Nearsighedness Is A Public Health Crisis

Nearsightedness has risen dramatically over the last 50 years. If nothing is done to help slow the increase, half the world’s population may be nearsighted by the year 2050. That means much more than a lot of people in glasses. It means a lot of kids today are at risk of developing vision-threatening eye conditions tomorrow. That’s why the American Academy of Ophthalmology is sharing information about myopia and its progression. People who have myopia, also known as nearsightedness, can see close-up objects clearly, but objects farther away are blurry. Myopia that begins in early childhood often worsens as the child grows. If these changes are too extreme, it can be hard to correct the blurriness with glasses or contact lenses and the risk of potentially blinding eye conditions rises, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, early cataracts and myopic maculopathy, a leading cause of blindness world-wide.

4 Wear your glasses.

While more research is required to understand why myopia is on the rise, new treatment options are available to slow the disease in children so the most devastating consequences of high myopia can be avoided. Visit www.eyesmart.org for more information on eye health.

—The American Academy of Ophthalmology

7Wear your shades. The sun’s rays can hurt your eyes. Choose sunglasses that block 99 to you should never 8

9

Say no to smoking. Did you know that smoking is as bad for your eyes as it is the rest of your body? Smoking can put you at risk for some pretty serious eye issues, which can lead to blindness. 10T

Your glasses help you see better, especially when they’re clean and free of smudges. Talk to an adult about how to clean your glasses and how to store them when you’re not wearing them.

6Gear up. Playing your favorite sport? Using chemicals during science class? Mowing the lawn? Wear the right protection to keep your eyes safe. Many eye injuries can be prevented with better safety habits, such as using protective eyewear.

Give your eyes a break. Do you spend a lot of time looking at a computer, phone, or TV screen? Staring at any one thing for too long can tire your eyes. Give your eyes a rest with the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are easily spread from person to person. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.

Viral conjunctivitis is the most common type of conjunctivitis. This type of pink eye is very contagious and often spreads through schools and other crowded places. It usually causes burning, red eyes with a watery discharge. Viral conjunctivitis is usually caused by the same virus that causes runny nose and sore throat in people with the common cold.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is also very contagious. An infection from bacteria causes this form of pink eye. With bacterial conjunctivitis, you have sore, red eyes with a lot of sticky pus in the eye. Some bacterial infections, however, may cause little or no discharge. Sometimes the bacteria that cause pink eye are the same that cause strep throat. Allergic conjunctivitis is a type of pink eye that comes from an allergic reaction to pollen, animals, cigarette smoke, pool chlorine, car fumes or something alk about it. Does anyone in your family have issues with their eyes? Not sure? Ask! Talking about eye health with your family can help all of you stay healthy.

Ask!

—National Eye Institute (NEI) else in the environment. It is not contagious. Allergic pink eye makes your eyes very itchy, red and watery, and the eyelids may get puffy.

Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis can be quite contagious. The most common ways to get the contagious form of pink eye include:

·Direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, usually through hand-to-eye contact.

·Spread of the infection from bacteria living in the person’s own nose and sinuses.

·Not cleaning contact lenses properly. Using poorly fitting contact lenses or decorative contacts are risks as well.

·Children are the people most likely to get pink eye from bacteria or viruses. This is because they are in close contact with so many others in school or day care centers. Also, they don’t practice good hygiene.

Visit www.aao.org/eye-health/ diseases/pink-eye-conjunctivitis to learn more.

—Kierstan Boyd writes for American Academy of Ophthalmology.

A 17-year-old high school student stayed up all night to finish his college applications and, in the morning, he looked in the mirror and noticed that his eyes were yellow. A 32-year-old woman developed a viral upper respiratory infection with a lowgrade temperature. On a routine visit to the doctor, her eyes were noted to be yellow. A 45-year-old man is seen by his doctor for a routine physical examination. His laboratory tests reveal an elevated bilirubin. Further testing shows no other abnormality other than a mildly elevated indirect bilirubin. A 23-year-old man returns from the gym after a heavy workout, looks in the mirror and notices that his eyes are yellow. What commonality do these people share? They all have jaundice (yellowing of the eyes) and they all are affected by a genetic disorder called Gilbert’s syndrome. Gilbert’s syndrome is a benign condition. It does not cause any harm. It is extremely common occurring in about five percent of our population. The syndrome is caused by a decreased level in the enzyme, glucuronyl transferase, which conjugates bilirubin.

The Specialist

David Bernstein, MD

It is an autosomal recessive, hereditary condition. Gilbert’s syndrome is not associated with any increased disease or mortality. This syndrome is usually diagnosed after puberty and is more common in men than in women. Affected individuals often come to medical attention after a fast, during an infection, after vigorous exercise or in any period of extreme stress as these circumstances can lead to decreased bilirubin conjugation and therefore an increase in indirect bilirubin levels. The physical examination of these patients is usually normal except for some mild yellowness of the eyes. Laboratory tests other than an elevated bilirubin should all be normal.

There are no therapies needed for Gilbert’s syndrome as it is a benign condition. Interestingly, some studies have suggested a decreased colon and rectal cancer risk in people with Gilbert’s. This, however, has not been proven. The good news here is that not all jaundice is concerning.