Did you know August is National Eye Exam Month? The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends adults get a baseline eye examination at age 40 (or younger if they have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of eye disease).  The AAO also recommends getting an eye exam every one to two years for those older than 65 to check for age-related diseases like cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.  The most common parts of an eye exam are dilation, tonometry, the visual field test, and the visual acuity test.  For dilation, the doctor will place eye drops in the patients’ eyes so that the pupil widens; this allows the doctor to check the back of the eyes for signs of disease.  For tonometry, a quick puff of air is sent into each eye to check the pressure in the eye; high pressure could be a symptom of glaucoma.  The visual field test is similar to the visual test people take to get a driver’s license; it tests the peripheral (side) vision.  For visual acuity, the doctor will ask the patient to read the Snellen chart to determine how far away the patient can read.  The doctor may also shine a light in the eyes to view any visible marks and check the movement of the eyes to make sure they’re functioning properly.  If corrective lenses are needed, the doctor will use the eye chart to help determine what will work best for the patient.

Although modern eye exams have been around for a long time, the history of optics goes as far back as 1021 when the Arabic text “Book of Optics” first mentioned lenses that could be used to enlarge objects.  Glasses are thought to have been invented in Italy in the late 13^th century when two magnifying glasses were connected with a hinge in order to sit on the bridge of the nose.  By the 16^th century, these “pince-nez” style glasses had become more popular.  Glasses used to be held around the ears with ribbon.  By the 18th century, rigid arms and hinges were added.  Contacts made from hand-blown glass appeared in Switzerland in the 19th century.  In the 1970s-1990s, advances in lasers led to the development of LASIK surgery.

Now that you know more about this aspect of the medical field, view our medical chillers and heat exchangers: https://bvthermal.com/medical/  And for more information on how to keep your eyes healthy, read these tips courtesy of https://nei.nih.gov/hvm/healthy_eyes

• More than 23 million American adults have never had an eye exam. Why? If your eyes feel healthy, it’s easy to assume they are healthy. But getting an eye exam is the only way to be sure.
• When it comes to your vision, you may not realize you could see better with glasses or contacts. And many serious eye diseases don’t have any warning signs — so you could have an eye problem and not know it. Getting an eye exam is the best way to stay on top of your eye health!
• We get our eye color from our parents, but did you know that many eye diseases can run in families, too? Talking to your family members about their eye health can help you find out if you’re at higher risk for eye disease. If you learn that eye diseases run in your family, talk with your eye doctor.
• About 2,000 people in the United States get a serious work-related eye injury every day. And get this: people with sports-related eye injuries end up in the ER every 13 minutes! The good news is you can help protect your eyes from injury by wearing protective eyewear, like safety glasses, goggles, and safety shields. To make sure you have the right kind of protective eyewear and you’re using it correctly, talk with your eye doctor.
• Do your eyes ever feel achy at the end of the day? If you spend a lot of time at the computer (or focusing on another specific thing), you may sometimes forget to blink — and that can tire out your eyes. Try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away from your work and focus about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This reduces eyestrain and helps your eyes feel better at the end of the day.
• Be cool and wear your shades! They can protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays — and help keep your eyes healthy and your vision sharp. When shopping for shades, look for a pair that blocks out at least 99% of both UVA and UVB radiation. Bonus: add a wide-brimmed hat for extra protection!
• If you’re overweight or obese, you’re more likely to develop diabetes and other health problems that can lead to vision loss. If you’re concerned about your weight, talk to your doctor.