Just like every other part of your body, sometimes your eyes need medical attention. Our eyes are our biggest tool that we use on a day-to-day basis. But what happens when you don’t take care of them? What happens when something goes wrong? The best way to keep your eyes safe is to know what type of eye issues there are and how to handle them.

Of course, the best way to really protect your beautiful eyes are to wear protection. If you’re lounging out in the sun, be sure to wear sunglasses such as the BUZZ Bombs! Or if you’re working in a construction zone, make sure you have ANSI Z87+ Certified TIGER bombs to keep those eyeballs in tip-top shape!

Now let’s get into some of the most common eye issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and  astigmatism that can occur. Please note: We are not medical professionals! Always trust your optometrist over what your favorite eyewear brand says on the internet. 

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a common, but generally treatable issue in the eye that cause blurred distance and near vision. Astigmatism occurs when either the front of the eye (cornea) or the lens inside the eye has mismatched curves. This causes blurred vision at all distances, and is especially common when you're driving at night -- things like traffic lights and street lights get a haze or "halo" around them, which can be distracting and dangerous for drivers. Astigmatism is often present at birth and may occur in combination with nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Symptoms include:

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Eyestrain or discomfort
• Headaches
• Difficulty with night vision
• Squinting

The best way to prevent astigmatism or keep it from getting worse is by making regular eye exam appointments with your optometrist.

Near-Sightedness

Nearsightedness is a common vision condition in which you can see objects near to you clearly, but objects farther away are blurry. It occurs when the shape of your eye causes light rays to bend incorrectly, focusing on images in front of your retina instead of on your retina.

Symptoms include:

• Blurry vision when looking at distant objects
• The need to squint or partially close the eyelids to see clearly
• Headaches caused by eyestrain
• Difficulty seeing while driving a vehicle, especially at night

The best way to identify and treat near-sightedness is to make regular eye exam appointments with your optometrist. You may need prescription eyeglasses or contacts!

Far-Sightedness

Farsightedness is a common vision condition in which you can see distant objects clearly, but objects nearby may be blurry. Think of it like near-sightedness, but like -- far. (Whoaaaaa...) The degree of your farsightedness influences your focusing ability.

Symptoms include:

• Nearby objects may appear blurry
• You need to squint to see clearly
• Eyestrain
• Burning eyes
• Aching in or around the eyes
• Eye discomfort or a headache after doing close tasks, such as reading and using screens

The best way to identify, treat, and prevent far-sightedness from getting worse is by making regular eye exam appointments with your optometrist and wearing corrective lenses. The nice thing is that you can get prescription sunglasses as well as regular glasses, and keep your vision at its best, no matter the weather! 

Dry Eye

Dry eye is one of the most common eye problems. It occurs when your eye doesn’t produce enough or the right kind of tears naturally. And because of this your eyes can become inflamed and even cause pain. Chronic dry eye can even make it uncomfortable to read or use a computer, or lead to longer term issues like macular degeneration.

Symptoms include:

• A feeling that something is in your eye
• Red eyes
• Burning or itchy eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurry vision

Help dry eye by using artificial tears (eye drops), avoid air blowing into your eyes, take breaks while staring at screens, and use protective eyewear. Most importantly if the issue continues to occur see your optometrists for prescription medicines. A small note: chronic dry eye can also be an early indicator of certain eye cancers, so be sure to keep those regular appointments with your eye doctor! 

Cataracts

As we age, the lenses in our eyes can become cloudy. Cataracts may not disturb your vision at first. But as they get worse, it may become hard to do daily activities.

Symptoms include:

• Foggy vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Need for bright light to read or see fine detail
• Seeing halos around lights
• Fading colors
• Sensitivity to light and glare

Help cataracts by eating a healthy diet, wearing sunglasses while in sunlight, and wearing your corrective lenses or contacts. Most importantly if the issue continues to occur see your optometrists. Interestingly, staying hydrated helps prevent cataracts, too!  

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a common eye disease in people over age 40 and a leading cause of blindness in those over age 60. Fluid builds up in the front part of your eye and damages the optic nerve. 

Symptoms include:

• Loss of side vision
• Seeing halos around lights
• Tunnel vision
• Eye pain or redness

Yearly eye exams can help protect your eyes from glaucoma. In its early stages, glaucoma may have no symptoms. You may not even know you have it, which is one of the many reasons why annual eye exams are so important. Your eye doctor will check your eyes for signs of glaucoma and recommend treatment -- early detection is key to protecting your vision from the effects of glaucoma! 

Make sure you protect your BOMB-worthy eyesight (see what we did there?) by making regular appointments with your optometrists. You can keep your eyes protected with our full range of Safety Eyewear and Floating Sunglasses, or hop over to BomberRX.com to shop prescription lenses in all your favorite Bomber styles!