AREDS and AREDS2 are the Only Vitamins Proven to Support Eye Health

There are plenty of eye vitamins on the market that claim to support eye health. The claims range from preserving eyesight to improving vision. A recent study decided to analyze these eye vitamins to determine if they contained necessary amounts of essential ingredients proven to decrease the progression of AMD. The conclusion was that only the AREDS or AREDS2 formula contains the proper percentage of ingredients that have been proven effective in slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness among seniors in the United States.

AREDS – Supplements determined in 2001 to be able to slow the progression of AMD in those who already had it.

AREDS2- The replacement of Beta-carotene in AREDS formula with related nutrients, lutein and zeaxanthin. Beta-carotene was removed in AREDS2 because it can cause an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers. Both formulas are still recommended by Ophthalmologists.

If you have any questions regarding your eye vitamins, please call our office at (707) 263-3500. You can also purchase AREDS2 from Dr. Sampson’s office.

Advertisement

Yes, We are Partnership Providers

As many of you know, California’s Medicaid program has made a monumental switch in Lake County from  Medi-Cal to managed care through Partnership Health Plan of California. Some of our patients have expressed difficulty finding our doctors in the provider directory for Partnership. Both Dr. Alan D. Sampson and Dr. H. Vernetta Johnson are PHC providers and listed in the directory. Dr. Sampson is listed on page 21 under Ophthalmology (not on page 25 since Dr. Sampson is not a VSP provider). Dr. Johnson is listed on page 22 under Pain Management, both at her CPIC location at Creekside Medical Plaza and at Lake County Tribal Health. We welcome all PHC patients and still look forward to serving you and “helping you find health and well being.”

For a full listing of the Partnership Health Plan providers in Lake County, please click here.

Our Organic Garden is in Full Bloom

At Creekside Medical Plaza we believe in comprehensive health care that encompasses the body, mind, and spirit. So it only makes sense that we grow organic fruits and vegetables in our back yard for our staff to enjoy and take home to their families.

Many of the diseases and medical problems that patients have can be traced to an unhealthy lifestyle that they either currently live or have lived in the past. We recognize that medicine plays a very important role in health, but so does taking care of ones body. We believe that good health requires people to treat their bodies well by exercising, eating well, drinking plenty of water, sleeping, and spending time with loved ones.

Growing our garden has been an interesting and pleasant experience, and we love to sit outside to enjoy the fruits of our labor. My favorite are our gorgeous heirloom tomatoes that I manage to put on everything. We also have kale, collards, bell peppers, butter lettuce, strawberries, eggplant, onions, and herbs.

Vegetables from the grocery store are good too if you are unable to grow your own. We just think growing a garden is a fun and healthy way to get more fruits and vegetables in your life.

Great Collard Greens Recipe

Kale Salad Recipe

 

Leave the Fireworks to the Professionals this Fourth of July

By Ponta2 (Own work)
(http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)

   

     Once a year, we gather up our friends and family, fire up the barbecue pit, and celebrate the Fourth of July Holiday with food, fun, and laughter. Many of us wait in anticipation for the sun to  go down and the fireworks to light up the sky. As this Fourth of July holiday approaches, it is important to enjoy the fireworks as a spectator and let the professionals handle the fireworks.

     “Fireworks often have  extreme temperatures and  it is very difficult to control their direction,” said Dr. Alan D. Sampson, ophthalmologist and CEO of Creekside Medical Plaza. “Serious eye injuries can occur when families decide to create their own firework  shows.”

     According to the Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), eye injuries are among the most common of the 9,000 firework injuries that occur every year. Some of the most serious eye injuries include corneal abrasions, traumatic cataracts, retinal detachments, optic nerve damage, and rupture of the eyeball. All of these have the potential to lead to blindness.

     The AAO advises the public that the best way to avoid potentially blinding injuries is to attend a professional public fireworks display instead of creating your own . If you do decide to handle fireworks, the AAO suggests the following tips to help reduce the potential for eye injury:

•    Never handle fireworks without protective eyewear and ensure that all bystanders are also wearing eye protection.
•    Never let young children play with fireworks of any type. If older children are permitted to handle fireworks, ensure they are closely supervised by an adult and wear protective eyewear.       
•    Clear the area of flammable materials and view fireworks from at least 500 feet away.
•    Leave the lighting of professional-grade fireworks to trained pyrotechnicians.

Keep Your Eyes Healthy (& Beautiful) With These Makeup Safety Tips

     Many women use it every day and some even feel bare without it. Eye makeup has become part of the typical morning routine for women (and some men) throughout the country. While the quality of eye makeup has much improved over the years and more advanced research has been done to create the eye-beautifying products used today, it is still important to ensure that you are not putting your eyes at risk when you use makeup products.

            “Women must help preserve their eye health by ensuring that they don’t share eye makeup, that they throw out their old makeup, and that they use extreme caution when applying cosmetics to the eyes and eyelids,” said Dr. Alan D. Sampson, ophthalmologist and CEO of Creekside Medical Plaza in Lakeport, CA. “A careless or hurried eye makeup application can result in an emergency trip to the eye doctor with a painful infection or corneal abrasion.”

Photo Courtesy of Courtney Rhodes

 

            Improper makeup application, sharing tools, or using old products can contribute to infection, dermatitis, dry eyes, excessive tearing, inflammation, styes, and eye trauma.

            Many liquid or cream eye makeup products, such as mascara, eyeliner, and cream shadows, are repeatedly exposed to air and contaminants during normal use. This makes it very important to throw away these products at least every three months. It is also a good idea to make sure that you remove all eye makeup before going to bed at night to avoid infection and irritation.

            Make it a habit to never share makeup, especially eye makeup, with friends and family. Sharing makeup can lead to contamination and, ultimately, an eye infection. It is also important to make sure that any makeup that you sample in a department store or beauty store has been disinfected prior to application.

            Never use sharp objects to apply makeup or separate eyelashes and take precaution when using both heated or clamp-style eyelash curlers. Remember to wash your makeup tools frequently and rinse them well.

            These simple tips can help you avoid eye infections, injuries, and irritation while still allowing you to wear the makeup that you love. If you do experience any eye problems as a result of wearing makeup, contact your local ophthalmologist.

 

 

Dr. Sampson Says to Eat These Superfoods to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

Many people know that eating healthier foods helps contribute to a better and happier life, yet one of the less widely known benefits of a more nutrient-dense diet is the impact it can have in protecting eye health and eye sight.

“There are certain foods that are naturally full of vitamins that help provide specific nutrients to your eyes,” said Dr. Alan Sampson, Ophthalmologist and CEO of Creekside Medical Plaza in Lakeport, CA. “Green vegetables, oranges, legumes, and some fish can all promote healthier eyes. Often a large variety of colorful fruits and vegetables incorporated in your diet will provide you with essential vitamins to boost not only your eyes’ health, but also your overall well-being.”

The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests people consume the following four foods to keep their eyes healthy:

• Kale – Leafy, dark vegetables contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which are believed to lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

• Salmon – Fish that is high in Omega-3 fatty acids also reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

• Oranges – Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which is important for eye health.

• Beans – Legumes contain zinc, an essential mineral that may help protect your eyes from the damaging effects of light.

There are many ways to include these foods in your diet. Some of our favorites are this simply delicious Kale salad, oven baked Salmon, fresh oranges and grapefruit, and white bean soup.

If you have any questions about how including these superfoods in your diet can help preserve your sight, please call your local ophthalmologist.

New Coupon for The Optical Shop at Creekside Medical Plaza

New Coupon So You Can Try Our Spring/Summer 2013 Lines. Hurry Before It Expires!

Protect Your Eyes During Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month

With all this beautiful weather and sunshine that we’ve been having lately, more of you are gearing up to play outdoor and indoor sports. While sports and activities are enjoyable and contribute to a healthier lifestyle, Dr Sampson stresses the importance of protecting your eyes to prevent serious damage and possible vision loss.

“Protective eye wear can prevent a lot of the sports-related eye injuries that ophthalmologists treat every year,” said Dr. Alan D. Sampson, ophthalmologist and CEO of Creekside Medical Plaza. “By protecting your eyes, you can make sure that you and your family have a safe and fun time while playing your favorite sports.

Sports injuries can include corneal abrasions, bruises, retinal detachments and internal bleeding. The most serious injuries may cause vision loss. Additionally, patients who have had previous eye injuries may have a higher risk for developing glaucoma.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has designated April as Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month and reminds the public that every year 40,000 people suffer from eye injuries related to sports and recreational activities. The AAO states that athletes of all ages need to wear appropriate, sport-specific protective eyewear properly fitted by an eye care professional.

There is eyewear created for most of the sports that we love to play including basketball, baseball, football, swimming, paintball, water polo, and more. It is also important to protect eyes from harmful UV rays during outdoor recreational activities.

If you ever just want to ask a professional some questions about the best protective eyewear for your hobbies and lifestyle, come by the Optical Shop at Creekside Medical Plaza and we would love to talk to you.

Photo Courtesy of sippakorn yamkasikorn

EXCITING New Gucci Glasses and Sunglasses

We just LOVE the new Gucci sunglasses and glasses that are now in our optical department. Our shipment just arrived today and we can barely wait to display them. All this recent gloomy weather and the extreme temperature drop have us longing for the Spring/Summer season and these new glasses were just the thing to brighten our mood. We even had some fun and had some of our employees model them for us.

We carry a large assortment of Gucci sunglasses and glasses, with frames within a large range of price points. Come by and see us, even if it’s just to try them on and tell us what you think.

Watch Your Eyes When Popping Champagne During Your Valentine’s Day Celebrations

Photo courtesy of nlmAdestiny

Valentine’s Day is a fun time to make grand, romantic gestures to our loved ones. Our Valentine’s Day  celebrations often involve overloading our “amours” with  flowers, chocolates, jewelry, and champagne toasts. However, a romantic dinner can rapidly go awry if you are not careful when opening a special bottle of champagne.

“A Valentine’s Day dinner can quickly become an emergency trip to the eye doctor if precaution is not taken when opening champagne corks,” said Dr. Alan D. Sampson, ophthalmologist and CEO of Creekside Medical Plaza. “People can become preoccupied with their dinner and forget to prepare themselves for the cork to actually pop. In a matter of seconds, that cork can fly full-force into someone’s eye.”

The American Academy of  Ophthalmology states that champagne bottles contain pressure as high as 90 pounds per square inch, which is strong enough send a champagne cork  flying at 50 miles per hour as it leaves the bottle.Champagne cork accidents can lead to many serious eye injuries, including rupture of the eye wall, glaucoma, retinal detachment, ocular bleeding, dislocation of the lens, and damage to the eye’s bone structure. These injuries can require urgent eye surgeries and may lead to blindness in the affected eye.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology offers the following simple tips on how to properly open a bottle of champagne:

• Chill sparkling wine and champagne to 45 degrees Fahrenheit or colder before opening. The cork of a warm bottle is more likely to pop unexpectedly.
• Don’t shake the bottle. Shaking increases the speed at which the cork leaves the bottle thereby increasing your chances of severe eye injury.
• Point the bottle at a 45-degree angle away from yourself and any bystanders and hold down the cork with the palm of your hand while removing the wire hood on the bottle.
• Place a towel over the entire top of the bottle and grasp the cork.
• Twist the bottle while holding the cork at a 45 degree angle to break the seal. Counter the force of the cork using downward pressure as the cork breaks free from the bottle.

If you experience an eye injury from a champagne cork, seek immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist. You can reach Dr. Sampson’s office at (707)263-3500.