When Do You Know Your Blurry Vision Is Serious? A LASIK Surgeon In Los Angeles Explains
LASIK doctors in Los Angeles can all agree that blurriness is one of the most common complaints they have from patients, and most of the time it is nothing to worry about. That is because most experts of LASIK eye surgery will tell you that blurriness could just be a sign that your glasses or contacts prescription requires updating. However, there are times that doctors notice that a patient’s fuzzy vision is something more to worry about.
Many corrective eye surgery physicians will tell you to always look into what is causing your blurry vision. Sometimes understanding the reason behind your fuzzy vision could mean the difference to your overall perfect vision.
Here are a few instances when blurry vision may be a symptom of a serious eye problem.
Eye conditions and diseases
If all of a sudden you experience blurry vision in one eye and are over the age of 60, you could have developed a macular hole in the central zone of your retina.
Unexpected blurry vision may also be a sign of a detached retina, eye herpes, or optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve).
Specific eye conditions and diseases can result in permanent loss of vision, so it is vital that you see a LASIK surgeon in Los Angeles like Doctor Moosa for diagnosis and treatment if you experience out-of-the-blue blurriness.
Cataracts
If you are starting to notice vision changes such as blurred or cloudy vision and glare and halos around lights at night, you may have cataracts. If cataracts are left untreated, they can eventually get worse and obstruct vision to the stage of blindness. However, if you go to a cataract doctor to remove your cataracts and replace them with artificial lenses, cataract surgery is very successful in restoring lost vision.
Glaucoma
If you are experiencing blurry vision or “tunnel vision”, this could be the first symptom of glaucoma. Without treatment, vision loss will carry on, and permanent blindness can follow.
Age-related macular degeneration
Blurry vision and visual distortions can make straight lines look wavy or broken which are symptoms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a prominent cause of blindness among older people.
Diabetic retinopathy
If you suffer from diabetes, unexplained blurred vision may be because of the onset of diabetic retinopathy, which is a sight-threatening disease that damages the retina of the eye.
Cardiovascular disease and other systemic diseases
Blurred vision, often when it is associated with double vision, can be a symptom of an underlying health emergency such as a stroke or brain hemorrhage. Additionally, it could be an early sign of multiple sclerosis. If you have sudden blurry vision or double vision, visit an eye doctor right away.
You have a concussion
If you have recently banged your head severely hard, and are now experiencing vision issues, you may be suffering from a head injury. Concussions can result in blurry vision, and many other visual changes such as double vision, difficulties with shifting gaze shifting from one point to another, problems focusing, and loss of binocular vision, or otherwise known as eye alignment. If you believe you are suffering from a concussion, you should talk to your doctor immediately.
You are stressed out
Stress and anxiety can greatly affect your health in various ways, and that includes your vision. Not many people know how stress can deteriorate their vision and eye health. Sometimes stress can cause the pupils to needlessly dilate and adrenaline can escalate pressure on the eyes.
Even though the long-term impact of stress on the eyes can vary, most mild discomfort can be dealt with by just naturally lowering your stress level. Nevertheless, continuous heightened stress levels can cause permanent vision loss. Therefore, to prevent stress-related vision issues, you should try to maintain a healthy lifestyle, take frequent visual breaks from screens and technology, and practice other stress-reducing activities such as meditation and exercise.
You have a rare condition called uveitis
If you are experiencing eye blurriness and dryness that is accompanied by inflammation in or around the eye, then you could be suffering from uveitis, a group of diseases that can be linked with auto-immune or infectious disease, however, it is usually restricted to just the eye.
The number of people with uveitis is very low, but the damage it can cause is very severe. Symptoms can vary depending on what part of the eye is affected. For instance, if there is inflammation in the front part of the eye, there is usually redness, light sensitivity, and pain, while inflammation in the back part of the eye presents floaters, fuzzy vision, and flashing lights.
Stroke
You could have blurry or lost vision in both eyes after having a stroke that has affected the part of the brain that controls vision. A stroke that involves your eye causes blurred or lost vision in only one eye.
There are also other symptoms that accompany a stroke, such as weakness on one side of the body or the inability to communicate.
Transient ischemic attack
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a stroke that lasts less than 24 hours. One of its symptoms can sometimes be a blurred vision in one or both eyes.
Wet macular degeneration
In the middle of your retina, you have something that is called the macula. When abnormal vessels grow, it can result in blood and other fluid to leak into the macula. This is known as wet macular degeneration.
It results in blurriness and vision loss in the center part of a person’s visual field. This is very different to dry macular degeneration since this type can start suddenly and progress very quickly.
On the flip side, if you have mild blurry vision that comes and goes, this could just mean you are overworked, have eye strain, or you are over-exposed to sunlight.
Nonetheless, sudden or continual changes in vision such as blurriness, double vision, tunnel vision, blind spots, halos, or dimness of vision could be symptoms of serious eye disease or other health issues according to Doctor Moosa, a LASIK expert in Los Angeles.
If you have unexpected changes to your vision, you should always see your eye doctor for laser vision correction as soon as possible.
LASIK Experts Explain Watery Eyes
Every once in a while, some of us will experience watery eyes, whether we’re extra tired or laughing hysterically from a joke one of our friends told. This is normal. However, there are some cases in which watery eyes happen without an obvious reason. Eyecare experts from Excel Laser Vision Institute, a LASIK clinic in Los Angeles, are here to explain why we experience this phenomenon and what we can do to improve the condition.
To understand watery eyes, we have to understand how our eye works. The tear glands are especially built to lubricate parts of our eye, like the cornea. This moisture protects the internal structure of the eye and helps filter light. Ultimately, our tear glands ensure that our vision is working properly and that the corneas do not dry out.
Tears are made up of water, fatty oils, and mucus. All three of these ingredients are necessary to coat the cornea, focus our eyes, and sharpen our vision. If our eyes are producing excessive tears, then this means that there is an imbalance within our glands; either producing too many tears or not sufficiently draining these tears (possibly as a result of blockage).
Here are some of the most common reasons for watery eyes:
A Dry Environment
Our eyes will naturally produce more tears as a reaction to a dry environment. Why is this? Well, think of it as an overcompensation. Many people find that using a humidifier can help regulate their tears as well as avoiding direct contact with fans.
Too Much Computer Time
When we’re looking at our phones, computers, and tablets, our eyes are hyper-focused. This can naturally reduce our blink rate, which may then lead to dry eyes. As a reaction to this, our eyes may begin reflex tearing. In order to avoid this, LASIK doctors, particularly Doctor Moosa, recommend taking breaks every 20 minutes to look at something off-screen or rest your eyes.
Contact Lenses
Wearing contacts for an extended period of time can actually cause tears to evaporate more quickly. As a response to this, our eyes will start to accelerate the production of tears. If you’re tired of dealing with this sensation, then you may want to look into getting corrective eye surgery so you can kiss your contacts goodbye.
Makeup Contamination
Eye makeup like mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow can flake off into the eye and cause irritation. This may cause excessive watering in order to expel foreign objects. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it can be inconvenient to deal with. Avoid practices like tightlining (applying eyeliner on the inside margin of eyelashes) and always remove makeup thoroughly each day.
Clogged Meibomian Glands
Our eyelids release an oil right along with the watermark which allows our eyes to stay lubricated. When these glands are blocked, it may cause our eyes to create an excess of tears. Eye doctors that perform laser vision correction commonly see this with pink eye, blepharitis, rosacea, and other inflammatory conditions.
Allergic Reaction
Those of us who suffer from allergies know that watery eyes come with the territory. When our bodies are exposed to an allergen, this can cause a release of histamines to combat the allergen. Watery eyes are just a way of our body fighting off irritants with histamine chemicals.
Chronic Dry Eye
While this may seem counterintuitive, dry eyes can actually cause watery eyes. For example, when a person is sleep-deprived, they may experience burning or stinging sensations in their eyes as well as blurred vision, light sensitivity, and eye fatigue. When this happens, our bodies want to go into defense mode. Watery eyes can be a result.
What to Know Before Getting in the Water After LASIK
It’s almost summertime, which means that many people are already making beach-day and pool-day plans. There’s nothing like a dip in the water to cool you down. If you’ve recently had LASIK eye surgery, then you may be wondering how this will affect your summer plans. LASIK experts in Los Angeles particularly Doctor Moosa are here to answer all your post-surgery questions and let you know the best way to protect your eyes while you’re enjoying the sunshine.
One of the reasons that people get corrective eye surgery is because it allows them to do certain physical activities more freely. Swimming, for example, can be a pain with glasses or contacts. Either you have to swim blindly, with your glasses on the side of the pool, or you run the risk of losing your contacts in the water and developing an eye infection from bacteria and chemicals. Once patients receive laser eye surgery, they are liberated from this summertime struggle.
The best way to approach your life, post-LASIK, is to follow the instructions given by your LASIK surgeon. They know the status of your eyes better than anyone and will evaluate their healing process in order to give informed opinions about how careful you should be. Predictably, you might need to wait a little before you can enjoy certain activities in order to avoid irritating your eyes while they are in the stages of healing. Here are some general guidelines that you may hear from your doctor after getting laser vision correction in Los Angeles:
- After One Week: The corneal incision is likely still recovering. LASIK patients should stay away from pools to avoid developing an infection.
- After 2-3 Weeks: By now, the corneal incision has likely closed up. However, it is still a good idea to avoid any activities that require water submersion (lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc.).
- After One Month: At this point, doctors will typically allow patients to swim again. However, they will suggest wearing goggles and not opening eyes underwater.
Beyond this, LASIK surgeons recommend always wearing sun protection when spending an extended period of time outside. Whether or not it is a sunny day, sun exposure can have a damaging effect on eyes. Sunglasses should have 100% protection from UVA and UVB rays. LASIK experts also recommend wearing a wide-brimmed hat, along with glasses, to prevent any irritation or sunburns.
Summertime is the perfect time to enjoy your crystal clear vision from LASIK. So, make sure to follow the recovery steps and exercise caution in order to preserve the work of the surgery. LASIK professionals recommend drinking plenty of water in order to offset any dry eye symptoms. This will support the eye’s tear ducts and prevent extreme irritation. Eye drops may also be prescribed to help alleviate any discomfort. Use your drops every day as directed by your surgeon.
You may need to wait a little bit before enjoying your cold plunges into the pool, but it will all be worth it! Before you know it, you will be splashing away the summer days. To learn more about LASIK recovery or to determine if you are a LASIK candidate, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 363-1583.
How Hormones Affect Vision and LASIK
Hormones are responsible for many processes in our body, including growth, metabolism, and even vision. As we age and go through bodily changes like pregnancy, our hormones can shift slightly, altering the quality of our eye sight. It’s no wonder that prospective patients for LASIK are examined closely and consulted on any current physical conditions before their surgeon will move forward with the procedure.
Different kinds of hormones carry out different functions in our body. When levels are unbalanced due to pregnancy or other conditions, this can affect a patient’s natural prescription. Those who are interested in laser vision correction in Los Angeles will be vetted thoroughly to ensure that hormonal imbalance, among other things, is not an issue. Here are some of the critical hormones that can affect our state of vision:
- Testosterone
- Progesterone
- Estrogen
- Insulin
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
- Thyroid hormones: tetraiodothyronine and triiodothyronine
Hormonal changes may happen as a result of age, such as menopause, or from a condition such as diabetes. People may experience slight or drastic changes in their hormones that affect their vision through a variety of life events. Here are some of them:
- During puberty, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone travels to the pituitary gland and begins the release of other hormones. Pre-teens may experience growth spurts that temporarily change the shape of their eyeball, which can cause nearsightedness. Patients must be at least 18 years of age to get LASIK in Los Angeles, which helps eliminate the risk of hormonal imbalance from this stage of maturation.
- During pregnancy, fluctuations in progesterone and estrogen can affect the glands of the eyelids and eyes. This may cause symptoms of irritation such as dry eye. Estrogen may also change the shape of the cornea, which can cause a temporary vision impairment. Usually, this is reversed after pregnancy, which is why doctors suggest waiting for hormones to rebalance before getting your corrective eye surgery.
- During menopause, eyes may become drier and less elastic as a result of a decrease in estrogen. This can lead to a more serious case of dry eye or even blurred vision. Women who have reached menopause may also have a higher level of intraocular pressure that could increase their chances of developing glaucoma. Eye care is especially crucial during this time of life to preserve vision and health.
- Middle-aged men may experience a drop in testosterone levels, which can lead to blurred vision and dry eye. This hormonal shift is similar to the stage of menopause for women. Men who are experiencing issues with creating moisture in their tear ducts should seek out an eye care professional for an expert opinion.
- Anyone with excessively low or excessively high thyroid hormones will also experience vision changes. High levels of the T4 hormone can actually increase a patient’s risk of age-related macular degeneration. Thyroid hormones can also affect the cells responsible for color vision.
- Anyone with diabetes may notice excessive dry eye as a result of low insulin levels. This affects both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients. If you are interested in getting laser eye surgery and have diabetes, then you should definitely consult an expert on your condition. Some patients may not be eligible for LASIK, but may qualify for an alternative refractive surgery.
How to Better Care For Your Eyes: From Lifestyle Changes to Cataract Surgery
It’s easy to take our eyes for granted. Every day of our lives we rely on our vision, from the most baseline activities to our passions and work. Very often, people forget how important this is until some part of their eyesight is compromised. Fortunately, technology can help us out when this happens. Procedures like LASIK and cataract surgery in Los Angeles allow people to regain clarity of sight and move forward with their lives.
Since our eyes contribute so much to our quality of life, we have to maintain ocular health in order to maintain ocular function. This is true for almost anyone, regardless of measured visual acuity. Those looking into laser vision correction in Los Angeles need healthy eyes just as much as people who have never worn a corrective lens in their life. Here are some of the ways that we can take better care of our eyes:
Eating a well-balanced diet
Diet affects nearly every aspect of our health, including our eyes. There are certain foods that will promote healthy eyes such as green leafy vegetables and yellow vegetables. Fruits that are high in vitamin C can contribute to healthy blood vessels and combat cataracts. Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to improve eye pressure and reduce the risk of glaucoma. These can be found in halibut, salmon, and tuna.
Getting enough exercise
According to corrective eye surgery experts, exercise can play a large role in eye health as well. Many people don’t realize that conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes can often lead to chronic eye issues that damage vision. In order to lower your risk of developing these problems, it is imperative that you follow regular health-conscious practices according to your personal needs.
Protecting your eyes from the sun
Many patients who receive cataract surgery in Los Angeles have been told that UVA and UVB protection is the key to preventing cataract development. While spending time outside is great for most people’s health, it is important to limit sun exposure to the eyes. Other eye conditions that can develop as a result of harmful sun rays are corneal growths, keratitis, and age-related macular degeneration.
Filtering blue light
In this digital age that we live in, it’s hard to get away from screens. We are constantly on our phones, tablets, and computers. Then, when we get home, we watch TV. Unfortunately, these screens emit a high energy blue light that can damage eyes over time. The best way to offset this exposure is to take supplements like zeaxanthin and lutein. You can also take frequent breaks to look at something off the screen and blink more often.
Practicing good ocular hygiene
There are certain things that we do without thinking and one of those is touching our eyes. Whether we feel an itch or we are adjusting our contacts, it’s easy to reach up and rub around the area without thinking. However, our eyes are very sensitive and require the utmost care at all times. In order to protect your eyes from any irritants, it is important to always wash your hands before making contact with them and never use rough motions.
Getting laser eye surgery
It’s important to understand our limitations when it comes to eyesight. If you are someone who has worn contacts and glasses all your life or most of your life, then you know that having a refractive error can affect your day to day life. Fortunately, advancements in technology and ocular knowledge have allowed us access to procedures like LASIK. This vision correction alternative is a long-term solution that often eliminates the need for contacts or glasses entirely. For people with contact lens intolerance or who often suffer from fogged up glasses, this is life-changing. Contact a LASIK clinic near you to schedule a consultation with a surgeon. You can ask them questions like, “How much does LASIK cost?” and “How long does LASIK last?” They will walk you through every aspect of the procedure and determine whether or not you qualify for this form of vision correction.
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.
How To Speed Up Recovery Time After Corrective Eye Surgery
Corrective eye surgery involves using a surgical procedure called Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or Photo-Refractive Keratectomy (PRK). Both procedures are designed to help you see clearly again so you can handle your everyday tasks without the need for glasses or contacts. Laser eye surgery does not require a lot of time, but there are things you should be aware of and keep in mind if you want to learn how to speed up PRK recovery.
What Happens After Lasik Surgery?
Once you have completed LASIK or PRK eye surgery, your eyes will start healing immediately because the initial healing happens rapidly. However, if you are experiencing some blurred vision and fluctuations in your vision for several weeks or even months after laser eye surgery, don’t be alarmed since this is quite normal.
At laser vision correction clinics in Los Angeles your ophthalmologist or LASIK surgeon will usually request to see you the day after your surgery to check your visual acuity and make sure your eyes are healthy and healing as they should be. Many patients can legally drive without their eyeglasses or contact lenses and can go back to work the day after their LASIK procedure.
Once you do corrective eye surgery, there are regular follow up visits that are scheduled for a period of six months or longer to continually monitor your vision and eye health. In many circumstances, a patient’s vision should be stable by the time they reach the six-month post-op visit.
It is also important to note, that if you experience dry eyes, halos, glare or other visual disturbances after LASIK eye surgery, most of these symptoms should be gone, or somewhat reduced at the six-month visit.
How Long Does Blurred Vision Last?
You have to keep in mind that LASIK or PRK surgery in Orange County involves an incision, and your eyes need to heal after that procedure. The body heals through the inflammation process, so this can temporarily impact clear vision. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says it is not uncommon for a patient’s vision to stay blurry for several weeks or even months after LASIK.
Since experiencing blurred vision is a symptom of the body going through the healing process, there isn’t much that can be done to treat this problem. Most of the time, the blurring will fade over time, however, the precise amount of time needed can be different from every individual.
What Happens If My Vision Is Still A Problem?
If your vision is troubling you 90 days after corrective eye surgery, your eye surgeon may advise you on a LASIK enhancement procedure to sharpen your eyesight.
Many surgeons will wait at least 3 to 6 months before performing an enhancement. The reason why they wait for so long is that they want to make sure any residual refractive error is totally stable. This is more advantageous for the patient since it increases the possibility that the last treatment they require helps them reach the level of visual clarity they have been aiming for.
After a successful LASIK or PRK surgery in Los Angeles, you should do your utmost to protect your eyes from injuries, and you should continue to do so even after your surgeon informs you that your eyes have completely recovered.
What Are Mistakes To Avoid After LASIK Surgery?
After your laser eye surgery, your doctor will run down a list of the Dos and Don’ts with you and go over how to speed up PRK recovery. Nevertheless, it is very easy to forget these precautions, since they are things we naturally do every day and we have become completely innate to doing these activities. You will recover faster if you avoid these mistakes post-surgery:
Not Getting Enough Rest
Even though laser eye surgery is a very easy and simple process, your body still needs lots of rest so it can properly heal itself completely just like more demanding procedures. Therefore, it is recommended to take off a few days from work or school, so you can just concentrate on yourself and getting enough rest for a quicker recovery.
Don’t Use Gadgets Immediately After Surgery
Televisions, computers, smartphones, and other digital devices put a huge strain on your eyes. You could experience uncomfortable dryness as well. So, it is best to wait for a day or two after eye laser surgery before you go back online and watch television.
Not Wearing Sunglasses
Not only do you need to protect your eyes from the blue light that your gadgets emit, but you also need to protect your eyes from the harsh UV rays the sun produces after your surgery. A good way of doing this is to wear sunglasses and spend lots of time indoors while you are healing.
Don’t Wear Eye Makeup
It is advisable not to wear eye makeup for some time after surgery because if the makeup gets into your eyes it could cause irritation. You should also avoid lotions, moisturizers, and other face products since there is a risk that it can get into your eyes. Keep away from them until your doctor informs you that you have fully recovered.
Don’t Rub Your Eyes
It is common to experience some mild discomfort after LASIK surgery. Therefore try to stop yourself from rubbing or dabbing near your eyes for about two weeks to avoid getting any infections or causing contamination.
Do Not Drive After Surgery
Your laser eye surgeon will strongly advise you to find a person who can drive you home after your LASIK surgery. As you are most likely fully aware, driving requires you to focus yourself visually and this can be very tiring particularly after the procedure. Once you have booked your LASIK procedure, make sure to arrange your transportation for that day in advance.
Be Careful When Taking A Bath Or Shower
You can take a long, hot soak in the tub or a shower after LASIK, but try not to get water or soap in your eyes. This could sting, and in the worst cases, can cause an infection.
Make sure you choose a professional you can trust to provide you with the clear, crisp vision you are looking for. Your LASIK surgeon should give you all the guidance and care you need to heal properly. If you are interested in getting 20/20 vision, give Excel Laser Vision Institute a call at +1-866-923-9235 today.