These tips will help you to protect your eye health and vision while still being able to rock your costume and amaze your friends and family: 

1. Read the directions carefully before applying any product to your skin and beware that many costume makeup products are not intended for use around the eyes.
2. Do not apply any makeup products or face paint directly to your eyes or the skin around your eyes— stay above your eyebrow bone and at the level of your cheek bones.
3. Avoid costume eye makeup products like stick on eyelashes and heavy paints. Instead, use your eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara that you use all year long.
4. Look for products that say “hypoallergenic” on the label to reduce your risk of an allergic reaction.
5. Test the product on a small area of your skin before using it on Halloween day to be sure that it will not cause any skin irritation.
6. Avoid eye glitter at all costs. If your costume calls for some sparkle around your eyes, opt for a shimmery eye shadow instead, as glitter can easily get into your eyes and scratch and irritate your eyes and even lead to an infection.
7. Beware of fluorescent colored makeup or additives in face paint which have not been FDA approved.
8. Never use fluorescent colored makeup near your eyes.
9. Do not share eye makeup, or use any makeup products or face paint from previous years— this can significantly increase your risk of eye infection.
10. If the product contains a strange smell, throw it out— it could be expired or contaminated.
11. Remove your makeup at the end of the night according to the instructions on the package— never sleep in face paint or makeup.

What to do in an eye emergency

If you experience any pain, redness, itchiness, or swelling after applying face paint or Halloween makeup, contact your eye doctor immediately. 

These are signs that can indicate an allergic reaction, chemical irritation, or eye infection and must be treated promptly to avoid complications.

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Pink eye is the most common eye problem among children, causing sore and painful eyes.

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva — the clear membrane that covers the inner portion of the eyelids and the white of the eye. This condition can be successfully treated by optometrists.

Common symptoms of pink eye include:

• Blurred vision
• Eyes feel scratchy
• Crustiness around the lashes
• Discharge from the eyes
• Itchiness and grittiness
• Light sensitivity
• Red, swollen eyes and eyelids
• Watery eyes

Pink eye is typically caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens, or irritants. If a bacteria or virus is the cause of your child’s pink eye, then it’s highly contagious.

SEE RELATED: Unequal Pupil Sizes (Anisocoria)

If your child has any of the above symptoms, contact an eye doctor near you.

4 things to do for pink eye:

1. Contact an eye doctor

It’s often difficult for parents to tell what’s causing their child’s symptoms, which is why it’s important for an eye doctor to examine the child’s eyes.

The treatment for pink eye is determined by the type of infection, so a proper diagnosis is crucial.

For example, viral conjunctivitis can resolve on its own after several days, whereas bacterial conjunctivitis requires treatment with antibiotic medication.

If your child is showing signs of pink eye, contact an eye doctor near you for an eye exam.

2. Change Your child’s bed sheets and towels

To get rid of any bacteria that might remain on their towels, pillowcases, and bed sheets, throw all of them in the washer and dryer.

This reduces the chances of the child being infected again and infecting other family members. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling potentially infected linens.

3. Encourage personal hygiene

Since viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are so infectious, good hygiene is vital  to prevent it from spreading. If your child is young, teach them how to wash their hands properly with soap and water and when to do so.

As long as a child has viral or bacterial pink eyes they should avoid wearing contact lenses in order to prevent their eyes from becoming infected. Wear glasses until your child’s eyes are fully healed.

4. Make your child feel comfortable 

If your child has viral conjunctivitis, the primary treatment is often simply easing your child’s symptoms.

To reduce irritation use soothing eye drops. A warm or cool compress placed over the child’s affected eye can also be helpful. Be sure to use a fresh washcloth each time, and thoroughly wash your hands afterwards.

Warm compresses are great for viral and bacterial pink eye, while cool compresses work best for pink eye caused by allergies and irritants.

Contact an eye doctor near you, who will instruct you on how to care for your child’s condition and ease any discomfort.

4 ways to protect yourself

There are a number of things that can be done to protect yourself and other family members from becoming infected and spreading pink eye.

• Avoid rubbing or touching your eyes. By rubbing or touching your eyes when you have a pink eye, it can spread to the other eye or worsen the condition.

• Wash your hands thoroughly. Make sure that you and your children wash hands using soap and water. This is especially important after touching someone with pink eyes or any of their personal items.

• Don’t share personal items, such as towels, bedding, eye drops, glasses, contact lenses and containers, and makeup.

• If you wear contacts, stop wearing them until your eye doctor says it’s okay. Then throw out the current lenses and use a fresh pair when your eye doctor says it’s safe to start wearing lenses again.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you to have your child’s pink eye diagnosed and treated.

The post Pink Eye: What Do I Do? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Do you find yourself constantly reaching for eye drops? While eye drops may provide satisfying and quick relief for itchy or irritated eyes, exceeding the daily recommended dosage can cause serious eye health problems..

How does over-usage of eye drops happen?

Most people over-use eye drops when they view their eye drops as a cure to their condition rather than a temporary treatment.

This may lead to inserting too many drops into the eyes or using the eye drops too frequently throughout the day. If you think you may be overusing your eye drops, contact an eye doctor near you to help diagnose the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Risks of overusing eye drops

When overusing eye drops, you can run the risk of:

• Masking a more serious problem. Alleviating the symptoms while ignoring their root cause can allow a condition to worsen.

• Rebounding. The original eye symptoms may return stronger than before as the effects of the eye drops wear off or when the drops are no longer being used.

• Washing away your natural tears. Artificial tears help with insufficient tear production and feel great as they lubricate the eyes. But overuse can literally wash away natural tears and the natural moisturizers that protect the eyes.

SEE RELATED: Are Eye Drops Confusing?

Conditions that eye drops could be masking

Red, itchy eyes are a symptom of several conditions, including:

• Allergies – Allergies to the environment or pets can cause dry, itchy eyes.
• Blepharitis – Red and inflamed eyelids, caused by dry eye, a bacterial or fungal infection, parasites, or gland dysfunction, all of which require treatment beyond over-the-counter eye drops.
• Dry eye syndrome – Redness, itchiness and irritation are common symptoms of dry eye syndrome. In severe cases, DES can damage the cornea.
• Eye strain – Focusing on work all day  can cause eyes to become tired, strained and irritated.
• Eye trauma – Rubbing or scratching the eye can cause blood vessels to break, making the eye red and itchy. More serious traumas will require prescription eye drops or surgery.
• Foreign objects – An eyelash, dust, or something worse could be in the eye. If an individual has long-term issues with dry or itchy dry eyes, they need to make sure a foreign body isn’t the culprit.
• Pink eye – A viral or bacterial eye infection, also called conjunctivitis, can cause swelling, itchiness and burning.

Regardless of why you may be using eye drops, the only way to get to the root cause of your symptoms is by scheduling  an eye exam to receive a complete diagnosis and treatment.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

If you’re suffering from irritated, dry eyes that haven’t resolved on their own, contact an eye doctor near you who can help you find the long-lasting relief you’ve been looking for.

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If you have sleep apnea, it may be affecting your eyes. Glaucoma and dry eye are just two eye conditions that sleep apnea can cause. Schedule an eye exam to learn more about how sleep apnea affects your eyes and what you can do to protect eyes.

Sleep apnea has been found to not only cause health problems such as high blood pressure and heart failure, but also serious eye problems. 

SEE RELATED: When is Blurred Vision a Medical Emergency?

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

How common is sleep apnea?

According to the National Sleep Foundation over 60 million US adults have a sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders.

Approximately 3-7% of men and 2-5% of women have sleep apnea, impacting more than 18 million Americans. Worldwide, over 100 million people suffer from sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that involves an involuntary cessation of breathing while sleeping.

Sleep apnea is a condition marked by abnormal breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea have multiple extended pauses in breath when they sleep.

These temporary breathing lapses cause lower-quality sleep and affect the body’s supply of oxygen, leading to potentially serious health consequences.

Sleep apnea and dry eye

Those with sleep apnea are more likely to have dry eyes caused by ocular irritation, abnormal tear break-up time, and an increased upper and lower lid laxity.

One of the most common treatment options for sleep apnea is a CPAP machine. These machines supply constant and steady air pressure. Many patients who use the machine experience air leaks, causing a constant airflow over the eyes that results in eye irritation, occasional swelling, and dryness.

Dry eyes can cause discomfort and can cause serious eye problems. If not addressed the side effects of the CPAP machines can become chronic.

If you are experiencing dry eyes due to your CPAP mask, contact your eye doctor. Your eye doctor will most likely suggest using thicker, non-preserved artificial tear drops or ointment, which you apply before bed.

It is important for the drops or ointment to be thick and more viscous so that it stays in the eye, protecting it all night. The artificial tear needs to be preservative-free since it will be used every night. This treatment is a simple solution to your dry eye.

Sleep apnea and glaucoma

People with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), are approximately 10 times more likely to develop glaucoma.

It is believed that the connection between sleep apnea and glaucoma is due to the drop in oxygen levels in the blood that occurs when you stop breathing. Low oxygen concentration in the blood may contribute to the degradation of the optic nerve, potentially leading to glaucoma.

Are eye exams important?

Yes. If you have sleep apnea it is essential to schedule appointments with an eye doctor for regular eye exams. 

During a routine eye exam, your eye doctor will check the pressure in your eye to determine if you are at risk of developing dry eyes or even a sight-threatening condition such as glaucoma.

Early detection is key, as glaucoma causes irreversible vision loss and possible blindness.

Although ocular irritation may occur, it is advised to continue using the CPAP machine, as it can prevent sometimes life-threatening impacts of sleep apnea.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

If it appears that eye problems and dryness are developing as a result of sleep apnea, or the CPAP use, visit an eye doctor for guidance on how to best manage dry eyes or prevent a serious eye condition, such as glaucoma.

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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.

Other than dryness of the eye, symptoms of dry eye include burning, irritation and grittiness. While studies have shown that certain foods help the eyes stay hydrated, there are certain fatty acids, vitamins, and trace elements that can be added to your diet.

Yes, there are foods that are not only good for overall health but also improve the quality of tears and eye comfort.

Omega fatty acids

If the outer layer of the lubricating tear film is disrupted, it leads to dry eye symptoms like redness, itchiness, and burning.

Omega fatty acids are responsible for stabilizing the oil layer in the tear film, making them important for lubricating your eyes.

In addition, omega fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect, so both Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential nutrients.

Foods high in omega fatty acids include:

• Fish: mackerel, cod, trout, herring, salmon
• Oils: canola oil, rapeseed oil, flaxseed oil, sunflower oil, walnut oil
• Meat: pork, beef and lamb
• Dairy: cheese and milk products

Contact an eye doctor near you, if you would like to find out more about other foods which contain vitamins that are good for your dry eyes.

SEE RELATED: Coffee for Dry Eyes? 

Vitamins

There are a number of vitamins that also can help boost general eye health and dry eye.

Vitamin A (retinol)

Vitamin A deficiency, which usually occurs in developing countries, can cause an increase in dry eye. Adding foods rich in Vitamin A like pumpkins, apricots, carrots, tomatoes, spinach, dairy products, and liver can help. It also helps protect the surface of the eye.

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 is found in avocados, broccoli, whole-grain products and dairy products. It also protects the eyes from cell damage.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is found in foods such as goose, potatoes, kale, salmon, mackerel, and sardines. It is needed for a functioning tear film.

Vitamin B12

Foods which contain Vitamin B12 are beef liver, calf’s liver, pork liver, and mackerel. It is also found in smaller amounts in dairy products and eggs. It is also important for lubricating the eye.

Vitamin C

Broccoli, rosehip, acerola berries, peppers, and Brussels sprouts all contain Vitamin C. It protects against oxidative stress, and plays an important role in maintaining a functioning tear film.

Vitamin E

Mackerel, wheat germ oil, sunflower oil, spinach, peppers, mangos, and red currants all contain Vitamin E. It is required to protect your eyes against cell damage as well as dry eyes.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants that help prevent many chronic eye diseases including dry eye. They also keep cells functioning correctly and healthy. Foods rich in these antioxidants include leafy greens like kale, spinach and romaine lettuce. They can be found as supplements.

Zinc

Zinc plays an important role in keeping eyes healthy. Zinc is responsible for transporting vitamin A from the liver to the retina. It also produces melanin, a pigment that protects your eyes. Zinc can be found in whole grains, dairy, sweet corn, peas, lentils, and nuts.

Drinking Water Hydrates Your Eyes

While water is not a vitamin drinking water is important for the eyes. Staying hydrated can help improve eye comfort. Water is great for your skin, kidneys, bowels, and your eyes.

Staying hydrated and eating healthy helps to ensure that your eyes get the minerals and vitamins they need.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

Contact an eye doctor near you to learn more about what you can be doing to alleviate your dry eye symptoms.

To relieve dry eye symptoms adding nutrients to your diet can help. It is always best to consult your eye doctor before taking any supplements or making major changes to your diet.

The post Which Foods Help Dry Eyes? 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.

Color blindness is not an actual blindness, but rather an inability or reduced ability to perceive differences between colors.

Color blindness, also called color vision deficiency, can be a partial or total deficiency, though total color blindness is less common.

What causes color blindness?

Color blindness is generally inherited, but can also result from disease, brain injury, and in rare cases, from side effects to certain medications.

When certain nerves, called photoreceptors, are not present in the retina, color blindness can result. For example, if the nerve that detects the color red is missing, then you will not be able to distinguish the different shades of red, and instead, these colors will be confused with other colors.

Types of color blindness

There are two main types of color blindness, both of which lead to the confusion of two colors and result in the appearance of grey or brown instead of the true color.

Red-green is the most common type of color blindness. It is often inherited from the mother’s side on the X chromosome. With this condition, the darker red and green colors are generally both seen as a muddy brown or grey color.

Blue-yellow is a less common type of color blindness that generally occurs from damage to the optic nerve or retina. With this condition, the light blue and yellow colors are generally both seen as a light brown or grey color.

If you suspect your child is color-blind, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: 2021 Update: Parent’s Checklist for Vision Therapy

What are color blind glasses?

Color blind glasses contain lenses with special filters that may help people with red-green color blindness to see colors more accurately.

These glasses are made with specific materials that absorb and filter out the colors that exist between green and red on the light spectrum— specifically those that cause the brain to become “confused”— leading to distorted color vision.

These glasses come in a variety of tints, most commonly orange/red, but yellow and clear have been shown to be effective.

In addition, the filters in the lenses block some of the light from coming through to ensure that the remaining red and green colors don’t overlap. With less color overlap, the brain is able to perceive a clearer signal and distinguish between the colors more accurately.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for color blindness. However, color blind glasses can offer a more accurate perception of color, enabling people with color blindness to experience a greater array of color schemes— at least while the glasses are worn.

The downside to color blind glasses is that most of these specialized lenses are designed to correct mild red-green color blindness, leaving fewer options for those with severe red-green color blindness and blue-yellow color blindness.

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor to learn more about color blind glasses and find out if they are right for you. 

LEARN MORE:   Vision Therapy for Children

With color blind glasses you can experience the world in a more colorful way, enjoying a greater quality of life.

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Dry eye syndrome can put a damper on your day but even worse, can make your nights intolerable.

The burning, itching and pain you are experiencing can be distracting during the day and even affect your productivity— but as day turns to night, your symptoms can get even worse and even keep you from getting the shut eye your body needs.

Experiencing dry eyes at night can significantly affect your ability to drive, your enjoyment of leisure activities and even impact your quality of sleep.

Fortunately, dry eye syndrome can be treated and the burning sensation you are feeling does not have to be something you learn to live with.

What causes dry eye?

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears to properly lubricate your eyes, or when the tears are of poor quality and evaporate too quickly.

Every time you blink, your eyelids spread the tears over your cornea to provide essential nutrients that keep your eyes healthy and hydrated. If the quality or quantity of your tears is diminished, your cornea will become irritated and dry.

If your eyes are uncomfortable at night, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and discuss the best options for you.

SEE RELATED: Can Eye Drops Be Overused?

Why do dry eyes get worse at night?

As the day progresses, exposure to a variety of environmental factors, such as dry heat and wind, can cause your tears to evaporate more quickly.

Also, if you wear soft contact lenses, by the end of the day, your eyes can feel dry and irritated, as the contact lenses absorb the moisture from your eyes to remain hydrated and soft.

Additionally, blood circulation typically slows down at night to help your body prepare for sleep. This prevents nutrients from reaching the eyes, and decreases tear production.

Nocturnal lagophthalmos is another cause of nighttime dry eyes. This condition is defined as the inability to close the eyelids completely while sleeping. Nocturnal lagophthalmos is generally caused by an eyelid deformity, facial palsy, or incomplete healing from eyelid surgery.

When the surface of the eye is exposed at night, dry eye symptoms will occur— leading to an uncomfortable burning sensation.

What can you do to relieve the burning sensation?

There are many treatments to relieve burning eyes at night. The key is to treat the underlying cause of the burning sensation.

If your eyes are burning at night and you can’t seem to get any relief, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor for an eye exam.

Your eye doctor will evaluate your condition to determine the cause of your dry eyes and provide an effective treatment plan to alleviate your symptoms.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your eye doctor will prescribe an over-the-counter or prescription eye drop, gel or ointment to help replenish your tears, as well as coat your tears to prevent them from evaporating too quickly.

Your eye doctor may also recommend applying a cool compress over your eyelids and placing a humidifier near your bed at night. These tips can help soothe your sore eyes and provide additional moisture at night.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

If burning eyes are affecting your nighttime routine and preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for an effective solution to relieve your dry eye symptoms.

The post Burning Eyes at Night appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. played college football at Pittsburgh University, where he earned uncontested All-America honors. In 2004, he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals (pick number three), and his famed reputation has grown ever since.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. has had a long and distinguished career and is a firm believer that his visual training helped him to succeed on the football field. According to Mr. Fitzgerald, “When you’re at that age, anything that helps strengthen your eyes and eye-hand coordination is going to definitely help with catching the ball”.

Contact a vision therapy eye doctor to strengthen your eyes and hand-eye coordination like Larry Fitzgerald Jr.

SEE RELATED: What Is Vision Therapy?

The following are just some of Larry Fitzgerald’s NFL achievements:

• Selected for the Pro Bowl eleven times, he was named First-team All-Pro in 2008 and Second-team All-Pro twice in 2009 and 2011.
• Fitzgerald and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice are the only wide receivers in NFL history to be selected for the Pro Bowl at least 11 times.
• His 234 games played are tied with K Jim Bakken (1962-78) for the most in franchise history.
• Named a co-winner of the 2016 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award— the only league award that recognizes a player’s community services as well as his playing achievements.
• Franchise career leader in receptions (1,303), receiving yards (16,279), receiving TDs (116), 100-yard receiving games (47) and consecutive games with a reception (227).
• Ranked second in NFL history in career receiving yards (16,279), third in receptions (1,303) and is tied for sixth in NFL history with 116 career TD receptions.

What is Larry Fitzgerald’s story?

What many Fitzgerald Jr. fans don’t know is that Larry Fitzgerald worked hard for his achievements, beginning from a young age.

As a young child, Larry Fitzgerald struggled with academic difficulties. Fortunately, his grandfather, Dr. Robert Johnson, the founder of an optometry clinic in Chicago, understood the essential role the visual skills play in reading, writing, and even athletic performance.

Dr. Robert Johnson soon began providing vision therapy to strengthen his grandson’s visual skills.

When Larry Fitzgerald Jr. turned 12 years old, he began to take interest in sports, but required further strengthening of the visual skills necessary to succeed on the sports field.

Once again, Dr. Robert Johnson helped his grandson to strengthen his visual skills, this time to improve his athletic performance.

Which visual skills are necessary for athletic success? 

Speed and accuracy are both factors that contribute to a sports player’s successful performance— and the visual skills are essential for achieving these factors.

The visual skills allow you to track a ball as it flies through the air, assume the correct position to make an effective catch, and accurately pass the ball to another player.

The following visual skills are necessary for optimal sports performance:

• Dynamic visual acuity
• Eye-tracking
• Eye focusing
• Peripheral vision
• Depth perception
• Visual reaction time
• Eye-hand coordination
• Visual memory
• Visualization
• Visual concentration

Most binocular vision conditions are caused by problems within the visual system, or the neural connections between the eyes and the brain.

If a vision problem is detected, a vision therapy program can help to retrain and strengthen the visual system to improve the visual skills.

Through vision therapy, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was able to improve his visual dominance, control, precision, spatial judgment and rhythm.

Larry Fitzgerald improved his game with vision therapy, and you can too.

LEARN MORE: Guide to Vision and Learning Difficulties

Schedule an appointment with a developmental optometrist for a comprehensive evaluation of your visual skills, and to determine if vision therapy can help to enhance your sports performance.

The post The Larry Fitzgerald Story appeared first on Optometrists.org.