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!
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.
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 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.
Last Saturday, Team Tavel spent an amazing day down on Mass Ave in downtown Indianapolis doing a combination of promoting Rudy Project performance athletic eye wear and supporting the athletes riding in the 2009 Mass Ave Criterium. The weather was perfect and the attendance for the event was at record levels. For those that are unaware of the event, it was a bike race on the streets of downtown Indianapolis, going from Mass Ave to Vermont St to East St and north on East to Mass Ave. These men and women were MOVING! The Dr. Tavel/Rudy Project tent was at the start/finish line and when the racers went by in a big pack you could feel a big gust of wind following them as they rode by.
The Dr. Tavel Optical Group sponsored this event for two primary reasons. First, we have been a part of the Indianapolis community for almost 70 years and we love to support the community in which we live. The Mass Ave Criterium is in its infancy and we want to see this event succeed. The second reason we sponsored this is because we carry a large variety of Rudy Project sunglasses, which is one of the best athletic sunglasses available in the world. Rudy Project sunglasses have many options for a variety of sports. Cyclists love these glasses because they are unbelievably comfortable. You can bend the end of the temples to fit your head and ears, which is important when wearing a bike helmet. On top of the comfort, Rudy Project sunglasses have the best lens options you can imagine. First, they have shatter resistant lenses, they have polarized lenses and you can get a photochromic lens option as well. This is great for those riding on the road because the polarized lens is going to keep the glare from the sun out of your eyes, giving you a very clear view. The photochromic lens option is going to be critical for those going on long rides, as the lenses will adjust to the amount of light. On a cloudy day, the lenses aren't very dark and on a bright and sunny day your lenses are going to adjust accordingly and offer you a great visual experience so you can focus on riding or whatever other activities you are engaged in.
The great part of our Rudy Project brand of sunglasses is that you can get them at any Dr. Tavel location (Indianapolis, Anderson, Bloomington, etc...) AND you can get them with a prescription in the lens. Dr. Tavel can easily put your Rx in the lenses so you can get ultimate comfort and vision while wearing technically cool eye wear. That is why we are the best eye doctor in Indianapolis, offering the best eye glasses and lenses, even in the form of sunglasses!
I bet you never knew there were glasses and lenses specifically made for Shark Sighting!
I just got back from eating lunch at TGI Friday's where, as I sat waiting for my salad, I was watching a silenced version of the daily news. One story in particular caught my attention though. Apparently, a fisherman who was fishing off the coast of Alabama sighted a 12 foot great white shark! Yikes.
It was funny to me because I was thinking "there is no way he could've seen Jaws without polarized lenses." I say that because water produces a very intense reflection that makes it very difficult to see below the surface if there is virtually any sunlight.
A polarized lens however, works wonders for this type of activity because it was designed to remove glare and reflections resulting in bright, vivid colors and crisp, clear images. The polarized filter works like Venetian blinds, redirecting the scattered light so it doesn't blind you.
I'm telling you, eye care is such a cool industry. The options in the optical field are sort of like the iphone advertisement where they say "Yep. There's an AP for that." ... Our version?
"Yep, there's a lens for that." There is a lens for every single activity, every single life style, you name it, we've got it.
And the best part? All these options are available to you in all of Dr. Tavel's Indianapolis optical and surrounding optical locations. With the most technologically advanced eyeglasses Indianapolis has to offer you can honestly find anything you can dream up.
With school just a couple weeks around the corner our Indiana eye doctors are seeing hundreds of students a week! The schedule is getting tight, so the time to schedule an eye examination is now!
Is your child headed off to college? Dr. Tavel has Indiana vision centers in nearly every Indiana college town. Our Bloomington eye doctor (as well as our Columbus eye doctors) is happy to help the Hoosiers all year round! If your kid is a Ball State Cardinal up in Muncie, we have a brand new location there too! Our Anderson vision center, Fishers location, as well as 11 other Indianapolis Optical locations are all ready to help your student prepare for the upcoming year.
Got Contacts?
You can now have your college kid re-order her contacts online at
www.drtavel.com/contacts/order.php.
We want to make the transition as easy as possible for everyone! As we like to say, let our family serve your family. Trust your vision to Dr. Tavel.
Go Hoosiers! :)
In considering the elements of eye care, terms can get a little confusing. Fear not! Dr. Tavel is here to help.
The Ophthalmologist: This individual is a medical doctor who specializes vision care. What differentiants this individual from regular vision providers is that he or she may perform eye surgery.
The Optometrist: This is the professional who specializes in eye examinations. During this exam the doctor will test for diseases, visual acuity, and prescribe premium contact lenses or glasses. (Dr. Tavel and his associates are Indiana eye dcotors aka "optometrists")
The Optician: These are the men and women that fill the doctor's prescription, fit glasses and lenses, and train the patient to use contact lenses. (In all of our Indianapolis Optical locations (You can find Dr. Tavel opticians smiling and ready to help in all of our state-wide and Indianapolis optical locations.)
Its hard to believe, but summer is quickly passing! Next thing you know you'll be swamped with number 2 pencils, backpacks, and new khakis. While you're making the back to school "to-do" list, pencil in "Children's Eye Exam" at the top.
Nearly 1 in 4 children has an undetected eye problem that can hinder their performance in school and Dr. Tavel wants to ensure that its not your child. We understand that parents have a busy schedule even during the summer so our Indianapolis optical locations and 11 other locations across Indiana offer evening and weekend hours with our optometrists to ensure that you have time to come see us.
Schedule an appointment at
www.drtavel.com/schedule now to beat the back to school rush.
Over the weekend, Dr. Tavel sent out its first edition of "Seeing Eye 2 Eye", which is our new e-newsletter. We will be sending out a newsletter each month to our existing patients and to anyone else who signs up to receive it.
The Dr. Tavel newsletter will contain a variety of information that is related to your eye care. Each edition will contain a section on Dr. Tavel's Tips, which will offer educational tips and ideas about eye care. It also contains a section detailing the Latest and Greatest as it pertains to eye wear. We will cover new products such as new frames, new lenses, new contact lenses and some of the new technologies that are allowing us to offer amazing enhancements to eye wear and fashion. With every newsletter we will also have some optical illusions, which are both fun and educational in nature.
To sign up for the Dr. Tavel newsletter, you can simply go to our website at
www.drtavel.com and sign up at the bottom of the home page for the Exclusives. In addition to the newsletter, we will send out various promotions, coupons and health care tips as they relate to your vision. So whether you are a patient in Bloomington, Indianapolis, Columbus or Anderson, you can go on-line and sign up to receive our newsletter delivered right to your e-mail inbox. Seeing Eye 2 Eye is our way of keeping in contact with the patients of
Dr. Tavel Family Eyecare and
Vision Values by Dr. Tavel.
There is little coincidence that on the day it finally breaks into the mid-50's and the sun is shining that I get an e-mail notice that the
North American Handmade Bicycle Show is going to be in town at the Indianapolis Convention Center. This show brings in numerous hand made bicycle companies from around the country, including Indiana's own
Shamrock Cycles. According to one exhibitor is "not about huge crowds, it is about top end bicycles for cyclists with a preference for the best." As the weather warms up, it is definitely time for cycling enthusiasts to come out and start thinking about their next ride.
For those cycling enthusiasts who do have a preference for the best, they can find the best cycling sunglasses in the form of Rudy Project. Rudy Project is still an independent sunglass company that is driven by research and development to create a sunglass that looks great, but more importantly is practical and built to get the job done. This is truly a great fit as the exhibitors coming to the show have these exact traits.
Similar to both Rudy Project and the many exhibitors coming to the NAHBC, Dr. Tavel Optical Group is an independent company that is focused on doing what is best for our patients, both in terms of their eye health and in terms of their vision. We also happen to believe that in addition to seeing well, we want our patients to be comfortable and look good in the mean time. If you have ever worn a pair of Rudy Project sunglasses, you understand why Dr. Tavel carries these great sunglasses and how they are a great fit for us as eye care doctors and as a retail business. If you have not worn a pair of Rudy Project sunglasses and you are into cycling or any other athletic activity, well, I think you know what the step is.
Welcome to the Family Eye Care, Fashion Eyewear blog at Dr. Tavel Optical Group. Dr. Tavel provides Indiana families with an extensive array of high quality, yet affordable, eye care products and services. As a full service eye care retailer, we are family owned and committed to consistently delivering outstanding levels of customer service and long-term customer satisfaction. What does that mean exactly? It means we are focused on you, the patient. As Indiana's largest eyecare provider, we have locations all throughout Indiana, including Indianapolis, Anderson, Bloomington, Columbus, Richmond, Terre Haute, Shelbyville, New Castle, Kokomo, South Bend, Elkhart, Muncie, Fishers and Greenwood. At each location we have eye care doctors who offer comprehensive eye examinations and are focused on giving you the best in Family Eye Care. We also have highly trained opticians who can help you select glasses and lenses or premium contact lenses that are right for your lifestyle, your unique prescription and your budget. This blog will be focused on covering all topics that relate to Family Eye Care and Fashion Eyewear. We look forward to hearing feedback on these posts and serving as an educational resource for all things related to these two core components of our business.
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