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

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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!

 

 

Shield Your Eyes from Cataracts With 3 Easy Steps

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eye healthCataracts is an eye disease that affects over half of Americans over the age of 65. Causing cloudy and blurred vision, cataracts can leave you feeling hopeless and unlike yourself. If your family has a history of cataracts or you’re just worried about what old age will bring you, try these following tips to help keep your eyesight running as smoothly as possible.

  1. Eat Right

You’ve likely heard it your whole entire life: carrots help to protect your eyesight and prevent against things like going blind. And although you might have shrugged that concept off as a child, diet does in fact play a large role in your vision health and care. When looking for a diet to help enhance your eyesight, look for foods that are rich in antioxidants like beta-carotene, selenium, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E— all of which may help to prevent against the development of cataracts.

  1. Schedule Exams with Your Eye Doctor

You won’t really be able to know if your eyes are in good health and condition unless you visit your eye doctor. Scheduling yearly appointments with your eye doctor will help your doctor to evaluate your eyes for the premature development of cataracts so that you never have to feel blindsided— literally.

  1. Protect Your Eyes from the Sun

Although the real culprit of cataracts is old age, shading your eyes from the sun is one of the best ways to ensure that your eyes stay as healthy as possible. When going outside during the day— even in the heart of winter— be sure to wear sunglasses that offer both UVA and UVB protection. Because the sun can cause permanent eye damage or can even burn your eyes, it’s important to constantly shield them when you are outside.

The best way to determine whether or not you have cataracts is through an eye exam from Jeffrey Maehara. However, by eating right and shielding your eyes from the sun’s harsh rays, you can help to offer your eyes the protection needed to prevent any further damage and hopefully to help protect against cataracts in the future. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Jeffrey Maehara’s office today!

 

 

Protect Your Eyes from the Sun: A Guide to Picking the Right Sunglasses

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sunglassesWith so many unique and diverse styles of fashion sunglasses available, it can be overwhelming to not only pick a pair of sunglasses that will good on you but that will also do their job and protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging rays. If you’re shopping for sunglasses and want to ensure that you are buying a pair that will give you the most coverage possible, read on to learn more.

Size of Frames

Large oversized frames found their way into the fashion world when celebrities were trying to shade their eyes from the constant flashing of the paparazzi’s cameras. These oversized frames are also great at protecting not just your eyeball itself but the sensitive skin that surrounds your eyes as well. When trying on some new frames, make sure that the area both above and under your eyes are being protected— as this skin is very delicate and prone to things like sun damage and injury.

UVB Protection

If you buy a pair of sunglasses that doesn’t have UVB protective lenses then you are doing yourself a giant disservice— in fact, you might as well not wear sunglasses at all. UVB rays are the most damaging types of rays that can cause you to have vision problems— that’s why it’s important to make sure you are wearing the right protective eyewear.

Dark Lenses

Although currently popular, dark colored lenses aren’t always in style. However, when shopping for sunglasses, make note that the darker your lenses, the more protection you will receive from the sun, even if your lighter colored lenses have UVB protection in them.

By shopping for sunglasses with the above three things in mind, you can help to ensure that your eyes receive the protection that you deserve. To learn more about your vision health and how to ensure that your eyes are receiving the best possible protection contact our office today.

 

 

5 Common Eye Injuries and How to Deal With Them

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eye careEye injuries come in many variations, from minor surface scratches to deep puncture wounds. The severity of the injury, of course, dictates the best course of treatment. Here, we list some common conditions associated with eye injuries and what you can do to determine your next step if you have an accident:

  • Swelling

One of the most common eye injuries is a black eye. The good news is it that the best form of treatment is simply an ice pack. If you experience a black eye, it will typically reduce in appearance over time with no complications, but it’s a good idea to see your doctor to rule out any internal damage.

  • Eye Bleeding

Subconjunctival hemorrages (eye bleeding) is when blood from one or more blood vessel in the eye leaks, causing a blotchy red spot in your eye. This eye injury is painless and typically looks worse than it really is. In time, the blood will clear and the eye will return to its normal appearance without the need for treatment.

  • A Foreign Object in the Eye

If something like metal or a fish hook penetrates your eye, don’t attempt to remove the object yourself. Loosely tape an eye shield or even a paper cup over your eye to protect it, then go to the emergency room immediately.

  • Corneal Abrasion

A scratch on the eye’s surface (or corneal abrasion) is generally caused by getting poked in the eye or rubbing the eye when something like dust or sand is in it. Corneal abrasions can cause eye redness and light sensitivity. Scratches can also cause infection from bacteria or fungus. If you feel like something has scratched your eye, don’t rub it and avoid using an eye patch. Instead, keep your eye closed as much as possible and visit your eye doctor as soon as possible.

  • Chemical Burns

If you get splashed in the eye by anything other than water, it can be alarming. While some liquids only cause temporary burning or stinging and are harmless overall, others can lead to serious injury. Acids, for example, can cause significant burning and redness but can usually be flushed out. If you’re splashed in the eye, put your head under a small stream of lukewarm water and let it run into your eye and down your face. Substances that contain alkali, like oven cleaners and toilet bowl cleaners are much more serious. They can cause blurriness and redness that doesn’t go away. If you experience these symptoms and rinsing the eye with water is ineffective, seek medical attention.

To learn more about maintaining optimal eye health, contact Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser today for a consultation:  or by calling 808.955.3937.