American Optometric Association

Vision Problems in Children: August is Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month

August 2, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), 1 in 4 school children have vision problems. And with the new school year right around the corner, now is the perfect time to have your child’s eyes examined. This is why the Prevent Blindness America Association has named August Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month.

Children’s Eye Health Checklist

Because children do not know what normal vision looks like, they are often unable to articulate the problem to their teachers or parents. This is why the American Optometric Association has compiled a list of warning signs to help detect potential eye problems in children. These warning signs include:

Sitting close to the TV
Squinting
Holding reading materials close to the face
Tilting their head
Rubbing the eyes frequently
Turning of an eye in or out
Sensitivity to light
Difficulty with eye-hand-body coordination
Avoiding coloring activities, puzzles and other detailed activities

If you notice your child displaying any of the above warning signs of vision problems, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor – optometrist or ophthalmologist – at your earliest convenience. The early detection and treatment of vision problems is the best way to help preserve your child’s sight. This is why regular checkups with eye doctor are so important.

In fact, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus recommend the following exams:

Newborn: It is recommended that all newborns undergo a red reflex test, which is a basic indicator that a baby’s eyes are normal.
Infant: A second vision screening is recommended between six months and one year old.
Preschooler: It is recommended to have a child’s eye alignment and visual acuity tested between the ages of 3 and 4.
School age: It is important to have a child’s vision tested upon entering school or whenever a vision problem is suspected.

Eye exams for children are important for normal vision development and academic achievement, as vision is closely linked to the learning process.

To learn more about Children’s Eye Health, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

Vision problems may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

August Awareness: Children’s Eye Health & Safety Awareness

A Look at Computer Vision Syndrome

March 9, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

In honor of March being Save Your Vision Month, we are going to take a look at a very real problem that many Americans are unaware that they face – Computer Vision Syndrome.

Prolonged computer use causes an individual to look straight ahead for long periods of time, blink less often, and use specific vision skills, which add further demands to the visual system. All of these factors can lead to several issues, including eye strain, blurred vision, and dry eye.

Each one of the above symptoms contributes to Computer Vision Syndrome, which the American Optometric Association defines as “the complex of eye and vision problems related to near work that are experienced during or related to computer use.”

Factors Leading to Computer Vision Syndrome and How to Correct Them

1. Computer Screen Resolution: Poor resolution means poor clarity, which can lead to eyestrain. Be sure to set your resolution to the highest possible resolution your monitor allows.

2. Computer Screen Contrast: Poor contrast can make text difficult to read, leading to eyestrain. Adjust the contrast between the characters on the monitor and the background so the letters are easily read.

3. Computer Screen Glare and Reflections: Glare can put extra strain on your eyes. To reduce glare, eliminate bright light sources from your peripheral vision and position your monitor perpendicular to windows or other bright light sources.

4. Image Refresh Rates: The images on your screen should not flicker. If this occurs, consider upgrading to a monitor with a higher refresh rate, like an LCD monitor.

5. Distance Computer Sits from You: Be sure to situate your computer at a distance that is comfortable for you.

6. Inadequate Glasses Prescription: Is your current prescription effective? If not, it could be causing putting increased strain on your eyes. Be sure to schedule regular comprehensive eye exams to ensure your eyes are healthy and that you have the correct eyeglass or contact lens prescription

7. Repetitive Tasks: Staring at a computer screen for long periods of time can be very detrimental to your vision. Be sure to take periodic breaks and let your eyes focus on objects far away.

Just like any other muscle in the body, your eyes require regular exercise to keep them healthy.

“Patients are often amazed by the improved visual comfort at their computer by making a few minor adjustments. If that doesn’t do the trick, one may want to look into glasses specifically made to optimize visual clarity at 22 to 24 inches or even consider Gunnar Eyewear,” said Dr. Kevin Johnson of Peepers of Severna Park.

For more information on Gunnar Eyewear, visit http://www.gunnars.com. Click here for Gunner Eyewear Coupons.

If you have any questions about what you have just read or if you would like to learn more about Computer Vision Syndrome, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today!

Cast your vote now for Anne Arundel Eye Center, Dr. Boles and Dr. Frank in Chesapeake Family Magazine’s Favorite Docs 2012! Voting ends on March 15th.

Dr. Boles and everyone else at the Anne Arundel Eye Center proudly support the efforts of The Polakoff Foundation and their role in the ongoing fight against glaucoma. Click here to purchase tickets online for the Polakoff Foundation’s Mardi Gras Celebration to help raise money to aid the fight against blindness.

Glaucoma and Cataracts may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter,Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Save Your Vision Month: Healthy Vision at the Computer American Optometric Association

Dr. Nathan T. Frank Joins Anne Arundel Eye Center

July 27, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Dr. Samuel F. Boles and the rest of the Anne Arundel Eye Center staff are happy to welcome board certified Optometrist Dr. Nathan T. Frank to their ever-growing practice.

“We are an established practice that continuously welcomes new patients and we are very excited to have a physician with Dr. Frank’s background and specialty experience join our staff, to help us continue to provide the utmost care and education within the community,” Dr. Boles said.

That care and education that Dr. Boles mentions is the reason that Anne Arundel Eye Center is proud of its growth over the past five years, now serving over 6,000 patients. The state-of-the-art treatment center, which specializes in glaucoma and cataracts diagnosis and treatment, hired Dr. Frank to support that increased patient base.

Dr. Frank completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Wyoming in 2004 and received his doctorate in Optometry at Pacific University in 2008. As part of his training, Dr. Frank held clinical externships at Alaska Eye Care Center, Arizona; Pacific University College of Optometry, Oregon; Fort Washakie Indian Health Services, Wyoming; Alaska Eye Center, Alaska; and attended weekly grand round lectures at the Wilmer Eye Center at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Frank completed his residency with the Maryland-based eye care center Seidenberg and Protzko Eye Associates with an emphasis on ocular disease, pediatrics and refractive surgery.

Before relocating to Annapolis, Maryland with his wife Lesleigh, a pediatric occupational therapist at Kennedy Krieger, Dr. Frank was owner and optometric physician at DV Eyecare LLC in La Grande, Oregon – a practice providing primary care, contact lens services, and medical optometry. Dr. Frank is a former member of the Oregon Optometric Association and current member of the American Optometric Association, the Maryland Optometric Association, and the Optometric Nutrition Society. He has recently published two Posters – “Bilateral Acute Retinal Necrosis Secondary to HSV-2” and “Bleb Associated Pseudomonal Endophthalmitis.”

Anne Arundel Eye center is delighted to welcome such a highly qualified Optometrist to its practice. Dr. Frank was brought in to help the center handle its increased patient base, while furthering Anne Arundel Eye Center’s commitment to providing comprehensive eye care services, specializing in cataract and glaucoma diagnosis and treatment.

Anne Arundel Eye Center is located at 127 Lubrano Drive, Suite 301, Annapolis, MD, 21401 across from Annapolis Mall. For patient appointment information, please call (410) 224-2010 or visit them at www.AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

You can follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube as well!