Itchy, red and irritated eyes. Suffering from this malady may not be the worst health problem one can encounter, but it is certainly one of the most frustrating. Dry eyes are caused by a medley of factors: the aging process, structural problems that don’t allow eyes to close properly and even side effects from certain prescription medications. Some suffer from diseases that inhibit the eye’s natural tear-making process, like Sjogren’s Syndrome or arthritis.
The side effects of dry eyes can range from pain or a feeling of having something in one’s eye to light sensitivity and itching. Some even experience blurred vision. Depending on the severity of the symptoms of dry eye, several methods of relief may be employed.
The first and most common is simple eye lubricants and ointments, some of which are available over the counter. For those suffering from chronic dry eye, it is necessary to apply eye drops even when they aren’t in pain or their eyes seem normal. The only prescription eye drop to help the eye increase its own tear production currently is Restasis.
A more aggressive treatment is temporary punctal occlusion, which is a process that inserts a dissolvable plug into the tear drain of the lower eyelid. This is done in order to keep tears in the eye rather than draining. If this route works for the sufferer, permanent punctal occlusion is usually incorporated. This is the same process except silicone plugs are used instead of dissolvable ones.
Sometimes optometrists will prescribe other medications to help increase tear production. Steroids that can be applied to the skin around the eye are just one example. If none of these methods prove to be effective, surgery might be ordered for the patient. When surgery is performed, the ducts that drain tears down through the nasal cavity are permanently closed. This outpatient surgery allows more tears to stay around and in the eye socket, thus keeping the eyes lubricated enough without eye drops.
If you think you suffer from dry eyes, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our office is in Ogden and our optometrist will ease your suffering.
Tags: Do I need to see an optometrist, What is dry eyes, Where is there an optometrist in Ogden
Optometry is a medical science that studies the eyes, eye structure, and vision. An optometrist is a trained doctor that is licensed in the treatment and care of human eyes. It is recommended that most people with healthy eyes visit their optometrist at least once a year, as the signs of degeneration and other diseases can set in quickly. In order to practice in the United States, an optometrist must have completed four years of optometry school after completing three years of an accredited college or university. After graduation, state exams and evaluations are given and passed before a license is issued.
In an office setting, an optometrist is responsible for testing the vision of patients by way of various testing equipment and and in office exam. Optometrist often find the onset of major diseases like diabetes long before they set in to the body because symptoms seem to arise in the eyes in many cases. An optometrists is actually licensed to diagnose diabetes and other systemic diseases like hypertension, without referring the patient to a medical doctor. If an abnormality of vision or disease is discovered, the optometrist is responsible for treating and prescribing medicines to for eye disease. Vision corrective lenses are also prescribed for those with less than perfect vision, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Those diagnosed with these problems are almost always prescribed corrective lenses in the form of eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Though an optometrist can diagnose and treat a problem, he or she may not perform surgical procedures. Only a license ophthalmologist can operate on the eyes. An optometrist can however, treat patients with post-surgical care. Because of this, many optometrists and ophthalmologists choose to open joint practices, referring patients to one another for specific forms of care.
An optometrist is also responsible for running an office, including keeping up with patient records, maintaining equipment integrity, keeping a sanitized environment, and managing a help staff. The work can be overwhelming at time, and an optometrist may elect to hire an office manager or optometrist assistant to help ease the workload.
Most optometrists see their patients a minimum of once per year, with prescriptions generally expiring after that time period. Many insurance companies have vision plans, though the cost of basic exam and prescription is relatively low in most cities. The wait time for an appointment can be anywhere from one day to one month, depending upon the reputation and experience of the optometrist being seen.
If you are unsure of whether or not you need to see an optometrist or your normal doctor please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our office is in Ogden.
Tags: Do I need to see an optometrist, Where is there an optician in Ogden, Where is there an optometrist in Ogden
Daily wear disposable contact lenses are considered to be quite safe to use and because of this, they are enormously popular. Disposable contact lenses – which were designed to be worn and then thrown away, pose no problems of cleaning or storage. These types of contacts are simply discarded at day’s end and then replaced with new ones. And according to the numbers, fully 80% of individuals who choose to wear contacts wear soft lenses, as they do not cause many irritations and they are very comfortable. They also fit very well on people’s eyes and they do not become dislodged from the eye even when playing rough sports. Disposable contact lenses can be worn for either one day or they can be worn for up to four weeks before being thrown away—this way, the lenses won’t develop tears or deposits and they don’t require any elaborate sterilization procedures.
Just like everything else, daily wear disposable contacts have pros and cons:
Pros:
- Lipid or protein deposits don’t occur as also bacterial or fungal growth. Since the contacts are replaced every day-or on a frequent basis-the eyes of the wearer will be protected from allergies.
- Problems that arise from insufficient storage or incorrect handling don’t occur because the lenses are discarded on a daily or frequent basis.
- Disposable contact lenses can be found in a wide array of colors.
- They are very lightweight and constructed of materials that don’t irritate the eyes.
- Contacts known as daily wear lenses or soft lenses let oxygen pass through them and into the cornea, which provides great comfort.
Cons:
- Disposable contact lenses cost a bit more than long lasting lenses.
- They can be used only to correct a limited amount of eyesight problems.
- They are not very durable at all.
Always consult with your optometrist to find out what type of disposable lens is the best choice for you. You should also compare issues like durability, comfort, costs and the like. Just remember that the Internet is brimming with information regarding the pros and cons of disposable contact lenses and you should take full advantage of it to make an informed decision.
Or, why not call into our office in Ogden where you can speak to our highly qualified opticians for more advice.
Tags: The benefits of disposable contact lenses, Where can I buy disposable contact lenses in Ogden, Where is there an optician in Ogden
