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WHY EYE EXAMS REGULARLY?
Many eye and vision conditions present no obvious symptoms, therefore, individuals are often unaware that a problem exists. Even though you may have good vision, eye exams can uncover changes in the eye caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, eye tumors, retinal disorders, glaucoma, and other disorders. Some of these conditions do not have any symptoms in the early stages. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for maintaining good vision, and when possible, preventing permanent vision loss.
CHILDREN & VISION:
- 1 in 4 children has an undetected vision problem.
- 80% of early school learning is obtained through vision.
- School screenings only catch about 5% of all vision problems.
- Some eye diseases do not exhibit obvious symptoms. Your child may not recognize or tell you that they have a vision problem, therefore, regular eye exams are recommended.
COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME (CVS) is the condition of eye and vision problems related to near work that are experienced during or related to computer use. Symptoms often include headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision and other symptoms of eyestrain.
Some people hold their head at an odd angle because their glasses are not designed for looking at a computer. Or they bend toward the screen because they need a vision correction. These postures can result in muscle spasms or pain in the neck, shoulders, or back.
Anyone who spends more than a few hours at a computer each day needs to consult an optometrist for a thorough eye exam. Computer users should describe their work center to the optometrist so he or she can make suggestions for correcting trouble spots that could be contributing to CVS.
Solutions to computer vision problems are varied depending on the person's needs. There is no such thing as over-the-counter, "one size fits all" computer glasses. Computer glasses must be designed for the individual. Several lenses are made specifically for computer users. Most are no-line multifocals that have a wide area for viewing the computer in the upper portion of the lens, and an area for close work, like looking at the keyboard, in the lower portion. They do not correct distance vision as well as lenses for general wear and, therefore, are limited to use at the computer.
UV RAYS
Exposure to UV radiation can harm your eyes and affect your vision. Photokeratitis, which is like a "sunburn of the eye", is usually temporary and rarely causes permanent damage to the eyes. However, long-term exposure to UV radiation can be more serious. It may increase your chance of developing a cataract, and it may cause damage to the retina, which is usually not reversible. It is recommended that you wear quality sunglasses that offer good protection. Your sunglasses should:
- block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation
- screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light
- be perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection
- have lenses that are gray for proper color recognition
Polycarbonate lenses are a must for your sunglasses if you participate in potentially eye hazardous work or sports. These lenses provide the most impact resistance. If you spend a lot of time outdoors in bright sunlight, wrap-around frames can provide additional protection from the harmful UV radiation.
Don't forget protection for children and teenagers. They typically spend more time in the sun than adults.
Some Things To Remember About Contact Lenses:
- Contact lenses, when compared with glasses, require a longer initial examination and more follow-up visits to maintain eye health. Time is also needed for lens care.
- If you are going to wear your contact lenses successfully, you will have to clean and store them properly; adhere to lens wearing schedules; and make appointments for follow-up care.
*Information on this page has been provided by the American Optometric Association and Check Yearly See Clearly®.
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