Site For Sore Eyes Berkeley – Colored Contacts, Funky Frames, and Cool Shades for Halloween

So unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past three weeks, you are probably preparing for one of the best holidays ever – Halloween. We at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley know it’s coming too. The leaves are changing colors, we start craving apple pies and candy corn, and everyone’s bushes seem to have been taken over by spider webs. Unless you are a total witch (pardon the pun) the kid inside of you will undoubtedly come out during the last few days of October.

Everyone has their Halloween traditions, whether it is trick or treating, going to a party, or just sitting on the couch watching horror movies. One thing that will never change though is the number of people who dress up to go out on Halloween. People toil over their costume ideas anywhere from three weeks to one hour before they head out for their evening festivities, and every year the costumes seem to get better and better.

One costume accessory that has really grown in popularity in recent years is colored contact lenses. Nowadays, colored contact lenses come in a variety of different colors (white, black, purple, orange, pink) and designs (cat’s eyes, dragon’s eyes, checkered), and some even have pictures and logos (Batman, spiders, Android, Hello Kitty). Christian Dior has even created his own sparkly, gold-trimmed contact lenses (emblazoned with his logo, of course).

Colored contact lenses are definitely one of the best ways to really complete your look and make others jealous of your awesome costume.

These lenses can be created with or without a prescription. Most of these contacts can even be reused for up to a year with proper care.  Now you can wear pink leopard print contact lenses every day! Better yet, you can order different colored lenses for every holiday. You could buy blue and silver for Hanukkah, green and red for Christmas, or American Flag lenses for the Fourth of July!  The number of available designs seems almost endless, and no matter where you look, you will be sure to find the pair that is perfect for the occasion you are celebrating or the character you are dressing up as.

If you haven’t worn contacts or are worried that colored lenses won’t work with your prescription, don’t hesitate to stop into a Site for Sore Eyes location and speak with one of our vision care specialists. With their expertise, you will be the best dressed this Halloween, colored contacts included.

Before we sign-off for Halloween, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge and salute other eyewear that can complement your costume. If costume contacts are not your thing, you can still get some great mileage out of a unique set of frames. There are the classic black-rimmed frames (that usually have bushy eyebrows glued to the top, with a rubber nose underneath, and of course there is the Austin Powers look (need we say more).

You can never go wrong with a killer pair of shades (also known as sunglasses). From the small and sleek dark lenses (think “The Matrix”), to the classic Ray Ban wayfarers (think of everyone from “The Blues Brothers” to the “Men in Black” agents), this eyewear is always a great accessory while on your Halloween haunting. (Just be VERY careful if you wear them outside at night. We don’t want you tripping over anything that goes bump in the night.)

And with those words of wisdom, have a happy and healthy Halloween! 

Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley: Keep Occupied in October

The middle of October seems like an uneventful time. Students at Berkeley University have fully settled into their class and study routine, and Halloween – that wild and crazy holiday of the year – is a little more than a week away. But the middle of October only seems uneventful. You may not be aware of what’s going on…right in your neighborhood. The gang at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley has some suggestions.

If you are reading in the afternoon, and could go for some live music tonight, stop on down to The JazzSchool (at 2087 Addison St.) at 8:00 for a concert featuring triple-threat musical talent Claudia Gomez (singer, guitarist and composer). Having at one time been a fixture in the Bay Area music scene, Ms. Gomez has specialized in blending traditional Latin American music with some elements of jazz – resulting in a most unique sound. For more information, call (510) 845-5373, or visit the event website by clicking here.

One interesting fact about October is that this is the month where marathons and walkathons of all varieties take place. For one that is all out fun, check out the “Let's Go 510!: The East Bay's 10k,” which is sponsored by Brazen Racing and Represent Running. Beginning tomorrow at 10:00 am and “running” till 1:00pm, the Golden Gate Fields (1100 Eastshore Frontage Rd.) will serve as the location for runners, joggers and sprinter of all ages. To learn more (and to register if you’re up for it), go to the “Let's Go 510!: The East Bay's 10k” website. Just be aware that online registration ends tonight (but you can still register tomorrow in person). Happy running to those of you who accept this challenge!

You may have heard the phrase “according to Hoyle,” which means being in agreement with the highest authority. Well, on Sunday night, Berkeley will witness its own “according to Hoyle” in the person of Dan Hoyle, a performance artist who will present “The Real Americans,” taking place at The Marsh (2120 Allston Way). In this one-man show, Mr. Hoyle (a native of San Francisco) recounts his 100-day journey through small town America. Humor, drama, and song reflect the insights into the sometimes differing and confusing points of view of a cross-section of the USA. If interested in some live (not to mention lively) theatre, call (415) 282-3055 for ticket information.

Remember to keep your eyewear (glasses or contact lenses) clean and polished if you attending any of these shows. If you are taking in Saturday’s race (as a participant or viewer), keep your sunglasses with you. (You want to be able to see what’s going on, right?)

Well, so much for the seemingly uneventful time of mid-October. Just remember that there are always interesting places and events to visit. You just have to keep your sights out for them…

Site for Sore Eyes and Eye Openers at Vision Expo West

Last week, an event equivalent of the World’s Fair to eye care professionals took place in Las Vegas. This acclaimed ‘sin city’ to many was Heaven on earth to opticians, optometrists and retailers who attended the International Vision Expo & Conference. Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley, along with many other eye care establishments, watched with eagerness and delight at the events and innovations that took place… from cutting edge technology to the latest trends and products, to networking opportunities.

From the business point of view, optical consultant Jay Binkowitz presented an analysis that covered costs, both optical and operational. By specifically breaking down and isolating how money is earned (lenses, frames, contact lenses) as well as how spent (staff salary, promotions), optical professionals gained a clearer idea of the direction their business, and what changes to make (if necessary).

New and revolutionary products (or, the fun stuff) was on display and demonstrated at the Eye² Zone (read E-squared Zone). You would not believe some of the products that are at the forefront of technology, because WE could hardly believe it! Some of these (literally and figuratively) visionary products ranged from eyewear to help athletes see sharper, to sunglasses that have high-definition video cameras built into them.

Regardless if it was a business talk, the unveiling of a new product, or a lecture on eye health, every event at the Vision Expo & Conference pointed to the personalization for each and every customer seeking eye care. Retailers need to highlight branding that is (believe it or not) – emotional. Customers are not only seeking quality eyewear but they want to feel comfortable in the setting where their needs will be met. We at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley pride ourselves on treating the customer right. Whether you’re coming in for an eye exam, fitting, or to check out a hot-looking pair of sunglasses, we appreciate your business and consider you a dear neighbor.

For more detailed info on what went on at the Vision Expo & Conference, click here.

Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley: Home Eye Safety Month

Your home is your sanctuary, your place to relax. You come home from work, throw on some sweats, grab some leftovers and make your way to the couch to catch this week’s results of “Dancing with the Stars.” What many people don’t know is that around your house there are dangers lurking… everywhere!

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, almost 50% of all eye injuries occur when you are at home. That is more eye injuries than happen while at work or school combined! These potential risks to your eyes are everywhere; you just don’t see them (pardon the irony). Simple daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, small home repairs and yard work all pose a significant threat to the safety of your eyes. You may be thinking that the majority of these at home eye-related injuries happen while performing outside chores, but more than two-thirds of these injuries take place in the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living or family room. (These probably account for the majority of rooms in your house.)

Most necessary household activities do pose a potential risk for eye injury. Here are a few tips on how to avoid these injuries:

Chemicals and Cleaners

Make sure to read labels carefully! Annually, 125,000 eye injuries are caused by products such as oven cleaner, bleach and insect repellent. Also make sure to never mix household cleaners and chemicals. The fumes can be harmful to your eyes (as well as your body) and can result in permanent loss of vision or even death. No one wants that. When using household cleaners, make sure the nozzle is facing in the direction you want to spray, and that no one is near where you are spraying these cleaners.

In the Kitchen

Grease and hot oil cause numerous injuries each and every year. Make sure you shield your pots and pans with a splatter lid or shield when cooking. Also, make sure to never use knives or other sharp utensils other than as directed. In a split second, a slip with one of these tools can have a lifelong damaging effect on your vision.

Working in the Yard or Garage

Make sure when using a lawn mower or any other power tools to clear the area of screws, nails and debris. Power tools will instantly turn these into projectiles that can potentially do lots of harm, not only to your eyes, but to anything or anyone else they may hit. Always wear safety goggles when performing these types of tasks in the yard. If others are working close by, make sure they are wearing a pair of safety goggles as well.

If You Have Children…

Keeping a vigilant eye on children can help avoid any potential eye injuries. Many children suffer eye injuries from playing with tools and objects that are intended for grown-ups or adult-supervised use. Make sure these items are in a place that children cannot easily access. Also watch out for small toys