Monthly Archives: May 2019

Do you ever wake up with red, itchy eyes, or just have a day where you feel like your eyes are dry and irritated?

Most of us have experienced one or all of those symptoms. It’s pretty common to have irritated eyes now and again, due to all sorts of normal things. Here’s a list of pretty common irritants that will lead to dry, itching, irritated eyes.

• Allergies: pollen, mold, pet dander, and dust are common culprits. Most folks experience some seasonal eye watering and itchiness during allergy season, or when they’ve been exposed to an irritant.
• Lack of sleep: When you miss out on enough shut eye, you sometimes see pretty negative effects. Not getting enough rest can lead to redness at the very least, dryness, and general irritability of your eyes.
• Skincare products: Did your sunscreen or moisturizer run into your eyes? Did you forget to take off mascara before bed? Most over-the-counter products are safety tested and won’t cause lasting damage, but still can cause irritation.
• Rubbing your eyes: When you rub your eyes or touch them without washing your hands first, you can introduce irritating germs. Try not to rub your eyes, when you can.
• Staring at a computer most of the day: Some people find this causes eye strain.
• Dry air: We live in a dry climate. Dryness and dust in the air can cause irritation, as well.

So, what can you do? First, we recommend home care. You can use drops, warm compresses, and take it easy when your eyes are irritated. Be sure also to wash your hands before rubbing your eyes.

But also know that if you have any questions, you should always feel free to call an eye doctor. A good one will have someone in reception that is knowledgeable enough to let you know when you need to come in.

However, if you’re experiencing pain or changes in vision with the above symptoms, that’s when you know to call to schedule an appointment. Your doctor should usually be able to get you in on the same day to see what’s going on, and help you find the right answers.

Have questions about your vision, how to prevent eye damage, or need to talk through an issue? Please reach out to us at Utah Eye Centers! We can help you to examine your options. We look forward to meeting with you!

Do you know when to schedule an eye exam? Do you know what symptoms warrant a visit? Should you bring a friend to drive you home? Today we answer all of those questions, and more.

When your vision is good and you’re feeling healthy, it’s tempting to put off a visit to see an ophthalmologist. But in general, you should be scheduling a visit every 1-2 years, depending on age and risk factors, symptoms, and whether or not you wear glasses or contacts to correct your vision. So, what should you expect when you get there?

Your eye doctor will give you a comprehensive vision check and eye exam. He or she will run tests for glaucoma and cataracts, and look for signs of degeneration. The doctor will ask questions about your medical history to know if you have any risks for eye-related conditions, such as those that often accompany diabetes, and will want to know if you’re taking any medications for the same reason.

Sometimes your eye doctor will find it necessary to dilate your eyes to conduct a more thorough check. She or he will use eye drops that open the pupils, and will shine a light into the eye to get a better look at the blood vessels and nerve in the eye. It doesn’t hurt, but it will leave your vision temporarily cloudy.

That’s when you don’t want to drive. If you think you’ll need your pupils dilated, bring a friend to drive you home or plan to spend a little extra time in the waiting room for the dilation to wear off.

Still not sure if you should schedule a visit? The following milestone are the guiding signs to lead you to schedule an appointment:

• You can’t remember the last time you went to see an eye doctor
• You have difficulty seeing street signs in the dark, or other trouble driving at night and in the early morning
• Your eyes feel dry, red and itchy constantly, or you’re seeing “floaters” in your vision, spots, or flashes of light
• You notice any vision changes, or that your eyes feel strained easily

Have questions about your vision, how to prevent eye damage, or need to talk through an issue? Please reach out to us at Utah Eye Centers! We can help you to examine your options. We look forward to meeting with you!