Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley: Adieu August and So Long to Summer

We at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley are wishing well to our neighbors in Napa after the recent earthquake. Even here, we felt some reverberations. Stay well. Stay strong. Thoughts are with you.

August, believe it or not, is virtually over (two more days to be exact). Soon, the kids will be back at school, and we expect to see students from Berkeley University walking through Constitutional Square on their way to and from classes. But until then, it is still summer…and there are events to take part in. Here then, is our events blog for August.

If you care to mix entertainment with eats, check out the dinner theatre show at La Peña Cultural Center tonight at 8:00pm, for the appropriately titled “Dinner at Mz. Pat’s House.” Set in what was a well-known “house of ill repute” in Ohio, this Great Depression tale is told through a combination of drama, jazz and cabaret. Written and performed by Jovelyn Richards, “Dinner at Mz. Pat’s House” looks to be an evening of imagination and intrigue. For those of you who visit us on a regular basis, La Peña Cultural Center will be easy to find, because it is located (on our street) at 3105 Shattuck Avenue. Tickets range from $12.00 to $20.00 (the price of dinner is separate), and you can make reservations by calling (510) 849-2568, or by ordering online at Eventbrite.

Have you ever considered trading stocks on the Foreign Exchange Market (a.k.a. FOREX)? If so, you may want to attend an introductory workshop on this topic tomorrow afternoon from noon to 3:00pm at the Starbucks at 2128 Oxford Street. For these three hours, you will learn about NFA brokers, stop loss and limit, stocks vs. FOREX, and risk-to-profit ratios (among other topics). This workshop is currently listed as being free, but you should call Starbucks at (510) 486-1840 to confirm this and to set aside your reservation (if interested). So…sip some coffee and concentrate while you study stocks at Starbucks. (Say THAT fast three times!)

The event that we are covering for Sunday is, alas, sold out. (But hey – it’s Berkeley. Cultural events sell out like hot cakes.) If you want to try your luck, email info@maybeckstudio.org for details, or to be possibly put on a waiting list in case there is a cancellation. Classical music aficionados – you surely have a favorite CD of your favorite singer or orchestra. (Actually, you may have a favorite album, since vinyl is making a comeback.) Whenever you listen to this music, you may have wondered what it must have been like as these tracks were being put down for posterity. If you’ve ever been curious about what a recording session was like, you will have your chance to find out Sunday at the Maybeck Studio for the Performing Arts as the Delphi Trio plays (and preserves) several classical music selections from their repertoire, beginning at 3:00pm. The Maybeck Studio is located at 1537 Euclid Avenue. (Note: if this interests you, the Delphi Trio is also performing on September 6^th. Email r.krovoza@gmail.com for information.)

And so ends another August (and another summer season). We hope that you were able to have some fun in the sun ­– with the protection of sunglasses, of course. (C’mon…you knew that was coming.) Stay tuned for next month’s series of blogs.

Thanks for reading…enjoy the weekend…and keep your sites on healthy vision.

Everything You Need to Know About Contacts

It’s All About Contacts!

Here at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley – where we have an extensive collection of eyeglasses, we also provide our customers with an alternative – contact lenses. Many of our blog posts focus around general eye health and glasses. This week, we would like to dedicate one to all things contact lenses.

The Beginning of Contacts

For those of you who didn’t know, the concept of contact lenses has existed for hundreds of years, and the idea is frequently credited to Leonardo da Vinci when he described directly altering the corneal power through submerging the eyes in water. It was not until 1888, however, when German ophthalmologists constructed the first successful contact lens.

And it wasn’t until the 1930’s when plastic lenses were introduced, which made contact lenses lighter and more convenient. These lenses (until the 1960’s) were relatively expensive and resulted in the development of “contact lens insurance.” Over the next few decades, these lenses were improved and led us to the lenses that are available today in a variety of options.

Types of Contacts

According to the FDA, there are two types of contact lenses: Soft and rigid gas permeable (RGP).

Soft contact lenses. Soft contact lenses are made of a soft (hence the name) flexible plastic that allows oxygen to pass through the cornea. These are typically more comfortable than rigid gas permeable lenses.

Rigid Gas Permeable. These lenses are more durable and resistant to deposit build-up and generally give a clearer and crisper vision.

Daily wear versus extended wear

Extended Wear. Extended wear contact lenses generally tend to be worn for multiple nights (with some approved to be worn for up to 30 days).

Daily Wear. Daily wear contacts are contact lenses that you remove before sleeping.

Disposable, frequent, and traditional (or reusable) lenses

How frequently you need to replace your lenses also depends on what type of contact lenses fit your needs.

Disposable. Disposable lenses are replaced every two weeks – or can be replaced even sooner. Daily disposables can be replaced every night. This therefore eliminates the need to clean them and also helps to avoid day-to-day accumulation of lens deposits.

Frequent. Frequent contact lenses are replaced on a monthly or sometimes quarterly basis.

Traditional lenses are usually replaced on a bi-yearly or yearly basis. Traditional lenses are especially helpful for those with complicated prescriptions.

The type of lens you decide on can depend on various factors, including your prescription, eye sensitivity, and preference.

The staff at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley can help you decide which type of contact lens is right for you.

Application:

Putting in your contacts

When putting your contacts in, you first need to make sure that your contact lenses are “right side out.” The trick is to place the lens on your finger so that a cup is formed. Then, hold it up directly in front of your eyes. If the lens looks like half-a-ball, your lens is positioned correctly. If it looks like a soup bowl (like a V-shape), then it is incorrect.

Don’t worry if you place a contact lens inside out. While the lens may feel uncomfortable, it will not do any damage to the eye.

Applying contact lenses:

First, make sure to wash your hands before applying contact lenses. (Try to avoid scented or oily soaps that may adhere to the lens surface, such as products containing moisturizing lotions.)

·         First, gently shake your lens case containing the storage solution in order to loosen lenses which may be stuck.

o   DO NOT try to pull the lens out with your finger, as this might damage it.

·         Gently, slide the lens out of its case and into the palm of your hand. Rinse thoroughly with the appropriate solution.

·         Place lens on the tip of your index or middle finger, which should be either dry or mostly dry.

·         With your thumb and fingers on the opposite hand, pull apart your eyelids, and position the lens on your eye while looking upward or forward.

·         Then gently close and roll your eyes in a complete circle to help the lens settle and blink.

Removing contact lenses:

·         It is always a good practice to wash your hands before touching anywhere near your face, but is especially important when touching your eyes.

·         If you are standing in front of a sink, be mindful of the drain where the contact lens may accidentally fall.

·         Devices for removing contact lenses called “plungers” are also available to help take out contact lenses.

For those who wear/need glasses, contact lenses can be a great alternative to wearing spectacles. If you are interested in getting contact lenses, come visit us at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley!

The Dos and Don’ts of Eye Makeup

While many use makeup every day, not much consideration is given to some of the safety risks of using make up to alter the look of our eyes. Here at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley, we would like to give you some basic tips on the dos and don’ts of eye makeup for your safety.

Don’t: Hold onto eye makeup longer than three months.

Going through any woman’s makeup bag, you’re likely to find makeup that has been bought and used only a few times – and then just left there. While we oftentimes try to get the most “bang for our buck” with expensive beauty products, it is important to remember that these cosmetics go bad. These expired makeup products can be harmful for your health. Experts suggest that makeup should not be kept three months after they've been purchased.

Don’t: Attempt to moisten dried out or clumpy mascara. A mascara tube is a dark, wet environment – the perfect place for bacteria to grow. According to professionals, preservatives in mascara only work for so long, and infections (such as a sty) can develop.

Do: Keep eye cosmetics cool. Keeping cosmetics in a place with high temperatures can allow for a quicker growth of bacteria. Avoid keeping them in a hot car or steamy bathroom.

Do: Skip cosmetics when you have an irritated eye. The irritation may be coming from a cosmetic product and can help stop contamination from spreading to your makeup.

Don’t: Share eye makeup with friends or family. Bacteria can contaminate your cosmetics as well as her cosmetics.

Do: Make sure cosmetic applicators are clean before using. This will help to ensure there are not harmful bacteria near your eyes.

Do: Remove eye makeup (and other makeup) before bed. When sleeping, it is possible for pieces of makeup to make their way into your eyes and cause irritation.

Keeping your eyes safe while wearing eye makeup is very important. Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley would like to remind you to follow these simple tips listed above for safe makeup application and wear. 

Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley: Curiosity About a Cat’s Point of View

Today’s blog for Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley can be called “the cat’s meow.”

There are those who are “cat people.” They love everything that is feline and frequently have one (or more) cats as pets. Then there are those who are allergic to cats (so most likely don’t own one – or more).

Whatever one’s opinion (love ‘em or leave ‘em) of cats, no one can deny their general aura of cool sleekness. Part of that comes from the slinky, sashaying walk that many have. The other comes from their eyes. In the animal kingdom, cats’ eyes run the gamut of being the most expressive, from wide-eyed and curious to pure attitude of “you lookin’ at me?” arrogance. And while they have human-like expressions (and feelings), we at Site for Sore Eyes wondered what (if any) differences there were between how a cat sees the world and how human beings see the world.

We recently checked out an archived article on “Business Insider” titled “How Cats See the World Compared to Humans.” With insight from Kerry L. Ketring, DVM, DACVO of All Animal Eye Clinic, Dr. DJ Haeussler of The Animal Eye Institute and the Ophthalmology group at Penn Vet, author Dina Spector crystallized what the differences are in human vision versus the vision of cats (and dogs for that matter). It all boils down to the retina…

The retina, generally speaking, is a layer of tissue at the back of the eye. The retina contains what are called “photoreceptors” which convert light rays into electrical signals, which then get processed by nerve cells that are sent to the brain, thus “translating” and making the connection with what we see ­–be it a person, pet, building, or anything else. The cells inside the photoreceptor cones are rods (for peripheral and night vision, as well as detecting brightness and shades of gray) and cones (for color perception and day vision).

Now for what makes the two different species see things differently. Quite simply, cats and dogs have high concentrations of rod (but low) cone receptors. (This means they can see REALLY well at night but are limited in how they perceive color.) Humans have high concentrations of cone (but low) rod receptors. (That’s why night vision goggles were only made for us, and we make a fuss over colors of the cars we buy and how to paint our homes, among other frustrations.)

Other differences, in a nutshell, are that cats have a wider visual field (200 degrees) compared to humans (180 degrees). We can see things 100 feet away, but a cat has to be a lot closer (20 feet away) to see the same object. This means that cats are also by nature nearsighted, whereas we humans can be nearsighted, farsighted, or somewhere in between.

Well, we hope you have enjoyed this bit of a diversion of our usual type of topic. We hope you cat lovers enjoyed this blog, and will share it with your fellow “cat fans,” and have a new point-of-view (pardon the pun) for your feline family members.

We close with a blast-from-the past trailer for the movie “Stephen King’s ‘Cat’s Eye’” which we are sure you have seen and may be part of your collection. If not, check it out. The hero is a cat who finds himself in some bizarre and mysterious adventures. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading… keep your sites (and those of your cat) on healthy vision.

Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley: The Lowdown is to Slow Down on Smartphones

It is the first day of August. Oh, you probably know that. After all, you just need to check the calendar app that is on your smartphone. Great things, those smartphones; they are a true boon to making life convenient and organized. Check and write emails and text messages, buy movie tickets, make reservations…you name it, and the smartphone does it. But…take care…

This week’s Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley blog is a throwback to the age-old idiom of “how too much of a good thing can be bad for you.” In this case (as you might have already guessed), the “bad” thing about excess usage of your smartphone is the potentially damaging effects it may have on your vision. And please understand – the staff here at Site for Sore Eyes is NOT knocking the iPhone, Android, or whatever your smartphone of choice. We just want to call attention to the fact that there is the risk of not-so-good side effects if you are forever staring at a mobile screen.

A survey that was conducted in England several months ago, it was reported that approximately 2,000 people check their smartphones 32 times a day. (We are mentioning England to point out that smartphone overuse is a worldwide habit…not restricted to America.) The blue violet light that emits from the screen of a phone can affect the back of the eye, as well as increase the possibility of developing macular degeneration (a leading cause of blindness).

Some more immediate problems from what we might call “smartphone extremism,” is that, without realizing it, our vision gets so riveted to the screen that our natural reflex to blink is affected. According to Andy Hepworth, the optician interviewed for the survey, “...the combination of not blinking enough and bringing the device closer than you normally look at objects ­– it strains your eyes.” This can result in disrupted sleep patterns and headaches. To read the full article from BBC News, click here.

So…you may ask…how do we limit or circumvent this problem? The simple answer is to limit smartphone usage…which is MUCH easier said than done. Reportedly, people can become irritated or go into panic mode if they don’t have their phone with them. (So, there are even psychological side effects.) They cannot be separated from them. Only several days ago, the news reported the tale of a 13-year old girl who kept her smartphone under her pillow while she slept…only to create a fire. Fortunately, she was not hurt, but this is just how far the epidemic (yes, we think it can be called that), to being addicted to our smartphones has become.

Will power – that is the first thing that each and every one of us must strengthen in ourselves. As said earlier, this is easier said than done, but the consequences could be serious, and many people the world over will be sorry sooner or later. (That 13-year old girl is most definitely sorry.) Take a conscious break for one hour where you do NOT look at your phone. Build on this gradually, week by week. You may go through mobile withdrawal, but it will be worth it. We don’t mean to sound grim, but the health of your eyes (or even your life) is at risk if you don’t take healthy breaks from your phone.

"Get your eyes tested regularly and take regular breaks from your computer and hand held device." No, that is not a quote from us. It is from another optician named Amanda Saint, who was also interviewed for the BBC article. (YES! People get their eyes tested in other countries, also!)

One last thing before we sign off for the week. You no doubt have Google Maps or some other form of GPS technology on your phone. Please enter the coordinates for 2174 Shattuck Avenue, which is (that’s right), the address of our store in Berkeley. Once you do that, navigate down for an eye exam.

Thanks for reading…enjoy the weekend…and keep your sites on healthy vision.