Do I Need a Diabetic Eye Exam?

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If you struggle to control your blood sugar levels, you may want to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor in Champaign, IL. Diabetes is a disease that’s marked by high levels of sugar in the bloodstream. If uncontrolled, it can damage your vision in several ways.

How Does Diabetes Affect the Eyes?

There are four different eye diseases linked to diabetes. They include:

  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Macular edema
  • Glaucoma
  • Cataracts

Each can cause severe or total vision loss. Early intervention, combined with learning how to manage your diabetes effectively, is your best defense against diabetes-related eye conditions. This is why it’s so important to schedule a diabetic eye exam at least once a year if you struggle with diabetes.

What Happens During a Diabetic Eye Exam?

During your diabetic eye exam, your vision specialist will use special eyedrops that cause your pupils to dilate. This is painless and noninvasive. However, it’s helpful to your ophthalmologist because it allows them to look deep into your eye, as far back as the retina, to see if unusual changes have occurred.

You may also undergo a glaucoma test during your eye exam because patients who have diabetes are at greater risk of developing glaucoma. Sometimes, the glaucoma test is as simple as subjecting your eye to a small puff of air. However, your eye doctor may also decide to do additional tests.

Who Should Have a Diabetic Eye Exam?

Anyone who has type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes should have a diabetic eye exam. You may be even more at risk if you smoke, if you also have hypertension, or if you’re pregnant. To learn more about the diagnosis of diabetes-related eye conditions in Champaign, IL, call Champaign Eye Professionals today.

What to Expect With Cataract Surgery

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Each year, millions of people have cataract surgery. The method has been proven to be effective and safe both by scientific studies and by practice. Yet, when it’s you who needs cataract surgery in Champaign, IL, it can feel scary. The more you know about what to expect, the better off you’ll feel. Here is some helpful information about cataract surgery.

Pre-surgery

Your cataract surgery will be scheduled for a particular future date. You’ll be given time to prepare for the surgery and provided with some helpful tips to help get you ready. You should try to eat nutritiously and avoid excessive drinking and smoking. The better condition you’re in physically, the speedier your recovery time will be. You may be asked to stop taking certain medications that could affect the surgery or recovery. You may also be prescribed eye drops that may be used before or after the procedure.

During Surgery

You can expect the surgery to take about an hour. However, you should clear your day because it’s unlikely you’ll want to resume regular activities afterward. You should also plan to have someone drive you home after the surgery. You will be given a sedative to help you relax, and a local anesthetic and a numbing agent will be applied around the eye. During the actual surgery, you’ll be aware of the activity, but you won’t be able to see what the eye doctor in Champaign, IL, is doing.

After Surgery

You’ll have time to rest post-surgery, and you’ll be watched to make sure you’re comfortable. After about 30 minutes, you’ll be fitted with an eye patch over the treated eye and a pair of special sunglasses to wear over the next several weeks. You’ll also be given at-home instructions and given a follow-up appointment.

To learn more about the details of having cataract surgery or to book your appointment, please contact us today.

Are Sunglasses Necessary in Winter?

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When you think of sunglasses in Champaign, IL, you may think of bright days under a searing sun. Sunglasses protect against harmful UV rays. They also make an attractive look that almost everyone finds appealing. But sunglasses aren’t just for summer. Find out why you should wear sunglasses year-round when the weather calls for it.

Understanding Winter Sunlight

The winter in Illinois brings shorter days due to the position of the sun and the Earth’s movement. Because the sun is lower in the sky during winter, your eyes are more likely to be exposed to direct sunlight. It could be while you’re driving, walking the kids home from school, or out for a run. And remember, UV rays exist whether it’s a sunny day or an overcast, wintry day. The danger is still there; it’s just less obvious.

Outdoor Activities

If you enjoy being in the snow in Illinois, you have even more need for sunglasses during this time of year. Snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays, almost doubling your exposure as compared to the summer months. In addition, the snow reflects those rays and can cause what’s known as snow blindness. This phenomenon is just as much—if not more—harmful than a sunburn.

Comfort and Eye Health

The dry air and cold wind in winter act as irritants to the eyes. Sunglasses act as a barrier, helping to keep cold wind and dry air from drying out the eyes. They also help to reduce strain against the winter elements, helping to keep your eyes more comfortable while you enjoy all the outdoor snow activities you and your family enjoy.

Come to visit us to find an attractive pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. Your Champaign, IL, optometrist has a large selection of sunglasses to suit your style, taste, and budget.

3 Reasons Getting Active Is Good for Your Visual Health

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One thing people are often surprised to learn during their routine eye exams in Champaign, IL, is that being physically active can play a role in your visual health. Incorporating physical activity into your routine not only benefits your overall health but also contributes to maintaining good visual health. Regular exercise supports focus, reduces the risk of certain eye conditions, and alleviates strain associated with modern screen-centric lifestyles. Take a closer look at the benefits of physical activity for your eyes below.

1. Enhanced Visual Focus

When you are exercising in some ways, you have to focus on objects ahead of you. For example, if you are running, your focus tends to be several feet in front of you. This focused activity on distant objects helps to strengthen the eye muscles, which may help with visual focus over time.

2. Reduced Risk of Certain Eye Conditions

Regular exercise may actually lower your risks of some pretty serious eye conditions and diseases. For example, aerobic exercise has been shown in clinical studies to lower intraocular pressure. Heightened pressure inside the eye has been linked to the development of glaucoma. Likewise, exercise may be beneficial for conditions like age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

3. Deter Eye Strain Due to Too Much Screen Time

When you are up and active, you are not focusing on a screen. Today, people spend more time on screens than ever, and this high level of screen focus can be hard on the eyes. Specifically, it can lead to asthenopia, a condition that stems from prolonged focus on a digital screen.

Work with a Champaign Eye Doctor to Protect Your Visual Health

An active lifestyle serves so many benefits for your visual health, but it is ever-important to work with a Champaign eye doctor to keep tabs on your eyes. Reach out to the team at Champaign Eye Professionals to schedule an appointment.

Eyemed Plans and Your Dependents: What You Should Know

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EyeMed plans can be purchased either by a company or an individual. As a vision insurance company, its terms will vary based on the policy coverage. If you have dependents, we’ll look at some of the most common questions about the plans and what they cover.

Does EyeMed cover all dependents?

No. In general, you’re more likely to get coverage for dependents if you have a plan through your employer. Illinois does not have a rule that EyeMed needs to cover dependents, so it’s important to check your plan for details.

What are some standard benefits for dependents on EyeMed?

Benefits will vary based on coverage, but you’re likely to get some coverage for eye exams, eyeglasses, contact lenses, and vision care products (e.g., eyedrops). In some cases, you might get full coverage, while others will have maximum limits and/or copays for each visit.

Is it easy to find information about my dependents through EyeMed?

It depends on what age they are. If they’re under 18, you should be able to see everything through the main portal. If you want to see information for a dependent over 18, you won’t have access to their account. It’s important to work out your communication with each dependent so everyone is on the same page.

Who Accepts EyeMed Plans in Champaign, IL?

If you’re looking for an optometrist in Champaign who will accept your plan, the staff at Champaign Eye Professionals can tell you more about what your benefits entail. We’re here to make sure that you get the most from your insurance, no matter what type of history you or your dependents have. Call us today to get a better handle on how to plan your budget for you and your family.

Is Sunshine Bad for Your Eyes?

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No doubt you’ve heard that too much sunshine can have negative effects on your skin, but what about your eyes? As your eye doctor in Champaign, IL, the doctors at Champaign Eye Professionals are committed to helping our patients take good care of their eyes. Here’s what you should know about sunshine and how it affects the eyes.

Is Sunshine Bad for Your Eyes?

Exposure to sunshine helps your body produce vitamin D, which in turn is good for your eyes. However, it doesn’t take that much sunshine exposure to get the daily recommended dose of vitamin D. Too much exposure to sunshine can be bad for your eye health in a variety of ways.

What Happens When Your Eyes Are Exposed to Sunshine?

Too much sunshine can cause the following problems for your eyes:

Cataracts. This condition, caused by a yellowing of the lens of the eye, can cause your vision to become cloudy. Left untreated, cataracts can eventually cause blindness.

Cancer of the eyelid. Eyelids that are frequently exposed to sunshine can develop cancer over time. Watch for signs like a bump on the eyelid that changes shape or bleeds, irregular swelling of the eyelid, persistent redeye or loss of your eyelashes.

Sunburn of the eyes. Corneal sunburn, also called photokeratitis, is a condition that occurs when the eyes are exposed to intense sunshine. Spending a day on the water, in the snow or on the beach can lead to photokeratitis.

How Can You Protect Your Eyes From Too Much Sun?

If you have prescription lenses, prescription sunglasses in Champaign, IL can help you protect your eyes from the sun. Get your sunglasses from a trusted source in Champaign, IL. At Champaign Eye Professionals, we stock a wide range of brands in our showroom. Call today to make an appointment.

4 Winter Eye Care Tips

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As the weather turns colder, it’s important to take care of your eyes. Changes in weather can impact your eye health and comfort. Knowing how to ensure that your eyes will stay healthy this winter is important. As your eye doctor in Champaign, IL, we can help! Here’s what to know about how to take care of your eyes as the weather gets cool.

1. Use Over the Counter Eye Drops

Sometimes winter weather can lead to dry eye, a condition that occurs when the eyes don’t make enough tears. Using over the counter eye drops can help alleviate discomfort from dry eye. Eye drops are sold in pharmacies, convenience stores and grocery stores. Keep eye drops on hand to keep your eyes comfortable if you start experiencing the effects of dry eye.

2. Wear Sunglasses

Glare on snow can make seeing difficult when you’re driving and participating in outdoor activities. Don’t put your sunglasses away, just because it’s winter! Keep your sunglasses with you in a case, and put them on when spending time outside.

3. Protect Yourself from Dry Eye

Aside from using over the counter eye drops, there are other things you can do to protect yourself from dry eye. Run a humidifier in your home to keep the air moist and comfortable. Avoid using your blow dryer on high heat; use a cooler setting. If you continue to experience the effects of dry eye, talk to your eye doctor.

4. Make Your Annual Eye Appointment

If you wear corrective lenses, you should see the eye doctor on a regular basis to get an updated prescription. If you haven’t yet been to the eye doctor for your routine eye exam in Champaign, IL, contact Champaign Eye Professionals to make an appointment.

3 Tips for Finding a Better Vision Plan for You

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The right vision plan in Champaign, IL, can significantly impact your health and your wallet. If you’re interested in how you can get a better one for you, we’ll look at how to plan ahead.

Finding the Right Balance

For people with 20/20 vision and good eye health, it would be easy to choose the base plan. This would likely cover an annual exam and not much more. It’s a logical assumption, but it ignores what would happen if there was a hiccup in your usual routine. If you don’t want to be caught off-guard having to pay for additional services, it’s important to consider how different events will impact your vision. For instance, if you need glasses for reading, it’s worth paying a few bucks more per month so you don’t have to pay out of pocket for lenses and frames.

Do the Research

Vision plans are more than just co-pays and contact lens cut-offs. Riders to your standard vision and ancillary plans can cover different services and products, but it’s important to have all the information upfront before signing the dotted line. At Champaign Eye Professionals, we recommend mapping out what you’ll pay annually for the plans against how much the services for certain conditions would cost individually.

Talk to the Right Eye Doctor in Champaign

The right eye doctor in Champaign will have a staff that can tell you not just how certain plans work, but why one might be right for you over another. If you’re ready to step up your plan (or find one in the first place), contact our office to learn more about what’s available and how it would impact you over the course of the year.

Why LASIK Co-Management Is a Win-Win

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LASIK is a relatively straightforward surgery for most patients and surgeons. However, just because it’s a common procedure doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to coordinate. If you’re looking for LASIK in Champaign, IL, we’ll look at how co-management makes for a more streamlined patient experience and why it can help optometrists and surgeons simultaneously.

An Equal Exchange

LASIK co-management is essentially a referral from your optometrist to a LASIK surgeon. It’s a partnership that’s meant to benefit everyone involved. The optometrist takes care of the pre-and post-operative care and follow-up. The surgeon gets a steady flow of patients, and the price may be lower for the patient (depending on insurance).

How the Patient Benefits

It would be easy to look at a co-management situation and assume that the doctors and staff were the only ones coming out on top. This isn’t so, though. Patients see more benefits than just a lower bill:

  • Familiarity: Sometimes, working with someone you already know is easier. With this option, you don’t have to worry about visiting a new doctor for anything other than the main event.
  • Consolidation: Your patient care will be coordinated by one team, so there are fewer chances of confusion. If you end up at an unaffiliated surgeon’s office, you can end up in a confusing back-and-forth between the two offices. Plus, they’re more likely to miss an important detail about your optical health.

Optometrists in Champaign

If you’re looking for an optometrist in Champaign, IL, who can refer you to a good surgeon, the staff at Champaign Eye Professionals offers co-management for LASIK. We’ve seen countless patients get the vision they want without the hassle, so contact us today to learn more about the program and what it can do for you.

Haven’t Seen the Eye Doctor Recently? 3 Reasons to Make An Appointment

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It’s important to see your eye doctor in Champaign, IL if you have glasses or if you’re at risk for eye diseases. Seeing your eye doctor can help you keep your eyes healthy, and can also help you maintain good vision. Below are three good reasons to see your eye doctor if you haven’t had an appointment recently.

1. Your Eye Doctor Can Diagnose Eye Diseases

Your eye doctor can diagnose eye diseases when you get a comprehensive eye examination. During these examinations, your eye doctor will dilate your pupils to see far into the back of your eye. If you’re at risk for conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration, or if you have a condition that puts you at higher risk for eye diseases (like diabetes) seeing the eye doctor on a regular basis is important.

2. Your Prescription May Have Changed

If you have eyeglasses, your prescription may change over time. Seeing the eye doctor will catch these changes, so you can update your corrective lens prescription. This helps ensure that you can see clearly when you’re engaging in activities like driving, riding a bike, reading, and so on. Being able to see clearly is important, and it can be a matter of safety as well. Your eye doctor can help ensure that you’re able to see when you need to.

3. It’s Fun to Get New Glasses

Any time you get a new corrective lens prescription, it’s a good chance to get new glasses. Getting new glasses can be fun, especially if you like to follow glasses trends or coordinate your glasses with your outfits.

Ready for an eye exam in Champaign, IL? Call your eye doctor to make an appointment. Call Champaign Eye Professionals today.