Dear Tom,

          WELCOME to our new monthly e-Newsletter. With it, we'll pass along important eye care tips, keep you abreast of any changes in our office, answer important questions, provide useful links, and perhaps even sneak in a few "fun" things from time to time. It's just one more way that we can let you know how much we appreciate the trust and loyalty that you have shown in us.

          Please don't hesitate to contact us any time you have a question or concern about your eye care. Your eyes are too important not to take the best possible care of them. And if you know of 
a neighbor, friend, co-worker or family member who hasn't had their eye's checked in a while, or who struggles with their eyesight, please pass our name along to them. (And be sure to tell them to mention your name when they stop in!) Thank you again, and enjoy the newsletter!

Dr. Bob & the entire Staff at,    
Parson's Eye Care 

True or False?   It's ok to use contact lens solution after it has expired.

False. Like most other pharmaceuticals, contact lens solution has an expiration date on the package for a reason. Over time, these solutions naturally degrade and lose their disinfecting potency. An expired solution may not adequately clean the contact lens, putting the wearer at risk for a contact lens-related infection. For the same reason, you should never top off a bottle of solution with water to make it last longer or pour the remains of an expired solution into a new bottle. Play it safe!

• Cooking that involves hot grease or oil that can splatter into your face and eyes.

• Using items such as hot curling irons around the face that can touch and burn your eyes.

• Trip hazards such as loose area rugs, toys, cords and pets that can result in impact damage.

• Repairs that involve hammering can result in deflected fragments getting into the eye.

• Use of power tools such as saws and drills that can throw up material.

• The use of bungee cords to secure items or eye level walking hazards. 

• Working with solvents, paints and other chemicals that can accidentally splash into the eye.

• Lawn mowers, trimmers, clippers and edgers also pose a serious eye safety hazard. 

To minimize your risks in and around the home, raise your guard when engaged in an activity that has the potential for injury, no matter how slight. Get into the habit of thinking a little ahead and asking yourself two quick questions before you undertake any new task: Is there a potential for injury here? Is there a step I can take before I begin that will eliminate or minimize this risk? Then, take the step. How did Ben put it? "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!"

• Protective eyewear will prevent 95% of all potential eye injuries. Make sure your home has several and insist on their use by all family members whenever potential risks are present. 

• Read and follow the safety warnings on all cleaners and chemicals. Never mix products.

• Secure loose rugs and keep your floors and stairways tidy and free of trip hazards.

• Use rope instead of bungee cords and always be on the look out for safety problems.

• Keep your tools in good working condition and repair or replace them when needed. 

• Use grease shields when cooking and always use the furthest burner for the highest heat.

• Give yourself plenty of time to use personal care items that involve heat and always face the doorway so you are never startled by someone entering the room.  

Bystanders, such as children who might be watching you work on a project, are also subject to potential eye or bodily injury. Maintain a "safe" zone or provide adequate protection for all who might be sharing the same risks as yourself. Play it safe and keep your eyesight healthy.

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Don't just wait for your ship to come in. If need be, swim out to it!