MODERATOR: Good morning everyone. We're joined today by Dr. Daniel Spitzberg, Indiana University School of Medicine ophthalmology professor. Today's health chat will focus on vision care and eye health. Please feel free to send in questions.

Dr. Spitzberg: Thanks for joining us today. Are you ready to get started?

DR. SPITZBERG: Yes, we are ready.

QUESTION: I frequently have twitching around my eyes and upper cheeks that lasts for a few minutes to a few hours. My glasses prescription is up to date. It doesn't seem to matter whether or not I'm tired, but it does seem connected to spending time on the computer, which I have to do for long periods for work. How can I relieve it?

Suzanne, Bloomington

DR. SPITZBERG: This is a very common occurrence and is a spasm of the muscle and the nerve supply to the muscle. It is frequently related to being tired, anxiety and computer use. In this situation, I would simply back away from the computer and take a short break, blink your eyes and then resume your work. We do not treat this with medications as it will resolve with time.

QUESTION: I have some sort of lump or growth on the inside corner of my eye. It's been there for years, and every so often, it is itchy and makes my eye water. What might be causing this?

Sarah, Bloomington

DR. SPITZBERG: Usually this represents a blocked duct in the eyelid. There are hundreds of glands in the lid - when they are sore and tender it is called a sty; when they are not tender it is called a chalazion. Both can be treated medically and if not successful can easily be removed as an office procedure (out-patient). Treatment would involve antibiotic and anti inflammatory drops for approximately two weeks.

QUESTION: Are there any sort of nutritional supplements you routinely suggest to your patients for good eye health?

Ann, Bloomington

DR. SPITZBERG: Nutritional supplements became popular for patients with macular degeneration. Studies have shown that they are not particularly helpful to prevent cataract or macular degeneration. Many family members who have a parent with macular degeneration will ask if they should take supplements and I would answer, it does not hurt to take them although we are still not convinced of their effectiveness. A multi-vitamin with luetin and zinc twice a day is all that is needed. They are sold over the counter and two brands are Eye Caps and Ocuvite.

QUESTION: How long before my eyes' ability to accommodate from long to short distances (lost in middle age) can be corrected with surgery -- so I won't need those reading glasses anymore!

andrea,

DR. SPITZBERG: Currently we are unable to correct near vision with LASIK surgery. LASIK only corrects distance vision for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. We can, however, correct near vision with an intraocular lens implant like we use for cataract patients for both distance and near vision. Patients are very pleased because they no longer have to use reading glasses which they lose all the time anyway. There is research currently being done for correcting near vision with the laser but it could still be two to five years before that is perfected.

QUESTION: What are some of the best over-the-counter ocular aids I can have handy at home?

Andrea Murray,

DR. SPITZBERG: There is nothing wrong with using over-the-counter reading glasses. They will start at +1 power and go to +3 power. When reading a a newspaper, the lowest power that you are comfortable with will be fine for you. You may also use hand magnifiers, especially for people with limited vision and they are quite beneficial. Because this is the allergy season, over-the-counter allergy eye drops such as Zaditor, twice a day, can be quite helpful.

QUESTION: My left eye is much stronger (20-20) than my right eye for distance. I wear glasses (occasionally) for distance when driving and attending concerts. Am I causing strain or stress on my left eye when not wearing glasses? Is it picking up the slack for my weaker right eye?

Thanks, Sarah Morin

DR. SPITZBERG: You are not causing eye strain or affecting the vision whether you wear your glasses or not. Do whatever you are comfortable with as your prescription and vision will not change. Therefore you are not causing eye strain or stress on your left eye when you are not wearing your glasses.

QUESTION: I've had several instances recently of a "veiling" over one of my eyes; i.e., the amount of light I can see in that eye dims considerably, almost like someone turned out the lights in the room. It only occurs in one eye at a time, and it goes away after about 2 minutes. I had my eyes checked for detached retina and had a field vision test done, which were okay. It was suggested that this was an "eye migraine". This has happened 3 or 4 times in the past few months. Wondering if I should have other tests done?

N, Bloomington

DR. SPITZBERG: Your symptoms are typical for ocular migraine, which can be triggered by bright lights, stress, certain food products (chocolate and milk) and is more common in women, especially near menstrual periods which means hormone changes. However, they also can occur with hypertension, diabetes and carotid artery disease. You should have a physical and even ultrasound to rule out any of these conditions. Most of the time these tests will be normal. Ocular migraine is better than regular migraine because the vision clears, as you said, in a short period of time, but the headaches can be quite disabling. Migraine also has a heredity relationship.

QUESTION: What sort of eye strain issues are out there for people who sit reading back-lit computer screens all day or longer?

Andrea Murray,

DR. SPITZBERG: First of all, the eye strain from computer usage will not damage or worsen your vision. Generally, when using a computer, we tend to stare and do not blink enough and our eyes become dry. If you stop for a couple of minutes and simply blink rapidly, you will lubricate your eyes. Better still, buy artificial tears in the drug store. You can put these in 10 times a day and they will not harm your eyes or vision. Some brands include Optive and GenTeal. You can also look away from the screen and focus on an object in the distance for a few seconds. Sometimes changing the color of the screen is more comfortable.

MODERATOR: That's all the time we have for today's health chat on myINstride.com.

Dr. Spitzberg, thanks for participating in the live discussion and answering questions. Is there anything else you'd like to add? Any parting advice when it comes to eye health?

DR. SPITZBERG: It is critical that patients with diabetes be followed at least once a year with a regular eye exam and particularly a retinal evaluation. This is important because diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the country.

There are also some new treatments for age-related macular degeneration.

Thank you for the opportunity to participate today.