The instrument also has a large normative database, allowing us to compare measurements from your eye to what a normal, healthy eye should look like. This helps improve detection of minute changes in the eye that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to detect!

Variations of Retinal Detachment as seen on OCT imaging

Macular edema as seen on OCT imaging

-Dr. M

Dr. Canaan Montgomery is an Optometrist in Paducah, KY. He specializes in ocular disease care, specialty contact lenses, including Ortho-K, and pediatrics.

1. Replace contact lenses as directed: I know they may feel OK to stretch for another week, but you are putting yourself at significant risk for corneal infections, hypoxia, and new blood vessel growth on the cornea. Trust your doctor on this one.
2. Get a new case every 3 months: Most contact lens cases are anti-microbial, but not forever. Replace your case every time you buy new solution.
3. Don’t top off your solution: disinfecting solution is used to disinfect and clean your lens overnight. You wouldn’t reuse bath water each day, so don’t treat your contacts that way!
4. DO NOT USE WATER TO STORE CONTACT LENSES: Small parasites and bacteria like pseudomonas live in your tap water and can cause major, permanent damage to your cornea. It is NEVER OK to do this.
5. Always wash your hands before handling lenses: this one is self-explanatory.

These complications are real and I see them daily in practice. Contact lenses are safe if used properly. Wearers who don’t follow these rules are usually the ones in my chair with corneal ulcers. Don’t be this person!

-Dr. M

Dr. Canaan Montgomery is an optometrist in Paducah, KY. He specializes in specialty contact lenses, Ortho-K, pediatrics and VT, and eye disease management.

We recently invested in the best corneal topographer on the market: a Medmont E300. A corneal topographer measures over 10,000 data points on your cornea (the clear front part of your eye) and uses sophisticated software to create a detailed topographical map of the front surface of your eye.

A topographical map of the cornea

So why do we need to do this technology?

Topography allows us to catch corneal diseases like keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration much earlier and monitor its progression. It also gives us the information needed to design custom contact lenses for those hard-to-fit eyes.

One of the things I’m most excited about is that topography will allow me to design and manage orthokeratology (Ortho-K) programs for patients. If you don’t know about Ortho-K, your mind is going to be blown…check it out here.

We have already started putting our topographer to good use and are already looking for the next piece of technology that will enhance your health care even more!

-Dr. Montgomery

Dr. Canaan Montgomery is an optometrist in Paducah, KY. He specializes in contact lens fitting, including Ortho-K, ocular disease, and pediatric eye care.

Fall fashion eyewear means one thing: tortoise shell frames! Darker tortoise shell frames pair so well with the earth tones we’re used to seeing in our fall wardrobe. They tow the line between the formal looks of the winter months and the carefree colors we love during the summer, plus you can pretty well match them to any outfit you can come with!

Without further ado, here are our picks for tortoise fashion this fall!

This Cat Eye Ray-Ban sports a classis brown tortoise front with thin, metal temples giving it a retro-meets-modern look

These Kate Spade frames mix a dark totoise front with a clear back and yellow accented temples. Top it off with hints of gold hardware and we are in love!

Tory Burch has taken a fresh approach to the tortoise look with these blue and green flecked frames. These are so unique!

Kate Spade mixes a lighter tortoise front with clear champagne temples with metal accents. This is one of the coolest tortoise patterns we’ve ever seen!

These Burberry’s are probably our favorite frame that we have right now! A translucent frame front with a blonde tortoise temple makes this frame so classy!

No one does the tortoise look better than Kate Spade!

So, is there a magic pill that can prevent you from going blind?

In short, no.

So what’s with all the eye vitamins on the shelves at your local drug store?

The Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) has identified a specific formula of vitamins and supplements that has proven to slow the progression of macular degeneration. Here’s the kicker, though: the study only shows a benefit for those who already have macular degeneration. It does not confirm that taking these vitamins will prevent you from developing this condition.

So what can I do?

There are things that you can do to help protect your macula:

-Make it a point to have your eyes dilated EVERY YEAR! Skipping dilation is like going to the dentist and not opening your mouth!

-UV protection: Wear sunglasses any time you go outside!

-A healthy diet including leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach

-Keep your blood pressure in check

-Don’t stare at the sun (even during eclipses) or laser pointers

-And, for goodness sake, STOP SMOKING!

-Dr. Montgomery

Dr. Canaan Montgomery is an optometrist in Paducah, KY. As an eye doctor in Paducah, he treats eye disease, fits standard and specialty contact lenses, and treats pediatric patients.

Note: This is not medical advice. If you have questions regarding your eye health or supplementation, you should speak with your eye doctor.

Summer is all about whimsy. This is the time to try bold, bright colors as well as pastels. Put away your darker tortoise, black, and gray colors and save them for the winter months.

So, without further ado, here’s what we’re wearing this summer:

The retro shape of these Tory Burch combined with Blue Tortoise Geyser color are the definition of summer eye wear! These pair with a summer dress just as easily as a swimsuit on the lake!

Tory Burch in Blue Tortoise Geyser

The combination of metal frame with acetate temples give these Lilly Pulitzer frames a unique look. The temple features a classic Lilly pattern that would pair wonderfully with a Lilly summer dress or skirt! Bonus: these frames have a great color scheme for Spring-time, too!

Lilly Pulitzer Remmy in Teal

Another frame from Lilly…No surprise here! This frame is acetate featuring a metal bridge that gives them a 1920’s retro feel. When the sun hits the Fuscia Tortoise frame, it bursts with color! This is one of our favorite Lilly’s we’ve ever seen!

Lilly Pulitzer Witherbee in Fuscia Tortoise

Vera Wang typically designs more formal eye wear. We are used to pairing Vera with a cocktail dress and diamond earrings. These Coral Tortoise frames just scream summer, though! The coral accents on the lower frame and inner temple are the perfect pop of color for summer! We LOVE these!

Vera Wang in Coral Tortoise

That’s it! Don’t be afraid to embrace color this summer and don’t forget to pair your eye wear with designer sunwear for those bright, sunny days!

-Rebecca Montgomery

Rebecca is a frame stylist and optical manager at West End Eye Care in Paducah, KY. She is an expert at selecting the right frame to match each person’s individual style and face.

Well, Spring has sprung in Paducah, and with it comes one major downside: allergies. If the pollen isn’t enough to get you going, the fresh-cut grass and lack of rain are sure to push you over the edge. Itching watery eyes that look red and swollen are a hallmark sign of ocular allergies.

Eye allergies, also known as allergic conjunctivitis, is a pervasive problem in Paducah. Good news: There is a fix! Before we talk about how to fix it, let’s look at the problem in a little more detail.

The Problem

Allergic conjunctivitis is triggered when the ocular surface comes into contact with something that you are allergic to, called an allergen. Allergens can be anything from pollen and dust to pet dander or cosmetics.

When an allergen touches your eye, an immune response is triggered. The blood vessels in your eyes dilate and become engorged with blood, causing your eyes to look red. The reason they dilate is to allow faster response by immune cells. The biggest culprit for itching is histamine.

Histamine is released from a “pod” called a mast cell. Mast cells are embedded on the front surface of your eye and, when needed, release histamine. Rubbing your eyes can actually cause these “pods” to rupture and release even more histamine. So don’t rub your eyes!

In an allergic reaction, the conjunctiva becomes swollen with inflammatory cells and fluid and your eye waters in an attempt to flush out the allergen.

The Fix

If you get a visible particle in your eye (like a small piece of grass or a cat hair), you should immediately flush your eye with water and see your optometrist.

However, most eye allergies are caused by microscopic allergens. There are two goals of treatment: deactivate histamine and calm existing inflammation.

Stopping histamine

Antihistamine eye drops are our go-to for stopping histamine. There are excellent prescription drops like Pataday and Lastacaft that do an exceptional job of long-term histamine control. Better yet, these drops are once-a-day use!

Antihistamines like Pataday are great for long-term control of eye allergies

Calming Inflammation

In acute or severe allergic reactions, we can use a mild steroid to calm inflammation. Steroid eye drops are commonly prescribed to treat this. In addition, over-the-counter steroid nasal sprays, such as Flonase, do a great job of quickly calming mild-moderate eye allergies. For severe cases, an eye drop is the way to go.

Steroids like Lotemax work within a matter of minutes to help eliminate inflamed eyes

Need relief? Dr. Montgomery performs allergy-focused exams to get you the relief you need quickly, without a comprehensive exam. Make an appointment today and feel better soon!

-Dr. Montgomery

Dr. Canaan Montgomery is an optometrist in Paducah, Kentucky. His practice, West End Eye Care, focuses on eye disease, contact lenses, and pediatric eye care.

1. Only clean the lenses with a cleaning cloth or soft cotton fabric. Paper products like tissues (even the soft ones!), napkins, etc make micro scratches in the lenses that damages them permanently.

2. Don’t leave your glasses in the car. Cars around Paducah can reach over 150 degrees in the summer. These extreme temps can make the coatings on your lenses degrade. This includes your designer sunwear!

3. Don’t cook in them. Popping grease, steam, and hot temps all will cause serious damage to your lenses. Wear an old pair!

4. Use the case. Remember: If they’re not on your FACE, they’re in your CASE! Most damage to glasses happens when the person isn’t wearing them.

5. Remove with two hands. Even though you may look dramatic doing it, taking your glasses off with one hand puts stress on the hinge opposite of the side you grab. This repeated wear will reduce the life-span of the glasses significantly.

There you have it! A good pair of glasses is like a piece of jewelry: you have to take care of it!

-Rebecca

Rebecca Montgomery operates the optical boutique at West End Eye Care. The boutique offers designer glasses, designer sunglasses, and the most advanced lens options. Rebecca is a frame stylist with years of experience finding the perfect pair of glasses for each individual’s personal style.