Tania Brisley Optometrist

12/10/2025

EXCESSIVE BLINKING IN CHILDREN:
What Causes Excessive Blinking in Children?
A study of children younger than 16 showed four common causes of excessive blinking:

Problems with the cornea at the front of the eye. These include dry eye, ingrown eyelash, a foreign object in the eye or under the eyelid, corneal abrasion (scratch or scrape at front of eye), eye allergies, or conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Habitual tics (involuntary repetitive body movements). A common tic is blinking. Tics are usually caused by stress/anxiety, fatigue or boredom. In most cases, tics are harmless, and children outgrow them.
Uncorrected refractive errors. The need for glasses or an updated glasses prescription to correct nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism.
Misaligned or crossed eyes (strabismus). Strabismus is when the eyes are not lined up correctly, pointing in different directions.

HOW IS EXCESSIVE BLINKING TREATED?

Treatment for excessive blinking depends on what’s causing it:

Ingrown eyelash/foreign object.
The eyelash or other irritant is removed from the eye.
Allergies, conjunctivitis or dry eye. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription eye drops or other treatments.
Corneal abrasion. Your child may need to wear a patch. This reduces blinking and helps the scratch heal. Moisturizing or antibiotic eye drops/ointment may also be used.
Refractive error. Glasses are prescribed when excessive blinking is caused by a refractive error like nearsightedness (myopia).
Strabismus. Sometimes glasses alone can straighten a child’s eyes. Other children need eye exercises or eye muscle surgery to align the eyes.
Habit tic. Excessive blinking from a tic usually doesn’t need treatment. Tics can take months to go away. Talk with your pediatrician to find what triggers your child’s tic. Tics are made worse by stress, fatigue, anxiety or as a side effect of ADHD medications.

10/10/2025

10/10/2025

Xanthelasma: A Simple Guide!!!
By Dr. Christian (OD)

What is it?
Xanthelasma is a yellowish, harmless growth that appears on or near the eyelids, usually close to the nose. It forms when cholesterol builds up under the skin.

What does it look like?
These are yellow patches around the eyes that can be flat or slightly raised, soft or firm. They're typically painless but may feel uncomfortable.

What causes it?
Several factors can lead to xanthelasma:
- High cholesterol levels
- Diabetes
- Being overweight
- Thyroid problems (especially hypothyroidism)
- Inflammation
- Excessive alcohol consumption

Should you be concerned?
While xanthelasma itself is harmless, it can be a sign of high cholesterol or other health issues. If you notice these yellow patches, it's a good idea to see your doctor for a check-up to rule out any underlying conditions.

22/08/2025

Study Finds Link Between Osteoporosis and AMD in Women
Female patients with low bone density were more than twice as likely to have any stage of the condition.

In their paper on the study for Scientific Reports, the authors proposed that estrogen levels might explain the pronounced correlation between AMD and low BMD in women.

“In females,” they wrote, “estrogen plays a pivotal role in bone remodeling. The influence of estrogen significantly enhances calcium absorption in the duodenum, which may explain the significant correlation between the decline in estrogen levels in postmenopausal women and the increased prevalence of osteoporosis.”

It’s also known that estrogen is closely connected to the development of AMD, the researchers pointed out, as the hormone “modulates several signaling pathways associated with AMD development and exerts protective effects against the progression of AMD.”

Read more: https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/study-finds-link-between-osteoporosis-and-amd-in-women

19/08/2025

Long-term Metformin Use Associated with Reduced AMD Risk
Taking the medication for more than six years showed greater protective effects against the dry form of the disease.

Notably, these protective effects didn’t transfer to wet AMD, which showed a non-significant association with short- and long-term metformin use. The researchers commented, “This observation aligns with prior research suggesting that metformin does not significantly slow the progression of existing geographic atrophy, reinforcing the idea that its protective effects may be most relevant in earlier stages of disease development.”

Read more: https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/longterm-metformin-use-associated-with-reduced-amd-risk

19/08/2025

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that cause progressive damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is a crucial part of the eye, as it transmits visual information from the retina to the brain. This damage can lead to irreversible vision loss and, in severe cases, blindness. The most common cause of optic nerve damage in glaucoma is increased pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP). However, some people can develop glaucoma even with normal eye pressure.

CAUSES
The primary cause of glaucoma is often related to a buildup of fluid, called aqueous humor, inside the eye. Normally, this fluid drains through a network of tissues at the front of the eye called the trabecular meshwork. If this drainage system is blocked or doesn't function properly, the fluid accumulates, causing an increase in intraocular pressure. This increased pressure then pushes on and damages the optic nerve.

There are different types of glaucoma, each with slightly different causes:

OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA: This is the most common type. The drainage angle of the eye remains open, but the drainage system itself doesn't work effectively, leading to a slow and gradual increase in eye pressure. The exact cause is often unknown, but it tends to be hereditary.

ANGLE-CLOSURE GLAUCOMA: This occurs when the iris (the colored part of the eye) bulges forward, partially or completely blocking the drainage angle. This can cause a sudden, severe increase in eye pressure, which is a medical emergency.

SECONDARY GLAUCOMA: This type is caused by a known factor, such as an eye injury, inflammation, certain medications (like corticosteroids), or other medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, eye tumors).

NORMAL-TENSION GLAUCOMA: In this form, optic nerve damage occurs despite normal eye pressure. The exact cause is not fully understood, but it may be related to a sensitive optic nerve or reduced blood flow to the nerve.

COMPLICATIONS
The main and most significant complication of glaucoma is irreversible vision loss, which can eventually lead to total blindness if left untreated. This is because the optic nerve damage is permanent and cannot be reversed. The vision loss typically begins with a slow loss of peripheral (side) vision, often referred to as "tunnel vision." As the condition progresses, central vision is also affected, leading to severe impairment.

OTHER COMPLICATIONS CAN INCLUDE:

Psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression, due to the fear of vision loss.

Reduced quality of life and difficulty with daily activities like driving and reading.

PREVENTION
While there is no way to prevent the development of glaucoma itself, vision loss from the disease can be prevented through early detection and consistent management. The best way to "prevent" vision loss is to be proactive about your eye health.

KEY PREVENTION STRATEGIES INCLUDE:

Regular Comprehensive Eye Exams: This is the most crucial step. Since open-angle glaucoma often has no early symptoms, a comprehensive eye exam can detect the condition before significant damage occurs. An eye doctor can check your intraocular pressure, inspect your optic nerve, and test your peripheral vision. The recommended frequency for exams varies based on age and risk factors.

Know Your Family History: Glaucoma tends to run in families. If you have a close relative with the condition, you are at a higher risk and should get screened more frequently.

Protect Your Eyes from Injury: Eye injuries can lead to traumatic glaucoma. Always wear protective eyewear during sports, home repairs, or any activities that could cause harm to your eyes.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: A balanced diet rich in leafy green vegetables, exercise, and managing other health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can help support overall eye health and reduce some risk factors.

MANAGEMENT
Glaucoma management focuses on lowering intraocular pressure to a level that prevents further damage to the optic nerve. The treatment approach depends on the type and severity of the glaucoma.

Common management and treatment options include:

Medicated Eye Drops: These are often the first line of treatment. The drops work by either helping the eye's fluid drain better or reducing the amount of fluid the eye produces. Consistency is key, and the drops must be taken daily as prescribed.

Oral Medications: In some cases, pills may be prescribed to further lower eye pressure.

Laser Treatment: An opthalmologist can use a laser to improve the drainage of fluid from the eye. This procedure is performed in the doctor's office.

Surgery: If medications and laser treatment are not effective, an opthalmologist may recommend surgery. Traditional surgeries, like a trabeculectomy, create a new drainage channel for the fluid. There are also newer, minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) that may be an option.

Ongoing Monitoring: Glaucoma is a lifelong disease that requires continuous monitoring. Regular follow-up appointments with an eye care professional are essential to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and make adjustments as needed.

Protect your vision now — your future self will thank you!

09/08/2025

Marc Jacobs frames ❤️
Happy Women’s day🌸🌸🌸

09/08/2025

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a group of eye and vision-related problems resulting from prolonged use of computers and other digital devices. Symptoms include eye discomfort and fatigue, dry or red eyes, headaches, blurred vision, and neck and shoulder pain.

CAUSES: The main causes are a combination of factors, including:

-Reduced blinking (people blink less while staring at screens).

-Poor lighting and glare on the screen.

-Incorrect viewing distance and angle of the screen.

-Uncorrected vision problems.

-Poor posture.

COMPLICATIONS: While CVS is generally not a serious or permanent condition, its symptoms can be disruptive to daily life and work. The symptoms themselves are the primary complications. Long-term computer use can also be linked to more significant visual impairments and can exacerbate existing eye conditions like dry eye syndrome. Poor posture associated with screen use can also lead to neck, shoulder, and back pain.

PREVENTION: Several strategies can help prevent or reduce CVS:

-The 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

-Adjusting the workspace: Position the screen about an arm's length away and at or just below eye level.

-Adjusting screen settings: Match the screen brightness to the surrounding light, increase text size, and use blue light filters, especially in the evening.

-Proper lighting: Reduce glare from windows and overhead lights. Use an adjustable desk lamp if needed.

-Blink more often: Consciously try to blink to keep eyes moist.

-Use artificial tears: Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops can help with dryness.

-Regular eye exams: Getting regular check-ups can ensure any underlying vision problems are corrected.

TREATMENT: Most symptoms are temporary and go away when you stop using a digital device. If symptoms persist, treatment focuses on managing them and can include:

-Making environmental adjustments (as listed in prevention).

-Using artificial tears.

-Getting a prescription for specialized glasses designed for computer use.

-For the associated neck and shoulder pain, correcting posture is key.

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