Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid.  Conjunctivitis is also called “pink eye”.

Conjunctivitis caused by some bacteria and viruses can spread easily from person to person, but it is not a serious health risk if diagnosed promptly. Pink eye in newborn babies, however, should be reported to a doctor immediately.

Conjunctivitis is also known to be caused by irritants such as shampoos, dirt, smoke and swimming-pool chlorine, and allergies such as dust and pollen, or a special type of allergy that affects some contact lens wearers.

The symptoms of conjunctivitis differ depending on the cause of the inflammation, but can include:

• Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid
• Increased amount of tears
• Thick yellow discharge that crusts over the eyelashes, especially after sleep
• Green or white discharge from the eye
• Itchy eyes
• Burning eyes
• Blurred vision
• Increased sensitivity to light

Seek medical advice if you have any of these symptoms of conjunctivitis.

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20/20 Eyeglass Superstore® is a family owned and operated company with three conveniently located locations throughout central Florida.

20/20 Eyeglass Superstore® keeps you updated on various eye diseases and eye conditions and shares various tips about eye care with you. Drop in at any convenient location at Orlando, Melbourne or Orange City for an eye exam by an Independent Doctor of Optometry.

Sun Safety for Young Eyes

Infants and children are more susceptible to UV damage because the lenses in their eyes are clearer than an adult’s lenses.

Here are some sun-protection tips from the American Academy of Ophthalmology:

·       Teach your children never to look directly into or stare at the sun.

·       To help ensure your children wear their sunglasses, allow them to select a style they like. Many manufacturers make frames with cartoon characters or multicolored frames.

·       Make sure your child wears a wide-brimmed hat or a baseball cap, which provides some UVprotection, especially if he will not tolerate sunglasses.

·       Remind children to wear their sunglasses and a hat even on cloudy days. Most of the sun’s rays can come through the clouds on an overcast day.

Be sure to wear your sunglasses and hat when outside. Children often follow the example of their parents.

When you start to look at sunglasses for yourself or your children, remember to check out the collection of eyeglasses, sunglasses, and designer glasses at your nearest 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore® location in Florida.  We are proud to have “A Frame for Every Face and A Price for Every Budget®”.

Color Vision Deficiency

What is color vision deficiency?

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA) color vision deficiency is the inability to distinguish certain shades of color or in more severe cases, see colors at all. The term "color blindness" is also used to describe this visual condition, but very few people are completely color blind.

 Most people with color vision deficiency can see colors, but they have difficulty differentiating between

• Particular shades of reds and greens (most common) or
• Blues and yellows (less common).

People who are totally color blind, a condition called achromatopsia, can only see things as black and white or in shades of gray.

What are the causes of color vision deficiency?

Usually, color deficiency is an inherited condition caused by a common X-linked recessive gene, which is passed from a mother to her son. But disease or injury damaging the optic nerve or retina can also result in loss of color recognition. Some specific diseases that can cause color deficits are:

• diabetes
• glaucoma
• macular degeneration
• Alzheimer's disease
• Parkinson's disease
• multiple sclerosis
• chronic alcoholism
• leukemia
• sickle cell anemia

Other causes for color vision deficiency include aging, exposure to certain chemicals such as fertilizers and styrene, even certain medications such as drugs used to treat heart problems, high blood pressure, infections, nervous disorders and psychological problems can affect color vision.

How is color vision deficiency diagnosed?

Color deficiency can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Testing will include the use of a series of specially designed pictures composed of colored dots, called pseudisochromatic plates, which include hidden numbers or embedded figures that can only be correctly seen by persons with normal color vision.

You can read more about Color Vision Deficiency at http://www.aoa.org/color-deficiency.xml

We hope this article has inspired you to visit your local optometrist. Your vision is priceless and a thirty minute appointment once a year is certainly something you should be able to commit too. Getting your eyes tested regularly will help you stay on top of your general health, eye diseases and even headaches!

Even if you don’t wear glasses and your eyes are feeling fine, and are wondering why you should get an eye exam then you should know that during an eye exam the doctors look directly at your blood vessels which can reveal early warning signs of serious health problems such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes before the symptoms show up anywhere else in the body.

20/20 Eyeglass Superstore is a family owned and operated business with locations throughout central Florida.  We look forward to becoming your trusted source for everything related to eye care, glasses and contacts.  Should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us anytime.

Diabetes and Vision Loss

Diabetic eye disease is a leading cause of blindness among American adults. Vision care is often overlooked by people with diabetes as they work to manage the many other health problems the disease can cause.

According to a survey by the American Optometric Association (AOA), 55% of people are unaware that diabetic eye diseases often have no visual signs or symptoms.

Additionally, 44% of Americans don't know that a person with diabetes should have a comprehensive eye exam once a year, including a retina (dilated) eye exam. Yet, these exams are the only way to diagnose serious eye diseases associated with diabetes at its early stage.

People with diabetes are at significantly higher risk for developing eye diseases including glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy, one of the most serious sight-threatening complications of diabetes.

Individuals with diabetes are 40% are more likely to suffer from glaucoma than people without diabetes.

Many people without diabetes will get cataracts, but those with the disease are 60% more likely to develop this eye condition. People with diabetes also tend to get cataractsat a younger age and have them progress faster..

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that causes progressive damage to the retina, the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness.

Since early warning signs of diabetic eye and vision disorders are often subtle or undetected, the AOA recommends that high-risk individuals look for initial signs and contact a doctor of optometry if any of the following symptoms are present:

• Sudden blurred or double vision
• Trouble reading or focusing on near-work
• Eye pain or pressure A noticeable aura or dark ring around lights or illuminated objects
• Visible dark spots in vision or images of flashing lights

If you happen to be in the Florida region, schedule and drop in at any of 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore® location in Winter Park, Melbourne or Orange City for a comprehensive eye exam today.

Sources:

Diabetes and Eyes, What Your Vision is Trying to Tell You. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 10 April 2013.
Individuals with Diabetes at Increased Risk for Eye Diseases. American Optometric Association. 1 November 2012.