“Can my 8 year old wear contact lenses?”

The truth is there is no magic age or set answer to this question.    But, there are several studies that now point to children as young as 8 years old as being both mature enough and technically capable for successful contact lens wear.

There are some criteria that a child of any age  should be able to meet in order to try contact lenses, but before we get into those let’s look at some of the reasons WHY children should wear contact lenses.

First is improved ability to participate in sports.   It’s no secret that glasses may impose some restrictions and possibly safety concerns depending on the particular sporting activity.    Those challenges go away when the child wears contact lenses and studies have shown that the motivation to participate in sports increases significantly when contact lenses are used instead of glasses.

The second, and probably more impactful, reason for contact lenses in children is an improvement in self-esteem and social interactions.   One research paper indicated glasses in children were associated with shyness, introversion, and a less outgoing social nature.   And the ACHIEVE study found that when compared to glasses wearers, contact lens wearers aged 8 to 11 were much more likely to feel better about their physical appearance and were more motivated to interact socially with their peers.

When considering contact lenses in children, there are some criteria that need to be addressed ahead of time.   While studies may indicate 8 years old as a mature enough age, the parents input on the maturity level of their child is vital in this process.   If a child shows maturity through completion of homework, taking care of a family pet, and practicing daily hygiene tasks they could be successful contact lens wearer.   If they don’t demonstrate these abilities, then the goal should be to work on these matters first in order to show maturity to their parents.

The second factor is motivation.   Both child and parent must be motivated to transition the child into contact lens wear.    The child’s motivation is essential for proper wear and care.   The parent’s motivation is necessary in order to play an active role in reinforcing good contact lens wear habits.

These days, the type and amount of visual prescription is essentially not a factor in contact lens wear in children.   Advancements in contact lens designs mean that nearly every patient can wear contact lenses of some kind.   And advancements in daily disposable (Dailies) contact lenses make them a perfect place to start with young children due to their ease of use and lower risk of complications due to their more frequent replacement.

Please call us at 337-457-5277 for appointment

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www.visionsource-drjack.com

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Are we losing sight of our eye health?

A new Global Survey on Eye Health, produced by B&L, has some surprising information for the 3 O's...
Global Survey Results: Are we losing sight of our eye health?

An eye-opening statistic: almost 70% of people from around the world would rather give up 10 years of their life, or even sacrifice one of their limbs, than

lose their eyesight. Yet less than one third of those polled take the basic steps necessary to preserve their eyesight, according to a recently completed global survey�the �Barometer of Global Eye Health.�

Developed in concert with eye care experts from around the world and validated by 147 eye health professionals from 26 different countries, Bausch + Lomb, through its research partner KRC Research, surveyed 11,000 consumers across Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. There were a number of important and surprising findings from the survey, including the following:

68% of those surveyed said they are knowledgeable about eye health, but this assertion is undercut by the fact that only 21% had regular eye exams over the past 5 years
Women are more likely than men to take steps to protect their vision, such as wearing sunglasses (81% vs 77%), eating a healthy diet (82% vs 75%), and refraining from smoking (79% vs 73%)
For those who did not have regular eye exams, 65% said they had not visited an eye doctor because they did not have any symptoms and 60% because they had clear vision, potentially dangerous reasoning since many eye diseases occur without any noticeable signs to the patient
A sizable percentage of those surveyed believe common eye health myths such as �If I can see, then my eyes must be healthy� (42%) and �The only reason to visit an eye doctor is for vision correction� (39%)
If forced to choose, people would rather lose their sense of taste (79%), hearing (78%), one of their limbs (68%), or 10 years off their life (67%) instead of their eyesight
97% of doctors surveyed globally believe consumers do not have sufficient eye health knowledge

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About Double Vision or Diplopia

“Double vision, which we also refer to as diplopia, generally results from either a misalignment of your eyes or a structural problem with the part or parts of the eye that let light into it”, noted Samuel Solish, M.D. “There are two types of double vision. The first type is called binocular diplopia. The second type is referred to as monocular diplopia.”

Monocular diplopia can be differentiated from binocular diplopia by a simple test. If the double vision stops when you cover one eye, then you are suffering from binocular diplopia.  If the double vision persists even with one eye covered, that means you are experiencing monocular diplopia.

There are many different causes for diplopia. The problem can arise from the eyes themselves, the surrounding orbit, or the central nervous system. Causes of double vision include corneal infections or scars, cataract, eye muscle weakness from thyroid problems, nerve damage from diabetes or multiple sclerosis, autoimmune disease such as myasthenia gravis, brain tumors or aneurysms, strokes, head trauma, orbital trauma, direct eye trauma and even migraine headaches.

 

Double vision can occur by itself with no other symptoms. However, depending on the cause other symptoms may be present with diplopia that can include:

• Droopy Eyelids
• Pain with Eye Movements
• Headache
• Nausea
• Misalignment of one or both eyes causing a "wandering eye" or "cross-eyed" appearance
• Weakness of the other muscles in your body  

“Double vision that's new or unexplained requires urgent medical attention. With so many potentially serious causes for diplopia, it's important to discover the reason without delay”, said Dr. Solish. A thorough history and physical examination are critical to localizing a disease process and guiding further tests and studies to identify and treat the cause. If you or someone you know experiences double vision, it is important that they schedule an appointment for an examination. To learn more about Eyecare Medical Group in Portland Maine you can call us at 888-374-2020, visit www.eyecaremed.com or facebook.com/eyecaremedicalgroup.

Eyecare Medical Group is a leading ophthalmology practice in Portland, Maine staffed by a team of eye care specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained glaucoma specialists, retina specialists, cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants, (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

Eyecare Medical Group is conveniently located for patients from throughout Maine including Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Bath, Berwick, Biddeford, Bridgeton, Brunswick, Cape Neddick, Casco Bay, Cumberland Center, Eliot, Freeport, Gardiner, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Lewiston, Old Orchard Beach, Sanford, Scarborough, South Portland, Springvale, Topsham, Waterville, Westbrook, Winslow, Wiscasset, Yarmouth, Portland, Skowhegan and York Maine.

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Maine Corneal Specialist on Keratoconus

Maine Corneal Specialist Ravi Shah, M.D. of Eyecare Medical Group in Portland, ME. reviewed some important information about Keratoconus. Keratoconus is a type of corneal dystrophy in which the Cornea becomes thin and bulges. Although Keratoconus is a relatively rare corneal disease, its impact on vision and overall lifestyle can be quite significant as it progresses. Vision correction in the early phases is often possible with eyeglasses and contact lenses. In the intermediate phases specialized contact lenses are often necessary to provide good vision and physical tolerance. As Keratoconus progresses and reaches its later phases, corneal surgery including transplantation may be required in order for patients to conduct normal activities and enjoy normal lifestyles. Newer types of corneal surgery and treatment may include implantation of prescription inserts and a non surgical approach called corneal cross linking or CXL that enhances corneal collagen cross linking through the photoactivation of riboflavin. By carefully monitoring the progression of Keratoconus and applying the necessary treatment options it is possible to help patients maintain good vision and functioning.

Keratoconus is generally first diagnosed in young people at puberty or in their late teens and progresses through the third or fourth decade of life. It tends to progress more rapidly in young patients. Keratoconus occurs about equally in men and women. The signs and symptoms of Keratoconus may change as the disease progresses and may include a) blurred or distorted vision b) monocular double vision c) rapidly changing eyeglass prescriptions especially with high degrees of astigmatism d) increased sensitivity to bright light and glare e) problems with night vision f) headaches from eyestrain and in the most severe situation e) hydrops, a painful condition in which the back of your cornea ruptures and fills with fluid, causing a sudden clouding and loss of vision.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about Keratoconus or the various treatment options please schedule an appointment with Maine Corneal Specialist Ravi Shah, M.D. at Eyecare Medical Group by calling 888-374-2020, visiting Eyecare Medical Group or facebook.com/eyecaremedicalgroup.

Eyecare Medical Group is a leading ophthalmology practice in Portland, Maine staffed by a team of eye care specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained glaucoma specialists, retina specialists, cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants, (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

Eyecare Medical Group is conveniently located for patients from throughout Maine including Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Bath, Berwick, Biddeford, Bridgeton, Brunswick, Cape Neddick, Casco Bay, Cumberland Center, Eliot, Freeport, Gardiner, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Lewiston, Old Orchard Beach, Sanford, Scarborough, South Portland, Springvale, Topsham, Waterville, Westbrook, Winslow, Wiscasset, Yarmouth, Portland, Skowhegan and York Maine.

READ MORE - Maine Corneal Specialist on Keratoconus