It’s not just a fashion statement; it’s a necessity if you live in Jacksonville, Florida. Everyone needs a pair of sunglasses that are fashionable, yes, but also of high quality to reduce ultraviolet rays that affect your eyesight.

Many of us in Jacksonville, Florida, enjoy being outdoors when the weather is good. Whether you’re on the golf course, beach, or cruising around on your bike, it’s important to protect your eyes when you’re outside.

The Dangers of “Cheap” Sunglasses

We all do it. When we’re at a gas station or discount store and see a sunglass sale: “Buy a pair for $1!” We stock up and think to ourselves, sunglasses are sunglasses, they all block the sun. But that’s not necessarily accurate.

Oftentimes, we see our clients come in with injuries sustained from low-quality sunglasses. Two of the most common injuries we treat are from the uneven lens surface and unqualified ultraviolent transmissivity. The first, uneven lens surface, triggers fatigue in the eyes while the second will hide the visible light but allow ultraviolent ray into the sunglasses. As the pupil expands due to the dim light, more ultraviolet ray is absorbed into the eye.

Essentially, sunglasses are an investment. Choose quality over price and you’ll be making an investment for your eyes. Protect them now, or pay a lot more in eye care bills later as you attempt to make up for the poor quality. When you see a sunglass sale in the middle of a gas station or discount store, just say no! Turn to Valuvision instead to find the right sunglasses to match your unique style while protecting your eyes from the harsh Florida sun.

The Twilight movie series is making news for something other than the tween heartthrobs. New reports from moviegoers suffering from seizures during the viewing is putting photosensitive epilepsy into the spotlight.

There is one scene in Twilight Breaking Dawn movie that is really affecting moviegoers around the world. It’s the birth of Edward and Bella’s baby that includes scenes of flashing white and red light, almost like a strobe light. Those flashes at the right frequency can cause neurons in the brain to start firing in a synch.

This isn’t the first time that a movie has caused seizures in patrons. In 1997, the Pokemon movie caused 700 Japanese cartoon viewers to be hospitalized because of a strobe-light-induced seizures.

While the birthing scene did cause seizures and raised some concerns, another moment in the movie has caused an equal amount of controversy. Dr. Robert Laureno, chair of neurology at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., said he went to the movie with his wife and wasn’t fazed by the strobe effect at all. However, he was affected by the blood and watched one fellow moviegoer fall to the floor.

“Personally, I don’t even remember the flashing lights,” he said. He does, however, remember the blood. In fact, his wife’s friend, a nurse, had to help a fellow Twilight fan who fainted during the gory scene.

Most movie developers will stear clear of flashing lights and frequencies that are known to induce seizures, however it’s important for filmmakers to add a disclaimer or modify the flash the frequency.

In conclusion, if you have not seen this film just yet, it’s important to be cautious of this situation and perhaps avert your eyes from the birthing scene should you feel as though you’re susceptible.

Flaxseed oil and fish oil have been proven to prevent or control dry eyes. Flaxseed oil contains high levels of an omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Upon digestion, it is converted into two different omega-3 fatty acids: EPA & DHA. These fatty acids are used throughout the body to protect cell membranes. Flaxseed oil is a natural alternative to help alleviate the discomfort of dry eyes.

What causes dry eyes?

Dry eyes are often caused by an imbalance in the tear-flow system of the eye. It can also be caused by situations that dry out the tear film, including dry air from air conditioning, heat, or other environmental conditions. There are a few other possible alternatives as to why you are suffering from dry eyes, including menopause, side effects to a medication, and diseases that include rheumatoid arthritis.

Flaxseed Oil Benefits

According to a 2006 study,a 2006 study showed that flaxseed oil may be as effective as commonly used dry eye medication doxycycline for the treatment of dry eye. The study compared oral flaxseed oil capsules (3,000 mg daily or 3 capsules a day) with the antibiotic doxycycline (100 mg twice a day) for the treatment of dry eye in patients who had undergone LASIK eye surgery. Eighty-one patients (152 eyes) were treated with either 3,000 mg daily of flaxseed oil or 100 mg twice daily of doxycycline for seven days before and after LASIK surgery.

Study results indicated that flaxseed oil was as effective as doxycycline in preventing dry eye after LASIK eye surgery. An added benefit is that flaxseed oil has fewer side effects than doxycycline, making it a good alternative.

(Colin C. K. Chan, M.D., and Brian S. Boxer Wachler, M.D.: 2006 annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery).

Flaxseed oil can be taken in a variety of form but the most common and simplest is orally. For better absorption, take flaxseed oil with liquids, cottage cheese, and yogurt.

According to Prevent Blindness America, one in four school-age children have vision problems, that if left untreated, can affect learning ability, personality and adjustment in school. In order to improve your child’s learning ability, it’s best to schedule a mid-year, back-to-school eye exam should you see any of the warning signs below.

Does your child do any of the following:

• Sit too close to the TV?
• Hold a book too close to the face?
• Squint or tilt his/her head to see better?
• Frequently rub his/her eyes?
• Closes one eye to read or watch TV?
• Avoids activities that requires near vision, including reading, homework, or recreational activities?
• Complains of headaches/tired eyes?
• Avoids the computer because it hurts his/her eyes?
• Receives lower grades despite exponential effort?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to schedule an eye exam for your child at Valuvision. One of our specialized, friendly eye care specialists performs a thorough evaluation of your child’s eye care needs to provide an educational and social advantage after the holiday break is over.

A new study reveals that seniors who take aspirin daily are twice as likely to develop late-stage macular degeneration than those who never take the pain reliever. The findings, published in Opthamology, is a major concern as Aspirin is a popular drug used daily to prevent heart disease in senior citizens.

The study was led by Researches Paulus de Jong at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience and Academic Medical Center. The researches collected health and lifestyle information of more than 4,700 people over the age of 65. Those research group included Norwegian, Estonian, British, French, Italian, Greek, and Spanish seniors.

Of the 839 people who take Aspirin daily, 36 of them had an advanced form of the disease called wet macular degeneration – or 4 out of every 100 daily Aspirin users.

The wet form of macular degeneration is caused by leaking blood vessels in the eyes that lead to vision loss in the center of the eye’s field of vision. The study concluded that Aspirin was only tied to the wet form, and not the dry form. The dry form of macular degeneration is considered to be more common and less severe.

To learn more about macular degeneration or this study, contact Valuvision today. Our eye doctors and eye care specialists will be happy to schedule an appointment with you to ensure your eyes are protected against any type of degenerative disease.

Remember that old pair of glasses your mom or your grandparents used to wear? They looked like cat eyes and you might of thought they were so nerdy. Well those horn-rimmed glasses are making a comeback. These old-school glasses have been around for quite some time, more than a century actually. These glasses became really popular in the 1940s. Superstars like Harold Lloyd and Buddy Holly brought these unique frames to the public eye and they style blew up. A famous duo that shot these frames to the top was the Blues Brothers. How could you forget those sunglasses? Everyone wanted to be “cool” like those two.

The name “horn-rimmed” glasses came from what the frames were made from horn and tortoise shell. Back in the days of Buddy Holly, these frames would have cost a fortune and having a pair proved wealth and social status. When the 1980s came around (along with Top Gun), horn-rimmed glasses disappeared and aviators became the new fashion statement to make with sunglasses. While horn-rimmed glasses were still somewhat in style for eyeglasses, they were not as big as they used to be.

When we come up to the early 90s, horn-rimmed frames started to come back around. Alternative culture fashion picked up on these frames. Punk, indie, emo, hipster and goth really brought these glasses back up to the surface and because these horn-rimmed frames looked “nerdy”, they were often worn by characters on shows and movies to amp up that “nerd” appeal.

What is great is that now-a-days, you can find these glasses on anyone and everyone. From Johnny Depp on the red carpet, to your neighbor down the street. When these glasses began being made in America, they became more affordable for everyone because they were being made out of plastic and special dye, which gave them that authentic look. Regardless of what they are made out of, these glasses are still fun and classy and are meant for just about everyone to wear. You can wear these glasses with your suit and tie, workout clothes, dresses or jeans and a t-shirt. Horn-rimmed glasses add a fresh look to anyone’s attire so don’t be scared of them, embrace them and know that you are not wearing just a trend, you are wearing a classic style.

Who needs three and four pairs of glasses? I suppose you might but if you can spare to not have a couple then you could try and help out someone that has poor vision too but cannot afford frames or lenses.

Something that we take for granted, others could only dream of. Having a new pair of glasses is like buying a car for some people in different countries. In other countries, some people would have to work for three months before they would be able to afford a new pair of basic, ordinary glasses. Glasses get tossed out for all sorts of reasons, out of fashion, old prescriptions, or sometimes we just lose them and have to get a new pair. Instead of throwing out those old spectacles, look up an organization of your choice on the internet that salvages old glasses and send your pair to them, You have no idea how much you are helping someone who cannot see, simply because they cannot afford to.

Did you know that Americans throw away more than four million pairs of eyeglasses every year? By donating your glasses you could be salvaging someone’s job. Perhaps that person cannot be a seamstress because they cannot afford glasses to see. Or perhaps a student is doing poorly in school because he cannot see the chalkboard due to poor vision.  There are so many circumstances that we don’t think about. By donating your old frames or lenses you could actually be changing someone’s life, just like that.

Donate your old sunglasses too. Sunglasses are a luxury to most people, so you can only imagine that if someone cannot afford eyeglasses they certainly cannot afford sunglasses. People would appreciate anything and if there are any frames that you can spare, you would be surprised what a world of difference and change you are giving someone less fortunate. We are all from different backgrounds and headed in different directions but everyone has the right to see where they are going.

Visit any of our Valuvision locations today to donate your old glasses to Operation Baja Vision.

Benefits of Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

Imagine if you had a fresh pair of contact lenses waiting for you each morning?  Or if you didn’t have to pack a lens case or bottle of contact lens care solution when you went on a trip?  What would this level of convenience be worth to you?  How about a dollar or less per day?  It doesn’t make sense not to when you think of the many benefits of daily disposable contact lenses.  And yet, daily disposable contact lenses are far less utilized in the US than they are in other countries.  In Europe and Asia they are the primary type of contact lens that is worn.  There are different brands of daily disposable contact lenses with benefits for everyone from teenagers to those who need multi-focal lenses or who want color contacts.

With daily disposable lenses, young patients and first-time wearers of contacts do not have to bother with following cleaning and storing procedures that are necessary for safe and comfortable wear with other disposable contact lenses.  Parents of these patients then do not have to worry that their son or daughter is not properly taking care of their contact lenses or doing harm to their eyes.  Daily disposables are fast and convenient and great for those patients who want to wear contacts only for sports or recreational activities or simply a night out.  Each time they want to wear their contacts, they do not have to worry about how long their pair has been sitting in solution and if they are still clean or not.

Disposable Contacts help with Allergies

Allergy sufferers can have problems with their contacts itching, feeling gritty, and drying out.  Some will not even try contacts or stop wearing them and switch to glasses because of this.  Sometimes, no matter how well these patients clean their lenses, they are not able to wear contacts comfortably for the full 2 week or monthly time period they are supposedly good for.  Daily disposable contacts greatly reduce the amount of protein and biofilm buildup on the lens surface which leads to uncomfortable lens wear and allergic conjunctivitis.  Allergic conjunctivitis can occur with a without contact lenses and can affect patients in spring and fall or throughout the year.  A more severe allergic reaction  that affects contact lens wearers is giant papillary conjunctivitis(GPC), in which bumps form under the eyelid from the mechanical action of the contact lens rubbing against it.  This is aggravated by the amount of buildup on a lens.  For this reason, daily disposable contacts are recommended to any patient who has had GPC or who is at risk of this happening.

Multifocal disposable contacts and color disposable contacts.

Cibavision® makes multi-focal and color contact lenses in daily disposable form.  This gives more freedom to those who normally have to wear reading glasses over their contacts.  Focus® Dailies® Progressives are also a good for progressive glasses wearers who want another option for near and far vision correction on special occasions.  This was, they don’t have to worry about paying a lot of money for one pair or a package of lenses they may only use once and lose or be unable to keep clean enough for a second time of wear.  Teenagers and adults who wear other brands of contact lenses most of the time but who want to change their eye color on occasion can try the Freshlook® One Day Color contact lenses for these times.  Both Focus® Dailies® Progressives and Freshlook® One Day Color are available in certain powers so check with your eye doctor to see if you can wear them.

Erin Mark, O.D.  (Sources on next page)

Sources:

Nixon GJ.  A Review of Contact Lens Modalities.  Cl Spectrum.  2006 Mar.  ( HYPERLINK “http://www.clspectrum.com/article.aspx?article=12967″ http://www.clspectrum.com/article.aspx?article=12967)

DeNaeyer GW.  Promoting Healthy Contact Lens Wear.  Review of Cornea and Contact Lenses.  2009 Nov.  ( HYPERLINK “http://www.arenaeyesurgeons.com/documents/arenaeyesurgeons/016_rccl1109_CE.pdf” http://www.arenaeyesurgeons.com/documents/arenaeyesurgeons/016_rccl1109_CE.pdf)

We’ve heard these three words time and time again growing up from parents and teachers. As soon as we get into something fun and adventurous the words start to echo in our ears: “wash your hands!”

We all know the importance of washing our hands prior to eating or after using the bathroom. We’ve seen the gruesome pictures of bacteria build up and how just a dollop of antibacterial soap can annihilate those little buggers. With that being said, it’s almost common knowledge that another important time to wash your hands is when you’re handling your contact lenses. However, some users still don’t take the time to add this necessary step to the application process.

In 2007, researched Ralph Stone and fellow scientists compared the handwashing activity of contact lens wearers. They analzyed the lenses for bacteria and seperated them between those that were handled by wearers who washed their hands before application and those that did not. They analyzed the lenses for bacteria and they found that lenses that were handled without handwashing contained, on average, nearly 10,000 bacterial colony-forming-units or CFUs.   However, lenses that were handled after handwashing only yielded an average of 2140 CFUs.    That’s nearly a 80% reduction in the amount of bacteria on a contact  lens, just by washing hands prior to lens handling.

So before you place your contact lenses in your eyes, it’s important to wash your hands thoroughly. In doing so, you’ll eliminate of myriad of bacteria and grime that can get trapped into your lenses and inevitably in your eyes.

Is it true that the color of your eyes can have a direct effect on your vision?

New studies show that those with lighter eyes tend to be more sensitive to light because lighter-colored eyes tend to have less pigment in the iris to protect them sunlight. As a result, those with light-colored eyes are at a greater risk of macular degeneration and other eye-related problems. However, whether that extends to vision is not clear.

If are differences in vision, it appears to be subtle. For instance, there is little to no evidence that darker eye color equals greater visual acuity. However, one theory holds that it does produce faster reaction times.

Studies have examined this through sports performance. First, at the University of Louisville, which found that dark-eyed people performed better at “reactive-type tasks.” Those tasks include hitting balls, playing defense in a football game, and boxing.

However, people with light eyes did better at “self-paced tasks,” like hitting a golf ball, throwing baseballs or bowling. A similar study of college students found that subjects with darker eyes performed better at hitting racquetballs.

Nothing is yet conclusive and eye colors is wholly dependent upon your reaction times. As research continues to come in, it’s clear to see that more research is needed (no matter what your eye color is.)