Northcenter Eye Care

Three things to consider for your student’s eye health

September 29, 2016

As learning becomes more digital, taking care of kids’ eyes is important than ever.

You’ve heard us before — 80 percent of what students learn in a classroom is processed visually — so back-to-school time is an important one for healthy eyes. For students of any age, here are three things to consider when school begins again.

Digital device use. Parents may have spent much of the summer trying to get their children off their devices, but digital learning has become a reality in many schools. Unfortunately there seems to be a gap in how long parents believe their kids use digital devices each day and what kids report themselves. According to a recent study from the American Optometric Association, 83 percent of children say they use their devices three hours or more a day, while only 40 percent of parents believe their children are on their devices that long.

One possible reason is that parents may not be taking classroom use of devices into account. If you aren’t aware of how much time your students spend on devices, ask their teachers. Older students who spend more time at the computer may need glasses to help reduce strain, much in the same way adults who use computers on the job do.

Participation in sports. Back-to-school time means that more kids will be hitting the fields and courts. The top five sports for the most eye injuries include two of Chicago’s favorites — football and basketball. Unfortunately awareness of sports eye injuries is still low among sports programs. If you have a student-athlete — or participate yourself — click here for more information on eye protection for sports.

Study habits. Some research supports the idea that the close work of reading and other study activities can have an impact on eyesight. Other studies have shown that more time spent outdoors decreases the incidence and degree of myopia.

While more research is necessary for conclusive recommendations, it’s a good idea for parents to be conscious of their children’s study habits. Make sure the student in your life is supported with the right eyewear and make time for breaks away from the books by being active outdoors whenever possible.

If eyewear is on your back-to-school list this year, we have many fashionable and functional options. We recently added a new collection of Tom Ford eyewear to our practice and are now offering 30% off all Gucci frames through the end of the year.

As always, if you have any questions about your eyes, please get in touch.

New doctor at Northcenter Eye Care

August 10, 2016

There’s still time for back-to-school exams!

Welcome Dr. Laura Blodgett!

With Dr. Vandana Gandhi on maternity leave, Dr. Blodgett is filling in, and we’ve already received great feedback on her care.

A graduate of State University of New York College of Optometry, Dr. Blodgett has five years of experience as an optometrist and comes to us from the East Coast.

Just a reminder, we have a special going on through the end of the year — 30% off Gucci frames. This is an ideal opportunity to add a fashionable pair of glasses to your wardrobe as a second pair or to replace your primary pair with an updated look or prescription.

With back-to-school time quickly approaching, we want to let patients know that we still have spots open for appointments. Give us a call or schedule online to book your exam.

Photo courtesy of freeimages.com/igoghost

Schedule your exam for back-to-school

July 15, 2016

Weekends at the beach and plans for end-of-the-summer vacations may still be on your mind, but don’t wait until the thick of the back-to-school season to get annual eye exams on the calendar. The closer we get to the return to school the busier we get, so it’s smart to schedule early.

Back-to-school is an ideal time for children and teachers to have their exams for many reasons:

It is estimated that 80 percent of what children learn is processed through their vision. A comprehensive exam will identify any vision problems and correction needs your child might have.
Teaching is a demanding profession, and those first months of the year are very busy. Get ahead of the rush with an eye exam in August. This is especially important for teachers who need to address vision problems.
School work puts more demands on children’s vision than typical summertime activities. Talk to us about any concerns regarding study habits and digital device use so we can address potential issues sooner versus later.

If it turns out that any of the adults in the family need new glasses or a second pair, we are offering 30 percent off Gucci frames through the end of 2016.

In addition, we now carry Tom Ford sunglasses and frames, a line of fashion-forward eyewear featuring high-quality construction and materials from one of today’s hottest designers.

Please give us a call or schedule online to book an appointment.

Trends in eyewear for kids

September 30, 2015

Every year the return to the classroom brings in several young patients who are choosing glasses for the first time or need to update their old pairs. Eyewear is much more than a fashion accessory, but choosing frames that suit your child’s sense of style makes wearing them a lot more fun. Following are some of the latest trends in eyewear for kids.

Color rules! Many eyewear designers are showing styles in a range of fun colors for kids of all ages. Styles favored by boys tend to feature rectangular lenses, while the girls are gravitating toward cat-eye and round shapes.
Classic designs that are also popular with adults are a favorite with older kids especially.
Younger kids are often won over by styles from brands they are familiar with like Disney, Stride Right and even Marvel Comics.
Fashion-oriented brands like Guess and Lucky are a hit with preteens and teens.
Durability is always in style! Features like flexible frames, spring hinges and polycarbonate lenses appeal to both parents and kids.

For more information about helping you child choose eyewear, check out our recent post on making the transition to glasses successful.

Protect your eyes with the right sports gear

September 15, 2015

September is Sports Eye Injury Prevention Awareness Month — just in time for the start of basketball season, the leading sport for eye injuries, according to research by Prevent Blindness.

Basketball is big in this town, both among fans as well as the numerous school and recreational leagues in our area. Prevent Blindness estimates that more than 6,000 people a year suffer eye injuries related to basketball. Water and pool activities, gun sports (air, gas, spring and BB), baseball/softball and, another fall favorite, football round out the top five sports that pose the greatest hazard to the eyes.

The good news is that 90 percent of eye injuries are preventable with proper eye protection, which means gear that is specifically designed for the dangers of specific sports. In the case of basketball, for example, this means protective goggles that feature impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses and offer a snug, comfortable fit. Even if you wear contact lenses or do not need vision correction, these goggles should be as much a part of dressing for the game as the right shoes.

We carry Liberty Sport eyewear, a leading provider of protective sports goggles, and can work with you to make sure your eyes stay safe when you are on the court, course or field.

Back-to-school time can reveal vision problems in children

August 18, 2015

Children’s eyes get a bit of a break during the summer with less time spent in the classroom. The increased visual demands of the new school year sometimes reveal issues that weren’t apparent over the summer break.

Nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism are the most common issues among school-age children. But other problems also can exist, including misalignment of the eyes (strabismus), reduced vision in one eye (amblyopia or ‘lazy eye’), color vision problems and a variety of others.

Be aware and let us know if you witness your child doing any of the following, as they are signs of a potential issue:

Squinting
Sitting too close to the TV or holding a book too close
Frequently losing place when reading or using a finger as a guide
Closing one eye when reading
Frequent eye rubbing
Sensitivity to light and/or excessive tearing
Avoiding reading or computer use
Complaints of headaches or tired eyes

According to Prevent Blindness America, one in four children has a vision problem that, if left untreated, can affect learning. So if you suspect your child is having vision problems, it’s important to schedule an eye exam.

* Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos/Stoonn

Your child’s eyes — an important tool for learning

July 27, 2015

As classroom learning becomes more digital, taking care of kids’ eyes is more important than ever.

With back-to-school time approaching, we want to remind patients how important healthy eyes are to learning.

According to experts, 80 percent of what students are taught is presented visually, which makes healthy eyes one of the most important tools for the classroom. But that’s not the only reason to stay on top of regular check-ups and eye care.

According to the American Optometric Association, more than 41 percent of parents report their children use digital devices more than three hours a day. With increasing use of technology at school and home, it’s important to stay on top of issues related to digital eye strain.
One in four children has a vision problem that could affect learning if left untreated, per Prevent Blindness America. A comprehensive eye exam is the best way to detect, prevent and treat vision problems.
The Vision Council reports that eye care providers are seeing an increase in myopia among children. Research points to the rise in near-vision activities like using digital devices and a decline in time spent outdoors in natural light as possible contributors.

Unfortunately, many parents are unaware of the importance of annual eye exams for kids. More than half (60%) don’t feel an eye exam is an essential part of a child’s healthy checkup schedule, based on a recent survey of more than 1,000 parents. You can find more information on eye health for children here.

The State of Illinois requires that all students entering a public, private or parochial schools, starting at kindergarten, have their eyes examined by a licensed optometrist. Even if your child is returning to the same school, annual exams are recommended for keeping their eyes healthy.