Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley: So Much to Do in September

Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley sings its swan song to September (say THAT fast three times) in our end-of-the-month events blog. Before Halloween-time in October gets here, see what’s up this weekend.

Tonight’s offering combines visual art with environmental awareness in “What Is Missing?” This is a lecture and exhibit given by artist Maya Lin at the David Brower Center at 7:00pm. In what promises to be a thought-provoking evening, Ms. Lin will present her work along with a commentary on the inspiration and meaning behind her art, the theme of which is the world’s natural environment and what we must do to save it. If this sounds like an interesting (not to mention worthwhile) event to you, get down to 2150 Allston Way early, because seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call (510) 486-0286. You can also find out more about Maya Lin by visiting her website.

Tomorrow afternoon at 2:00pm, Wine Thieves (it is a store, not a gang that steals wine) will be celebrating the season by hosting a Harvest Festival. For the admission price of $5.00, you can taste some of the latest samples from our neighbors in the Napa and Sonoma wine countries, accompanied by some neat artisan foods. Call (510) 666-0565 for any other details. Side note: We don’t mean to sound preachy, but if you do attend this event, please consider either walking there (hey, it’s local) or taking a cab, bus, or other mode of transport. If you imbibe, do so responsibly.

We end this weekend’s selection of events with a truly impressive example of the culture and creativity that define our city of Berkeley. From noon until 7:00pm, Cesar Chavez Park will be the setting for “A Day on the Water 2.” Sorry to use a cliché, but this event truly has something for everyone! Browse through an “Arts & Crafts Fair” if that’s your thing. Sample some snacks from local eateries if you’re a foodie. There is also laser tag, bubble soccer and video games for the younger set. All of this (and much more) is accompanied by a cross-section of bands that will play a variety of music ranging from Reggae to rock. Sound good? It gets better. Admission is free! So call (510) 677-9425, and be at 11 Spinnaker Way this Sunday afternoon at 12:00pm SHARP.

How’s that for a windup to the week (as well as the month of September)? Now for a word from the sponsors (that’s us at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley). Polish your eyeglasses if you attend the “What is Missing?” event tonight. (Or keep drops with you for your contacts.) Do the same if you plan on visiting Wine Thieves on Saturday. (Feasting your eyes on the food and drink is part of the feast itself.) And if it is sunny out on Sunday, keep your sunglasses with you if you go to “A Day at the Water 2.” Whatever you choose, these or other weekend happenings, keep your eyewear with you (or on your forehead).

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

Fashion Fix: Big Eye Catchers for Fall 2014

Well, it looks like fall is… falling upon us again! Bittersweet though it may be, saying farewell to the carefree months of summer means it’s time to transition your wardrobe. So…what are the hottest eyewear trends for fall 2014, you ask?

Good news! Large, emphatic frames (that are reminiscent of more conservative styles) are a major player again this fall. We’re seeing a lot of bold, thick frames translated into favorite silhouettes which include the Wayfarer and “cat eye.” Among other more offbeat eye catchers are frames that are square, triangular, oval and even heart-shaped.

Oversized retro Wayfarers are here to stay!

Likewise, dark frames are clearly making a statement for the season – showing off their appeal in both modern and retro-style shapes, as this chic pair of “cat eyes” demonstrates! Their Wayfarer-meets-round “cat eye” gives off a cheeky, feminine touch while at the same time maintains a trendy, professional vibe.

Into more of a modest, classic look? Go for a minimalist round shape in a thin metallic frame. Or, consider a pair like these in a tortoiseshell pattern!

While we typically default to neutrals during autumn, don’t be afraid to pair nude, grey or black shades with bold color accents to give a little more “pop” to your look. If you feel confident in your frames, chances are they’re working for you. Don’t be afraid to show a little personality!

Due for a pair of new frames or an eye exam? Visit us at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley this fall and browse our collection!

Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley: Considering Contact Lenses – That Go a Long Way?

Good afternoon, happy Friday, and all other good salutations to our readers of the Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley blog.

This week, our topic of choice is contact lenses. Even if you wear glasses, you might want to take some time to read this, just in case you should ever decide to change to contacts.

Contact lenses. What a wonder to the world of vision! Those small, spherical, bendable circles have a big impact as eyewear. There are as many different brands and types of lenses to suit as many different customers. Many people use the daily wear contacts (in at morning, out at night, into the small case with saline solution, and repeating the same procedure the next day). Then there are one-day disposables (where you dispose of one pair at night, and place new ones to your eyes the day after, and so on). Then…there are the kinds you can actually sleep in for days, weeks, and (dare we say it), nearly a month.

That is the type of contact lens we would like to focus on.

One brand, Air Optix® Night & Day® Aqua Contact Lenses, is FDA-approved and may be worn for up to 30 days – continuously. Most eye care professionals (and we include ourselves among them) recommend this brand for those who choose to have the option of sleeping without having to remove their lenses.

But please remember, ladies and gentleman – 30 is the operative number (or magic number, whatever you like). Please don’t think, “Well, I’ve worn them for 30 days straight, and I’m too tired to set up the new pair…what difference does one more night make?”

Our answer: “Plenty.”

Although contact lenses can help your vision, they can harm your eyes – if you don’t follow the instructions about how long to wear them, and how to care for them. Read some clear-cut facts from Louise A. Sclafani, O.D., F.A.A.O., in regard to contact lenses.

Your eyes need oxygen. Period. And although they are closed when you sleep (at least we hope they are), the outmost portion of the cornea (the clear dome that covers the colored part and pupil) gets oxygen that is dissolved from tears. Contact lenses block this. Additionally, protein deposits and lipids will build up on the lens and cause infection. We don’t want that, and you don’t want that.

In short, if you take care of your contact lenses, your contact lenses will take care of your eyes.

For those of you who are considering going the 30-day route, please make an appointment to have your eyes checked first to find out if your eyes are suited for this type of contact lens as well as a prescription.

Contact lenses are cool and comfortable – if you’re careful with them. (We thought that up ourselves.)

Thanks for reading. Keep your sites on healthy vision.

Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley: Lesson Time in Health

Hello September, from the gang at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley! 

As we mentioned in last week’s blog, the school session at Berkeley University is beginning, and students – from newbie freshmen to seasoned seniors are hanging out between classes in Constitution Square. Along with the high school, junior high, and elementary school kids, it is a new year to learn new things at school.

With the subject of school in mind… take a look at this picture. It was painted by the famous Norman Rockwell in the 1950s, and is titled, “Happy Birthday, Miss Jones.” Do you see the apples on her desk? (We hope you can. If you can’t, PLEASE schedule your eye exam!) The reason that we are presenting this picture is that many years ago, it was customary for kids to bring apples to their teacher. It’s interesting then, that the month that marks of the start of school should also be “Fruit & Veggies Month.”

There is a scary statistic that has been reported by the organization, Fruits & Veggies – More Matters®, and that is over 90% of the population is not eating the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. The vitamins from fruits and vegetables that many people are denying themselves can have an obvious (an adverse) effect on their health. One such example is vitamin A (as in ‘apple’), which has a number of important nutrients that everyone is missing out on. Vitamin A is one of 13 essential vitamins that maintain health, and (you guessed it), the strength of human vision. How the retina functions, how you see color, and “low light” vision greatly depend on how much vitamin A is in your system. Signs and symptoms of a deficiency in vitamin A include night blindness, dry eye, cornea disorders ­– and even blindness.

How then, can we avoid or off-set the serious conditions that are listed above? Obviously, we need to add more vitamin A (through the right foods and supplements) to our diets. By getting anywhere from 600 to 1,700 micrograms of vitamin A per day, we can keep…eye troubles at bay. (You thought we were going to say “…the doctor away,” didn’t you?).

Foods that are rich in vitamin A include carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes (good that these will soon be in season), squash, bell peppers, kidney beans, and leafy greens. (Too bad apples aren’t on the list…that really would have brought this full circle.) For fuller descriptions about health and vitamins, check out LoveToKnow.com.

As we are about to start a new season (fall begins “officially” on Tuesday, September 23^rd), consider adapting to new eating habits that will enhance your health and build up your strength. Cheers to vitamin A (as well as every other vitamin). And don’t forget vitamins B (1 through 12), C, and the others on the list.

Thanks for reading. Keep your sites on healthy vision.