
Wall Street Journal -- Growing number of devices help people with low vision.
On the front page of the Wall Street Journal's (9/9, D1) Personal Journal section, Melinda Beck writes in the Health Journal column that "more than 16 million Americans report some form of visual impairment, even when wearing glasses or contacts. That number is expected to double by 2030 as the aging population brings rising rates of macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye diseases." source: AOA First Look |
AOA, POA remind parents of importance of children's comprehensive eye examinations.
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review (2nd story in "Briefs" column), American Optometric Association and Pennsylvania Optometric Association remind parents a comprehensive eye examination for students is one of the most important "to-dos" now that children are back to school. |
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Our mission is to provide the highest quality eye care available. We shall strive to offer our services in such a manner that no patient will have to compromise on SERVICE, QUALITY, PRICE, STYLE, SELECTION or CONVENIENCE. Our patients come first, and our primary reason for having the office is for the benefit of people who use our services. Dr. Leaks believes in keeping up to date with the latest developments in optometry, and to this end will earn 50-60 hours of continuing education each year. His office has the most cutting-edge, state-of-the art equipment available in the nation! His emphasis on health issues is why the doctor made the investment in specialized equipment for early detection of potential problems. |
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Dr. Leaks Optometry provides a full-spectrum eye health care solution. The goal is not just to detect and diagnose existing eye-related issues, but to guide Patients along the way to improved eye health care. Primary services include screenings, comprehensive exams and full contact lens evaluations and fittings. There are over 500 eyeglass frames in stock, featuring some of today's most sought-after manufacturers, styles and designs. Dr Leaks' office is the only optical provider in Pahrump that has its own in-house lab. The ability to manufacture a prescription lens on-site enables makes it possible to provide same- or next-day service on many eyeglass prescriptions.
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Dr George Leaks' office is the only optical provider in Pahrump that has its own in-house lab. This provides the ability to manufacture lenses*, and provide same day service* on many eyeglass prescriptions. The lab can:
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The lenses are mid-index plastic and are far superior compared to that of standard plastic. These lenses make it possible to offer scratch resistance, UV coating and thinner & lighter lenses (vs. standard plastic lenses). Lenses are available in:
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*Mid-Index single vision, lined bi-focal, progressive lenses and Comfortone photocromic lenses. Lens powers from +4.00 through -6.00, cylinder to -2.50, add powers up to +2.50. Additional costs may be applied. |
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| Please feel free to contact the business office of Dr. George D. Leaks in any of the following ways: | |||
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Telephone: |
(775) 727-8300 | ||
Fax: |
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Emergency After-hours: |
(888) 558-3937 | ||
| (702) 498-3578 | |||
Visit our business office, located at: |
2120 East Calvada Blvd. Pahrump, NV 89048-5805 | ||
eMail: |
drleaks@drleaks.com | ||
Web Site: |
http://www.drleaks.com | ||
Regular business office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, and Saturdays by appointment. |
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Dr. Leaks office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, and Saturdays by appointment. The office is closed throughout all major National holidays. For medical eye emergencies, Dr. Leaks after-hours emergency contact telephone numbers are (888) 558-3937, and (702) 498-3578.
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Dr. David Vander Veldt, O.D. Dr. Vander Veldt graduated from the Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton, CA. A native of Las Vegas, he completed his undergraduate studies at UNLV and UNR. He became interested in the health care field during his junior year in college. His Grandmother, who had vision issues including macular degeneration and glaucoma, influenced the Doctor's decision to enter the optometric field. Dr. Vander Veldt enjoys working at Dr. George Leaks Optometrist office and says the best part about the job is working with people. He really enjoys helping Patients - everything from simple tasks such as selecting eyeglasses to making them see better to detecting different types of eye diseases early that will prevent vision loss. |
Mouse over any of the pictures below for biographical information about the staff at Dr. Leaks office. |
Dr. George D. Leaks, O.D. Dr. Leaks has been an Optometrist for 28 years and has been practicing in Pahrump for 17 years. He graduated in 1970 from the University of South Carolina where he received a Bachelor of Science in chemistry with a minor in mathematics. In 1974 George Leaks entered the Indiana University School of Optometry and graduated in 1978. His externship was done at the Army Hospital at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After graduation, Dr. Leaks practiced in the Dayton, Ohio area before coming to Las Vegas in 1985. In 1990, Dr. Leaks started his practice in Pahrump. Dr. Leaks is married to Dr. Joan S. Leaks, a board certified Family Practitioner. |
Dr. Robert Griffith, O.D. Dr. Griffith is a native Nevadan born and raised in Las Vegas. His parents reside in Pahrump and he is here to serve patients in the area. Dr. Griffith became interested in Optometry during his undergraduate studies at UNLV, and after deciding that "helping people see" best fit his personality he obtained his 4 year Optometry degree in Southern California. Dr Griffith continued his postdoctoral education by completing a 1 year residency in ocular disease and cataract/refractive surgery co-management. Robert enjoys working with Dr. Leaks and finds him to be an extremely knowledgeable resource. "It's wonderful working in this office, I have access to the most advanced eye equipment available, and get to work with a first-rate staff!" |
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The Slit lamp is an instrument consisting of a high-intensity light source that can be focused to shine as a slit. It is used in conjunction with a microscope. The lamp facilitates an examination which looks at anterior segment of the human eye, which includes the eyelid, sclera, conjunctiva, iris, natural crystalline lens, and cornea.
The binocular slit-lamp examination provides a stereoscopic magnified view of the eye structures in striking detail, enabling exact anatomical diagnoses to be made for a variety of eye conditions, such as cataracts, corneal injuries, keratoconus, macular degeneration, presbyopia and retinal detachment.
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A Visual Fields test subjects a Patient to no physical discomfort, but sit comfortably! This test may take some time to complete.
A Patient stares at a central target in a concave dome. A computer program projects a point of light at a location on the dome's surface. If the Patient can see the point of light, they press a button on a handheld control. The magic: Each point of light the computer projects on the dome's surface corresponds to somewhere within a Patient's ideal field of view. How wide -- or narrow -- the Patient's field of view really is, is what the computer and visual fields test helps to determine.
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Retinal Imaging: the CR-DGi uses a combination of optics designed specifically for retinal imaging and Canon's renowned SLR digital camera technology. As a result, we are able to capture extremely refined images of the retina for detecting or monitoring diabetes, glaucoma, and other serious conditions.
The CR-DGi captures images that can be viewed immediately, making procedures more efficient. Because the images are digital, they can be used with many different applications, such as telemedicine and electronic filing.
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Corneal topography, also known as photokeratoscopy or videokeratography, is a non-invasive medical imaging technique for mapping the surface curvature of the cornea, the outer structure of the eye.
Multiple light concentric rings are projected on the cornea. The reflected image is captured on a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. Computer software analyzes the data and displays the results in various formats. (www.emedicine.com) Since the cornea is normally responsible for some 70% of the eye's refractive power, its topology is of critical importance in determining the quality of vision. The three-dimensional map is therefore a valuable aid to the examining Ophthalmologist or Optometrist.
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Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the cornea and anterior segment is an optical method of cross-sectional scanning based on reflection and scattering of light from the structures within the cornea. Measuring different reflectivity from structures within the cornea by a method of optical interferometry produces the cross-section image of the cornea and other anterior segment structures.
The Carl Zeiss Stratus incorporates Optical Coherence Tomography technology to provide comprehensive imaging and measurement of glaucoma and retinal disease. The device is beneficial for evaluation of cataract Patients, pre- and post-operatively, and for the assessment of early signs of glaucoma and glaucomatous change. An informational video about the Carl Zeiss Stratus OCT used at Dr. Leaks office may be found at the following location.
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Of key importance in our practice is customer service. Our certified Technicians will always do their very best to meet your expectations. We also provide complimentary frame adjustments and other minor repairs. Many of the following adjustments can be done on-site and on-the-spot.
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*Dr. Leaks office is the only optical provider in Pahrump that has its own in-house lab, where we are able to manufacturer spectacle lenses. |
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Comprehensive Exam - is a thorough eye-health examination. In order to accomplish such a detailed assessment, an Optometrist will run a battery of tests using a variety of specialized equipment. The individual tests that you might undergo include cover test, slit-lamp examination, visual field testing, dilation, glaucoma test (tonometer), refraction, retinoscopy, autorefractor and/or aberrometer. Intermediate Exam (a.k.a. post-operative or follow-up exam) - is an intermediary/follow-up examination, typically following a surgical or opthamological procedure. Additional instructions / diagnoses / measures / evaluations may be made/offered/suggested. Contact Lens Exam - is a series of non-invasive tests to determine which contact lens will best fit your needs. A consulation and examination will help determine your current eye health and vision. A detailed measurement of your eye's surface and curvature is made, which will then determine the correct lens size for you. If you are a new contact lens wearer, Dr Leaks' staff will provide instruction to ensure that you are completely comfortable with your new prescription. Pre-LASIK Exam - is a series of painless diagnostic tests implementing state-of-the-art equipment not commonly used in standard eye exams. Our doctors will review the results of the tests and perform a thorough eye exam to help determine your candidacy for LASIK. Office Visits - can be anything from an unscheduled emergency walk-in to a follow-up exam scheduled months in advance. For example, an intermediate exam may be for post-operative purposes - as a follow-up to a recent eye surgery. |
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In the past few years I have noticed an increasing number of classes about nutritional supplementation, and how such 'nutraceuticals' can help to mediate some of the negative affects of poor diets and unhealthy lifestyles. It is a fact that most of us can not get the the optimal daily requirement of nutrients that our bodies need through our normal daily food intake. There are many reasons for this, but one is due to the fact that our produce is not grown the way it was many years ago, nor is our poultry, beef or pork. The emphasis today in food processing is on quantity and not quality. As a result, even those who choose to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, may not be receiving the amount nutrients their body requires. Over time, poor nutrition can result in the deterioration of physical health. I have recently made available through my office, a new AREDS/AREDS2 type formulation called TOZAL®. The clinical trials showed that TOZAL®, in over 75% of the participants, either stopped or reversed the devastating effects of dry macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of blindness in people over the age of 50 in our country. Until TOZAL® was introduced to the market, no other nutraceutical or pharmaceutical product for that matter, had ever been able to make such a claim. And just recently I have made available a nutraceutical product that helps mediate the effects on the brain and mind caused by dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Anyone who has ever had a friend or a loved one |
stricken by one of these conditions can attest to the fact that these illnesses have devastating effects on the lives of everyone involved. This new product is called Cognivite Complete®. I believe that nutritional supplementation, in some form or fashion, is no longer an option, but a necessity. When I ask my patients if they take vitamins, the majority of them say yes. So I know that my task is not always getting people to realize that they need to take nutritional supplements. Sometimes my task is getting people to realize that all nutritional supplements are not created equal. Again, studies and clinical trials have showed that many nutritional supplements, even some of the most popular name brands, do not provide a person's body with the optimal daily requirement of vitamins and nutrients. The question now becomes, which brand should one take. You will find in my office, a full line of nutritional supplements from AmeriSciences®. I believe, based on my personal use of AmeriSciences® products and my research on what is available on the market, that AmeriSciences® produces the best products available.
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Progressive lenses (also called progressive addition lenses (PAL), progressive power lenses, graduated lenses, no-line bifocals, and varifocal lenses) are corrective lenses used in eyeglasses to correct presbyopia and other disorders of accommodation. They are characterised by a gradient of increasing lens power, added to the wearer's correction for the other refractive errors. The gradient starts at a minimum, or no addition power, at the top of the lens and reaches a maximum addition power, magnification, at the bottom of the lens. The length of the progressive power gradient on the lens surface is usually between 15 and 20 mm with a final addition power between 1.00 to 2.50 dioptres for most wearers. The addition value prescribed depends on the level of presbyopia of the patient and is closely related to age. Additional Notes:
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Lenses were originally made from glass, but many are now made from various types of plastic including CR-39 and polycarbonate. These materials reduce the danger of breakage and weigh less than glass lenses. Some plastics also have more advantageous optical properties than glass, such as better transmission of visible light and greater absorption of ultraviolet light. Some plastics have a greater index of refraction than most types of glass; this is useful in the making of corrective lenses shaped to correct various vision abnormalities such as myopia, thus allowing thinner lenses for a given prescription. |
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CR-39 lenses are the most common plastic lenses due to their low weight, high scratch resistance, and low transparency for ultra violet and infrared radiation. Polycarbonate lenses are the lightest and most shatter-resistant, making them the best for impact protection, yet offer poor optics due to high dispersion, and having a low Abbe number of 31. Hi-Index lenses are the thinnest, flattest and most cosmetically appealing lens developed. They are geared towards those with very strong prescriptions -- both nearsighted and farsighted. Glasses correct vision by bending the light that passes through them. A stronger prescription requires more bending than a weaker one, resulting in a thicker lens. High index lenses are made of denser material than conventional lenses, bending more light through less thickness, resulting in ultra-thin, lightweight glasses. Scratch-resistant coatings can be applied to most plastic lenses giving them similar scratch resistance to glass. Hydrophobic coatings designed to ease cleaning are also available, as are anti-reflective coatings intended to improve night vision and make the wearer's eyes more visible. Safety glasses are a kind of eye protection against flying debris or against visible and near visible light or radiation. |
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Photochromic lenses may be made of either glass or plastic, and darken upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Once the UV is removed, for example by walking indoors, the lenses will gradually return to their clear state. Typically, photochromic lenses darken substantially in response to UV light in less than one minute, and then continue to darken very slightly over the next fifteen minutes. The lenses fade back to clear along a similar pattern. The lenses will begin to clear as soon as they are away from UV light, and will be noticeably lighter with in two minutes and mostly clear within five minutes. However, it normally takes more than fifteen minutes for the lenses to completely fade to their non-exposed state.
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Anti-reflective or antireflection (AR) coatings are a type of optical coating applied to the surface of lenses and other optical devices to reduce reflection. Opticians dispense antireflection lenses because the decreased reflection makes them look better, and they produce less glare, which is particularly noticeable when driving at night or working in front of a computer monitor. The decreased glare means that wearers often find their eyes are less tired, particularly at the end of the day. Allowing more light to pass through the lens also increases contrast and therefore increases visual acuity. Antireflective ophthalmic lenses should not be confused with polarized lenses, which decrease (by absorption) the visible glare of sun reflected off of surfaces such as sand, water, and roads. The term anti-reflective relates to the reflection from the surface of the lens itself, not the origin of the light that reaches the lens. Many anti-reflection lenses include an additional coating that repels water and grease, making them easier to keep clean. Anti-reflection coatings are particularly suited to high-index lenses, as these reflect more light without the coating vs. a lower-index lens.
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Sunglasses are a visual aid, variously termed spectacles or glasses, which feature lenses that are colored or darkened to prevent strong light from reaching the eyes. Sunglasses can improve visual comfort and visual clarity by protecting the eye from glare. Strong light aside, medical experts advise the public to wear sunglasses with UV protection whenever outside. UV rays can cause short-term and long-term ocular problems such as photokeratitis, snow blindness, cataracts, pterygium and various forms of eye cancer. More recently, high-energy visible light (HEV) has been implicated as a cause of age-related macular degeneration. Some lens manufacturers are able to block HEV light. Sunglasses may be especially important for children, as their ocular lenses are thought to transmit more HEV light than compared to an adult (it is said that a human ocular lens yellows with age). Some sunglasses pass ANSI Z87.1 requirements for basic impact and high impact protection.
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| Rigid gas permeable lenses are more rigid than soft contact lenses and therefore more durable. Unlike older versions of hard contact lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses are made with silicone polymers, allowing oxygen to circulate to the cornea of the eye. Compared to soft contact lenses, rigid gas permeable contacts maintain their shape and offer clearer vision for some types of corrections. They are also easy to take care of and are extremely durable. The amount of time needed to adjust to rigid gas permeable contact lenses is longer than with soft contact lenses. To achieve maximum comfort, a rigid gas permeable contact lens should be worn every day. Both rigid gas permeable and soft contacts are available as extended wear options. These contacts may be worn overnight. Sleeping in extended wear contacts may decrease the flow of oxygen to the cornea, so it is important to wear them as directed and get routine check ups with your eye doctor. |
There are four types of color contact tints available -- visibility, enhancement, opaque and light-filtering. Visibility Tint: The contact's visibility tint is so light in color, it is designed to not affect the eye color of the user. This tint is so the user can see the contact to handle it. Enhancement Tint: These contacts have a more solid tint (although still translucent) and are designed to enhance the color of your eye. The contacts are slightly deeper in color than a visibility tint and were designed for those with light-colored eyes. There are numerous enhancement tints to choose from. Color Tints: These contacts are a solid tint, opaque in color and are designed to change the color of your eye considerably, extremely, dramatically. They are primarily used for cosmetic purposes. These contacts are designed for those with dark-colored eyes. There is a wide variety of color tints available. Light-filtering Tints: These have been designed especially for outdoor sporting and recreational activities. The lenses help enhance certain colors, such as optic yellow tennis balls, some softballs and golf balls, along with the different greens of a golf course. Many colored contact lenses are available in plano (i.e. without visual correction), and have also been designed for those with astigmatism, multi-focal needs and those wanting disposable or frequently replaced lenses. |
Soft contact lenses are lenses made of hydrophilic (water-loving) plastics that absorb liquids. When these materials soak up liquids, they become soft and mold to fit the eyeball. Soft contact lenses are used to correct farsightedness, nearsightedness, and certain types of astigmatisms (that is, uneven curving of the cornea). All of the following types of soft contact lenses are offered by Dr. Leaks:
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Daily-wear soft contact lenses |
Extended-wear soft contact lenses | Disposable contact lenses | |
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Multi-focal (bifocal) contact lenses are designed to give good vision to people who have presbyopia. Presbyopia is the age-related change that affects the natural lens in the eye. Contact lens options for presbyopia include bifocal and monovision designs. Monovision and bifocal designs come as both soft and rigid gas permeable lenses. A bifocal contact lens design has both the distance prescription and near prescription in one lens. With monovision design contact lenses, one contact lens has the distance prescription and is placed in one eye while the other contact lens has the near prescription and is inserted in the other eye. Contact lens wearers also have the option of wearing reading glasses over distance contact lenses. This combination allows for excellent distance and near vision. Glasses can also be prescribed over any of the above combinations to enhance vision as needed. There are many bifocal contact lens options. A professional fitting and evaluation is necessary to determine which bifocal design will suit your needs. All soft bifocal contact lenses are considered "simultaneous vision" because both far and near vision corrections are presented simultaneously to the retina, regardless of the position of the eye. |
Toric contact lenses are for people with astigmatism. A toric lens is made from the same material as other contact lenses and come in soft or rigid, just as with gas permeable contacts. Like a bifocal lens, a toric lens has two powers -- one for the astigmatism, and another for nearsighted- or farsightedness. There is also a mechanism to keep the contact lens relatively stable on the eye when you blink or look around. A spherical contact lens is one in which both the inner and outer optical surfaces are portions of a sphere. A toric lens is one in which either or both of the optical surfaces have the effect of a cylindrical lens, usually in combination with the effect of a spherical lens. Myopic (nearsighted) and hypermetropic (farsighted) people who also have astigmatism and who have been told they are not suitable for regular contact lenses may be able to use toric lenses. If one eye has astigmatism and the other does not, the patient may be told to use a spherical lens in one eye and a toric lens in the other. Toric lenses are made from the same materials as regular contact lenses but have a few extra characteristics:
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Lulu Guinness Famous for exquisite, witty handbags and accessories, Lulu Guinness launched her first eyewear collection in 2005. Her vintage-inspired designs recall the golden era of 40's and 50's glamour. Her latest collection combines sophisticated silhouettes with hidden wit in the styling. Go on, be a Glamour Girl! |
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Lulu Guiness: http://www.luluguinness.com/
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Tommy Bahama Cool and classic, Tommy Bahama eyewear adds a little mystery to any island look. It also protects and comforts with polarized optics and an engineered fit and finish. Elegant and artisan in equal measure, Tommy Bahama eyewear creates premium sunglasses and optics for island living. |
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Tommy Bahama: http://www.tommybahama.com |
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Marchon Since its founding in 1983, Marchon Eyewear has grown into one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of quality eyewear and sunwear. Marchon is consistently recognized for bringing new designs and technologies to the eyewear market. Marchon has built an extensive portfolio of some of the world's most prestigious fashion and sports brands to complement its strong Marchon house brands: Calvin Klein, Coach, Fendi, Micheal Kors, Nautica, Nike, Sean John, X Games.
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Marchon Eyewear: http://www.marchon.com |
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Oakley Oakley offers a comprehensive line of ophthalmic-specific frames and corrective sun lenses that are recognized as some of the best prescription optics available. The company’s prescription lenses are offered in a full spectrum of colors, polarization options and performance coatings. Technologies include metal frames with shape memory; Color Inherence for lenses that never fade; OAKLEY ACTIVATED BY TRANSITIONS™ lenses that darken and lighten automatically. |
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Oakley: http://www.oakley.com |
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Tura Recognized for classic styling, Tura's original collection continues to be the choice for Women with discriminating tastes. Tura designs exemplify the style of today's Woman by balancing beauty and style with quality and durability. The Turaflex collection exemplifies functional fashion. This unique material created from a titanium-based alloy, is more forgiving than other frame materials. Expanding the design offerings to a broad range of Consumers, as well as meeting the demand of today's active lifestyles, this collection provides classic frame designs modernized to incorporate the latest technologies. In addition, these frames are lightweight, flexible and durable adding to their comforting fit. |
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Tura: http://www.tura.com |
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