Is Lasik Eye Surgery Safe For Kids? 

By Dawn Bradshaw  

The topic of Lasik eye surgery and its effectiveness in vision correction for children is a highly debated one. According to the FDA, Lasik should be performed only on people above 18 years of age. The other criteria for performing Lasik is that, the vision condition of the patient should be stable for the past year, which is often difficult for children that are having issues with their vision. Because of this, Lasik surgery is normally not recommended for kids.

What does the medical community say?
Lasik surgery can offer superb results in correcting vision issues even in children. Some, prominent ophthalmologists believe that Lasik can be used for children who cannot wear glasses or contact lenses. This is performed particularly for those children who are not able to read or write properly due to poor vision. There is a direct connection between the eyes and the brain, and the development process of this connection continues until children reach age 7 to 8 and this development process might be hindered by LASIK surgery. On the other hand, according to some eye specialists, maximizing the vision of the eye before the developmental process is complete is vital to ensure that the children have complete vision.

Why Lasik might be ineffective for kids?
The Lasik surgery procedure involves creating a corneal flap, and then using a laser to reshape the cornea. Reshaping the cornea corrects the inability of the cornea to focus incoming light directly onto the lens. However, as a child, the cornea, and lens of the eye is also expected to grow and change their shape naturally. So, if Lasik is performed on a child, the cornea might grow into a different shape again as they grow, making the previous process ineffective. Performing Lasik for children should only be performed for severe cases where it is the only option available for vision correction.

Children can be affected by numerous eye disorders. With proper treatment, these eye problems can be corrected, but they need to be diagnosed at an early age. By performing an eye examination, a skilled ophthalmologist can determine whether your child will be able to see without glasses or lenses in the near future or not. Nowadays, medical science has advanced and most children's eye problems can be solved by the use of different medications or surgeries. With the progress of these new technologies, many critical problems like retinopathy, pediatric glaucoma, cataracts, ptosis and many other abnormal visual imbalances are now being treated and corrected successfully.
 

The physicians at Ophthalmology Associates have offered eye care services in Fort Worth, HEB, Weatherford, and Granbury for over 40 years. For more information call us at (817) 332-2020 or Contact Us Online to request an appointment by simply filling out the on-line form. It's a beautiful world, you deserve to see it well!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dawn_Bradshaw

Effects of Stress on Peripheral Vision - Exercises to Improve Your Peripheral Vision 

By Joel Travers King  

  
    

Stress presents a challenge when it comes to maximizing our performance in the workplace. Its effects range from an inability to focus on tasks to forgetfulness, irritability and high blood pressure. Additionally, in extreme cases, we may even experience headaches or find ourselves bumping into objects at times. However, Regardless of these stress factors, there are a series of peripheral vision exercises that can reduce the effects of stress on the visual system while increasing our peripheral eyesight.

What is Peripheral vision? Peripheral vision is defined as that area of sight at the edges or the sides of your visual field. A scientific study conducted by 2 researchers Mark B. Anderson, PHD of Beloit College and Jean M. Williams, PHD of the University of Arizona, required a group of participants to do an evaluation about various stressful situations and hassles in their lives. The results of that study concluded that people who were exposed to higher levels of stress reported that there was a reduction in their peripheral vision. This was evident in their inability to perform visually challenging tasks. This study highlights the critical need to reduce stress in our lives through the practice of peripheral vision techniques.

The good news is the fact that a series of peripheral vision exercises can correct these vision problems. These exercises have several benefits: This includes correcting visual imbalances therefore, causing both eyes to work together equally. A simple technique involves blocking off your central vision which is defined as the aspect of sight located in the middle of our visual field. Why is blocking your central vision important? Because both of your eyes have two different peripheries. When you block your central vision, the brain responds automatically by registering both peripheries. This is a means by which you can increase your peripheral vision while equalizing the balance between both eyes.

Here are some additional tips that will help you to better improve your peripheral vision:
Become more aware of things in your surroundings. Be seated in a comfortable chair and take off your glasses or contacts. Make an effort to observe as much of your surroundings to your left and to your right. The biggest challenge involved in performing such a technique is the fact that you may notice that your brain struggles to prevent you from observing both sides simultaneously. This causes you to neglect one side of your periphery. However, this challenge can be overcome by practicing the following technique:

• Sit at your computer and try to maintain your periphery. This technique requires you to wave your hands to the sides of your face. Then, try to increase your visual awareness so that you notice the rest of your environment beyond your computer screen. An additional benefit of this technique is relief from eye strain. (self-healing.org/peripheral-vision-exercises, 2009).

Peripheral vision exercises are an effective way to reduce stress in our eyes. They incorporate a series of vision techniques that increase our awareness of our surroundings which in turn boost our peripheral eyesight. The benefits are quite positive ranging from restoring the ability of both eyes to work together in perfect balance, to preventing visual imbalances and relieving stress and tension in the eyes. Ultimately, Peripheral exercises provide many benefits in terms of promoting and enhancing our precious eyesight.
 

I am Joel King and I am City College Broadcasting graduate who has done extensive research in the field of natural vision improvement.As a success story, I enjoy helping others discover effective vision alternatives to glasses and contacts.Improve the quality of your life with this effective eye program that increases your peripheral vision while reducing stress in your life today!Visit: http://betternaturalvision.com

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Keratitis Types And How To Treat Them

By Caroline Hawthorn 

Keratitis can be caused by a number of things. The three major types of this condition are fungal, bacterial, and viral, depending on the specific cause of the condition. The cornea of your eye becomes irritated or inflamed, and this is normally the result of an injury or corneal penetration that results in an infection. This condition is not difficult to treat once a diagnosis of the cause has been made, but it is important that you receive treatment right away. Waiting too long can cause permanent blindness in some cases. Approximately fifty thousand people will develop this condition each year, and the specific treatment will depend on what the cause is. Good hygiene and hand washing practices could prevent many of these cases.

Fungal keratitis is caused by a fungal infection. The fungi responsible can be one of more than seventy different fungus species that has been known to cause this condition. Fungal infections as the cause are rare, but they are more common in tropical climates. It can be very difficult for an ophthalmologist to isolate the specific fungus responsible so that the right treatment can be given. Once the cause has been identified as a fungus then you may be prescribed or given anti fungal ointment or drops to use in your affected eye as directed. This condition has risen significantly in the last three decades, and many believe it is due to the use of corticosteroids and other immune suppressant drugs given to treat the corneal inflammation.

Bacterial keratitis can be caused by a number of different bacterial infections. One of the most common causes is not cleaning or taking proper care of contact lenses, which allow bacteria into your cornea. Another cause is using daily wear lenses which are soft and then leaving these contacts in overnight. Makeup that has been contaminated by bacteria can also cause this condition. If your condition is caused by bacteria you may wake in the morning and be unable to open your eyes because they are stuck shut. This form of the condition can be very aggressive, and should be treated immediately. Antibacterial ointments or drops will be prescribed for you to place in your eyes. These medications will kill off the bacteria causing the inflammation and infection. This condition can be contagious, so make sure you wash your hands and any objects which touch your affected eye thoroughly.

Viral keratitis is most commonly caused by an infection with the herpes simplex virus, but this is not always the case. While herpes simplex causes many cases of this condition it can also be caused by the varicella zoster virus, as well as adenoviruses. If the herpes simplex virus is the cause of your corneal problems in this case it can recur whenever you have an outbreak. If you do not seek treatment this could result in scarring on your cornea, problems with your vision, or even glaucoma or blindness eventually. Anti viral eye drops or ointments may be prescribed, as well as medications to reduce the inflammation in your cornea. In severe cases surgery may be required to remove any damaged or dead corneal tissue.

Caroline Hawthorn is one of the authors of the health informational web portal HealthArticles101.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caroline_Hawthorn

Dealing With Dry Eye Irritation 

By Adrian Whittle 

A frequent complaint that eye doctors will come across is dry eye irritation. Many people have this problem to the extent that they will seek help from their doctor or an eye specialist. The problem stems from problems with tears or the tear duct and is known as dry eye syndrome. This article will look at the syndrome and suggest some possible ways to treat it.

Typical Symptoms

Dry eye irritation is normally a burning or stinging sensation. The eyes could be itchy and feel scratchy when moving under the eye lids. Irritation can be started by environmental conditions such as air pollution or exposure to bad weather conditions such as winds and storms. Irritation may also be caused by some obstruction on the surface of the eye like wearing contact lenses.

It may sound like a contradiction, but another sign of dry eyes could be watery eyes. The surface of the eye is kept moist by the tear ducts. If the eyes are dry there is a possibility that the tears ducts compensate for this dryness by producing more tears. This can flood the drainage system of your eyes causing watery eyes and irritation.

Treating Dry Eyes

Using eye drops is the first treatment that a person may try. This is not so much solving the problem but giving relief for dry eyes. Many brands of eye drops can be bought at pharmacies without a prescription. However, if the dry eyes persist then it is probably a good idea to see your doctor.
Being exposed to dry or smoky environments will cause dry eyes. If your eyes are sensitive to this then avoid places where these conditions are prevalent. Many bars may be smoky and windy conditions can dry out the eyes. By putting humidifiers in your home you can relieve dry eyes. Humidifiers put water into the air and clear out smoke.

Further Examination

Dry eyes can be diagnosed by a visual examination from your eye doctor or specialist. However more rigorous tests might be carried out to establish the extent of the condition and how the tear ducts are working. Special drops may be used to confirm dry patches on the eyes surface which could identify the cause and any other eye problems.

Causes of Dry Eye Irritation

As we get older the mechanism of the eyes become more worn and weaker. This is the same for tear production and is the major cause for dry eyes. Decreased tear production could be due to changes in hormonal secretion. Menopause is often a time when women may get dry eyes.

Using artificial tears or eye drops can generally help the condition and is a good interim solution for dry eyes. However, if the problem persists it is worth examining your lifestyle. It could be a poor diet, a lack of exercise, stress at work, insomnia, working too hard or medications that you are taking that may exert influence over tear production. A doctor you may be able to help pinpoint where the problems lies by asking you a few questions about your lifestyle and when the condition most often occurs.

Prevention is always better than needing to cure an eye disorder, visit [http://www.eyecareinsight.com] for tips and advice on how to care for your eyes properly. The site has features on the services offered by Vision World Eye Care [http://www.eyecareinsight.com/eye-care/vision-world-eye-care-%e2%80%93-quality-provider-of-eye-care-services-20/] and laser eye surgery in Oklahoma City [http://www.eyecareinsight.com/laser-eye-surgery/laser-eye-surgery-in-oklahoma-city-19/]. Adrian Whittle writes on eye health and care.

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Eye Care Tips for Contact Lens Wearers

By Emily A Roberts  |  

 

It's safe to say that the popularity of contact lenses will grow - even though a lot of people enjoy wearing glasses and fashion brands create pairs that could easily be considered works of contemporary art, the use of contacts is not going to diminish - they're simply too comfortable to be ditched just like that.

There are several ground rules of eye care that everyone who wears lenses should know - our eyes are precious and the constant use of contacts will at some point put a strain on them.

Hygiene First!
Always wash your hands before inserting or removing your contact lenses - you can only imagine how many germs and other nasty things might be transmitted to your eyes via your fingers. Without proper hygiene, you simply risk cold or nasty eye infections.

Think about Allergy
If you're allergic to things like pollen, watch out - your lenses might contribute to the symptoms you're suffering from. Allergens, such as pollen or dander, can stick to your contact lenses, allowing for a prolonged contact with allergens that might end up badly. If your symptoms are really bad, it's best if you wear your glasses for a while. If you simply hate to part with your contact lenses, make sure that you clean them really well or use the disposable lenses at a regular interval.

Use Eye-Drops
Moisturizing eye drops should be a must, especially if you work long hours in front of the computer screen. Dry lenses are not only unpractical - they're also uncomfortable - but they can become plain dangerous and cause damage to our eyes. Use eye drops whenever you feel like it - if you suffer from watery or itchy eyes caused by allergies, resort to these eye drops that include antihistamines.

Make-up Corner
Applying make-up while wearing contacts is a bit risky - your eye shadow might end up sticking to your lenses. How to avoid it? Put them on before you start your make-up routine, use non-allergenic eye-friendly products, use cream rather than powder eye shadow - if you choose powder, keep your eyes closed during the application. Before removing your make-up, make sure to remove your lenses first.

Mind How Long You Use Your Lenses
Make sure you do not wear your lenses longer than you should - contacts for two weeks should be worn for two weeks not two months. The dirt and protein deposits accumulate and can cause eye infections, irritation or even permanent damage to your eyes.

Give Your Eyes a Rest Once in a While
It is great to break your habit sometimes and opt for glasses instead of your usual contacts. It is important that your eyes breathe - make sure to always use highly breathable lenses and wear your glasses for a few hours a day to let your corneas get some oxygen.

Keep Your Eyes in Check
Keep regular appointments with your ophthalmologist - visit him at least once a year. If your eyes get weaker and you keep on wearing your old contacts, you are in for trouble - just like old glasses, lenses are not safe and can cause headaches.

For more information about contact lenses, visit http://www.webcontacts.com.au.

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School Vision Screenings Vs. Eye Exams

By Dr. Grace Kim

     

Because the ability to see well has such a direct relationship with a student's ability to behave and succeed in school, students across the nation are receiving vision screenings while in school. But what exactly does a school vision screening entail, and how does it differ from visiting your local eye doctor for a professional eye exam?

School Screening

Much of the learning that our children do is based entirely on being able to see their materials, whether that is the book in front of them, their test paper, or the teacher's notes on the blackboard. It comes as no surprise, then, that schools are invested in learning whether students can see properly and that they report their findings to parents out of hopes that the parents will fix the problem.

Schools regularly perform school vision screenings to check a child's eyesight and ability to see things far away. Vision screenings are often a parent's first professional notice that their child may be struggling to see. Sadly, they are no substitute for an eye exam. These screenings are often performed by school nurses, not by optometrists, and students are not thoroughly tested to determine all potential issues. The American Optometric Association specifically warns that school vision screenings are not able to accurately assess your child's eye health.

Eye Exam

In contrast, a professionally conducted eye exam puts you, your child, and a doctor in a room and ensures that your child's vision is fully tested to determine what issues, if any, exist. Should your child have vision difficulties, your eye doctor will be able to give them a prescription to correct their vision after the exam. Even children who pass their school vision screenings should be examined by an eye doctor to ensure that there are no issues that school screeners may have missed.

There is No Substitute for a Real Eye Exam!

Remember: although school vision screenings may help you to determine that your child's eyes are not performing at their best, they are no substitute for having a professional optometrist examine your child. School vision screeners have to examine a very high number of patients, and they are simply unable to take the time they need to ensure that they have a proper prescription for your child.
Instead, these screenings are largely intended to help parents know that their child needs to have an official eye exam and be fitted for glasses.

If your child has had a school vision screening and the screener recommended that your child be fitted for glasses, don't delay: schedule an eye exam with a doctor of optometry as soon as you can. Poor vision can have a wide-reaching effect on your child, including contributing to behavioral problems and poor grades. Giving your child the gift of healthy eyesight is often the best gift you could ever give them.
 

Dr. Grace Kim is Chairperson for Clinical Advisory Panel of America's Best, a nationwide eyeglasses retailer. With over 300 locations nationwide, America's Best provides thousands of high quality eyewear to customers every day. They carry a wide selection of designer eyeglasses and contact lenses in each of their stores, and they also offer eye exams. Learn more about designer eyeglasses at http://www.twopair.com/eyeglasses/designer-glasses/

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3 Steps for Preventing Macular Degeneration

By Patrick T Langley

     

    

Sometimes we don't think about how valuable our eyesight is until something threatens the loss of our vision. Macular degeneration is one real threat to our vision as we age. In fact, macular degeneration is the leading cause of fine vision loss in Americans over the age of 60, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that affects the macula, a part of the eye's retina that provides central vision. Central vision refers to the sharp, focused kind of vision that allows you to see objects clearly. It's necessary for many daily-living tasks, including driving and reading.

Since the damage caused by macular degeneration cannot be undone, it pays to take steps to prevent macular degeneration. Here are three research-proven steps that can help prevent the onset of AMD:

1) Eat Well: We all know that our diet plays a big part in the condition of our overall health, and the health of our eyes is no exception. According to amdalliance.org, research has shown that eating a diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens, can reduce the risk of AMD. Dark leafy greens include kale, collards, and spinach.

The types of fats you take in are also important in preventing macular degeneration. A study done by the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary found that "bad" fats, such as the ones found in processed snack foods, increased the risk of macular degeneration.

Foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly albacore tuna and salmon, reduced the risk of AMD. Thus, try to avoid foods like potato chips, French fries, and prepackaged cakes, pies, and cookies. Try instead to eat two or more servings of fish high in Omega-3s a week.

2) Don't Smoke: Many studies, including a 1996 study published in JAMA, showed that men who smoked twenty or more cigarettes a day had an increased risk of developing AMD compared to non-smokers. If you're a smoker, saving your eye-sight is another reason to quit. Even if you don't think you can quit altogether, reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke daily to less than twenty may help reduce your risk of AMD, though quitting altogether is preferable.

3) Schedule Routine Eye Exams: Since the damage of AMD cannot be reversed, it's important for the condition to be caught early so that treatment can begin. All adults over the age of forty should have an eye exam at least every two years. Adults over the age of sixty should have a yearly eye exam. These exams should be comprehensive, dilated eye exams performed by an ophthalmologist. A skilled ophthalmologist will be able to catch AMD in its earliest stages.

It may be hard to pass up that bag of chips or another cigarette, especially when your eyesight doesn't seem currently threatened. But if you work to keep yourself healthy now, your eyes will stay healthy later.

If you're over the age of forty and haven't had an eye exam lately, look for a board-certified ophthalmologist in your area and schedule an appointment today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patrick_T_Langley

How to Protect Your Eyes - The Importance of Wearing Sunglasses

By Joel Travers King

 

Whether we are at the beach swimming or playing volleyball, at the park enjoying a delicious picnic, or taking the kids to summer camp, except for the heat and the humidity, we can all agree that the summer is a fun and enjoyable occasion for the whole family. However, in the midst of all the fun and games, it's essential to protect our eyes from the harmful U.V rays of the sun. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is better than cure and wearing sunglasses can protect our eyes from a series of eye problems and conditions.

Eye exercises are natural techniques used to protect and strengthen the eyes. An additional benefit of eye exercises is the fact that they reduce the eye's sensitivity to light. Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun and as such, they are a good compliment to your eye exercise program.

A study by the New England Eye Institute revealed some surprising facts about the attitude of Americans to wearing sunglasses. The study stated that while 80% of Americans are aware of the harmful effects of U.V rays on the skin, only 5% are aware of its damaging effects on the eyes.

In a 2012 survey, the American Vision Council listed the reasons people don't wear sunglasses.

About 50% of the respondents said that they forget their sunglasses. Another 20% said that they didn't think that the U.V rays posed a serious risk to their eye health. 14% admitted that they have a tendency to break or lose their glasses often.

Here are some helpful tips to eliminate this problem:
Always have a few extra pairs handy. Have one specific place where you keep them regularly. This way you'll never forget where you put them.

Wearing sunglasses is important because repeated, excess, lonterm exposure to the U.V rays of the sun can cause cataracts, macular degeneration, and cancer of the eye, eye lid or tender skin around the eyes. Last but not the least of eye problems is a painful condition called Photokeratitis. This is defined as a painful sunburn of the eye that causes the symptom of temporary vision loss for a period of 2 days and Pterygiums which is described as a growth of tissue around the edge of the cornea that can only be corrected by surgical removal. Sunglasses should be worn regardless of weather conditions as the potential dangers of U.V rays are ever present in sunny weather and also cloudy weather.

In terms of choosing the right pair, it's important to ensure that they block 100% of U.V rays of the sun. An ideal pair of sunglasses that provide maximum protection from the sun would be a pair of sunglasses with the ANSI label on it. ANSI stands for the American National Standards Institute. It is a common misconception that the darker the shade of the sunglasses, the greater the protection. In fact, wearing a darker shade defeats the purpose of your sunglasses because they cause the pupils to dilate, causing more U.V rays to enter the eyes. It is not the shade of darkness that matters but it is the coating on the lenses that makes them safe. Store bought sunglasses are more reliable than those purchased from a street vendor.

Sunglasses are a good compliment to your eye exercise program. It's like having insurance for the eyes, safeguarding them from the dangers of the harmful U. V rays of the sun. Follow these tips and have a fun and happy summer season that is free from worries and stress.

I am a natural vision improvement success story. Having done extensive research in the field of natural vision improvement, I enjoy helping others protect and improve their vision. Take the next step to sharper, clearer, eyesight today! Visit http://betternaturalvision.com

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MLA Style Citation:
King, Joel T. "How to Protect Your Eyes - The Importance of Wearing Sunglasses." How to Protect Your Eyes - The Importance of Wearing Sunglasses. 28 Jun. 2012 EzineArticles.com. 5 Jan. 2014 <http://ezinearticles.com/?How-­to-­Protect-­Your-­Eyes-­-­-­The-­Importance-­of-­Wearing-­Sunglasses&id=7149466>.

APA Style Citation:
King, J. T. (2012, June 28). How to Protect Your Eyes - The Importance of Wearing Sunglasses. Retrieved January 5, 2014, from http://ezinearticles.com/?How-­to-­Protect-­Your-­Eyes-­-­-­The-­Importance-­of-­Wearing-­Sunglasses&id=7149466

Chicago Style Citation:
King, Joel T. "How to Protect Your Eyes - The Importance of Wearing Sunglasses." How to Protect Your Eyes - The Importance of Wearing SunglassesEzineArticles.com. http://ezinearticles.com/?How-­to-­Protect-­Your-­Eyes-­-­-­The-­Importance-­of-­Wearing-­Sunglasses&id=7149466

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