Fireworks are beautiful and a great addition to large celebrations. Too often, however, people do not take proper precautions and suffer injuries when setting off or viewing the brilliant displays. July has been dedicated as Fireworks Safety Month to remind people that these explosive devices must be handled with safety in mind.

More than 9,000 injuries happen in the United States each year due to fireworks. As many as 6,300 of these injuries occur between June 18 and July 18, 20 percent of which are eye injuries. Another alarming statistic is that one in every six of the eye injuries results in permanent vision loss or blindness. Because injuries can be prevented, observing proper handling and safety rules are critical to protect vision.

All fireworks are dangerous if not properly handled. However, sparklers and bottle rockets that get out of control are among the worst. Most people do not realize that sparklers, which are often handled by children, burn approximately 1,000 degrees hotter than boiling water. A spark that lands in or on an eye can cause immediate and permanent damage. Bottle rockets can cause corneal abrasion, traumatic cataracts and optical nerve damage. The following safety tips should be observed …

According to All About Vision, mounting research is proving that reaching the recommended daily intake of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients can help  prevent the development of symptoms caused by many eye diseases. Some eye care providers are even recommending higher intake of specific eye supplements and vitamins for patients who are at risk for eye disease. While the following guide will provide you with information about the nutrients and recommended daily amounts if applicable, it is essential to discuss these supplements with your eye care provider as complications can arise from taking too much of some, or conflict with medications you may be taking.

Vitamin A

— May aid in preventing dry eyes and night blindness — Sources: liver, milk eggs and butter — Daily recommendation is 55 mcg

Vitamin C

— Thought to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts — Sources: broccoli, kale, strawberries and oranges — Daily recommendation is 90 mg for men and 70 mg for women

Vitamin D

— Possibly reduces risk of AMD — Sources: sunlight, fortified milk and juices, fatty fish such as salmon or sardines — No daily recommendation offered, but a minimum of 400 IU …

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness throughout the world, according to Prevent Blindness America. With more than 24 million people over 40 suffering from cataracts in the U.S. alone, Prevent Blindness America has declared June as Cataract Awareness Month. Because cataract surgery has a success rate of roughly 95 percent, education on the causes of cataracts, symptoms and treatment options can limit the numbers of people blinded by this affliction.

The lens of the eye is composed of mostly water and protein. A healthy lens is clear and allows light to pass through the eye to the retina where it signals the brain and ultimately translates into familiar images. Cataracts cause the lens to become cloudy, subsequently affecting the clarity of the images, or impairing vision completely.

More than 50 percent of Americans over the age of 80 will have cataracts or will have undergone cataract surgery, making age the most common cause of cataracts. This is because the protein that helps form the lens breaks down over time and begins to affect vision. Other causes of cataracts may include:

— Lifestyle habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol — Exposure to the sun’s harmful rays — Diabetes …

It is no secret that the aging process can affect vision, even in people who have not previously had any issues. You may find yourself squinting to see things in the distance, or holding your reading material closer to your face to see clearly. While you may be hesitant to see your eye care provider, regular comprehensive eye exams are more important at this stage of your life than ever. There are several eye conditions in seniors that can rob you of your sight before you even realize you have a problem.

Independence is critical to leading a full life and your vision plays a large role in sustaining it, especially as you age. While a healthy diet and exercise, as well as not smoking or drinking in excess, contribute to healthy vision, maintaining a schedule for comprehensive eye exams is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. According to the American Optometric Association, there are eye conditions, especially in those 60 and older, in seniors that can permanently affect your vision, and by the time you do feel there is a problem, the damage is often irreversible. Some of these conditions include:

— Age-related macular degeneration …

While the feeling of dry eyes, for many, is not a regular occurrence, it is a chronic condition for some and can cause permanent damage to the eye if not properly diagnosed and treated by an eye health practitioner. The following will discuss some dry eye symptoms and treatment that can help alleviate the discomfort.

In order to understand dry eye symptoms and treatment, a basic understanding of the underlying cause is essential. As you are likely aware, tears are the natural lubricants for your eyes. They are a complex mixture of oils, water and mucous that stop your eyes from drying out and help bathe away small particles that may irritate the eyes.

According to the National Eye Institute, chronic dry eye occurs when the eyes are not producing enough of the watery portion or tears, or not enough of the oils that keep tears from evaporating too quickly. Since the health the outer layer that covers the colored part of your eye (cornea) depends on keeping your eyes properly lubricated, chronic dry eye can cause permanent damage and potentially affect your vision. The following are some symptoms you may experience:

— Burning or stinging in your eyes — A constant …

Age-related cataract development is one of the leading causes of blindness world wide, according to All About Vision. Characterized by a clouding of the lens in the eye, currently the only treatment to restore vision is surgical removal of the natural lens and replacing it with an artificial one. While the surgery is usually successful, research is showing some important links between diet and cataract prevention.

The general thought is cataracts form due to the breakdown of healthy cells that create the lens of the eye during the regular metabolic process that leads to cell-aging. Also known as oxidative stress, cells become damaged when there is not an ample oxygen ratio in our bodies. An excess of oxygen can turn this life-sustaining gas into free radicals that work to destroy healthy cells. For optimum cell reproduction, the more antioxidant-rich nutrients we digest the less unused oxygen will remain which will result in fewer cell-damaging free radicals.

With the concept of oxidative stress in mind, research is growing in the area of diet and cataract prevention. According to All About Vistion, in most of the studies conducted, positive results for a reduction or slowed progression of cataracts were found in those who had a …

As an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, Crohn’s disease also causes complications in the eyes of 10 percent of those who suffer from the disease, according to Everyday Health. In fact, the chief medical officer of Bausch & Lomb, Dr. Calvin Roberts, suggests being tested for Crohn’s if you experience eye inflammation repeatedly. If your eyes are not affected directly by your Crohn’s disease, it is possible to experience eye diseases due to the medications used in your treatment.

Oral steroids are often prescribed to treat Crohn’s and have been known to cause conditions such as high eye pressure, glaucoma and cataracts. Here are the four most common eye diseases that affect Crohn’s disease patients:

Uveitis The uvea is inside of your eye and is rich in blood vessels that supply nutrition to your cornea, lens, iris and retina. Uveitis is when this lining becomes swollen due to inflammation and causes the retina to swell. The swelling causes blurry vision which may occur suddenly, or over a period of time. Left untreated, uveitis can lead to glaucoma and ultimately, vision loss. Due to the inflammatory nature of Crohn’s, uveitis is the most common of eye diseases associated with the illness.

Episcleritis Also fairly …

According to an article published in Retina Today, Optos ultra-widefield (UWF™) retinal system technology, specifically the Optos 200TX™, is making great strides in diagnosing and treating eye problems in children and infants. Due to the cutting-edge modalities and ease-of-operation with an optomap® exam, signs of retinal disease can be found in the periphery, often before children and infants become symptomatic.

Before the use of optomap, obtaining just a 75 degree view of the fundus was a cumbersome, multi-stage effort made more complicated by children and babies’ natural tendencies to become impatient during exams. The Optos ultra-widefield imaging system provides a 200 degree view in a single scan and without dilation, making the imaging process easier and faster.

According to the article, as the leading cause of blindness in in babies and children, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is gaining the most advantage with the implementation of UWF technology. ROP generally occurs in premature babies (born at 31 weeks or less) that have extremely low birth weights (2 3/4 pounds or less). With advances in medicine, more premature babies are being saved earlier in the gestation period. The ease of obtaining high definition images and the ability to compare and …

Awareness of the damage the sun’s rays can cause to your skin has become widespread. However, not enough of the population realizes the damage also extends to the sensitive tissues that form our eyes. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) wants to stress the fact that, especially during the summer months, UV protection for eyes is essential.

According to the AAO, overexposure to UV rays can increase the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and tumors that can lead to melanoma. One type of common damage is a condition called  photokeratitis. In the simplest terms, photokeratitis is sunburn of the eyes. Similar to how lighter-skinned people burn easily in the sun, those who have light eye colors are also more susceptible due to the lack of pigmentation through the layers of the eyes.

Mild cases of photokeratitis can feel like there is grit in your eyes. More extreme cases include intense burning in the eyes, caused by damaged and peeling corneal layers. An immediate visit to your ophthalmologist is essential if you’re showing signs of photokeratitis. In most cases, the condition will clear up after several days, and treatment involves cold compresses, anti-inflammatory eye drops without steroids and darkness or wearing …

According to a 2011 report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), more than 2.5 million eye injuries occur annually. With more than 40 percent of injuries occurring at home or at play, treating eye injuries as soon as they occur is important.

The first thing to know when treating eye injuries is that you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if the eye injury seems insignificant, it is best to have it looked at because even minor injuries can lead to vision loss or blindness.

If faced with treating an eye injury, refer to these tips from eyeSmart:

– Refrain from rubbing or touching the surface, or applying pressure to the affected eye. – If an object is stuck in the eye, do not try to remove it yourself. – Never use medications or ointments on the injured eye unless your doctor has counseled you otherwise. – Always have the injury looked at by doctor.

Punctures or Cuts to the Eye Do not take ibuprofen, aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) because they thin the blood and may cause excessive bleeding. Be sure not to flush the eye and do not try to remove any objects, …