Eyecare is important.

Transcription

Hassle-Free Tools
for Communicating to Members
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Eyecare
is important.
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Communicate the VSP benefit to your members and employees easily
with the convenient tools on this CD:
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VSP-approved benefit language
Eyecare articles
Eyecare facts
Eyecare photos
Use them in your newsletters, benefit handbooks, enrollment materials,
on your intranet and more.
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These instructions explain how to copy and paste the text and save the photos provided on this CD.
Benefit Details
Copy and Paste Text
Save Photos
- The Importance
of Eyecare
• Find the text or article you need to copy.
• Click the photo link you want
to use.
- Coverage & Eligibility
- Extra Discounts &
Savings
- Plan Enhancements
- How to Obtain Services
Eyecare Articles, Facts
& Photos
• Click the “Text Select Tool” button on the
toolbar. (If the toolbar is not visible, press the
F8 key.)
• Click the arrow next to the button and select
“Column Select Tool” from the menu.
• From the Edit menu, select “Copy.”
- Contact Lenses
- Eye Conditions & Diseases
• From the Edit menu, select “Paste.”
- Eye Health & Wellness
• Format the text.
- Eye Issues for Mature Adults
• Save the file. It’s that easy!
- Computer Vision Syndrome
• From the “File” menu, select
“Save As,” and save the photo
to the location of your choice.
• Using your mouse and cursor, click and drag
around the text you wish to use.
• In another software application (such as Microsoft
Word, Excel or PowerPoint), open an existing file
or new file and place the cursor where you wish to
insert the text you’ve copied.
- Children’s Eye Health
• Once the photo appears, click
on it, which will open the
photo editing application on
your PC.
• Import the photo into your
document, presentation, etc.
Navigation
• Select the hand tool from
the toolbar to continue
with navigation.
- Eye Safety
- Eyewear Fashion
- Laser Vision Correction
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Benefit Details
The information on the CD is grouped by category and sub-category:
- Extra Discounts &
Savings
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- The Importance
of Eyecare
The approved text, eyecare articles, facts and photos on this CD are yours to use
free of charge. From the menu on the left side of the page, click the section
you need. Use the text tool to copy and paste the information you plan to use.
For step-by-step instructions, click the “Instructions” button at the bottom of
this page.
- Plan Enhancements
& Photos
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Benefit Details
- The Importance of Eyecare
- Extra Discounts & Savings
- Plan Enhancements
Eyecare Articles, Facts & Photos
Link to vsp.com
- Contact Lenses
- Eye Safety
You will find that not all categories apply to your company’s/organization’s
eyecare benefit. The details you choose to communicate must be based on your
plan type.
- Eyewear Fashion
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Use one or more of these statements to communicate the importance of eyecare:
Benefit Details
- Eighty-five percent of all you experience is through your eyes.
- The Importance
of Eyecare
- Your eyes are your windows to the world — keep them healthy for a lifetime.
- Extra Discounts &
Savings
- Plan Enhancements
& Photos
- Contact Lenses
- With good vision your experiences are clearer. Sharper. Brighter. When you
use your VSP benefit for an eye exam, you’re not only ensuring you see clearly,
you’re also helping to detect a number of serious health conditions such as
glaucoma, cataracts and diabetes. Even tumors. Plus, eye exams for kids can
spot problems that can impact learning and development.
- To encourage you to include eyecare as part of your regular healthcare
routine, (company name) is pleased to offer comprehensive vision coverage
through VSP.
- Eye Safety
- Eyewear Fashion
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Link to vsp.com
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The Importance of Eyecare
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Benefit Details
Coverage & Eligibility
Benefit Details
- Extra Discounts &
Savings
- Plan Enhancements
& Photos
- Contact Lenses
- Eye Safety
- Eyewear Fashion
Link to vsp.com
Your Coverage from a VSP Doctor
Exam
Covered in full every XX months after a $XX copay.
Prescription Glasses
Lenses
• Single vision, lined bifocal and lined trifocal lenses covered in full every XX months after a
$XX copay.
• Polycarbonate lenses for dependent children covered in full.
Frame
Frame of your choice covered up to $XXX every XX months. Plus, 20% off any out-of-pocket costs.
- ORContact Lens Care
When you choose contacts instead of glasses, your $XX allowance applies to the cost of your contacts
and the contact lens exam (fitting and evaluation). This exam is in addition to your vision exam to
ensure proper fit of contacts. No copay applies.
Current soft contact lens wearers may qualify for a special contact lens program that includes a contact
lens evaluation and initial supply of replacement lenses. Learn more from your doctor or vsp.com.
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- The Importance
of Eyecare
Use the following to communicate the eyecare coverage and eligibility details provided by
the plan:
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Use the following to communicate the discounts and savings provided by the plan:
Benefit Details
Extra Discounts and Savings
- The Importance
of Eyecare
- Extra Discounts &
Savings
- Plan Enhancements
& Photos
- Contact Lenses
Laser Vision Correction Discounts
• If you’re considering laser surgery, with VSP you’ll save an average of 15% off the regular price at
VSP’s contracted laser centers — or an additional 5% off the center’s promotional price — which
could add up to hundreds of dollars in savings.
Prescription Glasses
• Up to 20% savings on lens extras such as scratch resistant and anti-reflective coatings
and progressives.
• 20% off additional pairs of prescription glasses and sunglasses.*
Contacts*
15% off cost of contact lens exam (fitting and evaluation).
*Available from the same VSP doctor who provided your eye exam within the last 12 months.
- Eye Safety
- Eyewear Fashion
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Extra Discounts & Savings
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If you’ve purchased any of the following VSP Specialty Care Plans, use these descriptions to
help your members or employees understand their additional coverage:
Benefit Details
Safety EyeCare Plan
Designed to help prevent on-the-job eye injuries, your coverage provides prescription lenses and a
frame, which are certified according to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.
- The Importance
of Eyecare
- Plan Enhancements
& Photos
- Contact Lenses
- Eye Safety
- Eyewear Fashion
Computer VisionCare SM Program
Designed to diagnose and proactively treat the effects of computer vision syndrome (CVS), your
plan provides a specialized exam for computer users. Coverage includes basic lenses or occupational
progressive lenses designed specifically for computer use.
Covered Contacts
Provides full coverage for contact lens services and contacts beyond your core eyewear benefit
less a copay.
Second Pair
Provides coverage for a second pair of glasses less a copay.
Vision Therapy
Provides vision therapy for members with complex visual difficulties as diagnosed by a VSP network
doctor. Coverage includes a thorough exam, supplemental testing, evaluations, treatment planning
and training sessions.
Link to vsp.com
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- Extra Discounts &
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Plan Enhancements
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Use the following to communicate how to use the benefit, to offer details about VSP’s
network of doctors and to provide facts about what’s available online:
Benefit Details
No ID cards. No claim forms. Easy as 1, 2, 3.
1. Find a VSP network doctor at vsp.com or call 800-877-7195. T.D.D. number for the hearing
impaired is 800-428-4833.
- The Importance
of Eyecare
- Extra Discounts &
Savings
& Photos
- Contact Lenses
3. Your doctor and VSP will handle the rest.
New patients always welcome.
VSP network doctors are located right where you need them — close to work, home and shopping
centers. They provide top quality care and offer a wide selection of frames and contact lenses to
choose from — all at one convenient location. Their commitment to care and service grows with you
and your family for a lifetime of care.
Visit vsp.com today.
What’s important to you? Do you need an evening appointment? Interested in a doctor who focuses
on sports eyewear or children? Want an online savings statement after you visit a VSP doctor?
Searching for information on conditions of the eye? Visit vsp.com today. You’ll like what you see.
- Eye Safety
- Eyewear Fashion
Link to vsp.com
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- Plan Enhancements
2. Make an appointment and tell the doctor you are a VSP member.
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How to Obtain Services
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Benefit Details
- The Importance
of Eyecare
- Extra Discounts &
Savings
- Plan Enhancements
& Photos
- Contact Lenses
- Eye Safety
- Eyewear Fashion
Link to vsp.com
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Use these eyecare articles, facts and photos to encourage your
members or employees to include eyecare as part of their regular
healthcare routine.
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Children’s Eye Health
Articles
Graphics/Photos
Benefit Details
A Timely Exam Catches a Toddler’s Cancer
Photo 1
- The Importance
of Eyecare
But I Don’t Want to Wear Glasses!
Photo 2
Does Your Child Need Glasses?
Photo 3
- Extra Discounts &
Savings
Eye Exams Aren’t Scary - Preparing your children for their first exam
- Plan Enhancements
Eyewear for Children - If they like them, they’ll wear them
Through a Child’s Eyes - When should you have your child’s eyes checked?
& Photos
Will My Children Inherit My Vision Problems? - The role of genetics in eye conditions
Your Child’s Eyes: Get Them Checked Early and Often
Fact
Source
One in four school-aged children have vision problems.
Prevent Blindness America
The earlier a vision problem is diagnosed and treated, the less potential negative impact
it may have on the child’s development.
American Optometric Association
- Contact Lenses
- Eye Safety
- Eyewear Fashion
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Computer Vision Syndrome
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Articles
Graphics/Photos
Benefit Details
Computer Vision Syndrome: Take Steps to Protect Your Eyes
Photo 1
- The Importance
of Eyecare
Computer Vision Syndrome - Your eyes vs. your computer
Photo 2
Eye to Eye With Your Computer - How you can avoid ‘computer vision syndrome’
- Extra Discounts &
Savings
- Plan Enhancements
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& Photos
Fact
Source
According to the American Optometric Association, more than 70 percent of the
75 million Americans who work on computers every day suffer from eye- or visionrelated problems.
- Contact Lenses
- Eye Safety
- Eyewear Fashion
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Contact Lenses
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Articles
Graphics/Photos
Benefit Details
Caring for Contacts is Vital, But Easy to Do
Photo 1
- The Importance
of Eyecare
Contacts and Allergies - Allergies leave many contact lens wearers seeking relief
Photo 2
Don’t Skip Your Contact Lens Exam
- Extra Discounts &
Savings
Find Contacts That Are Right for You
- Plan Enhancements
Gymnast Relies on Contacts in Quest for Olympic Gold
New Contacts Need Special Attention
& Photos
One Size Does Not Fit All - Proper fitting of contact lenses crucial for comfort, safety
Which Contact Lenses Are Right for You?
Source
Among U.S. Baby Boomers aged 35 to 49, 45.1 million wear glasses or contact lenses.
Vision Council of America
More than 30 million Americans wear contacts.
Contact Lens Institute
- Eye Safety
- Eyewear Fashion
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Fact
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Eye Conditions & Diseases
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Articles
Graphics/Photos
Benefit Details
Diabetes and Your Eyes - Yearly exams help track diabetic retinopathy
Photo 1 - exam
- The Importance
of Eyecare
Glaucoma: Cornering the ‘Silent Thief’
Photo 2 - nearsightedness
Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight
Photo 3 - farsightedness
- Extra Discounts &
Savings
Living with ... and Without ... Cataracts - Cataracts are a sign of growing older, but they
don’t have to cramp your lifestyle
Photo 4 - cataracts
- Plan Enhancements
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& Photos
Seeing Red - “Pink eye” is irritating, contagious and common ... here’s how to
recognize it ... and what to do if you have it
Seeing Stars?
Shed No Tears for Dry Eye
Sties — Unsightly, Sometimes Painful, but Rarely Serious
- Contact Lenses
Technology Offers Hope for Patients With Low Vision
Understanding Astigmatism
What is Nearsightedness?
- Eye Safety
(continued on next page)
- Eyewear Fashion
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Eye Conditions & Diseases cont.
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& Photos
Fact
Topic
Source
More than 160 million people worldwide suffer from significant
visual impairment, with three-quarters of the cases related to
cataracts. Two-thirds of these cases of vision loss are avoidable.
Cataracts
Congress of European Society of
Ophthalmology
Ninety percent of diabetes-related blindness could be prevented
with early detection and treatment.
Diabetes
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
It is estimated that only 40 to 50 percent of people with diabetes
have an eye exam annually.
Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association
Each year, from 12,000 to 24,000 people lose their sight because
of diabetes.
Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association
Glaucoma affects more than three million Americans; it is the
second leading cause of blindness in the U.S.
Glaucoma
American Academy of
Ophthalmology
More than one million Americans are at risk for going blind from
glaucoma, but they don’t know it because symptoms aren’t evident
until vision loss begins.
Glaucoma
American Academy of
Ophthalmology
- Eye Safety
- Eyewear Fashion
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Eye Health & Wellness
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Articles
Graphics/Photos
Benefit Details
A Perfect Pair - Your eye doctor and you
Photo 1
- The Importance
of Eyecare
Adjusting to New Eyewear — Is it Awkward?
Photo 2
Annual Eye Exams Are Key to Healthy Eyes
Photo 3
- Extra Discounts &
Savings
Consumer Confusion - A guide to choosing and using eyecare products correctly
- Plan Enhancements
Fact or Myth? - This quick quiz will shed light on some long-held beliefs about your eyes
Happiness Is Seeing Well
& Photos
Inside the Human Eye - An up-close look at how we see
Minor Eye Troubles Need Attention Too
Nutrition and Vitamins for Your Eyes
- Contact Lenses
Road Glare — A Nighttime Vision Hazard
Should You Get a Regular Eye Exam? - Just ask Fatima Bracamontes!
Think 20/20 is Perfect? Think Again!
- Eye Safety
Your Window to Wellness - Eye exams can reveal a lot about your health
- Eyewear Fashion
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Eye Health & Wellness cont.
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- The Importance
of Eyecare
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Fact
Source
More than 75 percent of the U.S. population between age 25 and 64 require some
form of vision correction.
U.S. Optical Industry Handbook 2000,
Jobson Optical Group
The total number of people in the U.S. between 25 and 64 that require vision
correction has grown nearly 5 percent since 1995 and is expected to continue to grow.
U.S. Optical Industry Handbook 2000,
Jobson Optical Group
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services included vision care as a key to
improving the health of all Americans.
U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services; Healthy People 2010 National
Health Blueprint Update
Once you reach age 40, there’s a 90 percent probability that you will require vision
correction. And over the next decade, four million Baby Boomers turn 40 each year.
Research and Buyside: Investments in
Sight, Stein, Jeffrey. “Investors Should Set
Their Sights on Vision Care Stocks”
Americans believe that vision is the most important of the five senses.
Lahr, W. John. “Working Together to
Manage Managed Vision Care: One
Company’s Approach.” Health Care
Innovations
Blurred vision causes more hardship in people’s daily lives than a history of major illness
such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart attack.
Lee, P. Paul, M.D., J.D., Hays, D. Ron,
Ph.D., Spritzer, Karen, M.A. “The Impact
of Blurred Vision on Functioning and
Well-Being.” Ophthalmology
- Plan Enhancements
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& Photos
- Contact Lenses
- Eye Safety
- Eyewear Fashion
U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services; National Eye Institute, Healthy
People 2010
Visual impairment is one of the 10 most frequent causes of disability in America.
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Eye Issues for Mature Adults
Articles
Graphics/Photos
Benefit Details
At Arm’s Length - Presbyopia usually hits those over 40
Photo 1
- The Importance
of Eyecare
Feel Your Eyes Aging? - Stay on top of presbyopia
Photo 2
Macular Degeneration: Millions Suffer Vision Loss
Photo 3
- Extra Discounts &
Savings
Over 40? Think Progressively!
- Plan Enhancements
Seniors’ Eyesight — Still Good Enough for Driving?
You’re Never Too Old to See Better
& Photos
Fact
Source
Seventeen percent of Americans who are 45 or older report some type of vision
impairment even when wearing glasses or contacts. This percentage rises with age,
to 26 percent of people age 75 and older.
The Lighthouse, Inc.
Visual impairment increases with age and eye diseases are most common in our
senior population.
Salisbury Eye Evaluation Project
National Library of Medicine
A majority of seniors name their eyecare provider as their most important health
care provider behind their primary physician.
Consumer Attitudes Study; Vision
Council of America
- Contact Lenses
- Eye Safety
- Eyewear Fashion
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Eye Issues for Mature Adults cont.
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Fact
Source
Benefit Details
By the year 2030, 6.3 million older Americans will develop macular degeneration.
The Aging Eyes, The New York Times
- The Importance
of Eyecare
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness for
people over 50, with some 15 million of the U.S. population affected.
Cataracts affects nearly 20.5 million Americans age 65 and older. Cataracts is the third
leading cause of vision impairment and blindness in the U.S.
Report: Vision Problems in the U.S.;
National Eye Institute and Prevent
Blindness America
- Extra Discounts &
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Eye Safety
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Benefit Details
Hey Sport, Protect Your Eyes
Photo 1
- The Importance
of Eyecare
Keeping an Eye on Safety
Photo 2
Fact
Source
Two thousand eye injuries occur in the workplace daily. Ninety percent are preventable
with the use of appropriate safety eyewear.
Prevent Blindness America
- Extra Discounts &
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Eyewear Fashion
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Style and Sensibility - Style isn’t everything ... frames should fit properly and be durable
Photo 1
- The Importance
of Eyecare
Tried and True or Freshen-Up?
Photo 2
Photo 3
- Extra Discounts &
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& Photos
- Contact Lenses
- Eyewear Fashion
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- Eye Safety
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Laser Vision Correction
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Laser Vision Correction Surgery - Is it for you?
Photo 1
- The Importance
of Eyecare
Singer Manilow Enjoys the Benefits of LASIK
Photo 2
Photo 3
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By including a link directly from your Web site to ours, you‘ll make it easier for your
members to get personalized eyecare and eye health information. And with hyperlinked
icons, your members can find everything they need to know about their eyecare benefit
on vsp.com, including:
• The latest in eye health and wellness information
• How to use their VSP benefit
• The importance of making eyecare part of their healthcare routine
• Finding a VSP network doctor
& Photos
- Contact Lenses
- Eye Safety
- Eyewear Fashion
Link to vsp.com
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Link From Your Web Site to Ours
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Link to vsp.com
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Follow these easy steps to create a link from your intranet or Internet site to vsp.com:
1. Go to Clients & Benefit Managers on vsp.com.
2. Click “Link from Your Site to Ours.”
3. Click the “Create Hyperlink” button.
4. Follow the three easy steps.
If you wish to include the VSP logo on your site or have other questions, please contact your
VSP Representative.
& Photos
- Contact Lenses
- Eye Safety
- Eyewear Fashion
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Steps to Create a Link to vsp.com
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A Timely Eye Exam Catches a
Toddler’s Cancer
Sometimes a routine eye exam turns out to be not so routine
after all.
VSP network doctor Cathy Doty, O.D., a North Carolina
optometrist who specializes in caring for children, says she’ll
never forget the morning in November 2003 when she
examined 2-year-old Abby Selfridge and discovered a
troubling growth in one of the toddler’s eyes.
“Abby’s mom attends my church,” says Dr. Doty. “One
Sunday morning after services, she started telling me how
her daughter’s eye appeared to glow.
“I suggested she bring Abby to see me the very next day. At
that point, I expected I would find a congenital cataract — a
cataract that was present at birth.
“Instead, I soon observed that she had a mass of tissue
growing on her retina, along with an apparent
retinal detachment.”
Dr. Doty didn’t waste any time. Fearing a tumor or
detachment, she quickly arranged for the child to be
examined by a specialist in Greenville, North Carolina, who
then sent Abby directly to Duke University Eye Center.
Within 48 hours, specialists confirmed the presence of a
large retinoblastoma (a rare type of cancerous eye tumor)
that could not be treated — the eye would have
to be removed.
Thanks to early detection, the cancer was eliminated. And
while Abby lost the affected eye, she remains cancer-free and
healthy today. “Abby survived and she’s now a healthy, happy
preschooler,” says Dr. Doty. “She’s gotten used to wearing a
prosthetic eye and her mom says she’s doing well.”
For Dr. Doty, the lesson in Abby’s dramatic story is crystal
clear: Taking children to the eye doctor for routine exams is
the key to their good eye health.
“Educating the public about good eye health is our job,” she
says, “and eyecare doctors have to do a better job of making
our adult patients aware that children need vision care at key
times in their development. Experience shows that they
should be examined by their eye doctors at about age 6
Abby Selfridge and her parents, Reneé and Bill.
months, and then again at around age 3 and before
entering kindergarten.
“Fortunately, most of the eye disorders and ailments we
diagnose are easily treatable. But you never know when you’ll
find a more significant health condition in a patient, and
you have to be prepared at all times to make what would be
a lifesaving diagnosis.” •
Eye Conditions
That Affect Children
Three of the most common eye
complaints among children, says
Cathy Doty, O.D., who
specializes in treating children,
are pinkeye (an infection caused
by bacteria or viruses), “lazy eye”
(lack of focus in one eye, or
Cathy Doty, O.D
amblyopia) and seasonal eye
allergies brought on by plant fibers, mainly during the
spring and fall. Far less common but much more
serious, she explains, are sight-threatening disorders
such as retinoblastoma, glaucoma (deterioration of
the optic nerve that can cause blindness), and Coats
disease (retinal bleeding that can destroy vision).
“These are very rare conditions,” says Dr. Doty. “But
they can happen — and that’s why it’s so important to
make sure you visit your eye doctor for an annual
eye exam!” •
Visit our Web site at vsp.com.
VSP® is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.
Source: Eye on Health from VSP
‘But I Don’t Want to Wear Glasses!’
What is the best way
to convince younger
children to wear
prescription glasses?
“To help them avoid that problem, parents and teachers alike
need to do all they can to encourage these children to wear
their prescription glasses in school.”
How can you convince a child to wear glasses? Here are a
few tips from Dr. Hursh:
Ask Rosiland Hursh,
O.D., and the
Oregon-based VSP
network doctor won’t
hesitate to tell you.
• Ask the child if he or she wishes to take along a few
friends when selecting eyeglasses. For many children, peer
approval will make it easier to wear the glasses.
“I think the best approach is to let children pick out the
frame styles they like,” says Dr. Hursh, whose Portland-area
optometry practice specializes in caring for children. “These
days, you can easily find frames that display popular cartoon
characters, such as Spider-Man, along with lightweight
polycarbonate lenses that appeal to many children because
they’re less bulky and less noticeable.
“If you think about it, getting a new pair of glasses is a lot
like getting a new pair of shoes. If you don’t like them, you
won’t wear them!”
Dr. Hursh also points out more is at stake in choosing
children’s glasses than merely looking cool.
Eighty-five percent of what children learn comes from what
they see. “If their eyes aren’t properly focused on the
blackboard or the textbook, they will be at a definite
disadvantage,” says Dr. Hursh.
• Point out role models, such as sports stars or celebrities,
who wear glasses.
• Are thick lenses the child’s concern? Polycarbonate lenses
are thinner, lighter and stronger than regular lenses.
• If the child is in middle, junior or high school and is
unwilling to wear glasses in class, ask your optometrist
about replacing them with contact lenses.
• Finally, don’t underestimate the child’s ability to
understand how glasses can help. “You’d be surprised how
quickly most kids get the point,” says Dr. Hursh. “Once
they realize they can see better in school, and that their
schoolwork will go better as a result, most kids will decide
to wear their glasses. Plus, parents and others can
encourage them with positive recognition and rewards.” •
Does Your Child Need Glasses?
It’s a fact:
Today, more
than 20
percent of
America’s 40
million schoolage children —
over one in five
— are affected
by vision
problems that can pose a significant threat to learning.
Given that rather alarming statistic, most parents are eager to
make sure their kids receive the high-quality eyecare
necessary for success in the classroom. But how is a
concerned parent to know whether a preschool or gradeschool child needs prescription eyewear?
The answer is quite simple, says VSP network doctor Carol
Marusich, O.D., a children’s eyecare specialist. “When it
comes to protecting children’s eyesight — with or without
glasses — the good news for parents is that most vision
disorders in kids can be quickly and painlessly corrected,”
says the Eugene, Oregon, optometrist, who lectures
frequently on pediatric eyecare around the country. “All a
parent really has to do is bring the child in for regular eye
exams — while also watching out for a few key warning
signs that could signal a vision problem.”
Warning Signs
Between regular eye exams, if you notice any warning signs
that your child might need glasses, quickly take him or her
to the eyecare doctor for an evaluation.
Here are some key warning signs that could signal the need
for glasses, according to Dr. Marusich:
• The child squints while looking at distant objects or
holds books close to the eyes to read them more easily.
These symptoms may indicate nearsightedness or
farsightedness. Both can be corrected with glasses.
• One of the child’s eyes keeps drifting out of alignment
with the other. It’s especially important to correct this
disorder — known as amblyopia, or “lazy eye” — in
younger children so they don’t end up wearing a
corrective eye patch in grade school.
• The child closes one eye to see objects better. This habit
could signal the presence of a vision-distorting
astigmatism or other vision deficiency.
• The youngster rubs the eyes frequently or complains that
his or her head hurts. This discomfort may be caused by
eyestrain related to several conditions that can be
corrected with glasses.
When should the eye exams take place? Dr. Marusich
recommends that children first visit their family eyecare
doctor at the age of 6 months to be sure their eyes are
developing normally. Additional exams should be scheduled
when the child’s eyes have finished growing and developing
(ages 3-4), and then again before the youngster begins
kindergarten, usually at age 5. After that, children should
receive an eye exam every year.
During these evaluations, the eyecare doctor can easily
determine if the child has a vision condition that requires
glasses. Such conditions can include nearsightedness
(myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), structural irregularity
in the eye (astigmatism) and a few other conditions — such
as amblyopia, or “lazy eye” — in which eye muscles fail to
properly align or coordinate movements required for effective
vision.
“Although it’s true that glasses can often improve a child’s
vision, they aren’t always the appropriate treatment,” says Dr.
Marusich. “Rather than just asking, ‘Does my child need
glasses,’ it might be better to ask: ‘Are my child’s eyes
developing normally?’
“Regular eye exams can give you the answer to that question.
And these exams don’t have to be unpleasant or
uncomfortable for kids. Believe it or not, eye exams in our
office are lots of fun! I think the biggest compliment I’ve ever
received came from a 3-year-old a few years ago after her eye
exam.
“After I’d finished testing this little girl’s eyes and was about
to say goodbye, she looked up and asked me, ‘OK, when are
you gonna start my test?’”
Eye Exams Aren’t Scary
Preparing your children for their first exam
Does just the mention of
the word “doctor” strike
fear in your child? Perhaps
your child associates the
word “doctor” with
painful shots or badtasting medicines. Even
visiting the eye doctor for
the first time can be scary
to some kids.
It’s up to parents to make
their kids more
comfortable with the idea
of visiting the eye doctor
before they make the
appointment, advises
Jeanie Washington, O.D., a VSP doctor at Professional Eye
Center in Chicago, Illinois. “Parents should talk to their
children about annual eye health exams,” she says. “Explain
to the child, ‘We need to visit the eye doctor so that she can
check your eyes. This way we can make sure that you see
well and your eyes are healthy.’”
3. Ask questions and provide answers. Be sure to share
important information about your child’s vision with the
eye doctor such as signs of vision problems like headaches
or squinting. Encourage your child to speak up during
this process. They may reveal important information that
you weren’t aware of.
4. Let your child choose the eyewear. Many eye doctors
say this is key to encouraging kids to wear their glasses or
sports goggles regularly. If you think the choice is
inappropriate, very calmly explain why, and then offer
some better choices.
5. Remain calm. Your child takes cues from you, so if you
overreact to fears or an inappropriate eyewear choice, it
could make the situation worse. Try to make it fun, and
your child will be more willing to visit the eye doctor
again in the future.
6. At home, review the eye doctor’s instructions. Make
sure your child understands their responsibilities. Eye
doctors report that children show greater compliance
when they know how to clean their contact lenses or why
they must wear a patch.
Six Tips for Parents
1. Do a little homework. Check your vision benefit doctor
directory, yellow pages or newspaper ads for various eye
doctors, and look for phrases like “family practice” and
“pediatric optometry.” Take the time to visit their offices
before you make an appointment: Are the doctor and
staff members friendly? Is there a play zone in the waiting
area? Do they carry a lot of children’s eyeglass frames?
2. Explain before you go. Children are less fearful when
they know what to expect from a visit to any doctor. Tell
your child about some of the tests, such as reading the eye
chart, the eye doctor shining a light in his eyes to see
inside, identifying shapes on color test cards, and trying
different lenses to see which one improves vision the
most. Emphasize that the visit will be a fun learning
experience.
Eyewear for Children
If they like them, they’ll wear them
What to keep in mind
when your child needs
vision correction.
One day after being
outfitted with a new pair
of eyeglasses by Richard
Meier, O.D., secondgrader Erich Baumann
agreed to an interview on
the subject of goodlooking eyewear.
What can parents do to make choosing new eyeglasses
for their children successful?
“Children need to understand why they’re getting glasses and
how those glasses will help them see better and perform
better,” says Dr. Meier, a VSP doctor in Reno, Nevada. “If
they don’t understand those things, they’ll just throw the
glasses in a drawer, and your whole purpose will be defeated
right from the get-go.”
Here are some other tips from Dr. Meier on helping your
child select glasses that look good and fit well.
“How old are you?”
• Younger children may need special cable temples that
wrap around the entire ear to prevent glasses from
slipping off.
Young Erich doesn’t hesitate: “I’m six and a half and six
quarters!”
• If your child chooses metal frames, make sure they are
hypoallergenic to avoid allergic reactions.
The first question was an easy one.
Next question: “What do you think of the new eyeglasses
Dr. Meier gave you?”
Once again, the youthful Erich doesn’t miss a beat. “I like
my glasses because they fit. They’re brown and gold and
black, and they’re made of metal. I like the gold frame.
Really neat!”
According to Janet Baumann, Erich’s mother, her son’s
eyeglass-fitting session was a pleasant experience for all. “Dr.
Meier and his assistant put 10 different pairs of glasses down
in front of Erich. Then they told him he could pick the one
he wanted.
• Choose impact-resistant polycarbonate plastic for lenses
to protect against breakage.*
• Ask for lenses that have been chemically treated to shut
out ultraviolet rays while also resisting scratches. If your
child’s eyes are sensitive to strong sunlight, choose lens
material that has been treated to reduce glare.*
*If you are a VSP member, ask your doctor about VSP’s low
discounted member pricing, other lens options and plan
coverage.
“Once he chose his frames, Dr. Meier made sure of the fit,
and he also assured us that the frames were highly durable.
But it was Erich’s decision all the way. We knew that if he
didn’t like his new glasses, he wouldn’t wear them!”
Through a Child’s Eyes
When should you have your child’s eyes checked?
Ask Wendy Marsh-Tootle,
O.D., of the University of
Alabama, Birmingham
(UAB), and she’ll tell you
it’s never too early for an
eye examination —
especially if you suspect
that your child has an eye
or vision problem.
“Eye doctors can conduct
an eye exam long before a
child can talk, so get your
baby’s eyes checked early if you suspect an eye or vision
problem,” says Dr. Marsh-Tootle, an associate professor and
director of pediatric services for UAB’s School of Optometry.
Ideally, all children should have their eyes examined by an
eye doctor at least by the time they enter school. In fact, the
American Optometric Association suggests that children
should have their first regular eye exam at 6 months. Followup exams should occur at age 3 and again just prior to
starting school. If a problem is found, more frequent care
may be necessary.
For young children without obvious signs of an eye or vision
problem, Dr. Marsh-Tootle says eye doctors rely on
pediatricians to screen for some important problems at key
ages. “A baby’s visual system is very immature at birth and
develops very rapidly, so newborn screenings by the
pediatrician are very important,” she points out. “For
example, rare problems such as cataracts must be treated
within the first few weeks of life or normal vision will never
develop.”
Once children reach preschool age, it’s important to have
them checked for “lazy eye,” as well as for risk factors
including high refractive error or strabismus. Treatment of
these conditions before the child enters school is easier on
everyone.
Finally, once your child starts school, be sure to have his or
her eyes checked for focusing problems and for nearsight.
“Both are common conditions that develop during school
years, so it’s a good idea to get a checkup periodically,
particularly if your child is struggling with school work,”
says Dr. Marsh-Tootle. “Most eye problems are easily treated
once the problem is diagnosed.”
How to Tell if Your Child Has a Vision Problem
According to Dr. Marsh-Tootle, infants should visit an eye
doctor if they have:
• Poor focus on objects after 3 months of age
• Eyes that are not straight
• An eyelid that is droopy
• A family history of serious eye problems
• A watery eye with overflow tearing
Children should have an eye examination if they:
• Have a red eye with or without discharge
• Squint their eyes to read or see small objects
• Complain of blurred distant vision
• Blink their eyes excessively
• Complain of headaches or double vision
So what’s a parent to do? Keep a watchful eye, so to speak,
on your child’s eyesight from infancy through adolescence.
“After the first few weeks of life, your baby should seem to
look at you,” Dr. Marsh-Tootle says. “After a few months, he
or she should use the eyes together more and more. If your
baby does not appear to use his or her eyes together normally
by the sixth month, get a checkup from an eye doctor.”
Will My Children Inherit My Vision Problems?
The role of genetics in eye conditions
Your children may
have inherited your
height, nose or hair
color. But, if you
have poor vision, will
they inherit that, too?
Many parents worry
about the role
genetics plays in
vision problems. But
while some
conditions are purely
genetic, and others
are purely
environmental, most
seem to result from a
combination of both.
“Nearsightedness and farsightedness have a strong genetic
component, especially if a parent is very nearsighted or
farsighted,” says J.P. Lowery, O.D., M.Ed., who is chief of
pediatrics at Pacific University College of Optometry in
Forest Grove, Oregon. “If both are nearsighted or farsighted,
there’s a good chance their child will be the same.”
However, says Dr. Lowery, “There are some significant
environmental influences such as near-point work like
reading, that are associated with nearsightedness, especially
when it develops later in the teens and 20s.” Researchers
have found that students who spend a lot of time reading
show a more rapid progression of their nearsightedness than
do others.
Others that can have both a genetic and an
environmental component are:
• Glaucoma (fluid build-up in the eye that damages the
optic nerve)
• Age-related macular degeneration (progressive decline of
part of the retina)
• Amblyopia (“lazy eye”)
• Strabismus (when eyes are aligned in different directions)
The good news is, amblyopia and strabismus are usually
evident at an early age and are treatable with patches, special
eyewear, vision training and/or surgery.
If you’re wondering how your own genes and family history
could affect your child’s vision development, make an
appointment with an eye doctor. “As a pediatric eye
specialist, I can tell you that many of the serious vision
problems that young children develop could be prevented if
all parents brought their babies in for routine vision exams at
six to twelve months,” says Dr. Lowery. “It is really quite
easy to examine children at this age if you have the right
equipment and knowledge of pediatric conditions. By six
months, children are quite alert, actively observing the world
and learning rapidly by using their vision.”
Eye conditions influenced by genetics include:
• Nearsightedness
• Farsightedness
• Color vision deficiency (commonly called color
blindness)
• Retinitis pigmentosa, a rare progressive decline of the
retina
Your Child’s Eyes: Get Them Checked Early
and Often
Vision experts say children should have their first eye exam
at 6 months of age. Despite that recommendation, more
than 85 percent of America’s 20 million children age 5 and
under have never had an eye exam, according to the College
of Optometrists in Vision Development.
For eyecare doctors like VSP network doctor Nick Brattis,
O.D., that high percentage is unfortunate — given that most
childhood eye exams can be performed quickly and
accurately. And it’s so easy to make an appointment with an
optometrist or an ophthalmologist. “I’ve been examining
children’s eyes for more than 27 years,” says the veteran
optometrist from Casper, Wyoming, “and I’ve seen many
situations in which diagnosing and treating an eye disorder
early in life provided a positive outcome for the
child involved.”
Dr. Brattis recalls treating one 2-year-old child some 20 years
ago. “When I first examined little Miles back in the mid1980s, I found significant ‘lazy eye’ (lack of focusing control
in one eye, or amblyopia). I prescribed some aggressive
therapy in which the child wore a patch over one eye to make
the ‘lazy eye’ stronger. “Miles and his family did a very good
job on the therapy, and guess what? That young man is 22
now and he has 20/25 vision. It was a very rewarding
experience for an optometrist to see this patient change from
being legally blind in one eye at age 2 to having excellent
vision as an adult.”
Dr. Brattis recommends that parents schedule eye exams for
their children at three important points during their
early development:
• When the infant is about 6 months old. This exam
should be performed by an optometrist who specializes in
treating young children or by a pediatric ophthalmologist.
During this initial check, the doctor makes sure the eyes
are working well together and that they’re free of rarely
occurring but significant defects — such as cataracts and
tumors — that could threaten the child’s vision.
• Between the ages of 2 and 3, before the child enters
preschool. During this eye exam, the doctor looks for
signs of developmental disorders, including “lazy eye,”
crossed eyes (strabismus), nearsightedness, farsightedness
and astigmatism — which triggers difficulties in focusing.
If the doctor finds an irregularity, effective therapies can
usually begin immediately, often sparing the child from
wearing corrective devices (such as an eye patch) during
later years.
• Before the child enters kindergarten. At this point, the
eye doctor tests for sharpness of vision and corrects
deficiencies by prescribing glasses.
Says Dr. Brattis:
“The great thing about
early exams is that we
can often start working
on problems before
they interfere
significantly with the
child’s eyesight — and
especially with learning
and development!” •
Computer Vision Syndrome: Take Steps to
Protect Your Eyes
Some 75 million Americans have jobs that require them to
sit in front of a computer for many hours a day, says the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
More than half of these workers will sooner or later be hit
with a medical condition called computer vision syndrome
(CVS) that could leave them with blurred vision, headaches
and dry, inflamed eyes.
It’s true: America’s ever-increasing reliance on computers is
taking a toll on the nation’s eyesight — with many workers
reporting that CVS makes their jobs more difficult. But
there’s good news. New “computer glasses” and commonsense precautions can help lessen CVS symptoms.
“There’s no longer any doubt that computer vision
syndrome is a very real health condition or that it adversely
affects work performance,” says VSP network doctor
Stephen Glasser, O.D., of Washington, D.C., who
specializes in treating the condition. “The important thing
to remember about computers is that they represent a new
kind of work environment that needs special attention.
“Because computers are self-illuminating, they can produce a
great deal of harmful glare for the eyes. In addition, they’re
usually positioned at a much higher angle, and at a greater
distance, than traditional paper documents resting on an
office desk. These three factors — glare, angle of viewing
and increased distance — combine to produce the symptoms
of CVS.”
How can you distinguish between ordinary eye fatigue and
CVS? “The key to making the CVS diagnosis is the duration
of symptoms,” says Dr. Glasser. “If you’re experiencing two
or more symptoms daily, you can be pretty sure you’re
struggling with CVS.”
The most common CVS symptom is blurred vision that
occurs when you shift your gaze from the computer screen to
distant objects. Dry, inflamed eyes are another common
sign. Other symptoms include eyestrain, headaches,
increased sensitivity to glare, discomfort from your contact
lenses and neck and shoulder pain.
“We’re seeing the rapid emergence of new glasses specifically
designed for the computer user,” he says. “Typically, the
upper part of the lens will allow the user to see the monitor
clearly, while the bottom part will help the user focus on the
keyboard or on documents to be read.
“When prescribing these new ‘computer glasses,’ your eye
doctor will take into account such factors as the type of
lighting in your work area, the amount of glare and the
distance between your eyes and the computer screen. By
custom-tailoring your glasses for computer use, we can
eliminate most of the factors that cause CVS.”
Here are a few other tips from Dr. Glasser to help
prevent computer vision syndrome:
• Use artificial tears periodically if needed to lubricate
your eyes.
• Make sure your computer screen is at least four to
eight inches lower than your straight-ahead line
of vision.
• Use an antiglare screen on your computer.
• Close your eyes from time to time and roll them to
relax your eye muscles. Every 20 minutes take 20
seconds and look at least 20 feet away to relax your
eye muscles. •
Although CVS is on the increase, Dr. Glasser says eyecare
doctors have recently prescribed a new weapon against it.
Computer Vision Syndrome
Your eyes vs. your computer
Do you get tired looking at your
computer every day? We’re not
talking about whether you’re sick
of your computer and ready for a
new model. Rather, are your eyes
telling you they’ve done the
equivalent of a visual marathon
in front of that monitor you use
day and night? As more people
use a computer at work and at
home, the number of people
experiencing computer vision syndrome appears to be rising.
According to George Landon, O.D., a VSP doctor in
Harrison, Ohio, intensive computer users such as graphic
designers, new users and children who play computer games,
are more likely to experience computer vision syndrome
symptoms.
Computer vision syndrome symptoms include eyestrain, dry
eyes, blurred vision and headaches. Millions of people in the
United States experience these symptoms every day. In fact,
the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
reported that nearly 90% of people who work at a computer
as little as three hours a day suffer from some type of eye
trouble.
If you are a computer user who is experiencing these
symptoms, try these strategies from Stephen Glasser, O.D., a
VSP doctor and computer vision syndrome specialist who
practices in Washington, D.C.:
Blink often. When using computers, people tend to reduce
their rate of blinking. Blinking bathes your eyes in tears, and
tears are naturally therapeutic for the eyes. You may even
want to put a note on your computer screen to remind
yourself to blink more.
Look away. Be sure to look away from the screen every 20
minutes and focus on an object at least 20 feet away to give
your eyes a rest. Your eyes need to focus at other distances
occasionally, not just at the distance to the screen.
Reduce glare and reflections. When room lighting reflects
off your computer screen, your eyes work harder because
they are trying to ignore the glare and also see what’s on your
screen. This causes eyestrain and headaches. The best remedy
is to reduce bright overhead lighting by switching to a softer
bulb. Position a desk lamp so it shines on the desk, away
from the screen and your eyes. Also position your desk so
windows are off to the side, rather than behind or in front of
you, and reduce sunlight with window blinds. Monitor
hoods can keep light away, while a glare screen placed over
the monitor won’t reflect light. According to Dr. Glasser, the
best type is called a circular polarizing glare screen, available
at office supply stores.
Adjust your monitor. In most cases, the screen should be at
least an arm’s length away from your eyes, with the center
about 4 to 6 inches below your eyes. This results in less
strain on the eyes, since looking downward is easier than
looking straight-ahead or upward. Adjust brightness so it is
the same as the brightness in your office. Adjust contrast so
it is as high as is comfortable for you. Select a monitor with
high resolution, one that does not flicker and that has sharp
contrast between the background and the image. Finally,
consider the type on your screen. Is it too small? If so, zoom
in or enlarge type so it is easier to read.
Consider computer eyeglasses. A pair of eyeglasses with a
special prescription created just for assisting your eyes to read
the screen might be necessary. These eyeglasses may have
variable-focus lenses, with part of the lens for distance and
part for computer viewing. Your eye doctor can prescribe the
best glasses for your individual needs.
Ask your eye doctor for more suggestions. Eye doctors
hear about computer vision problems every day from their
patients and are experts at finding solutions, whether they’re
adjustments to your office environment, special eyewear, eye
drops or a combination approach. Be sure to mention to
your eye doctor any discomfort you may have while working
at the computer. Also, a thorough eye exam may reveal that
your computer vision problems are related to a different
condition that requires treatment.
Eye to Eye With Your Computer
How you can avoid ‘computer vision syndrome’
The desktop computer:
It’s revolutionized the
workplace, but in its
wake have come new
challenges to the eyes and
vision system.
Health experts now point
to “computer vision
syndrome” (CVS) as a
major workplace
concern. Millions of people in the United States may suffer
from this condition, and the number of cases is on the rise,
says Jeffrey Anshel, O.D., a Carlsbad, California, VSP
optometrist who specializes in treating the disorder.
Computer vision syndrome, or CVS, is a catchall term for
computer-related eye fatigue, blurred vision, headaches and
back or neck aches.
“The human eye wasn’t really designed to stare into a
cathode ray tube for eight hours at a stretch,” says Dr.
Anshel, who advises employers on ways to combat CVS.
“In many cases, the quality of the image on the screen is
poor, which can cause enormous strain on the eyes
although it doesn’t damage them.
“Many optometrists feel that people who work with
computers should get their eyes checked regularly,” says Dr.
Anshel.
Fight CVS With the Three Bs and the 20-20-20- Rule
Computer users can fend off CVS by taking short breaks
and briefly refocusing their eyes, says Dr. Anshel.
“I’ve come up with a strategy that I call ‘the Three Bs,’” says
Dr. Anshel. “If you’re working in front of a computer
screen all day long, you need to remember to blink,
breathe and break.”
“In other words, you should take frequent breaks, during
which you blink your eyes repeatedly and take several deep,
relaxing breaths while stretching your body.
“It also helps to follow the ‘20-20-20 Rule’ during these
breaks,” he says. “Every 20 minutes or so, take a 20-second
break in which you look carefully at objects that are at least
20 feet away.”
“If you follow the Three Bs and the 20-20-20 Rule, you’ll
reduce your chances of computer-related vision problems,”
says Dr. Anshel.
Choose Your Monitor With Care
Want a monitor that will ease the wear-and-tear on your
overworked eyes? Look for the following:
• A high-quality image.
“The larger, flat-panel LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays)
are the easiest on the eyes because the imaging is more
powerfully focused,” says Dr. Anshel. “But if you have to
use an older model, try to get one that doesn’t flicker, and
that features a sharp contrast between the field
(background) and the images.”
• Flexible positioning.
Your computer monitor should be positioned at a
distance of at least 20 inches from your eyes (about an
arm’s length). It should be placed so that you look down
slightly when you’re reading the screen. Position your
keyboard directly in front of the monitor to cut down on
excessive eye movements as you look from keyboard to
screen.
• Minimum glare.
Some monitors have glare-reducing screens. Others
feature hoods or shield that keep light away. Remember
to dust the screen frequently – dust buildup reduces
image quality.
Caring for Contacts Is Vital, But Easy to Do
When it comes to singing the praises of contact lenses for
anyone tired of wearing glasses, no one sings louder than
VSP network doctor Wallace T. Stuart, O.D.
“After practicing for 32 years, I’m still amazed at the benefits
my patients receive from contacts,” says Dr. Stuart of
Sonora, California.
“I get a lot of skiers in my office who complain about
wearing their glasses while racing down a slope,” he says.
“No problem. Once I fit them with prescription contacts,
they never complain again!”
But prescribing and fitting contact lenses is only the first
step in freeing patients from glasses, says Dr. Stuart. Equally
important is learning how to care for them.
Here are some
additional tips from
Dr. Stuart on caring
for your contacts:
• Always wash and
rinse your hands
before you handle
your contacts. This
keeps the devices
free of skin oils,
dust particles and
perspiration.
• Be sure to pick up and carry your contacts with your
fingertips. Avoid touching them with fingernails, which
can scratch the lens surface.
“Contacts are a marvelous invention, but you have to take
proper care of them to be sure they don’t irritate your eyes or
cause an infection,” he says. “Knowing how to store, wear
and clean your contacts is the key to getting the most out
of them.”
• Never reuse the solution in which you store contacts
overnight. Make a habit of throwing it out each morning
and start with fresh solution the next night.
For Dr. Stuart’s patients, the most important step in proper
contact lens care is to “change them when they’re supposed
to be changed to prevent buildup of dirt or (proteincontaining) eye fluids that would cloud the lenses.
• Never permit soaps, cosmetics, perfumes or
othergrooming aids to touch your contacts. •
• Avoid wearing your contacts around irritating or
toxic fumes.
“The second most important thing is to remember to take
them out at bedtime if they’re not extended wear contacts,
then place them in a soaking solution recommended by your
doctor that will clean and disinfect them overnight. The next
morning, simply rinse them off with some fresh solution and
carefully insert them into your eyes.
“If you follow that routine, you’ll avoid the hazard of ending
up with an eye infection or eye discomfort because of
dirty contacts.”
Contacts and Allergies
Allergies leave many contact lens wearers seeking relief
If you are among the 22
million Americans who
have seasonal allergies,
you know what’s in store
come spring and fall:
red, itchy, watery eyes.
And if you wear contact
lenses and have allergies,
you could be in for
added discomfort.
According to a recent survey by the American Optometric
Association, more than 75 percent of contact-wearers
report eye discomfort caused by allergens adhering to their
lenses during the pollen season. Soft lenses are most likely
to cause irritation for people with allergies, says David
Jones, O.D., a veteran VSP doctor in Santa Rosa, Calif.
“Essentially, they function as large sponges that keep the
allergens in the eye, while preventing use of medications
that you might want to apply.”
What’s a contact-wearing, allergy sufferer to do? Here are a
few tips from Dr. Jones:
• Moisten irritated eyes with artificial tears that help prevent
drying caused by allergens, while also washing them out of
your eyes. Warning: Don’t buy over-the-counter redness
relievers to ease your allergic symptoms. Most of these
products are cosmetic only and won’t reduce your
symptoms.
• Clean your contacts more often and consider using a
preservative-free solution. Regular cleaning will remove
allergens from your lenses and reduce allergy symptoms,
and using a preservative-free solution will help avoid
allergic reactions. If you wear disposable lenses, you might
want to consider replacing them more frequently.
• When allergy-linked itching sets in, do not rub your eyes.
Excessive rubbing will only inflame eyes further. Instead of
rubbing, place a cool, damp compress over your eyes to
reduce swelling and itching.
• See your eye doctor. Allergy sufferers can choose from a
wide array of medical products designed to protect the
eyes of contact-wearers from allergy attacks. The doctor
also can make sure your symptoms aren’t being caused by
an under-lying medical problem.
• Switch to eyeglasses whenever possible. Since allergens
such as pollen and dust often stick to the plastic surfaces
of contacts, this strategy will reduce your chances of
getting hit by an attack.
Don’t Skip Your Contact Lens Exam
Fact or myth? It’s not necessary to have contacts prescribed and
fitted by your eye doctor.
If you said “myth,” go to the head of the “Contact Lenses
101” class. There you’ll find VSP network doctor Neal
Malashock, O.D., lecturing enthusiastically on the
importance of
having a special
contact lens exam
with your
eye doctor.
“Many people
assume they can
buy contacts from
any available source
and put them on,”
says Dr. Malashock,
who has been in practice for 27 years. “This could result in
discomfort and injury to your eyes if your lenses aren’t
accurately prescribed and properly fitted.
“Remember that contacts require a prescription because
they’re medical devices,” says the Omaha, Nebraska,
optometrist. “You should treat them with the same caution
and care as any other medicine.”
“Contacts are different because they rest right on the eye,”
he adds. “They can affect its shape and comfort if they aren’t
fitted properly. If they don’t work right, the lenses could
cause abrasion of the eye’s surface and even an eye infection.
“You also need to understand how to properly place the
contacts on the eyes and when to wear and replace them.
Getting these things right requires an annual evaluation and
fitting from your eye doctor.” If you’re thinking about
contacts, Dr. Malashock recommends these steps:
• Schedule a contact lens exam with your eye doctor. You
can describe your vision goals and discuss the type of
lenses you might wear and the length of time
you will wear them before replacing them.
• Learn how to put in your new lenses and how to clean
and store them.
• Schedule a follow-up exam 30 to 60 days after you start
wearing the contacts.
Says Dr. Malashock, “Taking the time and trouble to get the
right contacts for your eyes is worth it. You’ll see better and
will enjoy the peace of mind knowing your contacts are
healthy and safe for your eyes.” •
If you’re interested in wearing contacts, you should
understand the difference between a routine, annual eye
exam and an exam meant specifically to fit you with safe,
reliable contacts, says Dr. Malashock.
“During a routine exam, the doctor will check for overall eye
health and may write a prescription for glasses without the
need for much follow-up,” he says.
Find Contacts That Are Right for You
Whenever VSP network doctor D. Wes Wheadon, O.D.,
ambles into his Los Angeles, California, gym for another
round of jogging, yoga and weight lifting, he gives silent
thanks for the invention of contact lenses.
“For millions of active people like me, contacts are a great
blessing,” says Dr. Wheadon, who’s been taking care of
patients for 32 years. “I like to end my workday in the gym
— and I like that I don’t have glasses jumping up and down
on the bridge of my nose or lenses fogging up on me.”
It’s important to choose contacts wisely, Dr. Wheadon says,
whether you prefer traditional rigid lenses or soft, disposable
varieties. The bottom line: “You need to wear lenses that will
be healthy and safe for your particular eyes. You also need to
learn how to take care of them properly. Only your eye
doctor has the skill and judgment to help you make the
best choice.
During your eye exam, be sure to ask your doctor about:
• The prescription that best fits your daily activities as well
as protects your overall eye health. If you choose
disposables, make sure to get help finding the best
replacement schedule for your lenses — whether daily,
weekly, biweekly or 30-day.
• The advantages of switching to soft lenses, if you’re
among the 20 percent of Americans who wear rigid or
rigid gas permeable contacts. Soft lenses are usually easier
on your eyes and less likely to become foggy from
filmy deposits.
• All the other possibilities now available — including such
new products as bifocal contacts. These handy devices
work just like bifocal glasses, but with the convenience
and comfort of contacts. •
“During the past year or so, we’ve witnessed the biggest
change in soft lenses to occur since the early 1980s — the
growing availability of much more oxygen-permeable lenses.
“These new silicone-derivative lenses have recently been
approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
for 30-day extended wear. That means many patients can
now wear them for a full month.”
The new lenses prevent eye infections by allowing more
germ-killing oxygen to reach the corneal surface, Dr.
Wheadon says, but he warns that “they aren’t safe for
everybody — and you should consult your eye doctor before
switching to the 30-day variety.
“These new 30-day soft lenses are an exciting development.
But more than ever, you should make sure to obtain them
only after a thorough exam from the eye doctor. Safety is
always the key to good vision.”
Here are more tips from Dr. Wheadon on choosing the right
type of contact lenses for your particular vision needs.
Gymnast Relies on Contacts in Quest
for Olympic Gold
She is one of the world’s
most gifted gymnasts — a
spring-legged tumbler
whose graceful floor
exercises and bar routines
have dazzled audiences from
Los Angeles to London.
Recently ranked fifth in the
world of gymnastics, Allana
Slater is a 19-year-old
Australian who says she is
totally focused on winning a
gold medal at this summer’s
Olympic Games in Athens.
Allana also is quick to point out that her remarkable athletic
success depends heavily on the prescription contacts she
wears to correct her nearsightedness.
“I feel completely confident wearing the lenses during
competition because they fit my eyes perfectly and they
always feel comfortable,” says the winner of gold and silver
medals in the floor exercise and uneven bars events at the
2002 Commonwealth Games.
“I wouldn’t dream of going out there on the floor without
them because you need crystal-clear vision during a high
performance gymnastics routine.”
A part-time college student who lives with her mother
Barbara and three frisky cats (Ringo, Lilly and Topaz) in a
suburb of Perth, Allana says she’s “hugely excited” about her
chances to nail down a gymnastics medal in Athens this
summer.
“I’ve worked for 13 years in the hope of someday winning a
medal at the Olympics, and I know this will be my best
opportunity,” she says with a note of awe in her youthful
voice. “I also know that competing successfully in Athens
will require a great deal of work and dedication, but it’s
worth every minute.
“Right now I feel like I’m in top condition, and my
confidence has never been higher after winning a bronze
medal in the World Championships in California last
August. I work hard, but I also try to stay relaxed and to
remember that the purpose of gymnastics, after all, is to
enjoy yourself by participating in a sport you love.
“I’m also feeling very confident about my vision thanks to
the contacts. After years of working out with them, I know
they’ll stay in place during my routines, and I know they
won’t distract me in the least.
“I’m counting on my contacts to help me see clearly out
there on the floor. And that’s important — because when it
comes to winning Olympic gold, you need every bit of help
you can get!”
Ask this easygoing and likable native of Perth, Australia, why
she relies so much on her contacts during high-pressure
gymnastics events, and she’ll tell you about an incident that
took place a few years ago.
“I made the mistake of attempting a routine on the uneven
bars without wearing my contacts and I completely
misjudged the distance to the bar,” she says. “I fell flat on my
face because I couldn’t see!
“Fortunately, that incident occurred during a training
session. But it taught me an important lesson: I need to
make sure I never allow my nearsightedness to interfere with
my performance on the floor.”
New Contacts Need Special Attention
It’s an eyeopening fact:
More than 30
million
Americans now
wear contact
lenses day in and
day out.
“The numbers
speak for
themselves —
contacts are working efficiently to improve the quality of life
for millions of people,” says VSP network doctor Bobby
Christensen, O.D., who’s been fitting and evaluating patients
with contacts for nearly three decades.
“At the same time, it’s also true that contacts require more
attention — and more caution — than glasses. In order to
wear contacts successfully and to avoid eye irritation and
infection, patients must be careful to have them properly
fitted and evaluated, while also learning how to clean and
store them safely. That’s why it’s so important to get contacts
directly from an eyecare doctor and not go through mail
order.”
“The second step involves a careful fitting of the lens to the
eye, along with detailed instructions to the patient on
cleaning, storing and handling of contacts. This part of the
process is extremely important — which is why a new
contact lens fitting and evaluation often require an hour or
so, in order to obtain the best results.”
According to Dr. Christensen, the third step — a follow-up
visit to the optometrist, usually one or two weeks after the
original fitting and evaluation — also is a key part of the
process. “That visit is really essential,” he says, “because it
gives the doctor a chance to see how the patient’s eyes are
responding to the contacts.
“During this second appointment, the doctor will determine
how well the lens fits the surface of the eye and whether or
not it’s causing any irritation. This additional visit also allows
the doctor to review care and cleaning of the lenses, and that
can be helpful because it helps reduce the risk that the lenswearer may accidentally infect the contacts with bacteria
during usage or storage.
“It’s important to prevent such infections, which can range
from mild cases of pinkeye to severe corneal ulcers that may
actually threaten your eyesight.”
What’s the best way to ensure that a patient’s contact lens
exam will produce clear, healthy eyesight without the need
for eyeglasses?
Making a second visit to the optometrist to check out your
contacts is well worth the time and trouble in today’s busy
world, explains the veteran doctor.
“In most situations, we break the process down into three
simple steps, which requires two separate appointments,”
says Dr. Christensen, who practices in the Oklahoma City
area. “At the first appointment, the patient undergoes a
contact lens evaluation designed especially for those who are
switching to contacts. Unlike the annual routine eye exam we
recommend for all patients, this exam focuses primarily on
eye-health issues related to contacts. Once that evaluation is
completed, the doctor will seek to find a lens with exactly the
right amount of curve, thickness and diameter for the
patient’s particular vision needs.
“Contacts can make your life much easier and more
pleasant,” he says. “For the sake of better vision and healthy
eyes, you need to keep that follow-up appointment!”
One Size Does Not Fit All
Proper fitting of contact lenses crucial for comfort, safety
A proper fitting of your new contact lenses will confirm that
your vision has been corrected accurately, while also assuring
that your eyes won’t be damaged by wearing the devices.
“Contact lenses fit over the cornea of the eye, and it’s
important to protect the health of the cornea with a proper
fit. An inadequate fitting could damage the sensitive tissues
of the cornea, leading to irritation, infection or even an ulcer
in that part of the eye.”
Be Sure to Get the Right Fit
If you haven’t worn or investigated contact lenses since
leisure suits were all the rage, be aware that some marvelous
advances have been made in lens technology. An array of
products is available to correct nearsightedness,
farsightedness, astigmatism and other vision problems.
“Right now, eyecare patients can easily obtain everything
from bifocal contacts to new disposable lenses that you can
wear for a week – or even a single day – and then simply
discard,” says Kenneth N. Schwaderer, O.D., F.A.A.O., a
VSP optometrist in Mountain View, California.
Because lenses offer so many advantages, it’s vital that they
be properly fitted and worn, says Dr. Schwaderer.
“Contact lenses are a medical device,” he says. “But in recent
years, there’s been so much commercial hype that they’re
often put in the same category as a six-pack of soda.
“That’s a mistake. Remember that contact lenses still require
a prescription, and they should be fitted and handled with
the same care that goes into any other medical prescription,”
Dr. Schwaderer says. “For that reason, I recommend against
ordering original contact lenses by mail-order.”
According to Kenneth Schwaderer, O.D., an eye exam and
contact lens fitting should include:
• Analysis of the vision problem and overall eye health. Your
eye doctor should compile a case history, then test your
eyesight carefully. The lens fitting should proceed only
after resolving any health problems uncovered by a
thorough eye exam.
• Selection of the proper lens. The eye doctor will measure
your eyes, then look for a lens with the right amount of
curve, thickness and diameter to correct your vision. In
most cases, the contacts can be purchased right in the
doctor’s office.
• Instructions on lens handling and care solutions. Proper
maintenance of your new contact lenses is crucial: Don’t
stop asking questions until you understand what has to be
done!
• Establishment of a wearing schedule. The wearing schedule
basically tells you how long you can safely keep your
contact lenses in your eyes.
• Post-fitting evaluation. During a follow-up visit, discuss
issues such as comfort, clarity and accuracy of vision with
contact lenses on.
Which Contact Lenses Are Right for You?
In the past, if you were a
contact lens wearer—or if you
wanted to be one—you had
limited options for correcting
your vision. Now, contact
lenses are available for all
kinds of vision needs and
lifestyles. There are bifocal
contacts, lenses you can sleep
in, and even disposables that
you can throw away after a
day of wear. Which ones are
best for you? Here are some
fundamentals about contact
lenses to help you decide.
The Basic Materials: RGPs and Soft Lenses
Contact lenses come in two basic types: rigid gas permeables
(or RGPs) and soft lenses. Both correct most vision
problems, including astigmatism and, with some newer
designs, presbyopia, an age-related vision condition that
affects the eye’s ability to focus on near objects.
RGPs, which are made of stiff rather than soft materials, are
comfortable once you get used to them but may take up to
two weeks for adaptation. They are durable, often lasting for
years, and easy to care for and handle. They also provide
crisp vision.
“RGPs are often prescribed for people with astigmatism or
those who cannot achieve clear vision with soft lenses,” says
VSP doctor Frank Fontana, O.D., a contact lens specialist in
St. Louis, Missouri. “Recently they’ve been used in treating
children or adults who show early signs of nearsightedness,
which can sometimes be slowed by wearing RGPs.”
Soft lenses, which are made of soft, flexible material, are less
durable than RGPs and sometimes harder to handle.
However, they are very comfortable, and require only a brief
adaptation period.
Soft lenses called torics are often used to correct astigmatism,
though vision may not be as crisp as with RGPs. Both soft
contacts and RGPs come in tinted designs that allow you to
change or enhance the color of your eyes.
The Soft Lens Options: Daily and Extended Wear
There are two types of soft contact lenses – daily wear and
extended wear. Daily wear lenses are used during the day and
removed at bedtime.
Extended wear lenses can be left in overnight for a prescribed
period of time – anywhere from a day to a week – before
being removed for cleaning or replacement. Although some
RGP lenses are available in extended wear options, most of
these options are designed for soft contact lenses.
Healthy, Convenient Wear Options: Disposable and
Frequent Replacement
Another issue to consider is how often soft lenses are
replaced. Traditional contacts last about a year, while
disposable and frequent replacement contacts are worn for
shorter periods of time, then thrown away and replaced with
fresh lenses, an option that VSP doctor Ken Schwaderer,
O.D., says is “healthier and more convenient.” Replacement
schedules may be daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, semimonthly, and quarterly. Lenses are considered disposable if
they’re replaced within a month, and frequent replacement if
they’re replaced every two or three months.
A big factor in deciding which lens is best for you is lifestyle.
For example, if you suffer from allergies, your doctor may
prescribe disposables to avoid a buildup of lens deposits that
can cause irritation. If you work long shifts, overnight wear
might be the best option.
“For some people a combination of lenses works,” says Dr.
Schwaderer, who practices in Mountain View, California.
“For example, someone on a quarterly replacement schedule
might occasionally use one-day disposables, or dailies, which
are worn for a day then discarded. Dailies are good for
weekend activities and travel,” he says, “because you don’t
have to worry about storing them or carrying around
cleaning solutions.”
With options like these, it’s easier than ever to find a contact
lens that fits your visual and lifestyle needs. Visit your doctor
for contact lens care. Your doctor can help you find the one
... or more ... that are best for you.
Diabetes and Your Eyes
Yearly exams help track diabetic retinopathy
“When the blood vessels become damaged, you start getting
a decrease in blood supply to the retina,” says Dr. Serdahl.
“That can result in significant vision loss, even blindness, if
the condition is left untreated.”
“The scary thing about the disorder is that someone who has
diabetes can go several years without noticing any
impairment of vision while a great deal of damage is being
done to the blood vessels in the eyes,” he says. “To prevent
that, the best line of defense is a yearly eye exam.”
Says Miss America: “Eye exams are a must for all people
who have diabetes.”
How serious is the widespread occurrence of diabetes? Very
serious, indeed, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention: More than 16 million Americans suffer
from the chronic disorder.
Luckily, however, diabetes can be controlled – provided
that patients are diagnosed early and follow treatment
regimens aimed at managing blood sugar, reducing obesity
and increasing exercise.
If you’re being treated for diabetes, you’ve probably been
warned about another important facet of the illness:
diabetic retinopathy, in which damage to blood vessels in
the eye can slowly destroy one’s vision.
“It’s vitally important that people who have diabetes get
yearly checkups to prevent diabetic retinopathy because it
now ranks as the leading cause of new adult blindness in
the United States,” says Christian Serdahl, M.D., medical
director of VSP.
She’s a tenacious fighter in the battle against vision loss
caused by diabetes.
She has diabetes, and happens to be the 1999 Miss America.
Ask 24-year-old Nicole Johnson about the importance of
regular eye checkups for those with diabetes, and she won’t
hesitate.
“Regular eye exams are a must for all people who have
diabetes,” she says. “I have one every year and feel confident
that I will never lose my vision because of this preventive
measure.”
Miss America, who was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of
19, wore an insulin pump on her hip during the beauty
pageant. The disease hasn’t slowed her down, she says. She
meets a grueling daily schedule of speeches and public
appearances, and credits her yearly eye exam with helping
her maintain an active way of life.
How does diabetic retinopathy attack eyesight? Tiny blood
vessels inside the eye swell or bleed, Dr. Serdahl explains.
Unprocessed blood sugars, fats and proteins leach out of
the weakened blood vessels and form exudates, or waxy
deposits, on the retina. New, weak blood vessels form to
help circulate blood, but these vessels also can break,
leading to further damage.
Glaucoma: Cornering the ‘Silent Thief’
It is often called
the “silent thief.”
On any given day,
3 million
Americans are
struggling with
glaucoma — an
eye disease that
often goes
undetected until a
person’s eyesight is already damaged. More than 120,000
Americans have lost their sight to the silent thief.
Disturbing numbers? “You bet they are,” says VSP network
doctor Christopher Colburn, O.D., who often treats patients
with glaucoma in Jamestown, New York. “What’s especially
troubling is that the disease doesn’t show any symptoms at
first. In most cases, if glaucoma isn’t detected before the
damage begins, the patient will likely have lost 30 percent or
more of his or her vision.
“That’s why it is essential to catch glaucoma early during
regular exams with your eyecare doctor.”
Age and race are major risk factors for glaucoma. People 70
and older are four to seven times more likely to develop
glaucoma than people 40 to 50 years old. Also, glaucoma
varies significantly among different ethnic groups. For
example, blacks are four times more likely than whites to
develop the condition.
This theory accounts for the increased risk of glaucoma for
people with high blood pressure, diabetes and other
vascular conditions.
“When I tell patients about glaucoma, I often explain that
although there is no cure for glaucoma, there is some good
news,” says Dr. Colburn. “The good news is that we
now have powerful weapons to inhibit the progression of
the disease.”
Among the most effective of these weapons are eyedrops and
oral medications that reduce aqueous humor or boost its
flow out of the eye. Another ally in the battle is surgery —
whether by laser or scalpel. During scalpel surgery, doctors
create small openings that allow excess fluid to drain out.
“With patients, I emphasize that eyedrops can decrease eye
pressure by as much as 25 percent. In many patients, one
eyedrop once a day is enough to slow the progress of the
glaucoma,” says Dr. Colburn. “The laser surgical techniques
are quick and virtually painless, lasting no longer than 10 or
20 minutes.”
For those who have already lost significant vision, new and
traditional low-vision aids enable them to do things they’d
like to do.
“But the most effective weapon by far is early detection —
and that’s why I urge every patient not to miss that yearly
eye exam!” •
Researchers aren’t sure what causes glaucoma. In most cases,
but not all, pressure increases inside the eye. Increased
pressure can come from genetic or environmental factors
that cause creation or retention of excess aqueous humor, a
watery fluid that fills the front part of the eye. One theory is
that high eye pressure causes reduced blood flow to the optic
nerve, which carries images from the eye’s retina to the brain.
The nerve is slowly damaged, resulting in “silent” loss
of vision.
Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight
More Americans are
at risk each year of
developing this
vision-related disease
than coronary heart
disease. Do you
know what it is? If
you said glaucoma,
you are right.
Glaucoma is the
progressive loss of
optic nerve fibers. It often occurs when there is too much
fluid in the eye, causing pressure to build up and eventually
damage the optic nerve. This delicate structure at the back of
the eye sends vision information to the brain, making it vital
for good vision. Damage usually begins at the outer edges of
the nerve, so untreated glaucoma can destroy peripheral
vision (the top, bottom and sides of your view).
Each year more than 60 million Americans are at risk of
developing glaucoma. More than 120,000 people are
presently blind from glaucoma and more than 5,500 people
become blind each year from the disease. Of the Americans
who have glaucoma, about half don’t even know it. This is
because early-stage glaucoma displays no outward symptoms
such as pain or vision loss. Regular glaucoma tests are vital in
limiting the chance of catastrophic vision loss.
Testing for Glaucoma
A thorough eye exam typically includes a “puff test,” which
involves an instrument that blows air onto your eye. The
resistance the air encounters is measured, producing an
intraocular pressure (IOP). Your IOP helps your eye doctor
determine whether you have an eye condition. If you do,
other tests will help him decide if your condition is early or
late-stage glaucoma.
People at high risk for glaucoma due to high IOPs, family
history, ethnic background, age, diabetes or a problem in the
appearance of the optic nerve may need more frequent visits
to the eye doctor.
Treating Glaucoma
The most common treatment for glaucoma is eye drops that
reduce the amount of fluid produced in the eye, thereby
decreasing pressure. Don Rudasill, O.D., a VSP doctor in
Nacogdoches, Texas, says, “Using the drops on the day of their
exam is like flossing teeth just on the day of the visit to the
dentist.” In one tragic episode, a man neglected to use the eye
drops originally prescribed because they burned his eyes. He
never reported this or returned to his eye doctor, and 10 years
later his vision had disappeared completely.
Dr. Rudasill urges patients to report any side effects
immediately. Often, he says, the treatment can be modified to
reduce or eliminate side effects. Over the past few years as
remarkable advances in glaucoma surgery and drug treatments
have been made, there are many success stories. One is of a
man in Oregon who noticed free glaucoma screenings being
conducted while at the mall. He took the test, which showed
high eye pressure. After a more thorough eye exam with his
eye doctor, the high pressure reading was confirmed and
showed slight changes in his visual field, he was prescribed eye
drops to regulate the pressure.
Sheryl Blankenship, O.D., a VSP doctor in Baker City,
Oregon, reports, “He had heard of glaucoma, but did not
know that it displays no signs or symptoms.” She says that he
has used his medication faithfully for years now. His eye
pressures are down, and he hasn’t lost any more vision since
that first eye exam.
Your eye doctor will determine the best treatment for you,
depending on the type and severity of your glaucoma, as well
as the other medications you are taking and other medical
conditions you have. Be sure to keep your eye doctor well
informed of your general health and any medications you take.
We can look forward to further developments in glaucoma
surgery and drug treatments. Already, blindness can now be
prevented in 90 percent of cases, according to The Glaucoma
Foundation, as long as the disease is detected early and
treatment begun immediately.
Living With ... and Without ... Cataracts
Cataracts are a sign of growing older, but they don’t have to cramp your lifestyle
About half of
Americans
between the ages
of 65 and 75 have
cataracts, a natural
clouding of the
eye’s lens. After 75,
most people can
expect some degree
of vision loss —
ranging from
fading colors to
blindness — as a
result of cataracts. But the outlook for those who have
cataracts is far from dim.
Early Stages
A normal lens in the human eye is clear, allowing light to
pass to the back of the eye and producing a sharp image. A
cataract prevents some of this light from coming through the
lens, making it harder for you to see. Although cataracts can
result from other causes, including genetics, eye injury, and
diseases such as diabetes, most cataracts are related to aging.
In the early stages, cataracts, which are painless and slow
growing, may not cause a problem. “Most people don’t even
know they have them,” says Jeffrey Nyman, O.D., a VSP
doctor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Recognizing Symptoms
As cataracts grow larger and cloud more of the lens, more
obvious symptoms develop: blurred vision, loss of contrast,
light sensitivity, difficulty with night vision, and frequent
changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions. These
symptoms can also be signs of other eye problems, and a
regular eye exam is the best way to determine whether you
have a cataract. “The detection of cataracts is part of a
routine eye exam,” notes Dr. Nyman.
Glasses or Surgery?
In the early stages of a cataract, all that’s required to correct
your vision may be glasses, a change in prescription, or
stronger lighting. As the cataract progresses, removal may be
necessary. “For the majority of people it’s not time for
surgery until the cataract prevents you from doing the things
you want to do,” says Dr. Nyman.
Cataract surgery, the most frequently performed operation in
the United States, is safe and effective, with 95 percent of
patients gaining improved vision. “The surgery is done on an
outpatient basis,” says Dr. Nyman, “and after five or six days
most patients return to normal activity.”
If you are experiencing some of the signs of cataracts, see
your eye doctor. Treatment, whether it’s as simple as glasses
or as routine as surgery, can eliminate the “cloud” in your
lifestyle.
Seeing Red
“Pink eye” is irritating, contagious, and common ... here’s how to recognize it ...
and what to do if you have it
If your eyes are red and
itchy, your vision blurry,
and your lids sticky when
you get up in the
morning, you may have
conjunctivitis, the most
common eye infection in
the United States. Most
often recognized by the
redness from which it gets
the name “pink eye,”
conjunctivitis is irritating
but usually harmless to
your sight. Yet it can be
very contagious,
especially among children, and should be diagnosed and
treated early.
Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by a reaction to something
in the air, such as dust and pollen, or by chemical irritants
such as household cleaners, spray perfume, or industrial
pollutants. The eyes are usually red and swollen, and
watering and itching is often severe.
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the
clear membrane that lines your eyelids and covers the white
part of your eye. It can appear in one or both eyes and is
caused by bacteria, viruses, or allergies.
• Wash your hands frequently.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is the most common form of eye
infection and is easily spread from one person to another. In
addition to redness and itching of the eyes, the symptoms
include a thick, yellowish discharge that may dry overnight
and cause your eyelids to stick together.
• Don’t share eye drops.
Viral conjunctivitis, which is caused by any number of
viruses, is also contagious. Although redness and itching are
typical symptoms, discharge from the eye is watery and clear.
Antibiotics are not effective against viral conjunctivitis.
If you experience any of the symptoms of conjunctivitis, call
your eye doctor. “The most important thing is to get early
treatment to limit the spread of the infection, especially
among children,” advises Denis Humphreys, O.D., VSP
doctor in Sparks, Nevada.
How to Control “Pink Eye”
Dr. Humphreys offers these tips for limiting the spread of
bacterial and viral conjunctivitis.
• Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
• Don’t share washcloths, towels, or pillowcases, and launder
infected linens after each use.
• Throw away infected cosmetics, including mascara, eye
shadow, and eye liner.
• If you wear contact lenses, check with your eye doctor
about discontinuing wear or replacing lenses.
Seeing Stars?
Stars, spots, floaters ...
whatever you call them,
they can be annoying.
But what, exactly, are
they? It’s one of the
questions eye doctors
hear most often,
including Dr. Dana
Ziskrout, a VSP
therapeutic optometrist
in Houston, Texas.
“My patients describe
the phenomenon as
something floating in
their vision,” he says.
“They speak of trying
to brush it away or track it visually, to no avail.”
changes. This gel, or vitreous humor, is uniformly thick and
transparent at birth, similar to clear gelatin. But with trauma
(such as a blow to the head), disease and age, some of the gel
loses transparency. Since it is no longer completely
transparent, the vitreous humor may create a shadow on the
retina. This shadow, which may be in the shape of a speck,
blob or strand, is what we perceive as a spot or floater.
Usually floaters are not serious, but Dr. Ziskrout strongly
cautions against self-diagnosis. He says that a recent
development of floaters, or a change in shape, size, frequency
or number of them may indicate a serious eye problem such
as an internal eye hemorrhage, a retinal tear or retinal
detachment. Light flashes and blurred vision are additional
symptoms of these conditions. “These situations require
immediate attention,” says Dr. Ziskrout, who recommends
getting a thorough eye exam right away to pin down the
cause of your floaters.
Dr. Ziskrout explains that floaters are a result of the gel-like
structure in the very back of the eye undergoing structural
Shed No Tears for Dry Eye
Question: If you could
collect all the tears shed by an
average person during his or
her entire lifetime, how much
fluid would you have in your
reservoir?
Answer: Four to five gallons.
According to the experts, it
takes about 20 human tears,
on average, to form a
milliliter of fluid. At that
rate, a person who typically
sheds an average of 10 to 15 tears a day would produce four
or five gallons of fluid over 80 years, depending on the size of
the individual.
The quantity sounds surprisingly large, but all those tears
actually serve a useful purpose. “If you think about it, you
soon realize that the natural process of cleaning and
protecting our eyes with tears is actually a marvelous
engineering system,” says VSP network doctor Jimmy
Bartlett, O.D., an optometry professor at the University of
Alabama. “In some ways, you might even compare it to the
windshield washer and wiper mechanism in a car. Both
systems use a fluid to wash the surface clean, and both use a
wiper — which happens to be the eyelid.
“Each time we blink, we sweep a little bit of fluid across the
eye, which acts to wash away debris such as dust and small
particles. But the fluid also contains substances to neutralize
microbes — bacteria and viruses — that can gather on the
eye’s surface.”
In that situation, says Dr. Bartlett, the result can be a painful
and potentially eyesight-threatening ailment known as dry
eye syndrome, in which the tear ducts fail to produce enough
fluid.
“Unfortunately, dry eye is very common in the U.S. today,”
says the veteran doctor, who’s been teaching optometry for
26 years. “The latest research shows that dry eye syndrome
currently affects more than 25 million Americans. This
condition can be triggered by everything from dust to low
humidity. In some cases, wearing your contact lenses
improperly or for too long can also result in dry eye
syndrome. (See “New Contacts”)
“There also has been a lot of data in recent years to show that
the disorder is prevalent among older, post-menopausal
women, especially those with arthritis, which often tends to
exacerbate dry eye.”
Although dry eye often produces an unpleasant burning or
stinging sensation in the eyes, “the ailment rarely impairs
vision,” says Dr. Bartlett.
So how can patients detect dry eye syndrome early, and
what’s the best treatment for it? “The most important thing
is that yearly eye checkup,” says Dr. Bartlett. “Between
exams, if you start to experience a dry or gritty feeling in
your eyes, be sure to call the doctor. These days, a routine eye
exam will detect the condition, and the doctor can usually
prescribe over-the-counter or prescription products designed
to provide the fluids you need.”
According to the Birmingham-based doctor, the body’s
“windshield-wiper system” provides important protection for
eyesight. But what happens when there isn’t enough fluid on
hand to get the job done?
Sties — Unsightly, Sometimes Painful,
but Rarely Serious
Can you think of a threeletter word that describes
an unpleasant, often
painful, but usually
harmless eyelid ailment?
If you answered “sty,” you
are correct.
VSP network doctor Jan McVey, O.D., answers questions
about this common condition.
Q. What is a sty?
Dr. McVey: A sty is simply an in-flamed, plugged-up oil
gland or sweat pore in your eyelid. From time to time,
most people will get an obstruction in one of these skin
openings, and the blockage will ‘wall off ’ the material
inside. If that happens, you’ll probably experience some
pain and inflammation around the affected area, which
may swell up with bacteria and pus.
Q. How long do sties last?
Dr. McVey: It depends. Most heal themselves in a week or
so, but more stubborn ones can last for several months
before they finally fade away. Fortunately, this is a mild
condition and it’s easily treated. I’ve been treating patients
in the Phoenix area for 25 years, and I’ve always been able
to successfully treat sties — even the most stubborn ones
— although they’re often unsightly, and they can be quite
painful at times.
Q. What causes sties?
Dr. McVey: The causes vary — everything from
incomplete removal of eye makeup to poor eyelid
hygiene. In some cases, the oil gland will produce an
excess of oil, and it can’t all escape. When it backs up, a
sty can result. Some sties are caused by an inflammatory
disease of the eyelid called blepharitis.
Q. What’s the best way to treat sties?
Dr. McVey: I recommend that patients place a hot
compress — simply a clean cloth soaked in hot water —
over the sty and leave it there for about 10 minutes. Do
this four or five times a day to open the blocked gland. If
the sty doesn’t begin to recede in a week or so, you should
probably see your eyecare doctor, who may prescribe an
antibiotic ointment for the eyelid or oral antibiotics. In
more severe cases, minor surgery may be required to
remove the blockage.
Q. How about prevention? Any suggestions?
Dr. McVey: The best prevention is good old-fashioned
soap and water! If you wash your hands and face on a
regular basis, you’ll greatly reduce your chances of
developing a sty.
Q. How do you know if you’ve developed a sty?
Dr. McVey: The telltale sign is usually inflammation
somewhere on the eyelid. The sty will often swell up like a
large pimple. Pain and sensitivity around the area also are
good indicators.
Technology Offers Hope for Patients
With Low Vision
For eyecare patients
who struggle with
low vision
conditions,
technology offers
exciting, new options
to enhance vision,
with the promise of
more advancements
to come.
According to VSP
network doctor Max Venard, O.D., eyecare researchers are
rapidly developing “a brand new generation of high-tech
tools” to dramatically improve vision.
“Low-vision-related problems affect millions of Americans
each day,” says Dr. Venard, who has been serving eyecare
patients in Moore, Oklahoma, for the past 27 years.
“Unfortunately, low vision often leaves its victims partially
sighted or even legally blind. The greatest risk faced by these
patients is the possibility that they will stop trying to see
better, and then gradually sink into inactivity and
nonfunctional living.”
To combat the problems caused by low vision, researchers
and manufacturers are now producing a wide array of highly
sophisticated vision-enhancers. Among the most promising:
• Magnifiers or telescopes mounted on eyeglasses: These
devices can enlarge images greatly while leaving the user’s
hands free to perform essential tasks. The magnifiers help
with close-up work and the telescopes make it easier to see
objects at a distance.
• Hand-held and tabletop-stand magnifiers: These
supplementary devices are portable and can be used for
on-the-move activities such as reading a price tag at the
department store or working on crafts at home. Many
magnifiers are equipped with powerful lights.
• Electro-optical systems: “Many patients with low vision
today use special closed-circuit TV devices that can greatly
enlarge images on video screens,” says Dr. Venard, who
holds a doctoral degree in optometry.
• One of the most exciting — if still theoretical — tools for
vision enhancement is what Dr. Venard describes as
“retinal stem cell therapy.” According to the doctor, most
low vision problems are caused by deterioration of the
crucially important retina. “Unfortunately, cells in the
retina can’t replace themselves when damaged or
destroyed,” he explains. “But many experts in the field of
low vision are convinced that our increasing ability to
manipulate stem cells — the body’s original source of all
eye tissue — will eventually enable us to begin replacing
the retina.
“When that happens, probably within the next 10 or 15
years, many low vision patients will benefit from a powerful
new tool that will help us restore failing retinas by supplying
them with healthy, viable tissue. They’ll receive a huge boost
in their ability to see. As an eyecare doctor, I’m convinced
that low vision patients should remain hopeful, even if
they’re struggling with near-blindness.
“Our techniques for enhancing vision are growing more
powerful by the day, and that’s a very exciting prospect for all
of us!”
Understanding Astigmatism
focus on the retina. As a result, the image you see is sharp
and crisp. With astigmatism, the shape of the cornea is
irregular – more like a football than a baseball – causing the
light rays to focus on two points rather than one. The result
is distorted or blurred vision.
“Most people have some degree of astigmatism,” says
Randall Fuerst, O.D., a VSP doctor in Sacramento,
California. “If it’s mild, however, you may not even realize
you have it.” Severe astigmatism, on the other hand,
produces blurred vision and possibly eye fatigue or
headaches. In some cases, astigmatism is accompanied by
nearsightedness or farsightedness as well.
Chances are you may have heard of an eye condition widely
known as a “stigmatism.” This imperfection in the surface of
the eye is actually “astigmatism,” a condition that is both
common and treatable. Like nearsightedness and
farsightedness, astigmatism affects the way you see – except
astigmatism affects your vision at all distances, not just close
up or far away.
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea, or surface of your eye,
is irregularly shaped. A perfectly shaped cornea is spherical,
like a baseball, allowing all light rays to enter your eye to
But whatever the degree of astigmatism, it can be corrected.
If it’s mild, you probably won’t need correction. If it’s more
advanced, it can be corrected with either eyeglasses or
contact lenses. Both rigid contact lenses and soft lenses,
called torics, are effective in correcting astigmatism. Rigid
lenses are made of a breathable plastic that is custom-fit to
the shape of the cornea. Soft lenses are made of gel-like
plastic containing varying amounts of water. “Another
option is vision correction surgery,” says Dr. Fuerst, “which
can work very well in correcting astigmatism.” Your doctor
can help you decide which treatment is best for you.
What is Nearsightedness?
seeing the ball,” says Dr. Humphreys, a VSP doctor in
Sparks, Nevada. “I gave Matt an eye exam right away, and
sure enough, it showed his level of vision to be about 20-60.
So I wrote him a prescription for contact lenses.”
According to Dr. Humphreys, 16-year-old Matt was
struggling with nearsightedness – an inherited condition in
which a person can see nearby objects quite clearly, but has
trouble seeing at a distance.
“In most cases, nearsightedness occurs when the surface of
the eye (the cornea) is too steeply curved, so that light gets
focused slightly in front of the retina,” says Dr. Humphreys,
who also is VSP’s optometry director.
Ask Denis Humphreys, O.D., for a definition of
nearsightedness, and he’ll tell you of the high school
shortstop who couldn’t seem to hang on to the baseball.
“He walked into my office one morning and explained that
he couldn’t understand why he was making so many errors
out there on the field. He said he was having some trouble
“The good news about nearsightedness is that it’s easy to
correct,” says Dr. Humphreys. “Most of the time, all that’s
required is a prescription for corrective lenses. And the
benefits can be quite rewarding. I hear stories all the time
about people whose job performance or schoolwork
improved dramatically after they got their vision corrected.”
A Perfect Pair
Your eye doctor and you
Bothered by
headaches? Hay fever?
High blood pressure?
Your vitamin intake?
Your golf score? Talk
to your eye doctor.
When a young,
healthy patient came
in for his annual eye
exam, Dr. Julia
Edwards noted the yellowish cast of his eyes. The patient had
noticed it, too, and expressed his concern. An eye exam,
however, revealed no evidence of visual problems. “We
started talking,” says Dr. Edwards, a VSP optometrist in
DeForest, Wisconsin, “and he revealed he was a health food
enthusiast.” After a few pointed questions, Dr. Edwards
discovered the reason for the young man’s yellow eyes: he
was drinking several glasses a day of carrot juice. The
treatment? Cut back on the juice.
Like many people, this young man didn’t realize the
connection between his lifestyle and his eye health. But it’s a
connection that can help you make a good eye exam better.
“The more we know about a patient,” says Dr. Edwards, “the
better we can prescribe the right glasses or anticipate and
treat visual problems.”
If there is some part of your eye exam, diagnosis, or
treatment that you don’t understand, talk to your doctor
about it. “Ask about the consequences of your condition,”
advises Dr. Edwards. “For example, how it will affect your
vision and what kinds of tests you will need.” Ask about
your treatment as well – the benefits or side effects, and
whether you will have any restrictions in diet, exercise, or
medications. Dr. Edwards also suggests taking notes and
requesting written instructions from your doctor. “And ask
for information that explains your condition, so you can
read them at home,” she says. “Then if something’s still
unclear, call the doctor with more questions.”
So how do you know what to tell-or ask-your eye doctor?
Consider these tips for making the most of your next eye
exam.
Health Record
“Be prepared to give your eye doctor a thorough health
background,” says Dr. Edwards. Bring a complete list of
your medications – both prescription and non-prescription –
including antihistamines, decongestants, asthma inhalers and
nutritional supplements. “People typically overlook over-thecounter products,” she says, “even though they often have an
effect on the eyes.”
Also report any current difficulties you are having with your
vision: blurring, dry eyes, double vision, difficulty seeing at
night, eye strain. And tell your doctor about chronic health
conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and
allergies as well as any surgery you’ve had since your last
exam.
Be prepared to discuss your family health history, too. “For
most eye diseases there’s a hereditary component,” notes Dr.
Edwards. Glaucoma, macular degeneration, and early
cataracts, for example, tend to run in families.
Lifestyle Checklist
How you use your eyes helps the doctor decide what
corrective eyewear is best for you. Let the doctor know about
your work environment. Do you use a computer? How
many hours a day? Is the lighting in your office natural or
artificial? Do you do a lot of close up work – bookkeeping,
editing, electronics? Do you work outdoors or operate in
hazardous surroundings?
Discuss your leisure activities as well. Do you play
racquetball, tennis, or golf? Are you a fisherman or boater?
An avid reader or quilter? The right eyewear can protect your
eyes, enhance your skills, and improve your vision.
Take charge of your eye health. A good eye exam is a dual
responsibility – the doctor’s and yours.
Adjusting to New Eyewear — Is it Awkward?
So you’ve decided to
make your move.
Here are a few tips designed to make your adjustment as easy
as possible:
Acting on the advice
of your eyecare
doctor, you’re ready to
improve your vision
by wearing glasses …
or maybe contacts.
• If you have prescription glasses, put them on early in the
day. Don’t go through half the day without glasses and
then slide them on — the sudden shift in your vision
could prove disorienting.
You’re excited because
you know you’ll be
seeing much better,
and soon. And while
you may feel a little
uneasy about the
change, your doctor
assures you that for most patients, adjusting to glasses or
contacts is nearly effortless.
“I think it’s only natural to wonder how awkward it will be to
adjust to your new glasses or contacts,” says VSP network
doctor John Warren, O.D. “But getting accustomed to your
new eyewear is actually quite easy.
“Most patients will be surprised at how simple it really is,”
says the Racine doctor, a leader in the Wisconsin Optometric
Association. “If you follow your doctor’s suggestions
carefully, you’ll probably be able to wear your glasses or
contacts without significant discomfort.”
• If you’re just starting to wear contacts, follow the doctor’s
directions carefully with regard to the length of time
they’ll be in place and the solutions required for storing,
cleaning and inserting them.
• If you notice significant itching or redness around your
eyes, or if you experience blurred vision during the first
few days of wearing new lenses, consult with your eyecare
doctor immediately. Usually, a minor adjustment will be
enough to eliminate the problem.
• And finally, remember that with any new eyewear, there
will be some adjustments, but try not to worry. Says Dr.
Warren, “If you communicate your concerns clearly to
your eyecare doctor and follow his or her
recommendations, you’ll usually manage the transition
with minimum fuss. And you’ll end up seeing much
better as a result!”
Annual Exams Are Key to Healthy Eyes
For VSP network doctor Kurt K. DeVito, O.D., three little
words are enough to describe what’s needed for good eye
health: annual eye exam.
“I’ve been providing eye exams for more than 12 years now,”
says the optometrist from Norfolk, Virginia.
“During that time, I’ve diagnosed four different tumors and
several cases of diabetes in patients who didn’t even know
they had a health problem.
“As you might imagine, I encourage everyone to get an
annual eye exam — not just an eye screening!”
Dr. DeVito stresses that there’s a big difference between eye
exams and eye screenings.
“Screenings are partial, limited eye assessments that take
place in locations other than an eye doctor’s office,” he says.
“Typically, a screening will be performed by a nurse at
school, a pediatrician in the office or maybe even a clerk
giving motorists a vision test for a driver’s license.
“There’s no doubt that screenings can be helpful at times in
detecting some problems with vision, but I encourage
patients to have a thorough eye exam in an optometrist’s or
ophthalmologist’s office,” Dr. DeVito says. “The doctor can
take an entire eyecare history and patients can take
advantage of the doctor’s on-site diagnostic and
treatment tools.”
Dr. DeVito recently installed a state-of-the-art instrument
that detects glaucoma by examining tiny fibers in a patient’s
optic nerve. “This new equipment allows us to spot damage
in nerve fibers long before it would show up in the
traditional eye-pressure test.
“Early detection is crucial with glaucoma, and this test is
only available during a thorough eye exam in the eye doctor’s
office. You won’t get it during a screening.”
According to Dr. DeVito, annual eye exams also provide
other benefits to patients. The eyecare doctor can:
• Measure for prescription lenses to correct
nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
• Check for the presence of eye diseases and conditions
such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts and
diabetic retinopathy.
• Make sure your eyes are working well together, while also
evaluating your eyes as part of your overall health.
“In recent years, I’ve had several situations in which I
detected the presence of blood in the back of the eye, which
is one of the first signs of diabetes,” says Dr. DeVito. “Those
patients first learned they had a serious health condition
during a routine eye exam in my office. I think that’s a great
example of how worthwhile an annual eye exam can be.” •
Consumer Confusion
A guide to choosing and using eyecare products correctly
Walk into a typical
American pharmacy
these days and you
might be amazed by
the huge array of eye
care products stacked
along the shelves. Is it
any wonder that many
of us use the wrong
products on our eyes?
“With hundreds of
different products
sitting on the
drugstore shelf, it’s
quite easy to become confused about which cleaning
solution is most appropriate for cleaning the contact lenses
you wear, or which artificial tear product to buy for dry
eyes,” says VSP doctor David Jones, O.D., of Santa Rosa,
California. Here are some tips from Dr. Jones on using eye
care products correctly:
• For people who work on computers all day, dry eyes are a
continuing problem. Solution: Moisten your eyes with
artificial tear products, which contain many of the
lubricating agents produced naturally by the human eye.
• When storing your eye care products, reduce the chance
of confusing them with other non-medical products by
storing items such as small glue bottles away from the
medicine cabinet.
• If you wear contact lenses, make sure the solutions you
choose for cleaning, disinfecting and storing them
overnight are compatible with one another. “The best
approach is to ask your eye doctor for a list of contact
lens preparations,” says Dr. Jones. “If you stick with the
list, you won’t have to worry about incompatibility.”
• If your eyes frequently look red and bloodshot, while also
itching and watering, the problem could be allergies. Ask
your doctor if you need an anti-allergy medication. Don’t
use redness relievers, which are cosmetic preparations that
only mask the symptoms.
Fact or Myth?
This quick quiz will shed light on some long-held beliefs about your eyes
Remember how Mom
used to load your plate
with carrots, all the while
urging you to eat them to
keep your vision strong?
Was Mom right? To learn
that and much more, simply take the following vision quiz.
True
False
1. Eating carrots will improve
your eyesight.
❑
❑
2. Reading in a dim light will
injure your eyes.
❑
❑
3. Staring into a computer all
day gradually will ruin
your eyesight.
❑
❑
4. Wearing incorrect lenses will ❑
permanently damage your eyes.
❑
❑
❑
5. Sight loss is inevitable as
you grow older.
3. FALSE. Spending long hours at a computer monitor can
trigger what doctors call computer vision syndrome
(CVS), in which workers develop recurring headaches,
occasional blurred vision and muscle strain in the eyes,
head and neck. But so far, no studies have shown that
CVS can injure the human eye. These unpleasant
symptoms can usually be prevented by wearing the
proper eyeglass prescription and by combining eye
exercises with the use of lubricating eye drops
4. FALSE. “It’s not true. Sure, you may give yourself a
whopping headache, or wind up with some blurred vision
at times,” says Dr. Norcott. “But wearing the wrong lens
cannot damage your eye in any lasting way.”
5. FALSE. Many sight-threatening conditions, including
cataracts and vision problems caused by disorders such as
diabetes, can be controlled or corrected if diagnosed early
during a regular eye exam. “All of us need to remember
that good eye care is a fundamental requirement for good
health in general,” says Dr. Norcott. “Getting your
regular eye exam is a key step on the road to remaining
healthy throughout life.”
Answers
1. FALSE. Carrots contain substantial amounts of vitamin
A, an essential nutrient for proper functioning of the
retina. But the eye requires only a small amount of this
substance. “If you’re eating a variety of fruits and
vegetables in your regular diet, there’s no need to add
extra carrots,” says David Norcott, O.D., an Auburn,
California, optometrist who also serves as VSP’s associate
optometry director.
2. FALSE. Reading under inadequate light often will
produce eyestrain, headaches and eye muscle fatigue, but
it cannot injure your eyes or weaken your eyesight
Happiness Is Seeing Well
• A proud mother
glows with
excitement as she
watches her oneyear-old infant
take his first,
tentative steps.
• A pro baseball
player squints at a
pitch streaking
toward him,
knowing he has
only a fraction of
a second to
decide whether or
not to swing the
bat.
• A scientist peers into a microscope, utterly absorbed in
watching a blue-stained cancer cell divide and multiply.
What Do These Events Have in Common?
They are all compelling examples of the benefits that flow
endlessly from human vision.
“During those 150 or so milliseconds, the eye and the brain
perform a complex series of operations as electrical signals are
relayed from the retina to the brain. During that brief
instant, millions of bits of visual data are moving along
nerve-cell circuits at astonishing speed, and the brain is
assembling them all into a vivid picture of the unfolding
event. Really, if you think about the process, it seems
amazing that a batter is able to hit a 90-mile-an-hour pitch.”
While teaching and practicing optometry for the past 15
years, Dr. Erickson says he has learned to appreciate the
wealth of gifts that most of us enjoy as a result of being able
to see.
According to Patricia Maurer, Community Relations
Director for the National Federation of the Blind, sometimes
you don’t know what you have unless you lose it.
“Many people don’t realize how much time and energy it
takes to make up for the loss of vision,” she says. “Blind
people spend huge amounts of time doing things like folding
paper money into different shapes so they can tell a fivedollar bill from a 10 — or rearranging the location of their
shirts so they can tell which color they’re wearing on a
particular day. Being able to see well is a big advantage, but
many people don’t realize it.”
“A lot of people take their eyesight for granted, and I think
that’s unfortunate,” says VSP network doctor and researcher
Graham Erickson, O.D. “As an eyecare professional, I spend
a lot of time reminding patients how important the precious
gift of vision is.
“I also treat a number of professional athletes in my own dayto-day practice, and this is where you really witness the
wondrous efficiency of human vision. I was surprised to learn
that a pro baseball player has only about one-tenth of a
second to read the pitch and decide whether or not to swing!
Inside the Human Eye
An up-close look at how we see
Where do you see? In your
eyes or in your mind? It is
a question that has
perplexed many in
medicine for centuries.
“The answer is both,” says
Richard Skay, O.D., a
VSP doctor from San
Marcos, California.
According to Dr. Skay, the
complex act of seeing can
be broken down into three
basic steps:
Step 1: Light rays, or photons, enter the eye’s outer,
transparent layer of tissue (the cornea), then pass through
the dark, circular opening (the pupil) in the center of the
colored iris. The pupil regulates the amount of light that
enters the eye.
Step 2: The light rays strike the inner (or crystalline) lens of
the eye. This lens focuses the rays on the retina — a layer of
light-sensitive cells that line the inside back wall of the eye.
Step 3: The cells in the retina transform the photons into
electrical impulses. These are transmitted through the optic
nerve to the brain, where complex electrical-chemical
interactions give us the sensation of seeing.
The electrical and chemical communications that take place
between the retina and the brain are fascinatingly complex,
says Dr. Skay. They are so complex, in fact, that it’s difficult
to know whether seeing actually takes place in the eye or in
the mind.
Dr. Skay concludes, “The best way to picture it is to say that
the eye creates the electrical impulses and the brain sorts
them all out.”
Minor Eye Troubles Need Attention Too
Here’s a 20-second eyecare quiz: If you or someone in your
family develops pinkeye (conjunctivitis) — a condition
where part of the eyeball becomes inflamed, swollen and
itchy — the appropriate medical response is to:
A. Ignore the condition. It will clear up on its own.
B. Head immediately for the nearest emergency room to
prevent possible loss of sight.
C. See your optometrist or ophthalmologist as soon as
possible, while monitoring the condition from day to day.
The correct answer? According to VSP network doctor
Allison M.B. Schulte, O.D., the best alternative is “C.”
“The most helpful response to pinkeye is to see your eye
doctor,” says Dr. Schulte, who practices in the Detroit,
Michigan, area. “If your eye is red, it’s talking to you — and
you need to listen!
“In recent years, I’ve treated several patients with red eyes
who thought they had a minor viral or bacterial infection,
which can cause pinkeye — but who actually had a sliver of
metal in their eye from working with machinery or
gardening in the backyard.”
Fortunately, most pinkeye attacks result from common
viruses or bacteria and don’t threaten eyesight, says Dr.
Schulte. In the most frequent pinkeye scenario, a virus will
attack both the eye’s surface (the conjunctiva) and the inner
eyelids. Eyedrops can lessen the symptoms of viral pinkeye,
which can last up to two weeks before the eye heals on
its own.
Bacteria also can cause pinkeye, and this kind of infection
produces a sticky, yellowish-white or green discharge.
Bacterial pinkeye often can be treated successfully with
antibiotic eyedrops and usually clears up in about a week.
specks block clear vision by casting shadows on the retina,
which the patient experiences as “floating” dark spots.
Although annoying at times, floaters rarely harm eyesight.
“Most of the time, floaters don’t pose a threat to good eye
health,” says Dr. Schulte. “But they can also signal the
presence of a more serious condition — especially if they
appear suddenly or are accompanied by flashes of light. Such
symptoms could indicate the presence of a detached retina,
which is a sight-threatening condition. In that situation,
you need to seek medical attention from your eyecare
doctor immediately.” •
Another common eyecare condition that sometimes requires
a quick visit to the eye doctor is the presence of “floaters” in
the field of vision. Usually harmless, floaters are tiny specks
of a normally transparent gellike substance (vitreous humor)
that fills the eyeball between the retina and the lens. The
Nutrition & Vitamins for Your Eyes
Is eating carrots
really good for the
eyes, or do moms
just say that to
inflict the
vegetable on their
kids? Well, one
average-sized
carrot contains
twice the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of
vitamin A, which happens to be very good for your eyes. If
you don’t like carrots, don’t worry — lots of yummy (and
some not so yummy) foods contain vitamin A and other
nutrients your eyes need.
Vitamin A and Other Carotenoids
You can get vitamin A from two types of food sources:
animal products that contain vitamin A (such as liver or
butter) or plant products that contain carotene (you’ve
probably heard of beta-carotene), which your body converts
into vitamin A. Foods containing carotene are usually
yellow/orange or leafy and green.
The below values are for raw foods. Cooking can change the
values, as heat will destroy vitamin A and beta-carotene in
foods. Also, if you don’t pick up fresh food, select frozen
rather than canned, as canning strips away much more of the
vitamin A in food.
The following is a sampling of foods with high vitamin A values:
Vitamin A
Cod liver oil
First, let’s look at how vitamin A
Liver, beef
helps your eyes. For one thing, it
Liver, chicken
prevents night blindness. If the
Carrot
vitamin A deficiency causing night
Sweet potato
blindness isn’t corrected, it can lead
Kale
to xerophthalmia, with dryness in the
Butternut squash
eyes, corneal ulcers and swollen
Red pepper (sweet)
eyelids. Untreated, xerophthalmia can
Mango
lead to blindness. In fact, vitamin A
Cantaloupe
deficiency is the leading preventable
cause of blindness in developing
countries. Vitamin A also prevents cataracts from forming
and may have a role in preventing blindness from macular
degeneration.
How much vitamin A do you need? The U.S. RDA
(recommended daily allowance) for males age 11+ is 1,000
Retinol Equivalents (RE); the RDA for females age 11+ is
800 RE. Vitamin A is also measured in International Units
(IU): 1 RE = 10 IU for plant products and 1 RE = 3.3 IU
for animal products. If you smoke or drink, plan on taking
in extra vitamin A, because tobacco keeps your body from
absorbing it and drinking depletes what you already have in
your body.
RE in 100-gram serving
30,003
10,503
6,165
2,813
2,006
890
780
570
389
322
RE in normal-sized serving
4,080 (1 tablespoon)
11,868 (4 oz., 113 grams)
1,973 (1 liver)
2,025 (1 carrot)
2,668 (1 sweet potato)
596 (1 cup, chopped)
1,092 (1 cup, cubed)
806 (1 mango)
515 (1 cup, cubed)
Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Dr. Steven Cantrell and Dr. Rodney Ausich report that
“there is strong clinical evidence that consumption of the
carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin can reduce a person’s risk
of ARMD (age-related macular degeneration).”
They may also reduce the risk of cataracts.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are closely related: they often appear
together in fruits and vegetables, and your body can convert
lutein into zeaxanthin.
1
Continued on next page
Nutrition & Vitamins for Your Eyes (continued)
There is currently no RDA for either, but you need to get
some every day, because your body can’t make them.
The best source of lutein and zeaxanthin is green, leafy
vegetables, particularly spinach. Kale and collard greens are
also good choices. You can also find lutein and zeaxanthin in
yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, such as corn.
By the way, the Lutein Information Bureau says that cooked
vegetables are a better source of lutein than raw, as cooking
breaks down the cell walls to release the lutein.
Vitamin C
Vitamin A isn’t the only
antioxidant your eyes need
(antioxidants take care of
the free radicals that would
otherwise damage your
body, including your eyes).
Another vision superhero is
vitamin C.
As if potential cataracts or macular degeneration weren’t
reason enough to make sure you get your vitamin C, it may
also prevent and alleviate glaucoma. Studies have shown it to
reduce pressure in the eyes of glaucoma patients.
So how much vitamin C should you be getting? The U.S.
RDA is 60 milligrams (mg) for both males and females. You
should absolutely get the RDA every day. Not only are
humans unable to create their own vitamin C (unlike most
other species), but we also can’t store it in our bodies for very
long. If you smoke, drink or have diabetes, you should try to
take in extra vitamin C, because your levels will tend to be
lower than average.
The below values are for raw foods. Cooking can change the
values, as heat will decrease the vitamin C content. Light is
also destructive to C, so if you drink orange juice, it’s better
to purchase it in opaque plastic jugs or cartons, rather than
in glass bottles. Like vitamin A, foods with C are better fresh
than frozen or canned, as either process could deplete the
amount of the vitamin.
Studies suggest that high
levels of vitamin C can reduce the risk of cataracts, which are
caused by a buildup of protein that results in cloudy vision.
Antioxidant vitamins C and E may also play a role in
delaying age-related macular degeneration, which currently
has no cure.
Citrus fruits, berries, peppers, tropical fruits, potatoes and green, leafy vegetables have a lot of
vitamin C. Here’s a sampling:
Food
Pepper, red (sweet)
Kale
Broccoli
Pepper, green (sweet)
Strawberries
Orange
Cantaloupe
Grapefruit
Mango
Raspberries
mg in 100-gram serving
190
120
93
89
57
53
42
34
28
25
mg in normal-sized serving
283 (1 cup,chopped)
80 (1 cup,chopped)
82 (1 cup, chopped)
86 (1 cup, halved)
70 (1 orange)
68 (1 cup,cubed)
44 (half grapefruit)
57 (1 mango)
31 (1 cup)
2
Bioflavonoids
Evidence suggests that your
eyes also need
bioflavonoids, which are
sometimes called vitamin P
(though they aren’t
vitamins). They’re
compounds that give
certain foods their color,
and they often work as
antioxidants. The good
news is: almost any food
that has vitamin C in it
also has bioflavonoids, so there is no extra list of foods for
you to eat. Plus, bioflavonoids help your body to absorb C.
Bilberry is the source of bioflavonoids most often touted as
being good for your eyes, but it’s not very common in the
United States. The white part in the center of citrus fruits is
an excellent source of bioflavonoids, and you can also get
them from red and purple fruits, such as cherries, grapes and
plums. Buckwheat is another good source.
You may sometimes hear bioflavonoids referred to by their
many specific names, including: quercetin, rutin, hesperidin
or the subgroup anthocyanosides.
How much vitamin E do you need? The U.S. RDA for
males aged 11+ is 10 mg; for females aged 11+, it’s 8 mg. As
with both A and C, if you smoke, you should plan to
consume extra vitamin E.
Bear in mind that all antioxidants are good for your body,
including your eyes, but vitamins A, C and E and lutein are
the most helpful to your eyes.
Minerals
You can use some minerals as well. Selenium, for example,
both helps your body to absorb vitamin E and helps it to
make its own antioxidants. Brazil nuts, yeast and seafood
(like oysters) contain good
amounts of selenium. Zinc
helps your body to absorb
vitamin A and is also part
of an enzyme in your body
that reduces the number of
free radicals. Zinc might
also protect against macular
degeneration and night
blindness. You can get zinc
from oysters, hamburgers,
wheat and nuts.
Vitamin E
The other key antioxidant vitamin that your eyes require is
vitamin E. Many studies suggest that E helps to prevent
cataracts, and it might be yet another factor in preventing
macular degeneration.
Nuts are your best source of vitamin E. Here’s a sampling of foods that are high in E:
Food
Sunflower seeds
Almonds, dried, unblanched
Hazelnuts, dried, unblanched
Peanuts
Mango
mg in 100-gram serving
50
24
24
9
1
mg in normal-sized serving
36 (half cup)
17 (half cup)
16 (half cup)
7 (half cup)
2 (1 mango)
3
Essential Fatty Acids
Many people find it difficult to believe that fat can be
essential to your health, but
it’s true. Fatty acids are the
“building blocks” of fat and
some of them are called
“essential” because your
body needs them, yet cannot
make them; you must eat
them.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs)
make up polyunsaturated
fats. The two types are
omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6. The main omega-3 is
alpha-linolenic acid (LNA). Its derivatives include:
eicosapentaeonic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
and a few others. The main omega-6 is linoleic acid (LA).
Like LNA, it also has derivatives, but they are not relevant to
the topic of vision.
EFAs are connected with visual development in infants.
Deficiencies in adults (particularly omega-3) can lead to
impaired vision, and studies suggest that prolonged
deficiencies might lead to retinal/macular damage. The body
converts both types of EFAs into prostaglandins, whose
functions include helping the eye’s aqueous humor to drain
and regulating intraocular pressure.
How much fatty acid do you need? There is no RDA yet,
but sources agree that Americans do not get nearly enough
omega-3, and way too much omega-6. Doctors involved in
the Workshop on the Essentiality of and Recommended
Dietary Intakes for Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
suggest “adequate intakes” of each:
•
omega-3: 0.65 grams (g) of EPA and DHA combined
(with neither falling below 0.22 g)
•
omega-6: 4.44 g
Many sources look at a person’s ratio of omega-6 fatty acids
to omega-3. As humans evolved, the ratio was about 1:1.
Currently, most people fall between 10:1 and 25:1. The
optimal ratio would be somewhere between 4:1 and 10:1.
For most Americans, this means greatly reducing the omega6 fatty acids they consume, and probably increasing the
number of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The best source of omega-3 fatty acids is cold-water fish,
which is high in both EPA and DHA. Experts recommend
about two servings per week.
Important: Fish oils
produce free radicals in
your body. You must be
sure to get enough
antioxidants,
particularly vitamin E,
when you increase your
fish or fish oil intake.
If you don’t like fish, you’re in a bit of a pickle. Some sources
suggest fish oil supplements, while others say they’ve never
been proven, nor studied for long-term results. You may be
tempted to eat foods or supplements that contain LNA
rather than EPA and DHA (particularly if you’re a
vegetarian), but you should be aware that it’s not very useful
to you, as your body converts it to EPA and DHA very
inefficiently. Flaxseed and walnuts are common sources of
LNA.
4
The following chart contains a sampling of foods high in DHA and EPA (combined):
Food
Sardine oil
Cod liver oil
Herring oil
Salmon, Atlantic (farmed)***
Mackerel, Pacific and jack***
Pickled herring
Salmon, chinook***
Salmon, pink***
Mackerel, Atlantic***
Rainbow trout (farmed)***
Bluefish***
Sardines, canned in oil
White tuna, canned in water
***cooked with dry heat
g in 100-gram serving
20.79
17.87
10.48
2.15
1.85
1.39
1.74
1.28
1.20
1.15
.99
.98
.86
g in normal-sized serving
2.83 (1 tablespoon)
2.43 (1 tablespoon)
1.43 (1 tablespoon)
3.89 (half fillet)
3.25 (1 fillet)
.42 (2 pieces)
2.68 (half fillet)
1.6 (half fillet)
1.07 (1 fillet)
.82 (1 fillet)
1.16 (1 fillet)
.90 (1 can, 92 g)
.73 (3 oz, 85 g)
Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Most people get omega-6 fatty acids from vegetable oils (including foods made from vegetable oils, like margarine);
the popular evening primrose supplements are also high in omega-6. As you can see from the chart below, simply
changing the type of oil you use could greatly reduce your intake of LA.
Food
Sunflower oil, linoleic (60% and over)
Corn oil
Sunflower oil, linoleic (less than 60%)
Sunflower seeds, oil roasted
Sunflower oil, linoleic (hydrogenated)
Sunflower seeds, dry roasted
Canola oil
Peanuts
Safflower oil
Almonds, unblanched
Pumpkin seeds
Olive oil
g in 100-gram serving
65.70
58.00
39.80
37.82
35.30
32.78
20.30
15.56
14.35
12.21
8.76
7.90
g in normal-sized serving
8.94 (1 tablespoon)
7.89 (1 tablespoon)
5.41 (1 tablespoon)
25.53 (half cup)
4.80 (1 tablespoon)
20.98 (half cup)
2.84 (1 tablespoon)
11.36 (half cup)
1.95 (1 tablespoon)
8.67 (half cup)
2.80 (half cup)
1.07 (1 tablespoon)
In a Nutshell
That’s certainly a lot of information to remember. It’s far easier to just make sure you eat the following:
• plenty of green, leafy vegetables
• some nuts
• fish (twice a week)
• some yellow or orange fruits and vegetables
Bon appétit!
5
Road Glare – A Nighttime Vision Hazard
How many times has
it happened to you?
You’re driving along
a busy highway at
night when all at
once your eyes are
flooded with light
from an oncoming
car. For a terrifying
few seconds, you’re
struggling with nearblindness at the
wheel as your eyes
adjust to the sudden,
paralyzing glare.
Scary? You bet. “There’s no question that the glare from
passing automobiles and other light sources poses a
significant threat for many nighttime drivers,” says VSP
network doctor Stephen Cohen, O.D. “Dealing effectively
with glare at night isn’t just a matter of comfort. It’s a matter
of personal safety, and there’s a lot of research available to
show that highway glare can cause life-threatening accidents.
“For that reason, all of us should take the steps required to
protect ourselves from this hazard.”
Although the glare produced by headlights and other bright
objects often can’t be avoided, Dr. Cohen is quick to point
out that drivers can reduce its impact by taking a few
defensive measures. Among his key recommendations:
• Your glasses can be treated with a nonreflective coating
that will cut back glare dramatically. “Today’s high-tech
coatings can reduce glare 40- or 50-fold,” says the
Scottsdale, Arizona, doctor. “And you can easily obtain
these low-glare lenses even if you don’t normally wear
prescription glasses.”
• Remind yourself that if you’ve spent a long day doing
close-up work with your eyes (sitting at a computer, for
example), the resulting fatigue and strain could make your
eyes more vulnerable to glare. Says Dr. Cohen, “If you
know your eyes are tired, be sure to drive extra carefully
after dark.”
• To minimize the effects of glare, remember to look down
at the right, lower side of the roadway — not at the center
line — while driving toward oncoming headlights.
• Don’t rely on dietary supplements, including such popular
herbal remedies as bilberry extract, in the hope of
improving your night vision. “Right now, we don’t have
enough evidence to know for certain whether bilberry and
other dietary supplements can significantly improve night
vision,” says Dr. Cohen, a past president of the Arizona
Optometric Association.
“The best protection from glare is to have your eyes
examined annually and to arm yourself with nonreflective
glasses, when appropriate.”
• During your annual eye exam, ask your doctor to “review
your vision issues, with nighttime glare specifically in
mind.” If you have an eye condition — cataracts or
nearsightedness (myopia), for example — that could be
exacerbated by glare, determine whether or not that
condition will make you especially vulnerable to sudden
flashes of light while driving after dark. That way, you’ll
know what to expect before you get behind the wheel at
night.
Should You Get a Regular Eye Exam?
Just ask Fatima Bracamontes!
It began harmlessly,
with a slight dimming
of her peripheral
vision.
But within a few
months, Fatima
Bracamontes — the
mother of three small
children — was
watching her entire
world go dark.
What was the matter with her eyes? What was causing those
dark, drifting shadows that increasingly blotted out the light?
Thoroughly alarmed, the benefits analyst for a Washington,
D.C., telecommunications company scheduled a
consultation with her VSP doctor, Patti Shustock, O.D.
Dr. Shustock took a long, hard look at Fatima’s troubled eyes
— and then reached for the telephone.
“She sent me to a neuro-ophthalmologist that very
afternoon,” says Fatima today. “It was already five o’clock,
and I wanted to go home. But she wouldn’t let me. She kept
saying: `We’ve got to get to the bottom of this, right now!’”
The very next day, Fatima underwent a CAT scan that
revealed a tumor on her pituitary gland the size of a golf ball.
The tumor had been growing for nearly eight years. As it
swelled, it pressed against Fatima’s optic nerve and
diminished her eyesight.
“If I hadn’t gone in for that exam,” she says today, “I feel sure
that I’d have lost my vision. I’d have ended up blind — and
with three kids to take care of.”
But that didn’t happen. Instead, Fatima underwent
successful surgery to remove the benign tumor and recovered
her threatened eyesight.
Whenever she looks back on those harrowing events of five
years ago, Fatima Bracamontes feels fortunate, and she’s glad
she decided to take advantage of her VSP coverage by
scheduling an eye exam.
“That examination with Dr. Shustock taught me how
important it is to have regular eye checkups with a qualified
optometrist. These days, I take the whole family in for
exams!”
Think 20/20 Is Perfect? Think Again!
Believe it or not, the correct
answer is “False.” Why?
Although a 20/20 score on a
test for visual acuity proves
you can see what should
normally be seen clearly at 20
feet, the measurement says
nothing about your peripheral
vision, your depth perception or
your ability to recognize different colors.
“A lot of people mistakenly assume 20/20 means absolutely
perfect eyesight,” says VSP network doctor Gregory Kracher,
O.D. “But visual acuity is only part of the package when it
comes to seeing well.
“For really effective vision, you need to be able to see clearly
to each side [peripherally], along with having good acuity in
the center of your focus. You also need the ability to gauge
distance [depth perception] and good eye coordination for
maximum focusing power.
“If you add color perception to the mix,” says the Maryland
doctor, “it’s easy to see that good vision really involves several
different elements, and not just sharpness of eyesight.
“Whenever you get your eyes examined, your doctor will
make sure to check each of these areas carefully.”
20/20 Vision Isn’t Enough for an NFL Quarterback
Third and seven from the Jets’ 49 yard line. Vinny Testaverde
drops straight back. He looks right and doesn’t like what he
sees. He scrambles back to his left, avoids a tackler and fires a
long pass down the left sideline: TOUCHDOWN, JETS!
Ask former New York Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde how
he uses his eyes to win football games, and the NFL star and
1986 Heisman Trophy winner will quickly point out that
peripheral vision and depth perception are every bit as
important as visual acuity on the gridiron. In fact, these
aspects of vision are critical for Testaverde, who has a color
vision deficiency that prevents him from distinguishing
between red and green.
“As a quarterback, it’s my job to be aware of everything that’s
happening on that field,” says the 39-year-old QB, a veteran
of 17 seasons in the National Football League. “Obviously, I
have to be able to spot open receivers in the middle of a play.
But I also have to keep an eye on the pass rushers who are
coming at me.
“Peripheral vision is really important because it allows me to
watch oncoming players out of the corners of my eyes —
even though I’m totally focused on my pass receivers who
may be 20 or 30 yards down the field.
“I also rely on depth perception a lot. When your eyes are
focusing on pass receivers, often far downfield, you have to
read their depth accurately in order to put the ball in the
exact spot where they can go and catch it.”
While noting that “being
able to see the entire field at
once, often out of the
corners of your eyes” is an
essential ingredient for
success as a quarterback,
Testaverde emphasizes that
victory on the gridiron
requires a great deal more
than mere 20/20 vision. “I
have to depend on several
different kinds of vision if
I’m going to get the job
done on the field!”
Photo courtesy of New York Jets
True or False: If your eye doctor says you
have 20/20 vision, does it mean you have
perfect eyesight?
Vinny Testaverde
Your Window to Wellness
Eye exams can reveal a lot about your health
Sometimes a routine
eye exam ends up
being not so routine
after all. Charles
Brownlow, O.D., a
practicing
optometrist for 27
years and executive
vice president of the
Wisconsin
Optometric Association, remembers one such exam a few
years ago.
“I’d been seeing this particular patient – let’s call him ‘Joe’ —
for about 15 years,” says Dr. Brownlow, “and one morning
he came in for his regular eye exam.
“At first everything seemed strictly routine. Joe’s vision hadn’t
changed in two years, and his eyes looked perfectly normal.
“But when I asked him some questions about his vision, he
explained that one eye felt weaker than the other. He told
me: ‘Doc, things just don’t look as bright or as sharp out of
that eye!”
“After reviewing his chart and listening to his symptoms, I
knew something was wrong and that we had to take action,”
recalls Dr. Brownlow. “Thankfully, my education and
experience paid off that day. Countless other patients have
also benefited over the years when visiting an optometrist
because they believe they have a routine vision problem, but
leave the office with a far different diagnosis.”
Regular Eye Exams Are the Key
Most eye exams don’t produce such dramatic consequences,
but there’s no doubt that getting your eyes checked every
year or two is a key step in protecting the priceless asset that
is your vision.
According to Dr. Brownlow, the typical eye exam lasts about
30 minutes and begins with a case history, in which the
doctor reviews the patient’s medical background and asks
about past vision problems.
After that, the doctor examines both the exterior and interior
of the eye, looking for possible damage caused by disease,
injury or aging. “With the help of modern instruments, we
can look at the iris, then straight through the pupil all the
way back to the retina.”
Depth perception, peripheral vision and the clarity and
accuracy of vision at various distances also are tested. The
doctor will prescribe corrective eyewear when appropriate.
Confidence in Your Eye Doctor
How can patients be sure they are getting a high-quality eye
exam?
“I think the best way to judge that is to think about how you
feel when it’s over,” says Dr. Brownlow. “Do you have a
feeling of confidence in the doctor? Did he or she care
enough to ask about your life and your health? Were tests
performed skillfully and compassionately?
Dr. Brownlow moved quickly. He referred his patient to a
general physician, who sent him to a specialist. The
diagnosis: carotid artery disease, in which fatty deposits build
up on artery walls where they can trigger fatal blood clots.
“You want to make sure that the doctor had a good, long
look inside your eye. That process usually takes a couple of
minutes — and even though most of us don’t like that bright
light shining in our eyes, we should put up with it so that
the doctor can do his or her job carefully and thoroughly.
“Joe had a major blockage in the carotid artery on one side
of his neck,” says Dr. Brownlow, and the blockage was
cutting down on the blood supply to the brain and eye.
“They hurried him into surgery, and he managed to avoid
what could have been a life-threatening stroke.”
“Sure, the technology continues to accelerate every year, and
both optometrists and ophthalmologists are now equipped
with more tools than ever before,” says Dr. Brownlow. “But
the foundation remains the caring human being behind the
instrument, your doctor.”
At Arm’s Length
Presbyopia usually hits those over 40
If you are in
your 40s and
have tried
reading a
newspaper
lately, you
might be
asking yourself
if your arms
are getting
shorter or the type is getting smaller.
The answer, of course, is “none of the above.” Instead,
chances are good that you have presbyopia, an age-related
condition in which hardening of the eye’s inner (or
crystalline) lens increasingly interferes with the organ’s ability
to focus on up-close objects.
“Presbyopia is inevitable as people get older, and most of us
begin to notice its effects in our early 40s,” says Joe Grant,
O.D., a VSP doctor who’s been taking care of people’s eyes
for 20 years in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Derived from the Greek words for “old eyes,” presbyopia is
hitting the Baby Boomer generation with increasing
frequency.
“When you get a little older and the lens starts losing
flexibility, you just can’t see objects up close as you used to,”
says Dr. Grant. “Fortunately, the condition is quite easy to
correct. All it requires is an examination and a prescription
for either eyeglasses or contact lenses, depending on
preference.”
“In the past,” says Dr. Grant, “most people who are
presbyopic were outfitted with standard bifocals with a line
between lens areas that improved near and distant focusing.”
But many Boomers now prefer progressive lenses, in which
the transition from near to far vision occurs in gradual stages
without the easy-to-spot divider. In many cases, says Dr.
Grant, his middle-aged patients who have presbyopia opt for
bifocal contact lenses, so the choice between bifocal and
progressive eyeglasses is not an issue.
When should middle-aged people who notice symptoms of
presbyopia schedule an exam with their eye doctor? “I think
the key test is always the ability to function,” says Dr. Grant.
“If you’re having trouble reading your newspaper in the
morning or similar difficulty with other ordinary tasks, it
may be time to pick up the phone and call the doctor.”
Feel Your Eyes Aging?
Stay on top of presbyopia
Did you hear about
the middle-aged
eyecare patient who
asked his doctor why
he couldn’t focus on
nearby objects
anymore?
“Sure, that’s easy,” the
doctor says. “You
have TMB syndrome
— too many
birthdays!”
Upon hearing that
anecdote, VSP
network doctor Dennis Wilcoxon, O.D., chuckles with
amusement. Then the Florida doctor explains that the loss of
close-up focusing ability that most people notice in their
early 40s is called presbyopia — and it’s a normal part of
aging.
“The term presbyopia comes from a Greek word meaning
‘old eye,’ and it describes an inevitable process in which the
crystalline lens of the human eye gradually becomes rigid and
inflexible over time,” says Dr. Wilcoxon. “For most people,
the process becomes noticeable somewhere between 38 and
42 years of age. At that point, the muscles that control the
focusing of the lens aren’t able to manipulate it as effectively,
and we begin losing our ability to focus on nearby objects
such as the daily newspaper.”
“The symptoms of presbyopia are pretty easy to identify,”
says Dr. Wilcoxon, who is based in St. Petersburg, Fla. “One
common symptom is the gradual realization that you have to
hold reading materials farther away from your eyes than you
used to. Another indication is eyestrain when you’re doing
close-up work, or the need for more light in order to read.
“This is a progressive condition, which means that it will
gradually worsen over time. But patients can take reassurance
from the fact that its effects are easily treatable. During
regular annual checkups, your eyecare doctor can accurately
measure your near vision and prescribe glasses or contacts
that will compensate for the loss of focusing ability.”
The key to protecting your vision from the effects of
presbyopia, says Dr. Wilcoxon, is to schedule an annual exam
with your eyecare doctor. “If you stay on top of your
presbyopia and change your lens prescriptions as your vision
changes over time, there’s no reason to worry that your
eyesight will become impaired.
“Instead of feeling like you’ve had too many birthdays, you’ll
be able to tell yourself that you’re going to hang onto your
good eyesight — regardless of your age!”
There is no way to prevent presbyopia, but the vision
distortions that result can be corrected easily and effectively
in most patients. The most common treatment calls for
bifocal or progressive glasses or contacts.
Macular Degeneration: Millions Suffer
Vision Loss
“Age-related macular
degeneration.” It’s a
tongue-twisting disorder
that many Americans
have never heard of. But
that may be changing.
“Macular degeneration is
one of the major causes
of vision loss among
older Americans today,”
says Christian Serdahl,
M.D., medical director
of VSP. “As our nation
grows older, and as we
continue to live longer, this disorder will begin to make the
headlines more frequently.”
Already some 10 million Americans, most in their 60s and
70s, are affected by the condition, which attacks the lightsensitive tissue at the back of the eye and causes gradual and
irreversible vision loss.
“Unfortunately, there is no immediate cure on the horizon
for most people with macular degeneration. Researchers are
now closing in on the cause and once we know that, a cure
or preventative treatment will result,” says Dr. Serdahl.
“We recommend that anyone already diagnosed with
macular degeneration who notices a change in the vision of
one or both eyes get their eyes checked right away.
Sometimes laser can be applied to the macula to slow the
progression of the disease,” Dr. Serdahl advises.
“We are frequently asked as eye doctors what role vitamins
play in macular degeneration,” Dr. Serdahl notes. “To date
there is no definitive evidence that supplementation with
zinc or vitamins A or E is of any benefit for patients with
the disease. However, if I had macular degeneration, I
would take a daily multiple vitamin for general nutritional
purposes.”
While the condition never causes total blindness, it often
impairs the central vision to the point that many patients
can no longer read, drive or enjoy television. The good
news is that peripheral vision is not affected and most
people with macular degeneration continue to lead
independent lives. Frequently, a low vision evaluation by a
qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist is helpful in
allowing people to get the most out of what little vision
they may have left.
Over 40? Think Progressively!
Are you a 40-something who’s having trouble reading menus
and maps? Do newspapers seem blurrier and your arms seem
shorter? The culprit may be presbyopia, a natural vision
change that happens to most of us when we reach our 40s
and our eyes become less flexible, losing their ability to focus
on near objects.
Q. How difficult is it to adapt to wearing progressives?
Fortunately, presbyopia is easily corrected, and one of the
options for doing this is progressive lenses. Sometimes called
“no-line bifocals,” progressives can correct your near vision,
your far vision, and everything in between ... and without
the telltale lines of traditional bifocals.
Q. Are there different kinds of progressive lenses?
A. When you first wear progressives, you may experience a
short period of distortion or wobbliness in your vision
until you get used to them. Some people adapt within a
few minutes, others within a few days. A small percentage
may take up to two weeks to adapt.
A. Yes, some have wider or narrower fields of vision. For
example, if you do a lot of work at close range, such as
bookkeeping, needlework, or reading, your near field of
vision may be wider to accommodate those needs. If you
work at a computer, on the other hand, the mid-range
“corridor” that is characteristic of progressives may be
larger. Your eye doctor will help you decide which
progressive is best for your lifestyle.
Q. Are progressives expensive?
A. Progressives are typically more expensive than other
multifocal lenses, but most people who wear them say the
natural and clear field of vision is worth the extra cost.
To answer some common questions about progressives, Eye
On Health spoke with Lesley Walls, O.D., M.D., president
of Southern California College of Optometry.
Q. What’s the difference between progressives and
bifocals?
A. Progressives provide smooth, continuous vision at near,
middle, and distant focal ranges, with no lines or
unsettling image jumps. Bifocals, on the other hand,
correct near and distant vision only. They have a visible
line between the two fields of vision that creates an image
jump when you go from one distance to another.
Q. Will I see better with progressives than bifocals?
A. You’ll see more naturally with progressives. Your
transitions from one distance to another will be
uninterrupted, and you will see clearly across all visual
areas. When you’re driving, for example, you’ll be able to
read a map, the mileage on your dashboard, or the signs
on the highway.
Q. Do I need a special frame style with progressives?
A. In the past frames had to be large enough to
accommodate the fields of focus in a progressive lens.
New lens designs, however, are more compact, so you can
choose small, stylish frame designs.
Q. Are there alternatives to wearing progressives?
A. In addition to progressives and bifocals, presbyopes can
choose trifocal lenses or bifocal contacts. Like
progressives, trifocals offer three fields of vision, but have
two visible segment lines that result in a double image
jump. New designs in bifocal contact lenses are also an
alternative. Another option is monovision, in which one
eye is corrected with a contact lens for distance vision and
the other eye with a contact for near vision.
Seniors’ Eyesight – Still Good Enough
for Driving?
Here is a challenging
question for the millions
of Americans who
interact with senior
citizens each day: How do
you convince an older
person — whether a
parent, a grandparent or a
friend — that his or her
deteriorating vision is
making it increasingly
hazardous to drive an automobile?
As many people who have been in this situation will tell you,
getting seniors to evaluate their ability to operate a motor
vehicle can require tact and diplomacy, since many are
understandably reluctant to give up their driving privileges.
What to do? According to VSP network doctor Steven
Butzon, O.D., the best strategy is to tactfully encourage
older, visually impaired drivers to address the issue of driving
competence on their own — while also volunteering to help
them through the process.
“I think it’s important to remember that for many older
citizens, driving ability can be a very touchy subject,” says
Dr. Butzon, who cares for patients in Villa Park, Illinois, a
Chicago suburb.
“As any student of human nature will tell you, people
respond best to suggestions when they feel they’re in control
of their own decision-making.”
Perhaps the best way to help a senior driver with this issue is
to tactfully suggest a visit to his or her eye doctor, says Dr.
Butzon. “If the person goes in and gets an eyesight evaluation
from a professional eye doctor, the results will usually be
perceived in a neutral, unthreatening way.
“In that scenario, the older driver is free to make his or her
own decision about whether or not to stop driving after
getting the advice of a qualified eye doctor,” says Dr. Butzon.
“Experience shows that when people are allowed to act with
autonomy and a feeling of independence, they’re a lot more
likely to make wise decisions about health issues such as
whether or not to drive an automobile with impaired vision
due to aging.
“As we all know, good decision-making in this area is crucial
— since it could play a key role in preventing auto accidents
out there on the highway.”
Dr. Butzon also suggests that older drivers be encouraged to
seek advice about driving and vision from an Area Agency on
Aging, the American Automobile Association (AAA) or
AARP.
The most effective way to help seniors evaluate their eyesight
and their competence behind the wheel is to encourage them
to deal with the issue on their own terms, and to make their
own choices.
You’re Never Too Old to See Better
Ask VSP network doctor Barry Aronson, O.D., to
describe the latest treatments that help senior citizens see
better, and he’ll tell the story of a 66-year-old patient named
Manny who improved his eyesight with laser vision
correction surgery.
“My friend Manny wanted to retire and do some of the
things he enjoys most, such as traveling, but his
nearsightedness had become a problem,” says Dr. Aronson,
who practices in Akron, Ohio.
After carefully examining his friend’s eyes, Dr. Aronson
recommended LASIK, a brief and virtually painless laser
procedure to correct his nearsightedness permanently.
“Manny’s been going stronger than ever since the
procedure,” he says. “He’s extremely active at age 72 —
and most of the time he doesn’t even wear glasses!
“More and more people in their early- to mid-60s are
benefiting from this proven technology,” he says. “The
procedure usually takes less than a half hour. In my
experience, most of the seniors who’ve been through it are
pleased with the results.”
LASIK worked for Manny, but Dr. Aronson cautions that it
isn’t the solution for all older Americans. Fortunately, other
techniques are available to help them improve their eyesight
and remain active. Some of the most exciting visionenhancing options include:
• Extended-wear soft contact lenses. Launched about a
year ago, comfortable, extended-wear soft contacts can be
left in place night and day for up to a full month. This
eliminates most of the hassle (washing, rinsing, soaking,
etc.) of wearing contacts. The new lenses can remain in
the eye for longer periods because they allow large
amounts of oxygen to reach the corneal surface. This
helps prevent germs from causing infections under
the contacts.
• Progressive lenses. Sometimes described as “no-line
bifocals,” these eyeglass lenses allow wearers to see closeup objects (such as the pages of a book) better, while also
improving vision at middle and far distances. Because
they correct vision all along the range of sight — with a
progressively engineered lens that provides a seamless
transition from near to faraway images — the glasses
eliminate the cumbersome split-vision effect so often
created by bifocals. Many wearers also say they look
much better than the old-fashioned bifocals.
• Dietary
supplements.
Many senior
citizens are using
food supplements
— including
antioxidant
vitamins (primarily
A, E and C) and
lutein (found in
spinach) — that
may slow down
age-related
conditions such as
macular degeneration and cataracts.
• Low-vision aids. Many of the 14 million older
Americans who struggle with partial sight loss (also called
low vision) are turning to vision-enhancing tools to
remain active. These include telescopic adapters that
attach directly to glasses and TV magnification systems
that provide enlarged images of books, newspapers and
other objects.
“At your annual eye exam, make sure you talk to your doctor
about the options best suited to your lifestyle,” advises
Dr. Aronson. •
• Bifocal contact lenses. A growing number of seniors are
enjoying the freedom that comes with discarding their
bifocal glasses. Bifocal contacts allow the wearer to read a
book up close or focus on a distant object simply by
shifting his or her gaze.
Hey Sport, Protect Your Eyes
To play a sport
properly, you need
the right
equipment–gloves,
pads, helmets and
shoes all contribute
to a safe and
enjoyable
experience.
Often overlooked in the rush through the sporting goods
store, however, is eye safety. Yet more than 100,000
Americans, nearly 30 percent of them ages 5 to 14, suffered
sports-related eye injuries in 1997, according to the American
Optometric Association’s Sports and Vision section.
While most sports don’t call for wearing eye protection, some
do, such as handball and bicycling. And safe, sports-approved
eyewear is a must for sports enthusiasts who need corrective
lenses.
Set Up an Eye Exam
The first step in keeping safe on the field is to get a thorough
eye exam. If you or your child favor a certain sport, consider
scheduling an annual checkup before the season gets
underway.
“Eye exams are extremely important for those who participate
in sports activities, not only because they allow the doctor to
correct an athlete’s vision, but also because it allows you to
choose eyewear that protects the eyes,” says Randall Fuerst,
O.D., a Sacramento, California, VSP optometrist. He also
serves as a vision consultant to the San Francisco Forty-Niners
and Sacramento Kings. “One of the major side-benefits of
these eye examinations is that they will often explain poor
performance out on the field.”
Contacts or Safety Glasses?
Athletes needing vision correction must decide between soft
contact lenses or sports safety glasses.
“The sports glasses offer the best protection for the eyes,” says
Dr. Fuerst. “Some consist of a single piece of plastic that
wraps tightly around the head – and a lot of athletes prefer
those because they don’t interfere with peripheral vision.
“But contact lenses are becoming increasingly popular,” he
says. “They don’t offer quite the same protection, but most
athletes believe they give you slightly better vision correction
because the lens is placed closer to the eye.”
Five Tips for Eye Safety
Here are more suggestions from Dr. Randall Fuerst on how to
protect your vision when playing sports:
• Ask your eye doctor to tailor your safety glasses to the sport
you are playing. For example, if you’re playing a rough
contact sport, consider glasses with built-in nose pads to
prevent cuts and bruises around the nose and forehead.
• Look at safety lenses made of super-strong polycarbonate
plastic. It doesn’t break even when hit with a 94-mile-perhour fastball.
• Sports glasses that emphasize safety are highly
recommended for indoor games where players compete in
close quarters and the ball moves at high speed, such as
handball, racquetball and squash.
• Bicyclists are urged to wear sports goggles to protect against
blowing dust and grit.
• If you’re playing outdoors, especially on bright, sunny days,
shield your eyes from excessive ultraviolet radiation with a
high-quality pair of sunglasses.
The Infamous Five
In 1997, the following sports produced the greatest
percentage of eye injuries among children under 14.
• Baseball 21%
• Basketball 16%
• Soccer 14%
• Football 13%
• Hockey 10%
For adolescents and young adults (15-24), the most hazardous
sport for the eyes was basketball (32 percent of sports-related
eye injuries).
Keeping an Eye on Safety
At the Greenville,
Texas, practice of
VSP doctor Jennifer
Stone, O.D., the
most frequent eye
injury is metal foreign
bodies in the eye,
particularly among a
large local population
of welders. At another
Greenville practice,
Herbert Williams,
O.D., reports a
similar pattern of
injuries, not only
among the welders but among local homeowners whose
weekend activities include working in their yards or
workshops. Such injuries may result in a few days of eye
irritation, others in a loss of vision. Yet most eye injuries can
be prevented—90 percent of them in fact, says Prevent
Blindness America—by wearing protective eyewear.
Knowing what to wear is one step in protecting your eyes.
Knowing when to wear it is the other.
What are Safety Glasses?
Although safety glasses made of industrial strength glass and
impact resistant plastic meet eye protection standards, the
safest protective eyeglasses are made of polycarbonate, the
most impact-resistant lens material. A material found in
“bulletproof glass,” polycarbonate is so strong it has been
used for astronaut helmet shields and space shuttle
windshields.
Frames for safety glasses are also made of high-impact plastic
or polycarbonate, and protective designs include goggles,
wraps, and shields. Some feature rubber padding to cushion
the frame against the face. Many of these styles are available
in both prescription and non-prescription eyewear from an
optical shop. Non-prescription sports eyewear can also be
purchased in a sporting equipment store.
Safety on the Job
You should wear safety eyewear if you work where on-thejob hazards include flying objects, chemicals, or radiation.
Some of these jobs include welding, grinding, machining,
woodworking, chemical handling, and laboratory work.
Even if you don’t work in hazardous situations, you should
wear protective eyewear when you walk through these areas.
Safety in the Home
What applies in the workplace, also applies to home. If you
are using large equipment such as power saws,
woodchippers, or lawn mowers, for example, protective
eyewear should be part of your workshop or gardening
equipment. Safety glasses can also protect your eyes from less
obvious dangers such as a splash of weed killer. Even if your
weekend escape is building model planes, safety glasses can
protect your eyes from an unexpected squirt of hobby glue.
Safety on the Court
You should also wear protective eyewear while playing
sports, “but most people do not,” says Dr. Williams. Yet,
according to Prevent Blindness America, sports eye injuries
account for more than 40,000 visits a year to hospital
emergency rooms. Any sport with balls, racquets or flying
objects “is particularly dangerous,” says Dr. Williams. A
racquetball or handball traveling between 60 and 120 mph
becomes a high speed projectile. Even a badminton
shuttlecock can travel as fast as 60 mph.
Sports where players come in close contact with each other
present additional dangers. “Basketball has a high rate of eye
injury,” says Dr. Stone, “because of jabs by elbows and
fingernails to the eye area.” Sports such as racquetball, where
racquets are used in a confined space, also result in frequent
eye injuries.
Whatever your lifestyle, when it comes to your sight put
safety first: protect your eyes.
Style and Sensibility
Style isn’t everything ... frames should fit properly and be durable
Ms. Parsons: Fit and durability come first, but style is very
important, too. For example, we’re seeing a huge resurgence
of plastic frames these days. It’s a fun, retro look that flashes
back to the 1950s and 1960s. That look is quite popular
with a lot of teenagers and people in their 20s right now.
Q: What factors affect the fit of the frames?
Dr. Jones: Obviously, their size is most important. You have
to match the frames correctly to the face. But you also have
to be sure that the nose pads fit snugly against the nose so
that the glasses don’t slip, and that the temples fit the ear
closely. I can’t emphasize enough that a patient should refuse
to accept new glasses until the fit feels absolutely perfect.
What’s the key to selecting eyeglass frames that will enhance
your prescription lenses while providing durability, a stylish
appearance and a snug and reliable fit?
Eye on Health recently interviewed Greg Jones, O.D., a VSP
doctor from Jamestown, New York, and frame and lens
consultant Kathy Parsons, a fitting specialist in Dr. Jones’
practice.
Q: How important is the consumer’s lifestyle in choosing
the right frames?
Dr. Jones: It’s extremely important. If you’re fitting frames on
a person who’s very active, for example, then you wouldn’t
want to pick a frame that’s thin and fragile. Instead, you
might select a frame made of a stronger material that’s also
lightweight; just right for somebody who’s really active.
Q: What is the most important factor in making the right
choice of eyeglass frames?
Dr. Jones: The first thing is to make sure that the frames you
choose are suited for your prescription. The doctor should
make certain they will keep the prescription lenses at the
correct distance from your eyes.
Second, you want to ask: Do the frames fit the patient’s face?
Are they a good, close, comfortable fit?
And finally, you need to think about the durability and
aesthetics involved. What materials are in those frames and
how durable are they? What about style? Will the patient
walk out of there really feeling good about the way he or she
looks in the glasses?
Tried-and-True or Freshen-Up?
For millions of Americans who
wear glasses, deciding to
replace worn-out frames with
a brand-new style — versus
staying with the tried-andtrue style you’ve grown
accustomed to — can be a
tricky challenge.
What about those who opt
for a newer look? Today’s
advanced frame technology
makes switching to new
frame styles more
comfortable, and new frames
are more durable. Plus, with
a new frame, you’ll be seeing
and looking your best.
“First, you want to find a frame that will complement your
facial structure. If you have a round face, you don’t want a
round frame — and the same thing applies if your face tends
to be square. In that situation, you should avoid a squarelooking frame,” says the veteran optometrist.
“It’s also important to make sure you get a frame color that
matches your facial tones and hair color. If you’re not sure
about making such a match, why not bring your spouse or a
friend along to help you figure out exactly which frame looks
best on your face? You can also ask the friendly optical staff
for an extra opinion — they’re here to help you.”
What if you decide to stay with a tried-and-true style? If you
want to keep your old style, odds are you’ll find it or one very
similar because so many frame choices are available. But you
may have to try a little harder if you don’t immediately find
your familiar shape or color on the shelves of an eyecare
doctor near you.
According to VSP network doctor Michael Sellers, O.D.,
who recently expanded his Tucson, Arizona, practice to
include a 3,800-square-foot eyewear consulting room and
fashion center, the choices for consumers of eyewear fashion
have never been more diverse. “In fact,” says the Arizona
doctor, “the variety is so great that you’ll be sure to find a
new frame that’s right for you. And you can greatly simplify
the process of choosing the right frame if you follow a few
easy rules of the road when making the selection.
Laser Vision Correction Surgery
Is it for you?
It’s a fact: Laser vision
correction surgery now
ranks as one of the safest
and most effective
medical procedures in the
world, with a 99% success
rate during the past 10
years.
It’s also a fact that laser
vision correction is
becoming an increasingly
popular option for many
Americans, with estimates
showing that approximately 1,071,000 Americans are
expected to have the procedure in the year 2001.
But all trends aside, is the surgery right for you?
“It’s a matter of how motivated you are to be free from
glasses or contacts,” says Greg Beem, O.D., a VSP doctor in
Nashville, Tennessee. “The decision is directly related to
whether you’re happy with your eyewear.” According to Dr.
Beem, many patients who have expressed an interest in the
procedure are very dependent on glasses or contacts and are
growing less comfortable with wearing them.
What should you do if you’re considering laser vision
correction surgery?
“You should absolutely talk to your eye doctor,” says Dr.
Beem. “Be sure to ask about the advantages and
disadvantages of the procedure. You should also discuss your
future vision expectations.”
Dr. Teplick adds: “To qualify for the procedure, you need to
be at least 18 (to ensure the eye has stopped growing) and in
good general health. You also need to be free of other types
of eye diseases, such as cataracts or glaucoma, because these
conditions could complicate the laser surgery.”
There are risks associated with all surgical procedures,
including laser vision correction. In a few cases — about 1%
— patients have been bothered by “streaks of light” or a
“halo effect” that impede vision. Many of these conditions
cleared up within a few months, says Dr. Teplick.
Learn More About Laser Vision Correction
To learn more about laser vision correction surgery and
whether it’s right for you, visit VSP’s WellVision Learning
Source‚ at vsp.com. VSP’s Web site is full of information
about laser vision correction to help you make an informed
decision.
Developed more than a decade ago, laser vision correction
surgery corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness and
astigmatism by microscopically reshaping the cornea (front
surface of the eye) to match the prescription of patients’
glasses or contact lenses. The most common forms of laser
vision correction surgery are laser-assisted in-situ
keratomileusis (LASIK) and photo-refractive keratectomy
(PRK).
“In many cases, patients can hardly believe the results,” says
Stanley B. Teplick, M.D., a Beaverton, Oregon,
ophthalmologist who has performed thousands of
procedures at his clinic in the last decade. “They see the
world more clearly and vividly.”
Singer Manilow Enjoys the Benefits of LASIK
“It was quick, painless
and simple,” says the
world-renowned
entertainer. “I was
nervous before the
procedure, but I
wouldn’t be again.
“The surgery was so easy
and manageable that on
the day I underwent it, I
Barry Manilow
had a costume fitting
and two meetings with musicians only a few hours later. It
never even slowed me down.
“In essence, this surgery is like placing a contact lens directly
and permanently on the eye. And because the healing
process takes only four or five hours, most patients are able
to resume regular activities on the same day as the surgery,”
says Dr. Maloney, who also has performed LASIK surgery on
model-actress Cindy Crawford, musician Kenny G and
comedian Al Yankovic.
Photo courtesy of Stiletto Entertainment
What’s it like to undergo LASIK — the most common form
of laser vision correction surgery? For singing legend Barry
Manilow, 61, the answer
is easy.
“Although popular, LASIK is not for everyone,” cautions Dr.
Maloney. “It’s always best to talk to your eye doctor about
the best course of action.
“I think Barry’s experience with LASIK was fairly typical,”
he says. “Things went very well, and the entire procedure
was over in about 30 minutes.
“I saw Barry just the other day and he told me he’s still
seeing great — and that he continues to enjoy the sense of
freedom he gained when he threw away his glasses!” •
“I can wholeheartedly recommend LASIK for anyone who
does not want to wear glasses or contacts ever again.” Los
Angeles, California-based laser surgeon Robert K. Maloney,
M.D., who performed the surgery on Manilow, has done
more than 30,000 LASIK procedures in the past 15 years.
“LASIK (or ‘laser in-situ keratomileusis’) surgery is actually a
rather simple and effective procedure in which the cornea of
the eye is slightly reshaped with a laser beam,” says Dr.
Maloney. “By gently reshaping the surface of the eye, we are
able to correct its focus permanently.

Eyecare is important.

Transcription

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