See you local vision experts at Prairie EyeCare Center, PC (308)872-2291. 

Now a provider of Vision Source.

Prevent Blindness America and Prairie EyeCare Center, PC Join in National Glaucoma Awareness Month in Effort to Save Sight from Second Leading Cause of Blindness

CHICAGO(Dec. 19, 2011) – Today, more than 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older have open angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma. At least half don't even know they have it. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the world, second only to cataracts, and the leading cause of blindness in African-Americans.According to research funded by Prevent Blindness America, glaucoma costs the U.S. economy $2.86 billion every year in direct medical costs for outpatient, inpatient and prescription drug services.

As part of January’s National Glaucoma Awareness Month, Prevent Blindness America is joining with other leading eye health organizations in encouraging everyone to educate themselves on the disease as well as make a New Year’s resolution to make eye health a priority.

Glaucoma has long been termed the “sneak thief of sight” because it slowly takes away vision, often without the patient even realizing it. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve which sends information from the eyes to the brain. When the optic nerve is damaged, peripheral vision begins to diminish. If left untreated, over time, glaucoma may also damage central vision. Unfortunately, once symptoms are detected, the effectiveness of treatment diminishes. Once vision is lost, it cannot be restored.

Risk factors for glaucoma include advancing age, family history, nearsightedness, eye injury or surgery and the use of steroid medications. Race is another major risk factor as, according to the National Eye Institute, glaucoma is five times more likely to occur in blacks than in whites and blacks are four times more likely to go blind from it. Hispanics are more likely to develop glaucoma after age 60 than any other group.

Prevent Blindness America provides free resources to educate consumers on glaucoma, including treatment options and general information at “The Glaucoma Learning Center,” a free website at www.preventblindess.org/glaucoma. Free printed materials are available by request including the “Guide for People with Glaucoma.” This comprehensive booklet serves as a handbook for patients and includes information on what to expect during treatment and even a list of questions to ask the eye doctor.

The Glaucoma Learning Center also hosts the “Glaucoma Web Discussion Forum” that allows patients and caregivers the opportunity to discuss online all subjects related to the disease. Topics range from general information on the condition and its treatment, to shared experiences and emotional support.

“We want to stress to everyone that vision can be saved from glaucoma through early diagnosis and treatment,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. “Please visit our website or call our toll-free number to get all the free information you can to educate yourself on risk factors, treatment options and even Medicare coverage.

Let’s all commit to make 2012 the year to make our eyes a priority and save our sight!”
For more information on glaucoma please call Prevent Blindness America at (800) 331-2020 or visit preventblindness.org/glaucoma.

 Come see our doctors for your vision care needs at Prairie EyeCare Center, PC (308)872-2291

Blind Man Drives Unaccompanied

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., February 2011 — It may seem impossible, but Mark Anthony Riccobono, a blind executive with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), successfully navigated 1.5 miles of track at the Daytona International Speedway in a pre-race demonstration.

His vehicle was a Ford Escape hybrid that had been specially fitted with laser range-finding sensors. A computer inside the car received information from the sensors and in turn sent instructions to vibrating gloves on Riccobono's hands so he would know which way to steer. He was seated on a vibrating strip, which indicated when to accelerate, slow down or stop.

As part of the demonstration, Riccobono had to make turns and avoid both stationary obstacles and some that were thrown randomly from a van driving in front of him. He also passed the van without collision.

"The NFB's leadership in the Blind Driver Challenge has taken something almost everyone believed was an impossible dream and turned it into reality," said Riccobono. "It was thrilling for me to be behind the wheel, but even more thrilling to hear the cheers from my blind brothers and sisters in the grandstands."

"Today all of the members of the NFB helped drive us forward," he added. "It is for them and for all blind Americans that the National Federation of the Blind undertook this project to show that blind people can do anything that our sighted friends and colleagues can do as long as we have access to information through nonvisual means."

The Blind Driver Challenge is a research project of the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute. See Video Here

November 2011 — Telling your kids to go out and play may actually help their vision, according to a recent analysis of studies involving 10,400 children.

Led by Dr. Justin Sherwin of the University of Cambridge, the analysis found that for each additional hour spent outdoors per week, the chance of myopia fell by about 2 percent. Also, the nearsighted children in the studies spent an average of 3.7 fewer hours per week outside than those who were farsighted or had normal vision.

No particular outdoor activity was linked to the reduced chance of myopia — it was just the state of being outdoors rather than indoors. Also no correlation was found between myopia occurrence and a tendency to do more near work such as studying.

The researchers said more study is needed to determine which outdoor-related factors are most important, such as more distance vision use, less near vision use, physical activity and exposure to natural ultraviolet light.

A summary of the research was presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in October.

from the doctors and staff at

Prairie EyeCare Center, PC.

We will be closed on December 24th and 25th, re-opening at 8:00 on Monday December 26th to allow our staff to spend time with their families on Christmas.

 

In addition, we will be closed December 31st and January 1st re-opening on January 2nd at 8:00 a.m.

If there is an eye emergency Dr. Kennel can be reached at (308)872-6292 or please go to the local emergency room.

How about a second pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses? 

Come see your local vision experts at Prairie EyeCare Center, PC. (308)872-2291

Prairie EyeCare Center, PC will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24th.

We will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 25th and closed all day on Saturday, November 26th.  We will re-open on Monday, November 28th at 8:00 a.m.

Happy Thanksgiving from Prairie EyeCare Center.

DALLAS, March 2011 — If your eyes tend to feel dryer during winter weather, wearing goggles might help.

A recent study found that a temperature less than 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) on your eye and eyelid causes the oily, outer layer of your eye's tear film to thicken and stiffen, so that it can't spread well across the eye. This oily substance, called the meibum, is necessary to prevent evaporation of the tears on your eye's surface.

In fact, the meibum can solidify in cold temperatures and block the meibomian gland ducts, thereby preventing release of meibum into your eye.

Wearing goggles when it's cold and windy would not only help keep your eyes warm, but would also keep out wind that would evaporate your tears.

The study report appeared in the November 2010 issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.

Breaking Curve Balls Are Only an Illusion
November 4, 2010 — Eye tracking studies have demonstrated that those fancy, breaking curve balls batters dread so much are nothing but an illusion.
"Our central vision is very small," said researcher Arthur Shapiro, PhD, associate professor at American University in Washington D.C. "It's the size of the tip of your thumb at arm's length. When an object falls outside of that region, strange perceptions can occur."
A batter tends to switch from central to peripheral vision at the point a ball is about 20 feet away (two-thirds of the way to home plate). At the point peripheral vision takes over, the eye no longer can detect separate motions of a spinning ball.
This means the eye becomes confused by the combined motions of the velocity of the ball and how it spins, according to researcher Zhong-Lin Lu, PhD, of the University of Southern California.
When the ball reaches the plate, the batter switches back to central vision. And at this point, the ball appears to make an abrupt change or "break."

SEE TO LEARN®

Good vision is critical to learning, because more than 80 percent of learning is done visually. Yet studies indicate that more than 20 percent of kindergarten children have vision problems, and this number climbs to between 30 and 40 percent by the time these children reach high school graduation. Vision problems may keep many children from graduating from high school, as more than 70 percent of juvenile delinquents and 60 percent of adults in literacy programs have vision problems.

SEE TO LEARN® was developed to reduce these statistics, and optometrists from across the country are working together to make sure all children can see to learn.

What is SEE TO LEARN®

SEE TO LEARN® is an innovative, three-step preventive health program designed to ensure that kindergarten children entering school can see to learn and to educate parents and teachers about the warning signs of vision problems in all school-age children.

Step 1: Ongoing education to alert parents and educators about the signs of vision problems in children of any age.

Step 2: A free vision assessment for your three-year-old by a participating Eye Care Council optometrist. This is designed to detect vision conditions that require correction at an early age. although vision problems among the very young are generally uncommon, some serious conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (turned eye), require care before age 5 to avoid permanent loss of vision.

Step 3: A professional vision examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist paid for by you, the parent, before or during your child's first year of school. This is an important investment that will help ensure that vision problems do not affect your child's ability to learn and do well in school.

CALL US (308)872-2291

(MS)— Heading a football season, returning a blistering volleyball serve and driving the lane in a basketball game make for some exciting sports moments. But for those athletes who are participating without eye protection, these same thrilling moves can mean eye injuries and permanent vision impairment.

Every 13 minutes an emergency room in the United States treats a sports-related eye injury, says the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Forty percent of all sports eye injuries occur in children between the ages of 11 to 14. Unlike many other reasons for visiting the emergency room, sports related eye injuries are preventable. According to Prevent Blindness America, 90% of all eye injuries are preventable.

To educate parents, coaches, health professionals and athletes about the importance of eye protection, The Coalition to Prevent Sports Eye Injuries (www.sportseyeinjuries.com) was established first in New Jersey, and is now a national movement. Working in partnership with The Coalition is Liberty Sport, a company that supplies high-quality protective sports eyewear. “Parents are often quick to ensure their children are equipped with helmets, knee and elbow pads and even mouth guards. However, many fail to address the needs of eye protection for the same players. Which is more tragic, a blind eye or a bruised shin?” says Paul Berman, O.D., F.A.A.O who is the Chairman for The Coalition to Prevent Sports Eye Injuries and spokesperson for Liberty Sports.

Dr. Berman says that it is important for parents to make sure that their children wear protective eyewear when participating in sports, including those that have a high-to-moderate risk of eye injury: basketball, baseball, lacrosse, tennis, soccer, volleyball, football, squash, and racquetball. Eye protection is becoming a normal part of sports gear nationwide. Not only is it cool to wear, it can also ensure that young athletes can enjoy sports for years to come.

See us for your vision needs.  Prairie EyeCare Center, PC (308)872-2291.

Get your child's eyes checked before school.
If they need glasses, Essilor Junior lenses will serve them best!

Essilor Junior lenses can brighten your child's future

• Scratch Resistant for increased durability.

• Shatterproof Airwear® polycarbonate for safety.

• Anti-Glare to reduce eye strainEasy-to-Clean to keep smudges away.

• Affordable so you don't have to compromise.

• Comfortable in every light with Transitions® lenses.

Designed just for kids

Kids are hard on their glasses. Essilor Junior lenses are scratch resistant, stay smudge-free longer and reduce glare so they can take the treatment your kids dish out and stay clear to help them learn.

Engineered to protect their eyes

Essilor Junior lenses safeguard children’s eyes. They block 100% of harmful UVA and UVB radiation and are made of safe, shatterproof Airwear polycarbonate lenses. Plus they reduce glare from classroom lighting, whiteboards, and computers so your child's eyes do not become tired and red and your child can stay focused on learning. Give them lenses they want to wear

Essilor Junior lenses are made of Airwear polycarbonate material, which means they are 45% lighter and 25% thinner than standard plastic lenses so your child feels comfortable and looks cool.

The lenses are non-glare so people see your child’s bright eyes and not the glare on the lenses.

Call us today (308)872-2291!

Prevent Blindness America has named August Children's Eye Health and Safety Month. The organization points out that children often do not realize they have problems with their vision because they think how they see is how everyone else sees. They learn to compensate with their vision problems without fixing them, which can lead to more problems in school and later in life. Some students are even misdiagnosed as having a learning disability or behavioral problems when they may just have a visual impairment. Eye problems can range from common refractive errors such as nearsightedness and farsightedness, to serious eye conditions including:

Amblyopia or “lazy eye”- the most common cause of visual impairment in children. As the brain develops and receives diminished images from the affected eye, it begins to suppress those images and favor the unaffected eye. If this condition persists, the weaker eye may become useless. Amblyopia becomes more difficult to treat effectively as the child becomes older.

Strabismus or “crossed eyes”– a condition where eyes are misaligned, or do not line up with each other. This problem is caused when the muscles do not work together. Strabismus may eventually lead to amblyopia. Approximately one in 50 children has strabismus.

Prevent Blindness America has created “Star Pupils,” a free program specifically designed to educate parents on what they can do to ensure healthy eyesight for their kids. Parents may visit Starpupils.org and receive free information on everything from common eye conditions in children to tips on how to protect eyes from injury while playing sports. For more information on children’s eye health and safety, call Prevent Blindness America at (800) 331-2020 or visit starpupils.org.

Call your local vision experts (308)872-2291

The first day of school is just around the corner, and most parents are busily making their way through a list of “to-dos”: school clothes shopping, appointments for immunizations and physicals, and trips to the store for pencils, pens, paper and all the other “must-haves” for the classroom—all with the intention of getting students Ready for School.

Is a visit to the optometrist on your list? A comprehensive eye examination for students is one of the most important “to-dos” and yet one that is often overlooked. Without an eye exam, many children have vision problems that remain undiagnosed, and may even be misdiagnosed as a learning disorder.

The idea that children need to be ready to learn—visually—is beginning to catch the attention of legislators. Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, and Illinois have laws requiring mandatory eye examinations for children prior to entering school, and a federal bill has been introduced in the Senate that would provide funding to establish a federal grant program focusing on treatment to bolster children’s vision initiatives in the states and encourage children’s vision partnerships with non-profit entities.

To educate parents on the importance of comprehensive eye exams, AOA has created an online survey parents can take to quiz their knowledge of children’s vision topics as well as a glossary of common vision terms. AOA members want the classroom experience to be a positive and productive one for all children.

In addition to the online survey, parents can download the Difference between Vision Screenings and Vision Examinations resource as well as a Word Hunt Activity Sheet and Night Vision coloring page for children.

Schedule an appointment today with your local vision experts.  Call us (308)872-2291.

Swimming with your contact lenses on, is possible but very risky. When swimming on lakes and rivers, there is a huge possibility for a microorganism called acanthamoeba to adhere to your lens, causing infection and inflammation of your cornea (acanthamoeba keratitis), which can lead to vision loss and possibly blindness. In the pool, eye irritation is possible when chlorine sticks on the surface of your lens. Your contact lenses can be dislodge when you encounter large waves or get splashed. You can still wear your lenses, but do so with proper precautions.

• Wear protective goggles. This is the most effective way to protect your lenses when you have them on while you're swimming. Goggles will prevent irritant chlorine from getting into your contact lenses and eyes while you are in the pool. Your goggles should fit tightly around your eye sockets shielding your eyes against invasion of microbes and also prevent your contact lenses from being dislodged when you encounter waves, splashes, or even sand.

• 

• Soft daily disposable contact lenses are more ideal than hard lenses or planned replacement lenses when you're swimming. This is due to the larger circumference that firmly adhere your contact lenses to your eyes, preventing them from being dislodged while you swim. In addition, they are disposable so you can just throw them away after you're swimming, keeping your eyes safe from any microbes and other harmful contaminants.

• Apply re-wetting eye drops to your eyes. There is a huge possibility for you to feel dryness in your eyes when you swim. It is advisable to apply re-wetting eye drops to your eyes, this provides lubrication that allows your contact lenses to properly stick to your eyes, preventing them from drying and falling off.

Call us today for more information (308)872-2291.

•  Complaints of visually related headaches or blurry vision?

• Problems with reading?

• Difficulty with phonics?

• Poor Reading Comprehension?

• Slow reading speed or lack fluidity when reading?

• Dislikes or avoids reading?

• Loss of place when reading?

• Letters or works overlap when reading?

• Reverses letters, words, or numbers?

• Problems in arithmetic?

• Difficulty with speed of information processing?

• Or works slowly and has trouble completing test and assignments?

Your child could benefit from Vision or Perceptual Therapy.

Summer is a GREAT time to get started on a vision therapy course.

Call us (308)872-2291 and talk to your local vision experts today!

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—A new study released this week shows that eye exams are often the first to detect chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Conducted by Human Capital Management Services Group (HCMS), a national human capital consulting firm, and commissioned by VSP Vision Care, the study found that eye doctors detected signs of certain chronic conditions before any other health care provider recorded the condition—65 percent of the time for high cholesterol, 20 percent of the time for diabetes, and 30 percent of the time for hypertension.

When the study was applied to VSP’s entire membership of 56 million, the following received early treatment for chronic diseases as a result of their eye exam:

• 65 percent of the 2.2 million members with high cholesterol (1.5 million), resulting in two year savings of $1.7 billion

• 20 percent of 1.5 million members with diabetes (296,800), resulting in two year savings of $827 million

• 30 percent of 2.2 million members with hypertension (667,800), resulting in two year savings of $2 billion

“With the national healthcare system focused on prevention and early detection, annual eye exams play a critical role in detecting signs of chronic diseases even at the beginning stages as eye doctors have the only unobstructed, non-invasive view of blood vessels,” said Susan Egbert, director of eye health management, VSP Vision Care. “Additionally, individuals who have a VSP vision plan are three times more likely to get an annual eye exam than a routine, preventive physical, making it a critical component of overall health and wellness.”

HCMS matched medical condition data for over 200,000 members covered by VSP Vision Care, spanning two years to medical and pharmacy data obtained from the clients’ medical and drug carriers. HCMS compared chronic patients who were first identified by VSP Vision Care against those who entered the health care system via traditional means.

The study included six large commercial clients with a total of 212,000 members.

The study also concluded that eyecare benefits saved VSP’s 38,000 clients

—for profits, not-for-profits and government organizations—$4.5 billion through the early detection of chronic diseases via an eye exam. For every $1 invested in VSP exam services

—which include comprehensive, annual eye exams

—during an employee’s first year with the benefit, employers average a two-year total return of $1.27 in long-term health care savings. These savings are a result of avoided medical costs and increased employee productivity.

VSP Vision Care's vision plan facilitates nationwide, HIPAA-compliant data collection and exchange through the VSP Eye Health Management Program. With a research reference database of more than 2.2 million employees and their families who are actively enrolled in a health plan, HCMS maintains comprehensive data catalogue containing medical and prescription costs, absenteeism, disability, workers’ compensation, and productivity costs. The study identified more than 9,000 VSP members who were first identified with early signs of diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol by a VSP doctor. To view this study, visit www.vspeffect.com.

Prairie EyeCare Center, PC joins global campaign to establish vision centers around the world.

Broken Bow, NE- April 25, 2011- Local optometrists Dr. Jeffry Sanger and Dr. Melinda Kennel, are joining the 'Say YEStoday for a better tomorrow' appeal to help fund the establishment of vision centers in developing communities around the world.  These new centers will help give sight to millions of people in need.

Many of these people are parents who cannot see to work and who struggle to provide for their children.  Others are children themselves who are missing out on an education simply because they cannot see the chalkboard or read a school book.  The reason for their poor vision is uncorrected refractive error - simply the need for an eye exam and a pair of glasses.  In developing communities, blindness and vision impairment make it almost impossible to break the cycle of poverty.

Say YEStoday is an appeal developed by Optometry Giving Sight, an organization funding programs that help to address the need of the 670 million people who are blind or vision impaired simply because they do not have access to an eye exam and a pair of glasses.  Through the provision of eye care, the training of local eye care professionals and the building of community based vision centers, these programs ensure sustainable, lasting results for people in need.

"By saying YEStoday, our patients can join us in transforming the lives of people currently living without eye care," said Dr. Jeffrey Sanger.  "We have a vision center poster on display in the practice and are encouraging our patients and residents of Custer County to make a donation, 'buy a brick,' and add their name to the poster.  The 'bricks' cost just $5 which is the cost of an eye exam and a pair of glasses in some developing countries.  It's a great way to raise funds and our patients can see how their donation will make a difference."

Funds raised from the Say YEStoday appeal last year helped to provide ongoing funding to eight vision centers and train 683 eye care professionals across 15 countries.  This year we hope to double that number!

Prairie EyeCare Center in located on the East Side of the Square in Broken Bow.  Call (308)872-2291 to schedule an appointment or stop in to see our "Brick wall."

For more information about Optometry Giving Sight and the YEStoday campaign, visit www.givingsight.org.

Vegetarian diet linked to lower cataract risk

A shopper looks at organic vegetables as she pushes a shopping trolley down an aisle at a supermarket in Charenton near Paris April 6, 2011. Credit: Reuters/Charles Platiau

By Leigh Krietsch Boerner
NEW YORK | Fri Apr 8, 2011 5:19pm EDT
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Eating less meat and more vegetables is tied to a lower risk of cataracts, a British study says.

In a large dietary survey that followed people for as long as 15 years, researchers found that about three in 50 meat eaters had cataracts, compared to about two in 50 vegans and vegetarians.

The results translated to a 30 to 40 percent lower cataract risk among vegetarians and vegans compared with the biggest meat eaters.
"People who don't eat meat have a significantly lower risk of developing cataracts," said Naomi Allen, an epidemiologist at the UK's University of Oxford who coauthored the study.

A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, blurring vision. They're more common in older people, and more than half of Americans either have cataracts by the time they're 80 or have had surgery for them, according to the National Eye Institute.

The British findings do not mean that people should necessarily become vegetarians to avoid getting cataracts, Allen told Reuters Health.
The study does not prove that eating meat promotes cataracts. Eating a lot of vegetables might be protective, for instance - some past research has linked certain nutrients in plant foods to a lowered risk of cataracts. A vegetarian diet may also simply be a sign of other healthy behaviors that contribute to the lowered risk.
Smoking, diabetes, and exposure to bright sunlight are also linked to an increased risk for cataracts.

The new findings actually contradict a study done in India, where a vegetarian diet was associated with high numbers of cataracts, said Dr. Jack Dodick, who chairs the department of ophthalmology at New York University Langone Medical Center.
"It means that still to this day we don't know what influences cataracts. It may be more lifestyle. There may be other factors in causing cataract other than diet," Dodick, who did not work on the current study, told Reuters Health.

The British researchers asked more than 27,600 people older than 40 to fill out dietary surveys between 1993 and 1999, then monitored the participants' medical records between 2008 and 2009 to see if they developed cataracts. Almost 1,500 had cataracts during the follow-up period.

The highest risk was seen among the heaviest meat-eaters - those who consumed more than 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of meat daily. Moderate meat eaters were only slightly less likely to develop cataracts. Fish eaters' risk was 15 percent lower than that of the heavy meat eaters, vegetarians' 30 percent lower and vegans' 40 percent lower.

This study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, was well done, Dodick said, but there are "still a lot of questions that need to be answered."
Whether nutrition really plays a role in cataract risk is still not clear cut, he said.
It's generally accepted that if you live long enough everyone will develop a cataract, Dodick added.

Congrats to Sarah Keefe! 

Dr. Sanger and Dr. Kennel are proud of our staff. 

We are committed to maintaining your satisfaction and the latest in education and technology.

Omaha World Herald Metro Morning 03/17/2011, Page E05

Encouraging healthy computing

BY SUE STOCK

MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

For today’s students, life is all about staring at a screen.

They spend hours doing homework, playing games, chatting with friends, reading books and just hanging out — all on computers, smart phones and e-readers or tablets.

And doctors say they’re starting to pay the price: in eyestrain, neck pain and wrist aches.

“Kids have a limited degree of awareness, so they’ll just play and play until they’re exhausted,” said Dr. Patricia Smith of Triangle Eye Physicians in Raleigh, N.C. “You’ve got to parent up and limit the amount of computer time.”

That’s not always easy. The portable nature of most of those devices makes policing online time a challenge.

Apex, N.C. , mom Tiffany Edwards said she thinks her 14-year-old son Torin spends two to three hours a day on his electronic devices, which include a computer, an iPhone and the iPad he got for Christmas.

Ask Torin and he said it’s closer to five hours a day. He’s starting to have some neck pain, but the middle school student doesn’t think it is related to his iPad. His mom, however, is not so sure.

“I notice it through the day, him just wiggling his neck around trying to relieve some of the pain and things like that,” she said. “I don’t know what the solution is. It’s not like they’re not going to use the devices.”

But doctors say talking about online time and setting boundaries for kids is important because too much time staring at a screen can cause health problems.

Here are warning signs: • Squinting at the screen • Leaning in toward the screen • Rubbing eyes • Complaints of dry eyes • Complaints of headaches • Back or neck pain • Insomnia

Think about eye health:

Smith, the ophthalmologist in Raleigh, N.C., offered these tips:

Make sure your child is viewing the computer at his or her own height. A child sitting at an adult’s desk will be looking up at the screen. This exposes more eye surface, increases the rate of blinking and can lead to eye fatigue more quickly.

Take note if your child is complaining of dry or itchy eyes. Sometimes kids can develop “dry eye syndrome” from staring at a screen and not blinking enough.

Watch for excessive eye rubbing.

Kids who are heavy eye rubbers can actually damage their corneas.

Make sure that when your kids take break s, they are not simply moving to another screen-related activity, like watching TV. Encourage them to go outside, play a game or do something else that does not involve a monitor.

Watch your posture:

Sitting up straight can do a lot to prevent posture problems or pain in the back and neck, said Amy Howes, a physical therapist forWakeMed, who works at a clinic in the Kerr Family YMCA in Raleigh, N.C.

She offered these tips: Find a chair that supports your lower back. Your feet should be on the floor and should be in line with your knees. If your child’s feet do not reach the floor, use a footrest or other booster.

Use a desk. Do not use a computer or laptop sitting on the couch. “That sort of makes you want to slouch and bend over,” she said, “and that’s not always best.”

Keep your ears in line with your shoulders and your shoulders in line with your hips. In other words — sit up straight.

If you find that you have soreness or pain in your back or neck, try these three simple stretching exercises.

1. Sit up straight, put your arms at your sides and try to squeeze your shoulder blades together. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds, relax and then repeat.

2. Tilt your ear toward your shoulder to stretch your neck, hold for 5 to 10 seconds, then look straight ahead and repeat for the other shoulder.

3. Bring your shoulders up toward your ears like you are shrugging, hold for a few seconds and then relax.

If you have any question or concerns about your child's vision. Call Us (308)872-2291!

Tips for Healthy, Comfortable Vision at the Computer

While decreasing time spent at a computer may not be an option, there are ways to maximize healthy vision for comfortable use of the computer.

1. Have a regular comprehensive eye exam to ensure your eyes are healthy and that you have the correct eyeglass or contact lens prescription (if necessary). Be certain to tell your optometrist about the computer work you do.

2. Wear glasses that are specifically designed to function comfortably at the computer. The lenses you wear for day-to-day activities may not be the best for working at the computer.

3. Rest the eye.  For every 20 minutes of computer work, look 20 feet for 20 seconds. It called the 20/20/20 rule!

4. Blink forcefully Use a humidifier Instill artificial tears.

After you have had a comprehensive eye examination, there are a number of things that you can do to arrange and use the elements of your workstation to eliminate or minimize discomfort.

Workstation Setup for Comfortable Computer Use Is Your Work Station Properly Arranged?

• Feet should be flat on the floor (or on a slightly angled foot rest) with knees bent close to or greater than 90 degrees.

• Chair seat should support the legs without excessive pressure on the back of the thighs.

• The back should be snug against the seat to fit your spinal contour. Thigh-to-trunk angle should be 90 degrees or greater.

• Wrists and hands should extend nearly straight from the elbow to the home row of the keyboard.

• A commonly preferred work surface height for keyboard use is about 26" as opposed to the conventional 29" of most tables or desks.

• Place the monitor 20"-26" from your eyes, depending on the size of the monitor and individual vision conditions.

• The monitor and keyboard should be straight ahead.

• The top of the monitor should be slightly below horizontal eye level. Tilt the top of the monitor away from you at a 10 degree to 20 degree angle. The center of the monitor should be 10 degrees to 20 degrees below your eyes. This is 4"-9" below your eyes at a distance of 24"

• Keep the monitor free of fingerprints and dust. Both can reduce clarity.

• Place document holders close to the screen within the same viewing distance.

• Keep the keyboard and monitor in line.

• Adjust the keyboard tilt angle so that wrists are straight.

Healthy Computer Use

Although the visual system faces considerable challenges when using a computer, most issues can be solved. Remember that problems with the use of the computer cause needless discomfort and may rob productivity. Heeding the suggestions made here along with those made by your local vision experts at Prairie EyeCare Center, PC, will enable you to use your computer comfortably and productively.

Call us (308)872-2291 to schedule your appointment today!

NEW YORK—VisionSpring and Luxottica’s Ray-Ban brand have announced a partnership to provide people who donate $160 or more to VisionSpring with a free pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses for the next month.

“By providing underprivileged people with glasses, we are restoring the productivity and increasing the potential income level of those who need it the most,” said Dr. Jordan Kassalow, CEO and founder of

VisionSpring. “Through this partnership, we are giving donors the opportunity to get protection from the sun for their own eyes and share the gift of sight with another person.”

Kicking off today, March 11 at 12 a.m. EST, the collaboration aims to bring greater attention to the need for quality eyecare and encourage participation in the global effort to provide more eyewear to those in need. This morning, Dr. Kassalow is also scheduled to appear on “Good Morning America” to discuss the organization’s charitable cause and this new partnership at 8am EST. The promotion will end at 11:59pm EST on Monday, April 11.

“We are very excited to support VisionSpring in its mission to bring affordable eye care to underserved communities around the world,” said Andrea Dorigo, president of Luxottica USA. “This partnership underscores and further expands our commitment to improve vision and provide eyewear for people with the greatest need worldwide.”

Individuals can take part in the promotion by donating via the Global Giving online platform at www.globalgiving.org/projects/seewelldowell.The goal of the promotion is to raise at least $250,000, enough to provide 65,000 people in need with eyeglasses to restore their sight, and to raise public awareness of the pressing need for affordable eye care.

VisionSpring is an international non-profit that delivers affordable, high-quality eyeglasses and sunglasses to low-income individuals in the developing world. Their award-winning model has built local capacity and brought valuable eye care to over 600,000 people in Bangladesh, Central America, South Africa, and India.

VisionSpring is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so all donations from U.S. Residents are tax-deductible.

Save Your Vision Month: Healthy Vision at the Computer

People who sit in front of a computer for long periods of time often encounter a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Headaches, neck strain, backaches and wrist pain are common, but, sadly, the most prevalent symptoms of prolonged computer use-eye strain, blurred vision and dry eye-are often overlooked. In fact, eye and vision problems are the most frequently reported health care problems among computer users.

Computer Vision Syndrome

These symptoms contribute to computer vision syndrome, which the American Optometric Association defines as "the complex of eye and vision problems related to near work that are experienced during or related to computer use."

Sitting at a computer generally causes a person to look straight ahead for long stretches, work in a dry office or home environment, and to blink less often. These factors can lead to vision problems. Additionally, computer use requires specific vision skills, which add further demands to the visual system and contribute to eye and vision discomfort. These skills include:

• Ocular motility — the ability of the eyes to move in various positions.

• Accommodation — the ability of the eyes to focus clearly at various distances.

• Vergence — The ability to move the eyes in (convergence) or out (divergence).

Effects of Working Environment

Computer work places various demands on the visual system. Each of these factors can play a part in computer vision syndrome.

1. Screen resolution — Better resolution offers greater clarity and usually leads to improved comfort. Adjust the resolution to the highest resolution your monitor will support. If the increased screen resolution makes items too small, try increasing the font size (DPI) to compensate.

2. Screen contrast — Adjust the contrast between the characters on the monitor and the background so the letters are easily read. Adjust the brightness of the monitor to an intensity that is comfortable to your eyes--not too bright and not too dim. Adjust both brightness and contrast for the best clarity.

3. Screen glare and reflections — Minimize reflected glare on your monitor by using window treatments, dimmer switches on lights and glare reduction filters. Look for glare reduction filters that have received the American Optometric Association Seal of Acceptance. Proper adjustment should eliminate any reflected images from the monitor screen. To reduce glare, eliminate bright light sources from your peripheral vision and position your monitor perpendicular to windows or other bright light sources.

4. Image refresh rates and flicker — A higher refresh rate for your monitor is best. The image on the screen should not flicker at all. (This is not a concern with LCDs.)

5. Working distances and angles — It is important to work at a distance that is comfortable for you and where the image on the screen is clear. Having to move your head to an awkward angle to see the screen clearly suggests that your prescription may need adjustment.

6. General eyeglass prescription may not be adequate — Computers are usually further and higher than a typical reading task. Glasses for most people wearing bifocals are not adjusted for this new distance or angle and therefore often are not adequate for using the computer.

7. Repetitive and stressful tasks — Difficult tasks are challenging. Don't forget to take occasional breaks and let the eyes look far away while resting.

Come Back to PrairieEyeCareCenter.com for Part 2 or call us (308)872-2291

The most terrifying things in life are the ones that strike us unawares; they blindside us. That’s why glaucoma is such a frightening disease and why January has been designated National Glaucoma Awareness Month.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in this country, and it has already claimed the vision of 120,000 Americans and nearly 4 million others have earlier stages of the disease. Worst of all people who have it exhibit no symptoms and can often lose 40 percent of their vision before noticing that there’s a problem.

While glaucoma can strike in people of any age it’s most prevalent among those who are middle aged and older. It is caused by pressure build up inside the eye, which deals irreversible damage to the optic nerve. The first detectable sign that you might have glaucoma is the loss of your peripheral vision, but that is already an advanced stage of the condition.

An important preventative measure is to know your risk level for the disease. Glaucoma is more common among people of African, Asian and Hispanic descent, as well as diabetics, people over sixty, or anyone with severe nearsightedness.

Those at higher risk include people of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent. Other high-risk groups include: people over 60, family members of those already diagnosed, diabetics, and people who are severely nearsighted. Regular eye exams are especially important for those at higher risk for glaucoma, and may help to prevent unnecessary vision loss.

While no cure exists for glaucoma there are medicines and procedures that can slow the progress of the disease and the accompanying vision loss. But in order to get treatment there needs to be an early detection system. That’s where your local eye doctor comes in. Getting an eye exam can help catch glaucoma, and other diseases, before your vision deteriorates. Don’t take risks with your health and pass the information along to a friend. For more information on glaucoma and research into a cure, visit www.glaucoma.org.

Or call us at Prairie EyeCare Center, PC (308)872-2291

New Year New You!  Come see us today! (308)872-2291

The Doctors and Staff at Prairie EyeCare Center, Wish you a prosperous new year in 2011. 

 OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED

AT 2 PM ON FRIDAY

DECEMBER 31,  2010

AND ALL DAY ON SATURDAY JANUARY 1, 2011

Make a resolution to take care of the health of your eyes, wear UV protection.

CALL US (308)872-2291

Holiday Office Hours

Prairie EyeCare Center will be closed on December 24th and 25th. 

We will be closing at 2 p.m. on December 31st and all day on January 1st. 

We wish you many blessings in the new year and look forward to continuing to serve your eye care needs.

Don't Overlook Children's Eye Health this Holiday Season

Children's bright eyes epitomize the holiday season, but they can quickly become weary eyes without careful parent involvement. From toy safety to the effects of computer games, children's vision is particularly vulnerable at this time of year. In fact, a recent survey cites toys as the number one cause of eye injury to children. In 1995, over 15,000 eye injuries involving toys were reported in hospital emergency rooms, according to Prevent Blindness.

"Most eye injuries caused by toys are completely preventable," said Jeff Sanger, 0.D. "Many parents are simply unaware of what to look for to maximize eye safety."
Some tips that Dr. Sanger suggests parents consider before purchasing toys for their children include:

• Avoid toys that shoot objects, have parts that fly off or have sharp edges.

• Look for the ASTM label, which means the product meets the safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials.

• Follow manufacturer's suggested age level for a toy.

• Make sure toys are well made and durable.

Children do not need physical contact with a toy for it to be dangerous. Another potential eye hazard called Computer Vision Syndrome can result from the countless hours children are likely to spend playing new computer games received over the holidays. "Extended exposure to computer screens is particularly straining on children's eyes because they are still developing," said Dr. Melinda Kennel from Prairie EyeCare Center. "Focusing on an object in close proximity for an extended amount of time can cause eye fatigue, headaches or spasms in children's eyes. A great way to alleviate computer vision syndrome is the 20/20/20 rule.  It’s easy to remember: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break, and look at something 20 feet away. And don’t forget to blink! Blinking washes your eyes in naturally therapeutic tears."

Some tips that Dr. Kennel suggests parents consider when children are spending time on the computer:

• Be sure a child sits at least an arm's length away from the computer monitor or television screen when playing computer or video games.

• Put reference material next to the screen on a copy stand to reduce eye stress caused by looking down repetitively.

• Encourage intermittent breaks away from the computer screen to give eyes a chance to rest.

• Position the monitor perpendicular to windows and place a glare reduction filter over the computer screen. (Look for a filter that has received the American Optometric Association Seal of Acceptance.)

• Finally, if Computer Vision Syndrome is a continual problem consider purchasing Anti-Fatigue lenses.  Anti-fatigues lenses alleviate eye strain associated with extended computer work.
  

Dr. Sanger added that the school vacation for the holidays is a great time to take a child for their annual eye exam. The American Optometric Association recommends that a child's eyes be examined once by the time they are six months, again at age three and annually after the age of five.

Call us today (308)872-2291

Holiday baby eye protection safety

According to Medical News Today, some toys can pose a major safety hazard to your child’s eyes, so it’s smart to know which toys to be leery of – especially if you have a baby or toddler AND an older child. Older kids toys can be more dangerious when it comes to eyes and vision.

For example, while a BB gun pellet may be small and won’t easily penetrate a young child’s skin it can puncture an eye quickly and easily. One doctor quoted notes, “Every Christmas I see young children in our emergency room who have had an eye destroyed by a BB pellet.”

Tips to keep your little one’s eyes safe:

• Avoid toys that shoot projectiles.

• Avoid toys with parts that can shoot or fly off.

• Avoid toys with parts that may be shattered into smaller pieces.

• Other dangers during the holidays: Scissors, cardboard cutters, rubber bands and deflated balloons, all of which tend to be left out during the holidays should be kept up and out of reach from small hands.
  

Also if you have older kids who do get projectile toys you should carefully explain use and make sure they aren’t shooting the toys at anyone. According to The Consumer Products and Safety Commission reports over 230,000 toy-related injuries are treated at U.S. emergency rooms annually and more than 45% involve injuries to the head and face.
This year make it a safe holiday season and ditch the shooting toys, or at the very least make sure they’re used safely.

Just a friendly reminder from your local vision experts. 

Call us (308)872-2291!