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.