Carole L. Hong, OD, FCOVD

Kristina Stasko, OD

Macson Y. Lee, OD

San Francisco Peninsula

Practice Name

Optometric Center for Family Vision Care and Vision Therapy

Location

1234 Cherry Street
San Carlos, CA 94070

Contact

T: 650.593.1661
F: 650.595.5203
E: visiontherapy@familyvisioncare.org
familyvisioncare.org

Meet Our Doctors:

Carole L. Hong, OD, FCOVD

Kristina Stasko, OD

Macson Y. Lee, OD

Our Mission

Evaluation with a Developmental/Behavioral Vision Care Specialist

Annual Health and Vision Examination

 

Articles by Dr. Hong:

• Save Your Child's Vision: Helpful Tips for Parents
• Visual Factors in Childhood Behavioral Disorders July/August 2009 Issue of California Optometry
• Vision is Key to Developing Your Child's Abilities
• How Well Does Your Baby See
• How to Prepare Your Child for His First Eye Exam
• Is Your Child Ready to Experience the Magic of 3D at Home?
• Testing 15 Visual Skills May Be Key to Learning Difficulties
• Children and Contact Lenses: Is Your Child Ready to Wear Contacts?
• Tired of Broken and Misplaced Glasses or
  Lost Contact Lenses?

 

An evaluation with a developmental/behavioral vision care specialist is a must if you currently experience or have had a history of the following:

Learning or reading problems, ADD/ADHD, or Dyslexia

Developmental Delays, Autism, or Cerebral Palsy

Computer Eye Strain

Head Trauma or Stroke

Inconsistent or Poor Sports Performance

Strabismus (eye turn) and/or Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

As developmental/behavioral vision care providers, we are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of vision problems that are related to the above conditions. We will provide you with an evaluation that goes beyond the routine eye examination so as to offer treatment solutions that will eliminate or decrease vision problems that will contribute to these conditions.

 

 

If you need an annual eye health and vision examination, our general practice also provides the following:

State of the Art Eye Health Evaluations

OPTOMAP Digital Retinal Laser Scan

No dilation drops needed

Co-management with Ophthalmologists

Children Friendly Environment

 

A Contact Lens Guaranteed Success Program

Bifocal

Astigmatic

Daily, Weekly, Planned Replacement Schedules

Soft and Rigid lenses

 

Corneal Refractive Therapy

No lost or broken glasses
No daytime contacts.
Just perfect vision all day long!

 

A Complete Inventory of Frames

For Every Need and Budget

A Large Children's Selection

Extended Frame and Lens Warranties

 

Complimentary

Hands-on Workshops and In-services

Vision Screenings

Lasik Consultations

Vision Service Plan Providers

Convenient Daily & Weekend Hours

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Carole L. Hong, OD, FCOVD

Dr. Hong, born and raised in San Mateo, attended UC Berkeley as an undergraduate, obtained her doctorate degree from Southern California College of Optometry and completed a two-year residency in Vision Therapy and Pediatrics at the State University of New York. She received special training in the treatment of learning-related visual disabilities, strabismus and lazy eye. While continuing as a professor, she helped start and organize the Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke Victim Rehabilitation Clinic, taught courses in vision therapy and coordinated school screenings.

 

Dr. Hong has worked as a faculty member at UC Berkeley's School of Optometry and as an adjunct professor of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Currently she oversees the interns from State University of New York College of Optometry in our office. She enjoys teaching optometric interns and lecturing at schools of optometry across the nation because it allows her to keep abreast of new treatment options and technologies, while being able to educate students about vision therapy and behavioral vision care. Dr. Hong continues to be involved in community education programs and enjoys teaching others by speaking at parent clubs, elementary schools (science day cow dissections), high schools (career days) and community colleges (child development courses).

 

Dr. Hong obtained her Fellowship in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) in 1994, after writing case reports and passing both written and oral examinations. She has been on the board of directors for COVD since 2003 and currently holds the position of Vice President, helping to educate and certify optometrists in behavioral vision care, while helping to educate the public about the benefits of vision therapy and the importance of early detection of children's vision problems. She is also active with many other professional and community groups, including spokes person and advocate for InfantSEE, a nationwide program that provides No Cost visual assessments to babies between the ages of six months to a year.

 

When asked why she became an eye doctor, she remarked, "I have a passion for helping people improve their quality of life. By improving their vision, I can improve all facets of their lives, whether it be at work or home, in school, or during sports and recreation. By spending extra time with each of my patients, getting to know their individual needs and offering the latest examination methods and treatment choices, I will provide them with the BEST possible vision care."

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Kristina Stasko, OD

Dr. Stasko, a 1984 graduate from UC Berkeley's School of Optometry, has a unique perspective on vision care. Her thesis was on comparing vision therapy to traditional remedial reading in a group of reading delayed students with vision problems. She volunteered in an outreach program in Ecuador and spent a year teaching optometry students, optometrists, and ophthalmologists in India. In addition to taking many post-graduate courses in vision therapy and vision rehabilitation, she has worked along the side of prominent vision therapy doctors throughout her career. During this time, she has gained years of valuable hands-on experience in the diagnosis and treatment of patients in need of vision therapy.

Dr. Stasko is a past President of San Mateo's Optometric Society, past board member for nine years, past committee member of the California Optometric Society's Vision Therapy Conference, and past consultant to the California State Board of Optometry. She has helped to implement school screening programs and to double the membership of the San Mateo Optometric Society during her tenure. Dr. Stasko was honored with California's Young Optometrist of the Year Award in 1992. She enjoys providing workshops at hospitals and rehabilitation centers on optometric treatment of head injury and stroke as well as lecturing on general topics related to vision therapy.

She is also an adjunct professor at SUNY State College of Optometry and an active member along with Doctors Lee and Hong, of the following organizations: California Optometric Association, San Mateo Optometric Society, Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, Sports Vision Section of the American Optometric Association, Optometric Extension Program, College of Optometrists in Vision Development, and San Carlos Chamber of Commerce.

 

When asked why she likes her profession, Dr. Stasko reported, "I feel incredibly lucky to have found such a wonderful profession and to be able to work with the exceptional staff here at Family Vision Care and Vision Therapy. I love seeing the same families, year after year, and being a part of their lives. Watching the changes treatment can make in a patient's life and helping patients to improve their lives with improved vision is most rewarding."

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Macson Y. Lee, OD

Dr. Macson Lee (aka. Dr. Max) earned his Doctor of Optometry degree at SUNY (State University of New York), where he graduated with the COVD Award for excellence in vision training. He then furthered his educational studies by attending a year residency program in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation at SUNY. Now as an adjunct faculty member he is also able to work with forth year interns in our office.

 

Prior to his optometric studies, Dr Lee studied at UCLA (University of California Los Angeles) where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Psychology, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian American Studies with specializations in Accounting and Art History. At this time, he also did extensive research in ocular microbiology at the UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute. On top of his studies, Dr. Lee helped create the UCLA Children’s Walk for Life and volunteered at the Los Angeles Angel Food Project. He also was the president of the UCLA Circle K International, the largest collegiate volunteer program in the world, where he received the distinguished President Award for Excellence in Volunteer Work for the Community.

 

Dr. Lee quickly established himself as a permanent resident of the Bay Area. He serves on the San Mateo County Optometry Society board as membership chair. He is a member of the California Optometric Association; and the American Optometric Association and College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Dr Lee, along with Doctors Hong and Stasko, present several seminars to the community; eye care professionals and other health care professionals; on topics such as amblyopia, head trauma, autism, ADHD, vision and learning. Dr. Lee also is dedicated to volunteering within the community and world. In the community, Dr. Lee has volunteered at the Samaritan House, where he gave free eye exams to underprivileged individuals. Internationally, he joined the Gift of Sight and went to Guatemala last year for two weeks giving complete eye exams to people in need. He and his team helped 20,000 people!

 

Although Dr. Lee has a busy work schedule, he always sets time for leisure. His current hobbies are running, hiking and biking. He also loves to read books and paint when he gets time to relax. Dr. Lee has a huge appreciation for the food culture in the Bay Area, and has an extensive knowledge of great restaurants and their recipes! Dr. Lee loves being a Bay Area resident and a part of Family Vision Care. He looks forward to continue to provide excellent optometric care to the community and hopes to see you soon!

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Children and Contact Lenses: Is Your Child Ready to Wear Contacts?

Printed in Parenting on the Peninsula June 2011

By Carole L. Hong, OD, FCOVD

Parents are often asked, or even begged by their children for the right to trade in their glasses for contact lenses. What do you say? When should you say yes?

 

The next question is usually, “Are contact lenses appropriate, or even safe, for my child to
wear?” The good news is that research shows that contact lens wear is safe when appropriate
care is followed for a child of any age. This care would include following the prescribed cleaning
and disinfecting procedures, seeing your eye care professional on a regular basis to ensure long term health, as well as not engaging in unsafe activities such as swapping lenses with others or wearing them longer than prescribed.

 

It’s not a matter so much of age as a matter of maturity. Many infants and toddlers successfully wear contact lenses, as their parents are responsible for their care, while there are teenagers and even some adults that probably shouldn’t be wearing lenses.

 

Research Says Contacts are OKAY for 8-Year-Olds

 

New research suggests that 8- to 11-year-olds can handle the responsibility of contact lenses just as well as their older peers. Children as young as 8-years-old can successfully wear contacts without relying on their parents to put them in and take them out.

 

And, thanks to daily disposable lenses, you don’t have to worry about supervising your child in cleaning their lenses every evening. Daily disposable lenses eliminate the need for cleaning and disinfecting, which improves compliance and comfort, while providing a healthier option for the eyes. You can rest assured your child will have fresh, clean lenses to wear each day!

 

There are several reasons why a child may want to wear contact lenses. Improved physical appearance, acceptance among friends, and ability to play sports are often cited as top reasons for wearing contact lenses in children. Like adults, children feel less self-conscious when glasses aren’t perched on their noses. Wearing contacts improves their own perception of their appearance. Often children who are normally shy aren’t so once they start wearing contacts. And when a child feels good about himself, he’s more likely to be more outgoing and active with his peers. Where social acceptance is a top rated commodity for children and particularly teenagers, wearing contacts is a healthy option that can provide a big boost.

 

Improve Athletic Performance and Eye Safety with Contact Lenses

 

Glasses should not be worn during sports participation, especially in those sports that involve balls, racquets or flying objects. Even if your child has polycarbonate or trivex eyeglass lenses, if the frame breaks, it can cause a sight threatening injury. With contacts, he or she can easily wear a protective helmet or goggles.

 

Better peripheral (side) vision with contact lenses will allow for better awareness of space and enhance athletic performance. Other important visual skills for sports include: dynamic visual acuity, visual concentration, eye tracking, eye-hand-body coordination, visual memory, visual reaction time, depth perception and visualization. To find out more about sports vision therapy and improving your visual skills to improve your game at any age, visit www.http:// www.aoa.org/sports-vision.xml.

 

Free Your Child From the Hassles Broken or Misplaced Glasses and Torn Lenses

 

Corneal Refractive Therapy or CRT is a convenient option for your child that you won’t have trouble saying “yes” to. That’s because CRT lenses have been proven safe and effective through intense research and clinical testing, and it’s approved by the FDA for all ages! So, if you have an active child who has allergies, or loves to play sports, swim, or dance and perform, CRT is a great alternative to improving your child’s vision. Your child simply wears the specially designed lenses at night and takes them out in the morning. And the result is clear vision the entire day ~ in class, at practice and while doing homework!

 

And wait, there is another added benefit to using CRT lenses as they have been shown to retard or slow down of the progression of nearsightedness for many children. So if you wear “coke bottle” glasses, research is pointing toward being able to prevent your child from this same fate by having them use CRT lenses. Visit www.paragoncrt.com and get rid of all the hassles of glasses and day time contacts today!

 

Getting Contacts for the First Time

 

While getting contacts for your child can be a little scary, especially for parents who are not contact lens wearers themselves, just as with anything in life, with the proper parental support (and an optometric office that is comfortable working with kids), your child will be successful and enjoy the benefits of contact lenses right from the start! Talk with your eye care professional who can help you decide when to say “yes” and what the best option is for your child so that he can have optimal vision in school, sports and life!

 

For more information on children and contact lenses, children’s vision, or sports vision, please also visit our website at www.FamilyVisionCare.org . Additional articles and information can be found at www.visionhelp.com.

 

Carole L. Hong, OD, FCOVD, board certified in vision development, has been practicing in San Carlos for over 15 years. She is an expert in children's vision, vision and learning, and treatment of vision problems for those with autism spectrum disorders, other developmental disabilities, head injury and stroke. Dr. Hong practices with Drs. Kristina Stasko and Macson Lee, also developmental optometrists. They can be reached at 650.593.1661 or email@familyvisioncare.org .

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Tired of Broken and Misplaced Glasses or Lost Contact Lenses?

Submitted to Parenting on the Peninsula for publication July 2010

By Carole L. Hong, OD, FCOVD

 

Ten-year-old Caitlyn loves to play softball, but she hates wearing her glasses because they fall off at the wrong time or they get smashed. She doesn’t want to wear sports goggles because none of the other kids do. Fortunately there is a solution.

 

In the United States, approximately 42% of the population is nearsighted or myopic, needing vision correction to see clearly in the distance. The good news is there is a way to correct nearsightedness overnight. Thanks to specialty designed therapeutic lenses, adults and children are able to enjoy “perfect vision” without surgery, glasses or daytime contacts!

 

Corneal reshaping technology (CRT) provides a convenient option for your child that you won’t have trouble saying “yes” to, as these specialty lenses have been proven safe, effective and FDA approved through intense research and clinical testing for ALL ages.

 

CRT gives Caitlyn the freedom to enjoy all of her sports without the hassles of glasses or contact lenses interfering with her game!

 

“I feel like I can see better when I play.” Caitlyn says. “I don’t have to worry if my eyes get dry or that my vision will suddenly get blurry from wearing contact lenses while playing!”

 

So, if you have an active child who has allergies, dry eyes, keeps losing his glasses or just loves to play sports, swim, or perform, CRT is a great way to improve your child’s vision. CRT involves wearing a rigid gas permeable lens that gently reshapes the cornea while you sleep. When you wake up, you remove your lenses and enjoy clear vision all day long—in class, at practice, at a game and while doing homework. It’s that simple.

 

There’s one more added benefit to CRT.

 

CRT has clinically shown to slow down the progression of nearsightedness. Children that wear corneal reshaping lenses do not experience prescription changes as rapidly as children wearing glasses or day time contact lenses. So if you wear “coke bottle” glasses, research is pointing toward being able to prevent your child from this same fate by having them use CRT lenses.

 

Most nearsighted parents become concerned when they hear that their child needs glasses, and a variety of thoughts race through their mind:

 

o Did my child inherit my poor eyesight?

o Are video games or ‘reading too much’ the cause?

o Will wearing glasses just make my child’s eyes worse?

o What can I do to help my child?

 

Parents may even feel guilty or dismayed when they find out that their child’s vision continues to deteriorate year after year. But, before panic sets in, take some time to understand what 20/20 vision is and learn about options for your child’s vision improvement. You’ll be relieved to know that you can be in charge of your child’s vision correction.

 

What is 20/20 vision?

 

Perfect Vision? Normal Vision? Hind sight? That’s what most people think. In reality, the Snellen chart was devised in the early 1800’s. People lined up and from 20 feet determined the smallest letters that most could see. The modern day eye chart has not changed in almost 200 years and reading the letters on an eye chart takes less than minutes to measure one’s eye sight.

 

However, our knowledge of how vision works has grown immensely and we now know that there are over 15 visual skills required for reading and learning or making accurate eye hand coordinated judgments on the field or court. Think about how your eyes feel and what they are doing when you read a few lines of print. Your eyes must move precisely from word to word and from one line to the next.

 

When your eyes work too hard to see clearly up close for activities such as reading or working on the computer, you can become nearsighted. Early detection and treatment of vision problems is essential to prevent ones vision from getting worse.

 

What Causes Nearsightedness?

 

We know that nearsightedness or myopia tends to run in families and it often starts early in childhood. Nonetheless, although genetics plays a role in the development of myopia, it’s not the only reason. Research has shown that in addition to one’s genes, the following factors will also influence the development of nearsightedness:

 

• The amount of time spent on near work (hand-held devices, reading and use of the computer, etc.), • One’s culture, habits and nutrition

• The amount of time spent outdoors.

 

Prevent Increasing Nearsightedness

 

Some simple steps parent can take to prevent nearsightedness from increasing include:

 

1. Wearing the proper correction (it won’t make your vision worse)

2. Ensure best possible correction at distance and near, using separate or multifocal prescriptions when necessary

3. Don’t under-correct one’s prescription as studies show it may make vision worse

4. Take charge of your child’s vision correction by determining whether corneal reshaping is right for him or her

 

If you have questions, or want to find out if CRT is right for you or your child, please contact us at 650.593.1661.Visit www.familyvisioncare.org/additionalservices.html or www.MyChildrenAreNearsightedToo.com for more information on CRT.

 

Carole L. Hong, OD, FCOVD, board certified in vision development and CRT certified, has been fitting children in contact lenses for more than two decades. She is an expert in children's vision, vision and learning, and treatment of vision problems for those with special needs, head injury and stroke. Dr. Hong practices in San Carlos with Drs. Kristina Stasko and Macson Lee, also developmental optometrists who are CRT certified. They can be reached at 650.593.1661 or email@familyvisioncare.org.

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