Category Archives: Vision

Another Study Shows Progression of Nearsightedness Slowed With Contact Lenses

Posted on June 1, 2009 | 3 comments

Study from Ohio State University Confirms Prior Studies   Myopia Slowed With Contacts

In February, here in The Eye Doc Blog, we reported that The CANDY Study showed that OrthoKeratology contact lenses markedly slowed the progression of nearsightedness in children.  The results of The CANDY study have now been confirmed in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, the new study, Corneal Reshaping and Myopia Progression, showed that children wearing corneal reshaping lenses, also known as ortho-K or orthokeratology lenses significantly reduced the rate of change of the length of the children’s eyes.  The study participants wore the lenses for two years and ranged in refractive error from -0.75 to -4.00.  The study concluded that previous reports of slowed eye growth following corneal refractive therapy were confirmed.

Read more about Orthokeratology and Corneal Refractive Therapy at Total Eye Care.  Also view a video from ABC News about Ortho-K.

The archive summary of the study is available here.

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

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Survey Shows Americans Underestimate Importance of UV Protection for their Eyes

Posted on May 30, 2009 | Comments Off on Survey Shows Americans Underestimate Importance of UV Protection for their Eyes

American Eye-Q® Study Shows UV Protection
Secondary to Cost and Style

The American Optometric Association’s 2008 American Eye-Q® Survey, evaluated Americans thoughts regarding eyecare related issues and found that only 49% of Americans said UV protection was the most important factor when purchasing sunglasses. Price and style superseded UV protection in selecting sunglasses.

Most of our UV exposure occurs during childhood.  Excessive UV exposure has been known to cause cataracts, and macular degeneration.  Dry eye syndrome can also be complicated by UV exposure.  Read more about preventing sun exposure and 5 important facts to consider when picking out sunglasses.

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Posted in Eye Care, Vision

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Video Games May Help Your Vision?

Posted on April 8, 2009 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Comments Off on Optometrists, School Nurses Partner to Link Healthy Vision and Improved Classroom Learning

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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Maintain Healthy Vision With Annual Eye Exams

Posted on November 11, 2008 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 assessment 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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