Archive for category: Eye Health

Astigmatism is common. The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that 1 in 3 people have at least some degree of astigmatism.

This condition happens when the cornea and/or lens in your eye aren’t perfectly curved. Any abnormality in the curvature of these tissues can disrupt the way light normally enters the eye and prevent light from focusing clearly on the light-sensitive retina. This can lead to blurry vision at any viewing distance.

Many people are born with astigmatism, but it can also develop later in life as a result of things like eye surgery, trauma, or infection. You may also be more at risk for astigmatism if you have other refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia), which are a result of abnormalities in the shape of the cornea and/or eyeball itself.

Astigmatism Signs and Symptoms

Astigmatism symptoms can range from mild to very pronounced. People with astigmatism may notice:

• Blurry vision
• The need to squint in order to see
• Eye strain or fatigue
• Headaches
• Impaired night vision

How Our Riverdale Optometrist Staff Treats Astigmatism

For some people, their astigmatism is so mild that they don’t need any special interventions other than routine eye exams. But when astigmatism becomes severe enough to affect vision, it’s important to work with an eye doctor who can monitor your condition and provide individualized treatments to help you see better in your day-to-day life.

At Riverdale Vision Care, our optometrist team provides comprehensive diagnostic services to help detect and assess astigmatism. We work with our patients to provide meaningful vision care solutions that help them see better. Some of our top astigmatism treatment options include:

• Prescription eyeglasses and/or contact lenses
• Hard-to-fit contact lenses (e.g., scleral lenses) for advanced forms of astigmatism
• Orthokeratology, a specialized contact lens worn at night that temporarily reshapes the corneas and improves daytime vision

Some people choose to undergo surgical interventions like laser eye surgery (LASIK) in order to correct their astigmatism. In these cases, our Riverdale optometry team happily provides essential pre-and post-operative care to ensure your procedure goes smoothly and your outcomes are optimized!

If you live near Riverdale, NJ, and are concerned about astigmatism symptoms, contact Riverdale Vision Care today at 973-248-0060 to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.

Ultraviolet light consists of a harmful spectrum of light that can do damage to your eyes. UV light is emitted from the sun, but can also be emitted from certain man-made devices like welder’s torches, too. One of the most important ways to protect your eyes from ultraviolet light is sunglasses.

If your eyes are particularly susceptible to ultraviolet light, then wearing one hundred percent ultraviolet blocking sunglasses will protect your vision fully during the day. Normal sunglasses may provide some protection from glare, but under most circumstances won’t fully protect your vision. You can also purchase reading glasses with special lenses that will also block ultraviolet light.

Avoid Being In The Sun For Long Periods Of Time

Although the sun is needed both for your health and well-being, being out in the sun for too long could make you susceptible to eye damage or melanomas due to exposure to UV rays. Avoid being out at times when the sun is highest, and if possible wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade your eyes. Choose periods of the day when the sun is at its weakest, such as sunrise and sunset, to enjoy a walk outdoors.

Protect Yourself From Devices That Emit Ultraviolet Light

There are some devices on the consumer market that deceptively advertise as ultraviolet free but are not. Devices such as germicidal lamps or welder’s torches emit light spectrums that cause eye damage. If possible, wear protective glasses and clothing to avoid most if not all of the UV exposure while operating these devices.

How to Recover from UV Eye Damage

Overexposure to UV rays cause inflammation in the eye and surrounding tissues. After damaging exposure to ultraviolet light, seek a dark environment with little light to maximize healing. Eat a diet rich in Vitamin A and Omega 3’s and consider a nap to give your body time to heal from the inflammation. Ultraviolet light will only be permanently damaging after overexposure over a period of months to years, so don’t fret if you have only been exposed once or twice.

To recap, always wear sunglasses when outdoors for long periods of time, and if possible seek shade. Looking down when in direct sunlight and even squinting can help minimize UV exposure. And avoid looking into the sun and wear a wide-brimmed hat if possible.

The average person in the modern-day world spends at least 11 hours staring at a screen, which means they are using their phone, computer, or tablet or watching television. All this time spent staring at a screen can have an effect on your vision, but this is something that most people rarely consider. Take a look at a few things you should be doing to protect your eyes.

Take Frequent Breaks to Give Your Eyes a Rest

One of the simplest things you can do to protect your eyes from the damages that too much screen time can cause is to take breaks. You don’t have to get up, put down your device, or close your laptop, but it is best to pull your eyes away from the screen, look around, and even close your eyes to take a break. It is easy to hold your eyes focused in one spot when you are really interested in something, and just like the muscles in the rest of your body, your eyes need to be stretched.

Practice Conscious Blinking

One of the biggest dangers of too much screen time is that you don’t blink as often when you are focused on something. Therefore, your eyes can get dry and irritated, which can lead to a host of other problems. While you are watching TV or working on your laptop, make sure you consciously blink every little bit. The average person should be blinking 15 to 20 times per minute, and there really is no such thing as blinking too often.

Keep Your Prescription Glasses Up to Date

If it has been a while since you have had your prescription glasses or contact lenses updated and you spend a lot of time watching screens, it is important that you go ahead and schedule an appointment. Keeping your prescription up to date will ensure you are not straining your eyes too much while you spend time looking at a screen.

Contact Us for Vision Help in Riverdale, NJ

Your vision is one of the most important senses you have. It should be rightly protected. If you have vision concerns due to a lot of screen time, contact us at the Riverdale Vision Care office to schedule an appointment.