For kids and teenagers, trying contact lenses for the first time can be both a scary and exciting experience. Most first-timers and their parents will have lots of questions about trying contact lenses. What age is appropriate for trying contacts for the first time? What type of lenses should be worn? Are there any risks? The truth is that the answers to these questions varies from person to person. There are many factors to consider and to discuss with your optometrist before trying contact lenses. Continue reading to learn more about them.
Symptoms of dry eye disease are very common and affect millions of people. For some people who rely on contact lenses for clear vision, dryness and irritation can be worsened by the daily wear of their lenses. While this can be a frustrating experience, luckily there are many options to improve comfort for people who experience dryness related to their contact lenses. If you are experiencing discomfort and dryness, talk to your eye doctor before giving up on your contacts.
Pink eye is a well-known term that is commonly used to describe conjunctivitis, an ocular condition that causes red irritated eyes. The conjunctiva is a clear membrane that covers the white portion of the eye. When conjunctivitis occurs, the conjunctiva becomes infected, irritated, or inflamed due to a variety of reasons. There are several different forms of “pink eye,” each with different underlying causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches. Continue reading to learn more about pink eye.
Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is becoming more and more prevalent across the world. This vision problem causes objects that are far away to appear blurry and out-of-focus. Most of the time, myopia can be easily fixed with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK. However, the condition can also increase the risk of certain eye health conditions such as retinal tears or detachments, glaucoma, or the early development of cataracts. Because myopia is becoming increasingly common, especially among American children, this public health concern has the attention of eye care providers.
Scleral lenses are specialty contact lenses that have gained popularity among eye care providers and patients alike. Scleral lenses are large diameter contact lenses that vault over the front surface of the eye and rest smoothly on the sclera, or the white area. Before putting on the lens, it is filled with a nourishing fluid that keeps the front surface of the eye lubricated throughout the entire day. The unique lens design and stable material of scleral lenses provides many people with clear and comfortable vision.
You may have heard of the phrase “lazy eye,” which is oftentimes used to describe when one eye has reduced vision. Eye care professionals refer to this condition as amblyopia. If it is not detected and treated early, amblyopia has the potential to permanently effect vision. In many cases of amblyopia, the affected child may not demonstrate symptoms of vision problems. This is why it is important for your child to be examined by an optometrist, even if you do not suspect problems.
While vision correction, such as contact lenses and glasses, is an important part of eye examinations, there are many other essential aspects. One of the most important roles that our optometrists perform is completing a thorough ocular health evaluation. Ocular health examinations assess the entire eye, from the very front surface to the back inner lining. By closely looking at all of the tissues of the eye using high powered microscopes and specialized lenses, optometrists can identify eye conditions such as dry eye disease, macular degeneration, or glaucoma. They can also detect ocular changes from systemic conditions, like diabetes or high blood pressure. Many ocular health conditions are painless, so regular health evaluations are important to rule out potential problems and ensure that your eyes will be healthy for many years to come.
Soft contact lenses are one of the most popular, convenient, and versatile corrective options. These medical devices allow millions of Americans to have clear vision without relying on glasses. Thanks to new designs and developments in the realm of contact lenses, soft contacts are an option for almost everybody.
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common form of refractive error that causes objects in the distance to appear blurry or out-of-focus, and can easily be remedied by a pair of glasses or contact lenses. Myopia has been gaining attention amongst eye care providers because the prevalence of nearsightedness is on the rise. Not only are more and more children developing myopia, but the amount of myopia is becoming more severe. While some children are more likely to develop nearsightedness due to a genetic predisposition, research suggests that environmental factors such as prolonged reading and near work also plays a role in the development of myopia.
Headaches can be caused by a wide range of problems, but many people find that certain visual activities can trigger or worsen headaches. Many times, these headaches can be relieved with glasses or contact lenses. Sometimes vision training exercises are necessary to reduce vision-related headaches. It is also important to rule out more serious health problems that could be causing your symptoms. If you or a family member are frequently experiencing vision or eye-related headaches, it may be time to visit your optometrist. They can check to see if one of the common conditions listed below are the causes for your headaches.
Many people experience watery eyes, which can be irritating and can interfere with vision. While it may seem counterintuitive, watery eyes may be a sign of dry eye disease. In most cases, watery and runny eyes indicate an underlying condition called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, which plays a major role in dry eye symptoms. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, also called MGD, affects the production of the natural tear film of the eye and can result in symptoms such as watering, burning, grittiness, or feeling like something is “in the eye.” In order to stop these symptoms, we have to address the underlying dryness.
Choosing your next pair of eyeglasses should be a fun and enjoyable experience, though many people finding themselves overwhelmed with the number of decisions they face. There are many things to consider, from choosing the right frame to deciding on lens options, and the new flood of online optical retailers only makes the process more confusing. Continue reading for our tips on how to buy the perfect pair of glasses.