Gallopalooza is Here!

Our 2009 Gallopalooza horse, Transforming Vision, is here. Please stop by our office located at 1536 Story Avenue to view this beautiful and functional piece of art. Transforming Vision is equipped with a solar panel and many tiny interior mirrors. This will allow the harnessed solar energy to project light outward through the belly of the horse. The exterior is painted to reflect visions of blue skies and sunny days.

Linda Erzinger is a local artist who created this innovative piece of art. Ms. Erzinger moved to Louisville in 1994 to attend the University of Louisville and acquire her Masters Degree in Expressive Therapy. This is her first Gallopalooza horse. At the Gallopalooza party, Ms. Erzinger received an award for her artistic redevelopment of the standard issue resin-based horse. She also works as an art therapist dealing with many children with autism.

Gallopalooza started in the spring of 2004 as a community fundraiser event for Brightside. The Eye Care Institute is proud to be corporate sponsor of this community pride event.

Congratulations to the 2009 Kentucky Derby Princesses!

The princesses came in to The Eye Care Institute on March 10, 2009, to pick out their sunglasses that they will wear to all their royal engagements. The Eye Care Institute serves and has been serving for the past three years as the Official Eye Care Sponsors of the Kentucky Derby Festivals. The Eye Care Institute also provided the sunglasses worn at the Derby Fashion Show that was held on April 9, 2009.

The Derby Princesses from left to right are as follows: Laura Hamilton, wearing Burberry sunglasses; Meghan Lampe, wearing Ralph Lauren sunglasses; Sarah Schneider, wearing Donna Karen sunglasses; Harini Chenne, wearing Ralph Lauren sunglasses; and Sydney Crawley, also wearing Ralph Lauren sunglasses.

Watch the YouTube video of their time at the Eye Care Institute.

The first Derby Festival Princess was crowned in 1957 and the Eye Care Institute is proud to be a part of this longstanding tradition. Find out more about the Derby Princesses and the requirements to be a Derby Princess.

Ultraviolet Rays and Sunglasses

Most people are familiar with putting on sunscreen to protect our skin from the ultraviolet rays of the sun, but are you putting on sunscreen for your eyes? I don’t mean just putting on sunglasses. I mean putting on sunglasses with UV protection.

Did you know that wearing sunglasses without UV protection is worse than not wearing sunglasses at all? The lenses on sunglasses are dark and that causes our pupils to dilate, just like they would in other lower light conditions. The dilation of our pupils allows more light through. So when you wear dark lenses without UV protection, you are allowing more UV rays through too.

Cataracts, age related macular degeneration, pterygium and photokeratitis are eye conditions thought to be created or aggravated by overexposure to UV rays. These diseases can be prevented or avoided by protecting our eyes from UV rays.

Purchase only sunglasses that say they have 100% UV protection. You should also include UV protection on your clear glasses as well. The opticians at The Eye Care Institute always include UV protection on your prescription sun eyewear and will suggest it for your clear eyewear. All of our nonprescription sunglasses include UV protection.

Dr. Sean F. Murphy Achieves FEMA Incident Management Certificate

Sean F. Murphy, MD, vitreo-retinal physician and surgeon at The Eye Care Institute, has received a US Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Association certification.

This certification in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) allows him to appropriately perform as a First Responder in times of national crisis, should the unfortunate need arise.  This demonstrates Dr. Murphy’s understanding of the needs and expectations of the Department of Homeland Security which could be placed upon physicians in times of crisis.  Dr. Murphy states, “As a physician, I believe it is important that I be ready and able to help all citizens whether during quiet times or difficult circumstances.”  Dr. Murphy continued, “I certainly enjoy taking care of my patients with diabetic eye disease, age related macular degeneration and other eye disorders; however, I feel a duty to be able and ready to serve if called upon for additional medical services.  This NIMS certification will allow me to be comfortable in doing so.”