Pediatric Eye Clinic Wearing a facial covering or mask—as many of us are doing this summer—draws a lot of attention to your eyes! Because of masks, you’re likely noticing other peoples’ eyes and eyebrows more than ever. Have you ever wondered why humans evolved to have eyelashes and eyebrows, and what functions these perform in overall eye health and function? In addition to being uniquely expressive, eyebrows and eyelashes serve as the first line of natural defense against airborne debris and other hazards getting into the eyes. How do eyelashes protect your eyes? The focus on eyelashes...

Pediatric Eye Clinic More than 50% of people worldwide have brown eyes, making brown the most common eye color. Learn more fun facts about eye colors and what they may signal about your health. The colored part of your eye is called the iris. Its color comes from melanin, the same pigment that determines skin color. Different eye colors are the result of different amounts of melanin. Today, brown is the most common eye color worldwide. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), at one time, all humans had brown eyes. Then, a common ancestor experienced a gene change that led...

Pediatric Eye Clinic Dry eye syndrome is a common disorder that occurs when the eye does not produce the right amount of tears or when they are not of sufficient quality to keep the eyes hydrated and without discomfort. Risk factor's Dry eyes can affect anyone, although it is more frequent among women, especially after menopause, or in people who live in large cities where air pollution levels are higher. Some studies also show that in higher altitude areas, this condition is more common. Tips to combat dry eye Living with dry eyes on a daily basis can be uncomfortable, but there are a...

Pediatric Eye Clinic Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes. It is the leading cause of blindness in American adults. It is characterized by progressive damage to the blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that is necessary for good vision. DR progresses through four stages, mild nonproliferative retinopathy (microaneurysms), moderate nonproliferative retinopathy (blockage in some retinal vessels), severe nonproliferative retinopathy (more vessels are blocked leading to deprived retina from blood supply leading to growing new blood...

Pediatric Eye Clinic Macular degeneration, often called age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is an eye disorder associated with aging and results in damaging sharp and central vision. Central vision is needed for seeing objects clearly and for common daily tasks such as reading and driving. AMD affects the macula, the central part the retina that allows the eye to see fine details. There are two forms of AMD—wet and dry. Wet AMD is when abnormal blood vessel behind the retina start to grow under the macula, ultimately leading to blood and fluid leakage. Bleeding, leaking, and scarring from...

Pediatric Eye Clinic 1. Use The 20/20/20 RuleYour eyes aren’t designed to stare all day at something directly in front of you. With the 20/20/20 rule, you give your eyes a much-needed break during long work days. If you look at the screen for 20 minutes, you must look at something at least 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. The longer you look away from your screen, though, the better! 2. Ensure Your Room Is Well LitIt may sound counterintuitive, but less light in your room is actually better for your eyes when you’re working on a computer. Offices shouldn’t be too bright, so when possible,...

Pediatric Eye Clinic How does COVID reach the eyes? People respond in different ways to COVID-19 infections. While some people develop mild to severe respiratory problems, others experience no symptoms at all. Pink eye remains the most common sign of COVID in the eyes of children and adults. Doctors are still learning how COVID affects the eyes. But it's clear that some people with COVID experience inflammation throughout their body. This inflammation can cause blood clots to form. These clots may travel through the body and reach the veins, arteries and blood vessels of the eye. COVID's...