Eye Health Solutions

       Recent media coverage has brought attention to a report claiming that 18 soft contact lenses from three major companies in the industry were found to contain PFAS or toxic "forever chemicals".  Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals used in a variety of consumer products for their ability to resist heat, stains, and water. They are referred to as "forever chemicals" because they break down very slowly and can accumulate in people, animals, and the environment over time.  This has prompted concern about potential long-term health effects - studies have shown that high levels of exposure to some PFAS may be linked to increased risk of cancer and other adverse health issues.      In contact lenses, PFAS are used to soften the material and enhance oxygen permeability.  So, you might be wondering, are my soft contact lenses safe to be wearing?     Currently, there is no scientific litera...

Are you studying for final exams? Or are you someone who spends hours a day in front of a computer or cell phone?  The 20-20-20 rule is a simple guideline for reducing eye strain and other symptoms that can occur after long hours of reading or prolonged use of digital devices.  We use this catchphrase to remind patients to take a break every 20 minutes to focus on something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds . By doing so, you give your eyes a chance to relax and refocus, which lowers the risk for eye fatigue and headaches.  Make a conscious effort to blink the eyes regularly, or use lubricating eye drops, to help prevent dryness and blurry vision from staring at a screen or book.  Adjust the brightness of your screen and set up an ergonomic workspace. Research in more recent years has focused on the growing use of devices and concerns over eye-related consequences like increased near-sightedness.  While taking breaks from near work is still a good thing, on...

  I hope everyone is having a nice weekend. I wanted to take a moment and talk about the recalled artificial tears that you may have heard about on the news. I have had a few calls from patients over the last couple of weeks about these. They are Ezricare non-preserved artificial tears and were recalled on February 2nd. There have been 55 reported infections with 5 people losing vision and one person dying. How can you die from an eye drop you ask... Eye drops, like all medications, are absorbed into the body as well as the eye. In this case the bacteria got into the blood stream and the patient most likely became septic, which is an infection in the blood.  These particular drops are not any I have ever heard of and I have never seen them locally. They are manufactured in India. The particular issue with these is that they are non-preserved so any bacteria that is in the bottle has nothing to stop it from growing. The photos of the drop seem to show a large bottle. The non-pr...

Eat Your Way to Better Eye Health If you’re like most people starting the new year, you may have made a resolution to eat healthier in 2023.  Whether you’re starting to fall off the wagon or holding strong, it’s never too late to start eating well.  There are several vitamins and nutrients specific to the health of the eyes, and chances are, what is good for the eyes is also good for your overall health. 1. Vitamin A     - Required for the formation of rhodopsin, a pigment found in the retina that allows us to see in low-light        conditions.  Deficiency could cause "night blindness" due to impaired dark adaptation.     - Supports healthy functioning of surfaces in the eye like the cornea and conjunctiva.  Deficiency could lead to        dryness and corneal scarring.     - Good sources : orange-colored fruit and vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, and apricots. Eggs   ...