Bloomington, MN based Chu Vision Institute is pleased to share that a full transcript of a recent interview with Ralph Chu, MD has been added to the clinic’s website. The interview hosted on Twin Cities Live, touches on various aspects of eye care, such as what the average person can do at home to promote eye health. Find it here: Eye Care On Twin Cities Live.
The interview begins with a discussion regarding something that almost everyone has experienced at some point in their lives: dry eyes. According to Dr. Chu, this condition tends to become more prevalent in the colder season, and it can be worsened by a number of factors, such as low humidity and car heaters blowing on the face. Further, while it is commonly believed that an itchy or scratchy sensation is the first symptom people will notice with dry eyes, Dr. Chu explains that many people also experience blurry vision as a result.
This relatively minor impairment can range in severity from being little more than an inconvenience to an outright danger in certain situations. In the interview, Dr. Chu refers to the fact that people commuting everyday will have to deal with blurry vision and the distraction it causes. As such, it is in an individual’s best interests to find a solution that reduces their dry eye symptoms.
When asked about potential treatments and home remedies, Dr. Chu says there are many options to consider. He explains, “There’s a whole spectrum of treatments that can be done. The first line of defense is just an over-the-counter artificial tear. There are good ones out there. Some of the brand names are Refresh, Systane, and Genteal They are all non-preserved, and that’s what you’re really looking for. Just a tear to hydrate the eyes so you can see better and feel better.”
Dr. Chu assures that people who use artificial tears will still be able to naturally produce tears, and such products can simply stand in when exterior conditions overpower the body’s own ability to produce moisture. Chu Vision Institute may encourage patients to “moisturize” their eyes in this manner up to once an hour, though patients typically get started at four times a day.
The interview then shifts to cataracts and lens replacement surgery. Dr. Chu explains that cataracts naturally form with age. Proteins produced by the body begin to change the clear, natural lens inside the eye becomes yellow or brown. He likens this to sunglasses growing inside the eye, and surgery is the only solution to replace the clouded lens with a clear, artificial lens. Dr. Chu says that the procedure is fairly quick, painless and the vision recovers in a matter of hours in most cases.
He says, “The next day many people are already seeing so much better. They’re seeing colors brighter, more light is getting into their eye, and then the sharpness improves over the next few days,” adding that there is, “No pain at all, really. So, modern surgery is no sutures, no patches. Patients areusually asleep during the surgery so they don’t see or feel anything coming towards their face. The next day you’re pretty much back to using your eye. You can shower, and you can actually go back to most of your normal activities.”
The rest of the article discusses a couple other treatments that are used to treat visual errors, such as LASIK and the latest generation of implantable contact lenses. Dr. Chu goes into some detail on what each treatment entails and what patients can expect before, during and after a procedure. Anyone can watch the full interview on the clinic’s YouTube channel or read the article’s transcript on the official Chu Vision Institute website.
Dr. Ralph Chu and the team at Chu Vision Institute welcome inquiries from patients who wish to learn how they can reduce their dependence on glasses and contacts. Consultations may be scheduled over the phone, via email, or on their website.
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For more information about Chu Vision Institute, contact the company here:
Chu Vision Institute
Carrie Jacobs
(952) 230-6200
carrie.jacobs@chuvision.com
Chu Vision Institute
9117 Lyndale Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55420