Cary Spotlight | Issue #506

Cary Family Eye Care, 9 Worst Habits for Your Eyes, Over 250 Measles Cases Reported as Outbreak Expands

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

🧭 Discover Cary: Cary Family Eye Care

📰 9 Everyday Habits That Could Be Damaging Your Eyes

📰 Over 250 Measles Cases Reported Across Three States as Outbreak Expands

😀 Meme of the Day

❤️ Thank You!

☀️ Cary NC Weather

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

📅 Lots Of Events This Week (The Week at a Glance)

Question: What was the name of the secret network Harriet Tubman used to help enslaved people escape to freedom?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Discover Bee Banhmi, a local business sponsor of Cary Spotlight. They do catering, online ordering, home delivery and in-store. Great food made with quality ingredients.

“Dined with you today and had forgotten how fresh your ingredients are and how tasty the food is! Thanks for making me feel like I am visiting Family when I come in to eat. Friendly staff welcomes you in and eagerly share their knowledge about the choices to ensure you get exactly what you want/need! Love Bee BanhMi!” ~Lorraine Cross

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Cary Family Eye Care

Summary

In this episode of Cary Spotlight Connect, Dr. Chris Coetzer interviews Dr. Dwight Barnes, co-owner of Cary Family Eye Care, about the benefits of independent optometry, cutting-edge eye exam technology, and specialty services for both adults and children.

Keywords: Cary Spotlight, eye care, independent practice, eye exam, early detection, myopia control, vision therapy, dry eye, digital eye strain, Cary Family Eye Care, optometry

Topics Covered:

  • Why Choose an Independent Eye Care Practice?

    • The difference between independent eye care and corporate chains

    • The personal touch and community-focused approach of Cary Family Eye Care

  • What to Expect During an Eye Exam

    • Advanced diagnostic technology for early detection of diseases

    • Personalized patient care and education

  • Eye Conditions That Benefit from Early Detection

    • Glaucoma – Often asymptomatic until it’s advanced

    • Macular Degeneration – Lifestyle changes and supplements can slow progression

    • Diabetic Retinopathy – Monitoring eye health for diabetes-related complications

  • Eye Care for Children

    • How children's vision changes as they grow

    • The rise in nearsightedness (myopia) and ways to slow its progression

  • Specialty Services at Cary Family Eye Care

    • Myopia Control Clinic – Slowing the progression of nearsightedness in children

    • Vision Therapy – Developing visual skills for better function and efficiency

    • Dry Eye Treatment – Advanced diagnosis and treatment for chronic dry eye

  •  Tips for Screen Time and Eye Health

    • The effectiveness of blue-light-blocking lenses

    • How custom eyewear can reduce digital eye strain

📍 Cary Family Eye Care Location

🏢 7560 Carpenter Fire Station Road, Suite 205, Cary, NC
🌐 CaryFamilyEyeCare.com

What to do next:

Looking for a personalized and comprehensive eye care experience? Visit Cary Family Eye Care! Learn more or book an appointment at CaryFamilyEyeCare.com.

We’d love to hear from you! Let us know how aware you are of Cary Family Eye Care, a trusted independent optometry practice in Cary:

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These articles are for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.

Elegant glasses

9 Everyday Habits That Could Be Damaging Your Eyes

Taking care of your eyes goes beyond annual exams and a healthy diet. Everyday habits—some of which may seem harmless—can have long-term effects on your vision. Here are nine of the worst habits for your eyes and what you can do to protect them.

  1. Smoking: Cigarette smoke harms more than just your lungs—it significantly increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can blur central vision. Smoking reduces antioxidants in the eye and restricts oxygen flow to blood vessels. Quitting smoking lowers AMD risk over time and improves overall eye health.

  2. Excessive Screen Time: Staring at screens for too long causes digital eye strain and chronic dry eye by reducing how often we blink. To prevent strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Reduce screen brightness in the evening to protect sleep patterns.

  3. Not Wearing Sunglasses: UV rays damage the cornea and lens, increasing the risk of cataracts, AMD, and even eye cancers. Sunglasses with 100% UV protection (often labeled "UV absorption up to 400 nm") shield your eyes year-round, even on cloudy days. Wraparound styles offer the best protection.

  4. Sleeping in Contact Lenses: Wearing contacts overnight traps bacteria and debris against the cornea, increasing the risk of serious infections. Those who sleep in lenses are 6 to 8 times more likely to develop eye infections. If you use contacts, stick to daily disposables or follow your optometrist’s cleaning and replacement schedule.

  5. Rubbing Your Eyes: Frequent or aggressive eye rubbing can damage the cornea, leading to conditions like keratoconus, which distorts vision. Chronic rubbing can also worsen dry eye disease. Instead of rubbing, use lubricating eye drops or place a warm compress over your eyes for relief.

  6. Sleeping with Makeup On: Leaving mascara, eyeliner, or eyeshadow on overnight increases the risk of eye infections, inflammation, and dry eye disease. Makeup debris can block oil glands and lead to styes (painful bumps on the eyelid). Always remove eye makeup with a gentle, oil-free cleanser before bed.

  7. Heavy Drinking: Excessive alcohol consumption damages the optic nerve and increases the risk of AMD, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. While moderate drinking may not cause major harm, chronic alcohol use has been linked to permanent vision loss.

  8. Poor Nutrition: A diet lacking in key nutrients like vitamins A, C, E, lutein, and omega-3s can accelerate age-related eye diseases. Following a Mediterranean diet rich in leafy greens, fish, nuts, and colorful vegetables provides essential nutrients for long-term eye health.

  9. Skipping Vaccines: Diseases like shingles and measles can cause serious eye complications. The Shingrix vaccine reduces the risk of shingles-related vision damage, while the MMR vaccine helps prevent measles-related blindness. Adults should check with their doctor to ensure they are up to date on vaccinations.

Just curious…

After reading about eye health habits, what’s one positive change you plan to make?

What’s Your Next Step for Better Eye Health?

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Over 250 Measles Cases Reported Across Three States as Outbreak Expands

A rapidly growing measles outbreak that began in West Texas has now extended to New Mexico and Oklahoma, bringing the total number of cases to 258 across the three states. The outbreak, confirmed through genome sequencing, has been particularly severe in Gaines County, Texas, which accounts for 156 cases alone.

State health departments report that the majority of infections are among unvaccinated individuals, though a few vaccinated people have also tested positive. Given the virus’s highly contagious nature—it can linger in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours—public health officials expect additional cases in the coming weeks.

Texas has reported 223 cases, with 29 hospitalizations and one fatality—an unvaccinated child with no underlying conditions. New Mexico now has 33 cases, most in Lea County, with one suspected measles-related death under investigation. Meanwhile, Oklahoma confirmed its first two cases, both linked to exposures in Texas and New Mexico.

The CDC has sent personnel to assist in managing the outbreak, advising local health officials on containment and contact tracing strategies. Given the virus’s long incubation period, accurately tracking its spread remains a challenge.

Health officials expect the outbreak to persist through mid-May, with numbers projected to far exceed last year’s total of 285 measles cases nationwide. Both Texas and New Mexico plan to release updated case counts later this week. Read Full Story

How Do You Feel About Preventable Childhood Diseases and Vaccinations?

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Upcoming Local Events

Looking ahead to events happening in Cary, NC for the rest of the week.
Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information.

March 12th (Wednesday)

March 13th (Thursday)

March 14th (Friday) HAPPY PI DAY (3.14)

March 15th (Saturday)

March 16th (Sunday)

March 17th (Monday) Saint Patrick's Day

The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇

Harriet Tubman, often referred to as the "Moses of her people," was a key conductor on the Underground Railroad—a covert network of routes and safe houses established in the United States during the early to mid-19th century. This network was instrumental in aiding enslaved African Americans to escape to free states and Canada.

Between 1850 and 1860, Tubman made numerous perilous journeys into the Southern states, personally guiding approximately 70 enslaved individuals to freedom, including members of her own family. Her unwavering courage and strategic acumen made her one of the most renowned figures associated with the Underground Railroad.

For more information, you can read this article: Harriet Tubman - Wikipedia