UV light radiation can damage our eyes

We all know the value of guarding against sunburn and skin cancer by slathering on sunscreen, and most of us wear sunglasses in summer to shield our eyes from glare. When it comes to preserving eyesight over the long term, however, many of us have misconceptions about the sun’s dangers. Do you know the facts behind these myths?

• Myth #1: Sunglasses are not necessary in winter.
  Fact: The damaging effects of UV rays are present during winter as well as summer. Sunglasses with UV protection are necessary whenever you spend time outdoors during daylight hours, all year round.
• Myth #2: On overcast days, UV rays are not harmful.
  Fact: Just because the sun is not glaring brightly does not mean its UV rays are not affecting the eyes. If there’s daylight, UV rays are present. They penetrate through haze and clouds, and reflect off water, white sand, pavement and snow.
• Myth #3: Our eyesight deteriorates with age simply because we get older.
  Fact: This is true to some extent, but the fact is that a lifetime of exposure to UV light increases the likelihood of developing macular degeneration, cataracts and other eye conditions. T
• Myth #4: Adults’ eyes are at a higher risk of sun damage than children’s.
  Fact: Just the opposite is true. Children’s eyes are especially vulnerable to sun damage because they are still developing. Their pupils are larger, allowing in more light, and the lenses of their eyes are more transparent. They also spend more time outdoors than most adults. Brief but intense UV contact may cause corneal sunburn, the most immediate danger to children’s eyes from sun overexposure.
• Myth #5: Only the sun emits ultraviolet light.
  Fact: Artificial light sources, such as tanning beds and welding machines, also produce UV radiation and require eye protection during use.

Remember: Shades, Hat, Veggies
Here are the best ways to protect your eyes:

• When spending time outdoors, wear protective eyewear, such as polarized sunglasses, that blocks 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or cap, which will block about half of UV rays.

Children’s eyes are especially vulnerable to sun damage because they are still developing.

• Remember that UV rays reflect off bright surfaces such as water, snow, white sand and pavement, making it critical—especially for children—to wear sunglasses and hats in the snow or at the beach, swimming pool or playground.
• Always wear protective goggles when using a tanning bed or welding machine.
• Eat a healthy diet. There is scientific evidence that a diet rich in brightly colored fruits and vegetables helps reduce the risk of sun damage to your eyes.

Many bright summer days are ahead. Enjoy outdoor activities safely by protecting your eyes—and those of your children—from the sun!

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Our eye care tips will help you prepare your eyes for the warmer season. Keep your eye drops in the fridge, preparing for allergies, and visiting your optometrist for an eye examination.
If you’re on the market for new sunglasses, eyeglasses or contact lenses this Spring, check out our deals page for discounts and sales.

Color Blindness

Color blindness means that you have trouble seeing red, green, or blue or a mix of these colors. It’s rare that a person sees no color at all.
Color blindness is also called a color vision problem.

A color vision problem can change your life. It makes it harder to learn and read, and you may not be able to have certain careers. But children and adults with color vision problems can learn to make up for their problems seeing color.

What causes color blindness?

Most color vision problems are inherited (genetic) and are present at birth.
A color vision problem isn't always inherited. In some cases, a person can have an acquired color vision problem. This can be caused by:

• Aging.
• Eye problems, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, or diabetic retinopathy.
• Injury to the eye.
• Side effects of some medicines.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of color vision problems vary:

• You may be able to see some colors but not others. For instance, you may not be able to tell the difference between red and green but can see blue and yellow.
• You may see many colors, so you may not know that you see color differently from others.
• You may only be able to see a few shades of color, while most people can see thousands of colors.
• In rare cases, you may see only black, white, and gray.

How is color blindness diagnosed?

Tests measure how well you recognize different colors.

• In one type of test, you look at sets of colored dots and try to find a pattern in them, such as a letter or number. The patterns you see help your doctor know which colors you have trouble with. 
• In another type of test, you arrange colored chips in order according to how similar the colors are. People with color vision problems cannot arrange the colored chips correctly.

How is it treated?

Inherited color vision problems cannot be treated or corrected. 

Some acquired color vision problems can be treated, depending on the cause. For example, if a cataract is causing a problem with color vision, surgery to remove the cataract may restore normal color vision. 

You can find ways to help make up for a color vision problem, such as:

• Wearing colored contact lenses. These may help you see differences between colors. But these lenses don't provide normal color vision and can distort objects.
• Wearing glasses that block glare. People with color vision problems can see differences between colors better when there is less glare and brightness.
• Learning to look for cues like brightness or location, rather than colors. For example, you can learn the order of the three colored lights on a traffic signal.

Read the original article published on webmd.com

When was the last time you and your family members had an eye examination? As May is the vision health month.  Drop in at any 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore location meet with an Independent Optometrist and get additional 10% off on polarized lenses and buy one get one free.

We look forward to assisting you regarding your eyeglasses, contact lenses and sunglasses needs.  Contact us with any questions you may have.

What is Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil.
Cataract is the most common cause of vision loss in people over 40 and is the principal cause of blindness in the world. In fact, there are more cases of cataracts worldwide than there are of glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Today, cataracts affect more than 22 million Americans age 40 and older. And as the U.S. population ages, more than 30 million Americans are expected to have cataracts by the year 2020, says Prevent Blindness America.

Cataract Symptoms and Signs

A cataract starts out small and at first has little effect on your vision. You may notice that your vision is blurred a little, like looking through a cloudy piece of glass or viewing an impressionist painting.

Hazy or blurred vision may mean you have a cataract.

A cataract may make light from the sun or a lamp seems too bright or glaring. Or you may notice when you drive at night that the oncoming headlights cause more glare than before. Colors may not appear as bright as they once did.

If you think you have a cataract, visit an eye doctor for an exam to any of our 20/20 eyeglass Superstore.

What Causes Cataracts?

Cataract risk factors include:

• Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and other sources
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications
• Statin medicines used to reduce cholesterol
• Previous eye injury or inflammation
• Previous eye surgery
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Significant alcohol consumption
• High myopia
• Family history

Cataract Prevention

High dietary intakes of vitamin E and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin from food and supplements significantly decreased risks of cataract.

Good food sources of vitamin E include sunflower seeds, almonds and spinach. Good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin include spinach, kale and other green, leafy vegetables.

Antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C and foods containing omega-3 fatty acids may reduce cataract risk.

Visit our Nutrition & Eyes section to read more about eye vitamins and how a healthful diet and good nutrition may help prevent cataracts.

Another step you can take to reduce your risk of cataracts is to wear protective sunglasses that block 100 percent of the sun's UV rays when you are outdoors.


Read the original article published on allaboutvision.com, written by Gretchyn Bailey.

20/20 Eyeglass Superstore is encouraging all American to do one thing that could save your loved ones sight: Get an eye health examination from a Doctor of Optometry and reduce the risk of cataract.

Call today to book an eye health examination for yourself and your loved ones! 

Eye Health and Vision Basics

Maintaining  good eye health and vision, it is important to see an eye health care provider at least once every couple of years as an adult, or immediately if you have any degree of sudden vision loss, eye pain, or irritation. Most eye diseases can be found during a routine eye exam and treated when found in an early stage. If you have health problems such as diabetes, you may need to visit your eye doctor more frequently to detect any complications.

Some other reasons for having eyes examined annually are:

1. Myopia: short-sightedness, or the inability to see things at a distance
2. Hyperopia: far-sightedness, or the inability to see things at close distances
3. Eyeglass prescription changes occur every 1 to 2 years
4. Presbyopia: the inability to see things at near after the age of 40 years
5. Contact lens wearers are at greater risk of eye infections and corneal ulcers
6. It is important that your vision meets certain legal standards for driving and certain occupations.

What Does It Mean to Have 20/20 Vision?

20/20 vision is your visual acuity, or the sharpness of vision at 20 feet from an object. Having 20/60 vision means that you must be at 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 60 feet. 20/20 does not translate into perfect vision and does not indicate other important aspects of sight such as peripheral vision, the ability to see colors, or depth perception.

What Does Visual Acuity Mean?

Visual acuity is a measure of your central vision, the ability to distinguish details and shapes of objects.

What Tests Are Used to Determine Visual Acuity?

Visual acuity tests simply consist of reading an eye chart. There are even simple tests, like the "Random E Test," that can be used to determine the visual acuity of infants or non-readers.


Options available to Correct Impaired Vision

There are many safe and affordable choices available for those in need of vision correction. They include:

• Eyeglasses: Perhaps the most traditional form of vision correction, eyeglasses improves vision by bending light. They are practical, affordable, and safe.

• Contact Lenses: Contacts are more suitable for people with an active lifestyle. They work the same way as eyeglasses, but stay in place better during physical activities. Being outdoors also means being in the sun and contacts allow you to wear sunglasses at the same time. There are many different brands, colors, and materials, so it is best to shop around to find the contacts that work best for you.

• Corrective Surgery: Vision correction surgery improves sight by changing the refractive or light bending, properties of the eye. Refractive surgery is not cosmetic, but is functional because it restores a person's ability to see at a moderate visual acuity, meaning a person may still need to wear glasses or contacts.

Read the Original article published on webmd.com

20/20 Eyeglass Superstore Orlando – Winter Park has thousands of eyeglass frames to choose from, and with its own resident optometrist and in house lab, you can be in and out with your new customized glasses in as little as one hour. Family owned and operated, it’s a one stop shop for all your eye care needs. At 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore Orlando – Winter Park, rest assured that you will find a frame for every face and a price for every budget.

Maintaining Good Eye Health

Don't take your eye health for granted. Protect your eyesight with these five tips:

1. Eat for Good Vision

Protecting your eyes starts with the food on your plate. Studies have shown that nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E may help ward off age-related vision problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Regularly eating these foods can help lead to good eye health:

• Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collards
• Salmon, tuna, and other oily fish
• Eggs, nuts, beans, and other non-meat protein sources
• Oranges and other citrus fruits or juices

Eating a well-balanced diet also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which makes you less likely to get obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults.

2. Quit Smoking for Better Eyesight

Smoking makes you more likely to get cataracts, optic nerve damage, and macular degeneration. If you've tried to quit smoking before and started smoking again, keep trying. Studies show that the more times you try to quit smoking, the more likely you are to succeed.

3. Wear Sunglasses for Good Vision

The right kind of sunglasses will help protect your eyes from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Too much UV exposure makes you more likely to get cataracts and macular degeneration.
Choose sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound lenses help protect your eyes from the side. Polarized lenses reduce glare when driving.
If you wear contact lenses, some offer UV protection. It's still a good idea to wear sunglasses for more protection.

4. Use Safety Eyewear at Home, at Work, and While Playing Sports

If you work with hazardous or airborne materials at work or home, wear safety glasses or protective goggles every time.
Certain sports such as ice hockey, racquetball, and lacrosse can also lead to eye injury. Wear eye protection such as, helmets with protective face masks or sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses) to shield your eyes.

5. Look Away From the Computer for Good Eye Health

Staring at a computer screen can cause:

• Eyestrain
• Blurry vision
• Difficulty focusing at a distance
• Dry eyes
• Headaches
• Neck, back, and shoulder pain

Protect your eye health by taking the following steps:

• Make sure your glasses or contact lens prescription is up-to-date and adequate for computer use. 
• Some people may need glasses to help with contrast, glare, and eye strain when using a computer.
• Position your computer so that your eyes are level with the top of the monitor. This allows you to look slightly down at the screen.
• Try to avoid glare on your computer from windows and lights. Use an anti-glare screen if needed.
• Choose a comfortable, supportive chair. Position it so that your feet are flat on the floor.
• If your eyes are dry, blink more.
• Every 20 minutes, rest your eyes by looking 20 feet away for 20 seconds. At least every two hours, get up and take a 15-minute break.

Click here to read the original article published on webmd.com.

 Our eyes are very delicate organs, and we should plan routine eye exams whether or not we notice any problems. By getting your eyes checked regularly, you’ll be able to keep them healthy your whole life. Neglect can be costly!

Click here to schedule an eye exam at 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore.