An eye that suddenly becomes red is one of the main reasons people seek the services of an eye doctor. And for good reason.

Significant discomfort, blurred vision or both often accompany a red eye. And, well, a red eye just looks bad, too.

The front surface of the eye is composed of two structures: the clear cornea in the center of the eye (overlying the colored iris and the pupil), and the tough, opaque sclera–the “white” of the eye that surrounds the cornea and forms the outer coating of most of the eyeball.

An eye becomes red when the tiny blood vessels that lie on top of the sclera (and under a thin, clear membrane called the conjunctiva) become inflamed. It is the blood in these engorged vessels that obscure the underlying white sclera and make the eye appear red.

Without an examination, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to determine the underlying cause of a red eye and whether the condition is an emergency or not.

Causes of Red Eye

There are many conditions that can cause an eye to become red. Here are a few of the most common:

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, commonly called “pink eye,” can occur at any age and can affect one eye or both eyes. There are three main categories of pink eye, depending on the underlying cause:

• Viral conjunctivitis. This is the type of conjunctivitis most people are referring to when they say they have pink eye. Caused by a common virus, viral pink eye (like a common cold) typically resolves over several days without treatment and is not associated with serious vision problems.Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis include redness, itching and a watery discharge. Though viral pink eye usually is not serious, it produces significant discomfort and is highly contagious.

• Bacterial conjunctivitis. This is a less common but more serious type of pink eye, caused by bacteria. Symptoms include redness and a sticky, mucous-like discharge.Bacterial conjunctivitis should be treated promptly with medicated eye drops or ointments, to prevent a serious infection of the eye, which could lead to a corneal ulcer and scarring that could cause permanent vision loss.

• Allergic conjunctivitis. As its name suggests, this type of pink eye is associated with common allergies. Symptoms are very similar to viral conjunctivitis, but both eyes are affected and the condition is accompanied by other allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion, a runny nose and sneezing.Since allergic conjunctivitis can be a chronic or seasonal problem, ask your eye doctor about medications that can prevent or lessen the severity of future episodes.

Dry eyes

Another common cause of eye redness is dry eyes. Other symptoms of dry eyes include a feeling that something is “in” your eyes (called a foreign body sensation), a scratchy feeling, sensitivity to light and intermittent blurred vision.

Oddly enough, another symptom is watery eyes. Dry eyes cause irritation of the surface of the eye, and this irritation causes the lacrimal glands located above and slightly behind the eyes to over-produce the watery component of normal tears as a reflex mechanism to protect the eyes from dryness-related damage.

Unfortunately, because other components of the normal tear layer (oil and mucous) are not present in these watery “reflex tears,” the dry eye condition persists despite the apparent surplus of tears.

Redness caused by dry eyes usually can be successfully treated with routine use of non-prescription artificial tears or by other treatments your eye doctor can prescribe.

Contact lenses

Contact lens wear is another cause of red eyes in some individuals. In particular, a condition called contact lens acute red eye (CLARE) is associated with contact lens wear and causes a fast onset of redness, eye pain, sensitivity to light and watery eyes.

CLARE appears to be an inflammatory condition caused by endotoxins produced by certain types of bacteria that can accumulate on contact lenses and in contact lens storage cases. The condition usually resolves within a few days after contact lens wear is discontinued. Your eye doctor might also prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops to help clear the redness.

Corneal infections

Infections of the cornea (also called infectious keratitis) are a serious cause of red eyes that usually require prompt treatment to avoid corneal ulcers, scarring and vision loss. Most corneal infections are accompanied by eye pain, sensitivity to light and watery eyes. Blurred vision also can occur.

The cause of the infection–bacteria, fungus or other microorganisms–determines the proper treatment for infections keratitis. Treatment usually consists of frequent use of medicated eye drops and/or ointments.

Episcleritis

Episcleritis is inflammation located between the sclera and overlying conjunctiva. It usually causes a pink or purple color to the sclera and sensitivity to light and watery eyes.

The cause of episcleritis usually is unknown, but it sometimes is associated with an underlying systemic condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The condition usually disappears without treatment within a week or two, but your eye doctor might prescribe corticosteroid eye drops to relieve symptoms faster.

Scleritis

Scleritis is inflammation of the sclera itself. Symptoms are similar to those of episcleritis, but typically are more severe.

Inflammation of the sclera usually is associated with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, but sometimes the cause is unknown.

Corticosteroid eye drops commonly are prescribed to treat scleritis. Oral medicines sometimes are used as well. If your eye doctor suspects an underlying disease is involved, he or she might refer you to a physician for a physical exam and blood tests to rule out systemic diseases.

Acute glaucoma

A condition called acute angle closure glaucoma can cause an abrupt red eye accompanied by pain, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting. This type of glaucoma is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment to prevent or limit permanent vision loss.

Don’t Take Chances

The only way to determine the cause and proper treatment of a red eye is to see your eye doctor for an evaluation.

Don’t take chances with your eyes by waiting to see if a red eye will get better on its own. Call your eye doctor immediately to see if urgent care is required.

VISION & HEALTH NEWSLETTER COURTESY OF:

Robert Luckey, O.D.

Contact our office and schedule an appointment here!

27340 Cashford Circle
Suite 102
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
813-866-4004

The post Red Eyes appeared first on Luckey EyeCare Blog.

Most of us are familiar with the term “20/20 vision” and know it means our eyesight is pretty good.

But what exactly does “20/20″ mean? Is it possible to have vision that’s better than 20/20? Is it safe to drive if you don’t have 20/20 vision? And what does it mean if your vision is 20/40? Or 20/200?

Also, can you have 20/20 eyesight and still have vision problems? (Spoiler alert: The answer is “yes.”)

It All Started With an Eye Chart

In 1862, a Dutch eye doctor named Hermann Snellen devised an eye chart that became the standardized way eye care professionals to this day determine a person’s distance visual acuity–how clearly someone sees distant objects.

The traditional Snellen eye chart has a single large block letter (usually an “E”) on the top of the chart, and 10 subsequent lines of progressively smaller block letters. Each line has more letters than the previous line to keep spacing between the letters relatively uniform.

By experimentation, Snellen determined the smallest letters a person with “normal” vision could consistently identify correctly. This became the 20/20 line on the chart. In other words, if you can correctly identify letters of this size on the eye chart (but none smaller) from a testing distance of 20 feet, you have normal (or “20/20″) vision.

Since the standard testing distance for the Snellen chart used in the United States is 20 feet, the top number in the Snellen fraction is always “20.” The bottom number varies, depending on the size of the letters on each row of the chart.

Here’s how it works

Three lines above the 20/20 line on the Snellen chart, the letters are twice as large as those on the 20/20 line. A person with normal visual acuity therefore can be expected to correctly identify these larger letters from a viewing distance that is roughly twice that of the normal testing distance of 20 feet (so, 40 feet).

If this line is the smallest line of letters a person can correctly identify at the normal testing distance, he or she has “20/40″ vision–this is the smallest line of letters they can see at 20 feet, but a person with normal vision can correctly identify these letters at a distance of 40 feet.

So the larger letters on the Snellen chart are designated with visual acuity fractions that have a larger second (bottom) number, which is the maximum viewing distance from which a person with normal vision can correctly identify the letters on that line of the chart.

The “big E” on the top line of the traditional Snellen chart is the 20/200 line. If this is the smallest line on the chart you can correctly identify from a testing distance of 20 feet, your distance vision is very blurred. How blurry? A person with normal vision could stand 200 feet from the chart and still be able to identify the letter. Roughly speaking, that person with normal vision has distance visual acuity that is 10 times clearer than yours.

Is it possible to have better-than-normal visual acuity? Yes!

The traditional Snellen eye chart has three lines of letters below the 20/20 line that contain letters that are smaller than those on the 20/20 line. The letters on the bottom line are half the size of “20/20″ letters.

If you are fortunate enough to be able to identify the letters on this smallest (20/10) line, it means your distance visual acuity is twice as good as that of a person with “normal” vision. In other words, you can identify these very small letters from the standard testing distance of 20 feet, but a person with normal vision would have to be twice as close to the chart–only 10 feet away–to be able to correctly identify them.

How Visual Acuity Is Measured

Visual acuity usually is measured one eye at a time. The person having their vision tested covers one eye and reads aloud the letters on each row, beginning at the top. The smallest row of letters he or she can correctly identify indicates the distance visual acuity of that eye.

The traditional Snellen chart used in the United States has 11 rows of letters, with the following visual acuity designations for each row:

A common variation of this chart is the “tumbling E” chart, which contains multiple lines containing the block letter “E,” in progressively smaller sizes and displayed in varying spatial orientations (rotated in increments of 90 degrees). This chart often is used to test the visual acuity of children who are too young to fully know all the letters of the alphabet or to test the eyesight of illiterate adults.

Instead of saying the name of letters aloud, the child or adult being tested indicates with their extended fingers the direction of the “arms” of each “E” on the chart (up, down, right or left). Studies have shown visual acuity results obtained from a tumbling E chart correlate well with those obtained from a standard Snellen eye chart.

In Europe, Snellen visual acuity testing usually is recorded with metric notations, using a standard testing distance of 6 meters. In this system, a visual acuity measurement of 6/6 is equivalent to an American measurement of 20/20, 6/12 is equivalent to 20/40, and so on.

And in case you’re wondering if your eye doctor can correctly measure your distance visual acuity in an exam room smaller than 20 feet in length, don’t worry. With the help of mirrors and a projector, your eye care professional can simulate a standard testing distance of 20 feet in a room half that size–or even smaller!

By the way, to be granted an unrestricted driver’s license in most of the United States, your best-corrected visual acuity–that is, your distance visual acuity measurements obtained while you are wearing your eyeglasses or contact lenses (if you need vision correction)–must be 20/40 or better.

Good Vision Is More Than Visual Acuity

Distance visual acuity is only one aspect of good vision. Having 20/20 eyesight does not mean you have perfect vision.

Other important components of clear, comfortable vision include the ability to change focus and maintain focus on near objects, depth perception, peripheral vision, accurate eye movement and alignment, and more.

To see the world as clearly as possible and enjoy a lifetime of good vision, be sure to see your eye doctor for regularly scheduled comprehensive eye exams.

VISION & HEALTH NEWSLETTER COURTESY OF:

Robert Luckey, O.D.

Contact our office and schedule an appointment here!

27340 Cashford Circle
Suite 102
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
813-866-4004

The post What is 20/20 Vision? appeared first on Luckey EyeCare Blog.

At about age 40, many of our patients begin having difficulty focusing their eyes on objects up close. They now have to hold anything their reading farther away from their eyes in order to see it clearly. A condition called presbyopia is a likely cause. It’s both very common and very treatable.

If you’d like an alternative to reading glasses, consider multifocal contact lenses. They allow your eyes to focus up close, far away and in between without the need for eyeglasses.

How multifocal contact lenses work

A single multifocal contact lens contains multiple prescriptions. There’s typically one prescription to correct up close vision, one for distance vision, and one for intermediate distance vision. This design lets your eyes smoothly transition for clear vision at different distances.

What’s the difference between multifocal and bifocal contacts?

Multifocal contact lenses have a range of prescriptions (optical powers) in the same lens. Much like progressive eyeglasses, multifocal lenses provide a gradual transition between the different prescriptions in each lens.

Bifocal lenses, on the other hand, have just two prescriptions in each lens. And there is a distinct edge between the near and far vision prescription areas of the lens. This can be a problem for some patients because instead of having a gradual transition between prescriptions, they have to learn how to visually switch between the two prescriptions. In addition, bifocals may adversely affect your depth perception.

Types of multifocal contacts

Manufacturers of multifocal contact lenses use either soft lens materials or “hard” rigid gas permeable (RGP) materials. In addition to conventional soft lenses, there are also advanced soft lenses made with silicone hydrogel. This material allows more oxygen to reach your eyes so they stay comfortable longer.

The most common multifocal lens design features a set of concentric circles. The circles cover the range of lens powers we prescribe so you can see up close and at different distances.

There are also blended designs that keep both the near and distance prescriptions close to the center of your eye (your pupil). This design mimics a natural viewing experience by correcting the specific points of aberration in your eyes.

Are multifocal contact lenses right for you?

We can help you determine if multifocal lenses are the best solution for you. Here are some key benefits and drawbacks to consider.

Key benefits of wearing multifocal contacts

• Sharper vision for the range of distances from near to far

 

• A less abrupt switch between prescriptions

 

• The ability to see in most conditions without extra eyewear

 

Drawbacks to wearing multifocal contacts

For some people, multifocal lenses may be:

• More difficult to adjust to due to a different viewing experience

 

• Accompanied by nighttime glare and hazy or shadowy vision during the adjustment period

 

• More expensive because of the increased complexity in design

 

Alternatives to multifocal contact lenses

Multifocal lenses aren’t the best choice for everyone. Bifocals may be the answer to correct your presbyopia. Other options include:

• Pairing reading glasses with normal contact lenses

 

• Monovision contact lenses, meaning you wear one lens to correct only near vision in one eye and one lens to correct only distance vision in your other eye.

 

• Surgical correction or lens implantation recommended by your doctor

 

If presbyopia has become a problem for you, we encourage you to make an appointment with us to discuss your options. Your eyesight and vision health is our top concern.

Nothing in this article is to be construed as medical advice, nor is it intended to replace the recommendations of a medical professional. For specific questions, please see your eye care practitioner.

VISION & HEALTH NEWSLETTER COURTESY OF:

Robert Luckey, O.D.

Contact our office and schedule an appointment here!

27340 Cashford Circle
Suite 102
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
813-866-4004

The post Blurry Vision Up Close? Consider Multifocal Contacts appeared first on Luckey EyeCare Blog.

The benefits of modern-day computing and the Internet have led to a group of eye and vision-related problems. Collectively, this group is called Computer Vision Syndrome or CVS. CVS is caused by spending an extended amount of time looking at computer screens and other digital devices.

Between work and home computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones, it’s easy to log a lot of hours staring at a screen. (We’ve certainly experienced it ourselves!)

Looking at a computer screen is different from reading printed pages, and often makes your eyes work harder. For example, screen glare and reflections, low contrast, and poor definition make text difficult to read on a digital display. The way we interact with digital displays, software and Internet pages is also different from “traditional” paper-based reading and writing. And uncorrected vision problems and age-related vision changes can also be contributing factors for CVS.

Symptoms of CVS

Common symptoms that can begin or become worse due to CVS include:

1. Eyestrain

1. Headaches

1. Blurred vision

1. Dry and irritated eyes

1. Neck and shoulder pain

When patients describe these symptoms, we use a comprehensive exam to check for visual clarity, focus, alignment, and movement issues.

Treatment and Preventive Measures for CVS

Reducing the stresses that build up with prolonged computer and digital device use is key to treating CVS. A combination of treatment and preventative measures can help protect and improve your eyesight. For example:

Find your sweet spot. Our eyes naturally look out and downward. To accommodate this, position your computer monitor so the center of your screen is a few inches below eye level, and 20 to 28 inches from your eyes.

Adjust your lighting. Give yourself ample lighting, but position your digital screen and your light sources to avoid glare.

Use anti-glare screens. When you have little or no control over your surrounding light, use an anti-glare filter over your computer screen. If glare is a problem at work, ask your employer to supply an anti-glare filter for your computer.

Take breaks and blink frequently. Allow your eyes to refocus at a distance and relax by looking around the room every 20 minutes. To prevent eyestrain, rest your eyes for 15 minutes every two hours. And be sure to blink! It helps keep your eyes moist and reduces your chances for developing dry eyes.

Your eyes work hard for you. Give them the rest and support they need to stay healthy. And if you’re concerned about CVS for yourself or a loved one, please call us to schedule an appointment. We’re here to help!

Nothing in this article is to be construed as medical advice, nor is it intended to replace the recommendations of a medical professional. For specific questions, please contact our office.

Adapted with permission from: Computer Vision: A New Problem for a New Age, CooperVision.com.

Additional source: Computer Vision Syndrome, American Optometric Association.

VISION & HEALTH NEWSLETTER COURTESY OF:

Robert Luckey, O.D.

Contact our office and schedule an appointment here!

27340 Cashford Circle
Suite 102
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
813-866-4004

The post Computer Vision Syndrome: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention appeared first on Luckey EyeCare Blog.

Astigmatism is one of the most common conditions we see at our practice. Often an inherited trait, astigmatism causes blurry vision for one of two reasons:

1. An irregularly shaped cornea–the clear, dome–shaped surface that covers the front of your eye

1. An irregular curvature of the lens inside your eye

In either case, the irregularity keeps light entering your eye from focusing properly on your retina, so your vision is blurry up close, far away and in between.

Eyeglasses are commonly prescribed to correct astigmatism. For our patients who prefer to wear contacts, one solution we recommend is the Biofinity® toric contact lens from CooperVision.

Biofinity toric contact lenses are made just for people with astigmatism.

Biofinity toric contact lenses feature what CooperVision calls “Optimized Ballast Design.” This design ensures a consistent and predictable fit on your eyes so you’ll have stable and clear vision across the range of optical powers in the lens.

It used to be that the only contacts available for astigmatism were hard gas permeable lenses. But Biofinity toric lenses are soft and comfortable. They let your eyes breathe and are naturally wettable, so they’re healthier for your eyes, too.

To learn more about astigmatism and whether contact lenses are right for you, give us a call to schedule an appointment. We’re here to help!

Nothing in this article is to be construed as medical advice, nor is it intended to replace the recommendations of a medical professional. For specific questions, please see your eye care practitioner.

VISION & HEALTH NEWSLETTER COURTESY OF:

Robert Luckey, O.D.

27340 Cashford Circle
Suite 102
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
813-866-4004

The post Blurry vision? Headaches? It could be astigmatism appeared first on Luckey EyeCare Blog.

94 percent of households with kids possess home networking and children now not only have desktop PC’s or Mac’s, but smartphones, tablets, and handheld games, so computer use amongst children is at a all-time high.

The quantity of time kids ages 8 to 18 dedicate to entertainment press (including computer and game titles) every day has improved from 6.19 hrs in 1999 to 7.38 hours in 2009.

Last year, 29 percent of kids ages 8 to 18 had their very own laptop, and children in grades 7 through 12 described using on average over 90 minutes each day getting or delivering texts on the cell phones.

Pediatric eye-doctors genuinely believe that kids are put at risk with such high usage.

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), parents should consider these factors affecting children and computer use:

• Children may not be aware of how much time they are spending at a computer. They may perform a task on the computer for hours with few breaks. This prolonged activity can cause eye focusing and eye strain problems.

• Children are very adaptable. They assume that what they see and how they see is normal — even if their vision is problematic. That’s why it is important for parents to monitor the time a child spends working at a computer and make sure they have regular eye exams as directed by their optometrist or ophthalmologist.

• Children are smaller than adults. Since computer workstations often are arranged for adult use, this can change the viewing angle for young children. Computer users should view the screen slightly downward, at a 15-degree angle. Also, if a child has difficulty reaching the keyboard or placing their feet comfortably on the floor, he or she may experience neck, shoulder and/or back pain.

Tips To Reduce the Risk of Computer Vision Syndrome in Children

The AOA offers parents these tips to decrease the risk of computer vision syndrome among children:

• Have your child’s vision checked. Before starting school, every child should have a comprehensive eye exam, including near-point (computer and reading) and distance testing.

• Limit the amount of time your child spends at the computer without a break. Encourage kids to take 20-second breaks from the computer every 20 minutes to minimize the development of eye focusing problems and eye irritation. (Some eye doctors call this the “20-20 rule.”)

• Check the ergonomics of the workstation. For young and small children, make sure the computer workstation is adjusted to their body size. The recommended distance between the monitor and the eye for children is 18 to 28 inches. Viewing the computer screen closer than 18 inches can strain the eyes.

• Check the lighting. To reduce glare, windows and other light sources should not be directly visible when sitting in front of the monitor. Reduce the amount of lighting in the room to match the computer screen.

Robert Luckey, O.D.&nbsp

27340 Cashford Circle
Suite 102
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
813-866-4004

Contact Luckey EyeCare

The post Computer Use Amongst Children is at a All-time High. appeared first on Luckey EyeCare Blog.

Many parents ask the question to their optometrist, “Can my kid wear contacts?” You might be surprised to find that contact lenses in many cases are prescribed to correct vision problems in quite young children-even babies. But while physically there might not be recommended minimum age or a minimal for wearing contact lenses, it is vital that you inquire whether contacts are suitable for the son or daughter.

Suggestions and these questions can allow you to assess whether your kid is a candidate for contact lenses.

Can your kid manage this kind of responsibility?

Does she learn and follow directions well? Does she forget her assignments in the home?

Wearing contacts as prescribed is important. Although complications rarely occur (changing just 5% of wearers per annum), most problems happen because contacts will not be worn or cared for correctly.

Consider whether your kid can find out the best way to correctly add and remove contacts, keep them clean, and follow a routine lens-wearing agenda. Can she do it when she would rather play or is tired?

Is it true that your child requires corrective contact lenses?

Maybe we urged contacts to correct a vision problem through your son or daughter ‘s last examination. Or perhaps your child plays sports and needs contacts for functionality and better eyesight.

On the flip side, in case your son or daughter needs contacts for reasons that are solely cosmetic, then consider talking to her about what is driving the selection. Peer pressure or an inherent problem may function as the motivating factor.

What now? Should I allow my child to wear contacts?

Your youngster should have both practical and aesthetic reasons for wearing contact lenses.

We are here to assist!

Article ©2014, Can My Kid Wear Contacts? LuckeyEyeCare.com

VISION & HEALTH NEWSLETTER COURTESY OF:

Robert Luckey, O.D.&nbsp

27340 Cashford Circle
Suite 102
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
813-866-4004

Contact Luckey EyeCare

The post Can My Kid Wear Contacts? appeared first on Luckey EyeCare Blog.

A retinal detachment (or detached retina) is a serious and sight-threatening event, defined as separation of the retina–the light-sensitive inner lining of the back of the eye–from its underlying supportive tissue and nutrient supply.

The retina cannot function when it detaches and, unless it is promptly treated with surgery, permanent vision loss usually occurs.

Signs and Symptoms

The most common signs and symptoms of a torn or detached retina are flashes of light and floaters.

Most people notice cobweb–or lint-like shadows floating in front of their eyes from time to time. These “floaters” are caused by deposits or thickenings in the normally clear gel (vitreous) that fills the back of the eye, occupying the large space in front of the retina.

But a sudden increase in floaters, especially if it is accompanied by flashes of light, suggests the vitreous is pulling away from the retina, causing traction that can lead to a tear or hole in the retina. If this happens, liquid from the vitreous can penetrate under the retina, causing a portion of the retina to pull away from the back surface of the eye.

Another symptom of a retinal detachment is a loss of peripheral vision, occurring in one quadrant of your field of view. People often describe this as the appearance of a dark shadow or a curtain coming down, blocking a significant portion of their visual field.

These symptoms can occur gradually as the retina pulls away from the supportive tissue, or they may occur suddenly if a large area of retina detaches immediately.

There is no pain associated with retinal detachment. If you experience any of the above symptoms, consult your eye doctor right away. Immediate surgical treatment increases your odds of regaining lost vision or at least preventing further vision loss.

What Causes Retinal Detachments?

A retinal detachment can occur at any age, but there are certain factors that can increase your risk. These include:

High myopia. People who have a high degree of myopia (nearsightedness) are at greater risk of developing a retinal detachment. High myopia generally means more than 5 or 6 diopters (D) of nearsightedness.

Uveitis. Chronic inflammation of the interior of the eye (uveitis) also increases the risk of retinal detachment.

Eye trauma. Blunt injuries to the eyes or head can cause an immediate retinal detachment or weaken the retina and make it more likely to detach months or years later.

Cataract surgery. Manipulation of the eye and the use of ultrasonic energy to break up and remove the clouded lens during cataract surgery can increase the risk of a retinal detachment.

Diabetes. People who have had diabetes for several years are at greater risk of damage to the retina (diabetic retinopathy) that can lead to scarring and retinal detachment. For this reason, people with diabetes should have frequent dilated eye exams to monitor the health of their eyes.

Treatment for Retinal Detachment

Surgery is the only effective treatment for a torn or detached retina. The procedure or combination of procedures your eye surgeon chooses depends on the severity and location of the affected area.

Laser surgery. Also called photocoagulation, laser surgery generally is used for retinal breaks and tears that have not yet caused the affected area of retina to detach from the back of the eye. The surgeon directs a laser beam into your eye through the pupil to “spot weld” the damaged retina to its underlying tissue. Photocoagulation requires no surgical incision and causes less irritation to the eye than other treatments.

Cryopexy. In this treatment, the surgeon applies a freezing probe to the outer surface of the eye over the area of defective retina. The scarring that occurs from the freezing reattaches the retina to its support tissue.

Pneumatic retinopexy. This surgery generally is used to treat a retinal detachment in the upper half of the retina. The surgeon injects an expandable gas bubble inside the eye, positioning the bubble over the torn and detached retina. As the gas bubble expands, it pushes the detached retina against its support tissue. The surgeon then may use laser photocoagulation or cryopexy to firmly reattach the retina to the underlying tissue. Over time, your body absorbs the gas bubble. Until that occurs, certain precautions are necessary.

In a variation of pneumatic retinopexy, the surgeon may inject silicone oil rather than expandable gas into the eye to press the detached retina against its support tissue. In this procedure, the silicone oil must be removed from the eye after the retina is reattached.

Scleral buckling. This is an older and still frequently used procedure to treat retinal detachment. The surgeon places a soft silicone band around the eye, which indents the outside of the eye towards the detached retina. The band is sutured against the tough outer white coating of the eye (sclera). The surgeon then drains any fluid between the retina and its support tissue, and reattaches the retina with laser photocoagulation or cryopexy.

In most cases, a single surgical procedure successfully repairs a detached retina. However, this doesn’t mean your vision will return to normal. Patients who have the best visual outcomes from retinal detachment surgery are those who seek attention immediately upon noticing symptoms and have detachments that do not involve the central retina (macula).

Vitrectomy. This procedure sometimes is required for severe retinal detachments that are associated with bleeding inside the eye, infections inside the eye and significant retinal scarring. The vitreous and any blood or infectious material inside the eye is removed and replaced with a gas to reposition the retina and allow it to reattach, often with the assistance of a scleral buckling procedure.

Article ©2013, Access Media Group LLC. Source: Detached Retina by AllAboutVision.com.

VISION & HEALTH NEWSLETTER COURTESY OF:

Robert Luckey, O.D.&nbsp

27340 Cashford Circle
Suite 102
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
813-866-4004

Contact Luckey EyeCare

The post Retinal Detachment appeared first on Luckey EyeCare Blog.

Making goals are easy. You say you’re going to do something, and you do it. But why is it so hard? Why do so many of us wind up making a goal that promises to keep the goal we didn’t make in the first place?

Now don’t get the wrong impression here – goals still matter. And just because your days end up being sucked dry by anything and everything that takes your eyes off the ball, so to speak, you can still do it. The key is not to be afraid.

Jim Grew, a CEO–level strategist and founder of The Grew Company, says that when it comes to goals, most people (on a business or personal level) are afraid they may fail at doing something they committed to do. “Goals are worthwhile for folks who want the payoff of reaching them. Seems simple, but if there’s no powerful payoff, goals can be unlikely – either to be set or to work on.”

One of the best practices is to set “don’t do” and “do” goals. This is as simple as it sounds, Grew says. The “don’t do” goals are the ones you want to avoid when setting out to reach your goals. For example, if you plan to finally do that painting you’ve been putting off, don’t tell your neighbor you’ll be over to watch the big game (enter your sport here).

“These are the things you shouldn’t let yourself get pulled into,” Grew says. “The point of goals is to direct behavior – both toward an end, and away from distractions. Most distractions give us pleasure (why else do them), so goals mean giving up pleasure now. The canard that big pleasure later overcomes little pleasure now is fine for everyone except those giving up the pleasures.”

There is no debating that working toward achieving any goal you set may include some rough spots – those “why–did–I–let–myself–do–that–instead–of–this” distractions.

So, the solution is simple – keep your goals in front of you. If you want to put yourself in the win column when it comes to all things goals, Grew recommends trying the following:

• Don’t set any more than three short–term goals

 

• Give yourself three months to reach them

 

• Find a way to track your progress

 

• Don’t make any new goals until you start knocking off the others

 

If you’re looking for a simple formula that you and your family can try, here’s an acronym you can put on your refrigerator – SMART:

Specific – I know exactly what has to happen

Measurable – I can measure progress and completion

Attainable – It doesn’t rely on things outside my control

Realistic – It doesn’t require a miracle

Timely – It matters now

Article ©2013, Access Media Group LLC. Source: The Eye Chart and 20/20 Vision by AllAboutVision.com.

VISION & HEALTH NEWSLETTER COURTESY OF:

Robert Luckey, O.D.&nbsp

27340 Cashford Circle
Suite 102
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
813-866-4004

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Why you should laugh every day

Lillie Shockney has a coffee mug on her desk that she looks at every day featuring a cartoon drawing of Noah’s Ark. The ark, which is way out in the ocean, depicts a bunch of animals on deck staring back at the shore with perplexed looks on their faces. Back on shore are two purple characters that resemble an odd–shaped Barney–like character with worried looks on their faces. The caption reads: “Oh crap, was that today?”

The caption helps keep every bad day in perspective for Shockney.

You may have read about Lillie Shockney or at least heard of her book, “Stealing Second Base: A Breast Cancer Survivor’s Experience and Breast Cancer Expert’s Story.” The piece is a unique, empowering, and sometime humorous story about the journey of a woman who has experienced breast cancer from many perspectives.

If you’re looking for irony, Shockney’s job as administrative director at the Johns Hopkins Breast Center is to help people who have been stricken with the disease cope. A longtime proponent of the overwhelming place humor has in our everyday lives, she recommends that you laugh at least once a day – even on the worst days.

“Humor is incredibly important,” she says. “We need it to get through the day, any day. It is a stress reliever that provides perspective and connects us with others in a profound way. Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.”

So, how do you do it? How do you put humor at the very top of your to–do list – a list that has work deadlines, family obligations, and the list goes on and on?

Read some funny stories. Binge watch your favorite comedies. Take in a comedy club. Create a “joke of the day” ritual at home and/or at work. Initiate some quality time with your family that focuses on funny stories. Start a “humor journal,” which could include funny insights or quirky experiences that you can pull out when you’re feeling down. The opportunities are endless.

“The use of humor is essential in achieving optimal mental health and wellbeing,” says Lydia Odenat, PhD, MPH, a professor in Emory University’s Department of Psychiatry in Atlanta. “In childhood, humor plays an important role in learning and memory development. In adolescence, it provides us with lessons in social norms and peer bonding. And in adulthood, humor helps us cope with grief and loss, as well as helps us cognitively reframe difficult or stressful situations.”

The most important lesson you can learn today, Odenat says, is that humor has the power to relieve stress and tension, elevate your mood, help you reframe negative experiences and gain new perspective. It helps buffer you from negative consequences of stress, and strengthen your relationships.

“Studies show that laughter occurs 30 times more in social situations than in solitude, which suggests that laughter plays a huge role in our social interactions,” she says. “The laughter that arises from humor also has an analgesic effect, meaning that it has the power to alleviate pain and physical discomfort. Humor and laughter are natural remedies that remain underutilized in modern society.”

So, the next time you stop by our offices, bring along your favorite joke, and we’ll share ours. We can start our own tradition.

To see the world as clearly as possible and enjoy a lifetime of good vision, be sure to see Dr. Robert Luckey for regularly scheduled comprehensive eye exams.

Article ©2013, Access Media Group LLC. Source: The Eye Chart and 20/20 Vision by AllAboutVision.com.

VISION & HEALTH NEWSLETTER COURTESY OF:

Robert Luckey, O.D.&nbsp

27340 Cashford Circle
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Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
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