Dry Eye Symptoms and Treatments

Dry Eye Symptoms and Treatments

A common condition that can lead to more serious vision problems, dry eyes typically occurs when you aren’t able to produce enough moisture for your eyes. This can be extremely uncomfortable with little to no relief depending on the severity. If you’re someone suffering from dry eyes, here’s everything you need to know. Symptoms Dry eyes will usually affect both eyes, displaying symptoms that include scratching, stinging or burning sensations within the eyes, mucus in or around the eyes, light sensitivity, redness, feeling like something’s in your eyes, blurred vision, fatigued eyes, and/or watery eyes. You might also experience difficulty wearing contact lenses or driving during the nighttime. It’s time to see your optometrist when these symptoms continue for a prolonged period of time. Causes The general cause for dry eyes is when there’s a lack of tears present. A mixture of tears, mucus and fatty oils are what keeps the surface of your eyes clear and protects against infection. Dry eyes can either be the result of low tear production or increased tear evaporation. Ageing, certain medical conditions, medications, tear gland damage or laser eye surgery could be the reason you’re experiencing dry eyes. Risk Factors and Complications A larger group of people than most would assume are at a higher risk of developing dry eyes in their lifetime. Those who are over 50 years of age will experience a decline in tear production. Women, especially those who are pregnant, are using birth control or are going through menopause, don’t produce as many tears. Individuals who are deficient in vitamin A or omega-3 fatty acids will also experience...
Facts About Contact Lenses You Should Know

Facts About Contact Lenses You Should Know

While there are many benefits to wearing contact lenses, it also comes with many risks if you’re not careful. They can be an extremely safe eyewear option if properly taken care of. If you’re thinking of switching over to contact lenses or have been wearing them for a while, here are seven facts you should know. Avoid water at all times No matter where your water supply comes from, it all contains amoeba, tiny organisms that can cause an eye infection. While treatable, the Acanthamoeba keratitis condition that results can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. You should also avoid wearing your lenses in the shower, while bathing or when swimming. If you need to wear them during a swim, make sure you’re wearing airtight goggles. Always rub them when cleaning Whether you’re using a no-rub solution or a standard one, rubbing is still necessary in order to properly remove deposits on the lenses. It’s also important that you don’t reuse solution, as it can carry bacteria that fresh solution is free of. Don’t sleep with them on There’s a reason why optometrists tell you not to sleep with your contact lenses on. Because lens wearers are more prone to eye infections thanks to less oxygen reaching the eyes, you’re more vulnerable to irritation, bacteria, and pathogen growth when you’re eyes are closed overnight. While some lenses are made for extended wear time due to their breathability, it’s still not recommended you sleep in them. Always wash your hands Your hands are coated in layers of bacteria at any point in the day, which is why it’s essential...
Simple Eye Exercises for Computer Geeks

Simple Eye Exercises for Computer Geeks

You only get one pair of eyes, so it’s important that you take good care of them for as long as you can. As you spend so much time staring at a computer screen, whether it’s for work or play, it can do serious damage to your eyes if you’re not careful. It’s likely you’re already suffering from eye strain, headaches or blurry vision. To keep your eyes healthy and functioning efficiently, here are a few things you can do to save your vision. The 20-20-20 Rule To deal with eye strain that commonly occurs from staring at a computer screen or reading for too long, this is a quick exercise that takes less than 30 seconds. Focus your gaze on an object about 20 feet away from you. Do this for 20 seconds every 20 minutes and your eyesight will thank you. Palming An exercise that requires very little effort on your part and works to help your eyes relax. Just rub your hands together until they’re warm and place your palms over your closed eyes. Leave them there for a few minutes as the heat radiates through your eyes. Rolling Your Eyes You can perform eye exercises anywhere, so there’s really no excuse. An easy exercise to do is briefly crossing or rolling your eyes every few seconds. This is very helpful to release tension felt from staring at a monitor for too long. Adjusting Text Size and Colour Both the size and colour of your font have a major impact on your vision, particularly if you’re staring at them for a long time. You ideal text...
Foods to Include in Your Diet to Improve Eyesight

Foods to Include in Your Diet to Improve Eyesight

A well-balanced diet not only aids in keeping your overall body healthy but your vision as well. On top of regularly visiting your optometrist and scheduling eye exams every year, eating the right foods can result in an improvement in your eyesight as well as prevent eye-related conditions. Here are the eight foods you should be eating for good eye health. Fish Salmon specifically is important in maintaining and improving your eye health. Fish that contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids will aid in the development of overall health of your retina, located in the back of your eye. Adding fish into your diet a few times a week will also help prevent dry eyes. Nuts and Seeds Almonds are among many nuts and seeds that can help your eye health. Almonds, in particular, contain vitamin E that protects against any unstable molecules that go after healthy tissue. Eating nuts that are high in vitamin E on a regular basis will prevent age-related issues like macular degeneration and cataracts. Peanuts, sunflower seeds and hazelnuts are also good sources of vitamin E. Citrus Fruits Oranges and other citrus fruits contain vitamin C, a key nutrient for proper eye health. Vitamin C, usually found in fresh fruits and vegetables, aids in keeping the blood vessels in your eyes healthy. It can fight against the development of cataracts as well as macular degeneration when combined with other vitamins and nutrients. Leafy Green Vegetables Kale, for example, is commonly known as a superfood due to its abundance of vitamins, nutrients and minerals. It’s a great choice, as kale contains the lutein and...
5 Ways to Prepare for an Eye Exam

5 Ways to Prepare for an Eye Exam

It’s always best to arrive at an appointment, whatever it may be, mentally and physically prepared. An eye exam is no exception. While the exam itself may only take 15 to 30 minutes, there’s a lot of information that needs to be exchanged in that timeframe. Making sure you can convey everything you need to in order to get the best care possible is priority number one. Here are five ways you can make the most out of your eye exam. Bring Past Prescriptions Whether you’ve seen this doctor before or not, bring in your most recent pair of glasses into your next eye exam. This way, your optometrist will have some information regarding your lens type and possible eye history to work with. The same thing is true if you wear contact lenses. Make sure to wear them into your appointment, while also bringing along the packaging and any other relevant information. This will save you, and your optometrist, time, frustration and a few headaches. Note Any Issues A week or two leading up to your eye exam, consider some eye problems you may be experiencing. Do you have constant headaches, dry eyes, a tugging sensation in the back of your eye? If you encounter anything that causes you pain, write it down so you can inform your optometrist. This way, they can focus on the possible causes of your discomfort right away. Gather Information Be sure to talk to your parents or close relatives about any possible family history regarding eye diseases. This can include glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinal detachment or anything else that has seriously affected...