Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Look for the Signs

As August comes to a close, another school year is just beginning for thousands of Texas children. This year teachers and parents should keep a close eye on their child’s behavior as it could be a good indicator of a vision problem.

Did you know that a whopping 80% of children diagnosed with learning disabilities or poor learning performance actually have vision problems like myopia (nearsightedness), strabismus (crossed eye) or amblyopia (lazy eye)!

And did you know that 80% of learning in a child’s first 12 years of life comes through the eyes! With numbers like these so high, it’s important for those who spend the most time with kids, like parents and teachers, to pay close attention to the warning signs.

Here are 3 questions you should ask yourself:

1. What do my child’s eyes look like?

If your child’s eyes don’t line up or if one appears crossed or looks out, then your child may have an eye disorder like strabismus or amblyopia. If your child’s eyelids are red-rimmed, crusted, swollen or if their eyes are watery or red, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with an eye doctor as soon as possible.

2. How does your child act?

 Signs of a possible vision problem can also be seen in your child’s body language. If your child is rubbing their eyes a lot, closing or covering an eye, tilting their head forward, blinking more than usual, or squinting or frowning, they could be indicating they are having trouble seeing.

3. What does your child say?

 If your kids are saying “everything looks blurry” or “I see double” these are obvious warning signs that something is not right with their vision. However, kids can also say “my eyes are itchy,” “my eyes are burning” or “my eyes are feeling scratchy,” all of which are also signs of a vision problem. The most unexpected things a child could say though are “I feel dizzy,” “I have a headache” or “I feel sick/nauseous.” Though these can often be attributed to your child not feeling well, if these symptoms persist, it could definitely be a sign of a vision problem.

It’s important to remember (though easy to forget sometimes) that children often think that they are supposed to see the world blurry or out of focus. Kids often don’t realize that they aren’t able to see and they think that’s just how everyone else sees. It’s important to talk to your kids periodically about their vision and to notice the warning signs early on so that your child can get the help they need.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

From Homeless to Working Because of Glasses

Colby is a 19-year-old growing up in Dallas where certain decisions changed his life. Thanks to a loving, generous aunt, and a pair of glasses Colby received through the Healthy Eyes Eyeglass program, Colby has been able to overcome life's challenges in order to make a better life for himself.

“Thank you so much for making it possible for me to get glasses," Colby said. "I have been homeless for a year. I quit high school and was living on the streets. My aunt helped me get back on my feet. To do anything with my life, [I had] to start with being able to see. My aunt paid for an eye exam. You covered my glasses. Now I’m working on my GED, getting my license, and I got a job this week! Thank you! God bless you!” 

PBT is very happy for Colby and proud of his recent accomplishments! We are so touched to know that we were able to help him reach his ambitious goals. We wish him all the best for the future!

Thursday, August 1, 2013

A Flash of Light

For me, it all started about two years ago when I noticed myself feeling dizzy and occasionally seeing “flashes” of light. The best way to describe these flashes would be to imagine bright sparkles fluttering into your line of vision and then fading away after a few seconds. The flashes seem to come and go randomly, although I believe heat is a trigger because they are likely to occur while I am in a hot shower or blow drying my hair. Along with these bizarre flashes of light, I began to experience headaches that made me feel lightheaded and woozy. Concerned, I consulted my doctor who referred me to an ophthalmologist, their conclusion—ocular migraines.

For those of you who have never heard of ocular migraines, they are a rare type of migraine affecting 1 out of every 200 people with migraines. They are unique because along with a headache, your vision becomes impaired. Although experts are not sure what causes ocular migraines, they believe that spasms in the blood vessels, genetics, lifestyle and diet may be to blame.

Symptoms can be broken into two halves. Ocular symptoms include flashing lights, black spots and temporary blindness ranging from a few seconds to half an hour. Migraine symptoms consist of headaches ranging from moderate to intense pain, sometimes with a pulsating sensation. Additional symptoms include nausea, vomiting and heightened sensitivity to light, sound and temperature. Symptoms also tend to worsen after engaging in physical activity. It is important to keep in mind though that every case is unique and symptoms may vary.

There is no treatment for ocular migraines since they are relatively harmless and usually go away on their own. My doctor advised me to take an aspirin and to lie down in a dark room when I experience an ocular migraine.

If you think you may be experiencing ocular migraines, it is important to see your ophthalmologist or optometrist. Ocular migraines are not life-threatening, but the symptoms may be related to other health issues such as eye diseases or a detached retina which require immediate attention.

Scarlett Shillings
PBT Summer 2013 Intern