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October is a big month for sight

Courtesy of Sight: The Story of Vision

Image courtesy of Sight: The Story of Vision

October is a big month for vision awareness and advocacy. On October 13, many organizations will recognize World Sight Day, a day that focuses on the prevention of blindness and vision loss around the globe. More than 285 million people in the world are blind or visually impaired, and 90 percent of those live in developing countries with limited or no access to treatment. International organizations involved in World Sight Day are making a difference by connecting underserved populations with services that will help address their eye health needs.

Even those of us with great vision and healthy eyes can benefit from knowing more about our sight. We encourage our patients to check out Sight: The Story of Vision, a documentary narrated by Sir Elton John on the science, technology and medical advancements that help us understand sight, correction vision problems and cure eye diseases. It will air on WYCC, Channel 20, on October 16 at 4 p.m., and on October 17 at 7 p.m. Make sure to watch!

October is also Eye Injury Prevention Month. It is estimated that 90 percent of eye injuries can be prevented with the use of protective eyewear and taking precautions. Think about the risks you may be taking on the job or during activities such as sports, working on home improvement projects or even participating in leisure activities like paintball. Learn about corneal abrasions, one of the most common types of eye injuries by clicking here.

If you are in need of protective eyewear for any reason, please consult us. We offer a wide range of safety goggles for many situations. As always, we are here to help you address any of your vision and eye health needs.

Protect your eyes with the right sports gear

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September is Sports Eye Injury Prevention Awareness Month — just in time for the start of basketball season, the leading sport for eye injuries, according to research by Prevent Blindness.

Basketball is big in this town, both among fans as well as the numerous school and recreational leagues in our area. Prevent Blindness estimates that more than 6,000 people a year suffer eye injuries related to basketball. Water and pool activities, gun sports (air, gas, spring and BB), baseball/softball and, another fall favorite, football round out the top five sports that pose the greatest hazard to the eyes.

The good news is that 90 percent of eye injuries are preventable with proper eye protection, which means gear that is specifically designed for the dangers of specific sports. In the case of basketball, for example, this means protective goggles that feature impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses and offer a snug, comfortable fit. Even if you wear contact lenses or do not need vision correction, these goggles should be as much a part of dressing for the game as the right shoes.

We carry Liberty Sport eyewear, a leading provider of protective sports goggles, and can work with you to make sure your eyes stay safe when you are on the court, course or field.

Protect your eyes from corneal abrasions

Wear the right eye protection for participation in sports and other hobbies.

Wear the right eye protection for participation in sports and other hobbies.

Corneal abrasions are one of the most common eye injuries. While they generally are not serious, they often cause discomfort and temporary vision impairment. Sometimes eye infections enter the abrasion and lead to more significant damage. In any case, it is important to know how to prevent corneal abrasions and seek treatment when they happen.

The causes of corneal abrasions are numerous. They can result from something as simple as rubbing your eye when there is a foreign object in it, like sand or dirt, or getting poked in the eye. If you’ve ever had a corneal abrasion — and most of us have — you know they can be painful. They also cause light sensitivity, redness, swollen eyelids, excessive tearing and a feeling that something is in your eye.

If you do experience a corneal abrasion, it is important to seek treatment with us right away. We can diagnose the severity of the injury, which isn’t always apparent, and ward off infections, some of which can lead to blindness. We also can give you prescription ointments or eyedrops that help with healing.

Because many eye injuries are preventable, the best thing you can do to keep your eyes safe.

  • Wear protective eyewear if your job, DIY projects or hobbies pose a treat to you eyes. Chemicals, even those used in household tasks, can also injure your cornea.
  • Wear protective eyewear when participating in sports, especially those where elbows, racquets, balls and pucks can cause injury. It was recently reported that a mandate from the National Federation of State High School Associations requiring protective eyewear for field hockey players resulted in a three-fold reduction in injuries.
  • If you wear contact lenses, make sure they are fitted properly and that you are keeping them clean and in good condition. If you wear disposables, stick to the schedule for changing them. Wearing them longer than recommended increases your risk for abrasions.

Talk to us if you have any concerns about corneal abrasions and protecting your eyes from injury. Keep in mind that we are available for emergencies. Make sure you seek treatment as soon as possible for any kind of injury to the eye.

Tips for keeping summer fun easy on the eyes

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Summer is a beautiful season here in Chicago, but it can be hard on the eyes. Following are some common summertime eye health issues and ways to avoid them.

  • After-swim irritation. If you hit the pool, make sure you wear goggles or a mask during swims or water play. Chemicals used in pools can cause a high level of discomfort. Even “natural” water environments, like lakes and ponds, can contain irritants that affect the eyes.
  • Harmful UV rays. We recommend wearing sunglasses year round and especially in the summer. Longer days and more time spent outdoors leads to greatest exposure to UV rays, which has been linked to the development of eye diseases like cataracts and AMD. In the short term, lack of protection can result in photokeratitis, which is sunburn of the eye. Symptoms are pain, redness and a feeling that something gritty is in the eye.
  • Fireworks. According to the American Academy of Opthalmology, 2,000 fireworks-related eye injuries happen every year, and one third end up causing permanent damage. Leave the fireworks to the professionals, and if you are one, protect your eyes with safety goggles.
  • Insect bites. Insect bites around the eye can cause swelling and irritation, often more so than on other parts of the body, as skin around the eye is more tender. Never use any products to prevent or soothe insect bites that aren’t recommended for use around the eye. Use a cold compress to decrease swelling. Call our office if you are concerned about any insect bites near the eye. We have several options for treatment.
  • Sports-related injuries. Summer sports such as baseball, water sports and racquet sports have some of the highest rates of eye injury. If you or someone in your family participates in any of these, talk to us about options for protective eyewear. We can counsel you on what works best for specific sports. Keep in mind that 90 percent of sports-related eye injuries are estimated to be preventable.

As always, please get in touch with us for eye health concerns you have over the summer or any time of year.

* Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos/zirconicusso