304 W. Houghton, PO Box 128, West Branch MI 48661, 989-345-2020
NEW HOURS STARTING JANUARY 2010
Monday < 10:00 - 5:30 >
Tuesday and Thursday < 8:00 - 7:00>
Wednesday and Friday < 8:00 - 5:00 >
Saturdays < 8:00 - 12:00 >
Call 345-2020 for an appointment.
Same day appointments may be available.
WHAT'S NEWS?
The Michigan Optometric Association encourages people to follow the recommendations below, which will go a long way in maximizing productivity while minimizing discomfort while surfing the Web, editing a document or sending an e-mail.
· Give It A Rest: Remember the 20-20-20 rule. At least every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. The Eye-Q® survey found that the majority of Americans don't follow this rule; more than half (59 percent) take breaks every hour, or less frequently.
· Size Up: Smaller screens on hand-held devices usually favor tiny type that challenges vision. Instead of bringing the screen closer to the eyes, increase the font size so the device can be used at a distance that is more comfortable.
· Sharpen Up: Better resolution offers greater clarity and usually more comfort. Adjust the brightness of the screen to a comfortable intensity, neither too bright nor too dim.
· Reduce Glare: Hand-held devices present challenges in various lighting conditions. When possible, try to make sure lighting is not directly behind the head or in front. Try to reduce glare, which may ease reading and can make a bigger difference than increasing the font.
· Look Down: Since it's easier on the eyes to focus on reading material that is below eye level, position a computer monitor or hand-held device slightly below eye level.
The Michigan Optometric Association recommends parents contact their optometrist if their child frequently:
- Loses place while reading
- Avoids close work
- Tends to rub eyes
- Has headaches
- Turns or tilts head
- Makes frequent reversals when reading or writing
- Uses finger to maintain place when reading
- Omits or confuses small words when reading
- Consistently performs below potential
- Struggles to complete homework
- Squints while reading or watching television
- Has behavioral problems
- Holds reading material closer than normal
Tips for Allergy Season: Although common, giving up contact lens wear during allergy season is often unnecessary. Judicious use of specific ocular medications, as well as switching to other types of contact lenses for limited periods during times of heightened allergic symptoms, or perhaps permanently, may allow continued wearing of contacts. Here are a few tips I would recommend to assist your allergy patients who would like to stay in their contacts:
1. Avoid specific antigens. Avoid pollen by wearing wrap-around and closely-fitted sunglasses. Drive with windows closed and the air-conditioner on, and use only high-grade filters for the home A/C system. Reduce pet dander, which is highly allergenic, by keeping pets out of the bedroom and off the bed. Avoid early-in-the-day outdoor activities when pollen levels are highest, and leave the lawn mowing to someone else.
2. Dilute and flush antigens. Use frequent lens lubricants or in-eye lubricant-cleaners. Wash hands and face and shampoo hair more frequently. Reduce exposure to dust mites by more frequent laundering of bed linens at high temperatures.
3. Daily. Wear only daily disposable lenses during allergy season if at all possible, and steer clear of extended wear too during periods of high antigen exposures.
4. Modify lens care. For those who cannot use dailies, emphasize rubbing of lenses prior to disinfection to decrease antigen load and consider switching to hydrogen peroxide systems.
5. Avoid eye-rubbing to reduce the mechanical release of inflammatory mediators. Use cold compresses for itching.
6. Allergy Mantra: "OTCs are not for me!" Most allergy sufferers are likely to overuse OTCs and with vasoconstrictors may wind up with "rebound hyperemia." Prescription medications used judiciously, on a "bid" basis, before and after lens wear, are typically much better.
7. And what about Meds? The early spring is the right time to start allergy medications, even before severe symptoms strike. For most lens wearers, a combination antihistaminic-mast cell mediator topical eye drop is useful throughout prime allergy months. For severe allergies topical steroids can be added, if necessary, but use only the "soft-steroid" loteprednol products and limit their use to short periods, relying on the combo agents for regular allergy control. OTC oral agents may concurrently be prescribed to further control allergic symptoms, but may lead to greater dryness complaints.
LANSING, Mich. - (April 1, 2009) - Pink is generally a well received color, it's soft and calming. However, Michigan Optometric Association doctors want to bring awareness to one pink item that no one likes - pink eye.
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an inflammation or infection of the thin transparent layer of tissue lining the inner surface of the eyelid and covering the white of the eye. It can be caused by allergic reactions, chemicals (like chlorine and smoke), and sexually transmitted diseases (like chlamydia and gonorrhea). However, the most common types of pink eye - viral or bacterial conjunctivitis - are very contagious.
"Once someone has pink eye, it can be spread very easily between classmates, coworkers, family members and anyone living in close quarters," said Lee Newton, O.D., MOA member. "Many people aren't aware that pink eye can also develop from one's own skin or respiratory system, insects, poor hygiene or by using contaminated makeup and face lotions."
The best way to prevent spreading pink eye to others is through good hygiene. The following are some good practices to follow for those who contract pink eye and the people around them:
See your optometrist immediately for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.Don't touch contaminated eyes.
Wash hands thoroughly and frequently.
Change towels and washcloths daily and don't share them with others.
Discard eye cosmetics, particularly mascara.
Don't use anyone else's eye cosmetics or personal eye-care items.
Remove your contact lenses until your optometrist allows you to resume lens wear with a fresh pair.
Common symptoms of pink eye include:
A gritty feeling in one or both eyes.
Itching or burning sensation in one or both eyes.
Excessive tearing.
Discharge coming from one or both eyes.
Swollen eyelids.
Pink discoloration to the whites of one or both eyes.
Increased sensitivity to light.
If you're experiencing these symptoms, be sure to visit an optometrist for diagnoses and treatment.
LANSING, Mich. - (November 10, 2008) - To combat eye diseases related to diabetes and commemorate National Diabetes Awareness Month, optometrists from the Michigan Optometric Association (MOA) are calling for Michigan residents with diabetes to get a comprehensive eye exam every year to detect early signs of diabetic eye disease.
Key facts about diabetes:
* More than 23.6 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes.
* There are 885,000 adults in Michigan who have been diagnosed with
diabetes. While an estimated 593,200 have been diagnosed, 292,000 people
(or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.
* Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults ages 20 to 74.
* People with diabetes are 40 percent more likely to develop glaucoma.
* People with diabetes are 60 percent more likely to develop cataracts.
Common Misconceptions found in 2008 American Eye-Q® survey
Most Americans are unaware that comprehensive eye exams can detect more than just problems with blurred vision. For instance, Sixty-two percent of respondents didn't recognize that diabetes can be detected by an optometrist, and diabetic eye disease remains the leading cause of blindness in the working aged population. Most people did not realize that eye exams can also detect signs of cardiovascular disease (not recognized by 80 percent), brain tumors (75 percent), cancer (78 percent), and multiple sclerosis (90 percent) and often the earliest symptoms of these diseases involve vision.
Reducing Contact Lens Tearing: Would you like to decrease the unnecessary expense and frustration of cracked or torn contact lenses? Use the "slosh and toss" technique when opening a new flat pack: Shake the flat pack before opening, slosh the flat pack back and forth to insure that the lens is moving, and toss the lens and solution out into the palm of your hand. This technique prevents both lens adherence tears and finger nail slices. Lubricating your lenses with rewetting drops at least one minute before removal will make the lens more pliable and will decrease adhesion.
Sports-Related Eye Injuries: According to a recent study by the U.S. Eye Injury Registry, more than 600,000 sports-related eye injuries occur every year and 40,000 require emergency room care, says a release from Prevent Blindness America (PBA). Of these, 90% can be prevented by wearing proper eye protection. Among other findings:
• Fishing injuries are the number one cause of eye injuries, accounting for 9% of all injuries and 38% of those injuries involve a hook to the eye.
• Approximately 1 in 50 little-league baseball players will sustain an eye injury that requires attention.
• The leading cause of eye injury in adult women involves racket sports.
• The average football team will sustain four eye injuries every season.
• More than half of all eye injuries from soccer occur in children age six to 14.
Teachers Believe Clear Vision as Important as Nutrition to Academic Success: A new survey reveals 93% of teachers believe poor vision impacts a student’s academic performance and 74% of those surveyed have personally observed children falling behind in school due to vision problems. The survey involved 509 kindergarten through 12th grade teachers and was conducted by Russel Research on behalf of Give the Gift of Sight foundation. The teachers surveyed estimated that two in five of their students suffer from vision problems, more than one-third of which they say have not been treated. Other findings include:
• 82% of teachers believe poor vision hinders academic motivation
• 70% believe poor vision negatively affects self-confidence
• 64% believe it affects a child’s ability to enjoy sports and games
• 40% believe poor vision affects a student’s ability to develop social skills.
The teachers surveyed also believe eye care should be provided for underprivileged children, with 88% saying that exams should be offered free of charge for students who can’t afford them, 87% believe these children should receive free vision screenings and 80% think they should receive free prescription eyeglasses. For more information, visit http://www.givethegiftofsight.org.
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