Eye Know!
Which of these conditions is the leading cause of vision loss in older Americans?
A. Glaucoma
B. Cataracts
C. Age-related macular degeneration
Worldwide, it's cataracts. But in the U.S., where cataract surgery is common, it's AMD.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that can blur your central vision. It happens when aging causes damage to the macula — the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision. The macula is part of the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye).
AMD doesn’t cause complete blindness, but losing your central vision can make it harder to see faces, read, drive, or do close-up work like cooking or fixing things around the house.
AMD happens very slowly in some people and faster in others. If you have early AMD, you may not notice vision loss for a long time. That’s why it’s important to get regular eye exams to find out if you have AMD.
True or false: You should only wear sunglasses if the sun bothers you -- or you want to look cool.
False! Aging is the most common cause of cataracts, but one type of ultraviolet light (which is part of sunlight) accelerates cataract formation. In people who are exposed to this type of light over a long period of time, lens opacities usually develop in the parts exposed directly to sunlight. It's estimated that cataract formation can be reduced by roughly 5% with the right sunglasses. Exposure to high levels of sunlight may also increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease that may lead to loss of central vision, by almost three-fold.
Eyelid cancers, as well as tumors inside the eye, are also associated with greater UV exposure.
True or false:
Regular physical activity is one research-proven way to help protect your vision.
Of course it's true! In particular, regular physical activity has been shown to reduce pressure inside the eye, which is one key factor in a common eye disease called glaucoma.
Cloudy vision, trouble seeing at night, faded colors, lights seeming too bright. These are all symptoms of what common eye condition?
Cataracts.
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. Seeing through cloudy lenses is a bit like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Cataracts can make it more difficult to read, drive a car (especially at night) or see the expression on a friend's face.
Cataracts.
Most cataracts develop slowly and don't disturb your eyesight early on. At first, stronger lighting and eyeglasses can help. But if clouded vision interferes with your usual activities, cataract surgery may help.
Can wearing dark glasses damage your eyes?
Yes, if you wear them the wrong way -- or if you wear dark glasses that don't block ultraviolet light.
Why? Because your eyes adapt to the amount of light available. Your pupils (the holes in your eyes that let light in) get wider to let in more light. That creates a bigger area for UV to access the eye. If the lenses are simply colored do not block UV, or are too small and allow a large amount of UV to get in around the sides, you’re opened up to eye damage.
According to the American Optometric Association, how often should people over 65 have a dilated eye exam?
A. Every five years.
B. Every two years.
C. Every year.
Every year, even if you haven't noticed changes in your vision. Many eye conditions, such as glaucoma, develop slowly without noticeable symptoms at first. So detecting it early can help you prevent or slow further problems.
Name one very common health condition that can contribute to eye problems.
There are two (or more) answers to this question.
High blood pressure
Diabetes
If you have these conditions, it's important to try to keep them under control.
Which of these is important to consider when choosing sunglasses for UV protection?
A. They properly fit your face: the frame's nose bridge touches your face, and doesn't slide down your nose.
B. They are confirmed to offer 100% UV protection.
C. They are not too small. (No John Lennon glasses!)
D. It's best if they wrap-around.
E. It's best to avoid anti-reflective coatings on sunglasses.
F. All of the above.
All of the above! The idea is to choose protective lenses that block ultraviolet (sun) light from most directions. About one-fifth of ultraviolet light enters the eye from reflective light that comes in from the side.
Anti-reflective coatings can increase UV exposure by causing back reflection of UV rays into the eye.
True or false:
Carrots are good for your eyes.
Well... there's not a lot of evidence that carrots will stave off eye problems. But researchers have linked a nutritious diet containing several eye-friendly nutrients to reducing the risk of some serious eye diseases, like macular degeneration and cataracts. You can find these antioxidants in green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts and a lot of other foods. Who knew taking care of your eyes could taste good, too?
What are "floaters?"
A. Spots or flecks in your vision.
B. Temporary employees
C. Pool toys
When you're talking about eyes, floaters are spots in your vision. Floaters may look to you like black or gray specks, strings, or cobwebs. They may drift about when you move your eyes or seem to dart away when you try to look at them directly.
Most eye floaters are normal age-related changes that occur as the jelly-like substance (vitreous) inside your eyes liquifies and contracts. Scattered clumps of fibers form inside the eye and can cast tiny shadows on your retina. The shadows you see are called floaters.
If you notice a sudden increase in eye floaters, contact an eye specialist immediately — especially if you also see light flashes or lose your vision. These can be symptoms of an emergency that requires prompt attention.
True or false: In eyeglasses, ultraviolet (UV) light protection and polarization of lenses is the same thing.
False. UV protection and polarization are not the same. Polarization can alleviate glare. Glare is a reflection from surfaces, like water or roads. Polarized lens filter light by only allowing in certain wave lines, decreasing the scattering that causes glare. It’s something you might need in addition to UV protection, not a replacement.
Which of these is important for reducing eye strain when using a screen or other device?
A. The distance from the screen
B. The lighting in your room
C. Taking regular breaks.
D. Remembering to blink!
E. All of the above.
One of the best ways to take care of our eyes and combat digital eyestrain is by taking frequent screen breaks. It’s best to follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Distance yourself from your device, at least 20 inches for larger screens and 13 inches for smaller devices.
And, believe it or not, when we're concentrating on a screen, we do sometimes forget to blink. Taking regular breaks can help.
Which of these symptoms would constitute an eye emergency?
• Sudden loss of vision or everything suddenly goes blurry.
• Sudden new floaters.
• Double vision.
• Eye pain, redness or swelling of the eye or lid.
All of the above!
True or false:
Wearing blue-light blocking glasses when I'm using the computer can protect my eyes.
False, so far! According to the American Academy of Opthamology, there is no scientific evidence that the light coming from computer screens is damaging to the eyes or increases eye strain. Because of this, the Academy does not recommend any special eye wear for computer use. There is some evidence that blue light affects the body’s circadian rhythm, our natural wake and sleep cycle. The best way to avoid sleep disruption is to avoid using screens two to three hours before bed. Using "dark" or "night" mode on devices in the evening can help, too.
Dry eyes are a common problem as we age. Which of the following can help?
A. Increasing the humidity in your house.
B. Proper nutrition
C. Drinking enough water
D. Avoiding eye strain
E. Wearing wraparound sunglasses when outdoors.
F. Seeing your doctor about drops or other procedures to improve eye moisture.
G. All of the above.
Yup! It's all of the above. In particular, foods or supplements containing essential fatty acids, such as fish oil, have been shown to help some people with dry eyes.