Watery eyes, also known as epiphora, occur when there is an imbalance in the production and drainage of tears. While tears are essential for maintaining the health of the eyes and providing lubrication, excessive tearing can be uncomfortable and may indicate underlying issues. Here’s a closer look at what causes watery eyes, common symptoms, and potential treatments.

1. Understanding Tear Production

The eyes produce tears through several glands, primarily the lacrimal glands, located above the outer corner of each eye. Tears have three main components:

• Water: Provides hydration.
• Oils: Prevent evaporation.
• Mucus: Helps spread tears evenly over the surface of the eye.

Tears play a crucial role in keeping the eyes moist, protecting against infections, and washing away foreign particles.

2. Causes of Watery Eyes

Watery eyes can result from various factors, including:

• Allergies: Seasonal allergies or allergic reactions to dust, pet dander, or pollen can cause itchy, watery eyes as the body releases histamines in response to allergens.
• Irritants: Smoke, pollution, strong odors, or chemicals can irritate the eyes, leading to excessive tearing.
• Infections: Conditions like conjunctivitis (pink eye) can cause inflammation and increased tear production.
• Dry Eyes: Ironically, dry eyes can lead to watery eyes. When the eyes become dry, they may produce more tears to compensate, leading to an overproduction of watery tears.
• Blocked Tear Ducts: The tear ducts drain tears from the surface of the eye into the nose. A blockage can prevent proper drainage, causing tears to accumulate and spill over.
• Eye Conditions: Certain conditions, such as blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), corneal abrasions, or pterygium (a growth on the conjunctiva), can cause watery eyes.
• Aging: As people age, the tear production process may become less efficient, sometimes leading to watery eyes or dry eyes.
• Medications: Some medications, such as antihistamines, can cause dryness, prompting the eyes to produce more tears to compensate.

3. Common Symptoms of Watery Eyes

In addition to excessive tearing, watery eyes may be accompanied by other symptoms, including:

• Itching or Burning: Often due to allergies or irritants.
• Redness: Caused by inflammation or irritation.
• Swelling: Around the eyes or eyelids.
• Blurry Vision: Due to tears pooling in front of the eye.

4. When to See a Doctor

While occasional watery eyes may not be a cause for concern, it’s essential to consult an eye care professional if:

• Symptoms persist or worsen over time.
• You experience significant pain or discomfort in your eyes.
• There is a change in vision.
• You notice any discharge or crusting around your eyes.

5. Treatment Options for Watery Eyes

The treatment for watery eyes depends on the underlying cause:

• Allergies: Antihistamines or allergy eye drops can help reduce symptoms.
• Irritation: Avoiding irritants and using lubricating eye drops can provide relief.
• Infections: Antibiotic eye drops may be prescribed for bacterial conjunctivitis.
• Dry Eyes: Artificial tears and moisture chamber goggles can help alleviate symptoms.
• Blocked Tear Ducts: In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to unblock the ducts.

6. Home Remedies and Prevention

• Cold Compress: Applying a cold compress over the eyes can help reduce irritation and swelling.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water can help maintain tear production and overall eye health.
• Limit Screen Time: Follow the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away to reduce eye strain.
• Use Air Filters: Keeping air clean with HEPA filters can reduce exposure to allergens and irritants.

Conclusion

Watery eyes can be a nuisance, but understanding the potential causes and symptoms can help you address the issue effectively. If excessive tearing persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it’s important to consult an eye care professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Taking steps to protect your eyes from irritants and maintaining overall eye health can also go a long way in preventing watery eyes in the future.

Experiencing blurry vision can be concerning and may affect your daily activities. Understanding the possible causes of blurry vision can help you determine when to seek medical attention. Here are some common reasons why your vision may be blurry:

1. Refractive Errors

Refractive errors are the most common cause of blurry vision. They occur when the shape of your eye prevents light from focusing directly on the retina. Common types include:

• Myopia (Nearsightedness): Distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly.
• Hyperopia (Farsightedness): Close objects may appear blurry, while distant objects are seen more clearly.
• Astigmatism: Irregular curvature of the cornea or lens leads to distorted or blurred vision at all distances.
• Presbyopia: Age-related loss of the eye's ability to focus on close objects, often starting around age 40.

2. Eye Conditions

Several eye conditions can lead to blurry vision, including:

• Cataracts: Clouding of the eye's lens can cause gradual blurring of vision, glare, and difficulty seeing at night.
• Glaucoma: Increased pressure within the eye can lead to damage of the optic nerve, resulting in blurred vision, especially in peripheral vision.
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): This condition affects the central part of the retina, leading to blurred or distorted central vision.
• Diabetic Retinopathy: Damage to the blood vessels in the retina due to diabetes can result in blurred or fluctuating vision.

3. Eye Strain

Extended periods of focused work, such as using a computer, reading, or staring at screens, can cause eye strain. Symptoms may include:

• Blurred vision
• Dry eyes
• Headaches
• Difficulty focusing

Taking regular breaks and practicing the 20-20-20 rule (looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes) can help alleviate eye strain.

4. Dry Eyes

When your eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly, you may experience dry eyes, leading to blurry vision. Factors contributing to dry eyes include:

• Extended screen time
• Environmental conditions (wind, smoke, air conditioning)
• Certain medications
• Age-related changes

5. Infections and Inflammation

Eye infections or inflammatory conditions can lead to blurry vision. These may include:

• Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Inflammation of the conjunctiva can cause redness, discharge, and blurred vision.
• Keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea, often due to infection, can cause pain, redness, and blurred vision.
• Uveitis: Inflammation of the uveal tract can lead to blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and redness.

6. Neurological Conditions

Certain neurological conditions can affect vision, including:

• Migraines: Some people experience visual disturbances, including blurriness, as part of a migraine aura.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): This condition can cause a range of visual problems, including blurry vision.
• Stroke: A stroke affecting the part of the brain responsible for vision can result in sudden changes in vision, including blurriness.

7. Systemic Conditions

Some systemic health issues can also contribute to blurry vision, such as:

• Diabetes: Fluctuating blood sugar levels can lead to temporary blurriness.
• Hypertension: High blood pressure can cause damage to the blood vessels in the eyes, leading to blurred vision.
• Thyroid Disorders: Conditions like hyperthyroidism can cause bulging eyes and vision changes.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you experience sudden or persistent blurry vision, it’s important to consult an eye care professional. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Sudden blurry vision in one or both eyes
• Vision loss
• Severe headache
• Eye pain
• Halos around lights
• Changes in peripheral vision

Conclusion

Blurry vision can stem from a variety of causes, ranging from simple refractive errors to more serious eye or systemic conditions. Identifying the underlying cause is crucial for appropriate treatment and management. Regular eye exams and prompt attention to any changes in vision are key to maintaining healthy eyesight and addressing potential problems early. If you’re experiencing blurry vision, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with an eye care professional to ensure your eyes are healthy and functioning optimally.

In today’s digital age, many of us spend long hours staring at screens—whether for work, school, or leisure. This prolonged exposure can lead to eye fatigue, also known as digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome. Symptoms can include dryness, blurred vision, headaches, and difficulty focusing. Here are some effective tips to help prevent eye fatigue and maintain optimal eye health.

1. Follow the 20-20-20 Rule

One of the most effective ways to reduce eye strain is to take regular breaks. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This simple practice helps relax the eye muscles and reduces fatigue.

2. Ensure Proper Lighting

Adequate lighting is crucial when using screens. Position your screen to avoid glare from windows or overhead lights. Use soft lighting in your workspace and consider using adjustable desk lamps to create a comfortable environment. If you’re working in dim light, increase the brightness of your screen to reduce strain.

3. Adjust Screen Settings

Make sure your screen is set up for comfort. Adjust the brightness and contrast to levels that are comfortable for your eyes. Increasing text size can also make it easier to read without straining. Some devices have “night mode” features that reduce blue light exposure, which may help reduce eye fatigue.

4. Maintain a Proper Distance

Keep your screen at least an arm’s length away, with the top of the screen at or just below eye level. This position helps reduce strain on your neck and eyes. If you’re using a laptop, consider using an external keyboard and mouse to maintain a better ergonomic setup.

5. Blink More Often

When focused on a screen, people tend to blink less frequently, which can lead to dry eyes and discomfort. Make a conscious effort to blink more often, or try using artificial tears to keep your eyes moist.

6. Practice Good Posture

Maintaining good posture while sitting at your desk can reduce overall discomfort and eye strain. Keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed, and feet flat on the floor. Position your screen so that you don’t have to lean forward or hunch over to see it clearly.

7. Use Computer Glasses

If you spend a lot of time on screens, consider getting a pair of computer glasses. These glasses are specifically designed to reduce glare and enhance visual comfort during prolonged screen use. An eye care professional can help you choose the right lenses for your needs.

8. Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can lead to dry eyes and increased fatigue. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body and eyes hydrated. Consider using a humidifier in dry environments to maintain moisture in the air.

9. Limit Screen Time Outside of Work

Excessive screen time during leisure hours—such as binge-watching shows or scrolling through social media—can compound the effects of eye fatigue. Make a conscious effort to take breaks from screens, engage in other activities, or enjoy outdoor time to give your eyes a rest.

10. Get Regular Eye Exams

Regular eye check-ups are crucial for maintaining good eye health. An eye care professional can identify any underlying issues and provide personalized advice for preventing eye fatigue. If you notice persistent symptoms of eye strain, such as headaches or blurred vision, consult an eye specialist.

Conclusion

Preventing eye fatigue is essential in our screen-centric world. By following these tips, you can protect your eyes, enhance your comfort, and improve your overall well-being. Remember to take breaks, maintain proper lighting and distance, and stay hydrated to keep your eyes healthy and fatigue-free. Taking proactive measures now can lead to long-term eye health and comfort.

Progressive addition lenses can be notoriously difficult to successfully dispense, but there are several techniques that can be used to ensure patients are left satisfied.

How come some people love their progressive addition lenses (PALs) and others just can’t quite get used to them?

The answer is often in the prescription.

It’s important to know that lenses are not prescribed to magnify objects, but purely so that the object we are looking at is focused onto the retina. Magnification (or minification in the case of minus lenses), is a direct result of prescription power and actually an unwanted by-product of lens power.

When a PAL wearer looks down to read, they only have a small area in which to view their reading matter and so for plus lens wearers (hyperopes), the reading material they are looking at is actually magnified; they see less of the page in their limited reading zone and the higher the add power, the worse this becomes.

Often we find that some presbyopes do not appreciate their new freeform design lenses and ask why “these new and more expensive lenses are not as good as my old lenses?”

What happens, is that the wearer’s prescription is governing where and how the wearer needs to look to read. There is also prismatic effect at near point, which complicates what they can see and, more to the point, what they cannot see.

Plus lenses will create some base out prism on convergence. The image is displaced towards the apex of the prism, further complicating the reading image by necessitating slightly more convergence.

Minus prescription wearers (myopes) on the other hand, experience the opposite and generally will see a wider area through the reading zone because their prescription actually minifies the image, and they can see a lot more through their reading zone. The prismatic effect of the minus prescription will be base in (or less base out, considering the add power), which also works to benefit these short-sighted PAL wearers by lessening the amount of convergence required for reading.

Understanding this should help to realise that all wearers’ prescriptions are different and so too will be their level of acceptance of their new progressive addition lenses.

Remember, for two presbyopes with the same add (say +2.00), one a hyperope with a +2.00 distance Rx and one a myope with a -2.00 distance Rx, the power at near point will be very different – +4.00D and Plano respectively. So it is common for low add myopes to not like their PALs and prefer to remove their glasses to read.

Lens positioning

But that’s not all, when the patient undergoes a refraction, the prescription is determined by the optometrist who uses either a phoroptor head or a trial frame. Both of which use optically precise, 38mm flat form, glass bi-convex or bi-concave lenses positioned perpendicularly in front of the patient’s eyes – the perfect script in the circumstances and the perfect starting point for lens recommendation.

You see, there is another important difference to be considered here, the difference of how each individual lens is positioned on each diverse wearer.

The final position of the lenses in the spectacles will be different to the lenses used to determine the prescription in the first place. To experience the effects of this, take a powered spherical stock lens and focus it on a lensmeter, then tilt the lens and watch the focus change.

Most frames will have some pantoscopic angle

What happens with this small experiment is you have created astigmatic error on a spherical lens by tilting it, which replicates what happens when the spectacle frame is positioned on the wearers face at a different angle to the phoropter head or trial frame. Of course, there will be varying degrees of astigmatic error depending on power and how the frame sits on each individual face.

However, lens laboratories can optimise freeform lenses accordingly – to do this they use default measurements if you do not provide them. But by providing the actual position of wear measurements, your lab can personalise the lenses for your patients with lenses that place the true power in the as worn position of the frame and provide a better visual experience for the wearer, and better adaptation rates.

Consult Your Eye Care Professional

Every person is unique—and so are their eyes! Your eye care professional will assess your habits, your daily activities, and your working environment to better understand how you will be using your lenses. Your posture and face shape are also important considerations. Eye care professionals need this information so they can recommend a product that will suit your needs.

Your prescription optician is trained to advise you on the wide range of products available from the world’s largest manufacturers of corrective lenses. There are lots of progressive lenses to choose from—there’s an option to fit each person’s viewing area. Your eye care professional can recommend the product that will best suit your lifestyle. After you clearly explain your daily activities, they’ll be able to offer you a lens that’s well suited to your needs and that will be as comfortable as possible. The goal is for your lenses to give you the most natural vision possible at all working distances.

Multiple measurements are required to adjust progressive lenses. In addition to taking your prescription into account, your eye care professional will look at how the frame fits your face and other factors to make sure your progressive lenses are customized just for you.

Wear Your Glasses

This might seem obvious, but it bears repeating. It’s normal not to want to wear your glasses if you’re experiencing visual discomfort, but wearing your new glasses every day from morning to night (if possible) will help you adapt quicker. The sooner you start wearing them, the more natural your vision will become at all distances and the sooner you can enjoy all the benefits of your new lenses! For the same reason, we recommend you don’t alternate between your new and old glasses for the first few days.

Don’t Delay the Inevitable

It’s best to start wearing progressive lenses as soon as you begin to experience presbyopia, while it’s not as important to correct your near-range vision. That way it’s easier to adapt to the lenses because the overlapping areas are smaller and less bothersome. Plus, your eye lens is still flexible enough to easily accommodate changes in distance. Since presbyopia is a visual disorder that evolves over time, adapting when you only need to make small corrections will make it easier to manage further adjustments later.

Move Your Head, Not Your Eyes

Depending on the product you select, your eye care professional may take measurements so your lenses can be manufactured based on how much you move your head relative to your eye when looking at something. In general when you’re looking at something far away, you’ll need to use the upper part of your glasses. When looking at something nearby, tilt your head slightly to look through the bottom of the lens. Position what you’re looking at right in front of you. This will help you optimize your viewing areas so you don’t get annoyed by the blurry areas that may appear on the periphery.

When you want to look in a specific direction, turn your whole head instead of just moving your eyes. You might have to turn your head more than you’re used to, to avoid blurry areas on your glasses. As you’re getting used to the lenses, try not to take stairs too quickly or step down off sidewalks in a hurry because you may have trouble seeing the steps! With time, seeing with progressive lenses will become second nature.

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5 Ways to Quickly Adapt to Wearing Progressive Lenses Published by Opto-Réseau on October 10, 2018