Hello, I’m Shannon and I work as the Insurance Coordinator at Carolina Ophthalmology Associates.

I started working here as a receptionist in November 2006. For those of you that recognize me, I’m still here, just less visible since I’m no longer greeting you from the front desk.

Now, I’m using my 15+ years of experience in medical billing to better assist our patients. So, whether you have a question regarding your bill or need an insurance question answered, I can be reached by phone at 919-967-4836 or via e-mail at ShannonR@Carolina2020.com.

Baby Love

Congratulations to our technician Jeanette and her husband Robert on the arrival of a new baby boy!

Jacob Louis Clemons was born on May 18, 2009 at 8:10 pm weighing 7lbs and 4oz.

Carolina Ophthalmology Associates Voted Best Vision Center

Carolina Ophthalmology Associates was voted as the Best Vision Center by the readers of The Chapel Hill News paper. Dr. Mark Scroggs responds, “We are pleased to accept the 2009 Rose Award and would like to thank our patients that voted for us.”

For more information on our award winning practice, please visit our web site at www.carolina2020.com or call (919) 967-4836 for an appointment.

Eye Allergies

“I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers/Of April, May, of June, and July flowers”.

Although it may be beautiful outdoors, the signs and symptoms of pollen allergy are not. They can include: sneezing, runny or clogged nose, itchy throat, teary, itchy eyes, red-rimmed eyes, allergic shiners (dark circles under the eyes caused by restricted blood flow near the sinuses) and the "allergic salute" (persistent upward rubbing of the nose that causes a crease mark across it).

Most allergens guilty for eye symptoms are airborne. There is no way to totally avoid the pollen, mold, dust, and animal dander that trigger our unpleasant symptoms. If not treated, an eye allergy can cause inflammation and irritation of eye tissue, leading to the condition allergic conjunctivitis.

As there is no cure for eye allergy here’s what you could do to keep the culprits out of your house and minimize the damage:

• AVOID RUBBING YOUR EYES! Cool compresses can help soothe
• Remove contact lenses as soon as symptoms appear.
• Stay indoors when the pollen counts are at its peak, or if it is windy outside.
• Keep windows shut and the air conditioner on
• Use artificial tears and/or make an eye appointment to get prescribed a liquid antihistamine to put in your eyes
• Wear glasses or sunglasses outdoors
• Minimize clutter, book collections, and anything that collects dust and pollens
• Keep pets outside or bathe them often and don't let them sleep in your bed
• Wash your hair every day to rinse off dust and pollen, and if you've been in the yard, leave shoes at the door and wash your clothes in hot water as soon as possible

For Severe Cases, in addition to above:

• Allergy-proof your home; put dust-mite-proof covers on bedding and pillows; clean surfaces with a damp mop, rag, or shampooer rather than dry sweeping or dusting.
• Purchase an air filter to clean out pollens, molds and dust
• Use a dehumidifier in damp areas like the basement
• Install wood, tile or vinyl floors rather than carpet because they can be mopped regularly. If you do have carpets, have someone else do the vacuuming
• Make an eye appointment before you experience problems. Oral antihistamines rarely help with ocular symptoms.

You won't be able to eliminate every allergen from your home, but with these steps you can make it a comfortable place even during the peak of allergy season.

On This Day, April 6th...

Happy Birthday

Dr. Scroggs

...We think you're awesome!

-COA Staff

Happy Birthday COA!

March marks the eighth year anniversary for Carolina Ophthalmology Associates. Wanting to provide a more personal hometown feel for their patients, Drs. Mark Scroggs and James Bryan left their positions at NC Eye and Ear Hospital in 2001 to open their own private practice that was located on East Franklin Street.

Since then, we moved our four employees from an office with two exam rooms to the Boyd Hall Building on VilCom Circle that we are currently located in that entails six exam rooms, an expanded optical shop, a laser suite and 12 employees.

The physicians have been careful to balance growth without compensating the patients’ personal experience. Dr. Scroggs explains, “We have an emphasis on the patient’s care and continue to build and improve upon their satisfaction whether they are here for a routine exam or a complex ocular condition.”

As with any anniversary, the family at COA must also look to the future while reflecting on our past. Dr. Bryan adds, “We are constantly focusing on creating the best possible eye care practice that the people in our community and their families can trust and want to refer others.”

If there is any area of our practice that you feel could improve, please let us know by sending an email to want2see@carolina2020.com. We do value your comments and suggestions.

Where Are You Going to Buy Your Glasses?

The bargains you can get online can be tempting, especially during this unstable economy, but how much does it really save you? Here are some things to consider before you go online to make your purchase. It takes a good bit of time and educating oneself to get a pair of glasses online that you’re going to really love and you’ll need to be comfortable making the following decisions for yourself.

So you want to know how a pair of glasses looks on you, simply try them on if you’re at The Vision Place. Optical websites offer creative solutions to address this important issue, but is it really the same? Online you may not be able to see the small details and you won’t know how they’re going to fit or feel until they arrive at your door step two weeks later.

In many ways, it is easier to select glasses if you have an optician helping you. Every frame is a custom job, so when you visit the optician, it is their job to take various measurements to ensure a proper fit that is specific to the size of your head, the distance between your pupils and that fit the bridge of your nose properly. Other wise, you may end up with a frame that is either too snug and pinches your nose and behind your ears or too loose and slides down your nose every time you lean over.

Another issue is measuring your own pupil distance (PD). If you don’t measure the distance between your pupils properly, then you may end up getting headaches if you're not looking directly through the centers of the lenses. Bifocals are especially tricky and are often avoided altogether by these types of web-based optical sites.

You will also need to educate yourself with everything that the optician usually guides you through such as deciding what lens material to use, which tint you may want and don’t forget about ultraviolet, crizal, anti-reflective and anti-scratch coatings… When making each decision on your own, what one may have thought would be a “fun” process can soon become overwhelming.

Last of all, beware of the various return policies. What if the prescription is wrong due to a doctor error or your vision changes in a month? Is there a warranty on the frame or lenses and if so, for how long? Our optical shop offers a 12 month manufacturer’s warranty and a 1 month money back guarantee for prescription changes/errors. If you can’t see properly out of your new glasses, bring them back.

At The Vision Place, you will have a qualified optician that is certified and available to assist you during each step of your purchase, making recommendations that will be best for you and your lifestyle. What’s more, UV protection, anti-scratch coating, a case and cleaning cloth is included with every purchase at no extra cost!