Archive for the ‘Technology’ Category

Groundhog Day–Can You See Punxsutawney Phil’s Shadow?

Posted on February 1st, 2012 by Nancy D

Groundhog Day 2012–Phil will leave his burrow tomorrow at 7:20 a.m. (EST) at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He will observe the weather conditions and look for his shadow. If he sees his shadow, we get six more weeks of the good stuff. If not, spring will be right around the corner.

For those of use who love winter sports, we hope he sees that shadow. We’d like to keep the good times rolling (or shredding) on the slopes.

While there’s little science behind Phil’s prediction (tradition reigns), there is substance behind seeing the slope shadows to keep us safe and coordinated. If you haven’t opted to change the tint in your eyewear lens when ripping it up on the slopes, you’re missing out. Amber or rose ski goggle lenses or glasses enhance soft grays that mark shadows on a ski slope. Because these shadows indicate ridges or bumps in the surface, skiers and snowboarders “read” them to decide when to turn, so they won’t catch an edge and fall. Missing a mogul could be disastrous to your body and maybe your ego.

So, on February 2, (at least while Phil is emerging from his den), don your rose-colored glasses and keep your fingers crossed for more snow. Then, keep them over those baby-blues and shred–safely.

Learn more about how tints affect vision in the Center.

File under: Frames & Lenses, Fun, sports, Technology | Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,
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LASIK & AMP; Botox Side Effects

Posted on January 26th, 2012 by fashionmaven

So, I’m in my 40′s, feel great, in decent shape, good health, wonderful family, awesome boyfriend, super network of friends…so what’s there to complain about, right? Just two little problems…declining vision and wrinkles!

I’m truly grateful for all I have including my glasses, contacts, crows feet and marionette lines yet what if I could have it all? LASIK surgery and Botox. Problems solved.

Here’s my thinking…get Botox first. Relax the wrinkles on my forehead, furrowed brow lines, crow’s feet, and the marionette lines around my mouth. That way when I get LASIK the first thing I’ll see is how incredibly young I look. Brilliant.

With that in mind, I decided to check into the side effects of Botox. Risks directly related to eye problems (there are others side effects too so be sure to check them all out) include double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes. I already have dry eye! Yikes. This information deepened my furrowed brow lines because I started worrying about how these side effects might impact the LAISK piece.

I called my friends at The Laser Centers (TLC) and they shared some very good information: If you don’t follow your postoperative instructions from your facility and/or eye doctor, you could potentially get droopy eyes. Patients are cautioned not to lie down after Botox. After LASIK, patients are told to take a nap. So TLC would never do LASIK and Botox on the same day.

After Botox, patients should be up and moving so that the Botox doesn’t settle. If it settles in one place, such as near the eye lids, it can cause a droopy eye lid which leads to an incomplete blink and can result in dry eye. TLC hasn’t found any problems with Botox and LASIK as long as patients do not have both procedures done on the same day. Additionally, TLC screens patients for incomplete blink and/or dry eye and if Botox (or something else) is the cause of those conditions, they remedy those causes before proceeding with any vision correction surgery.

What’s the next step? Understanding LASIK surgery risks. After that, making a decision. Botox and LASIK? Botox only? LASIK only? I’m not sure yet, but I feel like I can make a better informed decision. Hope it helps you too.

Fashion Maven

P.S. Check out Rebates and Special Offers on vsp.com for exclusive member savings on LASIK!
P.P.S. Watch our very own Jill N. go through her five part LASIK surgery journey.

File under: eye health, LASIK, Special Offers, Technology, vision benefits, VSP Blog News | Tagged: , , , , , , ,
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Are you ready for the Hobbit in 3D?

Posted on November 15th, 2011 by Jace D.


It’s been eight years since The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King hit movie theaters. Need some new Frodo and Bilbo Baggins in your life? You only have to wait about another year, as The Hobbit will be released in December of 2012, and this time it’s in 3D!

3D you say? No big deal? Think again. It looks like Director Peter Jackson could be taking 3D to a whole new level, as the Hobbit will be filmed in 3D at 5k resolution, which is more than SIX TIMES the resolution of 1080p! Whether you love or hate Middle Earth, you’ll enjoy this fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the film’s production, including how the technicians are using next-generation camera rigs to shoot in 3D.

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File under: 3-D, Technology | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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See golf better.

Posted on August 22nd, 2011 by Lisa P.

The sun is out, the days are long—perfect time to grab your clubs and hit the links. But is your eyewear helping make every swing your best?

Golf is a game of precision. That’s why Nike Vision sunwear, in prescription and non-prescription, offers the patented Nike MAX Golf Tint™ to help make the ball “pop” and highlight the contours of the green.

Specially tuned to the game of golf, this tint is ideal for any course, in the sun or under the clouds.

It enhances critical details of the fairway and green and helps you navigate the unique visual challenges of the golf course.

Exclusive to VSP Members
As a VSP member, you can use your benefit towards prescription Nike sunwear. Interested in adding the Nike MAX Golf Tint? Just talk to your VSP doctor.

About Nike Eyewear
Nike eyewear is superior and trusted by the best athletes in the world. Why? Because Nike has developed proprietary technology that allows athletes to see their sport better, such as:

  • Nike Max Optics: virtually distortion-free optics
  • Nike lens tints: specially tuned for specific sports to provide maximum performance
  • Nike eyewear’s fit and function: based on work with elite athletes to gauge their sport needs.

Find out more about Nike Eyewear
Visit The Center at vsp.com for more information and to view the different styles for both men and women.

File under: Eye Safety, Frames & Lenses, Fun, Get Fit, Technology | Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,
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Old-fashioned 3D is not an oxymoron.

Posted on August 12th, 2011 by Jessica G.

Stereoscope

Stereoscope

With all this chatter about 3D technology, let’s take a time out and talk old-fashioned 3D. And by old fashioned, I don’t mean “real life,” or the blue/red Creature Feature 3-D cinema from the ‘50s and ‘60s, or even the View-Master. I’m talking about stereoscopes—which, according to the ever-accurate Wikipedia, display images in 3D by “by presenting a slightly different image to each eye.”

When I was a kid, we had a hand-held stereoscope from the early 1900s around the house. The stack of dual-image postcards that you used with the stereoscope was tattered and full of subject matter that was probably most interesting a century ago: dressed-to-the-nines ladies in carriages, family photos, and bizarre still lifes. But the sepia-toned images never failed to amaze me. They transported me back to a time I could barely imagine…carriages? Hoop skirts? Model Ts?

Considering the amazing technological advances that have happened just in my lifetime, I wonder if Sir Charles Wheatstone, the inventor of the stereoscope, had any inkling of what was to come.

What technologies do you think are the stereoscope of 2011? And where do you see those going?

File under: Fun, Technology | Tagged: , , ,
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Relax your eyes and run.

Posted on August 11th, 2011 by MaryBeth

If you’re a runner, you know the strain both your body and eyes endure on long-distance runs. So does Nike Vision. That’s why Nike sunwear, in prescription and non-prescription, offers the patented Nike MAX Speed Tint™, engineered for runners facing both direct sunlight and the harsh light reflected off asphalt. When you run, you focus your eyes on a single spot for extended stretches, so the Nike MAX Speed Tint is scientifically tuned to relax your eyes and body and enhance your run.

Exclusive to VSP Members

As a VSP member, you can use your benefit towards prescription Nike sunwear. Interested in adding the Nike MAX Speed Tint? Just talk to your VSP doctor.

About Nike Eyewear

Nike eyewear is superior and trusted by the best athletes in the world. Why? Because Nike has developed proprietary technology that allows athletes to see their sport better, such as:

  • Nike Max Optics: virtually distortion-free optics
  • Nike lens tints: specially tuned for specific sports to provide maximum performance
  • Nike eyewear’s fit and function: based on work with elite athletes to gauge their sport needs.

Find out more about Nike Eyewear 

Visit The Center at vsp.com for more information and to view the different styles for both men and women.

File under: eye health, Eye Safety, Frames & Lenses, Get Fit, sports, Technology | Tagged: , , , , ,
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New & Innovative Contact Lens Technology

Posted on August 9th, 2011 by Lisa P.

Today’s Blog Posts comes from our friends at ACUVUE®.

Technology for contact lenses is constantly improving to provide the most comfortable experience for wearers. So let’s tackle an uncomfortable topic—dry, red eyes—and look at how lens technology is pioneering new solutions in the quest for comfort.

As most everyone can attest, dry, red eyes can almost make you want to cry. The dryness. The irritation. The blinking. If you’re rubbing your eyes just thinking about it, we are too.

Here’s the thing: Our eyes naturally maintain a healthy, comfortable layer of moisture. But a number of factors can throw that delicate moisture balance off. Being tired is a big one. Air-conditioned rooms, smoke, dust, and wind—all of these airborne irritants can play a role as well. Even prolonged staring at a computer screen deserves some blame (reading this article excepted).

For those who wear contacts, there could be another culprit lurking behind red eyes—the lenses themselves. General wearer discomfort at the end of the day can mean your eyes aren’t getting what they need, like enough moisture or oxygen.  To maximize your comfort when wearing contact lenses, ask your VSP doctor to make sure your lenses have the following properties:

  1. High Oxygen transmissibility: An innovative contact lens material is Silicone Hydrogel — a soft, gel-like plastic – which is used to optimize the amount of oxygen carried to your eyes, so they stay fresh & healthy.
  2. Low stiffness: Flexibility and fit are important to allow the lens to better contour to the eye.
  3. Long-Lasting Wettability and Lubricity: Ideally your lenses should stay wet and smooth to ensure that your eyes are comfortable throughout the day.

Combine these elements and the result is so comfortable, it almost feels like you aren’t wearing any contacts at all. And the best part is, this technology is available in both ACUVUE® OASYS® Brand Contact Lenses and ACUVUE® ADVANCE® Plus Brand Contact Lenses.

Check out this 2 minute video on the innovative HYDRACLEAR® Technology behind ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses:

YouTube Preview Image

File under: Contact Lenses, eye health, Frames & Lenses, Technology | Tagged: , , , , , , , ,
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The Sun & UV Rays – How to Protect Your Eyes

Posted on July 28th, 2011 by Lisa P.

Today’s Blog Post comes from our friends at ACUVUE®.

Okay, today we’re talking about a really hot topic: Protecting your eyes from the sun.

Most of us know how important it is to shield our skin from harmful sunlight. But few of us ever stop to think about how the sun can damage our eyes.

The truth is, there’s a very real connection between UV rays and eye damage. Exposure to intense UV rays—whether from natural sunlight or artificial UV rays—can have cumulative effects on the eyes. In the short-term that can include Photokeratitis, a kind of sunburn of the cornea, and Photo Conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the membrane outside of the eye. In the long-term, prolonged sun exposure over years can lead to conditions like cataracts, a clouding of the lens in the eye.

What’s more, research has indicated that a large percentage of lifetime UV exposure to the eyes may occur in childhood because children have larger pupils (allowing more light into their eyes) and clearer lenses than adults.  Add to that the increased risk of damage due to greater exposure to sunlight from spending more time outdoors during the summertime, and it’s important to take steps to protect your family’s eyes now to prevent problems later on.

So we know the sources and potential effects of sun damage—but what’s the comprehensive solution? In addition to wearing a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses when outside, UV-Blocking contact lenses can provide an important extra layer of protection.

Not all contact lenses offer UV protection, and in fact most don’t. When selecting UV-blocking contact lenses, make sure they block both the UVA and UVB rays that reach the lens. Luckily, all ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses offer effective UV-blocking so it takes all the guess work out!†*

Check out this 2 minute video about UV and how ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses help protect the covered portion of your eyes more than any other brand:

YouTube Preview Image

Exclusive offers for VSP members

Now go enjoy the summer—and be sure to keep an eye on safety!

Read more »

File under: eye health, Eye Safety, Special Offers, Technology | No Comments »

Ever wonder how prosthetic eyes are made?

Posted on July 22nd, 2011 by David C

CNN Living posted a fascinating article about “The Art of Eye Making” that details how prosthetic eyes are made of acrylic materials by only a few hundred individuals throughout the country. These individuals must spend 5 years in apprenticeship to become certified ocularists. Check out the video for more or read the full story on CNN.com.

File under: Fun, Technology | Tagged: , , , , ,
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As we go digital, our children’s risk for digital eye strain increases

Posted on July 19th, 2011 by David C

Children today have more digital tools at their disposal than ever before—tablets, smartphones, e-readers, hand-held videogames and computers. What ever happened to playing outside? Somehow Angry Birds usurped hide-and-seek because, according to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, children and teenagers (ages 8-18) are spending more than 7.5 hours a day consuming electronic media. This overuse can cause digital eye strain, a medical issue with serious symptoms that can affect learning and work productivity. Symptoms of digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome, include blurry vision, difficulty focusing, dry and irritated eyes, headaches, neck pain and back pain. Digital eye strain is now the number one computer-related complaint in the United States—ahead of carpal-tunnel syndrome.

VSP EyeFiles Season 2 continues with Dr. Liddicoat’s recommendations for avoiding digital eye strain, which include:

  • Getting annual comprehensive eye exams: make sure your eyes are healthy and can see properly without squinting.
  • Following the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
  • Ensuring proper lighting: reduce bright light and position devices to reduce reflections and glare.
  • Limiting device use: watch for squinting and eye rubbing as this indicates overuse
  • Establishing proper working distance: use the distance from your elbow to your knuckle—about 18”.
  • Going outside: daily outdoor play can reduce the risk of nearsightedness.

For more information on these tips, be sure to watch VSP Eyefiles episode below, and don’t forget to enter the contest on our Facebook page. You could win a Samsung Galaxy Tab!

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