The College of Optometrists in London recently reported that tanning beds are equally, if not more so, damaging to our eyesight than our skin. The human eyelid is too thin to protect the eye from UV rays, both indoors and out. Therefore, by increasing exposure to these harmful rays in tanning beds, we put our eyesight at further and unnecessary risk. Not only is the delicate skin of the eyelid at a higher risk for burning, but it also is not thick enough to protect the eye from potential burns to the cornea, cataracts and retina damage.

Symptoms of cornea burns include eye irritation and conjunctivitis, which can lead to tearing of the eyelids and blurred vision. Cataracts cause a cloudy surface on the eye which must be removed through surgery and retina damage typically requires surgery to alleviate serious vision problems.

The College of Optometrists recommend the use of FDA-approved goggles or “wink-ease” provided at tanning salons, for those that simply cannot live without a bronzed exterior. While this solution protects the eyes from UV rays, it does nothing to protect the body from other harmful effects of prolonged exposure.

So if you have to use a sunbed, remember to be as careful with your health as possible. Always wear protective goggles, as merely closing the eyes does not protect the eyes at all and neither does draping a towel over the face. Avoid excessive use and don’t stay in long enough to burn. When it comes to your health, you only get one chance.

For years the reading community has argued that reading online is an altogether different experience from reading printed text. In print, there is a visible and tangible beginning, middle and end whereas on the Internet, a reader decides where the story starts, stops and changes course completely. In this way, readers are either more distracted consumers of information or extraordinarily adept navigators through a world of increasingly opinionated and individualized content. Some argue that e-Books offer a way to jump directly into a writer’s content because there is no sense of how much material is left before a climax while others argue that a tangible relationship with a hardcover book puts the reader in a more relaxed place where he is free to truly focus on the material and task at hand. Regardless of the effects on reading however, e-Books are beginning to outsell hard covers on sites like Amazon.com leading some to believe the demise of books and potentially meaningful reading is on the horizon.

Another concern about all this screen reading is possible degradation of one’s eyesight. Frequent computer users often complain of dry eyes, eye strain and blurry vision as well as headaches and neck and shoulder pain. It remains to be seen whether long term vision impairment will result from heavy electronic consumption as the proliferation of screens in everyday life is a relatively new phenomenon. However, there are steps that computer users can take to help deal with the symptoms of eye strain:

• Take breaks from the screen every 30-60 minutes. Looking at objects off in the distance every so often restores the eye’s ability to focus.
• Place the computer monitor or other screen 24”-30” away.
• Keep your screen below eye level to avoid “bright eyes” which cause the eyes to dry out faster.
• If you have to look between hard copy and the screen often (as with data entry), place the hard copy on a stand at equal height and distance as the computer monitor.

Usually the symtoms of eye discomfort are born from intently looking at a computer screen for extended periods of time, which generally reduces the speed of blinking. The above steps can greatly reduce eye fatigue and stress and should be considered not only in working environments, but also when entertainment is generated from the fluorescent light of any type of electronic screen.

Safety
Solar light bulbs never get hot because there is no electricity involved in their production of light. Therefore, they are completely safe for use on the ground or adjacent to any material. Additionally, pets, children or clumsy guests will not burn themselves on an accidentally touched bulb. The solar lights do not require the use of electricity, so there are no cords to deal with and therefore possibly trip over. It’s impossible to get electrocuted by a solar lamp.

Convenience
As there are no cords and no electricity, solar lights can be placed anywhere outdoors with no regard for a nearby power source. There is no need to worry about surge protector configuration or planning clever cord camouflage. All the bulbs require is direct sunlight during the day and they will shine effectively through most of the night.
Most solar lights have automatic darkness sensors, so they turn on and off on their own. You don’t have to unplug them or worry about leaving them on and wasting valuable electricity.

Cost Effective
Complicated outdoor lighting systems often wind up costing more than their worth in wasted electricity costs. Solar energy is completely free and reuseable. Once the lamp is installed, there is no further cost or maintanence. Most lights consist of one to two pieces so there is minimal if any upkeep and negligible potential for damage.

Environmentally Friendly
Solar lighting units are equipped with a solar panel that “stores” the energy from the sun’s rays during the day and then “reuses” it at night to light the bulbs. As the sun is the Earth’s most readily available and reuseable natural resource, there is never a fear of running out or using up too much of its energy.

Solar lights come in various sizes, shapes and colors, so in addition to being safe, convenient, cost effective and environmentally friendly, they are also completely compatiable with any backyard motiff. These versatile lighting options can be used to light potentially dangerous topography, such as rocks or pipes, they look great lined along a walkway or down a staircase and they effectively provide ambient light in any situation. All in all, solar lighting is a perfect solution to the pesky summer problem of wanting to stay outside into the night without expending any additional resources.

The weather is changing and we’re all getting ready to put on our bathing suits, throw a towel in the car and head to the beach. Summertime’s warm, sunny days inherently lead to more time spent outdoors and therefore more exposure to the sun’s rays. While limited sun exposure is beneficial to our health, increasing levels of Vitamin D, coloring our skin with gorgeous tans and elevating our moods, it can also be damaging if we forget to protect ourselves. We’ve all experienced the pain of a sunburn and the fatigue that comes with too much time in the sun. We know to put sunscreen on to protect our skin and to drink enough water to keep our bodies hydrated. However, we often forget how the sun can affect our eyes. There are a couple easy steps we can take to ensure our eye safety, including wearing sunglasses and hats. Here are a couple of helpful tips when choosing sunglasses.

Sunglasses are not only stylish but are also essential to safe driving, playing outdoor sports or even making a fashion statement. However, the level of UV protection provided by your sunglasses makes a huge difference and can ultimately affect the overall health of your eyes. Too much ultraviolent exposure can lead to damage to the skin on your eyelids, the cornea and retina of your eye and can even lead to certain types of cataracts.

As you probably know, sunlight contains various ultraviolet wavelengths that are invisible to the human eye. The two types of we need to be concerned with are UVA and UVB rays. UVC rays also exist but are mostly filtered out by the atmosphere, so we need not be too concerned.

UVA rays have the least affect on our eyes but are still dangerous with prolonged exposure due to their ability to pass through the eye’s cornea to the lens and retina. UVB rays have a higher energy and shorter wavelengths, making them more powerful. In small doses, these rays are responsible for summer tans but overexposure can lead to sun burn, premature aging, wrinkles and even skin cancer.
 
UVA and UVB radiation is present at all times of the day, but is most intense between 10 am and 2pm, especially during the summer and at higher altitudes. So be prudent about your eyewear if you know you’re going to be outside during these times. Open spaces also tend to have higher levels of UV rays, especially when reflective surfaces like snow and sand are present. Urban areas have lower UV concentrations because buildings and other structures shade the streets.

 Our best defense against the sun’s harmful effects is wearing proper sunglasses. When shopping for sunglass, be mindful of the percentage of UV protection offered. High-quality sunglasses will provide up to 100% protection against UVA and UVB rays. Avoid glasses labeled “cosmetic” or don’t provide UV protection information. Other lens options exist to make distant object easier to discern, reduce glare, adjust to different lighting situations, protect from impact and block visible light. However, first and foremost, look for UV protection.

Contrary to popular belief, lens tint does not affect its efficacy. In fact, darker lens can distort color and make seeing important signals like stoplights more difficult.
Another important factor to remember when choosing sunglasses is that they only protect the front of the eye. Damaging UVA and UVB rays can still reach the eye from around the sides or top of the frames. Wraparound styles are the most effective way to block out these rays. This style is great for participating in outdoor sports as there are no blind spots or potential to be blinded by the sun. They also fit tighter and are less likely to fall off during physical activity.
 

Lastly, don’t forget that children’s sensitive eyes are most affected by the sun. Outfit your kids with quality sunglasses and encourage them to wear them as often as possible. Children also tend to spend more time outside than adults, making eye protection even more important.

Whatever style, color, or shape you wind up choosing, remember than sunglasses are our eye’s best defense against the sun. We are especially vulnerable during the summer due to increased UV radiation, but sunglasses are equally important when clouds or snow are present. So equip yourself with glasses with a high percentage of UV protection, look for wraparound frames, wear a hat to ensure maximum protection and enjoy these warm summer months without worrying what the sun will do to your eyes.

In our resource library you’ll find documents, reading lists, terms for definitions and articles providing valuable information  in regards to reading and writing  help.

Here is our informational video in which you can also download on the home page.

With the advancement in technology, many feel that reading has taken the backseat to Video games and television.  Reading during holidays and summer breaks, helps kids maintain their brain muscle activity consistent so that once the classrooms commence again, they ease into educational and study routines easier.  Though it may seem challenging to spark interest in children to enjoy reading, there are many things you can do to make the activity fun and an event worth looking forward to.

Teamwork
Similarly to sending a child to their room when they’ve been bad, instructing them to just go and read there, can give the activity of reading a negative connotation.  Rather than implementing a forced schedule where they must read, make it a joint experience.  Studies show that parents who read to their children at a very young age, imprint a memorable experience that sticks with them  till they grow older.  If your kids already know how to read, try reading books to them that are advanced for their level.  This helps to introduce more sophisticated vocabulary and grammar to them.

Location Location Location
Take advantage of weather and beautiful scenery in your area.  By taking the activity of reading elsewhere, surroundings can help play a big part in the experience being taken in by your child.  During summer months, you can make it a family event for everyone to grab their favorite books and head out to the beach for some R&R, or have a picnic in the park that includes reading and talking about interesting stories.

Make it a Routine
The key in keeping your child reading is to build a consistent routine around the activity,  something for your child to look forward to.

Ask Questions
Like a great movie, a wonderful story is always exciting to share.  Ask in depth questions that help challenge your child to retain information and focus on what they’re reading.  Show genuine interest by asking about the characters, the scenery or even what your child would do if they were in the place of the character.  By opening a dialogue with your child in the story you’re bringing more of the book to life!

Reading is more than assimilating words from pages, but rather an experience that you and your child can enjoy together.

It is currently a festive time for many and we wanted to extend to everyone celebrating,  a very Happy Lunar New Year! May your year be filled with all the love, luck, fortune and happiness! This year is the year of the Tiger.

A great post in Dear Abby in regards to sight disorders advice.

DEAR ABBY: Please help me get the word out about a common condition that severely affects children’s ability to succeed in school because it inhibits reading, spelling and concentration.

My daughter, who was obviously bright, tested at first-grade reading level in fifth grade. She had undergone all the school testing for learning disabilities, plus two days of testing at a respected university hospital. None of these tests or specialists revealed what could be wrong with her.

My child’s self-esteem suffered. Her confidence faltered; she began acting out in school. At home she was a great kid, until it came time for schoolwork. Then the battles began. She thought she was dumb. When studying, she could read for only a very short time. She often begged me to read things to her. When working on spelling and assigned to rewrite the words she missed five times, she often recopied them wrong. We thought she just wasn’t trying.

After much research on the Internet, I came across a disorder called “convergence insufficiency disorder.” This visual condition is the leading cause of eyestrain. Fortunately, we had the opportunity to have her tested at the Mayo Clinic, where her condition was confirmed, and she was successfully treated with vision therapy.
It was as though a miracle had occurred. After six months of treatment, my daughter is almost at her age-appropriate reading level. Her comprehension and retention have markedly increased, and her self-esteem and attitude about reading are much better.

Children with this condition will not benefit from tutoring, special education or extra help from teachers until the condition is diagnosed and treated. My child had 20/20 vision and still had this disorder. It’s not routinely checked with eye exams, and schools don’t test for it.

I suspect that many children out there are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and going untreated. The treatment for convergence insufficiency disorder is noninvasive, effective, and much of it can be done at home. Please help me get the word out so other families won’t have to go through what we experienced. — ANGIE W. IN MINNESOTA

DEAR ANGIE: I am pleased to help you get the word out to other families whose children are struggling to learn. After reading your letter, I contacted my experts at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and was informed that this problem, where the eyes drift too much inward (or outward) in attempting to focus, can also be present in adults.
The symptoms can include eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, sleepiness and trouble retaining information when reading. Other symptoms associated with convergence insufficiency include a “pulling” sensation around the eyes, the rubbing or closing of one eye when reading, words seeming to “jump” or “float” across the page, needing to reread the same line of words, frequent loss of place, general inability to concentrate and short attention span.

The good news is: Vision exercises can fix the problem in most cases, some done at home and some performed in-office with a vision therapist. Prism glasses are another option; however, they are more often prescribed for adults with this disorder than for children.