If your child requires vision correction, Fraser Optical has a large selection of children's frames. For safety reasons, Fraser Optical recommends polycarbonate lenses for all children, especially for those who are very active or play sports. Polycarbonate is a shatterproof plastic used to make thin, light lenses.
A good tip to help children adjust to wearing glasses is to allow them a say in their frame selection. This way they will feel more comfortable and likely be more compliant wearing glasses.
Remember, early exams are important to make sure your child has the basic skills related to good eyesight so they can perform better in school.
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is redness and inflammation of the membranes covering the whites of the eyes and inner portion of the eyelids. Pink eye may be either infectious or noninfectious.
Infectious pink eye
can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Viral and bacterial forms of conjunctivitis are common in childhood but can occur at any age.
Noninfectious pink eye
can be caused by allergy, chemical irritation, underlying inflammatory diseases or trauma.
Infectious forms of pink eye are highly contagious and are spread by direct contact with infected people. If you or your child has infectious pink eye, avoid touching the eye area and wash your hands frequently, particularly after applying medications to the eye area. Never share towels or handkerchiefs, and throw away tissues after each use. Disinfecting surfaces like countertops, sinks and doorknobs can also help prevent the spread of infectious pink eye.
Viral pink eye
symptoms include:
- Watery discharge (does not have a "color")
- Sinus congestion and runny nose are often present
- Eyelids may be swollen
- Sensitivity to bright light may last one to two weeks, with symptoms being pronounced the first three to five days after symptoms first appear
- While viral pink eye may not require an antibiotic, Fraser Optical recommends that you schedule an appointment immediately to rule out an infection of the cornea, which is occasionally associated with this type of pink eye. Viral pink eye is most common in the late fall and early spring.
Bacterial pink eye
symptoms include:
- Eye pain
- Swelling
- Itching
- Redness
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Moderate to large amount of discharge, usually thick and yellow to green in color
The discharge accumulates while sleeping. The affected person may awaken to find their eyes are stuck shut. A warm, moist cloth applied to the eyes will remove the discharge with repeated applications of the warm, moist cloth to the eye.
If you feel you or your child might have bacterial pink eye, it is very important that you schedule an appointment with Fraser Optical immediately for several reasons. First, if the cause is a bacterial infection, an antibiotic will be needed to help your immune system to kill this infection. Secondly, if you are experiencing other symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, earache, etc., there is a good chance that these symptoms are caused by the same bacteria, and an oral antibiotic may also be needed to treat this infection, along with the antibiotic drops or ointment for the eyes.
Infectious forms of pink eye are highly contagious and are spread by direct contact with infected people. If you or your child has infectious pink eye, avoid touching the eye area and wash your hands frequently, particularly after applying medications to the eye area. Never share towels or handkerchiefs, and throw away tissues after each use. Disinfecting surfaces like countertops, sinks and doorknobs can also help prevent the spread of infectious pink eye.
Allergic pink eye
symptoms include:
- Intense itching
- Tearing
- Swelling
Allergic pink eye is frequently seasonal and accompanied by other typical allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itchy nose or scratchy throat.
Cold, moist washcloths applied to the eyes and over-the-counter decongestant eye drops can provide relief. The doctors at Fraser Optical can prescribe stronger medications if these home remedies are not adequate.
You should not wear contact lenses until the pink eye has resolved. Our doctors at Fraser Optical can offer guidance about when it is safe to resume the use of contact lenses. Eye makeup and cosmetic creams should also be avoided in the eye area until your symptoms have resolved.
Chemical pink eye
can result when any irritating substance enters the eyes.
Common irritants are:
- Household cleaners
- Sprays of any kind
Prompt, thorough washing of the eyes with very large amounts of water is very important if an irritating substance enters the eye. Contact our doctors at Fraser Optical or your local poison control even if you think the irritant or chemical is safe, as some of the most common household products like bleach and furniture polish can be very damaging.
Summer is a time to get outside and enjoy some of our favorite sports and other physical activities. The fresh air and natural light are great for our overall health, including our eyes. While indulging in all the fun the summer brings, the following are things to keep in mind to maintain healthy vision during the summer months.
Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. According to the
American Optometric Association, only 28% of the 2013 American Eye-Q survey respondents said UV protection is the most important factor when buying sunglasses. Not all sunglasses offer adequate UV protection. Fraser Optical offers sunglasses that block out UV-A and UV-B radiation.
Growths on the eye, such as
pterygium, can show up in our teens or twenties, especially in surfers, skiers, fishermen, farmers or anyone who spends long hours under the mid-day sun or in the UV-intense conditions found near rivers and mountains. Sun damage to eyes can occur anytime during the year, not just in the
summertime, so be sure to wear UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats whenever you're outside.