At-Home Remedies for Dry Eye

/0 Comments/in /by

One of the most ironic things about dry eye is that it can actually cause your eyes to tear excessively. Dry eye is a condition that is caused when the tear ducts are clogged, which can lead to symptoms like excessive tearing or it can leave your eyes feeling dried out and dehydrated. Although we always encourage patients with dry eye to come into our office for treatment, there may be a few things that you can do from home to find some temporary relief.

Watch the Cigarette Smoke

Smoking isn’t just bad for your lungs and heart, but it’s bad for your vision as well. If you smoke or live with someone who smokes, it may be the cause of your dry eye. Smoke is notorious for drying eyes out and making them feel irritated. Try to either quit smoking or smoke somewhere with a lot of ventilation like outside.

Use Warm Compresses

Sometimes, you can help to temporarily lear out your clogged tear ducts with a little bit of warm water and a washcloth. All you have to do is take a washcloth, wet it with warm water, and then gently place it over your eyes. The warm, wet water should help to clear out your tear ducts and help you see better.

Use Eye Drops

Another thing you can do at home is to use some over-the-counter eye drops. Eye Drops that are created for dry eye will help to create a lubricating barrier on your eyes, which will lock in moisture and help alleviate your symptoms. All you have to do is apply one drop on the inside of each eye, and it should spread to the rest of your eye and coat it.

Get a Humidifier

Even though the air here in Hawaii is fairly humid, if you still have dry eye, you may want to get a humidifier. The wetter the air is, the more it will soothe your eyes and make them feel comfortable.

Contact our office to learn more about dry eye treatments. Call us today 808.955.3937.

How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Under Your Eyes

/0 Comments/in /by

When you have dark circles underneath your eyes, they can make you look and feel really tired all the time. And although you may be running off only a couple of hours of sleep on a regular basis, nobody needs to know. Although surgical procedures like a lower blepharoplasty are great at helping patients get a more alert look, they aren’t for everyone. So, what are your other options? Let’s take a closer look and see.

Fillers

Fillers are great at helping patients fix a variety of cosmetic concerns, including dark circles underneath the eyes. When patients age, they tend to lose a lot of volume around their eyes, which can give them a sallow appearance. When we use fillers, we can make strategic injections just underneath the eyes and above the cheekbones to help fill in this appearance and give patients a more rejuvenated look.

One of the things that our patients like the most about fillers is that they start working right away so you don’t have to wait an extended period to see results. Although some patients experience a slight amount of swelling and bruising, that should subside after just a couple of days.

The only real downfall of fillers to treat dark circles underneath the eyes is that they are temporary. Depending on the filler that we use and how your body responds to the filler, they may last the upwards of 12-18 months. However, that timeframe varies from patient to patient.

Having dark circles underneath your eyes can detract from your overall appearance and make you look tired all of the time. Luckily, temporary facial fillers can give you a more rejuvenated appearance. If you want to learn a little bit more about facial fillers and how they can help you look more awake, reach out to our Honolulu office and call us at 808.955.3937.

How to Be In Touch With Your Vision

/0 Comments/in /by

One of the best things that you can do for your overall health is to be in touch with your body. What’s considered your normal? What’s considered to be not so normal for you? When you can determine when there’s something wrong, it makes it easier for doctors to run tests and help land you with a diagnosis. After all, nobody is coming to your house and begging you to do a check-up, right? So, it’s all up to you.

Similarly, one of the things that we encourage our patients to do is to be in tune with their vision. But how? Let’s take a closer look.

Notice Changes

Your vision may stay strong for most of your adult life and then suddenly start to fade when you are in your fifties. Stay in tune with any changes that you experience. Are you having a harder time reading things up close, or is it harder to see things from farther away? If you start to notice changes or shifts in your vision, then it’s time to come into our office and get an eye exam.

Notice Abnormalities

In addition to being mindful of changes with your vision, also try to notice any abnormalities such as flashers, floaters, headaches, or anything out of the normal. Often, these things are symptoms of a more significant underlying issue that we will need to examine closely.

Get Regular Eye Exams

Getting regular eye exams is something we also encourage our patients to do. When you know what is going on with your vision, and when you know things like your prescription, it can make life a whole lot easier.

Staying in tune with your health and vision will hopefully help you catch any eye diseases early on so that they can be treated. If you want to learn a little bit more about your vision health, contact us at 808.955.3937.

Eye Care Honolulu Eye Doctor

3 Things to Pack in Your Kid’s Beach Bag This Summer

/0 Comments/in /by

If you have little kids, then you may be wondering what you will do with them all summer long. Not having kids in school is like a full-time job because now you have to come up with ways to entertain them. Luckily, one easy (and free) thing that you can do is take them to the beach a few times a week. Before you head out though, Dr. Maehara has a few things to pack in your pool bag.

Sunglasses for Everyone

Those little sunglasses for babies, toddlers, and kids aren’t just cute to put on them before you take an Instagram photo, but believe it or not, they actually serve a purpose. Make sure that your kids wear some sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection whenever you are outside; especially when you’re at the beach or pool because the water is reflective which can cause some serious eye damage.

Sun Hats

If you can’t get your little ones to wear sunglasses or keep them on, then try a sun hat instead. Sun hats (as long as they are large enough) are great because they will shield your eyes from the sun from all angles. If you feel like being daring, then consider bribing your kids to wear both their sunglasses and their sun hats at the same time.

Goggles

If your kids like to swim in the water and get their head under, don’t send them in unless they have goggles. Both chlorine and salt water can dry out their eyes out and cause some damage. Plus, ocean water and pool water are notorious for being dirty. With things like sand, bugs, and dirt floating around, it’s the last thing that you want to expose your eyes to.

Make sure that you pack these three things with you in your bag before you go to the beach this summer. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact us at our Honolulu office at 808.955.3937.

Honolulu Eye Doctor

Why You Should Get Your Eyes Checked on a Regular Basis

/0 Comments/in , /by

Taking good care of your vision involves more than just wearing sunglasses outside. In fact, here at our office, Dr. Jeffrey Maehara likes to see most of his patients every two years for regular eye exams. But, why is it important to get your eyes checked so frequently? Let’s take a closer look and see.

  • A Change In Prescription

Your glasses and contact lens prescription can change pretty significantly over a two-year period which can leave you seeing things pretty blurry,  even with your lenses on or in. However, by having your eyes examined every couple of years, we can help you stay up to date on your prescription so that you don’t spend another day with blurry vision.

  • Change In Health

Your eyes are your opening into the world— okay, that was a bit cheesy, but you get the gist. During your eye exam, we will take a closer look at your eyes to also check for any other health issues. For instance, the health of your blood vessels inside of your retina are indicative of the health of the blood vessels throughout your body, so if we see a change in those blood vessels, we may order some other tests for you.

  • 3. Check for Eye Disease

Another thing that Dr. Maehara will check your eyes for is eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. The good thing about all of these eye diseases is that typically when they are caught early on, they can be easily treated.

Are you ready to schedule your next eye exam? If so, contact our Honolulu office today and call us at 808.955.3937.

DSAEK Transplant Honolulu, HI

The Basics of DSAEK

/0 Comments/in /by

In this day and age, it can seem like everything that we say can be said in an acronym. Although you may “LOL” your way through life and think, “OMG” what other acronyms do I need, Dr. Maehara has one that may actually help improve your vision: DSAEK.

What’s DSAEK?

It used to be that the only way for someone to replace their cornea was with healthy donor tissue which was a long drawn out process. Luckily, times have changed and there’s a new kid in town: DSAEK.

DSAEK or descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty is the latest corneal transplantation technique that Dr. Meahara offers. The great thing about DSAEK is that it gives patients clear postoperative vision and a shorter recovery time than other corneal transplant options in the past.

Why a Corneal Transplant?

You don’t want to get a corneal transplant unless you need done, right? For you to see properly, your cornea needs to be clean and it also needs to be the right shape. Sometimes, when your cornea becomes cloudy or misshapen, it can make it a lot more difficult for you to see properly. When this happens, we may recommend a cornea transplant to help restore your vision or repair the overall integrity of the eye.

Why DSAEK?

Dr. Maehara recommends using he DSAEK rather than getting a full cornea replacement because of the following:

  • The eye surface is kept intact which keeps the cornea stronger and more resistant to injury or infection.
  • There is minimal change in refraction and visual acuity because only the endothelial layer is replaced, rather than the entire cornea.
  • Problems with sutures are significantly reduced or eliminated.
  • Recovery is significantly faster Fewer risk factors are involved.

If you want to learn more about this or if you think you need a corneal transplant, contact our Honolulu office and call us at 808.955.3937.

Heading to the Beach for Spring Break? 3 Accessories to Bring with You

/0 Comments/in /by

If you are heading to the beach for spring break, then make sure that you not only do it in style but that you keep your vision safe as well. With the sun reflecting off of the water and the beach, if you don’t show up protected, you’re bound to get some serious sun damage or even permanent vision damage. So, how can you show up to the beach prepared? Let’s take a closer look and see.

Sunglasses

If you’re going to invest in one accessory to bring with you to the beach this year, make it a good pair of sunglasses. Sunglasses are going to be your eyes biggest defense against the sun’s harsh and potentially harmful rays. When you’re shopping for a pair of sunglasses, make sure that they offer both UVA and UVB protection; that way you know that you are protected all around.

A Large Brimmed Hat

Bringing any hat is a good idea when you are heading to the beach because it will add an extra layer of protection to shield your eyes from the sun. However, if you can, try to find a large brimmed hat because it won’t just cover the front of your face and shield your eyes, but it will protect your neck and chest from sun damage as well.

A Good Book

Nothing will help you relax quite like grabbing a good book to bring with you to the beach. Whether you prefer to have an actual book in your hands or you’d rather use an e-reader, just make sure that you keep your sunglasses on while you are reading; that way you know that you won’t get a glare.

Make sure that you head to the beach this spring break while you keep your eyes protected. To learn more, contact our office at 808.955.3937

Fillers | Honolulu HI

How to Feel Sexier About Your Lips On Valentine’s Day

/0 Comments/in /by

Whether you are dating someone new or if you are planning on spending your Valentine’s day with your spouse that you’ve been with for longer than you can remember, it’s important to try to spice things up every once in a while. Here at Dr. Jeffrey Maehara’s office we not only specialize in vision but in injectables and fillers as well. So, if you’ve been wanting to add more volume to your lips, make Valentines the occasion that you do so.

What Are Fillers?

Here at our office, we offer patients a wide range of injectable including botox and fillers. Botox and fillers are often mistaken for each other but they actually work quite differently. Botox is a neurotoxin that is used to relax the muscles on the forehead and around the eyes which, in turn, softens them and gives patients a more youthful appearance. Whereas fillers work by temporarily filling in fine lines and wrinkles across the face. Not only do fillers help with anti aging but some fillers can also be used to add volume to the lips as well.

By making strategic injections in the lips and around mouth, Dr. Maehara will help you get that sexier pout that you’ve been wanting so that you can give your Valentine a kiss that they will remember for the rest of the year.

What’s Recovery Like?

Recovery from lip fillers varies from patient to patient. Some patients won’t experience much swelling or bruising where as other patients may experience a lot of both. Even though results are almost immediate, many patients do have some swelling that will take a few days to die down. Try to plan accordingly for this swelling so that you can go into your Valentine’s’ Day dinner feeling as confident as ever in your new, sexy pout.

Are you ready to take the next steps to learn more about lip fillers? If so, contact us at our office today and call us at 808.955.3937.

ete services Honolulu, HI

3 Easy Resolutions to Make in 2019 For Better Vision

/0 Comments/in /by

With the eggnog gone and the Christmas tree in the dumpster, it’s now time to take a look at the fresh year we have ahead of us and make some resolutions that are worth keeping. Even though you may have some lofty resolutions to lose some weight and eat better, here at Dr. Maehara’s office we have created a few easy resolutions that will actually help you see better this year.

Wash Your Face Every Night

This may sound like a really easy goal but you’d be surprised by how many people actually go to bed with eye makeup still on. Even though you may think that eye makeup is fine to sleep in, it can actually lead to a bacterial infection. By washing your eye makeup off every night with a gentle cleanser or remover, you can cut down on the chances of you getting some sort of bacterial or viral eye infection.

Use Clean Contact Lens Solution

Did you know that your contact lens case may be filled with bacteria and dirt? To avoid getting an eye infection, make sure that you fill your contact lens case with clean solution every night before you go to bed.

As an extra tip, make sure to rinse out your case with some hot water before you put some contact lens solution back in it

Get Regular Eye Exams

Did you know that you should be getting your eyes examined every year? If you can’t remember the last time that you had an eye exam, then make sure that you contact our office today and schedule your next appointment.

It can be hard to get into the habit of good habits; especially when it involves your vision. If you want to learn a little bit more about how you can see better in 2019, contact our office today and call us at 808.955.3937.

Corneal Transplant Honolulu, HI

Are You Seeing Stars Around Your Christmas Lights? What That Could Mean About Your Vision

/0 Comments/in , /by

Christmas lights are one of the things that really set the entire Christmas mood or holiday spirit. Whether you are religious or not, driving down a street filled with houses adorned in Christmas lights can make you feel some sort of magic. One problem that we see in patients during this time of year is a complaint about seeing starbursts around Christmas lights. If you have started to notice that you see starbursts when you look at Christmas lights, then it may be time to come in for an eye examination. Typically, starbursts mean that you either need to change your prescription or that you have glaucoma or cataracts.

Your Prescription

If you wear the wrong prescription of contacts or glasses, you may see starbursts not just   Christmas lights but around stop lights as well when you are driving at night. By making a few minor adjustments and getting you a stronger precision, however, we can usually help you see a lot better.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes intraocular pressure which can lead to blindness if it’s left untreated. In its early stages, glaucoma in things like seeing starbursts around Christmas lights. When you schedule your appointment with Dr. Maehara, he will check you for glaucoma.

Cataracts

Cataracts are another eye condition that cause starbursts. Even though the biggest symptoms of cataracts are a clouding of the vision, it usually starts out smaller with things like seeing starbursts around lights.

If you notice that your vision seems a bit off, don’t hesitate to give our office a call. To schedule your next eye exam, contact our Honolulu office at 808.955.3937.