Midwest Vision Centers' Blog | Most Common Cosmetic Related Eye Injury

What Is The Most Common Cosmetic Related Eye Injury?

If it’s happened to you, take solace that you are not alone. The most common cosmetic related eye injury is a jab to the eye with a mascara wand. While most of the time it’s an embarrassment and even time consuming washing the eye with lukewarm water to clean out the makeup. Mascaras can trigger an allergic reaction, causing redness and swelling along eyelids too. Mascara’s that are more than two months old can contain a decent amount of bacteria adding to your injury. Then there are the times where everything has to stop due to the pain, most commonly a corneal abrasion. If this has happened to you recently, click here to schedule a comprehensive exam and let us take a look at your eyes. Afterall, we want you to have the prettiest eyes possible, especially the parts that aren’t supposed to have mascara.

By eYez|2019-08-08T07:08:29-05:00March 7th, 2018|Safety|Comments Off

Animal Eyes

In between caring about the eyesight of humans, we are also science geeks and enjoy learning about the eyesight of other animals and insects that share this world with us. We recently came across this video from Animalism and The Atlantic Magazine about how animals see the world and we thought it worth sharing with you.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

How Animals See the World
Animals evolved eyes in incredibly diverse ways and for different purposes. But if all animals aren’t using their eyes to see, what do they use them for? And what’s the biological difference between hawk eyes and fish eyes?
Posted by Animalism on Monday, November 6, 2017

By eYez|2017-11-11T12:06:04-05:00November 14th, 2017|Trivia|Comments Off

Contact Lenses and Halloween

Contact lenses can be great fun at Halloween. They can truly complete the costume. However, every year over 13,000 people are treated in emergency rooms due to contact lens injuries, many of them from injuries sustained over the Halloween celebrations. Contact lenses are medical devices. This isn’t just our opinion. The sale and fit of contact lenses are controlled by Food & Drug Administration.

The sale of unprescribed contact lenses have been illegal in the United States since 2005, yet many a gas station or costume shop still manages to import and sell them, without knowing how to properly fit them, or knowing whether the devices were manufactured to be safely worn. Even under the best supervision, injury and infections can occur. Even if you have been to an ophthalmologist or optometrist and received a prescription, be sure to only buy costume contacts from retailers who require a prescription to purchase the lenses and who only sell FDA-approved contact lenses.

If you are set on wearing contact lenses as part of your costume, schedule an eye exam with us and let us measure your eyes in order to properly fit contacts.

Let’s make this a fun and safe Halloween for everyone!

By eYez|2017-09-25T13:09:46-05:00October 2nd, 2017|Contact Lenses, Safety|Comments Off

The Once In A Century Solar Eclipse

Seems everyone is getting very excited for the coming complete solar eclipse on Monday, August 21st at 1:04 PM. Most of our stores are over 350 miles from seeing the total eclipse, so you better plan on a crowded trip down to the St. Joseph, Missouri are if you want to see the sun totally blocked out. We will see about 80% of the eclipe when it happens. Do you want to see the eclipse?

DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE SUN…. even during an eclipse!

Here are a few tips we gathered from NASA as to how to look at an eclipse.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon blocks any part of the sun. On Monday, August 21, 2017, a solar eclipse will be visible (weather permitting) across all of North America. The whole continent will experience a partial eclipse lasting 2 to 3 hours. Halfway through the event, anyone within a roughly 70-mile-wide path from Oregon to South Carolina will experience a brief total eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face for up to 2 minutes 40 seconds, turning day into night and making visible the otherwise hidden solar corona — the sun’s outer atmosphere — one of nature’s most awesome sights. Bright stars and planets will become visible as well.

The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” (example shown at left) or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. To date five manufacturers have certified that their eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers […]

By eYez|2017-08-08T10:45:03-05:00August 10th, 2017|Fun Facts, Safety, Trivia|Comments Off

Eye See Sharks

As we approach Shark Week next week, did you know that shark corneas are very similar to the ones we humans have? As such, shark corneas have been used as replacements in human eye surgeries. Want to see Shark Week in all its gory glory? Check out some new lenses at Midwest Vision Centers today.

By eYez|2017-06-26T14:48:06-05:00July 18th, 2017|Fun Facts|Comments Off

Swim Season And Your Eyes

Now that Memorial Day Weekend has come and gone, we are all excited about jumping back into the swimming pool. Most all of us will remember to bring the sunscreen, which is a good thing, but what are you doing to protect your eyes at the pool?

Did you know UV radiation increases as much as 25% when you are in or near the water? That is why we sunburn so easily poolside. That same UV radiation can be damaging to your eyesight as well, increasing your chances of acquiring cataracts, macular degeneration, or even skin cancer around the eyelids. That is why we carry a wonderful array of sunglasses that filter out those damaging UV rays. We have a complete line of sunglasses in both Rx and non-Rx to choose from.

The sun isn’t the only thing your eyes need to worry about at the pool, however. Pool chemicals can do a number on your eyes. The tear film that coats your eyes is one of nature’s magical wonders in that it’s the water, protein, and lipid combine to protect your eyes and keep them from drying out too quickly. Chlorine and saline, however, wreak havoc on your tear film, leading to redness and itching. These chemicals can also lead to Dry Eye Syndrome. If you wear contact lenses swimming, you are providing a surface for bacterial growth that can lead to complications such as corneal ulcers and in rare cases, vision loss.

This swim season we want to recommend you bring 3 things with you to the pool and 4 things back. The first is a good sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. The second is […]

By eYez|2017-05-30T16:26:57-05:00June 6th, 2017|Conditions, Exams, Fun Facts, Safety|Comments Off

May is Healthy Vision Month

The finest eye exams in Minnesota & North Dakota - Midwest Vision Centers In 2003, the National Eye Institute established May as Healthy Vision Month. During this annual observance, Americans are encouraged to make their eye health a priority and learn how to keep their eyes healthy and safe. Why is Healthy Vision Month important? Healthy Vision Month is important because more than 23 million Americans age 18 and older have never had an eye exam, according to a national survey conducted by National Eye Institute. The reason: Most say they don’t think they have an eye problem. In fact: Many eye diseases don’t have symptoms in their early stages, so without an eye exam, they can’t know. And there are worrying predictions: By 2030, 11.4 million people will have diabetic retinopathy, 4.2 million will have glaucoma, and 3.7 million will have age-related macular degeneration. Healthy Vision Month encourages people to take steps to protect their sight. So during May (and quite frankly every month of the year), we encourage you to follow these five simple suggestions:

Live a Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a healthy weight and eat foods like fish and dark leafy green vegetables to lower your risk of eye disease. And don’t smoke—it’s as bad for your eyes as it is for the rest of your body.
Know Your Family History: Genetics are a factor in eye disease, including diseases that are the leading causes of blindness. Talk to your family members about their eye health history.
Use Protective Eyewear: Safety glasses or goggles can protect your eyes at work and at play. Talk to us about the right protective eyewear for your sport or job.

[…]

By eYez|2017-05-05T12:42:11-05:00May 9th, 2017|Fun Facts|Comments Off

It’s All In The Eyes

Having a regular comprehensive eye exam can do more than just test your vision. Yes, getting the right prescription can help you see better no matter the distance, no matter the time of day. However, did you know that there are many health problems than can be detected by an eye exam much sooner than most medical exams? Our friends at All About Vision have created this infographic sharing just some of the health problems that can be detected with a thorough eye exam. Ready to schedule your eye exam? Click here and let us help.

By eYez|2017-04-11T18:19:37-05:00April 12th, 2017|Conditions, Exams, Fun Facts|Comments Off

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Don't let glaucoma rob your eyesight. Get a comprehensive eye exam at Midwest Vision Centers today!

Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the U.S. More than four million people in the United States have glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve and destroy eyesight. Unfortunately, nearly half of those with glaucoma are not even aware that they have it. Glaucoma is called “the sneak thief of sight” since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it’s permanent. As much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing.

Are you one of them? You owe it to yourself to find out by getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam that includes having drops put in your eye. With its painless and gradual loss of vision, glaucoma may have no early warning signs, but it can be detected during a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Our own Doctors of Optometry can easily detect glaucoma with a comprehensive exam and help you save your eyesight and your health. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to make sure your eyesight is the best it can be in 2017. Make an appointment today!

By eYez|2016-12-27T10:11:43-05:00January 5th, 2017|Conditions, Exams|Comments Off

Digital Eye Strain And Children

let us help protect your children's eyes at Midwest Vision Centers

As computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones saturate almost every aspect of our daily lives, it is only natural that they have become part of our children’s lives as well. Children it turns out are using digital devices as much if not more than their parents. Eye strain can be very hard on a growing child’s eyesight, causing headaches, neck pain, fatigue and blurry vision.

Children aren’t as aware as adults to these changes and may simply ignore them. They aren’t as aware of the hours they might be spending in front of computer screen, televisions and portable digital devices including game consoles. As today’s children spend more time inside than ever, there is higher probability of developing myopia or nearsightedness. Parents should look at limiting time spent on digital devices as well as encouraging children to step outside into the real world more often. Looking at something more than 20 feet away can greatly help eyes spending so much time looking at things measured within inches instead.

Another problem with children and digital devices is blue light. Mobile phones, tablets, TV screens and so on produce a very intense amount of blue light. Yes, the sun produces even more, but most of us, including our children, are spending some 6 hours a day in front of a digital device without the help of sunglasses. Blue light, especially at night […]

By eYez|2016-12-27T10:05:24-05:00October 5th, 2016|Conditions, Exams, eyeglasses, Fun Facts, Sunglasses|Comments Off

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