Gradient lenses and frames are the trend. If you like reading outdoors but find most sunglasses too dark, try a lens that is darker at the top and lighter at the bottom. It still has all the fantastic features of a Maui Jim sunlens: polorization, waterproof coatings, anti-reflective treatment and distortion-free optics.

Lani is shown here in the amethyst fade. It also comes in gloss black and Koa tortoise.

 Lava Flow is pictured below in the gloss black with neutral grey lenses. It is a modified rectangle with a mid-size wrap. It is also available in a colorful burgundy tortoise frame with HCL bronze lenses.

Westside Optometry still carries the light weight sporty styles too. Most of the Maui Jim sunglasses can be customized with your prescription. What can be better than sitting on a lounge chair reading or fly-fishing in your favorite river with your progressive Maui Jim sunglasses? If excellent distance vision is most important for a day in the boat or whale watching on the bluffs of the Pacific coast, prescription sunglasses are an excellent choice for you. 

We have received our new selection of Maui Jim sunglasses, come try them on.

Because children mimic what they see, I encourage parents to set a good example and attitude about how to wear and care for the new glasses. Here are some suggestions:

• Use both hands when taking glasses off to protect the hinges.
• Do not try to bend any part of the frames. If the glasses feel too tight or loose, bring them to our office for adjustment.
• Never place your glasses anywhere they can be stepped or sat on.
• Do not let anyone play or try on your glasses.
• Keep your glasses in their case when you are not wearing them.
• Clean your glasses with water and a soft cloth, not your shirt.

If your child plays sports, remember that regular glasses do not provide protection from injury. Make sure your child wears the right kind of sports safety eyewear at all times when playing sports.

If you make your 2012 resolutions with the intention of achieving good health and well-being, you will be benefiting your eyes also. Here are recommendations from Westside Optometry to get you started:

1. QUIT SMOKING

Smoking contributes to cataract formation, macular degeneration and dry eyes.

2. EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Anti-oxidants and other nutrients found in a variety of fruits and vegetables can prevent age-related ocular conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

3. EXERCISE REGULARLY

Exercise can benefit you in many ways. It reduces stress, helps control weight and improves circulation all benefits for you and your eyes.

4. SCHEDULE EYE EXAMINATIONS FOR THE KIDS

It is never to early for children to have their eyes examined. The American Optometric Association recommends the first eye exam at 6 months of age. Early detection of vision problems can save your child much frustration when learning to read and play sports.

Happy New Year

Mondays and Wednesdays 8:30 – 5:00

Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 – 6:00

Fridays 8:30 – 12:00

If you are trying to use your medical flex spending account before the end of the year, call to schedule an eye examination or order contact lenses. Drop by if you want to select new glasses or sunglasses.
We will also be open Saturday January 7th, if you are trying to juggle the kids appointments while they are out of school or home from college.

We’ve expanded our new FYSH line to include the men’s frames Evatik. Evatik incorporates innovative designs and lightweight materials.

The new Kate Spade sunglasses have arrived also. Check out “Grady,” the brown is pictured here. The sunglass also comes in black and has polka dots on the inside. 

If you want to order contact lenses, you can simply call the office, they can be shipped directly to you, or use our online contact ordering, the link is on the right of the page. (ORDER CONTACTS)

Children Should Spend the Holidays with Friends and Family, Not in the Emergency Room

The holiday shopping season is already in full swing for retailers as well as shoppers who are eager to begin purchasing everything on their lists. But, when it comes to toys and gifts, the lowest sale price may not be the safest for children.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates in its most recent report that hospital emergency rooms treated 251,700 toy-related injuries in 2010 throughout the United States. Of that number, 72 percent of injuries were to those less than 15 years of age.

Additionally, the CPSC found that 46 percent of the estimated 251,700 ER-treated injuries occurred to the head and face area. Lacerations, abrasions and contusions made up most of these injuries.

Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest eye health and safety organization, has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month. The group encourages everyone to make conscientious purchasing decisions based on what is best for each individual child.

“In the excitement of the season, sometimes we may forget that not every gift is appropriate for every child,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. “By taking a few, easy safety precautions, we can keep the holidays happy for everyone!

Prevent Blindness America suggests:

Make recommendations to family members and friends about gifts that you feel are appropriate for your child. Be diligent about inspecting these gifts before allowing your child to play with them.
Inspect all toys before purchasing. Monitor toys that your child has received as gifts to make sure they are appropriate for your child’s age and developmental level.
For younger children, avoid play sets with small magnets and make sure batteries are secured within the toy. If magnets or batteries are ingested, serious injuries and/or death can occur.
Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (such as a basketball along with eye goggles or a face guard with a new batting helmet for baseball or softball).
Any toy that is labeled “supervision required” must always be used in the presence of an adult. Keep toys meant for older children away from younger ones.

Always save the warranties and directions for every toy. If possible, include a gift receipt. Repair or throw away damaged toys.
Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off.
Inspect toys for sturdiness. Your child’s toys should be durable, with no sharp edges or points. The toys should also withstand impact. Dispose of plastic wrapping material immediately on toys as they may have sharp edges.
Don’t give toys with small parts to young children. Young kids tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking. If the part of a toy can fit in a toilet paper roll, the toy is not appropriate for children under the age of 3.
For more information on safe toys and gifts for children as well as general children’s eye health topics, visit preventblindness.org.

The tears consist of 3 different components:

1. Oils or lipids from the meibomian glands (in the eyelid)

2. Mucus from the goblet cells (surface of the eye)

3. Water or aqueous from the lacrimal gland (under the brow)

The eyelid can be a problem too. Inflammation of the eyelid margin is often a factor. The eyelid changes with age, it may be scarred or looser causing the lid to turn inward or outward. Either direction has a negative effect on the tears and blinking.

The goal of dry eye treatment is to restore the tear film balance. Addition of a humidifer, drops, ointments, supplements, change in diet, and/or punctal plugs can all be helpful. Once the cause of dry eye disease is identified I can create a treatment plan.

The first thing I recommend in treating dry eye disease is to control the factors that you can. Check out the last blog for a list, you can’t change your age or gender, but you can control your blood sugar, and some environmental factors.  What you eat or do not eat matters too. Too much caffeine will dehydrate you. If you are a fan of energy drinks that are high in caffeine and sugar, try a week or two without them and see if your eyes feel better. I’ve seen significant improved in contact lens tolerance with the elimination of these drinks.

Do not suffer from dry eye, call Westside Optometry for evaluation and treatment. For more dry eye information download http://www.westsideoptometrynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Dry-Eye-Syndrome.pdf

Dry eye can lead to decreased vision, corneal scarring and secondary bacterial infections. Not to mention the general discomfort and reduced quality of life from the symptoms.

There are 8 Risks Factors for the Development of Dry Eye Disease:

• AGE The older you are the greater the risk for dry eye.
• GENDER Women are twice as likely to develop dry eye than men.
• ENVIRONMENT This includes smoking, airplane travel, computer use, low humidity environments and several other considerations
• LID MARGIN DISEASE This is especially true of meibomian gland dysfunction. Meibomian, an icky sounding word on its own, but you should see the glands under a microscope when they are plugged or inflamed. It’s not pretty.
• CONTACT LENS WEAR Contact lens wear contributes to dry eye and increased symptoms
• OCULAR SURGERY Surgical procedures  such as LASIK or cataract removal can cause temporary dry eye in patients who have predisposing risk factors.
• MEDICATIONS Many drugs including oral anti-histamines or anti-acne medications like (Isotretinoin)

And for the risk factor that ties this all in with Diabetes Month…

• SYSTEMIC CONDITIONS This includes not only diabetes but also rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disease.

The mechanism responsible for dry eye disease in diabetic patients is unclear, but many studies have been done. One study found that the rate of dry eye disease was higher if the HbA1c values were higher. Yet another good reason to maintain diabetic control and lower HbA1c values.  Another study showed that the tear proteins of diabetic patients are different from those of healthy subjects. More than half of the people who have diabetes experience dry eye symptoms and suffer from ocular dryness. Controlling the diabetes and managing the dry eye disease can lessen or alleviate the discomfort of ocular dryness.

Other important criteria include stable vision. LASIK will not prevent  the prescription from changing. I like to see no changes in the distance vision for at least 12 months, preferably 2 years. If the vision is going to change, it will, with or without the refractive procedure. If you have the procedure, you can expect good vision without glasses for a very longtime.

The actual laser procedure takes 2 minutes or less per eye. Many precise measurements are taken before the procedure. Proper alignment with the laser is made in all axes. A super thin flap of cornea is created with the Intralase Method which uses tiny, ultra-precise pulses of light. It is laid back while the surgeon lasers the tissue underneath it to correct the refractive error. The flap is carefully replaced and smoothed into place. And that is the extent of the actual LASIK. The rest is healing and post-operative care. Some lifestyle modifications are required initially, but most people are surprised how much they can do and see right after surgery.

If you have any questions or comments about refractive surgery, please leave a comment or call the office (707)762-8643.

A recent study in Australia showed that the manufacturer’s recommendation of rinsing with multi-purpose contact lens solution and air drying is not enough. The most effective technique to remove the most bacteria was to rinse and wipe the case with a tissue before air drying.

I have always advocated dumping the contact lens solution every morning and rinsing the case with hot water then air drying. I am now adding the use of multi-purpose solution (MPS) instead of water and wiping with a tissue as well. For soft contact lens wearers, using the MPS to rinse instead of water is safer. For rigid gas permeable wearers, hot water is still indicated. (the soaking solutions are too viscous to be effective).

Contact lens case care (soft lenses)
1. Dump solution
2. Rinse with multi-purpose solution
3. Wipe with a tissue
4. Air dry

Contact lens case care (rigid gas permeable lenses)
1. Dump out solution
2. Rinse in hot water
3. Wipe with a tissue
4. Air dry

And the final step to maintaining a clean contact lens case it to replace it regularly.