It seems to me that we take our eyes and vision for granted most of our lives.
In our youth, our vision helps us in everything we do and as we age, those eyes tend to become less efficient and glasses, or contact lenses, commonly become part of our daily life. There is research everywhere that clearly indicates that the use of cellphones has had several effects on our vision, including digital eye strain, blue light exposure, and other potential risks to eye health. There are some key points for all of us to consider.
First is the issue of digital eye strain. Prolonged use of smartphones can lead to symptoms like eye fatigue, dryness, and blurred vision. This is often linked to reduced blinking rates and poor lighting conditions. A second problem is caused by blue light exposure. Prolonged exposure to blue light from screens can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to insomnia. It is recommended to use devices in the evening and set them to night mode.
Myopia risk can also cause vision problems. Spending a lot of time on activities like reading, using digital screens, or doing detailed work, including cellphone use, can increase the risk of developing myopia, especially in children and adolescents. Spending time outdoors can help reduce this risk.
You should do your own research and examine multiple reports from reputable sources and determine if your cell phone use might be setting you up for vision problems in your future.
My old eyes have served me very well and for most of my life, the infrequent visits to the eye doctor generally led to little change in the prescription for lenses on glasses that were used for hunting, shooting and driving on trips or sometimes at night. They are clearly changing now and the time spent on the computer writing this column leaves my vision blurry for a bit.
For the second time, forgetting my shooting glasses on the seat of the truck resulted in those “not cheap” lenses being scratched. When it turned out that my prescription was over two years old, the need to get an updated Rx led me to contact my optician for an appointment. It turns out that they and the next four opticians that were contacted, were booking months ahead. That creates a problem with hunting season just around the corner.
On a tip, a call was made to BJ’s Wholesale Club in Greenfield, which has an optical department. They got me a “virtual” appointment in less than a week. That experience was interesting, as after pictures were taken of my eyes and sent to an optician at a remote sight, the exam was completed and I walked out with an updated Rx.
The next step is to reach out to Decot Hy-Wyd Custom Sport Glasses. They have been providing this writer with high-quality shooting glasses for over two decades and the products are the best in the business. The frames are comfortable and changing lenses is easy. The selection of tints is extensive with a color for every shotgun shooting activity.
For me, the different packages, with multiple lenses and a great travel case, are the way to go. You can customize your shooting eyewear and upgrade to include lenses for target shooting, upland or waterfowl hunting, and deer hunting. Since first writing about Decot Hy-Wyd a number of readers and hunters who I have guided have purchased the glasses and all have been more than satisfied.
The scratched lenses did OK last weekend on another trip to shoot skeet at the Franklin County League fields in Deerfield. The targets were breaking regularly, and we are making progress heading towards bird season. The crowd of members who shoot regularly are fun to shoot with and it turns out one of them is a working gunsmith. This writer hears regularly from readers who are in search of a gunsmith, and they are not easy to find. Pat O’Brien, whose provides complete gunsmith services including repair, sight and scope mounting, part fabrication, and cleaning has done quite a bit of business in the Athol/Orange area. He can be reached at (413) 773-3745 or pobryan@verizon.net. If you have a gun project now is the time to get it taken care of!
My hunting season prep is continuing with some time spent getting gear in order. Rounding up my bird hunting boots, clothing, and all the items that a bird hunter needs must be done, and an inventory of ammo is also in order. Back in the day when a phone call to Federal got me a case of 28-gauge #8 ½ shells delivered, things were easy. Those days are gone for a number of reasons. There has been a case ordered from a New Hampshire gun shop, but my search for 20-gauge ammo is still underway.
Seems like a lot of folks in Zone 5 were drawn for antlerless permits and deer sightings seem to indicate that there will plenty of deer to try to outsmart. Counting the days!
Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.