Legal Blindness

Categories: Glaucoma, Legal Blindness, Stroke - Tags: Dr. Jill Anderson, Glaucoma, government disability benefits, Legal Blindness, legally blind, stroke, tunnel vision, Visual acuity of 20/200, visual field restriction

Patients ask all the time if they are legally blind without their glasses. I know what they really want to know is how to measure their vision. By definition, legal blindness is WITH YOUR GLASSES ON…

Legal blindness: The criteria used to determine eligibility for government disability benefits and which do not necessarily indicate a person’s ability to function.

In the US, the criteria for legal blindness are:

• Visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the better eye with corrective lenses (20/200 means that a person at 20 feet from an eye chart can see what a person with normal vision can see at 200 feet);

or

• Visual field restriction to 20 degrees diameter or less (tunnel vision) in the better eye.

Note that the definition of legal blindness differs from country to country and that the criteria listed above are for the US.

Ok, so what that means is you can be totally blind in one eye, but if the other eye can see 20/100 or better with your glasses on, you are not considered legally blind.  From a practical standpoint, one eye blind and the other best corrected to: 20/20 you are considered normal; 20/50 your ability to drive comes into question; 20/80 you are not legal to drive in most states.

Another key point is the visual field restriction.  Visual field measures your side vision.  The two most common reasons for this kind of legal blindness are glaucoma and stroke.  What it looks like is tunnel vision; you can see great straight ahead, but things sneak up on you from the side.  Tunnel vision is very dangerous when driving, walking across the street, etc.

So when you ask me if you are legally blind when you take your glasses off, the answer is no, but you sure see better with them on!

That is all for now.

Dr. Jill Anderson

Dr. Jill Anderson has been practicing optometry since 1995. She had her own practice from 1997 – 2010 and has recently joined us here at Sight & Sun Eyeworks. She received her degree as a Doctor of Optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. She is a highly skilled Contact Lens Specialist.

Eyewear That Protects Your Child’s Eyes

Categories: Eye Exams, Eye Injuries, Protective Eyewear, Sports Eyewear, Sunglasses - Tags: children's eye injuries, harmful UV rays, polycarbonate, Prevent Blindness America, protective eyewear, Rec Specs, shatter-resistant lens, sports-related eye injuries, Trivex

Each year, thousands of children’s eye injuries could be prevented if more kids wore protective eyewear. Children are especially vulnerable to eye injuries because they often don’t consider that their eyes, and possibly a lifetime of healthy vision, are at stake.

For children, eye injuries happen mainly during sports and other active play. According to Prevent Blindness America, approximately 40,000 sports-related eye injuries each year in the United States are severe enough to require emergency room care — that’s one every 13 minutes!  And experts agree that 90 percent of these injuries could be prevented by wearing protective eyewear.

The best way to encourage your kids to wear protective eyewear is to lead by example and wear it yourself. Also, educate your kids about the risk of eye injuries and insist that they follow your example.

Sight & Sun recommends scheduling a consultation to make sure your child’s eyewear fits well and provides the amount of protection needed for the sports and activities he or she participates in.

All children’s eyewear, including everyday prescription eyeglasses, should include lenses made of polycarbonate or Trivex. These lightweight lenses are considerably more shatter-resistant than standard plastic lenses, making them the best choice for safety and sports eyewear, too.

Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses also shield your child’s eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which may reduce their risk of eye problems such as cataracts later in life.

We carry the latest in Rec Specs from Liberty Sports. We have a wide variety of frames for the many sports your children play:

• Swimming
• Water Sports
• Scuba Diving
• Cycling
• Basketball
• Baseball
• Football
• And many others

A few facts:

• More than 600K eye injuries related to sports and recreation occur each year
• Over 85% of children do not utilize protective eyewear in situations that represent a risk of eye injury
• Every 13 minutes a person with a sports related eye injury visits an emergency room
• More than 90% off all eye injuries can be prevented with the use of appropriate protective eyewear.

Schedule an appointment to learn about other sun-protective features for your child’s eyewear, including photochromic lenses and polarized sunglasses. Come in and see one of our friendly Techs to get your child fitted properly. Click the button below or call (850) 932-4184.

How Vision Changes as You Age

Categories: Catatracts, Dry Eyes, Eye Exams, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Presbyopia, Vision Changes - Tags: Cataracts, Decreased Color Vision, Diabetic Retinopathy, dry eyes, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Presbyopia, Reduced Peripheral Vision

Vision changes are common after age 40, and risk for several vision problems increases with age.

Here are a few important age-related eye problems to be aware of:

Presbyopia is the normal age-related loss of near focusing ability that affects virtually everyone after age 40. Presbyopia is not an eye disease and can easily be corrected with bifocals, progressive lenses or multifocal contacts.

Cataracts are opacities in the eye’s lens that most often occur as a result of aging, and are the most common cause of vision loss among seniors. About half of 65-year-old Americans have some degree of cataract formation. Typically, vision can be restored with cataract surgery.

Macular Degeneration (Age related macular degeneration or AMD) is a serious age-related eye disease and the leading cause of blindness among seniors. Though the cause of AMD is not completely understood, chronic inflammation and oxidative changes appear to play a role.

Glaucoma describes a number of conditions that cause vision loss because of optic nerve damage, usually due to high eye pressure. Early detection is necessary to prevent permanent vision loss.

Diabetic Retinopathy is eye damage from diabetes that can cause blindness. Among known diabetics over age 40, the National Eye Institute estimates that 40 percent have some degree of diabetic retinopathy.

Other age-related eye problems include Dry Eyes, Reduced Peripheral Vision and Decreased Color Vision.

The best way to protect your eyesight for a lifetime of good vision is to eat a healthy diet, maintain a proper weight, exercise and have routine comprehensive eye exams at least every two years or more.

To schedule an appointment to screen for these problems, click the button below or call 850.939.3459.

Eye Twitching and Eyelid Twitches

Categories: Artificial Tears, Computer Use, Dry Eyes, Eye Twitching, Eyelid Twitches, Fatigue - Tags: artificial tears, dry eyes, eye problem, eye strain, eye stress, Eye Twitching, Eyelid Twitches

Have you ever had an annoying eyelid twitch? Episodes of eye twitching (really, it’s the eyelid that twitches) are common. These twitches generally are harmless and are not a sign of an eye problem or medical condition.

Usually only the bottom lid of one eye is involved, but the top eyelid also can twitch. Most eye twitches come and go, but some can last for days or even weeks.

Though no one knows for sure why they happen, suspected causes of eyelid twitches include:

Stress. Our bodies react to stress in different ways, and eyelid twitching can be one sign of stress.

Fatigue. A lack of sleep, whether because of stress or some other reason, might trigger lid twitches.

Eye Strain. Vision-related stress can occur if you need glasses or a change to your eyeglasses prescription. Your eyes might be working too hard, triggering eyelid twitching.

Computer Use. Eye strain and eye fatigue from computer use also can cause eye twitching. Sometimes special computer glasses can help.

Caffeine and Alcohol. Too much caffeine and/or alcohol can trigger eyelid twitching.

Dry Eyes. Some eye twitches might be caused by dry eyes. If your eyes feel dry, try using artificial tears to stop the twitching.

If you have a particularly annoying and persistent eyelid twitch, you might want to try placing a cold compress on your closed eye for a minute or two.  In most cases, eyelid twitches stop on their own without any treatment, but if you have a twitch that persists or worsens over time, you should schedule an appointment.

To schedule an appointment, click the button below or call 850.932.4184.

Kids and Computers

Categories: Computer Vision Syndrome, Eye Strain, Kids and Computers, School Children Eye Exam, School-Age Kids - Tags: Computer Vision Syndrome, eye strain, Kids and Computers

Kids and computers are nearly inseparable these days. With school-age kids and even preschool children spending hours in front of a computer every day, many parents wonder if too much computer use is harmful to their child’s eyes.

Here’s good news: Recent research suggests computer use among preschool children may actually improve their readiness for school and academic achievement. But too much of anything can be a problem.

Like adults, children who spend hours in front of a computer are at greater risk of developing computer vision syndrome — a condition characterized by eye strain, headaches, and other overuse and fatigue symptoms. Some specialists believe prolonged computer use by young children might put them at risk for progressive myopia (nearsighedness).

For these reasons, it’s a good idea to set guidelines for your children when it comes to the amount of time they spend in front of a computer.Experts say children working at a computer or playing computer games should take a break every 20 to 30 minutes to stand and stretch. During these breaks, your child should look at something far away for a few seconds to relax his or her eyes. Doing so can help reduce focusing fatigue that can cause eye strain and may increase the risk of nearsightedness.

To prevent headaches and neck and back pain, make sure your child has a comfortable workplace for computer use, where they can sit with good posture at a comfortable distance from the screen without slouching forward.

To make sure your kids are ready for computer use at school, schedule a comprehensive eye exam for them prior to the start of every school year.  Schedule an appointment today by clicking the button below or calling 850.932.4184.

 

Vision Problems for Schoolchildren

Categories: Astigmatism, Contact Lenses, Eye Exams, Eye Problems, Eyeglasses, Farsightedness, Misalignment of the Eyes, Nearsightedness, School Children Eye Exam - Tags: Astigmatism, Farsightedness, Misalignment of the Eyes, Nearsightedness, Vision Screenings

Good vision is essential for children in school. In fact, experts say 80 percent of what kids are taught is presented visually. According to Prevent Blindness America, one in four children has a vision problem that, if left untreated, can affect learning.

Nearsightedness, Farsightedness and Astigmatism are the most common vision problems among school-age children. But other problems also can exist, including misalignment of the eyes (strabismus), reduced vision in one eye (amblyopia or ‘lazy eye’), color vision problems, and a variety of other learning-related vision problems. Parents should be aware of these possible signs of a children’s vision problem:

• Squinting
• Sitting too close to the TV or holding a book too closeFrequently losing place when reading or using a finger as a guide
• Closing one eye when reading
• Frequent eye rubbing
• Sensitivity to light and/or excessive tearing
• Avoiding reading or computer use
• Complaints of headaches or tired eyes

If your child shows any of these signs, schedule a comprehensive eye exam immediately.

For routine care, school-aged children should have eye exams at least every two years, and annually if they already wear glasses or contact lenses or are at risk for vision problems, according to the American Optometric Association.

Also, don’t rely on school vision screenings alone to insure your child has good vision. Though screenings are helpful, less obvious vision problems that can affect learning can be missed in many vision screenings. Schedule an eye exam today by clicking the button below or calling 850.932.4184.

Safe Driving After Age 60 – Is Your Eyesight Affecting Your Driving?

Categories: Catatracts, Elderly Driver, Eye Problems, Older Drivers - Tags: anti-reflective coating, Eye problems, fatal collisions, motor vehicle crashes, night driving vision, older drivers, peripheral vision, safety tips for drivers, slower visual reaction time

If you are age 60 or older, driving might be riskier than you think.

Normal age-related changes such as reduced peripheral vision and slower visual reaction time can affect driving safety. Eye problems such as early cataracts can compromise night driving vision, even before symptoms become apparent.

In fact, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury in adults between the ages of 65 and 75, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

To stay safe on the road, follow these safety tips for drivers over age 60:

Use extra caution at intersections. A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found 40 percent of fatal collisions involving older drivers occurred at intersections. The most common reason for these crashes was a failure to yield, especially when making a left turn.

Avoid driving on unfamiliar streets at night. The National Safety Council says traffic death rates are three times higher at night than during the day. Consider reducing your night driving when possible, and avoid routes with poor lighting.

Don’t use your cell phone while driving. This is a bad idea at any age, and older drivers are slower to react to a driving emergency, even without the distraction of a cell phone. Have your eyes examined annually. The American Optometric Association recommends yearly eye exams for anyone over age 60.

Ask about eyewear features that might improve your driving safety. Lenses with anti-reflective coating, for example, can help reduce glare at night. Schedule an appointment today by clicking the button below or calling 850.932.4184.

emPower! Electronic Eyeglasses. What are those?

Categories: emPower! Electronic Eyewear, Eyeglass Frames - Tags: electronic eyeglasses, electronic lenses, emPower!, emPower! Electronic Eyewear, high-end glasses, PixelOptics

source: http://www.nytimes.com/

A NEW device may be joining smartphones, iPads and music players that you have to charge overnight: electronic eyeglasses. These glasses have tiny batteries, microchips and assorted electronics to turn reading power on when you need it and off when you don’t.

Traditionally, people who hit their 40s often need extra optical help as farsightedness sets in. They may buy bifocals or no-line progressive lenses. But such glasses have a drawback: the lenses that magnify fine print also blur objects more than an arm’s length away when a wearer looks down, distorting the view when on a staircase, for example, or when swinging at a golf ball.

The new electronic spectacles, called emPower, are intended to handle that problem with an unusual insert in the bottom part of the lenses: liquid crystals, cousins to the familiar ones in television displays. The crystals change how the lenses refract or bend light, just as varying levels of thickness do in traditional glasses.

To call up reading power in the new glasses, users touch the side of the frame. Batteries in the frame send along a current that changes the orientation of molecules in the crystals. Touch the side of the frame again, and the reading power disappears. Turn it off to hit a golf ball; turn it on to read the scorecard.

The glasses, made by PixelOptics in Roanoke, Va., will be on the market this spring — first in Virginia and North Carolina, and later in the year nationally, said Dr. Ronald Blum, an optometrist and the company’s president. The estimated price, $1,000 to $1,200, will include frames, lenses, coatings and charger.

Dr. Larry Wan, a managing partner at Family EyeCare Center in Campbell, Calif., tested the glasses with 10 of his patients, all in their 50s. He said they were a hit, for example, with people who had been bothered by blur as they walked down flights of stairs while wearing their glasses. “With these,” he said, “you can turn the reading power off, so they are safer and you don’t have that distortion.”

Of course, you’ll have to remember to charge them, a nuisance required by no ordinary pair of glasses. The charge lasts two to three days, said Larry Rodriguez, an executive at PixelOptics.

But you won’t have to worry if you drop them in the water. “Wipe them off and they should be fine,” he says, although they may require recharging.

The glasses have a parts list associated more with iPods than with optics. The transparent layer of liquid crystals and its electrode array are buried beneath the front surface of the lenses. The eyeglass frames have tiny microchips, rechargeable batteries and wires that supply electricity to the lenses. There are also built-in accelerometers, devices that sense the downward bend of a head, as though to look at a page, that can switch on the reading power automatically.

Although the eyeglasses are loaded with electronics, they don’t look that way, says Jack Loeb of Fisher Island, Fla., who is trying out a pair. “They look just like ordinary, high-end glasses,” he said.

Thirty-six different frames made by Aspex Eyewear will be offered initially, Mr. Rodriguez said. The electronic lenses are being manufactured by the Panasonic Healthcare Company in Japan. The lenses can be popped out and replaced if a prescription changes, Dr. Blum said.

The market for emPower glasses isn’t likely to include the young. “About 80 percent of the people wearing reading glasses are past 40,” said Steve Kodey, director of industry research at the Vision Council, a trade group for eyewear manufacturers and suppliers in Alexandria, Va. But the market is “much bigger than most people realize,” Mr. Kodey says.

Last year, some 20.6 million pairs of progressive lenses, and about 16.2 million pairs of bifocals, were sold in the United States.

If consumers buy emPowers instead of high-end progressive lenses, they will pay a premium. Even in high-end regular glasses, progressive lenses typically go for $300 to $400, Mr. Kodey said. And the average cost of frames is $125 (though there are many higher-cost options for the fashion-conscious.)

LIQUID crystals offer a promising way to bend light in glasses, says Larry Thibos, a professor of optometry at Indiana University, Bloomington, whose research for the last 20 years has included work on electronic spectacles.

“The concept is solid,” he said. You energize the crystals and you have a lens that will then vanish when the power goes off.

Dr. Thibos evaluated prototypes of the glasses for Dr. Blum a decade ago. “The glasses worked fine even then, but they looked geeky,” he said of early versions. The process of bringing the glasses to market — in a stylish form — took 12 years and roughly 275 patents, says Dr. Blum. Financing has been provided by Delphi Ventures, the Carlyle Group, Longitude Capital, Stark Investments, Panasonic Ventures and Life Science Angels, among others.

The work on the new lenses started with the liquid crystals in computers, not in spectacles. In 1999, Dr. Blum and his group were working on ways to help aging eyes read a computer screen. Originally, they had hoped to put the extra reading power directly into the liquid crystal display on the computers, which at that time had thick screens. But as the screens grew thinner, it was no longer practical to do so.

“So we had to take what we’d put into the computer screen and put it into your lenses,” Dr. Blum said.

New Case Could Make It Easier For Visually Impaired To Use iPad

Categories: Apple iPad, Visually Impaired - Tags: Apple iPad, Braille, Omnifer Case For iPad, Omnifer iPad, Visually Impaired

Source: www.appadvice.com

For the blind and those who are visually impaired, Jayson D’Alessandro has created the Omnifer iPad cover. Still only a concept, the case transforms the iPad’s flat surface into Braille, reflecting the contents of the page you are surfing.

According to a posting at Yanko Design, the Omnifer uses gas pockets filled with a chemical that reacts by expanding when exposed to light. This allows braille dots to rise, as necessary.

Naturally, in order for this to be successful, apps must be developed that interact with the case. In doing so, the app would automatically stream text into braille format to the user’s fingertips. As of now, the supporting technology is not yet available.

This is a brilliant concept. It would be terrific to see it implemented sometime in the future.

Rec Specs – The Street Series

Categories: Eyeglass Frames, Rec Specs, School-Age Kids, Sports Eyewear, The Street Series - Tags: Eye Safety, Liberty Sports, Protective Sports Eyewear, Rec Specs, The Street Series

Rec Specs has been the leader in the growing national movement promoting eye safety during scholastic and recreational sports. Introduced in 1978 as the first prescription protective sports eyewear, today over 20,000 eyecare professionals in the USA and the world, rely on Rec Specs when it comes to providing the best possible protective sports eyewear to both children and adults.

Rec Specs is the first protective sport eyewear to receive the AOA seal of approval.

Sight & Sun has just received the latest line of Rec Specs – the Street Series.

Stop in to see them!!!