by Jamison Optical | Sep 4, 2013 | Education
Dry eyes are caused by lack of moisture to lubricate and nourish the eye. Blinking and spreading tears across the front of your eyes are important for maintaining eye health and providing clear vision.
Symptoms
- Irritation
- Itchy and Scratching Feeling
- Burning Eyes
- Gritty Feeling
- Blurred Vision
- Excess Watering
Causes
Age – As you age your tear production and drainage can be affected.
Medication – Many medicines including allergy and cold medicine can reduce the amount of tears produced in the eyes causing dryness.
Medical Condition – Pregnancy, diabetes, and thyroid problems can also increase likeness to experience dry eyes.
Environmental Conditions – Spoke, wind and dry climates can result in evaporation of tears and dry eyes. Not blinking regularly such as staring at a computer for long period of time can also lead to dry eyes.
Treatment
Artificial Tear Eye Drops is the most common treatment. Many over the counter artificial tear solutions are a good way to supplement tear production. Gel tears can also be used at night
Omega 3 Fish Oil and Vitamins – Nutritional supplements have shown to help with dry eyes.
Prescription Eye Drops – If over the counter solutions are not working your eye doctor may recommend a prescription eye drop to help increase the tear production.
by Jamison Optical | Sep 4, 2013 | Education
Red, itchy, watery eyes from allergens can cause blurry vision and disrupt your day to day activities. Good news is the same treatment for traditional allergies work on eye allergies as well.
Symptoms
- Red Eyes
- Itchy Eyes
- Watery Eyes
Causes
Eye allergies are caused by your immune system reacting to allergens and releasing histamines which make eyes red, itchy, and watery. Many times eye allergies can appear separately from nasal allergies due to your eye coming in contact with allergens in the air.
There are many type of allergens that your body can react to. Air pollens from grasses tree, weeds and mold. Allergies to everyday things like dust, feathers, animals, perfumes, smoke, chlorine, detergents, cosmetics and medicines can also cause eye allergies.
Treatment
Avoiding allergens are the easiest way to stop eye allergies. Narrowing down where the allergens are coming from can be challenging. Avoid touching and rubbing your eyes when you do come in contact with potential allergens.
Traditional Medicines – Oral allergy medicines and over the counter allergy treatments are effective with eye allergies. If over the counter allergy medicine do not work your doctor may be able to give prescription treatments including prescription eye drops.
by Jamison Optical | Sep 4, 2013 | Education
Glaucoma is an eye disease when your optic nerves are damaged and vision is loss occurs. Finding and treating glaucoma early is important to prevent blindness.
Glaucoma can be hard to notice because sometimes the only symptom is vision loss.
Peripheral (Side) Vision loss is where glaucoma can be noticed at first. Many times this will only happen in one eye and your other eye will compensate and goes unnoticed and untreated.
Age can increase the risk for glaucoma especially after the age of 40.
Types
Open Angle Glaucoma – This is the most common type of Glaucoma. It is where optic nerve damage is caused a little bit at a time slowly leading to vision loss and blindness
Closed Angle Glaucoma – This is where fluid is being blocked in the eye causing pressure to build up in the eye. This can result in an emergency acute close-angle glaucoma where medical attention is needed immediately.
Diagnoses
As part of a full eye exam your doctor will check for Glaucoma by checking peripheral vision, measuring eye pressure, dilation and taking retinal photos to monitor changes around the rim of the optic nerve. Visual fields screening helps measure peripheral vision changes and signs of Glaucoma.
Treatments
Open Angle Glaucoma is treated with eye drops. Typically the effect of glaucoma cannot be reversed and treatment plans are designed to slow and stop the more damage to the optic nerve. Continual use of eye drops is important to stop continued vision loss.
Schedule an eye exam today if you think you may be suffering from Glaucoma:
Make an Appointment
by Jamison Optical | Jul 14, 2013 | Education
They have a great website with video and articles covering all types of vision conditions and treatments. A great rescource for more information about vision and eye care.
www.AllAboutVision.com
About All About Vision
This website was launched in January 2000 to provide consumers with an independent source of trustworthy information on eye health and vision correction options.
Many eye care products and services are available to improve your vision and eye health. However, each is effective only when used properly and in the right circumstances. Please make decisions about your eyes and vision in consultation with an eye care professional (optometrist, ophthalmologist, optician, etc.) who can provide guidance based on their experience and knowledge of your individual needs.
