Students’ Success Begins With Healthy Vision

Now that the new school year is in full swing, your kids have classes, projects, and homework to complete every day. You’ve done a great job preparing them with everything they need to succeed—lunchboxes filled with healthy meals; lots of pens, pencils, and notebooks for assignments; and plenty of help with math homework.

But consider that more than 80% of a child’s learning happens through vision, and it’s easy to understand how an undiagnosed vision problem could impact learning and performance, grades, self-esteem, and more. That’s why regular eye exams are so important for your child. Sometimes, undetected vision problems are mistaken for a learning disability, such as dyslexia or ADD.

Below are some of the major warning signs that your child is suffering from vision problems.

• Sitting too close to the TV or other electronic device, or holding a book too close
• Using their finger as a guide and/or frequently losing their place while reading
• Closing one eye or tilting their head to see better
• Frequent eye rubbing or sensitivity to light
• Complaints of headaches or tired eyes

If your child complains of any of these issues, it’s time to make an appointment with your optometrist. Your child deserves the best when it comes to education, and success in the classroom begins with healthy vision!

The Benefits & Drawbacks to Contact Lenses

Welcome back for the second half of our series on the pros and cons of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Today, we break down the good things and not-so-good things about wearing contact lenses.

The Pros of Contact Lenses

• You don’t have to worry about fogged lenses, which often plague glasses wearers when the climate changes.
• As a matter of aesthetic preference, some prefer the natural look of wearing contact lenses over eyewear.
• Contact lenses are less cumbersome for those that play sports.

The Cons of Contact Lenses

• Contacts require a daily commitment of cleaning and care to avoid bacterial infections. 
• While daily contact lenses reduce the need for regular care, they can be a more costly option. 
• Contact lenses are more likely to increase your risk of dry, irritated eyes. 
• Unlike eyewear, contact lenses can be difficult for some wearers to insert or remove. 

So, what’s your opinion? Do you think glasses or contact lenses are the better option? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section. Of course, if you need help deciding is best for your lifestyle, be sure to call our office and schedule an appointment. We’re more than happy to assist you with your eyecare needs.

The Benefits & Drawbacks to Glasses

Today we’re kicking off a two-part series on the pros and cons of both glasses and contact lenses. There are pluses and minuses to both, but today we'll be focusing solely on glasses.

The Pros of Glasses:

• Depending on the glasses you purchase, they can be more affordable as they may not need to be replaced as often.
• Glasses have made a great comeback in recent years as a fun, stylish accessory. New, trendy frame styles abound.
• With glasses, you avoid an increased risk of dry eye or eye infections.

The Cons of Glasses:

• Glasses do have the dreaded “fogging” issue—this can be worse depending on the area you live in, especially colder climates.
• Peripheral vision may be an issue, as glasses sit further away from your eyes.
• While maintenance is easier, a scratched lens or unadjusted frame can make wearing glasses uncomfortable.

Check back next week to learn what the good, the bad, and the ugly is when it comes to contact lenses! And be sure to share your own thoughts on the glasses versus contacts debate in the comments below.

A Look at Your Pet’s Eyes

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

Cats
Furry felines 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. However, they see the world with less colors than we do. They’re only able to see blue, yellow, and gray tones, making a dog’s vision very similar to a person that is red-green color-blind.

Do you know any other fun vision-related facts about pets? Share them in the comments below!

Should I be Concerned About Eye Twitches?

If you’ve ever been short on sleep or stressed to the max, you might have also experienced repetitive, uncontrollable eye spasms known as blepharospasm, or eye twitching.

While it can be annoying, eye twitching is usually painless and harmless. It typically happens when you have an increase in fatigue, stress, or caffeine intake. Once these issues stop, you’ll notice your eye twitch is likely to disappear.

In very rare cases, eye twitching can become a chronic condition and affect an individual’s quality of life. In some circumstances, it can also progress to the point of severe vision impairment.

If an eye twitch doesn’t resolve itself within a few days or the twitch is strong enough to close the entire eye or affect other areas of someone’s face, it’s time to set an appointment with our optometrist. Give our office a call and we can determine the underlying cause of your eye twitch and begin any possible treatments.

Protect Your Eyes With Antioxidants

Antioxidants are nutrients that defend cells from damage caused by molecules known as free radicals. Too many free radicals can cause eye health issues, including cataracts and advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Not only do antioxidants help reduce the formation of free radicals, but they also protect and repair any cells damaged by them.

To lower your risk for cataracts and AMD, you need to focus on eating more fruits and veggies. The American Optometric Association recommends at least five servings every day to increase the amount of antioxidants in your diet.

Vitamins C and E are the antioxidants you need to protect your eyes, and they’re often found in colorful fruits and vegetables. Focus on adding the following nutrient-rich foods to your meals, and you’re well on your way to good eye health:

Good sources of vitamin C: orange juice, grapefruit juice, papaya, cantaloupe, green pepper, orange, tomato juice, strawberries, broccoli.

Good sources of vitamin E: almonds, sunflower seeds, safflower oil, peanuts, peanut butter, corn oil.

What Causes Double Vision?

Double vision, which is also known as diplopia, is a condition that happens when you simultaneously see two images of one object. The vision displacement can happen horizontally, vertically, or even diagonally. It can also occur occasionally, all the time, or when looking in one specific direction. While some causes of double vision are relatively insignificant, others are serious and should receive immediate medical attention.

Here are some of the common causes of double vision:

• Cataracts, which is a common problem with the eye lens. The condition may appear in one or both eyes, but it’s treatable with minor surgery.
  
  
• Corneal problems, such as corneal scars, dry corneas, and corneal infections.
  
  
• Weak eye muscles can distort vision, as a weak eye can no longer smoothly move in unison with the healthy eye. Those who have certain autoimmune illnesses and thyroid conditions are more likely to have weak eye muscles.
  
  
• Any condition that can cause damage to the nerves that control your eye muscles, such as multiple sclerosis and diabetes.
  
  
• Because your brain directly connects to nerves that control your eyes, any brain issues, including strokes, brain tumors, migraines, brain trauma, and aneurysms.

If you or someone else you know is experience double vision, please give us a call to schedule an appointment. We can determine the cause and address the underlying reason for the condition.