by EyeLASIK | Nov 22, 2015 | Uncategorized
Food with health benefits is a big win!
The Eye LASIK team LOVES Thanksgiving. We’ve done some research and we’re so pleased to know that some Thanksgiving food can be great for your eyes, as well! Fantastic food with health benefits? That’s awesome news! Read on to find out more
Turkey – The Main Contender
They call Thanksgiving Turkey Day for a reason! The focal point of the holiday meal is actually amazing for your eyes! Zinc is found in turkey, which helps the retinas operate better. You can also find it in other foods such as crab, oysters, peanuts, and whole grains
Carrots – The Cliché “Good-For-Your-Eyes” Food
It’s honestly not an old wives’ tale. Carrots, and other food such as sweet potatoes, yams, and pumpkin, are high in beta carotene. The carotenes convert to Vitamin A in your body, and the eye process that vitamin to prevent night blindness. Winter squash and red peppers can also provide these doses. Just think color!!
Kale & Spinach – Rabbit Food Can Be Delicious
These foods contain high levels of antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin. They help your eyes recover from exposure to such things as air pollution and sunlight. These antioxidants are though to absorb damaging light via your eyes’ lenses and retinas. You can also nosh on broccoli, brightly-colored fruits like grapes or kiwis, and other greens like mustard greens.
Citrus – Pucker Up For Vitamin C Power
Papayas, pineapples, oranges, grapefruits, even strawberries…there are so many delicious options to get your Vitamin C antioxidants. If you prefer savory to sweet, try green peppers or Brussels sprouts to get your daily dose.
We hope this has been a little bit of delicious information so you can help plan out your Thanksgiving meal a little easier. The benefit is filling your belly AND improving your eye health!
All of us at Eye LASIK wish you and your family a very safe and happy Thanksgiving. We are so thankful to have you as our customer!
by EyeLASIK | Nov 16, 2015 | eye health, Health Facts
How does diabetes affect your eyes? Read more to find out!
November is American Diabetes Month! What does this have to do with eyes, you ask? Diabetes and eyesight are closely related, actually. We have a lot of information to give you in this week’s blog!
The Terrible Two
There are actually two types of diabetes.
(A) Type 1 is usually called juvenile diabetes. It only occurs in about 5% of the population and it is usually diagnosed when the patient is a child. The body does not produce insulin and injections are necessary.
(B) Type 2 diabetes is a little different. It is also referred to as “insulin resistant,” which means the body does not properly use the insulin that is produced naturally by the body. This is the most common type of diabetes.
What Does This Mean?
Diabetes can be controlled, but only through carefully regimented diet, oral medications, and (sometimes) insulin treatments. However, the good news is that often times, there are preventative measures those with a risk of developing Type 2 diabetes can take. For instance, maintaining a healthy weight and a good diet with more whole foods and less processed ones can help decrease your risk for developing diabetes. However some risks such as age, ethnicity, and genetics cannot be controlled.
How Does Blood Sugar Affect Eyesight?
With Type 2 diabetes, the insulin produced by the body is not enough to help blood sugar (or glucose) be absorbed by cells. It builds up in the blood and, over time, the patient can develop serious complications. Some of those include an increased risk for glaucoma, cataracts, and, in very serious cases, blindness. The American Diabetes Association has an excellent website that explains many of the complications in great detail here.
Eye LASIK cares about your eyes and everything that can affect them. If you are at risk for developing diabetes, we strongly encourage you to discuss your options with your healthcare provider and to take precautionary measures to avoid it, if possible. Diabetes still has a long way to go before there is a cure, but we love seeing our patients happy and healthy.
by EyeLASIK | Nov 9, 2015 | Finances
Healthcare insurance is great and now is that time of the year where most companies begin the renewal process! It covers a variety of issues, from annual check-ups to major medical expenses. One type of plan, a health savings account (or HSA), is essentially a pre-tax savings account with the sole purpose of providing an additional cushion for medical expenses.
HSA’s were created in 2003 as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act. An HSA is considered a high deductible plan. The cost is higher up-front, as in the patient is required to meet the deductible in full before benefits begin and there is no-copay. However, these plans are great for tax deductions and you get the benefit of saving money for medical expenses, whether they be routine or unexpected.
Current guidelines allow employees and, in some cases, employers to make contributions to employee savings accounts, with a maximum annual 2015 contribution of $3,350 for individuals and $6,650 for families.
2015/2016 HSA IRS Contribution Limits
So how does this apply to you and Eye LASIK? We have great news for you! HSA guidelines allow for medical expenses which include some elective procedures, including the LASIK procedure. This is really exciting, considering how much you can save on contact lenses and glasses over a lifetime.
Eye LASIK encourages you to discuss plan options with your employer representative whenever you renew your insurance, especially if you’ve been considering a procedure that isn’t normally covered under “normal” insurance guidelines. Our staff is trained to help you navigate utilizing your HSA “nest egg” to maximize your benefits. HSA plans are a great way to start saving for your LASIK procedure. We are here to help answer any questions…call us today!
by EyeLASIK | Nov 2, 2015 | eye health
Autumn is many people’s favorite season: the beautiful colors, cooler weather, and the start of the holiday season. However, for some, it’s the beginning of another rough allergy season, topped only by spring. We have some recommendations on how you can help keep your eye allergies under control.
Wear Sunglasses
People think of sunglasses as a spring or summer accessory. We recommend them year-round! Not only do they protect your peepers from the sun’s harmful effects, they also assist in keeping pollen out of your eyes.
Keep Windows Closed
As beautiful as the weather is outside, opening up your windows can lead to pollen and dander floating into your house. It’s so tempting to save a little money on your electricity bills for a few months, but the itchy, watery eyes may not exactly be worth it.
Use Eyedrops
Keeping your eyes from drying out is one of the best things you can do for allergy eyes. Dryness and itching can usually be relieved temporarily with the use of over-the-counter or, in more serious cases, prescription eye drops.
Watch Out For The Home Fires
One of the best things about the fall is the cooler weather…and that means hot drinks, fuzzy sweaters, and fires. We caution you to be careful of any fire smoke (especially those at bonfires), as it can irritant the sensitive tissue around your eyes. There are also certain types of wood, such as cedar or pine, which can cause allergic reactions.
The team at Eye LASIK Midland is certainly excited for autumn to have finally arrived in West Texas. We are proud to be your choice for LASIK. Please be sure to set up your free consultation with us today!
by EyeLASIK | Oct 26, 2015 | Eye Facts
In honor of Halloween, we’re giving you 10 spooky eye facts…but beware! Some may really spook you! Read on to learn just how fascinating your eyes really are…
Check out these scary eye facts…if you DARE!
- An eye is composed of nearly 2 million working parts!
- Only one sixth of the eyeball is exposed.
- Even if both parents have brown eyes they can have a child with blue eyes.
- Your eyes start to develop 2 weeks after conception.
- Vision requires half of your brain.
- On average, you blink your eyes about 12 times every minute. That’s about 4,200,000 per year!
- The majority of vision problems, approximately 80%, are avoidable or even curable.
- The muscles that control your eyes are the most active out of ALL the muscles in your body!
- Some people are born with two differently colored eyes, a condition known as Heterochromia.
- The cornea is the only tissue that doesn’t have blood.
How about those spooky eye facts?! Eyes are one of the most valuable parts of your body. Are you enjoying them to their full potential? If you have to bear the burden of contacts or glasses, you aren’t. Why not start the path to clear vision today? At Eye LASIK Midland you can, start by requesting a FREE consultation!
Have a happy Halloween!
