Symptons of the Season

Spring in full swing, rapidly moving into summer, but for many that means the return of those dreadful spring allergies. The return of sneezing, sniffling and dry or watery eyes can sneak up on you quick, so here are 4 ways to help prepare for these seasonal symptoms:

1. As the weather becomes warmer, many people love to open their windows and doors up and let the cool  breeze inside. To help minimize your allergy symptoms, keep your doors and windows closed on windy days to shut out the pollen and other allergens in the air.

2. Spring-cleaning is a very important part of preparing for these symptoms. When you’re tidying up the house, focus on areas that tend to accumulate allergens. These areas include air filters, bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpeting. Along with focusing on these key places, always remember to vacuum your floors, furniture and rugs often to suck up any allergens that may have drifted in.

3. You can’t lock yourself inside until fall to avoid these allergies, but to help minimize their effect, try taking a shower every night before you go to sleep. The transfer of allergens from your hair or face to your pillow can heighten your symptoms and make them worsen.

4. Although pollen is one of the most common reasons for allergies, mold can also cause unpleasant symptoms. Specialists suggest focusing on areas such as basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas where a leak can occur to help minimize the mold build up in your home.

Spring and summer are beautiful time of the year, and we want to make sure you can see it! Following these tips can help minimize your spring allergies and enjoy all the wonderful things this time of year has to offer!

The Reading Bug

Looking for something both fun and educational to occupy the little ones in your life this summer? Take reading “To Infinity and Beyond” by helping Dr. Tom catch the Reading Bug this summer!

Studies show that kids who read during the summer months retain better skills, making this program perfect for kids of all ages and gives parents a reason to encourage their children to read throughout the summer. For children who cannot read yet, they can participate in a “Read to Me, Please” program. These children participate by having someone share 20 books with them. Those that are able to read will finish 10-15 books throughout the summer and the first 30 children to return their completed reading logs will receive a special out-of-this-world prize!

Even if you are not one of first 30 participants to complete the reading log, you will still receive a prize from one of these generous donors: Summerland, Domino's Pizza, Great River Bowl, Marcus Theaters, Air Max, Chuck E Cheese, & The Skatin’ Place! Each time a child finished a book, an adult signs their log; once the reading log is completed, bring it to Infinite Eye Care to receive a prize and register for the grand prize drawing! 

Everyone can enter this drawing to win one of three grand prizes that will be drawn in June, July, and August! The Grand Prize will be a backpack filled with school goodies, Toys R’ Us Gift Cards, Space Aliens tokens, Summerland passes, and much more! 

Join us from June 2nd to August 22nd to catch the Reading Bug this summer with Dr. Tom!

Foods That Will Improve your Eye Health

As the seasons being to change, so will the foods that you see in your everyday diet. Change it up even more with some of these power foods! These five foods will not only help protect and improve your eye health, but will also leave your taste buds (and eyes) wanting more:

1.    Blackcurrants. These berries contain some the highest levels of the antioxidant anthocyanins and are extremely rich in essential fatty acids. These fatty acids lend added support to their anti-inflammatory properties, which set them a notch above the rest in foods that nourish your eyes. Many opt for using blackcurrant seed oil, but when these berries are in season eating them whole is always an option.  These berries are especially popular in breakfast muffins! You can find this delicious recipe here.

2.    Bilberry. No, that was not a typo. These berries are a close relative to the blueberry, but tend to be difficult to grow and cultivate. They also contain high amounts of anthocyanins similar to the blackcurrant. Research on these berries has shown that the bilberry extract is effective for the prevention of macular degeneration and cataracts. Bilberries are another delicious powerhouse food for eye health, especially when added in a pie.

3.    Kale. One of the hottest food trends right now is Kale, and we aren’t complaining! Green leafy vegetables are high in lutein and zeaxanthin, which are important nutrients for eye health and clear vision. Kale is one of the most lutein-rich foods, but you can also find it in foods such as carrots, squash, and other orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. If you’re looking for something that is both good tasting and good for you, check out these 10 healthy recipes using kale.

4.    Organic Pastured Egg Yolks. One of the best ways to take advantage of these nutrients is by eating these foods raw. Eating just one raw egg yolk contains .25 mg of lutein and zeaxanthin. Keep in mind that when you consume raw eggs, finding a high-quality source is critical to avoid foodborne illnesses. Make sure your eggs are from organically raised and pastured hens to reduce these risks.

5.    Wild-Caught Alaskan Salmon. This power food contains two essential eye nutrients: omega-3 fats and astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is an exceptionally potent antioxidant that has been found to protect against a number of eye diseases, including blindness, and is also low in mercury. The omega-3 fat provides structural support to cell membranes that boost eye health and protect retinal function. These recipes will help make eating this super food both easy and delicious!

You’ve just taken a look at five essential power foods that will help improve and protect your eye health. Now go out and cook up something that is both delicious and good for you. You, and your eyes, deserve it!

Upcoming Eyewear Trends of 2015

Throughout the years, eyewear has been an essential part to forming ones look. Wearing the right glasses allows you to look fashionable and compliment whatever ensemble you may put together. The upcoming trends for 2015 take a whole new twist on modern classics. Here’s a list of five eyewear trends you should anticipate for 2015:

  Graphical or geometric frames. There has been a rise in geometric frames within the past few years and it seems like they will really make their mark in 2015. These can be found in different fascinating forms such as the rounded, square, triangle and oval.

 The aviator frame. These glasses have been around for years and are most commonly seen as sunglasses. This year, expect to see them a little differently. Not only with the frames be thicker, this trend will pair with tinted lenses and reinvent this look.

The classic cat-eye. You remember them, your mom remembers them, and even your grandma will remember them; cat-eye frames will have a huge presence in the next year and as you know they are inspired by the retro look that was common before the 60s. These frames are perfect for any age, as well as any face shape.

The ombré look. We aren't talking about the hairstyle here. If you aren't a fan of the opaque sunglasses with darker shades, then look for ombré sunglasses. They create the perfect combination of dark and light lenses and are very popular with celebrities and fashion icons, such as Kate Middleton. 

Creative glasses. Okay, so some of the creative frames in 2015 may be a little out of your comfort zone, but designers have started to use imaginative patterns and prints to liven up your frames. The look is bold, but 2015 is a new year!

The New Year has just begun and we are already seeing these five eyewear trends making their way from the runway to the streets. Do something bold this year and try one of these trends and mix up your wardrobe! 

See a list of our popular frames here. 

Black-rimmed Glasses: A Reoccurring Trend

We can safely say that black-rimmed glasses are a popular trend in today’s society. While more and more people are wearing them now, they have been a recurring fashion statement for many years. We've seen many styles come and go, but black-rimmed glasses provide a style fit for both men and women. There isn't just one good reason why they will always be in style, there are many more!

• They are bold: Wearing black frames helps bring a focus to your face. Some people may not like all this attention to their face, but the dark color of the glasses emphasizes your best features.
• They are lightweight: The majority of black rimmed frames are lightweight due to the materials they are made of, such as acetate. These lightweight and comfortable glasses can be worn throughout the whole day without causing irritation or discomfort on the bridge of your nose.
• They provide a classic look: Black rimmed frames have been a popular trend and a classic fashion statement throughout the decades. The thick frame is a common look that can never be replaced. While the styles have changed into a more modern look throughout the years, these frames provide a stylish, timeless look.

• They match any complexion: No matter how light or dark your skin tone is, black rimmed glasses look good on everyone. Their ability to define your face is a key feature worth noting.

From students to celebrities, these glasses can be spotted everywhere you go. They can be dressed up or worn down. Black rimmed glasses are here to stay.

Browse our inventory of black rimmed glasses here: http://bit.ly/1lLmGAK

Eyesight 101

With the end of the year comes the end of another school semester, and that means exams and extra studying. High school and college students are cramming and planning out all sorts of activities this month and trying to fit studying somewhere in between. Many don’t realize that all that time spent pouring over notes and staring at a computer screen can do more than a bit of damage to their eyes. Whether you are a student yourself, or have children spending the month cramming their minds, think about some ideas to maintain healthy eyes.

Stressed Out

Stress causes all sorts of problems: weight gain, anxiety, restless sleep, (the list goes on and on), but did you know it also can do harm to your eyes? One of the major complications caused by stress is high blood pressure. When blood pressure goes up, your internal eye pressure can do the same. Over time, high pressure to the optic nerve can lead to Glaucoma. Stress is also a trigger to the sometimes comically portrayed (though still very irritating) eye twitch. Though typically not dangerous, an eye twitch can last anywhere from minutes to days long. Take the time to decompress: exercise, listen to music, take a walk, anything that takes your mind, and eyes, somewhere else for a bit.

Badvision.com…

The transition between looking at a keyboard, computer screen, and surrounding distractions strains our eyes. Computer images sometimes have a perceivable “flicker” on the screen, and our eyes read them differently than printed words. Eye strains can cause headaches or back and neck pain, as well as damage to your eyes. Be sure to unplug yourself every now and then and rest your eyes. Or, believe it or not, you can get a prescription for glasses specifically for computer use.

Go to Sleep!

The benefits of a full-night’s sleep span many areas of health, including eyesight. Missing a few precious hours adds dark circles under your eyes, but without at least five hours of rest your eyes do not properly replenish themselves. Lack of sleep can stop your eyes from reaching their full potential, so be sure to get plenty of rest at night.

End of terms can be the most stressful on students and parent alike. Infinite Eye Care reminds you to take the good with the bad this time of year. Take heed from these tips and enjoy the rest of your 2014 year!

Making Strides Against Central MN

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Are you doing anything to help this cause? If not, now’s your chance to do so!

At Infinite Eye Care, we have formed a team, Infinite Pink, to help support the fight against breast cancer! Our team will be walking at the Making Strides of Central MN Walk at SCSU’s Halenbeck Hall on October 18th and would LOVE for you to join us! Registration & photos start at 7 am and the 3-mile walk begins at 9 am. We will walk rain or shine so make sure to come prepared.

Our goal, as a team, is to raise $1500. With your help, we will be able to reach this goal. While a number of you have mentioned interest in joining a team, Team Infinite Pink has great incentives if you join the team. You could get a cool t-shirt designed by Facetime Business Resources!  

Here’s all we need you to do:

• Click the link below & donate $25 (by Friday 10/10/2014) or more, you will receive a t-shirt and can walk the fun event on 10/18 with us.
• Click the link below & donate $40 (by Friday 10/10/2014) or more, you will receive a t-shirt, walk the walk, and receive 20% off ANY product at IEC until 12/31/14.
• If you qualify for a t-shirt and plan to join us for the walk on 10/18, email Dr. Tom at drtom@infiniteeyecare.com.

Donate or Join Team Infinite Pink Here

This is truly an amazing event and we would be honored to even have you join us for fun; so don’t let finances refrain you. Your presence is a gift in itself. Thank you for your support.