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How to Spot Vision Problems in Kids

How to Spot Vision Problems in Kids

Learn to identify early signs of vision problems in children, crucial for their academic success and overall well-being.
Wet vs. Dry Macular Degeneration

Wet vs. Dry Macular Degeneration

Explore the differences between dry and wet macular degeneration, including symptoms, causes, treatments, and prevention strategies for preserving vision.
Best Eye Drops for Dry Eye Relief

Best Eye Drops for Dry Eye Relief

Find the best eye drops for dry eye relief based on your symptoms and needs, from mild discomfort to chronic…
7 Ways to Protect Your Vision Daily

7 Ways to Protect Your Vision Daily

Protect your vision with simple daily habits like healthy eating, screen breaks, and regular eye exams to maintain eye health…
Cataract vs Glaucoma: Key Differences

Cataract vs Glaucoma: Key Differences

Learn about the key differences between cataracts and glaucoma, including causes, symptoms, treatments, and the importance of early detection.
How to Prepare for LASIK Eye Surgery

How to Prepare for LASIK Eye Surgery

Learn essential steps to prepare for LASIK eye surgery, from pre-operative care to post-surgery recovery for optimal vision improvement.
5 Signs You Need Cataract Surgery

5 Signs You Need Cataract Surgery

Learn the key signs that indicate it may be time for cataract surgery to restore your vision and improve your…
LASIK vs PRK: Which is Right for You?

LASIK vs PRK: Which is Right for You?

Compare LASIK and PRK eye surgeries to find the best option for your vision correction needs, recovery time, and lifestyle.
Glaucoma FAQs: Common Questions Answered

Glaucoma FAQs: Common Questions Answered

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss. Learn about its risks, symptoms, diagnosis, and management…

Cataract Surgery with Dr. Andrews

Before your cataract consultation, please watch these introductory videos to learn more about cataract surgery and your lens options.

Learn More About Dr. Andrews Learn More About Cataract Surgery

How to Help your Child Adjust to Glasses

Whether you are a parent or simply interested in supporting children with their new eyewear, this post is for you! We’ve put together a list of practical tips and techniques to make the adjustment process easier and more comfortable for your little ones. Let’s dive in and explore how you can provide the support and encouragement they need during this exciting transition.

1. Encourage and Normalize

Encourage and normalize the use of glasses for your child by emphasizing the positive aspects of wearing them. Share stories of other children who wear glasses to make your child feel that they are not alone in this experience. Let your child know that glasses can help them see better and that many children wear them too.

2. Involve the Child

One effective way to help your child adjust to glasses is by involving them in the process. Letting them choose their own glasses can give them a sense of ownership and make them more excited to wear them. Additionally, teaching them how to take care of their glasses can empower them to be responsible for their eyewear and help them feel more comfortable wearing them.

3. Offer Emotional…

Health Benefits of Wearing Daily Contacts

When it comes to vision correction, daily contact lenses offer several benefits that make them an attractive option for many people. Here’s a look at the key health advantages of wearing daily contacts:

Locked In Moisture

One of the benefits of daily contact lenses is their ability to lock in moisture. These lenses are designed to be moist and thin, providing a more comfortable wearing experience. The increased moisture helps keep your eyes hydrated throughout the day, reducing the likelihood of dryness and discomfort.

Low Risk of Infection

Daily contact lenses are known for their high level of hygiene. Each pair is sterile and ready for use right out of the package, significantly lowering the risk of eye infections. As long as you wash your hands thoroughly before handling the lenses, you can enjoy a virtually zero risk of infection. Additionally, because you dispose of the lenses daily, there’s less chance for allergens and other particles to build up, which can lead to chronic inflammation.

Comfortable and Convenient

Maintaining good eye health is essential for everyone, including men. By prioritizing regular eye exams and adopting healthy habits, men can ensure their eyes stay in optimal condition. In this blog post, we will share valuable tips and insights on how to maintain healthy eyes and the importance of routine eye exams specifically for men. So, gentlemen, let’s take charge of our eye health and discover the key to long-lasting vision!

Schedule Regular Eye Exams:

Regular eye exams are essential for detecting any potential eye conditions or diseases early on. Make it a priority to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist at least once every two years, or as recommended by your eye care professional.

Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle:

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can significantly contribute to good eye health. Incorporate the following habits into your daily routine:

  • Eat a Nutrient-Rich Diet: Include foods that are rich in vitamins A, C, E, and omega-3 fatty acids. Examples include leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, fish, and nuts.
  • Stay Hydrated: Drink an adequate amount of water daily to keep your eyes hydrated and prevent dryness.
  • Get Regular Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity to improve blood circulation and promote overall eye health.
  •  Avoid Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing various eye conditions, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Quitting smoking can significantly benefit your eye health.
Wear Protective Sunglasses:…

Cataract Surgery - Know Your Options

Before your cataract consultation, please watch these introductory videos to learn more about cataract surgery and your lens options.

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Learn More About Our Doctors Learn More About Cataract Surgery

What foods should be avoided with macular degeneration?

What foods should be avoided with macular degeneration_

As people age, many experience worsening vision. This is known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and it’s extremely common. In fact, it’s the leading cause of vision loss in people over 60 years of age. It happens when part of the retina, called the macula, wears down, and it doesn’t cause total blindness, but it can result in severe vision loss. Early symptoms include blurry vision, blind or dark spots in the center of your vision, differences in color perception, or lines appearing wavy. Age is the primary risk factor, but there are some preventive measures you can take to decrease your risk of getting AMD. Not smoking, exercising regularly, wearing sunglasses, and maintaining a healthy weight are all good ways to lower your risk. One of the biggest things you can do to help prevent or slow the progression of AMD, however, is to watch what you eat. There are certain foods that you should definitely limit in order to protect your eye health.

Interestingly, the same foods you’ve been told to avoid for overall health are the ones you’ll want to skip to preserve your vision health. These include:

  • Fried foods
  • Processed meats
  • Processed foods that contain trans fats, like chips and cookies
  • Sugary drinks and sweets
  • High-fat dairy foods
  • Soda and alcohol
  • Refined carbohydrates, including pasta, white bread, and white rice
  • Fried foods like fried chicken or French fries
  • Fatty pork, beef and lamb
  • Vegetable shortening, lard, margarine, and tropical oils

So, what kind of diet is good for preventing or delaying macular degeneration? In general, eat foods that contain nutrients like antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. The Mediterranean diet is a good example. Full of fruits, vegetables, seafood, and nuts, this type of diet limits processed foods and unhealthy fats. Here are some examples of foods one might eat on the Mediterranean diet, which also promote good eye health.

  • Vegetables like broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, collard greens, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, peas, peppers, potato, spinach, sweet potato, summer squash, and winter squash
  • Fruits, including apricots, avocado, blackberries, blueberries, grapes, grapefruit, orange, lemon, lime, papaya, pumpkin, and strawberries
  • Nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, flaxseed, and chia seeds
  • Legumes, including lentils, peas, black-eyed peas, chickpeas, kidney beans, peanuts, and pinto beans
  • Whole grains, found in whole grain cereal, breads, and wraps, oats, bulgur, quinoa, farro, freekeh, sorghum, millet, teff, buckwheat, wheatberries, and wild rice
  • Seafood, at least twice a week, which can be fish like flounder, halibut, haddock, tuna, salmon, sole, or sardines, or shellfish like crab, oysters, and shrimp
  • Healthy fats, which include avocado oil, olive oil, safflower oil, wheat germ oil, flax oil
  • Dairy in moderation, including eggs, yogurt, cheese, and milk
  • Meats, sparingly, like chicken, turkey, or pork
  • Herbs and spices, including basil, cilantro, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme

Another important component of eye care that can help prevent or slow macular degeneration is regular eye exams. When you need an eye exam, trust Boulder Eye Surgeons to care for your eyes. Having served Boulder, Colorado and the surrounding area since 1997, Boulder Eye Surgeons utilizes state-of-the-art technology to provide comprehensive medical and surgical eye care. We’re committed to enhancing quality of life through exceptional patient care, and our doctors and staff members are second to none. Request an appointment with our community-oriented practice to learn how we work to understand your needs and exceed your expectations, call us at (303) 943-1483, or contact us through our website.

Does high eye pressure always mean glaucoma?

Does high eye pressure always mean glaucoma

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness globally, which is why your eye doctor will always check for it during your annual exam. In the early stages of glaucoma, vision loss is not a symptom, so it’s very important to keep up with those routine eye appointments so that you can catch this “sneak thief of vision” before it causes irreparable damage. If you’ve discussed glaucoma with your doctor, you probably know that the top risk factor for this condition is elevated eye pressure. But does high eye pressure necessarily mean that you have glaucoma? The short answer is no. Now, let’s discuss eye pressure a little more in depth and talk about how it relates to glaucoma.

Normal eye pressure falls between 10-21 mmHg, and eye doctors measure this pressure in a few different ways. Your doctor might use an electronic tonometer, which is pressed briefly against your numbed eye, or might put drops in your eyes to numb them, add a few drops of blue dye, then look at them through a slit-lamp microscope while gently pressing the tip of a small probe against the cornea to measure the pressure. The most common test, however, is called the “air puff” test, or non-contact tonometry. The patient looks at a light and a puff of air flattens the cornea. The eye doctor can tell by the force of air needed to flatten the cornea whether or not the pressure inside the eye is within the normal range.

What is eye pressure? The eye contains a clear fluid known as aqueous humor, and this fluid carries nutrients to the cornea and lens, then carries away waste products. Your eyes have a round shape because of the pressure produced by this fluid, and when the eyes are functioning as they should, the old aqueous humor is continually drained and replaced with new fluid. Sometimes, however, the drainage channels in the eye can become blocked, which is what causes eye pressure to increase. Elevated eye pressure is also known as ocular hypertension, and if it’s too high, it can cause optic nerve damage. 

Glaucoma is an umbrella term for a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve. Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma, and it occurs because of fluid building up in the eye, raising the intraocular pressure (IOP). The higher the eye pressure becomes the higher the risk of optic nerve damage and vision loss.

However, ocular hypertension is common for people who have high blood pressure. While it’s a risk factor for glaucoma, it does not necessarily mean that the person absolutely will get glaucoma. The amount of pressure the optic nerve can handle is different for different people, and some people naturally have higher eye pressure. When you have regular eye exams, your doctor will be able to establish the level of pressure that’s normal for you, which is important in knowing when to be concerned about glaucoma. When you need an eye exam, trust Boulder Eye Surgeons to care for your eyes. Having served Boulder, Colorado and the surrounding area since 1997, Boulder Eye Surgeons utilizes state-of-the-art technology to provide comprehensive medical and surgical eye care. We’re committed to enhancing quality of life through exceptional patient care, and our doctors and staff members are second to none. Request an appointment with our community-oriented practice to learn how we work to understand your needs and exceed your expectations, call us at (303) 943-1483, or contact us through our website.

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