3 Rules to Follow with Eye Makeup to Protect Your Eyes

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From mascara and eyeliner to false eyelashes and eyeshadow, all the ways we make our eyes pop are a lot of fun to experiment with. Unfortunately, using the wrong techniques and products could mean everything from dry eye problems in Riverdale, NJ to problems with eye irritation, infections, and more. Take a look at some simple rules to follow with your eye makeup to ensure you don’t put your visual health at risk.

1. Only buy products from reputable brands

When you buy eye makeup, opt for products from brands that have a reputable reputation. Don’t go through third-party sellers with what appears to be name-brand makeup for really low prices. In recent years, several counterfeit makeup products have been found to contain everything from carcinogens to arsenic and lead. You definitely don’t want these agents hanging out around your eyes.

2. Watch out for irritating ingredients

While makeup that does come from reputable producers must contain ingredients that are safe to use, you do still have to be mindful of irritants that may be specific to you. For example, some people find that their eyes are more sensitive to eyeliner that is waterproof. This may lead to issues with dry eyes, chalazion, and other problems.

3. Always wash off your makeup before going to sleep

Even though this is a tip that most people know, a lot of people do neglect to properly clean off their eye makeup before going to bed. When you are asleep, you may rub your eyes with your hands or get makeup in your eyes. Plus, cleaning off the products before bed gives your eyes a break from any irritants that may be in the cosmetics you use. Use warm, soapy water or an eye-safe makeup cleanser to remove all of the makeup from your eyes and eyelashes before bed.

Talk to a Riverdale, NJ Eye Doctor About Vision Protection

Whether you have experienced an issue with eye makeup you use on a regular basis or you just need advice about what products are safe to use, a Riverdale, NJ eye doctor can help. Reach out to us at the Riverdale Vision Center to schedule an appointment and keep your visual health in check.

How to Recover From UV Damage 

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Photokeratitis is a temporary but painful eye condition caused by overexposure to UV radiation. UV radiation is emitted by the sun, which is why sunglasses are recommended by youreye doctor in Riverdale, NJ. Your eyes can be overexposed to UV radiation from other sources, too, such as tanning beds and the use of UV lights in the home or garden area.

Symptoms of Photokeratitis

Symptoms of overexposure to UV radiation are impossible to miss. You may not realize that your eyes are being overexposed to UV radiation, but the symptoms will be very apparent shortly afterward. Symptoms include:

  • Painful eyes
  • Scratchy eyes; “sandy” sensation
  • Blurred vision
  • Headache
  • Swelling around the eyes
  • Seeing halos
  • Low vision or partial loss of vision
  • Teary, watery eyes

You may have multiple symptoms, depending upon the severity of the overexposure.

How to Recover From UV Radiation

Although photokeratitis is painful and scary, it is usually temporary. You can expect symptoms to abate from between six and 24 hours later. By 48 hours, all symptoms should have disappeared. To aid in recovery and help with the discomfort, do the following:

  • Take an over-the-counter medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen for any associated pain and/or swelling
  • Remove any contact lenses. Do not wear eyeglasses
  • Lie down and keep your eyes closed
  • Place a cool, moist cloth over the closed eyes
  • Do not resume normal activities like driving, cooking, etc.
  • Do not use electronic devices
  • Do not watch TV

Preventing Photokeratitis in the Future

You can prevent this from reoccurring by practicing simple lifestyle habits. Wear sunglasses outdoors or invest in transition prescription eyeglasses. Get regulareye exams in Riverdale, NJ to help keep eyes healthy. Avoid the use of UV “grow lights” and antibacterial lights.

Dangers of UV Radiation

Photokeratitis is temporary, but you can suffer long-term effects from chronic overexposure to UV radiation. Consider how your eyes were overexposed and alter the behavior that got you there. Over time, UV radiation can lead to macular degeneration or permanent vision reduction.

If you have any special concerns or questions about photokeratitis or other eye conditions, or to book an appointment, please feel free to contact us today.

Happy 2022! Is It Time for Your Annual Eye Appointment?

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2022 is here! It’s time to make an eye appointment! There are many reasons why you should see an eye doctor in Riverdale NJ once per year. Knowing those reasons can help you take care of your eyes and prioritize your eye appointments! Here’s what you need to know about making your eye appointment for 2022.

Why You Should See the Eye Doctor Annually

There are many reasons why you should see the eye doctor annually! Whether you have glasses or not, you should be making appointments with your eye doctor once annually. Here’s why:

  • Your eyeglasses prescription may change. If you have prescription glasses, that prescription may change over time. As the prescription changes, you may need more powerful lenses to continue to function in school or out in the world.
  • If didn’t need eyeglasses before, you may need them now. Just because you didn’t need eyeglasses in the past doesn’t mean that you won’t ever need them. Your eyes will change with time. The only way that you can ensure that you’ve got the right tools for maintaining good vision is to see the eye doctor regularly.
  • Your eye doctor will check for eye diseases. Some eye diseases have no symptoms until vision loss occurs. The only way to detect these eye diseases is to see the eye doctor, who will be able to run tests to find out if you have one of these conditions.

Make Your Appointment a Routine

Lots of people forget to see the eye doctor because they forget when it’s time to make an appointment. If you start making your eye appointments in Riverdale NJ at the same time every year, you’re less likely to forget to make your appointment. Choose the same month to see the eye doctor, then make your first appointment.

What You Can Do to Take Care of Your Eyes in 2022

Wondering what else you can do to take care of your eyes in 2022? Wear sunglasses. Know the symptoms of an eye problem. And see your eye doctor at least once annually. Call today to make your appointment.

How Often Should My Little One See the Eye Doctor?

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How many times have you taken your little one to see the eye doctor? Children need to visit the eye doctor for a pediatric eye exam in Riverdale NJ on a regular basis, to ensure they have healthy eyes. If you’ve never taken your little one for an eye checkup, it may be time. Below, we’ve listed a schedule of times when you should bring your child to get their eyes checked.

Once Before Age 1

Take your child to the eye doctor for the first time when before they turn one year old. This eye checkup at a very young age can help catch eye conditions early. Some eye conditions are reversible if they’re treated as soon as possible, so don’t wait to see the specialist.

Again at Three Years Old

After your child goes to the eye doctor in Riverdale NJ for the first time at age one, take them to the eye doctor again when they’re around three years old. This will catch eye conditions that your child’s eye doctor couldn’t identify in the first exam, and will allow the eye doctor to check up on any conditions they may have identified in the first examination.

Before School

Even if your child isn’t diagnosed with any conditions during the first two eye exams, they should see the eye doctor again every year before school. Eye health is vitally important for success in school. Your child needs to be able to see so they can read, follow what’s happening in the classroom and beyond.

Remember that eye conditions and eye health can change over time. Even if your child’s eyes were healthy at the first two appointments, that can change. Going to the eye doctor will ensure that your child gets the help they need to be successful in school.

When You Notice Symptoms

Any time you notice symptoms that your child is having a problem with their vision, bring them to the eye doctor. Symptoms include:

  • Squinting to see distances or close up
  • Sits close to the TV
  • Headaches
  • Complains of blurry vision

Does your child need to see the eye doctor? Call today to make an appointment.

Are Over The Counter Readers Bad For Eyes?

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If you require the use of reading glasses to see for short distances, you are probably aware of over-the-counter readers. These readers are available without a prescription from drugstores, supermarkets and even dollar stores. They come in a range of mild prescriptions, and you can simply pick them off the rack, try them on and buy them. This makes them very appealing for folks who feel they are too busy to go to the eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ to get prescription eyewear. They are also appealing because over-the-counter readers come in a wide range of color and styles for men and women, and are highly affordable. However, are over-the-counter readers bad for the eyes?

Users May Avoid the Eye Doctor

A huge drawback to over-the-counter readers is that they are a little too easy to access. In fact, using over-the-counter readers may inadvertently make user avoid seeing the eye doctor. If adequate reading vision can be achieved by buying a cheap pair of readers, then why would a person want to go to the trouble of making an eye doctor appointment?

The inherent danger is that most people who need readers are older people. This demographic is more prone to vision problems than younger generations. Serious problems like glaucoma need to be detected and diagnosed as soon as possible in order to prevent total blindness. If an older person skips regular eye doctor appointments in favor of relying on over-the-counter readers, it’s much more likely that any eye conditions will go undetected until they cause serious damage.

Readers Can Improve Quality of Life

Now, if an older person is on a low, fixed income, those cheap over-the-counter readers can help to improve quality of life. For as little as a dollar, a person could wear readers and be able to pursue favorite hobbies like reading, doing puzzles, sewing and more. Those things are important to everyone, but especially retired persons.

The best scenario is monitored use of over-the-counter readers. This simply means that, if you choose to wear cheap readers, you should still have regular visits with your eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ. Bring in your over-the-counter readers for examination to make sure they are okay for you to use. This way, you and your eye doctor can help to make sure your vision is protected.

Eye Glasses or Contact Lenses? What to Consider When Trying to Decide

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Eyeglasses and contact lenses can both improve your vision, whether you’re far-sighted or near-sighted. However, there are many differences between glasses and contact lenses in Riverdale NJ. Knowing the differences between these two options can help you decide which one is right for you.

What to Know About Contact Lenses

Not everyone is a good candidate for contact lenses, so before you can order contacts, you’ll have to work with your eye doctor in Riverdale to find out whether you’re a good candidate for contacts.

Contact lenses need to be properly cleaned, maintained and removed on a regular basis. Patients who are too young are not able to handle the care regimen for contact lenses. Most patients aren’t eligible to have contacts until their teen years, and not every teenager is ready to take care of contacts.

Some eye conditions, like dry eyes, make use of contact lenses problematic. To find out if you’re a good candidate for contact lenses, speak to your eye doctor. Your eye doctor will evaluate your eye health and talk to you about what must be done to maintain contact lenses. Together, you two can determine whether contacts are right for you.

What to Know About Eye Glasses

Eye glasses sit on the bridge of your nose and are visible to everyone who sees you. Because they’re so visible, some people don’t want eye glasses. Others prefer glasses because they like the way glasses look, they’re easy to take on and off and harder to lose than contact lenses.

Which One Is Right For You?

If you’re not sure whether eye glasses or contacts are right for you, make an appointment with your eye doctor. To determine which product is best for you, follow these tips:

  • Have a discussion with your eye doctor about what is involved in each type of vision correction tool.
  • Try on glasses to see how you like them.
  • Find out whether you’re even eligible for contact lenses (if contact lenses appeals to you).

Finally, remember that some people who need vision correction have both contacts and glasses. They might wear glasses at night before bed, and contacts during the day. Your eye doctor can help you decide what is the right choice for you.

To find out more, make an appointment at Riverdale Vision Care.

Symptoms of COVID-19-Related Conjunctivitis

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Conjunctivitis is a big word, but it’s really only a fancy term for an eye infection. You may know it better as pink eye. Conjunctivitis can be caused by several factors, including bacteria, virus, and allergens. It’s a relatively common condition that usually clears up through medication, and it’s a known symptom of COVID-19, though not everyone who contracts COVID-19 will develop conjunctivitis. And just because you may have pink eye, this doesn’t mean you have Coronavirus. Your eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ, can give you more information regarding pink eye.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

Symptoms of conjunctivitis are the same regardless of the cause. They include:

  • Itchy eyes
  • A pink tint to the whites of the eyes
  • A feeling of grittiness when you rub your eyes
  • Excessive tearing
  • Discharge
  • Crusty eyes in the morning

When you have pink eye, this means the conjunctiva, or transparent membrane that covers the whites of your eyes, has become inflamed. The tiny blood vessels in your eye become more visible as a result. This makes your eye appear pink where it’s usually white.

Pink eye is irritating and may cause pain and discomfort. It’s also contagious. It’s easily treated, however, with artificial tears, warm or cold compresses, and frequent cleaning of the area around your eye with a clean, wet cloth. Your eye doctor may also recommend over-the-counter medicines for pain.

Symptoms of COVID-19-Related Conjunctivitis

If your conjunctivitis is caused by the COVID-19 virus, it will usually be accompanied by other symptoms, including:

  • Sore Throat
  • Congestion
  • Fatigue
  • Cough
  • Headache

If you think you may have COVID-related pink eye, it’s important to contact your health care provider right away. If you’re not terribly sick, a phone call may be best. If you have the symptoms of pink eye without the accompanying cold symptoms, schedule a pink-eye screening in Riverdale, NJ.

Riverdale Vision Care Can Help

Riverdale Vision Care is a top choice of eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ. We offer comprehensive eye exams that can help detect the early stages of eye disorders and diseases such as pink eye. In addition, we’re a one-stop shop for contact lenses. Stop by our location inside Pearle Vision Center today, or call to book a consultation.

Treatment for Ocular Disease: What You Should Know

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Ocular disease is a broad term that can refer to any eye disorder, and the treatments will vary based on not only the condition but also the severity and progression of it. It’s critical for people to find an eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ who will tailor their treatment plan for the best results. Here’s what you should know about ocular disease treatment.

The Main Ocular Diseases

The main ocular diseases include:

  • Cataracts: A cataract is a collection of proteins that obscure the natural lens of the eye.
  • Glaucoma: This disorder refers to a drainage problem. When fluids collect, they can interfere with your nerves and ultimately, your eyesight.
  • Diabetic retinopathy: Your blood sugar can cause problems with your blood vessels. Because the ones in your eyes are so tiny, this condition can cause bleeding and eventual blindness.
  • Macular degeneration: This disease affects the tissue that controls your main vision.
  • Dry eye: A relatively common condition that affects the production of tears. Dry eyes can occur for any number of reasons, including environmental changes.
  • Pink eye: Also known as conjunctivitis, this affects the membrane between your eyelid and the white portion of your eye.
  • Keratoconus: Known for its distinctive bulging shape, this disease affects the corneal tissue of the eye. This can cause distortion to what you see.

Treatments of Ocular Diseases

Luckily, ocular diseases are largely treatable, particularly if they’re caught early on. Cataracts can be controlled by one of the most routine surgeries on the planet, while glaucoma can be managed with oral prescriptions and eye drops. (In some cases, you may need surgery though to improve drainage.) And in addition to controlling diabetes with lifestyle choices, there are solutions that can prevent the formation of new blood vessels if you have retinopathy. Other common treatments include eye drops, special contact lenses, and UV treatments.

Ocular Disease Treatment in Riverdale, NJ

If you’re looking for ocular disease treatment in Riverdale, NJ, Riverdale Vision Care is here to find the best possible options for you. Our staff cannot stress enough just how important it is to catch these disorders early on, so you can get the right intervention at the right time.

How Does Keratoconus Affect the Eye?

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Keratoconus is a disorder that can cause a number of general symptoms, many of which might be mistaken for other conditions. We’ll look at exactly how it occurs and what you can expect if you’re diagnosed with it.

A Thinning Cornea

The cornea is the surface of your eye. It’s clear, shaped like a dome, and affects how you perceive light and color. With keratoconus, the cornea starts to thin and become more of a cone than a dome. As the cornea bulges, your eye becomes more sensitive to light and glare. Optometrists in Riverdale, NJ can tell you more about how the disorder is affecting your vision specifically.

This condition usually occurs in both of your eyes, but likely will be worse in one of your eyes. The condition is a gradual one that can build up over decades, and may start in people as young as 10 years old. There is no known cause but it has been linked to anything from family history to habits of rubbing your eyes.

What Can You Expect from Keratoconus?

In the beginning, you might not expect very much to change as the disorder can take a while to develop. You might have some blurriness or clouding, but the initial effects are likely to be pretty easy to correct. Most vision problems can be solved with either contacts or glasses.

However, as the disease progresses, you might notice your eyes getting worse. Your prescriptions may change frequently and you may have problems driving at night due to light sensitivity. Some people may be able to correct these issues through hard contact lenses. However, the most advanced stage of keratoconus may require a cornea transplant.

When to See an Optometrist in Riverdale, NJ

If you notice serious changes to your eyesight, it’s always a good idea to see an optometrist. Your doctor will be able to examine your eye and look for the tell-tale signs of keratoconus. If you’ve already been diagnosed with the condition, they can let you know how it’s progressing and whether it’s time for a different prescription or treatment. If you’re looking for keratoconus treatment in Riverdale, NJ, our optometrists can offer solutions at every stage of the disorder.

Eye Exams Riverdale NJ

What’s That Spot in My Vision? Could Be Eye Floaters

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You may wake up one morning and see an odd anomaly in your field of vision. Maybe the floating object looks like a spot, a string, or even a tiny bug. You can’t quite focus on it, and the object is not going away when you blink. You may have an eye floater. What is an eye floater, and should you be concerned? Let’s take a closer look at the problem and if you should seek a comprehensive eye exam in Riverdale, NJ.

What causes eye floaters?

Eye floaters are most often associated with changes to the vitreous substance in the eye. As this jelly-like material changes, tiny fibers can clump together. These small clumps generate shadows, which are what you will see as floaters. Eye floaters can also be caused by:

  • Retinal tears
  • Bleeding in the back of the eye
  • Prior or recent eye surgery
  • Eye inflammation

Will the eye floater go away?

Eye floaters don’t usually disappear on their own, but they can become far less noticeable with enough time. Some people grow so accustomed to a floater in their field of vision that they become almost blind to the shadow because their brain and eyes work together to adjust. Sometimes, the small clumped fibers in the vitreous fluid will settle to the bottom of your eye where they will be out of sight.

Can the eye doctor help?

Eye floaters can be especially hard to treat because they are caused by shadows cast on the retina from another part of the eye. A few invasive treatments may help, such as a vitrectomy to remove the vitreous and replace it with a medically approved solution. Some eye doctors also use laser treatment to break yo the fibrous clusters, but this form of treatment has not been well-established and may come along with other risks.

Contact Us About Visual Problems in Riverdale, NJ

Eye floaters are not often something that should cause major concern. Nevertheless, persistent problems or suddenly severe problems should spur you to reach out to an eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ right away. If you have floaters or vision disturbances causing you concern, feel free to reach out to us at Riverdale Vision Care to schedule an appointment.