Gerstein Eye Institute: LASIK and Cataract Surgery Chicago

How to Slow the Development of Cataracts

When healthy, the eye lens is completely transparent. But over time, and for reasons not entirely known, one or both eye lenses can become cloudy, compromising vision and making it difficult to perform daily activities. While this lens clouding, also known as a cataract, can develop in patients of all health backgrounds, there are certain behaviors that may help to prevent the onset of this condition. In addition to scheduling regular eye exams with your ophthalmologist, ask your doctor about cataract prevention measures you can take to keep your eyes healthy.

• Maintain nutritious eating habits: Eating healthy foods is good for every part of your body, including your eyes. Incorporating a diverse selection of fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet can supply your body with powerful antioxidants, which can help to ward off eye conditions like cataracts.
• Protect your eyes from the sun: While many people now recognize the dangers of UV rays to their skin, others may not realize the risk that sun exposure poses to their vision. To protect your eyes from the damaging effects of the sun, always wear sunglasses that cover the entirety of the eye area when outdoors. Also, under no circumstances should you ever look directly at the sun.
• Stop smoking immediately: Researchers have found that smoking can cause irrevocable damage to your eyes and may even contribute to the development of cataracts. Your doctor can help you to break the habit by recommending strategies, medications or other resources.
• Schedule regular eye exams and appointments: Cataracts can cause significant damage to your eyes before you notice any impact to your vision. The most effective cataract prevention measure you can take is to see your eye doctor regularly and as often as recommended. Dr. Gerstein can identify signs of cataracts or other eye diseases before you notice them, providing an early diagnosis that can result in more successful treatment.

The Amazing Human Eye: Resources for Further Reading

The eyes are part of an incredible biological system that allows us to experience and interact with the world around us. For as constantly as we use them, it can be easy to take our vision for granted and forget that our eyes need constant care. To preserve your vision and protect your eye health, schedule regular appointments with your ophthalmologist. He or she can help you detect for early signs of disease and preserve your vision to last a lifetime. 

• It seems like a small body part, but your eye is made up of many different tissues, nerves and layers. Learn more about the eye with this interactive anatomy guide from The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
• While the eye is an essential element in vision, it does not work alone to create images. This medical report explains how the eyes and brain work together to help us see color.
• With a few simple steps like looking away from the computer and wearing sunglasses when outdoors, you can protect your eyes from damage, injury or premature aging. These eye care tips from WebMD provide more preventive and protective recommendations. 

To learn more about eye health or to schedule an eye evaluation, please visit the Gerstein Eye Institute. One of the leading eye centers in Chicago and Illinois, the Gerstein Eye Institute has decades of experience treating patients with the most advanced technology and greatest care. To schedule a consultation, call us at (773) 649-5532.

The Basics of LASIK

You have likely heard of LASIK, but do you understand what it is and how it works? LASIK, which stands for Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis, is a procedure that corrects refractive errors and improves vision by reshaping the cornea. If you are considering restoring your eyesight through laser vision correction, talk to your eye surgeon to see what form of LASIK is right for you. You can learn more about the basics of this procedure in the informational video below

Prior to your LASIK procedure, Dr. Gerstein will take measurements of and then numb the eye or eyes being treated. A small flap will be cut in the cornea and a laser used to reshape its surface before the flap is replaced and the eye heals. While the procedure itself is quick and painless—it often takes around 15 minutes to complete—the results are long-lasting. Patients can return to their regular activities within a few days and will continue to notice improvements in vision for several months.

How Do the Eyes and Brain Work Together to Give Us Sight?

More than a simple part of your body’s anatomy, your eyes act as an amazing pair of biological sensors, allowing you to make sense of the world with the help of your brain. Just how do your eyes and brain work together to help you see and experience the world? Read on below, and schedule regular appointments with your eye doctor to maintain this precious gift of sight.

The Eyes

Your eyes sense light and transmit signals to your brain for interpretation. Your pupil is the opening through which light passes, and the colored iris around it can change size to let more or less light in, depending on your surroundings. The lens lies just behind the pupil, and it helps to focus light on the back of the eye, called the retina. The cells of the retina contains a light-sensing chemical called rhodopsin that converts focused light into electrical impulses which are sent to the brain.

The Brain

The optic nerve, located at the back of the eye and attached to the retina, is the pathway through which information travels to get from your eyes to your brain. Your vision is processed in an area of the brain called the occipital lobe, located at the back of your brain. There, your primary vision cortex receives the electrical signals sent by the optic nerve. The primary vision cortex is responsible for processing the information sent from your eyes. Other parts of the brain are responsible for controlling the muscles that move your eyes.

4 Simple Ways to Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy

In addition to affecting your blood sugar levels, diabetes can also cause complications with other aspects of your health, including your veins, feet and eyes. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that causes damage to the blood vessels inside your eyes, particularly those in the retina where light is focused. This damage can lead to poor vision and even blindness over time, so it is crucial to schedule regular visits with your eye doctor if you have diabetes. He or she can help you protect your eye health and prevent your vision from deteriorating.

Take Charge of Your Diabetes

Taking control of your health and your diabetes is one of the most effective to prevent diabetic retinopathy. Monitor your blood sugar levels and blood pressure, and take the necessary steps to keep them in a healthy range. Talk to your primary physician and your ophthalmologist to learn the warning signs of the disease and for tips on managing your condition.

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise can help keep your body and your eyes healthy. Exercise aids in the maintenance of blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and a healthy circulatory system, which in turn reduces your risk for diabetes complications like diabetic retinopathy.

Visit Your Eye Doctor

Maintaining a schedule of regular checkups and screenings with your eye doctor will help you detect early symptoms of diabetic retinopathy and other vision changes. Early detection of this condition is key to successful treatment, so keep your appointments and contact your ophthalmologist immediately if you notice any changes in or difficulty with your vision.

Don’t Smoke

Keeping your body healthy is always important but becomes especially so when you have diabetes. Smoking not only contributes to poor health but also affects blood vessel function, which can be a contributing factor in the development of eye disease.