Home Remedies for Eye Problems

Many eye problems require the medical knowledge that an ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) has from years of clinical and surgical training. But there are eye problems that you can treat safely at home, as long as they are relatively simple.  

In an article on geteyesmart.org on this topic, the American Academy of Ophthalmology gives a list of a few problems that can respond to home treatment, with some tips on home remedies.

Black eye: If you are suffering from black eye, you can generally be treated at home. To reduce the swelling and ease pain, apply an ice pack to the eye for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, once every hour. If you don't have an ice pack, use a bag of frozen vegetables or ice cubes wrapped in cloth.

Eye allergies: Just as you can get nasal allergies, you can get eye allergies that leave your eyes red, itchy and teary. Limiting your exposure to the source of your allergy — whether its pollen, pets or mold — can help relieve symptoms. There are ways to minimize its effect with eye allergy treatments.

Stye: A stye may look nasty, but it's usually harmless and goes away within a week. You can treat it at home by running a washcloth under warm water, wringing it out and placing it over your closed eye.

Pink eye (Conjunctivitis): Most cases of pink eye are caused by a virus and so don't respond to antibiotics. Viral conjunctivitis will disappear on its own. You can minimize the discomfort of conjunctivitis by applying cool compresses to the eye.

There are some eye problems, however, that you should never try to treat on your own like blurriness, double vision, pain in your eyes and serious eye injuries. If you experience any of these, don’t take it lightly. Seek medical attention right away.

Your eyes are the windows to the world, but negligence and improper care can take a toll on your eyesight. 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore® keeps you updated on eye health news and various tips about eye care.

Head Injuries Can Lead to Serious Vision Problems

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 1.4 million Americans suffer and are treated for a traumatic brain injury every year, a serious event that can create problems with normal brain functioning.

Eye and vision problems are fairly common after a brain injury. Some vision problems can be due to trauma to the eye, says Majid Moshirfar, MD, an ophthalmologist at the Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah. But many other vision problems are actually caused by injury to your brain. Even mild head injuries, such as whiplash from a minor auto accident, can cause vision problems

To read the original article by Eric Metcalf, MPH, just click here.

If you have suffered a head injury — even a mild one — it's important to see a doctor who can make sure that your eyes and brain are still working properly and that there are no vision problems that could show up later.

If you’ve had any kind of head injury and you are having eye symptoms, don't wait. Getting prompt treatment is critical. Get in to see a specialist who can provide the right diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for you.

Our eyes are very delicate organs, and should be properly cared for. Routine eye exams are important whether or not we notice any problems. By getting your eyes checked regularly, you’ll be able to ensure good eye health. Your eyesight is your most precious sense. 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore is a family operated business with three shops throughout central Florida.  Our number one goal is to become your reliable source for eye care, glasses and contacts.

Four Fantastic Foods to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

Everybody knows that eating right is the way to keep your heart healthy. A healthy diet is also good for your eyes. A diet low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can benefit not only your heart, but also your eyes. Our heart relies on large arteries the same way our eyes rely on tiny arteries for oxygen and nutrients.

Some foods stand out as particularly helpful for eye health. Here is a list of four fantastic foods given by The Eye M.D Association which can keep your eyes healthy.

Kale: Leafy green vegetables, like kale, are high in Lutein and zeaxanthin, two nutrients found in the healthy eye that are believed to lower your risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.

Salmon: Some studies suggest that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acid from cold-water fish like salmon, tuna, sardines and halibut reduce the risk of developing eye disease later in life.

Oranges: Oranges and all of their citrus cousins are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that is critical to eye health. Scientists have found that your eyes need relatively high levels of vitamin C to function properly, and antioxidants can prevent or at least delay cataracts and AMD. 

Black-eyed peas: Legumes of all kinds, including black-eyed peas, kidney beans, lima beans, and peanuts contain zinc, an essential trace mineral that is found in high concentration in the eyes. Zinc may help protect your eyes from the damaging effects of light.

There are lots of other great food choices to keep your eyes healthy. These 4 stand out as being the best foods for keeping your eyes healthy. Here at 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore, we’re in the business of connecting customers with the perfect pair of eyeglasses, sunglasses and/or contact lenses. Additionally, we love teaching people about proper eye care.

Corneal Abrasion

The following is a compilation of information published on Wikipedia and eye health information published by the American Academy of Opthlamology on www.geteyesmart.com. Appropriate links to the source material have been included in the article.

According to Wikipedia, Corneal abrasion is a medical condition involving the loss of the surface epithelial layer of the eye's cornea. The American Academy of Ophthalmology explains corneal abrasion as a scratch or scrape on the cornea, the clear, round dome covering the eye's iris and pupil. The cornea plays a crucial role in vision by helping to focus light as it enters the eye.  Vision can be affected when a corneal abrasion scars the cornea.

Corneal abrasions are generally a result of trauma to the surface of the eye. Common causes include walking into a tree branch, getting grit in the eye and then rubbing the eye or being hit with a piece of projectile metal. A foreign body in the eye may also cause a scratch if the eye is rubbed. Often small children accidently poke the eye of whoever is holding them.  In most cases, the immediate cause of a corneal abrasion may not be apparent since the symptoms may occur hours after the injury.

Symptoms of corneal abrasion include pain, photophobia, a foreign-body sensation, excessive squinting, and a reflex production of tears. The vision may be blurred, both from any swelling of the cornea and the excess tears. Crusty build up from excesstears may also be present.

Wearing protective eyewear  when performing activities that can put your eyes at risk of injury can prevent corneal abrasions.

If you feel that your eyes require testing, we’ll gladly schedule you a full eye exam with our in-house optometrist. Please note there is a charge for this appointment.  You are free to schedule an appointment with another optometrist if you wish.

Don’t forget to call ahead to make your appointment for your eye test in Melbourne, Florida or any of our three convenient locations in Florida of 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore®.

20/20 Eyeglass Superstore is a family owned and operated business with locations throughout central Florida.  We look forward to becoming your trusted source for everything related to eye care, glasses and contacts.

Using Eye Drops the Right Way

Eye drops be used to soothe red or irritated eyes with eye, but you need to know how to use them so you avoid eye infections. Over-the-counter eye drops can be helpful for people whose eyes are dry, irritated, or red. But it’s important to use the right eye drops in the right way to get the relief you seek and to prevent eye infections.

Here’s an excerpt from a step-by-step guide by Madeline Vann, MPH which has been medically reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH and published on Everydayhealth. You can read the original article by clicking here.

“All of these drops have a preservative in them that reduces the risk of infection,” explains ophthalmologist James Salz, MD, clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “The most common way people contaminate a bottle of eye drops is by touching the lashes with the dropper tip. The bacteria can get into the bottle, but the preservative will reduce the risk of getting an infection.”

If you worry about using eye drops over the long term, rest assured that it’s safe — as long as you follow a few basic rules. Here’s your step by step guide.

1.       Determine What Kind of Eye Drops You Need

2.       Learn How to Apply Eye Drops

3.       Keep an Eye on the Expiration Date

4.       Know When to Call a Doctor

If you do need to see your doctor, take the eye drops with you or make a note of the brand name to keep your doctor well informed. In most cases, however, if you take the right precautions, you can use over-the-counter eye drops without worry.

20/20 Eyeglass Superstore is a family owned and operated business with locations throughout central Florida.  We look forward to becoming your trusted source for everything related to eye care, glasses and contacts. We have an Independent Doctor of Optometry available at all our locations.

Whether you are interested in scheduling an annual eye exam or getting fitted for new contact lenses or eyeglasses, our independent optometrists and friendly staff can help you with all of your eye care needs. 

Schedule an eye exam with a 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore Independent Optometrist by completing the online form or visiting our store today. Walk-ins are welcome. Please allow 15 to 20 minutes to prior to your appointment or walking in to complete the necessary paperwork.