Indiana Eye Doctors

EyeCare America’s 3rd eye health myth honestly had had me worried a bit.  Myth 3: Using computers can damage your eyes.

Having just graduated and begun a job in marketing/communications, I am consistently sitting more and staring at my computer screen for most of the day as I am doing now writing a post for Dr. Tavel’s Vision Blog.  Most nights when I am home I tend to find myself staring at my personal computer screen communicating with family and friends via email, checking my social media accounts, paying online bills, or researching what is going on in Indianapolis the upcoming weekend. 

More screen time in my opinion than I used in college or more regular amounts of time staring at a screen as in college I had many lectures to listen too, books to read, and free time that I spent without a computer.  I am worried about my eye sight!

I need to worry no more as this myth is FALSE!  Looking at computer screens will not damage my eyes.  Whew!  Staring at a computer screen or doing close work like reading or sewing can fatigue our eyes, not damage our eye sight.  It also makes them dry as we tend to blink less. 

A solution for this? Take breaks from screens or close work for at least 15 minute intervals allowing your eyes to rest and refocus.  If this doesn’t completely fix the problem, Indianapolis optometrists and Indiana eye doctors may prescribe anti-fatigue lenses.

Anti-fatigue lenses literally do the work for the eye muscles so that fatigue is less apparent and eyes receive help focusing on the material on the screen or up-close.  Kodak’s anti-fatigue lenses are one of the industry’s best and can be found at Dr. Tavel locations.  Lenses such as these are perfect for students who use a computer (probably more than I did!), professionals like I am now, teachers or craftspeople needing to focus on close material often. 

Myth #3 dispelled! 

No one can quite beat one thing in life and that is aging.  We all may come from different backgrounds, have various likes, dislikes, and opinions but regardless of our multiple differences we all share the common ground that each day we grow older.  One of the inevitable facts of aging (beyond the grey hair and wrinkles) is cataracts which is the clouding of the eye’s lens.

Cataracts will most likely affect all of us after age 70 as Dr. Chi-Wah (Rudy) Yung, director of the comprehensive ophthalmology service at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute at Indiana University School of Medicine, said about one of the most common eye diseases where the eyes natural lens is clouded causing vision to be blurry.  Dr. Yung comments about cataracts and their risk factors in the Indianapolis Star article, “If you live to your 70s, you will likely develop cataracts.”

How can this common symptom of aging be fixed?  First, cataracts must be detected with a dilated eye exam which can be done by a vision doctor at an Indiana vision center.  A dilated eye exam will not only detect cataracts in the eyes but other eye diseases like glaucoma.  Having this done can determine whether a surgery should be completed or whether you should buy eye glasses with a higher prescription.  Both may be necessary but together they can help eliminate cataracts and save your vision.

Wearing sunglasses that block harmful UV-rays to protect your eyes, stopping smoking, and controlling blood sugar if diabetic are Dr. Yung’s as well as Dr. Tavel’s tips to prevent this aging eye disease (along with visiting your eye doctor of course!)
 

The sun is always shining somewhere and for residents of Indiana the sun is most prevalent in the summer months.  Sunglasses help protect the eyes from harmful UV rays that can cause blindness, cataracts, and other vision issues.  The best sunglasses to eliminate glare from the sun are polarized sunglasses and Drivewear polarized sunglasses top this list.  What makes these the best sunglasses is their ability to change for their wearer envrionment depending as well block glare.

Drivewear sunglasses’ three ambient light triggers make seeing outside with the sun easy and enjoyable.  Drivewear lenses become the darkest when in direct sun light to protect the eyes from extra bright conditions and strong UV rays.  Lenses turn a dark reddish brown to provide maximum filtration of the sun’s light.  These lenses filter bright light from outdoors especially excess light so that the eyes can focus when outside and be protected. 

Drivewear's third lens trigger makes colors pop such as green which is the most common color in nature making their wearer’s enjoy a brighter outside experience.  The polarization of the lenses eliminate any glare found when outside so that vision is at its absolute best.  Sunglasses that work for you, changing when you change making them the best sunglasses out there, Drivewear polarized sunglasses found at Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care!

Macular degeneration (AMD) was something I knew about before I entered the optical industry.  My grandfather has it and has personally been dealing with this life altering impairment for over a decade.  I first really understood my grandpa’s situation years ago when the family discussed buying a special reading machine for him as his vision was so poor that even the highest prescription of glasses could not help him see to read or enjoy sporting events on the television screen-his favorite pastime.

This was heartbreaking for him and our entire family as he struggled to recognize words on a page, street signs, and eventually even faces of his family and friends. According to Allaboutvision.com, 1.75 million American’s struggle alongside my grandfather with losing their vision from AMD as it is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness for older American’s.  It affects those  55 and older as dark spots (new blood vessels) form in the middle of the visual field making vision very difficult.

For my grandfather, the projection screen making text large enough to read and buying eye glasses with strong prescription lenses have helped him see.  For other American’s with AMD treatments like my grandfather’s aren’t enough so that a new device mentioned in Sunday’s Indianapolis Star article, “Device may improve sight,” might be their answer for better vision.  An implantable telescope has been approved by the FDA to be placed in the eye to replace the lens and thus reading and recognizing faces becomes much easier.

Only one telescope is inserted in an eye so that those with the impairment have the remaining eye to help them with peripheral vision which this implant cannot provide.  Those with AMD can be treated with these visual implants by vision doctors at 14 locations across the nation.  This implant will aid vision and improve the lives of those affected with AMD but sadly it is not a cure so that those like my grandfather will still have to cope with the overall affects of losing their vision which is devastating.

Preventative methods like annual visits to an Indiana vision center and eye examinations by eye care doctors can help in the care of aging eyes prone to AMD.  Being patient with those losing their vision is important and I have become the “eyes” for my grandfather at family events as we make the most of this vision impairment.

If I have to be open and honest (and I will be here) I am a bit of a hypochondriac.  Nothing too severe but I am definitely an over-thinker and worrier when it comes to major illnesses or health concerns.  Recently I read up on multiple sclerosis or as it is commonly abbreviated, MS.  I had heard about MS before in the media and just from being intrigued by the world of medicine and healthcare, but I didn’t really understand the disease until I looked further. 

After some research I found a connection with MS and eye health.  Vision symptoms such as blurry vision, complete loss of vision in one or both of the eyes, or pain during eye movement are connected to MS.  Other symptoms I found are fatigue, numbness in the face and body limbs, walking/coordination problems, sexual dysfunction, cognitive problems, bladder and bowel problems, spasticity or muscle stiffness and involuntary movements.  Someone with MS could have many of these symptoms or just a few which makes diagnosing the disease very difficult.

Looking deeper into eye health and MS, I found that optic neuritis can be one of the first presenting symptoms of MS and it is an inflammation of the optic nerve.  Optic neuritis typically affects one eye and the loss of vision may develop over a period of days to weeks which can be very scary.  A Dr. Tavel optometrist in Indianapolis or at one of our other Indiana vision centers can help detect symptoms such as optic neuritis as well as double vision or nystagmus.  Nystagmus is the involuntary rhythmically repeated oscillations in one or both eyes in any or all fields of gaze.  By performing a routine eye examination, optometrists can decipher if symptoms such as these may be related to MS or other diseases. 

MS affects the body’s central nervous system as communication between nerves is interrupted resulting in these varying symptoms mentioned above.  MS should be on my radar as a 20-something as adults between the ages of 20-40 typically are diagnosed with the disease although children and teens can suffer too.  My findings from my research just go to show me how truly vital it is to get a yearly eye examination for not only my visual health but my overall health!

Blog By: Lauren Tavel

Showing your farm animals or simply working at the state fair takes a lot of hard work. The past few days (weeks really) Indiana has been overwhelmed with humidity, heat advisories and bright sunlight while those Indiana farmers and state fair employees stand around the Indiana State Fair without air conditioning all day and night!

Last week when I went to the fair, I only got a hint of what they have to cope with every day. Everyone was squinting.  As I began eating my ear of corn and walking around with my Purifier polarized sunglasses on, I looked at everybody’s faces. Tinted lenses only reduce the amount of light our eyes can notice and help our eyes to avoid squinting, but they don’t block out that blinding glare. Why waste the money on sunglasses that don't completely work for you? Clip-on’s and Fit-over’s are a hassle to those who are on the move for most of the day like those at the fair. And that’s only the beginning of why Purifier polarized lenses are the way to go for sunglasses.

I have a friend that shows dairy cattle at the state fair. He knows polarized Purifier lenses are the best for all outdoor activities. His Purifier lenses change from a copper color to fight the road glare while driving providing sharper and clearer images on the way into Indianapolis, and then become a dark reddish brown color to better block the bright light when outside in the sun.  His sunglasses when outside help to create more vibrant and alive colors in the fair conditions while unloading his cows into the cattle barn. Polarized Purifier sunglasses also protect your eyes from harmful UV radiation.

Being at the fair all day, I noticed how much polarized Purifier lenses become a necessity around 6 o’clock as the sun sets. Can you imagine having to work all day in the blazing heat on top of the reflecting light off the pavement?  All of the garbage collectors, policemen and first aid workers at the fair riding around on the golf carts would benefit greatly from Purifier polarized lenses. Polarized lenses can help them get around the fair crowd safely. Without the glare, they would be sure not to hit anyone!

So bring on the sunshine Indiana and remember to wear Purifier polarized sunglasses at the fair! 

Fair ends on Sunday!  The bright sun doesn't leave when the fair does though so be sure to block the glare from your eyes and wear Purifier polarized sunglasses!
 

It’s the little things that matter the most, always.  Time and time again patients tell Dr. Tavel that it is indeed the little things done for them that make a difference in their experience with Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care and this is why they continue to come back year after year. 
 

In Shelbyville, it was Senda putting a patient’s needed lenses in another frame while a new prescription was made in his current frames.  The patient could not go without his glasses and was worried about the time he wouldn’t have them.  Senda and Dr. Tavel solved this problem by simply transitioning the existing lenses into another frame while the new lenses were being made to be put in the existing frames which the patient wanted to keep.  This small act made a world of difference for this patient as this patient said, “It is great to know that there are still places that care about their patients.”
 

In Fisher’s, it was Stephanie helping an anxious new dad whose glasses had been broken and he was unable to see clearly enough to drive home to New York.  Stephanie arranged it so that this patient could receive new lenses the same day from the Dr. Tavel Lab and he could be on his way home with his daughter.
 

It’s Dr. Kautzman who made an eye examination relaxing for a patient and answered all of the questions the patient had about his eye health and prescription.  By doing this, Dr. Kautzman helped this patient understand the importance of vision care and this patient walked away with new glasses helping him see clearly. This patient said, “My time with Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care was a strong experience that was relaxed and comfortable.  I am a patient for life!”
 

It is all of these little things and so many more that patients share with us about their Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care experiences that have made a difference.
 

Blog by: Lauren Tavel

Your eyesight is vital. As one of the five senses we value, it is important to care for your eye health and prevent any vision loss. The first step in doing so is choosing an eye doctor that’s best suited for your needs. Whether it’s simply scheduling annual eye exams to check for diseases and infections, or getting glasses and lenses or premium contact lenses, you want an eye doctor that is qualified, has the right training and experience, and offers the services you need.  An eye care doctor should be knowledgeable, and show genuine care for his or her patients’ health.

Either your optometrist (OD) or ophthalmologist (DO or MD) should be certified through an accredited medical institution and should be licensed to practice through the state board of optometry or state medical board. Out of Dr. Tavel’s twenty-two eye care doctors, we have twenty one certified optometrists and one ophthalmologist that are licensed to practice. Our Columbus eye doctors are optometrists as well as our Bloomington, Indianapolis and Anderson eye doctors.  Our ophthalmologist, Dr. Regenstreif, works at our Kokomo location.

But which one is right for you; an optometrist or an ophthalmologist?  Both kinds of doctors can help you take care of your vision and protect your sight for the future.  Optometrists specialize in vision services such as eye examinations, treatment of conditions like amblyopia and strabismus, and diagnose conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and conjunctivitis. Optometrists can prescribe medications for specific eye conditions, prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses and can aid in diagnosing eye diseases and injury prevention services.  An ophthalmologist provides complete vision care including eye exams, medical and surgical eye care for instances such as glaucoma, iritis, chemical burns, cataracts, crossed eyes, tumors, trauma and more. They can diagnose and treat eye conditions related to diseases like diabetes, arthritis or brain conditions, offer eye disease preventative services and some offer plastic surgery.

So which eye care doctor is right for you? Come in to any of our Indiana vision centers and talk to our doctors for more information on eye health. At Dr. Tavel we aim to do much more than correct your vision; we also help you protect your vision. We go beyond the standard eye exam because we care about your health.  Choose one of our many qualified eye doctors today!

I had my very first Indiana State Fair experience this week and what an experience!  I ate my way through the fair with good friends on one of the hottest days of the summer and loved it.  I was able to make the entire loop of the fair (stopping frequently of course for food items!) and I saw many neat things Indiana has to offer.  In the Ball State Ag/Hort Building I saw the state’s largest pumpkin weighing in at a hefty 736 pounds.

I walked by tables full of Indiana-grown produce like watermelons, apples, and peppers.  They were beautiful and looked delicious!  I also got to see crafty flower arrangements and award-winning spice/herb plants.  The growers behind these natural masterpieces spend a lot of time sowing their fruits, veggies, and plants outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions.

Typical tools for Hoosiers growing plants and vegetables such as those showcased at the fair are shovels, garden gloves, watering cans or systems in the case of the pumpkin, wide brimmed hats in sunny conditions, sunscreen, and ideally Purifier polarized sunglasses.  Purifier polarized sunglasses would make a world of difference for any Hoosier spending time outdoors in the fields, gardens, forests, etc. as these lenses block blinding glare.

Glare comes from the sun hitting the pavement and ground, bodies of water, and other outside objects and Purifier polarized lenses are able to omit all of this annoying glare and provide for clear sight outdoors-they are the only lenses to do so!  Lenses such as these protect the eyes from harmful UV-rays that are omitted on sunny days when sunglasses are a must as well as overcast days when you should also wear sunglasses.  By wearing Purifier polarized sunglasses eyes can better focus on the important stuff like the soil, roots, and coloring of plants/vegetables rather than annoying glare.

Dr. Tavel Indiana Vision Centers are equipped with sunglasses such as these for any Hoosier growing something green outdoors or going to the fair, enjoy the “Year of the Pigs” at the Indiana State Fair!

The Indiana State Fair has much to offer visiting Hoosiers with its food, concerts, and rides.  This year the fair also has important information about your health and diabetes.  Diabetes, often times called the silent killer as its symptoms can seem harmless or not life threatening, affects 23.6 million American adults and children or 7.8% of the population-many of those affected living right here in Indiana.  Diabetes occurs when someone has high blood sugar and is unable to produce enough insulin to cope with the high sugar levels or cells do not respond to insulin provided.

Diabetes is a serious problem here in the Hoosier state and across America.  One serious symptom specific to Type 2 diabetes, adult onset diabetes, is blurred vision.  Those with blurred vision may attribute impaired vision to increased age and hold off on getting an eye exam.  Don’t.  Diabetes can be detected through an eye exam by a Dr. Tavel eye care doctor as well as cataracts and glaucoma-two vision diseases diabetics have a higher chance of getting.

The Indiana State Fair sees the importance of assessing Hoosiers for diabetes and its symptoms.  Each day in the Clarian Health Zone free diabetes risk assessments will be offered from 9am-7pm.  Getting these assessments can help decipher your health related to diabetes.  It is imperative that symptoms such as blurred vision are taken seriously especially with the possibility of diabetes.

Diabetics should have regular eye examinations to help manage symptoms and preserve their eye sight.  If you have experienced blurred vision or have a family history for diabetes, it is important to visit a vision eye center.  Make an appointment with a Dr. Tavel eye care doctor at any of our 20 locations and assess your health risks today for diabetes.

School buses will start making their daily stops very soon here in Indiana as school doors open and summer officially ends.  For many students in Indianapolis school begins the second week of August and for many others like those in Anderson, Bloomington or Columbus, Indiana school will start shortly afterwards.

As backpacks are being brought out of their summer vacation spots and dusted off or newly purchased, many school supplies are being purchased to use for the long days of studying ahead.  Sports practices have begun which typically coincide with routine physicals to ensure student athletes are healthy to participate.  But what about the health of students eyes and routine eye exams?

Overlooked at times in this rush for back-to-school, vision eye centers and eye examinations should top the list for returning students as they prepare to hit the books and playgrounds for the school year.  Their eyes will need to be able to focus on academic material on the chalk board, text book, or computer screen.

A children’s eye exam can help detect if glasses or contacts are needed for reading or even prolonged use of a computer screen.  Nearly 1 in 4 students has a vision problem that could hinder their performance in school. Vision problems can be detected by a  member of Dr. Tavel’s team of eyecare doctors during a children’s eye exam and fixed with glasses or contacts.

Find a Dr. Tavel location near your school and make sure your student’s supply of sight is ready for school to begin!

 

Peanuts and cracker jacks…two things historically associated with baseball as well as mentioned in the ever popular song, “Take Me Out To The Ball Game.”  I don’t know about the cracker jacks or even the peanuts for a baseball game now a days as I’m more into ice cream personally but I do know if I am heading to a baseball park for an afternoon game I will wear my hat and sunglasses to block the sun (and to best see the baseball players of course!) 

Baseball players are looking like me wearing both hats and sunglasses when on the field to block the sun.  More and more baseball players are ditching the eye black paint to reduce glare from the sun and are putting on polarized sunglasses that not only reduce glare from the sun when trying to catch a ball but also protect the eyes from harmful UV-rays.  Polarized sunglasses have become the “in” piece of equipment for professional and amateur baseball players across the nation to wear during the many sunny games played throughout the spring and summer months.

Polarized sunglasses for baseball players tend to have the following qualities: strong UV protection (95%) to block the harmful sun rays, amber or grey tint lenses so that players can see balls mid-air or players clearly in the bright sun or on cloudy days, and polycarbonate lens material so that the glasses are shatterproof.   MLB players do not have any restrictions as to what types of sunglasses to wear but many wear those with the above qualities with wrap-like temples so that they stay on during moments of extreme movement or play.

Purifier polarized lenses, exclusive to Dr. Tavel, have all of these qualities and would be the best choice for any Indiana baseball star or fan (like myself) as protecting your eyes should be a top priority when you take yourself and others “out to the ball game.”

Dr. Tavel's Major League Give-Away is still in play!  Sign up to WIN tickets today at any Dr. Tavel location or here!

Blog By: Lauren Tavel

End of July, beginning of August… it’s definitely school supply or dorm room shopping season. For those recent high school graduates, not only are many of you shopping for your first year of college, you’re shopping for a new home away from home. I learned this last year as I moved into dorms at Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) to begin my freshman year.  While I really wanted my dorm to look cool and fashionable, I learned quickly that you also want it to be practical.  After all, you will be doing a lot of your “living” in your dorm room like waking up for 8 am classes, hanging laundry, watching movies, eating snacks, studying late at night for midterms and writing ten-page papers for hours in a pretty compact space.  You want to make the most of it and fill your room with practical things.

So as important as it is to get plastic drawers, note cards, pens, a shower caddy along with towels, pillow shams and comforter, one of the most important pieces of advice I can offer an incoming student would be to get your eyes checked before school starts to help you see your awesome dorm room and of course all of your text books clearly. At IUB (and many other universities) the library is open practically 24/7, with few exceptions. I cannot count the number of nights I have spent sitting on the quiet study floor for hours staring at my computer screen and reading. There never seems to be enough hours in the day to get everything I wanted accomplished and many hours of sleep were sacrificed for good grades. However the greatest time investment I made last summer was getting an eye examination by a Dr. Tavel optometrist. From getting a back-to-school eye examination, I was prescribed for glasses to help my eyes stay focused when they are tired to help avoid headaches when I’m studying late hours.  One of the best school supplies I bought were some fun glasses to fit my style. So while getting to your closest office supply store first for the best deals on pens, folders and planners before they run out is definitely a top priority with back to school shopping, be sure to stop in to Dr. Tavel and visit an eye doctor so you too can pick out the best looking eyeglasses and premium contact lenses before you go back to school.

Starting today at all Dr. Tavel locations you can get two pairs of glasses and an eye exam for $99.98-one of the best Back-To-School deals in Indiana! Get ready for a great year!
 

Indianapolis is race car country.  It would seem that the entire state of Indiana, fitting as it is the crossroads of America, is infatuated with racing of some sort.  Coming from Bloomington, I have experienced racing of the bike kind as I have cheered on friends riding around the historic cinder bike track for the annual Little 500 race.  Now, having made the move to Indianapolis I am in the home of two of NASCAR’s largest races and the historical Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

I have yet to experience NASCAR racing in the capital city though with its known fun of camping, eating, and enjoyment of beverages of choice.  This weekend however I am in luck as a race less well known to learning race fans like myself, the Brickyard 400, takes place on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Events begin Thursday as the camping lots are open for visitors and official practice begins Friday.  The weekend boasts Qualifications held on Saturday with the actual race taking place Sunday afternoon.

Starting in 1994, Brickyard 400 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup race 400-miles long with 160 laps around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  This race boasts more than 250,000 fans attending annually making it the most attended NASCAR event.

A very popular sport, NASCAR racing requires certain equipment be it for the drivers/teams or the race fans.  One such piece of equipment is eyewear, specifically sunglasses.  You rarely see a driver outside of his or her car without shades covering their eyes.  Same should be for the fans this weekend as shading your eyes can help you see all of the action on the track better as well as protect you from harmful UV-rays that can cause vision damage.  Better yet, Purifier polarized sunglasses would be my best piece of equipment advice for fans this weekend as these lenses block glare on the track.

Don't miss a thing this racing weekend by wearing your sunglasses!

A Dr. Tavel patient tells of his experience getting an eye exam:

"I visited the Dr. Tavel Vision Center in Fishers, Indiana. I had scheduled an appointment for an eye examination and I wanted to get new eyeglasses. I was not necessarily worried about going in for an eye exam as I have always had bad eyes, but I haven't had an eye examination in a few years and the last time I went to an optometrist in Indianapolis (this was my first time at Dr.Tavel) was a fairly bad experience.

Once I arrived and filled out the mandatory paper work, the doctor, Dr. Kautzman, invited me back to the exam room. He was simple and to the point, but presented a fairly relaxed examination. I didn't feel pressured or rushed to answer his questions. He also was more than willing to answer my questions about each test during the examination. My Dr. Tavel experience was relaxed and laid back, but it still maintained a high level of professionalism, which led me to believe Dr. Kautzman had done his job correctly, and that I was walking out with the right pair of lenses.

After the examination, one of the friendly opticians helped me choose the right frames. She offered numerous ideas, and asked a few questions to help present a few brands of frames that fit the style I was seeking. All in all, my time with Dr. Tavel in Fishers was a strong experience that was relaxed and comfortable. I am a customer for life!"


Have you had an experience like this one getting an eye exam?  Tell us about your Dr. Tavel experience here!
 

Batter up!  As one of America’s favorite pastimes, baseball is in full swing this summer across the nation in way of little league teams, minor league teams like our Indianapolis Indians, and of course the famous major league teams that make up the MLB.  Although Indiana doesn’t have a MLB team of our own, our surrounding states do and many Hoosier’s root for teams like the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds or St. Louis Cardinals among the 30 teams in the league.

Who do you root for? 

Catch up on your MLB history with these facts:

• MLB organizes the National and American Leagues of baseball
• MLB was founded in 1869 with the first professional team: the Cincinnati Red Stockings
• The National League has been in existence since 1876
• The American League has been in existence since 1901
• There are 162 scheduled games each season, additional games can be played with tie-breakers and postseason play
• Babe Ruth holds single season records in amount of runs (177), total bases (457), and extra base hits (119)

Dr. Tavel wants to take you out to the ball game this summer and will be giving four lucky Dr. Tavel fans tickets to an area MLB game of their choice!  Winners can choose tickets for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, or St. Louis Cardinals.  To enter to WIN the Dr. Tavel Major League Give-Away, go to any Dr. Tavel location around Indiana or to www.drtavel.com/baseball.

A valid email address is required to win.  Hurry up so you don’t strike out, series ends September 3!

Remember important eyewear like Dr. Tavel Purifier sunglasses for days at the ballpark.  Protecting your eyes is just as important as protecting your skin! 
 

Blog by: Lauren Tavel

Last weekend as I was driving to Evansville to visit a friend of mine, I realized how awesome Purifier polarized sunglasses are and would have been during my drive. My drive from Indianapolis to Evansville was about 3 and-a-half hours and when I left around 5:00PM the sun was beginning to set, making the glare on my car and the roads absolutely miserable! Why all the glare?  According to howstuffworks.com writer Jeff Tyson in “How Sunglasses Work," most of the glares that cause us to wear sunglasses come from flat, horizontal surfaces, such as water or a road.

When light strikes the surface, the reflected light waves are polarized, restricted to one direction, in order to fit the angle of the surface. So US-41 for example, a flat highway, produces a lot of polarized light that blinds me as I drive wearing my (not glare blocking) un-polarized sunglasses.  Purifier polarized lenses in sunglasses are made so that only vertically polarized light can enter thus eliminating any glare-they are the only sunglass lens to do this.  When driving wearing Purifier polarized sunglasses helps to increase reaction time by 40% compared to just wearing sunglasses that increase reaction time by 20%-they make a difference.

howstuffworks.com explains that many sunglasses advertised as being polarized to block glare actually are not.  Want to see if your sunglasses are polarized?  There's a simple test you can perform. Find a reflective surface and hold the glasses so that you are viewing the surface through one of the lenses. When you slowly rotate the glasses to a 90-degree angle, you can see if the reflective glare diminishes or increases. You will see the glare slowly dwindle if the sunglasses are polarized.  Besides reducing glare, Purifier polarized sunglasses help shield the eyes from harmful UV-rays on sunny days and not so sunny days. Next time I’m on the road, I’ll be sure to pack Purifier polarized sunglasses to omit the glare.

This month, Dr. Tavel is offering 50% off Purifier polarized lenses for your sunglasses with your next purchase of a frame. This coupon can be found on our Facebook page!

Check out our new fashionable (Purifier polarized capable) sunglasses online at drtavel.com or come in to any of our stores around Indiana, and find a pair of gorgeous sunglasses today.

Cookouts, parades, fireworks, candy, and sparklers: all things related to the 4th of July, Independence Day, which will be celebrated by Americans this weekend.  A fun holiday celebrating America’s long-time Independence and freedom can often be the most dangerous for children and adults alike.  Many celebrations include fireworks, which can ignite unexpectedly or leave harmful remnants on the ground that are too enticing for children to pick up, causing serious injuries.  According to a report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2008, 5,000 Americans went to the emergency room during the July 4th holiday with 1,000 of these injuries being eye injuries.  Eye injuries included lacerations, contusions, debris in the eyes and burns.

Injuries like these and others can be prevented this weekend by attending firework displays conducted only by professionals and creating fun yet safe events for your family surrounding the holiday.  Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization, offers these tips to parents wanting to ensure a safer 4th of July holiday for their children:

• Make 4th of July rockets by using paper towel rolls, paint, streamers and paper cement.
• Make your own firecracker sounds by popping bubble wrap.
• Purchase non-toxic glo-sticks, glo-ropes and glo-jewelry that can safely light the night for kids.
• Have children design and decorate their own t-shirts and hats using glow in the dark paints.  Add puffy paints and glitter to make them sparkle. 
• Create your own noisemakers by banging wooden spoons on pots and pans.  Search your house for horns, whistles and bells and other items to create a marching band. 

If you do choose to ignite fireworks yourself this weekend, wear your glasses to protect your eyes.  Specifically shatter resistant polycarbonate lenses or trivex lenses will protect eyes from harmful sparks or objects that can be created from lighting fireworks.  Lenses such as these are perfect for children and active adults.  To see if these lenses would work for you or a family member visit one of our eye care doctors at any of our 20 locations in Indiana.

Remember your eye wear this weekend whether it is goggles for the pool, sunglasses for outside or glasses for igniting fireworks, protecting your eyes is just as important as protecting your skin.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July from Dr. Tavel!