Dry Eye vs. Allergies: How to Tell the Difference

Itchy, watery, red eyes can make anyone miserable. But are your symptoms from dry eye or allergies? While the two conditions often feel similar, they have very different causes and treatments. Knowing the difference can help you get the right relief.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or when the tears evaporate too quickly. Healthy tears keep the surface of the eye smooth, nourished, and protected. When this system doesn’t work properly, you may notice:

Burning or stinging sensation
Grittiness (like sand in the eye)
Blurred vision that clears with blinking
Redness
Discomfort that worsens later in the day or after screen time
Dry eye is often related to aging, contact lens use, certain medications, medical conditions, or spending lots of time staring at digital screens.

What Are Eye Allergies?

Eye allergies—also called allergic conjunctivitis—occur when your eyes react to allergens like pollen, dust, pet dander, or mold. Your immune system triggers a histamine response, leading to inflammation and classic allergy symptoms such as:

Itching eyes (the hallmark sign)
Red, watery eyes
Many times there is also nasal congestion and sneezing
Swelling around the eyelids
Stringy, clear discharge
Symptoms that flare up seasonally (like during spring or fall) or in specific environments
Unlike dry eye, allergies are immune-driven and often come with other allergy symptoms like sneezing or a runny nose.

Key Differences Between Dry Eye and Allergies

Symptom/Feature	Dry Eye	Allergies
Main Sensation	Burning, stinging, gritty	Itching
Tear Quality	Too few or poor-quality tears	Excess watery tears
Discharge	Usually minimal, stringy mucus	Clear, watery, or stringy discharge
Timing	Worse at end of day, with screen use	Flare-ups tied to allergen exposure
Other Symptoms	Blurred vision, eye fatigue	Sneezing, nasal congestion
Relief From	Artificial tears, lifestyle changes	Antihistamines, avoiding allergens

Can You Have Both?

Yes—some people experience both dry eye and allergies at the same time. For example, if your eyes are already dry, allergens may irritate them more. And some allergy medications (like oral antihistamines) can actually make dry eye worse by reducing tear production.

When to See an Eye Doctor

If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are from dry eye, allergies, or both, it’s best to consult an eye care professional. They can perform tests to measure tear production, check for inflammation, and help you find the right treatment plan.

Bottom Line

Both dry eye and allergies can make your eyes feel irritated, red, and watery—but the root causes are very different. Pay attention to whether you experience burning and dryness (more likely dry eye) or itching and watery discharge (more likely allergies). Correctly identifying the problem is the first step toward lasting relief.

Smoking and Vision Loss

Smoking has long been known to cause heart disease and lung cancer; however many people do not realize that smoking can lead to serious loss of vision. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals that can damage many organs in our bodies, including our eyes. Over time, smoking can cause serious eye diseases that can cause permanent vision issues.

The following eye diseases can be made worse by smoking:

Age-related Macular Degeneration(AMD) – an eye disease that affects central vision. You need central vision to see objects clearly and for common tasks such as reading, recognizing faces, and driving.
Cataracts – cause blurry vision that progresses over time. Without surgery, cataracts can lead to serious vision loss. The best way to protect your sight from damage linked to smoking is to quit or never start smoking.
Glaucoma – causes a gradual breakdown of the cells that make up the optic nerve which sends visual information to your brain.. As the nerve cells die, vision is slowly lost, usually beginning with side vision. Often the loss of vision is not noticeable until a significant amount of nerve damage has occurred. This is why as many as half of all people with glaucoma may be unaware that they have the disease.
Diabetic Retinopathy – a common complication of diabetes. It affects the tiny blood vessels of the retina in the eye. Retinal blood vessels can break down, leak or become blocked and this can affect vision over time. In some people with diabetic retinopathy, serious damage to the eye can occur when new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina.
Dry Eye Syndrome – is a condition where eyes do not produce enough tears and lubrication may result in more prominent blood vessels on the eye This can lead to eye irritation, burning, scratchy and painful eyes.

Symptoms of Eye Diseases Related to Smoking:

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD):

- Loss of central vision needed to see details straight ahead.
- Blurry or wavy areas in the central vision.
- Difficulty recognizing faces.
- Need for more light to read or perform other tasks.

Cataracts:

- Cloudy or blurry vision.
- Colors appearing faded or dull.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Trouble seeing at night.
- Double vision.

Diabetic Retinopathy:

- Blurry or distorted vision.
- Dark or empty areas in vision.
- Difficulty seeing colors.

Dry Eye Syndrome:

- Scratchy, burning, or painful sensations.
- Red eyes
- Excessive tearing.
- Blurry vision.

How Can You Protect Your Vision Related to Smoking?

The best way to protect your eyes is to QUIT SMOKING. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), quitting smoking lowers the risk of developing eye diseases. Your eyes can begin to recover and your overall health will improve.

Here are some tips to protect your eyes:

Eat Healthy Foods: Add leafy greens like spinach and kale to your meals. Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon and tuna, are also good for your eyes.
Wear Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from the sun by wearing sunglasses. Look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses help even on cloudy days.
Get Regular Eye Exams: Schedule regular check-ups with an eye doctor. Early detection of eye problems can lower your risk of serious diseases. If eye diseases run in your family, early care is especially important.

If you smoke cigarettes and are concerned about your vision, consult with your health care provider about ways to quit smoking to help protect your eyes. You can also find resources to help you on your journey to living a smoke-free life at Smokefree.gov.

June is Cataract Awareness Month

National Cataract Awareness Month is celebrated in June. The awareness campaign promotes information about the eye condition that is the leading cause of treatable vision loss in the U.S.? Yes, this is a scary fact, but no need to be frightened because cataracts are treatable with an outpatient surgery.

Vision loss from cataract is caused by clouding on the lens of the eye. The lens of the eye is behind the colored iris and its dark center pupil. Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a crystal-clear artificial lens. This common eye condition mostly affects people over 50 and the causes can range from simple aging, diabetes, long-term eye diseases, and eye injury/inflammation, to factors like hereditary influences, smoking, intake of certain oral steroids, and so forth.

Although there may be no early symptoms, patients may begin to notice:

cloudy or blurry vision
colors that look faded
difficulty seeing at night
a halo around lights, making night driving difficult
seeing double out of the affected eye
frequent changes of the prescription of eyeglasses or contact lenses

YOUR DIET IS VERY IMPORTANT

A healthy diet may help reduce risk of and/or delay formation and progression of cataracts. Research suggests that a diet high in vitamin C-rich foods — citrus (oranges, kiwi, lemon, grapefruit), bell peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower) — is helpful in slowing the progression of cataracts. More importantly, adopting good nutrition is a cornerstone of optimizing health early in life and can greatly reduce the risk of developing age-related diseases including cataracts. For eye healthy recipes visit discoveryeye.org/eye-cook-delicious-food-health/

BE SURE TO HAVE AN ANNUAL EYE EXAM

By age 40, all adults should visit an eye specialist for a comprehensive eye exam to screen for early-stage cataracts and other eye diseases that are leading causes of low vision and even blindness. By age 65, a routine eye exam is recommended every year, in most cases to diagnose cataracts that are progressively clouding the lens. Cataract can be more common in people with diabetes, after eye trauma or in those taking corticosteroid medications. A comprehensive eye exam allows eye specialists to detect and monitor cataract progression as well as diagnosing other problems such as glaucoma. Patients should discuss with their eye specialist their vision problems and seek guidance about the timing of cataract surgery when worsening vision has compromised their quality of life and normal functioning.

LIVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Multiple factors are at play that increase our risk for developing a degenerative eye disease or vision compromising conditions as we age. If an individual lives long enough, then cataract formation is unavoidable. Living a healthy lifestyle, however, greatly improves an adult’s odds of avoiding early onset, faster progression, or possibly even avoiding the need for cataract surgery in the future.

WHY WE PROMOTE CATARACT AWARENESS MONTH

It’s a celebration of sight – The ability to see the world clearly and in all its glory is something we shouldn’t take for granted. Millions upon millions of cells perform complex operations in our eyes to allow us the gift of sight. We should take care of our eyes and appreciate our glorious vision for what it is.

It’s a celebration of science – Science has not only explained to us how intricately our eyes work, but it has also revealed to us the many ways we can repair and treat them in case things go south. Medical advancements have ensured that about 80% of all eye diseases are treatable or can be prevented.

It’s a celebration of modern surgery – There’s “always” light at the end of the tunnel. Today’s cataract surgery is a modern-day miracle developed by dedicated surgeons over the last five decades. For most of us it is a painless, outpatient surgery with rapid return of excellent vision.

For more information about cataract:

https://discoveryeye.org/eye-conditions/cataracts/

May is Healthy Vision Month

Welcome to May, when we celebrate Healthy Vision Month! As we embark on this month-long journey of raising awareness about the importance of eye health, the Discovery Eye Foundation is thrilled to join the cause.

Our vision is a precious gift and it’s crucial to take proactive steps to maintain it. In this blog post, we’ll explore the significance of Healthy Vision Month and share valuable tips to help you safeguard your eyesight for years to come.

Healthy Vision Month is more than just an annual observance; it’s a reminder of the critical role that vision plays in our daily lives. Our eyes enable us to experience the world around us, from admiring breathtaking landscapes to connecting with loved ones through meaningful eye contact and so much more. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, approximately 75% of adults use some form of vision correction, highlighting the prevalence of vision issues in society. However, many people overlook the importance of regular eye care until they encounter vision problems. By dedicating the month of May to promoting eye health awareness, we can empower individuals to prioritize their vision and take proactive measures to preserve it.

Here are a few ways you can help protect your vision

Get an annual comprehensive dilated eye exam.
Know your family’s eye health history. It’s important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with an eye disease or condition, since some are hereditary.
Eat right to protect your sight: In particular, eat plenty of dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or collard greens, and fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, albacore tuna, trout, and halibut. Visit Eye Cook for eye healthy recipes.
Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly.
Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or doing activities around the home, such as painting, yard work, and home repairs.
Quit smoking or never start.
Wear sunglasses that block 99 -100 percent of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.
Wash your hands before taking out your contacts and cleanse your contact lenses properly to avoid infection.
Practice workplace eye safety.

Taking care of your eyes also may benefit your overall health. People with vision problems are more likely than those with good vision to have diabetes, poor hearing, heart problems, high blood pressure, lower back pain and strokes, as well as have increased risk for falls, injury and depression.

In addition to your comprehensive dilated eye exams, visit an eye care professional if you have:

Decreased vision
Eye pain
Drainage or redness of the eye
Double vision
Diabetes
New floaters (tiny specks that appear to float before your eyes)
Circles (halos) around light sources or if you see flashes of light

For this Healthy Vision Month, take care of your eyes to help them last a lifetime.

March is Save Your Vision month

From wearing the right eye wear and getting regular exams to eating right and caring for your lenses, there are many things you can do to protect your vision.

Healthy vision starts with you! Follow these tips to take care of your eyes.

Get regular comprehensive dilated eye exams – You may not have any symptoms or eye problems. But visiting your eye care professional for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to be sure. Some people also don’t realize they could see better with glasses or contact lenses.

A dilated eye exam is the only way to detect some common eye diseases in their early stages. These includes conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). During a comprehensive dilated eye exam, your eye care professional places drops in your eyes to dilate them. This allows more light to enter the eye so your doctor can examine for any signs of damage or disease.

Know your family’s eye health history – Talk to your family members about their eye health history. It’s important to know since some eye disease or condition are hereditary. This information will help to determine if you’re at higher risk for developing eye problems.

Studies show that you are at an increased risk for eye disease if you have an immediate family member with eye disease, including cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Knowing your family history and informing your ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Eat right to protect your sight – Research shows eye health benefits from fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut. Eating plenty of dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or collard greens as well as fruits and vegetables will help keep your eyes healthy. Visit our website for eye healthy recipes discoveryeye.org/eye-cook-delicious-food-health/

Maintain a healthy weight – Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions that could damage your eyes. If you’re having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, talk to your doctor.

Wear sunglasses – Sunglasses are a great fashion accessory, but most importantly, they protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100% of UV-A and UV-B radiation.

Wear protective eyewear – Protective eyewear prevents eye injuries in the workplace (if needed), while playing sports or doing other activities that could cause damage. They include:
- Safety glasses and goggles for working and repairing.
- Safety shields for working at your hobby—gardening, home repairs.
- Eye guards designed for specific activities and sports.

Most protective eyewear lenses are made of polycarbonate, which is 10 times stronger than other plastics. Many eye care providers sell protective eyewear, as do some sporting goods stores. Employers are required to provide a safe work environment, including protective eyewear if needed.

Quit smoking or never start – Smoking is as bad for your eyes as it is for the rest of your body. Research has linked smoking to an increased risk of developing:
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Cataracts
- Optic nerve damage
- Heart disease, lung diseases and various cancers including lung cancer

Clean your hands and contact lenses properly – To avoid the risk of infection, always wash your hands thoroughly before putting in or taking out your contact lenses. Disinfect contact lenses as instructed and replace them as directed by your eye care professional.

Eyes and Overall Health

Taking care of your eyes also may benefit your overall health. Some health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can affect your eyes at the initial stage. The eye exam can tell you and your doctor if there are any underlying health conditions that need attention.

In addition to your comprehensive dilated eye exam, visit an eye care professional if you have:

Decreased vision
Eye pain
Drainage or redness of the eye
Double vision
Floaters (tiny specks that appear to float before your eyes)
Circles (halos) around light sources
Flashes of light

Another way to Save Your Vision is by supporting sight-saving research at the Discovery Eye Foundation.

DONATE NOW

AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month

Low vision affects millions of Americans — including many older adults. People with low vision aren’t blind, but because of their vision loss, they may not be able to do everyday tasks like driving or reading even with glasses.

What is Low Vision?

When your eyesight is impaired to the degree that you struggle with daily tasks like reading or cooking – or that you have difficulty recognizing faces, you may have a medical condition referred to as low vision. Someone with low vision can’t simply put on a pair of glasses or contacts and see well; this condition is beyond the typical loss of vision that occurs with aging.

Individuals experiencing low vision can struggle with maintaining independence; hobbies, reading and even socializing may become challenging as vision loss progresses. Because of the impact low vision can have on your life, it is important to have your eyes checked by a low vision specialist if you have any concerns. Since it is unusual to be able to restore vision once it is lost, screenings can help preserve the vision you have and help you access adaptive lenses and devices if you need them. While there is not a cure for low vision, a low vision specialist can help you adapt and if needed, create a vision rehabilitation program designed to meet your specific needs.

If you are experiencing trouble seeing even with prescription eye glasses, ask your optometrist or ophthalmologist for a low vision evaluation. If your practitioner does not perform this evaluation, request a referral to a low vision specialist in a private practice, at a Braille Institute or a University Eye Care Institute.

Low vision is often caused by one of these conditions despite adequate treatment:

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) –AMD is a progressive eye condition affecting as many as 15 million Americans. The disease attacks the macula of the eye, where our sharpest central vision occurs, affecting reading, driving, identifying faces, watching television, safely navigating stairs and performing other daily tasks. Although it rarely results in complete blindness, it robs the individual of all but the outermost, peripheral vision, leaving only dim images or black holes at the center of vision. Read more

Diabetes– Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina.

In some people with diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels may swell and leak fluid or blood inside the eye. In other people, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision. Read More

Glaucoma– Glaucoma is a disease that causes damage to the major nerve of the eye called the optic nerve, a part of the central nervous system that carries visual information from the eye to the brain

The eye experiences a gradual increase of intraocular pressure (IOP) due to an imbalance of the fluid produced in the eye and the amount of fluid drained. Over time, elevated IOP can cause vision loss. The most common form of glaucoma is primary open angle glaucoma which affects about 3 million Americans. However, there are other types including narrow angle, congenital, normal tension, and secondary glaucoma. Read more

Reducing your risk for Low Vision

Practicing healthy daily lifestyle habits can reduce your risk for low vision. A healthy diet, not smoking and maintaining healthy blood pressure are important first steps. Other healthy habits that can lower the risk include:

Eat a diet with plenty of green, leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, and collard greens, and fresh fruit.
Fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids is good for eye health. Try to include it in your diet at least once or twice a week. Types of fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, and albacore tuna.
It’s important to keep your body healthy. Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The healthier your body, the more it can foster good eye health. Visit our website for eye healthy recipes Eye Cook.
Protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses and a hat with a visor in bright sunlight to protect your eyes from potentially harmful ultra-violet (UV) light and blue light.

Low Vision Reading Apps on Your Smartphone

Reading often is one of the most difficult challenges for visually impaired people. Many people with low vision give up reading altogether, because what used to be an enjoyable, effortless activity now requires thought, preparation and a lot of adjustment. In short, reading is just no fun anymore.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has listed some of the top apps, devices and resources for people with low vision, below are a few listed for reading app, for more apps visit American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Regular eye exams are essential for all adults; it is recommended that adults over the age of 60 have eye exams each year. If your vision can not be improved to the point that you are able to see the things you need to see or read, your eye care professional can refer you to a low vision specialist. This specialist differs from a conventional optometrist and is trained to evaluate your low vision problem and offer solutions to help you retain or regain independence and the ability to do things you enjoy again.

For more information on AMD and other visual impairments – EYE CONDITIONS

More Low Vision resources

Save Your Vision Month –

Save Your Vision Month is here.

We at DEF remind you to prioritize your eyes in 2024

In honor of Save Your Vision Month, here are some everyday things you can control to help “Save Your Vision”.

Enjoy a cup of tea –Green tea contains antioxidants, like vitamins C and E, lutein, and zeaxanthin that help protect against AMD and cataracts. It is it hydrating, helping you produce tears.

Take time to blink – On an average you blink about 15 – 20 times a minute. However, that rate drops by half when viewing text on a screen. Try using the 20/20/20 rule when staring at a screen: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds so you can blink naturally and give your eyes time to relax.

Wear sunglasses and a hat – Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can deteriorate vision over time and can lead to cataracts and possibly age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The American Optometric Association recommends sunglasses that block at least 99 percent of UVA and UVB radiation and that screen out 75 – 90% of visible light. And if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors, it’s a good idea to get sunglasses with lenses that are polarized, which means that they’ve been treated to reduce glare. We suggest wearing a large brimmed hat to further protect your eyes.

Increase the seafood in your diet – Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to bolster heart and brain health, as well as decrease your risk of eye disease. Studies show consuming omega-3 fatty acids, whether in foods you eat or in a supplement. It may help reduce your risk of developing macular degeneration. Research also shows not only can omega-3 fatty acids help reduce your risk of developing dry eyes, but it may also help treat bothersome symptoms as well.

Eat a rainbow – Eating a full rainbow of fruits and vegetables regularly helps give your body the nutrients it needs. In addition to fiber, vitamins and minerals, naturally colored foods contain what are known as phytochemicals, which are disease-fighting substances that also give fruits and vegetable their array of colors. Star nutrients are lutein and zeaxanthin—pigments found in such foods as dark, leafy greens, broccoli, zucchini, peas, and Brussels sprouts. Also important are antioxidants found in red foods such as strawberries, cherries, red peppers and raspberries, orange foods have beta-carotene and include carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes and yams.

Use digital screens at a safe distance – The brightness and glare from computers, tablets, smartphones and televisions can lead to eyestrain after prolonged use. Recent studies have also shown ill-effects from the UV rays from these devices. Symptoms can include headaches, blurred vision, dry or red eyes and difficulty refocusing. Experts recommend keeping the computer screen at least an arm’s length away and that you hold a handheld device at least 16 inches from your eyes.

Contact lens solutions serve a purpose –The most harmful but common problem is moistening contacts with saliva instead of saline solution. Proper contact lens care is important for keeping and free from infection.

Make-up makeover – Replace tubes of mascara after three months, as it is a breeding ground for bacteria. Sharpen liner pencils regularly and while it is okay to line the base of your lashes, using the liner inside the lash line can block oil glands. Replace eye shadows yearly and don’t share your eye cosmetics.

Use protective goggles – According to studies nearly half of eye injuries happen at home. These injuries occur when protective eyewear is not used or when the incorrect protective eyewear is used and an exposure occurs from around or under the protective eye equipment. Sports activities are another cause of eye injuries, from contact sports to sports that use balls that could catch you unaware. When snowboarding or skiing remember to protect your eyes from the sun and wind with tinted goggles that have UV protection.

Have a yearly eye exam – Even if you don’t wear corrective lenses, adults should get a comprehensive eye exam (which includes dilating your pupils with drops) by age 40. After that a yearly eye exam is recommended to keep your eyes healthy and catch any changes in your eyes that may be indicators of eye disease. If you have a family history of glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration, or you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk for vision-related issues and your doctor may elect to see you more often. If you have symptoms such as persistent pain inside or behind your eyes, redness, or gradual loss of vision, make an appointment with your doctor immediately.

September is Healthy Aging Month

Healthy Aging Month is an annual health observance designed to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older. Aging is a process that brings many changes. Vision loss and blindness, however, do not have to be one of them. There are several simple steps you can take to help keep your eyes healthy for the rest of your life.

Eye diseases often have no early symptoms, but can be detected during a comprehensive dilated eye exam. A comprehensive dilated eye exam is different from the basic eye exam or screening you have for glasses or contacts. By dilating the pupils and examining the back of the eyes, your eye care professional can detect eye diseases in their early stages, before vision loss occurs. By performing a comprehensive eye exam, your eye care professional can check for early signs of –

Here are some other tips to maintain healthy vision now and as you age:

Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables can help keep your eyes healthy. Visit our website for healthy eye recipes, click here Eye Cook.

Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases your risk for diabetes. By exercising regularly, you can help keep your body healthy and prevent vision loss.

Don’t smoke. Smoking increases your risk for age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and other eye diseases and conditions that can damage the optic nerve.

Wear protective eyewear when outdoors. Protecting your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays when you are outdoors is vital for your eye health. Wearing sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.

Know your family history. Talk to your family members about their eye health history. It’s important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with a disease or condition since many are hereditary, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetes . This will help determine if you are at higher risk for developing an eye disease or condition.

Consider a multivitamin. Vitamins C, E and the mineral zinc have been shown to promote eye health. Vitamins with Lutein and Zeaxanthin have been known to help patients with moderate to severe age-related macular degeneration.

Give your eyes a rest. If you spend a lot of time at the computer or focusing at any one distance, you sometimes forget to blink, resulting in dryness and eye fatigue. Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This can help reduce eyestrain. Consider using a lubricant eye drop during long periods of intense eye use and rest your eyes for 5 minutes.

You can’t stop time, but you can take care of your eyes so that they remain healthy as you age. Having a healthy vision can be possible at any age! Even if you are not experiencing vision problems, visiting an eye care professional regularly for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of vision loss as you age.

Download “Everyone’s vision can change with age”
A handout with explanation on how vision can change with age.

Blue Light: What Is It And How Does It Affect Your Eyes?

What Is Blue Light?

Blue light, also known as high-energy visible (HEV) light, is a color in the visible light spectrum that can be seen by human eyes. These wavelengths of visible and non-visible light are measured in nanometers (nm), and, in general, the shorter the wavelength, the higher the energy. Blue light is a short wavelength, which means it produces higher amounts of energy.

Unlike other forms of light, the eyes cannot effectively filter blue light, so more can pass through the eye to the retina. Blue light produces both benefits and concerns for our eyes and overall health.

Where Are You Exposed To Blue Light?

The largest source of blue light is sunlight. In addition, there are many other sources:

Fluorescent light
Fluorescent light bulbs
LED light
Flat screen LED televisions
Computer monitors, smart phones, and tablet screens

Blue light exposure you receive from screens is small compared to the amount of exposure from the sun. And yet, there is concern over the long-term effects of screen exposure because of the close proximity of the screens and the length of time spent looking at them. According to an NEI-funded study, children’s eyes absorb more blue light than adults from digital device screens.

Benefits of Blue Light?

Moderate amounts of blue light are essential for good health.

Promotes alertness
Boosts memory and cognitive function
Elevates mood
Regulates circadian rhythm

Blue Light and Digital Eyestrain

Using digital devices up close or for long periods can lead to digital eyestrain.

Research has shown that when people use computers, laptops, and other digital devices, they tend to blink less often than normal. Fewer blinks can mean less moisture.

Digital eyestrain means different things to different people, but is generally related to the focusing system of the eyes.

When your eyes are strained from staring at a blue-light-emitting screen, you might notice:

dry eyes
sore or irritated eyes
tired eyes
headaches
facial muscles fatigued by squinting

Blue light scatters more easily than most other visible light. This may make it difficult for your eye to focus when receiving blue light. Instead, your eye may digest blue light as poorly focused visual static. This reduction in contrast may make it more difficult for your eye to process blue light, potentially contributing to eyestrain.

Still, there isn’t enough evidence to confirm that blue light directly leads to eyestrain. More high-quality studies are needed.

How to Limit Blue Light Exposure

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends that you take the steps below to reduce digital eyestrain.

1. Practice the 20/20/20 strategy

While you’re using a device that emits blue light, stop every 20 minutes to focus on objects that are around 20 feet away. Study those objects for 20 seconds before you return to your up-close viewing.
Keep your eyes moist
Eye drops, such as artificial tears, and room humidifiers are all good ways to keep your eyes from becoming too dry and irritated while you’re using blue-light-emitting devices.

2. Use eyeglasses with the right prescription

Squinting at screens for long periods isn’t recommended for the overall health of your eyes. If you wear prescription eyeglasses to correct your vision, make sure you’re wearing a prescription intended for the distance between your eyes and your screen — ideally an arm’s length away. Most glasses are formulated for longer distances.

3. Adjust the blue light on your screen

To lower the risk of eyestrain and sleep disturbance, you may want to set your screens to a “night shift” setting with warmer tones. You can also purchase blue-light-filtering screens to slip over your computer screen when you’re working at night. The filter could cut the glare of your screen.

And a 2020 research study shows that they block 30 to 60 percent of blue light, though it isn’t clear whether blocking the blue will help preserve the sleep-wake cycle for those who use backlit screens before bedtime.

June is Cataract Awareness Month

National Cataract Awareness Month is celebrated in June. The awareness campaign promotes information about the eye condition that is the leading cause of treatable vision loss in the U.S. Yes, this is a scary fact, but no need to be frightened because cataracts are treatable with an outpatient surgery, which has over a 97% success rate.*

Vision loss from cataract is caused by clouding on the lens of the eye. Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a crystal-clear artificial lens. This common eye condition mostly affects people over 50 and the causes can range from simple aging, diabetes, long-term eye diseases, and eye injury/inflammation, to factors like hereditary influences, smoking, intake of certain oral steroids, and so forth.

Although there may be no early symptoms, patients may begin to notice:

cloudy or blurry vision
colors that look faded
difficulty seeing at night
a halo around lights, making night driving difficult
seeing double out of the affected eye
frequent changes of the prescription of eyeglasses or contact lenses

YOUR DIET IS VERY IMPORTANT

BE SURE TO HAVE AN ANNUAL EYE EXAM

By age 40, all adults should visit an eye specialist for a comprehensive eye exam to screen for early-stage cataracts and other eye diseases that are leading causes of low vision and even blindness. By age 65, a routine eye exam is recommended every year, in most cases to diagnose cataracts that are progressively clouding the lens. A comprehensive eye exam allows eye specialists to detect and monitor cataract progression as well as diagnosing other problems such as glaucoma. Patients should discuss with their eye specialist their vision problems and seek guidance about the timing of cataract surgery when worsening vision has compromised their quality of life and normal functioning.

LIVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

WHY WE PROMOTE CATARACT AWARENESS MONTH

It’s a celebration of sight – The ability to see the world clearly and in all its glory is something we shouldn’t take for granted. Millions upon millions of cells perform complex operations in our eyes to allow us the gift of sight. We should take care of our eyes and appreciate our glorious vision for what it is.

It’s a celebration of science – Science has not only explained to us how intricately our eyes work, but it has also revealed to us the many ways we can repair and treat them in case things go south. Medical advancements have ensured that about 80% of all eye diseases are treatable or can be prevented.

It’s a celebration of modern surgery – There’s “always” light at the end of the tunnel. Today’s cataract surgery is a modern day miracle developed by dedicated surgeons over the last five decades. For most of us it is a painless, outpatient surgery with rapid return of excellent vision.

* https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21472-cataract-surgery