Did you know that 38 million Americans over age 40 have low vision, an age-related eye disease, or even blindness? If you’re one of those people, you probably think that abnormal eyesight is the new normal and in some ways it is. If you have perfect vision, guess what? Your eyesight is expected to deteriorate when you get older.
Here’s what you need to ask, and what you need to know.
Should I Be Worried About Spots?
It depends. Spots and floaters are usually harmless. But, they can also be indicative of more serious problems. Floaters occur when the gel-like piece of the eye called the vitreous breaks loose.
The seriousness of the issue depends on exactly what’s happening. For example, a study recently showed that 39.7 percent of people experiencing sudden flashes or floaters had a posterior vitreous detachment. Roughly 8.9 percent had a torn retina. This is very bad.
Torn retinas need surgery immediately to restore vision before it’s permanently lost. Some research suggests that up to 50 per cent of people with a retinal tear will eventually develop a detachment of the retina. This would absolutely cause severe vision loss.
If you suspect that you have floaters, or you’re experiencing unexplained flashes, talk to your eye doctor.
What Do I Need To Know About LASIK?
Many people with nearsightedness want to have perfect vision. LASIK is a laser-based surgery that helps restore normal vision. Use this helpful resource to figure out if eye surgery would be appropriate for you to permanently fix your vision.
Is Working On A Computer Screen All Day Hurting My Eyes?
In general, no. Computer monitors emit safe levels of radiation – amounts lower than the maximum allowed under current safety regulations.
A study by the National institute for Occupational Safety and Health showed that maximum radiation levels in a group of monitors emitted:
No X-rays
More than 1,000 time less UV light than the standard
More than 10 times less than the standard for visible light
No infrared
Radio frequency that was:
– Electrical Field: 5,000 V/meter2 of 377,000 allowed
– Magnetic Field: .09 A/meter2 of 2.65 allowed
What Is Meant By 20/20 Vision?
Most people think of “20/20 vision” as “perfect vision,” but this isn’t true. What 20/20 vision means is that you have basic good visual acuity at 20 feet away. So, if you have 20/20 vision, you can read a certain size of letters on a Snellen chart clearly at a distance of 20 feet. The standard is somewhat arbitrary, but we have come to accept this as the standard.
If you have 20/15, you are being compared to others who have 20/20 vision. A vision of 20/15 means that you can read something at 20 feet that others can only read at 15 feet away. It means you have “better” vision in the sense that your visual acuity is better.
It doesn’t mean your eyes are healthier or that they are stronger.
And, you could have 20/20 vision, but still have trouble seeing at night due to poor contrast or light sensitivity issues.
Article provided by Lucas Cole. Lucas Cole has taken an interest in eyesight since landing a job at his local opticians. He wants to raise awareness on the subject and writes articles during his spare time.
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