Winter in Florida after Cataract Surgery

“My husband and I both were in need of cataract surgery. We went to see Dr. Buck for a routine check-up and ended up scheduling us both for surgery on the same day. We were thankful that we had family to drive us that day and for our next day appointments. It was so easy and convenient. From the scheduling process in the office to the actual surgery at the surgery center, everyone was so kind and helpful. Now we are both seeing great and off to enjoy the winter in Florida!”

If you or some you know is experiencing cataract symptoms such as cloudy foggy vision, glare or difficult night driving and would like to learn more about cataract surgery & lens implants please call at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, or Facebook.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1003 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Tips for Kitchen Eye Safety

 

Tips for Kitchen Eye Safety

Did you know that the kitchen can be a source of many common eye hazards? Preparing healthy, nutritious and delicious meals for family and friends is mainstay of American life! But, based on what we see and hear from patients, preparing those meals can be hazardous and requires a few tips and safety strategies to make them the most enjoyable. As is ALWAYS the case with eye injuries, Prevention is the Best Strategy!

Hot Grease & Splatter

When frying, sautéing or using oil use caution and consider “cooking glasses” as a means of protection. Hot cooking oil and grease can easily splash onto the eye and burn your cornea. This fairly common injury can be avoided by wearing glasses or, at the very least, using a grease shield or lid on the pan. If hot grease splashes in your eye, immediately flush it with plenty of water. This will remove the grease and any particles. Don't use anti-redness drops to rinse your eye. Artificial tears may soothe your eyes after a small grease splash but see your eye doctor as soon as possible if there is obvious injury, excessive pain, continuing symptoms or you're worried about your eye. You may be more susceptible to eye infections or other eye injuries while your eye is healing.

Bubbling Sauces & Splashes

Watch out for bubbling sauces and splashing liquids. Any liquid that splashes in your eye can be uncomfortable. But food liquids may be especially dangerous because they are often acidic and can cause your eyes to tear up and sting.  Some foods, like raw chicken liquid, contain bacteria that could cause an eye infection. Simmering sauces can splash out of the pot and burn or blister your eye. If this happens, flush your eye with plenty of water.  See an eye doctor right away if you see any damage to your eye or if any of your symptoms continue.

Spicy Residues

When you chop jalapeño peppers or use other spicy ingredients, your fingers retain oily residues that can end up in your eyes. Wash your hands thoroughly after preparing food. Or better yet, wear gloves while chopping vegetables and working with spices. If pepper or spice oils end up in your eye, flush with plenty of water and then wash your eyelids and the area around your eye with baby shampoo. Never put any soap directly in your eye.

Raw Meat

Raw meat is not a safe or effective treatment for black eyes. In cartoons and old movies, people often put a raw steak on a black eye. This is not safe. The bacteria on raw meat can cause a serious eye infection. Other packaged frozen foods, like bagged frozen vegetables, could be contaminated by bacteria in your freezer or kitchen. It's safer to use an ice pack or ice cubes wrapped in a clean towel. Please call us if you develop any serious symptoms after getting a black eye, particularly redness, pain, flashes of light or floaters-and especially if you experience continued blurred vision!

Prevention of kitchen eye injury is a great strategy for enjoying cooking. Use protective eyewear and caution to avoid any risks. If you experience and type of eye injury or irritation please feel free to call us and an eye doctor will be happy to see you. Please call us at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, or Facebook. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1003 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Why Did I Wait So Long?

 “Why did I wait so long!?!?! I could kick myself for not having LASIK with Dr. Buck done sooner.  I couldn’t be happier with my results and care I got from Dr. Buck and his staff.  If I had to do it all over again I would in a heartbeat! I tell everyone I know to just do it and don’t wait years like I did.  You won’t regret it!”

 If you or some you know is tired of the hassle of glasses or contact lenses for seeing at distance and would like to find out if LASIK might be a good vision correction option, please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, or Facebook.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1003 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Lifestyle Choices for Glaucoma Prevention

 

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss worldwide, affecting nearly 60 million people. With healthy lifestyle choices it may be possible to minimize the risk of vision loss from glaucoma. Certain habits may help minimize the risk of losing vision, beyond drugs, lasers and surgery. 

·       Exercise Regularly. A recent study showed that people who engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity appear to have a 73 percent lower risk of developing glaucoma. This is because blood flow and pressure inside the eye may change with exercise, which may affect glaucoma risk.

·       Diet. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially green, leafy ones. One study showed that people who ate more leafy vegetables have a 20 to 30 percent lower risk of developing glaucoma. Why? Nitrates in green vegetables can be converted to nitric oxide, which can improve blood flow and help regulate pressure inside the eye.

·       Drink Coffee-Better yet, Drink Tea Instead of Coffee. A study published last month showed that people who consumed at least one cup of hot tea daily had 74 percent decreased odds of having glaucoma compared with those who did not consume hot tea. A little coffee is fine, but excessive caffeine intake is not ideal.

·       Consider Taking a Magnesium Supplement. Studies suggest that an adequate intake of dietary magnesium may be beneficial for patients with glaucoma. Why? Magnesium improves circulation and seems to have a beneficial effect on glaucoma patients’ vision. 

·       Brush, Floss & Visit the Dentist Regularly. A recent study showed that tooth loss may be linked to increased glaucoma risk. This is because periodontal disease may trigger an inflammatory response that can contribute to glaucoma.

·       Don’t smoke. Studies indicate that smoking cigarettes increases the risk of glaucoma, and has an overall negative impact on eye health.

·       Maintain a healthy body weight. Studies show that people with a higher body mass index (BMI) are at increased risk for diabetes, and having diabetes puts people at risk of glaucoma. Having a too low BMI is also associated with increased glaucoma risk.

·       Avoid Inverted Postures in Yoga. Studies show head-down positions can increase eye pressure and are not recommended for glaucoma patients. There are plenty of yoga exercises that don’t have this effect

·       Avoid neckties. Researchers say that a too-tight necktie may increase the risk of glaucoma by increasing blood pressure inside the eyes.  

Get screened regularly for glaucoma, especially if you have a family history of the condition. Researchers have recently identified certain genes that increase the risk of glaucoma. Those at higher risk of glaucoma include people of African descent, people with diabetes, and those with a family history of glaucoma.

 

If you or someone you know is over 40, or has other glaucoma risk factors please schedule a glaucoma eye exam at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, or Facebook. 

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

Know Your Glaucoma Risk Factors

 

Did you know that glaucoma doesn’t affect all of us equally? January Glaucoma Awareness Month is an excellent time to Know Your Glaucoma Risk Factors! Your glaucoma risk is increased if:

·       You are over 40 years old

·       You are African American. African Americans are 6-8x more likely to get glaucoma and 6-8 x more likely to have severe vision loss and blindness.

·       You have diabetes. People with diabetes are 2x more likely to get glaucoma.

·       You are Hispanic American. Hispanic Americans face an increased risk comparable to African Americans, but the disease may also progress faster as they age, compared with other ethnic groups.

·       You are Asian American. Asians are at an increased risk for the less common types of glaucoma: Angle-Closure Glaucoma and Normal-Tension Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss, affecting about 3 million people in the United States. Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damages the eye’s optic nerve. The optic nerve transmits visual information to the brain, allowing us to see. Because glaucoma often progresses slowly, affecting just peripheral or side vision, people with glaucoma can lose most of their vision before they even experience any symptoms. Central vision, the vision used to read, drive or watch TV, is unaffected until the disease is advanced. Just because you think you can see well, doesn’t mean all is well. The key to preventing vision loss from glaucoma is early detection, diagnosis and treatment. If you or someone you know needs a glaucoma eye exam, please schedule an appointment today at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, or Facebook. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1003 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Cataracts Don’t Return: Facts You Might Not Know

 

Cataracts Don’t Return or Regrow

From time to time we hear patients ask about whether cataracts “regrow” after they have had cataract surgery. Sometimes patients will tell us that a friend, neighbor or relative had a cataract regrow. The fact is that cataracts do not come back after they are surgically removed!

When your cataract surgeon performs cataract & lens implant surgery, the cloudy natural lens of your eye is replaced with a clear artificial lens that is placed within a thin membrane-called the “lens capsule”-that is intentionally left in place to secure the new artificial lens. The new lens does not become cloudy again. However, some people do develop what is called a “secondary” cataract some time later after the initial surgery that occurs when the thin membrane that holds the lens becomes cloudy. With a quick painless procedure called a YAG Laser Capsulotomy, your eye surgeon can make an opening in the cloudy capsule, allowing light to pass through again for clear vision. This YAG procedure almost instantly restores clear vision with the entire procedure taking less than 5 minutes and requiring no downtime.

If you or someone you is experiencing cataract symptoms such as cloudy foggy vision, glare or difficult night driving and would like to learn more about cataracts, cataract surgery and lens implants  please call and schedule an eye exam at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, or Facebook. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1003 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354

Tips for Makeup Removal Around the Eye

 

It pays to take some extra care when removing makeup from around your eyes. Some tips for safe, effective and gentle eye makeup remover to consider include:

• Vaseline is a very effective makeup remover. It's lubricating, soothing to skin and helps makeup slide off without unnecessary tugging and pulling.
• Baby shampoo is an inexpensive and ophthalmologist-recommended product for washing eyelids and the area around the eyes. These 'tear-free' soaps are often recommended to people prone to styles, chalazia and blepharitis for washing their eyes.
• Whatever eye makeup remover you use, avoid getting it in your eyes.
• Thoroughly rinse any remover off your eyelids.
• Brush a clean cotton swab along the base of the eyelashes to remove all makeup remnants.
• Be especially careful with exfoliating scrubs and don't use them around your eyes. Cleansers with scrubbing beads or gritty additions can scratch and irritate your eyes.

If you should accidently get either makeup or makeup remover products in your eye, please call us at 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 1003 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.