Start the New Year Right!

It’s almost the start of a new year, and we want to help you start it off the right way! To that end, if you’re not getting regular eye exams for yourself or your children because you think a vision screening is the same thing, you may want to think again.

Vision screenings are not an adequate substitute for eye exams. For example, a driver’s license screening is simply a quick check to make sure your peripheral vision is good enough to see vehicles approaching from the side, and that you are able to recognize road signs and other things from a safe distance.

But a vision screening DOESN’T involve determining if you are higher-risk for certain vision problems or checking for glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, etc. In addition, as I mentioned above, vision screenings often are only testing for good enough—which doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t need corrective lenses.

And while school vision screenings have a stricter standard for detecting vision problems, they lack the comprehensiveness of an eye exam that can detect visual disorders that may affect your child’s learning.

So don’t compromise or settle for less when it comes to your vision—schedule your annual exam with us today.

Happy Holidays!

This holiday season, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for being a loyal patient of our office. We love serving each and every one of you.

I also want to use this opportunity to be sure you are giving yourself and your family the gift of great eyesight this year! Here are a few things to be sure you’re doing:

• Keep up with scheduling your annual exams.
• Wear your sunglasses year-round to protect from UV damage.
• Keep yourself hydrated, especially in these dry winter months. 
• Choose eye-nutritious foods such as orange veggies, leafie greens, nuts, and berries.

Most importantly, however you choose to celebrate this holiday season, I hope that you are happy, healthy, and surrounded by loved ones!

How do Your Pet’s Eyes Work?

You may already know that animals have very different ways of seeing than humans. But did you know, for example, that dogs aren’t really color blind (contrary to popular belief)? Here are some fun facts about your pets and how they see:

Goldfish
Goldfish have excellent, full-spectrum vision, and they also have a visual memory of up to 3 months. So if you’re the person responsible for feeding them, they recognize and remember you. They’re also sensitive to sudden light changes because they have no eyelids.

Cats
Cats see things in a lower resolution than humans, and they also see less vibrant colors than humans. However, they do have better night vision and their eyes are developed to detect small, quick movements so they are better able to catch prey.

Dogs
Your trusty old sidekick can see colors, although it’s a common misconception that dogs are color blind. They will see less colors than we do, however, seeing only blue, yellow, and gray tones. In other words, your dog’s vision is very similar to a red-green color-blind human’s vision.

Know any other fun facts about pet vision? Share them in the comments below!

Pediatric Health Benefit: An Overview

As you may know, beginning January 1, nearly all children in the U.S. will have coverage for annual eye exams, follow-up care, and treatment such as eyeglasses from their local doctor of optometry.  For many families, this coverage will be embedded within your basic medical insurance and not as a stand-alone benefit, as was previously the case. This coverage is through an Optometric Care ACA children’s Health Benefit, deemed essential to a child’s overall health.

While some have suggested a comprehensive annual exam is not necessary as long as a child is receiving vision screenings, there is no valid screening method to identify most children with vision problems. Vision screenings miss more problems than they find. A study funded by the National Eye Institute found even the most highly-trained screeners using top-of-the-line equipment will miss one-third of all learning-related eye and vision problems in children.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) writes about the changes and how they can benefit you and your child in this article: Health Reform Offers Better Children’s Vision Care in U.S. I hope that you find this information helpful as you ensure that your children receive the very best in pediatric vision care.

December is Safe Toys & Gifts Month

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, with the holiday season and Christmas shopping in full swing. It’s also a time of increased toy-related injuries to children, which is why December is Safe Toys & Gifts Awareness month.

So what are some ways to ensure the toys you give and receive this season are of minimal risk to children? Here are some suggestions from Prevent Blindness America:

• Follow the age-appropriate guidelines when it comes to gifts. The suggested guidelines can be very helpful in determining at what age a child can safely play with a toy.
• Examine any toys to determine their safety before allowing your child to play with them.
• Be sure that any sports equipment is given or used with the appropriate protective wear (sports goggles, helmets, etc.).
• Save warranties and receipts for toys—and provide gift receipts for recipients.

Remember that nothing can substitute your better judgment. If you feel a toy might be unsafe, don’t give it. And don’t allow your child to play with it—exchange it instead!

 

Thanksgiving: A Feast for the Eyes

Between Halloween and Thanksgiving, there are a lot of eye-healthy foods to choose from. Fall foods offer a wide variety of nutritious and delicious options. So when you’re planning out your Thanksgiving meal, make sure some of these are on your list:

• Cranberries: Among other berries and citrus fruits, the antioxidants and nutrients in cranberries can help prevent diabetes (thus decreasing the risk for diabetic retinopathy), cataracts, and macular degeneration. So be sure to whip up some cranberry sauce with your Thanksgiving dinner.
• Pumpkins: It’s true, the pumpkin isn’t just good for carving jack-o-lanterns and making delicious pie. It’s also packed with Vitamin A, an essential nutrient for protecting your vision. It also helps reduce the risk of macular degeneration. The same goes for other delicious Thanksgiving foods like sweet potatoes and carrots. Serve up these orange veggies at the dinner table and your baby blues will thank you!
• Leafy greens: Yes, those dark green vegetables are extremely good for your vision. Spinach, kale, and even broccoli contain carotenoids that help protect your eyes from macular degeneration and also harmful UV rays. Prepare a tasty salad to kick off your meal and reap the benefits to your vision as well.

One of the best things about fall is the food, and an added bonus is the benefit to your eyes. So enjoy that delicious Thanksgiving feast guilt-free—after all, it’s good for you!

Sleeping with Contacts: Bad Idea?

One of the questions I get most frequently is, “Is it okay for me to sleep in my contact lenses?”

The answer to that question depends on several factors, including the types of contact lenses you wear and how your eyes tolerate contact lenses. If your lenses are FDA-approved for overnight use, it may be possible for you to wear them overnight. However, if you suffer from sensitivity with contacts or dry eyes, the reduced oxygen supply from sleeping in them could negate that option completely.

If your contact lenses aren’t FDA-approved for overnight use, then I’m not going to approve it, either. The consequences of wearing contacts overnight can lead to complications like dry, irritated eyes or even eye infections. Your eye health is of the utmost importance, and should be the number one priority when considering overnight wear.

The bottom line? Schedule an appointment with me, and I can evaluate whether you’re in the appropriate contact lenses for overnight wear and also monitor how your eyes respond to overnight lenses. This is the best way to ensure your eyes are healthy and safe.

How to Handle Puffy Eyes

Ah, puffy eyes, everyone’s favorite beauty ailment! Waking up with swollen red eyes is a frustration for many, but there are several causes and treatments for them. If you have a swollen eye, be sure to get in for an appointment. Whether it’s allergies or something more serious, I can help determine the cause and the best course of treatment. Here are a few examples.

• Allergies: One of the most common causes for swollen eyes, and also fairly simple to treat. Simple antihistamine eye drops or oral allergy medications can help relieve the symptoms, but it depends on the individual situation.
• Pinkeye (conjunctivitis): Another common cause, pinkeye can be treated with anti-viral eye drops or antibiotics.
• Contact lenses: Often, patients will come in with red, puffy eyes as a result of wearing their contacts. Usually it’s a result of not following the directions (wearing them too long, wearing them overnight), or not cleaning them properly. We can examine the possible reasons and determine a course of action from there.
• Other infections: Styes, blepharitis, ocular cellulitis, Graves’ disease…these can all cause swollen, red, puffy eyes. The treatments for these types of conditions vary, as some can be chronic or re-occurring.

Again, it’s important to get in for an exam so we can diagnose and treat the issue. While it may be something simple, I can still help you find some relief and rule out more serious infections. Give us a call today!

November is Diabetic Eye Disease Month

Diabetes is a disease that affects far more than just your kidneys. It can also cause serious repercussions to your vision. That’s why the month of November is dedicated to raising the awareness of diabetic eye diseases.
Here are some of the harmful eye diseases that can occur as a result of diabetes:

• Diabetic retinopathy. Damage to the blood vessels of the retina can affect both eyes and cause vision loss.
• Glaucoma. Glaucoma is the increase of fluid pressure inside the eye, leading to optic nerve damage and resulting in vision loss. A person with diabetes is twice as likely to develop glaucoma.
• Cataracts. A diabetic patient is at risk for developing cataracts (clouding of the eye lens) at a much younger age.

Another thing you may not know is that your optometrist is able to treat your diabetic eye diseases and will be an essential part of your professional care team if you are diagnosed with diabetes (we sometimes even help detect diabetes before other professionals through routine eye exams). So be sure you’re coming in for your annual exam and getting the care you need to prevent and treat diabetic eye diseases.

Wear Your Shades Year-Round

The weather is turning colder and the holiday season is approaching—but that doesn’t mean the sun’s UV rays are any less strong! If you’ve got your sunglasses tucked away for the winter, you need to think about pulling them out again.

The reality is that regardless of the season, the sun’s UV rays are still just as harmful to your vision. If you partake in outdoor winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding, you are especially susceptible to UV damage in the winter.

UV damage can cause photokeratitis (a painful “sunburn” on your cornea that can lead to temporary vision loss), as well as increase your risk for skin cancer on the eyelids and other conditions such as macular degeneration.
Here are a few precautions to take to protect your eyes from UV damage—year-round:

• Wear polarized sunglasses or goggles, especially when doing outdoor activities like skiing, fishing, or boating.
• Be sure your children’s eyes are also protected by polarized sunglasses.
• Remember that the highest levels of UV rays occur from the hours of about 10 AM – 3 PM.

Are you still wearing your shades even though the summer months have passed? Let me know in the comments below!

Eye Infection Prevention

We’ve all had the discomfort of an eye infection at one point or another. There are many causes for eye infections, but one of the biggest is touching your eyes, especially with unwashed hands. Here are some things to do to prevent eye infections from developing in the first place:

• Wash your hands frequently. Remember to have hand sanitizer nearby after computer use and makeup application. Avoid touching your eyes too frequently.
• Do not sleep in your contacts or share them with others.
• Clean your contacts regularly (as instructed by your optometrist).
• Regularly wash bedding, towels, and washcloths to prevent infection or the spread of infection.
• Avoid being in near proximity with anyone with “pink eye” or another type of eye infection.
• Do not wear your contacts past the schedule your optometrist recommends (for example, don’t wear daily disposable lenses for a week).
• Replace your contact lens case every few months or so, and be sure you clean it just as regularly as you do your contact lenses themselves.

If you believe you have an eye infection, don’t hesitate to contact our office. Diagnosing and treating an eye infection is essential to preventing long-term damage. Share your own thoughts in the comments below!

Theatrical Contacts: Safe or Not?

If you’re looking to add an extra touch of flair to your Halloween costume, you may be considering special-effects contact lenses. There are all kinds of fun options these days, from red and black lenses (to get the “undead” look) to black slit pupil lenses (for that extra feline touch).

But the question is, are theatrical contacts safe? Alarmingly, larger (supposedly) reputable companies like Urban Outfitters are now selling special-effects contacts. Some online companies even claim their theatrical contacts are FDA-approved. However, this is NOT the case.

Theatrical contacts can be perfectly safe, but purchasing them online without a prescription is an invitation for eye problems. They may be expired or unsterile. Whether you have perfect vision or not, you need to get a prescription from your friendly neighborhood eye doctor (me!) to ensure you’re getting your contacts legally and safely. Any online retailer that does not require a prescription is not being held to the same safety standards as reputable retailers.

As always, I welcome comments and questions below; or feel free to call the office to speak with someone about your specific situation.

Fighting Fall Allergies

Fall is the “other” eye allergy season for many folks. One of the primary causes for fall allergies is the common plant ragweed, which is found all over the country. Ragweed can produce tons of of pollen over one season, and is also widely distributed due to wind.

So what can you do to fight the havoc ragweed and other allergens wreak on your eyes? Here are a few suggestions:

• Eating right! Once again, proper nutrition can help you fight off symptoms of allergies. Think broccoli, kale, pumpkin, carrots, celery…foods that are rich in carotenoids are great for battling your allergies.
• Make an appointment with us to see if a preventative medication is appropriate for your situation. This can often help before it becomes a problem.
• Stay indoors when pollen is at its peak (often in the morning). Checking pollen counts in your area will help keep you informed.
• Consider switching to glasses if you’re a contact lens-wearer, at least for the allergy season. Or look into daily disposable contacts as an alternative—the less time you wear your contacts during allergy season, the better.

What are some ways you have found to successfully combat fall allergies? Share your tips in the comments below.

How Does Computer Use Affect Your Child’s Vision?

October is Computer Learning Month, so it's a great time to explore how computer use relates to your child’s ocular health. Computer ergonomics problems and progressive myopia in children are also very real risks with the extended use of computers.
Computers are a great way to enhance your child’s learning—in moderation. Here are some tips to reduce their risk for developing problems as a result.

• Sit up straight but relaxed, with your head at a comfortable angle.
• Take a stretching break every 20-30 minutes.
• Take a break from looking at the monitor every 20 minutes or so as well, so that your eyes aren’t straining for too long.
• Limit computer time to shorter intervals.
• Reduce glare by lowering the lights in the room to match the brightness of the computer screen.
• Don’t use computer time as a replacement for educational activities. Your child’s computer time should complement his or her education, not replace it.

If you have questions about whether you or your child needs computer glasses, call and schedule an appointment with me. And if you have suggestions for ways you have found to manage your child’s computer time, share them in the comments below!

Habits that Hurt Your Eyes

Many people have certain quirks or habits. Many are annoying or bad for you in some way—nail biting, procrastinating, texting while driving…but did you know there are many habits that could also have a negative effect on your eyes? Check out the list below to see if there’s anything you’re doing that could be hurting your vision.

• Poor nutrition. Many age-related eye diseases can be prevented or alleviated by a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins and minerals. Hydrating well is also important to avoid dry eyes.
• Not sleeping enough. The aging process can be hastened if you’re not getting enough rest. A lack of quality sleep time means less time for your body to rebuild cells, which can not only cause those dark circles and puffy eyes, it can also lead to damage to your vision and dry eye syndrome.
• Smoking. Smoking can increase your risk for all kinds of ocular diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration (not to mention the terrible effect it has on your lungs!).
• Not protecting your eyes from UV rays. Sunglasses are a must for the outdoors. UV rays can lead to so many damaging diseases, including eyelid cancer, macular degeneration, cataracts, and photokeratitis (a sunburned cornea). Wear those sunglasses year-round!

And one last bad habit—forgetting to schedule your annual eye exam! If you haven’t done so yet, this is your friendly reminder. Give us a call!

Eye Color: How Does it Affect Your Eye Health?

It’s fun to think about what eye color you would like to have if you could choose, but did you know that your eye color may actually affect your vision?

While the sharpness of your vision won’t be affected by your eye color, the amount of pigment CAN affect how sensitive you are to light. For example, lighter eyes (blue or light green) may be more sensitive when they’re out in the sun than brown eyes. That’s why, regardless of the time of year, it’s important to protect your eyes with a good pair of sunglasses.

Lighter colored eyes can also be associated more frequently with other eye problems—because UV light can affect them more strongly than darker eyes. Cataracts and macular degeneration are two problems in particular that may be more common in lighter-eyed patients according to some studies. While this doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to get cataracts if you have light-blue eyes, it does mean you should be vigilant about safeguarding them against UV rays.

So if you want to protect those baby blues, make sure you’ve got an excellent paid of UV-blocking sunglasses and wear them year-round! And if you haven’t yet made your annual appointment, give our office a call!

Dry Eyes & Contact Lenses

For many with vision problems, contact lenses are an ideal solution. They offer an uninhibited range of vision and have progressed so much in quality that they are often unnoticeable to the wearer once they’re in.

However, one common issue we run into with contact lens wearers is dry eyes. Thankfully, there are many options to treat this issue and find the right solution for you. With a variety of lenses and other products on the market today, dry eyes for contact lens wearers can often be treated fairly easily. You may be concerned that you won’t be able to continue wearing contact lenses, but these days that is rarely a necessity. In most cases, we can find a solution to your dry eye problem so that you are able to remain a contact lens wearer.

One of the best advances made in contact lenses is the improvement of dailies—that is, lenses that you wear for a day and then discard. These are a great first option for someone struggling with dry eyes. Other possibilities include switching to a lower water content lens, lubricated eye drops (over-the counter or prescription—make sure you work with us to determine the best product),  a different cleaning solution…the options are many.

Are your eyes feeling dry from contacts? Share your concerns in the comments below. And be sure to schedule an appointment so we can review your options and get you the relief you need for your dry eyes. You don’t have to suffer through it—there are many solutions available to contact lens wearers today!

Youth Sports & Protective Eyewear

When it comes to youth sports, many parents may be concerned about injuries, but the first thing that crosses your mind may not be eye injuries. However, eye injuries can be extremely common and also dangerous to your child’s long-term vision. In fact, up to 40,000 eye injuries are reported each year.

Some sports may be more hazardous than others. For example, football is known as being an extremely physical, high-contact sport, but the risk of eye injury with basketball or tennis is also high. That’s why I recommend wearing protective eyewear when participating in any sport. This is especially important among youth, as an injury to the eye at a younger age could cause long-term vision damage.

Sports goggles are the ideal form of protection for your eyes. Often made from polycarbonate (a very impact-resistant material) and available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, they’re designed specifically to protect your eye from injury during physical activity. An added bonus is that prescription goggles can enhance sports performance if you or your child has a slight vision problem.

Sports goggles are tailored to the specific activity  in which your child participates. For example, contoured goggles that fit more closely around the face are ideal for sports where you’re moving quickly and your eyes are at risk of flying debris, such as biking. There are goggles made to fit securely beneath football helmets. There are styles made for contact lens wearers as well.

Regardless of the sport your child plays, your eyes should be protected. Schedule an appointment today to speak with me about your sports safety eyewear needs and we can get you in the right eyewear. If you have questions or comments, please share them in the comments below.

Diabetes: How Does Your Optometrist Fit In?

When most people think of diabetes, they probably think about the fact that sufferers are not able to eat sugar and are required to take insulin shots. But did you know that diabetes is also the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults? According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone with diabetes loses visual function every 15 minutes.

Diabetes is a serious disease that requires consistent treatment and vigilant monitoring by both the individual sufferer and also their team of health professionals. In fact, 8% of the entire U.S. population is afflicted with this disease (nearly 24 million people).

To that end, your optometrist is a key member of your treatment team if you suffer from diabetes. Often, your optometrist will be able to assist in early detection of diabetes, as the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy may be visible through regular eye exams. Your optometrist is an essential player in helping treat and prevent blindness caused by diabetes.

If you’re working-age, be sure you are getting regular eye exams—call us and schedule your appointment today! Diabetes is just one condition we are able to detect and help treat. If you have diabetes, share your experience in the comments below.

Visual Reading Disorders

There are many learning disorders that are related to vision problems. The brain processes information visually in several different ways. As we’ve discussed before, many times children are misdiagnosed with behavioral disorders when the actual issue is a visual/learning disorder.

Here are some of the more common ways our brain processes information visually:

• Sequencing (the ability to see and distinguish words, symbols, and numbers)
• Figure–Ground Discrimination (the ability to distinguish a character or shape from its background)
• Motor Processing (also referred to as hand-eye coordination, the ability to process information from the eyes and move parts of your body accordingly)
• Memory (long-term and short-term, the ability to remember what you have seen)
• Spatial Relationships (the ability to determine how shapes are positioned in relation to one another)
• Discrimination (the ability to process and distinguish one item from another)

Visual disorders can manifest themselves in many different ways because of the many different ways we visual process information. Be sure to bring your child in for regular annual eye exams, especially if you believe they may be struggling with a behavioral or learning disorder. Do you or someone you know have experience with this issue? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Signs Your Child Has a Vision Problem

There are many things you can look for if you’re concerned your child may be suffering from a vision problem. Vision problems can be misdiagnosed as both behavioral and learning disorders, which is why getting your children’s vision checked regularly is essential to their success both in and out of the classroom.

Here are some of the common symptoms your children may display if they have an undetected vision problem:

• Squinting, covering one eye, or closing one eye while reading
• Losing place of what line/page they were reading
• Skipping over words and lines while reading
• Angling or turning their heads to see more clearly
• Getting headaches while reading
• Looking at things up close while reading
• Getting distracted or frustrated while reading
• Avoiding reading or other schoolwork

This list is by no means comprehensive, but it’s a good start. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms and has not been screened recently, schedule an exam and we can either rule out a vision problem, or determine the issue and work to treat it properly.

Are you wondering if your child has a vision problem? Feel free to ask me a question in the comments below.

Why is it Getting Harder to Read?

Does it seem like squinting is much more commonplace for you nowadays? Maybe you even feel like print is getting smaller…unfortunately, that’s probably not really the case. More than likely, you are displaying signs of Presbyopia, especially if you are 40 or older.

As you age, so do the lenses of your eyes, becoming thicker and losing elasticity and flexibility over time. This makes the business of focusing more difficult, which results in that “hard to read” print you may be frustrated with.

Fortunately, there are many options for a patient suffering from Presbyopia. Progressive lenses are a great choice that will enable you to have clear vision from both a distance and up close. Line bifocals are another choice that is still fairly popular as well. Or, you may opt for an additional pair of glasses to see up close for reading and computer distances.

Contacts may also be an option for some, although it depends on your individual situation. There has been a lot of progress made recently with multifocal contact lenses. There are also other alternatives available that may work for you. The best thing to do if you’re displaying symptoms of Presbyopia is schedule an exam with me, and we can determine what the issue is and how we can find the best solution for you.

What is the best treatment you have found for your Presbyopia? Share your experience in the comments below. 

Back to School!

It seems as though summer just began and already it’s nearly time to get ready to go back to school. Have you scheduled your child’s annual eye exam yet?

If not, it’s time to do so! Appointment times fill up fast for back-to-school exams, and for good reason. Many parents today understand the importance of a back-to-school eye exam for their children. Vision is a crucial element of your child’s learning and development.

There are many instances where I have seen children who were diagnosed with a behavior or learning disability when, in fact, they actually were struggling with an undetected vision problem. An undetected vision problem can greatly hinder your child’s ability to read, learn, and progress in school.

A standard in-school vision test isn’t comprehensive enough to detect many of the vision problems our youth are struggling with. A professional, comprehensive eye exam with your friendly neighborhood optometrist can uncover a variety of potential vision disorders a standard in-school test may not by looking for such as color vision, eye alignment, visual acuity and even chronic diseases like diabetes.

These developmental years are essential to your child’s future visual health. And while many vision problems can be treated and corrected, a child’s vision problem may become permanent or much more difficult to treat the longer it goes undetected.

There is still time before school starts up, so call us today to get your child scheduled! If you’ve had a back-to-school exam with us before, share your experience in the comments below. We always appreciate our patients’ feedback!

How Can Dilated Eye Exams Increase Your Quality of Life?

Studies in the past few years have demonstrated that a simple vision chart eye exam is less meaningful in increasing the quality of life of individuals.

Why is this? Because a simple vision chart test will not catch many of the vision disorders or conditions patients may be suffering from. A dilated eye exam is much more likely to assess a multitude of conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.

In fact, in 2012, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force reversed its 1996 recommendation to only cover/require vision acuity screenings as part of Medicare, as it’s been proven that a dilated eye exam will actually save Medicare costs.

An annual comprehensive eye exam is essential to maintaining your ocular health, and I highly recommend scheduling an exam with me soon if you have not yet done so. Staying on top of any possibly eye conditions, particularly if you are a senior, is critical to any treatment that may be required.

If you have any questions, feel free to give the office a call or leave a question in the comments below. We enjoy hearing from our patients!

What is Color Blindness?

Color blindness is more common and less serious than you may think. Being completely color blind is very rare; it’s more likely that if someone is color blind they have trouble seeing red, green, blue, or a mix of those colors.

Most color blind problems are genetic and originate at birth; they usually don’t develop later in life (although it does happen sometimes). Color blindness occurs when one of your three types of cone cells is missing or doesn’t work correctly.

Symptoms of color blindness (or color vision problems) include:

• Seeing some colors but not others
• Having difficulty telling a difference between two colors (for example, not being able to differentiate red and green)
• Difficulty noticing the different shades in colors

If you or your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with our office. There are tests that we can perform to determine if you’re suffering from color blindness and what, if any, treatment can be done.

If you have an inherited problem, it cannot be treated or corrected, but if your color blindness is coming from a cataract, surgery may correct the problem. Other ways to ease the symptoms of color blindness include:

• Training yourself to look for other visual cues. For example, recognizing that the green light in a stoplight is at the top of the sign, while the red is at the bottom.
• Wearing glasses that block glare can help in some cases, as it is easier to see the contrast in colors without glare inhibiting your vision.
• Colored contact lenses may also help you differentiate or see colors better in some cases.

The first step is to schedule an exam. From there we can determine what, if any, treatment can be done and offer suggestions on ways to manage your color vision problem. If you’re experiencing these symptoms or have been diagnosed with color blindness, share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below. We would love to hear from you!

Eye Makeup: How Does it Affect Your Vision?

I get a lot of questions from women about how safe eye makeup is for their eyes. The good news is, eye makeup is perfectly safe. The bad news is, there are still plenty of ways to make it unsafe for your vision. Improper application, improper removal, or simply applying too much eye makeup can all be hazardous to your vision.

So here are some of my tips to make sure you’re that when you’re playing up your peepers with eye makeup, you’re doing it as safely as possible.

• Throw your mascara out after 3-4 months, and don’t try to re-wet dried mascara with water or saliva.
• Don’t share cosmetics with others—you’re essentially sharing bacteria when you do this. If you wouldn’t share your toothbrush with your friend, don’t share your mascara either. (This is the exception to the rule, “sharing is caring.”)
• Don’t apply your makeup on the move—like in the car, for example (especially if you’re the one driving!). It increases the chances of your eye pencil or mascara scratching your eye.
• Avoid applying eye makeup when you have an infected or irritated eye.
• Wash your hands before applying makeup.
• Use a proper makeup remover before bed—leaving your eye makeup on overnight can lead to infected or dry, irritated eyes; and it’s also bad for your lashes. A quality eye makeup remover is a great option for safely removing your mascara, eyeliner and eye shadow.

Eye makeup is a great way to show off those beautiful baby blues—just follow these tips to be safe while you’re doing it. Have you found a great eye makeup remover or another great eye makeup product? Share your discovery in the comments below.

Protect Your Eyes from Fireworks

It’s that time of year again! The 4th of July, fireworks, and all the fun that comes along with the holiday. But did you know that July is also Fireworks Safety Month? There are more than 2,000 reported eye injuries from fireworks every year, but these accidents are almost all entirely preventable. Here are my tips for protecting your eyes (and your childrens’ eyes) from fireworks this year.

• Wear eye protection. Whether it’s eyeglasses, sunglasses or safety goggles, keep your eyes covered to protect them from any foreign matter—including sparks and flames.
• Supervise your children. So many accidents that we see are the result of unsupervised children, which is very easily preventable. Keep the fireworks out of reach when you’re not around.
• Maintain a safe distance from the fireworks you are lighting off. Keep sparklers and other fireworks pointed away from your face and eyes. And always light fireworks off outside in an open area, away from foliage and homes.
• In case of injury, seek medical assistance immediately. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, an accident may happen. Even “mild” injuries can worsen if untreated, resulting in more serious vision loss. Stay calm and avoid rubbing or rinsing the eye—just get to the nearest medical professional as quickly as possible.

We hope you have a safe and happy Independence Day! If you have a fun family tradition on the holiday, we’d love to hear about it. Share it in the comments below.

Outdoors vs. Indoors: What’s the Benefit to your Vision?

There has been a recent movement to get kids off the couch and out the door. From child obesity to the effect on the developing brain, video games and TV are being discouraged in favor of outdoor exercise and free play.

But did you know that outdoor play could also be beneficial to children’s vision? Studies show that being outdoors can significantly reduce the likelihood that a child will develop myopia (nearsightedness).  Up to 50% less likely, in fact.

So how much time does a child have to spend outside to get these physical benefits? It’s recommended they spend 1 hour a day in the wintertime and 3 hours a day in the summertime. Of course, you want to make sure your children as still protected by sunglasses and sunblock (not to mention appropriately supervised).

But beyond the obvious benefits like a lower risk for child obesity and more activity/growth for your child’s brain, it’s interesting to note that being outdoors helps in areas like vision as well.
So get your kiddos off the couch and out the front door! It’s good for their health in a myriad of ways. Do you have thoughts on the advantages of outdoor exercise for children? Share them in the comments below.

Tanning Beds: What’s the Cost to your Vision?

Now that summer vacation is in full swing, many of you are probably working on that perfect summer tan. There’s no doubt a nice tan is a bonus in the summer months, and thanks to tanning beds you can now get that sun-kissed glow year-round.

Much has been made of the damage tanning beds can do to your skin, but what about your eyes? How does the intense UV light affect your sight both short-term and long-term?

Unfortunately, the tanning goggles that you can get from your tanning facility do not offer you total protection from the harm of UV light damage. In reality, it’s best to avoid tanning at all—for both the health and safety of your skin AND your eyes.

Last week I talked about cataracts—remember, UV damage is a large contributor to their development. And skin cancer isn’t your only cancer risk with tanning beds—melanoma of the eye has also been linked of UV light, as has macular degeneration. These long-term effects may not show up until much later in life, when it’s too late to undo the damage.

Photokeratitis is a short-term example of damage from UV light. Photokeratitis is essentially a sunburn on the cornea of your eye (one of the most integral parts of your eye). While only temporary, photokeratitis can be painful, cause swelling to the eye, and even result in blurred vision.

The implications of UV damage to vision are not relegated to only the outdoors. The strong UV light from tanning beds can be even more damaging because of the high concentration of UV exposure. While my advice would be to avoid tanning beds altogether, if you’re going to continue tanning, be sure you are using tanning goggles and keep the amount of time you spend in tanning beds to a minimum. Your eyes (and your optometrist) will thank you!

How Do You Prevent Cataracts?

June is Cataract Awareness month, so I wanted to take a moment to let you know a little more about this important subject.

Cataracts are essentially a cloudiness of the lens of the eye. Normally they occur later in life after a buildup or clumping of protein has developed over time. While age is the main cause of cataract development, there are other risk factors that are entirely preventable which could reduce the likelihood of developing cataracts later in life.

First of all, nutrition is extremely important to your vision. Certain anti-oxidants are currently being studied as a contributor to the prevention of cataracts. Diabetes, of which certain types are preventable through a healthy lifestyle, can be another precursor to cataracts.

Also, make sure you take care to protect your eyes from UV rays. Because we are in the midst of summer vacation, protection against UV rays is more important than ever. Be sure you are wearing polarized sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV exposure.

Still, you can take care to protect your eyes and eat healthy but develop cataracts anyway. If this is the case, surgery can be performed to remove the cataracts and restore vision. The key is to work to prevent cataracts from developing, and if they do develop, seek the treatment needed to remove them safely and restore vision. Be sure you schedule regular exams with your optometrist (me!) to monitor your vision and catch any sign of cataracts before they progress too far. 

Behavior Disorder or Vision Problem?

If you are concerned your child may be suffering from ADD/ADHD, make sure he or she is screened for vision disorders first. Undetected vision problems can masquerade as ADD/ADHD because symptoms can be very similar.

For example, children who suffer from eye teaming disorders like convergence insufficiency and convergence excess will display many of the same warning signs as children who suffer from ADD or ADHD. Eye teaming disorders essentially mean that your child has difficulty using his or her two eyes together for close-up activities such as reading and writing.

When a child is unable to control his or her eye movements, it becomes difficult to focus on print on a page. The words/numbers may appear to jump off or jumble around the page. As a child, this type of eyestrain can become extremely frustrating, resulting in an avoidance of these tasks. So when your child is getting out of his or her seat, taking frequent bathroom breaks, or just generally moving around and fidgeting, he or she could actually be taking a “vision break.”

Children may not understand that they are seeing anything unusual because it’s normal to them, which is why they could have difficulty communicating that they are having difficulty reading or seeing correctly. This is why scheduling an eye exam to rule out vision disorders is essential before seeking an ADD/ADHD diagnosis. Often vision therapy and other forms of treatment can relieve the problem.

If your child is struggling and you are concerned that ADD/ADHD may be a problem, schedule an eye exam with us first. It could be that a vision problem is contributing to his or her behavioral struggles.

Are Contact Lenses Ok for Your Teen?

There are many factors to consider when determining whether or not your child is ready for contact lenses. When you’re trying to decide if they’re ready or not, focus on these three key questions:

Are They Safe?

Physically speaking, contact lenses are safe for children at a younger age than many realize. In some cases infants are even fitted with contact lenses for conditions that are present at birth. Also, children are less likely to struggle with dry eyes than adults, which can make contact wear uncomfortable.

Is My Child Responsible Enough?

This is ultimately a subjective matter. Only you know if your child can be trusted to care for contacts. How do they handle other responsibilities like homework and chores? How do they care for their personal belongings?

The option of disposable contacts also eases the burden of responsibility on teens, and may ease your financial burden because you won’t face replacing costly permanent lenses if something happens to a pair your child is wearing.

How Will They Benefit My Child?

Contacts may be safer for your teen’s eyes, particularly if they are involved in sports. They also increase their range of vision over glasses.

In addition, contacts may be a boost to your teen’s self-esteem. Multiple studies indicate that teens’ self-confidence had a marked increase once they switched to contact lenses, even carrying over from social confidence to increased academic and athletic performance.

If you’re thinking about switching your teen to contact lenses, ask me questions in the comments below. Call today to schedule an exam with me to determine if contact lenses are a good option for your child.

 

Protect Your Children's Eyes with Sunwear this Summer

With summer right around the corner, it’s time to break out the tank tops, sunblock and sunglasses. When it comes to children, sunglasses are an essential part of protecting young eyes from potentially harmful UV (ultraviolet) and HEV (high energy visible) rays.

Children spend a significant amount more time outside than most adults, and their eyes are still developing and growing. Children’s eyes are also less able to filter out damaging UV and HEV rays, meaning they are at an even higher risk for eye damage.

Here are some things to consider when purchasing sunwear for your child:

•  Verify with your optician that the sunglasses you choose will block 100% of UV rays.
• Keep in mind that the color of lenses that block HEV rays will be a copper shade.
• Polycarbonate lenses are a good option for children’s sunglasses because they’re particularly hardy.
• Choose sunglasses that are designed specifically for physical activity, especially if your child is involved in sports.
• Purchasing clip-on lenses to go over your child’s prescription eyeglasses is a popular and affordable alternative.
• Consider a retainer (sunglass cord) to ensure your child is able to keep track of his or her sunglasses.

What’s your personal favorite designer for children’s sunwear? Share it in the comments below. And if you haven’t yet, be sure to schedule an exam to get your child fitted for summer sunwear.

Is Your Computer Screen Hurting Your Vision?

Desktops, laptops, iPads and tablets, smartphones…as the advent of technology has become even more prevalent in people’s everyday lives, we’re starting to see more and more how it affects patients’ vision.

The difference between viewing a computer screen and reading text on a piece of paper is significant, from distances and lighting to the sharpness of words on a screen versus print. Viewing a computer screen makes your eyes work much harder, which can result in Computer Vision Syndrome.

If you’re suffering from headaches, burning or tired eyes, blurred vision, or a loss of focus, you may have Computer Vision Syndrome. Other vision problems can be exacerbated by viewing computer screens as well.

Your optometrist can determine if you are suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome and treat it accordingly. There are several adjustments you can make that will help ease your discomfort, such as the angle at which your computer screen is positioned and how close you sit to your monitor. There are also specialty glasses and vision therapy programs that we can recommend depending on your situation.

The first step to treating Computer Vision Syndrome is to get a proper diagnosis from your optometrist, so call and schedule an exam with us and we will help you address the problem. Are you suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below.

Combat Spring Allergies

We’ve all been waiting anxiously for the weather to clear up and spring to arrive, and it’s finally here! However, spring weather comes with the frustration of eye allergies for some. Here’s our advice on combating the flare-ups of eye allergies in the springtime.

• Pinpoint the problem first. Verify that the arrival of allergens like pollen is what’s exacerbating your eye issues—if the problem is a new eyedrop or contact lens, it can be treated differently.
• Sunglasses are a great way to protect your eyes from the many allergens floating around in the spring. Take other measures like keeping your car windows rolled up and staying indoors during high pollen count times (such as early evening).
• Antihistamines and decongestants are also helpful in combating your allergies. Schedule an appointment and ask us about what we recommend for your particular situation—in some cases you may need a prescription-strength antihistamine like Zyrtec or Claritin.
• Adjust how you clean. Sweeping and even vacuuming can stir up dust mites and other allergens, while using a wet mop on surface areas that aren’t carpeted will help contain the problem. Wash your bedding more frequently as well.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes. Rubbing them will only irritate your symptoms, making your discomfort worse in the long run.

What are some other ways you have found to help alleviate your eye allergy symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below.