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October 30, 2009
Foods to Improve Your Vision
Since childhood, many of us have heard that eating carrots will help improve our vision. Though it may seem like a ploy in order to increase the incentive to eating veggies, there is truth in that there are actual foods that provide certain nutrients to aid in the care of your vision, among other things. In addition to carrots, there are many everyday foods and even treats that provide a nutritional boost for your eyes, body and brain.
Carrots
The mighty Carrot! What is it about this orange vegetable that helps our eye site? The orange color is the first indication. Orange fruits and vegetables like the Carrot and Orange, contain what is called “Carotene”, our bodies process Carotene into Vitamin A, which provides nutrition for growth, eyes, skin and even resisting infection.
Dark Chocolate
Just like green tea, dark chocolate is known to provide anti-oxidants. Flavonoids within dark chocolate, aid in protecting your blood vessels, which can prolong the deterioration of yor cornea and lenses as you age. Remember that darker chocolates contain the most health benefits, so pick for content of 60-70% and up.
Garlic
Not only is garlic a wonderful addition to any dish, but it has an abundance of health benefits as well. Garlic is known to increase circulation in your body and help build up immunity. The active ingredient in garlic that helps protect your eyes is Sulfur.
Green Leaf Vegetables
Leafy green veggies such as spinach, arugula, or even broccoli and green beans not only are a good source of fiber and nutrition, but also antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin, that also help protect the physical wear on your eyes.
Egg Yolks
There’s constant stipulation among dieters that egg yolks are bad for you, but in moderation the yolk contains proteins, nutrients, essential fatty acids, zinc and B vitamins that contribute to your health and vision.
Salmon
Packed with Omega 3s, Vitamin A and D, this fish provides a packing punch of nutrients to boost your brain, body and vision.
Though there is no way to target nutrition specifically for your eyes, foods that are generally good for your body, will also be good for your eyes. To prolong the quality of your eyesight, eat well, practice habits that help protect your eyes and consult your optometrist if you ever notice anything that may change or be of concern.
October 20, 2009
HOW TO REDUCE STRESS THROUGH VISUAL HYGIENE TO BETTER READING
Because there is an intimate relationship between posture, working distance, desk surface the pioneering experiments by Dr. Darrel Boyd Harmon and subsequent research by Drs. John Pierce and Steven Greenspan clearly prove a reduction of stress and improved performance when conditions are arranged properly for near-point visual activities such as reading and writing. The following changes were observed: reduced heart rate, more regular and deeper breathing, and reduced neck muscle and overall body tension.
TO ACHIEVE THESE BENEFITS THE FOLLOWING MUST BE ARRANGED
Working Surface: A sloping working surface must be used that is tilted between 20 and 23 degrees from the horizontal. The Visual Edge Slant Board is at 22 degrees, which has been found to be the optimum angle.
Posture: Seated comfortably, relatively erect, feet flat on floor or box.
Working Distance: The “Harmon Distance” is the optimal distance from the eyes to the working surface. It is the distance from the elbow to the first knuckle. This can only be assured with a proper chair height to desk relationship.
Near point Lenses: ONLY IF PRESCRIBED BY A DEVEOPMENTAL OPTEMOGIST. A specific, low power prescription not used to correct a defect in the eyes but to put the eyes into better balance for near tasks. This enhances and integrates the posture, working distance, and surface relationship.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR VISUAL HYGIENE
1. Ensure your reading material is at an angle of between 20 and 23 degrees. The Visual Edge Slant Board is at an angle of 22 degree which research has shown to be the optimum angle at which to read.
2. Do all near point activity at HARMON distance or slightly further. This is the distance from the center of the middle knuckle to the center of the elbow measured on the outside of the arm. Working at the Harmon distance reduces near point visual stress.
3. Be AWARE of space between self and the page when reading. Also, be aware of things around and beyond the book.
4. When reading, occasionally look off at a specific distant object and LET its details come into focus. Maintain awareness of other objects and details surrounding it. Do this at least at the end of each page.
5. When studying, place a bookmark 3 or 4 pages ahead. Get up and move around for at least one minute each time you reach the bookmark.
6. Sit UPRIGHT. Practice holding your back arched while you read and write. Avoid reading while lying on your stomach on the floor. Avoid reading in bed while lying on your stomach on the floor. Avoid reading in bed, unless sitting reasonably upright.
7. Provide for adequate general illumination, as well as good central illumination, at the near task. The illumination on the task should be about three times that of the surrounding background. Avoid the use of florescent lighting.
8. Do not sit any closer to TV than 6 to 8 feet, and be sure to sit upright. Maintain good posture.
9. When riding in a vehicle, avoid reading and other near activity. Encourage looking at sights in the distance for interest and identification.
10. Encourage outdoor play or sports activities that require seeing beyond arm’s length.
11. When outdoors, sight a distant object at about eye level. At the same time, be aware of where things are on all sides.
12. Walk with head up, eyes wide open and look TOWARD, not at, objects.
13. Become very conscious of the background of the objects you look TOWARD, be it a person, print on a page, an electric sign, the TV, or any other object.
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October 13, 2009
Benefits of a Slanted Desk
Remember back in the day when all the school desks were slanted? Ever wonder why they were designed this way? Unfortunately, in classrooms today, the slanted desks are no longer being used…
Educators figured out a long time ago it is a lot easier to read and write on a slanted surface. It has everything to do with ergonomics. Ergonomics as it relates to reading and writing. When reading you naturally tilt the reading material toward you. It is a more comfortable reading position. This actually puts more of the page in focus at one time reducing the strain the on your eyes. It also allows you to more easily track lines and presents the printed characters at a consistence perspective as you read down the page. The result is the brain having to works less on interpreting what it is seeing and allows more analytical resources to understand what has just been read, which leads to less fatigue and better comprehension.
Pioneering experiments conducted by Dr. Darrel Boyd Harmon; American Journal of Optometry Archive, American Academy of Optometry 1960 Mar; 37:121-137 and subsequent research by Dr. John Pierce Rev Optometry 1977; 114:48-63 and Dr. Steven Greenspan; Optometry Weekly 1971; 62(33): 754-757, Optometry Weekly 1971; 62(34): 776-780 have shown that there is an integral working relationship between posture, work distance and work surface. Their research has proven that there is improved learning performance when the proper conditions are established for near-point visual activities such as reading and writing. Their studies show that by having your work presented on a sloped work surface, with an angle at between 20 and 23 degrees, sitting no closer than fist to elbow length distance from the work surface, will reduce your heart rate, induce a more regular and deeper breathing pattern, reduce neck muscle and overall body tension. A slanted surface compels your body to sit in a more upright posture. This simple arrangement allows your body to naturally move into what is know as the Harmon Distance. This is the optimal distance from the eyes to the working surface.
Concurrently, by writing on a sloped work surface you will reduce the fatigue experienced during writing and increase control. When you write on a flat surface you are only utilizing the muscles in your wrist. I am sure you can all relate to the cramping experienced in your wrist when writing for any length of time. As you raise your arm into a slanted position your body now starts utilizing the muscles in the forearm as well. This posture gives a person more control for better penmanship and allows for longer endurance. Architects and Calligraphers utilize a slanted work surface for this very reason.
Photo: Getty's Images
Classroom designers and teachers a century ago understood the importance of proper ergonomics in the classroom and the use of slanted desks in a learning environment. It is amazing how something so simple in concept, yet so effective in application can have such huge benefits. It begs to question why slanted desks were taken out of the classroom in the first place. Other than the simple answers being most likely correct, it was more cost effective. Since flat desks were introduced to the classroom, reading scores have dropped considerably. European schools are now reintroducing slanted desks in their school classrooms and we too should rethink the ergonomics of learning.