1. Although reading in dim light can make
your eyes feel tired, it is not harmful.
2. Even if you squint, ultra-violet light
still gets to your eyes, damaging the cornea, lens, and
retina. Never watch welding without wearing the proper
protection. Never look directly at an eclipse.
3.
Although using a VDT is associated with eyestrain or fatigue,
it is not harmful to the eyes. Your Optometrist can provide
eye wear solutions to alleviate this problem.
4.
You can use your eyes as much as you wish-they do not
wear out.
5.
Although a good glasses fit is required for good vision,
a poor fit does not damage your eyes, but may contribute
to headache, eyestrain, or fatigue.
6.
Poorly fit contact lenses can be harmful to your cornea
(the window at the front of your eye). Make certain your
eyes are checked regularly by your optometrist if you
wear contact lenses.
7.
There are several asymptomatic, yet treatable, eye diseases
(most notably glaucoma) that can begin prior to your 40s.
8.
Safety goggles prevent many potentially blinding injuries
every year. Keep goggles handy and use them!
9.
Potentially blinding eye infections can result from swimming
or using a hot tub while wearing contact lenses.
10.
Children do not outgrow truly crossed eyes. A child whose
eyes are misaligned has strabismus and can develop poor
vision in one eye (a condition known as amblyopia) because
the brain turns off the misaligned or "lazy"
eye. The sooner crossed or misaligned eyes are treated,
the less likely the child will have permanently impaired
vision.
11.
With modern cataract surgery, a cataract does not have
to ripen before it is removed. When a cataract keeps you
from doing the things you like or need to do, consider
having it removed.
12.
Cataracts are not normally removed with a laser. Cataracts
are usually removed with advanced technology called ultrasound.
However, after cataract surgery, a membrane within the
eye may become cloudy. This membrane can be opened with
laser surgery quickly and easily.
13.
The eye cannot be transplanted. It is connected to the
brain by the optic nerve, which cannot be reconnected
once it has been severed. The cornea-the clear front part
of the eye-can be transplanted. Our doctors perform corneal
transplants routinely. Surgeons often use plastic intraocular
lens implants (IOL's) to replace natural lenses removed
during cataract surgery.
14.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (M.D.) or doctor
of osteopathy (D.O.), trained to diagnose and treat all
disorders of the eye. An ophthalmologist is qualified
to perform surgery and prescribe medication.
An optometrist is a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) who is
specially trained to diagnose eye abnormalities, and prescribe,
supply and adjust eyeglasses and contact lenses. Optometrists
also diagnose and treat many eye diseases and injuries
with medications. Additionally they manage pre and post-operative
care for many types of eye surgery.
An optician fits, supplies, and adjusts eyeglasses and
contact lenses. An optician cannot examine the eyes or
prescribe eyeglasses or medication.
