Patient education is an important aspect of eye care. It allows patients to be informed about their eye disease conditions and/or disorders, and helps them participate in the proper management with their eye doctor. Please click on the particular information of interest:
Cataract
Glaucoma
Diabetic Eye Disease
Retinal Detachment Surgery
Macular Degeneration
Macular Hole
Steroid injections
10 steps to keep your eyes healthy
- Wear safety eyewear when appropriate to protect your eyes from sight threatening injury.
- Wear ultraviolet protecting sunglasses and a hat outdoors. Ultraviolet radiation is a risk factor for conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts.
- Exercise regularly. Set a goal of moderate-intensity physical activity for 30 minutes five days a week. Studies tell us individuals who exercise regularly can reduce their risk of macular degeneration by up to 70%.
- Follow your physician’s instructions in controlling systemic diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. These diseases affect eye health at a greater rate when they are not properly controlled.
- Discontinue smoking habits. Smoking has a negative effect on eye health and can worsen eye diseases such as macular degeneration and dry eye.
- Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants can help slow progression of eye diseases such as macular degeneration.
- Drink 64 ounces of water each day. This is especially important for those individuals with dry eyes.
- Keep your glasses and/or contact lens prescription current. Injuries are less likely to occur when vision is at its best.
- Change contact lenses at the prescribed replacement interval and comply with intructions for contact lens hygeine.
- Have your eyes examined every year or at the frequency recommended by your optometrist. The key to good vision and health is prevention.
Contact Lens Care Tips
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before handling your lenses. Dry your hands with a lint free towel.
- To avoid getting your lenses mixed up, always apply and remove in the same order.
- Never use eye drops or solutions that are not specifically for contact lenses. Never use tap water to clean your lenses.
- Never use saliva to try to clean or wet your lenses.
- Do not sleep in your lenses unless you have been prescribed a specific type of lens designed for extended wear or your doctor has approved sleeping in your lenses.
- Keep all solution bottles tightly capped when you are not using them.
- Don’t let the tip of solution bottles contact any surface, including your fingers, lenses, or contact lens case.
- Never use expired solutions.
- Never reuse solutions. After inserting your lenses, empty the remaining solution out of your case, rinse it with warm water, and let it air dry.
- Replace your lens case at least every 3 months.
Insertion Tips for Soft Contact Lenses
- Make sure your fingers are clean and dry.
- Remove your lens from the package or storage case.
- Inspect the lens to make sure it is not inverted.
- Inspect the lens for any debris and rinse if necessary.
- Place the lens on the tip of the index finger of your dominant hand.
- With the middle finger of your other hand, pull your upper lid up to prevent you from blinking.
- Pull down your lower eyelid using the middle finger of your inserting hand.
- Gently place the lens on the center of your eye.
- Slowly release your eyelid and gently close your eye.
- Gently blink a few times.
- Insert the other lens following the same procedure.
Removal Tips for Soft Contact Lenses
- Wash and Dry your hands.
- Make sure the lens is centered on the eye.
- Looking up, pull your lower eyelid down with the middle finger of your dominant hand.
- Bring your index finger close to the eye until you touch the lower edge of the lens.
- Gently slide the lens down onto the white part of your eye.
- Squeeze the lens between your thumb and index finger to remove it from your eye.
- If the lens is a daily disposable lens, simply throw it away. If it is not a daily disposable lens, you will need to clean and disinfect it. Clean the lens by placing it in the palm of your hand with a small amount of solution. Gently rub the lens for 5-10 seconds. Rinse the lens with solution before storing it in its case.
Repeat for the other eye.
Important Facts to Remember
- Remove your lenses if you experience discomfort, redness, or decreased vision.
- Lenses may become contaminated if worn in swimming pools, hot tubs, or saunas.
- Always use fresh solution. Never reuse solution to store your lenses.
- Discard your lenses at the interval recommended by your doctor.
- Remove lenses before using medicated eye drops.
Normal Adaptation Symptoms May Include:
- Increased glare sensitivity outdoors. This can be relieved with quality sunglasses. If it is severe, contact your doctor.
- Some initial mild discomfort.
- Some dryness in air conditioning or smoky environments.
- Slight awareness of the lenses.
A few examples of diseases that can manifest in the eyes:
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Signs of a Stroke
- Brain Tumors
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Thyroid Dysfunction
- Arthritis
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
- Leukemia
- Malignant Melanoma
- Nutritional Deficiencies
Dry Eyes
Any of the doctors at Nayana Eyecare will be glad to recommend the most appropriate treatment option to provide relief for your dry eyes.
A healthy diet leads to healthy eyes
Studies have shown anti-oxidants help slow progression of eye diseases such as macular degeneration.
Healthy foods rich in Vitamins A, C, E and lutein include spinach, kale, carrots, strawberries and tomatoes. Cold water fish such as salmon contain Omega-3 Fatty Acids, also a healthy choice for your eyes.