The moment you've all been waiting for: PHOTOS!

Hello everyone,

Here are the photos of the finished product. The main reason for waiting was the Weaver Eye Care Associates sign behind the reception desk, which you will see shortly. For now, some external shots:

Now for some interior shots after entering the vestibule, standing in the waiting area:

And now some pictures of the optical department:

And some pictures of the lighting that makes the optical look sooooo good:

Pictures of my office (spectacularly clean for the photos):

Looking at the insurance statements, and then FINALLY figuring it all out:

 The pre-testing room, with an auto-lensometer (to read the prescription from your glasses) and an auto-refractor/auto-keratometer/corneal topographer that measures your refractive error and the surface of your cornea:

Some of my credentials, diplomas from the New England College of Optometry, Elizabethtown College and my Pennsylvania state optometry license:

Exciting pics ahead! Pictures of the exam room, complete with digital visual acuity chart (LCD monitor connected to the main exam room computer), exam chair and stand, slit lamp, BIO, manual keratometer, phoropter and handheld instruments. Main exam room computer is used for electronic medical records for a more modern look, keeping it 21st century:

Tile work in the bathroom and pictures of the lounge:

Pictures of the "second exam room," which is currently used as my specialized testing room. It has a lot of updated diagnostic equipment that allows me to manage and treat conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy:

On of the instruments in the diagnostic testing room is the HRTII, the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II. This uses a scanning laser to analyze the optic nerve, which is essential in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma:

Opposite of the HRTII, is our digital retina photography setup and computerized visual field instrument.

A Topcon TRC-NW5 Polaroid camera was upgraded with a Canon Rebel digital camera that's connected to specialized software called Imacam. All pictures taken of the back of the eye (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, choroidal nevi, glaucomatous optic nerves) are stored onto the computer and can be analyzed in detail by tools found with the program.

This compact computerized visual field unit is called the Oculus EasyField. It is used to measure a person's peripheral vision. It is helpful in glaucoma diagnosis, as well as measuring those with visual field loss from a stroke and those on high-risk medications such as Plaquenil that can affect the macula.

The total space available was 2500 sq.ft., which was a bit much for me as a start-up business. So the landlord allowed me to split the space down to 1250 sq.ft. This is the other unfinished half, which is pretty much what things looked like before the office even took shape. And then below is how the back hallway looked early on, and then the finished product:

And just a few more photos of the hallway, and optical/reception areas:

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

Take care,
Dr. Weaver

Ladies...ever apply a petri dish to your face?

Hello,

Unfortunately, the answer is "you probably already have." But what do I mean by petri dish?

Well, I recently read an article the other day about makeup (http://tinyurl.com/4ty6jf2) and the risk of eye infections related to using old and previously-used makeup. Other than my wife using it, my knowledge is limited on the subject, but I do know that makeup can be very expensive, which is probably why it's very difficult to throw away...and that is also why you have a "goodie drawer" overflowing with various-shaped containers of makeup, including the mascara you used 20+ years ago for your high school prom.

This is what happens when you use the makeup: after you apply it, bacteria and fungi may get trapped in the container with a little bit of moisture from your skin. Consider those who may apply the makeup in a bathroom, which is a warm and moist environment as well. That's not a big deal as long as the makeup isn't kept too long. But consider the used makeup in your "goodie drawer" again (or the pile next to your bathroom sink), especially the ones waaaaaaay in the back that you discovered after reading this: there's bacteria and fungi in there, and they've been growing in a moist and dark environment for a very loooooooong time. Do you really want to put that on your face?

So, my recommendation is to THROW IT OUT!!! If you haven't used it in twenty years, you sure as heck aren't going to use it again, even if it cost fifty bucks. An eye infection isn't worth it: a medical eye visit ($), plus a bottle of antibiotic eyedrops ($$), plus your eyes looking nasty equals a not-so-nice experience.


Here are some makeup tips from your local optometrist:
1) It's common knowledge NOT to share makeup, but if you didn't know that, now you do. Sharing eye makeup is an easy way to get an eye infection.
2) Also, AVOID the "testers" is the department stores. Someone else's dirty/oily/crusty lips/cheeks/eyelashes was on that a few seconds ago.
3) When wearing contact lenses, always put the contacts in FIRST before applying makeup. It reduces the risk of getting mascara trapped underneath the contact lens, which does not feel good at all.
4) Don't apply eyeliner beyond your lash line. ONLY apply it on the skin, because you can clog your oil glands and cause a nasty stye, which looks a lot worse than the look you were going for.

And, before I forget...CONGRATULATIONS to Jeremy L. who correctly answered the location of WECA's first ever Reading Eagle advertisement on March 6, 2011. Jeremy wins a FREE eye exam at our new office!

Okay, I've done my makeup tip for the year. Next week: PICTURES OF THE OFFICE!!!

Sincerely,
Dr. Weaver

Smoking = Macular degeneration

Hello everyone,

I hope that the blog title caught your attention, to both smokers and non-smokers alike. A few of the main risk factors for developing age-related macular degeneration are 1) getting older, 2) light-haired/light-skinned individuals and 3) smoking. Guess which one is completely optional?

My AMD talk with older patients who have the disease or early signs of the disease goes something like this: "Smoking significantly increases your risk for developing AMD. Do you smoke cigarettes?" If the answer is "yes," then I remind them of the "elevated risk of going blind from macular degeneration and that my recommendation is to cease smoking to minimize the progression of AMD." I also remind them that there is no "reversing the damage caused by AMD," and that "although there are treatment options available, the treatment is only for severe forms of the disease." I start them on on an AREDS formula multi-vitamin (without Vitamin A/beta-carotene => increases the risk of lung cancer in smokers) 1-2 times a day, give them an Amsler grid (a checkerboard-type pattern that's sensitive to central vision changes) and recommend they return in a certain timeframe, or to return sooner if there is any noticed vision loss or distortion in vision.

A recent article inspired me to write on my blog about this, having this "talk" to young people reading this before they got to the point 20-50 years from now when they are wondering why a new eyeglass prescription won't clear up their vision anymore.

The recent article is actually good news: the percentage of people with age-related macular degeneration has dropped more than 30% in 15 years, according to a study published in the January issue of Archives of Ophthalmology. One possible reason: Fewer people are smoking cigarettes, a known cause of eye disease.
Specifically, the rate of people age 40 and older with the disease has dropped from 9.4% in the late 1980s to 6.5% in the late 2000s—a decline of 30.8%.They go on to say that the decrease in AMD rates may be because of changes in smoking frequency and other lifestyle changes relating to diet, physical activity and blood pressure.

However, don't be fooled by the decrease in macular degeneration. AMD is still a leading cause of vision loss and affects over 1.75 million Americans. For more information about AMD from the National Eye Institute, visit => http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts.asp

Sincerely,
Dr. Weaver

CONTEST: I spy a Weaver Eye Care Associates ad...

Hello everyone,

Starting Sunday March 6th in the Reading Eagle, Weaver Eye Care Associates is starting our advertisement campaign to announce "Dr. Brendon J. Weaver's New Practice Location." So to commemorate this event, I wanted to add a little spin to something that may be typically not as exciting. Because honestly, to me, the most exciting part of reading the paper is the Best Buy ad and the golf deals at Dick's (not including the practice write-up in the Reading Eagle in mid-January. That was pretty sweet, too!). So...

...pick up the Reading Eagle this Sunday March 6th and look for the Weaver Eye Care Associates ad. The first person to post a comment on our practice's Facebook page (link at the top of the blog) indicating which section and page it is on (ie. C4, E2, no, you didn't sink my battleship! JK) gets a FREE eye exam & contact lens fitting, PLUS our complimentary new patient promotion with 20% off complete eyeglass order and/or 20% off annual supply of contacts. The correct answer must be posted on the Weaver Eye Care Associates Facebook page after 4am Sunday March 6th to be valid (to avoid any early guessing).

Make sure to spread the word and good luck! Winner will be announced shortly thereafter!

Thanks,
Dr. Weaver

Diabetes and the Eyes: What is HbA1c? (Is that a new smartphone?)

Hello,

No, it's not a new smartphone...or a new touchpad...or a new coffeemaker. Basically, HbA1c is hemoglobin attached to glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. Why is this important? Well, a recent study published online in the journal Diabetes and Research and Clinical Practice mentions that "having a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value above 8.0% significantly increases the risk for sight-threatening retinopathy (STDR) in patients with diabetes." (Direct Link => http://tinyurl.com/4l8a5lj)

For those with diabetes, the HbA1c is the "three-month" average value that your family doctor or eye doctor looks at, while the fasting glucose is the "daily" value. Hemoglobin is in the blood. It is the molecule that carries oxygen from your lung to your body, and carbon dioxide from your body back to the lungs. If glucose (sugar) is in the blood, it forms an irreversible reaction with the hemoglobin, binding together. If you have a lot of sugar in your bloodstream, more of it will bind to the hemoglobin. Hemoglobin lasts for 2-3 months in the bloodstream. So when the doctor asks for the HbA1c test, he wants to know how your blood sugar has been doing the past couple of months. So, the fasting glucose will give the physician a snapshot of how your blood sugar levels are doing, while the hemoglobin (HbA1c) value tells the physician how the blood sugar has been doing for a longer period of time.

Example: For dinner the past two months, you've been eating a plateful of chocolate chip cookies. You forgot that you have your visit with the family doctor tomorrow, and feeling a temporary mode of healthiness, you decide to skip the plate of chocolate chip cookies and eat a big salad instead. Two weeks later after the doctor's visit, he informs you that your daily blood sugar level was outstanding!!! (Great job!!!) But just as you are about to celebrate, the doctor give you the news that he suspects your dietary habits have been substandard, due to the HbA1c results. (Not-so-good job.) The doctor reminds you that eating a plate of chocolate chip cookies may taste good, but it is not good for you, and educates you about the importance of a healthy diet and exercise and the possibility of using medications and/or insulin for type 2 diabetes if the blood sugar does not improve. The doctor schedules a visit in three months and asks that you see an eye doctor, foot doctor, dietitian, and considers consulting an endocrinologist if the blood sugar becomes difficult to control.

Glucose monitoring at home is a helpful tool in making choices when eating food and snacks. Many spikes in blood sugar levels, or a consistently high blood sugar level, is more likely to contribute to vision changes and physical eye problems relating to diabetes. So, the more stable and reasonable level the blood sugar, the better.

For diabetics (Type 1 or Type 2), it is important to have a dilated eye exam every year as well as the recommended visits and blood testing by your family doctor. This is especially important if you do not monitor your daily glucose levels at home. Sometimes (not always) there are physical signs in the retina and other parts of the eye that can indicate elevated blood glucose. However, these signs usually occur in individuals who 1) have very high blood sugar levels and don't know it, 2) have difficulty maintaining a low and stable blood sugar level or 3) have had diabetes for a number of years.

Eyesight is a precious gift. If there are any negative vision changes, it is extremely important to get your eyes examined right away. Some changes relating to decreased vision may be reversible, but sometimes it is not, meaning that lost vision may not be recovered even with prescribing "stronger" glasses.

So, when it comes to hemoglobin and HbA1c, remember: 8 (and higher) is bad, 7 isn't as bad, 6 is better and 5 is great! Your doctor will figure out your goals and which number is appropriate for you. So...which number are you?

Take care of your body...and your eyes!

And, in case you were wondering, HbA1c is not a new George Lucas droid, either.

Dr. Weaver