July 18, 2007

 

The Sharon Kleyne Hour

Radio Talk Show – www.workdtalkradio.com

Power of Water – Global Warming

Mind – Eyes – Skin – Body

 

Show Summary

Date: March 19, 2007

Guest: Marge Wingler, Optician

Topic: Eyewear, Eye Care and Children

 

Sharon (paraphrased): Before introducing our first guest, I wanted to talk about my show’s subtitle, “The Power of Water.” Water is the basis for all life and is essential to everyday health for eyes, skin, mind and body. Loss of water, or “dehydration,” can cause many diseases and symptoms. The opposite is “hydration,” the replacement of lost water. Keeping ourselves hydrated in a dehydrating world of global warming is becoming a major challenge. Our cells are 60 to 70 percent water and we must not take this for granted. Instead, we must do everything we can to understand the role of water and moisture maintenance in health.

            Today’s guest is Marge Wingler, who has been a practicing optician for 44 years in Southern Oregon and is a member of the American Board of Opticians. Welcome, Marge. Why did you choose to become an optician?

 

Marge (paraphrased): I was living in Kentucky, became interested in the field and needed to make a living, so I want to optician school. At the time, there were almost no women in the field. Also, the training is much better today. Basically, we take prescriptions by ophthalmologists or optometrists, and turn them into eyewear designed to meet the needs of the individual. It’s a field that combines helping and medicine with fashion. Eyewear has become much more stylish and much more technologically advanced.

 

S: What changes have you seen in 44 years.

 

M: For one thing, children used to hate having to get glasses. Now they get all excited. Children’s eyewear is growing rapidly. Eyewear can also make a strong fashion statement for professionals.

 

S: What else can you say about children’s vision care?

 

M: It’s important for parents to observe their children’s vision. Do they bump into things? Do they have to squint to see near objects? Or far objects? Are they having problems in school? It helps when they’re little to point to things and have them describe them. But don’t scold them, just have their eyes checks in you suspect something. Fortunately, schools do a lot of vision screening. So do the Kiwanis, I believe.

 

S: Is there a special way you treat children?

M: They’re usually with one parent and usually very uncomfortable and disinterested. I usually chat a little and try to relax the child, which also usually relaxes the parent. But no two situations are alike. The good news is that more children are wearing glasses these days, not because their vision is poorer but because there is greater awareness and better choices.

 

S: What’s the most important thing you need to find out from patients?

 

M: I need to know exactly what they intend to use the glasses for. What they do for a living, how their work space is set up, etc. Do they read a lot? Play the piano? Make models? Go hunting? If they bring in precise measurements of distances and angles – from the eyes to the computer screen, for example – this is immensely helpful.

 

S: What are the latest choices in eyewear?

 

M: Progressive lenses have seven different focal lengths. They’re been around for decades but have improved greatly in the past ten years and are becoming much more popular. If you work at a computer, the correct glasses are essential to prevent eye and neck strain. We can fit you with single-vision or bifocal “computer glasses” but we need to know the distance from your eyes to the screen. We also can make special “music glasses.” I once fitted a pair for a concert pianist, after having her measure the distance from her eyes to the sheet music. She was astounded at the difference. When you see properly, there is less physical strain, less anxiety and greater productivity.

 

S: What do you recommend for taking care of eyes?

 

M: There are lots of things. Drink plenty of water, for one thing. And get lots of rest at night.

 

S: Have you ever tried Nature’s Tears EyeMist?   

 

M: Absolutely! I recommend it to many patients.  I’ve never had dry eye but I use it myself at home then I’m peeling onions. Truck drivers seem to find it especially helpful. It makes them less tired and they can use it without pulling over.

 

S: What do you recommend for eye care during sports and exercise?

 

M: Don’t wear glass lenses, they’re heavier and could break and cause injury. Also, sports goggles over your glasses are helpful for certain activities, such as swimming and contact sports. Contact lenses are great but again, in certain situations, you should wear goggles over them. With kids, you might want some sort of eye protection even if they don’t wear corrective lenses. Again, it depends on the activity.

 

S: Thank you so much for a very informative visit. When we come back, Art Bernstein, our resident naturalist, will talk about religious ritual baths. It should be fascinating.