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This section of our website will contain a variety of documents and links to full articles relating to the Lions primary areas of interest: sight and hearing - and lately, diabetes. It is intended to educate not only our fellow Lions, but also the members of the public who might stumble upon our site on those complex organs that most of us take for granted - our eyes and ears, and which the Lions, since Helen Keller's famous "Knights of the Blind" speech in 1925 have made their major service activity.
The site will attempt to keep you informed on the latest advances, in addition to providing "everything you ever wanted to know, but were afraid to ask" about eyes and ears. Please check back on a regular basis as the site is expanded and updated with the latest news.
The site will attempt to keep you informed on the latest advances, in addition to providing "everything you ever wanted to know, but were afraid to ask" about eyes and ears. Please check back on a regular basis as the site is expanded and updated with the latest news.
Myths and Facts About the Eyes
MYTH: Children outgrow crossed or misaligned eyes
FACT: Children do not outgrow crossed eyes. A child whose eyes are misaligned may develop poor vision in one eye because the brain will "turn off" or ignore the image from the misaligned or lazy eye. The unused or misaligned eye will not develop good vision unless it is forced to work, usually by patching the stronger eye.
Children who appear to have misaligned eyes should be examined by an ophthalmologist. In general, the earlier misaligned eyes are treated, the better. Treatment may include patching, eyeglasses, eyedrops, surgery or a combination of these methods
MYTH: People with weak eyes should avoid reading fine print
FACT: It is said that people with weak eyes or people who wear glasses will "wear out" their eyes sooner if they read fine print or do a lot of detail work.
The concept of the eye as a muscle is incorrect. The eye more closely resembles a camera. A camera will not wear out sooner just because it is used to photograph intricate detail. You can use your eyes without fear of wearing them out.
FACT: Children do not outgrow crossed eyes. A child whose eyes are misaligned may develop poor vision in one eye because the brain will "turn off" or ignore the image from the misaligned or lazy eye. The unused or misaligned eye will not develop good vision unless it is forced to work, usually by patching the stronger eye.
Children who appear to have misaligned eyes should be examined by an ophthalmologist. In general, the earlier misaligned eyes are treated, the better. Treatment may include patching, eyeglasses, eyedrops, surgery or a combination of these methods
MYTH: People with weak eyes should avoid reading fine print
FACT: It is said that people with weak eyes or people who wear glasses will "wear out" their eyes sooner if they read fine print or do a lot of detail work.
The concept of the eye as a muscle is incorrect. The eye more closely resembles a camera. A camera will not wear out sooner just because it is used to photograph intricate detail. You can use your eyes without fear of wearing them out.
Documents
EYES
EARS
DIABETES
EYE FACTS:
Each eye weighs 1/4 ouncs, measures less than 1 inch in diameter, and is shaped like a slightly flattened ball.
When you blink, you shut your eyes for 0.3 seconds. That's a total of 30 minutes each day.
Tropical fish and many bright colored animals have more color vision cells than do humans. They can see colors that humans do not.
Each eye weighs 1/4 ouncs, measures less than 1 inch in diameter, and is shaped like a slightly flattened ball.
When you blink, you shut your eyes for 0.3 seconds. That's a total of 30 minutes each day.
Tropical fish and many bright colored animals have more color vision cells than do humans. They can see colors that humans do not.
Nutrition vital for good eyesight, studies show
Monday, May 11, 2009 12:00 AM CDT (ARA) - Caring for eyes includes paying attention to nutrition, with recent studies showing a strong correlation between good nutrition and the prevention of age-related eye diseases.
Approximately 43 million Americans suffer from age-related macular degeneration or cataracts, the two leading causes of vision loss and blindness. By eating foods rich in six nutrients -- antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, essential fatty acids, vitamins C and E and the mineral zinc -- you can help protect your eyesight and vision.
"Basic and clinical research has shown that nutrients in eye-healthy foods can slow vision loss," says Dr. Stuart Richer, optometrist and the American Optometric Association vision and nutrition expert.
Together, the AOA and registered dietician Elizabeth Somer recommend eating a diet with a variety of foods loaded with key nutrients, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, for maintaining and improving eye health.
The AOA's 2008 American Eye-Q survey, which assesses public knowledge and understanding of issues related to eye health, showed that nearly half of all Americans -- 48 percent -- still believe carrots are the best food for eye health. While carrots do contain nutritional value by supplying nutrients essential for night vision, spinach and other dark, leafy greens prove to be the healthiest foods for eyes because they naturally contain large amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin.
The AOA recommends the following foods which contain the key nutrients for eye health:
* Lutein and zeaxanthin: Colorful fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, kale, corn, green beans, peas, oranges and tangerines.
* Essential fatty acids: Fleshy fish like tuna, salmon or herring, whole grain foods, lean meats and eggs.
* Vitamin C: Fruits and vegetables, including oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, papaya, green peppers and tomatoes.
* Vitamin E: Vegetable oils, such as safflower or corn oil, almonds, pecans, sweet potatoes and sunflower seeds.
* Zinc: Red meat, poultry, liver, shellfish, milk, baked beans and whole grains.
"Nutrition is a component of health for the entire body, including the eyes," says Somer. "There are some great, quick and simple recipes that promote healthy eyesight and vision."
For additional information on nutrition <http://www.aoa.org/x11813.xml> and eye-healthy recipes, visit www.aoa.org <http://www.aoa.org>, or luteininfo.com <http://www.luteininfo.com>.
Monday, May 11, 2009 12:00 AM CDT (ARA) - Caring for eyes includes paying attention to nutrition, with recent studies showing a strong correlation between good nutrition and the prevention of age-related eye diseases.
Approximately 43 million Americans suffer from age-related macular degeneration or cataracts, the two leading causes of vision loss and blindness. By eating foods rich in six nutrients -- antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, essential fatty acids, vitamins C and E and the mineral zinc -- you can help protect your eyesight and vision.
"Basic and clinical research has shown that nutrients in eye-healthy foods can slow vision loss," says Dr. Stuart Richer, optometrist and the American Optometric Association vision and nutrition expert.
Together, the AOA and registered dietician Elizabeth Somer recommend eating a diet with a variety of foods loaded with key nutrients, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, for maintaining and improving eye health.
The AOA's 2008 American Eye-Q survey, which assesses public knowledge and understanding of issues related to eye health, showed that nearly half of all Americans -- 48 percent -- still believe carrots are the best food for eye health. While carrots do contain nutritional value by supplying nutrients essential for night vision, spinach and other dark, leafy greens prove to be the healthiest foods for eyes because they naturally contain large amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin.
The AOA recommends the following foods which contain the key nutrients for eye health:
* Lutein and zeaxanthin: Colorful fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, kale, corn, green beans, peas, oranges and tangerines.
* Essential fatty acids: Fleshy fish like tuna, salmon or herring, whole grain foods, lean meats and eggs.
* Vitamin C: Fruits and vegetables, including oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, papaya, green peppers and tomatoes.
* Vitamin E: Vegetable oils, such as safflower or corn oil, almonds, pecans, sweet potatoes and sunflower seeds.
* Zinc: Red meat, poultry, liver, shellfish, milk, baked beans and whole grains.
"Nutrition is a component of health for the entire body, including the eyes," says Somer. "There are some great, quick and simple recipes that promote healthy eyesight and vision."
For additional information on nutrition <http://www.aoa.org/x11813.xml> and eye-healthy recipes, visit www.aoa.org <http://www.aoa.org>, or luteininfo.com <http://www.luteininfo.com>.
"Sitting close to the television can damage children's eyes." True or False?
False. Children can focus at close distance without eyestrain better than adults. They often develop the habit of holding reading materials close to their eyes or sitting right in front of the television.
There is no evidence that this damages their eyes, and the habit usually diminishes as children grow older. Children with nearsightedness (myopia) sometimes sit close to the television in order to see the images more clearly.
False. Children can focus at close distance without eyestrain better than adults. They often develop the habit of holding reading materials close to their eyes or sitting right in front of the television.
There is no evidence that this damages their eyes, and the habit usually diminishes as children grow older. Children with nearsightedness (myopia) sometimes sit close to the television in order to see the images more clearly.
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