Schedule Kids School Eye Exams

Believe it or not, once again it’s time to schedule eye exams for the kids going back to school. Part of your “Back to School Checklist,” should include making sure that children have the optimum eye health and vision to support the core of their learning experience at school. Reading, writing, seeing the blackboard or teacher as well as using computers all create a demanding visual environment for kids at school. They must be able to have clear and efficient vision to do their best.

As children grow and mature it is common for their eyes and vision to change, thus an annual eye exam for children is a good idea. By having a regular eye exam we can detect and address changes or any eye problems that might hinder their overall well being and academic performance. The most frequent eye problems we find in school age kids are the common vision problems of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Sometimes, not having clear vision in the classroom can lead to the undeserved perception of a behavioral problem or attention problem. What we know is that kids are often unable to verbalize that they have a vision problem as they just don’t recognize it.

Your child should receive an eye examination at least once every two years, preferably EACH YEAR, or even more frequently if specific problems or risk factors exist, or if recommended by your eye doctor. The earlier a vision problem is detected and treated, the more likely treatment will be successful.

If you or someone you know has questions about eye exams for children or needs to schedule an appointment, please feel free to call us at 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight, Google+ or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver  to schedule an appointment.

Center for Sight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island. 

Can a Mediterranean Diet Help Dry Eye?

Eating a Mediterranean diet has been associated with a number of beneficial health effects including reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer, as well as a reducing the incidence of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease.  

Research on Dry Eyes & Mediterranean Diet

Recently, researchers tried to determine whether eating a Mediterranean diet could provide help for dry eyes. Reporting in the journal Cornea, the researchers had patients fill out the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire and the Dry Eye Questionnaire 5 and then evaluated and measured their tear film quality and quantity along with their serum levels of Vitamin D. Unfortunately, the results suggested that eating a Mediterranean diet was not associated with an improvement in dry eye symptoms, but higher vitamin D levels did have a small but favorable effect on dry eye syndrome symptoms. So, while the Mediterranean diet itself doesn’t directly reduce dry eye symptoms, it does seem to be an eating plan that can help promote health and prevent disease for your whole family.

If you or someone you know has questions about dry eye or needs help for dry eye problems, or needs to schedule an appointment, please feel free to call us at 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight, Google+ or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver  to schedule an appointment.

Center for Sight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island.