Floaters

What are floaters?  And why do eye doctors always ask you if you've seen flashes or floaters recently?

Floaters in and of themselves are harmless, albeit annoying.  They are the result of the gradual breakdown of the vitreous (the gel-like substance that makes up most of the inner eye) and are essentially particles of collagen floating in your eye.  What you see as moving gray lines or dots are actually shadows cast on the retina (the light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye) due to collagen's interference with light entering the pupil.  That is why floaters are more noticeable when looking at a bright sky, white wall, or computer screen: more light enters the eye, thus there is a greater potential for shadows to be cast on the retina by the floating collagen particles.

When are floaters more of a concern?

If you notice an increase in the number or frequency of floaters, flashes of light in your vision, or an apparent "curtain" coming down over your vision, this could be a sign of a serious problem with the retina and should be investigated immediately.  Increasing floaters, flashes of light, and a curtain over the vision are all signs of a retinal tear or detachment and could potentially lead to loss of vision.

As proof that you're not imagining your eye floaters, check out this video which shows what the eye doctor sees when he or she looks into the eye of a patient with significant floaters:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxroMCVgpPk

Find your blind spot!

Do you know that everybody has a natural blind spot in each eye; that is, a spot in one's peripheral vision where nothing can be seen?

Cover your left eye.  Find a spot directly in front of you (a thumbtack on a wall works well).  Extend your right arm straight in front of you, so your thumb covers the spot on the wall.  Slowly move your arm outward (away from your nose, to the right), but continue looking forward at your previously marked spot.  Pay attention to your moving thumb.  Notice that when your thumb reaches a certain point, it disappears! Try it using your left eye and left thumb.

This blind spot exists because your optic nerve (which transmits visual information from the eye to the brain), has no light detecting cells like the rest of the retina does.  You don't typically notice your blind spot because the visual fields of each eye overlaps and your brain is able to "fill in" the missing visual information.  When we test peripheral vision at TotalVision, we use this blind spot, called the "physiological blind spot," as one means of assessing the accuracy and reliability of our peripheral vision testing.

Low Vision Services at TotalVision

 

Do you, or does someone close to you, suffer from vision loss that cannot be improved with glasses or contact lenses?  Many conditions, such as macular degeneration, advanced glaucoma, hereditary retinal disease, and stroke can result in vision loss.  This vision loss may be limited to the center vision, such as that experienced with some forms of macular degeneration; or, it may affect the peripheral vision more significantly, as in glaucoma.

At TotalVision, we offer low vision services, providing patients with devices like magnifiers, telescopes, and specially tinted lenses.  We can also provide and recommend audio devices, so patients are able to rely more on alternative senses like hearing, when the visual system is less robust.  Dr. Regina Strand, co-owner of TotalVision, is among the minority of optometrists who specialize in low vision services.  Call one of our offices today to find out more, or to schedule an appointment!


Central vision loss, such as that which occurs in advanced stages of macular degeneration

Simulation of peripheral vision loss, such as that experienced in glaucoma

 



The importance of eye health testing

An eye exam consists of much more than just determination of a glasses or contact lens prescription.  Did you know that the back of the eye is the only place in the body that one can directly view blood vessels?  By focusing light through the pupil onto the retina -- the tissue that lines the back of the eye - eye doctors can screen for many systemic diseases.  This means that common health conditions, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure are often first detected at an eye exam.  Additionally, photos taken of the retina can be used to document findings and monitor for changes in years to come.






A healthy retina.  The yellow circle to the right of center is the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain.  Arteries (light red) and veins (darker red) course the back of the eye.  The darker area left to the center of the photo is the macula.  This provides our central vision, and is what is affected in diseases like macular degeneration.

Motion Sickness can be related to vision

Do you feel queasy when you are a passenger in a car?  This is a common symptom in adults and children with poor eye coordination.   Poor eye coordination can also make it difficult to keep your place when reading (skipping or re-reading lines, etc.)  This usually results in a short attention span when reading.  If your eyes are constantly struggling to stay on track it’s difficult to really focus on what you are reading. 

Having a current pair of glasses is the first step in training your eyes to work together.   Next, your doctor will prescribe a series of simple exercises that will help train your eyes to work together.  Many people begin to notice less motion sickness and have an easier time reading within a couple of months. 

Headaches behind your eyes?

Did you know that frequent headaches may be caused my eyestrain or squinting? 

Eyestrain is usually a tired, achy feeling above or behind the eyes.  It can occur after prolonged computer viewing or having an uncorrected visual condition such as far sightedness or near sightedness.   As the eyes attempt to focus for extended periods of time the muscles become tired and a dull ache begins.  Children who report headaches later in the day more than twice a week may be suffering from eyestrain.  

The best solution for eyestrain and headaches is regular checkups with your optometrist to ensure you are wearing the correct prescription.  When at the computer give the eyes a break from staring at the screen.  The 20/20/20 rule is easy to remember.  Every 20 minutes look at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds to allow the eyes a chance to relax.  

Dry Eye May Not Feel Dry

Dry eye is sneaky.  For most patients with dry eye, their eyes never actually feel dry.  Instead they are bothered by post nasal drip, a burning sensation, constantly runny nose, blurry vision or watery eyes.  Some experience multiple symptoms and others may only experience one.  Either way the symptoms are real and can interfere with the ability to comfortably perform daily activities.   Dry eye has many causes both external (air conditioning, staring at a computer all day, dusty environments) and internal (hormones, medications, inflammation.)  When the eye feels dry or irritated it creates wimpy, watery tears to soothe itself.  They offer temporary relief, but usually just drain out the side of the eye or drip through the sinuses and create post nasal drip or a runny nose. 

The ultimate goal when treating dry eye is to help the eye create thicker, healthier tears.  This is accomplished in three steps. First, by cleaning the eyelids daily to remove dust and debris so it does not further irritate the eye.  Second, increase Omega-3 intake as it is a major component in healthy tears.  Finally, regular visits with your optometrist so he or she can monitor the condition and prescribe a medicated drop if necessary.

Dry eye can start off as a mild annoyance and become increasingly bothersome.  Early treatment is the best! So don’t let dry eye sneak up on you.