Tune your radios this Thursday, Dec. 13, at 8:40 a.m. to the “Joe Thomas in the Morning Show” on WCHV’s 1260 AM and 107.5 FM stations! I will be on there to promote Crozet Eye Care’s InfantSEE® program and discuss my role as the Virginia Coordinator for the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) InfantSEE® program.

InfantSEE® is a nation-wide initiative developed to provide professional eye care for infants ages 6-12 months at no cost. Crozet Eye Care offers comprehensive infant eye exams year round at no cost as part of this program, and we also dedicate one day during the Spring as InfantSEE Day, where our office is open just for appointments for infant eye exams. If the radio interview is available online, we will post it here, so please check back if you can’t listen live!

Every year CharlottesvilleFamily reaches out to their readers with their “Family Favorites Awards” survey for information on their favorite local establishments, services and attractions.  We were fortunate to be chosen as “Favorite Optometrist” in 2011 and are hoping to be granted this honor again this year.

Click here to vote for Crozet Eye Care/Dr. Shannon Franklin as “Favorite Optometrist” in 2012.  We are so grateful for your support!

The Crozet Eye Care team is truly like a family, so it is with great pride that I welcome several new members to our staff.

Upon entering our office you will notice a new face greeting you at the front desk this fall. Ellie Shields comes to us from Monticello High School where she graduated with an advanced diploma. In the short amount of time Ellie has been with us she has become an expert at helping patients with all of their scheduling, insurance and administrative needs.

Beth Coats will be assisting Dr. Franklin and Dr. Quesenberry along with Michelle. We are fortunate that Beth will be lending her expertise in our Optical Shop and at the front desk on other days of the week, as well.

If you have questions about your insurance or bills, Sherry Holder is your go-go gal! Sherry’s experience with medical billing comes from more than 25 years in an optometric office. Sherry is in the office one day a week so feel free to email or call the office and she will promptly get back to you. 

Throughout the office you may catch a glimpse of our “jack-of-all-trades,” Kathy Layman.  We’re so grateful to have Kathy’s knowledge and experience. With more than 48 years of working in the medical arena, she oversees our Meaningful Use requirements and enjoys helping in any capacity needed. She also happens to have a pretty incredible daughter-in-law (Michelle)!

Behind the scenes, Kathy Stone is our bookkeeper. Her extensive accounting background makes her perfect for the job.

Michelle, Anne and I are thrilled to welcome Ellie, Beth, Sherry, Kathy, Kathy and Dr. Quesenberry to the Crozet Eye Care family.  Having them on our team allows us to continue to provide you, our patients, with the highest quality eye care around.   

Everyone loves a sale, and we are no exception! So, for a limited time we’re offering a collection of fabulous frames from Beausoleil on sale for you!  

Crafted in Europe, the Beausoleil collection is chic, stylish and exceptionally fashionable. Constructed with an old school regard for quality accompanied by the latest high tech techniques, they are truly designer eyewear at its best.  These frames are gorgeous, and right now they are extremely economical, as well. 

Stop by to check out these beautiful frames any time during business hours.  I’d love to show you what we have to offer!

For many parents “back to school” also means “back to sports”. For optometrists “back to sports” also means an influx of eye injuries.

While parents may not realize it, sports like soccer, basketball, lacrosse, baseball, and even racquet sports put kids at an increased risk for eye injuries. According to the National Institutes of Health, most eye injuries in school-age children are sustained during sports. Most sports-related eye injuries are, fortunately, easily prevented with the use of protective eyewear.

How to Choose Protective Eyewear

Having your child wear proper protective eyewear during practice and games is the best way to prevent serious eye damage. Fortunately choosing protective eyewear for your child isn’t as daunting as it may seem. First, it’s important to recognize that prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses typically do not provide adequate protection for use in sports. In fact, wearing eyewear not designed for sports while playing adds to the possibility of injury from breaking or shattering, as regular frames and lenses are not strong enough to withstand much impact.

When choosing protective eyewear be sure to look for lenses made from polycarbonate, the same material used in bulletproof windows.  Polycarbonate is ten times more resistant than plastic or glass and has built-in UV protection– a bonus when playing outdoors.  Wraparound designs (either goggles or frames with arms) provide good peripheral vision and ensure that the frame covers the entire eye socket, offering the best protection. Additionally, lightweight frames offer more comfort and are longer wearing.

It is also important to recognize that sports eyewear can be sport-specific. Women’s lacrosse players, for example, are required to wear US Lacrosse approved protective eyewear that may not be appropriate for soccer, basketball or other sports.  If you’re unsure which eyewear type is the right one for your child’s particular sports the National Eye Institute (NEI) has a great guide available on-line at http://www.nei.nih.gov/sports/findingprotection.asp.  To ensure that you are purchasing the best type of protective eyewear for your child, however, it is a good idea to visit a licensed optician.

Today there are quite a few good options for protective sports eyewear available on the market in a wide range of prices. Brands like Rec Specs and Hilco are well made, meet American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards and are readily available.  Many come in a wide range or colors and are available with prescription or non-prescription lenses. 

Does your child wear protective eyewear while playing sports? We’d love to hear from you!  Leave us a comment here to share your experiences with us and other parents.

 A native of Crozet, Dr. Quesenberry earned his  undergraduate degree from Messiah College and  continued on to earn his Doctor of  Optometry from  Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. During his  training program Dr. Quesenberry worked at a  hospital- based facility with the White Earth Indian  Health Service in Minnesota, a private practice in  Lexington, Virginia and an inner-city based clinic in  Memphis.  When he isn’t at  work Dr. Quesenberry  enjoys spending  time with his wife, being outdoors,  hunting, reading and church. 

 “My mission is to provide each patient with the highest  quality eye care, using modern techniques, and serving the community by educating patients and others about issues concerning vision development, function, and preservation.” – Dr. Q

Dr. Quesenberry specializes in family eye care, contact  lenses, and the treatment and management of ocular  disease. He is an InfantSee provider, and is trained in  pediatric eye care.

Some of our patients may remember Dr. Quesenberry from his days as a technician at Crozet Eye Care four years ago. We are thrilled that he has returned and will be joining our team this fall!

 Dr. Quesenberry will be seeing patients Wednesdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at (434) 823-4441.