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."

For people who suffer from "'low vision' (technically, worse than 20/60 in the better eye)," an "ever-growing array of devices can help" them "maximize their remaining vision and, in many cases, compensate for what they've lost." Still, "people who are visually impaired should have a comprehensive vision rehab assessment. This includes a visit with an eye doctor, a technology specialist, and an occupational therapist who can evaluate a person's limitations and goals."

While "Medicare and private insurance will pay for a doctor's evaluation and occupational therapy," most "devices generally aren't covered." But, "low-vision clinics may be able to get discounts for you, or suggest lower-priced alternatives."

Beck lists a number of devices, computer programs, and gadgets designed specifically for people with low vision.

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.

"Many parents rely on vision examinations in school to check for eye problems, but that isn't enough" says Dr. Leonard Press, the association's vision and learning specialist. Vision screenings are not diagnostic, and, therefore, typically identify only a small portion of the vision problems.

Parents should be aware of symptoms that might indicate that a child has a vision or visual-processing problem, including: loses place while reading, avoids close work, holds reading material closer than normal, tends to rub his or her eyes, has headaches, turns or tilts head to use one eye.

According to the American Eye-Q survey, studies indicate that 60 percent of children identified as "problem learners" actually suffer from undetected vision problems. The longer a vision problem goes undiagnosed and untreated, the more a child's brain has to overcompensate to live with the vision problem, instead of developing and learning normally, Press says.

For more information about children's vision, visit AOA online.

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.

Optometry is a doctoral-degree health care profession concerned with examining the eye for defects and faults of refraction, with prescribing corrective lenses or eye exercises and with diagnosing diseases of the eye. Optometrists also administer tests to guage the patient's ability to focus and coordinate the eyes, to judge depth and see color. Optometrists offer eye healtcare advice and can prescribe medicines to treat eye diseases.

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. 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!"

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.

*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.

**Complimentary limited to one visit per customer, supply limited

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.

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.

Dr. Leaks

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.

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.

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.

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.