Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley Says ‘So Long’ to September

September came and went with the blink of an eye. It seems that the beginning of the school year at Berkeley University was only yesterday. All of us at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley watched from our store window as students walked or ran through Constitution Square with great excitement. This is as familiar an event to us as kids who trick or treat on Halloween, but it never gets old. With that in mind, allow us to tell you about what look to be memorable events for this final weekend of September.

You can watch a space fantasy movie any night. Tonight, treat yourself to an exciting event: ‘Supernova: the David Brower Center’s 5^th Anniversary Extravaganza’. Named for Berkeley native and a pioneer of the region’s modern environmental movement, The David Brower Center is dedicated to renewable and sustainable energy. (Did you know that it is the “greenest building” in Berkeley?) Tonight, it will be home to a fantasy world for feasting the senses – on visions, music and sounds, as well as food and drink – of an intergalactic kind. This out-of-world evening is only a short trip to 2150 Allston Way. Call (510) 486-0286 to find out more. (Oh, since we’re on the topic of ‘feasting your senses,’ remember to wear your eyeglasses or contact lenses. From the look of this event, you’ll want to see everything as clearly as possible. Hey, if you have a wild-looking pair of sunglasses, wear them – you’ll fit right in!)

If you are not able to attend tonight’s blast at the David Brower Center, or are not into the fantasy and galactic scene, but that still want to do something fun and interesting, the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse may be the answer. Tomorrow at 10:00 am, the Coffeehouse will present ‘West Coast Live,’ featuring a variety of authors, musicians and actors who will gather for two hours of (respectively) conversation, music and play. Tickets go from $5 (for anyone under the age of 18), $15 (advance), to $20 (at the door). The Freight & Salvage Coffee House is located at 2020 Addison St., and you can reach them at (510) 644-2020 for more information.

If you are feeling charitable, and would like to volunteer your time, consider attending the ‘K to College Berkeley Volunteer Event’ this Sunday morning, September 29^th. Beginning at 10:00 am at the Chevron Auditorium at Berkeley University’s International House (corner of Piedmont Avenue and Bancroft Way), all those volunteering will be do assembly-line work, putting together school supply kits and dental kits. These kits are then going to be distributed to students in the Berkeley Public School System who are eligible for the free and reduced lunch program. If you have the time to spare and would like to show some community support, give a call to (510) 569-5862. Thanks to all those who volunteer and for making a difference!

We at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley hope we’ve given you some suggestions in making this a September to remember.

Site For Sore Eyes – Keeping Your Eyes Healthy for the Next Generation of the Apple iPhone

Today is the day!  The newest generation of iPhones are out, and iPhone lovers everywhere are flocking to Apple stores to buy the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5c.

The new iPhones were announced at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, just about an hour’s drive south of Berkeley, CA. So what makes this iPhone different from the previously anticipated iPhone 5?

Mainly a few new flashy features such as a fingerprint identity sensor used to unlock the phone, and a more impressive 8 megapixel iSight Camera are what separate the iPhone 5S from the iPhone 5. 

“Techies” will be glad to hear that the 5S also boasts its reputation as the first 64-bit smartphone in the world.  The incredibly fast A7 chip provides unparalleled speed and graphics performance up to 2x faster than the A6 chip in the iPhone 5. 

So what does the worldwide popularity of iPhones and smartphones (which are seemingly always on the rise) mean to the folks at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley? Interestingly (and scarily) enough, we must tell you, as eye care professionals, that prolonged use of cell phones, and specifically staring at the phone’s screen, has been proven to cause permanent eye damage. It has been discovered that prolonged exposure to a phone’s screen will leave eyes with a lower ability to focus, blurry vision, and even result in early signs of cataracts.

With smartphones becoming more of staple in our everyday lives, it seems the best way to fight its negative effects is to keep your eyes as healthy as possible. Make sure to keep your eyes in tip top shape with regular eye exams, and protective designer sunglasses or transition lenses, that block our harmful UV rays. Annual eye exams can help prevent, slow down and correct vision problems before they threaten your eyesight.

So while you should enjoy and use your cell phones or smartphones, please – just do so in moderation. It is easier said than done to change what may be habitual staring at those screens, but trust us. Your vision will be better for it…

Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley Cheers on Eye Protection in Sports

It’s that time of the year again. Labor Day has passed, school busses are seemingly ubiquitous in your morning commute, and the entire world is showing a return to their regular daily routines. Summer is coming to a close, and fast!

This may not really indicate a change in the usual schedules for everyone, but for many, the beginning of September also means the start of school. The staff of Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley has grown accustomed to getting visits from more people in their late teens and early 20s at this time of year. (Small wonder, 

considering that the University of Berkeley is only a short distance away.) And with school come many different clubs and intramural sports teams. Interestingly enough, September is also “Sports Eye Injury Prevention Awareness Month.” Whether you are a parent with kids who play sports, a high school or college student on a team roster, or just someone who likes to stay active, sports-related eye injuries are something to be mindful of when beginning your team’s season.

It is estimated that every year, 100,000 eye injuries are sports-related and of these, 42,000 have required a visit to an emergency room. About 13,500 sports-related eye injuries result in permanent loss of sight.

Wearing protective eyewear can prevent up to 90 percent of sports-related eye injuries, thus providing peace of mind for parents and athletes alike. Basic protective sunglasses and goggles are very affordable, and a worthwhile investment. Whatever the cost, in the long run it is a small price to pay when it comes to protecting your vision – what many would consider the most important of all senses. Taking this preventative measure will also help lower the nearly $200 million a year spent on treating sports-related eye injuries.

In addition to purchasing protective eyewear, visiting your eye care physician for an annual comprehensive eye exam can help slow down and correct vision problems before they threaten your eyesight. Visit your ophthalmologist, optometrist or vision care specialist for critical information about preventative measures you can take to help protect your vision.

Thanks for reading. Be safe…and keep your sites on healthy vision.

School Days and Snack Ways from Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley

In last week’s blog, the staff of Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley gave a shout out to the students of Berkeley University, saying we look forward to seeing them at the start of the school year. If you are reading this, welcome back!

We hope you take advantage of the fact that our store is in close proximity (there’s an educated word!) to your school, and that you pay us a visit. Do you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses? When was the last time you checked to see if your prescription needs an upgrade? It truly is important for students in any grade – elementary to graduate – that the beginning of the school year mark when you get an eye exam to be sure your vision is in tip-top condition. If you’re one of those lucky people who have 20/20 vision, make an appointment with us to ensure your healthy eyesight.

O.K., the spiel about having your eyesight checked is out of the way. Have you ever heard the expression, “you are what you eat”? There is truth to this saying…and it applies to your eyes. Foods that are rich in antioxidants can benefit you tremendously, in that they help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration, among other potential eye-threatening conditions.

Remember the letters A, C, and E, and remember to place the word “Vitamin” before each. Here is a list of some of the foods that contain these vitamins (which in turn, contain antioxidants), that you may want to nosh on between classes or after school:

• Vitamin A: Carrots, sweet potatoes, mangos, and oatmeal.
• Vitamin C: Strawberries, oranges, broccoli, green bell peppers, and red chili peppers.
• Vitamin E (this is an especially good one, for in addition to aiding your vision, it helps offset everything from Alzheimer’s disease, coronary heart disease, and certain types of cancer): Almonds, Swiss chard, spinach, kale and collard greens along with a variety of oils, such as olive oil, and safflower oil.

The foods listed above are only a few of many that contain these essential vitamins. To find out other eye-healthy snacks, visit EyeHealthWeb.com.

We hope we have been able to impart some valuable info as you settle into the school year (without it being too much of a lesson). May your studies be enjoyable as well as informative, may the board the teacher writes on always be in your view, and may your note taking be swift and easy.

Thanks for reading. Be safe…and keep your sites on healthy vision.