Page 17 - Florida Sentinel 9-1-17

Health
Don’t sleep in your
Don’t skip eye screening
People often say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. So, it makes total sense that you’d want to keep your peepers in working shape – after all, you only get one set.
Because sight is frequently something many take for granted, Benjamin Ticho, MD of The Eye Specialists Cen- ter in Chicago Ridge, IL to break down things to NEVER do to your eyes.
Don’t share eye drops or eye makeup.
Sharing makeup is a big no- no. Be aware that mascara be- comes contaminated quite easily. Doing so could result in contracting “herpes, pink eye and other infections,” all of which are easily transmissible.
This rule also
applies to “ex-
tended wear
contact lenses
(which are sold
as overnight
lenses),” says
Dr. Ticho. Ac-
cording to this
expert, overnight lenses “increase the risk of corneal infection. Corneal ulcers, described as inflammation of the outermost layer of the eye, can result in pain, excessive tearing, sen- sation of a foreign body in the eye, and wors- ening or blurry vision.
Don’t rub your eyes.
There’s good
reason you
should wash
your hands be-
fore reaching
for your eyes.
Sure, it’s only
natural if
something
itches – eyes
included – to scratch it. However, rubbing your eyes before practicing good hygiene can have harmful side effects. Not only are you at risk of infections like pink eye but chronic eye rubbing can lead to thinning of the cornea.
This applies espe- cially for children who will “rarely complain about eye issues. It is common to find children with loss of vision in one eye (amblyopia) or with surprisingly high glasses pre- scriptions.
By making it a
point to see your eye
doctor annually, you
can catch common conditions before they start. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of permanent vision loss in African-Americans and older Americans.
contact lenses.
examinations!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 5-B