HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Eye Conditions

  • Stye

    Eye Conditions

    Close up image of eye with a stye.

    A stye is an infection in a tiny gland of the eyelid.

    Illustration of a stye.

    Signs & Symptoms

    *  Red, painful bump or sore on an eyelid.

    *  Watery or tearing eye that burns and itches.

    *  The red bump may form a head and appears yellow if it contains pus. This usually drains on its own within days.

    Causes

    Sties form from clogged oil glands at the base of an eyelash.

    Treatment

    Most sties respond well to self-care and don’t need further treatment.

    Questions to Ask

    Self-Care / Prevention

    *  Wash your hands often.

    *  Don’t touch your eyes with your fingers. Use a tissue instead.

    *  Use clean washcloths and towels each time you wash your face.

    *  Don’t share washcloths, towels, makeup, or eye drops with others.

    *  Don’t expose your eyes to excessive dust or dirt.

    To Relieve the Discomfort of a Stye

    *  Apply warm (not hot), wet compresses to the affected area 3 to 4 times a day for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Use a clean washcloth each time.

    *  Don’t poke or squeeze the stye. A more serious infection could occur.

    *  If the stye drains on its own, gently wash the pus away with a clean, wet cloth.

    Healthier at Home book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Tips To Protect Your Eyes

    Eye Conditions

    Man smiling wearing dark sunglasses.

    Look cool and protect your eyes at the same time!

    *  Anytime your eyes are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, wear eyewear that protects your eyes. Do this when it is sunny and even on cloudy days. Choose sunglasses that block 99 to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays.

    *  Pick the color lenses you want, but make sure they have UV protection.

    *  Take sunglasses you already have to your eye doctor or to an optical shop. A UV meter can measure the amount of UV a lens can absorb.

    *  The sun’s UV rays are the most harmful between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

    *  Reflected glare from snow or ice doubles the risk of UV damage.

    *  If you wear contact lenses, choose ones with UV protection and wear sunglasses that have it, too. These protect eye tissue that the contact lenses do not cover.

    Health at Home Lifetime book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Avoiding Digital Eye Strain

    WORK LIFE

    Image of man working on computer.

    Many people spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen at their job. And when we’re not at our desks, we may be looking at a smartphone or tablet or watching TV. All of these digital screens add up to a lot of strain on the eyes. Viewing a digital screen is hard on the eyes due to glare and reflections. Most screens also have less defined letters than printed paper, making them harder to read.

    Digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome, may cause dry eyes or blurred vision, but it can affect other areas of the body as well. Some people also experience headaches and neck and shoulder pain. If these symptoms bother you when you’re using a digital screen, you may have digital eye strain.

    When you are viewing a screen for long periods, protect your eyes from strain by following these tips:

    *  Keep your screen about four to five inches below eye level.

    *  Avoid glare by moving the screen away from windows and bright lights. Consider a screen glare filter if needed.

    *  Rest your eyes throughout the day with the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

    *  Think about blinking. Many people blink less frequently while viewing a screen. Be intentional about blinking so your eyes stay moist.

    *  Get regular eye exams from a qualified doctor or optometrist. Be sure to tell your doctor if you notice any symptoms of digital eye strain or vision changes.

    Source: American Optometric Association

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine