Eye Exercises for Better Vision

It’s no secret that our eyes are incredibly sensitive, so finding ways to reduce straining is always recommended. Many people find themselves at a computer screen for most of the day, followed by playing on their phone or watching TV in the evening. This can cause serious strain and discomfort over time, but luckily there are some eye exercises that temporarily soothe the eyes. Here are some eye exercises and tips for maintaining good eye health:

Palming

These simple exercises can be a great way to take a break from what you’re doing, and give your eyes some time to readjust. Start by finding a quiet place to perform these exercises without distractions. Palming is a technique that promotes relaxation in the eye muscles with the use of your own body heat. Begin by rubbing your hands together to generate warmth, then cup your palms up to your eyes without applying pressure. Take a few deep breaths and relax while keeping your eyes covered. Focus on the warmth and darkness created by your palms, and allow your mind to decompress. When you open your eyes, blink gently to rehydrate and refresh your eyes. 

Figure 8

To build flexibility in the eyes, try a technique called “the figure 8”. Visualize a large, horizontal figure-eight or infinity sign in front of you. The imaginary figure-eight should be positioned at eye level and should be large enough to require your eyes to move in a smooth, continuous motion to trace its shape. Perform this exercise for about 30 seconds, focusing on your gaze. After you’ve completed the exercise in one direction, reverse the direction of the figure-eight and continue to follow it with your eyes for another 30 seconds to a minute. Once you finish, close your eyes and take a few seconds to blink.

Eye exercises can sound silly, but can help refresh the state of your eyes throughout the day. As we demand a lot from the use of our sight, taking a moment to rest our eyes might just be worth it. In any event you require eye surgical procedures, remember to follow aftercare instructions, including wearing eye protection. To learn more about protective eye-gear, contact us today or visit our website!

Contact Lens Care and Maintenance

While some people choose to wear glasses, others might have the preference of wearing contacts. Contacts give people the ability to see as well as maintaining their everyday look. But in order to wear contacts regularly, you must perform proper care. Proper contact lens care and maintenance are essential for maintaining good eye health and ensuring the longevity of your contact lenses. Here are some important steps and tips to follow.

Sanitary Behavior

Your eyes are incredibly susceptible to germs and bacteria, and should be protected when inserting or removing contact lenses. A huge part of contact lens care is sanitation, so it is crucial to wash your hands before your routine. Always start by washing your hands with soap and water and drying them thoroughly with a lint-free towel before handling your contact lenses. Using lint-free towels will prevent tiny fibers of hairs from entering the eye, which could cause discomfort. After washing your hands, place one lens in the palm of your hand, add a few drops of the recommended solution, and gently rub the lens with your fingertip. Rinse the lens thoroughly with the same solution to remove any loosened debris and cleaning solution. When removing contacts, be sure to have a proper solution to disinfect before storing them. Never reuse the same solution. 

Regular Exams

When someone decides to wear contact lenses, it is similar to the upkeep of wearing eye glasses. You must go in and have a regular eye exam to maintain your needed prescription. Schedule regular eye exams with your eye care professional to ensure your contact lenses fit properly and are still suitable for your eyes. This is because your eye prescription can change over time. Regular eye exams ensure that your contact lens prescription is up-to-date, providing you with the most accurate and comfortable vision correction. The frequency of eye exams for contact lens wearers may vary depending on your specific situation, but typically, it’s recommended to have an eye exam at least once a year.Wearing contacts can improve your sight, but it will require dedication and caution. In any event you require protective eye shields after a contact lens related injury, seek help from your ophthalmologist. Eye protection is a priority of ours to help patients protect their improved vision. To learn more about protective eye-gear, contact us today or visit our website!

Scratched Cornea: Treatment and Recovery

Any sort of injury to the eye can be a cause of concern, and should be tended to promptly. The human eye is very delicate, made up by thin tissue that can easily be damaged. Eye injuries can be quite painful, and in more serious cases, lead to sight-threatening complications. A scratched cornea is one of the more common injuries, and can happen in an instant. 

The Cornea

The cornea of the eye is an avascular tissue that performs as a barrier to protect it from infection. This layer keeps out germs and particles, preventing contamination. As the eye’s outermost lens, it also controls light entry and filters out harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. It plays a major role in your vision, such as helping the eye to focus. The cornea manipulates and refracts light so you can see things up close or far away. Though the cornea is considered the outermost layer of the eye, the cornea itself consists of 5 layers. These layers are known as the epithelium, Bowman’s layer, stroma, Descemet’s membrane, and endothelium.

Treatment

A scratched cornea occurs when you’ve scratched your eye. This can happen by having it poked, contact with dirt or sand, exposure to chemicals, or overworn contact lenses. Closing your eyes won’t make the pain go away, and any entry of light will only make it worse. Treatment will require you to flush the eye out with saline solution to help remove any particles that got stuck in the eye. Avoid rubbing the eye to prevent the damage from worsening. A doctor might prescribe antibiotic eye drops to help prevent infection and to encourage proper healing. Wearing an eye patch or protective eye shield can help keep out light and will protect it from any further damage.A scratched cornea isn’t typically a serious injury, but should be aided to correctly for a speedy recovery. For prevention, be sure to wear protective eyewear and practice general hygiene when switching out contacts. Eye protection is a priority of ours to help patients protect their improved vision. To learn more about protective eye-gear, contact us today or visit our website!

Proper Eye Care

Your eyes are an important part of your health and daily life, so keeping them healthy should be a high priority. While you’re in your younger years, pay mind to the state of your vision and overall health of your eyes to discover problems early on. There are several factors that contribute to vision complications, so following specific guidelines can lower future risks. Here are a few different ways to properly care for your eyes to limit gradual damage.

Frequent Eye Exams

Even if you believe your vision is in perfect condition, getting a dilated eye exam is the only true way to be certain. During this exam, your physician will test the quality of your vision and check for diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, or any other abnormalities. During this exam, your doctor will place drops into your eye to dilate them. This will widen your pupil, allowing more light entry to be examined to determine the health of the eye.

Wear Protective EyeWear

The human eye is incredibly sensitive to sunlight, so make sure to wear sunglasses when performing activities outside. This will give your eyes a protective barrier between themselves and harsh ultra violet rays when exposed. Also wear protective eye shields or goggles when protecting your eyes post-operation. Protective eyewear is intended to keep your eyes from getting damaged, so making a habit of wearing it will prevent issues later down the road.

Rest Your Eyes

Whether it’s for entertainment or work purposes, screen time should be limited to preserve the health of your eye. Staring at a screen all day will eventually tire them due to lack of blinking and emission of blue light. Giving your eyes time to rest throughout the day will help reduce eyestrain.To keep your eyes healthy and your vision strong, you must establish proper eye care in all stages of life. Sight is a gift we simply cannot waste or take for granted. Eye protection is a priority of ours to help patients protect their improved vision. To learn more about protective eye-gear, contact us today!