Did you know that UV damage to your eyes can cause early cataracts, macular degeneration, and even skin cancer? Protect your eyes and vision by wearing sunglasses!!

Overwearing contact lenses can lead to some pretty serious eye health issues.  Patients may have been habitually wearing contact lenses longer than their intended use (wearing a daily lens for several days, or weeks, or wearing a monthly lens for several months or even years, for example) without complication and don’t view this behavior as risky or dangerous.

It is.

By overwearing contact lenses patients are opening themselves up to the risk of severe eye infections, corneal damage, and vision loss.  Other complications can include Corneal Neovascularization which occurs when the oxygen flow to the eye is so impaired that the eye begins to grow new blood vessels OVER the contact lens to pull in more oxygen, Giant Papillary Conjunctivitus which is acute allergic inflammation of the eyelid due to protein buildup, and Bacterial Ulcers caused by lack of oxygen flow to the cornea that can leave permanent scarring on the eye.

Additionally, we find that many of the patients who overwear their contact lenses are no longer being corrected to 20/20 vision – sometimes being as reduced as 20/50 or even greater!

Following your prescribed replacement schedule for your contact lenses, as well as practicing proper visual hygiene will greatly reduce your risks of infection and complications.  If you find that your contact lenses are causing discomfort, redness, or pain make sure to take out the lenses as soon as possible and consult your eye care professional.

You only get two corneas in a lifetime.  Take care of them.

Need an eye exam? Summer is here and school is out so it’s the perfect time to come in and meet our Optometrist, Dr. Sagina O’Halloran!

Dr.O’Halloran is available 6 days a week, Monday thru Saturday. During the summer she takes late appointments on Tuesday and Thursday. Feel free to give us a call 503 944 5475 or set up you’re appointment online at visageeyewear.com.

Join us for the opening reception of our newest gallery showing on Saturday June 13th!  Refreshments will be available for your enjoyment.

Reg looking stylish in an updated aviator from Anne et Valentin.

When was the last time you put sunscreen on your eyelids?

The eyelid region is one of the most common sites for nonmelanoma skin cancers. In fact, skin cancers of the eyelid, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma, account for five to 10 percent of all skin cancers.

So how do you protect the delicate skin around your eyes from harmful UV rays?  Hopefully with a pair of sunglasses that are worn year round!  Doctors recommend wearing sunglasses with UV protection (100% of harmful UV rays can be blocked with the proper pair of sunglasses) any time you are outdoors and especially in sunlight direct and bright enough to cause a sunburn.  Even if you wear contact lenses with UV protection in the lens itself, the skin around your eye as well as the parts of your eyeball that are not covered by the contact lens are susceptible to UV damage.

Do you have sunglasses that you’ve stopped wearing due to scratched, dingy lenses?  Visage can put new lenses in your existing frame for a fraction of the cost of purchasing a whole new designer frame!  You can have fun with your suns…from custom tints to making an ophthalmic frame into a sun frame…we can guide you to creating your perfect pair!

Stop by the store any time before 6/13/15 to pick up a voucher for a very special upcoming event and protect your eyes in style!

If you’ve been putting off purchasing a pair of sunglasses, wait no longer! Here we have Emily enjoying her first pair of RX sunnies…no more squinting outdoors! At Visage we offer 15% off a complete pair of sunglasses when you purchase glasses, so what are you waiting for? Get out and enjoy the sun!

Portlanders, are you ready for some sun?  These three fashionistas sure are in their new arrivals from Anne et Valentin and Oliver Goldsmith.  Dang, ladies, it’s getting HOT around here.