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Your home is your safe haven — or is it? About half of all eye injuries happen in and around your home! The good news? You can reduce your risk of eye injury by 90% by wearing protective eyewear. The bad news? Only three in ten people wear eye protection, even during high-risk activities.

Blunt force injuries are the most common eye injury and can damage both the eye itself and also the bone and surrounding tissue. Other types of eye injuries include scratches, abrasions, cuts, chemical burns, foreign or penetrating bodies, and radiation or UV exposure from the sun or sun lamps.

Be aware of the activities most likely to cause eye injury and where those injuries occur most often in and around your home.

In the Yard

• Home improvement projects. Power tools can create flying debris like sawdust, tree branches, nails, or metal. Drilling and hammering can fragment brick and concrete, causing it to chip off and fly into the air, posing a danger to your eyes. Always use the protective guard on your tools and keep them in good working condition. Replace tools that are worn beyond repair.
• Yard work. Lawnmowers, weed-eaters, clippers, and leaf blowers can dislodge rocks, grass, twigs, and dirt, causing eye injury. Remember to wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from yard debris. Also, take precautions when you use lawn chemicals: wear protective goggles and check the weather forecast. A windy, blustery day isn’t a good day to spread chemicals that can blow right back into your face and eyes.
• Bungee cords can pose a danger to your eyes. When securing equipment or loads with bungee cords, do so in a way that they don’t snap back into your face. Because – ouch!
• Firepits are a fun place to make S’mores or share an evening beverage, but beware of fire embers and smoke drifting into your face and eyes.
• Bottom line: Leave pyrotechnics to the professionals. Even legal fireworks like sparklers can burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter — hot enough to melt some metals! Eye injuries caused by fireworks are devastating and generally unrecoverable. It’s not worth the risk. But if you just can’t resist the urge to set off fireworks, always wear safety glasses.
• Each year, hospitals treat nearly 40,000 victims of sports eye injuries. Any sport involving a fast-moving ball (basketball, racquetball, tennis, baseball, etc.) puts you at risk. To protect your eyes, wear safety goggles or glasses during sporting activities. Eye protection is particularly critical when using crossbows, air guns, or any device that shoots pellets, arrows, or other projectiles. For high-impact sports like hockey and lacrosse, wear a polycarbonate face mask or shield to protect your eyes.

In the House

• Household cleaning products cause at least 125,000 eye injuries each year. Chemicals like bleach, oven cleaners, and bathroom cleaners can splash or spray into your eyes. Check that the nozzle is facing away from you when using a spray. Read and comply with labels, and never mix or combine cleaning products! That may cause a chemical reaction, resulting in chemicals that erupt into your face and eyes. And remember to wash your hands after using household cleaning products — even if you wear rubber gloves to clean.
• Cooking oils can splatter hot oil, so use a grease shield on frying pans to prevent injury. Boiling liquids also pose a danger. Children love to watch and learn how to cook, so always be aware if they are near the stove and place boiling pots on the back burners.
• Opening champagne and carbonated drinks. When opening champagne, catch the cork by wrapping the bottle with a towel before uncorking it. Be careful when opening carbonated drinks as well – hold the can or bottle away from the face to open. Never point a bottle or can in the direction of another person.
• Hot objects. Curling irons pose a danger to your eyes because they are used in close proximity to the eyes. Use with care and caution.
• Furniture and rugs. Place padding on furniture with sharp edges or corners — especially if there are children or elderly in the home. And it’s always a good idea to install handrails and lights in stairwells and low-light areas. Secure loose rugs with non-slip pads underneath to prevent falls and subsequent injury.

By anticipating the eye injury risks in any activity, chore, or sport — even in your home and yard —you can protect your precious windows on the world!

March is “Save Your Vision” month, encompassing every aspect of eye health. On a daily basis, you must protect your eyes from various potential hazards – UV rays from the sun, eyestrain from digital screens, and environmental hazards such as projectiles and dust. But there’s another potential culprit that many of us apply to our delicate eye area every day. That’s right: We’re talking about eye makeup.

Most cosmetics from reputable manufacturers are safe when properly applied, but be aware of application injury (ouch!), color additives, and the increased risk of eye infections.

Let’s have a “look-see” at some of the “Do’s and Don’ts” of wearing makeup and keeping your eyes healthy. Makeup trends come and go, but protecting your precious sense of vision is forever.

1. Clean Up Your Act

Misuse of eye cosmetics can be dangerous – plus there’s an “ick factor” to nasty bacterial or fungal eye infections. Not a good look for your wedding, job interview, or family photo! Remember these safety tips to help reduce the risk of contamination and injury.

• Never share eye cosmetics with anyone – including “testers” in department stores. Sharing another person’s bacteria is never a good idea. Having a makeup salesperson give you a new look may take on a whole new meaning when they use the same products they used on their last makeover client. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or random cosmetic shopper, it is hazardous to swap or share makeup.
• Don’t use old or outdated mascara. After three months of use, pitch it. And don’t ever attempt to remoisten dried-out mascara with water or saliva. That’s a bacterial disaster waiting to happen!
• Store cosmetics at room temperature. Higher temps cause deterioration of the preservatives, so leaving cosmetics in your hot car or beach bag is a definite no-no!
• Your hands are a playground for bacteria. Always wash your hands with soap and water (not hand sanitizer) before applying cosmetics. It’s a good idea to cleanse your face as well. Transfer of bacteria from hand to eye is one of the most common avenues of inflammation, injury, and infection.
• Liquid or creamy eye makeup is especially susceptible to bacterial growth. Be extra-careful with such formulations.
• Use cosmetics for their intended purpose. While it can be tempting to use a lip liner as an eyeliner, you risk cross-contamination. Also, color additives not intended for the eye area can cause inflammation or irritation.

2. Don’t Move

As convenient as applying makeup “on the go” may be – don’t risk it! On the bus, in the car, or on a subway is not the ideal scenario to hold a pointy mascara wand near your eyes. A pothole, sudden stop, or rear-end collision could cause you to scratch your cornea, causing a painful injury or infection. Even a grazing scratch with a mascara wand, eyeliner, or tweezer can cause eye injury. It’s not worth the risk.

3. False Eyelashes and Extensions

False eyelashes and extensions are trendy but can affect your vision when misused. The FDA considers these products, including lash adhesives, as cosmetic products. Therefore, they must adhere to FDA labeling and safety requirements. However, adhesives can be properly labeled and still cause problems with the eyes and the delicate skin surrounding them. After all, it’s glorified glue! Reactions may be allergic in nature, or the glue may cause irritation that can be very uncomfortable. If you experience a particularly bad reaction — one that causes blurry vision, intense itching, or cracked skin — contact your optometrist for evaluation.

4. Dying and Tinting Eyelashes and Brows

Want dramatic dark lashes and brows that accent your eyes? Lash and brow dying or tinting should be done by a licensed professional using FDA-approved products. Serious eye injury, including blindness, has been reported from the use of non-FDA-approved products.

5. Avoid Glitter Makeup

Corneal irritation and infection can be caused by sparkle powder, glitter or metallic eye makeup. These relatively large particles act like sand or dirt in the eye, irritating and damaging your eye. Contact lens wearers are especially susceptible to this type of eye makeup injury because the glittery flakes can lodge between the eye and the lens, causing prolonged abrasion and injury.

6. Take it Off

The cardinal rule of wearing makeup? Always (always!) remove all makeup before going to sleep. It’s that simple. If not removed, eye makeup can cause follicular conjunctivitis and styes, eyelid cysts, and blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid that affects eyelashes and tear production). To avoid an eye infection, try these gentle eye makeup removers:

• Vaseline is a soothing and lubricating makeup remover, since it prevents pulling and scrubbing as the makeup slides off gently.
• Tear-free baby shampoos are another great choice because of their hypoallergenic, gentle-to-the-eye formulation. Put a small dab on a cotton ball, close your eyes, and gently wipe.
• Out of eye makeup remover? Baby oil, olive oil, almond oil, or coconut oil are great natural options.
• Makeup removers designed specifically for the eyes are a smart choice, too. Be careful to keep the remover from getting into your eyes. After use, thoroughly rinse any remover off your eye and wipe with a clean cotton pad. Be gentle with those delicate eyelashes – they serve the vital purpose of protecting your eyes from dirt and dust.

Now go out and wow the world with those beautiful, healthy eyes!

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

Age-Related Macular Degeneration — called AMD for short — is an all-too-common eye disease that blurs central vision and can make it harder to drive, read, see faces or do “up-close” work. It is the most common cause of severe vision loss in people over 60. More than 200,000 cases of AMD are diagnosed yearly in the U.S., which translates to almost 20 million adults living with AMD. Globally, that number will rise to approximately 288 million by 2040.

There is no cure for AMD, which is a life-long complication once it develops. However, with early detection, the condition can often be treated and managed.

The aging process damages the retina of the eye, specifically the macula – the part of the eye that controls straight-ahead, central vision and the sharpness or fine details of everything you see. It doesn’t, however, affect peripheral vision. As an example, if you were a person with AMD looking at a clock, you could see the numbers on the face of the clock but not the hands. It rarely causes complete blindness, but it can severely diminish your quality of life.

In some individuals, AMD progresses rapidly, while in others, it can occur slowly over time. Some patients don’t notice the vision loss it causes at first, due to the slow progression. That’s why it’s so important to have an annual comprehensive dilated eye exam. Your eye doctor can watch for and detect vision changes and other early signs, such as the presence of drusen – tiny yellow deposits in the retina that may indicate the eye is at higher risk for developing more severe AMD. Macular degeneration may develop in only one eye or in both eyes, and the level of severity can differ in each eye. If you are diagnosed as being at risk for AMD, your optometrist will recommend a protocol to minimize and manage the vision loss associated with the condition.

What are the symptoms of AMD?

• Fuzzy or blurry vision
• Difficulty recognizing faces, reading fine print, and driving
• Blurry, dark or empty spots in the center of your vision
• Different (worse or less) color perception
• Visual distortions: straight lines that appear wavy
• Central vision that is reduced in one or both eyes
• Difficulty adapting to low levels of light

Who is at risk for AMD?

No one knows the precise cause of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, but research indicates that it may be a combination of family history, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

Here are some indicators and risk factors that may mean you are more likely to develop AMD:

• Risk for AMD increases as you age. People age 60 and older are more likely to have AMD, and women develop AMD at an earlier age than men.
• If you are Caucasian, you are at higher risk.
• If you are a smoker, that habit dramatically increases your risk of developing AMD.
• Having a family history of macular degeneration; researchers have identified several genes linked to AMD.
• Being overweight
• High blood pressure or hypertension
• Diabetes
• Poor nutrition; a diet high in saturated fats like meat, butter, and cheese
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol levels
• Accumulated UV light exposure over your lifetime

How can I prevent AMD?

You can take steps to lower your risk of developing AMD. Risk factors such as your age and family history are beyond your control, but your lifestyle, activity levels, and eating habits are all within your control!

Lifestyle factors to reduce your individual risk of developing AMD include:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stay physically active
• Eat eye-healthy foods like dark, leafy greens, yellow fruits and vegetables (kale, spinach, broccoli, and squash) – these foods are high in antioxidants and vitamins that reduce your risk of developing AMD. Choose fish like salmon and tuna, which are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, and snack on walnuts. Make it a habit to eat a balanced nutrient-rich diet. One good option? The Mediterranean Diet.
• Always wear UV protective glasses or sunglasses – 365 days a year.
• Schedule your annual eye exam. See your optometrist regularly for a comprehensive eye exam to look for early signs and symptoms of AMD. Early detection is the key to treating this disease and preventing or slowing the rate of vision loss.

If you are at high risk for developing AMD or other debilitating eye conditions, ask your eye doctor how often you should be examined to monitor your eyes for early signs. Your eyes are your window to the world. Be proactive with your visual health: Call us today to schedule your annual eye exam.

February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Low Vision Month. Many people aren’t sure what the definition of low vision is or how it manifests in patients’ lives. Let’s dive into low vision, explore its causes and symptoms, and discuss how patients can learn to navigate the challenge of not seeing clearly even while wearing corrective lenses.

What is the definition of Low Vision?

Low vision is the term for impaired vision that cannot be corrected by conventional eyeglasses, medications, or surgical treatments. About 4 million adults in the U.S. live with low vision, and nearly 500,000 will be diagnosed this year alone. That number is expected to increase to more than 9.5 million living with low vision in the next 30 years.

Although it is permanent and incurable, low vision can be monitored to help you accomplish your everyday tasks and slow the progression of vision loss. Characterized by different degrees of sight loss, low vision can cause difficulties in accomplishing everyday tasks such as reading, driving, distinguishing colors, recognizing faces, and seeing your computer or television screen. These problems can vary in severity from mild or moderate to an almost complete loss of sight.

Ideal visual acuity is 20/20 vision. While many people need prescription correction to attain 20/20 vision, when vision can be corrected to 20/20, it is incredibly beneficial. According to the World Health Organization, low vision is a level of visual acuity rated from 20/70 to 20/400 while wearing the best possible prescription correction; or a visual field of 20 degrees of less. So even with prescription lenses, a person with low vision cannot attain better than 20/70 vision.

Sharpness of vision or visual acuity is a ratio of measurement describing vision 20 feet from an object. For example, a measurement of 20/70 means that you must be 20 feet from an object or image to see what a person with optimal vision sees at 70 feet.

There are two categories of low vision as defined by The American Optometric Association:

• Partially sighted: Visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/200 with conventional corrective prescription lenses.
• Legally blind: Visual acuity that can’t be improved beyond 20/200 with conventional correction or a restricted field of vision less than 20 degrees wide.

Who is most at risk for Low Vision?

Anyone can have low vision because of many eye conditions and injuries that contribute to it. However, the two most common causes of low vision in adults ages 45 to 75 are glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. One in six adults over age 45 have low vision, and one in four over age 75 live with low vision.

Low vision impacts every patient differently, so effective treatment requires an individualized action plan that your optometrist can help you with.

What are the different types of low vision?

• Blurry vision: Objects both far away and up-close appear to be out of focus
• Hazy vision: The entire field of vision seems to be covered with a film or glare
• Night blindness: Affects the ability to drive at night
• Trouble seeing in low light: Inability to see in limited or poorly lit areas such as restaurants or theaters
• Peripheral vision loss: Not being able to see things on the outer edges of your vision field, above or below eye level. You can have 20/20 vision but have limited peripheral vision that negatively impacts your life.
• Central vision loss: Not being able to see images in the direct center of your line of sight

What causes Low Vision?

Several disorders of the eye can cause low vision. It is more common in people age 60 and over because many conditions contributing to low vision are more common in older individuals. Other factors contributing to low vision include brain and eye injuries and certain genetic disorders. The following conditions can cause or contribute to low vision:

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration
• Cataracts
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Glaucoma
• Cancer of the eye
• Brain injury
• Albinism
• Retinitis pigmentosa – an inherited disorder

Diagnosis and Treatment

Your optometrist can diagnose low vision during a comprehensive eye exam. Your eye doctor will work with you to find the best treatment options. Some disorders can be treated to maintain vision, and several vision aids may help patients with permanent low vision.

Non-optical aids that can help include talking watches, clocks, and phones. Clocks and watches with high-contrast or enlarged numbers, magnifiers, text-reading software, and large-print publications can help improve the quality of life for patients with low vision.

Remember: A comprehensive eye exam with your optometrist is the best way to ensure your vision is screened, diagnosed, and corrected. Your doctor will formulate a plan to keep your eyes as healthy as possible. Make an appointment today to protect the health of your eyes.

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, which encourages us to start the year thinking about our precious sense of vision and how to safeguard it.

Glaucoma is a thief – a silent “sight thief” associated with gradual and permanent vision loss caused by damage to the optic nerve. It is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide.

Over 3 million people in the United States have glaucoma. That number, according to the National Eye Institute, is expected to increase to 4.2 million by the year 2030.

The World Health Organization says that more than 2 million people are blind due to glaucoma worldwide (about 120,000 of those are in the U.S.) and that 80 million people worldwide currently have glaucoma. Many of those individuals are unaware of their condition because glaucoma steals vision so gradually, over time. A person can lose as much as 40% of their vision without noticing a change! Due to our aging population, lack of awareness of symptoms, and failure to get regular eye exams, an epidemic of glaucoma-mediated blindness is a real possibility.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that cause injury to the optic nerve due to high intra-ocular pressure (the pressure inside of the eye). The fluid that moves through the eye can become blocked off, causing a strain on the optic nerve. The optic nerve is unable to send the appropriate messages to the brain, causing vision to blur or get darker, typically starting with peripheral vision. As the condition progresses, the optic nerve deteriorates, and blind spots occur. Most forms of glaucoma are seen in middle-aged and elderly individuals.

Who is at risk for Glaucoma?

Those at highest risk include:

• Age 55 and over
• Black, Asian or Hispanic
• Family history of glaucoma
• Medical conditions including diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure and sickle cell anemia
• High intra-ocular pressure
• Corneas that are thin in the center
• Extreme farsightedness or nearsightedness
• Eye injuries or specific types of eye surgery
• Extended use of corticosteroid medications, especially eye drops
• Siblings of persons diagnosed with glaucoma

The Two Types of Primary Glaucoma

1. Open-angle glaucoma: The most common form of glaucoma, it is caused by a blockage in the porous tissue around the eye. The primary drainage angle in the eye remains open but is unable to drain the fluid due to the blockage, and therefore the fluid build-up exerts pressure on the optic nerve. The only way to know if you have this type of glaucoma is by examination during your regular eye exam, which can be pivotal in saving your eyesight and preventing total vision loss.

Symptoms:

• No symptoms in early stages
• Patchy blind spots in peripheral vision or side vision
• Central vision affected in later stages

2. Angle-closure glaucoma: This type of glaucoma is rarer and happens suddenly when the iris bulges, blocking or partially cutting off the drainage angle between the cornea and iris. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

Symptoms:

• Severe headache
• Severe eye pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Halos or colored rings around lights
• Eye redness

How to Manage Glaucoma

Detecting and managing glaucoma in its early stages may help slow its progression and prevent total vision loss. While there is no cure, glaucoma is highly treatable.

Here are some important points to remember.

• Regular comprehensive eye examinations are the key. If you are 55 years old or over, be sure to see your optometrist at least once a year. If you are an at-risk patient with a family history, you may need screenings more frequently. Ask your optometrist how often you should be screened.
• Be aware of your family’s eye health history. Glaucoma can be seen in families from generation to generation. While glaucoma can be hereditary, many people without a family history of the condition are diagnosed every year. Keep in mind: It’s possible that a family member had the condition but was undiagnosed.
• Wear eye protection. Always wear eye protection when participating in sports or using power machinery or tools. Serious eye injuries can lead to glaucoma.
• If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma, use your prescription eye drops regularly. These drops can significantly reduce the progress of intraocular eye pressure that causes glaucoma. Even if you have no symptoms, continue to use the drops as prescribed by your optometrist.

There is no cure for glaucoma, but comprehensive eye exams can identify your risks, and early intervention can prevent progressive damage to the optic nerve. The earlier glaucoma is diagnosed, the sooner you can begin a treatment plan to save your sight.

Call our office today to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Knowledge is power: Know your risks and be proactive in protecting your eyesight.

Who doesn’t love a good New Year’s resolution? Many people begin the New Year with a strategy of being more aware of their health and well-being. Some plan to eat healthier, exercise regularly or quit smoking – which are a great start. But there are other simple eye health habits that can enhance the well-being of your vision.

Following are seven eye-healthy resolutions to consider implementing in 2024. These best practices will protect your “windows on the world” – those amazing eyes that enable you to enjoy the world around you.

1. Wear UV Protective Sunglasses Year-Round

The result of cumulative UV-A and UV-B rays over the years can contribute to developing cataracts. Serious eye conditions including macular degeneration and rare eye cancers are also linked to prolonged exposure to the sun’s damaging rays. Wear a high-quality pair of sunglasses to reduce these risks and protect your eyes from dryness and irritation caused by blowing debris, dust, sand, snow and wind. Get a good pair of UV-protective sunglasses or treat yourself to a new pair of prescription sunglasses to protect your eyes!

2. Practice Good Contact Lens Hygiene

We all get lazy sometimes, but when it comes to contact lens hygiene, carelessness has some serious consequences. Follow your optometrist’s instructions for the care and use of your contacts to reduce your chances of an unwanted eye infection. Also, keep track of the amount of time that you wear your contacts. In recent years, lens technology has improved, making contacts thinner, microbe-resistant and more comfortable to wear — which can tempt you to wear them longer than is healthy. Follow your optometrist’s guidance on how many hours per day to wear them.

3. Remove Eye Makeup Before Going to Bed

Blepharitis – the term for clogged oil glands at the base of your eyelashes — is a common condition that affects everyone whether or not you wear makeup. However, when you don’t wash your makeup off at night, it contributes to a crusty buildup at the base of the lashes that can block glands and cause a painful stye. Removing eye makeup each night can help loosen oil that may cause a stye to develop.

4. Reduce Screen Time

When you’re working at a computer or looking at a phone screen for hours and hours, your eyes are focusing intently. The muscles in your eyes get exhausted from focusing! Plus, when you stare at screens, you don’t blink as frequently as you would normally. This can cause eye strain and dry eyes. To help reduce eye strain, adopt the 20/20/20 rule – every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to stare at something 20 feet away. At night, do your eyes a favor and decrease the device’s brightness by using “dark mode” to help reduce eye strain. Minimizing screen time helps prevent eye strain, but stepping away from the screen altogether is a much better option for your eye health.

5. Eat More Eye-Healthy Leafy Green Vegetables and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Eat your veggies! Your mother was right! Beta carotene and antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin found in carrots and dark green leafy vegetables are good for the health of your retinas. A National Eye Institute study showed that a specific mix of antioxidant vitamins and minerals improved long-term outcomes of macular degeneration. Take a plant-based multivitamin and eat more brightly colored vegetables and leafy greens to keep your eyes healthy. To gain the dietary advantage of Omega-3 fatty acids, include cold-water fish (like salmon and tuna) on your plate, and balance your diet with fresh fruits. What you eat directly affects your vision.

6. Wear Protective Eyewear

Only about 3 out of 10 people wear protective eyewear, which is shocking when you realize that a pair of goggles can literally reduce your risk of eye injury by 90%!

• Do you use power tools or mechanical devices? Are you a do-it-yourselfer? Screws, nails and hand tools can fly through the air and cause catastrophic injury to the eye.
• Do you love to landscape? Trimmers, wood chippers, lawnmowers and even shovels can throw thorns, twigs, dirt and debris into the air and potentially damage your eyes.
• Spring cleaning your home or just doing a weekly cleaning? Put on those goggles! Every year there are 125,000+ reported eye injuries from cleaning. Strong household chemicals (like oven cleaner and bleach) can damage the sensitive tissue of the eyes. Never mix chemicals and always wear protective eyewear — it can save your sight!

7. Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam

Yearly eye exams are essential to your eye health — and the older you are the more critical eye exams can be in monitoring your eyes and catching issues early when they’re more easily treated. If you have diabetes or other medical conditions that affect your eyesight, it is even more important to see your optometrist on an annual basis. Diagnosing “silent” conditions like glaucoma that can steal your sight before you notice it is just one good reason to schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam as one of your new healthy habits.

Call us today to make an appointment with your optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam. It’s a great start to stepping into 2024 with healthy eyes!