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Sunglasses in the Winter?
Monday, December 12th, 2011
Many people associate sunglasses with summer. Time spent outdoors when the sun is closer seems like an ideal time to wear sunglasses to reduce glare, strain, and other discomforts. While it is important to wear sunglasses in the summertime, preventing sun damaged eyes requires diligent use of sunglasses in the winter as well.
UV Rays
In the summer, your eyes are affected by UV rays from above. In the winter, due to glare off of snow, your eyes are affected by UV rays both from above and below. In fact, it is highly possible that up to 85 percent of the UV rays hitting your eyes come from below in the winter. This makes it particularly important for outdoor enthusiasts to wear a high quality and protective pair of sunglasses at all time.
Unprotected eye can get sunburnt. Not only is this painful, it can lead to irreversible damage. In addition, sun damage has been linked to age related eye disorders such as macular degeneration and cataracts, making it important for your long-term visual health that you wear sunglasses at all times when you are outdoors.
If you would like more information on keeping your eyes as healthy as possible, please use the doctor locator at eyes.com to find an experienced ophthalmologist in your area today.
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New Review Supports Link Between Outdoor Play and Reduced Risk for Myopia
Friday, October 28th, 2011
As if more reason was needed for children to play outside, a new review of eight carefully chosen recent studies indicates that kids who spend more time outdoors experience reduced rates of myopia, or nearsightedness.
Myopia is one of the most common vision problems in children in the United States and around the world. A number of recent studies have focused on the possible link between children and adolescents and time spent outside.
The new, comprehensive analysis of eight major studies represented more than 10,000 children and was led by Dr. Justin Sherwin of the University of Cambridge. The findings were presented Oct. 24 at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
The review concluded that the chance for developing myopia dropped nearly 2 percent for each additional hour a child spent outside per week. According to the analysis, children who developed myopia spent an average of almost four fewer hours per week outside than those with normal vision.
The scientific reason for this disparity is not yet evident. Two of the studies reviewed examined a possible link between myopia and children who spent more time on so-called “near work” like playing video games or reading rather than playing outside, but no relationship was established.
For more information about myopia or to locate an ophthalmologist near you, please visit our Find an Eye Doctor page.
Tags: myopia
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VA Halts Use of Drug to Treat Macular Degeneration
Thursday, September 22nd, 2011
The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) announced it will stop using Avastin to treat age-related macular degeneration following reports of infections and blindness.
Avastin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use in certain cancer treatments. However, once a drug is cleared, doctors may prescribe it for other conditions; Avastin is believed to slow the progress of age-related macular degeneration by preventing blood vessel growth in the eyes.
Nearly 2 million Americans are thought to suffer from age-related macular degeneration, and the condition is the leading cause of blindness among those over 65. The DVA provides healthcare to more than 5 million Americans, and the agency decided to halt the use of Avastin after the FDA rejected the drug’s use in breast cancer treatment due to the risk of bleeding.
The FDA also recently linked a series of eye infections to the use of repackaged Avastin. Some of those infections resulted in blindness.
No recalls have been issued for Avastin, and the DVA said in a statement that the agency “will reassess how Avastin and similar therapies may be made available for ophthalmologic use.”
For more information about the symptoms of age-related macular degeneration, please see How to Recognize the Early Signs of Macular Degeneration.
To learn more about treatment options for age-related macular degeneration, please contact an ophthalmologist near you.
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Vision Health Providers Important in Assessing Seniors’ Driving Abilities
Friday, August 26th, 2011
Ophthalmologists and optometrists are becoming increasingly important in examining aging eyes and evaluating the ability of senior patients to drive safely, according to a recent study.
The University of Michigan-based study assessed how 500 eye care providers in the wolverine state communicate with patients over age 65 regarding how their vision affects driving ability. Researchers discovered that a majority of ophthalmologists and optometrists believe they have a responsibility to ask senior patients about their driving and do so on a regular basis.
According to the study, the surveyed vision specialists routinely test visual acuity and peripheral vision, and 87 percent said they inquire about their patients’ perception of glare and ability to drive at night. However, 81 percent of those who participated in the study also said that resources such as driving assessment guidelines, clinical screenings and patient self-evaluation tools would be beneficial in helping to evaluate the driving capabilities of senior patients.
This is especially important because drivers 65 and older are a rapidly growing demographic. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were approximately 31 million licenses drivers over age 65 in 2007, an almost 20-percent increase from 1997.
Although medical advances and trends toward healthier lifestyles among the aging population are contributing to longer lives, there are natural aging effects that are unavoidable, and diminished eyesight is one of them. Imposing additional testing or regulations for senior drivers is a controversial subject, however, and only 8 percent of the eye health providers who participated in the study say they actually express any concern about a patient’s ability to drive with the patient.
To learn more about common vision problems among the elderly, please contact an experienced ophthalmologist near you.
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August is National Children’s Vision and Learning Month
Tuesday, August 16th, 2011
For over 15 years, the College of Optometrists in Vision Development has named August the National Children’s Vision and Learning Month in order to raise awareness in parents, teachers, and kids about how vision problems can affect learning.
According to the American Public Health Association, one fourth of all students in 6th grade or lower have serious vision problems that impede learning. In addition, the American Optometric Association states that 60% of “problem learners” actually have undetected vision problems.
Many children have been called lazy or misdiagnosed with conditions such as ADD or dyslexia when the real problem lies with their eyes. If you notice that your child has problems with reading such as:
- Frequently losing their place
- Poor comprehension
- Blurring or combining words
- Confusing certain letters
They may be suffering from a vision problem. Other behaviors may indicate problems including:
- Frequent headaches
- Short attention span during reading or schoolwork
- Tiredness
- Poor spelling
Children receive a vision assessment at school, but this is not usually enough. These assessments test for 20/20 vision but not problems with binocular vision, focus, and eye tracking. They are unlikely to detect conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (crossed or turned eyes).
Before your child heads back to school, make sure they receive a comprehensive eye exam from a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist. These vision professionals will be able to assess whether your child’s eyes are developing normally, the quality of their near and far vision, and whether they have any other problems with eye coordination, depth perception, and other skills necessary for learning.
To learn more about children’s vision problems and to schedule an initial consultation, please contact an experience ophthalmologist in your area today.
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Advances in LASIK Astigmatism Treatment
Monday, August 15th, 2011
About one third of all American suffer from astigmatism. If you have this condition, you know how frustrating it is when everyday activities like reading and driving become difficult. Words and street signs appear blurred and distorted, making it harder to carry on with your day.
Astigmatism is a refractive error, meaning it is not a disease or health problem, but rather a problem with the shape of your eye and the way it focuses light. If you have astigmatism, your cornea is shaped less like a basketball and more like a football, and light focuses at more than one point inside your eye. This causes objects to appear blurry at both near and far distances.
Astigmatism and LASIK
LASIK surgery is an option for people who suffer from astigmatism. Surgeons can reshape your cornea using an excimer laser so that you’ll no longer need glasses or contacts.
During LASIK surgery, the eye is held open with suction, but it is still able to make small movements. When patients lie down for surgery, their eyes also tend to rotate more than when they’re sitting up. For people with astigmatism, these eye movements can be especially problematic, resulting in corrected vision that is not a good as it could be. You may have to go in for a second enhancement procedure.
Until recently, surgeons have been able to use eye-tracking technology to correct for involuntary eye movements, but they haven’t been able to correct for eye rotations. Earlier this month, however, the Clear Advantage Vision Correction Center in New Hampshire announced its addition of Advanced Control Eyetracking (ACE) to its LASIK procedures.
This technology is the first of its kind to correct for eye rotations during surgery. It is able to track eye movements 2 times faster than previous technologies and adjusts laser pulses to take eye movement and rotation into account. According to Clear Advantage’s medical director, Dr. N. Timothy Peters, the laser treatment combined with ACE is “ideally suited for the treatment of astigmatism.”
If you suffer from astigmatism, there are treatment options and technological advances available to improve your vision. For more information and to schedule a free initial consultation, please contact an experienced ophthalmologist in your area today.
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Bladeless vs. Traditional LASIK
Saturday, August 13th, 2011
If you have decided LASIK vision correction is the best option to correct your less-than-perfect vision, the next step is deciding which type of LASIK procedure is best for you. Two common types of procedures are traditional LASIK and bladeless LASIK. It is important to understand the differences between procedures so you can make an informed decision with your doctor about your vision correction.
Traditional LASIK
During the traditional LASIK procedure, your eye surgeon will create a flap in your cornea using a device called a mircokeratome. This is a small, handheld blade that cuts the cornea and allows the surgeon to pull it back and correct your vision with an excimer laser.
Bladeless LASIK
This procedure uses a femtosecond laser instead of a microkeratome to create the corneal flap. The laser delivers extremely fast and precisely-directed bursts of energy that cuts through the cornea without exposing the surrounding tissues to heat or impact. Then, just like in the traditional procedure, the surgeon will use an excimer laser to reshape your cornea. Surgeons use IntraLase and iLASIK technologies to perform bladeless LASIK procedures.
Drawbacks and Benefits
Many people may feel that the bladeless procedure sounds safer, but the truth is that both traditional and bladeless techniques are effective and safe. Each has drawbacks and advantages.
Many surgeons prefer the mircokeratome method because it is quicker and more comfortable for the patient. In this procedure, the eye is held open with suction for only a few seconds, while the bladeless procedure can take between 10 and 20 seconds.
On the other hand, microkeratomes have been known to create problems because the tiny blades tear the cornea instead of making a clean cut. Those who undergo bladeless LASIK may have better corneal adherence after surgery and reduced risk of complications. The femtosecond laser is also more accurate than a mircokeratome, but this added accuracy will cost you hundreds more per eye than traditional LASIK.
If you are considering bladeless or traditional LASIK, it is best to talk with an eye surgeon who can discuss your personal needs. Please contact an experienced ophthalmologist in your area today to schedule a free initial consultation.
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New Classroom Technology Requires Parents to Keep an Eye on Students’ Ocular Health
Friday, August 12th, 2011
In the classroom, learning is becoming more cutting-edge as teachers are including computer and even 3D technology in their lesson plans. While technology promises exciting possibilities for education, it also can have adverse effects if its student viewers’ eyes aren’t in A+ condition.
Earlier this month, the American Optometric Association conducted the 2011 American Eye-Q survey to understand and address issues with classroom technology and vision problems. Many parents surveyed expressed concern about their children spending too much time using technology or viewing 3D. According to the survey:
- Over 60% of parents estimate their children spend 1-4 hours per day using a computer or handheld device.
- Almost 30% of parents are “very concerned” that prolonged computer/handheld device use will damage their children’s eyes.
- Over 50% of parents believe that 3D technology is harmful to their children’s vision.
- Over 20% or parents reported their child experienced dizziness, nausea, or headaches while viewing 3D.
By incorporating computers and 3D technology into classrooms, schools are certainly not allaying parents’ fear about their children’s vision. Computers are vastly instrumental for learning, but can also cause computer vision syndrome (CVS), in which students experience headaches, blurred vision, and eye strain or fatigue after looking at a computer screen for too long. The AOA advises that kids follow the “20-20-20” rule—look away from the screen at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This helps keep eyes moist and alert.
3D technology could bring the wonders of the solar system, the anatomy of the human heart, or the architecture of the Coliseum into the classroom, but it can also cause dizziness, headaches, and nausea in children with poor binocular vision.
The AOA advises that students have a yearly eye exam before heading back to school. The exam should be comprehensive, and eye doctors should be careful to check for problems with:
- binocular vision
- focus
- nearsightedness (myopia)
- farsightedness (hyperopia)
- astigmatism
If your child is heading back to school, early detection of eye problems is key. To find an experienced ophthalmologist in your area, please contact us at eye.com today.
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Eating Fish Oils May Reduce Risk of AMD in Women
Thursday, August 11th, 2011
A study recorded this spring in the Archives of Ophthalmology concluded that women who ate fish weekly had about a 40% lower chance of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Age-related macular degeneration affects over 9 million adults over the age of 40 in the U.S. and is the leading cause of blindness in elderly Americans. AMD affects the eye’s macula, the area on the back of the eye that allows you to see fine details. As people age, cells in the macula degenerate and die, leading to loss of sharp central vision. If you have AMD, you may notice that you have trouble with everyday tasks like reading and driving because your vision is blurred or distorted.
In the study, researchers selected almost 40,000 women around the age of 55 who did not have AMD. Over a period of ten years, participants catalogued their diets and reported any vision loss that occurred. Researchers found that women who reported eating at least one serving per week of fish—and primarily canned tuna, sardines, or salmon—were about 40% less likely to develop AMD than those who ate fish less than once a month.
It is not clear exactly why eating fish reduced the risk of this disease. Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are known to provide many health benefits. Eating enough DHA and EPA is proven to lower triglycerides which in turn reduces risks of cardiovascular problems. Omega-3s have also been shown to reduce the risk of some cancers.
While this study provides strong evidence that eating fish oils reduces the risk of AMD in women, more randomized studies will be needed to confirm the results. Since this study only examined women who were all health professionals, its conclusions only apply to this specific category of people. Nevertheless, if you are concerned about AMD, you may want to add a serving a fish to your diet every week. The health benefits will extend to more than your eyes.
To find out more information about age-related macular degeneration and to schedule a free consultation, please contact an experienced ophthalmologist in your area through eyes.com today.
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Outpouring of Grants Supports Blindness Research
Tuesday, July 26th, 2011
Approximately one million people in the United States suffer from disease-related blindness. Genetic factors, infections, and age-related conditions can all result in blindness, and once you have lost your vision, it cannot be restored. Some of the top diseases that lead to blindness are:
Fortunately, there are a vast number of organizations and universities dedicated to researching and preventing blindness caused by disease.
Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) leads the nation in voluntarily supported eye research, giving hundreds of millions in grant money over the years to universities and research institutes. Because of their profound financial investment in eye research across the nation, RPB has been associated with nearly every breakthrough in blindness research for the past five decades.
This month, RPB gave a $100,000 grant to the Medical College of Wisconsin, a major research center in the U.S. that focuses on education, research, patient care, and the prevention of diseases that lead to vision loss. Over the 50 years it has been operation, RPB has granted the Medical College of Wisconsin over $3.8 million dollars, which has funded several successful studies and allowed the College to experiment with new ways of treating disease.
In June RPB also awarded a $100,000 unrestricted grant to the Vanderbilt Eye Institute, whose research RPB has supported for decades. The Institute will use the money to develop all aspects of their research and education capabilities, including holding symposiums, hiring visiting scholars, and upgrading their equipment. The Vanderbilt Eye Institute engages in research that directly relates to patient care and eye disease treatment, focusing on blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.
If you have questions about disease-related blindness, please contact an experienced ophthalmologist in your area. They will be able to answer your questions and provide you with treatment options during your free consultation.
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