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The Nutrients For Good Eye Health

The Nutrients For Good Eye Health

The Nutrients For Good Eye Health

Eating well and regular exercise are a big part of a healthy lifestyle. However, have you ever given any thought about the nutrients for good eye health? We’re here to fill you in on the foods and supplements you should be taking to boost your vision.

Vitamins

nutrients for good eye health

Foods & supplements can promote healthy eyes.

Did you know that there are vision health-specific vitamins and supplements available? It’s true! Often, many people do not get the right dosage of vitamins required to maintain proper eye health.

Many diseases, especially those caused by aging, can be minimized and prevented through diet and regular vision checkups. However, be sure to speak with your doctor about any supplemental vitamins you are taking. This is especially important if you are taking any other prescriptions. Surprisingly enough, some supplements might counteract the benefits of other medications, even with your realizing it.

Prior to starting a new supplement schedule, be sure to check the label of your existing multivitamin. There’s a good chance you’re already receiving all the vitamins you need. However, we’ve listed out the daily recommended dosages for these vitamins and minerals for easy reference:

  • Vitamin C-250 mg
  • Vitamin E-200 mg
  • Zeaxanthin-500 mcg
  • Selenium-100 mcg
  • Zinc-25 mg
  • Beta-carotene-5,000 IU
  • Folic Acid-800 mcg
  • Lutein-10 mg
  • Selenium-100 mcg
  • Calcium-500 mg
  • Thiamin-2 mg
  • N-acetyl cysteine-100 mg
  • Alpha Lipoic Acid-100 mg

 

Food

Some of these necessary vitamins and minerals occur naturally in the foods we eat. Unfortunately, many of them aren’t found in our favorite foods, like pizza or tacos. A healthy, balanced diet filled with fresh produce, whole grains, and lean proteins helps you reach your daily vision vitamin goal. However, if you’re still looking for a big boost, check out these food options:

  • Lutein and Zeaxanthin – Found in dark leafy greens (specifically kale and spinach), colorful vegetables, and eggs
  • Zinc – Eat beef, lamb, turkey, quinoa, or lentils for a big boost of zinc to your diet
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Dive under the sea and enjoy salmon, trout, tuna, oysters, and other various seafood for natural omega-3’s. However, many dairy and grain products are enriched with these fatty acids during processing.
  • Vitamin E – The leafy greens for the win! Choose Swiss chard, mustard greens, and spinach for more vitamin E. However, you can also reach for avocados, almonds, or olives if you’re not a big fan.
  • Vitamin C – You can reach for just about any citrus fruit, or opt for papaya, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, or strawberries.

 

Not only are these nutrients good for healthy eyes, they’re good for overall health, too. We hope that this holiday season, you’ll consider serving some of these eye-healthy foods at your big dinner.

Horrifying Facts About Contacts

Horrifying Facts About Contacts

While we realize that we’re in the laser eye surgery business, there are some horrifying facts about contacts that might make you rethink wearing them. We aren’t trying to scare you off of contacts, but you need to know…so you can beware.

Icky Infections From Ineffective Care

Contacts are high maintenance. It’s an unfortunate part of the bargain when you have to wear them. Did you know that it’s important to change out your contact solution daily, regardless of whether or not you’ve worn your contacts? It’s also just as important to clean the case where you store your lenses. Allowing your lens case to dry between usages can also prevent infections.

You Don’t Know What’s In The Water

Horrifying Facts About Contacts

Use contact lenses…if you dare.

Ever hear of the flesh-eating amoebas? They live in the water and you can’t even see them…

If you choose to go swimming, be sure to take out your contacts. Bacteria, including protozoans, live in bodies of water and can become trapped under your contacts. They’re even found in swimming pools and hot tubs.

Another way water is horrible for your contacts is by exposing them to tap water. Contact solution is sterile and it keeps your contacts from producing more bacteria. Water, especially tap water, is not.

If you want to gross yourself out, just Google Acanthamoeba keratitis. However, you should consider yourself warned. It’s really disgusting. If that won’t convince you to take out your contacts before exposing them to water, nothing will.

Creepy Costume Contacts

Contact lenses are considered medical devices and are regulated by the FDA. However, many costume contact lenses are popping up for sale without requiring a prescription. We suggestion you run far, far away from these. Non-regulated lenses can cause cuts and abrasions to your eye. They can also cause very bad infections, some serious enough to cause blindness.

If these stories have spooked you away from contacts, we recommend that you set up a complimentary consultation with EyeLASIK. We make the process painless and informative…there’s no reason to fear.

Be Practical About Your Eye Health

Be Practical About Your Eye Health

Be Practical About Your Eye Health

Remember to give your eyes a rest!

How is eye health a lot like plumbing? They’re both easy to overlook when things are going well! When you’re seeing well and have no irritation, you may think there’s no need to go to the eye doctor. However, problems or not, it’s still important to take care of your eyes! Oftentimes, when you wait until you notice a problem, it may be too late. Take a look at these easy ways to be practical about your eye health!

Go Easy On The Morning Coffee

While two servings of caffeine a day can protect against dry eyes, you should slow down on the java! If you have more than 2 servings, caffeine can reduce your tear film, causing your eyes to dry out! This can lead to some serious irritation. So, enjoy your daily buzz…but proceed with caution.

Keep Your Appointments

Having regular exams is critical to your eye health. Make sure your eye doctor knows your accurate health history, including any changes from the time of your last visit. Children should first see the eye doctor between the ages of 6 and 12 months. Adults should have annual eye checkups. And yes…even if you’ve had LASIK and see perfectly, it’s important to detect visual problems early to avoid problems down the road.

Chow Down On The Good Stuff

Eating healthy foods is great for your waistline, heart health, and your eyes too! There are so many great benefits of a healthy diet. Protect against macular degeneration by eating dark leafy greensm, which are rich in lutein, like Swiss chard, kale, and spinach. Choosing foods with high levels of Omega-3, such as fish and walnuts, have been known to reduce inflammation in the blood vessels of the eye.

Take A Break With The 20-20-20 Rule

In a world filled with technology, most people work in front of a computer all day. It is important to give your eyes (and your brain) a break! Remember the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. In addition to breaking the constant strain on your eyes, you can help to refresh them by increased blinking. When using a computer, try to stay an arm’s distance away to avoid dry eyes and strain on your eyes.

Toss The Contact Case Regularly

If you haven’t had LASIK and still wear contacts, be sure to replace your contact lens case every two to three months. The primary reason for contact lens complications is a nasty case. More often than not, contact cases are kept in humid bathroom environments. As clean as your bathroom may be, it’s still a breeding ground for bacteria. Replace your case often and keep it in a clean, dry place. As an extra precaution, entirely empty the case of all the solution daily. Thoroughly rinse and dry the case before putting it away.

EyeLASIK is here to help you take care of your eyes for a lifetime, not just to see clearly. Today’s tips are simple ways to be practical about your eye health so you can enjoy good eye health!

Fourth Of July Eye Safety Tips

Fourth Of July Eye Safety Tips

Fourth of July Eye Safety Tips

Happy Independence Day 2016!

Boom! Bang! Crack! Pow! Before you oooh and aaah over the amazing fireworks this Independence Day weekend, be sure to read our Fourth of July eye safety tips!

Stay In The Shade

The sun is one of the hardest things on your body, including your eyes. Staying in the shade can definitely prevent photokeratitis, the condition that is basically a sunburn on your eyes. An added benefit is that you won’t receive a traditional skin sunburn!

Get Your Grill On…Safely

Burgers, hotdogs, and other yummy foods are a big part of the Independence Day festivities. However, when using a grill, whether charcoal, wood, or gas, you should exercise extreme caution. Flames, smoke, and debris can cause serious eye damage if you aren’t careful. Read your user manual and remember…when it comes to fire, bigger isn’t always better.

Sunnies Are Awesome

Sunglasses are not only a great fashion statement. They also take a lot of the work out of keeping your eyes healthy. Choosing good quality sunglasses with proper UV protection can prevent photokeratitis, squinting (which can cause crow’s feet and wrinkles), and foreign objects from entering your eyes.

The Big Bang

Fireworks are obviously the showstopper of the holiday. It’s definitely important to be very careful around firecrackers. A few tips for preventing eye damage:

  • Wear protective eyewear
  • Never touch an unexploded firework
  • Keep a bucket of water around to place used firecrackers in after they’ve popped
  • Never get too close to the firecracker to prevent eye injury and burns.
  • Always supervise child near fireworks (We found this video that may be really helpful to show your kids, too! https://youtu.be/BIu1jFLf5Qg)

 

Everyone at EyeLASIK wishes you an incredibly fun, safe, and happy Fourth of July!

Is My Eye Condition Serious?

Is My Eye Condition Serious?

Is My Eye Condition Serious?

Don’t shy away from these unusual eye conditions!

Your eyes are incredible. Many writers have waxed poetic about them, including calling them windows to the soul. But your eyes can also do some really odd things, causing you to ask, “Is my eye condition serious?” There are many unusual eye conditions out there that sound much more official than they are in actuality. EyeLASIK is here to share more!

Official Name: Myokymia

Layman’s Term: Twitchy eyelids

It starts out innocuously enough, then your eyelid just starts going crazy and you feel like your eye is going to take flight. While it’s incredibly annoying, twitchy eyelids are relatively harmless. Alternating hot and cold on your eyes while resting your eyes can help alleviate the symptoms. If you’re experiencing continuous symptoms, be sure to contact your doctor.

Official Name: Photophobia

Layman’s Term: Light sensitivity

Photophobia isn’t an aversion to having your photograph taken. It’s actually an extreme sensitivity to light. While this isn’t an eye condition in itself, it is a symptom of several possible conditions. Talk to your healthcare professional to determine the best way to proceed and during that time, be sure to wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.

Official Name: Conjunctivitis

Layman’s Term: Pinkeye

While incredibly contagious, most cases of pinkeye clears up on its own or after a round of antibiotic drops. It’s essentially an infection of the conjunctiva and causes the blood vessels of the sclera, the clear “film” overlaying the eye, to become red and itchy.

Official Term: Pinguecula

Layman’s Term: Bumps on your eyeball

These non-cancerous bumps appear to be yellowish and appear to be slightly raised. Pingueculae are caused by UV exposure. For the most part, these are mostly cosmetic, though they can become inflamed (be sure to ask your doctor to confirm your diagnosis). If they’re particularly bothersome, they can be surgically removed. Wear your shades and prevent these!

We hope this has taken some of the fear out of some crazy sounding eye conditions.

Eye Health Facts That Are No Joke

Eye Health Facts That Are No Joke

Eye Health Facts That Are No Joke

Don’t be FOOLED by eye health!

April Fools’ Day is just around the corner but EyeLASIK has some fun eye health facts that are no joke! Read ahead for more.

  • Those little floaters you see occasionally in your vision aren’t foreign particles. They’re actually little bits of collagen. Floaters become more common as you age. However, if you notice larger ones or they become more frequent, be sure to set up an appointment with your doctor. This could be a sign of a detached retina. LASIK can also help with floaters.
  • Have you ever encountered a person with two different eye colors? That person has a condition known as heterochromia. There are three different kinds of heterochromia: complete (where one iris is a totally different color than the other), sectoral (where a part of one iris is a different color than the remainder), and central (where different colors radiate from the pupil like bicycle spokes). You can read more about it here.
  • According to the World Health Organization http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/blindness/en/), 80% of all vision-impairment and blindness in adults is preventable. The reason this number is so high is because many developing countries do not have access to basic eye health facilities. There are also other factors to consider, including diseases such as river blindness and conditions like cataracts.
  • LASIK’s recent history began in the 1970’s. A doctor named Stephen L. Trokel was introduced to a piece of new technology known as the excimer laser. While it took many years and experiments to ensure accuracy for patient safety, the first recent photorefractive keratectomy (or PRK) operation occurred in 1988. The PRK was LASIK’s predecessor! A woman with malignant eye cancer volunteered to allow the doctors to test their new technology prior to her oncologist removing her eye. It was a success and the United States fully approved the procedure in 1995.

 

Well, the joke’s on us, but this blog is done! Everyone at EyeLASIK wishes you a happy (and hilarious) April Fools’ Day!