Function with a touch of Fashion – Famous Sports Stars and their Eyewear

The Summer Olympics start soon, and athletes are rigorously training! A number of sports stars have chosen to have corrective eye surgery such as LASIK, but many still wear glasses or goggles to correct their eyesight and protect their eyes. Check out the stars below…

BASKETBALL

Amar’e Stoudmire…NBA power forward and center for the NY Knicks. He actually had a retinal injury during a game and now wears protective eyewear.

Horace Grant…another power forward and center who played for the Bulls and Lakers. He wore prescription correction during play.

BASEBALL

Our very own Josh Hamilton…outfielder and home run king for the Texas Rangers, wears sunglasses often during games. He seems to prefer Oakleys with a mirror tint. He also has been known to sport “eye black” (black marks or stickers just under the eyes) to reduce glare from the sunlight or stadium lights.

 

Ron Washington…Manager of our Texas Rangers, wears glasses during the game for prescription correction. For the past few seasons, he has worn the Adidas Ambition, which bears his team colors! (These frames are actually available at Eagle Mountain Family Eye Care as well!)

SOCCER

Edgar Davis…retired Dutch soccer star, relied on prescription glasses to correct his vision while on the pitch.

SWIMMING

Michael Phelps…16 time Olympic medalist and swimming sensation, relies on prescription goggles so he knows where to start his flip turn at the wall. He has mild astigmatism  and myopia.

FOOTBALL

Eric Dickerson…SMU Alum and former NFL Running Back, wore prescription goggles under his helmet while on the field.

 

TRACK AND FIELD

Ato Boldon, 4-time Olympic medalist, and Dayron Robles, Gold Medalist in the hurdles, both wear glasses/sports goggles to correct their vision while competing.

Be sure your vision is in top shape for your game! Book your eye exam before the summer rush! We care for your complete eye health and vision needs. Visit us at www.eaglemountainfamilyeyecare.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter! Call our office today at 817-237-7153 to schedule your appointment!

There’s more to 3D than meets the Eye

This very week in 1953, Warner Brothers released one of the early 3D movies – House of Wax! Even as early as 1890, a British film pioneer, William Friese-Green, applied for a patent for the 3D process film process. Even though they looked quite a bit different from Titanic in 3D, the foundations for 3D movies had begun!

So what’s the truth about 3D viewing? How does it work? Is it safe for children to play 3D video games and watch 3D movies?

There are 4 main types of 3D viewing – in anaglyph (red/blue glasses) and passive polarized 3D, the viewer wears glasses which allow each eye to see separate images at one time. Active shutter technology utilizes battery powered glasses that receive a signal from the TV and alternate which eye is covered depending on what image is being shown on screen. Newer “glasses free” 3D works best in carefully controlled environments and at a particular distance. For more details check out 3D University!

To be able to see in 3D, or “stereo” vision, you need both eyes, with clear vision in each eye. You need to be able to focus on near and far objects, and the eye muscles must work in coordination. If you experience dizziness or discomfort while watching 3D movies or playing 3D video games, one of the above may not be working just right. It may be the need for a prescription correction in one eye or both, or it may be an alignment issue with the eyes (ie strabismus or “lazy eye”). Even if you’ve never noticed anything wrong with vision or eye alignment, 3D viewing requires such precise clarity and muscle function, this can actually identify very small underlying problems.

The other reason people may feel dizzy or unconfortable while watchin 3D is the rapid motion involved. The sensations in 3D cause a confusion in the “balance system” - the visual system senses movement, but the body senses that it’s staying still.You can actually get a form of motion sickness in this situation.

According to the American Optometric Association, for an estimated 1 in 4 children and for millions of adults, difficulties in 3D viewing can unmask undiagnosed vision and eye problems and lead to treatment. And contrary to rumors, there is NO evidence that 3D will harm the development of the eye or vision. By about age 3, a child has developed “binocular” vision and can see the 3D images. As with anything that requires the eyes to focus, like reading or hand-held video games, it is wise to give the eyes occasional breaks by looking in the distance. Many schools and teachers are using 3D as an educational tool, find out more – 3D and education. Some the of the research has even shown an increase in student participation and test scores with the use of this technology!

If your eye doctor determines that there is something not quite right with the visual system, there are a number or options to allow you to enjoy your favorite 3D movie or brand new 3D TV. Glasses and contacts can correct the prescription needs of the eyes, and can also help focusing issues. There are a number of ways to treatment strabismus and eye muscle coordination issues, including patching and vision therapy.

Your optometrist can diagnose, treat, and manage most visual conditions related to problems with 3D vision. Be sure to have regular, annual eye exams to ensure eye health and proper visual development. This information has been adapted from the American Optometric Association (AOA). For much more information and interactive resources, visit www.3deyehealth.com.

Have more questions? Stop by our office or visit the FAQ section of the AOA 3D Eye Health website. This information is brought to you by the doctors and staff at Eagle Mountain Family Eye Care. We care for your complete eye health and vision needs. Visit us at www.eaglemountainfamilyeyecare.com or on facebook! Call our office today at 817-237-7153 to schedule your appointment!

The Itchy and Scratchy Show…Eye Allergy Season is here!

By Dr. Jennifer Deakins

It is right about that time…all the beautiful flowers are blooming and the trees are sprouting their leaves…and your eyes begin to water and itch like crazy! If you suffer from seasonal allergies, it’s not uncommon to have eye allergies as well. 2 out of our 4 doctors have just started suffering, and at least half of our staff of 20 is affected too!

The most common symptoms of eye allergies is itchy, watery eyes. You may also experience a clear/white mucous discharge or crusting on the eyelids, a sensation of something in the eye, redness of the eyes, and swelling of the eyelids. Generally speaking, the symptoms will get worse throughout the day as you are exposed to allergens in the environment. When this occurs, it can be debilitating – the eyes can be swollen shut, or itch so bad it can keep a patient from work or school. Symptoms of other eye conditions and infections can mimic allergies, so you’ll definitely want to see your eye doctor before beginning treatment.

Whenever I have a patient who reports symptoms of eye allergies, I examine closely the surface of the eye and the outside and inside of the eyelids for a particular reaction.  I look at the pattern of redness on the white of the eye and look for swelling in certain tissues. The best treatment is a topical allergy eye drop – Pataday and Lastacaft are once daily drops that help control the allergic response and prevent itching. These can be used as needed, but work better when used regularly during your allergy season. In severe cases, I will recommend an oral Benadryl (diphenydramine, over the counter) and prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops.

What about things you can do at home or in your routine that will help eye allergies? You can keep your hands and face clean, especially wash up before headed to bed. Be sure to wash your hair before bed and change your pillowcase frequently. When the eyes are extremely itchy, a cold compress will help. Try to avoid rubbing the eyes excessively, as you can worsen the allergic response or give yourself an abrasion on the eye – check out this video about rubbing the eyes from The Doctors on ABC.

If the prescription eye drops (Pataday or Lastacaft) are too expensive or you don’t have pharmacy coverage, there are a few over the counter drops that work well also – Zaditor and Alaway are two I like. Most over the counter allergy eye drops are used twice per day. I would suggest avoiding generic formulations as the preservatives used in these can sometimes cause increased dryness or irritation over a period of time.

This information is brought to you by the doctors and staff at Eagle Mountain Family Eye Care. We care for your complete eye health and vision needs. Visit us at www.eaglemountainfamilyeyecare.com or on facebook! Call our office today at 817-237-7153 to schedule your appointment!

Eye Vitamins…when do I start and which do I take?

 

By Dr. Jennifer Deakins

Recently you may have seen commercials on prime time TV advertising vitamins formulated for eye health. In the past, many patients would only take eye vitamins after a diagnosis of macular degeneration and at the recommendation of their eye doctor.

http://www.eyecare2020.com

So what’s the real story? When do we need to start eye vitamins and who needs to take them?

Traditionally, eye care providers would wait to recommend eye vitamins until the early signs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) appeared in the eye. This discussion is fitting as we come to the end of February – AMD Awareness Month – and recent news was released that Dame Judi Dench is battling AMD. People over the age of 65 can be affected by this condition of the retina, Caucasian individuals are affected more commonly, and it can cause devastating loss of central vision. You can watch more about AMD here – EyeMaginations ECHO. Once AMD has reached a more advanced stage, treatment goes beyond eye vitamins and may involve monthly treatments by a retinal specialist.

More recent evidence supports starting a multivitamin with specific eye health components even before the first signs of AMD. The main culprit of many eye diseases related to age is inflammation and the oxidation process. Vitamins A,C, and E are included in these eye vitamins and help slow down the oxidation process. Also included in most formulations are Omega 3′s (or fish oil) which fight inflammation in the body. Starting these supplements earlier and keeping the body healthy can delay or slow down conditions such as dry eye, cataracts, and AMD.

from healthnewswebsite.com

Another reason to start eye vitamins earlier in life is a strong family history of AMD. Most of the newer generations of eye vitamins include lutein and zeaxanthin – these pigments can build up protection in the back of the eye against AMD. At our clinic, we have macular pigment density technology which measures the levels of pigment in the eye. If a patient in their 20′s has low pigment density and a family history of AMD, we recommend they start eye vitamins. For most patients, we have been able to measure an increase in the macular pigment density – indicating better protection against AMD!

A word of warning - if you are a smoker or have ever been, you must be very cautious of the very high levels of vitamin A (beta carotene) in some eye vitamins. An association between increased lung cancer risk and beta carotene has been found in chronic smokers. It would be best to consult you eye care provider and primary care doctor before starting a high dose vitamin regimen.

Below are some of the eye vitamins that we commonly recommend…All are over the counter and you can expect to spend about $30-35 per month on most formulations, not much higher than an average pharmacy co-pay.

Eye Promise Restor (1-2 capsules per day) Available on-line or in our clinic

Ocuvite (1 capsule per day)

I Caps (1 Capsule per day)

This information is brought to you by the doctors and staff at Eagle Mountain Family Eye Care. We care for your complete eye health and vision needs. Visit us at www.eaglemountainfamilyeyecare.com or on facebook! Call our office today at 817-237-7153 to schedule your appointment!

The History of Glasses!

Check out this cool graphic illustrating the history of glasses! We found this posted on Clearview Eyecare and Laser Center’s blog, originally from The Optical Vision Site!

You put your contact lenses WHERE???

   

Image via Wikipedia

Countless times my patients have admited to doing the unspeakable with their contact lenses, from not removing them for months, to storing them in fluids other than contact lens solution…my own mother has admitted to wetting her contacts in her mouth when they fall out and there’s no other choice!!

And I know there’s more I don’t know about…

 When it comes to not caring for contact lenses properly, there’s petty crimes – which can make your lenses less comfortable and clear. And then there’s capital offenses – which can result in consequences like permanant loss of vision. A recent NPR article cites a study that reveals that only 2% of contact lens wearers follow all quidelines for hygeine while 80% believe they are doing it right. The most common offense is probably wearing the contacts longer than they are approved and sleeping in lenses not intended for extended wear. Although sometimes the only consequence is deposits and build-up on the lens, a serious infection can occur or more frequently, the eye can suffer from lack of oxygen and the immune system responds with a painful, weepy, red eye (CLARE). Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) is also common, where a reaction occurs to the lens under the lids, causing the lenses to move around excessively and collect a ‘film’ on the surface.

 

"CLARE" from http://www.siliconehydrogel.org

GPC from http://www.siliconehydrogel.com

Some of the other crimes include showering and swimming in contact lenses. Our tap water and pool water have contamintents such as acanthaneoba, pseudomonas, and E coli which find contact lenses and the cornea (the front surface of the eye) prime breeding ground. These infections take hold fast and and can be very damaging to a person’s vision. These bugs, along with bacteria that is becoming resistant to common antobiotics can be a challenge to treat, even with the best medications at hand.

One of my patients admitted to soaking her lenses in her allergy eye drops when she ran out of solution, and another survey by Bausch and Lomb found that beer, baby oil, petroleum jelly, lemonade, fruit juice, and butter have been used as alternatives! Now that’s honesty! Using the correct contact lens solution, as recommended by your optometrist, is crucial. The solution is not only for wetting the lenses, but also removes bacteria, fungus, and protein deposits. Fresh solution each night (not topping off) and cleaning the case with the solution and air-drying, will keep fun “friends” from growing in there. And don’t forget to replace the case at least every 3 months. Commonly recommended solutions are Clear Care, Optifree PureMoist, BioTrue among others.

To keep from committing punishable contact lens crimes, and to protect your eyes and vision, read over these guidelines, and of course follow all instructions from your eye doctor which may be based on your own eye health. Removing your lenses immediately when you experience any discomfort, redness, discharge or decrease in vision and seeing your eye care professional right away can help prevent any permanent damage to your vision and keep you comfortably in contact lenses.

Tennis Star Brings Light to Dry Eye Condition

Image via Wikipedia

Dry eye is a chronic and serious condition that many people are faced with. The causes of dry eye are complex and often there is an underlying condition in the body responsible for the symptoms. Sjogren’s syndrome (pronounced show-grins) is just one of those conditions. Tennis star Venus Williams has been increasing the awareness of Sjogren’s by sharing her battle with the symptoms and her recent diagnosis.

The second most common autoimmune condition, the primary symptoms of Sjogren’s are dry eye and dry mouth. This condition affects the moisture-producing glands in the body. Patients who come to the eye doctor report a burning, gritty feeling in the eyes and blurred vision. An optometrist can examine tear volume and the health of the ocular surface to determine the severity of the dry eye. If a patient also has dry mouth symptoms, general fatigue or joint pain, a visit to the rheumatologist (specializing in autoimmune conditions) is warranted. Further blood testing can be performed to determine if a patient has Sjogren’s syndrome.

Image by Megyarsh via Flickr

There is no cure for the condition, but treatments coordinated by an optometrist and rheumatologist can relieve many symptoms. Preservative-free artificial tears can be used along with medications like Restasis (TM) to treat dry eye symptoms. Frequent sipping of liquids and lozenges can help provide releif from dry mouth, and precription medications such as Salgen (TM) and Evoxac (TM) can help glands in the mouth and eyes secrete more moisture. Ocassionaly, patients will need long term treatment with Plaquenil (TM).

Image via Wikipedia

Examination of follow up care by your eye doctor and rheumatologist is important if you suspect any of the symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome. It is an important consideration as it affects 4 million Americas and can take up to 7 years to diagnosis if symptoms are overlooked. (American Optometric Association News)

This information is brought to you by the doctors and staff at Eagle Mountain Family Eye Care. We care for your complete eye health and vision needs, including comprehensive dry eye teting and treatment. Visit us at www.eaglemountainfamilyeyecare.com or on facebook! Call for details or appointments 817-237-7153.