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Children who spend more time outdoors may be less likely to suffer from
nearsightedness.
Researchers who pooled the results of eight
previously published studies involving more than 10,000 youngsters found that
each additional hour spent outdoors during the week decreased the risk of
developing nearsightedness (myopia) by 2%.
This translates to about a 13% reduced chance of developing nearsightedness per
extra hour per day of outside physical activity.
Nearsightedness is much more common in the
U.S. and other countries than 40 years ago, according to the American Academy of
Ophthalmology. Another study showed about 4% of preschoolers had
nearsightedness. In some Asian countries, more than 80% of the population is
nearsighted.
Ocular Vitamins
scientific research continues to show that Vitamin supplements and proper eating
habits can help reduce your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma
and diabetic retinopathy. And by including generous servings of fresh fruits and
vegetables you can improve your body’s ability to fight disease. But be careful
for an overabundance of anything, even a good thing is not the best way to go. Megadoses of ascorbic acid, zinc and copper may
even have adverse effects on your health. Moderation is the key to success
Only 12% of American adults consume the 3 -5 servings of fresh fruits and
vegetables daily says the American Journal of Public Health. Even this
recommended daily allowance (RDAs) of vitamins and minerals may not be enough
for everyone. Of special concern are RDA levels for seniors who stay indoors and
don’t vary their diets, individuals who have chronic medical conditions or those
required to take many different medications. Mounting evidence suggests a poor
diet can lead to disease….Here are my recommendations for you to discuss with your doctor to prevent
eye disease:
Cataracts: A daily multivitamin reduces the risk of cataracts by 25%.
Vitamins C and E, along with leafy vegetables like spinach, also reduces your
risk of developing cataracts.
Macular degeneration: Lutein, a plant pigment, is found in leafy
vegetables such as spinach. Reduced levels of Lutein in the eye have been
reported in patients with macular degeneration. Bausch & Lomb has developed a
vitamin supplement Ocuvite for patients with macular degeneration.
Glaucoma: A brisk walk regimen, vitamin B 12 and magnesium may help
reduce pressure inside the eye.
Diabetic retinopathy: Magnesium and vitamin C may slow the onset of
this Disease. Blood sugar control and routine exams are important in preventing
diabetic retinopathy.
Vitamin Robbers
I should note other agents can deprive your body of needed vitamins and
nutrients. Alcohol, tobacco, and cholesterol lowering drugs interfere with the
body’s ability to store vitamins. Steroids are known to lower your stores of
calcium . A side affect of aspirin is the depletion of the body’s levels of iron
and folic acid. Antacids and diuretics also take their toll. Discuss with your
doctor or pharmacist options to maintain proper levels of vitamins and minerals.
A healthy diet and vitamins won’t protect you from every disease. They are a
very critical part of an overall eye care program which should include
exercising, not smoking, protecting your eyes from UV and having regular exams.
For more information on vitamins be sure to visit me
when I'm next at your facility for a complimentary sample. To print a money saving coupon, visit the
web site
www.bausch.com.
The magic number is 6 ....The human eye has
muscles which control focusing and blinking. And like any muscle; they get
fatigued. The human eye requires a minimum of six hours sleep in order to
function properly. Less than six hours and the normal blink rate of twenty times
per minute for the eye’s proper lubrication is greatly reduced. Dryness of the
eye’s cornea can reduce visual accuracy and interfere with healthy contact lens
wear. Less than six hours of sleep and those muscles which control the lens
focusing are strained and react more slowly resulting in reduced visual
performance for activities such as driving and computer work. Sleep is important
for many health reasons including visual accuracy
Lenstoss, an app for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad,
gives you all kinds of power to overcome your forgetfulness when it comes to
replacing your contact lenses. This app will:
- Tell you that it's time to replace
your contacts one, two, and/or three days ahead, as well as on the replacement
day itself.
- Remind you the day after, too.
- Show how long you've been wearing
your current pair of lenses.
- Click through to your lens
manufacturer's website to see their current coupons and rebate offers.
- Email your eye doctor that it's
time for you to re-order.
- Remind you that it's time for an
eye exam.
Computer ergonomics
:
The science of computer vision
When you read just one word, your
left and right eye teamed together point to the first letter of the word,
identifying each of the letters as the eyes move from left to right across the
word; transmitting that information back to the brain as it comprehends the
word. And all of this takes place in about a tenth of a second. It's easy for
your eyes to read with your glasses text which has clearly defined characters
such as on a printed page. But when you read a word on a computer monitor you're
actually viewing a projection of a letter made up of round dots called pixels.
That's why pixel concentration,
text colors, font
type and size, and flicker rates are critical computer vision issues.
The human eye as it ages into the
thirties and forties loses the ability to effectively accommodate as eye teaming
begins a downward trend. While viewing the image on a computer monitor the
normal blink rate of 20 times per minute is reduced to levels as low as 4
blinks. Dryness of the eye continues to increase as we all get even older. In
other words you're having a difficult time keeping your eyes focused and your
vision clear and sharp.
As we age the lens inside
your eye becomes less clear. The muscles inside your eye which flex the lens
become less capable to control the lens focusing; i.e. your arms don't seem long
enough. Progressive bifocals which have been prescribed to address visual issues
for the computer user reach a level where even this lens cannot provide clear
sharp vision for distance, reading, and the computer. This usually happens as
the reading power of the progressive bifocal increases over +2.00. The physics
of the progressive in higher reading powers causes the mid range and near
portions to "shrink". Thus these smaller zones force the progressive bifocal
wearer to tip their head upward placing stress on the neck, shoulders, and back.
If you have trouble seeing the screen you'll adjust your head and body so you
can which then adversely affects your proper
ergonomic positioning. I cannot
stress the importance your eye doctor understand fully your
visual demands at home and at
work. A prescription
for just the computer is the alternative over trying to make one pair of lenses
work at three different distances. I discuss these issues and solutions in my
programs Combating Visual Fatigue and Avoiding Computer Vision Syndrome.
Eye Health = Eye Safety....
an often overlooked essential part of eyeglasses for some prescriptions is
adding an anti-reflective coating. Just an expensive add on you say? What if I
explained that with an anti reflective coating on your lenses; it is the
difference between seeing 20/20 versus 20/30. You wouldn't have to live day
after day with the eye fatigue associated with computers, whiteboards, and
lighting. And I could demonstrate that your eyes recover a full 5 seconds faster
from headlight glare with anti reflective coated lenses. That means your
improved reaction time can help you stop your vehicle 20+ feet sooner. Take a
minute to examine our display to learn if you would benefit from an
anti-reflective coating when I next visit your office
Diabetes is the
leading cause of blindness. Currently 401 million Americans battle this disease.
Finding and treating the disease in its earliest stage is by far the best way to
manage its affect on the body. too often one's vision many not be affected until
diabetes is in advanced stages. For this reason many doctors recommend annual
eye health examinations. Especially if diabetes is present in your parents and
family's health history. Here are 6 symptoms that indicate you should contact
your eye doctor:
Sudden, rapid occurrence of: blurry vision and/or
double vision
Spots or floaters in your vision
Pressure in the eye
Vision doesn't seem as clear & sharp as usual
Reading becomes difficult
For more information you can call the American Diabetes Association at
1-800-342-2383 or visit www.diabetes.org.
As always; I have brochures which discuss diabetes and vision for any of your
staff. If you have any questions please contact me directly.
Back to school.... While we are still enjoying our favorite summer
activities the calendar tells us the beginning of schools is just around the
corner. Be sure to add to your Back to School checklist a visit for your child
to see the eye doctor. Good vision is fundamental to children’s reading,
learning, and comprehension . Good vision is essential for children to realize
their true academic performance. Often children with vision problems don’t know
the world is different from the way the now see it.
Remember vision is much more than 20/20. This is only a measurement of
acuity: how clear and sharp is a 1 & 7/8 inch letter projected on a wall at a
distance of twenty feet. A thorough vision examination analyzes a child’s eye
teaming (both eyes working together) focusing, field of vision, comprehension,
color vision and acuity both near (reading) and far (distance).
As parents; please familiarize yourself with these warning signs of a visual
problem. Observe your child’s behavior and ask the teacher if any of these
symptoms are displayed in the classroom. While reading:
Squinting, closing one eye, rubbing of eyes
Complains of headaches, dizziness, nausea, or double vision
Turns or tilts head to one side
Loses place or uses fingers to point to each word
Reverses letters
Brings reading materials very close to the eyes (normal
reading distance 16 -18 in)
Omits words or skips lines
Unable to align numbers horizontally or vertically
Do you observe:
Gets close to television or chalkboard
Dislike or avoidance of reading
Short attention span
Trouble seeing the computer screen
Is that sweat in your eyes?
Sure enough the calendar says it's sweat season. As temperatures increase so
does the frequency in which perspiration affects your employees' eyes. Besides
stinging; perspiration in the eyes causes dryness, blurred vision, and a
reduction in clear sharp eyesight. And it is important to remember that workers
who work inside and outdoors are both affected. When you compile your sweat
management program please consider my suggestions. Stock ocular lubricants in
your first aid room to refresh the eyes. Familiarize yourself with this
condition in my dry eyes
article. Eye injuries from wiping sweat are caused by inadvertently placing
dust, debris, or chemicals into the eye. Set up safe zones where safety glasses
can be removed for sweat removal/PPE cleaning without increasing the risk of an
injury. Consider utilizing the two safety frame styles which include a sweat
brow protector. And If you wish to provide employees with Dry Eye orientations;
please contact me directly to schedule our Dry Eye wellness program
Outside worker protection
When workers work outside they encounter conditions which
we must prepare for:
Problem 1: A gust of wind blows debris into the eye.
Treatment: Resist the urge to rub the eye as this
could actually scratch the eye. Immediately try to flush the eye by adding a
lubricant and point your eyes downward and begin to rapidly blink. These actions
should help the eye flush out the irritant. If the eye still feels uncomfortable
seek medical attention. If you would like a lubricant sample; please let me know
Prevention: use the appropriate safety glasses with
the largest possible protection area for the eye orbit and side shields
Problem 2: While working around trees or shrubs a
branch knocks off your glasses scratching your face and eye.
Treatment: Rinse the eye as quickly as possible with
sterile saline. Loosely bandage shut with tape and a sterile folded gauze. Seek
medical attention.
Prevention: use safety glasses that incorporate a
headband device minimizes possibility of the eyewear being knocked off
Problem 3: that evening or possibly the next day
after working outside the eye turns red, itchy, and starts to water (may be
sensitive to light).
Treatment: the eye is experiencing an infection and
requires medical attention.
Prevention: wear the appropriate safety eyewear and
clean your safety eyewear after outside activities have concluded, clean hands
with antibacterial soap
Be sure to check your first aid station for lubrication
drops and eye patches. If the affected employee uses contact lenses please refer
to my recommendations for first responders posted in my article: Contact lenses worn in an industrial environment
Unfortunately scratches on prescription safety lenses are not totally
avoidable. The best way to avoid scratches is to prevent them form occurring in
the first place. Simple preventive steps like storing your glasses in a
protective case when not worn, wet the lens before cleaning, dry the lens with a
clean cloth (or an approved tissue from a lens cleaning station) and employing a
supplemental face shield/visor when necessary. The problem with scratches is
they are not only bothersome; but can pose a hazard to the employee.
Scratches problems: Protection and Performance ... Scratches on lenses
pose two problems for the safety of the employee. The first is the most obvious.
When the lens surface is scratched; its ability to withstand an impact and not
shattering is compromised. The second problem is scratches reduce the clarity of
the prescription lenses which can reduce the performance of the employee. And
when people have a trouble seeing through their glasses; they tend to bend,
lean, and tilt their heads which affect their overall musculoskeletal health.
Scratch patterns
O If when examining the lens scratches you observe the scratches tend to
go in a circular fashion in the center of the lens; the lens was probably not
wet when it was cleaned. The proper method to clean lenses should be reviewed
with the employee.
- `~ If your lens examination reveals short scratches indiscriminately
placed on the surface you should consider an optional protective device like a
flip up face shield. The lens is being bombarded with flying debris.
If you observe scratches longer than 3mm; there is a high probability the
lens was dropped.
Best way to clean lenses ... When cleaning prescription lenses the first
step is to wet the lens surface. Water, a lens cleaning solution, or soap and
water will remove dirt and debris quite effectively from the lens surface. Most
scratches can be traced to either wiping the lens dry or using a cloth (or shirt
tail) that contains abrasive materials. Avoid applying household cleaning
products like window cleaners, acetone, and paint remover as they contain
chemicals which fog the lens and damage the coatings on the lens.
Scratches on lenses can be polished out …. NO. Prescription ophthalmic
lenses are required to maintain a 2mm thickness for high impact polycarbonate
lenses and 3mm thickness for glass, CR39, and high index materials. Polishing
results in a decreased thickness yielding a higher risk of shattering. In
addition, the lens front surface is a custom molded on multimodal lenses
(bifocals) and can not be resurfaced. Polishing is usually reserved for large
telescopic lenses or special optical systems.
My recommendations for replacing lenses: If you hold the lens up to a
light and are unable to see through the lens due to scratches: replace it! If
any part of the lens has chipped or the surface is pitted: replace it! If cracks
are visible in the lens: replace it!
After a prescription safety lens is scratched; its protective capacity is
compromised. Avoiding scratches is the best prevention. You can use the Risk
Assessment on our website (www.wecare4eyes.com/hazard assessment.htm) to
determine those employees at a higher risk of incurring scratches. When in doubt
the lens which is scratched should be replaced. An option to consider for those
employees whose work exposes lenses to more scratches is our scratch warranty.
The scratch warranty for high impact polycarbonate and CR39 lenses provides for
the replacement of the lenses (single vision or bifocal) at no charge once in a
one year period. The small cost for the warranty protection is minimal compared
to replacing bifocal lenses. For more information regarding this warranty
option; please contact our office at 708-686-5266
Toxic keratoconjunctivitis When caustic chemicals or solvents splash
into the eye; immediate effective action is of the utmost importance to avoid
permanent scarring of the ocular surface. The most commonly accepted treatment
option is rinsing the eyes using an eyewash station. But what if you can’t get
to the station or one is not available? Rinsing at copious levels with sterile
saline from your first aid station is an effective method. In a worse case
scenario; run tap water into cupped hands and repeatedly submerge the affected
eye into the water. Be sure to remove any contact lenses; rigid or soflens. You
can’t assume the rinsing action will flush the contact lenses out of the eye.The
eye's natural response to the chemical splash may force the contacts under the
upper eyelid or into the corner. If
allowed to remain in the eye; the contact lenses which have absorbed the
chemical will continue to irritate the ocular surface. ( I recommend that your office maintain a file of employees
using contacts on the job and their employee ID contain an easily visible
sticker) Once the eye has been successfully irrigated don’t forget to use
natural tears as the eye’s normal tear volume will have been comprised. Non
preserved lubricants eliminate the possibility of a preservative further
complicating the eye’s condition. Applying a cold compress will help reduce the
pain. The employee should be be examined by an eye doctor as soon as possible.
Vision Misconceptions
Squinting: Even if mom might have shared this one; squinting will not
make your vision worse. But squinting is a possible symptom of the eyes
having trouble focusing.
Reading with a flashlight: will not make your eyes worse but
reading in poor light surely puts a strain on the visual system.
Sitting too close to the television: mom might have warned you
about this but scientifically speaking; sitting too close won't hurt your eyes.
But many times people (especially children) sit close to the television for they
have trouble seeing the screen comfortably.
Eating carrots is good for your eyes: actually eating dark green
vegetables like spinach and broccoli is better for they contain high amounts of
lutein which has been proven to protect the eye from disease. Carrots are good
for your diet; but they won't make you see like a hawk.
Wearing your eyeglasses makes your eye dependent on them: vision
should be an automatic function. You shouldn't have to manually make your eyes
focus on an object in order to see it. Prescription lenses allow your eyes to
function normally. You can't get "hooked" on your eyeglasses and they don't make
your vision worse.
Since 1980 the number of vehicles on the roadways have increased 37%. For the
average driver the total number of miles traveled has increased a whopping 80%.
And as we all know; our daily commute to and from work has grown too long. The
math is simple: more time on the road equals an increased risk of a driving
mishap.
I’m sure we all agree two necessities for safe driving are clear sharp vision
and up to date prescription lenses. Here are three of my professional
recommendations to help you drive as safely as possible.
Have your visual health checked regularly. A recent study in the United
Kingdom ( a 1000 person study) discovered 35% failed a basic eye test. 65% of those
who Failed- Drove! Up to date prescription lenses provides you optimum vision. For daytime driving; it’s best not to drive one hand shading your eyes from
the sun And the other hand holding a cell phone. The right lenses for sun protection Eliminates squinting and improves your focusing. Sunglasses will reduce
troublesome reflections off pavement. No matter the road conditions: hot & dry,
wet from rain, or snow covered. For specific suggestions, please refer to our
earlier report “ Ultraviolet light: The invisible threat”.
My last recommendation concerns your prescription lenses and night time
driving conditions. As you drive; every 2 miles the average driver is engaged in
400 visual observations and up to 40 decisions. Night time driving is
complicated by 4 conditions which reduce your safety factor.
Oncoming headlights cause distractions from glare and reflections
Eye strain and eye fatigue combined limit the number of comfortable hours for driving
However you can almost eliminate the affect of these night time conditions
with a simple lens coating. By adding an anti-reflective coating to your
prescription lenses will reduce: Glare & reflections - Halo effect - Time for eyes to recover - Eye fatigue
More worker fatalities are caused by vehicle crashes in the U.S. than any
other incident category. Hopefully my recommendations for safe driving: annual
check -ups, proper sunglass tints, anti-reflective coatings; will decrease the
likelihood you’ll suffer a driving mishap.
Ultraviolet light is known to damage the retina inside your eye. What
actually occurs is an intense shedding of the photo receptors in the delicate
lining at the back of your eye.
Young children are more susceptible to the harmful affects of UV because the
lens in their eyes are still developing. Individuals who have undergone cataract
surgery should incorporate more ultraviolet protection. Because once their
cataract is removed; the eyes natural protection against UV affects is
eliminated. People with light colored eyes (blue, gray, green) are more
sensitive to ultraviolet light’s affects. And people who use certain medications
increase their sensitivity to ultraviolet light. Common examples are certain
allergy medications, oral contraceptives, and acne remedies.
Polycarbonate, high index, and CR-39 plastic lenses for your eyeglasses with
Transitions provide at minimum 96% protection against UVA wavelengths. UVA is
the wavelength normally associated with skin tanning and sunburn. Many brands of
contact lenses in both rigid and soflens materials now incorporate UV
protection. Among the brands you should ask your doctor about are Boston RXD and
Boston ES, Precision UV, Acuvue disposables and some Ciba brands.
* Be aware the peak hours of ultraviolet light is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
* Can you see your eyes in the sunglass lenses? If yes, not enough density
for protection
* For maximum protection from ultraviolet light, your sunglass lenses should
have one of the following colors: gray, green, brown
The sunglasses you buy off the rack at the local drug store or gas station
many times contain warped lenses. And there is no uniform labeling on
ultraviolet light. So you should check your store bought sunglasses by first
holding the sunglasses at arm’s length. Look through the lenses at a straight
line in the distance such as an edge of a door. Slowly move the sunglass lenses
across the straight line. If that straight line distorts, sways, or curves- the
lenses have imperfections and should not be worn.