There’s An App for That

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Kim Heffner

It seems like there is an iPhone app for just about everything these days. There are apps for fitness, food, calendars, books, shopping and travel just to name a few. Did you know there’s an app for contact lens care too?

LensFacts is a free iPhone app from Alcon’s OptiFree® lens solution. LensFacts puts important information about your contact lenses at your fingertips.

I had the opportunity to browse the app and found it very user-friendly. There are four components in the LensFacts app. The first section asks “How’s it going?” in regards to your contact lens comfort. You have the opportunity to answer all good, tired or help. A pie chart shows the breakdown of your responses from the last 30 days.

The second section called “Time to Toss” helps you remember when it’s time to change your contact lenses. You enter the recommended wear length (one day, two weeks, etc.) and the day you started wearing your lenses then the app tells you when they should be replaced. You can even add a reminder to your calendar – now that’s smart!

Contacts 101 is the section that has all the information you need about understanding your contacts, the different types of lenses, how to care for them and what type of solution to use. There are even videos on inserting and removing your lenses as well as an “Ask the Expert” section.

The final component titled “Dr. Info” is a place to record your eye care professional’s name, practice name and phone number. This way you’ll always have the information handy when it’s time to schedule your next appointment.

Whether you’re looking for a reminder when to change your contact lenses or simply just have a question about what solution to use, the LensFacts app is your go-to resource.

The app is available at the iTunes App Store for iOS 4.0 or later.

Posted in Dr. Tavel, Eye Exams, Eye Health | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Are E-Readers Okay for Your Eyes?

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Kim Heffner

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

You’ve probably seen electronic readers pop up all over lately. I wouldn’t mind getting one as a birthday present this year (wink, wink). But I’m wondering how reading on the screen will affect my eyes. I surely don’t want to be sitting in front of a computer screen anymore than I need to.

If you spend a significant amount of time starring at a screen (on your smart phone, computer or e-reader), you may suffer from computer vision syndrome (CVS). You might notice headaches, blurred vision, and eyestrain.

To prevent CVS, look for e-readers with electronic ink which has sharply defined type and is easy on the eyes. These types of devices compare most closely to reading on actual paper. Some versions have a backlit LCD screen, similar to a computer monitor. Your Indiana eye doctor recommends having a lamp on nearby even though those devices generate their own light.

No matter what, don’t forget the 20/20/20 rule! Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Posted in Dr. Tavel | Leave a comment

Steps to Avoiding Vision Loss for Women

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Kim Heffner

More than 3.6 million Americans age 40 and older suffer from visual impairment. Of those impacted, 2.3 million are women.

April is Women’s Eye Health Safety Month and Prevent Blindness America has several tips for women to keep their eyes healthy:

  • Get an Eye Exam: It’s important for women (and men!) to get an annual comprehensive eye exam from their Indiana eye doctor. An eye exam can detect more than just eye diseases!
  • Know Your Family History: Genetics plays a key role in eye disease. Research your family’s health history and notify your Indiana optometrist of any eye diseases that run in your family.
  • Eat Healthy: A diet rich in beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids can also help guard against vision loss from eye disease.
  • Take Supplements: Antioxidants have been shown to actually reduce the progression of some eye illnesses, including AMD. Vitamin A, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin C and zinc are good sources to help maintain eye health. But be sure you check with your eye doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements.
  • Quit Smoking: Smoking (even second-hand smoke) increases the risk of eye disease.
  • Wear UV Eye Protection: When venturing outdoors, wear brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses (Purifier® polarized lenses are the best!). UV rays are extremely dangerous to the eyes and have been linked to the development of cataracts and AMD later in life.

Share these tips with the women in your life!

Posted in Age-related Macular Degeneration, Dr. Tavel, Eye Diseases, Eye Exams, Eye Health | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What You Need to Know About Women’s Eye Health

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Kim Heffner

You probably discovered at a young age that your mom had eyes in the back of her head. (They can see everything. It’s unreal.) But did you know that women are affected by eye disease more than men? Two thirds of blind people are women.

Cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and even dry eyes are all more common in women than in men, according to VSP® Vision Care. The hormonal changes a woman experiences throughout her life are to blame for these eye diseases.

Hormonal fluctuations, fertility treatments and breast cancer treatments can cause increased eye sensitivity, dry eye and cataracts. Light sensitivity, vision loss and dry eyes can all be a result of diabetes.

Prevent Blindness America has designated April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month in an effort to encourage women to make their vision health a priority and schedule a dilated eye exam. Share this information with the women in your life to help them stay healthy!

Posted in Eye Exams, Eye Health | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

3 Ways to Help Your Child Adjust to His/Her New Glasses

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Kim Heffner

Getting your child to wear his/her new glasses can seem like trying to win a war. Here are several ideas on how to help him/her adjust to their new specs.

  1. Find the perfect pair. It’s essential to find a pair of glasses that flatter your child’s face shape. Make buying glasses a fun experience! Allow them to browse different styles, colors and shapes. The frame should be comfortable with the eye centered in the middle of the lenses. Be sure to ask for polycarbonate lenses – they are shatterproof and provide the best protection for your child.
  2. It’s all in the attitude. You, as the parent, should demonstrate a positive attitude towards your child’s new glasses. It’s ok to acknowledge that your child may feel strange for a few weeks, but that will quickly fade. Reinforce the need for your child to wear his/her glasses, but be sensitive that new things can make them feel awkward in front of their friends.
  3. Celebrate this new adventure. Don’t feel the need to splurge on an expensive first pair of glasses. Instead, save your money and treat your child to a movie, dinner or special night out to celebrate how well they handle the change. You want to make sure your child is responsible before you spend big bucks on designer eyewear.

The best thing you can do for your child is to be supportive during this transition. They can sense your feelings, so do everything you can to make them feel comfortable.

Posted in Children's Eye Health, Eyewear | Leave a comment