Category: Medical Awareness

What is Zeaxanthin? Zeaxanthin is a member of a group of compounds known as carotenoids.* As a group, the carotenoids function like internal sunglasses, shielding underlying light-sensitive tissues from harmful blue light. Zeaxanthin is the key nutrient responsible for protecting crisp, clear vision needed for reading, seeing faces, and driving at night. The retina actively seeks zeaxanthin because it’s necessary to protect the tissues responsible for central vision. As an antioxidant, zeaxanthin works within the layers of photoreceptors to protect their longevity. In general, Americans don’t get enough dietary zeaxanthin from food alone, and many find it easier to take a daily supplement to fulfill this need. To best support their eyes, patients will need to take at least 8 mg of dietary zeaxanthin per day. Why 8 mg? Zeaxanthin…

American Optometric Association Encourages Video Gamers to Give Their Eyes a Break By Staff ST. LOUIS—With Save Your Vision Month (March), and the popularity of video games and competitive gaming rising, the American Optometric Association(AOA) has issued a reminder to all video gamers about the importance of healthy eyes. Whether battling a computer opponent or Player Two, one way to land a higher score is by incorporating the 20-20-20 rule: giving your eyes a 20-second rest every 20 minutes to view something 20 feet away, the Association said. The AOA’s 2017 American Eye-Q survey revealed that 41 percent of Americans spends more than four hours a week playing video games. Staring at digital devices can lead to digital eye strain, sleep problems, blurred vision, headaches and neck and shoulder pain, among…

http://www.practiceadvancementmail.com/email/ROB/NewROB/ROB_WhichPatientsNeedMostEducation_2.21.17.html Which Patients Need the Most Education About Blue Light? By Mark Wright, OD, FCOVD and Carole Burns, OD, FCOVD Feb. 15, 2015 Harmful blue light protection is valued across generations, but is less top-of-mind for Baby Boomers, findings from Transitions Optical, Inc.’s, 2017 Employee Perceptions of Vision Benefits survey suggest. Millennials are the most likely to say it is important that their prescription glasses have blue light protection—with 83 percent agreeing, compared to 75 percent of Boomers. Despite this consistent interest in harmful blue light protection, all generations are at least somewhat confused about whether their eyewear delivers on what they want. Among employees who wear eyeglasses, one-fourth of Millennials and 37 percent of Boomers say they are not sure whether their current lenses have blue light protection. Click HERE for…

A contact lens which is able to magnify an object by up to 2.8 times with a blink of the eye has been created by researchers in Switzerland. Researchers developing the device at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) believe that the contact lens, which is currently in its prototype phase, holds “a lot of promise” for patients with low vision and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The first of its kind telescopic lens, which was presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s annual conference in California, could be available in two years. Researchers confirmed that further work in needed before the lenses can be worn by patients regularly and the current prototype can only be worn for half an hour as the lenses do not allow…

Decorative contact lenses can add distinction to a person’s eyes, giving a Halloween costume an unusual touch sought by many people during this festive season. However, ophthalmologists and experts are warning consumers that using over-the-counter decorative contact lenses is illegal and may harbor a risk for infection. According to eye care specialists, wearing decorative contact lenses is not always a safe choice to enrich a person’s look. The Food and Drug Administration said “all contact lenses are regulated medical devices that require a prescription and proper fitting by an eye-care professional,” according to an Oct. 12 Los Angeles Times article. “Even someone with perfect vision would still require an eye exam and a prescription in order to wear any kind of contacts, including cosmetic lenses,” the Times reported. Physical harm…

The difference between eye exams and visual screenings for children When the visual demands of homework and computers begin at school, many children will complain of tired eyes, headaches, eyestrain and even double vision. Some children are silent because these symptoms seem normal to them.  This can lead to lower grades, reading problems, poor spelling and low self-esteem. Q: How many children have undetected vision problems? A: According to the AOA, one in four kids has a vision problem. Q: Doesn’t my child get a vision screening at school? A: There are significant differences between Vision Screenings and Comprehensive Vision Examinations.  Parents should be aware that there may be no set standards and criteria for passing a vision screening. Results can be determined arbitrarily and the standard eye chart alone…

How is Computer Vision Syndrome diagnosed? Patient history to determine any symptoms the patient is experiencing and the presence of any general health problems, medications taken, or environmental factors that may be contributing to the symptoms related to computer use. Visual acuity measurements to assess the extent to which vision may be affected. A refraction to determine the appropriate lens power needed to compensate for any refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism). Testing how the eyes focus, move and work together. In order to obtain a clear, single image of what is being viewed, the eyes must effectively change focus, move and work in unison. This testing will look for problems that keep your eyes from focusing effectively or make it difficult to use both eyes together. This testing may…

Computer Vision Syndrome Computer Vision Syndrome describes a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer use. Many individuals experience eye discomfort and vision problems when viewing a computer screen for extended periods. The level of discomfort appears to increase with the amount of computer use.  The most common symptoms associated with Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) are: eyestrain headaches blurred vision dry eyes neck and shoulder pain These symptoms may be caused by: poor lighting glare on the computer screen improper viewing distances poor seating posture uncorrected vision problems a combination of these factors The extent to which individuals experience visual symptoms often depends on the level of their visual abilities and the amount of time spent looking at the computer screen. Uncorrected vision problems like farsightedness…