Entry bubble Save Your Vision Week

By: Joanne | March 03, 2009 | Category: Health

eye chart and eye glassesI know that good vision is something I take for granted, but it really is a precious gift. This week is Save Your Vision Week, a time to think about what you need to do to protect your vision.

I recently had my annual eye exam along with a glaucoma test. I always have a glaucoma test because my dad had glaucoma, so I’m thought to be at a higher risk. The bad thing about glaucoma is that it makes you blind – the good news is that there are medications that can stall its progression, so the sooner you catch it the better.

For the test, the doctor used drops to dilate my eyes, which made everything look blurry for the rest of the afternoon. The tricky thing was that I needed to get back to work and when I sat down, I realized that I couldn’t see the words on my computer screen. “Hmmmm,” I thought to myself, “now I’m in the shoes of our visitors with low vision.” At USA.gov we’ve got tools that allow our visitors to change the font size and once I made it bigger I was able to see the site. I was also able to use my browser tools to enlarge the text on other websites. I’m glad that these kinds of tricks and tools are available and that we design so that people with low or no vision can access the site. My temporary disability reinforced the importance of doing that.

So remember that conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, and glaucoma can creep up on you and regular eye exams will help to protect your vision. Other advice is to eat a healthy diet, wear sunglasses with UV (ultraviolet) protection, and use protective eyewear when your eyes are at risk for injury.

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Entry bubble LASIK: To See or Not To See, That is the Question

By: Ginger | September 19, 2008 | Category: Health

I walked into my condo and threw down a bunch of gear on the sofa. I informed my husband that I had signed up for scuba diving classes. Off I went to practice buddy breathing, buoyancy, and taking dive gear off and on under water. I passed the written test and waited in anticipation for my trip to Mexico to do my certification dives.

Green eye.It dawned on me that I wouldn’t be able to see very well without my glasses. Being able to see things swimming towards me while diving seemed really important. Even though my mask did allow for replacement corrective lenses, I decided to get LASIK instead.

When I was researching LASIK, I read a couple of publications we had here in the office. “LASIK Laser Eye Surgery” and “Laser Eye Surgery: Is It Worth Looking Into?” were very helpful.

You can also visit FDA’s LASIK website. It explains the LASIK procedure, risks involved, and what to expect before, during, and after the surgery. MedlinePlus Laser Eye Surgery has a multimedia and tools section with pictures, photographs and tutorials. The Eye Surgery Education Council Cost section mentions the price of the initial procedure, the cost of an enhancement procedure, and insurance considerations.

It is very important to do your homework when selecting a surgeon to do the procedure. Here is a list of questions to ask the doctor. Finding the best doctor is important, so don’t be afraid to ask these tough questions.

As for me, my eye surgery went without a hitch. I did experience dry eyes for a little while, but my eyes were totally healed for my first dive trip. That was 8 years ago. These LASIK-repaired eyes have seen all kinds of awesome underwater stuff in all kinds of interesting places. For me, the surgery was worth it.

How about the rest of you? Any LASIK stories to share… the good, the bad, or the ugly?

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