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In the News - August 2008
Don't lose sight of good eye health
LITTLE ROCK - Many people may fear losing their eyesight more than losing any
of their other senses and more than losing their memory and their ability to
walk, according to a 2006 American Optometric Association (AOA) survey. With
routine eye exams, eye protection and a vision-healthy diet, you can preserve
your sight.
"Those who wear glasses or contact lenses should see a vision professional
once a year, and people with specific eye problems may need attention even more
often," said Dr. Margaret Harris, extension health specialist and assistant
professor with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
When children get their eyes checked at school, the vision screenings
performed are not the same as comprehensive eye exams. Eye doctors check for eye
and other diseases that have no early symptoms. Instruments in the eye doctor's
office test for eye conditions, such as nearsightedness, and eye diseases, such
as glaucoma.
According to AOA, children should have their eyes checked at six months of
age, checked at 3 and 6 years old, and then checked every two years until they
are age 18. Adults should have their eyes checked every two to three years until
age 40, every two years until age 60, and yearly after that.
"Aging is a risk factor for conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts, which
is why older people are recommended to get their eyes checked more often,"
Harris said.
The following are common eye problems or diseases explained:
- Glaucoma
- By the time Americans reach the age of 65, a third of them
have some sort of vision-impairing disease. The leading cause of
blindness is glaucoma (affecting more than 3 million people,
with African Americans being most at risk).
- Diabetic retinopathy:
- Diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness (and more
than 16 million people currently have diabetes). If you have
diabetes, be checked for diabetic retinopathy.
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans who
are 65 and older, affecting about 10 million people in the US.
- Cataracts
- More than half of the people 65 and over have cataracts,
clouds that form over the eye blurring or dulling vision
- Other common problems
- Dry eye: increasing in prevalence and can be due to not
enough tears, lacking of quality of tears, aging, environmental
factors and some medications
- Conjunctivitis (Pink eye): Inflammation of the outer clear
layer of the eye due to bacteria, virus or allergies
- Styes: Infection or abcess of eyelid gland near eyelash
roots
- Blepharitis: chronic and long-term inflammation of the
eyelids and eyelashes, affecting people of all ages, and can be
due to poor hygiene, allergic reaction or bacterial infection
Television and computer screens may cause eye strain, if viewers sit too
close and constantly look at them. It is important not to watch TV and computer
screens without taking breaks, Harris said.
The American Academy of Opthalmology states that bright sunlight increases
the risk of cataracts, AMD and growths on the eye, which include cancer. The
longer the eye is exposed to bright sunlight, the greater the risk for damage,
and your eyes don't recover from this kind of sun damage. This not only relates
to staring at the sun, but also sunlight that reflects off snow, pavement, sand,
water, etc.
According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we can protect our eyes from
the sun by wearing sunglasses. This protects the eyes from UV radiation and from
developing cataracts. Sunglasses should block UVA and UVB rays. The majority of
sunglasses sold in the U.S., regardless of cost or color, meets this standard.
Safety goggles are needed, if you are in or around an activity, such as
sawing wood, that may damage your eyes, Harris advised.
"For better eye health, plenty of green, leafy vegetables, two servings of
fish per week, some nuts and some yellow or orange fruits and vegetables needs
to be included in the diet," she said.
For more information about eye health or sight preservation, please contact
your county extension agent or visit www.uaex.edu. The
Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.
August 22, 2008
By Rhonda Conner
For the Cooperative Extension Service
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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