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academy of eye care
826 Harrison Avenue Panama City, FL 32401
    (o) 850.769.1404        (f) 850.769.0748

contact lenses and spring allergies

3/11/2013

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Spring is here and allergies are going to be in full swing within a few weeks.  I always see a dramatic increase in eye infections this time of the year secondary to contact lenses and allergies.  Pollen from flowers and trees causes the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators in the body and the eyes.  
Some people find that their symptoms can be amplified if they are wearing contacts lenses.  Contacts also increase the chance of getting an eye infection.  There are a few things I always recommend doing this time of the year to help prevent an allergic reaction or infection:
  • Don’t sleep in your contacts at night because it creates a warm moist environment for bacteria to thrive in
  • Throw your contacts away when your doctor says you should and don’t stretch the life of them because they clog up with debris and don’t let your cornea breathe good enough
  • Ask the Dr if you are a candidate for daily disposable contacts so there is no re-exposure to allergens building up
  • Clear Care contact lens solution removes proteins on contacts better than other passive multi-purpose solutions
  • Use an antihistamine eye drop like Lastacaft or Pataday daily
  • Start taking an antihistamine pill like Zyrtec, Allegra, or Claritin every day
  • Above all-- if your eye is red and irritated, take your contacts out and give your eyes a break.  If you wear contacts with a red irritated eye you are asking for an infection.

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allergy "season"

3/4/2013

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We refer to it as allergy "season", but for the last few years it has seemed that the seasons all just run together. So many patients are suffering from eye allergies year round-- red, itchy, watery eyes.  In the midst of the worst allergy season ever, it is important to know what works best for you. 

There are tons of home-remedies and over-the-counter products based around allergies. Lubricating your eyes with artificial tears helps to dilute accumulated allergens and prevent them from sticking to the conjunctiva. Unfortunately, these drops have no impact on swelling or redness.

For the best relief for your eyes, call our office at 850.769.1404 for an evaluation of your eyes. There are a variety of decongestant eye, antihistamine, and steroid drops that can stop the suffering.  

Here are a few tips to remember:
  • Avoid staying outdoors when pollen levels are high
  • Allergies dry your eyes and dryness keeps more allergens on the surface-- break the cycle!
  • Cold compresses soothe allergy swollen eyes
  • Refrigerate eye drops for a soothing sensation during application
  • DO NOT RUB your eyes as this spreads histamines and causes more itching

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combating winter dry eyes

12/15/2012

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In Florida, we are accustomed to humidity in the air that so thick you can slice it with a knife.  But when winter months approach, the atmosphere here gets very dry.  Dry eyes that burn and ache are a common side effect of the cold winter winds outside and the dry, heated air of our homes inside. Our tears evaporate off the surface of our eyes, and our tear glands simply cannot produce fluid quick enough to maintain the protective, moist coating that our eyes require to stay hydrated. The result is dry eyes that may cause blurred vision or a scratchy, burning sensation.

Luckily, there are several simple ways that you can combat dry eyes during the winter months. Here are our tips for keeping your vision clear and your eyes moisturized during the cold winter season ahead:

  • Sunglasses to shield your eyes from the drying elements and decrease the evaporation of your tear film.  
  • Humidifier to maintain a healthy level of moisture in your home.
  • Lubricating eye drops help to supplement your tear film and heal damaged tissue.  Because there are so many over-the-counter artificial tear brands to choose from, make sure that you ask Dr. Byers to ensure that you are using drops that are suitable for your condition.

The winter season can be a great time to get outside and soak up the smells and sights of the season. However, make sure that you follow these simple steps for combating dry eyes to make sure that you do not fall victim to the hazards of the cold, dry winter weather.




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november is diabetic eye disease awareness month--  be aware!

11/7/2012

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In November, we acknowledge American Diabetes Month and with it the serious toll the disease can take on your eyes.  Prevent Blindness America attempts to raise awareness on the damage to the small blood vessels that nourish the retina when your blood sugar is not under control.  
The numbers for this disease speak for themselves:  
  • 24 million children and adults in the U.S. have diabetes.
  • 7.7 million Americans suffer from diabetic retinopathy.
  • 25,000 people go blind from diabetic retinopathy every year.
  • 25x more likely to lose your sight from retinopathy, glaucoma or cataracts if you have diabetes.

What are the symptoms?                 
Often, there are no symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. Vision may seem unchanged until the disease becomes severe. Eventually, the vision of a person with diabetic retinopathy may become blurred or blocked entirely. But even in more advanced cases the disease may progress without symptoms for a long time. That is why regular eye exams are so important for people with diabetes.

See an Eye Doctor at Least Once a Year!!!                           

Early treatment of serious diabetic retinopathy can improve the chance of saving your sight. For some people, diabetic retinopathy may be one of the first signs that they have diabetes. Adults and children who have diabetes should have a dilated eye exam at least once a year.

At Academy of Eye Care, Dr. Byers always dilates your eyes as part of your eye examination.  Eye drops are used to widen your pupils to allow a close look at the inside of the eye.  We even have advanced technology of the Topcon 3D OCT to exam the layers of the retina and macular tissue in detail.  


[Source: Prevent Blindness America]

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