Cow Eye Dissection at Advanced Family Eye Care

Our staff participated in an educational dissection of an eye on Friday, March 19. We learned about the structures and functions of the eye to help us better educate our patients. Here is a picture from our fun experience. Check out more photos on our "Dissection Lab Image Gallery" on our website at www.SeeAdvanced.com - Melissa Stoltz, Optometric Assistant.

Polycarbonate Lenses - UV Protection AND impact resistance

With the Spring weather finally here, our children are spending more time outside! It's important that safety is a top concern. Polycarbonate lenses offer 100% UV protection and are 10 times more impact-resistant than regular plastic lenses. They are constructed out of material that is identical to what we know as "bulletproof glass." Because polycarbonate lenses hold up much better under impact, it is recommended that all children and/or teens 18 and under have polycarbonate lenses in their eyewear. In addition, this lens material is an excellent choice for sports eyewear and safety glasses! – Chica Jackson, Optician

Let Someone See We Care.

Refer a friend or family member to Advanced Family Eye Care for their eye exam, have them tell us your name, and you will receive a $10 referral gift certificate to our office!

– Melissa Stoltz, Front Desk

Sunshine is Here!

After what seemed to be a long winter, we have finally had a couple of warm weekends filled with sunshine! As you spend time outside with your family, please remember to protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays of the sun...AND keep in mind that our children need sunglasses, too! The sun is damaging to both our skin and our eyes. It can cause conditions such as sunburned corneas, cancer of the eyelid, cataracts and macular degeneration. Studies have shown that fifty to eighty percent of the damage done to the eyes is before age 18. Not only do children spend more time at beaches and pools, where there is a lot of sun reflection, but the natural lens of a child’s eye is more clear and transmits more light than that of an adult eye. As a parent, we go the extra mile to apply sunscreen to our children’s skin…why not take an extra step by encouraging your children to wear sun protection? The sooner you start the habits of protecting your children’s eyes from the rays of the sun, the healthier their eyes are going to be long term. –Shannon Fosdick, Optician

Check In On Facebook for $10!!!

How does an extra $10 off sound? It is as easy as saying “I am checking in at Advanced Family Eye Care!” -- literally! When you check in at our office be sure to also post it on your facebook page using your mobile device, as well as, become an Advanced Family Eye Care fan. Make sure you show us the post and we will honor the $10 off of your purchase of a complete pair of glasses or a year supply of contact lenses. Could earning $10 be any easier?
– Brooke Fish, Optometric Assistant

Glasses Poll

Vision Therapy Update

This past weekend, Dr. Barker attended a Vision Therapy conference in Nevada. Dr. Barker states, “I am most excited about the future of Advanced Family Eye Care in working with children with learning challenges.” She learned about a "Sensory Learning Program" which integrates and stimulates the visual, auditory, and vestibular systems simultaneously. This program has shown promising results in many children with sensory problems, especially autism. She learned some new techniques to use in our current therapy. Advanced Family Eye Care looks forward to the implementation of these more exciting techniques and equipment!

Photo: Dr. Barker during "hands-on" vision therapy session in Nevada.

Congratulations Amber!

Advanced Family Eye Care would like to announce the arrival of Ryan Scott Smith, son of Amber Smith, our clinical technician. Ryan was born on February 16, 2010, at 8:13am. He weighed 7lbs 5oz and is 20 inches long. Both Amber and Ryan are doing wonderful!

Retinal Imaging

One additional service that we offer at our office is Digital Retinal Imaging. This is when we take an image of the back of your eye so that the Dr.Assell, Barker, and Hoyle can better assess your eye health. On the retinal photo, they can show you how they assess your optic nerve, macula, and blood vessels. It helps to check for early signs of glaucoma, macular degeneration and even systemic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. The doctors do recommend having this service done at every exam so that they can track the images from year to year. Assessing the retinal vasculature is the only way to view the arteries and veins in your body without cutting any skin! This procedure is quick and does not hurt...just a bright flash! - Heather Miskell, Optometric Assistant

Routine Vision Insurance

Insurance coverage can be confusing at times, especially when many people have both vision and medical plans! When contacting us for your routine eye appointments, please provide us with the name of your routine vision carrier and the id#. Many health insurance plans "carve-out" the vision benefits to a separate vision insurance plan carrier. If you are unsure of who handles the routine vision portion, your HR person should be able to provide you with this information. -Juli Thomas, Insurance Coordinator

Looking for longer, fuller eyelashes?

Latisse is the first and only FDA-approved prescription treatment for inadequate or not enough lashes! Latisse will assist the lashes to grow longer, fuller and darker. Ask Dr. Assell, Barker, or Hoyle if you are a candidate at your next eye appointment!