Integrated Eyecare



Dr. Kit Carmiencke and Dr. Kirsten Scott

Doctors of Optometry



Phone: 541.382.5701

Email: info@iebend.com

Replacement for the Dreaded “Air Puff Test”

We are excited to share a new technology to make your next eye exam more pleasant. While checking the pressure of the eye is one of the critical measurements in screening for glaucoma, and therefore a necessary part of every eye health exam, the “air puff test” has never been a favorite. We are now able to offer you an alternative way to measure the pressure of your eye – the Icare glaucoma pressure test.… Click to read more

Can you name the most popular poster of all time?

Dr. Hermann Snellen Eye Chart

Here are a few hints:

  • It is 150 years old this year, first printed in 1862.
  • It’s in every medical office in the world, either in printed form or the newer electronic “poster.”
  • The first letter is e… a big E.

Yes, it is the eye chart used to test distant sight.  The “current eye chart” was developed by Dr. Hermann Snellen, a Dutch eye doctor, in 1862.  In celebration of the 150 year anniversary … Click to read more

Children’s eye safety and visual gift idea

While Santa and his elves have wrapping up the toys for all the good boys and girls and have made arrangements to “magically” deliver these special gifts, it is our job as parents and grandparents to be especially alert for potential holiday eye hazards to young children.The obvious advice is to avoid toys that can cause serious eye injuries and vision loss. These of course include projectile-firing toys, sharp or pointed parts or toys with … Click to read more

When should you put beer in your eye?

CARDIFF, WALES - NOVEMBER 06: Hula Edmonds of ...

Quick, your contact lens is uncomfortable and needs to be cleaned immediately, but you have no contact lens solution, what would you use?

Baby oil, beer, Coke, petroleum jelly, lemonade, fruit juice or butter?  Although we are big fans of Deschutes Brewery’s Black Butte Porter last we checked this is not approved for use on contacts.  How about the old stand-bys –  tap water or saliva?  Okay maybe a Mirror Pond Pale Ale wouldn’t be

Click to read more

Dual geoboards – a great gift to build visual thinking skills

We particularly like geoboards because they teach basic visual thinking skills such as shape, size recognition, orientation and even moving up to visual memory.  It allows error-free learning in the home as part of basic school and reading readiness skills.  Geoboards are suitable for ages 4 to 13.Geoboards can be purchased for less than $15 or constructed using wood and nails.  The simplest geoboard can be made from a square piece of wood and 25 … Click to read more

Looking for new ways to communicate with you about your eyes

Many of you reading this e-newsletter/ blog have already received an e-mail or text message from our office via Demandforce, a customer communication company that provides us with tools to connect electronically with our patients.  Since we added this service a couple of months ago we are finding a number of benefits:

  • E-mail appointment reminders instead of paper and postage
  • Text messaging of appointment reminders instead of phone calls
  • Reconnecting with patients who have

Click to read more

Blinded by the September Light

If you have recently driven directly east between 7 to 9 in the morning, as I have, you’ll not forget looking directly into the blinding sun. Driving head-on into the blinding sun is due the position of the earth in relation to the sun during the days preceding and during the September equinox.  In the early morning the sun is low in the sky and directly east.  Then in the evening the sun is again … Click to read more

Understanding Vision Through Einstein, Marilyn, and Hybrid Images

Einstein

What do you see? A ghost-like image of Albert Einstein? . . yes . . maybe but if you are viewing this on a handheld device move it back 4 feet or if you are at your lap or desk top move back about 10 feet, Now the visual images looks like . . . a phantom Marilyn Monroe.

 

Our good friend at http://www.danlikesthis.info/ re-discovered these great Click to read more

Eye Allergy Advice for Central Oregon

Each year about this time when spring finally does come to Central Oregon many of us suffer the classic seasonal allergy eye symptoms – itchy, red, watery eyes.

First rule in allergy relief – as hard as it seems – is don’t rub those itchy eyes. Rubbing itchy eyes makes them red, irritated, puffy and sore because it causes a release of a chemical called histamine that is located in the eye tissues. For this … Click to read more

We respect your time.

Two of our core values are listening to our patients and always respecting our patients time.
We have historically attempted to survey every patient after their office visit to ask how we are doing with regards to several critical measures.
In April we added an on-line patient satisfaction survey that has been well received and allows us to gather more information about your impressions and ideas regarding our office.
One question we track carefully … Click to read more

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