Complete EyeCare Center

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  319-385-9534    319-385-9534  319-385-9534 .

All summer until RAGBRAI, buy a Rudy Project Sunglass Kit and get a free backpack or duffel, free cycling helmet, free spare lenses, free hat & free T-shirt.  The value of the free gear alone is $250, but you get it all for only $220.  On Fridays we’ll pay the shipping when you wear your official Mt. Pleasant RAGBRAI T-shirt, so you get the whole Rudy Project Gear Deal for just $200!

Free Shipping is offered exclusively at Complete EyeCare Center as part of Mt. Pleasant’s “RAGBRAI Fridays” during July.  Your purchase includes Rudy Project’s Replacement Lens Guarantee and 3-year Limited Frame Warranty.  The last day of this offer is July 24, 2009.

“Have a Blast” in Mt. Pleasant when we host RAGBRAI July 24, 2009!

Koali, Oga, Lightec…these frame lines were featured at our annual Fashion EyeWear Event, but are available in our eyewear gallery throughout the year.  By stopping in our office both men and women will find unique, fashionable frame designs inspired by the natural world.  Some even feature real wood components.  (You can view these collections from our Products tab.)

Once again, the Fashion EyeWear Event was held in conjuction with the Mt. Pleasant High School Interact Club’s See-Saw for Sight on May 9, 2009.  Not only did they have fun, students were motivated by the knowledge that their efforts will help restore sight to the blind in India. The volunteers raised over $850 that will be matched several times by Rotary International.  With the matching funds it is projected that their efforts will help another 270 of India’s afflicted, who will regain functional vision for work and daily life after having cataract surgery at a subsidized outreach clinic.

After learning of Rotary’s sight-saving clinic Dr. Olson and his family suggested the first Interact Club See-Saw for Sight event and have helped organize it each year.   Complete EyeCare Center donated food, equipment, and radio time for the See-Saw for Sight event, and HyVee provided hot dogs.  This local event, held annually at Complete EyeCare Center since 2006, has already helped over 1000 people.

Visitors to the dual events in May were offered free hot dogs, popcorn, beverages, and cookies, and twelve were door prize winners.  Be watching for our next special event, to enjoy special savings, prizes and refreshments for yourself!

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!

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.

Thanks to all of you, our patients and friends who have placed their confidence in us.  We consider it a privilege to serve you and help with all of your eye health care needs.  We know we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you!  Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Dr. Olson and the staff of Complete EyeCare Center

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

1992 to Present, Optometric Recognition Award for Continuing Education (ORA), American Optometric Association,

1994 to Present, Fellow, American Academy of Optometry

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

2001 to Present, Appointed by Governor of Iowa to the State Board of Optometry

Professional Service

Chair, State of Iowa Board of Optometry, July 2006 to Present

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

Clinical Examiner, National Board of Optometry

Member, Iowa Optometric Association

Education and Legislative Committees, House of Delegates

Member, American Optometric Association

VISION USA

Iowa Lion’s Diabetes & Glaucoma Mobile Unit

Iowa Alumni Liaison, Illinois College of Optometry

Lecturer, Ocular Anatomy, IOAA Annual Meeting, 2005 to 2008

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

InfantSEE 2005 to Present

Community Service

Secretary, 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.

The colored part of your eye, called the iris, is what controls the amount of light that is allowed to enter the eye.  When your eyes dilate, the iris retracts and the central opening, or pupil, enlarges, letting more light in.  This automatically occurs when you are in darkness, and to a limited degree, when you are relaxed and happy.  Eye doctors can also provoke this response with dilation drops to get a wider view of the eye’s interior features.

Eye color is primarily determined by melanin within the iris stroma.  Interestingly, just as the ultraviolet component of sunlight triggers melanin production in the skin, it can affect the iris’s melanin content and cause subtle eye color changes.  Melanin is absent in the iris of a person with albinism so the iris may appear pink as blood vessels in the back of the eye are reflected through it.

Some clinical studies have examined the relationship between iris color, race, and age-related macular degeneration.  There seems to be a higher prevalence of the disease in people with light-colored eyes and skin.   Sunglasses with UV protection are highly recommended for everyone, but especially for those who fall into this potential risk group.

If you have  green eyes, you are a rare breed.  Statistically, green eyes are found in only 1 to 2 percent of all people. Brown eyes are by far the most common eye color.  More than 50% of the population shares that trait.  Brown is followed by hazel–a blend of brown and green or amber.  Blue eyes are significantly less common than either brown or hazel, yet it is predominant in certain geographic areas.

Your eye color may have been different when you were born.  Some Caucasian newborns have blue eyes that change as melanin production increases during the first year of life.  Eye color often stabilizes by the time an infant is 6 months old.  By the age of 3, the eyes produce and store enough melanin for the color to be fully established.

If you are not completely satisfied with the color of your eyes, there are now contact lens products that can enhance or even change them.  Most enhancement tints have transparency so they work best on light-colored eyes.  Opaque lenses allow even those with dark eyes to have a new look.  A wide variety of both types are available in our office.  (Call 319.385.9534 to schedule contact lens exam.)

Theatrical contact lenses are typically opaque and create special iris effects such as the appearance of a cat-eye shaped iris, or a white iris.  These are often popular with people wanting a dramatic costume effect for Halloween.  Watch for an upcoming post with more information about these lenses.

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 (319.385.9534), for an eye health exam and he will help you determine if CRT is a good option for you.

How can we not mention the recent craze to get frames like VP nominee Sarah Palin?  It’s fascinating to see the celebrity phenomena impacting the eyewear industry.  One thing it confirms is that frames are as much a fashion item as they are medical device.  Gone are the days of not wanting to be seen wearing glasses.  They are an accessory, and a means of conveying an image.

Palin’s frame features drill-mount linear shaped lenses and sleek gray-toned temples.  Drill mounts appear practically “frameless” from the front because the entire lens is rimless and held by mounting screws at the bridge and temples.  Her straight lens shape and frame size may not flatter all facial shapes, but it’s a great choice for Palin’s.  We have several similarly styled drill-mount frames, with variations in color and shape to suit you.  Our Eyewear Consultants can help you find the perfect frame so you look and see your best.  We take into account what’s flattering to your face and coloring, the right size for your lens prescription, as well as your personal tastes, lifestyle and visual needs.

Complete EyeCare Center’s Eyewear Consultants also keep educated on eyewear trends through current trade journals, conferences, and regular meetings with eyewear industry representatives.   Other celebrities setting recent trends in eyewear include Tina Fey, Amanda Peete, Cate Blanchett, and Jennifer Gardner.

To see an image of Palin’s frame select style 704.

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.

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!

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  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 appointed by the Governor to serve on the State Board of Optometry to ensure public health, welfare, and safety, and now serves as its Chair.
• Your eye doctor was named “Optometrist of the Year” by the Iowa Optometric Association.
• Your eye doctor has been admitted 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.)