7 New Genetic Risk Factors

New research from government scientists paints a clearer picture of how genetics may play a role in age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, the leading cause of blindness in people age 60 and older.
Researchers have identified seven places on the human genome that seem to be linked with the vision loss condition, adding to the 12 that had been identified in previous research. The study is published in the journal Nature Genetics.

Currently there is no cure for age-related macular degeneration, which is a condition that causes vision loss because of cell death in the eye's macula, according to the National Institutes of Health. There are two forms of the disease, wet and dry; wet AMD is caused when there are blood vessels that grow underneath the macula, whereas dry AMD is caused by the breakdown of cells in the macula.

While the biggest risk factor for the condition is age -- after all, advanced AMD affects 15 percent of white women age 80 and older, according to the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology -- genetics and other environmental factors are known to play a role. There has also been some recent evidence to suggest that aspirin may raise the risk for the condition, as well as C-reactive proteins (linked with inflammation).
Read full press release published on www.huffingtonpost.com

If it’s been more than a year since your last eye exam, please feel free to drop in to any 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore location or schedule an exam online. We have over 4000 thousand frames to choose from and we’re known for having a frame for every face and a price for any budget. We also have in-house optometrists that are available for full eye examinations. Check out our coupons page for current offerings as well.

20/20 Eyeglass Superstore is a family owned company that has been serving the Orange City, Melbourne and Winter Park areas for many years.  We look forward to becoming your number one source for all your eye care and eye fashion needs.  You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter to stay up to date on eye trends and eye health.

Bionic eye ‘enables blind people to see’

A bionic eye has enabled blind people to read letters and simple words.

The implant converts images from an external camera into electronic signals that the brain can 'see'.

Tests on 21 patients with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease that destroys light-receiving cells at the back of the eye, showed that three quarters were able to correctly identify single letters.

More than half were able to read four-letter words, at the best end of it they can start to read small 5cm letters formed into words. This was a huge change in perception of what we thought this device could do.'

The Argus II is currently the only approved retinal prosthesis. A camera mounted on a pair of glasses feeds pictures along a cable to an electronic chip resting against the retina inside the eye.

The chip stimulates the optic nerve, which carries signals to the visual processing centre of the brain, giving the wearer a highly pixellated black and white view of the world.

Read full press release published on http://www.skynews.com.au

If you’re interested in reading more about research on bionic eye, visit the Artificial Retina Project. It’s a great read!
Don’t forget, here at 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore, our main goal is becoming your number one source for all your Orlando vision needs. Drop in for all your eyeglass, contact and sunglasses needs. We look forward to seeing you!

20/20 Eyeglass Superstore launches newly designed customer-friendly website

You can read the original press release on PRBuzz.

March 6, 2013 Orlando - FL – With three convenient locations in Central Florida, 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore is proud to announce the launch of their newly designed website, www.2020eyeglass.com.  The goal of the remodeled website is to provide customers with a user experience that reflects the style and quality that has become synonymous with the 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore name.

20/20 Eyeglass Superstore online visitors can now:

●     Easily access vibrant photo galleries of designer and affordable eyeglasses and sunglasses available in stores

●     Book an appointment with an Independent Optometrist

●     View and print web-exclusive coupons for eyeglasses, sunglasses and contact lenses

●     Read blog posts about eye care, vision and the latest industry news

●     Connect socially with 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore via Facebook and Twitter

“Florida residents are looking online for their vision needs”, said Ed Ucci, Owner of 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore. “It was important to us to create a website that provides customers with everything they need to know regarding their vision health and the latest eyeglass and sunglass styles.”

Designed by SHIFT Digital Media, the 20/20 Eyeglass website boasts a fresh, vibrant design and is divided into five major sections: about, eye exams, frames, coupons and blog. Each page provides website viewers with detailed information.  Other features include social media links, contact information, newsletter signup and location information. The website’s easy-to-navigate nature provides customers with more efficient access to the information they are looking for and insures that the newly styled website will increase web traffic and maintain 20/20 as a leader in Central Florida’s eyeglass provider.

About 2020 Eyeglass Superstore

2020 Eyeglass Superstore has three retail locations in Orlando/Winter Park, Melbourne and Orange City that offer thousands of frames, at every price point, to choose from.  Each location has its own independent optometrist and in-house lab.  These features enable customers to have their own customized frames and lenses within one hour. Visit www.2020eyeglass.com for more information.

About SHIFT Digital

SHIFT digital specializes in web technology, content marketing, social media and brand strategy solutions. We help businesses maximize their exposure online, increase revenue, build their customer base and stand out against the competition using the latest in technology and marketing. SHIFT happens at www.SHIFTdigitalmedia.com.

Media Contacts

SHIFT Digital

Samantha Collier
Social Media Strategist

(407) 219-9113

samantha@shiftdigitalmedia.com

www.SHIFTdigitalmedia.com

Samantha Collier
Social Media Strategist

(407) 219-9113

samantha@shiftdigitalmedia.com

www.SHIFTdigitalmedia.com

Bill Webster
CEO
(407) 219-9113
bill@shiftdigitalmedia.com
www.SHIFTdigitalmedia.com

Vision Loss and Depression May Be Linked

People with depression are more likely to have self-reported vision loss, according to a new study. After accounting for a number of factors — including age, sex and general health — the researchers concluded there was a significant association between self-reported vision loss and depression. The study did not, however, show that one causes the other.

“Better recognition of depression among people reporting reduced ability to perform routine activities of daily living due to vision loss is warranted,” they concluded.

To know more read the full pressrelease by Robert Preidt, healthday reporter published on webmd.com.

If it’s been more than a year since your last eye exam, please feel free to drop in to any 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore location or schedule an exam online. We have over 4000 thousand frames to choose from and we’re known for having a frame for every face and a price for any budget. We also have in-house optometrists that are available for full eye examinations. Since march is national save your vision month you can stop in today for your eye exam and get an additional 10% off.

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Did you know that everyone is at risk for glaucoma from babies to senior citizens? Glaucoma is a complicated disease in which the optic nerve is damaged leading to progressive, irreversible vision loss if left untreated.  Some forms of glaucoma have virtually no symptoms. 

Glaucoma has been called the "silent thief of sight" because the loss of vision often occurs gradually over a long period of time, and symptoms only occur when the disease is quite advanced. Once lost, vision cannot normally be recovered, so treatment is aimed at preventing further loss. Glaucoma is the second-most common cause of blindness after cataracts, in the United States. If the condition is detected early enough, it is possible to arrest the development or slow the progression with medical and surgical means.

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, everyone is at risk for glaucoma.  However, the following groups of people have been identified to be at a higher risk for developing glaucoma:

1.       People over 60.

2.       Family Members with Glaucoma.

3.       Hispanics in Older Age Groups

4.       African Americans and people of African descent.

5.       People of Asian descent, especially those of Japanese descent.

6.       Steroid Users like those who require approximately 14 to 35 puffs per day of steroid inhaler to control severe asthma.

7.       Those with eye injury. The glaucoma can occur immediately after the injury or years later. The most common cause is sports-related injuries such as baseball or boxing.

You can read more about this at http://www.glaucoma.org/glaucoma/are-you-at-risk-for-glaucoma.php. 

Drop in today at any 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore® location for a consultation with an Independent Doctor of Optometry and some valuable offers on eye exams, eye glasses, sunglasses and designer frames.  You can make an appointment by calling:

Winter Park/Orlando : 407-767-5600

Melbourne: 321-259-3935

Orange City: 386-774-5000

For further information on maintaining healthy eyes check out eye health checklist for 2012.

20/20 Eyeglass Superstore® is a family owned and operated business with locations throughout central Florida.  We look forward to becoming your trusted source for everything related to eye care, glasses and contacts.  Should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us anytime.

Don’t forget to call ahead to make your appointment for your eye exam at one of our locations or you could schedule an eye exam at http://www.2020eyeglass.com/ScheduleEyeExam.aspx.   

20/20 Eyeglass Superstore® has thousands of frames to choose from, and has its own resident optometrist and in house lab. You can be in and out with your new customized glasses in as little as one hour. Family owned and operated, it’s a one-stop shop for all your eye care needs. No matter whether you are looking for eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, prescription glasses or even designer glasses, at 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore, rest assured that you will find “A frame for Every Face and A Price for Any Budget®”.

You can find us at :

Melbourne 
785 N. Wickham Rd. Suite 106
Melbourne, FL 32935
321-259-3935

Orlando / Winter Park

1555 Semoran Blvd
Winter Park, FL 32792
Tel: 407-767-5600

Orange City

1270 Saxon Blvd,

Orange City, FL. 32753,

Tel: 386-774-5000