EYE EXAMS AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Starting as early as 9:00 a.m. and as late as 5:00 p.m. on
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Occasionally we will have eye exams on a Thursday.
Please let the receptionist know
if you need an eye exam on a Thursday.
NORMAL OPTICAL DEPT HOURS:
Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri: 10:00 - 2:00, and 3:00 - 6:00
Closed for lunch: 2:00 - 3:00
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LATEST NEWS
New Frame Brand in Office - TOM DAVIES - Design Your Own Glasses!
We are delighted to report that we are now an authorized dealer for Tom Davies eyeglass frames. This brand divides its products into three categories: (1) Ready to Wear, (2) Custom, and (3) Bespoke. For custom frames, the customer is allowed to customize the frames and choose from various sizes, styles and 140 colors. For bespoke frames, we can make even more design changes, allowing one to design the most perfect frame specifications. The Tom Davies website shows some, but not all, of this company's styles.
www.tdtomdavies.com/opticalcollection.aspx?collection=optical
We are delighted to report that we are now an authorized dealer for Tom Davies eyeglass frames. This brand divides its products into three categories: (1) Ready to Wear, (2) Custom, and (3) Bespoke. For custom frames, the customer is allowed to customize the frames and choose from various sizes, styles and 140 colors. For bespoke frames, we can make even more design changes, allowing one to design the most perfect frame specifications. The Tom Davies website shows some, but not all, of this company's styles.
www.tdtomdavies.com/opticalcollection.aspx?collection=optical
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SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES! - A NOTE FROM DR. GORE - It has become apparent from discussions with many of my colleagues, and it has been our experience in this office, that the world of commerce is changing very quickly for private practice optometrists. We now experience fierce competition from well-funded national and international corporations and monopolies who are doing their best to dominate the eye care business and who would love to put us out of business. These are companies that sell eyeglass frames and contact lenses and provide eye exams. How have we managed to survive and compete?
First and most importantly, I feel that we provide a quality of service that a patient is not going to get from a "big box" store or online. When I provide an eye exam, I schedule a huge chunk of time so that I can do the required testing, have enough time to talk to patients to determine their needs, and provide enough education about their ocular conditions. In contrast, it is now commonplace that many doctors spend 10-20 minutes with a patient. In that scenario, something is going to be skipped and there is more opportunity for error. I have seen hundreds of patients with pathology not discovered during quicky exams elsewhere.
Second, we feel we provide very high quality glasses. When a patient buys glasses online, there is no optician or optometrist to discuss some all-important factors such as lens materials (e.g. trivex or high index) or treatments (e.g. which antireflective treatment is best and what benefits do the different ones have), and there is no assurance that the frame will fit correctly or that the lenses are up to spec. A study by the American Optometric Association found that about 45% of glasses purchased online failed to meet either prescription specifications or impact-resistance requirements. (See article further down this page). Our office verifies that each pair of glasses we receive from the various optical labs is made correctly and within published tolerances; if they do not, they are returned to the labs for correction. It goes without saying that many of our patients who have ordered glasses online have been very unhappy with the quality of the work.
Third, in many cases our prices are similar to online prices for various types of contact lenses, especially many Acuvue and some Coopervision lenses, and also several other brands. We also have various discounts and benefits that come when a patient orders a full year's worth of contact lenses from our office
In summary, our office has been in this location for over 50 years, and we plan to be here for you at least another 50 years. But in order for that to happen, we hope you will keep in mind: if you like the kind of patient, detailed service provided by local professionals, please support them!
First and most importantly, I feel that we provide a quality of service that a patient is not going to get from a "big box" store or online. When I provide an eye exam, I schedule a huge chunk of time so that I can do the required testing, have enough time to talk to patients to determine their needs, and provide enough education about their ocular conditions. In contrast, it is now commonplace that many doctors spend 10-20 minutes with a patient. In that scenario, something is going to be skipped and there is more opportunity for error. I have seen hundreds of patients with pathology not discovered during quicky exams elsewhere.
Second, we feel we provide very high quality glasses. When a patient buys glasses online, there is no optician or optometrist to discuss some all-important factors such as lens materials (e.g. trivex or high index) or treatments (e.g. which antireflective treatment is best and what benefits do the different ones have), and there is no assurance that the frame will fit correctly or that the lenses are up to spec. A study by the American Optometric Association found that about 45% of glasses purchased online failed to meet either prescription specifications or impact-resistance requirements. (See article further down this page). Our office verifies that each pair of glasses we receive from the various optical labs is made correctly and within published tolerances; if they do not, they are returned to the labs for correction. It goes without saying that many of our patients who have ordered glasses online have been very unhappy with the quality of the work.
Third, in many cases our prices are similar to online prices for various types of contact lenses, especially many Acuvue and some Coopervision lenses, and also several other brands. We also have various discounts and benefits that come when a patient orders a full year's worth of contact lenses from our office
In summary, our office has been in this location for over 50 years, and we plan to be here for you at least another 50 years. But in order for that to happen, we hope you will keep in mind: if you like the kind of patient, detailed service provided by local professionals, please support them!
TOMS Optical Collection - Our office is now the exclusive Pasadena location to have TOMS eyewear. Sunwear and Optical frames are available now. With every pair of TOMS eyewear you purchase, TOMS will help give sight to a person in need via their One for One program: TOMS will donate a pair of prescription glasses, sight saving surgery, or medical treatment to help solve vision problems in the U.S. and 13 countries around the world. Learn more about their One-For-One program:
http://www.toms.com/our-movement/l
New page on this website, including info about DILATION: The following button brings you to a discussion about how to prepare for your appointment, what to expect, what to bring, and also has FAQ about pupillary dilation:
Summary about dilation:
(1) You are allowed to refuse to be dilated, of course.
(2) It is important that this be done periodically as it helps detect ocular disease.
(3) When dilation is appropriate, we try to get it done at your first visit, so we ask that you make your plans accordingly when you schedule your appointment.
(4) If we will be spending a lot of time on fitting or refitting contact lenses at your first visit, we will defer dilation to another day, if dilation is indicated. However, if you are having symptoms suggesting that it is more important to dilate at your first visit, then we will defer working on your contact lenses to another day.
(5) For the side effects of dilation, please refer to the page on our website mentioned above.
Half of Online Eyeglasses Fail Prescription or Safety Specifications - Buyer Beware! - According to a study published in Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association, "some 44.8 percent of spectacles [purchased from online stores] failed to meet either prescription specifications or impact-resistance requirements." This means that if one were to buy glasses online, there is approximately a one in two chance that the lens powers, the chosen lens treatments/coatings, safety aspects, or other specifications, are wrong. Such glasses could cause blur, discomfort, headaches, eyestrain, double vision or in worst scenario, eye injury. For more information, click this button:
New page on this website about MACULAR PIGMENTS: The following button will bring you to our webpage discussing the benefits of dietary pigments lutein and zeaxanthin for people at risk for age-related macular degeneration is located here:
ANTI-REFLECTIVE TREATMENT WITH TECHNOLOGY THAT BLOCKS POTENTIALLY HARMFUL BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT - We are exposed to a tremendous amount of blue-violet light both from digital devices (cell phones, tablets and computers) and also from non-digital activities in the normal environment. These are visible wavelengths adjacent to invisible ultraviolet radiation. There is evidence that some of these wavelengths may be harmful to our health, and some of them are helpful. Problems that may be associated with excessive exposure to these wavelengths include: sleep problems, increased glare, and even damage to our maculas. Hoya Vision has released a lens treatment (Hoya Recharge EX-3) that selectively blocks some of the blue-violet light that may be harmful, while allowing good wavelengths to reach the eyes. This lens treatment has strong anti-reflective and anti-scratch capabilities, making the lens more scratch resistant than glass (per Hoya's literature). Here is a Hoya video about harmful blue-violet light and why it is important to block it:
Here are four articles with more details about this subject:
(1) http://www.theopticalvisionsite.com/lenses/hoyas-recharge-ex3-offers-patients-improved-blue-light-filter/#.UmwCUSSKlwM
(3) http://www.visionmonday.com/business/labs/article/protecting-eyes-from-bad-blue-light-vm-090913/
(4) http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Health_Letter/2012/May/blue-light-has-a-dark-side/
ANNOUNCING: SYNC LENSES FROM HOYA THAT HELP REDUCE VISUAL FATIGUE FROM DIGITAL DEVICES - This is a new single vision lens (a unique, new design and not a progressive) that is helpful for people who spend a lot of time on digital devices (cellphones, tablets and computers). While it might be nice to put all these devices away and go outside and have some fun, that is probably not going to happen any time soon. Sync lenses help with near focusing, thus relieving our eye muscles from having to work so hard all day. The Sync lens comes in two varieties. There is the Sync 5 lens (designed for children and young adults) and the Sync 8 lens (designed mostly for people in their late 30s and early 40s). This article gives more detail about the Sync lens: http://opticalvisionresources.com/hoya-the-free-form-company-launches-sync-lenses-for-the-digital-life#.UmwDyiSKlwM
BLUTECH LENSES - We now carry Blutech lenses. As mentioned above, there is a lot of research indicating that certain wavelengths in the blue-violet part of the visible spectrum are harmful to our eyes. These visible wavelengths are just adjacent to invisible ultraviolet radiation, which we have known for a long time to be dangerous. Blutech lenses block out even more of the harmful wavelengths than Hoya Recharge does. There are two Blutech varieties, one for indoor use (which has a slightly yellow tint) and one for outdoor use (which looks like sunglasses). We are also able to get Blutech lenses put into a clip-on either for indoor use (for example for use at the computer or tablet ) or outdoor use in sunglass form.
Why wear Blutech lenses? There are at least three problems with these blue-violet visible wavelengths: (1) they may affect melatonin biochemistry in such a way that some people (especially folks who are on the computer late in the day) may have insomnia; (2) they can cause glare symptoms, and (3) they are high energy wavelengths that may go right through our inner lens and focus on the macula, and cause damage there. One group of people that should especially consider wearing Blutech lenses or clip-ons are people who have macular degeneration or who are at risk for macular degeneration. People who have very lightly pigmented skin and hair and light eyes are at risk, as are those people who have close family members who were diagnosed with macular degeneration.
For more information: http://blutechlenses.com/
Why wear Blutech lenses? There are at least three problems with these blue-violet visible wavelengths: (1) they may affect melatonin biochemistry in such a way that some people (especially folks who are on the computer late in the day) may have insomnia; (2) they can cause glare symptoms, and (3) they are high energy wavelengths that may go right through our inner lens and focus on the macula, and cause damage there. One group of people that should especially consider wearing Blutech lenses or clip-ons are people who have macular degeneration or who are at risk for macular degeneration. People who have very lightly pigmented skin and hair and light eyes are at risk, as are those people who have close family members who were diagnosed with macular degeneration.
For more information: http://blutechlenses.com/
Pasadena Weekly 2016 - We were humbled to have been voted "Reader Recommended" for Best Eye Care in the Pasadena Weekly! A big thank you for your votes!
READERS' CHOICE AWARD - We were also so happy to learn that we were voted to be the BEST OPTOMETRY OFFICE by the readers of the Pasadena Independent and the sister newspapers that are part of Beacon Media. Dr. Gore and the staff extend our deep thanks for this award. We will do our best to continue to provide high-quality eye care to our community. To view the Pasadena Independent 2012-2013 Readers' Choice issue, please click here:
http://issuu.com/beaconmedianews/docs/2012_11_29_rc2012_pasadena_independ?e=1221199/2968089.
Our office is mentioned on pages 2, 13 and 27. OK, this is old news but we just couldn't bring ourselves to delete it!
SPECIALS FOR CONTACT LENS WEARERS (CONTACT LENS VIP PROGRAM)
When you purchase a full year's supply of contact lenses from our office, you will get:
Free shipping to your home or office
50% off a pair of non-prescription sunglasses within 30 days of the contact lens purchase.
20% off a pair of backup glasses
Any rebates currently available from the contact lens manufacturer (note that VSP members receive DOUBLE the national rebate on some Acuvue and Bausch and Lomb contact lenses. Ask one of the opticians for more details.
SEE OUR PROMOTIONS PAGE FOR OTHER DISCOUNTS, SUCH AS THE SECOND PAIR DISCOUNT AND CLIP-ON DISCOUNT.
NEW CONTACT LENS FITTING SETS IN THE OFFICE
(1) Coopervision My Day - This is a wonderful daily disposable silicone sphere lens. Our patients have loved this lens so far. It is one of the three "super premium" daily disposable lenses that incorporate the latest technology to provide excellent comfort and vision. (The other two are Acuvue Oasys One Day and Alcon Dailies Total One. Our patients sometimes say that they barely even know they are wearing these three brands.)
(2) Acuvue Oasys One Day and One Day for Astigmatism - Probably our most popular lens so far has been the Acuvue Oasys two-week lens. Acuvue has now introduced the one-day disposable version of this lens with a slightly modified material and solution. I anticipate that many of our traditional Oasys wearers will want to be refit into this lens, as will wearers of Acuvue's older one-day lenses (One Day Moist and One Day TruEye). We have had great success with this lens thus far.
(3) Coopervision Clariti One Day Multifocal, One-Day Toric, and One-Day Sphere - These are affordable one day disposables that are made of a comfortable silicone material, and they have been working well for us.
(4) Acuvue Vita - Until now, all of Acuvue's lenses have been two-week disposables and one-day disposables. This is Acuvue's first one-month replacement lens. The material is an updated form of the material used in the Oasys lenses and is said to build up less deposits than the Oasys two-week material.
(5) Coopervision Avaira Vitality - This is an update of the Avaira lens, which is a two-week replacement lens. The manufacturer has increased the water content and improved the UV blocking ability of the the original Avaira brand.
(1) Coopervision My Day - This is a wonderful daily disposable silicone sphere lens. Our patients have loved this lens so far. It is one of the three "super premium" daily disposable lenses that incorporate the latest technology to provide excellent comfort and vision. (The other two are Acuvue Oasys One Day and Alcon Dailies Total One. Our patients sometimes say that they barely even know they are wearing these three brands.)
(2) Acuvue Oasys One Day and One Day for Astigmatism - Probably our most popular lens so far has been the Acuvue Oasys two-week lens. Acuvue has now introduced the one-day disposable version of this lens with a slightly modified material and solution. I anticipate that many of our traditional Oasys wearers will want to be refit into this lens, as will wearers of Acuvue's older one-day lenses (One Day Moist and One Day TruEye). We have had great success with this lens thus far.
(3) Coopervision Clariti One Day Multifocal, One-Day Toric, and One-Day Sphere - These are affordable one day disposables that are made of a comfortable silicone material, and they have been working well for us.
(4) Acuvue Vita - Until now, all of Acuvue's lenses have been two-week disposables and one-day disposables. This is Acuvue's first one-month replacement lens. The material is an updated form of the material used in the Oasys lenses and is said to build up less deposits than the Oasys two-week material.
(5) Coopervision Avaira Vitality - This is an update of the Avaira lens, which is a two-week replacement lens. The manufacturer has increased the water content and improved the UV blocking ability of the the original Avaira brand.
CORNEAL TOPOGRAPHER - This is a device that makes a map of the cornea, which is the outer lens of the eye. The new equipment will help diagnose certain corneal diseases and also help with contact lens fits. With this purchase, we have now replaced all of our equipment with new models!
RETINAL CAMERA - Perhaps the best equipment purchase we have made thus far is our retinal camera. In the 2+ years we have had this device it has uncovered an unbelievable amount of pathology on patients even as young as their teen years. For more info about the new camera, click this button and scroll to the bottom:
Have you ever wondered how glasses are made?
This interesting clip from 1940 tells you how!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORp2DX0N0Bg
This interesting clip from 1940 tells you how!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORp2DX0N0Bg
GREETINGS FROM DR GORE!
If you are looking for a new eye doctor, I invite you to choose our office to provide your eye care. You are welcome whether you are concerned about a specific ocular problem or if you just need a routine eye exam.
Who Are Our Patients? Our practice includes patients age 9 through seniors. They include all kinds of people from around the area but we do have a very large number of patients who are engineers and scientists from: JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and CalTech. Western Asset Management Company is only a couple of blocks away and many of that company's staff walk here for their eye care. Also, our office takes care of a huge number of artists, musicians, writers, producers, lawyers and business people from Disney, Warner Brothers and other entertainment companies. We are also proud to count as patients a large number of school teachers, medical doctors and nurses.
Who Are Our Patients? Our practice includes patients age 9 through seniors. They include all kinds of people from around the area but we do have a very large number of patients who are engineers and scientists from: JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and CalTech. Western Asset Management Company is only a couple of blocks away and many of that company's staff walk here for their eye care. Also, our office takes care of a huge number of artists, musicians, writers, producers, lawyers and business people from Disney, Warner Brothers and other entertainment companies. We are also proud to count as patients a large number of school teachers, medical doctors and nurses.
I aim to be the most thorough optometrist and provide the highest quality eye exam in Pasadena. I do my best to answer your questions about eye health, glasses and contact lenses. Since graduation, I have opposed the factory mentality that is so common in optometry and in health care in general. You are not a number in this office I like to treat each patient as if he or she were a family member. Also we do our very best to keep to the appointment schedule and minimize your time in the waiting room.
Regarding eyeglass purchases at our office: Before I owned this office, I worked in several other offices and chains. My experience was that in many of those offices, when glasses were received from the optical lab, they were dispensed to the patient without being checked for accuracy. This means that in some cases, various parameters may not be correct, which can cause patients to have blur, discomfort, eyestrain or headaches. I want to assure my patients that I personally analyze every pair of glasses upon receipt from the lab and if I find something out of tolerance, those lenses are returned to the lab for a redo.
I advise an eye exam every year or so even if your vision is good, because certain eye diseases (such as glaucoma) sometimes do not have symptoms in the early stages, and it is better to discover the problem before it is too late to treat. Also, I may be able to improve your vision so that various activities in your life (such as computer work or sports) may be easier and more comfortable.
For mild-to-moderate medical conditions (such as dry eye and allergic or bacterial conjunctivitis), I offer treatment including prescriptions for various eyedrops. If I find or suspect any serious eye disease, damage or degeneration beyond my licensure, I will refer you to an excellent local specialist ophthalmologist.
I hope to see you soon!
Andrew Gore, O.D.
P.S. UPDATE REGARDING NO-SHOWS, LAST-MINUTE CANCELLATIONS AND OVERBOOKING: We understand that in our busy and sometimes unpredictable lifestyles, sometimes there are unforeseen emergencies that make it hard to keep appointments. However, we wanted to let you know that when you make an appointment at our office, we are setting aside a very large chunk of time with the optometrist, time that is dedicated just to you. We do not double book patients. Lately there have been many no-shows and last-minute cancellations. This brings our work to a grinding halt, and we are also unable to help someone else that would have liked to have that appointment. If you find that you are unable to keep your appointment, we would be so grateful if you could let us know at least 24 hours in advance. Thank you so much!
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