Survey reveals UK‘s ‘lax attitude’ towards eye health

• damages the optic nerve at the point where it leaves the eye

• caused by raised eye pressure or weakness in the optic nerve

• raised pressure is caused by the aqueous fluid behind the iris failing to drain properly

• symptoms are often unnoticeable & sight loss is irreversible

Your regular check-up helps detect symptoms Click here to book online

Risk factors for developing Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (the most common type)

• Your age: POAG becomes much more common as we get older. It is uncommon below the age of 40 but this type of glaucoma affects one per cent of people aged over 40. About five per cent of people over the age of 65 have primary open angle glaucoma.
• Your race: if you are of African origin you are more at risk of POAG. It is also more likely to develop at an earlier age and be more severe.
• Family: you are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma if you have a close blood relative who has chronic glaucoma.
• Short sight: if you are very shorted sighted you have a higher risk of developing chronic glaucoma.
• Diabetes: if you have diabetes you have an increased risk of developing POAG.

Because so many computer users wear contact lenses, researchers in Spain recently reviewed published studies to see if contact lens wear increases the risk of computer vision problems or causes a worsening of computer vision syndrome.

The investigators found 114 studies written in English or Spanish and published from 2003 to 2013 that referenced both contact lenses and computer use. They chose six studies for final analysis.

All six revealed that contact lens wearers were more likely to have computer vision syndrome symptoms than individuals who wore eyeglasses only or did not need corrective lenses. Prevalence of symptoms ranged from 17 to 95 percent among contact lens wearers and 10 to 58 percent among non-wearers. Also, contact lens wearers were four times more likely to have dry eyes during or after computer use, compared with non-wearers.

A report of the study was published in the March/April 2014 issue of the journal Revista Espanola de Salud Publica.

We are almost FULLY BOOKED for January 2015. Thats why we are extending the offer of a complimentary retinal scan with eye examinations to February 2015 to give as many of our patients as possible the opportunity to participate. This forms part of our commitment to the health and well being of our patients.

Our digital Retinal imaging uses high resolution imaging systems to look for clues about general health and pinpoint signs of disease, such as macular degeneration or systemic conditions such as diabetes.

There are limited appointments available, so please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

See our page on retinal imaging for more information

We are committed to the health and well being of our patients. That’s why we are providing complimentary retinal imaging with all eye exams January 2015.

Our digital Retinal imaging uses high resolution imaging systems to look for clues about general health and pinpoint signs of disease, such as macular degeneration or systemic conditions such as diabetes.

There are limited appointments available, so please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

See our page on retinal imaging for more information

Study by the Centre for Disease Control and prevention found that nearly a million visits to the doctor relate to eye infections from lenses.

Studies suggest that infections occur because people ignore their opticians’ advice. Considering that eyes are so precious, it is surprising that 45% of people dont wash their hands before putting in or taking out their lenses. Other studies show that monthly contact lenses are used for one and a half times longer than recommended.

The biggest cause of infection, however, is overnight wear, says Professor Roger Buckley, associate director of the Vision and Eye Research Unit at Anglia Ruskin University. Sleeping with your lenses in raises the risk of corneal infection twenty times. The cornea is starved of oxygen when lenses are in and eyelids closed, making it less effective as a barrier for keeping out germs.

To ensure your eyes stay healthy with continued contact lens use, you should have your eyes checked regularly, as recommended by your Optometrist. For more information about contact lens hygiene, please contact us.

A Transitions Optical Survey of HR professionals in the US reveals that employers have a limited understanding of the benefits of an eye exam, as 97 percent associate going to an eye doctor with getting a new prescription, but only 60 percent associate it with diagnosing systemic diseases.

This limited awareness of vision care and wear may contribute to the fact that four in 10 employers never discuss vision benefits with employees, forgoing a huge opportunity to educate them about the value of protecting their sight.

Hypertension – also known as high blood pressure hypertension impacts the eye as well as the body. It can damage vessels that supply blood to the retina and cause leakage in the eye

In the US 78 per cent of all healthcare costs can be traced back to 20 per cent of all patients, those with chronic diseases, like diabetes, which can be detected through a regular eye examination.

Employers may be shooting themselves in the foot when it comes to educating their workforce about eye care. While employers in the UK are required under Health & Safety legislation to provide their employees with a regular eye examination if they use a computer as a routine part of their work, employers may not like to promote the importance of using their provided for eye examination because of the associated cost

Furthermore, employers may go with the cheapest option without an appreciation of the importance of specialist occupational eyecare for protecting their bottom line. Even slightly miscorrected vision alone – so slight that an employee may not notice it – can reduce productivity by up to 20%.

Also presenteeism can be impacted by poor vision leading to additional time to complete tasks and decreased quality of work and resulting in 32 times more productivity loss than absenteeism alone.

For more information go to the Transitions white paper on Communicating the Value of Vision Benefit to Employers. http://www.healthysightworkingforyou.org/pdf/broker_paper.pdf

Sticking to a healthy diet significantly reduces the risk of visual impairment in the long-term for older adults. The findings come from a 10-year study of almost 2,000 Australians aged 65 and above.

Researchers from the Universities of Sydney, Melbourne and Wollongong in Australia carried out a population-based analysis of 3,654 participants from the Blue Mountains Eye Study, which measured visual acuity and dietary information to study links between nutrition and vision loss.

As part of the study, participants were measured at the start and at five and 10 years, and had to complete questionnaires relating to their diet which calculated a total diet score (TDS), including energy balance and the quality of the diet.

After 10 years, a total of 1,963 participants had completed questionnaires, providing data eligible for analysis. The results revealed a long-term trend of decreasing risk with improving diet. A higher TDS was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of visual impairment when compared with lower TDS values.

Nutrition is a key part of our eyecare philosophy. We offer supplements such as Lagad Lacrima to promote the production of tears for dry eye suffers, as well as Dietary Advice Consultations at the practice.

According to a recent study reported in Optometry & Vision Science font size plays an important role in determining productivity. It is known that for the printed page reading speed increases with print size. But is this true for reading from computers with added glare and other potentially impactful computer screen parameters?

Peiye et al (2014) studied young (18-35 year-old) and older (55-65 year-old) participants in their study and found that indeed the same relationship exists. They went further and quantified the relationship. Each 1 mm increase in font size led to a mean productivity and accuracy improvement.

Adding reflective glare on the monitor surface led subjects to move their heads forward but had no effect on productivity or accuracy. Age (with appropriate corrective lenses) had no effect on these relationships.

Their study suggests productivity and posture of computer users is enhanced with larger than typical font size.

Youths can suffer from eyestrain caused by using digital screens to do homework, read or play games. Symptoms include dry or red eyes, blurred vision, light sensitivity, headache and neck pain.

As children today become more “plugged in,” the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages parents to keep an eye on their children’s vision.

One study found that children may be at greater risk for symptoms of eyestrain than grown-ups because many computer workspaces are arranged to serve adults. The best viewing height for a computer screen is 15 degrees below the line of vision. While adults look slightly down at a computer, a child who is shorter has to look up at an uncomfortable angle. In addition, a child can strain his or her neck and back when using a keyboard or chair that has been positioned for an adult.

Many children also play video games for hours on end and ignore eye discomfort, which can worsen symptoms.

Here’s how you can prevent your child from getting eyestrain:

• Make sure your home computer workspace fits your child.

• Dim room lighting when using a digital screen.

• Encourage your child to sit with good posture, at least 20 inches from large screens.

• Remind your child to take a break at least every 20 minutes.

• Avoid using screens right before bedtime. The light from the screen can disrupt a child’s ability to fall asleep.

• The AAP recommends that parents limit the amount of time their child spends on electronic devices to under two hours per day. Children under age 2 should be as “screen-free” as possible.

Source http://aapnews.aappublications.org/content/35/11/28.6.full

Reported in the Optometry today,  more than 90% of British people do not think eye health is a top concern when considering their overall wellbeing, new research released by the charity Orbis has revealed.

Published on World Sight Day today (October 9), a survey of 2,000 people showed that 93% stated eye health was not a priority, despite voting sight as their most valuable sense. Furthermore, 50% admitted failing to have their sight tested regularly.

Brian Little, consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital and Orbis ambassador, said: “Brits tell us they value their sight more than any other sense, yet our study shows four-in-five admit they lack knowledge about eye health and eye diseases.

“The alarming reality is that the number of people at risk of losing their sight in the UK is increasing – numbers are set to double to over four million by 2050, due to an ageing population and increased risk of obesity and diabetes, making sight loss a very real issue for the British public.

“As a nation we know we have access to eye health services if our sight begins to deteriorate and this may make the issue less urgent in people’s minds. We are very lucky, in many of the countries in which Orbis works, access to eye care is severely limited and losing your vision will often mean losing your livelihood, or even worse.”

If you are worried about your eye health or want to find out more, please contact us.  You can also

As a charity which provides eye health training in developing countries, Orbis launched its latest appeal last month. Vision for Ethiopia aims to raise funds to support the charity’s work in Ethiopia, where it is working to help eliminate trachoma in the region by 2020. To find out more go to www.visionforethiopia.orbis.org