Insights
Early Eye Care
Children are routinely screened for eye problems during well-child visits that begin soon after birth. Eye issues might be detected during these visits, or a parent may notice that something doesn't seem right - especially in a very young, pre-verbal child. Symptoms that may suggest an eye problem include frequent eye rubbing; extreme light sensitivity; poor focusing and visual tracking; excessive tearing; eyes that look mismatched, crossed, or that don't move together; and pupils that are not the same size or that are white instead of black.
If your family physician or pediatrician does detect a problem, your child will be referred to a specialist, either an optometrist who does basic eye exams and can prescribe glasses, or an ophthalmologist who deals with more serious concerns that may require advanced treatment and surgery.
Computer Vision Syndrome and Digital Eye Strain
Computers, tablets, e-readers, smartphones and other electronic devices with visual displays all can cause tired eyes, digital eye strain and computer vision syndrome.
And computer-related eye problems have become widespread: according to The Vision Council, nearly 70 percent of American adults experience some form of digital eye strain.
Learn how to protect yourself from digital eye strain, including how specially designed computer glasses can relieve tired eyes, 10 tips to reduce computer eye strain, how computer ergonomics can minimize your risk of computer vision problems, and more.
How To Boost Your Diet and Nutrition to Protect Aging Eyes
Age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts commonly cause impaired vision and blindness in older adults. But lifestyle changes, including good nutrition, could help delay or prevent certain eye problems.
Besides adopting a healthy diet, you also can protect your eyes by avoiding intense ultraviolet (UV) light, quitting smoking and getting regular checkups that may help detect chronic diseases contributing to eye problems. Diabetes, for example, increases your risk for age-related eye diseases and may cause diabetic retinopathy.
Regular eye exams, too, are essential for maintaining eye health as you grow older. If eye problems and chronic diseases are detected early enough, appropriate treatment may prevent permanent vision loss.