Alcohol’s Effects on Night Vision

We all know that alcohol impairs judgment and coordination and slows reaction time.

But here is yet another reason to cut back on your alcohol consumption: A study coming out of the University of Grenada has shown that overconsumption can also adversely affect your night vision. The study examined 67 subjects who had consumed various quantities of wine. The researchers used a “halometer” visual test to determine the level of night vision disturbances and optical image quality. What they found was that the greater the breath alcohol content level, the greater the visual disturbance.

Why Alcohol Affects Vision

Alcohol disturbs the tear film that covers the surface of the eye. The ethanol (intoxicating agent) present in alcoholic drinks disturbs the outer tear film layer, causing the aqueous part of the tear to evaporate. When tear film is disturbed, the image quality that forms on the retina is also negatively affected, leading to the presence of halos and other visual disturbances in night vision.

Pre-existing Vision Conditions

Now add into the equation a pre-existing vision condition, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. If your vision is already impaired due to a refractive error and you consume alcohol, the tear film disturbance combined with poor choices (such as not wearing glasses or contacts) can lead to disastrous consequences for yourself and others. LASIK vision correction in Richmond can correct these types of refractive errors, but even having 20/20 vision will not reduce the negative effects of alcohol on your vision.

In the past, some LASIK patients also complained of night vision problems after their procedure; however, today’s LASIK technology has effectively reduced this type of complication of LASIK. To learn more about Richmond LASIK and find out if you might be a good candidate for the procedure, contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center at 804-288-1543 or lipstocklaser.com. And whether or not you have LASIK, please never drink and drive.

LASIK Reality Show?

Reality shows: Whether you love them or hate them, they have definitely taken over television programming. There are too many makeovers and lifestyle shows to list, but shows like the Biggest Loser, Undercover Boss, Love It or List It and Intervention tend to feature how less-than-ideal situations can be improved.

Wouldn’t it be interesting to have a LASIK Makeover reality show? Here is the pitch:

“24-year-old Joe has worn glasses and contacts since childhood. An avid outdoorsman, he finds it impossible to really pursue his adventurous side due to his vision limitations. After LASIK at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center, Joe takes off on a journey worthy of a spin-off TV show…skydiving, rock climbing, extreme kayaking. Now Joe’s possibilities are limitless…thanks to LASIK.”

A LASIK Makeover reality show probably wouldn’t impress TV executives, but Dr. Lipstock's happy LASIK patients at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center might beg to differ. Even if you aren’t considering LASIK in Richmond to climb Mount Everest, improving your vision to 20/20 can still be a life-changing event.

Of course, not everyone who wears glasses or contacts is a good candidate for LASIK. If you have poor eye health or if your corneas are too thin, a different vision correction procedure might be safer. The only way to know for sure is to schedule a free LASIK Consultation at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center. Dr. Lipstock won’t approve you for LASIK unless he is 100% sure your eyes are right for the procedure. 

Start on your own LASIK Makeover reality…schedule your free LASIK Consultation today by calling 804-288-1543 or going online at lipstocklaser.com.

LASIK & Pink Eye

Conjunctivitis is aptly named “pink eye” because the eyes actually look pink, red or bloodshot due to an inflammation of the clear membranes on the white of the eyes and inside the eyelids. This is a highly contagious condition that is easily spread when it is caused by a virus or bacteria.

People of all ages can get pink eye in Richmond. The more you are in contact or close proximity with other people, the greater your risk of contracting pink eye because it can spread through sneezes, coughs or by using an object that was previously used by a person who already has pink eye.

Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to prevent pink eye, and you can contract the condition at the most inopportune times. For example, if you have a Richmond LASIK procedure scheduled and you contract pink eye, you will have to have the pink eye treated before having LASIK. Your eyes must be healthy to avoid LASIK complications.  

Pink Eye Treatment

Viral conjunctivitis will typically clear up over several days, but bacterial conjunctivitis may require medicated eye drops or ointments. It may take 10 days or more for a bacterial infection to clear up. Dr. Lipstock at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center can determine when it is safe to have LASIK after pink eye in Richmond.

Pink Eye Symptoms

Besides red eyes, other symptoms of pink eye include:

• Excessive eye watering
• Swollen eyelids
• Burning and itching
• Crusty eyelids in the morning
• Light sensitivity
• Gritty sensation
• Yellow discharge

If you are considering LASIK in Richmond, schedule your free LASIK Consultation at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center. Call 804-288-1543 or visit lipstocklaser.com. Dr. Lipstock will examine your eyes and tell you if your eyes are healthy enough for this amazing vision correction procedure.

Of course, even after successful LASIK, you can still contract pink eye. It’s important to take measures to protect yourself against pink eye, such as:

• Wash hands frequently
• Avoid touching your eyes
• Use hand sanitizers
• Avoid sharing hand towels and personal items
• Wear goggles when swimming
• Follow contact lens wear instructions

Foods that Sabotage Eye Health

Potato chips…cream-filled cakes…cookies…French fries…processed meats…

Most people know that consuming too many highly-processed foods will lead to unhealthy weight gain. But researchers have also made a link between the increased risk of eye disease and overindulgence of junk food containing vegetable, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats along with linoleic acid.

Consider this: Whether you’ve had excellent eyesight your entire life or even if you had successful LASIK eye surgery in the past to correct your vision problems, if you sustain an unhealthy diet, your eyesight could be negatively impacted.

A study conducted at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary found that eating too much junk food increases your risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which causes vision loss in your central vision…even blindness for some people. In contrast, consuming two or more servings of omega-3 fatty acid foods each week such as albacore tuna and salmon may actually lower your risk. Increasing your intake of leafy green vegetables and not smoking also helps.

Why sabotage your eye health…especially if you’re considering investing in your eyesight with LASIK technology in Richmond? Limit your intake of junk food and adopt a healthy diet to not only protect your waistline but also protect your vision.

To schedule an eye exam to determine the overall health of your eyes or to learn more about how to improve your vision with Richmond LASIK, contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center by calling 804-288-1543 or visiting lipstocklaser.com. We offer free online LASIK Self-Evaluations as well as free LASIK Consultations.