Eye Care in Chicago, Illinois

Using face paints and eye makeup can be a fun and creative way to dress up this Halloween. But since costume makeup is often applied more heavily than day-to-day makeup, it involves greater risk of eye infection and irritation. Here are our recommendations for keeping your eyes safe and happy while rocking your Halloween makeup look.

1. Only use products that are intended for use around the sensitive eye area, such as the eyeshadow and eyeliner you use all year long. Many face paints and other products sold before Halloween are not eye-friendly. Be sure to read a product’s instructions before applying it.
2. Try to use hypoallergenic products to lower the risk of an allergic reaction.
3. Avoid applying costume makeup directly on your eyes, even if the product’s packaging depicts an image of an eye with closely applied makeup. A good rule to follow is keeping the makeup above the eyebrow.
4. If you plan to use a new product, test it out on a small area of skin a few days before Halloween to ensure that it won’t irritate your skin.
5. There is no luminescent or fluorescent cosmetic product that is FDA-approved for use around the eye area. Don’t apply makeup containing these ingredients.
6. To prevent irritation, promptly remove your eye and face makeup after trick-or-treating or attending a Halloween party.
7. Follow the removal instructions that are written on the product’s label.
8. Always replace Halloween makeup from year to year. Using last year’s cosmetics significantly raises your risk of introducing harmful microbes into your eyes.
9. Never share eye makeup with another person.

Some signs of irritation include eye redness, itchiness, inflammation, pain, sensitivity, or watery eyes. If you experience any uncomfortable symptoms due to eye makeup or anything else, contact Buena Vista Optical for a prompt eye examination. We wish all of our patients a safe and happy Halloween!

REFERENCES 10 Tips for Halloween Makeup Eye Safety

Eye Care in Chicago, Illinois

Are Pumpkins High in Vitamins & Minerals?

From pumpkin spice lattes to warm and comforting pumpkin soup, this winter squash is a favorite autumn ingredient — and for good reason. Not only are they delicious, they’re packed with several key nutrients that support ocular health. In fact, the nutrients in pumpkins and other carotenoids are strongly associated with a reduced risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Here’s why your eyes will thank you for consuming more pumpkin this autumn.

High in Vitamins A and C

Vitamin A plays a key role in protecting the cornea and supporting clear vision in dimly-lit settings.

When taken in combination with Vitamin A, Vitamin C has been shown to reduce the risk and slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration — a leading cause of blindness in adults. Vitamin C also reduces the risk of developing cataracts.

Great Source of Zeaxanthin and Lutein

Zeaxanthin and Lutein can be thought of as the eye’s natural “sunscreen.” They help filter out damaging high-energy light rays from the eyes.

Consuming sufficient amounts of these nutrients is also linked to a reduced risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Rich in Zinc

Zinc is an essential nutrient for eye health: high levels of it are found in the retina and choroid (the vascular layer of the eye). Zinc deficiency has been linked to having poor nighttime vision and the presence of cataracts.

It also helps deliver Vitamin A to the retina to form melanin (a pigment that protects the eye).

What’s more, zinc reduced the loss of visual sharpness by 19% and significantly slowed the progression of age-related macular degeneration in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) sponsored by the National Eye Institute. The study found that getting 40-80 mg/day of zinc (in combination with other antioxidants) slowed the progression of AMD by 25%. Other studies determined that even a daily zinc intake of 25mg reduces AMD progression.

Some delicious and healthful ways to up your pumpkin intake are roasted pumpkin, pumpkin smoothies, pumpkin seeds for snacking, and last but not least — delectable pumpkin soup.

Below is an easy and nutritious recipe for pumpkin soup that will warm you up on chilly autumn days.

Pumpkin Soup – Food for the Soul and Your Eyes

You’ll need:

• 2 sugar pumpkins or 2 ¼ cups of pureed pumpkin
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 shallots, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup coconut milk or other non-dairy milk
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 2 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp each of nutmeg, black pepper, cinnamon

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Then, cut the tops off the pumpkins and cut them in half. Scrape out all of the seeds with a sharp spoon. Here’s a tip: keep the seeds on the side and roast them later for snacking.

Brush the flesh of the pumpkins with olive oil and place them on the parchment paper, cut side down. Place in the oven for 40-50 minutes, until a fork easily pierces the skin.

Remove the pumpkins from the oven and let them cool enough to handle. Remove the skin from the pumpkin and set aside.

In a medium pot placed over medium/high heat, add the olive oil, diced shallots, and garlic. Cook until translucent or slightly browned, stirring occasionally.

Add the pumpkin and remaining ingredients to the pot and simmer for 20 minutes.

Use an immersion blender to puree the soup into a thick and creamy bisque.

Serve hot and enjoy!

REFERENCE Pumpkin picking for eye health

Eye Care in Chicago, Illinois

What is Keratitis?

Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea (the clear outer covering of the eye). There are two types: infectious keratitis and non-infectious keratitis.

Though there are many fun aspects to Halloween, it can rapidly become scary if things go awry, especially when it affects your eye health. Halloween eye makeup, decorative contact lenses, shared eyewear or makeup, and the use of glitters can all potentially increase the risk of eye infections and unpleasant ocular conditions. So what is keratitis and what steps can you take to keep it from ruining your Halloween fun?

Infectious keratitis can be caused by a virus, fungus, bacteria, or parasites, and can only be treated with medication.

Non-infectious keratitis is usually caused by an eye injury, a foreign substance stuck in the eye, or wearing contact lenses longer than the recommended wear time.

What Are the Symptoms of Keratitis?

Signs and symptoms of keratitis include:

• Eye redness
• Eye pain
• Excessive tearing or eye discharge
• Blurred vision
• Light sensitivity
• Difficulty or inability to open the eye
• Decreased vision or temporary blindness
• The feeling that something is stuck in your eye

If any of these feel familiar, promptly contact Todd Sims for immediate treatment.

So How Exactly Is Keratitis Treated?

Keratitis should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Any delay in treating the condition can lead to complications — even blindness.

The first step is going to your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam and getting an accurate diagnosis. Once keratitis is diagnosed, Todd Sims will get to the root of the problem, determine the exact cause, and will provide treatment accordingly.

Mild non-infectious keratitis is generally treated with artificial tear drops to soothe any ocular discomfort until it heals. More severe cases of non-infectious keratitis can be treated with an eye patch and topical eye medications.

Infectious keratitis, on the other hand, is treated with antibacterial, antiviral, or antifungal eye drops, depending on the type of infection.

What Steps Can I Take to Prevent Keratitis?

We cannot emphasize it enough: to prevent complications, always maintain strict ocular hygiene.

• Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling your contact lenses
• Replace your contacts at the recommended time
• Replace your lens case every 3 to 6 months
• Don’t swim or shower with contacts on
• Switch to daily disposable contacts if you’re prone to eye infections
• Avoid touching your eyes if you have an outbreak of cold sores/herpes, unless you’ve thoroughly washed your hands
• Only use eye drops suggested or prescribed by your eye doctor and check when they need to be discarded.

While we certainly want our patients to enjoy themselves and have fun this Halloween, at Buena Vista Optical we care about eye safety while partaking in good-spirited fun.

Contact Buena Vista Optical with any further questions or to schedule your eye exam.

REFERENCES –Keratitis

Contact Lens Exam at Buena Vista Optical

Changing the look of your eyes with the help of decorative contact lenses can take your Halloween costume to the next level. But did you know that purchasing these lenses without a prescription from an eye doctor can actually pose serious harm to your eyes and eyesight?

Keep your eyes healthy this Halloween by asking Todd Sims about the safest way to obtain and wear colored or cosmetic contact lenses.

How Can Decorative Contact Lenses Harm Your Eyes?

Because decorative contact lenses usually don’t correct vision, many consumers believe that it’s fine to purchase them without a prescription, online, from a street vendor, or beauty supply store. The truth is that decorative contact lenses can increase your risk of serious eye disease.

While few eye doctors stock decorative lenses, your eye doctor can provide you with a contact lens prescription based on an examination and fitting, as well as instructions on how to care for them in a safe, hygienic way. Never order lenses unless they conform to an optometrist’s prescription.

Some of the risks of decorative lenses include:

• Bacterial or viral infection
• Allergic reaction (red, watery eyes)
• Corneal abrasion (a cut or scratch on the eye’s surface)
• Permanent changes to vision
• Blindness

Decorative contact lenses are often made by unlicensed manufacturers that tend to use lesser-quality or toxic materials such as lead (often used in lens coloring), which can get absorbed through the eyes into the bloodstream. They also may contain high levels of bacteria from unsanitary packaging, shipping, and storage conditions. We think that’s a reason to be spooked!

Furthermore, wearing decorative contacts without a proper fitting by an optometrist can lead to a permanently damaged or scarred cornea. The feeling of dryness that sometimes accompanies wearing these contacts often means they fit poorly and are scratching the cornea.

Even if you don’t need vision correction but still want to wear decorative contact lenses, make an appointment with Todd Sims for a comprehensive eye exam and contact lens fitting to avoid potential eye damage.

Checklist for Decorative Contact Lens Wearers

• Make sure to undergo a comprehensive eye exam by an eye doctor, who will measure your eyes and provide a thorough fitting of the contacts.
• Obtain a valid prescription that includes all relevant information, like the contacts’ parameters, expiration date, and brand name.
• Ensure the contact lenses you’ve ordered match the prescription in every detail.
• Always purchase decorative contact lenses from a reliable retailer (tip: reliable retailers should demand a prescription.)
• Carefully follow the hygiene instructions for cleaning, inserting, removing, and storing lenses laid out by your eye doctor.
• Make sure to undergo a follow-up eye exam as directed by your eye care professional.
• Never share contact lenses with anyone else.

By following these guidelines for safe contact lens use, you’ll be able to enjoy your Halloween without the worry or discomfort of an eye infection or damaged cornea. To schedule your comprehensive eye exam, call Buena Vista Optical or visit our Chicago office.

Computer Glasses Available at Buena Vista Optical

The topic of blue light has grown in popularity over the last decade, as indoor blue light exposure from computer screens and handheld digital devices has grown. You may hear varying opinions about whether blue light affects the eyes and to what degree, so continue reading to learn what we think is the most relevant information on the subject.

What is Blue Light?

Every color of visible light has a different wavelength and energy level. Colors like red, orange, and yellow have longer wavelengths and carry less energy than colors like blue and purple.

Because blue light carries higher energy, it can easily reach the retina at the back of the eye. Although some of the eye’s structures filter out harmful rays like ultraviolet light, they allow blue light to penetrate.

The sun, digital screens, and LED and fluorescent lighting all emit blue light.

How Does Blue Light Affect Eye Health?

The retina’s light-sensitive cells (photoreceptors) can be damaged by blue light when overexposed. In severe cases, this kind of cell damage produces similar symptoms to macular degeneration, and can even cause blindness.

Further research is needed to determine how much natural and man-made blue light is excessive, and what effect it has on eye health. Until more is known, many people err on the side of caution and try to limit their blue light exposure, especially from digital devices.

What is certain is that blue light contributes to digital eye strain. Because blue light has more energy and scatters more freely than other light (the reason that the sky appears blue), it is not easily focused. As the scattered blue light rays enter the eye, they create visual “noise” that is believed to be partly responsible for digital eye strain symptoms such as watery eyes, headache, blurry vision, and dry eyes.

How You Can Limit Blue Light Exposure

There are several ways to limit the amount of blue light that enters your eyes. You can purchase blue light filters for your devices, or simply reduce screen time.

If you spend a significant amount of time staring at a screen daily, you may want to consider purchasing computer glasses or blue light filters for your lenses. These glasses are available with or without a prescription, so they are compatible with contact lenses as well. Computer glasses are customized to meet the needs of your eyes and lifestyle.

To learn more about computer glasses or blue light, call Buena Vista Optical and make an appointment with . We can help guide you in choosing the right glasses that meet your visual needs.

REFERENCES:
Blue Light and Your Eyes
Blue light – What is all the fuss about?
Blue light facts: How blue light affects your eyes

Eye Exams & Eyeglasses in Chicago

Pregnancy is a beautiful time in a woman’s life, but can sometimes produce not-so-beautiful side effects like morning sickness and exhaustion. In some women, “blurred vision” can also be added to that list.

Blurred vision can affect pregnant women at any time during pregnancy, usually due to fluctuating hormones. In the vast majority of cases, a woman’s vision will return to normal within a few weeks following delivery. Rarely, blurred vision may be caused by serious pregnancy-related medical conditions, so it’s important to alert your physician and your eye doctor if you notice a change in your eyesight.

At Buena Vista Optical, we treat patients with all sorts of visual conditions, including pregnancy-related blurred vision. Read on to learn more about its causes and how it can be managed.

How Can Pregnancy Cause Blurred Vision?

One of the most common reasons for a pregnant woman to experience blurred or hazy vision is due to hormonal changes. Pregnancy hormones cause fluid retention, which results in the cornea becoming thicker. Since the cornea is responsible for focusing most of the light the eye sees, vision can be altered by this corneal change.

Usually, during their second and third trimesters, some women experience decreased eye pressure (IOP). IOP changes typically return to pre-pregnancy levels by two months postpartum. Excessive amounts of progesterone throughout pregnancy can soften the corneal tissue, causing a woman to experience double or blurred vision. Pregnancy hormones also decrease tear production, which can affect how clearly she sees.

Some complications of pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, can also be responsible for changes in vision. Gestational diabetes can cause temporary vision loss, light sensitivity, and flashes of light. And preeclampsia can cause modifications in the cornea and even damage to the retina, due to elevated blood pressure. For this reason, it is crucial that your physician regularly monitor your blood sugar levels and blood pressure.

We Can Manage Pregnancy-Related Blurred Vision and Other Eye Conditions

If you are pregnant and experiencing any sort of visual changes, speak with Todd Sims about how to manage and ease your symptoms. It may be advisable to discontinue wearing contact lenses and switch to glasses for the duration of your pregnancy. Todd Sims can also suggest several eye exercises and prescribe pregnancy-safe eye drops that may provide some relief while you’re expecting.

Don’t let uncomfortable or bothersome visual symptoms stop you from enjoying this special time. Call Buena Vista Optical to schedule your appointment today.

Article Source Why Pregnancy Causes Blurred Vision and ways to deal with it

Designer Frames in Chicago | Buena Vista Optical

Wearing sunglasses while enjoying the fresh outdoor air is essential to keeping your eyes safe from the sun’s damaging UV rays all year round. What many don’t know is that sunglasses are especially important to wear during the fall, due to the sun’s position in the sky and the angle at which its rays enter your eyes. The following types of sunglasses are our picks for the most stylish way to keep your eyes safe this fall.

The Trendiest Sunglasses of the Year

Oversized “Granny” Frames

These sunglasses are the perfect accessory for a vintage-inspired look. They look great with almost any hairstyle: straight hair, beachy waves, or messy bun. Granny frames come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and styles to complement a multitude of different face shapes and skin tones.

Classic Aviators

Will aviators ever go out of style? Considering they’ve been trending for over 7 decades, we think they’re here to stay. In 2020, we are seeing eyewear designers add innovative features to aviators, such as pops of color, clear plastic rims, and colored lenses.

Geometric Shaped Frames

These sunglasses are for the bold and the brave. Geometric frames feature an array of shapes from octagons and hexagons to slightly round styles. They’re also available in small designs or oversized to accommodate several face shapes. These styles add an edginess to almost any look.

Round Frames

The round sunglass frames of 2020 pay tribute to their retro, hippie, or steampunk predecessors, but with modern variations. We are seeing round frames with creative additions and lenses, for a chic twist. Round sunglasses suit many face shapes, but especially oval, square, oblong, and heart-shaped faces.

Protective Shield Sunglasses

What makes these sunglasses unique is their continuous lens, which spans over both eyes and bridge of the nose. While we’ve seen these sunglasses trending in the past, the ones of 2020 are more bold and eye-catching than ever before. These sunglasses are a perfect choice for those who appreciate a sporty yet glamorous look.

If you’ve been looking for a fresh way to change up your look, new sunglasses can be your answer. Especially in the fall months, don’t skip on the sunglasses when outdoors. At Buena Vista Optical in Chicago, we offer a wide range of sunglasses in many styles, shapes, and colors, so there’s something for everyone.

Contact Lens Exam in Chicago

Some parents may deny their teens’ requests for purchasing contact lenses, thinking they’re too young. So it may come as a surprise to hear that the FDA deems it safe for children as young as 8 to wear certain types of contact lenses. Caring for and inserting contacts requires some maturity, and each parent must decide if their child is prepared for that level of responsibility. If your child is interested in wearing contact lenses, Todd Sims can guide both you and your child down the path to achieving clear and comfortable ‘glasses-free’ vision.

What Makes a Teen Ready For Contact Lenses?

Before deciding whether your teen is ready to wear contacts, consider the following:

Hygiene

Maintaining proper hygiene is crucial for contact lens wearers of all ages. They must thoroughly wash their hands before they insert, remove or clean their lenses. Furthermore, contact lenses are in constant contact with protein molecules in the tears, which leads to protein buildup on the lens surface. This can cause the eyes to feel irritated and itchy, and even cause an infection. Examine your teen’s personal hygiene habits, and discuss the importance of caring for lenses properly and safely.

Adherence to Recommended Wear Time

One of the biggest causes of eye infection in those who wear contact lenses is overuse. Your teen must be able to understand and follow the recommended wearing schedule. If wearing a bi-weekly or monthly disposable lens, they would need to keep track of when to discard the current pair of lenses and open a new pair. Additionally, wearing contacts longer than recommended (such as overnight) can deprive the eyes of oxygen, which can lead to corneal damage.

Daily disposable contact lenses are a great choice for first-time contact lens wearers since users discard them daily, after each use, and don’t need to clean the lenses.

Pre-Existing Eye Conditions

If your child has allergies, dry eye, frequent bouts of pink eye or eye infections, speak with Todd Sims to determine whether contact lenses might increase their risk of these conditions.

Why Some Teens Prefer Contact Lenses

Contact lenses offer various benefits that your teen doesn’t experience with glasses. Someone who wears glasses may think twice before participating in some physical activities or sports for fear of losing or damaging their glasses. If your teen enjoys sports or outdoor activities, wearing contact lenses can relieve this fear.

Additionally, contact lenses provide clear peripheral vision, while glasses do not. In some cases of a teen or child with a very high prescription, contact lenses can offer clearer and more natural vision than standard glasses. Soft contact lenses are suitable for a wide range of prescriptions and astigmatisms and could be a great choice for your teen.

Moreover, eyewear — or lack thereof — is an essential part of a teen’s image and personal style. Most teens like the idea of having the option to wear either glasses or contacts.

If you think your teen is ready for contact lenses, we’d be happy to help them find the perfect pair for their individual lifestyle and visual needs. At Buena Vista Optical, we offer a wide variety of frames and contact lenses, so that every teen who comes to us leaves with eyewear that makes them feel confident while offering them the clearest and most comfortable vision possible.