
Archive for February, 2013
Is Pediatric Eye Care Important?
Younger children tend to be much healthier than adults. Their bodies are able to adapt quickly to things that would other wise take us days or even weeks to adapt to. Thus, it is far too easy to over look the fact that children’s bodies are developing, and growing, and changing each day. And taking proper care of your child’s health is very important. One of the most over looked fields of care for children is pediatric eye care. Unless your child has needed glasses,
Treatment Options for Dry Eyes
Lack of lubrication in the eye can cause dryness and run the risk of scratching the eye’s natural lens. There is a disruption in the balance of mucus, water, and oil on the eye’s surface.
Dry eyes are most common in women over 50, those with medical issues, who have has LASIK surgery, who take prescription medicines, or have had inflamed tear ducts.
Dry eyes generally come for blocked tear ducts that can’t produce enough liquid to flush the eyes naturally. Typical symptoms include:
- Feeling uncomfortable
- Burning
- Stinging
- Scratching
- Redness
- Fatigue
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision
- Inability to wear contact lenses
Lubricating the eyes is usually enough to treat the symptoms of dry eyes in mild cases. An eye doctor may advise further treatment in chronic cases, including:
- Prescribing antibiotics
- Medicated eye drops
- Unblocking the tear ducts using thermal pulses
The easiest way to prevent dry eye is to control the environment. Cold and wind can worsen the condition. Limit the use of air conditioning or fans if it seems to be a problem. Also avoid sun exposure and getting dust in the eyes. Don’t smoke and avoid contact with secondhand smoke that can irritate and dry out the eyes. Take a break from reading and the use of electronics that cause eye strain and fatigue. Furthermore, use a dehumidifier or a warm compress to restore moisture to the eyes and relieve symptoms.
How LASIK Works
Many people hear about LASIK surgery for eyes. Some get a bit scared, and some get a bit queasy. Most have no idea how LASIK truly works. LASIK is a great procedure that can help to increase your eye health. It can help you to see the world in a whole new way, with every thing clearer and better looking than ever before. And of course, for many, it is worth it just to get rid of those encumbering glasses or pesky contact lenses. If you are interested in LASIK surgery, but not quite sure what to expect, do not fear; all you may need is a little bit more information to your benefit.
Tips for Treating Styes
Styes are small red bumps that appear at the lip of the eyelid. They are popular among teens, but can affect adults as well. They are bacterial infections that swell up with puss, but usually don’t have any leaking. They can be quite painful though.
The first sign of a stye is a yellow puss filled bump. Once it develops further it turns red. Other symptoms that may occur are:
- Swelling
- Sensitivity
- Irritation
- Pain
- Burning sensation
- Redness
- Crustiness
- Itchiness
- Difficulty blinking
- A lump under the eyelid
Similar to acne, a stye is formed when an oil gland near the eyelash is blocked. They are general caused by hygiene issues and uncleanliness, but can also be related to a poor diet, not enough sleep, or dehydration.
Styes are basically harmless. They will heal on their own without causing damage to the eye itself, nor does it result in vision loss or blindness. They are more annoying and embarrassing than anything and are usually gone within a week.
Meanwhile, there are a few things that can reduce the pain and swelling of a stye. An over-the-counter eye wash may provide some relief while cleaning out the germs and crustiness. A warm compress can also help reduce the pain, redness, and swelling.
The importance of consist hand-washing and good hygiene can’t be emphasized enough. Also remove all makeup before bed each night and change your pillowcase more frequently. Don’t share washcloths, towel, makeup or brushes with anyone to prevent spreading bacteria.
5 Vitamins Important to Eye Health
Your eyes, just like every other part of your body, need to be taken care of. Your eyes rely largely upon your general health in order to thrive. Just like your skin and your hair, and even your teeth, there are certain vitamins that you need in order to ensure that your eyes not only are healthy, but remain healthy for the rest of your life. Below, you will find the five most important vitamins to your eye health—vitamins that can improve eye health and function as well.