Eyecare

Just as you need to visit the doctor regularly for a check-up to ensure your body is healthy, it's important to go for eye exams to ensure your vision is in tip-top shape.

During an eye examination, a certified optometrist or ophthalmologist will use a variety of special instruments and techniques to evaluate how well you can see. Let's go through the standard optical equipment used.

1. Retinal camera

During the exam, it's important to keep your eyes wide and stare straight ahead as the laser scans your eyes. Source: Practical Neurology

Eye doctors use the retinal camera to take pictures of the inside of the eyes, specifically the retina. It works by shining a light into your eye and taking high-resolution photos for detailed images.

This will help detect any signs of damage or disease. It is quick, painless, and gives an accurate look at what's happening inside your eyes for better diagnosis from your optometrist.

2. Phoropter

This phoropter ensures that you get a customized vision correction tailored to your specific needs.

The phoropter determines the appropriate lens prescription for their patients. During an eye exam, the patient will look at an eye chart while the optometrist switches between different lenses on the phoropter.

The optometrist will use the information gathered from the patient, who identifies the lens combination that provides the clearest vision, to determine the appropriate prescription.

3. Ophthalmoscope

This tool examines the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels that supply blood. Source: Encyclopedia Britannica

The ophthalmoscope examines the inside of the eye.

It has a light and a lens that helps the doctor see inside your eyes, akin to using a flashlight in the dark. Your optometrist may use it to detect any signs of damage or disease affecting vision, such as retinal detachment, or eye diseases, such as glaucoma.

4. Manual keratometer

Using a special light, the manual keratometer can help detect astigmatism by measuring the cornea's curvature. Source: Lombart Instrument

The manual keratometer measures the curve of a person's cornea. The cornea is located in the front part of the eye and helps focus light onto the retina. Its shape impacts how light enters the eye and is processed by the retina. In cases where the cornea is differently shaped, it can lead to a visual condition called astigmatism.

To check for astigmatism, the keratometer shines light into the eye and measures how it reflects off two mirrors inside the instrument.

5. Tonometer

A puff tonometer is a medical device used to measure the pressure inside the eye. Source: Barraquer

The tonometer measures the pressure inside the eye to check for any signs of conditions like glaucoma. The 'puff' tonometer is the most common type, which works by puffing air into your eye and measuring how it changes shape to check for pressure levels.

High pressure can damage the optic nerve, so this test helps detect early signs of glaucoma or other issues that could affect your vision health.

6. Slit lamp

Also known as biomicroscopy, the slit lamp helps the eye doctor check the structures in a person's eye. Source: Medical News Today

The slit lamp examines the front and back of the eye in detail. It combines a microscope and special light that shines into your eyes, allowing the doctor to see different parts like the cornea, iris, lens, retina, and optic nerve. Your optometrist may use it to detect issues such as scratches on your cornea, damage to your retina, and conditions like cataracts or glaucoma.

7. Snellen chart

By measuring one's ability to correctly identify the symbols on a Snellen chart, the eye doctor can determine their visual acuity.

The Snellen chart measures visual acuity. Visual acuity determines how well one can see at different distances, and is recorded in the form of a fraction. For instance, having a 20/30 visual acuity means they can see the chart as clearly at 20 feet away as someone with 'normal' vision would see it from 30 feet away.

The chart consists of rows of letters or symbols that get smaller as you move down the chart. Your eye doctor will ask you to read each row from a distance away and record your results.

8. Retinoscope

A retinoscope helps your optometrist determine the correct prescription for glasses or contact lenses. Source: Eye Health Nepal

The retinoscope measures prescriptions for glasses or contacts. It shines a light into your eye and then looks at the reflection of that light on a nearby surface.

This helps figure out how the light enters your eye and focuses on your retina, then calculates an accurate prescription for glasses or contacts from there. Additionally, the retinoscope can help make necessary adjustments to existing prescriptions.

What to expect during an eye examination

Getting your eyes checked regularly is crucial to detect any vision issues early.

Here's a summary of the process:

• Asking about your health history start, your optometrist will ask you about your family's and personal health history, including any vision problems or diseases you may have had. This helps them understand potential risk factors for eye diseases and conditions.
• Doing a visual acuity testDuring a visual acuity test, you will be asked to read letters from a chart across the room. This will help your optometrist decide if you need a prescription for corrective lenses.
• Doing an eye health examThis helps the optometrist look for any signs of inflammation, infection, or disease. They may also use special lights and lenses to examine the inside of your eyes to look for signs of damage or disease.
• RefractionYou will be asked to look through different lenses. This will determine which lens combination gives you the clearest vision.
• Any additional tests depending on your specific needs, the optometrist may perform further tests. This may include measuring your eye pressure to check for glaucoma or using unique imaging technology to look at the structure of your eyes.

In some cases, the results from your eye examination will determine that you need prescription eyeglasses. A valid eye prescription is required from your doctor so that you can get the best possible vision with your new visual aid.

Protect your vision: The importance of eye examinations

In conclusion, all the optical equipment used in eye examinations is crucial to maintaining good eye health and vision. Eye doctors use various optical equipment to help diagnose any issues and the best course of treatment.

As you can tell, each optical equipment plays a role in painting a full picture of your eye health. While your optometrist may not use all of them in a single exam, it remains crucial to schedule eye check-ups regularly to keep your prescription (if any) updated and to detect potential issues early.

Vision problems like cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration may lead to permanent blindness if left untreated or not detected early. So, if you can't remember the last time you had an eye exam, now's the time to schedule one soon!

Considering a switch from glasses to contacts and wondering what to expect? Conversely, maybe you're looking to switch back to glasses from contacts and wonder if you need a different prescription. If you've been nodding your head all this time, you've come to the right place.

Here, we'll dive into the key differences between contacts and glasses prescription so you can make an informed decision about which one is the best fit for you.

How do glasses and contacts prescriptions differ?

When it comes to prescriptions, the difference between contact lenses and glasses may seem minor on the surface, but a few centimeters can have a dramatic effect. That's why you need different tests and prescriptions for each type of vision correction.

Getting a glasses prescription

With glasses, it begins with a comprehensive eye exam. More than a vision test, it's a way to assess the overall health of your eyes. During the exam, underlying diseases and disorders can be detected, from glaucoma to cataracts to macular degeneration. With early detection, these serious conditions can also be treated early, thus giving you a better prognosis.

By the end, you should get a prescription, or an updated one if it's not your first rodeo. A glasses prescription is generally slightly stronger than contacts since specs sit 1.2 cm away from your eyes.

Your eyeglass prescription is made up of three different measurements: sphere (SPH), cylinder (CYL), and axis. These numbers allow the optometrist to ensure the right amount of curved lenses are put in your glasses so that you can see at your sharpest and clearest.

Getting a contacts prescription

For contacts, your eye doctor will typically run more tests. They'll take precise measurements of your eyes, such as the curvature of your cornea and the size of your pupil and iris. After that, there will be a tear film evaluation to see if you have enough moisture in your eyes for contact lenses. You'll also be advised on the type of lenses that are best for your eyes, depending on whether you have pre-existing conditions like dry eye syndrome.

Once you get your contact lens prescription, you'll see more information about your eyes, such as shape and size, because the eyewear is placed directly on your eye. The power or sphere (SPH) of the required lenses will still be indicated, but the numbers will most likely be different from the ones found on your glasses prescription.

A typical contact lenses prescription has BC, DIA, and brand of the lenses. Source: 1-800 Contacts

That's not all. There will also be other things such as the base curve (BC) and diameter (DIA). Your natural corneal shape determines the base curve (how curved your contact lens should be). As for DIA, this indicates the overall width of your lens. Both are needed to ensure your contacts are comfortable and secure fit.

The material and brand of contacts should also be specified. This is an important detail as different materials have different abilities to allow oxygen to pass through the contact lenses to your cornea.

Can a glasses prescription be converted to a contacts prescription?

The short answer is no, and it goes both ways. This may sound confusing, but it all comes down to the incredibly precise measurements used when prescribing either vision correction.

Glasses prescriptions include information regarding the shape of the lens and its position in your eyes. Contact prescriptions, on the other hand, are more tailored to individual facial features. They must consider the curvature of your eye and other measures of how each specific contact should fit into your eye for optimal correction.

Therefore, a direct conversion from glasses prescriptions to contacts prescriptions and vice versa is impossible.

Also, not everyone who wears glasses is suited to wearing contact lenses. Certain pre-existing conditions can make someone ineligible for contacts, such as eyes that don't produce enough tears, which will result in discomfort and irritation. Eye infections, corneal degeneration, or extra sensitive eyes are other factors that would prevent someone from being comfortable in contacts.

How often should one's glasses/contacts prescription be updated?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but most experts agree that yearly visits to the optometrist are ideal for most ages.

For most ages, an annual eye exam is recommended for optimal eye health.

Apart from making sure your prescription is up-to-date, regular eye exams help you detect severe illnesses early on, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy.

So, don't put off visiting the eye doctor even if you feel like nothing is wrong. Taking care of your vision should always be a priority.

Contacts vs glasses – which are better?

Glasses and contact lenses both correct vision, but they have properties that appeal to different groups of people.

Glasses are quick and easy to put on and offer a panoramic field of vision. You also won't have to change them as often as contact lenses, which range from daily to bi-weekly to monthly.

On the other hand, contacts may be considered more convenient because they're not as easy to lose, and they don't fog up when you exit a cold environment. Also, contacts don't make it as cumbersome to do certain activities like playing sports.

Glasses are quick to put on but can get in the way of an active lifestyle. Contacts are more convenient but are less versatile when it comes to experimenting with styles. There are pros and cons to each.

Glasses come in a wide variety of frames whereas contacts are usually only visible if the lenses are colored. You can use glasses to easily change up your look, from nerdy to cool, hipster to corporate, every day to concert, etc. With contacts, the changes are much less subtle, unless you go for the unusual styles, like cat-eye lenses or the ones you see when people wear costumes.

As for lenses, there are many types to choose from, such as single-vision, bifocal, trifocal, and high-index lenses. You can also get lenses with functional coatings like blue light blocking. These lenses are available for both eyeglasses and contacts.

Generally, contacts come in two general types: hard and soft lenses. Hard lenses may take more time to adjust to, but they have greater durability. Soft lenses provide more flexibility and tend to be more comfortable. One drawback is that they can pose a higher risk of infection if not properly cleaned or regularly changed.

Same purpose, different routes to get there

In summary, all corrective eyewear needs a prescription, but the one you get for your contacts greatly differs from the one for your glasses.

Deciding whether contacts or glasses are right for you is an important decision that requires extensive research. If it all gets overwhelming, simply consult a trusted professional before making a choice.

Thanks to the latest breakthroughs in optometry, anyone impaired by lazy eye now has more options to cure their ailment than ever – whatever stage it may be at.

The future of lazy eye treatment looks promising because of the new therapies emerging for this vision condition affecting children and adults. New high-tech options now add to traditional approaches in diagnosing and treating lazy eye.

In this article, we'll tackle the various issues about lazy eye concerning diagnosis and symptoms, causes, traditional therapies, high-tech treatments available, and how to gain the best results.

First – what is lazy eye?

A child with a lazy eye or amblyopia. Source: BC Doctors of Optometry

Lazy eye or amblyopia is a condition that causes poor vision, usually because one eye is stronger than the other. Amblyopia reportedly affects 5.8 – 11.6% of the US, Western Europe, and Australian populations.

The problem worsens if untreated since the brain and the weaker eye do not communicate well.

A lazy eye is also the most common cause of vision impairment in children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 3 out of 100 children have it.

Amblyopia typically develops from birth up to the age of seven. It usually affects only one eye, which tends to wander inward or outward due to its weaker or 'lazy' state.

The good news: lazy eye can be treated at all ages

For children and teenagers

Contrary to popular belief, recent National Eye Institute (NEI) research shows we can now treat amblyopia effectively in children, teenagers, and adults. The study included 507 children between the ages of 7 to 17.

Results showed:

• 53% of 7 to 12-year-olds had improved vision following treatment.
• 47% of 13 to 17-year-old children also gained improved eyesight.

For adults

For adults, we turn to binocular vision therapy. This has proven effective for treating the suppression for improved eye coordination and binocular vision.

Adults with amblyopia can look forward to more effective treatments, as the FDA has approved a 'prescription vision training software. It uses visual exercises involving Gabor patches to stimulate the brain's visual cortex, improving its processing of incoming visual data.

Clinical studies have shown that adults undergoing treatment have an average improvement of 2.5 lines on a visual acuity chart, a 100% improvement in contrast sensitivity, and a significant improvement in stereo acuity.

The technology has also been shown to improve vision in conditions such as congenital nystagmus and helps patients with difficult neuroadaptation after cataract surgery.

What are the latest lazy eye therapies out there?

Latest high-tech therapies for the lazy eyes are leading to a radical approach in treating amblyopia as a 'two-eye problem' instead of just a 'one-eye problem'.

It has been the gold standard treatment for amblyopia to suppress the use of the stronger eye to force the brain to use the weaker eye – primarily through eye patching and atropine drops.

Both patching and eye drop work similarly. They penalize the better eye to force the weaker eye to function by itself. The patching therapy puts a patch over the eye, while eye drops offer an alternative solution with a lower impact on quality of life.

Other conventional treatments for lazy eye include bifocals (corrective eyeglasses or lenses), surgery, and vision therapy. The latter combines eye exercises and activities to help improve vision in the weaker eye.

The latest optometry innovations in treating lazy eye are focused chiefly on vision therapy, applying new technologies that involve high-tech devices to help encourage both eyes to see the way they should.

1. Vision scanners for diagnosing lazy eye

High-tech vision scanners detect abnormal foveal fixation. Source: Rebion

Unlike traditional treatments, the latest technologies in vision therapy, like the high-tech vision scanner, are deemed promising since they directly detect amblyopia.

Drawbacks of conventional eye patching and eye drops include that these approaches don't train the eyes to work together, they produce notoriously poor compliance, and they can stigmatize the child among their peers. In addition, these approaches fail to restore normal visual function in many children.

Another issue with traditional approaches is that they rely on detecting vision problems that may 'lead to amblyopia' rather than detecting amblyopia itself.

A new handheld vision scanner uses a laser probe to detect an early sign of amblyopia called abnormal bifoveal fixation. The vision scanner detects abnormal bifoveal fixation as small as one degree. After testing, the device provides a 'pass' or 'refer' signal.

2. High-tech eyeglasses

High-tech glasses monitor a child's gaze when watching a video using it. Source: NovaSight

High-tech glasses were recently developed in Israel as part of a 'binocular, eye-tracking-based, digital vision-treatment system.' They are intended for amblyopia patients ages 4 to 9. These glasses provide eye-tracking functions that monitor a child's gaze when watching a video through special glasses.

The system blurs the visual center of the image being seen by the stronger eye, forcing the brain to incorporate information from the weaker eye. This system gets the patient's vision to rely more on the weaker eye while training the two eyes to work together.

3. Virtual reality goggles

Special VR headsets allow children to watch their favorite videos to improve their vision. Source: Luminopia

A new prescription digital therapy software for VR headsets takes a novel approach to treating lazy eyes. The software generates therapeutic visual stimuli and delivers them to the patient through a virtual reality headset, using the eyes to stimulate the brain.

The software algorithms present the images differently to each eye and stimulate parts of the brain responsible for vision.

Compared to an awkward eye patch or numbing eye drops, the VR headsets allow children to watch their favorite videos to improve their vision. The software algorithms rebalance input between the eyes and encourage the brain to combine the images from both eyes.

What causes lazy eye?

A traditional way of treating amblyopia is by wearing an eye patch. Source: American Optometric Associaton

In most cases, doctors don't know the cause of amblyopia. Yet, the condition develops due to abnormal visual experience early in life that changes the nerve pathways between a thin layer of tissue (retina) at the back of the eye and the brain.

Since the eye with weaker vision receives fewer visual signals over time, this leads to a decrease in the ability of both eyes to work together. As a result, the brain begins to suppress or ignore input from the weaker eye.

The American Optometric Association (AAO) identified the following as causes and risk factors of amblyopia:

• Failure to get a comprehensive eye exam to detect the condition early
• A high prescription that has gone uncorrected
• Family history
• Premature birth
• Eye turn—also called strabismus (one eye turned out or in)
• Visual deprivation of one eye—congenital cataract, ptosis, or corneal opacities
• Large refractive errors

How is lazy eye diagnosed?

Until it becomes severe, amblyopia may be challenging to detect. Most kids with lazy eyes won't complain of vision problems, but some will have noticeably poor depth perception.

In addition, children with lazy eyes often lack the awareness that having clear vision in one eye and poor vision in the other is not typical. As a result, the condition can remain untreated and persist into adulthood.

Some early warning signs include:

• Tripping often or accident prone
• Eyes that appear not to work together
• Double vision
• Squinting or shutting an eye
• Head tilting
• Rubbing eyes often
• Slow reading speed and fluency

A lazy eye can also result from various vision problems, including:

• Strabismus (when one eye wanders or crosses)
• Uneven visual focus that is caused by nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism

Early treatment is more effective for lazy eye

In conclusion, early treatment of lazy eye is vital to success since it takes advantage of the brain's adaptability at a young age. Besides conventional therapies, even the latest treatment options are geared toward younger kids.

The theory behind the urgency is that at younger ages, connections between the eye and the brain are still developing. The brain is more adaptable at this age.

Adult amblyopia patients, however, need not worry that they can no longer be healed because of their age, even if the most common therapies do not work effectively for them. Newer vision therapy protocols are beginning to break age barriers.

References

• ' How to Correct a Lazy Eye', Healthline Media.
• 'What Is Lazy Eye?', Optometrists Network.
• 'Common Eye Disorders and Diseases, Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
• 'Strabismus', MedlinePlus.
• 'Amblyopia (lazy eye)', American Optometric Association.
• ' Are patches the answer to amblyopia?', American Optometric Association.
• 'Atropine for amblyopia', Department for Health and Wellbeing, Government of South Australia.
• 'Lazy Eye Surgery Facts', American Academy of Opthalmology.
• 'Vision Therapy for Lazy Eye', Optometrists Network.
• ' Until What Age Can a Lazy Eye Be Treated?', Optometrists Network.
• 'New Research for Adults with Lazy Eye', Optometrists Network.
• 'Computer-Based Primary Visual Cortex Training for Treatment of Low Myopia and Early Presbyopia', National Library of Medicine.
• 'Congenital Nystagmus (Infantile Nystagmus)', Medscape.

Ever experienced blurry vision while wearing contacts? It can be frustrating and make it extremely difficult to focus on simple tasks. But don't worry, blurry contacts are usually an easy problem to fix.

Here are some common causes of blurry contacts and how you can solve them.

1. Dirty lenses could be the culprit

Dirty lenses are one of the top causes of blurry vision. When lenses aren't cleaned regularly, the natural oils and proteins from our eyes, dust, and even bacteria can build up on them. This then affects the clarity of your lenses and by extension, your vision.

To avoid this, it's as simple as cleaning your contact lenses every day. Before touching your contact lenses, make sure to wash your hands with soap and water, then dry them with a lint-free towel.

The 'rub and rinse' method is your best bet for getting clean contacts.

No matter what cleansing solution you use, the 'rub and rinse' method works best — gently rub your lenses, then rinse them with fresh solution before soaking them. Never use expired or reused solution, and pour only new, sterile solution from its original container into the lens case.

2. You might have dry eyes

Contacts make it much easier to see clearly, but they may not be the best option for you if you suffer from dry eyes. Overly dry eyes won't be able to support the lenses as they don't produce enough tears to lubricate their surfaces. This means the contacts wouldn't sit right on your eyes, and in turn, won't be able to refract light and correct your vision properly.

If you wish to continue wearing contacts, consult your eye doctor about alternative contacts and how often you should apply eye drops during the day.

Long-term wear of contact lenses should also be avoided as it can lead to dry eyes if you don't have them already. Contacts decrease the amount of oxygen that reaches your cornea, which needs oxygen to stay nourished and healthy.

To combat this issue, take regular breaks from wearing your contact lenses by using eyeglasses several times a week instead. Additionally, be sure to remove your contacts before bed so your eyes may receive sufficient oxygen during sleep.

3. You're wearing an old prescription

Perhaps you've been careful with your pair, cleaning and storing them properly and replacing them as soon as the time is due. But for some reason, your contact lenses still give you discomfort, come off easily, or are blurry. This may be because your prescription is outdated.

If you can't remember when your last eye exam was, or your answer is more than one year ago, that's a sign that your prescription might need an update.

Regular eye exams are essential for eye health.

Regular eye exams help keep your vision at its peak sharpness by keeping your prescription up to date and detecting any underlying conditions that might affect your vision. Once you've got your eyes checked, your optometrist can get you fitted with lenses that are comfortable and help you see once again.

4. It could be allergies

While you might think that allergies only apply to environmental or food-related triggers, allergies to contact lenses and solutions are pretty common as well. Blurry contacts can be caused by an allergy to proteins in the lens itself, the preservatives in the solution, latex-based ingredients, or a low pH balance.

Fortunately, there is a solution: by visiting your eye doctor and expressing your allergy concerns, they can recommend special solutions or contacts that won't aggravate your eyes. Also, switching your cleaning routine by using hypoallergenic products can reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.

5. Prolonged wearing of contact lenses

Wearing contacts for longer than the recommended life cycle — for example, one-week contact lenses for a month — will cause blurry vision, and affect your eye health. Protein and deposits naturally accumulate on the lens surface when contacts are left in the eyes longer than recommended. This then puts you at greater risk of infection, dry eye, and inflammation.

It goes without saying, but you must also adhere to manufacturers' guidelines on the wear cycle. If you can't help but keep your contacts in longer than the recommended time, limit exposure to irritants by putting fresh pairs in as soon as possible, or consider glasses as an alternative.

Regardless of whether they're daily disposables, bi-weekly, or monthly contacts, they mustn't be worn beyond their recommended duration.

Besides that, lenses must be thoroughly rinsed with fresh, sterile cleaning solution each night before bed to remove any potential irritants accumulated throughout the day.

Your new prescription might be the reason

'Why are my contacts blurry when I just got them?', you ask.

Adjusting to a new prescription for contacts can take some time and may cause blurry vision at first. The key to avoiding this is to let yourself adjust by slowly building up the amount of time you wear your new lenses daily.

Start by wearing them for an hour or two a day, then work your way up to a few more hours each day until you feel comfortable enough with the prescription to wear them all day. Of course, you should also check in with your optometrist if the blurry vision persists and/or contacts continue to be uncomfortable.

Other reasons for blurry vision

Sometimes, blurry vision can also be a symptom of eye conditions such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, astigmatism, cataracts, or eye injuries.

Migraines and sometimes pregnancy can also cause your vision to blur. Whatever the case, you must see an eye doctor as soon as possible to diagnose the issue and get proper treatment.

Why is my contact lens only blurry in one eye?

It might be due to an incorrect fit. Different brands may have different sizes and shapes that work better with certain eyes, so trying a few varieties is your best bet if this happens to you.

Astigmatism occurs when lenses are abnormally shaped, affecting how you can see objects at a distance and close up. Source: Healthline

Alternatively, astigmatism could be the cause. Blurred near and distant vision is a symptom of this eye condition. In this case, custom-made contact lenses can help, and your optometrist or ophthalmologist can usually get you fitted for a pair once they've got your prescription.

For a quick, temporary fix, you can use eye drops or blink your contacts back into place.

Clear ways to fix a blurry problem

, there are many causes for blurry vision when wearing contact lenses, but there are easy, actionable solutions for each one of them too.

One thing's for sure: you can always rely on your eye doctor to help you figure out what's wrong if you experience any persistent changes in your vision while wearing contacts. Otherwise, with a bit of care and good hygiene habits, you can continue to enjoy the freedom and convenience of wearing contacts comfortably and safely.

Red eyes are something that most of us have experienced at some point. Bloodshot eyes can be caused by a wide range of factors that have different symptoms and treatments. While most cases are harmless and go away on their own, it is important to know how you can manage red eyes and when you should seek medical attention.

What are red eyes?

A red eye is when the eye looks red, irritated, or bloodshot. This is caused by dilation or swelling of the small blood vessels in the eye. Usually, a red eye is painless and does not affect vision or cause discomfort.

Sometimes, red eyes can cause pain, photophobia (light sensitivity), and blurred vision. If you experience any of these three symptoms, you should seek medical advice.

The most common causes of red or bloodshot eyes

Determining the cause of bloodshot eyes is not always straightforward, as there are many different factors to consider. Red eyes can be as simple as not getting enough sleep, or irritation from chlorine swimming pools. They can also be caused by underlying conditions or infection.

Some of the common causes of red eyes include:

• Dry eyes (or Dry Eye Syndrome)This often happens when you do not produce enough tears to keep the front of your eye moist, or if you do not produce enough oil to prevent your tears from evaporating. Dry eye can occur from staring at screens, lack of sleep, medications, or exposure to dry weather or wind.
• AllergiesWhen exposed to allergens (such as pollen or dust), the body produces histamines which can cause inflammation. This makes the eye red, watery, and itchy.
• Contact lensesWearing contact lenses prevents oxygen in the air from reaching the front of your eye which causes the blood vessels to expand. It is important to only wear contact lenses for the recommended time, and not to sleep or swim while wearing contact lenses to avoid this.
• Conjunctivitis (or pink eye)Pink eye is inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the clear, protective layer that covers the front of the eye and inside of the eyelid. This can be caused by allergies, bacteria, viruses, fungi, or chemicals. Conjunctivitis can also cause discharge from the eye that may be watery or sticky and mucopurulent (yellow/white pus).
• Subconjunctival haemorrhageThis happens when a blood vessel under the conjunctiva bursts and looks as though the eye is "bleeding". Since the blood is trapped under the front layer of the eye, it has nowhere to go and thus spreads. Common causes of subconjunctival hemorrhage include sneezing or coughing too hard and lifting heavy objects. While this may look scary, it usually goes away on its own and is nothing to worry about.
• EpiscleritisThis is an inflammation of the layer covering the sclera (the white part of your eye) which is underneath the conjunctiva. This can cause some mild pain and irritation but does not affect vision. Episcleritis can be spontaneous (appears on its own with no obvious cause) or can be triggered by immune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Episcleritis usually goes away on its own. If you experience episcleritis repeatedly, you should see your doctor for a check-up.

Other, rarer causes of red eyes

Some of the more uncommon causes of red eyes include:

• ScleritisUnlike episcleritis, scleritis is much more serious and can cause extreme light sensitivity and blurred vision. The eye and face might be sore, and there is a potential for complete vision loss. Scleritis requires treatment with corticosteroids (reduces inflammation) and antibiotics. In severe cases, you may require surgery.
• UveitisUveitis is inflammation inside of your eye and can involve the front (anterior uveitis), middle (intermediate uveitis), back (posterior uveitis), or call (panuveitis) of your eye. Uveitis causes a dull, aching pain, light sensitivity, and blurry vision. You may also see floaters (dark squiggly lines or spots) in your vision. Uveitis can be treated with steroids.
• Acute angle closure glaucomaA sudden increase in intraocular (eye) pressure can block the eye's drainage channel and cause dilated blood vessels, leading to red eyes. Your cornea (the clear part of the eye covering your iris and pupil) may become hazy and your pupils will not constrict when exposed to direct light. This requires urgent treatment to avoid permanent vision loss, which includes medications to reduce eye pressure and potential surgery to increase drainage in your eye.
• Smoking or alcoholSmoking can expose the eye to harmful chemicals that cause inflammation of the eye's blood vessels. Alcohol can cause the blood vessels in the eye to dilate, making them appear bloodshot.

How to treat common causes of red eyes

Many types of red eyes can be avoided by taking extra care. Some ways of preventing red eyes include:

• Regularly wash your eyelids gently washing your eyelids and surrounding facial skin with clean warm water removes debris and bacteria that may cause irritation or infection. It is also important to remove your eye makeup properly to prevent irritation.
• Keep your eyes hydratedYou can do this by drinking enough water and using lubricating eye drops.
• Reduce your screen time by spending less time on screens, or taking more frequent breaks, which will prevent your eyes from becoming dry and fatigued.
• Get enough sleep this allows your eyes time to recover and rehydrate.
• Avoid allergens and irritantsIf you are aware of certain allergies, such as dust or animal fur, then you should try to avoid exposure to them. It is also a good idea to keep your environment clean by regularly removing dust from your surroundings (by sweeping, vacuuming) and washing your bed linen.
• Try not to rub your eyesRubbing your eyes can introduce bacteria and debris, which can cause irritation or infection.

If you have a red eye, the remedy will depend on the cause. Some common ways of managing a red eye include:

• Artificial tear eye drops will rehydrate dry eyes and flush out allergens and irritants.
• CompressesCool compresses are best for red eyes caused by irritation or inflammation as they relieve the eyes and reduce swelling. Warm compresses are best for dry eyes and bacterial causes of red eyes, as they loosen blocked oil glands and dried mucus.
• AntihistaminesIf your allergies have caused your eyes to become red, then antihistamines will prevent your body from producing the histamines that cause inflammation and irritation to your eyes and sinuses.

In other types of red eyes, you may be prescribed antibiotic drops or steroid drops to treat the cause of your red eye and to reduce inflammation.

Should I use eye-whitening eye drops for my red eyes?

Eye whitening eye drops, also known as redness relieving drops, are often used to reduce the red appearance of bloodshot eyes. These drops work by causing the eye's blood vessels to constrict (vasoconstriction). A common brand of these drops is Visine.

While it may be tempting to use these drops to improve the appearance of your red eyes, it is important to understand that these drops often have a "rebound" effect, especially if used for long periods. When you stop using these drops, your eye's blood vessels will become even more dilated than they were before, causing your eyes to look redder.

As well as making the eyes even redder than they were initially, these drops do not treat the cause of your red eyes. This means that your bloodshot eye may keep coming back if you do not manage its cause.

When to call the doctor about red eyes

Although most causes of red eyes are harmless, sometimes they can be something more. If you are experiencing symptoms such as headaches, nausea or vomiting, fevers, discharge from the eyes, or swelling around the eyes then you should seek medical attention. If your red eyes are not going away on their own or are getting worse, then you should also see a health professional.

The three main "red flag" symptoms that may suggest the need for medical treatment are:

• Reduced vision
• Photophobia (light sensitivity)
• Pain

If in doubt, it is best to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist about your red eyes – especially if you are unsure of its cause. This will ensure that the cause of your red eye is nothing sinister, and your health professional will provide you with the most accurate advice to resolve the red eye more quickly.

References

• "Red Eye", Mayo Clinic
• "Red Eye – A Guide for Non-Specialists", Deutsches Arzteblatt International Journal
• "Uveitis", National Eye Institute
• "Home Remedies for Bloodshot Eyes", American Academy of Ophthalmology
• "Redness-Relieving Eye Drops", American Academy of Ophthalmology

Do you ever wake up in the morning with dry, irritated eyes? Do they feel gritty and uncomfortable, as if they haven't had enough sleep or a good night's rest?

If so, don't worry—it happens to many of us.

In this article, we'll explore why so many of us experience dry eyes in the morning and share ways to resolve or prevent them.

What are dry eyes?

It's a condition where your eyes don't produce enough quality tears, which are essential for eye lubrication and nourishment. Without quality tears, the surface of your eye can become dry, irritated, and more susceptible to infections.

Without quality tears, your eyes can become dry and irritated.

The symptoms of dry eyes include:

• Feeling like something scratchy or gritty is in your eye
• Feeling a stinging and burning sensation in your eye
• Blurry vision
• Red or irritated eyes, especially when you are near cigarette smoke or in the wind
• Mucus strings in or around your eyes
• Pain when wearing contact lenses
• Watery eyes

Every year, dry eyes affect millions of people in the U.S. Dry eyes can be extremely uncomfortable and make it difficult to perform everyday tasks. They can also be chronic.

What causes dry eyes after sleep?

Several factors contribute to getting dry eyes when you wake up.

1. Poor sleep quality

Not getting enough shut-eye can result in more than just tiredness. Our tear production is naturally reduced when we sleep, but poor sleep quality can cause that too. As a result, you may wake up with drier-than-usual eyes in the AM.

2. Sleeping environment

Prolonged exposure to windy or dry climates can contribute to quicker tear evaporation. For example, sleeping under or in front of an air vent can cause dry eyes. Also, since cold air is drier than warm air, you may notice that you wake up with dry eyes more often during winter than in summer.

3. Your eyes don't produce enough quality tears at night

When we sleep, our eyes make less quality tears than when we're awake. Although this won't necessarily cause problems in young, healthy individuals, the same can't be said for older people.

As we age, our ability to produce quality tears also decreases. Also, medical conditions like allergies, diabetes, and thyroid disorders as well as medications like antihistamines and antidepressants can reduce tear production. The same can be said of refractive eye surgery like LASIK and hormonal changes due to menopause, pregnancy, and oral contraceptives.

People over 50 are particularly at risk for dry eyes.

4. Dehydration

If you don't get enough fluids, it can lead to dry eyes in the morning. Therefore, make sure you're drinking an adequate amount throughout the day. Aim for around 8 glasses of water each day.

5. Nocturnal lagophthalmos

Waking up with dry and irritated eyes in the morning can indicate that you suffer from nocturnal lagophthalmos. It's a condition that makes it difficult to keep your eyelids closed while sleeping and can be caused by incomplete lid closure, Bell's palsy, or head or jaw trauma. If this occurs to you, it's best to consult an eye doctor to ensure the pinpoint of the root of the issue.

Self-care options for dry eyes in the morning

There are a variety of options at your disposal to help you tackle dry eyes in the morning without the need for a medical expert, ranging from quick tricks to longer-term solutions.

1. Use artificial tears

People often find they can manage mild dry eye cases through artificial tear solutions. These solutions are available over the counter (OTC). For best results, use preservative-free solutions as they typically have fewer additives that may irritate your eyes.

Artificial tear solutions can help with dry eyes.

Your eye doctor may also recommend prescription eye drops if your dry eyes don't respond to OTC artificial tears.

2. Proper hygiene

Dirt that accumulates on your face throughout the day may get into your eyes and irritate them. As such, make sure you wash your face thoroughly before going to bed.

Also, remember to clean your eyelids carefully with gentle, preferably hypoallergenic soap to avoid conditions like eyelid inflammation, which can also cause dry eyes.

3. Add a humidifier and/or air purifier

The most common effect of a dry environment is dry eyes. A humidifier in your bedroom is a great solution to combat the drying effects of air conditioning or a fan during sleep hours.

Air cleaning systems like air purifiers are incredibly effective at filtering out contaminants found in outdoor air, such as pollen, dust, pet dander, and other irritants. As such, they also work well to reduce dry eyes.

4. Proper sleep routine

Developing a healthier sleep routine doesn't need to be an overwhelming process. Start small, and build your way up.

First, create a better environment in your bedroom. You can do this by ensuring your room's temperature is just right. Next, fine-tune your sleep schedule and stick to it as much as possible. When your body gets used to sleeping at a specific time, falling asleep will no longer be a problem.

You can also develop an enjoyable pre-bedtime ritual, such as meditation, stretching, or breathing exercises. These can help you wind down and relax, signaling to your body that you're ready for bed.

Stretching can be part of your pre-bedtime ritual that helps you sleep better at night.

Lastly, form positive pro-sleep habits during the day. For example, exercising in the morning rather than the evening can help you sleep better.

When you start small, you'll soon find that each step taken leads you closer to your goal of having better quality rest.

Medical care for dry eyes in the morning

If your dry eyes persist despite trying the methods above, you can go to a certified ophthalmologist.

Your ophthalmologist can identify the cause of your dry eyes and prescribe therapies and treatments. For example, they may recommend using punctual plugs (tiny plugs made of silicone or gel) to block your tear ducts so your eyes won't dry up. These plugs may be removed later if necessary.

If that doesn't relieve your dry eyes enough, your eye doctor may suggest permanent surgical closure of the ducts. Another option they may recommend is prescription eye drop medication to increase tear production in your eyes naturally.

Preventing dry eyes in the morning

As they say, prevention is better than cure. This is also true for dry eyes.

To start, you can do some blinking exercises. Gently close your eyes and count to 2. Next, squeeze your lids together and count to 2. Then, open your eyes and count to 2. Repeat this exercise five times in a row. You can do this as often as you want.

Gently massaging your eyelids with clean hands is also something you can do. Make sure to cover the full length of your lids — upper lid downward and lower lid upward. Do this for 30 seconds. Pause to warm eyelids with a compress. Repeat this 5-10 times.

If you're a smoker, it's best to quit the habit and stay away from secondhand smoke, as it's a known eye irritant.

Making sure you drink at least eight glasses of water a day also counts. Since water makes up 98% of tears, not getting enough H2O can decrease the production of tears.

Drinking at least eight glasses of water daily can help boost tear production.

Also, ensure your diet gives you enough vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids, as they are needed for healthy eyes and good tear production. You can eat carrots, liver, fish, and flaxseed, as they are rich in the aforementioned nutrients.

Regularly going to your ophthalmologist for an eye checkup is also important for general eye health. For most adults, you only need to do this once a year.

If you have dry eyes and need corrective lenses, consider using glasses since contact lenses can worsen dry eyes.

Dry eyes can get better with proper treatment

Getting the proper diagnosis for dry eyes is essential for treating it properly. With the right treatment, your dry eyes will get better, therefore improving your quality of life. When in doubt, always speak to a trusted ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

If you've ever had flashes where everything looks brighter than normal, it can be a disturbing experience.

Understanding its various possible causes can help you determine your best course of action.

In this post, you'll learn why, how it can affect you, and what you can do about it.

Why you may feel everything looks brighter than normal

Here are some of the most common reasons things may look a little brighter than normal.

1. Atmospheric conditions play a role

Both humidity and air pollution can cause bright sunsets.

The atmosphere can play an essential role in how we perceive light.

Humidity in the air can cause light sources to be brighter than usual.

For example, a humid atmosphere can cause the sun to appear more radiant, making sunsets more vivid and colorful.

High levels of air pollution have the same effect. In this case, airborne aerosols increase the sunlight scattered.

That's why some of the most polluted cities in the world have vibrant sunsets.

In addition, if the night is not at all dark, perhaps it's because of a phenomenon called sky glow.

This phenomenon is due to artificial light (from cars, buildings, streetlamps, etc.) in urban areas.

2. Light conditions can affect our vision

When sunlight reflects off snow, it can seem like everything is brighter than usual.

When it comes to perception, lighting can make all the difference.

You know what this means if you've ever squinted in direct sunlight or due to glare.

In some cases, the intensity of light can enhance our perception, making colors seem brighter and more vivid.

But in other cases, it can overload our senses and cause us to miss important details.

The direction of the light can also play a role in our perception.

If you're looking at something illuminated from below and from the left, it's brighter.

3. You may have eye health issues

Migraines can cause visual disturbances like flashing lights.

Have you ever experienced a migraine or had cataracts?

If so, then you are probably familiar with the drastic way these health issues can affect your perception.

Migraines can cause visual disturbances like flashing lights or zigzag lines, while cataracts (clouding of the eye lens) can also make you see halos around lights.

But did you know that other health issues can also affect your perception?

For example, some people with diabetes report seeing flashing lights, a retinopathy symptom.

This eye condition causes damage to the retina (the part of the eye responsible for transforming light that enters the eye into electrical signals sent to the brain).

Certain medications like digoxin, used to treat heart conditions, can cause photophobia (where bright light hurts your eyes).

How vision brightness may affect your life

Bright lights may affect your vision while driving.

You know those moments when everything just seems brighter than usual? Perhaps you think the sun shining extra bright is the reason.

This is pretty harmless, but it can be detrimental in certain situations.

Imagine you're behind the wheel of a car, and suddenly everything appears brighter.

The light can blind you and have difficulty seeing other vehicles or pedestrians.

If this happens while traveling at high speeds, you may be unable to react quickly enough to avoid an accident.

Also, brighter-than-normal perception may cause issues when operating tools and machinery.

You can misjudge distances and find it hard to read gauges and dials accurately.

Brighter-than-normal perception can also lead to errors in color perception, making it harder to differentiate between specific colors.

These things can put you and others at risk for accidents.

Tips on dealing with vision brightness

Brighter-than-normal perception may cause issues when operating tools and machinery.

One of the most effective ways to manage this condition is by adjusting to your environment. Dimming the lights or avoiding bright, fluorescent lights can be helpful.

You can also turn off overhead lights and close curtains or blinds.

Closing curtains or blinds are an easy and effective way to deal with vision brightness.

Try wearing glasses with transition lenses. This type of lens darkens when UV light (e.g. sunlight) hits it and goes back to clear when you go back indoors.

These lenses are also known as photochromatic lenses or reaction lenses.

You can also use a computer screen filter to reduce glare or adjust your computer or smartphone's display settings for a dimmer, more soothing screen.

Of course, taking breaks from looking at screens or bright lights can give your eyes a chance to rest and recover.

Seek medical attention if you're experiencing brighter-than-normal perception.

While it may seem like a minor nuisance, the brighter-than-normal perception could be a symptom of an underlying health condition.

That's why seeking medical attention is crucial if you're experiencing this issue.

A doctor can help determine the cause of heightened perception and provide treatment options if necessary.

Vision brightness: benign or serious?

You might feel like everything looks brighter than expected for various reasons.

It could be due to atmospheric conditions like humidity and pollution or the intensity and direction of light – think direct sunlight and reflections.

Sometimes, health issues like migraines and cataracts could also be responsible for this perception.

Whatever the cause, it's always a good idea to get checked out by a medical professional to rule out any underlying health issues.

Do you have trouble seeing clearly at night? Even when the streets are lit with the rays of cars and street lamps?

There's a chance you're dealing with something known as nyctalopia – commonly known as night blindness. Read on to learn more about night blindness and what you can do about it.

What is bad night vision or night blindness?

Night blindness can make it difficult to see in low-light settings.

Seeing in the dark is what many would consider a superpower or at least something to write home about. While human beings cannot see in the dark, we've found various ways to illuminate it.

However, not everyone can see at night even with average illumination. If you have night blindness, you may struggle to see clearly at night or in low light conditions.

Here are a few common symptoms of night blindness:

• A sensitivity to light
• Seeing halos or glare around lights
• Struggling to see well in low light conditions
• Takes a long time to adjust to a well lit room after being in the dark
• Difficulty driving at night

What causes poor night vision/night blindness?

Now, night blindness itself is not a disease, rather it's typically a symptom of an underlying eye condition. Here are a few eye conditions which can result in night blindness:

• Myopia (nearsightedness) This is when you can see objects close to you clearly, while far away objects appear blurry. Research shows that about 41.6% of Americans are nearsighted.
• Cataracts are when there's a breakdown of proteins in your eye's lens which causes them to get cloudy. The results are that things begin to look less colorful, more hazy, and blurry.
• Glaucomais a set of eye diseases that result in loss of vision and blindness by damaging your optic nerve.
• Vitamin A deficiency While it isn't an eye condition, a vitamin A deficiency can result in night blindness. Night blindness is one of the first signs of a vitamin A deficiency.
• Retinitis Pigmentosa This is a group of rare, genetic disorders where there is a breakdown and loss of cells in the retina. People with this condition lose their sight over time but don't become blind. Besides night blindness, it can also result in tunnel vision, which means there's a loss of peripheral (side) vision. This is caused by Usher syndrome which is a hereditary condition that causes partial or complete hearing loss as well as gradual vision loss.

How is night blindness diagnosed?

Night blindness is diagnosed by your eye doctor by administering a comprehensive eye exam. During this examination, your eye doctor will ask you about your medical history as well as perform tests to determine any signs of eye disease as well as assess the condition of your eyes.

Numerous eye doctors utilize the Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity chart to pick up any sign of night blindness. The chart consists of numerous rows of letters in various shades of gray on a white background.

While performing the test, your eye doctor will ask you to identify the letters on the chart. As you move your eyes down the chart, the letters will seem to be in lighter shades of gray as the contrast of the white background is decreased.

Another way your eye doctor may test for night blindness is by testing your vitamin A and glucose levels via a blood test.

How is night blindness treated?

Night blindness treatment depends on the cause. Since there are various causes for night blindness, it stands to reason that there are various treatments.

1. Treatments for myopia (nearsightedness)

If your night blindness is caused by nearsightedness, then it can be resolved by wearing corrective lenses. These are usually eyeglasses or contact lenses with the appropriate prescription.

2. Treatments for cataracts

If the cause for your night blindness is cataracts, then the treatment would be surgery. During the procedure, your surgeon will use an artificial lens to replace the cloudy one in your eye. This should drastically improve your night blindness.

3. Treatments for glaucoma

If your night blindness is due to glaucoma, then treating the disease itself is the way to prevent night vision from worsening. Treatment can vary and include laser treatment, medicated eye drops, or even surgery. Although treatment can slow down the progression of glaucoma and even improve contrast sensitivity in some cases, it is not a cure. If you lose vision from glaucoma, the damage is irreversible.

However, it is important to note that specific glaucoma medications are known as miotics can cause the pupils to contract, which can reduce your night vision. If you noticed your night vision decreasing after taking your glaucoma medication, then speak with your eye doctor about what to do next.

4. Vitamin A deficiency

A common source of night blindness is vitamin A deficiency. If this is the reason for your night blindness, then it can be easily treated with vitamin A supplements. As the levels of vitamin A in your system begin to normalize, your night vision should as well.

5. Hereditary conditions

Genetic diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa or Usher syndrome are not treatable. This is because the genes that cause the deterioration of your vision don't respond to either surgery or any type of corrective lenses.

How can night blindness be prevented?

The adage "prevention is better than cure" will always be true. However, in the case of night blindness, it does not always apply. Sad to say, in the case of genetic conditions, such as Usher Syndrome and Retinitis Pigmentosa, night blindness cannot be prevented.

However, besides genetic conditions, you can prevent night blindness through lifestyle changes that benefit your ocular health.

1. Get routine eye exams

Routine comprehensive eye exams are key in detecting signs of ocular disease before symptoms develop. During your eye exam, your eye doctor will use imaging techniques and diagnostic tools to inspect your retina as well as inside your eye to find any signs of damage.

A routine eye exam can make a huge difference in finding any early signs of eye disease, thus increasing your chance of recovery.

2. Maintain healthy vitamin A levels

Keeping your vitamin A levels in check is a great way to prevent night blindness. You can do this by eating foods rich in vitamin A and taking supplements. Besides preventing night blindness, having a vitamin A rich diet can help protect your retinal health and delay the early onset of cataracts.

Here are a few foods rich in vitamin A:

• Milk
• Spinach
• Pumpkins
• Sweet potatoes
• Mangoes
• Carrots
• Eggs

3. Wear sunglasses outdoors

Sunglasses aren't only a great way to accessorize an outfit or look cool, they also protect your eyes. While the sun is great, extended exposure to its harmful UV rays can damage the proteins in your eye's lens, which can cause cataracts.

4. Exercise frequently

Working out at least three times a week can do wonders for your waistline, muscles, and mental health. But did you know that it can also help protect your eyes? Research has shown that working out at least three times per week can reduce your risk of many eye conditions. It does this by lowering eye pressure as well as blood glucose levels.

5. Update your optical prescription

If you're nearsightedness, ensure that your prescription is updated so that you have the clearest vision possible. Outdated optical prescriptions can lead to blurry vision during the day and night.

Wrap up

Night blindness is a serious issue that impairs many people's ability to see at night. As mentioned, those with some genetic conditions cannot do much to help their night blindness because there is no cure at this time.

However, most cases of night blindness can be rectified with either a change in lifestyle, lens (contacts or glasses), or surgery. If you feel you have night blindness, schedule a session with your eye doctor and take it from there.

We've all heard the saying, 'eyes are the windows to the soul,' but what happens when those windows get foggy? Worsening vision affects millions of people, and addressing any issues early on is essential.

Read on to learn about its common causes and prevention and what you can do to keep your eyes healthy.

Common causes of worsening vision

Age, physical defects, eye strain, and much more could be probable causes of worsening vision. Much depends on an effective diagnosis from a professional eye doctor. Here are some common reasons why you may be experiencing poorer eyesight.

Aging and presbyopia

As we age, the lenses (the clear part of the eye that helps us focus) in our eyes become less flexible, making it harder for them to focus on objects up close. This condition is known as presbyopia.

If you're in your forties and you find yourself holding books and newspapers at arm's length to read, it could be a sign of presbyopia. This is a natural part of aging and can be addressed by heading to an eye doctor to get a prescription for a pair of prescription glasses, or simply some reading glasses.

Refractive errors

Refractive errors may be due to eyeball, cornea, or lens issues. Source: ResearchGate

These errors include an elongated or misshapen eyeball, a deformed cornea (the eye's clear outer layer), or the natural aging of the lens in your eye. It might happen to you as you age or because of a condition like astigmatism, myopia, or hyperopia.

Myopia (nearsightedness)

This condition happens when the eyeball's shape is too long or the cornea is too curved. People with myopia have trouble seeing far-away objects.

Hyperopia (farsightedness)

Are you straining your eyes to read this right now? If so, you might be experiencing hyperopia. This condition occurs when your eyes have trouble focusing on objects up close. If you're farsighted, your eyeball's shape may be too short or your cornea too flat.

Astigmatism

You might have astigmatism if you're squinting to see what's on the menu or struggling to make out street signs from afar. This condition occurs when the eye's front surface is irregularly shaped, causing blurred or distorted vision near and far. Astigmatism can develop at any age and is often hereditary.

Cataracts

Aside from losing its flexibility, the lens in your eye could become less transparent as you age. The clouding in the lens is called a cataract. It's a common condition that older adults develop. Cataracts can eventually lead to blindness if not treated.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that attack the optic nerve. That's part of your eye that sends visual information from your eye to your brain. The culprit? Often, it's high pressure in your eye. But glaucoma can still occur even if your eye pressure is normal and can cause vision loss.

Macular degeneration

You might have macular degeneration if you notice some darkness or an empty area in the center of your vision. This condition affects the part of the eye responsible for clear and sharp central vision. It can result in loss of sight.

Diabetic retinopathy

This occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in your retina. This condition can lead to blindness if left untreated.

Other factors contributing to worsening vision

While genetics can play a role, factors like excessive screen time can also contribute to developing or worsening the conditions mentioned. Reading for extended periods or in dim light may not have a direct link to common eye conditions, but it can contribute to eye strain.

Excessive screen time can increase your risk of developing or worsening common eye disorders like myopia.

Poor nutrition and hydration can also have a significant impact on your vision. Our eyes require essential nutrients to function correctly, but many people don't prioritize healthy foods, leading to a deficiency in these vital nutrients.

Additionally, dehydration can cause dry eyes, which, over time, can contribute to worsening vision.

Certain medications can negatively affect eye health, as well. For example, antidepressants and cholesterol-lowering drugs have been linked to vision changes. If you're experiencing these symptoms, talk to your doctor and ophthalmologist to see if there's a solution.

Lastly, one of the most apparent causes of worsening vision is eye injuries or trauma. Whether it's from a sport you play, a freak accident, or just everyday clumsiness, any damage to your eyes can have a lasting impact on your vision.

Prevent worsening eye conditions with early treatment

Don't let vision troubles master you, be proactive and preserve your eye health. Here are some holistic options to keep your vision sharp for years to come.

1. Going for a comprehensive eye exam

Early diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions can help maintain overall vision health. A comprehensive eye exam can detect changes in your eye pressure, an important indicator of potential issues. An ophthalmologist can identify risk factors unique to each individual and recommend the best course of action to protect your eyesight.

2. Consider corrective lenses or surgery

Corrective lenses, whether glasses or contacts are a reliable solution for many. For those with more severe conditions, surgery may be necessary. Early treatment is the key to preventing worsening eye conditions regardless of route. Don't worry too much about the cost since your prescription eyewear may have several payment options.

3. Medications or other medical treatments

Many medications and other medical treatments can help manage glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts. For example, prescription eye drops are available for glaucoma to decrease eye pressure.

Change your lifestyle to help your vision

Regular exercise will benefit your overall health and help reduce your risk of developing eye diseases.

One area you can focus on is your diet and nutrition. Incorporating foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E and omega-3 fatty acids can support eye health and potentially reduce the risk of developing vision problems. Think leafy greens, citrus fruits, nuts, and fish.

You can also start incorporating eye exercises and relaxation techniques into your routine. Some activities can strengthen your eye muscles and help your eyes work better together. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation, especially with closed eyes, can also reduce eye strain and help you feel calmer.

Finally, by managing chronic health conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, you can improve your overall health and see positive effects on your vision.

Our eyes are essential, keep them safe!

If you find yourself working in an environment where your eyes can get injured, one of the best things you can do is to wear the proper protective gear, whether goggles or a face shield.

It's also essential to keep work areas well-lit and to take frequent breaks from activities that strain your eyes, such as staring at a computer screen.

Protect your eyes by wearing the proper protective gear.

The right pair of protective eyewear can make all the difference in high-intensity activities, such as sports. They will shield your eyes from UV rays and defend against potential injuries or hazards.

Or – if you're a glasses-wearer who lives an active or adventurous lifestyle, you might want to consider opting for more durable lenses – such as polycarbonate, which can take more knocks and scuffs.

Manage chronic health conditions

Did you know that certain conditions can also put your eyesight at risk? Diabetes, high blood pressure and autoimmune diseases are some chronic conditions that can affect your vision over time.

You can take steps to protect your eyes while managing your health. Regular eye exams, managing your medication correctly, and managing your blood pressure and sugar levels are vital strategies for keeping your eyes healthy.

Address worsening vision before it's too late

As we age, our vision becomes more prone to wear and tear, and those minor annoyances can become big problems without proper care. Fortunately, taking care of our vision is easy to do with some lifestyle changes mentioned above, or by addressing them with corrective lenses such as prescription glasses or reading glasses.

It also never hurts to seek professional medical advice for any vision concerns.

Have you ever heard of the air puff eye test?

This type of eye test is infamous, not only for its odd name but also for how dreadful it can be. While it's completely painless, the air puff eye test can be uncomfortable for some people.

Imagine this: you're sitting there, waiting for the test to be over. Suddenly, your optometrist grabs a tool resembling a pencil and shoots a 'poof' of air into your eye.

So, what does this unusual procedure do for our eyes? Let's get into what it's all about.

What is the air puff eye test?

The air puff test is used to diagnose glaucoma.

The air puff eye test, known technically as non-contact tonometry, is usually conducted to diagnose glaucoma. At the very least, it can determine if you're at high risk of developing glaucoma-related symptoms.

How does that work? Well, consider this: our eyes always have various fluids in them to keep them safe and healthy. Your eyes produce these fluids, then they get drained out. On and on the cycle goes.

However, there might come a time when these fluids get stuck. Suddenly, they have nowhere to go and they build up inside your eyes. That can lead to a lot of eye pressure.

Over time, high levels of eye pressure can damage your optic nerve, which is connected to your brain. When left ignored, this entire scenario can escalate into glaucoma.

More worrying still, the symptoms can easily go undetected. According to a recent study, only 30-50% [1] of glaucoma patients in the US are diagnosed properly. 50% of people [2] suffering from glaucoma don't even know they have it.

How the air puff test is done

For skeptics and people with low pain tolerance, here's some good news: the air puff test is completely painless. It's not a complicated eye exam that takes hours and days. Rather, it's super quick and convenient.

Your eye doctor can do the air puff test in two different ways.

1. Using a little puff of air

Your doctor will take a tonometer, which is a pencil-like device.

With this, they'll blow a small puff of air into your eye while you look at a light. From this test, they can measure how much pressure you have in your eyeball.

2. Using a gentle tap on the eyeball

For this method, your doctor will put numbing eye drops in your eye. Then, they'll take the tonometer and use it to gently touch the front surface of your eye. This can measure the pressure inside your eyes.

The range for normal eye pressure is 12-22 mmHg ('millimeters of Mercury'). If yours goes above that range, you likely have glaucoma.

However, results can also vary on a case-by-case basis. If you have high eye pressure but no damage to your optic nerve, you might be diagnosed with ocular hypertension instead.

Because of this, the air puff test isn't completely accurate. Rather, it's just one of many options you have. Doing a complete set of different eye tests can help pinpoint your exact diagnosis.

Other symptoms of glaucoma

Glaucoma can lead to distracting symptoms, like persistent migraines.

Aside from a high level of eye pressure, here are other symptoms that may indicate glaucoma:

• Blurry vision
• Severe and persistent eye pain
• Red eyes
• Intense headaches
• Nausea and throwing up
• Seeing halos around lights
• Tenderness and swelling around the eyes

If you experience these symptoms for more than a few days, consult an eye doctor immediately.

Risk factors for glaucoma

Your eyes might have a history of chronic conditions.

Apart from stress and aging, genes can also be a risk factor for glaucoma.

Anyone can experience glaucoma symptoms, but you might be at higher risk if you:

• Have a family history of glaucoma
• Are aged over 40
• Have diabetes
• Get constant migraines
• Have a history of eye injuries or trauma
• Already have near- or farsightedness
• Are African, Hispanic, or Asian
• Can see that your corneas are thin in the middle of your eye
• Experience blood circulation issues

If any of these risk factors apply to you, consult your doctor and discuss the practical steps and lifestyle changes you need to take next.

Alternative tests for diagnosing glaucoma

Various eye tests, like the visual field test in this image, are necessary for a complete diagnosis.

As mentioned before, the air puff test is convenient, but it may not be sufficient to get an accurate diagnosis.

If you want to know for sure whether you have glaucoma, you'll most likely have to go through several tests.

These are some of the alternatives your doctor may recommend.

Gonioscopy

Remember the fluid drainage we talked about earlier? Gonioscopy checks for that.

In the process, your eye doctor will examine the front of your eye through a special lens and a light. More specifically, they'll look between your cornea and iris to check if your eye's drainage angle is blocked.

Visual field test

For this one, the eye doctor will test how far your eye can see in any direction, without physically moving your head. As it detects any potential vision loss outside of your central visual field, it can detect glaucoma as the disease affects peripheral vision. The test also gauges how sensitive your vision is, and whether you have any potential blind spots.

Optic nerve assessment

As mentioned earlier, high levels of eye pressure can damage your optic nerve. As such, an optic nerve assessment may be needed to form an accurate diagnosis.

In such a test, your doctor will use a bright light and special lens to check for any glaucomatous structural damage at the back of the eye, specifically, in your optic nerve. They may also take a photo of the optic nerve for further examination.

Prevention is always better than cure

Eye exams shouldn't be a once-in-a-blue-moon type of thing. Rather, it ought to be a routine check-up like what you do for the rest of your body.

For eye conditions like glaucoma, there's no cure at all. The best thing to do is to prevent the problem before it develops by getting a complete eye exam, including the air puff test.

Don't know how often you should get an eye exam? Read up on it here, and check out more articles on Door2USA Prescription Glasses to brush up on your eye health knowledge.

References

• ' The majority of glaucoma cases remain undiagnosed in the US/, Clinical Trials Arena
• 'Don't Let Glaucoma Steal Your Sight!', CDC