Common Eye Questions to Discuss with Your Eye Doctor

Seeing an eye doctor is one of the best ways to maintain healthy eyes and good vision. Getting regular eye exams can spot problems early. Some conditions do not cause symptoms early on, but they can be found during an eye exam.

A trip to the eye doctor can also be a great time to get some questions answered. It might help to write down your questions before you go so you do not forget anything.
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Below are some common eye questions you may have. To expand on the answers, talk to your eye doctor at your next visit
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What is astigmatism and do glasses fix it? 

Astigmatism is caused when the cornea and lens in the eye have a different shape than normal, i.e., not evenly rounded but more football shaped. This prevents light rays from refracting properly and results in  blurred vision.

Glasses and contact lenses help by refocusing the light. Refractive surgery can also help by reshaping the cornea to affect how light travels through it. 
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What is the source of the gunk in your eyes when you wake up? 

Have you ever woken up with a crusty film on your eyelids or white mucus in your eye? That “sleep gunk” is very common. The gunk is a combination of exfoliated skin cells, mucus, and tears. Normally, during the day, blinking removes the gunk, but when you are sleeping, you are not blinking away the gunk. So, it tends to accumulate in your eyes or on your eyelids. 

What causes an eye twitch?

Most of us have felt that annoying eye twitch at one time or another, but is it serious? Usually, an eye twitch is nothing to worry about. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the cause of eye twitching is not known. One theory is that it starts in the motor nerves of the brain. It may occur more often if you are stressed, tired, or have dry eyes. In most cases, eye twitching only lasts a short time and goes away on its own. 

At what age should you have an eye exam? 

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, all adults should have a baseline eye exam by the age of 40. This is true even if you do not have any vision issues. If you have any vision problems, it is important to have an eye exam sooner. 

What eye symptoms should I watch for? 

The sooner you spot eye problems, the better it is. In some cases, early treatment can slow the progression of eye diseases. Knowing the signs to watch for is helpful. Eye symptoms, which may indicate a problem include:

• Dark spots in the center of your vision
• Double vision
• Eye pain
• Floaters
• Flashes of light
• A bump on the eyelid
• Decreased vision 

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How long can I use eye drops? 

There is no specific amount of time you can use eye drops. The amount of time you can safely use eye drops may depend on what you are using the drops for and the type of drops. If you are using prescription drops, talk to your doctor about how long you can use them. For over-the-counter drops, follow the package directions. 
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Can I get a broken blood vessel in the eye to heal quicker? 

If you ever got a busted blood vessel in your eye, you know it can look worse than it feels. The small amount of blood can spread over the white part of the eye and look dramatic. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to speed up the healing time. Usually, it resolves in a week.

We would be happy to answer any questions you have. If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.