Vision - The Gift of Sight

In this season of gift buying, it is easy to take for granted many of the precious gifts we already possess. I am sure it is the result of my profession but personally, I am always grateful for my ability to have my vision corrected to 20/20. When I remove my glasses or contacts for the day, I am quickly reminded of my inability to see my clock or television, etc, without them.

Working with many patients over the last 20 plus years, it is very
difficult to witness a patient who experiences permanent, uncorrectable vision loss. The worst cases are those which were preventable. Sometimes a thoughtful gift poses unthought of hazards.

Recently, there was the case of the 15-year-old boy who was given a gift of a B B gun. He literally shot a perfect bull's eye through the center of his eye, straight through his lens and lodging in his retina. Needless to say the vision was not restorable and he will spend the rest of his life relying on one good eye to get him through. This means he will need to avoid activities which may compromise that good eye and will wear protective glasses, even though he does not require a prescription. Think about the gifts you are purchasing, especially for the children on your list and the various hazards they may pose. Emergency Departments are filled post-holidays with children who have suffered injuries from gifts they received.

Equally difficult to witness is the patient who presents for their long, overdue eye exam only to discover they have advanced stages of glaucoma. They claim that they have no symptoms and state that they are seeing great! Glaucoma is the leading cause of "preventable-blindness" in the United States. All that is required to prevent glaucoma is an annual eye examination routine be established and maintained.  Sadly, by the time a patient is aware of glaucoma symptoms, the damage done is irreversible. On the other hand, glaucoma caught early and treated easily need never result in vision loss! Consider having your precious eyes examined annually as a gift to yourself or as a New Year's resolution.

Children need you to schedule their annual appointments for them. Most children do not complain of vision symptoms; rather they assume they are seeing the way everyone else sees. School screenings and pediatric screenings do not test your child's ability to see at near range, which is where 80 percent of learning occurs. It is necessary that all school-aged children receive annual eye examinations. Keep in mind that vision changes typically accompany growth spurts--so if your child has suddenly "shot-up" and is squinting or complaining of strain or headaches, don't wait for their yearly visit. Most insurance companies will cover when there is a change even when it is sooner than one year. Prior to entering kindergarten is another critical exam time for your pre-school child. The doctor can provide you with detailed information about your child's vision system readiness and even recommend specific tasks to strengthen them.

As you are considering the perfect gifts to give to friends and family members this year, remember the gifts already possessed that
need care and protection to be maintained. 

Susan Halstead, ABOC, FNAO is a Nationally Licensed and New
York State Licensed Optician at Family Vision Care Center at
205 Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Susan can be reached for comments or questions by calling (518) 584-6111 or through the practice web sight at www.saratogasight.com.