Yearly Archives: 2023

Utah Eye Centers   →  Utah Eye Centers Blog   →  2023
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Protect your vision with these simple lifestyle changes

67902379_MInevitably, as we age, we begin to notice a decrease in a number of functions. Our eyesight is one of those functions. You may be wondering what’s the science behind eyesight loss. The reasons are plenty. Over time our lenses begin to lose flexibility, we may suffer hereditary vision loss or even overexposure to the elements. The fact is that your eyesight probably isn’t getting any better with time. So we’ve compiled a list of little lifestyle changes that make a big difference in your overall eye health.

Adequate sleep the amount of sleep you get each night has a direct correlation to your overall eye health. Although it may feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day, taking the time to get proper rest is essential. When we rest, the cells in our eyes are revitalized. Consider adopting better sleep habits if you’re experiencing eye spasms, dryness or exhaustion. Depending on age, the hours of sleep needed each night may vary.

Balanced diet As the saying goes, “you are what you eat,” and certain foods we’ll call “sight food.” These foods are rich in antioxidants, omega-3s and phytochemicals that work to improve our vision and eye health. As one would expect, many foods that would benefit vision health also benefit overall health. By making healthier choices and eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and nutrient-dense foods, you can expect to slow or prevent vision loss.

Protection from the elements alongside the potential of injury, protecting your eyes from the elements drastically improves the well-being of your vision. Nothing is better than a beautiful day out; Lo and behold, the sun’s UV rays are harmful to our eyes. So choose sunglasses that protect from UVA and UVB rays, and your eyes will thank you!

Regular eye exams it goes without question that health and the doctor go hand in hand. Regular visits to the ophthalmologist will give you a better understanding of your overall vision wellness and assist with preventative measures that will preserve/strengthen your current seeing situation. Avoiding the eye doctor and/or glasses may rapidly increase the loss of vision, being that strain on the eyes will only wear on the muscles rather than strengthen them.

Schedule your routine exams with the ophthalmologist today by visiting us at http://www.utaheyecenters.com/

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Blindness in foresight: The causes and solutions of Amblyopia

What is Amblyopia?Dog wear nerd glasses.

Also known as “lazy eye,” Amblyopia is a common condition typically developing from ages zero to seven. A lazy eye is caused by the reduced vision in one eye, causing the affected eye to wander either inward or outward. It is estimated that 10 million eyes are affected by Amblyopia in the United States alone.

Although it isn’t impossible, Amblyopia rarely occurs in both eyes. So you may ask yourself, “Is this condition treatable?” The answer is yes! The doctors at Utah Eye Centers offer treatment options for Amblyopia in the form of glasses, contact lenses or patch therapy.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Amblyopia are most commonly distinguished by the appearance of the lazy eye, which turns either inward or outward. Symptoms also include but are not limited to:

  • Eyes that appear to be focused in two different directions
  • Squinting or closing of the eye
  • Poor perception
  • Difficulty reading
  • Reduced motor skills
  • Reduced/inability to concentrate

Causes

A few things can cause lazy eye, and they’re all pretty common.

If your vision or your child’s vision is blurred, it can make their eyes cross, leading to lazy eyes. In addition, if you have astigmatism (when your cornea has a bumpy surface) or if your child has an eye infection or inflammation that causes the shape of their cornea to change, this can also cause the eyes to cross and lead to lazy eyes.

Eyes that turn out (turning in is normal), can also result in a lazy eye. The brain is used to seeing the world from one perspective—it’s confused when both eyes send different images. So if one eye sends an image and the other doesn’t, it will ignore the input from the weaker eye.

How does it affect the eyes?

A person experiencing Amblyopia will experience unclear, blurred images from the lazy eye. The receptors in the brain will block the blurry image and focus on the clear image sent by the stronger eye.

The eye experiencing Amblyopia generally tends to weaken over time thus resulting in blindness or near blindness in the eye.

Being that Amblyopia most commonly occurs in adolescence, it is essential one be diagnosed and treated as early as possible to prevent the progression of the disorder.

Amblyopia can have long-lasting effects, so early detection is vital.

Although Amblyopia does not cause pain, It can lead to blindness in that eye. One dealing with this disorder would benefit from early diagnosis as this is a progressive disorder that could cost one their eye’s sight all in all.

For more than 18 years, the doctors at Utah Eye Center have worked with patients to correct common and not-so-common eye disorders. Schedule a consultation today and begin the journey toward better sight! Call us today at 801-476-0494

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Winterizing your eyewear routine for winter weather

84051963 - portrait of a bearded guide wearing a hat and sunglassesWinter is here, and we all know what that means: it’s time to layer up. Not just in clothes but also your eyewear wardrobe.

In the winter months, our eyes are exposed to much higher rates of dry heat and bright snow-capped landscapes, which can be hard on our eyesight—especially if you’re wearing contact lenses. If you notice consistent discomfort, you may be experiencing dry eye syndrome.

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition affecting over four million Americans yearly. Dry eyes can cause the following symptoms:

  • Irritation
  • Itching
  • Burning or stinging sensation
  • Gritty feeling
  • Excessive tearing
  • Redness and pain
  • Blurry vision
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Discomfort with contact lens wear
  • Eye fatigue

If you or someone you know is suffering from dry eye syndrome, the first thing is to ensure that you use a humidifier in your home or office. Humidifiers are environmentally friendly and non-toxic; they decrease the number of allergens in the air and are portable. Try putting one near where you spend most of your time so that the water vapor from the unit moistens the air around you.

Dry eyes are a common condition that affects many people. They’re caused by problems with the tear film, which coats your eye and keeps it healthy. Dry eyes are typically relieved with a blink or two, but seriously dry eyes might need a bit more reinforcement to recover.

When you don’t produce enough tears or when they evaporate too quickly, your eyes can become irritated and uncomfortable. Dry eye syndrome can happen because of age, medication side effects, or environmental elements like the cold. A solution to consider for dry irritated eyes could be lubricating eye drops or “artificial tears.”

Many different types of eye drops available can help treat dry eye symptoms. Eye lubricants work by adding some of the same elements that your tears naturally have: water, oil, and mucus. This helps your tear film work more effectively to protect the surface of your eyes from irritants like dust and smoke particles.

You can get lubricating eye drops without a prescription. There are many brands to choose from, but remember that no single brand works best for all types of dry eye. Instead, you should try a few different brands to find the one that works best for your eyes.

If these steps aren’t enough, then it may be a good idea to discuss your contact lens or glasses options with an eye doctor at Utah Eye Centers. They can recommend an affordable and effective way to keep your eyes safe this winter!

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