Posts Tagged ‘eye health’
Posted on July 29th, 2010 by Lisa P.
- Dr. Nathan Bonilla-Warford is a VSP provider practicing in Tampa, FL.
Guest Blogger: Nathan Bonilla-Warford, O.D. specializes in children’s vision, computer vision and orthokeratology. Dr. Warford practices in Tampa, FL at Bright Eyes Family Vision Care and is especially interested in the use of social media in eyecare.
Do you ever experience red or watery eyes, blurry vision or have difficulty focusing after an eight-hour day at work? Together these symptoms may result in computer-related eye problems, but someone can have them without working on a computer. The patients that come to my office often have physical and visual symptoms resulting from an office work environment. Here are some common symptoms and possible solutions to help your eye health during work.
Dry Eyes – Due to ventilation systems, dry air, dust or printer toner in the air, tears may not adequately coat and moisten the eye, leading to red, burning, or irritated eyes. When reading or using the computer, people tend to not blink as often, compounding the problem.
Solution: Blink more when reading or working at the computer. Your optometrist can evaluate and treat dry eyes if it’s a chronic problem.
Workstation Design Problems – If a person’s desk, chair, keyboard and computer monitor are not oriented properly, it can lead to rapid visual fatigue.
Solution: Place the screen 24 inches or more away from your face, and make sure it’s directly in front of and slightly lower than your eyes.
Visual Focusing Problems – The strain on your eyes when focusing on paper or a computer screen can become fatiguing over time. Some people have visual focusing and coordination problems that make reading or using a computer uncomfortable or cause headaches.
Solution: Take frequent breaks (20-20-20 rule: after 20 minutes of computer use, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds). You may also benefit from specific glasses prescribed for office work that help you focus at the correct distance.
If you experience symptoms such as red, irritated, burning eyes, headache or visual fatigue while at work, make an appointment with your VSP Vision Care provider. Effective treatment can include modifying your work area, using the proper prescription glasses, eye medications, or a program of therapeutic visual activities, referred to as vision therapy. One or all of these may be needed to keep your eyes and vision healthy and productive at work.
Download the complete Eye Health for the Workplace Guide written by Dr. Bonilla-Warford.
File under: CVS, Frames & Lenses, eye health | Tagged: blurred vision, computer, computer screen, computer vision syndrome, computer-related eye problems, CVS, digital device, electronic media, eye fatigue, eye health, eye irritation, eye strain, nausea, neck aches, smartphone, Technology, texting, TV, worker productivity
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Posted on July 27th, 2010 by Melissa W.
File under: CVS, Frames & Lenses, Fun, eye health | Tagged: blurred vision, computer, computer screen, computer vision syndrome, computer-related eye problems, CVS, digital device, electronic media, eye fatigue, eye health, eye irritation, eye strain, nausea, neck aches, smartphone, Technology, texting, TV, worker productivity
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Posted on July 19th, 2010 by Tyreke Evans
File under: Eye Safety, Fun, Tyreke Evans, eye health, sports | Tagged: #RekeROY, 2010 Rookie of the year, athletes, eye health, Eye Safety, Reke, sacramento kings, Sports vision, Tyreke Evans, Tyrekes Court, VSP, VSP Vision Care
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Posted on July 6th, 2010 by Liz B.
Can eating carrots improve your vision? That question is the next eye health myth Bill Nye and Dr. Roger Phelps tackle in the latest VSP EyeFiles series. Watch as Bill and Dr. Phelps uncover the answer and also discuss other delicious eye healthy foods that should be added to any diet like kiwi, whole grains, salmon, dark chocolate, red wine, tuna, sunflower oil, spinach, egg yolks, and kale.
File under: VSP EyeFiles, eye health, eye myths | Tagged: Bill Nye, dental vision, Eye, eye health, eye insurance, eye myths, eye problems, eye sight, eye test, eyeglasses, eyewear, glasses, mens glasses, prescription glasses, The Science Guy, vision, vision benefits, vision problem, Vision Service Plan, VSP, VSP Vision Care, wearing lenses
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Posted on July 2nd, 2010 by Lisa P.
VSP Provider Dr. Roger Phelps, OjaiEyes Optometry
VSP Provider Dr. Roger Phelps served as the subject matter expert on Computer Vision Syndrome with Forbes.com in a recent article titled: Do Computers Really Fry Your Brain? Here is a snippet of the interview with Dr. Phelps and Forbes writer Jenna Goudreau.
In 2005, a medical term was coined to diagnose some of these problems, now known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). A review of the syndrome in the Survey of Ophthalmology, a peer-reviewed journal, calls it “a repetitive strain disorder that appears to be growing rapidly, with some studies estimating that 90% of the 70 million U.S. workers using computers for more than three hours per day experience it in some form.”
If you spend several days a week gaping for hours at a computer screen, you’re likely familiar with the symptoms. Eyestrain and eye fatigue, irritation, blurred vision, head and neck aches and nausea can all be associated with prolonged computer use.
“People are sitting in front of a computer all day,” says Ojai, Calif.-based optometrist Roger Phelps, who has been practicing for decades. “You are looking at a light source, not focused at the proper distance, and staring. It causes strain.”
Phelps believes that the damage caused by CVS is temporary and can be reversed. The main issue, he says, is that people tend to stare at electronic screens, not blinking or looking away as often as they might while reading a book or magazine.
Why do we stare? Phelps thinks that the technology, from gaming to surfing, is inherently more interesting–colorful and fast-paced–so we don’t want to miss a second. Staring at screens commonly leads to dry eyes, which he sees in more than one-third of his patients and says worsens with age.
Phelps suggests using eye drops and adhering to the 20-20-20 rule, which stipulates that after 20 minutes of computer use, you should look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. The break will allow your eyes a rest and a chance to refocus.
To read the entire article, visit the Forbes website.
File under: CVS, eye health | Tagged: blured vision, computer, computer screen, computer vision syndrome, CVS, Dr. Roger Phelps, eye fatigue, eye health, eye irritation, Forbes, Forbes.com, jenna goudreau, nausea, neck aches, Technology
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Posted on June 29th, 2010 by Lisa P.
Independence Day, Fourth of July, is right around the corner and that means picnics, BBQ’s, outdoor activities and most importantly, fireworks! We want to make sure you see them bright and clear so we encourage you to wear sunglasses throughout the day. Lets face it, shades look cool, but did you know they are essential to eye health?
VSP doctor
Stephen Cohen from Scottsdale, Arizona says ”there’s increasing evidence that
ultraviolet rays in sunlight can significantly increase your risk of developing
cataracts and
macular degeneration. Because both conditions can threaten healthy vision, I recommend wearing sunglasses on sunny days year-round. Plus, you’ll experience better night vision when you wear sunglasses on sunny days.”
This is a plus for the fireworks show!
Here are some tips to picking out the right shades to protect your eyes.
Tommy Bahama Aviator
- Labels: Make sure they carry a consumer-protection label stating they’re 99-100% UV-absorbent, or provide UV absorption up to 400 nanometers (nm).
- Go big or wrap it: Bigger frames and lenses, and also wrap-around styles, give you more UV protection because they block peripheral rays. Also, this is the trend this season!
- Go polar: Polarized lenses block out sunlight glare bouncing off windshields, pavement, and other smooth surfaces.
- Consider color: Gray lenses are best. Why? They don’t change colors. Green and brown lenses are good too.
Often times, store-bought fireworks can emit smoke. Here are some tips for smokey-eyes:
- Rinse your eyes with clean water regularly; at least once a day or more often if they burn or itch.
- Try not to rub your eyes, since you might transfer dust and ash from your hands or face to your eyes that could scratch or irritate them. Wash your hands regularly, especially if you wear contact lenses.
- Use lubricating eye drops or artificial tears to keep your eyes refreshed and help get rid of dust and particles that can irritate eyes.
We hope you have a fun and safe Fourth of July this year!
File under: Eye Safety, Frames & Lenses, eye health, fashion | Tagged: cataracts, eye health, fireworks, Fourth of July, Independence Day, july 4, macular degeneration, smoke eyes, smokey eyes, Stephen Cohen, sunglasses, ultraviolet rays, UV protection, UV Rays, VSP, VSP Vision Care
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Posted on June 28th, 2010 by Lisa P.
Looking for everything eyecare and eyewear? Look no further than The Center on vsp.com, where you’ll find out about:
Eyecare
Learn how to keep your eyes healthy for a lifetime. Read articles and watch videos on a wide-range of topics, like cataracts, diabetes, and dry eye. You can also stop by the Kids’ Zone to test your Eye-Q and play a few tricks on your eyes!
Eyewear
Visit the Eyewear Gallery and browse through designer frames like Fendi, Coach, Nike, Joseph Abboud, and Tommy Bahama.
Lenses & Technology
Discover cutting-edge advances in eyecare technology to help your overall eye health including lens options, retinal imaging, and laser surgery.
Visit The Center today!
File under: Frames & Lenses, Technology, eye health, fashion | Tagged: eye health, fashion, Frames, glasses, lenses, style, sunglasses, Technology, The Center, vision health, VSP, VSP Vision Care, vsp.com, wellness
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Posted on June 22nd, 2010 by Liz B.
In Episode 3 of the VSP EyeFiles series, Bill Nye debunks the eye myth about wearing glasses with an out-of-date prescription. Can they really hurt your eyes? Find out Bill’s conclusion and join him as he visits Dr. Phelps for an eye exam and picks out a new pair of glasses! Are you in need of a new look? Enter VSP’s Eyewear Makeover contest today!
File under: VSP EyeFiles, eye myths | Tagged: Bill Nye, eye health, eye insurance, eye myths, eye problems, eye sight, eye test, eye vision, eyeglasses, eyewear, glasses, mens glasses, prescription glasses, The Science Guy, vision benefits, vision problem, wearing lenses
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Posted on June 8th, 2010 by Liz B.
File under: VSP EyeFiles, diabetes, eye myths | Tagged: Bill Nye, dental vision, diabete, diabetes, diabetes effects, diabetes eye retinopathy, diabetes facts, diabetic eye, diabetic retinopathy, eye health, eye insurance, eye myths, eye problems, eye sight, eye test, eye vision, The Science Guy, treatment, Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, type diabetes, vision benefits, vision problem, Vision Service Plan, VSP, VSP Vision Care
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Posted on June 4th, 2010 by Lisa P.
File under: Contests, Frames & Lenses, Fun, VSP EyeFiles, eye health, eye myths | Tagged: 3-D, 3-D TV, Alice in Wonderland, Avatar, Bill Nye, Bill Nye the Science Guy, Clash of the Titans, computer vision syndrome, Educational, eye exam, eye health, eye health myths, eyecare, eyes hurt, Eyes of Nye, Eyesight, films, Fun, health, kids, motion sickness, movies, mythbusters, Myths, optometrist, Real D, safety, sea sick, Shrek 3-D, stereopsis, stereoscopic, symptoms, teachers, three d, vertigo, vision problems, Vision Service Plan, VSP, VSP doctor, vsp insurance, VSP Vision Care
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As an athlete, I know how important vision is so I partnered with VSP to create a website about eye safety for all my fans and athletes out there. The new site is called ”Tyreke’s Court” and has information on eye safety and eye health, specifically for people who play sports. Visit 
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