What Are Your Options When You Have Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is an eye condition that many LASIK Orange County doctors find in older adults. In this condition, the lens can no longer focus on nearby objects.
For laser eye surgery Orange County doctors, this eye condition is a natural and usually frustrating part of aging. Typically, Presbyopia becomes noticeable in a person’s mid-40s and worsens until the age of 65. As a matter of fact, the term “presbyopia” comes from a Greek word that means “old eye.”
Doctor Moosa, a premier LASIK surgeon in Orange County tells us that you will become aware of Presbyopia when you begin to hold books and newspapers at arm’s length so you can read them. A simple eye exam can affirm Presbyopia. Fortunately, LASIK surgeons in Orange County have different treatment options such as contact lenses, eyeglasses, and surgery.
What Causes Presbyopia?
The LASIK Orange County experts tell us that the clear lens sits inside the eye behind the colored iris. It alters shape to focus light onto the retina, so your eye allows you to see. The lens is soft and flexible in younger eyes and easily changes shape, allowing you to focus on objects close-up and far away. After age 40, the lens becomes stiffer, and it doesn’t alter its shape as effortlessly. This makes it more challenging to read, thread a needle, or do other close-up tasks.
Unfortunately, you can’t stop or reverse the normal aging process that causes Presbyopia. Nevertheless, Presbyopia can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Individuals who have issues seeing both near and far can take advantage of progressive lenses. Modern medicine recognizes that one day presbyopia will be treated with eye drops. If you do not do something about your Presbyopia, you will suffer from headaches and eye strain.
Also, there is a risk of premature Presbyopia in some people. Patients with cardiovascular disease, anemia, diabetes, farsightedness, eye disease, and multiple sclerosis are at increased risk for premature Presbyopia.
The symptoms of Presbyopia include difficulty reading small letters, having a headache or eye strain. Such people have to hold the material farther away from the eye.
What Are The Treatment Options?
When you ask about laser eye surgery costs, you will find that various treatment options may help you correct this condition. Different options available are non-prescription glasses, prescription glasses, contact lenses, surgery, and orthokeratology lenses. Every option has its pros and cons, and your ophthalmologist may recommend an option that best suits you depending upon your condition and lifestyle.
Reading Glasses
If the only vision problem you have is Presbyopia (you don’t suffer from farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism), eyeglasses may be all you require. Reading glasses help correct close-up vision issues by bending (or refracting) light before it goes into the eye. You can purchase reading glasses without a prescription, but an eye exam should determine the distinguishing power of reading glasses that you require.
Bifocals, Trifocals, or Progressive Lenses
If you already wear eyeglasses for other vision issues now, you might need bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses.
Bifocals correct close-up and far vision. You may or may not notice a line that divides the lens. The bottom of the lens refracts light for close-up vision, while the top portion refracts light to let you view distant objects.
Trifocals have three lens areas to correct for close-up, mid-range, and far vision.
Progressive lenses correct vision such as bifocals and trifocals. But rather than a line that separates each refractive area, refraction changes slowly in the lens from top to bottom.
Contact Lenses
Some people would rather wear contact lenses over eyeglasses. There are two kinds of contact lenses that correct Presbyopia:
Monovision contacts. These correct one eye for distance vision and the other for close-up vision. You have to adapt to monovision lenses and train your brain to see this way. The issue that some people have with monovision is that you can misjudge something’s distance or speed.
Multifocal contacts. These lenses have many rings or zones set at different powers. With this design, you are only using both near and far vision at the same time. However, you can train your brain to automatically opt for the proper focus for what you want to see. You may notice that using a multifocal lens makes your vision less sharp compared to using a monofocal lens.
Surgery
When some patients want to achieve monovision, they do refractive surgery. This can reduce their dependence on glasses for near and far objects. With the use of a laser, an eye doctor alters the cornea for clear far vision in one eye and close-up vision in the other. In a lot of ways, this is like wearing monovision contact lenses. An eye doctor may advise you to try monovision lenses before having LASIK surgery. This will help you decide whether or not monovision is a comfortable option for you.
At Excel Laser Vision Institute, we have a team of skilled and committed staff who will quickly answer all of your questions and put you at ease about your surgery. We only use advanced laser vision correction technology to carry out vision correction procedures. Our Harvard-trained surgeon, Dr. Moosa, serves at our Orange County and the Los Angeles offices. After we have assessed your prescription and eye health, we can discuss which eye correction treatment is more suitable for you, the necessary financing you may require, and the next steps. Start your journey towards a clear vision that eliminates your dependence on eyeglasses and contact lenses today.
How Safe is LASIK During the Pandemic?
Sadly, many hospitals and medical practices have been adversely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because of the many changes in protocol. Therefore, several LASIK Los Angeles procedures have also been influenced during the pandemic.
LASIK eye surgery is not a medical emergency but rather a selective laser vision correction Los Angeles procedure. Globally, LASIK is the most popular surgery that corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
How Does Covid-19 Affect The Eyes?
Several organs in the body, including the respiratory tract, have a mucous membrane lining. The membrane is vulnerable to coronavirus. Also, it lines the surface of the eye and inside of the eyelids and is referred to as the conjunctiva. The virus transmission via the conjunctiva is a rare condition but can result in conjunctivitis. Your eye looks pink when you have this condition, and the inner membrane (conjunctiva) gets inflamed.
Typically, general body symptoms correlated with the coronavirus are fatigue, fever, and a dry cough, and the primary method of transmission is infected droplets. Although the evidence of infection transmission through the eyes is not well studied nor documented, it is possible that the coronavirus may spread through the eyes.
Are There Any Risks?
Many people who are looking into LASIK surgery wonder if the procedure is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the increased risk of spreading infection through a contact lens, many individuals go for LASIK for corrective eye surgery.
LASIK surgery helps the patient eliminate the need for contact lenses or dealing with foggy glasses, particularly in health care professionals who have a high risk of acquiring the virus. The LASIK Los Angeles procedure is done safely and is carried out by professionals who take the necessary precautions.
How To Get Ready For LASIK Surgery During Covid-19?
Once you have found out the LASIK eye surgery cost, you have to take the right steps to get ready to treat your eyes with LASIK surgery. Think about the following actions to prepare for the surgery.
- Look for a skilled and experienced surgeon who carries out the surgery with the highest level of safety and care.
- The doctor performs a COVID-19 test before the surgery.
- If you qualify, you should get vaccinated for COVID-19.
- Before getting inside the center, you should be checked for body temperature and other symptoms such as cough. The surgery should not occur if a patient is diagnosed with any of the symptoms.
- The patient should practice social distancing and good hand hygiene. They should wear their mask.
- The patient should arrive relaxed and have eaten something to avoid having the surgery on an empty stomach.
How Has The COVID-19 Pandemic Increased LASIK Enthusiasm?
When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, many people in the medical field thought it would significantly lower LASIK procedure volume, as in past economic crises. This was probably due to our knowledge that LASIK and refractive surgery are usually motivated by consumer sentiment and need a lot of unrestricted income. What came as a surprise to many industry experts, including medical equipment manufacturers, commercial LASIK operators, and independent physician LASIK center owners—procedure volume has been strong, with a renewed level of enthusiasm. Many LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles haven’t witnessed such enthusiastic growth since before the 2007-2008 crisis. Again, many say the cause is a perfect storm of many factors.
What Are The Three Main Factors?
The three primary factors that are responsible for this perfect storm of revival in LASIK enthusiasm are the following:
Financial motivators (which always play a huge part)
Lifestyle changes
Safety Concerns
Financial motivators: For the past several years, there has been an evident change to the millennial generation which makes up about 80 million of the world’s population who are seeking LASIK. Even though this is a challenging population to market to persistently, many meet the economic and clinical criteria for a good LASIK candidate.
Alas, the millennial demographic was evidently affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In mid-MArch of 2020, many nonessential workers began to work from home. A majority of this group of potential refractive surgery patients did not lose their jobs. They did not leave their homes, their meetings with coworkers were carried out through Zoom, they had more screen time, and their workday became likely undetermined.
Since this group of individuals had nowhere to spend their disposable income due to lockdowns almost overnight, millennials had money to spend on medical procedures instead of clothes, salons, entertainment, travel, and gym memberships.
Lifestyle changes: Another factor that creates the perfect storm for refractive surgery volume to boost is the extra time at home, with people staring at the computer, phone, and tablet screens more. People soon started to figure out that looking at a screen all day causes an increase in eye fatigue, and this was even more apparent for individuals who wore contact lenses.
Safety concerns: The last but not the least motivator is safety. This means the possible viral transmission through hand-to-eye contact. At the beginning of the pandemic, many articles in the media indicated that the novel coronavirus could be passed through tears. Because of the media teaching us all about this, patients became very knowledgeable of the potential transmission route.
LASIK is an elective surgery since it does not treat any life-threatening disease. Moreover, similar to other surgeries, the risk of COVID-19 spread is not high because patients are not so close to surgeons. Many studies reveal that a LASIK procedure is safe if the surgeons follow all the necessary COVID-19 protocols and access personal protective equipment.
At Excel Laser Vision Institute, LASIK surgery enhances your vision and provides you with extra benefits. Nevertheless, proper care has to be taken before opting for LASIK surgery. If you want to know more about our COVID-19 protocols during the LASIK Los Angeles procedure, please do not hesitate to call us at (310) 905-8622.
Should I Get Contoura or LASIK Surgery?
Over the years, the LASIK eye doctors in Los Angeles have seen technologies advanced in the healthcare field, which has made patients feel more comfortable and healthier. The laser eye surgery professionals stress that it is essential that there are technological advances in the medical field since many patients can’t take advantage of the technologies available in the industry. For instance, some patients are suffering from a new disease or have gone into an advanced stage and are not being treated with the present system of medications and surgery.
And when we talk about the LASIK eye surgery cost, eyeglass removal surgery is not set apart from these advancements. Researchers are attempting to do their best to make surgical treatment with very few complications and the most desired results. An example of such an advanced eye surgery at the LASIK eye center in Los Angeles is Contoura Vision surgery, which is also referred to as Topography-guided LASIK surgery.
When any patient asks for LASIK eye surgery cost, they find out that a Contoura Vision surgery is a version of LASIK surgery and offers enhanced benefits to patients thinking about undergoing spectacle removal surgery. Besides the fact that this surgery is very effective, it gives excellent results to patients who were initially not eligible for LASIK surgery because of irregularities in the cornea. The LASIK eye specialist in Los Angeles informs us that USFDA has approved Contoura technology for specs removal surgery.
History Of Contoura Eye Surgery
Wearing eyeglasses to correct vision dates back to the 13th century. In the 1800s, contact lenses were ready for use in Switzerland and were manufactured from hand-blown glass. Back then, these were non-invasive ways for correcting a person’s vision and improving clarity. Nevertheless, these devices lead to discomfort for those who wear them and need a lot of careful handling.
As a result of this, invasive methods were introduced to correct vision. A Russian eye specialist created radial keratotomy, which consisted of the use of a diamond knife to make an incision on the cornea and change its curvature. The process is still used today to manage astigmatism. Afterward, in the 1990s, USFDA approved a more robust procedure for correcting the vision. The process is referred to as photorefractive keratotomy, which has a prolonged vision correction effect. LASIK needs the benefits of both the above techniques and eliminates their disadvantages, leading to more comfort to the patient. These techniques are highly successful and still believed to be the Gold standard in vision correction surgery.
In 1999, a customized procedure came out and was carried out through LASIK with wavefront analysis. The technique was called the Contoura technique and gave 22000 points on the cornea. Compared to Contoura, the conventional LASIK maps just 200 points on the cornea.
Who Is NOT Eligible For Contoura Vision Surgery?
Unfortunately, not everyone who has vision problems can have Topography-Guided LASIK treatment. Typically, the LASIK ophthalmologists in Los Angeles conduct a thorough evaluation of the patient’s eye health to determine whether Contoura vision surgery would benefit in improving visual clarity or correcting refractive error. Below is the criteria for patients who are NOT eligible for undergoing Contoura vision surgery:
Individuals who are less than 18 years of age due to instability in vision.
Those suffering from immunodeficiency diseases
Individuals with vascular disease
Persons with myopia higher than 9.00 D
Those with prominent nose and brow that obstructs reflection.
What Is The Difference Between Contoura Surgery And Lasik Surgery?
Here are a few differences between Contoura vision surgery and LASIK:
Better outcome: The outcome achieved with Contoura surgery is better than LASIK when it comes to visual clarity and correction in refractive error. On average, patients experience corrections better than 6/6.
Broader scope: The whole point of Contoura is not restricted to vision correction. Instead, it can treat the abnormality found within the corneal curvature.
Advanced technology: The technology used in Contoura surgery is more state-of-the-art compared to traditional LASIK surgery. Although traditional LASIK surgery maps only 200 points on the cornea, the Contoura vision surgery maps 22000 points on the cornea.
Fewer complications: Contoura vision surgery has more minor complications than traditional LASIK surgery, and the damage to the tissue is nearly more minor and has a faster healing time.
What Are The Advantages Provided By Contoura Vision Apart From Vision Clarity?
Here are some of the advantages provided by Contoura vision surgery:
High safety standards: The Contoura LASIK has high safety standards. The complications are lower, and the healing is quicker.
USFDA approved: Contoura LASIK has been approved by USFDA for vision correction. This proves the safety, efficacy, and authenticity of this technology.
Patient’s comfort: Contoura surgery has no stitches, no bandages, no injections, no pain, and the patient can go home the same day of surgery.
What Is The Procedure For Contoura Vision Eye Surgery?
Contoura vision surgery’s process is similar to LASIK surgery. However, the technology involved is different from traditional LASIK surgery. Detailed eye check-up of the patient is done to exclude any disease or infection. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia. In this advanced technology, the machine used produces about 22000 points on the cornea through topography.
Every point is analyzed for abnormality and is corrected through LASER. The machine used in the Contoura vision includes WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser Systems and WaveLight TopolyzerVario Diagnostic Device. Post-surgery eye care is a crucial part of the treatment to get the targeted result. Different eye drops, including anti-inflammatory and antibiotics, are prescribed to the patient to counteract inflammation and infection.
Can Too Much Screen Time Really Harm Your Eyes?
We’ve all heard about how spending too much time on your computer or your cell phone can come with consequences for your eyes. Your parents may have set limits on how long you were allowed to watch TV when you were a child, but in a modern world highly motivated by technology, it can be difficult to catch a break when you need these devices for work or to stay in contact with members of your household. Hope is not all lost, though. Our LASIK Orange County specialists can teach you how to effectively manage your screen time and take better care of your eyes by becoming aware of the risks and how to monitor how much time you are really spending on all of your devices.
How much time are you really spending on your phone?
Based on several studies conducted, it appears that the average American spends between 3 hours and 15 minutes to 3 hours and 43 minutes a day on their cellular devices. People are also checking their phones an average of 58 times a day, 30 of those times being during work hours. As mobile device use increases, the amount of time spent watching television decreases. During the 2020 lockdowns, screen time only increased.
What is digital eye strain?
DIS, also known as computer vision syndrome, is a common vision problem that persists in individuals who are using their devices for 2 uninterrupted hours. It is disturbingly common, as it has been surveyed 58% of American adults suffer from DIS/CVS. While permanent vision damage from screen time is rare and it’s probably not going to lead you requiring Orange County laser eye surgery, it can lead to damage in your retina. If you do not take adequate breaks away from the screen, you may experience pain in your eye or headaches. If you are not drinking an adequate amount of water everyday, then you are more likely to experience frequent headaches. If you have pre-existing eye conditions, this can also escalate the problem.
Too much screen time can also be linked to other physical and psychological health problems, including obesity, insomnia, depression & anxiety, neck and back problems, and poorer grades.
Addiction just as bad as dependence on physical substances?
It’s easy to understand how easy it is to get immersed in the world of screens. Unlike the traditional television, you get to control what content you see and when you want to see it, and for how long. You can do just about anything on the Internet, almost giving you a sense of augmented reality, but can being addicted to a screen be just as bad as other forms of addiction such as gambling, alcohol or drugs?
Almost anything that triggers our reward system can become addicting because everyone wants to feel good all the time. Experts disagree on whether or not screen addiction should be approached the same as other forms of addiction. Mark Griffiths, a Nottingham Trent University behavior addiction professor has stated his own opinion on the topic, “I certainly believe that things like video games, social media, gambling, et cetera, can be genuinely addictive. [But] by my definition, very few people are genuinely addicted to video games or are genuinely addicted to social media.” In other words, he believes that screen activity addiction is serious, but the amount of people who actively suffer from this issue is exaggerated.
It also turns out that it’s not the screen itself that causes the addiction, but it is dependent on the type of content one is consuming. The faster the pace, the more addictive.
What is the 20-20-20 rule?
It is recommended that every 20 minutes you spend on a screen, that you do something else for 20 seconds, 20 feet away from your device. This can help reduce eye strain caused by looking at a screen for too long. You can also try to do some of your favorite activities offline. If you are an avid reader, for example, read the old fashion-way again and shop for physical copies of your favorite books.
Conclusion
If you feel that your eye strain may be caused by an underlying condition not caused by your screen time, talk to your eye specialist right away. They ask you questions regarding your optical and general medical history and run any necessary exams, but if you are someone who has difficulty even looking at screens due to preexisting vision problems, then you may be a candidate for Orange County LASIK eye surgery. If you are seriously considering this option for you and aren’t sure where to begin the process, give us a call today at (866) 923-9235.
9 Celebrities Who You Didn’t Know Had LASIK
You often hear about celebrities going through cosmetic surgery to enhance their physical appearance, but are you familiar with which of your favorite stars have gone through Los Angeles LASIK eye surgery to improve their eyesight? Here’s a hint: there have been more than you think! You’ll have to see the list below to believe it!
Kim & Kylie Kardashian
Love the Kardashians or hate them, it’s been 100% confirmed that both Kim and her little sister Kylie have undergone Los Angeles LASIK eye surgery! Kim decided to go through the procedure prior to her Las Vegas show. A little over a decade later, Kylie had begun to experience problems with her eyesight during her pregnancy with her daughter, Stormi. She had to rely on glasses to help her see. Inconvenienced by them, she decided to get the LASIK surgery and she couldn’t be happier with her decision!
Nicole Kidman
When Nicole discovered that she was nominated for an Academy Award for her stellar acting performance, she decided to get surgery to correct her vision. She feared the possibility of having to read her acceptance speech in front of a large audience while struggling to read her notes or even when walking up to the stage. Kidman was very happy with her decision, stating that she now had “20/20 vision” after her procedure. “I can’t believe I spent so many years blurry, but I think that coincides with how I was feeling. Now I notice if people are watching me, but I also smile right back if someone waves, which helps.” Good on you, Nicole!
Jessica Simpson
Simpson was shown undergoing eye surgery on her reality show ‘Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica’ back in the summer of ‘04. She described the outcome of her procedure as “like being healed by God.” She continued her statement by saying, “I was legally blind, I couldn’t see without contacts or glasses. I couldn’t see my hand in front of me. I couldn’t see the big ‘E’ on the (eye test) screens.”
Brad Pitt
If you have seen some of Pitt’s earlier movies, you may have noticed that he wore some waggish glasses in some of his most memorable roles prior to 2010. Brad decided it was time to undergo LASIK eye surgery. Since then, he’s been able to say sayonara to those days and appreciate life with a much clearer view.
Sir Elton John
He is known for his iconic spectacle glasses, but in 2012, Sir Elton John decided it was time for a change. Decades ago, he stated in an interview that he had owned tens of thousands of glasses over the years! He got tired of losing them all the time, specifically describing his frustration with “Where are they?’ I can’t see anything, so why wait?” Sometimes you need to break tradition for the sake of your health and sanity.
“Weird Al” Yankovic
You know him for his hilarious song parodies. You’re also familiar with the nerdy glasses he wore in his earlier music videos, but why did he stop? The reason is simple: in the late 1990’s, he finally made the smart decision to get eye surgery! Weird Al actually suffered from a severe form of myopia (nearsightedness) – no fun! It’s difficult to imagine why he would ever regret his choice.
LeBron James
It’s a no brainer that you can’t be a legendary basketball player if you can’t see well! To up his game, King James got LASIK eye surgery in 2007, citing it as a major factor in his future achievements on the court.
Dwayne Wade
Wade decided to follow the steps of his now-wife Gabrielle Union and undergo the LASIK eye surgery. He was so impressed with her results that he decided to go see the same doctor as her, Dr. Cory Lessner. He openly expressed his gratitude for the job he did afterwards, “It’s actually an amazing experience and nothing to be scared of. My eyes are getting a lot better by the minute. Dr. Lessner’s professionalism is second-to-none and he really takes care of you. The result is awesome. I would recommend having it done to everyone.”
In other words….
The benefits of getting laser eye surgery in Los Angeles are unmistakable, and you don’t have to be a big shot in Hollywood to start enjoying them. Like Dorothy stepping into the Land of Oz, your new enhanced eyesight is bound to turn your once fuzzy, monochrome world into one of vibrant clarity that you’ve never experienced before. Don’t wait another day to change your life for the better, call Dr. Ferzaad Moosa’s team today at (866) 923-9235 to schedule your free consultation appointment. We have offices in both Los Angeles and Orange County, and we look forward to having you join our happy family of satisfied customers and serving you today!
A Brief History of LASIK Eye Surgery
Although LASIK eye surgery was approved by the FDA in the late 1990s, its history goes back many years earlier. If you have poor eyesight, you may be wondering a lot about LASIK Los Angeles surgery, including how it was invented. The story actually goes way back and has been developed over the decades by many optic specialists across the world. History buffs, get ready because you’ll have a field day with this one!
Back in 1948, Spanish ophthalmologist Jose Barraquer (1916-1998) invented the very first technique of reshaping the cornea, the outer layer of the eye, naming it keratomileusis. This means “sculpting of the cornea.” His passion for creating new surgical inventions made him a pioneer in the optical industry, transcending modern practices as we know them today. Today, he is remembered as the “father of modern refractive surgery”.
In 1960, Jewish-American physicist and engineer Theodore Maiman (1927-2007) invented the laser, the world’s first coherent light in Malibu, California. Although not a medical doctor, he granted future optic surgeons the ability to create amazing innovations such as laser eye surgery we now have in Los Angeles. Indian-American doctor Mani Lal Bhaumik would go on to build from Maiman’s creation and invent the Excimer laser, an ultraviolet laser. He presented his research leading to his invention in front of the Optical Society of America in 1973. This would lead to American scientists first conducting studies on how lasers could be used to correct vision problems in the late 1980s. Meanwhile, Russian ophthalmologist Svyatoslov Fyodorov (1927-2000) invented radial keratotomy, commonly referred to as RK, which was used to reshape a person’s cornea to fix myopia (nearsightedness). It still exists today, but varies from LASIK surgery as LASIK is designed to fix defects in eyesight as opposed to reshaping the cornea. Lasik eye surgery also has fewer complications than RK.
Ultimately, LASIK eye surgery itself is accredited to being invented by Dr. Gholam A. Peyman, an Iranian-American ophthalmologist. He built up a very impressive resume, having received a medical degree from the University of Freiburg in Germany, which is the country’s 5th oldest university. He completed internships in both Germany and the United States, eventually landing him a faculty position at the University of California, Los Angeles’ School of Medicine. After leaving UCLA, Dr. Peyman moved on to serve as a professor at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary at the University of Illinois. During his time at the university, he developed an interest in lasers and their effects on the eye. He spent years studying them, but had to wait to put his knowledge to use as the lasers were expensive and many people understandably felt it was dangerous to be experimented with such new technology. Eventually, he would be granted permission by University of Helsinki’s Physics Department in Finland to perform these experiments and develop the LASIK technology he had been carefully studying for so long. Since then, 10 million Americans have had LASIK surgery and made their glasses and contacts a thing of their past.
Today, at the age of 85, Dr. Peyman serves as an emeritus professor of ophthalmology at Tulane University. It is thanks to him that tens of thousands of people now enjoy the benefits of Los Angeles LASIK eye surgery. He even has his own website where you can view his multiple publications and achievements. About 8 out of 10 American adults are candidates for lasik, and chances are, you probably are, too. An overwhelming 95% of patients have reported that they are satisfied with the outcome of their surgery, so if you are ready to begin your journey today, call Harvard-educated Dr. Ferzaad Moosa’s office at (866) 923-9235. Our staff is ready to assist you with any of your questions and help you create a plan to help you afford your surgery so that you can start living a better, more productive life.
Learn All About Amblyopia
Amblyopia, commonly known as “lazy eye,” is a relatively common eye condition that develops in children between birth and 7 years, but will typically appear before age 5. Typically, a person will have one lazy eye, and it is estimated that up to 3% of the American population has the condition. As Los Angeles LASIK specialists, we want you and your family to stay informed on eye conditions that may be affecting you or your loved ones. If you have a family history of amblyopia and are concerned your child may be experiencing the condition, it is important you get familiar with the risk factors and know when it’s time to seek medical help.
Amblyopia occurs when a person’s brain favors their better eye, resulting in the other eye’s vision becoming blurry. A person’s weaker eye is apparent to others and can result in embarrassment among peers. It is the most common cause of vision loss in children. Lazy eyes can be the result of multiple pre-existing conditions. If your child was born prematurely, was smaller than average (less than 20 inches) at the time of birth, or has any developmental disabilities, then the chances of them having amblyopia increases. A lazy eye may also be caused by a squint, known in the medical world as strabismus, a droopy eyelid (ptosis), or a cataract (clouding of the eye lens).
It is very important to receive treatment for your child’s lazy eye as soon as possible, as neglecting to do so can result in blindness. All children ages 3-5 should be getting their vision checked at least once and will be able to detect any vision problems present in your child. Treatment for amblyopia is also far more effective in children than in adults.
There are multiple treatments that can be used for a lazy eye, including:
Glasses
As you are most likely already well aware, glasses are typically used to help people with nearsightedness or farsightedness, so while some people with a lazy eye use glasses, it is not the only form of treatment they must use.
Patches
Patches must be worn between 3-6 hours a day and are applied on your stronger eye. This will help get the weaker eye working better, but the treatment does not work overnight and can even take years for the necessary effects to kick in. Following the patch, surgery may be necessary.
Eye drops
These are recommended above patches, as you only need to use the drops once a day. Not only is it less distracting than wearing a patch, but according to the study, “atropine treatment did affect visual acuity in the sound eye at six months more than did patching.”
Under the Food and Drug Administration, LASIK surgery is not approved for children under 18 years of age. The shape of your child’s cornea (the clear, protective outer layer of the eye) is still developing until they reach adulthood, and proceeding with LASIK surgery will result in undesirable outcomes later in their life. It is also worth noting that most adults who do undergo laser eye surgery in Los Angeles will need to continue to wear glasses after their procedure.
As a parent, your child’s well-being is of your utmost concern. At Excel Eye, Dr. Moosa and his entire team are committed to the highest quality eye care for you and your entire family and assist you with any reservations you may have about your eye health. As we like to say, our patients are a part of our family – so if you’re ready to join our happy family today, don’t wait another day! Get in touch with one of our offices right now! We have respective offices in Los Angeles and in Orange County.
Give us a call today at (866) 923-9235.
What You Need to Know About Eye Cancer
Eye cancer, medically referred to as ocular melanoma, is not one of the most discussed types of cancer, and this is for a good reason. However, as an eye patient, it is useful to have surface-level knowledge of eye cancer so that you can better educate and keep your visual health at an optimum level, and as Orange County LASIK surgery experts, it’s our job to answer all your questions on these topics. Here’s what you should know about it to help you address any possible concerns you may have:
First, let’s get familiar with the three layers of your eyes
Sclera – The outer layer, the white part of your eye
Uvea – The middle layer
Iris – the colored part of your eye that is in charge of processing how much light that enters it
What causes eye cancer?
It is not currently known by doctors the exact cause of eye cancer. However, we do know that certain populations are more at risk, including:
People age 50 and over. The average age to receive a diagnosis is 55 years.
Race. Caucasians are more likely to have eye cancer than Hispanics than African Americans.
People with a family history of eye cancer
It is possible that overexposure to sunlight could be a risk factor, but scientists have not yet been able to confirm this speculation.
Classifications of eye cancer
The SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database, maintained by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) classifies eye cancer in 3 groups: localized (cancer that has not spread beyond the eye), regional (cancer that has spread outside the eye to nearby areas), and distant (cancer that has spread further into the body). The more localized the eye cancer, the higher the rate of 5-year patient survival. Where exactly in the body the cancer originated from also plays a large factor into this.
It’s rare.
This is the good news. Your chances of getting a form of eye cancer are 6 in 1 million, with only 3,500 new cases reported a year. The most common type in adults are uveal or choroidal melanoma, and the 5-year survival rate of eye cancer patients is an overwhelmingly high 84%. In children, the most common type of primary eye cancer is called retinoblastoma. As its name suggests, this is a disease where the cancerous cells appear in the retina.
Symptoms can include but are not limited to:
Increasingly blurry vision
Partially or completely losing your vision
One of your eyes is bulging
Lumps in the eye
Irritation or redness in one or both of your eyes
Be aware that some of these symptoms may not necessarily mean you have a form of eye cancer for sure. These can also be symptoms of other eye conditions. If you experience any of these, contact your eye care provider immediately for a formal evaluation.
How is it treated?
You may be wondering if specialized Orange County laser eye surgery may be the solution to the problem at hand. The answer is not so simple. Lasik is designated for correcting eyesight and cannot remove any cancerous tumors. Depending on the type of eye cancer, its severity, and an individual’s medical profile, there are several ways an eyecare doctor may go about treating it.
How you can decrease your risk
Although your odds of getting eye cancer at any stage of your life is slim and in itself is difficult to prevent, it is important that you continue to do all the necessary things to take care of your eyes, including taking breaks from cell phone and computer screens, eating healthy, wearing sunglasses when exposed to UV rays, exercising regularly, and refraining from smoking.
Conclusion
You are probably relieved to hear directly from the Orange County LASIK specialists that it’s unlikely that you will develop eye cancer, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t develop other forms of vision problems at some point. In order to remain healthy, you must prioritize every aspect of your body. Treat it as a vessel that is worthy of your respect in your everyday life. Think of it this way: it’ll be hard to look forward to anything if you can’t see!
How To Take Better Care of Your Eyesight as You Age
We all want to stay in our 20s or 30s forever so that we won’t have to experience all the downsides of getting older, but unfortunately, we cannot prescribe a fountain of youth to you, so the next best thing we can do for you is advise you on how to take care of your eyesight over the course of your life. While some people naturally have better eyesight than others due to genetics, there are still things you can do to help yourself. In fact, it is imperative that you prioritize your eyecare because some forms of damage are irreversible. Here are some tips on how to prioritize the best care for your eyesight today:
Always wear your glasses or eye contacts
This sounds like a given, but if you have naturally poorer eyesight and have not yet committed to laser eye surgery in Los Angeles, why would you want to go out and not be able to see anything? Even if your eyesight is not terrible without them, you should be using them at all prescribed times regardless. Also remember to clean your prescribed products accordingly exactly as your specialist instructed you. Don’t cut corners!
Eat an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables
Remember hearing “an apple a day keeps the doctor away?” While this very simplistic advice, the point is, just because mom and dad aren’t around to force you to eat your veggies anymore doesn’t mean you should stop. Your diet can have a direct impact on how well you can see and your overall health. It is recommended that you consume foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E.
Take breaks from screen time
If you work in an office, then you are spending roughly 8 hours a day in front of a computer screen. Remember to take frequent breaks from the screen, even if it’s just to get up and get coffee for a couple of minutes. White collar workers also have a higher risk of certain health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity from sitting down in a chair too much, so it’s important to ensure that you are maintaining a healthy diet and exercising enough when you are not on the job. We know it’s difficult in this day and age because nearly everything is done online now, but also consider limiting your cell phone usage since you’re already working on the computer so much most days of the week. You should also stop using all your devices at least half an hour before you go to sleep.
Wear sunglasses
If you are constantly exposed to UV radiation, not wearing the proper sunglasses will come with dire consequences. You will eventually experience blurry vision or in the worst case scenario, blindness or even eye cancer, if you do not wear sunglasses when you need them. You can get UVA ray and UVB ray-blocking sunglasses at your local drug or convenience stores for relatively cheap, so you don’t really have an excuse to not have at least one pair on you!
Protect your eyes when performing certain tasks
If you are in a woodshop class, you must wear the proper eye protection gear at all times. If you are an avid swimmer, make sure that you are wearing goggles every time you take a dip.
Keep it clean
Living in a dirty space can result in dust getting into your eyes. Don’t let any dirt build up in your home or workspace. It’s not only annoying but unsanitary for your overall well-being.
Be wary of your eye make-up
Don’t use certain products if they give you an allergic reaction. You must also always remember to remove your make-up entirely before you go to bed and cleaning your brushes periodically. Failing to do so will result in bacteria forming on your eyes and a higher risk of an infection.
Ditch the cigarettes
It turns out that smoking isn’t only terrible for your lungs, but also for your eyes, but yet a couple of years ago it was surveyed that 34.1 million adults in the United States still smoke cigarettes. While more people are reportedly quitting, it’s best to be aware of the risks before you ever consider picking up the habit. Your body – and your vision – will definitely thank you later.
Be aware of your family history and risks
If you have a family history of certain eye conditions, be sure to communicate this clearly with your optometrist. They will be able to provide you with the best medical advice and treatment plan specifically for you.
If you have other health conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, get that in check.
All of these conditions can directly impact your overall eye health. Ensure that you are getting the treatment you need by visiting your physician or other medical specialist whenever you are due for an appointment.
The bottom line
At Excel Eye, our team is committed to the highest quality care specifically for you. Your eyes are unique to you alone and we want you to feel proud of them. As one of your five senses, we have obtained the highest expertise and technology available on the market so that you can start living your life better today. Our devotion to our patients is not something you will have to “see to believe!” So if you are in need of laser vision surgery, do not put it off any longer. Contact one of our offices in Los Angeles or in Orange County today. As one of the top LASIK eye surgery professionals in Los Angeles, we look forward to assisting you in your eye surgery journey and changing your life for the better.
Are You a Good Candidate for a LASIK Procedure?
If you want the most successful LASIK procedure in Orange County, apart from having a highly experienced LASIK eye surgeon, you have to meet specific patient criteria to determine whether eye surgery is suitable for you.
LASIK and PRK results are usually always good; however, not everyone is a suitable candidate for vision correction surgery.
Below is a checklist from the best laser eye surgery doctor in Orange County to provide you with a good start to help you determine if LASIK or PRK is appropriate for you.
You Should Have Healthy Eyes
If you suffer from a condition that affects how your eyes respond to surgery or how they heal afterward, you have to wait until that condition is dealt with. Good examples of this are:
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Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
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Severe dry eye syndrome
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Infection
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Any type of eye injury
If you have persistent dry eyes, which means you do not produce sufficient tears to maintain lubricated and healthy eyes, LASIK surgery may worsen this condition. Common symptoms of dry eyes consist of burning or stinging, a gritty sensation in the eye, less tolerance to wind, intermittent blurry vision, and even excessive tears in some instances. If you have some of these symptoms, do not hesitate to discuss them with your laser eye doctor before surgery.
Your LASIK surgeon can conclude if you have dry eyes during your preoperative exam and can usually treat the condition successfully so you can then go ahead with laser eye surgery. Possible treatments include artificial tears, punctal plugs, medicated eye drops, flaxseed or fish oil supplements, or a combination of these methods.
Also, cataracts that interfere with your vision and uncontrolled glaucoma will usually prevent you from being a candidate for LASIK or PRK procedures.
Your Cornea Must Be Thick Enough
Many LASIK refractive procedures in Orange County improve visual acuity by modifying the eye’s front surface (cornea). Carrying out laser eye surgery on a very thin cornea or one that has a surface that is very irregular and askew, such as the case of those who suffer from keratoconus, could jeopardize results and impair your vision.
If the LASIK eye surgery team in Orange County previously informed you that you couldn’t have LASIK since your corneas are very thin, recent breakthroughs may mean you’re now an acceptable candidate for laser vision correction. For instance, your eye surgeon can use a femtosecond laser rather than a microkeratome that can help him or her create a thinner corneal flap and, as a result of that, keep more of the underlying corneal tissue for laser treatment.
Moreover, suppose you’re still not a suitable candidate for LASIK or PRK regardless of the advanced technologies and techniques. In that case, another kind of refractive surgery, such as implantable lenses (phakic IOLs), could be a good alternative.
You Shouldn’t Have Very Big Pupils
If you have naturally large pupils, you could be at a higher risk of side effects such as glares, halos, and starbursts in low light, particularly when driving at night.
Your Prescription Must Be Within A Specific Limit
If you have a very high prescription, whether it’s because of farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism, your laser eye surgeon may recommend that you do not do the LASIK procedure.
Plus, very high amounts of myopia, for instance, would need the removal of too much corneal tissue and put you at higher risk of vision problems.
If you suffer from a severe refractive error, another type of vision correction surgery may be a better alternative, such as phakic IOL implantable lenses or refractive lens exchange.
You Have To Be Old Enough
Particular procedures require you to be 18 years old, and there are others that need the patient to be 21 years old. Patients who are younger than these ages can be treated as an exception with the vigilance of a LASIK surgeon and with permission from the patient’s parent(s) or guardian.
Typically, an upper age limit to laser eye surgery does not exist. Nevertheless, it is critical to keep in mind that you may still require reading glasses to correct near vision when you reach your forties because of a normal, age-related condition known as presbyopia.
Obviously, your LASIK eye surgeon may also consider you as a candidate for surgical correction of presbyopia such as monovision LASIK, which can improve your near vision without reading glasses or bifocals.
Considering women are at a higher risk for dry eyes after menopause, men have a greater risk for dry eyes later in life. As mentioned above, you should treat a dry eye condition before LASIK surgery.
Your Vision Has To Be Stable
Teenagers and many young adults often experience adjustments in their contact lens prescription and eyeglass prescription from year to year. Refractive errors need to be stable for at least 12 months before undergoing LASIK or other refractive surgery.
Typically, it is nearsightedness that slowly becomes worse, but there may be other changes as well.
This is why younger people are not appropriate candidates until their eyes have settled down into one prescription. Your optometrist can inform you whether your prescription is stable.
You Have To Be In Good Health
Contraindications to laser eye surgery may include uncontrolled degenerative conditions or uncontrolled autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, type 1 diabetes, and AIDS. People infected with HIV who have good immune cell counts may be candidates for LASIK.
Essentially, if your body has any trouble with healing, you will have a higher probability of an unsatisfactory LASIK surgery result. Opinions vary among LASIK surgeons on which diseases are automatic disqualifiers and which ones might be acceptable risks in specific cases.
Additionally, particular medications can intensify risks linked with laser eye surgery. For instance, immunosuppressants may disrupt post-operative healing, and some medications may increase the chance and/or severity of dry eye syndrome.
Ultimately, the only way to know for sure that LASIK is the best eye correction surgery for you is to contact Excel Laser Vision Institute today!