Nurses should be thanked daily for their important work but we will do it publicly during National Nurses Week. We appreciate all you do!
Why Is My Vision Blurry Sometimes?
Blurry vision occurs when your eyesight loses sharpness. Things may look hazy or out of focus. It’s usually caused by refractive errors like farsightedness or nearsightedness. It can also be an indication that something is going on that needs addressed by a medical professional.
Common Causes of Blurry Vision
Many conditions can cause blurry vision. Some of the most common causes include:
- Hyperopia – Hyperopia is also known as farsightedness. This means distant objects look clear, but close-up objects do not. It can cause eye strain and blurriness.
- Myopia – Myopia can cause blurry vision in one or both eyes. This condition, known as nearsightedness, makes distant objects look out of focus.
- Presbyopia – If you are older than 40 and have trouble seeing objects that are close to you, you may have presbyopia. This age-related condition affects eyesight when doing things like reading small print.
- Astigmatism – Patients with astigmatism will experience blurriness at all distances. This refractive error is caused by a cornea that is irregularly shaped.
- Ocular Migraines – Ocular migraines can cause blurriness, halos, flickering, or zigzagging patterns in your vision. It’s usually a temporary condition that is harmless.
- Eye Floaters – Eye floaters can cause blurriness in your field of vision. These appear with age as the vitreous begins to liquefy.
- Pregnancy – Blurry and double vision can sometimes occur due to hormonal changes from pregnancy.
- Chronic Dry Eye – Blurriness is one of the symptoms of chronic dry eyes. This condition is usually treated with a prescription or punctal plugs.
If you experience unexplained or prolonged blurry vision, talk to a medical professional. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Bloomfield Hills office today to schedule an appointment.
What to Do About New Flashing Lights and Floaters in Your Vision
Floaters and flashes are used to describe something that occurs in your field of vision. If you notice a spot that remains when you look around, then you probably have a floater. If you notice a flash of light, often described as seeing stars, then you are experiencing flashes.
What Causes Floaters and Flashes?
The vitreous is the clear gel that fills the human eye. Floaters and flashes occur when this gel begins to change. It rubs against or pulls on the retina, causing the visual effects described above. This is a common age-related change, but it can also indicate an underlying health condition.
Should I Be Concerned?
Floaters and flashes are usually not a cause for concern. Although, you should contact an ophthalmologist if you experience new flashes of light or if a floater is obstructing your field of vision. There are also other warning signs that may come with flashes and floaters including:
- Diminished vision or a total loss of sight
- Shadows appear in your side vision (peripheral)
- A dark curtain shows up across your field of vision
If you notice these or any other unexplained changes, seek medical advice immediately. An ophthalmologist can examine your eyes and provide a diagnosis and treatment. It is best to act fast to avoid further damage to your eyesight. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Bloomfield Hills office today for an appointment.
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The Celebrity Circuit Does LASIK
Elton John, Kim Kardashian, and Brad Pitt are just a few celebrities who have opted in for LASIK vision correction, making their lives more enjoyable and easier to read movie and TV scripts and write and follow music lyrics and chords. LASIK is very popular in the celebrity circuit.
You don’t have to be a star to benefit from this affordable and very beneficial procedure that provides clearer vision. Eliminate the hassle of wearing contacts and glasses, contact Grosinger, Spigelman and Grey today to schedule an appointment to see if you are a candidate for LASIK surgery.
Does the Zika Virus Effect the Eye?
The Zika virus has made headlines in recent years. The disease was reported in 86 countries as of February 2018. Mosquitos carrying the virus transmit it to humans. It can also be spread through sex, blood transfusion, or from a pregnant mother to her unborn baby. There is currently no vaccine.
Zika Virus Symptoms
Most patients will notice no symptoms or only mild effects. These commonly include:
- Muscle pain
- Red eyes
- Joint pain
- Headache & fever
- Rash
Zika deaths are very rare. Most patients don’t need to go to the hospital. The symptoms usually subside after several days to a week. That being said, Zika infection can cause a birth defect known as microcephaly as well as other serious brain conditions. It’s also linked to stillbirth and miscarriage.
Zika Virus & Your Eyes
Adults may notice mild redness, watery eye, lid redness, or eye pain. The effects are much more concerning for children. Developmental and structural issues have been identified in babies that were infected.
Every infant should be given an eye exam as well as routine check-ups as they grow. Early intervention can make a big difference.
If you have questions about how the Zika virus can affect your eyes, contact us. We would be happy to schedule a consultation with an ophthalmologist to help you learn more and keep your eyes healthy.
Is It Possible to Prevent Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease that harms the optic nerve. Increased intraocular pressure causes damage to the nerve, which is responsible for transmitting images to your brain. If it continues untreated, it can cause permanent blindness in as little as a few years. There are no early symptoms, which means that you may have glaucoma and not know it yet.
Eye Exams Are the Best Glaucoma Prevention
Early detection is essential to preserving your vision. That means the best prevention is regular eye exams. If you are under age 40, then you should visit your eye doctor once every two to four years. That should increase to once every one to three years if you have no underlying medical issues between the ages of 40 and 54. Patients ages 55 to 64 should go every two years, and those over age 65 should schedule exams annually.
Other Factors That Can Prevent Glaucoma
There are other things you can do to help prevent glaucoma. Along with regular exams, you can also maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. Studies have shown that moderate exercise like jogging or walking three or more times each week can lower your risk.
An injury can cause traumatic glaucoma. Always wear proper protective gear when engaging in sports or working in high-risk areas.
Risk increases in individuals who are over age 40, have a family history of glaucoma, have poor vision, take steroid medications, or have diabetes.
How Can I Protect My Eyes From Glaucoma?
The best way to begin protecting your eyes from glaucoma is to schedule your next eye exam. An ophthalmologist can determine your risk and make recommendations that are based on your health status and individual needs. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey located conveniently in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan to book your glaucoma screening.
How Has LASIK Surgery Improved Over the Years?
LASIK, or laser eye surgery, is a procedure that’s used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and other vision errors. It can reduce a patient’s reliance on prescription contact lenses and eyeglasses. This procedure has been around for years and has seen significant improvements in methods and technology.
Better Tools Mean Better LASIK Results
One of the biggest advancements in LASIK is the introduction of improved tools. An excimer laser and microkeratome were originally used to cut a corneal flap. The Kremer Exciser Laser was approved by the FDA in 1995. This tool was equipped with eye-tracking technology that vastly improved efficacy and safety.
The first femtosecond laser was approved in the U.S. in 2001. This became the preferred tool for LASIK. It came with better vision improvement and a lowered risk of complications. It’s cleaner, more precise, and can also be used in cataract surgery.
Wavefront LASIK was approved two years later. This method included evaluating the characteristics of the patient’s eye. It allowed doctors to provide a customized procedure with 3D mapping.
What Does the Future of LASIK Surgery Look Like?
LASIK surgery has improved by leaps and bounds over the past two decades. It was the most popular elective surgery by 2010. Approximately 95% of patients who had LASIK reported satisfaction with the results.
As tools and methods continue to improve, so will the appeal and reliability of LASIK. If you are interested in better vision without glasses or contacts, then this might be a good choice for you. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey to schedule a consultation for LASIK.
Lens and Corneal Disorders
When it comes to the anatomy of the eye, the lens and cornea are are in close contact with the elements of the outside world—hence the obvious possibility of damage and disorders. The cornea is the outermost layer of tissue, while the lens is the transparent tissue behind the iris and pupil that actually works to focus images onto the retina for transmission to the brain. Disorders affecting either of these layers can cause significant visual difficulty.
There are a variety of possible corneal disorders, including refractive errors (astigmatism, nearsightedness, presbyopia, farsightedness, etc.), dystrophies (clouding of the cornea), injuries, infections and allergies. The treatment for such disorders depends on the type and severity of the issue, but may include oral medicines, topical eye drops, laser surgery and/or a complete corneal transplant.
Disorders of the lens may include cataracts (clouding of the lenses), lenticonus (the development of a cone-shaped lens), rupture, dislocation, lenticulocorneal adhesion (where the lens and cornea are joined together), and others. Cataracts are the most common lens disorder, occurring in various forms as a result of numerous causes. Cataracts generally cause a clouding of vision, creating a blurred view of the world that can, eventually, lead to partial or total blindness.
Fortunately, lens and corneal issues like cataracts and nearsightedness can often be easily taken care of with the help of outpatient laser eye surgery. Your ophthalmologist will work with you to discuss your eye health and perform a full examination to determine whether you are a good candidate for such corrective surgeries. Contact Eye Michigan to make an appointment with one of our ophthalmologists to learn about your options.