March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month

 

Approximately 25,000 Americans visit the emergency room due to a workplace eye injury each year.

For those of you not in an office setting, use proper eye protection such as non-prescription and prescription safety glasses, goggles, face shields, and welding helmets!

If a chemical gets splashed into your eye, get yourself to an eyewash station or jump in the shower to give your eyes a thorough rinsing. Remove your contact lenses if you are wearing them and do NOT rub your eyes. Then immediately get seen by your eye doctor or the emergency department!

Not all work injuries are associated with “outdoor” jobs – they can happen indoors too! Studies have shown that Computer vision syndrome is absolutely real and is characterized by dry eyes, headaches, eye stain, and neck/back pain.  To keep your eyes comfortable, follow these steps:

1. Check screen position: Ensure your screen as at a right angle away from a direct light source

2. Consider prescription computer glasses to ensure better comfort.

3. Blink often! Use an over-the-counter artificial tear (Systane, Refresh) to keep those eyes lubricated.

4. Drink lots of water!

5. Adhere to our 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will give your eyes they break they need to reduce that fatigue!

6. Schedule your regular comprehensive eye examination.  I cannot emphasize enough the importance of these exams. If you have any concerns or are experiencing changes with your eyesight, please do not delay in giving us a call (775-783-1111) and scheduling an appointment!

Thanks for reading,

Dr. Brewer

What You Need To Know About Halloween Contact Lenses

Halloween will be here before you know it! I thought this would be a good time to discuss the dangers of costume/decorative contact lenses that people may consider to spice up their Halloween costumes!  What is the risk with these costume lenses?  It’s just one day, what’s the worst that can happen? The answer is excruciating pain and permanent vision loss - It’s not worth it folks!

These type of cosmetic contact lenses change the way your eyes look and can be made with or without vision correction. It is illegal in the United States for any contact lens to be purchased without a current prescription. Those lenses are not FDA regulated and you just can’t be sure of what you’re receiving.

According to the AAO, there are about 13,500 emergency room cases due to contact lens injuries annually. That is alarming and mostly avoidable with a little education!

So what exactly can these costume contacts do? They can cut, scratch, cause an allergic reaction, or cause infection from their poor fit on your cornea, uncleanliness, or by the materials they are made of.  Even if those corneal ulcers or abrasions heal with various medications, they can leave behind extensive and irreversible scarring that will impair your vision. These lenses are also less breathable due to all the paints/pigments or materials utilized. This limits oxygen and nutrients to important structures within your eye, which will lead to further complications.

Treating these injuries may require surgical intervention like a corneal transplant which are not always a success.  They are expensive surgeries and may require a person to be on eye drops for the rest of their lives.

Contacts are NOT a “one size fits all”, they are medical devices that need to be properly fit by your eye care provider. Even certain costume contact lenses can be worn safely if you see your doctor beforehand and adhere to their advice.

Be safe and have a spooktacular Halloween!!!

- Dr. Brewer

20/20 Is Not Enough!

Many children are labeled as having behavioral or attention deficit problems. Sometimes this is a misdiagnosis and what is actually causing their inability to concentrate on schoolwork is a vision related learning issue.

I was surprised to learn that less than 15% of kiddos get their eyes examined before starting school, especially since 80% of what they learn is visual – it’s through their eyes! One out of four kids struggle academically because of undiagnosed vision problems. The majority of these problems are very treatable and can allow these kids to perform at their full potential.

Just because your child passed the vision screener at school or at the pediatrician’s office and was told they have perfect 20/20 vision, doesn’t mean they still can’t be struggling with visual problems. Even with 20/20 vision, it may not be enough to sustain concentration and process information. There are 17 visual skills (see below) that are required to succeed in school and in sports. It is important that every child have a visual health examination by an Optometrist to look for these skills as a simple vision screening may fail to pick up.

Dr. Lyons and myself are proud providers of the InfantSEE program, where kiddos between 6-12 months are given a FREE comprehensive eye examination to ensure everything is developing properly. Check out http://www.infantsee.org/ for more information!

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), infants should have their first comprehensive eye exam around 6-12 months of age. Children then should have additional eye exams at age 3, and again at age 5.

Call our office if you have questions. Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Dr. Brewer

Here is the list of those 17 skills! (Courtesy of COVD.org)

1	Eye Movement Control	The ability to move both eyes together to point at an intended target or follow along a path, like a line of text
2	Simultaneous Focus at Far	Forming a clear image of something in the distance
3	Sustaining Focus at Far	Keeping an image of something in the distance clear
4	Simultaneous Focus at Near	Forming a clear image of something close to the eyes
5	Sustaining Focus at Near	Keeping a clear image of something close to the eyes
6	Simultaneous Alignment at Far	Lining up both eyes at the same point the distance
7	Sustaining Alignment at Far	Holding both eyes lined up at the same point in the distance
8	Simultaneous Alignment at Near	Lining up both eyes at the same point up close
9	Sustaining Alignment at Near	Holding both eyes lined up at the same point up close
10	Central Vision (Visual Acuity)	This is where "20/20" vision comes in!
11	Peripheral Vision	Being able to see what's on either side of you while your eyes are pointed forward
12	Depth Awareness	Being able to tell that things are further away or closer up than each other (also know as depth perception)
13	Color Perception	Being able to tell different colors apart (if you are not color-blind)
14	Gross Visual-Motor	Moving yourself through space without bumping into things by using information from your vision
15	Fine Visual-Motor	Writing, sewing, texting, and doing other small and close-up activities with accuracy by using information from  your vision
16	Visual Perception	Being aware of your environment and what is going on around you in your visual field (the area you can see)
17	Visual Integration	Bringing together your vision and your other senses to accomplish complex tasks, like reading while walking a balance beam

SPECtacular Trunk Show!

It is that time of year again!  Update your look at our 8th annual trunk show.  For eight years we have been filling our optical with thousands of frames for this three-hour fashion party.  Join in the frenzy to save 40% on every frame in our office or just come and enjoy wine and appetizers and say hello!  Either way, you do not want to miss out on this event held on April 27 fro 4-7 PM at our office at 1644 Hwy 395, Unit B-1 in Minden.  Click here for more details!

Fabulous Fall Event

Are there times you'd rather not wear your glasses?  Have you ever wondered what you would look like with blue eyes?  Do you prefer glasses that feel like they aren't there?  Do you like saving money?  Do you like wine, chocolate and cute gifts?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should come to our Fabulous Fall Event coming up November 3 at our office from 4-6 PM.

We are providing a contact lens experience for those interested in trying them out before committing to a customized contact lens medical service.  We also realize that not everyone enjoys contact lenses, so we are excited to launch a new frame line in our office called Line Art.  These beautiful frames showcase the minimalist look with a little pizzaz.

Call today to reserve your spot and invite your friends!  775-783-1111

What the heck is a Trunk Show????

A trunk show is a special event within the fashion world where designers put on a special presentation of their products for exclusive buyers. The name comes from the fact that these representatives will literally show up with trunks of merchandise to display and sell.

Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery’s trunk show allows you to personally view entire collections from the attending designers - this means every style and every color! Trunk shows allow us to multiply your frame options by adding the styles and colors that we do not regularly stock in the office.

Come check out the newest designer eyewear styles from Vera Wang, Zac Posen, Etnia Barcelona and more while you sip complementary wine and nibble on hors d’oeuvres. Additionally, you will save 40% on every every frame purchased during the show.  Don't miss this SPECtacular event happening at our office from 4-7 PM Thursday, April 28!

EYECARE ABOUT READING

Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery places a high value on learning.  This year we would like to help provide local first graders with new books to take home when school lets out for the summer.  Want to join us?  Simply drop off a new book appropriate for a first grade student at our office, and we'll take care of the rest!

Big Frame Sale!!!

For the month of November, Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery invites you to save 50% on designer frames such as Haggar, Michael Kors, Harley Davidson, Gucci, Jones New York, Converse, Michael Stars, Not of This World, Coach, Laura Ashley, Rough Justice & more.  And don’t forget, all of our glasses are backed by our 2-year Frame and Lens Warranty, our Prescription Accuracy Guarantee and our Happiness Pledge.  Happy shopping!

World Sight Day is October 8

Yes!  It is that time of year again!  Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery looks forward to supporting  Optometry Giving Sight on October 8.  We will donate the exam fees we collect that day to this great organization that provides glasses to underserved areas of the world.

We are also inviting the community to participate this year.  Come to our office on World Sight Day!  We will have refreshments and will be open from 8AM to 7PM.  If you make a donation of $25 to Optometry Giving Sight in our office, we will give you a $50 gift card to be used toward a glasses purchase in our office.   Isn't that great?

Spring into a New Look!

We love this event!!!  Come hang out with us in Thursday, April 23, and we'll provide food, drinks, door prizes, office tours and a gallery of beautiful frames (thousands of them!) all available with a 40% savings during the show.  Click here for more details!

It's Good to Have Options

We know you love your contact lenses.  We do.  We know you can't imagine life without them, but sometimes it's good to give those peepers a break from contact lens wear, and sometimes it's good to shake things up with a new look, and sometimes the unexpected happens like infections or allergies or some other circumstance that prevents you from healthy contact lens wear. 

This February, Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery is helping you out.  Purchase a year's supply of contact lenses and save 50% on a good, non-embarrassing pair of back up glasses.  Because it's good to have options.

Share the Sight - Clear Vision Changes Lives

Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery is Collecting Glasses for the Less Fortunate

Dr. Somer Lyons and the staff at Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery are collecting prescription eyeglasses for the less fortunate throughout the month of December.

To participate in the Share the Sight program, drop off any glasses you no longer wear atValley  Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery. Your donation will help a child see the blackboard at school, or a senior citizen read a medicine bottle – daily tasks that are impossible without clear vision.

Dr. Lyons comments, “I have seen first hand how much these donated glasses can mean to those with limited access to eyecare. Our Share the Sight program is a great opportunity to help those who need it most.”

As a special thanks from Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery, each person who donates will receive a $20 savings certificate which can be used on any eyewear purchase.

I Give Our Patients Five Stars

At Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery, we always want to provide the best experience for our patients, and one thing that helps us do that is patient surveys and reviews.  When someone is willing to take the time to give us feedback, you better believe we pour over that feedback and discuss it as a team. 

Today, however, I was thinking that sometimes I wish I could write a review praising our patients.  I would like to put out on Yelp how considerate and thoughtful the patients are that come to my office.  Of course we always thank people for coming and let them know that it is nice to see them, but I want everyone to know how great someone is when they remember all of our staff's names, or how they brighten our day every time they stop by the office, or how touched we are when they write us a note.  If I could write such a review, I would give our patients here at Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery five stars!

Protect your eyes from Ultraviolet Radiation

What’s Your Sunwear Protection Factor?

When it comes to the sun, we all know it’s important to protect our skin with a high SPF sunscreen.
However, we’re not always as careful with protecting our eyes as they are constantly bombarded by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. It’s true that UV rays are strongest during the summer months, but we need to be aware of their effect on our eyes year round.

The A-B-Cs of UV Radiation

UVA Rays: These rays are absorbed within the lens of the eye. There are no documented cases of disorders caused by UVA, but research is constantly being done to find out the exact effects on our eyes.

UVB Rays: These rays are the same ones that cause sunburned skin. Research has linked daily exposure to UVB radiation over a period of years leads to a gradual clouding of the lenses of the eyes, commonly known as cataracts. Not only can UVB rays damage exposed eyes during the summer months, they can also cause temporary blindness in the cold wind and snow, a condition called photokeratitis.

UVC Rays: These rays, thankfully, are harmless to our eyes. In fact, they are absorbed by the upper
atmosphere and never reach us on the earth’s surface.
 
The 1-2-3s of UV Protection

1. Protection from UVA and UVB: We recommend you invest in a pair of sunglasses that provides at least 98% protection from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB radiation. Sunglasses can range from poor to excellent UV protection, so it’s important to know that Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery only carries sunwear that provides the best protection from the sun.
2. Protection from Glare: Polarized lenses block light reflected from surfaces like a flat road or smooth water. If you’re involved in activities like water sports, skiing, golfing, biking, fishing, or spend a lot of time driving, let us know. Polarized lenses can be very helpful in reducing glare and helping you see more clearly.
3. Start protection early: Individuals under the age of 20 are the most susceptible to the damaging effects of UV rays. It’s never too early to fit them with sunglasses. We have impact resistant frames for young children and give them a cleaning cloth and a  hard case to help them keep their sunglasses from getting scratched or broken.

Remember, when you and your family are having fun in the sun, make sure your eyes are protected.
Ask Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery today about the benefits of wearing sunglasses or stop in to look at our selection of frames. We have a large selection of styles and colors for the entire family.

Spring into a New Look!

I think spring will actually cone this year...  To get you ready, head over to the office on Thursday, April 24.  We are hosting our annual Spring into a New Look Frame and Sunglass Trunk show from 4-7 PM.  It is a great time to browse some new frames.  (They are ALL 40% off during the show.)  Not in the market for new glasses?  Come anyway!  We will have food, wine and door prizes!  See you there!

Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery Celebrating Five Year Anniversary

Five years ago, Dr. Somer Lyons opened the doors of a small optometric practice with only a couple hundred patients.With the addition of the most incredible staff and the most advanced technology, Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery now meets the eye health needs of more than three thousand patients.

“A lot has changed in five years, but our commitment to providing quality care has not. I’m proud that we have been successful in achieving and maintaining our mission: to help eliminate preventable vision loss and blindness,” notes Dr. Lyons. “As we celebrate our tenth anniversary, I’d like to thank the Carson Valley community for your support over the years.”

You’re invited to join Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery’s tenth anniversary celebration on Thursday, December 5 from 4 - 6 p.m. There will be office tours, refreshments and door prizes. In addition, those attending will also receive a $20 savings certificate which can be used on any service or material purchase.



Can't make it to the party?  Swing on by in December anyway.  We are having a great frame sale.  And, as always, all of our eyewear is backed by our exclusive Two-Year Frame and Lens Warranty.

Thanks for making Valley Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery part of your family and we hope to see you at the celebration.

Cosmetics and Contact Lenses

So hopefully by now, everyone knows that rubbing your contact lenses while cleaning them and replacing your contact lens case frequently are good ideas.  What about keeping cosmetic products off of your contact lenses?  This article gives great tips to keep those contact lenses clean and comfortable while still having great hair and makeup!

Sunglass Sale

Summer is here! 
Before heading out to enjoy it, grab some sunglasses to protect those eyes. 

All of our sunglasses offer protection from UVA and UVB radiation from the sun.  We even have impact resistant frames for kids and polarized lenses to help reduce glare from water sports, golfing, biking and driving.

Stop in and check out our large selection today!

We’re offering a 30% savings on all sunglasses this month to help you keep your family’s eyes healthy this summer.

Nutrition and Eye Health

Found this link today.  We get questions often about nutrition and eye health.  This article does a good job of summarizing what has been shown to work and what does not.  Still have questions?  Give us a call, and we can mail you brochures with more information.
Nutrition and Eye Health Article

Kenya or Bust!

Eyecare has to be one of the best professions to be in.  We get to know that lives are improved by the care people receive in our office.  Our optician is about to take his skills in the profession to Kenya.  Terrance was among several candidates that applied for a grant provided by Eyes of Faith to serve on a Mission trip to Kenya this October and was selected as the winner.  We couldn't be more excited!  Eyes of Faith Optical, Fellowship of Christian Optometrists and Sight Ministries are putting together a team to head to Kenya to provide glasses to a population that would otherwise not be able to receive vision correction.  We can't wait to hear about his experiences helping people see and demonstrating Christ's love!  More details about the grant and trip are included in this article.