If you’ve popped into the practice on a Tuesday or Thursday, you may have met our newest team member, Karla.
One thing you may have noticed it that Karla is an American too! We met through an American Women in the UK Facebook group and everything just clicked. Karla has lived in West Berkshire for three years. She moved with her family from a village within the Norfolk Broads, where they lived for 10 years. She was raised in the state of Minnesota, known for its 10,000 lakes, cold winters/hot summers and Prince. She met her husband on holiday in Mexico in 2007 and hasn’t looked back. They now have two children aged 7 and 4 and she has a step-daughter, 15. While she is new to optics, she brings the American customer service with a smile and a bubbly personality, which she puts down to copious amounts of coffee. Karla will be at the end of the phone to book you in for your eye exams or discuss frame selection.
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I have often had patient shed a tear or two in the consulting chair either from a worry about their eye condition, having a bad day or perhaps lost a loved one. And with all the tears I have shed and been around lately as my father recently passed away, it got me thinking again about tears – how they are different and what they provide to us.
Tears are generally made of several layers. The lipid layer prevents evaporation. The aqueous layer adds to the optical clarity of our vision and the mucin layer provides additional lubrication. Blinking spreads our tears across our eyes. There are 3 types of tears – reflex tears, basal tears and emotional tears. Each one serves a purpose and has different components designed to help us at a particular time. Even under a microscope these tears appear vastly different. Reflex tears are protective. When something gets in our eyes or our body thinks something has gotten in our eyes, the body reacts with supplying reflex tears. These tears act to wash away irritants and fumes like from smoke and also onions. These tears have been shown to contain more natural antibiotics. Basal tears are our normal tears and present all the time. They act to lubricate the eyes and provide nutrition to the cornea. They also act as a barrier so that things like dirt or sand can scratch the eye. Emotional tears happen in response to a sadness, grief or fear. Laughing can also produce emotional tears. Studies have shown that this particular type of tear has elevated levels of stress hormones and proteins not found in our normal or basal tears. When emotional tearing occurs and the stress hormone is released, the person can feel a relief or release. Some theories on emotional tears link crying with social bonding. Whether your tears are for protection, nutrition or a form of release, they are working to help you eyes and your whole body. If you have a lack of tears this could affect the comfort of your eyes and your vision. If so, book in for a comprehensive eye examination with our practice. Phone 01635 528844. Queen Elizabeth II is wearing Lindberg frames that we carry at our practice here in Newbury. Lindberg frames are like no other. Each handmade frame is a statement of elegance and impeccable craftsmanship. Steeped in the tradition of Danish design of discreet elegance, Lindberg frames are lightweight and luxurious. If desired, your Lindberg frame can be custom made of your choice of each part of the frame. Not only will you see the Queen in Lindberg frames, but also you can find them on Sting, Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Rowan Atkinson and Bill Gates. Locally you can see them on me! I have been wearing Lindberg frames for nearly 2 years now - those red round ones you see me in. We carry other brands - many exclusive to our practice and not available in the Newbury area. Keep reading for more post on our amazing eyewear brands you can find at our practice. Want to know more? Stop by and visit us at 49 Northbrook Street Newbury RG14 1DT or phone us at 01635 528844. |
Dr Valarie JeromeWriting and sharing interesting topics affecting patients in their daily life, our practice news and the profession of optometry. Archives
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