Belleview Eye Associates - Special Events

	Patient Appreciation Days
	Date:	April 23rd and 24th
	Time:	9-6 Friday, 9-2 Saturday
	Location:	Belleview Eye Associates
		Help us celebrate our anniversary by attending our Patient Appreciation Days in April! We'll be hosting a trunk show featuring over 1,000 designer frames, including Vera Wang, Jhane Barnes, and Aspex magnetic clip sunglasses. Pick a flower from our garden and win a prize. In 2009 we gave away three pairs a progressive lenses worth over $300 each, gift certificates for dinner, discounts on frames, Vera Wang perfume, and Hush Puppies stuffed dogs for the children. No appointment is necessary and we encourage you to bring friends and family! It's our way of saying thank you to all of our wonderful patients.

	Glaucoma Awareness Month
	Date:	January
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		WHAT IS GLAUCOMA? Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the optic nerve in the eye. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss or blindness. WHAT CAUSES GLAUCOMA? Clear fluid flows in and out of a small space at the front of the eye called the anterior chamber. This fluid bathes and nourishes nearby tissues. If this fluid drains too slowly, pressure builds up and damages the optic nerve. Though this buildup may lead to an increase in eye pressure, the effect of pressure on the optic nerve differs from person to person. Some people may get optic nerve damage at low pressure levels while other tolerate higher pressure levels. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO GET IT? Millions of people have glaucoma. Anyone can get it, but some people are at higher risk: African Americans over the age of 40, Everyone over the age of 60, People with a family history of glaucoma. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? At first, there are no symptoms. Vision stays normal and there is no pain. But as the disease gets worse, side vision may begin to fail. Objects straight ahead may be clear, but objects to the side might be missed. HOW IS IT DETECTED? Glaucoma is found most often during a dilated eye exam. In this procedure, drops are put into the eyes to enlarge the pupils. The optometrist is then able to see more of the inside of the eye to check for signs of damage. The optometrist will also measure eye pressure during the exam, but that alone does not detect the disease. HOW CAN IT BE TREATED? Although, glaucoma cannot be cured, it can usually be controlled. Here are the most common treatments: MEDICATION - Eye drops will help reduce pressure by either slowing the flow of fluid into the eye or improving how it drains. For most people, regular use of the eye drops will control the pressure inside the eye. But they may stop working over time, or they may cause side effects. SURGERY - Laser surgery can be performed to increase the flow of fluid from the eye. Over time, this effect may wear off. Traditional surgery can call help fluid drain from the eye. This is usually only used for patients whose pressure cannot be controlled with eye drops or laser surgery.

	Wedding Day Contact Lenses
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		ALL EYES ARE ON YOU: WEDDING DAY MAKEUP TIPS FOR CONTACT LENS WEARERS Most brides spend extra time applying makeup on their wedding day. Whether you are planning to do your own makeup, or hire a professional makeup artist, brides who wear contact lenses should take extra care with makeup selection and application. Tearing and irritation, while a minor annoyance, could lead to more serious problems during or after the wedding. When shopping for makeup, choose a water-based, hypo-allergenic liquid foundation – instead of cream – to prevent leaving a film on your lenses. You should avoid lash-extending mascara, which has fibers that can irritate the eyes, and waterproof mascara, which cannot be easily removed with water and may stain soft contact lenses. On your wedding day, don’t use hand creams or lotions before handling contacts; they can leave a film on your lenses. Use an oil-free moisturizer. Keep false eyelash cement, nail polish and remover, perfume, and cologne, which can damage the plastic, away from lenses. Hairspray should be used before putting in contacts. If used while they are in, close your eyes during spraying, and for a few seconds afterwards. Put on soft contact lenses before applying makeup. Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses should go on after makeup is applied. In addition to makeup application, tinted contact lenses can produce a dramatic effect for the day. A bride can change her eye color from blue to green or transform brown eyes to blue. Tinted lenses, prescription or non-prescription, are safe, but must be fitted by an eye care professional only. This ensures that the lenses fit your eyes and provide you with instructions for proper care and disinfection. Inappropriate use of tinted lenses or lenses that do not fit your eyes correctly can cause serious damage to the cornea and to your general eye health. Finally, entrust someone with your contact lens case. Also, resist the urge to quickly moisten your lenses with saliva or bottled water should they become dry or uncomfortable, both may contain bacteria that could lead to an infection. Follow these tips, and your eyes will be as lovely as you are on this special day.

	Diabetes Awareness Month
	Date:	November
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		DIABETES: A TOP CAUSE OF BLINDNESS AMONG ADULTS The American Optometric Association reminds patients about the importance of comprehensive eye exams during November¡¦s National Diabetes Month A recent survey by the American Optometric Association (AOA), revealed that Americans aren't taking their eye health as seriously as they should, particularly when it comes to protecting their eyes from the potentially blinding effects of diabetes and diabetic eye disease. According to the AOA's 2007 American Eye-Q survey, more than 60 percent of adults know that diabetes is detectable through a comprehensive eye exam. However, only 32 percent of adults who do not wear glasses or contacts, have seen a doctor of optometry in the past two years. The annual American Eye-Q survey identifies attitudes and behaviors of Americans regarding eye care and related issues. With nearly two-thirds of adults not receiving regular, comprehensive eye exams, millions of Americans are not only putting their vision, but also their health, at risk. In fact, diabetes is a top cause of new cases of blindness among adults. "More than 21 million Americans have diabetes, and perhaps of even greater concern, more than 6 million Americans are unaware that they have the disease," said Dr. Jorge Cuadros, AOA's Diabetes Eye Care Expert and University of California School of Optometry professor. "In addition to overall health complications, diabetes can cause vision changes and ultimately lead to blindness." Optometrists can serve as the first line of detection for diabetes, since the eye is the only place on the body that blood vessels can be seen without having to look through the skin. All individuals with known diabetes need to have dilated eye exams each year; despite the fact that only four out of ten Americans recognize that diabetic patients should have their vision checked annually, according to the 2007 American Eye-Q. "It is especially important for individuals who are at high risk for diabetes to visit an eye doctor regularly for dilated eye exams," said Dr. Cuadros. According to the American Diabetes Association, an estimated 54 million Americans aged 40 to 74 (40.1 percent of the U.S. population in this age group) have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Early detection is critical in maintaining healthy vision. Additionally, several factors influence whether someone with diabetes develops diabetic retinopathy. These include controlling blood sugar control and blood pressure levels, the length of time with diabetes, race and family history. Be sure to see an optometrist if your vision becomes blurry; you have trouble reading signs or books; experience double vision; feel pressure in your eyes; encounter straight lines appearing indistinct; or your side vision is limited.

	Halloween Safety
	Date:	October
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		HALLOWEEN SAFETY RELIES ON GOOD VISIBILITY On Halloween, an assortment of ballerinas, clowns, ghosts, and other goblins will have their eyes on just one thing candy. Roaming dimly lit neighborhoods is part of the fun for children in pursuit of treats, but it can also be dangerous. "Trick-or-treaters and parents need to remember that on Halloween, to be safe, you must be seen," said Dr. Brett Borstad of Belleview Eye Associates in Littleton. "Studies have shown that a child's risk of injury or death as a result of being hit by a car doubles around Halloween." Incorporate these simple precautions into the evening's festivities to ensure Halloween safety: Dress children in light-colored costumes or adhere reflective tape to the costume's fabric and accessories. Make sure children and adults are visible to passing cars. Eliminate masks from among the costume's accessories. Masks can get in the way of clear vision and can increase the chances of tripping or running into objects. Hypoallergenic make-up is a safer alternative. Take care in keeping make-up away from the eyes. No trick-or-treater should go in search of treats alone. Children move through darkened neighborhoods more safely if accompanied by an adult. Approach only doorsteps that have a porch light lit. Similarly, if you plan to pass out treats, be sure to turn on your light. Pedestrians think they are more visible to drivers than they actually are, so remind trick-or-treaters to look both ways before crossing streets and to stay with the group.

	Halloween Contact Lenses
	Date:	October
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	Location:	Belleview Eye Associates
		Halloween is a fun time to put a costume on and be someone (or something!) else. But beware of decorative contact lenses - the ones that change your eye color, or make your eyes look like a tiger or a ghoul - unless the contact lenses are prescribed by your eye doctor. Although decorative contact lenses are fun, they are medical devices and can harm your eyes unless they fit properly and are cared for the right way. Decorative contact lenses, like all contact lenses, are medical devices and are illegal to dispense without a prescription. The best way to get a pair of decorative lenses is with a prescription from your eye doctor, who can ensure that the lenses fit correctly and are healthy for your eyes. Purchasing contact lenses without a prescription over the internet, in beauty salons, or at convenience stores, means that you may end up with lenses that don't fit properly. In addition, you won't receive any education about how to care for the lenses to keep your eyes healthy. As a result, your eyes are at much higher risk for problems like conjunctivitis, swelling, allergic reaction and corneal abrasions. You could even end up with irreversible vision loss. Take care of your eyes and be sure that your decorative contact lenses are right for you!