Getting Lasik Surgery? How to Prepare

Prepping for any kind of surgery involves a number of steps, and Lasik surgery is no exception. In order to maximize the effectiveness of the procedure and make sure it is done correctly, we at Gerstein Eye Institute in Chicago ask that our patients follow some simple instructions we provide prior to surgery. You’ll get a full rundown on these when you talk with our team, but here are the basics, for quick and easy reference. (Naturally, if there are any specific additions to this you need to follow, your physician will let you know. Your personalized instructions will always take precedence over the ones shared here.)

Contact lens use. Prior to Lasik surgery, you’ll need to stop wearing your contacts for a period of time. How long this time frame depends in part on what type of contact lenses you wear. Hard contact wearers will probably need to cease wearing them four to eight weeks before the procedure; soft contact wearers can usually wear them for up to a week or two prior to the surgery. Please make sure you get specifics from an ophthalmologist on your timeline.

Keep things clean and simple. Just before surgery, you’ll want to minimize any exposure to irritants and make sure your eye and face area is clean and free of makeup or lotions. Take a pass on perfumes, hairspray, and anything else that can potentially get into the eye. Also, try to wear a shirt that doesn’t pill or shed to avoid anything getting into the eye prior to or during the procedure.

Food and drink. Typically you can eat and drink normally prior to Lasik surgery, but there are a few exceptions. We’ll talk to you about this with you in more detail when you meet with the doctor.

Arrange for a ride. You will not be able to drive after this procedure, so be sure to line up a ride home for afterward. You’ll also need someone to take you to the facility. Lasik surgery is not a long procedure, so the wait time shouldn’t be too significant. We’ll give you an idea of how long you’ll be in when we discuss your specific surgery.

Ask questions! Any good ophthalmologist will encourage any and all questions about Lasik surgery. We take time to explain to our patients what goes on before, during, and afterward, but if they have any additional concerns, we’re here to address them. Keeping a list of things you’d like to ask can be helpful, but you can bring questions up at any time. It’s important for you to feel comfortable about the process, and confident you know what is going on every step of the way.

If there is anything you are wondering about that hasn’t been addressed here, or if you’d like to learn more about Lasik surgery in the Chicago area, call Gerstein Eye Institute today. We’re here to help!

Call today to find out if Lasik surgery is right for you!

Keeping Your Eyes Healthy as You Age

Everyone would like to preserve their vision as much as possible as they age, but what steps can you take to do that? The good news is most of the things you can do are actually fairly simple! Try to keep these things in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to healthier eyes as you get older. Read on for some tips from Gerstein Eye Institute for healthy eyes at any age.

• Wear sunglasses. Simply put, if you’re outdoors, put on some shades! Also, make sure the sunglasses you pick out block 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. This should be listed somewhere on the tag or label. For the very best protection, get a pair that has good side coverage, as well as top and bottom. Talk to a professional vision team about the right pair for your needs. (Wearing a hat can also be helpful!)
• Don’t smoke. Smoking has a big impact on the eyes, contributing to conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration. If you smoke, quitting will help improve the health of your eyes in the long term. It’s never too late!
• Combat computer use. Screen time is on the rise and it’s taking a toll on vision. Be sure you are doing what you can to minimize the impact it has on your eye health. Simple things such as looking away from the screen frequently, avoiding screen glare, and positioning the computer properly can help. Inquire about computer glasses if you spend a lot of time online.
• Use protective eyewear. Whether you play racquetball or have taken up welding, you’ll want to consider using eyewear that will serve as a barrier between you and anything that might damage your eyes. Safety glasses can’t be overestimated in terms of their help in preventing a serious accident.
• Get regular eye examinations. Regular eye exams are the best line of defense against long-term eye issues. Visit an experienced ophthalmologist to make sure your eyes are healthy and your vision is good. Eye exams can help catch any issues early when they are most easily treated.

Contact our Chicago office today to schedule an appointment for your checkup, or to get more information about protecting your eyes as you age.

Protect your eyes. Visit Gerstein Eye Institute today!

10 Foods for Healthy Eyes

Do you know what foods are healthy for your eyes?

Chances are most of us have heard the sage old advice about eating carrots, but what other foods can you add to your diet to help support good vision? Here, your friends at Gerstein Eye Institute in Chicago have compiled a list of 10 eye-healthy foods for you to consider.

Fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids, so it makes a good main dish addition to your diet if you’re concerned about healthy eyes. The fatty acids help protect you against things such as macular degeneration, dry eyes, and even cataracts. Try a nice piece of grilled salmon or a tuna sandwich for lunch.

Kale is all the rage these days, and it’s no exception when it comes to eye health. This dark, leafy green is loaded with lutein and zeaxanthin — antioxidants that work to keep your eyes functioning at their best. Add it to a sandwich instead of lettuce, or toss some in a salad alongside other greens.

Spinach is another highly recommended veggie for healthy eyes, and it’s easy to include in the diet, as well. Steam some and add to an omelet, or make a spinach and strawberry salad for an extra boost of vitamin C.

Berries are a good pick for their antioxidant value, and they are easy to add to a variety of different dishes. Sprinkle some raspberries on cereal, pack a small container of blueberries for a midday snack, or enjoy some strawberries dipped in a little dab of sour cream and brown sugar for dessert.

Nuts can be a smart addition to your eye health diet — just choose ones that are high in vitamin E, such as almonds or hazelnuts. Nuts make great snacks, but they are high in calories, so just go easy!

Sunflower seeds are another good source of vitamin E. Sprinkle some on a salad for a tasty crunch that supports eye health.

Broccoli not only has lutein and zeaxanthin, but it’s also a great source of vitamins C, A, and E. Lightly steam some and add to pasta, or toss into a chicken stir fry. You can even eat it raw in a salad!

Eggs are extremely versatile and are another terrific food for your eyes. They contain zinc, vitamin A, lutein, and zeaxanthin, all of which have protective effects. Enjoy them scrambled for breakfast or hardboiled for lunch or a snack.

Oranges are stocked with vitamin C, so they make a great choice for a diet focused on eye health. Drinking orange juice is an easy way to add this fruit, but you can also toss an orange in your lunchbox to peel and eat, or put it in a fruit salad.

Carrots ! It’s true — this veggie is great for your eyes, just like you’ve heard all along, packed with a lot of vitamin A and beta carotene. Carrots are easy to eat on the go, but you can also include them in salads or blend them into soups.

Looking to add some eye-healthy recipes to your diet? Talk to Gerstein Eye Institute to learn more about how eating healthy can help your vision when you visit. We’ve got some great information to share!

Call us today for healthy eyes: (773) 596-9804!

Just for Fun: Eye Tests

Have you ever wondered if you have better vision than most people? Do you think we all see colors the same way? Can you pass an eye chart exam with no problem?

Here, we at Gerstein Eye Institute have gathered some fun resources here for you to try out and see where you stack up. Have fun!

Color vision test

First up is a test from BuzzFeed to evaluate how well you see various colors. Give it a shot!

Only People with Perfect Color Vision Can Pass This Light and Dark Test

How did you do? Is your color vision what you expected? Although true color blindness is fairly uncommon, many people aren’t aware that the ability to see colors varies a bit from one person to another. We’d be happy to tell you more if you’re interested!

Vision test

Next is BuzzFeed’s quick vision test, which they refer to as:

The Ultimate Eyesight Test

While we’re pretty sure you know this isn’t a true vision exam, it does give you a quick look at how well you see tiny print, and how well you can color match. For a more accurate look at your eyesight and a true measurement of your abilities, visit us for a complete examination.

20/20 vision

Do you think you have 20/20 vision? BuzzFeed is challenging you with this chart test –see how you hold up:

Only People with 20/20 Vision Can Pass This Eye Chart Test

Yeah, we know. It’s not a real chart in a real office. And computer screens just might complicate things a bit. Still, if you haven’t been in for a real eye chart exam in a long time, it might be a good thing to consider. We’re here for you if you’d like to give our test a try.

Optical illusions

One more link — just for kicks, and this isn’t really even about vision, per se. Check out the following illusions and see how your eyes and brain can sometimes be a little bit tricky when they work together on certain images, courtesy of BrainDen.com:

Best Illusions

Pretty amazing, right?

Feel free to share this post with friends and family and let them get in on the fun, and be sure to check back for additional information, resources, and interesting links. We love to find great stuff and pass it along!

Visit Gerstein Eye Institute in Chicago today for an in-office eye test!