Protect your Eyes From Computer Strain - Tucker Vision Center

If you work at a computer, there's a good chance you experience computer eye strain. Eye strain and associated symptoms from prolonged computer work such as blurred vision, headaches and muscle strain are called computer vision syndrome, or CVS.

According to AllAboutVision.com, these 10 easy steps can reduce your risk of computer eye strain and CVS:

1. Get an eye exam. Report any computer vision symptoms to your eye doctor. Correcting even minor vision problems can make computer use more comfortable.

2. Use proper lighting. Reduce ambient lighting to a more comfortable level, use blinds on windows and avoid harsh fluorescent lighting if possible.

3. Minimize glare. Consider installing an anti-glare screen on your monitor. If you wear glasses, purchase lenses with anti-reflective (AR) coating.

4. Upgrade your display. Flat-panel LCD screens are much easier on your eyes than old-fashioned CRT monitors. Purchase a display with a large screen size and an anti-reflective surface.

5. Adjust the brightness of your screen so it's roughly the same as your surrounding work station. Also, adjust the contrast setting to a comfortable level.

6. Blink often to reduce your risk of dry eye discomfort. Also, use artificial tears if your eyes feel dry.

7. Relax your focus. Every few minutes, look away from your computer screen and at something at least 20 feet away for a few seconds. This relaxes your eye's focusing muscle, reducing eye fatigue.

8. Take frequent breaks. Stand and stretch frequently to help relieve back, shoulder and neck strain.

9. Optimize your workstation so you are sitting comfortably upright with good posture on a supportive, adjustable chair. Check your posture frequently.

10. Consider computer eyewear.  Schedule an appointment to see if specialized prescription computer glasses will increase your comfort during computer use.

To protect your eyes for computer use, schedule an appointment today.

Tucker Vision Center
 88 Pine Island Road, North Fort Myers, FL 33917 ·
 239.656.1778

Tucker Vision Center Valentines Day Specials

Tucker Vision Center

 www.tuckervisioncenter.com

Would you like to buy something more than Flowers or Chocolates But you're

 not sure what to do or get.....

Come in Today and Let us Help you give a Valentines Day to Remember!

Dr. Tucker is offering the following Specials for the month of

 February

• Coach Frames at 50% off with the purchase of Lenses
• Sunglasses at 30% off with the purchase of Eyeglasses
• Sunglasses at 25% off with the purchase of Contacts
• Patients with no insurance can receive and eye examination for $119.00 instead of $167.00
  
   
   

  Tucker Vision Center

  88 Pine Island Road, Unit 3
  North Fort Myers, FL 33903
  (239) 656-1778

Frequently Asked Questions about AMD Dr. Terry Tucker

An estimated 10 million Americans show evidence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a progressive eye condition that can destroy “straight-ahead” vision, according to Dr. Terry Tucker OD, Therapeutic Optometrist

“February is AMD Awareness Month and we encourage all people, especially those at higher risk for this disease, to familiarize themselves with the potential symptoms and need for regular eye examinations” Dr. Terry Tucker OD said. “To help people better understand this disease, we’ve prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions about AMD. ”

Q: What is AMD?

A: AMD stands for Age-related Macular Degeneration, a disease that breaks down the macula - the light-sensitive portion of the retina that allows you to see fine detail. It blurs the straight-ahead vision required for activities such as reading or driving

Q: What causes AMD?

A: The causes of AMD are still unknown. One form of AMD (Dry) may be caused by aging and thinning of the macular tissues, pigment deposits in the macula, or a combination of the two. The other form of AMD (Wet), results when new blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid. This leakage causes retinal cells to die and creates blind spots in central vision.

Q: Who is at risk for AMD?

A: Risk factors for AMD include:  Smoking, High Blood Pressure, Obesity, and Family History of AMD. Also, Caucasians and females are more prone to AMD.

Q: What are the symptoms of AMD?

A: Early symptoms of AMD included blurred vision or dark spots in the center of vision. The symptoms can appear painlessly and gradually, making early detection and treatment essential.

Q: How can AMD be detected?

A: Early-stage AMD can be detected through a comprehensive eye exam that includes a visual acuity test and dilated eye exam. If AMD is detected, further tests may be required.

Q: Can AMD be cured?

A: There is no cure or AMD at this time. There are, however, certain treatments that can slow or minimize vision loss, and, in some cases, even improve vision.

Q: How is AMD treated?

A: There are several treatment options that your eye doctor may consider, including:

* Vitamins. Research suggests that certain vitamin supplements taken in combination may reduce vision loss in some stages of AMD

* Laser Surgery (Wet AMD)

* Injections (Wet AMD)

“While there is no cure for AMD, early detection and treatment can slow or minimize vision loss, and, in some cases even improve vision.” Dr. Terry Tucker said. “There are also devices that can help people suffering from AMD-related vision loss achieve improvement in their functional vision for performing daily routines.”

Dr. Terry Tucker owns and practices at Tucker Vision Center located at 88 Pine Island Road in North Fort Myers and is a member of Vision Source, the nation’s number one network of private practice optometrists. Founded in 1991, The Vision Source network includes more than 2,300 offices in all 50 states and in Canada.

Vision at age 60 and Beyond - Dr. Terry Tucker OD

Vision changes occur as you age.  These changes do not have to compromise your vision or lifestyle.  Knowing what to expect and seeking routine vision examinations will help insure continued good vision.

As you age and reach your 60’s and beyond,  you need to be more attentive to the warning signs of age-related vision problems that can rob you of your sight.  Many eye diseases or vision problems have not signs or symptoms to give you a warning of present or future vision problems.  They can be painless and you will not know you have a problem until it may be advanced enough that it is difficult to treat and manage.   This is why regular vision examinations are important to detect problems while they are easier to treat.

Systemic health problems can also cause problems with your vision also.  Diabetic condition, hypertension (high blood pressure), and taking some medications that have ocular side effects, are at greatest risk for eye problems.

Regular eye examinations are even more important in these individuals.  The American Optometric Association recommends annual eye examinations for everyone over 60 years old.

At age 60 and beyond, a number of eye diseases may develop that can change your vision permanently.  The earlier these problems are detected and treated, the more likely you can retain good vision.

The following are vision disorders that you should be aware of:

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease affecting the macula, the center of the light sensitive retina at the back of the eye.  This your central vision where your vision is the clearest.  This is a very small area that allows you to see small detail and colors.  Activities like driving, reading, watching TV and recognizing faces all require good central vision provided by the macula.  Macular degeneration causes changes in central vision, but not the periphery.

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition occurring in people with diabetes. Progressive damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina can cause this problem.  The blood vessels leek blood and other fluids that cause the retina tissue to swell and cloud vision. This condition can cause blindness.

Retinal detachment is the tearing of the retina or separation of the retina from the underlying tissue.  Trauma to the head or body can cause this, along with advanced diabetes and other ocular diseases.  This condition can cause permanent loss of vision.

Yearly vision examinations are one of the beat ways to protect your vision.  Get your eyes examined by your Optometrist.

 

Dr. Terry Tucker OD

Tucker Vision Center
Bayshore Medical Plaza
88 Pine Island Rd. #3
North Fort Myers, FL 33903

Phone: 239-656-1778

Age-Related Macular Degeneration From Dr. Terry Tucker D.O.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ADM) is the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over age 50. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 1.8 million people have AMD and another 7.3 million are at substantial risk for vision loss from AMD. Caucasians are at higher risk for developing AMD than other races. Women also develop AMD at an earlier age than men. This eye disease occurs when there are changes to the macula, a small portion of the retina that is located on the inside back layer of the eye. AMD is a loss of central vision that can occur in two forms: “dry” or atrophic and “wet” or exudative.

Most people with macular degeneration have the dry form, for which there is no known treatment. The less common wet form may respond to laser procedures, or drug treatments (injections) if diagnosed and treated early.

Some common symptoms are: a gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly, distorted vision, a gradual loss of color vision, and a dark or empty area appearing in the center of vision. If you experience any of these, contact your doctor of optometry immediately for a comprehensive examination. Central vision that is lost to macular degeneration cannot be restored. However, low vision devices, such as telescopic and microscopic lenses, can be prescribed to maximize existing vision.

Researchers have linked eye-friendly nutrients such as lutein/zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc to reducing the risk of certain eye diseases, including macular degeneration. For more information on the importance of good nutrition and eye health, please see the diet and nutrition section.

Symptoms of AMD
Gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly
Objects appear distorted in shape. Straight lines look wavy or crooked.
Loss of clear color vision
A dark or empty area appears in the center of vision.

	88 Pine Island Road, North Fort Myers, FL 33917 ·
	239-656-1778
	http://TuckerVisionCenter.com

Tucker Vision Center Holiday Wine and Cheese Event

Your Invited to a Holiday Trunk Show

Wine & Cheese Networking event

 atTucker Vision Center

Friday December 9, 2010

From 9:00am – 7:30pm

Wine and Cheese 5:00- 7:30 PM 

All Refreshment’s provided by “Costco” Wine and Cheese will be served from 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm so please RSVP 239-656-1778 so we have enough for everyone!

Represented at this show will be:

Police

Diva

Jaguar

Cazal

Thiery Mugler

                        

There is still more to see and more vendors!  So bring your business cards and promote your business!!

88 Pine Island Road Ste 3, North Fort Myers, FL 33903

Diet’s Effects on Eyes

By Dr. Terry Tucker 

Tucker Vision Center 

We all grew up knowing that carrots are good for our eyes.  Carrots, among other deeply colored vegetables and fruits, are rich in sources of beta carotene, the plant-based building block for vitamin A, which is required to form rhodopsin, the visual pigment that allows people to see in the dark.

Medical science is now learning a lot more about the influence of diet on vision.  Not only carrots and vitamin A, but other potentially important nutrients including  two related carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin; vitamins C and E; and docosahexanoic acid, or DHA, found primarily in fish oil.

The evidence for the effects of these nutrients on visual development and prevention of sight-robbing eye disease is not conclusive, strong hints from recent research may justify dietary improvements.  Even if some of these changes turn out to be only minimally helpful to the eyes, they have other health benefits.

DHA evidence from premature babies suggests a role in visual development.  Infants born eight or more weeks early arrive fat-free, lacking both a reserve and stored energy and the fatty acid DHA, which is essential for normal visual (and brain) development.

DHA normally accounts for more than one-third of fatty acids in the retina of the eye as well as in the brain’s gray matter.  The retina develops rapidly in the final months of pregnancy and in the first six months of infancy.

Fetuses begin to acquire large amounts of DHA only in the last three months of pregnancy.  Unless a premature baby is fed breast milk (which naturally contains DHA) or formula fortified with DHA, the child’s visual acuity is likely to be compromised.  Studies indicate premature babies fed formula fortified with fish oil developed visual acuity similar to that of term infants and preterm infants fed breast. From these studies it appears that fish oil (omega 3) is a vital part of the diet and could help to keep the eye healthy.

Two common sight-robbing disorders, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, have been linked in several studies to dietary deficits of nutrients.  Maintaining an adequate intake of these nutrients may not prevent the eye disorders, but it can’t hurt.

Age-related eye disorders:  Nearly everyone who lives long enough develops cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens that reduces the ability to see clearly.  The main cause is believed to be oxidative damage by so-called free radicals caused by exposure to sunlight.  Thus, antioxidants, which act as scavengers for free radicals, are believed to be protective.

One antioxidant nutrient, vitamin E, occurs naturally in the lens, and in animal studies, supplements of vitamin E have slowed the rate at which cataracts form.  In several studies in people, higher rates of cataracts occurred among those whose intake of vitamin E was low.

Vitamin C, another antioxidant found in the lens, has also prevented cataracts in animals.

The strongest evidence for eye benefits from dietary ingredients involves the carotenoids lutein an zeaxanthin, found in large amounts in the lens and retina.  Lutein may help prevent cataracts through its ability to absorb damaging ultraviolet light, blocking oxidative damage. 

Perhaps even more important, these carotenoids may prevent and even partly reverse otherwise untreatable damage to the macula, the area in the center of the retina that allows people to see whatever is in the center of their visual fields.  

Lutein and zeaxanthin are most prominent in dark green leafy vegetables.  Some experts recommend eating at least half a cup of one of those nutrients.

Tucker Vision Center - Dry Eye Syndrome

Terry L. Tucker, O.D.

www.tuckervisioncenter.com  

Dry eye is a condition in which there are insufficient tears to lubricate and nourish the eye.   Tears are necessary for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and for providing clear vision.  People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or have poor quality of tears.  Dry eye is a common and often chronic problem, particularly in older adults.

With each blink of the eyelids, tears are spread across the front surface of the eye, known as the cornea.  Tears provide lubrication, reduce the risk of eye infections, wash away foreign matter in the eye, and keep the surface of the eyes smooth, and clear.  Excess tears in the eyes flow into small drainage ducts, in the inner corners of the eyelids, which drain in the back of the nose.

Dry eyes can result from an improper balance of tear production and drainage.  

People with dry eyes may experience symptoms of irritated, gritty, scratchy, or burning eyes, a feeling of something in their eyes, excess watering, and blurred vision.  Advanced dry eyes may damage the front surface of the eye and impair vision.

Treatments for dry eyes aim to restore or maintain the normal amount of tears in the eyes to minimize dryness and related discomfort and to maintain eye health.

The development of dry eyes can have many causes.  They include:  Age, gender, medications, medical conditions, environmental conditions, and many other facts (long term use of contact lenses and refractive eye surgeries}.

Dry eyes can be chronic condition, but your optometrist can prescribe treatment to keep your eyes healthy, more comfortable, and prevent your vision from being affected.  The primary approaches use to manage and treat dry eyes include adding tears, conserving tears, increasing tear production, and treating the inflammation of the eyelids or eye surface that contributes to the dry eyes.

Adding tears in mild cases of dry eyes can often be managed using over-the-counter artificial tear solutions.  Preservative-free artificial tear solutions are recommended because they cause fewer irritations.

Conserving tears is an additional approach to reducing the symptoms of dry eyes by keeping the natural tears in the eyes longer.  This can be done by blocking the tear ducts through which the tears normally drain.

Increasing tear production by using prescription eyes drops that help to increase production of tears can be recommended by you optometrist, as well as omega -3 fatty acid nutritional supplements.

Treatment of the contributing eyelid or ocular surface inflammation by prescription eye drops or ointments, warm compresses and lid massage, or eyelid cleaners may be recommended to help decrease inflammation around the surface of the eyes.

Visit your optometrist.  Your dry eyes can be treated.