Posts Tagged ‘vision’

Are lens implants really such an improvement on glasses?

Monday, April 20th, 2009

It may sound like science fiction but more and more people are opting to bin their reading glasses in favour of having artificial plastic lens implants inserted into their eyes instead. The procedure is becoming increasingly popular, particularly amongst middle aged people wanting to avoid the onset of presbyopia, or the deterioration of sight related to age. It sounds too good to be true, surely if it really works it could be the end to all our vision worries?

The idea of having your natural lenses removed from your eyes and replaced with a piece of plastic might not be one for the squeamish, but in fact the procedure does work surprisingly well. The number of patients opting for the surgery has doubled since 2004, with most people reporting that the implants have made a huge difference to their sight, often meaning they no longer need to wear their prescription glasses at all.

So how does it actually work? Well, the natural lenses in the eye can often stiffen with age, losing their ability to bend and focus properly. The lens implant procedure removes the natural lens from the eye and replaces it with an Intraocular lens, which uses the muscles of the eye to mimic normal lens movements and enhance the eye’s optical abilities. The procedure takes less than half an hour – the patient is given a local anaesthetic and then a small incision is made, the old lens removed and the new one inserted.

Lens implants as a preventative measure are not yet available on the NHS and the cost of the private procedure is not cheap, usually falling somewhere between £2,500 and £3,000 per eye. But when you think about it, being able to see both near and far without being dependant on glasses, escape from the discomfort of wearing them, or even being able to wear stylish designer sunglasses without having to worry about buying prescription lenses could actually be worth it!

5 Tips for Glasses Wearers: How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

Sunday, April 19th, 2009

So many of us these days have vision problems are need to wear glasses or corrective lenses. Recent research has showed that as much as 50 per cent of the US population is short sighted. I certainly see a lot more kids at school these days with glasses than there were when I was growing up. Because of all of this it is more and more important to look after your eyes and make sure there’s no way your lifestyle could be making your vision worse. So I decided to share my top 5 tips for healthier eyes:

Get your eyesight checked regularly.

It is advisable to schedule a visit to your optician at least once every year as some eye problems can often go unnoticed until it is too late. Getting regular eye tests can prevent the need for costly corrective treatments in the future so make sure you always follow your optician’s advice – if they say you need prescription glasses, start wearing them straight away.

If you need glasses, wear them!

It doesn’t matter whether you think they look good or not, if your optician has told you that you need glasses then you need to be wearing them. Not wearing your glasses can damage your eyes further and will only mean that you will need a stronger prescription later. If you don’t like the way they look shop around, there are hundreds of frames available and you’re sure to be able to find something that will suit you.

Maintain a healthy diet for your eyes

Research has proven that certain vitamins and nutrients are good for your eyesight, so making sure that your diet contains plenty of vitamins A, C and E, folic acid, selenium and zinc could help prevent future vision problems. If your prescription is very low (-0.25) it’s possible that your vision problems could actually be corrected by switching to a diet rich in these important nutrients.

Always make sure your eyes are protected from the sun

It may sound obvious to say that UV rays can cause severe damage to your vision, yet hundreds of people still allow this to happen every year. Sunglasses are an absolute must for going out in the sun, whether you have existing vision problems or not. With an endless range of designer sunglasses on the market, it’s easy to find a pair that you like and that will give you the all-important protection you need.

Give your eyes regular breaks!

If you spend a lot of time at your computer, it’s important that you give your eyes regular breaks. Just closing your eyes or focusing on an object in the distance for 10 seconds at least once an hour can make a really big difference and helps to prevent headaches and vision problems associated with prolonged use of a screen. Don’t forget these problems don’t just happen at work, the same applies to watching TV and playing video games too!

Playing computer games could help to improve eyesight

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

After years of being told that video games are bad for your health and especially your eyes, a new study has proved that in fact playing some games may actually help improve your vision, and could even prevent you from needing glasses in the future. The study, conducted by the University of Rochester, demonstrates that regularly playing certain games improves a person’s contrast sensitivity function, or their ability to distinguish easily between different shades of grey. But does that really mean your eyesight has improved?

Shades of grey might not sound all that ground-breaking, but contrast sensitivity is one of the most commonly and easily damaged functions of the human eye. People who suffer from low contrast sensitivity find it harder to see at night or to pick out small details like spots on clothing, and often the only way to treat the problem is with increasing strength prescription glasses or eye surgery. It’s now believed that computer games could be used to train the eyes to develop these skills, and that it’s possible the same method could even be used to treat people who suffer from Amblyopia or ‘lazy eye’, a condition that affects the brain’s ability to correctly register signals from one eye.

But not all video games are thought to have this effect. The study compared two different types of games by testing young adults who did not normally play games both before and after a period of playing them regularly. The results suggested that subjects who played first-person shooter or action games like Call of Duty showed a 43 per cent improvement on average, whereas those who played non-action games such as The Sims 2 showed hardly any.

So if gaming could help us avoid eye problems should we all be rushing out to buy an XBOX with as many action games as we can find to ensure that our designer sunglasses will remain our only visual aids far into our future? Well, no. For a start the study makes a point that not all action games will work, in other words, most of them probably won’t. Not to mention the fact that although these games may help develop some areas of your sight, it’s still not advisable to be sitting in front of a screen for long periods of time, or to allow computer games to replace other activities necessary to staying fit and healthy. In theory it’s a nice idea, but it’s important not to forget that it’s just as possible that video games could well be harmful in other ways.

Natural Ways to Improve the Vision

Saturday, November 15th, 2008

The problem in eyes begins with the problem of stress or strain. The traditional approach to treat the problem of poor eye sight is to use contact lenses. This method of treatment can be used in the case of low vision. These days doctor perform surgery to solve the problems related to poor eye vision. The latest technique used by doctors to solve the problems related to eyes is the laser technique.

There are some natural ways to improve the eye vision. The natural ways to treat eye problems are not costly and there are no side effects of such types of techniques.

1. Eye Exercises: Eye exercises  are good ways to improve the vision and to treat minor problems related to eyes. The symptoms of minor problems are tearing, pain and itching in the eyes. The eye exercises which help in improvement of eyes are rolling the eyes, pushing up the eyes, diverting the attention etc.

2. Yoga: The technique of yoga can be helpful for treating eyes. The techniques such as Pranayama prove really beneficial for improvement in eye vision.

3. Wear Sun Glasses: Sunglasses can help one in improvement of vision. One should wear sun glasses while going out. Sunglasses can also protect eyes from pollution and direct sunlight.

4. Put Rosewater in Eyes: The use of rose water in eyes can be very beneficial for health of eyes. Rose water can take out dust from eyes.

5. Consume Sweet Potatoes and blue berries: Sweet potatoes are very good source of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is very good for maintaining good health of eyes. Blue berries are good source of antioxidants and protect eyes from macular degeneration.

6. Use Air Conditioner Carefully: The air conditioner in your home or car should not be installed in such a way that its air should fall directly into your eyes. The direct air of AC can make one’s eyes dry. Dryness can create corneal problems in one’s eyes. 

7. Consume less Salt: The use of excess amount of salt in food can create problem in your eyes. Cataract may occur in one’s eyes due to consumption of more salt in food.

8. Avoid Old Cosmetics: The cosmetics used in eyes such as eyeliner, eye shadow should be changed after every three months to maintain good health of eyes.

Therefore, natural methods to treat or prevent the problems of eyes are best way to handle the problems related to eyes.

Ruth’s passions are people and pet health. She is a wife, a stepmom a dog owner and a business person. Naturally Rebuilding Vision is a new interest Ruth has delved into. Get A Free Report And Join Our Free Lesson-Vision Tip Series:
http://www.rebuild-your-vision.com

This article is not meant to diagnose or treat.  This article is strictly for your information.  Always consult a professional.

 

Caring For Your Eyes

Saturday, November 15th, 2008

Many don’t consider all their eyes do for them, until they are in need of help.  With all they see and take in daily, it’s an endless collection of information and data.. However, what many fail to ’see’ is the need for great care.  The caring for the eyes is so specific; they have medical experts who are designated solely to keeping them well. Many just take our eyes and their vision for granted.  Vision isn’t just something you have; it is in fact more of a gift.  Millions of people have had to learn life changing skills due to losing their sight.  Often times, this is something that can be prevented.  With the right knowledge and attitude, you too can have long lasting healthy eyes and enjoyable sight.

Understanding what it is you can do to protect your eyes is a valuable tool.  Wearing protective eye wear for example is as sensible, as wearing steel toe boots on a work site.  When you are dealing with materials and things that can ultimately cause harm, even if it seems minimal risk, it’s always wisest to ensure their best chance.

If you have a child, you know that being in a car accident won’t happen every time you get in to the car, yet, you buckle your kids securely for the off chance something may bring them harm.  Your eyes deserve the same attention.  Knowing what you can do to protect them, and making them a part of your regular routine, will greatly improve the chances of your eyes being well.
 
One of the things you should consider is the use of good sunglass.  Sunglass with a UV protective barrier is essential.  Just as your skin can be harmed by the UV rays, your eyes are also being exposed to these damaging rays.  Not all sunglasses are equal.  Make sure they have the label on them, stating they are protected from the UV rays.  If in doubt about which sunglasses to buy, talk to your optician, he can recommend something for you and your family that will keep your baby blues sparkling and healthy.

Another thing to consider is the use of protective eye wear when doing activities involving tools.  Even a lawn mower can spit up debris and can cause irreparable harm to your eyes. A simple pair of safely glasses can be a great way to keep your eyes healthy.

Something simple to do for your eyes is make sure you give them time to rest.  Reading, watching t.v.,  and time on your computer can cause strain and fatigue to your eyes.  Giving them periodic rest periods is wise.  Don’t sit too close to the screen, make sure the light isn’t causing a glare or strain on your eyes.

Finally, one good thing you can do to ensure your eyes are healthy is by having your eyes checked regularly.  If there are problems with your eyes, early diagnosis can prevent later prognosis. 

Just a few simple things you can do to keep your eyes seeing as they should; will be the best thing you can do for your eyes.
Your eyes are working for you, do what you can for them.
Kim Cruea

Ruth’s passions are people and pet health. She is a wife, a stepmom a dog owner and a business person. Naturally Rebuilding Vision is a new interest Ruth has delved into. Get A Free Report And Join Our Free Lesson-Vision Tip Series:
http://www.rebuild-your-vision.com

This article is not meant to diagnose or treat.  This article is strictly for your information.  Always consult a professional.