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. 

What Causes Nearsightedness?

If an eye doctor has diagnosed you with myopia, or nearsightedness in Charleston, this means you have a refractive error that causes distant objects to appear blurry. Nearsighted people can usually see close objects clearly but they may need to wear corrective lenses to see well at a distance.

Nearsightedness can occur for one of two reasons:

• The eyeball is too long
• The cornea is too steep

When either of these conditions are present, light entering the eyes will focus in front of the retina (the back of the eye), instead of directly on the retina, causing blurred distance vision. Myopia can usually be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

After age 21, myopia can be corrected surgically for some patients through LASIK vision correction. Dr. O'Day performs blade-free LASIK in Charleston to alter the shape of your cornea by removing a microscopic amount of tissue so light can focus correctly on the retina. This procedure has been highly effective in helping nearsighted people achieve 20/20 vision.

According to the American Optometric Association, nearsightedness affects almost 30% of the United States population. This vision condition usually develops in children and it may progress into a person’s early 20s. But with today’s advanced LASIK technology in Charleston, achieving clear distance vision can be a reality.

LASIK is not right for everyone. If you are nearsighted and are curious to know if LASIK might work for your eyes, contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery today at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com to schedule a free, no-obligation LASIK Consultation. 

Enjoy Library Lovers’ Month with Clear Vision

February is Library Lovers’ Month…a great time to celebrate how libraries of all types benefit our communities. It’s also a great time to pick up a book and rekindle your love of reading.

However, if you are farsighted and have trouble focusing on printed items close-up, you may become discouraged by the need to constantly locate your glasses in order to read. If farsightedness has plagued your eyesight for years, Dr. O'Day at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery may be able to help. Dr. O'Day has performed thousands of LASIK procedures in Charleston, helping many farsighted patients achieve 20/20 vision. Patients are often amazed at how clear their close-up vision is after LASIK.

If you are over age 40 and feel that you are just now experiencing farsightedness, you are most likely experiencing a completely different vision condition called presbyopia. Unlike a refractive error, presbyopia occurs to most people as they age and is caused when the eye lens begins to stiffen. People with presbyopia have trouble focusing on close-up objects, including menus and books, and require reading glasses to see more clearly.

Monovision LASIK is sometimes performed to help minimize the effects of presbyopia by correcting one eye for up-close vision and one eye for distance vision; however, traditional LASIK does not correct presbyopia.

To find out if you qualify for bladeless LASIK in Charleston, contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com to schedule a free LASIK Consultation. Most patients report improved vision the day after their procedures; you might be able to enjoy Library Lovers’ Month with clear vision after LASIK!

Here are some other observations during February to complement Library Lovers’ Month:

• Saturday, Feb. 7: Take Your Child to the Library Day
• Saturday, Feb. 14: International Book Giving Day (share your love of reading on Valentine’s Day!)

Is LASIK Safe?

More than 14 million Americans have had LASIK vision correction since the mid-1990s. While LASIK is usually considered a safe medical procedure, it is important to remember that it is still surgery...and the decision to have LASIK should not be taken lightly.

You can increase your chances for an excellent visual outcome (20/20 vision or better) through LASIK by choosing your LASIK center and doctor carefully. Here are some tips to help you make the best decision:

• Demand a thorough preoperative exam to ensure your eye health, corneal thickness and medical condition meet the standards for the procedure.
• Make sure the board certified surgeon has specific LASIK training and experience performing successful LASIK procedures. Don’t be afraid to ask the doctors questions about their success rates.
• Fully understand what type of LASIK technology will be used during the procedure. Most reputable doctors today offer advanced, blade-free LASIK technology on-site in a controlled environment to ensure patient safety and the best possible vision outcomes.
• Don’t base your decision only on cost. If the cost of a certain doctor’s LASIK sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You don’t want to take risks with your vision just to save a buck.
• First impressions count. If you don’t feel comfortable with any aspect of the LASIK center you are researching, even if that center was recommended by a friend or family member, keep looking.

Dr. O'Day at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery performs advanced blade-free LASIK in Charleston. He offers a free LASIK Consultation to help potential patients learn about their unique eye characteristics and determine whether LASIK is a viable option for clear vision. Most importantly, he uses the Consultation to help patients learn everything about LASIK and encourages them to ask questions about the procedure, the potential risks and his experience.

No medical procedure can ever be called 100% safe. However, by doing your diligent research and choosing an experienced LASIK doctor in Charleston, you will increase your odds for a successful outcome.

Call 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com today to schedule your free LASIK Consultation at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery.