Valley Vista Eye Care Optometric Center

Today is my first Sunday at home in over a month. What a whirlwind the past few months have been as we prepared to vacate the property at 316 Walnut Street! It's finally done though, and it's so strange to see it all so...empty. Photos here taken during the move and a bonus sneak peak of the new space as it looks now, still very messy. So many awesome humans helped me make it happen: my team, the crew at 916Movers, Jim from Lombart, the guys on our cons...truction crew, and my wonderful hubby. "Where would you like this?" "What do you want to do with this?" "Should we throw this out?" "Where did we put the _____?" These questions will be ringing in my head for weeks. So many decisions to be made every day! Today I'm tackling a mountain of address change paperwork and some neglected chores, just blissfully happy to be at home. Then tomorrow, I'm going back to hang some shelves and address a phone setup snafu that occurred on Friday. We will spend this week on organization and setup for our computers and equipment, then resume patient care next week. Thank you for following along on this journey. The new office won't be completely "done" until August, so we still have some grind remaining, but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate the milestone of getting the move done! We look forward to seeing you at 433 College Street! See more

Look who visited today! We invited Dr. Smith to come in and reminisce before the building is demo'ed next week. Most of you know, Dr. Smith sold me this practice in 2011 after practicing since 1963. He and his wife, Kay, stopped by this afternoon. I previously thought he was in this location for 34 years, then learned today that I misunderstood the story. He was actually here for 42 years. A few years passed in 316 Walnut before he bought 312 Walnut and combine...d the two old houses. Anyway, that means that the practice has been here for 52 years! Let's hope the practice will enjoy similar longevity on College Street. The box/furniture movers did a fantastic job today. (For local folks, I highly recommend @916movers. They were fantastic!!) The medical instruments will be moved tomorrow. It's looking really empty in here! For those of you who guessed at the number of boxes. The correct number is 146! Wow, so much stuff. And yes, I feel as tired as I look in this photo. Approaching delirium... Onward and upward!

And that's a wrap! Earlier today, we wrapped up patient care on Walnut Street. I was a little teary-eyed as I walked him out, knowing that it was the last of at least 90,000 patient encounters in this office. That's a staggering number to ponder: lots of lives changed and enhanced during the past 44 years. After the last patient left, my team and I finished dismantling everything. It took until around 10pm, but we are all ready for the movers to arrive tomorrow... morning. Oh wait, it's after midnight, so I guess that should say *this* morning. Here we go...onward and upward. I'll share the final box count number tomorrow! (Posted with permission.) See more

Dear Santa, I've tried to be very good this year, so I hope you can grant my Christmas wishes for 2020. Thinking back to Christmas in 1980, you came through big time with an Atari for Matt and me, and we were so very excited to play Space Invaders, Asteroids, and Enduro. That was a magical Christmas morning. Forty years later, my Christmas wishes are different this year. I'm wishing for an end to the coronovirus pandemic, more unity, and less hate. Can... you and Rudolph drop some of those things down our chimney? Lots of weary souls would be ever so grateful. Merry Christmas Eve, and safe travels to you and the reindeer as you travel the globe tonight. We'll leave some cookies out for you. With hope and gratitude, Lisa See more

This is an important message! There are many reasons for getting an eye exam even if you're experiencing no symptoms. Thankfully for the patient in this story, she is going to be okay based on updates her mom posted on their Caring Bridge site. https://www.valleynewslive.com//routine-eye-exam-credite/

Our resident scarecrow and I would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. Reflecting on the wild roller-coaster called 2020, I'd like our patients to know how much we appreciate your support and cooperation as we have navigated through the pandemic. I'd also like to express gratitude for the true heroes of 2020:... Frontline health care workers who are caring for the sick Essential workers who make it possible to get our groceries and household goods Scientists who are relentlessly working toward vaccinations and therapeutics for COVID-19 We've all made tremendous sacrifices this year, and we are finally in the home stretch. The vaccines are almost here! Until then, we need to buckle down a little longer, continuing adherence to the basic public health guidelines for social distancing and masks. That brings me to the ultimate reason for gratitude: our health. Without it, nothing else is possible. I sincerely hope that all of you will find a safe way to choose joy this Thanksgiving...so that we can all enjoy many more Thanksgivings in the future. Raising a glass in the name of gratitude...cheers! See more

BOO! What could be scarier than 2020? Halloween in 2020! (Groan...I know.)... Normally this fun skeleton dude is filled with candy, and we would have ghoulish eyeball cookies from Timothy's Bakery out on the front desk counter. Alas, Purell seemed more fitting for 2020. Everyone is missing the eyeball cookies, so we will definitely bring them back when it's safe to gather again. In the meantime, I hope you find a way to have a fun and safe Halloween with no eye injuries. No matter how tempting, please skip the costume contact lenses unless they were fit by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Trick or treat, Lisa Heuer, O.D. #halloween #halloween2020 #trickortreat #pandemichalloween #purell #handsanitizer #eyeinjuries #costumecontactlenses #eyehealth #contactlenses #privatepractice #woodland #yolocounty #valleyvista2020 See more

In a world where you can be anything, be kind. That phrase has been popping up on t-shirts and social media posts, Such a simple concept, but uncommon to an astonishing degree these days. I've been a bit quiet here lately. It's because dealing with the public right now is taking an enormous amount of fortitude. In normal times, we might have a patient outburst once every few months, but lately, it has been happening almost daily. I am exhausted and wor...n down by the effort required to maintain composure and navigate these situations. So when someone drops by with a special thank you, the gesture is appreciated and celebrated with even more exuberance than usual. The person who brought the pumpkin bars and card in this photo is a new patient we gained because a nearby optical has recently closed. This is the stuff that keeps us going when it feels like everything else is crumbling down. Tensions and anger are high. Everyone is dealing with enormous stress. The unknowns make it difficult to plan. But we will get through 2020 and all that it has thrust upon us. If we choose to be kind, those good vibes will reverberate and make life a little more tolerable along the way. Consider doing a random act of kindness today. It's good for the soul! Take care of you, Lisa Heuer, O.D. #choosekindness #bekind #randomactofkindness #optometry #privatepractice #yolocounty #woodland #smallbusiness See more

I heard a heartwarming story recently, and felt compelled to share. We need all the good news that we can get in 2020, right? One of my patients, TC, casually mentioned that she had made 13 desks for local students who didn't have adequate furniture at home for virtual learning. The children were sitting on the floor with their Chromebooks, which could not have been comfortable or conducive to productive learning. To further emphasize TC's generosity, th...e desks were made when our heat wave and poor air quality were at their worst in the late summer. It was not a fun time to be outdoors in northern CA, but that didn't derail TC's mission. As someone who is a product of our head start and public school systems, I wholeheartedly believe that education is the key to allowing kids to forge their path and follow their dreams. Who knows if there is a future Nobel Prize winner in that group of children? Or a future first responder who will save lives? It's really powerful to think of the potential long-term ramifications of keeping these kids on track during their disrupted school year. TC's story really touched my heart, especially since we are living through a time marked by upsetting headlines every day. It is my sincere hope that someone else will be moved by the story of TC's generosity, and (1) either feel a little more hopeful about these troubled times or (2) find an avenue to be a force for good. And TC...you rock!! Take care and stay safe, Lisa Heuer, O.D. #actsofkindness #generosity #woodworking #DIYtalent #girlswithpowertools #pandemicprojects #covid19 #distancelearning #virtualschool #woodland #yolocounty #optometry #eyecare #valleyvista2020 See more

Mission accomplished! We got our flu shots this afternoon. The process was quick and painless for us, both procedurally and physically speaking. We made our appointments online, checked in upon arrival, received the vaccines a few minutes later, then carried on with our day. Total time investment = 20 minutes, including travel time. Out-of-pocket cost = $0. Easy peasy!... Have you gotten yours? If so, drop me an emoji in the comments. (And for you!) If not, here is a website that will allow you locate a source in your area: https://vaccinefinder.org/. Some require an appointment, but some do not. I recommend making an appointment to minimize your wait time. The person who did our injections today told me that they are typically most busy from 4-6pm each day. Flu vaccines save lives every year, but they will be especially important this year due to the the pandemic. It is possible to contract both viruses (influenza and coronavirus), so this is not the year to skip getting a flu vaccination! One of my instructors in optometry school liked to say, "Boring is good," when wrapping up an exam for a person with a healthy, unremarkable visual system. Boring meant that there was nothing for us to worry about, and that's always good news for the patient. Along those lines, I wish you a most boring and uneventful flu season! Take care of you, Lisa Heuer, O.D. See more

CQTI 2020, Chapter 7 COVID Quarantine Tips from Izzie Alright, here it is! By a large margin, the most frequent questions of 2020 relate to blue-light glasses as our screen-time has skyrocketed. It's the reason why I started the CQTI series back in March. (Check out CQTI #2-4 on the feed for related blue light info.) ... So why would any self-respecting optometrist be photographed in these unattractive glasses? You guys have asked if there are any acceptable OTC options for people who don't need to wear an Rx or wish for a low-cost option, so I picked a few on Amazon with high ratings. Click through the images for my thoughts. Bottom line: meh, better than nothing. They filter blue-light effectively but they are inherently flawed in other ways. There is really no substitute for having a skilled optician fit your frame and design ophthalmic-grade lenses for you. (No surprise there, right?) Remember from CQTI #3, blue-light filtering is recommended to relieve digital eye strain and modulate your circadian rhythms. It's a myth that our eyes will be damaged by exposure to blue light from our screens. (We are exposed to 10x more blue light from the sun than from our digital devices!) Next up, CQTI 2020 #8. Izzie will be back to tell you about eye twitches. Until then, stay safe and take care of you, Lisa Heuer, O.D. See more

Happy Labor Day! Hopefully you're relaxing and enjoying time with loved ones today. If you're using the day to complete yardwork chores or DIY projects, be sure to wear protective eyewear. Eye injuries unexpectedly occur more frequently than you would imagine, and usually in the blink of an eye. Pun intended. The good news is that you can get a pair of safety glasses from any hardware store. They are designed to fit over your prescription eyewear. The pair I'...m wearing in this photo cost around $7 at our local Ace Hardware. If I'm trimming branches, and one swings to my face, there will not be a corneal abrasion. If I'm cleaning the toilet and some of the water splashes in my face, there will not be an alkaline burn from the toilet bowl cleaner. If I'm cleaning the garage and overhead dust particles fall on me, none will embed themselves in my eyes. Every one of these painful scenarios has presented in my office during the past several months. The pain and fear associated with injury can be avoided with a good pair of safety glasses. Of course, I'm here to help if you forget or some other form of injury occurs. Take care of you and stay safe, Lisa Heuer, O.D. See more

CQTI 2020, Chapter 6 COVID Quarantine Tips from Izzie Ahh-ahh-choo! ... I promised you a post on allergies back in April, but here we are in August. Like everyone else, life has been tricky to navigate in 2020, but I'm excited to tell you about Pataday. Who is struggling with itchy, watery eyes? The fall allergy season is around the corner, and local wildfires are an added source of inflammation for us in California. Along with artificial tears, Pataday is a great eyedrop to keep on hand year round. It contains anti-histamine and mast-cell stabilizer ingredients, both very helpful with allergy symptoms. It was Rx-only for the past ~15 years until it became available OTC earlier this year. (So there's one good thing that happened in 2020!) Look for it in the aisle with contact lens solutions in any drug store. There are two versions, and they vary by concentration. Red label = olopatadine 0.2%. Use once daily. Blue label = olopatadine 0.1%. Use twice daily. I recommend the red label 0.2% version because it's easier to remember once per day dosing. Contact lens wearers need to wait 5-10 minutes to insert lenses after instilling medicated eyedrops. If redness and discomfort persist, then don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with me. There may be something else going on in. We're all using our eyes differently these days, and I want to help you keep them in tip-top shape! Next up in CQTI chapter 7, I'm going to review a few blue-filtering glasses that I purchased on Amazon. A lot of people have asked my opinion on them since we've increased our screen time while sheltering in place. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Take care of you, and stay safe. Lisa Heuer, O.D.

We bid adieu this week to a 4th year optometry student who is headed off to her first external rotation. Alice was supposed to start her 4th year back in May, but summer rotations were cancelled due to the pandemic. Stuck at home in the Sacramento area, Alice took the initiative to find a mentor to keep the clinical juices flowing during this unexpected hiatus from school. We connected via email in April, then she began visiting my office in May. Although my pati...ent volume has been significantly reduced during the past few months, we found interesting cases to review each week, and I got to teach her about the scleral lens fitting process. I was really impressed by Alice's positive attitude during what was an overall lousy situation. She was also studying for part one of the national board exam during this time too, an extra dose of yuck. On her last day this week, Alice gave me this adorable Minnie Mouse pin. Minnie is wearing some super stylish glasses! Alice probably didn't know this, but I love Minnie Mouse so much that she is the chosen image for my Apple Watch face. I will treasure this pin. Wishing Alice and all of the other 4th years well as they embark on this final year before graduation! Build your clinical and diagnostic skills, but don't forget the softer relationship side of our work. Remember that it is a privilege to care for our patients. If you remain committed to these ideals, you can build a rewarding career in eye care. @ Valley Vista Eye Care Optometric Center See more

One more reason to love Stevie Nicks. I see the crystal visions, I keep the visions to myself.

Yesterday's announcement regarding the rollback of re-opening does not affect us. We are still open and seeing patients for routine care, albeit with a reduced and spaced-out schedule. The doors are locked, and we ask that you call from the car to let us know that you're here as we are trying to limit the number of people in the office at a given time. We are taking every precaution to make your visit safe.

The end of an era for my practice. We bid farewell to Sandra this afternoon with a late lunch at my house. She’s off to a new house and new job in a new town with her fiancé. Although we’re so happy for this new chapter in Sandra’s life, it’s just not going to be the same without her. She and Adriana were hired in 2013 in the immediate aftermath of an awful embezzlement discovery in my office. They helped me dig out of that hole and restored faith in trusting my... team, then we soared to new heights together while implementing EHR, dropping vision plans, then of course, navigating COVID. Oh, and we also changed and/or improved a whole bunch of lives along the way, NBD. The photos here give you a snippet of our farewell festivities. In the second image, Sandra is with Ana, the new addition to our team. Ana overlapped with Sandra by two weeks for training, and she has really impressed us as a quick learner and team player. I’ll do a separate post dedicated to Ana so you can get to know her more. Spoiler alert: she’s really awesome too! Missing from the photos is Adriana, who was busy spreading her sunshine during the party. To Sandra: thank you for seven years of pure superstar performance, always reliable and willing to try to my crazy ideas. We will miss you dearly. Now go spread your wings and soar into the next chapter. How lucky I am to have something that makes saying good-bye so hard. -Winnie the Pooh See more

A very useful PSA! A piece of first aid tape across the nose works too. https://youtu.be/IrYFvE_mCU4

Kudos to the Burger Saloon. #peopleoverprofits

I am enormously sad to announce that Sandra will be leaving our team in a few weeks. She's moving on to bigger and better things, so her future is bright and we celebrate her next steps. Sandra started working for my office in 2013, and she has been a superstar ever since then. Adriana and I are going to miss her terribly, and I'm sure our patients will miss her smiling face too. Our Spanish-speaking patients have especially appreciated her bilingual skills over the years.... There aren't enough superlatives to state how much I have appreciated having Sandra on our team. If you know any superstars who are committed to excellence and would be interested applying for her position, please share the job listing linked below. I am conducting interviews this week and looking for someone who can start asap to allow for overlap and training with Sandra. Please see the link below for the detailed job listing on Indeed.

Yesterday I spoke with Heidy Kellison. She manages the DowntownNorcal Facebook page which highlights local businesses, and she has been very committed to sharing stories during the coronavirus pandemic. Our interview is included here, but be sure to check out her page for more great information!