From: https://www.healthy-eating-politics.com/processed-foods.html What are Processed Foods? Processed foods are foods that have been compromised by the addition of hormones, additives, preservatives, unnatural genetic material or other chemical or heat treatments that alter or destroy the natural healthy enzymes, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. The main goal of food processing is to lengthen the shelf lifeContinue reading “What are Processed Foods?”
Category Archives: Patient Cases
Corneal Swelling after Cataract Surgery
Corneal swelling (edema) after cataract surgery is a common occurrence and usually resolves within 2-3 days. Vision is blurry due to this edema, but also clears up as the swelling gets better. It is very important to stay on the prescribed eye drops and protect your eyes from infection and injury.
Demodex Critters Could Be Irritating Your Eyes!
Demodex Blepharitis. Sometimes Demodex mites can cause blepharitis, which is an inflammation of the eyelids caused by a blockage in the oil glands in that area. Mites can block the oil glands at the base of your eyelashes. That’s often the reason that patients over the age of 60 develop blepharitis. Signs of blepharitis canContinue reading “Demodex Critters Could Be Irritating Your Eyes!”
Glasses for Special Needs Children
We’ve had a great response to our Tomato Frame Collection for young and and special needs children! “The day a parent discovers, that their child has poor vision may feel helpless…However, we want you to be relieved that you discovered this today.Because today is a new beginning for your child’s better vision.” Check it outContinue reading “Glasses for Special Needs Children”
Glasses for $5.99!
Dear Friends: Many are ordering eyeglasses and contact lenses via online companies. One advantage of ordering through us, is maximizing the benefits and warranties of your vision insurance. Some do not realize that you can order a high quality pair of eyeglasses with polycarbonate and transitions for as little as $25. LANL employees with DavisContinue reading “Glasses for $5.99!”
Preserving Vision for a Lifetime
Dear Friends: Recently, I saw a patient who had good vision all her life and no family history of macular degeneration. However, my Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan showed drusen in the retina, which is an early sign of this eye condition. This type of drusen was not obvious in the standard eye examination andContinue reading “Preserving Vision for a Lifetime “
Bacterial Funnel Caused by Masks
Dear Friends: In the November 2021 edition of “Review of Optometry,” an article “Beneath the Mask: OSD Issues Spike Due to Improper Wear” details the many problems caused by masks. Without a tight seal between the skin and the mask, there is a bacterial funnel and abnormal air flow to the eyes. This causes dry eye,Continue reading “Bacterial Funnel Caused by Masks”
COVID Update: CDC Guidelines for Quarantine/Isolation
We are following CDC guidelines! If you test positive for COVID or were exposed to someone with COVID, then we recommend:Stay home for 5 days.If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. If you haveContinue reading “COVID Update: CDC Guidelines for Quarantine/Isolation”
The Bacteria Funnel Caused by Masks
From the November 2021 edition of “Review of Optometry”: Beneath the Mask: OSD Issues Spike Due to Improper Wear Did you know? “When there isn’t an appropriate seal between the skin and the mask, it creates an artificially challenging microenvironment on the surface of the eye,” explains Mile Brujic, OD, of Bowling Green, OH. ThisContinue reading “The Bacteria Funnel Caused by Masks”
Specialty Contacts: Inferior Pellucid Degeneration
Pellucid marginal corneal degeneration (PMD) is a corneal disease which affects the lower, inferior part of the cornea. Standard contact lenses do not work! Good news: there is a new contact lens design that is shaped to fit the inferior part of the cornea, with a different curvature on the upper, superior part of the cornea.Continue reading “Specialty Contacts: Inferior Pellucid Degeneration”
2021-2022 Holiday Hours
Holiday office hours:December 22, 23rd, 24th: OPEN 9am-5pmDecember 27-31st: OPEN with limited staff hours. Please call and/or make an appointment to order or pick up contact lenses/eyeglasses!January 3rd & 4th: OFFICE CLOSEDJanuary 5th: OPEN 9am-5pm
Types of Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a common eyelid condition found during the eye examination. From the American Optometric Association: The different types and symptoms are as follows: Staphylococcal blepharitis patients frequently exhibit mildly sticking eyelids, thickened lid margins, and missing and misdirected eyelashes. Seborrheic blepharitis patients have greasy flakes or scales around the base of eyelashes and a mild rednessContinue reading “Types of Blepharitis”
Heat Treatment for Styes
When you have a painful, red bump on your eyelid, aggressive and consistent application of heat to the bump is necessary. Sometimes, oral and topical antibiotics can be prescribed, but nothing is more effective than heat. We have an in-office thermal heating device that can really help. Call us today for an appointment! 505-662-9681
Measuring Corneal Thickness
If you are interested in Lasik or have been diagnosed with keratoconus, or at risk for other corneal diseases, measuring corneal thickness is important! In the past, I used this pachymeter device, which actually touched the cornea and measured the thickness at one spot on the cornea. With my spectral domain OCT ( Optical coherence tomographyContinue reading “Measuring Corneal Thickness”
WHAT IS MEIBOMIAN GLAND DYSFUNCTION (MGD)?
from AAPOS Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) refers to the condition where the glands are not secreting enough oil or when the oil they secrete is of poor quality. Often, the oil gland openings get plugged up so that less oil comes out of the glands. The oil that does make it out of the glandsContinue reading “WHAT IS MEIBOMIAN GLAND DYSFUNCTION (MGD)?”
Thank You for 25 Years!
Dear Friends: I trust you had a wonderful Thanksgiving: a time for food, family, friends and to recount the blessings of the past year. Despite the challenges and hardships, there are still many reasons to be thankful! In 2021, we have fully recovered the losses of 2020 due to lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions! Being forcedContinue reading “Thank You for 25 Years!”
LA Family Eyecare Participates in Rubber Duck Hunt!
Support Local Business: Rubber Duck HuntFamily Strengths Network (FSN) is inviting businesses and patrons to a Rubber Duck Hunt. We know many local businesses have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. In the past, local businesses have supported FSN’s Lucky Ducky Day Silent Auction, this year FSN is hosting an event to support the many amazing businessesContinue reading “LA Family Eyecare Participates in Rubber Duck Hunt!”
Normal Aging or Glaucoma?
As we get older, we lose 7000 retinal ganglion axons/year for 40% lost over a lifetime. This is .5% of your visual function lost every year! Thinning of retinal nerve fiber layer surrounding our optic nerve and in the macula/retina is like thinning hair and receding gums with age. In glaucoma, these ganglion cells areContinue reading “Normal Aging or Glaucoma?”
Eyedrops for Dry Eye
from Mayo Clinic: Dry Eyes Diagnosis and Treatment The attached photo shows the eye with a special dye, fluorescein, which is a test to determine the quality of your tears. The staining pattern indicates severe dry eye, which needs aggressive treatment. Prescription medications used to treat dry eyes include: Drugs to reduce eyelid inflammation. Inflammation alongContinue reading “Eyedrops for Dry Eye”
It’s Back to School Time!
The summer is almost over and it’s back to school time! Like many of you, I have been reviewing the “school supply list” and making sure that my daughter has everything necessary for a successful year. At the pediatrician’s office, a vision screening showed that myopia (nearsightedness) had increased, yet again! Over the years, IContinue reading “It’s Back to School Time!”
VSP Premier Provider
We are proud to be a VSP Premier provider in Los Alamos, NM! As a VSP member, you will receive maximum benefits for your plan. Finding the right eye care provider is important to maintaining your eye health and overall wellness. All VSP® network eye doctors are well versed in vision care and meet national credentialing requirements.Continue reading “VSP Premier Provider”
What You Should Know if Your Child is Nearsighted
This might sound glib, but perhaps one of the best things to tell your child to reduce his or her risk of myopia is, “Go outside and play!” A number of recent studies have found that spending more time outdoors may help prevent or reduce the progression of nearsightedness in children. Among them: In the SydneyContinue reading “What You Should Know if Your Child is Nearsighted”
How to Treat an Eye Infection
If you wake up with your eyes stuck together, then you probably have a bacterial conjunctivitis, an eye infection caused by Symptoms include: Red eyes Eye pain Eye discharge Watery eyes Dry eyes Light sensitivity Swollen eyes Swelling around the eyes Itching Blurry vision This was treated successfully with antibiotic eye drops and ointment, asContinue reading “How to Treat an Eye Infection”
Contact Lens Evaluation: July 2021
1. A contact lens evaluation is required for the proper evaluation of contact lenses and for all contact lens prescriptions. This prescription is valid for 2 years, unless there is a medical reason for a shorter time period. 2. Davis Vision covers 1 contact lens evaluation visit only if Davis Formulary contact lenses are orderedContinue reading “Contact Lens Evaluation: July 2021”
MPOD and Macular Degeneration
from Eyepromise: Did you know that 78 percent of the U.S. population has less than optimal macular pigment? Significant increases in macular pigment can be achieved through nutritional intake and supplements containing zeaxanthin and lutein. Macular pigment is comprised of zeaxanthin and lutein, which are found in the center of the macula (fovea) at aContinue reading “MPOD and Macular Degeneration”
What is Demodex?
From The Eye Depot Demodex blepharitis is a common source of eyelid inflammation and ocular irritation. It is caused by the demodex mite. The presence of demodex increases with age making them present in the vast majority of people over 70 years of age. While most people have demodex living on their eyelid skin andContinue reading “What is Demodex?”
Corneal Edema After Cataract Surgery
It is very common to see corneal edema (swelling) after cataract surgery. This can cause blurry vision and discomfort, but usually resolves in 1 week, without additional medications or intervention. It is important to stay on prescribed eye drops! If the cornea does not clear up, then you may need Muro 128 eye drops orContinue reading “Corneal Edema After Cataract Surgery”
How to Prevent Macular Degeneration
Dear Friends: In our practice, we focus on early prevention and screening for glaucoma. But did you know that macular degeneration is much more prevalent than glaucoma? We have advanced diagnostic technology, such as fundus photography and OCT testing, as well as MPOD testing to assess your risk for and presence of macular degenerationContinue reading “How to Prevent Macular Degeneration”
Posterior Vitreous Detachment
From All About Vision In most cases, posterior vitreous detachment is caused by normal aging changes in the eye. With time, the vitreous contracts or shrinks, and also becomes less like a gel and more like a liquid (a process called vitreous syneresis). When this occurs, the vitreous and collagen fibers within it, pull away fromContinue reading “Posterior Vitreous Detachment”
Happy Father’s Day!
Dear Friends: Happy Father’s Day! A shoutout to all the Dads out there who do so much to enrich and bless our lives! Recently, I received a vase of flowers and a kind note from a patient: “I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful service you have provided me. I am pleased with my glassesContinue reading “Happy Father’s Day!”
Why Test MPOD?
What is MPOD? Good news! We can measure your macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in our office! This is just one metric in many tests to assess your eye health, but we have seen a high correlation between poor diet/health and low MPOD scores. from Eyepromise: Unfortunately, 78% of the general population in the U.S.Continue reading “Why Test MPOD?”
Help! My Child’s Eyes are Getting Worse!
Dear Friends: Now that school is out and summer is here, it’s definitely time to get your kids off of their digital devices and encourage outdoor play! Did you know that pediatric ophthalmologists are actually prescribing less digital screen time to slow down myopia progression? That’s because the prevalence of childhood myopia has surged recently,Continue reading “Help! My Child’s Eyes are Getting Worse!”
Protect Against Macular Degeneration
From Eyepromise: Age-related eye health issues destroys central vision and is the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over age 55, affecting millions of Americans each year. While there is currently no cure for age-related eye health issues and its effects are irreversible, there are risks that can be mitigated. Age-Related Eye HealthContinue reading “Protect Against Macular Degeneration”
How to Treat Small Corneal Abrasions
Patient presented with eye watering, pain, and burning, which occurred after taking out contact lens. Small corneal abrasions without significant loss of epithelial tissue generally heal quickly. A bandage contact lens is more effective with pain management than opioids and dilation. Topical antibiotics every 4 hours. Ocuflox, moxifloxacin, Polytrim are good choices. Artificial tears everyContinue reading “How to Treat Small Corneal Abrasions”
Sources of Blue Light
Digital devices and modern lighting such as LED lights and compact fluorescent lamps (CFL’s) emit a high level of blue light. CFL’s contain about 25% of harmful blue light and LED contain about 35% of harmful blue light. The highest level of UV exposure is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the summer andContinue reading “Sources of Blue Light”
Los Alamos Family Eyecare, P.C. 