Eye Care Tips That Actually Make a Difference

There are many reasons why someone might need to see an optometrist. Some common reasons include:

To have a routine eye exam: An optometrist can perform a comprehensive eye exam to check the health of the eyes and determine if the individual needs glasses or contacts.

To address vision problems: If an individual is experiencing vision problems such as blurriness, difficulty seeing at a distance or up close, double vision, or seeing halos around lights, they may visit an optometrist for an evaluation and treatment.

To get a prescription for glasses or contact lenses: An optometrist can perform the necessary tests to determine the right eyewear prescription for an individual.

An optometrist can play a role in the prevention, early detection, and management of a number of eye and vision problems. If an individual has a medical eye condition such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or cataracts, they may visit an optometrist for ongoing management and treatment.

To address eye injuries or infections: If an individual has sustained an eye injury or is experiencing symptoms such as redness, pain, or discharge, they may visit an optometrist for evaluation and treatment.

To get fitted for special types of eyewear: An optometrist can fit individuals for specialized eyewear such as computer glasses, safety glasses, or sports glasses.

Have routine eye exams to check your eye health. Many diseases or conditions have a much more favorable outcome if detected early.

Give your eyes a break. We recommend the 20/20/20 rule when using computers or other digital devices. Every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds and look at least 20 feet away.

Keep your eyes clean. Clean your face including your eyelids and lashes twice daily.

Maintain a healthy diet rich in dark green leafy vegetables and foods with omega-3 fatty acids.

Quit smoking! Smoking is correlated with an increase in risk for macular degeneration and can cause accelerated growth of cataracts.

Protect your eyes: Wear sunglasses with UV protection while outdoors. Use safety glasses when performing an activity with a risk to eye injury including use of tools & chemicals.

Stay hydrated. Drinking more water can help keep the eyes more lubricated.

Know your family’s eye health history. Many eye diseases are hereditary and it is important for your eye doctor to know your family history.

Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is a vision problem that occurs when the eye is too long. As a result, light entering the eye is focused incorrectly, causing objects that are far away to appear blurry. Nearsightedness is usually inherited and is often present from a young age. It is usually diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam. Nearsightedness typically worsens while children are growing since their eyes are also growing.

Symptoms of nearsightedness may include difficulty seeing objects that are far away, eyestrain, and headaches. Nearsightedness can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.

There are treatments available to slow the progression of these vision changes. MiSight is a daily disposable soft contact lens that is FDA approved to slow down nearsighted progression in children and lower their risks of eye conditions that can occur with high levels of nearsightedness. It is important to see an eye care professional for regular eye exams to detect nearsightedness and other vision problems early and to ensure that they are properly treated.

Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, is a vision problem that occurs when the eyes have to work very hard to focus on objects up close. This is usually because the eye is too short. As a result, light entering the eye is not focused correctly, which can cause objects that are up close to appear blurry or cause eye fatigue when doing excess near work. Farsightedness can be inherited and is often present from birth. It is usually diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam.

Symptoms of farsightedness may include difficulty reading up close, eyestrain, and headaches. Farsightedness can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. It is important to see an eye care professional for regular eye exams to detect farsightedness and other vision problems early and to ensure that they are properly treated.

Astigmatism is a common vision problem that occurs when the curvature of the cornea is irregular, causing light to focus on multiple points rather than just one. It can occur on its own or in combination with nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia).

Symptoms of astigmatism may include blurred vision, eyestrain, and headaches. Astigmatism is usually diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam and can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. It is important to see an eye care professional for regular eye exams to detect astigmatism and other vision problems early and to ensure that they are properly treated.

Presbyopia is a vision problem that occurs as a result of the natural aging process. It is characterized by a decreased ability to focus on objects up close.

Presbyopia is caused by a loss of elasticity in the lens of the eye, which makes it more difficult to focus on objects that are close. It is a normal part of the aging process and usually becomes noticeable in people over the age of 40.

Symptoms of presbyopia may include difficulty reading fine print, eyestrain, and headaches when reading or doing close work. Presbyopia can be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. It is important to see an eye care professional for regular eye exams to detect presbyopia and other vision problems early and to ensure that they are properly treated.

Amblyopia, also called lazy eye, occurs when one or both eyes did not grow a strong connection to the brain. It can occur due to an eye turn (strabismus), refractive error (need for glasses), or vision being blocked by a congenital cataract. Often times it occurs in only one eye because the brain favors the better seeing eye and that eye will grow a strong connection while the other is left behind.

Amblyopia must be treated during early childhood as the connection between the eye and the brain is fully formed by around age 8. Treatment nearly always includes wearing eyeglasses. Treatment may also require surgery if strabismus is present or a schedule of patching the stronger eye to allow the brain to use the weaker eye. It is important to bring your child to an eye care professional for regular eye exams to detect amblyopia and other vision problems early and to ensure that they are properly treated.

Common symptoms of an eye infection may include redness, pain, discharge, swelling, and sensitivity to light. Some types of eye infections can be highly contagious and can spread easily through direct contact with infected secretions or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes.

Treatment for an eye infection will depend on the specific type of infection and its severity. If the infection is caused by bacteria, it should respond well to antibiotics. If it is caused by a virus, in most cases it will not respond to medications and just has to “run its course”. In many cases, cold compresses and eyelid hygiene may be helpful.

There are several steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of getting an eye infection:

-Wash hands frequently and avoid touching the eyes.

-Avoid sharing towels, makeup, or other personal hygiene items.

-Dispose of contact lenses and their storage cases as directed.

-Avoid sleeping in contact lenses.

-Avoid wearing contact lenses in pool water or other contaminated water.

If you are experiencing symptoms of an eye infection and the symptoms are severe or persistent, it is important to see an eye doctor for evaluation and treatment. Some signs that you should see a doctor include:

-Pain that is severe or persistent

-Swelling of the eye or eyelid

-Vision that is significantly impaired

-Discharge that is yellow, green, or thick and pus-like

-It is also important to see a doctor if you have an underlying medical condition that puts you at higher risk of complications from an eye infection.

There are many different factors that can cause eye irritation, including:

Dry eye: Dry eye is a common cause of eye irritation and can be caused by a variety of factors, including dry air, certain medications, and certain medical conditions. Treatment for dry eye may include the use of artificial tears, warm compresses, and eyelid massage to improve tear production and circulation.

Allergies: Allergies can cause eye irritation, redness, and itchy watery eyes. Treatment may include the use of antihistamine medications and avoiding exposure to allergens.

Eye strain: Prolonged use of computers and other digital devices can cause eye strain and irritation. Treatment may include taking frequent breaks, adjusting the lighting and position of the computer, and using artificial tears.

Foreign bodies: Small particles or debris in the eye can cause irritation and discomfort. Treatment may involve flushing the eye with water or saline solution or gently removing the foreign body with a wet cotton swab.

Infections: Eye infections can cause irritation, redness, discharge, and other symptoms. Treatment may include the use of antibiotics, antiviral, or antifungal medications, depending on the specific type of infection.

If you are experiencing eye irritation and are unsure of the cause, it is important to see an eye care professional for evaluation and treatment. They can help to determine the cause of the irritation and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Corneal abrasions: These are scratches or scrapes on the surface of the eye. They can be caused by foreign bodies, such as dust, dirt, or makeup, or by rubbing the eye too hard. Antibiotics are typically prescribed to keep the abrasion from getting infected while the tissue heals.

Contusions: These are bruises on the eye and can be caused by blunt trauma, such as a punch or a ball hitting the eye.

Conjunctival hemorrhages: This occurs when a tiny blood vessel bursts and causes blood to accumulate under the clear tissue on the white of the eye. These typically resolve on their own within a few weeks.

Foreign bodies: These are particles or debris that become stuck in the eye and can cause irritation, redness, and discomfort. Some foreign bodies can be removed by flushing the eye, but others may need to be removed by an eye doctor.

Chemical burns: These are burns to the eye caused by exposure to chemicals, such as bleach or cleaning solutions. It is important to flush the eye with water for at least 15 minutes after exposure. See an eye doctor immediately to check for eye damage.

Retinal detachment: This is a serious condition in which the retina becomes separated from the back of the eye. It can cause permanent vision loss and requires immediate medical attention.

It is important to seek immediate medical attention for any eye injury, as prompt treatment can help to prevent further damage and preserve vision.

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a type of refractive surgery. This procedure is used to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. A laser is used to reshape the cornea which allows light entering the eye to focus on the retina providing a clear image. Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK. If you are interested you should schedule a consultation with a LASIK surgeon to determine candidacy.

A cataract is a condition in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing vision loss. It is the result of the natural aging process.

Symptoms of cataracts may include blurry vision, increased glare, sensitivity to light, halos around lights, difficulty seeing at night, and a need for brighter light when reading or doing other close work.

Cataracts are usually treated with surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens. The surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis and does not require a hospital stay. Most people experience significant improvement in their vision after cataract surgery.

An optometrist can monitor for the development of cataracts and refer patients for cataract removal if necessary.

Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the fibers of the optic nerve and can lead to irreversible vision loss. Glaucoma may be associated with increased pressure inside the eye, but not always. Peripheral vision is affected first, which isn’t always noticeable until it becomes significant. For this reason, it is important to detect glaucoma early to prevent vision loss. Glaucoma is often hereditary, so it is beneficial to know your family history. An optometrist can test for glaucoma and provide ongoing management to help prevent further vision loss.

Macular degeneration is a leading cause of permanent vision loss in older adults. This condition affects your central vision, leaving peripheral vision mostly intact. Macular degeneration has many risk factors including smoking, fair complexion, and obesity. Macular degeneration is often hereditary, so it is beneficial to know your family history. An optometrist can monitor for the development of macular degeneration and refer patients for treatment if necessary.

Vision changes: Unstable blood sugar levels can cause temporary shifts in glasses prescriptions. If your optometrist suspects this, they will likely recommend waiting to purchase new lenses.

Diabetic retinopathy: Diabetes can cause blood or fluid to leak from the small blood vessels in the retina. If severe, this can cause vision loss.

It is important for diabetics to have eye exams yearly. An optometrist can monitor for diabetic complications and refer patients for treatment if necessary.