Dr. Neka's TOP FIVE EYE HEALTH RESOLUTIONS for 2017!

1) Get an eye exam! A routine eye exam is recommended every single year. I'm not talking about the basic vision screening done at your child's school or at your work. I'm talking about a comprehensive eye exam done at an eye doctor's office. Comprehensive eye exams can unveil early glaucoma, retinal tears, and even high blood pressure/high cholesterol/diabetes. Remember: Perfect 20/20 vision discovered at a vision screening doesn't necessarily mean your eyes are healthy! I've seen glaucoma in a 30-year old with no symptoms, and I've seen a retinal tear in a 20-year old with no symptoms!

2) Eat healthy! A diet high in lutein and vitamins A, C, and E may help prevent the onset of macular degeneration, according to recent studies. Try adding kale, spinach, eggs, berries, bell peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, and almonds to your shopping list! A multivitamin doesn't hurt either.

3) Invest in a good pair of sunglasses! Long-term exposure to UV light has been shown to be a contributing factor to early-onset cataracts and macular degeneration. This is especially important in Colorado! To save you some money, we can instead make you a pair of polarized sun clips custom-made to clip onto your glasses.

4) Drink more water! Drinking a full 8 glasses of water a day (more if you're exercising) can help reduce symptoms/signs of eye dryness, which is very common here in Colorado. This is especially important in the wintertime, when the heater is on more, and we often forget about our H2O!

5) Quit smoking! Smoking has also been shown to be a contributing factor to macular degeneration. Easier said that done, right? Consider a smoking cessation class, offered at Longmont United Hospital and a few other clinics right here in Boulder County.

The human eye vs an iphone 7 camera!

If the human eye was a digital camera, it would have a resolution of 576 megapixels. That's 48 times the resolution you get from the iPhone 7 camera! It'll be interesting to see how long it'll take innovators to create a camera with even half the amount of resolution as the human eye. It's very possible that this is something we won't see in our time.

What are "Christmas Tree" Cataracts?!?!

There are different types of cataracts, and some are associated with certain systemic conditions. The cataract pictured below is called a "Christmas Tree Cataract." I'm sure by looking at it, you can figure out how it got it's name! Christmas Tree Cataracts are commonly associated with Myotonic Dystrophy, a disorder that can cause progressive weakness in the muscles. 

We're donating 30% of proceeds today to Meals on Wheels!

Today is 'Colorado Gives Day!' In honor of Colorado Gives Day, Sight Eyecare will be donating 30% of all proceeds today to the Longmont chapter of Meals on Wheels. Thank you so much for all that you do for our community, Meals on Wheels! Remember: We are open late on Tuesdays each and every week, including today (until 7:00 PM)!

Did you know that close to 70% of people with vision insurance let their insurance go to waste every year?

Did you know that a lot of VSP plans allow you to get glasses/contacts NOW, and then AGAIN in January 2017? Did you know that you can use your FSA dollars at our office for your yearly eye exam, contact lenses, and/or glasses? Don't let your insurance or your FSA dollars go to waste! For more information on how to get the most out of your benefits, give us a call! We'd be happy to go over the details of your plan with you. We recommend scheduling your exam now, to avoid the end-of-year rush, when availability will be more limited.

National Diabetes Awareness Month

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, so I'd like to chat for a bit about Diabetes and the eye. Optometrists do exactly the same thing that ophthalmologists do when it comes to yearly diabetic eye exams, which entails dilating the eyes each year and taking retinal photos (when necessary) to monitor early signs of retinopathy. Optometrists also check each year for glaucoma and cataracts, which can occur earlier in those with Diabetes. If you have diabetic retinopathy and it's to a point where it may require surgical treatment, I will send you to an excellent retinal specialist here in town for further evaluation. 

DON'T FORGET! Our Rayban /Coach Trunk Show is THIS Friday, Nov 4th!

'Raybans & Rovers' is THIS Friday (November 4th). Stop in to Sight Eyecare anytime between 3:00 & 7:00, grab a Wibby beer, grab a Silver Mine sub, and join us for a Rayban & Coach Trunk Show! If you are a Rayban or Coach lover, this is your opportunity to try on all of their frames/sunglasses, including new releases. 10% of proceeds from this event will benefit the Longmont Humane Society. If you have FSA money to use before the year ends, THIS is the time to use it! No insurance? Take advantage of our largest sale of the year! All Rx eyewear will be 20% off on this day only. We look forward to seeing you on Friday! No RSVP necessary.

The TOP THREE things to try when your eyes feel dry!

Eyes feeling dry? Well, welcome to Colorado! :) Unfortunately, when the heater is on more at home and in the car this time of year, symptoms can worsen. I recommend trying these 3 things:

1) WATER. Be sure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day. 8 glasses/day or more when exercising!
2) OMEGA-3s. Try increasing your intake of salmon, tuna and walnuts. Or instead, try a good-quality fish oil supplement.
3) ARTIFICIAL TEARS. And I don't mean Visine. I mean a good quality artifical tear. My 2 favorite OTC brands are Blink and Refresh. Those with dry eyes benefit from using artifical tears several times a day.

If you're still not having any relief after trying these 3 things, please let me know at the time of your eye exam, as sometimes certain underlying eyelid conditions and/or systemic conditions can be the source of the dryness you're experiencing, and other treatment options may make more sense.