July isn’t just about welcoming the warm embrace of summer in Chino, CA. It’s also UV Safety Month, an important time to discuss and dissect the effects of UV rays on our eyes and the crucial steps we must take to protect them. In this post, we discuss the potential risks of long-term sun exposure and how to safeguard our vision against the harmful effects of UV rays.
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June- fireworks Eye saftey and cataract awareness month
Americans spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually on consumer fireworks, which cause more than 9,000 injuries a year. With the Fourth of July holiday just weeks away, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is reminding the public that fireworks are not toys but incendiary devices that can cause devastating eye injuries.
Cataract is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. If not treated, cataracts can lead to blindness. In addition, the longer cataracts are left untreated, the more difficult it can be to successfully remove the cataract and restore vision. During Cataract Awareness Month in June, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reminds the public that early detection and treatment of cataracts is critical to preserving sight
May Is Healthy Vision Month
Many adults and children suffer from eye diseases and vision problems. Many of these maladies can be prevented. Some can have their vision restored medically and through healthy vision habits. If you want to celebrate National Healthy Vision Month this May, follow our tips for your eyes.
Healthy Diet
Vitamin A is so necessary to good sight. Carrots are a high source of this vitamin, as are some other foods. When you consume vitamin supplements targeted for eye health and/or eat a diet rich in foods that are good for your eyes, you retain the vision you have and sometimes even make your vision better. Healthy eating prevents other illnesses that can affect your sight too.
Eye Protection
The sun, while necessary to regulate your circadian rhythm and sleep, can actually cause many vision maladies. Protecting your eyes with sunglasses recommended or sold by your eye doctor stops harmful rays from damaging your retinas. Wear sunglasses every time you go outside, even if the sun isn’t shining or doesn’t seem that bright. It’s not always what you can see that can hurt your vision.
See Your Eye Doctor Once a Year (or More Often When There’s an Emergency)
Most patients should see their eye doctors once a year. Your eye doctor can detect changes in your vision, find diseases if they are present, and/or detect other eye and vision problems. You may get glasses as part of your eyecare. You should wear your glasses as prescribed.
If your vision changes very suddenly, see your eye doctor right away, or as soon as you are able. If it’s after business hours and an emergency, you should go to the emergency room where they can hopefully call in an ophthalmologist to diagnose and treat your sudden eye and vision issues.
Since it’s May and Healthy Vision Month, why not schedule an appointment with an eye doctor now? We’d love to see you at Advanced Eyecare of Chino Optometry!
January Claucoma Awareness Month
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the United States. Glaucoma has no noticeable symptoms in its early stages, and vision loss progresses at such a gradual rate that people affected by the condition are often unaware of it until their sight has already been compromised. During Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, the American Academy of Ophthalmology advises the public that the best defense against developing glaucoma-related blindness is by having routine, comprehensive eye exams.
World KC Day: Raising Awareness and Supporting Those with Keratoconus
Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive eye condition that causes the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, to thin and bulge. This can lead to blurred vision, double vision, and other visual distortions. KC is typically diagnosed in the teenage years or early adulthood and can progress over time.
World KC Day, celebrated on November 10th, is a national awareness day sponsored by the National Keratoconus Foundation (NKCF). The day is dedicated to raising awareness about KC, as well as educating and advocating for those living with the condition.
What is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory eye condition that affects the cornea. The cornea is the clear front part of the eye that helps to focus light. In people with KC, the cornea thins and bulges out, which can cause blurred vision, double vision, and other visual distortions.
KC is a progressive condition, meaning that it gets worse over time. However, the rate of progression varies from person to person. Some people may experience rapid progression, while others may have only mild changes over many years.
Symptoms of Keratoconus
The most common symptoms of keratoconus are:
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Streaking vision
- Ghosting
- Difficulty seeing at night or in low light
- Sensitivity to light
- Frequent headaches
- Eye strain
Diagnosis and Treatment of Keratoconus
Keratoconus is typically diagnosed during a routine eye exam. Your eye doctor will use a variety of tests to measure the thickness and shape of your cornea.
There is no cure for keratoconus, but there are a number of treatments that can help to improve vision and slow the progression of the disease. Treatment options include:
- Contact lenses: Contact lenses can help to correct the irregular shape of the cornea and improve vision.
- Corneal collagen cross-linking: This procedure stiffens the cornea and can help to slow the progression of KC.
- Intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS): ICRs are small plastic rings that are implanted into the cornea to help improve vision and slow the progression of KC.
- Corneal transplant: In severe cases of KC, a corneal transplant may be necessary.
World KC Day
World KC Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness about keratoconus and support those living with the condition. Here are a few ways to get involved:
- Learn more about KC. Visit the NKCF website or other credible sources to learn more about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of KC.
- Share your story. If you have KC, share your story on social media using the hashtags #WorldKCDay, #KCConfidence, and #LivingWithKC.
- Support the NKCF. The NKCF is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to supporting research and education about KC. You can donate to the NKCF or volunteer your time to help raise awareness about the condition.
Conclusion
Keratoconus is a challenging eye condition, but there is hope. Thanks to research and advances in treatment, people with KC can now live full and productive lives. World KC Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness about the condition and support those living with KC.
