SUMMER NEWSLETTER
Welcome to the Summer Edition of our quarterly newsletter.
Congratulations to Shealyn Gentile who is the winner of our annual $500 commencement award. Shealyn will be attending Albany college of Pharmacy to obtain her doctor of Pharmacy degree. We wish her the best throughout her college years.
FAQ: Have you ever wondered why the E is on the top of the eye chart and Who put it there? Professor Hermann Snellen, who was a Dutch professor of Ophthalmology, is the person who put the E on top of the eye chart in 1862. In fact, the eye chart that is still in use today is known as the Snellen chart. In designing his chart, Snellen was attempting to standardize a test of visual acuity, i.e., how small of an image an eye was able to see. Because the E is composed of three parallel lines, which are equally spaced, it was easier to standardize in what has become known as Snellen acuity, i.e., 20/20. Today some eye charts do not start with the E, but most still do, even though there is no technical reason why they have to. (Reader's Digest Imponderables)
Eye Injuries: According to a clinical survey conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Ocular Trauma, relating to eye injuries: 1. Three quarters of eye injuries happened to males 2. 20% were 12 years or younger 3. Yard and garden were the most likely to be associated with eye injuries happening at home 4. More than 45% of eye injuries occurred between noon & 6 p.m . The survey concluded that all households should have at least one pair of ANSI approved protective eye wear, to be used for home projects and activities.
FYI: 1. According to a study (Los Angles Eye Study) seniors who have poor central and peripheral vision are more likely to suffer a fall and also more likely to suffer a fall that results in injury. Thus for seniors regular eye checkups are not only good for their eyes but also helpful to prevent bodily injury. 2.Ultra Violet and eye health -- Summer is the time of the year to be outside and thus exposure to ultraviolet light increases dramatically. Just as sunscreen protects our skin from over exposure to UV rays, wearing sun glasses with 100% UV protection or lenses that lighten & darken, can reduce the amount of UV that enter the eye and reduce the risks associated with UV exposure, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. A brimmed hat is also helpful to reduce the amount of UV for your eyes as well as the sensitive skin around your eyes. 3. Increases in nearsightedness: According to researchers, at the National Eye Institutes, the incidents of myopia (nearsightedness) has risen by about 66% since 1971. Is it that we are reading more or more computer use that is contributing to this trend? More studies are being conducted to try to determine what causes nearsightedness, besides genetics and what can be done to decrease its prevalence.
Important Tips for Taking Care of Your Eyes: (according to Lighthouse International) 1. Get an annual eye exam because some eye diseases have no symptoms or early warning signs. 2. Protect your eyes with sunglasses that block 100% UVA and UVB rays, even on cloudy days and in the winter. 3. Stop smoking 4. Know your family history of diabetes and eye diseases 5. Eat a healthy diet rich in nutrients and anti-oxidants 6. Exercise regularly 7. Keep cholesterol and blood pressure levels under control 8. Wear protective eye wear to reduce eye injury, especially when working with tools and playing racquet ball or contact sports
Back To School Checkups: As we start into the summer months, its not too soon to plan ahead for your students annual eye exam. Because of the visual demands that the classroom places on students, it is important that they start the school year with a clean bill of eye health as well as updated prescriptions, if necessary. We recommend that your student have their eye exam prior to the start of school.
We hope you have enjoyed this installment of our newsletter and we welcome any comments, questions or suggestions. You can contact us at jjmueller@verizon.net or through our web site. Visit us at www.drjoemueller.com. Check out the link "Eye Care Articles" for current information on numerous topics relating to eye care. There is also a link to our previous newsletters. Office hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. (The office is closed from 1 - 2 p.m. on Friday) Wednesday 10:50 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday 8:50 a.m. - 12 p.m. EMERGENCY NUMBER 334-2155
