Protect The 'windows to your soul'. How an eye exam can save your life!

We all go into an eye exam thinking that the purpose is to get an updated prescription to get new contacts or glasses. While this is true, there is so much more to an eye exam than that. It is more about the overall health of your eye, as well as the rest of your body. Eye doctors are often the first health care providers to detect signs of chronic systemic conditions. It is good to visit your eye doctor at least once a year. This way the earlier they catch potential problems, the better off you will be.

Let me give you a helpful break down of what the doctor looks for in an eye exam:

Refractive error: This refers to the nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, which can be corrected with glasses, contacts or refractive surgery.

Amblyopia: Also known as "lazy eye". In this situation, one eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity in childhood usually. If not promptly detected and treated, amblyopia can cause permanent vision loss in the affected eye.

Eye teaming: Even if your eyes appear properly aligned, it is possible they do not work as a team. If this is a case, it could cause headaches and eye strain. 

Focusing issues: These can range from incompletely developed focusing skills in children to normal age-related declines among older adults.

Eye diseases: Looking at your eye's blood vessels, retina and other interior structures, your eye doctor can detect early signs of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and more.

Children's Vision and Eye Health

Did you know one in ten children are at risk from undiagnosed vision problems? Most the time we don't think about a child needing their eyes checked. They are so young and healthy, why would we need to? Unless a situation is evident, like amblyopia where the eye seems "lazy". Or is you notice you child squinting when reading. 


Believe it or not, children should have their first eye exam between the ages 6-12 months! It is also highly recommended that before a child enters school (usually around the age of 3) should have a comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years.


In addition there are many other things that you as a parent can do to protect your child's vision. Here is a helpful list from the American Optometric Association:


*Eat right: starting at pregnancy and even after. After breast feeding continue to practice healthy eating by incorporating well balanced, nutritious foods into your, and your child's diet. Examples of "eye power" foods are: carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, turkey, sweet potatoes, salmon and spinach!


*In the first two months of life, and infant's eyes are not quite coordinated, which may appear crossed. However if one eye appears to turn in or out continually, an evaluation is suggested.


*At six months of age, an independent eye doctor should examine your child's vision, even if no problems are apparent.


*Provide your child with toys that encourage visual development such as multi-colored objects, crib mobiles, plastic or wooden blocks and jigsaw puzzles.


*Use sun protection when your child's eyes are light in color. Adults protect their eyes with sunglasses and shelter when they are outdoors, so why shouldn't we do this for our kids? 

If your child needs prescription glasses some things to consider are trivex lenses that are durable lenses with front side, back side scratch protection and UVA blocking. Anti reflective treatment is also a great option for children in school. Today in schools there are white boards and florescent lighting, which can cause strain on their eyes when trying to focus. 

Multiple Pairs..Four Eyes are Better Than Two

You may be reading this title and think I am crazy talking. Who needs more than one pair of glasses? The truth is, you only need one pair. The benefits of having multiple pairs is to create an easy flow for your lifestyle, without wearing out your everyday pair.

Next on your check list of questions is, what do you mean lifestyle lenses? Well the answer is this... Think about all of your hobbies. Do you enjoy fishing, golfing, sewing, welding, biking, or accessorizing? There are many different lens styles for anything you could possibly need! For example, a golfer may benefit from a "golfing lens" which is a round bifocal on the side of the lens to use when putting. It gives you a little more magnification. It's not cheating, just performance boosting! If you enjoy needle work, or anything you need for up close, get an up close Rx put in an economical set of frames. This way you can have the enhanced vision for the things you love to do, at a small expense. Think about it this way...if you have different pairs of glasses for different activities, your every day pair is less prone to breaking, and your eyes won't be so tired by the end of the day. If you are using a bifocal lens for everyday, and do a lot of up close work, you have the magnification to suffice, but it is only a small amount.

We offer great package deals that can save you up to 30% on your extra glasses. Not to mention, this month is buy one complete pair of glasses and receive 50% off a second pair of lenses! Hello customization! Wardrobe get ready!

If you are thinking about having multiple pairs of glasses, definitely consider a pair of Rx sunglasses. This is the best thing you can do for your eyes!

Protect your eyes with polarized!

You have heard me ramble about polarized lenses before and why they are so great for you. Today though, I am going to talk about a certain line of sunglasses in particular. Maui Jim has been well known for ages, perfecting their lens style every year. With this line in particular I like to say "Once you go Maui you never go back". It's corny but true! Maui Jim has what is called Polarized Plus 2 Technology, which helps boost color and help your see better and see brilliance. Here is a list of some great benefits to wearing these lenses.

Color Enhancing: so blues are truer. Greens are brighter. Reds are more vibrant. Distortion-free lens features patented lens treatments or rare earth elements to infuse color into what you see daily.

Prevents squinting: wipes out 99.9% of glare and blocks 100% of UV rays. Remember when getting 100% on your math test was a great thing and a big deal? Same applies here.

Polarization: Eliminates direct and reflected glare from any flat, smooth or shiny surface for a cleaner, crisper view. It makes it possible to see below the surface of the water. Which if you are a fisherman, works great magic for you! Hello fish!

Anti-Reflective: Blocks reflected light and that annoying bounce-back glare from behind the lens. This helps provide a clear view and eliminates eye fatigue.

Waterproof and oleophobic: Waterproof to shed water and snow. Oleophobic to repel grease and make smudges easier to wipe off. Those are some clean lenses!

Maui Jim comes in many different frame style, as well as lens colors. Neutral grey lenses are the highest available light reduction for bright sunlight. Provides a rich color and contrast. Bronze lenses is an excellent contrast for everyday variable conditions. They are great if you love a warm, subtle bronze tint. Rose colored lenses is made for the highest contrast available for everyday variable conditions. They are excellent for fast moving sports. Maui HT is a green colored lens that is high transmission for the most visible light possible while still eliminating glare. This lens is great for fast action sports, driving, golf and any time that you need more useful light.

Maui Jim is able to Rx the lenses. You can do single vision, bi-focals and progressives. Some restrictions apply on certain Rx powers. If you are looking for a great sun for your summer vacations, or just because you can have a great pair. Look into Mauis. If this post did no convince you enough...turn on some tropical music, maybe eat an almond joy and look at these beautiful pictures of what a Maui Jim can do for you!

A Beautiful You

Warning...this post may cause you to dig deep and think about yourself. I want to talk about a subject that I notice quite often when people are shopping for glasses. I notice that some are hard on themselves, and feel that they can not pull off a certain look with their glasses. Some try to stick with the norm, and wear a pair that is similar to what they have had because they do not want anyone to notice. This is my favorite type of person to work with! It takes some motivation from another for them to try something new. I have heard many comments like, "I could never wear that" or "what would people say".

I used to be the same way. I have a really high Rx and have worn glasses since I was a child. I got made fun of for having "coke bottle" lenses. Let's just say once I got introduced to contacts, glasses were non existent unless I was in a biology lab. I did not feel confident in my glasses. Even if people were not judging me, I made my mind think that they were. It was not until I started working in optical that I realized the way to be confident in my glasses. Even now I can still have a couple confidence problems with it, but choose to go about it in a different way. For me, I don't like how my Rx makes my eyes look big. One way to distract people from noticing my "big eyes" is to have a frame that is unique. Having a cool shape or funky color automatically takes the esteem to a new level.

I love hearing the words, "I would have never put that on" and "I get so many compliments in this unique frame". I can tell that people who step outside of their comfort zone are beaming with happiness. The truth is, if you say you can't do something, then you can not. If you believe that you can wear and do wonderful things, then by all means you can. 

I saw this quote on a Bare Minerals commercial and feel like I want to tell every woman I know. "You are pretty, beauty is what you do with it." How true is that? I get it! Now I don't want to get all sappy on everyone, because chances are you do not have a box of tissues and a bag of chocolates in your lap. However, I do feel that it is important to know that you are worth everything you believe you are. If you want to wear a hot pink, polka dot, tiger print, chunky plastic frame (not all together of course) then do it! I am very happy that I made the switch as I like to say. Sure I still love my classic frames that will match everything, but when I wear my multi-colored frames, I feel like I should be hanging out with movie stars. Not to be modest...I just want you to know how you could feel. I hope for you the best in your journey of looking at optical frames. Come see us and let us give you the style change of your life!