Hillcrest Vision, OD, PA

Did you know that twice as many women as men suffer from Dry Eye? Factors like birth control, pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, and menopause can contribute to this discomfort. We're here to help with treatments to make your eyes feel better!

Dry Eye results from an insufficient tear film on the eye’s surface, which can be caused by many factors including age, hormonal changes, medications, health conditions, inflammation, surgery, allergies, or dry climate. Eyes feeling dry and gritty? Call us today!

Do you wear UV-blocking contact lenses? While they protect the cornea, iris and pupil, they leave the skin around the eyes exposed. Why not add a pair of 100% UV-protective sunnies plus a big floppy hat and block the maximum UV possible? Look at you – sun smart and stylish!

Sunglass tint colors explained:
• Gray tint blocks the most light and is best for light-sensitive eyes
• Green or brown elevates depth perception (hello, tennis, baseball and golf players!)
• Yellow or orange is best for snow sports
• Blue tint is ideal for water sports

Does glare give you a hard time? Polarized sunglasses are simply sublime! Polarization filters light from sand, snow, and sea, so your eyes stay happy and strain-free!

True or false? The darker the tint on sunglasses, the more UV protection they offer.

False! The only factor in how well lenses protect you from UV rays is their UV coating. Only wear sunnies with a coating that blocks 100% of UV rays.

When it comes to sunglasses, bigger is better. Find the largest frame that fits and contours to your face. Larger lenses provide UV protection to a larger portion of your tender eyelid and undereye areas. Plus, you’ll look mysterious!

Did you know that your eyes can get sunburned? It’s a painful condition called photokeratitis, and can lead to redness, blurred vision, itchy, watery eyes, sensitivity to light, gritty eyes, or a headache. The solution? Wear. Your. Sunglasses!

Pop quiz: What is the most important factor to consider in a pair of sunglasses? It’s not style, color, or lens tint. UV Coating is the most important feature of a good pair of sunglasses. Only purchase sunglasses that protect you from 100% of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.

Happy Fourth of July! As you light up the night, don't forget that sparklers and fireworks can cause serious eye injuries. Supervise kids, keep fireworks at a safe distance, and always have protective eyewear on hand. Let's celebrate safely!

It’s a fact: Fireworks can (and do) cause blindness and third-degree burns each year. Don’t be the family who spends this holiday in the emergency room: Never let kids handle fireworks. Have a festive 4th of July―but keep safety top of mind!

July is Eye Safety Month! Did you know that sparklers burn at up to 1,200° Fahrenheit? While celebrating Independence Day, please remember that even seemingly innocent sparklers can burn or blind you or your kids. Have fun—but skip the sparklers to stay safe!

The July issue of Forsyth Family Magazine is now available!💙 We're excited to feature Hillcrest Vision, OD, PA on our cover!

Grab your free print issue at any local Harris Teeter locations, as well as in select restaurants, boutiques or salons! All articles are also accessible on our website at forsythfamilymagazine.com.

Cover photo | Jodie Brim Creative

Sunscreen in your eye? Ouch! Flush it out with fresh water.

Next time, don’t apply sunscreen so close to your eyes and eyelids. Let your sunglasses and hat protect the delicate eye area. And when applying spray sunscreen on a child, have them cup their hands over their eyes.

Happy National Sunglasses Day! Sunglasses aren’t just fashion: High-quality lenses protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging UV rays which can cause vision problems, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and cancer. Gear up, shades on!

It is Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week, honoring the humanitarian who lost both sight and hearing at 19 months of age. She communicated through touch-lip reading, Braille, speech, typing and finger-spelling to raise awareness and support for blind and disabled people.

Deafblind Awareness Week It’s Deafblind Awareness Week — Let’s raise awareness of this multi-sensory impairment in honor of Helen Keller.

Yard work and DIY projects increase during summer months -- so do eye injuries! Wearing wrap-around protective eyewear or goggles reduces your eye injury risk by 90%! Before mowing, clear sticks, pinecones, and loose debris that could become a projectile and injure the eye.

When swimming, water skiing, or enjoying your favorite water park, protect your eyes with water goggles. Always remove contact lenses to prevent eye infections from bacteria and other bugs lurking in the pool, lake, or ocean. Swim healthy!

Once cataracts form and begin to impair your vision, there is no other treatment than removing the eye’s natural lens and replacing it. Fortunately, the cataract procedure has a 98% success rate and is performed on an outpatient basis. Win-win!

Signs that you may have a cataract forming on your eye’s lens include:
• Cloudy or blurred vision, not correctable with glasses
• Increased glare, light halos, and light sensitivity
• Not seeing well at night
• Colors that appear faded, yellow, or washed out

Although you can’t prevent cataracts, protecting your eyes from the sun’s UV light with high-quality sunglasses may slow cataract development. By age 65, as many as 90% of people have at least one cataract forming. Smoking increases the rate of cataract formation—so please quit!

It’s National Men's Health Week, and (of course!) we focus on the eyes. Men are at risk for eye conditions including glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration -- plus color blindness and nearsightedness. Make your appointment today so we can help you see your best!

Eyes tired and itchy from so much time staring at screens? Give them a break with the 20/20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a break for 20 seconds. Look away from your screen, focus on something 20 feet in the distance, and remember to blink!

Happy National Eyewear Day! We celebrate the role eyewear plays in enhancing vision and boosting confidence. From classic frames to trendy styles, eyewear reflects your individuality. Why not schedule your eye exam today to keep your vision sharp and stylish?

June is Cataract Awareness Month. A few facts:
• Cataracts result from the natural aging process.
• Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide.
• Cataract surgery is a common elective procedure – and greatly improves quality of life.

Lead by example! Show your kids the importance of wearing sunglasses by wearing yours consistently. They'll follow your example and make sun protection a daily habit. Plus, who doesn't want to look like a rockstar?

Is your kid a dynamo of destruction? We’ve got the right frame for them. Comfort and durability are key when it comes to kids' sunglasses. Opt for lightweight, flexible frames to keep up with their active lifestyle. And don't forget scratch-resistant lenses for extra durability!

When it comes to healthy eye habits, start 'em young! We recommend sunglasses for kids as young as 6 months. It's never too early to protect your child’s eyes from harmful UV rays and build healthy habits. And if they need prescription glasses, we've got adorable options!

Not all sunglasses are created equal! Protect your child's eyes with high-quality shades that block 100% of damaging UV rays. Cheap sunglasses might look cute, but they could be missing crucial UV protection. Choose wisely to protect their eyes for a lifetime of healthy vision.