UV And Kids
First let’s look at the harmful effects of UV exposure:
* EYELIDS: Both UVA and UVB will cause sunburn of the eyelids. The lids are susceptible to the development of skin cancer. Ten percent of all skin cancer occurs on the eyelids.
*CONJUNCTIVA: UVB damage leads to the formation of pinguecula (a triangular patch of tissue at the inner canthus of the eye) and pterygium (a similar entity found on the cornea).
* CORNEA: The cornea can develop photokeratitus, essentially a corneal sunburn as a result of exposure to UVB. The highly regenerative capacity of the cornea usually repairs this condition.
* LENS and RETINA: Chronic exposure to UV increases the risk of developing cataracts.
Diabetics may be particularly susceptible to UV damage due to an accumulation of sorbitol and fructose in the lens.
Did you know…
* Eighty percent of lifetime exposure to the sun occurs by the age of 18.
* Children get three times more sun exposure than adults.
* Not all sunglasses block 100 percent of dangerous UV radiation.
* Twenty percent of all cataract operations could be prevented or delayed by using UV protection.
* UV radiation varies over the course of the day, but is strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
* UV rays are not only harmful when it is sunny, they can penetrate through cloud cover, mist, and fog.
What Parents Can Do…
Parents can help protect their children from UV radiation in several ways:
* Wear hats with a wide brim. Brims should extend at lease three inches away from the head.
* Wear sunglasses or photochromic lenses that block 100% of UVA and UVB.
* Reduce outdoor exposure - during the peak hours, generally between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contact Lenses vs. Refractive Surgery
We have so many options these days, how do you know what’s right for you?
* Eyeglasses Paragon CRT Daily disposable soft contacts
* Extended Wear Planned Replacement Conventional soft lenses
* Gas Permeables LASIK PRK
* Corneal Intacs Other surgical procedures Bifocal Contacts
A lot of your choices depend on your lifestyle and your prescription. We will be happy to discuss your options with you during your next visit with us.
FSA Fund Reminders…
Eye examinations, contact lenses and prescription eye wear are covered items under your employer sponsored Flex Spending Accounts. Please try to schedule your appointments before your funds expire; some plans end
in March, June, or November.
Paragon CRT - Corneal Refractive Therapy is a specially designed therapeutic contact lens worn only at night, so you can see clearly without contacts or glasses during the day. It is designed to correct myopia (up to –6.00) and moderate amounts of astigmatism (-1.75). There are no age restrictions, it is FDA approved, and it is non-surgical. Call us for a brochure or you can visit their web site for more information www.paragoncrt.com. I know I’ve been thrilled with my results!
Thank you…
I want to thank so many of you who cleaned out your drawers and donated your old glasses. I sent a huge box to the Optometry School where the students will clean and tag the glasses for the Flying Doctors. They go on four trips a year to third world countries to deliver eye care and eyewear. Your glasses are greatly appreciated!
All school-aged kids should have a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist. This goes beyond the vision screening that they may receive at the pediatrician’s office or by the school nurse. A comprehensive exam not only checks vision and eye health, but how well your child’s eyes are working as a team. These binocular skills are important for reading, writing, and hand-eye coordination.
Green is Good
Lutein is found naturally is spinach, kale and other deep greens. It’s most often credited as a way of protecting the eyes from macular degeneration. Several studies have found eating 6mg of lutein a day (1/4 cup of cooked spinach) lowered the odds of macular degeneration by 43%.
Several other studies indicated that 6 mg of lutein a day seems to reduce the odds of cataracts 20-50%. Tufts University revealed a dramatic 88% drop in breast cancer in women who had the highest blood concentrations of lutein. Another study from the University of Utah Medical School found that the highest consumers of lutein were 17% less likely to develop colon cancer than those who ate the least. High lutein also has been linked to
fewer lung, prostate, and ovarian cancers.
Computer Vision
Many of you spend your entire day or a good portion of your day in front of a computer. To help you minimize eyestrain and fatigue while you work, we highly recommend computer glasses. This is a separate pair of glasses specifically designed with a set focal length to meet your visual needs. It can be a single vision lens to provide a nice wide field of view or a multifocal (intermediate and near vision combined) to eliminate the need to tip your head up through your regular multifocals (less neck and shoulder strain). We combine these lens prescriptionswith the non-reflective coating to reduce glare, which in turn reduces eye fatigue.
Teresa J. Lui, O.D. Palo Alto Optometrist Optical Boutique (650) 321-9525 info@drteresalui.com