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.

AREDS Made it Clear

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.

The Case for Lutein and Zeaxanthin

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).

New Study Builds on Long Term Nutrient Benefits

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.

• Tozal Eye Health Formula (To order Tozal online click the link and use rep# 24894 to complete your purchase.)
• Omega Max
• Viteyes Advanced Formula
• Viteyes AREDS Companion
• Viteyes Smokers Formula
• EyePromise Restore (To order EyePromise Restore online click the link and use referral doctor #10246 to complete your purchase.)

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.

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 .

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!

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!

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!

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 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 our patients!

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