Winter 1998/99

This Issue:

Safe Toys for Kids

The holiday season can be hectic for all of us, but it's important to take your time when shopping for children. The toys you buy shouldn't be a danger to the child or any other family members. Of course, our practice is especially concerned that our patients be aware of toys that might cause eye injuries.

Toys that shoot something - even soft foam balls - can be dangerous to eyes. At close range, these types of toys can fire at speeds of more than 40 miles per hour. An impact to the eye at this speed can result in a cataract or other injury.

Flying toys - even innocent looking ones - can be hazards. Flying toys with pull strings may go in any direction, once they're launched. Toys that are whirled around like a  lasso can reach speeds that surpass 65 miles per hour, but unlike a baseball, they're thrown haphazardly rather than with direction. Most flying toys pose a danger to a child's eyes. If you must buy them, use them in open areas and only with adult supervision.

Some makeup kits for children contain eye makeup, like mascara or lid powder. Since many corneal injuries in adults occur during mascara application, it's wise to avoid giving such items to children.

The package may say it's safe for a five-year-old, but if your instinct says it might not be, don't buy it. Consider the age ranges of all the children in your home. If you're confident that your 12-year-old can use the toy safely, but not sure you can keep it out of the reach of her toddler sister, you might want to wait a few years.

Q&A Cataracts

What is a cataract?

The purpose of the lens of your eye is to focus light to the retina in the back of your eye. A cataract causes clouding of that lens and interferes with the light being transmitted to the retina. The result of this clouding is blurred or double vision.

What causes cataracts?

One of the main causes of cataracts is simply the natural aging of the eye, but injuries, diabetes, some medications, heredity, and radiation exposure may also result in cataracts.

How are cataracts treated?

Cataracts can be treated in an outpatient surgical procedure called phacoemulsification, which dissolves the cataract and removes it through a small incision. Left in place after removal is a membrane called the capsular bag. A customized intraocular lens is inserted into this bag. The incision then heals often without need for sutures.

What happens after surgery?

Most patients find their lives return to normal shortly after surgery - usually within two days. Some activities, like strenuous sports, may have to wait a few weeks, but activities like reading and watching television can begin almost immediately after surgery.

Dr. Kurtin performs tests to diagnose cataracts and can recommend an eye surgeon if necessary.

A Student Study Spot

Creating a good place for your student to study can result in less eyestrain, more efficient studying, and maybe even better grades. The following steps can help you create just such an area for your student.

1. Locate a study spot away from distractions such as television or noisy family activities.
2. The area should be well-lit. Use two or more lamps to create a "bright spot" that's conducive to reading and writing.
3. Allow visual breaks by placing the study spot in an area where the student can look out a window or across the room and rest his or her eyes from close reading.
4. The desk or table could be on a slant to make reading easier. It should also be large enough for the student to spread out books and papers comfortably.
5. The chair should provide adequate support and encourage good posture to avoid neck and shoulder pain.

Once a study spot is established, set a specific time to complete homework and study for tests. Don't forget to build in some breaks to stretch and rest eyes. 

Show Us Your Eye-D

The future is here. New security technology for everything from prisons to automatic teller machines, either is, or may soon be, using your eyes to check your ID.

The new systems are based on the fact that your iris - the colored part of your eye - is completely unique to you - even identical twins have distinctly different irises. The systems measure certain features of the iris including color, freckles, hills, and valleys. Neither glasses nor contacts interfere with the process.

It is hoped that systems like these will be able to significantly reduce theft and fraud for those considering conducting business in the Internet or automatic teller machines for high-volume transactions.

The Kiwi: Small in Size, Big on Nutrition

They're the fuzzy friends of the nutritionally wise. Kiwi fruit, say researches at Rutgers University in New Jersey, have twice as much vitamin C as oranges, plus potassium, magnesium, and a variety of healthful phytochemicals. Following kiwi fruit as the most nutritionally dense foods are papayas, mangos, and oranges.

Contact Lens Wearers --
Disinfect Your Case, Too!

As the number of contact lens wearers increases, so does the number of cases of ulcerative keratitis. Ulcerative keratitis is an infection which causes corneal ulcers and can lead to serious consequences if not treated early.

To prevent such infections, we recommend that you follow the specific care instructions that were given to you with your lenses. In particular, we caution you to disinfect not only our lenses, but your lens storage case as well. Some studies have shown that infected cases may account for a significant percentage of this type of infection. Other recommendations include:

If you have questions about contact lens care, don't hesitate to ask us. Meticulous contact lens care is essential to avoid infections and the damage that can result.

Do Some Train-Spotting Before Crossing.

Railroad Crossing that have no gates or lights are marked by signs or pavement markings. When approaching this type of crossing, either in the city or in a rural area, never assume a train is not coming.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) advises drivers to approach such crossings with extra caution, because they might have to stop more than once to get full view of the track in both directions. the view is often obscured by trees and brush. The first stop should be 15 feet from the track.

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