I'm not suggesting Coppertone with SPF 60 in your eyes, but protecting your eyes from the sun is one of the easiest ways to keep them healthy as you get older.  Ultraviolet light from the sun is a factor in the development of both cataracts and macular degeneration.  Wearing sunglasses with 100% UV protection will limit the damaging UV rays from entering the eye and can keep your eyes healthier as you get older.  And you'll look cool too!

Watery eyes are a sign that your eyes are actually dry.  It doesn't make much sense, but it's true.  Our eyes make 2 different types of tears-a watery tear and an oily tear.  The watery tear is what is produced when we cry or get something in our eyes. The oily tear is secreted very slowly over the course of the day.  Many times, it is the lack of the second type of tear that is the problem.  If the eye lacks the proper oily tear layer, it tries to compensate by making lots of watery tears, so your eyes water a lot. Believe it; watery eyes are dry eyes.

I hope that this blog will be a forum for providing information on eye health to my patients.  I will post a new topic once a month.  Please offer suggestions for topics!