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Your eyes are an essential part of your overall health and well-being. They allow you to see the world around you and are crucial for daily activities such as reading, driving, and working. However, like any other part of your body, your eyes are also prone to various diseases and conditions that can affect your vision and quality of life. This is why it’s crucial to schedule regular eye exams with your eye doctor to catch any potential eye diseases or conditions early and prevent further damage.

Common Eye Diseases and Conditions

There are several common eye diseases and conditions that can be caught early through regular eye exams. These include:

• Glaucoma: a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging the optic nerve. Early detection is crucial for preventing further damage and preserving vision.
• Cataracts: a clouding of the eye’s natural lens that can cause blurred vision and eventually blindness. Cataracts are treatable with surgery, but early detection is key for better outcomes.
• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): a condition that affects the retina, leading to vision loss. Early detection and treatment can help slow down the progression of the disease.
• Diabetic retinopathy: a complication of diabetes that damages blood vessels in the retina, leading to vision loss. Early detection and management of diabetes can help prevent or delay diabetic retinopathy.

Benefits of Early Detection

The benefits of early detection of eye diseases and conditions cannot be overstated. Catching eye diseases early can:

• Help prevent or delay vision loss
• Preserve your vision and quality of life
• Allow for earlier and more effective treatment
• Save you money on more costly treatments or surgeries down the line

Scheduling and Preparing for an Eye Exam

To catch eye diseases early, it’s important to schedule regular eye exams with your eye doctor. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that adults between the ages of 20 and 39 have an eye exam at least once every two to four years, while adults over the age of 40 should have an eye exam every one to two years.

When preparing for an eye exam, make sure to:

• Bring your glasses or contact lenses if you wear them
• Provide your eye doctor with your complete medical history, including any medications you’re taking
• Discuss any vision changes or concerns you may have

Types of Eye Exams

During an eye exam, your eye doctor will perform several tests to evaluate your eye health and detect any potential eye diseases or conditions. These tests may include:

• Visual acuity test: measures how well you can see at different distances
• Refraction test: determines your prescription for glasses or contact lenses
• Eye pressure test: measures the pressure inside your eye, which can help detect glaucoma
• Dilated eye exam: your eye doctor will use eye drops to dilate your pupils and examine your retina and optic nerve

Regular eye exams are essential for maintaining good eye health and catching eye diseases early. By scheduling regular eye exams and taking proactive steps to care for your eyes, you can preserve your vision and quality of life for years to come. If it’s been a while since your last eye exam, don’t hesitate to schedule one today. Your eyes will thank you for it!

LASIK is the most commonly performed corrective eye surgery in the United States, with over 19 million procedures performed since its FDA approval in 1995. However, despite how prolific this surgery has been, there is still a myriad of myths and misconceptions surrounding the practice. Fortunately, the experts at Northwest Eye Surgeons are here to help. We’ve collected some of the most common myths surrounding LASIK eye surgery to set the record straight.

Myth: You can be too old for LASIK- While you can’t be too old for LASIK, there is a kernel of truth to this myth. While many people have gotten LASIK in their 40s, 50s and up even into their 60s, as people age they’re more likely to develop conditions that can affect or potentially negate their candidacy for the procedure. 

Myth: Everyone can get LASIK- Unfortunately, not everyone is a potential candidate for LASIK eye surgery. Some factors that affect prospective patients are irregular corneas, eye diseases and poor health problems, which can increase the risk of a negative outcome of the procedure. 

Myth: LASIK is painful- This couldn’t be further from the truth. LASIK is a completely painless procedure. Anesthetic drops are dispensed to numb the eye before the process, then over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen 

Myth: LASIK is still new, so we still don’t know potential side effects- Contrary to popular belief, LASIK has been around for nearly 50 years. Invented in 1970, it went through rigorous testing by the FDA and was finally approved in 1995. Extensive studies have shown high rates of success and positive results long term. 

Myth: LASIK can cause blindness- There has never been a confirmed case of LASIK causing blindness. While serious complications can occur, these cases are extremely rare. Before every procedure, the ophthalmologist will go over in detail the potential risks, side effects and will determine if the patient is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. 

Myth: LASIK is exclusively used to treat nearsighted patients- While this was true in the early days of LASIK, this is no longer the case. Modern LASIK treatments can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. 

Myth: LASIK completely removes your need to wear corrective lenses- LASIK is an excellent way to correct your vision, but it doesn’t mean your vision will be perfect forever. Your vision changes over time, which means that at some point you may still need glasses. It’s important to have routine eye exams to keep track of your eye health. 

Myth: It can take a long time to recover from LASIK- Except in extremely rare cases, most patients fully recover within 24 hours. You will notice your vision has improved immediately after the procedure is completed

If you’re tired of constantly reaching for your glasses or dealing with contacts, LASIK may be the best solution. At Northwest Eye Surgeons, our experts have performed countless LASIK procedures, and are ready to help you see better. Call today for a laser vision correction consultation!

With how technology-driven our world is, the newer generations have grown up with this technology for most, if not all, of their lives. While the advances in technology are great for communication, do you know the impact they’re having on our eyes?  Too much screen time for your kids can lead to eye strain, headaches, neck and back issues, and so much more according to Healthline. While too much screen time will have similar impacts on individuals of all ages, if these habits are started at a younger age they can lead to premature aging of the eyes and vision. 

In our world of technology, it can be hard to get away from all the screens. While it would be near impossible to restrict all screen use, there are steps you can take to limit the amount of screen time your child is having. 

Limit Hours for Screen Time

Eye strain can occur to your child’s eyes when they are looking at a screen for too long. This can include a cell phone, computer, tablet, TV, or anything with a digital screen. If you are able to set limits on these devices within their settings, you should do so. If you don’t want to, or aren’t able to, set these limits on your child’s devices, then you should have a conversation with them. Talk to your child about stepping away from devices every couple of hours to give their eyes a break.

Restrict Nightly Screen Time  

If you’re fine with your child’s screen use during the day, try limiting the amount of time they are on their devices once it gets dark out and close to bedtime. Being on a screen right before going to bed will make it a lot harder for them to fall asleep. The blue light in the screen will disrupt their sleep pattern and it might take a little while for them to get back in that sleep pattern. This disruption will lead to them feeling more tired throughout the day because of their lack of sleep, or restful sleep.   

Get Outside & Be Active 

It’s ok for you, as a parent, to tell your kids that they can’t be on their devices during certain times. It is ok for you to tell them they have to entertain themselves in other ways and for them to play outside. While it can be hard for the newer generations to imagine fun without a device, it’s important that they understand how to entertain themselves without one. Set up a fun, outdoor family activity to show them how much fun they can have without their devices. 

Talk to Your Child’s Doctor 

If you’re concerned about your child’s eyes and the impact screens are having on them, talk to your child’s doctor. They might be able to prescribe your child a pair of glasses specifically for when they’re on the computer that will help protect their eyes from the blue light that comes off our computer screens. These glasses would help protect their eyes from strain and premature aging.  

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It’s important to take the necessary steps to help protect your child’s eyes as early as possible. You want your child to have the best possible eyesight for as long as they can. Call Northwest Eye Surgeons today to schedule an appointment for your next eye exam!

Recently, Dr. Rachel Watson participated in a medical mission trip to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, through the organization Hope for Haiti’s Children. This organization sponsors 10 different schools around the city. Each of the schools gets to come to the annual clinic. In just four days, a team of 46 volunteers and 40 Haitian staff were able to treat over 800 kids and 200 adults.

At the clinic, the children have a school picture taken. They are measured for height and weight. The kids see a nurse and a doctor, if needed. And they get their vision tested to see if they need glasses or have glaucoma. As this is an annual clinic, the children may only see a doctor “once a year, if they are lucky,” says Dr. Watson.

One of the biggest reasons proper eye care is necessary for the people of Haiti is that about 20% of the population there has glaucoma. That’s a very high concentration in such a small area. During the trip, even children as young as six were diagnosed with glaucoma. With glaucoma, catching the disease as early as possible is critical. The doctors were able to distribute a year’s worth of glaucoma medication to patients.

Eye exams also revealed a great need for prescription glasses. Many people were able to see clearly for the first time due to the doctor’s efforts. “These people couldn’t see more than a couple of inches in front of their face. We gave them prescription glasses and suddenly they could see across the room… for the first time in their lives,” commented Dr. Watson

The available prescription glasses were donated from previous users to the Lion’s Club who provided them to the project. Each donated pair is cleaned, the prescription measured, and then they are distributed to the people of Haiti. Kids and adults not needing prescription glasses were given sunglasses to help protect their eyes from the Caribbean sun.

The volunteers, doctors, and patients faced 85 to 90-degree days with little access to air conditioning. There were also hints of civil unrest during the time of the trip. Security guards had to be supplemented by armed guards. One day, the clinic was evacuated in a hurry because of riots occurring and tear gas being used just outside their hotel. Some children had to miss their only chance to see the doctor due to the political unrest.

Many more children went through other trials to get to their appointments. “It was heartbreaking. Some of the kids that came to our clinic would walk three hours down the mountain and sleep on the concrete floor of a school. Then they get on the bus the next day for maybe an hour and come see us,” Dr. Watson explains.

Despite the circumstances, the children of Haiti are some of the most well behaved. Dr. Watson adds, “it’s crazy to think what these kids went through to get to the clinic. You would never guess from their attitudes and clean and pressed school uniforms the conditions they came from.” But the volunteers with the mission didn’t just treat the kids with medicine and glasses.

“We were handing out candy,” Dr. Watson says. “this was a big luxury for them. A child could have two pieces, but they still wanted to give one of them to us. It melted your heart.” Several days, the group tossed candy to the people through school bus windows on the way to and from the clinic. One woman was even throwing pairs of shoes. Haiti is a poor country where clean water, food, and basic necessities are scarce. Each child at the clinic was given a gift bag containing a toothbrush, washcloth, socks, and underwear. Meals were also served for the children.

Dr. Watson describes her motivations. “Some people from my church—an MD and a couple of nurses—had worked with this organization before and they kept telling me they needed an eye doctor. I had been on another mission trip to Venezuela in optometry school, so I was interested in doing that again.”

But it’s not like a luxury vacation—although you pay a luxury price for going. Dr. Watson had to cover all her own expenses and even get shots before entering the country. It was about $2500 to go. However, the experience was certainly worth the expense and effort. “Haiti has a very different culture. We were so welcomed, and it was nice to meet everyone. Even the translators we used from the island were coveted for their roles in getting to help us.”

If you want to help the people of Haiti, please bring in your gently used eyeglasses as a donation. Dr. Watson will get them where they need to go. You can also sponsor a Haitian child through https://www.hopeforhaitischildren.org/  Each sponsorship helps with school tuition, supplies, uniforms, and transportation to and from school. Only about 50% of Haiti’s children go to school because the education system is not free. Donate to this amazing organization today and be assured that you are making a difference.

Your eye health is our top priority at Northwest Eye Surgeons and since February is a month to celebrate love, why not show some love to your eyes? Keep reading for some tips and tricks to keep your eyes happy and healthy.

Eat Right. According to the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, adding certain nutrients to your daily diet can be good for your vision. Foods rich in lutein, omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, zinc, and vitamins C and E are great for your eye health. These nutrients have been linked to reducing the risk of certain eye diseases and can lower the risk of age-related eye issues.

Foods that are best for eye health:

• Fish
• Nuts and legumes
• Seeds
• Citrus fruits
• Leafy green vegetables
• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes

Exercise. We all know that exercise has many health benefits, but did you know that it’s also good for your eyes? Many studies over the years have indicated that regular exercise can reduce the risk for common eye diseases such as cataracts, wet age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Additionally, exercise helps avoid health issues that aren’t primarily related to eye health but can damage your eyes such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

Use Basic Eye Protection at Work. According to Prevent Blindness, more than 2,000 people injure their eyes at work each day. The right eye protection could lessen the severity or event prevent 90% of eye injury accidents in the workplace. We encourage you to know the eye safety dangers at your place of work and use the proper protection.

Get an Annual Eye Exam. We cannot stress the importance of an annual eye exam enough! Not only should you get an eye exam to evaluate how well you can see, but it is important to check your overall eye health. Some diseases, such as Glaucoma, can show no symptoms or early warning signs. By the time people notice a difference in their vision, the disease may be in a much more advanced stage. Contact our office at (614) 451-7750 or fill out our appointment request form to schedule your eye exam today.

What to do if You Sustain an Eye Injury. When an eye injury occurs, you should seek medical help from an ophthalmologist or another doctor as soon as possible, even if the injury seems minor. Additionally, there are simple steps you can take to prevent further damage:

• Don’t touch or rub the injured eye
• Don’t apply ointment or medication
• Place a shield or gauze over the eye until you visit a doctor
• If there appears to be an object embedded in the eye, don’t try to remove it
• Use water to flush out the eye

Foods to eat this holiday season that are good for your sight!

There are so many things to be thankful for this time of year—family, friends, good health, and, of course, good eyesight. Eyesight can be impacted by many factors, but people are often surprised by how important a role diet plays in your continued eye health. However, nutrients such as zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene may reduce your chances of age-related eye diseases by up to 25%.1

For example, Lutein is found in many common foods and is said to reduce the risk of age-related macular disease, the leading cause of blindness in seniors.2 Vitamin C and vitamin A also make the list of important nutrients for eye health. One study showed that women who ingested more vitamins A and C had a reduced chance for developing glaucoma.3 And, of course, there are carotenes, the magical ingredient of carrots that make them so wonderful for eyesight.

To keep your eyes healthy and happy this winter, dig into these dishes with gusto knowing they are giving you the vitamins and nutrients you need to avoid eye problems and have sharp vision for years to come.

Sweet Potatoes

Whether you serve them whole, mashed, with marshmallow topping, or in a sweet potato pie, sweet potatoes are full of eye-helping nutrients. They have vitamin E, an anti-oxidant, and beta-carotene, the same healthy ingredient in carrots. (Note: marshmallow topping is not known to promote eye health, but boy is it delicious.)

Collard Greens

This dark green vegetable will do wonders for your eye health. It contains high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases.

Nuts

There are plenty of opportunities to add a few nuts to your holiday dinner spread—and I’m not just talking about inviting over your relatives. Consider adding finely chopped walnuts to your stuffing. Or you can serve them up in cookie form. The nutrients in nuts are fantastic for promoting good eye health.

Carrots

We can’t mention eye health and food without mentioning carrots. Those amazing beta-carotenes will be helping your eyes whether you eat carrots raw on the appetizer buffet or cooked as a side dish for the main meal.

Pumpkin

While carrots may have high levels of beta-carotene, pumpkin has even higher levels. That means every slice of pumpkin pie will be helping protect your eyes from disease and degeneration. There’s never been a better excuse to go back for a second helping of dessert.

Don’t just use the holidays as a time to protect your eye health. Eating healthy and maintaining an active lifestyle throughout the year is critical to receiving the long-term benefits and protections for your eyes that come from important nutrients. For more information, talk to your ophthalmologist today.