Clinic: (318) 703-5655 Optical Shop: (318) 913-2020

8445 Line Avenue Suite 200 Shreveport, LA 71106

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Dry Eye Prevention: 10 Tips to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

SES-Healthy-Eyes

At Shreveport Eye Specialists, we often encounter dry eye symptoms in patients. Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the right quality of tears to keep the surface of your eyes well-lubricated which can lead to discomfort, irritation, and even vision problems. Fortunately our team here at SES has several strategies you can adopt to prevent and manage dry eye symptoms. Let’s dive into ten tips to help you maintain healthy, comfortable eyes.

1. Stay Hydrated

One of the most effective ways to prevent dry eyes is to stay well-hydrated. We are embarking on a record-breaking hot summer so drinking plenty of water throughout the day will help you maintain an optimal moisture balance in your body, including your eyes. Dr. Van Norman and Dr. Borel recommend aiming for at least eight glasses of water a day to keep your eyes and body properly hydrated.

2. Blink Regularly

It might sound silly but blinking is essential for spreading tears evenly across the surface of your eyes. Activities like reading, working on a computer, or watching television can reduce your blink rate. We encourage our patients to make a conscious effort to blink more often, especially during these activities, to keep your eyes lubricated.

3. Take Frequent Breaks

Did you know that we spend approximately 7-8 hours per day on digital devices? Yikes! This includes smartphones, computers, tablets, and other digital screens. If you spend a lot of time staring at a computer screen, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. This helps reduce eye strain and gives your eyes a chance to refresh and rehydrate.

4. Use a Humidifier

Dry indoor air, especially during the winter months, can contribute to dry eyes. Using a humidifier in your home or office adds moisture to the air, which can help keep your eyes from drying out. Aim to maintain indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50% for optimal comfort.

5. Protect Your Eyes

When outdoors, wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to protect your eyes from sun and wind exposure, both of which can exacerbate dry eye symptoms. Wraparound styles offer additional protection by shielding your eyes from the sides. Our 20/20 Optical Shop carries a wide range of sunglass frames and lenses to best fit your needs. Our team can help you find the perfect fit!

6. Avoid Smoke and Pollutants

Exposure to smoke, whether from cigarettes or other sources, can irritate your eyes and worsen dry eye symptoms. If you smoke, consider quitting, and try to avoid smoky environments. Additionally, stay away from areas with high levels of dust, fumes, or other pollutants.

7. Use Artificial Tears

We carry artificial tears available only in a doctor’s office which can provide quick relief for dry eyes by supplementing your natural tear production. Our products are preservative-free which is ideal for frequent use. Schedule an appointment today to select the right product for your needs.

8. Maintain a Healthy Diet

Certain nutrients can support eye health and help prevent dry eyes. Incorporate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts, into your diet. Omega-3s help reduce inflammation and support tear production. Additionally, consume plenty of leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables that are high in vitamins A, C, and E.

9. Practice Good Eye Hygiene

Keeping your eyelids clean can prevent blockages in the oil glands that contribute to tear production. Our gentle hypoallergenic formula wipes by Bruder help remove the excessive oil and debris from your eyes that can contribute to eye irritation. These easy-to-use pre-moistened lid therapy wipes are available in our office. Use this gentle eyelid cleanser to clean your eyelids and lashes daily. This helps remove debris and reduce the risk of inflammation and infection. We also carry makeup remover with only seven ingredients ideal for people with dry eye or sensitive eyes.

10. Consult With Our Eye Care Professionals

If you experience persistent dry eye symptoms, it’s essential to consult an eye care professional like our team at Shreveport Eye Specialists. We can provide a thorough evaluation, identify the underlying cause of your dry eyes, and recommend appropriate treatments, which may include prescription medications or specialized therapies.

Dry eyes can be uncomfortable and disruptive, but with the right prevention strategies, you can maintain healthy, well-lubricated eyes. Your vision is our focus! We truly care about our patient’s health and safety. Dr. Russ Van Norman has over 18 years of medical experience correcting vision in patients who suffer from a variety of eye conditions. Schedule your dry eye exam today! 318-703-5655

Shreveport Eye Specialists - LASIK

Dr. Russ Van Norman and Team,
Shreveport Eye Specialists

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Jason Maloney
2 weeks ago
Update #2: After four business days, four phone calls, and stopping by in person, finally got a call back. No record in my chart that my symptoms were documented or cleared at all. No check for the one thing that absolutely needs to be checked before prescribing those drops. What a joke.

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Update: Doctor prescribed two different eye drops which both caused eye pain and severe blurry vision. I tried for nearly a week to get ahold of someone by phone about that, and I even stopped by in person after my calls were not returned, but the only info I could get from the doctor was "I wouldn't have prescribed them if I thought there would be an issue." No instructions on whether or not to discontinue them, no explanation about whether or not the side effects were expected or temporary, no guidance at all. Multiple messages left over multiple days, no calls returned. No confirmation that they even checked for what the paperwork for the drops warned that they needed to check for.

Spend your money elsewhere!

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The doctor was more interested in lecturing me about the perils of online glasses than listening to my actual symptoms and my reason for visiting in the first place. They did not give me a chance to explain what vision issues I was having before they rushed me through a standard exam and ushered me out. My issues remain unresolved.

They also insisted on calling in a prescription to an out-of-town pharmacy, which then charged me for shipping. I was given no choice to use my preferred pharmacy, so I can only conclude they somehow profit off that relationship. They also tried to have me pay an inflated in-person price for OTC eye treatment that I already owned.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.

Our goal at Shreveport Eye Specialists is to listen carefully to each patient’s concerns and provide clear explanations about exam findings and prescriptions. Sometimes adjustments to a prescription can take time for the eyes and brain to adapt, especially when there are changes that affect how objects appear or how near vision feels. That said, we always want our patients to feel heard and comfortable asking questions about their symptoms.

We would welcome the opportunity to review your concerns and make sure your vision needs are addressed. Please contact our office so we can discuss your experience and determine how we can help moving forward. Your feedback is important to us and helps us continue improving the care we provide.
michelle chapman
3 weeks ago
Went in for eye exam, they said I needed cataract surgery. OK. Had surgery, reading vision improved waited appropriate time before getting new prescription. I was still having problems with distance so they did YAGS. Over 6 months later, still having distance problem. I worked 10 years with Visual Impaired students and do not trust them enough to go back.
Update: thanks to Dr. Borel for working with me and addressing my problems. Hopefully we are are the right track.
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We were glad to have the opportunity to update your eye screening and to make an adjustment to your glasses.

If you have any additional concerns in the meantime, please feel free to contact our office and speak with our clinical team. Your vision and comfort are important to us, and we appreciate the opportunity to continue caring for you.
Stephen Rambin
2 months ago
Every time I have been here with an "appointment" I always still have to wait 45+ mins to been seen. They seem to always over book patients. I don't understand why they even make Appointments. They need a new appointment staff!!
Brittany Taylor
4 months ago
Staff was very professional, kind, thorough and helpful! Looking forward to future visits!
Gae Lewis
5 months ago
Went on appointment to get a DBQ & Nexus letters done for VA claim and they wouldn't write my letter because they say they don't take my United healthcare or my VA medical insurance. Man what a kick in the teeth and I'm a USAF VETERAN that need the letter done buy doctor that diagnosed my condition. It's just a letter that the diagnosing doctor only can write. So out done, bad enough serving your country even worse when the eye doctor that diagnosed you and did your Lazer percedure want even write a letter on a piece of paper for you!!!!!!! PS(When I came to your office for a scheduled visit you should've just wrote me a Nexus letter for free just because I'm your patient and also a paying patient.The Nexus letter was your responsibility and used at va claims for va claims. You diagnosed my Glaucoma and did my Lazer percedure.It's sad that you told me to leave just because you no longer take my insurance.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback. First and foremost, we want to express our deep appreciation for your service. We truly value the opportunity to care for our veterans and are always honored to be part of their healthcare team.

To clarify, in order to accurately and ethically complete the paperwork you've requested—such as DBQ and Nexus letters—we are required to have a current eye exam on file. It's been several years since your last visit, and without an up-to-date exam, we cannot provide clinical documentation or forms related to your vision or eye condition.

While we are not currently in-network with your insurance, we would still be glad to see you and provide the care and updated records you need. Our goal is never to turn anyone away, but to ensure that any medical forms we complete are based on current, accurate evaluations.

We understand your frustration and would be happy to discuss your options if you'd like to schedule an updated exam. Please feel free to call our office—we're here to help.
LAWRENCE HARRISON
6 months ago
Do not make the mistake of purchasing your glasses from 20/20 Optics at Shreveport Eye Specialists unless you are seeking absolute incompetence. In that case, look no further, for you have found the masters of remarkable ineptitude in the field of eyeglasses. Two months of back-and-forth with 20/20 Optics and I still have yet to receive the correct pair of glasses. 20/20 Optics has done everything except place an order for the correct combination of frames and lenses.

As a testament to 20/20 Optics' gross ineptitude, I am currently wearing their third failed attempt at ordering the correct glasses, and am eagerly awaiting the fourth attempt, which I dare say will also be a failure. What a challenge it must be to enter the correct numbers from the given prescription into the system and place the order. If somehow this remarkable feat is achieved, expect the lenses to be scratched. Spare yourself the (literal) headache of not being able to see due to 20/20 Optics!

Edit: If 20/20 Optics spent as much time working as they do responding to Google reviews, they would’ve made the glasses right the first time.
Response from the owner:We’re truly sorry to hear about your experience with our optical department. Our 5-star team strives to provide high-quality eyewear and attentive service, and it’s disappointing to know we did not meet your expectations.

We understand how important it is to receive glasses that fit comfortably and provide clear vision, and our staff has worked diligently to remake your lenses multiple times to ensure you are satisfied. While this process has taken longer than anticipated, please know our intention has always been to resolve the issue and provide you with eyewear that meets your needs.

We appreciate your feedback.
Demarcus Gilliam
10 months ago
Patrick Gallagher
10 months ago
Haven't seen Dr. Van Norman in many years!! Started having issues and had no problem getting an appointment. His staff were very friendly and helpful. They all answered my questions and concerns.
Joyce Morris
10 months ago
Good honey white time. Good experience.
Kelly Gillis
10 months ago
Dr. Van Norman & all of his staff members were excellent. My procedure: cataract removals & LASIX was completely pain free & I have terrific results. Thank you all!