Did you know that it takes 6-9 months for infants to develop full visual acuity, depth perception, and color vision? This is why some of the newer infant toys on the market are black and white, as these high-contrast toys have been shown to hold an infant's attention longer and may aid in visual development.
Why won't my dang eyelid stop twitching?
Have you ever had an eyelid twitch that just won't go away? Here are the top 3 causes of this annoying phenomenon:
1) Lack of sleep
2) Too much caffeine
3) Stress
A lid twitch could also indicate a potassium deficiency, so increasing your intake of bananas, spinach, and lentils may help!
"Don't stare at the sun...you'll go blind!"
You may remember hearing this as a child, and there actually is some truth to it! Staring at the sun for an extended period of time may cause irreversible damage to the center of the retina, causing a central blind spot. This is called solar retinopathy. I know you are all as happy as I am about the sun finally showing its face here in Colorado, but try not to stare at it for too long! :)
Buy glasses online....at your own risk!
Top 3 reasons why I do NOT recommend buying your glasses online:
A recent study done by the American Optometric Association found that 44.8% of glasses ordered online were made wrong!
The same study found that 29% of childrens' glasses failed impact-resistance and safety testing. Scary!
Even though it is cheaper to buy glasses online, you do get what you pay for you. Don't be surprised if the anti-glare coating starts peeling off after a few months or if you feel dizzy every time you wear the glasses, due to the cheap lens material used.
Coach Eyewear has arrived!
Sight Eyecare now carries Coach Eyewear! We just got in over 20 new and untouched Coach eyeglasses and Sunglasses, for your viewing pleasure! As always, we can order in other styles/colors if you'd like! Check out Hemi, our office mascot, who just fell in love with these sunglasses. Hopefully Coach makes a pair of these in her size!
Put away those phones before bed!
Are you the person who just HAS to check Facebook and HAS to make one more move on Words with Friends right before bed? Yup, me too. But I’m going to try to stop! You see, smartphones and laptops emit very bright blue light, which mimics the brightness of the sun. This tricks your brain into thinking it is daytime and tells it to stop producing melatonin, which tells your body “it's time to go to sleep." Interestingly, one study found that subjects who read a printed book before bed (versus those who read on a smartphone) had longer REM sleep, secreted more melatonin, and had more energy the next day. Another study found that looking at a smartphone before bed had an even worse effect on the subjects’ sleep schedule than a double espresso!
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog! Those of you that have seen me know that I love to learn and that I love to teach! Therefore, my hope with this blog is that you may learn a thing or two! I also will provide you with updates on the latest happenings/news at Sight Eyecare.
So, for my first blog I have chosen to write about Diabetes, as it is something that is very close to my heart for both professional and personal reasons. Sometimes I am asked, "what does Diabetes have to do with the eyes? Why do I need to come in every year for an eye exam just because I'm a Diabetic?" These are great questions! Here is my simplified answer:
Diabetes can affect the blood vessels in the retina and cause hemorrhages (bleeding), as seen in the retinal photo below, and eventually more severe retinal changes. Diabetic Retinopathy usually stems from several months of uncontrolled blood sugar levels. Believe it or not, this person would probably have 20/20 vision and no visual symptoms at all! So, just because one's vision "seems normal" does not necessarily mean all is fine inside the eye. Almost everyone I have seen with permanent vision loss from Diabetes are those who neglected to have yearly eye exams or those who were non-compliant with their Diabetes medications.
