Your Child + An Eye Exam at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley = A Successful School Year

Was an eye exam included in your son or daughter’s back-to-school preparations? If you’re like most parents across the United States, you probably only purchased new supplies and clothes for your children’s return to the classroom. Fortunately, it is not too late to take the preventative measure of an eye exam at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley.

Although it’s only one month into the school year, there are palpable signs that it’s time for your child to see an optician.

Does your child…
- Hold a book closer than normal?
- Sit too close to the television?
- Squint often?
- Perform below his or her potential in school?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, it could be a direct result of your child’s vision. Twenty-five percent of school-age children have vision problems, according to the American Optometric Association. If your son or daughter is falling behind at school, don’t let frustration takeover; instead, schedule an appointment with your neighborhood Site for Sore Eyes optician for a professional eye exam.

This healthcare appointment should be treated with as much importance as any other doctor’s visit, since unidentified vision problems can impair the growth and development of children. In fact, problems such as lazy eye are best treated if they are detected and corrected as early as possible, while the child's vision system is still developing.

And remember, even if your children already wear prescription glasses, they should still have an annual checkup by an eye doctor to screen for vision changes.

Things to Do near Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley CA in October

October does not get the credit it deserves as a month of fun and enjoyment. The staff of Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley came to this conclusion after years of witnessing the many kids who come in to our store in September, getting eye exams, glasses, or contact lenses – all in preparation for school. October is just a reminder that school is in full force.

But open your eyes to October, everyone! This is the perfect time of year for enjoyment and excitement! The weather is not as hot as summer and there is no need to stress out (yet) over preparing for the holidays. There are events galore to feast on (and we don’t just mean Halloween candy), so take advantage of some fall fun!

Site for Sore Eyes would like to let you in on an upcoming event that movie lovers (particularly classic film buffs) will love. To whet your appetite for Halloween (excitement as well as candy), take a trip to nearby Emeryville on Wednesday, October 24^thfor a classic double feature, as the AMC Bay Street 16 will play the original Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, courtesy of TCM. These Golden Age of Horror movies have been restored in all their ghoulish glory. Clean your eyeglasses or make sure your contact lenses are properly in place, and enjoy.

And now, for the Halloween holiday itself, get psyched for the Halloween and Day of the Dead goings on at Civic Center Park. Don’t be fooled. It’s not all ghouls and ghosts (although they will be joining in). Farmers markets will have stands set up, and there will be cultural art, and live music and dancing. For more information, call 510-548-3333.

So take advantage of October! There is a lot to do in this one single month, and Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley is at your service, as we are throughout the year, to keep your vision healthy. After all, you wouldn’t want your eyes replaced, a la Mr. and Mrs. Frankenstein, would you?

 

Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley CA Roots for the A’s and U!

The Oakland A’s have clinched one of the American League’s two wild-card playoff spots, by defeating the Texas Rangers… talk about defying the odds!

This improbable win comes after a six-year retreat from the Major League baseball postseason. Although the youthful players are happy with their success, they do not take these games flippantly.

If you’ve ever played ball for a school team or simply as a leisurely pursuit with your neighborhood friends, surely you understand the hand-eye coordination that is essential to this sport. Now imagine how these professionals must train to successfully compete in the major leagues. While proper throwing and a strong arm can be developed, it must begin at an early age and perfected by hours upon hours of practice. “See the ball, hit the ball” must occur before factors such as swing, stance, and even hand positioning can be enhanced.

Wondering how these professionals improve their hand-eye coordination? Many teams have their players perform hitting drills again, and again, and again. These include practicing short toss and soft toss with a partner, as well as using a pitching machine set to various speeds and pitches. And for the Oakland A’s, their batting practice has clearly paid off.

Although it’s unlikely that you’re a professional ball player, you can defy the odds just as the A’s did, by defeating eye disease. To start, when was your last eye exam? While most people wait until their eyes begin bothering them before getting a checkup, the experts at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley recommend that individuals with a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration get a professional eye exam every year. Next, evaluate your current eating habits and lifestyle. Most people don’t realize that smoking or drinking excessively, along with an unhealthy diet, can significantly increase your risk of eye disease.

So, ensure that you can see your Oakland A’s compete in the playoffs by beginning to protect your most delicate human sense that is particularly prone to disease and degeneration. Avoid this by taking care of your eyes, and you can chalk up one homerun for your sense of health and well-being!

Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley CA Celebrates Child Eye Health Month! Are you?

This week, Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley calls to mind a quote by Ron Wild:

“Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world through the eyes of a child."

Wise words, indeed. We tend to think of glasses, contact lenses, and any other form of eyewear as something “grown-ups” need. Young kids don’t need glasses.

Or do they?

If you are a parent, you no doubt have an eye on the health of your kids, whether you have one or more. You responsibly see to it that doctor’s appointments, vaccines, and flu shots are all scheduled and kept so that your kids stay in tip-top shape. But do they get a yearly eye exam? Don’t leave your child’s vision to chance.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) states that children six months old (yes, you are reading this right), can – and should –have their vision tested. This may seem extreme, but makes sense in the long run. Should there be any problem with your child’s vision (and hopefully there is none), the earlier it is detected means that it can be dealt with and aided just as early.

So as we end the month of September (which, incidentally is Child Eye Health Month), Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley asks that you parents, grandparents and guardians take note of Mr. Ron Wild’s quote. Be wise, grown-ups, and take your kids for an eye exam before that day trip to the zoo, the mall, or movies. You can be secure in the knowledge that you are looking after them well, as they enjoy and marvel the world around them.

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.