Archives

Author's Posts

Low Vision

According to recent studies funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the number of Americans who are visually impaired—including those with low vision— is expected to double to more than 8 million by 2050. With the increasing life expectancy rates, these numbers are extremely concerning as this goes to show that an increasing amount of people are at a risk of developing a visual impairment. Therefore, it is extremely important to spread awareness about such vision impairment tendencies and ensure that people receive the necessary help. But in order to spread awareness about this, take a moment to understand more about low vision, its symptoms and its impact.

What is low vision?

When low vision occurs, people find it difficult to read or see even with regular glasses, contact lenses and medicine or surgery. Tasks like watching TV, cooking, driving and even writing can seem extremely challenging. People aged 65 or older are most likely to be impacted by low-vision. The leading cause of low vision is due to improper treatment or delay in the detection of eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration, cataract and glaucoma. In case of younger adults, low-vision is usually caused by genetic tendencies or the prevalence of an undetected eye disease. Take a look at some facts related to low-vision and its widespread impact.

According to National Federation of The Blind:

  • It is estimated that about 1.3 million people in the U.S. are legally blind.
  • It is estimated that as many as 10 million Americans are blind or visually impaired.
  • There are 5.5 million seniors in the United States who are either blind or visually impaired.
  • Studies show that over the next 30 years, aging baby boomers will double the current number of blind or visually impaired Americans.
  • Just 1% of the blind population is born without sight. The vast majority of blind people lose their vision later in life because of macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetes.
  • With macular degeneration, central vision deteriorates, resulting in blurred vision and eventually leads to blindness. While there are treatments to delay these conditions, there is no cure.
  • Macular degeneration is known to affect about 13 million Americans.

What Can You Do If You or Someone You Know is Suffering from Low-Vision?

Low vision can be extremely tough to deal with, and may leave people feeling helpless, and anxious, that is why it is necessary to remind them that they can get help.
First and foremost, it is extremely important to schedule regular visits to your ophthalmologist in order to supervise your eye health regularly. In case of those affected by low-vision, you must speak to your ophthalmologist about your treatment options to help reduce its impact and slow down the process. Your eye doctor will also be able to provide low vision aids to help improve the transition.

As for those of you who are at a risk of low-vision or AMD, it is best to visit your eye doctor regularly and get dilated eye exams regularly to ensure optimum eye health. If you are looking for an Ophthalmologist in Fresno, we at Insight Vision Center, have a talented team of eye care specialists to address any of your vision related queries or eye health issues. So, if you have noticed any changes in your vision, don’t ignore the signs and book an appointment with us today, to know more about how you can protect your vision and keep it healthy.

myopia vs hyperopia vs astigmatism

When the cornea and lens can focus clearly onto the retina, it means that the eye has perfect near and distance vision. Even though the human body has evolved incredibly well, it has some serious design flaws. The most evident example of this is the rate at which our vision deteriorates with age. More and more people are getting affected due to an increased reliance on technology and electrically operated gadgets.

Continue reading Is it Genetic to be Near-sighted, Far-Sighted or Astigmatic?

Eyes-a-crucial-window-to-your-physical-health

Did you know that your eye health is a crucial indicator of your overall health? Ophthalmologists can through a comprehensive eye examination reveal a lot more about your physical health than just vision problems. Read here to know how.

  • Cloudy Eye
    Cloudy eyes are symptoms of cataracts which causes clouding of the lens inside the eye. This condition can be corrected with a cataract surgery. Generally, older people develop cataracts. However, if young people develop cataracts it may be an indication of either diabetes, tumors or any side effects of certain medications.
  • Blurred Vision
    Blurred or unclear vision may be a sign of diabetes. If it isn’t controlled well, it may further result in diabetic retinopathy – a condition in which tiny blood vessels in your eyes leak certain fluids and blood.
  • Abnormal Blood Vessels in Retina
    If you suffer from high blood pressure, the minute blood vessels in the retina twist and kink. In a condition called as A-V nicking, the retinal veins develop dents in their normal shape. This indicates a high risk of a deadly stroke.
  • Sudden Instances of Blurry Vision
    Abrupt loss of vision may be a sign of irregular blood flow to your eye or your brain. Even if your vision goes back to normal quickly, it might still be a warning sign of the initial phase of a migraine or a stroke. Immediate medical attention is advisable in such cases so as to prevent any serious damage to your health.
  • Yellowish Eyes
    Yellowish eyes and skin are indicative of jaundice. This means you may have liver problems caused by increased levels of bilirubin produced by your liver when it is damaged or inflamed. Chronic alcohol abuse, infection, cancer, improper dietary habits are some of the common reasons for liver damage.
  • Night Blindness
    If you are experiencing difficulty in seeing in low light like at night, you may be suffering from night blindness. It may be indicative of cataracts or poor vision which may be corrected with the help of prescription glasses. It may also indicate a deficiency of Vitamin A in your body. Add superfoods that are rich in Vitamin A to your diet such as carrots, spinach, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, etc.
  • Dry Eyes
    Various factors are responsible for causing dry eyes – hormonal changes, environment or the amount of time you spend staring at digital screens. If you spend hours staring at your laptop, smartphone or any other kind of digital screens, your eyes are at a greater risk of developing digital eye strain. Your eyes become dry, irritated and red if you don’t blink for a long time. Certain forms of arthritis are also linked with dry eyes.
  • White Spots on Cornea
    Those who wear contact lenses are at a greater risk of developing corneal ulcers. White spots on the cornea are one of the most prominent symptoms. As a contact lens wearer, your risk of developing white spots on your cornea increases if you often sleep with your contacts on. Ask our vision experts about Lasik eye surgery. It is an almost painless vision correction surgery which will help you see your best without the hassles of prescription glasses or contact lenses.

Your eye doctor can help you determine more about your physical well-being than just the right set of prescription glasses or contacts. Most symptoms which affect your eyes and physical health may be visible to you, but there are some which can only be identified by an eye doctor. In a nutshell, your eyes reveal a lot about your overall physical well being. Hence, it is crucial that you get your eyes checked periodically.

We at InSight Vision Center in Fresno, CA are more than happy to help you with any eye health-related problems or queries. Give us a call to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive eye check up today.

millenials-to-conside-Lasik-eye-surgery

Are you inconvenienced by your glasses or contact lenses?

The millennial generation’s lives are shaped largely by their dependence and use of modern technology and social media. It is therefore needless to say that the digital age has impacted every aspect of their lives, mainly their eye health which is jeopardized due to constantly staring at screens for long durations. But the chances of a millenial having a long-term view on their eye health are very slim when they have coffee sessions, biking, hiking, video games, gym and so many more activities to keep them occupied.

Fast-paced living nowadays has made wearing spectacles and contacts more of a hindrance than ever before. Millenials are also a lot more open to scientific breakthroughs than ever before making them a lot readier to embrace modern solutions.

Here are 6 Reasons Why You Should Consider LASIK Eye Surgery:

  1. LASIK Eye Surgery Supports Your Active Lifestyle
    Leading a healthy and active lifestyle is very important for most millennials nowadays. Staying fit through various means like sports, dance and gym are becoming increasingly popular. Wearing glasses can be a hindrance in most sports, even if you’re used to playing sports with glasses, the constant adjustments may hinder you. Wearing contacts can be detrimental to your health as there’s always the offhand chance that your contacts may start to dry out despite the fact that they offer peripheral vision.
    You won’t have to worry about packing your eye drops or glasses cases every time you go out with LASIK.
  2. LASIK Eye Surgery Gives You Confidence
    Being called “four eyes” as a child is pretty common but the teasing and bullying that comes of this leads to a social stigma around wearing glasses and can lead to low self-esteem in adult life. We’re not saying that wearing glasses is bad but why should you wear them if you don’t want to? LASIK eye surgery gives you the confidence to go out in public with no fear.
  3. LASIK Eye Surgery Saves You Money in the Long Run
    A lot of you may think that having LASIK surgery done is expensive but it is just a one-time cost when you look at it in the long term as contacts and glasses have to be checked and replaced constantly every few months. If you want to find out about the cost benefits of having LASIK surgery, visit our professionals at InSight Vision Centre today! Investing in LASIK eye surgery in Fresno will save you a lot more money in the long run.
  4. Recovery Time is Minimum
    Most millennials have busy work schedules and social lives which requires that they can only take minimal time off as they probably won’t get as much leave as their more experienced colleagues. But luckily for you, LASIK eye surgery itself does not take that long and the recovery time is also pretty short, so you don’t have to take that long of a leave.
  5. LASIK Eye Surgery is Safe
    LASIK eye surgery is very safe and technology has helped to improve the safety factor even more. The risks have been reduced due to technology and the benefits have only increased. Using contact lenses can cause infections and dry eyes, and glasses and allergies can limit your ability in maintaining an active lifestyle. All procedures carry a certain risk, but this risk is very minimal with the LASIK procedure.
  6. LASIK Eye Surgery Gives You Convenience
    No matter how long you’ve worn glasses or lenses-the fact is that they are inconvenient at times. Physically active people may tend to be inconvenienced by glasses and contact lenses more than others and LASIK eye surgery will remove this hindrance and give you the freedom to enjoy what you love.

Having LASIK eye surgery done when you’re young will help your body to naturally heal faster. The earlier you have your surgery done the more time you will have to enjoy the benefits of it.
There has never been a better time to have LASIK eye surgery done, to find out if you are eligible to enjoy the benefits of LASIK eye surgery, contact our ophthalmologist at InSight Vision Center in Fresno today!

Blurry vision

Blurred vision can be a result of numerous health conditions. It may be temporary or permanent, with the condition worsening over time. Some people can have blurry vision from birth due to a congenital disability, while others develop one over time. Long-term medical issues are typically to blame for the blurred vision that gradually gets worse. Most frequently, a single event is what causes sudden blurry vision.

Blurry vision can be corrected through LASIK eye surgery, or sometimes naturally, based on how common or serious the problem is, which generally depends on the causes. In this article, we will discuss both the causes for blurry vision & sudden blurry vision along with the natural and medical cures available. Continue reading Sudden Blurry Vision: Causes and Cures

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.

The holiday season is inching closer. Are you still struggling to make up your mind regarding what gifts to give your loved ones? Well, we would like to make a unique holiday gift suggestion. Gifts don’t always have to be materialistic and, most of the times, a thoughtful gesture goes a long way. If you know someone who has been wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses for years, you can gift them a wonderful gift this holiday season — vision correction through LASIK eye surgery

LASIK in Brief

Laser-assisted, in-situ keratomileusis a.k.a LASIK is a pain-free refractive surgery that helps in correcting various vision deficiencies. You can be assured of having a clear vision post-surgery.

Trained ophthalmologists conduct this surgery by creating a small incision to access the inner tissue of the cornea and gently reshaping the eye’s curvature to correct myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. The LASIK surgeon can also remove the clouded lenses called cataracts and replace them with artificial lenses.

5 Reasons Why LASIK makes an Exceptional Gift

Let us look at some benefits of LASIK eye surgery that your loved ones can enjoy:

  1. It is PermanentIf you plan on giving clothes or electronics, they won’t last long. Even experiential gifts like holidays or massages have a short life. LASIK is a permanent gift where the recipient will be benefiting for years to come.
  2. Quick and Pain-Free MethodA beam of laser passing through the eye does sound painful and might make you think twice about your gift. But, fear not, as LASIK is not a painful surgery nor does it take time. It is quick and can be completed in just a matter of minutes. Some people might experience mild discomfort, glare and dry eyes for up to two days following the surgery, however, once the 2 day period is over, their vision will immediately be made more clear!
  3. Procedure is SafeLASIK is an extremely safe procedure with a success rate of 99.98 percent. With almost negligible surgery risks, you wouldn’t have to second guess about giving this corrective eye surgery as a gift to a loved one.
  4. Perfect Gift for a TravellerIf the recipient is an avid traveler, then they would really appreciate LASIK eye surgery as a gift. Traveling can get quite cumbersome when you have to handle spectacles, contact lenses, contact lens solution, contact lens cases, spectacle cases. Phew! Missing out on even one of those items would either mean traveling with a blurry vision or putting the eyes at a risk of infection. LASIK eliminates the need to carry all that! You would help your loved ones travel light and see the world clearer.
  5. Cost-Efficient in the Long RunWhen your loved one receives LASIK as a gift, they would not only enjoy clear vision but also heavier pockets. They would no longer have to spend on prescriptions, broken frames, contact lenses and solution, etc. The cost of these adds up over the years — all of which will be eliminated once they get LASIK.

To know your candidacy for LASIK, call InSight Vision Center at 559-449-5050, a world class ophthalmology and eye care center in Fresno.

great eye health

Your organs tend to get weaker and lose their functionality as you age, and eyesight is no exception to this rule. As you grow older and your eyesight weakens, it becomes susceptible to infections, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degenerative eye diseases. Though we’re aware of this fact, what we don’t realize is that our habits also affect our eye health significantly. Here are 10 simple changes you must make in your daily routine if you want to improve your eye health: Continue reading 10 Changes You Must Make in Your Routine for Great Eye Health

lasik age requirement​

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, or LASIK surgery, has gained tremendous popularity over the years. This form of refractive surgery helps to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

The purpose of LASIK eye surgery is to refract or bend light rays entering the eye at a certain angle (and in a particular direction). Depending on the specifics of an eye problem, tiny amounts of tissue are removed from the cornea to give it a steeper, flatter, or more rounded curvature. This improves the way your eye focuses light onto the retina and ensures proper vision.

Continue reading What Age Can You Get Lasik?

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!

Request your appointment

Request now & we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Call Us 559-449-5050