Summer Eye Care Tips to Lower Your Risk of Eye Diseases

Your days in the sun can affect your eyes and the rest of your body. Protecting your vision and ocular health can reduce your risk of certain eye diseases and conditions as you age, including cataracts and eye cancers. Our eye doctors in Kansas City and St. Joseph hope you enjoy a fun summer. Remember to take care of your eyes using these tips, and schedule annual eye exams to diagnose and treat vision problems early.

1. Sunglasses with “100% UV Protection” for the Whole Family

Babies, children and adults of all ages need to protect their eyes outdoors, including on hazy or cloudy days. UV-protective sunglasses are an essential part of eye care for the whole family, and they should wear these frames year-round. Wrap-around sunglasses are best because they cover your entire visual field, and wide-brimmed hats can help reduce UV exposure.

It can take decades for UV rays to harm your eyes, but you increase your risk of cataracts and eye cancers each time you forget your sunglasses at home. Harmful UV rays can cause “sunburn of the eye” or photokeratitis. This condition happens when UV exposure burns the eye’s surface, leading to temporary vision loss, redness, blurry vision and eye pain. Sunlight that reflects off of water, sand, ice and snow can cause photokeratitis and snow blindness (a form of photokeratitis). Surfers, skiers, farmers and other people who spend a lot of time in the sun can develop pterygium, a yellowish growth on the eye. Sunglasses can prevent these eye complications.

2. Don’t Wear Contacts While Swimming, and Use Goggles

Whether you’re swimming in a chlorine or saline swimming pool or a body of open water, bacteria and microorganisms will be with you. People who wear contact lenses should take them out before swimming because these irritants can get underneath the lens and may lead to infection.

“Swimmer’s Eye” is another concern for people who spend much of their summer in the pool. Chemicals such as chlorine can alter the natural tear film and lead to temporary blurred vision, red eyes and a gritty feeling in the eyes — swim goggles and washing the eyes with fresh water can improve symptoms. Goggles also reduce the risk of contamination from bacteria in the water.

3. Protect Your Eyes from Dryness and Injury

The summer heat and dry environment may also affect the tear film and cause dry eye symptoms. Over-the-counter eye drops or artificial tears can help keep the eyes moisturized and refreshed. Wear protective eyewear that wraps around your eyes if you’re doing yard work or home improvement projects this summer. Mowing the lawn and trimming weeds can lead to eye injuries, as can construction work. More than half of all eye injuries take place in the home, but many can be prevented with proper eye care and protective eyewear.

Schedule an eye exam with our board-certified eye doctors at Wiles Eye Center by contacting our Kansas City, Missouri office at (816) 455-2020 or our St. Joseph, Missouri office at (816) 279-7015.

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Why Cataract Patients Choose Advanced IOL Lens Implants

Cataract surgery restores clear vision by removing the clouded natural eye lens (cataract) and replacing it with an artificial lens implant. More and more patients are choosing premium intraocular lens implants (IOLs) that go beyond the capabilities of the traditional option. Our eye surgeons at Wiles Eye Center in St. Joseph and Kansas City will discuss the benefits of these advanced IOLs during your eye exam.

The Benefits of Advanced IOLs for Cataract Surgery

The traditional lens implant is a monofocal IOL adjusted to one focal point. Most people choose to correct their vision for distance and still rely on glasses or contact lenses for near and intermediate zones. Monofocal IOLs can improve one aspect of your vision, but advanced IOLs can eliminate your need for corrective eyewear. The most significant benefit of premium lens implants is freedom from prescription lenses.

These IOLS are laser-fitted to your eye and address a range of refractive errors, including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism and presbyopia. You can drive, read, watch TV and have fun with friends and family with crisp vision at all focal points.

Advanced IOLs allow you to live your life and enjoy sports and activities without the burden of glasses or contacts. People with active lifestyles often choose premium IOLs for sharper vision. Intraocular lens implants are designed to last a lifetime, giving you visual freedom for the rest of your days. They are an excellent way to customize your cataract surgery for sharper eyesight.

Types of Advanced IOLs

Artificial lens implants fit into several categories, including:

• Monofocal IOLs: These are the traditional IOLs that provide the best possible eyesight at one focal point, typically distance.
• Multifocal IOLs: Multifocal lens implants have corrective zones built into the implant, similar to the lenses in a pair of bifocal glasses. These IOLs improve near and distance vision, though some can also address the intermediate zone.
• Extended Depth of Focus IOLs: EDOF lens implants use one corrective zone designed to stretch all three focal points, allowing sharp eyesight for nearby, intermediate and distant objects.
• Accommodating IOLs: These IOLs also correct refractive errors at all distances but harness the natural movements of your eye’s muscles, changing focus like your natural lens (or the lens of a camera).
• Trifocal IOLs: PanOptix IOL is the only FDA-approved trifocal lens implant. It is proven to address myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia (age-related near vision loss) with fewer visual disturbances than other options. PanOptix is less likely to cause halos and glare around lights than other IOL types and can eliminate the need for readers on top of prescription lenses.
• Toric IOLs: Toric versions of the above IOL types are available to correct for astigmatism.

Wiles Eye Center offers Tecnis Symfony, ReSTOR Multifocal, Vivity IOL, Crystalens HD and PanOptix Trifocal lens implants.

Contact Wiles Eye Center to schedule your eye exam and consultation if you’re interested in advanced IOLs for your cataract surgery. Our board-certified ophthalmologists are located in St. Joseph and Kansas City, Missouri.

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