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Back to School! It seems as though summer just began and already it’s nearly time to get ready to go back to school. Have you scheduled your child’s annual eye exam yet? If not, it’s time to do so! Appointment times fill up fast for back-to-school exams, and for good reason. Many parents today understand the importance of a back-to-school eye exam for their children. Vision is a crucial element of your child’s learning and development. There are many instances where I have seen children who were diagnosed with a behavior or learning disability when, in fact, they actually were struggling with an undetected vision problem. An undetected vision problem can greatly hinder your child’s ability to read, learn, and progress in school. A standard in-school vision test isn’t comprehensive enough to detect many of the vision problems our youth are struggling with. A professional, comprehensive eye exam with your friendly neighborhood optometrist can uncover a variety of potential visio
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Protect Your Children's Eyes with Sunwear this Summer With summer right around the corner, it’s time to break out the tank tops, sunblock and sunglasses. When it comes to children, sunglasses are an essential part of protecting young eyes from potentially harmful UV (ultraviolet) and HEV (high energy visible) rays. Children spend a significant amount more time outside than most adults, and their eyes are still developing and growing. Children’s eyes are also less able to filter out damaging UV and HEV rays, meaning they are at an even higher risk for eye damage. Here are some things to consider when purchasing sunwear for your child:   Verify with your optician that the sunglasses you choose will block 100% of UV rays. Keep in mind that the color of lenses that block HEV rays will be a copper shade. Polycarbonate lenses are a good option for children’s sunglasses because they’re particularly hardy. Choose sunglasses that are designed specifically for physical
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Is Your Computer Screen Hurting Your Vision? Desktops, laptops, iPads and tablets, smartphones…as the advent of technology has become even more prevalent in people’s everyday lives, we’re starting to see more and more how it affects patients’ vision. The difference between viewing a computer screen and reading text on a piece of paper is significant, from distances and lighting to the sharpness of words on a screen versus print. Viewing a computer screen makes your eyes work much harder, which can result in Computer Vision Syndrome. If you’re suffering from headaches, burning or tired eyes, blurred vision, or a loss of focus, you may have Computer Vision Syndrome. Other vision problems can be exacerbated by viewing computer screens as well. Your optometrist can determine if you are suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome and treat it accordingly. There are several adjustments you can make that will help ease your discomfort, such as the angle at which your computer screen is positi
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  Combat Spring Allergies We’ve all been waiting anxiously for the weather to clear up and spring to arrive, and it’s finally here! However, spring weather comes with the frustration of eye allergies for some. Here’s our advice on combating the flare-ups of eye allergies in the springtime. Pinpoint the problem first. Verify that the arrival of allergens like pollen is what’s exacerbating your eye issues—if the problem is a new eyedrop or contact lens, it can be treated differently. Sunglasses are a great way to protect your eyes from the many allergens floating around in the spring. Take other measures like keeping your car windows rolled up and staying indoors during high pollen count times (such as early evening). Antihistamines and decongestants are also helpful in combating your allergies. Schedule an appointment and ask us about what we recommend for your particular situation—in some cases you may need a prescription-strength antihistamine like Zyrtec or Claritin.
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Are You at Risk for Glaucoma?

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Are You at Risk for Glaucoma? Glaucoma is often called the “sneak thief of sight.”  Glaucoma slowly causes the loss of eyesight by damaging the optic nerve through high eye pressure. Because symptoms often don’t accompany glaucoma and because it’s not usually painful, you may be suffering from this condition and not even know it. Thankfully, your eye doctor can monitor your risk levels if you stay committed to regular exams. If you have any of the well-known risk factors for glaucoma and  haven’t  had an exam recently, you definitely need to be seen by your optometrist. Some risk factors to watch for include age (60 years or older), ethnicity (African-Americans and Hispanics are at a higher risk), family history, and steroid use (to treat serious asthmatic conditions). Others include diabetes, high-blood pressure, and high eye pressure levels. If you fall into any of these categories, make an appointment with me today. And if you suffer from glaucoma, share your experience
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December is Safe Toys & Gifts Month It’s the most wonderful time of the year, with the holiday season and Christmas shopping in full swing. It’s also a time of increased toy-related injuries to children, which is why December is Safe Toys & Gifts Awareness month. So what are some ways to ensure the toys you give and receive this season are of minimal risk to children? Here are some suggestions from Prevent Blindness America: Follow the age-appropriate guidelines when it comes to gifts. The suggested guidelines can be very helpful in determining at what age a child can safely play with a toy. Examine any toys to determine their safety before allowing your child to play with them. Be sure that any sports equipment is given or used with the appropriate protective wear (sports goggles, helmets, etc.). Save warranties and receipts for toys—and provide gift receipts for recipients. Remember that nothing can substitute your better judgment. If you feel a toy mi
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Theatrical Contacts: Safe or Not? If you’re looking to add an extra touch of flair to your Halloween costume, you may be considering special-effects contact lenses. There are all kinds of fun options these days, from red and black lenses (to get the “undead” look) to black slit pupil lenses (for that extra feline touch). But the question is, are theatrical contacts safe? Alarmingly, larger (supposedly) reputable companies are now selling special-effects contacts. Some online companies even claim their theatrical contacts are FDA-approved. However, this is NOT the case. Theatrical contacts can be perfectly safe, but purchasing them online without a prescription is an invitation for eye problems. They may be expired or unsterile. Whether you have perfect vision or not, you need to get a prescription from your friendly neighborhood eye doctor to ensure you’re getting your contacts legally and safely. Any online retailer that does not require a prescription is not being held to the sam
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