Americans spend an average of seven hours per day staring at a screen. For those who work in an office, the average is even higher, as many of us toil in front of a laptop or PC throughout the workday, only to return home for even more screen time in our off hours. All this screen time can lead to digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome.

People with computer vision syndrome typically experience some combination of blurred vision, dry eyes, eye strain, headaches, neck pain and shoulder pain. The degree of these symptoms can vary from one person to the next, and can be exacerbated by factors including the angle of your monitor, your distance from your screen, inadequate ambient lighting and other factors.

Identifying symptoms early and acting to protect your eyes can help to reverse the condition and provide relief.

How to Protect Your Eyes at Work from Computer Vision Syndrome

Continually staring at a screen for hours on end causes significant eye strain. One way to reduce the impact of this screen time is to follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, redirect your eyes to something 20 feet away and focus on that object for at least 20 seconds.

Even just 20 seconds of focus on something other than the screen can help with tear production and solve many computer vision syndrome symptoms.

Additional steps that you can take include:

Rearrange Your Setup

Poor desk/computer setup can contribute eye strain. Position the center of your monitor just below eye level so you can maintain proper posture and avoid unnecessary shoulder and neck pain. Additionally, your monitor should be a minimum of 20-28” away from your face.

Reduce Glare

Excess glare on your computer monitor makes it harder to see clearly, causing your eyes to work harder than necessary. Close nearby blinds or curtains, dim overhead lights and reposition your monitor to reduce glare.

Adjust Your Screen Brightness

Proper screen brightness and contrast are critical for reducing eye strain. Your monitor’s brightness shouldn’t be overwhelming, nor should it be too dark to allow you to easily distinguish between foreground and background shapes or to discern fine details. Ideally, your screen brightness should match your surrounding light level. Experiment to find a comfortable setting for you.

Increase Text Size

Small text can cause you to squint to try to read it properly. Your computer settings will allow you to change the text size on the screen to eliminate this unnecessary strain. You can change the default size and also make adjustments on the fly. If you’re on a web browser right now, press “CTRL +” to make your text bigger. “CTRL -” will make the text smaller and “CTRL 0” resets the font size back to the default level.

Helping Dry Eyes

Eye drops can add moisture to your eyes, offering temporary relief when computer vision syndrome causes dry eyes. Over the counter eye drops may be sufficient, or if you find you need something more, you may need to see your eye doctor for prescription drops to ease your symptoms.

While following these steps may help reduce computer vision syndrome symptoms, a comprehensive eye exam is always a wise choice if something’s not quite right with your eyes.

North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision offers comprehensive eye exams and complete eye care for the whole family. Contact us today at 352-373-4300 to schedule your appointment.

Cataract surgery is one of the world’s safest and most effective procedures. By replacing the cataract-damaged eye lens with an artificial lens implant, most patients experience improved vision almost immediately after surgery. But does it eliminate the need to wear eyeglasses?

Whether you'll still need glasses after cataract surgery depends on several factors, including any existing vision issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, as well as the type of intraocular lens (IOL) implant you and your eye doctor choose.

Monofocal Lenses

Monofocal lenses are the standard option for cataract surgeries, but they only provide clear vision at a single distance. That means, for example, you may be able to see clearly at a distance post-surgery, but you may still need glasses to read or use the computer. Or, if you have an astigmatism, you will still need glasses even with a monofocal lens implant.

Multifocal Lenses

If you currently need glasses to correct near and distance vision, a multifocal lens implant may be a preferable option. These IOLs offer clear vision at a range of distances. While a monofocal lens may offer slightly clearer distance vision, a multifocal lens offers a higher likelihood of being independent of glasses.

Toric Lenses

Patients with astigmatism may consider a toric intraocular lens implant, as it’s best suited for their specific vision challenge. Standard toric lenses allow astigmatism patients to see clearly at a distance without glasses. For patients in need of the full range of vision, multifocal toric lenses are also now available.

So, can cataract surgery free you from eyeglasses? It really comes down to properly assessing the impact of any other eye conditions you may have and then selecting the right lens implant. An ophthalmologist who specializes in cataract surgery is the best source to help you evaluate your options.

To explore your cataract surgery and lens implant options, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300.

It’s important to understand and weigh your options when considering any surgical procedure, including cataract surgery. While both traditional and laser-assisted cataract surgery have an outstanding track record for being safe and effective and improving patient vision, understanding the differences and consulting with your ophthalmologist will allow you to make an informed decision.

Cataract Surgery Overview

Whether you elect to have traditional cataract surgery or laser-assisted cataract surgery, the fundamental approach is the same. In either procedure, the surgeon replaces the natural, cataract-damaged lens with an artificial lens implant. Both procedures are known to be safe and effective. And once the cataract-damaged lens is replaced, you can never again get a cataract in that eye. It’s a permanent solution.

Laser Cataract Surgery

Laser cataract surgery is technically “laser-assisted” surgery, because the surgeon is still very much in control and the technology simply elevates the surgeon’s capabilities. Using laser technology, like the LenSx system, the cataract surgeon captures a digital image of the eye, allowing them to make an incredibly precise incision and reducing the risk of human error.

Traditional Cataract Surgery

Traditional cataract surgery relies on the skill, experience and steadiness of the surgeon to make incisions by hand. It’s still one of the world’s most successful procedures, and with an experienced ophthalmologist who specializes in cataract surgery, you can still feel confident in the quality of your surgical outcomes.

Why Choose Laser Cataract Surgery?

The precision of laser-assisted cataract surgery often allows for a faster procedure. The procedure is also pain-free and recovery time is often faster than traditional surgery. Laser-assisted cataract surgery can be especially appropriate for patients with astigmatism and those interested in premium lens implants. That said, laser-assisted cataract surgery may cost a bit more than traditional, depending on multiple factors, so talk to your eye surgeon about what’s best for you.

If you’re experiencing cloudy or blurred vision that you suspect may be due to cataracts, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300. Our talented team will perform a thorough examination, and if you do indeed have cataracts, we’ll answer your questions and help you understand your treatment options.

Glaucoma affects more than 3 million Americans, producing vision loss and often leading to blindness. As glaucoma damages the cells in your optic nerve, that damage cannot be reversed. If diagnosed early, however, vision loss may be minimized or even prevented, adding to the list of reasons that make comprehensive eye exams so crucial for your eye health.

People Often Don’t Realize They Have Glaucoma

Estimates suggest that around 50% of people suffering from glaucoma don’t know that they have it. The condition often goes unnoticed in the early stages because the damage progresses gradually over time. Vision degrades slowly, as increasing pressure within the eye steadily leads to the death of nerve fibers that are essential for vision.

Steps You Can Take to Prevent Vision Loss from Glaucoma

You may be able to prevent vision loss and maintain your current vision if you follow these steps:

• Visit your ophthalmologist: Regular visits to an ophthalmologist for an eye exam are your first step in combating glaucoma. If you’re 40-54, you’ll want to schedule a comprehensive exam every 2-4 years. Ages 55-64 and 65+ should schedule visits every 1-3 years or every 1-2 years, respectively.
• Eat well: Diet plays a role in glaucoma because you can reduce your risks by maintaining a moderate weight and healthy blood pressure levels.
• Stay active: An active lifestyle makes it easier to maintain your weight and control blood pressure, which can influence glaucoma development.
• Consider what you put in your body: Smoking can increase your risk for glaucoma. Certain forms of steroids can also raise eye pressure, leading to glaucoma. Discuss your options with your eye doctor for best results.

Ultimately, preventing glaucoma-related vision loss comes down to getting regular eye exams so the condition can be diagnosed and treated early.

Treating Glaucoma Once it’s Diagnosed

If your ophthalmologist finds that you do have glaucoma, proper treatment should help to prevent further damage to your optic nerve. Prescription eye drops are a common treatment method, as they can help reduce eye pressure and decrease your eye’s fluid production.

Assuming they receive proper treatment, many glaucoma patients can maintain good vision for 20 years or more post-diagnosis. This, however, assumes the diagnosis is for open-angle glaucoma, the more common of the two types. The other type, angle-closure glaucoma, may produce substantial, rapid onset symptoms that require immediate treatment to prevent blindness.

If you're 40 or older, and it’s been a while since your last eye exam, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300. A comprehensive eye exam may just be the key to maintaining your vision for life.

While cataracts typically develop as a natural part of aging, left untreated, they can lead to serious complications. It’s important to understand those potential impacts and your treatment options, so you can restore your vision and regain your quality of life.

What Happens if Cataracts Are Left Untreated?

People may delay cataract treatment for any number of reasons, including lack of familiarity with the cataract surgery procedure and general anxiety about any form of eye surgery. The good news is the procedure is actually quite simple, with a very low incidence of complications and a success rate of 98% or higher for the more than three million cataract surgeries performed in the U.S. each year.

However, if you leave the condition untreated for too long, a few things can happen:

Your Symptoms Will Get Progressively Worse

Unfortunately, cataracts don’t get better on their own. Over time, they will get progressively worse, along with your symptoms.

Initially, you may only experience mild symptoms, including slightly blurred vision and/or some light sensitivity. As the condition remains untreated, however, you are likely to experience:

• Progressive vision loss
• Impaired night vision
• Faded or muted colors
• Glares around lights
• Double vision
• Difficulty driving and carrying out everyday tasks

You May Develop Hypermature Cataracts

If left untreated, a cataract can grow to the point where the lens becomes dense and completely white or a deep amber color. This hypermature stage is the fourth and most severe stage of cataracts. It is also the most difficult type of cataract to treat.

Hypermature cataracts can also lead to the development of other eye conditions, such as glaucoma.

Eventually, Untreated Cataracts Can Lead to Blindness

Because cataracts cloud your eye’s natural lens, as they progress, they gradually reduce the amount of light that can pass through your retina. Eventually, the cataract will grow to cover the entire lens, becoming thicker along the way and leading to near or total blindness. In fact, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide.

Early detection and treatment is the best way to avoid this outcome.

Surgery is the Only Effective Cataract Treatment

During the initial stages of cataract development, your ophthalmologist may adjust your eyeglasses prescription to correct for your worsening vision. Eventually, however, surgery is the only effective treatment for the condition.

The cataract surgery procedure replaces the natural cataract-damaged eye lens with an artificial lens implant. This provides a permanent fix, as your cataracts can never come back. When performed by a cataract specialist, such as Dr. Gregory Snodgrass or Dr. Todd Endicott, patients often report improved vision before even leaving the recovery room.

The potential complications of leaving cataracts untreated are far too great to ignore. If your eye doctor has recommended cataract surgery, seek treatment from a specialist. Contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300 to schedule your consultation.

More than 50% of adults wear eyeglasses, meaning half the people you know could gladly use an eyeglasses-related holiday gift. Eyeglass-inspired gifts can be fun, fashionable and practical, so you’ll know your loved ones will enjoy them year-round.

To get your wheels turning, here are some top holiday gift ideas for people who wear glasses.

1. Personalized Cases or Straps

A good quality case is an important way to protect one’s eyeglasses around the house and on the go. A nice case not only protects this important possession, it can also be an attractive accessory. And if the recipient already has a nice case, consider personalized strap options.

2. Anti-Slip Hooks

Some eyeglasses have a habit of slipping down the face. Anti-slip hooks solve this problem. They slip on the arms (or temples) of the glasses and hook around the backs of the ears to stop them from slipping. They’re especially great for anyone who reads or exercises often.

3. Eyeglasses Holder

Eyeglasses are at risk for scratching or breaking if they fall off of a countertop, side table or nightstand. Give the gift of security and style with a whimsical eyeglass holder. There are tons of options out there to showcase your loved one’s personality, like this adorable owl eyeglasses holder.

4. Nerd Wax

Have a loved one who’s tired of constantly pushing their glasses back up the ridge of their nose? Nerd Wax’s anti-slip stick stops glasses from slipping by applying a thin layer of all-natural beeswax, coconut oil and gum resin to the nose pads of their eyeglasses. Apply just once and the wax will prevent glasses from shifting and sliding.

5. Glasses Lens Wipes

Give the gift of clean and clear lenses. Lens wipes are a quick and easy way for eyeglass wearers to keep their vision sharp anytime, anywhere. You can typically find boxes of 100-200 wipes – enough for up to 6 months of daily cleaning – for less than $10.

6. Visor Clip for the Car

Many people who wear prescription eyeglasses don’t need them to drive. A car visor clip provides a quick and convenient place to store them when behind the wheel, while also keeping them safe and within reach. Some clips are versatile and can even be mounted to car vents.

7. Eyewear Chains

Stylish and functional, eyewear chains prevent glasses from getting lost or falling off and breaking. They easily attach to any pair of eyeglasses, allowing them to hang around the neck. You can find a wide variety of styles and colors online.

8. Anti-Fog Wipes

Exercise and extreme weather conditions can fog up your lenses, making it difficult to see clearly. Anti-fog wipes solve this problem. They apply a protective coating to keep lenses clear for hours.

9. A North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care Gift Card

Sometimes, the best gifts are those we let friends pick out themselves. With a North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care gift card, your loved one can pick out exactly what their eyes need most. Pick up your gift card at either of our Gainesville eyewear boutiques: NW 8th Avenue and 43rd Street or Tioga Town Center.

Happy holidays from your friends at North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care.

Each year, approximately 2.3 million people in the United States have cataract surgery. As one of the safest and most effective surgical procedures available, these people can attest to the cataract surgery’s life-changing results. But can cataract surgery really help you see better at night?

How Do Cataracts Affect Night Vision?

Cataracts cause a wide range of vision problems, impacting both daytime and nighttime vision.

Changes in night vision are often the first noticeable symptoms of cataracts, which often include blurred vision and faded colors.

In addition to loss of visual clarity, people with cataracts often experience heightened symptoms at night, including excessive glare and halos around light sources. When caused by streetlights or headlights, this can make driving both scary and dangerous. Low-light conditions or fog can make it even more challenging to drive safely with cataracts.

How Much Will Surgery Improve Your Night Vision?

Surgery is the only effective way to correct cataract-related issues. Patients generally experience an immediate and significant improvement in their overall vision, including night vision, following cataract surgery. In fact, one study that assessed driver vision before and after cataract surgery found that near misses and crashes dropped by 48% post-surgery.

While many vision improvements are immediate, you may still experience some night glare for a few weeks or months following surgery. This symptom should, however, improve as your eye heals. In most cases, even in the interim, post-operative night glare is not as dramatic.

Are There Any Other Ways to Further Improve Night Vision After Surgery?

Cataract surgery is often enough to correct issues with night vision. However, if you still experience challenges with night vision post-surgery, your doctor may recommend prescription glasses with an anti-reflective coating.

Alternatively, poor night vision post-surgery may be due to a remaining refractive error, which is unrelated to your cataracts. Glasses or contacts can typically be used to correct these issues, and laser procedures may also be an option for some patients. Your ophthalmologist can recommend options for your unique situation.

If you or someone you love may have cataracts, stop struggling and start seeing clearly again. Contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300 to schedule an appointment.

Cataracts impact tens of millions of people across the United States. More than 50% of people over age 80 either have a cataract or have had surgery to remove one.

Blurry vision, faded colors, halos around lights and difficulty seeing at night are all commonly known cataract symptoms. A lesser known, and often unexpected, side effect of cataracts for many seniors, however, is depression.

A study conducted by researchers from multiple universities and eye research centers, and recently published in the International Journal of Surgery, collated the results of dozens of earlier studies. These researchers found there is indeed a correlation between cataract surgery and improvements in anxiety and depression.

Ophthalmologists have long suspected the link, as vision loss is known to preclude patients from enjoying their favorite activities, rob them of their independence and lead to social isolation. As daily activities, such as reading, driving or watching TV, become more challenging, and visits with friends and family become limited, depression often follows.

Thankfully, for people with anxiety and depression resulting from vision impairment, researchers saw clear signs of improvement after cataract surgery. In fact, they found conclusive evidence that the mental health of older patients with cataracts has a high likelihood of improving when visual impairments are corrected.

The first step, of course, is diagnosing the cause of the vision problem. A comprehensive eye exam can identify cataract development and assess its progression. A subsequent consultation with a cataract specialist can help determine whether the time is right for the patient to have cataract surgery.

In early stages, a cataract’s impact on daily activities may not yet justify surgery. Eventually, however, as the cataract progresses and vision declines, surgery will be required, as surgery is the only effective treatment for cataracts.

And while just the idea of eye surgery may be enough to cause some a bit of short-term anxiety, the procedure is actually one of the safest and most effective in the world. The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) reports an overall success rate of 98% or higher for the more than three million cataract surgeries performed in the U.S. each year.

If you or someone you love may have cataracts, take the right steps now to protect both your physical and mental health. Schedule your cataract evaluation today by contacting North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care at 352-373-4300.

An estimated 352,000 Americans under the age of 20 have diagnosed diabetes. While diabetic retinopathy has historically been relatively rare in young people, an alarming increase in prevalence among young adults could transform into a “public health catastrophe,” according to a recent editorial in JAMA Ophthalmology.

JAMA editors were reacting to data from two separate studies that found that 49%-55% of people under the age of 20 with youth-onset type 2 diabetes also had diabetic retinopathy. The study further found that after 12-13 years of having diabetes, at least half of people had some degree of retinopathy.

With the rate of diabetic retinopathy in young people being so much higher than previously believed, health professionals are calling for more awareness, proactive screening and intervention.

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that develops when the tiny nerves and blood vessels in your retina are damaged by high blood sugar. Anyone with diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2, is susceptible to the condition.

Diabetic retinopathy symptoms often include:

• Blurred vision
• Spots or dark strings floating in your vision
• Vision loss
• Fluctuating vision
• Dark or empty areas in your vision
• Left untreated, the condition can lead to permanent vision loss

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

Treatment of diabetic retinopathy may involve injections of anti-VEGF drugs, laser treatment or eye surgery. Surgery is generally reserved for cases where there’s significant bleeding in the retina or extensive scarring in the eye.

Importance of Comprehensive Vision Exams

The prevention of diabetic retinopathy starts with effective management of diabetes. It is equally important that people with diabetes get regular comprehensive eye exams to monitor for the condition, so it can be diagnosed and treated early on.

If your ophthalmologist believes you may have severe diabetic retinopathy, they may perform a fluorescein angiogram to produce images of the blood vessels in your retina and inform treatment options.

If you or someone you love has diabetes, regardless of age, be sure to get regular comprehensive eye exams. Schedule yours today by contacting North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care at 352-373-4300.

Macular edema is a very real concern, particularly for people with diabetes, as 1-in-3 diabetics show some sign of the condition. If you have diabetes, and haven’t been to the eye doctor recently, you need to know the early signs of macular edema because allowing it to progress can lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness.

Early diagnosis can allow you to undergo treatment before your condition worsens.

What is Macular Edema?

The macula is a pigmented area in the center of the retina at the back of your eye. Macular edema is when fluids leak into the macula, causing it to swell and eventually distort your vision.

Macular Edema Early Warning Signs

Typically, macular edema doesn’t cause pain and symptoms may be difficult to detect, allowing the issue to progress. These symptoms often include blurred central vision, washed-out colors and difficulty reading. Usually, your peripheral vision will remain clear, so it’s really the central vision that you’ll notice is just not right.

Floaters and flashers can also present themselves, although the mere presence of them does not always indicate diabetic eye complications.

As mentioned earlier, left untreated, macular edema can cause permanent vision loss or blindness.

Macular Edema Risk Factors

Diabetes puts you at a much higher risk of macular edema, but you can also suffer from this condition if you are taking certain medications or have:

• Age-related macular degeneration
• Inflammatory eye disease
• Retinal vein occlusion
• Eye tumors
• Eye injuries
• Macular pucker

You may be able to reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy diet to keep your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar under control. Remaining active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also help, as can quitting smoking.

Macular Edema Diagnosis

Comprehensive eye exams are your first line of defense to protect your vision from macular edema - or any eye condition.

If macular edema is suspected, your eye doctor will perform extensive tests to diagnose your condition, potentially including a dilated eye exam, optical coherence tomography or fluorescein angiography to see if there’s any leakage or macula swelling.

Macular Edema Treatment

If you do, in fact, have macular edema, early-stage treatments may include injections, pills or eye drops to stop the leakage and swelling.

If your macular edema is caused by retinal vein occlusion or diabetes, laser treatment may be recommended. Eye surgery, called vitrectomy, may be necessary to remove the excess fluid from your eyes in severe cases.

If you suspect you may have macular edema, or if it’s just been a while since your last comprehensive eye exam, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300.