While you may refer to winter as the wet time of year due to the precipitation, the atmosphere is actually a lot dryer in the winter, causing your eyes to be more sensitive.
Our optometry team is available to assist you in selecting the most effective options to keep your eyes hydrated during the arid winter season. While you are indoors you can help your eyes by using a humidifier. Eye doctors suggest using humidifiers in rooms with forced air heaters, which can decrease moisture from the air.
In addition, be careful to take extra protective measures once you step outside into the cold air. Keep your eyes protected by wearing a hat with a brim and wearing sunglasses. It is important to protect your eyes from the whipping winds to stop them from drying out your eyes.
If your dryness is persistent you may want to consider lubricating eye drops which may help manage the uncomfortable symptoms of dry eyes. Speak to your eye care professional before you start using eye drops to make sure they are suitable for your symptoms.
Remember that if you use contact lenses it’s important to be especially careful in the colder months. When able, make use of rewetting drops often. While you may not realize it, lenses are like sponges and must remain wet to maintain their shape. Once they loose moisture, the lenses can lose their form and cling to the eyeball, causing pain and blurriness. So do your eyes a favor and keep them lubricated this winter. With a little knowledge and planning, you can avoid the dangers of winter and keep your eyes clear and moisturized all season long!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
What does 20/20 mean
The term 20/20 is used to describe someone with perfect vision, but what do the numbers mean?
Everything optically is measured at a twenty foot distance(20 feet is considered optical infinity). However, exam rooms typically are not 20 feet long, but with the use of mirrors and certain types of charts, the same effect as a 20 foot distance in achieved.
20/20 means that what someone with perfect vision sees at 20 feet is the same as what you would see. 20/40 vision means that an object a person with perfect vision sees at 40 feet, you would have to walk up to 20 feet away to see the same object. The same is said for 20/50, 20/100, etc.
Most people have the potential to see 20/20 either unaided or with the help of glasses or contacts. However, some conditions are not correctable even with help. Macular degeneration, cataracts, retinitis pigmentosis, and many other conditions may cause a loss of vision that may lead to non 20/20 vision.
Legal blindness describes a condition that a person cannot achieve 20/200 vision or better in their best eye, even with glasses. Also, someone whose visual field is smaller than 20 degrees- this is applicable to conditions that impair your peripheral vision, such as glaucoma.
To make certain you are seeing as clearly as possible, schedule a yearly eye exam.
Everything optically is measured at a twenty foot distance(20 feet is considered optical infinity). However, exam rooms typically are not 20 feet long, but with the use of mirrors and certain types of charts, the same effect as a 20 foot distance in achieved.
20/20 means that what someone with perfect vision sees at 20 feet is the same as what you would see. 20/40 vision means that an object a person with perfect vision sees at 40 feet, you would have to walk up to 20 feet away to see the same object. The same is said for 20/50, 20/100, etc.
Most people have the potential to see 20/20 either unaided or with the help of glasses or contacts. However, some conditions are not correctable even with help. Macular degeneration, cataracts, retinitis pigmentosis, and many other conditions may cause a loss of vision that may lead to non 20/20 vision.
Legal blindness describes a condition that a person cannot achieve 20/200 vision or better in their best eye, even with glasses. Also, someone whose visual field is smaller than 20 degrees- this is applicable to conditions that impair your peripheral vision, such as glaucoma.
To make certain you are seeing as clearly as possible, schedule a yearly eye exam.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
February is AMD and Low Vision Awareness Month
February has been announced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and low vision awareness month. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss for seniors. AMD can result in low vision, a phrase eye doctors use to describe significant visual impairment that is sometimes called “legal blindness” or almost total blindness. For those with AMD, a degenerative eye disease, impairment is caused to the macula, the area of the retina which produces sharp vision in the central visual field. AMD causes a vision loss relating to the central vision zone, but usually leaves peripheral vision intact.
Vision Impairment from age-related macular degeneration usually comes on gradually and painlessly over time but occasionally disruptions in vision can be sudden. Early signs of low vision from AMD include blurred areas in your central visual field or very distorted vision. While AMD doesn’t have a cure yet, early detection and attention is known to stop advancement of the degeneration and therefore prevent vision loss. For individuals who have already lost acuity, a normal life can be maintained with low-vision rehabilitation.
Those at higher risk of AMD include individuals over 65, females, Caucasians and individuals with light eyes, severe farsightedness or family members with the disease. Controllable risk factors include smoking, hypertension, exposure to UV light and obesity. Paying attention to overall physical health and good nutrition has been determined to be preventative.
Those who suffer from low vision should speak to their eye doctor about low vision rehabilitation and specialized equipment that can support a return to favorite activities. After a proper eye exam, a low vision professional can recommend suitable low vision aids such as reading telescopes and non-optical adaptive aids such as special light fixtures and signatureguides.
Because so many eye diseases can be prevented by early diagnosis, eye doctors recommend a routine yearly eye exam for all ages. Your awareness can lead to prevention of vision loss.
Vision Impairment from age-related macular degeneration usually comes on gradually and painlessly over time but occasionally disruptions in vision can be sudden. Early signs of low vision from AMD include blurred areas in your central visual field or very distorted vision. While AMD doesn’t have a cure yet, early detection and attention is known to stop advancement of the degeneration and therefore prevent vision loss. For individuals who have already lost acuity, a normal life can be maintained with low-vision rehabilitation.
Those at higher risk of AMD include individuals over 65, females, Caucasians and individuals with light eyes, severe farsightedness or family members with the disease. Controllable risk factors include smoking, hypertension, exposure to UV light and obesity. Paying attention to overall physical health and good nutrition has been determined to be preventative.
Those who suffer from low vision should speak to their eye doctor about low vision rehabilitation and specialized equipment that can support a return to favorite activities. After a proper eye exam, a low vision professional can recommend suitable low vision aids such as reading telescopes and non-optical adaptive aids such as special light fixtures and signatureguides.
Because so many eye diseases can be prevented by early diagnosis, eye doctors recommend a routine yearly eye exam for all ages. Your awareness can lead to prevention of vision loss.
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