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Dry eye is a chronic condition that requires long term maintenance and affects more than three million people per year. The risk of developing dry eye increases with advancing age, and women have a higher prevalence of dry eye compared with men.

The first step in treatment is usually daily, consistent use of a doctor recommended artificial tear. Fortunately, many people do quite well with an appropriate artificial tear drop, dosed between two and four times per day.

When that isn’t enough however, there are other treatment options available, and now Eye Center, Inc. offers a screening test informing us which treatment is most appropriate for an individual patient’s dry eye.

InflammaDry

The lack of correlation between clinical signs and symptoms of dry eye disease makes diagnosing and treating patients a challenge. Inflammation is often present before the clinical signs of dry eye. InflammaDry is the first and only rapid result, in-office test that helps us diagnose the TYPE of dry eye a patient is presenting. And the type of dry eye is very important in the specific treatment plan.

InflammaDry identifies elevated levels of MMP-9, an inflammatory marker that is consistently elevated in the tears of patients with dry eye disease. All other dry eye tests measure tear production and stability. Using a simple 4-step process, InflammaDry recognizes elevated levels of MMP-9, to identify patients that may otherwise be missed with other dry eye testing methods.

Using direct sampling microfiltration technology, InflammaDry accurately identifies elevated levels of MMP-9 protein in tear fluid samples taken from the inside lining of the lower eyelid. In four simple steps, InflammaDry test results are achieved in just 10 minutes, aiding in the diagnosis of dry eye before the patient leaves the office.

InflammaDry provides highly accurate results: 85% sensitivity, 94% specificity.

Basically, a positive result means a patient has dry eye due to inflammation, and a negative result means a patient has dry eye due to other factors.

Why is this important? Depending on the InflammaDry results, the next treatment in the Dry Eye therapy hierarchy varies. Punctal plugs (tiny plugs of silicone inserted into the tear duct, keeping our tears from draining too quickly) are beneficial for patients whose tears are evaporating and draining too quickly, whereas medications like Restasis or Xiidra (medication strength drops which work the the immune system to suppress inflammation) are more appropriate for patients who test positive for inflammation.

Dry eye causes a scratchy sensation or the feeling that something is in the eye. Other symptoms include stinging or burning, episodes of excess tearing that follow periods of dryness, discharge, pain, and redness in the eye. People with dry eye may also feel as if their eyelids are heavy and may experience blurred vision. If you are demonstrating any of these signs, please call us to schedule an appointment for an InflammaDry test!

April is Sports Eye Safety Month. It’s the perfect time of year to enjoy the outdoors while keeping in mind the importance of your vision. Eye Center, Inc. encourages you to take safety into your owns hands and make your eyes a priority.

More than 40 percent of eye injuries are related to sports or recreational activities. But almost all (literally about 90%) eye injuries can be prevented by simply wearing protective eyewear!

Annually, about 30,000 people in the U.S. go to an emergency care center with a sports-related eye injury, according to a study in JAMA Ophthalmology. Three sports account for almost half of all injuries: basketball, baseball and paintball.

Basketball is the leading cause of injuries in males, followed by baseball/softball, and air or paintball guns. For females, baseball/softball is the primary reason for eye injuries, followed by cycling and soccer.

The type and severity of sports-related injuries varies. Corneal abrasions and bruises on the lids are less significant, while retinal detachment and internal bleeding can be vision-threatening. Any sort of blunt force trauma also puts someone at higher risk for developing glaucoma in the future. Annual eye exams are a simple way to monitor this closely. And as with any injury, the sooner you seek medical attention, the better.

About one-third of sports-related eye injuries happen to children. Kids will be kids, but as adults, we can do our best to keep them healthy and safe. Follow these tips to save vision at any age:

• Glasses won’t cut it: Throwing on a pair of regular prescription or nonprescription glasses doesn’t always cut it. They can shatter when hit by flying objects. If you do wear prescription glasses, try sports goggles over top to protect both your eyes and frames.
• Wear proper eye protection: For basketball, racquet sports, soccer and field hockey, wear glasses with shatterproof polycarbonate lenses.
• Put on your helmet: For baseball, ice hockey and lacrosse, wear a helmet with a polycarbonate face mask or wire shield.
• Throw out old gear: When your eye protection is damaged or yellowing with age, it’s time to throw them out. Wear and tear may cause them to become weak and less effective.
• Know the standards: Choose eye protection that meets American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.

There are certain daily tasks that can cause eye damage but people don’t normally think to use safety glasses. For example, sunglasses or protective glasses should be worn while mowing the lawn and performing overhead work, like landscaping, dusting and painting.

Eye Center, Inc. offers prescription and nonprescription sports goggles for adults and children with polycarbonate lenses. Also available are safety glasses with an ASTM approved frame and protective side shields for adults and children with polycarbonate lenses. Visit Eye Center, Inc. today or call us at (941) 756-2020 to learn more about protective eyewear for sports.

How do you keep your eyes safe at work? According to Prevent Blindness, nearly one million Americans have lost some degree of their sight due to an eye injury. More than 700,000 Americans injure their eyes at work each year. Luckily, 90% of all workplace eye injuries can be avoided by using proper safety eyewear.

When it comes to eye injuries in the workplace, both the worker and workplace share the pain. While the injured worker is out, due to the incident, the workplace gets hit with some pretty heavy costs and losses, too. The loss amounts to an estimated $300 million annually in medical bills, compensation and downtime, according to the Vision Council.

Whether you’re working at a construction site, an office, or anything in between, your eyes can be susceptible to damage. Desk jobs that require a lot of screen time can cause Digital Eye Strain. According to All About Vision, studies show that eye strain and other bothersome visual symptoms occur in 50% to 90% of computer workers. We have some D-EYE-Y tips on how you can curb those symptoms, here.

 

So, what can be done?

According to The Vision Council, “while vision loss is among the top 10 disabilities among American adults aged 18 years and older, 90 percent of eye injuries are preventable.” There are many ways you can protect your precious vision while on the clock. Using the proper eye protection is key.

Depending on the job and the type of hazard you are exposing yourself to (and let’s not forget your own routine vision needs), eye protection for the job could vary, from goggles, face shields, and safety glasses to welding helmets, full-face respirators, and more.

The Centers for Disease Control also recommends creating a checklist for Eye Safety in the workplace.

• Create a safe work environment

1. 1. 1. You can accomplish this by minimizing hazards from unstable debris; making sure tools are working properly and workers and volunteers know how to use those tools; and keeping bystanders out of the way.

• Evaluate your safety hazards

1. 1. 1. Identify your primary hazards and posed hazards.

• Wear the proper eye protection

1. 1. 1. Make sure the eye protection is in good condition and fits properly.

• Use good work practices

1. 1. 1. Before removing your eye protection, dust off hardhats, hair, and forehead; don’ts rub eyes with dirty hands/clothing; clean eyewear regularly.

• Prepare for eye injuries and first aid needs

1. 1. Be sure your workplace is equipped with an eye wash kit or sterile saline for rinsing. Artificial tears are also a good thing to have on hand in your first aid kit.

A good thing to keep in mind is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also establish standards of safety for the employer and employee.

 

Don’t be afraid to give us a call

We understand that accidents and the unexpected may happen, especially when you least expect it, which is why we offer Urgent Care for our patients. Even if we have a full schedule, our doctors routinely see patients the same day for unscheduled eye emergencies.  We also offer an after hours call service, which will help connect you to a doctor on our team.

Your vision is irreplaceable.

If you’ve been experiencing discomfort with your eyes, please call us today at (941) 756-2020. We have three convenient locations in Manatee County to best serve you.

DRY EYES AFFECTING MILLIONS

Did you know seasonal and environmental factors can have an affect on our eyes? While this time of year is absolutely beautiful in Florida, the nice cooler, breezy air could be having a negative impact on your vision. Dry eye disease is estimated to affect millions of people in the United States, and symptoms and signs can be far and wide for each individual. Symptoms for dry eye can include periods of dryness irritation, redness, burning, watery eyes, blurred vision, and stinging.

According to the National Eye Institute, “Dry eye occurs when the eye does not produce tears properly, or when they evaporate too quickly. Dry eye can make it difficult to do some activities, such as using a computer or reading for an extended period of time, and it can decrease tolerance for dry environments, such as the air inside an airplane.”

With the ability to hinder everyday activities, dry eye can be a real nuisance, especially for those who opt for contact lenses.  

WHAT COULD BEING DRYING OUT YOUR EYES?

So what exactly causes dry eye? It can stem from an array of factors like age and gender, medical conditions, and environment to name a few. Here is a list of risk factors, according to the National Eye Institute.

• Medications including antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy to relieve symptoms of menopause, and medications for anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, and high blood pressure have been associated with dry eye.
• Advancing age is a risk factor for declines in tear production. Dry eye is more common in people age 50 years or older.
• Rosacea (an inflammatory skin disease) and blepharitis (an inflammatory eyelid disease) can disrupt the function of the Meibomian glands.
• Autoimmune disorders such as Sjögren’s syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis and other disorders such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, and Vitamin A deficiency are associated with dry eye.
• Women are more likely to develop dry eye. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and after menopause have been linked with dry eye. Women also have an increased risk for autoimmune disorders.
• Windy, smoky, or dry environments increase tear evaporation.
• Seasonal allergies can contribute to dry eye.
• Prolonged periods of screen time encourage insufficient blinking.
• Laser eye surgery may cause temporary dry eye symptoms.

HELP IS A CALL AWAY

It’s always best to consult with your optometrist if your eyes have been bothering you. While there are many options available, they can only provide temporary relief. Our first recommendation will usually be daily application of artificial tear drops, at least 2-4 times per day.

If you find yourself using artificial tears more frequently, it may be time to give us a call. We can help guide you towards a solution and relief, including some minor procedures, over-the-counter options, or, if needed, prescription strength drops.

Call us today at (941) 756-2020 to schedule an appointment with any of our six optometrists at the Eye Center, Inc. We offer three convenient optometry offices and optical centers in the Manatee County area.