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| 10 steps to keeping you eyes healthy |
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Wear safety eyewear when appropriate to protect your eyes from sight threatening injury. |
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Wear ultraviolet protecting sunglasses and a hat outdoors. Ultraviolet radiation is a risk factor for conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts. |
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Exercise regularly. Set a goal of moderate-intensity physical activity for 30 minutes five days a week. Studies tell us indi- viduals who exercise regularly can reduce their risk of macular degeneration by up to 70%. |
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Follow your physician's instructions in controlling systemic diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. These diseases affect eye health at a greater rate when they are not properly controlled. |
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Discontinue smoking habits. Smoking has a negative effect on eye health and can worsen eye diseases such as macular degeneration and dry eye. |
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Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants can help slow progression of eye diseases such as macular degeneration. |
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Drink 64 ounces of water each day. This is especially important for those individuals with dry eyes. |
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Keep your glasses and/or contact lens prescription current. Injuries are less likely to occur when vision is at its best. |
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Change contact lenses at the prescribed replacement interval and comply with intructions for contact lens hygeine. |
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10. |
Have your eyes examined every year or at the frequency recommended by your optometrist. The key to good vision and health is prevention. |
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| Contact Lens Care Tips |
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1. |
Always wash your hands with soap and water before handling your lenses. Dry your hands with a lint free towel. |
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2. |
To avoid getting your lenses mixed up, always apply and remove in the same order. |
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3. |
Never use eye drops or solutions that are not specifically for contact lenses. Never use tap water to clean your lenses. |
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4. |
Never use saliva to try to clean or wet your lenses. |
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5. |
Do not sleep in your lenses unless you have been prescribed a specific type of lens designed for extended wear or your doctor has approved sleeping in your lenses. |
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6. |
Keep all solution bottles tightly capped when you are not using them. |
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Don't let the tip of solution bottles contact any surface, including your fingers, lenses, or contact lens case. |
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8. |
Never use expired solutions. |
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9. |
Never reuse solutions. After inserting your lenses, empty the remaining solution out of your case, rinse it with warm water, and let it air dry. |
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10. |
Replace your lens case at least every 3 months. |
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| Insertion Tips for Soft Contact Lenses |
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1. |
Make sure your fingers are clean and dry. |
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2. |
Remove your lens from the package or storage case. |
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3. |
Inspect the lens to make sure it is not inverted. |
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4. |
Inspect the lens for any debris and rinse if necessary. |
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5. |
Place the lens on the tip of the index finger of your dominant hand. |
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6. |
With the middle finger of your other hand, pull your upper lid up to prevent you from blinking. |
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7. |
Pull down your lower eyelid using the middle finger of your inserting hand. |
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8. |
Gently place the lens on the center of your eye. |
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9. |
Slowly release your eyelid and gently close your eye. |
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10. |
Gently blink a few times. |
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11. |
Insert the other lens following the same procedure. |
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| Removal Tips for Soft Contact Lenses |
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1. |
Wash and Dry your hands. |
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2. |
Make sure the lens is centered on the eye. |
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3. |
Looking up, pull your lower eyelid down with the middle finger of your dominant hand. |
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4. |
Bring your index finger close to the eye until you touch the lower edge of the lens. |
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Gently slide the lens down onto the white part of your eye. |
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6. |
Squeeze the lens between your thumb and index finger to remove it from your eye. |
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7. |
If the lens is a daily disposable lens, simply throw it away. If it is not a daily disposable lens, you will need to clean and disinfect it. Clean the lens by placing it in the palm of your hand with a small amount of solution. Gently rub the lens for 5-10 seconds. Rinse the lens with solution before storing it in its case. |
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8. |
Repeat for the other eye. |
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| Important Facts to Remember |
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Remove your lenses if you experience discomfort, redness, or decreased vision. |
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2. |
Lenses may become contaminated if worn in swimming pools, hot tubs, or saunas. |
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3. |
Always use fresh solution. Never reuse solution to store your lenses. |
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Discard your lenses at the interval recommended by your doctor. |
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5. |
Remove lenses before using medicated eye drops. |
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| Normal Adaptation Symptoms May Include |
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1. |
Increased glare sensitivity outdoors. This can be relieved with quality sunglasses. If it is severe, contact your doctor. |
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2. |
Some initial mild discomfort. |
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Some dryness in air conditioning or smoky environments. |
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Slight awareness of the lenses. |
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| Your eyes are a window to detection of many systemic conditionst |
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| Your eyes are a window to detection of many systemic conditions. The eyes are the only place in the body where blood vessels and nerves can be viewed directly. |
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| A few examples of diseases that can manifest in the eyes: |
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Diabetes |
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High Blood Pressure |
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High Cholesterol |
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Signs of a Stroke |
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Brain Tumors |
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Multiple Sclerosis |
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Thyroid Dysfunction |
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Arthritis |
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Sjogren's Syndrome |
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Leukemia |
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Malignant Melanoma |
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Nutritional Deficiencies |
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| Information for diabetic patients |
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| All diabetic patients should have an annual dilated eye health exam. Early detection of retinal changes can help prevent severe vision loss. |
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| A healthy diet leads to healty eyes |
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Studies have shown anti-oxidants help slow progression of eye diseases such as macular degeneration.
Healthy foods rich in Vitamins A, C, E and lutein include spinach, kale, carrots, strawberries and tomatoes. Cold water fish such as salmon contain Omega-3 Fatty Acids, also a healthy choice for your eyes. |
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