Each individual, including children, is at risk of eye damage from UV radiation that can lead to vision loss. Any factor that increases the amount of time you spend in the sun will increase your risk so when you or your children play outdoor sports or work outside, be sure to protect your eyes with sunglasses that reduce glare and filter out 99-100% of UV rays without distorting color.

Take a journey through the human eye and discover how we see.
http://ping.fm/a9eop

Going back in time to the 1920’s and 1950’s, quirky upswept styles hit the runway this season with a new modern look. Try cat eye shaped glasses to accentuate, and accessorize with sorbet colors, floral image prints and feminine shapes this season

Eye Care Tip: Limit your alcohol intake. Although, moderate consumption of alcohol does not affect the health of your eyes, excessive drinking may lead to slow pupil reaction, blurred vision, double vision and reduced color vision

Ever wonder how other animals see the world? Here is a photo of a shrimp created with a specialized camera that shows how a shrimp and other reef dwelling animals such as octopus, crabs and some fish, view the world through polarization vision. Humans are essentially blind to polarized light. http://ping.fm/QX9AQ

Eyewear News: For the first time in 20 years, the US military has updated their standard-issue eyeglasses. Until now, military personnel requiring vision correction were given eyeglasses that were so unflattering they acquired the acronym BCG’s or Birth Control Glasses. Now the thick, large brown BCG frames have been replaced with a sleeker and modern black plastic frame and it seems the recruits are quite happy with the upgrade. Listen to more about this story on NPR: http://ping.fm/YG91q

February is AMD (Age related macular degeneration) and Low Vision Awareness Month. AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans aged 60 and older. Risk factors include smoking, obesity and hypertension, race (Caucasians are most at risk), family history and gender (women are at greater risk). Early detection is key to slowing the disease progression and preventing blindness so learn more and schedule a yearly eye exam!

Eye Trivia answer:
A) An elephant can only see about 10-20 yards or meters away. To offset their poor eyesight, however, they possess excellent senses for hearing and smell.

Eye Trivia: How far can an elephant see?
A) 10 -20 yards/meters
B) 100 -150 yards/meters
C) 1000 -1500 yards/meters
Stay tuned for the answer...

Eye Love You! Valentines Day is coming. Make sure you have the proper prescription to see your loved ones clearly!

Itchy, burning, dry or watery eyes? You might be suffering from winter dry eyes or seasonal allergies. Try wearing sunglasses when you go out and drinking lots of water and come see us to find a treatment for your symptoms.

Myth or Fact Answer: Squinting frequently can damage your vision.

Answer: Myth

While squinting is a sign that you might need glasses (or a change in prescription), it doesn’t worsen your eyesight. Squinting is a natural reaction to blurred vision in order to attempt to make the pupil smaller – to let in less light and enhance your focus.

While it can’t permanently damage your vision, there may be some side effects to squinting including headaches caused by constant contraction of your facial muscles.

Myth or Fact? Squinting frequently can damage your vision.
Stay tuned for the answer in our next post…..

Trivia Answer: How many eyes does a worm have?

And the answer is: A) Zero: Earthworms do not have any eyes, but they do possess light and touch sensitive organs called receptor cells that enable them to distinguish differences in light intensity and to feel vibrations in the ground to help them get around.

This week’s eye trivia question (no cheating!):

How many eyes does a worm have?
A) Zero
B) Two
C) Eight

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Because vision loss often occurs gradually and may be only recognized after the disease is quite advanced and irreparable damage is done, glaucoma has been nicknamed, “the silent thief of sight.” It is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide after cataracts. If detected early, disease progression can be stopped or slowed so routine eye exams are essential for preventing the devastating effects of this disease. Call us today to book an appointment!