A LASIK Story

“One of my favorite past times is scuba diving. Do you know how impossible it is to see while scuba diving? Contact lenses work ok but my eyes always felt dry. Prescription diving masks are an option as well but I figured I needed a permanent solution. When I found out that I was a LASIK candidate I was so excited. I wanted it done as soon as possible. Thankfully, I was able to schedule the procedure for the very next week! I couldn’t believe that I was finally getting rid of these glasses. The whole procedure was super fast and I was back at work in no time! Now I am glasses free and ready to book my trip to the Cayman Islands!”

If you or someone you know has a question about LASIK or would like to schedule a Free LASIK Consultation please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Sunglasses in the Winter?

Many people wonder how necessary it is to have sunglasses in the winter, because the weather is sometimes gloomy or rainy, and sunglasses are meant to protect our eyes from the sun's UV rays. So we don't need protective eyewear in the winter, right? Wrong! There are so many times that your eyes need protection, and you may not even know it.

If you aren't wearing some protective eyewear, you may be damaging your eyes. A fact that not everyone knows is that the UVA and UVB rays penetrate clouds, and it's on these overcast days when people think they are safe that they get the worst sunburns and damage their eyesight. Make sure you protect your eyes.

Another way you may be damaging your eyes and not being aware of it is if you live in a place where it snows. Snow is merely frozen water, as we all know, and water reflects the sun's harmful rays! So whether you are walking to work or going skiing, you have to protect your eyes if you are going to be around a lot of snow that can reflect those harmful rays to your retinas. You can get polarized sunglasses which are made specifically to protect your eyes around water. Polarized lenses come in a variety of colors and you can get some that are lighter, because they are made to reduce glare and protect your eyes from UV rays, not so much to darken the light. No matter where you live, one of these situations is applicable to you, so be sure to protect your eyesight even in the cold days of winter.

If you or someone you know has a question about sunglasses during winter, please feel free to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Grandma Talks about Cataracts

I guess you would call me a typical grandma. I like to crochet, bake, play bunco and of course spend time with my grandchildren. My vision is very important to me so when I was diagnosed with cataracts I was very nervous. Dr. Buck recommended that I consider the ReSTOR® Lens implant due to my current prescription and my regular activities. While it was more expensive, it has corrected more ranges of my vision than I could have ever imagined. I can play with my grandkids in the yard and not have to worry about my glasses falling off. I can play cards with my friends with no problem. I do need some readers for very small print like a recipe or phone book or if I am sewing something very intricate but that is no big deal to me at all. Very pleased with my results!

If you or someone you know has a question about cataracts, cataract surgery and lens implants, please feel free to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Diabetic Macular Edema Best Treated with Injections

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is a significant cause of vision loss in patients with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Retinal laser photocoagulation has been the standard treatment for DME for nearly 30 years decades but now there is evidence that better vision outcomes can be achieved with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Inhibitor injections such as Lucentis® or Eylea®. According to researchers reporting in the American Journal of Ophthalmology reviewing and publishing an analysis of studies on Diabetic Maculopathy published between January 1, 1985 and July 31, 2013, the number of patients with DME gaining an improvement of seeing an additional 10-15 letters on the eye chart was at least 2 times greater for those patients treated with the VEGF Inhibitor injections as compared to being treated with laser treatments. Thus, the researchers concluded that anti-VEGF therapy is superior to laser photocoagulation for treatment of moderate to severe visual impairment caused by DME.

If you or someone you know has diabetes and is concerned about their risk of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) or Diabetic Retinopathy, it is critical that they have regular dilated eye exams. Please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser to schedule an appointment.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Attend Your Diabetic Eye Exam Appointments!

Patients need to do their part in preventing vision loss from diabetic retinopathy by being compliant and attending scheduled eye exam and testing appointments. Researchers reporting in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, studied and identified variables that predict compliance with their scheduled annual eye exams using the Compliance with Annual Diabetic Eye Exams Survey (CADEES), a new questionnaire designed to measure health beliefs related to diabetic retinopathy and annual eye examinations.

Factors Influencing Diabetic Eye Exam Compliance
A number of factors seemed to influence diabetic patient compliance with annual eye exams. First, there is variable compliance depending on whether patients think that their insurance will pay some or all of the cost of a diabetic eye exam. Second, compliance depended on whether it was difficult to schedule or physically get to an eye exam appointment. Third, there was variable compliance depending on whether patients had been counseled on the importance and priority of a diabetic eye exam and fourth whether they had been previously told that they had diabetic retinopathy. Clinicians can also help patients with compliance with the diabetic eye exams by carefully counseling newly diagnosed patients much more diligently along with those who have uncontrolled blood glucose on the importance of annual eye examinations.

If you or someone you know has diabetes they need to have regular annual dilated eye exams to prevent vision loss from diabetic eye diseases and problems. Please share this information with anyone you know who is diabetic and ask them to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Exams & Tests for Diabetic Retinopathy

While there is no cure for diabetic retinopathy, all the data and information from clinical studies demonstrates that with early diagnosis and treatment it is possible to avoid catastrophic vision loss from diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Regular eye exams at intervals recommended by your eye doctor along with the appropriate types of testing are the best way to help prevent vision loss from diabetic retinopathy.

Eye Exams & Tests for Diabetic Retinopathy
The eye examinations for diabetic retinopathy need to be thorough and when necessary include advanced testing such as retinal photography, fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in order to really document how the retina and it’s blood vessels are functioning. Depending on the severity and the risk of the progression of each patient’s diabetic retinopathy we will advise them of the frequency and intervals for their exams. But, patients with diabetes need to know that it is terribly important to keep their appointments.

Vision loss from diabetes and especially catastrophic vision loss from diabetic retinopathy can be prevented with early detection, diagnosis and treatment. If you or someone you know has diabetes or even elevated blood sugar levels they should work to prevent diabetic eye disease and problems with regular eye exams by calling Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser to schedule an eye exam.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Diabetic Eye Disease Still a Problem

As Prevent Blindness America has designated November as National Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, it is time to remind people that diabetic eye disease and eye problems from diabetes area still on the rise in the U.S. and require attention to prevent vision loss and even blindness. According to the Centers for Disease Control, diabetes affects more than 25 million people in the United States. There are some 8 million people ages 40 and older who have diabetic retinopathy and in fact diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age.

The vision loss from diabetic retinopathy can be prevented if it's caught early and treated in time. More than one third of those diagnosed with diabetes do not adhere to vision care guidelines recommending a dilated eye exam every year. As part of Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month we are urging people with diabetes to have a dilated eye exam every year. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater his or her risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. However, diabetic retinopathy does not only affect people who have had diabetes for many years, it can also appear within the first year or two after the onset of the disease.

Preventing Vision Loss from Diabetes
In addition to having regular eye exams and testing at the direction of your eye doctor, patients can help to reduce the risk of developing diabetic eye disease by not smoking, controlling their cholesterol and lipid profile and blood pressure, as well as working to eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables and exercising.

If you or someone you know has diabetes or even elevated blood sugar levels they should work to prevent diabetic eye disease and problems by having regular eye exams at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center. To schedule an appointment call us at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

LASIK Patient Story: Best Money Ever Spent

A note from a patient about having LASIK, “I was always under the impression that I was too old to have lasik done and it wouldn’t work for me. I am 50 years old and have worn glasses my entire life. I just didn’t want to deal with them anymore so I came in for a consultation. Dr Buck and Kelley were great! Dr. Buck gave me all of the information I needed and helped me make the decision to have lasik. Now I am only wearing reading glasses and loving it. I love to run and deer hunt now. I don’t have to worry about sweaty and foggy glasses. Best money I have ever spent!”

If you or someone you know has a question LASIK or would like to schedule a Free LASIK Consultation, please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Eat a Mediterranean Diet for Dry Eye Help?

Eating a Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, as well as a reducing the incidence of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. There is an ongoing question about the traditional Mediterranean diet might be helpful for certain eye problems, conditions and diseases such as dry eyes.

Research on Dry Eyes & Mediterranean Diet
Recently, researchers tried to determine whether eating a Mediterranean diet could provide help for dry eyes. Reporting a study in the journal Cornea, the researchers had patients fill out the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire and the Dry Eye Questionnaire 5 and then studied their tear film and measured quality and quantity as well as the serum level of Vitamin D for each patient. The final results suggested that eating a Mediterranean diet was not associated with an improvement in dry eye symptoms and complaints but higher vitamin D levels had a small but favorable effect on dry eye syndrome symptoms. So, while the Mediterranean diet itself doesn’t directly reduce dry eye symptoms, it does seem to be an eating plan that can help promote health and prevent disease for your whole family.

If you or someone you know has a question about dry eyes and diet or needs help for dry eyes, please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser to schedule an appointment.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Decorative Halloween Contact Lenses: Tips for Safety

Decorative contact lenses and Halloween really seem to go together in October as people prepare interesting costumes and “looks’ for various celebrations. Decorative or “fashion” contacts let you change your “look” by changing eye color, giving you a “ghoulish” appearance or even creating patterns or logos on your eyes. BUT-contact lens safety is not to be taken for granted when it comes to decorative contact lenses and you need to have a clear understanding of how to use them safely.

Tips for Halloween Contact Lens Eye Safety

• Decorative contact lenses are not cosmetics or “over the counter” merchandise. They are medical devices regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Places that advertise them as cosmetics or sell them without a prescription are breaking the law.
• They are not “one size fits all.” An eye doctor, either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, must measure each eye to properly fit the lenses and evaluate how your eye responds to contact lens wear. A poor fit can cause serious eye damage, including;

1. a scratched cornea
2. a corneal infection
3. pink eye conjunctivitis
4. decreased vision
5. blindness

• Places that sell decorative lenses without a prescription may give you few or no instructions on how to clean and care for your lenses. Failure to use the proper solution and care regimen to keep contact lenses clean and moist can lead to infections.

Where NOT to Buy Decorative Contact Lenses

• street vendors
• salons or beauty supply stores
• boutiques
• flea markets
• novelty stores
• Halloween stores
• record or video stores
• convenience stores
• beach shops
• Internet (unless the site requires a prescription)

These are not authorized distributors of contact lenses, which are prescription devices by federal law.

How to Buy Decorative Contact Lenses Safely. Get an eye exam from a licensed eye doctor, either an ophthalmologist or optometrist, even if you feel your vision is perfect to make sure your eyes are healthy enough to wear contacts. Get a valid prescription that includes the brand name, lens measurements, and an expiration date. But don’t expect your eye doctor to prescribe anime, or circle, lenses. These bigger-than-normal lenses that give the wearer a wide-eyed, doll-like look have not been approved by FDA. Buy the lenses from a seller that requires you to provide a prescription, whether you go in person or shop online. Follow directions for cleaning, disinfecting, and wearing the lenses, and visit your eye doctor for follow-up eye exams. See your eye doctor right away if you have signs of possible eye infection including:

• redness
• eye pain that doesn’t go away after a short time
• decrease in vision

The safe and effective use of contact lenses-whether decorative or not-requires proper fitting and education about their care to prevent the potential for serious eye problems from becoming a reality. If you or someone you know wishes to learn more or be fit with any type of contact lenses-including decorative contacts, please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Computer Screens Cause Dry Eye Problems

Dry eyes and dry eye problems can be caused by many different things including certain medications, problems with the tiny glands in the eyelids, systemic diseases such as types of arthritis and inflammatory problems, hormone deficiencies or just not making enough of your own tears. Also, dry eye can be caused by environmental factors like dry, dusty surroundings, But, did you know that dry eyes can also be caused by looking at computer screens for long periods of time?

Research on Dry Eyes & Computer Screens
According to researchers publishing in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, users of video display screens or computer terminals are at greater risk for symptoms of dry eyes and dry eye disease (DED). A study was conducted in which a group of 672 young and middle-aged office workers who used video display terminals (VDT) completed questionnaires and underwent dry eye testing. Of the 672 workers, 76.5% had definite dry or probable dry eye disease with the percentage being higher in woman than men and higher in office workers over 30 years of age especially if they used computers more than 8 hours per day. Thus, DED is common among young to middle-aged VDT or computer screen users. It is recommended that anyone using VDT or computer screens of any type for moderate to long periods of time or even those who notice increased dryness or grittiness should take measure to try and keep the eye surface moist and intact such as the use of lubricants, artificial tears or even more aggressive measures if the extensive use of the VDT or computer screens is a daily event.

If you or someone you know has a question about dry eyes or needs help for dry eye please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

High Dose Vitamins & Cataracts

Patients ask us all the time about ways to prevent or slow down cataract formation. Sometimes we hear that patients having been taking high doses of vitamins to prevent cataracts because they read about “megavitamins” helping cataracts. So, are vitamins good or bad for affecting your risk of developing cataracts?

Research on Cataracts & High Dose Vitamin Supplements
Researchers reporting in the American Journal of Epidemiology evaluated the risks and benefits of taking high dose supplements of vitamins C and E and low-dose multivitamins with the risk of developing age related cataract. Their study looked at any associations of high-dose supplements of vitamins C and E and low dose multivitamins with the risk of age related cataract in a group of 31,120 men who ranged in age from 45–79 years of age. Their results suggest that the use of high dose-but not low dose-single vitamin C or E supplements may increase the risk of age-related cataract. The risk may be even higher among older men, corticosteroid users, and long-term users.

If you or someone you know takes high doses of vitamins or is concerned about their risk of cataracts please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Vision Problems & ADHD

For any parent of a child with ADHD there is always the need to keep abreast of information that may be helpful in addressing how best to help your children. We are often asked about whether eye problems such as with visual acuity or eye movement problems might contribute to hyperactivity or ADHD type behaviors-and could in fact eye problems be a cause of ADHD?

Research on ADHD & Eye Problems
Researchers conducted a study and reported the results in the journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus (AAPOS). They discussed the possibility that there was an association between ADHD/ADD, uncorrected refractive-errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism-and visual acuity. They performed a case matched controlled study that included ADD/ADHD children diagnosed according to criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV-TR), along with an age-matched control group of non ADD/ADHD children and then examined both groups for uncorrected visual acuity for distance and near, cycloplegic refraction-an eye test to measure uncorrected refractive error with eye drops, ocular motility or eye movements and binocular function-how well the children used their eyes together. Their results showed that ADD/ADHD children had similar visual acuity at distance and near and refractive errors as normal subjects. Eye movement and the ability to use both eyes together as well as focusing ability were also found to be similar in both groups and thus might not contribute to ADD/ADHD. Thus, from this study there does not appear to be an association between ADHD/ADD and vision problems nor do children with ADHD/ADD seem to have a greater incidence of eye problems.

If you or someone you know has ADHD and is concerned about any effects of vision problems, refractive errors or decreased visual acuity please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.





Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Estrogen Therapy Reduces Glaucoma Risk

There are many well known factors that increase your risk of glaucoma including diabetes, family history and smoking. Some other less familiar glaucoma risk factors include having sleep apnea and the early onset of menopause. But, the role of estrogen may be more important than was recognized in that it appears that estrogen postmenopausal hormone therapy may actually reduce your risk of glaucoma.

Research on Glaucoma & Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy
According to researchers publishing in JAMA Ophthalmology taking estrogen only postmenopausal hormone (PMH) treatment may help reduce the risk for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). By reviewing data from 152,163 women 50 years or older the researchers found that 1.9 percent of enrollees developed POAG. Each additional month of use of PMH containing estrogen only was associated with a 0.4 percent reduced risk for POAG whereas each additional month of use of estrogen + progesterone or estrogen + androgen hormones did not affect risk for POAG. This is interesting information and will require further prospective clinical studies to understand fully but may offer some novel treatments for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), an insidious sight threatening eye diseases and the most common type of glaucoma.

If you or someone you know has a question about glaucoma risk factors and postmenopausal hormone therapy or needs an eye exam with glaucoma testing please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Eye Pressure Lowered by Cataract Surgery

There is good news for patients who have glaucoma or even a high eye pressure or intraocular pressure (IOP) who also have cataracts. Researchers reporting in Current Opinion in Ophthalmology reviewed the effect that cataract surgery had on eye pressure and found that cataract surgery provides a lowering effect on IOP in the long term and the amount of the lowering is proportional to the preoperative IOP. That is, eyes with higher preoperative IOP have the greatest average lowering, whereas eyes with IOP in the lower range of statistically normal tend to have an IOP that is unchanged from before cataract surgery, or even higher following cataract surgery.

 If you or someone you know has cataracts and is thinking about cataract surgery, please share this information and ask them to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Cataract Risk & Body Mass Index (BMI)

Being overweight or obese with a high Body Mass Index (BMI) is a known risk factor for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, orthopedic and joint problems as well as a number of eye problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a normal weight with a body mass index (BMI) as18.5-<25 kg/m², excess body weight as BMI of 25-<30 kg/m², and obesity as BMI of ≥3 kg/m^2.. The relationship between Body Mass Index or BMI and risk of cataracts has been controversial and not easily evaluated.
 

Research on Cataract Risk & Body Mass Index (BMI)By using powerful statistical tools and Meta Analysis, researchers found that being overweight or obese were significantly associated with an increased risk of cataracts, especially those called “posterior subcapsular cataracts” which typically cause the greatest vision decline. This relationship was independent of sex, alcohol intake, diabetes and hypertension. 

If you or someone you know is concerned about cataracts and weight or body mass index (BMI) please share this information with them and ask them to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

 Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Children’s Sunglasses and Eyewear

Even when it’s cloudy outside sunglasses are important, especially for children.  Many adults will wear them so that they can drive or do other activities throughout the year without being blinded by the sun. Did you know that it’s important for children to wear them regularly as well?  Whether, your children wear prescription glasses or not, it’s important that they wear sunglasses all year long.

First off, your child’s eyes are always developing and changing. Because of that, you want to make sure that they are able to do so without getting damaged. The rays from the sun can be damaging to your child’s eyes, and if you aren’t careful, they could inadvertently end up with vision issues later in life because of not wearing sunglasses in their youth.

Another reason is because the sun is always beaming its rays down, even on days when it seems completely hidden. That means that your child should be wearing their sunglasses, even during the winter time, especially if they’re out playing in the snow, snowboarding, skiing, or doing any other sort. The glare from the snow can make the sun’s rays that much worse. Always make sure the lenses in your child’s sunglasses are 100% UVA and UVB protected.

If you or someone you know has a question about children’s sunglasses, please feel free to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Schedule Kids Eye Exams Before School By Scott Buck, M.D.

It is tough to believe that we are winding up another summer and the kids and their parents are gearing up to begin the school year once again. As we prepare the “back to school checklist” to get the kids ready, remember that eye exams for kids going back to school are an important part of back to school “readiness” tasks.  Children today live in a visually intense and demanding environment whether in the classroom, reading, writing, studying, using computers and even for after school activities like sports. Most important to keep in mind is that children use their eyes and vision as critical tools in their learning process, no matter what the activity.  We need to make sure their eye health and vision are right each year as childrens’ vision frequently changes during their school years.
 

Regular eye exams can detect these changes or any eye problems that might hinder their overall well being and academic performance.

 If you or someone you know has a question about childrens vision or needs to schedule a back to school kids eye exam please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

LASIK Patient Comments…..

“I had LASIK done 2 years ago and wish I had it done sooner.  As a mother of very small children I can say that LASIK has made my life so much easier. Now in the middle of the night I don’t have to search for my glasses when one of the kids wakes up. In the morning I don’t have to mess around with solutions and putting my contacts in. It may sound trivial but when you have  kids depending on you 100% of the time any small amount of time you save is crucial! I am thankful I was a good candidate and I chose Dr. Buck as my doctor.”

If you or someone you know has a question about LASIK or would like to schedule a Free LASIK Consultation please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Stop Smoking & Reduce Cataract Risk

Smoking has been associated with all types of vascular disease, high blood pressure, heart disease and many types of cancer as well as increasing the risk of age related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vascular disease and glaucoma. Now we know that smoking also increase your risk of developing cataracts and needing cataractsurgery.

Research on Smoking and Cataracts

Researchers reporting in JAMA Ophthalmology found that stopping smoking decreases the risk of cataracts over time. The researchers followed a total of 44,371 men, 45 to 79 years old over a 10 year period and the participants filled out questionnaires on their smoking habits and lifestyles and were then matched with the Swedish National Day-Surgery Register and local records of cataract surgery.

Findings about Smoking & Stopping Smoking and Cataracts

The researchers found that smokers of more than 15 cigarettes a day had a 42% increased risk of cataract surgery compared with men who had never smoked. They also found that men who smoked an average of more than 15 cigarettes a day but had stopped smoking more than 20 years earlier had a 21% increased risk-a significant reduction. Thus, they found a positive association between cigarette smoking and cataract surgery in men, with a significant increase of cataracts among smokers compared to those who never smoked. Also, stopping smoking was associated with a statistically significant decrease in risk with increasing time from stopping smoking. Even heavy smokers had some benefit from quitting smoking. Further, a previous study from 2005 detailed the relationship between smoking cessation and cataract risk in women. In this study, they found that after cessation of smoking, cataract risk in women decreased with time. Women who smoked 6 to 10 cigarettes a day but had ceased smoking 10 years earlier, and women who smoked more than 10 cigarettes a day but had ceased smoking 20 years earlier were found to have a relative risk of cataracts not significantly different from women who had never smoked.

Smoking cessation seems to decrease the risk of cataract development and the need for cataract surgery with time, although the risk persists for decades. The higher the intensity of smoking, the longer it takes for the increased risk to decline. These findings emphasize the importance of early smoking cessation and, preferably, the avoidance of smoking altogether.

If you or someone you know has a question about smoking, cataract risk, cataract surgery or lens implants please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Understand Eye Safety Needs

Eye injury both at home and in the workplace is more common than you might realize. Once you are aware of the breadth of eye injuries it is more obvious that eye safety and protective eyewear are the keys to helping protect your eye health and vision.

Facts about Eye Injury

Prevent Blindness America reports that 2.4 million eye injuries occur each year, with nearly 1 million resulting in some degree of vision loss. About 90 percent of these injuries are avoidable, when the right eye protection is worn, reports the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

The most common eye injuries are:

·         Cuts or scrapes from flying objects, such as metal and wood chips, that become embedded in the eye

·         Burns from steam, infrared light or splashes of chemicals, grease or oil

·         Infections from contaminated substances, such as splashes of blood or respiratory droplets or other products on fingers that are used to touch or rub the eyes

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires workers to use eye and face protection whenever there is a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented with proper equipment, such as goggles, face shields or safety glasses. The best way to avoid eye injury from household chores, activities and tasks is to wear proper protective eyewear. If you have questions or need assistance with protective eyewear selection or fitting please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Avoid Fireworks Eye Injury this July 4th

As we all get ready to kick off the July 4^th celebrations it is important to be aware of the need for care and caution with regard to fireworks eye safety in order to prevent eye injury. To enjoy the fireworks this July 4^th, it’s best to leave their use and display to professionals. Eye safety is pretty critical with fireworks displays as we know that:

eye injuries are the second most frequent injury 

we see from the emergency room each July 4^th weekend!!! 

The best defense against kids suffering severe eye injuries and burns is to not let kids play with any fireworks. Do not purchase, use or store fireworks of any type. You should consider attending only authorized public fireworks displays conducted by licensed operators, but be aware that even professional displays can be dangerous. However, if an eye accidesmcnt does occur, there are a few things you should know:

• Do NOT Rub Your Eyes
• Do NOT Try To Rinse Your Eyes. This can be even more damaging than rubbing.
• Do NOT Apply Pressure to Your Eyes, but DO protect your eyes from further contact with any item, including a person’s hand.
• Do NOT Stop for Medicine! Over-the-counter pain relievers will not do much to relieve pain. Aspirin (should never be given to children) and ibuprofen can thin the blood, increasing bleeding. Take the person to the emergency room at once.
• Do NOT Apply Ointments or Drops. They may not be sterile and may make the area around the eye slippery and harder for the doctor to examine.

If you or someone you know has questions about fireworks eye safety and eye injuries please feel free to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & LaserCenter or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Eye Infection Information to Know

Did you ever have red, itchy, runny eyes and wondered if it is from allergies or dry eyes or perhaps an eye infection? There are differences in what you typically experience with eye allergies, dry eyes and eye infections and it might just be worth having some helpful information. Here is an overview of allergies and dry eye as compared to an eye infection.

About Allergies & Dry Eyes
Symptoms of Allergies or Dry Eyes

• If you work at a computer for an extended time or have allergies to products or airborne substances, you may experience dry, red or irritated eyes. 
• Generally allergies and dry eyes affect both eyes. 
• Treatment options usually include resting your eyes or using an over-the-counter or prescription eye drops, as recommended by your eye doctor.

About Eye Infections
Symptoms of Eye Infections

• Frequently occurs when bacteria, fungi or viruses attack any part of your eye, including the surface, membrane lining of the outer eye and inner eyelid, interior portions or the soft tissue of the eyelid. 
• Infections inside the eye or in the soft tissue of the eyelid are the most dangerous and if left untreated, the condition may spread throughout the eye. 
• Symptoms usually include redness, pain, discharge, watering and sensitivity to light; usually occurs only in one eye; if symptoms are detected, immediately contact your eye doctor for an evaluation.

Types of Eye Infections

• Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) is a common infection that is highly contagious. 
• Viral Keratitis may be simply related to a respiratory virus or cold or more serious such as Ocular Herpes that occurs when exposed to the Herpes Simplex Virus. 
• Fungal Keratitis is due to infection caused by a fungus commonly found in organic matter such as soil, leaves or branches of a tree. 
• Acanthamoeba Keratitis is caused by a parasite that attacks the eye more often in individuals wearing contact lenses who enter swimming in pools, lakes, ponds, hot tubs or streams where their risk of contracting this infection is the greatest. 
• Trachoma is more typically found in underdeveloped countries and infects the inner eyelid along with eyelashes touching the area can infect the cornea and cause permanent blindness. 
• Endophthalmitis is a serious eye infection that is due to a penetrating eye injury or complication following eye surgery and if left untreated, may lead to blindness. 

Preventing Eye Infections

• If you experience symptoms associated with an eye infection, contact Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center immediately. Prompt treatment is necessary to reduce the risk of permanent blindness.
• To avoid eye infections, wash your hands throughout the day, especially if you are near an individual with a red eye or other signs of infection. Contact lens wearers should follow care and handling instructions provided by their eye doctor.

If you or someone you know is concerned about having an eye infections please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Diabetic Risk Reduced by Eating Fruits

Diet can often play a role in both accelerating and reducing the risk of the development of Type 2 Diabetes. High fat, high carbohydrate, high caloric diets increase the rate of obesity which is associated with Type 2 Diabetes. Now, according to reports from the Harvard School of Public Health eating certain whole fruits may reduce the risk for Type 2 Diabetes, even though fruit juice consumption may increase the risk for diabetes.

Research about Diabetes Risk & Eating Fruit

Investigators combined data from 3 studies: the Nurses' Health Study of more than 66,000 patients, the Nurses' Health Study II of more than 85,000 patients and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study with over 36,000 patients. The participants in all 3 studies completed questionnaires assessing health and lifestyle factors, including diet, every 2 years.

The researchers excluded participants with a preexisting diagnosis of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer, as well as those who had missing data for fruit or fruit juice consumption or an extremely high or low caloric intake, and those who had an unclear date of diabetes diagnosis.

The analysis was adjusted for personal, lifestyle, and dietary risk factors for diabetes. The researchers concluded that every 3 servings of fruit per week were associated with a lower risk for Type 2 diabetes. When the researchers looked at individual types of fruit in a multivariate analysis, adjusted for the same factors, they found that 3 servings per week of some fruits were more closely associated with reduced risk of diabetes especially blueberries, grapes and apples.

If you or someone you know has a question about diabetes risk and eating fruit or needs an eye exam for diabetes please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & LaserCenter, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354

Eye Movements Help Alzheimer’s Disease Detection

Early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease allows physicians, family, friends and caregivers to prepare and provide the support necessary to loved one’s who suffer this disease. It now appears that subtle changes in eye movement patterns may be helpful in detecting Alzheimer’s Disease.

Research on Eye Movements & Alzheimer’s Disease

According to researchers reporting in Investigative Ophthalmology & Vision Science generally, eye movements follow a reproducible pattern during normal reading. Each eye movement typically ends up at a fixation point, which allows the brain to process the incoming information and to program the following movements. The researchers found that in those patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) there are unusual eye movement patterns when reading such that the fixation patterns and endpoints are disturbed. They concluded that evaluation of eye movement behavior during reading might provide a useful tool for a more precise early diagnosis of AD and for monitoring the progress or stability of Alzheimer’s Disease.

If you or someone you know has a question about eye movements and Alzheimer’s Disease or needs to schedule an eye exam during which we will carefully evaluate eye movements, call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Ocular Melanoma: Be Aware!

You may not be aware of a type of eye cancer called Ocular Melanoma, but for anyone concerned about eye health and vision it is a problem worth learning a little bit about.

What is Ocular Melanoma?

Ocular Melanoma (OM) is actually the most common form of cancer that occurs in the eye. In the U.S. alone there are some 2,500 adults who are diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma (OM). OM is an aggressive malignant cancer that starts in the eye’s pigment cells that produce the eye color that you see in the iris and the pigmented layer of the retina. Ocular Melanoma tends to occur in more often in people over 50 years of age with lighter skin pigmentation and more often those with, blue or green eyes. That said, OM also can occur in people of every race and at any age. For about 50 percent of individuals diagnosed with OM, the cancer may be fatal, because it metastasizes and spreads to other parts of the body. OM is considered a silent killer. There are no early warning signs, and it is difficult if not impossible to see when studying your eyes in the mirror.

How is Ocular Melanoma Diagnosed?

Ocular Melanoma is often detected by an eye doctor during a routine eye exam in an otherwise healthy patient. This is what scheduling regular eye exams are so important. While at first there may not be obvious symptoms, once OM has developed you may experience blurred vision, a change in the shape of the pupil, flashing lights, a loss of vision and sometimes a dark spot on the iris. Researchers have discovered that people with OM tend to have certain gene mutations, which could suggest there is a strong genetic component to the disease. However, scientists have not concluded that these abnormalities are the cause. They believe there may be a connection between the development of OM and prolonged exposure to sunlight or artificial light, such as from tanning beds, but there is not significant research confirming this link.

If you or someone you know is concerned about the risk of Ocular Melanoma (OM) please schedule a comprehensive eye examination and call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Stubbornness & Cataracts Don’t Go Together

“I own a tow trucking company and my vision is very important to me as I drive a majority of the time.  I am 63 years old and never really had any problems with my vision. Things started getting cloudy and dingy looking so I decided to have my eyes checked. When I did Dr. Buck diagnosed me with cataracts.  At first I thought that there was no way I could have developed cataracts. I am too young! Well I was dead wrong!  Kim and Dr. Buck were very patient with me and answered all of my questions. I am so glad that I decided to stop being stubborn and have cataract surgery and them removed. I didn’t realize how terrible my vision was until I had it corrected. “
 If you or someone you know has a question about cataracts, cataract surgery and lens implants please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Dry Eyes: Can Diet Supplements Help?

Many people take diet supplements and vitamins to “fill in” the necessary daily requirements for good health. Now, according to researchers reporting in Clinical Ophthalmology taking dietary supplements that contain a combination of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants can be helpful in the treatment of dry eye symptoms.

 Research on Omega-3 & Antioxidant Supplements
A study was conducted to understand the effectiveness and tolerability of dietary supplements containing a combination of omega-3 essential fatty acids and antioxidants for help for dry eye symptoms and complaints. The researchers wanted to know if the dry eye diet supplements helped scratchy and stinging sensation in the eyes, eye redness, grittiness, painful eyes, tired eyes, grating sensation, and blurry vision. After 12 weeks of taking the supplements all individual symptoms improved significantly from an average rating of 11.9 to 6.8 indicating that dietary supplementation with a combination of omega-3 essential fatty acids and antioxidants was an effective treatment for dry eye.

 If you or someone you know has a question about Omega 3 and antioxidant supplements and help for dry eyes, please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Osteoporosis & Risk of Cataracts

Most people know that getting enough calcium is an important factor in bone health and the occurrence of osteoporosis. But, what you may not know is that calcium is also an important factor in cataract formation.

Research on Osteoporosis & Cataracts

A recent study in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology reported important information regarding an association between cataracts, cataract surgery and osteoporosis. The researchers evaluated the association between osteoporosis and cataracts. First, they found that age, female sex, higher socioeconomic class, smoking, chronic renal failure, hyperthyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases are all associated with an increased prevalence of osteoporosis.

Then through careful statistical modeling they also found that these factors and osteoporosis are ALL associated with an increased prevalence of cataracts. Thus, they concluded that osteoporosis is associated with the presence of cataracts which may be related to calcium imbalance, hormonal abnormalities, and even a shared genetic predisposition.

If you or someone you know is concerned about osteoporosis and their risk of cataracts, please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

LASIK Cost Decision Was Tough

We received the following note about the decision to have LASIK from one of our patients…..

“For a very long time I considered LASIK. I wasn’t nervous about the procedure at all.  Being a long time patient of Dr. Buck I was confident that he would do a great job.  My issue was justifying spending the money on it.  I will be honest in that I am somewhat of a frugal person.  Not one to spend money frivolously. I had put off having LASIK.  I had worn glasses and contacts for what seemed like forever. I was actually in the waiting room of Dr. Buck’s office waiting to be called back for my exam.  I overheard a patient, who recently had LASIK done, and she was ecstatic at the quality of her vision and couldn’t believe she waited so long to have it done.  Right then I made the decision to talk to Dr. Buck about the procedure and see if I was a good candidate.  Low and behold I was.  Less than three weeks later I was no longer wearing glasses and couldn’t be happier.  It is worth every penny and wish I had it done sooner!"
 If you or someone you know has a question about LASIK or would like to schedule a Free LASIK Consultation, please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Early Cataracts May Indicate Cancer Risk

The early onset of cataracts is linked to an insufficient antioxidative activity in one’s metabolism-which is also a known factor for increasing the risk of cancer. There has been a suspicion about whether there was an association between the early onset of cataracts-in patients under 55 years old and the potential risk for developing cancer.

Research on Early Cataracts & Cancer Risk

Scientists reporting in the journal Cancer Science, the official journal of the Japanese Cancer Association investigated the risk of cancer after being diagnosed with early onset cataract. The researchers examined claims from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of patients with early onset cataract, aged 20-55 and also compared it to a group of the same age range without cataracts. By using powerful statistical analysis they found that the overall incidence rate of all cancers was 2.19-fold higher in the early onset cataract group as compared to those without cataracts.  Further they were able to analyze where these patients were at greatest risk of developing cancer and found head and neck areas highest, followed by liver cancer and then breast cancer. This study suggests that patients with early onset cataract are at an increased risk of being diagnosed with cancer in subsequent years.

If you or someone you know is concerned about early cataract development or needs a regular eye exam where do a routine cataract screening and exam, please share this information with them and ask them to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & LaserCenter or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

“Pink Eye” Conjunctivitis Questions

Patients call us at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center just about every day asking questions and seeking information about whether they might have “pink eye” conjunctivitis. It is pretty much impossible to tell anyone over the phone whether or not they have “pink eye” conjunctivitis as a proper diagnosis really requires an office visit and an external eye exam at the minimum. When you come in the eye doctors will look for and discuss your signs and symptoms and help determine exactly why you are having them. Here is some information that they consider and that might be useful for you.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

If you have a bacterial infection causing pink eye conjunctivitis, you will usually have very red eyes. You may find crusting on your eyelids that can make them stick together as well as a heavy, pus-like discharge from your eyes that may be greenish at times. This infection may spread to both eyes.

Viral Conjunctivitis

If you have a viral conjunctivitis we often will find a very red, swollen eye, crusty eyelids and a more watery discharge. This discharge can also have strands of mucus or white, ropy strands. While many cases of viral pink eye infect only one eye, this infection can also spread to the other eye.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

If you have an allergic conjunctivitis and your allergies are causing your conjunctivitis, it will often look similar to viral conjunctivitis. Your eyes will be red and tearing. However, they will also be itchy. It is likely you may have a stuffy, runny or itchy nose as well.

Treatment of Pink Eye Conjunctivitis

The treatment of conjunctivitis is typically supportive. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections but do work well in treating bacterial conjunctivitis. Regardless of the cause, it is important to minimize exposure of others by washing your hands frequently and throwing away used tissues. Do not share towels or pillow cases. Consider staying home from work or school until you are symptom-free for 24 hours. If you are a contact lens wearer, you should discontinue their use and stick with glasses until your infection clears. Then start with a fresh pair of lenses and a clean lens case.

If you or someone you know has a question about pink eye conjunctivitis, please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & LaserCenter or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Prevent Eye Injury with Facts & Information

Believe it or not, by knowing some facts and using some important information it is possible to prevent many eye injuries. Preventing eye injury is one way YOU can work to preserve eye health and vision. The most important fact to know is that by wearing proper protective eyewear it is possible to prevent 90 percent of those injuries! What is troubling is that according to a survey by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, only 35 percent of people say that they always wear protective eyewear when performing home repairs or maintenance and even less wear protective eyewear while playing sports.

Eye Injury Facts and Myths

·         Who is more likely to have an eye injury-men or women? Men!

·         Are eye injuries more common on the job or at home? Nearly half of all eye injuries occurred in the home! In fact more than 40 percent of eye injuries were caused by projects and activities such as home repairs, yard work, cleaning and cooking. More than a third of injuries in the home occurred in living areas such as the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living or family room.

·         More than 40 percent of eye injuries every year are related to sports or recreational activities.

·         Eyes can be damaged by sun exposure, not just chemicals, dust or objects.

·         Among people who have had eye injuries, more than 78 percent of people were not wearing eyewear at the time of injury!

If you or someone you know is concerned about eye injury and wants to learn more about preventing eye injuries and protective eyewear, please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Symptoms of Ocular or Ophthalmic Migraine

While Ocular or Ophthalmic Migraine is not overly common, they can be of concern and a source of confusion for patients. Generally, when we think of the word “migraine”, we immediately think “headaches”. But that may not actually be the case.

About Eye Migraine

At Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center otherwise healthy patients sometimes tell us that about once or twice a month they see these strange pulsing images in both eyes-both with their eyes open and closed! They tell us that the images may start out small lasting for 10-20 minutes and cause their vision to become blurry. These episodes actually describe what we know to be an Ocular Migraine-a migraine without a headache! What patients are experiencing is the aura that many sufferers have before the onset of a classic migraine headache.

Symptoms of Ocular or Ophthalmic Migraine

Symptoms of an Ocular or Ophthalmic Migraine may include “zigzag lines”, “colored lights” or “flashes of light” that can expand to one side of your vision over perhaps 10 to 30 minutes. If you experience these symptoms, in order to be sure that this is not a sign of a more serious problem, you need to schedule an eye exam and evaluation so that we can rule out any other problems and work in concert with your primary care physician or a neurologist to make sure that other testing is not needed.

If you or someone you know has a question about any of the symptoms mentioned or is concerned about having Ocular or Ophthalmic Migraine please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Be Aware of Cataract Night Driving Problems

Seniors with night driving problems or difficulty should be aware of how much cataracts can disturb night vision. In fact for many active patients who wish to drive at dusk or in dim light, the challenges of cataract night driving problems can be quite troubling.

Night Driving Problems

Driving at night can be difficult even for even those seniors with healthy eyes and normal vision. Dim or reduced lighting can cause you to misjudge distances and boundaries like the edge of the road, the entrance to a ramp or even the time needed to stop when a car in front of you engages their brakes. Night driving coupled with the cloudiness and night glare created by a cataract further diminishes your vision. If you are at a point where you are fearful of night driving or feel unsafe when driving at night, and been told that you have the beginning of a cataract it might well be time to consider whether cataract surgery might be a good option to help you regain your night driving comfort level and safety.

If you or someone you know feels they have night driving problems that might be related to cataracts or has a question about cataracts, cataract surgery or lens implants please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Transitions® Color Changing Lenses

Transitions® Lenses are color changing, adaptive lenses are lenses that fit into different areas of your life. There are different types of Transitions® Lenses to enhance your vision no matter what activity you are doing.  With original Transitions® Lenses there is an impeccable balance between outdoor darkness and indoor clarity. When you are indoors the lenses are quite clear and they inhibit the fastest fade to black speed upon walking outdoors.   Transitions® XTRactive offer superior darkness outdoors and are able to activate behind the windshield of a car.  Transitions® Vantage are virtually clear indoors and the only everyday lenses with polarization for crisper, sharper vision when outside. Also a Performance Sunwear line is available for outdoor activities such as boating, cycling, hunting, golf, hiking, and driving-and as always Transitions® Lenses block 100% UVA/UVB light.

If you or someone you know has a question about Transitions® Lenses, please feel free to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.