Your eyes are one of the most important (and complex) organs in your body. Life without your eyesight does not bear thinking about, right? They are simply your most valuable asset because they play a central part in every single aspect of your life: experiencing love at sight, to driving a car, from enjoying breathtaking scenery to building memories, and from being able to see colours to watching your kids grow up…the list is literally endless.
And here’s an interesting fact that helps to quantity just how incredible the eye is: it is made up of a staggering 2m working parts, which makes it the second most complex organ in the body, behind only the brain.
So, bearing all of the above in mind, it stands to reason that we should take great care of our eyes , ensuring that they remain healthy as we get older. Here are 6 simple tips to help you ensure that you keep your eyes in tip top working order:
1. Eat a healthy diet:
Because our eyes are for seeing, it can be difficult to explain that diet is very important in maintaining healthy eyes. However, when you consider that type 2 diabetes is caused by diet (blood sugar imbalance), you can clearly see that diet does directly affect eye health – just as it does every other part of the body.
So eating the following foods, all of which are rich in natural nutrients and vitamins, will help to keep your eyes (and your body) healthy:
- Green vegetables such as kale and spinach (now you know why your Mum always told you to eat your greens!)
- Salmon, tuna, sardines and other oily fish
- Eggs, nuts, beans and other such non meat protein sources
- Citrus fruits and juices (oranges, lemon, lime, grapefruit)
2. Get your eyes checked regularly
Much like putting off going to the dentist until we suddenly experience some form of tooth ache, most of us tend to avoid booking in for an eye check up unless we feel there is something actually wrong with our eyes!
It’s funny when you think about it isn’t it? While most people will wait for trouble to strike before taking action, the sensible approach is clearly to prevent trouble from occurring in the first place!
So you know what to do don’t you? Get on the phone right now (no time like the present!) and make an appointment for an eye check up. Not only will it cost you very little, it will also put your mind at ease that nothing untoward is going on without you even knowing.
3. Wear sunglasses
Most us wear sunglasses on a bright, sun kissed summer day when it is nigh on impossible to see without them!
However, sunglasses are not designed to be used only on very hot sunny days because UV rays can pass through clouds. This means that even on overcast days, your eyes are extremely vulnerable to high levels of UV exposure.
Finally, the surface of the eye is much more vulnerable to the sun than the skin’s, placing them at much higher risk of sun damage.
4. Look away from your computer screen regularly
We all tend to go a bit goggle eyed from looking at a computer screen for hours on end, yet many of us are still reluctant to take breaks or to look away.
But the fact is that looking at a screen for too long can cause real physical side effects, such as headaches, dry eyes, neck / back / shoulder pain, blurry vision, or eye strain.
So, here’s what you should do that will really help: rest your eyes every 20 minutes (look 20 feet ahead for 20 seconds), and physically get up every 2 hours and take a 15 minute break.
(And if you think your boss won’t thank you, he’ll probably thanks you a lot less if you end up having to take time out as a result of suffering from one of the above symptoms, right?)
5. Always use safety eye wear when required
This seems like an obvious one I know but according to www.preventblindness.org, 2,000 people injure their eyes every day at work. And the frustrating thing is that experts believe that simply wearing the right eye protection could have lessened the severity, or even prevented 90% of these eye injuries.
The fact is your eyes are far too important for you to ever take unnecessary risks. So, if your work involves even the slightest risk to your eyes, make sure you wear the appropriate eye protection. It’s a lot better than wishing you had when it’s too late.
Ellen Bonner, age 25, Optilase Q&A
Ellen Bonner, a professional dancer, underwent LASIK laser eye surgery with Optilase Clinic back in September.
We recently caught up with her to find out what she thought of the whole laser surgery experience: and also, of course, to see how she’s enjoying life without glasses and contact lenses:
What made you want to go for laser eye surgery?
Well, I’ve worn contact lenses and glasses my whole life and it really affected my career in dancing. Contact lenses in particular were always a real hassle; even just always having that nagging fear of a lens problem during a performance, used to stress me out!
So I really just got to the point where I wanted a life free of glasses and contact lenses! And fortunately, my friend had already undergone laser surgery with Optilase and highly recommended them to me so that was it really.
How did you find the surgery itself, was it what you expected?
It was much better than I had expected to be honest! The staff were so professional and so friendly that I felt completely at ease from the second I arrived in the door on the morning of my surgery. It was all very chilled!
How long did the procedure take?
Ooooh, that’s a tricky one! From what I remember I think it was roughly 5 minutes per eye, does that sound about right?
(*Optilase: Not bad at all – it actually takes around 7 minutes per eye so pretty close!))
How long did you take off work after the procedure?
Luckily I happened to be off work at the time anyway so it was the perfect time for me to have the treatment.
Would you recommend us?
Definitely! And I’m not just saying that because you’re in front of me either! Seriously, the whole experience was great so I would definitely recommend Optilase to anyone.
Would you have any advice for people who are thinking about having the surgery?
Just to go for it really! It’s honestly the best thing I’ve ever done and my whole experience with Optilase, from the first consultation through to the aftercare, was amazing.
Honestly, I’m so happy I went for it so my advice to anyone who’s even half thinking about having it done would be to go for it: you won’t know yourself, it will completely change your life!
At Optilase we like to share the latest industry news with our clients. Recently we have had some amazing feedback in the press about our Laser Eye Surgery treatments. Some top journalists came to our clinics and received 20:20 vision.
Lorna from leading lifestyle publication, U Magazine had to say “The surgery itself took 15 minutes… and at no point during that time was I in pain”. Having worn glasses from the age of 16, Lorna couldn’t be happier with the results of her Optilase experience.
We also had editor, Eleanore Hutch, of Evoke.ie came down for a vision correction treatment. Eleanore said of the experience – “Thinking about getting Laser Eye Surgery? I did… and it was the best decision EVER!” We’re so pleased that Eleanore was so happy with the results of her treatment. You can read her full review here.
Lynda McCarthy of the popular Sunday World came in for a treatment at our Ely Place clinic and was so pleased with her 20:20 vision and the comfort of knowing that Optilase offer a lifetime guarantee. She was so pleased with how it went “You get up and you can see – like a miracle!”
For those considering Laser Eye Surgery you can book at free consultation on this page and one of our team will be in touch to answer all of your questions.
When it comes to laser eye surgery, of which LASIK is the most common form, there are always lots of rumours and untruths circling which are often mistaken for fact. Some of them are so wrong that we are often baffled as to how people come up with them in the first place but it happens so here are 5 of the most common myths de-bunked:
1. It’s not permanent so I might need to have the procedure again in the future
Again, we like to revert to science over rumour in addressing this concern that crops up quite frequently. The fact is that the laser eye surgery procedure changes the composition of your eye and as a result, makes a permanent change to your vision.
However, the nature of ageing is such that LASIK surgery cannot prevent other eyesight issues from occurring as you get older and as a result, it won’t prevent the onset of presbyopia, an age-related focus dysfunction that affects our ability to see objects that are close to our eyes, such as newspapers, kindles etc.
2. It’s much safer to keep wearing contact lenses rather than risk laser surgery
Many people end up wearing contact lenses for many years rather than opting for a life free of any sort of lenses, simply because they believe that contact lenses are 100% safe, and laser surgery is not.
The fact is that many of the world’s leading physicians agree that wearing contact lenses every single day over a period of years actually poses more risk to the eyes, than laser surgery does.
For example, contact lenses can get lost behind the eye, causing complications; leaving them while sleeping can lead to infection, and failing to follow the correct instructions when using them (not cleaning them correctly, not using the right cleaning fluids etc, can cause to eye infections and other conditions.
So, if you are of those who believes that wearing contact lenses is completely risk-free, the fact is that the opposite is case and laser eye surgery is the proven safer option!
3. I might go blind if something goes wrong
Our eyes mean everything to us and the fear of losing your eyesight is therefore very understandable. However, that doesn’t mean it’s correct! Thankfully, in the case of laser eye surgery the facts speak for themselves and based on over 40 million procedures undertaken around the world to date, the facts show that there has not be able people who have suffered blindness from laser eye surgery.
4. What if I end up with worse vision as a result of LASIK surgery?
Similar to myth number 1 above, which addresses the myth that laser eye surgery could result in blindness, the chances of your eyesight being worse after your surgery than it was beforehand are slim to none.
Again our job is to separate facts from fiction and according to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, over 96% of people who undergo laser eye surgery achieve a vision of 20:20 or better.
So, let’s just say, if you’re worried that you might end up with worse vision as a result of undergoing LASIK eye surgery, all available evidence suggests which points to the contrary, should be sufficient to allay your fears.
5. Some people experience pain and other complications after LASIK eye surgery
20 years ago, back when laser eye surgery was still a very new procedure and one which was still in development, the fear of post operative pain and complications was probably a genuine concern for many pioneering patients.
However, laser eye surgery is now incredibly sophisticated and involves the very latest and up to date scientific technology that has ever been created. Because of this, the vast majority of patients experience little to no side effects after surgery. In the case of the very small minority of patients who do experience some side effects, these tend to be very mild and very short-term and as a result can be very easily treated.
If you are interested in finding out whether you are eligible for laser eye surgery, contact Optilase Clinic today for a free consultation. You’ll get to meet with one of our Laser Optometrists, ask any questions you may have about laser eye surgery, and find out whether you are a suitable candidate for laser eye surgery.
First of all, let’s be clear: everyone (even big brave men who’ll never admit it to you!) is at the very least slightly nervous when the day of their laser eye surgery finally rolls around. It’s human nature – our eyes are one of the most valuable organs we possess so we are rightly highly protective of them!
But, (there’s always a but!), when it comes to laser eye surgery, whether it’s of the LASIK or PRK variety, we like to let the facts speak for themselves:
To date over 40 million people around the world have undergone laser eye surgery, and the risk of a serious complication arising is somewhere in the region of 0.1%.
So yes, there is a risk - as there is with any elective procedure - but with over 98% of patients achieving 20:20 vision or better (American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery), the risk really is extremely minimal.
And now that we have (hopefully!) addressed the most common fear of risk and safety, the next big question we’d like to address is simply what does LASIK, the most common type of laser surgery, actually feel like?
The Lasik process from start to finish
By the time you present to us for your laser procedure, you will already have had your initial consultation with our Optometrist so your suitability to undergo Lasik will already have been confirmed.
So, upon arrival, you will be met by one of our very friendly and helpful clinic co-ordinators, whose job it is to make you feel right at home. You will also get a chance to meet your surgical team including your Opthalmic surgeon, nurses, and laser technician, to help put you at your ease by letting you know that you are in very safe hands!
Once admitted to the surgical suite then, the question of what the laser surgery procedure actually feels like is probably best answered by the following 5 step process:
Step 1
The first thing that happens is that anaesthetic drops are applied to your eyes, following which a small sheet of translucent plastic is taped over each eye, keeping your eye lashes out harm’s way and blurring everything out.
Step 2
Now that your eyes have been numbed, the laser procedure starts. Basically, a small flap is created on the surface of the cornea using blade-free Intralase technology. During this process you will feel a suction type pressure for approximately 10 seconds while your vision goes black - again, let us reassure you that this is not painful but it can nonetheless be slightly uncomfortable….for a whole 10 seconds!
Step 3
Next, the laser is applied to the underlying surface in order to reshape the cornea and in doing so, correct your prescription.
How does this part feel? Well, it has often been described to us as something of a ‘cleansing sensation’, as though water is being applied to your eye socket. Though it’s clearly a difficult sensation to explain (!), this is simply the laser at work and as per the other parts of the laser process, although it’s a little uncomfortable, it is not in any way painful!
Step 4
You’re all done! Your Ophthalmic Surgeon now just places the flap back down and your eyes can now very quickly begin to heal.
Step 5
With your surgery complete, you are transferred back to our (very nice!) recovery suite, where your surgeon will carry out a brief post-operative examination on your vision, just to double check that everything is perfect as far as your eyes are concerned.
At this stage, you will be given a full operative pack along with some helpful hints and tips, advising you what to do / not to do to aid your recovery.
And that’s it - approximately 2 hours after presenting for your surgery, you’re free to go home!
Fed up of wearing glasses and want to find out more about laser eye surgery with Ireland’s leading laser clinic?
Awesome! Simply contact us today to arrange a FREE consultation and start on your journey that leads to no more specs!
Irish Journalist and Opsh gal, Lorna McGinn, recently underwent life-changing laser eye surgery treatment with Optilase. We sat down with Lorna to chat with her all about her Optilase journey and how it feels to have 2020 vision.
As an in-demand top journalist, you’re pretty busy 24/7. What gave you the push to get Laser Eye Surgery?
I’ve always struggled with my eye sight and as I got older, I began feeling more and more reliant on my glasses. From driving in the dark to trips to the cinema, seeing blurry outlines was becoming all too frequent - which proved pretty scary for passengers in my car as you could imagine! I knew that getting laser eye surgery was a priority for me but I had never fully put enough research into what getting it would look like. After seeing how dramatically the lives of friends and family member’s changed when they got it really gave me that push to just go for it.
What was the main difference you noticed after getting Laser Eye Surgery at Optilase?
That I could see the menu above the counter in my coffee shop beside the office. Seriously! You don’t wake up the following morning feeling miraculously different. Your eyes are still quite blurry, you feel a tad bit groggy but it’s really when you get back to your day-to-day life (within 48 hours I might add), you start to notice things on your morning commute or your afternoon commute which makes you take a step back and say, wow!
Many people get a bit nervous about the treatment. Did you have any preconceptions about Laser Eye Surgery before getting it done? And how did the reality of that stack up to your expectations?
I had heard many rumours - as I’m sure others do - about how you can smell the burning of your eyes during the surgery. Believe me, this is absolutely not true - it’s a load of scare mongering. The process itself was quick, painless and easier than I could have ever expected. The staff were so friendly and the surgeon was completely reassuring. If eye surgery clinic’s had star ratings, Optilase would get 5 from me.
Did it hurt? Be honest!
Not in the slightest!
How did you find the aftercare process?
Immediately after, your eyes feel quite irritable but I did exactly as the staff told me to do. Use the eye drops and go straight to bed. The following morning the irritability was completely gone. I was strict with myself in using the eye drops (3 different types per day), which completely sped up the healing process.
Do you find that Laser Eye Surgery has made your life easier?
My life, the lives of others around me, the lives of passengers in my car - yes, yes, yes. It’s completely changed everything about my life! It’s amazing how quickly you get used to it too - having 2020 vision that is - but then you’ll come across something you used to have to squint to see and you’ll be amazed all over again.
And finally, now that you’ve tried it out yourself - would you recommend Optilase to our readers?
In a heartbeat. I can’t express enough how simple the procedure was, how brilliant, friendly and informative the staff were and how much it has changed my life.
Book your free Optilase consultation today!
Irish Journalist, Eleanore Hutch, recently underwent life-changing PRK laser eye surgery treatment with Optilase. We sat down with Eleanore to find out all the details of her Optilase journey and how it feels to have finally ditched her contacts.
What made you decide to get Laser Eye Surgery?
I was just sick of spending that extra five minutes putting lenses in the morning, and I honestly could not imagine going back to that. It used to be so annoying always having to order lenses and making sure I had enough if I was going away or anything like that. I have a new lease of life!
What has been the main difference you’ve noticed since your Laser Eye Surgery at Optilase?
Not having to even think about lenses or glasses. It’s so nice to even wake up on a Saturday morning and not be fumbling for the specs to go on the iPad or read a paper.
Many people feel a bit nervous about the treatment. Did you have any preconceptions about Laser Eye Surgery before getting it done?
I didn’t really and it was just as I expected it to be. I found the whole thing made me a tiny bit squeamish but it was over in a flash – literally!!
How did you find the recovery period?
There was a day or two where I was a bit ropey but it passed quickly and it’s a small price to pay.
How did you find the aftercare process?
The aftercare process is so beyond wonderful I cannot describe it. From the encouragement during the op itself to the care package for afterwards to the follow up appointments, everything has been exceptional.
Do you find that Laser Eye Surgery has made your life easier?
One thousand per cent!
Finally, would you recommend laser eye surgery at Optilase to others?
Hell yes! Book your appointment now and you will not look back. Pardon the pun.
At Optilase we like to keep our clients up to date with the latest treatments and services we have on offer. We regularly get some of Ireland’s top media in to the clinic to try out the Optilase service and let their readers know all about the treatments and how it really feels to get Laser Eye Surgery.
Roisin Delaney of Woman’s Way had PRK / Laser Surgery and was pleasantly surprised by the ease of the treatment. She said “The surgery itself blew me away with how quick and advanced it was”.
Roisin was so pleased with the results, on this she said “I had my three month post-op appointment and I’m happy to report that my eyesight is now much better than 20-20. I don’t think my vision was ever this good.” In her full page spread in Woman’s Way Roisin highly recommended the treatment to others “For anyone considering laser eye surgery, just do it. If you’re squeamish let the professionals put your mind at ease and ask them as many questions as you want.”
Keelin Riley of The Irish Sun who had suffered from poor eyesight from a young age was put completely at ease by the Optilase team and said “For many people the idea of a laser anywhere near their eye majorly freaks them out – but I’m here to tell you there is nothing to worry about.” After the short recovery period Keelin was able to bin her glasses and contacts and went on to say “I can’t recommend Optilase enough. I’ve had top of the range aftercare with check-ups and patient care. They are Ireland’s leading eye clinic with the most affordable prices.”
A lot of people feel overwhelmed by the idea of Laser Eye Surgery. We set up an interview with one of our top surgeons and the Editor of Evoke.ie, one of Ireland’s leading lifestyle websites to “Debunk the myths about Laser Eye Surgery”. Hit the link for some insights from one of our experts.
Standard Laser Eye Surgery treatment is available from €795 per eye. Why not avail of a FREE consultation with one of our Laser Optometrists? Call us today on +353 1 223 8821 or fill out the contact form on this page.
Since the beginning of human history, the eyes have always held a special place in our concept of beauty. Charlotte Bronte famously said that eyes are the ‘faithful interpreter’ of the soul - and the concept of eyes as the truest version of ourselves is one that has stuck around. It’s little wonder then, that for millennia, women and men have been trying every trick in the book to make their eyes as attractive and beguiling as possible. From the early application of toxic chemicals to the wide-eyed fashion of the 60s, the story of this human obsession with beauty is a fascinating one. Take a trip with us through the ages to discover the history of all things eyes.
Ancient Egypt
The earliest recorded cosmetics have been found in the tombs of Ancient Egypt where women and men used kohl and malachite to create exotic green and black-rimmed eyes. These daring face paints were not only used for aesthetic reasons, they also protected from the desert sun and warded off insects. Unfortunately, the kohl products in use were incredibly toxic and the Egyptian fashionistas may have been slowly poisoning themselves.
The Deadly 1700s
The mid-18th century saw a trend in porcelain skin that involved men and women using poisonous lead-based makeup all over their faces. This had the unfortunate side effect of hair loss, affecting the eyebrows in particular. When - in the latter part of the decade - defined eyebrows became fashionable, false eyebrows were often fashioned from mouse skin and stuck on with glue!
The Roaring 20s
It took the wider world a long time to really latch on to the virtues of makeup which prior to the 20th century weaved in and out of fashion, often seen as something vulgar and reserved for prostitutes and actresses. But with the advent of early mascaras (thank you Maybelline) and the iconic flapper style characterised by early film stars, it truly took off. Dark-ringed sultry eyes were the order of the day paired with ruby red lips and heaps of attitude.
Mid-Century Pastels
The period around the Second World War saw a more muted eye palate to match the sombre times. Eyebrows were arched but full and low-key colours were worn on the socket only. The 50s, however, brought with it optimism in the form of shimmering pastel shades and bold, heavily dressed lashes. Popularised by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, pale pretty eyeshadow was teamed with winged eyeliner to create a classic look we hanker for still.
Wide-Eyed 60s
The 60s was a time of liberation, freedom and wide-eyed sex appeal. A new generation of teenagers sought a look that was a world away from the classic femininity of their parents’ generation. Mascara was used in a new way to create spiky, larger-than-life lashes and a Twiggy-esque stare. Eyeliner was used both on the lash line and in the crease of the eye socket for double impact and paired with muted lips so that the eyes truly did the talking.
Anything Goes 80s
The 80s still holds the crown as the most fun decade of makeup, with eyes displaying a myriad of clashing hues and an anything-goes attitude. This is also a breakthrough era with makeup for men moving into the mainstream and major pop stars revelling in an androgynous look. Electric-blue eyeliner was a standout look and shadows were big and bold often worn up to a more natural, full eyebrow.
Grunge 90s
The 90s kicked against the exuberant bright shades of the 80s, with smoky eyes in shades of taupe and grey and delicately lined under eyes that chimed with a burgeoning indie and grunge scene. The brows were sleeker, slimmer and heavily lined. This was a matte look that spoke of natural beauty, and has seen a huge fashion comeback in recent years.
Noughties to Now
The early noughties saw a return to shimmering eye shades and neatly arched brows but fast forward to right now and it is the return of the full, heavy brow that defines our modern makeup look.
The leaps in makeup technology, modern gel liners and contouring products also mean that we have the flexibility to create almost any look we choose. What’s more, we can cherry-pick the best of decades gone by with the result that vintage looks come and go with the passing of the seasons.
The rise of male makeup is also a trend that can’t be underestimated. The popularity of male YouTube makeup stars mean that this may truly be the decade of a gender-equal approach to how we dress our eyes.
Whatever the future holds for our eyes, it’s a lot of fun looking back over what has gone before and imagining just what wild eye makeup trends the next few decades might bring.
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As most of us know instinctively, the eyes are a great indicator of overall health. Whether they’re jaundiced, bulging or blood shot, when something’s not right, it shows in our eyes. So much so that since the late 1600s, we have been looking at the eyes to determine what’s going on in the body – an alternative medicine technique known as Iridology. We take a closer look at the practice that allows us to determine the body’s strengths and weakness through the eyes.
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