During the winter months, various environmental and circumstantial factors can affect your eye health and vision. As we welcome the new year with “open eyes”, Eye Associates doctors warn their patients about winter factors that impact vision. As outdoor temperatures drop during the winter months, the air becomes colder and can no longer rnhold as much atmospheric water (humidity) as warmer air can. Cold winter winds are especially dehydrating, and therefore damaging, to our eyes and skin (which are comprised mostly of water.)

With the holiday shopping season now in full swing, Eye Associates is joining the American Academy of Ophthalmology, reminding the public of certain safety guidelines when choosing the perfect gifts for little ones in their lives. A number of recent studies have shown that some popular toy types are commonly associated with childhood eye injuries. These include air guns and other toys that shoot projectiles, high-powered lasers, and sports equipment.

Clear the table and smell the turkey! Thanksgiving is around the corner! During this wonderful time to share delicious food with family and friends, the last thing you’re probably thinking about is your eye health, but many Thanksgiving staples can promote proper eye function. One of our favorites is Dr. Tyson’s Pumpkin Sweet Potato Bread! Not only is this dish perfect for Thanksgiving, but also after Thanksgiving when you don’t know what to do with your left over pumpkin pie filling and sweet potatoes!

Zombie or devil contact lenses may elevate a Halloween costume’s fright factor, but wearing them without a prescription could result in something far more terrifying – blindness. Eye Associates joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in urging Halloween shoppers to understand the risks of wearing over-the-counter contact lenses. While it is illegal to sell non-prescription contact lenses, they can still be easily purchased at many places such as beauty supply stores, costume shops and on the web. Falsely advertised as “one-size-fits-all” or “no prescription necessary,” these lenses can cause serious eye damage. Last year, one girl became partially blind in her left eye, the top layer of her cornea having been ripped off, after a mere four hours of wearing non-prescription contact lenses she bought at a jewelry booth.

Students face special challenges to the eyes when they are under academic performance pressure. Lack of sleep, prolonged computer use and long hours studying make for tired eyes that are dry, scratchy and achy. Prolonged computer use contributes to eye fatigue because you blink less frequently. Less blinking significantly reduces lubrication in the eye making it feel tired, scratchy and, “dry” as a result.

Your morning cup of coffee may do more than help you keep your eyes open. It may protect them as well. Tea and coffee alkaloids may have an anti-cataract effect on the lens of the eye. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays generates compounds called free radicals that can have harmful effects on our bodies. UV exposure is a known factor in cataract formation. Because caffeine inhibits free radicals, researchers at the University of Maryland in Baltimore wanted to test its effect on cataract formation.

The days are longer, the sun is hotter, the beach beckons and out comes the sunscreen. But summer revelers looking forward to sizzling hot fun in the sun shouldn’t overlook their eyes when it comes to protecting themselves from damaging ultraviolet rays, warns Eye Associates.

Having poor color vision is a problem that is more common than you would think. Most people refer to having poor color vision as suffering from “colorblindness,” however, there are different levels at which you can be “colorblind.” People who only see in black and white and experience true “colorblindness” are incredibly rare.

Cataracts occur when the eyes natural lens becomes clouded with clumped up proteins. These proteins block light as it enters your eye which causes your vision to become gradually more blurry and if left unchecked could result in complete loss of vision.

Fireworks sales will be blazing across the country from now through the Fourth of July. As retailers begin their promotions, Eye Associates joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in shining a light on this explosive fact: the number of eye injuries caused by fireworks has more than doubled in recent years.