You At Your Best

filters that remove specific wavelengths of light. This helps those with color deficiencies perceive certain colors more clearly. In my research, I've found that they work better for those with more severe color blindness. Leave-in contact lenses Dr. Betts: There a many varieties of extended wear contact lenses available on the market. Some are approved to be replaced after a couple of weeks and some up to a month. We always recommend patients remove their lenses before sleeping to give their eyes a rest. This leads to less contact lens intolerance many years down the road. The decision for which type of contact may be best influenced by the dryness of your eyes, ability to care for the contact lenses and lifestyle. The longer a lens is in your eye, the greater the risk for adverse issues. Are they safe? Dr. Betts: Generally speaking, yes, as long as patients follow their doctor's instructions on caring for the contact lenses. Compliance is an issue with some patients and can be problematic. I have found in my practice that when the burden of caring for contact lenses becomes great enough and/or when patients are no longer able to wear them due to lack of comfort, many turn to LASIK as a great alternative for vision correction. Blue light blocking glasses What are they supposed to do? Do they work? Dr. Spikes: Many campaigns claim that blue light blocking glasses can prevent retinal damage and eye strain from devices such as smart phones. To date, there are no consistent studies to support these claims. Our biggest source of blue light is the sun, so I would rather everyone focus on wearing sunglasses every day. However, I do talk to my patients about how blue light can interrupt their circadian rhythm and make it more difficult to fall asleep at night. Reading glasses Please explain presbyopia and how loss of near vision happens with age. How can reading glasses (readers) help? Dr. Betts: As we age, our eye's ability to focus decreases because the eye's natural lens becomes less flexible. Some patients start to notice difficulty reading small print at around age 40, but the aging process varies from patient to patient. Holding menus, books or a phone further away to see more clearly is one sign presbyopia has begun. Reading glasses help with the near vision to allow reading of small text close up. At some point the natural lens loses all of its flexibility and becomes hardened and discolored, which is what a cataract is. Prescription glasses can help restore better reading and distance vision for a time, but often having the cataract removed is the ultimate fix for the problem. This can lead to little to no dependence on glasses after surgery. Are drugstore ones just as good as those from the eye doctor? Dr. Betts: Some people are able to get adequate near vision with over- the-counter readers for a time but most ultimately benefit from bifocals or prescription reading glasses, which tend to have better optical quality. Regular eye exams Both doctors emphasize the importance of eye exams. As Dr. Betts explains, "Annual eye exams are an important piece of the overall health and wellness puzzle. Full eyeexams (not just screenings) not only ensure you are seeing clearly, but also that no underlying symptoms are present that could cause more serious eye problems. Eye exams help ensure kids are set up for success in school and that any concerns are addressed quickly and before they cause further damage to the eyes. Some eye conditions, such as glaucoma, can be asymptomatic and only be detected by an eyecare professional." "you only have one set of eyes for your entire life, so taking good care of your vision is very important." - Dr. Chad betts SATURdAY, AUgUST 31, 2019 | SEpTEmBER - ViSiOn HEAlTH nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST | YOU AT YOUR BEST | 7 there is hope InfertIlIty • fertIlIty treatment IVf • Donor Program Call 918-359-2229 (BABY) for an appointment today! 115 E 15th St Tulsa, OK www.TulsaFertilityCenter.com

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