Eye Health Archive

Eye drops that claim to change a person's eye color are being promoted online, and the ability to do this may sound tempting. But are these products safe? The answer is a hard no according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a broken blood vessel in the eye. It's usually not serious and resolves on its own within two weeks. People who also experience eye pain or vision changes may have an eye infection and should see a doctor.

Age-related eye changes can make it harder to see at night. These changes include the loss of light-sensitive eye cells called rods, which are essential for seeing at night; smaller pupils that let less light into the eyes; slowed reactions to changes in light, such as when walking into a dark room from a bright room; clouding of the lenses inside the eyes, which may cause glare around streetlights or headlights; and worsening vision that makes it harder to discern fine detail.

A 2023 report warns that pickleball and other racquet sports can expose older adults to the risk of eye injuries, but wearing protective, shatterproof eyewear when playing can offer a layer of safety.

Viewing a solar eclipse can damage eyesight if eyes aren't protected. It can lead to solar retinopathy, with symptoms such as blurry or distorted vision, blind spots, and headaches. People planning to view a solar eclipse can wear special glasses to protect their eyes.

According to a 2024 study, older adults with cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, or glaucoma are more likely to suffer falls compared with those without these eye diseases.

Dropless cataract surgery is a new innovation. It enables eye surgeons to administer a medication into a patient's eye during surgery that eliminates the need to use expensive, inconvenient eye drops for several weeks after surgery.