Cataracts are a very common, age-related condition. In fact, they affect approximately half of all Americans by age 80. As you age, the lens of your eye can harden and get denser and tissues can break down. As the tissues clump together, a clouding of the lens occurs. This clouding of the eyes is known as cataracts.
If left untreated, they can lead to severe vision loss or even blindness. Fortunately, they tend to develop slowly. This allows time to recognize the symptoms and seek treatment before too much damage has been done. Watch out for the following warning signs, as they can all indicate the presence or progression of cataracts.
Early symptoms of cataracts
- Seeing halos around lights
- Light sensitivity that doesn’t clear up quickly
- Eyeglass prescriptions that change frequently
- Appearance of a brown or yellow tint in your vision
Vision exams are essential to diagnose cataracts
The earlier cataracts are detected, the better the chance for effective management. Often times, people delay an eye exam, assuming their changes in vision are simply a natural result of aging. Unfortunately, this can lead to a progression of the symptoms of cataracts and a higher chance of surgery being required to treat them.
One important way to ensure that cataracts (and other vision disorders) are diagnosed early is to commit to annual vision exams. During this exam, we will perform the appropriate tests to determine your visual acuity and examine your lens for signs of cataracts. Seeing us regularly allows us to note any changes since your last visit and make recommendations for treatment or management as soon as these variations are detected.
Treatment of cataracts
While surgery is the only true form of treatment to eliminate cataracts, there are less-invasive ways to minimize the effects. For example, you can make changes at home to make daily life easier. Increasing the lighting in the house, wearing anti-glare sunglasses, or using a magnifier for reading can all help. In fact, there are many resources available for living with low vision. Implementing easy adjustments in your house, like keeping clutter to a minimum to avoid tripping or using clocks with large numbers can help you live with any new vision loss. And of course, another solution is to get your prescription glasses adjusted to accommodate changing vision due to cataracts.
At Family Vision Development Center, we will monitor your vision, advise on the best options to manage your symptoms, or suggest surgery to remove the cataracts when appropriate. Additionally, we can ensure that you have the most accurate and up-to-date prescription for your eyeglasses. During your visits, we will make sure you have a cataract treatment plan in place and will explain all of your options, including the possibility of surgery if your cataracts start to interfere too much with your quality of life.
Contact our Aurora office at 630-862-2020 to learn more or to schedule your appointment.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear. We are dedicated to keeping our patients comfortable and well-informed and we will explain every exam and procedure and answer all of your questions. We accept both scheduled and emergency appointments, and offer convenient financing and insurance options to ensure that high-quality vision care is available and affordable to all of our patients.
If you have noticed that your child is having difficulty at school and it is not because of a lack of trying, the surprising solution could be to correct their vision. Even children that are interested in learning, and want to succeed in school, can have serious difficulty accomplishing that if they have underlying vision issues. When a child gets frustrated in school, it is very common for them to simply stop trying. So, it’s important to give them all the tools they need to be as successful as they want to be. That would include getting a comprehensive vision exam to ensure their vision is as healthy as it can be.
Signs of a vision problem at school
Vision disorders are not always obvious, so your child may have a vision issue without even being aware of it. However, there are certain signs to watch for that can indicate a problem. If you notice any of the following, while your child is in school or at home, it would be wise to have them evaluated for a possible vision disorder.
- Your child has poor hand-eye coordination, which may be evident in poor handwriting, motor coordination, athletic performance, etc.
- Your child has problems walking or running, and frequently drops objects or bumps into things
- Your child holds a book or object unusually close
- Your child closes one eye or covers the eye with his/her hand
- Your child omits or confuses small words when reading
- Your child reverses words when reading (e.g., “no” for “on”) or transposes numbers (e.g., “21” for “12”)
- Your child complains frequently of headaches, eyestrain, nausea, dizziness and/or motion sickness
- Your child frequently avoids or objects to doing homework
- Your child exhibits behavior problems in school
There are many more behaviors that can indicate a potential vision problem. Contact our office at 630-862-2020 to request a complimentary Children’s Vision Checklist. This handy checklist will provide an even more comprehensive list of signs and symptoms to watch for, along with information on how to proceed if you suspect a problem.
Vision therapy solution for school struggles
It can be very discouraging when your child is struggling in school, but there is hope! Many vision disorders can be very effectively corrected through a personalized vision therapy program. This type of therapy involves using specific eye exercises that help retrain the eyes and brain to communicate better. It can help correct issues such as:
- Amblyopia – This disorder, also called “lazy eye”, occurs when the eyes and brain do not work together properly. As a result, the brain will choose to use only one eye as its primary source of visual information. The other eye will “shut off” and will not be used very often, or at all. Usually this results in one eye not being able to see 20/20. Sometimes this will cause the eye to drift in or out, but many times it remains perfectly straight.
- Strabismus – This is another type of common vision disorder that results from the brain having difficulty using both eyes at the same time. If the stress of using both eyes together becomes too challenging, the brain will often allow one of the eyes to turn out or turn in to remove the problem, since using one is less confusing. This differs from Amblyopia in that both eyes have the ability to see 20/20 but not at the same time.
- Convergence Insufficiency – This condition is characterized by the inability to move and focus both eyes inward on near objects comfortably.
- Accommodative Disorder – This type of disorder affects a child’s ability to focus their eyes properly. This happens particularly at near distances or when switching focus from near to far away.
If a child is experiencing any of the above vision conditions, they could have trouble with focusing, reading, writing, concentrating on homework, or shifting their focus from close work at their desk to activities at the front of the classroom.
At Family Vision Development Center, we want to help your child succeed in school and in life. Our vision therapy programs can be life-changing to a struggling child. Contact us at 630-862-2020 to schedule an appointment or to request your Children’s Vision Checklist!
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.
Proper vision care is extremely important for maintaining the health of your eyes. So why is it so hard to get some people to commit to a vision exam on an annual basis? There are a lot of excuses out there, but they are not valid! Here are some of the most common reasons people give for delaying their vision exam – and why they just don’t make sense.
A vision exam is not necessary
A common misconception is that if you don’t have a noticeable or bothersome vision impairment, there is no need to see an eye doctor. But everyone should understand that getting a regular vision exam is much more than just getting fitted for glasses. In fact, it’s one of the most important ways to ensure the overall health of your eyes.
Regular comprehensive vision exams can often detect changes to your vision over time, allowing us to diagnose any possible vision issues right away. In many cases, treatment options are more effective the earlier they begin. Therefore, an early diagnosis of a vision disorder could make a big difference in the overall treatment results. Additionally, vision exams can indicate signs of other health disorders, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, thyroid disease, high blood pressure and more.
It’s not safe to go to the eye doctor’s office
When the COVID-19 pandemic first emerged, many businesses were forced to temporarily close or severely limit their operations. However, even as people have started returning to their pre-pandemic routines, some safety concerns may continue to linger. You can be assured that we take your health and safety very seriously. We follow all appropriate health guidelines and take the necessary precautions in order to keep you safe while providing the highest quality care.
You don’t want to wear glasses
Some people may be concerned that if they have a vision exam, the eye doctor might actually discover a problem. And that could mean the possibility of wearing glasses. However, this should definitely not be a discouragement that keeps you from getting the proper eye care. We carry a very large selection of designer frames in a variety of shapes and colors. So most people are able to pick out glasses that look great on their face. And of course, for those who are completely opposed to glasses, they can explore the option of contact lenses, which also come in a variety of styles to match a range of lifestyles.
You don’t have vision insurance
While it is common to choose your medical visits and procedures based on your insurance coverage, that is not always necessary when it comes to vision care. In fact, even without vision coverage, a vision exam can still be very affordable. We will work with patients who do not have insurance coverage to offer convenient financing options if needed. Vision care is important so we do everything we can to ensure that quality, affordable care is available to all of our patients.
You don’t have time for vision exam
This is one of the most frustrating reasons people give for not making an appointment for a vision exam. The truth is, no matter how busy your schedule may seem, there is always room for something that is this important. Your vision is one of the most precious gifts you have and this is a very easy way to care for it. Proper vision can make such a difference in daily life, for both kids and adults. Almost everything we do is affected by our vision. So making the time for that annual vision exam will help to ensure a lifetime of healthy vision.
People need to realize the importance of proper vision care and stop making excuses to avoid it. The compassionate, professional team at Family Vision Development Center is dedicated to providing excellent vision care, through a wide range of services, to our patients of all ages, and we encourage everyone to schedule their vision exams regularly to maintain long-term healthy vision. Contact us at 630-862-2020 to make your appointment today!
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults over age 60. Most cases are caused by a buildup of pressure in the eye when fluid is not able to drain properly. This pressure can build slowly or rise very quickly and can cause issues such as blurry vision, severe eye pain, headache, nausea, vomiting or the appearance of rainbow-colored rings around lights. At this time, there is no way to reverse vision damage caused by glaucoma. But there are ways to help prevent further damage from occurring.
Know Who is Most at Risk of Glaucoma
While anyone can develop glaucoma, there are some factors that tend to increase the risk, including:
- Age – the older you get, the higher the risk of developing glaucoma, especially after age 60
- Race – with higher risk being associated with those who are Black, Asian or Hispanic
- Family history of glaucoma
- Having high internal eye pressure
- If you have diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, heart disease or sickle cell anemia
- If you have corneas that are thin in the center
- If you are very nearsighted or farsighted
- If you have previously had an eye injury or eye surgery
- If you use long-term steroid medications, especially as eyedrops
People with one or more of these risk factors should be diligent about following up regularly with their eye doctor for observation and care.
Get Regular Vision Exams
The only way to diagnose glaucoma with certainty is with a comprehensive vision exam. Some forms of this eye disease can cause blindness if not treated quickly, but symptoms are often not apparent until the damage is severe and your vision has already been compromised. This is why regular eye exams are so important, as they can detect signs of glaucoma that would otherwise go unnoticed.
During a glaucoma assessment, we will measure your eye pressure, examine your optic nerve for abnormalities, inspect your eye’s drainage angle, measure the thickness of your cornea and test your peripheral vision. All of these factors are used to determine the presence of or likelihood of developing glaucoma.
Treat Symptoms as Early as Possible
Glaucoma damage is permanent and cannot be reversed. But there are a number of options that can help prevent further damage from occurring. Typically, it is treated with medicated eye drops that lower eye pressure. Other options include in-office laser surgery which can be effective in helping drain fluid from the eye, or surgery performed in an operating room which creates a new drainage channel for fluid to exit the eye.
The earlier glaucoma is diagnosed, the more effective treatment options are available. Schedule your appointment today at Family Vision Development Center by calling 620-962-2020.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear. We are dedicated to keeping our patients comfortable and well-informed and we will explain every exam and procedure and answer all of your questions. We accept both scheduled and emergency appointments, and offer convenient financing and insurance options to ensure that high-quality vision care is available and affordable to all of our patients.
August is Children’s Vision and Learning month! With a new school year quickly approaching, this is a great time to focus on the very important topic of your child’s vision. Parents may not be fully aware of the impact an undiagnosed vision issue can have on their child’s learning ability and the ability to succeed in school. Here are some surprising facts that bring to light just how important it is to properly care for your child’s vision.
1 in 10 Children has a Vision Problem Significant Enough to Impact Learning
That means over 5 million children in the United States alone. There are over a dozen visual skills that are essential for learning, and a disorder that affects any of them can cause serious challenges in school. These visual skills affect the way a child’s eyes work together as a team, control appropriate eye movements, allow for proper focusing, visual perception and more. A child’s vision depends on these skills for essential learning functions like reading and word comprehension, the ability to shift focus from close-up work to a blackboard at a distance, and the ability to maintain attention.
20/20 Vision Does Not Necessarily Mean Perfect Vision
When we hear the term “20/20 vision” we usually assume that means there are no vision issues to be concerned about. But contrary to popular belief, 20/20 does not actually equal perfect. In fact, a child with 20/20 vision may still have issues with focusing, coordinating or tracking functions. 20/20 simply means that a child is capable of seeing clearly at a distance of 20 feet. Unfortunately, important functions such as reading and learning typically occur at a distance of eleven to sixteen inches from the face. A 20/20 assessment may give parents a false sense of security about their child’s vision, possibly leaving significant vision issues to go untreated.
Typical Vision Screenings can Miss at Least 50% of Vision Problems
A standard vision screening, which is typically administered at school, is a good preliminary test that can often identify kids that need to see an eye doctor for further examination. However, a screening is very limited in what it can detect and many serious vision issues can go undiagnosed when this is the only vision exam a child receives. In order to actually diagnose a vision disorder, your child will need a comprehensive vision exam. This type of eye exam will explore your child’s vision at a much more comprehensive level, to include medical history, eye dilation to examine the retina and more in-depth testing to diagnose subtle issues that would not be discovered in a screening alone.
A Child’s Vision Problems can be Misdiagnosed with ADD / ADHD
When a child exhibits certain symptoms in a school setting, such as a short attention span, taking too long to do homework, or poor reading comprehension skills, they are often immediately diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This is because the symptoms of ADD / ADHD are very similar to those of many vision issues. In many instances, children are incorrectly diagnosed with ADHD, and started on medication, even though vision problems, like convergence insufficiency, are the root of the trouble. In cases of an ADHD diagnosis, a child’s vision should be thoroughly examined before a final determination is made.
At Family Vision Development Center, we are dedicated to helping our young patients achieve the healthiest vision possible. Take this opportunity to schedule a comprehensive vision exam for your child in order to give them the best chance at success in school and in life! Contact our Aurora office at 630-862-2020 to schedule your appointment.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear. We are dedicated to keeping our patients comfortable and well-informed and we will explain every exam and procedure and answer all of your questions. We accept both scheduled and emergency appointments, and offer convenient financing and insurance options to ensure that high-quality vision care is available and affordable to all of our patients.
Learn more about learning-related vision problems at https://www.covd.org/page/learning
Summer in the Chicago area is a great time to get outside and enjoy the weather. However, certain summer activities can present the opportunity for a head injury or concussion to occur, so extra precautions should be taken in these instances. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that results from a bump, blow or jolt to the head or the body that is violent enough to cause the brain to hit the skull. This type of head injury can be very serious, often with long-term lasting effects to your vision, memory, concentration and more. The following tips can help you stay safe this summer and avoid a dangerous traumatic brain injury.
Wear a Seat Belt
Summer often brings more people out on the roads. Vacations, events, festivals and other summer activities create extra traffic during the warmer months. On top of that, summer is the time for road construction, so lanes may be uneven or rerouted. Summer driving conditions make it all the more important to wear a seat belt, as auto accidents are one of the most common causes of a head injury.
Wear a Helmet
Being active in the summer is a great way to stay healthy while enjoying the weather. But it is important to wear a helmet whenever necessary in order to avoid a serious head injury. For example, kids and adults on bikes should never ride without a helmet. Additionally, anyone participating in a sporting activity should always wear the appropriate head protection. And never get on a moving motorcycle without securing a well-fitting helmet.
Pay Attention
It’s easy to get distracted while you’re having fun, but paying attention is an essential way to prevent accidents. Poolside decks can be extremely slippery with great potential to cause a fall if you’re not careful. Another pool danger to watch out for is the depth of the water. Diving into a shallow pool can cause a serious head injury, so always check before jumping or diving in. Most importantly, parents need to pay attention to kids’ activities. Along with pools, playground accidents are another big cause of serious head injuries. Always supervise and offer help when needed on playground equipment to avoid a dangerous fall.
Stay Hydrated
Lack of adequate fluid intake can be dangerous during the warmer months as it can result in dehydration. Participating in outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking or sporting activities, can cause a greater loss of fluids. Dehydration that occurs when you do not replenish those fluids can result in dizziness and fainting. A head injury is certainly possible from a fall like this.
Vision Therapy Following a Head Injury
If you have experienced any signs of a concussion following a head injury, it is very important to seek the appropriate care right away. Along with common symptoms of a concussion such as headache, nausea, dizziness, or sluggishness, some vision symptoms to watch out for include:
- Eye focusing – not being able to quickly and easily see an object clearly (objects look blurry)
- Eye Movements and Tracking – not able to easily follow a moving object from one spot to another, or switch fixation from one object to another. Sometimes this can be reported by students saying that words are moving on the page.
- Depth Perception Issues – difficulty with accurately judging the distance between objects.
- Eye Teaming – not able to get both eyes to work together to focus on an object, often reported as double vision
- Peripheral Vision Loss – problems with your wide-angle field of vision, or feeling like you’re looking through a narrow tube
Vision therapy is an extremely effective form of treatment for post-concussive vision syndrome that occurs following a head injury. This type of individualized rehabilitation program helps to retrain the visual system to restore proper communication between the eyes and brain. Family Vision Development Center is an exceptional concussion center that incorporates vision therapy programs to correct visual disorders that occur as a result of head trauma. Contact us at 630-862-2020 to learn more or to schedule an appointment in our Aurora office location.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear. We are dedicated to keeping our patients comfortable and well-informed and we will explain every exam and procedure and answer all of your questions. We accept both scheduled and emergency appointments, and offer convenient financing and insurance options to ensure that high-quality vision care is available and affordable to all of our patients.
Eyeglasses and contact lenses are the most common forms of vision correction and management for people of all ages. Choosing between the two is often a matter of personal preference, lifestyle and the specific vision condition that needs to be addressed. Contact lenses do require special consideration and people often need specific information before committing to this option. Here are answers to a few of the most common questions people have.
What kinds of eye problems can contact lenses manage?
Contacts are an effective vision management tool for a variety of refractive errors, which occur when the eye does not refract (bend or focus) light properly into the eye resulting in a blurred image:
- Myopia, also known as nearsightedness
- Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness
- Astigmatism, elongated corneal shape
- Presbyopia, near vision focus problems that start around age 40
Are soft or hard contact lenses the best?
This is a common question, but the answer is actually “it depends”. Either could be the right choice, based on your particular vision issues and needs.
- Soft contact lenses are typically more pliable and many people find them easier to work with. They also absorb water so your own tears can keep them moisturized. Additionally, soft contact lenses are available in disposable varieties that you throw away after each use, daily wear lenses that you wear daily for up to a month, or extended wear lenses that you can wear continuously for as much as a month.
- Hard contact lenses are made of hard plastic and may take a little extra time to get used to. However, they are very comfortable once you adapt to them. These would be a good choice for astigmatism, as they offer the most precise vision correction possible. Hard contact lenses are also a good option for people who have allergies or tend to get protein deposits on their contacts.
How do I properly care for my contact lenses?
Caring for your contact lenses properly is extremely important. 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
At Family Vision Development Center, our experienced team will help to ensure that you understand the pros and cons of contact lenses so you can decide if they are the right choice for you. And our state-of-the-art optical center offers a wide selection of lens options to fit your lifestyle and personal preferences. Contact us at 630-862-2020 to schedule an appointment for your comprehensive vision exam, where we will complete a thorough evaluation and determine your best vision correction options.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear. We are dedicated to keeping our patients comfortable and well-informed and we will explain every exam and procedure and answer all of your questions. We accept both scheduled and emergency appointments, and offer convenient financing and insurance options to ensure that high-quality vision care is available and affordable to all of our patients.
Athletes are under a lot of pressure to perform well in their sports. And it’s not just against competing teams. That competition starts during athletic tryouts when they need to be better, stronger, faster and more agile than their own teammates in order to secure the top spots on the team. One way to gain an edge on the field, court or ice is through sports vision therapy.
Sports Vision Therapy
An athlete’s performance depends greatly on their visual ability. 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.
Enhanced Athletic Skills and Abilities
During a sports vision therapy program, athletes work on enhancing the following athletic skills and abilities:
- 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
Family Vision Development Center Specializes in Vision Therapy
The level of athletic proficiency needed in each of these skills varies depending on the sport. Because each sport, and each athlete, is different, our vision therapy programs are customized to each patient. Our goal is to improve the eye function of athletes and reduce their risk of injury, by enhancing their visual perceptual skills and visual motor skills. Following a thorough evaluation, the therapeutic eye exercises are completed right in our office by our highly-skilled vision therapy specialists, with incredible results.
Get ready to take your game to the next level! Contact us today at 630-862-2020 to get started on an individualized training plan custom-tailored to your sport and athletic needs.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.
Summer is the time of year many kids look forward to most. School is out and there is usually much more time for fun and relaxation. But summer activities also present the opportunity for a child’s vision to be compromised. Protect your child’s vision throughout the summer season by following these important tips.
Wear sunglasses
When your child is spending time outdoors (even on cloudy days), they should wear sunscreen and sunglasses. Exposure to sunlight increases the risk of eye damage from ultraviolet (UV) light. Unlike adult eyes, children’s eyes are still maturing and cannot filter out the harmful UV rays as effectively. The sunglasses you get for your child do not have to be expensive, but they do need to be effective. Look for lenses that will block 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. This will ensure that your child’s eyes are protected every time they are outdoors.
Wear protective eyewear during summer sports
Summer also tends to be a very active time for youth sports. Unfortunately, each year in the United States, about 42,000 children suffer from a sports-related eye injury — the leading cause of vision loss for kids in America. This is why it is important that kids wear protective eyewear during sports or recreational activities, whether on an organized team or casually playing with friends in the yard.
Limit digital screen time
When summer rolls around, it is so tempting for kids to spend their days glued to their favorite digital device. And while that’s fine for a limited amount of time during the day, excessive screen time can cause serious vision issues. Digital eye strain can occur after too much exposure to the digital screens of many different electronics, and can cause headaches, blurry vision, dry or watery eyes, sore or tired eyes and even neck and shoulder pain. That’s some good incentive to put the phone away and get outside and enjoy the nice weather!
Pool safety
Sunscreen by the pool offers important sun protection in the summer, but it can cause irritation if it gets into a child’s eyes. To avoid this, try to find a PABA free variety which can be much less irritating. When possible, check chlorine levels in your pool, as the chemical can cause red eyes. And while it is not usually dangerous, it can be uncomfortable. Swim goggles can be a great solution as they can reduce contact with the chemicals in the pool. For kids who wear contact lenses, make sure they do not wear them in the pool, as they can trap chemicals which can lead to infections.
Beach safety
Amazing summer memories can be made at the beach, but kids can have problems when playing in the sand. It can happen fast – one minute they are building a sand castle, then they wipe their face and sand gets in their eyes. If this happens, do not allow them to continue rubbing their eyes, as this can cause scratches on the cornea. The best solution is to try to rinse out the sand by pouring fresh, clean water over the eye. If fresh water is not available, encourage blinking or natural tears to flush things out. If there is no improvement in an hour or two, it’s wise to seek medical attention.
At Family Vision Development Center, your child’s healthy vision is very important to us. Be sure to see us for regular comprehensive vision exams or for any vision concerns. Contact our Aurora office at 630-862-2020 for information about our practice or to schedule an appointment.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.
A vision therapy program is an individualized type of physical therapy for the eyes and brain, and is used to develop, improve and/or enhance visual function through a series of eye exercises. The in-office programs may involve the use of specialized equipment such as corrective or therapeutic lenses, prism lenses, balance boards or visual-motor-sensory integration training devices. Additionally, patients may be given at-home exercises on a weekly basis in order to reinforce the progress made in the office.
A vision therapy program can be extremely successful in treating a variety of visual disorders. Wondering if it’s the right choice for you? If you are experiencing any of the following issues, you should definitely explore the possibility.
School struggles
A vision disorder can cause a student to experience many challenges in school. For example, refractive vision problems can cause blurred vision so a child would have difficulty reading or seeing the front of the classroom. A functional vision problem may cause a child to experience double vision, transposing letters, confusing similar words or difficulty with reading, spelling and math. Finally, a child with poor visual perception may have 20/20 vision, but might have trouble distinguishing between two similar letters (such as u and n), putting a puzzle together or memorization, or may skip words or lines when reading. A vision therapy program can address any or all of these vision problems to help a student improve their learning ability and academic performance.
Recent head injury
If you have recently experienced a blow to the head or violent jarring of the upper body, it may have resulted in a concussion. This type of injury can commonly occur as a result of a vehicle accident, sports injury or fall, and should be taken seriously. Concussions can have several potential effects on your vision, including eye focusing, tracking, eye teaming, depth perception issues or loss of peripheral vision. A post-concussive vision therapy program can greatly improve visual function following a head injury.
Underdeveloped athletic performance
Young sports athletes who want to earn a spot on the best team and play in the most games possible must have highly developed skills in certain areas to outperform those they are competing against. Skills such as eye-hand coordination, visual reaction time and tracking a moving object can all affect an athlete’s ability to excel. A specialized sports vision therapy program can help improve these skills, along with other important visual skills such as eye focusing, visual acuity, peripheral vision and depth perception.
Your eyes are not working as a team
Eyes should work together as a team for proper binocular vision. This means they move in the appropriate direction, are aligned properly, and focus correctly at different distances. When the two eyes do not function together appropriately, symptoms of a binocular vision disorder can become very evident. For example, one or both eyes might turn inward or outward, or you might lose the ability to move one or both eyes in one or more direction(s). Other signs of a binocular vision disorder could include blurry or double vision, eye strain, headaches, light sensitivity, reading difficulties or dizziness. A vision therapy program can be a very effective solution in rehabilitating these types of vision impairments in order to restore normal visual skills.
At Family Vision Development Center, vision therapy is our specialty. When you visit us for any of the above issues, we will provide you with a comprehensive neuro-optometric vision evaluation and will create an individualized vision therapy program using the most current and effective equipment and methods. Contact our office at 630-862-2020 to learn more or to schedule your appointment.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.
