Category: Eye Conditions & Symptoms

What Causes Strabismus?

Normal vision depends on the coordinated effort of six muscles surrounding each eye. These muscles work together to ensure both eyes focus on the same point. When these muscles do not function properly or are unbalanced, the eyes become misaligned.

If the brain receives two different images from the eyes, it often favors the stronger eye, causing the weaker eye to lose strength over time. This condition can lead to amblyopia, also known as “lazy eye.”

Risk Factors for Strabismus Include:

• Family history of strabismus or amblyopia
• Premature birth or low birth weight
• Certain neurological or genetic conditions
• Eye injuries or illnesses affecting eye muscles
• Uncorrected refractive errors (like farsightedness)

Symptoms of Strabismus

• Visible eye misalignment
• Double vision
• Difficulty with depth perception
• Eye strain or headaches
• Squinting or closing one eye to see better

Treatment Options for Strabismus

Treatment depends on the severity and cause but may include:

• Prescription glasses or contact lenses
• Eye patching or vision therapy to strengthen the weaker eye
• Botox injections to temporarily relax eye muscles
• Strabismus surgery to realign the eye muscles

Early intervention is crucial to prevent long-term vision problems and improve appearance and function.

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We Can Help with Adult Strabismus

If you or a loved one experiences symptoms of strabismus, don’t wait to seek professional care. Our experienced eye care specialists offer comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans to help improve your vision and quality of life.

Dry Eye

Dry eye is a common condition affecting more than 16 million U.S. adults, according to research published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology in 2017.

Your eyes become too dry if you don’t make enough tears, have tears that evaporate quickly, or the tears your body creates are poor quality. In addition to redness, dry eye can cause:

• Burning or Itching
• Fatigue
• Blurry Vision
• Sensitivity to Light
• Foreign Body Sensation
• Stringy Mucus

Watery eyes can also be a dry eye symptom. Although watering may seem like an unusual symptom, the eyes tear in an effort to increase moisture.

Treatment Options. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your eye doctor may recommend over-the-counter lubricating drops or prescription drops that improve tear production or decrease inflammation. Punctal plugs may be helpful if your tears evaporate or drain too quickly. The tiny plugs keep your eyes moister by blocking some of the tear ducts that drain tears from the eye. Warm compresses can be helpful if blocked oil glands are the cause of dry eye.

Infectious Conjunctivitis

Infectious conjunctivitis, commonly called “pink eye,” can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Did your symptoms start after a cold or another illness? You may have viral conjunctivitis.

Bacterial conjunctivitis occurs when your eyes are exposed to germs. Exposure that leads to pink eye can be caused by many things, including the use expired contact lens solution, inadequate hand washing, and excessive eye touching. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are contagious.

Treatment Options. Antibiotic eye drops kill the bacteria that cause the infection in bacterial conjunctivitis. Antibiotics aren’t needed for viral conjunctivitis, as the condition usually improves on its own. Lubricating eye drops and cold compresses can improve your comfort while you recover.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Do your eyes turn red during allergy season? Redness can occur when your immune system overreacts to the presence of pollen, mold, dust mites, dander, and other allergens by producing histamines, chemicals that help your body get rid of allergens. As histamine production increases, your eyes may become red, itchy, and watery. Sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, and coughing can also occur due to an allergic reaction.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis can be a problem if you wear contact lenses. Painful, red bumps develop under the eyelids. The bumps may occur due to an allergy to contact lenses or solutions, protein deposits on contact lenses, or the lens rubbing against the eyelid, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Unlike viral and bacterial conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis isn’t contagious.

Treatment Options. Cold compresses and artificial tears may improve eye comfort if you have allergic conjunctivitis. Using antihistamine eye drops and prescription or over-the-counter allergy medication can also be helpful. If your allergies are severe, your optometrist may recommend talking to your family doctor or general practitioner about the benefits of allergy shots. Trying a different brand or type of contact lenses and using preservative-free cleaning solutions may be helpful if you have giant papillary conjunctivitis.

Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

Your eye may look red due to a subconjunctival hemorrhage. These hemorrhages happen when a blood vessel in the sclera (white part of the eye) breaks. Subconjunctival hemorrhages won’t damage your vision and aren’t painful. They may occur after a minor blow to the eye or vomiting, sneezing, or coughing forcefully.

Treatment Options. Subconjunctival hemorrhages usually clear up in a few weeks without treatment. If your eye is still red after two or three weeks, give your optometrist a call.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis causes redness in your eyelids rather than in the whites of your eyes. The condition happens when the eyelids become inflamed due to clogged oil glands, allergies, bacterial growth, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, or rosacea. Symptoms include burning, itching, crusty eyelids, blurry vision, and swelling.

Treatment Options. If you’re diagnosed with blepharitis, your optometrist may recommend prescription eye drops or ointments that control inflammation, fight infection, and reduce inflammation. Using moist compresses daily and cleaning your eyelids with eyelid cleaner or a solution of warm water and baby shampoo can be helpful.

Ready to put an end to red eyes? We can help improve your comfort. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with the optometrist.

Sources:

• American Journal of Ophthalmology: Prevalence of Diagnosed Dry Eye Disease in the United States Among Adults Aged 18 Years and Older, 10/2017
  https://www.aoa.org/news/clinical-eye-care/diseases-and-conditions/new-study-dry-eye-disease
• American Academy of Ophthalmology: Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis, 9/16/2024
  https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-giant-papillary-conjunctivitis
• All About Vision: Eye Redness (Bloodshot Eyes), 1/22/2024
  https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/symptoms/red-eyes/overview-or-bloodshot-eyes
• American Optometric Association: Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
  https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/conjunctivitis
• WebMD: Why Are My Eyes Red?, 1/28/2024
  https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/why-eyes-red

Allergies

Allergies happen when your body incorrectly assumes that mold, pollen, pet dander, foods, or other harmless things are dangerous substances. It reacts by releasing histamines, natural chemicals that target allergens. Histamine production causes several uncomfortable symptoms in addition to swollen eyelids, including sneezing, watery eyes, running nose, and itchy red eyes. The Center for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics reported that almost a third of adults and a fourth of children suffered from a seasonal or food allergy or eczema in 2021.

Treatment Options: Over-the-counter allergy medication and eye drops may relieve allergy symptoms. If the swelling and discomfort continues, your optometrist may prescribe prescription antihistamine or anti-inflammatory eye drops.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis, a condition that inflames the eyelids and causes redness, itching, swollen eyelids, and small white flakes that look like dandruff, could be the reason for your swollen eyelids. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), blepharitis can be caused by bacteria or skin conditions, including rosacea and scalp dandruff.

Treatment Options: Warm compresses soothe the eyes and loosen crusts that may form on the eyelids. Washing the lids with a lid cleaner or a solution of warm water mixed with baby shampoo may relieve symptoms. If blepharitis is caused by bacteria, your optometrist may prescribe an antibiotic.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, commonly called “pink eye,” affects the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelid, causing redness, pain, discharge, and itching. Conjunctivitis can be caused by allergies or a viral or bacterial infection. The AOA notes that bacterial conjunctivitis infections can be worse in people who wear contact lenses.

Treatment Options: Allergy eye drops can be helpful if your allergies caused conjunctivitis. Your eye doctor may recommend prescription eye drops for a bacterial infection. Your symptoms will eventually get better on their own if you have viral conjunctivitis. Artificial tears will keep your eyes lubricated and may ease conjunctivitis symptoms. Cold compresses can also be helpful.

Injuries

Did your eyelid swell after a blow to the face or another eye injury? Although cold compresses can be helpful for minor injuries, you’ll need to visit the optometrist or go to the emergency room if the swelling is severe, doesn’t go away within a day or two, or you notice blurry vision, light sensitivity, or bleeding,

Treatment Options: Treatments depend on the type of injury and may include antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eye drops, stitches, or surgery.

Chalazions and Styes

Chalazions are bumps that form in the eyelid due to a blocked oil gland. Styes cause bumps at the base of the eyelid and happen when oil glands become infected. Stye symptoms include foreign body sensation, watering, crusting, and sensitivity to light. Chalazions are usually less painful than styes, although the bump may be red and tender.

Treatment Options: Your eye doctor may recommend warm compresses to help shrink the bump and unclog blocked oil glands. Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the bacterial infection that causes styles. If your chalazion doesn’t improve, your eye doctor may suggest a steroid injection to ease swelling. Surgical draining may be needed if your style or chalazion affects your vision or doesn’t get better on its own.

Other Causes

Swollen eyelids can also be caused by:

• Thyroid Disease
• Cellulitis
• Sinus Infections
• Graves’ Disease
• Kidney Disease
• Insect Bites
• Fluid Retention
• Shingles

Treatment Options: Treatment depends on the cause of the swelling. For example, managing underlying diseases and conditions could improve swelling, while antibiotics treatment kills germs responsible for cellulitis, a potentially serious infection that may affect the eyelids or eye sockets.

Concerned about swollen eyes? Prompt treatment can improve your comfort and prevent complications that could lead to vision loss. Contact our office to make your appointment with the optometrist.

Sources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: More Than a Quarter of U.S. Adults and Children Have at Least One Allergy, 1/26/2023 https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2022/20220126.htm
• American Optometric Association: Blepharitis https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/blepharitis?sso=y
• All About Vision: Swollen Eyelid Causes and How to Treat a Swollen Eyelid, 7/27/2021 https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/symptoms/swollen-eyelids/overview-of-swollen-eyelids
• American Optometric Association: Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/conjunctivitis?sso=y
• American Academy of Ophthalmology: What Is the Difference Between a Stye and a Chalazion? Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, 7/14/2023 https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-are-chalazia-styes

What Are the Symptoms?

Eye strain may make your eyes feel tired or heavy and cause these symptoms:

• Burning or Irritated Eyes
• Watery Eyes
• Blurry Vision, Particularly When Focusing
• Trouble Keeping Your Eyes Open
• Headaches
• Tight Neck and Shoulder Muscles

Common causes of eye strain include:

• Use of Digital Devices. Eye strain is common among people who use cellphones, laptops, tablets, and desktop computers. That’s not surprising, since the average American now spends about 7 hours daily using screens, according to the American Optometric Association. The words on a screen aren’t as crisp and clear as those on a page, which means your eyes must work harder when focusing on text, games, or reports.
• Poor Lighting. Glare or dim lighting can strain your eyes. Glare can come from the sun, overhead lights, or screens.
• Screen Distance Issues. Eye strain could also be related to the way you view screens or hold digital devices. Your eyes have to work harder if your computer screen is too high or low or you hold your phone too close to your face.
• Dry Eyes. Blinking slows down when people use digital devices. Blinking spreads lubricating tears over the surface of the eye, keeping the eyes moist and comfortable.
• Intense Focusing. Any activity that requires you to remain focused for a long time can trigger eye strain symptoms. You may be more likely to develop symptoms after driving or reading for hours or focusing intently on a woodworking or needlework project.
• Vision Problems. Eye strain can also happen if you need glasses or contact lenses or it’s time to update your current prescription. Myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness) can make focusing difficult, as can astigmatism and presbyopia. You may also experience eye strain if there’s a problem with eye muscle coordination or eye alignment.
• Environmental Factors. Smoke, allergens, dust, or dry air irritate the eyes and can be factors in eye strain.

5 Ways We Can Help You Find Relief From Eye Strain

If eye strain is a frequent problem for you, give your eye doctor a call. During a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist will evaluate your focusing ability, test your vision, and assess your overall eye health. After the eye exam, your doctor may make one or more suggestions, including:

• Keeping Your Eyes Moist. Your optometrist may recommend increasing moisture and lubrication with artificial tears or eye drops. Using a humidifier can also be helpful during the winter or other times when the air may be dry.
• Updating Your Prescription. Tweaking your current contact lens or eyeglass prescriptions (or providing a new prescription if you’ve never worn glasses) improves the sharpness of your vision and may make focusing more comfortable. If your contact lenses make your eyes feel too dry, your optometrist can recommend lenses that preserve moisture.
• Following the 20-20-20 Rule. The 20-20-20 rule reduces strain by giving your eye muscles frequent breaks. Follow the rule by looking away from your screens every 20 minutes. Focus on something about 20 feet in the distance for at least 20 seconds during these breaks.
• Trying Vision Therapy. Vision therapy may be helpful if an eye muscle coordination or eye alignment issue causes a focusing problem. The therapy uses exercises and activities that improve focusing and other visual skills. Your eye doctor may recommend helpful exercises or refer you to a vision therapist.
• Making Lifestyle Changes. Changing the height of your screens or the position of your cellphone could improve your eyestrain symptoms. Your eye doctor can also provide suggestions on ergonomics, lighting, and ideal reading distances.

Ready to improve your eye strain symptoms? Contact our office to schedule an appointment with the optometrist.

Sources:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology: Eye Strain: How to Prevent Eye Discomfort, 5/5/2023 https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-eye-strain
• American Optometric Association: Computer Vision Syndrome https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/computer-vision-syndrome?sso=y
• Mayo Clinic: Eye Strain, 7/2/2024 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eyestrain/symptoms-causes/syc-20372397
• CNET: Try These Simple Tips to Beat Eye Strain, 8/9/2024 https://www.cnet.com/health/personal-care/how-to-beat-eye-strain-according-to-optometrists

Why Do You Need Drops?

Do your eyes feel dry or itch or burn? You may have dry eye, a condition affecting about 20 million people in the U.S., according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). A layer of tears constantly covers your eyes, lubricating the surface. If your tear film is inadequate, you may experience dry eye symptoms, which include dryness, redness, itching, burning, stringy mucus discharge, and occasional blurry vision.

Dry eye can happen if:

• Your eyes don’t make enough tears
• Tears drain too fast from your eyes
• Your tears aren’t high-quality
• You’ve been exposed to wind or smoke or spent time in a dry climate or environment

People over 65, women, and people who have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disease are more likely to develop dry eye, according to the American Optometric Association. Your risk of dry eye may also be higher if you use digital screens.

Do you have allergy symptoms, like sneezing, coughing, and congestion? Your itchy, red eyes could be related to your allergies.

What about your appearance? Do you want to use eye drops because your eyes are red?

Picking The Best Option

When you shop for eye drops, take a quick look at the product’s description, which is usually located below the product name. You’ll probably see one of these descriptions:

• Lubricant/Lubricating. Lubricating eye drops, like artificial tears, are a good choice for dry eye symptoms. The drops offer temporary relief of symptoms and can be used throughout the day. Are your eyes uncomfortably dry during the night? Look for gel lubricating drops that remain on your eyes longer than liquid drops. Although these drops are better for nighttime use, they may make your vision look a little fuzzy when you first wake up.
• Antihistamine/Eye Allergy. Choose antihistamine/eye allergy drops if your symptoms are caused by allergies. These eye drops prevent the release of histamines, natural substances that cause itching, redness, and watery eyes.
• Redness Relief. Eye drops that reduce redness work by decreasing the size of blood vessels in the eye. Unfortunately, these drops can worsen redness if you use them too often. The AAO recommends avoiding eye drops that contain naphazoline and tetrahydrozoline for this reason.
• Rewetting Drops. Rewetting drops keep contact lenses moist and can be applied when you’re wearing your lenses. Remove your contact lenses before using other types of eye drops, as some products can damage your lenses.

Not sure if preservative filled or preservative-free eye drops are best? Products with preservatives are a better option if you only use eye drops occasionally, as these products can be used for about a month after opening.

If you need extra lubrication every day and use eye drops more than four times a day, preservative-free drops might be a good option. These drops don’t contain chemicals that could irritate your eyes. Single-use vials are thrown out immediately after you use them. Multi-use, preservative-free eye drops are safe to use for a few days, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions. Using expired eye drops, whether they contain preservatives or are preservative-free, increases your risk of a bacterial eye infection.

Dry eye patients who switched to preservative-free eye drops in a research study published in Clinical Ophthalmology in 2018 had less severe dry eye symptoms after using the new drops. Ninety-four percent of the patients preferred the preservative-free drops.

Be sure to contact your eye doctor if eye drops don’t improve your symptoms or you experience signs of infection, which may include pain, severe redness, blurred vision, discharge and watery eyes.

Are your eyes still uncomfortable despite using over-the-counter eye drops? Contact our office to schedule an appointment with the optometrist.

Sources:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology: Dry Eye Disease, 8/1/2018 https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/dry-eye-disease
• American Academy of Ophthalmology: Choosing the Best Lubricant Eye Drops for Dry Eyes, 2/17/2024 https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/how-to-choose-lubricant-drops-dry-eyes
• All About Vision: How to Find the Best Eye Drops for Your Symptoms, 2/27/2019 https://www.allaboutvision.com/buysmart/eye-drops.htm
• AARP: 4 Types of Eye Drops and How to Use Them Safely, 2/18/2023 https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2023/types-of-eye-drops-and-how-to-use-them.html
• American Optometric Association: Dry Eye https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/dry-eye?sso=y
• Dove Press: Clinical Ophthalmology: Real-Life Results of Switching from Preserved to Preservative-Free Artificial Tears Containing Hyaluronate in Patients with Dry Eye Disease, 8/23/2018 https://www.dovepress.com/real-life-results-of-switching-from-preserved-to-preservative-free-art-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-OPTH

What Is Inflammatory Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when tears evaporate too quickly, your eyes don’t make enough tears, or the tears your body does make are of poor quality. The condition can be a problem if you spend time in a windy or smoky environment or don’t blink often when using a digital screen. In some cases, dry eye can also be caused by inflammation. Inflammation may affect the quantity and quality of your tears and cause chronic dry eye.

You may be wondering how your eyes could be inflamed when you haven’t had an eye injury or don’t have an eye disease. Inflammation can affect your entire body and doesn’t only happen after an injury, disease, or illness. Weight gain, stress, aging, toxins and pollutants, depression, a sedentary lifestyle, an autoimmune disease, or a poor diet can cause inflammation, according to Harvard Medical School.

If you have chronic inflammation, you could either have no symptoms or experience:

• Aches and Pains
• Fatigue
• Rashes
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Weight Loss or Gain
• Insomnia
• Trouble Concentrating
• Sores in Your Mouth
• Headaches
• Frequent Illnesses or Infections

According to an article in the January/February 2024 issues of Modern Optometry, inflammation can affect the cornea, lacrimal gland, conjunctiva, and meibomian glands in the eye. The clear, rounded cornea covers your iris and pupil, while the conjunctiva is the white part of your eye. Lacrimal and meibomian glands are involved in tear production. Lacrimal glands make tears. Meibomian glands contribute oils that prevent tears from evaporating too quickly.

The article notes that inflammation may affect tear film balance and cause inflamed dry eyes. Once inflammation starts, it may continue to worsen. As inflammation increases, the nerves in your eyes may become irritated, triggering burning and irritation. The condition may also affect the normal functioning of cells in your eyes. If inflammatory dry eye isn’t treated, permanent damage to the eye could occur.

How Is Inflammatory Dry Eye Treated?

Depending on your symptoms and the severity of your condition, one or more of these treatments may be recommended:

• Antibiotic or Corticosteroid Eye Drops to Reduce Eye Inflammation and Improve Comfort
• Eye Drops to Decrease Tear Gland Inflammation
• Prescription Nasal Spray, Drops, or Pills to Boost Tear Production
• Tiny Plugs Inserted Into Tear Ducts to Prevent Tear Drainage
• Rice-Sized, Dissolvable Eye Inserts That Moisten the Eye
• Warm Compresses to Unblock Clogged Meibomian Glands
• Intense Pulsed Light Therapy to Reduce Inflammation and Improve Meibomian Gland Function

Lifestyle Changes That May Improve Your Inflammatory Dry Eye Symptoms

In addition to the treatments recommended by your optometrist, reducing chronic inflammation in your body can be helpful. You can reduce inflammation by:

• Improving Your Diet. Fried, fatty, and sugary foods have all been linked to increased inflammation. Fill your grocery bags with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meats, and poultry instead. Bake foods instead of frying them, and use healthy fats, like olive, canola, or sesame oil, when cooking.
• Making Lifestyle Changes. Stop smoking, limit your consumption of alcohol, get more exercise, lose weight, and prioritize sleep.
• Keeping Stress Under Control. Any activity that helps you feel relaxed or calm can help you reduce stress, whether it’s reading a book, going for a walk, or practicing yoga.
• Adding Omega-3 Fatty Acids to Your Diet. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation naturally. Foods that contain these acids include salmon, mackerel, chia seeds, sardines, herring, oysters, flaxseeds, kidney beans, and trout. Supplements containing Omega-3 fatty acids are also available.

Are your eyes constantly dry, red, itchy, and uncomfortable? We can help you find a solution for your dry eye symptoms. Contact our office to schedule a convenient appointment with the optometrist.

Sources:

• Modern Optometry: The Role of Inflammation and Immune Response in Dry Eye, January/February 2024 https://modernod.com/articles/2024-jan-feb/the-role-of-inflammation-and-immune-response-in-dry-eye?c4src=article:infinite-scroll
• International Journal of Ophthalmology: Inflammation and Dry Eye Disease – Where Are We?,5/18/2022 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9091897
• WebMD: Dry Eye and Inflammation, 5/9/2022 https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/dry-eye-inflammation
• About Vision: Dry Eyes: Symptoms and Causes, 1/28/2023 https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/dryeye.htm
• Cleveland Clinic: Inflammation, 3/22/2024 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21660-inflammation

Managing Computer Vision Syndrome Symptoms

Computer vision syndrome, also called digital eye strain, is a common ailment in the Internet age. Eighty percent of adults surveyed by The Vision Council in 2022 reported experiencing some CVS symptoms. CVS is a problem in children too. That’s not surprising since kids 8 – 12 use screens four to six hours per day, while teens use digital devices up to nine hours per day, according to The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

Some symptoms of CVS may not seem to be related to the eyes at first glance. Do your neck, shoulder, and upper back muscles feel sore after using digital devices? The pain could be caused by poor posture, CVS, or a combination of those factors.

“Don’t spend so much time using digital devices,” sounds like a simple solution to the problem. Although reducing screen time is certainly helpful, this advice may not be realistic if you must use a laptop, tablet, or smartphone for work or school.

Getting your symptoms under control starts with a visit to the optometrist. Your eye doctor will conduct a comprehensive eye examination and ask a few questions about your digital device habits.

Depending on the results of the examination, your optometrist might recommend:

• Updating Your Eyeglass or Contact Lens Prescription. Even slight changes in your vision can worsen CVS symptoms. If your vision has changed since your last eye exam, new glasses or contacts could relieve your symptoms.
• Wearing Computer Glasses. Computer glasses provide clear vision at 20 to 28 inches, the distance from your eyes to your laptop or desktop screen. Wearing computer glasses reduces stress and strain on your eyes, helping you avoid CVS symptoms. Do you wear bifocal, trifocal, or progressive lenses? Although those lenses contain multiple focal points, they may not provide ideal vision when using screens. Swapping your multi-focal lenses for computer glasses when you use digital devices could help you avoid eye pain, headaches, dry eye, and other CVS symptoms.
• Choosing an Anti-Glare Coating. Glare, an unavoidable part of using screens, can contribute to eyestrain symptoms. Adding an anti-glare coating to your eyeglasses is a simple way to protect your eyes. You may also want to add an anti-glare filter to devices for additional protection and use shades or blinds to reduce glare.
• Taking Breaks. Try the 20-20-20 rule recommended by the American Optometric Association. After using a device for 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet in the distance for at least 20 seconds. If possible, take 15- to 30-minute breaks every two to three hours.
• Lubricating Your Eyes. How often do you blink? If you don’t blink enough when you use screens, you’ll be more likely to develop CVS. Blinking lubricates the eyes by spreading tears over their entire surface. According to the Cleveland Clinic, digital device users may only blink three to seven times per minute instead of the usual 18 – 22 minutes. Remembering to blink more often could improve eye comfort. If your eyes are still dry, use lubricating eye drops or artificial tears. Your eye doctor can recommend specific drops and discuss other ways to reduce dry eye symptoms, such as using a humidifier or wearing wraparound sunglasses outdoors.
• Changing Settings. Keep screen brightness at the same level as the natural light level in the room. Screens that are too dark or light can lead to CVS symptoms. Your optometrist may also suggest changing the height of your chair, desk, or monitor for easier viewing.

Do you need help with eyestrain, headaches, and other computer vision syndrome symptoms? Contact our office to schedule a comprehensive vision exam.

Sources:

The Vision Council: The Vision Council Releases Focused Insights 2022: Digital Habits, 11/4/2022

https://thevisioncouncil.org/blog/vision-council-releases-focused-insights-2022-digital-habits

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: Screen Time and Children, 5/2024

https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx

Cleveland Clinic: Computer Vision Syndrome, 2/19/2023

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24802-computer-vision-syndrome

American Optometric Association: Computer Vision Syndrome

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/computer-vision-syndrome?sso=y

All About Vision: Computer Glasses: Custom Glasses for Computer Use, 6/30/2023

https://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/computer_glasses.htm

What Causes Photophobia?

Photophobia has many causes including:

• Light-Colored Eyes. People with blue, green, or hazel eyes may be more likely to experience light sensitivity because they have less melanin in their eyes. Melanin, the pigment which gives your eyes their color, helps protect your eyes from UV light. People with brown eyes have more melanin, while those with light eyes have less.
• Headaches and Migraine. You may notice that you’re unusually sensitive to light when you have a headache or migraine. Photophobia with headaches is particularly common and affects about 80% of people with migraines, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Bright lights can also trigger migraines.
• Inflammation. Inflammation of the iris (the colored part of the eye), cornea (the clear tissue over the iris and pupil), or sclera (the white part of the eye) can cause photophobia.
• Albinism. People with albinism have much less melanin in their bodies, which affects hair, skin, and eye color and can play a role in photophobia.
• Dry Eyes. Itching, burning, and redness could mean you have dry eye. This common eye condition also increases your light sensitivity. Seventy-five percent of veterans with dry eye reported pain sensitivity to light in a study published in Review of Ophthalmology in 2016.
• Corneal Abrasion. A painful sore on your cornea could be the reason that you have trouble opening your eyes in bright conditions.
• Blepharospasm. Blepharospasm, a condition that causes involuntary eyelid twitching or blinking, can increase light sensitivity.
• Head Injury. You may be more sensitive to light after a concussion or other head injury.
• Eye Diseases and Conditions. Photophobia can be a symptom of several eye diseases and conditions, including retinitis pigmentosa, uveitis, corneal neuropathy, optic neuritis, vitritis, and papilledema.
• Other Causes. Meningitis, fatigue, depression, anxiety, inflammatory bowel disease, psychiatric disorders, pituitary tumors, fibromyalgia, measles, and medication side effects are among the other causes of light sensitivity.

Treating Photophobia

Let your optometrist know if you’re experiencing sensitivity to light. Your eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye examination that will help him or her determine if an eye problem or another condition is responsible for your symptoms. If your optometrist suspects a medical condition, you’ll be referred to the appropriate specialist for treatment.

Treating eye conditions and underlying health problems may improve your photophobia. For example, if you have blepharospasm, Botox injections can stop your eyelids from twitching and improve your comfort in brightly lit environments. If you have keratitis, a condition that occurs when the cornea is inflamed, artificial tears or prescription antibiotic, antifungal or antiviral eye drops may be helpful.

If photophobia is a chronic problem for you, these strategies may make spending time in bright environments more comfortable:

• Wear Sunglasses. Polarized sunglasses improve eye comfort by filtering out horizontal light. Sunglasses you get from your optometrist will also filter out UV light that may cause cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Transitions eyeglass or contact lenses that darken in bright conditions and lighten in dimmer conditions can be a good option if you don’t want to carry a pair of sunglasses with you. Although you may be tempted to wear sunglasses indoors, that’s a bad idea, according to Kathleen Digre, MD, professor of ophthalmology and neurology at the University of Utah. She told the AAO that wearing dark glasses indoors may actually increase your light sensitivity.
• Don’t Forget Your Hat. Wear a hat with a brim to keep the sun off your eyes.
• Use Eye Drops. Lubricating eye drops keep your eyes moist and may reduce photophobia symptoms.
• Keep It Dim. Use dimmers on lights that are too bright. Avoid fluorescent lights if possible. If you can’t, ask your eye doctor about special eyeglass lenses. Rose-colored FL-41 lenses can reduce migraines triggered by lights, while blue-blocking lenses may also reduce light sensitivity. Blue-blocking contact lenses are also available.
• Turn It Down. Adjust brightness settings on phones and other devices, like laptops, tablets, and televisions.

Are you tired of being in the dark? We can help you with your photophobia symptoms. Call our office to schedule an appointment with the optometrist.

Sources:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology: Photophobia: Looking for Causes and Solutions, November/December 2005 https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/photophobia-looking-causes-solutions
• Review of Ophthalmology: What Can Photophobia Tell Us About Dry Eye, 8/23/2016 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5571866
• Cleveland Clinic: Photophobia, 10/4/2023 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/photophobia
• All About Vision: Photophobia, 3/4/2019 https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/lightsensitive.htm
• American Migraine Foundation: Photophobia (Light Sensitivity) and Migraine, 12/21/2017 https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/photophobia-migraine/
• NCBI: Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology: Shedding Light on Photophobia, 3/2012 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3485070

What Does the Sclera Do?

The sclera is a tough connective tissue that covers most of the eye. It protects the inner eye from injury and helps your eyeball keep its round shape. Although the sclera is normally white, several diseases and conditions can make it look yellow.

Is Part of Your Sclera Yellow? You May Have a Pinguecula

Pingueculae are yellowish growths on the sclera that can develop if you spend a lot of time outdoors without wearing sunglasses that block ultraviolet (UV) light or are exposed to wind or dust. Although pingueculae are harmless, they can turn into larger growths called pterygia.

Jaundice Could Be to Blame if Your Entire Sclera Is Yellow

Jaundice might be the reason that the whites of your eyes are yellow. The condition affects people of all ages but is particularly common in newborn babies. Jaundice occurs in about 60% of newborns, according to the March of Dimes.

An excess amount of bilirubin causes your eyes to take on a yellow hue if you’re jaundiced. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that forms when old red blood cells are broken down in the liver. The cells then leave the body in your urine and feces. If the liver doesn’t do a good job of removing the old cells or removes them too slowly, your eyes may appear yellow due to the bilirubin buildup.

Common jaundice causes include:

• Gallstones. Gallstones form when bile, a digestive fluid, hardens into stones. Bile is made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. If the gallstones block the bile ducts between the liver and gallbladder, bilirubin collects in your bloodstream and may eventually turn the whites of your eyes yellow. Gallstones that move into the bile ducts are called bile duct stones. These stones were responsible for 92% of jaundice cases in a study of adults 45 and older with jaundice, according to a cohort study published in Family Practice.
• Hepatitis. Hepatitis inflames the liver, making it harder for the organ to do its job. The infection can occur if you’ve been infected by the hepatitis A, B, or C virus, but can also happen due to heavy alcohol use, toxins, or use of some medications, like steroids or penicillin.
• Parasites. It’s not a pleasant thought, but an invasion of parasites could be responsible for the change in your appearance. Jaundice can occur if roundworms block your bile ducts or liver flukes.
• Cirrhosis. Alcohol-associated cirrhosis or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease could kill cells in your liver and replace them with scar tissue, affecting the normal function of the liver.
• Birth Defects. Some people develop jaundice due to a birth defect or condition that affects the body’s ability to break down bilirubin. Diseases that can increase the risk of jaundice include Dubin-Johnson syndrome, Crigler-Najjar syndrome and Gilbert Syndrome.
• Pregnancy. In some cases, pregnancy hormones can slow bile flow in the gallbladder and cause jaundice.
• Cancer. A cancerous tumor in the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, or bile ducts may interfere with the normal flow of bile, causing bilirubin to accumulate in your bloodstream.
• Other Causes. Yellow eyes due to jaundice can also occur if you have malaria, hemolytic anemia, an autoimmune disorder, or pancreatitis.

What Are the Treatments for Yellow Eyes?

Treatments for yellow eyes vary depending on the cause. Pingueculae or pterygia usually aren’t removed unless they interfere with vision or are unsightly. Newborns with jaundice are treated with special lights that help their bodies break down and remove excess bilirubin. Jaundice is usually a temporary problem that improves as the baby’s liver becomes more adept at processing blood cells.

If your optometrist suspects that your yellow eyes are related to jaundice, you’ll be referred to a general practitioner. Treating underlying conditions, like hepatitis, gallstones, pancreatitis, anemia, or parasites, can return your eyes to their normal color. Blood tests or other types of tests, like computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will help your doctor determine the cause of your yellow eyes.

Are you worried about a change in the appearance of your eyes? Contact our office to schedule an appointment with the optometrist.

Sources:

• March of Dimes: Newborn Jaundice, 1/2024 https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/planning-baby/newborn-jaundice
• Family Practice: Jaundice in Primary Care: a Cohort Study of Adults Aged >45 Years Using Electronic Medical Records, 8/2012 https://academic.oup.com/fampra/article/29/4/416/493323
• American Academy of Ophthalmology: Why Are the Whites of My Eyes Discolored, 3/9/2022 https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/discolored-sclera-whites-of-my-eyes-turn-yellow
• WebMD: Yellow Eyes, 5/11/2022 https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/causes-of-yellow-eyes
• Merck Manual: Jaundice in Adults, 1/2023 https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/liver-and-gallbladder-disorders/manifestations-of-liver-disease/jaundice-in-adults