Coronavirus and Your Eyes: Fresno Eye Doctor Shares Tips

By now, the whole world knows what COVID-19 is capable of doing – fever, cough, and shortness of breath that can take 2 to 14 days to show up after a person is exposed to the virus. In some people, the infection can get so severe that it can develop into pneumonia, leading to complications or even death.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a couple of reports suggest that coronavirus can also cause pink eye (conjunctivitis) in the infected person.

How Coronavirus Can Affect Your Eyes

Health officials believe that conjunctivitis develops in about 1% to 3% of people with coronavirus.

Conjunctivitis is an infection of the membrane, known as conjunctiva that lines the eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. The symptoms of pink eye include itchiness, redness, tearing, discharge that forms a crust, and a gritty feeling in the affected eye.

How Coronavirus Is Transmitted

When a person infected with coronavirus sneezes, coughs, sneezes, or talks, the virus can spray from their nose or mouth into your face. It’s likely that you inhale these droplets through your nose or mouth, and it’s also likely for the virus to enter your eyes too.

If you touch an object that has been contaminated with the virus – like the door knob – and then touch your eyes, the virus can enter your eyes.

The doctors at Insight Vision Center, Fresno, CA, have been closely following the coronavirus updates and would like to offer tips on how to stay healthy and protect your eyes while hunkering down at home.

Below are some eye protection guidelines you can follow:

1. Avoid rubbing your eyes.
   If you have the urge to rub your eyes or adjust your eyeglasses, don’t use your fingers, instead use a tissue. And if you must touch your eyes, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after touching your eyes.
2. Switch to eyeglasses for a while instead of wearing contact lenses.
   If you tend to touch your eyes a lot for no apparent reason, consider wearing glasses more often. Wearing eyeglasses instead of contact lenses decreases the irritation in your eyes due to contact lenses, and you are more likely to pause before you touch your eyes. If you want to continue wearing contact lenses, ensure that you follow the contact lens hygiene to reduce your chances of an infection.
3. Wear glasses for an added layer of protection.
   Although sunglasses or corrective eyeglasses can protect your eyes from virus-infected droplets, they do not provide 100% protection. The virus can enter into your eyes through the exposed areas such as the side, top, and bottom of the glasses. If you are taking care of a sick patient or if you are potentially exposed to the virus, wear safety goggles for a stronger defense.
4. Stock up on critical eye medicines.
   Don’t wait until the last minute to contact your pharmacy and request a refill of your medications. During the lockdown, there may be a shortage of supplies, so it is advisable to stock up on critical medications, enough to get you by in emergency situations during the quarantine. If you have trouble getting approval from your insurance company, ask your pharmacist or your ophthalmologist for help.
5. Practice safe hygiene and social distancing.
   Follow these general guidelines issued by The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to slow the spread of disease:
• Wash your hands as often as possible for at least 20 seconds using soap and water. Make it a habit to wash your hands after you use the restroom, cough, sneeze or blow your nose, and before eating.
• If you do not have access to soap and water, use a hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
• Avoid touching your face — eyes, nose, and mouth.
• If you cough or sneeze, use a tissue and throw it away immediately. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow and then wash your hands.
• Maintain social distancing. Avoid close contact with people. Stay at least 6 feet away from a person with a respiratory infection.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Disinfect commonly touched objects and surfaces, such as countertops and doorknobs in your house.

Aaron Barriga

Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.

www.insightvisioncenter.com

Blurry Vision & Cloudy Vision: Here’s What You Need to Know

Majority of people who have difficulty in seeing make a very common mistake when describing their poor vision. They interchangeably use the terms blurry vision and cloudy vision. However, there is a thin line of difference between both these terms. Both of them can be caused due to very different reasons. So, let’s find out what exactly these conditions are and understand their causes.

What is Blurry Vision?

Blurry vision is when the object you are looking at appears to be out of focus. In such condition, you may feel that squinting will make the object clearer. One of the best examples of blurry vision is the way an image appears on camera before you adjust the lens or give it a moment to focus on the subject. Symptoms include poor peripheral or left or right field of vision.

What are the Causes of Blurry Vision?

There are multiple factors which can cause blurry vision. Some of the most common ones are as follows:

• Near-sightedness, far-sightedness or astigmatism
• Cataracts
• Corneal scarring or opacification
• Abrasions to cornea
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Optic Neuritis
• Retinopathy
• Injury or trauma to the eyes
• Infectious retinitis

Some conditions in particular can cause headache as well as a blurry vision. These include migraine, low blood sugar, stroke etc.

What is Cloudy Vision?

Cloudy vision is when it feels like you are looking at everything through a haze or fog. You might feel like there is a film on your eyes and you can almost wipe or blink it away. For instance, looking through smudged glasses or through a window on a foggy morning is what having a cloudy or foggy vision feels like. It can be caused due to different reasons. Hence, the combination of its symptoms depends on the underlying cause. Its commonly occurring symptoms are as follows:

• Double vision
• Appearance of halos around lights
• Light sensitivity
• Watery or dry eyes
• Poor night time vision
• Bloodshot or red eyes

What are the Causes of Cloudy Vision?

One of the most common eye condition which causes cloudy vision is cataracts. As a part of the aging process, the lens of the eye loses its transparency in cataracts. Hence, it is generally seen in older people. Dirty or damaged contact lenses are also a very common factor resulting in cloudy vision. Besides, if the contacts are worn for too long, eyes become overly dry and can result in cloudy or blurred vision.

Other causes include changes in or damage to the cornea due to infections or inflammations. Also, conditions such as macular degeneration, optic nerve disease and diabetes may cause your vision to turn cloudy.

Since blurry vision and cloudy vision both can indicate presence of certain serious health issues, it’s important to get your eyes regularly checked. An ophthalmologist can identify early signs of eye health issues and even detect related signs of other underlying diseases.

If you too are experiencing any symptoms of either blurry or cloudy vision, or have any queries related to eye health, get in touch with us. Our experienced team at InSight Vision Center can help you with any queries or issues related with vision and eye health.

Aaron Barriga

Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.

www.insightvisioncenter.com

Best Eyewear for Sports? We Have the Answer

If you are a sportsperson who also wears glasses, then you know that the most frustrating thing is not being able to perform well in sports because your vision is blurry.

Though you should not wear glasses for contact sports such as rugby, soccer and hockey; you must speak to your ophthalmologist to get the right pair of sports eyeglasses when you play other sports.
Sports eyeglasses is essential gear for an active sportsperson.

If you have seen an athlete with an eye injury, they will tell you how it can be prevented by simply wearing strong, durable sports eyeglasses.

And if you have prescription glasses, don’t even think of wearing your regular eyewear when you are playing sports. Glass lenses may shatter under impact and cause an eye injury. Eyeglass frames also don’t qualify for use as safety eyewear because they too might break under impact and may inadvertently hurt you.

You have a bunch of options to protect your eyes when you are playing sports. This includes goggles, eye shields and face masks.

Goggles are useful when swimming, face masks, made of metal or hard fibre cages protect all of your face. Since these are hardly used outside sporting events, most of the time ophthalmologists recommend sports people to wear polycarbonate glasses. Polycarbonate is a specific type of tough and durable plastic.

Sports eyeglasses should be made of polycarbonate lens because:

Virtually Unbreakable

Polycarbonate lens are resistant to impact, in comparison to glass or other types of plastic lens.
Polycarbonate lens are made up of a thermoplastic material which begin as solid, small pellets. These small solid pellets form into the shape of a lens which is then compressed under high pressure and cooled to create a proper lens.

Weightless

Since polycarbonate lens are thinner than other lenses, it makes them an ideal choice for people with strong prescriptions. Lightweight and thin sports eyeglasses that will stay put on your face and not move around will be more comfortable while you are playing sports.

UV Protection

Polycarbonate glasses help to protect exposure from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This will also help prevent any eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration.
You generally need protection from the UV rays when you are out playing in an open ground, and polycarbonate glasses help block out harmful UV rays.

Anti-Scratch

Adding a scratch-resistant layer to your already scratch-proof polycarbonate lens will make sure that your sports eyeglasses can withstand any point of impact.

It is really important to get the best possible eyewear to maximize your sports performance. For this you need to select the right frame proper fit of sports eyeglasses is very important for both safety and comfort.

Any sportsperson who wants to achieve their best in the sport they play, then having an excellent vision is an essential factor in achieving the desired success. Sports eyeglasses should be at the top of your list when you shop for gear and accessories to enhance your game.

If you are looking to buy the right eyeglasses that are ideal for your sports activities and daily needs, our expert team at InSight Vision Center will help you find them in Fresno, CA.

Aaron Barriga

Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.

www.insightvisioncenter.com

The Do’s and Don’ts of Swimming with Contact Lenses

There’s no other activity that gives you that total-body workout as much as an hour of swimming does. From toddlers to seniors, it’s an activity enjoyed by all. The summers have already begun and everyone wants to cool off with a dip in the pool.

But have you wondered what the water is doing to your eyes? Swimming with contact lenses can potentially damage your eyesight. Your eyes may not only suffer bacterial contamination but in addition, you may experience irritation in the eye once you step out of the pool. Infections and sight-threatening conditions like a corneal ulcer may be a potential vision battle.

Eye Issues Due to Swimming:

Your eyes are safe as long as bacteria and irritants don’t get through the tear film that keeps the cornea lubricated. The moment chlorine and the tear film interact; your tear is exposed to the chemical in chlorine which carries a ton of pollutants.

Here’s a look at the two common eye conditions caused by chlorine exposure:

1. Conjunctivitis
   Conjunctivitis is often known as Pink Eye and is a water-borne bacterial eye infection.
2. Eye Irritation
   Eye irritation caused by chlorine results in redness and blurry vision, along with the damage of the tear film.

Swimming With Contact Lenses:

When you are swimming with contact lenses, the cornea in your eye suffers a setback in the form of an infection. Chlorine water should never touch your contact lenses. This is especially dangerous to your vision because your lenses may shrink and deprive it of the oxygen it needs. For certain contact lenses like the gas permeable (GP) ones, your ophthalmologist will strongly discourage you from wearing them while swimming. In case you forget to take them off while swimming, make sure you dispose them off immediately.

At InSight Vision Center, we recommend that you use daily disposable lenses if you are a regular swimmer.

We recommend you to take the following precautions if you are swimming with contact lenses:

1. Wear Well-Fitted Goggles
   If you are swimming with contact lenses, your eyes will need that extra layer of protection. Well-fitted goggles are essential part of your swimming gear since pools contain a ton of chlorine. Your vision will not be compromised underwater. And vision problems like eye irritation and infection will not surface.
2. Use Eye Drops
   If you experience even the slightest irritation after a swim, it suggests that your eyes need some lubrication. Put a few drops in each eye to restore the tear film on your eyes.
3. Take off Your of Contact Lenses
   Taking your contact lenses off is your best bet. Chlorine can let bacteria enter your eye lens which can result in a more serious problem. If you absolutely insist on wearing them, get them cleaned with a solution immediately after a swim.
4. Visit Your Eye Doctor
   In case the pain or irritation persists more than a day, it’s time for you to visit your eye doctor. Address the issues to your doctor and how long you have been suffering the irritation.

Swimming is a fun way to exercise and stay fit. But the activity comes with some responsibility. Take all the necessary precautions before diving into the pool. Make sure you take your contact lenses off if you often experience eye irritation. Don’t ignore any signs that may bring discomfort to your eyes.

Book an appointment with an experienced eye doctor in Fresno, CA if you have persisting eye irritation or if you need a fresh pair of contact lenses recommended to you.

Aaron Barriga

Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.

www.insightvisioncenter.com

5 Ways to Select the Right Eye Doctor in Fresno, CA

Selecting the right eye doctor is important. You need someone who can take charge of your eye health and suggest treatments as and when needed. Make sure you select an eye doctor who takes genuine interest in helping you improve your vision. Get a comprehensive eye exam done to understand your eye health better. Unlike other problems in the body, the symptoms of vision problems are not as prominent. If you’re living in the Fresno, CA area, there are several vision centers to choose from, so it’s important that you pick the one that’s right for you. You want to do the work and pick the eye doctor in Fresno, CA that can help you best.

Here are some factors you should consider when selecting an eye doctor in Fresno, CA:

1. Visit the Clinic

A great way to understand your eye doctor is by visiting the clinic. Check if you’re greeted by a receptionist or a staff member. Observe how the staff members interact with one another. Are they always in a rush or do they seem impolite to you? Paying attention to these signs will help you understand if you’re comfortable being in such an environment or not.

Finally when you meet your eye doctor, ask them plenty of questions. See how they respond to you and whether they make eye contact. Check if they are constantly working on the computer or organizing equipment. And while you’re at the office, look around for displays of the doctor’s diplomas and licenses.

2. Understand the Team, Specialties and Affordability

Once your family has provided you with a few recommendations, do a bit of research on the doctors. Find out if they have been accused of malpractice in the past, verify their credentials, and check their areas of specialization, such as glaucoma, LASIK, pediatrics, etc. Find out what vision care products they offer and if they are abreast with the latest technology.

3. Go through Their Website

There’s a lot you can find out from the website. Usually, there is a chat box that initiates a conversation with you to answer queries you may have. In addition, there may be testimonials on their homepage that will give an idea about how reliable their services are. Go through the services they offer for vision correction and check if the procedures they have explained are easy to understand. Look out for any offers and benefits they may have introduced. And check if they fit into your budget.

4. Go for an Initial Eye Examination

This is the most self-explanatory factor. A one-on-one interaction with your doctor will be the easiest way for you to make a judgment about who’s serving you. Do they welcome you with a smile? Do they make you feel comfortable? Do they take genuine interest in your well-being? Do they explain why a particular service is recommended to you? These are a few questions you should be asking yourself before you decide to proceed with a vision correction procedure.

5. Check with Your Insurance Plans

Tapping on your insurance information is also vital. You can check with your insurance company about the eye doctors covered under your plan. Get a list from them and narrow down your choices so you know which doctors you can ultimately visit.

Teaming up with the right doctor is instrumental to good vision care. Go through the above tips to ensure you make a wise choice. A relationship with your eye doctor must be built on trust and should transcend into a lasting connection.

If you have been looking for an experienced eye doctor in Fresno, CA, book an appointment with Insight Vision Centre today for a comprehensive eye assessment.

Aaron Barriga

Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.

www.insightvisioncenter.com

Did You Know About These Risks of Sleeping With Contact Lenses On?

A majority of people who wear contact lenses are guilty of sleeping with contact lenses on at some point or the other in their lives. So what happens if you sleep in contacts?

Sleeping with contact lenses on can lead to severe eye infections, corneal ulcers and other eye health problems which may result in permanent vision loss. An example of how your eyes become prone to infections if you sleep with your contacts on is this. Throughout the day, pollutants present in the air get into your eyes and some of these may work their way under the contact lenses. If you sleep with your contacts on, the combination of closed eyelids, reduced eye movement and low oxygen levels help the infection causing bacteria and viruses to thrive. This gives way to severe eye infections.

Red and irritated eyes, pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity, excessive tearing and ulcers in the eye are some of the common symptoms of sleeping with your contacts on. Listed below are some of the serious risks associated with frequently sleeping while wearing your contact lenses. Take a look:

• Pink Eye or Conjunctivitis – One of the most prevalent side effects of sleeping while wearing contact lenses is conjunctivitis. Commonly referred to as pink eye, this viral infection is basically an inflammation of the conjunctiva. It covers the white portion of the eye and lines the inner sides of the eyelid. Itching and discomfort are experienced in this condition. A special form of this viral disease known as Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC) is also commonly seen in people frequently sleeping with their contact lenses on. In this condition, bumps develop on the inner surface of the eyelid causing pain and sensitivity to light.

• Keratitis – This condition is similar to conjunctivitis to an extent. The inflammation caused in this condition affects the cornea, the clear part in the front of your eyes through which you see. Apart from all the symptoms of conjunctivitis, there is a risk of your vision being damaged due to keratitis. It can be caused due to bacteria, fungi and amoebae. Of all these three, amoebic keratitis is the most serious form and may result in loss of vision. Another form known as Contact Lens Acute Red Eye or CLARE often comes on suddenly during sleep and can cause severe pain and light sensitivity. Corneal ulcers caused due to keratitis may lead to permanent blindness if not treated properly.

• Corneal Neovascularization – Apart from infection, those who sleep while wearing contact lenses are also at the risk of oxygen deprivation in the eye. This causes the eye to grow more blood vessels in order to increase the supply of blood to the cornea. The increase in blood vessels hinders the light from travelling through the cornea normally, thus impairing vision. This is known as corneal neovascularization.

• Blindness –If keratitis is left untreated, it can lead to minor vision loss or the need for a cornea transplant or even blindness in some cases. Those who wear contact lens can reduce the risk of infection by dedicatedly following all the precautions related to cleaning, handling and storage of the contact lenses. Purchasing disposable soft contact lenses is also a good option for those who find the maintenance of contacts tedious.

Sleeping with contact lenses on is never a good idea. To learn more about how to use and care for your contact lenses so that you can enjoy perfect vision without any associated risks, get in touch with us. Our team of eye experts at Insight Vision Center is dedicated to help you restore perfect vision without any hassles. Book your appointment today.

Aaron Barriga

Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.

www.insightvisioncenter.com

Eye Conditions That Trigger Blurry Vision and Migraines

An American Migraine Study conducted in 1999 says that in the U.S., 38 million people are living with migraines, out of which 44% people suffer from migraines due to vision changes and blurred vision.

It’s normal for our vision to deteriorate as we age. However, not many people realize that their eyesight may have gone from bad to worse with age.

When we have trouble seeing, we may either squint or hold things too far or too close to them. While doing so, we may weaken our eye muscles and nerves without the slightest inkling that we may be having a bad eyesight.

The result can be blurry vision and migraine. Read on to understand what cause migraines that are vision related.

Migraine Triggers: Eye Conditions That Are Responsible for Blurred Vision and Migraines

• Strain on your eyes

1. Improper focusing or improper alignment of the eyes causes eye strain. Eye conditions such as farsighted, nearsighted or

astigmatism

1. cause vision changes that are responsible for eye strain.

Migraine due to eye strain starts after using your eyes for a long time to do a variety of tasks. Activities such as reading, looking at the computer for long periods (computer vision syndrome) and sewing can trigger a migraine.

If you indulge in activities that require you to use your eyes for long periods of time, make sure you get prescription glasses. The eye strain will reduce and also your migraine.

1. 1. Inflammation of your eyes

Eye inflammation may cause blurry vision and migraine. Other symptoms of eye inflammation may include as follows:

1. 1. • Swelling and redness of the eyes and eyelids
      • Eye pain when you move your eyes
      • Extreme sensitivity to light

It is important to visit an ophthalmologist to examine your inflamed eyes. The eye doctor may use the slit lamp method to see if there is evidence of tumor inside or behind the eye.

If a tumor is present behind the eye, it is usually accompanied with a lot of eye pain as it will cause the eyes to bulge out. A tumor in the eye can also cause loss of vision or defect in the peripheral vision.

1. 1. Glaucoma attack

Most people suffer from open angle glaucoma, which is usually painless. However, an angle closure glaucoma can be painful.

An acute attack of angle closure glaucoma can result in eye pain, blurry vision and migraine, and bulging red eye. However, a mild attack may just cause pain in and around the eye.

A glaucoma migraine may be instigated when there is intense pressure on the eye. For example, when a person moves from darkness to light (leaves a movie theatre). Glaucoma migraine attack needs urgent attention because it is crucial to get the eye pressure back to normal.

1. 1. Optic nerve conditions

The optic nerves are part of our brain. If the pressure in the brain is high, the optic nerves become swollen. If there is a tumor present in the brain, it puts pressure on the optic nerves making them swell or produce double vision.

However, a disorder called Pseudotumor cerebri (also called idiopathic intracranial hypertension) produces high pressure in the brain with no tumor. This disorder usually affects the young and overweight women. The symptoms may include the following:

1. 1. • Temporary visual loss, lasting for a few seconds
      • Blurry vision and migraine concentrated in or behind the eyes
      • Double vision
      • Whooshing sound in the ears

Optic nerve swellings have to examined by the ophthalmologist, who may use an ophthalmoscope to diagnose the condition.

1. 1. Temporal arteritis

This blurry vision and headache causing disorder typically occurs in people above 65 years. If it is left untreated, it can cause permanent blindness.

In this condition, there is inflammation of the blood vessels that block the blood flow. The onset of this disorder can be painless, sudden and dramatic. Some of the symptoms of temporal arteritis are as follows:

1. 1. • Blurry vision and migraine
      • Tenderness of the scalp
      • Weakness and pain while chewing
      • Fever
      • Weight loss
      • Loss of appetite
      • Joint and muscle soreness
      • Night sweats
      • Depression

Temporal arteritis can occur in one eye but if left untreated can rapidly progress to the other eye as well.

If you have blurry vision and migraine, you need to see an eye doctor to rule out serious possibilities. A careful evaluation of your symptoms and a comprehensive eye exam will reveal the reason behind your blurry vision and headache.

If you experience blurry vision and migraine, don’t take chances. Visit an ophthalmologist in Fresno, CA today. Make an appointment with Insight Vision Center now!

Aaron Barriga

Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.

www.insightvisioncenter.com

Common Causes of Blurred Vision and Eye Irritation Due to Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are safe and convenient, but they bring along quite a few minor annoyances. If you have been wearing contact lenses for long, you may have experienced these little common annoyances at some point in life, which may include eye irritation, itchy eyes, dry eyes, blurry vision, and the constant feeling that something is stuck in your eye.

These eye symptoms may be annoying and frustrating, but they shouldn’t panic you. There are many causes of blurred vision and contact lens irritation, but they aren’t all serious and can be easily taken care of. Read on to know about the possible causes of blurred vision and contact lens discomfort:

Common Causes of Blurred Vision and Eye Irritation Due to Contact Lenses

1. Poor Contact Lens Hygiene
Poor contact lens hygiene increases the risk of contracting eye infections. Unhealthy care techniques that can lead to eye pain and blurred vision are as follows:

• Not cleaning the contact lens properly.
• Letting the contact lens dry out.
• Not washing your hands before placing them into your eyes.
• Sharing your contact lens with others.

2. Faulty Fit
Your eye doctor takes measurements of your eye size and shape to ensure that your contact lens fits you perfectly. However, measurements can go a bit off sometimes.
Improper fit of the eye lens may be the reason for your redness, fluctuations in vision, and itchiness.
If you have these eye symptoms, get your measurement rechecked to ensure that the fit is proper. If left untreated, improper fitting of the lens can cause serious damage to the cornea leading to vision loss.

3. Wearing the Lens for Too Long
If you wear the contact lens for longer than their recommended time period, you may suffer from blurred vision and eye irritation.

If you want to keep the contact lens on for a longer time than recommended, it is advisable to switch over to an extended wear contact lens.

Also, wearing your contact lenses past their expiration date can cause bacterial infections in your eye. So, get in the habit of replacing your contact lenses as often as recommended by your eye doctor.

4. Susceptibility to Environmental Allergens
Pollutants in the air like dust, dander, and pollen may stick to the surface of the contact lens and affect your eyes to cause blurred vision, eye irritation, eye pain, redness, and dryness.
You have to clean your contact lens frequently to remove the buildup. If cleaning the lens doesn’t help, consider switching to daily disposable contact lenses.

5. Bacterial Infections on Contact Lenses
Microorganisms present in your contact lenses solution or on your contact lenses can cause eye infections, which if left untreated can damage your eyes.

Therefore, if you think your cause of blurry vision, eye pain and irritation is due to an eye infection, it is important to see an eye doctor as soon as possible. Through an eye exam, your eye doctor will diagnose the infection and treat it accordingly.

6. Accumulation of Debris
Protein and debris deposits can buildup on your contact lenses making them cloudy and dirty. This buildup causes blurred vision. Cleaning your contact lenses is crucial. If blurriness and itchy eyes are due to debris and protein buildup, follow these steps:

• If your contact lenses are in its wear period, first wash your hands, then gently rub your contact lenses with the solution. Then, store them in a fresh solution overnight.
• If you have been wearing the contact lenses past its expiration date, it’s high time you dispose them of, and buy a new set.

7. Dryness of the Eyes and the Contact Lenses
Dryness of your eyes and also of your contact lenses can cause blurred vision and eye irritation. Try these tips, if your eyes or contact lenses feel dry:

• Intentionally blink your eyes a few times.
• Apply rewetting drops or remove and rinse your lenses.
• If you experience dryness often, talk about it to your eye doctor. You may be prescribed contact lenses that are specially designed for chronic dry eyes.

8. Using Non-Hypoallergenic Makeup
Makeup can cause blurred vision and eye irritation. Here’s how you can avoid makeup causing harm to your eyes:

• Choose makeup that is hypoallergenic.
• Ensure that you wear your contact lens before you apply makeup.
• Use cream based makeup instead of powder makeup.
• Discard your eye makeup every 3 months.

Tips to maintain good eye health when using contact lens

• Take off your contact lenses whenever possible to give your eyes a break.
• Buy a new set of contact lenses when your eye doctor recommends it.
• Don’t try to wear the lens longer than prescribed.
• Follow proper care procedures and maintain good hygiene when you clean your lens.
• If you notice symptoms that are unusual, contact your eye doctor immediately.
• See your ophthalmologist at least once a year for a comprehensive eye exam.

Are your contact lenses the reason behind your blurry vision? Are they responsible for your itchy eyes? Request an appointment with Insight Vision Center, and your ophthalmologist in Fresno, CA will be able to help you. Call now!

Aaron Barriga

Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.

www.insightvisioncenter.com

What is Presbyopia and the Importance of Eye Vitamins

What Is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is a common eye condition that many people experience after the age of 40. It is a refractive eye condition, which is normal for an individual to have.

When an object is located far away from an observer, light rays from an object pass through the cornea. The pupil and the lens focus with clarity on the retina. This results in a focused image on the retina.

In a patient with presbyopia, the lens lacks the flexibility to refocus the image on the retina. This causes the image to focus further and further behind the retina as the objects move closer to the observer. Individuals experience blurred vision and eye strain when they look at an object up close.

In a younger patient, the lens is very flexible, and it changes shape. This is known as accommodation. This process refocuses the image with clarity back onto the retina. This is a smooth process that is undetectable by a young observer. On the other hand, older individuals need help to refocus images up close, which is accomplished by using bifocals or reading glasses.

Symptoms of Presbyopia

● Not seeing so well in the dark
● Unable to read small print clearly
● Squinting
● Feeling tired after doing some work
● Eye strain or headaches after some physical activity
● Holding reading material at arm’s length

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR PRESBYOPIA

LASIK
Although presbyopia cannot be treated by LASIK, its variations allow you to be less dependent on your glasses or bifocals. Here, the dominant eye is corrected for distance vision, while the less-dominant eye remains untreated. The reason being, a mildly nearsighted eye does not require glasses all the time. This treatment is popular across patients as a surgical correction for presbyopia.

PRK
PRK is also known as photorefractive keratectomy, and it’s an excellent option for patients who have a thin cornea. This treatment does not require epithelial tissue as opposed to other treatments.

Corneal Inlays
As opposed to LASIK and PRK, corneal inlays add tissue in the eyes instead of removing it. In this procedure, an implant is placed in the weaker eye. This is another form of monovision treatment that allows the dominant eye to preserve its distance vision.

RLE
A refractive lens exchange is a popular treatment option for patients with presbyopia. To improve your vision, the lens present in your eye is replaced with the help of IOL. This lens replacement procedure has been a treatment option for cataract patients or patients with a cloudy lens. The natural clouded lens is replaced with an artificial clear one.

Acupuncture
This technique activates the eye muscles to promote better focusing.

Homeopathy
Homeopathic practices improve your vision significantly.

Qigong
Qigong is a Chinese herbal medicine to correct presbyopia.

Natural Treatment for Presbyopia

While surgical treatments significantly improve your vision, you also need to adopt natural treatments to ensure your eyes remain healthy:

1. 1. Eye Exercises

Eye exercises are easy to perform no matter where you are. And before you grab your morning coffee, make it a habit to perform a quick eye exercise every day. Perhaps even in the mid-afternoon when you experience an eye strain.

1. 1. Drink Green Tea

Drinking green tea daily will fight diabetes and heart disease to protect the lens and retina from being damaged.

1. 1. Keep Blood Glucose in Check

If you have high blood sugar, you have a higher chance of acquiring cataracts. You may damage your arteries and blood vessels, and that can lead to diabetic retinopathy.

1. 1. Vitamins

The importance of eye vitamins for people with presbyopia cannot be understated, and a wide range of vitamins can help you with your vision problems:

1. 1. • Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an essential supplement for good vision. Vitamin A has antioxidants that prevent conditions such as vision loss, hypermetropia, night blindness, cataracts, and glaucoma. Additionally, it treats common bacterial infections such as conjunctivitis.

1. 1. • Vitamin B

The absence of Vitamin B in your diet can result in weaker eye muscles, especially in cases of Vitamin B1 deficiency.

1. 1. • Zinc

The presence of zinc in your body helps Vitamin A perform better.

1. 1. • Bioflavonoids

They have antioxidant properties to promote better eyesight.

While these tips are essential to give your vision a much-needed boost, make sure you change up your day-to-day activities a little.

A Couple of More Notes…

Make sure you take regular breaks from work. If you’re getting up from your desk to make yourself a cup of green tea, don’t go back to your desk with it immediately. Move around a little and walk down your office corridor or take a stroll down the neighborhood. This way, you’re giving your eyes enough time to rest before you get back to work.

To keep your eye health in check, make sure you visit an eye specialist who would give you insights on your condition. Each case is individual and unique, so make sure you consult with your doctor.

If you are looking for an experienced Ophthalmologist in Fresno, CA, visit InSight Vision today for a comprehensive eye check-up.

Aaron Barriga

Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.

www.insightvisioncenter.com