Eyewear sits at a unique medical intersection, serving as both a vision enhancement device and a fashion accessory.
And Dr. Johneen Gilich of Edgewater Eyecare in Biloxi wants her patients to feel as healthy and stylish as possible by offering personalized, high-quality and therapeutic vision care with a myriad of designer eyewear that includes options for all income levels.
The eyewear oasis includes well-known brands and an array of diverse designers, including Ray-Ban, Oakley, Burberry, Prada, Gucci, Tom Ford, Krewe, St. Laurent, Chloe, Maui Jim, Costa Del Mar and many others.
“But we are the only optical practice in the entire state that carries Christian Dior and Fendi,” Gilich says, adding that the optical center also carries other highly sought-after beauty products like the eyelash-growth treatment LATISSE, and Upneeq, a daily eye drop treatment for acquired ptosis or low-lying eyelids. Both products are FDA-approved and hailed in the beauty world as wonder treatments. Upneeq has even been known to relieve surgical needs in some patients.
Gilich has been practicing optometry since 2005 and has seen many eyewear fads come and go.
“The trend right now seems to be the big, bold nerdy look, or the clear,” she says, “but it really just depends on the person and his or her own particular style.”
As for contact lenses, Gilich says these days, they are moving toward daily modality options.
“You put them in your eyes in the morning, and then you throw them away at night,” she says. “They provide more oxygen, more moisture and, at the end of the day, less dryness because you throw them away, and you’re done.”
The optical practice also carries Lastacaft, eye drops for itchy eyes that recently have become available without a prescription.
“We’re actually having a spring this year, so I’m treating so many people with allergies every day,” Gilich says. She added that oral histamines will make dry eyes even drier, and lubrication is key for eye health.
Staring at a computer screen all day can contribute to dry, tired eyes too, and Gilich has diagnosed several patients with Computer Vision Syndrome, which causes headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes and neck or shoulder pain. She recommends incorporating a 20-20-20 rule into daily activity to counteract eye dryness and other symptoms.
“Take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away every 20 minutes,” she advises. “That should help produce some tears, and you can resume your work on the computer.”
