Great music and funky shades always go together. Put your shades on, and get up on your feet.
Parents and Children Don’t See Eye-to-Eye When it Comes to Technology Use
As technology use continues to rise both at home and in classrooms, parents severely underestimate the time their children spend on digital devices. A survey by the American Optometric Association (AOA) found that 83 percent of children between the ages of 10 and 17 say they use an electronic device for at least three hours each day. However, a separate AOA survey revealed that only 40 percent of parents believe their children use an electronic device for that same amount of time. This disparity is concerning to eye doctors and may indicate that parents are more likely to overlook warning signs associated with vision problems due to technology use.
Digital eye strain, a temporary condition caused by prolonged technology use, can cause children to experience burning, itchy or tired eyes, headaches, fatigue, loss of focus and blurred vision.
To protect vision from digital eye strain, children should make sure they practice the 20-20-20 rule: take a 20-second break, every 20 minutes and view something 20 feet away. Additionally, the following recommendations can help prevent or reduce digital eye strain:
- Position computer screens four to five inches below eye level and 20 to 28 inches away from the eyes. Digital devices should be held slightly below eye level.
- Prevent glare on the screen by turning your desk or computer away from windows or other light sources.
- Match the room lighting to the computer screen by substituting a lower-watt overhead light or using a dimmer switch.
- Adjust font sizes to make text bigger and easier to read.
- Blink frequently to minimize the chances of developing dry eye.
Optometrists are also concerned about high-energy, short-wavelength blue and violet light emitted from everyday electronic devices and how those rays might affect and even age the eyes. Early research shows that overexposure to blue light could contribute to eye strain and discomfort and may lead to serious conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The AOA recommends that every child have an eye exam by an optometrist soon after 6 months of age and before age 3. The Pediatric Essential Health Benefit in the Affordable Care Act now provides children through age 18 with yearly comprehensive eye exams.
Boys make passes at girls in glasses
Happy Presidents Day
Our office will be closed on February 16, 2015 for the Presidents Day holiday and will reopen on Tuesday February 17, 2015.
Happy Valentines Day
Look deeply into your sweethearts eyes …
Source: http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs41/i/2009/029/3/4/Valentine__s_eye_by_V_a_N_i_e.jpg
HMSA Members May Be At Affected By The Anthem Inc. Security Breach
HMSA posted this letter on their website acknowledging that some HMSA members personal information may have been compromised in the Anthem Inc. security breach.
Dear HMSA Member,
I’m sure you’re aware of the national news story that was reported on February 5 about the cyber attack against Anthem Inc., a Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan that serves residents in 14 states. Attackers accessed names, birthdays, medical IDs, Social Security numbers, street and email addresses, and employment information from millions of current and former Anthem members. No credit card or medical information has been reported stolen at this point in the investigation.
There’s a possibility that some HMSA members may be affected. We’re working with Anthem and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association to identify these members. You could be affected if you’ve received medical or hospital services in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia, or Wisconsin.
It’s possible that not every member who’s received services in these states will be affected. Anthem will notify you directly by letter if your data has been accessed. In addition, you can go to AnthemFacts.com for the latest information or call the company’s toll-free number at 1 (877) 263-7995.
It’s very important to be careful about how you share your personal information. Internet scams have already emerged in the wake of the Anthem cyber-attack. Never give your personal information to anyone you don’t trust, particularly if they call or email you.
We know this is causing a great deal of anxiety and are monitoring the situation closely. We’ll share updated information as we receive it, so check this webpage regularly.
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us at (808) 948-6079 on Oahu or 1 (800) 776-4672 toll-free on the Neighbor Islands or the Mainland. TTY users can call 711.Sincerely,Michael A. Gold
President and Chief Executive Officer
A sneak peek at Lafont’s new 2015 spring and summer collection of eyeglasses
Découvrez notre collection Printemps / été 2015.
Discover our Spring / summer 2015 collection.
Here is a sneak peek at Lafont’s new 2015 spring and summer collection of eyeglasses.
Five Tips For a Lifetime of Healthy Vision
Here are 5 tips for a life time of healthy vision. Honolulu eye doctors, Daniel Yamamoto, O.D. and Tracie Inouchi, O.D. suggest:
- Schedule Yearly Comprehensive Exams. Seeing a doctor of optometry regularly will help keep you on the path to healthy eyes.
- Protect against UV rays. No matter the season its important to wear sunglasses.
- Give your eyes a break from digital device use. Practice the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes take a 20 second break and look at something 20 feet away.
- Eat your greens. Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables – particularly the leafy green variety.
- Practice safe wear and care of your contact lenses. Keep them clean.
Happy Martin Luther King Holiday
Our office will be closed on January 19, 2015 for the Martin Luther King Holiday.
Eye Myth Debunked: Carrots Don’t Make the Cut as Top Eye-Healthy Food
Many consumers know they should eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day but what they may not know is what you eat can affect your eye health and vision as you age. Six nutrients ― antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, essential fatty acids, vitamins C and E and the mineral zinc ― have been identified as helping to protect eye sight and promote visual health.
Since the body doesn’t make these nutrients naturally, it’s important that they are incorporated into your daily diet and, in some cases, supplemented with vitamins. Yet, according to the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) 2014 American Eye-Q® survey, 73 percent of Americans do not incorporate any specific foods or supplements into their diet to help improve eye health or vision.
Also, contrary to popular belief, carrots are not at the top of the list for foods that are among the best for the eyes. To increase your intake of essential eye-healthy nutrients, the AOA recommends adding the following to your diet:
Foods rich in lutein and zeathanthin including green, leafy veggies, such as spinach, broccoli and kale and bright yellow/red foods like tomatoes, peppers, egg yolks and mangos;
- Omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, tuna or mackerel;
- Grapefruit, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, papaya, oranges and green peppers, which are the top sources for vitamin C;
- Sunflower seeds, wheat germ oil, almonds, pecans and vegetable oils for Vitamin E; and
- Turkey, oysters, crab, eggs, peanuts and whole grains for zinc.
To learn more about these important nutrients, visit www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/diet-and-nutrition.
The ninth annual American Eye-Q® survey was created and commissioned in conjunction with Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB). From March 20-25, 2014, PSB conducted 1,000 online interviews among Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of the U.S. general population. (Margin of error is plus or minus 3.10 percentage points at a 95% confidence level)
Anti-Reflective Lenses
Anti-reflective eyeglass lenses have a glare coating that is applied directly over the lens. It may be applied to any prescription lens and offers several benefits. Among them, they allow you to see better and to look better.
The Clear Benefits of Anti-Reflective Lenses
Distracting reflections and glare can rob your eyes of up to 14% of available light. Anti-Reflective lenses allow virtually all the available lightto pass through your lenses for sharper, clearer, more comfortable vision. By reducing oncoming glare, anti-reflective lenses allow you to see more clearly at night, especially when driving. Recent tests prove that patients are able to see more clearly with Anti-Reflective lenses,especially at night.
Reduce Eye Strain
Spending long hours at a computer screen, whether at work or play, can dramatically contribute to eye fatigue. In the office where fluorescent light and computer monitors are especially troublesome, the lenses also help to eliminate annoying reflections thereby reducing eye strain and providing sharper, clearer, and more comfortable vision.
Let People See Less Lens And More Of You
Now you can eliminate annoying reflections on the surface of your lenses. Anti-Reflective lenses allow you to see better and look better,while enhancing your ability to communicate with others. The new generation of Anti-Reflection lenses are easier to clean than ever before.
Learn more here AR_seelookbetter (pdf).
Happy New Year
New Year’s is an exciting time of year. It is a time for change and for an optimistic outlook on the rest of the year. It is also the time of year that people traditionally make New Year’s resolutions to start the year off well.
Here are some tips that you can start doing right now to help keep those eyes healthy :
- Eat your way to healthier eyes: Did you know that there are five essential nutrients that help promote healthy vision and may reduce the risk of eye disease? Getting those nutrients by eating things such as leafy greens, nuts, and shellfish can protect those eyes of yours. Certain studies have shown that taking an antioxidant or vitamin supplement can reduce the risk of advanced AMD progression and visual acuity loss
- Wear Sunglasses Outdoors: Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Make sure you protect your eyes even on cloudy days. Not only does too much UV exposure increase your risk for cataracts and macular degeneration.
- If you smoke: Stop smoking. Nothing needs to be explained.
- Wear Protective Goggles: When playing sports, working around heavy machinery or in an area with a lot of particles in the air, you need protective goggles and/or sports lenses. Your eyes are among one of the most vulnerable spots on your entire body. Don’t take unnecessary risks. Wear protective goggles any time your eyes might be at risk.
- Get an annual eye exam: Getting a basic eye exam can reveal some more serious diseases that may affect more than just your vision. An exam with your eye doctor can potentially uncover hidden medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and infections
Don’t Forget Your Flex Spending Account
Did you know that you can use your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account dollars to purchase prescription eyeglasses, prescription contact lenses, and prescription sunglasses? These funds can be used for prescription eyewear, contact lenses, and prescription sunglasses.
For more information please call 808-949-2662.