Teachers think your child has trouble paying attention in class?
The Reason May Be Their Vision!
Many classroom concerns can actually be attributed to treatable vision conditions. Inattentiveness, frustration, lack of organization, acting out in class and many other behavioral issues can be linked to eye conditions such as:
- Nearsightedness
- Farsightedness
- Amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
- Astigmatism (blurry vision)
- Convergence Insufficiency
- Problems with tracking or visual perception
Eye Problems Lead To More Problems
The presence of one of these vision problems can cause a child to experience headaches, eye fatigue, dizziness, poor coordination, or poor concentration and comprehension. The resulting frustration can lead to poor self-esteem and lack of confidence which can cause children to act out in negative ways such as through anger, bullying or fighting.
Solutions Start With Therapy
Vision Therapy, a form of physical therapy for the eyes, is an extremely effective treatment option for any of these conditions and involves a series of eye exercises that help patients develop or recover normal visual skills. Family Vision Development Center in Aurora will evaluate your child with a thorough eye exam and develop a treatment plan designed to correct their specific problem. Call us at 630-862-2020 or visit fvdcpc.com to learn more or to schedule an appointment using our online request form.
Referenced article can be found HERE
That Blurry Vision Could be Lazy Eye
If your child is experiencing signs of blurry vision or lack of depth perception, they might be suffering from Amblyopia, or “lazy eye”. Lazy eye means that one eye does not see as clearly as the other, even with glasses or contact lenses, and sometimes may involve a crossing or turning of the eyes. This type of eye condition is not completely treatable with eyeglasses or contact lenses and often requires vision therapy.
Vision Therapy Is A Successful Treatment Option For Lazy Eye
Vision Therapy for Amblyopia involves special vision training for the eyes, medically proven to be an effective form of treatment. After a preliminary evaluation at The Family Vision Development Center, Dr. Martin will determine the appropriate therapy program designed to treat your child’s specific vision needs.
Early Detection Is Best
Amblyopia is treatable at any age, from infant to adult. However, the earlier a diagnosis is made and treatment started, the better the chance of favorable results from therapy. That is why regular eye exams and communication with your optometrist is so important for early detection of a problem. Contact Family Vision Development Center in Aurora at 630-862-2020 to schedule your appointment today.
Information referenced from this article
Participating in sports as a child or adult can be a very rewarding, character-building experience. But a single blow to the head, even if it is minor, can result in a concussion.
What Is A Concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs after a sudden bump, jolt or blow to the head. This movement can cause the brain to bounce around and push against the inside of the skull and get bruised. Signs of a concussion may occur right away, but sometimes are not noticed until weeks later, and can include headache, nausea, difficulty reading, double vision, fatigue, confusion or memory problems.
Vision Impairment After A Concussion
Some of the most common complaints of patients after experiencing a concussion due to post-concussive vision syndrome are constant headaches and difficulty with reading. Some other visual symptoms might include:
- Difficulty coordinating the eyes with the body
- Double vision
- Trouble focusing
- Loss of vision from part of the visual field
- Inability to use both eyes together, especially when reading or working on a computer
When any of these vision symptoms are present, the ability to function properly or perform daily tasks can be compromised. Posture and balance can be affected, and activities such as walking, running, reading, playing sports or driving may become difficult or impossible.
Treatment With Vision Rehabilitation
A concussion is an injury that should be taken seriously and the most effective treatment for post-concussion vision syndrome involves input from all doctors involved in the patient’s care, such as their neuro-developmental optometrist, medical doctor, neurologist or psychologist.
Dr. Martin at Family Vision Development Center will complete a thorough assessment, and with input from other appropriate doctors, will develop an individualized rehabilitation treatment program consisting of a series of therapeutic visual exercises designed to restore visual functions. Visit our office at 452 N. Eola Rd in Aurora, IL or call us at 630-862-2020 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Read referenced article HERE
Many people are under the impression that eyesight will automatically deteriorate with age, regardless of how you take care of your eyes. However, there are steps that can, and should, be taken to protect your eyes from damage and disease and maintain healthy vision.
Get Regular Eye Exams
Preventative and routine eye exams are very important to maintain good eye health. Not only will they determine if you need glasses, but many vision problems and diseases are not obvious and are only detected through an exam performed by a licensed optometrist.
Eat Vision-Healthy Foods
Consuming a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables has been known to promote good eye heath. Studies have also found that foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids can be extremely beneficial as they can help reduce ocular inflammation and irritation that occurs in dry eye, as well as improve vision cells overall.
Keep Your Weight Under Control
Being overweight can lead to an increase in diabetes and high blood pressure which can sometimes lead to vision complications like glaucoma or vision loss.
Wear Sunglasses When Outside
More than just a fashion accessory, sunglasses provide protection against harmful UV rays emitted by the sun. Always purchase sunglasses from a reputable source and make sure they block 99 – 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation.
Give Your Eyes Regular Rest
Staring at a computer screen all day can lead to eye strain, fatigue or computer vision syndrome. To reduce some of this strain, it is best to take regular short breaks to look away from the screen and focus on something else.
Family Vision Development Center is your comprehensive vision specialist and can provide all of your eye care needs, from thorough eye exams to stylish eyewear to expert advice on how to properly care for and protect your eyes. Visit us at fvdcpc.com or call us at 630-862-2020 to schedule your appointment.
Full referenced article HERE
If you are wearing contact lenses to correct your vision, it is important that you care for them properly in order to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable.
Personal Care
There are a number of things you can do in terms of personal hygiene that will help keep the process of replacing your contact lenses clean and sanitary.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with a mild soap and rinse completely before touching the contact lenses
- Make sure your hands are free of any lotions or oils, or lint from towels, before handling the lenses
- Keep your fingernails short and smooth and try to avoid contact between your nails and the lenses
Contact Lens Care
Proper care of contact lenses requires following the specific routine prescribed by your eye care professional. The following tips will ensure the best experience possible:
- Use fresh, unexpired lens solution and carefully follow the specific instructions on the solution bottle
- Not all solutions are safe for all lenses so do not alternate or mix solutions
- Do not put lenses in your mouth or use saliva to lubricate your lenses
- Never rinse your lenses in tap water, as the lens could wash down the drain, or the impurities in the water may damage the lenses
- Contact lenses should be stored in an appropriate lens case, and the case should be cleaned regularly to avoid bacteria growth
If you ever notice symptoms of redness, itching, burning, eye pain, discomfort or any abnormal changes in your vision it is important to remove the contact lenses and contact your optometrist immediately.
Regular Eye Exams Are An Important Part Of Wearing Contacts
The doctors at Family Vision Development Center in Aurora are here to help make the experience as easy as possible. We offer the latest in contact lens technologies and offer a variety of designs, such as daily wear, extended wear and specialty lenses. Call us at 630-862-2020 to schedule your appointment or visit www.fvdcpc.com to learn more about our practice.
Full referenced article can be read HERE
Astigmatism is a condition in which the front part of the eyeball, known as the cornea, is shaped incorrectly, and therefore light does not focus properly on the retina. This leads to blurred vision at any distance from an object.
Symptoms
Astigmatism can affect both children and adults. The following factors might indicate the presence of this condition:
- Headaches
- Eyestrain
- Squinting
- Distorted or blurred vision at all distances
- Difficulty driving at night
Some of these symptoms may be mild and therefore go unnoticed, especially in children. That is why it is important to have regular eye exams with an experienced optometrist like Dr. Martin at Family Vision Development Center in Aurora.
How Is It Diagnosed?
A comprehensive eye exam is the most effective way to diagnose common eye conditions like astigmatism. At Family Vision, Dr. Martin will first complete a thorough consultation, asking detailed questions about family history, medications, and any current vision symptoms you may be experiencing. The eye exam will then allow the doctor to evaluate your overall eye health and determine the presence of any issues that need to be addressed, including astigmatism.
Treatment
Fortunately, most cases of astigmatism can be treated with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Your optometrist can easily prescribe appropriate lenses to correct your vision and can help you determine if glasses or contacts are the best choice for your lifestyle.
In some cases, however, refractive surgery may be required. This involves permanently changing the shape of the cornea, therefore correcting the focusing ability of the eye by allowing light rays to precisely focus on the retina.
Only your eye care professional should help you determine the best type of treatment. Contact Family Vision in Aurora at 630-862-2020 to schedule your appointment or you can also use our convenient online appointment request form .
Read the fully referenced article HERE
Improve Performance With Sports Vision Therapy
Just like speed and strength, vision also plays a big role in sports. Many different vision skills work together to affect how well you play a sport. Exercise and practice can not only increase your strength and speed, they can also improve your visual fitness and accuracy through sports vision therapy. Unlike other forms of exercise, the goal of this therapy is not to strengthen the eye muscles, but to change how you process or interpret visual information.
What Is Sports Vision Therapy?
Sports Vision Therapy is a progressive program of vision exercises that enhance fundamental vision skills and abilities that are critical to athletic performance. Many athletes in a variety of different sports use this type of therapy, and the right therapist and program can help an athlete gain an edge over the other competitors on the field.
Sports Vision Therapy Can Enhance Or Improve A Wide Range Of Visual Skills Including The Following:
- Peripheral vision – seeing out of the corners of your eyes
- Depth perception – judging the distance and speed of objects or players on the playing field
- Visual tracking – the ability to follow a moving object easily and accurately with your eyes
- Visual reaction time – the time you need to see and react to visual information (such as a ball coming at your head)
- Hand-eye coordination – the ability to effectively coordinate your eyes and hands during a game
What Vision Therapists Offer
At Family Vision Development Center in Aurora, IL, we offer evaluations that are individually designed to improve sports vision skills, and go above and beyond a normal eye exam. We will create a personalized vision therapy program designed to improve visual efficiency, which will in turn improve athletic performance.
Contact us at 630-862-2020 for more information or request an appointment online.
Full article can be read HERE
Avoid Cheap Glasses At All Costs
When considering the purchase of prescription glasses or sunglasses, it is often easy to be lured in by advertisements for cheap eyewear that are promoted by online retailers, discount stores or mall kiosks. These outlets often make promises that the glasses will be of the same quality as higher-priced pairs, and offer a tempting way to save some money.
But is it really worth it?
While it is logical to want to save money whenever possible, it is important to keep in mind that you really do get what you pay for and deals that seem too good to be true probably are.
There Are A Number Of Problems With Purchasing Cheap Eyeglasses Or Sunglasses That You Should Be Aware Of.
- Cheap glasses and sunglasses can actually cause damage to your eyes through inadequate UV protection or incorrect magnifying power
- Cutting out the brick and mortar store also eliminates personal service and fitting expertise
- A larger selection can be confusing without a professional to help you make the right choice for your face
- Cheap frames can irritate skin and break easily, and the discount sellers may not be around long enough to honor any warranties
There Are Ways To Get High-Quality Glasses And Still Get A Good Value
- Take advantage of your insurance benefits. Many people have vision benefits included in their plans and can get discounts on eyewear this way.
- Read the warranty information. Some warranties will protect against scratches and frame defects.
- Ask your eye care professional if they have any special discounts available
The professionals at Family Vision Development Center want to make sure you do not sacrifice your vision just to save a few dollars. Protecting your eyes and your eyesight is so important, as our lives become much more difficult when our vision is compromised. High-quality eyewear is one way to accomplish this and we offer a great selection for you to choose from with the most up-to-date lens technology.
Contact Family Vision Development Center at 630-862-2020 or visit our location at 452 N. Eola Rd, Suite D in Aurora for more information.
Read the full article HERE
VISION SCREENINGS VS. EYE EXAMS
While many people interchange the terms vision screening with eye exam, they are actually two very different things. This means that even if you have passed a vision screening, it is still important to also get an eye exam.
What Is A Vision Screening?
Vision screens are typically designed to only detect subnormal visual acuity and major vision problems. This short test, in which a person is asked to name the smallest letters in a chart that they can see, is usually performed by a non-professional and only takes a few minutes. While quick and cost-effective, these tests are generally ineffective at detecting more subtle vision problems or eye diseases.
What Is An Eye Exam?
Unlike vision screenings, eye exams are performed by a licensed eye doctor, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist . In addition to testing visual acuity, the eye exam also evaluates the complete health of your eyes, including checking for early signs of serious eye problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and detached retina. The eye doctor can also detect signs of health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and risk of stroke, based on the blood vessels and other structures within the eye.
Do Children Need More Than A Vision Screening?
Yes! Vision problems can have a profound effect on learning and good vision is essential in allowing kids to reach their full academic potential. However, research has shown that up to 20% of children have vision problems, and many have undiagnosed binocular (two-eyed) vision problems that are interfering with their visual comfort and is directly impacting their performance in school. The increased use of digital devices with illuminated screens, along with the increase of myopia and nearsightedness in children, makes it more important than ever for eye exams to be performed with kids. Passing a vision screening may give parents a false sense that their child has perfect vision, when in fact there could still be serious problems present.
Older adults may hold the same false belief that vision screenings will provide adequate monitoring of their eyesight, and incur vision loss because of it. Call Family Vision Development Center at 630-862-2020 to learn more about the importance of eye exams at all ages. Click HERE to take advantage of our convenient online appointment scheduling.
Read the full article here
Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), also referred to as Digital Eye Strain, is caused by prolonged use of electronics such as computers, tablets, e-readers or smartphones. Eye discomfort and vision problems seem to increase the longer a person views these screens.
What Are The Symptoms?
The most common symptoms associated with CVS are:
- Eye strain
- Headaches
- Blurred Vision
- Dry eyes
- Neck and shoulder pain
These symptoms may be caused by poor lighting, the glare on a digital screen, viewing screens from the wrong distance, poor posture or the presence of uncorrected vision problems.
How Is Computer Vision Syndrome Diagnosed?
The best way to diagnose CVS is through a thorough eye examination. Testing may include a complete patient history and visual acuity measurements, as well as tests to determine how the eyes focus, move and work together.
How Is CVS Treated?
There are a number of ways to avoid or alleviate the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome or Digital Eye Strain.
Eye Care
- Specialized eyeglasses or contact lenses may be required to meet the unique visual demands of the digital viewing.
- If glasses or lenses do not correct the problems, vision therapy may be required.
Viewing the Computer
- Maintaining a screen angle of 20 degrees below eye level is optimal for most people
- Avoid glare on the computer screen from overhead lighting or windows, or by using anti-glare screens
- Be sure to maintain a proper seating position with feet flat on the floor
- Blink frequently to avoid dry eye
- Try to follow the 20-20-20 rule, in which you take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away every 20 minutes
Family Vision Development Center understands Computer Vision and can help successfully treat it. Visit our Aurora location at 452 N Eola Rd, Suite D or call us at 630-862-2020 or click HERE to schedule an appointment online.
Read the full article here: https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/protecting-your-vision/computer-vision-syndrome
