Can Sleeping with an Eye Mask Help If I Have Low Vision?

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A sleeping mask in Wilmington, NC can be a huge help for getting a better night’s sleep. It can be used to keep your eyes moist and block out light, which can help you avoid disturbances — especially if you live in an unpredictable household. Here, we’ll look at what a sleeping mask does and, maybe more importantly, what it doesn’t do if you have low vision.

Does a Sleeping Mask Help?

Regardless of the severity of your vision loss, a sleeping mask may help you maintain eye health and promote better sleep. For example, it can make your sleep quality more uniform, ensuring that stray sun beams or harsh lighting won’t crash your REM. A low-vision specialist in Wilmington, NC can tell you that the darker you keep your room while you sleep, the less stress you put on your retina, which can be particularly helpful if you suffer from a disorder like retinopathy.

Can a Sleeping Mask Improve My Vision?

No, a sleeping mask is there to support your eyes as opposed to fix them. Right now, there are no pure cures to pursue if you have low vision, although there are measures that you can take to see better. Devices like prismatic glasses and telescopic lenses can give you back your field of vision, making it possible to enjoy your favorite hobbies again. The right doctor can give you more context about what’s on the market and what it can do for you.

If you’re looking for low-vision aids in Wilmington, NC or you have questions about over-the-counter products, like weighted sleep masks, contact The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina today to speak to our staff and learn more!

 

Can Dietary Changes Help Me Improve My Low Vision?

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Low vision in Asheville, NC can be caused by any number of factors, including a stroke, ocular albinism, or even blunt trauma. When there are so many potential underlying roots, you may not even consider how nutrition can play a role in how well you see. Here, we’ll look at the facts and whether it makes sense to make a change to your diet.

Can Nutrition Help?

Yes. Upping your intake of foods like kale, sweet potatoes, strawberries, and nuts can provide the necessary vitamins and antioxidants that support eye health, including lutein and Vitamins A, C, and E. As with nearly dietary advice, the goal is to eat a balanced mix of nutrients to support eye health.

How Do Dietary Changes Help with Low Vision?

If you’re interested in how nutritional changes can support low-vision, you should know that it’s a general solution to maintain ocular health, which can help you slow the progression of serious diseases, like age-related macular degeneration. It may not improve your low vision (or, if it does, the changes may be marginal at best).

Seeing a Low-Vision Specialist in Asheville, NC

There’s no doubt that improving your diet is a smart move across the board, no matter what types of health conditions you may be up against — both now and in the future. However, if you’re looking for more targeted solutions — in addition to dietary advice — the best thing to do is see an eye doctor in Asheville, NC who specializes in low vision. For more information, contact the team at The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina to learn more about how we can help.

3 Signs You Need Light-Filtered Glasses

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Light-filtered glasses in Charlotte, NC do what the name suggests: they block out bright lights that can lead to anything from burning to squinting. However, because harsh fluorescent lighting is very different from natural sunshine, you may need different filters for different situations. Here, we’ll look at the standard signs that you need these glasses, and what you can do to find the right pair for you.

1. Your Eyes Are Strained

In an age of screens, it can be easy to ignore eye strain, so much so that you may not even notice it anymore. However, consider that light filters can possibly remove or eliminate that strain, which can give your eyes a bit of a breather.

2. Details and Edges of Objects Are Blurred

Light-filtering glasses may be able to improve contrast, especially in orange or yellow light, which can make it easier to clearly see the objects around you. (This would be especially helpful if you’re used to playing guessing games when driving directly in the sun’s glare.)

3. You Want Better Vision

Light-filters can protect your eyes, whether it’s from UV light or severe discomfort. However, it’s important to find light-filtering vision aids that work for you. An office worker who wants to filter out blue light from their computer will have very different needs than a retiree with a genetic history of low-vision in their background.

If you want to learn more about your options, contact The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina today. As low-vision specialists in Charlotte, NC, it’s our job to point you in the right direction. Some patients may need a standard pair of light-filtering glasses while others may need a more custom solution.

Why Family History Matters If You Have Low-Vision

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The term ‘low vision’ is one that goes beyond the standard descriptions of near-sighted or far-sighted. So, while it’s important to know your family history no matter what type of vision you have, it may matter more if your clan has a stark history of major eye disorders or diseases. Here, we’ll look at the genetic connection and why it may make a difference to your eventual outcome.

Causes of Low Vision: What to Know

Some eye conditions, like myopia, are relatively easy to predict. The odds are defined based on the inherited traits from your parents. However, the major disorders that lead to low vision in Durham, NC, like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, retinal diseases, and cataracts, don’t enjoy the same clear-cut statistics.

What can be said is that nearly every major disorder does seem to have a genetic component, even if that component is by no means a guarantee. For example, if you have a specific type of gene variant, you’re at triple the risk for AMD. If your family has a history of glaucoma, you may be up to nine times more at risk for it.

Finding an Eye Doctor in Durham, NC

How would you know if you had a specific type of gene variant? Most people wouldn’t even know where to start to answer this question. This is just one reason why it helps to speak with a low vision eye doctor in Durham, NC about your history. Ideally, you’ll catch the problem before it becomes a threat, but no matter when you seek help, the right specialist can recommend treatments to manage or improve your condition.

At The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina, we’re here to help you sort out the answers.

How Screen Time Is Affecting Your Eyes and What You Can Do

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Screens are everywhere—at work, at school, and at home. Whether you’re answering emails, helping your child with homework, or relaxing with a movie, your eyes are likely spending hours a day locked onto some kind of digital device. While technology has made life more efficient, that constant screen exposure can take a toll on your eye health, as your Wilmington, NC optometrist explains.

What Is Digital Eye Strain?

Spending extended time in front of a screen can lead to a condition called digital eye strain. The symptoms often build slowly and may include blurry vision, dry eyes, headaches, or a burning sensation. Some people also notice trouble focusing or increased sensitivity to light. It’s not always obvious, but the discomfort tends to worsen as the day goes on.

Why Screens Create Stress for Your Eyes

One major issue is blinking—or the lack of it. When you’re focused on a screen, your blink rate drops by nearly half. Blinking is how your eyes stay moist, so fewer blinks mean more dryness and irritation. In addition, the blue light that screens emit can contribute to fatigue and may even disrupt your sleep cycle when used late in the day.

Small Changes That Can Make a Big Difference

The 20-20-20 rule is a simple way to relieve strain: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This short break helps your eyes reset and stay relaxed.

Position your screen about an arm’s length away, slightly below eye level. Reducing screen brightness and minimizing glare can also ease the pressure on your eyes.

If you’re experiencing regular discomfort, talk to your optometrist about an eye exam in Wilmington, NC. They may recommend blue light-filtering lenses or personalized strategies to make screen time easier on your eyes. Taking action now can help preserve comfort and protect your vision long-term.

What Are Vision Aids for Low Vision

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Anyone who struggles with seeing items clearly when reading a book, driving a car, or working in the garden should consider vision aids. Everyday life can be greatly improved, even basic tasks you struggle with–when choosing vision aids in North Carolina. See how Dr. Edward Paul, OD, PhD supports low vision with vision aids.

What Are Vision Aids

A vision aid is a device used by an individual with vision problems. Whether the patient cannot see close objects or has blurry vision when looking far away, vision aids offer a solution. The most common types of vision aids include:

  • Magnification lenses
  • Transition lenses
  • Bifocal and trifocal eyeglasses
  • High-tech aids, such as apps or electronic light-up devices

Patients can find the right type of vision aid at our local eye doctor in Charlotte, NC. The benefits of vision aids involve overall life improvement with social, motor skills, and learning performance.

What is Low Vision

When patients complain about seeing hazy or fuzzy imagery or words, they most likely have low vision. Low vision is a type of vision condition occurring in patients who need more light for their cones to work properly.

This is “eye science” and involves the inner workings of the eyeball and retina. For people with low vision, increasing the amount of light used when doing activities like reading a recipe will allow them to see what they could not see before.

Contact an Eye Doctor in Asheville, NC, for Low Vision Treatment

Contact Dr. Paul today at 910-208-9012 for low vision correction using vision aids. We have three office locations in Wilmington, Charlotte, and Asheville, NC, to best serve our patient community. We have the resources, eyeglasses, and surgical treatments for low vision.

Do Yellow Tinted Lens Help With Night Driving?

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Yellow-tinted lenses are popular due to their purported advantages in nighttime driving. They are especially interesting to those who suffer from low vision in Charlotte, NC, since night driving is even harder with this eyesight problem. Opinions about the efficacy of yellow-tinted lenses vary, but there is enough anecdotal evidence to warrant serious consideration.

Main Advantage of Yellow-tinted Lenses in Eyeglasses

The main purported advantage of yellow-tinted lenses is their ability to enhance contrast and reduce glare. When driving at night, bright headlights and streetlights can create intense glare, leading to discomfort and decreased visibility, especially for those with low vision. The yellow tint may help filter out the scattered light, improving contrast and reducing glare, thereby enhancing overall visibility.

LED Headlights and Glare

One of the biggest challenges faced by those who suffer from low vision in Charlotte, NC, is the glare from the LED headlights that newer vehicles are outfitted with. While LED headlights offer energy efficiency and brightness advantages, they can also contribute to increased glare and discomfort for drivers, particularly those with low vision.

How Yellow-tinted Lenses Help Against Headlights

The specific wavelength of blue light emitted by LED headlights is known to be a major contributor to glare-related issues. Yellow-tinted lenses can mitigate the effects of this blue light as they selectively filter out shorter wavelengths. This selective filtering helps reduce the intensity of glare from oncoming headlights, making it easier for individuals with low vision—and even those without low vision—to maintain better visibility on the road.

If you want to test yellow-tinted lenses, talk to your optometrist in Charlotte, NC. You can learn more about whether they might help your night vision by booking an appointment today!

The Signs and Symptoms of Low Vision in Children

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Low vision is expected when you’re older, but when it happens to a child, it can be worrisome. There are many causes of low vision in children, and your optometrist in Asheville, NC, can perform an exam to identify the cause and provide you with a treatment plan. But what are the causes of low vision, and how do you know if your child has low vision?

The Most Common Causes of Low Vision

Some of the most common causes of low vision include an incorrectly shaped eye(s), a problem in the brain, damaged eyes, or a child being born with it.

The Signs and Symptoms of Low Vision in Children

Here are some of the things you should look for, and if you think your child is having vision issues, you should schedule a low vision exam in Asheville, NC, immediately.

  • Squinting or excessive blinking
  • Closing or covering one eye to see
  • Complaints about blurry vision
  • Excessive blinking
  • Head tilting or unusual head positions
  • Holding objects very close to or far from the eyes
  • Vision-related developmental delays
  • Activity avoidance

Other things to watch out for are if your child’s eyes are watery, or both of their eyelids look red-rimmed, swollen, or crusted, or if one of their eyes looks out or crossed.

When Should You Have Your Child Tested for Low Vision?

  • Newborn to three months of age.
  • Six months to one year of age.
  • Around three years of age.
  • Around five years of age.

Having your child routinely tested for low vision is especially important if you have a family history of vision problems.

Do You Need an Optometrist in Asheville, NC?

If you have been looking for an optometrist in Asheville, NC, please Contact Dr. Edward Paul at The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina today. If your optometrist has told you there is nothing they can do to help you or your child achieve better vision, there’s a good chance our optometrists can help. It might not be perfect, but we might be able to make it better.

The Different Types of Low Vision and the Best Ways to Treat It

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Do you have low vision? An optometrist in Wilmington, NC will be able to look at your eyes and know immediately what issues you are having. It’s possible you have low vision, or you could be experiencing something else.

What Is Low Vision?

Low vision is when you have vision loss that can’t be corrected using traditional methods such as glasses, contact lenses, or even surgery. However, low vision isn’t considered blindness since you still have some level of vision.

Some of the symptoms of low vision might include blurred vision, poor night vision, or blind spots. And the most common causes of low vision are glaucoma, diabetes, and age-related macular degeneration. There are, however, visual aids available that can help those with low vision.

What Are the Different Types of Low Vision?

There are several types of low vision. The most common types of low vision are as follows:

  • Central Vision Loss – this is when you have a blind spot in the center of one of your eyes.
  • Loss of Peripheral Vision – peripheral vision is your side vision, and this is when you can’t see anything to either side, below, or above eye level; however, you still have your central vision intact.
  • Night Blindness – this is your inability to see in low light areas such as anywhere at night or in a movie theater, etc.
  • Blurred Vision – this is when everything you see near and far is blurred.
  • Hazy Vision – this is when all your vision appears as if it has a hazy film or glare on it.

What Are the Best Ways to Treat Low Vision?

Some vision disorders are treatable, and some are not. However, finding the right optometrist is key to getting cutting-edge treatments that work for most people. Dr. Edward Paul is such a doctor and is widely known for finding treatments for many so-called “incurable” eye diseases. Keep reading to find out how to contact Dr. Paul.

Contact an Optometrist in Wilmington, NC

If you are having low vision problems in Wilmington, NC, and need an optometrist’s diagnosis, we would be happy to help Contact The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina today.

What is Night Blindness?

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Night blindness (nyctalopia) is a condition in which you are unable to see well at night or in dim light. It is frequently linked to difficulty in swiftly adjusting from a well-lighted to a dimly lit environment. It is a sign of an underlying eye condition, such as low vision in Wilmington, NC, rather than a disease in and of itself. Night vision problems are widespread in persons who are myopic. However, this is not related to retinal disease, but rather to optical impairments.

What Goes on Inside the Eye in Low Light?

Your eyes adjust to light on a constant basis. When there is little or no light, your pupils dilate, allowing more light to enter your eyes. The retina, which is a tissue at the back of your eye that houses all of the rod and cone cells, receives this light. Color vision is aided by cone cells. Rod cells aid with night vision. You can’t see as well or at all in the dark if those rods aren’t operating properly due to a disease, injury, or condition.

Symptoms of Night Blindness

The following are some of the signs and symptoms of night blindness:

  • When driving after dark, your eyesight becomes blurry
  • When driving at night, you have unusual difficulty adjusting to the darkness
  • Having trouble seeing in dimly lit environments, such as your home or a movie theater
  • Excessive squinting at night
  • Reduced sensitivity to contrasting colors
  • Transitioning from bright to dark settings is slow and difficult
  • Walking at night and not being able to easily see pedestrians

Remember, night blindness is not a condition in and of itself. Frequently, it is a symptom of low vision. Visit The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina if you have symptoms related to night blindness or are having difficulties seeing in low light.