Archive for the ‘General Information’ Category

Also, If you still have vision benefits with your employer’s vision plan such as:

• Vision Service Plan- (VSP)
• CompBenefits- (VCP, HumanaVision)
• Eyemed
• SuperiorVision
• others

Your vision benefits for 2011 may go unused if you do not act now. Your vision insurance offers you quality healthcare at deep discounts.  We remind our patients each year so they may take advantage of the benefits before the end of the year. Your insurance entitles you to a comprehensive eye examination and either a pair of quality eyeglasses or a generous allowance towards contact lenses.  Co-pays do apply as well as upgrade options.

If you have questions, contact your employer’s HR department. You can also contact us to determine the last time you used your benefits. We look forward to seeing you soon.

The American Optometric Association recently held a School Readiness Summit: Focus on Vision in which doctors, nurses, educators and advocates for children’s health gathered to examine learning-related vision issues that are keeping children from achieving in the classroom. This summit was created to address the concerns that our current system is flawed and a policy shift is needed. The problem is that currently, the U.S. educational system and some health care providers rely heavily on vision screenings to discover the kids that need comprehensive exams. These screenings do catch some types of vision problems but they can miss about 75% of those children that have learning-related vision problems. Detecting these vision problems is very important as “studies show that much of what children learn comes though vision, and undetected and untreated eye and vision disorders in children, such as amblyopia and strabismus, can result in vision loss, additional costly treatments, delayed reading and poorer outcomes in school.”

The take-home statement that the summit produced is that comprehensive eye exams must serve as the foundation to determine school readiness in school-aged children. Another important point established at this meeting is the establishment of the link between healthy vision and classroom learning.

This historic summit is an important step in ensuring that children receive the proper detection and treatment of vision problems before they become detrimental to their learning. Here at Bright Eyes Family Vision Care, we are excited to see these changes being made, since it has been our goal from the beginning to not only catch vision problems at an early stage, evidenced by the InfantSEE program that we offer that provides free eye exams to infants between the age of 6 months and 1 year of age, but to also treat certain types of problems through our extensive one-on-one vision therapy program.

If you have any questions regarding the InfantSEE program, vision therapy program, or would like to schedule a comprehensive eye exam for your child before they start school, give our office a call or come in to schedule.

All the best,

Justin Schoonover, CPO

Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

For months, I’ve been reading, writing, and speaking about the Nintendo 3DS, all without actually seeing or using it. I was finally able to change that yesterday. After helping put the kids to bed, I slipped off to Best Buy and purchased a shiny black 3DS. I brought it home and Cristina and I spent a few hours setting it up and using it. We’ve had a Nintendo DS at Bright Eyes for years that we use as a reward activity during vision therapy, so it was immediately very familiar.

3D Effects

One of the biggest selling points of the 3DS is that the user does not need to wear special glasses to see the 3D effects. This is called autostereoscopic 3D and is definitely where 3D technology is going. It works surprisingly well, considering the small screen. You do have hold the screen flat relative to your head. If you angle the screen, you will either see double or lose the 3D effect.  The 3D does work from positions other than dead-center. This means that, while not ideal, it is possible for more than one person to see the 3D effect at one time.

I was particularly interested to see how well the “3D volume” slider worked. This allows users to adjust the amount of 3D shown to suit their tastes and the particular game. It works amazingly, seamlessly well. I was able to adjust the 3D anywhere from none, to just-noticeable, to full with just a flick of my thumb.

Augmented reality

One of the most intriguing aspects of the 3DS is its use of AR (augmented reality) as part of the game. This allows the viewer to play the game within the room or area that they are really in. (See picture to the right).  Not only is this extremely fun, there are some potential visual benefits to this. If the game is getting further away, it is more likely that the user will hold the game further away and look further away, potentially reducing some strain on the eyes. (I should note that I don’t have any research on this, but it occurred to me while playing.)

3DS vs. DS

One of the biggest visual concerns with 2D game systems such as the original Nintendo DS is that children tend to hold the screens incredibly close – as close as 3 or 4 inches. A person of any age should not hold a book or game closer than their Harmon Distance (or the distance from the knuckle to the elbow). With the 3DS, the 3D effect is better when the game is held a foot or so away from the eyes, so this will naturally encourage users to stay within their Harmon distance.

Safety

Much has been made, appropriately, of the potential adverse effects of using 3D technology, due to the differences of 3DS and real-life 3D.  Nintendo’s official warning of “vision damage” occurring for those six and under has gotten a lot of attention. While I haven’t seen any proof of this, I think it is reasonable because a person has to pretty visual sophisticated to use the 3DS. So I do recommend keeping it away from the young kids. They should be building with blocks and playing outside anyway,

For the older kids and adults (like Justin, on the left) who use the 3DS, eyestrain is possible. Already, I’ve talked to patients who have experienced headaches, nausea, and blurred vision from the 3DS. I’m happy to report that after an hour neither Cristina nor I experienced any of these symptoms. However, we routinely do activities during vision therapy that require visual skill and flexibility. For that reason we are much more accustomed to the visual demands required by the 3DS.

The #1 thing to remember: moderation. Take frequent breaks, even if you feel OK. Use the 20/20/20 Rule – Every 20 minutes, look away from the screen at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Even Nintendo recommends that players take a 10 minute break every hour.

If you or your children do experience symptoms, or don’t see the 3D even with the 3D on “full” be sure to get a through eye exam to look for vision or eye coordination problems. And remember that eye exams are recommended at age six months, three years, and before kindergarten.

For more on potential health effects of the Nintendo 3DS, see my interview with PCWorld. See also the American Optometric Association’s press release on the subject

Overall

In summary, the Nintendo 3DS easy to use and fun. The 3D effects are effective and being glasses-free is very nice. The augmented reality really works well. When used in moderation for the appropriate ages, I do not see any harm. If you do have concerns, schedule an appointment at Bright Eyes either on our webpage or calling 813-792-0637.

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

If you take a look at the June issue of World of Westchase, on page 22, you’ll find a feature story on Dr. Nate. The article discusses his involvement with social media, Foursquare Day, as well as Dr. Nate’s passion for children’s vision. The article refers to him as an optician. Although Dr. Nate is an optometrist, he is actually a certified optician, too. Click here to find out the difference.

If you do not have copy of WOW handy, you can also read the article online titled as  A Social Media Visionary (PDF, pg 4).

Thanks, WOW!

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We all know that sometimes smart people do dumb things. This can be especially true for college students who have a lot of time and new-found freedom.

I recently read about a trend in the US and England among college students: putting a corrosive solvent in their eye. Why? To get drunk? What is the solvent? Alcohol, specifically vodka. This is called Vodka Eyeballing and is more common than you might think.

image via Flickr

I can understand why college students want to find a way to get drunk even faster than doing shots. I can understand that exposing the tissues of your eye to vodka can allow this by absorbing the alcohol straight into your you bloodstream, bypassing the stomach.

But I also know the lethal effect that alcohol has on human cells and that the eye is among the most delicate and IMPORTANT parts of the body.

Do not put Vodka in your eye. It is just as stupid as it sounds.

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

To help educate patients and parents about visual problems and treatments, we have been giving out online references for the last few years. Well, I was looking at it the other day while handing it to a patient and I was shocked at how out of date it was! I am happy to report that the amount of information on children’s vision and vision therapy has absolutely EXPLODED on line.

I hope that you find the references below useful in learning about vision and finding others with similar questions and experiences. And, of course, do not hesitate to Ask Dr. Nate. You may also want to share your experience online via one of the below, or email me at doc@brighteyestampa.com.

I am intentionally leaving in the full links so that if you want to print and share this information with a friend or a family member you can do so without having to Google or Bing any of them.

Also, understand that this is not a comprehensive list. I have not included every possible online resource – the list would be too long! If I have left any out that you think should belong, please let me know!

See well!

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

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When asked by the doctor to write a blog post about passing the Paraoptometric examination and becoming certified, I procrastinated thinking he would forget about it. That obviously didn’t work. So here it is, short and sweet.

I’ll start off by saying that I can officially add more letters to my already ridiculously long last name. I’m giving Dr. Bonilla-Warford, OD a run for his money. I am now a certified paraoptometric, meaning that I have demonstrated the proficiency  and knowledge in basic science, clinical principals and procedures, ophthalmic optics and dispensing, and professional issues.

I take pride in this not only for my own personal academic satisfaction, but also because it is an indicator of the amount of knowledge and skill that the doctor and staff at Bright Eyes possess. I’ll explain. I did not take optometric classes or other courses in preparation for this exam. To be honest, the preparatory workbook provided was not necessary. It all came from hands-on, on-the-job training. Dr. Bonilla-Warford creates an environment conducive for learning for both staff and patients. I usually wouldn’t admit this outright because I’m not really a big fan of blogging, but I read every blog post he puts up on the Bright Eyes website. A lot of it is actually interesting! All of it contains information that is pertinent and knowledgeable.

I’m also constantly learning new things from my coworkers. Whether it’s ways to properly document in our electronic charting system, or tips on how to repair a frame that has obviously been chewed on by some creature then driven over by a WWII Sherman tank, something new comes up everyday.

So in a nutshell, although I am very proud of my new certification, I am more thankful for the skills and knowledge I’ve picked up while working here at Bright Eyes!

All the best,

Justin Schoonover, CPO
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
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Dear patients,

We at Bright Eyes want to be the best we can possibly be. Not only because a job well done feels good, but because the happier you are, the more likely you are to tell you friends, and the better it is for us.

So we need a favor. Nothing big. Really. We don’t want to borrow your SUV or have you baby-sit. It doesn’t involve money. We just need one minute ( 60 seconds) of your time to tell us what we are doing great and in what ways we are kind of slacking.

So go ahead. Click on this link: —–> 1-Minute Survey. Tell us what you really think. Don’t hold back. We want to hear the good, the bad, and the strange. No, there won’t be an opportunity to win a $10 gift card or a free taco. But you can feel good knowing that you’ve helped a small, local, independent business improve and grow so that next time, your time with us will be even better.

Your friend,

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

At the recent Hillsborough Society of Optometry meeting held at Ocean Prime at International Plaza, Dr. B. was presented with token of appreciation for his service to the local optometric community. He was given a very handsome plaque to hang on the wall at Bright Eyes and received a round of applause. The current officers, Drs. Luckey, Hair, and Fazio, commented on Dr. B’s passion and dedication as society president in ensuring the monthly continuing education meetings went well and for chairing the Fall Classic Committee, which was a huge success.

Dr. B. is pleased with his term as local society president, and is now turning his attention to children’s vision issues on the state and national level.

So if you stop by, say congrats to our Dr. B!

Edna Moore
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care

(located in Westchase community)
10108 Montague St.
Tampa, FL   33626
(ph) 813-792-0637          (fx) 813-792-0657

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Bright Eyes News is BACK on Technorati! A long time ago it, was listed, then it was dropped. Now there are so many blogs that the confirmation/evaluation period takes weeks to complete. Now we are back as one of the few eye doctors with blog, we have an authority of 116!

Here is the full link:

http://technorati.com/blogs/brighteyesnews.com

So next time you are on Technorati, drop us a comment or make us your favorite!
Be Well!

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