Dr Charles A Richards, OD

Having trouble reading the menus in lowly lit restaurants? It may be time for reading glasses. These lenses simply magnify the type you are reading and only need to be worn while you are trying to see fine details.

Although more men suffer from color blindness than women, it is believed that more women are carriers of this genetic trait than men. Roughly 0.5 percent of women suffer from any form of color blindness.

Nearsightedness is at least partly genetic. It isn't a disease, however some research suggests that people who do a lot of work requiring that they focus closely may be more likely to develop nearsightedness over time.

Astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness are the most common non-threatening vision issues. Data collected by the National Institutes of Health indicate more than 11 million Americans are affected by one or a combination of these conditions.

Be careful when putting on makeup and hairspray. Also, makeup expires and should not be kept for more than three months after you open it. Also, do not share makeup with anyone. Following these tips will help you to avoid eye infections.

If you have to touch your eye, do so with clean hands. Even a trace amount of debris or germs can cause an eye infection or eye damage.

Intraocular pressure (IOP), or the condition commonly called "glaucoma," is the leading preventable cause of blindness among Americans. Roughly 3 million Americans are believed to have glaucoma, but approximately 1.5 million have the condition but remain undiagnosed and untreated.

Studies show that 86 percent of children have not had an eye exam by the age of 12. Also, 18 million kids have not had an eye exam before starting school. Some vision problems can actually be corrected by early intervention, so it is important to have your child’s eyes checked.

What should you expect at your regular eye examination? The optometrist will look at your retinas with a special light to ensure they are healthy; monitor how your pupils react to changes in light; and test your vision, among other things.

An optometrist is the primary care doctor for the eyes. An optometrist is a Doctor of Optometry (OD), and is a state licensed professional. In the United States there are sixteen schools and Colleges of Optometry and the coursework is generally a formal four year program.

How does a cataract impair eyesight? The eye lens is a transparent part of the eye that helps to focus light on the retina, which is then transmitted in the form of nerve signals to the brain. If the lens is obscured, the image produced is blurry as well.

The human eye is one of the most complex parts of the body after the brain. It is composed of more than 2 million working parts and has about 12 million light sensitive cells.

Did you know that frequent headaches can be a sign of a vision problem? Since changes in vision occur so gradually, people often don’t notice the changes outright. However, chronic headaches are a sign that it’s time to see the eye doctor.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) occurs when tissues lining the eyelid and covering the white portion of the eye become inflamed or infected. The most common causes are bacterial or viral infections or allergic reactions to compounds like chlorine, cosmetics, pollen or other irritants.

Use of electronic (digital) visual media can cause eye strain. This happens when the eye has to refocus constantly. Although research into electronic media based eye strain is ongoing, it is widely believed to be the most common problem associated with the use of computers, games and other digital entertainment media.

Eyes are really an amazing part of the human body. While it takes some time for most parts of your body to warm up to their full potential, your eyes are on their A-game 24/7. Eyes also heal very quickly.

For people with good regular vision, it’s natural to wonder whether that annual eye exam is really necessary. Remember, even people with 20/20 vision can still develop glaucoma, cataracts and a host of other ailments.

Contacts that are put in backward will immediately feel painful. Most should have a letter or number engraved on them to indicate direction.

If get a hard blow to your eye, lightly place a cold pack over the eye. If you don’t have a cold pack, you can crush up some ice, and seal it in a plastic bag. If you have continued pain, notice a change in vision, or develop discoloration around the eye, you could have damaged the eye, you may want to seek medical attention.

Nystagmus is a visual condition where the eyes make repeated patterns of uncontrolled movement, which can greatly affect overall eye sight. These repeated eye movements can be either side-to-side or up-and-down, or even be circular, resulting in the eyes being unable to hold a steady view of objects before them.

Plastic or glass? Ask your optometrist which lens material is better for you. In most cases, plastic is preferred: It’s lighterweight, impact-resistant, and more durable than glass. Plastic lenses can also be much thinner than their glass counterparts, which may look better on the wearer.

When wearing contact lenses, wash your hands with soap and water and dry them well before touching the contact lens. Do not sleep with your lenses in unless your doctor says it is okay, and do not swim or shower with your contacts in.

There are seven facial shapes that optometrists use to determine complementary frames, and one of them is called "heart-shaped." In fact, the heart-shaped face does very well with wide soft frames as they best contour cheeks and chin.

To diagnose conjunctivitis, the optometrist conducts a comprehensive eye exam. The doctor performs tests that measure vision acuity and examines the external tissues and internal structures of the eyes under bright light and magnification.

In the US, approximately 10 percent of all preventable blindness can be traced to glaucoma. While there is currently no cure, existing treatments are extremely effective at preserving vision and halting progression of the disease.

A routine eye exam is not just about checking to see if you need glasses or not. It can also pick up on eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts, as well as other general health problems including diabetes.

Are you a meat and potatoes person when it comes to your diet? Remember, eating a balanced diet that included fish, fruits and dark, leafy green vegetables can decrease your risk for a variety of eye diseases.

Looking at a computer screen for long periods can cause stress to your eyes. Make sure your computer screen is a little below eye level and 20 to 24 inches from your eyes. If you find your eyes are getting dry, use eye drops to lubricate your eyes.

Your eyes are very important, so when you are searching for a doctor, make sure you know how to find the right doctor. Check to see if the doctor is experienced, what equipment he or she uses, and if he or she is informative.