What are the signs of pink eye? Can these signs be similar to other signs of eye issues? Exactly how long does it take for pink eye to show up so that you can be sure of what you’re dealing with? 

If your child has recently come home from school complaining that their eye is bothering them, chances are that you may be Googling questions like these at a frantic pace. 

Find the answers to questions like “What are the signs of pink eye?” and more, in Eye Center of Texas’s overview of all things pink eye. 

What is pink eye? 

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is the inflammation of the clear tissue that covers the white part of your eye (aka the conjunctiva). Inflammation may be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, allergies, irritants, your eyes’ negative reaction to eye drops, or even prolonged contact wear. Sexually transmitted diseases can cause rare and dangerous versions of conjunctivitis. 

Note: when most patients and doctors refer to pink eye, they’re likely talking about viral pink eye, which is by far the most common type of pink eye. 

OK, what are the signs of pink eye? 

Your pink eye symptoms will vary according to the cause behind the inflammation. However, we can create a general list of pink eye symptoms to answer the question, “What are the signs of pink eye?”

Typical pink eye symptoms include:

• Swollen, irritated conjunctiva
• Itchy, burning eyes 
• Blurred vision and sensitivity to light 
• Green, yellow, or white discharge (removable with a warm washcloth). 
• Frequent tears 

If you or your child has a viral pink eye infection, they might also experience swollen lymph nodes. (This is true particularly for the nodes found beneath your jaw or near the front of your ear). 

How do you know if you have pink eye or “just allergies?”

Technically, if the conjunctiva of your eye is inflamed because of allergies, that is still considered pink eye. 

That said, it can be difficult to tell the difference between pink eye caused by allergies vs. pink eye caused by a virus. For that reason, if you want to know whether your pink eye is caused by allergies, a viral/bacterial infection, or other irritants, it’s best to visit your optometrist. 

If your doctor tells you that your child’s or your conjunctivitis is caused by irritants, you may find the following resources to be helpful: 

• Most Common Vision Problems 
• Itchy, Dry Eyes in Winter
• Does Looking At Your Phone Hurt Your Eyes? 
• How to Protect Your Eyes in Summer?  
• Are Computer Glasses Helpful?

Is pink eye contagious? How do you treat pink eye? 

Once people have the answer to the question, “What are the signs of pink eye?” their follow-up questions tend to be something along the lines of, “How long is pink eye contagious?” or “Can you go to school with pink eye?”

The answers to these questions depend on what kind of pink eye you have.

Bacterial conjunctivitis: Bacterial conjunctivitis, the type of conjunctivitis that is typically brought on by the same bacteria that causes strep throat, is contagious once symptoms appear. Bacterial conjunctivitis is treatable with antibiotics. After the first 24 hours of antibiotics, bacterial conjunctivitis ceases to be contagious, and patients may return to normal activities. 

Viral conjunctivitis: Unfortunately, the most common type of pink eye is also highly contagious It cannot be treated by antibiotics and must wait for it to run its course before you are no longer contagious. Viral pink eye is also often accompanied by a cold or other sinus issues. 

Conjunctivitis caused by allergies/other irritants: These types of pink eye are not contagious and can be treated using allergy medication and limiting your exposure to the offending irritants. 

How long does pink eye last? If possible, how do you get rid of pink eye overnight?

Again, your pink eye’s incubation time will depend on the type of conjunctivitis you have. 

It is not possible to get rid of pink eye caused by a virus or bacteria overnight. With the help of antibiotics, patients will likely experience relief from pink eye caused by bacteria in a few days. Pink eye caused by a virus must run its course — typically 10–14 days — before symptoms clear.

Patients with allergic conjunctivitis can experience relief from symptoms within 24 hours by avoiding allergens and irritants and/or using doctor-prescribed medication. 

What kind of eye doctor should I see for pink eye?

If you or your child has pink eye, it’s best to visit an optometrist as soon as possible. Doing so means you will get an accurate diagnosis of what’s causing your conjunctivitis. Please visit our optometrist webpage to find a suitable optometrist near you (and check out our page on the difference between optometrists and ophthalmologists if you need clarification). 

If you’ve been told your vision problems are not due to pink eye, but another eye disease, Eye Center of Texas is here to help.  Request an appointment online or call Eye Center of Texas today at 713-797-1010.

Other Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas: 

• One Student’s Account of LASIK
• Cataract Surgery in Both Eyes at Once? 
• How Many Times Can You Have LASIK? 
• Caring for Someone Who Has Had LASIK
• Why Use Preservative-Free Eye Drops After LASIK

Knowing how to protect your eyes during summer probably doesn’t top your list of summer plans; however, learning how to protect your eyes now means you’ll have good eye health for many summers to come. The following are simple, easy steps you can take to make sure your eyes remain in good condition.

1. Shield them from the sun

If you’re wondering how to protect your eyes during summer, the BEST thing you can do is to wear eye protection in all its various forms. This tip may seem like a no-brainer, but it never hurts to get a nudge from your friendly eye surgeon to wear eye protection. UV light eye damage increases your likelihood of cataracts and other vision problems.

• Wear sunglasses: Sunglasses should block at least 98% of UV rays. If you already wear glasses, consider prescription eyewear with sun protection.
• Wear a hat: The sides of sunglasses let in UV rays. A hat provides the extra protection.  Baseball caps, sombreros, fedoras… you name it, any hat with a brim that covers the front of your face protects not only your eyes but your whole face from the sun.
  

Remember that it’s never too early to start protecting your eyes. When in your life did you spend the most time outdoors? For most people, it was their childhood. Buy your kids some fun sunglasses or a wacky hat and encourage them to wear these items as much as you can.

2. Protect them from chemicals and contaminants

Make sure to protect your eyes from chemicals and contaminants. It might seem like another no-brainer suggestion on our list of tips on how to protect your eyes during summer, but it is still an important one. If anything, at least keep these specific instances in mind over the summer months:

• Wear goggles or sunglasses while at the beach: Sand, sun, and water are definitely the perfect summer combination … unless you happen to be an eyeball. Wearing sunglasses and goggles at the beach will make sure that sand stays far from your eyeballs.
• Wear goggles while swimming: We would never try to stop a Texan from taking a much-deserved dip in the pool, but we would encourage you to put on goggles before jumping off the high dive. Goggles will protect your eyes from chlorine and other contaminants floating around in pool water (especially public pool water).
• Wear protective goggles while completing summer projects: Plan on spending some time outside? Maybe fixing the roof, sanding the deck, or puttering around in the garden? Your eyes will thank you for wearing goggles and protecting them from irritants during your summer DIY plans — be they indoor or outdoor projects.

3. Stay hydrated & use eye drops when applicable

During the hottest season of the year, some of the most common questions we receive are: “How can I prevent dry eyes in the summer?” and “Why do my eyes burn in the summer?” If the patient is wearing protective eyewear during all of the above scenarios, we suspect the following things may be contributing to the lack of proper lubrication in your eyes:

• Dehydration: Like any other organ in your body, your eyes need water to function properly. While the liquid that keeps your eyes “wet” isn’t water alone, it still requires H20. This being said, if you’re dehydrated, you may experience dry eye symptoms.
• A/C: Air conditioning was invented in Houston. Surprised? Neither were we. What is surprising, though, is how many patients we see who struggle with dry eyes because they keep their A/C blasting 24/7. If this is you or if your desk is located near an air vent at work, consider investing in eye drops to keep your eyes properly lubricated. 

4. Be extra careful after eye surgeries

It’s always wise to be cautious with your eyes after eye surgery, but summer comes with its own set of temptations for sidestepping post-op best practices. Take a moment to read the following resources to learn how to best protect your eyes after surgery during the summer.  

• Swimming after cataract surgery and LASIK
• What causes cataracts to grow?

5. Visit your eye doctor regularly

Prevention of eye problems isn’t always a no-brainer. That’s why it’s important to visit your eye doctor regularly, no matter the season (Pssst – If you need an optometrist, click here to find one near you).

Whether you’re curious about eye strain from phone use, the best ways to prepare for LASIK eye surgery in Houston, or anything in between, the experts at Eye Center of Texas are here to help. With over 80,000 successful cataract surgeries and 75,000 successful LASIK surgeries, we are one of Houston’s top resources for eye health and vision improvement. For more information about our services, call us at 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online today!

Related Resources:

• LASIK Recovery Timeline
• Cataracts: Laser Surgery vs. Traditional Surgery
• The First Early Signs of Cataracts
• What to Expect after Cataract Surgery: Side Effects and Timing
• Houston Cataract Treatment

How to reduce eye strain when working with computers

Screens are an everyday part of our lives. But unfortunately, this has made computer vision syndrome (CVS) more commonplace. Luckily, however, computer glasses can help people struggling with CVS symptoms to use their devices without eye strain.

However, there’s a lot of confusion and misinformation surrounding eye strain, and consumers are purchasing “computer glasses” that don’t actually provide the relief they’re looking for.

If you’re considering getting glasses to protect your eyes from your computer screen, take a moment to read the below article and to make sure you know the true answer to the question, “What are computer glasses?”

What causes eye strain when using a computer?

When our patients ask us, “What are computer glasses?” we’ve noticed a hidden assumption behind this question. More specifically, they believe computer glasses are designed for blocking blue light. While this idea isn’t exactly untrue, it’s not right on the money, either.

What is blue light?

Blue light (light rays with short wavelengths) is a natural part of our environment. In fact, blue light has been shown to help regulate our sleep cycle. When the sun rises and emits blue light, it sends a signal to our eyes that it’s time to get up. Once the sun goes down and the amount of blue light diminishes, our body knows to secrete melatonin (a hormone that helps us sleep).

So, is blue light bad for our eyes? Does it cause issues like UV light eye damage? More to the point: Does looking at a screen damage your eyes?  

Computer screens emit blue light, and overexposure to blue light around bedtime can inhibit your ability to fall asleep and contribute to eye strain. However, there is still some debate as to whether or not blue light increases your likelihood of cataracts or glaucoma.

Eye strain causes

Blue light is one of many eye strain causes. Your eyes can also get tired from the glare of bright lights, especially if your screen doesn’t contrast with the lighting in your room. However, a significant amount of patients deal with eye strain because of focusing issues.

In particular, people tend not to blink enough when they’re focusing on their computers, which can lead to dry eyes. Individuals who already wear glasses likely struggle with an additional issue: their glasses may not be designed to focus on intermediate distances.

Typically, a computer screen stands 20 – 25 inches away from a person’s eyes, which is farther away than most people hold books or other reading material. Patients who wear glasses (bifocals especially) that weren’t made for computer work often have to tilt their head to see the computer screen well. Tilting your head this way can cause eye strain, as well as neck, shoulder, back, and arm pain.

Individuals over the age of 40 may also struggle with computer-related eye strain due to presbyopia (also called “near vision”), a condition caused by a loss of elasticity in your eye’s lenses. Near vision treatment is available for this, and it can help alleviate some of these symptoms.   

What are computer glasses? (And do computer glasses work?)

Now that we know what causes computer vision syndrome/eye strain, it’s time to really answer the question, “What are computer glasses?” Computer glasses are prescription glasses made specifically for computer work. They are, in other words, activity-specific glasses.

Since everyone’s work station is set up differently, a pair of computer glasses that work perfectly for one person may not work well for another. Computer glasses work best if they are created with a person’s specific needs in mind.

Computer eye strain symptoms & ways you can alleviate them

Your computer glasses needs can often be identified by an evaluation of your workspace and your eye strain symptoms. In some cases, you may be able to alleviate some of your symptoms by making adjustments to your workspace. Here are some helpful suggestions:

Neck, shoulder, back, and arm pain: If you have pain from tilting your head to see your screen, you might find relief if you adjust the ergonomics of your desk and chair. Posture correctors may also help.

Blurred vision, aching or dry eyes: If you have blurred vision, keep in mind that it may be caused by a problem with your prescription. If not, chances are that you’re not blinking enough while at your computer, causing your eyes to get tired and dry. Take breaks from looking at your computer at least every 20 minutes. If you have trouble remembering to look away, there are apps which can remind you to do so. Eye drops may also provide relief.

Headache: Headaches may be caused by ergonomics and posture, or you may be working on a monitor with poor resolution. Moving your computer to a more ideal distance from your face, buying an anti-glare screen, and increasing the light contrast between your computer’s screen and the light in a room can also alleviate symptoms of eye strain.

How do I know if I need computer glasses?

And there you have it! No more wondering, “What are computer glasses?” But now you’re likely asking, “How do I know if I even need computer glasses?”

The best way to answer that question is to schedule a visit with your optometrist. Eye Center of Texas works with several trusted optometrist partners in Houston who can help you determine the cause(s) behind your eye strain and if necessary, help you find computer glasses that are built to alleviate computer-related discomfort.

If it turns out that your eye strain is caused not by your computer, but by another change in prescription, it may be worth your while to consider LASIK or near vision treatment. The professionals at Eye Center of Texas provide some of the best LASIK in Houston and are here to answer any questions you may have about the procedure.

To get started on your journey towards better, less strained vision, see if you qualify for LASIK by reading our article, Is my vision too bad for LASIK?, and give us a call at 713-395-1515 or request an appointment online today!

Related Resources:

• LASIK Recovery Timeline
• Cataracts: Laser Surgery vs. Traditional Surgery
• The First Early Signs of Cataracts
• What to Expect after Cataract Surgery: Side Effects and Timing
• Houston Cataract Treatment

It’s true … the most common vision problems in Houston are also common vision problems throughout the rest of the world. But as fellow Houstonians, Drs. Wade, Mayo, and the staff at Eye Center of Texas know exactly what you’re missing out on when the health of your eyes is jeopardized, including but not limited to:

• The particulars of an Astros game
• The ability to navigate Houston’s 10-lane highways comfortably
• The detailed art at the MFAH and The Menil
• And of course, your beloved family and friends  

At Eye Center of Texas, it’s our goal to turn the most common vision problems in Houston into the most successfully treated vision problems in Houston.
If you’re ready to see clearly again, visit one of our recommended ophthalmologists for your eye exam, then set up an appointment at Eye Center of Texas. Before you do that, go ahead and check out the below for preliminary information regarding your treatment options.

Cataracts

The condition: A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. They are normally the byproduct of age and typically occur in patients over the age of 50. However, exposure to UV light, some facial lotions and products, smoking, diabetes, and eye injuries all increase the likelihood of developing cataracts.

Treatment options: With modern technology, cataracts have become very treatable. If your cataract is hindering your daily life, cataract surgery might be a good option for you. During cataract surgery, your eye doctor in Houston will remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). Laser eye surgery for cataracts is also a very successful procedural option, and it just so happens to be Dr. Mark Mayo’s preferred method of cataract treatment.

Additional cataract resources:

• Fast-growing cataracts
• What is an IOL?
• Laser cataract surgery in Houston

Presbyopia

The condition: Also known as “near vision,” presbyopia is another common vision problem in Houston that’s caused primarily by the natural aging of the eye. When the lens of the eye ages, it becomes less flexible. This lack of flexibility makes it difficult to focus on objects that are nearby. Presbyopia is different from hyperopia (farsightedness) since hyperopia is caused by a refractive error (which we will discuss more in-depth momentarily).

Treatment options: The most common presbyopia treatment is called refractive lens exchange (or clear lens exchange). The procedure is very similar to that of cataract surgery, except instead of replacing a cloudy lens, your doctor replaces the less flexible lens.

Additional presbyopia resources:  

• Lens replacement for presbyopia
• Understanding near vision

Keratoconus

The condition: Keratoconus occurs when your cornea becomes weakened and loses its structural integrity. A cornea with keratoconus will begin to “bulge” out in a cone-like shape. Symptoms include light sensitivity, blurry vision, and myopia.

Treatment options: An increasingly popular treatment for keratoconus is the minimally invasive, in-office procedure known as corneal cross-linking (CXL). Using the B2 vitamin riboflavin, this procedure works to strengthen the natural collagen fibers that maintain the cornea’s natural shape.

Additional keratoconus resources:  

• What is keratoconus?
• A Houstonian’s keratoconus journey
• Corneal cross-linking for keratoconus

Refractive Errors

The condition(s): Refractive errors occur when the shape of your eye causes the light entering to bend incorrectly. The most common refractive errors are hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), and astigmatism.

Treatment options: The most popular treatment for refractive errors is LASIK, a procedure which uses a laser to reshape the eye. During LASIK, your doctor will create a flap in the outermost layer of your cornea (the epithelium). Because of this, patients with thin corneas may not be ideal candidates for LASIK. Luckily, there are successful alternatives to LASIK, including the PRK procedure.

Additional resources for refractive errors:

• The difference between PRK and LASIK
• LASIK FAQ
• Does laser eye surgery hurt?

Treating other common vision problems in Houston

Other common vision problems in Houston include:

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Glaucoma
• Dry eye syndrome
• Macular degeneration

Eye Center of Texas has experience treating all of these common vision problems in Houston. For more information on treatment options, check out their corresponding pages on our website and/or give us a call at 713-797-1010.

Eye Center of Texas: Your resource for common vision problems in Houston

The professionals at Eye Center of Texas are striving to reduce the number of individuals struggling with common vision problems in Houston. We are here to answer any of your questions, such as “What common vision problems can be corrected using laser eye surgery?” “Can LASIK restore 20/20 vision?” and “Who should not have laser eye surgery.”

With Eye Center of Texas here to help you out, there’s no reason for you to suffer through compromised vision. Give us a call at 713-797-1010 or request your appointment online today.

May is Ultraviolet (UV) Awareness Month and, for that reason, a perfect time to talk about UV damage to eyes. Anyone who has had a sunburn is familiar with the harmful effects of UV rays on the skin. UV damage to eyes, however, seems to fly under the radar, even though it is also fairly common. Do your blinkers a favor and learn about the effects of UV damage to eyes and how they can be prevented.
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With the increased use of smartphones in our daily lives, many have started to ask, “Can you get eye damage from cell phone use?” While the effect of mobile screens on eyes is still being studied, there are some health risks that are already well-established. Learn whether or not you’re at risk of incurring eye damage from cell phone use and what you can do to protect your vision.
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When you were young, your parents probably taught you to not stare into the sun. There’s a very good reason for that. Not only is doing so uncomfortable, intense sun exposure can cause severe and permanent damage to your vision. Even if you’re not looking right at the sun, too much sun exposure can lead to significant eye problems. Here’s why you should be protecting your eyes from the sun during these hot summer days.

Sun Exposure and Cataracts

The most common cause of blindness, cataracts occur when the lens that surrounds your eye becomes clouded, resulting in lost or decreased vision over time. Recent research has found that frequent, chronic exposure to sunlight can contribute to the formation of cataracts.
Cataracts often form through a process known as oxidative stress, and typically appear with age. Exposure to UV rays from sunlight, however, can produce damage similar to that seen after oxidative stress, except that in this case the harmful effects on your lenses are caused by Glycation. In other words, the same UV light exposure linked to skin cancer can also lead to the creation of cataracts.

Sun Exposure and Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration is a broad term referring to a range of degenerative eye conditions that ultimately result in loss of sight. While age is the most common cause of macular degeneration, overexposure sunlight can also play an important role in its development.
The “macular” in Macular Degeneration refers to macular pigment, which protects your eyes by absorbing harmful blue light rays that would otherwise damage the rest of the eye. If the macular pigment is exposed to too much blue light, its effectiveness will diminish, leaving your eyes vulnerable to macular degeneration.

Choose Sunglasses That Protect Your Eyes

When choosing a pair of sunglasses, it is crucial to choose a pair that offers strong UV protection. There are two distinct varieties of sunlight: UVA and UVB, both of which are invisible to the human eye. While both UVA and UVB are dangerous to your eyes, UVA radiation penetrates the body more deeply and is believed to be more harmful to your eye lenses.
For protection from both UVA and UVB radiation, look for sunglasses that offer UV 400 protection or higher. Sunglasses which have UV 400 protection are capable of blocking radiation equal to or less than 400 nanometers, making it adequate for both UVA and UVB protection.
An important note: Do not be misled into believing that darker or polarized lenses offer more protection. The UV protection rating is the most important factor to keep in mind.
For Effective Cataract and Macular Degeneration Treatments, Call the Eye Center of Texas
As Texas’ leaders in eye care, we offer a number of treatment options for people with cataracts or macular degeneration, including laser and inlay treatments. Whether you believe your condition was caused by sun exposure, age, or other factors, we will work with you to devise a safe and effective treatment plan. Don’t wait any longer, improve your vision by scheduling your free consultation at Eye Center of Texas today!

It’s a scorching hot summer, and the pool is looking very good to you. You just had eye surgery a week ago, but you desperately want to go for a swim. What should you do? You should reconsider activities. Swimming in pools can be harmful for your eyes, especially since you’ve just undergone an ocular procedure like LASIK or cataract removal. Your eyes will be exposed and extremely susceptible to bacteria, so you must be careful to avoid infection. With diligent care, you can begin to swim again after only two weeks. But where is the safest place to swim?

What about in my own pool?

Your pool is the safest bet to swim in after LASIK or cataract surgery. Why? Since it is your pool, you have full control over how much chlorine goes into it. Though bacteria are still a primary concern, you have a reasonable amount of control over possible infection. Another added benefit of swimming in your own pool is that you can dictate what happens in it. You can keep your head well above water, you can minimize splashing, and you can wear goggles to further protect yourself from the water.

What about the public pool?

Public pools are more dangerous than private pools. They are cleaned as regularly as any private pool, but they have the disadvantage of hosting many more people. Having lots of people in the pool only raises the level of bacteria in the water, therefore raising the risk that you will get your eyes infected. Unlike being in a private pool, you can’t control the level of splashing and mayhem that occurs at a public pool. It’s best to stay away from them if you’ve had eye surgery recently.

What about my favorite waterpark?

For those that recently had LASIK and cataract surgery, waterparks must be avoided at all costs. They take the normal chances of infection and exponentially increase them. Waterparks have thousands of people swim in their water every day, meaning that there is an extremely large chance of an eye infection happening. Though their filtration systems are highly advanced, the waters at a waterpark still contain a staggering number of bacteria that can easily infect a vulnerable eye. To top it off, waterparks also require a fair level of physical stress, which can strain your eyes and cause undue harm.

More helpful tips

Overall, you should take it easy and altogether avoid the risk of eye infection through swimming. You can resume swimming normally about a month after either surgery. If you’ve been swimming in a pool and you think your eyes may become infected, be sure to contact your doctor at the Eye Center of Texas.

The modern-day office environment, especially long hours on the computer, can wreak havoc on your eyes. Though office work doesn’t require exposure to dangerous chemicals, risky tools or direct sunlight, the time we spend on digital devices can be just as hard on your eyes. In fact, studies show that 87% of American office workers who use digital devices for more than two hours a day suffer from digital eye strain.

Digital eye strain, also known as “Computer Vision Syndrome,” can cause a number of irritating symptoms such as blurred vision, double vision, red/dry eyes, headaches, and even neck and back pain. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help. Here are a few easy tips from our doctors.

1. Proper lighting.

Harsh fluorescent lighting or natural light directly behind you can cause unpleasant glare and reflections, which increase the likelihood for digital eye strain. If you’re noticing irritation from computer glare, simply either reposition your monitor or adjust screen brightness and the room’s blinds.

2. Perfect computer settings.

When your eyes are irritated, lighting may not be the only agitator. So next, check your computer settings to help reduce eye strain. Experiment with increasing text size, turning down screen brightness and lowering blue color temperature to alleviate irritation.

3. Take breaks.

One of the easiest ways to avoid eye fatigue is to take short breaks from your screen periodically throughout the workday. Studies have shown that taking five-minute breaks, five to six times a day could reduce the discomfort and eye strain associated with computer use.

4. Remember to blink.

It may sound obvious, but in the middle of a busy day, it is quite easy to forget to take a second and blink. Actually, people who work on computers blink about one third less as often as they do normally while not working. This lack of blinking can cause dry eyes, which could then lead to long-term eye damage if left untreated. To retain moisture and make sure you’re blinking enough, blink slowly 10 times in a row mindfully every 20 minutes.

5. Eye workouts.

Just because your eyes aren’t muscles doesn’t mean they don’t need exercise to stay in proper shape. To avoid wearing out your eyes at the office, use our 20/20/20 routine. Try looking away from your screen every 20 minutes, and staring off at a distant object that’s about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. The distance helps to release tension and relax the part of your eye that helps you focus.

Keep Your Eyes in Working Shape with Regular Exams with Your Optometrist

Eye Center of Texas specializes in all aspects of eye care, including diagnosis, management, and surgery of ocular diseases and disorders, however, we do not perform routine eye exams or write prescriptions for corrective lenses (glasses and/or contact lenses). We are happy to help you find an optometrist who provides comprehensive eye and vision care. If you are in need of LASIK or cataract surgery, Eye Center of Texas is here to meet all of your vision needs. With six convenient locations all around the greater Houston area, our doctors are equipped with the state-of-the-art equipment and expertise necessary to keep your eyes working their best both on the clock and off. For high-quality medical eye care that you and your family can rely upon, schedule a consultation or an appointment today.

The cornea of your eye is one of the most sensitive areas on your body. Even a small abrasion will be extremely painful. Along with the pain, there are other symptoms related to a scratch on the cornea. You may experience redness, light sensitivity, blurry or decreased vision, headaches, eye twitching, and even nausea.

Causes of a Scratched Cornea

How does a cornea become scratched? The ways to scratch your cornea are endless. Any object that comes into contact with your eye has the possibility of damaging or harming it. Makeup brushes, your finger, a tree branch, workplace debris – anything that gets close enough to touch your eye. Most times it isn’t even a traumatic event and you might not even realize it’s happened until the symptoms show up. Even being outside where there is dirt or sand flying through the air can cause a scratch when you attempt to rub it away.

If you suffer from dry eyes, you could risk causing a scratch trying to open your eyes when you wake each morning. When your eye is dry, your lids can tear and dislodge an outer layer portion just from opening them.

Treatment for a Scratched Cornea

Treating a scratch will depend on the severity of your wound. If it is not a serious one, you can treat it with a non-preserved lubricate applied to your eye. Keeping your eye comfortably moist will allow your eye to naturally heal itself. It is sometimes recommended to use an antibiotic eye drop so infection cannot set in.

If the scratch is more serious, it may need an ointment containing an antibiotic to keep on your eye longer. Sometimes a steroid is needed to decrease the inflammation caused by the scratch. The steroid will also relieve your pain and help reduce the chance of permanent scarring.

Preventing a Scratched Cornea

Since you are not always aware you’ve scratched your eye, it is somewhat difficult to prevent it from happening. There are some circumstances, however, that can help ensure the safety of your eyes. Wearing safety glasses or goggles while doing work where particles are likely to fly about is one method.

Contact your eye doctor immediately if you suspect your cornea has been scratched. The best way to ensure your eye health and prevent permanent damage will require a knowledgeable eye doctor’s help.