Find out why it's so important to have a comprehensive eye examination and how often.

We are all familiar with the saying, “The eyes are the window to the soul.” But did you know that your eyes are all seeing, not just for your visual health, but for your overall health? A comprehensive eye examination is used to access all the secrets behind your eyes. It is one of the most potent weapons in your arsenal in your efforts to be healthy.

What does a comprehensive eye examination involve?

The exam has three major segments. They include:

1. Medical History Review: Part of a comprehensive eye examination is a review of your medical history. This tells your provider about any underlying medical conditions.
2. Overall Eye Health: Your eye care provider will examine your vision and eye wellness. They will check for any abnormalities, irritation, redness, dryness, or pain.
3. A Variety of Tests: As part of your comprehensive examination, there are tests designed to provide a complete picture of your eye health and visual functionality, such as:
   
   
   1. Visual acuity: This indicates how well someone is seeing―both close-up and at a distance
   2. Refraction: Determines whether there is farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism.
   3. Depth perception: This helps us determine how close or far away objects are. It is critical for learning, sports, and driving. It is also needed for police officers, firefighters, pilots, and lifeguards.
   4. Peripheral vision: This helps us detect objects surrounding us without turning our heads. We need good peripheral vision while our eyes are facing forward.
   5. Color vision and perception: This test helps pinpoint several issues with distinguishing color. This includes complete color blindness.
   6. Focusing skills: Your eye doctor will determine if your eyes can change focus quickly and effectively. This type of muscle contraction needs to be maintained for reading or desk work.
   7. Eye teaming skills: These skills allow both eyes to work together in a precise and coordinated way. It is critical for maintaining a single and comfortable vision for a sustained period. We need this for reading words across the page and comprehending their meaning.
      

So, who should do this exam, and how often?

All adults aged 18 to 60 should have a comprehensive eye exam at least once every two years. Then, adults 65 and over should have annual eye exams.

What can the eyes tell us about our overall health?
A comprehensive eye exam can uncover issues with your overall health. Many telltale signs can quickly alert your provider to various medical conditions or diseases, such as:

• High Cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• High-stress levels
• Thyroid disease
• Cancer
• Arthritis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Nystagmus

With a comprehensive eye examination, you and your eye care provider can ensure you keep your vision as healthy as possible. It will enable both of you to create a plan to address any issues found. And because of the connection between your eyes and your body, this evaluation will help you on your overall health journey. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam today to stay on top of your visual and overall health!

Whether you’re spending your summer out and about or in your backyard, you probably wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. But what about protecting your eyes? The sun’s UV rays can do a lot of damage to your vision, and it can even worsen some of the symptoms of common eye diseases. So here are three quick tips to help you keep your eyes protected and healthy while out in the sun!

1. Wear the Right Sunglasses: Wearing the right sunglasses might be one of the most important things you can do to protect your eyes. Good sunglasses are made to block out UV rays and protect your eyes and the skin around them from sun damage. Make sure to wear sunglasses that are rated to block 100% of UV rays when you are outside. If you already wear glasses, look for polarized lenses that are rated to block 100% of UV rays to wear over your prescription or in place of to protect your eyes when in contact with the sun.
2. Don’t Look Directly at The Sun: This one sounds like a no-brainer as most people learn not to look directly at the sun as children, either from a parent or too long of a gaze that leaves them with a not-so-fun headache. But it can be an easy and dangerous lesson to forget momentarily. Looking into the sun is one of the most harmful things you can do to your eyes. Looking directly at the sun vastly increases your exposure to the sun’s UV rays – enough to begin damage to your retinas in just a few seconds, called solar retinopathy.

3. Wear a Hat: You might think wearing a hat protects your skin more than your eyes, but hats can do wonders for keeping your eyes safe. Skincancer.org points out that a good hat can block “as much as half” of the UV rays from the sun. To get the best protection, wear a hat with at least a 3-inch brim and no holes in it!

These are just three ways you can protect your eyes from UV light. But protecting your eyes from the sun is just one part of caring for your eyes. Start with your diet if you want to learn more about protecting your eyes and promoting your vision health. 

Athletes and working professionals are used to pushing their limits to succeed. One aspect that often gets overlooked is eye safety. Protecting your eyes should be a top priority whether your terrain is the field, the worksite, or the office. Eye safety practices are essential for maintaining optimal vision and preventing long-term damage.

An estimated 1.8 million workers sustained work-related injuries and were treated in emergency departments during 2020. In addition, almost 30,000 sports-related eye injuries are treated in U.S. emergency rooms yearly. The good news is that wearing appropriate protective eyewear can prevent many eye injuries.

Key takeaways:

• Neglecting eye safety can have severe consequences.
• Athletes can be at risk of multiple eye injuries: corneal abrasions, retinal detachment, and permanent vision loss.
• Work professionals are exposed to various eye hazards: chemicals, flying debris, and excessive light exposure.
• Eye safety can differ for each sport or industry: tailor your approach accordingly.
• You will need protective eyewear (as opposed to sunglasses). They’re made from polycarbonate material to handle substantial impacts. If you usually wear contact lenses or eyeglasses, you will still need to apply them.

By understanding the specific eye safety requirements, you can implement the necessary daily precautions to protect your eyes. So, let's dive in and discover how you can protect your eyes and excel in your chosen field!

Common Eye Injuries in Athletes and Professionals

The nature of playing a sport can result in direct impact, accidental contact, and exposure to environmental factors. This may lead to injury and even permanent damage if not adequately treated. Common eye injuries in sports include:

• Blurred or double vision
• Corneal abrasions: these are scratches on the surface of the eye.
• Hyphema: this is bleeding inside the eye.
• Orbital fractures: these involve the bones around the eye socket.

Similarly, professionals in hazardous environments face unique risks. Working on construction sites or at manufacturing facilities exposes people to various eye hazards, including:

• Chemicals: Chemical burns to the eye can result in severe pain, redness, and vision loss if not promptly treated.
• Flying debris: Foreign objects or debris entering the eye can cause corneal abrasions or potentially lead to infections.
• Excessive light exposure: Prolonged exposure to bright lights or radiation can also damage the retina and other structures of the eye.

Neglecting eye safety in these settings can severely affect your performance and overall well-being. Understanding the common eye injuries that athletes and professionals face is essential in implementing preventive measures.

Best Practices for Preventing Eye Injuries in Sports

Here are some essential tips to help athletes protect their eyes while staying competitive:

1. Wear appropriate protective eyewear: Goggles, face masks, or helmets with faceguards. Sports with a higher risk of eye injury include fencing, lacrosse, baseball, hockey, and tackle football. Make sure the equipment fits properly and provides adequate coverage.
2. Replace damaged or outdated equipment: It’s essential to inspect your protective eyewear regularly. Over time, the effectiveness may diminish. So, it's crucial to keep your gear up to date.
3. Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands before handling contact lenses or touching your eyes. Proper contact lens care and hygiene are essential to prevent eye infections and complications.
4. Avoid sharing personal items: Use your own personal gear. Sharing towels, goggles, or other personal items can increase the risk of spreading bacteria and infections.
5. Be aware of your surroundings: Stay alert and aware of potential eye hazards. Whether it's flying objects, uneven surfaces, or excessive glare, being aware can help you avoid unnecessary risks.

Guidelines for Professionals Working in Hazardous Environments

To protect your eyes in the workplace, following the specific guidelines and safety protocols for your industry is essential. Here are some key recommendations:

1. Know the potential hazards: Chemicals, flying debris, excessive light exposure, and radiation are common hazards that can pose a risk to your eyes.
2. Use appropriate eye protection: Safety glasses, goggles, and face shields can protect against potential hazards.
3. Ensure proper fit and maintenance: Eye protection equipment needs to fit correctly. It should also be inspected regularly for any signs of damage or wear so it can be replaced as needed.
4. Follow safety protocols: These will be established by your workplace. They may include wearing safety goggles in designated areas, using shields when operating machinery, or specific procedures for handling hazardous materials.
5. Report any eye injuries or concerns: Any issues with your eye health should be reported immediately to a supervisor or health and safety delegate. Timely reporting can help ensure proper treatment and prevent further complications.

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Vision for Athletes and Professionals

Maintaining healthy vision is crucial both on and off the field. Here are some tips to help you keep your eyes in top condition:

1. Eat a balanced diet: Incorporate foods rich in vitamins and minerals that promote eye health. These include leafy greens, citrus fruits, fish, and nuts. A well-balanced diet provides the necessary nutrients for optimal eye function.
2. Stay hydrated: Drinking adequate water helps maintain the moisture levels in your eyes, preventing dryness and irritation. The recommendation is 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) for men and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) for women.
3. Take regular breaks: This is key if your eyes are intensely focused for long stretches or are engaged in intense physical activity. Taking breaks will allow your eyes to rest and reduce the strain on your visual system.
4. Practice good eye hygiene: Avoid rubbing your eyes excessively. And make sure to wash your hands before touching your eyes. It will prevent the spread of bacteria and potential infections.
5. Protect your eyes from UV exposure: Wear sunglasses with UV protection outdoors, even on cloudy days. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can increase the risk of cataracts and other eye conditions.

Eye Safety Training and Education

Organizations can empower individuals to take responsibility for their eye safety and create a culture of prevention and protection. Both athletes and professionals can benefit from comprehensive eye safety training programs. They can cover topics such as identifying potential hazards, selecting appropriate protective eyewear, and responding to eye injuries.

Keep eye safety top of mind by having reminders and providing resources to reinforce the importance of eye safety.

Eye Safety Resources and Organizations

Numerous organizations are dedicated to promoting eye safety and providing valuable information and support. Athletes and professionals can access valuable information, support, and guidance to enhance their eye safety practices. Here are some notable resources:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO): The AAO offers information on eye safety, eye conditions, and the latest eye care.
• National Eye Institute (NEI): The NEI is a valuable resource for eye health information, research, and education.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): OSHA provides guidelines and regulations related to eye safety in the workplace.
• National Safety Council (NSC): The NSC offers resources and training programs that cover various aspects of safety, including eye safety.
• Prevent Blindness: Prevent Blindness is a non-profit organization that focuses on promoting eye health and preventing blindness through education, advocacy, and research.

Investing in high-quality eye safety equipment is a small price compared to the potential consequences of an eye injury. Choosing the right equipment can significantly reduce the risk of eye injuries. If unsure what protective eyewear you need, ask your eye doctor or leader/coach for more information.