You simply can’t read another word. Your eyes have had it. They’re tired, dry, and sore.You’re suffering from eyestrain.

There are numerous causes of eyestrain-from stress to astigmatism to jaw disorders. “Most people have a tiny bit of astigmatism and do not even know they have it,” says Andrew S. Farber, M.D., F.A.C.S., an ophthalmologist in private practice in Terre Haute, Indiana. “But it may show itself as eyestrain.” Astigmatism is a defect in vision caused by an abnormal curvature of the cornea or lens of the eye, both of which help the eye to focus an image, it can usually be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Tension in the neck and back muscles-from sitting at a computer all day, for instance-can also cause the eyes to tire.

Numerous diseases may show themselves as eyestrain. Glaucoma, a condition in which pressure within the eye becomes elevated, is one such condition. Even diseases not directly related to the eye may show up as eyestrain. In rare instances, the jaw disorder called temporo-­mandibular joint syndrome, or TMJ, which causes facial pain, can lead to aching eyes.

One of the reasons eyestrain is so common is that the lens in the eye gradually loses some of its ability to change shape-and thus focus an image clearly-as we age. This condition, referred to as presbyopia, becomes most pronounced after age 40. It affects the eye’s ability to focus on an image up close, which is why older individuals often need to hold reading material at arm’s length.

Because there are so many causes of eyestrain, it’s best to consult an eye-care professional for a complete diagnosis if you’ve been suffering from eyestrain for a month or more or if it seems to have become more frequent or bothersome, advises Henry D. Perry, M.D., clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at Cornell Medical College in New York. An eye examination should be performed once a year, especially for people 35 years of age and older and for anyone with a family history of glaucoma or diabetes.In the meantime, here are some ways to ease the strain on your eyes.

Make the light right. “Working in dim or harsh light won’t harm the eyes, but it may be more demanding,” says Farber. Too much light can result in too much glare, while too little light may simply make it too difficult to read or see clearly, says Farber. Try to keep the lighting at a comfortable level-not too dark or too bright.

Try indirect lighting. Fixtures that face upward, allowing their light to bounce off a ceiling or wall, create a comfortable, diffusely lighted environment that’s not as hard on the eyes as lights that shine down directly on you.

Buy a pair of reading glasses. Especially for those over 40 years of age, reading glasses may do the trick by magnifying the printed page and other close work. Reading glasses can be purchased without a prescription in drug stores and pharmacies, you simply try on several pairs until you find the magnification that provides you with the sharpest vision.

Get glare-busting glasses. Prescription lenses made with polarized ultraviolet (UV) filters reduce glare by filtering out certain wavelengths of light. These can be especially good for computer users.

Take a break. Whether you’re reading, writing, sewing, or tapping away on a computer, it’s a good idea to take a break from such close work or switch to a task that isn’t so visually demanding for a few minutes each hour, says Farber. Take a walk, make a phone call, talk to someone, focus on objects at a distance, or just close your eyes. Taking a break will give your neck and shoulders, as well as your eyes, a rest, tenseness in these areas can aggravate eyestrain.

Try a saltwater soak. Perry recommends adding half a teaspoon of salt to a quart of warm water. Then, moisten cotton balls in the water, close your eyes, and place the cotton balls on your eyelids for about ten minutes.

Try a cool-water splash. For some people, splashing the face with cool water or laying a cool, damp towel across the eyes helps relieve eyestrain. If nothing else, it provides a break for overworked eyes.

Think to blink. Dry eyes can result from tasks such as continuous reading or computer use. “The eyes blink less frequently, so they’re not getting as lubricated as they should,” explains Arnold Prywes, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology at the Albert Einstein Medical College in New York and chief of ophthalmology at Mid-Island Hospital in Bethpage, New York. When you’re doing close work or concentrating on a computer screen for long hours, remember to blink frequently.

Know your drops. Eye drops that decrease redness are not meant to be used for eyestrain, says Farber. Besides, the drops remove the redness by constricting the blood vessels in the eyes, and repeated use will actually have a rebound effect and make the eyes redder in the long run. On the other hand, if you know you’re suffering from a case of dry eye, a drop or two of an over-the ­counter eye lubricant, commonly referred to as artificial tears, may give you relief.

Buy a plant. Increasing the humidity in your home or office can help a case of dry eyes. Using a humidifier is an obvious way to do this. But setting a pot of water on your home radiator can also increase the humidity level in your home. Potted plants in your home or office can also act as inexpensive-and attractive-humidifiers.

Clear the air. Cigarette smoke can irritate the eyes and make them sore. So give your eyes a break and put out that cigarette for good.

Tagged under:  aching eyes, Ear Problems, eye care professional, eye examination, eye problems, Eyes Disorders, temporo mandibular joint syndrome tmj

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Eye Redness - Treatment Options Available for Curing Eye Redness Fast

What do a long day at the office, a night on the town, and an afternoon of gardening have in common? They can all have you seeing red-when you look in the mirror, that is.

“Eye redness can be caused by a lot of things,” says Carol Ziel, M.D., an ophthalmologist with the Eye Clinic of Wausau in Wisconsin. “A red eye may simply be dry or slightly irritated, or it may be a sign of chronic or acute glaucoma, inflammation of the eye, or a conjunctivitis,” she continues.

“In the case of acute glaucoma, which most often occurs in children but can also occur in adults, there tends to be red eyes in conjunction with dilated pupils, blurring of vision, and pain,” says Charles Boylan, M.D., a pediatric ophthalmologist at A Children’s Eye Clinic of Seattle.

“You can get red eyes from certain diseases such as chronic glaucoma, blood diseases, gout, thyroid diseases, and even a tumor,” warns Jon H. Bosland, M.D., a general ophthalmologist in private practice in Bellevue, Washington. “You can also get red eyes from iritis, an inflammatory disease which is usually inside the eye. It is often associated with discomfort and increased pressure within the eye as well. And it can be very serious if not treated with cortisone,” says Boylan.

For these reasons, the experts recommend that you have your eyes checked if the redness persists for more than a couple of days, if there is any pain or change of vision associated with the redness, if your eyes suddenly become sensitive to light, if you notice redness or blood over the pupil (the dark center of the eye), or if you have any discharge from one or both eyes.

For red eyes that are caused by everyday irritants-such as long hours in contact lenses, allergies, fatigue, air pollution, or dry air-there are some things you can do to help get the red out and relieve irritation.

Give your eyes a “lube” job. “Lubricating eye drops such as Visine can help to relieve some of the dryness and make the eye feel better,” says Bosland. “But don’t use them any longer than a few days at most,” he adds (see “Eye-Drop Alert”). Eye drops and artificial tears can be especially helpful to older individuals. “Older people don’t produce as many tears as they should, which can make the eyes red,” says Boylan.

Apply cool or warm compresses. “It doesn’t really matter which kind you use. Whatever feels best to you is fine,” says Ziel. “A washcloth soaked in cool water feels good, as does simply cupping cool water in your hand and holding it under the eye,” adds Bosland.

Use an over-the-counter antihistamine. If your red, itchy eyes are the result of an allergy, such as hay fever, then treating the allergy itself will tend to help your eyes as well, according to Bosland.

Get a good night’s rest. “This is often enough to clear up red eyes that are the result of too little sleep,” says Bosland. If 40 winks don’t perk up your peepers, however, then the redness is probably the result of some other cause and should be checked out by a doctor.

Wear goggles in the pool. If you plan to take a splash in the pool, protect your eyes from the irritating effects of chlorine with a pair of well ­fitting swimming goggles.

Use eye drops in the air. “The air in the cabin of an airplane is extremely dry and contains less oxygen, both of which can irritate and redden the eyes,” says Bosland. Over-the-counter lubricating drops add moisture to the eye, which helps to keep them from getting dried out.

Sport shades. Wear a pair of good-quality sunglasses whenever you go out during the day. This is especially important if you’ll be skiing, boating, or sun-bathing on a bright day.”Snow blind-ness and ultraviolet bums can result when the eyes are unprotected in the sunlight,” warns Bosland. “And both conditions can be extremely painful,” he adds. “I’ve also seen skiers get red eyes from going down the hill without protective eye wear and ending up with extremely dry eyes from the wind,” says Boylan. “Usually, it’s the not-so­good skiers like myself who keep their eyes wide open on the way down so as not to hit anything,” he says.

Tagged under:  acute glaucoma, conjunctivitis, contact, eye clinic, eye redness, Eyes Disorders, inflammation of the eye, notice redness, pediatric ophthalmologist red eyes

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Conjunctivitis – Information and Remedies for the Treatment of Conjunctivitis

If it feels like someone threw sand in your eyes, but you haven’t been anywhere near a beach or sandbox lately, you may have conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucous membranes that line the inner surface of the eyelids and the front of the eyeball.”Conjunctivitis usually involves both eyes and doesn’t affect vision,” says Jon H. Bosland, M.D., a general ophthalmologist in private practice in Bellevue, Washington. “Symptoms can include routine burning or itching, extreme sensitivity to light, and tearing. The eyes get red and the lids and surface of the eye can become swollen,” he continues. There may also be a watery, mucus secretion or, in the case of bacterial infection, a thick discharge coming from the eyes. The discharge may be so thick that you wake up in the morning with a crust over your eyes and the feeling that your eyes are “glued” shut.

The causes of conjunctivitis are as numerous as the types. Infectious types of conjunctivitis, which are highly contagious, can be caused by viruses or by bacteria, such as pneumococcus, streptococcus, and staphylococcus. “The eyes are continually bombarded with germs all of the time. But the blink reflex and the tearing reflex are amazingly effective at fighting off most of these germs,” explains Bosland. “And if a particularly aggressive set of germs attacks the eye, the backup defense mechanisms come into play. The blood vessels dilate to bring more bacteria-killing white blood cells to the area, and the eye begins discharging the infection,” he continues. These defensive maneuvers by the body result in the symptoms of conjunctivitis.

Noninfectious types of conjunctivitis tend to be caused by foreign bodies getting under the lid, exposure to ultraviolet light, and allergies. Wind, smoke, and other types of air pollution, as well as the chlorine in swimming pools, can irritate the conjunctiva. The chronic condition of “dry eye” can also cause conjunctivitis, according to Bosland.

“Allergic conjunctivitis is most often associated with itching and swelling of the white part of the eye, which can sometimes be so severe that the white part of the eye looks like a balloon sticking out between the lids,” says Charles Boylan, M.D.,i pediatric ophthalmologist at A Children’s Eye Clinic of Seattle. “Young children often get this when they play out in the grass and weeds in the summertime and get pollen on their hands and then into their eyes. In this instance, the eye can swell up in a matter of minutes,” says Boylan.

Whatever the cause, conjunctivitis can be painful and irritating. As with most symptoms or conditions involving the eyes, it is important to see doctor for correct diagnosis and treatment. Although a viral or bacterial conjunctivitis will usually go away on its own, it will go away much quicker with the use of proper antibiotics and antiviral agents, says Carol Ziel, M.D., an ophthalmologist with the Eye Clinic of Wausauin Wisconsin. Bosland adds that if an infectious conjunctivitis lasts longer than two or three weeks it can start to turn into chronic conjunctivitis. “In this instance, the bacteria get into the outer corners of the eyelid and spill over into the eye, infecting it as well. And these mixed infections involving the eyelid and the eye can go on for quite a long time,” he cautions. In addition to seeing a . doctor and following his or her advice, you can take some simple steps at home to help relieve discomfort and, if you have infectious conjunctivi tis, to keep from spreading the infection around.

Cool the itch of allergic conjunctivitis. “If there is any itching in relation to the conjunctivitis, cool compresses will really help to reduce it,” says Ziel. Simply wet a washcloth with cool water and hold’ against the eyes.

Ice the swelling. Applying an ice pack to the eyes . help bring down any swelling from allergic conjunctivitis. “Try to keep the ice on long enough to reduce the swelling to the point where the eyelid close down over the cornea,” says Boylan. Cornea is the transparent circular covering in (the eyeball that helps to focus light entering the eye.) “Otherwise, the cornea could dry out, which is another problem in itself,” he adds. “You rarely see this type of conjunctivitis not improve with ice packs and a little bit of time. often, by the next morning, the swelling is almost completely gone.”

Apply heat to fight a bacterial infection. “Hot Compresses can help the infection quite a bit because the heat dilates the blood vessels, bringing blood to the area, and raises the temperature above what is optimum for the germ to sur vive,” explains Hosland. “The heat also relaxes muscles around the eye, which can be quite thing,” he continues. Applying a washcloth in hot water (provided it is not hot enough to burn the skin) or using a hot-water bottle works well.

Drop in some relief. For minor allergic conjunctivi­tis over-the-counter eye drops may provide soothing rehef. “Any of these eye drops are fine to provided there is nothing seriously wrong with eye and provided you use them on a short-term basis only,” says Boylan. For safety’s sake, and especially if you are also using prescription eye medication, ask your doctor if it’s OK to use over ­the counter eye drops.

Be selfish. Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria or viruses is very contagious, so you’ll need to keep from sharing towels, washcloths, pillows, and handkerchiefs with others. “The fluid draining from the eyes could get on the towel or pillow and infect someone else,” warns Ziel.

Keep your hands off. “Because conjunctivitis can be quite contagious, it’s good to keep the germs off of your hands,” says Ziel. If you have infectious conjunctivitis, try not to rub your eyes, and be sure to wash your hands after wiping your eyes or applying eye medication.

Shield your eyes. Conjunctivitis can make your eyes extremely sensitive to light and other irritants. So do all you can to give them a break. If you’re going outdoors, put on a pair of sunglasses to help shield your eyes from wind and sunlight. Put off mowing the lawn or working in the garden until your conjunctivitis has cleared, or at least wear a pair of goggles to keep pollen and dust out of your eyes. Take time off from swimming, or wear a pair of well-fitting swimming goggles. And, when possible, close your eyes to give them a rest.

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Black Eye - Remedies for the Treatment of Black Eye

This morning’s racquetball game was going so well-until your opponent hit that unbelievable shot that bounced off the wall and hit you right in the eye. After he finished apologizing profusely and the pain subsided somewhat, you picked up your ego and went home. But now you’re beginning to resemble a prizefighter who lost the prize! Your eyelid is nearly swollen shut, the area around your eye is turning black and blue, and the throbbing pain is back in full force. You’re starting to wonder if there’s more to this injury than meets the eye.

As horrifying as a black eye can look-and as embarrassing as it can be to explain-it is usually nothing that will cause lasting or serious damage. “A black eye is simply a hemorrhage around the eye. The blood underneath the skin comes through as a purplish color. While there are many diseases and conditions that can cause black eyes [see “Other Causes of Black Eyes”], a true shiner is most often the result of trauma to the eye caused by a fistfight or a sports injury,” says Jon H. Bosland, M.D., a general ophthalmologist in private practice in Bellevue, Washington. “If the swelling comes down rapidly and your vision is good, it is not likely that there is any serious damage to the eye,” he says.

Still, Bosland urges anyone with a black eye to see a doctor in order to rule out damage to the eye itself. (It is especially important to see a doctor without delay if there is any change in vision.) Once you are sure everything is all right, there are some steps you can take at home to care for your shiner. There are also some preventive measures that you can take to help keep your eyes out of the black in the future.

Ice the area. “This will reduce the swelling and numb some of the initial pain,” says Carol Ziel, M.D., an ophthalmologIst with the Eye Clinic of Wausau in Wisconsin. Hold an ice pack or some ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth on the eye.”Putting crushed ice in a plastic bag and placing
the bag on top of a cold washcloth over the eye also works well,” says Charles Boylan, M.D., a pediatric ophthalmologist at A Children’s Eye Clinic of Seattle.

Pack it in popcorn or peas. A bag of frozen, unpopped popcorn kernels or frozen peas placed over a washcloth on the affected eye can also help cool the area and bring some relief.

Clean it up. Clean any small lacerations with mild soap and water. “Then continue to keep them clean and dry,” says Ziel. This will help to keep to area from becoming infected with bacteria. “Sometimes, the tissue around the eye can actually split because the soft tissue is being pushed against a hard surface of underlying bone. You can get a considerable hemorrhage from this, which can leave a bit of a lump afterward,” adds Bosland.

Avoid pressing on the eye itself. The area has already been traumatized enough, and pressing it will only cause further trauma, says Bosland. be gentle” when you apply an ice pack or clean the area.

Keep your chin up. OK, so you look and feel a little like Rocky Balboa. Be thankful you can see yourself in the mirror, and try to resign yourself to the added color for a while. “The discoloration tends to last one to two weeks,” says Bosland. It ill lessen during that time, but it won’t fade
completely for a couple of weeks or so.

Wear goggles. As is true with so many injuries, the best treatment is prevention. While you may not necessarily like the way you look in goggles, wearing them can help you ensure that you’ll be able to see the way you look.

Any sport that involves close contact with other lividuals and/or the use of a small ball of some sort is likely to put you at risk for a black eye. “The ajority of black eyes we see are caused by the eye being hit by an elbow, hand, or knee or by an object small enough to fit inside the bony structure round the eye,” says Boylan. Tennis doesn’t really qualify because the ball is too big. But squash, racquetball, and skiing (the end of the pole can hit the eye) are particularly dangerous to the eye. And basketball, where arms and legs are flying in close quarters, can also leave you vulnerable to a nasty black eye.

To protect your eyes, Boylan suggests that you wear protective eye wear, such as goggles or even glasses with shatterproof glass or plastic lenses. “Anyone with only one good eye should always wear protective eye wear if there is a chance of being hit with anything,” stresses Boylan.

As far as how to choose the right goggles or glasses, it’s not too difficult. “Make sure the lenses are shatterproof and the glasses or goggles fit comfortably,” says Boylan. “The goggles worn by squash and racquetball players often don’t contain any lenses, and that’s OK. The frame itself will keep the ball away from the eye,” he continues. Most sporting goods stores, as well as eye-wear stores, carry protective eye wear for sporting events. If you can’t locate any, consult your eye doctor.

Tagged under:  black eye, black eyes, black eyes remedies, eye clinic, Eyes Disorders, meets the eye treatment of black eyes

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