Empower is a new line of progressive lens glasses featured recently in the Gadgetwise column in the NY Times. The frames use an electric current to “change the prescription on the fly.” My thoughts:

As an Optometrist in NYC since 1971, I’ve seen countless new ideas and products that promise to revolutionize eye care. Some make it to the marketplace and even revolutionize the industry, like Lasik Surgery or intra-ocular lens implants for cataract surgery. But many offer more promise than benefit.

I would like to take this time to thank everyone for the support and good feedback I have received this year. Thanks to you it has been my busiest year ever. I plan to add a retinal camera this year, which will provide the opportunity to document ocular conditions digitally, and provide a more accurate way to diagnose conditions at earlier times. We have added many new exclusive frame lines as well as non-prescription sunglasses during the year, and have our eyes on some great new ones for next year. Happy Holidays!

A gentle reminder –if you’ve got a flexible spend plan,chances are you’ll need to use it or lose before the year ends. Eyewear, eye care and contact lenses are typically covered. Call us for an appointment, soon!

Thanks to your interest in the John Lennon article, I’ve decided bring to the office my personal copy of Bob Gruen’s Sometime in New York City, a rare limited-edition book of stunning photographs and memories of John and Yoko when they lived in Manhattan.. The book holds special meaning for me, as I supplied John with many of the glasses he wore in the pictures. This copy is signed by Gruen and Yoko Ono.

If you wish to see it, please call us first to ensure it will available for viewing at the time you come. The book will remain the office until December 31.

A patient of mine, knowing that John Lennon had been my patient, gave me a copy of Into The Sky With Diamonds: The Beatles And The Race To The Moon In The Psychedelic ’60s, by Ron Grelsamer, a friend of his. I really enjoyed the book, and even posted a review of it on the Amazon page.

It so happens that Ron is also a renowned orthopedic surgeon at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. The three of us recently met up and had a fascinating conversation about our shared interest in the Beatles.

“Dr. Tracy, can I sleep overnight with my contact lenses?”

The short answer — I strongly discourage it.

Studies show that people who sleep with their contacts are almost 20 times more likely to develop eye infections, sometimes leading to permanent corneal scarring and loss of vision.  The odds of getting an infection increases with each consecutive night worn.

Despite the risks and warnings, some patients still sleep with their lenses. If they do wake with redness or irritation, they should, of course, remove the lenses right away. If symptons continue, I urge them to see me immediately to check for infections or abrasions. Appropriate treatment, if started promptly, will usually prevent serious consequences.