Avenue Eyecare 2012

We are very grateful for a wonderful 2011 year and are expecting an exciting 2012 year.  We would like to thank everybody that has supported us throughout this year.  We have some exciting things to share with you in the New Year.

1. Every eye exam, glasses purchase and contact lenses sales will be eligible for Aeroplan points

2. We will have a Keurig Brewing System.  Come and enjoy a coffee, hot chocolate or even tea!

3. We will be carrying new frame lines such as Jil Sander and all new models for 2012 frame lines such as ProDesign, Koali, OGA and RayBan.

Our strive to improve customer service depends on your feedbacks.  If there is anything you would like us to improve or “see”, let us know.  We appreciate every feedback.  At Avenue Eyecare, we would like to wish you  a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  We will be closed on December 24,25, 26, 2011 and Jan 1,2, 2012.  If you would like to book for a last minute eye exam before New Years we will be open from December 27 to 31, 2011.

Our next blog will be on January 4th, 2012

Toys and Eye Safety

We mentioned earlier that kids learn 80% through their vision.  It is not suprising for a toddler that nothing stimulates a child’s vision better than a toy.  It’s Christmas and there are a lot of parents wondering what type of toys to buy for their young children.  Here are some suggestions from www.allaboutvision.com.

Birth to 12 months. Brightly colored mobiles (make sure the colors and detail on the mobile pieces face down to the child, not up to the parent), rattles, balls, stuffed animals, activity gyms, blocks, stacking/nesting toys, pouring toys (such as measuring cups).

1-year-olds. Finger paints, modeling clay, board books, balls, stuffed animals, blocks, stacking/nesting toys, pouring toys (such as measuring cups), riding toys, puzzles, shape sorters, musical toys.

2-year-olds. Finger paints, modeling clay, chalkboard and chalk, felt board and felt pieces, board books as well as standard books, balls, stuffed animals, stacking/nesting toys, pouring toys (such as measuring cups), riding toys, puzzles, shape sorters, musical toys, swings, dress-up clothes, child-sized household toys and items (broom, vacuum, rake, lawn mower), toy typewriter or cash register, child-sized kitchen area (refrigerator, stove, sink, cupboard, table and chairs), sandbox, kiddie pool, toddler tape player, stringing beads, sewing toys, magnetic letters, climbing toys (such as backyard gyms or playscapes).

3- to 6-year-olds. Large crayons, large markers, finger paints, modeling clay, chalkboard and chalk, felt board and felt pieces, doctor/nurse kit, books, balls, stuffed animals, tricycle or bicycle, puzzles, musical toys, swings, dress-up clothes, child-sized household toys and items (broom, vacuum, rake, lawn mower), toy typewriter or cash register, child-sized kitchen area (refrigerator, stove, sink, cupboard, table and chairs), sandbox, kiddie pool, child tape player, stringing beads, sewing toys, magnetic letters, climbing toys (such as backyard gyms or playscapes), toy computer or computer games, toy camera with film, basketball set, board games, roller skates.

7- to 10-year-olds. Crayons, markers, finger paints, modeling clay, books, balls, stuffed animals, bicycle, puzzles, musical toys or musical instruments, swings, dress-up clothes, sandbox, kiddie pool, tape player, toy computer or computer games, camera with film, board games, science items (such as microscope, telescope and chemistry sets), roller skates, skateboard, jump rope, sports equipment, electric train set

Some toys you would like to avoid would be toys that shoot objects in the air such as slingshots, dart guns or arrows.

According to the World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.) has published the top 10 toys to avoid.  The two that we recommend to avoid are “Gigan” Godzilla from Bandai and Jack Sparrow action figure from Jakks Pacific.  “Gigan” has pointed fins, wings and knife like attachements that may poke a child’s eye with these sharp protrusions.  The Jack Sparrow also has a 4.5 inche pointy sword of rigid plastic and may also be a concern for parents.

Dr. Sherman Tung OD, FAAO drtung@avenueeyecare.com

What are Anti-Fatigue Lenses?

There are so many different lens options available now and patients have more lens designs than ever to choose from to make sure their prescription is filled to suit their every need.  Depending on your prescription, your options could be single vision lenses, bifocals, trifocals, progressives, office lenses, and anti-fatigue lenses (one of the newest lens designs). 

Today I want to talk about anti-fatigue lenses because I find most patients haven’t heard of this option. Several lens manufacturers have a version of anti-fatigue lenses out on the market, and the purpose of this design is to “relax” our focusing system with the constant near work most of us put our eyes through on a daily basis.  Standard single vision distance lenses used to be adequate for most younger patients who are not presbyopic, however, with the increase in the amount of reading we do on computers and cell phones, some are finding it hard on their eyes.  More and more patient are complaining of eye strain and fatigue.  Anti-fatigue lenses are designed to relieve these symptoms.  The upper portion of the lens provides perfect distance vision correction (just like regular single vision lenses), then there is a subtle change in power towards the bottom to relieve the strain of near work. 

Good candidates for these lenses include:

1.        Patients who are non-presbyopic (15-40 years old)

2.       Patients who experience eye strain and visual fatigue with reading, computer work, other near tasks

3.       Patients with accommodation or convergence problems (ie.  Problems with their focusing system and eye teaming)

4.       Pre-presbyopic patients (ie. On the brink of needing progressives in the next couple of years)

At Avenue Eyecare, we carry anti-fatigue lenses from several manufacturers, including Essilor’s Anti-Fatigue design and Nikon’s Relaxsee design.  Come see us for more details!

Dr. Jessica Chang, OD drchang@avenueeyecare.com