What is 3D Vision Syndrome?

The proliferation of 3D media in movies, video games and in the classroom is bring a new vision disorder into focus: 3D Vision Syndrome, or 3DVS.  Here is a video produced by the American Optometric Association that does a good job of summing up lots of science and research into a short and easily understandable presentation:

3DVS  is comprised of a group of symptoms that, taken together, indicate a functional vision disorder while watching 3D content. Symptoms include but are not limited to visual discomfort and fatigue, headaches, blurred vision, eyestrain, diplopia (double vision), dizziness/nausea and vision induced motion sickness after watching a 3D movie, 3D television or atfer playing a 3D video game.

Most people with 3DVS have an problem with the the way their eyes work together or focus.  Eye movement problems like this are often classified as binocular vision problems, the most common of which is convergence insufficiency.  Binocular vision problems are effectively treated with vision therapy.  To read research studies on convergence insufficiency and binocular binocular vision, click here.

A famous case of a developmental optometrist using vision therapy to treat 3D vision problems was the subject of the book Fixing My Gaze as well as the New Yorker piece by Oliver Sacks titled "Stereo Sue".

Study proves that half the eyewear sold online is junk. Why read the study when you can enjoy this cool infographic?

It is becomming more well known that a recent research study from Pacific University has proven  that half the eyeglasses sold online are junk.  This blog wrote about the study just yesterday. 

Today, the BC Doctors of Optometry have come out with this infographic on the topic.  The information is in line with what we actually see in our Vancouver optometry clinic with patients comming in with headches, blurry vision and glasses that just don't work, fit or suit the patient's needs. 

Studies show that half the glasses sold online are junk. What kind of problems might I experience?

A research study from Pacific University has proven what most eye doctors have already been told by their patients, that half the eyeglasses sold online are junk and can cause lots of problems. 

But how might substandard eyeglasses affect you and what problems might you experience if you were the unfortunate owner of a pair of substandard eyeglasses? 

Dr. M.K. Randhawa, of Vision Source Vancouver optometrists, talks about this problem in this video:



Here is a link to the study from Pacific University:   http://optometrists.bc.ca/upload/documents/Speak_Out/Safety_and_compliance_of_prescription_spectacles_ordered_by_the_public_via_the_Internet.pdf

Incidentally, studies have also found that half of ready-made reading glasses are junk. 

April is women's eye health and safety month

Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has designated April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month.


Why have a special month just to highlight women's eye health and safety issues?  Because women are more susceptible than men to vision problems and diseases because they live longer, making age-related vision diseases a concern.  Women also have more hormonal factors that can impact vision and eye health. 


More women than men receive diagnoses of eye diseases or conditions such as cataracts, dry eye, Fuchs’ dystrophy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and Sjögren’s syndrome. A study from Prevent Blindness America and the National Eye Institute titled “Vision Problems in the U.S.” found that of the more than 3.6 million Americans aged at least 40 years who suffer from visual impairment, including blindness, 2.3 million are women - a stunning 64%.


It is important for both men and women  to take the necessary steps today to keep their eyes healthy in the future as they age.  However, women must be more vigilant because they have a greater risk of vision loss than men, and they face different risks than men.


Here are some tips that Prevent Blindness America (which the optometrists at Vision Source Vancouver completely agree with) has published that will women to keep their eyes healthy:


• Get an eye exam. An annual eye exam is an easy routine and can make a big difference in your eye and overall health.


• Know your family history. Genetics plays a key role in eye disease. Recommend that your patients research their families’ health histories and notify you of any eye diseases that run in their families.

• Eat healthy. A diet rich in beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids also can help guard against vision loss from eye disease.

• Take supplements. Antioxidants have been shown to reduce the progression of some eye illnesses, including age-related macular degeneration. Vitamin A, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin C, and zinc are good sources to help maintain eye health.

• Quit smoking. Smoking, even second-hand smoke, increases the risk of eye disease.

• Wear ultraviolet (UV) ray eye protection. When venturing outdoors, PBA recommends wearing brimmed hats in conjunction with UV-rated sunglasses.  This is where eyeglass wearers have an edge of those who get LASIK or those who have perfect vision.  Almost all lenses on the market in North America have 100% UV protection.  That means that an eyeglasses wearer is protected all the time, even if they are not wearing sunglasses.

We have done a number of posts on women's eye health issues lately.  You can check them out at the following links:

• In women, future dementia shows up in the eyes first - maybe early enough to do something about it
• Women, already the worst sufferers of dry eye, make it worse with makeup
• The basic facts about dry eye syndrome

Is your child at risk for a vision disorder? Take this interactive quiz to find out.

Organizations devoted to eye care estimate that one in five children has a vision disorder.  This can be something relatively simple like nearsightedness or farsightedness that can be corrected with eyeglasses.  However, more complicated disorders are also a possibility such as strabismus, amblyopia, convergence insufficiency, binocular vision problems, lack of depth perception and the list goes on.  To help you assess your child's risk, take the quiz at the bottom of this post.

It is critical that parents take their child's eye health and vision seriously.  I remember one kindergarten student who came in for her first eye exam.  Her vision was bad enough that she had never seen her mother's face before!  For her, the world was a collection of blurry blobs and because she had always seen that way, she assumed that it was normal.  The only way to really know if your child has a vision problem is to take the child to see an optometrist.

Click here to download the BC Doctors of Optometry brochure on childrens' eye health.  It is also available in a number of other languages.  Click the language of your choice:

English
French
Chinese
Punjabi
Spanish
Filipino
Vietnamese

For more information on vision and eye care for children, click here.

Here is the quiz:

http://www.optometrists.bc.ca/code/navigate.aspx?Id=86

Can astigmatism ever be beneficial?

A member of the public posted an interesting question on the Ask a Doctor of Optometry Facebook page. The question was whether astigmatism is ever beneficial.  My colleague Paul Neumann gave an excellent answer which explains when a vision problem like astigmatism may work to your benefit.  Here is what he said:

"Astigmatism means your eye has two focal points instead of one. This can have some perks in certain circumstances. The one big caveat is how much astigmatism are we talking about? More than 1.00 unit the benefits are very limited. There are two main patient groups that can use small amouts of astigmatism to their advantage. The far-sighted or hyperopic patient, and early presbyopes (early forties age group). For both of these folks the depth of focus is extended by astigmatism, reducing the need for glasses. Your age and pupil size will also play a role. It is the most common refractive error, but you are right, for some folks a little astigmatism is not a bad thing. I like your 'glass half full' attitude."