News & Blog
Eye Care Center of Excellence
For over 50 years, Golden Optometric has been the community eye care Center of Excellence. Consistent technological investment–a cornerstone of our practice–allows our doctors and staff to practice at their best, giving you state-of-the art care. Now, with the addition of Dr. Jacob Khoubian, a UCLA Jules Stein trained ophthalmologist, our practices have expert cataract surgery and consultative services included in our office. All Golden Optometric doctors have advanced certification to treat glaucoma and many have residency experience, which means you are getting the most qualified and experienced professionals providing your care. With evening and weekend appointments and on-line scheduling through www.goldenoptometric.com, your next exam is easy to make.
Technology, extended office hours, great doctors and staff, AND a huge eyewear selection are only a few reasons to schedule your appointment today.
Sizzling New Products
Anna Sui Eyewear
Drawing inspiration from Anna Sui’s fashion and accessories, Anna Sui Eyewear incorporates the same fanciful details that have defined the brand since it’s beginning including the signature rosebud, Anna’s favorite butterfly motif and classic fretwork design. Anna herself has always been known for her signature eyewear style and loves incorporating sunglasses and optical frames into her head-to-toe looks, both on and off the runway.
Hackett London and Hackett Bespoke eyewear
The “Hackett” collection presents a range of styles in contemporary designs. Sporting a choice of masculine styles in a collection that offers both metal and plastic frames, each is available in a choice of colours. The result is smart and very wearable, yet always with a twist that lifts them out of the norm!
‘Hackett Bespoke’ Men’s Glasses and Eyewear
The “Hackett Bespoke” collection has been created with more classic styles and is inspired by Hackett’s “Bespoke” tailoring service. There are many subtle details in the collection, echoing the spirit of bespoke. The “Hackett Bespoke” collection also offers hi-tech polarized and multi coated lenses.
Dr. David Ardaya, Young Optometrist of the Year
Congratulations to Dr. David Ardaya, for being named “Young Optometrist of the Year” and the great article that appeared in the Whittier Daily News, San Gabriel Tribune,and Pasadena Star. The best Doctors are here at Golden Optometric!
Dr. David Ardaya named Young Optometrist of the Year
Young Optometrist of the Year, David Ardaya, OD
Golden Optometric Celebrates 50 Years of Serving the Whittier Community
Father/son team has seen many changes at Washington and Norwalk Blvds. —
WHITTIER, CA (April 30, 2009) — Golden Optometric Group is celebrating its 50th anniversary of serving the eye care needs of the Whittier and surrounding communities. Dr. Sheldon Golden opened the doors of his practice in 1959 upon graduation from optometry school. The practice originally started at the corner of Washington Blvd. and Rosemead in the Cal Store located across from the former Ford Motor Company plant which later changed to Northrop and now Lowe’s and Walmart.
In need of more space, Dr. Golden moved to his current location at 11245 E. Washington Blvd. in 1972. His son, Dr. David Golden, joined the practice in 1987 and they worked side-by-side for nearly 21 years until Dr. Sheldon Golden officially retired in 2008. Though Dr. David Golden assumed the operations and management of the practice in 1997, Dr. Sheldon Golden remains an ambassador and icon of the practice. Golden Optometric’s mission has not wavered in offering outstanding service and the best value in quality eye care, glasses and contact lenses throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
An original patient, Mrs. Frances L. Callaway of West Covina recalls, “I remember the first time I came in to get a pair of reading glasses. Dr. Sheldon Golden had a small office at the Cal Store about 50 years ago and I still have those old frames.” She added, “Dr. David still has the best styles in town and I ought to know after 85 years of shopping for glasses.”
The corner of Washington and Norwalk Boulevards has certainly changed over a half century. Neighbors remember King Cole Square with JC Penny’s and King Cole Market. Stores have come and gone but Golden Optometric has continued to build one of the largest and most respected optometry practices in the San Gabriel Valley. Golden Optometric started with a small 900 square foot single office. The first expansion within the Santa Fe Springs Marketplace took over the pizza store next door, then the food stamps store and finally the shoe repair resulting in an 11,000+ square foot facility featuring nine optometrists and state-of-the-art vision technology.
The practice of optometry has also changed over the last 50 years. In times past, glasses and hearing aids were sold from the counters of jewelry stores. Today, optometrists have become the primary doctors for eye examinations in the U.S. and can treat everything from conjunctivitis, a.k.a. pink eye, to glaucoma and other sight threatening diseases of the eye. Just as the practice of optometry has changed, so have the styles of eyewear.
“In 1962, there were five frames to choose from” said Dr Sheldon Golden. “Now, many designers have a collection of fantastic looking glasses.”
Golden Optometric was quick to recognize the preferences of his patients and arranged his dispensary to prominently display the many eyewear options and offer an interactive experience. Designer eyewear continues to be one of the fastest growing and most affordable fashion accessory. The increased need for sturdy yet attractive eyeware for children has also made Golden Optometric a good choice for families and younger patients.
Golden Optometric continues to serve several generations of patients. Dr. David Golden recalls a patient encounter on the first day he started practicing in 1987. He introduced himself to an elderly gentleman and announced that he would be taking care of his eyes that day. The man quickly responded, “The heck you are, go get your father!” He then proceeded to tell me he remembered how my two brothers and I me would terrorize the Cal Store aisles while visiting my father at work and that it would take Dad nearly an hour to clean up after we left.
“When dad retired, he reluctantly let me examine his 92 year old eyes and I continue to see him every year,” said Dr. David Golden.
Golden Optometric is located at 11245 E. Washington Boulevard and can be reached at (562) 692-1208 or at www.goldenoptometric.com. New patients are welcome at any of the four locations in Whittier, West Covina, South Gate and Playa del Rey.
Exercise For Your…Eyes?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably already know that just 30 minutes of exercise a day can help your heart, energy levels, and waistline. But did you know that it can also benefit your eyes? Eye diseases are often times linked to other health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Regular exercise can help prevent these diseases, or at least limit their impact if they occur or if you’re already dealing with them.
Exercise can help those with glaucoma (by reducing intraocular pressure and improving blood circulation to the retina and optic nerve), age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, as well as other diseases that can affect vision. And you don’t have to compete in ironman races or marathons; even a brisk walk, climbing stairs or dancing three times a week can benefit you. So make time for that walk or hike — your eyes will thank you.
Answers to your vision concerns about kids and video games
With the holiday season in full effect, you can bet that many kids will be receiving a video game or a new system in the next few weeks. In fact, one million PlayStation 4 consoles were sold in North America in the first 24 hours of its recent launch. Sadly, I was not one of those lucky ones.
Since the dawn of the television age, parents have been wondering “How much is too much?” After home video games were introduced, the question became even more relevant. Below you will find some of the most common concerns parents have and how to address each issue.
- Will video games ruin my kid’s eyes? Certainly, overuse of the visual system, especially up close, can lead to eyestrain, fatigue, redness of the eyes, and eye rubbing, but it cannot be stated conclusively that video games will directly lead to permanent damage.
- How much time should I let my kids play video games? 20 minutes of game play followed by a break is plenty. As for how much cumulative time per day, you are the best judge – but at our house we have a maximum of one hour of screen time daily. Then again, I must be fairly conservative because a recent study stated that 85% of kids use an electronic device up to four hours a day.
- Are video games good for anything? Besides allowing you to have some fun with your kids, a recent study demonstrated that some video games can improve hand-eye coordination. Also, in young children who have parental participation, certain video games can improve literacy.
So, while allowing your child to play Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty 24/7 may be a lousy idea, a small amount gaming with your child can be a good thing. Remember, about 60% of video game titles are rated “E” for everyone, so let’s have some fun!
This original article by Golden Optometric optometrist David Ardaya has also been published by the California Optometric Association, where Dr Ardaya is a past president of the Orange County chapter.
Are Colored Contacts Dangerous?
Thinking about buying some inexpensive colored contact lenses from the pharmacy, beauty salon or 99 Cent store? You might want to re-think that idea. Sure, they’re cheap, but the sale of contact lenses (even colored lenses) without a valid prescription is prohibited by federal law. Plus, most of these stores don’t have the training or knowledge to provide instruct you on how to care for your new lenses.
So what’s the risk? Improper care can lead to infection of the cornea. The condition, called keratitis, is very common. And contacts that aren’t fitted correctly can cause abrasions of the cornea. The abrasion can get infected and could lead to ulcers. If these ulcers go untreated, they can cause scarring on the cornea, which is irreversible and permanently affects vision. If you’re a first-time contact lens wearer, complications increase.
But it’s just for one night, right? Even just one night of wearing these ill-fitted contacts can put you at risk. And if you’re drinking, the dehydration increases the risks. Please, save yourself the risks and potentially serious consequences, and consult a licensed optometrist to get fitted for your colored contacts, whether for regular use or Halloween.
For more information, read this article on ABCnews.com.
Suffering from Dry Eyes? Flaxseed to the Rescue!
Do your eyes burn, sting or have redness? These are symptoms of dry eyes and they may affect your ability to wear contact lenses or cause twitching of the eyes. Flaxseed oil could be the solution you’ve been looking for. Many doctors are now recommending a daily supplement of flaxseed oil and fish oil which both contain omega-3 fatty acids that have multiple health benefits, including prevention of dry eyes.
Protection and Prevention
Flaxseed oil contains an omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA); when digested, it is converted to two other omega-3s, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which have been shown to reduce inflammation, and may help prevent chronic diseases such as arthritis and heart disease.
Precautions
Consult with your eye doctor or family physician before taking significant quantities of any new supplement. Especially if you take prescription or non-prescription drugs, as adverse drug interactions can occur.
When used with blood thinners (even aspirin), both flaxseed and fish oils can increase the risk of bleeding and reduce blood clotting so be careful and consult with your doctor.
Vitamin E deficiency can be caused by long-term use of fish oil — if your multi-vitamin doesn’t already contain it, look for fish oil supplements that also have vitamin E .
For more information, take a look at this article.
Can Tetris Help Lazy Eye In Adults?
Lazy eye, amblyopia, is usually treated in children with an eye patch over one eye (to help strengthen the other) or a specially fitted contact lens to block out light in one eye, forcing the other eye to work harder.
But what about for adults? Are we stuck looking like pirates? There may be a much more fun alternative. A recent study on adults used Tetris as a way of improving vision in amblyopes with surprising results. Arrrrrr!
Pink Eye: What to Look Out For
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the thin membrane lining the inner eyelid or white part of the eye. When inflamed, the eye turns pink or red, hence its name. Treatment of conjunctivitis depends on its root of cause. Possible causes include infections from viruses, bacteria, allergens, pollutants and underlying diseases of the body. Common symptoms of conjunctivitis include:
- Redness
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Watery eyes
- White, green or yellow mucous discharge
- Crusting and stickiness around eyelids especially upon awakening
- Itching or burning sensation
- Swollen and tender areas in front of the ears
Conjunctivitis of viral and bacterial origin can be highly contagious. Tips for prevention of spreading the infection include frequent hand washing, avoidance of touching eyes and avoidance of sharing common objects such as towels, linens and make-up.
If you suspect you have conjunctivitis, it is important to have your eyes checked for medical treatment. Be careful not to use eye drops prescribed from previous infections or those prescribed for someone else as they can be inappropriate and can exacerbate your current infection.