Dry Eye: Common Causes & Treatment Options

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Dry eye is a common condition that can bring along a whole set of troubling symptoms. This problem occurs when you don’t have a normal amount of tears or your tears dry up too fast. Burning and itching are some of the most common symptoms you may experience.

If you’re suffering from this condition, contact Champaign Eye Professionals today for reliable dry eye treatment in Champaign, IL. We’re here to make a difference in your eye and vision health!

In this post, we’ll discuss the common causes of dry eye, including some treatment options.

How Is Dry Eye Caused?

Several factors can increase your chances of developing dry eye, or make symptoms worse if you already have the condition.

Lifestyle Factors

Those who look at screens for several hours a day are more prone to getting dry eye. Smoking, using contact lenses, and having allergies are some other lifestyle risk factors to consider.

Medical Conditions

Dry eye is also more common in those with certain medical conditions, such as neurological diseases, eye conditions, and autoimmune problems.

Medications

If you take certain medications for the following conditions, you’re at a higher risk of developing dry eye:

  • Depression
  • Blood pressure
  • Allergies
  • Glaucoma
  • Menopause
  • Pain

Keep in mind only certain medications can lead to this issue. Talk to your doctor about the specific risks of the medications you’re currently taking.

What Are the Treatment Options for Dry Eye?

There are several environmental and lifestyle changes you can instill to help treat dry eye. You can also find a wide variety of eye drops. For in-office treatments, there’s something called thermal pulsation therapy (Lipiflow®). This process calmly massages and warms your eyelids to help your meibomian glands produce oil.

Another option is intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, which uses pulses of light to melt the thick substances that get in the way of your meibomian glands.

If you’re ready for trusted dry eye care, contact Champaign Eye Professionals to work with the top eye doctor in Champaign, IL!

Optometrist giving an eye exam

 Common Eye Care Myths Debunked

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There are common eye care myths most people have believed to be true their entire lives. Well, that stops here and now. Your optometrist in Champaign, IL, is about to blow these myths right out of the water for you.

Myth #1 – All Babies Are Born with Blue Eyes

This is part true and false. When babies are born, their eyes can appear to be blue. But that’s just because the melanin in their eyes is still developing. As they grow through the first year, the cells in their iris will begin to make melanin. And this could cause their eyes to darken.

Myth #2 – Eating Carrots Will Improve Your Eyesight

Eating carrots is good for your eyes. Your eyes need Vitamin A to remain healthy. But eating more carrots won’t actually improve your eyesight.

Myth #3 – If You Cross Your Eyes, They Can Get Stuck That Way

Nope! This is a 100% myth! Ask any eye doctor in Champaign, IL, and they will tell you that crossing your eyes won’t make them stay in that position.

Myth #4 – Sitting Too Close to the TV Will Damage Your Eyes

Yeah, we know. Parents have been telling kids this forever. But it’s not true. Sitting too close to the TV might give you eye strain or a headache, but that’s it.

Myth #5 – Reading in Low Light Is Bad for Your Eyes

Yep! This is another myth. Reading in low light isn’t bad for your eyes. However, it will cause your eyes to tire out more quickly.

Looking for an Exceptional Optometrist in Champaign, IL?

The best way to keep your eyes healthy is to visit your eye doctor regularly. Please Contact Champaign Eye Professionals today to schedule a routine eye exam. We want to keep your eyes happy and healthy as much as you do (maybe more)!

Why Prescription Sunglasses are a Must for Vision and Eye Health

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If you have a prescription for eyeglasses, consider getting prescription sunglasses to go with them. There are multiple benefits of prescription sunglasses that the team at Champaign Eye Professionals wants you to know. Here are some of them.

Adding UV Protection

Even if you don’t feel uncomfortable in the sunlight, your eyes can be damaged by UV rays. Prescription sunglasses that you order from your Champaign eye doctor will protect your eyes. They also protect the skin around your eyes from damage due to UV ray protection.

Limiting Eye Strain

When you don’t wear sunglasses, your eyes may face strain from the sun and the glare it creates. You will find less eye strain when you add prescription sunglasses to your eyecare toolbox. You can spend the entire day out in the sun without getting a headache or pain in your eyes.

Lessening Risk of Eye Disease

Did you know your eyes can get sunburned? This condition, known as photokeratitis, is serious and can impact your eyesight for life, increasing the risk of other eye diseases. Sunglasses reduce that risk, and they can also lessen the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, or retinal deterioration.

Keeping Vision Clear

Prescription sunglasses keep your vision clear when you’re outdoors. You won’t be squinting, and you won’t have to take off your prescription glasses to wear regular sunglasses. You will have your prescription and your sun protection all in one place.

Are you in the market for prescription sunglasses? Schedule a visit with Champaign Eye Professionals today to talk to your eye doctor about ordering prescription sunglasses. You can also visit our optical shop to see the attractive frames we have available.

Dangers of Wearing Cheap Sunglasses

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When it comes to sunglasses, choosing a brand name or buying from your optometrist in Champaign, IL is the better choice. While sunglasses are a necessity to protect your eyes from UV rays, not all of them offer the same level of protection. Wearing cheap sunglasses poses more dangers than you may realize.

Insufficient UV Protection

The number one purpose of sunglasses is to shield your eyes from the effects of UV rays, which come from the sun. Cheap sunglasses often lack sufficient UV protection, which is applied to lenses with a special coating. It makes sense when you understand that the thicker the coating, the more UV protection is created. But the more coating layers, the more cost to the manufacturer. So it stands to reason that cheap sunglasses will have only the bare minimum in UV coating.

False Sense of Security

When you buy a pair of sunglasses, you may think that darker lenses offer more protection. However, without proper UV coating, these lenses can be more harmful than not wearing sunglasses at all. Dark lenses cause your pupils to dilate, increasing the amount of UV light that enters your eyes. This false sense of security can lead to greater exposure to harmful rays, increasing the potential for eye damage.

Poor Lens Quality

Cheap sunglasses usually have the lowest quality of lenses, which can distort vision. Poor lens quality can cause eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision. These issues can be particularly problematic when driving or engaging in activities that require clear vision. Distorted lenses can even lead to accidents and injuries due to impaired depth perception and reduction in visual clarity.

For a great selection of quality sunglasses in Champaign, IL, visit Champaign Eye Professionals. And remember, you can even get prescription sunglasses so that all your vision needs are met.