What is the Rarest Eye Color?

 

Eye color is a distinct part of a person's appearance. It is included on a driver’s license and other forms of identification. It is also one of the primary descriptors used in a missing person’s report.

Eye color is a trait that is controlled by multiple genes and often an intermediate heritage bowl characteristic. Eye color is determined by two distinct factors:

• The pigmentation of the eyes iris.
• The frequency-Dependence of the scattering of light by the turbid medium in the stroma of the iris. 

At one time every human in existence had brown eyes. As humans begin to migrate around the globe traits in humans begin to change. 

People in northern countries tend to have lighter colored eyes and skin. In comparison, darker eyes and skin color are more common in warmer southern regions. People in these regions tend to develop more melanin. 

The American Academy of ophthalmology (AAO) surveyed Americans to find out how prominent certain eye colors were: 

1. Brown eyes - 70% to 79%

2. Blue eyes- 8% to 10%

3. Hazel eyes-5%

4. Amber eyes-5%

5. Greyeyes 3%

6. Green eyes 2% 

Aside from the traditional eye colors people can also have what are known as:

1. Red or violet eyes which occur because of a lack of pigmentation in the eye. The lack of pigmentation exposes the blood vessels underneath and appear to be red or violet less than 1% of the world’s population has this condition also known as albinism.

2. Heterochromia this refers to people with two different colored eyes it can occur at birth or due to injury, medication or illnesses. Heterochromia is also in <1% of the population. 

Sources:

www.allaboutvision.com

www.verywellhealth.com

www.biology.com

www.worldatlas.com

  

Image: www.quora.com

What are those eye drops?

 

Your eye doctor will put a small amount of dilating eye drops into each of your eyes (called mydriatics) so that your eye doctor can see the inside of your eye in detail, including the entire retina, the part of the retina called the macula, and the optic nerve. There are two main types of drops.  One type causes special muscles of the iris to contract, which makes the pupil bigger (dilation).  The other type prevents special muscles from making the pupil smaller, and also relaxes the eye’s ability to focus (cycloplegia).  The two kinds of drops are usually used together, either as two separate drops, as a single combination drop, or as a spray. All these changes are temporary, and usually last for a short amount of time. It usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes for your pupils to fully open. Light-colored eyes (such as blue, green or hazel) will dilate faster than brown eyes.

The eye drops used for dilation cause your pupils to widen, allowing in more light and giving your doctor a better view of the back of your eye. Eye dilation assists your doctor in diagnosing common diseases and conditions, possibly at their earliest stages. They include:

•  Diabetic retinopathy
•  High blood pressure
• Age-related macular degeneration
•  Retinal detachment
•  Glaucoma
• Cataracts

During a dilated exam, your doctor can spot problems like a torn or detached retina or an eye tumor also.

Dilation drops last anywhere between 6 and 24 hours, depending on the drop used. Blue eyes are more sensitive than brown and can stay dilated for longer periods of time. Many patients are concerned about the potential side-effects of these drops. The reality is that these drops are relatively well tolerated. Most patients experience some light sensitivity and blurry near vision. Dilation doesn’t typically affect your distance vision. But because your pupils can’t control the amount of light going into your eyes, the glare outside may bother you. For some people, that makes it unsafe to drive. So make arrangements to have a driver when having a comprehensive eye exam.

#eyegotcha

Sources:

www.aao.org

www.aapos.org

www.sightmd.com

www.mayoclinic.org

Image: www.accutome.com

Year-End “Use It or Lose It” Reminder

As we are quickly approaching the end of the year, it is a great time to review what’s available in your Flex Spending Account! FSAs are known for their “use it or lose it” rule. Don’t let that money got to waste! Use it to start treatment now or to make a payment if you’ve already started. Planning ahead is crucial, as well. It is that time to verify with your employer your flex spending. In addition, it’s great to keep in mind Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and any changes in insurance coverage. Each year many patients lose out on hundreds of dollars through their vision insurance provider, simply because time has slipped away. Don’t forget to take advantage of your remaining vision benefits before the end of the year!

Like most other services or treatments covered in your personal health insurance plan, the vision coverage included in your policy will most likely refresh on December 31^st. With the full coverage amount resetting January 1^st. This means that your annual deductible amount starts over again from zero. However all insurance policies differ, confirm what your plan offers by getting in contact with your provider.

 FSA eligible expenses for vision care:

• Eye exams
• Eye surgery
• Transportation expenses for medical treatments and services
• Braille reading material
• Contact lenses and eyeglasses
• Prescription safety glasses
• Prescription sunglasses
• Co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles
• Guide dog or other service animals

FSAs provide the opportunity to use pre-tax dollars for medical benefits in turn reducing taxable income. They also offer increased deductions for dependent care expenses, help with increases in premiums, co-pays and deductibles.

Contact us and we can help you maximize your benefits and plan for your treatment investment.

 

412.331.9696

eyegotcha.net

 

#eyegotcha    #FSA   #useitorloseit

 

November is Diabetic Eye Disease Month

 

November has been declared as Diabetic Eye Disease Month by Prevent Blindness. To educate the public on the effects of diabetes on vision, risk factors and treatment options.  Diabetic Eye Disease is a group of eye problems that people with diabetes may face as a complication of the disease. These conditions include:

•  Diabetic Retinopathy-is caused by damage to blood vessels in the tissue at the back of the eye (retina). Treatment can help, but this condition can’t be cured.
• Diabetic Macular Edema- is an accumulation of fluid in the macula, (the part of the retina that controls the most detailed vision), due to leaking blood vessels.
• Cataracts- A condition in which the lens of the eye becomes opaque or cloudy, resulting in blurry vision.
• Glaucoma- This condition is when the nerve connecting the eye to the brain is damaged, usually due to high eye pressure.

If you have diabetes you can protect your vision by taking charge of your health to keep your vision sharp:

•  Visit your Doctor
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle
• Manage your medications
• Know the ABCs of Diabetes
• If you smoke - STOP

How to observe Diabetic Eye Disease month:

• Get tested for diabetes
• Post an eye exam reminder
• Offer to take someone to their eye exam

#eyegotcha        #DiabeticEyeDiseaseMonth

Sources:

www.preventblindness.org

www.nationaltoday.com

www.nih.gov

www.modernretina.com

www.mayoclinic.org

www.VSP.com

Image:

www.invisioncare.com

Eyegotcha Trivia Election Edition

1. It takes 270 electoral votes for a candidate to secure victory in the Electoral College
2. President Zachary Taylor never once voted prior to his electoral victory.
3. Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest person to become President at 42 years of age.
4. Only about 60% of eligible voters turn out on average for a Presidential election.
5. Gerald Ford is the only person to have served as President and Vice President without having been elected to either office.

Houseplants for Healthier Eyes

 

We usually think of air pollution as being outdoors, but the air in your house or office could also be polluted. Sometimes 2 to 5 times higher than outdoors. Sources of indoor pollution include:

• Mold and pollen
• Tobacco smoke
• Household products and pesticides
• Gases such as radon and carbon monoxide
• Materials used in the building such as asbestos, formaldehyde and lead

These pollutants and particles affect our eyes dramatically by creating super dry indoor air, which can also cause a host of health issues including chronic dry eye.

Plants are indispensable to human life. Through photosynthesis, they convert the carbon dioxide we exhale into fresh oxygen and then can also remove toxins from the air. Besides helping your eyes studies suggest that having house plants can reduce stress and increasing attention span.

House plants increase humidity in the air through a process known as transpiration. Transpiration is the loss of water from a plant in the form of water vapor. Water is absorbed by roots from the soil and transported as a liquid to the leaves. In the leaves, small pores allow water to escape as a vapor. Of all the water absorbed by plants, less than 5% remains in the plant for growth. Certain high transpiration plants also remove up to 87% of indoor air pollutants within 24 hours. The bigger and leafier the plant the better.

Best air purifying indoor plants based on a 1989 experiment by NASA:

• Pothos
• Dwarf Date palm
• Peace Lily
• Philodendron
• Spider Plant
• Rubber Plant
• Boston Fern
• Areca Palms
• Pineapple Plant
• Dracaena
• Ficus
• Snake Plant
• Aloe Vera
• English Ivy
• Flamingo Lily
• Lady Palm
• Chinese Evergreen
• Kimberly Queen Fern
• Bamboo palm

Besides helping your eyes, studies suggests that having houseplants can reduce stress and increase attention span. House plants are not only pleasant living companions, but that they also provide a number of evidence-based health benefits. Studies have shown plants can knock out stress by calming the sympathetic nervous system, and can also make people feel happier. More research shows spending time around nature has a positive effect on a person’s mood and energy levels.

#eyegotcha

Sources:

www.epa.gov

www.visionsource.com

www.time.com

www.medlineplus.gov


Image: www.bbc.co.uk

Halloween Safety 2020

Over the past several years I have written about the dangers of a Halloween. Dangers such as cosmetic contact lenses costumes trick-or-treating and automobiles.

Halloween 2020 has its own safety tips in the era of Co-vid 19. After many fun activities for families postponed or canceled this year, many communities have decided to allow Halloween festivities to go on by following CDC guidelines.

Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses, there are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween activities. The CDC has released a list consisting of risk levels for Halloween 2020 click here http://bit.ly/37jtOC8

In addition to Co-vid related Halloween safety just a reminder of common Halloween injuries.

• Be sure costumes and masks give those little ghosts and goblins have a clear view of traffic, are not running out in the streets and are visible to drivers by having a flashlight or glow in the dark costumes or accessories.
• If a sword, cane or stick is part of a costume make sure it is not sharp or long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he or she stumbles or trips causing puncture wounds or injuries that penetrate the eye.
• The most common eye specific injuries during Halloween is caused by decorative contact lenses. Contact lenses found in novelty shops, salons, Halloween shops or online are not FDA-approved and are being sold illegally. Contact lenses are medical devices and should be treated as such. Decorative or cosmetic lenses have also been found to contain chlorine.
• It isn’t uncommon for children to break glow sticks, splashing the liquid into their eyes. Some glow sticks contain a chemical called dibutyl phthalate and hydrogen peroxide. If your child has gotten this substance in their eyes, the liquid from the glows sticks doesn’t usually cause serve long term injury, but can cause alarming eye pain.