HEALTHCARE HAS IT ALL WRONG ABOUT THE EYES
Vision & Eyesight are not the same! Vision is how our eyes move together, converge, track, focus, and process information and how we derive meaning from the world around us, and direct the appropriate action
SIGNS OF UNDIAGNOSED FUNCTIONAL VISION PROBLEMS
1. Developed or acquired reading disorder
2. Headaches (tension or migraine)
3 Symptoms of visual inattention resembling ADD or ADHD
4. Chronic muscle tension in the neck or upper back
VISION EXERCISES TO TRY
Unlock the potential of your visual brain with these carefully curated vision exercises designed to alleviate common visual discomforts and enhance clarity
NEAR & FAR FOCUS
Locate an object in the distance approx 30ft away and hold a near target as close to you while still clear Practice alternating between focusing on the far away and then near target, holding x5 secs for each
5 Motion or car sickness with reading/tablets
6. Loves to be read to but avoidance of independent reading
7. Covering or closing an eye with desk work
8 Avoidance of prolonged near work activities (such as reading, games or hobbies)
EYE STRETCHES
Stand or sit facing ahead and move your eyes in the following pattern: right, left, up, down, up & right, up & left, down & left & down & right, holding for 5 secs at each position.
PERIPHERAL POINTING
Stand or sit facing ahead & focus on a target straight ahead Without looking away use your side vision & point to a target in the periphery Once you've got it locked move your eye to where you are pointing Repeat with various angles & until you jump to the spot accurately with your eye
ABOUT VISIONFIRST
Dr Appelbaum is a pioneer in neuro-optometry passionate about unlocking life’s potential through vision His expertise includes reorganizing the visual brain post-concussion to return to learn and return to life, remediating visual developmental delays interfering with reading and learning, and enhancing visual skills to elevate sports performance
LEARN MORE
hello@myvisionfirst com drbryceappelbaum www myvisionfirst com
DR. BRYCE APPELBAUM 6509 Democracy Boulevard Bethesda MD 20817
897 8484
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PREDICTIVE CHECKLIST
Empower yourself with the knowledge to assess your vision symptoms effectively using this predictive checklist. Designed by experts in eye health, this comprehensive tool enables you to identify potential concerns and gauge whether further professional care is warranted
After you consider each question, mark the column that applies to the person you are assessing with the following key;
1
Seldom, 2 = Sometimes, 3 = Frequently, 4 = Always
Blur when looking at near 0 1 2 3 4 Double vision, doubled or overlapping words on page 0 1 2 3 4 Headaches while or after doing near vision work 0 1 2 3 4 Words appear to run together when reading 0 1 2 3 4 Burning, itching or watery eyes 0 1 2 3 4 Falls asleep when reading 0 1 2 3 4 Seeing and visual work is worse at the end of the day 0 1 2 3 4 Skips or repeats lines while reading 0 1 2 3 4 Dizziness or nausea when doing near work 0 1 2 3 4 Head tilts or one eye is closed or covered while reading 0 1 2 3 4 Difficulty copying from the chalkboard 0 1 2 3 4 Avoids doing near vision work such as reading 0 1 2 3 4 Omits (drops out) small words while reading 0 1 2 3 4 Writes up or down hill 0 1 2 3 4 Misaligns digits or columns of numbers 0 1 2 3 4 Reading comprehension low, or declines as day wears on 0 1 2 3 4 Poor, inconsistent performance in sports 0 1 2 3 4 Holds books too close, leans too close to computer screen 0 1 2 3 4 Trouble keeping attention centered on reading 0 1 2 3 4 Difficulty completing assignments on time 0 1 2 3 4 First response is “I can’t” before trying 0 1 2 3 4 Avoids sports and games 0 1 2 3 4 Poor hand/eye coordination, such as poor handwriting 0 1 2 3 4 Does not judge distances accurately 0 1 2 3 4 Clumsy, accident prone, knocks things over 0 1 2 3 4 Does not use or plan his/her time well 0 1 2 3 4 Does not count or make change well 0 1 2 3 4 Loses belongings or things 0 1 2 3 4 Car or motion sickness 0 1 2 3 4 Forgetful, poor memory 0 1 2 3 4 20-24 points = suspect, 25 points or more = refer for care Your Total:
0 =
=
Never,
VISUAL HYGIENE TIPS
The following recommendations have been shown to be very helpful in developing good visual hygiene and a reduction in many of the visual and behavioral adaptations.
POSTURE
Sit up straight to reduce muscle tension (stress) in the back, neck and shoulders Do not read while lying on your back or stomach, or while resting the head on one hand with the elbow on the desk. Keep both eyes an equal distance from the desk or reading material, and your torso and hips parallel to the desk surface. The feet should be resting on the floor or on a support. The elbow should be rest on the writing surface and the arm should remain parallel to the sides of the paper. The chair must provide proper support, allow for balanced posture and equal weight on both buttocks (no leaning to one side), and should be adjustable in seat height/back alignment
WORKING SURFACE
A sloped work surface that is tilted between 20 and 25 degrees from the horizontal reduces tension and stress on the head, neck, shoulders and eyes Inexpensive slant boards are available for this purpose
EYE TO DESK DISTANCE
The optimum distance for visual efficiency varies from person to person This distance is measured from the center of the middle knuckle to the elbow, and all reading and desk activities should be done at this distance or slightly further away. Prolonged nearwork conducted closer than this distance is a major cause of visual defects and a breakdown in functional vision.
LIGHTING
Balanced and adequate lighting directly on desk material and in the room is crucial Reduced lighting and glare in the room has an impact on decreasing peripheral vision sensitivity
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VISUAL HYGIENE TIPS
PENMANSHIP AND PENCIL GRIP
The pencil/pen should be held no closer than ¾ inch from the tip. The fingers and knuckles should not become white/red when writing. Ergonomically correct pencil grips are available for students in the early grades. Writing should involve mainly finger and wrist movement with little movement of the arm.
STRESS RELIEVING LENSES
The lenses that are prescribed for distance use can often create neuromuscular stress when used for reading or deskwork. Specific low powered reading lenses can be prescribed in single vision or bifocal form, depending on visual status or lifestyle needs. Individuals who use such lenses often report less headaches, neck or back tension, and increased reading efficiency. The need for such lenses can be determined by a developmental optometrist specializing in vision therapy
VISUAL BREAKS
Practice “The 20/20/20 RULE” While studying and reading, periodically look up and away at an object at least 20 feet away, at least every 20 minutes, for at least 20 seconds. It is also recommended to get up and walk around for at least 5 minutes every hour. Relaxation of body muscles has a carry over effect on visual relaxation.
TV VIEWING
Do not sit closer than 6-7 feet from the TV screen Adequate room light is crucial because watching TV in a dim or dark room reduces peripheral vision sensitivity. Excessive TV viewing reduces total body muscular development, which has a carry over effect on visual neuromuscular development. Video game use should be limited to no longer than 20 minute sessions.
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VISUAL HYGIENE TIPS
READING WHILE IN MOTION
Reading while in motion requires substantially more brain effort and creates additional visual stress compared to reading while stationary. Movement in the periphery needs to be suppressed in addition to conflicting visual disturbance from the vestibular system located within the ears. Reading while in motion should be limited and ideally avoided.
COMPUTER USE
In addition to the previous suggestions (such as balanced posture, taking breaks, ideal lighting and working distance), the position of the terminal monitor is critical. The monitor should be placed as low as possible in relation to the head (eyes) position. When the monitor is too high, the eyes have a reduced ability to converge and the eyes tend to open more causing more drying of the ocular tissue In the case of bifocal wearers, high monitors cause users to excessively raise their heads, causing more tension and stress in the neck and upper back
Get your very own vision training program to train your eyes to perform better on screens In just one week you’ll see a reduction in the symptoms associated with over-use of screens and be well on your way to healthier, happier eyes
www.screenfit.com
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