عینک eyewear

Epiphora is an overflow of tears, usually caused by insufficient drainage of the tear film from the eye. The most common cause is a blockage of the lacrimal (tear) ducts located next to the nose , but the condition may also result from the excessive production of tears. Epiphora is a symptom rather than a disease and may be caused by a variety of conditions.

The role of tears

1. Tears are secreted from the tear ducts in the corner of the eye.
2. The main role of tears is to protect the eyeball but they also have a lot of other duties.
3. As a lubricant for your eyelids.
4. As a nutritional supplement for the surface of the eyeballs.
5. To protect your eyes from bacteria or ultraviolet rays.
6. To disinfect bacteria.

epiphora /ɪˈpɪf(ə)rə/ excessive watering of the eye. another term for epistrophe.

The purpose of normal tears is to lubricate, nourish, and protect the eye from dust and other irritants. Spread by blinking (about every six seconds), tears keep the surface of the eye optically clear and smooth, and also protect from infection. Tears flow into the eye through ducts from tiny glands located under the upper eyelids and drain from the eye through the puncta (singular: punctum), which are small openings near the nose.[1]

More sinister causes of watery eyes

Watery eyes can occur at any time, but babies up to 12 months old and people over 60 seem to be more prone.

Watery eyes, sometimes referred to by the medical name of “epiphora” either from the Latin word meaning repetition, or maybe the Greek word meaning bringing upon, can be caused by a few things that are a bit more sinister:

• Conjunctivitis, of which there are several types ranging from mild to severe, produce red eyes almost always watery eyes.
• Blepharitis – this is the medical term used for inflamed eyelids with scaly surfaces, a bit like eczema, with smoke and sunlight especially make the eyes water
• Eyelashes growing inward, so as to contact the eye – there are two ways this can happen. The term “entropion” is used to describe what happens when the lower lid turns inwards (and the eyelash with it), whilst “trichiasis” causes a similar effect, but happens due to the eyelashes themselves growing inwards (curving the wrong way). Whatever way it happens of course, it will be quite uncomfortable.
• Lower eyelid turning down –called “ectropion”. In this condition, the eyelid turns down and sags outwards, preventing them from effectively draining the tears away.
• Blocked tear ducts – tears lead outwards to the nose through what’s appropriately called the nasolacrimal duct. If this is blocked in any way then watery eyes are a consequence. This can sometimes be just flushed with a syringe and sterile saline or require reconstructive surgery.

Epiphora applies to excessive tearing caused by excessive tear production or secondary to poor drainage.

Epiphora is sometimes subdivided into. [3]

1. Gustatory epiphora ("crocodile tears" caused by aberrant nerve regeneration)
2. Reflex epiphora (reactive tear production caused by any ocular surface trauma or stimulation)

Treating Watery Eyes

Mild cases of watery eyes can often be “cured” by waiting and watching – why introduce treatments when nature can and probably will take its course? The various underlying causes of watery eyes need active management:

• Dry eyes can be treated by a programme of eye drops developed “under the watchful eye” of an Optometrist, taking care not to use drops more than four times a day unless they are in ampules and non-preserved.
• Infections such as a mild conjunctivitis can be remedied using antibiotics or anti-inflammatories.
• Allergies are mostly cleared up by use of an antihistamine / mast cell stabilisers – but the best approach is to try and identify the cause of the allergy and remove it if possible.
• Blepharitis is not always serious and you may not even know you have it; it will of course be spotted by your optometrist if he or she is on the ball. Preservative-free artificial tears can be used as eye drops for treatment of minor cases, antibiotics in more severe cases and steroid creams only in the worst of cases, but then ideally only in the short term. eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- spring 2012
• In the cases of the eyelash entropion and ectropion surgical reconstruction is likely to be the best option.
• Blocked tear ducts – if the watery eye symptoms occur more than ten times a day then surgery to introduce a channel from the eye to the nose may be needed, usually after first injecting a dye into the tear duct to see if and where it comes out.[2]

Reference:

1. visionrx.com/library/enc/enc_epiphora.asp
2. optometrist.com.au
3. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557449
4. kaneka-eye.com/epiphora.html

در هوای آلوده عینک بزنید

چشم‌ها اعضای حساس و آسیب پذیری هستند. با این‌که آلودگی هوا به‌طور مستقیم به چشم آسیب نمی‌رساند، ولی در هوای آلوده بیماری‌های سطح چشم مانند خشکی چشم، حساسیت و عفونت‌های مختلف که ممکن است در سطح پلک اتفاق بیفتند، تشدید می‌شوند و در این شرایط افراد احساس ناراحتی بیشتری می‌کنند.

علاوه بر این تحریکات سطحی مثل خارش، سوزش، اشک ریزش و قرمزی چشم را نیز به‌دنبال خواهد داشت.

اگر فرد دچار یکی از بیماری‌های چشمی باشد، در این شرایط علائم آن افزایش پیدا می‌کند. بنابراین بهتر است ابتدا بیماری زمینه‌ای خود را درمان کند.

کسانی که آلودگی هوا بیشتر آن‌ها را اذیت می‌کند می‌توانند از عینک‌های محافظ مثل عینک آفتابی یا عینک بدون شماره با فریم بزرگ که چشم را در مقابل باد، خاک و چیزهای محرک دیگر محافظت می‌کند استفاده کنند.

How can we protect our eyes from air pollution?

Doctors suggests wearing sunglasses, using lubricating eye drops, washing hands often and avoiding rubbing your eyes on days when air pollution levels are high, so as not to exacerbate any irritation.

What You Can Do to Protect Your Eyes From Bad Air Quality

Exposure to pollution and other airborne irritants increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including heart disease, asthma, stroke, respiratory illnesses, and lung cancer. Unfortunately, your eyes may also suffer when the air quality is bad. Taking a few of these steps will improve your eye comfort and reduce the risk of vision problems.

How Air Quality Affects Your Eyes

The moist tissues in your eyes easily absorb pollutants in the air. Short-term exposure can cause irritation and inflammation, while long-term exposure can lead to age-related macular degeneration. Your risk of eye problems increases if you spend a significant amount of time outdoors when the air quality is poor.

Airborne Pollutants Can Trigger Painful Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, or “pink eye,” affects the conjunctiva, a layer of tissue that covers the whites of your eye and the insides of the eyelids. Redness, itching, burning, foreign body sensation, and light sensitivity are common symptoms. Although conjunctivitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or chemicals, air quality is also a factor, particularly among people who have allergies.

Cases of allergic conjunctivitis among Japanese ophthalmologists and their families increased when nitrogen dioxide, a common pollutant was high. Results of the survey of Japanese eye doctors appeared in the December 3, 2019 issue of Scientific Reports.

In a study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science in January 2012, high levels of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter increased outpatient visits for non-specific conjunctivitis in Taiwan.

Pollution Could Be the Reason Your Eyes Feel So Dry

Do your eyes feel itchy and uncomfortable after spending time outdoors? You may be suffering from dry eye. The condition may also be to blame for blurry vision and redness. Pollution dries out the tear film that lubricates the sensitive tissues of your eyes, which causes the symptoms. Korean researchers discovered that higher ozone levels and lower humidity levels increased dry eye. Their conclusions were based on results obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Poor Air Quality Increases Your Chance of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes blurry vision or loss of vision in the center of your eye. AMD affects the macula, the center part of the retina responsible for color and central vision. You’re more likely to develop AMD if you’re over age 60 or have a family history of the disease, although pollution may also play a part in AMD, according to a recent research study.

Exposure to fine particle air pollution increased the risk of AMD in a study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology. Some study participants also experienced changes in the thickness of their retinas due to pollution.

How You Can Reduce Your Risk of Pollution-Related Eye Issues

Although you may not be able to avoid pollution completely, these tips can help you protect your eyes:

• Check Air Quality Forecasts. Take a look at the air quality forecast if you plan to spend time outdoors. If the air quality is unhealthy, it may be best to reschedule your activities if possible. Air quality forecasts are available on many weather websites.
• Cover Your Eyes. Sunglasses or eyeglasses prevent pollutants from reaching your eyes. Wrap-around sunglasses offer the most protection.
• Use Eye Drops. Lubricating eye drops keep your eyes moist and comfortable while reducing dry eye symptoms.
• Increase Humidity. Use a humidifier in your home to increase moisture and prevent your dry eyes from feeling even worse.
• Wear Your Glasses Instead of Contact Lenses. Contact lenses trap pollutants against your eye and increase your risk of developing dry eye and conjunctivitis. If you do wear your contacts on a day when the air quality is unhealthy, remove the lenses as soon as you return home and clean them immediately.
• Contact Your eyeCare. Let your optometrist know if eye irritation or inflammation doesn’t improve after a day or two. Your eye doctor can prescribe eye drops that will reduce irritation, redness, and other symptoms.

عینک آفتابی در هوای ابری

خوب است بدانید که در هوای ابری هم مقادیر زیادی از اشعه خورشید از میان ابرها عبور می‌کند و پخش نور در قسمت‌های مختلف جو، UV (اشعه ماورای بنفش) قابل توجهی را در محیط ایجاد می‌کند، ولی مسلما کمتر از زمانی است که آفتاب به‌صورت کامل در آسمان وجود دارد. اگر هوا ابری ولی روشن است، طوری که نور چشمان‌تان را اذیت می‌کند، برای راحتی بیشتر از عینک آفتابی استفاده کنید. در این موارد، بسته به راحتی افراد میزان فتوکرومیک بودن عینک تنظیم می‌شود، مثلا در حالاتی مانند هوای ابری، عینک‌هایی که فتوکرومیک آنها خیلی بالا نیست، مناسبند، چون شیشه عینک کمتر تیره شده و دید فرد را مختل نمی‌کند. eResearch by Navid Ajamin

​How would sunglasses help from air pollution?

We must always wear sunglasses or eye protection when outdoors. As the face masks protect our lungs from inhaling pollution, the glasses or shades will help protect our eyes. Our cornea can be protected from dryness, itching, pathogenic bacteria, and hazardous pollutants by a layer of moisture.

How can we protect our eyes from air pollution?

Sunglasses or eyeglasses prevent pollutants from reaching your eyes. Wrap-around sunglasses offer the most protection. Use Eye Drops. Lubricating eye drops keep your eyes moist and comfortable while reducing dry eye symptoms.

Does bad air quality affect contact lenses?

Doctors have said that air pollution can damage your contact lenses, causing harm to the eyes. For this reason many are now opting for daily disposable contact lens brands rather than monthlies.

What do sunglasses protect?

Eyes filter out most, but not all, UV rays. Anything that limits UV exposure to the eye alleviates risk. Sunglasses protect your eyes and also can protect the skin around the eyes.

How does air pollution affect eyes?

Effect of long-term exposure to air pollution

Redness, soreness, and inflammation appear, and the eyes become sensitive to light, wind, and smoke. Sometimes mucus forms around the eyeballs too. The most dangerous air pollution and eye health effects include cataracts and cancer.

What causes eye pollution?

On the other hand, indoor air pollution from environmental tobacco smoking, heating, cooking, or poor indoor ventilation is also related to several eye diseases, including conjunctivitis, glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Does light pollution affect eyesight?

Constant exposure to different wavelengths and intensities of light promoted by light pollution may produce retinal degeneration as a consequence of photoreceptor or retinal pigment epithelium cells death.

We have been hearing the news of how bad conditions have become in the capital city as it succumbs to hazardous smog. Due to this rampantly rising air pollution conditions, life has become pretty difficult and health of people living there has taken a major hit. Air pollutants present in smog adversely affects the health, especially the eyes. Dust and harmful particulate matter enter our eyes causing unclear vision, redness, burning sensation, dry eyes, and itching. They are some of the common symptoms that happen due to these elements. You are exposed to air pollutants every time you step out of your home or office, and it’s virtually impossible to be completely protected. However, there are certain practices a person can adapt to the precautionary measures to minimize these symptoms as much as possible.

1) Minimize the exposure by staying inside Avoid walking or riding a bike along busy streets. Areas which are heavily industrialized should be refrained from going. One can choose to close the windows of their car during peak traffic hour commute to prevent further exposure. If possible, don’t go out of your home or office between noon and 4pm as the air quality is lowest when the temperature is highest.

2) Wear proper eye gear when going outside Wear sunglasses every time you step outside. Make sure your sunglasses are appropriately large and have adequate UV protection for better eye protection. Wrap-around zero powered eyewear provide maximum protection.

3) Avoid rubbing eyes in case of pollutants getting in the eye If tiny pollutants enter the eyes, don’t rub your eyes, instead, wash your eyes thoroughly with cold water or apply lubricating eye drops for relief.

4) Do proper Care of eyes when inside home Wash your eyes with cold water, when you are back from outdoors. Buy a home air filter that can block out particulate matter. Place cucumbers/cold compress on your eyes and rest, to help reduce inflammation. Use lubricating eye drops recommended by specialists as a daily eye care routine.

5) Eat healthy food for better wellbeing Most important of all, eat a healthy diet including lots of carrots, green leafy vegetables, almonds, walnuts,papaya, berries, fish etc. which are extremely good for the eyes.In conclusion, for the best vision care and overall well-being of eyes, best practice would be to avoid exposure to air pollution whenever possible. Frequent blinking and keeping the eyes moist by using lubricating eye drops is a good way to relieve the symptoms. In case that infections and allergies prolong for a long period of time, visit an eye specialist at Centre for Sight for an eye check-up.

Reference:

• cityspidey.com/news/19385/7-ways-to-protect-your-eyes-from-air-pollution
• centreforsight.net/blog/how-to-protect-your-eyes-from-smog
• duckloeyegroup.com/836847-poor-air-quality-and-your-eyes
• buffalo.edu/news/ub-in-the-news/2024/Febraury/001.html

In chemistry, hydrophobicity (from the Attic Greek hydro, meaning water, and phobos, meaning fear) is the physical property of a molecule (known as a hydrophobe) that is repelled from a mass of water.

hydrophobicity: noun; the property of being water-repellent; tending to repel and not absorb water / Synonyms for hydrophobic: aquaphobic, water repellent

Do scientists think water is wet? [8]

Water is not wet because wetness arises from the interaction between a liquid and a solid surface. In other words, wetness is a property that occurs when water or another liquid comes into contact with a solid object.

Hydrophobic molecules tend to be non-polar and, thus, prefer other neutral molecules and non-polar solvents. Hydrophobic molecules in water often cluster together, forming micelles. Water on hydrophobic surfaces will exhibit a high contact angle.

Examples of hydrophobic molecules include the alkanes, oils, fats, and greasy substances in general. Hydrophobic materials are used for oil removal from water, the management of oil spills, and chemical separation processes to remove non-polar from polar compounds.

Hydrophobic is often used interchangeably with lipophilic, "fat-loving." However, the two terms are not synonymous. While hydrophobic substances are usually lipophilic, there are exceptions—such as the silicones and fluorocarbons.[1]

A superhydrophobic coating is a thin surface layer that repels water.

It is made from superhydrophobic (ultrahydrophobicity) materials. Droplets hitting this kind of coating can fully rebound.

Superhydrophobic surfaces, possessing a high water contact angle (> 150°) and low sliding angle (< 10°), have attracted considerable attention because of their high water repellency and attractive self-cleaning, anti-corrosion, anti-icing, and anti-fouling properties.[4]

Thin layers of a waterproof substance on the surface of hydrophilic materials. Hydrophobic coatings are often called water-repellent, which is incorrect, since the water molecules are attracted to the coatings, although extremely weakly, rather than repelled by them.

Hydrophobic coatings are produced in the form of monomolecular layers (adsorbed orientated layers one molecule thick) or lacquer films by treating a material with solutions, emulsions, or less frequently, vapors of hydrophobic agents, which are substances that interact weakly with water but attach themselves firmly to a surface. Substances used as hydrophobic agents include salts of fatty acids and such metals as copper, aluminum, and zirconium; cation-active surface-active agents; and low-and high-molecular-weight organosilicon and organic fluorine compounds.

Hydrophobic coatings protect various materials (metal, wood, plastics, leather, and fabric and nonfabric fibrous ma-terials) from the destructive action of water or wetting. They are used particularly extensively in machine building,construction, and textile production.[2]

If you live in a cold climate, nothing is more frustrating than having your eyeglasses fog up when you come in from the cold. This also can be a safety issue, since it limits your ability to see until the fog clears. Lens fogging can be especially dangerous for police officers and other first responders to emergency situations. eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- spring 2012

At least one eyeglass lens coating company (Opticote) has created a permanent coating designed to eliminate this problem. The factory-applied coating — called Fog Free — eliminates the condensation of moisture on lenses that causes fogging.

So your lenses and vision stay clear when you make the transition from a cold environment to a warm one. It may also keep your lenses from fogging up during sports and other times you are hot and perspiring.

Fog Free can be applied to plastic, polycarbonate and other eyeglass lenses, including high-index lenses and Transitions photochromic lenses. The anti-fog coating is applied to the lenses before they are cut to fit into your frame at the optical lab. Ask your optical retailer about pricing and availability.

Fire ants can cluster together to increase their buoyancy – a property that scientists hope to copy to clean up oil spills -- superomniphobic surfaces

In October 2011, Essilor introduced a line of eyeglass lenses called Optifog, which the company describes as "a breakthrough lens with an exclusive anti-fog property."

The anti-fogging property of Optifog lenses is activated by applying a drop of Optifog Activator to each side of the lens, then wiping the lens with a microfiber cloth to thoroughly spread the liquid across the entire lens surface. This treatment keeps the lenses fog-free for up to one week, according to Essilor.

Lens fogging is caused by tiny water droplets that form by condensation on the surface of eyeglass lenses when the lenses are significantly cooler than the surrounding air temperature. Optifog works by uniformly spreading these water droplets across the lens surface so they become invisible, Essilor says.

What is hydrophobic cloth? [6]

Hydrophobic nonwovens are used for products that are intended to provide a dry barrier, while withstanding moisture. Some fibers, such as polyester, naturally have hydrophobic characteristics. In other cases, coatings and treatments can be used to make hydrophobic material from naturally absorbent fiber like cotton.

What is an example of a hydrophobic material? [7]

Hydrophobic molecules are molecules that do not have a charge, meaning they're nonpolar. Hydrophobic materials often do not dissolve in water or in any solution that contains a largely aqueous (watery) environment.

Oil, waxes, and steroids are all examples of hydrophobic materials and molecules.

Optifog lenses are available in plastic, polycarbonate and high-index plastic lens materials, with or without Essilor's proprietary Crizal anti-reflective coating.[3]

Reference:

1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrophobe
2. encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Hydrophobic+Coatings
3. allaboutvision.com/lenses/coatings.htm
4. sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0927775721018422
5. chemistryworld.com/features/superhydrophobic-materials-from-nature/3010321.article
6. wptnonwovens.com/blog/hydrophobic-material-vs-hydrophilic
7. study.com/learn/lesson/hydrophobic-effect-molecules-examples.html
8. clearlyfiltered.com/articles/is-water-wet

Puffy eyes are the bane of most women's existence. No one wants puffy eyes! The culprit? Could be anything. Too much salt the day before. Too little sleep. Who knows? For one reason or another, you wake up to find you have puffy eyes... and you want to get rid of them.

Puffy eyelids make you look tired and old. While they are usually temporary, they may last days or even weeks. If you are sick or puffy eyes result from irritation, you may find your eyes persistently take on a marshmallow like appearance. What can you do? First and foremost, don't fret! Let's look at the puffy eyes phenomena more in detail to figure out what we can to do help.                     eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- spring 2012     

Puffy Eyes Causes
What causes puffy eyes? There are all manner of insidious reasons people develop puffy eye syndrome. Here are some typical causes for puffy eyes:

• Fluctuating hormone levels, increasing the likelihood your body will retain fluid around the thin skin underneath your eyes.
• Edema or fluid retention throughout the body. Some causes for this include illness, inflammation and fatigue. Pregnancy also causes increasing edema in women.
• Dehydration, whether from drinking too little water or from a hangover. Either way, the only cure is more water.
• Puffiness resulting from medication use.
• Heredity (yes, your genes can influence your susceptibility to puffy eyes!).
• Allergies, which may also result in itchiness and redness of the eyes and surrounding tissue.

Because the skin underneath our eyes is so delicate, there are almost too many causes to list. Your best bet in the fight against puff? Treat your eyes like queens. That means getting plenty of rest, and avoiding excessive irritants. Consider the skin around your eyes as you would the skin of a newborn baby, and you'll go a long way toward combating under eye puffiness. Let's learn more about eye puffiness...

Signs and Symptoms
What are some of the more common signs and symptoms of puffy eye syndrome? Here are just a few:

• Swelling under the eyes or around the eyes and eyelid.

• Bags or excessive skin under the eyes that appears to puff out or hang.

• Itchy, red or irritated eyes.

• Inability to open or close eyes completely due to puffiness.

• Dark circles accompanied by sagging skin under the eyes.

How one defines puffy eyes really depends on the person. For some a slight discoloration in the early morning is enough to qualify for puffy eye syndrome. For others, puffy eyes are described only when giant water sacks hang from beneath their peepers. You know best how to quantify your eyes and thus are the best judge of whether you suffer from puffy eye syndrome.

Reducing Puffy Eye Syndrome
Fortunately, you don't have to live with puffy eye syndrome. In fact, if you have puffy eyes because you retain fluid, the simplest way to reduce puffiness is by drinking more water. There are other tips you can follow to help relieve puffy eyes depending on the cause. Here are a few:

• Try applying some hemorrhoid cream under the thin skin of the eye. This cream contains anti-inflammatory agents that can help alleviate puffy eyes.

• Gently tap your skin where puffy, as this can encourage fluid build up to release and drain more easily.

• Apply cold compresses to your eyes. Many stores and boutiques sell gel filled eye packs. Stick them in the freezer for a few minutes and apply to your eyes.

• Grate some potatoes or place cucumber wedges on your eyes, and lay down for 10 minutes. This may help reduce swelling and help brighten your skin.

• Soak a cloth or some nursing pads in cold milk and apply over your eyes for 10 minutes. This will help reduce puffiness and, like above, help brighten dark circles under your eyes.

• Drink water until you feel like a water fountain. When you are retaining fluid, you simply can't drink enough water to reduce puffiness. Also avoid beverages with lots of caffeine and bubbly beverages including soda, as these can contribute to edema.

• Avoid artificial sweeteners, as these can cause your body to retain more fluid.

• Be sure you are getting at least 8 hours of sleep at night, because too little sleep will lead to dark circles and puffiness.

• Try an ordinary ice pack. The cold temperature may help reduce swelling.

• Always wear UV sunglasses during the day. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, even on cloudy days. Excessive exposure to the sun or unexpected sunburns often contributes to puffy eyes and leave you feeling bloated the next day.

• Avoid overly windy conditions. Wear glasses or goggles to help protect your eyes and act as a buffer against intense environmental conditions. 

Reference: eyedoctorguide.com/eye_problems/puffy_eyes_puffy_eyelids.html