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Eyewear to relieve digital eye strain

programmer-1-1534401-1280x960Digital eye strain is a rapidly growing eye health concern. Research has shown that increased use of digital devices across the generations has long-term and short-term implications for eye health and vision.

One of the ways to address digital eye strain is by choosing the right eyewear. While some patients use reading glasses to improve their vision when working on computers and other digital devices, others will benefit from lenses specifically designed to address digital eye strain. Some of the features to consider include:

  • Single-vision lenses designed for computer use. Computers are mid-vision objects, which means that the correction one needs for near vision, such as reading glasses, or distance vision isn’t adequate. Patients who use their computers frequently and for long periods of time often find this type of correction helpful in reducing eye strain.
  • Computer progressive lenses. Like other progressives, these lenses have a smooth transition between different focal lengths. In this case, these offer correction for viewing a computer screen and up-close objects.
  • Anti-reflective coating. This reduces glare from indoor and outdoor light sources.
  • Blue Light filters. These customized filters block out harmful blue light while allowing other beneficial light to pass through.

Patients sometimes choose combinations of features for a custom pair that makes digital work (and play) easier on the eyes. If you are experiencing digital eye strain or spend a good amount of time on devices, talk to us about ways we can help you keep your eyes healthy.

 

Photo courtesy of freeimages.com/Yakimov

Family history reveals key info about your eyes

Know-Your-Family-History_HVTip_bigKnowing your family history is an important step in keeping your eyes healthy. Just like eye color, many eye diseases and conditions have a genetic factor.

Glaucoma. If you have a family history of glaucoma, you are four to nine times more likely to be affected by the disease. While there is no cure for glaucoma, you can manage its progression and impact on your vision with early detection and treatment. Untreated glaucoma can result in permanent blindness.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Having a family member with AMD puts you at a 50 percent greater risk of developing the disease yourself. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among people 50 and older in the U.S. Like many other eye diseases, early detection and treatment makes a significant difference in the progression of the disease and a person’s ability to maintain good vision for as long as possible.

Diabetic retinopathy. Type 2 diabetes, one of the fastest growing health conditions in this country, is genetically influenced. While there are a variety of other factors that cause Type 2 diabetes, family history does play a role. You would be surprised how often diabetes is detected through a comprehensive eye exam due to the presence of diabetic retinopathy.

Knowing your family health history can actually save your vision! Make sure to share all the details at your next comprehensive eye exam.

 

Graphic courtesy of National Eye Institute (NEI)

Early detection is the best defense against AMD

Macular degeneration, or AMD, is the leading cause of severe vision loss in the U.S. for people 50 and older. In fact, given the size of the aging Baby Boomer population, experts predict that AMD will reach epidemic proportions in less than 15 years.

Unfortunately there is no cure for AMD, so knowing risk factors and sharing them with your eye care professionals is critical, especially as you approach your fifties and beyond. For patients with AMD, early detection has a significant impact on disease progression and vision loss.

Following are some of the risk factors for AMD. As you can see some are genetic, but others are environmental and within your control.

Age. People 55 years and older are at greater risk.
Race. Caucasians develop the disease at a higher rate than other races.
Genetics. People with a family history of AMD have greater risk than those without.
Smoking. Research shows the more people smoke, the more likely they are to develop AMD.
UV exposure. UV light, and blue light, can damage the retina, the part of the eye effected by AMD.
Unchecked cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure. Research indicates a correlation between cardiovascular disease and AMD. The two share common risk factors, such as smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise.

Because symptoms in the early stages of AMD often go unnoticed, regular comprehensive eye exams are the best defense for addressing the disease. Make sure we are aware of your risk factors, especially family history.

Warm weather is good for your eyes

Photo courtesy of Ray-Ban

Photo courtesy of Ray-Ban

Warm weather benefits more than just our moods after a long winter and chilly spring. Research shows that it is also good for our eyes to go outside.

Recently Dr. Siegel attended a seminar presented by the Illinois College of Optometry on strategies for addressing the progression of myopia. One topic that really stood out was the difference in rates of myopia in populations with increased exposure to the outdoors versus those confined indoors for a greater part of the year.

For example, the incidence of myopia in people in their twenties and thirties in the U.S. is 36 to 44 percent. In Canada, it is 72.4 percent. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of seven cross-sectional studies published in 2012 indicates that time spent outdoors can be an effective strategy for addressing myopia.

More recent research backs this up. Last year a study of more than 1,300 young adults (ages 19 to 22) in Australia was published that showed further support of an inverse association between outdoor activity and myopia. In other words, higher levels of time spent outside is correlated with lower levels of myopia.

Though it is good to be outside, for many reasons, be mindful of UV exposure. Research does not indicate that there is any reason to leave the house without your sunglasses. This is a great time to make sure yours provide 99 to 100 percent protection from UVA and UVB rays. All sunglasses at Northcenter Eye Care meet this criteria, and we have a great selection for the upcoming warm months.

As always, if you have any questions about your eye health, please feel free to call, email or message us on Facebook.