Can Cold Weather Affect Your Vision?

Protecting your eyes in the winter weather is very important. A lot of times we don’t think of how weather can change things like vision. Here are some ways that cold or extremely cold weather can impact your vision.

• Being in temperatures for long periods of time that are below freezing can cause constriction of blood vessels in and around the eyes which can cause blurriness and double vision.
• The wind and cold winter air can make your eyes tear excessively and this can cause blurry vision.
• In cold temperatures the air outside is dry and when we operate the heat in our homes this produces dry air as well. So, between dry outside air and dry inside air this can cause your eyes to dehydrate and can lead to pain and swelling, blurry vision and even a burning sensation or even teary eyes to compensate for the dryness.  Dryness can cause your eyes to become red.
• If your eyes are not protected it is possible to freeze the cornea if exposed to extreme cold temperatures.
• The lack of moisture can make your eyes drier and cause them to be itchy and cause discomfort.
• Wearing contact lenses in the winter may cause you to experience dry eyes and be more uncomfortable in the winter. Allergies can also impact eye dryness in the winter months from the cold.

We wear protective clothing such as hats, coats, gloves, scarfs, socks, boots, ski pants to protect our skin in the winter. In the cold winter months what can we do to protect our eyes? Goggles! If you are going to be outside for any length of time goggles can help protect your eyes as well as give you extra face protection. Protecting your eyes in the winter from brutally cold conditions means choosing a goggle that has the appropriate features for comfort and safety. Consider anti-fogging goggles, UV protection – (yes, the sun can be bright reflecting off the snow), the goggles need to provide a certain amount of airflow for ventilation, choose the lens design carefully, for the best condensation resistance.

Common Questions About Cataracts

What is a cataract? 
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects the vision, makes the vision blurry and increases the glare from lights. 

Who gets cataracts? 
By the age of 80 more than half of all Americans have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. Most cataracts are related to aging and are the most common in older people. 

What if cataracts are left untreated? 
Many people become legally blind from untreated cataracts. Cataracts can even cause total blindness if left untreated for a long period of time. Untreated cataracts will continue to worsen over time and cause continual reduction of vision. 

How do I know if I have a cataract? 
Some symptoms of a having a cataract might be you squinting or having to close your eyes in bright lights. Or, if you get a headache from flashes of bright light. Another sign of a cataract might be you having an appearance of halos and glare in your eye. You may notice an appearance of halos and glare in your field of vision. 

Can I prevent getting cataracts? 
Prevention is difficult but avoiding ultraviolet light from the sun by using sunglasses, avoiding steroid eye drops (unless absolutely necessary) and avoiding rare medications that may be associated with cataract progression are suggested. We recommend everyone have an annual exam to keep help keep your eyes healthy!

Tips For Your Next Eye Exam

Here are some tips to help you prepare for your next eye exam.

◾ Come prepared with your health insurance card.

◾ If you wear contact lenses, eyeglasses, or sunglasses, bring them to your eye exam appointment.

◾ Have a good understanding of your medical history as well as any relevant family medical history.

◾ If you have recently used eye drops, make a note of the time.

◾ Make a list of any medications that you are currently taking. This includes over-the-counter medicine too.
 

◾ Have your current primary care physician’s information.

◾ Be ready to address any questions or concerns that you may have. Have you had changes in your vision? Have you experienced an eye injury or surgery? Are you experiencing discomfort or blurry vision?

10 Fascinating Facts About Eyes

The human eyes are amazing, wouldn't you agree? Everything from tear production to how they heal is fascinating. Here are 10 eye-related facts that you may not have known.

1.) The most common eye color is brown.

2.) While many people believe that 20/20 vision means "perfect vision," it actually means normal vision.

3.) It is estimated that nearly 80% of our memories are determined by what we see.

4.) The eye is the fastest muscle.

5.) When babies are first born, they are unable to produce tears when they cry.

6.) Nearly 80% of vision issues is curable.

7.) Eyelashes help protect eyes from dust and dirt.

8.) You are more likely to be colorblind if you are male.

9.) The amount of melanin pigment in your eye is what will determine their color.

10.) Some people are born with two different colored eyes. This is known as heterochromia.


If you have an interesting eye-related fact, share it with us in the comment section below!

20/20 Vision - It's Not What You Think

While many people believe that 20/20 vision refers to "perfect" vision, the truth is that it actually refers to "normal" vision. In fact, some people may even have vision better than 20/20. Let me explain. The numbers referenced in this measurement of visual acuity actually refers to the distance in feet that one is standing from the eye chart. If a person has 20/20 vision, this means that they are able to see the line on the test from 20 feet away that "normal" people are able to see at 20 feet away. If a person has 20/15 vision than that person has vision that is better than the normal person, but if a person has 20/40 vision than that person has vision that is worse than the normal person taking the test. Do you know where you rank? Schedule an eye exam.

Contact Lenses 101

If you are considering getting contact lenses, you will want to schedule an appointment with your eye care professional to determine if you are a good candidate. This will require a comprehensive eye exam followed by a contact lens fitting. There are both pros and cons to being a contact lens wearer. Here some things for you to consider when deciding if contact lens are the best option for you.

Pros 👍

• Contacts conform to your eye increasing your field of view 
• Unlike eyeglasses, you do not have to worry about breaking your contact lenses
• Sports and other activities do not require a change of contact lenses
• Contact lenses are usually not effected by weather conditions such as heat and rain
• They come in different colors 
• You can wear them with any outfit without feeling like they conflict

Cons 👎

• Some may find it difficult to insert a contact lens
• They need regular changes
• Regular cleanings are also an important part of having contact lenses
• Dry eyes and irritation may occur 
• Contact lenses may contribute to "computer vision syndrome" 

Eyeglasses 101

Did you know that eyeglasses can be traced all the way back to the year 1285? Glasses help to correct vision by using a lens to bend light rays. The light rays are then able to focus on the retina of the eye. Here are some pros and cons about wearing glasses.

Pros 👍

• Glasses sure have come a long way over the years. There are many stylish brands, colors, and styles to choose from. 
• Glasses have become so trendy that it is not uncommon for people to purchase non-prescription glasses to wear as an accessory. 
• Prescription glasses are able to provide the patient with vision correction that is accurate. 
• Unlike contact lenses, glasses do not need frequent replacing.  
• Glasses are also not known to cause any type of eye irritation. 
• Your glasses work as another line of defense protecting your eyes from dust, dirt, debris, and objects. 
• While some may experience difficulty applying and removing contacts, applying and removing glasses is simple. 
• The cost of glasses tends to be less expensive than alternatives like contact lenses or surgery. 

Cons 👎

• Glasses can be broken or lost so it helps to have a spare handy. 
• In inclement weather such as rain, glasses become wet and foggy. 
• Because glasses are easily dirtied and smudged, they require regular cleanings.       
• You may need to try on many different styles before finding the pair that best fits you.  
• You may find that your glasses get in the way when going about your daily activities or playing sports. 
• Depending on your profession and activities, you may also require prescription goggles along with your regular glasses. 

* While glasses may be fun and trendy, remember that they are a prescription tool designed to improve your vision. If you suspect that you may need glasses or if you have not had your vision checked in 1-2 years, we recommend scheduling an Eye Exam.