Happy Hanukkah 🕎 2023

 

#Hanukkah (Chanukah) is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. #Chanukah 2023 runs from Dec. 7-Dec. 15 

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #eyewear #sunglasses #gifts www.drboyeroptometrist.com

⚠️ Eye drops RECALL ⚠️

⚠️ Federal regulators are warning consumers to stop using a number of over-the-counter eye drops that may pose an infection risk.

According to the FDA, federal investigators found harmful bacteria and "insanitary conditions" at a factory where several eye drop products are made. The agency said it advised the manufacturer to recall the products. 

Eye infection symptoms may include eye pain or discomfort, discharge, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, the feeling of a foreign object in the eye, as well as redness or swelling of the eye or eyelid, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The 26 products treat dry or irritated eyes and were marketed under the brands CVS Health, Leader (Cardinal Health), Rugby (Cardinal Health), Rite Aid, Velocity Pharma and Target's Up & Up brand. (Complete list below)

CVS Health

        Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)

Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)

Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (single pack)

Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (twin pack)

Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml

Lubricating Gel drops 10 ml

Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (single pack)

Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (twin pack)

Mild Moderate Lubricating Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)

Rugby (Cardinal Health)

        Lubricating Tears Eye Drops 15 ml

        Polyvinyl Alcohol 1.4% Lubricating Eye Drops

Leader (Cardinal Health)

        Dry Eye Relief 10 ml

Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)

Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)         

Dry Eye Relief 15 ml

Eye Irritation Relief 15 ml

Rite Aid

        Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)

Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (twin pack)

Gentle Lubricant Gel Eye Drops 15 ml

Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml

Lubricating Gel Drops 10 ml

Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml

Target

        Up&Up Dry Eye Relief Lubricant Eye Drops

Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 15 ml (single pack)

Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 30 ml (twin pack)

Velocity Pharma LLC

     Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml (triple pack)

Walmart

Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #alert www.drboyeroptometrist.com

 

Glioblastoma Awareness Day-19 July

 GLIOBLASTOMA 

July 19, 2023, marks Glioblastoma Awareness Day. More than 14,000 Americans are expected to receive a diagnosis in 2023, with a five-year survival rate of about 7%, according to the National Brain Tumor Society.

SYMPTOMS:

Symptoms may depend on where in the brain the tumor is located.

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons says the warning signs include:

• Persistent headaches
• Double or blurred vision
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Changes in mood and personality
• Changes in ability to think and learn
• New onset of seizures
• Speech difficulty

The exact cause of glioblastoma is unknown — most patients don’t have a family history or identifiable risk factors. 

There is no cure for glioblastoma, and treatment is difficult since the cancer grows tentacles into the brain rather than forming a solid mass that doctors can target and remove. The disease and its harsh treatments can affect cognition, mood, behavior and every function of the body

Regular eye exams especially at the onset of any vision difficulties can help with early detection and therefore early treatments. It’s always comforting to know that some of the symptoms above can be unrelated to Glioblastoma, and can be less serious and treatable. Our office uses the latest technology to diagnose eye disease, and we can direct you to the best possible care.

Don’t hesitate to call and get an appointment 

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #eyewear #sunglasses #glioblastomaawarenessday www.drboyeroptometrist.com

 

JULY is Ultraviolet Safety month (UV)

Studies show that long-term exposure to bright sunlight may increase the risk of cataracts and growths on the eye, including cancer.

UV rays reflected off sand and water can cause eyes to sunburn, potentially resulting in temporary blindness in just a few hours. In support of UV Safety Month this July, our office reminds our patients and friends of the importance of shielding eyes from the sun’s harmful rays with 100% UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats.

Here are some tips:

• Don’t focus on color or darkness of sunglass lenses: Select sunglasses that block UV rays. Don’t be deceived by color or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the price tag or how dark the sunglass lenses are.
• Check for 100 percent UV protection: Make sure your sunglasses block 100 percent of UV-A rays and UV-B rays.
• Choose wrap-around styles: Ideally, your sunglasses, either the lenses of the frame, should wrap all the way around to your temples, so the sun’s rays can’t enter from the side.
• Wear a hat: In addition to your sunglasses, wear a broad-brimmed hat to protect your eyes.
• Don’t rely on contact lenses: Even if you wear contact lenses with UV protection, remember your sunglasses
• Don’t be fooled by clouds: The sun’s rays can pass through haze and thin clouds. Sun damage to eyes can occur anytime during the year, not just in the summertime.
• Protect your eyes during peak sun times: Sunglasses should be worn whenever outside, and it’s especially important to wear sunglasses in the early afternoon and at higher altitudes, where UV light is more intense.
• Never look directly at the sun. Looking directly at the sun at any time, including during an eclipse, can lead to solar retinopathy, damage to the eye’s retina from solar radiation.
• Don’t forget the kids: Everyone is at risk, including children.
• Protect their eyes with hats and sunglasses. In addition, if possible, try to keep children out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest.

In addition to the proper safety eyewear, regular eye exams for early detection and treatment of eye conditions and diseases are essential to maintaining good vision at every stage of life.

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #eyewear #sunglasses www.drboyeroptometrist.com

 

National Sunglasses Day

Beautify your views and your personal aesthetic with premium sun styles that also protect and preserve your vision. Each June 27 aims to do just that with National Sunglasses Day – an annual observation established by The Vision Council to remind us of the importance of protecting our eyes from the sun’s harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays, while also celebrating the fun ways to express your personal style. 

Let’s dive into the “why” behind the practical purposes of sunglasses:

1. Year-round protection for your precious (and irreplaceable) eyes. Whether sunny or cloudy, hot or cold, UV rays are present 365 days a year, and they can cause profound damage such as sunburn, cataracts, macular degeneration, and cancer. Polarized lens technology blocks 100% of all harmful UV rays, while also effectively managing the amount of blue light (HEV) emitted from the sun that reaches your eyes. Fun fact: the sun is the largest source of blue light!
2. Skin cancer protection too! 5-10% of skin cancers occur around the eyes, which inconveniently, is also a part of the skin where you cannot apply sunscreen. Polarized sunglasses, are an effective UV filter for the eyes and surrounding skin.
3. More comfort, less fatigue. Bright, sunny skies generally give us happy vibes, but something can often get in the way of those good feelings—uncomfortable glare. Nothing puts a damper on your sunny day mood more than a headache caused by squinting or eyestrain. Our lenses eliminate 99.9% of glare, so your eyes stay relaxed, enabling your joy factor to stay up!
4. Sunglasses will provide you with better situational awareness by protecting your vision against the bright sun.
5. Navy SEALs and other military members rely on sunglasses to provide them with better vision while in the field or the range.

Why UV protection is important

But while polarized sunglasses are beneficial in protecting your eyes from blinding glare, they don’t always offer the best protection from damaging UV rays. For example, many less expensive polarized sunglasses do not provide adequate UV protection. So, when choosing polarized sunglasses, look for a pair clearly labeled UV 400 or 100% protection from UV rays.

The damage to your eyes and skin from the sun’s UV radiation is cumulative, meaning your risk for developing sun- and UV-related eye and other conditions will continue to grow throughout your lifetime.

Children are at greater risk for eye damage from the sun’s rays because they are outside more than adults. Kids are also more susceptible to eye damage because the lenses inside their eyes are more transparent than those of adults. As a result, UV rays can penetrate deeper into their eye.

But because damage from UV exposure in childhood often doesn’t show up until you’re in your 40s (or later), it’s crucial to ensure you use UV 400 sunglasses throughout your life to protect your eyes from permanent damage.

How can I tell if my sunglasses have UV protection?

Unfortunately, it’s not easy to tell if your sunglasses have UV-protection lenses just by looking at them. Nor can you distinguish the amount of protection based on the lens color, as lens tints have nothing to do with UV protection.

Your best bet is to take your shades to our offices. There our opticians can run a simple test on your sunglasses to determine the level of UV protection, and they will do the test for free.

When in doubt, you may want to buy a new pair of sunglasses that offers the highest level of UV protection: 100% protection against UVA and UVB rays, or UV 400. Our office will provide accurate labeling on sunglasses, so you should be able to spot whether the pair you want offers maximum UV protection.

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #eyewear #sunglasses #nationalsunglassesday www.drboyeroptometrist.com

The Heart Eye Connection ♥️ 👁️

 

They say the eyes are the window to your soul, but did you know they can also show how healthy your heart is? If you weren’t aware, you’re not alone. Specifically, researchers found that approximately half of the nearly 2.2 billion cases of vision impairment worldwide could be improved, or even prevented, by taking simple steps to improve your overall cardiovascular health.

Eye exams are the most reliable, non-invasive way to identify a number of serious—often fatal—cardiovascular conditions.

An annual eye exam detects risk factors consistent with heart disease much sooner than tests and checkups conducted during an annual physical, including identifying high cholesterol 65% of the time, high blood pressure 30% of the time, and diabetes 20% of the time.

In most cases, patients are unaware of minor changes occurring in the vascular system located at the back of the eyes. Changes may include:

• Increased force against the arterial wall—a sign of hypertension
• Tiny embolisms or clots in and around the retina—a sign of blocked arteries
• Small changes in the blood vessels of the eye caused by increased blood sugar levels—an indication of diabetes

Long-term eye health effects

Obviously, left untreated, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes result in debilitating and even deadly outcomes, but over time they also result in specific vision issues, including age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.

The good news is that researchers now believe, with increasing confidence, nearly 50% of all eye health issues can be improved or prevented by making heart-healthy lifestyle changes.

5 lifestyle changes for a healthy heart and vision

1. Quit smoking

Smoking is the most preventable cause of premature death, by far. Thousands of studies have proven smoking causes significant damage to your blood vessels and your heart health. It’s also a leading contributor to high blood pressure and contributes to increased insulin resistance and diabetes.

2. Live an active lifestyle

You don’t need to run marathons but should make some sort of physical activity a part of your day, every day. Your heart and eyes are muscles, and the stronger your muscles, the better they function. Specifically, the stronger your heart, the easier it is for blood to be pumped throughout your body, including to your eyes. Research consistently shows walking 15-20 minutes a day, or even for 10 minutes after each meal, lowers your blood sugar and improves blood pressure.

3. Lose weight

Being obese, or even overweight has devastating effects on your health. In fact, even being slightly overweight adds additional stress to your heart, increases blood pressure, and contributes to nearly 30% of heart disease in the U.S.

4. Eat a heart and eye-healthy diet

Research shows us that eating a healthy diet prevents heart disease, lowers cholesterol, and helps maintain a healthy weight. 

A healthy diet means many things to many different folks, but at its core, a healthy diet focuses on eating more fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and beans, while eating less saturated fat and avoiding processed foods at all costs.

You can get as specific and detailed with a “healthy” diet as you’d like but focusing on the essentials is the key to improved heart and vision health.

5. Reduce your stress

You’ve heard that stress kills, right? It can cause serious damage to your heart as well as your eyesight.

Some of the ways to reduce stress include exercise, yoga, meditation and deep breathing.

The connection between the health of your eyes and the health of your heart is just one example of how the health of one organ can affect the health of another and can be a key indicator of your overall health.

Make sure to schedule an annual eye exam with Dr Boyer and Dr Brian. It’s crucial in taking care of your overall health. 

Drboyeroptometrist.com

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784