Prolonged exposure to the sun without proper protection may cause eye conditions that can lead to a variety of vision disorders, the American Optometric Association (AOA) warns. Following are five tips from the AOA that can help prevent further eye damage from exposure to UV radiation:

1. Wear sunglasses when exposed to UV radiation, even on cloudy days and during the winter.
2. Choose quality sunglasses that offer good protection. Sunglasses should block out 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays.
3. Check to make sure the lenses of your sunglasses are perfectly matched in color and free of imperfections.
4. Purchase gray-colored lenses: they reduce light intensity without altering the color of objects, providing the most natural color vision.
5. Don't forget to protect the eyes of children and teenagers. They tend to spend more time in the sun than adults and are at greater risk of damaging their retinas from short wavelength light.

Suggested reading:

• UV Eye Safety
• How to Protect Eyes from the Sun
• Getting Toddlers to Wear Sunglasses

_Source:

American Optometric Association, UV Protection For Eyes Especially Important During Summer Months. Medical News Today, 06 May 2008.

_{Photo © Stockbyte / Getty Images}

The goal of this year's Healthy Vision Month, sponsored by the National Eye Institute, is to inform people about the need for children aged 7 to 14 (and all others) to prevent eye injuries by using protective eyewear when playing sports. Unfortunately, sports and recreational activities cause more than 40,000 eye injuries each year. Please remind children to use protective eyewear during sports-related activities.

Related:

• Sports Eye Injuries
• Safe Lenses for Kids
• Eye Emergencies

_{Source: National Eye Institute, Healthy Vision Month 2008. National Institutes of Health, May 2008.}

An FDA advisory panel concluded last week that LASIK is "safe and well-accepted." After a day of hearings, the agency's Ophthalmic Devices Advisory Committee said that although LASIK is safe, it may be marketed too aggressively.

The panel suggested changes to the LASIK label...changes that more fully state problems that can occur, including extreme blurriness, haze, glare, halos, and starbursts. It also suggested that the label take note of possible depression or psychological problems. The panel also recommended that the FDA's LASIK website should include photographs of visual disability, detailed statistics of side-effects or complications, and a more detailed explanation of the benefits of LASIK.

Suggested reading:

• Is LASIK Permanent?
• Your Vision After LASIK
• LASIK Slideshow

_{Source: Peck, Peggy, FDA Advisers Find LASIK Safe But Oversold. MedPage Today, 25 Apr 2008.}

The weak economy is forcing consumers to cut back on extra spending, including laser eye surgery. Industry analysts are predicting a sharp decline in LASIK eye surgeries during 2008, as the procedure is not typically covered by health insurance. Depending on the type of procedure being performed, LASIK usually costs between $2,000 to $5,000. As people are becoming more conservative with their finances, elective surgeries such as LASIK will probably be postponed.

Not only is the procedure expensive, it is also considered by many to be risky. LASIK will almost certainly reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses, but there is no guarantee that you will have perfect vision without glasses. While perfect vision is the optimal outcome of LASIK, whether or not you receive it depends on your individual experience.

More on LASIK Eye Surgery:

• Vision After LASIK
• Cost of LASIK
• LASIK Risks...Too Many?

_{Source: Barnaby J. Feder, The New York Times. As Economy Slows, So Do Laser Eye Surgeries. New York Times, 24 Apr 2008.}

According to new research out of London, Prozac might be an effective treatment for adults with lazy eye. The popular antidepressant helped correct the eyesight of rats whose vision had been impaired in early development, scientists say. It might do the same for humans.

Lazy eye, or amblyopia, is an eye problem that sometimes occurs in growing children. In a child with lazy eye, the right and left eyes have different qualities of vision. If lazy eye is not detected and treated early in life, loss of vision and depth perception can occur. If not treated successfully, the condition generally lasts into adulthood.

Read the full story

Suggested Reading:

• What Is Lazy Eye?
• Amblyopia

_{Source: Ben Hirschler, Reuters. Prozac shows promise as cure for 'lazy eye'. MSNBC, Health News, 17 April 2008.}

Is it safe to wear makeup with contact lenses? The American Optometric Association (AOA) says "yes," as long as the contact lenses go on before the makeup. The AOA offers more guidance on choosing and applying makeup for contact lens wearers.

Suggested reading:

• Tap Water and Contacts
• Contact Lens Cases
• How Long Do Contacts Last?

_{Source: Helen McArdle / Getty Images}

How much do you really know about your eyes? Take this quick vision quiz to test your knowledge...it may be eye-opening.

Every year, thousands of athletes suffer from eye injuries. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, sports are the leading cause of childhood eye injuries. Sadly, most sports-related eye injuries could be prevented by wearing proper protective eyewear. Protective eyewear is available for just about all activities. Athletes can choose from various types of sturdy, lightweight and effective eyewear that’s appropriate for their sport. Whatever game you play, protect your eyes with appropriate protective eyewear.

Related:

• Sports Eye Injuries
• Safest Lenses for Kids
• Treatment for Blood in the Eye

_{Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Sports Eye Safety. American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives, 2008.}

_{Photo © Steven Errico / Getty Images}

An Australian myopia study has busted the myth that people who wear glasses are geeks or nerds. The four-year study measured the five major personality factors (openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness and neuroticism) of nearsighted participants. Results revealed no link between myopia (nearsightedness) and introversion.

Eyeglasses are a wonderful way to provide clear sight for people with vision problems. Unfortunately, there are not always good associations with wearing them. How do you feel in eyeglasses? Vote in our Vision poll and let us know.

Suggested Reading:

• Choose the Right Frames for Your Face
• How to Buy Eyeglasses
• Learn About Myopia (Nearsightedness)

_{Source: Scott, Rebecca. People Who Wear Glasses Aren't Geeks. Medical News Today, 26 Mar 2008.}

As an optometric physician, I am routinely asked for my opinion on LASIK. Most often, safety is a primary concern of my patients considering LASIK, and with good reason. Surgery is surgery, and with every surgery comes possible risks.

In my experience, however, LASIK is safe...with one caveat: every LASIK patient must be an excellent LASIK candidate. An excellent candidate meets many more requirements than simply a vision problem that could be corrected with lasers....so many more things come into the equation. A comprehensive eye examination will generally give your doctor the information needed to determine if you are a candidate, but several more tests are usually needed to find out if you make an excellent candidate. These tests will help your doctor determine if you should or should not be allowed to reach the operating table.

Suggested reading:

Pretesting for LASIK Eye Surgery