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Show Feature Nothing is more precious than your eyesight! By Barbara Pyles Many people have regular eye exams, but there are others who tend to take their eyesight for granted-unti- l something goes wrong. Prevent Blindness America reports that nearly 1 million people in the United States over age 40 are legally blind. Another 2.3 million people in this age group are visually impaired. These figures have doubled in the last 30 years and are expected to double again in the next 30 years. Havingyour eyes checked on a regular basis could prevent vision loss or blindness later, says Dr. Stuart K. Allan, Optometrist, of Kane County Eye Care. Located at 76 East 100 South in Kanab, Dr Allans optometric practice provides comprehensive vision and eye health examinations for the residents of Kanab and the surrounding areas. Before Dr. Allan examinesyour eyes, he will ask about any chronic health conditions that you or a close family member have, or about any eye problems that seem to run in your family. Be sure and tell him about any vision problems that you have noticed since your last appoint- child have a comprehensive optometric examination as early as six months and again at the age of three, then once more before entering school. From the ages of seven to eighteen-ever- y two years, unless, of course, a particular problem exists. Dr. Allan says that if left untreated, eye problems in children can lead to learning difficulties or even irreversible vision loss. Tn young adults there are not a lot of changes going on, says Dr. Allan. For someone without a visual problem, who doesnt wear glasses, they should visit their optometrist every two or three years. early fifties is when we start seeing them more regularly. A yearly exam is recommended by mid-fiftito We rule to sixties. out want early any diseases that may be present, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is the Mid-fortie- s, es leading cause of blindness in America. Some common symptoms are a gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly, distorted vision, a gradual loss of color vision and a dark or empty area appearing in the center of vision (AOA.) coma can affect anyone from newborn babies to senior citizens. In fact, four million people in the United States have glaucoma and half of them don Y even know they have it. (The Glaucoma tired try using artificial tears, says Dr. Allan. But I caution people about eye drops that claim to get the red out. If your eyes are always red there is a reason. You need to find out what is causing the redness and eliminate the cause instead of treating the symptoms. Today almost everyone who uses a computer for long periods is talking about Computer Vi- sion Syndrome. Dr. Allan offers some tips that can help these Foundation). According to Dr. Allan, the American Optometric Associa- tion (AOA) recommends that a Try to figure twenty-twenty-twen- up-to-da- 4V, K if ricsA-i- f : mm Optometrist Dr. Stuart K. Allan of Kane County Eye Care recently opened his office, located at 76 East 100 South in Kanab. Photo by Barbara Pyles. have three children: Blaine, Alyssa and Kobe. When not working or being with his family, the doctor enjoys woodworking, and tinkering with anything that has a motor. Hours for the Kane County Eye Clinic are Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The doctor will work Saturdays and 7 for an his hours. Call Dr. Allan says if appointment. you have an emergency dont hesitate to call. An emergency number is listed on his answering phone. Im here for the people in this area, he says. Dr. Allan is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Utah Optometric 644-571- te STSJSrDinNTCj ty CANYON BOOK and SUPPLY 644-881- r way to get a better refund. A Segal - good for increasing spending power EE CftHE refund. Refund Rewards 644-571- on stuff you want Taxes have never been more fun. Tues. 7 Fri. 9:00 5:00 AEIO this out!! Last week:. Pay through the nose 17 computer.users: Take frequent breaks, make an effort to blink more, use lubricating eye drops, make sure there is no glare on evenings for those unable to meet Association. your screen, and adjust your monitor so that you are looking down at the screen, not up. I have heard of a rule, he says. look at minutes Every twenty is something that twenty feet away for twenty seconds. Dr. Allan recalled that he wanted to be an optometrist since he was about twelve years 10 NEGLECTED VIRTUES THAT WILL old. He received his bachelors HEAL OUR HEARTS AND HOMES degree and his Doctor of OptomUniverfrom Pacific etry degree By Gordon B. Hinckley sity in Forest Grove, Oregon. He Foreword by Mike Wallace began his practice in Kanab in 1999. of July Now available at . . . Although his office is small rather than grand, Dr Allan does have very modem and 30 North Main - Kanab 4 equipment. Everything is very current, he says. " Im very excited, he says, about being in Kanab. My goal in life has always been to have my own optometry clinic in a small town. We plan on living here the rest of our lives. About being an Optometrist: I like the idea of helping people and offering a service that improves their life style. It is very rewarding. Its never been done before. A rewards program for your tax Dr. Allan and his wife Wendy 76 E. 100 So. Kanab Eye Teasers V-rT- foreign in your eyes, and blurred vision. If you have these symptoms, they recommend that you see an optometrist for a comprehensive examination. Excessive dry eyes may damage eye tissue, scar your cornea (the front covering of your eyes) and impair vision and make contact lens wear difficult. If your eyes just feel dry and Macular degeneration is quite common in this area, says Dr. ment. Allan. A lot of people have By looking into your eyes with adapted well by using approprispecial instruments, he can di- ate low vision devices. One thing agnose vision problems such as I recommend, especially for somenearsightedness, farsighted- one that has a positive history for ness, astigmatism and macular degeneration, is taking presbyopia. He can prescribe a multiple vitamin every day. Consumers should ask their reading glasses, bifocals, or contact lenses to help you see com- optometrists about ways to profortably and clearly. In addition, tect their eyes. For instance, Dr. he is trained to detect vision- Allan suggests that people shield robbing conditions such as cata- their eyes from the harmful rays racts and macular degeneration. of the sun by wearing sunglasses. He is also trained to detect pos- He also recommends the wear-ingsible signs of systemic diseases safety eyewear when worksuch as high blood pressure and ing around the house, the yard diabetes. The doctor routinely or when participating in a high checks everybody who comes into risk sport. leadAs we age our eyes may stop his office for glaucoma-th- e blindof cause ing preventable producing as many tears as they ness. The exam is unhurried and should, and this can be a probthorough. After the exam, the lem. According to (AOA) the doctor takes the time to explain symptoms for dry eyes can inany eye problems thoroughly. If clude irritated, scratchy, dry needed, he will prescribe treat- uncomfortable eyes, a burning sensation or feelingof something ment. the more than Ninety percent of 80,000 Americans who are blind EUinE COUTJTY as a result of glaucoma did not have to lose their sight! GlauDr. Stuart K Allan of SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2000 Look for the answer in the next SUN KB BLOCK 178 S 100 E Kanab, UT 435-644-20- 71 . Weekdays 9 am - 3 pan and SL 9 am-- 1 pm Appoiaimeats. available bt not necessary. v |