What do all these activities have in common?

• Walking on the beach or sunbathing on the beach
• Playing baseball
• Golfing
• Fishing
• Tennis
• Swimming
• Biking
• Long hikes with your spouse, family or friends
• Driving the convertible with the top down

Answer:

They are all outdoor activities exposing our body to harmful ultraviolet rays.  Unless you live in a bubble, we have all heard that UV rays are harmful to our skin.  As a preventative measure against sunburn, most people I know apply sunscreen.

But what I do not see is a majority of people wearing sunglasses to protect their eyes from sun damage.  Statistics show that 80% of a person’s lifetime exposure to ultraviolet light comes before the age of 18. Ultraviolet light exposure has been shown to cause cataracts, corneal burns, dry and red eyes and even problems with the macula (the part of the retina responsible for sharp clear vision and color vision perception).

I was in Europe recently and noticed that almost everyone was wearing sunglasses, including infants.  Then I returned to the good old USA and noticed that only a small percentage of people here were wearing them.

It made me question “why?”  So I did an informal study in my practice.  I questioned about 100 random adult patients ages 18 and over.  I asked:

Did you know that ultraviolet light can damage the eye?

Do you routinely wear sunglasses?  If not, why not?

The answers astounded me. 40% of the people surveyed said they did not believe that UV rays can harm the eyes.  About 40% of the non believers routinely wore sunglasses.  Of the 60% that believed that UV rays harmed the eyes, only 30% of those people wore sunglasses.  First of all, these numbers don’t make sense to me.  When those that didn’t wear sunglasses were asked why they didn’t, the answers ranged from “just lazy” to “I lose them” to “they are expensive.”
Now I practice in an upper middle class neighborhood so I have trouble with “they are expensive.”  Most of my patients drive expensive foreign cars and they probably eat out three or more times a week.  Is it priorities or lack of concern for their well-being?  Are Europeans that much more concerned about their health or are they just more educated than we are with their priorities in the right place?  I don’t know the answer to that but perhaps someone out there can shed some light……..without UV of course.

Enjoy your summer and stay UV protected.

Joel Kestenbaum, OD
www.optixeyecare.com

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.

Have a great summer.

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum

So many of the patients I see in the office are wearing Mets or Yankees hats into the exam room.  Since I am a diehard Met fan, I always ask the Yankee fans to turn their hats backwards.  Of course it is a joke, but it does make it easier for me to see their eyes.

I think of baseball season as the start of a wonderful time of the year.  Flowers are starting to bloom as the weather is getting warmer.  Everything is getting greener and people are coming out of their winter cocoons.  Think of the visuals.  Better yet, get your eyes prepared to see the beauty that spring brings.  Have your eyes examined.  Schedule an appointment for your children or your spouse if it has been more than a year since their last eye exam.  Now is a great time to purchase those sunglasses that you have been putting off getting.

And by the way, Optix is offering $35.00 off a pair of sunglasses with a contact lens fitting or as a second pair purchase until May 31, 2009.

Make sure that the beauty that is spring and the games that you play or watch are seen at their best.

LETS GO METS.

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum

Sunglasses are the primary source of that eye protection.  Lenses must screen out UVA and UVB rays.  Lenses may be tinted or polarized but they all need UV protection.  It is also important to note that a child’s eyes need to be protected as well.  Statistics show that 80% of a person’s lifetime exposure to harmful ultraviolet light comes in their first 18 years. Parents must be educated so that they can offer eye protection to their children.

At Optix, we offer a wide selection of sunglasses, providing both protection and fashion.  What sets Optix apart from other eyecare providers is not the fact that we have styles from Gucci, Calvin Klein, Tiffany, Bvlgari and others.  What sets us apart is our staff.  Our licensed opticians have over 90 years of combined experience.  Add that to the almost 60 years experience of Dr. Joel Kestenbaum and Dr. Michelle Zalaznick, and you have experts that can act as both educators and patient advocates.  No eye care office on Long Island can boast this expertise.

So next time you’re relaxing on a snowy day, remember that sunny days will follow.  At Optix, we’ll look after your family, one sunny day at a time.

Enjoy your day.
Dr. Joel Kestenbaum

Well Optix is here to help you out and make sure this Valentine’s Day is a memorable one. Considering that the Spring is right around the corner and Valentine’s Day is this Saturday, why not buy your loved one a pair of beautiful and stylish sunglasses?

Optix carries the best brands like Prada, Prodesign, Versace, Marc Jacobs, Juicy, Coach, Ray Ban and Nike.  And considering that sunglasses are a bit out of season, prices could not be more affordable!

Now back to the Valentine’s gift ideas!

Coach and Juicy are two brands that have many styles of sunglasses with hearts and other symbols of love. What’s more is that these brands both come in a flashy pink color that is perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Now if pink frames and hearts are not what your loved one is looking for, then come on in and check out the rest of our EXTENSIVE sunglass collection. When you come to Optix you’ll leave seeing at your best.   Our trained expert eyewear technicians will help you make that perfect choice of eyewear.

So put down that box of chocolate in your hand and come in to Optix Family Eyecare in the Woodbury Plaza Shopping Center next to Trader Joes.

Your loved ones will be so thrilled with your thoughtful gift that keeps their eyes healthy and has them looking fantastic for the upcoming sunny weather!

From everyone here at Optix, have a wonderful Valentine’s Day! We love you all…

-Team Optix

OPTIX- Serving Plainview, Woodbury, Old-Bethpage, Jericho, Melville, Roslyn, Hicksville, Syosset and the Long Island Community!

What makes a quality pair of sunglasses? You would be surprised to learn that those glasses you got on the street can actually be worse for eyes than wearing nothing at all. These cheap sunglasses block some of the light, causing your iris to open to allow more light in. This lets in more of the UV light as well, increasing the damage UV light can cause to the retina.

Spending a little more on superior glasses may save your eyesight in the future. Buying those glasses from a qualified eye care center should put your mind at ease about what you’re getting.
These are the things you should look for in a good pair of sunglasses:

UV Protection – without getting too technical, sunlight (contains UV light) is a high energy light that can damage your retina and cornea. You need 100% protection.

Lens Tint- based on what activities you plan on using the glasses for. For example, gray tints are all purpose and are best for driving, while yellow or gold tints reduce “blue haze” and are best for snow sports.

Special Coatings or Features – these include polarized (glare reducing) and photochromic (Transitions)

Frame/Lens Design – styles such as wraparounds block extra light from sides and below by sitting close to your face; they are the favorite of snowboarders and water skiers.

Style – luckily, you can get all the qualities you are looking for in a variety of styles and brands. By choosing an eye care center instead of the kiosk in the mall, you will find someone qualified to help you find a pair that fits your face and your style.

In addition, quality sunglasses also provide you with the greatest clarity while minimizing any object distortion.

Come on into Optix and we will help you to pick out a pair of sunglasses that will fit YOUR way of life!

OPTIX- Serving Plainview, Woodbury, Old-Bethpage, Jericho, Melville, Roslyn, Hicksville, Syosset and the Long Island Community!

Whether its fall, winter, spring or summer you can walk the streets of your neighborhood and find dozens of people wearing extremely attractive sunglasses. Although it may not be hot outside, the sun sure does shine no matter what the season. Fashionable companies like Bvlgari, Prada, Gucci, Coach, Ray Ban, and Tiffany have been raising the bar when it comes to designing sunglasses that make you look mysterious yet beautiful.

Personally I have seen it all when it comes to buying sunglasses. From the big commercial businesses to outstanding, private practicing optometrists with high quality optical boutiques; there is a wide range of places to get your sunglasses. I have actually been ALL OVER THE WORLD and I have shopped for sunglasses in places like Venice and Milan Italy, Paris and Cannes France, Spain, and even Monaco. That’s right I have seen it all yet I learned one very important thing. Make your investment in a pair of sunglasses with your local independent optometrist that specializes in high quality optical products. Places like Optix Family Eyecare offer service, warranty, quality, and hundreds of frames to pick from. But the most important factor is as follows: the staff of eye wear experts will spend hours and even days with you to make sure you get a pair of sunglasses that was literally created for your face and those beautiful eyes. Unlike large commercial sunglass stores that act as if they were the local grocery store for sunglasses with that “get in, get out” mentality, Optix Family Eyecare is here to spend quality time with you to make sure you leave looking great and feeling confident.

An article written this summer by Ruth La Ferla in the New York Times let the world know about the world of fashionable sunglasses. Ruth sums up what fashion sunglasses are all about by saying how “sunglasses have taken on the allure of shoes, bags and jewelry, as consumers look to coordinate with outfits.” Her point is well understood by readers who understand the value of a great pair of sunglasses and those who are in the business to distribute top of the line eye wear.

Photo By: Joe Fornabaio for The New York Times

Now I believe there are 2 types of sunglasses. There is that pair that you put on, yet you’re not that confident with the way you look, so you are quick to take them off or wear them up on your head. Then there is that pair where you know, 100%, beyond the shadow of a doubt that you look HOT, so you really get maximum use out of your sunglasses, feeling very confident. The latter situation is the pair of sunglasses that YOU want to invest in, the pair that is right for all occasions and the pair that brings out your best physical qualities. It may be hard to find that right pair but trust me, with a little advice from the experts, you can find it.

I can sit here all day and tell you all how important it is to protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays that the sun spits out, literally frying your retinas like an egg in a frying pan. Yet that requires a whole different article and I am here to talk to you about sunglasses and why EVERYONE is beginning to invest in that great looking, fashionable pair.

For the females, designer sunglasses are replacing the expensive handbag and rising to the top of the latter when it comes to sexy accessories. Living my last 4 years on a college campus, I have seen the dramatic rise is girls investing in numerous pairs of attractive sunglasses. During my freshman year the numbers were low but now that I am a pre-optometry student in my senior year I cannot help but to recognize the plethora of unique sunglasses that are making these girls look very stylish. Yet I must shine the light on all age groups seeing as how the right pair of designer sunglasses will make any woman feel confident and look great. I have helped countless women, from 13 years of age to 85, pick out a pair of sunglasses that look so good; the mirrors in the Optix boutique begin to fog up. These individuals leave the store feeling soooo confident that other people in the shopping area can’t help but do a “double take” when they pass by.

For the males, designer sunglasses show that you have true style. Yet guys need to know that they must pick out the right pair of shades that fit the shape of his face correctly. Plain and simple, sunglasses will give a guy that manly and dominant look that will make him look handsome. Besides looking around at your friends and people in any social setting, check out some of Hollywoods finest actors or singers. Guys like Brad Pit and George Clooney know that the right pair of sunglasses makes them stand out and look sharp. Even the best athletes like Tiger Woods wears the freshest pair of Nike’s both to stand out and to play above par when the sun beats down of the green golf course. Plain and simple, sunglasses are a necessity if you are a guy who is in tune with his image and knows what it takes to look good.

Anyone who has worn a great pair of sunglasses can NEVER go back to sunny conditions in the car or walking the street without their shades. This summer I bought a pair of Polarized Prada Sunglasses at Optix Family Eyecare. Now that I have habituated myself to wearing them, I cannot leave the house without my Prada’s. They reduce glare directly from the sun, and they take away all those blinding reflections from cars and street signs that are extremely dangerous when driving.

So come on in to our Plainview location, next to Trader Joes, at 431 South Oyster Bay Rd to pick out a pair of sunglasses that will literally change the way people SEE you!

Tune in next week for the follow up article about specific sunglasses and what’s hot and what’s not!

-Matt Geller

You may be wondering, “A blog? What for?”
Here at Optix Family Eyecare we are taking the initiative to provide not only our patients but millions of people with important knowledge about the WORLD of eye care.

We feel it is absolutely imperative that people understand how important their eye health is and what it means to have healthy vision. We understand that many individuals may neglect their eye health and therefore seriously put a damper on all areas of their life. The bottom line, Optix Family Eyecare of Long Island is here to step up to the plate and provide you with a constant feed of great knowledge, both fun and informative, about YOUR EYE HEALTH!

Most of all, the Optix Blog is here for you to enjoy yourself and relax.
We will provide you with great…

1. Success stories
2. Interviews with the Optometry Doctors
3. How to’s and tips
4. Pictures and details about Brand New fashion designer eyewear
5. Live video
6. News and Offers going on at Optix Family Eyecare in Plainview, NY

Plus so much more!!

So take a moment to bookmark the blog and check back when it is most convenient for you.
Dr. Joel Kestenbaum, Dr. Michelle Zalaznick and the entire Optix Eyecare team can’t wait to provide you with a plethora of enjoyable and informative knowledge on eyecare!

Check back soon!

-The Optix Team