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Common Causes of Dry Eye

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Dry eye is an extremely common condition that can cause a lot of discomfort. Dry eye symptoms can be triggered by a huge variety of causes, which is why it’s important to address them with a professional as soon as you first start feeling the symptoms.

Let’s discuss what dry eye is, what symptoms you need to look for, what causes it, and how it can be treated.

What You Should Know About Dry Eye

Dry eye is a condition that affects your tear film, which consists of three layers of tears that cover and protect the surface of your eyes. To be able to see clearly and comfortably, you need a stable and smooth tear film. If there are any disruptions in your tear film, it can cause itching, burning, blurred or watering vision.

These are the symptoms of dry eye to look out for:

Feeling sensitive to light
Mucus that comes out of your eye
Blurred or changed vision
Burning or stinging
Watery eyes

The Most Common Causes of Dry Eye Symptoms

Dry eye can be difficult to find the root cause of because there are so many complex risk factors that can trigger it. It’s essential to see a professional who will be able to assist you in finding the underlying cause, as some of them can be serious and need immediate attention.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Meibomian gland dysfunction is a group of disorders that are linked by functional abnormalities of the meibomian glands. It can lead to altered tear film composition, ocular surface disease, and evaporative dry eye.

Medications

There are certain medications that have a side effect of dry eye.

These include:

Tranquilizers
Antihistamines
Certain Heart Medications
Diuretics
Birth Control Pills
Ulcer Medications

Autoimmune Conditions

Dry eye is often associated with autoimmune conditions.

You may find yourself with dry eye if you have:

Sjogren’s Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Lupus
Scleroderma
Grave’s Disease
Diabetes

Impact of Contact Lenses

Wearing contact lenses can dry your eyes out because the thin layer of contact lens material on your cornea limits oxygen flow to the eyes. Without a steady flow of oxygen, it’s more difficult for your eyes to create natural tears.

Hormone Changes

Hormonal changes can cause dry eye, especially in women after menopause and during pregnancy. The changing levels of estrogen and progesterone can affect the meibomian gland, leading to dryness and irritation.

Allergies

Dry eye is common with allergies because the allergic reaction causes inflammation in the area of the eye that can reduce tear production.

Treatment Options for Dry Eye

TearCare at Specialty Eye Institute

TearCare is a wearable eyelid technology that offers lasting relief from chronic dry eye caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

Your eye doctor will place flexible eyelid devices on the contours of your eyelids, fitting them to the unique shape. Combined with SmartLid technology and eye blinking, the device applies low heat to unclog the meibomian glands and increase your meibum production. This procedure will be repeated each year or biannually until the ideal tear production is achieved.

This pain-free, open-eye procedure is:

Non-invasive
FDA-approved
Takes 15 minutes or less

Artificial Tear Drops

Artificial tear drops are the most common type of treatment. You will need to find the right product for you and apply it regularly, even when your eyes feel fine. If your eyes dry out at night, you will want to consider a thicker product, like an ointment.

Temporal Punctal Occlusion

Temporal punctal occlusion is when your doctor closes the punctum, which is the duct that drains tears from your eye. Typically, they will start with a temporary plug that is designed to dissolve over time to see if a permanent plug is right for you.

Nondissolving Punctal Plugs and Punctal Occlusion By Cautery

If your temporary plugs help your condition, your doctor may choose to insert a longer-lasting plug or a procedure called cautery. With cautery, a special tool will be used to burn the opening for your duct shut to create a permanent plug through the scar.

Testosterone cream

Dry eye symptoms can be related to a lack of testosterone in the oil glands on your eyelids. In this case, your doctor may give you testosterone cream to apply to your eyelids to help your oil glands function better.

Get Dry Eye Relief From Specialty Eye Institute

Are you suffering from dry eye? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable team at Specialty Eye Institute. When it comes to eye health, it’s crucial to find care that you can rely on. We’re here to help, whether you need dry eye treatment, more serious procedures like a corneal transplant, or just a routine eye exam.

We are utterly dedicated to providing exceptional service and treatment each and every time you visit. At Specialty Eye Institute, our core values include:

Patient-Centered Advocate
Excellence
Integrity
Compassion

Don’t hesitate with your eye health. Call Us Today or schedule an appointment on our website.

Eye Twitching Treatment Options & Eye Care Tips

Many people experience occasional eye twitching. Consistent twitching, while annoying, can also impact your daily activities. The good news is that with some minor changes to your daily routine, you can find a treatment option to relieve eye twitching. These changes will not only help alleviate your twitches but improve your overall eye health.

Treatment Options for Eye Twitching

Some types of eye twitching treatments are easier in comparison to others, but they are all important in increasing your overall wellness, in addition to reducing the frequency of eye twitches.

1. Change Your Routine

If you work in an industry where a large portion of your day requires you to sit in front of a computer or read extensively, a treatment option for eye twitching is to take a short break from your work every hour.

Frequent twitches can signal the onset of eye strain. Taking a walk around the office to relax your eyes will prevent eye strain and reduce the occurrence of eyelid spasms.

Stress and lack of sleep are common in high-stress lifestyles. Adding stress-reducing activities like yoga or meditation to your daily routine can reduce stress and increase your ability to achieve restful sleep and prevent eyelid twitches.

2. Limit Alcohol and Caffeine

While it is common to indulge in a cup of coffee or the occasional alcoholic beverage, frequent and prolonged consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated stimulants can increase the frequency of eye twitches. If you are comparing different types of eye twitching treatments, you should consider reducing your intake of these substances if you consume more than three cups of coffee or alcohol daily.

Tips & Insights: When is the Right Time to Have Cataract Surgery?

3. Schedule an Eye Exam

If you have tried to treat your eye twitches, and relief continues to elude you, schedule an appointment with your ophthalmologist. Further investigation may also reveal that you need a stronger corrective lens prescription.
There are many over-the-counter and prescription eye treatments that can quickly alleviate your twitches.

What Causes Eye Twitching?

According to Mayo Clinic, most occurrences of eye twitching are not life-threatening or even cause for concern.

Here are the most common habits that cause eyelid twitches and facial spasms:

Reading too much or working long hours on the computer
Lack of sleep
Excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption
If this sounds familiar, keep reading for some simple solutions.

When Eye Twitching is Serious

If these treatment options are ineffective, your eye twitching may be a symptom of something more serious, and the ophthalmologists at Specialty Eye Institute can help.

Serious conditions like blepharitis, or clogging of the eyelash oil ducts, can be painful and should be treated with medication to prevent permanent complications. Similarly, other conditions like chronic dry eye and light sensitivity can occur at any age, and an ophthalmologist will create a personalized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms.

Tips & Insights: Should I Receive a Vision Screening or Eye Exam?

If you experience eye twitching and headaches, your twitches increase in intensity and last for more than a few days, or treatment does not stop the condition, contact your ophthalmologist immediately because this can be a sign of a degenerative eye disease or neurological condition. Our staff offers eye care options such as keratoconus treatments, LASIK eye surgery, diabetic retinopathy treatments, cataract surgery, and presbyopia treatments. The most important rule for treating eye twitching is to monitor your overall eye health and talk with an ophthalmologist about an eye care treatment option that meets your needs.

Continue to visit your ophthalmologist every year because your eye twitching is a reminder to manage your physical health as well as your daily habits. Give our staff of doctors a call by phone at (877) 852-8463 to receive assistance with an eye care issue.

When Should You Have Cataract Surgery? Signs, Symptoms & Causes

When to Have Cataract Surgery?

At the beginning of cataract formation, it may be easy to improve your vision through glasses, magnification, bifocals, visual aids, and appropriate lighting. When the cataract progresses to the point that it impairs vision and the way of life, it may be the right time to have cataract surgery.

Aging is considered the primary factor of poor vision, but getting cataract surgery is painless and simple enough to get your clear vision back. According to PBA, visiting a certified ophthalmologist to perform cataract surgery is an excellent way to get your vision back, and it is the most successful surgery performed in the US, with more than three million Americans undergoing the surgery every year.

What Is a Cataract?

A cataract is identified with the clouding of the natural lens in an eye. People who are over 40 are the most affected by cataracts when it comes to vision impairment. In addition, cataracts are the world’s primary cause of blindness.

To understand the seriousness of the widespread effect of cataracts, Prevent Blindness America (PBA) stated that cataracts are more common in comparison to the combined cases of diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Cataracts now affect approximately more than 22 million Americans over the age of 46, and PBA states that the figure will rise to 30 million by 2020.

The Signs You Might Need Cataract Surgery

Cataract symptoms often include blurry vision, similar to looking through cloudy glass. You may also become more sensitive to light. Driving at night may become a challenge because the headlights from oncoming cars may cause more glare than they used to. If you are struggling to see the contrast between different colors or the colors you observe appear less vibrant, this is a sign it's time to talk with a certified ophthalmologist about the advantages of having cataract surgery.

Tips & Insights: What Are The Signs of Macular Degeneration?

What Causes Cataracts?

The eye’s lens functions like the lens of a camera, it is used to focus light on the retina, and it adjusts the focus of the eye for you to see things clearly for both close or distant objects. The main components of the lens are protein and water.

The protein is organized in a way to keeps the lens clear for the light to easily pass through. Over time, the protein may build up and form a small cloudy part of the lens. The cloud may become larger over time forming a cataract, which will make it harder for you to see.

The reason why the lens changes as we age is unknown to us, but doctors have identified factors that cause a cataract; they include:

Diabetes
Hypertension
Obesity
UV radiation
Smoking
High Myopia
Previous inflammation or eye surgery
Hormone replacement therapy
Use of corticosteroid medications
Statin medicines
High intake of alcohol

One of the known theories about the formation of cataracts is the oxidative changes in the lens. Nutrition studies support this theory because vegetables and fruits that have antioxidants can help prevent the cause of distinct types of cataracts.

What Happens During Cataract Surgery?

When you talk with an ophthalmologist about having cataract surgery, you will become familiar with the process of removing the clouded lens in your eye with a clear intraocular lens (IOL). Intraocular lenses are plastic in nature.

Recent developments in IOLs allow patients to have lens options based on their lifestyle. There are 4 main types of IOLs:

Monofocal lens – These lenses can provide clear distance vision for patients without astigmatism.
Multifocal lens – These lenses can provide a range of vision from near to intermediate to distance.
Astigmatism Correcting (Toric) lens – correct higher levels of astigmatism and provide clear distance vision. You will still need glasses for near and intermediate vision.
Depth-of-focus lens – This lens provides a continuous range of vision at all distances to fit your active lifestyle.

Men should also be careful to know that some prostate drugs can cause IFIS (Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome) when cataract removal is being performed.

If there is a cataract in each of your eyes, typically cataract surgery is performed on your non-dominant eye first followed by your dominant eye 1-2 weeks later. The time between the two cataract surgeries is in case infection or complications occur.

Tips & Insights: What is the Recovery Timeline For LASIK Eye Surgery?

To prevent yourself from having cataract surgery, use antioxidant vitamins like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C, and also wear sunglasses to block UV rays when you are enjoying the sun. If you are struggling to read or drive at night, this is a sign of vision issues that need to be diagnosed by a certified ophthalmologist or optometrist. Our staff of ophthalmologists offers innovative eye care solutions such as LASIK eye surgery, blepharoplasty surgery, glaucoma treatments, corneal transplants, and keratoconus options. Give our team of ophthalmologists a call by phone at (877) 852-8463 to discuss eye care treatments.

Schedule your cataract screening today!

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6 Tips On How To Maintain Good Eyesight

How To Maintain Good, Healthy Eyesight

Maintaining healthy vision is more important than getting a regular vision screening. Your overall health can impact your eyesight. Here are 6 tips on how to maintain good eyesight:

1. Eat the Right Foods To Protect Your Eyesight

Fill your plate with foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins C and E. These nutrients may help lower your chance of developing macular degeneration or cataracts. If you are looking for ways to indirectly maintain your eyesight, eat a healthy portion of green veggies, salmon, eggs, and citrus fruits. A healthy diet also decreases your chance of diabetes, which is one of the leading causes of blindness.

2. Gear Up with Protective Eyewear

An estimated 2.5 million eye injuries occur in the U.S. each year, so it is very important to wear proper eyewear to protect yourself from eye injuries.

Whether you’re on the job, working on a home improvement project, or playing hockey with the neighborhood, always wear protective eyewear or safety glasses to avoid the risk of anything making contact with your eyes.

3. Always Wear Your Sunglasses

Don’t just use the free pair of shades you picked up at a concert. The best way to keep your eyes healthy is to invest in a decent pair of sunglasses that will actually protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays. Too much UV exposure increases your chances of cataracts.

When picking out your sunglasses, look for 99-100% UVA and UVB radiation protection. And remember to never look directly into the sun!

4. Throw Away Old Makeup

Getting rid of old makeup is essential for maintaining your eye health, as expired products can harbor bacteria that pose a risk to your eyes. Ensure to adhere to expiration dates on your makeup products and prioritize eye safety by refreshing your makeup collection regularly.

Did you know bacteria grow fast in liquid makeup?
Replace your products every 3 months to avoid developing an eye infection.
Never share cosmetics with others and avoid store samples.
Always clean your face before and after using makeup.

Need Help? Our Ophthalmologists Are Committed to Preserving and Improving Your Vision

5. Take Frequent Screen Breaks for Eyesight Health

When you stare at a computer, tablet, or phone screen too long, you may experience eyestrain, dry eyes, neck and shoulder pain, and headaches. To avoid these things you should:

Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Take a screen break every 20 minutes by looking 20 feet away for about 20 seconds.
Find a supportive chair and make sure your screen is at eye level
Keep your glasses/contacts prescription up to date and suitable for staring at screens
Remember to blink!

6. Get Regular Eyesight Screenings

Everyone should be getting eye screenings on a regular basis. During the screening, your doctor may recommend you schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist if they believe there is a potential vision or eye problem.

Here are some things you can expect during a comprehensive eye exam:

A review of your health and family history of eye diseases, like glaucoma or macular degeneration
Vision testing
A dilated eye exam to check the retina and optic nerve
A refraction test to determine the sharpness of your near and distant vision

Anyone with symptoms or a family history of eye disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure should schedule an appointment with our team of ophthalmologists to determine how frequently their eyes should be examined.

Need an eye screening? Schedule your appointment with Specialty Eye Institute!

How Much Does LASIK Eye Surgery Cost?

The cost of LASIK eye surgery can be a concern for many individuals, even though it is an extremely common procedure and millions of people have had this surgery to correct their vision. These surgeries have a success rate of over 90% and are generally considered safe, quick, and incredibly successful.

LASIK eye surgery is a procedure in which the shape of your cornea, the clear covering in front of your eye, is permanently changed to improve your vision and reduce your need for glasses or contact lenses. You can have this procedure done within 30 minutes and can walk out of the surgical center the same day. The recovery time is very quick, and the risk of complications is not high.

It is genuinely a life-changing procedure that is an excellent choice for most people who want to drastically improve their vision. However, the cost of LASIK eye surgery can be a concern for many.

Let’s discuss how much LASIK costs, the factors that can affect those costs, and the different options you have for paying for the procedure.

What Factors Influence the Cost of LASIK Eye Surgery?

There are a couple of factors that can cause the price of LASIK eye surgery to fluctuate. Typically, they are out of your control and will entirely depend on the state of your vision, which technology your surgeon believes is best for your surgery, and the level of experience that your surgeon has.

Required Vision Correction

Depending on the state of your vision, your LASIK eye surgery cost could be less or more than the average. If your vision is in a poorer condition, then the cost of your surgery will most likely be raised.

Laser Technology

The cost of the surgery also depends on the type of technology that’s being used. Newer technology, like custom LASIK, often costs more than older technology that can be used. Additional charges that are placed on surgeons by manufacturers of laser devices may get passed on to the patient.

Surgeon Skill

Your LASIK surgery price can also vary based on your eye surgeon’s level of expertise. The more experienced they are, the higher they will charge.

Does Insurance Cover LASIK?

Because LASIK is an elective surgery, insurance typically doesn’t cover the full cost of it. However, many providers will offer discounts for the surgery, and there are financing options available to help pay for it.

Financing Options for LASIK

Payment Plans

There are a lot of providers that offer payment plans to ease the upfront cost of your LASIK eye surgery. They will usually put you on a finance plan that spreads out the upfront cost into lower payments over a certain period of time. Be sure to pay attention to any interest rates to ensure they’re not too high and be informed of the exact amount you will be paying.

Credit Card Payments

Putting the surgery on your credit card is also a viable option for payment that allows you to spread out the initial cost of your surgery. Your credit card may offer points or benefits for spending so much on it, and you can make monthly payments to chip away at the cost over time. It’s important to take note of the APR when doing this, so you don’t end up paying more than you should due to high interest.

FSA or HSA

Using the money saved in your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Saving Account (HSA) is an excellent way to pay for your LASIK eye surgery, particularly because you save money through pre-tax dollars. Many are able to pay for the majority or full amount of their procedure this way.

Why Choose Specialty Eye Institute for Your LASIK Procedure?

Getting LASIK eye surgery is a big decision to make and having the right support is vital. At Specialty Eye Institute, we will be there for you every step of the way, from your first appointment to discuss your options, to your post-operation care.

Specialty Eye Institute uses the most cutting-edge IntraLase Method for our LASIK surgery, ensuring that you are receiving industry-leading treatment. We have a commitment to providing the very best care, and we are able to do that by following our four core values:

Excellence
Patient-Centered Advocate
Compassion
Integrity

If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly and knowledgeable staff. We’re also happy to provide our other services, like comprehensive eye care, corneal transplants, cataract surgery, and much more.

Call today or Schedule an Appointment!