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How To Find Relief From Dry Eye

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Do your eyes feel gritty, sting, burn, and are red, as if you have sand in them? It might be a sign of dry eye. But you can find relief! In this article, we have explored some simple remedies you can try.

Finding Relief From Dry Eye

Below are some steps to take. These include:

1. Artificial Tears Twice – One of the first steps recommended by eye doctors is to apply artificial tears two times, daily. Use only over-the-counter eye drops that are free of preservatives. Are you suffering from severe dryness? Opt-in for highly effective prescription drops and high-tech solutions!

2. Warm Compresses – To obtain daily relief, another vital step to take is to utilize warm compresses. Additionally, it is crucial to take regular breaks from screens. Taking breaks from contact lenses for a few months can also offer relief.

3. Eat Oily Fish – Salmon and tuna contain omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats assist the glands found in the eyes to function better, easing irritation. You can also opt-in for other food high in omega-3 fatty acids.

4. Stay Hydrated – Your eyes need water to stay moist. Therefore, do not wait until you feel thirsty. Aim to drink eight to ten glasses of water daily. Other water-rich foods that count include:

  • Watermelon
  • Cucumbers

What To Know About Eye Drops

There are several brands of over-the-counter drops available on the market. Therefore, before getting one for your dry eye, consult a qualified eye doctor for the correct recommendation. They will offer the right guidance on how you should use them.

Bottom Line

Implementing these steps today can ease irritation and allow you to enjoy your day. Undoubtedly, dry eyes can be a common problem. However, in some cases, it could be a sign of a medical issue. Therefore, it is best to consult your eye doctor for a complete evaluation.

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All You Need to Know About UPNEEQ®

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Has your eye doctor prescribed UPNEEQ® for your droopy eyelids, and you want to understand how this revolutionary treatment works? We have written this article to explain how this eye drop works and how you can use it to treat your acquired droopy eyelids!

Ways To Treat Droopy Eyelids

If you or a loved one is seeking to treat droopy eyelids, whether, for medical or cosmetic reasons, you are open to two treatment options: Eyelid Lift surgery and UPNEEQ®. UPNEEQ®, a second option to surgery, is the first treatment approved by the FDA to address droopy eyelids. But, how does it work?

How UPNEEQ® Works

UPNEEQ® is an eye drop that is inserted once per day, one drop per eye. This eye drop works by stimulating the Muller’s muscle to contract. In clinical trials, the mean amount of eyelid lift was 1 mm. Of course, this small lift won’t result in the dramatic result that comes with surgery. However, this small lift is beneficial medically and cosmetically to many patients.

How Long UPNEEQ® Lasts

In clinical trials, a dose of UPNEEQ® can stay active for at least six hours.

Is UPNEEQ® Safe And Effective?

Absolutely, yes! It is FDA-approved to be safe and effective for treating acquired eyelid ptosis. The primary ingredient in UPNEEQ® is the same main ingredient in decongestant nasal spray. The component in nasal spray stimulates the contraction of the blood vessels. However, the constituents in UPNEEQ® work to revive the contraction of the eyelid muscle.

The Side Effects Of UPNEEQ®

The side effects of UPNEEQ® include blurred vision, eye inflammation, headache, dry eye, redness, inflammation of the cornea, and conjunctival hyperemia. In addition, patients can experience eye pain moments after the application of the UPNEEQ® drops.

Is Everyone A Candidate For UPNEEQ®?

No! It is for individuals with:

  • Mild Eyelid Ptosis
  • Moderate Eyelid Ptosis
  • Severe Eyelid Ptosis

Also, these individuals must not be taking any medications that will interfere with the eye drop.

Conclusion

Are you considering UPNEEQ® for your eyelid ptosis now? Inform your ophthalmologist or board-certified cosmetic surgeon about your medications, medical history, and supplements that you are using. They will determine if you are a good fit for the procedure.

About Author

The Eye Center is the leading refractive practice in South Carolina, providing full service eye care and specializing in Refractive Surgery – Lasik, AST, PRK, PRELEX, as well as Corneal Transplant and Cataract Surgery.

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Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Do You Need Glasses After Having LASIK Surgery?

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Do you know someone who still wears glasses after LASIK surgery? You might have some concerns, especially if you are contemplating the procedure. LASIK surgery permanently addresses problems like myopia and astigmatism. But does it eliminate the need for contact lenses or glasses? Read on to find out!

Why Do People Opt-In For LASIK Surgery?

Are you aged 40 and above, and are having difficulty reading small print with your glasses? LASIK surgery might be recommended for you by your doctor! Modern LASIK surgery can correct reading vision errors caused by presbyopia. This surgery procedure implements a technique called monovision. Monovision is a procedure used to fully correct the refractive errors in one of the eyes and leave the other eye mildly nearsighted. With what result?

  • The fully corrected eye will see distant objects clearly
  • While the nearsighted eye gives sharper near vision without relying on glasses.

Does LASIK Surgery Eliminate Glasses?

Undoubtedly, LASIK surgery can highly limit the use of glasses throughout the day, but it doesn’t claim to eliminate the need to use glasses for all patients. Patients respond differently to LASIK surgery. Thus, based on age and other vision conditions, glasses might still be required for reading.

Who Is A Candidate For Monovision?

Are you an older adult considering LASIK? Ask your doctor if you are a good candidate for this procedure. Since it can be difficult for some people’s eyes to get used to this Monovision procedure, it is not ideal for everyone.

Conclusion

Significant advancements have been made in LASIK surgeries. Nevertheless, there are instances when it might still be appropriate to wear glasses. Do you need a more personalized guide on whether you will need glasses after having this corrective vision surgery? Schedule a consultation with our trained eye doctors today!

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Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

What You Shouldn’t Do After Cataract Surgery

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For most surgeons, cataract surgery is a regular medical procedure. While this routine procedure is effective and safe, what you do post-surgery can pose a risk to the health of your eyes! To avoid vision issues and let your eyes heal, we have highlighted seven things you should not do after cataract surgery.

Seven Things To Avoid After Cataract Surgery

  1. Driving- Do not drive at least twenty-four hours after the surgery. It is recommended to wait longer if you experience light sensitivity.
  2. Wearing Makeup- Did you know? Makeup can be full of bacteria! Therefore, your eyes are prone to infection while healing. You can resume makeup after your next appointment with your surgeon or ask your surgeon when it is safe to do so.
  3. Performing Strenuous Activity- You should not engage in any strenuous activity until your surgeon instructs that you can. While waiting, you can engage in light activities. Tasks to avoid include exercise, heavy lifting, and other strenuous activities.
  4. Going Near Dusty Areas- You should not dust your house after surgery. In addition, avoid dusty areas until you have fully recovered.
  5. Swimming- Water should not get in your eyes. When you shower, do not aim the shower head at your face. Also, skip any trip to a hot tub or pool two weeks post-surgery.
  6. Do Not Forget To Wear Sunglasses
  7. Don’t Rub Your Eyes

Symptoms To Watch After Your Cataract Surgery

Post cataract surgery, you might experience some symptoms. Contact your ophthalmologist if you experience any of these symptoms below:

  • Vision loss
  • Vomiting, nausea, or excessive coughing
  • Pain despite using over-the-counter pain medications
  • Floaters or light flashes in front of the eyes

Final Thoughts

While you wait for your eyes to heal, make sure you avoid all these things highlighted above. Ideally, most acute discomforts vanish a day or two after cataract surgery. However, if your pain persists even after using eye drops or painkillers, consult your doctor!

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What Is LenSx® Laser Cataract Surgery And How Does It Work?

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Looking for a cataract surgery treatment that removes cataracts with greater accuracy and precision? LenSx® laser cataract surgery makes that a reality! But what is this recent innovation in cataract surgery? How does it work, the benefits, and the best laser eye surgery in Columbia, SC? Let’s find out!

What Is LenSx® Laser Cataract Surgery?

The Eye Center has invested in this new cataract surgery treatment – LenSx® laser surgery! LenSx® laser cataract surgery is a blade-free surgery treatment that has been used in more than 400,000 procedures globally. This procedure contributes to enhanced surgical outcomes because they are designed to improve precision.

Traditional cataract surgery with a small blade is one of if not the most reliable procedures in medicine. Patients routinely get excellent results and are very happy with this approach. However, if you are someone who embraces innovative technologies, wants the latest, greatest methods, or has significant astigmatism, LenSx® may be an excellent option.

How Does LenSx® Work?

The LenSx® femtosecond laser uses automated laser pulses to make accurate incisions on the crystalline lens, lens capsule, and cornea for accurate and tailored results. Each LenSx® procedure depends on a high-resolution three-dimensional surgical platform for lens fragmentation and incision. This procedure doesn’t take as much time as compared to the traditional procedures. After the procedure, patients may experience mild discomfort, which will dissipate within a short time. When performing a cataract surgery with the LenSx® laser, the surgeon still uses the traditional ultrasound (Phaco) to remove the cataract. The benefit is seen in that the laser makes the incisions, and breaks the cataract into smaller pieces, making it easier for your surgeon to remove. After the cataract has been removed and the surgery is complete, a refractive lens implant might be used to enhance vision.

Benefits Of LenSx® Laser Cataract Surgery

Quick And Comfortable- Irrespective of your condition, each LenSx® procedure takes less time and comes with no severe discomfort.

Precision- Unlike traditional procedures, LenSx® comes with high precision and more accurate results. Therefore, surgery is more precise for each eye. Also, it is computer-guided and programmable.

Real-Time Visualization- Before the surgery, doctors make a 3D map of the patient’s eyes which is used during the surgery.

Bottom Line

Ready to give this procedure a shot? First, find out if the procedure is right for you. To do that, you will need to consult an ophthalmologist in South Carolina offering this cataract surgery procedure and schedule a cataract consultation with them. They will help you make informed decisions!

About Author

The Eye Center is the leading refractive practice in South Carolina, providing full service eye care and specializing in Refractive Surgery – Lasik, AST, PRK, PRELEX, as well as Corneal Transplant and Cataract Surgery.

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Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Five Eye Diseases That Can Be Caused By Diabetes And Treatment Options

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Diabetes can cause damage to the eyes! And that is why visiting an eye doctor is essential for diabetic patients. It can help prevent temporary or permanent loss of vision. But what are some of the common eye problems caused by diabetes? What are the symptoms, and what treatment options are open to diabetic patients? You’ll have to read on to find out!

Eye Diseases Caused By Diabetes

  1. Diabetic Retinopathy – This happens when diabetes causes damage to the blood vessels of the retina.
  2. Cataract – This condition results in the cloudiness of the eye lens.
  3. Glaucoma – This occurs when there is increased pressure in the eye. This increased pressure can lead to blindness.
  4. Macular Edema – Fluid leaking into the retina area can lead to blurry vision.
  5. Retinal Detachment – This might make part of the retina detach from the back of the eyeball.

Additionally, rapid changes in blood sugar level or high blood sugar can lead to blurred vision.

Symptoms Of Diabetic Eye Disease

Unfortunately, eye problems from diabetes usually show no symptoms until they become severe. This is because damages to the retina can happen even before vision impairment. Symptoms to watch out for include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Trouble seeing at night
  • Slow vision loss with time

Exams And Tests

An eye doctor will examine your eyes by performing different tests. Patients might be asked to read an eye chart. After that, eye drops may be administered to widen the pupils of the eyes Pupil dilation is performed to purposefully increase the size of the pupils during an eye exam so that the eye doctor can fully examine the health of the optic nerve and retina. Other tests might involve:

  • Tonometry
  • Slit Lamp Exam
  • Fluorescent Angiography

Treatment

Patients with early retinopathy may not need immediate treatment. However, they must schedule regular visits with an eye doctor that specializes in treating diabetic eye diseases. But if the doctor notices that you’ve started to have macular edema, treatment will be recommended. Generally, eye surgery is the primary treatment for diabetic retinopathy. In addition, medicines might be prescribed.

Conclusion

If you or a loved one has diabetes, it is critical to follow the advice of your eye doctor! Be sure to have regularly scheduled eye examinations. Need further information? Consult The Eye Center today!

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Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

All You Should Know About iStent For Glaucoma

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Tired of taking daily eye drops to control your eye pressure, and are contemplating iStent? It’s best to understand the procedure and what happens after the treatment! In this post, we’ll briefly walk you through the treatment and what you can reasonably expect.

How Does iStent Work For Glaucoma?

To limit the risk of vision loss from glaucoma, controlling eye pressure is vital. When a person using glaucoma medications misses a dose, an alteration in the eye pressure can happen, leading to vision loss. iStent works to regulate the pressure of the eye. It creates a permanent opening in the eye’s drainage system to enhance the outflow of fluid to the eyes. As the fluid flow increases, the pressure of the eyes is lowered.

iStent may be recommended for patients with mild or moderate open-angle glaucoma. This leads to a reduction in intraocular pressure and limits the usage of glaucoma medication. If you have a problem adhering to regular medication or are experiencing side effects from glaucoma medications, iStent might be especially beneficial for you.

What Happens After iStent Implantation For Glaucoma?

Recovery is quick and doesn’t take a long time. After an implant, patients will be able to return to their daily activities quickly. The stent can’t be:

  • Felt
  • Seen; and
  • comes with an excellent safety profile with little or no complications.

Is iStent Right For You?

If you are heading for cataract surgery and are presently taking glaucoma medications to lower eye pressure, then you might be a candidate for this procedure. 

Bottom line

Do you have glaucoma and cataracts and are interested in this procedure? Talk to your ophthalmologist first before opting in for this procedure. Your doctor will perform an examination to confirm if iStent is right for you!

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Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Finding The Right Lenses After Cataract Surgery

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Following the removal of a cataract from the retina, intraocular lenses (IOL) are implanted in place of the natural lens. Intraocular lenses vary by type and are prescribed based on eye condition. Consider the post-corrective eye surgery artificial lens options below.

Basic Types of Lens Replacements

The two most common IOLS are Anterior Chamber Lenses (ACIOL) and Posterior Chamber Lenses (PCIOL). Posterior Chamber Lenses are preferred by most, as they are placed over the residual posterior chamber in the location the natural lens occupied pre-surgery. Anterior Chamber Lenses differ in that they are placed over the top of the iris, as opposed to the physiological location of the natural lens. The insertion of these lenses typically only occurs when the posterior chamber is damaged or depleted.

Next Level Lens Correction

There have been many advances in cataract surgery and lens replacement in the last 30 years. The division of premium IOLS is quite expansive and can be tailored to specific vision conditions.

There are three categories of Premium lenses:

  1. Monofocal – These lenses can only correct one range of vision, either near or far. The lens can be calibrated so that glasses are only needed to see near, or distant objects.
  2. Multifocal – Unlike their monofocal counterpart, these lenses can restore vision in the near and distant ranges, eliminating the need for glasses. A few notable drawbacks to consider are glare and deficient contrast reactivity.
  3. Toric – Eye power is shared between spherical and cylinder power. Monofocal and multifocal only adjust the spherical component, leaving the cylindrical component to be correct with prescription glasses. Toric lenses correct both cylinder and spherical eye power eliminating the need for glasses most of the time. This method is suggested for patients with astigmatism.

A Few Aspects To Consider

The lens replacement type to be implanted after cataract removal surgery should fit your lifestyle. Here are some general guidelines for lenses deemed adequate for involvement in certain activities:

  • If your daily activities require you to use near vision, it is suggested to get monofocal IOL lenses
  • For those that drive in the dark monofocal or EDOF lenses may not be the best option
  • Individuals dealing with astigmatism tend to have the best success with toric IOLs
  • Generally, it is not recommended for those with eye disease, including glaucoma and macular degeneration receive multifocal and EDOF lenses

For the best post-cataract removal outcome speak to an ophthalmologist to find the right artificial lenses.

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Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

The 4-1-1 On Eyelid Surgery

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Quality vision is one of the few things in life that are without compromise. Comorbidities such as retinopathy can cause your eyelids to sink or sag, which can impair vision as well as affect self-esteem. There are many methods available to correct eyelid maladies ranging from non-invasive to full-on surgical. Which one is right for you?

Diagnosis is the beginning step in this decision. Get a clear diagnosis from your ophthalmologist, or other qualified medical professionals. Receiving the most comprehensive and accurate diagnosis will help to determine corrective options. Which might require consulting with a team of specialists.

What Groups Have The Best Eyelid Surgery Outcomes?

Eyelid surgery is typically suggested for healthy individuals aged 35 years or older. Those who have a general idea of their intended surgery outcome are typically more satisfied.

It is suggested that those with dry eyes, high blood pressure, thyroid conditions, diabetes, heart problems, and Graves disease talk to their surgeon before the procedure. These diseases impose higher risk rates. Problems with the retina such as glaucoma and detached retina should be consulted with an ophthalmologist before scheduling your surgery. Be well informed of specific risks related to having eyelid surgery with these conditions.

What is Eyelid Surgery?

Once the proper diagnosis is made, and eyelid surgery is proposed as a viable remedy, it is time to schedule your appointment.

Eyelid surgery is called blepharoplasty and is the surgical removal of extra fat and skin around the eyelid. The goal of this surgery is not to remove wrinkles, but to correct the droop of upper lids, and reduce the puffy look of lower lids.

Most surgical procedures last less than three hours and can use several types of anesthesia. After corrective incisions are made, extremely fine structures are put in place to close up the wound. Bandages may also be used on top of them.

Make an informed decision that has been carefully discussed between you, your loved ones, and your physician to determine if eyelid surgery is the corrective measure for you.

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Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Upneeq®: Revolutionary Treatment for Acquired Ptosis

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Upneeq® offers revolutionary eye-lifting technology in the convenience of daily drops. Upneeq® has received FDA approval to be safe and effective in the treatment of a condition called low-lying lids, or acquired ptosis. This method of treatment is preferred to those seeking non-invasive, surgery-free eye treatment options.

Acquired ptosis is an eyelid dysfunction characterized by abnormally low upper eyelids. A major contributing issue is the loss of elasticity in the levator muscle of the eyelid, causing the eyelid to droop and begin to cover the pupil. Acquired ptosis is considered comorbidity in patients with other diseases and disorders.

Many seek treatment via the surgical route. Upneeq® is unique in its function in that it is non-surgical and effective.

Who is Eligible For Upneeq®?

The decision to treat ptosis in this measure should be a decision between you and your ophthalmologist or another specialized medical doctor. Upneeq® drops are a 0.1% concentration of oxymetazoline hydrochloride ophthalmic solution available through RVL Pharmacy.

Upneeq® can affect your blood pressure and is not advised to be used by patients with heart disease or blood pressure issues. There are a few drug interactions to avoid using this treatment. Be sure your medical professional reviews your entire medical history to prevent any drug interactions with your current prescriptions.

Making the Call

Before you and your physician decide to treat acquired ptosis with Upneeq® be sure to read all safety and health material provided by RVL Pharmacy and on Upneeq.com. You can call 844-RVL-EYES and talk to a qualified pharmacist with any questions or concerns.

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Get In Touch With Us
Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.