Diplopia

Diplopia or Double Vision is exactly like it sounds! It is when you see two images of the same thing. It is possible to have this issue in just one eye or both at the same time. If you only have it happening in one eye, the exact term for it is Monocular Diplopia.

Monocular Diplopia can be caused by issues with your cornea or your eye lens. The cornea could have been damaged by something and may be uneven. The lens of your eye helps to focus light into your retina, if this is damaged it could be a sign of cataracts and can be fixed with surgery.

Double vision in both eyes, Binocular Diplopia could be caused by your muscles or your nerves.

There are a couple of underlying factors that can affect your eye muscles, but if one eye is a bit weaker than the other, when you try to look in the direction controlled by that eye it won’t move in unison with the other and will cause double vision.

The nerves in your eye are what sends information to your brain. Some underlying issues with your nerves could include:

• Diabetes
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Stroke
• Aneurysm
• Trauma to the head

Symptoms

While the most obvious symptom is seeing double…knowing how to recognize the other possible symptoms is important. Some common symptoms of diplopia are:

• Pain when moving your eye
• Eye’s not lining up
• Headache
• Nausea
• Droopy eyelids
• Pain around your eyes

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, they could be connected to any number of underlying conditions, so it is best to make an eye appointment as soon as possible.

Your doctor will possibly need to run blood tests, perform a physical exam, or maybe even an imaging test. Once you have seen a doctor, they will be able to identify the cause and come up with the best treatment method for you.

Prevention

In some cases, this issue would not be preventable. In a circumstance where it is preventable, there are some things you can do to protect your eyes for the future. If you don’t have a serious underlying condition some things you can:

• Always wear your seatbelt in the car
• Use protective goggles while playing sports
• If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control

The good news is, 70% of diplopia cases get better with medication or surgery. Once your doctor can find the root cause, they will help you come up with treatment options that work for you.

If you are experiencing Diplopia, be sure to call us at TriCounty Eye Associates to make an appointment. We are invested in your eye health and want to be there with you every step of the way!

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!

Last year many of us had to put our spring break plans on hold. This year, we are thinking we need to make up for lost time! Using this time while the kids are out of school for some much-deserved R&R should be the priority if you ask us. We have a few tips to help keep you and your family’s eyes healthy as well as utilize this time for a little productivity…just a little!

Luckily, we have already started to feel warmer summer-like temperatures so there should be no reason spring break can’t be spent by the neighborhood pool! 

Maybe you are planning to get out of town for a bit, heading to the lake? Beach? Pool? River? We are making up for lost time here people, why not all four?!

If you are planning to spend some time by any pool or body of water over the break a couple things to remember:

Goggles

It is important to always make sure the kiddos have goggles on if they plan to open their eyes underwater. While chlorine is thought to be the culprit of dry burning eyes, usually the debris in public pools is what causes eye discomfort. Wearing goggles will ensure that both the debris and chlorine stay out of their eyes! This is helpful in natural bodies of water as well, since they are not regulated for debris and bacteria.

Contacts

If you are a contacts wearer, please remember to take out your contacts before going into a pool. If you were to wear contacts in the pool it could make them shrink, which is uncomfortable and can even lead to eye damage. Worst case you could end up with an infection.

Sunglasses

As we have discussed many times before, always wear sunglasses when you are out in the sun. These will help keep your eyes protected against the harmful UV rays coming from the sun. You wear sunscreen, right? Sunglasses are just as important!

Call TriCounty Eye Associates

Lastly, since spring break is a time when kids are out of school, what better time to schedule your visit to TriCounty Eye Associates? It is so important to get eye exams yearly, and you may need new glasses, sunglasses or contacts. Why not schedule it when you know you and the kiddos are going to be free?

Call us today to schedule your appointment. Whether you need new glasses, contacts or a stylish new pair of sunglasses to wear by the pool, we have got you covered!

How much sleep do you need?

If you have any of these symptoms it could be that you need to dedicate more time to sleep!

Tips for a better night’s sleep and lasting vision health

• Dry eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Bloodshot eyes
• Bags under your eyes Eye twitches/spasms Light sensitivity
• Blurry vision

  Set a bedtime and stick to it.

The earth is the only planet we call home. Our beautiful planet gives us life in the form of water, food, and oxygen. In recent years there has been more social awareness about pollution and the importance of taking care of the planet. Sometimes the repercussions can seem far off like they won’t affect us
directly. Did you know that the pollution we have already created could influence your vision? Let’s take care of the planet and your vision!

The Facts

It has been proven by the British Journal of Ophthalmology that air pollution is associated with a higher risk of vision loss. This same study also found that people who live in areas with poor air quality were 8% more likely to suffer from age-related macular degeneration or AMD.

As we have discussed in previous blogs, AMD is a degenerative eye disease that causes severe visual impairment and even irreversible blindness!

While we can’t help the damage that has already been done, there are things you can do to prevent further damage. Since these issues usually don’t show up until people are over the age of 50, you can start wherever you are to try to protect your eyes.

Two main plans of protections are:

Wear glasses: Wearing sunglasses help to protect your eyes from the sun, but it also helps to protect your eyes from any air pollution that is floating around where you live. If you wear regular glasses every day those are going to help as well!

Contribute to the cleanup of our air: It may seem daunting, but there are a few things individuals can do to try to lower the amount of air pollution where we live.

Some of these include:

• Riding a bike or walking, instead of driving a car
• If you must drive, carpool, or use public transportation
• Get a car that has a better fuel efficiency
• Turning off lights when you leave a room
• Using energy-efficient light bulbs in your home

Doing your research, buying fewer things that are manufactured using fossil fuels These small steps may not feel like much, but if enough of us participate it could significantly change the air pollution levels and in turn, keep our eyes healthy longer!

For a more local picture of the pollution in our area, you can go to the American Lung Association’s website and get a recent report, you can input your zip code here: https://www.stateoftheair.org/

Living in a coastal region helps with the pollution because we have more wind coming off the ocean than inland cities and states may have. We are lucky, but we are not without any pollution.

As always, remember to schedule your yearly eye exam with Tricoutny Eye Associates. Our team here will help to alert you of any early warning signs of vision issues as well as outfit you with the perfect glasses or sunglasses. It is our mission to take care of the planet and your vision.

What is Heterochromia?

Ever see a person, or an animal and they had two different eye colors? Heterochromia is when someone has a difference in eye color.

There are three main types:

• COMPLETE heterochromia, which is when someone has two different eye colors.
• CENTRAL heterochromia, which is when there are different eye colors within the same eye.
• Lastly, there is PARTIAL heterochromia, which is when only part of one iris is a different color than the rest.

According to Medical News Today, less than 200,000 Americans have this rare condition, but animals have a higher percentage.

What causes it?

Variations in the concentration and distribution of melanin can cause it. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin, hair, and eyes color. If someone is born with this condition, it will most likely not produce any other symptoms.

In children who are born with it, or develop it soon after birth, it is called “Congenital Heterochromia.” Unfortunately, while not common, it can be an indicator of another underlying condition. There are many possibilities, so it is important to schedule an exam by an optometrist to rule out any of the underlying conditions.

What if it develops later in life?

When it develops later in life, whether it be complete, central, or partial there are again many different underlying conditions that could possibly cause it. The development later in life is “Acquired Heterochromia.”

Some common causes are eye injury, eye surgery or diabetes. The list is still pretty long for possible issues so if you notice heterochromia in yourself. If you notice signs, make an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible. The bottom line is, no matter if your child is born with this condition or if it develops later in life for you, an eye doctor should look at it. It most likely is just a cool feature you get to carry with you for life, but it is good to rule out anything else that could be causing it.

Winter Reminder

We hope that you had a wonderful holiday season and have started your new year off with a bang!

The holidays are over, and we here at TriCounty Eye Associates are ready to see what 2021 has in store for us! It has GOT to be better than 2020 right? We want to remind our customers about protecting their eyes, since this time of year winter eye safety usually not at the forefront of your mind.

It is normal during the summertime to remember to grab your sunglasses before you hit the beach or the pool. Did you know that it is just as, if not even more important to bring them along during the winter months?

Wear Your Shades

A winter eye safety survey was done by the American Optometric Association noted that 80% of Americans wear sunglasses in the summer, but less than a third wear them in the winter. This is primarily due to the colder temperatures and overcast skies much of the country sees this time of year. We want to remind you, that even when its cloudy 80% of the sun’s UV rays are still coming through and have the potential to harm your eyes.

2020 has most of us stir crazy, am I right?? Now could be a great time to plan that yearly ski trip (or mountain trip to all our non-skiing folks out there). If you plan to head to a higher elevation, your eyes are not used to the strength of the UV rays the closer you get to the sun. Higher elevation equals higher UV rays and the potential for a disorder called photokeratitis (Snow Blindness). This is basically like a sunburn for your eyes, which sounds awful. Make sure to keep your sunglasses on while exploring!

Lasting effects of UV Rays

One main concern aside from snow blindness is that exposure to too much of the bad UV rays could cause cataracts later in life. The World Health Organization says  20% of cataracts may be the result of overexposure to UV radiation. Furthermore, the effect cataracts has on your long-term eyesight is not good! It can lead to total blindness. While this is a worst-case scenario, it’s still good to keep in mind anytime you are outside.  The UV rays are affecting your eyes so why not protect them??

If you are thinking you need a new pair of sunglasses to sport on your next winter vacation. Or maybe you just want to wear them around town to always keep your eyes protected. Come by our offices to find the right pair for you!

We offer many styles and brands that can be made into prescription if needed! You may even be able to get your sunglasses covered by your insurance provider. Give us a call or stop by!