Patient Education

10 steps to keeping 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&NDASH;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.

Your eyes are a window to detection of many systemic conditions

Your eyes are a window to detection of many systemic conditions. The eyes are the only place in the body where blood vessels and nerves can be viewed directly.

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

Are you one of 15 million Americans experiencing dry eye symptoms?

Any of the doctors at Eyecare Associates will be glad to recommend the most appropriate treatment option to provide relief for your dry eyes.

Click here to learn about our Dry Eyes Treatment Center.

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.

What our patients say about us:

For the past 11 years we have used Eye Care Associates for all of our eye care needs. We have 4 children who are now young adults and they still choose to continue with the doctors of this office. Pleasant staff, professional and fun along with doctors who take the time to explain all aspects of your care from your eyes to the billing. Thanks to each of you!