Blog list

September often means more time in front of computers, tablets, and phones. Professionals return to busy work schedules, while students settle into classes, homework, and digital assignments. When your eyes start burning, feeling tired, or becoming blurry by the afternoon, it can be difficult to tell whether you are dealing with screen fatigue, dry eye, or both.

Sun protection is often associated with protecting your skin, but your eyes also need protection from ultraviolet light. For patients in Manhattan Beach, spending time outdoors can mean frequent exposure to bright sunlight throughout the year. Over time, prolonged UV exposure may increase the risk of cataract development, making everyday eye protection an important part of maintaining healthy vision.

Summer in the South Bay may feel refreshing, but coastal conditions can be difficult for sensitive eyes. Ocean breezes, airborne sand, bright sunlight, saltwater, air conditioning, and longer hours outdoors can all contribute to tear evaporation and irritation. For people with dry eye disease, these triggers may lead to burning, redness, fluctuating vision, grittiness, or the feeling that something is stuck in the eye.

Summer in Manhattan Beach can fill up quickly. Between work, travel, beach days, sports, and family schedules, it is easy to put off an eye exam until vision changes become harder to ignore. At Beach Cities Optometry, we understand that convenience matters, which is why our after-hours and Saturday vision appointments help make eye care easier to fit into a busy summer routine.

Blepharitis is a common eyelid condition that causes inflammation along the lash line. It can affect one or both eyes and may feel like ongoing irritation, dryness, burning, or crusting around the eyelids. At Beach Cities Optometry, we often see patients in Manhattan Beach who think they have simple dry eye or allergies, only to learn that eyelid inflammation is part of the problem.

For many people in Manhattan Beach, dry eye symptoms get worse during long hours of screen use. That is one reason the 20-20-20 rule is often recommended. The idea is simple - every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. While this habit is most often discussed for digital eye strain, it can also help support better visual comfort when screen time contributes to dry eye symptoms.

Dry eye can cause burning, stinging, redness, blurry vision, watery eyes, and a gritty sensation. Some people notice symptoms only at the end of the day, while others deal with ongoing discomfort. Because dry eye can have different causes, the right treatment depends on what is triggering the problem.

Astigmatism is one of the most common vision conditions, yet many people don’t realize they have it - or assume it’s too minor to address. While mild astigmatism may seem manageable at first, leaving it untreated can lead to ongoing discomfort, reduced quality of life, and even worsening visual strain over time.

If you suffer from chronic dry eye symptoms - such as burning, irritation, redness, or blurry vision - you may be dealing with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). MGD is one of the leading causes of dry eye disease and occurs when the oil-producing glands along the eyelids become blocked or inflamed. Fortunately, advances in eye care now offer effective, long-lasting relief. One of the most innovative solutions available today is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, specifically OptiLight IPL.

Contact lenses can be a great option for children and teens, offering clear vision, convenience for sports and activities, and increased confidence. However, because children may be less aware of proper hygiene and care routines, contact lens safety is especially important. With the right guidance and support from parents and an optometrist, contact lenses can be a safe and successful part of your child’s vision care.