Eye Care Archives - Will Vision https://willvision.com/tag/eye-care/ Tue, 06 Dec 2022 23:20:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://willvision.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Untitled-2.png Eye Care Archives - Will Vision https://willvision.com/tag/eye-care/ 32 32 The Relationship Between Eyes and Sleep https://willvision.com/the-relationship-between-eyes-and-sleep/ Mon, 05 Dec 2022 08:00:37 +0000 https://willvision.com/?p=2353 Many Americans are chronically sleep-deprived, largely due to unhealthy habits like inconsistent sleep schedules. You probably already know how challenging it can be to get through your daily responsibilities after a restless night, but you may not realize that sleep deprivation can affect your precious eyesight. However, you have the power to improve your sleep...

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Many Americans are chronically sleep-deprived, largely due to unhealthy habits like inconsistent sleep schedules. You probably already know how challenging it can be to get through your daily responsibilities after a restless night, but you may not realize that sleep deprivation can affect your precious eyesight. However, you have the power to improve your sleep quality with a few simple changes.

How Lack of Sleep Impacts Eye Health

You may be familiar with the short-term symptoms of sleep deprivation, like fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Over time, insufficient sleep can compromise your immune system, make weight loss difficult, lead to high blood pressure, and contribute to mood swings and memory loss. It can also affect your eyes.

Healthy adults need seven to nine hours of restful sleep nightly to function effectively throughout the day. Over time, the less sleep you get, the more likely you’ll be to experience uncomfortable issues like eye strain and dry eyes. The good news is that improving your bedtime habits can help you get better-quality sleep.

Our Internal Clocks and Blue Light From Screens

For almost all human history until recently, the natural day-night cycle was wholly responsible for regulating people’s circadian rhythms – the internal clock that tells your brain it’s time to be alert in the morning and sleepy after dark.

Today, we spend hours per day looking at screens that emit high-energy blue light waves. Laptop screens, TVs, cellphones, and tablets all use LED technologies that generate high amounts of blue light. Light from this portion of the spectrum signals your brain that it’s daytime, no matter how late at night it is.

No matter how tech-savvy you become, you can’t change your eyes’ biology, but once you understand how blue light affects your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep, you can take steps to change your habits for the better.

Make Your Bedroom a Tech-Free Zone

If you’ve noticed you struggle to fall asleep once in bed, mindlessly scrolling through social media, checking emails, or reading articles on your phone, tablet, or laptop will only make things worse. Turn off these devices at least an hour before bedtime or change your screen settings to reduce blue light after sundown. You may be surprised how much your sleep quality improves and what a difference it makes in your daily life.

Give Your Eyes the Night off From Your Contact Lenses

Many modern contact lenses are much more oxygen-permeable than older models and allow your eyes to breathe better. However, you should still take them out overnight, even if they are a brand designed for you to sleep in.

Giving your eyes a break from contact lenses during the night will reduce the risk of eye infection and encourage recovery from the strain of the day. If you prefer to leave your contacts in, carefully follow the instructions on the package and remove them as often as possible.

Prioritize Eye Exams

Contact Will Vision and Laser Center in Portland or Vancouver, WA, if you have questions about the relationship between eye health and sleep. Or, call (877) 542-3937 to schedule a thorough eye exam!

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How Does Living An Active Lifestyle Help Your Eye Health https://willvision.com/how-does-living-an-active-lifestyle-help-your-eye-health/ Fri, 21 Oct 2022 08:00:51 +0000 https://willvision.com/?p=2339 Eating right, sleeping well, and exercising regularly are how we keep fit, feel healthy and strengthen muscles, cartilage, and bones. In addition, an active lifestyle will reduce the risk of developing chronic health problems like type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart issues. Still, you might not realize the lesser-known benefits of staying active, like...

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Eating right, sleeping well, and exercising regularly are how we keep fit, feel healthy and strengthen muscles, cartilage, and bones. In addition, an active lifestyle will reduce the risk of developing chronic health problems like type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart issues. Still, you might not realize the lesser-known benefits of staying active, like how it impacts our lifelong eye health.

A Sedentary Lifestyle Will Increase the Risk of Eye Disease

First, look at what can happen to our eyes if we don’t stay active. It makes us more susceptible to vision loss as we age. Those chronic health issues can take a severe toll on our eye health. Type-2 diabetes stands as one of the most significant factors for diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, diabetic macular edema, and glaucoma.

Additionally, without consuming the proper nutrients from a healthy diet or getting sufficient rest to recharge, our eyes don’t have the best means to defend against infection.

How To Reduce the Risk of Eye Disease

Staying active is excellent for our eye health, significantly lowering the risk of sight-threatening ailments. So, how do we stay active? Running or cycling or spending time at the gym three times a week can lower the risk of developing macular degeneration by up to seventy-five percent and reduce the risk of glaucoma by twenty-five percent.

What’s the Best Eye-Health Exercise Plan?

There are endless online sources for advice on exercise. Still, the best plan is to choose the best exercise regimen for you. So don’t worry whether or not you’re doing the most effective routines. Rather prioritize physical activity first, and the type of activity you enjoy the most?

For some, it’s working out at the gym. Others prefer swimming or jogging or hiking on nature trails. You might choose a social element like joining a running group, a martial arts studio or take a whirl with ballroom dancing. You may take up yoga, Pilates, or even rock climbing. The most enjoyable activities are the ones you’re most likely to do consistently.

Make Room for Regular Eye Exams

While an active lifestyle can go a long way towards maintaining your overall health, having regular checkups with a board-certified ophthalmologist is crucial. They will help ensure your eyes stay healthy and keep your prescriptions up to date. Early detection is the best tool to combat many eye diseases and retain eye health.

Come Visit Us

If you would like more information about maintaining your eye health in Portland, OR,  schedule a complimentary consultation with board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Brian Will.

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Can Vaping Cause Eye Problems? https://willvision.com/can-vaping-cause-eye-problems/ Fri, 22 Jul 2022 08:00:47 +0000 https://willvision.com/?p=2292 If you’ve been following headlines for the past few years, you’ve probably heard several conflicting things about vaping. While some people claim this habit is a “safe” way to smoke, lung disease and even death have links to vaping and e-cigarettes. Now, ophthalmologists are sounding the alarm that this type of smoking can harm people’s...

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If you’ve been following headlines for the past few years, you’ve probably heard several conflicting things about vaping. While some people claim this habit is a “safe” way to smoke, lung disease and even death have links to vaping and e-cigarettes. Now, ophthalmologists are sounding the alarm that this type of smoking can harm people’s vision.

What Is Vaping?

Vaping entails inhaling the vapor, or aerosol, from e-cigarettes, vape pens or similar devices. Though vapes don’t have tobacco, they contain nicotine, flavoring, and other chemicals. Some users vape drugs like LSD, GHB, and ketamine or THC, the primary psychotropic ingredient in marijuana.

How Vaping Could Affect Your Vision

A survey published in September 2019 in Optometry and Vision Science suggested vaping is not healthy for people’s eyes. Researchers found moderate to severe cases of dry eye and lower-quality tear film among 21 patients who vaped, compared with the same number of healthy non-vapers. However, since this study had such a small sample size, the scientists recommended more research to gain a more extensive understanding of how e-cigarettes affect eye health.

An earlier study published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology noted some flavor additives in e-cigarettes contain chemicals that could produce inflammation and oxidative stress – a critical factor in the development of chronic diseases. These issues can harm your eyes.

Vaping, Smoking, and Vision

Dr. Rohit Varma, director of the Southern California Eye Institute in Los Angeles, believes vaping e-cigarettes is as dangerous to your eyes as smoking tobacco because the toxins you inhale have systemic effects.

His research indicates cigarette smoking heightens the risk of many eye conditions, including:

  • Macular degeneration
  • Cataracts
  • Glaucoma
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Dry eye syndrome

However, it’s currently unclear if these risks have any links to vaping.

Dr. Varma says the eye health risks associated with vaping stem from the chemicals emitted, including formaldehyde, nicotine, and diacetyl in e-cigarette flavoring. Because these chemicals are also in cigarettes, they could cause the same vision difficulties as cigarette smoking.

Dr. Varma perceived the overall risk of vision loss might be four times greater for vapers than non-vapers, according to the American Optometric Association’s announcement that cigarette smokers face much greater odds of developing macular degeneration than nonsmokers.

Austin, Texas, ophthalmologist Dr. Tanya Khan added, “Though there have been no long-term studies to assess the effects of vaping on the eyes, it can be safely presumed that vaping creates noxious fumes that irritate the surface of the eye.” Dr. Khan recommends you should avoid vaping to safeguard your vision and overall health.

The Risks of Vaping and Smoking

Optometrists nationwide are directing patients to smoking cessation resources due to the dangers posed by cigarettes and vaping. They are also advising their patients that vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking under any circumstances.

The primary ingredient in e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes is highly addictive nicotine. Vaping exposes people to toxic chemicals with poorly understood adverse effects on overall health and well-being.

For more information about your vision and eye health, contact us at Will Vision and Laser Center or schedule a complimentary consultation with board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Brian Will.

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Do Your Sunglasses Provide Enough UV Protection? https://willvision.com/do-your-sunglasses-provide-enough-uv-protection/ Tue, 19 Jul 2022 08:00:18 +0000 https://willvision.com/?p=2295 Sunglasses are an accessory that’s practically synonymous with effortless fashion. Slipping on a pair of shades can immediately elevate your outfit to the next level, which explains why people are willing to pay top dollar for designer brand names like Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and Ray-Ban. While sunglasses are stylish, the best pairs should also...

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Sunglasses are an accessory that’s practically synonymous with effortless fashion. Slipping on a pair of shades can immediately elevate your outfit to the next level, which explains why people are willing to pay top dollar for designer brand names like Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and Ray-Ban.

While sunglasses are stylish, the best pairs should also serve the practical purpose of filtering harmful UV rays. Let’s look at the importance of sun protection for your eyes, so you can shop for shades with confidence.

What Is UV Protection, and Why Do You Need It?

There are three kinds of ultraviolet radiation – UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. Thankfully, the earth’s ozone layer absorbs UV-C. Still, it’s critical to protect your eyes from dangerous UV-A and UV-B rays.

Short-term UV exposure can leave you with sore, red eyes, and long-term exposure may lead to cataracts and skin cancer on or near your eyelids. Since you can’t apply sunscreen to your eyes, it’s critical to invest in sunglasses with sufficient UV protection. Whenever you’re outside, you should wear sunblock on your skin and sunglasses with UV protection.

How Much UV Protection Should My Sunglasses Have?

Whether your sunglasses are from a designer label or purchased at the drugstore, you should always look for a label stating that they block 100% UV radiation. While you can save money by buying an inexpensive pair of sunglasses, you could eventually pay the price in term of skin and eye damage.

Polarized vs. UV Protection Sunglasses

As you now know, it is crucial to protect your eyes from the sun’s rays. UV exposure can damage your eyelids, cornea, and conjunctiva. When choosing sunglasses, investigate the claims of polarized and UV protection lenses.

Polarized Lenses

The American Optometric Association states that polarized lenses reflect glare, but they do not provide sufficient UV protection unless treated with a special film.

While polarized sunglasses may benefit those driving or boating, the AOA warns people should not use them when doing activities like playing golf or flying an airplane because of how they affect visual information.

UV Protection

Board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Brian Will suggests avoiding sunglasses that don’t offer UV protection information. Instead, choose shades that provide at least 99% UVB protection and 95% UVA protection.

Additional Protection

The AOA recommends wearing wraparound lenses for additional UV protection. And consider polycarbonate lenses, which offer impact resistance for outdoor work and sports participation.

With no federal guidelines overseeing sunglasses and their UV protection, the AOA notes lens color and tint darkness have nothing to do with the level of UV protection offered. Price is not necessarily a reliable indication of quality.

Take Care of Your Eyes for Better Health

If you are interested in learning more about prescription sunglasses and UV protection, or need to schedule an eye exam for vision correction, contact Will Vision and Laser Centers today!

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Checklist for Better Vision and Eye Health https://willvision.com/checklist-for-better-vision-and-eye-health/ Thu, 28 Oct 2021 08:00:26 +0000 https://willvision.com/?p=2186 Vision is the power to sense the world around you – to visualize it and behold all its beauty and wonder. However, this ability varies from person to person, depending on your family history and the steps you take to maintain your eye health. Achieving and maintaining exceptional vision requires multiple practices. Board-certified ophthalmologist Dr....

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Vision is the power to sense the world around you – to visualize it and behold all its beauty and wonder. However, this ability varies from person to person, depending on your family history and the steps you take to maintain your eye health.

Achieving and maintaining exceptional vision requires multiple practices. Board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Brian Will created this checklist so you can enjoy optimal vision now and for many years to come.

Know Family History

Knowledge is power. Understanding your genetic predisposition for eye health issues is critical, since many of these problems are hereditary. Understanding what your family dealt with will help you with your approach to eye care.

Wear Sunglasses

You already know the sun can wreak havoc with your skin, but it’s just as dangerous to your eyes. Dr. Will recommends you wear sunglasses against harmful UV rays that can damage your eyes and impair your vision. Polarized sunglasses are best, with a rating of at least 95% against UVA and UVB rays.

Nutrition

A poor diet, especially during the cooler months, can adversely affect eye health. To counter this risk, eat plenty of leafy vegetables, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and fresh fruits. Avoid sugary drinks, opting for water instead.

These practices will help reduce the risk of dry eye, glaucoma, and more issues.

Quit Smoking

Tobacco is harmful to every part of the human body, especially the eyes. Cigarette smoke contains hundreds of toxic chemicals that can lead to cataracts and macular degeneration.

Rest Your Eyes

When working with computers, take a five-minute break every 30 minutes or so. Staring at a digital screen for too long can cause eye strain and tension, leading to vision problems down the road. If you wear prescription glasses or readers, invest in blue light protection to shield your eyes from the harmful electronic screen light.

Get Regular Eye Checkups With a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist

Dr. Will personally meets with every one of his patients. He thoroughly examines their eyes to understand their needs and concerns. He believes your eyesight, personality, and emotional needs are highly unique. This distinctiveness demands individualized care and attention and care, not delegated to others with less experience and training.

Quality eye health is not the result of pushing a button or interpreting an eye test. Instead, it occurs when a skilled physician applies specific treatments for every person based on a thorough understanding of their individual needs.

To get the eye care you need, now and in the future, contact our office to schedule a consultation today.

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Eye Exams: 5 Reasons Why They Are Important https://willvision.com/eye-exams-5-reasons-why-they-are-important/ Wed, 27 Oct 2021 08:00:56 +0000 https://willvision.com/?p=2183 Needing contact lenses and glasses can be a hassle. Buying them is costly, and you need an updated prescription to order them, which is why online eyewear stores are appealing. But, in trying to convince you of their convenience, they tell you, perhaps only subtly, it is okay to skip annual eye exams with your...

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Needing contact lenses and glasses can be a hassle. Buying them is costly, and you need an updated prescription to order them, which is why online eyewear stores are appealing. But, in trying to convince you of their convenience, they tell you, perhaps only subtly, it is okay to skip annual eye exams with your eye doctor.

And that is flat-out wrong. Keep reading to find out why.

A comprehensive eye exam detects eye disease, vision problems, and general health issues and is recommended for adults for vision screening and visual acuity every one to two years.

The demands on our eyes are more significant than ever. Making sure your eyes are working at optimal levels is the job of a board-certified ophthalmologist like Dr. Brian Will. Here are five of the biggest threats to eye health that make your annual eye exam essential:

1. Dry Eye

Dry eye is more than uncomfortable; it can impact your sight and overall eye health. The problems it often causes include blurred vision and ongoing irritation. It can also lead to significant damage to your cornea. Dr. Will offers significant advancements in dry eye diagnosis and treatment, so don’t ignore your eye exam for those dry eye symptoms.

2. Digital Eye Strain

With so much of our time now spent in front of computers, televisions, and mobile devices, the way we blink has fundamentally changed. Yet, blinking is critical to proper eye health. It releases lubrication from tiny glands surrounding the eyelids to slow evaporation of the tear film over the eye.

While we stare at our screens, we blink less often, which may cause these glands to clog, resulting in tear film evaporating too quickly and the onset of dry eye symptoms.

3. Sun Damage

And when we are not in front of our digital screens, we might be out getting some fresh air in the sun. Although sun exposure is more closely linked to skin cancer, its threat to your eyes is just as dangerous. So just like wearing sunscreen for your skin, investing in UV-blocking sunglasses labeled UV 400 or above is critical in preventing eye issues including cataracts and macular degeneration.

4. Allergies

With the rise of allergen and pollen counts in the air, allergy incidents are escalating as well. Anyone who deals with hay fever or other allergies understands how vulnerable the eyes are to itching, burning, and irritation.

Managing these symptoms is best done in Portland by Dr. Will. He can ensure your eyes are not being damaged by rubbing, scratching, or touching your eyes.

5. Vision Correction

Vision problems, astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness need routine check-ups with your ophthalmologist. First, you want to make sure you see as well as possible and that your prescription is updated. Second, if you wear contacts lenses, your eye doctor needs to monitor your eye health and the risks associated with contact lenses. They may further reduce oxygen to the eye’s surface or interfere with those lubricating oil glands.

Today, making and keeping your annual eye exam is essential, particularly if you have vision problems. Learn more about eye health and the importance of an annual eye examination by contacting Dr. Brian Will today.

Call (877) 542-3937 or schedule your eye exam today!

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Eye Benefits Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids https://willvision.com/eye-benefits-of-omega-3-fatty-acids/ Fri, 27 Aug 2021 08:00:54 +0000 https://willvision.com/?p=2141 DHA, the omega-3 fatty acid, is touted for its many health benefits, and vision protection is among the most important of these. A study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science indicates DHA, one of three forms of omega-3 fatty acids and a substance that makes up about thirty percent of brain matter, prevents age-related...

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DHA, the omega-3 fatty acid, is touted for its many health benefits, and vision protection is among the most important of these. A study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science indicates DHA, one of three forms of omega-3 fatty acids and a substance that makes up about thirty percent of brain matter, prevents age-related vision loss in laboratory mice.

Benefits of Omega-3 for Infant Vision Development

Several clinical research studies have shown omega-3 fats are essential for vision development in babies.

DHA can be found in maternal breast milk and in supplemented infant solutions. Omega-3 supplemental solutions also seem to stimulate vision development in babies.

Per multiple studies performed at Harvard School of Public Health and published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers discovered that healthy pre-term infants fed DHA-supplemented formula showed substantially better visual acuity at two and four months of age. This is compared with pre-term babies who were fed formula not including the omega-3 supplement.

Adult Eye Benefits Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Several studies suggest omega-3 fats may protect adult eyes from dry eye syndrome and macular degeneration. Necessary fats may also help drain intraocular fluid from the eye, decreasing the risk of glaucoma and high eye pressure.

Foods Rich with Omega-3

While both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential to our health, an optimal balance of these is crucial. Most professionals think the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in a healthy diet needs to be four to one or lower.

Sadly, the typical American diet includes considerable quantities of meat and processed foods. These tend to contain 10 to 30 times more omega-6 than omega-3 fats. This imbalance of omega-6 (”bad”) fats to omega-3 (”good”) fatty acids seems a contributing cause of several major illnesses, consisting of arthritis, asthma, cancer, and heart disease.

Among the best actions, you can take to improve your diet are eating more foods rich in omega-3 fats and fewer that are high in omega-6 fatty acids.

Optimal food sources of omega-3 fatty acids are cold-water fish. They are high in both DHA and EPA. Examples consist of tuna, salmon, herring, and sardines. Wild-caught varieties are much better than farmed fish, which typically undergo higher pollutant and chemical levels.

Other good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include dark green leafy vegetables, walnuts, flaxseeds, and flaxseed oil.

Learn More

To learn more on how omega-3 fatty acids help develop vision in children and maintain vision in adults, contact Dr. Brian Will at (877) 542-3937 or schedule an in-office consultation.

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UV and Sunglasses: How to Protect Your Eyes https://willvision.com/uv-and-sunglasses-how-to-protect-your-eyes/ Fri, 30 Jul 2021 08:00:24 +0000 https://willvision.com/?p=2124 Most people understand the sun’s UV rays are dangerous to your skin. Not only can it cause severe sunburn, but constant UV exposure can also lead to skin cancer. But did you know UV rays are also dangerous to your eyes? It can contribute to developing certain types of cataracts and possibly vision impairment through...

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Most people understand the sun’s UV rays are dangerous to your skin. Not only can it cause severe sunburn, but constant UV exposure can also lead to skin cancer. But did you know UV rays are also dangerous to your eyes? It can contribute to developing certain types of cataracts and possibly vision impairment through macular degeneration (deterioration of the retina).

So, when choosing sunglasses, you should look for sun protection above the latest fashion to maintain your vision for years to come.

When Choosing Your Sunglasses

To protect your eyes, choose sunglasses that:

  • Block UVA rays 99 to 100%
  • Block 75-90% of sunlight
  • Have lenses matching in color and free from imperfections and distortions
  • Have grey lenses for proper color recognition

The degree of darkness and lens color does nothing with the sunglasses’ ability to block the sun’s UV rays. Choose close-fitting glasses or wraparound glasses with wide lenses to protect your vision from every angle. If you wear contact lenses with UV protection, wear sunglasses also to maximize your eye safety.

In addition to wearing sunglasses, wear a wide-brimmed hat on bright sunny days to reduce your eyes’ exposure to the sun by up to fifty percent.

So, when you’re choosing your sunglasses this summer, think less about fashion and more about UV protection. It will pay dividends in protecting you and your children’s eyes from dangerous UV rays.

For the best advice on choosing sunglasses that give you the greatest UV protection, contact Will Vision & Laser Centers today.

Protect Your Childs Eyes

It’s especially critical for your children to protect their eyes from UV rays. Kids generally spend more time outdoors in the sun than adults. It’s been stated that half of a person’s UV exposure is completed by age eighteen.

With children having more transparent eye lenses than adults allowing more UV penetration, they are more susceptible to eye damage.

Make sure your child has quality sunglasses or photochromic lenses for outdoors. Also, encourage your child to wear a hat when they go outside on sunny days.

More Tips on Sunglasses and UV Exposure

When devising a strategy to protect your eyes, keep these tips in mind:

  • Not all sunglasses block UV rays 100%. Take them to your eye doctor for approval
  • Wear sunglasses in the shade to avoid reflected UV rays
  • Keep sunglasses handy in the winter, especially in the snow
  • Like dark skin, dark eyes need sun protection as well

Now that it’s summer, we are more likely to get out in the sun. Be sure to shield your eyes with the proper sunglasses to protect them from UV rays.

To learn more about proper eye care or correct your vision with safe and effective treatment, contact Dr. Brian Will at Will Vision and Laser Centers located in Vancouver, Washington, and Salem, Oregon.

Schedule an in-office consultation or call 877.542.3937 today!

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10 Warning Signs of Age-Related Eye Problems https://willvision.com/10-warning-signs-of-age-related-eye-problems/ Fri, 28 May 2021 21:24:44 +0000 https://willvision.com/?p=2060 Vision problems are a common, if not inevitable, part of the aging process. Some issues are annoying, while others are eye diseases that may lead to blindness if left untreated. Early detection is the secret to solving eye problems before they increase in severity. However, this can only come through regular eye examinations and looking...

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Vision problems are a common, if not inevitable, part of the aging process. Some issues are annoying, while others are eye diseases that may lead to blindness if left untreated. Early detection is the secret to solving eye problems before they increase in severity. However, this can only come through regular eye examinations and looking out for these 10 age-related eye problems.

1. Dry Eye

After 40, expect your tear production to decline. After 65, most people deal with a burning and stinging sensation that feels like grit in their eyes. Over-the-counter drops can be beneficial for mild dry eyes. If symptoms are more severe, it’s time to consult an ophthalmologist for an eye exam and possible treatment.

2. Floaters

Those tiny squiggles, strings, and specks are typically harmless, caused by age-related gel-like fluid that fills the back of your eyes. But when they change from occasional to an increased number, it’s time to make a beeline to your eye doctor. It may be a symptom of a more serious eye condition like a detached retina.

3. Glaucoma

This eye issue is the leading cause of blindness in people over 60. It is the buildup of fluid not draining, leading to pressure and optic nerve damage. It is painless and can affect both eyes, but typically not at the same time. Early detection and treatment can avert blindness.

4. Macular Degeneration

This eye disorder attacks the macula, the center of the retina. It causes blurred or wavy vision and central vision loss. Although there is no cure, there are ways to slow down its progression and lower its risk.

5. Cataracts

Cataracts are the result of proteins breaking down in the lens. When it interferes with everyday activities, Dr. Will may recommend exchanging a clouded lens for an artificial one.

6. Diabetic Retinopathy

This condition occurs when excess glucose damages retinal blood vessels. These vessels may swell and leak blood or other fluids into the retina, causing blurred vision. Eye exams and keeping your diabetes under control is the best way to preserve your sight.

7. Detached Retina

When the retina separates from the back of the eye, the gel-like fluid at the eye center changes in texture and shrinks. The problem isn’t painful, but without treatment, the greater the risk of permanent vision loss.

8. Trichiasis

This common age-related eye condition becomes evident when the lashes rub against the cornea or conjunctiva (thin inner surface of the lids). It can cause eye irritation, redness, tearing, light sensitivity, and possible corneal abrasion. Treatment includes an in-office treatment to remove lashes.

9. Eye Strain

When your eyes get overworked or spend too much time in front of digital screens, they can become tired, itchy, achy, and dry. Driving long distances can have a similar effect. Follow the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes of watching a screen, focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

10. Blepharitis

This common condition is where the eyelid rims become inflamed. It is common with people who have skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea. It may produce swelling, burning, redness, crusty lashes, and itchy lids.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your journey to better vision, contact Will Vision & Laser Centers today. We’re excited to welcome you into our practice and for you to “See the Difference.”

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Myopia: Is There A Cure for Nearsightedness? https://willvision.com/myopia-is-there-a-cure-for-nearsightedness/ Wed, 26 May 2021 17:25:01 +0000 https://willvision.com/?p=2063 Myopia is defined as a problem seeing things far away. Although nearsightedness affects all ages, the constant use of digital screens on smartphones, tablets, and computers has increased its risk with children. But you might ask – if you or your children struggle with nearsightedness, is there a cure? Since the advent of smartphones and...

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Myopia is defined as a problem seeing things far away. Although nearsightedness affects all ages, the constant use of digital screens on smartphones, tablets, and computers has increased its risk with children. But you might ask – if you or your children struggle with nearsightedness, is there a cure?

Since the advent of smartphones and tablets, researchers and eye care practitioners have wondered the same thing. Recent studies indicate it may be possible to control myopia by reducing its progression during childhood and among teens. However, at this time, there is no cure.

Nearsightedness Is Not an Eye Disease

Myopia is a refractive flaw caused by an elongated eyeball. This elliptical shape prevents light that enters the eye to not focus on the retina at the back of the eye. Instead, the light focuses on the front of the retina, causing objects to appear blurry in the distance.

Myopia Control

Finding the best treatment for myopia first requires an eye exam. Board-certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Brian Will can determine the severity of your myopia. He will suggest a clear pathway to regain clear vision from solutions as simple as wearing glasses to wavefront-guided refractive eye surgery. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better the patient can avoid poor eyesight at school or work.

Glasses

Glasses are the most popular solution for nearsighted patients. It allows them to see objects in the distance with clarity. For our older patients who suffer from presbyopia, glasses may be multi-focal, offering correction for reading and distance built into the same set of lenses.

However, they may cause a collection of aggravations. These include physical discomfort on the nose and ears, inconvenience when participating in physical or sporting activities, and fogging in humid conditions. Multi-focal glasses can create a fish-bowl effect that can generate dizziness, difficulty walking, or going up and down the stairs.

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are trendy, particularly since the introduction of soft contact lenses that can correct for astigmatism. Unfortunately, many people simply cannot tolerate the insertion or wearing of contact lenses. For others who have successfully used contacts in the past, they can sometimes no longer tolerate them due to the onset of allergies or dry eye. Fortunately, those who cannot wear contact lenses are frequently ideal candidates for advanced Wavefront-Guided Bladeless Lasik.

Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK)

LASIK surgery is a popular, safe, and highly effective option for nearsightedness. Its laser is designed to reshape your cornea, permitting light entering your eye to focus correctly. With today’s advanced technology, most patients are suitable candidates for laser vision correction.

Your specific condition dictates whether surgery can provide the results you want. It’s essential to note LASIK centers that utilize older technologies cannot deliver the best results available.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Will to discuss treatment options for myopia, contact his Vancouver, Washington, Salem, or Portland, Oregon offices today. Call (877) 542-3937 or complete our online contact form.

The post Myopia: Is There A Cure for Nearsightedness? appeared first on Will Vision.

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