Make Getting an Eye Exam Your New Year’s Resolution

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When New Year’s rolls around, most people make resolutions to focus on their health. This is a good idea, but you may be making the wrong resolution. If you’re focusing on losing weight or exercising more in the New Year, you may be overlooking a very important part of your health, and that is your vision. This year, in addition to the normal resolutions to get a little trimmer, consider making a resolution to protect your vision by scheduling a routine eye exam.

Screen for Diseases & Prevent Vision Loss

Why should you schedule a routine eye exam in the new year? An eye exam does much more than check your glasses prescription. It helps screen against disease and disorders that could put your vision and your overall health at risk.

One of these is glaucoma. Glaucoma has few symptoms in its early stages, but once it causes vision loss, the results are permanent. This is the second leading causing of blindness around the globe, and the best way to prevent it is to have your routine screening. If caught early, glaucoma’s effects can be reduced, helping to preserve your vision.

Though glaucoma is the most common problem that leads to vision loss, it is just one in a long list of potential diseases that could rob you of your vision. Many of these have few symptoms early on, and some can be treated if detected early. If you want to protect your vision, you need to start with your eye exam.

Protect Overall Health With Vision

Not only does your vision screening test for diseases that could cause you to lose your vision, but it also screens for vision problems that can be connected to other health problems, like hypertension and diabetes. Sometimes, the eye doctor is the first one to notice these problems, giving you the chance to get help from your medical doctor for these serious health concerns. By keeping your eye exam this year, you may get insight into things you can do to protect your overall health.

Schedule Your Eye Exam Today

If you want to schedule your eye exam for the new year, Visionary Eye Doctors is here to help. We offer eye exams to patients throughout Maryland and Washington, DC, DC. Our eye doctors are passionate about helping you protect your health, and this starts with routine eye exams.

Visit our Maryland or DC offices to have your eye exam. Schedule it now by calling (301) 591-1763. You can also contact us online for more information about our vision services. With the help of Visionary Eye Doctors, you can take the next step in protecting your vision, and your health, with routine eye examinations.

Preventing Dry Eyes in Winter

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When you think of winter, what comes to mind? Snow? Holidays? If you’re one of the millions of Americans suffering from dry eye syndrome, then chances are you think of that itchy, scratchy, uncomfortable feeling that comes along with the dryness of winter. While dry eye syndrome can be a complex issue requiring a mixture of treatment options, there are still a few things you can do to combat dry and uncomfortable eyes this winter season.

Tips to Relieve Dry Eyes

Eye Drops

There are a number of over-the-counter eye drops you can utilize to keep your eyes from drying out this winter. From your run-of-the-mill artificial tears to overnight eye gel, the options are nearly endless. While it might take a little trial and error to find the eye drops that work for you, one kind we do suggest avoiding is redness eliminating. These eye drops work by temporarily constricting blood vessels, thus making your eyes appear whiter. These types of eye drops can just cause further irritation in your eyes.

Warm Compresses

This technique not only helps with dry eyes, but can also prove to be a good winding down activity at the end of a busy day! Simply dampen a washcloth with warm – not hot – water and rest it on your eyes before bed.

Humidifiers

If your eyes are already prone to dryness, having dry air in your home is only going to make this worse. Turn to your trusty humidifier to keep the air in your bedroom full of moisture during the night. Having moisture in the air will help prevent your eyes from drying out during the night and make opening your eyes in the morning a little easier.

Sunglasses

Besides the sun, sunglasses can help protect your eyes from other elements as well. Keep harsh temperatures and strong winds out of your eyes by wearing sunglasses outside during the winter. Keep a few pairs in various locations so that you’re always prepared.

Prescription Treatments

If all else fails, turn to your trusted eye care professional for prescription treatments that can help relieve your dry eye symptoms. Visionary Eye Doctors’ EyeDry Center of Excellence is specifically focused on helping patients find relief. We create multifaceted treatment plans that include both prescription treatments and at-home remedies.

This winter, don’t just suffer through dry eyes. Test out a few or all of the suggestions above to seek relief from dry, scratchy eyes. And, if you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our dry eye experts, give us a call at (301) 591-1763.