The following article was originally published in Review of Optometric Business on Dec 15, 2011

In an initial hiring interview, ask candidates questions that reveal the kind of person you may be adding to your practice’s team. Assess their social skills, temperament and ability to provide your patients with proper care.

If you agree that the individuals you select for your eyecare team are an integral ingredient to your practice’s success, read on. When I conduct job interviews I’m doing more than assessing whether the applicant has what it takes to perform the technical half of their work. It’s also crucial that the person will fit into my practice’s cultural environment, whether they will relate well to my other team members and, most significantly, how they will treat my patients. I’m not looking to hire employees. Rather my intention is to select team members who want to make this a career. The following are key characteristics I assess during job interviews and how I do it.

Resume
Is the applicant’s resume well organized? Are there any typos or grammatical errors in the body of the resume?  Is the resume limited to one page (or two at the most)? The resume is the one document the applicant is putting forth into the world that reflects who they are as a person. If it’s well-designed with attention to detail, then there usually is a good chance the applicant’s work habits will follow suit.

Attitude
An employee who knows how to do his work but takes no joy in that work or in helping patients is not an employee I will want to keep. For that reason, I assess attitude during job interviews. I ask the prospective employee why the job role she has applied to interests her, and I note whether she gives a generic response like “it seems like a great opportunity with lots of room for growth,” or whether she says something like this (for the role of optician): “I love customer service–I found at my last couple of jobs that I have a knack for helping people find what suits them best–and I’m very interested in fashion. Getting to work with people to find the right eyewear would bring together the two things, professionally speaking, that I love the most.”  Your applicants may not be that articulate, but reflect on the difference between a canned, generic response and a response that exhibits enthusiasm to the question of why apply to the job.

“Plays” Well With Others
No matter how gifted a salesperson or pre-testing technician an applicant is, I will not hire them if it is apparent that they will not get along with even one person on my team. I ask applicants questions about their work groups at previous jobs, including a story that illustrates their ability to collaborate with co-workers and to give an example of how he managed a conflict with a previous co-worker or employer. I might ask: “Shirley, I’m glad to hear you say that you enjoy collaborative work environments. Can you tell me a story from a previous job of how you successfully collaborated with co-workers to get a task done or make an improvement?” Few applicants are unintelligent and candid enough to tell you that they loathe working with others or still haven’t mastered the art of collaboration, so it is important to ask them to give you an example of how good they are at working with colleagues as well as how they managed a conflict, since there will be bumps along the road during any practice’s operation. The answers to these questions paint a picture of this individual and her emotional intelligence in a team environment.

Friendly, Open Personality
My employees don’t all have to be the life of the party, but I don’t want to hire anyone who is hard to talk to. Some employees may be better in one-on-one communication and others may excel at leading a trunk show, but they all need a friendly, upbeat personality. One of the tricks I’ve learned along the way is to watch the applicant’s response to the question, “Are you a habitual smiler?”  Watch for him to smile during the job interview and give more than yes and no or one-line answers to questions. For example, I might ask: “Would you be open to learning other skills besides opticianry, like maybe doing some training to help out with our pre-testing or pitch in with some of our administrative tasks?”  An answer of “Yes, that would be fine” is OK, but much better: “Sure, I would definitely be open to trying out different tasks. I really enjoy learning new skills and seeing what I’m good at. At my last job I was hired just to work at the check-out counter, but I ended up getting trained to be a personal shopper and found that I was very good at it.” Lastly, be aware of what your gut tells you. I’ve interviewed applicants that say everything I want to hear, but if I don’t get the intuition that she would meld well with my current team, she will not be hired.

Intelligent, Fast-Working Mind
Deliberation is great if you’re on a jury, but not so great if you have a handful of patients waiting to be served at the check-out desk or in the optical. It is not enough for the applicant to give intelligent answers; they also must show that their minds work fast. If it takes them a painful full minute before answering most of my questions, I might worry about their ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Applicants who quickly give shallow or insufficient answers don’t get any credit, but pay attention to how long it takes potential employees to respond who do end up giving great, detailed answers. A few moments of thought is understandable, but there should never be a long, awkward pause. If you sense awkward pauses during a job interview, a question is raised of whether the applicant will be able to converse in an intelligent way with ease with your patients.

Engaged and Attentive
I want applicants who make eye contact with me and give evidence that they are listening to what I say by nodding their heads and summing up or recapping what I just said, but I also want potential employees who are engaged enough to ask questions. Beware of the applicant who gives all the right answers to your questions but at the end of the interview has nothing further they would like to know.  For example, the applicant could ask:

“What is a typical work day like for someone in the job role I am interviewing for?”

“What are some of the improvements you are in the process of making in the office that the person you hire for this position could help with?”

“If you were hired to the position I am interviewing for, doctor, what would you find most challenging?”

“How many employees will I be working with and what will be working on together?”

“How long have most of those employees been working here?”

Your applicants may not be quite that curious, but a few intelligent questions peppered here and there throughout the interview or at the end of the interview, is a good sign that the applicant is an engaged participant in conversations.

Proper Grammar, Sense of Humor
Does the applicant use “ain’t” instead of “isn’t,” refer to dollars as “bucks” or refer to her child as “my kid” instead of “my son” or “my daughter”? If the majority of your patients speak in a similar fashion, those tendencies might be a plus, but the majority of practices are best served by employees who can speak in a polished manner. Your employees shouldn’t sound pretentious but they should sound educated and intelligent. Your patients are relying on your team for guidance. Would you want to take the guidance of a person who doesn’t seem educated or smart? That polish has to be balanced with a sense of humor. How often (if at all) does the applicant laugh during the interview? If you said something on the humorous side, did the applicant at least give you a perfunctory social laugh? Think about how awful it is to be a patient facing an optician, technician or receptionist who presents a stone face to them during conversation. You want employees who have enough personality and confidence to communicate with intelligence as well as warmth and good humor.

I hope this article has stimulated thought on your personal approach to hiring. Over the course of the year, my patients will spend more time interacting with my team than they will with me. I’ve been told I am picky about who I hire. I take that as a compliment, because to me, the single most important aspect of my office is my team. Our employees represent our practice and our practice’s brand in our community. They have a tremendous effect on the success or failure of any practice as well as the doctor’s level of stress and ability to delegate. Being selective about who I hire has paid off in spades!  Happy Hunting

Have you ever thought that to save a little money, you’d wear your one month contact lens for two months? Three months? Have you ever been so tired at night that you decide sleeping in your contacts is easier than taking them out? What about sleeping in them for a month? Have you ever stored your contacts in something other than fresh, sterile contact lens solution?

Good idea!  If you want your eyes to look like this, that is:

Read on to find out what easy steps you can take to prevent this from happening to you.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis

The picture above shows a condition known as Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis or GPC. GPC causes the inner surface of the eyelid to become irritated and inflamed. Large, painful bumps appear on the underside of the eyelid. GPC is most commonly related to wearing contact lenses. It occurs both in patients who use soft contacts as well as rigid gas permeable lenses (hard contacts), but it occurs much more frequently in soft contact lens wearers. The condition can appear even after wearing contacts successfully for many years with no problems, and only rarely occurs in people who are not contact lens wearers (someone who wears an artificial eye or who has exposed sutures in their eye are also at risk).

http://www.canovision.com/info/papilary.htm

Corneal Ulcers

A painful condition of the eye known as a corneal ulcer can be caused by bacterial infections, trauma to the eye,  AND by misuse of contact lenses. It requires many painful (and expensive) doctor visits for treatment, sometimes surgery, and can still leave you with partial vision loss, not to mention that you probably won’t be able to wear contact lenses again. A patient wearing contact lenses and taking them out every day has (on average) a 1 in 10,000 chance of developing a corneal ulcer. Sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk to 1 in 1,000. But you say “I sleep in my contact lenses all the time and haven’t ever had a problem!” When patients say this, we at Envision Eyecare say “and once you have had an infection, corneal abrasion or corneal ulcer once, you’ll never sleep in them (or maybe even wear them) again”. Take into account the time, pain, and expense that the woman described below must have experienced in her treatment for a corneal ulcer (her eye is the one pictured to the right).

“This 30 year-old woman was a contact lens wearer. She developed a painful left eye a week ago and was treated at the polyclinic. Despite taking the [prescribed] eye drop religiously, the pain and the vision worsened. Corneal scrap was performed for culture and the patient was admitted for intensive topical gentamicin and cefuroxime. She responded well and was discharged after five days. The culture grew Pseudomonas aeurginosa. This organism is the most common cause of bacterial ulcer amongst contact lens users.”

picture and text taken from http://www.sarawakeyecare.com/Atlasofophthalmology/anteriorsegment/Anteriorsegment29pseudomonascornealulcer.htm

Bacterial Infections

Many of these painful conditions attributed to contact lens wear are caused by a bacterial infection. Imagine, if you will, a scratch on your hand becomes slightly infected. Instead of going to the doctor for treatment and keeping the scratch clean, you continue to wrap a piece of plastic wrap around it. Day after day you put this plastic on it and each night you keep the plastic in a bowl of dirty, slimy water. Sometimes you leave the plastic on for days at a time, allowing no oxygen in and keeping bacteria warm, moist, happy, and fed. Imagine what the scratch would look like after a few days. This situation (while a little extreme) is similar to what happens to your eye when you continue to put a damaged, dirty contact lens on your eye. Bacterial infections occur, scratches happen from lenses that have been worn too long or do not fit properly, and quite suddenly, you have a major problem on your hands (or your eyes rather…).

Why Does My Prescription Only Last 12 Months?

The U.S. Government requires that a prescription for contact lenses expire after 12 months. This is to insure that your eyes are still healthy enough to wear contact lenses, and moreover, to be sure that the lens and prescription that you are wearing is still working for your eyes. Contact lenses that do not fit properly or that are worn for too long can cause more than just discomfort or blurry vision.  There are times when a contact lens wearer has no irritation or vision loss, yet has complications (of which he/she is unaware) that can cause have lifelong consequences. By design, your contact lenses will begin to disintegrate and degrade after the specified wear period. Over time, the worn edges can cause tiny painful scratches on your cornea known as corneal abrasions.  This injury is yet another that requires extensive treatment from your optometrist or ophthalmologist who will want to see you multiple times until your eye has healed. In the same way that your doctor writes an expiration date on your medication, the 12 month prescription is written to prevent complications in contact lens wear.

How Do I Prevent These Nasty, Painful Problems?

Glad you asked! Wearing contact lenses takes a certain amount of responsibility on the part of the patient. Because they are so convenient and common, we sometimes forget that we are dealing with a medical device that could potentially cause harm to our eyes. Fortunately, taking care of your contact lenses is easy!! The bottom line is that a few minutes on the front end can save you much time, pain, and medical cost on the back end. Here’s what to do.

• Clean your lenses properly every time you take them out (see below for a refresher)
• Replace your lenses in a timely fashion (that means replace them when your doctor has advised you to do so)
• Do NOT sleep in your lenses (unless otherwise advised by your doctor)
• Use only fresh, sterile solution for cleaning and storing your lenses
• Have a yearly eye health exam and contact lens fit EVERY YEAR to be sure that your eyes are still healthy enough to wear contact lenses without complications, and to check for prescription changes
• Do not wear your contact lenses when you’re sick or when your eyes feel irritated
• If you experience discomfort or irritation, remove your contact lenses immediately and call your optometrist
• Try and give your eyes 18-20 hours of awake contact-free time during the week. Your eyes need open eye oxygen exposure for healthy function. (putting them in an hour or so later in the morning and taking them out an hour or so earlier in the evening is a great way to do this)

On Cleaning Your Lenses

At Envision Eyecare, every new contact lens wearer is given training on inserting and removing contact lenses AND on how to properly clean their lenses at night. If you use a hydrogen peroxide solution to clean your lenses, carefully follow the instructions for rinsing and storing your lenses in the specially designed case for a minimum of six hours. If you use a traditional solution (Opti-Free, Renu, etc.), you should be doing the following:

• WASH YOUR HANDS
• Take the contact lens out of your eye and place in the palm of your hand
• Put a few drops of solution on the surface of each side of the lens and rub gently for 20 seconds
• Holding the lens gently between your fingers, rinse both sides of the lens well with fresh solution
• Fill your clean case with fresh solution (leftover solution is already contaminated with bacteria)
• Store lenses in closed case for the minimum required time for your particular solution
• When putting lenses back in, take lens out of the case with clean hands, rinse with solution, and insert
• DO NOT store lenses in anything other than sterile solution in a clean case (saline does not disinfect your lenses)
• Rinse out your case with solution after each use (water can carry bacteria), and REPLACE case every three months (cases build up a biofilm of bacteria over time that can infect your lens)

15% or More!

Over-wearing your contacts, not cleaning them properly, or sleeping in them when you shouldn’t can be the cause of many eye problems from bacterial infections to vision loss. Five minutes spent paying attention to the prescribed contact lens regimen from your doctor at the appointment, five minutes spent cleaning your lenses properly before you put them in the case for the night, and five minutes reading this blog reminding you of why it is so important to replace your lenses on time and clean your lenses properly will be your first line of defense against developing painful eye infections, irritations, or problems that could not only require extensive and potentially expensive treatment, but that could also prevent you from ever wearing your contact lenses again.

To me, that sounds like an even better deal than saving 15% on my car insurance!

Oh. One last thing. Don’t even think about putting your contact lenses in your mouth. With the amount of bacteria in there, that should go without saying…

There was a recent (and very interesting) NPR spot on the importance of cleaning contact lenses properly (including what some people in a recent study were found to be storing their lenses in (beer, fruit juice, butter)…)  You can listen to the story or read the transcript by clicking the link below.

http://www.npr.org/2012/01/09/144885344/why-contact-lens-hygiene-is-important-to-eye-safety

Welcome everyone to the 2011 year’s end celebration and extravaganza!  Many thanks to Josh Bailey for providing the venue and making it a unique experience.

When I look back at our 2011, I’m astonished at what a year it has been.  What we have accomplished as individual team members and as a collective team is nothing short of amazing.  I find that  it can be easy to lose sight of the big picture during day to day work.  Let’s take a step back for a moment and take a bird’s eye view at the many changes and advancements that our small, private optometry practice has seen.

Technology/Software category:  ECR vault, Eyemaginations, The Edge, Solution Reach, six computers, one printer, two servers

Optometry Equipment category: MPOD, Visionix AK, AR, Topographer, Abberometer, new exam room equipment

Office improvement category:  New workspace in lab, three new workstations

Team Category:  Jeni ABO certification, added Tricia and Bonnie–both terrific additions, lost Lauren to a good cause

Marketing Category: Social Media expansion, two trunk shows (most successful),  of all the Asheville eye care practices, Envision has the most google reviews and highest ranking

Awards/Honors Category: WNC Best of Eye Care 2011, 2011 Optometric Innovators, Five Cleinman Performance Partners Awards, Envision Eyecare is Living Wage Certified with Just Economics

I’ve seen you all grow and expand in the past year.  Observing how each of you show up and are present each day, I’m reminded of a quote from “The Prophet,” by Kahlil Gabran.  He says, “Always you have been told that work is a curse and labor a misfortune.  But I say you work that you may keep pace with the soul of the earth.  And in keeping with labor, you are in truth loving life.  And all work is empty save when there is love.  And when you work with love you bind yourself to yourself, and to one another, and to your higher power. It is to charge things you fashion with your own spirit.  Work is love made visible.”

 I’d like to share my observations noticed in the past year for each of you in your work.

Jess: You have managed to maintain day-to-day operations skillfully and with precision so that your teammates, patients, and I have what we need.  You have a firm grasp on what this organization needs to be successful from an operation and financial perspective, and you consistently do what is needed toward that end.  I’m excited to watch your skills continue to evolve into 2012.   On a daily basis, it’s clear that you pour your heart, love, and soul into this organization.

 Jeni: ABO certification is obvious, but that is only the tip of the iceberg with you.  You have taken on the task of lab management.  How you keep that whirlwind of a room organized is a mystery to me.  You have increased your speed and efficiency in nearly everything you do—that benefits you and all of us to boot.  You are always willing to be whisked out of the lab to lend a hand at a moment’s notice making  it obvious that you care deeply for your team. You also laugh at everything I say, and that’s a lot of fun.

Maria: Although you couldn’t be here tonight, it’s important to honor your contributions nonetheless.  You have added to your skill set insurance specialist.  Even when traveling the country bringing smiles to theatre patrons, you are logging in and contributing to Envision.  You have also helped us expand our social media reach into our community with creative contests on Facebook, well-written blogs, and consistent tweets.  We look forward to having you back in the office once again.

Lauren: I’ve watched you come from the hospitality industry with notable social skills and then expand your skill set to become an exceptional technician, capable IT facilitator and community outreach rock star.  For the next several years I’m going to have to hear patients say, “What happened to Lauren? She did such an amazing job!”  Sometimes it’s hard to know how we truly affect our patients’ lives.  I’ve heard it said that my job as a leader is to develop a person and then send them out into the world to continue challenging and developing themselves. My hope is that you will be able to use some of the skills learned at EEC to further broaden your talents.  We hope that you won’t be a stranger and will visit often.

Tricia: You have stepped gracefully into Tanya’s role as optician without missing a beat.  Wow, have you ever learned a tremendous amount about eyewear and eye care.  Your skills with communication and compassion have helped set our patients at ease so they can be open to making good decisions about their eyewear. The experience you bring to our practice from previous careers and life experience is an asset to Envision–your input and perspective has helped us make good decisions on difficult topics.  We all appreciate the willingness you’ve displayed to go above and beyond when the need arises.  Lastly, your calm demeanor is an asset to us all, especially at times when there are a lot of plates spinning during days of patient care.

Bonnie: Although you have been with us only a short while, several of your attributes are readily apparent.  You have a strong work ethic.  When I’ve asked you to do something, it seems like it is completed before I have time to turn around.  Unasked, you look for things to do to help your teammates wherever you can lend a hand.  You consistently greet patients before they reach the front counter with a warm smile and friendly disposition.  With limited eye care experience, you are willing to place yourself in less than comfortable situations to challenge yourself and become more effective more quickly.  We are all glad to have you aboard.

We have a special place here.  Just today, a patient commented how she had a poor night’s sleep the night before and was in a bad mood when she arrived at our office.  She then said her day had already improved.  Of course, I had to ask her why!  She said “Because when I got here I stepped into a good environment with lots of attention.”  She knew she would be taken care of and appreciated and that she was in place where people knew who she was.  “It’s a lovely thing.”

There are times when our office is full of wonderful patients, and watching you all manage their needs with a kind, efficient, and effective intention is magical.  Each day you are making people’s lives better.  Remember that when times are stressful, you not only make practice at Envision possible, you make it proliferate and shine.  At a personal level, you enrich my life with your positive attitudes, your unique individuality, and a belief in the moral benefit and importance of work and its inherent ability to strengthen character. Thank you for all that you do.

A look at 2012:  As we continue to gain momentum in the year to come, we will have an even greater impact on our community by serving a greater number of patients.  We look toward 2012 with hopes of finding a permanent home for Envision.  We will continue to find innovative ways to deliver top tier care by improving our systems.  We will continue to support our community through donating eye care, donating to worthy causes, and helping our patients in times of need.  We welcome Mark Hinton into the fold.  We are extremely fortunate to have his years of wisdom and experience, his expertise and intention, and as his ability to make each day fun and engaging.  In my opinion, it is an exciting time for our practice.

I said it last year at this time and I’ll say it again now, “Our future is so bright we have to wear UV/HEV shades!”

Larry Golson, OD is an Eye Doctor in Asheville, NC

The people at highest risk for sun related problems include: children, outdoor workers, and snow sports enthusiasts because they tend to spend longer hours outdoors and in conditions that create the most exposure to ultraviolet radiated light. While everyone should take the proper precautions, there are special considerations that can be taken depending on your risk factors. Take a look at the facts and tips below to find out why using high quality sunglasses in the winter could be some of the best protection you can give your eyes.

Important for Parents:

• Exposure to ultraviolet radiation in childhood may be more damaging than exposure in adulthood. It is cumulative, as it is to skin.
• Children’s eyes need to be protected. They are more prone to sun damage because their natural lenses are clearer.
• Wearing sunscreen on the face and around the eyes adds another layer of protection against ultraviolet radiated light.
• It is important for parents to understand the danger of ultraviolet light, and the importance of protecting children’s eyes now, when it will offer the most benefit. Polycarbonate and Trivex lens materials offer built-in ultraviolet protection. Trivex lenses offer the added benefit of being the most shatter-proof lens on the market today. Even if a child does not require a prescription, using plano (zero powered) polycarbonate or Trivex lenses offers excellent protection. Frames suitable for children’s faces are widely available.

Important for skiers and other people who spend time outdoors in winter:

• Snow reflects more ultraviolet radiation than any other surface.
• If you participate in wintertime outdoor sports, you may be at risk for “snow blindness”, which can be painful and temporarily impairing to the vision.
• The highest ultraviolet exposure occurs during light overcast conditions where the horizon is visible and ground surface reflection is high (such as snow covered conditions).
• In snowy conditions, ultraviolet rays are reflected upward, hitting you from above and below. Up to 85% of ultraviolet rays may be reflected up into your eyes.
• Ultraviolet is more damaging at higher altitudes because the air filters out roughly 4% less radiation for every 1,000 feet above sea level. At 5,000 feet, a typical elevation for U.S. ski resorts, you are exposed to 20% more ultraviolet radiation.
• Outdoor workers frequently are exposed to ultraviolet levels that are above the current safe exposure limits.
• Skiers and snowboarders must wear sunglasses or goggles to protect eyes from ultraviolet light. Goggles protect the entire ocular area from injury, so they are the most highly advised during outdoor winter sports. They can be obtained with or without a prescription from your optometrist.
• “Snow blindness”, or photokeratitis, is similar to flash burn.  This is due to an excessive exposure of ultraviolet light onto the cornea. Skiers, snowboarders, and those who live in cold, snowy regions and spend time outdoors, are at increased risk for photokeratitis.

Important for Everyone:

• During winter months, the sun sits at a lower angle in the North American sky than in the summer months, which may expose people to more ultraviolet radiated wavelengths and excessive glare. These risks may be just as significant on gray, overcast winter days as on clear days. Spending long periods of time outdoors increases the risk. Just because the sun is not as intense or hot as it is in the summer does not mean skin and eye damage will not occur or that a person does not need protection.
• If you live in, or are visiting a winter climate, you are likely to be at increased risk for significant and dangerous glare while driving.
• Ocular tissues are more vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation- induced damage than skin.
• Age-related cataract, age-related macular degeneration, pterygium, photokeratitis (“flash burn”), and cancer of the eyelids and skin around the eyes are examples of ultraviolet sunlight-related eye diseases.
• The risk of all sunlight-related eye diseases can be diminished by use of eye wear that absorbs ultraviolet radiation during exposure to sunlight. Polarization eliminates blinding glare, and contrary to popular convention, does not impair ability to determine ice, while skiing.
• Anti-reflective treatments and polarizing filters decrease glare, but polarization alone does not block ultraviolet light.
• Ultraviolet filters on contact lenses are important, but do not fully protect the eyes. Contact lens wearers should wear high quality sunglasses to protect the entire eye area.
• OTC sunglasses are loosely regulated and may absolutely increase potential to damage the eye, as the eye dilates behind darkened lenses, allowing more ultraviolet radiated light to enter the eyes.
• Certain drugs may make the eyes more sensitive to light. Follow your eye doctor’s advice. Be sure to read drug labels and take appropriate precautions.
• It is important to never look directly at the sun, or even to look at reflections of the sun off of water, ice, or snow, as this can directly damage the retina. The retina is like the sensor of the camera and may not recover.
• Intra-ocular lens implants resulting from cataract surgery often include ultraviolet filter. Nevertheless, sunglasses will protect the parts of the eye not protected by the ultraviolet absorptive implants.

A few more things to keep in mind:

• High exposure to ultraviolet radiation will likely cause a corneal burn within one hour, although symptoms may not appear for six to 12 hours, like sunburn to skin.
• Symptoms include excessive tearing, pain, redness, swollen eyelids, pain when looking at light, headache, a gritty sensation expressed as sand thrown into the eyes, and blurred vision.
• Treatment may include patching the affected eyes with antibiotic ointment or solution. The cornea will regenerate spontaneously within 24 to 48 hours. The cumulative damage will manifest after years within the aging process.
• Prevention is much easier and less costly than treatment in the case of photokeratitis.
• Brown Polarized sun lenses are favored during winter months, for best contrast and protection.

Two eyes are all you get. Proper eyewear and high quality sunglasses are inexpensive insurance, for life!

]]> http://blog.myenvisioneyecare.com/2011/10/31/a-little-envision-halloween-tradition/feed/ 0 http://blog.myenvisioneyecare.com/2011/10/18/giveaways-specials-on-eyewear-beauty-through-cancer/ http://blog.myenvisioneyecare.com/2011/10/18/giveaways-specials-on-eyewear-beauty-through-cancer/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:19:20 +0000 envisioneyecare http://blog.myenvisioneyecare.com/?p=648 Have you heard?? This Thursday, Oct 20th from 2-7pm, we’ll be hosting our semi-annual trunk show. The special thing about this particular event is that we’ll be having a raffle for items donated by some of our favorite local businesses. All the proceeds from the raffle will benefit Beauty Through Cancer, a local organization that supports cancer patients and their families through treatment and recovery.

The raffle prizes include…

 -gift certificates to local eateries including Avenue M, Old Europe, Farm and Sparrow Bakery, and the walking food tour Eating Asheville

- a gift certificate for a floor cleaning from Five Step Carpet Care

-a new haircut and style with Colleen Webster from Ananda Hair Studio

-a round of golf for four at The Grove Park Inn

-outdoor gear from Black Dome

-books from Malaprops

- massage and acupuncture sessions from The Center for Holistic Medicine

-jewlery from Instant Karma

-an iPod Shuffle from Charlotte Street Computers

Pick the prizes you’d like to have a chance at winning, stop by on October 20th, buy some tickets and cross your fingers! You’ll be supporting a great cause and might win something special too!

Come join us for refreshments and lots of fun! While you’re here, be sure to check out the great eyewear and sun wear lines that we’ll be featuring. We’ll have specials on glasses, sunglasses and contacts as well as lens and frame giveaways!

For more information about the trunk show, give us a call at 828.254.6757 OR visit Envision’s Trunk Show on Facebook!  We hope to see you on Thursday!

1) Saumon aux lentilles. Preventing macular degeneration? Oui Oui! Try this delicious and classic French combination for a double doe of eye disease fighting nutrients like folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin D and lots of Omega-3 fatty acids. Even if you aren’t a lentil lover, try the green lentils in this recipe and be surpised at the creamy texture and rich flavor! Be sure that your salmon is sustainably harvested and your lentils organic, and you’ve got a plate full of cancer fighting, eye healthy food that is also good for the planet!

2) Vegetarians and vegans need healthy eyes too! The Scarborough Tofu Burger is so delicious you not only won’t miss the meat, you won’t have to worry about your eyes! This homeade veggie burger is packed full of herbs, nuts and seeds that will protect your baby blues (or greens or browns…) like Medieval armor! Sunflower seeds are the biggest surprise in these and with tons of selenium, you’ll be enjoying your lunch and preventing cataracts with every bite. Pile on some sliced avocado (which has more lutein than any other fruit, as well as essential fatty acids) and you’ll be battling macular degeneration too. All without an ounce of meat!

3) For the “localvores”. You can find a Farmer’s Market nearly every day of the week in the great city of Asheville. This means you should be able to find nearly every ingredient for this colorful, flavorful, eye healthy meal locally (from onions and squash to bacon and basil)!! If you like, substitute the spinach in this dish for some fresh kale and you’ve got an even more goodness (could it be possible?!)! Corn with Winter Squash, Spinach and Bacon combines some of my favorite seasonal foods as well as tons of vitamin A, vitamin C, selenium, lutein, zeaxanthin and beta carotene! Even if you can’t pronounce every nutrient in this super easy fall dinner, you can be sure that you’ve got a forkful of the nutrients that doctors recommend most for prevention of age related eye diseases, cataracts, and for better night vision!

4) Have a main dish in mind but looking for that perfect, eye catching side to complement it? Look no further than this super tasty take on broccoli. Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Red Pepper combines good looks, good flavor and some of the most eye healthy nutrients (vitamin C, selenium, quercetin, and zeaxanthin) to create one heckuva dish! Easy to make and perfect to accompany all sorts of meats, fish, or just to enjoy in a big bowl or right off the pan! Be careful though, it’s addicting

5) Finally, no menu is complete without dessert! Now, I know what you’re thinking, and I am not going to suggest a recipe for an “eye healthy fruit cup” or for some granola bar that pretends to be dessert. My friend, dessert is one of the great inventions on this earth, and I enjoy every bite of it (rich, indulgent and in moderation).    For a stunning dessert that will keep your eyes as healthy as your spirit, try a Ginger and Pink Grapefruit Cheesecake. This jewel-toned cake is chock full of vitamin A, beta carotene, calcium, zinc, lutein and vitamin D! With ginger, grapefruit and eggs, it has turned super food for the eyes into a treat worthy of your most formal entertaining.

As you can see, fresh seasonal ingredients can be the first line of defense for your eyes. Protection and prevention are the best steps that you can take to avoid eye diseases like macular degeneration and glaucoma. To treat your eyes to the best care possible, combine a good diet, sunglasses that protect from UV and HEV light, and yearly eye health exams. If you are diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease, we can be an active part in your treatment and will do all we can to treat and prevent further damage to your eyes. Lastly, one of the best things about eating well for your eyes is that you’re also eating well for your body! The foods and nutrients mentioned above are some of the best for fighting cancer, stroke and heart disease. Here at Envision Eyecare, we recognize that your entire body health effects your eye health. We want you to eat well and treat your body well! If you have questions about your eye health, eating well for eyes, or if there is anything else that we can assist you with, feel free to contact us at 828.254.6757. We’re here for you!

***We’d also love to hear if you try any of these recipes and what you think of them!! All the recipes listed here have been taken from epicurious.com. The recipe links will take you to that website.***

–Maria Buchanan works part-time at Envision Eyecare and loves creating healthy, tasty food for herself and her husband.

Dr. Larry Golson, owner of Envision Eyecare, was selected as a 2011 Optometric Business Innovator by “Review of Optometric Business” and “Vision Monday” magazines. The practice was cited for creative marketing, digital media, business management and patient experience approaches.

The office is at 180 Charlotte St. in Asheville.

A common condition known as amblyopia (lazy eye) is one of the key conditions that can be prevented if its underlying cause can be diagnosed and treated early.

The main causes of amblyopia are:

1.  One eye being more farsighted than the other. Children are not aware of this because the more normal of the two eyes will simply take over.

2.  One eye having more astigmatism (when the eye is shaped more like an oval football than a spherical basketball) than the other.  The better eye takes over in this case also.

3.  One eye being turned in or out relative to the straight eye.  Family members of the child often detect crossed or deviated eyes.

Since casual observation will not detect that something is amiss in the first two causes, a thorough examination by an eye doctor is the only way a proper diagnosis can be made.

Amblyopia, and the conditions that lead to it, are unilateral in nature—meaning only one eye is affected.  While most people with amblyopia function well in life, their depth perception decreases, and this may restrict their choice of occupation to some degree.  An important factor to keep in mind is that a person with good eyesight in only one eye should always wear impact-resistant eyeglasses to protect the good eye.  This is true even if there is no prescription in the lenses.

Why is it so important to diagnose the conditions that can lead to amblyopia by age three or four?  The central nervous system (specifically the occipital cortex tissues in the back of the brain) can be stimulated and enhanced in children until six to eight years old, thus their vision can more likely be improved. This is especially important for a child’s education and development. Sadly, and far too often, children with amblyopia are not brought into the eye doctor’s office until they realize they see poorly out of one eye.  If the child is older than seven or eight, there is little that can be done to improve his or her vision.  Studies have shown that children who are successfully treated for eye problems show increased performance in school. With 80% of a child’s learning occurring through the visual system, the significance of treating a condition like amblyopia cannot be overstated. It is for this reason that many states require comprehensive eye exams for children in school. However, it must be stressed that vision screenings are not standardized and that it is not uncommon for a condition important to your child’s visual development to be missed. Three states: Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky require a full eye health examination for school children; this is a standardized evaluation from a licensed optometrist that checks for eye health as well as potential vision problems.

The two-step treatment of amblyopia is relatively straightforward.  First, precision-matched eyeglasses are prescribed to fully correct the vision in each eye.  This provides clear, crisp images focused on the retina in the back of the eye.  These sharp images are then transmitted to the optic nerve to reach the occipital cortex where special vision cells are sufficiently stimulated so that they can develop to their fullest potential.

The second step in treating amblyopia is to selectively patch the “good” (stronger) eye.  This forces the weaker eye (the amblyopic eye) to begin to be used more.  This forced use of the amblyopic eye is what stimulates the specialized vision cells in the brain to develop properly, thereby allowing good vision development in both eyes.  Usually, special dilating drops are used by the doctor to determine the exact prescription for the child.  Of course, every patient with amblyopia is unique, so the duration and outcome of patching therapy will vary depending on the visual status of each patient.

Here are some behaviors that might be observed in young children with potential vision problems:

• Frequent eye rubbing
• Excessive blinking
• Squinting
• Covering or closing one eye
• Stumbling over small objects

Any of these activities should prompt a visit to the eye doctor, but even if no such behaviors are seen, each child should have a comprehensive eye exam by age three or four.

To facilitate awareness and detection of early childhood eye conditions, Envision Eyecare provides complimentary eye screenings for infants between six and twelve months of age as part of the American Optometric Association’s Infant See program.

If you have any questions about eye health exams for children or to schedule a yearly eye health exam for you or for your child, please call us at 828-254-6757.

Your Envision Eyecare Team

“Envision Eyecare, 180 Charlotte St, won three national awards at the Cleinman Performance Partners Meeting in Dallas, Texas.  The locally owned optometry practice headed by Dr. Larry Golson won awards for Best Practice “Pearl,” best growth in collections and Highest Growth in the Foresight Group of optometry practices.  Visit myenvisioneyecare.com or call 254-6757.”

We are both humbled and proud (is it possible to be both simultaneously?  ;)