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While some exposure to sunlight can be enjoyable, too much is dangerous, causing immediate effects like blistering sunburns, as well as longer-term problems like eye damage.
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American Academy of Ophthalmology's 4th Eye Injury Snapshot – May 13 - 20, 2007
Note: The AAO launches this program every May, so be on the lookout for next year’s announcement. |
All practicing U.S. ophthalmologists, ophthalmology residents and emergency room physicians are being called on to help build public awareness of eye injuries by reporting any eye traumas they treat from May 13 to 20.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology, in partnership with the American Society for Ocular Trauma, is gearing up for a public campaign to help build awareness of the importance of eye safety.
Reporting is easy. Visit the Academy’s Web site and submit the data form directly online.
OR:
Download the data reporting form (www.aao.org/snapshot), complete it and fax it to 866.864.7090.
The HIPPA-compliant form is for health information and does not include any patient identifiers or treatment dates. Please do not add any additional information unless indicated.
All forms must be submitted by May 31.
An accurate picture of the incidence of eye injuries depends on YOU! If you have any questions or need assistance, contact Georgia Alward at 415.447.0258 or galward@aao.org.
CDC Updates Fusarium Keratitis Data and Lists Additional Products Used by Patients – May 2, 2006
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided an update on Fusarium Keratitis and the contact lens solutions used in some of those cases:
• 86 cases of Fusarium Keratitis are confirmed, nine cases are listed as "possible," and 96 remain under investigation.
• Complete data are available on only 58 cases, due to a lag in reporting. Of those 58, 56 were listed as a contact lens user.
• The products used by those 56:
- 32 - Bausch & Lomb ReNu with MoistureLoc
- 15 - Bausch & Lomb ReNu MultiPlus
- 7 - Bausch & Lomb ReNu (unspecified)
- 3 - any Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) product
- 3 - any Alcon product
Note: The numbers add up to more than 56 because some people may have used more than one product.
The CDC did not issue any other information related to the underlying cause of the fungal infections. Investigations continue by the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In the coming days, patients may read or hear in the media about this new information related to additional products (beyond B&L's ReNu with MoistureLoc) being used by people with confirmed cases of Fusarium Keratitis. What to tell your patients:
• Stop using Bausch & Lomb ReNu with MoistureLoc and switch to another solution (as previously advised by the Academy, Bausch & Lomb and the FDA).
• Other solutions may have been mentioned in connection with these infections, but there is no confirmed link yet.
• Whatever solution you use, be aware of the symptoms of infection, and contact an ophthalmologist immediately if you experience any of these:
- Sudden blurred vision
- Unusual redness
- Pain in your eye
- Excessive tearing or discharge from your eye
- Increased light sensitivity
Provide additional information to patients, including guidelines for the safe handling of contact lenses, by downloading the Academy's Frequently Asked Questions About Fusarium (Fungal) Keratitis.
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Eye MDs are volunteers for the National Eye Care Project
-- the largest public service program in American medical history
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Vision
and Eye Care links
Test
your Eye-Q!
QUESTION:
Can corrective lenses solve a student's reading difficulties?
ANSWER:
Reading problems are often incorrectly blamed on the eyes.
Although reading
may be easier and faster when sight is clear, corrective lenses
will not cure learning disabilities, such as dyslexia. Dyslexia
is a condition that affects the brain's ability to interpret what
the eyes see.
While children
with dyslexia can usually understand material read to them, they
have trouble understanding material they read themselves. If parents
suspect their child has dyslexia, they should contact his or her
teacher or principal who can arrange for the child to be evaluated.
Early diagnosis and prompt educational assistance are critical.
There is no scientific evidence to show that eye exercises, visual
training, or diet can improve reading skills, nor is their any validity
to claims that the use of colored eyeglass
lenses or colored plastic overlays on reading materials can help
dyslexia.
These methods
may not only be ineffective but may delay important educational
training.
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