by EyeLASIK | Apr 28, 2016 | Uncategorized
Most native West Texans know that protecting your eyes from the sun is important. We’re going to take a closer look at how UV rays affect your eyes and how you can prevent damage.
Do you know how to pick protective eyewear?
There are several types of ultraviolet (UV) rays, including UVA, UVB, and UVC. Both UVA and UVB rays are attributed as the root cause of sunburns. UVA rays are longer and can penetrate to the middle layer of skin (dermis), whereas UVB rays are shorter and only reach the surface layer. Both of these can cause eye damage.
Excessively exposing your eyes to natural sunlight or any other UV light source (like a tanning bed or a welder’s spark) can cause a condition know as photokeratitis. This is a painful condition similar to getting a sunburn. However, instead of your skin burning, your corneas and conjunctiva are burned. It can take several hours for you to realize that you’ve damaged your eyes. Patients report symptoms including excessive eye watering, constant irritation (similar to having dirt in your eye), or pain.
Long-term effects of repeated UV exposure are various. While chronic photokeratitis sounds uncomfortable, UV exposure can be attributed to several more serious conditions. These include ocular cancers, pterygium (also known as “surfer’s eye”), and cataracts. More cosmetic issues include wrinkles and crow’s feet around the eyes, usually due to squinting.
How To Protect Your Eyes
The easiest way to protect your eyes from damaging UV rays is also very fashionable: simply wear proper sunglasses or wear a hat!
Some tips for choosing a great pair of protective eyewear:
- Make sure your shades of choice include UV-blocking lenses. These should reduce both kinds of UV rays by at least 99%.
- Choose grey-tinted lenses, as they will help to provide more color definition than other tint options.
- Pick lenses that also block out 75-90% of visible light
EyeLASIK hopes we’ve given you an idea of how UV rays affect your eyes and some great reasons to protect them! Be made in the shade(s) this spring and summer!
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 | Oct 16, 2015 | Uncategorized
Halloween is a little over a week away, and while candy and costume planning may be everyone’s first priority, we should all keep in mind some important Halloween safety tips! Check out our tips for Halloween safety:
Check out our tips for Halloween safety!
- Always choose flame resistant costumes and accessories. This can be confirmed by looking at the tag on the costume.
- Be sure that any accessories your child carries (swords, canes, sticks, wands, etc.) are not too long or too sharp.
- Ensure your child’s shoes fit well and their costumes are not too long, to prevent tripping.
- Add reflective tape to dark costumes.
- Pay close attention when walking past driveways and through intersections.
- Masks can limit eyesight, so consider using non-toxic makeup or a hat to achieve the same look as wearing a mask.
- Carry flashlights with fresh batteries (glow sticks are fun, too).
- Teach your child the best contact phone number for a parent or friend and that they know their home address, in case they get lost.
- Halloween is a great time to refresh your children on the concept of strangers. Be sure your child knows not to talk to anyone they don’t know. (And definitely doesn’t enter anyone’s home.)
- Remind your child to not eat any candy before an adult checks it.
- Don’t let your child trick-or-treat alone. Be sure that if they don’t go with you, they are going with another trusted adult.
Safety is a priority at Eye LASIK Midland, from Halloween to LASIK procedures. For all your LASIK questions, or to find out if you qualify, contact us!
Wishing you a safe & happy Halloween from Eye LASIK Midland!
by EyeLASIK | Aug 21, 2015 | Uncategorized
There are two types of people in this world…
Those who do want to know the details of LASIK surgery…
…and those who don’t.
Whether you fit into the “do” or “do not,” category, we’re giving you the details of LASIK surgery (but the weak stomached are not to worry, we’ll avoid the overly specifics)!
Details Of LASIK Surgery
details of LASIK surgery
First, the patient is prepped and put under local anesthetic in the form of eye drops. Next, a laser is used to create a very thin flap in the cornea. The cornea is then lifted back from this flap and the underlying corneal tissue is reshaped using another laser.
The flap that was initially created can then be replaced when the cornea is able to refocus light onto the retina. After the flap is replaced, the surgery is complete! In total, the procedure shouldn’t take any longer than about 10 minutes. Afterwards, the patient should be driven home by a friend or family member.
There you have it, the details of LASIK surgery. Surprisingly simple, huh? The seamless process of reshaping the cornea can make all the difference in your life. Can you image waking up in the morning and being able to see clearly? With LASIK, it’s possible! For more information, take a look at the “News” section of our website! We have plenty of articles to answer any questions you may have. Or, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Begin your path to clear vision today! Request a FREE consultation for LASIK.
by EyeLASIK | Mar 30, 2015 | Uncategorized
Some people who are considering LASIK may be curious about LASIK recovery. How long does it take? What does it involve? Is the recovery process even worth having the LASIK itself? Like with any corrective procedure, it is entirely natural to be somewhat nervous and maybe even a little hesitant. We’ll put an end to your hesitance by covering everything you need to know regarding LASIK recovery.
During/Day Of Surgery
Most patients do not experience pain during LASIK recovery, however, there may be some slight discomfort. This discomfort may continue during the day of surgery and is similar to having an eyelash in your eye. It is important to avoid rubbing your eyes and to keep them properly lubricated. Discomfort the day of surgery is entirely normal, as it is only a sign of your eye(s) healing. 24-48 hours after your surgery, your doctor will want to see you to be sure your eyes are healing correctly.
Days After Surgery
Most LASIK patients report that their eyes feel fairly normal the day after having their LASIK procedure. Every patient is different, but most patients are happy about the short recovery time they experience. In fact, patients generally are able to return to work the next day after LASIK, or at least within a few days.
What can you expect from LASIK recovery?
Improved Vision
In addition to a short recovery time, many patients experience improved vision immediately following their procedure. However, it is important to understand that the level of prescription that a patient has will affect the patient’s time that they experience improved vision. Patients with higher prescriptions generally notice a quicker improvement than patients with lower prescriptions.
Reward Is Greater Than Risk
LASIK recovery is most definitely worth having the procedure. Of course, like with any surgery, there are associated risks. But most any patient will tell you the reward is much greater than the risk. A life of clear vision is a privilege no one should be denied.
To find out more about LASIK recovery or the risks involved, give us a call! Or, feel free to contact us here. When you’re ready to make a step on your path to clear vision, we offer a free consultation to individually assess you and discuss payment options. Schedule one here!
by EyeLASIK | Dec 18, 2014 | Uncategorized
It’s that time of year! Friends, family, presents, and of course Christmas cookies! Try some of our favorite Christmas cookie classics to share with your friends & family this holiday season!
Give these 3 Christmas cookie classics a try!
Sugar Cookie Swirls
Ingredients:
- Sugar cookie dough
- Food coloring (red or green)
- Sprinkles
Instructions:
- Make up a batch of sugar cookie dough (or buy the premade kind) divide and place in two separate bowls.
- Knead food coloring into one of the parts of dough (making it darker with more coloring and lighter with less coloring), leaving the other part white. Chill the dough.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball of dough separately to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Using a pastry brush, apply a little water to the darker layer of dough. Roll the lighter colour of dough around the rolling pin and transfer it on top of the darker coloured layer of dough. The little bit of water will help them stick together.
- Trim the edges so you end up with a neat and tidy rectangle.
- Gently start rolling your dough from one of the wider ends, brushing a we bit of water on the dough as you roll it up. Once it’s rolled up, you can work the ‘log’ to even it out if the middle is thicker then the ends, and to work out any gaps.
- Spill out some sprinkles onto the counter, brush the outside of the dough ‘log’ with a bit more water and roll it in the sprinkles.
- Finally, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.
- Once chilled, slice the dough into rounds to your desired thickness. The thinner the blade used to slice them, the better.
- Bake according to sugar cookie recipe instructions and serve with milk!
Classic Snickerdoodles
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- ½ cup butter or margarine, softened
- ½ cup shortening
- 2 eggs
- 2 ¾ cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose or unbleached flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- Heat oven to 400ºF.
- 2
Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, the butter, shortening and eggs in large bowl. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.
- 3
Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Mix 1/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
-
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
Gingersnap Cookies
Ingredients:
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Grease cookie sheets.
- Sift together flours, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda into a large mixing bowl; mix well.
- In another bowl, beat together oil, eggs, molasses, honey, and brown sugar until frothy; stir into flour mixture, mixing until batter forms.
- Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets far apart, as cookies will spread; bake at 375 degrees F.
- For 5-7 minutes or until cookies are firm and lightly brown.
- Watch closely to ensure that they don’t scorch.
- Remove from sheets with spatula and cool on wire racks.
Hope you enjoy these delicious Christmas cookie classics, brought to you by Eye LASIK Midland! Cherish the time spent with friends and family this season!
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Have a very Merry Christmas!
