Yearly Archives: 2024

Some say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but what about your eyes? Are there things you can you do to make sure your peepers are in perfect working order? Yes, lots.

For example, if you work at a computer a good portion of the day, you should take breaks often from staring at the screen. Also, to help avoid eye strain and dry eye, administer eye drops to lubricate your eyes frequently; that way they’ll stay moist.

Another way to keep your eyes in tip-top shape is by eating vegetables like carrots and bell peppers. Believe it or not, these foods support the blood vessels in your eyes. They also contain a high amount of vitamin C per calorie. Other vegetables that contain high levels of vitamin C include bok choy, cauliflower, papayas and strawberries.

Vitamin E is another “eye-friendly” vitamin. Vitamin E can be found in nuts and seeds, particularly almonds. There’s plenty of scientific research to suggest vitamin E can help slow age-related macular degeneration from getting worse. It may also help to combat cataracts. Not a fan of almonds? Try hazelnuts, peanuts or peanut butter instead.

Lastly, make sure that you schedule a preventive eye exam at least once every year. This is an easy and effective way to catch any potential problems before they get out of hand. It can also provide you with an updated prescription and helpful insights that will keep your vision healthy for years to come. The caring, knowledgeable professionals at Utah Eye Centers are here to help. Call them today to request an appointment!

 

 

Do you know how to care for your contact lenses? Chances are, you have some questions. Most people do. But it’s important to ‘clear up’ any misconceptions, because keeping clean contacts is of top importance for maintaining good vision and healthy eyes.

So, how do you care for your contacts – and your eyes? Here’s a list of things you must know and do if you wear contacts:

• It’s of utmost importance to keep your contact lenses clean. That means any time you touch the lens, or it comes out of your eye, you MUST clean it before putting it back in.
• NEVER rinse you contact lenses with spit, tap water, or even ‘sterile’ bottled water. Only a clean, fresh, sterile saline solution will do. Don’t top off the solution in your case when cleaning – always start fresh.
• Don’t sleep in your contacts. Also, you should ALWAYS take out your lenses before showering, swimming, or anything else that could get water in your eyes.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching contacts, and try to use a lint free towel. (The lint can get onto the lenses and be abrasive in your eyes.)
• Use the ‘rub and rinse’ method to clean your contacts, even if the brand says it’s not necessary.
• Keep your contact case clean, and replace it every 3 months.
• Always follow the directions that come from your eye doctor about how to use and maintain your lenses.

It’s important to keep the lenses clean to prevent eye infections. You also want to avoid warped or damaged lenses, as they can damage your eyes.

Have questions about your vision, how to prevent eye damage, or need to talk through an issue? Please reach out to us at Utah Eye Centers! We can ‘clarify’ your options. We look forward to meeting with you!

When the ophthalmologist looks into your eye, there’s quite a lot they can tell about your overall health. The retina, or back of the eye, is the only place in your body that can give your eye doctor a close-up view of blood vessels and nerves without having to open you up. A routine eye exam can be the key to finding early stages of medical issues.

The following conditions may be detected by an ophthalmologist just by looking at the back of the eye:

High blood pressure

Doctors are able to see damage to blood vessels, including weakened and narrowed arteries. Narrowing of blood vessels could signal heart disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

RA is an inflammatory disease that affects joints in the hands and feet. Inflammation can happen in the eyes, too. If a patient has painful inflammation in the iris, the colored part of the eyeball, over a year’s time, it could be the sign of RA. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis can also have very dry eyes.

Diabetes

If the doctor sees a small amount of bleeding in the retina, it could be a sign of diabetic retinopathy. This is one of the first signs of type 2 diabetes. Catching this condition early is key to being able to make lifestyle changes that will help prevent further damage. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness.

Multiple Sclerosis

Inflammation of the optic nerve, called optic neuritis, could signify this autoimmune condition of the central nervous system. Optic neuritis occurs in 75 percent of patients with MS and is the first symptom of the disease in up to 25 percent of cases. Patients usually complain of blurriness. Optic neuritis could also be the result of an infection, too.

Cancer

Bleeding in the retina can signal leukemia. A change in the field of vision can signal brain tumors, and malignant melanoma can happen in the back of the eye.

A trip to the ophthalmologist’s office can save someone’s life. Are you scheduled for your annual eye exam? Give our experts a call today!

Today, we’re shedding some light on a problem that we sometimes see at our practice: the eyelid stye.

What does a stye look and feel like, and how do you know if you have one? The stye is a swollen, uncomfortable lump on either the upper or lower lid. It might even look like a small boil, or pimple. A stye can be large or small, and may sometimes ooze or crust over. Styes are often caused by a bacterial infection of an eyelash follicle, or the glands of the eyelids. They are incredibly common, and may go away without treatment in about a week. But, you’ll still want to know how to treat them, and when to see an eye doctor!

If you think you may have a stye, we recommend keeping your hands clean and trying to touch it as little as possible. Definitely don’t try to pop the style, or put pressure on it. Instead, gently try using warm compresses – a clean, wet washcloth works well, as does standing in the shower – to ease discomfort, clear the area, and improve circulation to encourage healing.

Call us if the stye doesn’t seem to be healing, or is very painful, or if your vision is impacted in any way. We can make sure there aren’t any other complicating problems, and may provide you with an antibiotic cream or drops to help clear the infection that causes styes (if that looks to be the issue).

We also recommend that you prevent styes by getting enough sleep, avoiding use of old cosmetics, making sure to clean your contacts well, and practicing good hand washing to keep from rubbing germs into your eyes when you touch your face.

Have questions about your vision, how to prevent eye damage, or need to talk through an issue? Please reach out to us at Utah Eye Centers! We can help you to examine your options. We look forward to meeting with you!

You spend a lot of time and money on your eyeglasses, so why shouldn’t you take the best care of them possible? If you know how to properly clean, handle and store your eyeglasses, they will definitely stand the test of time.

Here are some tips to ensure your glasses will last as long as possible:

Wash often
Wash your glasses at least once a day. Use a mild soap and water solution. You can also use a lens cleaner that is designed specifically for glasses. This will remove any dirt or debris that could potentially damage your glasses. Avoid using harsh cleaning solutions on your glasses. These can strip the coating off of the lenses and cause other damage.

Rinse
Make sure you always rinse your glasses off with water before you wipe or clean them. Rinsing will help clean off any dust or dirt particles that settle on your lens.

Air dry and use the right cloth
If you can wait for a bit after rinsing your glasses, let them air dry. This is the best way to ensure no materials will get on your lens. If you can’t wait, use a soft, clean, lint-free cloth or a microfiber cloth. A lint-free cloth is the best way to clean your glasses, as it won’t leave any streaks or residue behind.

Grip firmly
When you clean your glasses make sure you grip firmly the piece that crosses the bridge of the nose. This will prevent you from bending the frame while you clean your glasses.

Store properly
When you are not wearing your glasses, store them in a case. A hard case will protect them from being scratched or damaged. Most glasses come with a case to put them in. Keeping them in the case will prevent your specs from getting scratched, bent or broken. Make sure your case is also in a safe place away from children.

Place carefully
If you ever need to put your glasses down for a minute, make sure you never put them with the glasses’ lens down. This will ultimately lead to scratched lenses. You should also avoid leaving your glasses in direct sunlight, as this can cause the lenses to warp over time. And don’t place them where they are likely to be knocked off (such as a kitchen counter or the end table where you keep your remote and coffee cup).

Scratched or broken lenses will need to be replaced even before it’s time for your annual eye exam. If you love your frames, you can continue to use them even if your prescription changes. But you’ll want to make sure your frames are not broken. Follow these steps, and your glasses will stay in great shape until your next visit. Questions about your eyes or your glasses? Visit Utah Eye Centers or call today: (801) 476-0494

LASIK eye surgery is the best-known and most commonly performed laser refractive eye surgery in the U.S. During the surgery, the doctors use a particular type of cutting laser to change the shape of your cornea and improve your vision. LASIK eye surgery corrects eye problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Preparing for LASIK eye surgery is a process that needs to be followed concisely for the surgery to be successful. Follow these tips to prepare for your surgery.

Stop wearing contact lenses a few weeks before the surgery

If you usually wear contact lenses, opt-in for your glasses a few weeks before the surgery. Contact lenses, while an effective way to correct your vision at an affordable cost, can distort your cornea’s shape over time.

Before your LASIK surgery day, your doctor will take measurements of your eye to understand its curvature and the right treatment plan. You want your cornea’s shape to remain unaffected to ensure the surgery’s success.

Avoid wearing makeup, perfumes and lotions on surgery day

On the day of the procedures, avoid heavy skincare products or lotions because the grease can get into your eyes during the surgery. Instead, shower quickly in the morning and come to the surgery with a freshly washed face.

All eye makeup should be removed at least 24 hours before the surgery. Be sure to thoroughly remove any mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow with a makeup remover because if not removed correctly, makeup products can flake into the eye during surgery. Mascara should also not be worn for four weeks after the surgery.

Find a designated driver

You’ll need a close friend or family member to drive you to and from the surgery. Although you won’t be fully put to sleep, numbing eye drops are in your eyes, making driving unsafe. Wear plastic eye shields for the first five nights to avoid rubbing your eyes during sleep and impacting your new cornea.

Our team at Utah Eye Center provides a full ophthalmic practice offering general, retina, pediatrics, cosmetic, refractive care and more. We’re passionate about keeping our patients’ eyes healthy and encourage all visitors to schedule a yearly eye appointment to check on the status of their eye health. To learn more about our services and schedule your first appointment, visit our website or call 801-476-0494. We can’t wait to meet you!

One can argue that of all the senses, sight is the most important. The entire universe is dark without those delicate eyes. Therefore, proper eye care throughout your life truly allows you to see the world in a way that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. You can’t take your eyes for granted. That’s why proper eye care is so important.

There are several aspects of proper eye care. Keeping your eyes healthy is paramount, especially as you age. Your diet, habits and time spent around computer screens can all affect eye health. There are a number of steps you can take to ensure your eyes stay healthy over the long term.

Nutrition for Proper Eye Care

Proper eye health starts with what you put on your plate. Make sure you are focusing on specific nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and vitamins C and E. By ensuring these nutrients are part of your diet, you can more easily ward off age-related vision problems, whether macular degeneration or glaucoma.

Support your eye care by eating:

• Leafy green vegetables
• Salmon, tuna and other oily fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids
• Citrus fruits
• Nuts
• Beans
• Eggs
• Oysters
• Non-meat proteins

Having a well-balanced diet not only works wonders for your eye sight but also can help you maintain a steady weight. In turn, this can reduce your chances of getting type 2 diabetes, which is the leading cause of blindness in adults.

Kicking the Habit

Next, you should avoid smoking. This activity not only ravages parts of your body but also wreaks havoc on your eyesight. Smoking can cause cataracts, and it can damage your optic nerve. It also causes macular degeneration.

If you smoke, you should consider quitting immediately. You can do it. Taking this proactive step will do your body a favor and save on eye-care expenses.

Screen Time

Do you stare at a computer screen all day at work? If so, it’s important to take regular breaks. Staring at a computer screen all day can cause eyestrain, headaches or blurry vision.

To protect your eyes:

• Use new contacts that are appropriate for the screen.
• Ensure your eyes are level with your computer.
• Make sure your chair is comfortable and in a supportive position.
• Always give your eyes a good rest every 20 minutes.
• Get up at least every two hours to give yourself a 15-minute break.

Own a Good Pair of Sunglasses

A good pair of sunglasses can protect your eyes by deflecting the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can increase your chances of eye degradation. A decent pair of glasses should be polarized and offer UVA and UVB protection.

Regularly Visit Your Eye Doctor

It’s very important for adults and children alike to get a regular eye exam. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in caring for your precious eyes. They can provide a range of services from general eye care to more complex activities such as treating disease or performing surgery.

You should also visit an eye doctor routinely to ensure you have good vision. Have a regular vision test, and treat any vision problems that your doctor uncovers. This can lead to a higher quality of life, and it can prevent other medical problems down the road.

Come see us! We have your eyes in mind all the time.

In the grand tapestry of human history, there exists a small but significant thread that weaves its way through time, connecting generations in a shared pursuit of clarity and vision. This thread is none other than the history of eyeglasses, a journey spanning centuries that has brought into focus the marvels of human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of sharper sight.

Ancient Whispers of Vision Correction: The roots of eyeglasses can be traced back to ancient times when philosophers and thinkers pondered over ways to enhance their vision. The first inklings of a solution emerged in the 1st century AD, as the Roman philosopher Seneca mused about the use of water-filled spheres to magnify text. However, it was not until the 13th century that the world witnessed a tangible manifestation of corrective lenses. Salvino D’Armate, an Italian inventor, is credited with crafting the inaugural pair of eyeglasses around 1284, opening a new chapter in the quest for visual acuity.

A Renaissance of Sight in Europe: The 14th century marked the proliferation of eyeglasses across Europe, with artisans in the Venetian Republic at the forefront of this optical revolution. Initially, eyeglasses were simple convex lenses primarily used for reading, but as their popularity grew, so did the need for more sophisticated designs. Craftsmen began fashioning frames to hold the lenses, laying the foundation for the diverse array of styles we see today.

Benjamin Franklin and the Bifocal Breakthrough: Fast forward to the 18th century, and we encounter one of the most iconic figures in eyeglass history – Benjamin Franklin. Frustrated with the constant switching between two pairs of glasses for near and far vision, Franklin ingeniously conceived the idea of bifocals. By combining lenses of different powers into a single frame, he not only solved a practical problem but also revolutionized the world of eyewear.

Industrial Revolution and Mass Production: The 19th century witnessed the convergence of eyeglasses and the industrial revolution, ushering in an era of mass production and increased accessibility. The shift from traditional materials like bone and horn to more durable steel frames made eyeglasses not only a practical necessity but also a fashionable accessory. This democratization of eyewear marked a turning point, making clear vision an attainable goal for a broader swath of society.

Optometry’s Golden Age and Technological Leaps: The 20th century heralded a golden age for optometry as the field embraced prescription lenses tailored to individual needs. The introduction of plastic as a material for frames revolutionized comfort and design. Contact lenses, a more inconspicuous alternative to traditional eyeglasses, became popular. Simultaneously, laser eye surgeries such as LASIK emerged, offering a permanent solution for those seeking freedom from lenses.

From Smart Glasses to Tomorrow’s Vision: As we step into the 21st century, eyeglasses continue to evolve with the integration of cutting-edge technology. Smart glasses, equipped with augmented reality displays, have entered the scene, transforming eyewear into interactive devices. These glasses not only correct vision but also provide additional functionalities, ushering in a new era of interconnectedness between the digital and physical worlds.

In conclusion, the history of eyeglasses is a testament to human adaptability and the relentless pursuit of clarity. From the rudimentary water-filled spheres of ancient Rome to the sleek smart glasses of the 21st century, the journey has been one of innovation and progress. As we don our modern frames, let us take a moment to appreciate the centuries of ingenuity that have shaped the simple act of seeing into the profound experience it is today. Eyeglasses are not just tools for vision correction; they are windows through which we glimpse the remarkable continuum of human achievement and advancement.