Protect your vision from the sun

As the long days of summer wind down, it’s natural to want to go outside and soak in all the warmth you can. But before you do, take care to protect not only your skin from sun damage, but also your vision. Even if you go outside on a cloudy day, the same ultraviolet rays that cause your skin to burn can also damage the surface of your eyes.

According to the American Optometric Association, unprotected exposure to the sun can increase the risk of certain types of cataracts and also cancer of the eyelids. On the interior of the eye, harmful rays from the sun can damage the retina, possibly causing significant vision loss over time. The effects of the sun add up each time you go outside without proper protection, so it’s important to think ahead and take the following simple precautions:

• Wear sunglasses outside, even on cloudy or winter days. AOA suggests that sunglasses should block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation and screen 75 to 90 percent of visible light. Talk to an eye doctor on your True Dental Discounts, vision plan for recommendations and individualized guidelines. 
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat. Hats block any extra rays from entering your eyes around the sunglasses.

Are you wearing contacts safely?

It’s easy to forget that contact lenses and solutions are considered medical devices by the FDA, leading many people to become lax about caring for their contacts. In reality, keeping your contacts clean is one of the most important things you can do for your eye health. The American Optometric Association recommends contact-wearers protect their eyes by using good hygiene practices including:

• Wash and dry hands before touching contact lenses • Rub lenses with fingers and rinse thoroughly before soaking the lenses overnight
• Clean the lens case after every use, and make sure it stays dry and aired out in between uses. Cases should be replaced every three months or so.
• Do not reuse old solution to clean your lenses, and don’t use saline solutions in place of a solution recommended by your eye doctor.
• Take out your contacts before swimming

See an eye doctor on your True Care Advantage plan regularly for an eye examination so he can re-evaluate your vision and prescription.

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.

Does my Infant have Vision Problems?

Although complications with an infant’s eyes are rare, it is important for parents to be aware of the warning signs. According to the American Optometric Association, the following symptoms may indicate a problem with an infant’s vision:
• Excessive tearing, which can indicate a blocked tear duct;
• Red or “crusty” eyelids, which may be a sign of an infection;
• A white pupil, which occurs in some cancers of the eye;
• Constant turning of the eyes, which may indicate trouble with muscle control;
• Extreme light sensitivity, which could mean the infant has increased pressure in the eye.
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How is a person tested for Glaucoma?

Although we hear a lot about it, many people do not think about the possibility of having glaucoma. Glaucoma is a degenerative disease of the eye that gradually takes away a person’s vision due to damage to the optic nerve. The earlier this disease is caught, the greater the chance that its progress will be able to be slowed. This is why preventative care is so important.

During a visit to your eye doctor, he or she may perform a glaucoma test to make sure you aren’t suffering from this serious disease. The Glaucoma Research Foundation suggests a person should get tested at ages 35 and 40, and then every two years or so after that. There are two common tests that can be performed... (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)