Your Eyes Should Work as a Team

Your Eyes Should Work as a Team

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For good eyesight, we don’t just need our eyes to work individually. We also need them to work effectively as a team, which is called binocular vision.

You can see how it works by closing one eye, then the other, while focusing on the same object. You’ll notice that you see things from a slightly different angle out of each eye. This is due to the distance between your eyes. Our brains combine the two images into a single 3D one, which is how we can judge distances.

A variety of problems can impede binocular vision:

  • Divergence insufficiency. The eyes struggle to turn outward to focus on distant objects.
  • Divergence excess. The eyes turn outward too much when focusing on distant objects.
  • Convergence excess. The eyes turn inward too much when focusing on close objects.
  • Convergence insufficiency. The eyes struggle to turn inward to focus on close objects.
  • Strabismus. One eye turns inward or outward.
  • Amblyopia (“lazy eye”). The brain will favor input from just one eye, making the other worsen in acuity. This is often the result of a severe refractive error in one eye or strabismus.
  • Vertical heterophoria. The eyes are vertically misaligned, making them strain to create a coherent image together.

Most forms of binocular vision dysfunction can be treated through visual therapy or corrected with special glasses, but only if they are diagnosed. Some are best corrected with surgery.

The Importance of Comprehensive Eye Exams

Only a Comprehensive Eye Check-up can test for vision problems, and it is critical to catch a vision problem early on. 

Many adults never received a diagnosis and went through lots of years struggling to see. If you think you or your child might have an undiagnosed vision problem, don’t hesitate to schedule an eye exam.

Your clear, comfortable vision is our highest priority!

For inquiries, questions, and appointments, call our Patient Care Lines (8 AM to 8 PM):

📱 (+632) 7-368 5238

📱 (+63) 917 862 7454

📱 (+63) 921 217 0517 

🖥 Talk to our Consultants via Livechat: https://shinagawa.ph/

📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/shinagawa_ph/

Skin Aging

Signs of Skin Aging and Solutions to Try

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There is no magical, mystical remedy that can stop the aging clock in its tracks. However, our team at Shinagawa Aesthetics focuses on the positives!

While aging is a part of every life, our dermatologists are experts in its effects on your skin. We love working with our patients to educate them on time’s impact and how to eliminate (or at least keep at bay) signs of aging on your skin.

The Causes, Effects and Solutions to Skin Aging

No matter your skin type, signs of aging on your skin are bound to appear as you grow older. For some, these may be due to biological factors, while others may notice the effects of their lifestyle or actions in their youth begin to surface at last. No matter the reason, one thing is for sure. There is no shame in getting older. We’re simply here to help you combat those cosmetic issues to help you feel more comfortable in your skin.

Loose skin and Wrinkles

Cause & Effect: As we grow older, our bodies experience a loss of elastic tissue (elastin and collagen) in the skin. Collagen provides strength and form, while elastin is crucial in maintaining the skin’s ability to stretch and recoil. As their presence decreases, gravity’s effects on the body become stronger, and the skin begins to sag and wrinkle. Elasticity loss can be linked to UV exposure and smoking.

Solution: Cosmetic dermatological services, such as Botox injections and Belotero fillers, can be applied to help reduce and smooth out wrinkles and lines on the face. These solutions should always be provided by and with the consultation of your board-certified dermatologist.

Prevention: Practicing proper sun protection techniques (regularly applying sunscreen, covering unprotected skin, etc.) and avoiding smoking can help reduce skin elasticity loss later in life.

Easier Bruising

Cause & Effect: Though the effects of sun-damaged skin may not show during your youth, you may find them popping up later in life. Overexposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays can lead to the breakdown of collagen in the skin’s vessel walls, resulting in much more easily bruised and damaged skin. Bruises may also take longer to heal as a result.

Solution: Medications, such as topical retinoids, are available that can help to strengthen the epidermis. Topical vitamins (C, E and K) have also been used to help reduce bruising. As with all medications, speak with your doctor to see which plan is right for you.

Prevention: Reducing your sun exposure is key to avoiding sun damage. Aside from sunscreen and protective clothing, you should also consider avoiding outdoor activity during peak UV hours (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).

Skin Discoloration

Cause & Effect: Discoloration in the skin is common as we age. This cosmetic change is known as hyperpigmentation, or an overproduction of melanin in the skin that can either occur in large patches or small plots, commonly known as age/liver spots. Hyperpigmentation is harmless at its core but may signify a more significant medical condition. 

Solution: There are several effective treatments for reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation, including topical medications such as retinoids, which help lighten the skin’s appearance over the course of several months. Laser therapy and chemical peels may also be viable options depending on your skin type and board-certified doctor’s recommendation.

Prevention: As with many signs of aging, skin discoloration is typically the result of years of excessive sun exposure. Common techniques like regular sunscreen application, tanning avoidance, etc., can help to reduce your risk.

Rough and Dry Skin

Cause & Effect: Dry and scaly. Rough and itchy. These are common adjectives to describe the skin of aging patients. Causes of dry skin come from a wide variety and can include dehydration, excessive sun exposure, smoking and stress, as well as a result of medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease. Our bodies’ oil productions also reduce as time goes on, which leads to skin drying out.

Solution: Creams and ointments are viable solutions for keeping skin healthy and moisturized. Drinking liquids and sleeping with a humidifier can also keep your skin refreshed. Avoiding hot showers and opting for warm or lukewarm water can be helpful as well.

Prevention: In the case of dry skin, prevention, and solutions are one and the same.

Show your skin some love!

At Shinagawa, our experienced dermatologists and staff are always ready to help you look and feel your best. Contact us today to schedule an appointment, and visit our website to explore our full list of services.

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.

Sleep and Vision

Sleep and Vision Intersects

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Does sleep affect your eye health?

Getting enough sleep is great for our overall health and our eye health alike. At the other end of things, we can improve the quality of our sleep if we are more careful about what we put in front of our eyes before we go to bed.

The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Eye Health

Nearly everyone knows what it’s like to feel sleep deprived in the short term. We feel grumpy and drowsy and struggle to concentrate. Over time, however, the effects are more dramatic. 

Chronic sleep deprivation can weaken our immune systems, make it harder to lose weight, increase our blood pressure, make us moodier, and make us more prone to memory loss. Our eyes don’t escape unscathed either.

We need at least five hours of sleep each night for our eyes to replenish themselves for a new day. Beyond helping us keep our eyes open, our eyes need sleep to prevent eye strain, dry eye, and eye twitches. Thankfully, our eyes also play a role in getting more and better quality sleep that will help them function at their best!

Blue Light from Screens Can Mess Up Our Internal Clocks

As tech-savvy as we become with our modern devices, we still can’t change the biology of our eyes. Only the last few decades of the entirety of human history have included sources of blue light that come from anywhere but the sun. Our brains are wired to interpret blue light as daytime, when we should be awake. The later we look at our screens in the evening, the more we trick our brains into thinking it’s not bedtime.

Limit the Blue Light around Bedtime

Anyone who’s had a harder time falling asleep in the smartphone era might have better luck if they avoid screens in the hour before bed. If that isn’t possible, blue light filters on the screen can help significantly as well. Try it out and see if it makes a difference for your quality of sleep. It will also help your eye health!

Make Eye Exams a Priority

We’re happy to answer any questions our patients have about the connections between sleep and eye health, and we can easily do so the next time you see us for an eye exam. Until then, try to get plenty of sleep while practicing good care and safety of your contact lenses, and don’t forget to dim the blue lights before bed!

We’re excited to see you in our clinics!

For inquiries, questions, and appointments, call our Patient Care Lines (8 AM to 8 PM):

📱 (+632) 7-368 5238

📱 (+63) 917 862 7454

📱 (+63) 921 217 0517 

🖥 Talk to our Consultants via Livechat: https://shinagawa.ph/

📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/shinagawa_ph/

Maria "Rein" Soledad

Maria “Rein” Soledad: Goodbye Glasses, Goodbye Struggles

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Wearing eyeglasses all the time isn’t exactly the most comfortable feeling, especially if you’ve been at it for the longest time.

No wonder, more and more people would want a more comfortable life minus eyeglasses.

“Having my LASIK done at Shinagawa was a life-changing decision as I was finally able to bid goodbye to my eyeglasses!” shared Maria “Rein” Soledad, another happy Shinagawa patient who is now living life in HD minus the specs.

“I’ve been struggling in terms of wearing eyeglasses since I was in elementary. After having Z Prime LASIK, I can see things clearly now!”

Maria bared how LASIK gave her the comfort in life that she’s been longing for.

“No more struggles for me and it’s safer to drive. I’m enjoying simple things with a clearer vision. LASIK is a worth it lifetime investment! It was a quick road to crystal clear vision!”

You can also bid your eyeglasses goodbye once and for all. Schedule your LASIK screening now!

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.

📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/shinagawa_ph/

when to see a dermatologist

When To See A Dermatologist

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If a rash or other skin problem covers more than 10% of your body, consult a dermatologist immediately, especially if you have a fever, joint aches, muscle pain, difficulty swallowing or you can’t sleep. It is a must.

Talk to a dermatologist for any ulcers that won’t heal after a week or two. These open sores can lead to serious infections.

Don’t take the mild appearance of a new skin condition lightly, either. A skin problem is sometimes the first sign of a significant, systemic autoimmune disease, such as lupus. Diagnosing skin inflammation can also reveal inflammation in your organs, including the lungs, kidneys, or liver.

Dermatologists can offer:

    Faster diagnosis: If you suspect a serious problem, but start with your primary care doctor, you may wait longer for a diagnosis. In serious cases, this increases the risk of more severe organ damage, potentially leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome or significant damage to your kidneys or liver. Even if a skin-related symptom is mild, you can have a pattern of rash that a dermatologist can recognize immediately that is worrisome.

    Scar prevention: Dermatologists will treat lupus, scalp conditions associated with hair loss, and severe acne aggressively enough so that they don’t lead to scarring.

As advanced as cosmetic procedures are, there’s no definitive way to reverse scarring. So the longer the problem goes on, the more extensive permanent damage can become.

Ultimately, seek medical advice when you first notice a problem. When the skin condition is one symptom of a larger, more serious problem, doing so will limit possible permanent skin or internal organ damage. The Skin Care Foundation recommends seeing your dermatologist once a year for a skin exam to check for anything out of the ordinary and to answer any questions you may have.

What to do if you have an urgent issue

Contact our expert dermatologists at Shinagawa! They are more than looking forward to aiding in solving all your skin problems. It’s the time!

Schedule a consultation with our skin experts! Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://www.shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.