Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley Wants to Know: Batman or Joker? BBQ or Mexican Food?

Whether that’s a silly question or heated debate among your friends, superhero fanatics and passionate foodies alike living in the Berkeley area should prepare themselves for an epic weekend.

First, checkout Superman and friends (or foes) at the Superhero Street Fair, which marks its third anniversary this year. From 2 p.m. until midnight, the Waterfront Boardwalk Oasis will be morphed into an urban theatrical landscape, full of time machines, spy gadgetry, and exhibitions of fantasy versus reality. This extraordinary backdrop will also be home to performances from the next dimension, including gladiator jousting and zorbing.

Prepared for more?

Once you’ve had your fill of villains and heroes, fill yourself with your other passion – food! After enjoying DJ Pedrogas’ performance this Sunday, September 23, there will be a Tofu lecture and a Flying Knives Pig Butchery Competition at the Eat Real Festival. While most would consider flying knives to be dangerous, undoubtedly you’re excited to watch in awe as master butchers dismantle and carve a pig (you’re a fan of Doomsday, remember?).

Understandably, you wouldn’t want to miss the comix artwork by Matt Delight or the butcher’s art of carving solely as a result of your blurred vision. So as you head to Islais Creek, stop off at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley first to replace your scratched contact lenses or old eyeglasses.

Eye Catching Eye Games from Site for Sore Eyes in Berkeley, CA

Oh, the power of vision! We either take it for granted or do not realize it, but our eyes have more power than we realize. If you’ve ever heard the phrase – “my eyes are playing tricks on me” – guess what? They can and do! If you’re not already been distracted by the image of the multiple spirals below, please scan it now…from left to right, up and down, or diagonally, just casually keep your eyes moving over it. 

Dizzy yet? You may have noticed, either very strongly or very subtly, that these wheels are turning.

Now for the real surprise: this is NOT an animation; your eyes are doing the work, “making” the circles move. Want proof? Stop glancing at the whole graphic, and zero in on one of the small black circles at the center of one of the circles.

Everything stops moving!

Who knew? Your eyes can make things move. (Well, sort of.)

While this trick literally looks cool, it also serves as a reminder of not only the power of your eyesight, but the sensitivity of it. Don’t take vision for granted. The team of Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley cannot stress this enough. It is important to keep your vision as strong as possible by way of a yearly eye exam. We’re not here to wag our finger at you if you’ve neglected to get your vision checked. We just want you to be aware. Maybe it is time to consider eyeglasses. If you already wear glasses or contact lenses, is your prescription up-to-date? You cannot predict if for yourself, and while your eyes play a part in the above magic trick, they cannot diagnose themselves.

We hope you had fun with this little eye puzzle, which was found at Kim L. Cooper, M.D. and where you may find some more optical illusions. Just don’t delude yourself that your eyes are fine! Make your appointment at Site for Sore Eyes, and soon.

Berkeley Scores a Touchdown with Optical Solutions.

People across the country were counting down the days until Labor Day – not exclusively for their day off from work, but in anticipation for the start of the football season. In the United States, football is more than simply a sport that has made itself part of the Thanksgiving tradition; it has become a billion-dollar industry, earning the title as the “richest sports league in the world.” Subsequently, the Super Bowl has become more than a “game” – the half-time show has become a pop-culture spectacle in itself that has featured stars as eminent as Bruce Springsteen, along with the billion-dollar commercials during the event, which is the only reason why some Americans watch in the first place.

Whether you’re cheering from the stands at Memorial Stadium tomorrow as the California Golden Bears take on Southern Utah, or watching the San Francisco 49ers play our rivals, the Green Bay Packers, this Sunday on TV, you’ll want to see the action – every blitz, block, hit and hold. What about when the San Diego Chargers face the Oakland Raiders? Don’t you want to be able to see when Carson Palmer throws a touchdown pass? Or be able to commiserate with your buddies about the calls that replacement refs made? If you can’t spot the tradition-rich California Banner above the Cal Student Section or The Niners’ SF logo on their helmets, you know it’s time to have your eyes checked. So Stop by Site for Sore EyesBerkeley before the football season punts into full gear, and you miss the game on account of your vision.

Things to Do near Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley CA!

As the Labor Day weekend is upon us, and summer moves into autumn, there are a lot of things to do in Berkeley. Treat your senses to a smorgasbord of fun and interesting activities. (And since sight is one of your senses, take it from Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley: you want to see what you are hearing, tasting, and experiencing!)

Want to just stroll along, looking around, with no set game plan? Then you will like this event, which is literally, a stroll. The Solano Avenue Stroll kicks off on Sunday morning (again, on September 9th). From 9:00 in the morning to 6:00 early evening, you will have 26 blocks of Berkeley at your disposal, where you can visit any number out of 500 vendors, non-profits and food stands, not to mention live entertainment.

For those who can’t just stroll along, but feel the need for speed, you can be part of World Run Day, and register for The Virtual Labor Day Run, this Monday, September 3rd. Run through the streets of Berkeley and “put yourself on the map.” Then, take a breather later on and check out the Chairlift concert at the University of Berkeley’s Sprout Plaza. This Brooklyn-based duo will be on hand for a free synthpop concert, so may all of us Northern California residents make them feel welcome!

While we’re on the joys of live music, there will be a concert, solely dedicated to percussion, at the LaPena Cultural Center, taking place on Sunday, September 9th at 7:30 pm. Adrian Areas, Jaz Sawyer and Javier Navarrete will be drumming up a storm of pulsating music and rhythm.

(And remember, part of the enjoyment of live music is seeing the passion and energy of musicians in action. Walking (or running) through the streets of the colorful town there’s a lot to see. You want to be sure that your eyeglasses and/or contact lenses are in full force to appreciate everything. And, since we are already in town, stop by Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley for a visit.)

Have a great Labor Day weekend, and a spectacular September!

We Care for More than Eyes at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley

We’ve all seen First Lady Michelle Obama cheering on Team U.S.A. at the 2012 Olympics and heard about Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s controversial decision to ban the sale of large soda in New York City; so, why all of the recent fuss about healthy living? It turns out that what we eat doesn’t just affect our waistline.

Who would have guessed that our diet can directly impact our vision? We know that diabetes is a growing problem in the United States, but only recently has it been proven that a person with diabetes can suffer from vision impairment, known as diabetic retinopathy. In fact, it is likely that this disease will become more common, as Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign has reported that: “One-third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives.” Other factors associated with an unhealthy lifestyle, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, are correlated with the onset of diabetic retinopathy. Furthermore, research has shown that the two leading causes of blindness and visual impairment among millions of aging Americans are impacted by one’s nutrition, which can impact the development of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

But at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley, we like to remain optimistic. Fortunately, there are measures you can take to reduce the risk of various eye diseases. By adding certain nutrients to your diet, you can help protect your vision and, ultimately, your well-being. According to the American Optometric Association, researchers have linked lutein, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc to a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration. In more common terminology, the foods with these antioxidants that you should be stocking your kitchen with include leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, and sweet potatoes.

Remember that old expression, “your eyes are bigger than your stomach?” The next time you reach for that pint of ice cream or bag of potato chips, remember that idiom and consider a healthier snack that will help reduce your risk of eye disease.

Back to School – From Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley

Dig out your backpacks, notebooks, pencils and pens because it’s back to school time!

High school and college students in the Berkeley California area: try to hold onto those last couple of weeks of summer freedom, but also take some time out to fully prepare yourselves for the new school year. You’ll be taking new classes, getting different text books, and meeting new teachers. A new school year is like a new beginning, with more than a few changes.

It’s a great time to put your best self forward to take on new adventures with confidence. So, how are your eyes, eyewear, and other optically-related needs holding up? Have you had your yearly eye exam? If not, consider scheduling an annual appointment at your local Site for Sore Eyes, right before school starts. Whether you are far-sighted or near-sighted, it is important to keep the prescriptions for your eyeglasses and contact lenses up-to-date.

Not only is being able to see well important, but so is feeling great about how you look. If you’d like to update your image with a new style, consider a fresh new pair of frames, contact lenses or even colored contacts. Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley offers so many different products to change up your look – it’s hard to choose just one! But don’t worry. Our friendly and knowledgeable sales associates will help you pick the best look for your face and your wallet.

Stop by Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley today and look forward to the new school year ahead!

Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley Cheers on Michael Phelps as He Wins Gold in London and Life.

2012 marked another year of success for the United States at the Summer Olympics in London.  It was also the end to the only life that Michael Phelps knew… life in a 50 meter-long, 2 meter-deep rectangle filled with chlorinated water. If you haven’t heard, over the past two weeks, Phelps competed in six events. Winning four gold medals and two silver medals for Team U.S.A., accruing a grand career total of 22, he is named the most decorated Olympian of all time.

Worldwide, people would tune in to watch the “flying fish” as he competed at the Olympics. We cannot erase our memories of the swimming icon as he performed his signature wing flap, or listened to pregame pump up music on his over-sized headphones.

Besides the swim cap, goggles are a swimmer’s most prized possession, allowing him or her to avoid getting chlorine in their eyes, while keeping an eye on their competition. We all watched with awe as we learned that the swimmer’s Speedo goggles filled with water while he was racing at the Beijing games. Despite those intolerable conditions, Phelps still managed to win a gold medal. Outside of the pool, glasses and corrective vision options, such as contact lenses, allow people to feel and perform at their best, as well.

So, as Phelps adjusts to life on dry land, take the journey with him by leaving behind what you’re familiar with, and make your wellbeing the top priority. The swimmer is doing just that, despite critics’ negative reports vis-à-vis why he is retiring at the youthful age of twenty-seven. Whether you should treat yourself to a day at the spa, make extra time for your family, or simply replace those dated eyeglass frames of yours, Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley encourages you to consider your health and happiness first, just as “the greatest swimmer ever” has done.