One of the many great things our patients tell us after laser vision correction is how nice it is to be able to wear non-prescription sunglasses. Some people even have multiple pairs so they can choose which ones match certain fashions or sports. A greatly expanded array of choices are offered in non-prescription sunglasses. Some of the key considerations are:

UV protection – Sunglasses should block 99 to100 percent of both UVA and UVB light. A “UV 400” label indicates that 100 percent of UVA and UVB light are blocked. The price of the sunglasses does not necessarily indicate how much UV light is blocked. Even inexpensive sunglasses can provide good UV protection.

Lens color – Lens color is a personal preference. Color does not affect ability to block UV light. “My personal favorite sunglass lens is brown polarized,” says Dr. Joel Casey. “The brown color seems to enhance contrast and make green colors more vibrant. Polarized lenses decrease reflections from horizontal surfaces such as water, roads, and snow.”

Lens transmission - This refers to how much visible light passes through a lens. A dark lens has lower transmission. Like lens color, this also does not correlate with the amount of UV light blocked. Degree of lens transmission is a personal choice based upon comfort and the type of conditions in which the sunglasses will be used. Sunglasses used when walking on a glacier should be darker than those worn for fashion.

Specialty lenses - Polarized lenses decrease transmission of light reflected from flat surfaces and are a favorite for fishing to make it easier to see into water. They are also great for driving to cut glare from roads and dashboards. Photochromic lenses are triggered by UV light to turn lighter or darker depending on the level of UV light conditions. Gradient tints are darker at the top of the lens and lighter at the bottom. Mirrored lenses decrease transmission by reflecting light from the surface of the lens.

Lens materials – Sunglasses lenses can be made from either glass, or CR-39 or polycarbonate plastic. Traditionally, glass lenses have the best optics and are the most scratch resistant but suffer from being heavy and may shatter upon impact. They are most often found in fashion styles. Polycarbonate lenses are a better choice for sports sunglasses as they are the lightest, most impact resistant and can be manufactured with a greater curvature or wrap but they are more prone to distortion and scratching. CR-39 plastic lenses are the most commonly used lenses as they are the most economical.

Frame Styles – There is a huge array of frame styles to match every fashion taste and sports specific function. Non-prescription sunglass lenses can be made with greater curvature allowing frame styles to also have more curvature or “wrap”. This gives greater protection from UV light coming in from around the sunglasses.

Cost – The price of sunglasses does not relate to how well they block UV light. Even an inexpensive pair of sunglasses can protect eyes from UV light as well as a high priced brand name style. Price influences the optical quality of the lens with higher priced lenses usually having less distortions, hard coats to prevent scratching, and anti-reflective coatings to decrease glare from light reflected off lens surfaces. In addition, price is usually evident in the quality of the frame.

Overexposure to UV light from the sun can create problems for your eyes. Sun damage can cause conditions such as photokeratitis (sunburn to the cornea), cataracts (clouding of the inner lens of the eye), pterygium or pinguecula (yellowish tissue deposits on the white of the eye next to the cornea), macular degeneration (deterioration of the central vision area of the retina), and even skin cancer on the eyelids.

“There are many situations here in the Okanagan where the use of sunglasses will enhance comfort and provide eye health benefits as well,” said Dr. Joel Casey. “Information suggests that protecting the eye and surrounding tissue from UV light exposure is extremely important. The choices for non-prescription sunglasses make using them convenient, economical and most important . . . fun!”

This report specifically written by Dr. Joel Casey and is presented as a general source of information only, and is not intended as a solicitation to buy or sell services. Dr. Casey is a registered Optometrist who works with team from the Kelowna Laser Vision Inc. group who are celebrating over 16 years of helping B.C. residents attain their goal of visual freedom. He is located in Kelowna, BC. Comments or questions – Dr. Joel Casey can be reached Toll Free: 1-866-951-5665 (LOOK) or by email eyes@kelownalaservision.com or by visiting www.kelownalaservision

Shingles is a disease caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you have ever had chickenpox, this virus is quietly hiding out in the roots of your nerves and can re-activate causing a painful, sometimes excruciating, skin rash. This is known as Shingles “Herpes-Zoster”

Approximately 95% of Canadians have had Chickenpox and are therefore at risk of Shingles. Nearly one in three people will develop Shingles in their lifetime and the risk increases as we get older. Two thirds of people who get Shingles are over the age of 60. Many others will have the virus resurface due to low immune systems. This can occur due to illness, use of drugs that suppress the body’s immune system, HIV, Cancer or radiation treatments.

When the virus becomes active again, you may get symptoms such as a rash, upset stomach, headache, fever and chills. The pain that is associated with the rash has been described as burning, throbbing, stabbing or shooting pains. The rash produces painful, fluid filled blisters usually on one side of the body or face. The rash can last several weeks and the pain will lessen as the rash heals. For some patients however Shingles can cause severe pain for months and even years after the rash has healed. This is called “Postherpetic neuralgia” (PHN). For people with PHN even a breeze or the touch of clothing can cause severe pain. Other complications of Shingles can include scarring, skin infections, a decrease or loss of hearing, eye infections that may result in blindness and muscle paralysis. In rare cases shingles can even result in death.

If you develop any symptoms your doctor can verify the disease and administer an Antiviral drug that will work best if started within three days of developing the rash.

Until recently there was no prevention for Shingles, now there is a vaccine that has been developed called “Zostavax”. This is the first and only vaccine indicated to help prevent Shingles in individuals sixty years or older. The vaccine is a live weakened virus vaccine. Possible side effects from this vaccine include redness, pain, swelling, itching and warmth at injection site, headaches and possible fever. At this time, with limited information, the vaccine will protect against Shingles for 4 years.

Your doctor can prescribe the vaccine for you. Due to the storage specifications the vaccine is not stocked by many pharmacies. Visit or contact your local pharmacist or a Travel Medicine and Vaccination Clinic for more information.

Remember … it’s important to always talk to your doctor to see if a vaccine is right for you.

British Columbia has long been one of the most desirable places to live and Kelowna–Lake Country is an outstanding area to reside.

Our government’s mission is to lead British Columbians as we continue to work together to make our province the best place on earth to live, work and play for our generation and generations to come. Innovative, exciting and positive transformations are on the horizon to assist us in achieving our goals. In this article, I will touch upon a few, of the many, resources available to empower us to become active and knowledgeable citizens as well as answer some of the questions I receive from my constituents.

Many of the articles I have written for the local media, posted on my website and included in my newsletter have focused on healthy living. I am committed to getting the message out there that British Columbia and the healthcare system needs change if it is going to be sustainable for our children and grandchildren.

According to the Conference Board of Canada, BC has the best health outcomes in the country. We have been and continue to work hard to maintain and improve upon that ranking.

Capital investment for health services over the past 9 years in our valley results in over one billion dollars of new investment through provincial and regional partnerships. Compared to other regions in BC, this is an outstanding achievement.

I am happy to report that the Interior’s new clinical teaching building at Kelowna General Hospital is complete and ready to begin training doctors.

The Province has also approved funding for the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre (IHSC) project, which will build on the cardiac transition plan currently underway at Kelowna General Hospital and provide cardiac care closer to home for patients throughout the Interior.

These new facilities will also attract physicians, surgeons, and specialists to our area that will be wishing to further their careers and to work in our cutting edge facilities and live in our sought after communities. To find out more on the Province of BC’s capital investment initiatives, visit the Ministry of Health’s website at www.gov.bc.ca/health/ .

Highways and roads are always an ongoing venture and I can assure you that investment in the Okanagan is impressive.

In Kelowna-Lake Country, $12 million is being invested for the design and construction of approximately 4.2 km of Highway 33 to a four lane width. Bike lanes will also be added adjacent to new four lanes for the full length.

Further, Highway 97 through Lake Country will be rerouted from its original position to a safer route to the North. Increasing safe access to UBC Okanagan to reduce congestion and collisions with the new flyover, and improvements to Highway 97 from Gordon to Hwy 33 all combine for a total of $595 million invested in our area.

There have been an impressive number of projects in our very own backyard that make our travel, whether in the car or on our bike, easier, safer and greener. For more project information, you can visit www.gov.bc.ca/tran/.

Please take time to visit my website at www.normletnickmla.bc.ca to see what is happening in Kelowna – Lake Country, view pictures and find contact information so that I can continue to serve you better!