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August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month: It’s reported that 1 in 4 children experience vision problems, and 1 in 20 are at risk of losing their eyesight permanently. Here’s a link to the American Optometric Academy’s important vision milestones and signs of eye and vision problems.
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Did you know that frequent computer use can negatively impact your eye health? Excess exposure to digital screens can result in what’s called computer vision syndrome (CVS). To learn more about what CVS is and how to treat it, check out the guide below.
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Computer vision syndrome—also called digital eye strain—is a group of vision problems that result from excess digital exposure. This condition is characterized by spending extended periods looking at a screen without blinking, at too close or too far of a distance, and/or too soon before falling asleep. If left untreated, chronic CVS can lead to a permanent loss of visual acuity—which is your eyes’ ability to make out shapes and letters at a given distance.
Common digital devices that cause CVS include laptops, computer monitors, tablets, smartphones, and e-readers. Most people with CVS typically don’t experience symptoms until after spending two or more consecutive hours looking at a digital screen.
Here is a list of the most common causes of this vision condition:
According to the American Optometric Association, working American adults average roughly seven hours of daily screen time. Since our eyes aren’t designed to spend so much time looking at digital screens, this prolonged screen time can negatively impact your eyes and, ultimately, your vision.
A leading reason why digital screens are harmful to our eyes is that words on a screen are more difficult to read than printed words. Our eyes must work harder to make out the letters, which increases eye strain.
Screen time—whether it’s on a computer, a mobile phone, or a TV—also exposes our eyes to blue light. This high-energy light that digital devices emit not only interferes with our ability to fall and stay asleep but has been linked to eye strain, blurry vision, dry eye, and other vision conditions. These underlying eye conditions increase your risk of developing CVS.
If you have CVS, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms—most of which are temporary. The greater your screen time, the worse your symptoms are likely to be.
As discussed previously, letters on a digital screen are more difficult to make out than letters printed on a page. This forces your eyes to work harder to make out words, which can cause vision to blur.
People with CVS often suffer from chronic dry eye. That’s because staring at a screen for hours on end without taking breaks and without blinking enough causes the eyes to lose their natural moisture. Learn more about dry eye treatment from Specialty Eye Institute.
The leading symptom of excess screen exposure is eye strain.
Eye strain caused by excess screen exposure may cause mild to severe headaches.
Angling your head downward to read a computer screen and practicing poor posture can lead to an array of physical discomfort.
Any case of CVS must be diagnosed before treatment can begin. The go-to method for diagnosing CVS is a comprehensive eye exam. Here’s what you can expect from a comprehensive eye exam at Specialty Eye Institute.
Learn More About Comprehensive Eye Exams From Specialty Eye Institute
While visual exposure to digital devices can’t be prevented entirely, it can be reduced and treated with the following methods.
Over-the-counter eye drops keep the eyes moist and prevent dry eye, which makes CVS more likely to develop.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and blink often to help your eyes retain their natural moisture.
Adding a humidifier to your workspace increases the air’s moisture level, which can reduce dry eye symptoms that lead to CVS.
While reducing screen time is the goal, modifying your computer use can help prevent or reduce CVS symptoms. Here are some habits to incorporate into your daily routine.
A room that’s too dark can force your eyes to work harder than they should, while a room that’s too bright can overstimulate your eyes. Be sure to invest in an anti-glare computer screen to keep light reflection at bay.
From dry eye treatment to routine eye exams, Specialty Eye Institute is the name you can trust to provide the comprehensive eye care services you need. Click the button below to Schedule Appointment with the #1 eye care providers in Ohio and Michigan.
Eyes can be particularly vulnerable to damage, which is why there are so many types of surgeries that are designed to remove, repair, or manipulate your eye and its surrounding tissues.
Let’s discuss the different types of eye surgery and why you would have them, the risks that eye surgeries come with, and what the recovery process is like.
Refractive eye surgery corrects refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.
LASIK is the most well-known refractive surgery. This procedure reshapes the tissue under the cornea’s surface by creating a flap and targeting it with a laser.
PRK also reshapes the cornea but does not require a flap. The top layer of the cornea is removed so that a laser can reshape the cornea. Then, the top layer grows back over the next several days.
LASEK is similar to PRK, but a flap is created and placed back after the laser treatment. Some experts think that this promotes a more comfortable experience and faster recovery.
Refractive lens exchange is a similar procedure to cataract surgery. However, in this procedure, the eye’s clear natural lens is replaced with an artificial lens to correct the refractive error.
Cataract surgery involves the removal of the eye’s natural lens that has become cloudy with age and replacing it with a clear artificial lens.
In the surgery, the surgeon removes the natural lens and replaces it with a clear artificial lens referred to as an intraocular lens (IOL). The IOL is placed inside the lens capsule that was designed to hold the natural lens.
This procedure is low-risk and takes about 15 minutes. You will be able to go home the same day.
There are three types of cataracts:
Glaucoma surgery is performed to lower the pressure inside the eye in people with glaucoma. When the pressure in the eye is too high, the risk of vision loss increases due to potential damage to the optic nerve.
This is an in-office procedure that’s generally performed on people with open-angle glaucoma who have eye pressure because the fluid in front of the eye is not draining properly. It drains fluids out of your eye in order to reduce intra-ocular pressure.
Much like ALT, this procedure is generally performed on people with open-angle glaucoma. It uses a cold laser to drain the fluids in your eye and reduce intraocular pressure. The cold laser reduces scar tissue, making it a surgery that can be repeated if needed.
This is an in-office laser procedure that’s used to treat or prevent narrow-angle glaucoma, which is much less common than open-angle glaucoma. Because the angle is narrow, it can close and increase in a sudden increase in eye pressure.
The surgery will ensure that the meshwork drains properly, but the drainage area will be narrowed or closed.
This filtration surgery requires an incision and is used to treat open-angle glaucoma. The procedure will need to be performed in a hospital and is generally an option that is taken if medication and laser surgery are not effective.
The retina is the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye that is susceptible to damage and diseases. There are numerous types of surgeries to treat the retina and its surrounding structures.
Laser photocoagulation uses a laser to slow down or prevent serious complications that could lead to vision loss.
It manages conditions like:
In this procedure, a laser generates heat and creates a burn, stimulating the development of scar tissue. This scar tissue can help seal off abnormal, leaky blood vessels and reduce swelling. Additionally, tears or detachments can be “welded” down with this procedure to prevent further vision loss.
When the treatment area is near the center of vision, PDT is preferred over laser photocoagulation to minimize the chances of developing a blind spot. This procedure is commonly used in wet age-related macular degeneration patients.
It uses a laser and an injected drug that works in tandem. The drug is injected into the arm, travels to targeted blood vessels, and is activated by a low-power laser directed at leaky blood vessels. This procedure seals the blood vessels, which reduces the amount of fluid and blood they leak.
This procedure places a probe that freezes tissue to treat a retinal tear or detachment. The probe damages the tissue surrounding the tear, which results in a scar that “welds” it into place.
A person with retinal detachment will be treated with either laser photocoagulation or cryotherapy, which will then be followed by the placement of a scleral buckle. This is a silicone band placed on the outside of the sclera to help prevent the retina from detaching again
This procedure is outpatient and will require either local or general anesthesia. The surgery typically lasts around two hours.
During a pneumatic retinopexy, the eye is numbed, a small needle is inserted, and fluid is removed and replaced with a gas bubble. The gas offers gentle pressure against the retina to help it reattach.
This procedure would need to be followed up by a laser photocoagulation or cryotherapy.
A vitrectomy removes the vitreous, which is a gel-like fluid that fills the back two-thirds of the eye, providing support and maintaining its round shape.
This procedure could be performed for conditions like:
This outpatient procedure requiring local or general anesthesia involves a small incision made in the eyeball to remove the vitreous and replace it with saline or a bubble of gas and silicone oil. A patch will need to be placed over the eye, and medication will be given to help the eye heal.
Corneal transplant surgery may be necessary when the cornea becomes severely damaged.
This procedure can help heal the damage from:
This is a full-thickness cornea transplant. A diseased cornea is replaced with a healthy donor cornea.
This is a partial corneal transplant that doesn’t need stitches. The back layers of the cornea are replaced.
This procedure replaces the middle tissue layers of the cornea with donor tissue.
This procedure replaces the cornea’s outer layers with donor tissue.
Eye muscle surgery assists in aligning the eyes in a condition referred to as strabismus. This is when the eyes point in different directions, causing double vision.
The muscle that needs to be adjusted will be shortened or reattached further back into the eye. Depending on the age of the patient, the procedure could require anesthesia. An overnight stay in the hospital usually isn’t necessary.
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, corrects eyelids that have become droopy, causing vision impairment. It can be performed on both the upper or lower lids and involves removing excess skin or fat. Then, the muscle that opens the eyes is repaired.
With every surgery, there is always some amount of risk. With laser eye surgeries, one risk is that the procedure will be unsuccessful or need to be repeated eventually.
Eye surgeries also run the risk of:
There is also a small risk of vision loss after surgery. You can discuss the specific risks of your procedure with your surgeon during your consultation.
The recovery time of your eye surgery will depend on the type of procedure that you have.
Cataract Surgery: typically takes four to eight weeks to recover completely, though your routine should be returned to before then.
LASIK: you will be able to go back to work the next day, but it may take up to four weeks to get back to all of your usual activities.
Glaucoma Surgery: the recovery time for this procedure is usually two to six weeks.
Corneal Transplants: you should have full vision after three months, though it could take as long as 12 months.
Listening to the instructions of your surgeon for aftercare is essential to guaranteeing a smooth recovery process. It’s also crucial to attend follow-up appointments so a professional can ensure that you are recovering as you should.
Promoting your eye health requires reliable care you can count on. At Specialty Eye Institute, our dependable team of specialists is dedicated to creating an exceptional experience, whether you're dealing with secondary cataracts, seeking LASIK eye surgery, or simply in need of a regular eye check-up.
We are devoted to providing the utmost care for your eyes. Here at Specialty Eye Institute, our foundational principles include:
If you’re in need of eye care, don’t hesitate to call us at (866) 435-8935 or schedule an appointment on our website.
Understanding the roles of different professionals is crucial for ensuring the best possible treatment and care for your eyes. While both optometrists and ophthalmologists play integral roles in maintaining eye health, their training, qualifications, and the services they provide differ significantly. Whether it’s routine check-ups, managing eye diseases, or undergoing eye surgery, knowing the difference between an optometrist vs an ophthalmologist is essential for making informed decisions about your eye health.
An optometrist is an eye care professional who takes care of the primary care of your eyes. They examine, diagnose, and treat eye diseases and disorders.
Optometrists require an extensive amount of education to be in their positions. They need to graduate college and follow it up with four years of optometry school which allows them to receive a doctor of optometry degree.
Optometry school includes both coursework and clinical rotations. During their training, the students learn how to perform eye exams, as well as diagnose and treat ocular conditions. After their doctorate, optometrists can choose to start practicing right away or continue their education with a fellowship or residency.
Optometrists work in primary care for their patients’ eyes.
Some of their duties include:
What services an optometrist can provide varies based on state laws. Each state has a scope of practice for optometrists, which decides what medications they’re permitted to prescribe and what procedures they’re allowed to perform.
You should see an optometrist for annual eye exams, as well as if you are experiencing any abnormalities in your eyes or vision. They can diagnose, treat, and manage most eye-related conditions. If the issue involves more testing or surgery, you will be referred to a specialist.
An ophthalmologist is an eye doctor who has advanced training with either a doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree. They can diagnose and treat a wide variety of eye conditions and can specialize in specific areas of eye health.
Ophthalmologists require even more thorough education and training than optometrists. They have to complete pre-medical school prerequisites during college and then take four years of medical school with a rotation in ophthalmology.
Once they graduate medical school, they will need to participate in a residency program for three to four years in their specialized area of ophthalmology. Subspecialties can require an additional one to two years of fellowship training after residency.
All ophthalmologists have to be licensed by the state where they work in order to practice medicine.
Services provided by optometrists and ophthalmologists have some overlap, but ophthalmologists are permitted to offer more advanced services and treatments.
Ophthalmologists can specialize in a variety of areas, including:
General ophthalmologists perform comprehensive eye examinations and surgical evaluations. They provide a broad spectrum of eye care, from prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses to diagnosing and treating complex eye diseases.
A pediatric ophthalmologist specializes in children’s eye care. They can diagnose, treat, and manage all children’s eye problems. They provide comprehensive eye exams designed for children of different ages to ensure that their vision is where it should be.
Oculoplastics is an area that ophthalmologists can specialize in that involves plastic and reconstructive surgery around the eyelids, eyebrows, forehead, cheeks, orbit, and lacrimal system.
Neuroophthalmologists specialize in visual problems that are related to the nervous system. These problems could be a result of an injury to the brain or optic nerves, or from a disease or condition that affects the brain or optic nerves.
A retina specialist is an ophthalmologist who subspecializes in disease and surgery related to the vitreous and retina in both adults and children. They can perform eye surgery, treat eye cancer and other diseases, and care for people with severe injuries.
Refractive surgery is an area that ophthalmologists can specialize in that involves correcting refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia through surgery. This type of surgery involves implanting an intraocular lens into the eye in addition to or instead of the natural lens.
You would generally schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist when you have an eye problem that requires a specialist. In most cases, your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist if it’s necessary.
This may happen if your condition:
While optometrists and ophthalmologists work in the same field, there are some very important differences between them.
An optician is a technician who fills prescriptions for eyewear and fits patients with the corrective lenses that they need for their specific vision issues.
Opticians provide the following services:
Opticians need to become certified with one to two years of training. This can be from a certification program, an associate’s degree, or an apprenticeship with an eye doctor.
Which eye care professional you should see depends heavily on your needs. If you’re looking for primary care for your eyes, you will want to start with an optometrist, who will refer you to an ophthalmologist if it’s necessary.
If you need surgery for glaucoma, cataracts, or other eye diseases, an ophthalmologist who specializes in the area will be the best choice.
Don’t skip out on your annual eye exam. They’re essential to keeping your eyes and vision in peak condition, as well as detecting any issues early so that they can be treated immediately.
We are committed to providing excellent service and treatment every time you visit. At Specialty Eye Institute, our core values include:
Call Us Today or schedule an appointment on our website.
Dr. Angela Cumminng, Clinical Director and Dr. Joshua Halm, Resident appeared on The Bart Hawley Show to discuss the residency program offered at Specialty Eye Institute.
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