A cataract is a clouding of the lens that can cause blurry vision. This condition is commonly related to age, but it can happen earlier in life. If your eye doctor tells you that you have cataracts, you might need surgery in order to correct them.

In a healthy eye, the lens is clear and helps focus light so you can see properly. The lens is made of water and protein. With age, the proteins start to clump together to cause cataracts. Check out this video to learn more about the eye and cataracts.

If you do have cataracts, it is important to find a quality eye doctor in Chicago who can help you find the right treatment. With custom cataract surgery, your doctor can remove the cloudy lens and fit you with an intraocular lens that restores your vision.

You probably know that the sun’s rays can damage your skin and even lead to skin cancer, but did you know that exposure to UV rays can also be dangerous for your eyes? Watch this video to learn why you should choose protective sunglasses from a vision center near Chicago .

When you reach for your sunscreen to lather up before you go outside, don’t forget to grab a pair of sunglasses at the same time. Choose a pair that blocks at least 99% of UVA and UVB rays to give yourself the most protection. If you need new glasses, be sure to look for a sticker that rates the shades’ UV protection level before you buy them. Remember to look for a pair that you will enjoy wearing—protecting yourself from the harmful rays of the sun can be fashionable as well as practical! For additional sun protection, grab a wide-brimmed hat to shade your eyes, face, and neck so you can enjoy the outdoors safely.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, LASIK eye surgery could fix your vision issues to free you from the burden of corrective lenses. Keep reading for an overview of the procedure and how it can help you break away from the restraints of a life with glasses or contacts.

It Treats Refractive Errors

Most people who need corrective lenses have refractive issues that prevent light from reaching the cornea in the proper way. Refractive errors include nearsightedness, or myopia, farsightedness or hyperopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism. If you suffer from any of these issues, you should get a LASIK consultation near Chicago to see if this form of eye laser surgery can improve your vision.

It Uses a Laser to Reshape the Cornea

If you and your ophthalmologist decide that this is the right procedure for you, he or she will use a revolutionary laser to cut a small flap on the cornea. The ophthalmologist then sculpts the corneal tissue with a laser so light hits it the right way. Once this step is complete, the doctor can replace the flap. The LASIK eye surgery is a fast procedure that effectively corrects your refractive issues so you can have better vision.

It Has a Quick Recovery Time

Most patients heal quickly after their LASIK procedures. Your ophthalmologist will send you home with a prescription for eye drops that prevent your eyes from getting infected. You might experience hazy vision for a day or so, but you should enjoy improved vision within a few days after the procedure. After a follow-up visit with your ophthalmologist, you should schedule visits every six months to ensure your vision is doing well.

If you are interested in improving your refractive issues, you should schedule an appointment for an eye exam. After a thorough examination, the eye doctor can tell you if this surgery is the right treatment option for your vision issues or if you need to go with another option.

If you are one of the many people who rely on glasses or contact lenses in order to see clearly, you may have resigned yourself to the fact that you will always need these assistive aids. You may have even asked your eye doctor in Chicago about LASIK eye surgery, only to be told that you aren’t a good candidate for the procedure. If you are nearsighted, you may have another option. Intraocular contact lenses (ICL) work with the eye’s natural lens to improve vision without the hassle of glasses or external contact lenses. Visian ICL offers predictable and stable results, with an excellent quality of vision following the procedure. The implantation itself is relatively simple, as the lens is inserted through a very small incision. You won’t be able to see the lens once it’s implanted, and you won’t have to do anything to maintain it. Whether your myopia is mild or severe, ICL may be an option for you. Though removal shouldn’t be necessary, intraocular contact lenses are removable if the need should arise in the future.

It’s easy to take your good vision for granted, but if something should go wrong, it could change your entire life. If you have not visited an eye doctor in Chicago recently, it’s time to make an appointment. Your eye doctor can spot potential vision problems before you even notice that something is wrong. Cataracts are a common condition that tend to affect older adults, and can lead to blurry, tinted vision. If your cataracts become severe, you may need to consult a custom cataract surgeon in order to restore your vision. Read on to learn about the risk factors for cataracts.

Age

Aging is a part of life, but it can bring changes in your health that you may not be prepared for. Cataracts tend to affect people over the age of 60, though there are people who develop cataracts during middle age. Approximately half of adults over the age of 75 have cataracts and may need eye surgery to correct them. Normal proteins inside your eye’s lens can clump together as time goes on, which is what creates the cloudy effect in your vision.

Demographics

In general, women tend to have a higher risk of developing cataracts than men. Like many medical conditions, cataracts can be hereditary, so it’s a good idea to know your family history and find out if any of your relatives experienced them. Individuals of certain ethnicities may also be at a higher risk for cataracts, specifically African Americans and Hispanic Americans.

Medical Conditions

High blood sugar levels can contribute to the development of cataracts, which is one of the reasons why people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing them. In addition, individuals with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts when they are younger than those without the disease. People with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis may also be at a higher risk of developing cataracts because of steroid medications they may need to take frequently. Be sure to tell your eye doctor about your complete medical history during your next eye exam.

Cataracts are quite common in older people, but if you haven’t experienced them you may not know much about what they are. A cataract is a clouding of the eye lens that negatively affects your vision. By the age of 80, at least half of the population will have a cataract or have undergone cataract surgery.

Cataracts can happen in both of your eyes or in just one of them. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms you may have a cataract:

• Blurred vision
• Faded colors
• Glare from sunlight, headlights, etc. or a halo around lights
• Difficult seeing at night
• Double vision
• Frequent changes in prescription for eyewear

Cataracts typically develop slowly and at first they can be helped by getting new glasses, using anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses, and using brighter lighting. If you haven’t experienced a cataract, it can be compared to looking through a foggy or frosty window.

If you notice any of the previously mentioned symptoms, you should make an appointment for an eye exam. See your doctor right away if you experience sudden eye pain, sudden vision changes, or sudden headaches.

If you haven’t experienced cataracts, it might not be too late to help prevent them from forming. Regular eye examinations can lead to early detection of cataracts. Unhealthy activities like smoking or drinking too much can increase your risk of cataracts. Managing health conditions like diabetes and eating fruits and vegetables with antioxidants can also help prevent cataracts.

Cataract surgery is very common and is a relatively simple and painless procedure to help regain vision. More than three million Americans undergo the procedure each year and 90% of them regain very good vision, from 20/20 to 20/40. You will likely still need reading glasses and may require progressive lenses.

To learn more or schedule an appointment with Gerstein Eye Institute, give us a call today at 773-596-9545.

LASIK is still the most common laser eye surgery in the United States. The procedure can be completed with a laser or a blade and creates a thin flap in the cornea. The cornea is reshaped to correct the refractive error and improve vision.

Laser eye surgery was first available in the 1980s and by 2001 LASIK was the most common elective surgery in the world. LASIK is considered a third option in addition to wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses.

There are several benefits of having LASIK performed, and the most obvious is having your vision improved without having to wear glasses or contacts. After LASIK surgery, your vision will improve immediately, and it may continue to improve for a year.

LASIK eye surgery can be performed in both eyes on the same day and you’ll likely be able to get back to work in just a day or two. LASIK is a viable option for about 80% of the adult population. If you’re 18 or older, have a common vision problem such as far or nearsightedness or astigmatism, lead an active lifestyle, are in general good health, and cannot or would prefer not to wear glasses or contacts, LASIK could be right for you.

More Benefits of LASIK

• The safety of LASIK eye surgery has increased over the years
• Typically causes little to no pain
• Vision is corrected almost immediately or at least by the day after the procedure
• Quick recovery
• Adjustments can be made for years
• Most patients will no longer need corrective eyewear
• You’ll actually save money over the years on frames and lenses or contacts and contact solution as well as ophthalmologist appointments
• Improved self-confidence
• Can participate in activities such as swimming or surfing without worrying about eyewear
• Reduced allergy symptoms compared to wearing contacts

To schedule an appointment with Gerstein Eye Institute, call 773-596-9545.

Spring is on its way, bringing with it pollen, in all its allergy-inducing glory. If you’re sensitive to pollen, you’re probably already gearing up for a miserable couple of months, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can minimize allergens in your home, protect yourself outside, and give your eyes the care they deserve. Here, we offer a few tips from the experts on seasonal allergies and eye care. Pollen is the main cause of springtime allergies, and it can travel for miles before finding its way into your nose. If you’re allergic to pollen, your immune system mistakes it for something dangerous and releases antibodies to attack it. Histamines are released into the blood, triggering a runny nose, itchy eyes, and other allergy symptoms. Fortunately, there are some good ways to keep pollen at bay.

• Don’t let pollen into your house. Even though the weather may be pleasant, it’s best to keep doors and windows closed, especially at night. Stay inside as much as possible in the early morning hours, because pollen is typically emitted between 5 and 10 am. If you’ve been outside, take a shower and change clothes as soon as you get home, and never dry clothing or linens outside, where it can pick up pollen.
• Clean your home thoroughly to remove allergens. Pollen is one culprit, but there’s also dust, pet dander, mold, and cockroach droppings to contend with. Cleaning on a regular schedule can help minimize allergens in your home and help you breathe easier. Wear a dust mask when you’re cleaning, and use a damp or treated cloth to dust, so you don’t scatter the dust. Vacuum once or twice a week, using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Wash your bedding at least once a week in hot water, and dry it in a hot dryer. If you have pets, bathe them once a week to keep dander under control, and wash your hands any time you pet an animal.
• Protect yourself from allergens when you’re outside. Wear glasses, to keep pollen out of your eyes. If you want to enjoy the outdoors, do it on cloudy, windless days, because pollen levels are higher when it’s dry, warm, and windy. Finding out what you’re allergic to can be very helpful: if you can recognize it on sight you can more easily avoid it, and if you know what it is you can stay inside during its high pollen hours.
• If you’re suffering from eye allergies, have a plan to treat them. Using lubricating eye drops can help rinse away pollen, as can saline nose spray. Decongestant eye drops can constrict the blood vessels in the eyes, reducing redness, but shouldn’t be used for more than three days. Oral antihistamines can sometimes help, but in some cases, they can cause dry eyes and may worsen eye allergy symptoms.
• Ask your doctor for help. There are prescription medications that can be helpful in controlling eye allergy symptoms. There are antihistamine, mast cell stabilizer, NSAID and corticosteroid eye drops that can alleviate or prevent allergy symptoms. Your doctor may also prescribe non-sedating oral antihistamines, or recommend allergy shots.

One of the leading eye centers in Illinois, the Gerstein Eye Institute in Chicago has been helping patients take care of their eyes since 1968. Our certified professional staff has decades of ophthalmologic experience and has worked together to perform over 20,000 procedures. Dr. Gerstein, well-versed in the most advanced technologies, is committed to helping patients find the treatment that’s right for you. For more information call (773) 596-1245 or visit our website today.