Category: Children - academy of eye care

gadgets hurting your eyes?

8/14/2013

From computer monitors to iPads, tablets and phones, it is not unusual for many of us to spend most of the day reading digital screens. But staring at them for hours every day can cause significant eye strain, blurry vision, headaches, burning or watery eyes.

Individual vision problems and poor office ergonomics contribute to the rise in eyesight trouble, and as computer use duration increases, so do the symptoms.

Some tips to help ease computer related eye problems are:

The 20/20/20 Rule -- Relax your eyes every 20 minutes for 20 seconds looking at something 20 feet away.
Blink – Our normal blink rate cuts in half when concentrating on a computer screen causing your eyes to dry out.
Set the stage – Ergonomics and lighting are key. Try positioning your screen to eliminate glare. Optimally, the computer screen should be 15-20 degrees below eye level and approximately 2 ft away.
Adjust your display settings - Adjust screen resolution, font size and brightness.
Visit your eye doctor – Schedule an eye exam to ensure that your eyes are healthy and that your prescription is up to date.

Call us today to schedule a comprehensive eye exam 850.769.1404. If you are a computer user, be sure to ask about lenses and contacts specifically designed for computer users.

give your child a visual "head start"

7/14/2013

It is estimated that 80% of learning for children comes through their visual system. It is also estimated that 80% of children begin school without a comprehensive eye exam.

Good vision has been identified as a major factor of a child’s ability to learn and succeed. Since kids need good near and distance vision at school, as well as good peripheral coordination, it just makes sense for parents to have them tested before they start school.

Most children won’t complain about visual problems, because they don’t realize what “normal” vision is. The American Optometric Association (AOA) actually recommends your child have their first complete eye exam at six months, if there are no apparent eye problems.

Check out the AOA’s helpful article “Steps in Infant Vision Development.” www.aoa.org/x9420.xml#1 Call our office at 850-769-1404 to set up an appointment for you and your child!

get ready for spring sports

4/14/2013

Gone are the days when athletes with mild prescriptions would just take off their glasses and play. Proper vision enhances competitive edge by improving hand-eye coordination not to mention being able to see what you are doing!

Protective sports eye wear is not just important for those needing vision correction. 600,000 sports-related eye injuries are documented every year in the US, according to the Public Health Association. Wearing proper eye protection is critical to reducing the risk of sports related eye injuries that could be devastating to vision. Be proactive and protect yourself and your little athletes with sports vision wear!

allergy "season"

3/4/2013

We refer to it as allergy "season", but for the last few years it has seemed that the seasons all just run together. So many patients are suffering from eye allergies year round-- red, itchy, watery eyes. In the midst of the worst allergy season ever, it is important to know what works best for you.

There are tons of home-remedies and over-the-counter products based around allergies. Lubricating your eyes with artificial tears helps to dilute accumulated allergens and prevent them from sticking to the conjunctiva. Unfortunately, these drops have no impact on swelling or redness.

For the best relief for your eyes, call our office at 850.769.1404 for an evaluation of your eyes. There are a variety of decongestant eye, antihistamine, and steroid drops that can stop the suffering.

Here are a few tips to remember:

Avoid staying outdoors when pollen levels are high
Allergies dry your eyes and dryness keeps more allergens on the surface-- break the cycle!
Cold compresses soothe allergy swollen eyes
Refrigerate eye drops for a soothing sensation during application
DO NOT RUB your eyes as this spreads histamines and causes more itching

use it or lose it! (FSA/HSA spending)

11/4/2012

Starting around this time of year, we seem to get a lot of questions from people about their Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA). In most cases, FSA / HSA must be used by the end of the calendar year, or you lose it. Here are a few answers to our most Frequently Asked Questions!

1. Can I use my FSA/HSA for prescription sunglasses? Yes! For lenses or frames!

2.  Can I use my FSA/HSA to pay for my husband’s / wife’s / child’s / grandmother’s eye care?   Yes! It can be used for anyone you claim on your taxes as a dependant.

3.  Can I use my FSA/HSA for contacts?   Yes! You may use it for contacts and any other expenses incurred in the maintainence of contacts, including cases, solution, rewetting drops, etc.

4. Do I need a receipt to send in to the administrators of my FSA/HSA?   It varies widely by plan. Some plans see that the expense is from a doctor’s office, and so do not question it. Other plans want an extremely detailed receipt. We are happy to give you a detailed copy of your receipt with the insurance CPT codes on it if your FSA / HSA needs it. We can give this to you when we dispense your glasses or contacts to you, at the time of the exam, or can mail or fax the receipt to wherever you need it to go.

at what age can kids wear contact lenses?

10/15/2012

Dr. Byers generally leaves this decision up to the parents. The most important factor is the level of responsibility demonstrated by the child. Contacts can contribute to eye infections and vision damage when they are not handled and cared for properly. Daily disposable contact lenses are a healthy option as they minimize these risks.

If you feel that your child is able to handle the responsibilities associated with contact lenses, then Dr. Byers is more than happy to fit them with lenses. Her staff will carefully go through insertion, removal, and care instructions. For reminders and tips, refer to our contact lens section of our website.

how do we perceive color?

9/21/2012

In this back to school time, we are seeing may kids for comprehensive exams. We always check for color deficiencies in these kids. Our visual system is amazing and this is a great illustration of the science behind color perception. Click here for full illustration.

back to school soon, can your kids see clearly?

8/6/2012

It's that time again; going to bed early and getting into the routine for the new school year. Soon after the year begins, many parents bring their children in for an examination because their teacher noticed a problem with them seeing the board. Vision problems can develop quickly as kids are growing and changing. Some visual conditions are obvious and some are much more subtle. Our children may be experiencing symptoms that are not always attributed to the eyes like slow reading speed, inability to read for long periods, drowsiness when reading, and difficulty sustaining concentration on the task. Children and parents alike don't always see these symptoms as visual problems--often they are looked at as behavioral issues. Be sure your child receives a vision evaluation with Dr. Byers and make sure your child is performing to their full potential for the new school year.

good vision equals good behavior?

7/18/2012

Experts believe that more than 70% of all learning is gained through the use of vision. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), one out of four children in the U.S. have visual problems that could impair learning, and many go undetected. In 2010, an AOA teacher survey demonstrated a relationship between classroom behavior and vision. More than 60% of surveyed teachers reported improvement in either behavior or academic performance after visual problems were diagnosed and treated. The AOA recommends a first assessment at six months for children, the first comprehensive exam at age 3, another before entering school and every two years thereafter, unless otherwise indicated by their optometrist or ophthalmologist. Read more including early indicators at: www.aoa.org/x16123.xml.