Kendra Wagner asked:

LASIK eye surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures available, yet many people still worry that the procedure is riskier than wearing contacts. While laser eye surgery does carry certain risks, recent evidence is showing that contacts are not necessarily safer than surgical treatments. In fact, some experts have even suggested that contact lenses pose greater long-term risks to vision than laser vision correction.

So which option is right for you? Start by consider the potential benefits and risks of each alternative. Next, discuss your concerns with an eye care professional. By carefully weighing the pros and cons, you will be able to make the decision that is right for your needs, budget and lifestyle.

Contact Lens vs. LASIK Safety

While contact lenses are generally seen as a safer alternative than surgery, recent research is shedding new light on the long-term impact of wearing corrective lenses. After reviewing a number of large-scale studies, ophthalmologist William Mathers found that people who wear contact lenses have a more serious danger experiencing significant vision loss. Daily contact wearers have a 1 in 100 chance of developing an infection. In addition to this danger, there is a 1 in 2,000 chance that contact wearers will experience vision loss.

So how does that compare with the risks associated with LASIK surgery? According to results published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, the risk of vision loss with laser eye surgery is only 1 in 10,000. Based upon these estimations, it is likely that contact lenses actually pose more of a safety concern than LASIK.

Reducing the Risk

While this new data means that LASIK may be the safer choice, not every patient is eligible for laser eye surgery. Due to age, health and eye characteristics, contacts are often the best option for some individuals. However, there are a number of steps that people can take to reduce the risk of vision loss caused by contact lens wear. First and foremost, contact wearers should always follow the recommendations of their eye care professional. Simple steps like washing hands before inserting contact lenses can dramatically reduce the risk of vision-threatening infections.

For patients who do choose to undergo LASIK, there are also steps that can be taken to significantly lower the risk of complications and negative results. Some possible risks include overcorrection, undercorrection and poor night vision following surgery. First, all surgical candidates should be carefully screened by a qualified professional to determine if LASIK is the best choice. Additionally, all patients should carefully follow the recommendations of their doctor concerning postoperative care.

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Michelle Hudson asked:


Dry eye syndrome

It’s a disorder of the tear film that occurs because of decreased tear production, excessive tear evaporation or abnormality in mucin or lipid components of the tear film. This leads to itchiness, redness or a feeling of burning sensation in the eyes.

Several factors responsible for eye dryness are:

• Menopause in women.

• Long periods of contact lenses usage.

• Excessive computer usage or TV watching

• Excessive exposure to dust

• Insufficient sleep

• Consumption of drugs like estrogens, and excessive intake of beverages like caffeine, alcohol

• Arthritis, gout or usage of corticosteroids, antidepressants can lead to eye dryness.

Its main cause is age. As we grow older, we become more prone to dry eye. It is observed that dry eyes symptoms are more common among women than in men with a ratio of 2:1, who are usually aged above 51 years of age. As per an Australian survey: around 60 percent of patients aged 50 or above, were victims of dry eye symptoms, whereas 16 percent of people had moderate to severe symptoms.

Treatment for Dry Eye

There are many dry eye treatments, which can bring relief to your irritated eyes. These have been listed as below:

• Best treatment options of eye dryness are therapeutic, depending upon the severity of the syndrome. In some cases, the doctors may need to treat the underlying eyelid diseases, or have to modify the environmental conditions of the ocular surface.

• The other method is the use of punctual plugs. These plugs block the drainage of tears and conserve them in the eyes for a longer time. They are painlessly inserted and can be removed by an eye care professional.

• Sealing of the drainage can also be done surgically. This method prevents tears from draining from the eyes and keeps the eyes moisturized.

• Warming of the eye can also heal the worst eye condition. A warming device is used for correcting the tear breakup time.

• The over-the counter dry eye supplements are very effective in providing instant relief to the itchy parts, by providing moisturization to the ocular surface.

• The first and only therapy approved by FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for DES (Dry Eye Syndrome) victims is the topical cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion. This helps people whose tear production is suppressed due to ocular inflammation.

• Tear substitutes like colustrum helps greatly in treating conjunctival disorder. Oral cyclosporine A (CsA), is used in treatment of severe ocular disorders, which incorporates DES along with other eye problems. This is a topical treatment and deters the possibility of side effects.

Treatments are numerous. However, the unique new topical treatments are good for treating patients with dry eye syndrome, which can be in the primary or secondary stage associated with ocular allergy.

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Brue Baker asked:


You may be young or have had great vision all of your life, but the fact remains as you age eye care becomes more and more important so you don’t lose the quality of your vision. Today, more than ever before people are going without eye care coverage because either their employer does not offer it or they really cannot afford it due to their current financial situation. But having access to eye care is extremely important so all steps should be taken in order to get yourself and your family access to eye care, no matter what.

It is so easy to overlook the importance of having access to eye care as many adults do not like going to see any sort of doctor, let alone someone who is going to mess with a very sensitive part of their body such as their eyes. But, in can never be stressed enough that it is important for everyone, both children and adults, to have access to eye care, as it is more about maintaining your currently healthy eyes more than anything else.

Do not wait until a problem happens to your eyes or to your vision before you seek access to eye care. Because by that time, you could be denied coverage or end up with a lot of damage due to a waiting period at the doctor’s office.

Where To Seek Assistance For Eye Care

There are many government and state ran facilities such as the welfare department or human services. While the names of the organizations will vary from state to state, if you look in your local phone book and scroll through the government listings, you are sure to find a place that can help you find access to eye care.

There is currently a lot of free medical help for people if their household income is in between certain preset guidelines. Of course, the bigger the family, the more money you are allowed to bring in and still qualify for their services.

If you find that no matter what, your income is above the limits set forth by the government for free access to eye care, there are a lot of vision plans that cater to those who need help but do not have a lot of money. By searching the Internet or talking to friends and family, you can find your way to these programs, which of course, vary from state to state. Good luck on your journey towards health and wellness!

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Madonna Jeffries asked:


Our eyes need to be coated with moisture so as to function properly. It is easy to compare our eyes and the need for a lubricant to coat the eye ball to that of a motor, where as a comparison a lubricant (usually oil) is needed so as to ensure the moving parts work properly. As we know if a motor was required to perform without the parts being well lubricated it would only take a short time before the non-lubricated moving parts would suffer from abrasions. In situations where our eyes do not have enough lubricant the condition is known as ‘Dry Eye’.

Dry eye, or dry eye syndrome as it is often known, is a medical condition that occurs when the sufferer’s eyes lack the correct formation of lubricant. Usually the lubricant is in the form of tears and dry eye is as a result of the body not producing sufficient quantities of tears to oil the eyes and make them relaxed. This condition is more prevalent amongst older people. In America alone around 30 to 40 million people suffer from dry eye syndrome. About three quarters of sufferers have fairly mild cases, however many of the remaining 10 million or so sufferers experience extremely serious cases of the affliction.

One of the very important aspects of dry eye care is having the sufferer understand the symptoms associated with the condition and address the problem correctly. As a guide most people suffering from this problem usually experience constant irritation, their eyes ache and they experience a burning sensation as well as a grainy feel in on and around the eyes.

If you suffer from this condition it is important that you undertake an eye care program as soon as possible because if the eyes go untreated it can possibly result in more serious problems occurring in the future. These serious symptoms can include scarring, infection of the cornea and in the most severe of cases even permanent loss of vision. It is vitally important that dry eye syndrome be treated because failure to do so may result in serious consequences.

Preventative Suggestions

Dry eye care starts with preventative measures to ensure adequate moisture is present in the eyes. If you have noticed that you have a distinct lack of moisture in your eyes it is recommended that you take steps to avoid the use of hair driers, use glasses to deflect wind from the eye region, avoid extremely warm rooms and of course avoid smoke. Other preventative measures include wearing glasses rather than contact lenses, using a manmade tear ointment at night before going to bed and use humidifiers in rooms that have been heated.

From Dry To Damp

When Dry Eye Syndrome cannot be prevented, your dry eye care should include treating the eyes with formulated eye drops. Many brands of effective eye drops can be bought over the counter and do not require a doctor’s prescription. In essence these drops work as fake tears. Currently a great deal of scientific research is being undertaken to develop more advanced medications for the treatment of this eye condition.

In more serious cases the eye’s cornea becomes terribly irritated. In some of these situations the use of anti-inflammatory agents are encouraged to combat the condition. An effective dry eye care remedy for short-term usage only, includes topical steroids as an ingredient in the eye drops. However, it is not recommended that these compounds be used over an extended time frame because of the known side effects.

As part of the modern treatment regime researchers are trying to find out ways of restricting the extent of the eyes swelling, instead of just oiling the eye’s surface. They have developed a number of methods to reduce the dry eye condition, including one method where the doctor attempts to close the channels from the eye to the nose. Another method involves using very small plugs to control the speed and volume of the flow of tears as they drain from the eyes.

So if you think that you may suffer from this syndrome and are in need of dry eye care please consult your doctor for advice on preventative measures as well as effective treatment for your condition.

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Madonna Jeffries asked:


Do you suffer from sore irritable eyes? Are your eyes often red and swollen and do you suffer from dark rings and puffiness around your eyes? Well there are quite a number of ways you can treat sore eyes without having to resort to expensive creams and lotions.

Very few people realize that there are a number of specific exercises and regular steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy and working properly. If you start a regular regime of self-administered eye related treatments you can reduce soreness and swelling quite quickly and maintain the proper function of your eyes. Although there are many such treatments we have dealt with some of the more simple and inexpensive options that are available to you.

Easy And Inexpensive Eye Care Tips

One of the best ways for you to keep eyes functioning properly is to ensure that you have a diet that is rich in beta-carotene. Many fruits and vegetables are beta-carotene rich including carrots, spinach, papaya and mangoes.

Another important recommendation to assist in eliminating sore and red eyes is to keep your eyes protected against the harsh rays of the sun. Whenever you are out in the sun for extended periods of time you should, wherever possible, always wear UV protection enhanced sunglasses. If you are lying on the beach for example you should also cover your eyes with a towel or hat so as to avoid the sun’s piercing rays.

When you are at home and about to retire to bed for the night it is a good idea to place small slices of cucumber on your eyes. This helps to reduce puffiness and bags from under the eyes and also relieves soreness. During the day you will find that by gently applying the juice from crushed cucumber around the eyes any irritation or dryness will be reduced.

You could also start a daily routine of very simple exercises to help improve your eyes and the appearance of the surrounding skin. One excellent exercise involves sitting down and rubbing your hands together. The friction from the rubbing will heat your palms. Once your palms are warm place one palm over each eye and let the warmth flow into the skin surrounding your eyes. Ensure that your eyes are fully covered and that no light gets into your eyes. While you are doing this take slow, even deep breaths and relax yourself. Repeat this process for around 15 minutes each day and after a week or so you will notice the improvement in the inflammation around the eyes.

So by eating the right beta-carotene rich foods, using natural products on your eyes and surrounding skin as well as some simple daily exercises your eyes will show marked signs of improvements within a relatively short period. Remember that your eyes are very important to your overall health so if you notice any unusual symptoms like a discharge from the eye or repeated redness and soreness please consult with your doctor as you may be suffering from a more serious problem.

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peterhutch asked:

Prevention is better than cure .This is applicable for eye health too. Eye care is better than eye cure. So do take good care of your eyes. This can be done by taking in lot of vitamins especially vitamin A into your diet. Other diets that are rich in minerals are also good to eyes .Some of the exercises can also ensure good eye health .

Eat lots of green, leafy veggies, says Lylas Mogk, M.D., an ophthalmologist who practices in Livonia, Mich. These include kale, collard greens and spinach, which are rich in lutein, an antioxidant that research shows may help preserve eye health and deter the risk of macular degeneration. Wolfberries, which are rich in zeaxanthin, also may be beneficial.

To protect the eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, you need to make sure your regular glasses and sunglasses have 100% UV protection. “That is completely separate from any tint. The fact is that you can have clear lenses with UV coating that will protect you from the harmful rays of the sun,”

We can benefit from Vitamins A, E, and C for overall eye health care. Vitamin A may help reduce risks of night blindness and cataracts. For people who have Vitamin A deficiency, this deficiency has been implicated in blindness and corneal ulcers .For reducing the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts, Vitamin E plays an important role.

Pressure in glaucoma will be reduced when you take Vitamin C and it also helps slow age related degeneration and provides resistance to cataracts. Vitamins are rich source of antioxidants and they can help in eye health care because antioxidant helps fight the effects of oxidation that contributes to the destruction of healthy tissues and is strongly implicated in macular degeneration

Deficiency of vitamin A can lead to nightblindess, xerophthalmia including dryness of eyes and corneal ulcer formation leading to blindness. Vitamin A helps to prevent the progression of age related macular degeneration (ARMD) which is the leading cause of blindness in the world.

Smokers and those consuming alcohol need extra vitamin supplement as tobacco prevents absorption of vitamin A and alcohol depletes it from the body. However smokers should avoid beta carotene supplement as it increases the risk of lung cancer in them.

Food sources: Carrot, mango, sweet potato, papaya, cod liver oil, liver, beef.

Another way to relax your eyes is to place sliced cucumber on the eyelids while you are relaxing in a bath tub.

Try taking short breaks after long hours of working. It is better to do few small eye exercises like blinking eyes several times, rolling the eyeballs while keeping your eyes closed.

Try looking at a distant object in your office or somewhere outside after long working hours. This would help you in improving your eyes focus.

Don’t keep your eyes focused in one place for a sustained period of time. Change your focus. Look up out a window periodically when you’re doing close work, to give your eyes a break. Sustained contraction of the eyes can also lead to a contraction of your upper body and neck. Don’t stare continuously without breaks, as that causes tension on the visual system, and can contribute to vision problems.

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Dev Sri asked:

Not many people know there is a specialized branch in Ayurveda that deals with eye care. Eye care or netra chikitsa comes in Shalakya Tantra (Urdhwanga chikitsa in Malayalam), one among the eight branches of Ayurveda.

Shalakya tantra is Ayurvedic equivalent of ENT. It deals with all diseases affecting parts above neck. Ancient Ayurvedic texts describe 76 types of eye diseases. Though there are not cure to all of the diseases, there are solid directions to effectively manage any eye condition and manage better eyesight.

Here are some eye care habits you can follow to better manage your eye health.

The first principle is not to stare at any object for long times or don’t try to figure out a distant object in such a way that you tire your eyes. Blinking of eye is a natural process and don’t suppress the feeling to blink your eyes.

Don’t attempt reading or watching TV in dim light or too bright light (bright sunlight).

Being part of your body, your eyes too require rest. Don’t cut in on the time to sleep.

Splash your eyes with fresh water early in the morning and several times in the day.

Staring computer screen for longer hours is a recipe for eye fatigue. Take a break from your job every 30 minutes. Close your eyes for a few seconds or take a small walk.

Diet

Food items rich in vitamins, especially Vitamin A is necessary to maintain good eye health. Carrot and other colored vegetables are good sources of vitamin A. Apples, chick peas, radish, whole wheat bread, etc too are good for eyes.

Drink lot of water during the day time. Don’t allow dehydration to happen. It tires your eyes, just as it does to your body.

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Emmanuel Aubrey asked:

Your eyes are said to be the window of your soul. The way you perceive the entire world is heavily dependent on your eyes. So not having good eye health means more than not being able to read signs; it means you could be greatly misperceiving the world around you.

That is the reality of eye health neglect. Our eyes bring so much to our lives. They are used to work with and to see the world around us.

Natural eye health is the proactive way of taking care of your eyes. Working on computer screens can strain your eyes, making them red and painful.

Natural eyes care teaches you the best way to take care of your eyes, which starts with your rebuilding and maintaining all the membranes in your eyes.

It is important to understand that proper and effective eye care starts inside. While a carrot can help, it alone cannot mend all the damage that your eyes sustain on a daily basis.

And natural eye health methods will educate you on the type of foods you can consume so that your eyes do not sustain consistent cellular damage every day. It is sad to think that our eyes work so hard for us, yet we do so little to take care of them.

We just expect them to do everything, yet we selfishly neglect them. If you want your eyes to stay strong in the future, then you need to do the work now. There is no better time to start learning about natural eye health.

That way you will find the methods that will help you keep your eyes healthy before they begin to deteriorate. Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you didn’t have your eyes? Think about it. It is a small investment to make for something that does so much for you.

Enjoy and take pride in the fact that you live a naturally healthy lifestyle and that you know that you are taking care of all your body’s assets.

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Kate Rieger asked:


A solid cat eye care program includes understanding the impact of some cat eye disorders on your cat’s eyesight. Cataract problems are relatively rare in cats and are usually related to complications from diabetes. Some breeds inherit a tendency for developing cataracts: Birmans, Himalayans, Persians and British Shorthairs. The incidence is low and the cataract tends to remain small, often small enough to be ignored.

Of those cataracts that do cause or threaten blindness, many are treated with surgery. If blindness does result from an inoperable cataract, your feline should live a safe life if she is kept indoors. The cataract itself is not painful.

Recognizing Problems

It pays to catch the problem early. A long-term cataract is denser and harder to remove with longer surgeries tending to involve more complications. A cat owner should suspect a problem and seek veterinary attention whenever the eye appears different than it usually does.

Don’t just think your cat’s eyes are getting older when you notice a distinct disparity in eye clarity, increased opacity, cloudiness or a change in pupil size. These changes indicate a real problem.

Causes

Diabetes is the most common cause of cataracts in cats. The second most common cause is an inflammatory disease, like uveitis. You can readily recognize the signs of uveitis: the eye color changes, the surface of the eye is roughened and the pupil becomes smaller. This condition is painful to your cat. He may squint, have watery eyes, and eyelid spasms.

The most common causes of uveitis are the feline leukemia virus, feline infectious peritonitis, toxoplasmosis, or feline immunodeficiency virus. Early treatment of the cause can prevent a cataract or minimize the effect of one that has already formed.

Another cause of cataracts is an eye trauma. If your cat’s eye is punctured in a cat fight or other incident and the outer layer of the lens is damaged, your veterinarian may talk with you about removing the lens. This is because damaged lenses tend to develop cancer in cats. Removing the lens negates the chance of cancer.

Treatment

Cataracts that go untreated can lead to glaucoma, which is a painful disease. If your cat’s eyes look cloudy, watery, squinty or just don’t look normal, it’s time for a visit to your veterinarian. If uveitis is suspected, your veterinarian might run tests for the underlying causes and prescribe a medicated eye drop to bring the inflammation under control. If a cataract is formed or there has been eye trauma, you will probably be referred to an eye specialist, a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Surgery

Just because a cataract is present, it does not necessarily mean surgery. The size and location of the cataract are factors in treatment. If the cataract is large or very dense, then complications can be controlled with medications.

It is completely reasonable to expect your cat to have a good life even if he becomes blind. Keeping him indoors helps protect him as well as keeping things in the same place so he can learn the paths to his toys, litter box, food and favorite areas. Keep the lights dim helps him see better with what eyesight he has left.

A puncture to the eye lens or larger congenital cataracts are more likely candidates for surgery. Some cat owners forgo cataract surgery that is caused by uveitis. Uveitis already causes inflammation to the eye, so surgery can just lead to more inflammation, complications and pain.

Other Considerations

The pre-op analysis, surgery and post-surgery checkups run from $1,500 to $3,000. Then there is the post-op medication. Opting for a small monthly cat health care insurance program helps with the financial burden. It certainly reduces the necessity of a cat eye care decision based upon limited financial resources.

Cataracts in cats are rare. As part of your cat eye care program, take a few minutes to check out your felines eyes. If you notice cloudiness, watery eyes, squinting or a significant change in your cat’s eyes or navigation, look to your veterinarian for cat eye care guidance. Not all cataracts warrant surgery. A blind cat can lead a normal, happy life indoors and with proper eye medications.

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Silvester Thompson asked:


Many parents don’t think about getting sunglasses for their kids, but everyone is at risk for eye damage as a result of exposure to the sun. And children might be at a higher risk because their developing eyes may be less protected from the sun’s ultraviolet rays than those of adults.

Wearing sunglasses that block UV rays can help prevent eye problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration - two leading causes of blindness. Since UV damage is cumulative over a lifetime, it’s important for kids to start wearing sunglasses as early as possible to potentially minimize this damage.

Sunglasses must block 99 percent to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays to be effective. The darkness of the lens is not an effective indicator of how well the glasses protect eyes from UV light.

Consult an optometrist to choose the right sunglasses. They are the doctors who provide primary vision care, examining people’s eyes to diagnose vision problems and eye diseases.

Obtaining this expert advice can be as simple as visiting your local Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club Vision Center. Adjacent to each of the Vision Centers at these stores is an office staffed by knowledgeable, professional and licensed independent optometrists who can provide affordable and comprehensive eye examinations as well as prescriptions for glasses and contacts.

The American Optometric Association recommends comprehensive eye examinations by an eye doctor at 3 and 5 years of age for all children.

“Many children get a cursory eye check when they visit their pediatrician, but only an eye doctor is qualified to perform a comprehensive eye examination,” says Dr. Melissa Viker, an independent optometrist who practices next to a Wal-Mart Vision Center.

The optometrist can also offer guidance when it comes to eye protection. Annually there are more than 40,000 sports-related eye injuries - many to children. More than 90 percent of these injuries could be prevented by wearing proper eye protection, such as sports goggles, which are designed for impact resistance, unlike regular eye glasses that could break upon impact and possibly cause serious injury.

Eye protection should be worn during any sport that involves physical contact or a ball, bat, stick, racket or puck.

“A child’s vision is a precious commodity, but caring for it doesn’t have to be expensive,” says Viker. “Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club offer expert advice, low-cost examinations and a wide selection of affordable eyewear to help parents provide children with a lifetime of good eye care.”

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