It’s official.  Sunglass season is here.  But is there really a sunglass season? The answer is: there is and there isn’t.

Ultraviolet light (UV A and UV B) is present in winter as well as summer.  Since people spend more time outdoors in summer, sunglass sales boom in spring.

Which sunglass is right for you?  Although most people concern themselves with the cosmetics of the frame, it is the lens that is the most important part of eye protection.  Not all lenses are alike. There are sport lenses, golf or tennis lenses, biking, hiking, or skiing lenses, driving or fishing lenses and general-purpose sun lenses.

Some of the sunglass designers include Oakley which has multilayered, multicoated lenses.  Maui Jim is known for their polarized, multilayered, non-glare lenses.  Ray Ban has been the sunglass standard for many years and is probably the most well known.  Rudy Project is known for their high quality sports lenses.

Designers such as Bvlgari, Calvin Klein, Dior, Tiffany, Carrera and a host of others have made their own protective lenses in their high fashion sun wear.

Did you know that ultraviolet light exposure could be higher in the winter?  The sun is lower in the sky.  The trees are bare.  The snow is on the ground.  The glare and reflections may be higher than in warm weather.  And as we well know, where there is more sun glare, there is more ultraviolet light.  We know this because we sunburn in a shorter period of time at the beach or pool than in the backyard.  The same goes for UV glare in the winter.  More glare = more UV.

So why do more people think they only have to wear sunglasses in the warm weather?  The answer is education, education, and education.  As eyecare professionals, it is our job to educate our patients regarding UV eye protection in all seasons.  I like to think that for the last 25 years or so, my staff has been doing a good job of this.

So if you want information about which sunglass is right for you, stop by Optix Family Eyecare Center for a free consultation.  At Optix, we are very proud to be one of the largest providers of sun wear on Long Island.

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum

Thur March 8th, 4:00 – 8:00: Prada & Ran Ban
Sat. June 9th, 11:00 – 4:00: Ray Ban
Sat. Aug 11th, 11:00 4:00: Brands To Be Announced
Thur Oct 25th, 4:00 – 8:00: Brands To Be Announced

Most of my readers have had their vision tested using a Snellen Chart in an eye doctor’s office along with a host of other diagnostic tests to determine if the eyes are functioning properly.  The Snellen Chart is the one with the big “E”.  These charts are often used by pediatricians and school nurses as screenings to assess a child’s vision.  WHAT I LEARNED TODAY WAS MINDBOGGLING.  I always knew that pediatricians and school nurses missed vision problems in 30% of the children they screened…….But I was dead wrong.  New statistics recently published show that this number was close to 72%.  That’s amazing!  Perhaps that is one reason that children in the United States are falling behind other countries in science and math scores and more.  What is even more amazing is that the protocols these professionals are using to refer these kids to the eye doctor is more outdated that a dial-up telephone.

The 3D symposium opened my eyes to the future — 3D movies, 3D TV, 3D cell phones, 3D cameras, 3D computers, 3D learning, 3D surgery and so much more.  Doctors will be doing (and have already started to do so today) virtual surgery.  And they need good depth perception to do this.  This is not the distant future.  This is today.  Students who now learn about a DNA double helix from books or on the smart board will soon be able to sit in the middle of the double helix and view specific genes in 3D.  Learning will be different in tomorrow’s classroom.  STUDENTS WHO ONLY USE ONE EYE AT A TIME WILL BE LIMITTED IN THEIR LEARNING CAPABILITIES.  Both eyes are needed to send equal signals to the brain so the brain can perceive depth.

Nintendo is releasing a new 3D video toy for children within the next few months.  Only those children with efficient binocular vision will excel in these games…. And this will only be the beginning.  Parents need to know that when their children “fail” or do poorly at these tasks, there may be a vision or perceptual problem.  And they must know this and do something about it before the child is 7 years of age.  And even this may be too late.  The earlier vision problems are determined in children, the easier they are to correct for a lifetime of learning.

Do you want your child to have the opportunity to be a doctor, an astronaut, a pilot or some other profession that will require excellent depth perception (3D)?   Do you want your child to have the opportunity to enjoy 3D movies, TV and more like people with “normal” depth perception can?  Early detection of visual issues is imperative to a child’s development and future.   The simple enjoyment of these entertainment venues that we take for granted are compromised by poor depth deception.

Researchers are developing new 3D tools for eye doctors and educators to screen your children for earlier detection of underlying vision problems.  As an optometrist, it is my job to find vision solutions that will offer my patients an opportunity for a good user experience when it comes to the 3D technology of the future.

“The Clock is Ticking in 3D”.  Have your child’s eyes professionally examined.

For more information go to www.3dathome.org or www.aoa.org.

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum

www.optixeyecare.com

It has been a while since I posted so it’s time to fill you in on what’s been happening and what is on the horizon for you and me and Optix Family Eyecare.

Firstly, we have a new intern, Lori, who is an aspiring optometrist.  One of the things I love most about my profession is the ability to teach and inspire young people to follow in my footsteps.  I have seen two interns go on to attend optometry school and I am proud to have had an influence on their lives.

The optometric profession has been good to me and my family.  Thirty one years ago I graduated from the New England College of Optometry in Boston.  In that time I have seen tens of thousands of patients and have hopefully affected most of them in a positive way.  In addition to just examining someone’s eyes, I know I have saved many lives over the years.  As a primary care eye care provider, I am often the first doctor that a patient sees with the complaint of headache, double vision, dizziness, or just plain blurry vision.   These symptoms may be normal for many people.  But for others they can be signs of diabetes, hypertension, tumors, glaucoma, heart disease, stroke and more.  As a primary care giver, it is my job to determine normal from abnormal.  It is often not my job to make the final medical diagnosis, but to get the patient to the correct specialist so that they may receive the proper medical care and treatment.  Going to the optometrist is not just to get eyeglasses or contact lenses.

This week is Vision Expo in New York.  It’s an opportunity to see most of the world’s eye care technology under one roof.  Frames, lenses, equipment, and most importantly continuing education are provided at Vision Expo.  This is where may staff and I learn about new products for our patients and where we get the tools to provide quality services to them.   Every year, I truly look forward to this week.  I learn, my staff learns, and you benefit.

2011 will be the best year for Optix Family Eyecare.   2011 will be the best year for our patients with new products and services.   2011 will be the best year for my wife and me personally, as our son Evan is getting married to a beautiful woman, Paula, and our son Brett will be starting school to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Be healthy, be happy and come and enjoy our services at Optix.  You will be glad you did.

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum

www.optixeyecare.com

Good luck and thank you for choosing Optix for your eyecare needs.

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What happened to the years? I was born in 1954, the year Willie Mays made the over-the-shoulder catch in the World Series.  I have seen the great blackout, Vietnam, the Beatles, Woodstock, President Kennedy get shot, Nixon too, the 7 day Arab-Israeli war, and so much more.  My children know this from history books and I was there.  It’s hard to believe that I am as old as I am.

I graduated from the New England College of Optometry in 1980 and have been a practicing optometrist for over 30 years.  In that time I have met and helped thousands of people maintain their vision and general health.  I have saved many lives by discovering previously undetected tumors, hypertension, diabetes and more.  I have treated hundreds of people with eye diseases like keratoconus, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.  I have prescribed eyeglasses and contact lenses for thousands of patients with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia.

I have improved the lives of so many patients by affording them the ability to see life without a blur.  So why do I feel that I haven’t done enough.   In 2011, I resolve that I will be more diligent in explaining what I am doing and what have done for my patients.  I will continue my staff education policies so that we can educate our patients about all the new products and services available to them to improve their vision, eye health, and quality of life.  I will continue to invest in the Optix computerized infrastructure to provide more efficient patient services using the most up-to-date technology.   And finally, I resolve to be the best eye doctor, father, husband, son, and friend I could be.

Happy New Year

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum

www.optixeyecare.com

www.facebook.com/optixeyecare

You must live on Long Island, “Like” us on Facebook, and write your New Year’s Resolution on our wall to be entered to win a free pair of sunglasses.  Entry must be posted by midnight on December 31, 2010.

Go to www.facebook.com/optixeyecare and write your New Year’s Resolution.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A JOYOUS NEW YEAR

THE OPTIX STAFF

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum

Dr. Michelle Zalaznick

Dr. Todd Lustig

Judy, Gilma, Sharon, Jan, Cathy, Eileen, Greg, Evan and Brett

And the best thing that people are doing for themselves again is taking care of their healthcare.   Vision care is a big part of the healthcare picture as it is widely accepted that the eyes are the windows to the body.  So many disease processes can be discovered from examining the eyes.  These include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, blood disorders, thyroid disease, brain tumors, skin cancer, HIV, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and a host of other problems. Of course, testing your vision quality so that you can see at your best is a primary focus of an eye examination.

Some people think that an eye exam can be very intimidating but of course, most of us know better.  If you want a good laugh, there is a very funny video of comedian Brian Regan talking about his eye exam experience on youtube.com.

Probably the best gift you can give for the holiday season is the gift of sight.  Think about what you spend on frivolous gifts that are either put in the closet, re-gifted or returned.  An eye care or eyewear gift certificate will be used with enthusiasm as your family or friend chooses that sunglass or contact lenses they always wanted or gets the great news from their optometrist that their eyes are healthy.

How long has it been since your family members have had their eyes examined?  Has it been more than a year or two?  Likely you have gone to the dentist perhaps even twice a year.  Why is that?  You have over thirty teeth but you only have two eyes.  Many insurers will cover or partially cover the fee for an eye examination and some will even give you some money towards eyeglasses.

Flexible Spending Accounts can also be used for eye examinations, eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Remember to use yours in 2010 so your benefits don’t go to waste.

GIVE THE GIFT OF SIGHT.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OUR FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS AND FAMILIES

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum
www.optixeyecare.com

CONGRATULATIONS

It’s that wonderful time in your life and your son or daughter is getting married.  You decide that since you have a year or so before the wedding that you’ll join a gym and actually go three or four times a week.  In addition, you decided that your diet starts today.

You are going to look your best in that dress so your friends and relatives can make those fantastic comments that make you feel so good.  Along with that beautiful dress you will look great with the three inch heeled shoes to match.  The makeup will be perfect and of course the hair will be styled to perfection on the day of the wedding.

But what about those ugly eyeglasses you’ve been wearing for the past five years?  Isn’t it time for a change?  Perhaps you’ll get your eyes examined first.  Perhaps your eye doctor will suggest contact lenses or Laser Vision Correction (LASIK).   You are thinking that’s not really possible because you have astigmatism and you wear bifocals or progressive lenses.  But alas it is possible.  Today’s technology does allow for people in their forties, fifties and older to wear contact lenses and to have LASIK.

Even if it is only for the special occasion in your life or for the weekend wear, contact lenses are available even for the most complicated prescriptions.  Soft contact lenses are comfortable enough to be worn every day or just whenever.   If you want to morph completely into someone you have always dreamed to be, make sure your eye doctor is a contact lens specialist so that you will be fitted with the most up-to-date contact lenses that are just right for you.

So if contacts are not for you, what else can you do?  There are always beautiful eyeglass styles that can suit your needs.  From Tiffany to Prada to Bvlgari, styles are available to complement your best features.  Your photographer will insist on non-glare or anti-reflective eyeglass lenses.  These are essential for photographs and will ultimately give you your best vision.

So why not do yourself a favor?  Lose weight, exercise, buy the beautiful dress and shoes, and have your eyes examined so you can see optimally at your child’s wedding.  You’ll be glad you did.

CONGRATULATIONS

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum

www.optixeyecare.com

On day one, while I was relaxing at the swimming pool, I struck up a conversation with a Los Angeles couple whose five year old daughter was swimming with them.  I noticed that the parents were wearing prescription sunglasses but the child was not wearing sunglasses at all.  Our conversation led the parents to the realization that they needed to be more aware of their child’s visual well being.  They were unaware that 80% of learning was through the eyes.  They were unaware that 80% of a person’s lifetime visual exposure to ultraviolet light comes before the age of 18. They were unaware of the long term effects UV light has on eye health.  They were going home and would make an appointment for their child with an eye doctor, her first and most important appointment.

Day 2 was actually an eye opener for me.  Having left my prescription glasses in my hotel room, I left to do a day’s worth of shopping with my wife carrying only my polarized sunglasses.   Sunglasses are a necessity when you are in the desert.  But when you are going in and out of store after store after store you soon realize that having your transitions eyeglasses with you is just as important.  Transitions lenses change from light to dark depending on the amount of UV exposure.  Indoors they are clear and would have allowed me to see more efficiently while shopping.  Yes, even eye doctors forget to take their glasses with them on occasion.  And by the way, I really do not like shopping.

Traveling through the mountains and desert in New Mexico on Day 3, I truly appreciated my polarized sunglasses.   My preference is Maui Jim sunglasses because of the way this lens minimizes reflections coming from the lens itself.  Mine are prescription but they are available as non-prescription as well.  We arrived in Taos after a detour to Bandelier National Monument and Los Alamos, the home of the atom bomb.  The color and contours of the mountains can only be appreciated by those who have good visual quality.  Unfortunately, there are many travelers who don’t realize they are not seeing well because they have not had their eyes examined.  If you know one or more of these people, enlighten them about the importance of an eye examination.

This is what I do when I am not in the office.  I travel and I think eyes. I love my time off yet I am constantly reminded of why I became an optometrist.  That is, to directly or indirectly help people see their best so they can see the world too.  Enjoy your time off when you get some.   In the meantime, have your eyes and those of a loved one examined.

Perhaps we will see each other on our next vacation.

Joel Kestenbaum, OD

www.optixeyecare.com

image credit Kamal H