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.
Causes of Red Eyes
Sometimes the redness of your eyes may surprise you. One minute you’re washing your hands, and the next minute you barely recognize your own face in the mirror. Other times, red eyes come with irritation. With all that itchiness and aggravation, you know that your eyes will be red before you see your reflection. If the redness persists for more than a day or your eyes feel painful, consult your optometrist. The causes of red eyes vary by case, and while it’s likely nothing to worry about, a professional can help you determine why your eyes are so red and irritated and how you can soothe them.
Why Am I Seeing Spots?
Are you wondering, “Why am I seeing spots?” You’re not alone. After all, we’ve all probably stared at a lamp a little too long or accidentally caught a glimpse of the sun. When you close your eyes after one of these episodes, you might notice spots, and these spots usually disappear within a few minutes. But in some cases, seeing spots is actually a sign of a larger health issue.
How to Get Something Out of Your Eye
A fallen eyelash, a piece of sand, a stubborn fiber on your contact lens, a speck of dust – Though tiny, these objects can become majorly frustrating and potentially dangerous if they reach your eye. Luckily, you can typically remove them yourself, but it’s important to proceed with caution to prevent permanent eye damage. Scroll down to learn how to get something out of your eye safely.
Sudden Vision Loss in One Eye
Vision loss isn’t anything to mess around with. If you are experiencing sudden vision loss in one eye, it’s important to stop what you’re doing, call your eye doctor, and head to the emergency room ASAP. While you’re passing time in the waiting room, you might want to familiarize yourself with some of the common causes behind this eye emergency.
How to Get Rid of an Eye Twitch
We’ve seen it in cartoons, GIFs, and even sitcoms. Eye twitching certainly gets a bad rep and is often incorrectly interpreted as a sign of anger. However, if you’re dealing with this eye issue, you probably know that it is actually quite involuntary. With help from your doctor or optometrist, you can get down to the root cause of the issue and learn how to get rid of an eye twitch. You might need to make lifestyle changes or address another health issue, but in most cases, it is possible to find a solution.
