An athlete can improve their visual skills and boost their performance on the field with the help of sports vision training.

Binocular vision is the eyes’ ability to focus on an object to  create a single image, this is critical for achieving on the sports field.

Binocular vision allows us to perceive three-dimensional relationships and depth between objects or people, such as a ball or another player, making it an essential visual skill, especially for athletes.

Our two eyes sometimes fail to merge visual information into one cohesive image, a condition called binocular dysfunction.

As each eye is in a different position in relation to any object, the eyes communicate slightly different spatial information and send these varying images to the brain. The brain then uses the differences between the signals from the two eyes to accurately judge speed, distance and depth.

When binocular vision isn’t operating at maximum capacity, it impacts an athlete’s speed and the accuracy of their movement along with their reaction time.

Contact an eye doctor near you to start a vision training program to improve your visual skills.

SEE RELATED: Vision Therapy for Eye-Hand Coordination: Success Stories

If an athlete has reduced binocular vision it doesn’t mean that they are constantly fumbling or falling over. It just means that they may collide more often with other players, or misjudge the direction or velocity of a ball.

Sports vision training for athletes

Sports vision training is a customized program that improves the communication between a person’s eyes, brain and body.

Sports vision training helps athletes to react faster and process information more accurately, dramatically improving their game.

Athletes need to have exceptional visual skills, as sports are visually demanding. Athletes need to be able to focus, move fast and react quickly. Sports vision training can help improve all the visual skills an athlete needs to not only make a difference between winning and losing, but between staying safe and incurring an injury.

Even if an athlete has ‘20/20 eyesight’ they may still have reduced binocular vision. Sports vision therapy can help improve visual skills that already exist.

The ability to enhance an athlete’s sports vision skills is a proven way to improve performance.

Reduced binocular vision affects athletes

When our eyes and brain don’t work accurately together, particularly while playing sports, it can affect our reactions, accuracy, depth perception, speed, and timing.

Visual deficits slow down a player’s ability to process  and respond to what they see, and this may make it more difficult for them to catch a fly ball or judge the distance between them and the basketball hoop or goal post.

Visual skills needed for sports

Athletes need many visual skills to perform their best.

Binocular Vision – the ability to maintain focus on an object, creating a single image with both eyes. Without binocular vision, athletes cannot accurately measure depth and distance.

Saccades – rapid, quick, simultaneous eye movements between two or more stationary objects in the same direction. For athletes it’s important to be able to see stationary objects, such as a hoop at the end of the court.

Peripheral Vision – the ability to see movement and objects outside of your direct line of vision. This is important for athletes, especially when running down a field and being able to see other players coming at them from all directions.

Accommodation – the eyes’ ability to change their focus from near to distant objects and vice versa. For example, when a football player looks at other players coming toward them, then shifts focus to the ball on the field.

Smooth Pursuits – is the eyes’ ability to move smoothly, instead of the eye moving in jumps. It is a reflexive eye movement that is required when tracking an object through an environment, such as a flying ball.

Dynamic Visual Acuity – the ability to see when an object is still and the athlete is in motion or see a moving object when a player is stationary. It allows a player to visually discern detail in a moving object, such as a player’s number on a jersey.

Depth Perception – is the ability to distinguish the distance to, or between, objects. This is important for athletes when they need to interact with a moving object or hit an object.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Sports Vision

Schedule an appointment with a vision therapy eye doctor to help you reach your sports goals.

The post Is Binocular Vision Important for Sports? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Most patients enjoy their visit to the eye doctor, there are always new frames to look at and the staff and eye doctors are usually a friendly bunch working in a relaxed office.

Are eye exams important?

Yes! Many eye conditions, in their early stages, have no obvious signs or symptoms, so the annual exam is often the only way to detect eye conditions early.

This can leave people believing there is nothing wrong with their eyes. However, since there are no signs or symptoms, regular comprehensive eye exams are key to maintaining good vision and healthy eyes.

A yearly eye exam allows your eye doctor to monitor your vision and eye health over the long-term, and can help detect signs of medical conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure.

When was the last time you went for an eye exam? Schedule an exam today!

SEE RELATED: What to Do Before an Eye Exam?

What does an eye exam include?

Some tests that your eye doctor may perform during your eye exam include:

• Preliminary Tests – this may include evaluations of peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision, eye muscle movements, and how your pupils react to light.

• Visual Acuity – this evaluates how clearly each eye sees. A reading chart is frequently used during this test. Visual acuity is measured as ‘20/X’, e.g. 20/30 or 20/40. 20/20 is considered perfect vision, but some people have such clear sight, their visual acuities are recorded at 20/15 or even 20/10.

• Optical prescription – the eye doctor will provide an evaluation of your optical prescription, to see if there are any updates that can deliver clearer eyesight.

• Eye Focusing – this test determines how well your eyes move, focus, and work together. Your doctor will be able to see problems that prevent your eyes from focusing effectively or working well together.

• Digital Retinal Image – this test is a digital recording of retinal health achieved by taking an image of the retina. These photographs can be used for accurate diagnosis and stored and used to compare to any future images.

• Eye pressure test (IOP) – this is usually done with a puff of air. Sometimes the eye doctor will gently touch the front surface of your eye with a device that glows with a blue light. IOP is vitally important for eye conditions including glaucoma and corneal disease.

• Slit-lamp – this exam gives your eye doctor a magnified view of the many different structures at the front of the eye and inside, such as the cornea, pupil, iris, tear ducts, lens and retina. The area surrounding the eyes can also be examined, such as the eyelids and the adjacent periorbital skin.

• Ophthalmoscopy – this test uses a bright hand-held light to assess the health of the back of the eyes, and can detect cataracts, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

Importance of eye exams

A yearly eye exam is recommended for everyone, especially those over the age of 50, to ensure you have clear vision as well as good eye health.

Don’t wait until you can’t read a street sign a few feet away or the computer screen seems fuzzy.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Exams

Schedule an eye exam to help keep you and your eyes healthy.

The post Why Are Eye Exams Important? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

In 2019, 9.3% of prescription glasses in the United States were sold online, this means that over 9 out of 10 people still prefer buying their glasses from ‘brick and mortar’ eye doctor offices or optical stores.

While buying glasses and contact lenses online may seem enticing, there are many factors to think about before clicking that ‘buy’ button. Shopping online can seem to save time and money and can be extremely convenient, done from virtually anywhere at any time.

If you are interested in purchasing glasses online visit your eye doctor to find out if it is a good idea for you. 

The Find an Eye Doctor directory provides a list of eye doctors near you that can provide eye exams and advise you on the type of glasses that best suit your eyes.

SEE RELATED: Choosing Glasses for Your Face Shape 

If you are thinking of buying your next glasses online, here are some of the important considerations;

Do you save money?

Since shopping online for glasses has increased, most eye doctors and optical shops will now have a wide selection of eyeglasses with prices that match those found online.

While buying glasses online can be convenient by saving you a trip to the local optical store, scrolling through images of widely varying styles of frames can make deciding which to choose confusing and difficult.

Just like searching for glasses online can be confusing, so is finding the best deals. Since there are so many different sites to purchase glasses from, comparing and finding the best deal can be difficult to understand.

However, when buying glasses in-store a trained professional is there to take you through every step of the way, from choosing the best glasses frame to finding the best deal for you, as well as discussing the best optical solutions for your lifestyle including sunglasses, multifocal lenses and even contact lenses.

Are the glasses the best fit?

One of the benefits of purchasing your glasses from an eye doctor or optical store is that an experienced staff member will take all the time needed with the fitting and selecting the right eyeglasses for you.

The staff are trained and can clearly explain the different features and ensure that the frames that are chosen are the best fit.

When shopping in person, all glasses are customized for each person, being able to try the glasses on will also save you the hassle of having to guess the size and then needing to exchange or return them if they don’t fit as expected.

While the glasses selected, when purchased online, may look good, once they are received they may not look as expected. It can be difficult to choose style and color from a website as opposed to actually seeing them on your face in the mirror at an actual store.

Is the prescription correct?

Consumer studies have shown that almost 50% of the lenses ordered from online retailers arrive with some error.

These prescription mishaps are more common when buying glasses online because online retailers may not be able to accommodate specific prescriptions.

There is a lot of details on all optical prescriptions and while online suppliers may be able to manufacture the lenses, the way they are positioned in the frame may not be in a way that works best with your eyes.

The correct positioning of the lenses is determined by the pupillary distance (PD) as well as the position of the center of the lens. If either of these are not measured accurately, the result could be introducing unwanted prisms. This can cause significant headaches, discomfort and eyestrain.

Quality of the frames

Often low price frames are made from low-quality materials making them less sturdy and they may break more easily or not last as long. 

Durability of the lenses, prescription accuracy, and fit can all be potential problems of buying glasses online. If the glasses that were ordered online need to be adjusted, you will end up having to make a trip to the optical store after all.

Buying glasses online vs. in-store

There are some things to consider, when thinking about whether to buy glasses online or in-store.

• Making sure the fit, frames and measurements of your face and eyes are correct.
• Consider costs – ordering glasses online allows you to compare prices quickly.
• Specialized prescription needs, such as a need for progressive lenses, may not be able online.
• Knowing your pupillary distance (PD) can be difficult to measure. This is the distance between the centers of both of your two pupils. It is specific and unique to your eyes and face. If this measurement is done incorrectly you may not be able to see out of the lenses properly.

While purchasing glasses online may become more popular in the future, as of now most eyeglasses are still purchased from a brick-and-mortar optical store, as the pros of buying in store outweigh the cons.

Remember, even if ordering glasses from an online store, you will still need to visit an eye doctor for an eye exam and a prescription for corrective lenses.

Buying glasses online is not as simple as one may think. Think about the impact it can have on your vision and lifestyle especially if the prescription is wrong or the frames don’t fit properly.

LEARN MORE:  Optical and Contact Lenses

If you are currently looking into getting new glasses, contact an eye doctor near you to schedule an appointment, they can help you choose glasses that best suit you and your eyes.

The post Should I Buy Glasses Online? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

If you suffer from eye allergies, you may be wondering what is causing your itchy, sore, watery eyes.

Common causes of eye allergies include:

• Outdoor allergens: pollens from grass, weeds, and trees
• Indoor allergens: dust mites, pet dander, and mold
• Irritants: cigarette smoke, diesel exhaust, and perfume

Since your eyes can react to a wide range of allergens, the only way to find out what is causing your allergies is to get tested by an allergy specialist.

If you suspect you have an eye allergies, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: Managing Dry Eyes in the Spring 

Different types of eye allergies

There are many different types of allergies:

• Seasonal/perennial allergic conjunctivitis
• Vernal keratoconjunctivitis
• Atopic keratoconjunctivitis
• Contact allergic conjunctivitis
• Giant papillary conjunctivitis

Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis

Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) is the most common type of eye allergy.

Allergy symptoms are experienced in spring, summer, or fall— depending on the type of plant pollen in the air.

Symptoms include:

• Itching
• Burning
• Redness
• Watery discharge
• Dark circles under eyes
• Puffy eyelids
• Sensitivity to bright lights

These signs and symptoms usually present with a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, and other typical hay fever symptoms.

Perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC) 

Perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC) occurs year-round. This type of allergy is caused by reactions to dust mites, mold, pet dander or other household irritants. Perennial allergic conjunctivitis produces the same symptoms as SAC, though they tend to be more mild.

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is a more severe eye allergy than SAC or PAC. It can occur year-round, but symptoms may worsen during certain seasons. This type of allergy is most prevalent in boys and young men.

Symptoms include:

• Itching
• Significant tearing
• Production of thick mucus
• Foreign body sensation
• Sensitivity to light
• Eczema or asthma

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis can be harmful to your vision if not treated properly.

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis predominantly affects older with a history of allergic dermatitis. This type of allergy can produce symptoms year-round that are similar to those of vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Symptoms include:

• Severe itching
• Burning
• Redness
• Thick mucus discharge
• Eyelids that stick together

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis can result in scarring of the cornea if not treated properly.

Contact allergic conjunctivitis

Contact allergic conjunctivitis can result from eye irritation caused by contact lenses or by the proteins from tears that attach to the surface of the lens.

Symptoms include:

• Itching
• Redness
• Lens discomfort
• Mucous discharge

Giant papillary conjunctivitis

Giant papillary conjunctivitis is a severe form of contact allergic conjunctivitis and is associated with contact lenses. This type of allergy occurs when individual fluid sacs (papules) form in the upper lining of the inner eyelid.

Symptoms include:

• Itching
• Tearing
• Swollen eyelids
• Mucous discharge
• Blurred vision
• Discomfort from contact lenses
• Foreign body sensation

What can you do to relieve your eye allergies?

If you suffer from eye allergies, there are a variety of treatments that can help to alleviate your discomfort.

Schedule an eye exam to discuss which type of treatment will be most effective in relieving your allergy symptoms.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

The sooner you begin to treat your symptoms, the sooner you will start to feel like yourself again.

The post Types of Eye Allergies appeared first on Optometrists.org.

According to recent statistics on sports-related eye injuries and children:

• 43% of all sports-related eye injuries occur in children ages 15 and under.
• Less than 15% of children wear any form of eye protection when participating in sports activities.

Children that are involved in contact sports on a regular basis are at a high risk of getting hit in the eye from fast flying balls, being jabbed, poked, or tackled by an opponent, or even getting cut in the eye from broken optical lenses.

Regular eyeglass frames do not provide enough protection from sports-related activities and can be easily damaged.

Fortunately, with the right protective eyewear, up to 9 out of 10 sports-related eye injuries can be prevented.

Contact an eye doctor near you to discuss how to achieve the best vision possible.

SEE RELATED: Choosing Glasses for Your Face Shape 

What is protective eyewear?

Protective eyewear contains strong, impact resistant polycarbonate lenses, which are unlikely to break or shatter if they are hit by a flying object or knocked off during a sports activity.

If your child is involved in sports, protective eyewear such as sports goggles, wrap-around polycarbonate lenses, or side shields can prevent many eye injuries and damage to regular eyeglasses.

Protective eyewear is available with or without a prescription lens to allow for clear vision, while providing maximum protection.

Protective eyewear is essential for all sports— hockey, basketball, football, soccer, baseball, tennis— and any other sport where the athlete is in motion.

What makes polycarbonate lenses the preferred choice?

Polycarbonate is the most popular choice for sports goggles.

While not completely indestructible, polycarbonate is the strongest plastic lens material available, and is widely known for its high impact resistance, durability and built-in UV protection.

While protective eyewear is generally recommended to reduce the risk of eye injuries, these glasses can also increase peripheral vision and even improve your child’s sports performance— since they can focus on the game without worrying about losing or breaking their regular eyeglass frames.

Wearing protective eyewear is the best way to protect your child’s eyes and vision. 

LEARN MORE:  Optical and Contact Lenses

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor to assess your child’s vision and visual needs, and to determine which type of protective eyewear is right for your child.

The post Which Frames Are Best for Playing Sports? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

But what can you do when your child complains of headaches or eye strain? 

With the dramatic surge of digital device use, eye doctors have been reporting a significant rise in the number of children suffering from blurry vision, headaches, eye strain and focusing difficulties.

Common symptoms from prolonged screen time include:

• Eyestrain
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Dry eyes
• Neck and shoulder pain

These symptoms are not only uncomfortable, but are also closely linked to difficulties in attention and concentration. 

As a result, many children complain that “learning is too difficult” or they “can’t sit anymore”. Worse yet, some children adamantly refuse to attend online classes in the morning— causing feelings of frustration and high levels of stress for both the child and their parents.

What can you do to help your child?

This is the number one question asked by parents nowadays.

Schedule an eye exam

The first factor to consider is whether or not your child is suffering from a vision problem.

The only way to answer this question with certainty is to schedule a comprehensive eye exam and functional vision evaluation.

Your eye doctor will assess your child’s vision and visual skills to determine if a vision problem is causing your child’s headaches and eyestrain— and thus their inability to sit through their online classes comfortably.

Spend time outdoors

Unfortunately, it simply doesn’t work to force your child into online learning. They may end up sitting in front of the screen, but won’t gain much from the lesson— especially if they are experiencing symptoms that impact their ability to concentrate.

In the meantime, try to take advantage of the fact that your child is at home and blend learning with fun! Your children learn with you and from you all the time— use this opportunity to teach your children in a more relaxed setting. You may even be able to incorporate what they are learning in class with a fun outdoor activity!

Running around outdoors is great for reducing stress and relaxing the eye muscles.

Studies have proven that taking young children outside is one of the best ways to keep their eyes healthy and reduce their chances of developing myopia.

But don’t forget, the sun’s UV rays are strong, even when the sky is overcast— so pop on a pair of sunglasses and make sure your child has a pair too. Children’s eyes are still developing and are therefore more susceptible to the harmful effects of UV rays.

Most eye doctors supply children’s sunglasses that are good quality, fashionable and affordable— so if you don’t have a pair for your child, be sure to get them the protection they need to keep their eyes as healthy as possible.  

Spending time outdoors will not only help your child to come back to class feeling refreshed, but can also help you to regain your strength and energy. 

Practice screen time rules

• Follow the 20/20/20 rule – Every 20 minutes, instruct your child to look 20 feet away for 20 seconds, to allow the eyes’ focusing muscles to relax.
• Use a larger screen – A larger screen is generally more comfortable to look at for an extended period of time, as details and text will be seen more clearly.
• Adjust screen settings – Selecting white print on a black background, or adjusting the screen brightness may help your child to see more comfortably.
• Position the screen – Position the screen at least 12 inches away from your child’s eyes.
• Lighting – Be sure that the sun is not shining in your child’s eyes or directly on the screen— this can cause a glare and make it difficult to see clearly.

In wake of the current situation, many families are finding it difficult to cope with the challenges associated with online learning, along with the demands of work and family life— all while trying to instill an overall sense of optimism and reassurance in the home.

If your child struggles with online learning, look into scheduling a visit with your eye doctor to see if a vision problem is affecting their ability to sit through their classes comfortably.

Many children suffer from undetected vision problems that can significantly impact learning and concentration, but can be effectively treated with a program of vision therapy. 

Take the first step toward helping your child succeed by scheduling a comprehensive vision evaluation with an eye doctor near you.

The post Help! My Child Dislikes Online Learning appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error that affects millions of children and adults worldwide. This distance vision problem generally develops during childhood, as the eyes are still growing, and occurs when the eyes grow too long from front to back (axial length).

Myopia causes the light that enters the eye to be focused in front of the retina, rather than directly on the retina— and results in blurred distance vision.

Myopia can be inherited, or can be caused by certain lifestyle habits, such as prolonged screen time and other near vision tasks.

With increasing indoor “play” such as video games and watching television, the amount of time children spend outdoors has significantly decreased.

Studies show that children who spend just one hour outdoors each day can reduce their risk of developing myopia by over 14 percent. 

Being outdoors and focusing on objects in the distance gives your eye muscles a chance to relax— especially after hours of staring at the screen or learning in the classroom.

Similar to the other muscles in the body that need to relax after periods of strengthening or constant use, the eye muscles need to relax as well.

Eye doctors recommend spending between 60 and 80 minutes outdoors everyday to promote eye health and reduce the risk of myopia development. 

If your child’s myopia is worsening, contact an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat with a program of Myopia Management.

SEE RELATED: Should I Be Worried About Myopia?

How to encourage outdoor play

If you are having a hard time getting your child away from the screen and out the door, these tips can help make outdoor time more exciting for your child. 

• Play with your child. Not only will this help your child get outdoors, but it will also help you to gain from the benefits of being in the sunshine as well.
• Play their favorite sports. If you child knows that going outside means playing their favorite sport, they are more likely to put down the digital device and challenge you to a game.
• Explore the neighborhood playgrounds. Finding new playgrounds to go to every week will keep things exciting— a new slide, swing, or climbing area can make going to the playground a thrilling experience for children.
• Find new hiking trails. Discovering new places to visit, especially when nature is involved, will not only help your child to get outdoors, but will also encourage them to explore different aspects of nature.
• Plan a picnic or barbeque. Invite some friends and family to a picnic or barbeque, or have special alone time with your child—these meals will create memories that will last a lifetime.
• Organize a scavenger hunt. What is more fun than searching for candy or hidden prizes? Not only will this encourage outdoor play, it will also help your child to learn how to be creative when it comes to playing outside.

Playing outdoors has been shown to reduce the risk of myopia development in children. 

But don’t forget, if you are planning to venture outdoors, even for just one hour, always bring a pair of UV protected sunglasses, sunscreen, and a wide brimmed hat for maximum protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays.

If your child has been diagnosed with myopia, playing outside can also help to reduce their risk of myopia progression, which can lead to more serious vision problems in the future.

LEARN MORE: Guide to Pediatric Eye Conditions

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam, and to discuss any questions you may have about Myopia Management for your child’s worsening myopia.

The post The Benefits of Outdoor Play for Children with Myopia appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can occur from an accident, trauma, or sudden blow to the head. While it isn’t always possible to avoid an accident, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself from a brain injury.

What causes TBIs?

Many people think that TBIs are caused by major events like car accidents or physical assaults. However, most TBIs actually occur from common occurrences, such as a fall at home or a head-on collision in a sports game.

Other TBI injuries can result from:

• Sports injuries (21%)
• Blunt force trauma (15%)
• Car accidents (14%)
• Violent physical assaults (9%)

Visual disturbances following a TBI

According to the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA), 90 percent of TBI patients experience the following visual problems:

• Blurred or double vision
• Photophobia (light sensitivity)
• Eye strain and headaches
• Difficulty reading
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Eye movement complications
• Reduced concentration

If you had had a head injury, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat any undiagnosed vision problem.

SEE RELATED: Can a Stroke Cause Vision Problems? 

4 ways to protect yourself from a brain injury

One of the best ways to protect yourself from a brain injury is to avoid risky behavior altogether. 

However, since this isn’t always possible, if you are going to engage in activities that increase your risk of head injury, be sure to keep these four tips in mind:

1) Wear sports protection

Around 21 percent of TBIs occur from a sports related accident. 

Before heading out to play your favorite sport, be sure to take your protective eyewear and helmet along with you.

Wearing protective gear when playing basketball, baseball, football, hockey, and any other ball or contact sport can help protect you from serious head and eye injuries.

2) Wear sunglasses 

Believe it or not, sunglasses can actually help to prevent many accidents that occur from temporary moments of blindness— such as when you’re driving around the corner and bright sunlight reflects off of your windshield, making it nearly impossible to see clearly.

Sunglasses with polarized lenses block both direct sunlight and reflected light, and add another layer of protection against strong glare.

Sunlight reflects off of smooth surfaces, such as water, snow, pavement, mirrors, and even grass. Therefore, it is important to wear your sunglasses anytime you venture outdoors for a walk, a car ride, and any sports or activities played in the sun— this way you can rest assured that you will be able to see clearly at all times.

Photochromic lenses are another great solution if you wear prescription eyeglasses, as they are clear indoors and darken automatically when exposed to bright light. These lenses will ensure that you never leave your home without protection from the sun’s bright light.

3) Be aware of your surroundings

Being fully aware of your surroundings, whether driving, walking, running, or playing sports can significantly reduce your risk of accident and brain injury.

Since falling is the number one cause of TBI, it is important to scan the floors in your home for any objects that may cause a fall, such as toys or balls, and limit distractions when walking down the stairs or on slippery surfaces.

Also, when walking outdoors, look for loose rocks, raised pavement or ditches in the middle of the sidewalk that could cause a fall— and never text while walking or driving!

4) Wear your seatbelt

The number one way to prevent a TBI from a car accident is by wearing a seatbelt. 

Car accidents are the number one cause of TBI-related deaths in America, especially among adults between the ages of 20 to 24. Seatbelts not only save lives, but also reduce your chances of sustaining life-long brain damage.

Wearing your seatbelt will not only protect you from brain injury, but will also set a good example for your children and help them to get accustomed to this habit for years to come— protecting their lives and their children’s lives as well.

Traumatic brain injuries can cause many different impairments and can significantly affect your quality of life. 

If you have sustained a TBI and are experiencing any visual symptoms, a neuro-optometrist can help. 

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Neuro-Optometry

Schedule a functional vision evaluation to determine if a program of neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help to strengthen your visual skills and reduce any visual symptoms you may be experiencing.

The post How to Protect Yourself from a Brain Injury appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Gritty eyes can be caused by a number of eye conditions, including dry eye syndrome, blepharitis, sjogren’s syndrome, or even sunburned eyes.

If you are experiencing a gritty sensation in your eyes, schedule an eye exam to determine the cause of your symptoms and receive an appropriate treatment plan.

SEE RELATED: Why Do My Eyes Feel Sore?

Dry eye syndrome (DES)

Dry eye syndrome is the most common cause of gritty eyes. 

A diminished quantity or quality of tears can cause your eyes to become dry, itchy, irritated and sore.

Healthy tears consist of three elements: oil, mucus, and water. If any of these elements are compromised, it can affect the quality of your tear film and cause your tears to evaporate too quickly. If either of these problems occur, dry eye symptoms will result.

Dry eye syndrome is a chronic condition that can be hereditary or caused by hormonal changes, lifestyle habits, certain medications, LASIK surgery, or the natural aging process.

If DES is causing the gritty sensation you are experiencing, your eye doctor may recommend an artificial tears eye drop, gel, or ointment to increase the moisture in your eyes and alleviate your symptoms.

Medicated eye drops that increase natural tear production may also be prescribed for moderate to severe dry eye symptoms. For acute cases, a steroid eye drop may be prescribed in combination with a medicated eye drop to provide short-term relief of severe dry eyes.

For chronic or severe dry eyes, your eye doctor may recommend a specialized in-office dry eye treatment. There is a wide range of treatment procedures that have been proven effective in treating the underlying cause of dry, gritty eyes.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is one of the most common eye conditions marked by an inflammation of the eyelids.

Blepharitis generally develops when the oil glands at the base of the eyelashes become blocked. It is commonly caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), but can also develop from a bacterial infection or skin condition such as dandruff of the scalp or rosacea.

Grittiness is a common symptom of blepharitis, along with swollen eyelids, and red, irritated, itchy eyes. 

An appropriate treatment plan will be determined based on the type of infection that has caused the blepharitis.

To effectively treat blepharitis, it is important to keep your eyelids clean. Wash your eyelids and eyelashes every night with a mild soap recommended by your eye doctor to soften any buildup of debris and wash away any crusty discharge.

In-office eyelid hygiene procedures, such as eyelid margin cleaning, intense pulsed light (IPL), thermal pulsation, and blephex treatments are often recommended to effectively eliminate the infection and relieve your uncomfortable symptoms.

Your eye doctor may also prescribe medicated eye drops or ointments or oral medication to help clear the infection. In some cases, a steroid eye drop may be prescribed to reduce inflammation.

When the inflammation is treated, your eyes will feel more comfortable and the gritty sensation will disappear.

Sjogren’s syndrome

Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease that damages the tear and saliva producing glands— causing dry eyes and a dry mouth.

Along with dry eyes, comes a gritty sensation, burning in or around the eyes, light sensitivity, red eyes, and blurry vision.

To relieve your dry eye symptoms, your eye doctor may recommend an artificial tears eye drop, gel or ointment to help keep your eyes moist throughout the day. A medicated eye drop may also be prescribed to encourage natural tear production.

In some cases, medications to treat Sjorgren’s syndrome may also improve your dry eye symptoms.

Sunburned eyes (photokeratitis)

A day in the sun without the right eye protection can lead to sunburned eyes.

Sunburned eyes appear red or bloodshot, and typically cause a gritty sensation along with light sensitivity and blurred vision. 

While photokeratitis generally does not cause any long term eye damage, it should be looked at by an eye doctor.

To alleviate your discomfort, your eye doctor may recommend using an artificial tears eye drop, gel, or ointment to lubricate your eyes and sooth the burn. For severe sunburns, an anti-inflammatory eye drop may be prescribed.

Photokeratitis generally fades after a couple of days, and the gritty sensation in your eyes should disappear as well. If you don’t notice any improvement after several days, contact your eye doctor.

If your eyes feel gritty and irritated, don’t wait for the sensation to go away on its own. There are a range of effective treatments that can offer you quick relief.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor to get the treatment you need to help your eyes feel comfortable again.

The post Why Do My Eyes Feel Gritty? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Polarized lenses are known for their ability to reduce glare and improve color contrast in bright light. These lenses enhance visual clarity, reduce eye strain, and provide maximum protection in bright environments.

Polarized lenses are recommended for outdoor use, especially in environments known for reflecting light and producing glare, such as:

1. Near the water 

Oceans, rivers and lakes are all bodies of water that reflect the sun’s light. Whether you are fishing, sailing, or jet skiing, polarized lenses can prevent the sun’s light from reflecting off the water and shining into your eyes. They can also help you to see more clearly into the water— a helpful tool for successful fishing.

2. On the ski slopes

Whether you are skiing, sledding, or snowboarding, if you plan to spend the day on snow-covered mountains, polarized lenses will absorb the light reflected off the snow and enhance your visual clarity.

Caution: Some eyecare professionals caution against wearing polarized lenses while skiing as these lenses can affect your ability to distinguish between snow and ice.

3. On the road

The roads and highways are also known for reflecting light, and can cause a dangerous glare while driving. Polarized lenses reduce the light that is reflected off the surface of the highway, increasing depth perception and decreasing drivers fatigue.

Contact an eye doctor near you to discuss how to achieve the best vision possible.

SEE RELATED: Going Skiing – Remember Your Polarized Sunglasses

How do polarized lenses work?

When the sun’s rays shine in different directions, the light is called unpolarized light. When unpolarized light hits a reflective smooth surface, such as a mirror, car window, water or even snow, the reflected light causes the light rays to point in one direction. This transforms the light into polarized light.

Reflected polarized light can be harmful for your eyes— and without the right kind of protection, can cause glare, reduced vision clarity and UV light exposure.

Polarized lenses prevent reflected light from shining directly into your eyes and make it easier to see when bright light is reflected off of smooth surfaces. 

Polarized lenses are created differently than regular lenses due to their ‘sandwich’ design. A polarized lens contains three layers: two outer layers made of plastic or glass, and a middle layer containing the polarized material which is stretched into long vertical strands.

This ‘sandwich’ design allows the polarized lens to absorb the horizontal light that is reflected off smooth surfaces, preventing it from reaching your eyes.

When to use polarized lenses

Polarized sunglasses can make a world of difference when it comes to certain activities, such as:

• Fishing
• Boating
• Golfing
• Snow sports

When not to use polarized lenses

Wearing polarized lenses can make it difficult to see the images on LCD screens, such as the screen on your cell phone or car dashboard, or the ATM machine at the bank.

Sometimes, wearing polarized lenses can interfere with your visual clarity.

Here are some situations when wearing polarized lenses is NOT recommended:

• Looking at digital screens or mobile phones
• Driving on icy roads
• Nighttime driving

In these situations, the reflected light and increased glare can signal oncoming danger and help you to avoid accidents.

Polarized vs. regular sunglasses

Regular non-polarized sunglasses rely on the dark tint of the lens to reduce glare.

Polarized lenses have the ability to reduce light energy without increasing lens color density, and are therefore available in a variety of lighter shades.

Note: While most polarized lenses provide 100 percent UV protection, be sure to read the label on the sunglasses before purchasing.  

Polarized lenses can be beneficial in bright light environments and help to improve your visual clarity for many different activities.

LEARN MORE:  Optical and Contact Lenses

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor to learn more about polarized lenses and how they can benefit your lifestyle.

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