Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey promote the importance of healthy vision. We are open for emergency eye care and telemedicine visits. If you have a change in your health or vision and are unsure if it warrants a visit, please contact our office to discuss.
Most people think that you would see better when your eyes are open wider. This sounds logical. Your eye is getting a broader view of the world, and more light is accessible to produce a clearer image. However, in practice, many people find that the opposite is true.
When we squint, we can often see things a little clearer. That’s why we squint to see the alarm clock when we wake up at 2 am. What is it about squinting that helps us see better than when our eyes are wide open?
What Does Squinting Do to Your Eye?
Even though it doesn’t feel much different, squinting does three things to our eyes that lead to slightly clearer vision.
Why Do I Have to Squint So Much?
Occasional squinting is normal, even for people with healthy eyes and clear vision. If you are over the age of 40 and have never had to wear prescription glasses, then this is likely normal.
If you find yourself squinting a lot, then you may need to talk to an eye doctor. This could be a sign of eye strain or fatigue. You may need glasses if you also experience:
Other symptoms, like feeling pressure in the eye, seeing halos, and decreased night vision could indicate a developing problem. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey to schedule an ophthalmologist appointment for a comprehensive eye exam to find out if you need glasses and assure that your eyes are healthy.
The first public museum strictly to address vision is set to up in 2020. Learn more.
Eye dilation is an important part of your exam. This is usually done using eye drops that keep the eyes dilated for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Patients with lighter color eyes may experience a longer duration before the effect wears off. Once applied, the drops cause the pupils to open fully.
Getting a Good Look Inside Your Eye
Dilated eyes allow your ophthalmologist to get a better look at what’s going on in your eye. They can identify problems that, if left untreated, could cause blindness, like a tumor or detached retina. They can also look for signs of eye diseases, including:
What Can I Do While My Eyes Are Dilated?
Dilated eyes don’t usually affect your ability to see at a distance. However, your pupils cannot control how much light enters your eye, which can make glare a problem. This may mean it is unsafe to drive unless you wear sunglasses to help manage the glare.
You may not be able to return to work right away if you need to see things that are close to your face, so it is best to schedule your appointment accordingly.
Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey located in Bloomfield Hills to book an appointment with one of our top ophthalmologists.
Forming Good Habits for Healthy Vision
Many people take their vision for granted. They don’t worry about eye health until there is a problem. Often, when an issues arises is when we first see a patient. By making your eyes your focus, you will help pave the way for a bright future with fewer problems and better sight.
When Should I Worry About My Eyes?
The short answer is: Now. Don’t wait until you notice a change in your vision or suffer an injury to see an ophthalmologist. The time to start getting examinations is when you’re healthy.
Adults with healthy eyes ages 18 to 60, should undergo a dilated eye exam once every two years at minimum. Adults age 61 and over, should have an eye exam once per year.
Talk to your doctor to make sure this is the ideal checkup schedule for you. Some patients may be advised to have more frequent exams due to other conditions and risk factors.
Preventing Eye Injury
Always wear proper eye protection when entering an area or engaging in an activity with a higher risk of injury. This can include playing sports or working in an environment with possible hazards. Moving parts on machinery, hand tools, or particles in the air can all cause damage to eyes. Safety eyewear can make all the difference in case of an accident.
Daily Eye Care Tips
Make sure you do the following to maintain good vision.
Your ophthalmologist can assess your situation and make recommendations that will reduce your risk of eye disease or injury. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians to schedule your appointment.
Sunglasses look cool. They come in numerous styles that it is easy to find a pair you love. There are classic cat’s eye and aviator frames as well as oval, rectangle, shield, and rimless designs. The key is finding a pair that offers 100% UVA and UVB protection for your eyes.
What Does the Sun Do to My Eyes?
Many learn at a young age that you are never supposed to look directly into the sun. It can cause damage to your retina that can lead to blindness. Even if you never stare into our favorite star, you can still be at risk for eye damage if you don’t wear sunglasses.
According to the National Eye Institute, approximately 20% of cataracts are caused by extended UV exposure. It can also worsen the symptoms of glaucoma.
Macular Degeneration causes a part of the retina, known as the macula, to deteriorate. This will impair vision and eventually lead to blindness. The U.S. National Library of Medicine published a study that found exposure to certain types of UV radiation can speed up macular degeneration.
Remember that you can experience sun damage on cloudy days. UV rays can pass through clouds, so you should still wear protection when it is overcast outside.
Finding the Right Sunglasses for Your Eyes
It is important to find the right type of sunglasses for your eyes so you will wear them and achieve the highest benefits. For example, surfers often wear wraparound shades for better sunlight protection next to the water. You may need something with a sturdy frame if you are playing a sport or working outdoors. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey today if you need a comprehensive eye exam before purchasing new prescription sunglasses.
The Zika virus has made headlines in recent years. The disease was reported in 86 countries as of February 2018. Mosquitos carrying the virus transmit it to humans. It can also be spread through sex, blood transfusion, or from a pregnant mother to her unborn baby. There is currently no vaccine.
Zika Virus Symptoms
Most patients will notice no symptoms or only mild effects. These commonly include:
Zika deaths are very rare. Most patients don’t need to go to the hospital. The symptoms usually subside after several days to a week. That being said, Zika infection can cause a birth defect known as microcephaly as well as other serious brain conditions. It’s also linked to stillbirth and miscarriage.
Zika Virus & Your Eyes
Adults may notice mild redness, watery eye, lid redness, or eye pain. The effects are much more concerning for children. Developmental and structural issues have been identified in babies that were infected.
Every infant should be given an eye exam as well as routine check-ups as they grow. Early intervention can make a big difference.
If you have questions about how the Zika virus can affect your eyes, contact us. We would be happy to schedule a consultation with an ophthalmologist to help you learn more and keep your eyes healthy.
As we age, the recommended frequency for eye doctor visits changes. Healthy adults ages 40 to 64 are advised to see their eye doctor at minimum once every two to four years. After age 65, that recommendation changes to once every one to two years. That applies whether you are experiencing symptoms or not. If you do have an eye condition or wear glasses or contacts, it is suggested that you visit your ophthalmologist more frequently. Your ophthalmologist will provide you proper appointment frequency depending on your individual case and care needed. Why should you start or continue seeing your eye doctor after age 40?
Many eye-related conditions are silent. That means you will notice no symptoms until things have progressed. Once you start experiencing blurry vision or other effects, the problem may be much worse than it was when it started.
The most effective way to treat conditions is to avoid them altogether. Your ophthalmologist can monitor your ongoing health and make recommendations to help you keep your vision clear. For example, you may be advised to begin taking a vitamin supplement to help prevent age-related macular degeneration.
There is no way to avoid the fact that our eyes deteriorate as we grow older. Even if you live a model lifestyle with exercise and a good diet, your eyes will age. Your doctor can help manage these changes by adjusting your prescription and monitoring for other conditions.
Seeing your eye doctor regularly will establish a record of health. This can be beneficial in case you develop a condition later. It can also help you observe the way lifestyle changes are affecting your vision.
One comprehensive dilated eye exam could mean the difference between blindness and keeping your sight. An underlying issue could be present, but not yet obvious. Or, in some cases, you may attribute minor changes to other less concerning causes.
Regular ophthalmologist visits provide you more opportunities to catch diseases before they have a chance to rob you of your vision. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians located in Southeast Michigan to schedule your next appointment.
Computer eye strain is a growing issue in today’s technology-driven society. More people spend hours staring at monitors and devices for work and entertainment. What can you do to protect your vision from computer-related eye strain?
Schedule routine eye exams to watch for changes or problems with your vision. Even if you do not spend a lot of time looking at a screen, annual exams are a good way to maintain health and eyesight.
Poor lighting can cause eye strain. Soften harsh light and make sure all ambient light is half as bright as illumination used in an office setting. You can also close blinds, shades, or drapes to reduce bright natural light.
Light shining on reflective surfaces can cause glare. Reduce this as much as possible by using matte paint in darker colors on walls and décor. You can also use a computer hood to help stop glare.
Periodically look away from your screen to give your eyes a rest. Focus on an object that’s 20 feet or more away from you for 20 seconds. This should be done at least once every 20 minutes.
Take frequent breaks and keep tabs on your computer time. Spend time engaging in other activities that do not involve a screen.
Keep eyes moist by blinking frequently. This helps stop dryness and prevents irritation.
You can visit your ophthalmologist to learn more about computer eyewear. This is another way to protect your eyes when working on devices with screens.
Contact Eye Michigan if you are having any symptoms or are due for your comprehensive annual eye exam. We look forward to your visit and helping you maintain healthy eyes.
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Often the Labor Day holiday reminds parents that school is around the corner and an annual eye exam is needed. This should be a reminder for us adults as well. If you haven’t already, please schedule your appointment with your Eye Michigan ophthalmologist to facilitate healthy vision and avoid unnecessary vision loss.
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