Dry eye is a condition in which there are insufficient tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. Tears are necessary for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and for providing clear vision. People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or have a poor quality of tears. Dry eye is a common and often chronic problem, particularly in older adults.

With each blink of the eyelids, tears are spread across the front surface of the eye, known as the cornea. Tears provide lubrication, reduce the risk of eye infection, wash away foreign matter in the eye, and keep the surface of the eyes smooth and clear. Excess tears in the eyes flow into small drainage ducts, in the inner corners of the eyelids, which drain in the back of the nose…Read Full Article

The American Optometric Association emphasizes importance of comprehensive eye exams during National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Early detection of eye disease is critical to maintain healthy vision. With almost two-thirds of adult Americans, who do not wear corrective lenses, not receiving regular comprehensive eye exams, millions of people are putting their vision and their quality of life at risk, according to the American Optometric Association.

Glaucoma–often called “the sneak thief of sight” because it can strike without symptoms–is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. According to National Eye Institute, more than 3 million Americans have glaucoma, but only half of them know it. Glaucoma most often occurs in people over age 40. People who are very nearsighted, diabetic or who have a family history of glaucoma are also at high risk for the disease.

According to the American Optometric Association’s 2007 American Eye-Q® survey, 67 percent of Americans believe that glaucoma is preventable. In reality, the disease cannot be prevented, although it is treatable if caught in the early stages. The annual American Eye-Q® survey identifies attitudes and behaviors of Americans regarding eye care and related issues.

“Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the internal pressure in your eyes increases enough to damage nerve fibers in your optic nerve and cause vision loss,” said Dr. Tanya Carter, AOA’s Glaucoma Eye Care Expert and State University of New York College of Optometry professor. “The most common type of glaucoma develops gradually and painlessly, without symptoms. A rarer type occurs rapidly, and its symptoms may include blurred vision, loss of side vision, seeing colored rings around lights, and pain or redness in the eyes.”

Since vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored, regular, comprehensive eye examinations are important for people at risk. A comprehensive optometric examination includes a tonometry test to measure pressure in the eyes; an examination of the inside of the eyes and optic nerves; and a visual field test to check for changes in central and side vision.

Treatment for glaucoma includes prescription eye drops and medicines to lower pressure in the eyes. In some cases, laser treatment or surgery may be effective in reducing pressure.

“Glaucoma cannot be prevented, but if diagnosed and treated early, it can be controlled to prevent or slow continued vision loss,” said Dr. Tanya Carter. “Losing your sight can be devastating, so there is no substitute for doing all you can to maintain your eye health through regular exams.”

Humans see color thanks to cone cells, specialized light-sensing neurons located in the retina along the inner surface of the eyeball. The actual light-sensing section of these cells is called the outer segment, which is made up of a series of stacked discs, each about 30 nanometers (billionths of a meter) thick. This appendage goes through daily changes in length…Read More

The holidays are filled with anticipation of gifts and new toys. When making decisions for selecting new toys, parents need to tell Santa and loved ones to pick eye-safe and age appropriate toys for children.

So, in general, what toys should parents avoid? Toys with pointed, sharp or rough edges or pieces. Blocks are great for almost any age as long as corners and edges are blunted to reduce the risk of eye injury. Also, to avoid eye injuries, beware of long-handled toys, like mops, brooms, pony sticks and rakes. Check to make sure that they have rounded handles and watch closely children under 2 with such toys.

Be careful to avoid toys that may be age appropriate for an older child but could be dangerous for a younger child. Always supervise children in situations when they might share an inappropriate toy with a younger sibling.

Avoid slingshots, dart guns and arrows for children under 6. Ideally, these toys should be avoided completely, especially when there are younger children in the house. If that is not possible, supervise any child with these toys, because have the potential to be harmful.”

Great toys for children are those that stimulate visual development, improve hand-eye coordination and demonstrate spatial relationships.

Toys for children under age 2 include:

• brightly colored mobiles
• stuffed animals
• activity gyms
• blocks, balls
• stacking and nesting toys
• buckets and measuring cups
• puzzles
• shape sorters
• musical toys

Appropriate and eye-friendly toys for children over age 2 include:

• child-sized household items like brooms
• vacuums
• rakes
• lawn mowers
• refrigerator and stove sets and outside toys like sandboxes
• riding toys and backyard gyms and swings.

Magnetic letters, stringing beads, toy cash registers are great for fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Some toys are simply not safe and may be recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). For a list of toy recalls, call (800) 638-2772 or visit www.cpsc.gov.

(Source: http://www.aoa.org/x8930.xml)

DIABETES TOP CAUSE OF BLINDNESS AMONG ADULTS

In honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month, the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA) and American Optometric Association (AOA) urge Americans living with diabetes and diabetic eye disease to schedule dilated, comprehensive eye exams on a yearly basis.

According to recent studies, diabetes is responsible for eight percent of legal blindness, making it the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age. Each year, 12,000 – 24,000 people lose their sight because of diabetes. The key to successful eye care is to monitor the disease, including vision, which is why the POA recommends those with diabetes have a dilated eye examination annually. More frequent exams may be needed if you have diabetic retinopathy, or if you notice a change in your vision.

During a dilated exam, an optometrist will look at your retina for early signs of diabetic eye disease, such as leaking blood vessels, swelling and deposits on the retina. Optometrists often serve as the first line of detection for diabetes, since the eye is the only place on the body that blood vessels can be seen without having to look through the skin.

Results from the AOA’s new American Eye-Q® consumer survey showed that only 36 percent of people realize that diabetes can be detected during a comprehensive eye exam. In addition, 47 percent didn’t know that a person with diabetes who does not wear corrective lenses should still receive an annual eye exam.

Diabetic retinopathy often has no early warning signs, so changes in vision may not be noticed. Therefore, early detection is critical in maintaining healthy vision.

By the year 2020, the number of people suffering from diabetic eye disease is expected to nearly double. However, monitoring and maintaining control of diabetes through regular visits to the doctor along with adherence to the doctor’s instructions can lower one’s risk of developing diabetic eye disease by as much as 76 percent.

Several factors influence whether someone with diabetes develops diabetic retinopathy. These include controlling blood sugar and blood pressure levels, the length of time with diabetes, race and family history.

In regards to race, both African-Americans and Hispanics are nearly twice as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. According to the American Diabetes Association, on average, about 2.5 million, or 9.5 percent of Hispanics and 3.2 million, or 13.3 percent of Africans aged 20 years or older have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Be sure to see an optometrist if your vision becomes blurry, if you have trouble reading, experience double vision, feel pressure in your eyes, encounter straight lines appearing wavy or if your side vision is limited.

Source: http://www.aoa.org/x16813.xml

Are My Glow In The Dark Halloween Contact Lenses Safe?

It can be a lot of fun to put on glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses but are they safe? Thousands of these glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses are sold every year. Glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses are sold by prescription and without prescription. It’s a significantly better idea to purchase glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses with a prescription. When you have a prescription for glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses you will see a doctor 1st who can look at your eyes. Without a prescription for glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses you are running the gamble that they are likely not to be safe for your eyes. There have been corporations who sell glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses who have run into problems with optical groups. These corporations who were selling glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses didn’t have proper licenses. There were across 1 thousand eye injuries in 2004 and many of these injuries were due to cosmetic lenses. Glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses healthy into this category. If the glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses aren’t fitted properly they can cause injury to your eyes. An additional problem with the glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses is that young people wish to share them. It’s extremely unsafe to share any contact lenses including glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses. When you purchase glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses from a company that doesn^t need a prescription you run the chance of more problems. Many of these corporations don’t provide any care instructions. They also don’t tell customers that they shouldn’t sleep in their glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses or even swim with them in. If your glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses aren’t fitted properly you will develop bacterial infections, swelling, eye infliction and loss of clarity. It’s important that you get your glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses from a reputable company. If you want to be safe when you put on glow in the dark Halloween contact lenses purchase them from a company that requires a prescription.

Source: http://www.contact-lens-advisor.info/articles/Are-My-Glow-In-The-Dark-Halloween-Contact-Lenses-Safe.html

• Each day, about 2,000 U.S. workers sustain job-related eye injuries that require medical treatment, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
• Approximately 60 percent of workers sustaining eye injuries were not wearing proper protective eyewear, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “I didn’t think I needed them” should never be the answer as to why safety glasses were not worn.
• An estimated 90 percent of eye injuries could be prevented through the use of proper protective eyewear on the job, according to the National Eye Institute.
• Under the Healthy People 2010 program, the nation’s official public health agenda, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services hopes to cut workplace eye injuries by almost a third over the course of this decade.
• Industry standards now recognize two classes of industrial safety lenses: traditional basic impactlenses and high impact lenses, shown in ballistic tests to offer improved protection against flying particles. Basic impact protectors can only be worn in situations where known or presumed hazards are low impact in nature. High impact protectors (Z87+) provide protection to hazards of high velocity and/or high mass.
• Safety eyewear is now available in a variety of new styles and materials that make it more attractive and comfortable to wear.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards require employers to ensure workers have suitable eye protection.
• To that end, OSHA requires employers to formally assess workplace eye hazards, select the appropriate type of eyewear to use, train and certify employees in eye protection, and plan for eye emergencies.
• Workers who wear prescription glasses must also wear required eye protection.
• Protective eyewear must be properly fitted to be effective. Don’t let lack of comfort be a barrier to full-time safety eyewear use.
• The American Optometric Association recommends that supervisory officials in the workplace, in schools, and at recreational events should mandate wear of eye protection in all activities in which a risk of eye injury exists.
• The National Eye Institute (NEI) has dedicated Healthy Eyes Month 2006 (May) to workplace eye safety. Now is an appropriate time for employers to ensure that all workers have proper eye protection.

Healthy Eyes are required for a Productive Workforce.

Courtesty of AOA.org

What is the Varilux Physio Enhanced Fit System? (Per the Varilux Website)

Personalized lenses for superior visual performance
With Varilux Physio Enhanced Fit™ you can offer superior visual performance, personalized for each of your patients.

Optimized for both the wearer’s prescription and position of wear, this latest innovative design unlocks new potential and raises Varilux Physio Enhanced™ performance, for the sharpest vision in any light condition and unmatched comfort in the near zone.

Your patient’s visual performance is affected by changing positions of wear. This results in aberrations that affect visual performance. Lens personalization assures optimal vision for each patient – in each lens design.

For your single vision patients who demand a personalized lens solution, ask about the Essilor Fit™ Single Vision lenses.

Measuring for Personalization
ECPs can measure for these products by using any digital or manual patient measurement device. Essilor recommends the Visioffice® System for its accuracy and ease of use. If no digital measuring device is available, we recommend using the Varilux® Patient Measuring Tool for manual measurements.

Availability: For Progressive and Single Vision wearers

Varilux Physio Enhanced Fit™ is available in a full range of materials, and is a 100% digitally surfaced DualOptix™ product.

Essilor Fit™ Single Vision is available in a full range of materials, and is 100% digitally surfaced.

Read more about the Varilux Physio Enhanced Fit here…

Visit the Varilux website here

Each year, thousands of sports-related eye injuries occur in the United States. The arrival of spring brings more outdoor sports and with them, the increased danger of eye injuries. The American Optometric Association (AOA) urges even casual athletes to protect their sight-and that of teammates-by keeping street eyewear off the playing field and wearing proper protective eyewear instead. Conventional frames and lenses do not meet the minimum requirements for impact resistance in most sports, which can turn a small collision into a sight-threatening injury.

ST. LOUIS, MO, April 1, 2008 — Each year, thousands of sports-related eye injuries occur in the United States. The arrival of spring brings more outdoor sports and with them, the increased danger of eye injuries. The American Optometric Association (AOA) urges even casual athletes to protect their sight-and that of teammates-by keeping street eyewear off the playing field and wearing proper protective eyewear instead. Conventional frames and lenses do not meet the minimum requirements for impact resistance in most sports, which can turn a small collision into a sight-threatening injury, the AOA cautions. Sports-protective eyewear is tested to meet rigid standards and some have been independently verified and received the AOA Seal of Acceptance.

“Eye protection should be of major concern to all athletes, especially in certain high-risk sports,” said Dr. Paul Berman, AOA optometrist and Sports Vision Specialist. “Thousands of children and adults unnecessarily suffer sports-related eye injuries each year. Every thirteen minutes an emergency room in the United States treats a sports related eye injury¹ and nearly all could be prevented by using the proper protective eyewear. And, if you participate in sports, get an eye exam. It can detect whether you have vision problems, like nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, which could diminish your performance and lead to physical injuries during sports.”

Some cautionary sports vision statistics include:

• Approximately 600,000 documented sports-related injuries are reported each year in the United States. (Tri-Service Vision Conservation and Readiness Program, Eyes (Ears) and Workers Compensation)
• More than 42,000 sports-related eye injuries require emergency room attention. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
• An estimated 13,500 cases result in permanent loss of sight. (Protective Eyewear Certification Council)
• Approximately 72 percent of sports-related eye injuries occur in people younger than 25 years and approximately 43 percent occur in children younger than 15 years. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Sports vision goes beyond choosing the correct protective eyewear that protects and provides clear vision. Just like speed and strength, vision is an important component of how well you play your sport, the AOA says. And there is much more to vision than just seeing clearly. Your vision is composed of many interrelated skills. And, just as exercise and practice can increase your speed and strength, they also can improve your visual fitness and accuracy.

Because all sports have different visual demands, an optometrist with expertise in sports vision can assess your unique visual system and recommend the proper eyeglasses or contact lenses, or design a vision-therapy program to maximize your visual skills for a specific sport.

Sports with a moderate to high risk of eye injury include basketball, baseball, softball, cricket, lacrosse, field hockey, ice hockey, squash, racquetball, fencing, boxing, full-contact martial arts, air rifle, tennis, badminton, soccer, volleyball, water polo, football, fishing, golf and wrestling².

The most common sports vision concerns include:

1. Protection: Athletes’ eyes need certified sports protective eyewear that will protect against injury with lenses that protect from ultra-violet light.
2. Correction: Spectacle wearers require sports protective eyewear that also will correct their vision, while contact-lens wearers may need a different lens than their everyday one. For example, skiers spend their time in cold, dry conditions and need a contact lens that will provide more moisture.
3. Vision enhancement: Athletes often need help enhancing their binocularity or depth perception.

“Doctors of optometry work with their patients to provide unique, advantaged eyewear solutions in order to protect vision and improve performance in athletics,” said Dr. Berman. “I encourage you to visit your local optometrist to discuss options for vision protection, correction, and enhancement.”

For additional information regarding sports vision, please visit http://www.aoa.org/sports-vision.xml.

(Source: www.aoa.org)

A good education for your child means good schools, good teachers and good vision. Your child’s eyes are constantly in use in the classroom and at play. So when his or her vision is not functioning properly, learning and participation in recreational activities will suffer.

The basic vision skills needed for school use are:

• Near vision. The ability to see clearly and comfortably at 10-13 inches.
• Distance vision. The ability to see clearly and comfortably beyond arm’s reach.
• Binocular coordination. The ability to use both eyes together.
• Eye movement skills. The ability to aim the eyes accurately, move them smoothly across a page and shift them quickly and accurately from one object to another.
• Focusing skills. The ability to keep both eyes accurately focused at the proper distance to see clearly and to change focus quickly.
• Peripheral awareness. The ability to be aware of things located to the side while looking straight ahead.
• Eye/hand coordination. The ability to use the eyes and hands together.

If any of these or other vision skills are lacking or not functioning properly, your child will have to work harder. This can lead to headaches, fatigue and other eyestrain problems. As a parent, be alert for symptoms that may indicate your child has a vision or visual processing problem. Be sure to tell your optometrist if your child frequently:

• Loses their place while reading;
• Avoids close work;
• Holds reading material closer than normal;
• Tends to rub his or her eyes;
• Has headaches;
• Turns or tilts head to use one eye only;
• Makes frequent reversals when reading or writing;
• Uses finger to maintain place when reading;
• Omits or confuses small words when reading;
• Consistently performs below potential.

Because vision changes can occur without you or your child noticing them, your child should visit the optometrist at least every two years, or more frequently, if specific problems or risk factors exist. If needed, the doctor can prescribe treatment including eyeglasses, contact lenses or vision therapy.

Remember, a school vision or pediatrician’s screening is not a substitute for a thorough eye examination.

(Source: http://www.aoa.org/x4744.xml)

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