What Are the Risk Factors for Glaucoma?

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Have you noticed blind spots in your vision? Or are you having other symptoms, such as eye discomfort? These may be signs of glaucoma, an eye disease that can develop due to elevated pressure in your eyes. Without care, it can result in blindness.

Our eye doctors in St. Marys, Brunswick, and Jesup, GA, at Vision Source Family Eye Care offer tests and treatment to help prevent glaucoma from getting worse. We may recommend testing if you have any of the following risk factors for this disease.

Age

Being over 60 may raise your risk of having glaucoma due to age-related eye changes.

Genetics

Does glaucoma run in your family? If so, you might have an increased chance of having it.

Ethnicity

Being Asian, Black, or Hispanic may carry a higher risk of developing this disease.

Underlying Medical Conditions

Certain diseases may increase your chance of having glaucoma, such as:

  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Heart disease

Eye Surgery

Have you had any eye procedures? Past surgeries might put you at a higher risk of glaucoma.

Eye Injuries

Trauma to one or both eyes can lead to a greater chance of developing this eye disease.

Thin Corneas

Having corneas that are thinner than usual can result in a higher chance of having glaucoma.

Corticosteroid Eye Drop Use

Using this medication on a long-term basis may raise your risk of getting this eye disease.

Visit Our Eye Doctors for Glaucoma Testing and Treatment

Do you have a higher risk of this eye disease? At Vision Source Family Eye Care, our eye doctors can test for it and provide treatment as needed. We offer diagnoses and treatment for glaucoma in Jesup, Brunswick, and St Marys, GA, to find this disease early and help protect your vision.

What Treatments Are Available for Diabetic Retinopathy?

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Do you have diabetes? If so, your eyes and vision may be at risk due to diabetic retinopathy. This condition can lead to vision loss if it’s not managed. Our eye doctors in Jesup, Brunswick, and St. Marys, GA, at Vision Source Family Eye Care provide testing and treatment for diabetic retinopathy to help protect against vision loss and slow disease progression. Here’s how we can help you manage this condition.

Medication

Diabetic retinopathy can cause new blood vessels to form in your eyes, eventually leading to vision loss. Medications injected into your eyes help stop these blood vessels from growing.

Prescription Eyeglasses

Have you already experienced any vision loss or changes due to this disease? We can help you choose prescription lenses that improve your vision, making it easier to do day-to-day activities.

Lifestyle Changes

We may recommend making some changes to your daily life when you have this condition. Managing diabetes and blood sugar helps slow the progression of this eye condition.

Low Vision Strategies

Since diabetic retinopathy may affect your ability to see in low light, we may provide tools and strategies to help you see better in these environments.

When to Seek Care

You should get help or at least have testing done if you have diabetes or if you’re experiencing any symptoms of diabetic retinopathy. Finding this condition early helps us protect your vision.

Set Up an Appointment for Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

Have you been diagnosed with this condition or suspect you have it? Our optometrists at Vision Source Family Eye Care offer tests and treatment for diabetic retinopathy in St. Marys, Jesup, and Brunswick, GA. We can help you manage this eye condition to help reduce the risk of vision loss.

The Connection Between Nutrition and Eye Health

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Most people understand the importance of a balanced diet for their heart or weight, but eye health is often overlooked in the conversation. The food choices you make can significantly affect how well your eyes function—and how well they age. Maintaining healthy vision doesn’t only come from regular checkups—although that’s crucial, too; it also relies on what’s on your plate, morning, noon and night.

Vitamins That Support Long-Term Vision

No surprise, but vitamins play a critical role in keeping your eyes healthy. For example, vitamin A is essential for clear night vision and helps keep the surface of the eye (the cornea) properly moisturized. Without enough vitamin A, people may experience dryness, discomfort, and difficulty seeing in low light.

Vitamin C, known for its immune-boosting properties, also supports the health of the eye’s blood vessels and may lower the risk of cataracts in Jesup, GA. Vitamin E contributes by protecting eye cells from damage caused by free radicals, which can accelerate aging and disease development.

It’s not limited to the vitamins that are mentioned here, either—for all the best benefits, you want a huge variety of vitamins in your diet.

Don’t Leave Out Zinc and Omega-3s, Either

Zinc plays a vital role in helping the body move vitamin A to the retina, where it helps produce protective pigments. Without sufficient zinc, you may experience reduced night vision or slower healing from eye-related issues.

Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, are a key part of retinal structure. These healthy fats, found in foods like salmon, chia seeds, and flaxseed oil, can help reduce dry eye symptoms and inflammation.

Nutrients That May Guard Against Age-Related Conditions

The risk of developing macular degeneration or cataracts increases with age—but diet may help delay or prevent these conditions. Leafy greens like kale and spinach are high in lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that filter harmful blue light and protect against cellular damage in the retina.

A nutrient-rich diet full of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats does more than nourish your body—it helps preserve your vision. If you’re unsure whether your diet is giving your eyes what they need, talk to your optometrist in Jesup, GA at Vision Source Family Eye Care.

Do You Need Better Eye Hygiene? How to Tell

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Eye hygiene is not always something that people think about daily, mainly if they’re used to getting lectures about how to wash their hands or purify their air. While these measures are essential, as any eye doctor in St. Marys, GA can tell you, you may need to focus more specifically on your eyes to avoid everything from general infections to more specific vision disorders.

Tips for Better Eye Hygiene

Here are the most common tips for better daily eye hygiene:

  • Remove all debris: This includes makeup, grit, or any external buildup. Compresses, makeup wipes, and coconut oil can all work to get out even the most stubborn of residue. If you notice any puffiness, a cool compress for a few minutes can reduce irritation.
  • Attack germs: Whether on your hands or your contacts, germs can land where you don’t want them to. In addition to washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, you should clean your contacts with fresh solution and replace your storage case every 3 to 6 months.
  • Wear your sunglasses: While natural light is essential to your visual health, you’ll need to balance that against the sun’s harmful rays. Sunglasses can also help you protect the vulnerable skin that’s right around the eyes, reducing the odds of skin cancer.
  • Mix up your lifestyle: Whether you start eating more carrots, lower your blood pressure, or stop smoking, all of these measures can help you improve the strength and resiliency of your eyes.

Schedule Your Eye Exam in St. Marys, GA

Home eye hygiene is a meaningful way to protect your vision and keep your eyes healthy. In fact, specific measures, such as keeping your contacts clean, may be able to prevent your vision from getting any worse. However, even the most conscientious people will still need to see their doctors from time to time.

If you’re concerned about your visual health, the best thing that you can do is get an eye exam in St. Marys every year. The right eye doctor can catch issues early, treating them before they have the chance to turn into bigger issues. If you’re looking for a qualified team to work with, contact the staff at Vision Source Family Eye Care today!

The Unfiltered Truth About Aging Eyesight

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As you age, many new health concerns can arise. However, seeking a comprehensive eye exam in Brunswick, GA, is just as important as scheduling a visit to the doctor for a physical checkup. Age does affect your vision and visual health, but this is nothing to fear with a good relationship with your chosen optometrist. Take a look at a few things to know about eye health as you age below.

Presbyopia Demystified: What to Expect as You Age

Presbyopia is an age-related vision change that occurs when the eye’s lens loses flexibility, which in turn affects the ability to focus on close objects. This common condition becomes noticeable as you age, as reading or close work may become more challenging. Understanding presbyopia is crucial for those entering their later years. Therefore, learning about its symptoms and the need for reading glasses or contact lenses is a good idea.

Busting Myths About Declining Night Vision

Older eyes may take longer to adjust to the darkness, which can be to blame for affecting one’s ability to see clearly at night. However, not all people will struggle to see clearly at night as they age. In fact, some individuals may face more issues driving in the bright sunlight than the low light as they get older.

Coping Strategies for Age-Related Vision Changes

Coping with vision changes as you age involves adapting to evolving needs. You may need to discuss your needs with an optometrist and find optical solutions that can help with visual acuity in different circumstances. Follow good lighting practices in your typical environments, utilize magnifying aids for reading, and maintain regular eye checkups to support your eyes as they change. These strategies allow you to navigate and adapt to age-related vision changes for continued visual well-being.

Discuss Your Vision with a Brunswick Eye Doctor

Aging affects vision, but with a trusted Brunswick, GA optometrist, there’s no need to be concerned about your visual health future. Careful monitoring and routine discussions with your eye doctor can make all the difference. If you have concerns about your visual health as you age, be sure to reach out to the team at Vision Source to schedule an appointment.

What’s Happening to My Night Vision?

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Many people have difficulty seeing well at night. However, if your night vision, or lack of it, is getting in the way of essential tasks like driving, it’s time to talk to your eye doctor in Brunswick, GA. Impaired night vision can be caused by a more serious medical condition, so scheduling a routine eye exam should top your to-do list.

Symptoms of Impaired Night Vision

If you’re noticing any of the following symptoms after the sun goes down, it may mean there’s a problem that needs to be addressed:

  • Seeing halos around oncoming headlights
  • Inability to see the stars in the night sky
  • Vision seems blurry or cloudy in low light
  • Eyes feel sensitive to light
  • Difficulty making out small details or recognizing faces in low light

Several medical conditions can cause symptoms such as these, and the sooner you have a diagnosis, the sooner you can begin treatment to save your vision.

Why You May Have Difficulty Seeing at Night

Your eye doctor can perform a series of exams to determine why you’re experiencing difficulty. Results could include a range of chronic conditions that require treatment, including the following:

Cataracts

Cataracts cause a cloudy film to form across the lens of your eye. One of the first symptoms of cataracts may be impaired night vision. Often, cataracts can be treated through simple eye surgery, where the affected lens is removed and replaced by one that’s artificial.

Vitamin Deficiency

Your body needs specific vitamins to perform at its best, and if you’re low on vitamin A, night blindness may result. You can get vitamin A by eating lots of green, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables.

Diabetes

Uncontrolled diabetes may cause abnormal blood vessels to form in the retina. These vessels may leak, leaving blood deposits that make it difficult to see.

Other medical conditions, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, may also affect your ability to see at night. That’s why it’s important to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor at least once a year.

Help for Impaired Night Vision in Brunswick, GA

If you need help with poor night vision in Brunswick, GA, we encourage you to call Vision Source Signature Eye Care today.

All the Ways That Screens Can Hurt Your Eyes

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Screens have become an integral part of our lives. Whether they are phones, tablets, computers or TV screens, people today are almost constantly surrounded by screens. They’ve become a necessary part of life in order to get done what needs to be accomplished. But as data pours in about the effects of screens, it’s becoming increasingly clear that screams can hurt the eyes in more ways than one.

Eye Strain

Prolonged screen use without taking breaks can cause a particular kind of eye strain known as computer vision syndrome. It strains the eye muscles and lead to discomfort. Symptoms include dry, uncomfortable eyes, blurred vision and headache.

Blue Light

Almost all screens emit blue light. This particular light can be damaging over a period of time. Prolonged exposure to blue light can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle and lead to eye strain. Some studies suggest that it may also increase the risk of macular degeneration over time..

Dry Eye Syndrome

There’s a phenomenon that when people use screens they blink less frequently. This can cause dryness and irritation in the eyes, and reduce the ability of the eyes to produce needed moisture, which can lead to dry eye syndrome. If you have this, contact your eye doctor for treatment for dry eyes in Brunswick, GA.

Development of Myopia

Some studies suggest that excessive screen time, particularly in children, may contribute to the progression of myopia, also known as nearsightedness. When developing eyes are constantly focused on items in the near vision, this may impact the physical development of the eyes in a way where myopia occurs and becomes permanent.

Protecting Eyes From Screens

Eye damage isn’t inevitable. There are things you can do to protect your eyes from screen-related damage.

  • Practice the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
  • Concentrate on blinking when using screens to help with eye moisture
  • Visit your eye doctor in Brunswick, GA so any problems can be discover as soon as possible
  • Use blue light filters or blue light blocking eyeglasses

Screens aren’t going away anytime soon. But we must have ways to use these devices in a way where we don’t have to sacrifice the health of our eyes. Contact us to book an appointment to learn more.

FAQs Regarding Macular Degeneration

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Macular degeneration happens when a part of the eye called the macula becomes compromised. Your macula is actually part of your retina. It’s located near the back of your eye, and its primary purpose is to process color and fine details. As a result, it’s responsible for the acuity of your central vision. If there’s a problem with your macula, you may notice changes to your vision that include blurred or fuzzy vision and blind spots when you look straight ahead. A visit to your eye doctor in Brunswick, GA, can diagnose macular degeneration.

What Causes Macular Degeneration?

Several factors may contribute to macular degeneration. For many, this is an age-related disorder that sometimes affects people over the age of 50. Gradual changes in vision may point to the dry form of this condition that’s caused by the breakdown of the macula’s light-sensitive cells. While doctors aren’t sure exactly why this happens, they do believe it may have genetic or environmental roots.

Severe macular degeneration often happens as a result of the wet form of this disorder. This happens when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid that blocks your vision. Lifestyle and diseases such as chronic hypertension may lead to wet macular degeneration.

Who Is Most At-Risk of Developing Macular Degeneration?

Some people are more at-risk than others of developing this debilitation eye condition. They include:

  • Smokers
  • People who eat a lot of saturated fats
  • Those with uncontrolled hypertension
  • People over the age of 50.

Regular eye exams with your vision specialist can help detect macular degeneration in its early stages. This may prevent further loss of vision.

Is It Possible to Prevent Macular Degeneration?

You may decrease the risk of developing macular degeneration by making simple changes to your lifestyle. Stop smoking, eat a healthier, lower-fat diet, get regular exercise, and have regular eye exams. If you’re concerned sudden vision changes may signify macular degeneration in Brunswick, GA, make an appointment with Vision Source Family Eye Care today. Vision Source has convenient locations in Brunswick, St. Mary’s, and Jesup, GA, and our friendly and knowledgeable associates are always happy to schedule an appointment time that works for you.

3 Ways to Deter Eyelash Mites Around Your Eyes

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Eyelash mites, scientifically known as Demodex mites, are microscopic bugs that reside around the hair follicles on your skin. While these mites are common and live on pretty much every human, an overabundance of them generates problems. If you have an overabundance of eyelash mites, you may even be at risk of conditions that require treatment from a Brunswick, GA eye doctor.

1. Steer clear of old cosmetics

It is a good idea to swap out your eye makeup products every few months. As you use these products on your eyes, they pick up dead skin cells, eyelash mites, and the eggs of the insects. This means even if you keep your eyelashes clean, you are essentially bringing back the problem with every swipe of product.

2. Clean your eyes twice a day

Morning and night, take the time to clean your eyes well with water and a washcloth that has a bit of texture. You want to remove any remaining eye makeup, but also dead skin cells, excess skin oil, and eyelash mites and eggs as well. A lot of people make the mistake of cleaning their lashes and lids with only a moistened cotton ball. This may wipe away makeup residue, but it does not do a good job of getting rid of lingering eyelash mites.

3. Keep your bedding and pillows as clean as possible

If you want to thwart issues with eyelash mites, make sure you keep your bedding and pillows clean. Dust that hangs out in bedding is attractive for the mites. They will actually lay their eggs in the dust, which means every time you sleep on the soiled bedding, you could be picking up more mites. Thankfully, all that is required to keep populations at bay by killing off the eggs is a trip through your washing machine.

Keep Your Visual Health in Check with a Brunswick, GA Eye Doctor

Even though eyelash mites sound scary, the issue is common and highly treatable with the help of a Brunswick, GA eye doctor. Plus, a few changes in your everyday routine makes a huge difference. If you suspect you are dealing with eyelash mites due to eye irritation, reach out to us at Vision Source Family Eye Care to schedule an appointment.

3 Things to Know About Glaucoma

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Glaucoma is one of the most common conditions, and it’s one that occurs to people all over the world. Thankfully, understanding more about it can potentially help you prevent this disorder. We’ll look at three things you should know about how glaucoma affects your vision.

1. It’s a Nerve Disorder

As the body gets older, wear and tear will ultimately play a role in different ways. In the eyes, the pressure of the fluids can begin to change and the nerve can start to break down. After a while, this will begin to cause blind spots to a person’s eyesight. Glaucoma causes the fluids of the eye to build-up which will put more strain on the eye.

2. There’s More Than One Type

Normally, your body will drain your eye fluids on its own. When glaucoma sets in, it will affect those patterns differently. If you have open-angle glaucoma, the changes are so gradual that only a skilled eye doctor in Jesup, GA might be able to spot the problem. By contrast, closed-angle glaucoma can come on so suddenly that you might need to visit an emergency room. The right doctor can tell you what kind of glaucoma you’re beginning to develop and treat it accordingly.

3. It Can Happen to Anyone

While often associated with the older crowd, the truth is that people as young as 40 can get it. Even infants and children have been known to get it. Typically, in the case of younger people, glaucoma in Jesup, GA happens because someone in the family had it before then. Sometimes, though, the causes aren’t always clear. It seems like anything from smoking to diet to cornea thickness can bring about this disorder.

Glaucoma in Jesup, GA

While doctors are still uncovering new facts about this common disorder, one thing’s for certain about it. If an adult over the age of 60 has gone blind, it’s likely because they have glaucoma. This is just one reason why it’s so important to schedule regular checkups, as early intervention can go a long way toward staving off the worst outcomes. Vision Source Signature Eye Care is here to help, so contact us for an appointment to take the first step.