Computers and Eye Sight

Friday, September 3, 2010 by Katie Wickham

This computer may be happy but staring at a computer too long strains many people's eyes! 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! 

Buy Eye Glasses and Eat Carrots For Best Vision

Thursday, September 2, 2010 by Katie Wickham

Dr. Tavel's Vision Blog would like to clear up a confusing eye health myth once and for all.
Eye Health Myth #2 from EyeCare America is something I again have been told growing up by my parents and this time grandparent’s too-eating carrots help your vision and eye sight.  This is TRUE!

My parents and grandparents were right with this myth as carrots do help maintain good sight.  Being rich in Vitamin A and beta-carotene, carrots help our eyes adjust to light from outside conditions to inside conditions as well as keep eye membranes moist for the best eye sight.  Vitamin A is commonly called retinol.

Don't eat carrots this way! Photo courtesy: http://www.csrplus.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/carrots.gifNot a carrot fan?  Nutritionists, Indianapolis optometrists, and eye care doctors across the state agree that there are plenty of other foods rich in both Vitamin A and beta-carotene to help your eye sight.  Other top sources of Vitamin A are egg yolk, cheddar cheese, and fortified milk.  Beta-carotene can be found in other fruits and vegetables with deep orange or yellow colors like cantaloupe, mangos, peaches, sweet potatoes, and apricots.  Pumpkins too have beta-carotene so as we enter into fall enjoy some pumpkin treats common this season to help your eyes.

Help dispel this myth and eat carrots!  Carrots may not completely be the answer though and you may need to buy eye glasses or contact lenses in Indianapolis or your home city to see clearly.  Carrots tend to be the best food though to help maintain good vision simply because they have both Vitamin A and beta-carotene.

Myth #2 is dispelled!

A New Device To Help Repair Vision Loss From Macular Degeneration

Monday, August 23, 2010 by Katie Wickham

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.

 

Choosing The Best Eye Doctor For You

Tuesday, August 17, 2010 by Katie Wickham


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!

Vote For Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care!

Monday, August 16, 2010 by Katie Wickham

Being new to Indianapolis, I am relatively a blank slate when it comes to the best of anything in the Circle City.  I have done my research here and there, have asked friends about their favorites be it for restaurants, nightlife spots, or hair salons but I still have much investigating to do to figure out the bests here in Indy.

IndyChannel.com is making my research efforts much easier by hosting “The Best of IndyChannel.com A-List for 2010” where there are categories for just about anything to be voted as “Best” in Indianapolis.  You can vote for numerous “bests” like the best barbecue, the best bowling alley, and the best eyewear.

Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care is thrilled to be recently nominated for the Best Eyewear in Indianapolis! Since 1940, Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care has been providing affordable eye wear and professional eye care to Hoosiers all over the state starting in Indianapolis. 

Help us become number 1! You can vote for Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care by visiting the A-List at the IndyChannel.com and find us under the Fashion Category-Eyewear.

Thank you for your support!
 

Can Cell Phones Give Eye Examinations?

Friday, August 6, 2010 by Kevin Gearheart
A group of researchers at MIT's Media Lab have come up with a method to perform refractions using cellphones.  The test is done by having patients look into a small lens, pressing a button until two lines overlap in a way that will tell the software application what that person's prescription is. 

The key point here is that this is a great application for remote areas of the world where the inhabitants there do not have the luxury of standard eye examination equipment and eye care doctors and optometrists that can give routine eye examinations.  With blindness an increasing problem for various parts of the world due to the inability to correct refractive errors, this tool will be a wonderful benefit to millions of individuals.

What this tool will not be is a replacement to your annual eye examination from the best eye doctors around i.e. Dr. Tavel and his associates.  Eye exams are much more than determining your prescription and then providing you with eyeglasses or premium contact lenses.  They are important as our Indianapolis and Indiana optometrists provide a complete and thorough eye exam that includes testing for glaucoma, cataracts, muscle balance, visual acuity, depth perception and much more. At Dr. Tavel, we 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.

Glasses and Lens Experts

Tuesday, July 27, 2010 by Katie Wickham

South OfficeBlog by: Terrie Jackson, South Office

“I had a patient come in to our South Indianapolis Dr. Tavel Vision Center and order two pair of glasses, one for everyday use and one Purifier polarized pair for prescription sunglasses. The frames that the patient came in with were too small of frames for his face so the frames left indentions on his face.  This patient came into our office very upset about their current pair of eyeglasses (and rightly so!)

Together we discussed the issue and I told him that the frames he had chosen were too small for his face shape and would naturally leave indentions.  I showed him two larger frame options that would be a better fit for him to try.  Knowing what will work for a patient’s face shape and style is my job as an optician.  Gathering data from each individual patient is extremely important for me to help patients choose the right kind of eye wear for their needs.
 
This patient chose to go with the larger frames I suggested and this solved his problem of facial indentions.  Now this patient visits regularly to share with us how much his family and friends like his glasses and how he refers them to Dr. Tavel South.  We are happy to have this patient's needs met and are thrilled to have solved his vision problems.  It is problems like these that we work to solve each day at Dr. Tavel!”

Talk with a Dr. Tavel Optician today to best address your eye care needs for your face shape, lifestyle, and fashion!
 

Quite the "Bad Romance," Going Gaga Over Circle Contacts

Thursday, July 15, 2010 by Katie Wickham


I want your love, and I want your revenge; You and me could write a bad romance. 
Infamous song lyrics by pop-music artist Lady Gaga to the global chart topping hit song “Bad Romance;” a song that has helped make Lady Gaga one of the most popular artists today all over the world. 

Tonight at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Gaga fans will get to see the American star perform in a show that according to the star’s website will still have the disco balls, hot pants, sequins, and stilettos, known favorites of Gaga, but with a more fine tuned approach and a fierce structure. 

Hoosiers are bound to hear the hit, “Bad Romance” tonight, a song that has many young fans risking their eye sight to mimic the star’s music video cartoon eyes.  Gaga’s eyes in the Lady Gaga's wide cartoon eyes in the Bad Romance music video; Photo Courtesy of: scans-daily.dreamwidth.org/1599766.htmlsong’s music video appear to be large and circular, inspired from Japanese cartoons “Anime” and young girls everywhere are buying illegal contacts to make this fashion statement.

Called “Circle Contact Lenses,” these contacts cover a portion of the whites of the eye making the eye appear large and round like a cartoon’s.  According to an ABC News report, these lenses are not FDA approved which has many eye care doctors concerned about their popularity and usage, especially among young Gaga fans who are illegally buying the colored lenses online for $20 and changing them in and out like earrings.

Wearers of these illegal contacts run the risk of potentially losing their eye sight if worn for extended amounts of time or if fitted improperly which could scratch the cornea damaging vision. It is impossible to have these “Circle Contact Lenses” fitted properly as they are bought online and not prescribed through an optometrist.  Quite the risk for making a fashion statement, but one that many are making as they sing along Rah, rah ah, ah, ah; Roma, roma, ma; Gaga, ooh, la, la; Want your bad romance.

Another Satisfied Patient at Dr. Tavel

Friday, June 25, 2010 by Kevin Gearheart
I received the following from one of Dr. Tavel's Family Eye Care patients:

"My husband went to the Dr. Tavel located at the Greenwood Mall in Indianapolis and received excellent service. Prior to Dr. Tavel my husband went to the vision center in WalMart. With our insurance, Dr. Tavel was affordable and the employees were knowledgeable. Our daughter, who turned 7 on Monday, 6-21-10 was scheduled for a vision test at a competitor (across the street from the Greenwood Mall) and we were unable to keep the appointment. I made her an appointment at Dr. Tavel for Wednesday 06-23-10.

Due to her previous appointment at the competitor, insurance would not release information to your vision eye center location. Prior to the appointment I received a call from Jesse. He informed me that I would need to get the authorization for her appointment at Dr. Tavel released from the other place. Jesse told me that when I arrived for the appointment he would assist me with this task and there would be no problem with proceeding with her visit. I have had Vision insurance since I have been with my employer (almost 20 years). I work the night shift and thought that I would be unable to make the original appointment and phoned to reschedule. Jesse answered the phone and gladly made an appointment that would fit into my schedule. I told him that I believed my daughter's original appointment was at the place across from the mall. Jesse indicated that he was familiar with that company and said if I would be awake for the next 5 minutes he would see if he could correct my insurance dilemma. Sure enough, Jesse returned my call and had corrected the problem himself and I would be able to proceed with the new appointment with insurance coverage.

The company I work for is a service-driven business. Rarely have I ever written to compliment a company / employee for exceptional service. With my interaction with Jesse (prior to the visit for my daughter) being so positive I will make sure I recommend the Greenwood Dr. Tavel location for my employees to visit. In my opinion Jesse went above and beyond what any other employees would do to assist a customer - especially having never been in for service. He not only notified me of the issue but was able to solve it within a few minutes. I realize this may seem like a small gesture, but he made a huge impact on my thoughts about Dr. Tavel.  Having employees at your company who would go out of their way to create a positive customer experience, as Jesse did, certainly needs to be recognized. I appreciate his friendly attitude, communication and ability to correct my issue PRIOR to my daughter's visit. As I stated earlier, I rarely write a company for a compliment....but Jesse certainly deserves recognition for his outstanding customer service. Thank you, Amy"

Eyes on the Road: Importance of Sight When Driving

Friday, June 25, 2010 by Katie Wickham


The sign welcoming drivers to Indiana when coming from I-70 from Ohio or other surrounding states.I recently have moved to Indiana from Ohio.  Having gone to college in the Hoosier state and making frequent trips to Indianapolis from Bloomington, I was pretty well acquainted with Indianapolis upon moving here. As a new comer to the state though, I have begun to switch over my Ohio things for Indiana ones such as I officially have an Indiana address to which all of my mail is sent and I am now a registered Hoosier voter so come election time I can make my voice heard in Indiana politics.  What is left on my list of things to change or do?  An Indiana driver’s license. 

Being a transplanted Hoosier I needed an Indiana license to make my move official which I got last Saturday. Because I had an Ohio license already I just had to take a 50-question written test and an eye test to pass and earn my Hoosier license.  Taking the quick eye test got me thinking about just how important it is to have my eyes checked by an eye care doctor each year to ensure I am doing my best driving out on the roads and best seeing in general. 

Driving requires senses like sight, sound, and touch to which a veteran driver usually doesn’t think about often when on the roads as the task of driving becomes second nature.  I believe all of these senses are important to have while safely operating a vehicle but sight is clearly highly valued by the government with the required test you must pass to get a license and thus should be by all drivers.  To this end, as I got my license this past weekend I realized just how important it is to visit a vision center and doctor each year to ensure that I am doing my best seeing (and thus driving) on the road.  Whether you need a prescription or not, visiting an eye care doctor at an Indiana eye center will help you safely navigate the roads here in Indianapolis and beyond.  And while on the roads this summer don’t forget your sunglasses which help reduce the glare you see and help protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.  Happy driving!

Schedule an Eye Exam on-line with Dr. Tavel

Monday, May 17, 2010 by Kevin Gearheart
While we have had the capability for quite some time, not all of Dr. Tavel's patients are aware that they can schedule their eye examination on-line at www.drtavel.com.  From our home page, there is a button that will take you to our exam scheduler.
Dr. Tavel Appointment Button

Why is this important to know?  This is quite simply the easiest way to schedule an exam with one of our Indiana eye doctors at a Dr. Tavel Vision Eye Center.  Of course, you can pick up the phone to schedule your exam, but this method allows you to schedule an eye examination at YOUR convenience, any time of the day.  If you are like me, you tend to get busy during the day and picking up the phone to call your Indianapolis Optometrist can get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list.  I typically remember these things on my drive home from the office when I have a chance to slow down a bit.  Since Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care and Vision Values by Dr. Tavel have evening and weekend hours, I could still call to schedule an appointment, but I can also go to www.drtavel.com and schedule it in only a few minutes.  Not only can I do this when it fits my schedule, but it also saves me time when I actually go see the best eye doctors in Indiana because I know they have all the information needed and it is completely accurate so I can get in, see the eye doctor, order my eyeglasses and/or contact lenses and be on my way.

Transitions Are Ideal for Certain Occupations

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 by Kevin Gearheart
As it turns out, I have some hail and wind damage on my roof due to a storm that came through Indianapolis in 2009.  I didn't realize this until I was notified by one of my neighbors that they had to file a claim for the damage on their roof and recommended that I have someone inspect mine as well.  I called up a contractor who specializes in this area and they came out, walked around the roof, took some pictures and then we met to discuss the situation. 

When we were talking and he was showing me pictures, I noticed that he had photochromic lenses in his eye glasses.  This makes perfect sense for his occupation as he goes outside a lot to look at roofs and then needs to come back inside to do paperwork and have meetings with customers like me.  The photochromic lens is a great option as they change from light to dark when he walks outside, providing him with a tinted lens and then back to light when he walks inside, providing him with a clear lens.  Ultimately, this lens option allows Dr. Tavel patients to wear the same eye glass lenses both inside and outside, instead of having to take their clear eye glasses off and put on their pair of prescription sunglasses when they go outside.  While this may not be a big deal for most people to change from clear glasses to sunglasses, it would be for a contractor with his occupation where he is constantly going in and out of the sun.  For him, the photochromic lens offers the best vision value.

I asked him how he likes the photochromic lenses he was wearing (he was wearing the Transitions brand) and he said he loves them and they are the best eye glasses he has ever had.  Given the vast improvements made over the years with photochromic lenses, eye care doctors are recommending them more and more as a vision solution.

Eye Exam From the Patient's Point of View

Monday, March 22, 2010 by Kevin Gearheart
One of our best eye doctors in Indianapolis sent me the following YouTube clip last night.  It is a hilarious clip of a comedian talking about going in to get his eyes examined.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8GMFkc3iSA

After watching this, the reason I laughed so hard is because it is so true (as with most comedy, I suppose).  He mentions that it has been six years since his last eye examination and the reason he didn't go is that he was "too busy to see clearly".  How many of us have been guilty of putting off going to see our eye care doctor because we didn't have time?  While this clip is funny, the truth is that lost productivity due to poor eyesight alone costs this country millions of dollars every year because people put off going to their eye doctors to get a comprehensive eye examination and a renewed prescription for their contact lenses or eyeglasses.  On top of this, according to the National Eye Institute, the number of Americans with major eye diseases is increasing, and vision loss is becoming a major public health problem.

Blindness or low vision affects 3.3 million Americans over the age of 40, or 1 in 28. This figure is projected to reach 5.5 million by the year 2020. The study identifies age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy as the most common eye diseases in Americans age 40 and over.

Worse yet, another study shows that most Americans don’t know the risks and warning signs of diseases that could cause blindness. In the "Survey of Public Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Related to Eye Health and Disease," sponsored by the National Eye Institute and the Lions Clubs International Foundation, 71 percent of respondents said that eye sight loss would have the greatest impact on their day-to-day lives, but only eight percent knew that there are few early warning signs of glaucoma.

The answer is pretty simple, get in to see your Indianapolis or Indiana eye doctor and follow the mantra of "check yearly, see clearly."

Customer Satisfaction Is Critical

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 by Kevin Gearheart
When I came into the office this morning, I had an interesting e-mail in my inbox.  One of our premium contact lens patients from our Greenwood office had gone to our website and submitted the following:

"I wanted to let you know what an AWESOME job your Greenwood store is doing! I went in there because of a promotion that you were having on a contact exam and some contacts. I had low expectations due to the fact that Dr. Tavel is a chain and I have had exams at these types of chains before. Boy, was I wrong! Dr. S is an asset to that office! He did a great exam and I never felt rushed. Priscilla and Angela in the front office were amazing. My husband needed an exam and so I signed him up immediately. Dear Priscilla helped us get the most for our money and helped us use the promotions to our benefit (we don't have eye insurance, so this was very important!) Angela did the same thing for me! I was astonished at the quality of care and price of glasses that we got at Dr. Tavel. I don't think the prices could have been beat anywhere. And let me tell you, I know the service is unmatched! Please commend the Greenwood store and keep up the good work - we will be back!"

What we recognize at Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care is that any eye doctor can perform an eye exam and that our patients can buy eye glasses and premium contact lenses from a large number of locations.  Where we have to differentiate ourselves is in offering the best customer services, from the best eye doctor and from the valued opticians offering guidance and information about which lenses are the best for each individuals eyes.  Ultimately, this is what leads to true customer satisfaction, which is critical to our success in Greenwood, Indianapolis and all throughout Indiana.

Grand Opening Contact Lens Sale

Friday, February 12, 2010 by Kevin Gearheart

To celebrate Dr. Tavel's newest Indiana Vision Center, we are offering a Grand Opening Contact Lens Sale at all Indianapolis Optical locations as well as all Vision Eye Centers across Indiana.  This sale is spectacular for anyone who currently wears premium contact lenses or for anyone who is interested in wearing contacts for the first time.  For $99.98, we are offering the following:

  • Comprehensive Eye Examination
  • Contact Lens Fitting Exam
  • 2 boxes of Acuvue Oasys premium contact lenses
  • One month supply of contact lens solution
  • Fashion Sunglasses
On top of this, we are offering 20% off all eyeglasses.  This is an exceptional deal and when compared to other Indianapolis Eye Care Doctors, it can't be beat.  When you see the best eye doctors at Dr. Tavel and get a great deal on contact lenses, you will see why we have been able to continue our 70 years of successful eye care in Indiana. 

Dr. Tavel Opens Its 20th Indiana Location

Thursday, February 4, 2010 by Kevin Gearheart
On Monday, February 8th, Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care will open its 20th Indiana Vision Center in Zionsville, Indiana.  The Zionsville Dr. Tavel will join the other vision eye centers in Indianapolis, Anderson, Bloomington, Columbus, Fishers, Greenwood, Kokomo, Muncie, New Castle, Shelbyville, Elkhart, South Bend, Richmond and Terre Haute.  Three of the current optical locations are Vision Values by Dr. Tavel and the remaining 17 are Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care. 



As with any of our Dr. Tavel stores, we will offer comprehensive eye examinations by a board certified Indiana eye doctor, premium contact lenses and eyeglasses.  If you want to buy eye glasses or see the best eye doctor possible, come to our new location at 61 Boone Village in Zionsville or call 317-733-3344 for an appointment.  Of course, you can also schedule on line at www.drtavel.com.  We look forward to serving the Zionsville community.


Dr. Tavel To Help With Haitian Relief Effort

Monday, January 18, 2010 by Kevin Gearheart

Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care is doing its part to help with the Haitian Relief Effort.  Due to the massive earthquake that hit last week, many of the buildings have been damaged and personal belongings destroyed.  As Indiana Eye Doctors, it only makes sense that we would help the best way we know how, with the gift of sight.  We are asking that anyone who has an old pair of eyeglasses come into one of our 20 Vision Eye Centers to donate their used eyeglasses.  We will be working with the American Red Cross to get these glasses to those in need.

It is estimated that over 4 million pairs of eyeglasses and lenses are thrown out in a given year in the United States.  Rather than toss that old frame and lenses, come into Dr. Tavel or a Vision Values by Dr. Tavel optical location to donate these to someone in need.  If you have a pair that you don't wear, bring them in.  If you only have a frame, bring it in.  We will accept any donation of used eyewear.  Go to our locations page to find the nearest Indianapolis Optical or Indiana Optical store to you. 

Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care sponsors IU Little 500 Team

Monday, November 16, 2009 by Kevin Gearheart

Dr. Tavel is pleased to announce sponsorship of Kappa Alpha Theta's Little 500 bike team at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Dr. Tavel will be providing all members of the sorority's team with Rudy Project Sunglasses to enhance their vision throughout the season of cycling events.

Rudy Project is a performance eyewear company that specializes in sports eyewear, and is especially well known among cycling enthusiasts. Each Rudy Project frame is made in Italy using the latest lens technologies and the lightest weight frames. All Rudy products are adjustable, comfortable and customizable, as well as tested and approved by athletes.  Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care is an official Rudy Project vendor, which means you can get this great brand at any of our stores, including all Indianapolis Optical locations, our Anderson Vision Center, Columbus, Bloomington, Kokomo, Terre Haute, Shelbyville, Muncie, Richmond, Elkhart, South Bend, New Castle or on-line at www.drtavel.com

The Little 500, an annual event produced by the IU Student Foundation, includes numerous bike teams from IU's fraternities, sororities, student groups, residence halls, and various other independent student teams. There are two races-- the women's race on Friday of Little 500 week and the men's race on Saturday. Both occur at the end of April. Kappa Alpha Theta founded the women's race and has won it four times along with numerous other top 5 finishes!

Our company is proud to sponsor such an involved and strong women's bike team.

We wish the team the best of luck this season and look forward to a strong series of cycling events with Kappa Alpha Theta! For more information on Rudy Project Eyewear, contact your nearest Dr. Tavel location.

Colts Pull Out a Big Win

Monday, November 16, 2009 by Kevin Gearheart
What a game.  Colts/Pats.  Night game, national television and all the hype and hoopla.  When it comes to big games, you are always hoping for a great one but never know if it is going to happen or not.  Well, this one was great.  We were down for a big part of the game and it seemed like there was no way we were going to win.  A little bit of luck and a questionable decision led to the Indianapolis Colts pulling out a win at the last second thanks to a touchdown pass from Peyton Manning to Reggie Wayne. 

The game was great, the atmosphere was fantastic and the show of support from local Indianapolis and Indiana residents was phenomenal.  I ran into several friends at the game and some old college friends from South Bend and Elkhart that I haven't seen in years.  The interesting part about the night was that more than one of my buddies brought up their health savings plans or flex spending accounts and were asking about getting in to use that before the end of the year.  We are at the biggest football game of the year and these guys want to talk about their health insurance plans!

It shows you how important it is to use health benefits before they expire.  The great part about these plans is that you can use them for many health related reasons, specifically eye care.  These plans can be used for eye examinations, contact lens fit examinations, purchasing frames and lenses and purchasing premium contact lenses.  One of my friends from Columbus, Indiana was planning on using more of his health savings for the baby they had this year.  When they didn't use as much as expected, he now has some funds that HE HAS TO USE.  The great part is that now he can come to Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care and get the prescription sunglasses that he has wanted for some time.  

This is a great opportunity for anyone with a plan like this.  Go see your Indianapolis eye care doctor or come in to any of our Indiana Vision Centers before the end of the year and we will be sure to take care of you.

Dr. Tavel Attends Duke Realty Wellness Fair

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 by Kevin Gearheart
Last Friday, Team Tavel spent the morning at Duke Realty's annual employee Health and Wellness Fair.  I received a call from their office and they wanted Dr. Tavel to attend as the primary eye care provider for their employees.  We gladly accepted and took some equipment to be able to do a vision screening for any employees that came by our tables. 

This was a great opportunity as we were able to screen vision for almost 100 of Duke's employees.  The overwhelming outcome of these screenings is that most of the employees need to come to Dr. Tavel for an annual eye examination.  While there were a few employees who regularly take advantage of their health care insurance and see their Indianapolis eye doctor, most people don't.  There were several people who admitted they hadn't been to their Indianapolis optometrist in 5 plus years! 

This never makes much sense to me.  First, most employers like Duke offer vision insurance whereby employees can get an annual eye examination for free or for a nominal co-pay.   Second, eye exams are so much more than just telling you what your error of refraction is.  We had some people say they haven't had problems seeing so they haven't had a need to see an Indiana eye doctor.  This is one of the biggest misconceptions about seeing Dr. Tavel.  Our eye examinations are done by the best eye doctors and they examine for multiple common eye diseases as well as several age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. 

Overall, it was a great opportunity to partner with a great company and educate, inform and screen vision.