Dr. Cohen's eye care tips for preserving vision

By April MacIntyre Mar 17, 2011, 6:10 GMT

Protecting our eyes is a year-round responsibility. Eye protection, and well as efforts to counter environmental and lifestyle issues will help to ensure a life time of wonderful vision:

Arizona Eye Doctor Dr. Stephen Cohen O.D. has shared his top five tips for saving your eyesight.

The ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun damage sensitive cells in the eyes, over time affecting vision. It is difficult to isolate the exact amount of damage that UV radiation imposes on the eye over a long period. However, a number of studies have shown that the effects build up and may increase the chance of developing eye problems later in life.

Complications can happen with the development of cataracts, a clouding of the
lens of the eye. Cataracts are a leading cause of reduced vision in the United States
in people age 60 and older, according to the National Eye Institute.

PROACTIVELY PROTECTING YOUR EYES

1- PROTECT YOUR EYES FROM THE SUN (UV RADIATION)

UV is the part of sunlight that we cannot see and the radiation that causes sunburns and, over time, causes skin damage and eye damage. Eye damage (e.g., cataracts, macular degeneration) from UV is cumulative and irreversible.

While 85 percent of Americans recognize that ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage their eyes, only 65 percent wear sunglasses as protection. Even though up to 80% of the lifetime UV exposure occurs before reaching adulthood, less than 40% of parents make sure their children wear sunglasses.

For those who need vision correction, a significant amount of UV-blocking can be achieved with a combination of UV-blocking sunglasses, a hat with a brim, and UV-blocking contact lenses.

(Not all contact lenses provide optimal UV-blocking. Cohen recommends ACUVUE BRAND contact lenses, which have UV-blocking in all of their products, and only ACUVUE ADVANCE, ACUVUE OASYS, and 1-DAY ACUVUE TruEye offer the highest level of protection, over 90% of UV-A and 99% of UV-B).

2- PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR

Each year, emergency rooms treat more than 40,000 sports-related injuries, and more than one-third of these are children. It is estimated that more than 90% of these are preventable with proper precautions, such as helmets or goggles. All children’s glasses should be made of impact resistant materials, such as “polycarbonate.”

A brochure from the American Optometric Association (AOA) called “Healthy Eyes for Peak Performance” can be downloaded at www.acuvue.com/peakperformance. Additionally, protective eyewear needs to be used consistently with home activities such as sawing, chopping, edging, cutting, or mowing.

3- NUTRITION AND LIFESTYLE

Eat your veggies! Long-term irreversible damage can be slowed or prevented nutritionally by eating green leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach, kale), taking vitamin supplements, and eating a low-fat diet. Lifestyle considerations, such as the use of sunglasses and/or UV-blocking contact lenses and eliminating smoking, can help to prevent ocular damage.

4- COMPUTERS USE AND YOUR EYES

“Computer Vision Syndrome” describes the numerous signs and symptoms associated with prolonged computer work, and include: burning, tearing, fatigue, redness, dryness, blurry vision, changes in prescription, and headaches.

You can reduce strain by: reducing glare from the monitor, take regular breaks (“20/20/20 rule:” 20 second break every 20 minutes looking at something at least 20 feet away), use artificial tear lubricating drops, have an updated prescription (and possibly a pair of glasses specifically designed for computer use).

(Dr. Cohen recommends wear contact lenses such as ACUVUE OASYS, 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST, 1-DAY ACUVUE TruEye, which are less prone to drying and can provide better comfort throughout the day).

5- PREVENTATIVE EYE CARE

Most people cherish their vision more than any other sense, and we only have two eyes that are designed to last a lifetime. Many eye diseases and conditions, such as glaucoma, typically have no symptoms that we can feel. Also, most causes of blindness are preventable and/or treatable. An annual comprehensive eye exam is the best way to ensure optimal vision and eye health.