Today we have a guest post from a friend of mine,  Dr. Janet Carter. I’ve known her online since I was in optometry school and have always enjoyed her insight and humor. I am glad she took me up on the offer to write a guest post and hope she considers blog herself. – Dr. Nate

OK, it’s happened. Your child came home from school with a note from the nurse saying she had difficulties with the vision screening. Or perhaps she is complaining of trouble seeing the blackboard or headaches reading. Or maybe a previously undiagnosed condition was discovered during her yearly eye examination. Regardless of the scenario, you have to face the fact that your child will soon be wearing glasses. Her success in doing so will greatly depend on your attitude towards this development.

The importance of your attitude in making sure your child has the proper vision correction begins before you even visit the optometrist. Tell your child what to expect during the visit, but don’t dwell on anything unpleasant. She may have her eyes dilated, but this needn’t be a cause for concern. The dilation drops that most optometrists use today are much gentler and not nearly as long-lasting in their effects as ones you may have experienced as a child. Let her know that her vision may be a little blurry afterwards, but it won’t be too bad. Try and schedule the visit on a day when there isn’t an important homework assignment or sporting event.

During the actual examination, relax and let your optometrist do his job. If you are nervous about the examination, your child will be too. Remember that the equipment and configuration of the examination is such that your child may actually see something different than you do from your “sidelines” position. Don’t be upset if your child misses a letter or two (most people do during an eye examination), and please don’t try and help or coach your child. Let your child know that this isn’t a test like you take in school, and there is no right or wrong answer to any of the questions. Most children find an eye examination to be an interesting and fun experience if they are relaxed and rested. (Don’t forget to make sure she IS well-rested and well fed when she goes in for the visit, and encourage her to visit the restroom first as well. A hungry, tired child or one who has to go to the bathroom can’t concentrate properly).

Once the examination is over, it will be time for the fun part: choosing your child’s first pair of glasses! Make sure that she understands that this IS fun! Glasses are a fashion statement these days. Your attitude will make all the difference in how your child enjoys her new eyewear, so keep it positive. Let your child know how proud you are of them, and how glad you are that they soon will be seeing properly.

Setting guidelines and limits ahead of time will make the frame selection easier for both you AND your child. If money is a concern, let the frame stylist know in private before you begin. He or she should be happy to show only options that meet your budget. Let the frame stylist give tips on the proper frames for your child and her prescription; certain frame styles aren’t appropriate for all prescriptions. The stylist should have a good idea of which frames will best work for your child. Let her show examples of these, and let your child choose from among them. She is the one who will wear them; make sure that she likes the style and color. You might consider taking a cell phone picture of the favorite “candidates” and sending it to your friends and family for their input. Above all, keep it fun! Remember to keep praising your child and telling her how great she looks in her new eyewear!

There are several important things to remember when it is time to pick up your child’s new glasses. The first is to be sure to bring your child with you. The glasses need to be adjusted to her face to insure that they are fitting properly. The dispenser should instruct your child on how to take care of the glasses, and when to wear them. Your optometrist may want your child to wear them constantly or perhaps just for specific tasks such as reading. Make sure you understand the instructions and that your child does too. Remember that new eyeglasses DO take some getting used to, and it is possible that your child might feel a little “funny” when they first put them on, and may even report blurred vision. These sensations are totally normal, and should pass quickly if she continues to wear the glasses. Any difficulty seeing or other problems that persist after a week or two should be reported to your optometrist.

You will want to contact your child’s teacher(s) and explain about the new eyeglasses to them as well. Be sure that the teachers understand the wearing schedule. Ask the teacher to say something positive about your child’s new glasses when he first sees her wearing them. This will help your child get over that first day embarrassment, especially if the comment is made in front of her classmates.

Your child must understand that eyeglasses are a valuable accessory and are to be treated accordingly. I have a rule that I tell all children who get eyeglasses from my office: “If it’s not on your face, it’s in the case!” Check the eyeglasses from time to time and make sure that they are clean, well-cared for, and adjusted properly to your child’s face. It’s a good idea to bring your child in for eyeglass “tune-ups” every few months. The optical staff can adjust the glasses, make sure that they continue to fit properly, and check for loose screws and other problems. Eyeglasses are like automobiles; a little preventative maintenance protects your investment!

If you approach your child’s new eyeglasses in a sensible, positive manner, she will too. Soon she will be enjoying the benefits of good vision, and will be wearing the eyeglasses proudly and appropriately. She will come to appreciate the positive difference that seeing properly can make in her life. She will be happier and probably will do better in school. You can make sure that her good vision continues for a lifetime by following your doctors recommended eye care schedule. Just don’t be too surprised when one day she asks “Mom, Dad, when can I get contact lenses?”

(But that’s the subject for another article….)

Janet Carter has practiced optometry in Nevada for over 30 years. She is now a member of the EyeCare Center group in Las Vegas. She enjoys seeing children of all ages in her practice!

-Dr. Nate
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Connect: Facebook Twitter Foursquare LocalShops1.com

This year it will be three years that we’ve had this blog up and running and we’ve had over 50,000 page views.  And to celebrate those three years,  we are giving away 3 Coach frames! You could win FREE Coach sunglasses or Coach frames!

There are three ways you can enter, and no purchase is necessary. There will be one winner from each category.

1) Write a comment here on this post and tell us what you think of this blog. All comments welcome!

2) Become our Facebook fan and/or follower on Twitter. Then post a comment on Facebook Wall or mention @BrightEyesTampa in a tweet. UPDATE: You can enter via Twitter with our one-click contest entry!

3) Text the word “BrightEyes” to  74700. This will sign you up to receive occasional special announcements and deals from Bright Eyes and enter you to win the Coach eyewear.

On February 28, 2010, we will announce the winners on this blog. There will be one winner from each of the categories above and you can enter by any and all of the methods as many times as you want.

But take note.  We are not going to pick the winners at random. From each group above, we will pick a winner that is compelling.  The funnier or more interesting, the better. The more attention you draw to yourself (and Bright Eyes),  the more likely you are to win. You could win by entering many times or one exquisitely-crafted entry.

If you really want to get our attention, write a blog entry about why you want – or need – these Coach frames. The bigger and better your campaign, the more likely you are to take home some  shades or have some nice frames for the next time you need to update your glasses!

And although it will not be counted towards your entry for the Coach eyewear, keep in mind, we are looking for more Yelp reviews, too!

So, go nuts! And let the games begin!!

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Connect with Us: Facebook Twitter Foursquare Yelp

Welcome to 2010, everyone!  I hope you are enjoying the start of a brand-new decade.

Readers of this blog know that it is a Bright Eyes News tradition to create an eye related Top Ten List of New Years Resolutions. For 2008, wrote about resolutions for eye health. For 2009, I wrote about resolutions for children’s vision.

Thinking back to 2009, I’ve talked to a number of patients who had lost – or were about to lose – their jobs.  It was an economically challenging year for many.  So I thought this year I would take this issue head-on and make a list for people who want to save money on eyecare. But, as a doctor, it wouldn’t be appropriate to just say, “Skip your exams, squint instead of updating your glasses, and wear your contacts until your eyes fall out.” First, it isn’t sound advice. Second, many of these actually cost more money in the long run.

So here is a list of New Years Resolutions to Save Money on Eyecare (Without Sacrificing Quality). I hope that you find it helpful.

1) Maintain a regular schedule for eye exams.

Many people feel that they are saving money by skipping their recommended eye exams.  Did you know that eye exams are primarily about eye health, not just clarity of sight?  There are some blinding conditions with no symptoms that can only be detected with a thorough eye exam. If caught early, they can often be treated early with much simpler treatments. This can save hundreds or thousands of dollars of complicated treatment, including ocular surgery. This doesn’t even factor in the lost income and quality of life that can come from the loss of vision.

2) Get the exam that you pay for.

This may seem very obvious, but you should be sure that you are getting a complete and thorough eye exam. After all, if you are paying for something, you should get it.  Sometimes people are reluctant to have their pupils dilated during an exam, but if they don’t, the doctor cannot look for signs of disease in the back of the eye. Find out if there is a charge to come back and finish the exam at a later date. If you bring your child to eye doctor because you have concerns that vision may be affecting school performance, ask beforehand what type of tests are included.  Not all vision plans will cover this specialized testing, so you should find out how much it costs.

3) Utilize InfantSEE.

As with all health issues, prevention is more cost effective than treatment. This is particularly true for infants. An eye early eye exam can detect potential problems such as extreme nearsightedness and farsightedness as well as strabismus and amblyopia. To assist in this, the American Optometric Association created the public health initiative called InfantSEE. Optometrists who participate in the program will provide one visual and eye health exam to infants between six and twelve months old at no charge.

4) Understand your Vision Plan, Medical Insurance, Flex and HSAs.

Some medical plans have coverage for eye exams. Some plans specifically cover medical problems such as eye infections and glaucoma. Other plans are specifically for vision and will have coverage for a vision exam, glasses, or contacts, but not medical visits. If you or your employer pays for these benefits, use them wisely. Find out what the annual benefits are. Ask the doctor’s staff to help you maximize your benefits. For example, you are getting both glasses and contact lenses and your plan only covers one of these, you may save more money applying the benefits to the glasses.  Also know that you cannot ask that the vision plan be billed on a different date than you actually received the service.  However, you CAN use your Flex and HSA accounts for eyecare and optical purchases.

5) Select your eyewear carefully.

When you are picking out eyewear, try on the styles and brands that you like. But keep in mind the purpose of each pair of glasses you buy. You might love the Tiffany & Co. frames with crystals, but if you work or play hard, it might make more sense to get some less expensive frames that are built to be durable. Costa Del Mar sunglasses are durable, but if you are prone to losing them(or dropping them in the gulf!) spend a extra few dollars on a glasses strap. And when shopping  around, be sure you compare apples to apples. A discount store or online retailer may be cheaper,  but consider material quality and customer service when making your choice.  Will your optical service remake lenses in the case of an error?  What happens if the coating flakes off within a few months?

6) Get the right lens materials and coatings.

Find out what the doctor or optician recommends for lens options, but don’t just assume that more expensive is better. Some lens options are worth a little extra: Crizal Alize or VisoXC will improve the clarity of your lenses, reduce glare, and resist scratches.  Some fabulously high-tech lens materials are essential for someone with a very high prescription but may be a waste of money if you have a low prescription. We always recommend UV protection for all general purpose glasses, but if you only use glasses for reading indoors, then it may not be needed. I encourage you to get glasses that meet your needs, but that doesn’t mean that every pair has to have all the bells and whistles. If the optical staff do not explain your options to your satisfaction – ask. They may be able to help you save money when they understand how the glasses are to be used.

7) Try multipurpose lenses.

Do you own just one pair of shoes? Not likely, because most people have different shoes for different purposes. Your eyes also have different needs and no one single pair of glasses will meet all those needs.  But you don’t need to own a baker’s dozen pairs of glasses either. If you have a different prescription for reading and distance (like most people over 45), save money with just one pair of bifocals or progressives. In Florida, it is best to have a dedicated pair of prescription sunglasses.  But eyewear with clip-on sunglasses or Transitions (that darken in the sun) are a cost-effective and protect your eyes from UV and bright sun.

Make use of your warranties.

If you are spending hard-earned money on glasses, you expect them to work well for you. Always inquire about what warranty is included in your purchase. At Bright Eyes, all of our eyewear frames come with a 2 year, unconditional breakage warranty. If you get premium scratch coating, it also includes 2 year scratch warranty. See if your optical offers similar coverage and if they do, make use of it.

9) Learn about your contacts.

Talking to your optometrist about your contact lens options.  Monthly lenses may be a cost-saving option for full-time wearers;  daily lenses are a good deal for occasional contact wearers, especially when you factor in the solution costs.  RGP (hard) contacts frequently outperform their soft counterparts and can be up to half as expensive.

10) Consider alternative financing options.

Many offices, including ours, accept Care Credit, a health care credit card with options for 6-months interest-free financing.  This is helpful for more expensive treatments not covered by insurances, such as Corneal Reshaping (orthokeratology), an method of providing glasses- free vision, or vision therapy, which allows people to overcome visual challenges to live life up to their potential.  Even eyeglasses and eye exams qualify for Care Credit purchases. Ask about Care Credit or similar programs at your doctor’s office.

I hope that this has been helpful in ensuring that you get best eyecare possible! Happy New Year!

Dr. Bonilla-Warford
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Westchase, Tampa, FL
Connect with Us: Facebook Twitter Foursquare

Good news! We will be doing another contest this winter. We will be giving away a pair of glasses/sunglasses. We had a ball giving away some Tiffany suns this summer and we are excited to do it again!

Help us decide what the Grand Prize should be! Would you like:

Coach

Bvlgari

Tiffany and Co.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Dr. Bonilla-Warford
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Westchase, Tampa, FL
Connect with Us: FacebookTwitter

More info to come!

Be Well!

Dr. Bonilla-Warford
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Westchase, Tampa, FL
Connect with Us:  FacebookTwitter

Justin Schoonover, the Production Manager at Bright Eyes will be contributing some entries to Bright Eyes News. This post concerns our new Feature of the Month, Linea Roma.  I look forward to more of his writing. – Dr. B

Here at Bright Eyes Family Vision Care, we are excited to introduce a new addition of frames to our selection, Linea Roma!

Linea Roma was created in 1988 by a french eyewear designer living in Florida.  Inspired by the multicultural styles of  Miami Beach, these frames shine with uniqueness. Each frame is manufactured exclusively in the Cadore region of Italy where over 200 models are produced each year, thus creating a large and constantly new selection of attractive frames.

Our new line consists of charming designs suitable for business and everyday wear.  They include elegant and sophisticated plastic, metal, and semi-rimless frames, some of which have leather temples, or sides.  Although the majority of our other frame selections are predominantly male or female, Linea Roma provides a great collection for both men and women.  In addition, we are proud to be one of only ten locations  in Florida to offer this line.

I personally am very excited about showing these frames to our customers!  We even sold a pair before we put them on display. I am confident that our customers will share the excitement!

All the best,

Justin Schoonver
Production Manager
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Westchase, Tampa, FL
Connect with Us:  YelpFacebookTwitter

Get ready for the most exciting Bright Eyes event of the year! We will have a Coach representative on-site.  All Coach frames, in every style and color, will be on sale. Not only that, this is the biggest sale we have ever had. 50% off on all Coach sunglasses, just in time for summer.

This one-time event will be on Saturday, May 9th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Discounts may not apply with vision plan and insurance plans. Stop by the office to learn more.

Hope to see you there!

Dr. Bonilla-Warford
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Westchase, Tampa, FL
Connect with Us:  YelpFacebookTwitter

A quick link to sweet story that I spied on LittleFourEyes. It is written by Pat Fortunato.

True or False: A Teacher’s Story

This is how it ends:

One of my most prized possessions is a letter from his father telling me that I changed the course of his son’s life. Well, a little bit of luck didn’t hurt either, but still. When I get down on myself for all the mistakes I make (and I make more mistakes per square inch than most), I think about this episode in my life, and figure that hey, I’m not as dumb as I look .

Check it out!

-Dr. B

Dr. Bonilla-Warford
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Westchase, Tampa, FL
Connect with Us:  YelpFacebookTwitter

OK, Tampa Bay. Just a brief note to say that we finally have the Specs4us frames in stock, in a variety of models and colors. In fact, we are one of four places in Florida and the only one in Westchase or Tampa to carry them.  I am excited to have them.

We had a patient come in today to check them out and they work as advertised. They fit beautifully and her mother was excited to have  them.

The Specs4us line was created specifically for patients with Down Syndrome. These patients have specific facial features that make it difficult to find glasses that fit. You can read an interview with the creator, Maria Dellapine  here.

Update: 7/5/09: These frames now come in larger sizes and have sunglass clips.

Be Well!

Dr. Bonilla-Warford
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Westchase, Tampa, FL
Connect with Us:  YelpFacebookTwitter

Little Four Eyes is one of my favorite blogs. It is well written, now has some snappy illustrations, and is very helpful for parents who have little bundles of joy that need glasses.

This post “when you’ve just found out your young child needs glasses” is a lengthy MUST READ for any parents who are raising young children with glasses. Ann talks about the emotions of dealing with glasses and scads of helpful, pragmatic information.

This info is so good, I will be sharing it with parents who come in the office looking for very small glasses.

Enjoy!

Dr. Bonilla-Warford
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Westchase, Tampa, FL
Connect with Us:  YelpFacebookTwitter