Health Tips for Your Eyes

Frequency of Eye Examinations

exams

  • All children should have their first eye exam at the time they enter school and then every 1-3 years depending on findings at the initial examination
  • If children demonstrate any eye problems before school age, including at birth, they should see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. This would include crossed eyes, squinting, red eyes or eyes that are of unequal size
  • Adults should be examined by an eye doctor every 1-2 years
  • Remember there are diseases of the eye (that can be treated) that will go undetected unless they are examined by an ophthalmologist or optometrist
  • Contact lenses are the leading cause of severe corneal problems when worn incorrectly. Always take your lenses out if your eyes get red or painful Consult with your eye doctor.

    • Eye Drops

    drops

    • Never use over the counter eye drops that get the red out. These contain vasoconstrictors that ultimately make your eye worse and mask the real problem, which is usually dry eye
    • You may use over the counter, preservative-free eye drops when your eyes are red and irritated. Of course, if the problem persists see you eye doctor.

    Emergencies

    safety-glasses

    • Always wear safety glasses when the work can be potentially dangerous to your eyes
    • If you do get any foreign bodies or debris in your eyes flush them out immediately with clean water. Tap water is fine. See an ophthalmologist if symptoms persist. Don’t wait!
    • Total, sudden loss of vision (total blackness) in one or both eyes is an emergency. Call your eye doctor immediately!
    • Sudden blurred vision, accompanied by a red, painful or uncomfortable eye is an emergency. These patients are usually over 50 and wear glasses.

    Avoid Eye Strain When Using Computers

    eye_strain
    If you spend most of your weekday sitting in front of a video display terminal, you’ve probably noticed that using a computer can be a pain in the neck, the eyes and almost every other part of your body!

    It’s no wonder computers cause eye strain. Studies have shown that computer users tend to stare at a glowing screen without blinking for much longer periods than do people who use typewriters.  This is why many people using computers experience dry eye problems.  In addition, computer screens reflect a great deal of glare – from windows, overhead lights and even the user’s own bright clothing. Finally, many computer users sit practically face-to-face with the monitor.

    Whether you spend every day or only a few hours a week using a computer, there are steps you can (and should) take to reduce the physical strains from computer use.

    Steps to follow, when using a computer:

    • Have a thorough eye examination. While everyone should have their eyes checked once a year, annual eye exams are especially important for computer users.
    • Follow the “20/20 rule.” Keep your face at least 20 inches from the screen and pause every 20 minutes or so to look around the room, so your eyes can focus on distant objects.  Regular eye exercise helps prevent eye strain.
    • Place all materials you are working with at the same distance as the screen. This reduces strain of your eyes and neck.
    • Make sure you have a glare screen, which should block glare without making the characters on the monitor appear  fuzzy. Also if possible, move or adjust the computer screen to avoid reflections from windows or indoor lights.
    • Sit on a stable, comfortable, adjustable chair. If it is possible to put the keyboard a few inches below the desktop, for example, with an adjustable table, or by using a center drawer of a desk for a pullout keyboard rest, do so. This will keep your arms at a more comfortable angle.
    • Place computer monitor at a 35-degree angle below your eyes. This reduces incidence of Dry Eye.
    • Use preservative-free artificial tears intermittently when on the computer if your eyes get red and irritated. Much of computer fatigue is caused by Dry Eye.
    • Finally, take periodic breaks from the computer during the day, walk around and do some non-computer tasks for about 15 minutes every two or three hours.