Archive for October, 2009

Bright Eyes is happy to join in one of West Park Village’s biggest annual event:

The Halloween Spooktacular

We’ll be here in costume starting at 5pm tonight!

See you there!

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

[ I haven't written much for the blog in the last couple of weeks. Mostly I've been busy with Javier and Nora. You can see some of Javier's pictures  on Flickr here: http://bit.ly/1MFiuw - Dr. B].

I am very excited to bring you this interview with Nick Despotidis, O.D. (Dr. D). He is one of my mentors in the orthokeratology/corneal reshaping field. He has written, researched, lectured on the subject for many years. I have attended several of his lectures and have always been impressed with his insight and enthusiasm. I was even more impressed when I read his book “My Children are Nearsighted, Too.” Dr. D practices in Hamilton Square, New Jersey.

Dr. B. Writing a book takes a lot of effort. What prompted you to write a book and not just a large pamphlet?

Dr. D. : As health professionals, we often get asked similar questions from patients. However, nothing seems to elicit as much emotion as when parents are discussing their children’s vision. Seeing the concern or sheer disappointment on a parent’s face when I tell them their child needs glasses still moves me, even after twenty years in practice.

Parents often ask: “Why so young? Do they have to wear glasses all the time? Is this inherited? Is it going to get worse? What can be done?” My explanation and subsequent recommendations take time, time we often don’t have while in the examination room, yet parents deserve.

So now I actually give my patients a copy of our book and highlight specific sections I want them to read. Then, after they develop a good background and learn the answers to many of their questions, we discuss how to help their son or daughter. It’s worked amazingly well. I’m very proud after parents tell me how much the book has helped them understand vision and given them an arsenal of recommendations.<

As a parent myself I appreciate the frustration of being told my child requires some type of treatment without fully understanding my options. The book was written to empower parents when it comes to their children’s eyesight.

How long did it take for beginning to end?

Two years!

As an early adopter of corneal reshaping, did you initially suspect that myopia control was going to be as successful as it has recently been shown to be?

No. In 1992 when it was first introduced into our office it was just viewed as a substitute for daytime contact lenses or glasses. That’s it. We reserved recommending corneal reshaping for patients who could not wear contacts during the day or required freedom from contact lenses or eyeglasses during their waking hours. So we had a lot of athletes, teachers and executives wearing the lens, but it was a select few.

However, clinically we observed that teenage athletes wearing the lenses did not need changes to their prescription every year like many of our eyeglass or contact lens wearing patients. In 1998 when my own two sons began wearing eyeglasses, that’s when the light turned out. You see, even though I prescribe eyeglasses daily, when my young children needed eyeglasses, I was upset, even distraught. Seeing the success they’ve had with corneal reshaping inspired me to become an “early adopter” or advocate of this technology.

If corneal reshaping is such a positive and exciting technology, one that may help thousands of young children from having their eyesight worsen, why don’t all doctors provide this service?

That’s a great question, one I get asked daily! Most eye doctors are not familiar with corneal reshaping even though Paragon Vision Sciences, the maker of the CRT design, received FDA approval over 9 years ago! Some doctors may base their opinion on outdated information or personal experience.

As a “seasoned” health provider I understand how long new procedures take to enter mainstream medical offices. But that does not make it fair or right. For example, it took over 30 years for data to arise that a child’s eye coordination skills may affect their ability to read and consequently learn. Even though I understood this in my early training days it took decades to become “accepted.” And even today some practitioners are not on board.  Corneal reshaping faces the same challenge. In addition to understanding the technology, doctors need to enjoy seeing patients more often than their contact lens and eyeglass wearing patients. This is often not the case.

Lastly, there is a higher level of technology and training required to perform corneal reshaping properly. Doctors may not be interested enough to upgrade their offices to provide this service.

I personally overcame these apprehensions when I saw how well corneal reshaping helped my own sons. Now, literally 10 years after they started wearing these lenses, their eyesight has not gotten worse. Nothing more needs to be said.

What is your next project?

I’m writing a personal development book extolling the life lessons I’ve acquired as a husband, parent, doctor and philanthropist.

Thanks, Dr. Despotidis, for taking the time. I wish yoy, your family, and your patients the best.

You can read more about Dr. Despotidis and orthokeratology at: http://www.gentlevisionshaping.com/. If you have questions about whether or not corneal reshaping is right for your or child, feel free to contact Bright Eyes at the contact info below or call 813-792-0637.

Be Well!

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

Dr. and Mrs. Bonilla-Warford are proud to announce the arrival of a bouncing baby boy, Javier Bonilla Warford. He was born on October 8th. Dr. & Mrs. Bonilla-Warford will be out of the office for a while spending time with their family.

The office will be open for our regular business hours for purchase or questions regarding glasses or contacts. Please speak with the staff to check on availability of appointments.

If you are experiencing an eye related emergency please call Dr. Mines or Menosky at 813-855-8008. Thank you for your patience!

And the results are in! Congrats, Jamie-Lee. You’ve won the #BWBABY Contest and have earned yourself a free bottle of Intensity Academy hotsauce! Your guess was the closest to the actual date and time of 10/8/09 at 8:45 pm.You can claim your prize any day that you come to work!

Update: Pictures are here: http://bit.ly/1MFiuw

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

It is awesome owning a Westchase business. The people are great, the neighborhood is beautiful, and the local business owners are fantastic. All the Westchase businesses I know, whether they be small, large, have a big store front or are internet/home based, work very hard and enjoy their work. That is why I am SO EXCITED about the new Westchase Area Business Association (WABA), spearheaded by Joel and Marlene Bigham, of the Computer Valet. For the first time, there is an organization built by and for Westchase businesses.

The first WABA event received a very nice write-up by Alicia McMillan in the World of Westchase. I was lucky to be able to attend this marvelous event and meet lots of new Westchase people. I was even quoted in the WOW piece:

Over 60 area businesses were represented during the evening. Dr. Nathan Bonilla-Warford of locally operated Bright Eyes Family Vision Care stated that he’d just found out about the event the night before, but was determined not to miss out. He explained, “A lot of us work really hard to grow our own Westchase businesses. I had an event at my office last month and it drew a lot of attention, but I had trouble communicating with other businesses. There’s no reason at all why we shouldn’t all be working together.” He added, “The turnout is awesome. I think that just reinforces that there’s obviously a need.”

I have been so impressed with WABA, that I have volunteered to assist with events and online marketing. Bright Eyes hosted a successful morning coffee recently at the office. There will be regular coffees and cocktail hours, as well as larger events in the future.

If you are a Westchase business owner or resident, I encourage you to check out the official WABA webpage, as well as the Facebook and Twitter page. We are looking for energetic people who want to strengthen Westchase connections.

Be Well!

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

We apologize for any inconvenience.  Bright Eyes Family Vision Care will be closed Friday 10/2 and Saturday 10/3.

If you have any questions, you can call 813-792-0637 and leave a message or tweet Dr.B at @natebw

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.