While health and safety are important year round, the American Academy of Ophthalmology has designated September as Children’s eye health and safety month. We recommend that for health maintenance, children have their eyes examined with us at the age of 5 years old. Then every two years after that. This will ensure that your child’s vision is optimized for school, and ensures that no health issues are occurring.

So in this busy back to school season, don’t forget to schedule your child’s eye exam too.

With the sun shinning longer as mid-summer gets closer, we are all exposed to more UV radiation from sunlight. UV radiation is invisible to the human eye, but can cause or accelerate many ocular conditions. A heavy exposure such as with boating or snow skiiing, can cause a ’sunburn’ on the surface of the cornea. Just like sunburned skin, this may not cause any discomfort right away, but hours later. Over time, frequent exposure to UV radiation, can play a factor in the development of Macular Degeneration and can accelerate Cataract development.

There are many different sungalsses available today. Plastic and glass lenses absorb some UV light, however, the UV protection in those lenses can be improved by adding a special coating to the lenses. Look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of UV radiation. Most of all, enjoy the summer and it’s good weather.

Govenor Grahnholm has proclaimed that April is Michigan Blindness Prevention and Services Month. People who haven’t done so recently are encouraged to undergo a routine eye examination to help detect eye disorders and diseases.

Many eye diseases are ’silent’, meaning that they have no symptoms until they are more advanced. We recommend that children have their first eye exam when starting school. An exam every 2 years is sufficient if you are healthy and have no issues that need to be followed. We recommend people over the age of 60 have an eye exam every year, as this is the time when Cataracts, Glaucoma, and Macular Degeneration can start.

Clavenna Vision Institute is now offering a one free month supply of Latisse when a two month supply is purchased for $200. This is an unbelievable price for Latisse, the first and only FDA-approved prescription treatment for growing longer, thicker and darker eyelashes. This once-a-day treatment, applied topically to the base of the upper lashes, makes lash growth possible because of its active ingredient: bimatroprost. Patients in a clinical trial saw results in as few as 8 weeks with full results after 12 to 16 weeks. Allergan, a pharmaceutical leader with over 60 years expertise in prescription eye care products, developed Latisse through years of research. Our patients have been very happy with their results. This offer is for one time per customer. Other restrictions may apply. Latisse can only be prescribed by a physician and is available for purchase in our offices, located at 600 South Adams, Suite 200, Birmingham MI, 48009.

Limited quantities are available while supplies last. Offered on a first come first serve basis. Call 248-646-3733 to make an appointment. We also accept outside prescriptions. Feel free to visit our offices during normal business hours.

For the most part, glaucoma is treated medically in eye drop form. Occasionally, when medications are not enough to prevent vision loss, LASERs or surgery may be necessary. Glaucoma can be inherited, and usually doesn’t affect individuals until the 5th or 6th decade of life. If glaucoma runs in your family and you haven’t had your eyes examined recently, we recommend having a full exam.

I’ve been writing about the American Academy of Ophthalmology monthly observances every month for a while.  December is toy and celebration safety month.  Not a real excitable topic.  While the occasional stray champagne cork has been known to cause and eye injury or two on New Years Eve, general home safety is all it usually takes for most people this time of the year to remain safe and happy.

We here at Clavenna Vision Institute would like to thank everyone for being a part of our practice this past year, and we’d like to wish all a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.

Dr. Fitzgerald

Diabetes is a disease that can affect just about every part of the human body.  Over time, diabetes can cause the blood vessesls in the body to stop functioning well.  The vessels may become leaky or may stop functioning all together.  When this occurs in the retina of the eye, we call it Diabetic Retinopathy.

The eye is the only part of the human body where the internal blood vessels can be directly examined.  It is therefore paramount that all diabetics have a complete dialated eye exam at least every year.  What we see occuring inside the eye during an exam, we know is also occuring to other vessels within the body, and therefore how the diabetes is being managed.  Early diagnosis and treatment of problems is very important to help preserve vision.

If you are a diabetic (either type 1 or type 2), and haven’t had a full dialated eye exam in over a year, make sure you call and schedule an appointment right away.

Eye safety is, of course, important year round.  However the American Academy of Ophthalmology has denoted October as eye injury prevention month.

Injury prevention starts with safety precautions.  Most of us remember our mothers telling us not to run with scissors, however, there are activities that we must perform that put us at risk for eye injury.  Use of power tools is one of the most common behaviors that result in eye injuries.  It is strongly recommended that anyone using a power tool wear safety glasses to shield themselves.  Sports are another activity that can result in injury.  Again, protective goggles can help reduce the risk of trauma.

There are many different types of protective eye wear available.  Next time you are in our office, ask one our Opticians for some advice.