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Are You Susceptible To Vision Loss?

Ask Our Eye Doctor in Fayetteville, North Carolina, how To Prevent Vision Loss

Vision loss is more common than you may think! In fact, it’s among the most prevalent disabilities in adults and children. Knowing what puts you at risk of developing vision loss is important and can help you to be proactive about caring for your eyes.

Below, we’ll explore the most common causes of vision loss and the risk factors associated with each.

Spreading awareness and education about visual health is just one way that our eye doctors near you can help. To schedule your Comprehensive eye exam, call us today 910-860-2020.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases caused by a buildup of pressure within the eye. Too much inner-eye pressure can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss.

Since symptoms don’t usually manifest in the early stages of glaucoma, getting regular eye exams is all the more crucial. Advanced or rapidly progressing glaucoma can show a variety of symptoms, such as blurred vision, headache, severe eye pain and redness, seeing halos around lights, and nausea.

Risk factors for developing glaucoma include:

Being 60 years or older
Family history of glaucoma
African, Asian, or Hispanic descent
High myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness)
Previous eye injury or certain eye surgeries
Certain medications, like corticosteroids
Thin corneas
Certain medical conditions, like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and sickle-cell anemia

Cataracts

Cataracts occur when the eye’s lens becomes cloudy. A healthy lens is clear and allows light to pass through it undisturbed.

Common cataract symptoms include cloudy or blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, light sensitivity, double vision in the affected eye, and seeing colors as faded or yellowish.

Risk factors for developing cataracts include:

Aging
Diabetes
Hypertension
Smoking
Previous eye surgery, injury, or inflammation
Alcoholism
Extended use of corticosteroids

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over the age of 60. It occurs when the macula (the small central portion of the retina, which is responsible for sharp, colorful, central vision) begins to wear down.

Early stages of AMD usually go unnoticed, but later stages of the disease can produce symptoms like blurred vision, dark or blurry areas in your central vision, and problems with color perception.

There’s not yet a cure for AMD, but certain treatments can help prevent vision loss.

Risk factors for developing AMD include:

Smoking
Obesity
Aging
Long-term sun exposure
Hypertension
Heart disease
Family history of AMD
Light-colored eyes
Farsightedness

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of Type 1 or 2 diabetes that affects the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye called the retina.

Initially, diabetic retinopathy shows no symptoms but can eventually lead to blindness. As it develops, it can cause increased floaters, impaired color vision, dark spots in your visual field, and blurred vision.

Risk factors for developing diabetic retinopathy include:

Length of time from diabetes diagnosis — the longer you’ve had it, the higher your chances of developing visual complications
Uncontrolled blood sugar
Obesity
High cholesterol or blood pressure
Pregnancy
Smoking
African American, Hispanic, and Native American ethnicities
Family history of DR

So, what’s the bottom line?

Multiple factors contribute to eye disease and vision loss, and some may even be relevant to you. If you think you may be at risk for vision loss or experience any of the symptoms listed above, speak with your eye doctor in Fayetteville as soon as possible. We also recommend you have your eyes thoroughly examined every 1-2 years, or as often as your eye doctor recommends. To schedule your comprehensive eye exam, call Advanced Eye Care today.

Book an eye exam at an eye clinic near you to learn more about your candidacy for contact lenses and which type is right for you.

Advanced Eye Care, your Fayetteville eye doctor for eye exams and Contact lenses

Alternatively, book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Can blindness be prevented?

When caught early, many eye diseases can be treated to halt or slow the progression of the disease and potentially prevent vision loss. The best things you can do to preserve your vision for the long term is to lead a healthy lifestyle and make sure you undergo a comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years.

Which eye diseases are genetically inherited?

More than 350 ocular diseases have some sort of genetic component. Certain diseases, like retinitis pigmentosa and albinism, are directly inherited through chromosomal information. In other cases, a predisposition to the disease is inherited, rather than the disease itself.

Are Contact Lenses Safe For Young Children?

Here’s a question we often get at our practice: Is my child too young for contact lenses?’ This is an important question, and the answer may surprise you.

For children with myopia (nearsightedness), contact lenses can be a convenient method of vision correction. It allows kids to go about their day without having to worry about breaking or misplacing their glasses, and enables them to freely participate in sports and other physical activities.

Local Contact lens supplier near you in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Some children and young teens may ask their parents for contact lenses because they feel self-conscious wearing glasses. Contact lenses may even provide children with the confidence boost they need to come out of their shell. Moreover, these days, it is very popular for children to wear single-use one-day disposable soft contacts, since there is no cleaning or maintenance involved.

Some parents may deny their child’s request for contacts due to concerns about eye health and safety. There’s no reason to worry: contact lenses are just as safe for children as they are for anyone else.

Advanced Eye Care Eye Clinic and Eye exam, contact lenses, myopia in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Our Fayetteville eye doctor has prepared the following answers to your questions about eye disease.

At Advanced Eye Care, we provide children, teens, and patients of all ages with a wide variety of contact lenses. If you’re concerned about the safety of contacts for your child, we’ll be happy to explain and explore ways to ensure maximum safety, optimal eye health and comfort. To learn more or to schedule a pediatric eye exam for contact lenses, contact us today.

What Are the Risks of Having My Child Wear Contact Lenses?

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A study published in the January 2021 issue of The Journal of Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics found that kids aren’t at a higher risk of experiencing contact lens complications.

The study followed nearly 1000 children aged 8-16 over the course of 1.5-3 years to determine how contact lenses affected their eye health.

The results indicate that age doesn’t have an effect on contact lens safety. In fact, the researchers found that the risk of developing infections or other adverse reactions was less than 1% per year of wear — which is comparable to contact lens wearers of other ages.

But before you decide that contact lenses are right for your child, you may want to consider whether your child is ready to wear them. During his or her eye doctor’s appointment, the optometrist may ask about your child’s level of maturity, responsibility, and personal hygiene. Since many children are highly motivated to wear contacts, they tend to display real maturity in caring for their lenses. That said, in the initial stages, parents may need to play an active role, as their child gets used to inserting and removing the new contact lenses.

It’s important to note that just as with any other medical device, contact lenses are not risk-free. Anyone who wears contact lenses has a chance of developing eye infections or other complications with contact lenses. However, when worn and cared for according to your eye doctor’s instructions, contact lenses are low-risk and perfectly safe for children and teenagers.

So, go ahead and bring your child in for a contact lens consultation! We’ll help determine if your child is ready for contacts and answer any questions you or your child may have. To schedule your child’s contact lens fitting or eye exam, contact Advanced Eye Care in Fayetteville today.

Call Advanced Eye Care on 910-853-6097 to schedule an eye exam with our Fayetteville optometrist.

Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

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Summer Heat Wave and Your Eyes

Protect Children’s Eyes During Sports

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School and Vision: 2 Important Partners

Help! My Child Doesn’t Want to Wear Glasses!

Do your kids need glasses in order to see clearly? Maybe they have a strong case of nearsightedness, perhaps they have astigmatism, or another type of refractive error. Whatever the cause, getting your kids to wear eyeglasses can be a parenting challenge.

Dr. Kerry Reeves treat patients from all over Fayetteville, North Carolina with their vision correction needs. The knowledgeable, caring staff at Advanced Eye Care can help you and your kids if they’re struggling with their glasses or don’t want to wear them.

Why Won’t My Child Wear His or Her Glasses?

To help your children get the best vision possible, you first need to understand why they’re fighting with you over their glasses. It usually stems from something physical, emotional, or social, such as:

Wrong fit
Wrong prescription
Personal style
Reactions from friends

How do you know which it is? Pay close attention to the signs, from what your kids say, to how they behave, to how they interact with others.

Physical

Improper fit is a big reason why glasses could feel uncomfortable. If they slip down, itch behind the ears, or put pressure on the bridge of the nose, it can explain why a child wouldn’t like to wear them.

If there’s been a big change to their prescription, they may need time to get used to it. If they were given the wrong prescription, they may be straining their eyes, getting headaches, or having eye fatigue. An incorrect prescription can make wearing glasses painful or awkward. It doesn’t correct their vision, either, so they’ll still see blurry images. When this happens, youreye doctor can check the prescription and make an adjustment.

Emotional

Your kids at home aren’t the same as your kids in school, on the sports field, or with their friends. They may be afraid of being made fun of in school, or they may not want the sudden attention on their appearance. These feelings can be even stronger among the tween and teen set.

Social

Even young kids can feel different when they put on a pair of glasses, especially if it’s for the first time. Feeling different or weird, in their eyes, translates to a negative experience. When wearing glasses makes them feel like the odd man out, they may not want to wear them. The last thing your child wants is to feel like a social outcast. After all, everyone wants to belong.

How We Can Help

First, bring your child in to the eye doctor for an eye exam. Our optometrist, Dr. Kerry Reeves, will check to make sure that your child has the right prescription and that any vision problems are being corrected. Next, we’ll take a look at the glasses and place them on your child’s face to determine if they’ve got the proper fit. Our optician will take care of any adjustments that need to be made.

The Vision They Need, The Style They Want

Fashion isn’t only for adults. Your budding fashionista or trendy young stud wants to look awesome, so don’t forget about style. When your kids look great, they’ll feel great! Give them the top-quality eyewear they need without compromising on style. Your kids are a lot more likely to wear glasses when they like the way they look.

What You Can Do to Help

Encourage, stay positive, and don’t give up. Avoid telling them what you want them to wear. Let them choose for themselves. In the end, they’re the ones wearing the glasses. Making decisions is an important life skill, something they’ll need as they grow up and become more independent.

For younger children, use positive words to encourage them. Talk about how glasses are like magic, letting them see beautiful things around them. Show them how a pretty flower or a bright red truck looks with the glasses on, and how different it looks with the glasses off. For older kids, throw in a little pop culture. Tell them how trendy they’ll look by showing them pictures of celebrities who also wear glasses. You’ll also rack up some cool parent points.

At Advanced Eye Care, we have the experience and unique approach to children’s eyewear that will make your kids want to wear their glasses. Schedule an eye exam today – you can book an appointment online right here. If you have any questions or concerns, give us a call and we’ll be glad to help.

10 Eye Care Tips for Healthy Vision

Eye Clinic near you in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Do you eat healthily and work out to keep your body in shape? Did you know that there are specific ways to keep your eyes strong too? You need your eyes for just about everything you do, and vision changes – such as painful vision or seeing blurry – can be extremely frightening. At our eye care center in Fayetteville, we make it our mission to help you see clearly and comfortably for as many years as possible.

Local Contact lens supplier near you in Fayetteville, North Carolina

To ensure that you are armed with all the info you need for powerful peepers, we outlined the following tips:

Eat Well for Your Eyes Specific nutrients are particularly beneficial for healthy eyesight, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zinc. The good news is that it’s not too hard to find foods rich in these nutrients. Snack on some berries and nuts, slice the avocado into your sandwich, choose brown rice and quinoa instead of white grains, make a fresh salad with kale and chard, drizzle flaxseed oil as a dressing, steam some broccoli, and eat an orange daily. Fish is a great source of eye-healthy omega-3s, including salmon, mackerel, tuna, and super-food sardines.
Book Regular Eye Exams Don’t wait until you have a problem before scheduling an eye exam in Fayetteville. Many eye problems don’t have symptoms at the beginning. By the time you notice them, they will have advanced to a more serious stage. Eye diseases such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration can stay silent for a long time. However, when they are detected early – treatment is much more effective. Also, if you wear prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, an eye exam will confirm that you still have sharp vision.
No Smoking Smoking is linked to a very long list of health problems, as you probably know. Yet, you may not know that eye disease is also on that list. Smoking can cause an increased risk for cataracts, optic nerve damage and macular degeneration – all of which can lead to blindness.
Blink and Blink Again All screens, be it your computer, TV, smartphone or tablet, encourage us to stare at one spot for hours. In fact, a recent study found that people in the US look at screens for more than 7 sevens per day, on average! How does this hurt your eyes? The more time you spend gazing at one spot, the higher your chances of digital eye strain and fatigue. Our Boca Raton and Fayetteville eye doctor remind you to blink frequently, and to follow the 20-20-20 rule: look up and into the distance 20 feet away, for about 20 seconds, every 20 minutes.
Block Your Eyes from the Sun Just like you slather on sunscreen to protect your skin, remember to put on a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. The sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays have a cumulative effect and can raise your chances of eye disease in the future. Wearing shades today can positively impact your eye health years later. Make sure that you purchase sunglasses that block a minimum of 99% of the rays.
Take Care of Your Contacts If you wear contact lenses, your risk of eye health complications increases considerably. Not adhering to the disinfecting routine and/or wearing schedule that your eye doctor in Boca Raton and Fayetteville advises can introduce dangerous debris and bacteria into your eyes. This can lead easily to an eye infection. If you wear disposables (dailies or weekly), toss them out when you’re supposed to.
Stay a Healthy Weight & Stay in Motion Exercise can help to prevent and control many health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Also, if you are overweight or obese, you are at a higher risk of developing these diseases, which put you at an increased chance of getting glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.
Know Your Family Eye History A number of eye diseases are inherited, so it’s a good idea to find out if any family members had them. This information will help our eye doctor in Boca Raton and Fayetteville to personalize your eye care.
Put on Protective Eyewear Do you play sports that have sticks or racquets, such as lacrosse, ice hockey, and racquetball? All activities with swinging sticks can lead easily to eye damage. Whizzing balls are another hazard. Check out the selection of protective eyewear, such as safety glasses and sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses, in our fully stocked center for eye care in Fayetteville. This advice also rings true for people who work with airborne materials or hazardous substances.
Sip a Fresh Brew Caffeine appears to work as more than a pick-me-up in the middle of a long day. According to medical experts, drinking two servings of caffeinated drinks each day may offer protection against dry eye syndrome. Coffee, tea, or soda, the choice is yours!

Value your vision! Healthy eyes are an important part of a healthy body, and they play a major role in your quality of life. For more guidance on how to keep your eyes healthy, reserve an appointment and eye exam in our Fayetteville practice.

Advanced Eye Care Eye Clinic and Eye Clinic in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Book Regular Eye Exams with our Advanced Eye Care Eye Doctor!

Local Eye Clinic in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Read what our patients have to say on Google Reviews

Dry Eye Treatment

Dry eyes can lead to many uncomfortable or painful symptoms that can disturb your daily tasks. For example, driving, reading, and using a computer may become a challenge due to irritated, dry eyes. Because the cause of dry eye syndrome is highly individual, it is essential to undergo a thorough Advanced Eye Care eye exam to identify the cause. Once we have the results of your exam, our optometrist will design the most helpful dry eye treatment. Your dry eye therapy may include lid wipes, artificial tears eye drops, heat compresses and Bruder masks, or Restasis eye drops.

Myopia Correction & Myopia Control

Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, can be corrected efficiently with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Our Advanced Eye Care eye care specialist will perform detailed vision testing to determine your precise prescription, so you enjoy the clearest eyesight possible! For children with high myopia that worsens continuously, our eye doctor may recommend various methods of myopia control, such as soft multifocal contacts, Zeiss Myokids lenses, MiSight contact lenses from Coopervision, and vision therapy.

Specialty Contacts: Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus

Our Advanced Eye Care eye doctor is competent in fitting contacts for even the most complex, hard-to-fit vision conditions, such as keratoconus. If you have this corneal disorder, Dr. Kerry Reeves will map your cornea using the latest technology – so you benefit from the comfort of scleral lenses with a precise fit. Nowadays, almost everyone can wear contacts, and we are experienced in performing contact lenses fittings and eye exams in our Advanced Eye Care office.

LASIK Co-Management

Do you want crystal-clear vision without the nuisance of eyeglasses or contacts? Ask us about our convenient co-management services for LASIK surgery and other refractive procedures. We offer complete preoperative and postoperative care in the comfort of our convenient center for eye care in Advanced Eye Care. You will receive top-notch, personalized attention from the eye doctor who knows you best.

Our eye doctor looks forward to seeing you! Call to book an eye exam or stop in anytime to find the perfect pair of high-quality, designer frames. We are the leading eye care center near you in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Call Advanced Eye Care on 910-853-6097 to schedule an eye exam with our Fayetteville optometrist. Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Just in case you missed them, here are some of our previous blog posts :

Decorative Lenses Could Cost You Your Vision

Is Too Much Screen Time Dangerous For Your Kids?

Why Are Dilated Eye Exams So Important?

Protect Your Eyes From Vision Loss: Diabetes Awareness Month

Do I have Eye Allergies?

Know the symptoms of seasonal eye allergies and how to get rid of this pesky problem

As the weather warms, flower buds are opening, and your neighbors are dragging their lawnmowers out for an annual spring tune-up. And suddenly you find a need to rub your itchy, red, and sore eyes constantly. Yep, it’s that time of year again – the time that seasonal allergies blossom with the trees.

Nasal symptoms of seasonal allergies, like a runny nose and sneezing, usually get all the attention, but actually, eye allergies (your eye doctor may call it “allergic conjunctivitis”) are pretty common – affecting millions of people in the US. Grass allergy and pollen in the eyes are the primary cause of eye irritation. What’s the best treatment? And how can you get rid of your eye allergies?

Local Contact lens supplier near you in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Eye exam to diagnose eye allergies in Fayetteville, North Carolina eye doctor’s tips on how to recognize and relieve allergies.

The ocular symptoms of your seasonal allergies are caused when your body’s immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to an environmental trigger that’s really harmless. That trigger, called an allergen, makes contact with antibodies in your eyes – and these cells respond by releasing histamine. Histamine and other natural chemicals cause tiny blood vessels in your eyes to leak, which can lead to redness, itchiness, burning, inflammation, and watery eyes. The symptoms can range from mild to severe enough to interfere with your clear vision. Rest assured – eye allergies are not dangerous, as annoying as they can be.

However, these symptoms alone are not enough to blame seasonal allergies. All of these signs are not unique to eye allergies and could point to several different eye diseases. That’s why a precise diagnosis is imperative! Our Fayetteville, North Carolina eye doctor will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your eyes to identify the cause of the irritation.

Advanced Eye Care Eye Clinic and seasonal allergies in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Avoid your trigger to get rid of eye allergies

Grass allergy and pollen in your eyes are the most typical triggers for seasonal eye allergies, often called hay fever. Since that’s the case, you’re probably wondering how you can possibly avoid these widespread allergens. Before you lock yourself in your room and wait for the seasons to change, our eye doctor recommends:

Keep windows closed when the pollen count is high. Use a/c in your home, office, and the car in order to clean the air around you.
Do not rub your eyes! This spreads the pollen (and irritation!) all over.
When you are outdoors, always wear glasses and sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes. Don’t wear your contacts! Contact lenses can exacerbate eye allergies because they are a great surface for pollen to cling to and pile up.
When you return indoors after being exposed to seasonal allergens, rinse your eyes with saline drops.
Clean your floors with a damp rag, instead of sweeping with a dry broom that pushes any pollen that’s settled back into the air.

Local seasonal allergies in Fayetteville, North Carolina

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What’s the best treatment for eye allergies?

Some of the symptoms can be managed with nonprescription drugs, especially if your eye allergies are mild. Try using artificial tears to keep your ocular surface clean. Decongestant eye drops may also help, however, it’s not a good idea to use these for more than a few days since they can worsen your condition with prolonged use.

What about antihistamines for red eyes and seasonal allergies? Antihistamine eye drops, mast cell stabilizer eye drops, corticosteroid eye drops, and NSAID eye drops are accepted short-term treatment for eye allergies. Because these are all prescription drugs, you will need to visit your eye doctor (and possibly an allergist too) to determine which medication is most suitable for you. Some non-sedating oral histamines may also be effective at relieving your symptoms, but they can dry out eyes – thereby making the irritation worse. If your seasonal allergies are extreme and get in the way of functional living, immunotherapy allergy shots or tablets may offer long-term relief.

Are seasonal allergies disrupting your life?

Visit Advanced Eye Care for more tips on how to enjoy clear and comfortable vision in Fayetteville, North Carolina, all year-round! Call Advanced Eye Care on 910-853-6097 to schedule an eye exam with our Fayetteville optometrist. Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Just in case you missed them, here are some of our previous blog posts :

Ask Our Eye Doctor in Fayetteville, North Carolina, how To Prevent Vision Loss

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

So, what’s the bottom line?

Advanced Eye Care, your Fayetteville eye doctor for eye exams and Contact lenses

Advanced Eye Care Eye Clinic and Eye exam, contact lenses, myopia in Fayetteville, North Carolina

What Are the Risks of Having My Child Wear Contact Lenses?

Why Won’t My Child Wear His or Her Glasses?

Physical

Emotional

Social

How We Can Help

The Vision They Need, The Style They Want

What You Can Do to Help

Eye Clinic near you in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Advanced Eye Care Eye Clinic and Eye Clinic in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Book Regular Eye Exams with our Advanced Eye Care Eye Doctor!

Dry Eye Treatment

Myopia Correction & Myopia Control

Specialty Contacts: Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus

LASIK Co-Management

Know the symptoms of seasonal eye allergies and how to get rid of this pesky problem

Eye exam to diagnose eye allergies in Fayetteville, North Carolina eye doctor’s tips on how to recognize and relieve allergies.

Advanced Eye Care Eye Clinic and seasonal allergies in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Avoid your trigger to get rid of eye allergies

What’s the best treatment for eye allergies?

Are seasonal allergies disrupting your life?

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