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Tips to Reduce Hazard of Blue Light

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Everyone knows that sunscreen and sunglasses help protect your eyes from the ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) of the sun, but those same blue violet rays can also be emitted from electronic devices. Some examples of artificial sources of blue violet light, commonly known as blue light, are smartphones, computers, tablets, LEDs, and CFLs.

As we increase our use of digital devices, we put our eyes at risk for retinal damage. Humans can only perceive a portion of the wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum between wavelengths of 390 nm to 700 nm. Blue light has a wavelength of 380 nm to 500 nm, which means it is one of the shortest, highest-energy wavelengths. These waves create a glaring effect on the eyes and can lead to eye fatigue, dry eye, blurred vision, headaches, and nearsightedness. Continued exposure to blue light can cause photochemical damage, which in turn can harm retinal cells and makes us susceptible to age-related macular degeneration (Source: Business Standard).

How can we protect ourselves from eye damage associated with blue light if digital devices surround us on a daily basis? Here are some practical ways to protect your eyes from blue light damage:

  1. Limit screen time when you are not working. It is impossible to avoid digital devices in the workplace, but you can reduce the amount of time you spend on electronics when you are not working. Digital devices often provide a passive “escape” from reality that seems enjoyable, but it can be a poor use of your time and can just increase eye fatigue and muscle strain.
  2. If you use your devices at night, download a blue light filter app. There are several free apps in your App Store that will put a filter on the screen of your smartphone or tablet to reduce glare at night. This will help reduce eye fatigue.
  3. Try not to use your devices directly before bedtime. Overexposure to blue light can cause restlessness and insomnia. Set a limit of turning off your devices at least one hour before bedtime and charge your devices in a different room so you are not tempted to turn them back on.
  4. Blink, blink, blink. One reason that we are more susceptible to dry eye when using electronics is that our blink rate is reduced significantly. Put a post-it note on your computer screen that says “Blink”! Blinking more often will keep your eyes moist and refreshed.
  5. Get regular comprehensive eye exams. There is no substitute for an eye exam by a licensed specialist. Schedule regular eye exams to ensure your vision stays clear and healthy. You can also talk to your ophthalmologist about prescribing protective lenses with blue light filters to reduce eye strain.

Average Age for Cataract Surgery is Dropping

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The risk for cataracts increases as we age, but the average age for cataracts is dropping. Around one to two percent of all cataract surgery patients are in their early 40s, but many young people are unaware that they already have a developing cataract.

A recent study by the Mayo Clinic found that more people are choosing cataract surgery at a younger age. The study examined cataract procedures done from 2005 to 2011 in Olmsted County, Minnesota, and 20 percent of the surgeries were performed on patients younger than age 65.

How do you know that you have a cataract? Some people have described a cataract as “looking through a dirty, Vaseline-smudged window.” Cataracts are more noticeable in bright light, so playing outside or going to the beach can make vision seem extremely hazy and blurred. Because cataracts never improve and only worsen over time, it is only advantageous to have the cataract removed when it interferes with daily tasks and affects quality of life.

According to Dr. Rosa Braga-Mele, chair of the cataract clinical committee of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, doctors are seeing that their younger patients are less willing to accept the annoyance of a cataract and want to have surgery sooner. Braga-Mele points out that the baby boomer population (those who are in their 50s and 60s) wants to eliminate “any hurdle to their independence” and often want to have cataracts removed sooner rather than later.

Certain careers may also influence whether a person wishes to have cataract surgery earlier. Katie Roberts, age 37, has had cataract surgery on both eyes. Her first procedure was at age 32. As a firefighter, she relies on clear vision and wanted to have cataract surgery as early as possible. Other individuals may not be bothered by a developing cataract and may want to wait until it gets worse to have it removed.

Thanks to developing technology, ophthalmologists can detect cataracts earlier nowadays, and new methods have made cataract surgery less invasive than ever (Source: Today).

Eye Floaters: Harmless or Dangerous?

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Is there anything as bothersome as an eye floater? Those flashing spots, strands, squiggly lines, and rings dart and drift away and you just cannot look directly at them, no matter how hard you try. Floaters are often most apparent when you are outside or looking at something bright or light in color. Everyone experiences eye floaters once in a while, but they can increase in number and frequency and become distracting. In rare cases, floaters can be an indicator of a more serious eye condition.

What causes eye floaters?

Most floaters are a result of the aging process. About 80 percent of the eye is filled with vitreous humor, a gel-like material that helps the eye keep a round shape. Over time, the gel reduces in volume and pulls away from the back of the eye. Protein strands in the gel, called collagen, become stringy and cast shadows on the retina. These shadows are what cause the floaters.

Some floaters have a very different origin. Eye surgery, eye disease, eye injury or diabetic retinopathy can result in floaters, so talk to your eye doctor if you think that eye floaters are a result of a previous procedure or condition.

Are floaters dangerous?

Most floaters are completely normal and gradually tend to settle at the bottom of the eye, but they do not go away completely. Most people become accustomed to floaters and they can ignore them, but there are some instances when you should not ignore floaters. It may be necessary to call your eye doctor if you notice an increase in eye floaters, eye pain, changes in peripheral vision or see flashes of light.

Although less common, floaters can be symptoms of a retinal tear, retinal detachment, inflammation (uveitis) vitreous hemorrhage, eye tumor or bleeding within the eye, so do not ignore changes in your vision.

Treatments for eye floaters

If you are simply bothered by your floaters, there is no specific treatment. Sometimes, just moving to a location that has lower light can be helpful in minimizing floaters. If your vision is significantly affected by floaters, your doctor may talk to you about a surgical procedure called a vitrectomy. In this procedure, the vitreous humor and collagen strands are removed from the back of the eye and replaced with a salt solution. This operation is not usually recommended unless your vision is being significantly compromised.

Salt: The Eye Nemesis and the Healer

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Salt can cause a myriad of health concerns when consumed in excess. Unfortunately, the American diet is notorious for its salt content. We love our snacks and junk food: chips, crackers, cured meats, and cheeses. But too much salt can lead to water retention, bloating of the kidneys, and even premature aging. Why, oh why does salty food taste so good? The sodium in salt is to blame for these problems.

The kidneys require a delicate balance of potassium and sodium to successfully remove unwanted fluids. High levels of sodium cause unfiltered fluid and toxins to build up and collect in certain areas of the body. This usually presents itself as swelling, especially at the ankles and under the eyes. Not only unsightly, sodium-triggered swelling is an indication that your body is working harder than it should (Source: Care2).

Everyone will tell you a different remedy for fluid retention and puffiness. Hydration, water pills, and exercise are just a few recommendations. However, it may surprise you that the one mineral that got you into your problem will also get you out. You got it: salt. Salt actually is one of the best ways to reduce puffiness and swelling, but only when applied externally, not internally. The sodium in salt leaches out additional fluid and constricts the blood vessels. Here is a recipe for soothing your swollen eyes:

Compress for Puffy Eyes

  • Mix ½ teaspoon salt into a cup of warm water
  • Dip cotton balls or facial pads into the salt water solution. Lie down and apply to eyelids.
  • Rest in this position for at least ten minutes and keep the pads in place.

A salt compress is only a temporary fix for fluid retention and puffiness. You need to deal with the root of the problem if you have recurrent swelling. Reducing sodium intake is not easy, and it does take self-discipline. Thankfully, there are many foods with low sodium options that offer less salt without sacrificing the taste. Sometimes, foods need more flavor, not more salt. Try seasoning your vegetables with fresh herbs or cracked pepper or adding a marinade to your meat or vegetables instead of reaching for that salt shaker. Mrs. Dash and other salt substitutes can enhance the flavor of vegetables and meats, and you may find that you like them just as much as salt. Change is hard, but lowering sodium intake will become a habit over time. In the meantime, fight salt on the inside with salt on the outside!

Do Carrots Really Improve Your Eyesight?

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Parents will tell their kids anything to bring about a desired result. Take eating vegetables, for example. Parents will tell their kids that spinach will make you big and strong or that broccoli makes you smarter. Mom and dad may call it “motivation,” while the children may view it more as “manipulation.” Maybe the ends justify the means, but when the kids grow up they probably question, “Why am I not as strong as Popeye when I ate a whole lot more spinach than he did?”

The presentation of carrots on a dinner plate is often prefaced by the adage, “Eat all your carrots and you will always have good eyesight!” Is there any truth to this statement, or is it a bunch of baloney? Actually, since the Middle Ages, carrots have been heralded as miracle vegetables and were thought to cure anything from snakebites to STDs. These orange root vegetables were not associated with strong eyesight until centuries later during World War II. The British Royal Air Force wove a fabricated tale about skilled fighter pilot John “Cats’ Eyes” Cunningham, saying that he attributed his excellent night vision to a steady diet of carrots. Soon, it was mandated that everyone should eat carrots so they could see better during the mandatory blackouts, but this was mere propaganda. The Royal Air Force was actually utilizing radar to locate German bombers before they reached the English Channel (Source: How Stuff Works).

Before we dub the carrot a phony when it comes to improving eyesight, let’s examine its merits. Although it cannot restore vision loss or make any structural changes to the eye, the carrot is beneficial for overall vision health.

Vitamin A

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, carotenoid pigment which is an essential precursor for vitamin A. Deficiencies in vitamin A are the leading causes of blindness in the developing world. Lack of vitamin A can also lead to:

Lutein

Carrots contain lutein, an important antioxidant. Lutein-rich foods are known to increase the density of pigment in the macula, the yellow-shaped oval area in the center of the retina. As pigment density increases, the retina is protected more and the risk for macular degeneration decreases.

In summary, the carrot provides many benefits for healthy vision, but eating carrots every day will not restore vision to 20/20. Optical deformities like astigmatism, conditions like strabismus and diseases like glaucoma cannot be corrected by eating Bugs Bunny’s food of choice. Corrective lenses and eye procedures would still be necessary even if every American ate a steady diet of carrots. Because carrots are rich in vitamin A and lutein, they are always a good choice for a nutrient-packed snack. So keep packing those carrot sticks in the school lunches, mom. But don’t expect X-ray vision from little Tommy. He will still need to wear his glasses every day!

Tiny Screens Can Cause Big Vision Problems

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As much as we depend on our mobile devices for viewing and responding to emails, checking the weather, reading headline news, and posting status updates on Facebook, our smartphones may be causing us some vision problems. Staring at those tiny screens can bring on an array of eye issues such as blurred vision, headaches, sore eyes, headaches, muscle strain and dry eye.

According to Jeff Taylor, M.D., Medical Director for YourSightMatters.com, at least 1 out of every 4 eye patients complains about eye strain due to reading text on a small screen. Normally, we blink about 15 times per minute, but this rate decreases by half when we are staring at our smartphone. As we squint to read these miniature screens, our facial, neck and shoulder muscles tighten, eyes become fatigued and vision can be blurred or strained. This series of symptoms is known as Computer Vision Syndrome.

Smartphones can also cause other issues as well. The iPhone’s newest update seems to affect balance and stability with the new icons zooming in and out. Users have complained of dizziness. Reading in bed can affect sleep patterns due to the blue light emitted from the screen. This light can decrease levels of melatonin and make it harder to fall asleep. For all the help that our phones and electronic devices offer, they are literally giving us a headache.

The answer is not to stop using your smartphone. Rather, implement a system where you take regular breaks about every 20 minutes or so. This is known as the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, stare at something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This will help rest your eyes and prevent fatigue and strain that causes those familiar headaches, soreness and blurred vision. This is especially important for children who may be new to having a phone or who may not remember to give their eyes a rest. Don’t be afraid to set some clear boundaries and guidelines for children so they can learn self control and moderation in using their electronic devices.

Computer Vision Syndrome should be temporary, so if you notice that your vision is not returning to normal you should visit your eye doctor and share your concerns. It is important to stay current with your comprehensive eye exams to keep your vision clear and healthy (Source: The Boston Globe).

Prevent Eyestrain When Reading Your Favorite Book

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Fall is the perfect time to snuggle up with a good book. Whether it’s a new-bestseller, an anthology of short stories or a volume of poetry, a book is the perfect companion. It may be cozy to think of reading for hours as the days grow shorter and the weather turns cooler, but you need to be cautious about straining your eyes. Eyestrain is not harmful to the eyes and often goes away once your eyes are rested. However, sometimes eye strain can be a sign of an undiagnosed eye condition. These are the most common symptoms of eyestrain:

  • Blurred or double vision
  • Watery eyes
  • Dry eyes
  • Soreness, tiredness, burning or itching
  • Headache
  • Increased sensitivity to light
  • Difficulty focusing

You should make an appointment with your eye doctor if you have persistent double vision, experience pain or have a noticeable change in your vision. How can you prevent putting excess strain on your eyes as you feast on a good book? Here are a few tips to help:

  1. When reading, have a light source behind you so that light is being directed onto the page. If you are reading at a desk, use a lamp with a shade. The shade will prevent the light from shining into your eyes.
  2. If you have reduced vision, use a brighter light source.
  3. Consider a large-print book if words appear too small on the page.
  4. Take regular breaks. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away from your book and look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Walk around for a while and give your eyes a rest.
  5. Blink often to moisten your eyes. Dry eye can result when staring at an object for too long.
  6. Use artificial tears to add moisture to the eyes.

National Pet Month: Is Your Pet’s Dander Hurting Your Eyes?

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May is National Pet month celebrating the joy our pets bring to our lives. While many would have no problem listing all of the wonderful attributes that animals can bring to a person’s life; others, who suffer from allergies to pet dander, might have other things to say through watery, red eyes.

It is estimated 62 percent of American households have at least one pet and animal lovers understand that pets are a part of the family. Regardless of whether you are a dog or cat person, cuddly friends make their way into our hearts as well as our homes. However, if you find that fluffy or oreo are causing your eyes to be irritated, pay close attention to the following as there are steps that can be taken to help alleviate your symptoms.

The problem starts with dander as it is one of the most stubborn and common allergens. Cats, dogs and other furry or feathered pets produce dander, which consists of microscopic, dandruff-like flakes of skin and proteins from saliva and urine that can trigger allergies and aggravate asthma. Pet dander is generally worse in older animals than in younger animals, as older animals slough off more skin cells than younger animals. Dander can be transported through the air and enter the mucous members of the eyes and lungs.

Individuals who are allergic to pet dander may suffer from red, itchy eyes. Eye allergies sometimes cause significant discomfort, often interrupting daily activities with annoying symptoms. A person develops eye allergies when the immune system overreacts to an allergen. Allergens may be found indoors and outdoors and include things such as pollen, dust, dust and pet dander. When exposed to these allergens, cells in the eyes release histamines and other chemicals in an effort to protect the eyes. This chemical reaction that causes blood vessels inside the eyes to swell and the eyes become itchy, red and watery. Allergies can also trigger other problems, such as conjunctivitis also known as pink eye.

Losing an Hour: How Lack of Sleep Affects Your Eyes

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If you find yourself tired at work right now, you’re not alone. In fact a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study finds more than 40 million American workers get fewer than six hours of sleep per night – that’s about 30 percent of the country’s workforce (Source: CBS News).

Most of us are aware that not getting enough shut eye can be harmful for your body; however, you may not know that a lack of rest can be hazardous for your eyesight. While lack of sleep is often blamed for dark circles under your eyes, not getting enough rest can interfere with your overall eye health.

Studies have shown that the eye needs at least five hours of sleep per night to properly replenish. Without that time, eyes cannot work at their full potential. One common side effect of lack of sleep is eye spasms. Eye spasms are defined as involuntary eye twitches that occur when you have a spasm in your eyelid. These involuntary spasms are known as myokymia. Eye spasms should not be painful or do damage to your vision; however, they can be very aggravating and disruptive. Avoid eye spasms by making sure you get an adequate amount of sleep per night.

Over time, lack of sleep can lead to serious ramifications on your vision including popped blood vessels due to eye strain. Additionally, a shortage of sleep can cause dry eye, a condition when tears do not adequately lubricate your eyes. When dry eye sets in you can experience some pain, light sensitivity, itching, redness or even blurred vision.

Dry eye can be dangerous: 7 ways to treat and prevent it

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Almost five million Americans 50 and older are thought to have dry eye, with the highest incidence among post-menopausal women. Aside from being uncomfortable and annoying, dry-eye syndrome can also permanently harm your vision.

When left untreated, dry eye can cause light sensitivity and blurred vision. Furthermore, under lubricated eyes are more susceptible to scratches or infection.So how do you treat it?

The following home remedies are good first steps:

  1. Use a humidifier
  2. Wear glasses instead of contacts
  3. Take frequent breaks when staring at computer or TV screens
  4. Sleep for at least eight hours each night
  5. Avoid smoke
  6. Wear sunglasses or a hat
  7. Drink at least six glasses of water per day

If you try those but your dry eye persists, consider an over-the-counter eye lubricant drop. These come in the form of gels or ointments and can provide immediate relief.

If you still experience trouble after that, contact your physician. He or she can provide you with prescription-strength eye drops or, if necessary, discuss surgical options with you. This might include an outpatient procedure to provide punctal plugs, which temporarily close the small duct where tears drain from the eye.

Request an appointment to find out more about your options.