If there is one thing that’s not going to go away any time soon, it is the computer use among children.
94% of American homes with children have a computer and Internet access. Children from the ages of 8 to 18 have increased their computer and media use from 6.19 hours a day to 7.38 in last decade. Children are spending more and more time listening to music, playing video games, and doing other things on their computers.
More children are beginning to get their own laptops as well as their own tablets. Texting is gaining popularity from children of all ages. Children cannot get enough of these forms of entertainment.
Doctors are worried about heavy computer use from children. They claim that this puts children at risk for myopia. There is research to back up these theories too.
The National Eye Institute has noticed that nearsightedness has increased almost 66 percent in the last 30 years.
Should you worry about your child’s eyes?
If your child spends many hours a day in front of a screen then their eyes are being stressed and strained. They can be at more of a risk than adults for computer vision syndrome.
Child’s eyes are not developed enough to handle the demands of a lot of extensive computer use. It takes years for young eyes to get the fine motor skills that they need for prolonged use. Parents need to be aware of this and monitor the time that their children spend on computers. Children can easily lose track of the time that they are enjoying themselves on the computer, and they will assume that their vision is normal no matter what. It is important for parents to watch the computer time closely and take their children for regular eye check exams.
Children also get other troubles from too much computer use. They are smaller and may have to look up to see a computer screen. If a child has to look up to much or has to strain to reach the keyboard while not being able to put their feet on the ground, then they could end up with back pain, neck pain, and more.
Here are some tips To Decrease The Risk of Computer Vision Syndrome
- Have regular eye exams for your children.
- You should also talk to your children about taking twenty second breaks from staring at the screen every twenty minutes.
- Make sure that everything is the right distance away from the child when they are at the computer. Make sure that they can reach everything comfortably, and that they do not sit to close to the computer screen.
Guidelines
Limit computer use to two hours a day, and let your children do many other physical activities during the day that allows them to move around. Teach your children to use good posture. If they are faced with any type of discomfort during the day, then let them take breaks.
Computer games have Parental Control in them, use it to help control your child’s game time. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and do not hesitate to take your kids to an eye specialist for vision problems. Phoenix Lasik centers usually have eye doctors who specialize in children’s eye problems. Lasik surgery in Phoenix will not be advised to patients 18 years old and below. Instead, kids will be asked to wear corrective glasses at the early onset of sight problems until their glasses prescriptions become stable.
There are some supplements out there like fish oil and flaxseed oil that have vital fatty acids in them with many health benefits. These supplements can do many things including preventing or controlling eyes that are dry.
There are many other benefits too like a lower potential of getting heart disease or chronic inflammation that can lead to diseases like cancer. Chronic inflammation has also been linked to strokes and even Alzheimer’s.
If you use these types of supplements everyday by themselves or with eye drops, then you can expect to experience less burning and redness in your eyes. Many eye doctors are recommending this product to their patients.
Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed Oil, along with fish oil, has Omega-3 fatty acids in them that are good for your overall health. You can take flaxseed oil by capsule or by liquid. To get the best nutritional value from flaxseed oil, make sure that you buy a cold-pressed variety and refrigerate it.
You might want to try an alternative way to get your Omega 3. You can grind whole flax seeds yourself and use them as an ingredient for many things. You can put them over a salad or drink them in a smoothie. Just make sure that you use them as soon as you grind them for the best benefits.
Some good vitamins for your eyes that use flaxseed oil are TheraTears, EyeScience Dry Eye, and Ocusoft Tears Again. Try them and see how much better your eyes will feel.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is a good sources of omega-3s. It helps your eye health as well as your brain health. Fish oil uses the long chain omega-3s, while flaxseed oil uses the short chain.
Watch out for foods that have a lot of Omega-6 fats in them. They can block the body from being able to process Omega-3s.
You can try fish oil in liquid or capsule form. You can also get your fish oil from eating cold-water fish that have been grilled at least three times a week. Some good fish choices would be salmon, tuna, and halibut.
Some good fish oil or cod liver oil supplements are TheraTears, BioTears, and HydroEye.
Which is Better, Flaxseed Oil or Fish Oil?
Many experts recommend fish oil instead of flaxseed oil, because the body absorbs fish oil better.
Think about these factors too:
- Vegetarians may prefer flaxseed oil over fish oil.
- Fish oil can hurt your stomach and cause other side effects like burping, acid reflux, and more.
- Fish oil can leave a fishy taste in your mouth.
Talk to your doctor before you start taking a lot of fish oil or flaxseed oil. Do not mix these supplements with other medicines without a doctor’s permission. You might get a deficiency in Vitamin E if you use these supplements for a long time.
You may also decide on correcting your vision through surgery, although finding a competent eye doctor can be a challenge. Lasik eye surgery in Phoenix is becoming more convenient to local patients because many doctors already adapt this procedure to their practice. The most probable way to find the top Lasik surgeon in Phoenix is through referrals. A good doctor will mostly be the talk of the town. Ask around and you’ll definitely be directed to someone who can help lay out the options specific to your condition.
Are you thinking about choosing contacts instead of glasses? There are benefits to both, but here are some things to think about before you make your choice.
Contacts vs. Glasses
A common reason to wear contact lenses is for aesthetic reasons. But there is more to it than that. If you play sports, contact lenses give a wider range of vision and are harder to knock off than glasses. They will also never fog up.
A study of children and teenagers wearing contact lenses for their first time by the CLIP organization reported general positive results.
- Kids felt good about their appearance
- Their peers liked the new look
- They could perform activities better
- Over 80% said contact lenses were simple to take care of
Disadvantages of contacts
A common issue is that dust might get under a lens, making it itch. This will happen more frequently with rigid contacts, because they do not fit as close to the eye as soft contacts.
Other issues can be caused my maintenance. If the lenses are not cleaned, protein deposits can develop on them, which can cause itching or blurred vision.
If you use your contacts longer than doctors suggest, it may damage your cornea. Letting others use your contacts could result in eye infection.
How can you figure out if you are a good choice for contact lenses? For most people, contacts are a good choice, however, some individuals have vision problems that make glasses a better option. If your eyes are particularly dry or you have other issues, contact lenses may not be suitable for you.
Price of Contact Lenses
The price will differ on the type of lenses you need. Daily disposable contact lenses are often more costly than glasses.
If you wear them, it is a good idea to have a pair of glasses in case you misplace your contacts or have other problems.
Kinds of Contacts
Soft Lens-These are common because they are comfortable and easy to get used to.
Gas permeable-these are harder lenses, but still let oxygen get to the eye, unlike older models. These are harder, so they take longer to adjust to, but they should last longer, and provide better vision. They will probably save you money in the long run.
Hybrid lens- The center is made of the rigid material so you get clear vision, but the outside is made of soft material so you adapt to it more easily.
Other contacts can come with colored tints or shapes to change the color and look of your eye. New techniques and styles are being developed all the time. If you are interested in choosing contact lenses, talk to your eye doctor and see what may be right for you.
Another good alternative is Lasik surgery. If you want to have your vision corrected without having to wear contact lenses or glasses, then visiting a Phoenix Lasik center is a great first step. It is a good practice to do a research on local eye doctors prior to your appointment. Nowadays, Lasik surgery in Phoenix is getting more advanced as well as complicated because of the standard requirements patients demand during and after surgery.
Refractive eye disorders such as astigmatism, hyperopia and myopia can now be treated using LASIK surgery. This has been the panacea of most refractive eye problems due to its efficacy in bringing back clear vision and correcting problems.
Before considering undergoing these treatments, you should know the following things first:
1. LASIK is superior compared to photorefractive keratectomy.
LASIK surgery has often been compared to photorefractive keratectomy due to its similar benefits. However, LASIK has been touted as a more superior procedure because it doesn’t require lengthy recovery. You can get back to your normal routine in just a few days after undergoing LASIK procedure.
2. LASIK offers high success rates. However, it is not for everyone.
You can undergo LASIK surgery if you are not pregnant or nursing, you are not suffering from any autoimmune or immunodeficiency diseases and you do not have some form of collagen vascular problems. People with thinning cornea conditions are also not advised to undergo LASIK surgery. Those who are currently taking medications that might directly trigger ocular adverse effects should not undergo this procedure. As with every other surgical procedure, consultation with your physician is imperative beforehand.
3. Patients who prepare beforehand for the surgery and who follow the correct recovery procedures have successful results.
Studies and trials show that those who have planned for this surgery prior to the surgery had higher success ratings. These people also followed the correct after-surgery recovery procedures to avoid unnecessary side effects.
4. Constant monitoring of your eye condition should be included in your routine.
Before undergoing this procedure, you should understand the things that you must do after the surgery. This way, you can plan ahead and figure out how you are going to change your lifestyle. It is imperative that LASIK patients go for an annual eye check up to determine any changes in the retina and cornea.
5. Ask your doctor if you can keep your LASIK surgery records.
You can use the records for future reference.
These are the things you need to mull over before undergoing LASIK procedures. Remember that no matter how advanced the procedure is, improper care will always lead to negative effects and complications. Make sure you understand everything before you agree to undergo the procedure.
If you decide to continue with the surgery, it would be helpful to educate yourself of what to expect after the procedure. Currently, Lasik surgery in Phoenix is getting more advanced and sophisticated. This makes it easy for patients to become more comfortable with the procedure. However, not all doctors have the competence to execute this method. The best Lasik surgeon in Phoenix will mostly be recognized by the majority. Be sure to ask around for doctor reviews and referrals before you start with the consultation.
Astigmatism is a very common eye disorder. It is actually surprising to find out that most people have this problem. But many are sorely misinformed about how to solve it.
When combined with other eye refractive disorders such as myopia, this problem can become worse. Astigmatism can run in your family. Some of the symptoms of this condition include headaches focused behind the neck, illegible handwriting and constant squinting.
There are many ways to deal with astigmatism. Here are some of them:
1. Wear glasses or contact lenses.
Astigmatism can easily be corrected by glasses or contact lenses. You can find stylish eyeglasses for a low price. The important thing there is the lens. Make sure it really corresponds to the grade of your eyes. If you are physically active, you can opt for soft lenses. There are many types of lenses that can be used daily, monthly or yearly depending on the type or the brand.
2. LASIK surgery
You can get rid of astigmatism once and for all by means of LASIK surgery. It is a painless refractive surgery often used to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Go to a licensed ophthalmologist and find out how you can undergo this process. Compared to other forms of surgery, LASIK is better because recovery is faster. It also offers higher rates of success.
3. Eat foods that are good for the eyes.
Vitamins and minerals are essential for the health of our eyes. Colorful fruits are good for your eyes so make sure you load up on items like oranges, bell peppers and carrots. Vitamin-A, lutein and beta carotene-rich foods should be a part and parcel of your diet.
4. Protect your eyes from the glare of UV rays.
UV rays can enhance the effects of astigmatism considerably. Start protecting your eyes from UV rays during the day. Wear sunglasses that can deflect both UVA and UVB rays.
5. Practice proper eye care.
Proper eye care consists of reading in well-lit rooms, avoiding constant eye rubbing and avoiding overexposure to television and computer screens radiation.
With the help of these simple tips, you can keep the effects of astigmatism at bay and maintain the good health and condition of your eyes. You will also be able to save a lot of trouble and money by keeping your eyes free from disorders.
If you wish to get rid of astigmatism by means of surgery, finding a doctor who you can trust can be a challenge. It won’t be hard to find someone who can perform Lasik eye surgery in Phoenix, since many doctors already claim to be experts on this area. However, there are standard requirements one may demand during and after surgery. Optimum eye care is very important and we all want to be handled by the best surgeons. With this given, it is vital to consider a lot of factors first before deciding to undergo Lasik in Phoenix, or other local areas.
