Every year, 20 million children go back to school with a vision problem that may interfere with the ability to learn or contribute to discipline problems. According to an American Optometric Association survey of K-12 teachers, 81 percent believe vision and learning are interdependent.

Reading, writing, and computer work are just a few of the tasks students are expected to perform daily that require visual skills.

Below are essential elements an optometrist will check during a comprehensive eye exam to make certain learning is maximized through good vision. (Source: American Optometric Association).

• Visual acuity is measured at several distances so students can comfortably and efficiently read, work on the computer and see the blackboard.
• Focusing is an important skill that is tested. Eyes must be able to focus on a specific object and to easily shift focus from one object to another. This allows the child to move visual attention from a book to the blackboard and back.
• Visual alignment and ocular motility are evaluated. Ideally, the muscles that aim each eye converge so that both eyes are aimed at the same object, refining depth perception.
• Binocular fusion (eye teaming) skills are assessed. These skills are critical to coordinate and align the eyes precisely so the brain can fuse the pictures it receives from each eye into a single image
• Eye tracking skills are tested to determine whether the child can track across a page accurately and efficiently while reading, and can copy material quickly and easily from the blackboard or another piece of paper.
• Testing preschoolers’ color vision is important because a large part of the early educational process involves the use of color identification.
• Eye-hand-body coordination, critical for handwriting, throwing a ball or playing an instrument, and visual perception, used to interpret and understand visual information like form, size, orientation, texture and color perception, are important visual functions that are reviewed.
• Overall eye health is determined by examining the structures of the eye.

This year, make your child’s vision a priority. Schedule their eye exam in one of our offices today.

Now did you know eye injuries are extremely common? There are about one million eye injuries in the United States in a given year, and 90 percent of those eye injuries are preventable. To bring awareness to eye safety, the month of July has been nationally designated as Eye Injury Prevention Month.

Where do these eye injuries take place? Anywhere. Household chemicals such as bleach, oven cleaners, and drain cleaners can be extremely hazardous. If these chemicals splash in eyes it can permanently damage the surface of the eyes, which can result in blindness. Lawn mowers, weed trimmers, etc. can throw dust and debris into eyes resulting in injuries.

For those who work on cars – battery acid, sparks, and debris from damaged or improperly jump-started auto batteries can severely damage eyes. An estimated 1,000 eye injuries occur in the workplace alone.

Here’s what you should do to prevent these eye injuries. Safety goggles should be worn when you are working with chemicals, doing outside chores, or at a workshop. Prevention is the first and most important step in protecting eyes from injuries, so wear the proper protective eyewear.

Remember if you do experience an eye injury, seek medical attention immediately.

Because of injuries due to fireworks, approximately 5,000 Americans were sent to the emergency room during the Fourth of July holiday in 2008, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). About 1,000 of those injuries were to the eyes.

Yikes! In addition about 45 percent of fireworks-related injuries occur to children under the age of 14. And every year, 400 Americans lose sight in one or both eyes due to fireworks.

Think about this: a sparkler burns at 1800 degrees Fahrenheit – image what it can do to a child’s eye.

Those are scary facts. So please celebrate safely this 4th of July and leave fireworks in the hands of professionals.

Think about everything you accomplish through sight – it’s a lot isn’t it? In addition, the eyes are the windows to our bodies. Dilated pupils can reveal undiagnosed problems throughout the whole body.

So who all needs comprehensive eye exams? EVERYONE. Yes, that includes individuals with healthy vision. Adults should have their eyes tested to keep prescriptions current as well as to check for early signs of eye disease. For children, eye exams play a signficant role in ensuring normal vision development.

During an eye exam, your doctor will evaluate your eyes for glasses and contacts. In addition, the eye doctor will check for eye diseases and other problems that could lead to vision loss.

A comprehensive eye exam can take up to an hour – depending on the eye doctor and the number of tests done. Some of the tests could include visual acuity tests, color blindness tests, cover tests, and Retinoscopy.

An hour of your day doesn’t sound like much does it? Especially when you take into account more than 20 million Americans experience severe vision loss. So schedule that eye exam today – remember early detection is key. Happy seeing!

Vision Source of Greater Tulsa would like to wish each and every Dad out there a very Happy Father’s Day.  Thank you for your strength, honesty, and wisdom.

While everyone wishes to get his or her Father a great gift every Father’s Day, it can be hard to keep thinking of something new. Here’s an idea: how about scheduling an eye exam for your Dad? Think about it – when was the last time your Dad had an eye exam? Sometimes Dads are so busy with work and family that they forget to take care of themselves.

Remember eye diseases and disorders are more common in aging adults. The key is to detect them early. Regular eye exams will help detect vision problems before they become serious.

An eye exam may not a traditional gift but it’s an investment in the health of your Dad. Your Dad looked after you for so many years; it’s time for you to start looking out for him.

Research suggests antioxidants will reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Vitamin A protects against blindness and Vitamin C plays a role in preventing or alleviating glaucoma. Fatty acids can help ease the symptoms of dry eye syndrome and guard against macular damage.

Incorporate the following food in your diet:

• Vitamin A: carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, buttermilk squash, liver, eggs
• Vitamin C: oranges, strawberries, cantaloupes
• Vitamin E: almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds
• Fatty acids: cold-water fish (salmon, trout)

In general be sure to eat lots of green, leafy veggies, orange fruits, some nuts, and two servings of fish per week.

So start eating healthy – your eyes will thank you.

Sunglasses aren’t just about fashion, they are essential in protecting your eyes from UV rays. Adults and children must wear sunglasses when outside. Studies have shown that 85 percent of the UV damage done to a person’s eyes occurs before they are 18 years old.

When you are looking for sunglasses pick ones that provide good eye protection, comfort and a style that matches your personality.

UV radiation from the sun can damage not only the skin of your eyelids but also the cornea and conjunctiva. In addition, UV exposure also contributes to the development of certain types of cataracts.

When searching for sunglasses, look for UV protection details on product labels. The FDA recommends you look for sunglasses with lenses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation.

When it comes to your sunglass lens tint, choose which ever color you like best. Color does not impact UV protection. For example gray lens tints reduce brightness but do not reduce color. Whereas brown and amber glasses distort colors more than gray tints do.

Sunglasses are widely known as a stylish fashion accessory. There are so many different frames and styles out there, so take the time to try on as many styles as possible. Whether you get designer sunglasses or a cheaper brand, make sure they offer UV protection.

Vision Source of Greater Tulsa makes prescription lenses for just about any sunglass frame. So come on in and we’ll help you find the perfect pair.

If you are tired of wearing your prescription glasses and are looking to make a change to contacts – you’re not alone. It’s been reported about 34 million people wear contacts and that number grows every day.

Once your eye doctor prescribes you contact lenses, the care is now in your possession. If you don’t take care of your contact lenses, you may end up with an eye infection or two.

Here are some important tips on how to take care of contact lenses:

• Hygiene and clean contact lenses go hand in hand. Always wash your hands with warm water and soap before handling your contact lenses or letting them touch your eye. Avoid using creams, lotions and cosmetics before placing the contact lenses onto your eyes.

• Once removed, contact lenses must be thoroughly cleaned, rinsed and disinfected. The contact lens solution must be approved by FDA and manufactured by reputable companies.

• Never substitute saliva or tap water for contact lens solution when wanting to rewet your contact lenses. Microorganisms can live in distilled water, causing infection or sight damage.

• Do not sleep with your contact lenses in your eye. When the eyes are shut, tears cannot carry the healthy amount of oxygen to the eye. As a result your contact lenses could become dry and stick to your eyes.

• Always use the appropriate contact lens case for storage. Be sure the lenses are tightly sealed. Do not leave your contact lenses exposed to air or dust.

Remember wearing a contaminated pair of contact lenses is an invite for eye infections.  With proper care and maintenance, eye infections can be avoided.

You’re working at the computer or in the middle of a conversation when all of a sudden it happens – your eye starts to twitch. Try as you may it’s hard to ignore the dreaded eye twitch.

In the medical world eye twitches are commonly known as Blepharospasm – a repetitive and rhythmic contraction of the eyelid muscles.  Involuntary spasms in the muscles of the eyelid cause eye twitching.   While annoying in nature it is typically not that serious or a sign of a medical problem.

Causes

• Physical or emotional stress
• Fatigue or lack of sleep
• Too much caffeine
• Anxiety or phobias
• Dry eyes
• Allergies

Treatment

At this time, there is no successful cure for eye twitching; however there are ways to prevent it. It is important to minimize stress and get plenty of sleep to keep the eye muscles rested. Be sure to take breaks when working at a computer.

However, if the eye twitch is interfering with vision, an eye doctor may recommend Botox or surgery. Remember Vision Source of Greater Tulsa is always here to help answer any vision related questions.

If you have ever been told it’s perfectly healthy to shed a tear – well, it’s true.  The eyes depend on the flow of tears to provide consistent moisture and lubrication to maintain vision and comfort. A lack of tear production can cause dry eyes.

Dye eye syndrome is the breakdown in the quantity or quality of tears to moisten, cleanse and protect the eyes. With each blink, tears protect the surface of the eye, washing away dust and microorganisms. If this protective coating dries up, the eyes feel as if they are burning and/or gritty, are more easily scratched, vulnerable to infection, and can be more sensitive to light.

Dry eye syndrome is among the most common eye problems. It often results from the aging process, affecting nearly three in four people older than 65. It is also common among frequent computer users, those with allergies or wear contact lenses, and people who work outdoors. Women are typically more affected than men, as dry eyes are triggered by hormonal changes such as post-menopause or during pregnancy.

Keep in mind that some people with dry eyes experience “reflex tearing.” This happens when the eye isn’t getting enough lubrication and its sending a distress signal through the nervous system for more lubrication. While this may wash away debris, it will not coat the eye surface properly.

Though dry eyes can’t be cured, there are a number of methods that can be taken to help treat it. Artificial tears, controlling your environment (such as using a humidifier), and even adding more water to your diet could help ease dry eyes.

If you feel the condition cannot be cured by natural methods, talk to your eye doctor about other treatment options.