Photographers and Eye Infections

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/02/2005 09:48:43 AM · #2

never had one, hope i don't get one. what i do get is eye strain, or more like eyelid strain.

try wearing sunglasses maybe.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

10/02/2005 12:33:21 PM · #3

Interesting.

As both an amateur photographer and a future optometrist (currently in OD school) I'm filing this away for future knowledge. Do you know what kind of infection it was? Bacterial blepharitis?

Message edited by author 2005-10-02 12:33:46.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

10/04/2005 11:12:14 AM · #4

Sorry, Turquoise, I missed your question. The infection was (almost gone now) bacterial, but I don't recall what the doc called it. He gave me an antibiotic drop caleed Tobramycin .3% OPH SOLN (which is greek to me, but maybe it means something to you). :)

CorySmith

10/04/2005 12:08:30 PM · #5

sounds like you have a weak immune system :P

leaf

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/04/2005 01:14:12 PM · #6

my eye hurts very much after a day of shooting. especially if i have ISO on. :S.

When refering to a day of shooting I mean looking through the lens for a full 8 hours straight, zooming in and out, following action like sports... makes me a little bit googled eyed.

jpochard

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

10/04/2005 01:22:34 PM · #7

I wonder if photography can also affect your eyesight, as far as changing your vision more permanently?

My eyesight was unchanged for years (merely a bit farsighted), but just this last year I've had to order bifocals and I literally cannot read many things without those glasses! Being 44 might have a bit to do with it too :) but I was really surprised by how quickly I went from not needing reading glasses at all to HAVING to use them.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

10/04/2005 01:29:06 PM · #8

I think that changing eyesight has more to do with the close focusing required in doing computer work,especially when spending large blocks of time staring at the screen, which increases eyestrain. The eyes are most relaxed when focusing on far objects. Age has something to do with it too, as I can attest to. I had perfect vision my whole life, but only recently, in my late 40s do I now need reading glasses. I also got a pair of intermediate glasses for use with the computer, and it makes a big difference.

hblake

Nikon Coolpix 5700

10/04/2005 01:40:10 PM · #9

Usually, when one hits the forties, an eye condition known as presbyopia sets in. Over time, your lens loses its elasticity, and becomes less able to focus on near things. This is about the time people suddenly discover reading glasses or bifocals. It's a little something most people can look forward to as they get older.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/04/2005 01:48:00 PM · #10

Originally posted by jpochard:

Originally posted by Olyuzi:

Actually what both of you describe is a condition called presbyopia or loosely translated "Old Eyes". This condition occurs when the eye(s) ability to accommodate is lost. This is a normal aging process that happens to everyone and there isn't much you can do about it. There have been some "eye exercise" techniques that have been developed, but IMHO don't really seem to do that much good. The lens of the eye has a certain amount of elasticity to it. As we age, this elasticity is lost and the muscles that focus the eye (by changing the shape of the lens) have a more difficult time doing their job due to this loss of elasticity. It manifests itself usually by a gradual loss of near vision right around the age of 40 (give or take a little). There are a few ways around this such as monovision contact lenses, monovision LASIK, and some newer lens implants such as the ReSTOR IOL, but to date, there is no perfect solution. One way to think of it is the "autofocus feature" of your eye is broken so you are left with only one focal length (eventually).

As to the eye infections, it would make sense that if many people use the same camera, it would be possible to transfer infections from one user to the other. Bacterial infections could also occur if you do a poor job of keeping your eyepiece clean. One way you could help avoid this is to do "lid scrubs" which is to take a Q-tip and some warm water mixed with a mild soap (such as Johnson's Baby Shampoo) and clean really good around your lids and lid margins every day (or twice a day if you so desire).

Just my little tidbit of info, and in case you're wondering my source. I work as a clinical photographer for a large Ophthalmology clinic (10 years). Believe me, I've seen a lot of nasty stuff out there.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

10/04/2005 01:48:35 PM · #11

Originally posted by idnic:

I think the association of eye infections with photography is pretty well bubkus. A quick search of the medical literature turned up nothing. What is the supposed process? Are you supposed to be commonly sharing your camera with other people, touching the eyepiece with your eye, and swapping all sorts of bugs? It makes no sense to me. It's much more likely you are getting the infection in your eye from your hands, and we touch thousands of things a day, so why blame the camera?

Is your infection always in your dominant eye?
Are you around children?

I am a skeptic by nature, and this sounds too much like a convenient answer given by your doctor when he/she has no idea really what is causing the infections. (hey, we docs don't know exactly what's going on more than you think...)

Message edited by author 2005-10-04 13:50:23.

10/04/2005 01:55:22 PM · #12

Originally posted by jpochard:

I really don't think photography would have anything to do with the onset of presbyopia. That's definitely an age related thing. It could be, however, that since learning to look more critically with a photographer's eye, you're more sensitive to even small amounts of blur, and pickier about having very crisp focus.

Also, just having the new glasses on for the first time gives you an immediate reference on just how bad your vision was before you got them. It's not that you're eyes have gotten worse that rapidly -- it's just that your eyes and brain now recognize how good things can be! They aren't willing to put up with the blur at all anymore.

And idnic, glad to hear it's getting better!

Message edited by author 2005-10-04 14:07:37.

10/04/2005 01:58:58 PM · #13

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by idnic:
Since I started shooting several years ago, I have gotten about one eye infection per year. My doctor says its common among photographers and constant cleaning of the eye-piece might help. I keep my camera very clean, but will start keeping alcohol wipes in the camera bag from now on.

Any one else have problems with eye infections or ideas how to avoid them?

I think the association of eye infections with photography is pretty well bubkus. A quick search of the medical literature turned up nothing. What is the supposed process? Are you supposed to be commonly sharing your camera with other people, touching the eyepiece with your eye, and swapping all sorts of bugs? It makes no sense to me. It's much more likely you are getting the infection in your eye from your hands, and we touch thousands of things a day, so why blame the camera?

I agree, I suspect it's far more likely the infection came the usual way, picking up some germs somewhere on the hands, and then casually rubbing the eye.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/04/2005 01:59:07 PM · #14

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

I am a skeptic by nature, and this sounds too much like a convenient answer given by your doctor when he/she has no idea really what is causing the infections. (hey, we docs don't know exactly what's going on more than you think...)

I tend to agree.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

10/04/2005 02:01:06 PM · #15

Originally posted by turquoise919:

[quote=jpochard] And idnic, that medication is an antibiotic/steroid combo. It would both fight the bacterial infection as well as reduce the redness and inflammation. Glad to hear it's getting better!

I have to correct this. Tobramycin has no steroid in it, it's just an antibiotic. Steroids in the eye are a big deal and probably best left to ophthamologists (versus primary care docs or allergists like myself) as they increase the risk for infections and other problems.

dahkota

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/04/2005 02:02:02 PM · #16

I don't get eye infections but my shutter finger gets tendonitis. :)

10/04/2005 02:06:50 PM · #17

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by turquoise919:
[quote=jpochard] And idnic, that medication is an antibiotic/steroid combo. It would both fight the bacterial infection as well as reduce the redness and inflammation. Glad to hear it's getting better!

I have to correct this. Tobramycin has no steroid in it, it's just an antibiotic. Steroids in the eye are a big deal and probably best left to ophthamologists (versus primary care docs or allergists like myself) as they increase the risk for infections and other problems.

My bad, I was thinking Tobradex, that's the combo drug. I'm actually going to edit my original post so it's not giving poor info to someone not reading the thread completely. Thanks Achoo.

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

10/04/2005 02:07:44 PM · #18

Originally posted by idnic:

I've honestly never heard of this before but I guess it'd make sense. I take that back, it doesn't make much sense. I agree that it just sounds like an easy answer.

You can get eye infections from the inside-out as well. Just having a runny nose can lead to an eye infection if the fluid and what not move out that way. Truuuuust me, it ain't pretty.

10/04/2005 02:12:01 PM · #19

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Steroids in the eye are a big deal and probably best left to ophthamologists (versus primary care docs or allergists like myself) as they increase the risk for infections and other problems.

They can raise the IOP or intra-ocular pressure too in some cases. But steroids like Pred-Forte and combo drugs like Tobradex (mentioned earlier) can do a good job of knocking certain conditions out. GOOD STUFFS!!!!

10/04/2005 02:20:09 PM · #20

Originally posted by Palmetto_Pixels:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Steroids in the eye are a big deal and probably best left to ophthamologists (versus primary care docs or allergists like myself) as they increase the risk for infections and other problems.

They can raise the IOP or intra-ocular pressure too in some cases. But steroids like Pred-Forte and combo drugs like Tobradex (mentioned earlier) can do a good job of knocking certain conditions out. GOOD STUFFS!!!!

They are used pretty frequently actually, some doctors throw steroid drops at every eye infection they see (esp primary care and ER docs who aren't as familiar with the detailed specifics of eye disease). But yeah, I'm in the camp that agrees that they should be avoided when unnecessary or even contraindicated. They definitely help symptoms, but can actually delay healing time when used inappropriately.

(*grain of salt with everything I say* I'm still in school and not an OD yet! Especially today as I'm brain-fried from a huge exam this morning!)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/04/2005 02:25:11 PM · #21

Originally posted by turquoise919:

They are used pretty frequently actually

Yeah they are, pretty much every post-op course involves some sort of steroid drop.

Originally posted by turquoise919:

some doctors throw steroid drops at every eye infection they see (esp primary care and ER docs who aren't as familiar with the detailed specifics of eye disease)

Too true, but fortunately most will refer to an Ophthalmologist for prompt follow-up.

Edit: What was the exam on?

Message edited by author 2005-10-04 14:26:05.

petrakka

10/04/2005 02:33:55 PM · #22

My photography class was cancelled today cuz my Prof had an eye infection. interesting eh?

quiet_observation

Canon EOS-7D

10/04/2005 02:34:09 PM · #23

Perhaps medical advice to an individual should be avoided on this public forum other than "check with your doctor".

10/04/2005 02:37:57 PM · #24

Originally posted by maryba:

Perhaps medical advice to an individual should be avoided on this public forum other than "check with your doctor".

Who's giving advice? I thought we were just discussing medications, presbyopia, etc.

I would certainly never give any advice, I didn't see turqoise give any advice, and DrAchoo (who is a doctor) wasn't giving any advice either.

Maybe you would like to point out specifically where this "advice" is so that it can be removed from post.

I agree, only your doctor can give you medical advice.