Summer is here in the Pacific Northwest! While we want you to enjoy these next few months out in the sun, we also want to remind you on the importance of sun protection and your eyes.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects millions of people worldwide and is a leading cause of blindness globally.

A stye, or its medical name— hordeolum— forms from a clogged and infected oil gland of the eyelid.

People frequently ask us "what else can I do for my eyes?"  Often, this question comes when their eyesight is already compromised in some way - by glaucoma, macular degeneration, or a problem with the optic nerves.  One thing that's common for all of us to forget:  everything that keeps the rest of our bodies healthy also keeps our eyes healthy.

Presbyopia, otherwise known as age-related far-sightedness, is an age-related condition that gradually affects our ability to focus on close-up objects. As such, a common side effect involves the loss of the ability to see near objects (i.e. books, cell phones, recipes, etc.). Many notice this most once they start having to hold reading materials at an arm’s length distance to view them. Due to the blurred vision that one may see up close, it can cause eye fatigue and frontal/temple headaches while on the computer or reading. Although there are no ways to stop or reverse the effects of presbyopia, there are ways to help eliminate its symptoms. Namely, contact lenses, and/or glasses.

Dry eye is a common eye condition characterized by a deficiency in the tear film, a layer that coats the front surface of the eye, or the cornea. The tear film is very important for lubrication of the cornea, providing comfort of the eyes and clarity of vision. The tear film has three main components: a mucin layer, an aqueous (water) layer, and a lipid (oil) layer. Deficiencies in any one of these layers can lead to dry eye.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a non-invasive and effective treatment for dry eye and occupational rosacea. It uses high-intensity light to target and eliminate skin imperfections while also stimulating collagen production. IPL can also be used to alleviate the symptoms of dry eye and ocular rosacea.

Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot or has a more difficult time using and storing sugar. This results in excess sugar in the bloodstream that can cause damage to small vessels throughout the whole body, some of which can be found in the eyes. Damage to the eyes caused by diabetes is called Diabetic Retinopathy and it affects about 1 in 3 people diagnosed with diabetes. When the blood vessels in the eye become damaged, they can leak and bleed and cause vision loss.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is an eye surgery that is gaining in popularity.  But it's not new!  It involves removing the natural lens in the eye and exchanging it for a new intra-ocular lens (IOL).  To understand how refractive lens exchange works, it helps to understand how the natural lens works and changes with age. 

It’s not a surprise that 90% of contact lens users today wear soft contact lenses due to its superior comfort and convenience compared to conventional rigid/hard contact lenses. I have been a soft contact lens wearer since I was just 10 years old and primarily wear contacts instead of glasses. I love fitting my patients of all ages in contact lenses; however, I always have the conversation on the importance of following proper contact lens care instructions to avoid serious eye infections. If followed properly, the risk of infection is very low.