THE VISIONARY Volume 1, Issue 4 Dry eye syndrome (or dry eyes) is a windy days). April-June 2011 chronic reduction in the normal 7. Eat salmon once a week or con- amount or quality of , causing sider taking a daily supplement of Inside this issue: insufficient lubrication of the eye. It omega-3 fatty acids. Dry Eye Syndrome can cause mild to severe discomfort 1 Treatment of dry eye syndrome and damage to the tissues of the sur- : Not Just An Acces- 2 face of the eye - the and con- There are a number of ways to treat dry sory eyes depending on the type and sever- junctiva. Importance of Protective Sports ity of your condition. Eyewear 2 Symptoms of dry eye syndrome  Artificial Tears: Mild cases of dry

 Eye irritation and redness eye syndrome can be treated with Fast Fact:  A gritty or burning sensation to non-prescription artificial tears. the eyes Eye damaging (UV)  Lubricating Ointments: In some Example of Punctual Occlusion  A foreign body sensation - the cases, your eye doctor will recom- radiation goes through clouds. feeling that something is in near the nose. This procedure mend that you supplement daytime your eye keeps more tears on your eyes by use of artificial tears with bedtime  Blurred vision (that may clear blocking the ducts in your lids Eye Care Tips: use of a lubricating ointment. Oint- with repeated blinking) that drain tears away from your  Sensitivity to light ments stay on your eyes much 1. on the computer can be eyes. The plugs may be tempo-  Contact discomfort or longer than artificial tears, but they prevented with computer eye- rary (made of collagen that dis- intolerance will blur your vision. For this rea- glasses. solves in a week or two) or per- son, ointments should be used only To reduce your risk of dry eye manent (made of silicone). If 2. Titanium metal will not react with at bedtime, unless otherwise di- syndrome take the following necessary the permanent plugs skin oils. rected. precautions: can be removed later. The proce-  Medicated Eye Drops: In some 1. Keep your body well hy- dure is painless and takes only a 3. Remove contact lenses when cases, dry eye syndrome may be due drated. Drink at least eight large few minutes, and may eliminate experiencing any eye discomfort. to inflammation and a prescription glasses of water every day. or significantly reduce your need designed to treat inflam- 4. Remove contact lenses when 2. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. They for artificial tears. Ask your eye matory dry eye and increase your experiencing any eye redness. have a dehydrating effect. doctor for details. body's ability to produce tears is 3. Run a humidifier in your home  Nutritional Therapy: There is 5. Eye drop medications should not recommended. during winter or if you live in a growing evidence that supple- be taken with contact lenses in the  Punctal Occlusion: For more sig- dry climate. ments of omega-3 fatty acids may eyes. nificant dry eye problems, your eye 4. Moisten your contact lenses rou- be effective in treating some cases doctor may recommend a procedure tinely with rewetting drops. of dry eyes. Omega-3s are essen- called punctal occlusion. Punctal 5. Clean your contact lenses daily tial fatty acids - meaning that occlusion involves inserting small and replace them as directed. because our body cannot produce plugs in the openings (puncta) of the 6. Wear close-fitting sunglasses them, they are a required part of tear drainage ducts that are located when outdoors (particularly on a healthy diet. on the inner surface of each ,

and be entered Get Your to win a free A Pair of Single pair of Vision RX sunglasses Designer Sunglasses Reading Glasses in Your Choice Office Hours of Marchon Brand Mon - Fri 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Frames * Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. For Summer Walk-ins welcome or Call to Schedule an appointment * Offer Expires 30 days from purchase of progressive glasses Phone: 615-758-2344 Sunglasses: Not Just An Accessory Sunglasses are meant for more than just being a The downside with and often need to be surgically removed. trendy accessory - they protect your eyes from is that many As with applying sunscreen during the winter the sun. No one enjoys squinting while driving fail to realize months, sunglasses should be worn year-round. or walking around on a sunny day and having a the important If you’re skiing, snowboarding, or doing other good pair of shades on keep your eyes from of sunglasses winter related sports, this also calls for appropri- harsh . If you don’t wear sunglasses often, and how they ate eyewear, which includes sunglasses when it’s important that you start, and if you are an protect their you’re out on the slopes. The sun bounces right avid sunglasses wearer, it’s vital that you know if eyes in the first place. off of the snow or water and can still cause sig- your shades are giving your eyes proper protec- Not only do sunglasses shield your eyes from nificant damage to the eyes if they aren’t pro- tion. the sting of the sun but like sunscreen, sun- tected. So don’t take any chances, no matter Sunglasses have been a staple of style and trends glasses also keep harmful UV rays from your what the weather looks like (unless it’s raining for decades. From rappers to wealthy socialites, eyes. can develop from excessive sun or it’s nighttime of course). Children are also wearing sunglasses - day or night - has influ- exposure, which can lead to blurred vision and prone to eye damage from the sun so buy your enced many to buy their own pair. In many other eye problems. Other issues that can be kids a good pair of sunglasses and teach them to ways this is a good thing because the more peo- caused by too much direct include use them whenever they are outdoors. ple get used to wearing sunglasses, the better photokeratitis (a painful eye condition), snow When shopping for sunglasses, you should their chances are for protecting their eyesight. blindness (a type of that occurs within avoid buying sunglasses from vendors on the Not only do sunglasses shield the eye), and various types of eye cancers. street or anyplace outside of a department store Eye cancer is not to be taken lightly. There are or regular store. Chances are these sunglasses your eyes from the sting of the various types of eye cancers, with tumors and aren’t made with quality UV protection or may sun but like sunscreen, painful cysts being the most common. These can not even offer any at all. So don’t be fooled by sunglasses also keep harmful be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant the cheap price tag on a fancy frame. (cancerous). Even if you have a non-cancerous Consult your eye care provider for more infor- UV rays from your eyes growth, these can be very uncomfortable to deal mation or recommendations. Importance of Protective Sports Eyewear Each year, hospital emergency rooms treat more been tested for sports use. with a polycarbonate face mask or wire shield. than 40,000 sports eye injuries. When it comes Sports with polycarbonate lenses and 2. Check to see if it is made of to athletics, prescription glasses, sunglasses, and side shields should be worn when participating polycarbonate material, the even safety glasses don’t always provide ade- in racquetball, tennis, and soccer. most impact resistant. quate protection . That is why athletes of all ages With the help of your family eye doctor, you should also have specialized protective sports 3. Make sure the device is can choose goggles that have been approved by eyeguards. padded around your brow and the American Society of Testing and Materials bridge of your nose, to prevent Eye guards can be purchased from your family (ASTM) or pass the CSA racquet sport stan- the eyeguard from cutting eye doctor, who offers a wider variety of quality dard. Even those who wear prescription glasses your skin. protective eyewear. can be fitted with prescription eyeguards. 4. Make sure it is the right A few things to look for when selecting your size. eyewear are: For baseball and lacrosse, 1. Make sure the eye protector you select has athletes should wear a helmet

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