Firework Safety to Protect Eyes this Fourth of July

For most Americans, the Fourth of July holiday is marked by backyard barbeques and patriotic fireworks displays.
Unfortunately, the fun can be cut short when fireworks are used inappropriately and cause serious injuries.  Some of the most common causes of firework injury include eye lacerations and contusions and the existence of foreign materials in the eye. A major percentage of these cases are caused by sparklers.

While celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks is an American tradition, safety needs to be the top priority. Children are especially vulnerable to injury from fireworks, particularly sparklers, since they are handled at such close distances.

According to a study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks were the culprit for an estimated 8,800 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during 2009. Of these, 54 percent were children and teens under the age of 20 years and 46 percent were adults.

To help prevent injury during firework season, the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA) recommends the following tips to help protect and preserve eyesight during the Fourth of July holiday.

• Discuss firework safety with children and teens prior to the Fourth of July holiday.
• Do not allow kids to handle fireworks and never leave them unsupervised near fireworks.
• Wear protective eyewear when lighting and handling fireworks of any kind.
• Store fireworks, matches and lighters in a secure place where children won’t find them.
• Refrain from purchasing sparklers. Heating up to 1,800 degrees, sparklers are the number one cause of fireworks injuries requiring trips to the emergency room.
• Be aware of your surroundings and only light fireworks when family, friends and children are at a safe distance.

If a firework-related eye injury does occur, always follow up with a full optometric eye exam. An optometrist will help ensure that the injury heals correctly and will continue to monitor for future vision problems. ~aoa.org~

For more information, contact:
Premier Eyecare of Edmond
Dr. Julie Moore
405-513-8150
www.okpremiereyecare.com

Ever Wonder Why Pool Chemicals Sting Your Eyes?

Ahh, the lazy days of summer. The sun is shining, the weather is warm and there’s nothing better than taking a dip in a swimming pool to cool down and relax. But, sometimes this quintessential summertime activity can leave your eyes itchy and irritated.

Your eyes are experiencing what the American Optometric Association calls chemical conjunctivitis—a swimming pool induced case of pink eye, only this version is just an irritation and resolves on its own without treatment. Chlorine can be blamed for causing the discomfort.

Chlorine, a basic ingredient for many household cleaning products, is contained in swimming pool chemicals, such as calcium or sodium hypochlorite, which act as ‘antimicrobial pesticides’, killing bacteria and controlling algae in the water.

Since pool water is open to contamination from the air and all the swimmers in it, chlorine, along with other chemicals such as iodine and algaecide, are added in high concentrations to fight off disease spreading organisms.

The average, backyard in-ground pool holds about 33,000 gallons of water, according to the Infinity Swimming Pool company. To ensure the water is clean, about 12- to 95-percent chlorine must be used because factors such as evaporation and sun exposure can cause the chemicals to degrade. According to the EPA, the average household cleaner contains about two percent chlorine, while standard bleach contains only about five percent.

The chlorine’s pH level is one cause of eye irritation. PH—a measurement of how acidic or basic a substance is—can be measured on a scale of one to 14. Since the pH of normal water is seven, this is considered a neutral pH; anything less than seven is acidic and anything higher than 7 is basic. The pool’s pH must be at an appropriate level in order for the chlorine to be effective. A pH level between 7.2-7.8 is considered acceptable.

Chlorine is 100-percent effective against bacteria at a pH of 6.5, but this is far too low for our skin to handle—it would be like taking a refreshing dip in acid. At the level used in pools, chlorine is less able to break down bacteria, fats, oils and everything else we take into the water with us. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Science Forum, if these compounds are not completely broken down, they can also cause stinging eyes and irritation.

Likewise, an over-chlorinated pool can put you at risk for eye irritations: If there is too much of the compound, our eyes can itch and sting from over-exposure. Normal chlorinated pool water should not do any permanent damage to eyes, but some may be more sensitive than others.

Although not usually a problem, there are all kinds of bugs living in swimming pools…and also in freshwater swimming sites, like lakes and rivers. One of these creatures, called acanthamoeba, can cause sever pain and damage to your eyes, and may even result in the need for a corneal transplant, says Dr. Burt Dubow from the website All About Vision.

Blurry vision as a result of freshwater swimming is usually attributed to the cleanliness of the water. Certain types of bacteria and algae can be especially harsh on your eyes. One of the most common is called cyanobacteria, also known as pond scum. Cyanobacteria is often a result of warm, stagnant waters—so the best way to avoid this is to swim in lakes that are sparkling clear and pristine.

Prevent irritation when swimming in fresh or chlorinated water by wearing goggles when swimming—especially if you wear soft contact lenses. Dubow says that water can change the way your contact lenses fit, making them too tight and causing eye problems.

Flushing your eyes with cool, fresh water after your swim is an easy way to calm any eye irritation. Saline eye drops are also a simple fix for sore eyes, making them an essential beach item for this summer season. ~scienceline.org~

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact:
Premier Eyecare of Edmond
405-513-8150
www.okpremiereyecare.com

Helping Infants to Establish a Lifetime of Healthy Vision

Cooing, sitting up and crawling are signs that a baby is growing. Her vision has stages of development, but this process rarely has visible signs.

Optometrists encourage parents to include a trip to the optometrist on the list of well-baby check-ups. Assessments at six to twelve months of age can determine healthy development of vision. Early detection of eye conditions is the best way to ensure a baby has healthy vision for successful development-now and in the future.

InfantSEE®, a public health program, managed by Optometry’s Charity^TM – The AOA Foundation, is designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness care to improve a child’s quality of life. Under this program, AOA optometrists provide a comprehensive eye and vision assessments for infants within the first year of life regardless of a family’s income or access to insurance coverage.
~www.infantsee.org~

For more information, contact Premier Eyecare of Edmond
Provider source for infantsee eye exams
405.513.8150
http://www.okpremiereyecare.com

Children’s Vision

Children with uncorrected vision conditions or eye health problems face many barriers in life … academically … socially … and athletically. High-quality eye care can break down these barriers and help enable your children to reach their highest potential.

Vision doesn’t just happen. A child’s brain learns how to use eyes to see, just like it learns how to use legs to walk or a mouth to form words. The longer a vision problem goes undiagnosed and untreated, the more a child’s brain learns to accommodate the vision problem.

That’s why a comprehensive eye examination is so important for children. Early detection and treatment provide the very best opportunity to correct vision problems, so your child can learn to see clearly.

Eighty percent of all learning is performed through vision. Make sure your child has the best possible tools to learn successfully.
~ American Optometric Association ~

For more information, or to schedule a comprehensive eye exam, contact
Premier Eyecare of Edmond, Dr. Julie Moore
405.513.8150
http://www.okpremiereyecare.com

Eye Allergies

Eye allergies often are hereditary, and occur due to processes associated with other types of allergic responses.

When an allergic reaction takes place, your eyes may be overreacting to a substance perceived as harmful, even though it may not be. For example, dust that is harmless to most people can cause excessive production of tears and mucus in eyes of overly sensitive, allergic individuals.

Allergies can trigger other problems, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) and asthma. Combined nasal and eye allergies create a condition known as rhinoconjunctivitis.

About 30 percent to 50 percent of U.S. residents have allergy symptoms. And about 75 percent of those symptoms affect the eyes.

To view Allergy Symptoms and Signs, click here

Caring for Your Vision

Caring for your vision doesn’t begin and end with eyeglasses, contact lenses, and corneal modification surgeries like Lasik.      There are many things you can do to maximize and protect the visual tools you currently have.

Several studies have shown that a diet high in the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin can help prevent sight-robbing diseases like macular degeneration and cataracts.

In addition to eye diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, visual trauma, like bruises and cuts to the eye, often result in permanent vision loss.

Read entire article here

For questions or to schedule an eye exam, contact:
Premier Eyecare, Dr. Julie Moore
405.513.8150
http://www.okpremiereyecare.com

A Look at Reading and Vision

Getting at the root of reading problems

When Michael or Jennifer has trouble reading, parents and teachers need to investigate many different possible causes.

Because a combination of problems, rather than just one, is usually at the root of a reading difficulty, all possible causes   should be explored.

One that is sometimes overlooked is the child’s vision. This may happen because the child appears to be able to see, does not complain about his or her eyes, has passed a school vision screening or has not had a comprehensive eye examination.

To read the entire article, go to:  American Optometric Association

For more information, or to schedule an eye exam, contact:
Premier Eyecare of Edmond, Julie Moore, OD
405.513.8150
http://www.okpremiereyecare.com

Protect your eyes from the heat wave

To avoid problems arising from dust and pollen, avoid the outdoors during the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is at its highest point. If you must go outside, wear a hat or sunglasses. Contact lens wearers can enter clean water safely with their lenses on. But in fresh water, lenses can easily come off the eyes and get lost. No matter what kind of water you’re swimming in, it’s best to take off your contact lenses and then swim or use goggles.

High levels of lime used in swimming pools can irritate the eyes, paving the way for infections. For this reason, never swim in still water that is discolored or could be dirty. Use goggles or a diving mask.

Sunglasses should not just protect the front of your eyes, but also protect your eyes from rays entering from the periphery. Never buy sunglasses from stands or street vendors. When you do buy sunglasses, make sure they provide UV protection. Also, don’t watch television in the dark. Televisions display much light, and when the surrounding area is dark, this can lead to eye exhaustion. Make sure the room the television is in is well lit to ensure balanced lighting.

You can also wash your face frequently to help your eyes from drying out.
~ Women’s Health ~

For more information, or to schedule a comprehensive eye exam, contact:
Premier Eyecare of Edmond, Julie Moore, OD
405-513-8150
http://www.okpremiereyecare.com

Leading Cause of Vision Loss In Older Americans

With life expectancy figures continuing to climb, managing eye disease is essential for people to maintain healthy, happy and productive lives. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over age 50. The Centers for Disease Control and prevention estimate that 1.8 million people have the disease and another 7.3 million are at risk for vision loss from AMD.

AMD occurs when the central area of the retina responsible for clear vision, the macula, is damaged. This results in a loss of central vision in the eye, which is needed for reading and close work. Color vision and distance vision are also affected. There are two types of macular degeneration: “dry” or atrophic, and “wet” or exudative.

The exact cause of macular degeneration is unknown but it may be related to aging, hereditary factors, smoking and exposure to high levels of ultraviolet radiation and blue light, both found in sunlight. Your lifestyle can play a role in reducing your risk of developing AMD and other eye diseases. The AOA recommends that individuals:

• eat a low-fat balanced diet rich in green, leafy vegetables, or ask their optometrist about dietary supplements;
• wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of ultraviolet radiation;
• keep blood pressure under control;
• avoid smoking.

People should also be alert for the symptoms of the wet form of macular degeneration and seek professional help immediately if they notice:

• a sudden loss of the ability to see clearly;
• a gradual change in color vision;
• distorted vision, such as wavy lines that should be straight;
• a dark or empty area appearing in the center of vision.

~ American Optometric Association~

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or to schedule a comprehensive eye exam, contact:
Premier Eyecare of Edmond, Julie Moore, OD
405.513.8150
http://www.okpremiereyecare.com

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition occurring in persons with diabetes, which causes progressive damage to the retina, the light sensitive lining at the back of the eye. It is a serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease that interferes with the body’s ability to use and store sugar, which can cause many health problems. Too much sugar in the blood can cause damage throughout the body, including the eyes. Over time, diabetes affects the circulatory system of the retina.

Diabetic retinopathy is the result of damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina. They leak blood and other fluids that cause swelling of retinal tissue and clouding of vision. The condition usually affects both eyes. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they will develop diabetic retinopathy. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:

• Seeing spots or floaters in your field of vision
• Blurred vision
• Having a dark or empty spot in the center of your vision
• Difficulty seeing well at night

In patients with diabetes, prolonged periods of high blood sugar can lead to the accumulation of fluid in the lens inside the eye that controls eye focusing. This changes the curvature of the lens and results in the development of symptoms of blurred vision. The blurring of distance vision as a result of lens swelling will subside once the blood sugar levels are brought under control. Better control of blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes also slows the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy.

Often there are no visual symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. That is why the American Optometric Association recommends that everyone with diabetes have a comprehensive dilated eye examination once a year. Early detection and treatment can limit the potential for significant vision loss from diabetic retinopathy.

Treatment of diabetic retinopathy varies depending on the extent of the disease. It may require laser surgery to seal leaking blood vessels or to discourage new leaky blood vessels from forming. Injections of medications into the eye may be needed to decrease inflammation or stop the formation of new blood vessels. In more advanced cases, a surgical procedure to remove and replace the gel-like fluid in the back of the eye, called the vitreous, may be needed. A retinal detachment, defined as a separation of the light-receiving lining in the back of the eye, resulting from diabetic retinopathy, may also require surgical repair.

If you are a diabetic, you can help prevent or slow the development of diabetic retinopathy by taking your prescribed medication, sticking to your diet, exercising regularly, controlling high blood pressure and avoiding alcohol and smoking.

For questions or to schedule a comprehensive eye exam, contact:
Premier Eyecare of Edmond, Julie Moore, OD
405.513.8150
http://www.okpremiereyecare.com