The Eye Doc Blog » Eye Care

How Should We Safeguard Our Children’s Eyesight?

RAD — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:00:39 +0000

Is it too early to think about what we need to do to get our kids ready for school? One of the most important “school supplies” is your child’s annual eye exam. Over 80% of what a child learns is through their eyes, therefore it is important for our kids to see their very best.

Kids often don’t complain when they don’t see well and we can not rely on them to tell us when their vision is blurry. Blurry vision rarely happens quickly, it happens slowly over time and children and adults alike don’t realize what they have lost because it happens so slowly. On the Total Eye Care website we have more information on the components of a complete eye exam, school screenings and more information on children and vision. So carve out some time this busy summer and enhance your child’s learning with an eye exam.

Martha Stewart Discusses the Importance of Regular Eye Care

RAD — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:42:55 +0000

This is a good video where Martha Stewart discusses common topics in eye care including lazy eye, bifocal contact lenses, importance of eye exams for adults and for learning in children.

Celebrate World Diabetes Day November 14th

RAD — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:19:42 +0000

In recognition of November Diabetes Month and World Diabetes Day on November 14, we would like to urge community members to schedule yearly eye exams, particularly those with diabetes or that are pre-disposed to diabetes. Approximately 21 million Americans have diabetes, representing 7% of the population, and 6.2 million Americans remain undiagnosed. There were 1.5 million newly diagnosed cases of diabetes in people ages 20 years or older in 2005 demonstrating that diabetes is rapidly becoming one of the most important health care issues. …………Read More

Survey Shows Most Young Children Have Never Had an Eye Exam

RAD — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:37:36 +0000

Vision Service Plan has answered a question that many of us have long suspected with the release of a study conducted by VSP Vision Care. The nationwide study of almost 4000 Americans called the Consumer Eye Care and Eyewear Survey. Revealed that 76% of the the children under the age of 5 had never had an eye exam.

“While most parents probably assume that vision screenings provided by pediatricians and school nurses are enough, those screenings are nowhere near as exhaustive as the comprehensive eye exams that optometrists and ophthalmologist provide,” said James Short, O.D., chair of VSP Vision Care’s board of directors.

Dr. Short elaborated further “Before children enter school, an eye doctor should examine the eyes for signs of astigmatism, nearsightedness, farsightendnes and also examine the structure of the eye for telltale signs of serious diseases”.

The study goes on to discuss the importance of providing proper sunglasses for children, tips on how to get children to wear sunglasses, prevention of computer vision syndrome in children and how to spot when your child may need an eye exam.

Protecting Your Eyes While playing Sports

RAD — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:12:39 +0000

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.