Did you also know that a child’s lenses are more fragile and delicate than an adult’s? That makes sense right?

Soooo you put sunscreen on your baby and your children of any age…Why WOULDN’T you put sunglasses on a child?

I could go on and on with stats I’ve seen and heard but common sense prevails here. Kids need sun protection for their eyes. And it’s not expensive. Come by and talk to our opticians about ensuring 100% UV 400 protection for under $40.

Now to the cost: yes, Fendi costs more, but $400 for a sunglass is way cheaper than $3K for a Fendi bag

It’s not for everyone and there are definitely less expensive frames and sunglasses we carry like ECO (which runs under $150) and Guess (some suns under $100!).  Whether it’s a Fendi, Tom Ford or Dior on the high end or one of the lower cost lines, one thing I can promise you is that the service you get from VisionCare, and many private practice providers, is above and beyond. (PS if you’re reading this from far far away check out the Vision Source network of private practices for a provider in your state).

If you buy a Gucci or Guess sunglass at Macy’s, what do you do if you need it tightened up after a month or 2? If a screw needs to be replaced? Good question. If you buy a Gucci or Guess sunglass (or any other for that matter) at VisionCare  you just bring it in with no appointment and we take care of you on the spot for FREE.

I’m certainly not saying we’re more expensive than other places. I’m saying:

1) you get what you pay for

2) we may be equal or even less expensive (!!!!)

3) you can’t match the service- period

And have you come by and seen our optical? It’s a fun fun place to try frames on (without pressure to buy).  The whole staff and other clients get into it.

Also- we have a really special piece of equipment Drs. Rigel, Vincent-Riemer and Knapp invested in: a camera in our optical area that takes shows up to 4 photos on a monitor so if you have a prescription and can’t “see yourself trying on a frame” or want to email it to your wife, boyfriend, sister or bff for their opinion, you can.

You can’t get this kind of hands-on service… and follow-up like adjustments and repairs and billing your insurance… on-line.

“Care, Education and Service: Our Passion is Your Vision.”

We want you to look just as hot in Lansing as Ashton Kutcher and Kim Kardashian look in Hollywood, or Miami or NYC or where-ever else they go!

Sooo…. we are starting a regular feature called Celebrity Sights for the summer. 

We look to celebs for inspiration on clothes and hair, so why not check out their eyewear too? Each feature will contain lines/styles VisionCare has in the office!

1) our website’s appointments tab: www.visionsource-visioncare.com

2) call our office at 517-337-8182

3) stop in to check out our eyewear and visit the front desk team

4) DM me on Twitter or send me an email

Just remember, if you don’t speak directly with our Front Desk Team they may be calling to follow up and get the details they need so we can serve you best!

Wrong. The numbers say otherwise- I’m in a “gray” area of a bi-focal (yuck! ouch! NO!!) being a way to make my eyes less strained and being able to “see fine” without “going there.” Many 40 year olds (yes, it’s the magic number – you wake up and BOOM it happens) have prescriptions like this… and wait.

Dilemma. Is my headache stress? Weather changes? Or eyestrain because I tore through a 400 page book from CADL on Saturday…

I’m going for it. I may hate the motion sickness of getting used to a progressive lens but thank you Essilor for the Tru-Clear HD design only available at private practices locally owned and members of Vision Source. (That’s what we are by the way, independent optometry in your backyard…)

Time to practice what I preach in the community: why WOULDN’T you want the best clarity for your vision? Why settle for less?

Ohhh, I keep going back and forth- erasing and re-typing if I’m going for it… Should I? Shouldn’t I? No, I will go for it. Not buying progressive lenses will not make make me 39 again.

Having not really known anything much about marketing when taking my Internship at VisionCare, I can honestly say that it has given me a strong foundation for my entrance into the real world.  At VisionCare, I have been given my own projects such as coming up with mini-marketing plans and schedules, giving me a guideline of responsibilities and deadlines.  Writing a variety of press releases and articles has not only scared me about missing my annual eye exams but has also taught me how to research, write and edit materials differently than what I would for a class assignment.  As much as my generation may be social media savvy, I did not realize to the extent of which it could be used to market certain products and to specific groups.  Having experience working withTwitter, LinkedIn, Yelp and the many others that exist, has been one of the most common necessary qualifications across job applications that I have seen and it is one more thing that I now have experience with.

            Graduating can be a scary thought but thanks to VisionCare and especially Daphne, the skills and experience that I have acquired throughout my time as Marketing Intern gives me confidence instead of nerves.  I know that I have a strong skill-set from research, writing and creating brochures or flyers to attending events to network or market VisionCare’s wide range of services and products.  I’m excited for the next step and to show off the great things that Daphne has taught me but also very thankful for this opportunity!

Honestly – it goes to show how hard it is to get to know someone (and a business) at these things. But here’s the key- you MEET people. If you like them, you ask for their card (I’m a Malinda Barr believer… you do NOT give your card unless someone wants it and says they do) then call them for coffee or lunch or whatever.

Become a raving fan of the people you connect with and introducing them to others when you see them at events and, eventually, (sooner possibly than later) they will be out promoting your business on your behalf. 

Also, introducing them to others will help you learn more about them. It’ll have you asking them the right questions and really understanding their business.

If you use the “lovelansing” hashtag on Twitter, you’ll see that those people I network with, who provide outstanding customer service and products are benefitting from meeting me.  Moral of this story: go network IRL, not just online, and get to know the people in town, there are some fabulous businesses locally, wherever local is to you!

2. Care Education and Service: Our Passion for Your Vision. That’s our motto. The whole team lives by it. What does your eye-care provider’s team live by?

3. Comprehensive testing. Does your doctor do more than ask you to look at the big E? More than “1, or 2″? Your exam needs to have glaucoma checks, diving into your family history, your lifestyle, photographs (we offer Optos!) – it’s not just “vision” it’s “eye health” – which SAVES your vision.

4. Full-service in vision correction. From multi-focal contact lenses to Corneal Refractive Therapy to Drivewear to computer distance prescriptions to infant vision correction to customized digitally surfaced HD progressive lenses precision cut and measured to YOUR eye… what options for correction are you being offered? Is it all options science has to offer? Ask.

5. Courteous handling of payment. Let’s face it, this is the ucky part. (Yes, that’s a word I just used- UCKY.) When you are standing there with your Visa in hand, are you satisfied you’ve been given FULL service and QUALITY health care along with the best technology available? I challenge you to answer yes. Then you’ve had a great eye exam.

Need an appointment? Laura and Nancy are here to help make it a smooth process for you: 517.337.8182 or email us for an exam through our website.

The unique-ness and talent of our optical department is solidifed when you look at what we’ve got here. And now we have John Varvatos.

Inspired by Rock ‘n Roll, Detroit native John Varvatos has managed to not only create a brand but a fashion.  Having designed for huge names in the industry like Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Converse, he now has his own fashion line which includes eyewear- yay for us!

By combining different shapes, colors and materials, Varvatos has created a line that is sophisticated yet relaxed- cutting edge like the rock ‘n roll guys that inspired him including Iggy Pop and Alice Cooper. 

And who doesn’t want to own a pair of glasses that countless celebrities have been caught wearing? In fact, ZZ Top modeled his eyewear in 20/20 magazine and Ken Jeongg wore his stuff in The Hangover. Robert Downey Jr. (yes, I’m an 80s girl and still love him from Less Than Zero) wears Varvatos as well.

Metals, plastics etc. Cutting edge design for men. Love his stuff, come see John Varvatos’ (or a part of him anyway) back in Michigan!

Prada, D&G, Versace and more. 

We don’t carry those by the way- they’re made by that company that owns everything. (just about!)

Fendi says made in Italy. Pro Design and John Varvatos- Japan. (we do carry these). However, most of this industry is made in China. Even if the materials come from somewhere else (and yes, Italian zyl – aka ‘plastic’ – is a better quality than domestic Chinese can be which is where the price difference can come in.

I’ve been researching this closely and one thing I can tell you is politics (believe it or not) of manufacturing does come into play. In fact “origin” (as explained to me by a rep today) is becoming what people in the know look at… what percentage of the frame is made where. Additionally I’ve found that where the materials come from makes a huge impact on the quality.

The bottom line is this: we at VisionCare HAND PICK EVERY SINGLE FRAME. We try it on, we play with it- check it’s durability etc. and we are very VERY selective. Made in Japan, China, France or Italy… we know the quality firsthand.

This is one other thing that separates us from the chains (almost all the big names are owned by the same frame manufacturer so they sell you their own made in China). I’m just sayin…

I’ve talked to people that have worked in chains and are jealous (and surprised) that we can hand pick frames, they don’t get shipped or picked off a page on a computer screen. 

Ahhh the joys of private, locally owned eye-care- we can vouch for our products and stand behind our decisions to put them out there for you to buy because we hand pick them.