How Your Blood Pressure Can Affect Your Eyes – A LASIK Expert In Los Angeles Explains
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force that it takes for your heart to pump blood throughout your body. According to Doctor Moosa, a LASIK expert in Los Angeles, having a blood pressure that is too low or too high can have significant effects on your eyes. Twenty-six percent of the world’s population has high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This means that the heart is working extra hard to circulate blood in the body. Meanwhile, thirty-one percent of the world’s population deals with low blood pressure, or hypotension. This indicates that the heart is not working hard enough, which contributes to improper circulation. People on the low/normal end of the blood pressure spectrum may have perpetually cold feet and hands.
It is normal for our blood pressure to fluctuate during the day. However, when an abnormal rate is sustained for a long period of time, this can cause physical ailments that affect the whole body. The best LASIK surgeons say that patients with abnormal blood pressure may require medication or lifestyle adjustments in order to maintain a healthier balance. Some of the most typical causes of high blood pressure include sleep apnea, kidney disease, abnormal thyroid function, tobacco smoking, diet (too much salt), obesity, pain relievers, decongestants, and other medications. Low blood pressure can be caused by stress, not breathing properly, orthostatic hypotension, and certain prescription medications.
LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles particularly Doctor Moosa say that high blood pressure can affect the retina by damaging connecting blood vessels and causing fluid buildup. This can, in turn, lead to hypertensive retinopathy or an eye stroke. Patients with high blood pressure thus risk damage to their optic nerve and even vision loss. Fortunately, if you do regular exams, your doctor should be able to prevent these serious symptoms by detecting high blood pressure early. If you begin to notice an onset of pain, blurry vision, or sudden floaters, then you should speak to your eye doctor and have a thorough examination.
Many people have a blood pressure that is slightly lower than normal, but do not experience symptoms. This is known as low/normal blood pressure. When blood pressure begins to drop too low, patients may begin to have difficulty concentrating, nausea, weakness, and light-headedness. Low blood pressure can also cause blurry vision or fading vision because the eyes are not getting sufficient blood supply. In order to avoid these problems, people should schedule regular checkups with their primary care physician and eye doctor.
Evaluating the Safety of LASIK for Hypertensive Patients
1. Stable Vision Requirements:
Just like any other candidate, individuals with hypertension seeking LASIK need to have stable vision. Fluctuations in blood pressure can sometimes affect vision stability, so it’s crucial to have both your blood pressure and vision properly controlled and stable before the surgery.
2. Risk of Complications:
While LASIK is generally safe, hypertension increases the risk of certain complications. Elevated blood pressure can affect how the eye heals after surgery, potentially slowing the healing process. It’s vital for hypertensive patients to have their condition well-managed before undergoing LASIK.
3. Thorough Pre-Surgical Assessment:
Doctor Ferzaad Moosa conducts a thorough pre-surgical assessment for all LASIK candidates at Excel Laser Vision Institute. For hypertensive patients, this includes an in-depth evaluation of the retinal vessels and the optic nerve to ensure there are no underlying conditions that might complicate surgery or recovery.
4. Customized Treatment Plan:
If a patient with hypertension is deemed a suitable candidate for LASIK, a customized treatment plan is essential. This plan takes into account their overall eye health, the severity of their hypertension, and their specific vision correction needs, ensuring the highest safety standards and the best possible outcomes.
5. Post-Operative Care and Monitoring:
After LASIK, patients with hypertension require careful monitoring to ensure proper healing and optimal vision correction. Doctor Moosa and the team at Excel Laser Vision Institute provide tailored post-operative care, which is critical for managing potential complications early and effectively.
Conclusion
LASIK can be a safe and effective option for individuals with hypertension, provided that their condition is well-managed and they undergo a comprehensive pre-operative evaluation. At Excel Laser Vision Institute in Orange County, Doctor Ferzaad Moosa’s commitment to patient safety and personalized care helps ensure that each patient receives the best possible outcomes from their LASIK surgery.
For hypertensive patients, the key to a successful LASIK outcome lies in understanding the risks, preparing adequately, and choosing an experienced LASIK surgeon like Doctor Moosa, who understands the complexities involved.
What to Expect After Getting the Best Laser Eye Surgery in Los Angeles
The best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles agree that proper aftercare is crucial to having a successful surgery. You need to treat your eyes with a lot of care and love as they just went through a lot of work, as I’m sure anyone would need if they had lasers set on them!
Here’s what to expect after getting your life-changing laser eye surgery.
The First Few Hours After Your Surgery
After the surgery is completed, your eye surgeon will let you take a little cat nap to let your eyes recover from the ordeal. Then, when you open your eyes again, you’ll notice that everything around you will be pretty foggy like you’ve just opened your eyes underwater.
This can be a little disconcerting, but you shouldn’t worry about it. It’s completely normal! Your vision will eventually clear up the more your eyes heal, though some of our past patients had reported being very impressed by what they could already see the second they opened their eyes.
However, since your vision is still pretty affected, you still won’t be allowed to move around on your own. All LASIK surgeons will require a companion with you to either drive you to and from the appointment or guide you around public transportation. This is for your safety and the safety of others.
Your surgeon will also require you to wear eye shields. These need to be worn the whole day after your surgery and often the next few days as they will protect your eyes from damage. Eye shields prevent you from accidentally touching or rubbing your eyes, especially when you’re asleep and can’t control your movements. It also protects you from bacteria moving from your bedsheets or pillows to your eye.
And speaking of sleep, you’ll be doing a lot of it once you get home from your surgery. Sleep is the #1 way to let the eyes heal, so have a minimum of four hours of shuteye for a faster recovery process.
Once you wake up for the second time, the effects of the anesthesia will have worn off. You might experience discomfort and even pain—some of our patients describe it as having something sharp stuck in your eye, or a burning sensation that won’t go away.
Use your prescribed medications to help soothe your eyes. They should help you manage your pain by preventing infection and reducing inflammation. They also stop your eyes from itching by keeping them well-lubricated.
Here’s a neat trick: if your surgeon allows it, you should refrigerate your eye drops! They feel so good in the eye and can wake you up really quick.
The First Few Days After Your Surgery
As we mentioned earlier, you’ll need to wear your eye shields for the next few days to protect your corneal flap. While they’re technically only required at night, we still highly recommend wearing them whenever you can, especially if you’re prone to reaching for your eyes.
While you’re outside, you can start switching to sunglasses—they’ll protect your delicate eyes from the harsh UV rays and is something everybody should do even without getting LASIK. This is also super important as your eyes will still be pretty sensitive to light post-surgery.
Now, when it comes to taking a shower, you need some extra protection. Having unfiltered water and chemical-laden shampoos in your eye is a first-class ticket for harmful bacteria and unwanted pain. That’s why we highly recommend wearing swimming goggles or face shields while you’re showering, as these will keep your eyes nice and dry while you wash off. Alternatively, you could also keep your eyes firmly shut while you wash your hair, and then quickly wipe off the water with a towel after you’re done.
Not showering at all is also an option, albeit a slightly smelly one.
Lastly, you’ll need to visit your doctor for a follow-up appointment a day or two after your surgery. They’ll need to monitor your early recovery to see if it’s going as planned. Here, you can tell them what kind of side effects you’re experiencing—if you have dry eyes, puffy eyelids, excess tears, or any other condition, your doctor can prescribe something to help.
The First Few Weeks After Your Surgery
While the recovery process for LASIK Los Angeles is pretty quick, there are some things you still need to limit.
For one, you need to spend less time in front of your computer or reading. These activities contribute to dry eyes. If you must, just make sure to use your eye drops frequently to keep them lubricated.
Secondly, avoid wearing makeup products altogether. Eyeshadows, eyeliners, mascara, and other products have bacteria in them that can get transferred over to your eyes. This is why you should avoid large bodies of water like pools, lakes, and oceans too—they’re cesspools of bacterial contamination!
Thirdly, avoid being in places that have a lot of dust, dirt, and smoke. The tiny particles can enter your eye and can exacerbate the itchiness. Trust us, when you’ve got a healing corneal flap, the last thing you want to do is get a dust particle lodged in there! Avoid gardening and heading to places with lots of air pollution.
About a month after your surgery, you’ll be cleared for vigorous activities like aerobic exercises and weightlifting. With that said, you’ll still need to wear polycarbonate sports glasses to prevent trauma, even if you’re not required to wear eye shields to sleep anymore.
Your vision will fluctuate during this period as your eye heals even more. This is normal. Contact your surgeon only if your vision gets worse or if you start feeling pain for no reason.
The First Few Months After Your Surgery
It’ll take up to six months for your vision to stabilize, and it’s important to have regular check-ups with your eye surgeon. As we mentioned earlier, they can track your healing process, prescribe medications, and identify any issues before they get any worse. Aim to visit them at least once every month.
As your vision stabilizes, you might have problems with halos, starbursts, glares, and others. They resolve themselves for the most part, but in some extremely rare cases, they might not be fixed. Your vision could also not be 100% even after proper healing. In that case, you can consult with your doctor and see if this is something that can be fixed with another surgery, free of charge.
LASIK in the Long Run
Now, keep in mind that LASIK isn’t a magic surgery that’ll make you immune to all future eye problems. LASIK only fixes irregularities in your cornea—it doesn’t prevent irregularities that eventually develop in other parts of your area. As you get older, you can become nearsighted or farsighted again due to conditions like presbyopia and hyperopia. You can also develop eye problems like glaucoma and cataracts.
However, these conditions don’t usually show up until you’re well in your 40s. You’ll have lots of time to enjoy the benefits of your LASIK, free of pesky eyeglasses and contacts. Savor it while you can!
10 Realistic Expectations Regarding LASIK
Realistic expectations are crucial when considering Los Angeles LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) surgery, as it’s a medical procedure that can significantly improve vision but may not guarantee perfect results for everyone. Here are some realistic expectations you should have about LASIK:
Improved Vision
LASIK can effectively correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. The primary goal of LASIK is to improve vision, often reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses for many everyday activities.
Reduced Dependency on Corrective Eyewear
While LASIK can significantly reduce dependency on glasses or contacts, it may not eliminate the need for them in all situations. Some individuals may still require reading glasses for close-up tasks due to presbyopia, a natural aging change in the eye that typically occurs after age 40.
Potential for Complications
Like any surgical procedure, LASIK carries risks and potential complications, although rare. These may include dry eyes, glare, halos, fluctuations in vision, undercorrections, overcorrections, and, in rare cases, more severe complications such as infection or corneal ectasia.
Realistic Vision Expectations
While LASIK can provide excellent visual outcomes for many individuals, it’s essential to understand that achieving “perfect” vision is not guaranteed. Factors such as the severity of refractive error, corneal thickness, pupil size, and individual healing responses can influence the final visual outcome.
Time for Healing and Stabilization
It takes time for the eyes to heal and vision to stabilize after LASIK surgery. While some individuals may experience improved vision immediately or within a few days, others may require several weeks or months for optimal results. Following post-operative instructions and attending follow-up appointments to monitor progress and address concerns is essential.
Possible Need for Enhancement
In some cases, additional procedures or enhancements may be necessary to achieve the desired visual outcome after LASIK surgery. This may occur if there is residual refractive error, undercorrection, overcorrection, or regression of the initial correction over time. Your surgeon can discuss the possibility of enhancements based on your circumstances.
Long-Term Results and Stability
While LASIK can provide long-lasting visual improvement for many individuals, the stability of the results can vary. Factors such as age, hormonal changes, eye health, and lifestyle factors can influence the long-term stability of the correction. Some individuals may experience changes in vision over time and may require additional vision correction.
Pre-Existing Eye Conditions
LASIK may not be suitable for individuals with certain pre-existing eye conditions or factors that increase the risk of complications. These may include cataracts, glaucoma, severe dry eye syndrome, corneal abnormalities, or autoimmune diseases affecting the eyes. It’s essential to undergo a comprehensive eye examination and evaluation to determine suitability for LASIK surgery.
Continued Eye Care
Even after successful LASIK surgery, it’s essential to maintain regular eye exams and follow-up care with an eye care professional. Routine eye exams can help monitor eye health, detect any vision changes, and address any potential issues promptly to ensure long-term ocular health and visual stability.
Satisfaction with Improvement
While LASIK can significantly improve vision and quality of life for many individuals, satisfaction can vary from person to person. Having realistic expectations and understanding that LASIK is not a guarantee of perfection but a treatment option that can substantially benefit many individuals is essential.
Conclusion
Having realistic expectations about LASIK surgery is essential for making an informed decision and achieving satisfactory outcomes. While LASIK can significantly improve many individuals’ vision and quality of life, it’s essential to understand the potential risks, limitations, and variability in results. By discussing your goals, concerns, and expectations with a qualified eye care professional, you can decide whether LASIK is the right choice for you.
If you’re interested in learning more about LASIK, why not contact the office of Dr. Ferzaad Moosa? He is a licensed, board-certified surgeon that has been offering high-quality LASIK in Los Angeles for the past 23 years. He’ll help you achieve the perfect vision with outstanding talent, revolutionary technology, and state-of-the-art care facilities.
Visit our website here and fill out our free evaluation form. You could also contact us at (310) 905-8622 to set an appointment.
Understand the Difference Between LASEK and LASIK Los Angeles
If you aren’t a doctor or didn’t study medical terms, it can be confusing when you come across certain medical terms and jargon. The LASIK Los Angeles eye doctors believe you should go ahead and do your research into laser eye surgery, and if you encounter something you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask the best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles about the terminology. Most of the time, patients don’t know the difference between vision correction procedures that are available to them, and that also goes for the differences between LASIK and LASEK.
The LASIK surgeons Los Angeles have to admit that LASIK and LASEK are nearly identical names, which doesn’t help matter much, but there are easy, noticeable distinctions between LASEK and LASIK that patients have to understand before going ahead with laser eye surgery.
What’s Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery is a vision correction procedure that’s purpose is to make the patient less dependent on glasses or contact lenses.
Oftentimes known as laser vision correction, laser eye surgery utilizes lasers to alter the shape of the cornea (the front surface of the eye) which provides enhanced focus. Laser eye surgery can sufficiently correct both long and short-sightedness, as well as astigmatism. Although LASIK Los Angeles is known as ‘surgery’, it doesn’t require an incision.
The two main types of laser eye surgery are LASEK and LASIK. Their fundamental difference is based on the way the top corneal layer is taken off.
What’s LASIK?
LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis and is the best laser eye surgery in Los Angeles. It consists of two separate lasers. The first is a femtosecond laser that makes a thin, round flap on the cornea, which the doctor then folds back to enter the stroma or underlying part of the cornea.
When this step has been completed, the doctor utilizes an excimer laser to change the shape of the stroma. This takes away tissue from the cornea, to provide better vision and focus.
LASIK is usually a painless procedure, and both eyes can be treated in as short a time as fifteen minutes. Typically, patients recover within 24 hours.
What’s LASEK?
LASEK or Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy, also known as (LASEK), is slightly different from LASIK since the process only uses one laser. Rather than using a laser to create a flap in the top corneal layer, the eye surgeon applies an alcohol solution which helps to soften the surface layer, supporting it to be moved to the eye’s side.
When this top corneal layer has been removed, the eye surgeon can change the shape of the cornea with a laser. The top corneal layer is then brought back to its original position, and a protective contact lens is placed on the eye to magnify comfort during the healing process. In many situations, this can be taken off after four days.
Most eye surgeons will recommend LASEK to patients who have thin corneas, or other problems which may make conventional laser eye treatment complicated or risky. Similar to LASIK, both eyes can be treated on the same day, but the recovery process is a tad slower, usually lasting up to two weeks.
What’s The Difference Between LASIK And LASEK?
The most significant difference between LASIK and LASEK procedures is the method that the cornea is uncovered. With LASIK, this is carried out with a laser; when it comes to LASEK, the top layer of the cornea is removed using an alcohol solution.
Some LASIK Los Angeles patients, particularly those with thin corneas, will be told by their eye surgeons that their eyes are unsuitable for LASIK treatment and will be advised to go for a LASEK procedure.
What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of LASIK?
The advantages of LASIK are simple. The procedure can be done within fifteen minutes, and the patient normally recovers within 24 hours. The primary disadvantage of LASIK is the fact that patients with thin corneas are not suitable candidates for LASIK, and it’s not the most efficient procedure to treat individuals with severe short-sightedness. Also, patients who are at high risk of suffering an eye injury may want to avoid LASIK, since there is a possibility of the corneal flap being detached.
What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of LASEK
The best thing about LASEK is the fact that it’s suitable for all patients, and this includes those with thin corneas, pre-existing medical conditions, and severe short-sightedness.
Because the procedure does not require the eye surgeon to create a flap in the cornea, there is less risk for the patient to suffer from dry eyes than with LASIK. Also, this means LASEK patients can return to contact sports sooner than is recommended with LASIK.
LASEK’s main disadvantage is the recovery time, which is longer, and usually more uncomfortable than LASIK’s.
What’s The Cost Of LASIK VS LASEK?
Because LASIK Los Angeles needs more complex equipment to carry out a procedure compared to LASEK, the cost of the surgery is usually slightly higher. At Excel Laser Vision Institute, we have various financing options to suit your needs.
Before you decide on the type of procedure you want to do, make sure you talk to a medical professional who specializes in this sort of treatment. At Excel Laser Vision Institute, we offer free consultations, which you can book here. Or else, you can call us on (310) 905-8622, to book an appointment with us.
Will the Covid-19 Vaccine Affect Your Vision?
Some LASIK Los Angeles patients are apprehensive about the COVID vaccines and how it affects their vision. There are fears of side effects as well as vision issues. Doctor Moosa, one of the best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles says it is the main reason some people are hesitant to get a COVID-19 vaccine. At the moment, there’s no evidence that any of the vaccines cause overall vision-related side effects. Presently, three vaccines are being used in the United States:
Pfizer-BioNTech, now completely approved by the FDA under the brand name Comirnaty.
Moderna.
Johnson & Johnson / Janssen.
The CDC says, many vaccine side effects are moderate, and are “normal signs that the body is building protection.” LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles inform us that they do not include eye- or vision-related symptoms.
These common side effects include:
Redness, pain, and/or swelling in the arm where you got the injection.
Fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain, fever and/or nausea.
These prevalent reactions usually go away within a few days.
What Are The Rare Reactions To The Johnson & Johnson Vaccine?
In some instances, a blood-clotting condition called TTS (Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome) can happen in the weeks following a Johnson & Johnson vaccination. TTS is extremely rare and happens in around 3 in every 1 million adults.
The best laser eye surgery doctors in Los Angeles say that blurry vision can be a symptom of TTS, plus several other symptoms.
Also, the rare nerve condition Guillain-Barre syndrome has been noticed in around eight in every one million adults vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Guillain-Barre syndrome can cause eye-related symptoms such as double vision and issues moving the eyes, along with other neurological symptoms.
If you detect any symptoms of TTS or Guillain-Barre in the days or weeks after a J&J vaccine, get medical help immediately.
Although these are uncommon reactions, the CDC has emphasized that — compared to a COVID-19 infection — the advantages of the J&J vaccine cancel out any risks.
Eye Issues Linked To Other Vaccines
Although the COVID-19 vaccines have still not caused notable side effects yet related to vision, vaccines for many other conditions have been connected to eye and vision issues.
Seasonal flu vaccine
In exceptional cases, some patients who’ve got the flu vaccine experienced mild symptoms such as eye redness, eye pain, and blurred vision.
Common side effects of the flu vaccine include:
Headache
Redness, soreness, or swelling at the injection spot
Fever
Nausea
Muscle aches
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
Some studies reveal that optic neuritis is an unusual complication from the vaccine for the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine. Optic neuritis is inflammation altering the optic nerve that transmits cues from the back of the eye to the brain.
Typically, side effects of the MMR vaccine include:
Mild rash
Swollen cheek or neck gland
Fever
Temporary joint pain (significantly in adolescent and adult females)
Rare side effects consist of short-term seizures and low platelet count. The MMR vaccine can lead to deafness, long-term seizures, coma, or brain damage in sporadic instances.
Chickenpox and shingles vaccines
Research has found rare corneal inflammation in children (chickenpox) and adults (shingles) after receiving the zoster virus vaccine for both conditions.
Common side effects from the chickenpox vaccine consist of the following:
Temporary joint pain and stiffness
Mild rash and soreness at the injection spot
Fever
For the shingles vaccine, typical side effects are:
Swelling, redness, soreness, and at the injection site
Muscle pain
Tiredness
Headache
Fever
Shivering
Stomach pain and nausea
The Symptoms and Causes of Myopia
The LASIK eye doctors in Los Angeles let us know that Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is the most prevalent cause of impaired vision in people under age 40. Recently, it’s becoming more common at an alarming rate. Around the world, research suggests that in the year 2000, an estimated 25 percent of the world’s population was nearsighted, but by the year 2050, it’s anticipated that roughly half the people in the world will be myopic.
What Are The Symptoms Of Myopia?
When you speak to the best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles and find that you are nearsighted, you will find it very challenging to read road signs and see distant objects clearly. However, you will find that it is a lot easier to see and do close-up tasks such as computer use and reading.
The LASIK surgeons say that the other symptoms and signs of Myopia consist of squinting, eye strain, headaches, and feeling fatigued when driving or playing sports. All these are symptoms of uncorrected nearsightedness.
If you notice these signs or symptoms while wearing your glasses or contact lenses, schedule an eye exam with your LASIK doctor in Los Angeles to see if you need to modify your prescription to something stronger.
What Causes Myopia?
Myopia happens when your eyeball is too long, with respect to the focusing power of the lens and cornea of the eye. As a result, light rays aim attention at a point in front of the retina instead of directly on its surface.
Essentially, the best laser eye surgery simplifies this by saying that Myopia happens when light concentrates too distant in front of the retina.
Also, nearsightedness can come about when the cornea and/or lens are too curved for the eyeball length. In some cases, Myopia happens because of a combination of these factors.
Typically, Myopia starts in childhood, and you may have a probable chance of having it if your parents have nearsightedness. In most situations, nearsightedness stabilizes in early adulthood, but sometimes it carries on to progress with age.
What’s The Treatment For Myopia?
There are some effective myopia control methods for children with progressive nearsightedness, including myopia control glasses, atropine eye drops, myopia control contact lenses, and Ortho-k contact lenses.
For the rest of us, nearsightedness can be corrected with standard contact lenses, prescription eyeglasses, or refractive surgery.
Depending on how bad your Myopia is, your eye doctor may advise you to constantly wear your eyeglasses or contact lenses or only when you require very clear distance vision. For instance, when you’re driving, seeing a whiteboard, or watching a movie.
Suitable selections for eyeglass lenses for nearsightedness include high-index lenses (for thinner, lighter glasses) and lenses with anti-reflective coating. Also, think about photochromic lenses to protect your eyes from UV rays and high-energy blue light and to scale down the need for a separate pair of prescription sunglasses.
If you’re nearsighted, you may notice that the first number (“sphere”) on your eyeglasses prescription or contact lens prescription will be ahead of a minus sign (–). Keep in mind that the higher the number, the more nearsighted you are.
Refractive surgery can lower or even stamp out your need for eyeglasses or contacts. An eye surgeon carries out the most common procedures using an excimer laser.
- In PRK, the laser takes off a layer of corneal tissue, which flattens the cornea and lets light rays focus more precisely on the retina.
- In LASIK, which is the most prevalent refractive procedure, a thin flap is made on the surface of the cornea, a laser gets rid of some corneal tissue, and then the flap is brought back to its original position.
Last but not least, there is orthokeratology, which is a non-surgical procedure where you wear special rigid gas permeable (RGP or GP) contact lenses at night that reshape your cornea while you sleep. When you take off the lenses in the morning, your cornea for a short period keeps to the new shape, so you can see clearly during the day without having to rely on eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Orthokeratology and an accompanying general practitioner contact lens procedure known as corneal refractive therapy (CRT) have been shown to temporarily correct mild to moderate amounts of Myopia. Both methods are excellent alternatives to surgery for individuals who are too young for LASIK or are not suitable candidates for refractive surgery.
Additionally, implantable lenses called phakic IOLs another surgical option for correcting nearsightedness, especially for persons with high amounts of Myopia or thinner-than-normal corneas that could escalate their risk of complications from LASIK or other laser vision correction procedures.
Phakic IOLs work similarly to contact lenses, except they are surgically placed within the eye and are usually permanent, which means no upkeep is required. Unlike IOLs used in cataract surgery, phakic IOLs do not replace the eye’s natural lens, which is left intact.
How To Control Myopia?
Since many people are becoming nearsighted, there is a lot of appeals to discover methods that control myopia progression in childhood.
Various techniques have been attempted, including fitting children with progressive lenses, bifocals, and gas permeable contact lenses. All of these have brought mixed results.
Recent clinical trials revealed that low-dose atropine eye drops could decelerate myopia progression in school-age children, with far fewer side effects compared with higher concentrations.
However, some children don’t respond well to atropine drops.
Based on a 2017 study from the American Academy of Optometry meeting, a dual-focus disposable contact lens decreased the progression rate of Myopia with children between the ages of 8 and 12 years when on par with a single vision lens.
Make sure to visit Excel Laser Vision Institute if you’re having problems seeing near objects or find yourself holding your smartphone or reading material further away to make out the words. The professional, dedicated and caring staff at Excel Laser Vision Institute can treat your nearsightedness.
What You Should Know Before You Get LASIK
You may be looking into getting a LASIK procedure done to improve your vision and lessen or even eliminate your dependence on glasses or contact lenses. The best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles have patients that are usually pleasantly surprised by two facts. The first is that LASIK is a procedure that is fast and pain-free. Secondly, they realize how clear, independent vision changes their lives for the best.
If you are shopping around for LASIK in Los Angeles, you should take your time to find out more about some of the surprising advantages of attaining a clear vision with LASIK.
Do Your Daily Activities Without Spectacles And Contact Lenses
Almost every LASIK surgeon in Los Angeles will tell you that you get a powerful sense of freedom when you don’t have to rely on eyewear to see correctly. When you eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses to see clearly, your routine tasks become more accessible. For instance, if your child is crying in the middle of the night, you can get up to soothe them without having to worry about falling over furniture. Also, you can enjoy a game of basketball without having to worry about breaking your glasses. Maybe you want to be able to go to the movies without having to be concerned about seeing the screen.
Again, sticking with the subject of sports and leisure activities, many LASIK patients in Los Angeles usually decide to take up a new hobby after LASIK. Some individuals choose to take tennis lessons they have always wanted to do but are put on hold because of their dependence on eyewear. Perhaps, you finally join an adult hockey league. Or maybe begin photography or start working on model airplanes. Whatever your passion or what you want it to be, LASK provides you with the clear sight you need to do the activities that give you great enjoyment.
Traveling Becomes More Fun
Traveling with eyeglasses and contact lenses is a significant hassle. However, with Los Angeles LASIK, you no longer have to stress about packing a travel-sized contact lens solution or making sure to bring a spare pair for the road. You can save some space in your suitcase for other items, such as souvenirs.
No More Safety Concerns About Contacts
Almost everyone who wears contacts becomes sloppy about care and cleaning at some point. However, the ramifications of poor contact lens hygiene are very significant. For instance, not washing your hands before handling contacts or not storing them correctly can result in an eye infection.
Worthwhile Investment
If you want to know whether LASIK is worth the cost, just think about it like this. A LASIK procedure is a one-time cost, whereas contact lenses and replacement glasses frames and lenses are repeated costs. Also, you have to think that LASIK reduces the number of optometrist appointments you require to check your prescription regularly.
After weighing over the cost comparison, you will soon realize that LASIK pays for itself over time. On the whole, LASIK and Contoura in Los Angeles can save you money and let you put those dollars toward other things that upgrade your life.
What Does LASIK NOT Correct?
LASIK is a quick procedure that can treat refractive errors and reduce dependence on eyeglasses and contacts in a few minutes. When a qualified eye surgeon carries it out, it is incredibly safe and very successful. Due to its excellent track record, LASIK is one of the most sought-after elective surgeries performed globally and has helped millions of individuals see clearer. Nevertheless, it would help if you kept in mind that LASIK surgery is not an answer for every eye or vision issue, and it is not suitable for everyone.
Cataracts
Typically, cataracts develop in those who are aged 65 and over. It is when the eye’s lens, not the cornea, is diseased and causes blurriness, haziness, or otherwise distorted vision. LASIK surgery is not the ideal solution for cataracts. An eye doctor can only treat cataracts by removing the eye’s natural lens and replacing it with an artificial lens.
Keratoconus
Like refractive errors, keratoconus affects the cornea or transplant tissue covering the eye’s surface, and it causes blurry or distorted vision. Nevertheless, keratoconus cannot be cured with LASIK. As a matter of fact, LASIK can make the condition worse, which happens when the usually round cornea thins out and sticks out into a cone-like shape. Dr. Moosa at Excel Eye has several treatments targeting keratoconus, such as corneal crosslinking, special contact lenses, and corneal transplant.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease identified by an increase in pressure within the eye. As the disease progresses, it slowly damages the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. Over time, glaucoma can cause a permanent loss of vision. LASIK cannot treat glaucoma and is usually not an option for those with refractive errors and glaucoma.
Are You A Good Candidate For LASIK?
If you are considering LASIK to correct a refractive error, the best way to determine whether you are a good candidate is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ferzaad Moosa. He will carry out an eye exam, take your medical history and talk to you about your treatment goals before recommending you for surgery.
To book your visit, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Excel Laser Vision Institute today.
Is Dark Mode Better For Your Eyesight?
It’s unavoidable. No matter where you turn your head, you are faced with the window of technology – a screen. This world that we live in, where screens are ever-present, poses a huge risk to our vision. Doctor Moosa, one of the best LASIK eye doctors in Los Angeles, stresses that we should be taking steps to protect our vision, even with something as simple as using our phone’s dark mode setting. However, at the end of the day, is dark mode better for your eyes?
The best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles, particularly that of Excel Laser Vision Institute, advise us that dark mode can successfully cut down glare and reduce blue light, both of which support your eyes. Nevertheless, dark mode is not everyone’s cup of tea, and in some instances, it can actually lead to more vision issues than solutions.
The LASIK surgeons get down to the nitty-gritty about this hot and current topic. They also explain to us what dark mode is, what are the long-term advantages and is dark mode more superior for your eyes.
What Is Dark Mode?
Dark mode, or sometimes better known as dark theme, is a setting that is available on many smartphone models. Dark mode features an inverted color scheme. This is essentially a light-colored text and icons on a dark background. A good majority of mobile devices default to light mode since this allows for dark text to be superimposed on a white or light background.
You can connect to dark mode through your phone’s display settings and can be switched on and off to accommodate user preferences. When activated, dark mode is shown throughout the entire user interface, including apps.
The Lasik professionals remind us that if we can’t locate this option in our settings, it’s possible this feature has a different name or that the phone or its operating system is outdated and doesn’t have dark mode available.
Surprisingly, dark mode has been around way longer than the typic light mode. When personal computers first came on the scene at LASIK Los Angeles, monochrome monitors were the only option. These monitors were unique since they used phosphorus to look dark on the computer screen. When a key on the keyboard was pressed, electrons would light up the phosphorus into another color, which was usually green to produce letters and symbols against the dark background.
What Are The Benefits of Dark Mode?
There are many perks to using dark mode, such as longer battery life, lower glare, and blue light exposure.
Essentially, dark mode provides you with more battery and less charging. You can actually prolong your battery life by 30%, which means you don’t have to charge your phone as much. Keep in mind that you may find it more difficult to read in dark mode. Dimming the brightness on regular mode also will stretch your battery life.
When your eyes are exposed to blue light, it can result in symptoms of digital eye strain, including dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision. Although studies do not back any of these notions, science has proven that blue light can meddle with sleep cycles. As a result, you can experience a lack of sleep if you’re exposed to lots of blue light near bedtime.
If you want to reduce your exposure to blue light, try toggling your phone to dark mode to reduce blue light exposure.
A whole slew of phones also has a blue light filter. The filter, which is usually situated in display settings, allows you to modify the amount of blue light beamed from your screen. This is an excellent option for individuals who can’t see properly in dark mode but want protection from blue light.
Do your best to refrain from screen glare. If you’re looking at your screen in a dark room, the bright light from default display settings can cause an annoying glare due to the distressing level of contradiction between the screen and your surroundings. Using dark mode will reduce the glare from your screen immensely for enjoyable viewing.
Also, you can manually dim your screen in light mode or set your brightness to modify automatically based on the surrounding lighting. No matter what option you use, it will effectively lower the glare if you would rather not use dark mode.
Is Dark Mode The Way To View Online?
Although dark mode has many advantages, it may not be all that it is cracked up to be. Using dark mode is convenient since it is kinder on the eyes than a stark, bright white screen. Nevertheless, using a dark screen makes your pupils dilate, which can make it challenging to focus on the screen.
You might have noticed that when your eyes dilate, it is more difficult to see. That is because when your pupils dilate, your vision gets less clear. When your pupils contract under bright light, you become more eagle-eyed. Similar to a camera, a smaller aperture offers more depth of focus. That is why some people find it hard to clearly see screen details in dark mode.
Those who have eye conditions such as myopia or astigmatism may also experience halation, which comes from the word “halo.” Halation happens when light fans out past a specific boundary, creating a foggy or blurry appearance.
Therefore, you will probably notice letters seem to bleed into a black background, making it more difficult to read, particularly if the print is small.
Halation is a common and severe condition that some people experience when using dark mode. So, if you already suffer from vision problems, you could take advantage of a dimmed light mode or blue-light-filtering mode. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what model you use to view your phone, as long as it is clear and comfortable viewing. Furthermore, always make sure you visit your eye doctor for regular eye exams and an up-to-date vision prescription.
Learn About Some Eye Laser Procedure Alternatives
Doctor Moosa, an ophthalmologist and a LASIK surgeon in Los Angeles, will go out of his way to make certain he provides you with the best vision correction option. Without a doubt, LASIK eye surgery is probably the most popular choice, and we have the best LASIK surgeons who can professionally provide this procedure to patients; however, it may not be the best way to go for everyone.
So, the experienced LASIK team in Los Angeles wants to let you know about some LASIK eye surgery alternatives. Many of our highly skilled LASIK surgeons have hands-on experience with a vast range of vision correction procedures.
LASIK Alternatives
At the LASIK clinic of Excel Laser Vision Institute in Los Angeles, we provide many refractive options for vision correction. Depending on your individual requirements and goals, one of these vision correction procedures could be most suitable for you:
Visian ICL
Visian ICL is an Implantable Collamer® Lens that provides many advantages, especially for patients who cannot have LASIK surgery because they suffer from a high level of myopia (nearsightedness), thin corneas, or dry eye. Visian ICL does not cause Dry Eye Syndrome, which can be a worry when undergoing LASIK. Visian ICL also offers UV protection and has an excellent patient satisfaction rate.
Visian ICL is implanted behind the iris, in front of your eye’s natural lens during a 20–30-minute procedure. The patient can expect quick vision improvement with minimal recovery time, and the individual will not be able to see or feel it when it is inserted. Contrary to LASIK, which permanently alters the shape of the cornea, Visian ICL is an additive technology that can be removed if there is a need to do so. The best candidates for Visian ICL are aged 21 to 45 with moderate to severe nearsightedness (prescription between –3D and –20D) and a prescription that has been stable for at least one year. Also, Visian ICL can treat astigmatism (1.0D and 4.0D).
LASEK
LASEK, or(laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis) surgery, is different from its LASIK sibling. LASIK focuses on corneal sculpting, whereas LASEK concentrates on the cornea’s very top layer or epithelium. An instrument is used to create a flap of corneal tissue; then, the eye surgeon applies an alcohol solution to loosen epithelial cells. After that, the cornea itself is sculpted. Healing normally takes around four days.
PRK
Photo-Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) is a laser vision correction surgery that involves removing the outer layer of the eye’s surface to avoid an incision in the cornea. Like LASIK, a laser is then used to vaporize the cornea to correct refractive errors. Visual improvement and recovery time may take slightly longer than LASIK eye surgery or Visian ICL lens implantation procedures, but it is still an excellent option for many people.
PRK may be an option for patients who cannot have LASIK surgery because they have thin corneas but can only correct nearsightedness with a prescription up to -8 D. The most suitable candidates for PRK are over 18 and have had a stable prescription for at least one year.
CLE
Clear Lens Exchange (CLE) is a vision correction surgery that involves an experienced eye surgeon replacing the eye’s natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL), just like cataract surgery. CLE can correct a vast amount of vision errors depending on the type of IOL that is selected.
If this procedure sounds familiar to you, it is because it is very similar to cataract surgery and is usually performed on one eye at a time.
Wavefront-guided LASIK
During a traditional LASIK procedure, the laser is programmed to carve the cornea based on the patient’s vision correction prescription, focusing on 20/20 vision. Unlike wavefront-guided LASIK, which has the laser programmed with the patient’s wavefront data, which creates a three-dimensional model of the existing cornea, the laser can sculpt it more precisely for vision correction.
This three-dimensional map looks very similar to a mountain range, allowing technology to correct smaller abnormalities on the surface, getting better correction than just a prescription number for glasses or contact lenses. Also, this procedure lowers the risk of side effects such as problems with night vision or light sensitivity.
EpiLASIK
Just like LASEK, this procedure concentrates on the epithelial tissue of the cornea. A special microkeratome, called the epi-keratome, separates a thin sheet of epithelial tissue from the cornea and is lifted to one side. After it is treated, it may be replaced or removed, depending on the requirements of the reshaped cornea to create perfect vision.
Conductive keratoplasty (CK)
It is a non-invasive procedure that precisely treats mild to moderate farsightedness in patients over the age of 40, usually when presbyopia develops. This utilizes thermal refractions created to radiofrequency (RF) energy rather than a laser, applying heat to the cornea to change it. Instead of removing layers of cells, the RF emissions make the peripheral areas of the cornea contract, tightening it like you would a belt, which increases the curvature of the cornea itself. Also, CK is used to create monovision, or blended vision, which improves a person’s ability to focus on all depths. One eye’s near vision is enhanced while the other eye is set to far vision. For the majority of people, farsightedness will return as the eyes continue to age.
How To Choose The Right Vision Correction Surgery
There are many elements and influences to think about when deciding on a vision correction procedure. Your eye doctor is the best person to make a suitable choice for you based on your prescription, lifestyle, and the advantages you are looking for. At Excel Laser Vision Institute in Orange County, our advanced eye care team has the experience that is vital when trying to find the right procedure for you. Call Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 957-3255 or visit our website to learn more about LASIK alternatives or to schedule an appointment.
Can LASIK Help Me Cope With My Migraines?
When LASIK patients in Los Angeles ask, “can LASIK cure my migraines?” The short and sweet answer is, no. Unfortunately, LASIK is not a cure for migraines. However, if you think long and hard about it, neither can a bandage heal a wound. In order for our bodies to heal, we can only improve the settings and leave a huge amount of detailed work to biochemistry. Therefore, if you were to ask the best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles whether LASIK can help cure migraines, the answer is a slightly more complicated answer rather than a simple “no.”
Ocular And Visual Migraines: What Are The Prevention And Treatment Options
When an ocular migraine happens, it can be very shocking since the symptoms usually cause temporary blindness. Although ocular migraines are rare when a migraine does happen it can have a very debilitating effect. If you have a medical history of migraines or you are experiencing this condition for the first time, it is best to talk to your LASIK eye doctor in Los Angeles to find suitable treatment options for you.
What Are Ocular Migraines?
An ocular migraine refers to a wide range of migraine subtypes that cause visual disturbances. Other forms of migraines are distinguished by severe headaches and other symptoms. However, ocular migraines are unique because temporary vision issues can happen without pain or headache.
What Are The Symptoms Of Ocular Migraines?
The LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles inform us that the symptoms of ocular migraines are different from person to person, but an individual can have varying symptoms for each migraine. The most common symptoms that ocular migraines bring are the following:
- Temporary vision loss
- Temporary blindness (usually in one eye)
- Blindspot (usually in one eye, affecting central vision)
- Headache
The word “migraine” is usually linked with a very bad headache. Although a headache is part of the experience of having an ocular migraine, there are many instances when patients experience vision problems without the pain of a headache.
The Difference Between Visual Migraines And Ocular Migraines
Sometimes patients at LASIK Los Angeles clinics mistakenly use the words “visual migraines and “ocular migraine” interchangeably. Although the reality is they are both two separate conditions. Another word that is usually used for a migraine that causes visual disturbances is an “optical migraine.”
And though some of the symptoms are similar, there are a couple of unique symptoms that happen with a visual migraine, which is sometimes known as an aural migraine:
- Wavy ring of light
- Zig-zagging light
- Flickering blind spot
- Visual migraine aura
- A blind spot that moves in the field of vision
In the beginning, an ocular migraine starts off as something small. However, over time the spot becomes larger and causes more disruptions to a person’s ability to see.
In some instances, ocular migraine symptoms have a duration of 30 minutes or less. Nevertheless, there are times when symptoms stick around for an hour before a person’s vision returns completely.
Another massive difference between ocular migraines and visual migraines is how the eyes are affected. If you are experiencing an ocular migraine, then it usually affects only one eye. On the flip side, both eyes are usually affected when a person has a visual migraine.
What Causes Them?
For the most part, the cause of regular migraines and ocular migraines are very much alike. Research has confirmed that changes happen in the blood flow in the eye when the migraine is occurring. These alterations may be the cause of a reduction in blood flow or a blood vessel spasm, which affects the retina that is in the back of the eye.
Although these changes in blood flow have been recognized through imaging studies, researchers are still hesitant about the exact cause of the reaction. It shows that an outside trigger activates an area within the brain that releases inflammatory substances. This inflammatory response is what affects the nerves and blood vessels in the brain as well as the head.
Apart from your overall blood flow, genetics makes a huge difference in a person’s risk of being susceptible to them. Studies have shown that those who suffer from ocular migraines usually have a close relative who also experiences migraine headaches.
Furthermore, it is not unusual for a trigger to bring about each episode. These triggers are different from person to person. Therefore, it is recommended to track your migraine patterns to see if you can spot environmental factors that happen before the migraine began.
The most common triggers include stress, glaring lights, flickering lights, lack of sleep, strong odors (cigarette smoke or strong perfume), or consuming specific ingredients (MSG, caffeine, chocolate, red wine, aged cheese, or artificial sweeteners).
What Can LASIK Do For Migraines?
Since blood flow and visual strain are the most common factor for migraines, it makes sense to relieve visual strain to cure migraines. However, if migraines are not at all related to visual strain, then LASIK may not have any effect. So, although LASIK cannot cure migraines, it can certainly cure eye strain, and that helps a person who suffers from consistent migraines to give them a bit of relief.
When Should You See Your Eye Doctor?
Whenever you experience vision loss, it is highly advisable to consult with an eye doctor. Although the symptoms of an ocular migraine are temporary, you should find some medical help to look out for signs of other eye conditions that could lead to permanent vision loss.
It is a good idea to quickly have an eye exam to find any signs of a more serious condition. As a matter of fact, the symptoms of an ocular migraine are very similar to those of retinal detachment. If you are experiencing retinal detachment rather than an ocular migraine, immediate treatment is required to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss.
Contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 957-3255. Our team of staff is highly skilled and experienced. In the office, we also have Dr. Moosa, a well-esteemed LASIK surgeon that has a Harvard education and a wealth of experience working with different prescription levels. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.exceleye.com/
Understanding Retinal Tears from a LASIK Expert in Los Angeles
Our eyes are an amazing, sensitive, powerful system that needs to be protected. According to the LASIK experts in Los Angeles like those of Excel laser Vision Institute, there are certain eye conditions that people should always look out for. Whenever noticing something different with vision, it is important to consult your eye doctor and determine the severity of the issue. Retinal tears, for instance, pose a serious threat to eye health and visual acuity.
Doctor Moosa, one of the best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles, describe the retina as a lining of tissue on the back of the eye that is very sensitive to light. This thin layer is made up of cells that translate light waves to electrical impulses which go to the brain. When light hits the retina, it travels through the optic nerve to the brain, where the images can be processed. The retina can be torn in many different circumstances: from an injury, from age, or nearsightedness. This tearing of the retina occurs when vitreous gel fills the eyeball and pulls at the retina, causing it to separate from the inner wall. Retina tears can then become retinal detachment, which can ultimately lead to vision loss if it is not properly treated.
LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles are trained to avoid any retinal tearing during refractive surgery. However, there are cases in which other forms of eye surgery may result in some injury to the retina. Here are some of the signs of retinal tearing to look out for:
- Hazy vision
- Flashing lights
- Floaters, specks, dots, or cobwebs
- Vision loss
- Shadows or dark spots
Retinal tears can be treated on a case by case basis. Depending on the size and the severity of the injury, it may require different procedures. Smaller tears that do not affect central vision may be repaired with a retinal laser in a procedure known as laser photocoagulation. According to LASIK professionals in Los Angeles, laser technology has allowed for much improvement in eye care over the years, including this retinal procedure as well as refractive surgeries like LASIK, SMILE, and PRK surgery.
A more extreme treatment for retinal detachment is called vitrectomy. This surgery removes the vitreous gel and replaces the retina on the eyewall with a laser. Then, a gas bubble is placed in the eye to hold the retina still while it heals. Over time, the gas becomes absorbed by the eye and is replaced with a natural fluid. The full healing process can take several months and patients must avoid high altitudes. Patients who receive a vitrectomy may require cataract surgery in the future or another kind of eye surgery to restore vision.
Eye experts know that no two retinal tears are the same. That’s why it’s so hard to predict the exact timeframe of the healing process. Fortunately, many patients are able to recover most of their vision if they have the procedure done in a timely manner. If you are experiencing any of the signs of retinal tears or detachment, then please contact your eye doctor as soon as possible.
