Eye Health Archives

Spring Allergies: The Cause and How You Can Reduce Your Exposure.

Paul Stubenbordt on May 18, 2016

Well it is officially Spring, a time of beauty where plants spring into life and also a time of season allergies. Ocular allergies, commonly referred to as “eye allergies” are one of these Spring frustrations that millions of people deal with every year. If you suffer from Spring allergies, then you might end up having to deal with watery and/or irritated red eyes.

So What Causes Spring Allergies?

Well, a lot of things, but in the spring there are two types of allergies that you need to look out for:

Seasonal Allergies: These are the common allergies that your eyes become subjected to and definitely very big in the Spring. These are caused by allergies to pollen from bloom plant life such as weeds, grass and trees.
Perennial Allergies: These last throughout the year and are usually caused by allergies to dust and different animals. Smoke can also trigger an allergic response as well as colognes and pollution.

There are plenty of times when you can easily identify the cause of your allergic reactions, but seeing a doctor might be necessary to determine what is triggering your allergic reactions. Once you figure out what it is that is bothering you, there are things that can be done to help reduce your exposure to those allergens.

Here are some useful tips on how you can limit your exposure to allergens:

If the pollen counts are high, stay inside!
If you are a contacts user, then you should consider removing them when you go outdoors because they can accumulate airborne allergens like pollen. Sunglasses can help to protect your eyes from these airborne risks.
Your bed and pillow cases can actually get pretty dusty, so it is a good idea to regularly wash your sheets and pillowcases to limit your exposure to dust mites.
Cleaning the floor with a damp mop helps to keep allergens from getting airborne when you are doing Spring cleaning.
DO NOT rub your eyes! This only makes your allergic symptoms worse.

If your allergies are severe then it might be best for you to see a specialist. Reach out to your eye doctor regarding eye allergies if the conventional methods of fighting your allergies are producing the results you expected.

5 Tips to Help Protect Your Vision in a Digital World

Paul Stubenbordt on April 27, 2016

In an increasingly digital world issues such as digital eye strain are becoming more prevalent than ever before. The use of digital devices has become so ingrained in our day-to-day lives that we would have trouble surviving without them both professionally and personally. Every year that goes by we become even more dependent on these devices, so digital eye strain can only grow as an issue.

We rarely think about the impact this exposure to digital devices might be having on our vision and because of that we deal with recurring headaches, blurred vision and other symptoms of digital eye strain.

So with all this in mind, here are 5 tips to help protect your vision in a digital world:

Lighting matters: As they say in the photography world “lighting, lighting, lighting!” Lighting doesn’t just matter in a photo shoot, lighting matters in your every day lives as well. If you work in an office and spend a large amount of time staring at a screen it is important to adjust your monitor settings so as to not strain your eyes. The lights above your head make a huge difference as well, if they are producing too much light then your eyes will become fatigued from over-exposure, on the other side if the lights are too dim, then your eyes will get strained over time. It is recommended that you keep your source of light off to the side of you, rather than at your front or back.
Adapt your environment to your needs: It is a good idea to customize your environment to what is most comfortable for you. Using a large monitor or a screen magnifier for your computer helps to reduce symptoms of eye strain. Don’t sit too far back from your computer either, because that can cause your eyes to get strained. Believe it or not having a comfortable chair can do a lot for your eyes, because it reduces the amount of stress you put on your eyes when you are constantly adjusting how you are sitting for the best angle of view.
Read at the right angle: This is pretty specific, but it has been known to help. It is important to ensure that your computer monitor is positioned slightly below your eye level, so that you are looking slightly downward at it. Sitting approximately 24 – 28 inches away from your screen is recommended as well.
Don’t forget to blink: Statistics show that people blink a lot less when they are using digital devices, which causes your eyes to get strained over time. It is a good idea to remind yourself to give your eyes a break after once in a while in the office. You would be surprised at how much of a difference it makes when you take a moment to close your eyes for a few seconds every 20 minutes.
Magnify your text: If you already have vision complications then settings your text to be magnified for easier reading helps to reduce symptoms of eye strain. Just about every type of digital device has options to increase the size of the text on your screen to make it easier to read so you don’t have to squint so much.

3 Ways To Protect Your Vision In The Office

Paul Stubenbordt on March 17, 2016

Digital eye strain is a rapidly growing issue in today’s computer reliant world. If you work in an office, chances are you will be spending quite some time in front of a computer screen which can cause your eyes to strain. In fact, 70 percent of Americans who work with computers on a daily basis deal with symptoms of digital eye strain. Luckily, there are some precautions you can take to help prevent digital eye strain and protect your vision.

To further promote eye health and safety in the workplace, here are 3 ways you can protect your vision from digital eye strain:

Don’t forget to blink: This may seem like a no brainer, but studies have shown that when we use computers we tend to blink a lot less, which causes your eyes to become dry and irritated. Blinking helps to keep your eyes lubricated and also helps to spread necessary nutrients across the eye.
Using proper levels of Lighting: One of the biggest causes of digital eye straight is poor lighting and glare on computer screens. If the overhead lights are too bright then you should position your computer screen in a way that doesn’t reflect the lights and create glare. Light coming in through the windows can be difficult as well, depending on the time of day, so you might want to consider closing the blinds if necessary.
Step away from your computer occasionally: There is a technique that can help you avoid digital eye strain called the 20/20/20 rule. This is an easy enough system to work into your daily routine. You just need to look away from your computer every 20 minutes at an object that is at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds or more. This technique is said to reset your eyes and keep them from getting strained.

Taking these necessary steps to help avoid digital eye strain is not only great for you, but also your productivity in the workplace, so why not give it a try? If your eyes continue to be strained, then it is recommended that you see an eye doctor for a routine eye exam.

5 Things You Can Do To Protect Your Vision From Macular Degeneration

Paul Stubenbordt on February 17, 2016

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a very common eye condition among senior citizens. AMD damages your central vision, which makes it difficult to recognize faces, write, read, paint, and do really anything that involves making out the small details. This makes it a real problem for the older crowd.

Thankfully, today we have devised some ways to help reduce your risks of developing this debilitating eye condition. Here are 5 Things You Can Do To Protect Your Vision From Macular Degeneration:

Know your family’s medical history: If you discover that a close relative has AMD, then your risks of developing this eye condition increase drastically to a 50% chance. Knowing this information allows for you to schedule eye exams accordingly. Catching AMD early is essential in regards to protecting your vision. We aren’t able to cure AMD yet, but catching it early allows for us to potentially slow down the vision loss.
Put down those cigarettes: A large amount of studies suggest that smoking increases your risk of developing AMD. Smoking has also been known to speed up your rate of vision loss should you be diagnosed with it. Smokers are considered to be twice as likely to develop AMD, then those who do not smoke.
Get into fitness: There are plenty of studies out there that suggest that exercising regularly helps to improve your eye health. Some studies even suggest that exercising three times a week can reduced your risks of developing more serious forms of AMD by as much as 70 percent.
Eat a balanced, nutrient rich diet: Eating a diet that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, but low in saturated fat and cholesterol is ideal for your eyes. Studies have shown that people who eat diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids have reduced risks of developing AMD. Little tip—fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Schedule regular eye exams: In the early stages of AMD, most people aren’t going to see obvious symptoms with their vision. Having regular eye exams with your eye doctor is essential in catching AMD early, as only an eye doctor can detect symptoms in the early stages.