Reflection, Refraction, Burning Cars, and Survival Skills

We’re having one SIZZLING summer over here at Allied Eye!

In the spirit of this heat wave, we’re turning lemons into lemonade by highlighting the unique learning experience we had at the office yesterday!  

Yes. This is in our staff parking lot.

Let us tell you… We were handed some very big, very juicy lemons.  Here’s what we suspect happened:

Dr. Matzkin had a concave mirror sitting in the back seat of his car – like the curved mirrors used for applying makeup. Sunlight streaming through the window reflected off the mirror, formed a concentrated hot spot, and ignited the interior of his car. Think of the way you can use a magnifying glass to set leaves ablaze.

Example of a convex mirror focusing the sun's rays onto a smoldering object.

How, you may ask, is this an interesting example of eye-related processes?  The irony here is that Dr. Matzkin basically employs this principle every day when making refractive corrections to our patients’ vision.

In fact, the WAY YOU SEE is a result of this phenomenon: light bends when it enters your eye and focuses itself on your retina. By changing the shape of your lens (cataract surgery, contacts, glasses, LASIK are all examples), that beam of light becomes MORE focused, and it produces a clearer image when it reaches the back of your eye. 

Convex REFRACTION (Lens of the Eye)

The way light bends and curves when it passes through a substance is called refraction. When it bounces off a surface, that’s reflection. With a more perfect lens comes a more perfect focal point, and with that comes more perfect vision.  

Concave REFLECTION (Mirror and Flaming car)

For our purposes, we will call these tools “burning mirrors” and “burning lenses” when they are used to create fires.

The earliest lens artifact, discovered from the 7th century BCE in ancient Assyria may have been used as a burning lens. The earliest record of “burning mirrors” comes to us from the Greek mathematician, Diocles, in the 3rd Century BCE (Consider that the lens was not modified for use in cataract surgery until the 1950s).

Burning lenses have been used historically to cauterize wounds and to light sacred fires in temples (the eternal Olympic Flame, for example). During the French Revolution, the French government considered developing the burning lens into a weapon that would ignite British Ships from afar. In the 18th century, burning lenses became popular for use in chemical experiments. 

Not All burning glass ideas are brilliant, as you may have assumed by the first photo in this entry… In a 1920’s book by William Bates, the author argues that vision can be perfected by "Focusing the Rays of the Sun Upon the Eye of a Patient by Means of a Burning Glass.” Needless to say, this is highly dangerous and will damage the eye in seconds.

Today, burning lenses and mirrors have plenty of practical applications, like headlights, lighthouses, and solar stoves.

Keep an Eye on UV Safety

Keep an Eye on Ultraviolet (UV) Safety

The American Academy of Ophthalmology cautions us that too much exposure to UV light raises the risks of eye diseases, including cataracts, growths on the eye, and cancer. 

Who is at Risk for UV Eye Damage?

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, oceans, and mountains.

Diseases like cataract and eye cancers can take many years to develop, but each time we're out in the sun without protection we could be adding damage that adds to our risks for these serious disorders. Babies and kids need to wear hats and sunglasses for this very reason. People of all ages should take precautions whenever they are outdoors.

"UV radiation, whether from natural sunlight or indoor artificial rays, can damage the eye's surface tissues as well as the cornea and lens," said Michael Kutryb, MD, an ophthalmologist in Edgewater, Fla., and clinical correspondent for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the dangers UV light can pose. By wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, you can enjoy the summer safely while lowering your risk for potentially blinding eye diseases and tumors." It is important to start wearing proper eye protection at an early age to protect your eyes from years of ultraviolet exposure.

Follow these tips to protect your eyes from the sun all year long:

Wear UV-blocking sunglasses

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.

Don't underestimate a cloudy day

Don't be fooled by clouds: the sun's rays can pass through haze and thin clouds.

Don't look directly at the Sun

Never look directly at the sun. Looking directly at the sun at any time, including during an eclipse, can lead to solar retinopathy, which is damage to the eye's retina from solar radiation.

Don't forget your kids and parents

Don't forget the kids and older family members: everyone is at risk, including children and senior citizens. Protect their eyes with hats and sunglasses.

UV Light: 

Moderation for a Good Night's Sleep

As we sleep, our eyes enjoy continuous lubrication. During sleep the eyes also clear out irritants such as dust, allergens or smoke that may have accumulated during the day. Some research suggests that light-sensitive cells in the eye are important to our ability to regulate wake-sleep cycles. This may be more critical as we age, when more people have problems with insomnia. While it's important that we protect our eyes from overexposure to UV light, our eyes also need minimal exposure to natural light every day to help maintain normal sleep-wake cycles.

Time Outdoors 

May Prevent Nearsightedness in Kids

Research shows that children who spend more time outside exposed to daylight may reduce their risk of developing nearsightedness. So not only is exercise great for eye health, but now it seem that getting that exercise while outside may be additionally beneficial. Taking your children outside to play may not only help lower their risk for nearsightedness, but will also teach them good habits for a lifetime of eye health.

Why Everyone Needs Sunglasses 

and Hats This Summer

We all use sunscreen to protect our skin, but don't forget to protect your eyes as well. Summertime means more time spent outdoors, and studies show that exposure to bright sunlight may increase the risk of developing cataracts and growths on the eye, including cancer. The same risk applies when using tanning beds, so be sure to protect your eyes from indoor UV light as well. Sunlight reflected off sand and water can cause photokeratitis, the condition responsible for snow blindness, so beach- and pool-goers take note.

Which sunglasses to choose

According to a national Sun Safety Survey conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, only about half of people who wear sunglasses say they check the UV rating before buying.The good news is that you can easily protect yourself. In order to be eye smart in the sun, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends the following:

Wear sunglasses labeled “100% UV protection": Use only glasses that block both UV-A and UV-B rays and that are labeled either UV400 or 100% UV protection.

Choose wraparound styles so that the sun's rays can't enter from the side.

If you wear UV-blocking contact lenses, you'll still need sunglasses.

By embracing these simple tips you and your family can enjoy the summer sun safely while protecting your vision.

ALL INFORMATION SOURCED FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY

Phosphenes, "The Prisoner's Cinema."

Have you ever "seen stars?" Well, you were looking at Phosphenes.

You can see them when you rub your eyes, fall asleep, get knocked in the head, meditate, or get dizzy. You experience light, without said light actually entering your eye.

PHOTO BY: LA WHIMSY

Art, poetry, and science have explored this phenomenon for centuries.

PHOTO BY: JOE PEREZ - ABSTRACT DEPICTION OF PHOSPHENES.

It is supposed that many early cave drawings imitate the luminous forms seen behind the eyes: hash-tags, spirals, radials, waves, circles, dots.

IMAGE BY: FRED THOMASELLI - INSPIRED BY PHOSPHENES

The Greeks took them as evidence that light was created by the eyes.

PHOSPHENE-REFERENCING SHAPES

Isaac Newton detailed the phenomena of gently pressing on the eye to produce a circle of light.

PHOSPHENE-RELATED ART BY YOSHI SODEOKA

Phosphenes have been electrically stimulated in recent studies to allow blind people to see braille dots.

BRAILLE ALPHABET

Though mostly normal, phosphenes can also be an indication of eye trouble, such as an inflamed optic nerve or retinal detachment. If you experience flashes that are unusual or distracting, call your ophthalmologist right away.

Eat for Healthy Eyes

One of the most important measures you can take to ensure healthy vision for a lifetime is to eat well.
Incorporate these foods into your regular diet for healthy, happy eyes!

ALMONDS

ROSEMARY ROASTED ALMONDS (FOR YOUR MACULA)
RECIPE: http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/rosemary-roasted-almonds/#_a5y_p=1110661

Almonds are rich in Vitamin E, which helps to slow Macular Degeneration. 1 handful of these contains half of the Vitamin E you need every day!


BERRIES

BERRIES - FOR PREVENTING CATARACTS AND MACULAR DEGENERATION

Berries and Citrus Fruits are rich in Vitamin C, which reduces the risk of developing Macular Degeneration or Cataracts.



CARROTS

CARROTS - FOR YOUR RETINA

Carrots are rich in Beta-Cerotene, a type of Vitamin A which helps the Retina and other parts of the eye to function well.


EGGS

EGGS - FOR YOUR MACULA

Eggs are rich in Zinc, which reduces the risk of Macular Degeneration.


LEAFY GREENS

FRESH SPINACH - TO HELP PREVENT CATARACTS AND MACULAR DEGENERATION

Leafy greens are rich in Antioxidants which lower the risk of developing Macular Degeneration or Cataracts.


FATTY FISH

EASY CEDAR PLANK SALMON - TO HELP PRECENT DRY EYE

TRY THE RECIPE - http://www.wellfitandfed.com/fed/planked-the-real-mans-way-cook-salmon/

Fatty fish are rich in DHA, which can prevent dry eye.
Add Tuna, Salmon, Mackerel, and Trout to your dishes!)

A Tale of Ophthalmic Heroics

Today, an estimated 180 million people worldwide are visually disabled. Of these, between 40 and 45 million people are blind and, by definition, cannot walk about unaided.

9 out of 10 of the world's blind live in developing countries, where the loss of sight causes enormous human suffering for the affected individuals and their families. It also represents a public health, social, and economic problem because families often rely on every member for support.

Cataracts, clouding of the lenses, compose half of that blindness. 

(http://www.emro.who.int/health-topics/cataract/)

Though blindness due to cataracts is preventable and correctable, many developing countries have inadequate surgical services, and people of all ages are at risk.

Enter: a humanitarian hero of ophthalmology

 Dr. Sanduk Ruit (pictured on the right). Some of his patients are pictured on the left.

Dr. Sanduk Ruit pioneered a small-incision cataract surgery with inexpensive lenses (as low at $3.50 each) to restore vision to hundreds of thousands of people across Nepal and surrounding countries, including North Korea. He also teaches his technique to other eye surgeons, and his methods are now practiced in many parts of the world, even by U.S. military surgeons. 

Dr. Ruit asks a post-op patient to touch his nose.
(Source: http://www.cureblindness.org/who/dr-sanduk-ruit/)

Dr. Ruit in North Korea

(Source: http://www.cureblindness.org/who/dr-sanduk-ruit/)

Dr. Ruit teaching cataract surgery techniques.

(Source: http://www.cureblindness.org/who/dr-sanduk-ruit/)

Dr. Ruit's patients after cataract surgery.
(Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/35935864/ns/health-health_care/t/nepalese-doc-god-sight-nations-poor/#.VXWgIs9Viko)

You can find his story on Netflix in some of the following documentaries: Inside North Korea, Out of the Darkness, and in several episodes of The Human Planet.

Be careful! You'll put your eye out.

This Holiday Season, the American Academy of Ophthalmology Urges Caution When Choosing Gifts for a Child.


Though we LOVE the themes of courage, strength, and adventure in many popular films for younger viewers, be aware of your child's desire to appropriate featured weaponry, and avoid buying toys that launch projectiles, such as crossbows and BB guns. 

 
Projectile-shooting toys can cause serious eye injury and vision loss in children. Roughly 1 in 10 children's eye injuries that end up in the ER are caused by toys, according to a 2014 study. Overall, there were an estimated 256,700 toy-related injuries treated in emergency rooms nationwide in 2013, a report by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission found. 

One toy crossbow that shoots darts more than 100 feet away landed on a list of most dangerous toys of 2014 for its potential to cause eye injury. Plastic darts and arrows can scratch the eye, causing corneal abrasions, or in the case of pointed tips can puncture the eye and permanently damage a child’s vision. Injuries from airsoft, BB and paintball guns are quite common and include retinal detachment that can cause vision loss; pooling of blood in the front of the eye (ocular hyphema) that can block vision and increase the risk of glaucoma; and traumatic cataracts, which may require surgery to restore sight.

“People may view toy versions of bows and arrows or guns as harmless, but even foam or plastic projectiles can potentially cause serious damage to a child’s eye if used at close range,” said Jane Edmond, M.D., a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “With so many other options for gift giving, physicians recommend that parents consider safer alternatives. Nobody wants to end up in the emergency room over the holidays, especially due to an injury caused by a gift.”

Toy safety tips:

 1. Avoid purchasing toys with sharp, protruding or projectile parts such as airsoft guns, BB guns and paintball guns, which can propel foreign objects into the sensitive tissue of the eye.

2. For laser toys, look for labels that include a compliance statement with 21 CFR Subchapter J to ensure the product meets the Code of Federal Regulations requirements for laser products, including power limitations.

3. When giving sports equipment,, provide children with the appropriate protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses, which are shatterproof.

4. Check labels for age recommendations to be sure to select gifts that are appropriate for a child's age and maturity. Also, keep toys that are made for older children away from younger children.

5. Make sure children have appropriate adult supervision when playing with potentially hazardous toys or games that could cause an eye injury.

References:

https://www.rimed.org/rimedicaljournal/2014/01/2014-01-44-contribution-chen.pdf http://www.cpsc.gov/Global/Research-and-Statistics/Injury-Statistics/Toys/ToyReport2013.pdf http://toysafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/10-Worst-Toys-2014.pdf

This Article was Made Available by EyeSmart, Working with the American Academy of Ophthalmology to Educate the Public in Eye Health

Contact Care is Critical

Tips for Healthy Contact Habits

According to the Center for Disease Control, properly caring for your contact lenses has a HUGE impact on your eye health and on the medical industry as a whole. 

 Your Contacts

Replace your lenses as often as the doctor suggests, even if you don't wear them every day. For instance, if you have the disposable kind that are good for one wearing, throw them out after you've worn them once, even if they still feel fresh. When you wear lenses for more days than you should, or when you sleep in lenses that aren't made for overnight wear, you raise your risk of eye infections (Web MD).

Before You Touch Your Lenses

Always wash your hands before you put your lenses in or take them out. Don't lather up with oily or heavily scented soaps. Lenses can cling to wet hands, so dry your hands well with a lint-free towel. If you want to use a moisturizer, wait until after you've put in your lenses. The residue from lotions can stick to them (Web MD). 

Putting in Your Lenses

Start with the same eye each time so you don't mix up the right and left lenses. Use your index finger to slide the lens out of the package or case and into the palm of your hand. Rinse it with the solution recommended by your eye doctor. Place the lens on the tip of your index finger.  Pull your lower lid down with the middle finger of the same hand and hold your upper lid with your other hand. Place the lens directly on the iris of your eye. Gently release your lids, and blink (Web MD).

Removing Your Lenses

To take out soft lenses, pull down your lower lid. Look up or to the side, and gently move your lens to the white of your eye. Using your thumb and index finger, gently pinch the lens and lift it off your eye. For gas-permeable lenses, open your eyes wide and pull the skin near the corner of your eye toward your ear. Bend over your open palm and blink. The lens should pop out into your palm (Web MD).

Cleaning and Storage

There are many ways to clean lenses. A multipurpose solution lets you clean, rinse, disinfect, and store your lenses. Some systems have separate products for cleaning and rinsing. "No-rub" solutions say that rinsing alone will clean the lenses, but research suggests that rubbing cleans better. With hydrogen peroxide solution, you put your lenses in a basket that goes in a cup of solution. Never use this solution to rinse your lenses (Web MD).

Water and Lenses Don't Mix

If you're out of contact lens solution, you might be tempted to rinse your lenses with tap water. Don't do it! Water sometimes has microbes that can cause serious eye infections. Don't even wear contacts in the shower. And never put your lenses into your mouth or use saliva to wet them (Web MD).

The Case Matters, Too

Clean your lens case as carefully as you clean your lenses. You should rinse it at least every night with disinfecting solution. Wipe the case with a tissue and let it air dry to help get rid of lingering bacteria. Replace your case every 3 months or more often (Web MD). Never use water to clean your case.

Your Contact Lens Solution

Don’t “top off” solution. Use only fresh contact lens disinfecting solution in your case—never mix fresh solution with old or used solution. Use only the contact lens solution recommended by your eye doctor.

When Your Lenses Hurt

A lens might feel uncomfortable if there's something on or under it, or if it's inside out. Take the lens out and rinse it with rewetting drops or a non-peroxide solution to remove the dirt or dust. Look at it from the side. If there are marks on the edge and you can read them, the lens is OK. If the shape is a "U," then it's fine. If it's a "V" with the top edges flared out, turn it around, rinse, and place it back in your eye. If that's not better, see your eye doctor (Web MD).

Teens and Contact Lenses

Teenagers can wear lenses as long as they learn to take care of them. Disposable lenses that are worn just 1 day are a good option. There's no cleaning or care involved. Work with your eye doctor to find the best contacts for you. Never try on a friend's lenses. An eye doctor has to fit contact lenses perfectly to your eyes. The doctor can give you samples to make sure the chosen lenses fit well (Web MD).

Makeup Tips for Lens Wearers

Put on soft contact lenses before you apply makeup. Put on gas-permeable lenses after you've put on your makeup. Always take lenses out before you take off your makeup.
Use non-allergenic makeup. Avoid metallic or glittery eye shadows and liners, and lash-lengthening or waterproof mascara. These can irritate or stain your lenses. 
Don't apply eyeliner to your inner rims, between your lashes and your eye.
Replace your eye makeup at least every 3 months (Web MD).

Contact Lenses and Sports

You can wear your lenses for most sports and activities. They rarely move or fall out. Plus, they don't fog up like glasses, and they give you better peripheral vision. If you swim, though, make sure you wear watertight goggles. You can get an eye infection from water, and your lenses can be hard to take out if they get wet. Use saline or rewetting drops to loosen them, and then clean and disinfect them afterward.

Keep Your Glasses
Even after you get contact lenses, you'll probably still wear glasses sometimes. You should keep a pair of up-to-date prescription glasses for when your eyes need a break or if you can’t wear your contacts for some reason. You should also have sunglasses to protect your eyes from damaging UV light. Choose sunglasses that block 99% of UV light and wear them -- especially in the sun, when you're driving, and around snow, water, or sand.

Decorative and Cosmetic Lenses

It might look cool to have cat's eyes for Halloween or change your eye color just for fun. Decorative and cosmetic lenses can be safe, but make sure you get them from an eye doctor. It's actually illegal to sell decorative lenses without a prescription in the U.S. Ill-fitting contact lenses can scratch your eye or cause an eye infection.

Your Eyes and Your Screens

Teens and young adults spend hours in front of computers, televisions, and cell phones. All that screen time can cause computer vision and eye strain problems. We blink less when we're focusing up close like that, so eyes can get dry and tired. To help, try the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break from the screen to look at something 20 feet away (Web MD).    

Visit an Eye Doctor

If you're thinking about contact lenses, see an eye doctor first. Contacts come in different materials, shapes, and strengths that don't match the prescription for your glasses. An optometrist or an ophthalmologist can find the right prescription and fit lenses exactly to your eyes. Even if you want to buy contact lenses online, you'll still need to see an eye doctor first.

(Web MD).