Did you also know that they are really serious?

We all experience it one time or another. If you look directly into a light and then look away, you might see black spots in your vision for a few seconds. Experiencing floaters and flashes can sometimes be like that. You see spots that you know aren’t really there, but they are in your line of vision. Or you may see flashes of light off to the side of your vision, but there is no one taking your picture or shining a flash light at you.

Eye floaters and flashes can be the result of trauma to the eye. If you have ever been hit in the eye or have something poke you, you may notice these symptoms for a few minutes. For more serious injuries, the floaters and flashes may not go away.

You should see your ophthalmologist as soon as possible if:

• One new, large floater or “showers” of floaters appear suddenly
• You see sudden flashes of light
• You notice other symptoms, such as the loss of side vision

Your eye is filled with vitreous gel, and as you age, this gel can thicken or shrink. This may cause floaters within your eye. If the vitreous gel rubs against your retina or causes a tear in your retina, you may notice flashes.

It’s important not to ignore these symptoms. There is usually pain associated with a torn retina, but even if you do not experience pain, you should still call right away to have your vision checked.

Early treatment is the key to preserving your vision.

Age-related macular degeneration generally occurs in older adults. This condition results in vision loss in the middle of your line of sight, due to retina damage. According to the article, “Women who ate fish, a prime source of omega-3s, at least once a week were less likely to get age-related macular degeneration compared with women who ate fish just once a month, a new study finds.”

While all of this information is interesting to look at, the article also points out that the study is not complete.

There are always studies being done on vitamins and minerals. It’s important to know what is fact and what is fiction. Doing your homework is essential in preventative medicines, but the most important thing is having a complete eye examination. You eyesight is like a fingerprint – it is unique to you, and what may work for 5 or 10 other people may not necessarily be the best thing for you. If you think you may have an eye disease or your family has history of eye diseases, you should schedule regular eye exams for the best way to keep on top of it.

If you would like to read the article, you can find it here.

Are you one of them?

Through recent research it has been found that contact lenses can affect several different areas of the eye. These effects could be simple irritation to more sight threatening complications. You may have experienced some of these problems or just had a concern about them.

The weather, oxygen and their effect on your eyes.

The weather and the wearing of contacts both have an effect. The eye cleans itself from harmful bacteria and other foreign substances through the process of creating what is known as the tear film. Not only does it protect the eye but it also carries the moisture and oxygen to help and protect the eye. The reduced amount of oxygen on the surface of the eye in turn reduces the blood flow to the cornea, which can create complications. While soft contact lenses have less of an effect on this than hard lenses it still does have an effect. And there are other problems that contacts can cause with your eyes.

Now throw in dry weather, the wind and the fluctuating temperatures you can see what your eyes are dealing with on a daily basis. In many instances, the risk to the health of your eyes is greater from wearing contact lenses than from today’s LASIK eye procedure.

And there are the aspects of “chronic wear and tear” from continual contact lens wear to the eye from simply having this foreign substance or particle in the eye. This can predispose an eye to infections and if you might have even experienced these difficulties yourself.

What are your alternatives?

LASIK is the alternative to contact lens wear. While not having them to affect your eyes in a potentially dangerous way is of great benefit you will also receive the benefit of having very improved eyesight if not 20-20.

It’s not just children that should have their eyes checked. Even as an adult, if you have had 20/20 vision your whole life, there are age-related vision problems that occur with everyone. Presbyopia is just one of these vision impairments. After the age of 40, the lens of your eye begins to harden and lose its flexibility. You may not begin to notice it at first, but eventually you will have trouble reading things up close. You’ll start to notice you need to stretch your arms further and further away in order to read your cell phone or a restaurant menu.

The good news is that there is a solution to Presbyopia. Often people will start wearing bifocals. Bifocals allow someone with Presbyopia to see up close, but also to focus in the distance if they have nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.

If you don’t want to wear lenses, you can also speak with an Ophthalmologist about your options. Many doctors can provide lens replacement surgery. The lens of your eye is removed and replaced by a synthetic lens that will never harden. Depending on the type of lens, you may also be able to correct your existing refractive error at the same time.

So don’t put up with bad vision any longer! Come in and see us at Bellevue LASIK & Cornea today!

At Bellevue , they want you to achieve the best vision possible.  ”Dr. Leavitt’s track record speaks for itself about the safety element and his confidence in his ability to produce 20/20 or better vision is evidenced by his unique 20/20 Money Back Commitment.” To view their safety standards and to schedule your FREE Consultation visit at www.bellevue-lasik.com today!

If you are interested in LASIK surgery, let Bellevue LASIK help you to see better!  They have a very informative website to help answer any questions you may have.  Bellevue LASIK is an independently-owned vision correction center that has set and maintains the following standards:

• A thorough and comprehensive LASIK Consultation process
• The best available technology for every patient
• Extensively experienced and knowledgeable corneal surgeon and staff
• The safest procedures and outcomes possible
• True personalized service and care – every step of the way
• The only LASIK surgeon in the region to provide a 20/20 Money Back Commitment

For more information or to schedule an initial office visit, go to www.bellevue-lasik.com, today!