Halloween Eye Safety Tips

Keep your goblins safe this weekend and observe these tips when planning their costumes...

1. Avoid masks or costumes that obscure vision.
2. When using makeup, remember to:

Use only products approved for use on the skin.

Keep products away from eyes.

Use care in removing the product to avoid getting it into eyes.

3. Wear reflective clothing or attach reflective tape to costumes and Trick or Treat bags.

4. Carry a flashlight. NOTE: The "glow sticks" that are sold at Halloween are filled with a chemical that can cause eye irritation and they really don't illuminate very well.

5. Tie hats and scarves on securely to make certain they don't slip over eyes and obstruct vision.

A WORD ABOUT "DECORATIVE" CONTACT LENSES...

There are decorative contact lenses that feature wild designs and so-called "Circle Lenses" that make the eye appear larger. While generally safe if prescribed and worn under the supervision of an Optometrist, these decorative lenses can cause serious eye problems if worn improperly. Please remember, that contact lenses - whether decorative or not - are medical devices that must be prescribed by an eye doctor. DO NOT BUY LENSES from a flea market, hair salon, or online. Do NOT share lenses with anyone. Wear the lenses only for the time prescribed by your doctor.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Carrots and Spinach and Kale. Oh My!

Our parents always told us to eat our carrots so we would grow up and have "good eyes." We are asked occasionally if eating carrots can really improve eye sight? The answer...yes and no.

Eating carrots won't give a nearsighted person 20/20 vision. But carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A--a crucial nutrient for maintaining proper vision.

Those who are deficient in Vitamin A may notice difficulty with night driving. Extreme Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of blindness in third world countries. However, if you are not deficient in Vitamin A, your vision won't improve no matter how many carrots or other beta-carotene-rich fruits or vegetables you eat.

Most multi-vitamins today contain beta-carotene so they are one easily available source. But, it is strongly recommended that getting your daily dose from dark, green leafy vegetables suce as kale and spinach and bright, orange-colored fruits and vegetables such as peaches, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and of course, carrots. Foods high in beta-carotene are preferable to a vitamin because of the other important nutrients that we won't necessarily get from a vitamin.

So head to your local farmers' market or supermarket produce aisle and fill your basket with good vision! We've included a shopping list...

The Top 10 Fruits and Vegetables for Eye Health



Carrots
Spinach
Kale
Collards
Tomatoes
Bell Peppers
Citrus
Squash
Avocado
Strawberries

From Becky

OK. I'm still 49 for just a tiny bit longer. When I do turn 50, I will wear the number proudly. However, I'm taking notice of my face's reflection in the mirror each morning looking a bit differently. Is it possible that's what caused me to notice a recent internet article concerning the 4 most common lifestyle mistakes people make that CAUSE EYE WRINKLES!!! I couldn't read it fast enough. The number one reason for eye wrinkles....

NOT WEARING SUNGLASSES!

I wear glasses and for the longest time, (way back when I was in my 20's) I thought I couldn't wear cute sunglasses like my contact lens-wearing friends. In my early 30's I purchased my first pair of prescription sunglasses. They were in style then and the size of small saucers...would I wear that style now? NO. Do I wish I would have done it sooner? Absolutely. Because of a decade of constant squinting, I now have the beginnings of crow's feet and those dreadful forehead wrinkles. I'm certainly glad that I made the decision all those years ago to get those sunglasses (And numerous pairs since. A girl must keep up with the trends.) and stop squinting.

If you don't wear sunglasses for whatever reason, you're encouraging wrinkles. Try this...look in the mirror and squint like the sun is in your eyes. See those lines? Oh dear, back-up! After years of squinting, they can become permanent. Are you dialing our phone number yet? (217-345-6600)

When you have your next exam with Dr. Esarey or Dr. Duzan, ORDER SUNGLASSES! Wear them outdoors and in the car all year long. You'll be glad you did.

Thanks for reading. Stop by again soon.

Becky

IOA Annual Meeting

Just two weeks ago, our entire Lifetime Eye Care staff attended the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Illinois Optometric Association in Springfield. We all were enrolled in continuing education courses for the entire 4-day convention.

Our first course focused on new trends in communication with patients. Our society being linked through social networks such as facebook, myspace, and various other internet sites is changing how the practice of Optometry presents information to our patients. Educating current patients as well as those considering our practice for their vision and eye health needs in matters of eye health and offering glimpses of the latest fashion trends in eyewear and sun protection via these networks is essential as we look ahead to the future. Our office now hosts not only this blog, but a facebook page in addition to our website. (http://www.visionsource-lifetimeeyecare.com/)

Other course subjects included "Electronic Health Records," and "Optometric Triage," with Dr. Scot Morris, OD FAAO. We will, in the very near future be making the change from paper charts to electronic health records in order to keep up with federal medical standards which are forthcoming. "Optometric Triage" focused on continued education in handling ocular emergencies when they arise. We were reminded of the appropriate questions to ask and instructions to offer when the phone rings with an emergency.

Dr. Esarey and I attended courses concerning "The Newest Treatments for Glaucoma," and "Macular Diseases," as well as learning new trends and tools in "Diagnosis and Health Management of Pediatric Patients." Our staff was re-trained in the examination of "Non-Verbal, Physically and/or Visually Impaired Patients: Pediatrics to Geriatrics." As our eye care practice encompasses patients of all ages with diverse health and vision needs, staying abreast of all diagnostic and treatment options for our patients will always be our goal as Optometrists.

We are proud to be members of the Illinois Optometric Association and look forward to next year's Annual Meeting.

Until next time...Dr. Duzan

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Continually educating staff members in any medical practice is vital to optimum patient care.  Our entire staff remains well-informed in all aspects of the eye care profession.  Weekly staff meetings are held and conferences throughout the United States are attended several times each year.   Staff members enroll in internet webinars and routinely increase their knowledge of the current trends in eye care through reading and research.  

This week, the education portion of our staff meeting took staff members on a "Photo Scavenger Hunt" throughout our office.  Our staff members were divided into teams of two with different departments represented on each team.  each team was given an envelope containing 40 photos of items from throughout the office which were to identified and located...VERY CLOSE photos!  The photos were taken with a digital camera, loaded into photo software on the computer and cropped to a very small portion of the image.  The photos were enlarged.  Each team's envelope contained the same 40 photos and the team which completed the task with the most accuracy would be crowned the most detail-oriented pair in our practice.  

Our doctors taught our interns, our technicians learned from our opticians, and the doctors now know

where more things are located in the front office. We laughed together and learned from one another.

Dr. Duzan and Derek were the winners of gift certificates for Blizzards at Dairy Queen.

Sunwear Lens Options

With a wide variety of lens options available, you can customize your sun lenses to meet your visual, protection, performance and comfort needs. With sunwear, you can mix and match the following lens options to create functional and fashionable sunwear to fit your lifestyle...

POLARIZED LENSES are the best for eliminating glare and come in several different colors and densities. Polarization eases squinting, eye stress and fatigue by eliminating the glare from water, ice, snow, wet roads and shiny surfaces. Polarized lenses are great for driving!

TINTED LENSES are available in a rainbow of color options from light to very dark. Light tints alone do not make effective sunglasses. Tints can be solid through the whole lens or darker on top fading to lighter or clear at the bottom of the lens.

MIRRORED LENS coatings provide a reflective surface that makes the eye virtually invisible to viewers. The mirrors come in different metallic colors and can be combined with polarized lenses for the ultimate in protection and style.

Sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is present even on cloudy days. Quality sunwear provides 100% UV protection and can significantly reduce the risk of vision problems caused by sunlight such as cataracts and retinal damage. Once you have determined your lenses will provide 100% UV protection, you can choose the color of your lenses.

Neutral gray lenses provide the least amount of color distortion and come in various densities from 10 percent to 35 percent gray. Contrast-enhancing brown lenses come in various shades including amber and copper. These lenses are often selected for sports activities requiring enhanced visual detail and contrast, such as golf.

The best features of fashion sunwear and sports-oriented sunglasses have come together in a variety of versatile eyewear solutions. Fashionable eyewear is now available with many of the performance-enhancing features you would find in a tradtional pair of sports-oriented sunglasses. Many frame options and lens choices are available in our optical department.

Electronic Medical Records

Our office will, in the very near future, be making a change from paper charts to electronic medical records. Research has begun to find the software program that will best suit the needs of our office. This week, Dr. Duzan and Becky drove to Louisville, Kentucky to attend a forum presented by Compulink.

BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS Fund Raiser

Our Lifetime Eye Care "team" (minus Dr. Esarey, who was otherwise engaged), bowled along with many others in the Coles County community in support of "BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS" during the month of April.

Oh, Allergy Eyes!

Allergy Season Lasts Longer Than You Think. While most people look forward to the arrival of spring, many of those who suffer from allergies dread it. That's because spring is when most seasonal allergies occur. However, depending on what triggers your allergy symptoms, "seasonal" allergies can last all year.
Warmer Weather = Higher Risk
Allergy season begins to peak as the weather begins to warm and winter comes to a close. When allergy season arrives, increased levels of pollen, mold, and other outdoor eye allergens arrive with it. In theory, it lasts all the way through the year, but is at its height during the spring.Allergy Season and Plant Life
Various types of plants release allergens at different times of the year. Those who suffer from allergies should therefore avoid certain plant life at particular times during the eye allergy season. For instance, during the fall allergy season, ragweed is considered one of the most common allergens. Therefore, during the fall those sensitive should try and avoid areas that have a high level of ragweed. However, keep in mind that substances such as pollen travel in the wind and can drift hundreds of miles. Thus, even if you avoid certain plant life, you may still have a reaction.Allergy Season - Tips to Moderate Exposure
By limiting exposure to pollens, molds, and other allergens during the height of eye allergy season, you may be able to avoid or reduce the intensity of your allergic reactions. Here are a few basic guidelines to follow:
■Avoid going outdoors between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. During these hours of allergy season, pollen counts are at their highest.
■If you need to be outdoors during the times when pollen counts are high, wear a filter mask in order to limit inhalation of the substances.
■Run an air conditioner to keep humidity levels low when indoors and at night. Ensure that the air conditioner's filter is changed on a regular basis, optimally every 30 days.
■When you return from the outdoors during allergy season, take a shower and change your clothes right away. This will ensure that the substances are removed from your skin, hair, and clothing.
■While driving during allergy season, keep car windows closed and run the car's air conditioner.
■Avoid using outdoor clothing lines to dry clothes during allergy season. Instead opt for an indoor clothes rack or use a dryer.
Allergy Season - Tips to Moderate Symptoms
Despite your best efforts to limit your exposure to allergens, allergy symptoms may still take hold of you during heavy allergy months. To help control your symptoms and enjoy the fall and spring seasons, prescription allergy treatments and allergy medications, are available for rapid and effective relief from itching due to allergy eyes.

Seasonal allergies impact those who are susceptible only during certain months of the year. Most sufferers of seasonal allergies typically have their strongest allergic reactions during the spring and fall months. However, depending on a person's allergy sensitivity, he or she may feel symptoms year-round.
Those who suffer seasonal allergies tend to react to the following:

■Spring: tree pollen
■Summer: grass pollen
■Fall: ragweed and other flower pollens
■Winter: tree pollen
When these plants cease pollination, those who are allergic will no longer feel their effects.Seasonal Allergies - How They Differ From Perennial
■Unlike perennial, or year-round allergies, seasonal allergies are caused only by plant life that releases substances such as pollen into the air during certain months of the year.
■Allergens found inside the home, such as dust mites, animal hair, and mold are the chief causes of perennial allergies. Since allergic people are exposed to these substances on a daily basis, their condition lasts all year, not just certain months.
■Unlike seasonal allergens, many of the perennial allergens can be removed from the home by vacuuming, cleaning, and using protective covers for upholstery and bedding.
■Seasonal allergies can only be controlled, not avoided or eliminated.
■Although seasonal allergies only impact those susceptible for certain months of the year, the degree to which people suffer from seasonal allergies is typically greater. In other words, those who have perennial allergy symptoms generally exhibit milder symptoms than those who deal with seasonal allergies.
Some people suffer from both seasonal and perennial allergies. Most of these people exhibit intense allergy symptoms during the spring, summer, and fall months. The symptoms of both seasonal and perennial allergies are basically the same. In regard to vision and the eyes, both types cause the person to have itchy, red, watery eyes and often very swollen eyelids. Seasonal Allergies - What to Avoid
Those who suffer from seasonal allergies should attempt to avoid the following allergens:
■Trees - ash, birch, elm, hickory, maple, oak, poplar, sycamore, and walnut
■Grasses - bermuda, orchard, red top, sweet vernal, and timothy
■Weeds - pigweed, ragweed, Russian thistle, sagebrush, and tumbleweed
■Molds - alternaria, aspergillus, and cladosporium
By avoiding these types of plant life during allergy season, allergy sufferers can help manage the severity of their allergy symptoms.
However, if one is outdoors at all during the allergy season, avoidance of pollen is often impossible or impractical. You may wish to speak with your healthcare provider about allergy eye treatments, which can provide quick relief from itchy allergy eyes with convenient once-a-day dosing.