August 21, 2017 SOLAR ECLIPSE!

 

What is a total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon’s disk completely covers the surface of the Sun. The Moon’s shadow – the umbra – sweeps across the Earth, turning day into night over a narrow path, while a partial eclipse is visible across a wider area.

What’s so special about the 2017 eclipse?

Total solar eclipses are very rare! The last total solar eclipse over continental United States occurred in 1979 and was visible from only five states. A total eclipse that crosses over the entire continental United States is even more rare: the last one to cross the country (from Oregon to Florida) occurred on June 8, 1918. For many of us, this is a once-in-a lifetime chance to see a total solar eclipse.

What will I see during the total solar eclipse?

If you are in the path of totality on eclipse day, it will be like nothing you have ever seen before. The sky will become very dark … and you will see strange and wonderful eclipse effects, such as the Diamond Ring, a bright flash of light that happens right before totality. You’ll see a black dot (the Moon) over the Sun, and the Sun’s beautiful white corona stretching into space.

Is it safe to look at a solar eclipse?

It is NEVER safe to look at the Sun without proper eye protection – its powerful light can permanently damage your eyes. Sunglasses cannot protect your eyes when looking at the Sun! Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed Sun while using your eclipse glasses or a handled solar viewer because the Sun’s concentrated rays will damage the filter and damage your eyes. The lenses of binoculars, telescopes and cameras must be covered with a special eclipse filter over the lens on the front, not the back. Seek an astronomer’s advice on how to do this!

During an eclipse of the Sun, protective eyewear must be worn in the partial phases. More than 500 million people in North America, Central and South America will see the partial phases during the 2017 eclipse. In other words, if you want to watch the eclipse take place, you MUST wear protective eyewear! For detailed, accurate information on protecting your eyes during the solar eclipse, please visit NASA’s web site.

Remember: Be wise, protect your eyes!

What about Totality?

Only in the brief totality phase is it safe to remove your protective eyewear. Learn exactly when totality starts and ends in your area, so that you can have someone call out those times on eclipse day. That way, you’ll know when it’s safe to remove your eyewear – and when you need to put your eclipse specs back on.

How do I protect my eyes?

For the partial eclipse phases (before and following totality), you will need protective eye wear such as special eclipse glasses or viewers …. OR … welder’s goggles with the lens glass rated 14 or higher. Click here to learn more about determining the safety rating of welder’s glass.
A safe way to view the eclipse phases is to make your own pinhole projector – they are easy to make and let you look at an image of the eclipse reflected onto a light colored surface. Every copy of The Big Eclipse book includes a safe solar viewer and has instructions on how to make a simple pinhole projector. The safest way to watch the eclipse, however, is to see it streamed live on television!

Will I be in “the path of totality”?

Twelve states are in the path of totality, where the moon’s umbral shadow will create a total solar eclipse: Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina. However, not every part of every state will experience totality.
A number of web sites show which towns and areas will experience totality. NationalEclipse.com,  GreatAmericanEclipse.com and NASA‘s excellent web sites will tell you if your home is “in the path.”

Are there any good children books about eclipses?

Yes! "The Big Eclipse", written by Nancy Coffelt, is "a captivating, astronomically accurate, fun-filled adventure of what to exactly expect and how to safely see and enjoy all the phenomena that surround this upcoming total solar eclipse. It educates and engages children (and adults) flawlessly with the levity necessary to get the most out of nature’s most awesome spectacle.” You can read more about this book (which includes one pair of eclipse sunglasses) and/or buy it here: http://orbitoregon.org/the-book/

 

Text adopted from "http://orbitoregon.org/".

Choose Small and Choose Local for your EyeCare Needs!

We are a small, family & locally-owned clinic that believes strongly in not only providing the best in patient care, but also in supporting and genuinely caring for our local community. We understand there are many options available to you for your eye care needs. Our residency-trained optometric physicians and board certified staff are dedicated to providing you with the best in eye health care and optical products. Our attentive doctors reserve 45 minutes for each comprehensive eye exam utilizing the latest technology in a full scope optometric practice. And our opticians will spend the time with you choosing the right frame and lenses for your prescription and lifestyle needs.

Dr. Friberg always performs binocular vision testing as part of your refractive status, as to not miss the need for prisms, vision therapy or extra plus for reading. These extra steps during refraction are often overlooked at many other practices, because they take extra time. Aside from the correctly balanced lens prescription, getting the right glasses requires choosing the correct frame for one’s face, taking a myriad of key measurements taken by an optician and selecting the correct lens type and material for your prescription. An online merchant will not be able to take all of these custom measurements and help you with your frame and lens selection. For example, if a lens isn't centered on the pupil in one eye, discomfort, eyestrain or double vision may result. If a frame is not properly fit to one’s face, and/or proper lenses are not carefully selected for the given prescription and frame, lenses may be too heavy, have large thick bevels, or cause uncomfortable distortion. Therefore, having an ABO-certified optician help you with your choice of frame, lenses and measurements still remains the gold standard and an essential part of getting new comfortable eyewear.

Our opticians have also put a lot of research into understanding which personalized lens types will serve your needs best. Most big box, chain or discount opticals typically offer only a few lens styles out of the myriad that are available. At Uptown EyeCare, we get to know the latest in innovative design and technology by working with not just one lab, but a few best ones in our industry. And we get to know you and your lifestyle needs– we recognize that every person has unique lifestyle requirements and will require and benefit from different lens designs and features. There simply is no proper "one size fits all" lens. Getting fitted into custom lenses such as anti-fatigue lenses, computer progressives or custom progressives requires unique knowledge of knowing what style will work best for a certain prescription, lifestyle need and frame – and we are here to share our knowledge with you!

We also specialize in small company, unique and artful eyeglass frames from around the world. We have a variety of frame materials, styles, colors and hinges available, and our selection is always changing! We also carry eyewear for your little ones! To make sure your eyewear fits well and you are seeing out of the proper prescription after we dispense your glasses, we recommend frequent adjustments – these are always complimentary of course! If your frame needs a complex repair, we are often able to help you on the spot for a nominal fee, or refer you to an expert in the field with specialized equipment who can help. Also, our frame and lens products have a one-year warranty against any manufacturer defects.

At Uptown EyeCare, we strongly stand behind our prescriptions, as well as our frame and lens recommendations. If your eyes are having a hard time getting used to your new glasses after 2 - 3 weeks after your optician carefully adjusts your eyewear, we are happy to trouble-shoot the prescription and/or remake the lenses with a different lens style or new prescription within 60 days at no charge to you. You will not find these personalized services online, or at discount opticals.

Our doctors and opticians attentively work together as a team to ensure a quality pair of glasses you will enjoy for years. We care about you seeing and looking your very best!

Protecting your eyes from Blue Light emitting devices

Currently there are several  studies revealing the dangers of blue light emitted from digital devices as well as LED lighting. It has been stated that 90 percent of Americans use digital devices for at least two hours every day. Also, as many as 60 percent of people use a device for more than five hours per day. While being connected is a part of everyday life, all of this screen time means you’re probably experiencing computer vision syndrome, or digital eye strain.

• 67% people in their 30's  spend 5 or more hours each day on digital devices. Children are not much better, about 33% of them use a digital device 3 or more hours each day!

• 92% millennials use a secondary screen while watching the TV screen (for 3/4 of them, it's a smartphone)!

• 87% people in their 20's use 2 or more digital devices simultaneously!

• 73% adults under 30 have the highest rate of digital eyestrain symptoms. This mammoth stat is no surprise given how much of a millennial's day if spent with their eyes fixated on a computer, tablet, or smartphone screen!

• Millennials watch 3x as much TV online as do older viewers. Millennials also like to binge-wathc TV show, often on a computer!

• Nearly 80% of parents report being "very" or "somewhat" concerned about the impact of digital devices on developing eyes!

• Nearly 90% of patients do NOT talk to their eyecare professional about their digital eyestrain discomfort!

Digital eye strain is the physical discomfort you feel after sitting in front of a screen for too long. You can feel symptoms in your eyes, including blurred vision and red, dry or tired eyes, and in other parts of your body, such as back pain, sore neck and headaches. And, while you’re staring at the screen, you’re also exposing your eyes to light sources that emit harmful blue light, which is the high energy waves found between 415-455 nanometers (blue-violet light).

Blue light is everywhere, but it isn't all bad. Beneficial blue light helps regulate the sleep/wake cycle and also plays a role in basic functions of the human brain such as alertness, memory, emotion, and cognitive performance. Harmful Blue Light, on the other hand, comes from sources like smart phones, computer screens, tablets and fluorescent lights, and yes, the sun. Long term-exposure to Harmful Blue Light has been linked to an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness for adults over age 50.

There is something you can do to protect your eyes and it’s as simple as visiting your optometrist to learn about new lenses designed to address modern vision needs. Even if you don’t have any vision issues, we have new innovatively designed lens options to prevent digital eye strain and reduce your exposure to Harmful Blue Light by at least 20 percent, through a feature called blue filter treatment. This feature is either built into the lenses, or as part of an Anti-Reflective treatment.

Here at Uptown EyeCare and Optical, these are just a few of the available features we offer, Essilor's Eyezen™+, Crizal® Prevencia™, Shamir's Glacier Blue™ UV  as well as HOYA’s Recharge™.  All of our ABO-certified opticians would be happy to explain the benefits of protecting your eye health from blue light damage. Consider these advanced technology features next time you are investing your money into a new pair of eyeglasses and don't take digital eyestrain for granted so it does not take a toll on your eyes, and your eye health!

Uptown Staff Trivia 2016 #6

#6 TRIVIA:

Interesting fact about Sarah, our resident Certified Optometric Technician: She was born in our Nation’s Capitol, Washington D.C. It is one of her favorite places to visit, especially in the spring when the “Mall" is covered in cherry blossoms, with some of the best museums in the world just steps away!

Uptown Staff Trivia 2016 #5

 #5 TRIVIA: Did you know...

... that Dr. Mercer got married at Timberline Lodge in the middle of a blizzard? Both Dr. Mercer and her husband, Jeff, are avid skiers and wanted a wintery wedding. Little did they know that they would get married on a record snowfall day! But everyone got there and had a great time, with great skiing the next day as a bonus!

Check out all the activities Timberline Lodge has to offer here: http://www.timberlinelodge.com/

Uptown Staff Trivia 2016 #4

#4 TRIVIA: Where is Dr. Friberg originally from, you may ask?  *SLOVAKIA* !

Slovakia is a small country of about 5.42 million people in the heart of Europe. Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia - situated on the Danube River, it was historically known as the capital and coronation town of the Hungarian Kingdom, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the 16th century. Bratislava is located about an hour north of Vienna, Austria and its a place where Dr. Friberg was born and raised. Bratislava, along with her family cabin in the middle of the Low Tatras (also called the "Small Alps"), are her favorite travel destinations. She travels there on a yearly basis to visit her immediate family, relatives and friends.

To learn more about the magical city of Bratislava, click here: https://www.visitbratislava.com/

To see more wonders of this "Little Big Country", click on the video below:  

A country of lush forests and mountains surrounded by blissful countryside, Slovakia is a land rich with historical and cultural treasures. Travel to the center of Europe and explore castles, mountains and unknown treasures in one of Europe's most overlooked travel gems. With host Pat Uskert and Slovak guide Mila Kissova, watch this beautifully made documentary: https://www.amazon.com/Slovakia-Treasures-Europe-Pat-Uskert/dp/B01HFYZSD2/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1469943787&sr=1-1&keywords=slovakia 

And finally, explore and get lost in Dr. Friberg's photography of her hometown, Bratislava:  

Bratislava, The Capital of Slovakia - St Martin's Cathedral and the Danube River

Old town Gate to Shops

Old Town Homes

Main Square in Bratislava

Bratislava, Historic Center

Summer Concerts in Bratislava, Main Square

Shops in Bratislava, Historic Center

Children's Art near Children Museum, Bratislava

Danubiana, Modern Art Museum

Danubiana, Modern Art Museum on the Danube River

Historic Center of Bratislava

Bratislava and its Castle and St. Martin's Cathedral

Artwork in Old Town Bratislava

Presidential Palace, Bratislava

Large Bookstore in Bratislava - similar to Powel's

Old Town Bratislava

Uptown Staff Trivia 2016 #3

 

#3 TRIVIA: Did you know ...

... that while Gary Lee took a hiatus from his optical career some time ago, he operated an antique store in Multnomah Village as a small business owner for 6 years?

He also explored and embraced his adoration of history and culture by visiting eight separate countries around Europe. Which countries did he visit you may ask? Romania, Hungary Greece, England, Ireland, Italy, Austria and Germany.
 


Here are some of his photos from Europe:

Burano, Italy

Gondolier in Venice, Italy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Street Artist in Venice, Italy

Organ grinder in the City Park, Budapest

Amphitheater in Delphi, Greece

The Great Market Hall in Budapest

Statuary on the Buda Castle grounds, Budapest

Statuary on the Buda Castle grounds, Budapest

Street cafe' cats, Delphi, Greece

Chain bridge crossing the Danube, Budapest

The Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Uptown Staff Trivia 2016 #2

#2 TRIVIA: Did you know...

... that our ABO-certified optician, Allison, loves to hike and is inspired and awed by nature? She also enjoys nature photography! Here are a few of her photos:

 

Uptown Staff Trivia 2016 #1

Due to popular demand, we are bringing you new trivia about our Uptown Staff.  Hope you find these little tid-bits about our optometrists, opticians and technicians interesting as well as entertaining.

#1 TRIVIA: Did you know.....

... that Dr. Friberg's  family grew by one new member this past month? No, you did not miss any new baby announcements, don't worry! At the beginning of July, the Fribergs added a new 2-month old baby guinea pig to their family of four. Her name is "Nutty Nutmeg Cinnamon Friberg"! Nutty is an American short-hair white-crested cavy, which means she has a single white rosette placed precisely and neatly in the middle of her forehead. She is super cute! In the past 3 weeks, she has fallen in love with all sorts of veggies that the family feeds her on a daily basis, she has been held and petted by over 15 kids from the neighborhood and she has grown by 3 oz already! She should triple her weight in 12 more months and be full grown at 8 inches and 1.5 pounds!

Happy Summer! Vision tips for kids!

Happy 1st day of summer! 

When I was a kid, I never went to camps. As a graphic designer, my mom worked in the evenings and spent taking care of us, kids, during the day. We visited grandparents, spent endless days drawing and playing, and we spent at least a month, or sometimes more, at our mountain cabin. Today, however, summers are different. Most parents work full time and kids have more structure. Today kids are less likely to roam free like I did as a kid. They are more likely to go to soccer or dance camp one week and then science camp and guitar camp later. Even if children don’t go to camps, the hobbies and habits of kids today are very different. So with all these changes our children are facing, I thought it would be helpful to write up some helpful tips for children:

 

Limit Device Use

At home and in car, there is a lot of downtime. Do not let this time get filled in with device use by default. No matter how old your child is, they are at risk of eyestrain and related vision problems if they spend too much time on handheld devices such as phones, tablets, and video games. A good recommendation is to limit device use to no more than 20 minutes at a time, then at least a 5-minute break. And, yes, it is possible to read too much, too, so this also is a good recommendation for books. Try to listen to a book on tape next time you are heading out to the beach or to the mountains.

 

Sunglasses and sunscreen

Unlike when I was a kid, parents are much better about protecting their kiddos from the sun. Keep in mind that this includes sunglasses. Just like skin can be sunburned, eyes can be sunburned with too much sunshine in one day. And even without sunburn, the UV and blue light from the sun can cause eye disease like cataracts and macular degeneration later in life. So many sure your kids have sunglasses that fit and they use them. More info about kids and UV can be found here from the CDC.

Outside time

With all of the precautions needed for sun protection, it is tempting to just stay inside all the time. But that is a mistake, too. Many scientific studies have shown that children who spend more time outside are less likely to develop myopia (nearsightedness) than those that don’t. We do not entirely understand why, but much research shows it’s true. So if the kids are not outside for sports or in the pool, make sure the get some outside time in the form of a walk after dinner or walking the dog. More on this from myopiaprevention.org.

 

Sports glasses for sports

If your child plays any ball sports or full-contact sports, in many cases regular glasses can actually be more dangerous to wear because they are not designed to resist impact. Glasses can break and injure children. Read more about this at AllABoutVision.org.

 

Careful with pools

Speaking of eye protection, consider goggles for swimming. You might keep your pool maintained properly, but not everyone does. And public or water park pools may have much higher levels of chlorine. This can be irritating, causing red, light-sensitive eyes. And one of the (unnecessarily) best kept secrets are prescription swim goggles. They are not expensive and come in a variety of prescriptions, colors, and sizes.



Stay safe and have fun this summer! School will be here before you know it!