How to Save Your Vision in Today’s Digital World

           Today, most of us are fully immersed in the digital world around us.  From our work computers to laptops and tablets to our smart phones that we never leave home without, we definitely always have an amazing amount of information at our fingertips.  While technology has continually advanced to allow us access to this amazing flow of information, it can also put a tremendous strain on our eyes.  Common symptoms that can result from excessive computer usage may include: eye strain, dry eyes, headaches, fatigue, blurred vision and loss of focus.  The combination of these symptoms is often referred to as computer vision syndrome. 

If you are one of the millions of Americans that now use some sort of digital device for more than 8 hours a day, you have probably felt your eyes begin to strain, dry out or become fatigued towards the end of the day.  If this is you, then you have suffered from some of the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome.  The barrage of symptoms from this syndrome can range from minor inconvenience to being totally debilitating and decreasing productivity completely. 

The best treatment for computer vision syndrome is often a combination of changing your digital work habits with the correct ergonomic setup and by taking frequent breaks to look off in the distance using the 20/20/20 rule.  This is an easy exercise to relax your eyes so they do not overfocus up close by looking 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes you are at the computer.  There are also occupational computer prescription eyeglasses that can help you read the computer and other digital devices.  This will not only improve your vision at your proper viewing distance, but also aid your comfort and productivity while using your digital devices.  Dry eye treatment may also be needed to help your vision perform optimally when staring at a monitor all day.  This is often due to the fact that we tend not to blink as much when working on a computer and the right lubricating eye drop or medication dry eye drop can sometimes make all the difference.  To see your best and perform up to your potential at work ask your eye doctor about computer vision syndrome at your next eye exam.       

Are your eyes constantly tearing? You may actually be suffering from Dry Eyes!

You may have noticed the sensation that your eyes feel drier this time of year. As the heaters are running and the humidity drops, dryness can often creep in. This dryness can be particularly bothersome if you are a person suffering from Dry Eye Syndrome or what is also known as Ocular Surface Disease.

A person suffering from Dry Eye Syndrome may often feel like they have burning, stinging eyes, redness, and a foreign body sensation.  However; the most common symptom is often a reflex tearing effect caused by dry, irritated eyes.  This tearing is too watery and can often run down one’s face instead of properly hydrating the eye, thus not helping to relieve dry eye symptoms. 

There are certain systemic diseases that can exacerbate this condition. Some of the most common systemic diseases that put you more at risk for dry eye include Diabetes, Thyroid disease, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. In addition, lifestyle factors such as increased caffeine consumption, increased computer use, and certain medications can lead to dry eye if not properly managed.

Your eye doctor plays a vital role in the fight against dry eye by diagnosing and treating this condition in a number of ways. The first line of treatment is often properly managing any contributing systemic diseases such as Diabetes with your Primary Care Provider.  Once this is under control your eye doctor will initiate a treatment protocol that may include over the counter eye drops and vitamin supplements, prescription eye drops and lifestyle changes. 

Discussing your specific symptoms with your eye doctor can help determine the best treatment options. Some options your eye doctor may choose to treat your dry eye include:

1.                           Over the counter artificial tear eye drops; which can help alleviate minor dry eye symptoms

2.                           Omega 3 vitamin supplements have also been shown to improve tear film and alleviate many symptoms.

3.                           Punctal plugs; which keep your tears from draining as quickly and thus keep the tear film on your eyes for a longer period of time.

4.                           Anti-inflammatory medication eye drops such as Restasis can help a patient produce more tears over time.

To find out if you suffer from dry eye syndrome please contact our office at 770-479-0222 or www.EdwardsEyeCare.com to schedule your comprehensive eye examination. 

Spring is here and Eye Allergies are in Full Swing

Have itchy, red eyes been an all too common occurrence for you since the beginning of spring this year? You may be suffering from eye allergies. While it is estimated that 50 million Americans suffer from all types of allergies, approximately 4 percent of allergy sufferers report that eye allergies are their primary allergy.  Itchy eyes are the most common symptom associated with eye allergies and is triggered by outdoor and indoor allergens.  For some, eye allergies can prove so uncomfortable and irritating that they interfere with job performance, impede leisure or sports activities, and even curtail vacations.

But what are eye allergies and how do you know if you are suffering from this condition? Eye allergies can encompass many symptoms such as itching, burning and dryness that are caused by allergens in our environment and is commonly referred to as “allergic conjunctivitis” by your eye care professional. This is a reaction to indoor and outdoor allergens (such as pollen, mold, dust mites or pet dander) that get into your eyes and cause inflammation of the conjunctiva, the tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and helps keep your eyelid and eyeball moist. Eye allergies are not contagious. Other substances called “irritants” (such as dirt, smoke and chlorine) and even viruses and bacteria, can compound the effect of eye allergies, or even cause irritation symptoms similar to eye allergies for people who may not even have allergies.

The eyes are an easy target for allergens and irritants because, like the skin, they are exposed and sensitive to the outside environment.  Certain medications and cosmetics can also cause eye allergy symptoms. By way of response to these allergens and irritants, the body releases chemicals called histamines, which in turn produce inflammation.             

In very mild cases, oral allergy medication may help relieve itchy eyes along with cold compresses to the eyes a few times each day.  However, your eye care professional is best able to treat this condition with specific anti-allergy drops that can keep those red, itchy eyes away and have you back outdoors enjoying the beauty of spring.   

Sjogren's Syndrome in the News!

Tennis champion Venus Williams recently made headlines when she had to withdraw from the U.S. Open Tennis Championship just before the tournament began. Many fans were surprised to find out that she suffers from a mysterious autoimmune disease known as Sjogren's Syndrome. This condition was making her extremely fatigued to the point that she barely had enough energy to get out of bed much less to excel at the highest level of tennis competition.
Though Sjogren's syndrome may seem to be new information to the general public, eye doctors have been experts on this condition for years due to its ocular manifestations.
Sjogren's syndrome and other autoimmune disorders are well known causes of dry eye syndrome. That is one reason that you may have had your eye doctor ask you if you have been tested for autoimmune diseases and/or arthritis if you experience unresolving dry eyes. It is not uncommon for an eye doctor to order bloodwork to rule out this type of condition if dry eye symptoms continue to manifest despite ocular therapy. Some of the hallmark signs of Sjogren's Syndrome include unresolving dry eye and dry mouth symptoms. If these symptoms sound familiar to you it is definately worth mentioning to your eye doctor and general primary care physician in order to rule out Sjogren's Syndrome or other underlying systemic cause.
As an interesting side note I once attended the same school as Venus Williams growing up in central florida where she attended a nearby tennis academy, and we both have degrees from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She is now being successfully treated for her condition and I'm sure we will all see her back on the court soon.

Dry Eye Syndrome

You may have noticed the sensation that your eyes feel more dry this time of year. As the heaters have been turned on and the humidity drops, dryness can often creep in. This dryness can be particularly bothersome if you are a person suffering from Dry Eye Syndrome or what is also referred to as Ocular Surface Disease.

A person suffering from Dry Eye Syndrome may often feel like they have burning, stinging eyes, redness, and a foreign body sensation. There are certain systemic diseases as well as eye and eyelid conditions that can exacerbate this condition. Some of the most common systemic diseases that put you more at risk for dry eye include Diabetes Mellitus, Thyroid disease, Lupus, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. In addition, lifestyle factors such as increased caffeine consumption, increased computer use, and certain medications can lead to dry eye if not properly managed.

Your eye doctor plays a very important role in the fight against dry eye by diagnosing and treating this condition in a number of ways. The first line of treatment is often properly managing any eye conditions (i.e. blepharitis) or systemic diseases (i.e. Diabetes). Once this is under control your doctor will emphasize the necessity to change any lifestyle factors that are increasing your dry eye symptoms, such as making sure your work environment is ergonimically friendly for your eyes.

Artificial tears can be found over the counter and help alleviate dry eye symptoms in the short term, but if you find yourself using these more than 4 times a day, you should talk to your eye doctor about the possibility of using a prescription eye drop for your irritated eyes. Omega 3 vitamin supplements have been shown to improve your tear film and alleviate many symptoms of dry eye syndrome. Still another option for treating dry eye include punctal plugs which keep your tears from draining as quickly and thus keeps the tear film on your eyes for a longer period of time.

There are many different ways that your eye doctor can effectively treat your dry eye symptoms so be sure to mention it if you have any of these symptoms the next time you are in the office.

Are Daily Disposable Contact Lenses Right for you?

Are your current contact lenses causing increasing redness, dryness, and overall irritation as you continue to wear them throughout the month? Daily disposable contact lenses can help stop these problems that may occur as protein deposits build up on less frequently replaced contacts.

Daily disposable contact lenses are a great option for any patient looking for the best comfort and healthiest contact lens available today. There is no healthier way to wear contact lenses other than to use a fresh contact lens each day and discard it each night.

The more frequently you can replace a contact lens the less your eye will be affected by anything absorbed into your contact lens material from the outside world, such as the local swimming pool or preservatives within your current contact lens solution. This makes daily disposable contacts the ideal choice for seasonal allergy sufferers that want to enjoy the freedom and convenience of contacts, as well as for athletes looking for a competitive edge on game day. Click here to learn more about daily disposable contact lenses, why I recommend them to my patients, and enjoy wearing them myself.