Spring is the season of renewal and rejuvenation, with the trees budding, the birds singing, and tax refunds being deposited! As we emerge from the cocoon of winter and warm up to summer, it’s an ideal time to invest in your vision health. At Minnesota Eye Consultants, we’re passionate about helping you seize this opportunity to enhance your quality of life through vision correction procedures and treatments. Discover how your tax refund can pave the way for clearer vision and a brighter future.  

LASIK: Say goodbye to glasses and contacts with LASIK surgery. This popular procedure can correct refractive errors, allowing you to see clearly without the need for corrective lenses. Not a candidate for LASIK? We’ve got you covered! Our doctors offer an array of vision correction treatment options to help you achieve your vision goals. Pair your tax refund with Minnesota Eye Consultants’ exclusive LASIK discount running now until June 30, 2024. For a limited time, we’re offering $300 OFF per eye on LASIK if you have the procedure by June 30, 2024! Enjoy the freedom of clear vision this summer with LASIK.  

Cataract Surgery: If cataracts are clouding your vision and impacting your quality of life, cataract surgery can help. Using advanced technology, our surgeons remove the cataracts and replace them with artificial lenses, restoring clear vision and improving your overall well-being. Some people will further their dependence on glasses after cataract surgery and opt for one of our premium vision correction packages  . These packages offer the use of advanced intraocular lenses (IOLs), and/or innovative technologies and techniques to help improve vision post-surgery. You can learn more about the vision correction packages by clicking here. By using your tax refund to invest in cataract surgery and premium lenses, you can regain the clarity of vision you deserve.  

Dry Eye Services: As an accredited Dry Eye Center, our dry eye services can provide relief and improve your comfort, allowing you to see clearly and enjoy greater overall eye health. From advanced diagnostic testing to personalized treatment plans, we’re here to help you find relief from dry eye symptoms.

Oculoplastic Services: Your eyes are not only essential for vision but may also play a significant role in your self-confidence. Our oculoplastic services focus on enhancing both the aesthetics and function of the eyelids and surrounding facial areas. Whether you’re interested in blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) or brow and forehead lifts, our skilled oculoplastic surgeons can help you achieve natural-looking results while maintaining eye function and feeling more confident in your appearance. 

Cosmetic &Aesthetic Services: Looking to refresh your appearance and enhance your natural beauty? With our cosmetic and aesthetic services, you can address common concerns like crow’s feet, under-eye bags, and facial expression lines. Using minimally invasive techniques and advanced technology, our providers can help you achieve a more youthful and vibrant look, all while maintaining the health and integrity of your eyes. 

Financing Options: At Minnesota Eye Consultants, we understand that investing in your vision is essential, but we also recognize the importance of making it financially manageable. CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit offer flexible payment plans with low monthly payments. These financing options can help make your eye care goals more affordable, so you can have the treatment done now, and pay over time  

Tax refunds provide an opportunity to invest in vision health and improve your quality of life. Whether you’re interested in LASIK, cataract surgery, dry eye services, oculoplastic procedures, or cosmetic/aesthetic treatments, Minnesota Eye Consultants is here to help. Our team of specialized eye care providers is dedicated to delivering exceptional care and life-changing results. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you achieve your spring vision goals. Call to schedule at 952-888-5800 or request an appointment here.  

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Pickleball has gradually become America’s sweetheart, but the doctors at Minnesota Eye Consultants are seeing an increase in eye injuries as the sport gains popularity. Since a pickleball travels at approximately 40 mph, a close-range strike to the eye may result in a severe ocular injury. We spoke with two of our eye doctors about common eye injuries and safety measures to help protect you and your pickleball comrades from encountering a dangerous eye injury. Dr. David Hardten is a cornea, cataract, and refractive surgeon, and Dr. Jill Melicher is an oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeon. Read on to find out how to play this amazing sport safely.

What are the most common eye injuries associated with pickleball?

A direct hit by a pickleball to a certain area on the face could break the bones around the eye, potentially leading to double vision and other eye problems. Dr. Melicher has seen injuries ranging from cuts to the tissue around the eye and brow, to complete and permanent vision loss from a severe laceration to the eyeball itself. Other eye injuries include a cornea or sclera tear (the white outer tissue of the eye) and injury to the lens, iris, and retina.

What kind of surgeries are needed after pickleball injuries?

As you can imagine, many of the eye injuries we see may require surgery depending on the severity. Here are some of the injuries and procedures that have been performed at Minnesota Eye Consultants as a result of pickleball trauma:

• using sutures to repair eyelid and brow lacerations
• dislocation of the natural lens, often requiring a new lens and cataract extraction
• damage to the pupil, resulting in the need to suture the pupil smaller
• replacing a damaged iris with an artificial iris
• retinal detachment, leading to retinal surgery
• total loss of an eye, requiring surgical removal

What are the long-term effects of injuries sustained during sports like pickleball?

All the injuries and issues we’ve discussed could require a long-term need for eyecare. Another example would be an injury to the drainage system of the eye (trabecular meshwork); this may lead to glaucoma many years later.

Good News: Eye injuries can be prevented!

The good news is, when precautions are taken, eye injuries can be rarer than a pickleball player who doesn’t argue over line calls. Safety glasses are the name of the game – literally. Dr. Melicher advises players to wear polycarbonate safety glasses so they can have a great time while minimizing injury risk to the eye.

Safety glasses are very important in sports like pickleball, tennis, and racquetball. Any sport that involves a moving ball should have protective glasses. When an athlete is wearing safety glasses and protective eyewear, the trauma from a ball is translated to the bones around the eye rather than the eye itself, reducing the damage that can happen.

For all you enthusiasts, we’re not trying to rain on your pickleball parade, but we do want you to play it safe. Continue enjoying this amazing sport, but do it safely by wearing protective eyewear. The next time you pack your paddle for your pickleball game, grab your safety glasses too!

If you have a pickleball-related injury resulting in a change or decrease in your vision, please seek an evaluation with your eye care provider or call Minnesota Eye Consultants at (952) 888-5800.

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If you haven’t seen autumn’s masterpiece of colorful trees and vibrant leaves this year, there’s still time! The fall season could be over in the blink of an eye; it’s time to celebrate beautiful fall vision with some of the top places to visit in Minnesota.

North Shore – Moose Mountain

Exploring Moose Mountain on the North Shore of Lake Superior is an incredible way to take in the beautiful fall foliage.

The hiking trails reveal a magical view of the glistening lake as it reflects the vibrance of autumn. This spot may be more captivating than a pumpkin spice latte in October.

Red Wing – Frontenac State Park

Frontenac State Park is quite majestic at this time of year. Fresh morning breeze drifts across and ruffles the radiant leaves and trees that decorate the park. The sound of birds chirping at sunrise is a ravishing way to start the day.

Birdwatching, hiking, camping, or hanging out by Lake Pepin are some of the ways to soak in autumn’s artwork at Frontenac State Park.

Lake of the Woods – Pine Island State Forest

The breathtaking sights at the Pine Island State Forest steal focus from the sound of crunching leaves with each step through the rich foliage. You can also experience more spectacular views while kayaking along the lake. Other recreational activities include boating, hiking, fishing, and picnicking.

Of course, there are several more spots in Minnesota where you can capture beautiful fall foliage. Check out this article by Minnesota Monthly for more great destinations to enjoy your vision this fall.

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Did you know?… One in six Americans aged 65 and older have a vision impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. According to the Academy of Ophthalmology, the risk of eye disease increases with age, yet many older adults neglect to see an ophthalmologist for care. In honor of September being Healthy Aging Month, we want to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of vision loss – and provide steps to help seniors take care of their sight.

Just like your body, your eyes and vision change over time. While not everyone will experience the same symptoms, here are five common age-related vision changes:

1. Need for more light. As you age, you need more light to see as well as you used to.

2. Difficulty reading and doing close work. Printed materials can become less clear, in part because the lens in your eye becomes less flexible over time. This makes it harder for your eyes to focus on near objects than when you were younger.

3. Problems with a glare. When driving, you may notice additional glare from headlights at night or sun reflecting off windshields or pavement during the day. Changes to the lenses in your eyes cause light entering the eye to be scattered rather than focused precisely on the retina.

4. Changes in color perception. The normally clear lens located inside your eye may start to discolor. This makes it harder to see and distinguish between certain color shades.

5. Reduced tear production. With age, the tear glands in your eyes may produce fewer tears. This is particularly true for women experiencing hormone changes. As a result, your eyes may feel dry and irritated. Having an adequate amount of tears is essential for keeping your eyes healthy and for maintaining clear sight.

Concerned your eyes may be changing? At Minnesota Eye Consultants, we treat all condition types – cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, comprehensive eye care and more! In honor of Healthy Aging Month, visit https://www.mneye.com/request-an-appointment/ or call 952-888-5800 to schedule an appointment.

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May is Healthy Vision Month! Follow the SCOPE plan and you’ll be giving your eyes the best chance at staying healthy.

• S: stop smoking and wear sunglasses.
  
• C: care for your contact lenses.
• O: oversee your overall health.
• P: purchase protective sports/work glasses.
• E: eat healthy and exercise.

Smoking & Sunglasses
Smoking has a long list of negative side effects that can alter your vision and increase your risk for eye diseases. Smoking causes the blood vessels in your retina to constrict, increasing blood pressure.

Wearing sunglasses that contain 100% UVA and UVB protection can shield your eyes from harmful UV radiation. Without proper protection, your eyes may be more susceptible to developing cataracts or eye cancer.

Contact Lenses
Contacts must be properly cared for to reduce your risk of eye infection (keratitis). Here are some tips to follow when using contacts:

• Always have clean hands before touching your contacts
• Never clean contacts with tap water or saliva 
• Use a fresh batch of the proper disinfecting solution every time 
• Do not sleep in contact lenses unless approved by your doctor
• Do not swim or shower in contact lenses
• Always have an extra pair of glasses to wear in case you need to remove your contacts

Overall Health
Some health problems can negatively affect your vision – even cause vision loss. Work with your physician to get conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes under control.

Protective Glasses
If you work in an environment where your eyes are at risk of  injury (construction, automotive, medical lab, etc.), make sure you have the appropriate eyewear for your profession. Digital eyestrain is also quite common for office workers. Blue light filtering glasses can help as well as the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away from your computer for 20 seconds.

Eating & Exercise
Living your healthiest life won’t guarantee you perfect vision for life, but it will certainly help. Eating fresh foods and minimizing processed or fried foods may protect you from developing eye diseases. Staying active will also help: try to incorporate moderate exercise for 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week.

The post May is Healthy Vision Month! appeared first on Minnesota Eye Consultants.

This season, you’re likely to see red and green strings of lights lining houses, trees, and streets throughout your neighborhood. Of course, you can’t forget about white, blue, yellow, and the always-popular rainbow lights that make up so many residential and business decorations.

All of these colors are part of the Visible Light Spectrum, which is just what it sounds like – the spectrum of light that humans can visibly see. Red has the longest wavelength, with orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet each having a shorter wavelength than the last. The color white, meanwhile, is a mixture of all the colors.

Most visible light isn’t inherently dangerous to the human eye, but of course you want to keep from staring too long or too intensely at these displays to avoid irritating your eyes unnecessarily. If you get in your car to tour a light show or to look at your neighborhood decorations, you can feel fairly comfortable doing so – just exercise good judgment in letting your eyes rest now and again.

If you find yourself experiencing more severe symptoms when looking at Christmas lights, it might be a sign of a deeper issue. For instance, if holiday lights are causing you to see starbursts, it could indicate that you either need vision corrective lenses or that you are experiencing the beginning signs of cataracts or glaucoma. In either case, reaching out to your family eye care provider to dig deeper into the symptoms is the wisest next step.

Another sign to look out for is frequent headaches after looking at bright lights. If you find yourself experiencing more headaches this season and you think it might be tied to holiday light displays, it may be a sign of poor vision. This is especially true if you’ve also noticed blurred vision of late. An annual eye exam can prevent these stressors, but if you haven’t attended one in a while, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with your eye care provider to ensure that your eyes remain in tip-top shape.

Speaking of blurred vision, holiday lights aren’t the only indicators of eye issues this season. Blurred vision can make itself known in a number of ways, including difficulty reading holiday cards or dessert recipes, so if you find yourself squinting or struggling to read words you’ve never had trouble with before, it might be a sign that new lenses are in your future.

Of course, 2020 has its own special challenges when it comes to the holidays. As more of us stay inside and distanced from family members, we’re all grateful for the advent of technology like Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, and other video messaging services that allow us to see and speak to our loved ones in real time, even when we’re many miles apart.

That being said, the use of computers, tablets, phones, smart TVs, and other platforms that support these game-changing services do pose a risk to our eyesight. But don’t despair or cancel your family Zoom meet-up just yet! The risk is manageable, but it will take some work on your end to ensure those eyes stay sharp.

The light that is produced by these screens is called blue light. If you recall from our earlier explanation of the Visible Light Spectrum, blue light is near the end of the line in terms of wavelength. This means that it carries a lot of energy at once.

Perhaps you’ve heard warnings that staring at your phone right before bed can lead to difficulty falling asleep. This is due to the amount of blue light phones produce, which can disrupt the sleep cycle by throwing off our circadian rhythm, which is the internal system that helps the mind and body sleep at night.

Blue light can do a lot more than just disrupt our sleep schedule. It is thought to be a culprit of Digital Eye Strain, also known as Computer Vision Syndrome. Blue light has also been tied to macular degeneration, a serious eye condition that damages the retina. Macular degeneration has a number of side effects, and at its most severe, it can cause blindness.

So what should you do to protect your eyesight? Thankfully, there are several solutions available! In the short-term, you can take advantage of what’s called the 20/20/20 method (an easy-to-remember name, given the year!), which entails taking the time, every 20 minutes, to look at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This is an easy way to give your eyes a break from the intense blue light of digital screens – you can even set a timer to remind yourself when it’s time to look away.

Another tactic you can use is purchasing a pair of blue light glasses, which you can find through your family optical or online. These glasses reduce the amount of blue light that actually reaches your eyes, thereby decreasing eye strain and its associated side effects. If you already wear glasses, you can purchase a pair to fit over them, and many brands now offer blue light-filtering lens coatings for their glasses, so the next time you’re in to update your prescription, be sure to ask about your options!

We hope you have a safe and healthy holiday season, and that these tips help you keep your eyes in the best shape possible as we enter the new year.

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Beware of costume contact lenses.
The number-one reason for the AAO’s October warning is the availability of non-prescription costume contact lenses. It’s all too easy to find products online to give your eyes the look of a cat, a zombie, or any other creepy character, but the risks of serious damage to your eyes greatly outweigh the chance to win a costume contest with these illegal products.

That’s right –illegal. Over-the-counter costume contact lenses are illegal due to their use causing varying degrees of damage, even if only worn for a short time:

• Eye infections.
• Scratched corneas.
• Corneal ulcers.
• Blindness (in severe cases).

We generally don’t recommend wearing contact lenses solely for cosmetic reasons, but if you’re determined to add that extra level of detail to your costume, we urge you to first speak with your eye care provider to find out what safe options you have.

Avoid other eye irritants.
Non-prescription contact lenses aren’t the only risks to eye health. If your costume involves a full face of make-up, you’ll want to check the ingredients to ensure the materials are non-toxic. And once the evening comes to a close (which might be earlier than usual, given social distancing guidelines), make sure you remove all of that make-up before bed to prevent skin and eye irritation.

Another offender here is the crisper, cooler air that comes with fall. With autumn breezes come dry, cold air, often causing dry eyes. If you find yourself frequently experiencing dry eyes as the cooler months settle in, speak with your doctor about steps you can take to reduce them – especially if you’re planning to be outside for an extended period of time come Halloween night.

Eat eye-friendly foods.
In the midst of all of these warnings comes some good news: The fruits and vegetables native to fall are full of antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and other nutrients, which are ideal for continued eye health.

Great examples of eye-friendly vegetables are squash, turnips, and cauliflower, while fruits include apples, pears, and pomegranates. The presence of apples on this list makes a great argument for apple-bobbing, though given the current health climate, make sure to use individual bowls or buckets for each participant to avoid sharing germs.

Whatever your plans for this Halloween are, we hope you stay safe and healthy. Millions of people look forward to Halloween every year, and there’s no reason we shouldn’t all be able to celebrate it without putting a strain on our eyes.

The post October Is Eye Health Safety Month appeared first on Minnesota Eye Consultants.

There are things that they can do to maintain healthy vision. People who already have an eye disease or compromised vision can still take steps to maintain the best vision possible.

This year COVID-19 may generate some special issues related to eye health. The team at Minnesota Eye Consultants is here to point out ways to take care of your vision during this pandemic.

Get Regular Eye Exams

The most important thing you can do to maintain healthy vision is to have a regular comprehensive eye examination. This is different from only having your vision checked to see if you need glasses.

A comprehensive exam involves temporarily dilating the eye with eye drops. This enables your eye doctor to see if the retina and optic nerve at the back of the eye look healthy.

You may think that your eyes are fine because you aren’t noticing any vision problems. But there are many serious eye conditions where people don’t notice symptoms in the early stages.

Glaucoma is a perfect example of this. It attacks the peripheral vision before it affects the central vision. Because of this, patients may not notice its subtle progression.

Glaucoma can cause blindness, but there are many effective treatments if it is diagnosed in the early stages.

Watch out for Screen Time

Social distancing and quarantine are causing people of all ages to spend more time on their computers and smartphones. Many people are working at home.

It’s now normal to attend several meetings per day online instead of in person. Online classes are substituting for live classrooms for students of all ages.

Seniors are trying to reduce isolation by using things like Zoom and FaceTime to connect with friends and loved ones. Everyone is watching more TV or streaming movies to try and stay entertained.

Excessive screen time causes dry eye symptoms and eye strain in many people. Because people blink less while using screens, the eyes don’t get enough natural lubrication.

Give your eyes frequent breaks. When possible, take a break from your computer or TV every 20 minutes or so and get up and move around.

If you can’t do that because you are working, follow the “20-20-20 rule”. With the 20-20-20 rule, focus your eyes on an object 20 feet away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds. This helps your eyes refocus and reduces the likelihood of experiencing symptoms of eye strain.

Protect Your Eyes from Injury

Now that spring is finally here, you may want to get outside and start gardening and yard work. Some ophthalmologists have noticed an increase in eye injuries during this pandemic.

Be sure to wear protective goggles if you are doing projects inside and outside the house. Many eye injuries result from lawnmowers hitting small rocks that become projectiles. They can also result from trimming and pruning bushes.

While there are no organized sports activities right now, you may be playing various types of ball or street hockey with your children. Be sure that everyone is still wearing the appropriate type of protective goggles for these sports.

Shield Your Eyes from UV Light

Walking and biking are some of the safest physical activities that people can take part in while social distancing. Most people know that the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause skin cancer, but not everyone realizes that UV rays can harm your eyes as well.

All members of your family should wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection whenever they are outside. Wraparound sunglasses are optimal in keeping out UV rays from the side.

Hats with visors are especially useful in preventing UV rays coming from above the eyes. Don’t forget that the sun’s damaging UV rays can penetrate on cloudy days as well as sunny ones.

Be Especially Careful with Contact Lenses

Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly every time you insert or remove your contact lenses. If you have unknowingly touched a contaminated surface, touching your face and exposing mucous membranes can put you at high risk for contracting COVID-19.

All public health experts are recommending that you avoid touching your face as a preventive measure. It may be less risky to stick to only wearing your glasses until the pandemic subsides.

If you have to wear your contacts, do your best to keep your hands as clean as possible when touching them. Once they are in your eyes, try to not have to take them out before the end of the day to reduce how much you need to touch your eyes or face throughout the day.

Eat Healthy Foods

Eating nutritious foods is particularly important to maintaining healthy vision. Eat lots of dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collard greens.

Fish that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna should be part of your diet once or twice a week. Try to include fruit in your meals and snacks.

Vitamins A, D, and E, as well as bioflavonoids, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc, are also key nutrients that can benefit and protect your vision. Eating healthy can make a big difference if you’ve been feeling sluggish or despondent while in quarantine.

Quit Smoking

Everyone knows that smoking is not good for your health, but you may not have thought about how it impacts your eyes. Smoking can cause cataracts.

Smokers are also three times as likely to develop macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness. Quitting smoking is one of the most important health choices that you can make.

Get Healthy

It’s never too late to focus on improving your health. Preventing chronic diseases is vital to supporting healthy vision.

Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Find a regular exercise routine that is right for you and stick to it.

Exercise helps with your well-being and is a vital part of maintaining a healthy weight.

Diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure all put you at risk for developing vision problems.

Diabetes can cause several serious eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy. If you already have been diagnosed with diabetes, keep your blood sugar, and A1C levels under control with medications, exercise, and healthy dietary choices.

You may need to change your usual exercise routine during the pandemic, but you can walk outside or find exercise ideas online.

We hope that all our Minnesota Eye Consultants patients stay healthy and safe during this time! Have questions about your eye health? Schedule an appointment at Minnesota Eye Consultants in Minneapolis, MN today!

The post Healthy Vision Month Tips appeared first on Minnesota Eye Consultants.

One in three eye injuries involves children. These alarming numbers have been rising over the last decade.

The staff at Minnesota Eye Consultants wants to remind athletes and casual sports players that most sports-related eye injuries can be avoided by wearing the proper protection.

Serious injuries, which most commonly occurred during water sports and basketball, included infections, corneal abrasions, eye socket fractures, swollen or detached retinas, and traumatic cataracts.

Baseball, hockey, and martial arts are also considered high-risk sports. Fast flying balls, hockey pucks and sticks, and elbows cause many injuries.

This is especially common among children and teenagers. Some sports are more dangerous than others. There is some risk involved in nearly all athletic activities.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, sports teams are not meeting right now, but children are still playing sports in their homes and with their parents during the quarantine. This makes eye protection just as important as ever!

Glasses and Contacts Are Not Enough!

Glasses and contacts do not provide eye protection from impact or damage. In fact, some glasses can shatter, and make an eye injury much worse.

Protective eyewear should be made from polycarbonate material. Polycarbonate material resists shattering and can provide UV (ultraviolet light) protection. Polycarbonate lenses are superior to plastic because they are thinner, lighter, and more impact resistant.

Some Tips When Buying Protective Eyewear:

• Make sure that you buy the right level of protective eyewear for yourself and your family.
• Consult your Minnesota Eye Consultants doctor to get advice on the best eye protection for your sport and lifestyle.
• If you wear prescription glasses, ask your eye doctor to fit you for prescription eye protection.
• Sports eye protection should have padding or cushion along the brow and bridge of the nose. Padding will prevent the eye guards from cutting the skin.
• Try on eye protection to determine if it is the right size. Adjust the strap and make sure it is not too tight or too loose.
• Look for eye guards that have an anti-fogging coating, which can be very helpful when playing sports in the heat and humidity outdoors.
• Buy eye guards at optical shops or sports specialty stores and ask for a staff member who is knowledgeable about protective eyewear.

You May Need More Protection for Your Sport

In many sports, polycarbonate glasses or goggles are not enough. An organization called ASTM sets international standards for equipment needed to prevent eye injuries.

These standards are very specific to each type of sport. Most sports organizations have specific recommendations for injury protection. For example, there may be specific goggles that are best for racket sports or lacrosse.

Some examples of extra protection needed are:

• Helmets with eye and face protectors for ice hockey
• Faceguards mounted to the helmet for youth baseball
• Special high impact goggles for Alpine skiing

We recommend that you consult the ASTM website to find the most current and appropriate ASTM standards for the sport you or your children are playing. Look for the appropriate ASTM standard for your sport on the product and/or its packaging before making a purchase!

Don’t Forget UV Protection!

Even though you can’t see the sun’s rays, it doesn’t mean your eyes aren’t being damaged by them. Your eyes can suffer serious damage due to exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

This can happen during all outdoor sports and recreation activities. Whether you are skiing in the winter or water skiing in the summer, you are susceptible to sunburn and glare.

Be sure to wear protective eyewear with UV protection for all your outdoor activities even if it’s cloudy outside.

First Aid for Eye Injuries

The organization Prevent Blindness has some excellent information on first aid that we have included below.

It’s always good to be prepared for an injury. Stock a first aid kit with a rigid eye shield and some commercial eyewash. Familiarize yourself with the basic first aid tips that are explained below.

Do not assume that any eye injury is minor. If you have any doubt, see an eye doctor right away.

Specks in the Eye:

• Do not rub the eye!
• Try to wash out the speck with tears or a commercial eyewash if available.
• Never use tweezers or any item to try to remove the speck as this can cause further damage to the eye.
• If the speck doesn’t wash out, see an eye doctor immediately.

Blows or Trauma to the Eye:

• Apply a cold compress to the eye without using pressure. Using a clean damp washcloth is fine.
• Call your eye doctor or go to a hospital for emergency medical care in cases of pain, blurry vision, eye swelling, blood inside the eye, or discoloration (black eye). These symptoms could mean there is internal eye damage.

Cuts and Punctures to the Eye or Eyelid:

• Do not attempt to remove any foreign object.
• Do not rinse the eye with any liquid, including water.
• Cover the eye with a protective shield if you have one. If not, you can make one with the bottom half of a paper cup. Secure the shield or cup to the brow above the eye and the cheekbone below the eye. Do not apply pressure.
• Seek emergency care as soon as possible.

Remember that whenever you play sports of any kind, you should also wear the proper eye protection as well. This is the best way to ensure that your eyes will be safe when you play sports and will help you avoid the possibility of suffering permanent vision loss.

Concerned that you may have experienced a sports-related eye injury? Contact Minnesota Eye Consultants in Minneapolis, MN to schedule a virtual teleophthalmology visit for non-urgent appointments!

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“We are thankful to offer our patients an alternative option for their eyecare during this uncertain time,” said Dr. Jill Melicher. “Our ophthalmologists are excited to offer the community access to care via interactive consultations done via smartphone or tablet. Our team is following best-practices to ensure patient privacy and security. We performed our first virtual visits on March 23, 2020, and they were a success.”

When should I visit the office in person?
Our virtual services aren’t right for everyone. We recommend you schedule an urgent clinic visit if you have:
R – Red Eyes
S –  Sensitivity
V – Vision Loss
P –  Pain

When can I use virtual services?
If you aren’t experiencing any issues stated above, you may be a candidate for evaluation using our virtual services. Our virtual visits include nearly all types of non-urgent eye care needs  – including medical management of certain eye conditions.  We will work with you to identify appropriate next steps of care.

Technology
During the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), is allowing virtual health visits through everyday technologies. Our scheduling team will work with our patients to confirm if individual patient chat technology is approved and compatible with MEC’s technology.

CMS is not allowing any public live-streaming, this includes the following applications.
• Facebook Live
• Twitch
• TikTok

Tips for online safety
Your safety is our highest priority, both in terms of health and your online security. Please be advised that when using any third-party application you may potentially introduce privacy risks and should use encryption and privacy modes when using such applications.

Schedule your teleophthalmology appointment today!
Schedule today by calling us at (952) 888-5800 or by requesting an appointment in the MEC Patient Portal.

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