In This Issue: September 2022
- Are Fonts Shrinking as You Grow Older?
- September is Self-Improvement Month
- Back to School; Back to Blue Light
- Eye Care Tip of the Month: Be Healthy
Are Fonts Shrinking as You Grow Older?
It may seem like restaurant menus, clothing labels, text messages and other printed words get smaller after age 40. It’s probably not the font that’s changing size – it’s most likely your eyes. Specifically, your eye lenses. Most people’s eye lenses start out flexible and soft which allows them to easily accommodate for up close and distance vision. As you grow older, your eye lenses will start to become more rigid, making it increasingly difficult to read fine print.
This condition is called presbyopia:it occurs to most people over age 40. There are ways to live with (or correct) this condition: over-the-counter or prescription reading glasses, prescription bifocals, monofocal contacts, lens replacement and more.
Presbyopia is different from farsightedness (hyperopia) which occurs when your cornea is flatter than normal or your eye is shorter than normal. Prescription glasses/contacts, LASIK or PRK can correct farsightedness.
If you are tired of needing readers – especially if you’re a teacher who relies on up-close vision to read to students this time of year – contact us at (702) 896-6043to schedule an eye exam and find out which option might work for you.
September is Self-Improvement Month
Self-improvement means something different to every unique individual. This month, we encourage you to focus on personal empowerment: learn something new, overcome your fears, quit bad habits, step out of your comfort zone, let go of negativity – whatever might spark your own personal growth.
If your eyesight could use a little improvement (or a lot), schedule an eye exam with us. Our team can help diagnose conditions and offer different ways to help you see more clearly. From glasses to LASIK or cataract surgery to glaucoma management – we have the experience and motivation to help you meet your vision goals.
Back to School; Back to Blue Light
As kids of all ages (and teachers) head back to school, screen time for these individuals is bound to increase – especially for those involved in online classes. Tablets, laptops, smart phones, etc., emit blue light: high-energy visible light that cannot be filtered by our eyes. Overexposure to blue light can lead to eye strain, headaches, dry eye and blurry vision. Using digital devices at night can also disrupt your circadian rhythm, making it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
To minimize the negative effects of blue light, follow these tips:
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away from your device for 20 seconds, focusing on something 20 feet away.
- Blink often and use artificial tear eye drops if your eyes get fatigued.
- Put your digital device away at least one hour before bedtime.
- Use a screen filter or wear computer glasses to reduce blue light emissions.
- Set your device to night mode to decrease screen brightness.
Although there is no evidence that blue light will cause permanent vision damage, it may increase the risk of developing retinal diseases such as macular degeneration. Schedule an eye exam with us today to learn about ways to protect your vision from blue light. Call (702) 996-5159 or click the link below.
Eye Care Tip of the Month: Eat Healthy
Eat fresh, colorful, non-processed foods. Exercise regularly. Stop smoking. You probably know these tips will help promote a healthy body, but you may not know they can also promote healthy vision. Here are some reasons why:
- A poor diet of junk food can lead to diabetes and ultimately retinal damage due to diabetic retinopathy.
- Exercise has been shown to reduce the harmful overgrowth of fragile blood vessels that occurs in eye diseases such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Exercise may slow the progression or even help prevent these diseases.
- Smoking causes the blood vessels in your retina to constrict, increasing your risk of developing macular degeneration. Smoking also increases free radicals in your eyes, leading to the development of cataracts. Toxins in cigarette smoke can lead to dry eye. Smoking also increases your risk of developing glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
One of the best ways to protect your vision is by having regular eye exams – even if you aren’t having any vision problems. Contact us today: (702) 996-5159.
