Posts Tagged ‘facebook’

This is a great example of how the tools of social media can have very significant real-world positive effects.

Retinoblastoma is a very serious eye cancer. It only affects children. This is because its kills everyone who has it by five years of age. Because the eyes are connected directly with the brain, the cancer takes over the eye, then the brain and continues to spread until the victim dies.

Surprisingly, most retinobastoma is not found by a pediatrician or eye doctor, but by a friend or family member who sees something wrong with the child’s eyes. Usually this is either a white-look pupil or an eye turn.

Recently the Daily Mail newspaper in England reported this exact scenario: A friend did see a problem with 2 year old Grace’s eyes. It turned out to be retinoblastoma, which was successfully treated.  But here is the twist: the friend, a nurse, saw the problem via a photo on Facebook.

In addition to the fantastic result for Grace, there are two other points here. The first is that social media will continue to help improve education and medical care over time and this is an early example. The second is that thorough, early eye exams are a good idea. The American Optometric Association recommends exams at 6 months of age, three years of age, and before kindergarten. The InfantSEE program supports this by providing no-cost eye exams to patients between the ages of 6 and 12 months.

If you have a young child, be sure to schedule an appointment with your optometrist. You never know what problems might be found.

You love Bright Eyes, right? And you may be one of the half a billion (yes, with a “B”) people who have a Facebook account. So now that Facebook Places is up and running, you can combine Bright Eyes and Facebook by checking in at the NEW Bright Eyes Facebook Place Page!

So…. If you are thinking, “What the heck is he talking about?” Here is a quick primer:

In the social media world, location-based services are hot! Location based services (LBSs) are applications that work on your smartphone, like an iPhone, Android, or Blackberry. Because these apps know where you are via GPS, it allows you to interact with other people in specific ways: location friends, see who’s in the area, and other game-like activities.

For the last year, foursquare has been my favorite, because it is the most fun. Gowalla, Yelp and other LBS applications have been competing for interest. All of these apps let you “check in” somewhere. This usually let’s friends know that you are at that location, but also gets you discounts at certain businesses. For example, showing your check in to Bright Eyes on any of the services gets you a discount on purchased items and services.

But the big game changer was that Facebook rolled out is own LBS, totally integrated with all other aspects of Facebook. So now, even if you didn’t have a foursquare or Gowalla account, you can still check in at Bright Eyes for your discount with Facebook. You can check in two ways: the iPhone Facebook app, or using http://touch.facebook.com. (Feel free to use one of the computers if you want to check in!)

So next time you stop by Bright Eyes for an exam, to pick up contacts, or just to say “Hi”, be sure to check in!

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

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. Read the rest of this entry »

FYI – If you are a Facebook user, you can now follow Bright Eyes News on Networked Blogs. Just click here.

I hope you enjoy following Bright Eyes News!

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

We spent part of yesterday upgrading the appearance the blog. Check out the Facebook, Twitter, and reader location widgets.

If there are any other features that you would like to see, please let use know! We’d be happy to look into it!

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

In order to get a nice-short vanity URL for Facebook, the Bright Eyes page needs more fans. If you are on Facebook go to our cumbersome current link to become a fan:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tampa-FL/Bright-Eyes-Family-Vision-Care/28366449976

After more people become fans, we can have a cool, short link like Facebook.com/brighteyestampa.  So if you are on Facebook, help us out!

Thanks in advance!

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

That’s right! Your favorite Eye and Vision Care establishment in Westchase is now on Facebook. Many of my Optometrist friends have their practices on the web, have blogs, and are now moving onto Facebook. Facebook is free, and open anyone and simple to use. I love the idea.

Check out our new page!

Be Well!

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