Caffeine Effect on Vision

Do you need a little extra jolt of caffeine to get going in the mornings or afternoons? Whether you enjoy a cup of joe, tea or soda, the amount of caffeine you consume on a daily basis may be adversely affecting your vision. With March being Caffeine Awareness Month, it is the perfect time to analyze your own caffeine habits and schedule an eye exam to stay informed about your eye health.

Effect of Coffee on Vision

A study published in 2012 by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) suggested that consuming large amounts of caffeinated coffee may increase the risk of vision loss. According to the study, “Heavy caffeinated coffee consumption is associated with an increased risk of developing exfoliation glaucoma, the leading cause of secondary glaucoma worldwide.”

What Qualifies as “Heavy” Coffee Consumption?

In the ARVO study, researchers identified that consuming three cups or more of caffeinated coffee each day increased the risk of developing exfoliation glaucoma. The study did not link other forms of caffeine to glaucoma.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a “silent” and slowly-progressing eye disease caused by increased pressure within the eye that eventually damages the optic nerve. Without proper treatment, glaucoma can lead to permanent blindness.

The Glaucoma Research Foundation has stated that consuming significant quantities of caffeine in a short period of time may elevate intraocular eye pressure – although there are other studies that do not indicate a connection. Regular spikes in eye pressure could damage the eyes over time.

Caffeine and Dry Eye

Even if you get your daily energy boost from other sources of caffeine besides coffee, you may still experience vision changes. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin Medical School released a study in 2004 that found caffeine increased the risk of dry eye. However, newer research in 2012 from the University of Tokyo’s School of Medicine has shown that caffeine may actually increase tear production, thereby reducing dry eye symptoms.
Symptoms of dry eye can include:

• Blurry vision
• Burning, itching eyes
• Redness
• Excessive watering
• Eye fatigue
• Feeling of foreign substance in the eyes

Should You Say Goodbye to Caffeine?

You probably don’t need to cut caffeine completely out of your diet. But, like most things in life, you should consume caffeine in moderation. Every person will be different in his or her ability to handle the effects of caffeine. Listen to your body and know when it’s time to cut back.

Don’t Ruin Your Efforts

If you have taken measures to improve your vision, like by having a LASIK vision correction procedure in Charleston, you don’t want to ruin your successful efforts by treating your eyesight poorly. Even if you have achieved 20/20 vision through LASIK, it is still important to have regular eye exams to stay informed of any “silent” vision changes, like glaucoma in Charleston, which may be happening without your knowledge.

To learn more about LASIK, contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery today at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com to schedule your free LASIK Consultation. 

Ski Season is Here: Are Your Eyes Ready?

Whether you hit the slopes every weekend or just make it to the mountains once a year, having the right ski or snowboard equipment can be the difference between an epic run and constantly stopping to adjust your gear.

We’re not just talking boots and bindings…we’re talking eyewear. If you have to wear glasses or contact lenses to see clearly, you know how lenses can interfere with your fun on and off the slopes:

• Contacts can dry out your eyes, especially during dry winter months at higher altitudes
• Glasses fog up making it impossible to see
• Ski goggles are cumbersome when trying to fit them over glasses

The solution for improved slope performance may be LASIK vision correction in Charleston Dr. O'Day at Charleston Cornea has performed thousands of blade-free LASIK procedures, helping many patients achieve 20/20 vision or better. While not all of these patients were snow enthusiasts, they still enjoy visual freedom from the daily hassles of lenses to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

If you are planning LASIK before a big ski trip, make sure you schedule a free LASIK Consultation at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery well in advance. Dr. O'Day can tell you if your eyes are right for the procedure and how long you should wait before engaging in outdoor activity. You don’t want to jeopardize the healing of your eyes by skiing too soon after surgery.

Call 843-856-5275 or visit charlestoncornea.com to schedule your LASIK Consultation where you can also learn about LASIK financing options in Charleston and other ways to make LASIK fit your budget. 

Shaded Lens Technology Heading Toward “On Demand”

If you wear prescription glasses, you may have tried transitional lenses. These specialty lenses change the tint of the lens in response to the intensity of light. However, there are limitations with these lenses:

• The transition time from clear to shaded (or vice versa) can take too long
• The shaded adaptation may not be effective in blocking out harsh lighting situations
• The lenses may not change in certain situations, such as when wearing a hat or driving

Scientists to the Rescue with New Lenses

Scientists, led by John Reynolds, Georgia Institute of Technology professor of chemistry & biochemistry and materials science & engineering, along with BASF, are currently developing an electrochromic polymer lens material that can change to and from clear-to-shaded in seconds. The change would be driven by a user-controlled electrical charge (like a switch) to allow for “on demand” changes. 

These revolutionary lenses may change the game for prescription eyeglass wearers – time will tell.

Even with advances in lens technology, the fact remains that wearing prescription lenses can be cumbersome and aggravating. If you are tired of the hassles of corrective lenses, find out if Charleston blade-free LASIK is right for you. Dr. O'Day at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery can assess your vision and eye characteristics to determine if your eyes are right for this popular procedure. You may even achieve 20/20 vision to reduce or eliminate your need for glasses or contacts.

To learn more about LASIK in Charleston, contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery today at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com to schedule your free LASIK Consultation. 

Don’t Be Afraid of the Eye Doctor

If you are a fan of the TV show Friends, do you remember the one where Rachel goes to the eye doctor? If not, here is a clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NiO639g4HY

Rachel wasn’t too thrilled that Monica had forced her to have an eye exam…and at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery, we get it! Going to any type of medical appointment can be a little nerve-wracking. But sometimes these appointments are necessary to keep your health in order. And sometimes they can even improve your quality of life.

Visiting an optometrist or ophthalmologist regularly is highly recommended:

• Eye exams can detect vision problems you may be unaware of…like glaucoma or cataracts in Charleston.
• Eye exams can also detect underlying health issues…like diabetes or heart disease.
• Consultations can determine if your eyes are right for LASIK vision correction or a LASIK alternative.

The more you know about your eye health, the better chance you have at enhancing, protecting and preserving your vision for life.

• If you’ve been experiencing any changes in your vision, schedule an eye exam right away. Early detection of vision problems is vital to stop or slow progression of vision loss.
• If you’ve been considering LASIK vision correction in Charleston, contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery to schedule a free LASIK Consultation. You may be able to live your life without corrective lenses. Imagine having that type of visual freedom!

Dr. O'Day and the entire team at Charleston Cornea work very hard to make patients feel comfortable and relaxed in our offices. If you have any concerns about an appointment or a procedure, we encourage you to share your concerns so we can help you through the process.

Don’t be like Rachel…don’t let fear stop you from protecting your eyesight or enhancing your vision through Charleston LASIK.