 Meet Dr. Parker
Dr Parker, our optometrist at our Audubon location, debated on whether or not she should be an optometrist, a vet or an archeologist. Her childhood optometrist, Dr. Blunk who is still in practice today in Illinois, is the one she credits to helping her maker her decision. Dr. Parker decided to become an optometrist because of an experience she had when she was in the fourth grade. She had just received eyeglasses for the first time and was “amazed at the world she could see.”
Growing up Dr. Parker had lots of different kinds of pets. She had a pet goose, pet peacocks and a horse named Miss Prissy. She loved rabbits the most. She enjoyed fishing in her family’s pond and still does this when she goes home to visit. She feels she “had one of the best childhoods you could have had growing up on a farm.”
She would love to one day go to Egypt and see the pyramids. She would even love to go on an African safari, even though she despises snakes. She enjoys spending time with her husband and kids and enjoys gardening.
Dr. Parker loves working at the Eye Care Institute and is proud to serve her patients.
Diabetes – What is It?
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors appear to play roles.
There are 23.6 million people in the United States or 7.8% of the population who have diabetes. Unfortunately, 5.7 million people are unaware that they have the disease. (www.diabetes.org)
There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 results from the body’s failure to produce insulin. This accounts for 5-10% of the cases of diabetes in the U.S. Type 2 results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin). Most of the cases of diabetes in the U.S. are a result of type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is a very serious disease that can cause problems such as blindness, heart disease, kidney failure and amputations. Everyone with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year as there are often no symptoms of eye disease.
Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems people with diabetes may face. All can cause severe vision loss or even blindness. Diabetic eye disease includes:
- Diabetic retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels in the retina). This disease is a leading cause of blindness in American adults.
- Cataract (clouding of the lens of the eye).
- Glaucoma (increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision).
Remember…
Diabetes is a disease that can cause very serious health problems. If you have diabetes:
- Know your ABCs: A1C (blood glucose), blood pressure (BP), and cholesterol numbers.
- Take your medicines as prescribed by your doctor.
- Monitor your blood sugar daily.
- Reach and stay at a healthy weight.
- Exercise daily.
Please visit our web site to learn more about diabetic eye disease
Computer Vision Syndrome
Do you have headaches, tired eyes and sore muscles in your neck, back and shoulders at the end of the workday? If you spend much of the workday in front of a computer, you could be suffering from computer vision syndrome (CVS). The good news is that there is help.
First, be sure that you have the correct ergonomic setup. Your monitor should be 20 to 26 inches away and directly in front of you with the center of the screen four to nine inches below your straight-ahead gaze. Position your chair so that your arms are parallel to the floor when you type. Place your feet flat on the floor or on a footstool and keep your back straight and shoulders back when you type.
Finally, you may need computer glasses. Visual demands of using a computer are unlike those associated with most other activities. If you already wear glasses, they may not be the correct fit for computer work. That is because computer screens are usually positioned 20 to 26 inches from the user’s eyes. That is considered the intermediate zone of vision – closer than driving and farther away than reading. Young people are most likely to wear glasses to correct distance vision while those over 40 may wear reading glasses for near vision. Leaning forward or tipping the head back to see through the bottom portion of glasses can result in soreness in the neck, shoulders and back. If you are suffering from blurred vision and muscle aches of CVS, one of our optometrists can prescribe eyewear to give you a much more comfortable workday.
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