Is LASIK Worth the Risks? 

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If you have been living with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, you know how inconvenient and uncomfortable it can be. From fuzzy vision to double vision, headaches, and even night driving concerns, dealing with consistent eyesight issues can impact every aspect of your life and leave you searching for treatment. While eyeglasses and contact lenses might help you manage your vision issues, many people consider the possibility of having LASIK done.

Is LASIK Right For You?

Youroptometrist in North Syracuse, NY can perform LASIK surgery on your eyes. But you should consider whether this is the right solution for you. Before confirming that LASIK might be right, your optometrist will do a through eye examination. Depending upon the findings, you and your eye doctor can determine how best to proceed.

What is LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK is the most widely performed laser eye surgery for correcting everyday vision impairments and eyesight disorders. The process involves the use of a highly specialized laser that is meant to enhance eyesight, minimize or eliminate the need for corrective eyeglasses, and address refractive problems that affect a person’s vision. The treatment involves reshaping the cornea so that light entering the eye is appropriately focused on the retina, resulting in sharper vision.

Risks of LASIK Surgery

LASIK, like any operation, has inherent risks connected with it, including the impact it might have on your eyesight. Before deciding to have any operation, it is critical to be aware of the potential hazards. While studies has shown that major complications are uncommon, a tiny minority of patients do have actual and long-lasting problems following surgery. Some of the transient difficulties that have been found include:

  • Scratchiness and dryness of the eyes
  • Experiencing glare, halos, or starbursts
  • Increased sensitivity to light
  • Poor night vision
  • Chronic pain or discomfort

In the case of LASIK, over 300 peer-reviewed studies suggest that 95% of patients who have the treatment are happy with the results. However, a tiny number of patients report experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms for a long time, and an even smaller percentage report that their problems have become permanent.

Millions of LASIK procedures have been done successfully around the world. Most people feel that, if they are deemed to be a good candidate, the potential improvement in vision is worth the risks. Talk to youroptometrist in North Syracuse, NY for LASIK information.

Can Strabismus be Corrected?

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Strabismus is the official term for what is commonly called “crossed eyes.” However, the word strabismus indicates any abnormal alignment of the eyes. In some cases of strabismus, the eyes are not crossed entirely, but focus in slightly different directions. In fact, some mild cases of strabismus are hardly noticeable to others, although it will nearly always cause conspicuous vision problems in the person suffering with strabismus. Untreated strabismus can result in lifelong vision difficulties, such as blurred vision, chronic headaches and worse.

Different Categories of Strabismus

Strabismus can present in various ways. The way in which it presents helps the optometrist in North Syracuse, NY to diagnose, categorize and treat the condition. The different types of strabismus are:

  • Esotropia, where eyes are turned inward
  • Exotropia, where eyes are turned outward
  • Hypertropia, where eyes are turned upward
  • Hypotropia, where eyes are turned downward

Note that one or both eyes may be affected.

Can Strabismus be Treated?

Strabismus causing vision problems, but it usually also causes emotional concerns, such as lack of ability to learn, develop and grow intellectually and socially. Because the condition is so visible to others, it can result in a lack of confidence or a tendency to withdraw and isolate from society. Thankfully, there are treatments for strabismus for people of all ages, including infants. Treatment for strabismus in North Syracuse, NY is available from your optometrist.

Treatments For Strabismus

Treatment for strabismus will depend upon the age of the person, as well as the category, form and severity of the condition. Treatment options include:

  • Corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses
  • Special prism lenses
  • Prescription eye drops and/or ointment
  • Eye patch
  • Surgery

Remember that your optometrist will bear in mind the age and condition of the patient before recommending any treatment option. For instance, an infant can’t wear contacts or eyeglasses, but an eye patch might help. Barring non-invasive results, surgery may be necessary.

Strabismus is a condition of the eye muscles. As such, treatment is readily available and highly effective. For best results, contact your optometrist early and regularly for eye exams. The sooner that strabismus is diagnosed and treated, the faster you or your loved one can get on with life with good vision. Contact us to book your appointment now.

Could Eyestrain Be Causing Your Headaches?

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Just like the other muscles in your body, your eyes get tired, too. When you stare too long at a computer screen, or when you spend long hours texting your friend from a darkened bedroom, you can overtax your eyes. This leads to a number of symptoms, including painful headaches. Your eye doctor in North Syracuse, NY, will recognize the symptoms of eye strain.

How Does Eye Strain Happen?

Eye strain is not a serious condition, and it will go away once you have a chance to rest your eyes. However, the resulting headache may linger. Many factors may contribute to eye strain, including:

  • Driving for long periods of time without taking a break
  • Sitting for too long in front of a computer, television screen, or tablet
  • Marathon reading sessions
  • Trying to read in insufficient light
  • Dry, moving air, such as that produced by air conditioning

There may be other causes of eye strain, as well. However, these are probably the most common. It’s important to take time to rest your eyes on occasion when you have to stare at an object, such as a book, for an extended period of time. This gives your eyes an opportunity to refocus and to lubricate and may help you avoid an eye strain headache.

How Do I Know Whether Eye Strain Is Causing My Headaches?

The only way to know for sure whether eye strain is the culprit is to book an appointment with your eye doctor. Headaches are generic in nature and may be caused by anything from body tension to dental problems. But there are certain symptoms that accompany headaches caused by eye strain. They include:

  • A headache that develops after a long session of staring at an object or objects
  • Pain that feels like it’s centered behind your eyes
  • No other symptoms of illness, such as nausea, present
  • Not accompanied by fever
  • Goes away when you close your eyes for a period of time

If you suspect you’re suffering from eye strain headaches in North Syracuse, NY, McPherson Optometry can help. Call today to book an appointment for a routine eye exam and a consultation with one of our experienced and friendly eye professionals.

Is it Safe to Buy Eyeglasses Online?

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These days, you can buy almost anything online, including prescription eyeglasses. There are numerous websites and services promising you beautiful—even name brand—eyeglasses at low cost. But what is the true cost of buying prescription eyewear online?

How Are Such Low Prices Possible?

The low prices you see advertised online for prescription eyewear is made possible by cheap manufacturing. These eyeglasses take up to six weeks to be delivered. One reason is that many of these are made overseas in cheap markets. While a number of items sold in the U.S. come from China and some 2nd world countries, they come from factories where quality is carefully controlled. Online eyeglasses can come from any number of places, and you’d never be able to tell if there was any quality control at all.

Poor Lens Quality Can Harm Your Vision

The fact is, that poor lens quality can harm your vision. When you get eyeglasses in North Syracuse, NY from a reputable optometrist, you can be sure that the lenses are perfect for your eyes. The lens must be carefully crafted in strength, thickness and curvature so that your vision is protected. This doesn’t happen when you buy eyeglasses online. You simply give them your prescription, cross your fingers and hope for the best. Once they arrive, unless they are really out of alignment as far as your prescription goes, you’re kind of stuck with them. Whereas your North Syracuse optometrist will make sure your new eyewear has been made with precision.

Bifocals Are Not Safe to Buy Online

If you’re still intent on “saving money” buying eyeglasses online, be aware that in no case is it safe to buy bifocals online. Bifocal and trifocal prescriptions need to be carefully measured by a professional, in person. Otherwise, the lenses won’t match up correctly with your pupils. And even though there are some printable measuring tools for you to use at home, these are simply not good enough. You won’t get functional, quality bifocals from online eyeglasses.

Do yourself and your eyes a favor and invest in quality eyeglasses from eye care professionals, in person. If you need to save money, shop around at discounted eyewear stores using your prescription from your Syracuse, NY optometrist. Your eyes will thank you for it.

Why Do I Have Pain Behind My Eyes?

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If you’ve recently become aware of pain behind one or both of your eyes, you should book an eye exam with your eye doctor in North Syracuse, NY. Pain behind the eyes is not normal and is often a symptom of a serious condition. Of course, pain behind the eyes doesn’t mean you have to worry about losing vision, but it is certainly something that warrants the attention of an eye professional. Following are some possible causes to be aware of.

Sinus Infection

Pain behind the eyes could be something as benign as a sinus infection. The sinus cavity is located very close to the eyes. Inflammation in this area will almost always lead to discomfort and possibly pain behind the eyes. If you also have symptoms like runny discharge or headache, this may be the reason.

Eye Strain

When you strain your eyes, the muscles of your eye contract. Chronic eye strain can lead to pain behind the eyes. Try minimizing the amount of strain you put on your eyes. Be sure to read insufficient light, use a blue light filter on your devices and make sure that your contacts or eyeglasses prescription is up-to-date. Your North Syracuse, NY eye doctor may have other ideas for reducing eye strain, too.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition where pressure builds up inside the eye. This pressure will eventually cut off brain signals from the optic nerve, inducing blindness. Be sure to see your eye doctor immediately to report your eye pain and to get a glaucoma test.

Dry Eyes

If you have the condition known as dry eyes, then your eyes do not produce sufficient tears to keep eyes adequately moist. Dry eyes often present with pain behind the eyes. Treatment is available from your eye doctor.

When it comes to your vision, you should never assume that everything is okay. You should never put up with pain behind the eyes or expect that it will just go away on its own. Even something as benign as a sinus infection can escalate into something more serious. See your eye doctor right away if you have pain or any kind of discomfort behind one or both eyes.

Are Costume Contacts Safe?

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Although changing the way your eyes look can be a lot of fun, wearing costume contact lenses (aka decorative or cosmetic contact lenses) can be detrimental to your eye health. Even wearing these lenses for just a few hours can damage the eye.

What Makes Costume Contacts Dangerous?

For contacts to fit correctly, they must be customized for a specific individual. Wearing contacts of the wrong size and shape can result in painful, potentially blinding corneal ulcers and abrasions.

Costume contact lenses may reduce the amount of oxygen the eye gets. This lack of oxygen results from the pigments and paints used while creating cheap, non-prescription decorative contact lenses.

Cheap, ill-fitting contact lenses can scratch, cut and permanently damage the eyes. Damaging the eye in this way leads to unpleasant, very uncomfortable symptoms, with the worst-case scenario being blindness.

A one-size-fits-all contact lens can scratch and cut the eye, making it susceptible to bacteria. When bacteria enter into the eye, an eye infection is likely.

It Only Takes a Few Days for Keratitis to Destroy an Individual’s Vision

Once bacteria enter the eye, a serious bacterial eye infection (e.g., keratitis) may result. The type of keratitis infection varies, with some having the ability to destroy an individual’s vision within just a few days.

What Are the Risks Associated with Wearing Costume Contact Lenses?

Wearing any type of contact lenses can lead to eye damage; however, costume contact lenses make an injury more likely because they are not tailored to fit the wearer’s eyes. Nonetheless, individuals interested in wearing costume lenses in North Syracuse, New York, may be able to get the contact lens design they want through Dr. Rebecca McPherson.

Potential risks include:

  • An allergic reaction resulting in watery eyes that are red and itchy.
  • A corneal abrasion.
  • Infection.
  • A decrease in vision.
  • Blindness.

What Are the Signs of An Eye Infection?

Whether wearing prescription contacts or some type of decorative contact, knowing the signs that indicate the possibility of an eye infection could save your sight.

Signs of an eye infection include:

  • Persistent eye pain.
  • Redness.
  • Decreased vision.

When any of these signs are present, you need to make an appointment with a licensed eye doctor right away. Left untreated, an eye infection could lead to a loss of sight.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, or you would like to learn more about the colored prescription contact lenses available at McPherson Optometry in North Syracuse, New York, please call 315-458-1000. McPherson Optometry, 105 North Main Street, North Syracuse, New York.

Most Common Signs of Computer Vision Syndrome

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As digital screens become ever more prevalent, more and more people are developing computer vision syndrome. Also known as digital eye strain, this condition starts causing symptoms after just two hours in front of a computer, tablet, or smartphone screen. Fortunately, you can reduce the strain on your eyes by wearing blue light glasses from your North Syracuse optometrist. To see if you might need these glasses, watch for the following symptoms while using digital screens.

Blurry Vision

While using digital screens, your eyes have to continually shift focus while dealing with oft-poor contrast and plenty of glare. After just a couple of hours, your eyes get tired and fail to focus properly, leaving you with blurry vision. You can help the blurriness go away by taking regular five-minute breaks each hour, but it’s not a lasting solution on its own.

Eye Irritation

Most people blink much less often than normal while looking at a digital screen, which can cause your eyes to dry out. To counteract that, your eyes may start to water, making your already blurry vision much worse. Worse yet, by the end of the day, your eyes may look red and feel rather irritated. They may even feel like they’re burning and itching even while trying to rest.

Head, Neck, and Shoulder Pain

As your eyes start feeling strained, you may change your posture to help improve your ability to focus on the screen ahead. This can quickly result in head, neck, and shoulder pain, especially if you start slouching to see the screen better. The pain may last well into the evening hours and even impact your sleep. Over time, this can make the problem much worse as your body fails to repair the damage, which normally occurs while you sleep.

At McPherson Optometry, we diagnose and treat many North Syracuse common eye conditions, including computer vision syndrome. If you’re experiencing any level of eye strain or other symptoms, feel free to give us a call at 315-458-1000 to schedule a visit. During your appointment, we can perform a full eye exam and provide the comprehensive eyecare services you need to enjoy excellent vision.

A Look at the Common Types of Eye Injuries

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Injuries to the eye can be detrimental to your overall visual capabilities. These eye conditions in North Syracuse can require a visit to the eye doctor as quickly as possible. Take a look at some of the most common types of eye injuries and why they can pose a substantial threat.

Chemical or Substance Burns

Chemicals or substances that splash into the eyes can cause burns to the cornea and can cause problems even deeper in some cases. If anything is splashed into the eye, it is imperative that you use cleaned hands and lukewarm water or an approved eye wash to remove the substance from your eye as quickly as possible. Flush your eye up to 20 minutes, and be sure to remove contact lenses. Contact an eye doctor immediately for advice.

Foreign Objects in the Eye

Finding a foreign object in your eye can be alarming, and if you don’t take the proper steps, the situation can cause vision health issues. If you find something in your eye or something lands in your eye:

  • Avoid rubbing your eyelids
  • Have someone look to see if the item is floating or embedded
  • Get in touch with an eye doctor if the item in your eye appears to be stuck or is causing you pain

Make sure you never try to remove an object that is lodged in the eye or seems to have penetrated the eye. Do what you can to keep the object stable and seek emergency care immediately.

Corneal Abrasions (Scratches)

Just like your skin, the cornea can sustain scratches and abrasions. Perhaps you were hit in the eye with a flying object, were scratched by a fingernail, or ran into something and it scratched your eye. A corneal scratch can show up as a severely bloodshot area, and you may even see blood pooling in your eye. Be sure to avoid rubbing the eye and reach out for professional advice from an eye doctor as soon as possible.

Got an Eye Injury? Get Help from a North Syracuse Eye Doctor

Any eye injury should be treated as an emergency. Prolonging treatment could be detrimental to your visual health and capabilities going forward. If you have sustained an eye injury, please reach out to an eye doctor in North Syracuse like us at McPherson Optometry P.C to schedule an appointment.

 

Why You Need a New Eyeglass Prescription Every Year

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If you wear eyeglasses, you may have had an experience where you visit a doctor from year to year and receive the same prescription. If you keep getting the same bill of health, you might reasonably wonder why the doctor needs to keep writing out the same results. We’ll look at why you really do need this service once a year, so you don’t ‘forget’ to make your yearly appointment.

Your Vision Changes

Your vision can change subtly over time, and any discrepancies from year to year are good for your eye doctor to know about. Usually, your eyes are liable to get worse from year to year, but there are times when your vision can actually improve if you’ve been taking care of your eyes over the year (e.g., better diet, rinsing out contact lenses, etc.).

So even if you don’t need a new prescription, you might get some insight into how these subtle differences can affect you in the future. And if you do happen to need a new prescription, even if you’re only adjusting it slightly, having the right glasses or contact lenses can do wonders for your eyes. When you use your eyes every day for that many hours, any eye strain or magnification can eventually start to cause problems.

Disease and Disorder Prevention

Around the world, many visual impairments can be largely avoided with yearly eye exams. Yet, there are millions who won’t discover serious problems until they need more serious treatments (e.g., surgery, etc.). This is compounded with the number of hours we spend staring at screens, causing eye strain that will only worsen with time. Seeing your eye doctor gives them a way to assess everything from your cornea to your optic nerves to the resilience of your eye. When you consider many disorders start with no symptoms, this is more necessary than you might think.

Eye health is strongly linked with your overall health. Different bodily conditions may cause vision problems, which can easily be the first thing you (or your doctor) notices. If nothing else, going to the eye doctor every year can give you a little peace of mind about how your eyes are progressing over time.

protect eyes from blue light

How to Protect Your Eyes From Blue Light

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Blue light is all around us today. Prior to cell phones, blue light was only prevalent in televisions, for the majority of people. But today blue light is all around us. In the natural world, our eyes are exposed to all the different waves of light, and our bodies and eyes are designed to live in that world.

Our bodies are designed to respond to light in different ways. Sunlight triggers Vitamin D production increases serotonin levels and triggers the mitochondria in our cells to start energy production. But when we stare at blue light, such as looking at screens all day, a very small wavelength ends up monopolizing the cells that respond to light to act in unhealthy ways, such as lowering melatonin production at night. There is even a link between blue light exposure and lowered Vitamin B12 levels. Following are some of the best ways to protect your eye from blue light.

Use Blue Light Blocking Software

Some of the best blue light blocking software includes Flux, Nightshift, and Iris. Flux and Nightshift are free software, while Iris is paid software with a trial version. Flux is the best free choice because you can specify the level of warm or red light you want. Under the settings in iPhones, you also have the option to turn on night mode, which blocks blue light.

Use Dark Mode on Your Computer and Phone

Set the theme and background of your computer and phone to dark mode. The more white light and bright colors being emitted from your screen, the more blue light comes from it. Most computers and devices have an option for dark mode.

Wear Blue Light Blocking Lenses

There are now blue light blocking eyeglasses that you can ask your eye doctor about. These are very comfortable and do a lot to keep eyes shielded from blue light while you’re working on your computer at home or at work.

Blue light is a prominent danger to your eye health today. Making a little effort to block blue light from your devices as much as possible will help protect your eyes. With these steps in mind blue light won’t be completely gone, but it will be at a level that is less threatening.