Merchant Processing Services

Office rapport is one of the secrets of understanding the desires of our younger guys and gals. We attempt to connect with their conduct during the exam and fitting. We also address some of the unexpected behaviors that the kids exhibit after the delivery of the glasses. 

My wife, Dr. Lillian Friedman, has had fifty years of experience in handling our patients who are preschool, preteens and teenagers. Her manner of connecting to children is much better that my knuckle to the side of the head routine. I asked her, "What do you say to put the kids at ease?" She responds, "If the kids look frightened when first entering the office, I tell them ‘I don't give needles and there is nothing that will happen here that will hurt you. Climb up on this chair and we'll have some fun.’ I may ask them, during the ophthalmoscopy procedure, ‘What do you think is the color inside the eye?’ They will guess different colors and I tell them the color is orange. They are surprised at this. A pleasant rapport has been initiated and the kids become relaxed. I make them feel that they are participants during the exam. Following the exam I always ask if they had fun.”

There are other occasions when a sterner demeanor is required. Dr. Friedman explains, "Sometimes I note that young patients are continually losing or breaking their glasses” she said. “Some present a sullen attitude and others say, ‘I don't need glasses because I see just fine.’ These are clues that tell me that they are not going to wear their glasses. I then say, ‘You don't want to wear glasses, do you?’ They usually agree. Then I strike them with the statement, ‘Well, I guess there is no sense in going to the trouble of examining you since you're not going to wear the glasses.’ At this moment most of the youngsters will promise to wear the glasses as instructed. I will say to them, ‘Select a frame that you really like and will enjoy wearing. Perhaps, in a few years you will be able to be fitted with contact lenses.’”

It is the habit of teens and preteens to emulate celebrities who wear eyeglasses. The most frequent names the kids may mention are Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Bono and, of course, Harry Potter. High fashion sunwear has been a beacon of light for the waif and scamp groups. In my previous article "Teenagers Flip over Glasses", from the July 2008 edition of this publication, we presented a detailed account of how and why our kids chose their eyewear to reflect their desire for getting more enjoyment from their glasses. 

Having said that, there is a different problem that often rears its ugly head. I refer to the sometimes disastrous manner with which the kids behave badly regarding the care of their eyeglasses. In spite of the “flexible metal” and “unbreakable plastic” at our disposal, the kids are inflicting severe damage to their glasses. This affects not only the adjustment but the accuracy of the prescription that has been altered by careless handling.

Patients young and old come in and request an adjustment on their glasses which appears to have traveled through a wringer. They have no idea how this could have occurred. During the course of conversation it is revealed that they fell asleep last night, forgot to place their glasses in a safe place and awoke with their vision correction somewhere beneath their buttocks. The adults feel guilty but the kids say, "The glasses are not strong enough."

Teens should be made aware that the proper nutrition fuels the body and contributes to the well being of the eyes. The mind is also influenced toward positive functioning. A healthy diet keeps the kids alert as well as strengthening the bones and muscles. Wise food choices also help a teenager’s desire for smooth and clear skin. Starting good eating habits during the teens helps the vision, maintains a healthy body weight and decreases future risk of serious eye problems that may arise in later life. These may include cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. 

A few key vitamins and nutrients that play an important role in good vision are: Vitamin A, which helps to prevent night vision problems or dry eyes. It plays a vital role in bone growth, helps to prevent pink eye disease and keeps the immune system strong. Note should be taken that an excess of Vitamin A can cause a toxicity. Symptoms include headaches, loss of appetite, dizziness and skin and joint pain. Good sources of Vitamin A are beef liver, chicken liver, cod liver oil, milk and eggs. Carotenoids are also very healthy for the eyes. They are found in kale, spinach, leaf lettuce, carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, tomato juice, sweet potatoes, broccoli, squash, watermelon, pink grapefruit and apricots. 

Vitamin C is a very basic vitamin vital to body function, a catalyst for other nutrients and is an important ingredient for the success of antioxidant activity. Main sources are found in oranges, orange juice, red and green bell peppers, grapefruit, strawberries, broccoli and kale. Most vision health cues will mention the help of Bioflavonoids. They can be traced to berries, grapes, apples, oranges, grapefruit, yellow onions, soy foods, legumes, teas and dark chocolate.

Most kids have pets. Special precautions should be taken to avoid eye injuries or other eye problems connected with household animals. Allergies to dog or cat dander are common. The acquisition of a hypoallergenic pet is the most practical answer to the allergy problem. Exotic pets such as snakes or spiders can pose special risks for eye problems for the kids. Many of these creatures possess salmonella on their skin. Serious illness can result from contact with them. Tarantulas are covered with tiny hairs that can penetrate human skin and eyes like tiny spears, causing inflammation. 

Sometimes the hairs are so small they cannot be removed from the eye, even when viewed with a microscope. Parents: think twice before allowing your kid to adopt a tarantula as a pet.

Kids today don't realize that there are many things that can be done with old glasses.

1. Plastic lenses and frames can be recycled.

2. Donate glasses to a charity such as the Lions Club, Goodwill or Eyes for the Needy. Special collections are made for third world countries.

3. Single vision readers could be handed over to a needy presbyopic member of the family or neighbor or friend.

4. Suggest an art project for the kids. They can paint the glasses with exciting colors and attach rhinestones to create something different and special.

5. Whimsical ideas are helpful. Use old glasses for the winter snowman on the front lawn. Take photos of your pet adorned with the old glasses. It would be amusing to send a copy to someone who is 40+ and starting to experience the pangs of presbyopia.

We know that kids today are keen and are not reluctant to express their ideas even if faced with parental opposition. Today they present logical reasons to uphold their views and determination to see it through. They sense their burgeoning power and have developed their own "kids way" of utilizing it.

Famous comedian, Red Buttons, summarized it neatly when he said, "Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected."

Elmer Friedman, O.D.
elmerf@verizon.net