We are dedicated to providing our patient family with uncompromising quality and personal eye health care, just as we ourselves would expect to receive.
Complete EyeCare Center was voted Best Vision Store in Henry County.
Thank you, neighbors, for honoring Complete EyeCare Center as the “Best Vision Store” in Henry County! This distinction is the result of a survey of Mt. Pleasant News readers done in November 2011. We are so thankful for the encouragement. It inspires us to keep improving so we can serve you even better in 2012!
Tags: Best of Henry County, Best Vision Store, Complete EyeCare Center, Mt. Pleasant News
A round trip from Mt. Pleasant to Coral Ridge Mall costs $58.17 in gas and vehicle wear-and-tear. This according to the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance and the “Look Local First” campaign.* I don’t know about you, but that makes me stop and think. And it should!
Complete EyeCare Center and Dr. Olson encourage you to Look Local First
There’s no need to travel to find a high level of eye health care teamed with cutting-edge products. They are right here in our local community. The expertise and selection that is often only available in a larger city has been brought to you, our neighbors. In fact, Mt. Pleasant’s Complete EyeCare Center has actually been ahead of the curve in many cases.
Mt. Pleasant had the first Optomap Retinal Imaging technology in the entire state of Iowa–at Complete EyeCare Center.
Mt. Pleasant had the first Z-view Corneal Aberrometer in the state of Iowa–at Complete EyeCare Center.
Mt. Pleasant led Iowa, being the first to offer patients iZon high definition lenses–at Complete EyeCare Center. (We have patients that travel from Waterloo, Muscatine, Des Moines, and cities in Illinois to come HERE for this unique, customized lens!)
Mt. Pleasant had a Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomographer before the University of Iowa–at Complete EyeCare Center!
Mt. Pleasant led our state as one of the first to quantify macular degeneration risk with its ZeaVision macular pigment optical density instrument–at Complete EyeCare Center!
Mt. Pleasant is home to one of only 50 eye doctors in United States that had initial access to a brand new hybrid multifocal contact lens–it’s Dr. Christopher Olson.
If you were considering traveling for your eyecare, glasses, contacts, or sunglasses, think again. By looking local you may be better off in many ways. Just foregoing the drive is like getting instant savings of $58.17 on your glasses and exams!
*According to the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance the “Look Local First” campaign was started ”to change buying habits and unite our community by merging our greatest resources: local customers and local small businesses.”
Tags: contacts, Duette multifocal, eye exams, glasses, i-Zon, iZon, Look Local First, Macular Degeneration, Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance, Optomap, savings
The New York Times Health page featured an article about 9-year-old Raea Gragg a few years ago. Unfortunately her story is not uncommon. A child has a vision problem that goes undetected for years. In the meantime that child is labeled and treated for a learning disability or behavioral disorder.
Many well-intentioned professionals are unaware that some visual disorders share several common symptoms with ADHD and ADD, and that can lead to a misdiagnosis, perhaps even unnecessary medication. Journalist Laura Novak writes, ”Doctors and teachers often attribute the behavior to attention disorders or seek other medical explanations. Mrs. Gragg said her pediatrician had never heard of convergence insufficiency.” Read the full article here: Not Autistic or Hyperactive. Just Seeing Double at Times
Complete EyeCare Center’s Optometrist, Dr. Olson, has the education and commitment to evaluate the visual system beyond the simple abilityto read an eye chart. A child like Raea may be able to read the chart’s 20/20 line and still have a vision problem. Perhaps her struggles could have been avoided if a trained InfantSee optometrist had seen Raea before age 1 and had performed a visual assessment at age 3, as recommended by the American Optometric Association. It is possible her convergence insufficiency could have been detected and treated before she began to experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, irritability, low self-esteem, inability to concentrate, aversion to reading, and difficulties in school.
Before you turn to medication, before you send your child to school, please ensure that your child doesn’t have a vision problem. We want to make it easy for parents to give their children a good start in life and follow the AOA guidelines for vision evaluation. Dr. Olson participates in the InfantSee program providing free assessments for 6-12 month olds. He has also developed his own free assessment program for children age 3, available exclusively at Complete EyeCare Center, called “See at 3!™” If there is a child in your life age 6-12 months or age 3 we encourage you to give them every chance to succeed–including the assurance from Dr. Olson that they are seeing well, with both eyes working together properly.
Tags: ADD, ADHD, behavior disorder, convergence insufficieny, Double Vision, learning disability, vision problem
Complete EyeCare Center will donate $5 to Optometry Giving Sight for each facebook check-in during October (our goal is $500.) This is one way we’re participating in the World Sight Day Challenge.
Clear vision can be life-changing for those with limited access to eyecare.
$5 can provide an exam & pair of glasses to someone in a developing country, and that can transform the life of a child or adult living without access to basic eye care. Optometry Giving Sight has numerous stories of how eyecare can change a life–from an adult who was able to work for the first time, to a boy from the school for the blind who is now succeeding in regular school–all because they had correctable but previously untreated vision conditions.
Just stop in our office and use your mobile phone’s facebook app to “check in” and claim the deal! There’s no cost to you. If fact, we’ll have a small gift for you when you do.
You can also donate $5 to Optometry Giving Sight yourself by clicking here!
(Our facebook page is facebook.com/completeeye)
Tags: charity, Complete EyeCare Center, facebook check-in, October, Optometry Giving Sight, Vision, World Health Organization, World Sight Day Challenge
Complete EyeCare Center Awarded #1 Optical Center
Dr. Olson Awarded #1 Optometrist
We are so grateful for all our patients and for the confidence you have placed in us. This award means a lot to us as we strive to fulfill our mission statement for you. ”We at Complete EyeCare Center are dedicated to providing our patient family with uncompromising quality and personal eye health care, just as we ourselves would expect to receive.”
We pledge to provide the same high quality service and materials to the people you care about and we welcome your referrals. We gladly accept new patients. If you are already a patient, we look forward to seeing you soon!
Tags: Burlington Hawkeye, Complete EyeCare Center, Dr. Olson, optical center, Optometrist, reader's choice
Are you compromising your active lifestyle because of your current contact lenses? Have you been told you couldn’t wear contacts? It’s time to take another look!
Regular soft contact lenses are not designed to correct astigmatism. If you have astigmatism and wear them you’ve been experiencing blurry, inconsistent vision–definitely a source of frustration and compromised performance during daily activities.
What about soft toric lenses? They are designed to correct astigmatism but can rotate on your eye, causing blurry vision that goes in-and-out of focus; especially at night. Here’s another issue. They are meant to stay aligned when your head is in a vertical position–like standing. But if you lie down, recline, or tilt your head, your vision can blur. Think of all the activities you do where this is the case. How would that work on the putting green? Watching TV? Even looking down to read something on your desk?
Some active people have given up altogether on the possibility that they can successfully wear contacts and are resigned to wearing glasses fulltime. They can be cumbersome during sports and many physical activities.
Dr. Olson wants to provide you with dependable, crisp, high-definition vision and all-day comfort no matter what life demands. He has the expertise and access to prescribe a cutting edge hybrid lens that eliminates many problems people have had with previous contact lenses!
*If it’s been more than a year since your last eye exam, you’ll need one prior to your contact lens fitting.
Dr. Olson has used new Duette hybrid lenses to successfully fit people who thought they could never wear contacts!
Tags: active, astigmatism, Contact Lenses, contacts, cutting edge, Dr. Olson, Duette, High-defintion vision, hybrid lens design, toric
Like our facebook page and get special benefits
Complete EyeCare Center has a facebook page. You can find it at www.facebook.com/completeeye
So what?
People who “like” our page will have some unique opportunities. Right now, they have the abilty to request appointments online. There’s also a place to write a recommendation. Soon there will be special deals for our facebook fans when they check-in to our page. Sometimes each check-in will result in us making a contribution to a charity! Occasionally there will be a random drawing with a prize for one of our facebook fans.
So if you’ve got facebook, you’ve got privileges with potential benefits–to yourself and others!
Tags: Complete EyeCare Center, deal, facebook, like, prize
See the entire Koali, Oga and Lightec collection. One day only!
On Saturday, March 26, 8 AM -1 PM at Complete EyeCare Center you get…
Fifty-off fun fashionable frames
Tasty Tazza Bella treats
(& you could win a $50 gas card!)
See the new collection of Koali, Öga & Lightec frame designs for men & women at our annual Trunk Show. Each spring we bring in the entire collection of one of our favorite frame lines. It’s a chance for our staff and our patients to get first dibs on the latest frame designs.
Besides the expanded selection, you get $50 Off all glasses or sunglasses purchased on March 26th* & you’ll be entered to win another $50 in gas. Or you may win a prize from HyVee, Family Video or Subway!
All prescriptions are welcome & this offer extends to your family and friends. Stop in Saturday and see how your eyewear can not only help you see better, but look better!
* $50 savings is on a complete pair (frame and lens purchase) of any prescription eyewear we carry. This special cannot be combined with other discounts or vision plans.
Tags: Complete EyeCare Center, eyewear, frames, koali, Lightec, Oga, prizes, savings, trunk show
Having visited our practice you know that we care about our patients and about protecting your vision. We are also concerned about people around the world who lack access to vision care. Because of this, Complete EyeCare Center is participating in the World Sight Day Challenge.
The World Sight Day Challenge is a campaign coordinated by Optometry Giving Sight to raise funds for projects that provide vision care, local training and infrastructure support for people who are blind or vision impaired due to uncorrected refractive error – simply the need for an eye exam and a pair of glasses.
Our practice will raise funds for the World Sight Day Challenge by matching the first $500 donated to this cause throughout the month of October.
Please join us in helping to give sight to people in need by making a donation of any amount. It’s easy to do. Just stop in our office, or donate online by clicking here. Sponsor Us
Together we can help transform lives. Here’s just one example:
Nlando was helped by Optometry Giving Sight
9 year old Nlando lives in a township in South Africa where the average family income is just $7 per day. Nlando struggled to see clearly until she received an eye exam and pair of glasses thanks to the support of Optometry Giving Sight. Having new glasses will enable her to learn at school. Because education can lead to freeedom from poverty, her future is likely to be much brighter.
Find out more about Optometry Giving Sight’s World Sight Day Challenge at www.givingsight.org. (You can see a video of a young man who had spent years in a school for the blind, and is now studying engineering in a regular school because his vision problem was corrected by a pair of glasses!)
Tags: Blindness, Complete EyeCare Center, contribute, glasses, Optometry Giving Sight, vision care, vision impairment, World Sight Day Challenge
A 3-story eyeball sculpture is coming to Chicago's Loop in July 2010!
For a CNN story on this unusual piece of public art click here. Need we say more?
Tags: Chicago, eyeball sculpture, July 2010, public art
Tozal is one supplement for Macular Degeneration approved by Dr. Olson
June is Vision Research Month. The American Optometric Association website features an excellent summary of one of the most important vision research findings in recent years. Because of the AREDS studies Dr. Olson recommends supplements to certain at-risk patients. The AOA article follows:
In the last 20 years, eye health research has linked diet and nutrition with a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A major clinical study of older adults concluded that taking an antioxidant vitamin or mineral supplement significantly reduced the risk of advanced AMD progression in some people. Additionally, today there is significant evidence that vitamin D plays a role in preventing AMD.
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) was a major clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute. It enrolled 3640 subjects, age 55 to 80, and was released in October 2001. This landmark study provided evidence that nutritional intervention in the form of supplements could delay the progression of AMD. The study concluded that taking an antioxidant vitamin or mineral supplement reduced the risk of advanced AMD progression by about 25 percent and showed a 19 percent reduction in visual acuity loss in some of the subjects.
It was not clear in the original AREDS report which vitamin, mineral or combination of nutrients was responsible for reducing the risk of AMD. When the study was planned, the lutein and zeaxanthin carotenoids that constitute the macular pigment were not assessed because they were not commercially available. Since then, several studies have provided growing evidence specific to the beneficial role of lutein and zeaxanthin intake, and their positive effect on eye health and AMD risk reduction. The AREDS Report No. 22 published in 2007 described the relationship between dietary intake of various nutrients and AMD among the AREDS subjects. This report concluded that high dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin is associated with a reduction in the risk of geographic atrophy, advanced AMD, and large or extensive intermediate drusen, the waste byproducts of cellular metabolism (activity).
A follow up to the original AREDS trial, AREDS2, began in June 2008. This multi-centered, five-year study builds on a multitude of existing science supporting lutein and zeaxanthin’s role in maintaining healthy eyes. It is the largest human clinical trial to evaluate lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids supplementation, and includes 4,000 patients at high risk for AMD. The study is focusing on the protective effects lutein (10 mg/day), zeaxanthin (2 mg/day) , and omega-3 fatty acids (1 g/day) have against AMD, as well as the link between nutrition and macular pigment optical density, cataract development and visual function.
Vitamin supplements selected by Dr. Olson for appropriate content and quality are available through Complete EyeCare Center–either in stock or direct-shipped to your home. Call 319.385.9534 for an evaluation with Dr. Olson, or to inquire about whether you may benefit from these products.
Tags: AMD, American Optometric Association, AREDS, Dr. Olson, EyePromise Restore, lutein, Macular Degeneration, Mt. Pleasant Eye Doctor, Omega 3, Tozal, vision research, Vision Research Month, Vitamin Supplements, Viteyes, zeaxanthin
You may have noticed it. When we refer to our doctor we sometimes call him Christopher P. Olson, OD, FAAO. But what’s that FAAO part all about and why is it part of his professional name?
The letters stand for Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. FAAO credentials behind an optometrist, scientist or other qualified person’s name signify to colleagues and patients that rigorous qualifications for Fellowship have been met. For optometrists this involves presenting written and oral case studies and posters, being evaluated through interviews and clinical assessment, and meeting the highest educational and licensure standards. It is a discipline that only 20 Iowa optometrists (currently seeing patients) have successfully completed.
According to the AAO website, “Fellows of the Academy are committed to the premise that learning is a lifelong obligation of a professional, as is the commitment to expand the profession’s knowledge base through ongoing Fellowship and exchange.”
So those letters, FAAO, are yet another way of assuring you that Dr. Olson is committed to maintaining high professional standards through lifelong education and improvement. All with the goal of providing the best professional eye health care he can for his patients.
Tags: American Academy of Optometry, Christopher P. Olson, credentials, education, FAAO, Fellow, highest standards, lifelong learning, professional eye health care
An 1881 political cartoon depicts Guiteau, assassin of President Garfield.
An upcoming theatre production will feature Mt. Pleasant performers, including Complete EyeCare Center’s Dr. Christopher Olson, portraying a historic court trial with Mt. Pleasant ties. The prosecutor in the case was George B. Corkhill of Mt. Pleasant, who graduated from Iowa Wesleyan in 1859 and was District Attorney for the District of Columbia at the time of the trial.
The real-life drama entitled The Trial of the Assassin Guiteau is about the man who shot President James Garfield in 1881 and draws comparisons between the political and legal climate then and now. Images of the times and people will be projected behind the actors and readers. Cast members are Jim Beasley, David Edwards, John Hemsworth, Terry Hemsworth, Mark Kimzey, Christopher Olson, Lon Pugh, Angie Thomas, Kevin Wiley, Rick Williamson, and Brad Workman. The Director is David File.
Performances will be on April 23 and 24, 2010 at 7 PM at the Heatilator Center for the Performing Arts in Mt. Pleasant. Sponsored by the Harlan-Lincoln House, the shows are being offered to the public free of charge.
(If you would like more information about the play the Executive Director of Friends of the Harlan-Lincoln House, Lynn Ellsworth, can be reached by calling 319.385.6320.)
Tags: community theatre, Complete EyeCare Center, Dr. Christopher Olson, Dr. Olson, George B. Corkhill, Guiteau, Iowa Wesleyan, Mt. Pleasant, President James Garfield, theatre
Has your child had a comprehensive eye exam?
Does your child…
…have a short attention span?
…find it hard to concentrate on reading?
…get headaches or blurred vision when using the computer?
…avoid homework?
…tire easily when reading?
…suffer eyestrain?
…get car sick?
…get labeled as an “underachiever”?
The answers to these questions may indicate the need not only for vision correction in the form of eyeglasses or contacts, but the need for improved visual skills such as eye teaming, convergence, fixation, accommodation, or tracking. So much of learning is done visually, so a vision impairment can directly affect a child’s behavior and academic success.
Dr. Olson evaluates vision, eye health, and visual skills during a comprehensive eye exam. If he finds visual skill deficiency, vision therapy may help the patient with vision-related problems affecting learning.
Our office offers an in-home vision therapy program from HTS. After receiving instruction on how to use the program, parents have their child use their home computer to do therapy “games” approximately 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week. After 2-3 months they return for the doctor to review the results. This is often a sufficient amount of time to retrain the eye muscles to work properly.
We have heard success stories from many of our vision therapy patients. For more information, learn why 20/20 vision isn’t enough at the HTS website or call Complete EyeCare Center at 319.395.9534 for an appointment with Dr. Olson.
Tags: eyestrain, HTS, learning disability, Vision, vision and learning, vision therapy
The entire Complete EyeCare Center staff just attended the Iowa Optometric Association’s annual educational meetings. Not only did they learn about many of the latest developments in eye health care and technology, they enjoyed the fellowship, and the opportunity to network with other professionals from across the state and nation.
Ongoing education will always be a priority for our staff, because these activities and classes help our practice continue to offer the best eye health care and optical products to you, our valued patient.
On Friday, Dr. Olson and colleague, Dr. Michael Ohlson, were also guest lecturers, teaching a class on Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Medications to the Iowa Optometric Assistant’s Association.
Isn’t it reassuring to know that your doctor is committed to being a life-long learner?
Tags: Dr. Olson, education, eye health care, IOA, IOAA, medications, ocular
Christopher P. Olson, OD, FAAO
Christopher Olson, OD, FAAO, of Complete EyeCare Center in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, has been appointed to the national Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE). Dr. Olson serves the public as part of this 11-member Council “…to establish, maintain and apply standards to ensure the academic quality and continuous improvement of optometric education that reflect the evolving practice of optometry.”
The Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) is the only accrediting body for professional optometric degree (O.D.) programs, optometric residency programs and optometric technician programs in the United States and Canada.
Both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation recognize the ACOE as a reliable authority concerning the quality of education of the programs the Council accredits.
Dr. Olson will soon be making his first ACOE site visit to the New England College of Optometry, where they have a Residency program in Pediatric Optometry.
Tags: Accreditation Council, ACOE, Complete EyeCare Center, Dr. Christopher Olson, Mt. Pleasant Eye Doctor, optometric education
Our once-a-year eyewear event is something patients don’t want to miss. Maybe it’s because of the $50 savings, the greatly expanded selection of ultra-fashionable frames, or it could be the door prizes & refreshments!
Stop in Saturday, March 6th, between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to save $50 on the full line of Kliik “eyewear with an edge,” Fysh “urban cool eyewear,” or Takumi “luxury eyewear with magnetic sunclips”purchased with prescription lenses.
We look forward to seeing you then! (Need an eye exam? Give us a call.)
Complete EyeCare Center utilizes quality diagnostic instrumentation like the award winning Optovue RTVue
The RTVue visualizes the retina and underlying nerve fiber layers
When it was featured on Good Morning America in May 2007, the Optovue RTVue spectral OCT was one of only 100 worldwide. As soon as May 2008, Dr. Olson was introducing that same instrument to his patients in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, at Complete EyeCare Center.
The GMA reporter was “able to get access to one”, and you have that same benefit without traveling to a metropolitan center or university. Spectral OCT with the Optovue RTVue is a new generation of Optical Coherence Tomography for detection, classification, and management of ocular diseases and pathology.
Why should that interest you? Because this exciting tool has the ability to help Dr. Olson detect and treat progressive eye diseases at a much earlier stage. Slowing or stopping disease progression early means less likelihood of vision loss or blindness, and better health for you.
Several eye diseases, like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy have no symptoms in their early stages. But a skilled eye doctor using the RTVue can detect and manage them. Painless and quick, the ultra-high speed and high resolution features of the RTVue enable Dr. Olson to visualize retinal, anterior segment, and corneal tissue with ultra-high clarity.
Watch this interesting Good Morning America segment by clicking here.
Tags: Complete EyeCare Center, diabetic retinopathy, Dr. Olson, eye doctor, Glaucoma, Good Morning America, Macular Degeneration, nerve fiber layer, OCT, Optical Coherence Tomography, Optovue RTVue, Technology
Many eye problems can develop without you knowing. You may not even notice any change in your eyesight. But, diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal tears or detachments, and other health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure can be seen with a thorough exam of the retina. Until the optomap®, the only way to evaluate the retina for these abnormalities was to dilate the eyes–which can be time consuming and uncomfortable. Now a wide retinal image can be captured quickly and painlessly. Convenient for patients, while providing critical eye health information–that’s why we were the first in Iowa to introduce the technology! That’s also why optomap® technology was featured on an episode of the popular TV show “The Doctors.” (You can see the TV clip by clicking here.)
An optomap® Retinal Exam provides:
The optomap® Retinal Exam is fast, easy, and comfortable for all ages. To have the exam, you simply look into the device one eye at a time and you will see a comfortable flash of light to let you know the image of your retina has been taken. Your optomap® is immediately captured so Dr. Olson can evaluate and review it with you on a computer screen during your exam. Click here to see a video demonstration of the optomap experience.
Please schedule your annual optomap® Retinal Exam today by calling our office at 319.385.9534 .
Tags: Complete EyeCare Center, diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, Dr. Christopher Olson, early detection, eye health care, Glaucoma, high blood pressure, Macular Degeneration, melanoma, Mt. Pleasant Eye Doctor, Optomap, retina, retinal detachment, retinal exam, retinal tears, Technology, The Doctors TV show, thedoctorstv, video
If you haven’t already heard of them, you soon will. On July 31st spokesperson Shaquille O’Neal, better known as Shaq, will launch enlyten products into the public’s attention. We strive to stay informed about the latest technologies available. Enlyten is a new rapid-acting, side-effect-reducing way of taking a supplement. A quick-dissolving strip replaces traditional tablets or high calorie, high carb, sugary beverages.
Antioxidants tend to draw the attention of eye doctors because of research linking them to a reduction of macular cell damage. The reduction of free radicals is known to have multiple health benefits, including benefits to some age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients and those who have the potential for it. For adults who have difficulty taking pills, the enlyten antioxidant dissolving strip is an alternative to consider.
Being health minded, Dr. Olson has also noted the benefits of enlyten’s electrolyte plus product. This no-calorie, no-carb, no-sugar alternative for electrolyte replacement has great benefits over typical sport drinks. If you’re an exercise or sports enthusiast, you owe it to yourself to check it out.
You can learn more about enlyten products by clicking this link. If you’re ready to purchase Enlyten, click here to buy enlyten strips now.
Tags: AMD, antioxidants, buy enlyten strips, Christopher Olson, Dr. Olson, electrolytes, enlyten, enlyten iowa, enlyten sportstrips, Macular Degeneration, Shaq, Shaquille O'Neal, sports drinks, strips, supplements
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