Category → Vision Health
Information on Your Eyes for Kids
Which part of your body lets you read the back of a cereal box, check out a rainbow, and see a softball heading your way? Which part lets you cry when you’re sad and makes tears to protect itself? Which part has muscles that adjust to let you focus on things that are close up or far away? If you guessed the eye, you’re right!
Your eyes are at work from the moment you wake up to the moment you close them to go to sleep. They take in tons of information about the world around you — shapes, colors, movements, and more. Then they send the information to your brain for processing so the brain knows what’s going on outside of your body.
You can see that the eye’s pretty amazing. So, come on — let’s take a tour of its many parts.
The Parts of the Eye
You can check out different parts of the eye by looking at your own eye in the mirror or by looking at (but not touching) a friend’s eye. Some of the eye’s parts are easy to see, so most friends will say OK. Most friends won’t say OK if you ask to see their liver!
Big As a Ping Pong Ball
The eye is about as big as a ping-pong ball and sits in a little hollow area (the eye socket) in the skull. The eyelid protects the front part of the eye. The lid helps keep the eye clean and moist by opening and shutting several times a minute. This is called blinking, and it’s both a voluntary and involuntary action, meaning you can blink whenever you want to, but it also happens without you even thinking about it.
The eyelid also has great reflexes, which are automatic body responses, that protect the eye. Don’t forget eyelashes. They work with the eyelids to keep dirt and other unwanted stuff out of your eyes.
The white part of the eyeball is called the sclera (say: sklair-uh). The sclera is made of a tough material and has the important job of covering most of the eyeball. Think of the sclera as your eyeball’s outer coat. Look very closely at the white of the eye, and you’ll see lines that look like tiny pink threads. These are blood vessels, the tiny tubes that deliver blood, to the sclera.
The cornea (say: kor-nee-uh), a transparent dome, sits in front of the colored part of the eye. The cornea helps the eye focus as light makes its way through. It is a very important part of the eye, but you can hardly see it because it’s made of clear tissue. Like clear glass, the cornea gives your eye a clear window to view the world through.
Iris Is The Colorful Part
Behind the cornea are the iris, the pupil, and the anterior chamber. The iris (say: eye-riss) is the colorful part of the eye. When we say a person has blue eyes, we really mean the person has blue irises! The iris has muscles attached to it that change its shape. This allows the iris to control how much light goes through the pupil (say: pyoo-pul).
The pupil is the black circle in the center of the iris, which is really an opening in the iris, and it lets light enter the eye. To see how this works, use a small flashlight to see how your eyes or a friend’s eyes respond to changes in brightness. The pupils will get smaller when the light shines near them and they’ll open wider when the light is gone.
The eyes you have will be yours forever — treat them right and they’ll never be out of sight!
Information for this article comes from Kids Health from Nemours, “Your Eyes”. To see more on this subject go to http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/eyes.html.
Dr. Ronald J. Martin of VisionHealth Optometry focuses on quality eye care services to family members of all ages. Services include eye exams, contact lens fittings, retinal photography, pre- and post-operative care, and glasses frames and lens selection. Dr. Martin’s office is located at 1440 Medical Center Dr. Suite2, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. He can be reached at 707-206-0290 or email him at questions@vision-health.com. Visit VisionHealth Optometry online at http://www.vision-health.com.
Dr. Martin is a member of the California Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, the Redwood Empire Optometric Society, and the Optometry Alumni Association of the University of California.
How vision problems can affect elderly drivers
Thanks to advances in modern medicine, the average person is living longer than ever before, which means there are more older drivers on the road. But if you are over 60, your eyesight probably is not as good as it once was. Age-related vision changes that commonly affect senior drivers include: decreased ability to clearly see road signs and/or objects up close, like the instrument panel or road maps; changes in color perception; difficulty judging distances and speed; slower reaction times; loss of peripheral vision; problems seeing in low light or nighttime conditions; and difficulty adjusting to glare from oncoming headlights or the sun.
While these changes don’t mean you have to turn in your car keys and give up your freedom, there are some simple things you can do to stay as safe as possible on the road.
Almost half of all collisions involving older drivers occur at intersections, and are commonly due to a failure to yield, especially when making a left turn. Peripheral vision decreases as we age, so turning your head and looking both ways before proceeding into an intersection will increase your vision range.
Reduce your speed, particularly when driving at night. As we age, our pupils don’t dilate as quickly in the dark, which means you may have more trouble seeing at night, or you will be temporarily blinded by the glare of oncoming headlights. Whenever possible, limit your driving to daylight hours, and avoid driving on unfamiliar roads.
It’s a good idea for seniors to take a driving course designed specifically for older drivers. These courses describe the physical changes that may affect driving ability as we age, and how to compensate for them. They are typically offered by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the American Automobile Association (AAA), driving schools, or adult education programs. For more information, check out the Senior Guide for Safe Driving, http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl625/dl625senior.pdf
Anyone over the age of 60 should have a regular eye exam at least every two years (more often if you have certain eye conditions or other health issues which may affect eyesight). Annual exams will ensure your prescription is up to date, as well as provide early detection of developing eye problems that could affect your driving.
Avoid wearing glasses with wide frames or temples, which may restrict side vision. Ask your eye doctor about special eyeglasses, such as those with anti-reflective coatings, which can cut down on glare, or lenses developed with wavefront technology, which may reduce halos, starbursts, and glare.
Finally, as a senior driver, it’s important to know your limitations. Consider limiting your driving to shorter trips during daylight hours, and leave the late-night driving duties to someone else. Leave more distance between yourself and other drivers to compensate for the decrease in reaction time.
What are you doing to preserve your ability to drive through your golden years? If you had to stop driving because of poor vision or other reasons, how would you get around without a car?
Dr. Ronald J. Martin of VisionHealth Optometry focuses on quality eye care services to family members of all ages. Services include eye exams, contact lens fittings, retinal photography, pre- and post-operative care, and glasses frames and lens selection. Dr. Martin’s office is located at 1440 Medical Center Dr. Suite2, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. He can be reached at 707-206-0290 or email him at questions@vision-health.com. Visit VisionHealth Optometry online at http://www.vision-health.com.
Dr. Martin is a member of the California Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, the Redwood Empire Optometric Society, and the Optometry Alumni Association of the University of California.
Aging eyes: What’s normal, what’s not
Some rights reserved by BLW Photography
If you are over 40, you’ve probably started noticing some subtle changes in your vision. You might find yourself holding reading material at arms length in order to see the print clearly. You become temporarily blinded when you walk into a dark movie theater, and again when you walk back out into the bright sunlight. You may think you’ve finally lost your mind when your grandchild asks why you’re wearing one blue sock and one black one. But don’t worry, these are all perfectly normal signs of aging.
Just as you might lose the ability to touch your toes or clasp your hands behind your back, the lens in your eye loses flexibility with age, making it difficult to focus and see clearly at close distances, such as when reading or working on the computer. This normal sign of aging, known as presbyopia, starts around age 40 and progresses until the age of 65-70. As part of the natural aging process, presbyopia can’t be prevented or cured, but is easily corrected with reading glasses, bifocals or corrective surgery.
The lens of your eye tends to yellow with age, making it harder to see differences in certain shades of colors, making those navy blue and black socks look identical. This loss of contrast sensitivity is usually not a huge problem, but if it becomes significant, it could be a sign of cataracts.
That same yellowing of the lens means that less light can enter the eye, so you may need more light for close activities such as reading. The pupil is slower to react to changes in light, so it takes longer to adjust to dim or bright lights, such as when exiting a dark building into the bright sunlight, or vice versa. You may also become much more sensitive to glare (which could also be an early sign of cataracts).
Floaters (tiny black specks moving across your field of vision), are bits of fluid within the eye that have solidified, and are usually nothing more than a minor annoyance. However, if they significantly increase, or are accompanied by bright, flashing lights, it could indicate a retinal detachment, and should be treated immediately.
With age, we produce fewer tears, making dry eye a common problem in older adults. If your eyes feel dry and irritated, you may use artificial tears as needed, or consult your eye doctor for other options.
Loss of peripheral vision is a normal part of aging, and you can expect to lose up to 20-30 degrees of your visual field over the course of your lifetime. However, if the loss seems sudden or significant, it could be a sign of glaucoma and should be checked.
A baseline eye exam is recommended at age 40, with routine exams at least every two years thereafter, particularly if you have a family history of eye disease. As you reach your 60s and beyond, be attentive to warning signs of age-related eye problems such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts. If the symptoms listed above become severe or persistent, or if you experience sudden hazy or blurred vision, pain in or around the eye, double vision, seeing halos around lights, changes in the color of the iris, or a blind spot in the middle of your field of vision, contact your eye doctor.
You can’t escape age-related vision changes, but knowing what to expect and when to seek professional care are important steps to protecting your vision. For more information on the impact of aging on vision, visit the National Eye Institute at nei.nih.gov.
Dr. Ronald J. Martin of VisionHealth Optometry focuses on quality eye care services to family members of all ages. Services include eye exams, contact lens fittings, retinal photography, pre- and post-operative care, and glasses frames and lens selection. Dr. Martin’s office is located at 1440 Medical Center Dr. Suite2, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. He can be reached at 707-206-0290 or email him at questions@vision-health.com. Visit VisionHealth Optometry online at http://www.vision-health.com.
Dr. Martin is a member of the California Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, the Redwood Empire Optometric Society, and the Optometry Alumni Association of the University of California.
Attention disorder…or vision problem?
Is your child being treated for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? Perhaps they display some of the classic signs of these conditions, such as high distractibility, short attention span, difficulty concentrating, making careless mistakes, failing to complete assignments, fidgeting or being off task.
However, the cause may not be a true deficit in attention, but an undetected, learning-related vision problem called convergence insufficiency (CI).
CI is one of the more common developmental vision problems found in children, and, because it can cause symptoms similar to those of attention disorders, is often misdiagnosed. For more information on the relationship between CI and attention disorders, visit: http://www.add-adhd.org/convergence_insufficiency.html.
Children with CI have to work harder to use their two eyes together, especially at close distances, such as when they are reading and writing. Print on the page may jump around, causing a great deal of eyestrain as the child tries to focus. To see how a child with CI might experience reading, go to: http://www.childrensvision.com/reading.htm.
Eventually, the child needs a “vision break” and will typically fidget or wander around the room, talk to their neighbor, or otherwise avoid the activities that make them uncomfortable. Their schoolwork may suffer, and they may be labeled as “lazy” or told they could do better if they tried harder.
CI, and other learning-related vision problems, can’t be detected by a simple eye chart test. A child can have 20/20 vision and still have an underlying functional vision problem. A simple test to check for CI can be found at http://convergence-insufficiency.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/convergenceinsufficiencytest1.jpg.
Also, a child may not realize that his vision isn’t normal. All he knows is that reading and writing are difficult, and he will do just about anything to get out of doing it.
In any case, if your child is having a hard time paying attention in school, it’s a good idea to set up a comprehensive eye exam to be sure there is no underlying vision problem.
Dr. Ronald J. Martin of VisionHealth Optometry focuses on quality eye care services to family members of all ages. Services include eye exams, contact lens fittings, retinal photography, pre- and post-operative care, and glasses frames and lens selection. Dr. Martin’s office is located at 1440 Medical Center Dr. Suite2, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. He can be reached at 707-206-0290 or email him at questions@vision-health.com. Visit VisionHealth Optometry online at http://www.vision-health.com.
Dr. Martin is a member of the California Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, the Redwood Empire Optometric Society, and the Optometry Alumni Association of the University of California.
MORE INFORMATION AND A VIDEO ON GLAUCOMA
Click This for Video: GlauMediacoma on YouTube
Glaucoma refers to a category of eye disorders often associated with a dangerous buildup of internal eye pressure (intraocular pressure or IOP), which can damage the eye’s optic nerve that transmits visual information to the brain.
If untreated or uncontrolled, glaucoma first causes peripheral vision loss and eventually can lead to blindness.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the most common type of glaucoma — called primary open-angle glaucoma — affects an estimated 2.2 million people in the United States, and that number is expected to increase to 3.3 million by 2020 as the U.S. population ages.
Glaucoma can be very destructive to your vision; in fact, it's the second-leading cause of blindness in the United States.
Glaucoma Treatments
Treatment can involve glaucoma surgery, lasers or medication, depending on the severity. Eye drops with medication aimed at lowering IOP usually are tried first to control glaucoma.
Because glaucoma often is painless, people may become careless about strict use of eye drops that can control eye pressure and help prevent permanent eye damage.
In fact, non-compliance with a program of prescribed glaucoma medication is a major reason for blindness caused by glaucoma.
If you find that the eye drops you are using for glaucoma are uncomfortable or inconvenient, never discontinue them without first consulting your eye doctor about a possible alternative therapy.
Select information from Gary Heiting, OD, and Marilyn Haddrill;
contributions and review by Charles Slonim, MD at http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/glaucoma.htm
How to reduce “smart phone squint”
Young Woman Texting by Petr Kratochvil
Do you spend hours every day staring at your smart phone, texting, reading, playing games and browsing websites? Do you often suffer from headaches, dry or tired eyes, blurred vision or focusing problems after doing so?
If this sounds familiar, you could be suffering from “smart phone squint,” a condition that can cause the same symptoms as computer vision syndrome, as well as (gasp!) fine lines and wrinkles!
Studies have shown that people tend to hold their smart phone about four inches closer to their eyes than they would hold a newspaper or book. This, combined with smaller font sizes, means the eyes must work harder to focus on the text, which ultimately leads to eye strain.
While there is no evidence that reading from a smart phone causes permanent damage to the eyes, there are a few things you can do to help reduce the strain:
Hold the phone an arm’s length away from your eyes.
- Increase the font size on your device, especially if you will be reading for a sustained period. Many devices have a digital magnifier, or you can search for apps that may help magnify the screen. Load web pages in “landscape” mode.
- Take frequent breaks so your eyes can relax. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Turn down the brightness on your device and reduce the glare on your screen. Don’t use your phone to read in any place you wouldn’t normally read a book.
- Try to save the majority of your web-browsing for when you have access to a regular computer screen. The less time you spend staring at a tiny screen, the better. At the least, consider a larger, touch screen phone.
Do you suffer from “smart phone squint?” Let me know your experiences and what you do to avoid the “smart phone squint.”
Watch out for pink eye during cold and flu season
Here we are, in the heart of the cold and flu season. But there is another infection to be on the lookout for during the winter months – Pink Eye.
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is a common bothersome, but usually harmless, eye disease typically caused by viruses (such as those responsible for the common cold), bacteria, allergens or other irritants, such as chemicals.
In simple terms, conjunctivitis is an inflammation (-itis) of the thin membrane (conjunctiva) covering the white of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. Infection causes the small blood vessels to become irritated and enlarged, giving the eye a red or pink appearance.
I can see fine…why do I need an eye exam?
Eye exam time
Blurry vision, red and irritated eyes, and headaches are common symptoms that might prompt a visit to the eye doctor. But what if you can see perfectly fine? Do you still need to get your eyes checked?
Those who wear corrective lenses should visit their eye doctor regularly to update their prescription. But even if your eyes are “perfectly healthy,” it’s a good idea to schedule a comprehensive eye exam to check for potential problems and diseases, which, in their early stages, may not present with any obvious symptoms.
I WEAR MY SUNGLASSES…IN WINTER?
Many people believe that sunglasses are exclusively a summer fashion accessory. In reality, sunglasses are made for sun, not heat, and those ultra-violet (UV) rays that shine down during warm weather are present in the winter as well. In fact, some might argue that it is even MORE important to protect your eyes from the sun and its harsh glare during the winter months.
When purchasing sunglasses, look for a high-quality, comfortable pair that completely shields your eyes and is capable of blocking 100% of UV rays. Polarized lenses can help minimize the surface glare created by water and highways, and are a good choice for those who do a lot of driving or spend time on or near the water. By reducing glare, which causes us to squint, sunglasses help prevent headaches and eyestrain.
Skiers and snowboarders should invest in a pair of quality, properly fitted goggles with polycarbonate lenses, which will protect the eyes from photo-keratitis or “snow-blindness”, a condition similar to a sunburn on the eyes which can eventually lead to cataracts and macular degeneration. Goggles will also provide a barrier from swinging branches, wayward ski poles and other hazards on the slopes.
Sunglasses also protect your eyes from wind, dust and debris, helping to prevent corneal abrasions from windblown particles, and reducing the evaporation of natural moisture.
MORE TIPS TO WINTERIZE YOUR EYES
Spending more time indoors during the winter means more exposure to forced air heating, which tends to rid the air of moisture, causing irritation and dryness in the eyes. Using a humidifier during the winter months can help keep the eyes moist. Lubricating eye drops may also help treat the symptoms of dry eyes, but talk to your eye doctor first to be sure they are right for your condition.
If you wear contact lenses, it is recommended that you use artificial tears and limit your outdoor exposure. Dry lenses can change shape and stick to the eye, becoming painful and cloudy. Drinking alcohol can make the problem worse.
Finally, a good eye cream, applied day and night, will help protect the delicate eye area from the effects of harsh weather.
What are your secrets and tips for keeping your eyes healthy during the cold winter months?
Dr. Ronald J. Martin of VisionHealth Optometry focuses on quality eye care services to family members of all ages. Services include eye exams, contact lens fittings, retinal photography, pre- and post-operative care, and glasses frames and lens selection. Dr. Martin’s office is located at 1440 Medical Center Dr. Suite2, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. He can be reached at 707-206-0290 or email him at questions@vision-health.com. Visit VisionHealth Optometry online at http://www.vision-health.com.
Dr. Martin is a member of the California Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, the Redwood Empire Optometric Society, and the Optometry Alumni Association of the University of California.
Can Someone with Astigmatism and Presbyopia Wear Contact Lenses?
You went through the hard contact lenses in the 1970s trying to correct your astigmatism and you could not wear those things another day. They sat for years in your medicine cabinet, didn’t they?
Before I answer your question, I need to give you a few factoids.
Contact lenses have been around for more than 100 years. Yes, I said more than 100 years. Many changes have occurred with them since then. Perhaps after you failed with your hard contacts you were told you couldn’t wear contacts at all. Maybe you had to quit wearing your contacts when you got older and your eyes went through a change. Now you have your bifocal glasses and you feel like you are stuck with them.
Here’s another interesting fact. Among Americans who need vision correction there are around 20 percent wearing contacts. You have heard that they correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, but what if you now have all three? Don’t think your only choice is surgery or eye glasses. Times have changed and so have contact lenses.
Even a few years ago you might have been told that contact lenses for astigmatism, called “toric” contacts did not come in disposable, frequent replacement, multifocal or colored varieties. Those statements are no longer true. If you don’t have a very complex prescription, you can get all the things you need to see clearly.
The first correction is to your astigmatism. Fitting for them, whether you choose toric soft lenses or toric gas permeable lenses, will take longer for your eye care practitioner’s time and he needs to have even more expertise than just for fitting regular contacts.
The next major correction will be correcting both astigmatism and presbyopia. The kind of lens for this is the rigid GP lens even though there are some soft toric brands. Chances are they wouldn’t be what you need.
If you have astigmatism and are interested in wearing contact lenses, visit an eye care practitioner who is comfortable fitting toric lenses to see if they meet your needs and work best for you.
Dr. Ronald J. Martin of VisionHealth Optometry focuses on quality eye care services to family members of all ages. Services include eye exams, contact lens fittings, retinal photography, pre- and post-operative care, and glasses frames and lens selection. Dr. Martin’s office is located at 1440 Medical Center Dr. Suite2, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. He can be reached at 707-206-0290 or email him at questions@vision-health.com. Visit VisionHealth Optometry online at http://www.vision-health.com.
Dr. Martin is a member of the California Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, the Redwood Empire Optometric Society, and the Optometry Alumni Association of the University of California.
