Did you know that smoking is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States? Most people are aware that smoking can have an enormous impact on lung health but might be surprised to learn that smoking harms nearly every organ in the body – including the eyes! So if you needed yet another reason to quit smoking, explore the relationship between smoking and eyesight below. [Read more…] about Smoking and Eyesight
How to Get Your Child to Wear Glasses
It isn’t uncommon for children to dislike wearing glasses, to forget to wear their glasses, or to be careless with their glasses (accidentally losing or breaking them). Transitioning to something new is almost always difficult, no matter what your age. Because good vision is crucial for your child’s health, safety, and education, you need to help them feel comfortable and confident in their glasses. Use the tips below if you’re wondering how to get your child to wear glasses – and remember that it may take some time! [Read more…] about How to Get Your Child to Wear Glasses
How to Read a Glasses Prescription
Did you know that when a person has 20/20 vision, that means they have normal visual acuity measured at a distance of 20 feet? They can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at a distance of 20 feet. Most people are relatively familiar with this method of representing visual clarity or sharpness but don’t fully understand how to read a glasses prescription. If you’ve always wondered what those numbers and abbreviations on your prescription represent, scroll down for a quick guide.
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Can You Put Contacts in Water?
If you’re a wearer of contact lenses, chances are you’ve been in at least one situation where you needed to store or clean your contacts but you didn’t have access to contact lens solution, and you considered water as an alternative. You’ve probably also been tempted to open your eyes underwater while swimming or bathing. Water seems harmless, after all. You drink water, clean yourself in water, and a large portion of your body is composed of water! But can you put contacts in water?
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How Often Should You Get Your Eyes Checked?
An eye exam should be a critical component of your health care routine. Not only can optometrists check to see if your vision is blurry and provide a prescription for contacts or glasses, but also they can assess the condition of your eyes by conducting a variety of tests. The whole process is quick, easy, comfortable, and informative. So how often should you get your eyes checked? The answer to that question depends on a variety of factors, including your age, your vision, and your eye health.
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Interesting Facts About Eye Color
Brown, blue, green, gray, hazel . . . What color are your eyes? Your eye color doesn’t just affect your appearance; it also says something about the concentration of melanin in your irises, your ancestry, and perhaps even your health. Some eye colors are incredibly popular, while others are extremely rare. And did you know that it’s possible for a person to have two different colored irises? Without further ado, let’s explore some interesting facts about eye color . . .
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Does Reading in the Dark Hurt Your Eyes?
Did your parents ever scold you for reading in the dark? “You’ll hurt your eyes,” they might have said, or, “Be careful or you’ll ruin your vision.” Although this is a common claim, few people know if there’s any truth behind it. Whether you begrudgingly tucked away your book as a child, turned on a light, or continued reading in the dark regardless, you likely wondered if your parents were right. Does reading in the dark hurt your eyes? Or is this an old wives’ tale?
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How to Protect Your Eyes
It’s easy to take your sight for granted. Think about everything you’ve seen today: your reflection in the mirror, your family, your phone, your neighbor’s adorable dog, your food before you guided it to your mouth, your journey to work, your coworkers, your favorite coffee shop, and on and on the list goes. Now imagine not being able to see those things – it’s a sobering thought. Your eyes, though powerful, are delicate. While your eyes have a protective layer called the sclera, it isn’t nearly as strong as your bones. In addition, your retinas are very sensitive to harsh UV rays, and chemicals and debris have the ability to impair your vision as well. With all the daily threats to your vision, it’s important to learn how to protect your eyes. By taking a few precautions, you can preserve your vision and keep your eyes safe and healthy.
What Causes Eye Floaters?
Have you ever seen small dark spots floating along in your vision? What you’re seeing could be eye floaters. Like Mona Lisa’s eyes, eye floaters seem to follow your eye movements. However, these small dots dart away when you try to look directly at them. What causes eye floaters? While the cause can be harmless, like the natural aging process, in some instances the situation is more serious. Keep reading to learn more about the common causes of eye floaters, and be sure to contact your eye doctor if you’re experiencing this vision problem.
Visual Symptoms of Eye Problems
Visual symptoms of eye problems may sneak up on you. If the issue forms gradually, it can be hard to notice that there is anything wrong with your vision at all. From blurry and foggy vision to seeing faded colors, you might continue for several months with an eye issue before realizing you even have a problem.
On the other end of the spectrum, certain visual eye changes can occur seemingly overnight. One evening you could close your eyes and sleep soundly, and the next morning you might wake up with red, swollen, or jaundiced eyes. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the appearance of common eye issues so that you know when to contact your eye doctor for help.
