Finishing the marathon

Next up: Pittsburgh Marathon in May

Philadelphia Marathon

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

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!

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

Marathon update...

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

Wierd Al Yankovic at the Palace in Greensburg

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...

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

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?

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!

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

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

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

Latest 5K

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?

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

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

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

Settling in to the new store

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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.