5 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Their Children's Eye Sight

By Martin Oguzie

Many parents are blissfully unaware of how important the first several years of child development are for eyes. These formative years are critical to the development of good eye sight in childhood and and also determine the quality of vision your child will have in adulthood. It is therefore important to pay particular attention to signs that may be unusual and, the following points are particularly noteworthy.

1. Kids need eye tests - Before your child reaches school age they should get their eyes tested by an optometrist at your local opticians. This means they should be tested by the age of 4 years old if not before this. This is important because any sight problems may hinder your child's learning. Don't assume that schools will screen for this or indeed detect any sight problems.

2. Don't expect your kids to know - Many parents assume that because their child hasn't indicated a problem with their sight, they must be seeing perfectly well. Well, the nature of many gradual sight changes means that many people will not be aware of the effect of this change to their sight. I examine many seemingly good sighted children who come to get their eyes tested only for their parents to learn that their child requires glasses. Make regular eye tests routine.

3. Children's eyes are not born fully developed - Up to the age of about 7-8 years of age the visual system and eyes of a child is still developing. This has several implications. Firstly - it means that any developmental problems with the child's sight discovered well before this age stands a good chance of being reversed with the right treatment or therapy. Secondly - it also means that any development problems discovered after this age is unlikely to be reversible because the visual system is believed to reach maturity around this age. Earlier testing and detection is therefore essential.

4. Computers do not damage sight - A statement that sounds a little controversial and counterintuitive, I know. However there is little if any significant research to support the notion that using computers a lot, or reading a lot for that matter, causes any damage to your child's eyes or the rate of change in their eye sight. Having said that, computers do cause known discomfort issues associated with eyestrain (over tired eye muscles) and dryness. As a result children should have regular breaks from too much computer use and reading. A minimum of 10 minutes every hour and periods of sitting back to change focus to look at objects further away should help deal with fatigue.

Of course, the fact that there is no conclusive evidence of damage or deterioration in sight, caused by excessive computer use, does not mean that caution shouldn't be applied until more is understood.

5. Look out for signs of problems - You should pay attention to signs that may point to your child having a sight or eye problem. Examples include: Holding reading material further away - this may indicate excessive long-sightedness, requiring glasses. Closing one eye - this may indicate that your child is experiencing double vision, requiring investigation urgently. White pupils in photographs - this could be evidence of the most common childhood retinal tumor retinoblastoma, requiring urgent investigation also. Any such suspicious signs are worthy of investigation by your optometrist, so don't delay.

Martin Oguzie is a UK based Optometrist, author and writer at http://www.formyeyes.com

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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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Differences Between LASIK and PRK Eye Surgery

By Kristen Mozayeni           

 

1- Suitable Patients

Determining if a patient is a good candidate for any vision correction procedure is mission critical to its success. Like many things in life, laser vision correction surgery is not "one size fits all." When being evaluated by an experienced, qualified vision correction surgeon, he/she may recommend PRK LASIK over traditional LASIK. The main difference between PRK LASIK and traditional LASIK is the manipulation of a patient's corneal tissue. When a patient has been deemed fit for laser eye surgery, the ophthalmologist may determine PRK LASIK is more appropriate based on one to several factors. Examples of such factors include:

• Previous corneal damage and/or scarring via injury, infection or age that creates corneal fragility
• Increased risk for long-term dryness and/or issues with eye dryness before the procedure
• Employment that includes high risks for ocular injuries
• Corneal thickness that is inadequate for flap creation
• General corneal irregularities that may pose a problem with a traditional LASIK procedure

2- Flap Versus No-Flap

The overarching difference between PRK LASIK and LASIK surrounds the cornea and the way it is manipulated during the procedure. Traditional LASIK vision correction procedures create a small, thin flap close to the corneal surface and slightly reshape the eye's underlying tissue with a laser beam. Think of it like opening a book up in the middle, removing a few pages, and closing the book back up. While PRK LASIK utilizes the exact same laser technology vs. traditional LASIK, PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) does not create a corneal flap as a first step. Instead, a very small area of corneal skin is quickly and painlessly removed to allow for the same laser to then be used to correct the vision in the tissue underneath. Using the same book analogy, a small area of the cover of the book is taken away and then starting with page one, a few pages off the book are removed and then the cover regenerates itself in a few days. After PRK LASIK surgery, a contact lens is placed on the eye for a few days to allow new tissue to quickly grow back underneath it.


3- Recovery Time

This recovery time is accompanied with taking Vitamin C and using eye drops. The final end result of clearer vision when comparing PRK LASIK to traditional LASIK is usually the same when reputable vision correction surgeons perform the procedure. While PRK LASIK surgery does take a little longer for full vision perfection vs. traditional LASIK, most PRK patients are seeing generally well enough to drive and work in just a few days after the procedure.

It is important to keep in mind that neither surgery is necessarily a "better" procedure than the other. The key factor in assessing whether traditional LASIK or PRK LASIK is appropriate is based on the individual patient. Both LASIK vision correction procedures are viable options for patients who are fit candidates.

To find out if your eyes are suitable for traditional or PRK LASIK eye surgery, contact Providence Eye today for a complimentary consultation: http://providenceeye.com/contact-us.php.

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

Choosing the Right Prescription Glasses

By Hermione Cruz

    
Ignore the jokes about having four eyes, many of us need glasses to get through our day! Having limited vision can be a massive problem, it can lead to you having a debilitating life and struggling to make things out is never safe. However, glasses are certainly becoming cooler!

If, like me, you hate the idea of wearing contact lenses, then fear no longer. The days of large milk bottle glasses are done! There are plenty of trendy prescription glasses on the internet. With more popular characters from fiction wearing glasses making them more socially acceptable -although in all honesty they always should have been - you are seeing more flat looking, less obvious glasses.

However, there are some specific things you should think about when you are buying prescription glasses. There are things other than style you need to think about when buying prescription glasses, so when you go to choose consider the following;

• Do they fit your style? You want something that fits your face well, but also goes with the type of clothing you tend to wear. If you can find something that does this, then you are on a winner.

• How often will you wear your glasses? If you only need them for reading or watching the TV, then you don't need to go quite so costly with the glasses - you will only use them intermittently, so keep that in mind.

• Do they fit your head properly? Put your glasses on and move your head up, down, left and right. Do the glasses tilt or fall? If so, then you should consider getting a different pair - your glasses should stay in place.

• What shape do you want? You want something that compliments your eye shape. Try on a pair of oval, rectangle, cat-eye and round styles to see what fits you best!

• If you will need your glasses regularly, then you should consider looking into a durable pair - you never know when you are going to drop them, and if you are dependent on your glasses, you want something that will struggle to break.

Consider all of the following when you go to get your glasses, otherwise you could wind up with a significant issue about your sight - you want to make sure that you get something that not only complements your looks but your style and your needs - there is no point getting extremely strong glasses if you don't really need them, and there's no point getting weaker but cool looking glasses if they are being purchased to make a significant difference to your life.

Finally, consider things like sunlight problems - many people suffer from eye issues when exposed to sunlight for too long, so make sure you look into this and get glasses that will help with your problems with the sun - the sun can do much damage to your eyes if you are not careful.

Overall, though, finding the best prescription glasses really does come down to how much you can take and how determined you are to get the coolest pair versus how much you actually need the glasses! Just remind yourself that functionality is more important than looking cool, despite what others may say.

For your prescription eye glasses needs, get in touch with Vertlite. They provide the best eyewear product while protecting the environment by reducing "eyewear waste" in our production.

The content is the author's own opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views of Vertlite.

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

Cataract Surgery: Advantages and Disadvantages

By Neelam Goswami

Are you suffering from cataract in one or both eyes? Is the cloudiness of the eye's natural lens is robbing you of your vision and quality of life? You no longer need to live with the vision impairment due to cataracts, thanks to cataract surgery.

Anyone thinking about undergoing Cataract surgery should first understand what is cataract.
The simplest definition for cataract is that it is a clouding of the natural lens, also called crystalline lens, in the eye that affects your daily activities and your ability to drive or read, and eventually leads to vision loss.

The only permanent way to repair a cataract is to have a cataract surgery. People with blurred or misty vision decide to have cataract surgery when the cloudiness in the eye's natural lens gets bad enough where the vision cannot be improved with glasses or contact lens.

The surgical removal of cataract is also recommended to prevent other progressive eye disease s, such as diabetic retinopathy- a leading cause of blindness; and macular degeneration- deterioration of the center of the retina which leads to loss of central vision.

Cataract surgery, medically known as phacoemulsification, is performed with minimal sedation and typically takes around 20 minutes.

With the use of an operating microscope, the surgeon makes a very small incision about 3mm wide in the surface of the eye in or near the cornea. The clouded lens is then painlessly dissolved (phacoemulsify) using a fine needle that emits ultrasound waves. After the tiny fragmented pieces are sucked out, a folded artificial lens made from plastic or silicon is placed into the thin capsular bag. This artificial lens unfolds naturally in the eye.

Advantages
Cataract surgery is very simple and almost painless.
It is generally the safest and effective way to restore vision with no serious complications.
After having the surgery, you will be allowed to return home the same day.
One of the biggest advantages of having cataract surgery is undoubtedly the dramatic improvement in the quality of vision.
It helps you get rid of blurry vision and have a better and clearer vision.
The surgery has little or no risks. The percentage of risk associated with the surgical removal of the cataract film from the lens is less than 10%.
Following the surgery, your surgeon keeps you under observation for a couple of hours before marking you to be cleared for discharge.
The recovery time for a cataract surgery is very short. The tiny incision size allows the eye to recover faster.
With greater vision, you can walk, climb stairs, drive car and do household chores more actively.


Disadvantages
Like any other surgery, unexpected complications can occur during, or after, cataract surgery, albeit on rare occasions. The possible complications include:
Similar to any other major operation, the surgery may lead to blood loss
Abnormal reaction to the anaesthetic such as stickiness or itchiness of the eye is possible
Eye infection is also a possibility
Tearing of the lens capsule during surgery, causing reduced vision
Cataract fragments being left inside, requiring a second operation
Possibility of dislocation of the implant and damage to the retina
Inflammation, soreness, irritation, double sight can also occur after he surgery, albeit in very rare cases.
The biggest disadvantage of cataract surgery is that it is very pricey and that not all cataract patients may easily afford to get it done.

The significantly low cost of Cataract Surgery in Tijuana, Mexico lures a majority of US-based patients seeking quick and affordable solution for their blurred vision. Go to any Eye Surgery Center in Mexico, you'll get the eye treatment without spending a fortune.

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

5 Money Saving Tips To Lower The Cost Of LASIK Surgery

By Micah J Thompson   

 

    

Let me ask you something: when you go to buy a car, do you just accept the first price that comes out of the salesperson's mouth? Chances are, you said "no, of course not!". You haggle it down to what you think is a reasonable price, because you did your research. Well, the same ideas apply when choosing a LASIK surgeon as well. Here are 5 tips to lower the cost of laser eye surgery:

1.) Shop Around. There are multiple reasons to do this, but I think the main reason to not just go with the first eye center you come across is that you have nothing to compare it to. After you get a price quote from each place, play them off of each other. If they really want your business (and believe me, they do!), they will match the price or even go lower than a competitor you are looking at. Say something like this: "I really love your company and would love to do business with you, but the price is holding me back. I checked out so-and-so LASIK company and they are $800 cheaper, do you think you could match that?".

2.) Ask For A Discount. Yes, it really is that easy. Most surgery centers have promotions going on at some point in the year. It's best to be blunt with them - ask if they ever do big promotions, such as: Groupon, Mother's Day/Father's Day discount, etc. Find out when these promotions are and then plan your LASIK surgery around that.

3.) Ask The LASIK Center Gives Insurance Discounts. While it's true that insurance companies rarely cover laser eye surgeries, they will sometimes give a small discount. Usually, this amounts to 10-15% off the total amount. It's definitely worth asking about.

4.) Use a Flexible Spending Account. Using an FSA allows you to pay for your LASIK surgery with tax-free dollars. This little trick could end up saving you $100's.

5.) Pick A Reputable Surgeon. This may sound counter-intuitive, but it could actually end up saving you money. Just like you want to go to a good car mechanic, who will fix it right the first time, you also want to choose a great surgeon who has many years of experience. This could potentially save you $1000's in future costs - not to mention give you better vision.

If you give a few of these ideas a try, I'm positive you can cut your LASIK surgery cost by $100's or even $1000's. Good luck on your journey to 20/20 vision!

Micah J Thompson researches the cost of LASIK eye surgery, and posts the findings on his website. He has been a proponent of laser eye surgery for a long time, but suggests doing all your homework before committing to any one surgeon.

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

Eye Care Career Options Comparison

By Elizabeth R Hahn

 

The vision industry is a unique healthcare specialty because it has both a medical and retail branch. Individuals who work in the industry have many options in terms of which career path they wish to pursue based on their personal employment preferences. Those who are considering a career in eye care and who are unfamiliar with the options available to them are encouraged to learn more about the role of the optometrist, ophthalmologist, optician, and optical assistant. Each of these professionals provides unique services to patients and must complete a different course of education and training. Understanding the differences between these specialists will allow individuals to make a more informed decision about which career path to pursue.

An optometrist and ophthalmologist both work primarily on the medical side of vision care, but may have some influence and business interests that stem from owning a retail optical dispensary. The ophthalmologist offers the most advanced medical services due to the fact that they are required to graduate from medical school and must complete a rigorous post-graduate training program. Most eye surgeries are performed by ophthalmologists and they can often be found working in hospitals as well as independent eye care clinics.

The optometrist specializes in prescription eye exams and basic management of eye diseases. Optometrists complete a less demanding graduate training program that requires eight years of college education and the option of a one year post-graduate fellowship. Most opticians begin working right out of graduate school and may choose to seek employment or open their own office. Both of these career options are excellent choices for individuals who want to provide medical services to patients and who are willing to subject themselves to many years of education, training, and financial hardship.

For those who are more interested in helping patients select and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, the optician career path is a more appropriate option. Opticians are trained to identify each patient's particular sense of style so that they can direct patients to eyeglasses that are complementary to that style. In addition, an optician has the knowledge and skills required to ensure that a particular pair of frames fits comfortably on the face. The road to becoming an optician is far less demanding than that of an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Currently, there are only about 25 states that have regulations requiring opticians to complete formal education and training. In these states, an optician is generally expected to complete a two-year degree program or an apprenticeship followed by successful completion of a national certifying exam.

Unregulated states typically allow optical employers to establish their own expectations for opticians. In these states, standards for practice vary a lot and are often reflective of the particular tasks that each employer wants an optician to perform. Individuals who plan to pursue the optician career path are well-advised to voluntarily complete the certification process regardless of state requirements and employer expectations. Studies have shown that certified opticians are able to command a higher salary, obtain better benefits, pursue more career opportunities, and transfer credentials between regulated and unregulated states in the event that they decide to move. While it does require some time and effort to perform well on the certification exams, most opticians discover that the investment is well worth it.

Individuals who plan to work in regulated states will often need to decide between completing a two-year degree program or an apprenticeship. There are very few optician degree programs available and many opticians find that an apprenticeship is more convenient and provides more value. An apprenticeship is essentially an extended period of supervised training during which individuals acquire the knowledge and skills required to provide competent and comprehensive care to patients. Some states require opticians to register with the state prior to beginning the training process. Individuals who plan to complete an apprenticeship should research regulations that affect them prior to setting up an apprenticeship through a local optical employer.

Readers who want to gain experience in the vision industry prior to selecting an advanced career path may want to consider an entry-level position as an optical assistant or technician. Individuals who are employed as an assistant or technician work very closely with all other eye care providers. In most cases, the assistant is hired to work in either the medical or retail side of the business, but some individuals choose to spend some time working in both areas of the industry so that they can make a more informed career choice. This is an excellent way to observe each of the vision specialists in real-world settings.

Those who feel that they may be interested in a career as an optician are encouraged to visit http://www.opticiantraining.org/optician-salary/ where they will find additional details about the influence of optician education, training, and certification on an individual's earning power. This site also provides information on state specific education and training requirements along with links to important government offices and forms.

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