About Eyelid Twitches

If you have ever had an eyelid twitch for an extended period of time, you know how annoying it is. An eyelid twitch (or tic) is when you have a spasm or slight movement of your upper or lower eyelid. It comes on suddenly, and can last for a minute, hours, days or even longer. While it may feel as if everyone can see the twitch, most twitches are slight enough that they can’t be seen by someone simply looking at your face. Most common eyelid twitches are harmless, and do not affect your vision. However, there are some neurological problems that can make eyelid muscles contract, such as blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. These less common conditions generally tend to cause the eyelids to close more fully and for longer periods of time, limiting or completely blocking vision. Other muscles in the face may be affected as well. For the majority of us, the common eyelid twitch is a brief and minor annoyance. But when it lasts longer or occurs more frequently than usual, there are some steps you can take to make it go away: 

Get Some Sleep!
Eyelid twitches often happen to people when they are overly tired. Get some restorative sleep.

Step Back From Stress!
Being under stress can lead to a twitch. If you can’t eliminate something causing you stress, find stress-reducing activities to help get rid of the twitch.

Cut Back On Caffeine!
As a stimulant, caffeine can cause eyelid spasms. Limiting your coffee, tea or soda intake may help to reduce eyelid twitching.

Moisturize Your Eyes!
In some cases, having irritated or dry eyes can lead to eyelid spasms. Get a dry eye exam if necessary or if you are bothered by dry eye problems.

If you or someone you know has ongoing eyelid twitching and gritty, uncomfortable eyes please schedule an eye exam at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1003 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354

Laser Treatment Can Be First Choice for Glaucoma

Researchers reporting in The Lancet on the LiGHT Study concluded that a change in the clinical practice pattern of how we treat glaucoma should be implemented so that glaucoma laser treatment was a first choice treatment, rather than eye drops which is the typical approach to glaucoma treatment. The LiGHT Study compared eye drops to glaucoma Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) treatment in terms of lowering intraocular pressure, health related quality of life, cost and cost effectiveness. The data was gathered and analyzed and concluded that Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) should be offered as a first-line treatment for open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, supporting a change in clinical practice.

If you or someone you know is at risk for glaucoma, has ocular hypertension or is being treated for glaucoma, please be certain you have regular eye exams with glaucoma testing to prevent vision loss. Ask your eye doctor about treatment options such as SLT for glaucoma when you schedule your exam at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1003 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354

Microscopic Stents Help Lower Eye Pressure in Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and its prevalence will continue to increase as our population ages. For most patients, the initial treatment for glaucoma will begin with eye drops or laser treatment, or even both. Patients often have a difficult time adhering to a schedule of single or even multiple doses of eye drops and thus find an initial laser treatment beneficial. Sometimes even with eye drops and laser treatment for glaucoma it is not possible to lower the intraocular pressure enough to reduce the risk of vision loss. For these patients there has been the next step of complex incisional glaucoma surgery. Recent advances in Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) using microscopic stents has been shown to provide excellent results for many glaucoma patients. Reports in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery of patients who had iStent-a tiny titanium stent-implanted through a microscopic incision, had excellent pressure lowering and even were able to reduce their need for eye drops! The data shared was from a long term 5 year clinical study and offers great promise for glaucoma patients.

The best way to prevent vision loss from glaucoma is by having regular eye exams and glaucoma testing as recommended by your eye doctor. If you or someone you know is concerned about their glaucoma risk please be sure to schedule an eye exam at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1003 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354

Glaucoma Risk in Migraine Sufferers

Did you know that if you suffer from migraines you are at greater risk for developing glaucoma? There are many risk factors that can influence the likelihood that you will develop glaucoma. These include factors such as high pressure in the eye, called intraocular pressure or IOP, your family history-especially if your siblings have glaucoma, smoking, sleep apnea, diabetes and other vascular diseases, race-as patients of African-American heritage and Hispanic backgrounds are at greater risk and even the age of onset of menopause. Recently, researchers reported on a study where they found that patients who suffered from migraines had 1.68 times the risk of the average patient for developing glaucoma. When you visit us for your routine eye exam please share whether you have ever experienced a migraine and whether you currently have even an occasional migraine headache.

If you or someone you know suffers from migraine headaches it is important to have regular eye exams with glaucoma testing as migraines increase the risk of glaucoma! Schedule an eye exam at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1003 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354