Have You Had a Vision Exam Lately?

Eye health, as with the rest of the human body, is very important. If you’re someone that’s needed glasses or contacts for some time now, but haven’t made time to schedule a vision exam, do yourself a favor and visit Signature Optometry today. As your optometrist in Fresno, CA, we can expertly and accurately check your eyes and see if you require vision correction. As you age, vision problems such as cataracts and glaucoma can become more possible, so it’s essential that you have regular exams with your eye doctor.

When you arrive for your vision exam, we’ll take some time to learn your medical history and if you’ve had any vision problems in the past. If you’re a brand new patient with Signature, you can find all the required paperwork on our site, and save yourself time by filling it out before you arrive for your appointment. After we’ve finished your medical history, we’ll conduct a few basic tests to assess the current state of your vision. If you have glasses or contacts, we ask that you bring them with you so that we can assess your vision with and without correction. If you think that your prescription is outdated or too weak for your eyes, we’ll help you update it and find new frames that fit your style.

As an optometrist in Fresno, CA, we have the opportunity to work with people of all ages. If you have children that may need glasses, feel free to schedule an appointment for them as well. We also have an office location in Kerman, CA, so if that’s closer to your home, you can visit on Wednesdays between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm.

Avoiding Further Harm

When the eye becomes irritated, many people resort to fixing the problem themselves. While it can be hard to resist intervening, it’s essential for you to avoid:

  • Rubbing or applying pressure to the affected eye. Rubbing your eyes is a first response, and putting pressure on the eyelid can temporarily relieve irritation. Rubbing the eyes can promote lubrication and remove minor contaminants, but can exacerbate an existing injury. The introduction of the germs from your hands also raises the risks of further issues.
  • Applying ointments or eyecare medications. While this may sound counterintuitive, it’s important to diagnose what the specific eye problem is before treating it. Laying on the wrong medicine can make things worse!
  • Removing stuck objects. If there is any object that has burrowed into your eye, it’s important to seek emergency care from your local optometrist or urgent care. Attempting to remove the debris yourself can cause further damage. Numerous people attempt to utilize tools such as tweezers, which is one activity that we definitely do not condone. Again, the potential damage that can be dealt to your eye is not worth the risk.
  • Taking out your contact lenses. Unless your eyes have been contaminated with a harmful chemical, it is suggested in most scenarios to leave your contacts in. Attempting a removal after sustaining an injury can worsen the original damages.

Generally, it’s best to leave the eyes alone when an emergency develops. Signature Optometry strongly recommends seeking professional medical help before doing anything else!

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Common Causes of Eye Emergencies

The human eye is a remarkable tool, yet its protection from outside contaminants is often not enough to fully protect from hazardous situations. The cause of your eye trauma can equate to an emergency that varies from minor irritations to full vision loss. Read below for some of the more common causes of eye complications.

Corneal Abrasions

Scratches make up a major portion of eye emergencies in our office. Generally, patients are either poked in the eye by a foreign object or they rub their eyes when sand or dust is present, scratching the surface of the eye in the process. When you notice redness, irritation, or sensitivity to light, the odds are high that an abrasion is present. If the problem extends beyond the most superficial scratch, it’s important to see your eye doctor in Fresno for quick assistance. One a scratch is formed, the eye becomes more prone to infections, which can infiltrate the eye and begin causing damage within 24 hours! It’s important to seek medical help quickly and to avoid irritating the area.

Foreign Objects

Another contributor to eye emergencies is any foreign item that gets into the eye. Generally, any item that makes it into the eye is cause for medical intervention. Items such as metal, wood, or any material can cause a lot of damage if left untreated. If your eye is damaged by an outside object, be sure to disturb the site as little as possible. Creating a barrier to protect your eye before receiving medical assistance is recommended, whether it be a paper cup or some other cover item. Tampering with your injury in any form can make the problem much worse, so be sure to come in ASAP. If the item resides in the cornea, removal can lead to a timely recovery. If left untreated, the foreign contaminant can create a host of issues, from bacterial invasions to scarring and more.

Next time, we’ll continue to look at the causes of eye emergencies and why you should always seek medical help. Signature Optometry is your Fresno optometrist for same day emergency care in the event of any problems. From optical exams to contact lenses, we do it all. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule your appointment!