In our optometry office, myths we hear about cataracts include:

“I thought cataracts only happen when you get really old,” and “Nothing can be done about cataracts anyway.” Neither statement is true.

But myths about cataracts are detrimental if they delay you from getting a diagnosis or taking simple steps to protect your vision. So, let’s clear up some common cataract misconceptions.

Myth #1: Cataracts Only Happen to Older Adults

While cataracts become more common with age, they do not appear overnight at age 80.

Cataracts begin developing much earlier, in your 40s and 50s, as proteins in the eye’s natural lens begin to clump together, causing cloudiness that — well, clouds your vision.

While age-related cataracts are the most common, younger adults can also develop cataracts due to:

• Diabetes
• Eye injuries or surgeries
• Certain medications, especially long-term steroid use
• Genetics and family history
• Some babies are born with cataracts

Your takeaway: Do not assume you are “too young” for cataracts or early lens changes. An eye exam can help identify the cause.

Myth #2: Cataracts Grow Like a Film Over the Surface of Your Eye

Cataracts do not grow on the surface of your eye. They form inside the eye, in your eye’s natural lens, located behind the iris and pupil. As you age, that lens becomes cloudy, and light can’t pass through it as clearly. That can make your vision feel blurry, hazy, dim, or faded. Patients often describe it as looking through a foggy window, and night driving becomes difficult because the glare from oncoming traffic feels unbearable.

Your takeaway: Because cataracts develop gradually, many people do not notice changes until vision problems begin interfering with daily activities.

Myth #3: Cataracts Are Completely Unavoidable

Aging plays a major role in cataract risk, but your lifestyle choices matter, too.

Research shows that long-term UV exposure from sunlight increases your cataract risk. That’s why we recommend high-quality sunglasses that protect your eyes from 100% of the sun’s harmful rays. Smoking, diabetes, heavy alcohol use, and certain medications (such as steroids) may also contribute.

Protective habits matter. To promote good eye health, make sure you:

• Wear UV-protective sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat outdoors
• Stop smoking. Quit now!
• Manage diabetes and take care of your overall health
• Keep up with routine eye exams

Your takeaway: Protecting your eyes from UV exposure throughout your lifetime may not eliminate cataract risk, but it does support long-term eye health.

Myth #4: If I Had Cataracts, I Would Know It

Not necessarily. Early cataracts may only produce subtle symptoms that you might mistake for normal aging or a change in your prescription.

Common warning signs that you may have cataracts include:

• Blurry or cloudy vision
• Difficulty driving at night
• Increased glare from headlights
• Colors appearing faded or yellowed
• Frequent prescription changes
• Needing brighter light to read

Your takeaway: If night driving becomes harder or your vision feels hazy and clouded, schedule a comprehensive eye exam rather than assuming it is “just aging.”

Myth #5: You Should Wait Until Cataracts Are “Severe” Before Addressing Them

Patients sometimes assume they should delay care until vision becomes dramatically worse.

While finding a cataract does not automatically mean surgery is needed, your optometrist will monitor the cataract — sometimes for years — until it affects your quality of life.

When you have trouble driving at night, reading comfortably, seeing your phone or computer screen, or recognizing faces, that could be the signal that it’s time to discuss next steps. Comprehensive eye exams help us monitor cataract progression and guide you through the right timing for treatment.

Your takeaway: Early conversations about cataracts create better planning and options for when your vision loss begins to limit your daily enjoyment of life.

Myth #6: Cataracts Can Be Reversed with Eye Drops, Vitamins, or Internet Remedies

No, no, and no. Patients often ask about supplements or “vision hacks” to dissolve cataracts.

Unfortunately, at this time, cataracts cannot be reversed with medications or home remedies.

Your takeaway: Be cautious of miracle claims online. If something sounds too good to be true, ask your eye doctor first.

Myth #7: Cataract Procedures are Rare or Dangerous

Many patients worry about the idea of having cataract surgery, but it is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States, and has a very high success rate of 97%.

During the procedure, your eye’s clouded natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens. And there’s more good news: This highly successful procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, so you can go home the same day.

Cataracts are incredibly common. More than half of Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had cataract surgery.

As our patient, we will help you stay informed about your options, and help guide you through the process of having your cataracts corrected so you can continue to enjoy healthy vision and good eye health.

If you suspect that you may have early signs of cataracts, give us a call and schedule an appointment today!

The post 7 Cataract Myths That Could Put Your Vision at Risk appeared first on Vision Square Eye Care | Shallotte - Calabash.

The biggest problem that leads to these “weekend warrior” eye injuries? Failure to wear protective eyewear while cleaning, doing home improvements, or yard work. Sadly, only 3 in 10 people protect their eyes during home projects that could result in devastating injuries. But here’s the good news: Most home eye injuries are preventable. You can reduce your risk of eye injury by 90%. How? Simply by wearing protective eyewear.

Model The Good Habit of Wearing Protective Eyewear

Young kids always want to help and be part of your DIY projects, so it’s up to you to be sure their eyes are protected, too. Modeling eye safety is a smart way to show your kids how to protect their eyes. Set an example. It’s easy: Put on your safety goggles or glasses and be certain that they wear their protective eyewear, too.

While it’s fun to spend time with your kids and teach them new skills, some DIY projects are too risky for young children to help with. Do your research and include them only on age-appropriate project tasks. Kids are curious, and they want to be right at eye level and in the middle of what’s going on, which is not always the safest location for little eyes (even with protective eyewear).

Keep kids a safe distance away from any possible sources of eye injury. For riskier jobs, such as those requiring power tools, sanding, or grinding (which involve flying debris), send your children and pets to another area or simply wait until they’re not at home to tackle those jobs.

Most Common Eye Injuries in the Home

So, what are the most common eye injuries that happen in or around the home? They fall into three categories:

1. Chemical Burns

These injuries can occur outside when spraying or applying gardening pesticides and fertilizers or inside when using cleaning products like bleach, oven cleaners, and drain cleaner.

Painting projects also pose eye danger when they involve paint thinner or spray paints. Even working on your car can be a hazard due to possible eye exposure to battery acid and gasoline.

Follow these best practices to prevent chemical burns:

• Keep spray nozzles of solvents and other chemicals directed away from you.
• Don’t mix products or chemicals. This can cause harmful vapors or possible combustion.
• Read the labels of all chemical products before use.

2. Penetrating Eye Injuries

When a foreign body or projectile enters the eye, it can cause lacerations, retinal scarring, vitreous hemorrhage, or even a retinal tear. These types of injuries are often caused by:

• Power Tools and Hand Tools. Sharp pieces of wood, stone, metal shavings, or glass shards often fly into the air during the use of power tools and hand tools. Fragments can come off the work surface and penetrate the eye. To minimize risk, keep tools in good condition and repair or replace worn tools. And of course, wear your safety goggles!
• Before mowing, check for loose twigs, branches, pinecones, and rocks that could be kicked up by lawnmowers and leaf blowers. Never allow your kids to be near the area while you’re mowing.

3. Small Particles and Irritants

Anyone who has gotten a piece of lint in their eye knows that even tiny particles can cause pain, irritation, and discomfort to the eye. And some materials, like silica dust from concrete, may even cause scarring and vision loss. Be aware of the most common types of eye irritants when working in and around your home: insulation, sand, metal shavings, sawdust, smoke, dirt, and chemical vapors.

We can’t repeat this enough: You can prevent most causes of eye injury and vision loss for you and your kids by simply wearing safety goggles or glasses! Look for “ANSI Z87.1” specification on the safety goggle lens or frame, which means it is American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved protective eyewear.

Your protective goggles should be made from polycarbonate material, which is shatter-resistant, and ideally should also provide UV protection. Safety goggles should include side shields so they protect not only the front of your eyes but the sides as well. This type of safety eyewear is available at most hardware stores nationwide.

Can I Just Wear My Regular Glasses for Eye Protection?

In a word: No! It’s important to remember that if you wear regular eyeglasses, they are not designed to protect your eyes from impact or debris damage. Some eyeglasses may cause even more serious eye injury if they shatter upon impact. If you or your child need vision correction, ask your optometrist about ordering a pair of safety goggles with prescription lenses.

Not all accidents are preventable, but you can protect yourself and your kids from the most common eye injuries that occur in and around the home. Wear protective eyewear, read safety labels and guidelines, and supervise your children if they are helping with your DIY projects.

Call our office if you have questions about eye safety or the right protective eyewear. We’re here to protect your eyes for a lifetime of healthy vision!

The post Eye Safety Tips for DIY Parents and Their Kids appeared first on Vision Square Eye Care | Shallotte - Calabash.

Coinciding with Mother’s Day, the week of May 10-16 is National Women’s Health Week. So, whether you take Mom to brunch or bring her flowers, as you spend time with your mother or grandmother this year, take advantage of the opportunity to ask an important question: “What eye conditions or diseases run in our family?”

While it may not be a lighthearted conversation, the discussion can be critically important to help you maintain healthy vision throughout your lifetime. Your mother’s eye health history can offer valuable clues about your own risk for specific vision issues and eye diseases, both now and in the future.

Why Your Mother’s Eye History Matters to You

May is Healthy Vision Month, which helps raise awareness about the important steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy and safe. These steps include having a comprehensive eye exam, wearing sunglasses daily, eating eye-healthy meals, and knowing your family history – because your family history can help your eye doctor monitor changes earlier and protect your vision for years to come.

Many eye conditions and diseases have a genetic component, which means they can be passed down through families in your DNA. In some cases, the risk may come directly through your mother’s side of the family.

Eye conditions that often run in families include:

• Glaucoma – A silent disease with no obvious symptoms which can cause permanent vision loss if not detected early
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)– A leading cause of vision loss and blindness in older adults that impacts the central area of your retina (known as the macula) which provides your central, close-up, detailed vision needed to read or watch tv.
• Retinitis Pigmentosa – A rare, inherited condition that affects night and peripheral vision
• Amblyopia (lazy eye) and Strabismus (eye misalignment) – Eye conditions that are often diagnosed and addressed in childhood
• Color Vision Deficiency – Formerly known as “color blindness,” this condition is frequently passed down through mothers, even if they do not have symptoms
• Myopia (nearsightedness) – Kids are more likely to develop myopia if one or both of their parents are nearsighted
• Astigmatism – A condition in which the lens of your eye is oblong rather than round, which causes light to focus unevenly on your retina and results in blurred vision.

Some eye conditions are also more common in women, making your maternal family history even more meaningful.

Eye Conditions That Affect Women More Often Than Men

Women are more likely than men to develop certain eye diseases, especially with age or due to natural hormonal changes throughout their lifetimes.

These conditions include:

• Dry Eye Disease, which is often linked to hormonal shifts
• Thyroid Eye Disease, which is associated with thyroid disorders such as Graves’ Disease
• Cataracts, which occur more frequently in women than men
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration, one of the leading causes of vision loss in older adults, has a genetic component

If your mom or grandmother experienced any of these conditions, it’s important to share those details with your eye doctor.

Questions to Ask Your Mom This Mother’s Day

As you spend time with your mother or call to wish her a happy Mother’s Day, consider asking a few simple health questions that can have a big impact on your future eye health.

Some questions you can ask her include:

• Have you (or anyone else in our family) been diagnosed with glaucoma?
• Do you have macular degeneration? Did either of your parents?
• Did anyone in our family lose their vision later in their lives? At what age?
• Have you had cataract surgery?
• Do you have thyroid disease, and does it affect your eyes?
• Did you wear an eye patch or have crossed eyes as a child? How was that resolved?

Even small details that your mom might share can help your eye doctor better understand your personal risk.

The True Gift this Mother’s Day: Your Healthy Vision

Flowers wilt, cards get tucked away, and chocolates get eaten quickly—but the gift of knowing your family health history can help to protect your vision (and that of your children) for a lifetime.

Knowing your family eye history can empower your eye doctor to:

• Recommend earlier screenings as appropriate
• Monitor your eyes for early signs of specific conditions or diseases
• Create a personalized care plan just for you
• Protect your long-term eye health to keep you seeing your best

Celebrate Mom—And Protect Your Vision Too!

On Mother’s Day, celebrate the traditions, memories, and love that connect you to previous and future generations. And while you’re at it, take a moment to talk about your family health history—especially your eye health.

It’s a simple conversation to have, and it could make a meaningful difference in protecting your vision for years to come.

One final question to ask your mom: “Have you scheduled your annual eye exam with your optometrist – and if not, do you want to schedule them on the same day and go together?” Healthy vision is one of life’s greatest gifts, and you might start a new family tradition. (Plus, you can have fun trying on new frames and sunglasses with Mom!)

Contact us today to book your annual eye exam – and we’ll look forward to seeing you (and maybe your mom) soon!

To all of our patients who are mothers: We hope you enjoy a very Happy Mother’s Day!

The post What Eye Health Risks Can You Inherit from Your Mother? appeared first on Vision Square Eye Care | Shallotte - Calabash.

When you come in for an exam, your doctor will determine if dilation is necessary by considering the answers to these questions, along with other clinical information:

• What is the reason for your exam? Certain symptoms require dilation to determine a cause and treatment plan. Follow-up exams may not need dilation unless there are new symptoms or concerns.
• What is your age? As your age increases, your risk of eye disease increases. If you are 65 or older, a dilated eye exam is recommended every 1 or 2 years if you have no other eye disease or risk factors.
• What is your risk of eye disease? Family history or previous eye disease or trauma — such as retinal detachment — increases your risk of future eye conditions.
• How is your overall health? Conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure greatly affect eye health. Your eye doctor will want to know if you have been newly diagnosed or living with the condition for some time, and is it under control?
• What is your ethnic background and family history? Some ethnicities have increased risks for specific eye diseases. For example, if you are Black or Hispanic, you are at increased risk for glaucoma and should have a dilated eye exam every 1 to 3 years starting at age 40. After age 55, that timeframe accelerates to every 1 to 2 years. Your optometrist will ask if anyone in your family has or had glaucoma because your risk increases if you have relatives diagnosed with it.

These are some of the factors your doctor considers when deciding whether or not dilation will be necessary to examine your eyes and help prevent vision loss.

What Happens to My Eyes During Dilation?

Prior to dilation, your optometrist will examine your pupils and how they respond to light to determine if your visual pathways are working properly. Your doctor will then administer dilating eye drops to increase the size of the pupil.

It typically takes 15-30 minutes for pupils to dilate fully, depending on your individual response to the medication. A dilated pupil allows your eye doctor to get a better view of the entire retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels.

What Can I Expect After a Dilated Eye Exam?

When your eyes are dilated, you may experience light sensitivity because more light is coming through your enlarged pupil. Bring sunglasses to wear when you leave the office, or we will provide some disposable shades for your use. It’s not unusual to experience blurred vision or a different sensation in your eyes for about 4-6 hours after a dilated eye exam.

What Can Your Optometrist See During a Dilated Eye Exam?

Some of the most serious eye diseases develop quietly, without noticeable symptoms in their early stages, before vision loss occurs or becomes severe. A dilated eye exam can help detect sight-threatening conditions early, when they are most treatable — making it one of the most powerful strategies to protect your vision and overall eye health.

Dilation is an essential tool in diagnosing common conditions, including:

• Diabetic Retinopathy. This eye condition can cause vision loss and blindness in people who have diabetes. It affects blood vessels in the retina, which is the critical light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of the eye.
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. The condition blurs your central vision and is caused by damage to the macula, the part of the retina responsible for straight-ahead, central, sharp vision.
• This group of eye diseases can cause vision loss and blindness due to increased intraocular pressure that damages the optic nerve. There is no cure, but early diagnosis and treatment can often stop or slow the damage and protect your vision.
• Retinal Detachment. This is an ocular emergency that requires immediate treatment and can result in permanent vision loss! It is caused by detachment of the retinal tissue — the thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye — from its source of oxygenated blood.
• High Blood Pressure. Your optometrist can detect signs of high blood pressure, which show up as changes in the eye’s blood vessels that reflect broader cardiovascular stress. Your eye doctor can see these changes even before you notice anything is wrong. Early detection protects your health and can even save your life.

As you can see, a dilated eye exam is a valuable detection tool that can help protect not only your long-term visual health, but also your overall general health.

If you are due (or overdue) for an eye exam, no judgment here. We know how busy life can get! Just contact our offices today and make your appointment so our doctors can provide you with exceptional care for your eyes and long-term visual health. See you soon!

The post What Your Optometrist Looks for During a Dilated Eye Exam appeared first on Vision Square Eye Care | Shallotte - Calabash.

Modern eye exams are faster, more comfortable, and far more powerful than most patients realize. Some of the most serious eye diseases begin without warning. But with today’s cutting-edge technological tools that make eye exams more accurate, your optometrist can detect early signs of disease, monitor changes over time, and help protect your vision with greater precision. Plus, these game-changing modern tools and tests make eye exams more thorough and comfortable.

Let’s take a look at some new technologies that your optometrist may use to diagnose, treat, and preserve your eyesight.

1. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Scans

Think of this technology like having an “MRI” of your eye. OCT scans use non-invasive light waves to provide cross-sectional, three-dimensional images of the retina and optic nerve. This provides a detailed analysis of the tiny structures in each layer of ocular tissue. It can aid your optometrist in detecting subtle nerve fiber loss seen in many types of glaucoma and also can identify early signs of diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration. OCT technology goes beyond what your optometrist can see during a traditional eye exam to provide a more precise diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.

2. Fundus Photography

The fundus is the inside surface at the back of your eye, and it is a critical part of your vision. Fundus photography can be a part of your routine eye exam. It is a simple, non-invasive process using a fundus camera to capture a high-resolution, colored, or specialized image of the retina to diagnose and treat ocular disease. Your optometrist may give you eye drops to dilate your pupils before taking the photos. The camera captures images of the retina, optic nerve, macula, choroid, vitreous, and retinal blood vessels to detect preventable and treatable eye diseases and serves as a baseline record for monitoring disease progression.

Fundus photography is extremely safe and has no side effects other than the after-effects of dilated pupils, which may make your eyes sensitive to light for a few hours.

3. Visual Field Testing

Your peripheral vision is just as important as central vision! This test measures how far you can see on the sides and outer edges of your vision, and can also identify any blind spots you may have. Visual Field Testing is a crucial tool for diagnosis because most types of glaucoma first affect your peripheral vision. Visual field testing allows your optometrist to track changes to your vision over time and assess how well treatments are working.

4. Corneal Pachymetry

This test in a non-invasive ultrasonic technique to measure corneal thickness, which is useful in evaluating intraocular pressure. It measures the transparent, tough tissue that covers the pupil and iris. This tissue helps you focus and offers your eyes protection from dirt and bacteria.

Corneal Pachymetry is used primarily for patients at risk for glaucoma, refractive errors, or corneal disease. Having a thicker cornea may mean that you are less likely to develop glaucoma and is also an indicator of eye pressure. Knowing the thickness of the corneal tissue can help your optometrist diagnose you more precisely.

5. Corneal Topography

This test is valuable for patients who wear contact lenses or those considering LASIK. It’s an essential part of pre-operative planning for LASIK and other surgeries because it creates a three-dimensional, detailed map of the cornea’s surface, identifying shape, curvature, and irregularities that affect your vision quality. Corneal Topography essentially charts the landscape of your cornea – both its steepness (called keratoconus) or flatness — to assess corneal astigmatism, refractive power, and other abnormalities.

It’s a quick and painless test; nothing touches your eye. It produces a series of color-coded maps that your optometrist uses to diagnose and manage various eye conditions. Patients who wear contact lenses benefit from the data gathered because it ensures enhanced comfort, vision clarity, and a better fit.

6. Tear Film Quality Assessment

Your optometrist can assess tear film quality through a variety of methods, ranging from simple staining and break-up time to more elaborate screening devices. Tear film is the thin lipid layer covering the surface of the eye that provides protection, lubrication, and nourishment for the eye.

Many eye doctors use the Schirmer Strip, a test requiring no anesthesia, to diagnose conditions such as Dry Eye Syndrome. The Schirmer Strip evaluates the amount of tears absorbed by a thin strip of filter paper. For the test, an absorbent test strip is draped over the lower lid, then after 5 minutes, the wetting length is measured, helping your eye doctor determine whether you are experiencing Dry Eye Syndrome.

These state-of-the-art technologies and tools transform the way we safeguard your vision. Your optometrist can now examine your eyes with more precision and comfort, delivering the proactive care that you deserve.

Contact our office and schedule your next eye exam today to let modern technology provide added benefits to your long-term vision health.

The post 6 Ways Technology and Modern Imaging Protect Your Vision appeared first on Vision Square Eye Care | Shallotte - Calabash.

There is a rising incidence of myopia (nearsightedness, meaning the inability to see things far away) in children and adolescents. Myopia, in fact, it is the most widespread visual impairment globally. But there’s good news about nearsightedness: There are eye-friendly habits that can lower the chances of your child having myopia if you start preventive eye care early in their lives.

How and When does Myopia Develop?

The shape of a child’s eyes is determined early in life – from birth to about age 6. Most children are born farsighted, meaning they can focus on things at a distance. As they grow, the shape of the eye elongates to align with the lens and cornea so that images project directly on the retina and create normal vision. If the process of elongation growth goes too far, or if the cornea is overly curved, the focal area rests slightly in front of the retina, causing blurred distance vision, also called myopia.

Children with myopia often become more nearsighted as they grow, especially between ages 7 to 12. Myopia typically continues to progress through the teenage years and into the early 20s before stopping.

You can help lower the chances of your child developing severe myopia in childhood and adolescence by helping them practice eye-healthy habits.

How Can I Reduce My Child’s Risk of Severe Myopia?

Knowing the cause of myopia can help you guide your child to better visual habits.

One thing that you can’t control is DNA, and myopia does have a strong genetic component. If both parents are myopic, the risk of a child developing myopia is about 60% versus only 20% if neither parent has myopia.

There are, however, two environmental factors that can trigger myopia development and progression. Both factors —limited time outdoors and increased time indoors – can be controlled by you and your child.

Let’s take a look at why each of these factors contributes to myopia.

1. Limited time outdoors. Research shows that developing nearsightedness is associated with a lack of dopamine – the brain chemical that helps nerve cells communicate. Enhanced exposure to bright outdoor light increases dopamine in the retina, which helps to regulate and normalize eye growth and elongation. Studies show that the more time a child spends outside, the less likely they are to have myopia.

Bottom line? Encourage your kids to get outside every day: Walk the dog, shoot some hoops, or ride a bike. Studies have established that spending two hours a day outside can reduce the likelihood of myopia by 20 –30%. Plus, it encourages an overall healthier lifestyle.

2. Increased time indoors. Study after study shows that excessive amounts of time spent on electronic devices increases the risk and severity of myopia. No question. We’re all aware that kids today spend an immense amount of time on their laptops, tablets, phones and other screens. School-age children use technology positioned 12”-18” from their eyes to read and write for multiple hours every day. Add in the time they spend on social media, playing games, and watching reels. It comes out to a staggering amount of time that kids’ eyes are performing intense “near-work.”

So, as a parent, what can you do to protect your child’s vision without discouraging learning or fun?

• The 20-20-20 Rule – Establish a set break from their devices every 20 minutes. They should look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds, and perform a few exaggerated blinks to help lubricate the eyes. Help your child get into the eye-healthy habit of giving their eyes a rest from both electronics and the printed page.
• Establish (and enforce!) a daily maximum amount of time your kids are allowed on their screens for play and entertainment.

Myopia and Other Eye Conditions

The importance of early intervention and parental guidance can ultimately help your child avoid the social and emotional challenges that children with poor vision experience in school and social settings. Addressing the progression of myopia in children and teens can optimize their visual system and support overall learning and emotional development.

Early intervention can significantly diminish the progression of severe myopia. That can lower the risk of other vision-threatening eye conditions including retinal detachment, glaucoma, myopic maculopathy, and cataracts that may develop later in life and cause visual impairment and reduced quality of life.

The most important first step in addressing myopia progression is to schedule your child’s comprehensive eye exam with your optometrist. Your eye doctor may prescribe special contact lenses or eyeglasses to slow the progression of myopia in your child. Options vary by age, prescription, and goals. You and your eye doctor can pick the plan that works best for your child.

By making some positive lifestyle changes, you can advocate for your child’s vision and pump the brakes on myopia!

Contact our office today. We look forward to helping your children enjoy healthier and clearer vision.

The post Myopia: What Parents Should Know appeared first on Vision Square Eye Care | Shallotte - Calabash.

One in three people in the U.S. rack up seven or more hours of digital exposure each day and the eyestrain that goes with it! When you combine time spent on social media, internet surfing, gaming, videos, movies, and work, it can quickly add up to a whopping amount of screen time — and it’s not healthy for your eyes.

March is Save Your Vision Month, an annual observance started by the American Optometric Association in 1927 (yes, 99 years ago!) to promote preventive practices that help you maintain healthy eyes for the long haul. Some of the recommendations include annual eye exams, wearing sunglasses daily to prevent UV damage, eating right, maintaining overall health, and reducing screen time to minimize digital eye strain.

In 2026, it can seem “normal” to spend hours and hours staring intently at a screen, but that doesn’t make it harmless. Digital eye strain won’t permanently damage your eyes but it can certainly make them feel itchy, painful, or uncomfortable. Digital eye strain is intensified by factors such as poor lighting, glare, reduced blinking and improper screen positioning.

Digital eye strain makes your eyes work harder than usual to focus on the device and cause eye-related issues including:

1. Blurred vision
2. Stinging or teary eyes
3. Neck and back pain
4. Dry eyes
5. Headaches
6. Sensation of a foreign body in the eye
7. Double vision
8. Sensitivity to light
9. Itchy eyes
10. Difficulty refocusing after prolonged computer work

Mild to severe symptoms can occur after as little as two hours of screen time, and can impact your quality of life.

How to Reduce Digital Eye Strain

Following are some simple habits to incorporate that can help ease eye strain:

• Blink! Just blink. Studies show that you blink significantly less when staring at a screen. People normally blink about 15 times a minute but when using a digital device, that number is reduced by more than half – and you blink only 5 to 7 times per minute. Blinking keeps the surface of the eye lubricated and helps prevent dry, gritty-feeling eyes. Consider putting a sticky note on your computer to remind you to blink … as a good “visual” reminder!
• Use artificial tears. Refresh your eyes with artificial tears you can buy over the counter at most drugstores. Artificial tears are especially important if you work in a warm, dry room. Your optometrist can recommend the right brand or type for you.
• Take a break. Step away from your device for 15 minutes after 2 hours of use.
• Follow the 20-20-20 Rule. Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. That small break gives your eyes a welcome rest from focusing on a digital screen.
• Angle computer monitors downward. Place your monitor about 15-20 degrees below eye level and about 20 to 28 inches away from your eyes – about an arm’s length.
• Adjust brightness and contrast. Increase the contrast on your screen and adjust the brightness to match the level of light around you.
• Change font size. A clearly legible font of at least size 12 in a dark color against a light background is the easiest on your eyes.
• Reduce glare. A matte screen filter can cut the glare from your device. Another tip: Use a desk lamp to lessen overhead light glare.
• Wear computer glasses. Computer glasses are prescription glasses that allow you to focus your eyes specifically at computer screen distance – about 20-28 inches from your face. Computer glasses can also include multifocal lenses to help you shift quickly from close to intermediate to distance vision.

Contact Lens Users and Digital Device Use

People who wear contact lenses face a different set of issues when dealing with digital eye strain. Following are some tips that can help contact lens wearers minimize eye strain symptoms:

• Take a break from contacts. Wear your eyeglasses one or two days a week to minimize symptoms of eye strain – particularly if you know you’ll be spending an unusually long time looking at a screen due to a project deadline or big presentation.
• Don’t sleep in your contacts. Even if your contacts are labeled “extended wear,” sleeping in them adds to the burden on your eyes. Let your eyes rest and recover naturally from the day’s stress while you sleep.
• Always use good contact lens hygiene. If you wear extended lenses, use fresh solution to store them and gently “rub” them when cleaning. Think of it like a shower: You don’t just stand under the water – you actively wash away the dirt and oil. If you wear daily lenses, do just that. Wear them for one day, toss them, and use a new pair the next day.

It’s clear that digital screens and the eye strain they cause aren’t going away anytime soon. To save your healthy vision, adopt these practical and preventive behaviors that will improve your vision-related quality of life. Start by incorporating one or two of the tips above, then keep adding good vision habits over the coming weeks.

If digital eye strain is impacting your quality of life, your work, or your schoolwork, we can help. Contact us today to book your appointment; we will help you combat the symptoms of digital eye strain and give you a healthier outlook on life!

The post 12 Tips to Save Your Vision from Digital Eye Strain appeared first on Vision Square Eye Care | Shallotte - Calabash.

In rare cases, however, some specific types of eye freckles can turn cancerous. Since February is National Cancer Prevention Month, let’s explore the facts about eye freckles, what they are, and how they may affect your eye health.

What is an Eye Nevus (Eye Freckle)

Optometrists call these colored growths or spots on or in your eye a nevus (NEE-vus) – another word for a mole. The nevus or nevi (if more than one) forms when melanin-producing cells called melanocytes clump together – just like a freckle or mole on your skin. Eye freckles can be different colors and sizes. They can be fairly noticeable or difficult to spot, depending on where they occur in the eye.

In some cases, people are born with eye freckles; that type is rarely a cause for concern.

Eye freckles that form later in life are usually harmless but are of the type that could be more likely to develop into a cancer called ocular melanoma.

There is a correlation between ultraviolet (UV) light exposure and the risk of formation of eye freckles. Your lifetime exposure to UV rays from the sun is thought to be a contributing factor to eye cancers. So, wear your sunglasses every time you go outside – yes, even in the winter.

3 Types of Nevi

There are three kinds of eye freckles (nevi). Their location determines the type.

• When they occur in the iris, the colored part of the eye, they are termed an iris nevus.
• When they form in the sclera, the white part of the eye, they are called a conjunctival nevus. Both of these types can be seen by the naked eye and are typically benign.
• The third type is the choroid nevus. It forms in the middle or the back of the eye. This type of nevus is most likely to be ocular cancer, especially if it is 2mm or greater in size and raised or thickened. A choroidal nevus is only visible to your optometrist during a comprehensive eye exam — which is just one of many very good reasons to have an annual eye exam. Although rare, this type of eye cancer occurs at the rate of 20 cases per 1 million adults over age 50 — which is approximately 5% of all melanoma cases.

If a nevus is malignant, there is a greater chance that it will affect your vision as it grows. Ocular melanoma may require surgery, radiation or laser surgery, but the majority of eye freckles and nevi require no treatment at all – only regular monitoring by your optometrist to watch for any growth or change.

What Nevus Symptoms Should I Watch For?

The vast majority of nevi are not cancerous. We see multiple patients each week with visible nevi on either the iris or sclera. We also see patients with nevi that are only visible during an eye exam.

Following are the symptoms that indicate a nevi is changing and may require treatment:

• A visible freckle that increases in size or color over time
• Flashing/flickering lights or discomfort in one eye
• Change in pupil shape
• A change in the way the eye moves
• A reduction in peripheral vision in one eye
• Blurred or distorted vision in one eye
• Eye pain

Take Steps to Protect Your Vision

There are lifestyle choices that can help reduce your risk for developing certain types of eye cancers, These same habits can also help to protect your vision as you age. We recommend that you:

• Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses with lenses that have 100% UV protection
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat when you’re outside
• Eat a balanced, healthy diet and exercise regularly
• Stop smoking
• Limit alcohol intake

Who is at Highest Risk of Developing Eye Cancer?

Again, eye cancer is rare, but certain populations are at a higher risk, such as if you:

• Are Caucasian or have fair skin. About 1 in 8 light-skinned people have a nevus in their eye.
• Have light-colored eyes
• Have a family history of cancer
• Are over 50 years of age
• Have abnormal moles or tend to develop new moles and freckles
• Have abnormal pigmentation of the eyelid or the middle layer of the eye (uvea)
• Have one or more freckles in your eye

What Should I Do If I Have an Eye Nevus?

If your optometrist tells you that you have an eye nevus, it’s important to stay aware of the signs, symptoms, and risks associated with them. Every eye nevus should be examined and monitored by your optometrist regularly. Just like a mole on your skin, an eye nevus can grow or change over time, and such changes could indicate it may develop into cancer.

An annual comprehensive dilated eye exam with your optometrist is the very best way to keep your eyes healthy for a lifetime of good vision. Call our offices today and schedule yours!

The post When a Freckle in the Eye Isn’t Just a Freckle appeared first on Vision Square Eye Care | Shallotte - Calabash.

Simply stated, AMD is a disease of the retina. It occurs when a critical part of the retina called the macula is damaged. It’s a common diagnosis in people over age 60 and the leading cause of severe vision loss in that age range ­­– but only rarely does it lead to total blindness. Approximately 1 in 3 Americans over age 75 is affected by AMD. Although there is no cure, there are treatment options that may prevent or slow the progression of AMD and its associated vision loss.

AMD is a tricky disease because it affects your central vision but not your peripheral (side) vision. So, you can’t see straight ahead, but you can still see off to the side. For example, if you were looking at the face of a clock, you might be able to see the circle of numbers but might not be able to see the clock’s hands at its center. AMD is like having a dark hole in the very center of your vision.

The National Eye Institute shares a video, See What I See with AMD, to help you better understand AMD’s impact on central vision.

What are the Types of AMD?

There are two types of AMD, wet and dry:

• Dry AMD is the most common; 80% of patients are diagnosed with this type. In Dry AMD, the macula gets thinner with age, and tiny yellow deposits called drusen build up. The exact cause of Dry AMD is unknown, but both genetic and environmental factors contribute.
• Wet AMD is less common but more serious. It occurs when new, abnormal blood vessels grow in the body’s attempt to fix the deterioration of the macula. However, those new vessels leak blood and other fluids, causing swelling and scarring of the macula. The scarring then causes a blind spot in your central vision.

What are the Symptoms of AMD?

In the very early stages, there are often no noticeable symptoms. However, during your annual comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist is closely monitoring the structures of your eyes to detect early signs of AMD (and other eye diseases).

Though symptoms are often not noticeable early in AMD, which can start as young as age 55, the following symptoms merit a visit to your optometrist for further examination:

• Blurry or fuzzy vision
• Difficulty recognizing familiar faces
• Straight lines that appear wavy
• A dark or empty blind spot in the center of your visual field

With AMD, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment are critical. Schedule your annual exam, and don’t hesitate to ask us about medications and lifestyle choices that can minimize disease progression. Your willingness to make healthy changes in your lifestyle can help preserve your central vision.

Who’s at Risk for AMD?

There is a genetic component to the disease, so if you’re related to someone who has been diagnosed with AMD, your risk increases. You’re also at higher risk if you:

• Are age 50 or older
• Eat a diet high in saturated fat
• Smoke
• Have high blood pressure

How Does AMD Impact Your Lifestyle?

The loss of central vision causes serious complications and interruptions in everyday life. This type of Low Vision can affect your ability to drive – particularly at night. AMD can make it difficult to read, see people’s faces, watch TV, prepare meals, and perform other daily activities that require detailed central vision. The slight silver lining with AMD is that peripheral vision remains unaffected, so patients don’t typically bump into furniture, walls or other obstructions when walking around their homes.

Adaptive Solutions for AMD

Here are some helpful solutions to everyday problems caused by AMD and its resulting Low Vision.

• AMD can affect low-light vision, so turn on more lights, particularly on or near stairs, due to altered depth perception.
• Use a portable, lighted magnifier to enlarge print.
• Tech adjustments can help: Use larger fonts on your phone and other digital devices.
• Practice balance exercises early, before mobility may become a challenge.
• Cooking with Low Vision due to AMD can be challenging and even dangerous without some adjustments. These changes can enhance safety in your kitchen:
  • Use large print labels on drawers and cabinets.
  • Avoid keeping cooking items above the stove.
  • Keep a flexible-arm lamp on your countertop for focused lighting.
  • Use bump dots to mark temperatures on stove and oven dials.
  • Always place a pot or pan on the burner before turning that burner on.

AMD vision loss can lead to feelings of isolation, cognitive decline, loss of identity, and depression. It’s a very serious diagnosis. But there are treatments, services, and vision aids to help you navigate these debilitating symptoms. Discuss these with your optometrist and make a plan that is best for your needs and lifestyle. AMD is a very individual journey, so what works for one person doesn’t always work for another.

The American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF) is a good resource to direct you to the latest information on tips for living with AMD that can improve the quality of life for AMD patients.

The single most important action you can take to preserve your sense of sight is to have a regular comprehensive eye exam. Call our office today and make your appointment ­­– we look forward to seeing you soon!

The post AMD Explained: Who’s at Risk and How It Affects Vision appeared first on Vision Square Eye Care | Shallotte - Calabash.

When it comes to protecting your eyes and supporting good vision, there are lots of bad habits to ditch.

Here are 6 bad vision habits that you can easily change to promote and support your healthy vision for years to come!

6 Bad Vision Habits to Ditch

1. Skipping Regular Eye Exams

An estimated 10 percent of the U.S. population hasn’t had an eye exam in the past five years! What? How is that possible?

So, why is skipping your annual eye exam a potential problem? Because your regular eye exam not only tracks vision changes year over year, but just as importantly, it can detect eye conditions and diseases before you notice any symptoms. One such disease is glaucoma, which can lead to irreversible vision loss if not diagnosed and treated early. Eye exams can also detect other systemic health conditions, including high blood pressure and diabetes; both conditions cause changes in the eye’s structures that are evident to your optometrist during a dilated eye exam.

2. Rubbing Your Eyes

It’s a momentary “ahhh,” but rubbing your eyes vigorously can damage the tiny blood vessels under the skin, increase the risk of infection by contamination, and cause eye irritation. Excessive rubbing can lead to corneal thinning and even change the shape of your cornea over time. This clinical condition, termed keratoconus, causes distorted vision.

In a world where staring at screens and phones can cause digital eye strain, eye rubbing is a common thing to do to relieve your itchy, irritated eyes. But try something different. We recommend the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, focus your eyes on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. And remember to blink! That small break gives your eyes momentary relief from the digital screen.

If your eyes are itchy due to contact or environmental allergies, ask your optometrist to recommend an eye drop to ease your discomfort.

3. Improper Contact Lenses Usage

There are a lot of improper contact lens usage scenarios to avoid. Let’s focus on three of them:

Re-wearing daily lenses. We regularly see patients who wear the same pair of daily contact lenses for days or weeks. Yes, people do that, and yes, it is hazardous to your eyes! Daily lenses are manufactured to be much thinner than long-wear lenses. They don’t hold up well to multiple days of disinfection solution and storage. Please remember: Just because you remove them at night and store them until the next day, it does not make them safe to wear again. You’re risking an infection by doing this. We see patients far too often who have contracted eye infections from re-wearing their daily contact lenses. Throw away those lenses after one day of use and replace them with a fresh new pair the next morning. Period.

Sleeping in contact lenses. Do people really do that? Yes, they do! An estimated 66% of patients are guilty of this bad eye health habit. Don’t be one of them! You’re rolling the dice if you don’t remove your contact lenses before going to sleep. Sleeping in your contact lenses reduces the oxygen supply to your cornea and can lead to serious eye infections, including corneal ulcers. Wearing contacts overnight can also cause eye pain, fatigue, dry eyes, redness, irritation, and mucus discharge ­— definitely not a good look. And while there are a few brands of contacts approved for extended wear, we still recommend taking them out overnight to give your eyes a rest.

Swimming with contact lenses. Water and contacts don’t mix! Swimming with your contact lenses in a pool, lake, river, or ocean puts you at high risk for an eye infection. If you need vision correction to swim safely, ask your optometrist about prescription swim goggles to help you “stay in your lane.”

4. Poor Contact Lens Hygiene

If you wear monthly contact lenses, it’s important to clean and store your lenses properly. Failing to do so can lead to severe eye irritation or infection. Never use tap water to clean your lenses; always use fresh multi-purpose cleaning solution and store your lenses in a properly cleaned and rinsed case. Remember to wash your hands before handling lenses to prevent bacterial contamination from your hands to your eyes.

5. Using Expired Eye Makeup

Old makeup can harbor nasty bacteria that can lead to eye infections and blurry vision. Replace mascara and eyeliner at least every three months to reduce the risk of contamination. Never share or borrow eye makeup from a friend or relative — not even your mom! And, don’t ever sleep with your makeup on. To remove it, use a fresh cotton pad with a high-quality makeup remover around the eyes and then thoroughly wash off the residue with mild soap.

6. Not Staying Hydrated

Hydration is essential to the body as a whole, and especially to your eyes. With people logging hours of screen time daily, eyes can become dry and irritated. Aim to drink plenty of water to keep your eyes healthy. Here’s an easy way to calculate the amount of water you need daily: Drink half of your body weight in ounces of water per day. Example: 160 lbs. = 80 ounces of water daily. Simple.

When you eliminate all of the behaviors on this “Don’t Do” list, you will have a strong start to making eye health a priority in the new year. Take the next step by scheduling your 2026 annual eye exam with us today!

The post 6 Bad Vision Habits to Ditch in 2026 appeared first on Vision Square Eye Care | Shallotte - Calabash.