Answers to questions you always wanted to ask about eyes!
Last month a patient walked into the office, not quite knowing how to explain her symp-toms. “My right eye just doesn’t feel right.”
Of all the senses, vision is most often thought to be the most precious. You can protect this valuable asset by having regular eye exams. But even after visiting the eye clinic, many people are still unclear about some commonly used terms.
Q: What’s the difference between the three “Os”? (Ophthalmologist, Optometrist, and Optician)
A: These professionals are often referred to as “eye doctors”, which is accurate only in that they all provide eyecare services. Sometimes their services overlap, but the training and education of each is different. Ophthalmologists are physicians specializing in the medical and surgical care of your eyes. They can be MDs or DOs who have had years of medical education, training and experience. Licensed by the state, they may provide total eyecare from medical diagnosis and treatment, including surgery, to prescribing eyeglasses. Optometrists have a degree in Optometry (OD), provide vision testing and prescribe glasses and/or contact lenses. They also can diagnose eye diseases such as glaucoma and dry eyes, and in our state are allowed to write prescriptions for the treatment of these conditions. They do not perform surgery. All the doctors at The Eye Associates are board certified. Opticians are responsible for dispensing eyeglasses and contact lenses, and are specialists in matching optical products to the wearer’s needs. Some also fabricate, adjust and repair optical goods. Opticians can be board certified but are not doctors, nor do they test vision or write prescriptions.
Water and contacts do not mix. If you need them to see while swimming make sure you clean them afterward to avoid eye infection.
UV rays
A number of studies indicate that spending time in the sun without sunglasses can damage your eyes and contribute to cataracts and growths on the eye, including cancer. Based on these studies, eye doctors recommend that you wear 99 percent and higher UV-absorbent sunglasses and a hat for more shade whenever you’re in the sun.
With summer sun come hidden dangers to our eyes. Just like UV damage to skin can cause cancer, UV damage to eyes can be extremely harmful and is responsible for causing cataracts, macular degeneration, pinguecula and photokeratitis. You must do your part to protect your eyes.
Proper sunglasses are key to protecting your eyes from sun-related damage, and they look good too.
Accidents
Fireworks: Don’t shoot your eye out with fireworks on the 4th of July. You’ve heard it before, but no matter how often this warning goes out, 8,500 people get hurt by fireworks each year in the U.S. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, roughly 2,000 of these are eye injuries with one-third of the eye injuries resulting in permanent eye damage. So once again, beware when handling fireworks.
Sports injuries: In the summer, everybody becomes an athlete – and with more people being active and outdoors the number of sports injuries and eye trauma goes up – from baseball bats to the eye, to boating accidents and snapped cords to branches or rocks hitting the eye while biking. Enjoy your summer activities but make sure you protect your eyes.
Outdoor Yard Work and DIY Projects
People are out gardening or working in their yards – mowing, planting, landscaping DIY home improvement projects in the summer. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nearly 1.5 million eye injuries in the United States occur annually in the home. Even though 90 percent of these injuries could be prevented by using protective eyewear, a survey by the American Optometric Association showed that only 35 percent of people wear protective eyewear at home. It can happen to you, so please protect your eyes.
By embracing these simple tips you and your family can enjoy the summer sun safely while protecting your vision.
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