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Prescription for Keeping Children Out of Glasses: Sunshine

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 02:59:57 GMT

Prescription for Keeping Children Out of Glasses: Sunshine

Sunlight is the best way to prevent myopia , or nearsightedness, in children. It’s a deceptively simple response to a growing public health crisis, but it works, and not enough people know about it.

Childhood nearsightedness is on the rise

Nearsightedness in children has increased at an alarming rate over the past 30 years. It is estimated that about 40% of children ages 6 to 19 years are nearsighted; in Asia, the rate is nearly double. If nothing is done to help slow the increase, half the world’s population may be nearsighted by the year 2050.

Nearsightedness happens when the eye grows too long from front to back. As a result, people with myopia have good near vision but poor distance vision. While glasses or contact lenses can correct a child’s vision, research shows that having severe myopia puts children at risk of potentially blinding eye problems down the road, including retinal detachment , glaucoma , early cataracts and myopic maculopathy , a leading cause of blindness worldwide.

Spending time outdoors is good for the eyes

Although genetics play a role in who develops myopia, the sharp increase suggests that environmental factors may be at play. Many experts point to the combination of increased screen time and less time outdoors as factors that may put childre n at higher risk for developing myopia.

Why would outdoor time protect against myopia, or closeup work make it worse? It’s unclear. One idea is that sunlight increases dopamine levels in the eye, which controls the growth rate of the eye. Another theory suggests that shorter viewing distances may promote abnormal growth of the eye. Think of long periods of intense near work, whether in front of computer screen or a book, without breaks. The time to intervene is in early childhood because the earlier a child develops myopia, the more likely they are to develop severe myopia later in life. So, the goal is to delay the start of myopia and to slow the rate of progression so the child can avoid the worst complications of myopia, like retinal problems.

Solutions for slowing myopia

Among the options for slowing myopia are atropine eye drops and special multifocal contact lenses.

Atropine drops dilate the pupil. It’s unclear how they work, but multiple studies worldwide have shown that low doses of atropine eye drops can slow the increase in myopia. Studies also show that a new, special contact lens can slow myopia progression . These are a daily disposable contact lens that must be fit by a specialty-trained optometrist or ophthalmologist. At least one to two hours of outdoor time each day are encouraged which helps reduce screen time to one to two hours a day.

Outdoor reading, screen-free zones and other strategies

Children can read outside so they’ll get both the dopamine hit from the sun exposure and more opportunities to break their focus on near work. Instead of reminding them to obey the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds), they do it instinctively as they naturally look up at birds flying by or squirrels scurrying across the lawn. Try it, it’s kind of genius. Inside the home, set up screen-free zones that kids and adults alike obey. Modeling healthy habits is key to getting children on board. A recent national study found that just half of parents recognize that screen time can impact their child’s eye health. There is increasing concern that the COVID-19 pandemic could drive myopia rates higher with the increased use of electronic devices due to remote learning.

Taken from an article from the American Academy of Ophthalmology By Susanne Medeiros

Reviewed By Noha Ekdawi, MD

10 Simple Ways to Protect Your Eye Health Each Day

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 02:26:23 GMT

10 Simple Ways to Protect Your Eye Health Each Day

Vision loss is a major problem that interrupts daily life. It's also more common than you think. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 93 million adults in the US are at high risk of vision loss. While you can't always restore the vision loss you've experienced, it doesn't mean you can't take precautions to protect your eyes going forward.

By adding these habits to your routine, you'll keep your eyes in good shape for the years ahead.

1. Wear sunglasses

Exposing your eyes to ultraviolet rays may cause damage over time. Wearing sunglasses can block harmful UV light, lowering your risk of eye diseases like cataracts, sunburn, eye cancer and growths around the eye, per the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Polarized glasses with smoke or gray lenses may offer the best protection against the sun's rays and reduce glare.

2. Take screen breaks

Prolonged screen time can cause dry eyes , pain in the neck and shoulders, blurred vision, headaches and digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome . The American Optometric Association recommends using the 20-20-20 rule to prevent computer vision syndrome. Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

3. Take book breaks, too

Screen time isn't the only way to strain your eyes. When you read a book, you probably hold it up close for long periods, too. Both activities can lead to nearsightedness , or myopia, which means far-away objects are blurry while up-close things are clear. Just like you should use the 20-20-20 rule to take screen breaks, you should also use this rule for book breaks. If you find yourself engrossed in what you're reading or doing on the computer, set an alarm so you don't miss your 20-minute break.

4. Move your body

Regular exercise can provide eye health benefits , such as promoting healthy blood vessels and lowering your risk of developing glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, the AAO reports. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week, plus two days of strength training for your muscles. You can also practice eye exercises to reduce tension and eye strain while sitting at your desk.

5. Get outside

Children and adults need to get outside often, even if you get your recommended exercise indoors. Research shows that children who spend time outdoors have a lower risk of developing nearsightedness in adolescence and as adults. Playing with your kids at the local playground, walking through the woods or even playing in the backyard can help the whole family stay healthy and active. Be sure to use your sunglasses.

6. Don't smoke

It's well known that smoking is bad for your health. It can also increase your risk of developing eye diseases like cataracts or age-related macular degeneration, according to the Food and Drug Administration . Smokers have a two or three-times higher chance of developing cataracts and up to four times higher risk for AMD. To improve your health, build a quit plan .

7. Eat balanced meals

The foods you eat every day can improve your eye health . Eating foods rich in vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc can help cellular growth, lower eye tissue inflammation and limit free radicals that can damage your eyes. To get the right nutrients for your eyes, eat balanced meals every day.

8. Avoid rubbing your eyes

If you habitually rub your eyes, it could cause eye damage or infections . Dry eyes and eye strain can make you want to rub your eyes, and some may rub them too much or too hard. This can lead to issues such as reduced or blurry vision, headaches, inflammation, eye and light sensitivity. Another reason to avoid eye rubbing is that bacteria or viruses on your fingers or hands could lead to conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye. Instead of rubbing your eyes, use eye drops or saline to clean your eyes and keep them moist. Resist the urge and find something else to keep your hands busy until you undo the habit.

9. Wash your hands

You should always wash your hands before touching your face or eyes and handling contact lenses. Almost 45 million Americans wear contact lenses and around one in three wearers develop complications, with one in five infections from contact lenses causing corneal damage. Plus, there's no telling what kind of germs are on objects you touch after someone unknowingly contaminated them.

10. Take off your makeup

After a long day, the last thing you might think about is removing your eye makeup before you get into bed. Doing so benefits your eye health and can lower your risk of blepharitis or eyelid inflammation, according to the Optometrists Network. You should also adopt good makeup practices that can save your skin and eyes, such as only using products made for eyes, replacing your makeup often (especially after an eye infection), not applying eye makeup in the inner lids and never sharing eye makeup with someone else. If you use brushes or sponges to apply eye makeup, wash them regularly.

Excerpts taken from CNET article by
Mandy Sleight

Protect your eyes for the Solar Eclipse

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 00:18:27 GMT

Protect your eyes for the next solar eclipse

If all goes as planned, a spectacular and potentially dangerous event will be seen April 8. All should make an attempt to experience, enjoy and safely view the total solar eclipse. Proper eye protection will be key.

The sun is incredibly bright and directly looking at it for anything longer than a few seconds can result in damage to the back of the eye. The ultraviolet and short visible wavelengths can overwhelm the cells in the back of the eye and if those cells are exposed to super-intense light for too long of a time which is anything longer than a few seconds then those cells can be permanently damaged.

If those cells are permanently damaged then an individual will lose some extent of their central vision.

Due to the hours long duration of an eclipse, individuals may innocently glance at the eclipse for a few seconds at a time, but then repeatedly make glances this over the course of the event. These glances add up and by the end of the eclipse someone may have viewed the eclipse for a minute or two and put their eyes at significant risk.

The good news is that with some simple precautions, such as wearing eclipse glasses labeled with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2 which states that the device complies with the eclipse viewing standard.

With these glasses you can safely and comfortably look at the full sun or partial eclipses for as long as you would like. Other safe viewing options include welding filters with shade numbers 12 to 14 or indirect viewing options. Never use binoculars or a telescope without proper filters as these can condense the light delivered to the eye and which can result in rapid eye damage.

Here are a few ways to best assure you are purchasing and have appropriate eclipse glasses:

Once you purchase a pair, inspect them for any scratches, holes, or tears in the lenses – if present then do not use.
If intact then place them on and look at a bright light bulb in your home or your cell phone flashlight – you should barely be able to see it.
If that seems to be the case then use them to view the sun – you should be able to comfortably view the sun for an extended period of time.

If you think that you have suffered damage to your eyes following the eclipse then please consult with your eye care professional. There is no known cure for eclipse induced damage to the back of the eye, but there are known and easy ways to prevent this from happening.

Excerpts taken from: Spectacular and dangerous. How to safely enjoy 2024 solar eclipse. by Aaron Zimmerman Guest Columnist

152222

Prescription for Keeping Children Out of Glasses: Sunshine

Prescription for Keeping Children Out of Glasses: Sunshine ﻿

Childhood nearsightedness is on the rise

Spending time outdoors is good for the eyes

Solutions for slowing myopia

Outdoor reading, screen-free zones and other strategies

10 Simple Ways to Protect Your Eye Health Each Day

10 Simple Ways to Protect Your Eye Health Each Day ﻿

1. Wear sunglasses

2. Take screen breaks

3. Take book breaks, too

4. Move your body

5. Get outside

6. Don't smoke

7. Eat balanced meals

8. Avoid rubbing your eyes

9. Wash your hands

10. Take off your makeup

Protect your eyes for the Solar Eclipse

Protect your eyes for the next solar eclipse

Excerpts taken from: Spectacular and dangerous. How to safely enjoy 2024 solar eclipse. by Aaron Zimmerman Guest Columnist

Prescription for Keeping Children Out of Glasses: Sunshine

10 Simple Ways to Protect Your Eye Health Each Day