“Carrots give you super-hero eyes.” Countless children have been told to eat their carrots for super-powered vision. If you’ve been told this common myth, you likely also know that healthy vision isn’t as simple as eating a carrot a day. Carrots do contain valuable nutrients that promote eye health, but they aren’t a magic cure for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. While nutrition may impact your vision, there are other factors at play too, including genetics and your lifestyle.

Here’s what you need to know about diet, vitamins, and eye health.

Nutrients with Proven Eye Health Benefits

Diet has been shown to have a link in preventing some eye diseases, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It may impact other eye health conditions, too. More research is needed to fully understand the link between diet and your vision, but researchers have shown that some nutrients offer supportive benefits to eye health.

What nutrients are best for healthy eyes? Scientific studies suggest that the following nutrients, and foods that contain them, may offer eye health benefits.

• Lutein and Zeaxanthin- Winter squash, corn, leafy greens, egg yolks, sweet potatoes, and carrots
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids- Salmon, sardines, tuna, walnuts, flaxseed, and chia seed
• Vitamin A- Sweet potato, red peppers, collard greens, butternut squash, and mango
• Vitamin C- Citrus fruits, kale, guava, kiwi, strawberries, and broccoli
• Vitamin E- Almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, and spinach
• Zinc- Pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, chickpeas, lentils, and yogurt

When it comes to eye health and diet, the same principles that apply to overall health seem to apply. Enjoy a varied diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. Leafy greens, including kale, spinach, and collard greens, and yellow/orange fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that are especially optimal for eye health.
Studies have found that diets high in simple carbohydrates, like white bread, can spike blood sugar and may contribute to the development of diseases like AMD and cataracts. Limiting sugars and high-glycemic carbohydrates is an important part of a healthy diet that will benefit not only your eyes, but the rest of your body as well.

Should I Take a Multi-Vitamin for My Eyes?

You may be wondering if a multi-vitamin could supplement your nutritional needs and provide the beneficial nutrients needed for optimal eye health. The decision to supplement or not is an individual decision, one that you should make in partnership with your primary care physician and eye doctor.

Remember, supplements are intended to add to a healthy diet, not replace it. Ideally, you should be receiving the bulk of the nutrition you need from whole food sources. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables will naturally contain many of the nutrients recommended for eye health. Supplements, if used, can act as an insurance policy, but aren’t intended to replace the healthy foods that your body needs.

Always talk with your eye doctor about the supplements you take. It is important for your doctor to know what you’re taking to ensure that these supplements don’t interact with the prescriptions you’re using or otherwise negatively impact your vision.

Diet isn’t a magical cure for better vision, but that doesn’t mean you should disregard the importance of eating well. Fill your plate with healthy foods, not only for your eyes but for your overall health. If you want to improve your vision, carrots aren’t the solution, but LASIK may be. LASIK surgery is proven to dramatically improve vision for most patients that receive the surgery. Contact Will Vision and Laser Centers to learn more.

The post How Do Diet and Vitamins Support Eye Health? appeared first on Will Vision.

Skip the ugly sweater and give a holiday gift that will be appreciated for years to come. LASIK surgery tops many holiday wish lists. When you give the gift of LASIK, you’re giving the gift of clear vision. 

Gifting a medical procedure can be a bit more difficult than simply buying a box of chocolates. You’ll need to put in a little extra effort to make sure this gift is needed and wanted. Here are our best tips for giving LASIK to friends or family this holiday season. If you have questions or need advice, call Will Vision and Laser Centers, one of the top providers of LASIK surgery in the Pacific Northwest.

1. Find Out if LASIK Is on Their Wish List

LASIK surgery is an eye surgery that reshapes the cornea and improves vision. It can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. When performed by a skilled LASIK surgeon, this procedure can dramatically improve vision, often eliminating the need for glasses or contacts. 

LASIK is a popular procedure, but it isn’t always the right fit. Before giving this treatment as a holiday gift, make sure the recipient is interested in surgery. 

Some patients want LASIK but have been told they aren’t good candidates. With our advanced refractive surgery techniques and technologies, Dr. Will can offer laser vision correction to many patients that have been told they aren’t candidates for LASIK elsewhere. Before giving up on a LASIK dream, come meet with Dr. Will and explore the possibilities.

2. A Little Goes a Long Way

Laser vision correction is an investment. Depending on your holiday budget, the full cost of the procedure may be more than you’re able to spend. If you’re not able to pay for the full procedure yourself, offer what you can and remember that every penny helps. 

One way to give LASIK without paying the full bill yourself is to make the surgery a group gift. By pooling money together, you can make clear vision possible without spending more than you’re able. Recruit friends, family, and relatives to help you pay for the surgery.

3. Leave the Medical Decisions to the Patient and Their Doctor

Medical decisions are best made by patient and doctor together. If you want to gift a medical procedure, give the gift and then give space. 

After a consultation and exam, the patient and surgeon may decide to go ahead with LASIK. They may choose a different vision-enhancing procedure like PRK. They may find that surgery isn’t the right fit.

4. Offer Support During Recovery

Giving the gift of LASIK doesn’t end on surgery day. Give support during the recovery process. Act quickly, LASIK recovery often takes just a few days. If you wait around, help won’t be needed when you’re ready to give it. 

How can you support your loved one through recovery? Here are a few ideas:

Offer a Ride- Patients need a ride to and from LASIK surgery. After the procedure, vision can be cloudy or blurry. Patients should avoid driving until they are cleared by their LASIK surgeon. Offering rides to surgery and follow up visits can make the recovery process easier. 

Feed Them- No one wants to cook dinner right after LASIK surgery. Offer to bring over a home-cooked meal or two during the first few days after surgery. Dinner always tastes better when you don’t have to cook it yourself. If you live too far to bring dinner, ordering delivery from a local restaurant is a thoughtful and appreciated alternative. 

Buy Some Shades- Sunglasses are a LASIK recovery essential. If you want to give a loved one a special gift before surgery, buy them a pair of sunglasses. They don’t have to be expensive but should offer 100% UV protection. 

Overall, LASIK recovery is minimal and most patients are back to work and other activities in a few days.

5. Treat Yourself to LASIK This Holiday Season

Who says you can’t give yourself a gift this holiday season? If you’re wanting LASIK surgery, treat yourself to clear vision. Call our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Will to learn more. 

What holiday gifts are you giving this year? Consider the gift of vision-enhancing surgery; Call Will Vision and Laser Centers to learn more.

The post 5 Tips for Giving the Gift of LASIK this Holiday appeared first on Will Vision.

Dry eye leads to computer eye strain, and computer eye strain can make dry eyes worse. Let us help you break this endless cycle of ocular discomfort. We’re sharing our tips for avoiding dry eyes and eye strain when using electronic devices. 

Need more help? Call Will Vision and Laser Centers at 877-542-3937 to schedule a consultation with our acclaimed refractive surgeon Dr. Brian Will.

How Computer Use Worsens Dry Eye Symptoms

Staring at a screen isn’t just a catchy phrase for computer use; it’s what actually happens when you’re using an electronic device. All that staring means that you blink less often, and less blinking leads to drier eyes. 

Blinking is a natural process that cleanses and hydrates the eyes. Each time your eyes shut, protective substances wash over the eye, clearing away dust and providing lubrication and hydration. The average person blinks about 15 times a minute. When using a computer or other electronic device, that rate is cut in half.

If you already have dry eyes, computer use can worsen your symptoms. Likewise, if you use a computer often, you’re more likely to experience dry eyes.

Reducing Eye Strain and Dry Eye When Using the Computer

How can you reduce dry eye symptoms in our modern world? We have a few simple tricks that can provide dramatic relief. If your symptoms persist after trying these DIY solutions, come in for a visit to explore treatment options. 

• Consciously Blink- When using a computer or other screen, the frequency of your automatic blinking is reduced. You can offset this by consciously blinking on occasion. When you think about it, take a quick pause in your work and blink. 
• Practice the 20-20-20 Rule- The 20-20-20 rule is an easy way to refresh the eyes during periods of high strain. Set a timer for 20 minutes when using the computer. When it beeps, look away from the screen and focus your gaze on something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Repeat every 20 minutes. 
• Use Warm Compresses- A warm, wet compress can remoisturize the eyes and helps to release oil from the glands in the eyelids, improving the quality of your tears. 
• Reduce Allergens- Smoke, dust, and pollution can irritate the eyes. Avoid smoking and areas where others smoke. If you live in a high-pollution area, consider using an air purifier to improve the air quality in your space. 
• Eat Fish- Are you getting plenty of Omega-3s? Eating fatty fish, like tuna and salmon, may reduce dry eye symptoms in some patients. 
• Try Eye Drops- Artificial tears are available over-the-counter and can be used to supplement your body’s tear production. Thicker lubricating gels are also available, but typically these are best used right before bed, as they can temporarily blur vision. 
• Turn Off the Fan- Do you have a fan at your desk? Moving air can dry the eyes. Fans can exacerbate dry eye symptoms when using a computer. Turn off the fan, and if your dry eye symptoms are severe, consider adding a small humidifier to your workspace. 
• Visit Your Doctor- Dealing with dry eye and computer eye strain isn’t something you have to DIY. Treatment options are available. We use MiBo ThermoFlo® and LipiFlow® systems to relieve dry eye and bring our patients lasting relief. Come see Dr. Will to explore your treatment options for dry eye in the Pacific Northwest. 

Schedule your consultation at Will Vision and Laser Centers by calling 877-542-3937. We have office locations in both Salem, OR and Vancouver, WA.

The post How Chronic Dry Eye Sufferers Avoid Computer Eye Strain appeared first on Will Vision.

To keep your body at its best, you exercise. Why should the eyes be any different? We’re sharing five of our favorite exercises to keep your eyes healthy and support your vision.

Intentional Blinking- May Help Dry Eye

Are you in a staring contest with your computer screen? Electronic devices tend to slow the blink rate, and with regular screen use, this can lead to dry eyes. Intentional blinking exercises can resolve dry eye symptoms for some patients. 

How do you intentionally blink? The process is simple. Close your eyes, rest for a few seconds, squeeze your eyelids together, and open. Do this sequence one or two times and try to do several sequences each day. 

Make it a habit! Set an hourly alarm on your phone and perform this exercise every time your phone beeps. Other patients choose a regularly performed task, like answering the phone, and try intentional blinking each time this task is completed.

Eye-Roll- Not Just for Sarcasm

One of our favorite eye exercises is one you probably mastered during your teenage years. The eye-roll is an easy way to stretch the muscles that control the eyes. 

To perform this exercise, simply roll your eyes. Go slowly, moving the eyes in one direction for several rolls and then move in the other direction. 

There are a few variations on this technique including an exercise called Figure 8. To perform this exercise, roll the eyes around in a figure 8 movement. Look to the left, up, down, to the right, up, down, etc.

Palming- A 30 Second Relaxation Retreat for the Eyes

Do your eyes need a spa day? This quick and easy eye exercise provides the eyes with much-needed relaxation, no trip to the spa necessary. All you need is your palms and 30 seconds. 

Start by rubbing the palms together to warm them up. Place the palms of your hands gently over the eyes with your fingers extending upward toward the forehead. Close your eyes and relax. We like to count to 30, but you’re welcome to go longer. Don’t press on the eye sockets or cheekbones. 

Some patients like to perform this exercise in complete darkness, but on a busy day, sitting at your desk works well too.

20-20-20 Helps with Computer Vision Syndrome

If you use computers regularly, learn the 20-20-20 exercise and perform it throughout the day. This exercise is designed to reduce symptoms of computer vision syndrome. 

Every 20 minutes look up from your screen and focus on an object that is at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Thumbs Up for Better Vision

You don’t need any special tools for this simple focusing exercise, just your thumb. Hold your thumb out at arms distance and focus your gaze on it. Move the thumb closer to your eyes and side-to-side, refocusing with each movement.

Can Eye Exercises Improve My Vision So I Won’t Need Glasses?

Eye exercises are a valuable tool for keeping the eyes rested and working at their best. These exercises relieve eye strain and improve comfort, especially for patients that work in an office environment or use a computer regularly.But, there are limits to what these exercises can achieve. Scientific evidence doesn’t support the rumor that exercising the eyes can improve vision. 

If you want to improve vision and ditch your glasses, exercise likely won’t work, but LASIK will. When the procedure is performed by a highly-skilled refractive surgeon like Dr. Will, LASIK has a high success rate. Most of our patients achieve 20/20 vision or greater. Results can last a lifetime. 

Learn more about LASIK surgery in the Pacific Northwest at Will Vision and Laser Centers. Contact us to schedule your consultation or to learn more about the procedures we offer. 877-542-3937

The post 5 Eye Exercises to Support Vision appeared first on Will Vision.