Hidden dangers to a child’s vision

It’s a well-known fact that sports can present a hazard for children’s vision, but did you know that one in particular is responsible for the most injuries? According to the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, baseball is the No. 1 cause of sports-related injuries in children ages 5 to 14. The unpredictable nature of sports makes it easy for accidents to occur, which is why experts recommend that kids always use protective eyewear.

But the playing field is not the only place parents should be alert for dangerous objects. Some vision hazards – including scissors, forks and pencils – are found right at home. The foundation suggests that parents look out for such common items as paper clips, rubber bands, fish hooks, clothes hangers, and other items with sharp or pointed edges. In particular, children should be closely supervised when in the presence of darts, BB guns, and other missile-firing toys.

All of these objects have the potential to permanently damage a child’s vision should circumstances go awry. Finally, the foundation recommends keeping children away from all types of sprays and cleaners, as the chemicals can be highly dangerous. Vigilance is a parent’s best tool, so keep your eyes out for any potential dangers – obvious or hidden. An eye doctor on your True Dental Discounts vision plan can help you pinpoint specific hazards in your personal life and advise you on the best ways to keep your child safe and healthy.

Are you wearing contacts safely?

It’s easy to forget that contact lenses and solutions are considered medical devices by the FDA, leading many people to become lax about caring for their contacts. In reality, keeping your contacts clean is one of the most important things you can do for your eye health. The American Optometric Association recommends contact-wearers protect their eyes by using good hygiene practices including:

• Wash and dry hands before touching contact lenses 
• Rub lenses with fingers and rinse thoroughly before soaking the lenses overnight 
• Clean the lens case after every use, and make sure it stays dry and aired out in between uses. Cases should be replaced every three months or so. 
• Do not reuse old solution to clean your lenses, and don’t use saline solutions in place of a solution recommended by your eye doctor. 
• Take out your contacts before swimming 
• See an eye doctor on your True Dental Discounts vision plan regularly for an eye examination so he can re-evaluate your vision and prescription.

Should you consider getting contacts?

Whether you’re tired of losing your glasses or you’re just ready for a new look, contacts can be a great alternative to traditional frames. In fact, contacts offer several advantages that glasses can’t come close to matching. According to the American Optometric Association, one of these benefits is that contact wearers experience a less inhibited field of vision.

Unlike bulky frames, contacts do not block your view, and they move with your eye, which reduces the amount of distortions. Another benefit is that contacts do not fall off or prevent a person from participating in physical activities. They also do not fog up or get streaked by rainfall. Perhaps most importantly, many people feel more confident or attractive without glasses. This may be an especially deciding factor if you have a teenager considering contacts.

There are a few things to consider before making the switch to contacts, though. First, contacts are often more time consuming than glasses. They require more supervision, longer examinations, and more attention to their well-being. Unlike glasses, contacts can tear, and they require time to be inserted into the eye. Yet, if you can make a commitment to the time it takes to successfully wear contacts, most eye professionals agree that contacts can be an excellent investment.

In fact, the AOA suggests that contacts offer better overall vision quality than glasses, which means you’re one step closer to seeing more clearly. Talk to your eye doctor about how you can use your True Dental Discounts, vision plan to order affordable contact lenses today.

Preparing for your eye exam

Before you walk into your eye doctor’s office, it’s important to make sure you’ve got all the information you need to ensure a successful visit. Along with bringing your True Dental Discounts, membership card with you, you should also come knowing the following information, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic:

• Are you currently experiencing any vision problems?
• Have you had any eye problems in the past?
• Do you wear glasses or contacts? Are they working properly?
• What health problems have you had recently?
• Are you on any medications?
• Do you have any allergies (foods, medicines, other substances)?
• Do you have a family history of cataracts or glaucoma?
• Does anyone in your family have diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease?

By providing your eye doctor with this information, he or she will be able to treat you more precisely and effectively. It’s crucial that you keep your doctor up to date and be honest about any problems you’ve been experiencing. Otherwise, serious issues or complications could arise that may have been prevented. Going into your eye exam, you should bring your contact lenses if you have them, but be ready to remove them for certain eye tests.

Your eye doctor will be able to give you a more exact list of needed information, but the most important thing to remember is that he or she is looking out for your best vision interests. By working in cooperation with your doctor, you can ensure that your eyes are being cared for in a way that best meets your individual needs.