It Isn't Work

I was just reviewing some of the testimonials listed on my website, http://www.wehelpuc.com. It has been said that when you have a passion for what you do and you're able to help people and affect their lives positively, it isn't work. I just celebrated my 30th anniversary of practicing optometry. I'm more excited about practicing optometry than ever. My skills area in more demand than ever in that there's more near viewing with video devices especially those utilizing 3-D. In addition, our scope of being able to treat certain eye diseases is expanding. Also, I will be moving into my expanded facility around the middle of January, 2012. With this and a great staff, I have a lot to be thankful for.

Reading Efficiency

Although seeing clearly is very important in reading, there are other visual skills that are come into play when reading. Two such skills are being able to focus efficiently, especially when viewing both a monitor and hard copy and also being able to aim the eyes together. These two skills are not a given. When they're not working well together, visual fatigue, headaches, frustration and mistakes can be made. With more of our work and leisure time being spent on monitors or hand-held devices, visual efficiency is very important. For more information, please view the different topics on binocular vision at www.wehelpuc.com.

Powerful Books

There are so many great books out there that I've so enjoyed through the years. Dale Carnegie has two of them: How to Win Friends and Influence People and the second one is How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. Napolean Hill's book which was written about the same time, Think and Grow Rich is a classic and has sold about 15,000,000 copies. Rhonda Byrne's book, The Secret, I've also enjoyed, immensely. I am a subscriber to Success Magazine. In the magazine, there are usually different books cited which are very positive in nature. The books Get Motivated and Zappos.com are just a couple of examples. Many of the books I've come across I've read numerous times. This isn't because I'm a slow learner but I feel so great after reading them. Here's a hint. If you you can read a great book while riding on a stationary bike, you'll get more enjoyment as the endorphins will further kick in.

Desktop or Laptop?

For years, when examining patients, I would be concerned whether they were working on a computer. This always presented unique challenges in prescribing glasses for those older than 40. The reason for this was the computer was usually stationed a lot higher than normal reading material. Also, the viewing distance for the computer was usually at a different distance than normal text. At times we'd have to prescribe a separate pair for the computer depending on the factors of its height as well as distance.

More recently, individuals are working with laptops. The good news is that the laptop is usually at the same height and distance as normal reading or perhaps a bit further. Again, special consideration needs to be given. Then you have the office worker who is working with both laptop and desktop computers simultaneously. The unique working demands of the patient need to be met with unique methods of prescribing.

Desktop or Laptop?

For years, when examining patients, I would be concerned whether they were working on a computer. This always presented unique challenges in prescribing glasses for those older than 40. The reason for this was the computer was usually stationed a lot higher than normal reading material. Also, the viewing distance for the computer was usually at a different distance than normal text. At times we'd have to prescribe a separate pair for the computer depending on the factors of its height as well as distance.

More recently, individuals are working with laptops. The good news is that the laptop is usually at the same height and distance as normal reading or perhaps a bit further. Again, special consideration needs to be given. Then you have the office worker who is working with both laptop and desktop computers simultaneously. The unique working demands of the patient need to be met with unique methods of prescribing.

Contact Lenses for the Over 40 Year Olds

Patients who are over 40 who want contact lenses present interesting challenges. The main challenge for these patients is being able to read and see distance through the contact lenses. There are generally three options. The easiest one is to fit the contact lenses for distance and fit reading glasses over them for reading. The second option is to fit one eye for reading and the other eye for distance. Surprisingly, this works quite well for many patients but not everyone. However, there are some limitations in fitting a patient this way. Limitations may include blur at night or the eyes feel strained when doing a lot of reading. Sometimes we fit glasses over the contacts at times to help compensate for the blur. The third way of fitting patients in this age group is multifocal contact lenses. When they work, they really work. If you're a bifocal wearer, you notice that when you're viewing something closeup with glasses that is at eye level or above. you have to tilt your head back. This does not occur with bifocal contacts. However, bifocal contacts don't work for everyone. There is sometimes a reported blur and reading or distance no matter what lens you fit. I've worked with patients who I have fit the first time they came in; others who were fit on the second or third time and others who couldn't be fit at all with the multifocal lenses. What's great is that the technology of the lenses is improving all the time.