More than ever, individuals rely on their eyes for everyday work and social interactions. Schoolwork, reading, hobbies and various types of close work can put a strain on eyes. Even fatigue can cause poor focus of the eyes. In most cases, looking away from electronic screens and looking at the scenery outdoors can help to relieve these problems. However, in some cases, blurred vision can signal a more serious problem that requires professional eye care.

Looking at computer and smartphone screens throughout the day can cause eye fatigue and blurring. Usually, getting away from the device screen for a period of time and using soothing eye drops can help this problem. Extensive reading of small print can also cause eyestrain and blurring of vision. You may experience blurring of vision when your eyeglass or contact lens prescription is no longer adequate for your vision needs. Dry eye syndrome can result when insufficient tears or poor-quality tears are produced. This problem can cause blurry vision because of lack of moisture on the eye surface.

Any incident of severe or sudden blurring of vision could signal an eye disease or injury that needs treatment. If you are diabetic, you need to pay particular attention to eye health, because of the risk of retinal detachment, which can cause loss of vision. Older individuals may have blurring of vision due to cataracts or macular degeneration, which may require treatment. A stroke can also cause blurred vision. Any incident that include blurring of vision, along with severe headache, numbness of the extremities, difficulty speaking or lack of coordination when walking should be seen by a physician immediately. If you experience a sudden loss of vision, unusual blurring of vision or eye pain, see your eye doctor immediately.

The eye professionals at Vision Associates are committed to providing the highest quality eye care for individuals in Toledo, OH, Bowling Green and Defiance. We offer a broad range of vision care services including comprehensive examinations, pediatric eye care, cataract surgery, diabetic eye care and treatment of eye diseases. Call Vision Associates today at 419-578-2020 for an appointment to have your eyes examined to help you achieve clearer vision for your everyday tasks.

The idea that LASIK is not permanent is a common misconception. When you have a LASIK procedure on your eyes, the prescription that you have on the day of the procedure is permanently corrected. As the laser used during the procedure reshapes the cornea, your nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism are completely changed and corrected, leaving you with lasting improved vision.

Since the imperfections of the cornea that caused a lack of clear vision are permanently corrected, it's not possible for vision to regress after having a LASIK procedure. Sometimes, a person who has had LASIK in the past does find that they need vision correction years down the line. This isn't because their LASIK procedure has failed - it's because their nearsightedness or farsightedness has gotten worse over time, and has gone beyond the level that existed when they had their LASIK procedure.

It's completely possible for your eyes to change over the course of your life, and just like you wouldn't expect one pair of glasses to last for your entire lifetime, it's not reasonable to expect that your eyes will never change after your LASIK procedure.

One of the reasons that the myth of non-permanent LASIK is so pervasive is likely due to presbyopia. Most people experience trouble seeing objects that are close, and need reading glasses. This has nothing to do with a previous LASIK procedure. Presbyopia occurs when the lens behind the cornea (not the cornea itself) loses the ability to focus on close objects.

Most people in their mid-forties or older need reading glasses, and this is true whether they've had a vision correction procedure or not. Even people who have never needed glasses before will likely find that they need reading glasses as they get older.

If your vision changes significantly after your LASIK procedure (and is not related to presbyopia), you may choose to have a LASIK enhancement done. This procedure is fairly rare, as fewer than 10% of people who have had a LASIK procedure choose to undergo LASIK enhancement by the ten-year mark after their procedure. If you're considering LASIK, talk with your surgeon about how they handle LASIK enhancements if you're not satisfied with your vision years after your procedure is completed.

Let's take a look at how the average cost of a LASIK procedure compares to the cost of typical use of glasses and contacts.

 | Vision correction method | Cost per year | Cost after 10 years | Cost after 20 years
| LASIK | One-time cost, approximately $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000
| Daily contacts | $1,000, plus solution, cases, and appointments to re-certify prescription | $10,000 | $20,000
| Monthly contacts | $600, plus solution, cases, and appointments to re-certify prescription | $6,000 | $12,000
| Glasses | $200/ pair, plus regular appointments to check prescription | $600 | $1,200

 

If you're someone who prefers using contacts to glasses, there's no question that LASIK is the best financial choice long-term. If you wear glasses, you may be able to get away with saving money by continuing to wear glasses rather than getting a LASIK procedure or switching to contacts.

Many people who have worn glasses or contacts for years find that they prefer the convenience of LASIK. They get to enjoy fewer eye appointments, and they're able to wake up in the morning and simply see, without having to find their glasses or put their contacts in. Many LASIK surgeons include all pre- and post-operative care in the overall cost of the procedure. Some surgeons only provide the actual LASIK procedure in their office, and work with another eye care center to provide pre- and post-operative care. Be sure to talk with your surgeon about how their office organizes the continuum of care before, during, and after your LASIK procedure.

Of course, prices for LASIK can vary widely, and it's important to note that the above costs are simply an estimate. Your surgeon's experience, the cost of living in your area, and the level of vision correction that you need can all weigh into how much your LASIK procedure will cost.

If you're interested in LASIK vision correction but are concerned about the cost of your procedure, be sure to talk with your doctor or surgeon's office about whether you can use insurance, or if they offer payment plans to help you manage the cost of your procedure. A good eye surgeon will help you to feel comfortable with discussing any concerns that you have with your LASIK procedure. You should never feel pressured to make a decision, and you should feel that you're able to ask questions to help you decide whether LASIK is a good fit for you.

First, it's important to mention your dry eyes to your eye care professional. While many causes of dry eye are not causes for concern, ongoing dry eye may indicate a more serious condition. If you experience dry eyes more than occasionally, scheduling an appointment to ensure that you're not suffering from an underlying concern is a smart move.

Artificial tears can go a long way in helping your eyes to make up for a lack of natural tears due to allergy related irritation. Prescription and over the counter artificial tears are both good options to help your eyes get the moisture they need during allergy season.

While it's great to be outside in the fall, seasonal changes can wreak havoc on allergies. You may want to think about limiting the time that you spend outdoors in order to keep your symptoms (including dry eyes) at bay. Many people find that the more time they spend outdoors, the worse their allergy symptoms get. Limiting yourself to an hour or two a day may be enough to curb your symptoms.

If you wear contact lenses, it's essential that you follow the care instructions exactly. This means changing your lenses on time, every time, never sleeping in your lenses, and following all suggested protocols for cleaning your lenses. Allergens can easily build up on the surface of your lenses over time, and wearing them for longer than suggested can result in a stark increase in allergy symptoms. If you find that you're struggling to wear contacts comfortably during allergy season, talk with your eye doctor about other options, or switch to glasses until your symptoms subside.

In today's world of the coronavirus, there are many reasons why it's a good idea to get out of the habit of touching your eyes. Every time you touch your eyes, you're introducing allergens, viruses, and other contaminants. Keeping your hands away from your eyes is key for both your overall and your ocular health.

While over the counter allergy medications can work well for some symptoms, they may actually exacerbate dry eyes. Antihistamines tend to have a drying effect, and while this is great for your sinuses, it can be detrimental to your eye health. If you use over the counter allergy medications, pay close attention to the effect the medications have on your eyes.

First, it's important to know that the coronavirus can enter the body through the eyes. This most commonly happens when someone touches a surface that's been contaminated by the virus and then touches their eyes.

It can be hard to stop from touching your eyes throughout the day, especially if you deal with allergies or other conditions that can cause itchy eyes. Wearing glasses or a face shield may be helpful in reminding you to keep your hands away from your eyes. If you choose to wear glasses, including PPE glasses, be sure to keep them as clean as possible, and avoid touching them. Never share your glasses (or sunglasses) with anyone else.

In addition to touching your eyes as little as possible, good handwashing is an essential part of keeping your eyes safe. This is especially important if you wear contact lenses. Be sure to wash and dry your hands thoroughly before inserting and removing your lenses. While hand sanitizer is an effective way to kill the virus, you'll want to refrain from using hand sanitizer before inserting or removing your contact lenses, as this can be extremely irritating to your eyes. Never sleep in your contact lenses, as this makes the possibility of infection much more likely. It's also important to replace your lenses as instructed in order to keep your eyes clean and safe.

In the event that you do contract COVID-19, it's possible that you may experience conjunctivitis, a condition classified by inflammation of the outer layer of the eyeball and the inner layer of the eyelid. Conjunctivitis can make the eye appear bloodshot and can feel itchy. If you're experiencing conjunctivitis and are concerned that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, it's important to reach out to your eye doctor as soon as possible. They'll work with you to set up an appointment in a safe way to evaluate your eye, if necessary.

Most people do not experience eye issues with COVID-19. If you're experiencing red, itchy eyes, it's far more likely that it's a result of allergies, the common cold, an eye irritant, or another common cause, rather than the coronavirus. For most people, conjunctivitis clears up on it's own over time.

 Researchers aren't completely sure why exercise and glaucoma are related - but there's a connection. Two large studies have shown that people who engage in regular physical exercise are less likely to develop glaucoma than those who are sedentary.

 For people who have already been diagnosed with glaucoma, exercise has been shown to reduce the effects of the disease. Moderate exercise (like walking three times each week) can improve the body's blood flow to the retina and the optic nerve and can reduce pressure in the eye, lessening the symptoms of glaucoma. In conjunction with a vision care plan from an eye doctor, regular exercise can make it significantly easier to live with glaucoma.

 Many people experience age-related macular degeneration over time. Studies have shown that people who are physically inactive are more likely to experience this condition than people who report getting regular exercise.

 For people who have been diagnosed with diabetes, it's especially important to closely manage lifestyle, diet, and exercise choices that can affect health. Vision issues are a potential complication of diabetes. Exercise can help people who have been diagnosed with diabetes to reduce the risk of complications, including vision issues.

 If you want to increase your physical activity to lower your risk of vision conditions, or to help with already-existing glaucoma, there's good news: you don't have to suddenly become a fitness guru to reap the benefits of regular exercise.

 Exercising at a moderate intensity for as little as 20-30 minutes, three times a week, can go a long way in improving your eye health. Going for a walk, chasing your kids or grandkids, jogging with your dog, or even attending a virtual yoga class all count towards improving your physical activity. If you decide to exercise outside, be sure to wear proper eye protection to keep your vision save from UV rays.

 If you're not sure whether it's safe for you to participate in physical activity due to health conditions, be sure to reach out to your health care provider to get approval before you begin an exercise program.

You know that you shouldn't hover over explosive devices, but for many people, this line of thought goes out the window when the excitement of fireworks comes into play. Fireworks-related eye injuries have been on the rise in recent years. The best option? View professional fireworks from afar rather than trying to set up your own display. If you're committed to doing your own fireworks show this summer, take every precaution possible, including wearing appropriate protective eyewear and keeping more than a safe distance from explosives. Of course, kids should never be around an active fireworks display.

You can't use traditional sunscreen on your eyes, of course, but you can take steps to ensure that your eyes are protected from the sun's harmful rays. Wearing sunglasses with UV protection can go a long way in protecting your eyes from sun damage. Your eyeballs aren't the only thing you need to worry about — eyelids are a hot spot for skin cancer and are often missed with sunscreen.

Swimming is great exercise, but it's key that you provide your child with adequate eye protection, both in pools and in open water. Many kids experience eye irritation from chlorine getting into their eyes in a swimming pool. This often subsides soon after they're out of the water. Open water swimming issues, however, can be a different story. Bacteria and other pathogens can cause painful eye infections that require medical treatment. If you notice that your child's eyes are bothering them after swimming in open water, be sure to see your eye doctor as soon as possible.

If your kiddo wants to help out with the yard work (or just wants to be with you while you mow), that's fabulous — but make sure they have proper eye protection. When the moving blades of a lawnmower hit a rock, it can fly anywhere, including into your child's eyes. Be sure to outfit your little one (and yourself) with proper safety goggles prior to starting up the mower or the weed whacker.