Why You Shouldn’t Put Off a Visit to Your Eye Doctor

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When it comes to ancillary services, like the dentist or the eye doctor, it can be easy to put these appointments off. (When many people can’t even be bothered to see their regular doctor, chances are they won’t make time for their eye doctor!)

When you skip the visit, though, you take risks that you may not even know you’re taking. Here, we’ll look at why it matters so much to see your eye doctor in Coldwater, MS — no matter how busy you are.

Your Vision Matters

There are usually two concrete reasons why people skip the eye doctor: because their eyesight is perfect and because they’ve never received anything more than a clean bill of health. Some people, like regular contact lens wearers, can’t afford to skip the eye doctor because their prescription expires after a year. For people whose glasses still work or who haven’t noticed a change in their vision, they may put it off for months (or even years).

But consider that vision can change without the person even realizing it. There may be subtle variations in how they perceive anything from light to objects at a far distance. These changes happen so gradually that people need an eye exam in Coldwater, MS to spot the changes.

Eye Disease Symptoms Can Be Subtle

Eye disorders are very much a threat for people today, whether it’s due to blood vessel damage from diabetes or a genetic history of macular degeneration. Depending on the patient, some eye disorders can be treated while others can be managed. Regardless of which disorder you have, early detection can be a huge advantage if you want to mitigate or eliminate the effects of the disease.

At Coldwater Vision Center, we treat patients of every age, from all backgrounds. We know the effort that our clients go through to make it to their appointments, particularly if they’re beset by requests from nearly every possible direction. If you’re looking for a staff who can schedule your eye appointments amidst everything else on your to-do list, contact us today. From comprehensive eye exams to diabetic retinopathy care, we have the resources and expertise to help!

The Role of Contact Lenses in Myopia Control for Children

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If you have a child, you will no doubt do everything in your power to make sure they stay happy and healthy. And that includes their eyesight. But what if your child develops myopia? Should you be concerned? Is there anything you can do about it? Your eye doctor in Coldwater, MS, will tell you more about it. But until then, here’s what you need to know.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia is the name used for nearsightedness. Childhood-onset myopia in Coldwater, MS, occurs when your child’s eyes grow for too long. When they continue to grow after your child passes 10-12 years of age. Unfortunately, myopia in children is on the rise. Early detection is the best way to slow its progression. And, specialized contact lenses can help.

What Are Specialized Contact Lenses for Children?

Specialized contact lenses use a technique called peripheral defocus. They are worn during the day or night (depending on the brand). And they use a dual-focus design that has alternating vision and treatment zones. This process creates a defocusing pattern on the periphery of your child’s eyes. And that process slows the elongation of their eyes. There are two main brands of specialized contacts: MiSight and Ortho-K.

MiSight Explained

MiSight are soft contact lenses that are worn during the day. They use a dual-focus design. A central zone (for clear vision) and a peripheral zone (defocuses light). MiSight is FDA-approved and has been shown to slow myopia progression by 59% (on average) over three years. MiSight is targeted myopia control that addresses the underlying cause of worsening myopia.

Ortho-K Explained

Ortho-K are hard, gas-permeable contact lenses that are worn overnight. They work by reshaping your child’s cornea while they sleep. The reshaping process creates peripheral defocus. And this is what signals the eye to slow its growth. The result is temporary corneal reshaping. This gives your child clear vision throughout the day (without the need for glasses or contact lenses).

The Bottom Line

Both specialized contact lenses work to reduce the elongation of your child’s eyes. The only difference is how that is achieved.

Are You Looking for a Reputable Eye Doctor in Coldwater, MS?

It’s important to have your child’s eyes checked regularly. Please Contact Coldwater Vision Center today to schedule an exam. We will test your child’s eyes. And if there’s a problem, we will develop a customized treatment plan that is best suited for your child’s condition.

Is Excess Screen Time Actually Causing My Dry Eyes?

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If you suffer from dry eyes, your optometrist in Coldwater, MS may have already told you that excess screen time can make this condition worse. The reason why may surprise you. Did you know that people tend to blink a lot less when they’re looking at screens versus when they’re gazing at other things, such as scenes of nature or even pieces of paper? Scientists don’t yet understand why this is true, but since blinking lubricates the eyes each time your eyelids close down over your eyes, it’s easy to realize that a lack of blinking isn’t good for dry eyes. But is it possible that the connection is even worse between dry eyes and screens? Could excess screen time actually be the cause of your dry eyes to begin with?

Recognizing the Symptoms

Common symptoms of screen-induced dry eye include redness, itching, a sensation of burning, blurred vision or feeling like someone just kicked up sand and it went straight into your eyes. If left unmanaged, these symptoms can worsen, potentially leading to inflammation or long-term irritation.

Reducing the Impact of Screen Time

You don’t have to be a math genius to overcome the hurdle of this condition. To prevent or alleviate dry eyes, try adopting the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This practice encourages blinking and gives your eyes a break from focusing on the screen. Ensuring your workspace is well-lit and adjusting screen brightness can also help. Consider using artificial tears or a humidifier to maintain moisture in the environment.

Getting Help For Dry Eyes

If you have dry eyes, steer clear of over-the-counter eye drops. These drops may cause the opposite to happen in people who truly have dry eye syndrome in Coldwater, MS. Instead, book an appointment with your optometrist at Coldwater Vision Center for a proper diagnosis and treatment. We can recommend specialized treatments, such as prescription eye drops or other therapies tailored to your needs.

While screen time is a modern necessity, its impact on your eyes shouldn’t be ignored. It could actually be the underlying reason why you have dry eyes to begin with, which is nothing to trivialize. But, by adopting healthy habits and seeking professional care when needed, you can protect your eyes and stay comfortable, even in our digital world.

Why Do Kids Have Bad Eyesight?

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When you have a child, it may seem like they are perfect in every way. But sometimes, children can be born with or develop bad eyesight. Poor eyesight in children can result in development delays and worse. That’s why you should bring your child in for aneye exam in Coldwater, MS, no later than one year old. Doing so could help with early diagnosis or prevention of bad eyesight. The following are some of the common reasons why kids have bad eyesight:

Pediatric Myopia

It’s very rare for a baby to be born with pediatric myopia. Myopia is a condition where the eyeball is misshapen and elongated. This results in a refractive error, on the inside of the eye. Myopia is commonly called nearsightedness. It most often develops in childhood and adolescence. Caught early enough in its progression, it may be reduced or prevented. For treatment forpediatric myopia control in Coldwater, MS, contact Coldwater Vision Center.

Excessive Screen Time

The amount of time that kids sit in front of a screen is a leading factor in bad eyesight. Two factors come into play. The first is that screens emit blue light, which professionals know to be harmful to the eyes in high quantities. The second is the proximity to the screen. If the eyes are only focusing on close-up things, i.e., screens, the majority of the time, then the muscles involved in focusing on things in the distance can weaken, resulting in myopia.

Lack of Outdoor Activity

Exercise, fresh air, and sunshine all help a child’s body develop healthily, including the eyes. Being indoors the majority of the time doesn’t offer the same benefits. A healthy balance of indoor and outdoor activities could prevent bad eyesight in children.

Underlying Health Conditions

In rare instances, certain systemic health conditions, such as diabetes or juvenile arthritis, can lead to vision problems in children. These conditions can cause complications like diabetic retinopathy or uveitis, which impair vision. If your child does have an underlying health condition, it’s important that you share this with your child’s pediatric optometrist.

Children’s eyesight can be influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, along with lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity. For help and treatment with your child’s eyesight, contact us today.

Teaching Kids to Care For Contact Lenses

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Whereas eyeglasses can be easily taken off, lost, or sat on, contact lenses are more likely to be used and accepted by your school-aged child. Contact lenses for kids in Coldwater, MS, offer a great alternative to eyeglasses. But contacts require special skills to ensure they are well cared for. Here are some tips for teaching your child to care for contact lenses.

Explain the Basics

Be sure to sit down with your child to ensure they understand the basics of contact lenses. Kids are naturally curious, so if you explain what they look like and how they work, your child will have that curiosity satisfied. It also helps them feel more confident about wearing the lenses, knowing that contacts have been used for a long time to correct vision.

Explain the Need

Secondly, explain how the contact lenses will directly help your child to see better, read better, and perform better. Talk about how good vision is essential for playing sports, enjoying playground equipment safely, gaining confidence in social situations, and doing well in school and in other ways. Knowing why they’re wearing contact lenses will motivate your child to care for them properly.

Explain the Function of Each Supply

Layout the contact lens supplies on the bathroom counter and explain what each one is for: the storage case, the cleaning solution, the saline solution, etc. Talk about what each product does.

Demonstrate the Process

Children are masters at mimicking what they see. First, demonstrate the whole process, from removing the contact lens from its container to cleaning, rubbing, and rinsing. Tell your child, “now it’s your turn,” and let your child practice while you oversee. Gently correct any “mistakes.” Practice again until you’re confident that your child has the process memorized.

Establish a Routine

Children respond well to routines, which make them feel safe. Consistency is key in contact lens care. Help your child develop a daily routine for inserting, removing, and cleaning their lenses.

Your eye doctor in Coldwater, MS, can reinforce your teachings at home, giving your child the tools and information to care for their contact lenses. Contact us today to book an appointment!

5 Best Foods to Eat for Better Eye Health

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Better eye health is more than just eating well, though it’s hard to argue with the other benefits of a better diet. The good news is that no matter how old you are or what types of eye conditions you have, it’s never too late to adjust your habits. We’ll look at the five best foods if you want to make a change.

Sweet Potatoes

Vitamin A is a sort of powerhouse when it comes to healthy retinas. Carrots get all of the credit in the public eye, but sweet potatoes are an even better option if you want a strong dose.

Red Bell Peppers

Vitamin C is an excellent way to fight general aging, particularly if you’re a smoker or known for your love of processed foods. Diets rich in Vitamin C are linked to at least delayed development of age-related eye diseases, including cataracts.

Salmon

Another important antioxidant is Vitamin E, which can improve your tear production. If you struggle with dry eyes or red eyes, having more salmon can help you both in the short term with clearer eyes and long-term by staving off future diseases.

Kidney Beans

High in zinc, kidney beans can encourage your body to make more red blood cells. It can help protect your retina and, as with the rest of our suggestions, potentially delay future eye health diseases.

Spinach

Spinach is great for lutein plus a whole other slew of benefits. Dark, leafy greens are known for their ability to improve eye health in Coldwater, MS with their dose of potassium, B6, B9, magnesium, folic acid, iron, and Vitamin K. There’s a reason why this one is a heavy-hitter — it’s not all propaganda.

Eye Doctors in Coldwater, MS

If you’re looking for an optometrist in Coldwater, MS who can put you on the path to better eye health, the staff at Coldwater Vision Center can help you find a plan that works for you. It’s not easy to integrate new foods into your diet, especially if you have a routine, but there are ways to make subtle but important changes. If you have a specific concern or you need a general checkup, contact us today for to make an appointment.

5 Ways to Abuse Your Vision   

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Just like the rest of your body, your vision needs to be cared for. Because people don’t think about their vision everyday, it sometimes gets taken for granted. The worst ways to abuse your vision include the following.

Not Getting Regular Eye Exams

An eye exam in Coldwater, MS is about more than making sure you have good vision. During the exam, your eye doctor assesses the health of your eyes, checking for any potential problems such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and more. When you fail to get regular eye exams—at least once every year—you miss the opportunity for your eye doctor to catch eye disease before it has a chance to develop to a point where your vision is in danger.

Not Wearing Sunglasses

Chronic exposure to UV light damage vision over time. If you spend a lot of time outdoors – gardening, engaging in sports, etc. – you should wear UV-rated sunglasses. Even driving without sunglasses can harm your vision, if there is a lot of glare from the sun. Macular degeneration, cornea damage and cataracts have all been linked to chronic UV exposure.

Not Wearing Sports Goggles

The amount of vision loss related to sports injuries may surprise you. Every day, people insure sports eye injuries that could have easily been prevented just by slipping on a pair of sports goggles before play. Sports goggles help prevent injuries from stray hockey sticks, flying golf balls, fast pitches gone awry, bodily impact and much more.

Reading in Poor Light

Eye strain isn’t just an abstract concept; it’s a very real condition that can impact the health of your eyes. Whenever you feel eye strain, take steps to alleviate it. Either stop what you’re doing for a while, adjust the lighting in the room or look away from the book or screen and focus instead on something in the distance.

Not Wearing Goggles During Hazardous Activities

Another time when goggles should be worn is during activities with the potential for eye injury. This includes woodworking, when wood chips could fly into the eyes, mowing the lawn, when unexpected debris could come flying up, and working with caustic or chemical liquids, when a stray splash could get into the eyes.

The best way to protect your vision is to take some simple protective measures and, of course, to see your Coldwater, MS eye doctor at least once a year.

 

What is Retinal Detachment?

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Retinal detachment is an eye emergency that requires immediate care from an eye doctor in Coldwater, MS. When retinal detachment occurs, there is a risk of permanent loss of eyesight. There are telltale symptoms of retinal detachment that shouldn’t be ignored.

What is a Retina?

The retina is at the back of the eye. It’s where the light that enters the eye lands. It consists of a very thin layer of tissue. 

Retinal detachment is when the retina detaches, in whole or in part, from the back of the eye where it is supposed to remain. When retinal detachment occurs, it becomes separated from the layer of blood vessels that supply oxygen and nourishment. 

Just like if the brain was deprived of oxygen and nourishment it would suffer, the eye suffers when the retina becomes detached. Permanent vision loss is a possibility and immediate medical care is needed.

Symptoms of Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment often comes on suddenly. The symptoms of retinal detachment may include one or all of the following:

  • sudden blindness, either temporary or enduring
  • black spot in field of vision
  • loss of full peripheral vision
  • appearance of many floaters in the eye (more than usual)
  • flashes of light or “sparkles”

Note that pain is not a common symptom of retinal detachment. Often, only sudden changes in vision are present with retinal detachment.

Retinal detachment should be treated as an eye emergency. It’s not enough to book an appointment weeks away. The longer the retina is detached, the higher the risk of permanent loss of vision.

Causes of Retinal Detachment

The underlying causes of retinal detachment include:

  • ongoing, failing health of the eye
  • untreated diabetes
  • untreated hypertension
  • tumors
  • aging
  • inflammatory disease
  • sudden blunt force eye trauma
  • and more

Types of Retinal Detachment

There are three main types of retinal detachment.

  • Tractional – caused by the growth of scar tissue
  • Exudative – caused by accumulation of fluid beneath the retina
  • Rhegmatogenous – caused by a hole or tear in the retina

Diagnosing Retinal Detachment

Your eye doctor will be able to diagnose retinal detachment by your reported symptoms as well as a retinal exam and/or ultrasound imaging. Once the retinal detachment has been diagnosed, a treatment plan can be made.

Please get into touch with your eye doctor in Coldwater, MS immediately if you suspect retinal detachment or if you have sudden onset of unusual eye symptoms.

 

Symptoms of Dry Eye

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Dry eye is a syndrome that is estimated to affect over 4.88 million people in the U.S. More women than men have dry eye syndrome, which may be due to factors related to release of estrogen. It’s good to know that treatment for dry eye in Coldwater, MS is available. If you think you may have this condition, book an appointment for a professional diagnosis and treatment plan. In the meantime, here are the most common symptoms of dry eye to be aware of.

Chronically Red Eyes

The whites of the eyes can redden for a number of reasons, including eye strain. This often happens after long hours at a computer, either at work or at home while gaming. They can also get red due to injury or exposure to an irritant. But if you can’t attribute your red eyes to anything recent, and you seem to always have red eyes, it could be that you have dry eye syndrome.

Burning, Stinging Sensation********

Irritated eyes often feel like they are stinging or burning. With dry eye syndrome, the eyes are not getting enough fluid, which causes them to feel uncomfortable and results in a burning or stinging feeling. This is a common symptom that should be reported to your eye doctor in Coldwater, MS.

Sensitivity to Light

Do you find yourself squinting a lot, even when it’s not particularly bright outside, or when others don’t appear to be bothered by the light? If you have excess sensitivity to light, or if you have trouble driving gat night due to other vehicles’ headlights, you could have dry eye syndrome. Light sensitivity is a symptom of other eye conditions, also, so a professional diagnosis is imperative.

Swollen, Irritated Eyelids

If your eyelids are irritated and swollen on a regular basis, know that is another sign of possible dry eye syndrome. The swelling and irritation is caused when the eyelid drops down over the eyes to blink or sleep, and friction is present due to lack of moisture.

Never try to diagnose your dry eye syndrome at home. In particular, don’t start treating dry eyes with over-the-counter eye drops. At-home eye drops can hide or exacerbate a serious eye condition. Contact your eye doctor today for consultation about symptoms of dry eyes.

Are Sunglasses Really Necessary?

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If you want to protect your eyes for a lifetime of good vision, then you should consider wearing sunglasses. Sunglasses can be made to fit your prescription eyeglasses in Coldwater, MS so that when you’re outside you can switch your eyewear to your prescription sunglasses. Following are all the reasons why sunglasses should be part of your defense against all kinds of eye damage.

The Dangers of UV Light

Many individuals are unaware that their eyes, like their skin, can become sunburned in a similar way that skin does. Photokeratitis is caused by exposure to too much UV light in a short period of time. Pain, inflamed eyes, high light sensitivity, tears, and a gritty sensation in the eyes are some of the symptoms. Fortunately, it is just transient, similar to a sunburn. Regrettably, it may be excruciatingly painful.

Long-Term Damage Over Time

Beyond photokeratitis, prolonged sun exposure causes further long-term issues. UV damage builds up over time. This is why your eye doctor in Coldwater, MS advises people to wear sunglasses when outdoors for long periods of time. The sun’s rays are a significant cause of premature eye aging, but the damage may be postponed for a lifetime of healthy vision. Sun protection in the form of sunglasses can help you to avoid a variety of eye problems, including:

  • Macular degeneration
  • Cataracts
  • Skin cancer
  • Abnormal growths

Less Squinting With Sunglasses

Sunglasses not only protect your eyes, but they also improve your everyday comfort. They lessen squinting because they diminish glare. In turn, this reduces the onset of wrinkles around the eyes. Some people aren’t even aware of how sensitive they are to light until they find that wearing a nice pair of sunglasses improves their comfort.

Given the health advantages of sunglasses, it’s no wonder that the American Optometric Society (AOA) advises them for everyone, regardless of whether or not they use corrective lenses. There are a variety of choices for protecting your eyes from the sun, depending upon your needs.

The short answer is that, yes, sunglasses are necessary if the health of your eyes is vital to you. Come on in today to discuss wearing prescription or non-prescription sunglasses with your eye care professional. Contact us to book your appointment.