If the eyes are the windows to the soul, what do the pupils reveal? The pupils are the black circles centered in the iris, which is the colored part of the eye. The small black discs may seem boring when compared to their more colorful peers, but they catch the eye because they have a surprisingly active life. They are continually expanding, dilating, shrinking, or constricting. Why do pupils dilate and constrict? Could your pupils have important implications for your eye health? What about your overall health?
Symptoms of Astigmatism
Sometimes the front surface of the eye (known as the cornea) or the lens inside the eye are not perfectly round. Instead of having a smooth curve like a ball, they may be shaped more like an egg or a football. This condition is common and treatable, and it’s known as astigmatism. How does this imperfect curvature affect your vision? What are the symptoms of astigmatism? Scroll down to learn more.
Do Glasses and Contacts Have the Same Prescription?
Being able to see clearly definitely makes it easier to enjoy the world around you and to fully participate in the activities that you love. Does your vision need a little help to be its best? You’re certainly not alone. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than 150 million Americans use corrective eyewear to correct their vision. Some 37 million rely on contact lenses for the same purpose. That raises an interesting question: Do glasses and contacts have the same prescription?
Can You Wear Daily Contacts More Than Once?
A contact lens’s lifespan varies. Gas permeable and scleral lenses can last for years, but most people use soft contacts, which generally come in three variations: (1) traditional contacts, which are replaced monthly or quarterly, (2) disposable lenses, which are replaced every two weeks, and (3) daily disposable lenses, which are replaced after just one day of wear. No matter which of these contacts you use, you might be tempted to ignore the replacement schedule. But can you wear daily contacts more than once?
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Styles of Eyeglasses
Did you know that modern eyeglasses—eyeglasses with a frame that fits over the ears and nose—were invented in 1727 by British optician Edward Scarlett? Made of wood, lead, or copper, early eyeglasses were often quite heavy and bulky. Over the years, eyeglasses have changed dramatically in both technology and style. They became more fashionable and are now developed in a wide range of colors, designs, and materials. Popular styles of eyeglasses emerged as the years went by, from cat-eye and horn-rimmed to aviator and even rimless styles! Scroll down to explore some of our favorites.
Can You Sleep in Contacts?
At the end of a long day, it can be so tempting to just fall into bed without doing any prep whatsoever. But as you surely know, that’s typically not the best idea. Taking a little time to brush and floss your teeth is well worth your while, and you may also need to wash your face or remove any makeup. But what about your contacts? Can you sleep in contacts? Is it comfortable? More importantly, is it safe? Let’s explore . . .
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What You Need to Know About Decorative Contacts
Have you been busy planning a fun costume for Halloween? In recent years, more and more people have been turning to decorative contacts to add a new dimension to their costumes. For example, someone dressing up as a cat might use cat-eye lenses, or someone dressing as a vampire might want blood-red contacts. These sorts of lenses typically don’t offer any vision correction; instead, they’re simply used to achieve a specific look — sometimes colorful, sometimes frightful, sometimes simply strange! But if you’re thinking about using decorative contact lenses (or letting your kids use them), it’s important that you understand the very serious risks involved.
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How to Tell If Your Child Needs Glasses
You want the best for your child, which is why it’s so important that you recognize how to tell if your child needs glasses. Poor eyesight can affect just about every aspect of your child’s life: their education, their relationships, their hobbies, their future visual health, and much more. Don’t assume that your child’s visual screening at school will detect all problems related to vision and eye health. Instead, schedule a vision screening for your child periodically and keep an eye out for symptoms of poor eyesight.
How to Prevent Cataracts
Has your optometrist talked to you about cataracts? You might be aware that the older you get, the higher your risk for cataracts. Learn how to prevent cataracts, and you can keep your vision sharp into your senior years and beyond.
How to Protect Your Eyes From Blue Light
How much screen time do you clock each day? According to a 2018 Neilsen survey, Americans spend 11 hours a day interacting with media, and most of those hours are spent looking at a screen. Many people start their days and end their days by looking at their phones, and their eyes are suffering. Exposing your eyes to too much blue light can lead to dry eyes, eye strain, headaches, and even blurred vision (source). However, avoiding these problems doesn’t have to mean quitting your desk job or switching from a smartphone to a flip phone. We’ve come up with some helpful tips on how to protect your eyes from blue light.
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