Healthy Eyes

Take care of your eyes!

Salazar Eyecare is your eye health partner. We'll work with you to treat vision problems or disease, but what you do (or don't do) every day can help keep your eyes healthy and free from injury.

Following our health and safety tips will help. You can also use the links below to learn more about vision problems and eye diseases.

• Eye health & safety
• Common vision problems
• Eye diseases

Eye Health and Safety Tips

• Around the home
• On the job
• In the car
• At the computer
• Sun protection
• Sports safety
• Allergies
• Fireworks
• Smoking
• Eating right
• In case of injury

Around the home

Many possible eye hazards are lurking in your house and yard. To avoid them:

• read instructions on cleaning products, garden sprays, or other household chemicals
• make sure spray nozzles are pointing away from you before use
• wear safety glasses or goggles in the home workshop and when working with power tools, lawn mowers, and trimmers
• never remove safety guards from power equipment
• teach children not to run with scissors or pencils
• avoid darts, pellet guns, and other projectile toys for young children
• keep laser pointers away from children (and never look directly at the pointer yourself!)
• wear goggles when jump starting your car or working around car batteries
• don't share eye drops or eye makeup
• rest your eyes periodically when reading, watching TV

On the job

• use safety glasses with side shields for machining, light grinding, or woodworking jobs
• use safety goggles for heavy grinding and chipping
• use face shields to protect from splashes when working with liquid chemicals
• use welding goggles and shields when welding or working around welding
• replace protective eyewear that becomes scratched or chipped to make sure it doesn't interfere with clear vision
• never look directly at a laser pointer device
• don't point a laser pointer at another person

In the car

• avoid air bag injury by sitting upright with shoulder harness secured
• keep all children in the back seat, infants and toddlers strapped into car seats, older children with seatbelts and shoulder harnesses
• if your car has side air bags, don't rest your head on the door

At the computer

• invest in a good quality monitor
• keep the computer screen 4-9" below eye level
• place the screen 20-26" from your eyes
• tilt the screen 10-20 degrees away from you
• adjust screen brightness and contrast for comfort
• keep the screen clean
• reduce glare with blinds or drapes (or a glare reduction screen)
• take frequent breaks (15 minutes for every 45 minutes at the computer)
• remember to blink
• place your document holder at the same distance from your eyes as the screen and as close to it as possible
• ask Salazar Eyecare about special glasses for computer use - the glasses you use for normal daily wear may not be right for computer use

Sun protection

UV rays from the sun can burn your eyes (just like a sunburn) and put you at greater risk for eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

• always wear sunglasses when you are out in the sun for extended periods, especially in the middle of the day
• wear sunglasses or sun goggles for outdoor water sports
• wear sunglasses while skiing
• make sure your sunglasses block 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays (check the label)
• wear close-fitting sunglasses - the larger the lenses, the better
• never look directly at the sun
• never look directly at a solar eclipse
• we can fit you with prescription sunglasses

Sports safety

• wear protective eyewear for ball sports
• wear protective eyewear for body contact sports
• wear goggles for swimming laps
• wear UV protective sunglasses or goggles for skiing and outdoor water sports
• prescription athletic eyewear (including swim goggles and snorkel masks) allow you to enjoy sports safely

Allergies

Allergies can make your eyes itch and burn. To minimize the effects:

• avoid exposure as much as possible
• get special filters for your heating/air conditioning system
• use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
• wash out allergens with over the counter artificial tears

Fireworks

• don't use consumer fireworks (including sparklers)
• don't let children use sparklers and fireworks
• attend community fireworks displays
• stay outside the fallout zone at fireworks displays

Smoking

Don't smoke!

• smoking may contribute to macular degeneration
• nicotine can reduce oxygen supply to the eyes
• carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke affects the eyes' ability to adapt to changes in lighting

Eating right

The nutrients that keep you healthy also keep your eyes healthy. Research suggests that foods rich in antioxidants may reduce your risk for age-related eye diseases.

• eat at least five fruits and vegetables per day
• dark green leafy veggies (like spinach and kale) contain nutrients that protect against macular degeneration and cataracts
• carrots (and other yellow and orange vegetables and fruits) really are good for your eyes!
• citrus fruits help guard against the development of glaucoma
• red and purple fruits contain nutrients that promote eye health
• nuts are another source of eye-protective nutrients

In case of injury

Serious eye injuries can seem minor at first. Don't risk your vision! Come to Salazar Eyecare or go to the emergency room right away if you sustain an injury to the eye.

• do not rub the eye
• don't apply ointment or medication
• in case of a chemical burn, flush the eye with clean water
• protect the eye from pressure or rubbing by taping a shield (like the bottom of a foam cup) against the bones surrounding the eye
• flush sand or other small debris from the eye with water
• don't take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs unless instructed to do so by your eye doctor

Vision Problems

• Nearsightedness
• Farsightedness
• Astigmatism
• Presbyopia
• Lazy eye
• Crossed eyes
• Color blindness
• Floaters

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Distant objects are out of focus, close objects are seen clearly.

If your eyeball is too long or the cornea (front surface of your eye) is too curved, light entering your eyes focuses in front of the retina, making you nearsightead. Almost 30% of Americans are nearsighted!

Myopia is corrected with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. It can also be treated with lasik surgery, which makes carefully calibrated cuts in the eye surface to correct the nearsightedness.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

Distant objects are seen clearly, close objects are out of focus.

If your eyeball is too short or the cornea (front surface of your eye) doesn't have enough curvature, light entering your eyes focuses behind the retina, making you farsighted.

In mild cases, farsightedness may not need correction. If it is a problem, prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses can correct hyperopia.

Astigmatism

Causes blurred or distorted vision, eye strain and fatigue.

If the shape of your cornea (front surface of your eye) is slightly irregular it prevents the light entering your eye from focusing properly on the retina, making vision blurred or distorted at all distances.

Astigmatism can be corrected with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses in most cases.

Presbyopia

A natural result of the aging process of the eye, presbyopia makes it difficult to focus on close objects.

Beginning in your early to mid-forties the lens in your eye loses its flexibility, interfering with its ability to focus clearly on objects close to you.

Presbyopia can be corrected with prescription eyeglasses (reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals) or contact lenses. The lens in your eye continues to change as you get older. Have regular eye exams to determine if your glasses or contacts need to be changed to maintain clear vision.

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

One eye lacks development of central vision, failure to use both eyes together.

Amblyopia usually develops in children under 6. Symptoms may include obviously favoring one eye. Some cases of lazy eye are associated with crossed eyes or a large difference in near and farsightedness between the two eyes.

Treatment for amblyopia may include prescription lenses, vision therapy to teach the eyes to work together, and eye patching. It's important to diagnose lazy eye early. It does not go away by itself and the longer the condition exists, the longer it takes for the treatment to be effective. Children need a comprehensive eye exam by the time they are 6 months old and again at age 3.

Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)

One or both eyes turn in, up, down, or out.

Strabismus is usually caused by poor muscle control. It can develop as early as 21 months of age or as late as age 6. The conditions gets worse without treatment.

Treatment includes vision therapy to align the eyes, prescription glasses, and sometimes surgery. A child will not outgrow crossed eyes. If detected early, crossed eyes can be successfully corrected in most cases. Children need a comprehensive eye exam by the time they are 6 months old and again at age 3.

Color Deficiency (Color Blindness)

The ability to distinguish some colors is impaired.

Color blindness occurs when the color-sensitive cone cells in your eyes fail to pick up color signals or send them to your brain. Approximately 8% of men and 1% of women are color blind. The most common form is red-green deficiency. Some people experience blue-yellow color blindness and, in rare cases, no colors are seen.

Color deficiency is hereditary and can't be cured. Since color distinction is important for learning, it's important to diagnose color blindness early. Have your child's eyes examined for the first time by 6 months of age and again at age 3. Color blind individuals can learn to adapt to their inability to distinguish certain colors.

Spots (Floaters)

Specks of various shapes and sizes, thread-like strands, or "cobwebs" that appear in the field of vision. Move as your eyes move, but seem to slip away when you try to focus on them.

Spots are usually caused by flecks of protein or other matter trapped during the formation of your eyes before you were born. Deterioration of the vitreous fluid due to aging, diseases, or injury also causes floaters.

Usually spots are harmless. In some cases, however, they can be an indication of a more serious problem. If you suddenly develop floaters, or they change or increase, schedule an eye exam!

Eye Diseases

• Conjunctivitis
• Dry eye
• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Macular degeneration
• Diabetic retinopathy

Conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that lines the inner eyelid and covers the white part of the eye.

Infectious conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) is caused by a contagious virus or bacteria. Allergic conjunctivitis may be part of your body's response to an allergen. Swimming pool chlorine, chemical fumes, and air pollution can cause chemical conjunctivitis.

Symptoms include red watery eyes, eyelid inflammation, blurred vision, and irritated eyes. There may also be a discharge.

Treatment for bacterial Pink Eye includes antibiotic eye drops. Symptoms of allergic or chemical conjunctivitis may be relieved by over the counter eye drops. Since the symptoms are the same for each type of conjunctivitis, always get a diagnosis from Salazar Eyecare.

Keeping your hands away from your eyes and washing your hands before using any eye medication can help prevent the spread of infectious conjunctivitis. Don't share towels, washcloths, cosmetics, or eye drops with others.

Dry Eye

Your eyes don't produce enough tears or your tears don't have the chemical composition necessary to maintain eye health and clear vision.

Dry eye can be a natural result of aging. Excessive blinking or eyelid problems, some medications, a dry climate, wind, chemical burns, and general health problems can all lead to dry eye.

Dry eye can damage eye tissue and scar the cornea. It can impair your vision and make it difficult to wear contact lenses.

Symptoms include scratchy, irritated eyes, red eyes, a burning sensation, feeling like dust is in your eyes, and blurred vision. Call Salazar Eyecare for an eye exam if you experience these symptoms.

There is no cure for dry eye, but prompt treatment will protect the health of your eyes and your vision. Treatment may include use of artificial tears, moisturizing ointment, and using a humidifier. Plugging the tear drainage ducts may be another treatment option.

Glaucoma

Internal pressure in the eyes damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss.

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in people over 40. A family history of glaucoma, diabetes, extreme nearsightedness, and being African American pose higher risks of developing the disease.

Most glaucoma develops slowly and without pain or other symptoms. Rarely, the onset of glaucoma may be rapid with blurred vision, loss of side vision, pain, and colored rings around lights as symptoms.

Vision loss due to glaucoma is not reversible, but the disease can be controlled, especially if diagnosed early. Treatment includes prescription eye drops to lower the pressure in the eyes and, in some cases, laser surgery.

Annual eye exams that include a test to measure the pressure in your eyes are critical in preventing vision loss from glaucoma, especially since there usually are no symptoms to alert you to the problem.

Cataracts

Clouding of the normally clear lens in your eye, resulting in blurred or distorted vision.

Cataracts usually occur after age 55. Excessive exposure to UV rays in sunlight, smoking, and use of certain medications are risk factors for cataracts.

Cataracts develop without pain. Warning symptoms may include hazy vision, spots in front of the eyes, and increased sensitivity to glare. Cataract sufferers often describe the condition as feeling as if there is a film over the eyes.

Prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses can improve your vision when a cataract is developing. If it gets to the point where your vision is seriously affected, the lens in your eye can be removed surgically and replaced with a plastic lens.

Macular Degeneration

Changes in the macula, the portion of the retina responsible for clear, sharp vision, causes loss of vision in the center of the visual field and, eventually blindness.

Symptoms of macular degeneration include a gradual loss of ability to focus clearly on objects, distorted vision, loss of color vision, and a dark or empty area in the center of vision. If you have any of these symptoms, contact us immediately for a diagnostic exam.

There is currently no treatment for the "dry form" of macular degeneration. The "wet form" may be treated with laser procedures if diagnosed early enough. Central vision lost as a result of macular degeneration can not be restored. Low vision devices can help make the most of remaining vision.

Certain vitamins and minerals may help prevent or slow the development of macular degeneration. Annual eye exams after age 60 are essential to detect this and other eye diseases.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Small blood vessels in the retina weakened by diabetes cause changes that eventually lead to blindness if untreated.

Diabetic retinopathy may cause blurred or cloudy vision, blind spots, or floaters. In its early stages, there may be no symptoms at all.

Laser treatments can reduce the progression of the disease and lower your risk of vision loss. Early diagnosis is essential since the damage to the retina us usually permanent once it occurs.

If you are diabetic, taking your prescribed medication, exercising regularly, watching your diet, controlling high blood pressure, and avoiding alcohol and smoking, can help prevent diabetic retinopathy. A yearly eye exam to detect any changes in the retina is also critical.

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