Try Uptown Eye Care’s favorite Eye Tricks and Brain Teasers. Can you master them?

“F” Count

Count every “F” in the following text. Count them ONLY ONCE. Do not go back and count them a second time.

Five-winged flies are the result of years of scientific study combined with the experience of many years.

How many “F”s did you count?

Show Actual Count

Mind over Foot

So, you think you can control your own foot? Take this challenge and you’ll find out your foot has a mind of its own!

1. While sitting, lift your right foot off the ground and make clockwise circles with it.
2. While doing this draw the number “6” in the air with your right hand.

Your foot will change direction and there is nothing you can do about it! Let us know if you are the exception to the rule.

Do you know of any fun Eye Tricks and Brain Teasers? We’d love to try them!

10 tips for choosing children’s eye wear

According to the Children’s Vision Network, 80% of what a child learns is processed through their eyes. If your child’s eye doctor has recommended eye glasses to correct a vision deficiency, one of the most important things you can do is a) choose a pair that your child will actually wear and b)choose a pair that will stand up to the active lifestyle of a child.

Here are 10 tips to help make sure that you and your child have an enjoyable and successful trip to the optical shop.

1. Let your child have some input.

Remember that if your child hates their eye glasses it will be a constant battle to get them to wear them. If you want to avoid the constant reminders and threats to get your child to wear their glasses, which is really your main objective, then let them have some input in the style and color of their frames. As long as they fit properly and your child will wear them, who cares if they are purple, neon orange or polka dotted. Extra enticement may be found in cool lens features, like photochromic lenses that darken outdoors.

2. Lens thickness.

A primary consideration in choosing eye glasses is the lens prescription, since this affects the weight and thickness of the final lenses. If your child needs a stronger prescription that requires a thick lens you will want to keep the frames as small as possible. This will reduce the final thickness and weight of the lenses. Consult with the optician for direction is this matter.

3. Lens material.

Children’s lenses should be made of polycarbonate or Trivex materials since these are the safest, most impact resistant lenses available. They are also lighter weight and more comfortable than regular plastic lenses, a good feature to consider if your child has a stronger prescription.

4. Frame material.

Children’s frames are made with either plastic or metal. Plastic frames usually have more color options and fun patterns to choose from. Just make sure they fit properly before your child falls in love with them. Metal compositions vary, with memory metal such as Flexon, being the most durable. These frames can withstand extreme bending and twisting without breaking. Keep in mind nothing is indestructible, though, so your child should still be instructed in the proper care and handling of their new glasses.

5. Temple style.

Your child’s age and prescribed glasses wearing schedule will influence the type of ear piece that is best for your child. Cable temples will wrap all the way around the back of the ear with a large, silicone-covered C shape at the end. These are especially good for babies and toddlers to keep the glasses from sliding down or falling off the face entirely.
Another option is a strap that goes completely around the back of the head. If your child is a bit older or only needs to wear their glasses part time, the more traditional skull temples that go straight back and curve gently behind the ear will work the best.

6. Proper fit.

One of the most difficult parts of choosing eye glasses for your child is making sure you get a proper fit. A young child’s nose is not fully developed and they have a very small bridge, which makes some plastic frames unsuitable. If there is a gap between the bridge of the frame and the bridge of the nose, the glasses will slide down on your child’s face, especially with the added weight of the lenses. Metal frames are usually made with adjustable nose pads, so they fit everyone’s bridge.
Each frame should be evaluated individually for proper bridge fit and overall width. Your optician will be the best judge of the fit of a frame.

7. Hinges.

A common place for glasses to break is at the hinge which connects the temples to the face of the frame. Spring hinges are an excellent choice for children, since they tend to a bit rougher on their glasses than adults are. Spring hinges allow the temples to bend outward without damaging the frame. This gives them greater durability when a child takes their glasses off and on, or if they fall asleep while wearing their glasses.

8. Sports eye wear.

While you may be tempted to let your child play sports in his/her regular glasses, the frames are not designed to give enough protection from large objects such as balls or elbows. Sports goggles will provide the best protection against eye injury. Consult with an eye care professional about proper fit before making a purchase, since sports goggles need to fit so that any impact points are above and below the eye sockets.

9. Warranties

Don’t underestimate the value of a warranty plan with the purchase of glasses for your child. It is very common to need to replace damaged or broken frames or lenses given the active nature of most children. Some retailers offer a warranty plan for a small fee, which may well be a worthwhile investment. Check the cost of frame or lens replacement both with and without the warranty plan to determine if the investment is a good one. At our clinic all our children’s eye wear comes with a two year warranty at no additional charge.

10. Backup pair.

If your child has a strong prescription or will have trouble functioning in school without his/her glasses then purchasing a backup pair of glasses is a good idea. Oftentimes replacing a pair of glasses can take several days, especially if the frame needs to be ordered from the manufacturer. If it would be a hardship for your child to go without his glasses for that length of time then a backup pair is essential. Most optical shops will offer a discount on a second pair of glasses when they are purchased at the same time as the original pair, making it a good investment.

If your child is in need of eyeglasses we have opticians trained in fitting all ages with the proper eye wear. We offer a two year warranty on all children’s eyeglasses and minor repairs and adjustments at no charge. Contact Us or Stop in to check out our selection of children’s eyewear.

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How to Choose Childrens Eye Wear

UV radiation causes sunburn and skin cancer and accelerates skin aging. Overexposure to UV radiation can lead to inflammations of the cornea and the conjunctiva in the eye, and causes or accelerates cataract development. Currently, one in five North Americans and one in two Australians will develop some form of skin cancer in their lifetime.

Consider some of the following facts from the World Health Organization:

Excessive UV exposure results in a number of chronic skin changes.

• Cutaneous malignant melanoma: a life-threatening malignant skin cancer.
• Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin: a malignant cancer, which generally progresses less rapidly than melanoma and is less likely to cause death.
• Basal cell carcinoma of the skin: a slow-growing skin cancer appearing predominantly in older people.
• Photo-aging: a loss of skin tightness and the development of solar keratoses.

A person’s skin type is also important. Fair-skinned people suffer more from sunburn and have a higher risk of skin cancer than dark-skinned people. However, even though the incidence of skin cancer is lower in dark-skinned people, the cancers are often detected at a later, more dangerous stage. The risk of eye damage, premature aging of the skin and immunosuppression is independent of skin type.

Effects on the eyes

Acute effects of UV radiation include photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis (inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva, respectively). These effects are easily prevented by protective eyewear and are not associated with any long-term damage.

Chronic effects of UV radiation on the eyes include:

• Cataract: an eye disease where the lens becomes increasingly opaque, resulting in impaired vision and eventual blindness;
• Pterygium: a white or creamy fleshy growth on the surface of the eye;
• Squamous cell carcinoma of the cornea or conjunctiva: a rare tumour of the surface of the eye.

Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of UV radiation. Excessive sun exposure in children is likely to contribute to skin cancer in later life.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children have the right to enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to a safe environment. Children require special protection as they are at a higher risk of suffering damage from exposure to UV radiation than adults, in particular:

• A child’s skin is thinner and more sensitive and even a short time outdoors in the midday sun can result in serious burns.
• Epidemiological studies demonstrate that frequent sun exposure and sunburn in childhood set the stage for high rates of melanoma later in life.
• Children have more time to develop diseases with long latency, more years of life to be lost and more suffering to be endured as a result of impaired health. Increased life expectancy further adds to people’s risk of developing skin cancers and cataracts.
• Children are more exposed to the sun. Estimates suggest that up to 80 per cent of a person’s lifetime exposure to UV is received before the age of 18 .
• Children love playing outdoors but usually are not aware of the harmful effects of UV radiation.

Caring for children in the sun

According to an Australian study, four out of five cases of skin cancer are preventable by sensible behaviour. Encouraging children to take simple precautions will prevent both short-term and long-term damage while still allowing them to enjoy the time they spend outdoors. Parents should serve as role models, and it is their responsibility to ensure that their children are protected adequately. Always keep infants of less than 12 months in the shade and make sure your children:

• Cover up with protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses.
• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15+.
• Limit their time in the midday sun.
• Seek shade.
• Avoid sunlamps and tanning parlors.

Shade, clothing and hats provide the best protection for children – applying sunscreen becomes necessary on those parts of the body that remain exposed like the face and hands. Sunscreen should never be used to prolong the duration of sun exposure.

Sunglasses are also an important tool to protect your child’s eyes from UV damage. Sunglasses labeled 100% UV protection, or preferably, 100% UVA and UVB protection are the best choices.

Encouraging children to take the simple precautions above will prevent both short-term and long-term damage while still allowing them to enjoy the time they spend outdoors.

If you have any questions on how you can further protect your child’s eye from environmental dangers please contact us.

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Are Your Children Protected from UV Radiation?

“Reading in dim light is harmful to your eyes.”

False. Many of us remember our parents telling us not to read in the dark. Reading in a dim or dark environment does not harm your eyes. You may experience symptoms such as headaches or eye strain, but reading in the dark will not damage your eyes or your vision.

“Using computers can damage your eyes.”

False. Working on computers or video display terminals (VDTs) will not harm your eyes. Often, when using a VDT for long periods of time, just as when reading or doing other close work, you blink less often than normal. This reduced rate of blinking makes your eyes dry, which may lead to the feeling of eyestrain or fatigue. Try to take regular breaks to look up or across the room. Keep the monitor between 18 to 24 inches from your face and at a slight downward angle. Also consider the use of artificial tears. If your vision blurs or your eyes tire easily, you should have your eyes examined by an eye doctor.

“Wearing the wrong kind of eyeglasses damages your eyes.”

False. Eyeglasses are devices used to sharpen your vision. Although correct eyeglasses help you to see clearly, wearing a pair with the wrong lenses, or not wearing glasses at all, will not physically damage your eyes. However, children less than eight years old who need eyeglasses should wear their own prescription to prevent the possibility of developing amblyopia or “lazy eye.”

“Sitting close to the television can damage children’s eyes.”

False. Children can focus at close distance without eyestrain better than adults. They often develop the habit of holding reading materials close to their eyes or sitting right in front of the television. There is no evidence that this damages their eyes, and the habit usually diminishes as children grow older. Children with nearsightedness (myopia) sometimes sit close to the television in order to see the images more clearly.

“Eating carrots improves your vision.”

False. Carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is essential for sight, but many other foods also contain this vitamin. A well-balanced diet, with or without carrots, provides all the vitamin A necessary for good vision.

“People with weak eyes should avoid reading fine print.”

False. It is said that people with weak eyes or people who wear glasses will “wear out” their eyes sooner if they read fine print or do a lot of detail work. The concept of the eye as a muscle is incorrect. The eye more closely resembles a camera. A camera will not wear out sooner just because it is used to photograph intricate detail. You can use your eyes without fear of wearing them out.

“Wearing eyeglasses will cause you to become dependent on them.”

False. This is probably the biggest myth in eye and vision care. Eyeglasses simply focus your camera. Since clear vision with eyeglasses is preferable to uncorrected vision, you may find that you want to wear your eyeglasses more often. Although it may feel as if you are becoming dependent on your eyeglasses, you are actually just getting used to seeing clearly.

“A cataract must be ‘ripe’ before it is removed.”

False. With older surgical techniques, it was thought to be safer to remove a cataract when it was “ripe.” With today’s modern surgical procedures, a cataract can be removed whenever it begins to interfere with a person’s lifestyle. If you are unable to see well enough to do the things you like or need to do, you should consider cataract surgery. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract.

“Eyes can be transplanted.”

False. Medical science has no way to transplant whole eyes. Our eyes are connected to the brain by the optic nerve. Much like a fiber optic cable, the optic nerve is made up of more than one million tiny nerve fibers. This nerve cannot be reconnected once it has been severed. Because of this, the eye is never removed from its socket during surgery. The cornea, the clear front part of the eye, has been successfully transplanted for many years. Corneal transplant is sometimes confused with an eye transplant.

“Exercises Can Improve Vision”

False. While there is some truth to eye exercises (also known as vision training) to help reduce or eliminate eye muscle problems such as strabismus or amblyopia, despite those convincing radio advertisements, there is really no real exercise that can eliminate nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.

If you would like to get any of these myths cleared up in person, schedule an appointment to come on in and discuss them with us.   Contact us for your appointment.

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10 Common Eye Myths

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the U.S. Glaucoma is a very misunderstood disease. Often, people don’t realize the potential severity of the disease or who is at risk of acquiring the disease. It most often occurs in people over age 40, although a congenital or infantile form of glaucoma exists. People with a family history of glaucoma, African Americans over the age of 40, and Hispanics over the age of 60 are at an increased risk of developing glaucoma. Other risk factors include thinner corneas, chronic eye inflammation, and using medications that increase the pressure in the eyes.

With open-angle glaucoma, the most common form, there are virtually no symptoms. Usually, no pain is associated with increased eye pressure. Vision loss begins with peripheral or side vision. You may compensate for this unconsciously by turning your head to the side, and may not notice anything until significant vision is lost. The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is to get tested. If you have glaucoma, treatment can begin immediately

A less common type of glaucoma, acute angle closure glaucoma, usually occurs abruptly due to a rapid increase of pressure in the eye. Its symptoms may include severe eye pain, nausea, redness in the eye, seeing colored rings around lights, and blurred vision. This condition is an ocular emergency, and medical attention should be sought immediately, as severe vision loss can occur quickly.

Glaucoma is not curable, and vision lost cannot be regained. With medication and/or surgery, it is possible to halt further loss of vision. That is why the American Optometric Association recommends an annual dilated eye examination for people at risk for glaucoma as a preventive eye care measure.

All of our doctors at Uptown Eye Care check for signs of glaucoma at every eye health evaluation appointment. If you are due for your annual exam contact us.

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Glaucoma Awareness Minnesota

I was able to see first hand how being a member of Vision Source benefits both you, the patient, as well as the optometric practice when I attended the annual Vision Source North American Meeting. The entire event was so perfectly orchestrated that it was obvious we are part of an organization that takes caring for its members very seriously.

The event was held at the Hilton Bonnet Creek Resort in Orlando, FL in April. The setting was beautiful, the weather a perfect sunny and 85 everyday, and the resort staff friendly, helpful, and attentive. But even more impressive was the standard of care set by the Vision Source team.

The Welcome Reception, held poolside at the Waldorf Astoria, was a perfect opportunity to meet new colleagues and connect with old friends. The presentations and classes held over the next 3 days were designed to equip the attendees with knowledge of the latest technological advances in eye health care and to inspire us to reach for ever higher standards in patient care. The attention given to meeting every the need and desire of those in attendance was a perfect lesson in how we, as private practice optometrists, can do the same for our patients to demonstrate how valuable you are to us.

My favorite presentation was by the keynote speaker, Dennis Snow. Dennis’ customer service abilities were born and developed over 20 years with The Walt Disney World Company. He is the author of the book, “Lessons from the Mouse: A Guide for Applying Disney World’s Secrets of Success to Your Organization, Your Career, and Your Life”. Dennis had us all laughing as he shared his experiences as Captain Nemo at the 1,000 Leagues Under The Sea ride, as well as working some of the other rides (we were forbidden to sing It’s A Small World within his earshot). We took notes furiously as he shared Walt Disney Worlds secrets to providing magical moments to their guests. His lecture, Leading a Culture of Service Excellence, showed us how paying attention to even the smallest details contributes to delivering a positive experience for our patients.

The conference flew by quickly, and before we knew it, it was time for the closing reception, Splashdown at SeaWorld. Our final night in Orlando was spent enjoying a private dolphin show, checking out the Dolphin Encounter exhibit, and riding the Manta roller coaster (yes, I did).

Attending this conference left us all feeling proud to be a part of the largest network of private practice optometrists in the world. If you would like to experience the benefits of choosing a Vision Source eye care provider contact us.

Melonie Carlson, CPOA

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Vision Source North American Meeting 2012

When you visit Uptown Eye Care you will no doubt notice the phrase “Vision Source” in our office, on our signs, letterhead, business cards, brochures, etc. When you call our office we tell you that you have reached “Uptown Eye Care, your Vision Source”. But do you know what that means or why we have associated ourselves with this organization?

Vision Source Network

Vision Source is a network of individual eye care doctors. All doctors in the Vision Source network share one thing in common: A dedication to maintaining that special relationship that exists between a patient and his or her family eye doctor. Decisions regarding your care are made by you and your Vision Source eye doctor and based solely upon what is best for your continued eye health.

Vision Source was founded in 1991 with the belief that eye health care is best provided by an independent family eye doctor, free to make his or her own decisions about what is best for the continued good vision of the patient. As a member of Vision Source, we have access to the shared knowledge and resources of a network with more than 2,300 offices. And because each office is independently owned and operated, your entire eye care experience – from examination through fitting of eyeglasses or contacts – takes place under the watchful eye of your family optometrist.

This network of optometrists has partnered with many leaders in the eye care industry, from developers of the highest quality diagnostic equipment and manufacturers of superior eyeglass and contact lenses to cutting edge frame designers and customer service experts. These partnerships allow your independent Vision Source optometrist to provide you with a level of health care you would not otherwise experience.

Here at Uptown Eye Care our goal is to provide you and your family with superior eye care in an efficient, personal and professional environment. We are committed to remaining at the technological forefront of eye care because your health is our first priority. Being a member of Vision Source makes meeting this goal not only possible, but a reality.

If you would like to experience the highest level of eye health care available, contact us or stop in to meet our staff and spend some time in our optical shop or call to make an appointment for a complete eye health evaluation.

Melonie Carlson, CPOA
Office Manager

What is Vision Source?

In this third installment of visualization I’d like to explain how to apply visualization in learning , particularly in spelling and math facts.

While we use auditory skills to learn, it is the visual skills that enable your child to develop advanced processing skills which, in turn, allow your child to progress to higher levels of learning. Using both auditory and visual skills together make the neurological connections most effective. In fact, the more senses that are involved the better! When learning how to spell or when learning math facts, those who use visual, auditory and motor skills together will retain the information better than those who use fewer sensory skills.

How Does Visualization in Learning Work?

To see how this works, try the following technique with your child.

First, have the child take a note card and write a word using crayons or markers. Then, have them decorate it however they wish. It’s helpful if they decorate their word with something that they would associate with the meaning of the word. For example, the word “flower” could be decorated with flower petals, stems and leaves. The word “cat” could have whiskers and a tail.

Next, take the card and hold it in front of your child and ask them to take a mental picture of it. Then ask them close their eyes and describe it to you. After this, see if they can spell the word in the air with their finger. They could also try saying it out loud while clapping their hands or tapping their legs.

Once they are able to see the word you could have them try spelling it to you backwards. They may need to occasionally retake their “picture”. It may also help to keep a beat as they are telling you the word. You can also use this technique for memorizing math fact families. Try it and see how it works for you!

More Information on Visualization In Learning

For more information on this technique Dr. Lynn Hellerstein has written a great book for parents titled See It. Say It. Do It!

I would love to hear any comments or suggestions, and if you have any other spelling techniques that have worked for you please share them with me. If you think your child would benefit from additional training in using visualization, please contact me.

See our previous post on Practical Usage of Visualization.

Visualization In Learning

In a previous blog post we discussed how visualization is an important part of our mental processing. The act of being able to imagine and “see” in our mind is a very powerful tool we use to learn. Visualization doesn’t come naturally to everyone but it is something that can be learned.

Learn Visualization with Practice

Thru practice and vision training you can become a pro! Our brain is using our vision constantly to determine where we are and what we are going to do. Imagining and visualizing our actions are necessary to foresee not only our success but also the consequences of our actions.

Many successful professionals use visualization to prepare for public speaking events and presentations. Great athletes also use this technique to master skills needed to be the best in their sport.

More practically, successful learners in the classroom use this technique to master their test taking skills. This is especially critical in math and science classes to help visually grasp concepts that may otherwise seem abstract. Your child may not even know they are doing this and unfortunately others do not know the technique even exists to help them.

For more information on how vision impacts learning visit our website.

Practical Usage of Visualization

Why Does Visualization Matter?

You may be thinking what does visualization have to do with AD(H)D, dyslexia or learning? Let’s first define that visualization is the act of mentally imagining a form or situation. This can be remembering a trip you took or imagining an object in your mind.

Around the age of three our vision and visual processing abilities develop to a level where we are able to start this visualization process. Before this time we use our sense of taste and touch to explore our world. I think we would all agree that using our vision to explore our world is less awkward in social situations.

This is the first of three blog posts that explain how visualization is important in our lives. This discussion explains how it relates to ADD or ADHD-like symptoms.

Visual System Development

If the visual system doesn’t develop to a progressively higher level children beyond the age of three will still often feel the need to grab and touch everything they see to understand it. This is a common symptom of ADHD. Now imagine that you are not able to visualize what a consequence of our actions are. These children often do not have fear and are more likely to innocently harm themselves or others because they can’t imagine the consequences of their actions. Without proper development of vision and visual processing a child may suffer from symptoms of a behavior disorder. For more information on this topic and to find answers visit the Your Child’s Vision page.

I would also recommend several books related to this topic.

Berne, Samuel, O.D., FCOVD. Without Ritalin: A Natural Approach to ADD ; Kranowitz, Carol Stock.

The Out-of-Sync Child and Getz, Donald. O.D., FCOVD. Seeing is Achieving: Improve Your Child¹s Chances for Success.

If we catch these issues early enough we may be able to reduce or even eliminate the effects of these disorders.

Dr Mary Gregory

Visualization ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia and Learning