Dry Eyes Beverly Hills Archives

Can Having Dry Eyes Stand In The Way of Cataract Surgery?

Paul Stubenbordt on May 29, 2020

Cataracts are a common eye condition in adults over the age of 40. Cataracts can also severely affect your vision.

They develop slowly but they can eventually make it almost impossible to see. When fully developed, they even cause total blindness.

The good news about cataracts is that their visual constraints don’t have to be permanent. Thanks to cataract surgery, you can regain your vision and have your cataracts removed.

Cataract surgery is also the only effective treatment option for cataracts. Like any surgical procedure, there are risks that come with having cataract surgery.

While cataract surgery is a safe procedure, having pre-existing conditions can make it a little more difficult. This includes if you have conditions like dry eye syndrome.

Keep reading to learn if having dry eyes can stand in your way of having cataract surgery!

Dry Eye and Eye Surgery

Dry eye can be a temporary condition triggered by changes in a person’s environment. But it can also be a chronic condition.

Dry eye syndrome often occurs in those that are older, especially women going through menopause. For those that have dry eye syndrome, any kind of eye surgery carries more risk.

Having enough moisture in the eyes is what helps them heal. Dry eye can make the recovery process after surgery longer and more uncomfortable.

Having dry eyes won’t prevent you from having eye surgery, including cataract surgery. To be as safe as possible, you may have to take some extra precautions.

Pre-Surgery Evaluation

Before you have cataract surgery, your doctor will screen you to make sure surgery will be safe. This evaluation includes testing your tear production.

Your doctor will assess both the quality of your tears, the amount produced, and how well they disperse over the surface of your eye. For most cases of dry eye syndrome, the actual amount of tears produced is normal.

The problem lies in your tears not having enough moisture. Because of this, the tears are more oil and mucus than water.

If your doctor finds you have dry eye syndrome, they will recommend treatments before surgery. These treatments will ease your symptoms and make you more comfortable.

Dry Eye Treatments

Dry eyes can be treated non-invasively. Before recommending anything else, most doctors will probably suggest over-the-counter artificial tears.

They may also suggest a change in diet. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help your tear production. You can also take fish oil or flaxseed oil supplements.

If you take supplements, know that the body absorbs nutrients better from actual food. You may need to try adding omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods in your diet, like salmon, tuna, chia seeds, and walnuts to get the full benefits.

If these changes don’t ease symptoms, there are minimally-invasive surgical options as well. One common surgery for dry eye is inserting punctal plugs.

These plugs block the eye’s drainage channel. Blocking the drainage channel forces your tears to stay on the surface of the eye longer. This helps keep your eyes more lubricated and makes up for tears that aren’t the highest quality.

Once your dry eye is under control, you can have cataract surgery, knowing your eyes are in better shape. If you still struggle with dry eye after treatment, your doctor may still consider surgery.

This depends on the severity of your cataracts, although there will be an increased risk. For the most part, dry eye is manageable, but every case is different.

Discuss your options about dry eye and cataract surgery with your doctor. This will allow you to make an informed decision.

Think you may need cataract surgery? Schedule a cataract screening at Berg Feinfield Vision Correction in Burbank, CA!

6 Foods To Eat To Help Dry Eye

Paul Stubenbordt on February 27, 2020

Dry eye is a very common and uncomfortable condition. Some people are more prone to dry eye than others.

There are certain factors that can trigger dry eye, like hormonal changes and age. Luckily, there are some ways you can treat and even prevent severe dry eye symptoms.

The best way to treat dry eye is to get nutrients that help your eyes produce quality tears. How can you do this? You can take nutritional supplements.

Another easy way to treat your dry eye is to simply eat foods rich in certain nutrients. Your body absorbs nutrients better when you eat food rather than taking a pill.

What nutrients and foods should you eat for your dry eye? Here are a few of the top choices:

1. Fish

If you aren’t a vegetarian, fish is a great way to counter dry eye because they contain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation in the eye, especially in the tear ducts.

Having healthy tear ducts makes it easier to have healthy, high-quality tears. Most fish contain omega-3s.

Fish with the most nutrients are salmon, halibut, herring, and tuna. You can also get omega-3 fatty acids from mollusks like oysters.

2. Leafy Greens

Certain greens are rich in Vitamin C, another nutrient that contributes to eye health. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which is great for fighting damage caused by aging.

They also contain folate. Folate is a nutrient that can prevent developmental problems and vision loss.

The best Vitamin C and folate-rich greens are kale, collards, and spinach.

3. Seeds

Seeds, like chia seeds and flaxseed, are another good source of omega-3 fatty acids. They’re a great alternative to fish for vegetarians and vegans.

In fact, flaxseed oil is often a recommended alternative to fish oil and other fish-based omega-3 supplements. Seeds can also be good to have besides a variety of fish to have a well-rounded diet.

For the healthiest eyes and better health, your diet should contain enough protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

4. Nuts

Nuts are high in both omega-3 and Vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant much like Vitamin C.

It can fight age-related damage, including damage to tear production. The best nuts that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E are walnuts and cashews.

Peanuts, while technically legumes and not tree nuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

5. Beans

All beans contain high amounts of nutrients and are a great part of any well-rounded, healthy diet. They’re rich in fiber and protein and make a great substitute for meat.

But they’re also good for your eyes. Beans contain folate and zinc. Having enough zinc is important because it contributes to the production of melanin.

Melanin protects your eyes from damage. This is vital in preventing and treating dry eye, especially from sun damage.

6. Water

While water has no nutritional value, it has a big part to play in healthy tear production. Dry eyes can often be the result of dehydration, especially if you live in a hot, dry environment.

Drinking plenty of water can help a lot when it comes to making tears. Staying hydrated is also good for your health, so be sure to drink enough water every day!

Suffering from the symptoms of dry eye syndrome? Schedule an appointment at Berg Feinfield to discuss your dry eye treatment options!