Top 4 Considerations for Caring for New Eyeglasses

Seeing an eye doctor regularly should be a part of everybody's eye care Boulder area. With regular eye exams, it is possible to detect possible problems with one's eyes, including deterioration of eyesight. For those who have recently been told they need a prescription lens, eyeglasses may be an ideal solution. However, those who are new to wearing eyeglasses must know how to care for the appropriately.

Invest in a Hard-Shell Case

Often times, eyeglasses can easily cost a couple hundred dollars per pair, but those buying glasses should also be sure to set aside some money for an eyeglass case for each pair. Sometimes, eye doctors will give glasses to patients in a soft-shell case, but these aren't meant to be a long-term storage solution. Only a hard-shell case will adequately protect against accidental crushing and other damage.

Clean With a Microfiber Cloth

Every so often, it will be necessary to wipe down one's eyeglass lenses as a means of removing dust and debris that has caked on over time. When wiping down lenses, however, it is always important to use a lens that is specifically designed for use on these lenses. Specifically, a microfiber cloth should be used, as these will not scratch the surface of the lenses. Other cloths, including paper towel and even tissue, should be avoided here.

Set Down Lens-Side Up

When not in use, eyeglasses should really be placed in their case. However, for those times when the case isn't readily available, eyeglasses should always be placed with their lenses facing up, not down. Setting glasses down with the lenses face-down will inevitably lead to scratches and other damage that could compromise one's ability to see well.

Use the Right Cleaner

Finally, those with eyeglasses should always be sure to use the right cleaner. There are specific cleaners available that are designed for use on eyeglass lenses. Therefore, it is never a good idea to use just any chemical cleaner, as certain chemicals can have a bad reaction to the lenses and cause permanent damage. Eyeglass cleaner is available at most grocery stores and at any eye doctor's office.

These are just a few important considerations to keep in mind when it comes to caring for one's new eyeglasses. From there, a pair of glasses can last for as long as one's prescription does!

The Basics of Maintaining Good Eye Health

Many people rarely give much thought to their vision until they begin to experience problems with their eyes. This is unfortunate, because there are some eye conditions that can be circumvented with proper eye care Boulder. For instance, wearing sunglasses with UV protection while outdoors may be instrumental in preventing the development of cataracts and certain other vision conditions such as macular degeneration. Those who play sports should also be careful to protect their eyes with gear such as goggles that were designed for that purpose. 

Indoors, air conditioners and furnaces can create dry atmospheric conditions that can dry out the eyes, so it is important to have a humidifier to keep this from happening. Lubricating eye drops may also help prevent eyes from becoming irritated due to lack of moisture.

Those who wish to maintain optimal eye health should schedule comprehensive eye exams on a regular basis. Certain common eye conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration can only be detected by a dilated eye exam. Catching these conditions early can help stop them from seriously impairing the patient's vision. People who have diabetes should also have their vision checked often so that diabetic eye disease can be caught and treated while it is still in the early stages.

Patients should also make a point of knowing the eye health history of their families because many eye diseases and conditions are hereditary. This will ensure that the eye care professional knows what to watch out for in order to be able to accurately treat developing symptoms.

Consuming the right type of foods can also have a significant impact on eye health. Carrots and other food rich in beta carotene have long been considered excellent foods for those interested in maintaining healthy eyes. Other great foods for eye healthy include kale, spinach, and mustard or collar greens. Foods that contain substantial amounts of omega 3 acids are also considered by eye care professionals to be excellent dietary choices for those trying to maintain healthy eyes.

Being overweight may also increase chances of developing certain eye conditions such as diabetic eye disease and glaucoma, so those with a family history of these ailments should discuss the situation with their physician and work out a plan to maintain a healthy weight level. Above all, people should make certain that they visit their eye doctor regularly.

Basic Eye Care Information to Keep Patients On Track

Losing vision is probably not something most people can remotely imagine. However, when not taking good care of their vision by making and keeping regular appointments for eye care Boulder puts them at risk for loss of vision, or at the very list, deterioration of vision that might put them at risk for accidents and other issues.

When patients find a vision specialist with an office that features the most cutting-edge technology and an adept staff, it can help put new patients at ease. However, there really is nothing for patients to worry about during routine visits. The best vision care providers make sure to get to know their patients, including any fears or anxieties they have, and they work to relieve those worries right away.

Additionally, eye care providers continually work toward providing training to their staff that makes patients' visits even easier and less time-consuming.

What Are Some Criteria That Patients Should Look For in a New Eye Care Provider?

For people who need to find an eye care doctor, it is important to consider what is most important to them and what they want from their eye care, besides basically making sure their eyes are healthy and disease-free. Ideally, once patients get past the idea that it is imperative that they monitor their vision over the years, especially as their age progresses, they can start to look at some of the services on a vision specialist's service menu.

Patients who have an eye condition that means they need to wear glasses or contact lenses, they might investigate pursuing Lasik surgery to repair their vision. Many people want to enjoy a more active lifestyle and would find it easier to do so without worrying about breaking glasses or keeping them dry. Patients should talk to their eye doctor about this relatively simple surgery that can make a huge difference in their lives, meaning they don't necessarily need to buy glasses again and go swimming without worrying about blurred vision or losing contact lenses while wearing goggles.

Some eye care providers offer a range of spa and cosmetic services. Patients can talk to their vision care facility operators about anything from skin tightening and wrinkle reducing procedures to the removal of spots or other skin imperfections. Spa services might include massage treatments in a variety of styles that include Swedish, deep tissue and neuromuscular massage.

Must-Follow Eye-Care Tips for Computer Users

These days, many people spend a large amount of time staring at computer screens on a daily basis—whether it be for work or pleasure. Unfortunately, persistent staring at computer screens can have a serious impact on one's eyesight, causing it to gradually deteriorate over time. In heavy computer users, this is actually known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Fortunately, there are a few eye exam Boulder office worker and computer user can take to help prevent CVS and preserve their eyesight.

Use the 20-20-20 Rule For those who spend a great deal of time staring at a computer screen each day, using the 20-20-20 rule can make all the difference in one's vision. With this rule, one takes breaks from staring at the computer screen every 20 minutes. During these breaks, the person simply stares at an object that's about 20 feet away for 20 seconds at a time. This is thought to help give the eyes the relief they need from being fixated on the screen and can also help reduce the chances of a person developing near-sightedness.

Work With Lights On One of the worst things one can do when it comes to their vision is to work at a computer with no lighting besides the screen itself. This is thought to be especially damaging to the eyesight at night. For the best results, it's a good idea to turn on a soft light on either side of the computer screen. Specifically, one should be careful to avoid leaving any lights on that cast a lot of shadows, which can actually be detrimental to one's eyesight. A small lamp on either side of the screen or a soft overhead light should do the trick.

Adjust Display Settings Furthermore, computer users are encouraged to adjust their computer's display settings to benefit their eyes. Specifically, default font settings should be on the medium to larger size, not so small that one needs to squint in order to read the screen. Screen brightness should also be kept as high as possible at all times. When possible, read long documents only when they consist of black text on a white background, which is the ideal level of contrast for one's eyes. Taking eye care Boulder and preventing CVS as a frequent computer user can be a struggle, but by following these tips, preserving one's eyesight is possible.

Proper Eye Care May Require More Than Annual Visits

Historically, many people have been told that they should visit their eye doctors annually in order to get their eyes checked and receive eye care Boulder.

Unfortunately, focusing on visiting the eye doctor once a year does not help people prevent complications of the eye, which can jeopardize their eyesight. The following are reasons people may need to visit their eye doctor more frequently.

Accidents that Injure Eyes 

Many people of different ages experience accidents that lead to eye injuries. In severe cases it is obvious when someone should visit their eye doctor in order to help preserve their sight. However, there are accidents that cause injuries to people’s eyes that are not so obvious and many people fail to get the care they need from their ophthalmologist. Complications resulting from failing to get proper care include, infections, reduced vision, and loss of sight. Whenever anyone experiences an accident that injures their eye, they need to visit the doctor immediately and as frequently as prescribed.

Aging

Individuals that are aging face many complications with their bodies. For instance, their eyes do not adjust to light as they did when they were younger, which causes them to see blurry images. Although the loss of sight is a normal process of aging, visiting the ophthalmologist can help seniors retain as much of their vision as they can while they are aging, which improves their quality of life. People should not limit their visits to annual screenings since preventing damage to one’s eye is extremely important.

Individuals Battling Diseases 

Aging, weak immune systems, and a host of other complications increase the rate at which Americans are acquiring diseases. Many of these diseases impact a person’s vision, even though the disease may not directly deal with their eyes. People who are battling these diseases must report to their eye doctor for eye car in Boulder on a regular basis so that their doctor can educate them on maintaining their vision. 

People should not jeopardize their vision by limiting their visits to the eye doctor to just one each year. They should cherish and protect their vision by visiting their eye doctor frequently after an accident, if they are battling diseases, or if they are a part of the aging community. With regular visits to their ophthalmologist, they can reduce complications, which helps them maintain their vision longer.

Common Eye Care Practices and Options

There are many facets to eye care Boulder and elsewhere, but not everyone needs all of them. In fact, most people will only need a few of the possible services beyond an eye exam. This exam is the one thing everyone should have on a regular basis because it allows eye doctors to learn whether or not each person needs anything else.

There are two types of eye exams that are commonly available. The most basic version simply tests visual acuity and is used to determine eyeglass prescriptions. When people want to get a pair of glasses made quickly, they are usually given this type of exam.

The other type of eye exam is far more detailed, and it is used to find out whether any eye diseases are present. Patients can expect to have their pupils dilated so that the doctor can see down to the retina from the outside. Viewing the retina allows the detection of problems like degeneration, retinal tears, and similar things. Air will also be pulsed against the eyes to test how much pressure is within them. This part of the test lets doctors find out whether or not glaucoma is present. A visual acuity test will be done before the pupils get dilated. Once the dilation is done, the ability to focus will be temporarily blocked. This makes it important to do everything in the right order.

If any problems are discovered, the appropriate treatments will be prescribed. In many cases, eye problems can be fixed. Even some forms of glaucoma can now be treated by surgery, whereas in the past, there were no such options.

Patients who were once told that their conditions were untreatable should be sure to continue to get checkups. That way, they can take advantage of any new developments that have come along. As it stands, some of the things that were totally untreatable 20 or so years ago can now either be cured or at least helped by new procedures and medications. Who knows what will be possible five or 10 years from now?

While full-service eye clinics offer advanced treatments and surgical options for a variety of conditions, most people will get even better news from their eye exams: they will have no major problems to worry about. Even so, it's important for people with good eyes (or who only need glasses) to get regular checkups. This will ensure that any emerging problems are caught quickly so that vision can be preserved.

Types Of Diabetic Eye Conditions A Person May Experience

Diabetes is a serious disease that can affect children, adults and older seniors in Boulder. Proper eye care, eating healthy and avoiding bad habits can help people avoid such a disease. If a person does become a diabetic, they can experience a number of health issues such as heart disease, kidney failure and eye diseases. Diabetic eye diseases can be treated if they are detected early. People who do not obtain eye care Boulder when they have diabetes may experience vision loss or blindness.

Types of Diabetic Eye Conditions

There are several different types of diabetic eye diseases. Three of the main diseases are cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common condition a person may experience.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a cloudiness along the lens of the eyes. This cloudiness is caused by protein in the eyes that begins to build up. The build up of protein prevents light from passing through the lens of the eye, which allows for images to be processed by the brain. Cataracts can cause a loss of vision to diabetics as objects look cloud and blurry. Eyeglasses, bifocals or cataract surgery are certain eye care treatments that can correct cataract problems for people in Boulder.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition where there is unwanted pressure to the eye that can damage the optical nerve. This pressure, called intraocular pressure, can continue to increase until a person loses their vision. Glaucoma usually occurs to older adults as it can be hard for a person to detect unless they have routine eye exams.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when there are abnormal blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels can leak fluid or blood as they swell. For people in Boulder, new blood vessels that are abnormal in nature may begin to grow on the retina's surface. Blindness and vision loss may occur. Laser surgery can treat diabetic retinopathy. This surgery can reduce the chance of a person becoming blind but will not restore vision for a person who may have already lost it. 

Anybody who has diabetes can get any of these diabetic eye diseases. Proper treatment of diabetes and eye care in Boulder can eliminate the chances of getting these diseases or prevent further damage to the eyes. Vision loss does not have to occur so long as a person receives early detection tests and treatment.