Nearly everyone on the planet will experience an eye health issue in their lifetime and more than a billion people worldwide do not have access to eye care services.
To address the bigger picture at the country and global level, we need to be aware of our own eye health, and so our theme for 2021 is all about #LoveYourEyes.
#LoveYourEyes is all about being aware of your own eye health and if you able, to get a sight test or recommend others do the same.
Our eyes can also tell us so much about our general health – soon we’ll have more information about how to #LoveYourEyes and learn more about your own eye health.
FOR WORLD SIGHT DAY 2021, EVERYONE COUNTS
In the month leading up to World Sight Day, we want to get over 1 million people to pledge to have a sight test or care for their eyes. So, whoever you are, we are asking you get involved.
PLEDGE YOUR SIGHT TEST
If you are an individual, you’ll be able to pledge to test your eyes or care for your eyes.
If you are an eye care professional or organisation, you’ll be able to pledge all the tests you do in the month leading up to World Sight Day here
Glasses with anti-reflective coating have grown in popularity as more jobs demand that employees spend time behind a computer. Everyday use of smartphones, TV viewing, and other gadgets with screens can strain the eyes even further.
In the past, AR coating was a nuisance because it would easily peel off, scratch, and get dirty easily. Today’s AR-coated lenses have improved. Their anti-reflective capabilities are “seared” into the lens.
Block blue light, which can help with eye strain, blurry vision, and dry eyes.
Resist smudges and scratches.
Stop water damage.
Brands such as Crizal are major purveyors of these lenses. They specialize in lenses for children and have a variety of lenses with these features. Some of their offerings are expensive.
In addition to helping you see better, AR-coated glasses are more aesthetically pleasing if you are a person who is often photographed. They let light enter more easily, allowing people to see your eyes better beneath your lenses.
The term ocular hypertension usually refers to any situation in which the pressure inside the eye, called intraocular pressure, is higher than normal. Eye pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Normal eye pressure ranges from 10-21 mm Hg. Ocular hypertension is an eye pressure of greater than 21 mm Hg.
Although its definition has evolved through the years, ocular hypertension is commonly defined as a condition with the following criteria:
An intraocular pressure of greater than 21 mm Hg is measured in one or both eyes at two or more office visits. Pressure inside the eye is measured using an instrument called a tonometer.
The optic nerve appears normal.
No signs of glaucoma are evident on visual field testing, which is a test to assess your peripheral (or side) vision.
To determine other possible causes for your high eye pressure, an eye doctor (a medical doctor who specializes in eye care and surgery) assesses whether your drainage system (called the “angle”) is open or closed. The angle is seen using a technique called gonioscopy. This technique involves the use of a special contact lens to examine the drainage angles (or channels) in your eyes to see if they are open, narrowed, or closed.
No signs of any ocular disease are present. Some eye diseases can increase the pressure inside the eye.
Ocular hypertension should not be considered a disease by itself. Instead, ocular hypertension is a term that is used to describe individuals who should be observed more closely than the general population for the onset of glaucoma. For this reason, another term to refer to a person with ocular hypertension is “glaucoma suspect,” or someone whom the eye doctor is concerned may have or may develop glaucoma because of elevated pressure inside the eyes. An eye exam may show a glaucoma-damaged optic nerve.
As mentioned above, increased intraocular pressure can result from other eye conditions. However, within this article, ocular hypertension primarily refers to increased intraocular pressure without any optic nerve damage or vision loss. Glaucoma is diagnosed when characteristic optic nerve and vision changes occur; typically with elevated eye pressure but occasionally with normal pressure.
As of the year 2013, an estimated 2.2 million people in the United States had glaucoma and more than 120,000 are legally blind because of this disease. These statistics alone emphasize the need to identify and closely monitor people who are at risk of developing glaucoma, particularly those with ocular hypertension.
Studies estimate that 3-6 million people in the United States alone, including 4%-10% of the population older than 40 years, have intraocular pressures of 21 mm Hg or higher, without detectable signs of glaucomatous damage using current tests.
Studies over the last 20 years have helped to characterize those with ocular hypertension.
Recent data on people with ocular hypertension from the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study have shown that they have an average estimated risk of 10% of developing glaucoma over 5 years. This risk may be decreased to 5% (a 50% decrease in risk) if eye pressure is lowered by medications or laser surgery. However, the risk may become even less than 1% per year because of significantly improved techniques for detecting glaucomatous damage. This could allow treatment to start much earlier, before vision loss occurs. Future studies will help to further assess this risk of glaucoma development.
Patients with thin corneas may be at a higher risk for glaucoma development; therefore, your eye doctor may use a measuring device, called a pachymeter, to determine your corneal thickness.
Ocular hypertension is 10-15 times more likely to occur than primary open-angle glaucoma, a common form of glaucoma. That means that out of every 100 people older than age 40, about 10 will have pressures higher than 21 mm Hg, but only one of those people will have glaucoma.
Over a 5-year period, several studies have shown the incidence of glaucomatous damage in people with ocular hypertension to be about 2.6-3% for intraocular pressures of 21-25 mm Hg, 12-26% for intraocular pressures of 26-30 mm Hg, and approximately 42% for those higher than 30 mm Hg.
In approximately 3% of people with ocular hypertension, the veins in the retina can become blocked (called a retinal vein occlusion), which could lead to vision loss. Because of this, keeping pressures below 25 mm Hg in people with ocular hypertension and who are older than age 65 is often suggested.
Some studies have found that the average intraocular pressure in African-Americans is higher than in whites, while other studies have found no difference.
A 4-year study showed that African-Americans with ocular hypertension were 5 times more likely to develop glaucoma than whites. Findings suggest that, on average, African-Americans have thinner corneas, which may account for this increased likelihood to develop glaucoma, as a thinner cornea may cause pressure measurements in the office to be falsely low.
In addition, African-Americans are considered to have a 3-4 times greater risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma. They are also believed to be more likely to have optic nerve damage.
Although some studies have reported a significantly higher average intraocular pressure in women than in men, other studies have not shown any difference between men and women.
Some studies suggest that women could be at a higher risk for ocular hypertension, especially after menopause.
Studies also show that men with ocular hypertension may be at a higher risk for glaucomatous damage.
Intraocular pressure slowly rises with increasing age, just as glaucoma becomes more prevalent as you get older.
Being older than age 40 is considered to be a risk factor for the development of both ocular hypertension and primary open-angle glaucoma.
Elevated pressure in a young person is a cause for concern. A young person has a longer time to be exposed to high pressures over a lifetime and a greater likelihood of optic nerve damage.
Ocular Hypertension Causes
Elevated intraocular pressure is a concern in people with ocular hypertension because it is one of the main risk factors for glaucoma.
High pressure inside the eye is caused by an imbalance in the production and drainage of fluid in the eye (aqueous humor). The channels that normally drain the fluid from inside the eye do not function properly. More fluid is continually being produced but cannot be drained because of the improperly functioning drainage channels. This results in an increased amount of fluid inside the eye, thus raising the pressure.
Another way to think of high pressure inside the eye is to imagine a water balloon. The more water that is put into the balloon, the higher the pressure inside the balloon. The same situation exists with too much fluid inside the eye—the more fluid, the higher the pressure. Also, just like a water balloon can burst if too much water is put into it, the optic nerve in the eye can be damaged by too high of a pressure. See Images 1-2.
People with very thick but normal corneas often have eye pressure measuring at the high levels of normal or even a little bit higher. Their pressures may actually be lower and normal but the thick corneas cause a falsely high reading during measurements.
Ocular Hypertension Symptoms
Most people with ocular hypertension do not experience any symptoms. For this reason, regular eye examinations with an eye doctor are very important to rule out any damage to the optic nerve from the high pressure.
When to Seek Medical Care
Questions to Ask the Doctor
Is my eye pressure elevated?
Are there any signs of internal eye damage due to an injury?
Are there any optic nerve abnormalities on my examination?
How often should I undergo follow-up examinations?
Exams and Tests
An eye doctor performs tests to measure intraocular pressure as well as to rule out early primary open-angle glaucoma or secondary causes of glaucoma. These tests are explained below.
Your visual acuity, which refers to how well you can see an object, is initially assessed. Your eye doctor determines your visual acuity by having you read letters from across a room using an eye chart.
The front of your eyes, including your cornea, anterior chamber, iris, and lens, are examined using a special microscope called a slit lamp.
Tonometry is a method used to measure the pressure inside the eye. Measurements are taken for both eyes on at least 2-3 occasions. Because intraocular pressure varies from hour to hour in any individual, measurements may be taken at different times of day (e.g., morning and night). A difference in pressure between the 2 eyes of 3 mm Hg or more may suggest glaucoma. Early primary open-angle glaucoma is very likely if the intraocular pressure is steadily increasing.
Each optic nerve is examined for any damage or abnormalities; this may require dilation of the pupils to ensure an adequate examination of the optic nerves. Fundus photographs, which are pictures of your optic disk (the front surface of your optic nerve), are taken for future reference and comparison.
Gonioscopy is performed to check the drainage angle of your eye; to do so, a special contact lens is placed on the eye. This test is important to determine if the angles are open, narrowed, or closed and to rule out any other conditions that could cause elevated intraocular pressure.
Visual field testing checks your peripheral (or side) vision, typically by using an automated visual field machine. This test is done to rule out any visual field defects due to glaucoma. Visual field testing may need to be repeated. If there is a low risk of glaucomatous damage, then the test may be performed only once a year. If there is a high risk of glaucomatous damage, then the test may be performed as frequently as every 2 months.
Pachymetry (or corneal thickness) is checked by an ultrasound probe to determine the accuracy of your intraocular pressure readings. A thinner cornea can give falsely low pressure readings, whereas a thick cornea can give falsely high pressure readings.
Ocular Hypertension Treatment Self-Care at Home
If your eye doctor prescribes medicines (see Medical Treatment and Medications) to help lower the pressure inside your eye, properly applying the medication and complying with your doctor’s instructions are very important. Not doing so could result in a further increase in intraocular pressure that can lead to optic nerve damage and permanent vision loss (i.e, glaucoma).
Medical Treatment
The goal of medical treatment is to reduce the pressure before it causes glaucomatous loss of vision. Medical treatment is always initiated for those people who are believed to be at the greatest risk for developing glaucoma (see When To Seek Medical Care) and for those with signs of optic nerve damage.
How your eye doctor chooses to treat you is highly individualized. Depending on your particular situation, you may be treated with medications or just observed. Your doctor will discuss the pros and cons of medical treatment versus observation with you.
Some eye doctors treat all elevated intraocular pressures of higher than 21 mm Hg with topical medicines. Some do not medically treat unless there is evidence of optic nerve damage. Most eye doctors treat if pressures are consistently higher than 28-30 mm Hg because of the high risk of optic nerve damage.
If you are experiencing symptoms like halos, blurred vision, or pain, or if your intraocular pressure has recently increased and then continues to increase on subsequent visits, your eye doctor will most likely start medical treatment.
Your intraocular pressure is evaluated periodically using guidelines similar to these:
If your intraocular pressure is 28 mm Hg or higher, you are treated with medicines. After 1 month of taking the drug, you have a follow-up visit with your eye doctor to see if the medicine is lowering the pressure and there are no side effects. If the drug is working, then follow-up visits are scheduled every 3-4 months.
If your intraocular pressure is 26-27 mm Hg, the pressure is rechecked in 2-3 weeks after your initial visit. On your second visit, if the pressure is still within 3 mm Hg of the reading at the initial visit, then follow-up visits are scheduled every 3-4 months. If the pressure is lower on your second visit, then the length of time between follow-up visits is longer and is determined by your eye doctor. At least once a year, visual field testing is done and your optic nerve is examined.
If your intraocular pressure is 22-25 mm Hg, the pressure is rechecked in 2-3 months. At the second visit, if the pressure is still within 3 mm Hg of the reading at the initial visit, then your next visit is in 6 months and includes visual field testing and an optic nerve examination. Testing is repeated at least yearly.
Follow-up visits may also be scheduled for the following reasons:
If a visual field defect shows up during a visual field test, repeat (possibly multiple) examinations are performed during future office visits. An eye doctor closely monitors a visual field defect because it may be a sign of early primary open-angle glaucoma. That is why it is important for you to do your best when taking the visual field test, as it may determine whether or not you have to start on medications to lower your eye pressure. If you get tired during a visual field test, make sure to tell the technician to pause the test so you can rest. That way, a more accurate visual field test can be obtained.
A gonioscopy is performed at least once every 1-2 years if your intraocular pressure significantly increases or if you are being treated with miotics (a type of glaucoma medication).
More fundus photographs (which are pictures of the back of the eye) are taken if the optic nerve/optic disk changes in appearance.
Medications
The ideal drug for treatment of ocular hypertension should effectively lower intraocular pressure, have no side effects, and be inexpensive with once-a-day dosing; however, no medicine possesses all of the above. When choosing a medicine for you, your eye doctor prioritizes these qualities based on your specific needs.
Medications, usually in the form of medicated eyedrops, are prescribed to help lower increased intraocular pressure. Sometimes, more than one medicine is needed. See Understanding Glaucoma Medications.
Initially, your eye doctor might have you use the eyedrops in only one eye to see how effective the drug is in lowering the pressure inside your eye. If it is effective, then your doctor will most likely have you use the eyedrops in both eyes. See How to Instill Your Eyedrops.
Once a medicine is prescribed, you have regular follow-up visits with your eye doctor. The first follow-up visit is usually 3-4 weeks after beginning the medicine. Your pressures are checked to ensure the drug is helping to lower your intraocular pressure. If the drug is working and is not causing any side effects, then it is continued and you are reevaluated 2-4 months later. If the drug is not helping to lower your intraocular pressure, then you will stop taking that drug and a new drug will be prescribed.
Your eye doctor may schedule your follow-up visits in accordance with the particular drug you are taking, because some medicines (e.g., latanoprost [Xalatan], travoprost [Travatan], bimatoprost [Lumigan]) may take 6-8 weeks to be fully effective.
During these follow-up visits, your eye doctor also observes you for any allergic reactions to the drug. If you are experiencing any side effects or symptoms while on the drug, be sure to tell your eye doctor.
Generally, if the pressure inside the eye cannot be lowered with 1-2 medicines, you might have early primary open-angle glaucoma instead of ocular hypertension. In this case, your eye doctor will discuss the appropriate next steps in your treatment plan.
Surgery
Laser and surgical therapy are not generally used to treat ocular hypertension, because the risks associated with these therapies are higher than the actual risk of developing glaucomatous damage from ocular hypertension. However, if you cannot tolerate your eye medications, laser surgery could be an option, and you should discuss this therapy with your eye doctor.
Next Steps Follow-up
Depending on the amount of optic nerve damage and the level of intraocular pressure control, people with ocular hypertension may need to be seen from every 2 months to yearly, even sooner if the pressures are not being adequately controlled.
Glaucoma should still be a concern in people who have elevated intraocular pressure with normal-looking optic nerves and normal visual field testing results or in people who have normal intraocular pressure with suspicious-looking optic nerves and visual field testing results. These people should be observed closely because they are at an increased risk for glaucoma.
Prevention
Ocular hypertension cannot be prevented, but through regular eye examinations with an eye doctor, its progression to glaucoma can be prevented.
Outlook
The prognosis is very good for people with ocular hypertension.
With careful follow-up care and compliance with medical treatment, most people with ocular hypertension do not progress to primary open-angle glaucoma, and they retain good vision throughout their lifetime.
With poor control of elevated intraocular pressure, continuing changes to the optic nerve and visual field that could lead to glaucoma might occur.
Support Groups and Counseling
Educating people with glaucoma is essential for medical treatment to be successful. The person who understands the chronic (long-term), potentially progressive nature of glaucoma is more likely to comply with medical treatment.
Numerous handouts about glaucoma are available, two of which are listed below.
“Understanding and Living with Glaucoma: A Reference Guide for People with Glaucoma and Their Families,” Glaucoma Research Foundation, (800) 826-6693.
“Glaucoma Patient Resource: Living More Comfortably with Glaucoma,” Prevent Blindness America, (800) 331-2020.
Media file 2: Elevated eye pressure is caused by a build-up of fluid inside the eye because the drainage channels (trabecular meshwork) cannot drain it properly. Elevated eye pressure can cause optic nerve damage and vision loss.
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People often have “gender reveal” parties for their babies. You’ll see balloons in grocery stores that say, “It’s a boy!” or “It’s a girl!”
But what if it’s neither? Or both?
Most parents don’t consider their children being anything other than a boy or a girl, so you, the gender questioning individual, must figure that out for yourself.
In such a gendered society, it’s tough to figure out if you’re non-binary or transgender. But after this article, you’ll have a little more insight on how to know if you’re non-binary, not transgender.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6236251396557429&output=html&h=300&adk=1554445590&adf=2712664100&pi=t.aa~a.799919054~i.11~rp.4&w=360&lmt=1624536242&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=3791326851&psa=0&ad_type=text_image&format=360×300&url=https%3A%2F%2Fallaboutgender.com%2F2018%2F07%2F04%2Fhow-to-know-if-youre-non-binary%2F&flash=0&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=270&rw=324&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&adsid=ChAI8NrQhgYQpeCf1b3moos9EjsAzzL_KkYELX1EvCEUe8i9sWGSmCIyBuIkwlsGOF4_w6LnqvMbgI_3POgYKLqx2Og1prs1qM7h4YAHjQ&dt=1624536241364&bpp=73&bdt=10831&idt=-M&shv=r20210621&cbv=%2Fr20190131&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&prev_fmts=0x0&nras=2&correlator=868996826105&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1840203765.1624536239&ga_sid=1624536239&ga_hid=93619842&ga_fc=0&u_tz=60&u_his=5&u_java=0&u_h=640&u_w=360&u_ah=640&u_aw=360&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=1597&biw=360&bih=512&scr_x=0&scr_y=537&eid=21066433%2C21065725%2C31061421&oid=3&pvsid=3132395881117058&pem=551&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C360%2C0%2C360%2C568%2C360%2C568&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&jar=2021-06-24-12&ifi=2&uci=a!2&btvi=1&fsb=1&xpc=dkVkqCoUWn&p=https%3A//allaboutgender.com&dtd=814
(Conversely, if you think you might be transgender click here)
Let’s begin with some definitions, shall we?
What does it mean to be non-binary?
Let’s start with the word “non-binary” itself. A non-binary individual is someone who identifies outside of a binary.
A binary is a categorization with only two options. Salt and pepper are a binary. Black and white are a binary. Man and woman, too, are a binary.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6236251396557429&output=html&h=300&adk=1554445590&adf=1124583932&pi=t.aa~a.799919054~i.21~rp.4&w=360&lmt=1624536242&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=3791326851&psa=0&ad_type=text_image&format=360×300&url=https%3A%2F%2Fallaboutgender.com%2F2018%2F07%2F04%2Fhow-to-know-if-youre-non-binary%2F&flash=0&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=270&rw=324&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&adsid=ChAI8NrQhgYQpeCf1b3moos9EjsAzzL_KkYELX1EvCEUe8i9sWGSmCIyBuIkwlsGOF4_w6LnqvMbgI_3POgYKLqx2Og1prs1qM7h4YAHjQ&dt=1624536241364&bpp=33&bdt=10830&idt=-M&shv=r20210621&cbv=%2Fr20190131&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&prev_fmts=0x0%2C360x300&nras=3&correlator=868996826105&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1840203765.1624536239&ga_sid=1624536239&ga_hid=93619842&ga_fc=0&u_tz=60&u_his=5&u_java=0&u_h=640&u_w=360&u_ah=640&u_aw=360&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=2500&biw=360&bih=512&scr_x=0&scr_y=537&eid=21066433%2C21065725%2C31061421&oid=3&pvsid=3132395881117058&pem=551&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C360%2C0%2C360%2C568%2C360%2C568&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&jar=2021-06-24-12&ifi=3&uci=a!3&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=fVrlr3HalY&p=https%3A//allaboutgender.com&dtd=902
But there are more spices than just salt or pepper. There’s an infinite shade of gray between black and white. And, you guessed it, there are more ways to express yourself than just “man” or “woman.”
So a non-binary individual is simply someone who does not consider themself a man or a woman. They can feel most comfortable in between the two, switch from a man to woman and vice versa, or identify in multiple different ways.
At the end of the day, though, a non-binary individual does not feel solely like a man or solely like a woman, as cisgender people do. https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6236251396557429&output=html&h=300&adk=1554445590&adf=1438455242&pi=t.aa~a.799919054~i.27~rp.4&w=360&lmt=1624536242&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=3791326851&psa=0&ad_type=text_image&format=360×300&url=https%3A%2F%2Fallaboutgender.com%2F2018%2F07%2F04%2Fhow-to-know-if-youre-non-binary%2F&flash=0&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=270&rw=324&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&adsid=ChAI8NrQhgYQpeCf1b3moos9EjsAzzL_KkYELX1EvCEUe8i9sWGSmCIyBuIkwlsGOF4_w6LnqvMbgI_3POgYKLqx2Og1prs1qM7h4YAHjQ&dt=1624536241364&bpp=37&bdt=10830&idt=38&shv=r20210621&cbv=%2Fr20190131&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&prev_fmts=0x0%2C360x300%2C360x300&nras=4&correlator=868996826105&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1840203765.1624536239&ga_sid=1624536239&ga_hid=93619842&ga_fc=0&u_tz=60&u_his=5&u_java=0&u_h=640&u_w=360&u_ah=640&u_aw=360&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=3446&biw=360&bih=512&scr_x=0&scr_y=537&eid=21066433%2C21065725%2C31061421&oid=3&pvsid=3132395881117058&pem=551&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C360%2C0%2C360%2C568%2C360%2C568&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&jar=2021-06-24-12&ifi=4&uci=a!4&btvi=3&fsb=1&xpc=x1ztlru187&p=https%3A//allaboutgender.com&dtd=973
Now to clear up some points of confusion that may result from these definitions:
A non-binary individual is not to be confused with an intersex individual. An intersex individual is someone who was born with various male or female sex characteristics. For example, someone can have a vagina and a Y chromosome.
Intersex people are biologically between male and female. However, a person’s body parts or sex characteristics does not always dictate how this person will identify. So if you’re intersex, you can still identify as a man or a woman. Or neither.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6236251396557429&output=html&h=300&adk=1554445590&adf=2496288911&pi=t.aa~a.799919054~i.33~rp.4&w=360&lmt=1624536243&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=3791326851&psa=0&ad_type=text_image&format=360×300&url=https%3A%2F%2Fallaboutgender.com%2F2018%2F07%2F04%2Fhow-to-know-if-youre-non-binary%2F&flash=0&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=270&rw=324&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&adsid=ChAI8NrQhgYQpeCf1b3moos9EjsAzzL_KkYELX1EvCEUe8i9sWGSmCIyBuIkwlsGOF4_w6LnqvMbgI_3POgYKLqx2Og1prs1qM7h4YAHjQ&dt=1624536241441&bpp=34&bdt=10908&idt=35&shv=r20210621&cbv=%2Fr20190131&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&prev_fmts=0x0%2C360x300%2C360x300%2C360x300%2C360x512%2C360x90&nras=7&correlator=868996826105&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1840203765.1624536239&ga_sid=1624536239&ga_hid=93619842&ga_fc=0&u_tz=60&u_his=5&u_java=0&u_h=640&u_w=360&u_ah=640&u_aw=360&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=4424&biw=360&bih=512&scr_x=0&scr_y=795&eid=21066433%2C21065725%2C31061421&oid=3&pvsid=3132395881117058&pem=551&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C360%2C0%2C360%2C568%2C360%2C568&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&jar=2021-06-24-12&ifi=5&uci=a!5&btvi=5&fsb=1&xpc=IX3TR3yRTb&p=https%3A//allaboutgender.com&dtd=2165
Because it’s not the body that dictates gender identity, but simply how a person feels within their body.
And if you’re reading this, you’re probably feeling some type of way about the body you were born into. Let’s dig into that a little deeper.
Cis is shorthand for cisgender, or someone whose biological sexual characteristics matches up with the traditional gender identity for that body.
So when you see someone with boobs, wide hips, no Adam’s apple, long hair, etc, you’d think that person is woman.
And when you see someone with broad shoulders, short hair, muscles, body hair, etc, you’d think that person is man.
But you can have those biological characteristics and not be a man, because, again, a body does not dictate gender identity.
How we express ourselves can be in different ways in the gender spectrum. Short hair and painted fingernails can no longer be assigned to just one gender or the other. Both genders are taking it up, or no gender at all.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6236251396557429&output=html&h=300&adk=1554445590&adf=46347350&pi=t.aa~a.799919054~i.53~rp.4&w=360&lmt=1624536285&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=3791326851&psa=0&ad_type=text_image&format=360×300&url=https%3A%2F%2Fallaboutgender.com%2F2018%2F07%2F04%2Fhow-to-know-if-youre-non-binary%2F&flash=0&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=270&rw=324&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&adsid=ChAI8NrQhgYQpeCf1b3moos9EjsAzzL_KkYELX1EvCEUe8i9sWGSmCIyBuIkwlsGOF4_w6LnqvMbgI_3POgYKLqx2Og1prs1qM7h4YAHjQ&dt=1624536241513&bpp=34&bdt=10980&idt=45&shv=r20210621&cbv=%2Fr20190131&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3Df9a156dba5ba4796-229463c7b67a00ca%3AT%3D1624536240%3ART%3D1624536240%3AS%3DALNI_MY5oTEv9924UoE2zMnqUuc3iT2_6Q&prev_fmts=0x0%2C360x300%2C360x300%2C360x300%2C360x512%2C360x90%2C360x300&nras=8&correlator=868996826105&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1840203765.1624536239&ga_sid=1624536239&ga_hid=93619842&ga_fc=0&u_tz=60&u_his=5&u_java=0&u_h=640&u_w=360&u_ah=640&u_aw=360&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=6628&biw=360&bih=512&scr_x=0&scr_y=2683&eid=21066433%2C21065725%2C31061421&oid=3&psts=AGkb-H8j1td-CXV2SpfHIyALNISMLnoHz32d6KzFDJh_yweLs0p3W5ZzlfrLuF_RTn9fehRSIiDJ0QMbiPZnXFfnkCCGN8oJU-SRzShC%2CAGkb-H8m_OwEXV_lurVwh7w-hvejwwRVf1BVRGBwduZWFlElS78t3KORWTnnmC1vf-suudvTSRCk5MPLlUnQBA%2CAGkb-H9ObkuvoJ3ZaakHEfUO99sJHe-9YeOLlSwaI7WeWdyj01g8Wjdw9eT3PQQT6QFVdRgJNJRDm9gIYksnng%2CAGkb-H8Uo06nd22MDTWyTbwJN3EDzwB1w6kMQWw7YIrT69MHUCIRuLdfF4ArBkv8f1HJhGv8lP6cEc7l8syqzQ%2CAGkb-H-6zbNfJtj8ikgVlZUJA5Hqrzum4GdJX1v7bEE5kNndG0GQtahUj6mG0RQQhChGXJuwqt32VHFLzdkLnw&pvsid=3132395881117058&pem=551&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C360%2C0%2C360%2C568%2C360%2C568&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&jar=2021-06-24-12&ifi=6&uci=a!6&btvi=6&fsb=1&xpc=RybFYeG4Ps&p=https%3A//allaboutgender.com&dtd=44438
So with that let’s talk about practical ways you can know if you’re non-binary:
You don’t feel comfortable on either gender binary. You don’t want to be seen as a man, you don’t want to be seen as woman. You don’t like she/her or he/him pronouns. All in all, you feel someplace in the middle of male and female.
You feel as if you have to be reminded that you’re a man or woman.
You feel weird when someone calls you he/him or she/her. Something about they/them pronouns honor you, or you feel the best knowing that you’re not being seen as a male or female.
You’ve changed your appearance to be more androgynous.
Things you’re already doing that might indicate you’re non-binary:
Shortening or changing your name so that it’s gender neutral.
Using “They/them” when describing the gender of people you don’t know. This might be because you wish someone called you by those neutral pronouns.
Wishing there were more gender-neutral bathrooms in this world.
Wishing parts of your body were different (less pronounced, fuller — especially in an androgynous way).
Wearing baggy, ill-fitting clothing that hides your body and secondary sex characteristics (breasts, hips, thighs, neck, etc).
Speaking less because of voice dysphoria. (I get misgendered the SECOND I open my mouth.)
Eating less. It’s sad to say, but some causes of eating disorders is latent gender dysphoria. Transgender and genderqueer individuals are about 5 times more likely to develop eating disorders than cisgender LGBTQ or heterosexual individuals.
Wishing you had a different name or pronouns.
Wanting the masculinization/feminization of hormone treatment. While you don’t have to completely masculinize/feminize yourself, some people do hormone treats to make their body more androgynous.
Things to help figure out if you’re non-binary:
Change your hairstyle. Cut it, grow it, shave it, dye it.
Experiment with makeup. Or don’t. Buy some eyeliner and lipstick. Throw the ones you do have away. Or, hey, if you want to, give yourself a beard with some mascara. Whatever works!
Try on different clothing. Raid a sibling’s closet, a parent’s wardrobe, or try stuff on at goodwill. Do you like what you see?
Ask people to call you different pronouns or names. Sometimes that’s all you need to reaffirm your gender. If you’re not in a place where you can ask people that, websites like Pronoun Changing Room can help you out.
Specifically, start asking people to use “they/them” pronouns with you.
The absolute best way to figure out if you’re non-binary: navigate your euphoria and dysphoria.
Euphoria is when something feels good. Dysphoria is when something feels bad (especially in relation to your gender).
Try to notice each time you feel good when gendered one way and feel bad gendered another way.
If you find non-gendered traits make you feel better than gendered traits, you’re most likely non-binary.
For example: You don’t like being called “sir/ma’am,” (or maybe neither elicits a response from you). You do feel good, though, when someone uses they/them pronouns with you. You feel uncomfortable in male or female bathrooms but are always relieved to find a gender-neutral bathroom.
Give yourself some time. It’s hard to understand euphoria and dysphoria in the moment (as other environmental/contextual factors can influence those feelings in the moment), but looking back and perhaps writing down a few key experiences may give insight to your gender identity.
A lot of this sounds like how to know if you’re trans (as a lot of these behaviors are also found on the transgender article).
At the end of the day, a lot of the same feelings of dysphoria for transgender and non-binary individuals stem from the same body issues. A lot of people who think they’re trans eventually realize that they’re non-binary and vice versa.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6236251396557429&output=html&h=300&adk=1554445590&adf=276673348&pi=t.aa~a.799919054~i.77~rp.4&w=360&lmt=1624536451&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=3791326851&psa=0&ad_type=text_image&format=360×300&url=https%3A%2F%2Fallaboutgender.com%2F2018%2F07%2F04%2Fhow-to-know-if-youre-non-binary%2F&flash=0&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=270&rw=324&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&adsid=ChAI8NrQhgYQpeCf1b3moos9EjsAzzL_KkYELX1EvCEUe8i9sWGSmCIyBuIkwlsGOF4_w6LnqvMbgI_3POgYKLqx2Og1prs1qM7h4YAHjQ&dt=1624536241594&bpp=30&bdt=11061&idt=31&shv=r20210621&cbv=%2Fr20190131&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3Df9a156dba5ba4796-229463c7b67a00ca%3AT%3D1624536240%3ART%3D1624536240%3AS%3DALNI_MY5oTEv9924UoE2zMnqUuc3iT2_6Q&prev_fmts=0x0%2C360x300%2C360x300%2C360x300%2C360x512%2C360x90%2C360x300%2C360x300&nras=9&correlator=868996826105&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1840203765.1624536239&ga_sid=1624536239&ga_hid=93619842&ga_fc=0&u_tz=60&u_his=5&u_java=0&u_h=640&u_w=360&u_ah=640&u_aw=360&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=11249&biw=360&bih=512&scr_x=0&scr_y=7277&eid=21066433%2C21065725%2C31061421&oid=3&psts=AGkb-H8j1td-CXV2SpfHIyALNISMLnoHz32d6KzFDJh_yweLs0p3W5ZzlfrLuF_RTn9fehRSIiDJ0QMbiPZnXFfnkCCGN8oJU-SRzShC%2CAGkb-H8m_OwEXV_lurVwh7w-hvejwwRVf1BVRGBwduZWFlElS78t3KORWTnnmC1vf-suudvTSRCk5MPLlUnQBA%2CAGkb-H9ObkuvoJ3ZaakHEfUO99sJHe-9YeOLlSwaI7WeWdyj01g8Wjdw9eT3PQQT6QFVdRgJNJRDm9gIYksnng%2CAGkb-H8Uo06nd22MDTWyTbwJN3EDzwB1w6kMQWw7YIrT69MHUCIRuLdfF4ArBkv8f1HJhGv8lP6cEc7l8syqzQ%2CAGkb-H-6zbNfJtj8ikgVlZUJA5Hqrzum4GdJX1v7bEE5kNndG0GQtahUj6mG0RQQhChGXJuwqt32VHFLzdkLnw%2CAGkb-H8SnqIXJEyV_0GPYo0fvtZdNyqIDxgsu2NRAzyMSqJi6VF0kk9feoi7Yk-s-caiFr4wekxvxrfieAVPAck4&pvsid=3132395881117058&pem=551&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C360%2C0%2C360%2C568%2C360%2C568&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&jar=2021-06-24-12&ifi=7&uci=a!7&btvi=7&fsb=1&xpc=fXYqE5Mm5C&p=https%3A//allaboutgender.com&dtd=M
But I’d say the biggest indication that you’re non-binary rather than trans is that you don’t want to be seen as either male/female or man/woman. Your pronouns and gender presentation may reflect that. Or they might not.
Thing To Remember:
You can feel non-binary and look like a traditional man or woman.
You don’t have to use they/them pronouns to be non-binary. You can use any pronoun you want.
Pretty much, the only criterion to being non-binary is feeling like you’re not a man or woman. (E.g., “I’m not a man or woman, I’m a human” or “I’m just me.”)
At the end of the day, you decide how you feel. But hearing other people’s stories helps validate things you’re feeling or help you realize that you’ve been feeling some type of way this whole time.
I really like Charlie’s video describing what it feels like to be non-binary.
“I don’t go walking around thinking about how gosh darn neutral I am. It’s…a thing I get reminded of. When I see something for men or women it reminds me I’m neither of those.”
I think Charlie hits the nail. You can be androgynous and feel an affinity to male or female. But if you feel like neither you’re probably non-binary.
Jeff Miller’s video being transmasculine: being assigned female at birth but identifying more with masculine presentation and things, while not feeling like a “man.” As he says, gendered language like “man,” “dude,” “bro” makes them uncomfortable.
A video compilation by Ryan Cassata which includes a buuuunch of non-binary individuals saying what it is that makes them non-binary. Most of the responses describe feeling neutral to gender or simply not feeling male or female.
A popular non-binary bean, Ashley Wylde, describes how it feels to be non-binary. They say that being non-binary feels like having blonde hair or brown eyes. Their gender, or lack of gender, feels pretty normal.
(Please check out more great content from these YouTubers on their channels! Give ’em all the love and views they deserve).
In conclusion…
You can resonate with someone else’s coming out story or you can totally feel like your experience is unique. That’s okay.
You don’t have to rush to any conclusions. Just take your time, read up on other coming out stories and experiment with your gender until you find something you’re the most comfortable with.
Eyes are often considered the “window into the soul,” but in eye care they are more commonly used as a window into the patient’s overall health. Eyes can change in many ways as you get older, but some of these changes can indicate other health issues you otherwise might not notice.
Today, we’re going to unpack this little white outline of your cornea and look at what this condition is, how common it is, and what it could mean to your overall health.
What is Corneal Arcus?
Corneal arcus, otherwise known as arcus senilis for seniors or arcus juvenilis for those under 40, is typically an age-related condition that creates a deposit of cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides in an “arc” on either the top or bottom side of the iris, inside the cornea. Over time, the arc can grow to encircle the entire iris, creating a white, gray, blue, or yellowish “outline.”
If corneal arcus develops as a result of aging, it is usually not a cause for concern. However, in individuals younger than 40, corneal arcus could indicate higher than normal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
Higher cholesterol and triglyceride levels could indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
What Should You Do?
There is no cure for corneal arcus, as the condition itself isn’t actually harmful to your eyes or eye health. However, if you notice a white, yellow, gray, or blue ring or outline forming around your iris, you should visit your optometrist for an eye exam. Your optometrist can help you determine if your symptoms are benign or if they indicate a larger issue developing.
You may also be recommended to have your blood checked for abnormal levels of cholesterol and triglyceride. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. Some patients have decided to look into corneal tattooing to cover up the arc, but this is not recommended or encouraged by the medical community.
If you’ve noticed a symptom similar to corneal arcus in your eyes, with us today and we can help you determine what’s best for you and your health!
The first successful clinical test of a technique called optogenetics has allowed a 58-year-old man to see for the first time in decades.
The man was able to see with the help of image-enhancing goggles after 40 years of blindness, thanks to an injection of light-sensitive proteins into his retina.
According to a study published by Nature Medicine on May 24, this is the first successful clinical application of optogenetics, a technique in which flashes of light are used to control gene expression and neuron firing.
The study revealed that the technique is widely used in laboratories to probe neural circuitry and is being investigated as a potential treatment for pain, blindness and brain disorders.
The clinical trial, run by the company GenSight Biologics, based in Paris, enrolls people with retinitis pigmentosa — a degenerative disease that kills off the eye’s photoreceptor cells, which are the first step in the visual pathway.
In a healthy retina, photoreceptors detect light and send electrical signals to retinal ganglion cells, which then transmit the signal to the brain.
GenSight’s optogenetic therapy skips the damaged photoreceptor cells entirely by using a virus to deliver light-sensitive bacterial proteins into the RGCs, allowing them to detect images directly.
GenSight is one of several companies developing optogenetics as a treatment for RP and other disorders of the retina.
In March, Nirenberg’s company Bionic Sight announced that four of the five people with RP it had treated with a similar optogenetic therapy and a virtual-reality headset had recovered some level of vision, although the full trial results have not yet been published.
Also, Swiss pharma giant Novartis is developing a therapy based on a different protein that is so light-sensitive that goggles might not be needed. That therapy has not yet entered clinical trials.
The researchers injected the virus into the eye of a man with RP, then waited four months for protein production by the RGCs to stabilise before testing his vision, the Nature Medicine reported.
José-Alain Sahel, an ophthalmologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pennsylvania and leader of the study, says that one of the challenges was regulating the amount and type of light entering the eye, because a healthy retina uses a variety of cells and light-sensitive proteins to see a wide range of light.
“No protein can replicate what the system can do,” he says. So the researchers engineered a set of goggles that captured the visual information around the man and optimised it for detection by the bacterial proteins.
Using a camera, the goggles analyse changes in contrast and brightness and convert them in real-time into what Sahel describes as a ‘starry sky’ of amber-coloured dots. When the light from these dots enters a person’s eye, it activates the proteins and causes the RGCs to send a signal to the brain, which then resolves these patterns into an image.
The trial participant had to train with the goggles for several months before his brain adjusted to interpret the dots correctly. “He was like an experimentalist, a scientist trying to understand what he was seeing and make sense of it,” Sahel says.
Eventually, he was able to make out high-contrast images, including objects on a table and the white stripes in a crosswalk. When the researchers recorded his brain activity, they found that his visual cortex reacted to the image in the same way as it would have if he had normal sight.
The man still can’t see without the goggles, but Sahel says that he wears them for several hours per day and that his vision has continued to improve in the two years since his injection.
Sahel says six other people were injected with the same light-sensitive proteins last year, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed their training with the goggles.
A neurobiologist at the University of California, John Flannery says the study “is a big step for the field.
“The most important thing is that it seems to be safe and permanent, which is really encouraging.”
Flannery said while the image may never be as good as natural vision, it is exciting that the brain can interpret images accurately.
Other researchers are, however, calling for more studies.
Sheila Nirenberg, a neuroscientist at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City says she looks forward to seeing whether the other people in the trial, including some who were injected with higher doses of the protein, have similar results.
“It’s interesting, but it’s an N of 1,” she says.
Karl Deisseroth, a neuroscientist at Stanford University in California who co-developed optogenetics as a lab technique, says the study is important because it is the first time that the technique’s effects have been shown in people.
“It will be interesting to try this with more light-sensitive opsins” that might not require goggles, he says. But he expects optogenetics to be most useful as a research tool that leads to therapies, rather than a therapy itself.
“What we hope to see even more of is optogenetics-guided human and clinical studies,” he says.
Good vision helps you perform well—at home, at work, or behind the wheel. That’s why it’s important to take a few simple steps to make sure you help keep your eyesight at its best. A regular eye exam is the best way to protect your eyesight – and an easy precaution to take. Here are some tips to help maintain eye health as you age.
Eat a Balanced Diet
As part of your healthy diet, choose foods rich in antioxidants, like Vitamins A and C; foods like leafy, green vegetables and fish. Many foods – especially fatty fish, such as salmon – contain essential omega-3 fatty acids that are important to the health of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision.
An inadequate intake of antioxidants, consumption of alcohol or saturated fats may create free-radical reactions that can harm the macula – the central part of the retina. High-fat diets can also cause deposits that constrict blood flow in the arteries. The eyes are especially sensitive to this, given the small size of the blood vessels that feed them.
Your eyes are unique, and have their own set of nutritional needs. Ocuvite eye vitamins are specially designed to provide a balanced combination of nutrients dedicated to the health of your eyes.* Visit Ocuvite.com to learn more.
Exercise
Exercise improves blood circulation, which improves oxygen levels to the eyes and the removal of toxins.
Get a good night’s sleep
You’ll feel the difference when you get the sleep you need. You’ll look great, you’ll perform at home or work—and good rest will support the health of your eyes.
Wash your hands
Keeping your hands clean is so important when it comes to your eyes, especially if you’re a contact lens wearer. Before you touch your eye—and before you put in or remove a contact lens—wash your hands with a mild soap and dry with a lint-free towel. Some germs and bacteria that come from your hands can cause eye infections, like bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye). When you touch your eye, whatever is on your fingers goes right onto your eye’s surface. This is one way that people catch colds—rubbing their eyes while they have cold virus germs on their hands.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking exposes your eyes to high levels of oxidative stress. While the connection has not been clearly identified, it is known that smoking increases your risk for a variety of health conditions affecting the eye. To help you quit, visit the American Lung Association’s free online smoking cessation program – Freedom From Smoking Online – at www.ffsonline.org.
Wear Sunglasses
To protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light, choose sunglasses with both UVA and UVB protection. Also, wearing a hat with a brim will greatly reduce the amount of UV radiation slipping around the side of your sunglasses.
Devices and Blue Light
You’re probably using digital devices for hours each day at work and at home. These devices are exposing your eyes to high energy blue light. It’s called blue light because the wavelengths emitted are near the bluer part of the spectrum. Lutein & Zeaxanthin are eye nutrients that are concentrated in the macula and help eyes filter blue light.* Lutein and Zeaxanthin cannot be produced by our bodies on their own, so they must be obtained through diet and/or supplements. If you don’t think you’re getting enough in your diet, visit Ocuvite.com to learn more.
Here are some other tips to help when you’re on your computer:
Keep your computer screen within 20″-24″ of your eye.
Keep the top of your computer screen slightly below eye level.
Adjust lighting to minimize glare on the screen.
Blink frequently.
Take a break every 20 minutes to focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Although Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new disease and experts are still learning how it spreads, touching a surface or object that has any virus or germs on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or possibly eyes can lead to infection.
We’ve teamed up with Dr. Jennifer Tsai, OD to answer a few questions about ways to protect your eyes during this outbreak.
Is it safe to wear contacts?
Yes, as of now and the most sanitary option is daily contacts.
The cardinal rule for staying healthy is to wash your hands often. The eyes are an entry point for germs, including viruses which makes washing your hands immediately before handling contacts especially important. This will also help keep the silicone hydrogel clean and free of unwelcome particles, like skin oils, dust, and harmful bacteria. The American Optometric Association recommends that you scrub your hands carefully and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, followed by hand drying with unused paper towels. This should occur before every contact lens insertion and removal. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
How do you clean your glasses?
COVID-19 can live on hard surfaces for 1-3 days. To sanitize glasses, fill a spray bottle with 3/4 alcohol (70% ethyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol), 1/4 water, and 2-3 drops of dish soap. Apply the solution and wipe any part of the frames that touch your face. This solution is only recommended for glasses without anti-reflective coating and not plastic lenses, as the alcohol can strip off the coating.
For most frames, adding a drop of soap to the surface and rubbing with your fingers will do a substantial job of removing any bacteria. Be sure to wash your hands first (to remove any oil) and don’t forget the nose pads!
To dry, shake off excess water and wipe with a microfiber cloth. Be mindful that using your shirt or paper could scratch the lenses. Microfibers can sometimes leave particles so if you don’t have a cloth, use a compressed air duster instead (like the one for your keyboard).
Is it safe to wear eyelash extensions?
It’s currently unclear but why risk it? Bacteria can live on hair and lashes for short amounts of time. Stick to mascara for now and be sure to sanitize your brushes and applicators regularly.
How do you clean makeup applicators?
Easy! Fill a spray bottle with 3/4 rubbing alcohol and 1/4 water, then apply to any brushes before every application. You can also use gentle shampoo periodically. Simply squirt a bit into a cup of warm water, then soak your sponges in the bubbly solution. Squeeze and rinse until the water runs clear. For brushes, swirl the tips in the water and shampoo, then in the palm of your hand to work up a lather. Next, run the bristles under warm water until there is no more product. Finally, lay all your brushes and sponges flat on a clean cloth to dry. Voila!
This article was reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Tsai, OD. Dr. Tsai practices optometry in New York City.
Information received through VSP Vision Care channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
People who have diabetes are unable to produce enough insulin or use the insulin their body does produce in an efficient manner. This can affect your blood sugar levels. It’s important to monitor what you eat to keep your blood sugar levels as steady as possible.
One way to do this is by checking the glycemic index (GI) score of each food. The GI shows how much a certain food can increase your blood sugar levels. GI helps with the planning of daily meals and avoiding high-carbohydrate combinations. A low GI is between 1 and 55 and high is 70 and above.
It’s important to know that natural foods, such as garlic, though not rich in carbohydrates, can influence blood sugar levels.
Most adults can safely consume garlic. For some people, taste, odor, or spiciness can be an issue.
Traditionally, garlic has been recommendedTrusted Source to help reduce high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Garlic consumption may also reduce the incidence of heart disease, a condition that affects approximately 80 percent of people with diabetes.
A 2006 study found that raw garlic might help reduce blood sugar levels, as well as reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. This is particular interest, as diabetes increases a person’s risk of atherosclerosis-related inflammation.
Though this is still under investigation, a 2014 review of studiesTrusted Source also supported the idea that regular garlic consumption may help lower blood sugar levels.
Garlic is also a good source of vitamins B-6 and C. Vitamin B-6 is involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Vitamin C may also play a role in maintaining blood sugar levels.
If you don’t mind the taste, add a couple of finely chopped garlic cloves to your salads or potato salad. There isn’t a standard dosage for eating garlic, so feel free to add garlic whenever a recipe or snack allows.
If you prefer a less strong odor and taste, look for garlic greens, which are young plants, and garlic scapes, which are curly shoots that appear as the plant matures. They’re available at farmers markets and local produce stores during the spring season. Both have a milder flavor. You can chop them and mix them in salads, dips, and savory spreads.
It’s recommended that you let chopped garlic sit for at least 5 minutes to allow allicin, one of the herb’s main components, to be at its highest concentration. This may enhance the herb’s potential health benefits.
If you find the taste of raw garlic too offensive or are unable to have it as often as you’d like, you may want to try supplements. Look for aged garlic extract or other garlic extracts that contain allicin.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing supplements:
Consult with your doctor before adding supplements to your regimen. They can help you determine whether this is the best option for you.
Always buy from a reputable manufacturer that doesn’t use heat processing. This can destroy the active compounds in the garlic, which provide the most health benefits.
Avoid completely odorless products. They’re likely stripped of the sulfur compounds that give the characteristic smell and are responsible for some of its possible health benefits.
You can use garlic to improve the taste and quality of meals. Consuming it may also help you maintain better levels of health. For best results, consume garlic regularly in moderate amounts. Cooking garlic lowers its potential therapeutic qualities, so be sure to use fresh and raw garlic in your dishes. Supplements are also an option, but you should consult with your doctor before using them.
23 Top-Notch Lunch Ideas for People with Diabetes
Figuring out what to eat for lunch every day can be challenging, especially for people with diabetes.
Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious, healthy, and easy-to-prepare options that can help round out your diet and keep blood sugar levels steady.
Here are 23 healthy and delicious lunch ideas for people with diabetes.
Burrito bowls are delicious and easy to tailor to your taste buds by adding your favorite ingredients.
To keep the carb content low, try using mixed greens as your base instead of rice, and top with beans, salsa, and grilled veggies.
You can also throw in some chicken, ground beef, or tofu to boost the protein content, which may support better blood sugar control (1Trusted Source).
2. Turkey veggie wrap
Wraps are convenient, customizable, and portable, making them a great choice for lunch.
Turkey veggie wraps, in particular, are high in protein and feature a variety of fiber-rich vegetables, which can slow the absorption of carbohydrates to stabilize blood sugar levels (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source).
Be sure to opt for whole wheat or low carb wraps and fill up on nutrient-dense ingredients, such as hummus, tomatoes, lettuce, and bell peppers.
3. Tuna salad
Tuna salad is a healthy, high protein meal typically made with ingredients like tuna, celery, onions, and mayonnaise (3Trusted Source).
You can make it at home and boost the protein content by trading mayonnaise for Greek yogurt. Or, add more fiber with veggies like carrots, radishes, or tomatoes.
Pair your tuna salad with some whole wheat crackers for a simple lunch to enjoy at home, work, or school.
4. Stuffed bell peppers
Stuffed bell peppers are often filled with meat or beans, mixed veggies, and whole grains like brown rice, couscous, or quinoa.
By choosing high protein and fiber-rich ingredients for your filling, you can easily make it a healthy, diabetes-friendly meal.
Lean sources of protein like ground beef or ground turkey are great choices, along with nutritious veggies like tomatoes, zucchini, garlic, and onions.
5. Chicken fajita bowl
A chicken fajita bowl can be a healthy, flavorful lunch for people with diabetes.
They’re easy to prepare in advance and typically feature several foods high in protein and fiber that help keep your blood sugar levels in check, including chicken, brown rice, and veggies.
Be sure to pack on the vegetables to maximize the potential health benefits and top it off with a bit of salsa, avocado, or cilantro.
6. Buddha bowl
Buddha bowls are popular meals consisting of small portions of several different foods, typically plant-based proteins, veggies, and whole grains.
Not only can you mix and match the ingredients to add more protein and fiber to your diet, but you can also make it ahead for a simple and convenient meal to enjoy during the workweek.
Edamame, sliced avocado, quinoa, broccoli, red cabbage, cucumber, sweet potato, tofu, and carrots can all be great additions to your Buddha bowl.
Brown rice is considered a whole grain, meaning that it contains all three parts of the wheat kernel.
Some studies show that eating more whole grains could be linked to improved blood sugar control (4Trusted Source).
Brown rice is also rich in fiber, which can slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream to prevent spikes and crashes in your blood sugar levels (2Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source).
Try pairing brown rice with stir-fried veggies and a lean protein source for a healthy and delicious lunch.
8. Quinoa
In addition to its high fiber content, quinoa is one of only a few available plant-based complete proteins. That means it contains all nine of the essential amino acids your body needs to obtain from food sources (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).
It also has a low glycemic index, which is a measure of how much certain foods affect your blood sugar levels (8Trusted Source).
Quinoa salad can be a simple and nutritious lunch option for people with diabetes. It’s easy to customize using whichever ingredients you have on hand, such as chickpeas, feta, cucumber, tomato, beans, avocado, onion, or bell pepper.
9. Whole grain tortillas
Not only are whole grain tortillas versatile and delicious, but they can also be a great addition to your lunch if you have diabetes.
In fact, one large whole grain tortilla contains nearly 7 grams of fiber to help keep blood sugar levels steady (9Trusted Source).
For an easy lunch, add your favorite spread, like hummus or tzatziki, to a whole grain tortilla with some fresh veggies and your choice of protein.
10. Whole grain pasta
Whole grain pasta can be a healthy alternative to refined flour pasta, especially if you have diabetes.
In one small study, whole grain pasta was also more effective at reducing hunger and promoting feelings of fullness than refined pasta (12Trusted Source).
For the best results, load up on the veggies and include a good source of protein with your pasta, such as chicken, salmon, ground beef, or legumes.
11. Chicken
Chicken is jam-packed with protein, providing nearly 24 grams per 3-ounce (85-gram) serving (13Trusted Source).
One review of 13 studies reported that following a high protein diet could reduce insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes, which could potentially improve blood sugar control (14Trusted Source).
Chicken is also easy to add to a variety of recipes and can be grilled, baked, roasted, or stir-fried.
12. Tuna
Often found in convenient cans, packets, and pouches, tuna can be a healthy lunch option, high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
In one study, consuming a high protein, low glycemic index diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids improved blood sugar control and decreased belly fat in 30 people with type 2 diabetes (15Trusted Source).
You can easily add tuna to pasta, salad dishes, wraps, sandwiches, and casseroles for a healthy weekday lunch.
13. Turkey
Turkey boasts a good amount of protein in each serving, with almost 25 grams in just 3 ounces (85 grams) (16Trusted Source).
It’s also low in fat and calories, making it a great option for those who are looking to lose weight.
Sliced turkey is perfect for wraps, pitas, and sandwiches. You can also try adding ground turkey to pasta dishes, taco salads, rice bowls, or homemade burger patties.
14. Tofu
With 14 grams of protein in each 1/4-block (81-gram) serving, tofu is an excellent plant-based protein source for people with type 2 diabetes (17Trusted Source).
Additionally, because it easily absorbs the flavor of the foods you pair it with, tofu is an incredibly versatile ingredient. Try adding it to veggie bowls, curries, soups, salads, or sandwiches for an easy make-ahead lunch.
15. Eggs
Although eggs are a beloved breakfast staple, they can also be a great addition to your midday meal.
Though research has turned up conflicting results, several studies have found that regularly eating eggs could improve blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity for people with type 2 diabetes (20Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source).
Eggs are also versatile. For instance, hard-boiled eggs can bump up the protein content of salads and sandwiches, while scrambled eggs work well in wraps, veggie skillets, or rice dishes.
Rich in fiber, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C, spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet (22Trusted Source).
It also contains beneficial compounds like thylakoids, which have been shown to enhance insulin sensitivity, improve blood sugar control, and support feelings of fullness in human and animal studies (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source).
Plus, there are plenty of creative ways to enjoy spinach for lunch that go beyond salads. For example, try adding it to curries, soups, pasta dishes, or wraps. You can also sauté spinach and sprinkle it with some salt, pepper, and garlic for a simple side dish.
17. Apples
Apples are high in fiber and have a low glycemic index, making them a great dietary addition for people with diabetes (26Trusted Source, 27).
In fact, one small study found that eating an apple before a rice meal reduced the subsequent increase in blood sugar levels by 50%, compared with a control (28Trusted Source).
Apples can be enjoyed in place of dessert to help satisfy your sweet tooth. For example, try pairing them with a sprinkle of cinnamon or some nut butter. Alternatively, add sliced apples to chicken salads, grilled sandwiches, or even quesadillas for extra flavor.
18. Broccoli
Broccoli is highly nutritious, boasting nearly 3 grams of fiber in each cup (91 grams) (29Trusted Source).
It may also help stabilize blood sugar levels. For instance, one small study in 13 adults found that eating cooked broccoli alongside mashed potatoes reduced blood sugar and insulin levels more than eating mashed potatoes alone (30Trusted Source).
For a healthy lunch, try pairing roasted broccoli with brown rice, grilled chicken, and other veggies like zucchini, Brussels sprouts, or carrots.
19. Grapefruit
Grapefruit has a unique tart, tangy flavor, perfect for bringing a refreshing zing to your lunch.
It also has a low glycemic index and has been shown to support healthy blood sugar and insulin levels in some animal studies (31Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source).
Try making a tasty side salad for lunch by pairing fresh grapefruit with arugula, sliced avocado, cucumber, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Note that if you’re taking statins such as simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Altoprev), or atorvastatin (Lipitor), it’s advised to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice.
20. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a nutritious vegetable packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, folate, and vitamin K (33Trusted Source).
It’s also low in carbs and can be easily added to recipes in place of high carb ingredients like rice, flour, or potatoes.
Additionally, cauliflower makes a great side dish and can be roasted, boiled, or steamed.
As part of your healthy diet, choose foods rich in antioxidants, like Vitamins A and C; foods like leafy, green vegetables and fish. Many foods – especially fatty fish, such as salmon – contain essential omega-3 fatty acids that are important to the health of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision.
