NW Indiana Eye & Laser Mobile Web Site

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center is pleased to announce the launch of its new mobile web site. “Patients who use an iPhone or Android-really any mobile smartphone or computer tablets like an iPad and want to schedule eye exams, contact lens exams, LASIK evaluations, those looking for eyeglasses and eyewear and even cataract and lens implant patients-are able to find us easily and contact us on their mobile devices today,” explained Dr. Stephen Buck. “It’s really very easy to reach us on your smartphone-just search Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser on your smartphone you can click right through to see it!”

If you are at a desktop computer and want to use a regular phone to schedule an appointment reach us at 219-464-8223 or for greater detail and more in depth information visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or to just be social come see us at facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser

IN Cataract Surgeon on Macular Degeneration

IN Cataract Surgeon Scott Buck, M.D. commented on cataracts and age related macular degeneration (AMD). “Cataracts and macular degeneration share at least one common risk factor-age,” commented Dr. Buck. “With increasing age cataract formation and macular degeneration both increase in frequency and incidence, so it is pretty common to have one, the other or both as we head through our 50’s, 60’s and 70’s,” he further explained. “The question that I often discuss with patients is whether to have cataract surgery and lens implants if they also have macular degeneration. And if they do-will it make the AMD get worse and faster.” 

“The general consensus among cataract surgeons is that with proper preoperative diagnostic testing, examination and consultation patients who have Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and who develop a cataract are able to have cataract surgery after being thoroughly counseled on what to expect with regard to overall vision improvements and lifestyle benefits-it’s really all about helping the patient understand and develop realistic expectations,” continued Dr. Buck. 

While AMD is not a reason to avoid cataract surgery, realistic expectations must be established by and between you and your cataract surgeon. Further, the most current and widely accepted studies on AMD progression after cataract surgery found that there was no difference in the frequency of the disease among patients who had cataract surgery as compared to those who did not. 

If you or someone you know has a question about cataracts, cataract surgery, lens implants or macular degeneration or wish to schedule an eye examination for a cataract and lens implant evaluation, please feel free to contact Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser and schedule an appointment so we can help. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center in Valparaiso, IN is staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services. We are conveniently located for patients seeking eye care from throughout northern Indiana including La Porte, Mishawaka, South Bend, Michigan City, Crown Point, Merrillville, Chesterton, South Haven, Westville, Hebron, Lowell, Valparaiso and Walkerton as well as Chicago, Illinois suburban areas of Frankfurt, Calumet City, Monee and Crete.

Children & Nearsighted Risk

Indiana Ophthalmologist Scott Buck, M.D. commented on research regarding the risk of nearsightedness in children. “At the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology researchers reported that increased time spent in natural light and viewing distant objects during childhood may reduce the risk of nearsightedness in children,” explained Dr. Buck. “This time of year we see a great number of children for back to school eye exams at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center and we do try to explain to parents how to help kids minimize the risk of myopia.” 

A review of data of 10,400 participants showed that for each additional hour outdoors per week, the chance of developing myopia dropped by about 2%, according to a presentation at the annual meeting of the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. It was reported that myopic or nearsighted children included in the study tended to spend about 3.7 fewer hours per week outdoors than children with normal vision or hyperopia. Further, increasing outdoor time might reduce the chances of myopia worsening, according to the study. 

If you or someone you know has a question about children’s eye health and vision, nearsightedness or wish to schedule an eye examination for children of any age please feel free to contact Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser and schedule an appointment so we can help. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center in Valparaiso, IN is staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services. We are conveniently located for patients seeking eye care from throughout northern Indiana including La Porte, Mishawaka, South Bend, Michigan City, Crown Point, Merrillville, Chesterton, South Haven, Westville, Hebron, Lowell, Valparaiso and Walkerton as well as Chicago, Illinois suburban areas of Frankfurt, Calumet City, Monee and Crete.

Indiana Eye Doctors & Contact Lenses for Swimming

Eye doctors from Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center shared information about wearing contact lenses for swimming. Indiana Contact Lens Specialist Dr. Stephen Buck commented, “We try to counsel patients that contact lenses really should not be worn for swimming, taking showers, in bath tubs or in hot tubs as this can pose safety risks to patients. Especially this time of year with the amount of time contact lens wearers spend in water related activities, we hear patient questions all the time about wanting to wear their contacts while in a pool or hot tub or even while in the shower,” further explained Dr. Stephen Buck. “This is not a good idea and can significantly increase the safety risks of contact lens wear”, noted Scott Buck, M.D. 

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that contact lenses not be exposed to any form of water. Although rare, a sight-threatening eye complication, Acanthamoeba Keratitis, is caused by an organism present in all forms of impure water (i.e., swimming pools, tap water, saunas, wells, and showers). Acanthamoeba and certain forms of bacteria present in water can become attached to the contact lenses, possibly resulting in an infection. 

“We would prefer that contact lens wearers insert their lenses after showering. If lenses are being worn while showering we recommend keeping your eyes firmly closed. If you accidently wear your contact lenses while in the bathtub or hot tub avoid having water splashed into your eyes. If your eyes are exposed to water, instill a lubricating drop to help loosen the lens on the eye, remove the lens with clean, dry hands, then clean and disinfect it the lens, or discard it,” advised Dr. Stephen Buck. “Never sleep in a lens that has been exposed to water without first cleaning and disinfecting it.” 

“Contact Lenses are really quite safe to wear if your follow proper care guidelines and instructions. However, if water restrictions such as swimming, bath tubs and showering are part of your daily routine, you do need to keep your lenses out. Many more patients-even very successful contact lens wearers-finds this to be a hassle and are now interested in discussing LASIK as an option” said Scott Buck, M.D. 

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about LASIK or scheduling a Free LASIK Consultation please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser and schedule an appointment so we can help. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center in Valparaiso, IN is staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services. We are conveniently located for patients seeking eye care from throughout northern Indiana including La Porte, Mishawaka, South Bend, Michigan City, Crown Point, Merrillville, Chesterton, South Haven, Westville, Hebron, Lowell, Valparaiso and Walkerton as well as Chicago, Illinois suburban areas of Frankfurt, Calumet City, Monee and Crete.

NW Indiana Eye & Laser Center Web Site Launch

The eye doctors at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center have released a new web site to help patients learn more about eye exams, cataracts, cataract surgery and lens implants, laser eye surgery-such as LASIK-for vision correction, eyeglasses and eyewear, contact lenses and eye diseases including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. “Our ophthalmologists and optometrists believe that having patients be well informed about their eye conditions and problems helps us to help them in making the best possible decisions about their eye care,” explained Scott Buck, M.D.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center in Valparaiso, IN is staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services. We are conveniently located for patients seeking eye care from throughout northern Indiana including La Porte, Mishawaka, South Bend, Michigan City, Crown Point, Merrillville, Chesterton, South Haven, Westville, Hebron, Lowell, Valparaiso and Walkerton as well as Chicago, Illinois suburban areas of Frankfurt, Calumet City, Monee and Crete. 

If you or someone you know has questions about any aspect of their eye health and vision please feel free to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser and schedule an appointment so we can help.