Dr. Perry Christopher's EyeCare, Music and Running Blog

I have been neglecting my poor little blog!

2010-01-21T11:05:00.000-08:00

I guess I have been spending too much time on facebook. I promise to get back at the blogging.

I have a broken toe!

2009-08-04T13:59:00.000-07:00

Ray LaMontagne at the Palace last night

2009-04-04T09:57:00.000-07:00

My wife and I saw Ray LaMontagne at the Palace last night in Greensburg. Great show.

I flet unstoppable today

2009-04-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

I was suppose to run 13 miles slightly faster than my goal pace today, but I couldn't slow down. Felt incredible!

New Project shows eye exams important for kids

2009-03-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

From Primary Care Optometry News:

Members of the Connecticut Association of Optometrists (CAO) along with nurses from public schools in Hartford found that 46% of children screened had acuity worse than 20/50 that was previously undetected and untreated.

Cooper Proclear Multifocal (Bifocal) Contacts

2009-03-27T06:49:00.000-07:00

I attended a fitting seminar the other night presented by the individual who designed the Proclear Multifocal. I learned a couple of new things about the lenses. I refit the lenses in my own eyes based on what I learned. The difference was awesome. I am seeing very well at both near and far. I couldn't be happier.

Contact me with your questions or concerns

2009-03-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

E-mail me at uniontowneyecare@yahoo.com if you have anything to ask me. The e-mail goes straight to my blackberry and I will be able to respond quickly.

Update since I haven't posted in a while.

2009-03-05T07:58:00.000-08:00

Training for the Pittsuburgh Marathon is going very well. I am up to 16 miles for my long run. My wife is going to run the Marathon relay.
We are approaching our 1 year anniversary at the new location and I am happy to report that I am almost moved in.
Saw Fleetwood Mac at the Mellon arena. Lindsay Buckingham was awesome and almost 60 years old. I have some pretty good shows coming up on the horizon: Glenn Tilbrook and the Fluffers, Ray LaMontagne, Arlo Guthrie, and Bruce Springsteen
I am starting to use the Electronic Medical Records to their full advantage. For me, it seems to improve the management of complicated medical conditions and contact lens fits.

I've been waiting about 10 years for this record!

2009-02-10T06:24:00.000-08:00

The Jayhawks are my favorite band, EVER! The original two front men broke up over 10 years ago. They reunited a couple years ago for a tour. Rhonda and I drove in a blizzard to see them at the World Cafe in Philadelphia. Awesome show! Their new CD is finally out. Mark Olson and Gary Louris Ready for the Flood Check it out. It is really good. Watch the little documentary below. It gives you a good feel for Mark and Gary.

My patients are very cool!

2009-01-29T09:12:00.000-08:00

The ringtone on my phone is Jason Mraz "I'm Yours" Everytime it goes off, patients tell me how much they like the song. Even folks who have never heard it before. Here is a live, acoustic performance of the song.

The weather!!!!!

2009-01-26T10:33:00.000-08:00

10 miles in snow and ice yesterday. I am trying to run at a faster pace. The ice did not help.

This weather is ridiculous!

2009-01-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

Ever see Rocky IV when Rocky was training by running in high snow? That's what it was like on Sunday. I didn't enjoy it! 6 miles today. I don't know where I am going to find a good place to run.

New camera now available

2009-01-18T10:46:00.000-08:00

In addition to our retinal camera, I know have an anterior segment camera to aid in patient care. With this camera, I can take photos AND VIDEOS of contact lenses on the eye, corneal injury/disease, cataracts, eyelid abnormalities and it can also take videos of the retina.

Just another way to offer the finest eyecare available.

Weather seems to be improving.

2009-01-18T10:44:00.001-08:00

Took the this morning to Starbucks for a puppy latte and the roads got really bad while we were out. I ran for miles on the treadmill yesterday. Today, I need to run 8 miles. No way I can do that inside. Should be fun running in the snow. At least, the temperature is in the 30s.

No way I am running outside today.

2009-01-15T14:38:00.001-08:00

Suppose to run for 1 hour. Looks like I am hitting the elliptical.

Today, only 3 miles

2009-01-14T14:35:00.000-08:00

I had to use the treadmill. Too cold out. I swam laps after running for good measure. Last marathon I stopped swimming. I am going to keep swimming during training. Hopefully, I will have a bit more energy when I hit mile 16 this time.

Training starts for the Pittsburgh Marathon!

2009-01-13T14:30:00.000-08:00

Wow! What awful weather to start! I haven't run since the turkey trot. Today's run was a problem. Wife had the Garmin GPS which gives me the pace/time/distance. I had to use my cell phone as a stopwatch. Didn't work. I ran the first two miles entirely too fast.

Today was 2 miles at goal pace, 2 miles at tempo, 2 miles at goal pace. Even with the timing fiasco, it was a good run.

Finishing the marathon

2008-12-23T18:34:00.001-08:00

Next up: Pittsburgh Marathon in May

Philadelphia Marathon

2008-12-13T17:51:00.000-08:00

Well, I finished it! The first half was relatively easy, but starting at mile 18 was a challenge. I was 20 minutes behind my goal, but I finished.

Next up: Pittsburgh Marathon on May 3.

Continuing Education in Las Vegas

2008-10-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

I recently attended a continuing education conference in Las Vegas. Since it was a large conference, the education was exceptionally high quality. High quality continuing education allows me to offer the best in family eyecare. I am anxious to put into practice some new things I learned about:

treatment of dry eye and how nutritional supplements can help
treatment of corneal infiltrates and ulcers
macular degeneration and how nutritional supplements can help

My wife Rhonda and I also saw The Jersey Boys while we were there. It was awesome. It is coming to Pittsburgh this December. If you like Broadway shows, check it out.

I ran 17 miles one morning. 17 miles on the Vegas strip is hard. Lots of people all spread out on the sidewalks. You have to get up real early in the morning to be able to run.

Thanks for voting us #1 again!

2008-10-09T11:54:00.000-07:00

A special thanks to those who voted us the area's best optometrist in the 2008 Herald-Standard Community Choice Awards.

Marathon update...

2008-08-25T08:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I ran 14 miles pretty much at my goal pace. Man, that is a long way to run. Last Sunday was 12 miles. My legs are a bit weary. Fortunately, this week is a low mileage week.

My wife and I share the same GPS for running (Forerunner by Garmin). She is becoming a pretty good runner. Her pace is way faster than it use to be.

Avaira lenses going strong

2008-08-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

I continue to be impressed with how comfortable the new Avaira lenses are for patients. If you have problems with your lenses, stop in to try a free trial pair of these new lenses (of course, your contact lens prescription must be current).

Marathon training going really well

2008-08-13T21:43:00.000-07:00

Sunday--10 miles
Monday--rest (plus way too busy at the vision center to run)
Tuesday--8 miles (4 miles at higher tempo, 4 miles at goal pace)
Wednesday--70 minutes of running with at least 6 minutes of hills

American's eyesight is worse than thought

2008-08-12T06:46:00.000-07:00

From a Reuter's story:

Half of all Americans have some sort of vision problem, most of them myopia or astigmatism, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.

This is far higher than previous estimates, the team at the National Eye Institute reported in the Archives of Ophthalmology.

New Dan Zanes vs. Barenaked Ladies Snacktime

2008-08-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

Olivia and I have loved listening to Dan Zanes for the last several years, but I can't get her to listen to the new all spanish language CD. In the past, Olivia has loved songs like Malti, but I am afraid this new CD might be just too much for her 4 year old attention span. I like it the CD. It makes me want to sit on the deck and drink Corona!

Olivia does love the BNL's Snacktime. Actually, me and all the girls love it! It is just good music. Very hard for Dan Zanes new CD to get much playtime in the car.

The kids also like Camp Lisa by Lisa Loeb. We picked that up at Barnes and Noble. I am happy to report that Barnes and Noble now have peppermint for lattes and hot chocolate.

two songs I am listening to a lot

2008-08-03T20:31:00.000-07:00

For the kids (I actually love the song and the whole Barenaked Ladies Snacktime CD)

And for me, Old Crow Medicine Show, Wagon Wheel. Kids aren't quite sold on this song or CD. Probably, a little too much bluegrass for them.

Started training for Philadelphia Marathon today!

2008-08-03T20:23:00.000-07:00

8+ miles today. Felt really good. Still, I have to get up to 26.2 miles.

Wierd Al Yankovic at the Palace in Greensburg

2008-07-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

To my dismay, my 11 and 9 year old daughters are Wierd Al fans. How did they even find out about him? Anyway, my wife and I took them to see Wierd Al Yankovic at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg last night. The Wierd Al show seemed to be a near sell out. Since I joined the Wierd Al Fan Club, I was able to get great tickets during the internet pre-sale.

The crowd loved the show and Wierd Al is very entertaining. The highlight of the night seemed to be the Star Wars parody of Don McClean's American Pie.

The Palace Theatre in Greensburg has a lot of good shows. Keep an eye out.

http://www.thepalacetheatre.org/

$20 rebate on your contact lens evaluation...

2008-07-18T21:39:00.000-07:00

When I fit you in new Coopervision lenses! Stop in today. The new Avaira lenses is extremely comfortable. The new Proclear "bifocal" contact lens is working out really well for patients.

Mt Carmel 5K

2008-07-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

Very, very hot out again. Fortunately, the hills weren't as steep. I did not have a Sonicburger for lunch, but instead had a delicious chicken salad sandwich and strawberry poppyseed salad at Panera. I also made certain I drank plenty of water throughout the day. Much better results than the Woodruff run. My time was 2 minutes faster. We got free Italian dressing from Carbones, sauce from Rizzo's, a cool shirt and a 3rd place finish in my age group. I also was able to enjoy a hot sausage from the church festival. Nothing like running 3 miles in the hot sun and then eating sausage! Rhonda ran well. I had the energy to run back to meet her and finish the race with her. All in all, a very good time!

Are all WalMart Optometrists the same?

2008-07-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

The answer is no. (Same answer and argument can be made for the question: Are all optometrists the same.)

As a patient, you cannot walk into every WalMart Vision Center and expect the same level of care. Each optometrist is independent. The level of care available depends on the amount of investment the independent optometrist is willing to do. In my case, I have invested in digital visual acuity charts, electronic medical records, a digital retinal camera, a digital anterior segment camera, a corneal topographer, ocutouch patient education software, and a macuscope to evaluate for risk of macular degeneration.

I also have many years of experience and take excessive amounts of continuing medical education. I practice to the fullest extent of my license which means diagnosing and treating eye disease. In addition, I move patients into the latest in contact lens technology allowing for the most comfortable and healthy wearing experience.

So, when looking for an optometrist, please realize that all optometrists do not have the same amount of advanced instrumentation available to take care of your eyes. At the Uniontown WalMart, we are on the forefront of instrumentation and contact lens technology.

My wife is profiled in the United Way annual report!

2008-07-15T17:10:00.000-07:00

Rhonda thinks the United Way does great things for the community. If you have the option to choose charities for which your employer donates to, please consider the United Way. If you are just looking for a charity to volunteer or donate to, please consider your local United Way.

To check out the Westmoreland County United Way, please visit their website http://www.unitedway4u.org/

John Woodruff 5K in Connellsville

2008-07-10T07:40:00.000-07:00

Ugh! Hills for about the first 1 1/2 miles! I haven't been running any hills. I thought I was going to die at the first mile mark. I ran the first mile in about 7 1/2 minutes, but finished the race over 25 minutes. A full 2 minutes slower than Friday's race. I am going to blame the puppy, Samantha, who kept me up all night. (or maybe the Sonic burger for lunch)

My wife, Rhonda, did well. She improved upon her last race.

The people running the event were awesome and special thanks to Bud Murphy's for the free post-run beer. Too busy to eat there. We ate at Goos in Mt. Pleasant. That place was fantastic. I can't believe I have never heard of it before. I am certainly going back there to eat again.

New addition to family

2008-07-08T19:41:00.001-07:00

My new guard dog. We haven't named her yet. We can't come to a consensus in the house.

Latest 5K

2008-07-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

My wife, Rhonda and I ran a 5K on July 4th. Here we are at the finish line. We are not actually crossing together. I had already finished and ran back to get her.

For the record, I am wearing progressive addition high index transition lenses in a Lucky Brand frame. I love my progressives. I can do anything in them. I don't even realize that I am wearing bifocals!

Times:

Perry: 23:48
Rhonda: 28:42

Contact lenses dry?

2008-06-15T22:18:00.000-07:00

Try CooperVisions new Avaira lens!

I have only had this new product since June 1, but everyone who I have given trials to are having great success.

A great lubricating drop for contact lenses

2008-06-14T10:48:00.000-07:00

Specifically made for contact lenses. Try it if you need relief from dryness of your lenses. However, if your contacts are dry and uncomfortable most of the time, you should come to the office so we can find a new contact lens to make you more comfortable.

New Kid Music

2008-06-12T22:00:00.000-07:00

My daughter Olivia loves the new Barenaked Ladies "Snack Time" CD

Settling in to the new store

2008-03-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

If you haven't been here yet, it is beautiful. Of course, we are still sort of unpacking. After everything is unpacked, I am going to make a youtube video to let everyone see how nice it is. I can tell you this: With all the new space and equipment, we are delivering even better care to patients. I am also using the move as an opportunity to improve on procedures. Stop in and see us.

New camera to photograph your eye!

2008-02-25T12:26:00.000-08:00

With this new camera and microscope, I am going to be able to document and treat eye problems far more efficiently. I am also going to be able to use it to show you how your contact lenses fit or what may be wrong with your eye.

New visual field to manage glaucoma

2008-02-20T12:54:00.000-08:00

We are adding the new Oculus Easyfield to compliment our current Humphrey FDT Visual Field Instrument. The two instruments test for visual field loss by different mechanisms. Our FDT finds the earliest signs of glaucoma. Our new oculus unit will be able to quantify the defects and then follow the field loss to accurately rule out glaucoma or follow the progression of glaucoma.

Big changes coming to our new office in the Uniontown Wal-Mart Vision Center

2008-02-19T05:58:00.001-08:00

When we move in to the new Wal-Mart Supercenter on March 7, I am going to unveil a lot of new equipment to make your eye care even better. First, I have acquired a corneal topographer. As the name implies, the corneal topographer takes a map of the surface of the front of your eye. For contact lenses, this will help me fit patients in the most comfortable contact lenses. The topographer will also help me solve problems for patients who are not comfortable with their current contact lenses. The topographer also gives helpful information when I see patients with a lot of astigmatism

Thanks for voting us #1

2008-02-15T11:15:00.001-08:00

I greatly appreciate the faith that people have put in me to deliver eyecare to their families. Recognition by the community in the Herald-Standard survey makes me exceptionally happy! When we move into the new Supercenter on March 7, I am going to redouble my efforts to deliver even better care. I have lots of exciting new equipment on the way to vastly improve the care we deliver.

Watch this blog for me details!

New Macular Degeneration Test in Uniontown

2008-02-15T09:16:00.001-08:00

Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness in the world today. Currently affecting more than 30 million people worldwide, it is expected that this number will double in the next 20 to 30 years. Degeneration of the macula, the portion of the eye that is responsible for central vision tasks such as reading and driving, is the one of the major contributors of AMD. Early detection of one of the major risk factors of AMD, PRIOR TO SYMPTOMATOLOGY occurring, and monitoring its status are critical to preserving one's vision. Previously, a proactive approach was not possible. Now, with the development of the MacuScope™, it is! With the use of our patented device, deficiencies in the macula are detectable, treatable and can be accurately monitored.

Stop into our Uniontown office today to learn more about the macuscope. Or call 724-438-7550 to set up your appointment today!

Welcome to my blog!

2008-02-15T08:19:00.000-08:00

I am the doctor of optometry at the Uniontown Wal-Mart Supercenter. On this blog, I will share things I find interesting about eyecare and things in general.