Current Affairs

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June 29, 2011

Josh Hamilton Blames Daytime Hitting Struggles on His Blue Eyes

Posted by Kristopher Skromme, OD under Current Affairs | Tags: , , , , |
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ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton went out for batting practice wearing contact lenses designed to cut down on the amount of light coming into his eyes to help him see the ball during the day.

Under the sun this season, Hamilton’s numbers are dim. He is batting .122 (6-for-49) with no home runs, four RBIs and eight walks. He also has 17 strikeouts and a .429 OPS.

At night, it’s a different story. Hamilton is hitting .374 (41-for-109) with six home runs, 28 RBIs, seven walks and a 1.076 OPS. And he only has 14 strikeouts while playing under the lights.

During his 2010 MVP season, the blue-eyed Hamilton hit a respectable .286 during the day and .384 at night.

Hamilton said Wednesday that he has a tougher time seeing the ball because he has blue eyes. An optometrist who talked to ESPNDallas.com on Thursday supports Hamilton’s theory and explained why.

“Because of the lack of pigment in lighter color eyes — like blue or green eyes as opposed to brown — you get a lot more unwanted light and that can create glare problems,” said Dr. Richard L. Ison, O.D., an optometrist since 1990 who currently works in Murphy, just northeast of Dallas.

Ison said the phenomenon is called intraocular light scatter, meaning the light scatters as it enters, producing a focal point that isn’t as good.

His solution for Hamilton: Find a pair of sunglasses that he’s completely comfortable wearing while batting or maybe these new contacts will take care of the issue.

Repost from ESPN

 

October 25, 2010

Why Were Chilean Miners Wearing Oakley Sunglasses?

Posted by Kristopher Skromme, OD under Current Affairs, Fun Eye Facts, Miners' Sunglasses | Tags: , , , |
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Rescued Chile Miners‘ Futures Are So Bright, They Have to Wear Sunglasses.

It is a headline that captured the world, the 33 Chilean miners trapped underground for 69 days have finally been rescued thanks to a mammoth 22 hour operation by the Chilean authorities.

One of the aspects of the rescue that was vital to their health was the donation of Oakley sunglasses to protect their eyes upon emerging into the light.

Q: Why Were the Miners Wearing Sunglasses?

A: According to Dr. Andrew Hartwick, assistant professor at the College of Optometry at Ohio State University, after a history-making 69 days underground, the miners face a risk for possible light damage to the retina.

An AP article in which he’s quoted explains that “there is potential for solar retinopathy, in which the photoreceptors — the cells within the eye that capture light — can deteriorate.”

In the article, Dr. Hartwick goes on to explain that there is also a “comfort factor” to the miners wearing shades. “Just like when you walk out of a dark movie theater, it’s uncomfortable in the light,” he said. “It takes a few minutes for vision to return, and the retina needs to reset itself depending on light levels.”

Q: What’s the name of the Sunglasses?

A: Oakley Radar sunglasses

Lets hope that the sunglasses were of some help to the miners’ sight and that they all make a full recovery.

 

July 1, 2010

Contact Lenses that Deliver Medications Directly to the Eye

Posted by Kristopher Skromme, OD under Contact Lenses, Current Affairs | Tags: , , |
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Eyenovations is a start-up company and is working on developing contact lenses that deliver medications directly to the eye, specifically glaucoma.

Eye drops are a simple way to get medicine to the surface of the eye, but taking drops several times a day can be onerous for patients. A start-up company in Cambridge, MA, has developed an alternative: contact lenses that can deliver drugs to the eye for a month or more.

Eyenovations is developing the technology to make it easier for patients with glaucoma to receive medicine without relying on frequent eye drops. The company believes that the lenses could prove useful for treating several other eye conditions and for delivering antibiotics following eye surgery. Courtesy of Courtney Humphries and Technology Review (Published by MIT)

Drug dispenser: This image above--captured using a scanning electron microscope--shows the antibacterial agent ciprofloxacin suspended in a biodegradable polymer, which can be inserted into a contact lens. Credit: MIT, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Children's Hospital Boston

Read More at http://www.technologyreview.com/

 

July 1, 2010

Surgeon Offers Free LASIK To World Cup Soccer Referees

Posted by Kristopher Skromme, OD under Current Affairs, LASIK | Tags: , , , |
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LASIKtheRefs.com program offered following FIFA refs poor performance at the 2010 World Cup!

As a result of the blown calls by the World Cup soccer officials in the United States and England matches, an ophthalmologist is offering LASIK surgery to any World Cup or professional soccer referee for FREE.

This year’s World Cup has showcased some of the world’s best soccer players and teams. Unfortunately, it has also been marred by some of the worst officiating in years.

Fans have been dismayed in seeing USA’s Maurice Edu’s goal disallowed by a phantom penalty, numerous questionable red cards, Brazil’s Luis Fabiano’s “hand ball” goal, and Frank Lambard of England’s “missed goal.”

“I wanted to have a career in sports when I was young, but I had to give it up. I’m only six feet tall, so I couldn’t play basketball. I’m only 190 pounds, so I couldn’t play football. And I have 20-20 vision, so I couldn’t be a referee.“- Jay Leno

Check out more links at

 

June 30, 2010

Dangerous Trend: ‘Vodka Eyeballing’ Popular with College Students

Posted by Kristopher Skromme, OD under Current Affairs, Videos, Vodka Eyeballing | Tags: , , , |
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LOS ANGELES — A dangerous drinking fad known as “Vodka eyeballing” is growing in popularity on college campuses in the UK and the United States, and experts say it could leave students blind.

So-called “eyeballers” claim it’s an instant high with a splash of alcohol giving them a buzz, literally, in the blink of an eye.

But, doctors say, it’s a dangerous trend that could cause permanent vision damage.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology issued the following statement:

A dangerous drinking game called “vodka eyeballing” is attracting public attention on YouTube. People need to be aware that anyone who pours vodka directly into his eye risks damaging the surface epithelial cells–often causing pain and infection. More seriously, ”eyeballing” can also lead to permanent vision damage by killing endothelial cells in deeper layers of the eye’s cornea. This is unlikely, but possible. The cornea is the clear outer part of the eye that focuses light and provides much of the optical power. Depending on the amount of alcohol and length of time it is in contact with the eye, epithelial cell loss could result in corneal ulcers or scarring, not to mention a great deal of pain. And if endothelial cells die off, vision recovery would be uncertain.

“Eyeballers” do not even get a “quick high” as claimed, because the volume of vodka absorbed by the conjunctiva and cornea is too small to have that effect.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology strongly advises the public not to engage in “vodka eyeballing.”

 

June 30, 2010

British helicopter pilot shot between the eyes but keeps flying to save 20 soldiers

Posted by Kristopher Skromme, OD under Current Affairs, Pilot shot between eyes | Tags: , , |
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* Pilot shot by Taliban
* Still lands helicopter
* Saves all 20 aboard

 

June 29, 2010

Children of Sea See Clearly Underwater!

Posted by Kristopher Skromme, OD under Current Affairs, Mokens | Tags: , , , |
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A tribe of water nomads, the Mokens, living in Myanmar and Thailand  are able to see clearly underwater! The Moken tribe harvests tiny brown clams, etc. from the ocean floor from among brown stones without the aid of goggles.

Studies revealed that the Moken children’s vision is similar to European children’s vision on land but twice as clear underwater; the eye structure between the two groups is similar. The clear vision is attributed to the ability of the Moken children to voluntarily control accommodation while diving, effectively making up for some of the lost corneal power. It is believed, through preliminary studies, that this is ability is trainable.

Also, Moken children also constrict their pupils more (to 1.96 mm) than European children constrict (only to 2.5 mm) which may contribute to the sharper underwater vision. This is the same idea as using a smaller aperture on a camera to obtain a sharper image.

 

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