Eye Care Information

Eye care involves regular eye exams and taking measures to protect your eyes from injury and disease. There are some common eye conditions that you can treat yourself for at home and others that require treatment from an eye care professional.

Common Conditions

• Certain common eye conditions can sometimes be treated with home care. According to Eye Care America, blepharitis is an inflammation of your eyelid that can be treated with hot compresses and an eye scrub. Lice in your eyelids may be treated with an over-the-counter product, such as Rid or Nix. Contact dermatitis can be caused by the introduction of a new contact solution or makeup product to your eyes, or to the introduction of a foreign substance. Antihistamines can relieve the symptoms. Thermal damage, due to too much sun, can be treated with an eye lubricant. Conjunctivitis, commonly called "pink eye," can be sometimes be treated with an over-the-counter treatment specifically designed for that condition. Dry eye is usually responsive to over-the-counter drops and gels.

Over-the-Counter Products

• Eye lubricants (Systane, Gen Teal, TheraTears) are eye drops used to relieve dry eye, burning, itching and redness. Ointments (Moisture Eyes) may also be used for extreme cases of dry eye. Eye washes (Eye-Stream) are available for instances when you need to cleanse your eye of a foreign object or substance. Hyperosmotics (Adsorbonac) are ointments or solutions used to treat corneal swelling. Eye scrubs (Eye-Scrub) are available for removing debris, oils or flaking skin from your eyelids. Decongestants (Hydropres, Nardil) and antihistamines (Ocuhist, NaphconA)are used to treat conditions related to allergies.

Aging

• As you age, your risk increases for developing certain eye conditions. Cataracts result in hazy or blurred vision that worsens over time. Eventually your doctor can perform surgery to correct your vision. Age-related macular degeneration is a condition of your retina that impairs your vision and can lead to blindness. There are treatments available that may keep it from becoming worse such as Lucentis and Visudyn. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes which can also lead to blindness. Laser surgery may be successful in arresting this condition.

Eye Exams

• According to the Mayo Clinic, children should have an eye exam prior to entering first grade. If there are no problems, you should repeat the exam every two years. As an adult you should have one eye exam during your 20s and twice between 30 and 40 years of age. From the age of 40 until the age of 65, you should have an eye exam every two to four years. After 65, you should have an exam every one or two years. If any vision or eye conditions exist at any age, your eye doctor will advise you about the frequency of your examinations.

Serious Conditions

• Serious eye problems require the care of an eye doctor, such as trauma, abrasions, chemical exposure, corneal swelling, uveitis (inflammation of the iris) and keratitis (inflammation of the cornea). You should seek treatment from an eye care professional immediately if you experience flashes of light, double vision, eye pain, swelling or redness of your eye or eyelid or you are suddenly unable to see or your vision is dim.

Preventive Care

• Along with routine eye exams, you should take steps to protect your eyes. Sunglasses that block ultraviolet rays can reduce your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Use protective eye wear when you are working with chemicals, mowing the grass or using machinery or power tools to protect your eyes from injury.