What You Should Know About Cross-Eyes

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Cross eyes, known as strabismus in the medical community, isn’t an extremely common condition, but it does affect up to 5% of the population. While usually associated with children under the age of six, it can technically affect adults as well. We’ll look at what you should know about this disorder, and how a comprehensive eye exam in Champaign, IL may be able to help alleviate its ill effects.

Eyes Can Point in Any Direction

Cross eyes technically refer to any alignment issues, meaning that instead of both eyes looking at one object, one eye may turn up, down, left, or right. The types of cross-eyed conditions are differentiated by how the eye is pointed. However, the most common version of cross-eye, where both eyes look inward, is called esotropia.

Cross Eyes Are Often Caused by Muscle or Nerve Disorders

Cross-eye usually stems from issues with the eye muscles and the nerves controlling eye movement, though brain abnormalities or medical conditions can also be underlying causes. If an adult or child has cross-eyes, they often have double vision, poor depth perception, and even vision loss in one eye (known as lazy eye).

Cross Eyes Can Be Treated in Champaign, IL

Cross eyes sometimes correct themselves on their own. Other times, they’ll need intervention from an eye doctor in Champaign, IL. You can find non-surgical ways to treat cross eyes from glasses to eye exercises to vision therapy. If these treatments fail to correct the issue, there are also surgeries that can correct the eyes muscles (though this is a last resort for medical professionals). If you have questions about your or your child’s condition, the team at Champaign Eye Professionals can help you figure out the next steps!

Elderly man examined by an ophthalmologist

Will I Be Able to Drive with Cataracts?

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Cataracts in Champaign, IL affect the lens of the eye, otherwise known as the element that focuses light so that it can transmit signals to the brain. When you’re young, that lens is typically crisp and clear, but the lens can start to yellow as you age. While cataracts can happen to anyone, including infants, they tend to affect people in their 60s and 70s. If you’re wondering if you can drive if you have cataracts, we’ll look at the safety concerns.

Driving with Cataracts

If you’re asking whether you can drive with cataracts, the shortest answer is that some people can and do drive with cataracts. Usually, at the beginning of the disorder, your vision hasn’t changed drastically enough to impair your abilities on the road. However, cataracts usually get worse over time, so it’s important to pay attention to deteriorations long before they can affect another driver, passenger, or pedestrian.

What to Keep in Mind

Cataracts can progress very differently for different people. In some cases, the disease is so slow-moving that it doesn’t affect the individual in any noticeable way. They may have a slight tinge in their vision, but not enough to impact their daily routines. For others, the issue progresses rapidly, quickly becoming a do-or-die situation requiring cataract surgery to see clearly. The problem is often the in-between cases, where the changes occur, but they’re slow enough that they’re not altogether noticeable.

If you have questions about your cataracts, it can help to see an eye doctor in Champaign who can tell you more about whether it’s safe for you to get behind the wheel. At Champaign Eye Professionals, we can give you a comprehensive evaluation, so you’re completely confident on the road.

 

 

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3 Things to Know About Your Optic Nerves

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Your eyes may be one of your most important organs, but that doesn’t mean everyone understands exactly how they work. They often only become a topic of conversation if something goes wrong. However, it can help for everyone to do a little research into some of the most important components of the eye if only to have a better handle on how to take care of them. Below, we look at a few key facts about the optic nerve.

1. The Optic Nerve Tells You What You See

Your eyes may see what’s in front of you, but it’s your brain that’s interpreting the images. In order to receive information from the eyes, the brain relies on the optic nerve to pick up and process the data.

2. Damage to the Optic Nerve Is a Major Issue

Damaging the optic nerve can lead to partial or total vision loss, which is why it’s so important for eye doctors in Champaign, IL to keep an eye on its health and any changes it might undergo over the years. Unfortunately, damage to the nerves can occur in multiple ways, including brain tumors and eye disease.

3. Visiting the Right Optometrist in Champaign Can Help

The optic nerve starts at the back of the eye and then heads through the optic canal into the brain. At an eye exam in Champaign, IL, the doctor can perform special tests to assess the health of the optic nerve so you can catch problems in their infancy rather than having a potential emergency.

If you’ve put off an eye exam for longer than a year or you’ve noticed any changes to your vision, contact Champaign Professionals to make an appointment.

Are Itchy Eyes a Symptom of Dry Eye Syndrome?

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Dry eye syndrome is a common condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears to lubricate the areas that need moisture. Your Champaign, IL eye doctor can diagnose and treat dry eye syndrome, based on your symptoms. One of the most unrecognized symptoms of this condition is itchy eyes. 

Are Your Itchy Eyes Caused by Dry Eye Syndrome?

Even though itchiness is definitely one of the symptoms of dry eye syndrome, there are other reasons why your eyes may be itchy. One of them is allergies. You could be allergic to pollen, grass, or any number of other seasonal allergens. You might also be allergic to some kind of eye makeup that you’re wearing, or the laundry detergent you’re using. Bear in mind that allergies can crop up at any time of life. Even if you weren’t allergic before, you may have developed a new allergy.

Other Symptoms of Dry Eyes

If you do have dry eye syndrome, you’ll have some other symptoms besides itchiness. These include:

  • redness
  • puffy eyes
  • gritty or sandy feeling in the eye
  • blurry vision

You may have other symptoms, too. When you visit your eye doctor, bring a list of all your symptoms. This will help in evaluating whether you have dry eye syndrome or something else, such as an eye infection or eye allergies.

Allergy Symptoms

It’s good to distinguish between allergy-related itching and dry eye syndrome. Allergies typically present with additional symptoms, such as sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes.

Contact us today for a dry eye evaluation in Champaign, IL. You’ll find out once and for all if your itchy eyes are caused by this condition. After that, your eye doctor will recommend a treatment plan so you can finally get relief. 

 

Protecting Eyes in Summer

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Summer is one of the best seasons for sunshine and fresh air. It’s healthy to get outdoors, enjoy exercise and socialize. At the same time, it’s important to protect your eyes from UV rays. UV rays can lead to vision problems, but it’s possible to avoid complications with these simple tips from youreye doctor in Champaign, IL.

Wear a Wide-Brimmed Hat

Something as simple as wearing a wide-brimmed hat can keep the sun from shining directly into your eyes. Experiment with different hats until you find one or two that you feel comfortable with, and that you look good in!

Stay Hydrated

By the time you feel thirsty, you may already be dehydrated. Keep a tumbler of fresh water with you while you bicycle, walk, drive, or play sports. Keep sipping all day long so that your whole body stays properly hydrated, including your eyes. Eyes need hydration to keep eyes from drying out and for other functions.

Avoid Chlorine

Swimming pools are a great way to cool off, but chlorine and other pool chemicals can irritate your eyes. Wear swim goggles to protect your eyes from these chemicals, and rinse your eyes with fresh water after swimming to remove any residual chlorine. If you have your own swimming pool, consider a saltwater pool, which uses a lot less chlorine than traditional systems.

Wear Quality Sunglasses

Whenever you’re outside, wear quality sunglasses that are UV-rated to block 100% of UV rays. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays can increase the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. You can getsunglasses in Champaign, IL from your eye doctor’s office.

The other important step in maximizing eye health in summer is to have regular eye exams. Contact us to book your appointment today!

Does My Eye Doctor Need to Know the Supplements I’m Taking?

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Vitamins and supplements have become a way of life for many people. These extras can help us get the extra nutrients we might not always get from our regular diets. Of course, if they’re sold over the counter, it’s easy to discount their importance (or even forget which ones you’re taking).

However, when you visit the doctor, whether it’s your primary doctor or your eye doctor in Champaign, IL, it’s essential to be upfront with them and to make a complete list of what you’re taking. We’ll look at why below.

Contraindications

When a food like grapefruit can interfere with cholesterol medications, you can imagine specific vitamins and supplements could do the same. If you’re given any type of prescription, supplements, and vitamins may either make the medicine less effective or lead to more severe side effects.

Better Recommendations

The recommendations for vitamins and supplements should be considered generic advice for the average person. If you’re at risk for certain diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, you may need to adjust your dosage or eliminate certain types of vitamins.

Eye Doctors in Champaign, IL

When you take vitamins and supplements (as long as they’re purchased from a reputable supplier), you’re not taking tremendous risks. They may not always have the life-changing effects they often promise, but they also won’t necessarily hurt you either.

If you have questions about how to take them to reap the best benefits, a routine eye exam in Champaign, IL, can give you advice based on your individual eye health history. At Champaign Eye Professionals, our staff can evaluate the vitamins and supplements against the test results and help you make changes to ensure the best outcome.

How to Reduce Eye Strain During Work

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Eye strain at work is exceptionally common, regardless of what industry you’re in. When most people are required to use screens on a regular basis, it’s only natural for the eyes to start to feel the toll. Of course, these aren’t the only professions that lead to eye strain, though. Drivers, doctors, and even park rangers may start to blink away tears by the end of the day. We’ll look at how to reduce the strain when you’re at work.

Tips for Reducing Eye Strain
In addition to taking regular breaks and gettingregular eye exams in Champaign, IL, here are a few tips that can help you optimize your work environment:

Adjust your light: Use lower-intensity bulbs, shut the blinds, and turn non-essential lights off. When you think of a typical office setting with fluorescent lighting everywhere, your goal is to be about half that.
Buy a new monitor: An anti-glare monitor can do wonders to reduce your eye strain. You should also adjust the brightness until it’s white but not glowing. The tints should be more red and orange than blue.
Blink more: The more you blink, the more you moisten your eyes. This cuts out irritation and gives your eyes a much-needed break as you go about your day. You should also try focusing on an object around 20 feet away every 20 minutes to break up the close contact between your eyes and the screen.
See Your Eye Doctor in Champaign, IL
What’s the best lighting for you? How should you adjust the resolution based on your eyes? Do you need anti-reflective glasses? These questions are all best answered by aneye doctor in Champaign, IL. To set up an appointment and get your questions answered, contact us today to get the ball rolling.

Is Colorblindness a Symptom of a More Serious Eye Disorder?

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Color blindness is a condition that millions of people all over the world live with every single day. However, if you’ve never experienced it before or you’re unfamiliar with the disorder, you may start to wonder if there’s something more behind the mixups. Here, we look at what color blindness is and when it may signify something more dangerous.

What Is Color Blindness?
Color blindness in Champaign, IL, is typically connected to the cones in the eyes, as these are the cells that sense color. If you don’t have all three cone cells or those that respond to red, green, and blue, you can end up mistaking green for red or blue for yellow. Color blindness can also be caused by nonfunctional cone cells, which, depending on the disorder, may result in a far milder version of this disorder.

Is Color Blindness Serious?
Typically, color blindness isn’t serious, especially in children. It can usually be managed fairly easily, though you may need to invest in special glasses or contacts to offset its effects. However, if you’re experiencing color blindness in addition to other issues, such as blurry vision, it may be related to glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy. If you’ve noticed major changes in your line of vision beyond the ability to detect hues, these disorders are serious enough to warrant an emergency trip to aneye doctor in Champaign, IL.

Treating Color Blindness in Champaign, IL
No matter what’s behind your (or a loved one’s) color blindness, it’s worth getting an expert opinion. At Champaign Eye Professionals, we can give you a comprehensive eye exam to settle the matter once and for all. Contact us today to schedule an appointment so you can rest a little easier.

What Do I Do If I Have a Cataract in One Eye?

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If you have a cataract in one eye only, it’s normal to wonder how that will affect your overall vision. When one eye can compensate, you might even wonder how necessary it is to take action in the first place. We’ll look at how the cloudiness impacts your overall sight so you have a better idea of how to handle it.

Know the Facts 

Cataracts in Champaign, IL, are essentially a yellowing of the lens in the eye. Much like a piece of paper might fade over time, so too will different body parts. If your other eye is crystal clear, you may not notice much of a change at first. This is partially because the dominant eye will take over and partially because some cataracts will move slowly.

Protect Your Eyes 

No matter what your vision is like right now, though, there has never been a better time to protect it. Adding more fruits and veggies to your diet and wearing sunglasses every time you step outside should be the bare minimum. The more you kick into proactive gear, the fewer issues you’ll have down the line.

Consider Cataract Surgery in Champaign

Protecting your eyes won’t reverse the cataract; it will only (potentially) slow down the progression. Plus, there is no medication that can help you manage the symptoms. If you and youroptometrist in Champaign, IL, have seen that your vision is significantly impaired due to your cloudy outlook, cataract surgery is as safe as it is effective. One of the most common surgeries in the industry, it’s a fast outpatient procedure with around a 99% success rate. Contact Champaign Eye Professionals to learn more about it to see how we can help.

Elderly man examined by an ophthalmologist

Taking Care of Older Eyes

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As you age, your eyes also age. Just like other parts of the body, your eyes need special consideration when they get older. Youroptometrist in Champaign, IL, has some tips on caring for older eyes so you can enjoy the best possible eyesight well into the golden years.

Avoid Cataracts

Statistics say that over 90% of people aged 65 and older will develop cataracts. Because of this high percentage, many people believe that cataracts are inevitable. However, many people never develop cataracts, and there’s no reason you can’t be among the lucky few.

Cataracts in Champaign, IL and other places develop with the proteins in the eye’s lens clump together as they break down with age. But if you take certain precautions, you can delay or prevent this from happening by:

  • wear sunglasses every day
  • quit smoking
  • eat healthy
  • avoid excess alcohol intake

Avoid Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of people around the world. This underlying condition can lead to diabetic retinopathy, where your very eyesight is jeopardized. Rather than lose your eyesight, be sure to have your blood sugar checked on a regular basis. If you have diabetes, let your optometrist know so they can check for symptoms of diabetic retinopathy.

Avoid Glaucoma

Glaucoma is another thief of eyesight. Unchecked glaucoma has the potential to cause partial or total blindness. Older folks, in particular, need to have regular glaucoma tests in Champaign, IL, at every eye exam. Since early detection can save vision, a good rule of thumb is to get a glaucoma test once every six months, at a minimum.

Older eyes do better with tender, loving care and attention. For more eyecare tips from yourChampaign, IL optometrist, please contact us today to book your appointment.