Category Archives: Vision

Video Games May Help Your Vision?

Posted on April 8, 2009 by | 2 Comments

Snellen-Eye-Chart, Copyright 2009 The Eye Doc BlogA new study found that first person action games improved the vision of adult video game players.   Two groups of patients were tested.  The first group of patients played Call of Duty and experienced a significant increase in their ability to distinguish different shades of gray (contrast sensitivity function).  The second group used The Sims, which was similar in it’s graphic detail however it is a non action game that does not require precise visual activities such as aiming.

Contrast sensitivity function is a measure of visual acuity (the chart on the wall that uses progressively smaller numbers is another, more common method, shown to the right) uses different shades of gray to evaluate a person’s vision rather than how small of a letter a person can read (the latter is called Snellen visual acuity.  Contrast sensitivity is a much more precise way of evaluating a person’s visual acuity and is more often used in clinical research.

The exciting part of this study is that it has been previously thought that it was difficult to improve the vision in adults.   This study paves the way for possible new treatments of amblyopia in children and the hope of retraining patients that may have lost vision due to some retinal conditions.  The study showed that not all games are created equal in producing this affect and advised caution in recommending games to recommend to patients.  The entire study was published online by the journal Nature Neuroscience.

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Posted in eye, eyecare, Refractive issues, Vision

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Study Shows Contact Lenses Improve The Self Image of Children

Posted on March 31, 2009 by | 2 Comments

A new study evaluated the self perception of children between ages 8 and 11, finding that the contact lens wearers had a significantly higher sense of self worth than eye glass wearers in the areas of physical appearance, athletic competence, social acceptance and scholastic competence.

As eye doctors we should not only consider the best mode of correction for the patient but also the social and psychological implications on the child.  More information about the Adolescent and Child Health Initiative to Encourage Vision Empowerment (ACHIEVE) Study is  available here.  This is excellent information for any parent considering whether glasses or contacts are right for their child.

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Posted in children, contact lens, eyecare, Refractive issues, Vision

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Study Finds Nearsightedness Slowed in Children With Contact Lenses

Posted on February 23, 2009 by | 5 Comments

It’s good to see another study indicating that Orthokeratology Contact Lenses prevent the progression of nearsightedness (myopia).  The Controlling Astigmatism & Nearsightedness in Developing Youth Study (CANDY) was based on a relatively small population (28 patients) and it would have been good to see the rate of myopic progression after removing the contact lenses over a greater period of time, however the data was compelling and warrants further study.

As eye doctors we are often asked if we can prevent the progression of nearsightedness in children.   Clinically, we feel that the answer is probably yes, however there are relatively few studies that have investigated this common question.  The CANDY Study backs up what we feel our clinical experience has taught us.  The progression of nearsightedness in CANDY study patients was 0.37D prior to wearing overnight Ortho-K contact lenses.   When the patients discontinued wearing their lenses they found that the patient’s refractive error, on average, had increased by only 0.03D.

An FDA sponsored study of 300 children started in 2007 and is expected to continue for 5 years.  Hopefully, the FDA study will answer more of our questions.  Additional findings from the CANDY Study found that the younger the child the more beneficial was the effect on controlling myopia and the technique was more convenient.   A more comprehensive look at Orthokeratology including a link to the CANDY Study is available on the Total Eye Care website.

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Posted in children, contact lens, orthokeratology, Refractive issues, Vision

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Optometrists, School Nurses Partner to Link Healthy Vision and Improved Classroom Learning

Posted on December 22, 2008 by | Leave a comment

The American Optometric Association and the National Association of School Nurses have come to agreement to promote comprehensive vision care for students to improve a students ability to learn in the classroom.  This comes on the heels of a study published in October by Vision Service Plan that showed that most children have not had an eye exam.  School screenings, while helpful and necessary, are unfortunately often confused by parents as an eye exam.  It will be great to see what the two associations do to promote better eye care and learning in children.  Read the entire press release here.

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Posted in children, examinations, Vision

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Maintain Healthy Vision With Annual Eye Exams

Posted on November 11, 2008 by | 4 Comments

Annual eye exams are an essential part of a person’s annual health plan.  Along with our yearly physical and dental exam we should remember that our eyes provide a window to the health of our bodies and an annual, dilated eye exam is an essential component of preventative healthcare.

See our video below which was produced at our new Colleyville office on the importance of regular eye exams.

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Posted in examinations, Eye Care, Vision

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Patients and Doctors at Total Eye Care Discuss Dry Eye Syndrome

Posted on October 10, 2008 by | 1 Comment

Seeing patients with complications related to dry eye syndrome are a very common occurrence at Total Eye Care.  Last month we made this video about dry eye syndrome.  The video discusses how silicone punctal plugs are used to treat dry eye syndrome.  It ties in well with this post on the Eye Doc Blog a few months ago about what causes  dry eye syndrome.  Check it out and let us know what you think.

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Posted in contact lens, Cornea, dry eye syndrome, Eye Care, Vision

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Protecting Your Eyes While playing Sports

Posted on October 10, 2008 by | 1 Comment

If you have ever played sports and worn glasses, you know the limitations in doing so. Glasses present obvious mobility and peripheral vision issues. In addition, glasses offer little protection and actually can contribute to damage to the eyes if glass lenses are shattered.

Contact lenses offer a safe, clear and comfortable alternative for the athlete on any field or court. Peripheral vision is not an issue with contact lenses. However, contact lenses don’t protect the eyes other than offer some protection for the cornea.

Winter and indoor sports like ice hockey, basketball, football, and gymnastics, along with water and pool activities, baseball, softball, racquet sports and golf contribute the greatest number of eye injuries.  Read more here.

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Posted in children, Cornea, emergency, eye, Eye Care, eyecare, Vision

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Eye Exams are a Crucial Part of Back to School

Posted on August 6, 2008 by | 1 Comment

Most of us learn visually.  Children especially are visual learners.  It is hypothesized that 80% of what a child learns is through their vision yet 86% of children have never had an eye exam.   People often assume a school screening, given by the school nurse, is adequate.  Pediatricians also offer visual screenings.

Vision screenings, while a helpful and necessary part of school back to school, allow many children that need help to fall through the cracks.  A comprehensive eye exam is truly what is needed to preserve a child’s vision.  An eye exam involves an assesment of a patient’s refractive condition (nearsighted, farsighted etc.), ocular health, binocular function (how the eyes work together) and a comprehensive medical and ocular and family history.  Timely eye exams can also prevent amblyopia and lazy eyes in children.  More information about vision and children is available on the Total Eye Care Website.

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Posted in children, examinations, Eye Care, Vision

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Q: Is Computer Use Bad For My Eyes?

Posted on July 1, 2008 by | 2 Comments

A: No, using computers or any kind of near work will not cause your eyes to go bad. What computer use will do, however, is make any uncorrected visual problems become more apparent. When we work at a computer we typically don’t change our point of gaze for possibly hours.  Before computers were such an integral part of the office workplace we would experience intermittent visual breaks in our focus that gave our eyes a break by turning the page, going to the file cabinet or grabbing another document, etc. With computers everything we need is on the screen. When we finish one task the next is available on the computer. Our gaze rarely strays from the monitor. Even when we take a mental break, we still take that break looking at our monitor checking personal email, youtube etc.

How do we prevent visual strain at the computer? The first is to set up your workstation for enhanced visual ergonomics.  Take occasional breaks from looking at the monitor, once an hour is recommended. If it has been over a year since your last eye exam often a change in glasses is all that is needed.

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Posted in Computer Vision, Eye Care, Refractive issues, Vision

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Protect Your Eyes by Attending Professional Fireworks Displays This July 4th

Posted on June 23, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Each year over the holiday, Thousands of adults and children are seriously injured as a result of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices. Many burns and injuries affect eyesight, permanently damaging and in some cases blinding the victims. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 20-25% of all fireworks related injuries involve the eyes.

Believe it or not, sparklers are the highest cause of fireworks injuries for children under five requiring trips to the emergency room. Another surprising fact is that 1/2 of the fireworks related injuries are to the bystanders. Be safe and attend a professional fireworks display in your area. More information and a list of fireworks displays in the Northeast Tarrant County is available.

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Posted in Eye Care, Vision

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