corrective eye surgery Tag

LASIK Surgery Versus Cataract Surgery Explained

While LASIK and cataract surgery are probably two of the most popular corrective eye surgeries in Los Angeles, many people forget how to distinguish the two procedures from one another. The fact is that each of these works to solve a problem in the eye and can result in better visual acuity for the patient; however, they require different methods and cater to different eye conditions. 

What conditions does each corrective eye surgery treat? 

LASIK eye surgery is known for improving the vision of patients with astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. Typically, patients who receive LASIK or an alternative laser vision correction are doing so to fix their natural prescription. Many LASIK patients are able to achieve 20/20 vision or better and become independent from the use of glasses or contacts.  

Cataract surgery is a specialized form of corrective eye surgery used to treat cataracts. Many people naturally develop cataracts, which contribute to eye lens clouding, as they get older. This cloudiness can cause blurred or hazy vision that makes it difficult to see. Besides age, some other causes of cataracts include heredity, UV radiation exposure, eye trauma, medications, diabetes, and other eye diseases. If not treated, cataracts can eventually cause blindness. Yearly exams with your eye care professional ensure that cataracts are discovered early and treated when necessary. 

How does each corrective eye surgery work? 

LASIK eye surgery is completed with state-of-the-art laser technology that can precisely reshape the tissue in the cornea. This laser modification of the cornea allows light to better focus through the eye and thus improves vision.

When you’re receiving cataract surgery in Los Angeles, you will notice a different method. Eye surgeons remove the cloudy natural lens of the patient and replace this with an artificial intraocular lens or IOL. This method eliminates cataracts from further impeding vision and can improve close-up and distance vision, spending on the IOL. 

How long does LASIK last compared to cataract surgery? 

According to eye care professionals, LASIK eye surgery takes around 10 minutes per eye and both eyes can be performed on the same day. A cataract surgery appointment can as long as 20 minutes, depending on the severity of cataracts, and will only focus on one eye at a time. Many clinics will wait a few days, until the first eye has healed, until performing cataract surgery on the second eye. 

LASIK Surgery vs. Cataract Surgery

Both LASIK and cataract surgery are incredible procedures that have helped many people treat their vision problems and achieve their vision goals. Some patients can even have both procedures completed in their lifetime! If you still have questions about these procedures, then make sure to schedule an appointment with your eye care professional to have a comprehensive eye exam and discuss your vision goals. After a thorough analysis of your eye condition and health, your doctor will be able to tell you if your vision qualifies you for one or the other and be able to help you prepare for the surgery. 

How To Maintain Strong Vision After Cataract Surgery

Usually, the first thing that happens to people after getting cataract surgery is that they feel relieved. With cataracts gone, their vision is restored and they can see incredibly well. However, this feeling of relief is often followed by a desire to keep their visual acuity at this level. During this time, people are motivated to do what it takes in order to keep their vision strong, including eating well, exercising, eliminating any tobacco, wearing UV protection, and monitoring other health conditions. 

Cataract surgery can significantly improve a person’s vision by replacing a clouded lens with a clear, artificial one. This new lens can help light rays better reach the retina and, therefore, achieve clarity of vision. This corrective eye surgery is common for people that are prone to age related macular degeneration. According to eye care experts, macular degeneration can be triggered by cumulative oxidative stress to the macula, which is in the center of the retina. In order to prevent age related macular degeneration from backtracking the success of cataract surgery, a patient must focus on their macula health. 

The very center of the macula, known as the fovea, is responsible for five degrees of vision as well as facial recognition and reading. The fovea also holds three macular pigments ( meso-zeaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein) which work to filter short-wavelength blue light and have antioxidant properties. The denser the macular pigment, the more capable it is of protecting retina cells from oxidative stress and harmful blue light. This contributes to overall better quality of vision, especially in low light situations.  

The best way to reduce your risk of getting age related macular degeneration is to treat your body with the right nutrients and supplements. You can find zeaxanthin and lutein in foods like corn, carrots, leafy vegetables, and citrus fruits. According to laser vision correction experts in Los Angeles like Doctor Moosa, meso-zeaxanthin is harder to find in a Western diet and, therefore many people are deficient in this macular pigment. Fortunately, there are many natural, food-based supplements that one can take to increase their meso-zeaxanthin. This can improve visual functions and contrast sensitivity.

Visual deterioration is a common symptom of age. This is why so many people face conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, presbyopia, temporal arteritis, and dry eye. However, many people are able to restore their vision through healthy habits and corrective procedures. Eye care experts recommend taking dietary supplements to protect against oxidative damage and getting cataract surgery to replace cloudy natural lenses. As long as people stay on top of their eye health, they will be able to prevent more serious conditions from affecting their vision. One of the easiest ways to maintain eye health is to schedule yearly check-ups and share any occurring symptoms that you may have noticed with your doctor. 

Once achieving clarity of vision, people are more equipped to go about their daily lives, chase their passions, and improve their overall quality of life. In order to determine if you qualify for cataract surgery or any other vision corrective procedure, visit an eye care clinic like Excel Laser Vision Institute in Los Angeles and schedule a comprehensive exam. 

How to Know if You Need Cataract Surgery

According to eye care experts in Los Angeles, cataract surgery is a procedure that involves replacing the eye’s natural cloudy lens with a clear synthetic lens. This can be performed by experienced surgeons on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. Many cataract surgery patients can return to their normal routines within a few days. Fortunately, advancement in technology has allowed this procedure’s success rate to skyrocket and the results are long-lasting. Eye care professionals highly recommend the procedure for people who are suffering from cataracts. However, patients must make a couple of decisions when beginning their journey, including what type of lens implant they want and when they want to have the surgery.

Many people develop eyesight problems over time, which is why laser vision correction procedures have gained popularity in recent decades. Whether its myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, LASIK has a reputation of restoring crystal clear vision to many different kinds of patients. However, cataracts are outside the realm of this corrective eye surgery and require an alternative solution. Instead of manipulating the surface of the cornea in order to allow light to better focus, cataracts are treated by replacing the eye lens completely. 

As we age, our eye lenses naturally become thicker and less transparent. This can lead to cloudiness of the lens, which we know as cataracts. According to recent studies, about 50% of people will develop cataracts by the time they reach 80 years old. In many cases, cataracts develop in a slow, subtle manner. Someone may at first experience more nearsightedness and then poor night vision as well as dulled color perception. These symptoms can be evaluated by an eye doctor in order to determine if cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or any other eye conditions are the root cause.

The only effective cure for cataracts is the removal of the clouded lens through cataract surgery. Los Angeles eye doctors say that, in most cases, the procedure is recommended based on how much the cataracts are interfering with someone’s daily life. In the early stages of cataract development, vision may not be significantly impaired. However, cataracts are known to exacerbate other eye conditions like macular degeneration. The best course of action is to have a comprehensive eye exam with a professional in order to determine whether it is the right time for the procedure. 

When choosing the synthetic lens implant for cataract surgery, one must speak to an eye care professional in order to hear their recommendations. Monofocal versus multifocal lenses provide different benefits, depending on the patient’s age and lifestyle. Younger cataract surgery patients often choose monofocal implants while multifocal lenses provide relief for patients with detail-oriented jobs and hobbies. The key is choosing the lens that will best satisfy your vision needs in your individual circumstances.

Frequent eye exams are the best way to ensure that your eyesight is monitored and preserved. Whether you need cataract surgery, LASIK eye surgery, or some other corrective procedure, experienced ophthalmologists can help you reach your vision goals.

Cataract Versus LASIK Surgery

While many people have heard of LASIK and cataract surgery, there seems to be a general confusion about whether or not these two procedures can work together to achieve vision goals. Some of the confusion stems from the fact that many Los Angeles clinics offer both cataract surgery and LASIK. Many eye care patients find themselves asking how these two methods of vision correction are different from one another and if they can be utilized in tandem for certain individuals. Fortunately, the answers are rather straightforward and simply require the expertise of an eye care professional.

How is cataract surgery different from LASIK?

LASIK eye surgery involves the reshaping of an individual’s cornea to help refocus light properly, thus correcting a previous refractive error. Cataract surgery, on the other hand, is a treatment that involves the replacement of an individual’s natural lens, which has become clouded with cataracts, with an artificial lens (IOL or intraocular lens). 

Each surgery is performed within a different timeframe. LASIK is usually a bit quicker and both eyes can be completed in the same surgery. Cataract surgery usually requires a separate day for each eye. Another difference between the two procedures is that cataract surgery can be covered by insurance (unless choosing premium add-ons) while LASIK offers a flexible savings account (FSA) but no insurance coverage.  

How is cataract surgery similar to LASIK?

In the most basic sense, both LASIK and cataract surgery are a form of corrective eye surgery that require laser technology. Cataract surgery utilizes the femtosecond laser to extract the natural lens of the eye and bladeless LASIK utilizes the femtosecond laser for the creation of the corneal flap.

Each procedure seeks to improve a patient’s vision and offers a very quick recovery time. Patients who receive LASIK or cataract surgery at a Los Angeles clinic such as Excel Laser Vision Institute are typically given local anesthesia and both surgeries can be performed while patients are awake. 

Can you get cataract surgery and LASIK surgery on the same eye?

The short answer is yes. Both procedures focus on different areas of the eye (the cornea for LASIK and the lens for cataract surgery) which is why this combination would not likely pose any interference. However, this answer may differ depending on a person’s specific eye condition and the recommendations of their surgeon. The best way to find out if you’re eligible for cataract surgery after receiving LASIK (or vice versa) would be to ask an eye specialist at a laser vision correction clinic in Los Angeles like Excel Laser Vision Institute. 

Can cataract surgery and LASIK be used in tandem? 

The answer to this is sometimes. In circumstances where an individual’s natural lens is replaced, but their visual acuity is still not at the right level, a surgeon may recommend a version of LASIK for a full correction. Usually, instead of using traditional LASIK methods, an eye specialist will perform an alternative refractive surgery called PRK. 

Final Thoughts 

Cataract surgery and LASIK are both vision correction methods that offer incredible benefits to certain individuals. If you would like to see if you’re eligible for either of these procedures, then you can visit the Excel Laser Vision Insitute for a full eye exam and consultation with a laser eye specialist. 

Last-Minute Tips Before Going to Your Lasik Eye Center in Los Angeles for Surgery

Everything is almost ready for your upcoming surgery at your Lasik eye center in Los Angeles. You’ve done your research, chosen an experienced Lasik surgeon, and made financing arrangements. As you wait for the big day, there are some things you should cross off your preparation checklist to make the operation as smooth and hassle-free as possible.

6 Last-Minute Tips for Lasik Surgery

Lasik surgery typically takes just a few minutes of precise, computer-controlled laser surgery to reshape the cornea and restore clear eyesight. With over a 95% success rate, it’s one of the safest and most effective ways to correct myopia, astigmatism, farsightedness, and other refractive errors.

Complications from the procedure are extremely rare, and recovery is usually fast and painless. Here are several steps you can take to make the process easier before and after your surgery:

1. Stop wearing your contact lenses around two weeks before the procedure.

Contacts tend to reshape corneas, so Lasik surgeons recommend that patients stop wearing them to allow the eyes to return to their normal state.

2. Apply your prescription eye drops.

Your eye surgeon may recommend prescription eye drops for dry eyes before your surgery. Make sure you follow the application routine. This will help prevent discomfort after the procedure and assist the healing process.

3. Have someone pick you up from the clinic.

Your eyes will be extra sensitive after the surgery. Avoid exposing your eyes to road glare, harsh lights, and strain by arranging for someone to drive or accompany you home from the Lasik eye center in Los Angeles.

4. Take a bath and wash your hair the day of your procedure.

To protect your sensitive eyes from water and soap, avoid taking direct showers for at least a week after the procedure. Take a thorough bath and wash your hair right before your surgery.

5. Ask a friend or relative to take care of your pets while you recover.

You will have to take it slow and rest as much as you can the first few days after getting corrective eye surgery. If you have pets, consider asking a friend or relative to take them in for a while. This ensures that your pets get walked and fed while you recover from the operation. This also minimizes the risk of exposing your eyes to the sun and pet hair.

6. Shop ahead for groceries and prepare food.

Preparing several meals that will last a few days after your surgery ensures that you’re eating healthy meals to aid your recovery. It will also help you avoid standing over a hot stove or oven right after getting Lasik.

Begin Your Journey to Crystal Clear Vision

Now that you’re done with your preparations, the only thing left is to go in for your Lasik surgery appointment. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying perfect vision without the need for glasses or contacts for many years to come!

Still researching your options? Our representatives here at Excel Laser Vision Institute would be happy to help. Call us at +1 866 923 9235 to discuss laser eye surgery cost, benefits, and other factors that will affect your procedure.

Sharpen Your Eyesight for Shooting Sports with Corrective Eye Surgery

Poor eyesight is a critical impairment in shooting sports. Without proper vision, your ability to pinpoint your target and calculate the force and distance to hit it is diminished. Conventional treatments such as glasses and contacts won’t cut it, especially when it comes to fast-paced shooting sports like paintball. This is where corrective eye surgery comes into play.

Corrective eye procedures like Lasik will allow you to compete unimpeded with vision issues. They can treat myopia, hyperopia, and other refractive eye problems.

Keep Your Abilities Unaffected With Lasik Eye Surgery

Get excellent eyesight for years without the upkeep hassles and misplacement risks that come with prescription glasses and contact lenses. Have your vision corrected with laser surgery to improve your participation in these vision-focused activities:

• Darts – When it comes to playing darts, you need to visually zero in on the target. Having a clear vision will help you reduce the margin of errors and enhance your throwing accuracy.

• Archery – Aiming at a target requires excellent eyesight. Blurred vision and compromised depth perception can ruin your chances of hitting your mark. Get Lasik surgery to keep your eyes keen without relying on cumbersome glasses and contacts.

• Gun Shooting Sports – Aiming at a target is easy even with compromised vision. Hitting it accurately, however, is another story. To get a clear shot, you need to have 20/20 vision. Clear eyesight will help your ace accuracy and give you further ability to ace your sport.

• Paintball – Paintball involves fast-paced movement. Keen eyesight is crucial in this sport, not only to avoid getting hit but also to shoot moving targets.

While you can partake in these physical activities with contact lenses or glasses, having laser corrected eye will lessen your dependence on these visual aids.

Corrective Eye Surgery Technology

While refractive eye surgery doesn’t come cheap, it’s an investment in your future visual performance and will pay off in the long run. This is why, just like in your favorite shooting sport, you should seek out your target surgeon with ample awareness and preparations.

Lasik surgery costs vary depending on the procedure and the doctor in charge of the operation. Here are some of the instruments used by practitioners of the best laser eye surgery in Los Angeles:

• VisuMax Laser

A groundbreaking instrument designed for eye correction surgery, the VisuMax laser cuts the cornea precisely while gently applying the treatment. It covers a wide array of corneal surgery techniques, including precise cutting for Femto-Lasik, corneal transplants, incisions for intracorneal tunnel segments, and ReLEx SMILE.

• WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser

The latest, FDA-approved WaveLight EX500 reduces corneal dehydration, minimizes fixation fatigue, and gives way to perfect centration during the procedure. Its cutting-edge abilities include:

• • Highest precision eye-tracking technology
  • Fastest speed for excimer laser at 500Hz
  • Can carry out topography-guided Lasik

Perfect Your Aim with Keen Eyes

With precise laser instruments that hit their corneal targets and surgeries led by experienced ophthalmologists, you can sharpen your eyesight with corrective eye surgery. Get the procedure to hit the bullseye in your sport.

For cutting edge and precise Lasik in Orange County and Los Angeles, Excel Laser Vision Institute is the clinic you can count on. With board-certified ophthalmologist and respected Lasik surgeon Dr. Ferzaad Moosa at the helm, you’ll get the clear vision you deserve. Call +1-866-923-9235 now to schedule a FREE evaluation!

The Advantages of Corrective Eye Surgery vs. Eyeglasses for Drivers

Many drivers who struggle with eye problems try to compensate by wearing eyeglasses behind the wheel. However, this presents its own problems since visual issues can change over time, and eyeglasses don’t always address such developments, among other things. Stay safe when driving by choosing the permanent, proven benefits of corrective eye surgery instead.

Signs of Eyesight Problems while Driving

Eyesight issues typically develop over time, which means it can sneak up on drivers who don’t immediately notice the effects of their deteriorating eyesight. These questions can help you determine whether your vision needs intervention:

• Do you find it difficult to drive at night?
• Do you get agitated, anxious, or confused while on the road?
• Do you struggle to read traffic lights, street signs, and highway signs?
• Do lights, especially at night, appear with halos or glares?
• Do you find it hard to drive at the speed limit?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then you might be a great candidate for corrective eye surgery. Eyeglasses might offer a quick fix, but the long-term advantages of Lasik surgery make it the best option for drivers.

Advantages of Lasik Surgery over Eyeglasses

Eyeglasses may clarify your vision while you’re wearing them, but the unique visual challenges of driving can make them an unsuitable choice. Corrective eye surgery from an excellent Lasik eye center in Los Angeles offers a better alternative for drivers for these reasons:

• It does not add another layer of glass to your line of sight.

Car windshields, especially when it’s raining, are already hard to look through if you’re suffering from visual issues. It becomes doubly difficult to see the road clearly when you’ve got another layer of glass adding to the challenge.

Lasik surgery removes the need for eyeglasses or contacts by restoring your perfect vision, allowing you to focus on the road ahead without additional obstructions.

• It reduces the risk of glare.

Glasses easily catch glare, especially when you’re driving under direct sunlight or looking at street lights and car headlights at night, making it hard to see objects and other vehicles.

Since its results aren’t reliant on eyeglasses, laser eye surgery dramatically reduces the incidence of glare. The procedure also diminishes similar issues such as halos and blurriness when driving at night.

• It treats vision problems correctly.

It can still be difficult to identify road signs while wearing glasses, especially if you have the wrong prescription or your current one does not properly address your specific visual conditions. Eye problems like astigmatism or myopia often require prescription changes once every two years.

Before undergoing corrective eye surgery, your Lasik surgeon will first diagnose the exact eye issue you have. Coupled with a stable prescription for at least one year, laser eye surgery brings back your clear eyesight by correcting the vision problem itself. It doesn’t just address the symptoms of your visual issues the way eyeglasses do.

• It improves your visual skills.

Since visual issues tend to worsen over time, regular eyeglasses prescription updates are a must.  Otherwise, your eyeglasses can contribute to the deterioration of your general vision, especially those that are critical for driving such as field of vision, color vision, night vision, depth perception, and more.

This problem is removed when you choose laser surgery —you get to practice your visualization skills to the fullest without worrying about a worsening prescription.

Improve Driving and Road Safety with Lasik Surgery

Stay safe when driving by restoring clear eyesight! If you’re struggling with driving due to your vision, visit a Lasik eye center instead of reaching for your eyeglasses. Consult the best Lasik surgeons in Los Angeles here at Excel Laser Vision Institute to determine the best treatment for your vision problem. Call us today at +1-866-923-9235 to set an appointment!