When should my child’s eyes be examined?
Children can be seen as young as 6 months old. Between the ages of 3 and 5, your child should have a thorough, in-person optometric eye examination to make sure his or her vision is developing properly and there is no evidence of eye disease.
Parents should watch for signs that may indicate a vision problem, including:
- Sitting close to the TV or holding a book too close
- Squinting
- Tilting their head
- Frequently rubbing their eyes
- Short attention span for the child’s age
- Turning of an eye in or out
- Sensitivity to light
- Difficulty with eye-hand-body coordination when playing ball or bike riding
- Avoiding coloring activities, puzzles and other detailed activities
- If you notice any of these signs in your preschooler, arrange for a visit to your doctor of optometry.
Is poor vision hereditary?
Research has shown that nearsightedness and farsightedness are often caused by inherited genetic markers.
What do I do if I injure my eye?
Seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially if you have eye pain, blurred vision or loss of any vision.
What do I do if I injure my eye?
What can I do to protect my eyes at work?
Know the eye safety dangers at your work.
- Eliminate hazards before starting work by using machine guards, work screens or other engineering controls.
- Use proper eye protection.
- Keep your safety eyewear in good condition and have it replaced if it becomes damaged.
When should an adult’s eyes be examined?
The American Optometric Association recommends that adults aged 19 to 40 recieve an eye exam at least every two years. If you are at risk for eye problems due to a family history of eye disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or past vision problems, your Optometrist may recommend more frequent exams.
How do I reduce digital eye strain?
The average american spends seven hours a day on the computer. The most common symptoms of digital eye strain include eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, neck and shoulder pain.
Practice the 20/20/20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break from the screen and look at something 20 feet away.
Are sunglasses good for my eyes?
The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause serious harm to your eyes. Extended exposure to UV rays have been linked to cataracts and photokeratitis, which can cause temporary vision loss. Other research has also suggested that the sun’s blue light , also called high energy visible (HEV) radiation, may increase your long-term risk of macular degeneration. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends wearing sunglasses that block 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays.
What does an eye doctor do during an eye exam?
During an eye exam, in addition to evaluating your eyes for glasses and contacts, your eye doctor is on the lookout for eye diseases and other problems that could lead to vision loss. A thorough eye examination usually starts with the doctor asking about your general medical history. Then, several tests are performed to examine the appearance and function of all parts of your eyes including the following:
Visual acuity test: Measures how clearly you see from a distance and up close.
Refraction: Determines the prescription for corrective lenses that will give you the sharpest vision, or may determine that you don’t need correct lenses at all.
Slit-lamp: Enables the eye doctor to view the cornea,iris and lens, as well as the retina,optic nerve,macula, and underlying layer of blood vessels.
Visual field: Looks for blind spots and determines whether you have difficulty seeing in any areas of your overall field of vision.
Glaucoma test: Measures the pressure inside your eyes. The untreated build-up of pressure inside the eye can lead to blindness.
Should I wear sports goggles?
Eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness in children in the United States and most injuries occurring in school-aged children are sports-related.1 These injuries account for an estimated 100,000 physician visits per year at a cost of more than $175 million. Ninety percent of sports-related eye injuries can be avoided with the use of protective eyewear.1 Protective eyewear includes safety glasses and goggles, safety shields, and eye guards designed for a particular sport.
What can I do for eye allergies?
Ocular allergies negatively affect a patient’s quality of life and we want to help you find a solution that will bring the individual some much needed relief. According to the AOA, McAllen Texas in one of the TOP in eye allergies due to high levels of pollen in the RGV. See the report at CITIES WITH HIGHEST ALLERGY LEVELS.
Are carrots good for your eyes?
Research shows that beta-carotene in carrots may protect against night blindness and dryness
Are contact lenses safe for my eyes?
There is little risk of eye problems from contact lens wear if you care for your lenses as directed. Failure to clean and disinfect your lenses correctly , along with wearing them longer than recommended by your doctor will cause a buildup of protein and other debris on the lenses.
Can I swim with contacts?
Because of debris,bugs and harmful items in water, it is suggested to avoid swimming with contact lenses when possible. Swim goggles are preferred, but if you do choose to swim with contact lenses, remove, clean and disinfect your lenses immediately after to reduce your risk of eye irritation or infection.
Can I purchase contacts without a prescription?
No. By law, contact lenses must be sold with a valid prescription. Lenses that don’t fit properly or allow enough oxygen to your eye can cause irritation and even permanent damage to your eyes. A contact lense fitting performed by your doctor, along with a prescription and appropriate follow-up care is essential to ensure your comfort and eye health while wearing contact lenses.
Why is my contact lens prescription different from my eyeglass prescription?
Because contact lenses rest directly on the surface of the eye, a contact lens prescription contains more information than an eyeglass prescription, including the curvature and diameter of the the lens to ensure a good fit.
If I want color, nonprescription contact lenses to change the color of my eyes, do I need to have a prescription?
Yes.