All You Need to Know About the Dry Eye Syndrome

A majority of us are guilty of ignoring sore and irritated eyes. While the ‘staying fit’ wave has engulfed most of us, eye health remains the most neglected aspect of our physical fitness. Sore, painful and red eyes may all be indicators of a more serious problem other than mere eye strain. They may be indicators of the Dry Eye Syndrome.

Dry eye syndrome is a condition whereby the tear ducts don’t produce enough tears to retain the normal level of lubrication. This eye health issue is related to dehydration because the eyes lose their ability to make tears. An adequate and consistent layer of tears on the surface of eyes is vital for the normal functioning of your eyes. If neglected for long, this may turn into a chronic syndrome.

Let’s understand the various symptoms, treatment options and how you can prevent this eye health issue with the help of some simple yet effective tips.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

• Sore Eyes
• Pain and irritation in the eyes
• Burning or a constant urge to scratch
• Redness
• Light sensitivity
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision
• Problems in wearing contact lenses

Treatment Options

Here are some of the dry eye treatments which your eye doctor might prescribe:

• Use of OTC artificial tear solutions can help manage mild cases of dehydrated eyes. Choose preservative-free solutions as they contain minimal additives which can irritate your eyes. It is however the least effective of all the dry eye treatments and you may need to supplement it with additional options to completely treat dehydrated eyes.
• Conserving tears is another treatment option which can help reduce the symptoms of dry eyes. The tear ducts are blocked temporarily or permanently depending on the severity of your case to retain the available tears in the eyes for a longer period thus reducing the dryness in your eyes.
• You may also be prescribed eye drops which boost tear production.
• If you are suffering from ocular surface inflammation, your ophthalmologist might prescribe ointments, warm compress, eye drops, eyelid cleaners or lid massage which helps reduce the inflammation.

Tips for Prevention

Here are some simple yet effective tips to help prevent your eyes from drying out.

• The simplest solution is to drink plenty of water. This will avoid dehydration and in turn keep your eyes from drying out.
• Make a conscious effort to blink more frequently. This is crucial especially for those who work with digital screens. Blinking less results in or worsens the dry eye syndrome.
• Take frequent breaks while working on digital screens for long hours. Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 seconds look away from your screen and look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This will help protect your eyes from digital strain.
• Always wear good quality sunglasses when stepping out in the sun. This will protect your eyes from dry winds and harmful UV rays. Give preference to the wrap-style frames as these will give maximum protection against wind, dust and any other irritants which may cause or make the dry eye syndrome worse.
• In terms of nutrition, you can add fish such as salmon and sardines to your diet. The nutrients in fish oil can help relieve dry eyes.
• Make it a point to clean your eyelids when you wash your face before going to bed. You can use a warm compress or pre-moistened eyelid wipes available in the market to clean away the bacteria that may cause meibomian gland problems which leads to the dry eye syndrome.
• Those who wear contact lenses need to be more careful as it may be difficult to gauge whether the dry eye condition is causing contact lens discomfort or the lenses are causing dry eyes. So, if you are wearing contacts and experience dry eyes, its best to discontinue wearing them while your eye treatment is in progress. You can also ask your eye doctor for Lasik eye surgery. It’s an almost painless vision correction surgery which helps you see your best.

If you too are experiencing blurred vision or other symptoms of dry eye since long now, get in touch with us at InSight Vision Center in Fresno, CA, today. Our team of professionals will help you with every query and vision related problem you might have.

6 Essential Eye Health Tips for Protecting Your Child’s Vision

A healthy vision is essential for the development of every child. A weak vision or eye problems will affect a child’s learning ability and personality, in addition to changing his/her ability to tackle school work. The next time you take your child for a health check-up, make sure you include eye tests too.

Here are a few common eye problems in children:

Amblyopia

Also known as ‘lazy eye,’ amblyopia is poor vision in an eye that appears to be normal. Crossed eyes and different refractive errors between both eyes cause amblyopia. It should ideally be treated before the age of 8, after which it can cause irreversible visual loss in the affected eye.

Strabismus

Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object. If detected early, the vision can be restored by patching the properly aligned eye, forcing the misaligned eye to work. It can be corrected through surgery or specially designed glasses too.

Refractive errors

When the shape of the eye doesn’t refract the light properly, images will appear blurred. Refractive errors can also cause amblyopia. Common refractive errors include:

• Nearsightedness: Also called myopia, nearsightedness is poor distance vision when you can’t see things that are at a distance.
• Farsightedness: When you have trouble seeing close objects, it’s called farsightedness or hyperopia.
• Astigmatism: This causes an imperfect curvature of the front surface of the eye, which makes the objects appear either ‘stretched’ or ‘shrunk.’

Prevention is better than cure, so it’s best to catch problems when they are in their nascent stage and prevent eye problems before they happen. Here are a few essential tips for helping your child develop and maintain healthy vision:

Watch for Warning Signs

A child may not recognize eye problems, so look out for signs of vision impairment. Visit an eye doctor if your child is squinting, rubbing eyes excessively, closing one eye, or tilting their head while reading or watching TV, sitting too close to electronic screens or holding books closer than usual, etc.

Encourage Proper Eye Care

Help your little one develop good eye care habits at a young age. Teach them to wash their hands often and avoid touching or rubbing their eyes. Wearing protective eyewear, especially while playing sports, working with tools, and swimming, is another good habit.

Avoid Digital Eye Strain

Children have started using digital screens as much as adults. Digital eye strain can cause a plethora of eye problems. Try and delay your child’s exposure to digital screens or keep them restricted to educational purposes. Try and limit the use of digital screens, especially at night.

Schedule Regular Eye Exams

You should take your child to see an eye doctor regularly even if they don’t seem to have eye problems or their school conducts vision screenings. In most cases, symptoms of eye disease or vision problems don’t become apparent right away, and school eye tests may not be thorough.

Upgrade Their Diet

Ensure that your kid is eating a balanced diet. Nutrition is crucial for eye health, especially vitamins A, C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids.
A balanced diet boosts vision development, as well as preventing obesity and obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, which can affect eye health.

Send Them Outdoors

Playing outdoors instead of being stuck to the TV or computer can help your child’s vision in more than one way. First, it reduces near point stress and digital eye strain. Second, exposure to differing proximities and colors in natural light helps kids develop and exercise their visual senses.
Just make sure they wear sunglasses with 99-100% UV protection outside since excessive UV exposure can lead to eye damage.

Get Protective Eye Wear

Sports are fun, but they can also expose your child to all manner of injuries, especially eye injury. Please encourage them to wear protective goggles or helmet-mounted face shields during contact sports, as well as swimming goggles to protect against chlorine and germs when they’re in the pool. If your child has other hobbies such as wood shop, get the right eyewear to keep them safe.

Encourage Proper Rest – Your child may spend most of their time hitting the books or working on the computer when the school year gets underway, but they need proper rest too. For healthy eyes, please encourage them to sleep well, step outdoors for fresh air and exercise, take frequent breaks while reading and using digital screens, and blink often. If their eyes get enough rest, there’s a lower risk of eye strain, dry eye, blurred vision, headaches, backaches, and more.

Can LASIK Surgery Help Children with Vision Problems?

Many parents wonder whether LASIK eye surgery is safe for children and whether it offers any benefits for developing eyes. Eye surgery should only be performed after your child turns 18, especially elective vision correction procedures such as LASIK.

Mostly this is because a child’s vision may change as they grow, countering the effects of laser eye surgery. In severe cases of vision deterioration, however, LASIK surgery could help your child enjoy clear eyesight and normal development. An experienced eye doctor can help you determine if this is the right choice.

If you want to schedule a comprehensive eye exam for your child or a consultation for LASIK in Fresno, contact Insight Vision Center today!

Celebrate Diabetes Awareness Month the Right Way – Get Your Eyes Checked Today

Why is Diabetes Awareness Necessary?

Did you know diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States?
According to the 2017 Diabetes Statistics Report released by the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), there are about 30.3 million people with diabetes that equals to almost 9.4% of the US population. The numbers for pre-diabetes indicate that 84.1 million adults (33.9% of the adult U.S. population) have pre-diabetes, including 23.1 million adults aged 65 years or older.

Why Is It So Important To Detect Diabetes Early?

It is important to treat diabetes as soon as possible, because if it is left untreated, diabetes can result in a host of other problems, one of those being permanent blindness. It increases the risk of contracting other eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma as well. When detected in time, with the help of appropriate treatment and care, the risk of vision loss and other related diseases can be reduced by almost 95%.

Why Eye Exams Are Important For People Suffering from Diabetes?

Many a times, underlying health conditions are often detected through eye exams, thus making regular eye exams extremely important. One of the most common misconceptions about eye exams is that your eye doctor is only testing your sight. However, that isn’t always the case. An eye exam allows the doctor to assess your eyes and identify irregularities. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, it becomes all the more important to get routine eye exams as it can reduce your chances of facing vision-related problems in the future.

What Type of Eye Exam Should I Undergo?

You must get a comprehensive eye exam, where the doctor not only tests your sight, but also checks your eyes for abnormalities such as retina fluid or blood drops. This type of eye exam is done using a high-powered microscope to examine the tiny structures inside your eyes, which also include a closer look at your blood vessels, optic nerves, and other complex eye structures to check for damage due to diseases like diabetes. By analyzing these sections of your eye, your eye doctor will then be able to gauge the overall health of your eyes and provide additional consultation options depending on the results.

How often should I have my eyes examined?

While it is advisable to get your eyes checked every two years, you may need to increase the frequency depending on your personal medical history. For instance, people over 40 are particularly susceptible to developing eye conditions such as glaucoma. Apart from regular eye check-ups, you must also make it a point to visit your eye doctor if you face any vision-related problems.

Take Action Now

So, this November, as a part of National Diabetes Month, the eye doctors at Insight Vision Center in Fresno, California urge you to make a pledge to get regular eye exams and encourage your friends and families as well, so we can all work together and help raise awareness against diabetes. By encouraging people to get regular eye exams, not only will you help them protect their vision, but also help increase awareness about the disease and its impact. If you want to schedule a comprehensive eye check-up for you and your family, simply call us on +559-449- 5050 to book an appointment right away!

How to Protect Your Vision if You Have Diabetes

According to a study conducted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in three people with diabetes, who are older than age 40 already, have some signs of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss in people with diabetes. Studies also found that patients with diabetes are also twice as likely to develop Glaucoma and cataracts. This happens because elevated sugar levels in your body lead to a higher amount of blood glucose, thus putting your eye at risk. If you are suffering from diabetes, then you must take a look at the following methods and protect yourself and your vision from the ill-effects of this disease:

1. Control Your Blood Sugar
   A spike in blood sugar can affect the shape of your eye’s lens, causing blurry vision, and once the blood sugar level stabilizes, it goes back to normal. However, you must be vary of such rises in blood sugar levels as it can damage the blood vessels in your eyes. You can keep a check on your blood sugar levels by taking the A1C every 3-4 months to determine how well-controlled your diabetes has been during that period.
2. Maintain Your Blood Pressure
   If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, there is also a high chance of suffering from high blood pressure. High blood pressure is also harmful too your eyes, as a rise in blood pressure around your eyes can also cause blood vessel damage. In fact, the combination of high blood pressure and the presence of high blood sugar can seriously affect your vision. So, take all the necessary precautions to keep your blood pressure in check to avoid any long-term damage to your vision.
3. Change Your Lifestyle
   With diabetes comes the need to control your diet and regulate the kind of foods you eat. And considering the risk diabetes puts to your health, a lifestyle change is required. In order to contain the effects of diabetes on your body and your eyes, follow a nutrient rich diet regime that can provide you with all the necessary vitamins and supplements to keep your health at its best. And to further the benefits of your diet, be sure to complement it with some simple exercises. This will automatically boost your cardiovascular health, thus ensuring your blood vessels are well-protected.
4. Schedule Comprehensive Dilated Exams Annually
   Scheduling regular comprehensive dilated eye exams is the most important thing you can do to protect your vision against diabetic eye diseases. Since many eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy have no visible signs in its early stages, such eye examinations work as important tools for disease prevention and control. During the exam, your eye doctor will carefully examine the retina and optic nerve of your eye for signs of damage. And by carrying out this exercise regularly, your ophthalmologist will be able to immediately identify signs of damage, allowing him to begin treatment accordingly.Apart from this, you can also make a note of your vision on a daily basis. This way if you notice anything out of the ordinary, you can quickly schedule an eye exam and receive the necessary help. If you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you will have some vision abnormalities as the medication you are taking affects the glucose levels in your body, thus impacting your vision. However, if you are facing prolonged bouts of blurred vision, it might be a signal for help. Vision issues faced during your diabetes treatment can be contained by ensuring regular check-ups and eye exams.

   If you have been facing any vision related side-effects, call InSight Vision Center Fresno, CA on +559-449-5050 to contact our team of professionals and schedule your eye exam today!

Women at Higher Risk of Eye Disease: 7 Eye Care Tips for Maintaining Healthy Vision

According to Blindness America, in its report titled “Vision Problems in the United States: Prevalence of Adult Vision Impairment and Age-Related Eye Disease in America”, women are more prone to vision problems than men. The report states that women are at higher risk for eye disease after the age of 50, especially:

• Glaucoma
• Cataract
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

According to Prevent Blindness:

• Women form the majority of Americans over 40 with visual impairment or blindness
• 25% of women have not had an eye exam in at least 2 years
• 5% of women believe men are at greater risk of permanent vision loss
• 86% believe the risk is equal for men and women
• Less than 10% understand that they are at greater risk

To protect your eyes and reduce the risk of vision loss, here are 7 eye care tips for women:

1. Understand Potential Risks – Obesity, diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, autoimmune disorders, and thyroid problems increase the risk of eye disease. Know your family’s medical history. If vision loss, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts or glaucoma are common, you may have inherited these problems. Exercise regularly and get regular medical checkups if you’re overweight, since obesity can lead to diabetes and other conditions that affect eye health.
2. Get the Right Nutrition – A balanced diet plays an essential role in women’s health, but certain foods are known to boost eye health as well. For instance, spinach, kale, broccoli and other dark green leafy vegetables are loaded with lutein. This antioxidant may help protect against AMD, the leading cause of blindness. Other antioxidants such as vitamin C, E and A, minerals and Omega 3 fatty acids are also essential for eye health.
3. Wear Protective Eyewear – Your eyes are extremely delicate, so it’s essential to protect your eyes from excessive UV exposure, accidents and other damage. Wear sunglasses that block out 99-100% of both UVA and UVB rays, to reduce the risk of cataract and eye tumors. You should also wear protective eyewear to avoid eye injury while playing sports, swimming, cleaning with strong chemicals, or working with sharp tools.
4. Care for Contact Lenses – A lot of women prefer to wear contact lenses instead of glasses, usually for aesthetic reasons or comfort. If you’re a contact lens wearer, follow a proper routine for cleaning, removing and replacing your lenses. Poor hygiene or over-wearing lenses can cause corneal scarring, which may lead to blindness. You can also opt for Lasik refractive surgery to get rid of both glasses and contact lenses permanently.
5. Be Careful with Makeup – If you use eye makeup regularly, remove it at the end of the day. Sleeping with makeup on can clog your tear ducts or trap dirt and bacteria, leading to scratches, eye disease, and a host of other problems. Using eyeliners, mascaras and eye shadows past their expiry date can also cause eye irritation, allergic reactions and eye infection, so throw away old makeup and avoid sharing cosmetics with others.
6. Watch for Vision Problems – Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause can also affect your vision. For instance, water retention can cause a change in your number or power, as well as puffy eyelids or dry eyes when you’re pregnant. Dry eyes are also common during menopause, along with redness or heaviness in the eyes or eyelids. Be aware of changes that may occur as you get older, and get a checkup if you face any problems.
7. Get an Eye Exam Regularly – A comprehensive eye exam can help you prevent eye disease, eye infection and even vision loss, since early detection and treatment keep minor problems from turning into serious health concerns. Dilated eye exams may help with early detection of diabetes, high blood pressure and other medical conditions as well. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, get an eye exam every 1-2 years, and annually after the age of 50.

Women are caregivers, often looking after the family’s wellness before their own. However, it’s equally crucial to care for your own vision and health, so you can continue to care for your loved ones. Head to InSight Vision Center for a comprehensive eye exam today!