Simple ways to boost your eye health

Vision. Beautiful Woman With Visual Eye Test Chart On BackgroundIt’s easy to take your eyes for granted — until you have a problem with them. That’s why regular eye exams are so important. They are a key step in keeping your eyes healthy. Here are four other simple ways to boost your eye health:

Know your family’s eye health history. It is important to know if anyone in your family has been diagnosed with any eye conditions or diseases since some can be hereditary. This information will help us determine if you are at a greater risk of developing an eye condition or disease. The most common type of glaucoma, for example, is hereditary. If members of your immediate family have glaucoma, you could be at a higher risk of developing the disease. Questions? Let’s discuss your family history at your next appointment.

Eat a balanced diet. Eye health starts with the food you eat each day. Opt for meals and snacks that are rich in fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens, such as spinach, kale and collard greens. Several studies also show fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as tuna, salmon and halibut, can be beneficial to your eyes.

Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions, which can lead to vision problems. Maintaining a healthy weight is important.

Wear sunglasses. Anytime you are outside and the sun is out, you should have some shades on. Sunglasses will help protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out both UVA and UVB radiation. Wear goggles when you’re skiing or snowboarding. They are designed to fit comfortably with a ski helmet and provide more complete eye protection compared with sunglasses.

If you are due for an eye exam or have questions or concerns about your eyes, schedule an appointment with our staff at Utah Eye Centers by calling (801) 476-0494.

Four ways to protect your eyes while wearing contacts

Beautiful Happy Hispanic Woman SmilingWear contacts? Proper contact lens care is vital for your eye health. Here are four simple ways to take better care of your eyes if you wear contact lenses:

Wash and dry your hands: Before you either put in or take out your contacts, wash your hands thoroughly. This helps to prevent any dirt or dust from getting onto your contact lenses and into your eyes. Make sure the soap you use is a mild hypoallergenic variety that contains no lotions, perfumes or cosmetics as they can leave behind an oily film that can transfer to your contacts. Use a towel with little or no lint.

Use the proper solution: Purchase and use a quality contact lens solution and/or eye drops. We can provide some recommendations.

Follow the recommended wear schedule: Some people don’t closely follow the recommended wear schedule for their contacts. No matter which kind of contacts you wear, follow all usage guidelines and recommendations. It’s vital for keeping your eyes healthy.

Do not sleep with your contacts. If you’re not supposed to sleep in your contacts, don’t. There are many people who either forget to take their contacts out when they sleep or don’t think sleeping in contacts can damage their eyes. Leaving your contacts in while sleeping, however, can do serious damage to your eyes. Follow all rules for your lenses.

Have questions about contact lenses? We’re here to help! Haven’t worn contacts before, or for many years? Today’s contact lenses are designed to be easy to use.

If you think it would be nice to finally not worry about contacts anymore and see 20/20 clear vision, you might want to consider LASIK. You can count on our trusted team of experienced professionals take great care of your eyes during a LASIK procedure. Curious if you’re a good candidate for LASIK and how much it costs? Call us today to learn more! (801) 476-0494.

Common LASIK myths — debunked!

Portrait of pretty cute girl in casual outfit with modern hairdoEven though LASIK is one of the most popular (and safest!) elective surgical procedures available today, there are still several myths floating around about it. Here are some common myths of LASIK along with the facts that debunk them:

Myth: LASIK is too expensive. Fact: The cost of LASIK is now more affordable than ever according to the premium ophthalmologist in jacksonville. Along with vision insurance coverage, there are several financing plans that can make it even more affordable.

Myth: I’m too old for LASIK. Fact: The only age restriction that would prevent you from getting LASIK is if you are younger than age 18. No matter how old you are, you can get a LASIK procedure done as long as you don’t have an eye condition such as glaucoma or macular degeneration.

Myth: I’m not a good candidate for LASIK. Fact: Many people could benefit from LASIK. With our latest technology, we can correct a wide range of astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. There are often patients who were told years ago that they were not good candidates for LASIK because of their astigmatism who are great candidates today. We can determine if your prescription falls within treatable parameters during your free LASIK consultation.

Myth: LASIK is a painful eye procedure. Fact: LASIK is actually a quick and painless procedure.

The best way to find out if you are a candidate is to schedule a free consultation. Your eyes will not be dilated at the time of your consultation, and you’re free to wear glasses or contact lenses. A LASIK consultant will perform a series of important scans to gather information to determine if you are a candidate for LASIK.

During the consultation, the LASIK consultant will discuss all of your vision correction options and answer any questions you may have. Feel free to bring a friend or family member and plan on being at our office approximately one hour. Ready to take the next step? Call Utah Eye Centers today to schedule an appointment to learn more about LASIK: (801) 476-0494.