Healthy Sight Counseling takes a proactive approach to issues related to individuals’ occupational, recreational, and avocational activities, particularly as they concern effects of environmental illumination on vision-related quality of life, with the focus on light sensitivity, glare, and impaired contrast.
Wherever there is light, there is the potential for troublesome glare. Certain geographic locations can accentuate the problem of glare. Examples include areas of high and intense light exposure like the tropics and equatorial zones, high altitudes where UVR levels are higher and the potential for exposure greater, and areas near water or snow where reflected glare is a concern. But it’s never necessary to travel far to encounter glare, because light is everywhere—outdoors and indoors—and so is the possibility of glare. For instance, in certain coastal areas and other locales that receive higher-than-average rainfall, the issue of distracting glare during night driving becomes a very important concern. In urban environments, distracting glare reflected off glass and metal buildings and other broad surfaces can interfere with Healthy Sight. And probably the most common source of complaints related to glare and its effect on comfortable vision is right at home (or in the office): the ubiquitous computer.
In many climates and geographic zones, seasonal allergies and their ocular symptoms are an important impediment to enjoying Healthy Sight. Furthermore, some common medications used to treat allergies, including antihistamines and decongestants, can lead to ocular (dryness) and systemic (drowsiness) side effects that hamper visual function, comfort, and convenience. (See Healthy Sight Now: Medications, Healthy Sight in the Future: Medications, and Healthy Sight Counseling for Patients on medications that may affect vision and ocular health for additional information about the potential adverse affects of medications on ocular health.)
Table 1 lists some outdoor recreational and occupational pursuits that warrant particular attention from the Healthy Sight Counselor because they place the individual in environments that have the potential to impact Healthy Sight Now.