Common Causes of Dry Eye

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Dry eyes can be a debilitating condition to deal with. The gritty, itchy, dry feeling can impact your comfort throughout the day. To treat dry eye effectively, your eye doctor in Pittsburgh, PA, eye doctors will need to find the underlying cause. Here are some common causes of dry eye to watch for.

Changes As You Age

People make fewer tears as they age. Sometimes, dry eye is simply a result of the aging process. In these cases, the best treatment is management of the condition to improve your comfort.

Medications

Many medications have dry eye as a side effect. If you’re on a medication, your doctors at Lappen Eye Care will help you determine if that could be a contributing factor. Sometimes, medication changes are important, while other times, you simply need to learn to live with the condition so you can continue taking your medicine.

Hormone Changes

Changes that occur during pregnancy and menopause, as well as some hormonal conditions like thyroid disorders, can lead to dry eye. Sometimes, treading these hormonal changes or imbalances, when appropriate, can help.

Contact Lens Wear

Over time, wearing contact lenses can contribute to dry eye. Sometimes, if the dry eye is bad enough, you may want to talk to your eye doctor in Pittsburgh, PA, about switching to glasses. Other options may include using lubricating drops to help keep your contacts comfortable.

Chronic Health Conditions

Many autoimmune disorders and chronic health conditions can contribute to dry eye problems. Again, if you can treat this underlying condition, you’ll likely find that your dry eye improves.

Dry eye doesn’t have to be debilitating. With help from the eye doctors at Lappen Eye Care, you can effectively treat or manage this condition. Schedule an eye exam to discuss your dry eye concerns today.

How to Protect Your Eyes During Allergy Season

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Have your eyes been feeling itchy or watery? It’s that time of year when trees and grasses release pollen into the air, triggering seasonal allergies. You don’t have to spend all of spring hiding indoors. Our optometrists in Pittsburgh, PA, at Lappen Eye Care offer help managing and treating these allergies. Here’s some advice on protecting your eyes from seasonal allergens!

Wear Sunglasses

Even if it’s not sunny out, having sunglasses on during allergy season can cut down on symptoms. They help shield you from pollen blowing around in the air, keeping it from getting into your eyes. If you normally wear eyeglasses, these do the same.

Check Pollen Counts

Some days have much higher pollen counts than others. If possible, limit your time outside when there’s a lot more pollen around. Note that these counts are typically higher earlier in the day. They’re also higher on windy days.

Close Windows

Warmer weather might make you want to let fresh air inside — but opening your windows also lets in plenty of pollen! Keep them closed on days when pollen counts are high. If needed, run your air conditioning to keep your home cooler.

Don’t Touch Your Eyes

If you’ve been outside, there’s a good chance you’ve got pollen on your hands. Avoid touching your eyes after coming inside. Wash them with soap and water to get rid of any pollen and other allergens that might be on them.

Find Relief for Eye Allergies in Pittsburgh!

Are you looking for relief from watery, itchy eyes? Our eye doctors can help! At Lappen Eye Care, we provide treatment for eye allergies in Pittsburgh, PA, with offices in the South Side area, Greensburg, McMurray, and South Hills.

What Are the Risk Factors for Glaucoma?

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Have you been experiencing pressure or pain in one or both eyes? This may indicate that you have glaucoma, a common eye disease. Having this condition diagnosed early and managed can help protect your vision. At Lappen Eye Care, our optometrists in Pittsburgh, PA, offer testing and treatment for this disease. Let’s explore some of the risk factors that may raise your chance of developing glaucoma!

Your Age

Your risk of having this disease goes up as you get older, especially if you have other risk factors. Glaucoma tends to occur in people who are at least 40 years old. Being checked for this disease during your routine exams helps us look for signs of it early.

Being Nearsighted or Farsighted

Do you wear glasses or contacts to correct your vision? Farsightedness and nearsightedness can raise your risk of having different types of glaucoma.

Underlying Medical Conditions

Have you been diagnosed with any chronic medical diseases? Certain conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure, are linked to increased risks of having glaucoma. Managing these diseases may help reduce those risks.

Family History of Glaucoma

Does this eye disease run in your family? Having a parent or other close relatives with glaucoma is associated with a higher chance of having this condition. We’ll ask you about your family history during your visit to assess your risk.

Set Up an Appointment With Our Pittsburgh Eye Doctors!

Do you have a higher risk of glaucoma? Our optometrists at Lappen Eye Care can test you for this eye disease and recommend treatment if needed. We provide glaucoma treatment in Pittsburgh, PA, at our locations in McMurray, South Hills, Greensburg, and the South Side area.

Why Your Eyes Feel so Tired After a Long Day of Screens

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Do your eyes feel like they’ve been running laps around a track field after a long day of staring at screens? You’re not alone. This is what life is like nowadays. Even though technology has made so much possible, it’s also brought an onslaught of trouble for eyesight, and it’s important to recognize why this is happening and how to protect your vision. It’s called digital eye strain, and it does a number on your eyes, as your Pittsburgh, PA optometrist can explain.

Reduced Blinking and Dryness

When looking at screens, people tend to blink far less than usual—sometimes as little as half their normal rate. Blinking is essential for keeping the eyes moist and refreshed. When you don’t blink enough, your eyes dry out, leading to irritation, redness, and that heavy, tired feeling.

Constant Focusing Effort

Reading on a screen requires your eyes to constantly adjust focus, especially when switching between different text sizes, images, or windows. Unlike looking at a physical book, digital content often includes glare, small fonts, and moving elements that demand extra effort. Over time, this strain can make your eye muscles feel fatigued.

Exposure to Blue Light

All screens emit blue light, which has been linked to increased eye strain and disrupted sleep patterns. Blue light is invisible to the naked eye, but trust us, it’s there. While blue light itself isn’t harmful in small doses, prolonged exposure can contribute to discomfort and make it harder for your eyes to relax. It may also interfere with melatonin production, making it more difficult to wind down at night.

If your eyes are chronically tired, with or without screen time, you should definitely get an eye exam in Pittsburgh, PA. Contact Lappen Eye Care today to book your appointment.

Are Glasses Safer for Your Eyes than Contact Lenses?

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If you need glasses or contacts, the question of safety is important. The drawback is that it’s not as simple of a question as it might first seem. Below, we’ll look at the nature of contact lenses and glasses and why it might be better to base the decision on more than just the safety factor.

Glasses vs. Contacts

In general, glasses are usually given a slight edge regarding safety. Because they allow the eyes to breathe and there are fewer complications if you don’t follow a strict cleaning schedule, they are generally considered to be a safer choice. For example, if you’re lax about cleaning your contacts, it can lead to anything from cornea damage to infection.

Of course, this general advice doesn’t factor in how glasses can quickly become foggy or drenched in bad weather, slip off the nose, or break throughout the day. Contacts in McMurray, PA aren’t just more convenient for things like sports; they can actually be safer because you’ll be able to see from every angle without fear of breakage.

Find an Optometrist in McMurray

If you’re concerned about the risks of contact lenses or glasses, an optometrist in McMurray, PA can help you find the best solution. For example, if you’re concerned about daily maintenance, you can choose one-day disposable contacts to simply discard the lens at the end of the day. Usually, combining the two can help you find the best of both worlds.

Learning more about your eyes starts with the right eye exam. At Lappen Eye Care, our staff can answer your questions and provide custom recommendations based on your lifestyle, budget, and expectations. There’s no question that glasses and contact both require commitment — it’s a matter of finding the right commitment for you.

emergency eye care

Eye Emergencies: What to Do and Who to Call

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An eye emergency can be a disorienting experience for a number of reasons. Not only are eye emergencies some of the most visible, but you might also be worried about the long-term effects of a red or painful eye. Here, we’ll look at what you can do in an eye emergency to mitigate damage and hopefully prevent further injury or damage.

What to Do

However long it takes for you to see an emergency eye doctor in McMurray, PA, whether it’s a few minutes or a few hours, you’re usually better off not doing much of anything. This means that you shouldn’t be trying to remove a foreign object or rubbing or pressing on the eye. The best thing you can do is contact an emergency service so you can take the next steps.

Who to Call

If you’re experiencing major changes in vision, extreme pain, or light flashes, it’s time to call an emergency optometrist in McMurray. These experts generally treat immediate concerns, meaning a minor condition like the pink eye wouldn’t typically require their services. However, chemical burns, pain after surgery, or foreign objects in the eye (e.g., metal shaving, pieces of glass, etc.) would require emergency care.

Learn About Emergency Eye Care in McMurray, PA

Ideally, you’ll know what to do in an emergency, whether it happens to you or someone you know. To be prepared, you’ll want to have a dependable emergency doctor to turn to in McMurray. If you’re looking for a skilled staff that can take action as quickly as the situation develops, contact us today.

Can Diet Help You Avoid AMD?

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While it can be difficult (to the point of impossible) to connect diet to help, there are strong links that it helps to know about. Generally, eating better can reduce your risk of most health disorders. However, if you have a family history of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in South Hills, PA, a condition that can lead to total blindness over time, we’ll look at what the research says about diet and AMD.

What to Eat

Here’s what you should know about AMD and diet:

  • Leafy greens: Veggies high in carotenoids are good for shielding the macula from all kinds of environmental threats (namely, the sun).
  • Fish: Acids like omega-3s, found in fatty types of fish, work great against inflammation, which can soothe the eye even when it’s under stress.
  • Broccoli: Anything high in antioxidants essentially protects the cells from damage. Broccoli, potatoes, and avocados all fall under this header.

The general requirements shouldn’t be surprising to anyone who’s trying to lead a healthier lifestyle. Anything from whole grains to healthy fats can reduce the odds of eye damage. Plus, as a bonus, it can improve your mood and help you feel better on a day-to-day basis.

Why Eye Exams in South Hills, PA

There is no such thing as staving off all disease, even if you can improve your odds by changing your habits. Catching AMD may not solve the issue entirely, but it may be able to slow the progression. That’s why it’s important to visit your optometrist in South Hills on a regular basis. As you age, the eye changes, and even if that change is slow, a trained eye can spot the differences.

Optimizing Eye Health at Home

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Your optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA uses the latest technology to protect your vision. But did you know there are many things you can do at home to optimize your eye health? Eyesight is a precious gift, so it makes sense to take every possible step to preserve your vision!

Eat a Balanced Diet

A balanced diet not only helps your overall health; it also supports healthy eyes. This is the best way to ensure you get adequate amounts of all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that your eyes and brain need for optimized eye health.

Always Use Proper Lighting

Indoors or out, always make sure you have sufficient lighting for your activity. While reading or doing other close-up activities like sewing, doing jigsaw puzzles or something else, use a task light plus an overhead light. Ensuring adequate lighting while reading, working, or doing any close-up tasks can prevent eye strain.

Limit Screen Time

It’s becoming harder and harder to limit screen time, but it must be done. Screens emit blue light, which is very hard on the eyes. Try to choose books over tablets, and board games over game apps. Also, did you know that you don’t blink as much when you’re looking at screens? This can lead to dry eyes and eye fatigue. Take 10-minute breaks from looking at the screen, every 20 minutes. During this time, look at things in the distance (such as looking out a window), so your eyes aren’t only focusing on close-up things 100% of the time.

Wear Protective Eyewear

Wearing protective eyewear during activities that pose a risk to your eyes, such as using power tools or playing certain sports, is crucial. Additionally, sunglasses with UV protection should be worn outdoors to shield your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays.

Finally, be sure to have regular eye exams in Pittsburgh, PA with your optometrist. In this way, potential problems can be caught and addressed as soon as possible.

 Eye Floaters and the Home Remedy Myths Behind Them

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Are you dealing with eye floaters? Many people bring up eye floaters during an eye exam in Pittsburgh, PA. However, one of the first things many patients do when these annoying disturbances in their field of vision develop is to look for home remedies on the internet. Unfortunately, eye floaters are not something that can be eradicated with most home remedies. Take a look below. 

Myth: Get More Sleep 

Getting ample rest is undeniably good for your vision, as your eyes get a prolonged amount of rest from focusing and light exposure. However, sleeping more is not something that can help with eye floaters once they have developed. 

Myth: Change Your Diet

Once floaters are present, there is little you can give your body to make them go away. Eating a nutrient-dense diet is always a good move for your visual health. And changing your diet could help to prevent further eye floater development. However, no nutrients have been proven to break down the floaters to eliminate them. 

Myth: Use Warm/Cold Compresses 

Warm or cold compresses are one of the first recommendations most people come across when searching for information about how to get rid of eye floaters. While warm or cool compresses can be good for other issues like blepharitis or conjunctival inflammation, they won’t do anything for eye floaters. These collections of vessels are suspended in the vitreous fluid of the eye where exterior treatment with warm or cool compresses will not matter. 

Discuss Issues with Eye Floaters with a Pittsburgh Optometrist 

While eye floaters are not likely to go away with home remedies, there may be options available that can help. Procedures like vitrectomy and vitreolysis are two common recommendations for severe cases. Reach out to our Pittsburgh optometry office to schedule an appointment. 

 

What’s Causing My Eyes to Itch?

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Do your eyes itch seasonally or throughout the year? Understanding the cause of the itching and what you can do to alleviate it can help you stay comfortable. Your eye doctor in the Pittsburgh area can help.

 

What Causes Itchy Eyes?

Although many things can cause eyes to itch, the most common cause is allergies. Allergy to pollen affects many people at specific times of the year. Pet dander is another allergy that can cause eyes to become itchy.

Some people are allergic to lotions or makeup. Irritants in the environment like smoke and dust can cause eyes to become itchy. Some people even get itchy eyes because of their contact lens solution.

 

How to Find The Cause

While you may be able to identify the cause of your itchy eyes through trial and error, an allergist can help as well. Allergists perform tests to find out what patients are allergic to, so they can take steps to protect themselves.

 

How to Alleviate the Itching

Never rub itchy eyes. Rubbing your eyes can cause injury and can cause further irritation.

If you’re allergic to something in the environment, try to limit your exposure. Close your windows to keep out pollen and increase your cleaning regimen at home. Change your sheets often. Artificial tears can help as well.

 

Have Dry Eyes? Contact Your Eye Doctor

Some people get itchy eyes because of a condition called “dry eye.” Dry eye can be caused by medications and medical conditions. If you have severe dry eye, your eye doctor can help. See the eye doctor at Lappen Eye Care for an eye exam in the Pittsburgh area. Call today to make an appointment.