Your eyes are under a lot of pressure. The front of the eye constantly produces a fluid called aqueous humor. Small amounts of aqueous humor accumulate or drain off, helping the eye maintain optimal pressure. Blockage can occur, though, and insufficient drainage can lead to high pressure in the eye and possible damage to the optical nerve. This is the condition known as glaucoma, and there are two types to be aware of.

The most common form of glaucoma is open-angle. Open-angle glaucoma develops slowly, with age. Often, open-angle glaucoma presents no symptoms in its early stages. The worst one might notice is restricted peripheral vision, but, as the disease progresses, blank spots begin to form in a patient’s vision. If left untreated, glaucoma can result in total blindness. The best way to avoid permanent vision loss is to have regular eye exams. The sooner glaucoma is diagnosed and treated, the better.

A less common form of glaucoma is closed-angle. Closed-angle glaucoma is an eye emergency; it happens quickly and is painful. Angle closure happens when the pupil moves or dilates and blocks the drainage angles in the eye. Vision damage happens very quickly in closed-angle glaucoma, and the symptoms are so painful and dramatic that most patients seek medical help immediately.

To find out more about glaucoma symptoms, risk factors, and treatments visit http://www.takleeye.com/glaucoma-center-griffin/. There you’ll find a helpful video that explains exactly what’s going on when drainage is stopped, and what treatments are available to mitigate damage and return the eyes to normal function.

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The online marketplace has reduced the shopping process for millions of custom items, like shoes, clothing and décor, to a few clicks. Shopping for glasses can also be reduced to a fully at-home experience, but unlike clothes and books, glasses are engineered for a unique medical purpose.

Shopping for glasses online can be convenient, but there are a number of drawbacks to consider – especially if what you need is a pair of prescription glasses. Online glasses retailers offer measurement services and can even manufacture prescription lenses, but the options for a custom fit are limited. Higher-power prescriptions and specialty lenses require more precise facial measurements, and the margin of error is much slimmer. Even trained optometrists have a difficult time making their own facial measurements in a mirror.

Fit and style are important considerations for anyone who wants a pair of glasses. Try-on methods vary from site to site, and the effectiveness of these methods also varies widely. In-home try-on programs are the best way to find out how a pair of frames will fit your face when you’re shopping online, but not all online retailers provide such programs. Brick-and-mortar stores not owned by a manufacturer also will carry a wide variety of designer frames to help pin down your exact style.

One last tip: a local optical shop may offer repair or alteration services on their glasses that are unavailable from online stores. As you get used to the fit of your new glasses, it’s useful to be able to visit a store and have them adjust parts of the frame while you wait.

So, the right place to find glasses depends on what you need and want. If you need a low-power prescription and you’re willing to try a few online fittings to find the right frame, shopping online might be right for you. If you’re in need of a powerful prescription or precision lens and more confidence in the style of your frames, it might be wise to stop by an optical store and try on a few pairs.

If you’re looking for unique, custom-fit frames or a place where you can get specialty lenses crafted just for you, look no further than Takle Eye Optical – Takle Eye Group’s own optical shop. We carry popular brands and economy frames to light up your face. Find out more at http://www.takleeye.com/optical-center-griffin/ or call 770-228-4822 to schedule an appointment.

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Eye infections that can lead to blindness affect up to 1 of 500 contact users every year, and infections like these form and spread via contaminated contact lens cases.

The CDC estimates that more than 30 million people in the U.S. wear contact lenses. Contact lenses are a convenient alternative to traditional corrective glasses, but they require special care. Excluding disposable contacts meant to be discarded after one use, contact lenses need to be stored and disinfected in their cases after every use.

Keratitis is the clinical name for inflammation of the cornea, the clear dome covering the colored part of the eye. There are many different causes of keratitis, the most common being bacterial or fungal infections picked up from improperly cleaned contact lenses and contact lens cases.

Preventing keratitis is simple, if you’re caring for your contact lenses and contact lens supplies properly. Rinse lenses with contact lens disinfecting solution; your doctor may recommend a certain kind. Use only fresh contact lens solution every time you put your lenses away — do not recycle solution. Dry your case with a clean paper towel or cloth after each use and store it open and upside down.

Most importantly, know when to change your contact lens case. It’s recommended that you change your case at least once every three months — and with good reason. Even if you’re changing out your lens cleaning solution and drying the case after each use, small scratches or a resilient layer of biofilm can form on the inside surfaces of the case and harbor bacteria after extended use. Think of changing your contact lens case each time you buy a new toothbrush!

If you would like to change your contact lens case for free at your next visit to our office, ask about our new cases. To learn more about contact lenses and traditional glasses, visit the optical center on our new website.

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