legs without excessive pressure on the back of the thighs. The back should be snug against the seat to fit your spinal contour. Thigh to trunk angle should be 90 degrees or greater. Wrists and hands should extend nearly straight from the elbow to the home row of the keyboard. A commonly preferred work surface height for keyboard use is about 26˝ as opposed to the conventional 29˝ of most tables or desks. Place the monitor 20˝-26˝ from your eyes, depending on the size of the monitor and individual vision conditions. The monitor and keyboard should be straight ahead. The top of the monitor should be slightly below horizontal eye level. Tilt the top of the monitor away from you at a 10 degree to 20 degree angle. The center of the monitor should be 10 degrees to 20 degrees below your eyes. This is 4˝-9˝ below your eyes at a distance of 24˝. Keep the monitor free of fingerprints and dust. Both can reduce clarity. Place document holders close to the screen within the same viewing distance. Keep the keyboard and monitor in line. Adjust the keyboard tilt angle so that wrists are straight. Healthy Computer Use Although the visual system faces considerable challenges when using a computer, most issues can be solved. Remember that problems with the use of the computer cause needless discomfort and may rob productivity. Heeding the suggestions made here along with those made by Dr. Hansen or Dr. Mataya for your specific needs, will enable you to use your computer comfortably and productively...At Ankeny Family Vision Center, you receive the personal vision care you deserve!
February 2010
Do You Suffer From Dry Eyes?Ankeny Family Vision Center has expanded their practice and is now offering a new specialty, Dry Eye Consultations. Dr. Kenneth Hansen and Dr. Mandy Mataya Pietig are passionate about this common condition that is affecting millions of Americans, especially Iowans during the winter months where there is little humidity. Up to six million women and three million men have moderate or severe symptoms according to the Schepens Eye Research Institute. It is one of the most under treated eye diseases. Are you experiencing any of the dry eye symptoms? · Dry, tired eyes · Sandy gritty feeling · Foreign body sensation · Blurred Vision · Excessive tearing (seems contradictory, but true) · Burning or Stinging · Light sensitivity · Itching · Mucus discharge · Red Eyes
Other factors such as aging, hormonal changes, medications, smoke, pollution, wind, and low humidity, and C-Pap machines may also damage tear film and exacerbate symptoms of dry eye.
What is dry eye?
Dr. Hansen and Dr. Mataya Pietig want you to know that this is a syndrome that has numerous causes relating to the inadequate wetting and lubrication of the eye. As stated above, this may result in discomfort, visual disturbances and deterioration of the tear film. Blinking is the body’s way of refreshing the natural tear film. Reading, watching television and working on the computer reduces the number of those blinks by nearly half. Because of this, there is potential for damage and inflammation to the ocular surface.
Just as there are various causes of dry eye, Dr. Hansen and Dr. Mataya Pietig use a variety of treatments. Their expertise in providing an accurate diagnosis is essential to your specific and proper treatment. This begins with a comprehensive medical history. Diagnostic tests are also an important part of the exam to determine the causes and severity of each individual condition.
If you believe you suffer from any of the symptoms of dry eye as mentioned above, please call Ankeny Family Vision Center at 515.964.1671 for more information or to schedule your dry eye consultation with Dr. Kenneth Hansen or Dr. Mandy Mataya Pietig. At Ankeny Family Vision Center, you receive the personal vision care you deserve. Happy New Year from all of us at Ankeny Family Vision Center!
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