Month: June 2021

Ever been super annoyed by the little specs in your eye that seem to be in your peripheral, but you can’t actually look at them? Depending on the number and frequency of eye floaters could drive you nuts!

Statistically speaking, they are more than likely harmless but we wanted to give you a little background into why they are there and when you may want to tell your Eye Doctor about it.

What are they?

Floaters can be described as small shapes in your vision that appear as dark specks or grey, black and transparent strings of floating material. They sometimes move when you move your eyes, so when you try to look at them, you can’t look directly at them. Others describe them as small shapes or strings that eventually disappear.

They are usually made up of collagen, a protein found in the body naturally. It can come from the “Vitreous” which is a gel-like substance in the back of your eye. Totally normal, we promise.

Sometimes, as you get older, the fibers that make up your vitreous can shrink, clump and pull away. That is when you start to see the floaters.

When are they a problem?

In rare instances, floaters can be a sign of complications or underlying conditions. Some things to look out for would be:

• Eye Pain
• Flashes of Light
• Loss of your peripheral vision
• Sudden increase in the number of floaters you see

If you experience any of these symptoms or anything else that alarms you, we recommend making an appointment as soon as you can.

What are some possible underlying issues?

If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms and decide not to seek medical attention, keep in mind that there are several reasons those symptoms could be happening. A few worth mentioning are:

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Eye tumors
• Eye Disease
• Detached or torn retina
• Inflamed eye due to infection

Don’t freak out

Again, it’s not likely and it’s a small percentage of people who do end up with severe issues. We just want to keep you informed so you can mention any changes to your doctor when they occur.

More often than not, floaters are just a sign that you are getting older and kind of annoying sometimes. As always, if you feel like they are becoming an issue, please call us to schedule an appointment. TriCounty Eye Associates wants to be involved in every aspect of your eye health.

Myopia is a common vision condition that is more often referred to as Nearsightedness. This condition causes you to be able to see clearly objects that are near to you, but farther away objects can seem blurry.

This occurs because the shape of your eye will cause light rays to bend incorrectly which focuses images in front of your retina instead of ON your retina.

Symptoms to look out for:

• Blurry vision
• Squinting to see clearly
• Headaches
• Hard time seeing while driving (especially at night)

While myopia is usually detected at a young age, it can also develop over time. In children sometimes the signs are a little different. A child with myopia may:

• Sit closer to the TV or Computer
• Blink excessively
• Rub eyes frequently
• May seem unaware of distant objects

When to make an appointment

Paying attention to your eyesight as well as your kids possible signs of trouble is very important. If you feel you are having a hard time seeing things that are faraway and it is affecting your work or favorite activities, it may be time to come see us.

When things get complicated

Having myopia is very common, and usually not something to worry about. A trip to come see us, and a new set of glasses or contacts will fix your right up.

There are unfortunately signs to look out for that may be a little bit more serious.

Things like flashes of light in your eye, sudden floaters, or a shadow over your visual field are symptoms you should take seriously and may require emergency medical care. A rare complication of myopia is retinal detachment. These symptoms could be a sign and its imperative you seek medical treatment as fast as possible.

Slowing the progression

Recently we posted on our social media about a new way to help potentially slow the progression of myopia in children ages 8-12. Call us here at TriCounty Eye Associates today to make an appointment and get more information on this new option.

The leading cause of vision loss among Americans over the age of 65, is Macular Degeneration. MD or AMD (age-related macular degeneration) can be defined as a degenerative condition affecting the central part of the retina and resulting in distortion or loss of central vision.

Fun stuff right? While we agree it sounds scary, we want to give you some background so you can take steps now to potentially avoid it in the future.

Factors

• Family history
• Smoke cigarettes
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Are over the age of 60

What you can NOT control

One of the first steps we recommend when it comes to preparing for MD is to check your family history. Check with your family members to see if anyone has had it in the past. Make sure to let us know if you do have a family history of it.

High blood pressure is another one that can be due to family history, so if you have it, or know someone in your family does make sure to let us know.

Of course, being over the age of 60 is beyond your control too. We will take your age into consideration along with all the other information to let you know if you could be at a higher risk.

If you are genetically pre-disposed, there is a dietary supplement that could help to lower your risk.

What you CAN control

Aside from the things you can’t do much about, the other factors are within your control. If you are a smoker, now is a good time to consider quitting. Along with the many other health risks, it can contribute to MD.

Obesity is within your control as well. In other posts we have talked about how much your physical health can affect your eye health. Making sure to eat a balanced diet as well as get regular exercise will help with the extra weight and ultimately help you ward off MD.

Recognizing MD

There are two kinds of MD:

• Wet MD: causes fluid to leak from blood vessels in the eye. This is the most dangerous as it can cause the most severe vision loss quickly.
• Dry MD: the most common form does not have a fluid leak.

Watch out for sudden and noticeable loss of vision or distortion of vision. These are signs that you need to come in to see us as soon as possible.

The earlier we can catch MD the better chance you have of stopping its progression. As always make your yearly eye appointment, but also take the necessary steps to be aware of your eye health.

We are here for any questions or concerns as they may arise! At Tricounty Eye Associates, we want to be a part of your eye health journey and keep your vision in tip-top shape for as long as possible!