Help us feed a family for Christmas!

We all are so blessed and in this season of giving, we at Primary Eyecare want to give back!  During the month of December, bring in 4 cans of nonperishable food items (or more if you would like) and receive $10 off of your professional services or purchases that day.  All food collected will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank here in Nashville.

From all of us, to all of you, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year  and may God continue to bless you in 2012!

A sad homecoming.

This picture was taken on 9-10-11 in Charlotte NC as I was waiting on my flight. Let us remember as we remember 9-11 and the events that happened 10 years ago this week, let us also remember that some are still sacrificing because of that day. May God continue to bless the United States of America

It’s only September but it feels like Thanksgiving!

As I sit here in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, I realize how lucky I am. I have a wonderful staff! While a lot of people regret going to work everyday, I really enjoy it and I enjoy the people that I work with. I am thankful that my partner and I get along so well. I am thankful for a young associate who never questions when I ask him to do something. I am thankful for 14 wonderful ladies that I call staff! They work hard. They try hard and they continue to impress me every year. So when it is time to reward them, it’s really not hard either. Thanks for making my life easier! I look forward to our next trip some place warm and sunny!

Primary Eyecare Group helps the Boys and Girls Clubs of Nashville

The doctors and a lot of the staff from the 3 Primary Eyecare offices in conjunction with Johnson and Johnson, CMT (Country Music Television) and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Nashville got together to provide contact lens evaluations and a free year’s worth of contact lenses to some well deserving children in the Nashville area.

The event took place on July 9th in our Brentwood office. Dozens of patients were evaluated for contact lenses and many children left our office wearing contact lenses for the very first time. What a wonderful experience to give back to our community and help a few dreams come true with contact lenses.

Who’s right Bugs Bunny or Popeye?

Carrots vs Spinach : Bugs Bunny vs Popeye
You’ve heard it for years…”carrots are good for your eyes” but are they really. Well, yes and no. Carrots won’t necessarily improve your vision, but the vitamins found in carrots (beta-carotene a substance that converts to vitamin A) are important for the health of the eye. But much of what we have been led to believe about consuming carrots for eyesight came from propaganda from World War II. It seems that the British spread word that the diet of these vegetables helped RAF pilots shoot down German fighters and bombers at night. The lie was intended to cover up the real success of the RAF which was Airborne Interception RADAR. You see, the RADAR alerted the British airforce that German planes were on their way which allowed for faster response time in defending the homeland.

Spinach contains several antioxidants/carotenoinds (lutein and zeaxanthin) that help protect the retina especially the macula from oxidative distress. Studies are underway to determine just how important these two carotenoids are in protecting the eye from disease. AREDS (Age Related Eye Disease Study) showed evidence that lutein helped reduce the chances of Macular Degeneration. AREDS II now is underway.
So, in the epic battle of carrots vs. spinach who wins……Your child of course! Now, it is your job to convince them to eat their vegetables. Bugs Bunny and Popeye are counting on you!

If you plant it, it will grow!

When was the last time you planted  a garden for your eyes?  It is something that you really ought to consider this spring.  New research once again confirms that antioxidants in those dark leafy green vegetables like spinach, turnip greens and collards are good for your eyes.

Your eyes require certain antioxidants (Lutein, Zeaxanthin) that help keep the retina healthy.  Your body can not manufacture these antioxidants, therefore, it is necessary for you to consume them.  Why are these antioxidants important?  Well, they help promote the regeneration of RPE pigment in the macula.  This pigment is very important in maintaining the health of the macula.  Studies have shown that as this pigment level decreases, your risk for macular degeneration increases.  By maintaining this pigment level or even increasing it, you decrease your chances of ever getting macular degeneration.

So, if you have a little space in your backyard that is being unused, do something healthy for your eyes and plant some of Popeye’s favorite snack.  Your eyes and your “muskles” will thank you.

Could 3D gaming hurt your child’s eyes?

Parents Beware!! Nintendo is warning parents that use of their new Nintendo 3DS may not be safe for children under 6 years of age. The company warns that 3D content sends different images to the left and right eyes which could potentially have an impact on the growth of the eyes. Other problems may occur like eye strain and nausea after extended use. Recently, Sony warned of similar issues with it’s Playstation 3.

It is hard to say for sure what type of damage could result from playing 3D gaming consoles at an early age. It is probably safe to say that it will not “ruin” your child’s eyes. However, it may cause unnecessary strain, headaches and possibly an increase in myopia or nearsightedness.

We do know that the visual system is “hard wired” or is in it’s developmental stages up to about the ages of 9 or 10, so reducing strain and fatigue on the eyes is a good thing.

Of course, all of this may just be gaming companies using disclaimers to avoid lawsuits in the future and may pan out to be like the old wives tales of sitting too close to the TV or reading in the dark. Time will tell.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

The doctors and the rest of the staff at Primary Eyecare would like to congratulate 5 ladies from our Brentwood office who recently took and passed Certified Paraoptometric and Certified Paraoptometric Assistant examinations. CPOs and CPOAs meet a higher level of knowledge, expertise, and experience in patient care than basic technicians. Their knowledge and understanding helps Primary Eyecare in providing you the best care possible. Please help us congratulate these ladies for a job well done when you see them at your next exam and know that your eyes are in very good hands.
Jamie Thomas,CPO, CPOA ; Jenna Duvall, CPO ; Brandi Dickerson, CPO ; Christina Matlock, CPO, CPOA ; B.J. Ferrebee, CPO, CPOA

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we gather around our tables today, we have much to be thankful for. We live in the greatest nation on Earth. We enjoy many rights and privileges that the rest of the world only dreams about; Freedom of religion. Freedom of speech. Freedom to assemble. Freedom to bear arms.

But while we are enjoying today with our family and friends, there are many Americans standing a post, patrolling a street, flying a mission, sailing on a distant ocean or maybe sleeping in a foxhole somewhere in a foreign land, all the while defending our freedom. To those men and women, we are eternally grateful and mindful of your families. Thank you for all you do. You are making a difference!

October Trunk Shows at Primary Eyecare

It’s that time of year again! Time for our Fall Trunk Show at all of our Primary Eyecare offices. Trunk Shows are a great way to save on your new frame and lenses and in this economy who doesn’t want to save some money! With thousands of frames to choose from, you’ll get to pick from some of the latest styles and fashions. So, come join us on the dates below for food, fun and savings! We’re sure you won’t be disappointed!

Spring HIll office – October 7th
Brentwood office – October 14th
Columbia office – October 28th