Nonsurgical LASIK Alternative Has Children Seeing Clearer

http://www.bristolfamilyeyecare.com/services-corneal-refractive.php

Most likely, everyone has heard of LASIK by now to include the old cartoon from the Simpson's showing the neighbor in the future blind due to his LASIK.  Luckily, that cartoon prediction hasn't transpired yet and many people are benefiting from a new treatment called corneal reshaping or Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT).  It's the latest FDA approved treatment that helps those with blurry vision see with 20/20 vision.  It differs from LASIK in that it's not a surgical procedure and is considered more controlled.


By wearing contact lenses at night, it slows and in some cases, prevents nearsightedness in children too.  LASIK is only for adults so this is a new procedure option for children.  The process begins when the optometrists maps the cornea which is the eye's most outer lens to measure the steepness.  The way CRT works, is the steeper the cornea, the worse the vision is so when the customized lenses are fitted to the eye, it can reshape and flatten them overnight.  The downside is the patient has to continue to wear the lenses at night or the effects will revert.  Its average cost is $1800.


You can read more here.

Kids with low vision learn about art at ForSight Vision

(DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - CHRIS DUNN)

ForSight Vision, a Spring Garden Township center for the blind and visually impaired, introduced art classes for children about two years ago. President Bill Rhinesmith said the classes -- held during two sessions per year -- help about 10 visually impaired kids use their sense of touch to create tie-dye T-shirts, collages and beaded artwork. Siblings and parents can also participate.  This is a wonderful story about how children with low vision can participate in art type projects.  The other goal of these classes are to help children with low vision adapt to social situations they might not have a chance to interact in.


Read more here.

Great Glasses Play Day August 5

As part of our support for children with glasses, contacts or patches, we are sharing the Little Four Eyes and Peeps Eyewear Great Glasses Play Day for August 5th.

Want to help?

We need your help to make the Great Glasses Play Day a success – take a look at some of the ways you can help.  And we’re always up for other ideas, too – just let us know!

Parents:

• Attend one of the Great Glasses Play Day events and invite any friends who have children in glasses
• Sign up to host a Great Glasses Play Day
• Have a blog?  Post about the Great Glasses Play Day
• We need more pictures!  Do you have any great pictures of your child in glasses at play?  Would you be willing to let us use that picture on this site?  Send us a note at GGPD@shinypebble.com!
• Talk to your local Children’s Librarian and ask if they’d be willing to do a book display the week of Great Glasses Play Day.
• Read our “Ways to Play” series on different ways to celebrate the Great Glasses Play Day
• Like us on Facebook
• Submit your own ideas of ways to celebrate to GGPD@shinypebble.com!

Eye Care Professionals:

• Post a flyer about the Great Glasses Play Day in your office, or let parents of children in glasses know about the Great Glasses Play Day in other ways.
• Offer free adjustments, free glasses cleaning cloths, or free glasses cases the week of Great Glasses Play Day
• Like us on Facebook
• Contact us at GGPD@shinypebble.com with other ideas!

Librarians:

• Vision and literacy are closely related, a child who has poor vision will likely struggle with reading.  Not only that, many children find comfort in books about other kids who are facing similar situations, and getting glasses is no exception!  We would love if you would consider putting up a display of books related to kids and glasses for the Great Glasses Play Day, or do a story time with stories on that topic.  There are some good lists of books about kids and glasses at Eye Health Guide and Little Four Eyes.

Others:

• Have a blog?  Post about the Great Glasses Play Day
• Spread the word, let any friends or family with kids in glasses know about the day
• Like us on Facebook
• Drop us a line at GGPD@shinypebble.com with

Time for a Spring Make Over with Ficklets

Don't miss out on adding some new life and personality to your little one's glasses this spring.  Ficklets has many different themes to choose from.   Ficklets has the perfect eye wear charm huggers for both boys and girls and even has large template/large sunglasses Ficklets to fit adult sunglasses.

Check out some of our testimonials to see how other children are enjoying their Ficklets.

Happy Spring!

Eye Didn't Know That Website

I stumbled upon this website, Eye Didn't Know That which is geared towards children, parents, teachers and caregivers to offer a fun and interactive way to learn more about the eyes.  For children, with glasses or without, it's a great resource to help explain the importance of good eye health.  From coloring pages to optical illusions, activities and more, your children just might be entertained while learning some great things.  One feature, the Virtual Timeline, even offers interesting factoids such as over a thousand years ago, the Chinese created dark spectacles to ward off evil spirits.

The optical illusions are always fun to test what you see and it becomes a game to play with others.  The Ferris Wheel appears to be moving.  There really are a lot of fun activities to play alone or with your child.


For parents, there are resources for knowing more about children's eye health:

Children’s Eyes are More Sensitive

Children’s eyes are naturally more sensitive to environmental factors that can be damaging to their eyes:

• The average child receives three times the annual UV exposure than an adult.
• The lens of the eye of a child under age 10 allows more than six times the amount of UV radiation to penetrate than an adult’s eye.
• When you protect the skin around your eyes—and everywhere else—during the first 18 years of your life, the risk of cancer is likely to be reduced by 50%. This means that in addition to regular eye exams, you should make sure your children’s eyes and skin are protected from UV rays whenever they are outside—protect your children’s eyes from the sun with UV-blocking lenses, such as Transitions lenses, wide-brimmed hats covering the eyes, ears, face and neck, and sunscreen.

Healthy Sight Checklist

• Visit an eye doctor regularly for a complete eye exam. To locate an eye doctor near you, click here.
• Maintain a balanced diet high in beta-carotene and take vitamin supplements, if recommended
• Exercise regularly
• Drink eight to ten glasses of water a day to hydrate your body and eyes
• Make a conscious effort to periodically rest your eyes and blink frequently – especially when reading, working on a computer or watching television
• Avoid rubbing your eyes
• Wear sunscreen and UV-protective clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat
• Select everyday eyewear, like Transitions lenses, that automatically block 100 percent of UV rays and help to reduce distracting glare

Ficklets' 5 Year Anniversary Giveaway: 5 Pairs Ficklets, $75 Amazon GC & Xia-Xia Pets 4/21

This is no April Fool's joke!  Ficklets is celebrating five years in business!  Ficklets are the first patented interchangeable eyewear charm huggers that fit on children's glasses.  There are so many shapes and themes to choose from that will leave your child wanting more.  Even though it's our anniversary, you will receive the gifts!  As part of our celebration, we are thanking our customers and fans by giving you this great prize pack:

• Five Pairs of Ficklets (winner's choice)
• $75 Amazon e-Gift Card
• 3 Xia-Xia Pets Plus Additional Shell Accessories

To Enter:

Please use the Rafflecopter form below.

New Eye Device to Detect Brain Tumours

A new prototype device is in use in the UK at Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital which will detect brain tumours and other serious conditions in those most vulnerable.  What doctors have learned about vision is that problems with peripheral vision can be an early indicator to something more serious such as stroke, brain damage, tumors and other conditions that can lead to blindness.   Old devices to measure peripheral vision relied on a button response to stimuli while sitting still.  The i2eye device uses infra-red LEDs and a camera to record actual eye movement.

For this reason, it can be used on the rest of the population that was unable to push a button and sit still like children or other adults.  Peter Estibeiro, chief executive officer of i2eye diagnostics, said: "The eye tracker unit is watching your eyes, using your natural reactions to movements on the screen so it can build up a standard visual field map."  This is great news for parents concerned and unable to have the proper testing done due to a child's age or ability to respond to instruction.

Since the announcement of the launch of i2eye Diagnostics Limited on March 19th, they expect to launch their first product within the next six months.