If you are considering or have already taken the step to improve your eyesight through LASIK in Los Angeles, we commend you. Making that leap into an elective surgery is sometimes not an easy thing to do, but if you have already down the procedure, you probably feel better for doing it.
A laser vision correction procedure such as LASIK can greatly correct your prescription for nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and/or astigmatism. At the LASIK eye centerin Los Angeles like Excel Laser Vision Institute, our patients have seen a reduction and even an elimination for the dependance for glasses or contact lenses. It is the perfect option for anyone who wants to see better, improve their quality of life, and get independence from contacts and eyeglasses.
Patients that have improved vision from LASIK in Los Angeles may begin to think that they can live their best life without the need for eye exams and skip out on these, and that is where they start to go wrong. In fact, they could be spiraling out of control when it comes to their eye health.
Why Are Eye Exams So Important?
If you are not aware, and you should be, the first signs of diseases such as high blood disease, thyroid disease, auto-immune conditions, and diabetes expose themselves in an eye exam. This is enough reason to be diligent on those annual eye exams and never skip out on any of your appointments.
Also, there are various common eye conditions, which are unrelated to a person’s vision correction procedure, that you should be screened and evaluated by your eye doctor at your annual eye exam. These consist of the following:
Glaucoma: Even though there are several circumstances linked to it, glaucoma damages the optic nerve which can result in the loss of vision and even blindness. However, if there is early detection, such as an annual eye exam, it can catch the disease at its primary stages and can help to manage the disease and prevent significant vision loss.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for glaucoma and any vision loss a person has because of this eye disease is lost for good and cannot be restored. No matter who you are, you are susceptible to glaucoma, especially those who have a family history but on a positive note, there are very effective treatments such as LASIK in Los Angeles.
Cataract: This is an eye condition that results in the clouding of the lens of the eye and is generally the natural aging process. Many factors can bring on the formation of cataracts, besides the factor of age, smoking, diabetes, long term exposure to UV rays, and medications such as corticosteroids. Normally, cataracts are believed to be a sign of old age, but actually, there have been cases of people developing cataracts in their 40s and 50s. Your eye doctor will usually monitor the development of cataracts over time and treat it with surgery when the visual impairment can no longer be tolerated.
Other age-related eye conditions: During your annual eye exam, the ophthalmologist checks for macular degeneration, the deterioration of the center of the retina, which leads to loss of vision in the center of the vision that advances over time. Normally done after dilating your eyes, the eye doctor checks the general health of the retina and may select to use more advanced imaging technology to scan the retina for a more detailed evaluation.
The possibility of macular degeneration increases over time. This usually occurs after the age of 55 and early detection is important for preserving vision as long as possible. Furthermore, during an eye exam, the optometrist takes your refractive measurements to check on the patient’s requirement for vision correction. No matter who you are, after the age of 45, you will start to lose sharp focus in your near vision, which is called presbyopia, and reading glasses may be prescribed.
Floaters: A lot of people will experience tiny, dark specks, strands or squiggles floating around in their field of vision. These flecks that are “blocking” your vision cause the thickening of the vitreous fluid in the eye that cast shadows onto the retina, and it is part of the natural aging process. Nearsighted individuals, those who have diabetes or have had cataract surgery have a higher chance of floaters. Many people with floaters just learn to ignore them, however, there are treatment options if they greatly impact a person’s vision. Nevertheless, floaters can be a sign of something more serious such as retinal detachment.
Posterior Vitreous Detachment: This is a typical problem that goes hand and hand with the natural aging process. Many people who are over the age of 50, or who are (or were) nearsighted can be affected by posterior vitreous detachment. The eys are filled with vitreous, which is a thick fluid that fills the eye, keeping its round shape. The vitreous has loads of fibers running through it that are attached to the retina at the back of the eye. As we age, the vitreous shrinks and the fibers pull away from the retina and one day will break, causing the vitreous to pull away from the retina, which causes floaters. This is referred to as vitreous detachment, which isn’t usually sight-threatening and does not require treatment.
Retinal Detachment: An immediate increase in floaters, a loss of peripheral (side) vision and/or light flashes are all symptoms of a retinal detachment which is a severe and probably sight stealing condition, which needs emergency treatment. When any part of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue situated at the back of the eye, detaches from the back wall of the eye.
Those with high or degenerative nearsightedness are at risk, as are those with a family or health history of retinal detachment. Cataract surgery, eye injury and certain other eye diseases and disorders are associated with retinal detachment. If you suspect you have a retinal detachment you need to see your ophthalmologist immediately. Retinal detachments can be successfully treated.
Although LASIK is the most popular laser vision correction surgery, you should follow your eye doctor’s advice and guidance on whether LASIK is the best procedure for your requirements. If you want further information about LASIK or PRK, give Excel Laser Vision Institute a call at + (818) 907-8606 today.
