Anisometropia is a condition in which the patient suffers from unequal vision in both eyes. This is due to the varying refractive power of both the lenses. The unequal movement of both eyes resulting from this condition could lead to other vision abnormalities such as asthenopia and diplopia.

Causes:

• Anisometropia could result from differing state of hyperopia (farsightedness) or myopia (nearsightedness) in eyes. In extreme cases, it could also be that one eye is hyperopic and the other is myopic.
• The disorder could be congenital or could be caused by developmental disorders in early childhood.
• In some cases, it could be caused by cataract surgery in which the intraocular lens power is miscalculated.

Symptoms:

• Blurry vision: Patients with anisometropia have poor binocular vision, which means that the size of images seen by the left and right eye differs- sometimes up to around 20%. This results in blurry vision, one of the key symptoms of the condition.
• In most cases, the eye appears normal in size and structure. This is why the condition has to be diagnosed through detailed eye exams, which are carried out at various locations in Harker Heights.
• In later stages, the patient may experience uniocular vision, with the better eye becoming dominant.

Treatment:

• The most common treatment for anisometropia is the use of corrective spectacles with a different prescription for both eyes. This is effective if the difference in vision in both eyes is not extreme. However, if there is a significant difference in the refractive power of both eyes, this could result in complications like double vision. If used from an early age and worn at all times, spectacles can effectively reverse the condition by training the weak eye.
• Another option is contact lenses. Prescribed by an optometrist, these have been found more effective in patients whom spectacles do not suit. These are highly recommended in Harker Heights.
• LASIK surgery can treat the condition by making the refractive power of both lenses equal.
• If the condition is left untreated, it can result in several complications, the most common of which is amblyopia, or lazy eye. In this condition, the weaker of the two eyes completely loses its vision, since the brain causes the better of the two eyes to dominate. This is why refractive surgery is considered even in children and is the ultimate solution.

Hectic work schedules and long hours work on the computer leave eyes tired. Watching TV for prolonged hours can also lead to fatigued eyes. It is thus important to consult Optometrist from time to time to address the problem.  Harker Heights have well qualified eye specialists who are always at your service to offer eye care tips. The following tips can also help in taking care of the tired eyes.

• If you work on computer for long hours, you must get regular eye examination done to keep a tab on the health of your eyes.
• Secondly, tired eyes can be a result of working on the computer in improper light. So make sure that the light is neither too dim nor too strong for the eyes. This is also true in case you are watching TV.
• Anti-glare screens are very helpful in reducing the glare of the monitor. Anti-reflective coating on the lenses of eye glasses can also provide the same protection. They will reduce the strain on your eyes.
• Taking break from working on the computer screen after every 20-30 minutes can provide relief to the eyes. Also, you must make a conscious effort to blink more often as this helps in keeping the eyes moist.
• A flat computer screen should be used instead of the old one because LCD screens are milder on the eyes. Also, adjusting the screen’s brightness can prove to be less strenuous for the eyes.
• A closed eyelid massage relaxes the tired eyes. You simply have to close your eyes and stroke the lids in a fast motion with your fingertips. This exercise should be done several times in the day to obtain its proper benefits.
• Another exercise that can help reduce tiredness in eyes is the massage of your nose bridge. In this exercise, use your finger and thumb to softly massage the bridge area of your nose.
• Special eye wear must be worn for protection of the eyes while working on the computer. This eye wear must be worn all the time while you are in the office working in front of the computer screen or watching television. Visit your optometrist in Harker Heights for more details regarding the same.
• Limit the number of hours you watch TV and increase the consumption of vegetables and fruits such as spinach, beans, papaya, pumpkin and lettuce etc. This will help in strengthening the vision and reducing eye problems.

Keeping the above tips will help in providing extreme relief to tired eyes and promote good eye health.

Some of the daily activities such as playing sports, cleaning, cooking, taking care of the backyard etc. can lead to eye injuries. An injury or damage to the eye can occur anywhere; be it the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom or even the living room.

Wearing eye protection is the best way to save yourself from any sort of eye injury. Before you start doing any daily chore that can cause harm to the eyes, make sure you wear protective glasses to minimize the risk of injury. However, if you are still unfortunate to suffer from an injury to the eyes, you must get eye exams done to determine the extent of damage.

Although you can protect yourself to a great extent, some things might get beyond your control and cause damage to the eyes. In such a case, visiting an optometrist in Harker Heights is a must but there are some things that you can do immediately in case of eye injury.

• Whenever you suffer from even the mildest of eye injuries, make sure you do not rub or touch the affected eye(s) or put pressure on it.
• In case your eyes get swollen up due to the injury, try to use a cold compress without applying too much of pressure.
• In case a chemical gets into your eyes, splash water to clean it or use eyewash. Keep in mind that you do not rub your eyes as it can lead to further damage.
• If foreign objects enter your eyes, do not rub them. Small particles such as sand and dust can be washed out with eyewash. However, in case of larger particles, you must open your eyes widely to let tears flow and wash them out.
• When a puncture happens, do not wash your eyes with water. Also, do not even try to remove the object or apply the pressure on the eyes. This will only cause more damage to the delicate eyes. Anti-inflammatory medicines are a strict no-no as these can cause excessive bleeding by thinning the blood. Cover your eyes and visit the eye doctor as soon as possible.
• Wearing sunglasses or protective covering on the eyes can easily save you from any kind of injury caused by the sun. Long-term exposure to sunlight can damage your eyes over a period of time, so it is best to keep them covered whenever you go out.

You must immediately visit your eye doctor, in case you experience any of the above mentioned eye injuries.

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a parasitic disease of the eyes wherein amoeba infects the cornea of the eye. This is a rare condition and mostly affects those who wear contact lenses. This is the reason, it is imperative to carefully disinfect the lenses before wearing them. You must also keep in mind that you remove the contact lenses when you go for swimming or surfing.

The disease causes unimaginable pain in the eyes and a stromal ring shaped infiltrate appears in the eyes. Read on to know the causes, symptoms and treatment for this eye infection.

CAUSES:

Although Acanthamoeba Keratitis mostly affects the people who wear contact lenses, it can infect anyone. People wearing contact lens can get this infection due to any of the following reasons:

• Improper handling of lenses.
• Not cleaning the lenses properly or cleaning with solutions other than what are prescribed by the eye doctor.
• Using the lenses while swimming or using a hot tub.
• Infecting the lenses with contaminated water.
• Previous history of damage to the cornea due to a sudden shock.

SYMPTOMS:

The symptoms that surface in the eye due to Acanthamoeba Keratitis can be quite similar to what a person might experience in other eye infections. The symptoms of this particular infection can continue for many weeks and even months. Following are some of the most common warning signs that you must look out for:

• Pain in the eye
• Redness in the eye
• Blurriness in vision
• Increased sensitivity towards light
• Feeling that something is present in the eyes
• Excessive production of tears

You must immediately contact your eye doctor in case you experience any of the above mentioned symptoms. If you delay the treatment, the pain will go on increasing and eventually cause loss of vision and permanent blindness.

Chalazion is a kind of cyst that takes the form of a lump in the upper or the lower eyelids. It occurs due to the inflammation of an oil gland, called the meibomian gland present in the eyelids. It is a very common eye condition that affects many people. The important thing to be borne in mind is that it is not cancerous and can be easily done away with. In most of the cases, chalazion can be cured without requiring any surgery.

Meibomian glands secrete oil which serves the purpose of lubrication of the eyelids. This fluid normally penetrates through the small pores that are present just behind the lashes of both lower and upper eyelids. At times when the oil secreted by the glands is thick, it cannot pass through the small pores and hence gets clogged resulting in the formation of lumps in the eyelids. Later, oil is spilled onto the whole eyelid resulting in the inflammation both, within the eyelid as well as the meibomian glands. This condition is precisely what a chalazion is.

The major symptoms that characterize a chalazion are as follows:

1. Increased sensitivity of the eyes to light. 
2. Pain and swelling in the eyelid.
3. The eyelids become tender and very soft.
4. Heaviness in the eyelids.

As chalazion is a condition that affects the eyes, an individual may experience a lot of trouble and a lack of confidence because of it. Hence, the best way out is to cure it as soon as possible. For chalazia that are not that severe, it is recommended to treat them by applying hot and warm compresses for about 10 to 15 minutes about 4 times in a day. This method is effective as it augments the flow of oil from the glands. It also reduces swelling to a great extent.

It is very important to ensure that the person does not scratch the chalazion using his or her fingers. This can only result in more inflammation and worsen the condition. Antibiotic eye drops are available that can be used to keep the sensitive areas of the eye absolutely clean. With the passage of a few days, the swelling will subside by itself. For larger chalazia, which cannot be cured through these conventional methods, surgery may be required. Then there is also the option of homeopathy for those who are apprehensive of getting a surgery done.  But prevention is always better than cure. Keeping the eyes clean and maintaining proper hygiene is the best way to avoid eye infections. Always use soap and water to clean your hands and make sure that you do not make contact with the eyes with unwashed hands. These small steps can go a long way in preventing chalazion.

To know more about Chalazion Chalazion and its treatment, visit us at Killeen Vision Source. We are located at 416, North Gray Street, Killeen, TX 76541, Downtown Killeen. You can also call us at 254- 634- 7805.

In order to see the things around us, proper eyesight is a must. Your quality of life is very much affected by your vision and therefore you want to preserve it at any cost. Poor vision on the other hand, limits certain daily activities. It often requires certain invasive measures like glasses or contact lenses or even laser surgeries. Along with these methods of correcting your eyesight there are certain natural methods to improve the eyesight. These natural ways are backed by practical experience and research and therefore assure a sharper vision. 

Proper nutrition: For maintaining a proper vision, we must intake the key nutrients that are required by our eyes. These dietary nutrients will also aid in improving our eyesight.

• Antioxidants: Various antioxidants including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin protect the macula located near the center of the retina that is responsible for sight. Foods rich in these nutrients also prevent age-related macular degeneration. The foods containing antioxidants include green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, egg yolks, pumpkin, yellow peppers, and carrots.
• DHA (Fish Oil): A necessary fatty acid called DHA is usually found in fishes like salmon, krill and cod. The best method to consume DHA is through supplementation. The DHA of fish oil strengthens cell membranes of the eyes giving them a structural support  
• Pure water: Drinking pure water is essential for proper functioning of the entire body. It prevents dehydration and also don’t let the eyes dry out.

Eye exercises: Just like we need to exercise our body muscles regularly to stay fit and healthy, the same way we need to exercise the eye muscles for maintaining and also improving our vision.  

• Warm up the eyes: This exercise needs us to warm our hand rubbing them together and then put the palms on our eyes for about five seconds. Repeat this procedure at least three times. This provides the eyes with the necessary warmth and relaxation.
• Roll your eyes: We can strengthen our eye muscles by rotating them clockwise and anticlockwise starting by looking at the ceiling, ten times each. 

Check your environment: Environmental factors like fluorescent lights, computer screens, and reading in dim lighting contribute to a diminished vision. Various environmental toxins and pollutants fond in air, allergens and chlorine is swimming pools also cause vision problems. You can prevent such environmental causes by making use of special glasses or contact lenses recommended by the optician.

Proper rest: Ways to Improve Your Eyesight break is required after a continuous reading or sitting in front of a computer screen for fifty minutes. We can relax our eye muscles by keeping our palms softly over the eyes and ensuring that no light enters. A proper sleep at night, for seven to eight hours is also a must for healthy eyes.

Besides these natural methods of improving vision, you also need to visit an eye-specialist or an optician on regular basis.

For more tips, visit us at Killeen Eyecare Center. We are located at 416, North Gray Street, Killeen, TX 76541, Downtown Killeen. You can also call us at 254- 634- 7805.

We all know the ill-effects that UV rays have on skin. To protect skin from any damage, we apply sun screen and other sun protective lotions before setting out. But, we are hardly aware of the damage that the UV rays can cause to our eyes. The UV-A and UV-B radiations in the sunlight has been shown to have adverse effects on eyes. The macula of the eyes (the part of the retina responsible for sight in the center field of vision) gets injured by the penetration of UV-A rays and can cause serious eye problems. UV-B rays, on the other hand, can cause external eye problems.  Therefore a proper protection of the eyes is a must to secure your vision after excessive exposure. The several eye damages caused by radiations are:

• Cataract: On a lot of exposure to UV radiation, human eyes can be subjected to cataract. Cataract is the term referred to the opacity formed in the natural lens of the eyes that causes a decrease in vision.
• Macular degeneration: Although with aging the power of vision of an individual decreases, but chronic exposure to UV rays leads to this aging process rapidly.  The macular region that is the most sensitive center of the retina degenerates and causes poor vision at an early age.
• Pterygium: People who work out in the sun for long hours are prone to pterygium that is also caused due to UV rays of sun. In this the white part of the eye, they get a fleshy growth that may extend onto the clear cornea and hence block vision.
• Photokeratitis: The cornea of the eye may get reversible sunburn when the eyes are excessively exposed to UV-B rays of the sun. This condition of the eye is called photokeratitis that result in excessive pain and temporary vision loss.

You can protect the eyes from getting damaged by sun radiation in the following ways:

• Use a brimmed hat and protective eyewear that absorbs UV radiations whenever your eyes are exposed to the UV rays, even during winters and overcast. The sunglasses that absorb ultraviolet radiations are the best protective measures of UV protection.
• You must look for quality sunglasses that absorb most of the UV spectrum. People who wear spectacles can go with lenses that offer good protection. Any good quality lenses or sunglasses block out 99 to 100% of UV-A and UV-B radiation and screen out 75 to 90% of visible light.
• It is not necessary that only dark colored sunglasses provide better UV protection. Special lens coatings that can be done over any lens color protect the eyes.
• Kids have clear eye lenses and are more prone to damage from sun. Therefore eye protection is a must for them.

A sports person can enhance his performance with a good vision. While practically performing any of the perceptual-motor tasks, the visual information is the dominant sensory system. According to various researchers, the athletes have an excellent visual system that let them see and process the most important visual information more efficiently than others, especially in competitive sports environment.

What eye problems do sports people suffer?

Sports related eye injury is the major cause of several eye problems in sports persons. The injury can be severe enough to cause vision loss. Various contact sports, racquet sports and other risky athletic sports activities are popularly organized also in an informal level. Therefore people who participate in these high risk activities are recommended to wear the proper eye and facial protection to prohibit any severe injury. The eye injuries related to any sports activity are more exposed to many eye problems like ocular morbidity and subsequent severe vision loss. However, these eye injuries are preventable. An eye doctor can provide necessary information and guidance regarding protection and avoidance of any kind of harm that can occur to the eyes while performing the high risk activities.

What is sports vision?

Sports vision can be described as a group of eye care services that are given to athletes to make their performance better in a particular sport. The practitioners working in this field help in preventing and managing the eye injuries that are caused while performing the sport.  These opticians also provide with special contact lenses to the sports persons that let them visualize correctly and are not affected by the environment of the surroundings. They also provide them with performance-based ophthalmic eyewear services that have a positive effect on their vision while performing and are hardly influenced by the environmental factors. They also train the sportsperson regarding specific visual abilities that are considered to be essential in a specific sport activity. For better visual factors and strategies related to consistent athletic performance, these practitioners also consult the athletes and their coaches.

Since every single athlete have different visual demand, only an expertise optometrist who is also a specialist in sports vision can better assess his unique visual system and recommend with corrective measures like eyeglasses or contact lenses while also asking him to take necessary precautions to prevent the eyes from being injured. An athlete is also advised to have a regular and thorough eye examination by your optometrist.

For complete eye examination or for any related query, kindly visit us at Killeen Eyecare Center. We are located at 416, North Gray Street, Killeen, TX 76541, Downtown Killeen. You can also call us at 254- 634- 7805.

The vitreous gel that fills the eye's interior is responsible for giving shape and contour to the eyes. Several fibers are responsible for keeping this vitreous chamber attached to the retina. Vitreous detachment is a condition of the eyes in which these fibers get severed, leading to the chamber's detachment from the retina. The eye disorder affects more women than men, and is seen in over 75% of people beyond the age of 65.

Causes:

• Changes in the vitreous humor with age cause it to shrink, and gradually detach itself from the retina ultimately getting completely peeled off.
• Age is a key cause of the disorder
• Nearsightedness is a risk factor for the disease
• People who undergo cataract surgery may develop the condition in a few weeks or months after the surgery
• Blunt force trauma such as a punch or even strongly blowing the nose may result in vitreous detachment

Symptoms:

• Floaters in the form of small “cobwebs” or dark specks in the field of vision
• Quick disappearance of these shadows when concentrated upon
• Sudden increase in number of new floaters
• Lightning streaks in side vision
• These symptoms decrease with time, and do not need treatment unless a more serious underlying condition is detected.

Treatment:

• In most cases, the condition resolves on its own without the need for therapy
• In case retinal tears or detachment, or a macular hole occurs, treatment must be initiated
• Early eye treatment helps to prevent the loss of vision which might result from these complications
• Laser treatment is effective to cure small retinal tears in the periphery. It helps to reseal the retina to the back of the eye, thus preventing further detachment.
• In rare cases in which severe vitreous floaters impair vision, a special laser treatment known as Nd:YAG laser might be used.
• Macular holes and retinal detachment can be treated by a process known as vitrectomy, in which the vitreous is replaced with a sterile saline solution. This procedure is extremely successful in the treatment of floaters, with a success rate of 90%.
• Relatively new techniques for the treatment of vitreous detachment include cryotherapy and pneumatic retinopaxy. While the former utilizes a freezing technique, the latter involves the administration of a small gas bubble to hold the affected region of the retina in place.

For more information on Vitreous Detachment and various other eye problems, visit us at Killeen Eyecare Center. We are located at 416 North Gray Street, Killeen, TX 76541, Downtown Killeen. You can also call us at 254-634-7805.

Tiredness of the eyes, also known as eye strain, is a condition in which the eyes feel exhausted and heavy, affecting normal functioning. Even though this cannot exactly be categorized as a disease, yet it should not be overlooked, and one should make efforts to avoid the causes, and undergo treatment with a good Eye Doctor if necessary.

Causes-

• Spending hours working on the computer or watching television
• Improper lighting
• Pollution
• Inadequate sleep
• Strong air conditioning/ heating
• Certain medications which cause dry eyes, e.g. Atropine, Lithium, Diuretics, etc.
• Insufficient oxygen supply to the cornea- this is commonly experienced in contact lens wearers.
• Activities involving focusing the eyes for a long time, such as reading, knitting, driving, etc.
• In young children, eye strain can be an indication of an underlying vision disorder. Schedule a visit to an eye doctor as early as possible, in order to initiate timely treatment of the disorder.
• People above the age of 50 might experience eye strain due to ageing.

Symptoms-

• Dryness of the eyes
• Excessive tearing
• Redness
• Twitching of eye muscles
• Excessive blinking
• Blurry vision
• Heaviness in the eyes

Treatment-

• Correct defects in lighting- Just a small change in the contrast of lighting in the room where you spend most time working on activities that are strenuous to your eyes can make a big difference in relieving eye strain. Computer users can benefit from reducing the brightness of the screen and using a screen protector.
• Give your eyes short breaks- Looking away from your work for a few seconds every ten minutes can give your eyes the break they need. While concentrating on the work at hand, you might forget to blink often enough. Make a conscious effort to blink so as to hydrate your eyes and prevent the dryness associated with strained eyes.
• Get the right prescription for your eyes- If you use eye glasses or contact lenses, it is important to visit your optometrist regularly and keep getting your vision tested.
• Apply a compress of warm water to relieve stress on the eyes.
• Use lubricating eye drops for dryness.
• Adjust the humidity of the room before sleeping at night. This will prevent redness in the eyes when you wake up in the morning.
• In case of symptoms that persist longer than a week, pay a visit to your eye doctor.

For more information on various eye problems, visit us at Killeen Eyecare Center. We are located at 416 North Gray Street, Killeen, TX 76541, Downtown Killeen. You can also call us at 254-634-7805.