Your vision during nighttime driving

As we age, our eyes naturally start to change. You may find it harder to read at a distance, have trouble seeing in low-light situations, or notice that your vision becomes blurred – all of which can dramatically affect your nighttime driving skills. To help keep you safe on the road, the American Optometric Association recommends driving only on familiar, well-lit streets.

Because darkness can make it harder to distinguish objects and determine distances, older drivers should be extra careful when approaching intersections. It is also important to remove any distractions while driving at night, including the radio and cell phones. According to the American Optometric Association, keeping the windshield clean – don’t forget the inside! – can also help your vision. In any situation, it is always better to stay home or call a friend if you have doubts about driving in the dark.

Minimizing your driving from dusk to dawn can reduce the chance of getting in an accident or another unexpected incident. Talk to an eye doctor on your True Dental Discounts - vision plan about any concerns you may have about your vision as it relates to driving. The American Optometric Association recommends adults over age 61 schedule a comprehensive eye exam each year, so don’t wait.

Hidden dangers to a child’s vision

It’s a well-known fact that sports can present a hazard for children’s vision, but did you know that one in particular is responsible for the most injuries? According to the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, baseball is the No. 1 cause of sports-related injuries in children ages 5 to 14. The unpredictable nature of sports makes it easy for accidents to occur, which is why experts recommend that kids always use protective eyewear. But the playing field is not the only place parents should be alert for dangerous objects. Some vision hazards – including scissors, forks and pencils – are found right at home.

The foundation suggests that parents look out for such common items as paper clips, rubber bands, fish hooks, clothes hangers, and other items with sharp or pointed edges. In particular, children should be closely supervised when in the presence of darts, BB guns, and other missile-firing toys. All of these objects have the potential to permanently damage a child’s vision should circumstances go awry. Finally, the foundation recommends keeping children away from all types of sprays and cleaners, as the chemicals can be highly dangerous.

Vigilance is a parent’s best tool, so keep your eyes out for any potential dangers – obvious or hidden. An eye doctor on your True Dental Discounts - vision plan can help you pinpoint specific hazards in your personal life and advise you on the best ways to keep your child safe and healthy.

Are you a good candidate for contacts

The popularity of contact lenses has skyrocketed over the last decade. It is not unusual to be unaware that someone you work with – or even one of your friends – has corrective lenses. But contacts are not for everyone. Many factors go into the decision to wear contacts, so be sure to talk to an eye doctor on your True Dental Discounts, vision plan about your individual situation. In general, the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests that people who have the following issues may not be a good candidate for contact lenses:

• Severe allergies
• Frequent eye infections 
• A dusty work environment 
• Dry eyes that are resistant to treatment 
• An inability to handle or properly care for the lenses If you do get contacts, it is important to learn the proper method of cleaning and disinfecting the lenses.

Dirty contacts can increase your chance of getting an eye infection, so make sure to thoroughly clean both the lenses and their cases. Also, anytime a lens is removed from the eye, it should be cleaned again before being reinserted. If your eyes become irritated while wearing contacts, talk to your eye doctor and find a way to alter your routine. The fix could be something as simple as changing your wetting drops or, in some cases, it might be best to stick to wearing glasses. Your doctor will let you know which option is healthier for your eyes.

Should you replace your contacts?

You know the feeling: Your eyes begin to itch and feel dry. You notice redness and irritation. All of these signs point toward the fact that it’s probably time to replace your contact lenses. Despite popular belief, it’s not a good idea to stretch the time in between replacing your lenses. If an optometrist tells you to put in new lenses every month, you shouldn’t keep them in for six weeks. Same goes for keeping daily wear lenses in for a week or more. For one thing, contacts can acquire a buildup of bacteria or minerals that may scratch your eye and lead to infection.

The eyes are extremely delicate and must be taken care of with extreme caution; small changes in habit or environment can cause irritation or more permanent damage. So, while it may be tempting to put off replacing your lenses to save a few dollars, it’s not worth the risk to your eyes. Plus, with True Dental Discounts, the money you save with your membership card makes up for any benefits of stretching your lens-wearing time. What could be better than that?