Archive for the ‘glasses’ Category

It’s finally here! We’ve been waiting impatiently here at Bright Eyes for these revolutionary glasses to arrive and we are very excited! We are one of only a few offices in the entire state of Florida to bring this amazing eyewear technology to our patients.

This state-of-the-art frame and lens design will dramatically change how we correct multifocal vision needs. No longer will you have to accept the disadvantages that come with wearing progressives, bifocals, or trifocals such as small optical zones, blurred peripheral vision, and disorienting “swim.” Most of the time, 70-80% actually, patients don’t require near-focus vision. Yet with all other multifocal lens designs the reading zone is present 100% of the time. EmPower changes this by using liquid crystal technology embedded within the lens that instantly adjusts and provides you with reading correction whenever you need it!

All you need to do to activate this reading zone is touch the side of the frame. One touch turns empower on for reading. Another touch turns it off when it is not needed. Swiping the side of the temple activates the automatic mode which senses when you tilt your head down to read and automatically turns the reading area on and off. Just another example of technology making life simpler!

The emPower frame collection offers many shapes and styles to choose from. Stop by our office today to see the new display and to view the liquid crystal demonstration! We are very impressed with this new technology and we know you’ll be as well!

All the best,

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

We found this infographic on the history of glass on The Optical Vision Site recently. Check it out. It’s cool!

If you haven’t heard yet, Bright Eyes Family Vision Care will be one of a few select offices in Tampa to carry the latest in eyewear technology: emPower Eyewear. These state-of-the-art glasses utilize a layer of liquid crystals that are activated electronically with just a touch or swipe of the finger to the temple, to create a near-focus zone. If you already wear progressives, you know of their shortcomings, such as peripheral blur, small computer and reading zones, and dizzying “swim” that is naturally created when blending the different zones together. Now, you don’t have to settle for these drawbacks.

The emPower lens will do just that; empower you with the latest technology to see clearly in all distances and in all situations. To help you understand the technology a bit and to see just how these lenses can benefit you and your lifestyle, the folks at emPower have launched a new interactive website at empowereyewear.com. There you will find out what life-activated really means. Under the How It Works tab, you will learn that tapping the temple once will manually turn the near-zone on and tapping a second time will turn it off, while swiping that same temple will activate the automatic mode which uses an accelerometer to turn the near zone on and off in response to head tilt. You can also see examples of the clarity of vision you can achieve in tricky circumstances like walking down stairs and playing golf under the Advantages tab.

The entire Bright Eyes staff is very excited to be able to offer this type of cutting edge vision in the near future. Stay tuned for announcements of when these glasses will go live here at Bright Eyes!

All the best,

Justin Schoonover, CPO

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

Well, summer is officially here and the sun isn’t letting up. Most of our patients are already aware of the necessity of sunglasses for comfort and protection against harmful UV rays. Polarized lenses are the perfect way to achieve both of these along with clarity of vision and glare reduction. However, most people are unaware of an additional lens treatment that can assist in all of these areas.

Mirror coatings are lens treatments that have long been viewed as cosmetic only. Indeed they are a perfect way to customize your lenses to either make a statement or to show style and individuality.  Mirror coatings are made up of either a thin layer of metal or several alternating layers of dielectric material. This causes intense light rays to reflect off the surface of the lens reducing glare and lowering light transmission. The end result is less eye fatigue and clearer vision.

There are many options for the sunglass wearer who wants to incorporate a mirror into their sunwear. Flash mirrors have just a hint of reflectivity for those that want the benefits of a mirror without the look of a Texas police officer!  Full mirrors are much more reflective and tend to block the view of the wearer’s eyes. Solid mirrors offer the most glare reduction, while gradient and double-gradient offer protection from glare above and below for activities such as biking, hiking, and boating. They also come in a variety of colors so that you can customize your lenses to match your style or personality.

If you’re unsure if mirror lenses are right for you, just stop by Bright Eyes to try a few on! And stay tuned for the announcement of the upcoming Sunglass Sale!!

All the best,

Justin Schoonover, CPO
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

It is that time of year again….. yes, my friends, April 15th, tax day.  Yay!

But even better, the day after that is FOURSQUARE DAY! And here at Bright Eyes that means SALE! That’s right, we are pulling out all the stops and doing something we almost never do – for a very limited time.

BUY ONE,

GET ONE FREE

SALE

Seriously, all you have to do is show up and check in at Bright Eyes on foursquare. You’ll get an entire pair of glasses and lenses of equal or lesser value. (Please note – this sale is so awesome that it cannot be combined with insurance or other discounts. Patients must check in prior to ordering the glasses. If you have questions, please ask us.)

If you don’t know what Foursquare Day is, it is a day to celebrate social media, and foursquare, the geolocation application. Because 4^2 equals 16, April 16 is the day! And you may not know that Foursquare Day started right here at Bright Eyes last year. You can read more about that on our blog here and TampaBay.com here.

And don’t forget to support the local foursquare scene by RSVP’ing here!

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

You are invited to Bright Eyes Family Vision Care’s

February Eyewear Show

Saturday, February 12

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Featuring Lightec Eyewear by Morel of France.

Lightweight and durable, with an innovative high-tech hinge.

For Men & Women in a variety of styles and colors, including fully rimless.

25% OFF Lightec Frames, including lenses

50% OFF Any 2^nd Pair

And Bring a Friend for an additional $25 off your purchase.

For more information about the show and Lightec frames, click here.

25% discount may not apply with some vision plans.  Please call for details.

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

If 2010 has taught me anything, it is that our lives are becoming increasingly digital. Not only is more of our work performed on computers and online, but much of our leisure time, too. This is illustrated by the fact that Amazon has recently announced that it has sold more Kindles than any other book or product. But all of this time in front of screens can take its toll on our eyes. They may become irritated and red. Your vision may become blurry or double. And all this may make you less productive at work or reduce your gaming performance. All of these symptoms are elements of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Fortunately, there are things that you can do limit the effects of CVS.

Every new year I provide the Bright Eyes Family Vision Care Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions. In past years, I’ve covered eye health, children’s vision, and saving money. So for 2011, to help you keep your eyes in optimum condition at the computer or digital device, this year’s resolutions list will help you combat Computer Vision Syndrome.

1. Take Breaks – Your eyes work hard when using  the computer, e-readers, and phones.  Give them some time to relax. Use the “20-20-20 rule.” Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break, and look at something 20 feet away. Every hour or so, talk a longer break. I use and recommend a free application called Workrave that is fully customizable to help you remember to give your eyes (and hands) a rest.

2. Monitor Settings – Today most people have LCD screens. Generally, the larger the screen the better. Increase the font size if it helps.

3. Monitor Position – Position your monitor at least 22 inches away and at an angle that you don’t have to look up most of the time. Making it a natural, comfortable position can help limit eyestrain and neck problems.

4. Blink! – Research studies show that people blink less when using the computer, up to 1/3 less. Blinking washes your eyes in naturally therapeutic tears, so be sure to blink on a regular basis.

5. Glasses - Make sure you have proper lenses for the computer. Specially prescribed computer glasses may help significantly reduce the symptoms of CVS. Often these are different from glasses for driving and general activities like shopping.  Ask your optometrist if you would benefit from computer lenses.

6. Lighting – Keep bright lighting overhead to a minimum.  Keep your desk lamp or window light shining on your desk, not on your monitor. Try to keep window light off to the side, rather than in front or behind you.

7. Position your chair -  Your body position effects your eye position – and vice versa. Make sure you are sitting in a chair with adequate lower-back support. Position your chair so that you are comfortable. Each person has a preference for his or her chair, so take some time to find what’s best for you.

8. Eye exams – Be sure to discuss CVS with your optometrist at your annual eye exam. He or she will discuss your computer use and can perform specific tests to determine if you would benefit from computer glasses,  eye drops or medical treatment.

9. Gadgets – iPads, Kindles, Blackberries and other mobile devices are hugely useful, but have tiny screens and can cause even more symptoms than a desktop computer. Be aware of issues like glare and be sure and take frequent breaks.

10. Don’t forget the kids! – Keep in mind that children can experience CVS, too. And they are less self-aware and are less likely to tell parents if they are having problems. So set limits ahead of time and watch them for any signs of visual problems. This applies to hand-held games, too – especially soon to be released Nintendo 3DS.

If you didn’t have a thorough eye exam in 2010, don’t put it off any longer. Give us a call at 813-792-0637 to schedule your appointment. We’ll make sure your eyes are working their best at the computer! You can also read more about Computer Vision Syndrome on our blog.

Posted in Bright Eyes News, New Years Resolutions, Vision News, computer vision syndrome, glasses | Tags: Bright Eyes Family Vision Care, Children's Vision, computer vision syndrome, CVS, glasses, Ipad, new years, new years resolutions, Optometry, workrave | View Comments