Complete EyeCare Center

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.)

Did you know?

Eye protection should be a major concern to all athletes

Approximately 72 percent of sports-related eye injuries occur in people younger than 25 years and approximately 43 percent occur in children younger than 15 years.  (Source American Optometric Association.)

Nearly all of these injuries could have been avoided with proper eye protection.   At age 23 I learned this lesson first-hand during a game of racquetball.  After a trip to the emergency room and several stitches, we purchased sport goggles and have been advocates for protective eyewear ever since.

In outdoor sports,  a laceration or poke to the eye isn’t the only thing we need protection from.  Ultraviolet light exposure can also cause damage.

When properly prescribed, protective sports eyewear can actually enhance your athletic performance!  So if you or a family member would like to return that volley better, improve a golf score, bag illusive fish & game, and be protected whatever the sport, talk to Dr. Olson about sports eyewear.  Spring is here, along with a host of sports activities, so call Complete EyeCare Center today to schedule an appointment (319.385.9534).

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.

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:

• A scan to show a healthy eye or detect disease.
• A view of the retina, giving Dr. Olson a more detailed view than he can get by other means.
• The opportunity for you to view and discuss the optomap® image of your eye with Dr. Olson at the time of your exam.
• A permanent record for your file, which allows the doctor to view your images each year to look for changes.

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 .

It’s a sunny day in Mt. Pleasant, at least for now!  During this spring’s activities I’ve been thankful for a good pair of sunglasses, whether I’m driving, doing yard work, or watching a high school tennis match.  What a difference it makes in my comfort and enjoyment!  If you are a contact lens wearer you especially know what I mean.  We keep hearing more and more about the necessity of proper sun protection, for your skin and your eyes.

I’ll let you in on a little known fact.  We have an expanded selection of great sunwear right here in Mt. Pleasant, in our eyewear gallery.  Why not stop in and try some on during your lunch break today?  If you’re interested in prescription sunwear, we have that too.  (In fact, this Saturday you can save $50 on a pair of prescription sunglasses, during our annual Fashion & Eyewear Event!)

Hope you can get outside and enjoy the weather!

What do Jan Ulrich, Erik Zabel, Michellie Jones, Chris McCormack, Hot Wheels, the Subaru Factory Team, Prime Alliance, Jelly Belly, Team Rossignol and Telekom have in common?  They are just a few of the 12,000 high profile athletes wearing Rudy Project products.  Come in to Complete EyeCare Center to see what all the accolades are about.  This is performance sunwear that is backed up by…

A Replacement Lens Guarantee– If you scratch them, Rudy Project will replace them.  They know that when you’re playing hard, stuff happens.  Whatever the reason, Rudy Project will replace your lenses for a handling fee.  Read more about their replacement lens guarantee.

A 3 Year Limited Frame Warranty– Rudy Project sunglasses are warranted from defects in materials or workmanship for 3 years.  Read more.

We’re An Authorized Dealer– If you don’t buy from an authorized dealer, you won’t get Rudy’s lens or frame guarantees.  At Complete EyeCare Center, you can be assured that you are getting authentic Rudy Project eyewear, made in Italy.  No imitations, no cheap look-alikes, just excellence.

We’re introducing Southeast Iowa to a new standard in performance sunglasses.  Drop by our downtown Mt. Pleasant office to see them today!

You’ve broken out the new calendar, or at least turned the page to a new year.  Are you wondering where 2008 went?  None of us seems immune to this syndrome, perhaps a sign of the busyness of our culture.  So, it should come as no surprise that you’ve probably underestimated how long it’s been since your last eye exam.

Not all people need a comprehensive eye health exam every year.  Every two years can be adequate for people who are not considered “at risk”.  Having said that, children and students may need more frequent care since their eyes are growing and changing quite rapidly.  That’s why it’s important for parents and teachers be educated to recognize signs of vision problems in children.

So who needs to been seen at least annually?  Those over age 60, contact lens wearers, anyone who has had eye surgery, people who take prescription or non-prescription drugs that can have ocular side effects, diabetics, anyone with high blood pressure, those who have a family history of ocular disease (such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, etc.), those who work in occupations that are visually demanding or with eye hazards, children with a high refractive error, an eye turn, or eyes with unequal refractive power,  children born prematurely, with low weight, or through difficult or assisted labor, children who received oxygen as newborns, children with family history of certain diseases, and people with other health concerns or conditions.  (Keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list, and some conditions require more frequent monitoring.)

After examining and talking with you, Dr. Olson will make a recommendation about how long it should be until you have your next eye health exam.  Our first concern is your health, so we help you keep on track with convenient scheduling and reminders tailor-made to your situation.  But we won’t be surprised if your response is, “Has it really been a year?”

Do you find that you are relying more on electronic communication and less on the telephone lately?  I know I have noticed this trend in my own situation.  It’s convenient, less intrusive, and fast.  We recognized that our patients could easily benefit from streamlining our appointment confirmation process.  If you prefer, we can now send appointment confirmation messages and reminders by email, text or pager!  Simply click a button on the email to confirm or call back when it’s convenient for you, if that’s better for you.

You can also just click a button from the email if you want to add the appointment to your personal electronic calendar in Outlook, iCal, etc.

Of course, we need to know your email address, cell phone or pager number to provide this new service.  We’ll ask about it at your next visit.  Or, we can set it up now if you contact us.

You can rack up holiday shopping savings very quickly by purchasing your eyewear at Complete EyeCare Center’s downtown Mt. Pleasant, Iowa office.  Not only that, you could win a prize valued at $300 or more!  We are participating in Main Street Mt. Pleasant’s “Get Punched” promotion, which starts November 3rd, 2008.  For each $100 you spend at participating businesses, take your completed punch card to the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber office to receive a free gift certificate worth at least $5 to spend downtown, plus a chance to win the weekly prize.  That’s an automatic reward of at least 5% on your purchase, perhaps more!  Large weekly prizes will be awarded November 14th, 21st, December 5th, 12th, and 19th.  You can have a new look for the holidays, and these added bonuses, by getting those new eyeglasses or contacts you’ve been wanting now!

The following has been excerpted from Dr. Christopher Olson’s Curriculum Vitae:

Professional Awards and Honors

1992, named “Young O.D. of the Year” by the Iowa Optometric Association

1992 to Present, awarded Optometric Recognition Award for Continuing Education by the American Optometric Association

1994 to Present, Fellow, American Academy of Optometry

2000, named “Optometrist of the Year” by the Iowa Optometric Association

2001, Iowa Governor’s appointee to the State Board of Optometry

2009, Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry appointee to the nation’s Accreditation Council on Optometric Education

Professional Service

Accreditation Council on Optometric Education, 2009 to present

Chair, State of Iowa Board of Optometry, July 2006 to Apr. 2010

Secretary, State of Iowa Board of Optometry, Apr. 2001 to July 2006

Clinical Examiner, National Board of Optometry

Member, Education Committee Member, Legislative Committees Member, House of Delegates, Iowa Optometric Association

Member, American Optometric Association

VISION USA Provider

Iowa Lion’s Diabetes & Glaucoma Mobile Unit Doctor

Iowa Alumni Liaison, Illinois College of Optometry

Lecturer, IOAA Annual Meeting, 2005 to 2011

Lecturer, Primary Care Symposium, American Academy of Optometry, 2006

InfantSEE Provider, 2005 to Present

Community Service

Secretary & Member, Mt. Pleasant Public Library Board

Board Member, Kiwanis Club, Mt. Pleasant

Actor and Member, Mt. Pleasant Community Theatre

Board Member, The Rec Center, Mt. Pleasant

Council Chairperson, Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sunday School and confirmation teacher, choir member, liturgist, instrumentalist

Fundraiser, Iowa Wesleyan College, Boy Scouts of America, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association

Education

Waco High School, Olds, IA, June 1979. Valedictorian

Iowa State University, Ames, IA, May 1983. Bachelor of Science in Distributed Studies: Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology, and Zoology, Graduated with Distinction

Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, IL, May 1987. Doctorate in Optometry, magna cum laude. Westside V.A. Hospital Externship

Interests, Activities

Music (instrumental, vocal), Fitness (mountain biking, jogging), Reading

1979, Eagle Scout

1995, Completed Marine Corps Marathon, Washington D.C.

Ever wished you didn’t have to wear glasses or contacts, but find the idea of refractive surgery a bit drastic or expensive?  People who would like all the advantages of not wearing glasses or contacts during the day, but are reluctant to have refractive surgery (such as Lasik) are finding a solution with CRT at Complete EyeCare Center.

CRT stands for Corneal Refractive Therapy.  With CRT the cornea, or outer surface of the eye, is reshaped each night using a specially designed rigid contact lens while you sleep.  The lenses are removed in the morning and your vision is corrected!  This means you don’t have to wear glasses or contact lenses during the day. 

Among people who benefit from wearing CRT lenses while they sleep, are those who have dry eyes, because they do not have to wear traditional contact lenses that can contribute to dryness during waking hours.  Those who work in dusty conditions or with fumes don’t have to worry about problems with contact lens irritation.  Anyone who enjoys swimming or exercising and would love to work out without their glasses, yet still see clearly, would benefit as well.  Emergency workers and others who face situations where they would be handicapped if their glasses were knocked off or contacts were dislodged, also appreciate freedom from typical corrective lenses. 

Another benefit to consider is that CRT is reversible, so when near vision begins to change in your 40s, the correction can be adjusted.  For Lasik patients these vision changes can mean that reading glasses are now necessary, but it’s possible that they could be avoided by a CRT patient using monovision. 

Anyone who finds the idea of freedom from traditional vision correction appealing, or has thought about Lasik, should consider the benefits of CRT.  Dr. Olson is only eye doctor in the Mt. Pleasant area to offer CRT.  Call his office, Complete EyeCare Center at 319.385.9534, for an eye health exam and he will help you determine if CRT is a good option for you.

Remember the once popular game show Family Feud?  Before the show, 100 people were asked a question and their top answers were tabulated.  During the show, contestants tried to guess how they had answered.  Knowing the most popular answer would earn the most points.  Excitement mounted as the host dramatically shouted “…and the survey says…”

A regional newspaper with a circulation of over 20,400, the Burlington Hawkeye, recently conducted their own survey in August 2008.

They asked all those readers, “Who is your favorite Mt. Pleasant Optometrist?”  And the survey says…Dr. Christopher Olson is #1!

Not only that, they also asked readers, “What is your favorite optical center in Mt. Pleasant?”  And the survey says….Complete EyeCare Center is #1!

Thank you to all of you who have encouraged us in this way.  We are honored.  We will continue to do our best to earn your trust and serve you well.

If you’re aren’t familiar with our practice and you’re wondering, “Which eye doctor should I choose for my family’s eye care needs?” there’s no need to guess how your neighbors, friends and family would answer the question.   When asked, they said that Dr. Christopher Olson and Complete EyeCare Center is most preferred.  We’d love to show you why!  Why not call us today for an appointment?  (Our phone number is 319.385.9534.)

See the Burlington Hawkeye Readers Choice Page

Please call 319.385.9534 or email us at email@completeeye.com to request an appointment today!

In the future we’ll have a convenient way for you to request an available appointment time online.

Most people have heard of macular degeneration, or know of someone with the condition.  It is the leading cause of blindness for those 50 and older.  The macula, which is the center and most sensitive part of the retina, thins and in some cases bleeds.  The result is gradual loss of central vision.  Until now, there has been little that can be done to help patients prevent macular degeneration progression.

Complete EyeCare Center’s optometrist, Dr. Christopher Olson, offers his patients a product that gives new hope to victims of progressive macular degeneration–a newly developed nutritional supplement called TOZAL.  A landmark study first released in the British medical journal BioMed Central Ophthalmology indicated TOZAL can stop the progression of macular degeneration and in some cases, actually reverse the symptoms.  56.7% of subjects experienced an improvement in visual acuity as a result of consistent use of TOZAL.  It also helped reduce the risk factors of age-related visual decline.  In the study, TOZAL even surpassed the positive benefits of the initial AREDS study–which has been widely adopted by eye-care professionals as the standard for nutritional supplementation.

Dr. Olson can determine if you would benefit from TOZAL.  He has the clinical skills and instrumentation to measure macular pigmentation, which is often an early indicator of macular degeneration, and will take the time to evaluate your medical history and exam findings to make a recommendation.   Call our office today at 319.385.9534 to schedule an eye health exam.  If you are someone who may benefit, TOZAL can either be purchased in our Mt. Pleasant office or ordered online anytime (with representative number 24894.)  As always, be sure to return for regular eye exams so your maculas and overall health can be monitored.

(Click this photo button, then click “Order Now”, “Add to Cart” and use rep# 24894 to make an online Tozal purchase.)

Dr. Christopher Olson, of Mt. Pleasant, is one of only 3 optometrists in Iowa to receive a respected national award, the American Optometric Association’s 2008 Continuing Optometric Recognition Award.  The other two Iowans practice in Elkader and West Union.

The award is given to doctors of optometry who have completed 50 credit hours of continuing education in their field over a one-year period and, in addition, have previously received the Initial Optometric Recognition Award.  The American Optometric Association honors the ORA recipients recognizing that the doctor’s efforts to pursue continuing education reflect a deep desire to provide patients with the best vision care available today.

This is Dr. Olson’s 18th consecutive year of being an Optometric Recognition Award recipient, completing twice the continuing education required for Iowa optometrists every year since his graduation.

2007 AOA President (left) presents the ORA to Dr. Olson (right).

Dr. Olson Leads Iowa in Offering Patients iZon Customized Lenses

Until now, there was nothing your eye doctor could do to identify or address tiny imperfections unique to your eyes.  As the first practitioner in Iowa with a Z-View Aberrometer, Dr. Olson is able to detect microscopic abnormalities in the eye and map your unique iPrint.  This means you’ll receive a much more comprehensive prescription–one that can result in vision with enhanced depth perception, contrast, crispness, color perception, and night vision.

To learn more about your unique iPrint, and the benefits of iZon lenses watch this brief video from the iZon website.  Then call Complete EyeCare Center for an appointment with Dr. Olson and see if your a candidate!

Mount Pleasant High School students recently paired up in a relay to keep two see-saws active for five hours, motivated by the knowledge that their efforts will help restore sight to the blind in India.  A MPCHS Interact Club service event, See-Saw for Sight was held May 17, 2008, at Complete EyeCare Center, in downtown Mt. Pleasant.  Cataracts are a severe problem in India, where Rotary Club International is working to assist the needy.  Cataract surgery can be done for $50 at a subsidized outreach clinic there, so each participant was challenged to raise at least that amount before the Saturday event.  Rotary, Interact’s parent organization, matches the funds students raise at the local to international level, multiplying its impact as much as eight times.  This local event, held annually since 2006, has already resulted in assistance to over 500 people.

See-Saw for Sight was held in conjunction with Complete EyeCare Center’s annual Fashion Eyewear Event.  Visitors to the dual events were offered free hot dogs, popcorn, beverages, cookies, and were eligible for an array of door prizes.  Local optometrist, Dr. Christopher Olson, and his daughters, Ashley and Nicole, have spearheaded the Interact Club’s See-Saw for Sight event each year after learning of Rotary’s sight-saving efforts from the Interact Club’s advisor, Mr. Cal Litwiller.  In 2005, Litwiller traveled to India and was impressed by the needs there, as well as the impact cataract surgery could make on an individual’s life and livelihood.  Olson’s practice, Complete EyeCare Center, and Dave’s Foods, donated food and equipment for the club’s 2008 event.  The participation of Interact members and friends, along with the support of this year’s contributors, is projected to aid more than 100 of India’s afflicted, who will regain functional vision for work and daily life.

Fresh, funky, fashionable frames

Tasty, tempting, treats,

Desirable, don’t-miss, door prizes

See-sawing, smiling, students

Koali Eyewear Event for Men & Women

and

MPCHS Interact Club’s See-Saw for Sight

ONE DAY ONLY…Saturday, May 17, 2008, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

$50 savings! Food & Prizes!

You’ve Chosen the Right Eye Doctor for Your Family if. . .

• You experience improved comfort or better performance– at work, school, sports, or in daily tasks like reading or driving.
• You talk to a helpful, Certified Optometric Assistant when you call your eye doctor’s office, and enjoy convenient, accessible parking and a welcoming office and staff.
• Your doctor’s concern for high quality patient care is evidenced by innovative technology and products–like the Optomap® retinal exam and iZon® customized high-definition lenses.
• You receive a Competitive Guarantee of Value, and a Warranty, with your eyeglass purchase.
• Your baby can have a FREE InfantSEE® exam.
• You’ve scheduled an eye exam with Dr. Olson at Complete EyeCare Center in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa!

Call 319-385-9534 today to schedule an exam, or submit an online appointment request now.  You’ll be reassured to know that when you choose Dr. Olson…

• Your eye doctor was voted Mt. Pleasant’s “Favorite Optometrist” and his practice, Complete EyeCare Center, was also the “Favorite Optical Center” of Burlington Hawkeye newspaper readers.
• Your eye doctor is one of the top 90 optometrists in the nation to treat glaucoma*.
• Your eye doctor was named “Optometrist of the Year” by the Iowa Optometric Association.
• Your eye doctor serves on the American Council on Optometric Education board–an 11-member team which accredits all U.S. optometric colleges and residency programs.
• Your eye doctor was appointed by Iowa’s Governor to serve on the State of Iowa’s  Board of Optometry to ensure public health, welfare, and safety. Reappointed the maximum 9 years, Dr. Olson served as Board Chair through 2010.
• Your eye doctor has been accepted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.
• Your eye doctor is recognized annually by the American Optometric Association for a his commitment to continuing education and patient care.

* based on glaucoma medication prescribed.  (There are over 37,000 optometrists in the U.S.)

To learn more about Dr. Christopher Olson, read excerpts from his Curriculum Vitae.