Healthy Eating, Healthy Eyes

There is a direct correlation between nutrition and eye health prevention.

Weve all heard the famous saying, Carrots are good for your eyes. Is there any truth to this? Absolutely says Dr. Laura Perrin of the New Jersey Society of Optometeric Physicians, They have a lot of vitamin A which helps protect the retina.



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How playing Tetris could help fix your child’s lazy eye

Sure beats wearing an eyepatch
One in 50 children are born with a condition called amblyopia, in which the vision in one eye fails to develop properly, resulting in what’s commonly called a lazy eye. If left untreated, amblyopia can result in a loss of eyesight, which is why doctors try to catch it early.
The downside to an early amblyopia diagnosis is that you have to wear an eyepatch, which, as anyone who’s ever been an 8-year-old will tell you, is the kind of thing that tends to attract the wrong kind of attention on the playground. (By covering up the healthy eye with an eyepatch, the thinking goes, the weaker of the two will be forced to pull its own weight.)
SEE MORE: BlackBerry CEO: Tablets are doomedBut now, doctors from the University of McGill have developed a new treatment that, at least in a preliminary study, sounds slightly less embarrassing than an eyepatch, and 10 times more fun. In research published in Current Biology, doctors split 18 adult participants with lazy eyes into two groups and asked them to do some homework: Play a few games of Tetris, one hour a day, for two weeks.
The catch was that some participants were asked to wear the traditional eyepatch over their healthy eye, while otheres were asked to play while wearing a special pair of goggles. According to BBC News, “the goggles allowed one eye to see only the falling objects, while the other eye could see only the blocks that accumulate on the ground in the game.”
SEE MORE: WATCH: Horrifying video of a U.S. cargo plane crash in AfghanistanThe Tetris players asked to wear the special goggles showed more improved vision than their cyclopean friends. Not to be left out, though, doctors let the folks asked to wear eyepatches don the special goggles for a few weeks, and their vision also improved considerably.
Researchers now think that training the eyes to work in unison – as opposed to one at a time – is probably the preferred approach. “It’s much better than patching, much more enjoyable, it’s faster, and it seems to work better,” Dr. Robert Hess, who led the study, tells BBC News. The next step for researchers is to apply the vision technology to amblyopic children, who probably won’t mind the extra hour of video game homework every day.
SEE MORE: Could online grocery shopping help save the planet?View this article on TheWeek.com Get 4 Free Issues of The Week
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Four Eyes “Children’s song to make them feel better about wearing glasses”

Share this with your kids…

I wrote this song to help my nephew, Danny, feel better about having to wear glasses. Maybe it can help some child you know feel better about them too.



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Vibrating Glasses that catch you falling asleep before you actually fall asleep.

This can be very promising for preventing car accidents, keeping children’s attention at school, and who knows what else?

I like these guys attitude “no idea is a bad idea”!

Engineering seniors design glasses that keep you awake. The glasses, created as part of a senior design project, wake the wearer up as they fall asleep.



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Google Glass mysteries revealed! Google Glass is a headset worn like glasses that has a projector for beaming images into the wearer’s right eye, creating an illusion equivalent to viewing ” a 25-inch high definition screen from eight feet away.”

Just a hint of what the next wave of smart technology might look like…

Google co-founder Sergey Brin has been yakking about Google Glass for more than two years. Yet until last week, we didn’t know even the most basic facts about the platform.
Google has, however, now spilled some beans. The company has also published facts about the hardware, software and licensing. And finally, users started receiving actual units, and have been blabbing about them on social media.
Here’s what we’ve learned and what it all means.
Who’s using Google Glass
First, the lucky winners: Google held a contest calling on people to tell why they wanted Google Glass. Google picked 8,000 people for their Glass Explorer program. The gadgets aren’t free: They’ll still have to pay $1,500 for the device.
That price is not necessarily the price consumers will pay for the shipping product when it does ship; no retail pricing has been announced.
At Google’s June developer conference last year, called Google I/O, Google offered to sell Glass to any attendee. Approximately 2,000 developers who purchased those units (on Amazon.com) have not received them yet, but are expected to in the coming weeks. Google won’t charge those credit cards until the hardware ships.
By the time Google’s next I/O conference begins, there should be about 10,000 people outside of Google itself in the possession of Google Glass devices. ( Google’s next I/O starts May 14. Google is expected to make Glass development a focus of the event.)
Google Glass may cause eyestrain or a headache, according to the Google Glass FAQ. Google says Glass is “not for children,” and that “Google’s terms of service don’t permit those under 13 to register a Google account.”
The hardware
Google Glass is a headset worn like glasses that has a projector for beaming images into the wearer’s right eye, creating an illusion equivalent to viewing ” a 25-inch high definition screen from eight feet away.” That beaming of images happens by way of a prism, which bounces the light from the tiny projector into the prism and from there into the eye. The prism is clear, so looking through it shows both the projected image and also the normal field of vision. Users have to look up and to the right a little to see the Google Glass display.
Glass has 16 GB of RAM, 12 GB of which are usable for apps.
Sound is relayed to the user’s eardrum not into the ears but via bone conduction through the skull.
Glass has a built-in microphone, which does a good job of picking up the voice of the wearer, but strains to capture sounds farther away. This is probably by design for both the privacy of non-wearers and also to improve the voice recognition of the user.
The right side of the Google Glass hardware is a touchpad, which enables users to control the device by tapping or swiping.
Glass connects to the Internet and any Bluetooth-capable phone via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

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Eva Mendes, the new face of Vogue Eyewear – Astro Awani

UNITED STATES: Vogue Eyewear has revealed its new spring/summer 2013 campaign featuring Eva Mendes. The American actress is following in the footsteps of Kate Moss, who was previously a brand ambassador.
The campaign was shot in a house up above West Hollywood last October by famous fashion photographer Mario Testino, who has been collaborating with Vogue Eyewear for several years.
The photographs emphasize the glamour and femininity of the Spring/Summer 2013 designs.
Vogue Eyewear’s new designs are inspired by catwalk trends: cat’s eye and aviator styles, retro squared shapes and oversized square frames.
“I really love glasses. Whether they are prescription glasses or sunglasses, they are an extension of your personality and such a fantastic accessory I love to mix and match and play with different looks, depending on my mood and my outfit. My favorites are frames that have a slightly retro feel, specifically a little wink to the 50s, 60s or 70s,” explained Eva Mendes.
As the face of Thierry Mugler’s Angel, the actress — who stars in “The Place Beyond the Pines” — is making her mark in the world of fashion and beauty.
Past brand ambassadors for Vogue Eyewear include Kate Moss, Daria Werbowy and Gisele Bundchen.
Story first published on: March 27, 2013 07:24 (MYT)
Tags: Vogue Eyewear, Kate Moss, Spring/Summer 2013, Eva Mendes

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Simple Tips for Healthy Eyes Your eyes are an important part of your health. There are many things you can do to keep them healthy and make sure you are seeing your best. Follow these simple steps for maintaining healthy eyes well into your golden years. Have a comprehensive dilated eye exam.

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Student narrowly avoids blindness following gruesome eye infection — parasite … – New York Daily News

Local10.com
A Florida high school senior is lucky to have her vision after a parasite grew on her contact lens and ate through her eye.
Ashley Hyde, 18, contracted an acanthamoeba infection in her left eye after failing to change her lenses regularly.
RELATED: EYE SORE: HOARDING OLD MAKEUP CAN BREED BACTERIA, INFECTIONS, FUNGUS Doctors were initially mystified as to the cause of the Pembroke Pines resident’s inflammation and blurred vision.
And so they had to drill into her eye and take scrapings from the eyeball.
RELATED: EYE INFECTIONS LINKED TO TROUBLED FLA. PHARMACY They soon discovered the microscopic parasite – found in water and soil – had latched onto and spread across the lens.
“They did multiple cultures where they scrape your eye. One time, they had to drill into my eye. It was really nasty,” Hyde told Local10.
RELATED: PERU DOCTORS TO REMOVE ‘PARASITIC TWIN’ She’s now booked in for months of treatment, which medics hope will clear up the condition once and for all.
Optometric physician Dr Adam Clarin said it was a lesson for people to change their lenses every day.
“Every day, we see people come in with contact lens related to infections, complications, ulcers. These are all things that are potentially blinding,” Clarin added.

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Contact Lens Or Glasses: Healthier Choice? – BoldSky

Contact lenses or glasses are usually used by people who have power in their eyes. Most people are glad to get rid of their glasses for purely cosmetic reasons. It is irritating to have a glass in front of your eyes 24×7. But the choice between contact lenses or glasses is much more than a superficial decision.
Some people believe that glasses are healthy and contact lens are not. Others are of the opinion that contact lens have their share of benefits as well. Contact lenses were basically developed for making you look goo. But they do have a set of advantages from the perspective of your vision too. However, most doctors recommend glasses because lenses make your eyes dry.
So, the decision of whether to wear contact lens or glasses is evenly balanced. Let us check out some points that help you make up your mind.
Contact Lens Arrest The Eye PowerIt is true that contact lens can arrest the power of your eyes. This is because it sticks to your eyeball and covers vision from all angles. Glasses are healthy but not the better than lens for preventing the power of your eyes from increasing.
Glasses Protect Eyes From Direct LightWe all have to work on the computer screen constantly. So glasses stand between the bright screen and your eyes. And with an anti-glare coating, glasses protect your eyes much better than lens.
Dry EyesContact lens do not allow oxygen to enter your eyes. They stick to the eyes and make it dry. You might develop a problem of red, dry and itchy eyes if you wear contact lens for a long time.
All Round VisionGlasses correct your vision, but you cannot see all around you with your glasses. When you wear contact lens, you can get 360 degrees of vision.
Better For TravellingIt is difficult to say which is better for travelling, contact lens or glasses. Glasses get wet in the rain or foggy sometimes. Lens are better in term of physical standing. But if you are riding a bike then contact lens might get dislodged or dust might enter your eyes. And even if rain water enters your eyes while wearing lens, it will cloud your vision.
So the choice between contact lens or glasses is a tough one. Actually a combination of both would make your vision perfect. So which do you prefer to wear, contact lens or glasses?

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Found some great articles on Contact Lenses to share with everyone later this week. Enjoy!

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The Question: My 13-year-old daughter is starting to become self-conscious about her glasses and she’s asking us for contact lenses. We think she’s too young, and she isn’t the greatest at washing her hands and face regularly yet. We don’t want her to end up with an eye infection. What do you think, are we being paranoid?
More Related to this Story
The Answer: I don’t think you are being paranoid at all. In fact, I think you are being very realistic. It takes a certain level of maturity and responsibility in order to use contact lenses safely. Many young adults will start wearing contact lenses around this age, but not all are ready for the level of responsibility involved. At stake is the long-term health of your daughter’s eyes.
Remarkably, contact lenses can be used in babies. Children born with congenital eye disorders may wear contact lenses as part of their medical treatment. Pre-teens and teens like your daughter often want to start wearing contact lenses as they become more self-conscious about their appearance. Other young adults prefer to wear contact lenses while playing sports. Wearing contacts avoids the inconvenience of replacing or repairing eyeglass frames that get damaged with sports or rough play. Contact lens-wearing athletes also benefit from improved peripheral vision compared to those who wear glasses.
Regardless of the age of the lens wearer, meticulous hygiene is critical to prevent eye infections. The importance of regular, thorough hand washing especially before handling and inserting lenses cannot be understated. Safe use of contact lenses also involves being able to reliably put them in and take them out as well as clean and store them safely.
In my mind, the age at which a child can start to wear contact lenses safely is determined by both the maturity level of the child and the level of involvement of the parents. For example, it is may be possible for a mature eight-year-old to wear contact lenses if her parents are routinely available to supervise and assist with the care. On the other hand, forgetful teenagers who must independently manage their own daily care may not be good candidates for contacts. Remember that harmful bacteria are particularly plentiful in bathrooms so regularly disinfecting bathroom surfaces will help reduce exposure to dangerous bacteria. Removing contact lenses at bedtime will also decrease the risk of infection. Consult your optometrist for specific advice on storage, cleaning, and which type of contact lens is best suited for your child.
This sounds like an opportunity to challenge your daughter to prove to you that she is up to the task. Perhaps after demonstrating that she can reliably wash her hands and face daily for a month, her reward can be a trip to your local eye care professional.
Dr. Michael Dickinson is the head of pediatrics and chief of staff at the Miramichi Regional Hospital in New Brunswick. He’s a staunch advocate for children’s health in Atlantic Canada through his involvement with the Canadian Paediatric Society.

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If you’re a little nervous about how to put on or take off your contact lenses, don’t be. It’s a lot easier than you might think. ACUVUE® Brand will show you just how simple applying and removing contacts can be. To learn more about ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses, go to http://www.facebook.com/Acuvue.



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Now that it’s starting to warm up outside, what have you got planned for those longer sunny days?

We use our vision every day, in everything that we do. But while we use our eyes constantly, we often take our vision for granted. Our eyes are one of the most complex organs in our bodies but they are also very delicate.



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Newswise – Philadelphia, Pa. (April 1, 2013) – By middle age, most people have age-related declines in near vision (presbyopia) requiring bifocals or reading glasses. An emerging technique called hyperopic orthokeratology (OK) may provide a new alternative for restoring near vision without the need for glasses, according to a study, ” Refractive Changes from Hyperopic Orthokeratology Monovision in Presbyopes“, appearing in the April issue of Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins , a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.
For middle-aged patients with presbyopia, wearing OK contact lenses overnight can restore up-close vision in one eye, according to the study by Paul Gifford, PhD, FAAO, and Helen A Swarbrick, PhD, FAAO, of University of New South Wales, Sydney. “The authors have shown the feasibility of correcting one eye for near vision through OK, in which overnight contact lens wear shapes the cornea of one eye to allow in-focus near vision for reading,” comments Anthony Adams, OD, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of Optometry and Vision Science.
Overnight OK Lens Wear Restores Near Vision in One EyeThe study included 16 middle-aged patients (43 to 59 years) with age-related loss of near vision, or presbyopia. Presbyopia is caused by age-related loss of flexibility in the cornea-the transparent front part that lets light into the eye.
Orthokeratology is a clinical technique to correct vision using specially designed rigid contact lenses to manipulate the shape of the cornea. Dr Adams likens OK therapy to orthodontic treatment using braces to change the alignment of the teeth.
Drs Gifford and Swarbick evaluated a “monocular” technique, with patients wearing a custom-made OK lens in one eye overnight for one week. To preserve normal distance vision, the other eye was left untreated.
In all patients, the monocular OK technique was successful in restoring near vision in the treated eye. The improvement was apparent on the first day after overnight OK lens wear, and increased further during the treatment week. Eye examination confirmed that the OK lenses altered the shape of the cornea, as they were designed to do.
Nightly Lens Wear Needed to Retain CorrectionVision in the untreated eye was unaffected, and all patients retained normal distance vision with that eye; essentially this gives the patient the dequivalent of ‘monovision’ that is usually done with contact lenses or surgery. To retain the correction in near vision, patients had to continue wearing their OK lenses every night. Dr Adams likens this ongoing treatment to the “retainer” that orthodontic patients have to wear nightly. As expected, when patients stopped wearing their OK lens after the treatment week, presbyopia rapidly returned.
By about age 45 to 50, most people need bifocals or some other form of vision correction to restore vision for reading and other up-close tasks. Alternatives for presbyopia have been introduced, including fitting a contact lens for distance vision in one eye and a lens for near vision in the other eye.

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