Vision Care That Opens the Possibilities of Healthy Sight

One of the challenges of Healthy Sight Counseling is to recognize that every individual is unique, with unique visual requirements, unique visual problems, and a unique visual lifestyle. Everyone who visits the eye care professional experiences a different set of obstacles to achieving Healthy Sight.

Even addressing quantity of vision by correcting refractive errors—arguably the most basic component of eye care—may sometimes need to be individualized. Under some circumstances, “best corrected visual acuity” might not actually represent the best, or the most desirable, vision. An example would be in the under-corrected myope, approaching presbyopia, whose distance acuity can be “improved” with the addition of more minus—but only at the expense of near function. If this individual is an office worker who doesn’t drive and is basically content with his/her vision, the best option might be to temporarily continue under-correcting the myopia to forestall the need for a near add. On the other hand, if the individual presents with a complaint of difficulty with night driving, full distance myopic correction would be preferable for improved night vision—even if a near add becomes necessary to preserve near function.

In the area of quality of vision, this customized approach to vision correction becomes even more important and is the basis for the customized eyeglass prescription, where such quality of vision issues as contrast, glare, and color discrimination can be effectively addressed with the recommendation for specific eyeglass lens enhancements to maximize the visual experience.

Individuals with identical refractive errors may have identical numbers on their eyeglass prescriptions, but their prescriptions become customized by specifying those lens enhancements that will promote visual satisfaction, comfort, and convenience. For office workers spending many hours at the computer, the recommendation for an anti-reflective (AR) coating can help to alleviate computer-related eyestrain. For school crossing guards, guiding children to and from school from the rising sun of early morning to the setting sun of dusk, prescribing photochromic lenses can control and modulate light and preserve contrast to help them see well and keep those children safe.

Healthy Sight Counseling is all about individualizing eye care and vision correction for the individual and the individual’s visual lifestyle.

Individuals Have Unique Healthy Sight Needs

Snellen acuity, age, gender, occupation, sports or recreational activities, environment, ocular and systemic health, and risk factors are among the variables that can impact Healthy Sight.

People with diabetes are a group that exemplifies the need to individualize Healthy Sight Counseling. Refractive shifts may occur in the presence of broad swings in blood sugar levels. In fact, these refractive shifts, brought to the attention of a vision care professional, may be the initial finding that eventually triggers a diagnosis of diabetes. And once diabetes has been diagnosed, the fate of the eyes is dependent upon the level of glycemic control and of course, regular follow-up care. The vision care professional works in concert with the internist, endocrinologist, or pediatrician to manage the patient to prevent or at least minimize possible ocular sequelae of diabetes.

While diabetic retinopathy is the most feared ocular complication of diabetes, people with diabetes are also susceptible to several other serious vision-threatening ocular diseases, including cataract, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Recognizing and treating these diseases are crucial to providing the best possible vision in the patient with diabetes; preventing them is even more important. Ultraviolet radiation exposure has been linked to the development of both cataract and AMD. Providing 100% UVA and UVB protection in eyeglass lenses (specifically with photochromic lenses) is of particular import in the susceptible diabetic eye. In addition, diabetic eyes may be more prone to quality of vision issues related to decreased contrast and increased glare sensitivity than normal eyes. Recommendations for the use of eyeglass lens enhancements like fixed tint and photochromic lenses and AR coatings in the customized eyeglass prescription can be helpful in improving the quality of vision in the already visually compromised diabetic eye and in enhancing visual performance, comfort, and satisfaction. Finally, many of the medications used to treat diabetes may impact both quantity and quality of vision. Modifications of therapy to address these issues made by the healthcare professional treating diabetes the systemic disease at the suggestion of the vision care professional managing diabetes the ocular disease can prove helpful in improving visual function.

Remember, Healthy Sight is defined as the enhancement of everyday quality of vision and the preservation of long-term ocular health. While Healthy Sight Counseling is appropriate for everyone, in the case of susceptible and compromised eyes, like those of diabetics, it can mean the difference between Healthy Sight and no sight at all.

The information presented here is intended as general health information and as an educational tool. It is not intended to be used in any other manner or for any other purpose. The information should not be used or provided to patients in place of a visit, call or consultation with a physician or other healthcare provider. Transitions Optical, Inc. ("Transitions") does not recommend the self-management of health or medical problems, nor does Transitions promote or recommend any particular form of medical or alternative treatment. People using information accessed through this Web site should also research original sources of authority. Information obtained by using this Web site is not exhaustive and does not cover all possible interactions among drugs. Should you have any healthcare related questions, please call or visit your physician or other healthcare provider. You should never disregard medical advice—or delay in seeking it—because of something you have read on this Web site. You should always seek prompt medical care for any specific health issue.