What it Means When One Eye Sees Blurry and the Other Doesn’t

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First off, it’s quite common for people to have different levels of vision in each eye. During your eye exam in Champaign, IL, your optometrist might discover the need for a different prescription in your right eye than your left. This is no cause for concern. But there’s a certain condition, known as monocular blurry vision, that can stem from minor issues to more serious health concerns. Only your eye doctor can diagnose this condition.

Possible Causes of Blurry Vision in One Eye

One common cause, which we mentioned just now, is simply either nearsightedness or farsightedness, where one eye’s prescription differs from the other. Don’t worry about that. Then there’s dry eye syndrome, and that can also lead to temporary blurriness in one eye.

Some eye infections can cause alarming and sudden blurred vision in one eye. Your optometrist can help with this. Then there’s cataracts, which slowly cloud the lens of the eye. You’ll be able to see this in the mirror. A detached retina can also cause sudden and abrupt blurry vision, in which case you should hop in the car right away—with someone else driving—to seek help.

When to Seek Immediate Help

If the blurriness comes on unexpectedly and suddenly, is accompanied by intense pain, headaches, dizziness or blindness, this often indicates a more serious issue, which requires immediate attention from a professional. Other concerning causes include glaucoma, which increases eye pressure and can damage vision, or diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes affecting the retina.

If you notice persistent or sudden blurry vision in one eye, scheduling an eye exam is crucial. Your optometrist in Champaign, IL can diagnose the issue and recommend treatment, whether it’s updating a prescription, using eye drops, or addressing a more serious condition. Early intervention can help prevent worsening vision and protect long-term eye health.

The Real Reason Your Glasses Keep Sliding Down Your Nose

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Are you constantly having to push your eyeglasses in Champaign, IL back into place? This shouldn’t be a normal part of wearing glasses, and it means that some kind of adjustment needs to be made. Here are several possible reasons why this may be happening to you.

Poorly-Fitting Frames

Sometimes glasses slip because they’re just too big for your face. You know that part of your optometry visit where you sit down with a technician and they assess the fit of any frames that you’ve chosen? Well, that’s an important step, because every person’s face is different. We all have different proportions. Just because a frame says it’s made for a woman doesn’t mean it’s going to fit every woman’s face.

The Arms Are Too Loose or Too Short

The arms of your glasses are those two lengthy parts that tuck over your ears. The curve of the arms is supposed to create a snug—but not too tight—hold over your ears. If the curves don’t reach correctly over your ears, this makes the glasses free to slide down your nose.

Oily Skin and Sweat

Your skin naturally produces oil, called sebum. This oil isn’t a bad thing, unless it builds up in excess. You may also get sweaty on hot days or when moving swiftly. This can create a slippery surface—literally a slippery slope on your nose! Through no fault of yours or your glasses, this can cause them to slide down your nose. Plastic frames tend to slide more easily than frames made from other materials.

Worn-Out Nose Pads or Temple Tips

Over time, the small rubber or silicone nose pads on your glasses can wear out, harden or become smooth, making it easier for your glasses to slide. Even the rubberized coating on the temple tips can lose its grip. Replacing these parts can make a noticeable difference in how well your glasses stay in place.

Visit your Champaign, IL optometrist and explain the issue you’re having. We’ll be able to figure out a solution, whether it’s tightening your frames, making other frame adjustments, adding anti-slip nose pads, helping you to choose alternative frames. Contact us today to book an appointment!

Why do My Eyes Feel Dry All the Time?

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Your eyes should naturally produce lubrication, which helps to keep them comfortable and functioning as they should. But if you find that your eyes seem to be dry a lot of the time, you should visit with your Champaign, IL optometrist. In the meantime, here are some possible causes.

Too Much Screen Time

In today’s world, it’s impossible to avoid screens 100% of the time unless you’re a Luddite living off the grid. And while that’s a viable way of life for many, most of us have to interact with technology on a day-to-day basis, including using screens for work, play, navigation and so many essentials of life. But did you know that just the act of looking at screens can make your eyes feel dry? It’s all down to the fact that when people look at screens they blink 50-66% less, compared to their normal blink rate. On average, a person blinks 15-20 times per minute, but when focusing on a screen, this can drop to as low as 7-10 blinks per minute. This reduced blinking can contribute to dry eye syndrome. So if your eyes feel dry a lot, consider how much screen time you’re getting.

Environmental Factors

Dry, windy or air-conditioned environments can accelerate tear evaporation, leaving your eyes feeling parched. Indoor heating and air conditioning reduce humidity levels, making dry eye symptoms worse. People who fly a lot may also experience worsened dryness due to the low humidity in airplane cabin air.

Underlying Health Conditions

Certain medical conditions and medications can interfere with tear production. Conditions like diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can all reduce the body’s ability to produce tears.

If your eyes are chronically dry, don’t just ignore the problem, because dry eyes can lead to secondary complications. Come in to Champaign Eye Professionals for a dry eye evaluation in Champaign, IL. We have advice and treatments that can help.

Tips and Tricks to Find a Contact Lens You’ve Dropped

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One of the most common issues that contact lens wearers talk about is dropping the lens. The situation has even been used a lot on movies and TV shows, with people freezing in place after someone at a party shouts, “I’ve lost my contact lens!” As funny as the media may make it out to be, there’s nothing fun about the prospect of facing the day without being able to see clearly. If—and when—you drop your contact lens, here are some tried and true tips and tricks to locating it, from your Champaign, IL optometrists.

Check Your Clothing

Contact lenses don’t fall heavily. Often, a dropped contact lens will alight on the front of your clothing, so before moving, look down at the front of your top. Next, check the tops of your shoes. These are the two most common places a lens will land.

Shine a Light On It

A contact lens will reflect light differently than other things on your floor or countertop or sink. Using a pen flashlight, slowly canvas the area where it dropped. If the light hits it, the lens will quickly become obvious.

Create a Surface Plane

Another easy way to find the lens is to get on the floor away from the area and lie your head as level flat as you can, looking sideways. Anything that’s not absolutely level with the floor—including your lens—will immediately stand out.

Clean Extra Well

Once you’ve found your lost contact lens, you can’t just pop it back in. It’s now been exposed to any number of unpleasant things. You need to clean it extra well before using it again. This means using a disinfecting solution in addition to the saline solution.

For more help with your contact lenses in Champaign, IL, reach out to Champaign Eye Professionals. We’re here for all your vision needs!