Vision, and how the brain uses visual information, are learned skills.

From birth, babies begin exploring the wonders in the world with their eyes. Even before they learn to reach and grab with their hands or crawl and sit-up, their eyes are providing information and stimulation important for their development.

Healthy eyes and good vision play a critical role in how infants and children learn to see. Eye and vision problems in infants can cause developmental delays. It is important to detect any problems early to ensure babies have the opportunity to develop the visual abilities they need to grow and learn.

Parents play an important role in helping to assure their child”s eyes and vision can develop properly.
Steps that any parent should take include:

• Watching for signs of eye and vision problems.
• Helping their child develop his or her vision by engaging in age-appropriate activities
• Seeking professional eye care starting with the first comprehensive vision assessment at about 6 months of age.

If you are hit in the eye while playing, either by the ball or the racket, get medical attention immediately, even if you don”t think you are seriously hurt. Eye damage is not always immediately apparent and prompt medical attention can be critical.

To prevent eye injuries, players should always pay attention to the game in progress. Many people are injured while standing next the court as spectators, or by a shot hit by there own doubles partner.
Most importantly, players should always wear protective eye equipment when stepping on to the court.

Conjunctivitis may be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, it can also occur due to an allergic reaction to irritants in the air like pollen and smoke, chlorine in swimming pools, and ingredients in cosmetics or other products that come in contact with eyes.

People with conjunctivitis may experience the following symptoms:

• A gritty feeling in one or both eyes
• Itching or burning sensation in one or both eyes
• Excessive tearing – Discharge coming from one or both eyes
• Swollen eyelids – Pink discoloration to the whites of one or both eyes
• Increased sensitivity to light

If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms please contact our office for an exam as soon as possible!

The problem lies in the blood vessels of the retina. Tiny areas in the vessel walls weaken and bulge out. These are called micro-aneurysms. The damaged vessels leak fluid into the surrounding retina, or may rupture and hemorrhage into the retina. As a result, the retina swells. If the swelling affects the central portion of your retina (the macula), your vision may be impaired.

Often, diabetic retinopothy has no warning signals. You may require treatment and be unaware of your problem. That is why regular examinations for diabetics are vital.

Is it possible to have lazy eye and not know about it? Yes, indeed. Since amblyopia usually occurs in only one eye and the better eye “takes over” seeing for both, persons are often unaware of the condition. Periodic optometric examinations, beginning by or before AGE THREE, are an excellent means of diagnosing lazy eye.

Early diagnosis and treatment is important. The brain learns to “turn off” the lazy eye. The disuse of the eye further weakens it. On the other hand, corrective lenses, prisms, contact lenses and/or vision therapy programs can be prescribed to teach the lazy to function normally. Sometimes, the better eye is covered with a patch to
simulate use and strengthen the lazy eye. If treated in time, clarity vision in the lazy eye can be significantly
improved.

Eyeglass styles have come a long way. Many are so attractive and fashionable that people think they look better WITH glasses than without them. But if glasses are not your “bag”, you should consider contact lenses. They allow you to look and feel more natural, more “yourself”. Contacts give you the confidence and freedom to express your true personality. They not only look good, they FEEL good.

You can probably think of a lot of reasons to have a good pair of sunglasses. For one thing, not many people have eyes that can stand the brightness of sunlight or the glare of sun on snow or sand without the aid of sunglasses. Sun brightness and glare can not only make you uncomfortable, but it can also make seeing
less efficient. If you wear glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision, it makes sense to also have a pair of
prescription sunglasses.

A good pair of sunglasses is a wise investment in comfortable, efficient vision, but they should be optically perfect. They should also be large enough and in the exact tint and density that is best for you. Cheap and imperfect sunglasses should be avoided. Among many disadvantages, they may cause eye strain, headache, or
fatigue. Also they will not give you the protection you may need from ultra-violet and infra-red rays, both of which can be potentially dangerous to your eyes.

What about having your prescription filled somewhere cheaper after obtaining a prescription from your optometrist? You may save some money, but is it worth it? Again, there are several points to consider. Are the quality of the lenses the same? Is the follow-up care sufficient to assure you of a comfortable, correct fit?

Finally, if you do decide to have your prescription filled by an outside source, it is recommended that you have your optometrist verify the accuracy of the vision aids. After all they are YOUR eyes at stake.

are a way of life for 25 million Americans. If you are thinking about joining the ranks, here are some considerations.
Follow instructions on handling and caring for lenses. Use the solutions and disinfection system that your eye doctor recommends. Don’t mix different brands of solutions.

Follow up with regularly scheduled eye exams, including tests for glaucoma, cataracts and retina evaluation. If you choose extended-wear lenses, be extremely careful to follow your doctor”s instructions to the letter.

Take precautions. Not all persons selling contact lenses are licensed to provide contact lens care. The contact lenses should be fitted by an eye doctor. The doctor should be the one to follow you on a regular basis to ensure that the cornea stays healthy. The doctor’s office staff should provide in-depth instruction on inserting,
removing, and caring for the lenses.

Maybe you’ve never worn glasses before and don”t feel you really need them. If you haven’t had an eye examination recently, how can you be sure? Eye problems don”t usually go away by themselves. They only get
worse. It’s possible that your need for glasses is minor. You may need them only when reading, working with figures, or any other close work.

If you’ve been wearing glasses for a long time, you might need a stronger prescription. As people get older, their near-focusing muscles tend to weaken, and their vision should be corrected accordingly. Whatever the cause of your eyestrain, you can benefit from an eye examination to find out what’s causing the problem.