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Simple ways to show your eyes some love

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We couldn’t let Valentine’s Day pass us by without giving you tips on how to show your eyes some love. Here are five simple ways to keep your eyes healthy:

  1. Eat your fruits and vegetables. It’s important to eat a diet that’s rich in a variety of nutrient-packed fruits and vegetables for great overall health, but it’s especially important to eye health. Nutrients such as zinc, lutein and vitamins C and E can help prevent or slow down age-related vision problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential to eye health and can be found in salmon, tuna and other oily fish.
  2. You gotta wear shades. Sunglasses, ideally with 100 percent protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet A and B rays, are your eyes best defense in the sun. Also consider wearing a hat, which will take some of the sunlight off your eyes. It’s also important to wear safety eye goggles when working with any potentially dangerous substances that could harm your eyes and prevent eye injury.
  3. Stop smoking. Smoking has been shown to increase your risk of developing cataracts, macular degeneration and optic nerve damage. Plus, smoking is linked to many other health conditions. If you need help with smoking cessation, ask your doctor for help.
  4. Rest your eyes. People are increasingly spending more time each day staring at a screen, whether it’s scrolling through social media on their smart phone, watching TV or working at a desktop monitor or laptop computer. Spending too much time in front of a screen each day can put strain on your eyes, which can lead to dry eye, blurred vision, headaches and neck and back pain. A good way to reduce this eye strain if you can’t avoid screen time is to follow the 20-20-20 rule: Look away from the screen and at something that’s 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
  5. Get regular eye exams. Getting annual eye exams and comprehensive eye exams as indicated will help you keep your eyes in good health and stay on top of any health conditions that may not know you have until you have your eyes tested.

If you’re ready to show your eyes the love they deserve, call 808.955.3937 for an appointment with Dr. Maehara.

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5 things your eyes say about your health

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We’ve all dealt with something about our eyes that have bothered us, whether it be redness and itching or swelling and watery eye.

Read on for some common conditions and when it may be time to seek medical attention for treatment. 

  1. Redness is one of the most common eye problems, and it’s often related allergies. If both of your eyes are red, itchy and watery, allergies may be to blame and artificial tears or antihistamine eye drops can help alleviate symptoms. If these don’t provide relief, see your doctor to explore what else may be causing this problem.
  2. Dry eye is a common eye problem that could be caused by environmental factors, aging, hormonal changes and everyday activities. Some medical conditions and medications can cause it as well. Screen time, reading, watching TV for long periods of time without blinking enough to lubricate the eye can cause dry eye. Artificial tears often help provide comfort and relieve symptoms, but you may need to talk to your doctor if you can’t get relief.
  3. Pink eye or acute conjunctivitis can look like dry eye or another eye condition but it is a contagious eye condition. Your eyes look red and feel itchy and may ooze discharge. It’s often found in people who have cold symptoms or a runny nose. Your doctor can prescribe the best medication to treat pink eye, which should last no more than a week to 10 days.
  4. Eye strain is usually caused by staring at a computer or phone screen all day. It’s important to take regular breaks to give your eyes rest. Follow the 20/20/20 rule by looking at an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Also try artificial tears to help with lubrication and talk to your doctor if you can’t get relief.
  5. Eye twitch is common and usually nothing serious, unless you are experiencing it for a long period of time with other symptoms like other parts of your face twitching. That’s when you should seek medical attention. Otherwise, it’s usually linked to too much caffeine and stress or too little sleep. Start with lifestyle changes first to see if symptoms improve.

If you are concerned about your eye health, call 808.955.3937 for an appointment with Dr. Maehara.

Beautiful female eye in scanning circle closeup and eyechart.

What you should know about LASIK

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If you have been considering LASIK surgery to help reduce or remove the need for wearing glasses or contacts, there are several things you should know. Read on for eight things you should know about LASIK.

  1. Your eyes must be healthy to undergo LASIK surgery. If you have severe dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis or pink eye, or any type of eye injury where you are still recovering, you will need to wait until those conditions are resolved before you can undergo LASIK.
  2. If you have cataracts or uncontrolled glaucoma, you may not be a candidate for LASIK.
  3. You must be in good health to be considered for LASIK. Uncontrolled degenerative conditions or autoimmune diseases may prevent you from having LASIK done. Certain medications may also interfere with post-operative healing and contribute to dry eye syndrome. You will want to share your complete list of medications and vitamins and supplements with your doctor during your consultation.
  4. Your corneas cannot be too thin. LASIK works by reshaping the front surface of the eye known as the cornea. The cornea must have enough tissue thickness in order for you to have surgery. Other surgical options may be better suited for you.
  5. You must be at least 18 or older to have LASIK. When you are a teenager, and even a young adult, your eyes continue to change.
  6. If you have a prescription, it’s important that your prescription is stable for at least a year before you are able to proceed with LASIK.
  7. Women who are pregnant or nursing are not good candidates for LASIK as hormonal changes can alter the shape of the cornea. You will want to wait until a few months after you have finished nursing before getting LASIK done.
  8. It’s important to have a positive frame of mind and realistic expectations for the outcome of surgery. Be sure to discuss all potential risks and possible side effects before you decide to undergo LASIK surgery.

To learn whether you are a candidate for LASIK, call 808.955.3937 for a consultation.

What you can do to reduce computer eye strain

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Smartphones and laptops are a way of life today, and it’s hard to go a day without staring at a screen for several hours for your job or leisure time. But all this screen time can lead to computer eye strain and can affect how you see and feel. 

Symptoms

It’s important to recognize the symptoms of computer eye strain. Eye fatigue and blurry or double vision are common symptoms, as are dry, itching, burning or watery eyes. You may also experience light sensitivity, a headache or neck, shoulder and back pain. 

Treatment

Thankfully, there are several things you can do to reduce or prevent computer eye strain.

  • Limit screen time. It’s difficult to do so nowadays, but if it’s possible, take frequent breaks from your screen throughout the day to give your eyes a break and relieve the discomfort of digital eye strain.
  • Follow what experts call the “20-20-20 rule.” This means that every 20 minutes, you look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to help give your eyes a break and readjust after screen time. If it helps, put a reminder in your phone calendar to help prompt you to take these little breaks throughout the day. 
  • You may need lubricating eye drops to help restore moisture to your eyes. There are several over-the-counter options, or you can ask your doctor to make a recommendation. 
  • Some people find relief from wearing computer glasses or special glasses that have an anti-reflective coating and are designed for when you work on the computer. 
  • Reduce any glare or reflection, which makes it more difficult to read your computer screen. Using a desk lamp and turning off overhead lights can help. 
  • Position your computer monitor about an arm’s length away from your face, and keep the top of the screen slightly below eye level to reduce computer eye strain. While you’re positioning your monitor, adjust the brightness of your screen to be the same brightness as the room you’re working in. 

To learn more about how to reduce or prevent computer eye strain and improve your eye health, call 808.955.3937 to schedule an appointment.

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Questions you should ask when considering LASIK

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If you’ve been thinking about laser vision correction, you may have a lot of questions about this state-of-the-art technology that is constantly evolving. Here are seven of the most common FAQs about LASIK that you may not know to ask. 

  1. Am I at the optimal age and stage in my life to have LASIK? You will want to wait until you are an adult, usually in your mid-20s, before considering LASIK surgery. You’ll also want to wait to have surgery if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or going through menopause as your eyes and visual acuity fluctuate. 
  2. Are my eyes stable for the last 1-2 years? Your doctor can confirm whether you are a good candidate by looking at your contact lens or glasses prescription and results from recent exams. 
  3. Can my refractive error be too much? LASIK is FDA-approved to treat certain degrees of farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. If your refractive error is too severe, laser vision correction may not be for you. 
  4. What results can I expect? It’s important to have a healthy outlook and realistic expectations for the outcomes of your laser vision correction. Your doctor can walk through any concerns you may have. It’s important to ask about what the best and worst case scenarios may be for your outcomes.
  5. Do I have any eye conditions or health conditions that may postpone having LASIK done at this time or rule it out completely? Your doctor will go through all of your health history and current conditions and concerns, so it’s important that you share all the details to make sure you are a good candidate for laser vision correction.
  6. What does recovery look like and what adjustments will I need to make for a successful recovery? Your doctor should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for recovery at home and when you can return to work and other activities. 
  7. What does LASIK cost? Your doctor should share with you all of the costs involved in laser vision correction, potential retreatment and any other appointments that may be necessary. 

To schedule your consultation for LASIK, call 808.955.3937 today.

The latest technique in corneal transplantation

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The cornea is known as the “window of the eye,” protecting the eye from infection and foreign material and focusing or refracting light. The cornea needs to be clear and the correct shape for you to see accurately. When it becomes cloudy or misshapen, a cornea transplant may be necessary. Read on to learn about the latest technique in corneal transplantation called the DSAEK procedure.

What is DSAEK?

DSAEK is short for Descemet-Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty. It is a less-invasive procedure that gives the patient clear vision and a shorter recovery time than with traditional corneal transplantation methods. Conventional surgery requires 16 surgeries and a prolonged recovery time, plus many patients experience astigmatism after surgery, with full recovery taking up to two years.

What happens during the DSAEK Procedure?

During this outpatient procedure, the patient is given topical anesthesia so they don’t feel anything. The damaged endothelial layer is replaced, while the remainder of the cornea is left undisturbed. The new cornea is inserted through a tiny incision that needs one suture for closure. The surgeon then injects an air bubble underneath the cornea to make sure it is centered on the eye.

What is recovery like?

The DSAEK Procedure offers a shorter post-op recovery, fast visual recovery and less chance of rejection than conventional surgery. Patients will take antibiotics and steroid eye drops and return the next day for post-surgical follow-up. Some patients may need a second air bubble injection to re-center the cornea. Patients will need to use eye drops for several years to help with anti-rejection.

What will my vision be like after surgery?

You can expect blurry vision immediately after surgery due to swelling and the air bubble used to center the cornea. When the bubble dissolves and swelling dissipates, your vision will improve. Some patients will need to wear new glasses during healing.

When can I expect full results?

It may take up to three months for your best vision to reveal itself.

If you are interested in learning more about corneal transplants and the DSAEK Procedure, set up a consultation by calling Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser at 808.955.3937.

What’s the criteria to be considered a candidate for LASIK?

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Laser vision correction, or LASIK, is a type of refractive surgery that can help patients get rid of eyeglasses and contact lenses, but the surgery may not be right for everybody. If you’ve been considering LASIK, read on to learn whether you would be a candidate and what you need to consider as you weight your decision to undergo surgery.

  • You are 18 years old or older. Your vision can change throughout your youth and doesn’t stabilize until you reach adult age. LASIK is FDA-approved for people age 18 and older who have achieved ocular maturity.
  • You have a stable prescription, which means your prescription hasn’t changed for at least two consecutive years.
  • You should be generally healthy, free of diseases, injuries and infections.
  • You do not have pink eye, dry eye or another eye condition. These will need to be resolved prior to LASIK surgery.
  • You are not pregnant or nursing. Hormonal fluctuations can affect vision stability, so it’s important to wait at least three months after you’ve stopped nursing before considering surgery.
  • If you have a condition such as cataracts, diabetes, autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, LASIK may not be a good choice for you.
  • Certain medications such as corticosteroids and acne medications can affect the healing process, so you will need to share what medications you’re taking when you consult with your doctor.
  • If your cornea is too thin or misshapen, or if you have glaucoma or corneal scarring, you may not be a candidate for surgery.
  • If you have a positive outlook and realistic expectations for vision correction, then you may be a good candidate for LASIK.
  • You understand and you are OK with the fact that you may need to wear glasses when reading or driving at night.

If you want to learn more about laser vision correction and see if it’s right for you, schedule a consultation by calling Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser at 808.955.3937.

Glaucoma

What you need to know about glaucoma

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Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60. When found early, glaucoma can be treated and slow or prevent vision loss. Read on to learn more about glaucoma, the signs and symptoms and treatment options.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions responsible for damaging the optic nerve, which is essential for good vision. It is caused by abnormally high pressure in the eye. 

Signs and symptoms

Unfortunately, many forms of glaucoma have no waning signs. The change is so gradual that you may not notice anything is wrong with your vision until the condition has reached an advanced stage. 

If you have frequent, patchy blind spots in your peripheral or side vision or central vision or tunnel vision, you may have open-angle glaucoma. Acute angle-closure glaucoma presents with severe headache, eye pain, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, halos around lights and eye redness. 

Regular eye exams

If left untreated, glaucoma will eventually cause blindness. Since glaucoma often comes with no warning signs, it’s vital to have regular eye exams. An eye exam should include measurements of your eye pressure. When a diagnosis can be made in the early stages of glaucoma or any eye disease or condition, it can be treated more appropriately. If glaucoma is caught early, vision loss can be slowed or even prevented. 

Prevention

In addition to getting regular eye exams, it’s important to know your family’s eye health history, as genetics play a role in glaucoma development. Follow a moderate exercise program. Take prescribed eye drops regularly, even if you don’t exhibit any symptoms. Also wear eye protection as serious eye injuries can lead to glaucoma.

Treatment

If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, the damage done cannot be reversed. Treatment options may include prescription eyedrops, oral medications, laser surgery or traditional surgery. 

If you are concerned about glaucoma and want to learn more about prevention or treatment, it’s important to schedule an eye exam today by calling Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser at 808.955.3937. 

Are you at risk for cataracts?

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If your vision has been getting blurry or you have an increased sensitivity to glare, you may be starting to develop cataracts. Over time, this slow-progressing condition will interfere with your vision and may lead to cataract surgery. Can you prevent cataracts? Read on to learn more about cataracts and treatment.

What are cataracts?

The lens of your eye is normally clear. It’s positioned behind the colored part of the eye called the iris. The lens focuses light that passes through your eye and produces clear images on your retina. The retina function like the film in a camera. Age-related conditions and other medical conditions can cause tissues in the lens to break down, causing a clouding within the lens. A cataract develops slowly as the clouding becomes denser and consumes a larger part of the lens. Over time, your vision will become blurred.

What are the risk factors?

Age, smoking, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and excessive exposure to sunlight are some of the risk factors for cataracts. Previous eye injuries or surgery also increase your risk. Prolonged use of certain medications may be a factor as well.

Can you prevent cataracts?

While there isn’t a way to prevent cataracts, there are some things you can do to improve your risk factors. Be sure to have regular eye examinations based on your age and family history. If you smoke, quit. It’s important to manage certain health conditions such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure that increase your risk. Consume a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. If you drink, reduce your use of alcohol. Be sure to wear broad-spectrum sunglasses that block ultraviolet B rays when you’re outside.

What are the treatment options?

Once your lenses have started to cloud, they will not stop and won’t return to their original clear condition. The only treatment for cataracts is surgery to replace the lenses. Surgery consists of replacing the clouded lens with an intraocular lens implant, or IOL. It’s a minimally invasive, small-incision, no-stitch procedure. Vision begins to improve a few days after surgery, and full healing can take up to two months. If both eyes require surgery, the second surgery will be done 1-2 months after the first surgery.

If you’re concerned about cataracts or other eye conditions, schedule an eye exam today by calling Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser at 808.955.3937.

Am I a candidate for LASIK?

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If you’ve been wearing glasses or contacts but are wondering what life would be like to be able to see without them, you should talk to your doctor about LASIK laser vision correction. A comprehensive consultation with Dr. Maehara will determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK or other vision correction options. Here are some criteria to consider:

  • You have a stable prescription, which means your prescription hasn’t changed for two consecutive years or longer. Once your prescription stabilizes, there is less likelihood of your nearsightedness or farsightedness progressing and negating any benefit from LASIK vision correction.
  • You are 18 years old or older and have achieved ocular maturity, which means your eyes have fully developed. LASIK is FDA-approved for people ages 18 years and older. The only way to know if your eyes have achieved ocular maturity is to have a consultation with your eye doctor to discuss laser vision correction.
  • Your eyes are healthy, free of diseases, injuries and infections, and you are in good general health. If you have an ocular disease such as cataracts, diabetes or autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, LASIK and other laser vision correction options make not be a good choice for you. It’s also important that you share your entire health history and current medical conditions with your doctor to determine whether you are a good candidate for surgery. Pregnancy and certain medications such as acne medications and corticosteroids may affect the healing process.
  • You have realistic expectations. It’s important to understand the limitation of laser vision correction and to have informed expectations for the procedure, recovery and results.

If you’re wondering if you’re a good candidate for LASIK, now is the time to have a conversation with your eye doctor and share your vision goals. Dr. Maehara will help you understand what your options are for laser vision correction and map out a plan. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Maehara at Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser today by calling 808.955.3937.