When you decide to begin using contacts, your optometrist may ask if you would like daily or monthly contacts. Your answer will depend on your eye health and personal preferences, as there are several differences between the two types. Today we’re reviewing the pros and cons of daily vs. monthly contacts so that you can decide which option best fits your needs.
What to Do When Your Eyes Hurt
We tend to take our vision for granted, but one bout of serious eye pain is enough to realize how important your eye health really is. Eye pain can be caused by anything from conjunctivitis to a corneal abrasion, and no matter the cause, it’s always annoying. Dealing with frustrating eye pain? Find out what to do when your eyes hurt so you can get back to living your life.
Swimming with Contacts: Bad Idea?
Remember those childhood summers spent at the pool? Entire days could pass while you were diving in search of submerged pool toys – often with the help of those goofy full-face goggles. Once you got a little older, you may have spent time training yourself to swim with your eyes open. Splashing around and gazing underwater with open eyes can be fun when you’re a kid – but what about when you’re an adult wearing contact lenses? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially recommends that contact lenses should not be exposed to any kind of water. However, that can be hard to do when you’re on the go in the summertime. So is swimming with contacts really a bad idea?
Visual Symptoms of Eye Problems
Visual symptoms of eye problems may sneak up on you. If the issue forms gradually, it can be hard to notice that there is anything wrong with your vision at all. From blurry and foggy vision to seeing faded colors, you might continue for several months with an eye issue before realizing you even have a problem.
On the other end of the spectrum, certain visual eye changes can occur seemingly overnight. One evening you could close your eyes and sleep soundly, and the next morning you might wake up with red, swollen, or jaundiced eyes. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the appearance of common eye issues so that you know when to contact your eye doctor for help.
How to Protect Your Eyes From Blue Light
How much screen time do you clock each day? According to a 2018 Neilsen survey, Americans spend 11 hours a day interacting with media, and most of those hours are spent looking at a screen. Many people start their days and end their days by looking at their phones, and their eyes are suffering. Exposing your eyes to too much blue light can lead to dry eyes, eye strain, headaches, blurred vision, and even neck and shoulder pain (source). However, avoiding these problems doesn’t have to mean quitting your desk job or switching from a smartphone to a flip phone. We’ve come up with some helpful tips on how to protect your eyes from blue light.
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How to Protect Your Eyes
It’s easy to take your sight for granted. Think about everything you’ve seen today: your reflection in the mirror, your family, your phone, your neighbor’s adorable dog, your food before you guided it to your mouth, your journey to work, your coworkers, your favorite coffee shop, and on and on the list goes. Now imagine not being able to see those things – it’s a sobering thought. Your eyes, though powerful, are delicate. While your eyes have a protective layer called the sclera, it isn’t nearly as strong as your bones. In addition, your retinas are very sensitive to harsh UV rays, and chemicals and debris have the ability to impair your vision as well. With all the daily threats to your vision, it’s important to learn how to protect your eyes. By taking a few precautions, you can preserve your vision and keep your eyes safe and healthy.
Fireworks Eye Injuries
Let freedom ring: The USA turns 243 this year. You’re hopefully gearing up for an exciting holiday weekend full of picnics, barbecues – and, of course, spectacular fireworks shows. We know, we know – practicing good eye care may be the last thing on your mind this weekend. However, fireworks eye injuries are a serious concern this time of year. Avoiding fireworks eye injuries will help you celebrate the holiday safely and ensure you’re able to enjoy many holidays to come.
Scratched Cornea Symptoms
We’ve all been there: You’re walking down the street, and a gust of wind sends debris flying straight into your eye. Sure, it’s uncomfortable – but is it something that could impact your long-term eye health? Yes and no. There’s a chance that you have experienced a corneal abrasion, otherwise known as a scratched cornea. Corneal abrasions are extremely common eye injuries, and they’re usually treatable. Resulting from damage to the top layer of the cornea, corneal abrasions can cause significant discomfort and disrupted vision. When left untreated, a corneal abrasion can lead to prolonged vision problems, which is why it’s essential to recognize scratched cornea symptoms and treat them immediately.
Why Sunglasses Are Important
How often do you wear sunglasses? According to the Vision Council, one in four Americans rarely or never wears sunglasses. If you’re shrugging at that statistic, you clearly don’t understand why sunglasses are important for the health of our eyes. Although they’re often categorized as fashion accessories, sunglasses play an important role in protecting our eyes from dangerous UV rays. Whether you’re driving, sunbathing, picnicking, or going for a walk, you should be wearing sunglasses if you’re out during daylight hours.
What Causes Eye Floaters?
Have you ever seen small dark spots floating along in your vision? What you’re seeing could be eye floaters. Like Mona Lisa’s eyes, eye floaters seem to follow your eye movements. However, these small dots dart away when you try to look directly at them. What causes eye floaters? While the cause can be harmless, like the natural aging process, in some instances the situation is more serious. Keep reading to learn more about the common causes of eye floaters, and be sure to contact your eye doctor if you’re experiencing this vision problem.
