EXPERT
Dr. Erin Lorraine McCleary
Optometrist
Dr. Erin McCleary is an optometrist practicing in West Hartford, CT. Dr. McCleary specializing in providing eye care services to patients. As an optometrist, Dr. McCleary performs eye exams, tests vision, corrects vision by prescribing eye glasses or contacts, detects certain eye disorders and manages and treats vision problems. Optometrists often work closely with ophthalmologists who may need to further treat patients with surgical procedures.
Dr. Erin Lorraine McCleary
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Why do my eyes turn bloodshot by the end of the day?
This is likely due to dryness and/or eyestrain, especially if you spend a lot of time on the computer. When you work on a computer, your eyes don't blink as often as they would READ MORE
This is likely due to dryness and/or eyestrain, especially if you spend a lot of time on the computer. When you work on a computer, your eyes don't blink as often as they would typically, therefore your eyes are not being refreshed with a constant cover of tears. This can lead to evaporation and inflammation on the surface of your eye. Subsequently, it will turn red. This can often be improved simply by using lubricating drops (NOT redness-relieving drops) throughout the day and taking visual breaks from the computer. There is a good mnemonic called the "20/20 Rule": every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break and look 20 feet away.
If the redness persists, make sure to follow up with your eye care professional.
Dr. EM
If the redness persists, make sure to follow up with your eye care professional.
Dr. EM
What should I do for recurrent pink eye?
Chronic or recurrent "pink eye" could, in fact, be related to eyelid hygiene and is not contagious in nature. Many people have bacteria that live there.
What will happen if I sleep with my contact lenses?
Sleeping in your contact lenses can have notable negative effects on your eyes. Your cornea gets starved for oxygen when you have a contact lens on your eye overnight. This can READ MORE
Sleeping in your contact lenses can have notable negative effects on your eyes. Your cornea gets starved for oxygen when you have a contact lens on your eye overnight. This can lead to corneal swelling (and subsequent loss of clarity), prescription changes and even decreased immune response. Those who over-wear their contact lenses, especially over night, are at a greater risk for corneal infections. In a worst-case scenario, this could lead to significant corneal scarring and permanent loss of vision.
Please be safe and always remember to take your contact lenses out prior to going to sleep!
Dr. EM
Please be safe and always remember to take your contact lenses out prior to going to sleep!
Dr. EM
What causes dry eyes?
Dry eye syndrome is a very complex disease and has very many potential causes: environment, medications, autoimmune conditions, age/hormones and function of the oil glands on the READ MORE
Dry eye syndrome is a very complex disease and has very many potential causes: environment, medications, autoimmune conditions, age/hormones and function of the oil glands on the eyelids. Women are predominantly more at risk of developing dry eyes throughout their lifetime.
A thorough examination will help decipher what is causing your mother's dry eye symptoms.
Dr. EM
A thorough examination will help decipher what is causing your mother's dry eye symptoms.
Dr. EM
I have been blinking too much. Is it normal?
This can occur for several reasons. A twitch in the eyelid can come from dehydration, stress, too much caffeine, or lack of sleep. Dryness or allergies can also lead to blinking. READ MORE
This can occur for several reasons. A twitch in the eyelid can come from dehydration, stress, too much caffeine, or lack of sleep. Dryness or allergies can also lead to blinking. I would recommend trying to reverse any of the modifiable factors listed previously (water, stress, caffeine or sleep). Also, you may try using a cool compress or OTC artificial tears a few times a day. If that does not help, you should see your local eye care provider.
Dr. EM
Dr. EM
Is there any supplement to improve eyesight?
The best thing that you can do for your son is to make sure that he gets a lot of outdoor time! There is research that supports increased outdoor time can help in slowing the rate READ MORE
The best thing that you can do for your son is to make sure that he gets a lot of outdoor time! There is research that supports increased outdoor time can help in slowing the rate of myopia (near-sightedness) progression. In addition to this, I would highly recommend decreasing/limiting electronic use, monitoring working distances (so as not to hold things too
close to the eyes) and to take frequent visual breaks.
At his young age, I would rather recommend a balanced, nutritious diet over a supplement. However, Omega-3s are always a great supplement should you choose to add anything.
Be well!
Dr. EM
close to the eyes) and to take frequent visual breaks.
At his young age, I would rather recommend a balanced, nutritious diet over a supplement. However, Omega-3s are always a great supplement should you choose to add anything.
Be well!
Dr. EM
My mother is a blood pressure patient. Will this cause complications in her cataract surgery?
Your mother's hypertension will likely have little to no complication with regard to her upcoming surgery. Her cataract surgeon and anesthesiologist should be well aware of her READ MORE
Your mother's hypertension will likely have little to no complication with regard to her upcoming surgery. Her cataract surgeon and anesthesiologist should be well aware of her condition and take the correct precautionary measures dependent on the type of anesthesia she will be requiring. This is very specific to your mother and her ocular conditions. If you have further concerns, I recommend reaching out to her physician and discussing them prior to her surgery.
Dr. EM
Dr. EM
I am having a dull pain in my left eye along with a minor headache. What could this be?
These symptoms could be associated with a whole host of conditions. Things such as an iritis (inflammation of the inside of the eye), sinusitis/allergy symptoms, eye strain caused READ MORE
These symptoms could be associated with a whole host of conditions. Things such as an iritis (inflammation of the inside of the eye), sinusitis/allergy symptoms, eye strain caused by computer use and even a prescription that is not adequately matched to your visual system.
If the discomfort is mild, try to use a cool compress and take visual breaks. If it is longstanding, persistent and/or newly severe, please see your local eye care professional.
Dr. EM
If the discomfort is mild, try to use a cool compress and take visual breaks. If it is longstanding, persistent and/or newly severe, please see your local eye care professional.
Dr. EM
Can high thyroid hormone levels also affect the eyesight of a person?
Thyroid disease, and subsequently the hormone levels associated with it, can affect the eyes in a couple different ways. Often, dry eye syndrome is associated with thyroid dysfunction READ MORE
Thyroid disease, and subsequently the hormone levels associated with it, can affect the eyes in a couple different ways. Often, dry eye syndrome is associated with thyroid dysfunction and this can cause blurred vision due to a dry ocular surface. Also, if a person has poorly controlled thyroid disease, their eye muscles may cease to function in a typical manner. This could lead to double vision which, when very early, could actually look like blurred vision to the patient. That being said, the thyroid hormone level does not directly affect the *prescription* of a person's eyes.
I would suggest visiting your local eye care provider to ensure that you are not suffering one of the known ocular side affects of Thyroid Disease. And if you are, they would be the best person to address these issues.
I would suggest visiting your local eye care provider to ensure that you are not suffering one of the known ocular side affects of Thyroid Disease. And if you are, they would be the best person to address these issues.
I had corrective eye surgery, but I still can't read without glasses. Is something wrong?
As we age, the lens on the inside of your eye loses its ability to change shape and focus between distance and near. This part of the eye is unaffected by refractive surgery surgeries READ MORE
As we age, the lens on the inside of your eye loses its ability to change shape and focus between distance and near. This part of the eye is unaffected by refractive surgery surgeries like LASIK or PRK.
Can blood pressure medicines cause blurred vision?
Yes. Blood pressure medications have various modes of mechanism. Sometimes, they may have an overall "drying-out" affect, which could cause increased dryness and subsequent blurred READ MORE
Yes. Blood pressure medications have various modes of mechanism. Sometimes, they may have an overall "drying-out" affect, which could cause increased dryness and subsequent blurred vision. Other medications could lower the blood pressure significantly, so that there is less blood flow up to the optic nerve and/or retina. This could also have an impact on vision.
I would recommend coordinating your care between your primary care (or cardiologist) and your eye care provider so as to best manage your needed medications and potential side affects.
Be well!
Dr. EM
I would recommend coordinating your care between your primary care (or cardiologist) and your eye care provider so as to best manage your needed medications and potential side affects.
Be well!
Dr. EM
My son has been having a yellowish discharge from his eyes. What could this be?
This sounds like some type of ocular infection, possibly viral or bacterial. In light of his fever, he should receive an urgent assessment from your local eye care provider.
Dr. READ MORE
This sounds like some type of ocular infection, possibly viral or bacterial. In light of his fever, he should receive an urgent assessment from your local eye care provider.
Dr. EM
Dr. EM
My refractive error in both the eyes is about 6. Can you please suggest a possible treatment?
Outside of the obvious glasses and contact lenses, you are also a potential candidate for laser refractive correction, i.e., LASIK or PRK. Your local eye doctor can direct you READ MORE
Outside of the obvious glasses and contact lenses, you are also a potential candidate for laser refractive correction, i.e., LASIK or PRK. Your local eye doctor can direct you to the best option based on your visual needs and interest in being visually independent of glasses or contact lenses.
Dr. EM
Dr. EM
Can frequent pink eye infections be harmful?
As long as her recurrent infections are treated promptly, there should be no long lasting complications. That being said, children are specifically prone to viral infections in READ MORE
As long as her recurrent infections are treated promptly, there should be no long lasting complications. That being said, children are specifically prone to viral infections in environments where there are many other children, like school. Sometimes antibiotics are indicated (bacterial infections), but sometimes they aren't (viral infections). Seeing your eye care provider is the best way to make sure that she is being treated appropriately.
Here's to fewer pink eyes!
Dr. EM
Here's to fewer pink eyes!
Dr. EM
Do specs with glare protection really work?
Yes, anti-reflective lenses really do work. Even more so with blue-blocking technology. That being said, there ARE different levels/grades of anti-reflective coatings in the market, READ MORE
Yes, anti-reflective lenses really do work. Even more so with blue-blocking technology. That being said, there ARE different levels/grades of anti-reflective coatings in the market, and they are not all equal in quality and/or functionality. If you are having frequent headaches, I would make sure to see your local optometrist to ensure that you are in fact looking through the most appropriate prescription for your working distances. THEN, the optician comes into play to make sure you have the highest-performing glasses possible.
Good luck!
Dr. EM
Good luck!
Dr. EM
Can my mother be operator for both cataract and glaucoma at the same time?
There are combined procedures that can address both cataracts and glaucoma simultaneously. These procedures could possibly limit the number of medications your mother is taking READ MORE
There are combined procedures that can address both cataracts and glaucoma simultaneously. These procedures could possibly limit the number of medications your mother is taking for glaucoma, or potentially lower her eye pressure, which will slow the progression of glaucoma. I would advise speaking with the surgeon regarding your mother's specific
after-care with respect to her diabetes and hypertension status. These procedures are commonly done, and generally have very good outcomes.
Best of luck to your mom!
Dr. EM
after-care with respect to her diabetes and hypertension status. These procedures are commonly done, and generally have very good outcomes.
Best of luck to your mom!
Dr. EM
My left eye begins to water from light exposure. What could be the problem?
This sounds like an ocular surface issue: something like an irritated cornea or dry eye. Occasionally, if someone has some internal inflammation in the eye, they can become light READ MORE
This sounds like an ocular surface issue: something like an irritated cornea or dry eye. Occasionally, if someone has some internal inflammation in the eye, they can become light sensitive in one eye also. I would recommend seeing your local eye care provider.
Dr. EM
Dr. EM
What is the way to treat eye strain due to excessive computer use?
First of all, you should make sure that you are wearing the appropriate visual correction (glasses/contact lenses). If you don't wear anything, make sure that you don't need something READ MORE
First of all, you should make sure that you are wearing the appropriate visual correction (glasses/contact lenses). If you don't wear anything, make sure that you don't need something by having your vision checked. While taking visual breaks is helpful, it seems that in your profession, that may not be realistic. Lubrication with artificial tears can help with eye tiredness at the end of the day. Also, eyeglasses with lenses that include Blue-Blocking technology can go a long way to reducing digital eye strain.
Regarding eye exercises: occasionally, vision therapy can be helpful, but it depends on what your initial problem is. If your eyes have a difficult time teaming together or your focusing system doesn't work alongside your muscle system, VT could be helpful. The main answer comes down to seeing your optometrist who can help
tailor-recommend the best treatment for YOUR visual system.
Be well,
Dr. EM
Regarding eye exercises: occasionally, vision therapy can be helpful, but it depends on what your initial problem is. If your eyes have a difficult time teaming together or your focusing system doesn't work alongside your muscle system, VT could be helpful. The main answer comes down to seeing your optometrist who can help
tailor-recommend the best treatment for YOUR visual system.
Be well,
Dr. EM
How often should we ideally visit an optometrist?
The AOA recommends every 2 years if no problems (no glasses or concerns), otherwise, annually (in the case of your 12yr old who has glasses).
Why do I see hazy in the night?
Dear "Hazy,"
You could be having this increased difficulty at night for many different reasons - some not so concerning, others more so. Haziness or star-bursts around lights READ MORE
Dear "Hazy,"
You could be having this increased difficulty at night for many different reasons - some not so concerning, others more so. Haziness or star-bursts around lights can be caused by un-corrected astigmatism (glasses prescription), cataracts, eye dryness, corneal swelling, not to mention a host of other intra-ocular conditions. The concern would be how suddenly these symptoms developed. Gradually - not as concerning. Regardless, a thorough eye and vision exam should easily determine the root cause and likely fix.
Dr. EM
You could be having this increased difficulty at night for many different reasons - some not so concerning, others more so. Haziness or star-bursts around lights can be caused by un-corrected astigmatism (glasses prescription), cataracts, eye dryness, corneal swelling, not to mention a host of other intra-ocular conditions. The concern would be how suddenly these symptoms developed. Gradually - not as concerning. Regardless, a thorough eye and vision exam should easily determine the root cause and likely fix.
Dr. EM
