Tag: health

Children need many skills to succeed at school and play safely, and good vision is one of them. In the US, approximately 25.3% of children aged two to 17 wear glasses or contact lenses. Common vision problems include nearsightedness, astigmatism, and amblyopia (or lazy eye). Early diagnosis of underlying problems is key. In fact, the American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that infants have their first comprehensive eye exam at the age of six months. If there is a family history of eye problems or signs of eye problems, however, you should see an eye doctor earlier. Read on to discover a few tell-tale signs of common eye issues.

Squinting. Covering One Eye, and Getting Close to Reading Material

If your child squints while reading, covers one eye, or places books too close to their eyes, they may need glasses. Their teacher may also report that they cannot read the blackboard unless they are seated close to it and this issue can often be fixed with prescription glasses. However, these signs can also indicate the presence of other conditions like strabismus (misaligned eyes). Strabismus can come and go in children younger than six months, as it can be a sign of poor muscle strength in the eye. However, this condition can also last beyond this period of a child’s life, which is why early diagnosis and treatment is key. To treat strabismus, your optometrist or ophthalmologist may recommend the use of a patch to strengthen the weaker eye, though other approaches (including eye exercises) also exist. 

Rapid Uncontrolled Eye Movements, Poor Vision, and Whitish/Grayish Pupils

These symptoms may indicate the presence of childhood cataracts, which can be very difficult to spot when a child is young. This is why babies’ eyes are examined within 72 hours of birth and again six to eight weeks later as part of routine screening. In some cases (for instance, if vision is affected), a child may be prescribed surgery. Typically, this surgery is covered by insurance. However, deductibles and copayments may be involved and costs can vary from state to state. For this reason, some families opt to travel interstate to receive the required treatment. For instance, ophthalmology services in Texas may cost less than the same services in New York or Los Angeles. Parents should research their options well and ensure the surgeon they choose is well-reputed, recommended, and highly experienced.

Seeing Double

Double vision can also be a sign of strabismus, since with this condition, one eye may be focusing well while the other drifts inward, outward, upward, or downward. However, other causes can include traumatic injury and nerve palsies, which can result in damage to the optic nerve, retina, or cornea. Treatment can include vision therapy, medication, and the use of prism glasses (which ‘trick the eye’ into believing an object is in a different location to improve eye alignment). In some cases, surgery is recommended.

Children need good vision to succeed at school and at play. Make sure your child visits an ophthalmologist when recommended and watch out for signs that they may need glasses or other treatments. Bear in mind that conditions like lazy eye and strabismus need to be treated early if they are to be corrected. In some cases, therapy may be required instead of (or alongside) eyeglasses.

Medical emergencies can happen anytime, so you should know how to recognize them and offer appropriate care before professional medical help arrives. Read on for four common medical emergencies and how to deal with them.

1. Cardiovascular emergencies

Cardiovascular emergencies, including chest pains and heart attacks, may not be the most common medical emergencies but are life-threatening. A cardiovascular emergency occurs when blood supply to the heart is interrupted due to blood clots. Seniors and adults are more vulnerable to cardiovascular emergencies, but they can also occur in teenagers and kids less frequently. Some common signs of a cardiovascular emergency include:

• Fainting
• Sweating 
• Discomfort or pain in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in the shoulders or neck

Treating a cardiovascular emergency within the first hour can increase the chances of survival. To treat a heart attack before professional medical help arrives, you should;

• Give the victim an aspirin to reduce risks of clot formation
• Have the victim sit in a comfortable position
• Eliminate any tight clothing around the chest
• Administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for unconscious patients

Consider enrolling yourself for Basic Life Support (BLS) courses in a reputable medical school like Newcastle Training to boost your usefulness during a cardiovascular emergency.

2. Bleeding or major cuts

Wounds and cuts are common occurrences in workplaces, schools, or homes. Bleeding can arise from these cuts and injuries, which can cause alarm. While you can treat some injuries with simple first-aid treatment and medicines, severe bruising and deep cuts require medical attention. Other signs that you need immediate medical help include;

• Uncontrollable bleeding even after administering first aid
• Visible bones or underlying tissue
• A stuck object within the cut or wound

Below are steps  to follow in case of a major cut or bleeding before you get to the hospital;

• Place the victim in an ideal position while elevating the bleeding part, except for cases of fractured limbs.  Avoid disturbing any formed clots.
• Where possible, expose the wound by removing clothing
• Remove visible foreign bodies that you can easily pick, then use a clean dressing to wipe off the wound
• Apply pressure to stop the bleeding
• Immobilize the affected area
  

3. Choking

Choking results from blocked windpipe, and it leads to shortness of breath. If you or someone close to you is choking, consider bending the shoulders and head forward to dislodge the object trapped on the respiratory tract. Do not hit the choking victim on the back, as this causes the trapped thing to move back into the windpipe. Instead, trigger vomiting to allow the choking victim to vomit the substance causing the blockage.

4. Fits or seizures

Seizures or fits are common medical emergencies, especially for patients diagnosed with epilepsy. Seizures cause victims to experience uncontrollable and involuntary shaking, jerking, and twitching of the whole body or a specific part. A different form of seizure involves the inability to move or move minimal parts of the body and the eyes looking into space.

If someone close to you experiences a seizure, avoid putting anything in their mouth or restraining them. Instead, loosen the clothing around their necks, clear the area around them and stay with them until the seizure stops, then seek immediate medical attention.

Endnote

Knowing how to handle a medical emergency can improve your loved one’s survival chances. Familiarize yourself with the above common emergencies and how to manage them to become more valuable during a medical crisis.

Getting rid of your favorite old glasses can be an overwhelming task for most people who wear prescription glasses. Many people today go for prescription glasses with frames that fit their sense of style and match their outfits besides enhancing one’s vision. It is, however, common for glasses to get old or no longer serve the purpose, and here are seven signs you need to know it’s time to change your glasses.

Your lenses are damaged

It is common for one’s lenses to go through wear and tear. When this happens, you need to order fast delivery glasses that can reach you within 24 hours. Scratches and dents can significantly affect the quality of your vision and must be addressed as soon as possible. 

Your prescription glasses may have photochromatic treatment or anti-reflective coating, which may easily damage if you don’t follow your doctor’s lens cleaning manual. Scuffs, dings, and scratches may substantially impair your which could lead to further straining.

You are squinting 

It is common for most people to look at things with one or both eyes partly closed in an attempt to see clearly or because of excessive sunlight. This can, however, be extreme if one squints all the time, even in front of a computer monitor or smartphone. 

If your prescription glasses are normally fine and you don’t squint on the regular, it should be a sign that it’s time you go for a new pair of glasses. Visit your optician to get a new pair to enhance your vision and overcome the problem of squint. 

Regular headaches

Your eyes might be playing their role more than they are required to and you may begin to feel a murky ache near your eyes while at work or using your computer. Many factors cause headaches and some of the reasons could be related to your vision. 

Your prescription glasses may be just fine, but when they get old, they can stretch and cause your eyes to strain hence the frequent headaches you are having. While headaches can be treated with tablets, a new pair of glasses might just be the ultimate solution to your regular headaches. 

Blurred vision  

Experiencing blurry vision close or far from objects can be overwhelming and a pair of new glasses may be the solution. Myopia and hyperopia are common and this could be changed with the quality of your prescription glasses. 

You might be short or long sighted and your old glasses may no longer be helpful. If you are unsure of the kind of lenses you need, your doctor will prescribe you what best fits your condition to solve your blurry predicament. Even driving at night may suddenly seem strenuous and updating stronger prescription glasses will help enhance your night vision and safety on the road.  

Having double vision

Continuous double vision can have serious implications on the health of your sight. Thus a prompt visit to your doctor should be immediately considered. There are many causes of seeing double and your prescription glasses lose quality with time and can enhance double vision. 

Depending on the nature of your eye exam, you might want to update or change your prescription as the doctor recommends. Your doctor could also suggest that you have crossed eyes and a new pair of glasses will be the ultimate solution. The new pair of prescription glasses have an enhanced prismatic power that will help correct alignment issues causing double vision. 

Changes in style and fashion

Today’s glasses serve more than just enhance one’s vision because the industry has evolved and made eyeglasses fashionable, trendy and stylish. Frames get old or outdated, or some vintage styles may have a comeback and you don’t want to be left behind. The current market trends demand that glasses match with fashion and technology. New tech helps keep you apt with current trends used by doctors to make prescription glasses cool.

Replacing your old glasses with new ones is also therapeutic because a new pair breathes a fresh look into your style. There is absolutely nothing wrong with changing your prescription glasses because of the new trend. Treating yourself with glasses that match your sense of style is a form of self-love. 

It’s time to visit your optometrist

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that one needs to get new prescription glasses every two years. You may have lost track of time since the last time you visited your eye doctor because your eyes just seem fine. 

Many people also lack time, motivation, or this knowledge and may forget to see an optometrist. You should set your calendar reminder every six months to ensure you don’t take too long to update your prescription glasses. Prescription also changes over time and the only way to keep up and maintain good vision is having regular eye exams.