Tips For Your Eyes Only
To view a topic that interests you, please click on the link below.
When Is A Good Time To Get An Eye Exam?
The American Optometric Association recommends an eye exam every one to two years for normal vision. Why so often? Eyesight changes as you age and regular exams by your eye care professional can ensure that you are seeing well and that your eyes are healthy.
There is no age requirement to get an eye exam, but the earlier the better:
- Children may start as early as 6 months old while their vision is still developing and should continue to go every two years while they are in school. Eyesight is linked to learning and any eye problems may hinder a child's success in the classroom.
|
- If you have a family history of diabetes or eye disease, you are at a higher risk of developing poor vision. Getting regular eye exams can help diagnose not only diseases of the eye, but also conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease ... and sometimes before any symptoms show.
|
- Age-related problems, such as cataracts and macular degeneration, are common among adults over 40. Annual or bi-annual eye examinations will keep these in check.
|
Once the health of your eyes has been fully evaluated, your eye care doctor can help you determine how often you need an eye exam.
Why Good Eyesight Is Important For Your Child
Healthy eyes are essential to achieving success in the classroom. Without good eyesight, lessons written on the chalkboard become hard to see and comprehend or reading becomes difficult. Other eye conditions, like "lazy eye" (a condition where eye muscles do not align or coordinate properly), may cause social awkwardness.
So as a parent, how can you tell if your children need treatment? By making an appointment for an eye exam! Eyes undergo lots of change during the early stages of childhood and an eye exam may determine if they are developing normally. It is recommended that the first visit be at the age of 6 months, and then once again at 3-4 years of age, after the initial development stage. After that, exams once a year or every two years are sufficient to track eye health and coordination. Most eye problems are easy to treat and the earlier they are treated, the fewer roadblocks your children will have to success in school and in life.
Carrots & Your Eyes
Are carrots really good for your eyes or is that something parents said just to get kids to eat their vegetables? Actually, it’s true. Carrots contain a high level of vitamin A, which is very good for your eyes and helps reduce the risk of cataracts. Vitamin A is found in many orange, red, and yellow fruits and vegetables and in leafy green vegetables. So, eat your carrots like you were told and see your eye care professional at least every year or two to have your eyes tested. When you’re there, ask about other vitamins that are good for your sight – you’ll be surprised how many ways what you eat can impact how you see.
Does Your Child Have Poor Vision?
If your child has any of the following symptoms, you should make an appointment for an eye exam right away:
For infants:
- Poor focus on objects (after 3 months of age)
- Eyes that are not aligning
- A droopy eyelid
- Family history of serious eye problems
- A watery eye
For children:
- A red eye with or without discharge
- Squinting to read or see small objects
- Holding books close to the eyes to read them
- One eye keeps drifting out of alignment with the other
- Complaining of blurred vision
- Excessive blinking
- Headaches or frequent eye rubbing
Do You Suffer From Computer Vision Syndrome?
Statistics tell us that more than 143 million Americans work on computers every day ... and many of them experience Computer Vision Syndrome ("CVS"). CVS is caused by how our eyes and brain process the pixels that shape words and images on our computer. Pixels are shaped by lights, with the center being brighter than the edges. The variation of light intensity makes it difficult for our eyes to maintain focus and makes them work overtime as focus is continuously regained.
People who suffer from CVS experience:
- Headaches
- Loss of focus
- Burning/tired eyes
- Double/blurred vision
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Eye strain
|
You can prevent CVS symptoms by incorporating the following into your daily computer regimen:
- Place your monitor directly in front of you and 20 to 26 inches away*;
- Make sure the center of your screen is 4 to 9 inches below your gaze;
- Minimize glare with anti-glare screens;
- Reduce lighting and cover windows to keep light from reflecting off your computer;
- Adjust the brightness of your computer screen to make reading more comfortable;
- Remember to blink;
- Give your eyes a break every 30 minutes by focusing on distant and near objects for 5-10 seconds at a time.
|
*Remember to adjust children's workstations to fit their height requirements.
Protecting Your Child's Eyes
Sports are a leading cause of injuries to eyes and are particularly common in children and young adults. If your children are active in sports, make sure they protect their eyes by wearing appropriate goggles, helmets or facemasks. Your eye care doctor can help you choose appropriate eyewear for your children, whether or not they wear glasses.
|
