What causes astigmatism? Doctors don’t know, and one problem related to this common eye condition is that the blurry vision associated with astigmatism is frequently confused with eye fatigue or aging eyes. There are a number of tests your optometrist can conduct to determine if you have astigmatism, and if so, whether you need vision correction.
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease caused by the body’s inability to properly use and store sugar. This condition can weaken and even permanently change the blood vessels that nourish the retina, subsequently causing them to leak, swell, or even develop large branches.
Caring for your contact lenses properly is essential for maintaining healthy eyes. Be sure your contact solution is not expired. Also, before handling a contact lens, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Then, dry your hands with a lint-free towel.
Unfortunately, having certain medical conditions like diabetes can have a major impact on your eye health. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes, we should discuss how often you’ll need eye exams and any eye symptoms to watch for.
There are many things we recommend for soothing tired eyes, including dipping cotton balls in slightly warm milk and letting them sit on your eyes, as well as putting sliced cucumbers or sliced potatoes on your eyes to get rid of dark circles.
Did you know that many eye diseases are curable or at least treatable if they are detected early? Common eye conditions include glaucoma, cataracts, refractive errors, and diabetic retinopathy.
You probably already know that people with blue or grey eyes are in the minority. Care to guess the percentage of people with these eye colors in the general U.S. population? That would be around one in three, or about 32 percent.
The eye processes 36,000 bits of information every hour; that makes your eyes one powerhouse of a machine, and our job is to keep that machine working smoothly. Our optometrist works hard to keep your eyes healthy and able to process every bit of information they receive.
Glaucoma is a complicated eye disease during which the optic nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain is damaged due to increased pressure in the eye (called intraocular pressure, or IOP). Glaucoma can leaded to permanent and irreversible vision loss, which is why early diagnosis and treatment is so important.
Even if you believe your vision is fine, it’s important to still schedule an annual eye exam. While your vision might be 20/20 now, we can screen for any lurking diseases that can damage your sight later.
Did you know that the most prescribed product by optometrists is artificial tears for patients with dry eyes? Most patients are not aware that UV rays can damage their eyes, and not just their skin. Be sure to wear sunglasses when outdoors.
UV exposure can have important implications for eye health, and especially in the development of cataracts. Staying in the shade doesn't eliminate the threat caused by ultraviolet light, either. Care to guess how much UV exposure can occur in partial shade? That would be about 40 percent.
What food do you think is the best for your eyes? Many people automatically answer carrots; however, while carrots are great, it’s actually spinach, kale, and other dark, leafy vegetables that are the best!
Does it ever feel like a waste of time to faithfully see the eye doctor every year when there’s never anything wrong with your vision? Rest assured that you can never be too careful when it comes to the state of your visual health. An eye exam where you receive no change to your prescription is never a wasted visit.
What does it mean to be “cross-eyed?” It means that some part of the eye movement machinery is defective. The defect may be in the inner eye, or in the muscle, the nerve, or in the brain. Many vision problems can be repaired, so it’s important to get your eyes checked.
The problem with trying to use your perception of your eyesight as a gauge for when you should see the optometrist is wildly flawed. Since many eye conditions involve gradual changes, you likely won’t be able to catch these conditions as early as we can.
When playing sports, make sure your eyes are well protected. Sports goggles made of polycarbonate plastic are stronger than regular plastic. The organization Prevent Blindness America recommends sports goggles marked as “ASTM F803 approved.” Sports goggles are especially important when playing racquetball, tennis, and basketball. If you play softball or baseball, you can find batting helmets with built in polycarbonate face shields.
Did you know that many eye and vision problems do not have obvious signs or symptoms? This is why getting regular eye exams is so important, as early diagnosis can significantly increase your chances of resolving the issue.
While spending eight hours a day in front of a computer for work is hardly comparable to hard physical labor, it can still take its toll on your eye health. If you spend the bulk of your time in front of a computer screen, be sure to let us know during your next eye exam.
If it’s spring and your eyes are itchy, red and teary, you might be suffering from allergies. In 2014, the list of top “allergy capitals” included Birmingham (AL), Dallas (TX), McAllen (TX), Memphis (TN), Oklahoma City (OK) and Richmond (VA).
When you work in a conservative industry, you may worry about whether certain styles of eyeglass frame will be too trendy or ostentatious. Whether you’re ready to make a statement or you simply want to be able to read the fine print, we’ve got the frames that can make it happen.
Aside from your brain, your eyes are the most complex organs you possess. They are composed of more than two million working parts! Also, were you aware that your eyes are always the same size from birth? Your nose and ears however, never stop growing.
