Since many of us are working from home during the pandemic, and are spending more time on our devices, our eyes are becoming tired and strained.
With the help of blue light blocking glasses, individuals are able to shield their eyes from their bright LED screens and keep the Advil in the medicine cabinet.
According to Weston’s All Eyes Optical Optometrist, Dr. Vito Guario, “The main benefits that blue blocking lenses have are the reduction of strain and fatigue on the eyes. Werecommend the blue tech lenses to everyone.”
Blue light glasses have a blocking lens fi lter that helps minimize the amount of light refl ected away from the eye. Not only does it protect your eyes, but it reduces glare.
“Since the onset of the pandemic, there has been an increase for blue light lenses for anyone utilizing the computer or digital screens for work or academic necessity. Patients can work longer on the computer with more focus secondary to the reduction of blue light emitting from all computer or digital devices,” Dr. Guario said.
Greg Sarkin, Owner of Abaco Polarized in Palm Beach Gardens, says “since COVID-19 and the increased amount of people that work from home, sales have increased for blue light glasses tremendously.”
According to a 2017 study done by the University of Houston, they found that participants wearing blue light glasses showed a 58 percent increase in their nighttime melatonin levels.
Abaco offers lightweight and fashionable glasses, standing behind the products that they sell. And if you need prescription lenses but don’t want to commit to purchasing a pair before knowing how you like them, Amazon offers blue-light clip-ons for as little as $10.99.
I don’t think I’m losing it, at least I hope not, but as Mickey grows, I have the strangest feeling that something about him reminds me of my mother.
It isn’t that he looks like my mom but when he looks at me I immediately think of my mom. At first, I thought the obvious (lol), my mom was reincarnated into my life as my dog. Although I am open to forces beyond my comprehension, this is not my real belief, so I continued to think about this strange feeling.
My second idea was that I was missing my mother in this second year after her death. I was experiencing what psychologists call transference, substituting my absent love for her onto Mickey. That just didn’t seem like the answer either. I have had plenty of love from my husband, family, and friends, so I didn’t think this answered the feeling either.
After more thought and soul searching, I think I realized what it is. There is nothing in this world like a mother’s love for her child. This love is unconditional, boundless, and always, always there. And how does the child feel their mother’s love? Through touch and care, but most of all in the absolute love that shines in their mother’s eyes.
That look is often the way Mickey looks at me. The love between people and dogs is a popular theme of endless books and movies. Who else greets you each and every time you return home with love with unlimited joy. Who else kisses you endlessly with their licks just to show how important you are to them. And who else looks at you with unconditional love and joy simply because you are in their lives. The answer is, of course, your dog. That wonderful look that Mickey gives me reminds me of my Mom and brings me to joy and tears.
One of the benefits of getting Mickey was that I have met a whole host of people in my neighborhood that I never knew before. These are all the dog owners that I meet while out walking Mickey.
Among the dogs we have met, one of Mickey’s favorite is Bailey, a cavapoo owned by Jodi. Every time our walks coincide, both Mickey and Bailey are joyous, and Jodi and I have really good conversations. I think she is a kindred spirit.
Jill and Mickey
I had to share my thoughts about Mickey and my mom with Jodi, whose mom had passed away a number of years ago. I started by saying that I had something strange to share, that Mickey reminded me of someone. Before I had a chance to go further Jodi finished my thought. She said, ”He reminds you of your mother doesn’t he?
Well, I was completely amazed. “How did you know that?” I asked. She said that Baxter, her other dog, reminds her of her mother. She feels that Baxter has her mom’s spirit and was sent to watch over her. She said, “It is all in the eyes.” It couldn’t have been coincidence that we both felt the exact same feeling and I don’t think either of us are crazy. I explained my theory to Jodi, and while she sees my point, she believes it is spiritual not just the love I described. Who knows and it doesn’t really matter.
How lucky we are to have this feeling and enjoy the love of our dogs and wonderful memories of our mothers. We can’t be the only ones believing their dog reminds them of someone loved and lost, but I have not yet shared my thoughts with others. Now I am sharing my feelings with you. I wonder if you have experienced this as well?
One last thought, I am reminded about the importance of our eyes since we are now wearing masks. Without seeing another person’s smile or facial expression, without enjoying a hug or handshake, the eyes have to communicate all our emotions. From our dogs to our moms, it is all in the eyes.
This summer, your immune system certainly isn’t the only part of your body you should be looking after.
As residents of South Florida, taking care of our eyes should certainly remain a top priority as people begin to flock to the beaches and their backyards. Summer weather and activities, in particular, can cause excessive strain, irritation, or permanent damage.
Luckily, there are a plethora of practices we can follow to combat these effects, while still participating in a summer of fun. Dr. Adrienne Florczyk, an optometrist in Coral Springs, offers a few tips that families everywhere can follow.
A mask shouldn’t be the only protective accessory you’re investing in.
Wearing sunglasses that are 100% UV protection polarized are the most efficient in blocking out harmful rays to make sure you don’t get a sunburn of the eye. A broad-brimmed hat can also be helpful for shading your eyes from direct sunlight. Additionally, shoppers can order UV protection contact lenses if they are contact users.
Watch out for water parks
Waterparks, pools, and beaches can all contain bacteria or chemicals that irritate the eyes. Wearing waterproof goggles is one way to protect your eyes, but if you have children who aren’t so fond of them, Dr. Florczyk recommends buying preservative free artificial tears that flush out the eyes after spending some time in the water.
Yard work can put your eyes at risk
While any outside activity can dry out or trap bacteria in your eyes, yard work, especially, requires some attention. If you are spraying sunscreen, bug spray, or other chemicals that may get in your eyes, you should wear safety goggles or polycarbonate sunglasses that won’t break during landscaping. They also act as a shield from any falling brush or debris.
Spending your relaxation time inside? Your eyes still need protection!
A lot of our down time is spent staring at a television, computer, or phone screen. Unfortunately, it can cause excessive eye strain, especially from the blue wavelengths emitted by these devices.
If you’re staring at a screen, follow the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break, and look 20 feet away. This gives your eyes a needed break to keep them healthy. Blue
light glasses, a newer product, also filter out the blue light from screens by using anti-glare coating. Because blue light has been proven to disrupt your natural sleep cycle, this type of eyewear is growing increasingly popular.
