USA Today article on UV's effects on eyes
The above link is to a great article about the effects of UV exposure on eyes. It also brings to light how few of people realize that ultraviolet light is harmful to eyes. For example, only 29% of parents have their children wear sunglasses, and most of our UV exposure happens before age 18!
In addition to the conditions the article mentions (cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium) other conditions are exacerbated or cause by UV exposure. From something as scary as skin cancer on the eyelids, to something less serious (but still a little annoying) like wrinkles, ultraviolet light is no good for eyes.
Don't have sunglasses? Wear a hat! Don't like hats? Stop in to get a pair of our sunglasses (they all block at least 98% of UVA and UVB radiation). Now is a good time to start protecting your eyes as we are offering a 30% savings on all sunglasses for the month of June!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Ready for SUN?
Monday, May 9, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around...
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/26/health/research/26blind.html?_r=3&partner=rss&emc=rss
The link above answers a similar philosophical question. "If someone who has been blind from birth is suddenly cured, will they actually be able to see?" Basically the article answers, "No - not at first."
The study charts five children ages 8-17 that due to cataracts, were able to perceive light but not objects from birth. After cataract surgery, all children measured an acuity that would allow them to discern objects, but when faced with the task of relating an object they knew by touch to one they could see, they were unable to do it initially. However, after only three months, all children were able to complete the task.
I feel this teaches us two things about our vision. First, we actually see with our brains, and those connections have to be made for us to make sense of what the eyes are telling us. Second, our brains are adaptable to that new information - even after years of deprivation. There is a school of thought that says children who have amblyopia or "lazy eye" cannot improve after the age of eight. In this study, all children were over the age of eight and went from light perception to functional vision.
Chances of improving vision are better earlier, that is why we do infant exams (see www.infantsee.org), but even if that "window" of catching the problem before age eight has closed, improvements in vision can occur.
The link above answers a similar philosophical question. "If someone who has been blind from birth is suddenly cured, will they actually be able to see?" Basically the article answers, "No - not at first."
The study charts five children ages 8-17 that due to cataracts, were able to perceive light but not objects from birth. After cataract surgery, all children measured an acuity that would allow them to discern objects, but when faced with the task of relating an object they knew by touch to one they could see, they were unable to do it initially. However, after only three months, all children were able to complete the task.
I feel this teaches us two things about our vision. First, we actually see with our brains, and those connections have to be made for us to make sense of what the eyes are telling us. Second, our brains are adaptable to that new information - even after years of deprivation. There is a school of thought that says children who have amblyopia or "lazy eye" cannot improve after the age of eight. In this study, all children were over the age of eight and went from light perception to functional vision.
Chances of improving vision are better earlier, that is why we do infant exams (see www.infantsee.org), but even if that "window" of catching the problem before age eight has closed, improvements in vision can occur.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
We have a winner!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Final Ugly Glasses Entries
This contestant was turned in by her husband, who said the following about her glasses:
"Hello Valley Eyecare!
I am nominating my wife, Megan for new glasses. Our mischievious golden retriever puppy snuck her glasses off of the nightstand while she was in the shower, and she now has a pair of glasses which she can no longer use in public. I am nominating her because she drives my children to and from school and drives with no correctional lenses. (This gets interesting gat night.) She needs to be able to see again! Although I love her "squint face", it is time for a change."
I particularly like the creative repair job!
These 15 year-old glasses don't get worn much in public, but when this patient brought them in for her eye exam, we thought they would be perfect!
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