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!

What You Should Know About Cross-Eyes

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Cross eyes, known as strabismus in the medical community, isn’t an extremely common condition, but it does affect up to 5% of the population. While usually associated with children under the age of six, it can technically affect adults as well. We’ll look at what you should know about this disorder, and how a comprehensive eye exam in Champaign, IL may be able to help alleviate its ill effects.

Eyes Can Point in Any Direction

Cross eyes technically refer to any alignment issues, meaning that instead of both eyes looking at one object, one eye may turn up, down, left, or right. The types of cross-eyed conditions are differentiated by how the eye is pointed. However, the most common version of cross-eye, where both eyes look inward, is called esotropia.

Cross Eyes Are Often Caused by Muscle or Nerve Disorders

Cross-eye usually stems from issues with the eye muscles and the nerves controlling eye movement, though brain abnormalities or medical conditions can also be underlying causes. If an adult or child has cross-eyes, they often have double vision, poor depth perception, and even vision loss in one eye (known as lazy eye).

Cross Eyes Can Be Treated in Champaign, IL

Cross eyes sometimes correct themselves on their own. Other times, they’ll need intervention from an eye doctor in Champaign, IL. You can find non-surgical ways to treat cross eyes from glasses to eye exercises to vision therapy. If these treatments fail to correct the issue, there are also surgeries that can correct the eyes muscles (though this is a last resort for medical professionals). If you have questions about your or your child’s condition, the team at Champaign Eye Professionals can help you figure out the next steps!

Dry Eye: Common Causes & Treatment Options

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Dry eye is a common condition that can bring along a whole set of troubling symptoms. This problem occurs when you don’t have a normal amount of tears or your tears dry up too fast. Burning and itching are some of the most common symptoms you may experience.

If you’re suffering from this condition, contact Champaign Eye Professionals today for reliable dry eye treatment in Champaign, IL. We’re here to make a difference in your eye and vision health!

In this post, we’ll discuss the common causes of dry eye, including some treatment options.

How Is Dry Eye Caused?

Several factors can increase your chances of developing dry eye, or make symptoms worse if you already have the condition.

Lifestyle Factors

Those who look at screens for several hours a day are more prone to getting dry eye. Smoking, using contact lenses, and having allergies are some other lifestyle risk factors to consider.

Medical Conditions

Dry eye is also more common in those with certain medical conditions, such as neurological diseases, eye conditions, and autoimmune problems.

Medications

If you take certain medications for the following conditions, you’re at a higher risk of developing dry eye:

  • Depression
  • Blood pressure
  • Allergies
  • Glaucoma
  • Menopause
  • Pain

Keep in mind only certain medications can lead to this issue. Talk to your doctor about the specific risks of the medications you’re currently taking.

What Are the Treatment Options for Dry Eye?

There are several environmental and lifestyle changes you can instill to help treat dry eye. You can also find a wide variety of eye drops. For in-office treatments, there’s something called thermal pulsation therapy (Lipiflow®). This process calmly massages and warms your eyelids to help your meibomian glands produce oil.

Another option is intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, which uses pulses of light to melt the thick substances that get in the way of your meibomian glands.

If you’re ready for trusted dry eye care, contact Champaign Eye Professionals to work with the top eye doctor in Champaign, IL!

Optometrist giving an eye exam

 Common Eye Care Myths Debunked

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There are common eye care myths most people have believed to be true their entire lives. Well, that stops here and now. Your optometrist in Champaign, IL, is about to blow these myths right out of the water for you.

Myth #1 – All Babies Are Born with Blue Eyes

This is part true and false. When babies are born, their eyes can appear to be blue. But that’s just because the melanin in their eyes is still developing. As they grow through the first year, the cells in their iris will begin to make melanin. And this could cause their eyes to darken.

Myth #2 – Eating Carrots Will Improve Your Eyesight

Eating carrots is good for your eyes. Your eyes need Vitamin A to remain healthy. But eating more carrots won’t actually improve your eyesight.

Myth #3 – If You Cross Your Eyes, They Can Get Stuck That Way

Nope! This is a 100% myth! Ask any eye doctor in Champaign, IL, and they will tell you that crossing your eyes won’t make them stay in that position.

Myth #4 – Sitting Too Close to the TV Will Damage Your Eyes

Yeah, we know. Parents have been telling kids this forever. But it’s not true. Sitting too close to the TV might give you eye strain or a headache, but that’s it.

Myth #5 – Reading in Low Light Is Bad for Your Eyes

Yep! This is another myth. Reading in low light isn’t bad for your eyes. However, it will cause your eyes to tire out more quickly.

Looking for an Exceptional Optometrist in Champaign, IL?

The best way to keep your eyes healthy is to visit your eye doctor regularly. Please Contact Champaign Eye Professionals today to schedule a routine eye exam. We want to keep your eyes happy and healthy as much as you do (maybe more)!

Why Prescription Sunglasses are a Must for Vision and Eye Health

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If you have a prescription for eyeglasses, consider getting prescription sunglasses to go with them. There are multiple benefits of prescription sunglasses that the team at Champaign Eye Professionals wants you to know. Here are some of them.

Adding UV Protection

Even if you don’t feel uncomfortable in the sunlight, your eyes can be damaged by UV rays. Prescription sunglasses that you order from your Champaign eye doctor will protect your eyes. They also protect the skin around your eyes from damage due to UV ray protection.

Limiting Eye Strain

When you don’t wear sunglasses, your eyes may face strain from the sun and the glare it creates. You will find less eye strain when you add prescription sunglasses to your eyecare toolbox. You can spend the entire day out in the sun without getting a headache or pain in your eyes.

Lessening Risk of Eye Disease

Did you know your eyes can get sunburned? This condition, known as photokeratitis, is serious and can impact your eyesight for life, increasing the risk of other eye diseases. Sunglasses reduce that risk, and they can also lessen the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, or retinal deterioration.

Keeping Vision Clear

Prescription sunglasses keep your vision clear when you’re outdoors. You won’t be squinting, and you won’t have to take off your prescription glasses to wear regular sunglasses. You will have your prescription and your sun protection all in one place.

Are you in the market for prescription sunglasses? Schedule a visit with Champaign Eye Professionals today to talk to your eye doctor about ordering prescription sunglasses. You can also visit our optical shop to see the attractive frames we have available.

Pretty brunette girl smiling, trying on sunglasses in optical shop, asking boyfriend if they suit her, trying to find perfect eyewear before going on vacation to sea. Girl in store enjoys shopping

3 Benefits of Photochromatic Sunglasses

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Wearing prescription sunglasses can be a bit of a hassle, particularly if you travel light. Not only are you usually going indoors and outside throughout the day, but the sun can dart in and out of clouds without much warning. Photochromatic sunglasses in Champaign, IL, change based on your eye’s exposure to light, and they can help you solve a few problems at once. We’ll look at the major benefits and where you can get a pair that fits your lifestyle.

1. Convenient

With photochromatic sunglasses there’s no need to carry around different sets of glasses or to have to keep switching back and forth if you’re constantly transitioning from inside to outside. If you’re used to foregoing sunglasses, this also means less eye strain throughout the day to adjust to the sun.

2. Better Vision in Low Light

It can be easy to keep your sunglasses on, even when the light starts to die. Photochromatic reduces the tint automatically, so you won’t have to worry about your vision even as the light changes.

3. UV Protection

The sun can be both good and bad for your eyes, but in general, you do need some degree of UV protection. With photochromatic sunglasses, the lenses immediately darken to protect your eyes from the rays.

Find Photochromatic Prescription Sunglasses in Champaign

It’s worth noting that not all photochromatic sunglasses function the same way, so it helps to know what you can expect from each brand and lens before you buy. If you’re looking for an eye doctor in Champaign, IL, who can help you find the right sunglasses for your eyes, visit Champaign Eye Professionals for an evaluation.

Does My Eye Doctor Need to Know the Supplements I’m Taking?

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Vitamins and supplements have become a way of life for many people. These extras can help us get the extra nutrients we might not always get from our regular diets. Of course, if they’re sold over the counter, it’s easy to discount their importance (or even forget which ones you’re taking).

However, when you visit the doctor, whether it’s your primary doctor or your eye doctor in Champaign, IL, it’s essential to be upfront with them and to make a complete list of what you’re taking. We’ll look at why below.

Contraindications

When a food like grapefruit can interfere with cholesterol medications, you can imagine specific vitamins and supplements could do the same. If you’re given any type of prescription, supplements, and vitamins may either make the medicine less effective or lead to more severe side effects.

Better Recommendations

The recommendations for vitamins and supplements should be considered generic advice for the average person. If you’re at risk for certain diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, you may need to adjust your dosage or eliminate certain types of vitamins.

Eye Doctors in Champaign, IL

When you take vitamins and supplements (as long as they’re purchased from a reputable supplier), you’re not taking tremendous risks. They may not always have the life-changing effects they often promise, but they also won’t necessarily hurt you either.

If you have questions about how to take them to reap the best benefits, a routine eye exam in Champaign, IL, can give you advice based on your individual eye health history. At Champaign Eye Professionals, our staff can evaluate the vitamins and supplements against the test results and help you make changes to ensure the best outcome.

What Is a Cortical Cataract?

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While millions of people will experience cataracts throughout their lives, not everyone will have the same type of cataract. If you’ve heard the term cortical, we’ll look at what it means, how it differs from other types of cataracts, and what you can do to abate or eliminate the disorder.

 

What Are Cortical Cataracts?

There are three types of cataracts that you can get: cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular. They are differentiated based on where the clouding of the lens occurs. An eye doctor in Champaign, IL, can explain that with a cortical cataract, the yellowing of the lens starts in the outer layer. Cortical cataracts are the ones most associated with diabetes?

Are Cortical Cataracts the Most Common Form of Cataracts?

No. The nuclear cataract is the most common type of cataract. The nuclear cataract starts in the central part of the lens and is usually caused by the general aging process.

What Are the Symptoms of Cortical Cataracts?

The most common symptom is light sensitivity, which is caused by the disruption of the lens fibers via the protein clusters. This scatters the light you see and can sometimes lead to glare. It’s worth noting that while there is no known cause for cataracts, they have been linked to smoking and poor diets.

Visit an Eye Doctor in Champaign, IL

If you’re looking for an eye doctor for a cataract evaluation in Champaign, IL, who can help you learn more about how your eyes are progressing, visit the team at Champaign Eye Professionals. In some cases, you may be able to reduce the symptoms of your cataracts via eyewear or lifestyle changes. For others, they may need surgery to help clear up the clouding of the lens.

Ophthalmologist examining patient's eyes

What Are Demodex Mites and Do They Contribute to Dry Eyes?

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If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from dry eyes, you may already know that the causes are not always easy to identify. From excess screen time to gland dysfunction, the reality is that that stinging, burning sensation could be coming from anywhere. If you know nothing about Demodex mites, you might want to learn more about these microscopic creatures and how they can impact your eyesight.

 

What Are Demodex Mites?

Demodex mites are small, wormlike creatures that live on both the skin and eyelashes. They’re usually fueled by the dead cells and oils in your body, and while they may be unpleasant to think about, they are usually harmless. However, if they have the chance to multiply, they can cause anything from skin to eyelid inflammation.

Do Demodex Mites Lead to Dry Eyes?

Yes, Demodex mites can cause burning, itching, redness, and crusting of eyelids that translate to dry eyes. If you feel like you constantly have something in your eyes but can’t identify the source, it could be an overgrowth of these mites. Dry eyes in Champaign, IL, are a harmless condition on the surface in that they won’t typically lead to eye damage or more serious eye diseases. However, dry eyes can impair your ability to perform critical activities, like driving, so it’s important to get your dry eyes checked out.

See an Eye Doctor in Champaign

The right eye doctor in Champaign, IL can assess the severity of your dry eyes and recommend solutions for the problem. If you do have Demodex mites, it may just be as simple as using a medicated scrub or ointment to kill off the mites. To schedule an evaluation contact Champaign Eye Professionals today!

How to Reduce Eye Strain During Work

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Eye strain at work is exceptionally common, regardless of what industry you’re in. When most people are required to use screens on a regular basis, it’s only natural for the eyes to start to feel the toll. Of course, these aren’t the only professions that lead to eye strain, though. Drivers, doctors, and even park rangers may start to blink away tears by the end of the day. We’ll look at how to reduce the strain when you’re at work.

Tips for Reducing Eye Strain
In addition to taking regular breaks and gettingregular eye exams in Champaign, IL, here are a few tips that can help you optimize your work environment:

Adjust your light: Use lower-intensity bulbs, shut the blinds, and turn non-essential lights off. When you think of a typical office setting with fluorescent lighting everywhere, your goal is to be about half that.
Buy a new monitor: An anti-glare monitor can do wonders to reduce your eye strain. You should also adjust the brightness until it’s white but not glowing. The tints should be more red and orange than blue.
Blink more: The more you blink, the more you moisten your eyes. This cuts out irritation and gives your eyes a much-needed break as you go about your day. You should also try focusing on an object around 20 feet away every 20 minutes to break up the close contact between your eyes and the screen.
See Your Eye Doctor in Champaign, IL
What’s the best lighting for you? How should you adjust the resolution based on your eyes? Do you need anti-reflective glasses? These questions are all best answered by aneye doctor in Champaign, IL. To set up an appointment and get your questions answered, contact us today to get the ball rolling.