Early signs of vision problems in children

Many people think adults are the only ones who have to worry about their visual health. In reality, lots of children have visual problems that may go unnoticed by their parents or teachers. According to Prevent Blindness America, there are many signs that a child is having difficulty seeing, and adults should be on the lookout for both visual and auditory clues that indicate a problem.

For instance, many children with visual issues have noticeably red, swollen or crossed eyes. Other signals include a child’s tendency to rub her eyes frequently, squint, tilt her head, complain that words are blurry, or hold books close to her face when reading. Some children may also close one eye or lean their head forward in an attempt to see something more clearly. Prevent Blindness America suggests that older children may verbally express their visual discomfort, using such phrases as:

• “My eyes are itchy.”
• “Everything seems blurry.”
• “I have a headache” or “I feel dizzy” – particularly after reading a book or doing homework.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your own child, talk to an eye doctor on your True Dental Discounts - vision plan as soon as possible. He or she can perform a complete visual examination and determine the extent of your child’s eye-care needs. In many cases, children who begin wearing glasses to improve their vision end up with better grades and a more focused interest in school. It’s a win-win situation!

Should you replace your contacts?

You know the feeling: Your eyes begin to itch and feel dry. You notice redness and irritation. All of these signs point toward the fact that it’s probably time to replace your contact lenses. Despite popular belief, it’s not a good idea to stretch the time in between replacing your lenses. If an optometrist tells you to put in new lenses every month, you shouldn’t keep them in for six weeks.

Same goes for keeping daily wear lenses in for a week or more. For one thing, contacts can acquire a buildup of bacteria or minerals that may scratch your eye and lead to infection. The eyes are extremely delicate and must be taken care of with extreme caution; small changes in habit or environment can cause irritation or more permanent damage.

So, while it may be tempting to put off replacing your lenses to save a few dollars, it’s not worth the risk to your eyes. Plus, with True Dental Discounts, the money you save with your membership card makes up for any benefits of stretching your lens-wearing time. What could be better than that?

Dry eyes? Try a humidifier

When allergy season rolls around, many people begin to suffer from dry, irritated eyes. One simple solution to this problem is to alter the humidity levels in your home. According to The Dry Eye Company, patients with chronic dry eyes can benefit from purchasing a humidifier. Humidifiers work by releasing moisture into the air and can be used in any enclosed room to help control humidity levels.

Watch out, though: Too much humidity can increase the amount of dust and mold in a room, so be sure to keep your levels around 40 to 50 percent. Any lower than approximately 30 percent, and people will likely notice a change in their eyes. Many people suffer from dry eyes year-round, so be sure to ask your eye doctor about any irritation you experience in your eyes. He or she can help diagnose the cause and talk to you about potential solutions, such as a humidifier.

Preventing and recognizing a lazy eye

Childhood is a time of rapid growth and change for the entire body, particularly for the eyes. A person’s sight undergoes critical developments in the early years, meaning parents must be extra-vigilant about their child’s eyesight during this time. One issue that can arise in young children is known as amblyopia – or “lazy eye.” In this case, one eye is strong while the other is weak, creating a harmful imbalance.

EyeCare America recommends that parents get their child’s eyes checked by age four because early treatment is the most effective. Children who are treated before the age of nine are generally able to have better-restored vision than those who wait until their teenage years. It’s important to get the opinion of an ophthalmologist because it’s hard to detect a lazy eye (even the child may be unaware she has a problem). If an imbalance is detected, the eye doctor may recommend one of several treatments, most of which are geared toward building strength in the weak eye.

This may be done by having the child wear an eye patch over her good eye or even using drops to blur vision in her good eye. Both of these methods force the child to use her weak eye in order to regain strength and balance. While perhaps difficult at first, the payoff will be a lifetime of good vision. If you suspect your child may have a lazy eye, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your eye doctor. It’s always a good idea to get regular check-ups, and in case of a problem, your doctor can begin treatments early and effectively.

Common eye conditions: Blepharitis

Have your eyelids ever been red, itchy, irritated or become crusty? These are all symptoms of blepharitis, a common eye condition caused by bacteria, a skin condition like dandruff, or other factors. Blepharitis is not contagious and generally does not cause permanent damage, but it is important to be aware of its symptoms and keep it under control. According to the American Optometric Association, there are two types of blepharitis – anterior blepharitis, which occurs at the outer area where eyelashes are attached, and posterior blepharitis, which affects the inner edge of the eyelid.

Anterior blepharitis is often caused by bacteria or dandruff of the scalp and eyebrows. Posterior blepharitis can be the result of irregular oil production by eyelid glands and can also be caused by skin conditions like rosacea. Neither version of the condition typically disappears completely, but patients can help keep it away by keeping their eyelids clean and free of crust. Eye doctors often recommend using warm compresses and prescribed antibiotics. Doctors on your True Dental Discounts, vision plan may also suggest not using eye makeup or contacts during treatment. By following their recommendations and taking care of your eyes, you can greatly reduce the occurrence of blepharitis and keep your eyes comfortable and healthy.

I’m losing my night and peripheral vision – what could be the cause?

Although many eye conditions develop later in life as an effect of aging, others are caused by genetic factors and may begin to present themselves much earlier. One such condition is retinitis pigmentosa – a disease that causes damage to the rods and cones in a person’s retina. Rods are responsible for both peripheral and night vision, and as they become damaged, the person with RP slowly begins to lose these types of sight.

The American Optometric Association suggests that signs of RP often become apparent in childhood or adolescence, with night vision typically declining first. Fortunately, the disease is gradual, meaning a person may not develop a severe case for many years. Once the disease does progress, however, the patient may only be able to see straight ahead in a form of “tunnel vision.” At this stage, people must adapt to their new range of vision and stay aware of their surroundings.

Otherwise, they may accidentally bump into furniture or other objects that are no longer in their peripheral vision. If you suspect you or your child may have retinitis pigmentosa, talk to an optometrist on your True Care Advantage vision care plan that specializes in low vision. He or she can provide you with valuable information about ways to slow the progression of vision loss, including making changes to your diet to include vitamin A and lutein. And although there is currently no cure for RP, your eye doctor can introduce you to several of the low-vision aids available, such as magnifying lenses and night-vision scopes. Such doctors are also good sources of information about living productively and independently with low vision. Find out more by scheduling an appointment today.

Common forms of low vision

There are many degrees of visual impairment, ranging from complete blindness to mild vision loss that can be corrected with glasses. During an appointment with your optometrist, he or she may test your eyes for several types of low vision. According to the American Optometric Association, these include reduced central vision, reduced peripheral vision, blurred vision, generalized haze, extreme sensitivity to light, and night blindness.

Each type of low vision has a different effect on your sight. For example, a loss of your central vision creates a blind spot in front of you but leaves your peripheral, or side, vision intact. While this can make it difficult to read or recognize faces, it does not usually affect your mobility. On the other hand, a loss in your peripheral vision can make it difficult to walk, drive or read because you cannot see anything above, below, or to the side of your eye level. Commonly described as “tunnel vision,” this type of low vision restricts your sight to that which is directly in front of you.

Two additional types, blurred vision and generalized haze, both make sight difficult due to visual distortion. People with blurred vision cannot focus on either near or far objects, even with corrective lenses. And for those with generalized haze, everything appears to be under a film or glare. Finally, vision can also be affected by light and darkness. People who have extreme light sensitivity often feel pain or discomfort in lighted areas. Even regularly lit rooms can cause images to glare or appear washed out. Conversely, people with night blindness have trouble seeing in dimly lit spaces, including dark restaurants and theaters, as well as outside at night. Both types of light sensitivity make it difficult for people to drive cars and often require special accommodations.

If you think you may have any of the above conditions, it is important to schedule an appointment with an optometrist on your True Care Advantage plan. He or she will conduct a comprehensive visual acuity examination and identify any existing low-vision issues. The doctor can give you information about adapting to low vision at home and may also suggest participation in low-vision rehabilitation, which has helped many people across the country. Contact your optometrist’s office to learn more.

Improve your Vision with Corneal Modification

The cornea plays a big part in a person’s clarity of vision. This clear covering of the eye is in charge of refracting rays of light as they enter the eye; depending on the shape of the cornea, a person may see poorly or clearly.

For instance, a cornea that is shaped improperly may focus light in front of the retina, causing the person to be nearsighted. To help fix this problem, many people are turning to corneal modification procedures.

According to the American Optometric Association, these procedures alter the curvature of the cornea so that incoming light is focused directly on the retina, thereby restoring clear vision. Although many treatments include surgery, people with moderate nearsightedness or low levels of astigmatism can also opt to try a more gradual, less invasive procedure called Orthokeratology... (read more)

Should you consider getting Contacts?

Whether you’re tired of losing your glasses or you’re just ready for a new look, contacts can be a great alternative to traditional frames. In fact, contacts offer several advantages that glasses can’t come close to matching. According to the American Optometric Association, one of these benefits is that contact wearers experience a less inhibited field of vision.

Unlike bulky frames, contacts do not block your view, and they move with your eye, which reduces the amount of distortions. Another benefit is that contacts do not fall off or prevent a person from participating in physical activities. They also do not fog up or get streaked by rainfall. Perhaps most importantly, many people feel more confident or attractive without glasses. This may be an especially deciding factor if you have a teenager considering contacts... (read more)