After a weekend of treating several corneal abrasions and after-hour emergency visits, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss the importance of prompt medical treatment to an injured eye.

If you feel that you have an urgent problem that requires immediate attention, you should call your eye doctor immediately. If your eye doctor is not immediately available, you may call 911 or proceed to an emergency room of your choice. I cannot offer specific medical advice through this blog but I will make the general following recommendations:

If you live in the Chicago area, you may visit www.villageeyecare.net with the contact information for both eye clinics in Chicago. If you have an eye problem that has been ongoing, schedule an appointment by calling (312) 829-6173 or (312) 663-4250.
The following symptoms require contacting an optometrist or ophthalmologist as soon as possible:
•   Redness
•    Sensitivity to light
•    Vision loss
•    Pain or a foreign body sensation
•    A sudden increase in flashes or floaters
•    Sudden onset of double vision or changes in pupil size

As was the case with several of my patients this weekend, with prompt medical attention, eyesight often can be preserved even after severe injuries.

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a condition involving a lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye. People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or produce tears that are of poor quality. Recent studies show that over 30 million Americans suffer from DES. Common ocular symptoms of DES are burning, redness, a scratchy sensation, blurred vision, and tearing.

What causes DES?
There are a number of factors that contribute to DES, including:
● Age - DES increases with age because the quality of tears declines over time, leading to insufficient moisture on the surface of the eye.
● Gender - Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause, women develop DES more often than men.
● Medical conditions and medications – Conditions such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as refractive surgery (LASIK), increase the likelihood of DES.  Medications such as anti-histamines, oral contraceptives, and anti-depressants can also cause DES.
● Environment - Long periods working on a computer, extended contact lens wear, exposure to smoke, wind or climate changes all can contribute to the development of DES.

How do you diagnose DES?
After reviewing your personal and medical history, your eye care professional will examine the surface of your eyes and assess the tear production and quality. In addition, a thorough evaluation of the cornea, eyelids, oil glands and eyelashes is performed to determine the extent and cause of your DES. A customized treatment plan then will be determined based on these findings.

How do you treat DES?
DES can be treated in a variety of ways. The most common initial treatment plan includes the use of specific artificial tears and possible lifestyle changes, such as diet and sleep habits.  More advanced cases of DES may require prescription eye drops, oral medications, or nonsurgical procedures such as punctal plug insertion.
If you suffer from any of the above symptoms or would like more information about DES and possible treatment plans, please contact your eye doctor.

If vision is important to you, then why not take an hour once a year to make sure that your eyes are healthy.  While loss of vision tends to be noticeable, there are also eye diseases that show little to no symptoms.  One such disease is Glaucoma.  Glaucoma is one of the most common eye diseases and possibly one of the most scary. Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that lead to damage to the optic nerve, the nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. This leads to significant vision loss. Because the symptoms are few and far between, the importance of regular eye exams are extremely important.  Early diagnosis and careful management are the keys to preventing vision loss. Individuals who are older have an increased risk of glaucoma.

Regular eye exams are also important for the youth.  Maintaining a good eye care regimen will not only prepare the youth for later in life, but it will help prevent many problems that could occur if vision problems are not discovered.  Proper vision can also help students learn better in school.  Experts have said that vision accounts for 80% of what students learn in school.  In order to give our youth the optimal chance to succeed in school, we need to make sure their vision is operating at the best it can be.

Schedule your next eye exam at one of our two locations or visit our website at today!

University Village
1116 W. Taylor
Chicago, IL 60607
312.829.6173

South Loop
1243 S. Wabash
Chicago, IL 60605
312.663.4250

1. The simplest, and perhaps most effective method, to protect your glasses is to keep them inside a case. Any pair of glasses that you get from a reputable dealer should come with a case to protect them.
2. The cloth that comes along with the case will come in handy as well. This cloth gets rid of any grime or dirt that will inevitably accumulate on your lenses in the months to come.
3. Don’t wear your glasses if you’re planning some kind of rigorous activity. Anything that involves a lot of movement or provides an opportunity for your glasses to be broken should be avoided.
4. Never use anything other than specified lens cleaner to clean your glasses. Often times, people resort to using household chemicals or cleaners to disinfect and clean their glasses. This is a grave mistake and your lenses will suffer for it.
5. Buy an eyeglasses repair kit. More than likely, you will come to a stage where you will need it. They are especially useful if you drop your glasses and the lenses pop out.

Using common sense is the most fool proof way to take care of your glasses. The best way to avoid damage to your glasses is by making sure that you take gentle care of them.

Maybe you’ve heard that fish can improve your vision. Well I’m here to tell you that it’s absolutely true. Salmon, in particular, is extremely beneficial to your eyesight. It contains Vitamins A and D, which together result in an extremely strong brain and better vision. Consider adding a couple of salmon servings to your weekly diet. You’ll see all the better for it.

You’ve seen the classic commercials where the kids are complaining about eating spinach. These same kids may very well have poor vision when they grow up because spinach is vital to healthy eyes. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, spinach contains lutein and zeaxanthin which are both beneficial to preventing eye degeneration. Don’t forget that other dark green foods can help eyesight as well.

Another vegetable that is essential to maintaining great eyesight is the carrot. Carrots are perhaps the most well known, natural vision improvers. They’re extremely rich in Vitamin A. A one cup serving of cooked carrots provides 8 times the daily recommended intake of Vitamin A, that’s a lot of vision improvement. If you’re looking for a great way to supplement your eye improvement diet then carrots should be at the top of your list. Actually, many vegetables that are orange or yellow are great for vision. That’s because the orange color indicates that they’re high in beta-carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A.

Eggs are great for getting those eyes to perfect health. Eggs are rich in lutein, which studies suggest reduces the risk of macular degeneration. Arguably, eggs are even better for your eyes than the spinach that I mentioned earlier, due to their higher concentration in lutein. Research indicates that lutein intake directly correlates with eye pigmentation.

Do you have a sweet tooth? While it may hurt your teeth, dark chocolate can definitely help your eyes. It contains flavanoids that protect the eye’s blood vessels and makes the cornea stronger. I thought it’d be good to add something to the list that maybe you would actually want to eat. Stock up on some Hershey candy bars and test your vision, just make sure to buy lots of toothpaste.

We’ve covered a couple of different food groups thus far but I haven’t disclosed any helpful fruits. Well, apricots are great for your eyes as well. Not only do they contain Vitamin A, but they also have a plethora of other nutrients that aid in your eyesight battle as well.

As you can see from this list, choosing the right food can be just as important as choosing the right doctor, except not as expensive. Make sure you check these items out next time you visit the grocery store and by the time you’re restocking you may not even need those glasses anymore.

Probably the first, and best, thing that you should if you’re concerned with the health of your eyes is visit an optometrist. Not only will they be able to tell you if you need glasses or not, but they’ll be able to run a whole host of other tests for diseases. Did you know that doctors can tell if you have serious diseases just by checking your eyes, even those that you wouldn’t assume had anything to do with your vision? Things like high blood pressure, glaucoma, and diabetes all show up in your eyes. Therefore it’s beneficial for your health as a whole if you visit an eye doctor.

Taking care of the little things can also add to the health of your eyes. Is it really sunny out? Then you should probably wear sunglasses to better shield your eyes. Direct sunlight isn’t good for your eyes because of the intensity of its rays. Turn the lights up in your home if you’re trying to read or write. Dim lights strain the eyes and over time can seriously deteriorate their health. Other things that you can do to improve or retain your vision are exercising regularly, managing a proper diet, making sure you keep the rest of your body healthy, and visiting a doctor if you ever suspect that something may be wrong.

What’s odd is that most people seem to overestimate their own abilities. They know that they can’t read small text yet still try, their eyes slowly begin to deteriorate and they say that they’re just fine. It is essential that you overcome these obstacles in order to better take care of your vision. Being honest with yourself and going to see a doctor when you experience vision problems are paramount to tackling those fundamental health issues early. You’ll actually be able to read to your grandchildren when you get old, won’t that be grand?

One of the most common procedures used today is LASIK eye surgery (laser in-situkeratomileusis). Typically this surgery is used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. What makes Lasik distinct from other forms of laser eye surgery is that the surgeon creates a flap so that they can access the underlying areas of the Cornea. A laser is then used to reshape the cornea to correct any abnormalities. Sometimes a technology called wavefront is used to create a digital map of the cornea to aid in the accurate treatment of the cornea.

Another common form of laser eye surgery is called PRK (photorefractive keratectomy). This vision surgery is used to correct the same problems as Lasik. The key difference is that there is no creation of a flap. Instead a laser that uses a cool pulsing beam that has ultraviolet light is used to reshape the surface of the cornea. Sometimes this procedure is also used with wavefront technology.

Lasik eye surgery (laser epithelial keratomileusis) is a relatively new procedure that combines the processes used in Lasik and PRK eye surgeries. It is also used to correct farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism.  The procedure starts with the creation of a flap. The cells in the cornea are then treated with an alcohol solution. A laser is used afterward to correct the abnormalities in the cornea. During the recovery process the flap is often placed back and secured with a soft contact lens to aid in the healing process.

Check back on Thursday to see other types of surgeries.

ALK (automated lamellar keratoplasty) is an eye surgery that is usually used to correct sever cases of nearsightedness; occasionally it is used to correct slight farsightedness. The procedure requires the surgeon to create a flap in the cornea and then make another incision in the cornea to correct problems with the cornea.

RLE (refractive lens exchange) is a surgery used to correct farsightedness and nearsightedness. It can also be used for cataract surgery as well. The procedure requires an incision to be made in the cornea so that the natural lens of the eye is removes. It is then replaced with a silicone or plastic lens. Typically it is used for minor issues but it can be used to correct astigmatism if paired with other procedures like PRK as well.

Epilasik is a form of vision surgery where a thin layer of the cornea is removed. Depending on the condition it may be left that way or replaced. A soft contact lens is used to help it heal.

PREFLEX (presbyopic lens exchange) is another vision surgery where a multifocal lens to correct prebyopia.

LTK (laser thermal keratoplasty) is a laser eye surgery that uses a laser to heat the cells in the cornea in order to correct vision. It is recommended for slight to moderate farsightedness in people who are over 40.

CK (conductive keratoplasty) is a procedure that requires the surgeon to apply slight radiofrequencies to the cornea in order to reshape it correctly.

It is often said that Leonardo Da Vinci was the first to invent the idea for contact lenses in 1508. The first forms of contacts that were invented were uncomfortable glass cups or tubes. They didn’t provide very good vision and were extremely impractical. However, it was not until 1887 that the idea was fully realized. It was then that ophthalmologist Adolf Fick created the very first successful contact lens. Fick’s contacts were made out of glass, 18-21mm in diameter. He used dextrose solution to lubricate the space between the contact and the cornea. These lenses were rather large and could only be worn for short periods of time.

There are really three main uses for contact lenses today. The first would be for vision correction. Contact lenses work in a similar way to eye glasses in that they refract the light in a way that allows the wearer to see better. Contacts are different in that they make direct contact with the eye so they have to refract the light differently.

Contact lenses are often used to correct conditions such as myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Also, contacts can sometimes be more effective in treating keratoconus and aniseikonia. Due to the direct contacts the make with the eye, contacts lens may not be suitable for everyone. People have different sensitivities and eye shapes. Consult a doctor to see if they are a good fit for you.

Contact lenses are also used for cosmetic purposes. They are often made to change the color of one’s eyes. Sometimes the shape of the pupil is also altered. This can all be decided upon the wearer. These types of lenses are often used in the movie business when they need to change the eye of an individual. Cosmetic lenses have a tendency to cause a bit more irritation to the eye since they often obstruct vision. However many have responded positively to these products.

Contact lenses may also be applied for therapeutic purposes. Sometimes drugs are applied when soaked onto the contact. Contacts can be used as bandages after eye surgery. Conditions often treated with therapeutic contact lenses are dry eyes, bullous keratopathy, corneal ulcers, and descemetocele.

When receiving contact lenses make sure that you consult your doctor as to how long you can wear them. Wearing them for too long can risk damage to the eyelid or cornea. Some of the major brands that are trusted in the U.S. are Acuvue, Ciba Vision, Bausch & Lomb, and CooperVision. Make sure to care for your contacts as well by keeping them in the appropriate solutions when not wearing them and making sure that they are inserted and removed properly.