Outdoor Time May Reduce Nearsightedness in Children

Having a family history of nearsightedness, myopia, is still the biggest predictor of a child being myopic, however some evidence is suggesting that spending more time outside helps.

Link to full article

Facebook contest winners

Congratulations to our Facebook "Ugly Glasses" contest winners.  Susie Franke is wearing her new Cole Haan eyeglasses and Ken Mai sports his new Revo sunglasses.  They were voted most deserving of a free glasses makeover.

Contact lens solution

We are seeing more store brands of contact lens solution coming from overseas. This is a concern because we try to buy U.S. made products when possible, and the uncertainty about the quality of the foreign solutions. Patients have had the most success with Bausch & Lomb's latest solution Biotrue and Alcon's Optifree. Biotrue is made in South Carolina and Optifree in Texas.

Fall eye allergies

We are beginning to see fall eye allergies. The eyedrop ketotifin was one of our favorite prescription medications for eye allergies and is now available OTC. Brand names include Alaway, Zaditor, Claritin Eye and Zyrtec Eye. If you try one of these and still have itchy eyes, call our office and we can help with a prescription eyedrop.

Contact lens advice

Two recent studies of current contact lens wearers found habits that put the eye at risk. Nearly half of contact lens wearers in the study groups admitted to not washing their hands before touching the lens, and 25% do not empty the contact lens case in the morning and store the case wet. This gives bacteria a big advantage. Need a quick review? Check out this page written for new contact lens wearers.

Link to full advice

Green laser pointers

Green laser pointers grab attention because unlike a red laser pointer, the green beam itself can be seen in mid-air in dark conditions. They are very bright and very powerful. They can also be dangerous.

NY Times article

Green laser video

Illegal contact lenses

Contact lenses with colors can be fun, but there are reports of expired and even recycled lenses being sold without a prescription. A colleague recently treated a young woman who was injured by such a lens. He was interviewed by WSB TV.

Link to WSB Atlanta news story