Custom Eyes - Mission

October is Home Eye Safety Awareness Month

Each year in the United States, more than 2.5 million eye injuries occur, and 50,000 people permanently lose part or all of their vision, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. A recent report from Prevent Blindness America shows that the annual costs related to eye injuries are more than $1.3 billion.

Because more eye injuries occur in and around the home, Prevent Blindness America has declared October as Home Eye Safety Awareness Month to help educate the public on steps that can be taken to avoid painful and costly injuries.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL EYE HEALTH WEEK:

In Ancient Egypt, the eye was thought to be a white ball filled with fluid. Treatments for eye diseases included the use of hot pokers.

During Roman times, doctors believed poor vision resulted from a cold or wet brain. In Greek times, doctors began to use lenses to see things more closely, but they were made of glass and didn't help people see very well.

The real breakthrough came in 1000 A.D. when a Persian scientist, Ibn Al-Haytham, studied how light enters the eye and how we see things. He detailed his findings in a book titled "Book of Optics."

The earliest-known evidence of glasses was found in Italy and dates back to 1286. At that time, they were believed to be worn only by monks and scholars, but they quickly spread in popularity among the public.

WHY NATIONAL EYE HEALTH WEEK IS IMPORTANT?

It raises awareness - National Eye Health Week raises awareness about the importance of good eye care and encourages people to take action to protect their vision. The initiative also aims to educate people about the wide range of services available to help those with eye conditions.

It educates people - The initiative also aims to educate people.

5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT EYES:

The fastest muscle in your body - A blink typically lasts 100 to 150 milliseconds — in a single second, it's possible to blink five times.

Your eyes are just a camera. - Your eyes function like a camera, capturing light and sending the information to your brain.

Babies' eyes - Newborn babies can see objects about eight to 15 inches away; as they grow, their focus changes.

Blind people can see their dreams. - Blind people can dream as long as they are not born blind.

It's comparable to a camera. - It's equivalent to the image quality you'd get if you combined 24 top-of-the-line D.S.L.R.s into one.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL EYE HEALTH WEEK

Get to know your optometrist:
Whether you're looking for a new one or your current one is doing a great job, it's good to have a positive relationship with your eye-care professional. They will be there for you when you need them — and if you don't need them yet, you want to keep it that way!

See an eye doctor regularly:
Many people only go to the eye doctor when they have trouble seeing things up close or far away — but regular visits are vital for catching the signs of early-stage eye disease. Kids should have their eyes tested by age three, and adults should keep up with routine vision tests every two years. If you already have eye conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration, you may need more frequent visits.

Wear protective eyewear during activities:
Wear protective eyewear during gardening, working with tools, or playing sports. The sun's UV rays can damage the eyes, so wear sunglasses with 100% U.V.A. and U.V.B. protection.

Happy National Eye Health Week!

National Eye Health Week takes place annually during the last full week of September, from September 18 to September 24. It serves as a reminder for people to get their eyes checked. The event offers a valuable chance to raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations.

This week, we will be sharing facts and tips to keep your eyes safe and healthy.

Happy Labor Day weekend from our team to you!

We will be closed on Monday, September 4th, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. We will resume regular business hours starting on Tuesday, September 5th.

Here are some helpful tips for taking care of your eyes during the summer months:

Wear Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays by wearing sunglasses that block 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. Look for sunglasses with broad-spectrum protection and a wraparound style to shield your eyes from the sun's rays from different angles.

Use UV-Protective Contact Lenses: If you wear contact lenses, consider using ones with built-in UV protection. These lenses can provide an extra defense against the sun's rays. However, remember that they are not substitutes for sunglasses, so wear both for optimal eye protection.

Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and keep your eyes moisturized. Dehydration can contribute to dry eyes and discomfort, especially in hot and dry summer conditions.

Stay in the Shade: When the sun is at its strongest, usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., try to stay in the shade as much as possible. This helps reduce exposure to direct sunlight and minimizes the strain on your eyes.

Happy 4th of July! Wishing you a day filled with BBQ's, fireworks, and great times!

July is National Dry Eye Awareness Month, and during the month, we recognize eye health's essential role in overall health. According to the National Eye Institute, dry eye is more common in people 50 and older. Nearly 5 million Americans who are 50 or older experience severe dry eye symptoms, and about 20 million have less severe symptoms. The condition is twice as prevalent among women as it is among men.

With proper care, dry eye can be managed and treated. But people who experience symptoms should see an eye doctor to rule out an underlying medical condition. In rare cases, dry eye can lead to permanent visual impairment or blindness.

Shades On, Sun Strong: Celebrating National Sunglass Day in Style!

Eye exams at every age and life stage can help keep your vision strong. Take care of your vision health, just as you care for the rest of your body—and help your child do the same. Your child's vision health affects how well they can see, learn, and enjoy life.

You can help your child follow these tips to protect their eyes and their developing vision:

- Eat Well
- Limit screen time
- Get enough sleep
- Spend time outdoors
- Wear Sunglasses
- Use protective eyewear
- Get regular eye exams

Childhood vision problems can make their presence known in less-than-obvious ways. The signs are sometimes more than just seeing your child squint or hearing them talk about blurry vision.

Eyesight imperfections are common among school-age kids, and treatment can be as simple as a pair of prescription glasses. But if vision problems are left undiagnosed or untreated, they can affect a child's eye health, schooling, and confidence in engaging in everyday activities.

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June 2023
Dear Patients and Friends,

It seems like only yesterday that I exited my role as Division Optometrist at Fort Riley and started my dream of developing a private practice in Mission, KS. The goal was to provide excellent professional care at reasonable fees in a warm and friendly environment. Fortunately, that vision remains true through today, over 40 years later.

During that time, it has been my pleasure to enjoy some of the greatest moments of a professional eyecare career.

• Getting to see an infant smile as she sees her first clear glimpse of her mama's face
• Solving visual problems associated with rare diseases that went undiagnosed for years
• Helping preserve the vision of the elderly from glaucoma and macular degeneration
• Resolving recalcitrant dry eye problems from people who traveled to see me from different parts of the world for my expertise.
• Providing high-quality eyewear, including personally designing my own frame brand during COVID. This was a special project to have great styling at a third of the price.

I am now at an inflection point in my career when it is time to move on to other ventures in healthcare and make room for the next generation of providers. In that light, I want to let you know that I am passing the torch on to my very able, hand-selected associate, Dr. Breck Dakin. He studied under my tutelage as an extern and is now celebrating his second anniversary at Brill Eye Center. You will find him to be affable and very knowledgeable, with a similar approach to eyecare.

I hope you will join me at the practice on Wednesday, July 5th, from 4:00-6:00 pm as I say goodbye and introduce Dr. Breck Dakin to my current patients.

In an effort to ensure the continuation of the Brill Eye brand, I joined a larger group of nearly 400 of the best practices in the country. The new brand name will be Custom Eyes. My final day at the practice will be Friday, July 7th, 2023.

Feel free to make an appointment or just to stop by for a quick farewell. We have restocked our supply of tissues in case I have a flood of tears as I say: "Thanks for making my career most enjoyable and for being part of our patient family and dream practice."

By the way, last year, we were honored to have received the "Best Practices Award", bestowed upon only 10 practices in the USA. I hope that I was able to contribute in some small way to make your lives better by virtue of improving your most precious sense. I will sincerely miss your stories, family relationships, and business loyalty.

Sincerely,

Raymond J. Brill, OD,
MBA, FAAO, FOAA

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This Child Vision Awareness Month in June, make it your mission to ensure no child around you suffers from vision issues.

WHY CHILD VISION AWARENESS MONTH IS IMPORTANT?

It raises awareness regarding eye health:
The month talks about the different vision problems experienced by children, how to spot them, and how these issues can be treated.

It brings vision weakness symptoms to the forefront:
Your child might be suffering from weak vision, and you wouldn't even know. During this month, the signs of vision weaknesses are highlighted.

It talks about the social problems linked to vision issues:
A child who can't see correctly suffers greatly since they cannot understand why their vision is unclear. The month brings to light several social adjustment issues faced by children with weak eyesight.

Today those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Myopia may be delayed or prevented by spending less time on devices and more time outdoors, possibly due to increased exposure to sunlight or the need to look into the far distance regularly.
While myopia cannot be completely prevented, when it onsets, it can be managed through the use of specially designed glasses or contacts – and through drug therapies (eye drops).

These management approaches aim to slow the progress of myopia, thus reducing the risk of the eye reaching higher levels of myopia.

Myopia is an eye condition that results in poor or blurred vision when viewing in the distance. It is also known as near-sightedness because people with myopia can still see things clearly that are close.

In myopic eyes, commonly, the length of the eyeball is longer than it should be, causing images of distant objects to be focused 'in front of ' rather than 'on' the light-sensitive layer of the eye known as the retina.

Current research indicates that both genetics and environmental factors determine whether a child will be myopic. They also play a role in the progression of myopia.

However, while we cannot change their genetics, it is useful to know that environment plays a significant role in myopia and therefore, you can use some simple strategies that will help protect their vision now and into the future.

This year, Myopia Awareness Week is from May 22 - 26. Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is among the most common ocular disorders worldwide and is a leading cause of visual impairment in children, according to an announcement from BHVI.

Vision Care Can Change Lives
Early treatment is critically important to prevent some common eye diseases from causing permanent vision loss or blindness:

- Cataracts (clouding of the lens), the leading cause of vision loss in the United States
- Diabetic retinopathy (causes damage to blood vessels in the back of the eye) is the leading cause of blindness in American adults
- Glaucoma (a group of diseases that damages the optic nerve)
- Age-related macular degeneration (gradual breakdown of light-sensitive tissue in the eye)
- Of the estimated 93 million US adults at high risk for vision loss, only half visited an eye doctor in the past 12 months. Regular eye care can have a life-changing impact on preserving the vision of millions of people.

With summer fast approaching, here are a few tips to keep your eyes safe:
1. Wear sunglasses when stepping out
2. Remain hydrated
3. Keep your eyes lubricated with eye drop
4. Be careful when you are applying sunscreen on your face
5. Avoid midday sun
6. Always wear eye protection while doing outdoor activities

Happy Mother's Day from our team!

May is Healthy Vision Month!

A comprehensive, dilated eye exam is ideal to help identify common eye problems. Schedule your exam today, especially if it's been more than a year since your last visit. Taking care of your eyes can be a priority, just like eating healthy and staying physical activity.