Your Eyes Are Itchy? What to Know

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Itchy red eyes can have many potential causes. If your eyes are itchy, not knowing why can make it hard to treat the problem. While it’s helpful to see your eye doctor in Champaign IL, you can get a head start on identifying the cause of your itchy eyes. Below, we’ve listed the potential causes of this problem.

Possible Causes of Itchy Eyes

There are many things that can cause your eyes to become itchy. Below are some of the most common potential causes.

Allergies

Allergic reaction can cause dust, dander and pollen to cause the eyes to become itchy. If you have seasonal allergies, you’ll probably notice your eyes becoming itchy and red at the same time each year.

Dry eye

Dry eye is a condition that can be caused by various medications, environmental factors and contact use. Strangely, if you have dry eye, your eyes may also start to water, as they compensate for the dryness in the environment.

Eye strain

Eye strain occurs when you stare at a lit screen or at something similar for a long period of time. Over time, you’ll notice your eyes becoming itchy and red.

Infection

Eye infection, particularly conjunctivitis, can cause itchiness as well as discharge. This is a very contagious condition that should be treated as soon as possible.

Airborne irritants

Airborne irritants like smoke can irritate the surface of the eyes, causing a variety of symptoms, including itchiness.

What You Can Do

If you’re suffering from itchy, red eyes, talk to your eye doctor. Make an appointment with Champaign Eye Professionals to get your eyes examined in Champaign IL. Call today to get your appointment on our schedule.

3 New Year’s Resolutions For Your Eyes

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At this time of year, many people make resolutions to improve their life in one way or another. If you’re not sure what type of resolution to make, why not make a resolution to take good care of your eyes? As your eye doctor in Champaign IL, we have many suggestions for ways that you can take better care of your eyes in 2023. Here’s what we suggest.

1. Take Advantage of Your Eye Insurance

Your eye insurance likely covers a range of services, including routine eye exams and some kind of coverage for corrective lenses. As long as your insurance covers services that you need, you should use your insurance to get the eye care you need.

This may involve seeing your eye doctor for checkups once annually, or getting new corrective lenses every calendar year. If you’re not sure what your insurance covers, find out and get your next appointment with the eye doctor scheduled.

2. Know the Symptoms of Eye Trouble and Get Help

Would you know if you were having a problem with your eyes? Here’s some examples of what to watch for:

  • Dry, itchy red eyes
  • Blurry vision
  • Eye pain
  • Discharge from the eyes
  • Black spots in your vision
  • Loss of vision in center or periphery

Resolve to prioritize your eyesight. If you experience any of the symptoms above, make an appointment to see your eye doctor as soon as possible.

3. See the Eye Doctor When It’s Time

If you have corrective lenses, you should be seeing your eye doctor for an eye exam in Champaign IL at least once every two years, or annually if possible. If you haven’t been seeing the eye doctor as often as you should, resolve to do better!

Get a jump start on your New Year’s Resolutions. Call Champaign Eye Professional today to make an appointment for the new year.

3 Winter Eye Care Tips

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As the seasons change, the way we take care of our eyes sometimes change. Now that winter is almost here, it’s important to take care of your eyes in a manner that’s appropriate for the season. Knowing how to take care of your eyes can help you avoid eye discomfort, and can also help you fight certain eye conditions. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Keep Your Eyes Moist

At this time of year, the air holds less humidity. Dryer air means dryer eyes. Eyes that are too dry may turn red, get itchy and may even impact your use of contacts. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to keep your eyes moist.

Use a Humidifier

Your home should have humidity levels between 30 and 50%. You can tell how much humidity is in your home with a hygrometer. If the hygrometer says the humidity levels are too low, use a humidifier to increase your home’s humidity.

Use Over the Counter Eye Drops

Over the counter eye drops can help keep your eyes moist at a time of year when they might otherwise get dry. If over the counter eye drops don’t seem to be helping enough, talk to your eye doctor.

2. Wear Sunglasses Outside

It might be cold outside, but that sun is still intense! Wearing sunglasses outside can help protect your eyes from UV rays. If you’re in need of prescription sunglasses in Champaign, IL, make an appointment with your eye doctor today.

3. Update Your Corrective Lens Prescription

If you haven’t updated your corrective lens prescription yet this year, then it’s time! Call your eye doctor in Champaign, IL to make an appointment for an eye examination.

About Your VSP (Vision Service Plan)

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VSP is a top insurer for managed vision care in the United States. If your family is covered under a VSP, you have access to many benefits that shave money off basic services and eyewear, including premium frames not covered by other insurance carriers. If it’s time for your annual eye exam, your eye doctor in Champaign, IL, can tell you more about the benefits offered by your VSP.

Who Is VSP?

Surprisingly, VSP has been operational since 1955. It has only recently grown to become the top provider of vision insurance in America. VSP was created by optometrists to help provide patients with access to better vision care. Currently, 40,000 doctors worldwide accept VSP, which means it’s easy to find an in-network provider.

Benefits Offered By Your VSP

Benefits may vary depending upon which company you work for and which plan you choose. However, the overall benefits include:

  • Additional discounts on featured frames
  • Full coverage on standard progressive lenses
  • Savings on LASIK
  • Monthly premiums as low as $13
  • Premium lens upgrades
  • Coverage and discounts on comprehensive eye exams

To learn more about your personal benefits under VSP, you can create an account at the VSP Member Portal. Or, you can call your eye doctor in Champaign, IL, to learn more about the services covered by your VSP.

Contact Champaign Eye Professionals Today

If you’re insured under a VSP, you have access to many discounts and perks, including the costs of your eye exam and prescription lenses. Call Champaign Eye Professionals today to schedule an appointment and to learn more about which services your plan covers. Our friendly team is always professional, and we’re happy to answer your insurance questions when you call.

About your EyeMed Vision Plan

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Do you have vision coverage through EyeMed Vision Care? If so, you have access to many benefits that can save you money on the costs of your eye exam, frames, lenses, and more. EyeMed Vision Care is now one of the largest providers of vision benefits in the United States and is offered by many employers nationwide. Your eye doctor in Champaign, IL, can tell you more about what’s covered through your EyeMed Vision Plan.

Who Is EyeMed?

EyeMed has been offering vision coverage since 1988. It’s parent company is Luxxotica, based in Italy. Initially an eyewear brand that specialized in frames and lenses, Luxxotica created EyeMed to help its members gain better access to managed vision care. In 2022, it was named one of the top two Best Vision Insurance Companies by The Balance.

What Benefits Do I Have Through EyeMed?

Like most managed-care plans, your benefits may vary depending upon your level of coverage. More than 87,000 vision care providers accept EyeMed in the United States, which makes it easy to find someone nearby. And though your savings depend somewhat on the company you work for and the type of lenses, frames, and add-ons you choose, you can save up to 73 percent off the cost of your new prescription eyewear as well as your eye exam. Other in-network benefits may include:

  • 20 percent off items not covered by your plan, such as prescription sunglasses
  • 40 percent off a second pair of glasses
  • 20 percent off frame balancing
  • Savings on contact lenses
  • Savings on LASIK and PRK corrective surgeries

As an EyeMed plan participant, you can also save money on a wider selection of frames, including premium frames that aren’t typically covered.

Call Champaign Eye Professionals Today

If you have questions about your EyeMed Vision Plan in Champaign, IL, call Champaign Eye Professionals to schedule a consultation. We’re happy to answer all your vision-insurance-related questions.