Have you been surfing the web on your smartphone?  Recent study shows 2 causes of increased eyestrain.

Chances are you or someone you know uses a smartphone.  And, if you’re like most you find yourself using these little technology gadgets to do a majority of your online reading.  However, a note worthy study was published in July’s “Optometry and Visual Science,” stating that the visual demands created by viewing websites on your phone and found two surprising conditions that set the stage for eye strain.

The study first found that the average font size of a website viewed on a smartphone was about 30% smaller than newspaper print, but could also range as small as 70% compared to your local newspaper.

The second finding was that patients held their smartphones much closer than the recommended reading distance of 16 inches.  They found the average reading distance on a smartphone was about 12 inches, and with many patients viewing them as close as 8 inches away from their eyes.

Regrettably, both of these conditions cause a much higher focusing demand on the visual system and commonly can cause headaches, blurry or fluctuating vision, and significant eyestrain.

Although smartphones apparently are causing harm to our eyes, this doesn’t mean you have to throw away your iPhone or Android.  Instead, here are some tips for reducing these eyestrain conditions:

• Use the pinch-zoom function to magnify the text
• Try to magnify it enough, at a comfortable reading distance, to be able to hold it at least 16 inches away from your eyes
• Try to save heavy web surfing for a larger screen, such as a tablet or home-computer
• Always be sure to give your eyes a break no matter what size screen you use

Adapting your eyes to technology doesn’t have to be difficult if you are just aware of how much time to spend in front of the screen and away from the screen.  The physicians here a Valuvision care about your eyes and certainly hope these tips help you adapt more easily.

When your eye twitches, it feels like a sudden jerk that might seem a little disturbing. However, it’s actually a very common problem. Often, the twitching that you feel in your eye or eye lid is called “eyelid myokymia.” Myokymia is a local irritation of the nerve that controls some of the muscles around the eyelid. It typically involves rapid twitching of the eyelid which is not visible to the individual or to other observers. Although it may occur on multiple occasion throughout the day, this event is often brief and only lasts up to several days.

Some of the causes of myokymia include:

• Stress
• Fatigue
• Lack of Sleep
• Excessive Caffeine
• Excessive Alcohol Use
• Recent Illness

Although it’s a minor annoyance rather than a serious condition, there are some red flags in regards to myokymia. If you’re experiencing, pronounced flinching/twitching, numbness/tingling on one side of the face, or twitching on one side of the face, then you need to seek medical attention. These additional symptoms signal nervous issues that may be potentially serious.

For more information about myokymia or other eye conditions, contact the professional staff at Valuvision.

It is one question you should always be expected to answer when you visit an eye care professional for the first time, “Do you have any history of head trauma?”

Ever wonder why? Well, the fragile condition of the eyes makes trauma related with any amount of shock to the head. The incident in question could be as simple as a slip and fall or being involved in a serious car collision.

In terms of the visual effect of a head injury, there are numerous parts of the eye that could be effected by what you thought was a simple bump on the head.

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Wearing contact lenses can allow a person freedom from wearing lasses every day or just during social or sports events. However, contact lenses are by no means a replacement for glasses completely. A back up pair of glasses is always necessary for those times when the contact lenses are removed. Up-to-date eyeglasses should be kept alsoin the event that a person’s eyes are bothered by seasonal allergies, a cold, or other irritant. Contact lenses can be safely worn by most people whose eyes are healthy enough for contact lens wear, which can only be determined by your doctor. Contact lenses should never be purchased in beauty supply stores, salons, or flea markets. A contact lens is a medical device, regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and always requires an eye health evaluation in order to be safely worn. Read more »

Quality eye care is crucial to maintaining good eyesight. That is why you should always do good research when choosing the right optometrist. Out of the many eye doctors in Jacksonville, FL, Valuvision offers quality eye examinations, treatment for all different eye conditions, and prescriptions for glasses or contacts. Read more »

Acuvue Contacts for Presbyopia
Presbyopia is defined as a condition where the eye exhibits a progressively diminished ability to focus on near objects as we age. When we hit that magic age of 40, most of us begin to notice a difficulty focusing on our computer or reading. Read more »

Contacts for Astigmatism
At ValuVision, we strive to find you the best vision correction for your vision needs. Sometimes, the better option is contact lenses over glasses, although we always recommend having a back up pair of glasses. Instances where this is the case includes keratoconus (a cone-shaped cornea), a large degree of difference in prescription between the eyes, and for sports. Specially designed contact lenses are usually needed in these cases. Also, for cosmetic or corrective reasons, a special contact lens may need to be designed for a patient. Read more »

Order Contact Lenses Online
When soft contact lenses do not correct a patient’s vision to an acceptable point and they have a moderate degree of astigmatism, rigid gas permeable(or RGP) lenses are a much better option. First and foremost, any patient suspected of having keratoconus, and not simply astigmatism, should have a mapping of the corneal surface done, which is a corneal topography. This locates all of the irregular areas on the front of the eye which would prevent a contact lens from fitting well. Knowing where these areas are is crucial for the doctor to design a contact lens to properly fit the patient’s eyes. Read more »

Jacksonville’s Valuvision knows that having the option between a pair of glasses that is comfortable for an evening at home and for a night out on the town has become essential for regular eyeglass wearers. Valuvision offers contemporary brands like Gucci, Prada, Guess, Dior, and Bebe that stay on top of today’s newest fashion accessory trends.  Designers are developing new trends for eyewear glasses that are giving consumers alternative options for daytime and evening looks. Read more »

One of the most common complaints we hear as optometrists is a history of flashes and floaters.  Floaters, or as some people describe them as spots, are small, semi-transparent particles that float within the vitreous.  The vitreous is the jelly-like fluid that fills your eyes.  Floaters are usually harmless and are seen by many of us at one time or another. If you see a floater consistently, it is always a good idea to schedule an eye exam with you optometrist.

Visual floaters are usually more visible when you look at plain, lighted backgrounds and move as your eye moves. Read more »