Congratulations Drs. Engle

Primary Eyecare would like to congratulate Drs. Nick and Erin Engle on their recent marriage.  We wish them all the best for a successful and happy marriage!

4th of July

As we celebrate 233 years as the United States of America, let us remember all the blood, sweat and tears that helped make this nation the greatest on Earth. Much sacrifice has been given over the years to build this country. Much is still demanded as we move forward. Let us never take for granted our liberty and our freedom. And “if we ever forget we are One nation under God, we will be one nation gone under”

Happy Birthday America!

Cancun – The staff flies south!

 

Well, it finally came to fruition.  The much awaited staff trip to somewhere warm, sunny and with sand in the Caribbean took place Memorial Day week.  The trip was postponed last year because of a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico that actually hit our destination on the day we were to arrive.  The trip was a reward for a job well done. When you work with great people, who give their best to you as a boss, and most importantly, to you as a patient, you don’t mind rewarding hard work and effort.  I hope you are lucky enough to work with great people.  I know I am!

Memorial Day

The origin of Memorial Day dates back to just after the Civil War when both the North and South honored their fallen heros of that war.  After WW I, it was expanded to remember any U.S. serviceman killed in any type of conflict.  Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1967.  

This year as we sit around our pools and BBQ or as we head off on vacation, let us not forget the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to give us the freedoms we enjoy.  Let us also remember, that as we relax this weekend, hundreds of thousands of U.S. military servicemen and women are away from their families, engaged in conflicts around the world.  This weekend take time to remember the sacrifices that have been given by some for the benefit of us all.

STOP Dry Eyes

The days of your dry eyes may soon be over, well maybe. New science and new treatment options are becoming available every year. As new options come on to the market, doctors have more available in their arsenal to help you fight your dry eye symptoms.

Dry eye is a progressive condition/disease. Addressing dry eye at its beginning stages is important. Often, it may take as long as six months to get the disease under control. Our goal is to keep the disease from progressing into more difficult stages where it is much harder to control.

All of our doctors at Primary Eyecare have been trained in advanced management and treatment for dry eye. If your dry eyes are becoming a problem, there are several things your can do that may help. They are listed below. Lastly, if you don’t see any improvement or your dry eyes are getting worse, please let us know. Better comfort, better looking eyes, and better vision could be just a phone call away.  www.stopdryeyes.com

8 Simple Ways to Increase Comfort

1. Use artificial tears on schedule. Don’t wait for discomfort before taking a drop. Avoid drops that “Get the Red Out”

2. Limit caffeine intake

3. Avoid drafts and fans blowing in your face.

4. Direct automobile air conditioning away from your face.

5. Where possible, use sunglasses outdoors in dry or windy conditions.

6. Position your computer monitor below eye level.

7. Drink plenty of water.

8. Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke.

You are what you eat!

 

Eating a diet rich in six key nutrients can help protect you against ocular diseases.  Approximately 43 million Americans have age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or cataracts, the leading two causes of vision loss and blindness.  New research based on several studies indicate a direct link between good nutrition and the prevention of these diseases.

Key nutrients for eye health may be found in the following foods:

Lutein and zeaxanthin:  Dark leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, turnip greens, or broccoli, corn, green beans, peas, oranges, and tangerines

Essential fatty acids (Omega 3s!):  Fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, trout, sardines, or whole grain foods, chicken and eggs

Vitamin C:  Fruits and vegetables such as oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, papaya, green peppers and tomatoes

Vitamin E:  Vegetable oils, such as safflower or corn oil, almonds, pecans, sweet potatoes, and sunflower seeds

Zinc:  Extra lean red meats, poultry, liver, shellfish, milk, baked beans and whole grains

Nutrition is just one component of health for the entire body, including your eyes.  Mom was right!  You should eat your spinach!

Every day should be Thanksgiving!

I recently returned from a 10 day mission trip to Panama.  I am often amazed at how little some people have and are still so happy.  I am also amazed at the lack of basic medical care available in third world countries in a world so technologically advanced.  Standing in the middle of a remote Kuna Indian village one day,  my iphone pinged with a new message. Impossible, I thought!   With the ability to get “four bars” inside the jungle of Panama, why can’t we eradicate diseases and bring health care  to all people.   We here in the United States are so blessed with simple things that we take for granted every day like clean water, soap, knowing where your next meal will come from, shelter, basic health care, etc etc.  Much of the world doesn’t share in these simple pleasures.  So the next time you hear how bad we have it here, just remember things could be a lot worse!  Every day should be Thanksgiving here!

December Office Hours and Closure

 December 11th -12th, 15th-19th and 29th-31st our Brentwood office will be open from 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

We will be closed the 20th – 28th to spend time with our family and friends for Christmas.  

If you have an eye related medical emergency please call the office for the doctor on call.  373-0080

For all other issues including contact lenses, glasses, billing or insurance, please call during normal business hours.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

New Multifocal Contact Lenses by XXXX Are Here!

It’s been 12 years since the first disposable bifocal contact lenses were introduced to the world by XXXX. While the first generation of XXXX bifocal contact lenses were good and provided us with a choice we had never had, only ~60% of our patients could wear them.  Since that first year, XXXX has poured millions of dollars in research and development into improving that first generation of contact lenses.  Now it is here.  We are proud to be the first practice in Tennessee to offer the XXXX Multifocal Disposable Contact Lens by XXXX!  XXXX promised that they would not bring the next generation bifocal lens to the market until it was better than all of the competition currently on the market.  Well, it looks like they have succeeded!  Early trials in our Brentwood office have been fantastic!  We’ve never seen so many smiling patients.  So if you have been waiting to try bifocal/multifocal contact lenses, there is no better time than now!!  Please call us to set up an appointment to try this new technology in disposable, bifocal contact lenses. 

NOTE:  XXXX asked that we not use the name of the company or the lens since it has not been released nationwide yet.

Thanks to everyone of you!

Thanks to each one of you who helped make our trunk shows a big success at all 3 of our locations.  We enjoy our trunk shows in the fall and spring.  It gives us an opportunity to say thank you for being loyal patients and friends by extending to you some fantastic prices on frames and lenses.  Many got huge savings and several from each office walked away with 100% off discounts!

We love the relaxed atmosphere and fun we have that day and the chance to slow down and visit a little longer with you.  We look forward to our next show in the Spring of ‘09 and hope to see you there.

Thanks again.

The staff and doctors @ Primary Eyecare