One in five adults suffers from eye allergies, ocular allergies or allergic conjunctivitis.  These red, itchy, watery, puffy eyes are annoying, but not sight threatening.

Tips

Stay indoors when pollen counts are at their highest.  Close windows and run the air conditioner.

When outdoors, wear eyeglasses or sunglasses to shield eyes from air and pollen.

Driving?  Close windows and run the air conditioner.  Try not to rub itchy eyes.  This can make symptoms worse.  Try cold compresses instead.

If avoiding allergy triggers isn't enough, prescription and non-prescription eye drops can help.  Artificial tears and lubricants will help to soothe and flush eyes of irritants.  Antihistamine eye drops or orals antihistamines provide much relief.

Try refrigerating eye drops for extra cooling relief.
 
Rebecca Mueller, O.D.

There is no scientific term for them.  Whatever you choose to call them, they are a common part of almost everyone's day, and usually not a cause for alarm.  So where do they come from?

These crusts are what remain after tears dry up overnight.  Tears are made of water, proteins, oil, and mucous.  They coat, lubricate, and protect the surface of the eyes.  While sleeping, whatever dirt and debris remain in the eye is not being continually flushed out by normal blinking.  Dryness in the eye causes the debris to precipitate out, forming a crud that collects in the inner corners of the eyes.

Those most prone to eye boogies are children, contact lens wearers, and those with seasonal allergies or dry eye syndrome.  Use a hot washcloth to clean lids and lashes in the morning.

When eye are boogies a sign of something wrong?  If the crusting is sudden or severe, or eyes seem glued shut in the morning.  This could be a sign of infection or pink eye.

Rebecca Mueller, O.D.

Eye Myths and Facts.

Myth: Don't sit too close to the TV
Fact:  There is no scientific evidence that sitting close to the TV is harmful to the eye
 
Myth: Reading in dim light damages your eyes
Fact:  Reading in dim light may tire and strain your eyes but it will not harm your eyes.  However it is recommended to use good lighting when reading or performing up close tasks.
 
Myth:  You don't need an eye exam if you can see fine and don't wear glasses.
Fact:  Eye disease can happen at anytime and can be asymptomatic.  It is important to get your eyes examined yearly.
 
Myth:  You can wear your eyes out
Fact:  Your eyes will never wear out

Jennine Lutz, OD

SENSIMED Triggerfish Electronic Contact

According to the American Optometric Association, contact lenses called smart lenses are now being studied.  These lenses will be a way to check your health and someday may be able to replace the standard blood test.  Some biomarkers found in the blood can also be found on the surface of the eye.  These biomarkers include cholesterol, sodium, potassium, and glucose.  In Europe a smart lens called Trigger Fish is now available.  This smart contact lens can monitor eye pressure and help in the diagnosing and treatment of glaucoma.

Jennine Lutz, OD
 

Glaucoma Now Viewed as Neurologic Disease.

“Some top researchers no longer think of glaucoma solely as an eye disease,” an article in Ophthalmology noted.  Glaucoma is now being viewed as a neurologic disorder that “causes nerve cells in the brain to degenerate and die, similar to what occurs in Parkinson’s disease and in Alzheimer’s.” said the news release.

Standard Alzheimer and stroke treatments to repair damaged nerve cells such as the use of cytidine-5diphosphocholine injected into the eye as well as electrical stimulation delivered by tiny electrodes implanted in contact lenses are being used as treatments for glaucoma.  This approach focuses on repairing damage that occurs in retinal ganglion cells, (RCG’s).

“Glaucoma Now Viewed as Neurologic Disease” EyeWorld Weekly News Volume 17, Number 7. Web. 17 March 2012


Cynthia Matossian, MD