ENV!SION A publication of McDonald Eye Associates | Summer/Fall 2017
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How Screen Time Affects Your Eyes
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Meet Dr. Mengarelli Our newest provider
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Shopping for Glasses 1 | Envision
Online vs. In-Store
CONTENTS 6
Screen Time: How it affects your eyes
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Spotlight on Our Rogers Office
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Shopping for Glasses Online vs In-Store
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Welcome: Eddie Mengarelli, M.D.
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Spotlight on Our Rogers Office
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Screen Time
How does it affect our vision?
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The Latest in LASIK
10 Provider Spotlight: Dusty McIver, O.D.
Employee Spotlight: Patricia Seymour, C.O.A.
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Why Buy from Us?
The dangers of shopping for glasses online
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Eye Health 101
McDonald Eye Associates is nationally recognized as a leader in the field of vision correction. For more than 40 years we have provided the finest eye care in Northwest Arkansas, leading the way in technology and advanced procedures. Dr. Chad Betts has surrounded himself with an experienced team of eye care professionals to better serve the needs of his patients.
12 Eye Health 101 13 Understanding Premium Cataract Lenses 14 Eye-Healthy Recipe
Salmon and Summer Greens
15 Puzzle Corner
3318 N. North Hills Blvd 5212 W Village Parkway #6 Fayetteville, AR 72703 Rogers, AR 72758 479.521.2555 479.464.9702 www.mcdonaldeye.com
W E LC O M E , DR. EDDIE MENGARELLI! beautiful part of the country. One of our absolute favorite places is the farmers’ market on the square on Saturdays because we get the scenery and the people! How do you spend your free time? My wife and I enjoy being outside, and you can often find us in a park with our boys. In Fayetteville, Wilson and Gulley parks are our favorites! We are active in our church and small group bible studies and participate in volunteer activities through our church as well.
How/why did you decide to become a doctor? I knew I enjoyed math and science and wanted my work to impact people’s lives, which is why I was drawn to Chemical Engineering at first. But I realized during my education that I wanted my work to have a more direct impact on people’s health. After finishing college I worked as a process design engineer while applying to medical school, and that helped me to be 100% certain that I wanted to be in the healthcare field over engineering.
Tell us about your family. My wife’s name is Kim. We have two boys, Justus (3 years) and Linus (almost 1), and two cats, Fiction and Placebo. My wife and I actually met when she was 15 and I was 16! We both grew up in Marion, Arkansas, and met on a church bus when we were coming back from a summer camp. Our first date was watching a movie in her living room because she wasn’t allowed to leave her house to go on dates until she was 16. I’ve been in love ever since, and we’ve been married since 2008.
What about ophthalmology interests you most? The impact that I am privileged to make in people’s daily lives by helping improve or save their sight is what I find most interesting. Our sight is such a precious gift and it really is an honor to be able to take care of and preserve that gift for my patients. I love the intricacy of cataract and refractive surgery. When patients tell me how much impact a surgery I performed has had on their sight, I can’t describe how great that feels. It’s truly an honor to be an Ophthalmologist. How did you know McDonald Eye would be a good fit? After meeting Dr. Betts and some of the other eye doctors and healthcare professionals at McDonald Eye, I could immediately tell that everyone seemed to enjoy working there. I believe that patients can tell when they are being treated by people who enjoy their work, too! I want to offer the highest quality of care I can to every patient, and McDonald Eye is a place that empowers doctors to do just that. I found the right people with the right attitude and the ability to offer the highest level of care at McDonald Eye. What do you love most about Fayetteville? The people and the geography! My wife and I love the eclectic people of Northwest Arkansas and how easy it is to find people from all walks of life here. We also love the Ozarks — from canoeing the Buffalo river to hiking in Devil’s Den and just the colors of the leaves in the fall. It is such a
Any interesting facts or special talents? Since the 6th grade I have played percussion, and I continue to enjoy drumming. You might not realize it, but Ophthalmologists actually have to use their hands and feet simultaneously during surgery to control the instruments that we use since the controls are on footpedals — and I like to think I was preparing for that by practicing the drumset from an early age!
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Refreshing Rogers:
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Office Update
A few years ago, Dr. Betts purchased the Rogers optical office of Drs. Deanne and David Witherspoon to broaden McDonald Eye’s footprint in Northwest Arkansas and offer excellence in eye care for Benton County. Our team quickly outgrew the office, conveniently located in the Pinnacle Hills area at Village on the Creeks. In 2016, renovations began in order to expand the number of exam rooms, enlarge the optical display space, and ensure our patients an inviting eye care experience.
Stoney
Kimberly Betts, wife of Dr. Betts, worked with interior designer Pam Nolen to ensure the newly expanded office was comfortable and showed personality. The desire to make this space an extension of the family-friendly nature of McDonald Eye Associates is present in multiple design elements, including the artwork on the walls. Most of the furniture and decorations were sourced locally, with an emphasis on aesthetics and comfort, as well as function. The end result is a space that feels less like a doctor’s office and more like a lounge.
Brook Rd
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cle y Pinna Pkw Hills
Exit 83
New Hope Rd
Cross Church
Rogers
Exit 83
Mercy Hospital
5212 W Village Pkwy #6 • Rogers, AR 72758 P: 479.464.9702 • F: 479.464.9706
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Open Monday-Friday, this location is staffed by many of our optometrists and our newest addition, Dr. Eddie Mengarelli. Surgeries are still performed at our surgery center in Fayetteville, but all primary eye care exams, frame fittings, contact lens appointments, and medical eye care management are offered at this location. This office also houses an impressive optical collection, where you are sure to find frames for any style and budget.
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Americans are surrounded by screens of all sizes, many available quite literally at their fingertips. Whether catching up on social media, checking the weather, or binging on Netflix, it is estimated Americans are exposed to 10 or more hours a day of screen time. Computers, smartphones, TVs, etc. can be great tools to remain informed and connected, but have both social and physical consequences. Not only can increased screen time affect things like quality of sleep and mental fatigue, but there are also real and potentially lasting effects on your eyes. Focusing on screens can cause eye fatigue because your eye muscles are straining for near vision for hours each day. Other common symptoms screen users may experience include: • Dryness
Most digital screens are backlit and the blue light emitted can cause these irritations and is being studied for possible long-term concerns as it relates to retina health. Screen users commonly blink less while reading or watching a screen, which causes the tears in the eyes to evaporate more quickly, causing dry spots on the eye. This, in turn, creates blurry vision and can worsen throughout the day. What can you do to improve eye health as it relates to screen time? • Use anti-reflective lenses if wearing glasses • Lower the lighting level on your devices • Limit screen time when possible, especially with children • Follow the 20-20-20 rule:
• Eye irritation • Fatigue • Blurred vision
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20 20 20 Every
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Optical Shop
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DESIGNER FRAMES • HIGH-QUALITY LENSES • SATISFACTION GUARANTEE FAYETTEVILLE • ROGERS
The Latest in LASIK A Rich History and Tradition for Advanced Technology Our practice has a rich history of providing the latest in laser vision correction. As new technology becomes available, our doctors research the options and pay careful attention to improvements in patient results. McDonald Eye Associates is an early adopter for technological advancements, offering excellent, results-driven care to our NWA patients. Dr. Betts is thrilled to carry on the tradition of innovation and now offers patients bladeless LASIK. Traditionally performed with a microkeratome blade, the new laser at McDonald Eye replaces the blade and offers a greater degree of precision, while still carefully controlled by your eye surgeon.
Before you have LASIK It’s important to know whether you are a good candidate for LASIK. We offer complimentary LASIK evaluations to discuss your eye health and run a few tests to see if LASIK would be right for you. Our new Wavelight Vario Topolyzer gives our doctors a highly detailed map of your eye, ensuring a personalized approach to your LASIK procedure. We are conservative with LASIK approvals, which is very important and a sign of a quality LASIK practice. Options available to you will be discussed at the end of your evaluation.
Bladeless LASIK offers: • Greater precision • Proven safety profile • Shorter procedure times • Improved visual outcomes • More detailed corneal mapping • Reduced incidence of side effects after surgery
Wavelight® Topolyzer™ Vario Diagnostic Device
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The New Laser Suite Traditional LASIK is performed in three quick steps. First, a flap is created with the femtosecond laser. Next, the excimer laser smooths the cornea, improving your vision. Finally, the flap is returned and adheres naturally.
A thin corneal flap is created with a femtosecond laser
The excimer laser smoothes the cornea, allowing you to achieve better vision
The flap is returned to its original position where it adheres naturally
ZIEMER® Z-LASIK FEMTO LDV LASER The Z-LASIK FEMTO LDV femtosecond laser allows blade-free flap creation by using short pulses of light to gently separate the layers of the cornea, creating an ultra-thin flap and smooth surface underneath.
WAVELIGHT EX500 EXCIMER LASER
In conventional LASIK, a blade is used to make the flap. At McDonald Eye Associates we offer the Z-LASIK procedure, which is performed with the femtosecond laser FEMTO LDV. This laser makes the procedure completely bladeless and enables your surgeon to tailor the procedure according to the very unique characteristics of each patient. With this technology we can provide you with a fast, personalized, comfortable, and safe procedure!
Drs. Betts and Mengarelli now perform LASIK with the industry’s best excimer laser, the WaveLight EX500. In conjunction with the femto laser for flap creation, this laser offers patients a greater level of precision and improved visual outcomes. Research has shown that the use of this laser also reduces the incidence of side effects like light sensitivity and glare after surgery. The combination of this LASIK technology with our surgeons’ many years of experience performing LASIK means our patients get the best LASIK experience available in our market. If you’re interested in LASIK, let your provider know and we would be happy to schedule a complimentary evaluation.
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PROV ID E R S P OT L I G HT Describe your background: My hometown is Hope, Arkansas. I have a B.S. in Biology from the University of Arkansas, and graduated as a Doctor of Optometry from Northeastern State University College of Optometry. What are your favorite pastimes? I enjoy spending time with my family, playing golf, and cheering for the Razorbacks. What is your favorite thing about Northwest Arkansas? Northwest Arkansas is a great place to raise a family. There are plenty of outdoor activities and of course the Razorbacks! What is your favorite thing about McDonald Eye? How long have you been working at McDonald Eye? This is my 11th year at McDonald Eye. There is a team approach here: I like how the Optometrists and Ophthalmologists work together to provide the best care for our patients.
Dr. Dusty McIver Optometrist
Why did you choose eye care? My optometrist thought that I had glaucoma when I was about 10 years old. I had to go to his office often for testing. That is when I decided to become an optometrist. Do you have a particular specialty or favorite area of care? I am currently focused on refractive surgery pre- and post-operative care. I also enjoy being able to practice full-scope optometry with the latest in technology to aid in the treatment of my patients.
Dr. McIver with wife Angela and kids: Noah, Emagen, Ramona, and Arthur
EMPLOY E E S P OT L I G HT at the Duke Eye Center in Durham, NC. In total, I have been in the field of optometry and ophthalmology for 25 years. Tell us about your family. I have lived with my partner Debbie for 18 years. We have two dogs, Boomer and Pepper, and one cat, Callie. I also still have family in New York.
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What is your favorite thing about Northwest Arkansas? I love the people in NWA. They are some of the nicest and friendliest people. I also love all the nature: lakes, rivers, mountains, bike trails, and Crystal Bridges. What is your favorite thing about working at McDonald Eye? I have been at McDonald Eye for a year. I enjoy helping people and making their exam experience as pleasant and professional as possible. The McDonald Eye team has the same attitude about patients: it’s nice for all to be on the same page and making a team effort.
Patricia Seymour Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Describe your background: I grew up on Long Island, New York and earned my Associate in Arts Degree from Empire State College, NY. It was while I was working at an optometry office while going to school that I realized I enjoyed optometry. I became a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) in 1999 before moving to Arkansas. I have been the coordinator of 5 FDA clinical trials, a lowvision specialist for 15 years, and worked
What is an interesting fact about you? I had amblyopia as a child and had to do eye therapy and patching, which was successful. I also had Epi-LASIK refractive surgery in 2010.
What are your favorite hobbies? I love the water whether it’s the lake, pool, or ocean. Boating, fishing, kayaking, or surfing — it’s all fun. I also enjoy riding my bicycle, gardening, and reading.
Do you have a particular specialty or favorite area of care? I enjoy all aspects of ophthalmology and optometry, but I do have a fondness for the cataract and refractive area. It is always exciting and gratifying to see such immediate results with patients.
WHY BUY FROM MCDONALD EYE VERSUS ONLINE STORES? When price points, services, proximity and convenience to consumers are all relatively the same, what sets competitors apart? Why would a customer choose one over the other? The same reason a growing number of people choose to shop online versus in-store – lack of customer service and price points. If you have ever ordered products
1 GET THE RIGHT FIT Contrary to what people may think, glasses are not one-size-fits-all. Patients have different head shapes and sizes, and eyes are different too. At McDonald Eye, one of our experienced opticians will take various measurements to ensure a proper fit. This is not possible online.
of determining what style of frame works best with your field of work as well as your face shape. If the frames are too large or do not fit the bridge of the nose properly, they can slip or even create sore spots. Not only is that uncomfortable, but it can also lead to headaches if you are not looking through the optical centers of the lenses.
3 GET THE RIGHT LENSES Depending on the prescription, purchasing glasses online could be a major disappointment because selecting and fitting multifocal lenses most definitely requires a professional’s knowledge and expertise. Multifocal lenses have more than one prescription in the lens (versus single vision lenses), and an optician must take several measurements to ensure the bifocal or trifocal measurements are in the right spot on the lens. For example, if a patient desires noline bifocals, the optician will mark a line on the demo lens right through the pupil, whereas a traditional bifocal will have the marking around the bottom lash line. This cannot be done over the Internet. online, you know the Internet often beats a regular store for convenience. For one thing, customers can shop from the comfort of their own home. However, there is a need to consider several factors when shopping for glasses online. When it comes to eyeglasses, there are significant variations in frames, the fit, lens materials, as well as lens treatments.
The proper fit is critical to ensure the glasses are comfortable.
2 GET THE RIGHT FRAME Another advantage of shopping from McDonald Eye’s optical department is having an optician to guide you through the process
You also need to decide what lens material and which lens coatings, if any, you want. Are polycarbonate, high-index or regular plastic lenses best for you? How much protection from ultraviolet light do you want? What about an anti-reflective coating? Are Transitions® lenses a good idea? When it comes to your vision and finances, seeking professional help is highly recommended.
Basic Eye Anatomy + Common Diseases of the Eye
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): physical disturbance of the center of the retina called the macula, affecting acute vision, which we use when reading, driving, and performing other activities that require fine, sharp, or straightahead vision.
Diabetic Retinopathy: diabetes complication that affects the eyes, caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). At first, diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems. Eventually, it can cause blindness.
Glaucoma occurs when a build-up of fluid creates pressure in the eye, which then damages the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for the transmission of information from your eyes to your brain, and damage associated with it can lead to severe vision loss, and in the worst case, blindness.
Cataracts: degenerative form of eye disease in which the lens gradually becomes opaque and vision mists over.
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Refractive Errors: vision problems that occur when the shape of the eye keeps you from focusing well. The cause could be the length of the eyeball, resulting in myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness), changes in the shape of the cornea, resulting in astigmatism, or aging of the lens, resulting in presbyopia.
Understanding
Premium Cataract Lenses Cataract surgery is simple: the eye’s natural, clouded lens is replaced with a small artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL). These lenses restore clarity and your natural ability to see without the cloudiness of cataracts. If you want less dependence on glasses and contacts after cataract surgery, we offer several options that can give you more visual freedom. Our surgeons are qualified to perform a procedure called continuous vision, which corrects one eye for distance and the other for near vision. In addition, our surgeons can also implant a new generation of specialty lenses, which are designed to provide vision at all distances, dramatically reducing or eliminating your need for glasses.
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PROCEDURE TYPE
VISION
Basic Vision • Standard cataract surgery • Will still need glasses after surgery
Continuous Vision • Monofocal cataract surgery with aspheric lens • Reduced dependence on glasses* • ORA VerifEye® / MI (Micro-Incisional), if applicable
Specialty Lenses • Crystalens® / ReSTOR® / TECNIS Symfony® • Toric lens for astigmatism, if needed • Reduced dependence on glasses*
Distance
Distance and Near
Distance and Near
* McDonald Eye Associates cannot guarantee results.
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EYE-HEALTHY RECIPE
Nutritional information from allaboutvision.com/nutrition/supplements.htm
Greens provide folate, a B vitamin which reduces inflammation and the risk of vascular problems affecting the retina, and carotenoids, antioxidants which reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, an antioxidant which may reduce the risk of cataracts, and biotin, which reduces inflammation and the risk of vascular problems affecting the retina. Wild-caught salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent dry eye and normalize eye pressure to reduce the risk of glaucoma.
Pan-Seared Salmon with Summer Greens Per serving: 5- to 8-ounce salmon fillet 2 tbsp lime juice 1 tbsp grated or minced ginger 1 tbsp minced garlic Fresh basil leaves to garnish Olive oil Handful of seasonal greens: arugula, red leaf lettuce, romaine, etc. Cherry tomatoes (to taste) 1 tsp balsamic vinegar 1 tsp olive oil
Combine lime juice, ginger, and garlic. Use the mix to marinate salmon fillet(s) in a pan or shallow bowl for at least a half hour. Pre-heat oven to 475°F. Lightly coat a castiron or oven-safe pan with olive oil and sear salmon over medium heat until browned, about two minutes on each side. Move salmon to the oven to roast. Check in 10 minutes for preferred doneness and adjust as needed. Toss greens, tomatoes, oil, and vinegar. Garnish salmon with basil or other fresh herbs as desired, and serve with salad mix.
Puzzle Corner Betts
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FAY E TTEV ILLE
Chad Betts, M.D., R.Ph. Eddie Mengarelli, M.D.
ROGERS
Elissa Bostian, O.D. Jade Coats, O.D. Jessalyn Halsted, O.D.
Dusty McIver, O.D. Rebecca Moser, O.D.
3318 N. North Hills Blvd 5212 W. Village Pkwy #6 Fayetteville, AR 72703 Rogers, AR 72758 479.521.2555 479.464.9702 www.mcdonaldeye.com