Vision Health Month

PAG E 4 VISION HEALTH M O N T H PAG E 4 In many instances, perception is not reality.Take, for instance, the notion that once you hit the magical age of 40 to 50, there's a good chance you'll need reading glasses. T hat's not necessarily so, says Doctor of Optometry Irene Mestito-Dao of Henderson Vision Centre. "These days, I'll often recommend that people who are 20, even 15 years old, get reading glasses. The need to get them is not strictly an 'older people' thing anymore." She adds the reason for the increasing need for up-close vision assistance at a younger age can be summed up in two words: electronic devices. "Teens and people in their early twenties simply spend way too much time on their electronic devices (smartphones, tablets, computers). They're using their eyes too much on close work on their devices, as are people in their thirties, forties and above." Due to that overuse, the need for reading glasses is accelerated, says Mestito-Dao. "The condition we're talking about — it's called presbyopia — involves the lens of the eye aging, and losing its elasticity. The result is that your eye doesn't focus as well as it used to. When that happens, your focusing ability for near vision deteriorates." Because the amount of eye strain is often affected by how much a person focuses on near tasks every day — most of us spend hours each day squinting at our various devices — the result has been that increasing numbers of people find themselves needing reading glasses significantly earlier than their moms and dads. "Symptoms of presbyopia include headaches, burning or watery eyes, sensitivity to light, a feeling that you need better light to see print, and that print seems smaller," she says. "To compensate, people will increase the print size on their device, or perhaps even avoid reading. Many people don't automatically view these symptoms as a reading problem." The reality is that these symptoms truly do indicate a vision problem. "These symptoms are occurring because of eye strain," says Dr. Mestito-Dao matter-of-factly. "It's not just blurred vision. Your eyes are tired from spending too much time on devices reading. Some people will say all you need to do is rest your eyes, but these days, we don't get as much rest as we should. That's just the (sad) reality in today's high-paced computer age." While such obvious symptoms should prompt a visit to your Doctor of Optometry, many people simply opt for the easiest solution — in this case purchasing a pair of store- bought readers. "A high percentage of people purchase reading glasses at the store because they don't want to come in for an eye exam," she says. "That is a mistake, because an eye exam can rule out other vision problems that have the same symptoms." Even if the vision problem does turn out to be presbyopia, store-bought readers aren't necessarily the best choice. "That is because the optical quality of mass-produced reading lenses often isn't that good. Another issue is the fact that both lenses are the same power. Many people need different prescriptions for each eye. If the prescription of the lenses in your store-bought reading glasses isn't correct, that can cause even more eye strain," adds Mestito-Dao. If you're spending hours on various electronic devices and are experiencing headaches, blurred vision, burning/watery eyes or a sensitivity to light, there's a clear course of action that must be taken: Book an eye exam as soon as possible. "Such symptoms shouldn't be taken lightly. If you have a Doctor of Optometry, see them right away. If you don't, find one, get in to see them as soon as you can," she says. "The important thing is to get checked out. That way, you can get your vision issue identified, and your optometrist can identify the solution that's best for you." READING GLASSES NO LONGER JUST ABOUT AGE By Todd Lewys Dr. Irene Mestito-Dao says reading glasses are not strictly an 'older people' thing any more. Submitted photo "THESE DAYS, I'LL OFTEN RECOMMEND THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE 20, EVEN 15 YEARS OLD, GET READING GLASSES. THE NEED TO GET THEM IS NOT STRICTLY AN 'OLDER PEOPLE' THING ANYMORE."

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