How Vision Affects Driving Abilities

 

Image: www.AAA.com

Driving is a multi-sensory experience that requires careful coordination and mastery of a wide array of skills. 90% of driver information is visual.

Vision is essential for driving. Gathering information with your eyes is called visual perception. Safe driving depends on your ability to notice many things at one time. A drivers eyes must move constantly. Good vision helps to identify road hazards, read signs and see your dashboard.

Drivers of any age with vision issues should take heed of their limitations and make modifications as needed these include:

• Macular degeneration
• Color blindness
• Cataracts

A recent study has shown 1 in 5 drivers suffer from a visual defect. 33% of drivers have uncorrected vision.

If you notice any of the following symptoms in yourself or a loved one make an appointment with an eye care professional ASAP:

• Blurry vision
• Glare or halos when looking at oncoming headlights or street lights.
• A dark spot in your central vision or peripheral vision.
• Difficulty reading road signs or spotting pedestrians.

Aging motorist account for 18% of all traffic crashes in the US. Older drivers can make certain changes to improve their safety on the roadways:

• Take a senior driver improvement course- could lower Insurance rates also
• Reduce driving at night
• Accommodate for glare
• Be especially cautious at intersections
• Get annual vision checks

#eyegotcha

#PittsburghEyeCare

#PittsburghOptometrist

 

Sources:

www.daytonadailynews.com

www.aao.org

www.AAA.com

www.Driversed.com

May is UV Awareness Month

Image: www.forefrontdermatology.com

The beneficial effects of UV radiation include the production of a vital nutrient, vitamin D; however, overexposure may present risks. Sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer are all risks to overexposure. Keeping you and others protected from UV radiation is an important, year-round responsibility.

The sun releases energy (radiation) in many forms:

• Sunlight is the form we see

• The heat we feel is another form

• Ultraviolet light (UV) rays are a third type that cause sunburn.

    -UV-A can damage the macula

    -UV-B The cornea and the lens absorb the most UV-B rays over time the effects of UV may cause a number of eye problems including:

• Macular Degeneration-Causes loss in the center of the field of vision.
• Cataracts-Clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye resulting in blurred vision.
• Pterygium-Is a pinkish, triangular, non-cancerous growth that starts on the clear tissue of the eye and spreads to the cornea.
• Skin cancer-The abnormal growth of skin cells most often develops on skin exposed to sunlight. Research has shown that getting severe sunburn just once every two years can triple the risk of melanoma skin cancer.
• Corneal sunburn-call photo keratitis is the result of high short term exposure to UV-B rays. It can be very painful and may cost temporary vision loss.

Protect yourself from UV rays by:

   1. Wearing sunglasses with 100% UV protection.

   2. Contacts can help to some types have UV protection.

   3. Be aware of cloudy days UV rays can still travel through cloud cover.

   4. Don’t forget the sunscreen

   5. Wear a wide brimmed hat

Are you at risk?

Some factors may increase risk of eye or skin cancer:

• Family history

•  Having light colored eyes, hair and skin

• Being outdoors for long periods of time

• Spending time around the water or other reflective surfaces without eye protection

• Recent cataract surgery

• Are over the age of 50

#eyegotcha

#PittsburghEyeCare

#PittsburghOptometrist

Sources:

www.optometrystudents.com

www.pvfa.org

www.mayoclinic.org

www.aao.org

www.va.gov

 

Are Women Predisposed to Eye Disease

Studies show that women are more likely to suffer from eye-related problems than men. Women need to be more vigilant with their eye care. Two thirds of blindness and visual impairment worldwide occur in women. That is 66% of blind patients are women.

Top eye related risks for women:

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) 65% of cases
• Cataracts
•  Glaucoma (65%)
•  Dry eye occurs at double the rate in post-menopausal women

In general women are more susceptible to auto immune diseases that affect vision, than men.

Diseases like:

• Lupus
• Sjogren’s Syndrome
• Hyper thyroiditis
• Pregnancy can cause changes in vision due to hormonal changes.

Why are women at higher risk? 

•  Women live longer-age plays a role in vision problems.
• Hormones
• Diabetes
•  Medications
• Lifestyle choices-Stop smoking, eat healthier, protect your eyes from UV rays. 

It has been estimated that 75% of blindness and vision loss can be prevented or is treatable.

Prevention:

1. Have a comprehensive eye exam including dial action and a health scan of the eye.
2. Be aware of family history.
3. Switch to a healthy lifestyle.
4. Protect your eye from UV rays with sunglasses and other dangers such as flying debris by wearing Googles.

 

#eyegotcha

#PittsburghEyeCare

#PittsburghOptometrist

 

Sources:

www.aao.org

www.visionsource.com

www.yoursightmatters.com

 

Image: www.focusclinics.com

 

Visual Hallucinations

 

Image: www.researchgate.net

When you’re sure you’ve seen something, then realize it’s not actually there, it can jolt you. It’s called a visual hallucination, and it can seem like your mind is playing tricks on you.

The word “hallucination” is a Latin word meaning “to wonder mentally”. Hallucinations are defined as the “perception of a nonexistent object or event” and “sensory experiences that are not caused by stimulation of the relevant sensory organs”.

Visual hallucinations are the second most common type of hallucination and span several different fields including psychiatric, neurologic, and ophthalmic. No single cause has explained all types of visual hallucinations. There are several theories that exist and are associated with many diseases and conditions. Some of these conditions include but are not limited to:

• A disturbance of brain structure
• A disturbance of neurotransmitters
• Delirium and emergence of unconscious into the consciousness
• Seizure activity of Cortical centers
• Lesions the cause of the affirmation of the visual system
• Simple loss of normal visual input
• Certain sleep disorders
• Dementia with Leah bodies (DLB)
• Common in older people with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer’s or dementia
• Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA)- refers to gradual and progressive degeneration of the outer layer of the brain (the cortex) in the part of the brain located in the back of the head (posterior).  
• Migraines
• Drug & alcohol effects
• Tumors
• Epilepsy
• Anton Syndrome-Those who have it are totally or partially blind caused by damage to the brain's occipital cortex but the eye looks normal. Will affirm, often quite adamantly and in the face of clear evidence of their blindness, that they are capable of seeing.

Visual Hallucinations are treated after many tests to determine the exact cause of the hallucinations. The needed treatment depends on finding the condition that’s triggering your hallucinations. In many cases, if you can treat that, you’ll stop seeing things.

Key areas for future research include the development of valid and reliable assessment tools for use in physical process studies and clinical trials, studies of shared and distinct traits and when and how to treat visual hallucinations.

#eyegotcha

#PittsburghEyeCare

#PittsburghOptometrist

Sources:

www.verywellmind.com

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

www.webmd.com

www.alz.org

Bloodshot Eyes

 

Eye redness known as blood shot eyes, is from irritated or inflamed blood vessels on the surface of the white part of the eye (the sclera). Red eye usually is a symptom of other eye conditions that can range from benign to serious, not just from over indulging in your favorite adult beverage.

The most common causes of bloodshot eyes:

1. Irritants such as:

• Dry air
• Smoke exposure
• Air pollution
• Fumes
• Exposure to the sun
• Dust
• Allergy
• Colds
• Coughing or vomiting
• Rubbing the eyes
• Sleep deprivation
• Prolonged screen time
• Pool Chlorine

2. Eye infections

• Blepharitis
• Conjunctivitis or pink eye
• Corneal Ulcers
• Uveitis

3. Other causes

• Recent eye surgery
• Trauma or injury to the eye
• A rapid increase in eye pressure
• Corneal scratches
• Scleritis – inflammation of the white of the eye
• Eyelid styes
• Bleeding issues
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Cigarettes, drug and Alcohol use
• Wearing contact lenses

Most causes of bloodshot eyes aren’t severe, however you should seek medical help if:

• Your symptoms persist more than a week
• You experience changes in vision
• You have pain in your eye(s)
• You have a discharge from one or both eyes
• You take blood thinning medication
• Your eye(s) is red after trauma
• You have a headache or blurry vision
• You see white rings or “halos” around lights
• You experience nausea and vomiting

Don’t use “red eye remover” eye drops. These drops contain vasoconstrictors that shrink blood vessels. You may experience red eye more often over a period of time. The best wat to get rid of bloodshot eyes is to see your doctor to determine the cause and extent of bloodshot eyes.

#eyegotcha

#PittsburghEyeCare

#PittsburghOptometrist



Sources:

www.healthline.com

www.mayoclinic.org

www.allaboutvision.com

Image:
www.menshealth.com

Anatomy of Eyeglasses

 

Weather in the market for new eyeglasses or just in need of repair. Here are a few terms you may want to be familiar with when speaking with an optician-this is the general name for a person who makes or sells eyeglasses.

1. Rims: Are the part of the eyeglasses that give your glasses their character. Their function is to hold the lenses in place.
2. End pieces: These are the small parts on the front frame that extends outward to connect the front frame to the hinges.
3. Bridge: The bridge is the center of the frame that rests on your nose and joins the two rims together. Most metal frames have joining points from the eye wire to the bridge. Plastic frames are one piece molded nose Bridge and wire.
4. Hinges: Sit between the end pieces and the temples. This allows you to close your glasses by folding the temples inward.
5. Lenses: Are the clear pieces of glass, plastic or other materials held in place by the rims. The lenses are crafted and shaped with your unique prescription to help you to see clearly.
6. Screws: Are exactly what you think. Tiny screws typically made of metal or plastic that are inserted into the hinge to connect the temples to the end pieces.
7. Nose pads: The rounded plastic pieces under the bridge that sit on your nose. They give a more comfortable and secure fit.
8. Nose pad arms: Used mostly for metal eyeglass frames. Nose pad arms are the mounting mechanism used to attach the nose pads to the frame.
9. Temples: The name for the arms of the glasses that extends from the hinges to the ear.
10. Temple tips: The end pieces of the temples that wrists directly on the ear. Sometimes called the earpieces

#eyegotcha

#PittsburghEyeCare

#PittsburghOptometrist

Sources:

www.heffingtons.com

www.fixmyglasses.com

www.aao.org

Eye Nodules in Covid-19 Patients

 

Images: www.rsna.org Radiological Society of North America

A small study in France, published February 16, 2021 in the medical journal Radiology, of the 129 patients who were studied with severe COVID-19, who were hospitalized and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans across 16 hospitals from March 4 to May 1.

Previous studies have shown ocular manifestations may present in COVID-19 active in 31% of patients. In some cases evidence has been presented with ophthalmic symptoms as the first complaint of patients. COVID-19 has already been linked to cases of conjunctivitis, but this is the first time researchers have noticed nodules on the back of patient’s eyes. Researchers say the viral infection may affect blood vessels which could lead to the nodules. The theory is that the nodules could be related to inflammation triggered by the virus and inadequate drainage of the veins around the eyes due to patients remaining in the prone position, to improve oxygenation, for a significant amount of time.

Of the 129 patients:

• 9 patients (7%) had abnormal MRI findings of the globe, or eyeball. The MRI scans showed one or more nodules in the back part, or posterior pole, of the eyeball.
• 7 of the 9 patients were in the prone position,
• 7 of 9 patients were intubated in the ICU.
• 8 patients had nodules in both eyes.
• 8 patients had spent time in the ICU for COVID-19
• Many of the nine had underlying conditions.

        o 2 had diabetes

        o 6 were obese

        o 2 had hypertension

With the first goal of getting CoVid patients able to breathe on their own and reduce the viral load. There may be many others with these nodules not just in the eye but also may have had nodules forming in other parts of the body, but doctors have not known to scan for them. The study had several limitations, like the lack of a control group and samples testing for Covid-19 in the eyes and conjunctiva, or the membrane covering the eye and eyelids.

As with other newly discovered potential side effects of COVID-19, the long-term risks are still being assessed. With such a small sample group having been studied more testing is needed to determine the long-term ocular damage and at what stage of the virus are these manifestations occurring.

#eyegotcha

#PittsburghEyeCare

#PittsburghOptometrist

Sources:

www.foxnews.com

www.healthline.com

www.livescience.com

www.ajmc.com