Many people are confused as to whether or not they are actually taking good care of their eyes.  What does that really mean? Well, now we’ve developed a short quiz to help you determine whether or not you know how to take care of your eyes and what you should be doing.  Take the following quiz and see how you do:

1. How often do you see your eye doctor for an eye exam?

1. Whenever I feel like it
2. When I can’t see as well as I could before
3. At least every two years
4. I don’t

2. Which food is the best source of Lutein, that incredibly eye-healthy nutrient

1. Kale
2. Potatoes
3. Carrots
4. McDonalds

3. Which of the following could damage your eyesight?

1. Staring at your computer screen all day
2. Smoking
3. Reading in dim light
4. Driving on the left side of the road

4. Which eye disease can cause 40% loss of sight before you even notice it?

1. Glaucoma
2. Cataracts
3. You’d notice anything wrong with your eyes
4. Pink eye

5. If you get an eye infection should you?

1. Go straight to the hospital or your eye doctor
2. Use natural, or organic eye drops
3. Just wait it out, it will get better
4. Have a nice cup of tea

6. You want new sunglasses. Do you?

1. Buy the cheapest pair
2. Get fake Gucci’s on eBay
3. Make sure you buy ones that have passed safety regulations
4. Spend as much as you possibly can to look the best

7. Which of these is a symptom of age related macular degeneration?

1. Pain
2. Loss of central vision
3. Loss of side vision
4. Forgetting to pick your grandchildren up from school

Here are the answers:

1. You should have your eyes checked at least every 2 years.

2. Green leafy, Kale is the best food to provide the nutrient Lutein, most needed by eyes to perform at their best.

3. If you smoke you’re up to 4 times more likely to develop age related macular degeneration.

4. Glaucoma has been called the sneak thief of sight. It sneaks up and gradually causes your vision to move inwards.

5. Go straight to your doctor or eye doctor.  Serious problems can be avoided by rapid action.

6. Always check the safety regulations before buying any sunglasses.  Buy a pair that blocks 100% of UV rays.

7. Loss of central vision is a sign of age related macular degeneration, which affects almost a third of the people above 75 years old.  It is a very tricky disease to detect and only your eye doctor can know for sure.

How did you score? How many questions did you get right?

1-2 You have probably been lucky to not get any serious eye diseases, or injuries.  But you should study up some more on eye health and learn how to take better care of your eyes.

3-4 You’re doing pretty well, but you also need to be a bit more diligent when it comes to the health of your eyes.  Check back on the answers you got wrong and read our other Simon Eye blogs for more useful data.

5-7 Congratulations! It looks like you’re doing very well and know your stuff.  Keep it up.  Knowledge is the first defense in the fight to keep our eyes healthy and happy.

Healthy Vision Longer

Ever wonder if there are any celebrities, or people in the media who have had LASIK surgery? I have.  And today I found at least one celebrity that has had the procedure done.  Cindy Crawford.  And she tells her story in a testimonial.

After learning about Lasik and hearing many other celebrities had undergone it, former supermodel Cindy Crawford found it the best option for her. Before the surgery she had to wear glasses while driving and had great difficulty inserting contact lenses. She decided to have the surgery performed by celebrity eye surgeon, Dr. Maloney.

Expressing her happiness and initial fear about her Lasik surgery, Cindy said in her testimonial: “I’d been considering corrective vision surgery since I’d heard about the procedure, but of course, I was very nervous about it. I heard about Dr. Maloney from my agent, who had his vision corrected with great results. I got up my courage and scheduled an appointment. They were very patient and explained all my options. The procedure was painless and I can see so much clearer now. It’s great to wake up in the middle of the night and watch television without my glasses, and, best of all, I can drive without glasses or contacts. I would recommend it to anyone”.

The benefits of Lasik? There are many, Cindy says in her testimonial video. First off, she doesn’t have to bother with annoying contact lenses, which she says, she had great difficulty putting in. She also claims she really enjoys not having to wear glasses anymore, and loves the little things, like being able to watch TV clearly from her bed.

Cindy is now enjoying her improved life with no hassles of wearing glasses and contact lenses.

Cindy Crawford

Whatever you do for a profession, whether you’re a carpenter, or a teacher, healthy vision is vital to your success.  The American Optometric Association says that on the job eye injury and strain is not only common, but cost billions in lost productivity each year.  These figures are startling considering that 90% of these workplace injuries could be prevented simply by wearing properly designed and fitted protective eyewear.

But worrying about something flying into your eyes is not the only thing you have to be worried about.  If you’re like the rest of America, you sit in front of a computer all day long, text on your Smart Phone, browse the web at home, etc.  You also need to protect your vision.  Computer Vision Syndrome is a relatively new word, which brings with it some painful and uncomfortable symptoms such as: dry eyes, headaches, fatigue, blurred vision and loss of focus.

The below recommendations will go a long way to ensuring you have great vision for a very long time:

1. Give it a rest. Make sure you apply the 20-20-20 rule.  That is, for every 20 minutes at your computer, make sure you look away to a distance 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

2. Increase the font size on your PDA. Most PDAs use tiny fonts that are very hard to see.

3. Make sure your monitor is set to the best resolution available.  This will offer greater clarity.  Also, adjust your monitors brightness to a level you feel is comfortable.

4. Look down.  The American Optometric Associates says that it’s easier for the eyes to focus on reading material that is below reading level.

And above all else, make sure you see your local Optometrist at least once a year to ensure your eyes are happy and healthy.

Computer Vision Syndrome

Contact lens wearers should stock up on lenses ahead of springtime, one eye health expert has advised. With the allergy season just around the corner, eye care expert Dr K W Scarbrough has warned that unclean or old lenses can make allergy attacks `mildly irritating or impossible`. As such, while contact lenses may be necessary for good eyesight, the Washington State-based eyecare professional has noted that regularly changing lenses is the best means of getting through the spring and summer as healthily as possible. “Dirty lenses are a time-bomb for allergic wearers,” he explained to the Northlake News.” Lenses should be replaced often; one-use lenses can allow some sufferers to wear their lenses even in the worst times.” Furthermore, he also advised contact lens wearers to think about carrying a spare pair of glasses with them when their allergies are at their peak.

Order your contact lenses directly from Simon Eye Associates http://www.simoneye.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.contacts

This article was written by Alexa Kaczka

Acuvue Contact Lenses from Simon Eye Associates

At Simon Eye Associates we’re often asked the question, “why is it so important to get an eye exam?” We have many answers to this, but today I found this well written answer from Gail Gilman-Waldner.  Enjoy!

Your vision seems great and your eyes feel completely fine so you may be putting off that visit to the eye doctor. If you haven’t seen your eye care professional in a while, you might have an eye problem that you don’t know about. Many eye diseases have no early warning signs. You may not notice anything so it’s critical to have your eyes examined on a regular basis. A comprehensive dilated eye exam involves looking at all the parts of your eye. It also tests eye movement, the reaction of your pupil to light and the fluid pressure inside your eyes.

It’s critical to pay attention to your eye health, because eye health actually is a reflection of overall health. Changes in the eyes, for example, can tip a doctor off that you have diabetes.
Comprehensive dilated eye exams can catch problems that could lead to blindness and visual impairment while they can still be halted or reversed. If you have glaucoma or diabetic eye disease (a group of eye problems that can accompany diabetes) you may notice a problem only when it’s too late to regain your lost vision. Glaucoma, for example, first affects your side, or peripheral vision, which can be hard to notice. If left untreated, the vision loss will continue to move toward the center of your vision. It’s a painless process much like hypertension or high blood pressure can be painless. Having regular eye exams can help detect eye diseases in their early stages, when they can still be treated. Regular eye exams are important for everyone, but especially for African Americans over age 40, those with a family history of eye disease, people with diabetes and everyone over 60.

An eye exam can also spot uncorrected refractive errors, meaning your eye is out of focus. Uncorrected refractive errors affect more than 11 million Americans. Eye care professionals usually prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses to solve the problem. More than 150 million Americans now use corrective eyewear. How often you should have your eyes examined depends on your age, family history and other risk factors. Your eye care professional can tell you when your next exam should be. If you haven’t had an eye exam for a while, now is the time. Your eyes are an important part of your health. Healthy vision can help keep you safe while you’re driving, participating in sports and taking part in recreational activities. It can also help you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle well into your golden years.

Eye Exam

I found a great article by Dr. Alisa Hildeg.  She’s not an Optometrist, but she has some great things to say about vision and how to keep our eyes happy and healthy. Enjoy!

I recently found out that February is Low Vision Awareness Month, and it occurred to me that most of the time I take my sight for granted. I remember my great grandmother lost her vision to macular degeneration at a young age. Later, my grandmother lost her vision to cataracts but then surgery became available and she could drive again. If I lost all or most of my vision, how would it impact my life and my family’s life? How can I protect my sight and my family’s sight?

Eye examinations are about more than determining whether or not you need glasses. An eye exam can detect the effects of underlying health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune problems and many other diseases that can rob you of your sight. Proper eye care and treatment can prevent, maintain or improve various eye conditions. Because the early signs of many eye conditions can be mild, regular eye exams are the best way to catch problems early. When a child is born, their eyes should be examined in the hospital for congenital conditions such as cataracts or eye muscle problems. Their physician should check their eyes each time they go in for well-baby and well-child exams.

If there is a difference in vision between the two eyes, it needs to be addressed before a child is 4 to 5 years old or it could cause permanent problems. Poor vision over time can cause difficulties at school, headaches and even behavior issues. As an adult, how often you should get an eye exam depends on your age and whether you have any special risk factors like diabetes, a family history of glaucoma or previous eye injuries or surgeries. Ask your eye doctor how often you should get an exam. Besides routine eye exams, you can help preserve your and your family’s sight by being vigilant for signs and symptoms. If you notice any of them, get to a physician as soon as possible. Any sudden change of vision needs immediate evaluation that day.

In children, watch for eyes that do not line up or appear crossed; red, crusty or swollen eyelids; watery or red eyes; rubbing eyes frequently; covering or closing one eye to see things; struggling with reading or other close-up work; holding things close to see them; squinting a lot; complaining of itchy, burning or scratchy eyes; dizziness, headaches or nausea after doing close-up work; and complaining of blurry or double vision. In adults, be alert for the same things that you watch for in children, but also difficulty adjusting to dark rooms; trouble focusing; sensitivity to light or glare; change in eye color; recurring pain in or around the eyes; a dark spot at the center of anything you look at; wavy or distorted lines; spots in the vision; loss of vision in one eye; seeing flashes that others do not see; halos or rainbows around lights; and loss of side vision.

Some things are signs of a need for glasses or contact lenses, but others can be symptoms of more serious conditions that need treatment. You can read about many common eye conditions in more detail at the National Eye Institute Web site ( www.nei.nih.gov/ index.asp). If you feel that you cannot afford to go to an eye doctor, you can find information about financial assistance at www.preventblindness. org/vlc/resources.htm and www.nei.nih.gov/health/ financialaid.asp. Another aspect of eye health is preventing injury. There are around 2 million serious eye injuries per year, and some estimates put as many as 90 percent of these as being preventable.

Protect your eyes from injury by wearing safety glasses, safety goggles or a face shield when you mow the lawn, work with wood or do anything where there is potential for injury. This includes handling chemicals, racquet sports, basketball, baseball and hockey. I wear sunglasses that have a safety rating for some of these activities because sun damage can cause melanomas, cataracts and other preventable eye problems. Get your routine eye exams and be vigilant about your vision. Stack the deck in your favor for a lifetime of good vision so you can (literally) watch your kids and your grandkids grow up.

Low Vision Month

By Alexa Kaczka

A woman has had her eyesight restored after being blind for 30 years, it has been reported.  Jenny Peterson, from South Dekota, lost her eyesight following an allergic reaction to antibiotics, reports ActionNews.  Over the years, Jenny underwent several unsuccessful stem cell transplants and surgeries, which would return her sight for a few days.  This month, however, she was convinced by surgeons to give surgery another try and was amazed by the results.  After five hours under the knife at the Mayo Clinic, Jenny awoke and could see almost immediately. “I saw my kids. And I can see the little children that I left behind in their faces yet. And I say my husband, my sisters, my dad,” she told the news provider.

Her husband, Ron added: “We`ve been watching videos of things that have happened 30 years ago and 25 years ago. Things that we went to but she could never see.” Recently, researchers from the UC Davis Medical Center in the US claimed that artificial muscles could be used restore the eyesight of people with facial paralysis.

Jenny Peterson

Pasta you may love, but if you want to be able to see the rich colours in your meals for a long time to come, turn to desi food.  For, Indian cuisine uses extensively a magical herb that can prevent loss of sight as the years roll by.  This herb is the humble saffron, which lends yellow colour to your spicy curry.

Researchers from University of Sydney in Australia and Policlinico Gemelli in Italy tested the effect of saffron pills on 25 subjects over six months. Half of the subjects were given a saffron pill for the first three months followed by a placebo for the next three. The other half were given placebo first and then the saffron pills.

Silvia Bisti, lead author of the study from University of Sydney, said, “Measurements using objective eye sight tests showed patient’s vision improved after taking the saffron pill. When they were tested with traditional eye charts, a number of patients could read one or two lines smaller than before, while others reported they could read newspapers and books again.”  She said all patients experienced improvement in their vision when they were on the saffron pill. “But when they stopped taking the pill the effect quickly disappeared,” Bisti added.

The researchers said saffron seems to have a beneficial effect on the genes that regulate the fatty acid content of the cell membrane. “This makes the vision cells tougher and more resilient,” Bisti said.  According to her, saffron has ‘anti-apoptotic’ properties, which means it increases the availability of oxygen to the body and prevents the death of cells.  The researchers are further studying the appropriate dose that can help the elderly avoid vision loss. They also hope to find out if saffron can help treat genetic eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa.  The spice is also believed to have anti-cancer properties.  Secular you should be politically, but when it comes to health, saffron may be the way to go.

Saffron for Eyesight

If you’re like me then you spend an awful lot of time at your computer.  In fact, I spend so much time on mine that I’ve made a special harness for my laptop that attaches directly to my arm.  Not really.  But I do spend about 9 hours a day on it at work and then I check my email at night, do research on it in the evenings, read on it, social network, etc.  And the thing is, most people do the exact same thing.  But what is this doing to our eyes? Well, nearsightedness is up 66 percent since the 1970s, for one thing.

Researchers compared the eyesight information of more than 4,400 people tested in 1971 and 1972.  They also took eyesight data of those tested between 1999 and 2004.  The results were shocking.  A massive 66 percent increase in nearsightedness.  Although nearsightedness is poorly understood, it is clear that the increase in computer use, the increase in TV watching, texting, etc. are clearly the leading causes of this eye condition.

So what’s the solution? First of all, GET OUTSIDE MORE! Take 5 minute breaks at work and don’t just sit there surfing the net, GO OUTSIDE and look around.  In fact, for every 20 minutes you spend at your computer, you should be looking 20 feet into the distance for 20 seconds.  With just this small change, you could be saving yourself thousands of dollars in Eye Exams, glasses, etc.  So, get out there and smell the roses.

Nearsightedness

It seems like we’re getting an awful lot of snowfall in Delaware this Winter.  We haven’t had many major snowstorms, besides that one just before Christmas, but we seem to be getting a little bit of snowfall every week.  This can create more problems than just a dirty car.  It can also affect your eyesight.  Especially, when you’re young and spend a lot of time playing in this white, fluffy snow.  That’s why when I came across this press release on PR Newswire I thought I’d pass it along to all of you.

CONCORD, Mass., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ — Each winter, parents pull out the outer coats, hats, scarves, gloves and boots to properly protect their children from the cold, but what about protecting their children’s eyes from the sun? According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), sunglasses are not just for sunny summer days, but are also needed during the winter season when reflections from snow, water, sand or pavement can intensify UV rays to extremely high levels. In addition, the sun’s rays pass right through haze and thin clouds, making sunglasses a necessity during the early afternoon sun, when UV radiation is strongest, and a must when participating in winter sports, particularly at high altitudes. When taking the kids in the car or the stroller, heading out to the bus stop or to sled or build a snowman don’t forget the shades.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that children’s eyes are at increased risk for permanent damage from sunlight until they are at least 10 years old, because their eyes are highly sensitive and still developing. Furthermore, 90% of total lifetime damage from the sun’s harmful rays occurs by age 18.

The Real Kids Shades line of protective infants’ and children’s sunglasses provides 100% UV-A and UV-B ray protection, as recommended by Prevent Blindness America. Real Kids Shades are safe, lead-free and made of impact-resistant, shatterproof polycarbonate frames and lenses, a material hailed by Prevent Blindness America as “the first choice for children’s eyewear.”

“Recognizing that children’s eyes are at special risk from the harmful effects of UV rays since their eyes are still developing and are more vulnerable to sun damage, we developed Real Kids Shades to provide serious sun protection in comfortable, kid-friendly and stylish designs,” says Lisa Medora, VP Product Development, Real Kids Shades.

“Real Kids Shades were developed to be both durable to withstand kids’ lifestyles and great-looking, so that kids will want to wear them,” added David Scheinberg, CEO, Real Kids Shades.

The Real Kids Shades are designed for all children 12 and under in a wide assortment of polycarbonate shatterproof frames and lenses with adjustable neoprene bands, rubber flex or metallic frames. Several of the styles can be fitted with prescription lenses. Retail prices start at $14.99 to $19.99. For more information and store location, visit www.realkidshades.com.

Real Kids Shades