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Tis the Season for Eye Allergy

Fall is upon us, and with all the beautiful golden landscape comes all that allergy-causing, pollen-packed wind. Yes, you can definitely smell it in the air, allergy season has officially begun. And with Arizona being one of the top-runners as one of the allergy capitals of America, we suggest you buckle up and read on for some useful advice.

Symptoms that suggest seasonal allergic conjunctivitis include the following:

Watery eyes
Itchy eyes
Redness in the eye
Sore or stinging eyes
Burning sensation in the eyes
Swollen eyelids
Some degree of light sensitivity
Blurred vision in extreme cases

If you have any of these symptoms without the itching, chances are that you are experiencing an ordinary allergic reaction. Itching is one of the most prominent symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, and typically affects both eyes. It is most often triggered by pollen carried in the air from grass or ragweed. As previously mentioned, the onset is usually most notable at the beginning of the beginning of the fall season, or the spring season, too. It is important to seek medical attention at the onset of these symptoms because the condition may escalate to a more serious case if left untended. Usually, the conjunctiva will start to swell and the eye will develop chemosis, which is a glassed over look that makes them appear watery or gelatinous.

For more information about eye allergies and other external diseases, contact the Cornea Consultants of Arizona at 602-258-4321 to schedule a personal consultation with one of our experts.

Posted on October 15th, 2013

Eye Care About You

At the Cornea Consultants of Arizona, we know how important your eyes are and how absolutely critical it is to keep your eyes healthy so that eye diseases and other conditions are prevented. We also know that you won’t always have time for a check up with your eye doctor. So, we have put together a list of things that you can do at home, on your own time, to help keep your eyes in good shape.

Eat healthy. Eating the right kind of food like vegetables that are packed with beta-carotene are very helpful in keeping your eyes healthy because this antioxidant reduces the possibility of the deterioration of your visual acuity.
Using contact lenses and glasses is fine, but do not wear them for more than the required time because, in contrast to their indication, this may cause permanent damage to your vision.
Prevent puffy eyes when you wake up by pressing cold slices of cucumber against your eyelids for about 10 minutes before going to sleep at night to prevent water retention.
Choose polarized lenses when buying eyewear to save your eyes from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays
Avoid using eye drops frequently because although they relieve itchiness and swelling of the eyes due to allergies, they cut off their oxygen supply as well
Try to reduce prolonged and unnecessary exposure to computer screens to prevent straining and drying out your eyes.
Use protective eyewear whenever necessary to keep debris from getting into the eyes.
Find time to exercise your eyes to promote relaxation and relieve stress
Do not read under low lighting to prevent eye strain
Do not look directly into a light source because this a potential cause of eye damage.

Posted on September 30th, 2013

Your step-by-step guide to Lasik surgery

Because of the increased interest in the Lasik procedure and how it has drastically improved the way so many patients are able to see you today, our facility, the Cornea Consultants of Arizona, have been receiving numerous questions about what really goes on during this procedure.

In our effort to lay out all the facts for our patients, here is a LASIK surgery step-by-step:

The doctor will use a speculum to hold the eyelids open
A microkeratome laser is used to create an incision for the corneal flap. Traditionally, this was done using a blade, but recent advancements in optical surgery have shifted to the use of lasers because they are more precise and produce significantly less bleeding and scarring.
The corneal flap will be lifted
Using a specially designed laser beam, the cornea will be reshaped according to the patient’s requirement. The laser can flatten or make the corneous steeper depending upon the condition that needs to be corrected.
The corneal flap will be put back in place
The incision will be allowed to heal

Using this perspective, LASIK surgery does not seem like a very complicated procedure at all, assuring patients that this procedure is not the intimidating, risky process that most people think it to be. In fact, it will take only about 10 minutes for the procedure to be carried out on each of the patient’s eyes. That is about 20 life-altering minutes that can change the way you see the world.

Call us today at 602-258-4321 and let’s talk about how LASIK surgery at Cornea Eye Care in Arizona can work for you

Posted on September 15th, 2013

Living with cataracts

We understand that it’s not an easy decision to get eye surgery. Many people that come in are apprehensive about the risks that come with these types of procedures and generally try to avoid them whenever they can. Even for patients with cataracts who know that they would need to have the condition corrected sooner or later, the option of surgery may still come with foreboding thoughts.

The experts at the Cornea Consultants of Arizona know how difficult it can be to be visually impaired, and so for our cataract patients who need a little more time deciding, we’ve put together these tips on how you can deal with your condition until you’ve made up your mind to come in for surgery.

If you were using contact lenses or eyeglasses, make sure that you have the accurate prescription for your current acuity
The clouding of your lenses may make it difficult to read so if necessary, use a magnifying glass to read finer print.
Try to limit the times that you drive at night, or have somebody else do this for you
If you can, install more or brighter lights in your home to help you see things better
During the daytime activities, make an effort to wear your sunglasses or hats that will help reduce the glare of the morning sun

These measures are only temporary vision management steps that you can use, but this will not stop the progression of your cataracts, which means that your vision will still show signs of deterioration gradually. In cases where vision impairment becomes a hindrance to your everyday activities, cataract surgery will definitely need more serious consideration.

To know more about cataract care, or for a personal consultation about cataract surgery at the Cornea Consultants of Arizona, contact us today at 602-258-4321.

Posted on August 30th, 2013

Cataract prevention is better than cataract treatment

Although there are no proven ways on how to prevent cataract development or how to slow the progression of the condition, the Cornea Consultants of Arizona think that the following are helpful suggestions that can reduce the risk of getting cataracts.

Quit smoking. There have been studies suggesting that people who smoke are more prone to cataract formation than those who don’t.
Reduce your alcohol intake because excessive use of alcohol increases your potential for cataract development.
Diabetes and other medical conditions are known risk factors for cataracts. So, it is important that your health problems are properly managed by following your prescribed treatment plan.
Improve your diet with the addition of healthy fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients essential in keeping your eyes healthy.
Maintaining your healthy weight, or losing excess weight, is another way to help prevent the occurrence of cataracts
Protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays by wearing polarized sunglasses whenever you go outdoors
Get your eyes examined regularly to help with early detection of cataracts and other eye problems.

In general, a healthy lifestyle can keep your eyes cataract free for a long time. In cases when cataract development is inevitable, your trusted doctors at the Cornea Consultants of Arizona will be on hand to give you information about the condition and suggest effective ways of managing it. Call us today at 602-258-4321 and we will be glad to help you.

Posted on August 15th, 2013

Not a dry eye in the room

If you have been reading up on our website, you’ll see that we have enumerated some steps on how we treat dry eyes syndrome clinically at the Cornea Consultants in Arizona facility. However, if you cannot squeeze in time in your schedule to see a doctor about your dry eyes just yet, or if you’re looking for some useful home remedies that you can try out to manage the symptoms of dry eyes, please read on as we give you some of our most useful recommendations to help you cope with this condition.

If you have only a mild case of dry eyes, over-the-counter artificial tears, lubricating eye appointments, or some generic eye drops should be able to work for you in the meantime.
Keep your eyelids clean by using a warm washcloth over your eyes for a few minutes, or by gently rubbing it over the eyelids to remove dirt and other debris. Mild soap or baby shampoo may also be use to clean the eyelids and eyelashes, but be sure to rinse these off completely.
Supplementing your diet and food rich in fatty acids such as walnuts, salmon, tuna, palm oil, flaxseed oil, sardines, or even eggs may also help relieve symptoms of dry eyes.
Recent studies suggest that caffeine is able to increase the volume of tears that are produced by the eyes, making it a potential option for dry eye relief.

Tears are essential for the normal functioning and protection of our eyes, and in cases when they are inadequate, these suggestions could prove to be useful. If you have dry eyes, or think you may be experiencing some of the early symptoms, call us now at 602-258-4321 and schedule your personal appointment today.

Posted on July 30th, 2013

Dry Eye Prevention

Many people experience dry eyes to some extent throughout their lives. At the Cornea Consultants in Arizona facility, we advise our patients to be mindful of the different situations that most likely trigger the symptoms of dry eyes and to try and avoid them whenever they can. In this entry, we have enumerated some tips that could be useful in preventing the occurrence of dry eyes.

Try out wraparound sunglasses or eye shields. They may not be the best fashion statements, but they will help protect your eyes by blocking dry air and wind from getting into your eyes by creating the same effect that swim goggles do with the water when you go swimming.
Increase your environmental awareness. Try to be mindful of places that can have dry air that can inadvertently affect your eyes. Whenever you go to these places, it might be helpful to close your eyes frequently, even for a few minutes, to help reduce tear evaporation.
Use a humidifier to add much needed moisture to the air around you
Try positioning your computer for a laptop screen a little bit below your normal eye level. This will allow you to reduce the tendency of opening your eyes wider to see the screen, as opposed to having it higher, and slows down the evaporation of tears.
Quit smoking because smoke makes the symptoms of dry eyes become worse. This means that you will have to avoid being exposed to smoke as well.
Whenever you can, trying to avoid any form of moving air or drafts from blowing directly into your eyes. This includes car heaters, hairdryers, fans, or even air-conditioners. This will cause tears to dry out and worsening symptoms of dry eyes.

For more information about dry eyes and how it can be managed, call us today at 602-258-4321 and schedule your personal consultation.

Posted on July 15th, 2013

Personal Eye-dentification

The eyes are perhaps the most striking feature in the persons face, but how much do we really know about it? Are you, at all, familiar with the windows to your soul? If not, then let’s get you started on getting to know your eyes.

Eyelids – each of your eyes have an upper and lower eyelid that protects them from bright lights and foreign objects that could potentially cause damage to your eyes. Every time your eyelids blink, they are lubricating the surface of your eyes to help keep them moist and germ-free.
Sclera – is the white portion of the eye. It is responsible for the spherical shape of your eyeball and protects the eye’s internal structures.
Conjunctiva – is the transparent membrane that covers the sclera. If you look at your eyes closely and see the tiny blood vessels on the white portion, they are actually located inside the conjunctiva
Pupil – the dark circle in the middle of your eyes that allows light to pass through and enable you to see
Iris – is the colored portion of the eye that consists of muscle fibers that controls the size of the pupil, making it bigger or smaller depending on the amount of light entering the eye
Cornea – is located at the front of each eye and acts as a protective dome consisting of clear tissues that focuses the light entering the eye
Lens – is a small elliptical structure inside the eye that catches the light rays and focuses them to sharpen your vision
Vitreous cavity – this is the space that extends from behind the lens through out the back of the eyeball. It is filled with a jelly-like substance that maintains the shape of the eyeball.
Retina – the layer of thin tissue that lines the inner wall at the back of the eyeball consisting of cells that capture images being seen by the eye
Macula – is the central portion of the retina that is packed with light-sensitive cells that allows you to see even the smallest details
Optic nerve – carries information from the retina to the brain

For more information about your eyes and the conditions that can affect them, call the Cornea Consultants in Arizona at 602-25-4321 for a personal consultation today.

Posted on June 30th, 2013

Are you contact lens ready?

Contact lenses have proven over the years how useful they are in managing vision problems for countless patients around the world. As a matter of fact, more patients who have gone to the Cornea Consultants of Arizona have switched to wearing contact lenses from the conventional eyeglasses because they are the better looking, more versatile alternative for vision correction. But before you head on out and get yourself a pair, here are some facts about them that may be helpful when choosing the right one for you.

Soft contact lenses are available in three main types namely daily wear, extended wear, and disposable lenses.

Daily wear lenses are worn during the day and removed at night before sleeping so they can be cleaned and disinfected. They are also the least expensive option.
Extended wear lenses can be worn even during sleep and only require cleaning and disinfecting at least once weekly.
Disposable soft lenses are the most expensive option of soft lenses. They can be worn daily and do not require removal at night, nor do they require regular cleaning. They are simply worn for the recommended time and then discarded, making them more convenient for the user.

Hard contact lenses are the more permanent alternative to soft contact lenses. They are more rigid, but provide a higher degree of correction for most vision difficulties and also reduce the risk of eye infections because they are more “breathable”. The adjustment period for hard contact lenses may take about a week, during which time the patient may feel some level of discomfort as they get accustomed to the appliance. This type of contact lenses require nightly cleaning and disinfecting, but can last for up to three years with proper care.

Nowadays specialized contact lenses are available in the market, including:

Hybrid contact lenses that are a combination of a hard center lens enclosed by a soft outer ring.
Multifocal contact lenses are versatile lenses that can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia.
Tinted contact lenses are available to enhance color perception or correct colorblindness. Most tinted lenses today, however, are used for cosmetic purposes but should be used with care as these could potentially cause I infections.

To get more information about how to correct your vision using contact lenses, call the Cornea Consultants in Arizona today at 602-258-4321 to schedule your personal appointment.

Posted on June 15th, 2013