The LASIK Blog

5 Eye "Travel Tips" for Summer Vacation

Are you ready to take that much needed summer vacation? Here are a few quick tips to help you arrive at your destination bright eyed and ready to go!

1. If you'll be traveling by air, cabin pressure and low humidity on airplanes can take its toll on most passengers, especially those who wear contact lenses. The result can be scratchy eyes, dried contact lenses and blurred vision. Be sure you take with you some artificial tears and use them liberally throughout the flight to help keep eyes lubricated.

2. Avoid alcohol consumption and caffeine as these can aggravate the effects of dry eyes.

3. Be sure you carry a back up pair of eyeglasses in case you need to remove your lenses or they are lost during your trip. Also bring a copy of your current eyeglass prescription in case you need to have a new pair made while away from home.

4. Pack plenty of solutions and cleaning products for contact lenses. Before you leave, check FAA regulations to confirm new restrictions on carry liquids in travel-on luggage.

5. Remember your sunglasses and make sure they have the proper UV protection if you will be spending prolonged time in the sun.

Bon Voyage and have a great trip! Don't forget your charger, an extra battery and extra memory card for your digital camera. Take lots of wonderful pictures and make some fantastic vacation memories wherever your travels may take you this summer.

 

July 4th Eye Safety

Thousands of accidents each year tell us that fireworks are dangerous. Over 9300 fireworks-related injuries occur each year, resulting in nearly 2000 eye injuries.In an effort to reduce these preventable injuries, through its EyeSmart campaign, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is encouraging families to attend local public fireworks displays instead of using fireworks at home this Fourth. This recommendation is made as part of Fireworks Eye Safety Month. Attending a professional public fireworks display is a safe way to honor our nation.

 

People do not recognize how dangerous fireworks can be when in inexperienced hand.  As many as 400 Americans lose vision in one or both eyes due to fireworks injuries. The risk of losing an eye is not worth the excitement of setting off fireworks.

For a safe and healthy Independence Day celebration, the Academy urges observance of the following tips:

• Never let children play with fireworks of any type.

• View fireworks from a safe distance: at least 500 feet away, or up to a quarter of a mile for best viewing.

• Respect safety barriers set up to allow pyrotechnicians to do their jobs safely.

• Leave the lighting of fireworks to trained professionals.

• Follow directives given by event ushers or public safety personnel.

• If you find unexploded fireworks remains, do not touch them. Immediately contact your local fire or police departments.
  

• If you get an eye injury from a firework, seek medical help immediately.

Although illegal fireworks, bottle rockets and Roman candles account for the majority of injuries, seemingly harmless sparklers also cause numerous injuries each year. Sparklers account for the most injuries to children under the age of five. Fascinated by the bright sparks, children find these sticks of fire - burning as hot as 1,800 degrees, hot enough to melt gold - irresistible to touch.

 

The safest and most spectacular way to view fireworks is to attend a professionally produced, community sponsored display. Remember to always celebrate safely! Have a Happy and Healthy July 4th from all of us at EyeCare 20/20.

Reading Road Signs on Drive Home From Cataract Surgery

Carol Manning was in my office today.  Carol underwent cataract surgery about 4 years ago at EyeCare 20/20.  She had a standard IOL implanted at the time of surgery.  Before the cataract surgery, Carol was a +8.0 hyperope, she was unable to see anything without glasses.  Like all my patients, she had cataract surgery under topical anesthesia, meaning she left the surgery center without an eye patch!  Carol told me she was amazed that she was reading road signs on the ride home following her surgery.  Here is her video testimonial:

3 New Dry Eye Updates

Tear production normally decreases as we age. Although dry eye can occur in both men and women at any age, women are most often affected. This is especially true after menopause.

The eye bathes itself in tears to stay moist. Some people don't produce enough tears for healthy eyes.  Moist eyes are essential to comfort and health.

The usual symptoms of dry eye include:

• stinging
• burning
• scratchiness
• stringy mucus
• excessive irritation from smoke and wind
• discomfort when wearing contact lenses
• watering eyes

Watering eyes from dry eye may sound illogical, but tears are also the eye's response to discomfort. If the tears responsible for maintaining lubrication do not keep the eye wet enough, the eye becomes irritated. Eye irritation prompts the gland that makes tears to release a large volume of tears, overwhelming the tear drainage system. These excess tears then overflow from your eye.

The mainstay treatment for dry eye is the use of artificial tears to help lubricate the eye.  Punctal plugs may be used to block the tear drainage system of the eyes.  Reastasis is the first prescription drop used for the treatment of dry eye.  It has been shown to increase tear production and decrease inflammation in patients with moderate to severe dry eye.

Here are 3 newer facts that have been circulating about dry eye:

1. A new artificial tear drop has recently come to market and is available only at the eye doctor's office.  Oasis TEARS™ is the only lubricating eye drop with a long lasting viscoadaptive agent to retain the active ingredient, glycerin, and that is also preservative-free. The viscoadaptive agent lubricates and moisturizes the surface of the eye for instant comfort. With each blink of the eye, it re-lubricates to provide prolonged relief.  Oasis TEARS™ is safe to use as often as needed since it contains no toxic preservatives and the active ingredient glycerin is a natural compound. Oasis TEARS™ lubricating eye drops are recommended and used by eye care professionals to provide long lasting relief from dry eyes.I have found these drops to be the best over the counter drop on the market.  My dry eye patients have been very happy with the results.
2. Results are positive from a proof-of-concept phase II clinical study in patients with dry eye disease using a proprietary, low-dose formulation of bromfenac, the active ingredient in bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09% (Xibrom, ISTA Pharmaceuticals), the company announced.  Statistical significance was achieved in the primary endpoints of the objective sign of conjunctival staining (lissamine green test) and corneal staining (fluorescein test) as compared with baseline, according to the company. In addition, patients experienced statistically significant improvements in subjective symptoms measured by the Ocular Surface Disease Index and in their most bothersome ocular symptoms. Although these results are early, there may soon be a new prescrition med for dry eye!
3. A study conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) has found that dry eye disease is common among American men aged more than 50 years, and it increases with age, high blood pressure, occurrence of benign prostate disease, and the use of antidepressants, according to a prepared statement issued by the hospital, as researchers reported in a June issue of Archives of Ophthalmology. “The present study estimates that approximately 1.68 million men aged 50 or more years are affected with dry eye disease in the United States,” the authors wrote. “These data, derived from studying more than 25,000 men, show a significantly lower prevalence of dry eye disease than was found in a similar study using the same methods in U.S. women, among whom the prevalence was estimated at 3.23 million women. Nonetheless, there is a significant increase in the prevalence of dry eye disease with age among men, as is the case among women, and there is a predicted growth to 2.79 million U.S. men affected by dry eye disease in 2030.

Choosing The Right Sunglasses

With summer fast approaching, most people will be looking for the perfect new shades to compliment their summer wardrobe. While most people consider the shape, size, design and color of the sunglasses, many forget that it’s the lenses that are the most important.

Below is a list of tips for purchasing sunglasses:

1. Check for OSHA label with 99 or 100 percent UV protection.
2. Look for sunglasses that are close-fitting. These willprevent UV rays from filtering in.
3. Look for larger lenses or wrap-around sunglasses to prevent light from entering in.
4. Don’t be misguided by price—higher priced sunglasses usually reflect fashion or durability, not UV protection.
5. Dark-colored sunglasses don’t necessarily provide better protection. A clear chemical coating applied to the lens is responsible for UV protection, not the lens color.
6. UV-absorbing contact lenses should not be used as substitutes for sunglasses.

Remember, your sunglasses will not make you look better, see more comfortably or protect your eyes when they are in your purse, your pocket or on the dashboard of your car. Get in the habit of putting them on whenever you are in the sun.

June: Keeping An Eye On UV Safety

June is UV Safety Month and sunglasses aren’t just fashion accessories for the summer anymore. They’re a necessary protection for your eyes. Most consumers know about the dangers of sun exposure to the skin, but many are unaware that the sun’s rays can damage the eyes. The correctly shield the eyes, the consumer has to know how to select the right type of sunglasses, since wearing the wrong brand actually causes more damage than not wearing glasses at all.

 

It is important to look for the clear substance in sunshades which blocks harmful ultraviolet light. Tinted glasses without UV protection cause more harm than wearing no glasses. When light is cut out, your pupil dilates in order to let more light into the visual system. Tinted glasses without UV protection spell trouble because they let more harmful UV rays into the dilated pupil.

 

Individuals can protect their eyes by simply wearing sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 percent of UV. Such glasses protect the eye from both UVA-- and the more harmful--UVB rays. Studies show that exposure to ultraviolet light can contribute to a number of ocular complications, including: cataracts, macular degeneration and even cancer.

 

Sunglasses provide one of the best sources of UV protection. While some UV-absorbing contact lenses are now available, they do not provide adequate protection and should not replace sunglasses. Sunglasses are still needed to cover the entire eye area, including eyelids.

New Advisory for Cataract Patients taking Flomax Issued: Not Strong Enough!

I have been advocating a change in practice patterns concerning Flomax patients who have cataracts.  I received an e-mail from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) containing an Advisory on this subject, which I will share with everyone: 

Academy, ASCRS Update Previous Advisory Following New Findings About Link Between Flomax and Post-Cataract Surgery Complications

The Academy and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) have issued an update to their previous joint patient advisory regarding eye surgery and patients’ past, current or planned use of alpha-blockers, particularly Flomax® (tamsulosin). Recently, the lead article in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that during a five-year study period, tamsulosin doubled the risk of serious postoperative complications following cataract surgery. No increased risk with non-selective alpha-blockers was seen. The findings of this study were widely reported in the press. The Academy and ASCRS believe this is an opportunity to reinforce and update their advice to the public about alpha-blockers and Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS).

The advisory recommends the following:

1) A patient should advise his or her ophthalmologist if he or she currently uses, or previously took, an alpha-blocker such as Flomax.

2) A patient should not decide to discontinue these drugs without first consulting his or her prescribing physician.

3) If he or she already has cataracts, the patient may wish to consult with his or her ophthalmologist before starting an alpha blocker for the first time.

The patient advisory emphasizes that if the ophthalmologist is made aware of the drug history, the success rate is still excellent and there is no need to delay or avoid cataract surgery that has been recommended.

View the Information statement.

This advisory recommendation is certainly a step in the right direction.  However, I still feel the policy has not gone far enough!  I repeat my recommendation: 

any patient being placed on Flomax or another alpha blocker should have an exam with their ophthalmologist prior to starting the medication.  If a cataract is found during this examination, the cataract should be removed before starting the medication!

Olympic Gold Medalist Chad Hedrick Discusses his LASIK Experience

Chad Hedrick, winner of a Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medal in speedskating at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, had his LASIK surgery last week at EyeCare 20/20.  In this video testimonial, Chad discusses his LASIK experience, and his expectations for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Here's hoping that Chad delivers with a multiple Gold Medal Olympics!!

Olympic Gold Medalist Chad Hedrick Has LASIK at EyeCare 20/20

Chad Hedrick, winner of a Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medal in speedskating at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, made the trip to New Jersey to join Team EyeCare 20/20 and get his LASIK surgery. 

In this video, taken before his LASIK surgery, Chad discusses his expectations of improved vision, and the upcoming 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Kristi Leskinen's LASIK a Success at EyeCare 20/20

Kristi Leskinen, professional Free Skier, was in the office today for her 1 day post op visit.  Her vision is already 20/15!  In this video, Kristy discussed her LASIK experience at EyeCare 20/20. 

Welcome to Team EyeCare 20/20, Kristi!