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Most sports can be played while wearing glasses; however, there’s always the possibility of glare from the sunlight affecting your game as well as the threat of your glasses being thrown from your face during unexpected roughness. Even contacts can create issues such as eye irritation if dirt is misplaced beneath the lens or, in some cases, the lens itself may get lost on the field. Laser eye surgery allows athletes to play the games they love without the risk of losing or harming their glasses or contacts. LASIK eye surgery is a surgical procedure in which an eye surgeon uses a laser to reshape corneal tissue in the eye, effectively correcting astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness in the patient. Approximately 596,000 LASIK eye surgeries were performed in the United States in 2015 alone. Laser eye surgery is beneficial to athletes not only because it allows them to compete harder without the fear of breaking their glasses, but also because it can save them money over time by no longer having to pay for new frames or prescriptions. LASIK eye surgery, which takes just a few minutes to perform, grants improved vision to the patient almost immediately after the procedure. LASIK […]

If you’re experiencing blurriness in one or both of your eyes, a sensitivity to light, unusual glares, and/or a decrease in night vision, there’s a possibility you may have a cataract. A cataract is a medical condition in which a person’s eye lens progressively develops a cloudiness, resulting in blurred vision. Cataracts are typically experienced by patients over the age of 60 (although they can occur at any age) and are caused by a change in the eye lens’ proteins. While cataracts are common, it’s important to seek treatment when and if your cataracts begin to conflict with your everyday life. Here are some signs that it may be time to seek cataract surgery. You’re unable to drive For those with cataracts, vision impairment is common but is often not drastic enough to cause complications. However, if your cataracts have progressively worsened and you find yourself unable to drive on the road as you used to, it may be time to talk to you doctor. Additionally, if you’re suffering from blurred vision that differs from that of farsightedness or nearsightedness (which may be treated with LASIK or prescription eyewear), there may be a chance that your cataract may in fact […]

If you’ve endured a lifetime of vision issues and are tired of wearing contacts or glasses on a daily basis, you may have considered looking into LASIK eye surgery. In 2015, 21 million LASIK eye surgeries were performed worldwide by certified laser eye surgeons and have become a popular choice for those looking to improve their vision. But while LASIK can be effective in treating nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism in many patients, laser eye surgery is not for everyone. Let’s take a closer look at some of the criteria that needs to be met by potential laser eye surgery patients. LASIK patients must be: Age 18 or over In good general health with no problems like uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune diseases Free of medications that compromise immune response Free of certain eye diseases (i.e., glaucoma, cataracts, retinal or optic nerve problems, corneal disease, or herpes simplex or herpes zoster), chronically dry eyes, eye infections, or eye injuries Forthcoming with their doctor about problems like lazy eyes, strabismus, scarring, claustrophobia, or mental health conditions Not pregnant or nursing six months before or after the time of the procedure Confirmed to have stable vision for at least a year prior to the […]

Baseball is one of America’s greatest pastimes. And with great pastimes comes great responsibility on behalf of the athletes that play the sport. Baseball players often cause their careers or health to suffer when they don’t take proper care of themselves. With proper technique and physical care, a baseball player will be able to prolong their career on the field. Too often does the modern athlete put their desires ahead of their own health. This often results in negative physical effects and easily avoidable problems on the field. Here are some of the common problems baseball players experience and how they can make simple changes in order to get back in the game: Problem: Injuries caused by overuse The majority of injuries suffered by athletes are caused by overuse of a specific muscle area. For the baseball player, these overused areas consist of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder. The repetitive motions of pitching, throwing, and catching can create inflammation and irritation to the muscle or surrounding tendons. When the athlete refuses to rest and overuses the muscular area, this can result in tendonitis. Solution: Stretch and Relax As in all exercising, the key to reducing inflammation is by stretching before […]

Of all the cases of blindness in the United States, glaucoma accounts for 9 to 12% and is the leading cause of blindness in those Americans over the age of 60. Unfortunately, glaucoma may be difficult to detect without the assistance of an eye doctor. Therefore, it’s important to go for a routine eye exam every two years. What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a condition in which fluid pressure builds up inside of the eye and causes damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve transfers images of the world to the brain, allowing you to see. Because of this, when the optic nerve is damaged it can cause blurred vision and blindness if left untreated. There are two types of glaucoma: open-angle and angle-closure. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of the disease and occurs when the trabecular meshwork, or the draining system, isn’t working properly and therefore causes fluid to build up against the optic nerve. Angle-closure glaucoma is rare and occurs when your cornea or iris is narrowed, making it difficult for the fluid of your eye to drain correctly. What Causes Glaucoma? The disease itself occurs when fluid, called aqueous humor, inside the eye fails to circulate properly although […]

Glaucoma is an eye condition that can be severe enough to cause blindness. Many Americans have it, but don’t actually exhibit any symptoms so they are forgoing treatment. In fact, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, it is estimated that a staggering 3 million Americans suffer from glaucoma, but only half of those people have been diagnosed by a eye surgeon. Simply put, glaucoma is when the nerve connecting the eye to the brain is damaged, causing the potential for blindness. There are plenty of different types of glaucoma, and it is important to understand their differences in order to obtain the correct glaucoma treatment for your condition. Here we explain the different types of glaucoma so you can be prepared to seek the proper treatment route. Open-Angle Glaucoma This is the most common type of glaucoma, and it encompasses about 90% of all glaucoma cases nationwide. Caused by: the slow clogging of the drainage canals around the eye, which increases eye pressure. Rate of development:Develops very slowly, and is a permanent condition. Effect on the eye:A wide, open angle between the iris and the cornea, which means less light is entering the eye, causing blindness. Symptoms:Unfortunately, there are no noticeable symptoms. Normal-Tension […]

Every year, millions of Americans receive corrective eye surgery to fix problems they experience with their vision, including glaucoma and cataracts. Because of more serious conditions such as these, it’s easy to forget that blurred vision is also considered a vision problem. In 2015 alone, up to 21 million people around the world received LASIK eye surgery to correct their own vision difficulties. For those with glasses, LASIK eye surgery may sound either like a wondrous treatment to get rid of their frames once and for all or it may sound like a needless surgery. After all, with glasses, why would LASIK be necessary? However, there are a number of things you can do when your eyes aren’t burdened by lenses. What can I do after I receive LASIK eye surgery?After you’ve given your eyes time to heal, there are a number of things you can do without glasses. Sports: Glasses often inhibit those who play sports because of the constant worry of breaking the lenses or frames. With LASIK, an athlete can confidently play on the field without having to worry about the way they turn their head. Wear makeup: Whether it’s for a dance, for theatre, or for […]

Cataracts are an eye condition that often occurs in patients over the age of 40. Cataracts happen when the natural lens in your eye gradually becomes opaque. This can cause blurred and cloudy vision that may impair your eyesight or cause blindness in extreme cases. There are three types of cataracts. These include: The cortical cataract, which is when the cataract affects the lens cortex of the eye. Opacities appear wedge-like and work their way from the outside of the lens to the center, like a bicycle wheel. The subcapsular cataract, which occurs at the back of the lens. This type of cataract is most often experienced by those who have diabetes. The nuclear cataract, which occurs in the center of the lens. This type of cataract is most associated with aging. Cataracts can occur in either one or both of your eyes as you age, but they are not a disease that is spread from one eye to the other. What happens during cataract surgery? Cataract surgery as a corrective eye surgery is typically recommended by an eye doctor only when the cataract begins to impact your way of life. During the procedure, a cataract surgeon will make an […]

Cataracts most often appear in those Americans over the age of 40. These impairments of the eye are often age-related and result in blurred vision or temporary blindness. Fortunately, there are vision correction options available to you and the success rate for cataract surgery is as high as 98%. Yet there are ways you can help to reduce your risk of developing age-related cataracts while you’re still in your youth. The lifestyle choices you make on a day-to-day basis can either increase or decrease your risk of cataracts. Here are a few lifestyle changes you can make to maintain eye health and to avoid the need for future cataract and refractive eye surgery. Quit smoking Smoking is bad for your overall health, but particularly for your lungs and eyes. Those who smoke regularly were found to be three times more likely to develop cataracts by the age of 40 than those who don’t smoke. Stay out of the sun Staying out of the sun isn’t only important for protecting your skin from harsh sunburns. It’s also important for helping to protect your eyes from ultraviolet light. When the eyes are exposed to UV light directly, it can cause damage to […]