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July 15, 2013
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How to Avoid Computer Eye Strain

By | Blog, Eye Care

Ever spent more than two consecutive hours looking at a computer screen? Computers can make us more productive, but the bad news is that too much screen time can also lead to something called computer vision syndrome (CVS). Recognizable as that tired, strained feeling your eyes get after a day in front of a computer screen, CVS affects some 64% to 90% of office workers.

The condition likely doesn’t cause permanent eye damage, but it can still affect computer users’ comfort. The most common symptoms of CVS include eye strain, redness, irritation or dryness, a burning feeling in the eyes, blurred or double vision after computer use, neck and shoulder pain, and headaches.

Several factors increase the likelihood of CVS, including uncorrected vision problems, dry eyes, glares on the screen, poor lighting, poor posture and even the angle of the monitor. Another big factor is incorrect prescriptions: almost 71% of people reporting symptoms of CVS wear eyeglasses or contact lenses.

If computer screens are proving a pain in your eyes, here are some guidelines to help ease symptoms:

  • Have your eyes checked regularly. If you need a new or changed prescription but don’t have it, using a computer will be difficult, period.
  • Reposition the computer. The screen should be about an arm’s length away and positioned directly in front of your face, not off to the side. Position the monitor so its center is 4 to 8 in. below your eyes, which allows the neck to relax while you read and type.
  • Follow guidelines for good posture. It’ll reduce strain on the back, neck and shoulders.
  • Ensure proper lighting. Try the visor test to determine if current lighting is a problem: look at the monitor and cup your hands over your eyes like a baseball cap. If your eyes immediately feel better, then the lighting should be adjusted. Experiment with brighter or dimmer lighting, as well as the angle of the lights, to find what’s most comfortable for your eyes.
  • Reduce glare. Installing anti-glare filters on the monitor, adjusting window shades, and changing the screen’s contrast and brightness can help reduce glare and reflections.
  • Blink frequently. It should prevent dry eyes. If that doesn’t work, consider using lubricating eye drops. Also make sure air vents aren’t blowing on your face (this can dry out the eyes), and use a humidifier if the room is super dry.
  • Take regular work breaks. Stand, stretch, or just look off into the distance, away from the computer, every 15 minutes or so to give the eyes a break.
  • Clean the monitor regularly. Dust can decrease screen sharpness, making the eyes work harder.
  • Try computer glasses. Unlike everyday eye wear, they’re designed specifically for looking at computer screens.
July 11, 2013
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Protect Children’s Eyes in Sun & Sports Activities

By | Blog, Eye Care, Eye Facts, Health and Nutrition

Summer vacation for school-age children means outdoor play and long hours at the beach. The increased sports activity and exposure to ultraviolet rays also means an increased risk to children’s eyes.

New research shows that children’s eyes can be damaged from sun exposure, just like their skin. This damage may put them at increased risk of developing debilitating diseases such as cataracts or macular degeneration as adults.

Dr. Kenneth Miselis, Medical Director of Heritage Eye, Skin & Laser Center says, “The lens of a child allows 70% more UV rays to reach the delicate retina than in an adult”. Most parents are aware of the critical need to protect their children’s skin from UV exposure, yet few insist their children wear sunglasses.

“If it is bright enough outdoors for you to be wearing sunglasses, your child should also be wearing them,” he said.

Wearing protective goggles during sports activity is also highly recommended. The National Eye Institute reports there are more than 100,000 sports-related eye injuries every year with 42,000 requiring emergency care.

The doctors at Heritage Eye, Skin & Laser Center recommend five steps for summer eye safety for all children. Here is a summary:

1.      Make sure your kids wear sunglasses-especially younger children.

Almost half the entire time we spend outdoors in our lives occurs before 12-years of age.

Sunglasses for children may be purchased inexpensively at many retail and online outlets but make sure the sunglasses you purchase are rated to block both UVA and UVB radiation. All sunglasses block UVB, but some do not block UVA rays, which are damaging to the retina. Look for glasses with a polycarbonate lens and know that children under six may need a pair with Velcro straps to keep them in place.

2.      Wear protective eye gear for ball sports.

Every year, some 18,000 sports-related eye injuries are seen in US hospital emergency rooms in this country. While helmets are required for many organized sports like baseball, goggles or face guards usually are not. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that children wear polycarbonate goggles for baseball, basketball and racket sports, including tennis. Regular glasses are not recommended, since they usually are not secured to the head, nor made from polycarbonate.

3.      If sand gets in your child’s eyes, don’t let him rub it.

If a child gets sand blown or thrown into his eyes, an adult should immediately take the child to a sink with running water. Do not allow him to rub his eyes as this can cause damage to the cornea (outer layer of the eye). Use a clean cup to pour water over the eyes to remove sand particles. Encourage blinking and do not discourage crying, since tears remove eye irritants. If flushing and blinking does not remove the sand particles, seek medical attention.

4.      Find and use a non-irritating sunscreen.

Generally, adult sunscreens are fine for children. If your child gets a rash from his sunscreen, review the ingredient’s list and choose a different one. Look for one that is PABA free, since that chemical can cause irritation in some individuals. You might also look for one that gets its UVA protection from titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, both inert sun blocking pigments, which tend to be thicker, more stable and less irritating than avobenzone, another common ingredient.  Sunscreen is important; your child should not be discouraged from using it because of a fear of irritation.

5.      Check the chlorine level in your pool.

If a swimming pool has too little chlorine, it can allow algae and other bacteria to grow, which can lead to eye infections.  Also, be sure to check the levels of chloramines and the pH of the pool to avoid stinging and redness.  One easy solution is to have children wear a pair of goggles that will keep pool water from entering the eye.  After swimming in a pool, have your child shower.  If redness and irritation persist after swimming, it could be a sign of a more serious infection and should be seen by a physician.

July 9, 2013
1

Protect Your Eyes From Sunburn

By | Blog, Eye Care, Health and Nutrition

When you think sunburn, you probably picture bright red shoulders, a lobster red chest, or a nose that rivals Rudolph. While most of us are savvy enough these days to lather our skin with sunblock before heading outdoors, many of us forget to protect another important body part from those harmful ultraviolet rays.

Did you know that you can sunburn your eyes? A new survey by the American Optometric Association found that 35 percent of Americans are unaware of the risk UV radiation poses to their eyes. Both adults and children are at risk for sunburned eyes and the effects can be both short and long-term.

How do you know if you’ve sunburned your eyes? The symptoms include redness or irritation, tearing, pain, a gritty feeling almost like there’s sand in your eyes, blurry vision, and temporary vision loss (called photokeratitis, or snow blindness). People often mistakenly believe they’ve gotten too much chlorine or salt water in their eyes when in fact they’ve sunburned their eyes.

How can you tell the difference? “With sunburned eyes, you will get that gritty, sandy feeling. When you’ve gotten too much chlorine or ocean water in your eyes, you may have some discomfort, but no pain,” says Kenneth Miselis, Medical Director of Heritage Eye, Skin & Laser Center.  Dr. Miselis also stresses, “Exposure to UV radiation is cumulative over time and puts you at a greater risk of developing eye and vision disorders later in life.” Those long-term effects can include cataracts, benign growths on the eye, skin cancer of the eyelids and surrounding tissue, and possibly macular degeneration.

Protecting your eyes is simple. The doctors at Heritage Eye, Skin & Laser Center recommend you wear good-quality sunglasses and a hat with a wide brim, even on cloudy days. Look for sunglasses that screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light and block at least 95 percent of ultraviolet A and 99 percent ultraviolet B radiation.

If you do sunburn your eyes, the best treatment is staying out of the sun and using lubricating eye drops to ease the irritation. The symptoms should go away in a few days to a week. If not, or if the pain is bad and the symptoms get worse, see your eye doctor.

July 1, 2013
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Are Your Eyes Crying For Help?

By | Blog, Eye Care, Eye Facts

Believe it or not, watery eyes could be a sign of dry eyes. Constant watering of eyes is surely a very annoying eye problem. Let’s find out more about the causes and treatment of this eye condition.

Tears are produced by the tear glands that are located below our eyelids. They not only moisten our eyes but also wash off the irritants and protect our eyes from various eye infections. The tear ducts that are located on the upper and lower eyelids facilitate the drainage of tears. When these tear ducts become blocked or the tear glands start producing too much tears, it causes watery eyes (epiphora).  Epiphora could also be caused by certain eye conditions.

Causes of Watery Eyes (Epiphora):

Dry Eyes
As mentioned earlier, tearing eyes is associated with tear gland disorders. Dry eyes syndrome is one of the common causes of itchy watery eyes. Dry eyes is an eye problem associated with improper functioning of the lacrimal gland. The quantity or quality of tears produced is affected by this condition.  People suffering from dry eyes generally experience symptoms such as itchy eyes, a gritty sensation in the eyes, pain, eye fatigue, redness, burning sensation and increased sensitivity to light. When eyes dry out, the lacrimal gland starts producing more tears in order to relieve the dryness.

Blocked Tear Ducts
Blocked tear ducts or improper drainage of the tear duct could also lead to watering of the eyes. The tear duct performs the task of moving excess water from the eyes to the nostrils. When the tear ducts get blocked, tears are unable to travel down the nose. As a result, they get accumulated in the eyes and start rolling down the cheeks. Sometimes, the chemicals that help in spreading the tears on the surface of the eye cannot be released due to blockage, therefore, the eye becomes dry and this leads to watering of eyes.

Eye Allergies
Allergies of the eyes could also be responsible for watering of eyes. Some people face this problem when they come in contact with allergens such as pollen, dust, chemicals, fumes and pet dander. Use of certain eye makeup products could also lead to epiphora. Ingrown eye lashes can also cause excessive tearing of eyes. Watering of eyes is generally our body’s response to presence of allergens or irritants. More tears are produced in order to get rid of the irritants.

Eye Infections
When excessive tearing of eyes is accompanied by redness and itchiness, it is indicative of an eye infection. Blepharitis is an eye infection that is commonly known to cause itchy, watery, swollen eyes. Blepharitis symptoms include excessive tearing of eyes, itchy swollen eyelids, burning sensation and foreign body feeling in the eye. Another eye infection that can cause itchy, watery, red eyes is conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis or pink eye is generally caused by a  bacterial or a viral infection. It is one of the common causes of epiphora.

Treatment Options for Epiphora

The treatment will vary depending on the underlying cause. Since watering of the eyes can be caused due to various eye problems, it is best to consult an ophthalmologist soon. If dry eyes is responsible for watery eyes, doctors prescribe lubricants or eye drops. Since harsh environmental conditions can also aggravate dryness, you must wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Besides the use of artificial tears, insertion of punctal plugs might also be suggested by your doctor. If the watering of eyes is caused by allergies, doctors recommend the use of antihistamines for itchy eyes relief. These surely provide relief from itchiness and the redness associated with watery eyes. If excessive tearing of eyes is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotic eye drops are prescribed. Eye strain could also lead to excessive tearing and can cause itchy red eyes; therefore, it is best to rest your eyes.  Cold compresses can be used for providing relief from eye strain. If the tear ducts are blocked, a minor surgical procedure called probing can be used for opening up the blocked tear ducts.

Though watering of eyes might not be a cause of serious concern always, if you have been experiencing symptoms such as redness, itchiness, and blurred vision, you should have your eyes examined. Sometimes epiphora can be an early symptom of tear sac infection and other eye infections. If left untreated, the condition could worsen. Our eyes are very delicate organs and we must pay close attention to every aspect of eye care. So, those of you who have been experiencing excessive tearing of eyes should consult an ophthalmologist soon.

June 27, 2013
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Fireworks Can Cause Permanent Vision Loss

By | Blog, Eye Care, Eye Facts

The Fourth of July is a favorite American holiday. Yet mishaps with fireworks can make the holiday memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Each July 4th, thousands of Americans are injured using fireworks. Eyes are among the most injured body parts, and one in six fireworks-related eye injuries results in permanent vision loss or blindness. Eye injuries from fireworks include cuts, burns, abrasions, retinal detachment, optic nerve damage, rupture of the eyeball, and complete blindness. This damage is often permanent.

Of the more than 9,000 fireworks injuries that occur in the United States each year, approximately 45 percent are sustained by children age 15 and under. In one case, a six-year-old boy in San Diego found an M-80 firework in his home and lit it with a barbeque lighter. The explosion resulted in a traumatic injury that impacted the boy’s throat, face and eyes. He called 911 for help and his eye injuries required an immediate cornea transplant and lens replacement, and he has undergone several additional eye surgeries since then.

“It’s crucial that the public understand the potentially devastating dangers that backyard fireworks shows can present,” said Kenneth Miselis, M.D, ophthalmologist and Medical Director for Heritage Eye, Skin & Laser Center. “I urge parents and responsible adults to be especially vigilant about these risks if children are in the presence of fireworks and follow appropriate safety tips to reduce the risk of eye injury.”

The doctors at Heritage Eye, Skin & Laser Center advise the public that the best way to avoid potentially blinding injuries is to attend a professional public fireworks display instead of putting on a backyard fireworks show. For those who decide to purchase and use legal consumer fireworks, they recommend they follow these safety tips to prevent eye injuries:

  • Never handle fireworks without protective eyewear and ensure that all bystanders are also wearing eye protection.
  • Never let young children play with fireworks of any type. If older children are permitted to handle fireworks, ensure they are closely supervised by an adult and wear protective eyewear.
  • Clear the area of flammable materials and view fireworks from at least 500 feet away.
  • Leave the lighting of professional-grade fireworks to trained pyrotechnicians.
  • Respect safety barriers at fireworks shows.
  • Do not touch unexploded display (show) fireworks; instead, immediately contact local fire or police departments to help.
  • If you do experience an eye injury during a fireworks accident, seek immediate medical help.
June 25, 2013
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Your Eyes: The Window To Your Health

By | Blog, Eye Facts, Health and Nutrition

Your eyes are a unique window into health. Here is a list of some of the things your eyes can tell you about your entire body:

Disappearing eyebrows

When the outer third of your eyebrow starts to disappear on its own, this is a common sign of thyroid disease.

A stye that won’t go away

If it doesn’t clear up in three months, or keeps recurring in the same location, it could be a rare cancer called sebaceous gland carcinoma.

Burning eyes and blurry vision while using a computer

This is the result of “computer vision syndrome” (CVS). The eyestrain is partly caused by the lack of contrast on a computer screen, and the extra work involved in focusing on pixels.

A small blind spot in your vision, with shimmering lights or a wavy line

A migraine aura produces this disturbed vision. It may or may not be accompanied by a headache.

Whites of the eye turned yellowish

This is known as jaundice. It appears in either newborns with immature liver function, or adults with problems of the liver, gallbladder, or bile ducts.

Eyes that seem to bulge

The most common cause of protruding eyes is hyperthyroidism, which is overactivity of the thyroid gland.

Sudden double vision, dim vision, or loss of vision

These are the visual warning signs of stroke.

Blurred vision in a diabetic

Diabetics are at increased risk for several eye problems, but the most common is diabetic retinopathy, in which diabetes affects the circulatory system of the eye. It’s the leading cause of blindness in American adults.

June 25, 2013
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Kids: Sports Eye Injuries and Protective Eyewear

By | Blog, Eye Care, Eye Facts, Health and Nutrition

Eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness in children in the United States and most injuries occurring in school-aged children are sports-related. These injuries account for an estimated 100,000 physician visits per year at a cost of more than $175 million.

Ninety percent of sports-related eye injuries can be avoided with the use of protective eyewear. Protective eyewear includes safety glasses and goggles, safety shields, and eye guards designed for a particular sport. Ordinary prescription glasses, contact lenses, and sunglasses do not protect against eye injuries. Safety goggles should be worn over them.

Currently, most youth sports leagues do not require the use of eye protection. Parents and coaches must insist that children wear safety glasses or goggles whenever they play.

Protective eyewear, which is made of ultra-strong polycarbonate, is 10 times more impact resistant than other plastics, and does not reduce vision. All children who play sports should use protective eyewear-not just those who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses. For children who do wear glasses or contact lenses, most protective eyewear can be made to match their prescriptions. It is especially important for student athletes who have vision in only one eye or a history of eye injury or eye surgery to use protective eyewear.

Whether you are a parent, teacher, or coach, you can encourage schools to adopt a policy on protective eyewear. Meanwhile, parents and coaches should insist that children wear protective eyewear whenever they play sports and be good role models and wear it themselves.

June 20, 2013
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Women: Eyes Require Extra Care

By | Blog, Eye Care, Eye Facts, Health and Nutrition

While it’s important for everyone to take care of their eyes by scheduling regular eye exams, it’s especially important if you’re a woman. Why? Well for one thing, research shows that two thirds of all people who are blind or visually impaired are women.

If that’s not convincing enough, here are other reasons why women should take extra care of their eyes:

Living longer puts women at greater risk for age-related eye diseases.  Most eye experts agree that as women age, they are more likely to develop eye diseases that can rob them of their eyesight, including:

•   Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which can lead to distorted vision and blind spots

•   Diabetic retinopathy which is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina, and is the leading cause of blindness in American adults.

•   Dry eye syndrome, when your eyes don’t produce enough tears

•   The effects of pregnancy on eyesight.  In recent years, the American Optometric Association has emphasized the importance of eye care during pregnancy.  This is because pregnancy can bring on certain conditions that can affect a woman’s eyesight, such as:  diabetes and high blood pressure (in a pregnant woman, these conditions can often be diagnosed by a thorough eye exam even before an obstetrician tests for them), and hormonal changes. Increased hormone levels during pregnancy can affect a woman’s eyesight, though vision usually returns to normal within nine months after giving birth.

Having a thorough eye exam is the first step toward taking good care of your eyesight.