Corneal Transplant Honolulu, HI

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

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.

Eye Treatment Honolulu, HI

Headaches and Our Vision: Is There a Correlation?

Having a headache— no matter how small it may be— can turn a good day almost instantly into a bad one. And although headaches can be caused by a variety of things including a cold, the flu, hormone changes, dehydration, and more, one thing that many of our patients are unaware of is the connection between your vision and headaches. Let’s take a closer look.

Headaches After Reading and Staring at a Screen

Try to pinpoint when your headaches come on. If you get regular headaches after doing something like reading a book or staring at a screen, then they may be brought on by eye strain. Even though eye strain may sound serious, it can usually be treated by the 20-20-20 rule where every 20 minutes, you take a 20-second break and focus on an object 20 feet away. In some instances, however, eye strain is indicative of an underlying issue like farsightedness. During an eye examination with Dr. Jeffrey Maehara, he will be able to give you a better diagnosis.

Glaucoma and Cataracts

If you have a family history of either glaucoma or cataracts, then make sure you tell Jeffrey Maehara at your next appointment. One common symptom of both of these eye diseases is blurred vision. And although there aren’t any cures for glaucoma or cataracts at this time, if they are caught early on, we can treat them before they get worse and help stop your headaches in their tracks.

If you have frequent, chronic headaches, it may be a sign that you have some vision problems. To learn more about your vision health and how we can treat your headaches, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Maehara at our Honolulu or Waipahu office today and call 808.955.3937.

Eye Treatment Honolulu, HI

3 Basic Ways to Prevent an Eye Infection

Taking good care of your vision doesn’t have to be hard and preventing eye infections is even that much more simple. With a few basic tips, you can keep your eyes free from bacteria and infection for the rest of spring and into summer— giving you more time to enjoy what you love doing, comfortably.

Tip #1: Wash Your Hands

One of the best things you can do to prevent the spread of bacteria to your eyes is to wash your hands before you do anything like touch your face, put on eye makeup, take off eye makeup, put in contacts, take out contacts, or try to get something out of your eye. Germs and bacteria from your hands can quickly spread across your eyes and cause an infection.

Tip #2: Get Rid of Old Mascara

You should replace your mascara every three months. Research says that after about three months of use, mascara starts to grow harmful bacteria on it which can lead to eye infections and more.

As another side tip, never share mascara with anyone— even if you’re related.

Tip #3: Wash Eye Makeup Brushes

Just like mascara, makeup brushes are also a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Luckily, real animal hair makeup brushes and even many synthetic brushes can be washed with hot water and soap. Try to wash your brushes every few weeks. To wash them, run them under hot water until they are damp. Then take a small amount of antibacterial soap and gently rub it into your brushes. Rinse and repeat until the water runs clear, and all of the makeup is off the brushes. Lay flat to air dry.

Another way to protect your eyes? Schedule regular eye exams with Dr. Jeffrey Mahara. Ready to schedule your next eye exam? Call us today: 808.955.3937.

Eye Exam Honolulu, HI

3 Resolutions to See Better in 2018

Refusing to eat sugar and trying to burn 3,000 calories five days a week are a few resolutions that are likely going to last a solid week— at most. Rather than following the crowd and setting a few resolutions that are not only unattainable but ones that won’t last, set your resolutions apart from the crowd this year and set a few resolutions that will help you see better in 2018.

Wear Sunglasses Every Time You’re Outside

Even if it’s cloudy outside, that Hawaii sun can still wreak some serious damage on your vision. Shield your eyes from the sun’s harsh rays all year long and make sure that you don’t leave the house without some UVA and UVB protected sunglasses. Try keeping a pair in your car, bag, and anywhere else so that you always have a pair of sunglasses on hand.

Eat Better

Eating better isn’t just good for your blood sugar and waistline, eating better is also good for your eyesight. Eating foods that are rich in antioxidants like leafy greens are one of the best ways to shield our eyes from macular degeneration. Additionally, eating foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon are good at keeping your eyes lubricated and preventing you from developing a chronic dry eye.

Get An Eye Exam

Can you remember the last time that you got a professional eye exam from Dr. Jeffrey Maehara? Depending on your age, genetics, and overall health of your eyes, it’s recommended that you get an eye exam around every 1-3 years on average. If you are past that timeframe, contact our office and schedule your next eye exam with Dr. Jeffrey Maehara today!

Want to see better and clearer in 2018? Try adding these three resolutions to your list. To learn more about how you can take better care of your eyes, schedule an appointment at one of our offices today!

ete services Honolulu, HI

Can Your Eyes Get Sunburned?

ete services Honolulu, HILooking like a tomato next to a group of your tanned friends likely isn’t something you want to turn into your next Facebook profile pic. However, as a real part of life— especially in the summer— if you don’t wear sunscreen, you are more likely to resemble that red fruit more than anything else. And although it’s important to keep your skin covered and protected during the summer, did you know that your eyes need the same treatment as well? To help you better understand sunburned eyes, this article will discuss the symptoms, care instructions, and preventative measures to take. Read on to learn more.

What Are the Symptoms?

When you have sunburned shoulders, you know that they can be hot to the touch, sensitive, itch, and sting. However, when you have sunburned eyes, you may not know what symptoms to be aware of. Symptoms include:

  • Eye Pain
  • Headaches
  • Watery Eyes
  • Light Sensitivity
  • Red or Bloodshot Eyes
  • Burning Eyes
  • Blurred Vision
  • Halos

How to Treat Sunburned Eyes?

Just like with sunburned skin, your sunburned eyes will naturally heal themselves within a few days. To help them feel better in the meantime, try using some anti-inflammatory eyedrops during the day and then place a cold, damp washcloth over your eyes at night. If your symptoms get worse or persist, contact Dr. Jeffrey Maehara and schedule an appointment.

How to Prevent Sunburned Eyes?

The most obvious and most effective way to prevent sunburned eyes is to wear sunglasses that have both UVA and UVB protection. Additionally, we encourage our patients to wear a hat when they are spending a lot of time out in the sun— the additional layer, will only benefit you in the long-term.

Before you head to the beach or pool this summer, make sure to grab the proper protective eyewear and a hat so that you don’t get sunburned eyes. To learn more about how you can take better care of your eyes, contact Dr. Jeffrey Maehara today!

Ingredients to Look For in Eye Cream

good eyesight Having good eyes isn’t just about having good vision. In fact, having good eyes includes taking care of the skin around them as well. As one of the most sensitive parts of your face, the skin under and around your eyes often gets neglected— leaving patients with dryness and more visible fine lines and wrinkles. One of the best and easiest ways to protect this sensitive skin is to use an eye cream both morning and night. However, with so many different options available at drugstores and department stores, it can seem a bit overwhelming. To help you find an eye cream that will do your eyes wonders, look for one that contains these ingredients. Read on to learn more.

Retinol

Derived from Vitamin A, Retinol helps with cell turnover and collagen production— helping you to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, and dryness. When using any creams that contain retinol, make sure to limit your sun exposure because it can make your skin increasingly sensitive and prone to sunburns. Additionally, not every patient is a good candidate for using retinol based eye creams because they can make your eyes water, itch, or burn. If you notice any of these symptoms, stop using the eye cream immediately and consider scheduling an eye appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Maehara.

Vitamin E

As previously mentioned, the skin around and under your eyes are very sensitive. When choosing an eye cream to support this skin, look for one that contains Vitamin E. As a naturally derived substance, Vitamin E works to soothe and soften the skin around your eyes. So, if you are feeling a bit more tired or if you are experiencing dryness, consider Vitamin E to be your best friend.

Hyaluronic Acids

If your number one goal in using an eye cream is to protect and get rid of fine lines and wrinkles, make sure that you use one that has hyaluronic acids in it. As an all-natural chemical found in your body, hyaluronic acids are a safe way to speed up your body’s production of collagen.

Having good eyesight should be your number one concern when it comes to your eyes, but the skin around them should be your second. By using an eye cream that contains the ingredients listed above, you can have smoother, younger looking skin. To learn more about your eye and vision health, contact Dr. Jeffrey Maehara’s office today!

 

 

How to Shield Your Eyes and Skin from the Sun Even In the Winter

winter eye care honolulu, hiWhen you think of wearing sunscreen and sunglasses, visions of the beach or a hot summer’s day likely come to mind. However, even though we are in the dead of winter, you still need to be wearing the proper protective gear to shield both your skin and your eyes. Whether you’re planning your next ski vacation or you’re gearing up to head outside into another cold day, this article will discuss a few of the ways you can protect yourself from the sun during this cold season.

Eyewear

Going to the beach without wearing sunglasses is going to likely give you a headache and make you say, “Doh!” But going outside in the snow without wearing sunglasses or protective eyewear is likely something that you do on a consistent basis. Did you know that by not wearing the proper eyewear, you can cause permanent eye damage? When the sun reflects off of things like the snow, it can cause your strain and damage to your eyes.

Sunscreen

You may think that sunscreen is only important to use when you are exposing a lot of your skin on a really hot summer day. However, you should be wearing at least an SPF 15 on your face and hands every day. Did you know that you can get sun damage on your skin even when you are driving? By wearing sunscreen, however, you are adding that extra shield to protect your skin from the sun’s harsh rays.

A Hat

Luckily for you, hats for both men and women are in style this season. As one of the best ways to protect both your skin and your eyes, wearing a hat when you are outside or in the car will help prevent you from developing sun damage. When shopping for a hat, remember that the larger the brim is, the more of your face and body it will shield.

Taking care of your skin and eyes isn’t just something you need to do in the summer. By wearing the proper eyewear, sunscreen, and maybe even grabbing a hat, you can help prevent against getting a permanent skin or eye damage. To learn more about how you can shield yourself while outside, contact Dr. Jeffrey Maehara’s office today!

 

 

 

How to Get Dust Out of Your Baby’s Eye

Dust Out of Your Baby’s EyeWhen you’re a new parent, it can be intimidating to know exactly how to take care of your child when they are sick, irritated, or overall uncomfortable. And when it comes to things like getting something out of their eye, it can be hard to know exactly what to do in order to get your baby feeling better and back to their normal giggly self once again. Read on to learn more.

Warm Compress
The easiest way that you can help to soothe your little one when they are fussy because they have something in their eye while simultaneously getting the dust out of their actual eye is to apply a warm, damp compress over their eye. When doing this, make sure that the water isn’t too warm because you don’t want to scald them— simply test the water on your forearm before hand. Once deemed the correct temperature, take the warm compress and lay it over your baby’s affected eye. The warmth and the water will help your child’s eye to water naturally which will help push out the dirt or eyelash trapped in their eye. Leave the compress on their eye for a minute or two at a time or for as long as they will hold still.

Flush It
If your child is inconsolable because they have something in their eye and you are feeling frantic about getting it out, avoid using your fingers because this could actually scratch their cornea. Instead, take a medicine dropper and fill it with lukewarm water— again testing it on your forearm before using it— then try to hold their eye open and squirt the water into their eye. Although your child will likely fuss and scream, the water and pressure of water will help to extract the dirt from their eye.

When your child is crying and inconsolable due to things such as having something in their eye, you want to do everything you can to make them feel better again. However, when you’re feeling frantic, you might not know exactly how to correctly remove the dirt from their eyes. To learn more about vision care, contact Dr. Jeffrey Maehara’s office today!

Can Zika Affect Your Eyesight?

eye healthThere are two things that are taking over the news as of late: the presidential election and Zika Virus. And although the prospect of both things may be a bit frightening, Zika Virus boasts to be a bit more so because doctors are still learning new things about it everyday. And with recent research available, there is evidence that Zika can even affect your eyesight. Read on to learn more.

Red Eyes
One of the symptoms of Zika virus is that of red eyes, which can also be a bit swollen and itchy. Oftentimes mistaken for common seasonal allergies, however, red eyes are a symptom of Zika that can easily be overlooked. If you notice that your red eyes simply aren’t improving with sleep, over-the-counter eye drops, or an antihistamine, then visit your primary care physician right away or contact Dr. Jeffrey Maehara to have any other eye conditions ruled out.

Uveitis
There are some studies and articles that are calming that Zika can also cause an eye disease called Uveitis. As a disease that causes your eyes to become inflamed, uveitis can affect one or both eyes at once. Symptoms of uveitis include redness, blurred vision, and even eye pain that can occur from simply blinking. If left untreated, uveitis can result in blindness. However, if caught early on, there are several treatment options to treat uveitis, so if you exhibit any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Maehara right away.

Much like with anything that is still being studied, it can be hard to know just how detrimental the impacts of Zika virus truly are. One things we do know for certain is that if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, it’s important that you avoid regions of the country and the globe that are experiencing outbreaks. Additionally, if you do happen to be travelling out of the country to areas that have been infected, make sure to wear a bug spray that contains DEET.

To learn more about eye conditions that may be influenced by Zika virus, contact Dr. Jeffrey Maehara today!

Allergy Season: How to Get Rid of Dry, Itchy Eyes

eye care tipsWith spring in full bloom, so are allergy causing things like dander and pollen. If you suffer from seasonal allergies and are noticing that your eyes are suddenly extremely dry and itchy, try these following tips to help you to get back to feeling like your normal self once again. Read on to learn more.

  1. Eye Drops

Either by getting prescription eye drops from Dr. Jeffrey Maehara, or by simply purchasing allergy strength over-the-counter eye drops, you can help to give your eyes that instant relief from both dryness and itching. Typically containing an antihistamine, allergy strength eye drops work to coat your eyes while stopping any sort of itching or inflammation. Simply apply the eyedrops to your eyes as directed a few times a day.

  1. Skip the Contacts

Contact lenses are one of the greatest inventions for glasses wearers since, well, glasses. However, when your eyes are itchy and inflamed due to allergies, it might be time to give your eyes a break from your contacts and wear your regular glasses for a few days. Although contacts are designed to be perfectly safe for your eyes, if things like dander and pollen get trapped in between your eye and the lens, it can further exacerbate your allergy symptoms and leave you feeling nothing shy of uncomfortable.

  1. Rinse Out Your Eyes

Another great way to get rid of eye allergies is to rinse out your eyes with cold water a few times a day— especially in the morning. Simply clean your hands with warm water and soap, and then cup a small amount of cold water into your hands and then splash your eyes with the cold water. This will help to get any allergens out of your eyes and will also help to make you feel better.

Suffering from seasonal allergies can make your eyes feel beyond uncomfortable. However, by using eye drops, taking a break from wearing your contact lenses, and rinsing your eyes out with cold water, you can help to feel like your normal allergy-free self once again! To learn more contact Dr. Jeffrey Maehara today!