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The first visit to the eye doctor can be a little overwhelming for young patients. No matter how welcoming the staff, small children may feel shy or find vision testing machines and gadgets a little intimidating. Luckily, parents can make visits much less daunting by following a few of these suggestions.

Don't Keep Your Child in Suspense

Whether you're 3 or 33, new situations are a lot less scary if you know what to expect. Before your child's visit, explain the purpose of the visit. (You want to make sure he or she can see well.) Use age-appropriate language to explain the various steps in the eye examination process, which usually include a brief review of your child's medical and vision history, a physical examination of the eyes and eyelids, and a visual assessment to determine if your child can see clearly.

During the assessment, your son or daughter will be asked to look at images or letters. Preschoolers may view several large capital Es that face in different directions. They'll use their hands to indicate which direction the arms of the Es point. If your child knows the letters of the alphabet, he or she will read the traditional Snellen eye chart.

Eye drops may be used to dilate your child's pupils. Dilation helps the optometrist view the retina, a light-sensing layer of cells that line the back of the eye. Although the drops aren't painful, they will make your son or daughter's vision a little blurry. Be sure to mention that the eye doctor will also look in your child's eyes with a small light during the examination.

Choose the Best Appointment Time

Kids, like all of us, tend to feel a little more energetic at certain times of the day. If you want to make the visit as pleasant as possible, choose a time when your son or daughter is usually happy and well-rested. Scheduling visits during your child's usual meal or nap time, immediately after a nap, or at the end of a long day can result in a cranky child who is reluctant to participate in the vision assessment.

Appointments usually last an hour or less, but may take longer if your child's eyes are dilated, several of your children will receive examinations, or you want to select eyeglass frames for your son or daughter at the end of the visit. If you plan to schedule a group visit, it may make sense to bring the other parent or another adult with you to help supervise your children.

Distract and Engage

The eye doctor will make every effort to see your child at the appointed time, but that doesn't mean you won't spend a little time in the waiting room completing paperwork. Prepare for the short wait by bringing a few toys or books from home to keep your little ones occupied.

Offer a Little Reassurance

Some kids hop on the exam chair without prompting, while others aren't quite as brave. If your young child is nervous or anxious, feel free to hold him or her in your lap during the assessment and examination. Older children may feel more confident if you stay by their sides or sit in a nearby chair during the visit with the optometrist.

Speak Up

Feel free to ask questions and share your concerns with the optometrist. As parents are often the first people to notice changes that may be signs of vision problems, your input is encouraged.

Is it time for your child's first eye examination? The American Optometric Association recommends that children visit the optometrist for the first time at 6 months old, followed by another visit at age three, then bi-yearly visits from 6 to 18. Contact us to schedule a convenient appointment for your son or daughter.

Sources:

American Optometric Association: Recommended Eye Examination Frequency for Pediatric Patients and Adults

https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/comprehensive-eye-and-vision-examination/recommended-examination-frequency-for-pediatric-patients-and-adults

All About Vision: Eye Exams for Children, 5/18

https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-exam/children.htm

WebMD: Your Child’s Eye Exam: What to Expect

https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/child-eye-exam

What Happens When You Don't Wear Sunglasses?

Sunglasses aren't just a fashion statement. Wearing sunglasses on a regular basis is a simple way to protect your vision and avoid common eye diseases and conditions.

How the Sun Can Damage Your Eyes

Too much sun is just as bad for your eyes as it is for your skin. When you spend time in the sun without adequate protection, you may be more likely to develop a variety of eye issues, ranging from corneal "sunburns" to cataracts. Eye conditions associated with sun exposure include:

• Photokeratitis: Photokeratitis occurs when your corneas are exposed to intense sunlight. The condition is particularly common if you spend the day on the beach or on the ski slopes, as both snow and sand intensify the effects of the sun. This sunburn-like condition can cause redness, blurred vision, tearing and sensitivity to light. You might also feel as if there's something stuck in your eyes. Photokeratitis generally only lasts about one or two days but can be very painful.

• Pterygium: Pterygium, also known as "surfer's eye", can happen to anyone who spends long hours in the sun without wearing appropriate eye protection. The condition causes fleshy, raised bumps to appear on the whites of the eyes. If the condition isn't treated promptly, the growth can cover the cornea, affecting vision, or may even cause astigmatism. Mild cases are treated with medicated drops, while more serious growths may require surgery.

• Macular Degeneration: Sun exposure may be a factor in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The condition causes a blind spot in the center of your vision and is a leading cause of vision loss in people 50 and older, according to the National Eye Institute. Although there is currently no effective treatment for AMD, low vision aides can help you make the most of your usable vision.

• Cataracts: The sun also plays a role in the formation of a cataract, or cloudy lens. The lens of your eye focuses light rays on your retina and is necessary for clear vision. When it clouds, you may experience blurry or faded vision, halos around lights, double vision, light sensitivity and difficulty driving at night. Cataracts are removed during outpatient surgery when they begin to affect the quality of your life.

• Cancer: Cancer is another potential unpleasant consequence of sun exposure. Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, can affect several parts of your eyes, including the eyelids, iris or choroid, a layer of tissue between the retina and sclera. Common treatments include radiation, thermotherapy, and surgery.
   

Things to Consider When Shopping for Sunglasses

Fortunately, it's easy to reduce your risk of developing sun-related eye conditions and diseases by wearing sunglasses every day. When you shop for sunglasses, keep these suggestions in mind:

• Look for Glasses That Offer Maximum Protection. The most effective sunglasses block 99 percent of ultraviolet B (UVB) rays and 95 percent of ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, according to the American Optometric Association. Sunglasses don't have to be expensive to be effective. Both inexpensive and costly glasses can provide the same protection from UVA and UVB rays.

• Choose Gray, Green or Amber Lenses for Better Vision. Although lens color doesn't have an impact on ultraviolet ray transmission, it can improve contrast, making it easier to see in sunny weather.

• Choose Wraparound Styles. You may still experience eye damage if the sun's rays penetrate the sides or top of your sunglasses. Styles that wrap around your face offer the best protection.

• Make Comfort a Priority. If your sunglasses are uncomfortable, they'll spend more time in their case than on your face. The most comfortable glasses may not necessarily be the most stylish, although manufacturers offer plenty of attractive frames in every price range.

• Buy a Spare Pair. Sunglasses are one of the most common items collected by lost and found departments. In fact, more than 55 percent of adults lose or break their sunglasses every year, according to The Vision Council. Purchasing a backup pair will help you ensure that you're always protected.
   

Whether you're concerned about an eye condition, need prescription sunglasses or are due for an exam, we're committed to helping you maintain your vision. Contact us to schedule your next appointment.

Sources:

National Eye Institute: Keep Your Eyes Healthy: Wear Sunglasses

https://nei.nih.gov/hvm/healthy_eyes_glasses

American Optometric Association: Overlooking the Importance of UV Protection: Only 40 Percent of Americans Wear Sunglasses to Safeguard Vision, 5/20/13

https://www.aoa.org/newsroom/uv-overlooking-the-importance-of-uv-protection

American Academy of Ophthalmology: How to choose the Best Sunglasses, 5/1/15

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/top-sunglasses-tips

Skin Cancer Foundation: How Sunlight Damages the Eyes, 12/7/12

https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/for-your-eyes/how-sunlight-damages-the-eyes

National Eye Institute: Facts About Age-Related Macular Degeneration, 9/15

https://nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts

The Vision Council: For Millions of Americans, Missing Sunglasses Mean Harmful Exposure to UV, 5/15/12

https://www.thevisioncouncil.org/blog/millions-americans-missing-sunglasses-means-harmful-exposure-uv

Being born too early can have a profound effect on your child's health. In addition to early concerns about lung development and intestinal issues, prematurity may also cause vision problems. Despite vision complications, many children who were born prematurely do have usable vision, thanks to early interventions. These six eye diseases and conditions may occur in babies born prematurely.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)

ROP primarily affects babies that weigh less than 2 3/4 pounds and are born before 31 weeks' gestation, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI). The disease occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina and interfere with normal vision. The retina is the light-sensing layer that lines the back of the eye and sends light impulses to the brain, where they're converted into images.

In some cases, the abnormal blood vessels leak, making vision even worse. Scar tissue formation can also affect vision and may cause the retina to detach from the back of the eye in the most severe form of the disease. Retinal detachment may result in partial or complete blindness if treatment isn't successful.

Fortunately, 90 percent of babies who have ROP develop normal vision and never need any type of treatment. Every year, 1,110 to 1,500 babies are born with a severe form of the disease that does requires treatment, reports the NEI.

Babies who had breathing problems, seizures, infections, heart disease, anemia or other health problems, or required blood transfusions or mechanical ventilation are at increased risk of developing the disease. In the past, babies who received high levels of oxygen in the neonatal intensive care unit were more likely to develop ROP. Today, oxygen levels are more closely monitored to reduce the risk.

ROP treatment stops or slows the growth of abnormal blood vessels by destroying the outer edges of the retina with lasers or cryotherapy (freezing). Because the outer portions of the retina are responsible for peripheral vision, your child will lose a little side vision after treatment.

Other treatments for ROP include vitrectomy, a procedure that replaces the gel inside the eye with saline solution, and a scleral buckle, a silicone band placed around the white part of your child's eyes. Both treatments can help prevent retinal detachments.

Myopia

Children who are born early may be more likely to develop myopia, or nearsightedness. The condition occurs when your child can see near objects more clearly than objects in the distance. Prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses offer a very effective way to correct your child's vision. Convincing young children to wear eyeglasses may sound like a difficult task, but many babies and toddlers don't object to the glasses when they notice the improvement in their vision.

Strabismus

Strabismus, commonly called "crossed eyes" may cause an eye to turn down, up or to either side. Not surprisingly, misalignment of the eyes can make it much more difficult for your child to see properly. Treatment options for strabismus include patching the stronger eye, eyeglasses, prism lenses or surgery on the muscles that control eye movement.

Ambylopia

Ambylopia, or "lazy eye," often develops in conjunction with strabismus. If your child has ambylopia, vision in the eye is turned off, due to a problem with the connection between the brain and the eye. Diagnosing and treating ambylopia at young age can help your child avoid permanent vision loss. Common ambylopia treatments include patching, vision therapy and eyeglasses or drops that blur vision in the "good" eye, forcing the "bad" eye to become stronger.

Cataracts

Prematurity may also increase your child's risk of developing cataracts. Although cataracts most often occur in older people, they can be present at birth or develop during childhood. Cataracts occur when the normally clear lens located behind your child's iris becomes cloudy. Although cataracts don't interfere with vision when they're small, they can cause blurred vision as they grow and interfere with the connection between the brain and the eye. If your child has cataracts, he or she may be more likely to also develop ambylopia. Glasses or contact lenses may help improve your child's vision initially, but surgery is usually recommended if the cataract is large.

Loss of Peripheral Vision

Peripheral vision loss is an unfortunate consequence of laser treatment or cryotherapy used to preserve central vision. Children who have lost some side vision may benefit from prisms lenses that slightly expand their field of view and low vision aids that help them make the most of their vision.

Regular visits to your eye care specialist are particularly important if your child has a vision problem related to prematurity. If it's been a while since we've seen your son or daughter, or he or she is complaining about difficulty seeing, contact us to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

National Eye Institute: Facts About Retinopathy of Prematurity, 6/14

https://nei.nih.gov/health/rop/rop

National Eye Institute: Facts About Retinopathy of Prematurity, 6/14

https://nei.nih.gov/health/rop/rop

March of Dimes: Retinopathy of Prematurity

https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/retinopathy-of-prematurity.aspx

Review of Optometry: A Clinical Guide of Retinopathy of Prematurity, 12/06

https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/a-clinical-guide-to-retinopathy-of-prematurity

MedScape: Visual Problems in Infancy, 8/15/11

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/747775

Strabismus is the medical term for the misalignment of the eyes. Commonly referred to as cross-eyed or wall-eyed, strabismus may involve either one or both eyes turning inward, outward or even up or down. It is one of the most common vision conditions in young children, affecting somewhere between 2 and 4 percent of the population.

Symptoms of strabismus typically reveal themselves in children between the ages of 1 and 4. In some cases, children with strabismus experience double vision or low vision in general, and those who may be too young to vocalize their discomfort may tilt their heads or squint frequently. Many children will not report vision problems on their own and, typically, parents or teachers notice a misalignment of the eyes.

What Causes Strabismus?

Strabismus can have many different causes. In particular, strabismus is often caused by abnormal functioning of: the part of the brain that controls eye movements, the nerves that transmit signals to the muscles or the eye muscles themselves. It can also be caused by certain general health problems, eye conditions, head injuries, refractive errors or, in part, family history.

Types of Strabismus

Common types of strabismus include the following:

Esotropia is the most common cause of childhood strabismus. It tends to appear very early on in a person’s life — primarily occurring in infants — and involves one eye turning inward, toward the nose, instead of aligning with the second eye and looking straight ahead.

Exotropia often appears in children between the ages of 1 and 6. Exotropia occurs when one eye turns outward, away from the nose. This type of strabismus is commonly referred to as walleye.

Hypertropia is considered the least common form of strabismus. This form of strabismus, also referred to as vertical deviation, is characterized by one eye turning upward, toward the eyebrow.

Strabismus Treatment Options

Treatment for strabismus is tailored to address the initial source of the problem and can vary depending on the severity of the eye misalignment.

One of the most common treatments for strabismus is eye patching. If the same eye consistently turns in the same direction, a patch may be placed over the regularly functioning eye. In this way, patching may be used to train the weaker eye to do the “seeing” work in place of the stronger eye. Patches block out all light and, over time, may strengthen the eye and restore alignment. Depending on the case, children may be recommended to wear a patch anywhere from only a few hours a day to, occasionally, more than six hours each day.

How Vision Therapy Can Help With Strabismus

Vision therapy involves an individualized, non-surgical treatment program that is designed to help correct or improve certain eye conditions, including strabismus. Treatment will vary, depending on the eye condition and the patient’s unique visual needs. Specific exercises — including ones that address eye alignment, eye teaming, focusing abilities and more — can be used to help manage strabismus and realign the eyes.

Vision therapy is a doctor-supervised program that helps people of all ages improve their visual-motor skills. Therapy helps your eyes and brain work together better, even if you have perfect vision. For years, people believed that some types of eye conditions, such as lazy eye or crossed eyes, could not be corrected after childhood, but, today, vision therapists and other eye care professionals know that's not true. Here’s how vision therapy can help adults!

Conditions Treated

Vision therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Poor binocular vision. When your eyes do not work well together, problems with reading, depth perception and other problems can occur.

• Convergence insufficiency. Convergence insufficiency makes it difficult to focus on close objects.

• Amblyopia. Also known as lazy eye, amblyopia occurs due to lack of central vision in one eye, even though there is no problem with eye health.

• Diplopia. Diplopia causes double vision.

• Strabismus. If you have strabismus, your eyes may appear crossed, or one eye may wander or turn in.

• Other conditions. Brain damage, strokes and injuries can affect your ability to use your eyes, even if your vision is not affected.
   

Vision Therapy Can Improve Everyday Performance

Your ancestors did not spend their days reading, working on the computer and checking their text messages. Because cave men used near and far vision about equally, they probably did not experience the problems that modern man does. Since hunting and gathering is no longer a viable job option for most individuals, many people spend hours intently focusing on computers and spreadsheets, often with uncomfortable results. The resulting fatigue, eye strain and eye irritation can affect your ability to function at work. The good news is that vision therapy can help!

Vision therapy is also helpful in improving sports performance, whether you are an aspiring professional athlete or a weekend tennis player. Therapy can improve eye-hand coordination, visual reaction time, focusing and eye tracking and teaming.

Symptoms That Can Indicate a Problem

Symptoms can vary based on your individual problem, but vision therapy may be able to help you if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Trouble reading for long periods of time

• Headaches

• Eyestrain when reading or using a computer

• Double vision

• Attention span problems when you must use your near vision

• Blurred vision

• Omitting words when you read

• Inability to retain what you have just read

• Reversing letters or numbers

• Words seeming to run together when you read

• Irritated or red eyes

• Trouble with vertigo or motion sickness

• Losing your place when you read

• Feeling tired when you read

• Squinting or covering an eye to see better

• Words jumping or floating on the page or screen

• Difficulty with night driving or judging distances

• Trouble using binoculars
   

How Can Vision Therapy Help?

Vision therapy has been called physical therapy for the eyes. It can help improve focusing, visual tracking, eye teaming and alignment, visual processing and eye movements. During therapy, you will train your brain, eyes, visual pathways and eye muscles to ensure that your eyes work together and focus properly. You will: learn how you can spend hours on the computer without developing eyestrain and headaches; learn techniques that will help you improve your sports performance; do a better job of judging distances when you drive; or finally overcome lazy eye. Therapy is tailored to your specific problem and is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

If you think you could benefit from vision therapy, contact us today!

As you’ve probably heard, carrots are good for your eyes. Technically, they can’t give you superhero-quality eyesight like you may have been told when you were young, but they do contain ingredients that are instrumental in protecting your vision and overall health. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene (which the body converts into vitamin A) and antioxidants known to reduce the risk of some cancers, such as leukemia and lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease. The vitamins and nutrients in carrots also help protect the delicate surface of your eyes.

Nonetheless, carrots are not the only foods known to be beneficial for your eyes. In fact, brightly colored fruits and vegetables in general — including pumpkin, red peppers, watermelon and broccoli — have been found to help protect your vision health.

Here are some of our favorites:

• Spinach. A super food, spinach is one of the best leafy green options you can eat to protect your eyesight. Spinach is rich in both lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that filter out light from the eye that can cause damage. Moreover, consuming an adequate amount of lutein has been shown to be an important line of defense against macular degeneration, a disease that leads to vision loss. Given its abilities to help protect eye health, improve blood glucose levels, lower blood pressure and lower the risk of certain cancers, spinach is an excellent ingredient for salads.

• Fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are another incredible nutrient that your eyes need to thrive. Fatty fish like salmon, tuna and herring are some of your best options when it comes to getting omega-3 fatty acids. However, if you aren’t a fan of fish, try eating flaxseeds, walnuts and peanut butter, which are also packed full of omega-3 fatty acids.

• Sweet Potatoes. There’s something about the color orange in natural foods. … Similarly to carrots, sweet potatoes (and yams) contain beta-carotene, which, again, helps protect the surface of the eye as well as mucous membranes and the skin around your eyes. As an added benefit, sweet potatoes also contain high levels of potassium and fiber.

• Eggs. When it comes to your eyesight, the egg yolks are the most beneficial part of the whole egg. Eating eggs is an easy way to ingest lutein, which helps fight macular degeneration. Although it’s best to eat many of the foods listed here in their raw form to help your body get the maximum health benefits, eating slightly cooked egg yolks can still provide eye health benefits.

• Beans. Beans are good for your eyesight in a variety of ways. Specifically, they contain zinc, which helps transport vitamin A through the body to your retinas, which benefit from the vitamin. Moreover, zinc helps convert vitamin A into rhodopsin, which allows you to see at night. Other foods that contain high levels of zinc include oysters, beef, seafood, poultry and pumpkin seeds.
   

It’s best to eat a balanced diet instead of focusing on one single nutrient, because, as with zinc and vitamin A, many of these nutrients work together for your vision health. Moreover, your overall health will thank you too.

Imagine trying to succeed at work at school if you could not see clearly. Unfortunately, that's the reality for far too many people in the world. Whether they cannot afford eye care, are blind or have a vision disability, poor eyesight makes life much more difficult. You can make a difference this holiday season by supporting one of the following vision care charities.

American Foundation for the Blind

The AFB helps blind and visually impaired people enjoy full lives. The national non-profit organization is committed to improving access to technology and helps people find the services and products they need.

Blinded Veterans Association

The Blinded Veterans Association, formed by blind World War II veterans, advocates for and assists blind veterans. The organization's Field Service Program helps veterans navigate the Veteran's Administration claims process while another program helps newly blind veterans adjust to life without sight.

Choroideremia Research Foundation

Choroideremia is an inherited disorder of the retina that causes gradual vision loss and, eventually, blindness. The Choroideremia Research Foundation raises money to support research that will hopefully lead to a treatment or cure.

Council of Citizens With Low Vision International

The Council of Citizens With Low Vision International is an advocacy organization that educates the public about the capabilities of the visually impaired and establishes outreach programs that ensure that everyone has access to services.

Delta Gamma Center for Children With Visual Impairments

Early identification of visual problems is the key to helping children make the most of their usable vision. The Dental Gamma Center for Children With Visual Impairments offers low-vision evaluations, early intervention services, orientation and mobility training as well as occupational, physical and speech therapies.

Foundation Fighting Blindness

The Foundation Fighting Blindness raises money to support research that’s devoted to the study of retinitis pigmentosa and other related retinal diseases. They also provide support and information to people affected by these diseases.

Glaucoma Research Foundation

The Glaucoma Research Foundation funds research in support of better treatments for glaucoma and provides education and support.

Leader Dogs for the Blind

Established in 1939, Leader Dogs for the Blind has a long history of helping visually impaired people become self-sufficient. Clients are matched with guide dogs that help them live more independent lives.

Macular Degeneration Association

Macular degeneration, the loss of central vision, predominantly affects senior citizens; although people of all ages can be affected. The Macular Degeneration Association supports research and offers information to people affected by the disease.Optometry Cares - The American Optometric Association Foundation

Optometry Cares was established to ensure that all Americans have access to vision care. The charity offers the infantSEE program, a free program that provides eye care to infants and provides free basic vision services to low-income, uninsured people through the VISION USA program.

Restoring Vision

This non-profit organization provides sunglasses and new reading glasses to underprivileged people in the U.S. and developing nations. In the last decade, Restoring Vision distributed 3,000,000 new pairs of glasses and sunglasses.

Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity/International

Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH)/International supports eye clinics, optometry schools and optometric educations in underserved areas throughout the world. More than 100,000 people yearly receive eyeglasses, treatment or vision surgery every year thanks to VOSH/International.

Do your eyes hurt, burn or itch after a day at work? Poor lighting may be to blame for your symptoms. Many companies use inexpensive fluorescent lighting to light large areas because it's a fairly inexpensive option. Unfortunately, your eyes pay the price.

What Kinds of Eye Problems Can Fluorescent Lighting Cause?

Exposure to harsh fluorescent lighting can cause eye strain and blurred vision. The longer you're exposed to the light, the more likely you'll experience the problem. Symptoms of eyestrain include sore, burning, watery or dry eyes. Double vision and increased sensitivity to light can also occur. At times, you may feel that it's hard to keep your eyes open or concentrate on your work. Headaches are common, particularly if the fluorescent lights flicker. If you suffer from migraines, exposure to the lights may cause more frequent episodes.

Overhead fluorescent lights aren't the only cause of the problem. Compact fluorescent lights (CFL), an energy efficient substitute for incandescent bulbs, can trigger the same symptoms. Researchers who published an article in the American Journal of Public Health noted that exposure to both traditional fluorescent lights and CFLs can increase your eye disease risk because fluorescent lights produce an artificial source of ultraviolet (UV) light. Frequent exposure to UV light can cause several eye diseases, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Those Baby Blue Are at Particular Risk

If you have blue or light-colored eyes, you may experience eyestrain and sensitivity problems more intensely than your friends with dark eyes. People who have darker eyes have more pigment in the layers of their eyes. Pigment helps protect the eyes from the effects of fluorescent light and UV light.

Dim Lighting Can Also Cause Problems

Working in a dimly lit environment can be just as uncomfortable as working under bright lights. Dim light can cause eyestrain and make your eyes feel tired quicker. Not surprisingly, productivity can suffer when there's not enough light.

Preventing Eye Problems

Proper lighting can help you avoid eye problems. Adding lamps to dark areas is a good option. Using lamps instead of overhead fluorescent lighting will also be more comfortable if harsh lighting is a problem. Unfortunately, turning off the lights probably isn't an option if you work in a cubicle farm, but these tips can make a day at the office more comfortable.

• Blink frequently to keep your eyes moist.

• Wear wraparound sunglasses or a visor if fluorescent lights bother your eyes.

• Use lubricating eye drops to prevent dry eye.

• Reduce glare from the sun by positioning your computer away from windows.

• Take regular breaks during the day.

• Use an anti-glare shield on your computer or install a computer hood if glare is a problem.

• Ask your eye doctor about glasses with a special anti-glare coating.

• Lower blinds and shades during the sunniest parts of the day.

• Ask your co-workers to join you in requesting healthier lighting choices.
   

Taking steps to protect your eyes at work can help you avoid eyestrain. If eyestrain is still a problem, we can help. Give us a call today and schedule an appointment.