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Tuesday, July 6,2021 ®jjt Tleraltr 3A
How to choose the
right pair of sunglasses
Sunscreen is essential
to protect skin against
potential sun damage,
but what about keeping
the eyes safe from the
sun? Are the eyes vulner
able to significant sun-
related damage as well?
According to the Cal
vert Ophthalmology Cen
ter, ultraviolet rays from
the sun can contribute
to various eye problems.
These can range from
temporary vision loss to
macular degeneration.
When spending time in
the sun, it’s vital that
individuals take steps to
protect their eyes. One of
the ways to do just that
is to wear sunglasses.
All sunglasses are not
created equal. Quality
sunglasses protect the
eyes from UV rays, re
duce eyestrain in bright
conditions and protect
the eyes from flying
debris.
Here’s how to find the
right pair of sunglasses
for you:
• Check the UV rating.
Sunglasses should block
100 percent of both UVA
and UVB rays. UV rays
can contribute to cata
racts and even destroy
the retina, which is the
lining at the back of the
eyes. In addition, UV light
can cause changes in
the cells of the eyes that
may produce discomfort
or even lead to cancer.
Make sure the label indi
cates that the sunglasses
protect against UVA and
UVB rays.
• Wear large sunglass
es. The more coverage
from sunglasses the
better. The American
Optometric Association
advises that oversized or
wraparound sunglasses
are best, as they can cut
down on the UV rays
entering the eye from the
side.
• Don’t be fooled by
dark lenses. Dark lenses
do not necessarily block
more UV rays than
light-colored lenses. It is
important to look at the
label to see the UV rating.
• Select functional
sunglasses. The sport
ing goods experts at
RE1 state that certain
sunglasses are specifi
cally designed for certain
activities. Sport sun
glasses, for example are
designed for running, bik
ing and hiking. They’re
lightweight and fit tightly
so they stay on while ex
ercising. Their frame and
lens materials also may
be more impact-resistant
than casual sunglasses.
Glacier glasses are sport
sunglasses that protect
the eyes from intense
light at high altitudes and
against reflections from
snow.
• Know the functions
of polarized lenses.
Polarization helps reduce
glare coming off of reflec
tive surfaces, such as
water. Note that polariza
tion will not offer more
protection from the sun,
but it makes engaging in
certain activities more
comfortable.
• Recognize that the
color of lenses also
helps. In addition to
polarization, the color
of lenses can affect
how much visible light
reaches the eyes and af
fects clarity. Brown, gray
and green are ideal for
everyday use and most
outdoor activities. Light
colors like rose, yellow
and amber are good in
low to moderate light
conditions. They can
improve the visibility of
objects and make sur
roundings seem brighter.
Shop smart when
selecting sunglasses to
keep eyes healthy and
comfortable.
Eye exam recommendation schedules
Routine eye exams
should be a vital com
ponent of everyone’s
healthcare routine. Such
examinations can help
people learn if they need
prescription eyeglasses
and if their existing
prescriptions need to be
updated, and they also
can uncover other seri
ous health issues.
According to the
American Academy
of Ophthalmology®, a
comprehensive eye exam
can uncover such prob
lems as aneurysms, brain
tumors, diabetes, high
blood pressure, and as
sorted cancers, including
those of the blood, tissue
or skin. Eye exams can be
as effective at safeguard
ing your overall health
as they can at protecting
your vision.
The recommended
frequency with which
people should receive
eye exams is based
largely on age, though
no one should hesitate
to schedule an exam if
their eyes are bother
ing them or if they are
experiencing any abnor
malities with their eyes.
In addition, some people
may need more frequent
eye exams depending on
their medical histories,
which should be dis
cussed at length with a
physician.
Children and adults
without preexisting
conditions and those not
experiencing any ab
normal vision problems
can adhere to this eye
examination schedule,
courtesy of the American
Optometric Association.
• Birth to two years:
Children in this age
group should receive eye
exams between six to 12
months of age.
• Age three to five:
Children in this age
group should receive
at least one eye exam
between their third and
fifth birthdays.
• Age six to 17 years:
Children in this age
group should receive one
eye exam prior to begin
ning first grade and then
an annual exam thereaf
ter.
• Age 18 to 64: Adults
between the ages of 18
and 64 should receive an
eye exam at least once
every two years.
• Age 65 and older:
Annual eye exams are
recommended for men
and women age 65 and
older.
Eye examinations help
people preserve and im
prove their vision while
also promoting long-term
overall health. These
vital components of
healthy lifestyles should
not be overlooked.
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678-603-1321
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9 signs your young child is having vision problems
As many a parent can
attest, decoding a young
ster’s needs can be chal
lenging when that child
is not yet able to fully
communicate. Diagnosing
health issues may require
a little trial and error.
So it’s no wonder many
parents are not aware if
their children are having
issues with vision.
Routine wellness
exams by your child’s
physician can help to
determine if a child is
having problems with his
or her vision. Doctors
may detect subtleties
that parents may not
see, including signs that
suggest kids are having
trouble with their vision.
The American Opto
metric Association rec
ommends vision exams
at age six months, three
years and before entering
first grade, as well as ev
ery two years thereafter
until age 18. Initial vision
assessments typically
take place in a pediatri
cian’s office. Parents can
speak with their chil
dren’s pediatrician and
ask if he or she can look
for signs of vision trouble
in their sons or daugh
ters. Some pediatricians
may recommend children
visit an optometrist or
ophthalmologist.
In addition to speaking
with their children’s pe
diatricians, parents can
keep an eye out for the
following warning signs
children may exhibit
when they’re experienc
ing vision disorders.
• Squinting, which can
be a sign of compensat
ing for poor vision.
• Sitting too close to
the television or holding
a tablet screen close to
the face.
• Covering or shutting
one eye.
• Rubbing eyes due
to visual fatigue and not
general fatigue.
• Pulling toys or other
objects closer.
• Head tilting, which
could be a signal that vi
sion may be better in one
eye than the other.
• Inability to make
steady eye contact or
track an object in an
infant older than three
months of age.
• Crossed or mis
aligned eyes after age
four months.
• Children who are
easily distracted in learn
ing situations or have
difficulty paying attention
may be losing interest
due to trouble with their
vision.
A proactive approach
to eye health by par
ents when children are
young can help correct
problems early on and
ensure children can see
and function successfully
through the years. Early
treatment can lead to ma
jor, long-term improve
ments in vision.
Learn about preventative
care and screenings.
Get our experts’ take on
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LAMAR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Lamar County Health Department
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Barneville, GA 30204
Phone (770)358-1483
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