Sun Protection for the Eyes: Prevent Eye Injuries, Cataracts, ARMD, Surfer’s Eye

sun protection glasses hat sunscreenThe sun sustains life, but it also can harm our eyes. Unsafe sun exposure causes or may contribute to several eye conditions and diseases. It can also cause eye injuries. Earth’s ozone layer absorbs most of the ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, but chemicals have damaged it. Therefore, we must take extra precautions to prevent cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, ocular melanoma (eye cancer), and eye injuries such as pterygium (Surfer’s Eye), photokeratitis (snow blindness), and flash blindness. The sun is also a driving hazard when low on the horizon.

The body contains its own “sunscreen,” which is melanin. Dark-skinned people have more melanin and Continue reading “Sun Protection for the Eyes: Prevent Eye Injuries, Cataracts, ARMD, Surfer’s Eye”

Can Myopia Be Prevented by Sunlight? The Connection with Dopamine.

outdoors sunlightResearch is pointing toward a link between myopia and the brain chemical dopamine. All-natural sunlight may be the antidote.

Myopia is called “near sightedness” because the eyeball is too long. The image from the lens falls short of the retina, causing blurring of distance vision. The condition is corrected using glasses or contact lenses. It is on the rise all over the world. In the United States, incidence has risen from 25% to 50% Continue reading “Can Myopia Be Prevented by Sunlight? The Connection with Dopamine.”

Myopic Macular Degeneration

Myopic macular degeneration is not commonly known in the U.S. even though it is the 7th highest ranking cause of legal blindness. In other parts of the world, such as Japan and China, it is the second highest cause of legal blindness. In addition, people of Jewish and middle eastern extraction are greater risk of developing the condition.

What is It?
MMD-300Myopic macular degeneration (MMD) arises primarily from genetic abnormalities. 30% of all cases were present at birth; 60% of all cases develop before the child is 13. It often continues to worsen, becoming quite severe myopia by the late teens or early 20s and by 60, 50% of MMD patients are legally blind.

The condition is caused Continue reading “Myopic Macular Degeneration”

Computers & Your Eyes Part I: Computer Vision Syndrome

computer-eye-syndromeElectronics have become primary obsessions in our personal and work lives. This has lead to nearly everyone becoming susceptible to Computer Vision Syndrome. Symptoms include dry eyes, eye strain, blurred vision, headaches, double vision, difficulty in concentrating, fatigue and/or and head, neck and shoulder pain.

Additionally, heavy computer use has been associated with glaucoma[1. https://www.naturaleyecare.com/articles/glaucoma-and-heavy-computer-use.asp] Electronics screens emit blue light that can damage the retina, leading to macular degeneration.[2. Do blue light filters confer protection against age-related macular degeneration? by Margrain TH et. al. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2004 Sep;23(5):523-31. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15302349] Close-up work is associated with myopia (nearsightedness).[3. “Risk factors for myopia in a discordant monozygotic twin study.” Ramessur R, Williams KM, Hammond CJ. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2015 Sep 17. doi: 10.1111/opo.12246. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26376775] Continue reading “Computers & Your Eyes Part I: Computer Vision Syndrome”

Myopia: The Inside Story & New Treatment Options

myopia in school childMyopia, also called “nearsightedness,” is a common eye condition that requires correction with eye glasses. If severe, it can lead to serious eye conditions. Myopia is a refractive error in which close objects are clear, but distant objects are blurry. This is because the refracted image is in focus in front of the retina. Typically, the myopic eye is elongated; however, myopia can also be caused by a distorted cornea.

This disorder affects around 33% of the population of the United States. In some East Asian countries, over 90% of the population is myopic.[1] It is typically detected in children Continue reading “Myopia: The Inside Story & New Treatment Options”

Myopic Patient Betty Ming Liu Benefits from Eye Exercises and Dr. Marc Grossman

betty-ming-luiAsk any of the countless people with substandard vision if there was one thing they could change about themselves and the typical response will be 20/20 vision. Betty Ming Liu, like most glasses-wearing individuals, had simply accepted the fuzzy side of life and continual degeneration of her eyes. Betty and her 20/650 vision had begun to additionally require the help of reading glasses to get by. She was less-than-enthused by the prospect of laser eye surgery.

By chance, Betty was introduced to holistic eye doctor Marc Grossman who opened her to the idea of eye exercises that promised to improve her vision. Within the Continue reading “Myopic Patient Betty Ming Liu Benefits from Eye Exercises and Dr. Marc Grossman”

Nearsightedness on the rise in Asia, Chinese Saccades

asian student wears glasses for myopiaChildren are under a great deal of pressure to excel in their studies in Southeast Asia, and a new study in The Lancet shows they may by paying the price by damaging their eyes. Myopia, or nearsightedness, used to have a rate of 20% to 30% on average in Southeast Asia. A recent study put that number at more than 80% in young adults.

School is very competitive, and many students spend most of their time indoors studying and taking classes. They do not receive sufficient amounts of outdoor light to counter-act their indoor eye use.

Continue reading “Nearsightedness on the rise in Asia, Chinese Saccades”

Outdoor Activity Might Reduce Myopia in Children

outdoor time may reduce myopia in children and teensThe rise of myopia, also known as shortsightedness, has increased significantly in the past 30 years in the United States. Time spent outdoors has dropped off in this time period. Researchers at the National Eye Institute conducted a study of children and teens that shows a possible link between less time spent in outdoor activity and myopia.

In the early 1970’s, 25% of 12 to 54 year olds in the United States had myopia. In 1999-2004, that figure was 42%, a huge increase.

Myopia means that the eye focuses in front of the retina, making vision blurry. This condition is thought to be caused by Continue reading “Outdoor Activity Might Reduce Myopia in Children”

Do 3-D Video Games Harm Children’s Eyes?

child with handheld game
image via cdc.gov

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has published a statement regarding the use of handheld 3-D games by children under age 6.

Nintendo recently started warning parents that young children could compromise their vision if they look at the 3-D games for long periods.  The AAO does not seem to think that warning is completely warranted:

At this time there are no conclusive studies on the short- and/or long-term effects of 3-D digital products on eye and visual development, health, or function in children, nor are there persuasive, conclusive theories on how 3-D digital products could cause damage in children with healthy eyes. The development of normal 3-D vision in children is stimulated as they use their eyes in day-to-day social and natural environments, and this development is largely complete by age three years.  Source:  AAO

Editor’s Note: Rather than worry about whether your young kids’ video games should contain 3-D graphics, why not get them to play outside instead?  A 2009 study comparing Australian children to children from Singapore showed that the Australian kids, who spent a lot more time outdoors were dramatically less likely to suffer from myopia or nearsightedness.

Nearsightedness Linked to Early Life Experiences

babies
image via cdc.gov

Myopia (also known as nearsightedness) is becoming increasingly common.  In just two decades the proportion of Americans who are nearsighted has increased by 11% to include about 36% of the population.

A new study published in Ophthalmology reveals a possible connection between early life and the development of myopia.  Several factors were found to contribute to the development of nearsightedness:

  • the age of the mother at birth (rates of myopia in children increase when moms are over 35);
  • birth weight (tinier babies are more likely to eventually develop myopia); and
  • maternal smoking in early pregnancy (children of moms who smoked are twice as likely to develop severe myopia).

Source:medscape.com

The study authors also note that kids who do lots of close work (including reading) at a young age are much more likely to become nearsighted.

The good news is that a condition like myopia is reversible.  Learn more at our website.