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Recent Census Bureau data shows a population of approximately 76 million baby boomers (the generation born from 1946-1964). What does that have to do with low vision you may ask? Approximately 40 million people worldwide have some sort of blindness, and aging increases the incidence of macular degeneration and other vision impairment that qualifies them into a “low vision” status.
Low vision is a condition of the eye in which the vision falls below 20/70 in the better seeing eye. It impairs the recipient, rendering them unable to perform daily tasks that others take for granted. With this rising aging population, the awareness of low vision therapy, diagnosis, and treatments are more widely available.
Low vision treatment can help people recover from decreased visual function due to retinal disease, brain injury, neurological damage and other causes.
It is not only the elderly population that is affected, approximately 20% of low vision patients are children, under the age of 18. Childhood genetic disorders of the eye such as Retinitis Pigmentosa, Albinism, Bests Disease, ROP, Rod/Cone disorders, and Glaucoma are among the few causes of low vision in the pediatric population.
What can be done to help these millions?
There are eye care practitioners that specialize in low vision, as well as therapists. They train the patient to adjust their current lifestyles to make them more independent and utilize the current salvageable vision they do have. For example, if a person has lost their central vision due to macular degeneration, they can be trained to use their peripheral vision to accommodate for many tasks.
Because patients with low vision cannot be corrected with regular eye glasses, the use of telescopes, magnifiers, computer generated aids, training, biofeedback, and optical magnification devices are among some of the resources available to help. Occupational therapists also employ orientation and mobility assistance to help patients in their daily living skills.
Breakthrough technologies in the area of ophthalmic research are constructing devices to restore lost vision. One such technology is a bionic eye device that uses a pair of glasses with a camera on the front, that transmits video data to an implant in the back of that patients eye (the retina). This device uses technology similar to cochlear implants that stimulate auditory nerve signals to restore hearing. In the same way, visual impulses can be restored by stimulating neurons in the retina, brain, or optic nerve.
Maybe the Bionic Man TV series wasn’t too far out there and can someday be a reality............restoring vision to millions.
For more valuable information on low vision visit:
American Optometric Association AOA
American Occupational Therapy Association AOTA
American Academy of Ophthalmology AAO
The content of this blog cannot be reproduced or duplicated without the express written consent of EYEiQ
Glasses can make quite the dramatic difference to your overall appearance. If you're going to wear glasses every day, there's no way you can match them to each outfit like you could your shoes or jewelry. Instead, you have to choose a pair that suits you.
Here, we discuss the four factors you should consider when choosing your new glasses frames.
1. Face Shape
The first thing most people consider when deciding on glasses is their face shape. Different frame shapes and styles may look better on different face shapes and sizes.
Usually, you want to find something that contrasts with your face shape. Find your face shape in the list below for suggestions:
- Oval - Choose frames that are wider than the broadest part of the face and that have a strong bridge. Square- and rectangular-shaped frames are a good bet. The most important part is to make sure you find frames that complement the natural balance of this face shape.
- Round - Glasses give round-shaped faces the perfect opportunity to look longer and narrower. To achieve this look, choose frames that are wider than they are tall. Frames with pointed outside corners also work well with round faces to accentuate the eyes and cheeks.
- Square- Oval or round glasses soften the corners and make a square face appear longer. If you go with rectangular frames, choose ones with softer corners.
- Rectangular - Choose frames with a strong brow that have depth. These elements balance the length of your face. Circular frames work well on rectangular faces.
- Heart-Shaped - The trick with heart-shaped faces is finding frames that suit the varying widths. Aviator-style frames balance this unique face shape due to the flaring at the bottom and the low-set tops. Rimless glasses also present a good option.
Try on several options to ensure your happiness with the contrasting shapes.
2. Frame Color
If you decide you want colored frames, consider your hair, eye, and skin tones. Especially if you have a more rare hair and eye color, take this opportunity to accentuate it and make it pop.
Hair Color
For brunette and blonde hair, choose frames with high-contrast colors. Redheads should choose neutrals or a dramatic green. Black hair, however, should go with darker colors, as you risk looking ashy with lighter colors. White or gray hair looks best with deep and bright colors like navy or red.
Eye Color
When considering eye color, choose a frame color that reflects your eye color. For example, blue eyes will pick up color from blue frames and make them pop.
Skin Tone
As for skin tone, there are two possibilities (no matter your ethnicity). You either have a warm skin tone (yellow, bronze, or golden) or a cool skin tone (pink or blue). For warm skin tones, choose frames with earthy tones. Cool skin tones look best with deep and dark colors like blue, black, or purple.
3. Lifestyle
Of course, your lifestyle also may have some say in what style of frames you choose. If you live a very active lifestyle where your glasses may be in danger of breaking, choose an option with more flexibility and damage resistance.
There are even a few types of glasses intended specifically for wearers who spend long periods of time in front a screen, whether due to work or gaming.
4. Personality and Preference
The number one most important thing to consider when choosing new frames is your own personality and preference.
If you like loud and unique, choose brightly colored cat-eye frames. If you're professional and studious, go with frames that look sensible, geometric, and traditional. As long as you wear them with confidence, you can pull off any style of glasses you choose.
Stop by your local glasses shop today to try on various styles and colors of frames.
