I can't believe it, but it's that time of year again... already! Kids are beginning to head back to school to embark upon another learning journey, where vision accounts for nearly 80% of the skills acquired in school (reading, writing, following overheads, etc). Without a properly and efficiently working visual system, school for thousands of children each year can be a nightmare. In fact, research has shown that nearly 1 in 4 school-aged children has a visual problem, often undetected by the school or pediatrician vision screening, that can adversely affect the ability to learn.
Following are some of the basic vision skills needed for school, all of which can be addressed by a licensed optometrist at a comprehensive eye examination:
1. Distance Vision. The ability to see clearly and comfortably beyond arms reach.
2. Near Vision. The ability to see clearly and comfortably from 10-18 inches.
3. Binocular Vision. The ability to use both eyes together efficiently.
4. Eye Tracking Skills. The ability to follow words on a page, shift the eyes in space, and accurately aim the eyes at objects on demand.
5. Focusing Skills. The ability to accurately focus the eyes from distance to near in a short amount of time, as well as the ability to sustain focus on an object for a period of time.
When a vision problem is suspected, look for these signs and symptoms from your child:
1. Squinting
2. Complaints of headaches or tired eyes.
3. Eye rubbing.
4. Losing place while reading or avoiding reading altogether.
5. Poor tracking skills.
6. Eye tearing or redness.
7. Head tilting.
8. Poor attention span.
9. Excessive clumsiness.
Remember that whether or not a vision problem is suspected from your child, it is important that a licensed optometrist conduct a comprehensive eye examination to ensure that he/she is prepared to learn.
Yours in Eye Health,
Kevin L. Crosier, OD
Crosier Eye Associates
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss in people over the age of 40. According to the American Health Assistance Foundation's National Glaucoma Research program, 2.2 million people have the disease, with another 3.3 million persons expected to acquire glaucoma by the year 2020. It is estimated that as many as 120,000 people have been blinded by the disease. Interestingly, up to 50% of those affected by glaucoma may not even realize that they have the disease. This is because glaucoma is a slowly progressive eye disease that does not present with visual symptoms until it has advanced nearly 40%.
Glaucoma is descibed as a progressive optic neuropathy, or a disease of the optic nerve. More specifically, glaucoma develops as a result of irreversable damage to the optic nerve head, which is located in the back of the eye. If enough optic nerve fiber bundles are damaged, irreversible vision loss takes place.
The causes of glaucoma are varied and many types of glaucoma exist. Most commonly however, glaucoma results from increased fluid intraocular pressure (IOP) over a protracted period of time, typically over the course of many years. Most susceptible to this constant tension is the optic nerve, which over time loses it's battle with the eye's aqueous fluid. This is known as open angle glaucoma. Closed angle glaucoma develops when the eye's fluid pressure rises to extremely high levels as a result of complete blockage of it's drainage angles. This can be painful and may lead to blindness within 24 hours if not treated immmediately. Yet a third type of glaucoma, known as normal tension glaucoma, can develop with seemingly adequate IOP's. This type of glaucoma is the most perplexing from a practitioner's point of view.
The risk factors for glaucoma include older age, race (African American, Asian, Native American, & Hispanic's are at greater risk), a prior family history of glaucoma, cortico-steroid or cortisone use, eye trauma, and having diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
The visual symptoms of glaucoma don't occur for many years, but over time peripheral or side vision becomes diminished, followed by a loss of central vision. The goal in treatment is to reduce the pressure within the eye, which is typically accomplished with eye drops. In cases of unrelenting glaucoma, surgery may be neccessary.
Glaucoma is descibed as a progressive optic neuropathy, or a disease of the optic nerve. More specifically, glaucoma develops as a result of irreversable damage to the optic nerve head, which is located in the back of the eye. If enough optic nerve fiber bundles are damaged, irreversible vision loss takes place.
The causes of glaucoma are varied and many types of glaucoma exist. Most commonly however, glaucoma results from increased fluid intraocular pressure (IOP) over a protracted period of time, typically over the course of many years. Most susceptible to this constant tension is the optic nerve, which over time loses it's battle with the eye's aqueous fluid. This is known as open angle glaucoma. Closed angle glaucoma develops when the eye's fluid pressure rises to extremely high levels as a result of complete blockage of it's drainage angles. This can be painful and may lead to blindness within 24 hours if not treated immmediately. Yet a third type of glaucoma, known as normal tension glaucoma, can develop with seemingly adequate IOP's. This type of glaucoma is the most perplexing from a practitioner's point of view.
The risk factors for glaucoma include older age, race (African American, Asian, Native American, & Hispanic's are at greater risk), a prior family history of glaucoma, cortico-steroid or cortisone use, eye trauma, and having diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
The visual symptoms of glaucoma don't occur for many years, but over time peripheral or side vision becomes diminished, followed by a loss of central vision. The goal in treatment is to reduce the pressure within the eye, which is typically accomplished with eye drops. In cases of unrelenting glaucoma, surgery may be neccessary.
Everyone should be examined regularly for the presence of glaucoma, so schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your optometrist every year.
Yours in eye health,
Kevin L. Crosier, OD
www.crosiereyeassociates.vpweb.com
kevinlcrosier@msn.com
(303) 457-6805
Monday, June 29, 2009
What Are Cataracts?
Without question, this is one of the most frequently asked questions in any eye care office, including my own. Not surprisingly, most peoples' perception of a cataract is vastly different from it's definition. To be clear, cataracts are not a "growth" that develops on the front of the eye, nor are they a disease, per se.
Quite simply, cataracts occur when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque, a result of metabolic changes within the lens. While most people equate cataracts with age (indeed most people with cataracts are above the age of 55), they can actually develop at any age and in a variety of forms. In fact, many people are the proud owners of "congenital" cataracts, which most often present as a very small, central opacity in the lens of the eye as a result of incomplete development of the eye's lens. Certain disease processes, most notably diabetes, can speed the development of certain types of cataracts, as can trauma and prolonged exposure to moderate to high doses of certain medications (i.e corticosteroids). Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation and cigarette smoking are risk factors for the development of cataracts.
Cataracts typically develop over the course of many months or years, and in some cases remain relatively stagnant. Luckily, with great advances in surgical technology, cataracts can be easily removed and replaced with synthetic lenses with minimal complications, restoring vision to it's optimal level.
A simple, comprehensive eye exam by a licensed eye care professional will quickly determine the presence of cataracts, so be sure to have your eyes examined regularly before severe vision problems develop.
Yours in eye health,
Kevin L. Crosier, O.D.
www.crosiereyeassociates.vpweb.com
kevinlcrosier@msn.com
Quite simply, cataracts occur when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque, a result of metabolic changes within the lens. While most people equate cataracts with age (indeed most people with cataracts are above the age of 55), they can actually develop at any age and in a variety of forms. In fact, many people are the proud owners of "congenital" cataracts, which most often present as a very small, central opacity in the lens of the eye as a result of incomplete development of the eye's lens. Certain disease processes, most notably diabetes, can speed the development of certain types of cataracts, as can trauma and prolonged exposure to moderate to high doses of certain medications (i.e corticosteroids). Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation and cigarette smoking are risk factors for the development of cataracts.
Cataracts typically develop over the course of many months or years, and in some cases remain relatively stagnant. Luckily, with great advances in surgical technology, cataracts can be easily removed and replaced with synthetic lenses with minimal complications, restoring vision to it's optimal level.
A simple, comprehensive eye exam by a licensed eye care professional will quickly determine the presence of cataracts, so be sure to have your eyes examined regularly before severe vision problems develop.
Yours in eye health,
Kevin L. Crosier, O.D.
www.crosiereyeassociates.vpweb.com
kevinlcrosier@msn.com
Friday, June 12, 2009
Computer Vision Syndrome
Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a real condition that optometrists have been familiar with for many years, yet most folks don't know what it is or that they may be it's unsuspecting victim. I personally see several patients a week who exhibit at least some of the signs and symptoms of this little known anomaly.
The American Optometric Association (AOA) defines computer vision syndrome as "the complex of eye and vision problems related to near work that are experienced during or related to computer use." While the full study of CVS is beyond the scope of this blog, suffice it to say that the age of computers, which is here to stay, has brought about a whole new set of problems, many of them vision related. As you can imagine, computers force us to stare at a screen for long periods of time, causing postural problems in addition to myriad vision issues including:
1) Dry eyes due to reduced blinking.
2) Headaches and focusing problems due to eye fatigue/ breakdown of our internal focusing system.
3) Eyestrain due to screen glare and/or poor character resolution. LCD screens are superior to others because they reduce flicker, which can tire the eyes.
Healthy computer use includes maintaining a 20- 26 inch (approximately arms length) distance between your eyes and your computer screen, a postural angle at the hips of 90 degrees, a straight back, and your feet flat on the floor. Keeping a slightly downward line of sight toward the screen tends to relieve neck strain, and taking frequent 10-20 minute breaks from the computer helps to keep the eyes' focusing system flexible. Lastly, remember to blink frequently, use artificial tears as needed (NOT VISINE), and visit your family optometrist to see if a good pair of computer glasses may be of benefit.
Have a great weekend!
Yours in Eye Health,
Kevin Crosier, OD
http://www.crosiereyeassociates.vpweb.com/
(303) 457-6805
The American Optometric Association (AOA) defines computer vision syndrome as "the complex of eye and vision problems related to near work that are experienced during or related to computer use." While the full study of CVS is beyond the scope of this blog, suffice it to say that the age of computers, which is here to stay, has brought about a whole new set of problems, many of them vision related. As you can imagine, computers force us to stare at a screen for long periods of time, causing postural problems in addition to myriad vision issues including:
1) Dry eyes due to reduced blinking.
2) Headaches and focusing problems due to eye fatigue/ breakdown of our internal focusing system.
3) Eyestrain due to screen glare and/or poor character resolution. LCD screens are superior to others because they reduce flicker, which can tire the eyes.
Healthy computer use includes maintaining a 20- 26 inch (approximately arms length) distance between your eyes and your computer screen, a postural angle at the hips of 90 degrees, a straight back, and your feet flat on the floor. Keeping a slightly downward line of sight toward the screen tends to relieve neck strain, and taking frequent 10-20 minute breaks from the computer helps to keep the eyes' focusing system flexible. Lastly, remember to blink frequently, use artificial tears as needed (NOT VISINE), and visit your family optometrist to see if a good pair of computer glasses may be of benefit.
Have a great weekend!
Yours in Eye Health,
Kevin Crosier, OD
http://www.crosiereyeassociates.vpweb.com/
(303) 457-6805
Friday, May 8, 2009
Vision Screenings vs. Eye Exams.. A BIG Difference
Many people don't understand the difference between a vision screening and a comprehensive eye examination conducted by a licensed eye care professional. The differences are significant and can have a lasting impact on the long term visual prognosis of an individual.
Vision screening programs are intended to help identify people (particularly children) who display gross vision problems that may profoundly impair sight and the ability to learn effectively in the classroom. However, these screenings are typically done by volunteers or staff members improperly trained in visual acuity assessment (i.e reading an eye chart). In fact, one fourth to one third of school aged children have a vision disorder that went undetected at their school or pediatrician's vision screening. Moreover, vision screenings don't test for proper eye movement, focusing ability, or visual cognitive processing. Even more critical is the fact that vision screenings cannot diagnose an eye or vision problem, and don't have the ability to check for eye diseases.
Comprehensive eye and vision examinations, on the other hand, can only be conducted by an eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with the specialized training needed to make a definitive diagnosis and to provide a requisite treatment plan. Many of the specialized instruments and equipment used in an eye exam are not available in a vision screening program. The testing procedures typically done in a comprehensive eye exam include measurement of visual acuity at distance and near, determination of refractive state (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia), binocular vision assessment (depth perception and fusion), color vision, focusing ability, eye tracking skills, visual processing, and a thorough eye health assessment.
Vision screenings, because they are misunderstood by parents and patients alike, can provide a false sense of security, and therefore should never be used as a substitute for a professional eye examination. And remember to have your eyes examined at least once a year.
Yours in Eye Health,
Kevin Crosier, OD
Vision screening programs are intended to help identify people (particularly children) who display gross vision problems that may profoundly impair sight and the ability to learn effectively in the classroom. However, these screenings are typically done by volunteers or staff members improperly trained in visual acuity assessment (i.e reading an eye chart). In fact, one fourth to one third of school aged children have a vision disorder that went undetected at their school or pediatrician's vision screening. Moreover, vision screenings don't test for proper eye movement, focusing ability, or visual cognitive processing. Even more critical is the fact that vision screenings cannot diagnose an eye or vision problem, and don't have the ability to check for eye diseases.
Comprehensive eye and vision examinations, on the other hand, can only be conducted by an eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with the specialized training needed to make a definitive diagnosis and to provide a requisite treatment plan. Many of the specialized instruments and equipment used in an eye exam are not available in a vision screening program. The testing procedures typically done in a comprehensive eye exam include measurement of visual acuity at distance and near, determination of refractive state (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia), binocular vision assessment (depth perception and fusion), color vision, focusing ability, eye tracking skills, visual processing, and a thorough eye health assessment.
Vision screenings, because they are misunderstood by parents and patients alike, can provide a false sense of security, and therefore should never be used as a substitute for a professional eye examination. And remember to have your eyes examined at least once a year.
Yours in Eye Health,
Kevin Crosier, OD
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