Eye spy with my little eye…

That’s right. The eye is a small structure- approximately 1 inch across and weighing about 0.25 ounces. A little structure that provides much sight.

To get a few common misconceptions out of the way, let me begin with the facts: eating carrots alone do not give you perfect vision, there is no scientific evidence that sitting too close to the television will make you go blind, and crossing your eyes or getting hit on the back does not make them stay that way. Now that we’ve got the myths out of the way, what is the scoop on eyes, eye examinations, and eye health?

To begin with the age-long question… WHEN should I get my child’s eyes tested?

Eye Exam Frequency:

We often see infants in the clinic, as early as 6 months old. Although we clearly cannot do the stereotypical “better with lens 1 or lens 2”, we assess babies eyes for alignment issues, known as strabismus, a lazy eye, aka amblyopia, significant amounts of hyperopia or myopia, and disease. It is important to check early that eyes are developing normally.

At a minimum, we like to see children by the age of 3. At this age we can usually perform a full examination and begin a good baseline.

School-age children should be seen annually. As they are growing and changing, their eyes are also growing and changing. Whether a child needs spectacles or not, it is important to monitor the health of their eyes annually.

Fact: Research has shown that 80% of learning is visual. Think of the impact of children not being able to see in school. This compounds and gives difficulties in all subjects.

If they have never been in- it’s not too late. There is no time like the present to book you or your child’s first eye examination.

Eat Right to protect your sight: Eye Eats

Despite the fact that carrots are a great source of Vitamin A, they are just one important eye food. Protecting your eyes with plants is key for keeping your eyes healthy. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables particularly those with dark green and orange pigments are especially important for your eye health as they contain protective chemicals called carotenoids. The hot eye vegetable of the season? The underdog: orange peppers. Fish, eggs, nuts and even turkey are other healthy eye foods. Research indicates that eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna and halibut benefits the eyes in more ways than one.

More than just “à la mode”

Not only are sunglasses fashion forward, they serve an important role in eye protection. Statistically, people are exposed to 80% of their lifetime UV exposure by the age of 20. UV is responsible for many eye diseases, so protecting the eyes from infancy is key to reduce the lifetime exposure. WHAT to purchase? When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.

Colour Concerns

One in every twelve males are colour blind. Color blind does not mean that you see in black and white, but that you have trouble telling the difference between certain colors. WHY does this matter? Matching clothing aside, knowing from an early age whether a person is colour blind helps to influence career choices in the future. Certain careers, such as law enforcement, piloting and many more require perfect colour vision. Knowing restrictions earlier in the game can save a lot of disappointment down the road.

Signs & Symptoms

Teachers are often the people who point out that children need an eye exam. As a parent, things to watch for that may indicate issues with your child’s vision may include:

• An eye that is turning in or out, especially when tired
• Squinting, rubbing the eyes, or excessive blinking
• Red, itchy, sore, watery eyes
• Light sensitivity, including screens
• A lack of concentration or interest
• Holding objects very close, or standing at the TV
• Headaches
• Covering or closing one eye

To ‘SummarEYES’,

It is never to late to have yours or your child’s first eye exam. Annual eye examinations are recommended for anyone under the age of 18, and continue to be annually or every two years after that.

Dr. Amanda Bartlett

Call us today to book your appointment!

506.454.4000

Downtown Optometry Clinic: Excellence in Eye care and Eyewear
169 Dundonald St, Fredericton, NB

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About the Author/Optometrist

 

Dr. Amanda Bartlett was born and raised in Fredericton, NB. After graduating from Fredericton High School, Amanda went on to complete her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Here, she competed on an athletic scholarship for cross-country and track and field, something she continues to be passionate about.

Returning to Fredericton, Amanda worked as a chemist before deciding to continue her education pursuing her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo.  Having completed clinical rotations in Atlanta Georgia, and travelling as far as Malawi in Africa, Amanda has had the opportunity to work and learn alongside some of the most renowned and experienced optometrists and ophthalmologists in the field. She returns home with a special interest in ocular disease management. Humanitarian work inspires Amanda, and she is passionate about using her education and skills to help those most in need. Over the past four years, she has traveled worldwide to offer her services in both South America and Africa. She is always looking for new ways to get involved in giving back within her own community as well as on a global scale.

Amanda has returned to Fredericton, and is elated to begin her career in the hometown she loves. With clinical training in pediatric, as well a geriatric optometry she is proficient in meeting the challenges of optometry as it pertains to all age groups. She has a particular interest in pediatric optometry and the co-management of ocular and systemic disease, including diabetes, hypertension, and glaucoma.