Lehigh Valley Center For Sight

Coronavirus (COVID-19) can cause mild to severe respiratory illness . Symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and pink eye can show up 2 to 14 days after a person is exposed. People with severe infections can develop pneumonia and even die from complications of the illness. To cut your personal risk of contracting the COVID-19, avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth and face with unwashed hands. It is the mucous membranes (membranes that line various cavities in the body) that are most susceptible to transmission of the virus. To avoid infecting others with the coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the use of face masks to be worn when out in public. Face masks can reduce the spread of coronavirus by people who are infected but have no symptoms of the virus (asymptomatic). Face masks, however, do not protect your eyes from infection. Here are a few tips on how to protect yourself and others: 1. Practice safe hygiene and soci...

Having well lubricated eyes can help you see and keep your eyes comfortable and healthy. You don’t appreciate the natural tears that keep your eyes comfortable until, for some reason, you lack them or don’t have enough. Eye drops are something you should always have on hand in case you suffer eye irritation. Eye drops normally use saline as the main ingredient. They can keep your eyes wet and comfortable and may contain pharmaceuticals to help you treat an eye condition or recover from an injury. They are used for many reasons. Conjunctivitis (pinkeye): This is an infection or irritation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane lining your eyelid which covers your eye. If it’s a bacterial or viral infection you may be prescribed antibiotic drops. If allergies, smoke or chemicals are the cause you may get anti-inflammatory eye drops. Contact lens re-wetting : It’s common for those wearing contact lenses to have eyes that feel dry or gritty. Drops can help. Choose one designed for use...

As America’s population ages overall, the number of people with eye conditions and disease will increase. Currently the number of us dealing with vision problems is already staggering. If you’re coping with vision problems, you’re not alone. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology , Nearly 1.3 million Americans forty and older are legally blind. About 8% of men and 0.5% of women with Northern European ancestry have the most common form of color blindness. The incidence is lower in almost all other populations. Cataracts impact more than 24.4 million Americans age forty and older, almost twice the number of people living in Pennsylvania. About half of all Americans will have cataracts by the time they reach 75. Glaucoma affects more than 2.7 million Americans age forty and older. Each year about 2.4 million eye injuries happen in the US. Use of protective eyewear can prevent 90% of eye injuries. More than a third of all such injuries happen to those 18 to 45 ...

How To Protect Your Vision There are no guarantees taking certain steps will prevent vision loss or blindness, but they can reduce the chances of it happening. Once you start these healthy vision habits, hopefully you’ll stick to them and enjoy your vision for years to come. Food is your body’s fuel. Without the proper fuel, it can’t function well. That’s true for any organ, whether it’s your heart, kidneys or eyes. A well-balanced diet and exercise should also help stay at a healthy weight. If you can avoid obesity your reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes , the leading cause of blindness in adults. The dangers of smoking are mostly known for increasing the chances of cancer, heart attacks and emphysema. But tobacco use also increases the risk of suffering cataracts , may damage your optic nerve and cause macular degeneration . If you want to quit but have failed in the past, see your physician to get help. Sunglasses may protect your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. ...

Glaucoma is often called the "sneak thief of vision", as it can go unnoticed until it’s too late. It is a leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 60. Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve and the condition deteriorates over time. It is caused by fluid buildup in the frontal part of the eye. And the increased fluid in turn increases the pressure in the eye, thereby damaging the optic nerve. The damage can lead to permanent blindness within a few years. Types of Glaucoma: Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: Also called wide angled glaucoma, it is the most common type of Glaucoma. The eye does not drain fluid like it should in this case. As a result of this, pressure in the eye builds up and starts to damage the optic nerve. This type of Glaucoma is painless and doesn’t affect your vision if treated early. Regular eye exams are recommended over the age of 60 to detect the early onset of glaucoma. Angle Closure Glaucoma or Closed Angle Glaucoma : This type of glau...