This is Lilly. She is a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois. She serves our community alongside her partner in the Major Crimes Unit of Fairfield County. Notice anything different about Lilly and her partner, aside from the obvious? Look closely. Give up? Lilly is not wearing a bulletproof vest.

How much would you guess a bulletproof vest costs? $200? $500? Try again. How about nearly $1000!?! We were shocked too. We were also surprised to learn that protective gear is not standard issue for canine cops. Dr. Anna Hopkins and her staff at True Vision Eyecare want to help protect those who protect and serve us.

We are raising funds to supply Lilly with her very own bulletproof vest to keep her safe while on duty. True Vision will proudly match, dollar for dollar, any donation we receive towards this very worthy cause.

Our hope is to present Lilly with her very own vest at our Community Appreciation Day, to be held Thursday, November 15th. This event will take place at our office located at 1726 E. Main St. in Lancaster from 2:30-5:00 pm. Join us in honoring those who proudly serve by giving back.

What You Can Do Everyday to Help Your Eye Health!

1. Diet – Cut out high fructose corn syrup and as much sugar and artificial sweeteners as possible. These ingredients cause high then low blood sugar levels that lead to hunger and more cravings for sweets. Sugar in our blood causes inflammation which can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and possibly cancer. It is a good idea to cut back on starches and simple carbohydrates. Try to eat healthy non-processed foods; organic and chemical free foods are the best. A healthy diet is important to keeping your eyes healthy and your vision clear.
2. Weight Control/Exercise – Losing as little as 10 pounds can make a good difference in blood sugar levels and hearth health, if you’re a bit overweight. Try to start by leaving 10% of your food on your plate. Even if you are already at a healthy weight, stay active and aim for walking 30 minutes five times a week. If all you can do is 10 minutes, that is still a great start. Alternatively, think about water aerobics or simply walk in water at the Y or Olivedale. A healthy heart increases your odds of having healthy eyes.
3. Sleep – Get at least 6 hours per night. Turn off computers, tablets, and smart phones two hours before sleep and/or use lenses that decrease the amount of blue light. Blue light inhibits the brain’s release of melatonin which starts the sleep cycle. Blue light is also indicated as a possible cause of eye diseases like macular degeneration and cataracts.
4. Vitamins – You need to get at least 2000 – 3000 units of Vitamin D. Some fresh air and sunlight are a great place to get some Vitamin D. For low Macular Pigment Optical Density scores there are recommended eye vitamins that not only provide protection for the macula and retina, but also provide support to the eye’s vascular system.
5. Don’t Smoke – It significantly raises your risk for macular degeneration, cataracts, vascular disease, gum disease etc. Don’t risk your sight and the health of your eyes.

Especially for Patients with Diabetes

• A1C (Glycated hemoglobin test) – This number is important because it represents the 3-month average of your blood sugar levels. Many physicians recommend aiming for 6 as an ideal; speak with your doctor about your target percentage level. Working on the above will help you achieve the desired number. Maintaining ideal A1C helps increase the odds of keeping your eyes healthy and preserving your vision.

• Dental Care – People with diabetes are 2x more likely to develop gum disease. Serious gum disease results in hard-to-control A1C levels. Make sure seeing your dentist every six months is part of your routine health care.

• Foot Care – Including a podiatrist in your diabetes care can reduce the risk of lower limb amputation up to 85%. Early warning signs run from skin color changes to dry cracks around the heel to sores that are slow to heal.
• Regular Diabetic Eye Exams – diabetics, whether type 1, type 2, or gestational, must have routine eye exams to monitor for diabetic eye disease, especially diabetic retinopathy.

Eye Doctor’s Appointment

To request an appointment with our optometrist in Lancaster, Ohio, at True Vision Eyecare, whether for a comprehensive eye exam or diabetic follow-up, please fill out the secure form on this page.

Light sensitivity, also known as photophobia, is a condition in which bright light – either natural sunlight or artificial light – can cause significant discomfort, pain and intolerance. People that experience light sensitivity will find themselves needing to close their eyes or squint when exposed to light and often experience headaches and nausea as well. In mild cases, the discomfort accompanies exposure to bright lights or harsh sunlight, but in severe cases even a small amount of light can cause pain and discomfort.

Photophobia is more common in individuals with light eyes. This is because the greater amounts of pigment in darker eyes help to protect the eye from the harsh rays of light. The darker pigment of the iris and choroid absorbs the light, rather than reflecting the light and causing internal reflection or glare experienced by those with lighter eyes. People with albinism, which is a total lack of eye pigment, also experience significant light sensitivity for this reason.

Acute photophobia is usually a symptom that accompanies a condition such as an eye infection or irritation (such as conjunctivitis or dry eyes), a virus, or a migraine (light sensitivity is one of the most common symptoms of migraines). It could also be caused by something more serious such as an eye condition like a corneal abrasion, a detached retina, uveitis or iritis or a systemic disease like meningitis or encephalitis. Light sensitivity is also a side effect of refractive surgery (such as LASIK) and some medications (such as tetracycline and doxycycline).

How to Deal with Photophobia

The most effective way to reduce the discomfort caused by photophobia is to stay out of sunlight and dim indoor lights as much as possible while you are experiencing symptoms. Wearing dark sunglasses and keeping your eyes closed may also provide some relief.

In the summer it is more common for UV to trigger corneal inflammation (keratitis) and cause photosensitivity as well. Wind and eye dryness can also set off photosensitivity, which are more good reasons to wear sunglasses.

If the sensitivity is new and the cause is unknown, you should seek medical attention immediately, especially if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Blurry vision
• Burning or pain in the eye
• Fever and chills
• Confusion and irritability
• Severe headache
• Drowsiness
• Stiff neck
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness
• Foreign body sensation

In cases where the photophobia is a symptom of an underlying issue, treating the issue will likely cause relief in your sensitivity. This will vary depending on the ailment but could include pain medications, eye drops or antibiotics, or anti-inflammatory medications. If the sensitivity is mild due to your genetic predisposition or a result of surgery, make sure you take your sunglasses every time you leave the house. People who wear prescription eyeglasses may consider photochromic lenses which automatically darken when exposed to light.

If you are uncomfortable, speak to your eye doctor about the best options for your condition.