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.
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.
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 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.
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.
'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.
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.
You are born with about 100 billion neurons. Your "neurological network" grows more and more with each new piece of information learned. You can grow as many as 10,000 connections (synapses) for each of the 100 billion neurons you have, whenever you learn something new or form a new memory. Hmmmm...that's a lot going on up there! No wonder I couldn't remember where I left my keys this morning! ;)
