In an article published in ModernMedicine, Arthur De Gennaro notes that the sun shines just as brightly during all months of the year. Also, sunlight can reflect off white snow and directly into your eyes, causing glare and reduced visibility. Wearing sunglasses can reduce the effects of glare and protect your eyes by absorbing UV rays.

Keep this in mind when you are outside this winter season. We wish you and your family a happy holiday season. Have fun, be protected, and be eye-safe!

You may have never considered how much your eyes are exposed to sunlight on a daily basis. Every time you walk your dog, ride your bike, or work in your garden, your eyes are being bombarded by harmful rays. According to an article by Modern Medicine, “The World Health Organization (WHO)…estimates that 20% of cataracts are accelerated or caused by UV radiation.”

If you are already diagnosed with or concerned about cataracts, wearing UV-blocking sunglasses whenever you go outside may slow the development of further damage. Even if you don’t go outside every day, wearing protective eyewear may slow the progression of cataracts by preventing more harmful rays from reaching your eyes.

Change in vision quality may affect us more and more as we mature. However, taking control of your eye health today will greatly benefit you in the future. Proactive protection today may be the key to having greater vision tomorrow.

In 2010, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported more than 250,000 toy-related injuries in the United States. Most of these were children under the age of 15. It’s easy for your child to get lost in the joy of having a brand new toy, but there are many things to consider while holiday shopping this year.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends five toy-buying tips to protect your child’s eyes:

1. Do not purchase toys with sharp points or edges.
2. Always supervise your child with handling potentionally-dangerous playthings.
3. Ensure your child always wears protective eyewear when playing sports.
4. Always follow age-recommendation guidelines.
5. Keep big-kid toys away from small children.

From Carolina Eyecare Physicians, have a safe and satisfying holiday season!

Step 5:  The LASIK consultation.

This is the step you can’t skip if you are going to have LASIK, because the results of the screening tests performed at this point will determine if you are actually a good candidate for the procedure.  Once that has been confirmed, data gathered in the course of a diagnostic evaluation will make it possible for the surgeon to plan the surgery.  This is also an opportunity to meet the surgeon’s team, ask all of your questions in person and get the answers you need to make a truly informed choice.

Dr. Solomon offers a complimentary (free) consultation to determine if you are (or are not) a good candidate for LASIK.  Go to Dr.KerrySolomon.com to take the LASIK quiz and schedule YOUR consultation.  You have nothing to lose, and your best possible vision to gain.

• Carrots and sweet potatoes are full of Vitamin A. Make sure you get an extra helping of these orange delights to help protect your vision and prevent dry eye.
• Broccoli and sweet peppers are a great way to take advantage of all the benefits of Vitamin C. Getting your fill of this nutrient can help reduce the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
• Spinach, squash, and pumpkin pie are a good source of beta-carotene and may also prevent night blindness.
• Green bean casserole, asparagus, brussels sprouts, spinach, or a leafy green salad provide an excellent source of lutein and zeaxanthin. These crucial nutrients may help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration. The greener they are, the better for your eyes.
• Cranberry sauce, cherry pie, and blueberries load your plate with a zesty source of bioflavanoids. These may also reduce your risk for cataracts and macular degeneration.

Those of us at Carolina Eyecare Physicians wish you a happy, eye-healthy Thanksgiving!

If Baby Boomers are concerned about the health of their eyes, why aren’t they doing more about it? They may be unaware of what exactly makes eyes “healthy.” The survey suggests that they are concerned about their eyes, but “do not know the simple steps they need to incorporate into their daily lives to take care of them.”

Multiple studies suggest that increased omega-3 fatty acid, lutein, and zeaxanthin intake; through diet change or supplementation is the key to improving eye health. Also, regular eye exams are very important in diagnosing age-related eye problems early.

It’s never too late to start protecting your eyes. By taking these things into consideration, you can be on your way to better eye care and optimal optical nutrition.

The message is simple: Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the United States for those 20 years of age and older. Maintaining a health body and making good nutrition choices are essential for the prevention of diabetes and diabetes-related vision loss.

“Live Right, Save Sight!” promotes the following lifestyle changes to help prevent diabetes and eye disease:

• Maintain a healthy weight with regular exercise for 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week.

• Monitor blood sugar levels.

• Maintain a healthy blood pressure.

• Stop smoking.

• Receive annual eye exams.

Diabetes and eye disease are not inevitable. They are preventable and manageable with just a few simple changes to your everyday routine. Plus, the benefits will last for the rest of your life.

This new not-for-profit organization will provide cataract surgery at no cost to uninsured individuals who meet the program’s guidelines. Patients who are unable to pay for cataract surgery may now have the opportunity to experience its life-changing benefits.

Step 4:  Ask about TECHNOLOGY.  Technology is important…so important, in fact, that the better LASIK surgeons heavily invest in new technology on a regular basis.  That investment speaks volumes about their commitment to delivering the best possible LASIK results.  Some surgeons are more comfortable with new technology than others, and some perform more (or less) thorough diagnostic testing and precision measurements than other surgeons before making a recommendation and planning each patient’s LASIK surgery.

Did you know that Dr. Solomon performed the first LASIK procedure in the state of South Carolina?  His leadership role in the development of new vision correction technology gives him early access to the latest advances.  His patients often benefit from next-generation technology before it is available elsewhere.  Every LASIK patient receives state-of-the art testing to ensure that they have the best possible outcome.

Check back for the fifth and final step!

Wouldn’t this be a good time to visit DrKerrySolomon.com to take the LASIK quiz? 

Step 3:  Ask about EXPERIENCE.  As the old saying goes, “practice makes perfect.”  Well, not “perfect” perhaps, but a LASIK surgeon who has had more opportunity to perfect his or her technique is likely to be more skilled than a surgeon who has had less “practice.”  More skill means better outcomes, and that’s what you want, so ask how many LASIK procedures the surgeon has performed.  The more the better, but the number should be in the thousands.

Go ahead…call the offices of the remaining surgeons on your list, and ask how many LASIK procedures each has performed.

Check back for steps 4 and 5!

In the meantime, why not visit DrKerrySolomon.com and take a look at Dr. Solomon’s CurriculumVitae (résumé) to learn more about his experience?