Eye herpes, also known as herpes keratitis, is a viral infection of the eye caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

There are two major types of the virus; Type I and Type II. While both types of herpes can spread to the eye and cause infection, Type I is by far the most frequent cause of eye infections. It is rare to transfer Type II to the eye.

Here are commonly asked questions about eye herpes.

#1 Is this condition serious? 

Yes. Eye herpes is a serious infection of your cornea, possibly causing life-long blindness.

Once treated, eye herpes usually lasts 1-3 weeks, sometimes even longer.

Treatment normally lasts two weeks, and you should see results within five days.

#2 What are common symptoms of eye herpes?

At the first sign of an outbreak, contact your doctor to begin treatment as soon as possible to reduce the possibility of vision loss.

Common symptoms of herpes keratitis may include:

• Blurred vision
• Discharge
• Pain
• Rash
• Redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Tearing

If the infection only involves the cornea’s outer layer, it will usually heal without scarring. However, if it involves the deeper layers of cornea, the infection may lead to scarring of the cornea, loss of vision and sometimes even blindness.

Left untreated, eye herpes can cause severe and permanent vision loss.

If you suffer with persistent red eyes, it is vital to contact an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat eye herpes with the appropriate medication.

SEE RELATED: Corneal Ulcers

#3 How often do flare-ups recur? 

20% of people who’ve had eye herpes will have another outbreak within a year of the initial infection.

While several factors contribute to a recurrence, if you experience multiple flare-ups, your doctor may recommend taking a daily antiviral medication for prevention.

#4 What causes flare-ups?

Major stressors can often lead to a bout of eye herpes. These include:

• Fever
• Trauma
• Emotional distress
• Excessive sunlight exposure (UV rays)
• Refractive surgery (LASIK, etc.)
• Major surgical or dental procedures

A weakened immune system can also put you at increased risk of an eye herpes flare-up, and potentially lead to an outbreak.

#5 How is eye herpes treated?

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, general health, and the severity of the outbreak. .

Possible treatments may include:

• Antibiotic drops for your eyes (to prevent further infection by bacteria)
• Antibiotic ointment for your eyelids (to prevent infection by bacteria)
• Antiviral drops for your eyes
• Antiviral ointment for your eyelids
• Antiviral medicines taken by mouth
• Steroid drops for your eyes (to reduce inflammation)

While most of these treatments are fairly short-term, you may also need to take antiviral oral medicine on a long-term basis. This is to help prevent future flare-ups. Some complications of eye herpes may require additional treatment.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat your eye herpes.

The post Eyes and Herpes: Q&A appeared first on Optometrists.org.

The most common type of eye herpes is called epithelial keratitis, which tends to infect the cornea, causing redness, inflammation, excessive tearing of the eye, and eventually affecting your visual clarity.

Left untreated, eye herpes can cause scarring and corneal ulcers, which may lead to permanent vision loss and even blindness.

What is eye herpes?

Eye herpes, also known as ocular herpes, is a potentially serious infection of the eye caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), the same virus that causes cold sores around the lips and mouth.

Eye herpes is typically contracted by touching a cold sore and then touching the eyes with contaminated fingers. Once contracted, the virus stays in the body for life.

Many people with eye herpes are unaware that they have it because it can lie dormant in the nervous system for years without causing any symptoms. It’s not unusual for HSV to reactivate months or even years after it was first contracted. Flare-ups can resolve after 2-3 weeks, though the infection can reappear, even after 10 years.

Oftentimes, eye herpes is confused with other types of pink eye, such as bacterial or other viral eye infections.

If you suffer with persistent red eyes, it is vital to contact an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat eye herpes with the appropriate medication.

SEE RELATED: Eyes and Herpes: Q&A

How does eye herpes affect the eyes?

Many parts of the eye can be affected by eye herpes, including:

• Cornea – the clear layer on the front of your eye
• Conjunctiva – the tissue that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the sclera
• Sclera – the white part of your eye
• Eyelids – specifically the lid margins
• Retina – the light-sensing sheet of cells in the back of your eye
• Iris – the colored part of your eye

What are the symptoms of eye herpes?

Eye herpes is associated with various signs and symptoms, including:

• Blisters or rash on the eyelids
• Persistent sore, red or pink eyes
• Eye discomfort and irritation
• Headache and lethargy
• Reduced or blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Excessive tearing
• Watery eye discharge

While eye herpes usually affects only one eye, it’s not uncommon for both eyes to be infected.

If you suspect you have eye herpes, contact an eye doctor near you who can help prevent further complications.

How to reduce the risk of eye herpes?

Although there is no way to totally prevent an eye herpes infection, or any other form of eye infection for that matter, the following measures will reduce your risk.

• Keep your eyes and hands clean
• Avoid touching your eyes if you have a herpes outbreak
• Seek medical treatment for any form of herpes as soon as possible
• If you wear contact lenses, be sure to follow your eye doctor’s instructions on contact lens care.

While there’s no ultimate cure for eye herpes, certain treatments can help control future outbreaks and prevent vision loss.

Early diagnosis and treatment of eye herpes can help avoid severe and life-long eye damage and significantly improve your symptoms.

Treatment usually includes antiviral medication, which can be eye drops, ointment, or oral medication.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

If you’re experiencing symptoms of eye herpes, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you.

The post How Does Herpes Affect the Eyes? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Allergies are a common complaint, and can cause a great deal of discomfort— sneezing, sniffling, stuffy nose, and itchy throat can all affect your daily functioning.

What you may not realize is— your eyes can also be affected by allergies.

Up to 25 percent of people worldwide suffer from eye allergies.

Many eye allergies symptoms occur with the symptoms you may already be aware of. If your eyes are itchy, red and irritated, and there is no other explanation, allergies may be the cause.

What causes eye allergies?

A variety of allergens may be affecting your eyes, if you suffer with allergy eyes, it is best to get tested by an allergist to determine the cause of your allergies.

The following are the most common causes:

• Outdoor allergens: pollens from grass, weeds, and trees
• Indoor allergens: dust mites, pet dander, and mold
• Irritants: cigarette smoke, diesel exhaust, and perfume

Eye allergy symptoms

• Itchy eyes
• Redness
• Burning
• Watery eyes
• Swollen eyelids

How do I know if I have eye allergies?

Eye allergies develop when the body overreacts to something in its environment. Eye allergies share symptoms with some ocular diseases, making an accurate diagnosis critical.

If you are experiencing eye allergy symptoms, make an appointment with your eye doctor for a thorough examination of your ocular health. Your eye doctor will use specialized tools to detect the presence of allergies.

With the use of a special microscope, your eye doctor will be able to detect the cause of any redness or swollen blood vessels on the surface of the eye.

If you suffer with allergies, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat this condition, so you don’t need to suffer with red and uncomfortable eyes.

SEE RELATED: Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

How to alleviate eye allergy symptoms

Many mild allergy symptoms can be alleviated with over-the-counter medications.

If your allergy symptoms are not relieved by these medications, your eye doctor can prescribe medicated eye drops or oral medication.

1. Artificial tears eye drops

Non-prescription eye drops may be sufficient in providing short term relief of mild symptoms. Artificial tears both moisten the eyes to soothe irritation, and wash allergens away. These drops can be used as often as needed and are available over-the-counter at your local drug store.

There are many different brands of artificial tears on the market, so ask your eye doctor for a recommendation.

2. Preservative free eye drops

Preservative-free drops are recommended because they contain fewer additives which can further irritate the eyes. Keep in mind that many of these preservative-free eye drops may only be used for a few weeks after the bottle is opened— it is important to follow the directions on the bottle.

In addition, many eye drops come in two forms, single-use preservative free vials and multi-use bottles, with or without preservatives. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.  Ask your eye doctor what he recommends for your individual needs.

3. Eye drops for moderate to severe allergies

These are usually decongestant eyes drops, importantly these type of eye drops are not recommended if you have glaucoma.

These eye drops are over-the-counter and are used to reduce redness by narrowing the blood vessels in the eye. They are available in two forms: decongestant only, and decongestant with an antihistamine— recommended for relief of severe itching.

Decongestant eye drops should only be used for up to three days. Prolonged use can produce a rebound effect and increase redness and swelling.

Prescription eye drops and medications

Prescription eye drops and medications also are used to treat eye moderate to severe allergies, and provide both short- and long- term relief.

There are many different types of prescription eye drops:

Antihistamine eye drops reduce itching, redness and swelling. These drops provide fast relief, but need to be used frequently throughout the day, as the effects tend to last only a few hours.

Mast cell stabilizer eye drops prevent the release of histamine and other chemicals that cause the allergic reaction. These drops must be used before allergen exposure to prevent itching.

Antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer eye drops are a combination eye drop that treats and prevents eye allergies. These drops are inserted twice a day for fast, long-lasting relief of itching, burning, tearing, and redness.

NSAID eye drops (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) relieve itching, but may cause burning or stinging when inserted, and need to be used four times a day.

Corticosteroid eye drops treat chronic and severe itching, redness and swelling. These steroidal eye drops should only be used long term (more than two weeks) under a doctor’s supervision as they can cause an increased risk of infection, glaucoma and cataracts.

Oral antihistamines

If eye drops are not sufficient in treating your allergies, your eye doctor may recommend an oral antihistamine for further relief.

Oral antihistamines, both over-the-counter and prescription, can be mildly effective in relieving the itching associated with eye allergies. However, these medications can cause dry eyes and actually worsen your allergy symptoms.

Allergy shots (immunotherapy)

Allergy shots improve tolerance to an allergen by gradually increasing exposure to the allergen over time. Optimal results are generally noticed after several months of treatment, and medications to alleviate symptoms may still be required.

How to prevent eye allergy symptoms

Avoid allergy triggers by implementing the following suggestions:

• Use air conditioning. Keep windows closed during high pollen seasons.
• Wear glasses or sunglasses. This will help to protect your eyes from pollen.
• Limit dust accumulation. Use “mite-proof” bedding covers and wash your bedding frequently, using hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit). Clean shelves with a wet rag and floors with a mop, instead of dry-dusting or sweeping.
• Control mold. Use a dehumidifier to control mold growth. Treat visible mold with detergent and a five percent bleach solution.
• Wash your hands.  This will help to eliminate any allergens you may have come in contact with, such as when touching a pet or cutting the grass.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes. This can further irritate your eyes.

While allergies are a common complaint, there is no need to continue suffering!

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Health

Eye doctors can help you cope with allergies, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat your eye allergy, you don’t need to suffer with red and uncomfortable eyes.

The post Eyes and Allergies appeared first on Optometrists.org.

While pediatric eye emergencies can be alarming, being prepared can make all the difference. Knowing what to do if a child has an eye emergency gives parents and caregivers peace of mind and increases a child’s chances of achieving the most optimal treatment results.

When it comes to pediatric eye care, remaining calm and seeking immediate medical attention is vital for both you and your child.

Every year, over 125,000 children in the US receive urgent medical care by emergency eye doctors.

Here are the five most common types of pediatric eye emergencies, and tips on how to manage them.

1. Acute conjunctivitis 

This severe type of pink eye, formally called pediatric acute bacterial conjunctivitis, affects about 1 in 8 children every year. Acute conjunctivitis typically affects preschool children, toddlers and babies.

A child with this very contagious infection may experience eye discharge, itchiness and redness, usually in both eyes. Along with these eye symptoms, about 39% of children will also have a severe ear infection.

Treatment involves either oral or topical antibiotic medication, or in severe cases, both.

If your child shows any signs of acute conjunctivitis, contact an eye doctor near you for immediate treatment.

2. Blunt eye trauma

Blunt eye trauma can cause internal bleeding within the eye called hyphema. In severe cases, the extra blood within the eye can cause elevated inner eye pressure and lead to permanent vision loss. It usually happens during rough play or sports.

Typical symptoms after being struck in the eye include:

• Redness and swelling
• Eye drainage
• Eye pain that won’t go away
• Vision changes
• Visible abnormalities of the affected eye
• Visible bleeding in the white of the eye (sclera)

If your child has any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical care.

If you suspect your child has an eye injury, urgently contact an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: What to Do for a Black Eye

3. Chemical exposure to the eye

A variety of household cleaning products  can damage a child’s eyes and result in an eye care emergency. To protect your child’s eyes, keep these things locked away and out of reach.

If a child’s eye is exposed to a chemical, look for a phone number on the product’s label to dial in the event of an emergency or contact your nearest pediatric emergency eye care department.

Immediately after the incident: Hold your child’s eye open for about 20 minutes while you flush the eye area with clean water or saline drops. If both eyes have been exposed, place your child in the shower and have them face the water so it goes into their eyes.

4. Cuts or scrapes to the eye

Particles of dust, sand, wood shavings and other tiny objects can get into a child’s eye and cause a scratch on the surface of the eye, called a corneal abrasion.

Corneal abrasions may cause:

• Vision problems
• Stinging
• Burning
• Light sensitivity
• Red eyes
• Swollen eyes
• Grittiness
• Watery eyes

If you suspect that your child has a corneal abrasion, immediately contact an eye doctor near you for treatment.

Corneal abrasions are typically treated with eye drops, medicated ointments, and sometimes pain relievers.

To get the object or particle out of the child’s eye, rinse the affected eye with saline solution or clean tap water. They can also blink several times to try and flush out whatever is scratching the eye. Avoid rubbing the eye, as that can make almost any eye condition worse.

5. Foreign objects stuck in the eye

If your child is complaining that something is stuck in their eye, the first thing to do is to tell them not to rub their eyes. Visually inspect their eyes and see if you find anything. If a foreign object is on the sclera, the white part of the eye, try flushing the eye with saline solution or clean water.

If it looks like something is lodged in the eye or has penetrated the eyeball, do not try and remove it. Seek pediatric eye care immediately.

When it comes to pediatric eye emergencies, remaining calm is important for both you and your child.

LEARN MORE: Guide to Children’s Eye Exams

If your child has had an eye emergency, immediately contact an eye doctor near you who can help with eye emergencies and other eye care services.

While pediatric eye emergencies can be alarming, being prepared can make all the difference. Knowing what to do if a child has an eye emergency gives parents and caregivers peace of mind.

When it comes to pediatric eye care emergencies, remaining calm and seeking immediate medical care is vital for both you and your child.

The post Top 5 Pediatric Eye Emergencies appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Slowly progressive blurred vision is usually caused by long-term medical conditions. Sudden blurring is most often caused by a single event.

Some instances of sudden blurred vision are medical emergencies that must be treated as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage and vision loss.

Contact an eye doctor near you who can evaluate the cause of your blurred vision.

SEE RELATED: What Is an Eye Stroke?

When is blurred vision a medical emergency?

1. Strokes

There are two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. When a blood clot blocks an artery transporting blood to the brain, an ischemic stroke occurs. When a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, the result is a hemorrhagic stroke, which is less common.

Strokes can cause a sudden, severe headache and blurred vision in one or both eyes.

Other symptoms often associated with strokes include sudden:

• Confusion
• Difficulty speaking and understanding speech
• Numbness or weakness of the arm, face, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Trouble walking, dizziness, and loss of balance or coordination

Strokes may have life-threatening and permanently debilitating consequences if they are not treated quickly. If a person suspects they or someone close to them is having a stroke, they should call for an ambulance right away.

2. Traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a type of head injury that causes damage to the brain. There are different types of brain injuries, including concussions and skull fractures.

A jolt, hit, blow, bump, or penetrating objects cause most TBIs.

The symptoms of a TBI vary depending on the part of the brain that was injured and the extent of the damage. While some TBI symptoms occur right away, others may take days or weeks to appear.

Symptoms of TBI can range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the damage. Symptoms may include:

• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Coma
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Lack of coordination
• Loss of consciousness
• Mood changes, such as irritability
• Ringing in the ears

People with a mild TBI should temporarily limit doing certain activities that can stress their brain or increase the risk of reinjury, such as playing sports or computer work. Always follow your physician’s advice.

Severe TBI can be life-threatening without treatment. The treatment for TBI depends on the extent, location, and severity of the injury.

3. Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas present in the fumes that burning fuel creates.

Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, the red protein in blood that transports oxygen throughout the body, as people breathe it in. Hemoglobin is unable to transport oxygen to organs and tissues when it’s bound to carbon monoxide.

A headache and vision problems, such as blurred vision, are common signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Since carbon monoxide deprives the brain and body of oxygen, it causes a number of symptoms.

Additional symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Dizziness
• Chest pains
• Confusion
• Fatigue and weakness
• Flu-like symptoms
• Loss of consciousness
• Upset stomach and vomiting

People with mild to moderate carbon monoxide poisoning should get themselves away from the poisonous gas and seek medical treatment immediately.

4. Angle-closure glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma is where fluid in the front part of the eye is suddenly blocked from draining out of the eye, causing eye pressure to rise quickly.

Symptoms include headache and severe pain in or above the eyes. Other symptoms include:

• Changes in your vision, including blurred vision
• Nausea
• Redness and pain in the eyes

If you have any of these symptoms seek help right away.

Angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency that requires treatment to decrease the pressure and the inflammation inside the eye.

Many things can cause your vision to suddenly become blurred. When treatment is delayed, some can result in vision loss.

Other medical emergencies are also caused by retinal diseases, retinal detachments and corneal burns.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you about any sudden unexplained changes in your vision.

If you believe you may be experiencing a TBI, carbon monoxide poisoning or are having or stroke, seek medical attention immediately.

The post When is Blurred Vision a Medical Emergency? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

This blog will briefly discuss five possible causes of a headache and blurred vision, as when to treat these as a medical emergency.

Important Note: This blog is not to be considered as medical advice, we recommend seeking appropriate medical attention at all times.

Medical Emergencies

Some of the possible medical conditions that can cause simultaneous headache and blurred vision include:

1. Low blood sugar

Hypoglycemia can cause headaches and blurred vision when the brain is starved of glucose, which is its primary fuel source.

Blood sugar levels naturally rise and fall throughout the day and in between meals.

If someone’s blood sugar levels get too low, typically less than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), they become hypoglycemic.

Without treatment, hypoglycemia can cause permanent damage .

2. Stroke

Strokes are responsible for 1 out of every 20 deaths.

A stroke can occur when a blood clot blocks a vessel carrying blood to the brain. This is called an ischemic stroke. Less commonly, a stroke may happen when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, which is called a hemorrhagic stroke.

3. Traumatic brain injury

People with moderate to severe TBI need emergency care and may require surgery to prevent further damage to their brain tissues.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that interferes with normal brain functioning. A jolt, bump, hit, blow, or penetrating object causes most TBIs.

A concussion is one type of TBI that occurs as a result of a blow to the head.

People with mild TBI often experience a headache and blurred vision.

4. Carbon monoxide poisoning

More than 20,000 people in the U.S are admitted to the emergency department for accidental exposure to carbon monoxide every year.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas present in the fumes that burning fuel creates.

Carbon monoxide poisoning causes a variety of symptoms as it deprives the body and brain of oxygen. A headache and vision problems, such as blurred vision, are common signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Emergency healthcare teams may give people with severe carbon monoxide poisoning 100 percent oxygen through a tube they put directly into the individual’s airway.

When to see a doctor?

If you experience headaches, together with suddenly blurred vision, contact your family physician or seek emergency medical care urgently.

The optimum results are achieved if the underlying medical condition is treated as soon as possible.

The post When is Blurred Vision a Medical Emergency? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Having low vision – vision that can’t be improved with glasses, contact lenses, medication or surgery –  can make it difficult to perform day-to-day tasks..

Fortunately, there are many things a person with low vision can do to remain independent and do the things they enjoy and love.

Contact an eye doctor near you so that you can live your best life with low vision.

SEE RELATED: Top 10 Tips for Improving Low Vision at Home

Below are a few helpful household tips:

Low vision tips for around the house 

1. Pouring liquids: 

When pouring dark liquids, such as coffee, from a container into a cup, pour the liquid into a light-colored cup to create contrast. The light-colored cup should be placed on a dark-colored placemat or tray. The opposite should be done for light-colored liquids, such as milk.

2. Chopping food: 

When chopping food, use a dark cutting board for light-colored foods, and a light-colored cutting board for dark food.

3. Colorful Tape:

Use brightly contrasting colored tape or paint on the handles of kitchen utensils and equipment.

1. To avoid accidents  due to reaching over a flame or touching a heated front burner, tape over the knobs of the back burners of the stove.
2. Use brightly colored cloth or vinyl tape to provide color contrast when locating household items such as the electrical outlets, light switches, thermostat, or drawstrings on blinds.
3. Mark the edge of indoor and outdoor stairs with tape that contrasts with the color of the stairs

4. Timer: 

Rather than visually checking on food to see if it’s ready, set a timer.

5. Recipes:

Write recipes on 5” x 8” index cards in large print with a black felt tip pen and color-code the cards. For example, have one color for meat recipes, another for desserts, and a third for poultry.

6. Lighting:

When eating, use bright lighting. Place a table lamp with a bright light bulb (at least 75W) in a position to illuminate your plate.

1. When reading or sewing, use a bright light and shine it directly on your book or work.
2. If using light dishes, place them on a dark tablecloth or placemat, or vice-versa.  In addition, to reduce visual confusion, avoid tablecloths or placemats with a pattern.

7. Crafts: 

When doing needlepoint or hook rugs, place a dark cloth below the canvas.

8. Mirrors: 

Use magnifying mirrors to help with shaving or makeup. A towel on the wall opposite the bathroom mirror, hung at the appropriate height, can be used to provide a contrasting background for your head and hair. If you have light hair, use a dark towel. For dark hair, use a light towel.

9. TV:

Sit as close to the TV screen as needed so you can see the images. People  who are visually impaired will not hurt their eyes by sitting close to the screen.

Don’t let low vision stop you from carrying out tasks and doing the things you enjoy.  

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Low Vision

Contact an eye doctor near you who can help you live life to the fullest.

The post Top Home Tips for Low Vision appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Up to 25 in every 100 children are affected by vision problems — that’s at least six students in every class.

This checklist will help you to discover if an undiagnosed visual problem could be impacting your child.

Regular and comprehensive eye exams are crucial for detecting vision problems — and essential in aiding a student’s academic success.

Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with an eye doctor near you, to detect any underlying vision problems your child may have.

SEE RELATED: Could Your Child Have Digital Eye Strain?

How to use this Checklist?

Follow these steps;

1. Print off the these pages
2. Carefully read through the checklist and tick any boxes
3. Schedule an appointment for your child to see an eye doctor experienced in vision therapy
4. Take these pages to the appointment

Parents Checklist

Below is a checklist for parents that may signal that your child has a vision problem.

Does your child display any of these behaviors? 

• Reading below grade level
• Reads words backwards, such as: was=saw and top=pot
• Closing or squinting of one eye
• Excessive blinking or squinting
• Frequently bumps into objects or drops things
• Frequently loses items
• Head is frequently tilted to one side or one shoulder is noticeably higher
• One eye turns or drifts in a different direction than the other
• Poor motor/visual coordination skills (hand-eye coordination)
• Problems judging distances and bumping into objects
• Tilts or turns head while reading or during other visual activities

Does your child ever complain of;

• Blurry vision
• Concentration and attention difficulties
• Dizziness or nausea
• Double vision
• Words move on a page or run together
• Eye strain or headaches
• Motion sickness or car sickness

3. Does your child display any of these whilst reading?

• Avoids or dislikes reading
• Covers or closes one eye
• Fatigues easily
• Frequently loses place and/or skips words
• Holds object or reading material too close
• Repeats lines when reading
• Rubs eyes during or after periods of reading
• Tilts head toward object or book
• Uses finger or ruler to read

If your child shows any of these signs or symptoms, schedule an evaluation with an experienced vision therapy eye doctor.

How does vision therapy help?

Treating visual problems often has a direct and positive impact in reducing problematic behavioral and learning problems.

Vision therapy is a customized treatment program that involves specific eye exercises that help to retrain the eyes and brain to communicate better.

Researchers have found that vision therapy can be helpful for children who have been diagnosed with ADHD or learning disabilities but whose learning problems are actually related to visual dysfunction.

If a child’s eyes aren’t focusing properly, then attention, focus, grades, reading abilities, and behavior are affected.

LEARN MORE:   Vision Therapy for Children

Schedule an evaluation with a vision therapy eye doctor who can diagnose and treat your child’s vision problems.

The post 2021 Update: Parent’s Checklist for Vision Therapy appeared first on Optometrists.org.

For many decades, it has been thought that only children under the age of 10 could be successfully treated for amblyopia (lazy eye). In other words, lazy eye treatment was usually not provided to children older than nine.

However, the National Eye Institute (NEI) recently funded a study that found that lazy eye can be successfully treated at least up to age 17 and even adults!

Now, lazy eye can be effectively treated in high school and college student and even adults!

What is lazy eye?

Lazy eye, also known as amblyopia, is a neuro-developmental vision condition that is caused when one eye is unable to achieve normal visual acuity or does not allow the full development of 3D vision.

A lazy eye typically affects the vision or visual function of the affected eye, causing blurred vision which contributes to poor depth perception and binocular vision.

Amblyopia may develop due to other vision conditions such as a wandering or crossed eye (strabismus), or unequal vision in the two eyes caused by nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.

Contact an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat your lazy eye.

Symptoms of lazy eye

Common symptoms of lazy eye:

• One or both eyes may wander inward or outward
• Both eyes may not seem to be working together
• Poor depth perception
• Squinting or shutting one eye in order to see
• Tilting one’s head in order to see
• Frequent eye strain, eye fatigue, or headaches

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact an eye doctor near you who diagnoses and treats lazy eye.

Schedule an appointment with a vision therapy eye doctor to help improve your visual skills.

SEE RELATED: New Research for Adults with Lazy Eye

Are eye exams important?

Yes, frequent eye exams are essential as the earlier a lazy eye is detected, the higher the chances of successful treatment.

In many cases, amblyopia is detectable during a comprehensive eye exam. In addition, if there is a family history of lazy eye, it is crucial that your eyes be examined regularly, as lazy eye can be an inherited condition.

Specific tests are used during eye exams to assess both the visual acuity and the visual skills of each eye. This enables your eye doctor to diagnose a condition such as lazy eye.

Adult lazy eye treatment

For many years it was believed that amblyopia was only treatable in children, often those who are 10 years of age or younger. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. While every patient is different, many adults can see results from amblyopia treatment.

The visual system which consists of the brain, eyes, and visual pathways, can be retrained due to the brain’s plasticity.

For amblyopia, specifically, binocular vision needs to be retrained, as this is the root cause behind a lazy eye. 

With poor binocular vision the two images that the eyes see cannot be combined into one single image, but due to the plasticity of the brain, this does not have to be permanent.

While treatment is most effective when it’s given at an early age, it is still possible at any age to retrain the visual system, restore binocular vision, and correct amblyopia.

Lazy eye and vision therapy

Vision therapy is an effective treatment method for amblyopia. It has been shown to greatly improve the visual skills of the lazy eye by re-training the visual system.

Through vision therapy, the two eyes will be trained to work together to achieve clear and comfortable binocular vision.

Some vision therapy programs that treat amblyopia work to improve these visual skills:

• Accommodation (focusing)
• Fixation (visual gaze)
• Pursuits (eye tracking)
• Saccades (switching eye focus, “eye jumps”)
• Spatial skills (eye-hand coordination)
• Stereopsis (3-D vision)

LEARN MORE: Guide to Vision Therapy for Adults

Schedule an eye exam and vision evaluation for a proper diagnosis of lazy eye and to discuss whether a vision therapy program is the appropriate treatment for you.

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Both of these may require you to rely on an optical correction, either eyeglasses or contact lenses, but for very different reasons.

Common vision problems are known as refractive errors. They occur when the eye is unable to focus light properly. There are four kinds of refractive errors – myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia.

The two most common types of refractive error are myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness).

When you are myopic, it’s easy to see close up, but difficult to see far away. For instance, reading a book is clear but reading a road sign isn’t. When you are hyperopic, it’s the opposite, which explains why you might need reading glasses.

Schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor near you to have clear and comfortable vision.

SEE RELATED: Eye Anatomy: The Back of the Eye

What is Myopia?

Myopia, also called nearsightedness, causes people and objects situated at a distance to appear blurry.

Myopia occurs when the cornea is too curved or the eyeball is too long. This causes the focal point of light to fall in front of the retina instead of on the retina.

Most school-aged children, teens, and young adults who need glasses are diagnosed with nearsightedness, which typically begins in childhood and may advance until the late teen years, when the eyes usually stop growing.

People with myopia might need contact lenses, glasses, or corrective surgery to correct their eyesight. Myopia management (also called Ortho-k) is a non-surgical option for gradually and gently reshaping the cornea.

Symptoms of Nearsightedness

Symptoms of nearsightedness may include:

• Headaches caused by eyestrain
• Blurry vision when looking at distant objects
• Excessive blinking
• Persistent squinting or partially closing the eyelids to see clearly
• Difficulty seeing while driving, especially at night

• Needing to sit close to the television or computer, or at the front of the classroom
• Being unaware of distant objects
• Frequent eye rubbing

If you or your child experience any of these symptoms contact an eye doctor near you.

What is Hyperopia?

Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, causes close-up objects or people to appear out of focus, while distant objects are clear.

Hyperopia occurs when the cornea’s curve is too flat or the eyeball is too short. This causes light to reach a point of focus beyond the retina instead of on the retina.

Farsightedness is often an issue from birth but since a developing brain has the ability to adapt, it can take a while to diagnose. Children who are farsighted may develop a lazy eye or eye turn.

As with myopia, people with hyperopia can benefit from glasses, contact lenses, transitional or bifocal lenses, or corrective surgery. School-age children can be prescribed ‘low plus’ lenses for hyperopia. Some people might need to wear contacts and glasses all the time while others might need them only for reading, computer work, and other close-up tasks.

Symptoms of Farsightedness

Symptoms of farsightedness may include:

• Blurry vision
• Nearby objects may appear blurry
• Squinting to see clearly
• Burning eyes, and aching in or around the eyes
• General eye discomfort
• Trouble focusing on nearby objects
• Headaches or fatigue after doing close work such as reading, writing, or drawing

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Health

A comprehensive eye exam tests for nearsightedness and farsightedness. Schedule your eye exam with an eye doctor near you, so that you can start to see clearly.

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