Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Getting Cataracts

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Do you have cloudy vision or see halos around lights? Getting older often means dealing with increased risks of eye conditions, including cataracts. These occur when your eye lenses become clouded. Our optometrists in Champaign, IL, at Champaign Eye Professionals offer treatment for cataracts if they’re severe enough to interfere with your vision. But you can take steps now to help reduce your risk of getting them.

Don’t Skip Eye Exams

Routine eye and vision exams are always important. If you’re concerned about developing cataracts, these visits give us a chance to check for them on a regular basis. Finding them early means we can monitor them and provide treatment if needed.

Stop Smoking

Being a smoker means you have a higher chance of getting cataracts — and many other health issues. Work on quitting if you have this habit.

Protect Your Eyes from the Sun

UVB rays from the sun can damage your vision and increase your risk of having cataracts. Throw on a pair of sunglasses before heading outside, even in winter. But make sure they offer protection from UVB rays!

Manage Medical Conditions

Some diseases, such as diabetes, give you a higher risk of having cataracts and other eye conditions. Work on managing these underlying health issues to protect your vision.

Fill Up on Fruits and Vegetables

Berries, spinach, and other fruits and vegetables have antioxidants that help keep your eyes healthy and safe from damage. Include these in meals, and enjoy them as snacks!

Schedule an Eye Checkup Today!

Worried about getting cataracts? Regular eye exams are an important part of finding them early and treating them as needed. Our optometrists at Champaign Eye Professionals offer cataract treatment in Champaign, IL, to help support your vision!

Newly Diagnosed? The Impact of Diabetes on Vision

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If you are a newly diagnosed person with diabetes, you face a wide range of questions and concerns to address. One of these needs to be your optical health. When left unchecked, diabetes can lead to a range of visual problems, including several conditions that can cause blindness. To protect your vision, you need to be aware of how diabetes impacts your sight and what you can do about it.

High Blood Sugar Can Damage the Retina

High blood sugar levels can cause a couple of problems with the retina. One is diabetic macular edema or DME. This occurs when fluid leaks into the macula, a part of the retina. This fluid distorts or blurs the vision, and it can lead to blindness if left untreated.

The second impact on the retina is diabetic retinopathy. The leading cause of blindness in adults, this condition affects the blood vessels in the retina. High sugar levels cause swelling and leaking, which can cause vision loss. Getting regular checks from an eye doctor in Champaign, IL, is vital to protect against these two issues.

Glaucoma and Cataracts

People with diabetes are also at higher risk for developing glaucoma and cataracts. Both of these conditions can be permanently damaging if left untreated.

Regular Diabetic Vision Screenings Are a Must

Because of the risk of these conditions, people with diabetes need to have regular vision screenings. Your eye doctor in Champaign, IL, at Champaign Eye Professionals will likely want to dilate your eyes in order to check the health of the retina. We will do a thorough eye exam to ensure you are not developing these conditions. In addition, we will encourage you to work with your endocrinologist to keep your blood sugar levels in check so you have less risk of vision damage.

Being newly diagnosed is challenging, but with diabetic eye care from Champaign Eye Professionals, you can proactively protect your sight, in spite of your new diagnosis.

Why Are My Eyes Chronically Dry?

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Your eyes have a built-in mechanism for keeping your eyes moisturized. Although it’s natural for eyes to feel dry on occasion, this shouldn’t happen on a regular basis. If it does, you may have chronic dry eyes, and that can indicate a problem of some kind. Now, the problem isn’t necessarily something to do with the eye itself, although a dry eye evaluation in Champaign, IL is the only reliable determinant of that. The problem could be related to a number of things.

Allergies

It’s possible that you have eye allergies. Even if you’ve never had allergies before, they can develop at any time. Try to pay attention to when your eyes feel dry. You may discern a pattern that correlates between something in your diet or in the seasonal air, and the onset of dry eyes.

Toxins

Have you moved recently or changed to a new job? If your dry eyes only happen in a certain location, it’s possible that your eyes are responding to an airborne toxin. Even something as innocuous as household bleach can cause dry eyes if it’s used in excess quantities, such as when disinfecting commercial floors.

Tear Duct Blockage

If you find that your eyes have almost no moisture and you can’t even drum up a single tear, it’s possible there’s a physical reason for your dry eyes, which might be a blockage of your tear ducts. If this is the case, it might be possible to have a procedure to correct the problem.

There’s quite a bit of danger in ignoring chronic dry eyes. Your eyes need moisture. Without it, the cornea is prone to all kinds of damage, and there could be other complications, as well. Book an appointment today with your Champaign, IL optometrist so you can get a diagnosis and treatment.

What to Expect With LASIK Recovery Times

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LASIK surgery is a very popular procedure that has helped millions of people around the globe to get good vision. For those who find that they’ve grown tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses just to go about their daily lives, the idea of LASIK is almost too good to pass up. If you undergo LASIK, you should know that there is a recovery period after surgery. At Champaign Eye Professionals, we provide pre and post-operative support to patients who have LASIK. It’s called LASIK co-management in Champaign, IL, and we welcome any questions you may have related to this service. In the meantime, here’s what you can expect with LASIK recovery times.

Immediately After Surgery

You should organize for someone to drive you home afterward, because right after having LASIK, it’s common to experience mild discomfort, such as a gritty sensation, light sensitivity or watery eyes. These symptoms make it just a little uncomfortable to drive, so to be on the safe side, get someone else to help out. The symptoms will abate in a few hours, but for good measure, you should plan on resting. Avoid things that may strain your eyes, like reading, sewing and the like. Instead, rest your eyes and consider playing music or listening to an audio book or something similar. Your eye doctor will give you protective glasses or an eye shield, so you should use that as instructed, too. This will help to prevent you from accidentally rubbing your eyes, as well as to block out excess light.

Ongoing Recovery

By the end of the first week, many patients notice significant improvements in their vision. However, some may still experience dryness or glare, particularly at night. It’s crucial to follow your optometrist’s aftercare instructions, including attending follow-up visits and using lubricating drops as needed.

LASIK recovery is generally smooth, but results and timelines vary. And your optometrist in Champaign, IL will be with you the whole way!

What Causes Eyelashes to Fall Out?

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For many, especially women, long, lush eyelashes are a valued symbol of beauty. And in fact, nice eyelashes look good on everyone. So much so that many people are willing to go to great lengths to have them. That’s why, when eyelashes fall out, it can feel so scary. As your optometrist in Champaign, IL, we want to help you to understand the possible causes of eyelash loss.

Natural Growth Cycle

Eyelashes, like all hair, go through a growth cycle consisting of growth, transition, and resting phases. Shedding is a normal part of this process, and it’s common to lose a few lashes daily.

Poor Makeup Practices

Heavy mascara use, failing to remove makeup at night, or harsh removal techniques can weaken and break lashes. Waterproof products can also be overly drying, making lashes brittle over time.

Allergies and Irritation

Allergic reactions to eye makeup, eyelash extensions, or adhesives can cause inflammation and shedding. Conditions like blepharitis, where the eyelid margins become inflamed, may also contribute to lash loss. Note that, if eyes seem to be chronically dry in addition to losing eyelashes, it might be best to get a dry eye evaluation in Champaign, IL.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, alopecia areat and skin conditions like eczema, can lead to eyelash thinning. Chemotherapy or certain medications may also make lashes fall out.

Stress and Nutritional Deficiencies

High stress levels can trigger telogen effluvium, a condition where more hairs enter the resting phase prematurely, leading to noticeable shedding. Deficiencies in nutrients like biotin, iron and vitamins A and E may also weaken lashes.

Adopting gentle eye care habits, choosing hypoallergenic products, and addressing underlying health issues are essential steps. If eyelash loss persists or worsens, contact your optometrist at Champaign Eye Professionals.

How Screens Impact Eye Health

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Modern life has given the world tremendous advantages, but increased screen time isn’t one of them. It’s still too early to definitively tell the long-term effects of humans looking at screens so much; we might not have any answers for many decades to come. But we already know the short-term effects and your optometrist in Champaign, IL wants you to be aware of the risks. No one expects you to quit all screens. But it’s important to know how screens can impact eye health.

Digital Eye Strain

Prolonged focus on screens can lead to digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome. Symptoms include eye fatigue, blurred vision, headaches and difficulty focusing. These occur because extended screen use reduces blink rates, causing the eyes to dry out and work harder to maintain focus.

Blue Light Exposure

Many screens emit invisible blue light, a high-energy wavelength that can disrupt natural sleep cycles, especially when exposure occurs at night. Extended exposure to this light may also lead to more frequent eye fatigue during daily activities.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Digital devices contribute to dryness in the eyes because users blink less often when focusing on a screen. This reduction in blinking leads to decreased tear production and evaporation of moisture from the eye’s surface. Over time, this can cause irritation, redness and discomfort.

Myopia Progression

Research suggests that extensive screen time, especially among children, is associated with an increased risk of developing nearsightedness (myopia). Spending long periods focusing on nearby screens limits exposure to natural light and may alter the development of the eye, leading to myopia progression.

Reduced Visual Performance

Long-term screen use can impair the ability to focus or adjust between different viewing distances. This can result in lingering discomfort, particularly in environments that demand high visual acuity, such as reading fine print or working on detailed tasks.

These impacts emphasize the importance of balancing screen time with other activities to maintain optimal eye health. For help with any of the symptoms associated with excess screen time, including dry eye syndrome in Champaign, IL, contact us today.

3 Benefits of Optilight 

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Optilight is a device that’s used to treat dry eye disease. It essentially delivers light pulses to the eyes, which warms your meibomian gland to increase tear production. Below, we’ll look at how the device works and its three key benefits.

1. Improve the Quality of Your Tears 

Your tears rely on oil to lubricate the eye and prevent it from drying out. With Optlight, the device gently warms the oil in your glands located on the edges of your eyelids, giving it a chance to mix with the water and saline produced by your tears. If you find your eyes constantly watering without ever actually feeling any relief, chances are you have meibomian gland dysfunction (also known as the most common reason for dry eye in Champaign, IL).

2. Clean Your Eyes 

Your eyes can be a magnet for mites, bacteria, and grit. With the Optlight, the sessions can clean out your eyes from all the visible and invisible gunk.

3. Decrease Inflammation

If you have Inflammation around your eyes, whether from lack of sleep or chronic dry eyes, the Optilight can help you target the problem areas and cut down on the irritation.

Find an Eye Doctor in Champaign, IL 

There are a number of home-made remedies to treat dry eyes. Anything from a warm compress to an over-the-counter dry eye mask can help you break up the oil in your meibomian gland. The difference between these remedies and the Optilight is that it’s a far more targeted procedure, which may be the best decision you can make if you have a stubborn case of dry eyes. If you’re looking for an eye doctor in Champaign, IL that can schedule you for the service, contact the team at Champaign Eye Professionals today!

Do Your Eyes Need the Vitamin D from Sunlight?

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Throwing on your sunglasses is a habit for most people, one that can be as important to their outfit choice as it is to shield their eyes from the glare. However, you may have also heard that your eyes need the sun to maintain optimal visual health. Below, we’ll look at how Vitamin D impacts your eyes and what you can do to strike the best balance.

Vitamin D and Eye Health

Vitamin D, whether it comes from the sun or supplements, is good for your visual health. It’s associated with reduced risk of everything from glaucoma to cataracts to age-related blindness.It may even help younger people with their distance vision, particularly teenagers. Plus, eye doctors in Champaign, IL will tell you that Vitamin D strengthens your bones, supports your immune system, and helps you keep on a good sleep schedule.

Do I Need Sunglasses in Champaign, IL?

Yes, you’ll still need to wear sunglasses. While the Vitamin D from the sunshine is great for your eyes, the dangers of the UV rays can unfortunately cancel out the benefits of Vitamin D. This is where some people may need to perform more of a balancing act than others.

For instance, if you have a history of sun cancer in the family, you may not want to leave your eyes exposed to the sun for too long (because you can’t use sunscreen on your eyelids). However, for most people, it pays to give your eyes short breaks from sunglasses (or to at least start to take Vitamin D supplements if they’re in short supply.

If you’re looking for either regular or prescription sunglasses in Champaign, IL, the team at Champaign Eye Professionals can help you find a style that can protect your eyes from the worst of the sun’s glint.

Protecting Your Eyes With Diabetes

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Did you know that diabetes can have a significant negative impact on your eyesight? Diabetes is a serious disease, and it increases the chances of you losing some or all of your vision. If you or a loved one has diabetes or even pre-diabetes, it’s important to be proactive about protecting your eyes. Don’t wait until something happens and you find yourself wishing you’d run to your optometrist in Champaign, IL sooner. Start today.

Monitor Your Blood Sugar Levels

Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is one of the most effective ways to safeguard your eyes. High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, leading to conditions such as diabetic retinopathy. Consistently managing your diabetes through diet, exercise and medication, as instructed by your primary care physician may reduce this risk.

Schedule Regular Diabetic Eye Exams

Annual diabetic eye exams in Champaign, IL are crucial for individuals with diabetes. These exams allow your optometrist to detect early signs of diabetic eye diseases, such as swelling, leaking blood vessels or abnormal growths. Early detection enables timely treatment and helps prevent vision loss.

Tell Your Optometrist About Your Condition

Every time you visit an eye doctor, you need to speak up for yourself and let them know you have diabetes. This will alert them to your condition so they can be extra alert for the telltale signs that diabetes is damaging your eyes. Even if you’ve already mentioned it during past visits, don’t you think it makes sense to be doubly sure?

Wear Protective Eyewear

People with diabetes are more susceptible to eye infections and injuries. Wearing sunglasses with UV protection outdoors and safety glasses when engaging in hazardous activities can help shield your eyes from potential harm.

If you’d like more support in taking care of your eyes with diabetes, we’d be happy to help. Contact Champaign Eye Professionals today to book an eye exam.

Best Foods For Eye Health

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A well-balanced diet rich in specific nutrients can support eye function and reduce the risk of eye diseases in a big way. Here are some of the best foods your eye doctor in Champaign, IL recommends you include in your diet to promote healthy eyes.

Leafy Greens

How: Chop up greens and add to pasta dishes, soups and sandwiches.

Why: Dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and collard greens are packed with lutein and zeaxanthin—antioxidants that help protect the retina from harmful light and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Carrots

How: Roast carrots with thyme and eat as a snack, cook and add into smoothies, or juice raw as part of your green juice recipe.

Why: Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining good vision, particularly for night vision.

Fatty Fish

How: Spread sardines on crackers and sprinkle with hot sauce. Make fish cakes with fresh or canned salmon and air fry.

Why: Fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which play a key role in maintaining the health of the retina and preventing dry eye syndrome. Omega-3s also help reduce inflammation and support blood circulation to the eyes.

Citrus Fruits

How: Snack on orange wedges, juice grapefruits for your breakfast drink and add lemon wedges to your water bottle.

Why: Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are rich in vitamin C, which is vital for maintaining the health of blood vessels in the eyes. Vitamin C also works as an antioxidant, protecting the eyes from damage caused by free radicals and helping prevent cataracts.

Be sure to get regular eye exams in Champaign, IL, too! Contact us today to book yours!