Is it possible to sneeze with your eyes open? The received wisdom states that if you don't blink when
you sneeze, your eyes will fly out of your head. Thankfully, as is often the case with urban legends,
this theory is a load of hooey. Your eyeballs are safe and sound in their sockets. In reality, a sneeze
is simply an involuntary nervous response to nasal irritation. The sneeze impulse affects a variety of
body parts, including the abdomen, chest, neck, and face. During a sneeze, the impulses that travel
through your face cause your eyelids to blink. This response is entirely automatic. There's nothing
you can do about it. Sneezing puts a lot of pressure on your head and respiratory system, so blinking
is probably a protective mechanism.
Eye Health
Did you know that researchers found LASIK and PRK to be safer than wearing contact lenses? A review of
several large studies published by Dr. William Mathers and colleagues in Archives of Ophthalmology
concluded that daily contact lens wearers have about one in 100 chance of developing a serious
lens-related eye infection, and a one in 2,000 chance of suffering significant vision loss as a
result. This finding is more than 10 times higher than any vision changes reported after laser vision
correction. The risks associated with long-term use of contact lenses are greater when lenses are
used improperly, but they remain even when wearers do everything right. This is why many have opted
for laser vision correction. But, some chose to remain in contacts. In attempt to reduce the risks
of contact lenses, FDA is offering a workshop in January 2009 to address safety issues such as - how
are contact lens care products tested for anti-microbial activity, how disinfection should be
conducted, and how to prevent common and uncommon infections.
What's new in vision correction procedures
There is a new option for those who want to reduce their dependence on reading glasses. A new
generation of lenses designed to replace our own aging lenses with clear vision - both near and far
- similar to how our eyes see when we are in our 20's and 30's. In its most evolved form, a lens
called Crystalens HD ('high definition') replaces our aging lens and restores near vision while
maintaining good distance vision both day and night. This is the most sophisticated and effective
distance-near lens replacement surgery to-date. It is also the most physiologic - replicating the
vision of our youth. Patients who are 45-years old and older, regardless of whether they already
had LASIK or PRK, can have the lens replacement procedure with Crystalens HD accommodating lens to
improve their computer and reading vision. This is not monovision. Crystalens HD vision restores
accommodative ability of the eye without effecting distance vision. But, patients who have
monovision, can also be candidates for Crystlens HD lens replacement procedure.
Tech Corner
Is there anything that can slow down progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children?
Pediatric Myopia Clinical Study conducted in Singapore found that using a certain computer program
from NeuroVision (http://www.neuro-vision.com/childmyo/index.html) reduced progression of
nearsightedness in the group of children participating in the study. Surgical options have been
explored as well to strengthen the eye and prevent it from elongating during growth phases.
415.922.9500
Fun Eye Facts
Is it possible to sneeze with your eyes open? The received wisdom states that if you don't blink when
you sneeze, your eyes will fly out of your head. Thankfully, as is often the case with urban legends,
this theory is a load of hooey. Your eyeballs are safe and sound in their sockets. In reality, a sneeze
is simply an involuntary nervous response to nasal irritation. The sneeze impulse affects a variety of
body parts, including the abdomen, chest, neck, and face. During a sneeze, the impulses that travel
through your face cause your eyelids to blink. This response is entirely automatic. There's nothing
you can do about it. Sneezing puts a lot of pressure on your head and respiratory system, so blinking
is probably a protective mechanism.
Did you know that researchers found LASIK and PRK to be safer than wearing contact lenses? A review of
several large studies published by Dr. William Mathers and colleagues in Archives of Ophthalmology
concluded that daily contact lens wearers have about one in 100 chance of developing a serious
lens-related eye infection, and a one in 2,000 chance of suffering significant vision loss as a
result. This finding is more than 10 times higher than any vision changes reported after laser vision
correction. The risks associated with long-term use of contact lenses are greater when lenses are
used improperly, but they remain even when wearers do everything right. This is why many have opted
for laser vision correction. But, some chose to remain in contacts. In attempt to reduce the risks
of contact lenses, FDA is offering a workshop in January 2009 to address safety issues such as - how
are contact lens care products tested for anti-microbial activity, how disinfection should be
conducted, and how to prevent common and uncommon infections.
There is a new option for those who want to reduce their dependence on reading glasses. A new
generation of lenses designed to replace our own aging lenses with clear vision - both near and far
- similar to how our eyes see when we are in our 20's and 30's. In its most evolved form, a lens
called Crystalens HD ('high definition') replaces our aging lens and restores near vision while
maintaining good distance vision both day and night. This is the most sophisticated and effective
distance-near lens replacement surgery to-date. It is also the most physiologic - replicating the
vision of our youth. Patients who are 45-years old and older, regardless of whether they already
had LASIK or PRK, can have the lens replacement procedure with Crystalens HD accommodating lens to
improve their computer and reading vision. This is not monovision. Crystalens HD vision restores
accommodative ability of the eye without effecting distance vision. But, patients who have
monovision, can also be candidates for Crystlens HD lens replacement procedure.
Is there anything that can slow down progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children?
Pediatric Myopia Clinical Study conducted in Singapore found that using a certain computer program
from NeuroVision (http://www.neuro-vision.com/childmyo/index.html) reduced progression of
nearsightedness in the group of children participating in the study. Surgical options have been
explored as well to strengthen the eye and prevent it from elongating during growth phases.