May 4th is National Teacher Appreciation Day
May 3rd, 2010National Teacher Appreciation Day is May 4th. While we all should be appreciative of the hard work and positive influence of our local educators every day, this is a special opportunity to say thanks
and let them know we appreciate everything they put into the development of our youth.New Report: Half of all Americans have either High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, or Diabetes
April 27th, 2010CDC Report: 46% of the Adult Population have at least one of the 3 Most Serious Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease
The CDC is releasing data from its ongoing “National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey,” and gave a very surprising and hopefully sobering assessment that nearly half of all adult 
Americans have either hypertension, high cholesterol, or diabetes. All 3 of these conditions greatly increase the risk for fatal cardiovascular disease.
This number even surprised the head of the American Heart Association, Dr. Clyde Yancy, who stated “When that number is nearly 50%, that’s a huge wake-up call. It means there are a large number of people who think they are healthy…but are working under a terrible misconception.”
Regular physicals and frank conversations with your primary care physician about these 3 conditions are essential. Equally important, and one of our commitments in eye care, is letting patients know that all 3 of these conditions can also have serious and sometimes blinding effects on your eyes as well. Annual eye exams serve a great purpose in allowing your optometrist to monitor for any adverse effects of these 3 serious conditions. Early detection of ocular complications is key in preventing permanent vision loss and it also can be an alert that more aggressive control of the underlying conditions may be needed.
If it’s been more than a year since you’ve seen your primary care physician and your optometrist, please take the time to schedule appointments with both today.
Ask Dr. Beach: “What are Polarized Lenses?”
April 23rd, 2010
This is a great question emailed to us yesterday by one of our facebook fans. Polarized lenses present a great benefit to almost any person who finds themselves outside driving, playing sports, or just relaxing in the sun.
The technology behind how polarized lenses work is really interesting. Sunlight reflects from many 
surfaces, such as the water and the ground in a horizontal manner. This well organized horizontal reflection of light causes extremely annoying and potentially distracting glare to your eyes when outdoors, just as with this picture to the right.
But polarized lenses act as venetian blinds that filter out this horizontal reflection of light and allow only vertical refl
ections to pass through the lenses into your eyes. Look at the picture to the right that was taken through polarized lenses and compare that to the original above. This filtering out of the horizontal glare/reflection can create a drastic reduction in the amount of strain your eyes feel when outdoors.
While regular tinted lenses do filter out sunlight and reflections, they do so evenly. Regular tinted lenses do not filter out horizontal reflection differently than vertical reflections, so glare may surprisingly still be an issue. As a result, the best reduction of sunlight glare comes from polarized lenses. In our practice, our most popular demonstrator is a pair of glasses that has a regular tinted lens on one side and a polarized lens on the other. The difference is amazing.
Polarized sunglasses have been used for a number of years by fisherman and boaters to reduce the harsh reflections of the sun off the water. But really, anyone participating in outdoor activities from driving to golf to biking to sunbathing can benefit from this great technology. And the exciting part is that the technology has continued to improve to the point where polarized lenses can be integrated into most prescription lenses, including no-line bifocals (progressives).
Additional Thoughts on Computer Vision Syndrome
April 6th, 2010There’s the old joke: A man goes to the doctor and says ‘doc, my arm hurts when I move it like this,’ and the doctor says ‘then don’t move your arm like that.’ If only finding a solution to Computer Vision Syndrome were that easy. But the computer plays such an integral role in all of our lives that avoiding it would spell trouble for our careers or our ways of communication. Since my first post on Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) was the most popular blog post so far this year, I wanted to add some follow-up ideas.
The most effective solution to CVS is specialized prescription computer glasses. As mentioned in the first post, computer glasses allow for the correct amount of magnification at computer distance and thus relieve near-focus (accommodation) stress which often causes headache. These glasses also are treated with anti-glare technology which further comforts the eyes by relieving glare strain produced by the computer screen.
But there are also some ergonomic approaches to CVS, such as:
1. Take a look at the monitor: Use an LCD screen with the highest resolution possible. Most of us are using LCD screens, but some may still be using the older CRT monitors that are not flat-screens. These older monitors have markedly reduced resolution and this lower resolution tricks the accommodation system into over-working to improve clarity. Even with a LCD flat screen, it’s important to consider the brightness of the display. Backgrounds that are too bright inherently create glare and eyestrain over long periods of time. Consider adjusting the brightness of your monitor to match the brightness of its surroundings.
2. Don’t forget lighting: more is not always better. That holds true with respect to overhead or room lighting when working at the computer for long periods of time. To reduce strain at the computer, it’s best to avoid very bright lighting. The eyes will be more comfortable if the environmental lighting is somewhat subdued. Try to keep the major lighting source to your side, rather than directly in front or back of you while at the computer.
3. Working distance: the optimal distance to be seated from the computer screen is about 20-24 inches away. It is also optimal to have the computer screen 10-15 degrees below their eyes.
4. Take a break, actually take lots of them: I advocate the 20-20-20 rule. It’s simple and it can help reduced fatigue at the computer. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. These frequent breaks allow the accommodation (near-focus) muscles to relax and reset.
As always, if you have any questions or comments, please post them here or email us. Happy computer work!
Vitamin & Nutrition Corner: Vitamin E
April 5th, 2010Vitamin E: Integral Antioxidant
Vitamin E is another essential nutrient due to its effects on both your ocular and overall health. 
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps protect your cells and Vitamin A against oxidation. Vitamin E is also essential to your circulatory system, assists in the formation of red blood cells, and allows for better use of Vitamin K in the clotting process.
One study has suggested that patients taking Vitamin E supplements had a slower progression of cataracts. This is believed to be the result of Vitamin E’s anti-oxidant protection of the intraocular lens against free radical damage. Free radicals are circulating chemicals that cause damage to all body tissues and lead to cataracts.
Within the retina, Vitamin E is found in high concentrations within the photoreceptors, which are the cells that absorb light and vision. And it’s Vitamin E’s antioxidant properties that again come into play by protecting these very important cells from the damaging stress of aging. Vitamin E was also a component in the supplement treatment of Macular Degeneration in the landmark Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS).
In most developed countries, a true deficiency of Vitamin E is pretty rare. In conditions, such as Crohn’s, where fat metabolism is disrupted Vitamin E may be markedly deficient. But most Americans have a diet containing a fair amount of Vitamin E with the moderate need for supplements or dietary additions in order to obtain the vitamin’s full benefit.
It should be noted that Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that excess intake could have harmful effects. Excess use may increase risk for hemorrhagic events (stroke) and may demonstrate muscle weakness, headaches, fatigue, and decreased thyroid function. If you are taking blood thinning agents, Vitamin E should be discussed with your primary care physician before taking larger amounts.
How Much Vitamin E:
- 30 IU (International units)
Where to get Vitamin E:
- Vegetable oils
- Leafy green vegetables
- Egg yolks
- Almonds, sunflower seeds, peanuts
- Vitamin supplements
Benefits of Vitamin E
- Reduced progression of cataracts
- Anti-oxidant protection of retina
- Reduced progression of Macular Degeneration in combination with other anti-oxidants
- Improved circulatory system function, red blood cell formation, and clotting function.
“Coach & Fendi Spring Fling” April 15th 2-6pm at the Optical Boutique of Clearview Eye Care
March 30th, 2010Come fall in love with the all new 2010 Eyewear Collections from Coach & Fendi
We look forward to seeing you at this special event. We will have Coach and Fendi’s eyewear representative on 
hand to display over 70 styles of eyewear.
And all of these styles will be at 40% off !
Please stop by Clearview Eye Care on April 15th from 2 to 6 pm to take a look, enjoy some refreshments, and meet our wonderful staff. Plus, every person who attends the Coach & Fendi Spring Fling will be entered to win a brand new Coach handbag!
Allergy Season Is Arriving
March 24th, 2010With the snowstorm of 2010 now a distant memory, the arrival of April brings some familiar Hampton Roads sights: beautiful skies, birds chirping, new leaves on the trees, colorful 
flowers in bloom, and……POLLEN. In some areas, the pollen can drop like blankets over driveways and cars. And if you are like me and many local residents, this brings allergies in the form of red and itchy eyes.
For many individuals, the pollen causes your body to send allergy or mast cells to the surface of the eyes where they release histamines, which cause the itching sensation. Rubbing the eyes tends to only worsen this biological response and worsen the itching sensation. But this doesn’t mean you can’t get out there and enjoy one of the truly best times of year in Hampton Roads.
There are some ways to help. After spending time outdoors, be sure to take a shower and change into new clothes. Also, artificial tears such as Systane Ultra can help wash allergic material from the surface of the eye and provide temporary soothing of the eyes. A cool compress may also help 
calm and sooth the eyes. Also, and this may be the toughest advice to follow, try not to rub your eyes. This further exposes your eyes to pollen on your hands and exacerbates the histamine response.
Over-the-counter allergy medicines like claritin or zyrtec may be helpful in relieving nasal symptoms of seasonal allergies but they may not be as effective in controlling the redness and itchiness of the eyes. In that case, prescription allergy eye drops provide quick and effective relief. The most effective allergy eye drops are “combination” drops which act to control both the mast cells and the histamines released by those cells. Also, these allergy eye drops are very safe in most patients and may be used for extended periods of time to get relief from seasonal allergies.
Don’t let allergies stand in your way of enjoying this beautiful spring weather, especially since, after all the snow, I think we’ve earned a great spring this year!
As always, please feel free to post your questions/comments here or email us.
Computer Vision Syndrome
March 15th, 2010
It is estimated that nearly 140 million Americans use a computer at work, home, or school on a daily basis. While computers have dramatically improved our lives over the last 20 years, they haven’t been quite so kind to the eyes viewing them. Millions of people, using the computer more than 2 hours a day, have experienced Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).
What is Computer Vision Syndrome?
CVS is a combination of visual and physical symptoms due to the stress placed on the eyes with extended and chronic computer use. It is most often accompanied by:
- Headache
- Loss of focus
- Burning/tired eyes
- Blurred vision
- Shoulder/back aches
What Causes CVS?
In my experience with many CVS patients, there appears to be 3 main contributing factors:
- Constant contraction of the near-focus muscles of the eye: this produces fatigue, headaches, fluctuating or decreased focus.
- Glare from the computer screen: interferes with clear vision, producing eye strain and uncomfortable vision.
- Decreased blinking of the eyes: results in greater evaporation of moisture from the eyes which then causes dryness, burning, redness and further blurry vision
Solutions for CVS
The best approach to CVS is a two-pronged treatment plan. The first step is prescription Computer Glasses, based on careful testing of your visual tendencies when focusing up close. This will relieve the focusing demand & stress created by chronic computer use. Computer glasses will also incorporate Anti-Glare Treatment, which will free your eyes from computer glare and will allow for clear AND comfortable vision. The second aspect of treating CVS is to address the physical symptoms created by reduced blinking. Careful assessment of your ocular surface will allow for recommendations of artificial tears specific to your situation. In some cases, complete relief may require prescription eye drops or the installation of tear duct plugs to retain your own natural tears.
If you find yourself in front of the computer on a daily basis, make sure to discuss any of these issues with your optometrist or schedule an appointment to see us. Your eyes don’t have to suffer from CVS !
In the Lens: An Interview with Bill Birkemeier
March 11th, 2010If you’ve been to our practice, you’ve probably noticed all the beautiful nature and scenery photographs hanging on the walls. In fact, we get compliments and 
questions about the photos and the artist on almost a daily basis. Given all the interest, I decided to interview the photographer, Bill Birkemeier, who is also a patient of Clearview Eye Care. Many of the prints in his online portfolio are hanging in our office. You could even say Clearview Eye is a working gallery, of sorts, so feel free to stop by our office, grab a cup of coffee and walk the “gallery.”
How would you describe your style of photography?
Well I like the challenge of getting good images of most anything whether it be family snapshots or sweeping vistas, but I most like taking photos of nature and natural landscapes. I suppose that’s partly because living on the Outer Banks, good subjects are easy to find all the time.
What is your favorite subject to photo?
I like taking photos of birds, they’re ready subjects and very challenging of photographer and equipment. I take thousands of images of birds and every once in a while I get a good 
one – the feathers are in focus, the bird has a great expression (and a glint in the eye), the light is right and the composition is interesting. It doesn’t happen often, but its fun when it does (like hitting a great drive in golf!). I particularly like black skimmers. They’re like barnstorming pilots in flight – they charge into the shallow water zooming along, lower beak skimming the water ready to catch an unsuspecting fish – then circling around to do it again. We’ve watched their acrobatic flights for hours – there’s so much action, birds flying, fish jumping. There’s a nice skimmer photo in my 2010 calendar and there’s one on my web site. In the photo I’ve attached is of an immature skimmer in flight with fish jumping all around. If you look close you can also the wake of the beak streaming out behind.
Of all your prints, do you have one that is your favorite? Why?
This question is easy. When I got my first digital SLR and was trying to figure it out, I spent a Saturday morning photographing a pot of shells that sits on our front porc
h. I used the hose to keep them wet and experimented with different mixes of daylight and flash. I took a lot of photos, but one image really turned out great. A good image should draw you in and this one with its colors, texture and shadows one does just that. It prints well as a 5×7 or a 20×30. I have a copy on my wall at work and a larger one at home and we have yet to tire of it. You have one on your shop wall. We’ve also printed it as a greeting card.
Interestingly, since this photo was taken, the shells have bleached out so its become a once in a lifetime image.
In your opinion, what makes the Outer Banks such a great place for the art of photography?
You can catch a sunrise over water in the morning and watch a spectacular over water sunset that evening. Birds galore, dramatic skies, big waves, storms, big vistas, boats, and lighthouses are all great subjects. Even the classic scenes change during the year – for example when we had a dusting of snow, I was out taking photos I’ve taken before – but the snow provided a fresh look. Its just a wonderful place to be.
How can people learn more about your portfolio or purchase prints?
Your shop is a great gallery with many of my favorite shots. Its nice to hear that people are enjoying them. My website www.inthelens.com has many more images (and not all from the Outer Banks). We also have a great 2010 calendar and wonderful card and card set which showcase some of my best images. If you see something you like, send me an email at bill@inthelens.com
Corneal Topography: Why it’s Important
March 4th, 2010Corneal topography provides the most detailed information possible about the curvature of the cornea. Using a very sophisticated computer and software, thousands of measurement scans are taken and analyzed in just seconds. Then, the topographer generates a color map from the data.
The map is interpreted just like any other topography map. The cool shades of blue and green represent flatter areas of the cornea, while the warmer shades of orange and red represent steeper areas. This corneal map allows the physician to formulate a “3-D” perspective of the cornea’s shape. In the following “normal” topography, you can see that the color gradient is very gradual over the whole surface of the cornea. This patient’s eye is very round, like a basketball, and has very little astigmatism.
Why is topography important?
It helps your optometrist formulate a complete assessment of your astigmatism. This is important in the fitting of contact lenses. At Clearview Eye Care, we perform topography on every one of our contact lens patients. It can aid in the selection of the appropriate contact lenses.
Patients with astigmatism may not be good candidates for certain contact lenses, and they may achieve better vision with special contacts based on the shape indicated in the topography readings. The following patient has significant astigmatism. Compare this picture to the “normal” topography above and you’ll see that there is a difference in the curvature of the eye, especially in the 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock meridian:
Corneal topography is also important because it can detetct irregularities in the cornea due to a disease called keratoconus. This condition is a progressive thinning of the cornea which causes a cone-like steeping on the surface of the eye. Corneal topography is the best way to help diagnose and map out the severity of keratoconus. It’s also the best way to monitor progression or worsening of the condition. Look at the following topography of a patient with keratoconus:
Keratoconus is a whole topic in itself that we’ll get to soon in another blog post, but you can see there is a big difference between this topography map and the “normal” one above. As always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to post them or email them our way.
