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Commonly called crossed eyes, strabismus is a condition in which eyes do not work together, failing to maintain proper alignment. While one eye focuses on an object, the other does not. The failure of the eyes to work together causes double vision, and if untreated can lead to an extreme reduction of vision in one eye, amblyopia. Strabismus is classified by the direction of misalignment, frequency, and the eye or eyes in which strabismus occurs. These classifications include:
Esotropia - inward turning eye
Exotropia - outward turning eye
Hypertropia - upward turning eye
Hypotropia - downward turning eye
Strabismus is further classified by the frequency of the condition (constant or intermittent), whether one (unilateral) or both eyes (alternating) show signs of strabismus, and the degree of the turn (large or small angle).
Causes
Six external (extraocular) muscles control each eye's movement and position. In order for binocular vision to work properly, the positioning, function, and neurological control of these muscles must work together perfectly to control the eyes. An anatomical problem, neurological condition, or trouble with the center of the brain which controls binocular vision can make it difficult to control the extraocular muscles, leading to strabismus.
Individuals with uncorrected farsightedness can also develop strabismus. If the eyes are overly strained while attempting to focus on a distant object, they can become crossed. This condition is known as accommodative esotropia, and can usually be treated with corrective lenses.
Genetics also play a prominent role in strabismus. Those with a parent who has strabismus have a much greater chance of developing the condition themselves. In addition, certain medical conditions such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and stroke put individuals at a higher risk or developing strabismus.
Signs and Symptoms
The most prominent sign of strabismus is the misalignment of eyes, which can lead to amblyopia and vision problems. Small angle strabismus often leads to eye strain and headaches. In addition, strabismus often causes young sufferers significant emotional stress, as it affects the ability to make normal eye contact with others.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Eye care professionals diagnose strabismus using a series of tests: visual acuity, refraction, alignment and focusing, and an examination of eye health. Once strabismus is diagnosed, it can be treated according to its cause and severity. A case of accommodative esotropia can be corrected with glasses, but more serious cases of strabismus might require muscle surgery and vision therapy.
When you’re picking out a new pair of glasses, choosing the frames that best fit your face is just the beginning. After selecting your frames, you’ll need to choose the type of lens, lens material, and lens coating. With advances in eyeglass technology, there are several lens coating options to choose from. Talk to your eye care provider to ensure you choose the lens coating that is best for you.
Anti-Reflective Coating
If you often experience glare when wearing your glasses, an anti-reflective coating may be a good choice. This lens coating is a microscopically thin layer that prevents light from reflecting off of the front and back surfaces of your lenses. This can dramatically improve vision for night driving and may also make it more comfortable to read or use a computer. Anti-reflective coating is especially helpful for high-index or polycarbonate lenses, which tend to reflect more light.
Scratch-Resistant Coating
If you’ve scratched your eyeglass lenses, you know how irritating it can be to look out into the world with sub-optimal vision. Scratch-resistant lenses have a clear coating that prevent minor scratches on the front and back surfaces of the lens. Be aware that even a scratch-resistant coating cannot prevent all scratches or lens damage; however, it can be very helpful in preventing minor wear on your lenses.
Ultraviolet Treatment
It is just as important to protect your eyes from ultraviolet light exposure as it is your skin. UV-protective lens treatments block many of the harmful ultraviolet rays from damaging your eyes. This may reduce your risk of retinal damage, cataracts, and other eye problems. Discuss your UV protection in your next optometry exam to determine if ultraviolet light-blocking lens treatment might be appropriate for you.
Anti-Fog Coating
Do you frequently step in from the cold, only to have to wait a few minutes for your lenses to clear before you can see properly? Foggy lenses are a problem in cold climates as well as those with steamy conditions. An anti-fog lens coating eliminates this issue by preventing the lens surface from developing condensation. There are fewer options for anti-fog lenses, because this technology continues to develop. However, an anti-fog coating may be perfect for someone who plays sports or frequently transitions from a cold environment to a warm room.
As lens technology continues to advance, more lens coating options may come available. It is always important to discuss your lifestyle and eyeglass lens needs with your eye care provider before making a decision. Choosing a lens coating may significantly improve your visual abilities and quality of life.
Could Astigmatism Be to Blame for Your Blurry Vision?
Everything looks a little blurry when you have astigmatism. The refractive error blurs both far and near vision, making it difficult to read a book or see a road sign in the distance. Fortunately, squinting isn't the only option if you have astigmatism. Your optometrist can make a simple change to your eyeglass or contact lens prescription that will improve the sharpness of your vision.
All About Astigmatism
Do you know these astigmatism facts?
The Shape of Your Cornea Plays a Role in Astigmatism. Your cornea, the clear, rounded tissue that covers your iris and pupil, refracts (bends) light rays as they enter your eye. Refraction focuses the rays on the retina, the layer of light-sensing cells that lines the back of the eye. Astigmatism occurs when your corneas aren't perfectly round and are shaped more like footballs. The elongated oval shape changes the way light rays focus on the retina and is the reason your vision is blurry. Astigmatism can also occur if the clear lens inside your eye has an irregular shape.
Astigmatism is a Common Refractive Error. Thirty-three percent of people in the U.S. have astigmatism, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Astigmatism affects people of all ages and races. Babies may even have astigmatism, although most soon outgrow it. Astigmatism can occur on its own, but you're more likely to be diagnosed with the refractive error if you are also myopic (nearsighted) or hyperopic (farsighted).
Blurry Vision Isn't the Only Symptom of Astigmatism. In addition to blurred vision, you may experience eyestrain and headaches and may need to squint to see clearly. You may be more sensitive to glare and notice that lights have haloes around them at night if you have astigmatism.
Astigmatism May Run in Your Family. An irregularly shaped cornea may be one of the features you inherited from your parents. If other people in your family have astigmatism, you may be more likely to develop it.
Sitting Too Close to the TV Doesn't Cause Astigmatism. Astigmatism isn't caused by reading in low light or sitting close to the television. In most cases, there is nothing you can do to prevent astigmatism. Although you can develop astigmatism after an eye injury or eye surgery, it's not always possible to determine why you have the refractive error.
Rubbing Your Eyes Could Be a Factor. Rubbing your eyes is one habit that could cause astigmatism. In fact, frequent rubbing could eventually change the shape of your corneas. Rubbing also increases your risk of keratoconus, a condition that makes the corneas thin and cone-shaped. Unfortunately, it's difficult to resist the urge to rub your eyes if you have dry eyes or allergies. Your eye doctor can recommend eye drops and strategies that will help you break the habit.
Astigmatism Could Affect Your Depth Perception. When your vision is blurry at any distance, you may notice problems with your depth perception. It may also be difficult to judge distances correctly, keep your balance, or read comfortably due to depth perception issues.
How Your Eye Doctor Treats Astigmatism
Blurry vision due to astigmatism can be easily corrected with a contact lens or eyeglass prescription in most cases. A treatment called orthokeratology can also be helpful. Orthokeratology involves reshaping your corneas by wearing special contact lenses while you sleep.
LASIK surgery may be a good option if you don't want to wear contacts or glasses. The procedure corrects astigmatism and can also improve your vision if you're nearsighted or farsighted. During LASIK surgery, your eye doctor makes a flap in your cornea with a laser, then uses a different laser to reshape your cornea.
If you're not a candidate for laser surgery, your eye doctor may recommend photorefractive keratotomy (PRK). PRK involves removing the top layer of the cornea and reshaping the tissue underneath with a laser. The outer layer of the cornea grows back as your eye heals.
Is astigmatism blurring your vision? We can help you see clearly again. Give us a call to schedule your appointment.
Sources:
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Eye Health Statistics
American Optometric Association: Astigmatism
All About Vision: Astigmatism: Causes, Definition, Types and Treatment
Are Eye Freckles a Reason to Worry?
Freckles can appear anywhere on your body, including your eyes. Although eye freckles are often harmless, they can be a sign of cancer in some cases.
How Do Eye Freckles Form?
A freckle develops when melanocytes clump together in your eye. Melanocytes are cells that give your hair, eyes, and skin their color. Freckles are particularly common in the iris, the colored part of your eye. In fact, about half of all people have flecks of color in their irises, according to WebMD.
You may also have a slightly bigger type of freckle called a nevus (or nevi if you have more than one). Freckles on your skin are usually brown, but nevi can be brown, yellow, or gray. They may also be made up of multiple colors. Nevi can be present at birth or develop later in life.
What Parts of the Eye Do Nevi Have an Effect On?
Nevi can appear in these parts of your eye:
Choroid. These nevi are located under the retina, the layer of light-sensing cells at the back of the eye. Although you cannot see a choroidal nevus by looking in the mirror, your optometrist can see it when he or she looks in your eyes during an eye examination. A choroid nevus could be a sign that you have melanoma, a form of skin cancer, although that's usually not the case. In fact, only 1 in 500 choroidal nevi become cancerous in 10 years, according to the Ocular Melanoma Foundation.
Iris. Iris nevi are larger than iris freckles and are found in the stroma, one of the layers that make up the iris. These freckles sometimes get bigger, although they're usually not cancerous.
Conjunctiva. A nevus may also appear in the conjunctiva, the clear layer of tissue that covers the inside of your eyelids and the whites of your eyes. These nevi are usually harmless but could become cancerous.
How Are Eye Freckles Treated?
In most cases, there's no need to treat an eye freckle. Your optometrist will monitor your freckle to make sure that it has not gotten any bigger. If that happens, your eye doctor may recommend a few tests that will determine if the nevus has become cancerous. Tests may also be needed if a choroidal nevus turns orange, becomes raised, or begins to leak fluid, as these symptoms could be signs of melanoma, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Surgery can be used to remove nevi, although eye doctors like to avoid removal if possible, as a surgical procedure could damage your eyesight. Laser therapy and radiation can be helpful in treating cancerous freckles.
Be sure to let your optometrist know if you notice a change in a freckle, you are having trouble with your vision, or you are seeing flashing lights. Don't wait for your annual eye examination to report these changes. Call the eye doctor's office right away.
How Can I Prevent Eye Freckles?
Although most eye freckles can't be prevented, there's a possibility that ultraviolet light could play a role in the development of choroidal nevi, according to the AAO.
Wearing sunglasses year-round is a simple way to reduce your risk. Look for sunglasses that block both ultraviolet A and B rays. Wrap-around styles offer the best protection from the effects of the sun.
Are you concerned about an eye freckle? Give our office a call and we'll arrange a convenient appointment for you.
Sources:
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Nevus (Eye Freckle), 10/28/20
What Is a Tear Duct Obstruction?
Have your eyes been unusually watery lately? You may have a tear duct obstruction, a condition that prevents tears from draining from your eyes. Although the condition is certainly annoying, it's usually fairly easy to treat.
What Happens When You Have an Obstruction
Tears keep your eyes moist, wash away debris, and help bend light rays as they enter your eyes. A healthy tear film prevents dry eye and keeps your eyes comfortable. Tears exit your eyes through tiny openings called puncta in the corners of your upper and lower eyelids. The tears then enter the nasolacrimal ducts and drain into your nose.
If there's a blockage in the duct, tears build up in your eyes. In addition to causing watery eyes, blockages can blur your vision and make your eyes irritated and itchy. In some cases, a tear duct obstruction can lead to a bacterial infection called dacryocystitis. Symptoms of the infection include yellow discharge from your eye, pain, crusty eyelids, swelling, redness, and fever.
Who Gets Tear Duct Blockages?
Tear ducts blockages are particularly common in infants and affect almost 20% of newborns, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). In adults, obstructions can be related to:
Sinus or Eye Infections. Scarring caused by chronic sinusitis may be the reason for your obstruction. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) and other eye infections may increase your risk of developing a tear duct blockage.
Polyps. These benign growths in your nose can block your tear ducts.
Injury. Did your eyes become watery after you broke your nose? Scar tissue in your nose may be to blame. Injuries to the eyes may also cause obstructions.
Surgery. Eye or sinus surgery could also cause scarring that may block your duct.
Chronic Eye Condition. People who have certain eye conditions, like uveitis or glaucoma, are more likely to be diagnosed with tear duct obstruction.
Abnormalities: Abnormalities in the way your face or skull developed might cause narrower tear ducts that are prone to obstructions.
Cancer Treatment. Some people develop tear duct obstructions after chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
Tumors. A tumor that grows near your eye could eventually block a duct.
Aging. As you get older, your punctum may become narrower and more prone to blockages.
How Is Tear Duct Obstruction Treated?
Treatments for an obstruction vary depending on the cause. Babies usually outgrow the problem in four to six months, according to the AAO. If your blockage is caused by a bacterial infection, your optometrist will prescribe antibiotics that will clear up the infection.
Your optometrist can perform a procedure to remove the blockage by flushing the tear duct with fluid. Dilating the duct with a balloon can also clear an obstruction. During a balloon catheter procedure, your eye doctor puts a tiny, uninflated balloon in the duct, then inflates it, which removes the blockage.
A stent offers another option if you have an obstruction. A small tube placed in the duct keeps it open. Stents usually only remain in your eye for a few months. Drainage may also improve if your doctor makes a few tiny cuts to widen your puncta.
Surgery might be needed if these treatments aren't helpful. During a surgical procedure, your doctor creates a new pathway for your tears.
Are you worried that your watery eye may be caused by tear duct obstruction? We'll examine your eyes and provide a diagnosis and treatment plan. Contact our office to schedule your appointment.
Sources:
Medical News Today: What Is Dacryocystitis?
Cleveland Clinic: Blocked Tear Duct, 5/27/21
American Academy of Ophthalmology: What Is a Blocked Tear Duct?, 3/1/15
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus: Nasolacrimal Duct Obstructio
Eye Conditions That Cause Low Vision
Low vision causes permanent changes to your eyesight that can make life a little more challenging. You may have low vision if you can't see well, even when wearing prescription eyeglasses. If the best you can see with your glasses is 20/70 to 20/160, you have moderate low vision, according to a low vision classification used by the World Health Organization. Other categories of low vision include:
20/200 or Higher: Severe low vision
20/500 to 20/1000: Profound low vision
Less than 20/1000: Near-total low vision
These eye diseases and conditions can affect your eyesight, causing low vision.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Keeping your glucose (blood sugar) level under control is essential if you have diabetes. When your blood sugar is consistently too high, you may be more likely to develop heart disease, nerve damage, high blood pressure, kidney damage, or vision loss.
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow in your retina. The retina lines the back of your eye and sends electrical impulses to the brain, which then converts them to images. Abnormal blood vessels leak blood or fluid, interfering with vision. Damage to the retina can also occur in some cases.
Glaucoma
Increased pressure inside the eye can damage your optic nerve, the pathway between the eye and the brain, if you have glaucoma. If the optic nerve is damaged, some or all of the electrical impulses sent by the retina won't reach the brain depending on the extent of the damage. As a result, you may develop blind spots or even lose your vision completely.
Pressure changes can happen gradually or suddenly. Gradual changes usually don't cause any symptoms until your vision is permanently damaged.
Fortunately, visiting your optometrist for yearly eye exams can help you avoid vision loss caused by glaucoma. During your exam, your eye doctor will test the pressure inside your eyes and dilate your eyes to view your optic nerve.
Torn or Detached Retina
If your retina tears or separates from the back of the eye, you may notice blind spots in your vision or feel as if a dark curtain has fallen over your eye. Unfortunately, if you don't receive prompt treatment for a tear or detachment, you may experience some degree of permanent vision loss.
Eye injuries and aging are the most common causes of retinal detachments, according to the National Eye Institute. Other causes include eye injuries, certain eye disorders, or previous surgery on the eye.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration, a common age-related eye disorder, affects the central part of your vision. Cells in the macula, the center part of your retina, begin to degenerate, creating blurry or blind spots. These spots make it hard to read, drive, or recognize faces.
If you're diagnosed with macular degeneration, your eye doctor will tell you whether you have the wet or dry form. The dry type occurs when the macula thins and yellow deposits called drusen form under the retina. The wet form happens when abnormal blood vessels grow in the macula and leak. Injected medication or laser therapy may be helpful if you have the wet form of the disorder. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for the dry form yet.
Cataracts
A cataract happens when the normally clear lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. The lens focuses light on your retina and plays an important part in the visual process. When the lens becomes cloudy, you may notice that colors are duller and everything looks a little blurry. Glare and halos around lights may also be a problem.
Most people notice an improvement in their vision after cataract surgery. The surgery involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial lens implant. If you have cataracts and also have other eye diseases, like macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, you may still have some trouble seeing after your surgery.
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Cells in the outer part of the retina begin to degenerate in retinitis pigmentosa (RP). As time goes on, your side vision slowly shrinks, leaving you with only a small amount of central vision. RP also makes it hard to see at night or in low light. The condition is inherited and often causes legal blindness by age 40, according to the Foundation Fighting Blindness.
Are you struggling to live with low vision? Low vision aids can help you make the most of your remaining vision. Your optometrist can help you find the most effective visual aids for your condition. Contact our office to schedule a visit with the eye doctor.
Sources:
National Eye Institute: Retinal Detachment
Foundation Fighting Blindness: What Is Retinitis Pigmentosa?
American Optometric Association: Low Vision and Vision Rehabilitation
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Causes of Low Vision, 6/14/21
How Your Tears Protect and Enhance Your Vision
Tears not only help you express emotions but also keep your eyes healthy. The constant moisture provided by tears is essential for eye comfort and clear vision.
What Do Tears Do?
Tears are produced by the lacrimal gland, a small gland located above each eyelid. Every time you blink, a film of tears coats your eyes. Some tears evaporate while others eventually exit through tiny drainage channels in the inside corners of your eyes that are connected to your nose.
Tears have several functions. They're needed to:
Moisturize the Eyes. Every time you blink, a layer of tears covers your eyes, keeping them moist and comfortable. These tears, called basal tears, also have an anti-bacterial effect and can help you avoid eye infections.
Remove Debris. Reflex tears wash away dust and debris that can fall into your eyes. When your eyes sense the presence of a foreign body, tear production ramps up in an attempt to flush out the object. Reflex tears also appear in your eyes when you cough or yawn.
Provide Clear Vision. Washing away dust and debris removes obstructions that could cloud your vision or scratch your eye. They also play a role in light focusing, an essential component of clear vision.
Help You Show Emotion. Tears start to flow whether you're happy, sad, or in pain. Crying sheds hormones that make you feel stressed, while also triggering the production of endorphins, hormones that improve your mood.
The Three Layers of Tears
The watery liquid produced by the lacrimal glands mixes with oils and mucus to create three-layered tears. Every tear you produce contains these layers:
Mucin. Located closest to your eye, the inner mucin layer of the tear contains mucus, which helps tears adhere to the surface of the eyes.
Aqueous. The middle aqueous layer contains much of the water in a tear.
Lipid. The outer lipid layer is made up of oils that prevent tears from evaporating too soon. Oils also keep the surface of the tears smooth and transparent, which is essential for good vision.
How Lack of Tears Can Affect Your Vision
Lack of moisture causes a condition called dry eye. You may develop dry eye if you don't produce enough tears or your tears drain or evaporate too quickly.
Symptoms of dry eye include:
Blurred Vision
Double Vision
Sensitivity to Light
Itching
Burning
Aching
Redness
Foreign Body Sensation
If dry eye is severe, temporary or permanent damage to your cornea can occur. The cornea is the layer of tissue covering your iris and pupil. If the cornea becomes scarred, you'll have trouble seeing clearly.
Factors that can cause or worsen dry eye include:
Using Digital Devices. People tend to blink less when using smartphones, laptops, and other digital devices.
The Weather. Your eyes may feel drier on windy, dusty, or sunny days.
Your Age. Dry eye is more common in people over 50, according to All About Vision.
Low Indoor Humidity. Any system or device that decreases humidity, whether it's a furnace, fan, or air-conditioner, can dry your eyes.
Diseases. People who have Sjogren's syndrome, diabetes, lupus, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other diseases may be more likely to develop dry eye.
Other Factors. Your risk of dry eye may increase if you wear contact lens, fly often, take certain medications, are a post-menopausal woman, or don't close your eyes completely while you sleep.
Preventing and Treating Dry Eye
Blinking more often, taking frequent breaks while using digital devices, and wearing wraparound sunglasses can help you keep your eyes moist. Using a humidifier, particularly while you sleep, may also reduce dry eye.
Replacing lost moisture is a simple way to ease dry eye symptoms. Drugstore shelves are full of over-the-counter eye drops and artificial tears that increase moisture and reduce blurred vision, discomfort, and double vision.
If your eyes don't feel better after using over-the-counter drops, you may benefit from prescription eye drops that boost tear production. Treatments that unclog blocked oil glands might be helpful if your tears evaporate too quickly due to insufficient oil content. Punctal plugs offer another option for severe dry eye. Temporary or permanent plugs are added to drainage channels in your eyes and prevent tears from draining.
Have you been struggling with dry eye? We can help ease your discomfort and keep your vision clear. Contact our office to schedule your appointment.
Sources:
National Eye Institute: How Tears Work, 7/16/19
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Facts About Tears, 12/21/16
All About Vision: Dry eye syndrome: Symptoms and causes, 6/19
Duke Health: Immune Response Likely Culprit in Eyelid Gland Condition That Causes Dry Eye, 7/25/18
Eye Health for Athletes - Why Vision is Important in Sports
Eyesight is a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of sports ability. Without good vision, scoring points, hitting balls, and fending off opponents becomes much more difficult.
Why Good Vision Is Particularly Important for Athletes
It's difficult to determine which player has the ball or accurately judge your distance from the golf hole if everything in front of you is blurry. Although some athletes are lucky enough to have 20/20 vision, many find it difficult to see clearly due to common refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness.) In fact, more than 150 million Americans wear some type of corrective eyewear due to refractive errors, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Visual acuity, the ability to see objects and images sharply, isn't the only aspect of good vision. Good depth perception is needed to line up a shot accurately, while peripheral (side) vision is essential for spotting a member of the opposing team intent on stealing the ball from you.
Tracking, the ability to follow a moving object with your eyes, makes it possible to estimate where a ball will land or spot its path in the sky. Even subtle problems with eye alignment, eye teaming, focusing, tracking, or other visual skills can affect your sports performance.
Dry eye might also affect your vision, no matter what type of sport you play. The condition is more likely to be a problem during windy, sunny, or dusty days. Your risk of dry eye increases as you get older, but the condition can be a side effect of some prescription medications or caused by certain health conditions. When your eyes become too dry, you may experience blurry vision, sensitivity to light, discomfort, or a foreign body sensation.
Even if you don't have any vision problems, glare from the sun or lights may interfere with your ability to see well. Although glare can be an issue for anyone, it tends to affect athletes with light eyes more than those with dark eyes.
Caring for Your Vision
Taking a few of these steps will help you protect and enhance your vision:
- Wear Eye Protection. Eye injuries can cause permanent or temporary vision loss. The injuries occur most frequently in basketball, baseball, water sports, and racquet sports, according to FamilyDoctor.com. Wearing shatterproof, polycarbonate goggles that completely cover your eyes is the easiest way to prevent an eye injury.
- Schedule Yearly Visits with the Optometrist. Even minor changes in your vision can affect your sports performance. Unfortunately, you'll never know your prescription isn't strong enough or an alignment problem is responsible for your depth perception issues if you don't make time for a comprehensive eye examination.
- Reduce Glare. Glare from lights or the sun is a common cause of vision complaints from athletes. Your optometrist can recommend tinted glasses or sunglasses that help reduce the effects of glare.
- Consider Contact Lenses. Contact lenses may offer clearer vision than eyeglasses, plus the lenses never slip or fog over on cold days.
- Take Advantage of the Latest Eyeglass Lens Options. Both polycarbonate and Trivex lenses are good choices if you want a lightweight, impact-resistant lens that's tough enough to wear while playing sports. Trivex lenses offer exceptional clarity and help reduce halos around lights.
- Keep Your Eyes Moist. Artificial tears or eye drops will keep your eyes moist during games or practices. If over-the-counter drops aren't helpful, your optometrist may offer prescription eye drops or recommend adding tiny plugs to the drainage channels in your eyes. Wearing goggles or wraparound sunglasses may help prevent your eyes from drying out on sunny or windy days.
- Try a Few Exercises. If you'd like to improve your tracking, focusing, or eye teaming abilities, your optometrist can recommend a few activities or games that can help you fine-tune your visual skills.
- Don't Ignore Eye Injuries. Even seemingly minor eye injuries should be examined by your eye doctor. Call your optometrist or go to the emergency room immediately if you have severe pain, bleeding, discharge, vision loss, a cut on or in your eye, or something stuck on or in your eye. Prompt treatment can reduce the risk of vision damage.
Regular eye exams are a must if you're an athlete. Call our office to schedule your visit.
Sources:
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Eye Health Statistics
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Sports Eye Safety, 5/6/19
U.S. News & World Report: The Link Between Good Eyesight and Sports Performance, 5/29/18
Are You Showing Signs of Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye condition common in older Americans, slowly damages your central and color vision. Signs and symptoms of the condition can be subtle at first and may not seem particularly alarming. Fortunately, your optometrist can spot changes in your eyes before you notice any vision problems.
What Happens if You Have AMD
AMD affects the macula, the central part of your retina. The retina, a layer of cells at the back of your eye, contains photoreceptor cells called rods and cones that transform light rays into electrical impulses. Once the impulses reach the brain, they're converted into recognizable images.
Cones, located in the center part of your field of vision, help you see colors and make good central vision possible. If AMD damages the cones, you may notice changes in the way you see the world. Two forms of AMD can cause vision problems. They include:
Dry AMD. A thinning macula and drusen are responsible for vision changes if you have the dry form of AMD. Drusen are white or yellow protein deposits that collect under the retina.
Wet AMD. Leaky blood vessels obstruct your central vision if you have the wet type of AMD. The vessels may eventually scar the macula.
Do Any of These Symptoms Sound Familiar?
AMD may not cause any noticeable symptoms at first. As the condition worsens, you may experience:
Blurry Central Vision. You may notice that your central vision is blurry, while your peripheral (side) vision is clear.
Blind Spots. Blind spots in your central vision might make it difficult to read, sew, do close work, recognize friends and family, or drive.
Wavy Lines. As cells in your macula deteriorate, straight lines may now appear wavy.
Dull Colors. Colors may look dull, or it may be difficult to tell the difference between subtle shades of colors or textures, according to Bright Focus Foundation.
Clumsiness. What at first glance appears to be clumsiness may actually be related to your eyesight. Poor depth perception and difficulty distinguishing textures can make it easy to miss a step or fail to see obstacles in front of you.
Trouble Seeing in Low Light. Everything may be darker than usual, no matter what the time of day. You may need more light to read and may notice that it takes longer for your eyes to adjust when going from a bright room to a dark one.
Glare. Increased glare may make it even harder to see clearly.
AMD Treatment Options
Although there isn't a medication or procedure to treat the dry form of AMD at this time, you can do a few things that may help you protect your eye health. The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that taking a combination of nutritional supplements may slow the progression of dry AMD in some cases. The recommended supplements include:
Copper (2 mg)
Zinc (80 mg)
Zeaxanthin (2 mg)
Vitamin E (400 IU)
Vitamin C (500 mg)
Lutein (10 mg)
Improving your diet, getting more exercise, and quitting smoking may also be helpful.
If you have the wet form of AMD, your optometrist may recommend eye injections that stop unhealthy blood vessels from developing in the macula. Laser therapy, another treatment option, seals leaky vessels.
Whether you have AMD symptoms or it's time for your annual eye examination, we're here to help you care for your eyes. Contact our office to schedule your appointment.
Sources:
National Eye Institute: Age-Related Macular Degeneration, 8/17/20
American Academy of Ophthalmology: What Is Macular Degeneration?, 2/28/20
Bright Focus Foundation: Macular Degeneration: Signs & Symptoms
Foundation Fighting Blindness: What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Protecting Your Eyes from Germs
Germs look for the easiest way into your body, often entering through your eyes and other mucus membranes. Fortunately, taking a few simple steps to protect your eyes may reduce your chance of developing an illness or infection.
Don't Touch Your Face
Like most people, you probably touch your face many times throughout the day without thinking about what you're doing. In fact, medical students who participated in a study at the University of New South Wales touched their faces an average of 23 times per hour. Forty-four percent of those touches involved the nose, mouth, or eyes.
If bacteria or viruses are on your hands, you'll transfer them to your eyes by touching or rubbing. Although your hands may look clean, they actually harbor more germs than you may realize. A typical hand has about 150 different species of bacteria on it, according to a University of Colorado at Boulder study.
Rubbing your eyes can also increase your risk of developing keratoconus, an eye condition that occurs when the normally round cornea becomes thin and cone-shaped. The cornea is the clear tissue covering your iris and pupil. If you develop keratoconus, your vision may become blurred and distorted.
Wash Your Hands
No matter how careful you are about keeping your hands away from your face, you're bound to forget from time to time. You'll be less likely to spread germs to your eyes if you make hand-washing a frequent habit.
Fortunately, soap and warm water will remove the germs that could make you sick. Scrub your hands and nails for at least 20 seconds to get rid of bacteria and viruses. If running water isn't available, hand sanitizer is a good option.
In addition to washing your hands after using the bathroom, wash them:
Before and After Preparing Raw Meat, Poultry, or Fish
After Working with Soil
After Changing a Diaper, Helping Someone Else with Bathroom Needs, or Removing Animal Waste
After Taking Out the Trash
After You Blow Your Nose or Sneeze
After Washing and Bandaging a Wound
Before Touching Your Eyes or Using Eye Drops
After Taking Care of Someone Who Is Ill
Clean Your Glasses
The outside of your glasses may be coated in germs, particularly if someone sneezes or coughs near you. Handling your glasses, then absentmindedly touching your eyes, will send those germs into your eyes.
Clean your glasses in the morning and evening, or after you've been around someone who has been sneezing or coughing. You don't need expensive eyeglass cleaners to remove bacteria and viruses. Soap and warm water will get rid of the germs.
Avoid Sick People
Keeping your distance from people who sneeze, cough, or mention that they don't feel well will help keep germs away from your face. If possible, stay at least six feet away from people who are ill.
Follow Contact Lens Hygiene Recommendations
Germs and viruses may also find their way into your eyes if you wear contact lenses and don't practice good hygiene. In addition to increasing your risk of illness, poor contact lens hygiene can cause potentially serious eye infections that could temporarily or permanently affect your vision.
If you wear contact lenses, be sure to:
Wash your hands before putting in, removing, or handling your lenses.
Clean your contact lens case every day, and refill the wells with fresh solution. (Don't just top off the solution already in the wells.)
Replace your contact lens case every three months or as soon as it becomes cracked or damaged.
Never use saliva to wet/clean your lenses.
Follow your eye doctor's cleaning instructions.
Keep the cap on solutions to prevent contamination.
Don't wear your contact lenses while swimming.
Replace your lenses as recommended by your optometrist.
Regular eye examinations will help you keep your eyes healthy. Contact our office if you're ready to make an appointment for your next exam.
Sources:
American Academy of Ophthalmology: How to Take Care of Contact Lenses, 3/18/20
All About Vision: Eye Germs and Viruses: Keeping Hands, Glasses and Contacts Clean, 8/20
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Eye Infections: Be Careful Now or Regret It Later, 6/24/20
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Frequent Questions About Hand Hygien
Hunter's Creek
- Address: 4101 Hunters Park Ln #400
Orlando, FL 32837 - Phone: (407) 855-6132
Office Hours
- Monday 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Tuesday 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Wednesday 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Thursday 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Friday 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Saturday By Appointment Only
- Sunday Closed
Pixon Lake Nona
- Address: 7004 Tavistock Lakes Blvd Ste 146
Orlando, FL 32827 - Phone: (407) 378-2585
Office Hours
- Monday 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Tuesday 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Wednesday 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Thursday 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Friday 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Saturday By Appointment Only
- Sunday Closed
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