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  • Top 20 Eye Care Questions of 2020

    By Ann Delfaro, Daniel Porter
    Dec. 18, 2020

    While 2020 started out as the Year of the Eye, it will undoubtedly be remembered as the year entire nations shut down to slow the spread of COVID-19; the year rubber bullets were fired into crowds of peaceful protestors, causing catastrophic eye injuries; the year smoke from California wildfires blanketed an unprecedented swath of the United States.

    Throughout the tumultuous months of 2020, ophthalmologists fielded questions submitted by the public to EyeSmart's "Ask an Ophthalmologist." Their expert responses guided eye care patients through the uncertainties of sheltering in place and caring for chronic eye diseases at home. Interestingly, some of the most widely read "Ask an Ophthalmologist" questions were submitted in years past — evidence that even in extraordinary times, basic curiosities stay the same.

    Here's a roundup of our 20 most popular and widely read Ask an Ophthalmologist questions of the year, from the evergreen to the uniquely 2020.

    Screen time and children's eyes

    With daycares and schools shuttered during the pandemic, families struggled to balance childcare, housework and professional responsibilities. Children spent the school day in front of tablet and computer screens, then logged additional hours connecting with family and friends online. Screen time became less a reward and more a necessity, fueling concerns about the effects of electronics on young eyes. Pediatric ophthalmologists Jane C. Edmond, MD, and Michael X Repka, MD, MBA, weighed in on this topic.

    • Are computer screens harmful to my newborn baby's eyes?
    • Is FaceTime bad for my baby's eyes?
    • Should I see an ophthalmologist for my 2-year-old's watering eyes?

    Improvising with the medicine cabinet

    Many people avoided crowded shopping centers this year, venturing out only when needed. Most preferred to treat minor health issues at home. Perhaps because of this, the Academy saw a surge of interest in questions about the shelf life of eye drops and the safety of making do with medicines people happened to have on hand.

    • How long is it safe to use a bottle of eye drops?

    This question was answered several years ago by now-retired ophthalmologist Anne Sumers, MD, but her advice holds true today. Read more about the various types of eye drops and how to use them.

    • Can I take my pink eye medication beyond its seven-day course?

    Corneal specialist and refractive surgeon William Barry Lee, MD, comments on the connection between pink eye (conjunctivitis) and COVID-19. 

    • Can you put regular antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin, in your eye to treat a scratched cornea?

    Dr. Lee fielded this question about improvising with antibiotic ointment. Remember: If you think you have an eye infection, it's best to consult with your ophthalmologist, who may prescribe antibiotic drops.

    • Is it safe to rinse my eyes with contact solution?

    Surgeon Gary S. Hirshfield, MD, notes that safety issues aside, artificial tears are best for rinsing the eyes.

    Coping with delayed eye care procedures

    When medical clinics closed their doors to routine appointments this spring, patients with chronic eye diseases and their doctors learned to navigate eye health remotely. Ophthalmologists fielded many questions about which issues required urgent, in-person care and which issues could be safely treated at home.

    • Can I still have cataract surgery during the pandemic?

    Cataract surgery is removal of the eye’s natural lens that has become cloudy, usually with age. Learn more about cataract surgery and read what Dr. Hirshfield had to say about cataract care during the pandemic.

    • Do new floaters qualify as an emergency during the pandemic?

    Retinal specialist George A Williams, MD, helped patients understand when to seek urgent care for floaters and flashes.

    • My child may have lazy eye. Should I contact an ophthalmologist during the pandemic?

    Dr. Repka, a pediatric ophthalmologist, advised parents on how best to navigate new concerns while clinics were closed.

    • If I'm at risk for glaucoma, is it safe to postpone my exam during the pandemic?

    Glaucoma rarely has symptoms and leads to vision loss without treatment. During the pandemic, some patients worried about the disease progressing without prompt care. This question was answered by James M. Heltzer, MD, a glaucoma specialist and cataract surgeon.

    • Will idle LASIK machines work after the pandemic?

    Some patients wondered if surgical equipment would work properly after long months in storage. Cataract and refractive surgeon Jeffrey Whitman, MD, OCS, fielded this question about LASIK surgery, which can correct refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness).

    • Can you do an OCT scan remotely?

    An optical coherence tomography, or OCT, scan can photograph the inside of your eye. Ophthalmologists use these scans to diagnose eye disease and determine the best treatment for an eye disease. Retinal specialist Paul Sternberg Jr., MD, weighed in on whether this procedure can be done remotely.

    Dining, learning and working outdoors

    As COVID-19 wore on, some schools and workspaces began holding meetings outdoors to allow for better air circulation and greater social distance. Restaurants, healthcare facilities and businesses followed suit with outdoor spaces for safer service. At the same time, people began spending more time in nature to stave off cabin fever and improve their mental health. So it comes as little surprise that these outdoor-related questions surged in popularity.

    • A bug flew into my eye. How can I make the irritation go away?

    Glaucoma specialist Andrew George Iwach, MD, addressed the perennial topic of insects and the eye.

    • I have poison ivy in my eye. What should I do?

    This age-old question was answered by comprehensive ophthalmologist Richard G. Shugarman, MD, FACS, who passed away in May 2020.

    Navigating routine eye issues from home

    Though 2020 inspired plenty of unexpected questions, ophthalmologists fielded dozens of questions about routine issues as well.   

    • Why do my eyes feel glued shut when I wake up?

    This lesser-known symptom of dry eye, described here by corneal specialist Ivan Schwab, MD, develops when there are not enough tears to keep the eye lubricated and comfortable.

    • Why do I feel like something’s in my eye when I’m not wearing contact lenses?

    Corneal specialist Omar Chaudhary, MD, suggested this may result from a corneal abrasion, a scratch or scrape on the front of your eye.

    • What are the bright, wavy lines that were in my vision for a half-hour?

    Aaron P. Weingeist, MD, a comprehensive ophthalmologist, fielded this question about possible symptoms of ocular migraine.

    • How can I make a broken blood vessel in my eye heal faster?

    Though it was easier to conceal a red eye in 2020, with most meetings held online instead of face to face, this question about clearing blood from the whites of the eye still attracted a lot of attention. Comprehensive ophthalmologist Richard E Bensinger, MD, weighed in on ways to hasten healing of a broken blood vessel.

    • How long can pink eye "live" on surfaces?

    Interest in pink eye remained high throughout 2020 due to the possible connection with COVID-19. Dr. Hirshfield advises on the best way to clean surfaces and avoid spreading infection.

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