Children’s Eye Safety Month – August

August is the global Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month – a perfect reminder for you to have your children’s eyes checked.

Give your children the best opportunities to develop the best possible vision they can, which is why regular vision checks are of absolute importance.

All children’s eyes are mostly healthy, but you should have them examined during scheduled pediatric visits which should ideally start from the age of three onwards.

Symptoms of Eye and Vision Problems in Children

You as parents should be aware of all the signs that indicate whether your child has any vision-related problems such as these:

• Wandering or crossed eyes
• A family history of childhood vision related problems
• Lack of interest in reading or looking at distant objects
• Squinting or turning his/her head unusually while watching television
• Eyes are constantly watering or tearing
• The eyelids are swollen or bloodshot
• The child is blinking more than usual
• Child is complaining of blurry vision; eyes are itchy or burning
• Feel dizzy or ill after doing some close-up vision related activity

Protect Your Child’s Eyes

We should all utilize this month to teach our children about the importance of eye safety and also implement it with immediate effect.

You can protect your child’s eyes by:

• Making it mandatory for your kids to wear protective eyewear while taking part in any sports or recreational events.
• Allowing them to play with toys that have no sharp or protruding edges or corners.

The Role of Eye Safety in Your Child’s Life

Now that you have done everything that you possibly can to ensure that your child’s eyes are safe. Whether they are budding sportsmen or simply just playing with their friends, there are a lot of injuries that they are exposed to. According to current stats, roughly more than 12 million children suffer from some kind of vision impairment and eye injuries which are often the cause of eye injuries, of which 42,000 sports-related eye injuries.

Take precautions and protect your children’s vision. This August, give the apple of your eye the gift of clear vision. Be a Super Mom and bring your child to InSight Vision Center for a comprehensive eye checkup.

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

Strabismus (Crossed Eyes): Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options

What is Strabismus?

Strabismus, also called wall eye, squint, or crossed eyes, is a condition in which the two eyes are not properly aligned and fail to work as a team when looking at an object. According to the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, approximately 4% of the US population has strabismus.

Continue reading Strabismus (Crossed Eyes): Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options

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

How Poor Eyesight Can Be Corrected with Good Habits

Bad vision can be caused by astigmatism, nearsightedness & farsightedness. These can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or some surgeries. These conditions are genetic to a certain extent, but may also be influenced by your environment. Globally, about 80% of vision impairment cases are avoidable (Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment). But here’s what science has to say.

Environment over Genetics

If two people are nearsighted, it’s more likely their children will be nearsighted. However, if a child spends a lot of time reading or working up close, and not much time outside, they may actually need reading glasses. But if kids are brought up in the right environment, they can maintain good eyesight without experiencing headaches and perform well at school and other activities.

How Can You Treat Bad Eyesight?

1. Inculcate Good Habits

There are plenty of good habits you can inculcate in your child to prevent them from struggling with poor eyesight. Most kids these days carry digital devices with them wherever they travel.

We’ve seen kids with phones and iPads on the trains, outside a movie theatre, and of course at home. You need to limit the amount of time your kids spend on these devices. These gadgets also shouldn’t be easily accessible. And instead, it should act as a reward.

Kids should also be encouraged to spend more time outdoors rather than simply gaming or sitting in front of a television. Motivate them to play with the neighbor’s kids or find time to play a ball game with them. Make sure they’re active for a major part of the day.

2. Provide Vitamins for Eyesight

Providing vitamins for eyesight is another way for you to make sure that you encourage healthy eating habits and an overall improved lifestyle. This includes eating the right foods that give your kids’ eyesight a big boost. But healthy foods don’t necessarily have to be boring.

Your kids are simply not going to eat an entire bowl of salad. But if you try to include green vegetables in an omlette, sandwich, or pasta, they will consume all the right vitamins. Encourage your kids to also eat citrus fruits, fish, eggs, and nuts. These foods contain plenty of nutrients and help your child maintain a well-balanced diet.

3. Get an Early Eye Exam

While good habits and a healthy diet are important to maintain eyesight, it’s also crucial for you to take your kids for an early eye exam. Many kids may suffer from poor eyesight without even realizing it.

A healthy set of eyes is essential in the growing years. It helps kids understand the world around, familiarizes them with their immediate environment and people. Good eyesight also helps your child concentrate in the classroom without experiencing mild headaches and blurred vision.

Taking your kids to an eye doctor will help detect any early eye conditions that can be easily corrected with glasses. In the growing years, kids should get a yearly eye exam done to help them succeed in the classroom, in sports, and in other activities.

Poor vision may be hereditary to an extent but doesn’t affect your kids’ eyesight if a healthy routine is put into place. If you’re looking for an experienced eye doctor in Fresno, CA, book an appointment with Insight Vision Centre today for a comprehensive eye assessment of your kids’ vision. Book an eye exam 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

How To Put in Contacts for the First Time?

Are you fed up of all the hassles that come with spectacles? Are you keen on trying contact lenses but have a lot of doubts regarding them? For instance – how to wear them correctly? How to clean them? Can they be worn for longer periods of time continually? Will you get dry and irritated eyes with their prolonged use? Such questions are obvious if you are trying on contact lenses for the first time. However, with proper precaution and care, you can enjoy all the benefits of contacts without any hassles.

The 5 helpful tips listed below are all you need to know in case you are a first-time wearer of contact lenses:

1. It is extremely important that you clean your contact lenses every time before putting them on. Even your ophthalmologist will stress the importance of sticking to a strict lens care regime. Use a good quality contact lens solution to rinse and clean your lenses. Ensure that the solution is fresh in the lens case. For instance, when you put on your lens in the morning, drain the case, rinse it with fresh solution and leave it upside down to dry. Once it is completely dry, refill it with fresh contact lens solution.
2. If you are wearing contact lenses for the first time, the very first challenge you will probably face is – how to put the lenses on. First, you need to wash your hands thoroughly. Next, you need to put the lens on your fingertip. It should be placed in a way that the contact should look like a little cup when held up against the light. Then, pull the upper eyelid upwards and bottom eyelid downwards to prevent blinking reaction. Look upwards and place the lens in your eye. Release the eyelids and close the eyes to allow the contact lens to settle. Repeat the same process with the other eye.
3. Make sure that you keep the contacts hydrated at both times – when in use and when stored in the case. If the contacts turn dry they can irritate your eyes. In case you use lenses for extended periods of time they are more prone to becoming dry. An ideal solution would be to always carry the contact lens solution wherever you go. This will keep you better prepared to hydrate the lenses so they are comfortable to wear and use.
4. First time wearers may experience problems like irritation or blurry vision due to contact lenses. It might be due to certain reasons such as poor contact lens hygiene, accumulation of debris etc. If such problems persist for a longer period of time even after taking the right precautions, its best to consult your eye doctor immediately.
5. It is important that you strictly follow your ophthalmologist’s instructions regarding the use and maintenance of your contact lenses. For instance the wearing and replacement schedule, follow-up appointments, solution prescribed for your lens etc.

The above-listed tips are sure to help first time contact lens wearers get used to and handle their contact lenses appropriately. It is important to go for regular eye check-ups to ensure that you enjoy a healthy and perfect vision especially if you are wearing contact lenses. Our team of experts at Insight Vision Center can guide you on how best to use contact lenses for a perfect vision. Get in touch with us 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

What Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Tells You about Your Vision

An estimated 836,000 to 2.5 million Americans suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome each year. Most people do not get this illness diagnosed and have to live with the symptoms for a major part of their lives. While there is no single test to confirm the onset of the illness, there is a series of other tests to rule out other problems that have symptoms similar to chronic fatigue syndrome.

Some common symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Sore Throat
• Extreme exhaustion due to physical or mental exercise
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or armpits
• Poor concentration or loss of memory
• Chronic insomnia

There are also a number of other symptoms that patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome may experience. These may include dizziness or fainting, food or medication allergies, anxiety, irritability or depression, and patients may also experience visual disturbances such as blurry vision and sensitivity to light.

The Connection between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Vision

Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome usually complain of itchy or watery eyes. While rubbing your eyes may seem like a harmless thing to do, chronic eye rubbing can lead to poor vision. Itchy eyes can feel like a foreign body stuck in your eye and the most natural instinct is to remove the object. However, this is not a good idea because rubbing against the object or the spot where your eyes itch can very easily scratch the cornea. This most often results in blurry vision which can affect your ability to perform day-to-day activities. Here are 3 daily activities that can be affected by poor vision:

1. Reading
   We rely majorly on our vision to read everything from small fonts on our computer screens to street signs. It is difficult to get through the day with poor vision and simply wearing your glasses may not be enough to correct your vision.
2. Driving
   Being able to drive requires maximum attention to detail, but most of us take this ability for granted. If you have blurry vision, you may lose some of your independence and driving in the daylight may be your only option.
3. Household Chores
   Keeping the house clean requires a good amount of time. But when your vision is compromised, household chores take a longer time to finish.

Problems Due to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
The most common problem that patients of chronic fatigue syndrome report is periods of blurred or foggy vision. This happens mostly when they stand up and feel lightheaded. However, chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with a few other problems such as:

1. Slowness or difficulty in focusing on objects, especially the ones that are closer
2. Tunnel vision i.e. not being able to see objects in peripheral (side) vision
3. Feeling dizzy looking at moving objects
4. Seeing flashes of light
5. Being uncomfortable in sunlight or brightly lit rooms
6. Having a itchy, dry, or burning sensation in eyes

Treatment Options

1. For temporary and instant relief, artificial tears can soothe dry or irritated eyes.
2. Apply a warm washcloth over your eyes three to four times a day to relieve itchy and sensitive eyes.
3. Prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications can also provide relief from dizziness and fatigue.

Lifestyle Changes

1. Eliminate caffeine from your diet and consume beverages like green tea, chrysanthemum tea, and lemon water.
2. Limit your alcohol and nicotine intake.
3. Follow a sleep schedule and sleep at the same time every night.
4. Incorporate yoga and tai chi to your morning routine.

While these tips can improve your vision, it is important to consult a doctor before altering your routine or consuming medicines. If you have been suffering from this condition and are looking for experienced Ophthalmologists in Fresno, visit Insight Vision 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

An Early Eye Test can Unearth Alzheimer’s Eyes

In the Journal of Clinical Insight, researchers have found that performing retinal scans can pick up amyloid plaques which cause Alzheimer’s in the brain. Getting a yearly eye test can be a way to pick up early stages of Alzheimer’s and early intervention will be helpful to caregivers and family members. Researchers may have brought a step closer that can detect a hallmark of the disease.

Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, affecting more than 40 million people worldwide. And yet, finding a cure is something that still eludes researchers today. It includes difficulty sleeping, disturbed memory, drastic mood changes, and an increase in confusion.

Continue reading An Early Eye Test can Unearth Alzheimer’s Eyes

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

Do Online Eye Tests Work?

The easier access to the internet has significantly improved our lives, and with more services being made available on our mobile devices, the multitasking smartphone does even more today. You can do a lot on your smartphone today including shopping, watching television, checking the weather, and now even an online eye test that determines the vision and potential problems in your eye.

A study reveals that 75% of Americans use some kind of corrective lenses. Getting the perfect pair of glasses can be time-consuming, which is why a new breed of vision test promises quick results. But can an online eye test replace your eye doctor?

Continue reading Do Online Eye Tests Work?

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 Are Eye Floaters and How to Treat Them?

You have probably already noticed that small dark spots sometimes seem to follow the movement of your eyes. These curious black floats that question us are, in fact, an integral part of our ocular system. These shadows, which can manifest in many forms and move in our eye, obscuring part of our visual field, are called eye floaters. Observed in more than 70% of people, they appear as lines or black dots, sometimes gray.

What Are Eye Floaters?

These are dark spots in the form of dots, circles, lines or cobwebs that seem to move in the visual field. They are particularly noticeable when you look at a background with little colors such as a clear sky or a white wall. Eye floaters can appear in multiple shapes or numbers and they seem to move when looking in different directions.

Floating bodies are in principle, simple proteins from the gel-like substance in the eye called vitreous. This threadlike group of proteins blocks the arrival of the external light to the retina, causing a shadow in front of the latter. So, the dark shapes that you see and move in your field of view are actually the floating bodies themselves.

Symptoms

Eye floaters can be uncomfortable, but they usually do not interfere with your eyesight. However, here are some symptoms that help you identify if you are observing eye floaters or some other ocular problems:

• Black or gray dots
• Squiggly lines
• Threadlike strands, which can be bumpy and semi-transparent
• Cobwebs
• Profiled rings

Once you develop eye floaters usually they do not go away, but they tend to improve over time.

What Causes Eye Floaters?

The inside of the eye is filled with a transparent and gelatinous substance called the vitreous. The vitreous helps maintain the shape of the eye and allows light to penetrate through the retina – the thin, light-sensitive tunic that lines the back of the eye and works much like a film in a camera. Floating bodies are small gelatinous masses that form in the vitreous. Even if one has the impression that they are on the anterior part of the eye, they actually float in the vitreous and are perceived as shadows by the retina.

Other causes include:

1. Age-related eye changes: With aging, vitreous shrinks and often separates from the retina. In fact, between the ages of 50-70 years, the vitreous is separated from the retina in about 50% of people and this causes the appearance of vitreous floaters. These can be very annoying at first, but the brain gradually learns not to pay attention and after a few months, you barely notice them. Visit your ophthalmologist to keep a check on age-related eye diseases.
2. Inflammation in the back of the eye: Seeing floaters can sometimes result from internal inflammation or crystalline deposits that form in the vitreous.
3. Torn retina: Most of the time, the vitreous separates from the retina without causing any problem. In some people, there are adhesions between the retina and the vitreous and tearing of the retina can occur when the vitreous detaches, causing in the eye a slight bleeding that may look like a group of new bodies floating.
4. Other causes: Rare causes include tumors and the presence of intraocular foreign bodies. In some cases, the moving organs may be associated with diabetes, the results of ocular surgery or advanced cataract.

Eye Floaters Treatment

Benign eye floaters almost never need medical treatment. If they are unpleasant, you can move them away from your field of vision by moving your eyes. This maneuver moves the fluid in your eyes. Looking up and down is generally more effective than looking from side to side.

If eye floaters are so dense and numerous that they affect your vision, your ophthalmologist may consider a surgery called vitrectomy. During this procedure, a part or all of the vitreous body and its floating debris are removed and replaced with saline solution. Vitrectomy can have complications, such as retinal detachment, retinal tears or cataract. The risks of these complications are low, but if they occur, vision can be damaged permanently. Because of this, most surgeons will not recommend vitrectomy unless eye floaters are causing an extraordinary visual impairment.

Another option is laser vitreolysis wherein a laser beam is focused on large seeing floaters to break or vaporize them. However, you will need a good ophthalmologist to determine if you can benefit from this treatment. If you are in Fresno, you can find qualified and experienced ophthalmologists in Fresno for treatment of your eye floaters.

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 Causes Eye Twitching?

Eye twitching is a pretty common phenomena that involves an involuntary spasm of the muscles
in the eyelid. It typically lasts for a few seconds or minutes. It can come and go over a few days
or weeks.

Here are 7 reasons for an eye twitch:

1. Stress, Fatigue and Lack of Sleep
   Our bodies react differently to stress and can result in eye strain. Fatigue and lack of
   sleep again can result in a twitching eye.
2. Alcohol
   Alcohol consumption can take a toll on your health and can result in muscle exhaustion
   making your eye twitch at times.
3. Dry Eye
   People, who wear contact lenses and take medication are more prone to dry eyesyndrome. Dry eyes often result in eye twitching.
4. Eye Strain
   Spending a lot of time in front of computer screens and continuous use of technology can
   lead to an eye twitch. You should schedule an eye exam as you may need to get an eye
   check up done, especially for those of you who wear glasses.
5. Blepharospasm
   Middle-aged women may experience eye twitching due to a nerve disorder which
   involves frequent muscle contraction.
6. Allergies and Irritation
   Foreign particles such as dust, smoke and chemicals can result in swelling, itching and
   watery eyes and all of those can make your eye twitch at times.
7. Nutritional Imbalance
   There is a possibility of getting an eye twitch due to lack of magnesium in your diet.

Tips to Get Relief

1. Sleep properly for 6-8 hours
2. Ditch the coffee and avoid caffeine
3. Massage your eyelids
4. Put an ice pack with a few drops of chamomile or rose oil on to get some releif from your
   eye twitch
5. Drinking chamomile or lavender tea can help alleviate stress and relax your eye twitch

When is it Time to Consult a Doctor?

A twitching eyelid may not require immediate medical attention. However, persistent spasms
may indicate a brain or nervous system disorder. If you have any of the following symptoms, you
should consult your doctor:

• Swollen red eye that may have some uncommon discharge
• Drooping upper eyelid
• Every time your eyelid twitches, your eyelid completely closes
• Twitching for several days
• Twitching infects other body parts

Eye health is a vital part of your well-being. If you want to ditch the twitch and are looking for a
trusted eye doctor in Fresno, call us on 559-449-5050.

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