Have you invested in protective eyewear to keep your eyes safe? The types of eyewear you have will depend on your activities as well as your visual needs. Computer glasses are used to protect the eyes from damaging blue-light rays. Sunglasses protect the eyes from harmful UV rays that can damage your vision and cause cancer. There is even special eyewear for playing sports. When it comes to the eyes, one thing is clear: they must be protected.

You may have heard of nearsightedness and farsightedness before, but what are they really? Both are some of the most common forms of visual problems we encounter in our office and are very common among patients. Nearsightedness means that people can see objects clearly up close, but objects farther away are blurry. Farsightedness is its opposite as objects farther away will be clear, while those close are blurry.

A vision type can be as unique to a person as their personality or sense of style. It is different in every single patient, but some visual conditions are quite common. Many of our patients have nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism or near-perfect eyesight. What is the best vision type and what is the worst? At Optical Masters, we perform comprehensive exams that help us keep your eyes healthy.

Glasses and contact lenses are generally worn to improve overall vision in our patients. What about our sunglasses though? We stress the importance of eye protection for a reason, and that reason is to save your eyesight! Proper sunwear can only be obtained through a professional, as not all glasses block out 100% of harmful UV rays. Sunglasses will not only protect your eyes from UV damage, but proper eye protection can protect your eyes from injury during exercise and physical activity. Choosing sunglasses for the sports you participate in can also give you a leg up over the competition.

Glasses and contact lenses are generally worn to improve overall vision in our patients. What about our sunglasses though? We stress the importance of eye protection for a reason, and that reason is to save your eyesight! Proper sunwear can only be obtained through a professional, as not all glasses block out 100% of harmful UV rays. Sunglasses will not only protect your eyes from UV damage, but proper eye protection can protect your eyes from injury during exercise and physical activity. Choosing sunglasses for the sports you participate in can also give you a leg up over the competition.

You move water across your vision when you blink to wash away debris, stabilize your visual field, lubricate and protect against infection. What happens when you don’t produce enough tears though? Dry eye can become a serious problem, as damage to the cornea can occur without proper lubrication. We recommend using artificial tears as the primary treatment for dry eye.

There are dozens of conditions and diseases that could affect the eyes. How do you prevent eye diseases from forming? And how do you combat or slow the progression of eye conditions that you already have? According to the American Macular Degeneration Association, macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss. Certain actions can help prevent and slow the progression of macular and many other eye problems such as glaucoma and cataracts. Knowledge and prevention always key when it comes to eye health though.

How often should you see your eye doctor? How often should you with glasses or contact lenses? What about when it comes to children? These are questions we frequently receive when it comes to eye exams. An eye examination is vitally important to your health, as the exam can provide early detection for many eye conditions, diseases and changes in vision.

Nobody plans for an eye emergency, but they happen, and usually not at a time that is convenient. Eye emergencies can be caused by any number of reasons such as allergic reaction, trauma, chemical injuries, injuries to the cornea or foreign object in the eye, and eyelid lacerations. The good news is that many eye emergencies can be treated without permanent damage.

Optimum eye health throughout your life can be achieved by ensuring you are doing your part. Vision is one of--if not the--most important of the five senses. It doesn’t take much to damage your vision, but it also doesn’t take much to preserve it. Learn what you can be doing to ensure your eye health stays stable throughout your life.