By Dr. Gary Goberville
It is important that your eyes stay healthy in this stage of development. Good vision, and keeping it for many years to come, is vital.
How Many Teenagers Need Vision Correction? According to an eye doctor, one in every four teens needs vision correction. If you’re one of them, you may have been wearing eyeglasses for a while. The real question is determining the right time to make the switch to contact lenses. Your parents and you can talk with your eye care professional about the contact lenses that are right for you – and, most important, the commitment involved.
What Vision Changes Do Teenagers Experience? Your vision may change frequently during the school years. The most common problems are due to the development and progression of Nearsightedness (myopia). In addition, the existence of eye focusing and/or eye coordination problems can affect school performance in the classroom or during after-school sports and activities. The best way to protect your vision is with regular eye examinations with your Optometrist. You may be at special risk for eye problems if there is a family history of eye disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or poor vision. If you notice a change in your vision between examinations or your eye is injured in any way, ask your parents to contact your eye doctor. The best way to keep your eyes healthy is to get plenty of rest, eat foods rich in antioxidants, take special care when applying make-up and hair spray, and – most of all – wash your hands often to help keep your eyes free of germs and bacteria that cause eye infections.
What About Sports? It shouldn’t come as a surprise that teens are in the highest risk category for serious eye injuries, especially when playing racquet sports like tennis or racquetball. Always wear sports goggles or shields for proper eye protection. Many goggles can actually improve your sports vision whether you need vision correction or not. New technology lenses give you the edge you need by reducing glare, enhancing contrast, and substantially reducing exposure to UVA and UVB rays.
Dr. Gary Goberville, Optometric Physician
Eye Site Vision Center, 2344 N. University Dr. Coral?Springs
954-344-3937 • www.eyesitevision.com