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Winter Darkness: Night Time Driving Tips

Driving Safely at Night

Winter is here and that means shorter days with longer periods of darkness. For those who work normal business hours, it might mean driving to and from work in the dark. It can be difficult to see while driving at night so we created a list with some helpful tips to get you through the darkness.

Reduce Eye Strain

  • Adjust mirrors to cut glare. Tilt side mirrors slightly downwards and angle your rearview mirror to minimize glare from tail lights behind you.

  • Keep your eyes moving. Scanning side to side prevents fatigue in one spot, helps you detect hazards earlier, and provides a more dynamic view of the road.

  • Dim dashboard lighting. Bright interior lights compete with your night vision—lower them so your eyes adapt more comfortably to darkness.

  • Avoid staring into oncoming headlights. Look slightly to the right edge of the road until the car passes, then return your gaze ahead.

  • Redirect heat/vents. Avoid direct airflow on your face or into your eyes, as that can cause dryness or discomfort—especially if your eyes are prone to irritation.

  • Use anti-glare coatings on eyewear. If you wear glasses, keeping them clean and choosing lenses with anti-reflective or anti-glare coatings can reduce halo and light scattering at night

  • Take eye breaks where safe. When stuck in slow traffic or at long red lights, blink consciously or look away from bright sources briefly to let your eyes rest.

Clean Your Headlights and Windshield

A dirty, snow-covered  windshield will reduce your visibility.

For your headlights, snow, dirt, or salt buildup can significantly reduce light output and signaling effectiveness. Clean them both regularly to stay safe.

Make Sure Your Headlights are Properly Adjusted

Headlights aimed too low or high can affect your visibility.

If you find it’s still difficult to see, you should schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. Certain eye conditions can increase light sensitivity and decrease vision.

Safe Driving!

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Filed Under: Blog

4 Tips to Preventing Dry Eyes

Winter is finally here! The cold winter winds and dry heat inside can cause dry, irritated eyes.

What Is Chronic Dry Eye?

Constantly suffering from itchy or red eyes? You’re not the only one. In the U.S., approximately 40 million people suffer from dry eyes. It occurs when your eyes cannot produce enough tears for sufficient lubrication.

This condition occurs when your eyes’ protective oil glands clog up during Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. However, it’s also been linked to autoimmune diseases, weather, allergies, medications, hormone changes, contact lenses, and inflammation. Not only are dry eyes uncomfortable, but they can also impact your eye health and vision, which could affect your everyday activities and favorite hobbies.

Here are some tips to keep your eyes healthy this winter.

Filed Under: Blog

Does Poor Vision Impact Quality of Life

Paul Ernest Jackson MagazineA cataract can cause sharp images to become blurred and bright images to become dull. It can also contribute to difficulty with night driving. When sight is compromised – your quality of life is compromised. Each year, nearly 22 million Americans age 40 and older are affected by cataracts and seek some form of treatment.

The best option for correcting cataracts is surgery. But not just any cataract surgery – The LenSx® laser is the first FDA-approved laser for use inside the eye. This sophisticated piece of equipment, which makes cataract surgery safer, is the most precise and the most effective for the majority of patients. TLC Eyecare & Laser Centers is the first in Michigan to offer their patients this advanced treatment. The precision of the laser allows patients to have customized vision with multifocal lenses. Patients can now choose to have vision for distance, intermediate, and near without glasses. The LenSx laser, skillfully guided by an experienced eye surgeon, creates incisions which reduce astigmatism for patients undergoing the cataract surgical procedure. In addition to correcting astigmatism and providing vision at all levels, patients can also maintain monofocal vision that they were accustomed to with previous use of contact lenses.

As Baby Boomers, we want to stay young and active as long as we can. Bringing LenSx to my fellow Boomers brings me great pride and gives my patients the best in customized vision treatment available in Michigan.

Read the full article published in the June 2012 Issue of Jackson Magazine

Filed Under: Blog

6 Tips On How To Maintain Good Eyesight

Tips to maintain good eyesight

How To Maintain Good, Healthy Eyesight

Maintaining healthy vision is more important than getting a regular vision screening. Your overall health can impact your eyesight. Here are 6 tips on how to maintain good eyesight:

1. Eat the Right Foods To Protect Your Eyesight

Fill your plate with foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins C and E. These nutrients may help lower your chance of developing macular degeneration or cataracts. If you are looking for ways to indirectly maintain your eyesight, eat a healthy portion of green veggies, salmon, eggs, and citrus fruits. A healthy diet also decreases your chance of diabetes, which is one of the leading causes of blindness.

2. Gear Up with Protective Eyewear

An estimated 2.5 million eye injuries occur in the U.S. each year, so it is very important to wear proper eyewear to protect yourself from eye injuries.

Whether you’re on the job, working on a home improvement project, or playing hockey with the neighborhood, always wear protective eyewear or safety glasses to avoid the risk of anything making contact with your eyes.
Sunglasses for Eyesight Health

3. Always Wear Your Sunglasses

Don’t just use the free pair of shades you picked up at a concert. The best way to keep your eyes healthy is to invest in a decent pair of sunglasses that will actually protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays. Too much UV exposure increases your chances of cataracts.

When picking out your sunglasses, look for 99-100% UVA and UVB radiation protection. And remember to never look directly into the sun!

4. Throw Away Old Makeup

Getting rid of old makeup is essential for maintaining your eye health, as expired products can harbor bacteria that pose a risk to your eyes. Ensure to adhere to expiration dates on your makeup products and prioritize eye safety by refreshing your makeup collection regularly.

  • Did you know bacteria grow fast in liquid makeup?
  • Replace your products every 3 months to avoid developing an eye infection.
  • Never share cosmetics with others and avoid store samples.
  • Always clean your face before and after using makeup.

Need Help? Our Ophthalmologists Are Committed to Preserving and Improving Your Vision

5. Take Frequent Screen Breaks for Eyesight Health

When you stare at a computer, tablet, or phone screen too long, you may experience eyestrain, dry eyes, neck and shoulder pain, and headaches. To avoid these things you should:

  • Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Take a screen break every 20 minutes by looking 20 feet away for about 20 seconds.
  • Find a supportive chair and make sure your screen is at eye level
  • Keep your glasses/contacts prescription up to date and suitable for staring at screens
  • Remember to blink!

Doctor Eye Screening

6. Get Regular Eyesight Screenings

Everyone should be getting eye screenings on a regular basis. During the screening, your doctor may recommend you schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist if they believe there is a potential vision or eye problem.

Here are some things you can expect during a comprehensive eye exam:

  • A review of your health and family history of eye diseases, like glaucoma or macular degeneration
  • Vision testing
  • A dilated eye exam to check the retina and optic nerve
  • A refraction test to determine the sharpness of your near and distant vision

Anyone with symptoms or a family history of eye disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure should schedule an appointment with our team of ophthalmologists to determine how frequently their eyes should be examined.

Need an eye screening? Schedule your appointment with Specialty Eye Institute!

6 Tips for How to Get Better Eyesight Infographic

Filed Under: Blog

5 Best Foods For Eye Health & Vision

Frittata - Foods for Eye Health

You know how important your vision is. Imagine navigating the world without it. Did you know that certain types of foods can improve your eye health?

These Vitamin-Rich Foods are Good for your Eye Health

You probably already know that carrots are good for your eyes, but have you ever thought about what’s in them? Things like vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 acids all help your eyes stay healthy. They can help prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

But, where can you find them? Spinach and Kale also have antioxidants that protect your eyes from damage. Damage can come from sunlight, cigarette smoke, and even the air around you. They also have lutein and zeaxanthin.

Grapefruit, strawberries, and Brussels are full of vitamin C. Vitamin C is considered the king of antioxidants, so stock up on food that contains this as often as you can!

Seeds, nuts, and wheat germ have vitamins C and E. These foods work together to enhance your eye health and keep your tissues healthy. Turkey, oysters, crab, salmon, sardines, and herring contain zinc and lots of omega-3 fatty acids which may reduce the risk of dry eyes.

Pumpkin and sweet potatoes contain vitamin A, which can help with night vision.

The 5 Best Foods for Eye Health

Some of the previously mentioned food to support healthy vision isn’t the greatest to eat on their own. It would be better to incorporate the taste of them into some delicious meals.

We’ve put together some of our favorite recipes below – they all include foods and vitamins to improve your eye health.

Stuffed Mushrooms - Foods for Eye Health

1.  Cheese & Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

This is a yummy way to create the taste of pizza, but it’s still a really healthy hors d'oeuvre, appetizer, or starter. This recipe works best with large Portobello caps. Though, if you find smaller ones, buy a couple of extra so you can spread the ingredients evenly.

You will need:

  • 4 large Portobello mushroom caps
  • ¼ of a teaspoon of salt
  • ¼ of a teaspoon of freshly ground pepper
  • 1 cup of part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup of finely chopped fresh spinach
  • ½ a cup of finely shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped Kalamata olives
  • ½ a teaspoon of Italian seasoning
  • ¾ a cup of prepared marina sauce.

It will take around 40 minutes from start to finish. Check out the full recipe.

Tips & Insights: Advantages of Using PanOptix Lenses (IOLs)

Salmon Cakes - Foods for Eye Health

2. Easy Salmon Cakes

If you're looking for delicious foods that can help improve your eye health, salmon cakes are packed with omega-3s. It will work for both fresh and canned salmon.

You will need:

  • 3 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 15 ounces of canned salmon, or 1 ½ cups of cooked salmon
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 ½ teaspoons of Dijon mustard
  • 1 ¾ cups of fresh whole wheat breadcrumbs
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • Creamy dill sauce
  • 1 lemon cut into wedges.

It should take around 45 minutes in total to make. Here is the full recipe.

Foods for Eye Health

3. Strawberry Blueberry Compote in Red Wine Syrup

This is a fun combination of flavorful fruits and food that's good for your eyes and health. It should only take around half an hour to make. This is a great recipe for a party, as it serves 8.

You will need:

  • 1 cup of dry red wine
  • ¼ cup of sugar
  • ½ teaspoon of whole black peppercorns
  • 2 (2 ½ inch) orange rind strips
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 cups sliced strawberries
  • 1 cup of blueberries

Need Help? Our Team Of Ophthalmologists offers Visian ICL Surgery & Other Types of Eye Care Solutions

Roasted Almonds

4. Rosemary Roasted Almonds

Rosemary roasted almonds are an easy snack that can help maintain your eye health and satisfy your cravings. There’s nothing worse than being hungry in the middle of the day. Spending 20 minutes or less each day to make delicious food such as rosemary roasted almonds is an easy way to preserve the health of your vision.

You will need:

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon of Chile powder
  • 3.4 teaspoons of kosher salt
  • Dash of ground red pepper
  • 1 bag of whole almonds

Frittata

5. Green Eggs and Ham Frittata

Who doesn’t love some classic green eggs and ham? If you are searching for food that is good for your eyes, this meal features leeks, dills, spinach, and Havarti cheese. It will take around an hour to make and bake.

You will need:

  • 8 large eggs
  • 1 ½ teaspoons of dried dill
  • ¼ teaspoon of salt
  • ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 leeks, white and light green parts only, diced
  • 1 5-ounce bag of baby spinach, chopped
  • ½ cup of diced ham
  • ½ cup of shredded Havarti or muenster cheese.

Food that’s good for your eyes doesn’t have to taste bad. You can easily find food that’s good for your vision and good to eat. These meals are both literally and figuratively a feast for your eyes. If you need help preserving or improving your vision, give our team of ophthalmologists a call by phone at (877) 852-8463. Our team offers innovative eye care solutions such as cataract eye surgery, blepharoplasty treatments, LASIK surgery, and refractive lens exchange eye care options. Our team of ophthalmologists in Battle Creek, MI, and other areas are committed to helping you enhance your sight and health.

Tips & Insights: Anatomy of Your Eyes: 9 Main Components

Filed Under: Blog

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