Health News
- Sun Exposure Can Damage Eyes; Sunglasses Decrease Risk
Sunscreen, sunglasses. This should be your mantra as you step into the great outdoors this summer. Your skin needs protection from the damaging rays of the sun but so do your eyes, says the Kentucky Optometric Association. ?People spend a lot of...
- Itchy, Watery Eyes? Some Tips To Relieve Spring Allergy Symptoms
The sunshine and bright colors of spring are here, but so are seasonal allergies from pollen, dander, smog or mold that can often lead to itchy, watery eyes. Eye irritation is the body's immune response to allergens, so when pollen comes in contact...
- Get Those Eyes Examined, Or A 'sneak Thief' Might Steal Your Sight
January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, so the Kentucky Optometric Association is emphasizing the need for an annual dilated eye exam. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the U.S., but awareness surrounding the disease is relatively...
- Watching 3-d Movies May Strain Eyes But Doesn't Harm Them And Can Help Detect Vision Impairment, Optometrists Say
With summer blockbusters set to be released in the coming months, the Kentucky Optometric Association says watching 3-D movies is not harmful to eyes, but can cause eye strain and headaches. To help with those conditions, the association recommends sitting...
- Staying Healthy On Vacation
Vacation days are here and the living is good. But while illness may be the last thing you want to think about, being prepared for a health emergency could make the difference between a great vacation or one you would rather forget. So consider the following...
Health News
Get a prescription before buying decorative contact lenses for Halloween, optometrists recommend
Many people incorporate decorative contact lenses into their Halloween costumes, and not all of them are purchased legally. They can be found on the Internet, beauty salons, convenience stores and some national retailers. The Kentucky Optometric Association recommends that you never buy lenses from these sources.
Wearing decorative contact lenses purchased illegally and without a prescription can lead to serious health issues and potentially damage your eyesight, the association said in a news release.
The Food and Drug Administration classifies all contact lenses as medical devices, whether they correct vision or not. When considering decorative contact lenses as part of your costume, the optometrists say you should obtain a prescription from a doctor, who can also teach you how to properly care for your eyes while wearing contacts.
?Even though these are non-corrective lenses, they still pose the same potential health and safety risks as other contact lenses,? said Dr. Bill Reynolds, an optometrist in Richmond and a trustee of the American Optometric Association. ?When purchased over the counter, decorative contact lenses can put people at risk for bacterial infections, allergic reactions or even significant damage to the eye?s ability to function with the potential for irreversible sight loss.?
Wearing decorative contact lenses purchased illegally and without a prescription can lead to serious health issues and potentially damage your eyesight, the association said in a news release.
?Even though these are non-corrective lenses, they still pose the same potential health and safety risks as other contact lenses,? said Dr. Bill Reynolds, an optometrist in Richmond and a trustee of the American Optometric Association. ?When purchased over the counter, decorative contact lenses can put people at risk for bacterial infections, allergic reactions or even significant damage to the eye?s ability to function with the potential for irreversible sight loss.?
- Sun Exposure Can Damage Eyes; Sunglasses Decrease Risk
Sunscreen, sunglasses. This should be your mantra as you step into the great outdoors this summer. Your skin needs protection from the damaging rays of the sun but so do your eyes, says the Kentucky Optometric Association. ?People spend a lot of...
- Itchy, Watery Eyes? Some Tips To Relieve Spring Allergy Symptoms
The sunshine and bright colors of spring are here, but so are seasonal allergies from pollen, dander, smog or mold that can often lead to itchy, watery eyes. Eye irritation is the body's immune response to allergens, so when pollen comes in contact...
- Get Those Eyes Examined, Or A 'sneak Thief' Might Steal Your Sight
January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, so the Kentucky Optometric Association is emphasizing the need for an annual dilated eye exam. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the U.S., but awareness surrounding the disease is relatively...
- Watching 3-d Movies May Strain Eyes But Doesn't Harm Them And Can Help Detect Vision Impairment, Optometrists Say
With summer blockbusters set to be released in the coming months, the Kentucky Optometric Association says watching 3-D movies is not harmful to eyes, but can cause eye strain and headaches. To help with those conditions, the association recommends sitting...
- Staying Healthy On Vacation
Vacation days are here and the living is good. But while illness may be the last thing you want to think about, being prepared for a health emergency could make the difference between a great vacation or one you would rather forget. So consider the following...