Do you know what's fact or fiction?

Eyeglasses can change the shape of the eye.

Fiction. Glasses do not change the shape of the eye. The eye undergoes slight natural changes in shape with age, or with plastic surgery.

Wearing the wrong glasses might tire your eyes, but it is not harmful.

Fact. You will not be able to see as well or as comfortable as you should with a pair of wrong glasses; however, wearing them will not cause any permanent harm.

Wearing your glasses every day will make your eyes lazy or weak.

Fiction. Wearing properly prescribed eyeglasses will not in any way accelerate the natural and expected changes your eyes will undergo throughout your lifetime.

After a certain age, eyesight will be stable without any more changes.

Fiction. Without proper care, eyesight can still change even at the age of 40.

Video games can be good for your eyes.

Fact. A study from University of Rochester, NY has proven that playing video games under certain conditions (good distance away from the TV screen; a break for every 30 minutes of play; play in moderation) can help sharpen eye movement skills, eye-hand coordination, visual reaction time, and side vision awareness.

Elderly should not use their eyes too much for fear of wearing their eyes out too soon.

Fiction. Using your eyes does not cause or hasten vision loss.

Fun Facts

• An average person blinks 12 times per minute – about 10,000 blinks in an average day.
• Giant Squid has the largest eyeball on the face of Earth. An eyeball is about 18 inches across, about a size of a beach ball.
• An ostrich eye is only two inches across, but it weighs more than its brain.
• Sailors once thought that wearing a gold earring would improve their eyesight.
• Babies cry but don’t produce tears until one to three months after birth.
• Many Deep Sea creatures have no eyes since light never reaches them.

Designer Eyeglasses That Protect Your Eyes

As we live in an age of technology, it seems impossible to avoid using any sort of electronic devices in a close range. However, human eyes function more efficiently and less strenuously when seeing at distance. As a result, staring at devices such as computers for long periods of time could cause minor vision problems like eyestrain to major vision problems like losing eyesight. Eyestrain is one of the most common vision problems. It consists of a wide range of symptoms including tiredness, blurred vision, irritation, soreness of the eyes, and photophobia. It is often the cause of frontal headaches and relief can mostly be obtained by means of prescription lenses, contact lenses or vision therapy.

“Many patients’ symptoms result from an uncorrected visual need,” says Dr. Steven Glasser, an optometrist in Washington, D.C.. “They either need but aren’t wearing glasses, or they have a prescription that’s not useful for their computer work.”

Not only vision problems, orthopedic problems such as back, neck or shoulder pain may also occur when glasses aren’t fit properly. If the lenses aren’t positioned correctly for use, patients may be changing their postures in an attempt to correct the problem; therefore, causing more problems.

So how do we minimize harm to the eyes from those glossy devices?

Corrected visual need. When it comes to glasses for video display terminal (VDT) use, some people may need single-vision lenses; other may need multifocal or special designed glasses. Progressive lenses, also called multifocal lenses, are becoming increasing popular as they allow patients to refocus their eyes from one distance to the other. Most eyeglasses stores such as Eyeglasses123 offer exceptional quality progressive lenses such as Varilux’s Polycarbonate lenses that make it possible to see at all distances, including distance, computer and reading.

However, corrected visual need is only part of the solution. Steps should be taken to avoid glare, which can occur as a result of reflections from the surfaces of the VDT screen. Having the proper light setting and using transitions lenses like Essilor’ s Polycarbonate Transitions Lenses can protect the eyes against changing light conditions.

Above all, remember to take breaks when using electronic devices. Eyes are our most precious sense and just like the rest of our body, they need to be nourished.

Optician

Ask yourself this question. If you need to seek out someone who can help you with your eyewear selection and /or contact lens fitting, who would you ask for? That’s correct…you would ask for an Optician. In most states Opticians need to be licensed by their state board and/or nationally certified by The American Board Of Opticianry (ABO). Those who fit contact lenses must be nationally certified by the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE). Opticians may use LDO (licensed dispensing Optician) or ABOC (ABO Certified) or RDO (registered dispensing Optician) after their name.

Optometrist

Now,  if you need to seek out someone who can do all of the above plus examine your eyes, treat certain ocular eye disorders and prescribe some ocular medications you would ask for…an Optometrist. In all states Optometrists need to be licensed by their state board and nationally certified by The National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO). Optometrist use OD (Doctor of Optometry) or OD, PC (Doctor of Optometry, Profession Corporations) after their name.

Optometrist

Ok so, if you need to seek out someone who can do all of the above plus perform ocular surgery, diagnose and treat ocular diseases you would ask for…an Ophthalmologist. These medical specialists are considered both medical doctors and surgeons. In all states Ophthalmologists need to be licensed by their state board and answer to the American Medical Association (AMA). Ophthalmologists use MD (Doctor of Medicine) and/or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) after their name.