Washington Eye Doctor Blog

Halloween is a time to dress up and embrace a new look. One way to do this is with decorative contact lenses. However, if not fitted properly or obtained from an unreliable vendor, these lenses can damage your eyes and lead to vision loss. Find out what you can do to prevent such an occurrence

With so many COVID-related changes this past year, the only thing that should remain constant is your child's back-to-school eye examinations.

Prescription sunglasses are ideal for driving, playing sports and simply enjoying time outdoors. Learn about the benefits of prescription sunglasses.

Do your eyes feel irritated when you wear eye makeup? Your eye makeup routine might not be dry-eye-friendly. Here we explain why certain eye makeup products can cause or exacerbate dry eye symptoms, and what you can do to accentuate your eyes without irritation.

Eye care is just as important for children as it is for adults. The sooner you teach your children how to care for their eyes, the more likely they will be to ingrain these habits for life. Here are some tips for kids!

Do your eyes become irritated and itchy when you wear contact lenses? Could be dry eye syndrome, allergies or the contact lenses themselves. Read on to find out what to do if you experience contact lens discomfort.

While purchasing a new pair of glasses online may seem more convenient, there are many advantages to purchasing them from a local eye care store. Here are 3 reasons to get your glasses from your neighborhood optometrist.

Mosquito bites are annoying but on the eyelid they can be particularly uncomfortable and even impact your vision. Find out what you can do to treat the bite at home, and when it's a good idea to contact your optometrist.

Healthy eyes extend far beyond healthy vision. Read on to learn how vision problems can impact you, and how having your eyes checked regularly can lower your risks.

You can’t force kids to wear their glasses, but you can help make it easier. Here are our top 5 tips to help convince your child to wear their glasses.

Are your contact lenses uncomfortable? It may be time to look into custom-designed scleral lenses, which provide clear and comfortable vision to people with keratoconus, corneal irregularities, severe dry eye syndrome, astigmatism and hard-to-fit eyes.

Playing outdoors offers numerous benefits, including delaying the onset of myopia. Read on to learn why that is, and learn why slowing myopia progression is vital for your child’s eye health.

Do you have a lump on your eyelid? It could be a chalazion. Learn what a chalazion is, how to treat it and prevent it from recurring.

Cataracts, which are a natural part of aging, cause your vision to become cloudy. Luckily, there are things you can do to try to delay the progression of cataracts. A good place to start is your diet. Find out which foods to avoid and which to add to your diet.

Eye drops are a great way to give your itchy, red, dry eyes relief. But if you use them too much you may be covering up a more serious eye condition. Learn the risks of overusing eye drops and what eye conditions you may have.

What we eat is not only important for your health but for your eyes as well. Our eyes need certain vitamins and nutrients to keep them healthy. Find out what food you should add or avoid to help delay the progression of your age-related macular degeneration.

Do people with dry eye syndrome have to forgo wearing eyeliner and other eye makeup? Although eyeliner can lead to meibomian gland dysfunction, there are steps you can take to safely wear eye makeup without compromising your eye health.

Dry eye syndrome can cause dry, red, itchy, irritated eyes. While eye drops or artificial tears provide relief to some individuals, they may not be effective for people with severe dry eye symptoms. For these individuals, scleral lenses may be a better option. Find out how scleral lenses can help relieve your dry eye symptoms.

Is your child nearsighted (myopic)? Here’s what you need to know about myopia and how it can lead to sight-threatening eye disease in the future.

As we age our eyes start to change, but that doesn’t mean you have to struggle with declining vision. Find out what you can do to maintain eye health after the age of 50.

The last thing you want your child to experience while playing sports is an eye injury.  Save their vision with protective eyewear.

Although COVID is still present in our lives, we are slowly returning to a semi-normal life. With so many disruptions this past year, the one thing that should be consistent is your child's back-to-school eye evaluations.

If you wear contact lenses, you likely appreciate the freedom it provides. But did you know that wearing contact lenses in water or while sleeping can damage your eyes?

If you have recently been diagnosed with keratoconus, you’ll likely have many questions. We’ve compiled 5 frequently asked questions about keratoconus so you can better understand the disease and learn how to manage it.

Choosing the right eye drops to relieve dry eye syndrome can be a real challenge, as there are several brands and products on the market. Learn all about the types of artificial tears available and start feeling better today.

If you wake up in the morning with itchy, burning eyes, you may have dry eye syndrome. Wonder how this happens when your eyes are closed all night? Read on to find out!

Shopping for a new pair of frames isn’t easy. We can help you choose frames that not only feel good but are most suited to your facial features.

Nearsightedness and farsightedness are common vision problems known as refractive errors. They occur when the eye is unable to focus light properly. We’ll explain the difference between the two.

People who appear to be clumsy or react slowly to visual stimuli may actually have a problem with their hand-eye coordination. During a comprehensive eye exam your eye doctor can assess your hand-eye coordination and recommend ways to address any deficiencies.

Since blue eyes contain very little melanin — a pigment that helps block out light, including the sun’s harmful UV rays and blue light — they often feel more sensitive to bright light. Find out more.

The more you use your computer, the more you expose your eyes to blue light. Find out how blue light may affect your eyes and how Lutina lenses can protect them.

Scleral contact lenses are so much more than oversized contact lenses. Here are our top 4 reasons why patients and doctors are calling scleral lenses a ‘big deal.’

More and more children are being diagnosed with myopia, a common refractive error associated with developing serious eye diseases later in life, such as macular degeneration and glaucoma. Find out what myopia is and how to prevent it from progressing

Here’s another reason for parents to send their kids out to play. Research shows that spending 2 hours or more outdoors lowers the risk of developing myopia and slows its progression.

Although caffeine has a diuretic and drying effect, it also has tear-producing properties that can potentially lessen your dry eye symptoms.

Many people who suffer from allergies say their symptoms are more intense this year, and that allergy season arrived early. Here’s why.

Had enough of wearing multifocal glasses or carrying an extra pair of glasses wherever you go? With multifocal contact lenses, you can be free from glasses and see just as clearly.

Here’s a glimpse into the life of Kenneth, a keratoconus patient. Read on to learn about his struggle with this eye disease, and how scleral lenses opened up a world of opportunities to him.

Dilated eye exams make it possible for eye doctors to better assess your eye health and are the only way to detect certain eye diseases.

Using your computer for long periods of time can irritate and dry your eyes. The condition is so common that researchers have coined it computer vision syndrome. Learn more about the causes and treatments of this condition.

Multifocal contact lenses can help people with presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) see clearly, whether focusing on close or distant objects.

Here’s something to raise a glass to — weekly consumption of red wine has been linked to a reduced chance of cataracts. Read on to discover why that is!

Scleral lenses are rigid gas permeable contact lenses that are often prescribed to patients with irregular corneas and severe dry eye syndrome, among other eye conditions. Read on to learn how to insert, remove and care for scleral lenses.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is more than just blurry vision. Here’s why parents of myopic children should consider myopia control, and what we can do to help.

Ever wonder why rock superstar Bono wears sunglasses, even when indoors? It's not due to his "look", but rather is related to managing his glaucoma.

If you have perfect vision you may think that visiting the eye doctor isn't necessary. Yet only a comprehensive eye evaluation can detect problems with your eye health, and may also uncover conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

A reduction in hormones during menopause, may lead many women to experience symptoms of dry eye syndrome. Read on to learn about the link between menopause and dry eye syndrome.

Eye herpes can cause several uncomfortable symptoms and recurring flare-ups. In extreme cases, it can lead to blindness. Discover how your eye doctor can help.

There are many common misconceptions about transition lenses, which darken in the sunlight and lighten in softer light. Here’s the real deal about these versatile lenses.

Myopia is an eye condition with increasing prevalence. While there is a lot of information out there on myopia, there are also many misconceptions. Read on to discover the REAL facts.

Dry eye syndrome is more common in women than it is in men. Read on to learn why, and how we can help diagnose and treat the cause of your dry eye syndrome.

Many factors contribute to vision loss, some of which may even be relevant to you. Read on to learn what puts a person at risk of developing sight-threatening eye diseases, and discover what an eye doctor can do to help.

When you go for your comprehensive eye exam your eye doctor will most likely dilate your eyes with atropine eye drops. But did you know that they can be used to treat eye conditions as well? Find out what these drops can help treat.

Scleral lenses are becoming increasingly popular among those with corneal problems and dry eye syndrome—and for good reason! Here are our top 5 tips for anyone who wears scleral lenses.

Sleep apnea is associated with high blood pressure and heart failure; it also causes eye-related issues. Find out how your eye condition may be linked to sleep apnea.

Since our eyes grow as we grow, children tend to need new prescription lenses relatively often. If your child has myopia (nearsightedness), their prescription may change even more frequently. Find out ways to slow your child's myopia progression.

Glare is that annoying bright light that causes you to squint. It also can cause eye strain when using your computer. Luckily, anti-glare coated glasses offer many benefits, such as reduced glare, allowing you to see and feel better.

Attention all eyeglass wearers! Here’s what we recommend to keep your lenses free and clear of scratches.

Night blindness is not an eye disease. It’s a symptom of several conditions that can range from mild to severe. Learn more about night blindness and discover ways we can help.

Scleral contact lenses are specially designed to vault over irregular corneas to create a smooth optical surface that provides sharp, comfortable vision. Here are 3 benefits of wearing scleral lenses.

If current trends continue, roughly half the world’s population will have myopia (nearsightedness) by 2050. But is the growing rate of myopia due to increased use of digital devices?

It may surprise you to learn that contact lenses can be safely worn by children aged 8 and over. Read on to learn more about contact lenses for the younger demographic.

People with astigmatism may wonder whether they can wear contact lenses. They absolutely can! The two main contact lens choices for astigmatism are scleral lenses and toric lenses. Read on to learn more and discover how we can help.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases causing damage to the optic nerve that can lead to vision loss or blindness. While there is a lot of information out there on glaucoma, there are also many misconceptions. Read on to learn to discover the REAL facts.

If you suffer from eye strain, headaches, shoulder pain and neck pain, your eyes may be misaligned. neurolenses® can help relieve those symptoms. Learn more about neurolenses and how they can help you continue to enjoy clear vision while maintaining your personal style.

Feel a brief burning sensation in your eyes? It could be a minor issue. But if it persists it could be something more serious. Find out what is causing your eyes to burn and how to get relief.

Ever wonder why your eyes tear up when you chop an onion? Here’s why these savory bulbs make you cry, and how you can reduce discomfort when cooking with them.

There are so many fun things you can do outdoors this winter! Here we share tips on fun outdoor activities you can do and explain why playing outside can help your child’s vision.

Here are 15 common things you might be doing that can increase your risk of suffering with vision loss or an eye disease. Read on to learn what they are, and what behaviors you may want to consider adjusting.

Contact lenses that don’t fit properly can cause discomfort and even eye damage. During a contact lens exam, your eye doctor will perform various tests to ensure you get the right prescription and the proper fit.

The increased use of video conferencing due to COVID-19 has had a surprising impact: A boom in cosmetic procedures. Here’s why eye doctors are concerned about the eye health risks these procedures pose.

Scleral contact lenses were designed to vault over irregular corneas to create a smooth optical surface that provides sharp, comfortable vision. Here are 5 facts about sclerals to better understand how and why they work.

Wearing face masks is something that will be around for the foreseeable future, and so will mask-associated dry eye. Ask your eye doctor how to minimize dry eye symptoms today.

The older one gets, the more the eye changes and the higher the risk of developing sight-threatening conditions. Learn about why middle-aged people need reading glasses and when to visit the eye doctor.

Diabetic retinopathy is a potentially sight-threatening condition caused by high blood sugar levels in diabetics. Fortunately, your eye doctor can advise on how to manage and reduce the risk of developing it.

It’s nearly the holiday season, so it’s a great time to learn which gifts may be beneficial to children with myopia, and which may be a hindrance.

If you or your child is new to wearing contact lenses, read our Top 5 Tips to make the adjustment easier.

Scleral lenses are a good solution for people with keratoconus, a corneal condition that leads to nearsightedness. Besides observing general recommendations for staying coronavirus-free during the pandemic, scleral wearers should consider taking additional precautions. Read on to learn more.

Demodicosis occurs when the microscopic Demodex mites living on your face or in your eyelashes proliferate, causing uncomfortable, even painful symptoms. But worry not, it can be easily treated by your dry eye optometrist.

Sunglasses aren’t just for summer. Why not, you ask? Read on to find out why sunglasses are just as much “fall wear” as jackets are.

Scleral lenses offer an excellent option for vision correction for people with irregular corneas, providing unparalleled comfort and improved eyesight. Learn more about these specialized lenses and how they've improved the vision and lives of these patients.

Consuming certain vitamins and nutrients can support your eye health and potentially ward off serious eye diseases and conditions. Read on to find out more!

Myopia or nearsightedness is most commonly corrected with prescription glasses or contact lenses. As children grow, their prescription often gets stronger, what we call “progressive myopia”. Our eye doctors can help.

Eyes naturally tear up to provide lubrication and comfort, but sometimes we don’t produce enough tears or tears of sufficient quality to keep our eyes moist. This can lead to a condition known as dry eye. Using compresses can help keep your eyes hydrated and comfortable.

Driving long distances, prolonged screen time and even reading can cause eye strain symptoms like headaches and blurry vision. Here are some eye exercises that can help you relax your eyes and find relief.

Many people with severe dry eye or irregularly shaped corneas find standard contact lenses uncomfortable or impossible to wear. Scleral lenses don’t touch the cornea, making them an excellent choice for people with these conditions.

Adjusting to new eyeglasses can take time, but persistent visual or eyestrain symptoms that accompany your new eyewear could warrant a call to your optometrist.

Ortho-k therapy can address a child’s myopia (nearsightedness) without surgery. Inserted at night and removed in the morning, ortho-k contact lenses can slow myopia’s progression at a time when an unprecedented number of children are being diagnosed with the condition.

Whether you work in an office, from home, or outdoors, certain elements of your work environment could be contributing to dry eye symptoms. Read on to learn how.

Does your child have myopia (nearsightedness)? Here’s what you can do to try and slow down it’s progression to keep your child’s eyes healthy for a lifetime.

To get maximal eye protection from your sunglasses, consider replacing them every two years, according to a study conducted in Brazil. Over time, protective UV coatings become less effective.

Certain contact lens wearers experience eyes that are dry, red, itchy, uncomfortable, and painful. Though eye drops can offer relief, it tends to be temporary. Scleral lenses offer permanent comfort and relief while providing vision correction and hydration.

Myopia (nearsightedness) is a common childhood condition. While eyeglasses and traditional contact lenses correct vision, prescriptions must be updated regularly as a child’s eyes develop and myopia progresses. In contrast, orthokeratology (ortho-k) slows the progression of myopia.

Don’t let dry eyes stop you from enjoying your time outdoors. If you experience any dry eye symptoms, implement the following tips, or get an eye exam to identify the cause of the problem and get the appropriate treatment.

Is your eyelid twitching again? Dry eye syndrome could be at the root of those little eyelid spasms. Treating your dry eyes can help reduce eye twitching. Here’s why.

Orthokeratology (ortho-k) is becoming the standard for myopia management in children today. There are several good reasons why many optometrists prefer this treatment to other methods.

Blurry vision can have many causes and may not always be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Insufficient tears or poor tear quality are often responsible for diminished vision clarity in people who spend much time on the computer.

Are you using your eye drops the right way? If not used properly, drops may not only lose their effectiveness, but could also damage your eye health. Below are a few simple rules to follow when applying eye drops.

1 in 5 people sleep with their eyes open. Known as nocturnal lagophthalmos, this condition can interfere with sleep and cause people to wake up with dry, irritated, red eyes. What is it? And can it be treated? Read on to find out!

Optometrists are slowly reopening their practices to offer routine services like eye exams for contact lenses, glasses, and eye surgery. This time around they will be implementing the strictest health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Read on to find out what to expect on your next visit.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, we have been going above and beyond to ensure that people are receiving emergency eye care. If you're having an eye emergency call your Washington, D.C. optometrist first.

With the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in full-swing, it's important to practice good eye hygiene because eyes are a portal for infectious diseases. Implement these 4 important eye hygiene practices to help you stay safe and healthy.

Tears flush out toxins, provide vital oxygen and nutrients to our eyes, and, among countless other benefits, ensure that our eyes remain lubricated and healthy. Read on to learn more about the composition of tears and how they benefit not only our eyes, but also our general well-being.

We all instinctively rub our eyes, whether we're tired, our eyes are itchy or when something gets stuck in them. However, did you know that doing so poses a threat to your eye health and can potentially lead you to contract COVID-19? Read on to learn why eye doctors instruct people to avoid rubbing their eyes.

An eye care emergency is defined as medical care for conditions requiring prompt medical attention due to a sudden change in ocular or visual health.

Wearing traditional contact lenses is particularly uncomfortable when you have dry eye syndrome as it can further exacerbate itchy and irritated eyes. Fortunately, there is a lens that isn’t only comfortable but can also improve dry eye syndrome.

Wearing lenses overnight has been shown to be safe and effective in slowing down myopia progression in children. That said, many parents believe orthokeratology involves a higher risk factor than other contact lens modalities. Let's take an open and honest look at some of the issues.

Your vision depends on your eyeball shape. A perfectly shaped eye will provide crystal vision, whereas any deviation in size or irregularity in contour will cause distortion. Read on to learn the difference between a healthy and an unhealthy eye shape.  

Use your new benefits to make 2020 your year of perfect vision. Ortho-k overnight lenses, which are particularly advantageous for myopic patients,  can be eligible for reimbursement with major savings accounts, such as HSA and FSA.

Though many wouldn’t place “smoking” and “myopia” in the same sentence, the harmful effects they have on vision are comparable, as children with rapidly progressing myopia have a similar risk of developing eye disease later in life as smokers do.

Though some people think vaping is a harmless alternative to traditional smoking, it can actually cause a whole host of health problems — including dry eye syndrome.

It is not uncommon for patients to experience post-surgery refractive errors, particularly following a corneal transplant. To achieve clear and comfortable vision, scleral lenses are often prescribed.

The use of heaters, as lovely as they are, can contribute to dry eye symptoms. Dry eye is one of the most common eye-health concerns and it’s important to be aware of the risks.

Children who spend a considerable amount of time playing outside are less likely to develop myopia than children who spend most of their time indoors in front of the TV or computer screen. These are the findings of a recent university study. Since Myopia is a progressing condition that can lead to more severe vision problems, every parent should be aware of this.

This holiday season, offer the gift of perfect vision that will have your loved one thanking you every day. If you or anyone in your family is nearsighted (myopic), Ortho-K lenses is the perfect gift. Read on to learn why.

Winter is entering full-swing, which also means that your eyes can experience unfavorable effects. This season's cool and arid winds may trigger dry eye symptoms, such as redness, grittiness, and stinging. Click here for tips on how you can prevent dry eye this winter season.

The sensation of burning eyes can have several causes - read on to find out what they are and which treatment options are available.

Allergic reactions and Dry Eye Syndrome have overlapping symptoms. Read on to learn the differences and assess whether or not you should see an eye doctor.

If you have sleep apnea, be sure to tell your eye doctor and to visit Washington Eye Doctors regularly for eye exams! A 2019 article published in The Journal of Glaucoma reported the results of a US-based study that involved more than 6,700 people over 40 years old, and a strong link was found between having glaucoma and sleep problems.

July is UV Safety Awareness Month, and no wonder! With the summer sun out in full force, it’s now more important than ever to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Call 202-335-5032 to learn more.

This summer, whether you're headed across state lines on a family road trip, flying off to Europe, grabbing a quick weekend getaway, or taking a vacation in your own backyard, don't forget to protect your eyes!

With millions of people living with the condition, it’s now more important than ever to bring awareness to this serious condition. So what exactly are cataracts?

Millions of people in the United States are treated for eye symptoms due to spring allergies, particularly when the level of grass pollen is high.

Whatever the cause, getting your kids to wear eyeglasses can be a parenting challenge. Our optometrist can help. Book your eye exam today 702-500-0525.

If your toddler has Myopia, you have a number of options for vision correction and treatment.

Vitamin D is an essential part of your child's health overall. Their vision is no different. Your child should head outside often to keep their vision healthy.

Myopia, also known as Nearsightedness, is an increasingly common eye condition. There are new and effective treatments that work better than eyeglasses!

Dry eyes often make wearing traditional contact lenses uncomfortable or impossible. Scleral Lenses are made differently, so wearing them is more comfortable.

Why ask us about contacts? Because our optometrists in Washington have years of experience and specialize in contact lens exams & fittings!

Gritty eyes can be hard and uncomfortable to deal with. At Washington Eye Doctors, our eye doctors are familiar with what causes gritty eyes, and how to help!

Did you know that your vision can affect your mental health? While things like stress, trauma, and family history are factors that impact mental health, vision can also impact it.

The Parkinson's Foundation has announced this year’s theme: #KeyToPD and Parkinson Canada advocates the same involvement.

There are some things you can do to minimize the discomfort throughout the spring season. Check out Our Top 5 Tips for Getting Through Ocular Allergy Season.

International Women's Day is a time for women to focus inwards on their personal goals, relationships, and health. Let's talk about women and vision.

If you’ve ever gotten a headache or developed watery eyes after scrubbing down your kitchen counters, you may have a sensitivity to the chemicals in your household products.

Did you know that certain vision problems can mask themselves as behavioral or learning difficulties?

Glaucoma, a silent eye disease, is the most common form of irreversible blindness in the world. It is actually a group of diseases that causes progressive damage to the optic nerve.

Braille is a tactile representation of letters and numbers that can be utilized by people with vision loss to read using their fingers.

Many teens who wear glasses are eager to try out contact lenses for convenience, fashion or to just provide another option for vision correction.

Your toddler may show every sign of good eyesight including the ability to see objects in the distance, however that doesn't necessarily mean that he or she doesn’t have a vision problem.

Make your resolution for healthy vision this year with increased awareness of the leading cause of blindness worldwide.

This is the one way you can be sure that you or your child’s eyes are truly safe during Nerf shooting:

Despite the fact that it is one of the most common eye problems, a surprisingly large percentage of patients are not aware of it.

Chances are it affects you or someone you know. November has been dedicated as a time to spread awareness about the disease, its risk factors and the effects it has on your body, your daily life and the lives of your loved ones.

Red, itchy, watery eyes and swollen eyelids (along with sneezing, congestion or a runny nose)...

Visit our new optometry website for information about our Practice.

It Could Be Pink Eye.