10 Tips on How to Prevent Eye Problems

1. If you use electronics and/or computers for long periods of time, take frequent, short breaks to rest your eyes.

2. Eat a healthy, varied diet. Fruits and vegetables are very important for your eye health.

3. Go to your local optometry office for a routine eye exam. Getting exams on a regular basis will help to decrease your chances of developing significant eye problems.

4. When exposed to sunlight, wear sunglasses that block UV rays and wide-brimmed hats.

5. Quit smoking.

6. Prevent eye injuries by wearing safety glasses when needed.

7. Keep your contact lenses clean and replace them when needed.

8. Know your family's eye health history.

9. Exercise daily.

10. Seek treatment for dry, itchy, teary, red eyes right away.


If you have any questions, or if you'd like to schedule your routine eye exam, call Kirman Eye today at 717-566-3216.

Astigmatism: Definition, Types, and Care

Astigmatism is incorrectly labeled as “stigmatism” by many people. This common eye condition is actually quite misunderstood.

What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is not an eye health problem. Rather, it's when the eye has trouble focusing light. Instead of being able to focus clearly, there are multiple focus points that occur. These multiple focus points typically occur in front of or behind the retina (or both).

Types of Astigmatism

There are 3 types of astigmatism, including:
1. Myopic astigmatism
2. Hyperopic astigmatism
3. Mixed astigmatism

At Kirman Eye, we will screen you for this common eye condition using innovative technology and testing procedures.

Correcting Astigmatism

Once we perform our testing procedures, and if you have astigmatism, there are common methods of correction, including:

• • Contact lenses
• • Eyeglasses
• • Refractive surgery

One of our experienced optometrists will help you determine which is the best corrective action for your eye health.

“Why Does My Eye Twitch?” Our Optometrists Explain!

Ever wonder why your twitches one minute but the next minute it's fine? Or have you ever had eye twitches that

last for weeks or months at a time? Actually, a lot of our patients ask those same questions, too!

Common Reasons for Eye Twitching

Sometimes both the upper eyelid and the bottom lid can twitch, even though the latter one is more common. Here are some reasons why this happens:

• • Allergies
• • Caffeine (too much of it)
• • Dry eyes
• • Fatigue
• • Stress
• • Eye strain
• • Alcohol
• • Nutritional imbalances
• • Light sensitivity
• • Pinkeye
• • Incorrect contact lens prescription

Treatment for Eye Spasms

Usually eye spasms are not something serious. However, if they are interrupting your daily life, or if you're experiencing spams for an extended period of time, call your eye doctor.

To lessen the occurrence of this sometimes annoying eye problem, take care of your health. Be aware of the reasons why people get eye spasms in the first place, and try to avoid them!

Also, try to figure out what is causing your eye to twitch, then try solving that underlying problem.

As always, if you have any other questions, give Kirman Eye a call, or contact us using our website!

Age-Related Macular Degeneration: What You Need to Know

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the developed world.

What is Age-related Macular Degeneration?

AMD is a deterioration or the breakdown of the eye's macula. What is the eye's macula? It is the small area in the retina-- the light-sensitive tissue which lines the back of the eye. The macula is responsible for your central vision--- which allows you to view fine details with clarity.

AMD is the late stage of age-related macular disease.

The early stages involve hyper-pigmentation or hypo-pigmentation of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the development of drusen (yellow deposits under the retina). People who experience AMD in the late stages of the disease typically have:

• • Severe vision loss
• • Signs of choroidal neovascularization (growth of new blood vessels within the choroid layer of the eye)
• • sub-retinal hemorrhage
• • Geographic atrophy

What Causes Age-related Macular Degeneration?

The primary cause is said to be the premature dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The RPE is a monolayer that is responsible for the majority of maintenance functions for the neurosensory retina.

If you or someone you know is suffering from symptoms of this common medical eye disease, we encourage you to call us.

At Kirman Eye, we can test your condition with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT). Get the eye care you deserve from our experienced doctors!

Symptoms and Care for People with Cataracts

Many people suffer from cataracts, which is a clouding of the eye's natural lens. This can significantly impair your vision and cause other problems, too.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Typically, those suffering from this eye disease experience a few symptoms at the onset. As symptoms progress, he or she will notice that light gets blocked on a daily basis. He or she can also experience:

• • Double vision
• • Vision becomes foggy, cloudy, and/or blurry
• • Dramatic, sudden, and significant changes in eyeglass prescription
• • Distinct changes with the way you see colors
• • Sensitivity to light
• • Halos or rings around every light
• • Noticeable problems with glare when exposed to sunlight and/or bright lights
• • Nearsightedness in older individuals

There are a few types of cataracts, including: age-related cataracts, secondary cataracts, congenital cataracts, and traumatic cataracts.

In order to find out if you have cataracts, one of our doctors will perform a thorough eye exam. We will also examine the condition of the lens, along with other parts of your eye.

Get the Care You Deserve

If you or a loved one experiences symptoms of this common medical eye disease, we recommend scheduling an appointment today.
You can request an appointment on our website or call us at 717-566-3216. We are conveniently located in downtown Hummelstown, PA (not far from Harrisburg and Hershey)!

3 Common Eye Problems

There are many types of problems you can experience with your eyesight as you get older. Here are just 3 of the many visual problems that we diagnose and successfully treat at Kirman Eye:

1. Myopia
2. Hyperopia
3. Presbyopia

What is Myopia?

When a person experiences difficulty focusing on objects at a distance. The way we most commonly treat nearsightedness is with the use of corrective lenses (i.e. contact lenses and eyeglasses). Our optometrists have many years of experience diagnosing and treating those suffering from myopia.

What is Hyperopia?

This eye condition is most commonly known as "farsighted." When patients have difficulty focusing their eyes on near objects, this is commonly diagnosed as hyperopia. If the condition worsens without seeking treatment, he or she may also have great difficulty focusing on objects at any distance.

What is Presbyopia?

As patients get older, some may experience difficulty focusing on objects near to them. This is usually a classic symptom when someone ages, just like gray hair and wrinkles. If you are between the ages of 40 and 50, and you start to experience any of the following symptoms, we recommend calling our optometry office (located near Hershey & Harrisburg) for an appointment: problems focusing on small print; problems focusing on small objects; eyestrain; and/or difficulty with eyesight in the dark (or dim lighting).

If you haven't visited your optometrist lately, we recommend scheduling an appointment very soon. You don't want to wait until it's too late!

Dry Eyes: Solutions and Tips For Relief

Dry eyes are a common problem that many people suffer from. This often leads people to search far and wide for solutions and tips to stop dry eyes. Well, you've come to the right place now!

Symptoms of Dry Eyes

If tears do not sufficiently lubricate the eyes, you may experience:

• -- Itching


• -- Blurry vision



• -- Redness


• -- Sensitivity to light


• -- Pain


• -- A feeling like something gritty (i.e. sand) is in your eye

How to Relieve & Treat Dry Eye Symptoms

Here are a few tips on how to treat this common eye problem:

• -- Purchase an eye ointment or artificial tear drops. Our doctors can give you their recommendations on the best brands to meet your needs.


• -- Try a stronger dose of eye drops, such as Restasis, which is FDA approved. This treatment helps people who suffer from chronic dry eye, and also increases tear production.


• -- Other procedures can be performed if necessary, such as temporary punctual occlusion or permanent punctual occlusion. Our doctors can determine if either of these options are right for you.


• -- You may need certain medications or surgery if your symptoms are not relieved from the previous treatment options. Our doctors will fully and carefully evaluate your symptoms to determine the best treatment.

If you suffer from dry eyes and need a solution, call Kirman Eye for more information! Our doctors are trained to properly evaluate your symptoms and recommend treatment tailored to your needs.