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.
Not 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!
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
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!
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.
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!
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 
song’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.
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.
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.
For years now, our country has been one that loves 2-week contact lenses. While other countries overseas are embracing daily disposable contact lenses, it is still a lens modality that has struggled to catch on here with any real success. For the life of me, I can't figure out why. The only guess I have is that we aren't as educated about this type of contact lens. With this, I urge you to take a look at Daily Disposables (
CooperVisions's ProClear 1 day &
ClearSight 1 day as well as
Ciba Vision's Focus Dailies) as on option for premium contact lenses.
The reasons are two-fold: better eye health and better comfort. The reasons it is better for eye health are simple:
- Since you have to change your lens on a daily basis, this promotes good ocular health. Daily Disposables have the highest compliance rate of any modality at 94%.
- Daily Replacement means less deposit build up, reducing problems associated with this, such as GPC
- Daily disposables have the lowest infection rate since you are putting in a new, fresh lens every day
The reasons for better comfort are obvious as well. Putting in a new lens every day means you are getting a fresh lens with no deposit build-up, allowing for a more comfortable wearing experience.
If you haven't tried daily disposable contact lenses, please take some time when you see your Indianapolis Optometrist or Indiana Eye Doctor to discuss this modality and the benefits it can provide.
My 5 year old son had his final soccer game of the season last Saturday in Indianapolis. It was a great game and actually went to a shoot out at the end to decide the game. Okay, these are 5 and 6 year olds so there was no goalie and they basically had to kick the ball straight into the goal from 30 yards away, but nonetheless it was pretty exciting. Our team lost, but as with any youth soccer game the focus was more about getting their medals and what the snack of the week was.
It was a great fall day in Indiana and I got some sun, which is rare for early November. It got me thinking about how most people are unaware that extended exposure to the same harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that affect their skin can also harm their eyes. While outside on Saturday, all of the children's eyes were exposed to the sun's rays. Some of the parents on the sidelines had sunglasses on, while others were wearing hats, which are both helpful in blocking UV rays from reaching the eyes. When I am outside, I typically wear contact lenses that block UV rays and I also wear polarized sunglasses, which are great for absorbing and blocking UV rays, while also reducing glare from the sun.
The next time you and your children are playing outside, stay focused on the health of your eyes by wearing sunglasses, brimmed hats or premium contact lenses with UV blocking. If you don't have these items available, make sure you go to your Indianapolis Optometrist, Eye Doctor or a local vision eye center.
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.
We recently modified and updated our website with a new version of our contact lens e-commerce site. This is a great benefit to our existing patients who want to order premium contact lenses on-line. When a Dr. Tavel contact lens patient comes in to see one of our Indianapolis Optometrists or an Optometrist at any of the other Dr. Tavel vision eye centers, you are going to not only get a comprehensive eye examination and a contact lens fit, but you will now be able to walk away with a user name and password to easily re-order your premium contact lenses through
www.drtavel.com.
Why is this important and how is it any different than ordering contact lenses through another on-line provider? When you go to
www.drtavel.com to order contact lenses on-line, you can be sure that the lenses you are ordering are for your exact prescription without the hassle of having to input the Rx from the side of their contact box. Your unique login will pull up the information and exact prescription given to you by your Indianapolis Eye Doctor or your Indiana Eye Doctor. It is as simple as logging in, plugging in how many boxes you would like and having them shipped directly to your home.
The biggest question is going to be how we compare to the other on-line providers on price. At Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care, we offer some of the best prices on contact lenses anywhere. We are incredibly price competitive so you can be sure to get the RIGHT contact lenses at the RIGHT price, every time with the convenience of having them shipped directly to your home. So whether you wear Acuvue Oasys, Air Optix Aqua, Purevision or another premium contact lens, feel free to come to us for your Indiana eye care needs.
This morning in Indianapolis it absolutely poured rain! I was on my way in to work and hit all sorts of obstacles because of the crazy thunderstorm that is going on right now. I drove through a 2 foot deep puddle, was rerouted due to a lightning induced fire, and hydroplaned several times. How anything could be on fire in all this rain, I have no idea. But it was.
As I drove up Kessler Blvd. I noticed myself squinting and slowing down to almost 15 miles per hour to make sure I was staying on the road. It occured to me that if I hadn't been wearing my glasses I probably would've been in the ditch.
This situation is certainly a scary one, but its a good note to remind you how important it is to have an eye examination.
There are so many obstacles (both natural and man-made) that make it difficult for our eyes to function properly that can be eased with customized lenses.Dr. Tavel and his associate Indianapolis optometrists are consistently prescribing premium contact lenses and the highest quality eyeglasses Indianapolis has to offer. Be sure to schedule an appointment for you and your family at any of our convenient Indiana locations.
www.drtavel.com/schedule/
ABC 7 - a TV station out of Chicago published a wonderful article titled "Detecting Disease Through the Eyes" on July 15th. This couldn't be any more relevant.
The introduction reads:
"July 15, 2009 (WLS) -- Most people think of their eye examination as time to update their lens prescription or catch the beginnings of eye disease like glaucoma, but few people know
an eye exam can catch early signs of diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and brain tumors."Absolutely right! Few people realize that an eye exam can quickly identify so many life threatening diseases without being invasive at all. There are no needles involved, we won't strip you down and put you on a scale, and we certainly won't sit you in the exam room and make you wait 20 minutes for the doctor to arrive.
As the most prominent Indianapolis Optometrist and most well known Indiana Vision Center, Dr. Tavel is proud to say that our staff is highly educated and thoroughly trained to be positioned as the medical expert when it comes to eye care.
Let our family serve your family. Trust your vision to Dr. Tavel.
For the full article:
abclocal.go.com/wls/story
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.)
My 5 year old son Christian is about to start kindergarten in the next month so I decided to have one of our eye care doctors give him an eye examination. Going by the American Optometric Associations guidelines, it was definitely time (they recommend a children's eye exam at 6 months, again at age 3 and then again at age 5 or 6 before kindergarten). The last time he had an exam, he was a bit apprehensive. Not this time; he loved it. It doesn't hurt that he was examined by one of the best eye doctors in Indianapolis who has a great knack for working with kids. The best part about the exam for Christian was when the doctor had him put on the 3 D glasses to test for depth perception. According to my son, that was "so awesome".
The biggest misconception among most parents is that the vision screening done at school is sufficient to determine if their child has vision problems. Vision screenings are great at detecting major vision deficiencies. However, a child can pass this test at school and still have vision problems that will impact their learning ability. In addition to this, vision screenings only test for visual acuity. The optometrists at Dr. Tavel perform a comprehensive children's eye exam that will evaluate eye health, which is equally important. So be sure to have an Indiana Eye Doctor examine your child's eyes at a qualified Vision Eye Center.
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.
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