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Eye Twitching Treatment Options & Eye Care Tips

Many people experience occasional eye twitching. Consistent twitching, while annoying, can also impact your daily activities. The good news is that with some minor changes to your daily routine, you can find a treatment option to relieve eye twitching. These changes will not only help alleviate your twitches but improve your overall eye health.

Treatment Options for Eye Twitching

Some types of eye twitching treatments are easier in comparison to others, but they are all important in increasing your overall wellness, in addition to reducing the frequency of eye twitches.

1. Change Your Routine

If you work in an industry where a large portion of your day requires you to sit in front of a computer or read extensively, a treatment option for eye twitching is to take a short break from your work every hour.

Frequent twitches can signal the onset of eye strain. Taking a walk around the office to relax your eyes will prevent eye strain and reduce the occurrence of eyelid spasms.

Stress and lack of sleep are common in high-stress lifestyles. Adding stress-reducing activities like yoga or meditation to your daily routine can reduce stress and increase your ability to achieve restful sleep and prevent eyelid twitches.

2. Limit Alcohol and Caffeine

While it is common to indulge in a cup of coffee or the occasional alcoholic beverage, frequent and prolonged consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated stimulants can increase the frequency of eye twitches. If you are comparing different types of eye twitching treatments, you should consider reducing your intake of these substances if you consume more than three cups of coffee or alcohol daily.

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3. Schedule an Eye Exam

If you have tried to treat your eye twitches, and relief continues to elude you, schedule an appointment with your ophthalmologist. Further investigation may also reveal that you need a stronger corrective lens prescription. There are many over-the-counter and prescription eye treatments that can quickly alleviate your twitches.

What Causes Eye Twitching?

According to Mayo Clinic, most occurrences of eye twitching are not life-threatening or even cause for concern.

Here are the most common habits that cause eyelid twitches and facial spasms:

Reading too much or working long hours on the computer
Lack of sleep
Excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption
If this sounds familiar, keep reading for some simple solutions.

When Eye Twitching is Serious

If these treatment options are ineffective, your eye twitching may be a symptom of something more serious, and the ophthalmologists at Specialty Eye Institute can help.

Serious conditions like blepharitis, or clogging of the eyelash oil ducts, can be painful and should be treated with medication to prevent permanent complications. Similarly, other conditions like chronic dry eye and light sensitivity can occur at any age, and an ophthalmologist will create a personalized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms.

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If you experience eye twitching and headaches, your twitches increase in intensity and last for more than a few days, or treatment does not stop the condition, contact your ophthalmologist immediately because this can be a sign of a degenerative eye disease or neurological condition. Our staff offers eye care options such as keratoconus treatments, LASIK eye surgery, diabetic retinopathy treatments, cataract surgery, and presbyopia treatments. The most important rule for treating eye twitching is to monitor your overall eye health and talk with an ophthalmologist about an eye care treatment option that meets your needs.

Continue to visit your ophthalmologist every year because your eye twitching is a reminder to manage your physical health as well as your daily habits. Give our staff of doctors a call by phone at (877) 852-8463 to receive assistance with an eye care issue.

Supplements & Vitamins for Macular Degeneration

Our eyesight is a precious function that many of us take for granted. While sitting in the doctor’s office may not be something you enjoy doing, a yearly visit with your ophthalmologist is a great way to protect your vision from degenerative eye disease. Supplements and vitamins are used for slowing or stopping the progression of macular degeneration in older adults. Macular degeneration is the most common eye disease. If you are 55 years or older, your ophthalmologist should examine your eyes every year as early diagnosis is the key to a successful treatment plan.

What Causes Macular Degeneration?

There are many risk factors for macular degeneration such as heredity and age, smoking, high blood pressure, and vitamin-deficient diets.

The two types of macular degeneration are wet and dry. Both will lead to loss of vision if they are not diagnosed and treated aggressively. For more information on risk levels and the types of macular degeneration, contact your ophthalmologist.

If you have been diagnosed with macular degeneration, you are not alone. While macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness, it is also treatable. Depending on your level of degeneration and your adherence to a treatment plan, you can slow the development of macular degeneration for many years.

Supplements for Macular Degeneration

There are many treatments available for macular degeneration patients, and your specific treatment options will depend on the type, stage, and personal medical history.

Remember, your ophthalmologist is a trained professional, so regardless of the treatment recommended, following it closely is imperative to maintaining your vision. The first step to stopping or slowing the spread of macular degeneration is adjusting your diet to include supplements to improve your health. Here is a list of the most common changes for your diet:

1. Zinc and Antioxidants

After years of research, studies have shown that taking supplements with high levels of zinc and antioxidants may help slow the progression of macular degeneration. Your ophthalmologist will recommend the right type and dosage of these supplements. If you are at risk of developing macular degeneration or are concerned about this condition, ensure your daily multivitamin contains these vital nutrients.

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2. Other Vitamins and Minerals

In addition to zinc and antioxidants, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a daily supplement with high doses of vitamins C and E, copper, and zeaxanthin. This regimen is based on recent findings that suggest these supplements may stop or slow the progression of intermediate dry macular degeneration from advancing to wet macular degeneration, the stage when loss of vision occurs.

3. Eye-Healthy Foods

While supplements are the most common treatment for macular degeneration, remember that simply taking a daily vitamin will not prevent or slow the progression of this destructive disease.

Ophthalmologists also recommend, in addition to daily supplements, eating a diet rich in nutrients that promote healthy eye function and slow the advancement of macular degeneration. When choosing fruits and vegetables, choose colorful vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens like spinach and kale.

Preventing Macular Degeneration

Your best defense against developing a degenerative eye disease is to practice preventative measures, so macular degeneration will not be a threat to your eyesight. Regular eye exams and tools like the Amsler Grid test can help detect any changes in the retina and macula. Our staff of ophthalmologists provides dependable eye care solutions such as macular degeneration treatments, cataract surgery, dry eye treatments, LASIK eye surgery, and presbyopia treatments. Yearly examinations with our team of ophthalmologists will verify that your eyes are healthy. If they're not, yearly exams allow for early detection of eye degeneration.

We'll help you to utilize the many treatments, supplements, and vitamins for macular degeneration if this condition affects you. Our team of ophthalmologists offers eye treatment options in areas of Michigan and Ohio such as Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Bryan, and Toledo. Schedule an appointment online or call us at (877) 852-8463.

When Should You Have Cataract Surgery? Signs, Symptoms & Causes

When Do I Know When to Have Cataract Surgery?

At the beginning of cataract formation, it may be easy to improve your vision through glasses, magnification, bifocals, visual aids, and appropriate lighting. When the cataract progresses to the point that it impairs vision and the way of life, it may be the right time to have cataract surgery.

Aging is considered the primary factor of poor vision, but getting cataract surgery is painless and simple enough to get your clear vision back. According to PBA, visiting a certified ophthalmologist to perform cataract surgery is an excellent way to get your vision back, and it is the most successful surgery performed in the US, with more than three million Americans undergoing the surgery every year.

What are Cataracts?

A cataract is identified with the clouding of the natural lens in an eye. People who are over 40 are the most affected by cataracts when it comes to vision impairment. In addition, cataracts are the world’s primary cause of blindness.

To understand the seriousness of the widespread effect of cataracts, Prevent Blindness America (PBA) stated that cataracts are more common in comparison to the combined cases of diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Cataracts now affect approximately more than 22 million Americans over the age of 46, and PBA states that the figure will rise to 30 million by 2020.

What Are The Signs You Need Cataract Surgery?

Cataract symptoms often include blurry vision, similar to looking through cloudy glass. You may also become more sensitive to light. Driving at night may become a challenge because the headlights from oncoming cars may cause more glare than they used to. If you are struggling to see the contrast between different colors or the colors you observe appear less vibrant, this is a sign it's time to talk with a certified ophthalmologist about the advantages of having cataract surgery.

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What Causes Cataracts?

The eye’s lens functions like the lens of a camera, it is used to focus light on the retina, and it adjusts the focus of the eye for you to see things clearly for both close or distant objects. The main components of the lens are protein and water.

The protein is organized in a way to keeps the lens clear for the light to easily pass through. Over time, the protein may build up and form a small cloudy part of the lens. The cloud may become larger over time forming a cataract, which will make it harder for you to see.

The reason why the lens changes as we age is unknown to us, but doctors have identified factors that cause a cataract; they include:

Diabetes
Hypertension
Obesity
UV radiation
Smoking
High Myopia
Previous inflammation or eye surgery
Hormone replacement therapy
Use of corticosteroid medications
Statin medicines
High intake of alcohol

One of the known theories about the formation of cataracts is the oxidative changes in the lens. Nutrition studies support this theory because vegetables and fruits that have antioxidants can help prevent the cause of distinct types of cataracts.

What Happens During Cataract Surgery?

When you talk with an ophthalmologist about having cataract surgery, you will become familiar with the process of removing the clouded lens in your eye with a clear intraocular lens (IOL). Intraocular lenses are plastic in nature.

Recent developments in IOLs allow patients to have lens options based on their lifestyle. There are 4 main types of IOLs:

Monofocal lens – These lenses can provide clear distance vision for patients without astigmatism.
Multifocal lens – These lenses can provide a range of vision from near to intermediate to distance.
Astigmatism Correcting (Toric) lens – correct higher levels of astigmatism and provide clear distance vision. You will still need glasses for near and intermediate vision.
Depth-of-focus lens – This lens provides a continuous range of vision at all distances to fit your active lifestyle.

Men should also be careful to know that some prostate drugs can cause IFIS (Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome) when cataract removal is being performed.

If there is a cataract in each of your eyes, typically cataract surgery is performed on your non-dominant eye first followed by your dominant eye 1-2 weeks later. The time between the two cataract surgeries is in case infection or complications occur.

To prevent yourself from having cataract surgery, use antioxidant vitamins like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C, and also wear sunglasses to block UV rays when you are enjoying the sun. If you are struggling to read or drive at night, this is a sign of vision issues that need to be diagnosed by a certified ophthalmologist or optometrist. Our staff of ophthalmologists offers innovative eye care solutions such as LASIK eye surgery, blepharoplasty surgery, glaucoma treatments, corneal transplants, and keratoconus options. Give our team of ophthalmologists a call by phone at (877) 421-9132 to discuss eye care treatments.

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Why You Should Get A Second Opinion Before Cataract Surgery

Are you thinking about getting a second opinion before cataract surgery? The best way to get optimal healthcare is by exploring your options. This is especially true when it comes to cataract surgery or any other kind of surgery for that matter.

Why Second Opinions Are Important for Cataract Surgery

Only consulting one eye doctor for eye care will limit your knowledge and impact your decision-making process. When it comes to a health condition like cataracts, you will need to get a second opinion before scheduling a cataract surgery to become familiar with the best treatment options.

But first, What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a type of eye condition that causes cloudiness within the lens of the eye. This cloudiness will interfere with a person's ability to see. A cataract can result in blurry vision, faded colors, halos, and in some cases, blindness. Cataracts can be the result of aging, blunt force trauma, radiation exposure, or genetic diseases. If you don't trust a diagnosis you received from your previous doctor, get a second opinion from a different eye doctor before you determine whether or not to get cataract surgery or treatment.

What is Cataract Surgery Like?

In laser cataract surgery, the natural lens is removed from the eye. An artificial implant is inserted in its place. Before the surgery takes place, the eye care specialist will measure the size and shape of your eye to find an appropriate artificial lens for you. You may be asked not to eat or drink anything 12 hours before the cataract surgery.

Most cataract surgeries take place in under one hour. You will be awake during the operation, but you won't feel pain. Your eyes will be under numbing medication. Side effects after cataract surgery are rare. However, you could experience eye infection, bleeding, retinal detachment, pressure, or fluid buildup.

You will be asked to apply eye drops in the days following the surgery; this medication will help your eyes heal.

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Why Is It Important to Get a Second Opinion Prior to Cataract Surgery?

Not everyone needs surgery to treat cataracts. Some people prefer to only wear prescription eyewear to deal with cataracts. Obtaining a second opinion will help you assess the medical condition and determine if you need cataract surgery. Getting a second opinion from another doctor will confirm whether surgery is truly needed, and keep your mind at ease with these important questions answered.

Is Your Eye Surgeon Qualified, Trained, and Certified?

For 40 years, we have been recognized as one of the industry’s innovators. Through our experience, commitment to technology, and role in researching new treatments and techniques we can provide patients with the best possible eye care, both today and in the future.

Does Your Doctor Use Certified Medical Facilities and Safe Equipment?

Doctors at Specialty Eye Institute use certified equipment when diagnosing and treating your vision problems. Our comprehensive eye exams are designed to detect these common eye issues and other diseases in their early stages. Our doctors also participate in leading clinical technologies.

Will Your Doctor Inform and Educate You On All Your Options?

The team at Specialty Eye Institute is committed to educating all of our patients before surgery on all available options for the desired results. We provide many educational opportunities with free patient seminars, and informative newsletters and our team of trained patient consultants and surgical counselors are available to answer any questions. Questions? Let's talk!

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Would Others Recommend it?

Read the reviews when researching your options for eye care and bigger procedures, like cataract surgery. You can view these on Google My Business, Facebook, or sometimes their website.

Questions To Ask Your Eye Doctor

When you visit the doctors for their expert opinions, be sure to ask these questions to compare:

1. How serious is my eye condition?
2. What are the different treatment options?
3. What is the best treatment option for my particular case?
4. What are the risks that come with this treatment option?
5. What happens if I don't receive treatment?

Also, consider seeking a second opinion from a completely different institute. Different eye health clinics will have different approaches to eye care. When getting a second opinion, feel free to bring along any test results and information gathered from the first consultation. Be open about what the second consultation is about: getting another appraisal.

Have More Questions: Visit Our Cataracts FAQ Page

How to Choose Between Your Options

If the second doctor disagrees with the first about laser cataract surgery, then it's time to evaluate the pros and cons of each treatment option. A third opinion may be needed if you don't know what to do.

In the end, you should go with the treatment plan that offers the best potential outcome. Need a second opinion? Contact Specialty Eye Institute today! With over 40 years of top-notch eye care, we have 10 locations across Michigan and Ohio.

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The Importance of Vision Screening Tests

With the rush of our daily lives, it’s easy for things to slip your mind. You may forget to take the trash out or to return that phone call from your mom. But one thing you never want to forget is to schedule a vision screening.

It’s natural to have questions before making an appointment for a vision test. Your eye care is important to us, so we answered some of the most common ones for you.

What is a Vision Screening?

You may have received a vision screening at work or at school years ago. Maybe you had a vision screening test when you renewed your driver’s license.

This is not the same as a comprehensive eye exam. Screening is usually performed by volunteers, a school nurse, or a DMV employee and will last only a few minutes.

During a vision screening, you will be tested for major problems as quickly as possible. Some things that are tested for include blurred vision and loss of muscle control. This is usually done by reading the letters on an eye chart.

What is the Difference Between a Vision Screening and An Eye Exam?

A vision screening test is intended to identify people with undetected vision problems. During the screening, you will be tested for many things including symptoms of major eye problems, and if the person performing the visual screening foresees any major issues, they will recommend you schedule an appointment with your optometrist or ophthalmologist for further examination.

A comprehensive eye exam, on the other hand, is an in-depth examination performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. During an eye exam, you will be checked not only for visual acuity and color blindness but also for signs of serious eye problems, like glaucoma and cataracts. Vision problems can be treated if they are detected early.

Early signs of serious health problems can also be detected during your eye exam. These can include high blood pressure as well as the risk of stroke and diabetes. Your doctor will discuss your results and go over any eye care instructions they may have.

Adults should have comprehensive vision exams every two years. However, if you’re 60 or older you should have your eyes checked once a year to make sure you are seeing as well as you should.

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What is a Cataract Screening?

A cataract screening is usually one part of a comprehensive eye exam. People with cataracts see the world as if they are looking through a foggy window. It can be hard to drive a car or read, and they may become more sensitive to light. Cataracts develop slowly and cloud the lens of the eye over time.

They are the leading cause of vision loss in adults 55 and older. During the vision screening, we will review your symptoms and medical history, and perform a few specialized tests.

These Tests May Include:

Visual Acuity Test – You will be asked to read a line of letters on a chart or through a viewing device. The letters will get smaller the farther down you go. Your eyes will be tested one at a time by covering one eye, and then the other. This vision screening test determines your vision at a given distance.

Slit Lamp Examination – A slit lamp is a microscope that uses a bright line of light, or a slit, to allow your doctor to examine the anatomy in the front part of your eye. This allows your eye doctor to look at your cornea, lens, iris, and the area between your cornea and iris.

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Factors that Increase Your Risk of Cataracts Include:

Age
Diabetes
Previous eye injury
Previous eye surgery
Extreme exposure to sunlight
Smoking
Obesity
Use of certain medications
High blood pressure
Excessive alcohol use

Vision Screening Tests From Specialty Eye Institute

A vision screening should be a part of everyone’s regular health routine. Undetected vision problems can lead to issues at work or school. Why take the risk? Do your eyes a favor and call us today to schedule your vision screening. In addition to offering innovative vision screenings to clients, our team of ophthalmologists offers other types of vision care solutions. Our doctors provide reliable vision treatments such as LASIK eye surgery, corneal transplants, blepharoplasty treatments, and refractive lens exchange surgery. Give our team of ophthalmologists and doctors a call by phone at (877) 852-8463 to schedule an upcoming vision screening or treatment.

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