Blog Archives | Page 7 of 21 | Specialty Eye Institute

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.

Does Poor Vision Impact Quality of Life

A 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

6 Tips On How 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.

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!

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!

5 Best Foods For Eye Health & Vision

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.

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.

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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.

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

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

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.

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Supplements & Vitamins for Macular Degeneration

Our eyesight is a precious function that many of us take for granted. While sitting in the doctor’s office may not be something you enjoy doing, a yearly visit with your ophthalmologist is a great way to protect your vision from degenerative eye disease. Supplements and vitamins are used for slowing or stopping the progression of macular degeneration in older adults. Macular degeneration is the most common eye disease. If you are 55 years or older, your ophthalmologist should examine your eyes every year as early diagnosis is the key to a successful treatment plan.

What Causes Macular Degeneration?

There are many risk factors for macular degeneration such as heredity and age, smoking, high blood pressure, and vitamin-deficient diets.

The two types of macular degeneration are wet and dry. Both will lead to loss of vision if they are not diagnosed and treated aggressively. For more information on risk levels and the types of macular degeneration, contact your ophthalmologist.

If you have been diagnosed with macular degeneration, you are not alone. While macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness, it is also treatable. Depending on your level of degeneration and your adherence to a treatment plan, you can slow the development of macular degeneration for many years.

Supplements for Macular Degeneration

There are many treatments available for macular degeneration patients, and your specific treatment options will depend on the type, stage, and personal medical history.

Remember, your ophthalmologist is a trained professional, so regardless of the treatment recommended, following it closely is imperative to maintaining your vision. The first step to stopping or slowing the spread of macular degeneration is adjusting your diet to include supplements to improve your health. Here is a list of the most common changes for your diet:

1. Zinc and Antioxidants

After years of research, studies have shown that taking supplements with high levels of zinc and antioxidants may help slow the progression of macular degeneration. Your ophthalmologist will recommend the right type and dosage of these supplements. If you are at risk of developing macular degeneration or are concerned about this condition, ensure your daily multivitamin contains these vital nutrients.

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2. Other Vitamins and Minerals

In addition to zinc and antioxidants, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a daily supplement with high doses of vitamins C and E, copper, and zeaxanthin. This regimen is based on recent findings that suggest these supplements may stop or slow the progression of intermediate dry macular degeneration from advancing to wet macular degeneration, the stage when loss of vision occurs.

3. Eye-Healthy Foods

While supplements are the most common treatment for macular degeneration, remember that simply taking a daily vitamin will not prevent or slow the progression of this destructive disease.

Ophthalmologists also recommend, in addition to daily supplements, eating a diet rich in nutrients that promote healthy eye function and slow the advancement of macular degeneration. When choosing fruits and vegetables, choose colorful vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens like spinach and kale.

Preventing Macular Degeneration

Your best defense against developing a degenerative eye disease is to practice preventative measures, so macular degeneration will not be a threat to your eyesight. Regular eye exams and tools like the Amsler Grid test can help detect any changes in the retina and macula. Our staff of ophthalmologists provides dependable eye care solutions such as macular degeneration treatments, cataract surgery, dry eye treatments, LASIK eye surgery, and presbyopia treatments. Yearly examinations with our team of ophthalmologists will verify that your eyes are healthy. If they're not, yearly exams allow for early detection of eye degeneration.

We'll help you to utilize the many treatments, supplements, and vitamins for macular degeneration if this condition affects you. Our team of ophthalmologists offers eye treatment options in areas of Michigan and Ohio such as Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Bryan, and Toledo. Schedule an appointment online or call us at (877) 852-8463.

4 Tips to Preventing Dry Eyes

What Is Chronic Dry Eye?

Does Poor Vision Impact Quality of Life

6 Tips On How To Maintain Good Eyesight

How To Maintain Good, Healthy Eyesight