The Best and Worst Cities in the USA for Your Eye Health
Many people don’t consider the environment they live in a factor in their eye health. They don’t realize that external things like weather and living costs can contribute to all sorts of vision impairment problems, even if they practice good habits and hygiene with their eyes.
So, using a combination of factors such as altitude, humidity, temperature, pollution, etc., we’ve compiled a list of the best and worst cities to live in for your eye health.
The Best Cities in the USA for Eye Health
According to an expert LASIK surgeon in Orange County, the following ten cities are the best in the United States for your eye health. Notably, almost all of these are located either in the Pacific Northwest or the Southeast.
- Tacoma, Washington
- Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Mobile, Alabama
- Portland-Vancouver, Oregon and Washington
- Orange County, California
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Jacksonville, Florida
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Washington
The cities were chosen based on several factors. We’ll be explaining more about them below.
Altitude
Low altitude cities like Tacoma and Sarasota have an abundance of oxygen in the air. This is important because your eyes (particularly the cornea) lack blood vessels, which means they can’t get oxygen-rich blood from the heart. Our eyes had evolved to get oxygen from our environment instead to keep them nice and moist, preventing them from drying out. This is also why eye doctors recommend you take out contacts a few hours a day—your eyes need exposure to oxygen!
Sun Exposure
Rainy or cloudy days may seem gloomy, but you’d never catch your eyes shedding a tear over it. That’s because too much exposure to UV rays from the sun can cause a variety of diseases like cataracts, eye cancer, and eye growths!
There ain’t much sunshine in Portland or Seattle, but at least you’re protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays!
Humidity
As a provider of laser eye surgery in Orange County, we know how much of a pain in the butt humidity can be. Not only do we have to deal with extremely hot summers, but we also have to deal with being perpetually sweaty and sticky!
Nonetheless, there is a hidden benefit to high humidity. Cities like Orange County and Honolulu are good for eye health because they promote tear production and help our eyes retain moisture. You’re less likely to pull out the eye drops in these cities!
Pollution
While they may seem harmless, pollutants in the air have adverse short-term and long-term effects on your eyes. That’s why people living in cities with low pollution such as Jacksonville and Tacoma generally have healthier eyes—with less dust, dirt, and other irritants floating around in the air, their eyes are clean, moist, and healthy.
Computer Usage
People get distracted way too easily on the computer. Before long, their eyes are dry and tired after spending hours scrolling through Facebook or watching random videos on YouTube!
If you live in New Orleans or Mobile, you probably don’t spend as much time on your mobile phone or computer. We don’t know exactly why that is, but we’re not complaining!
Commute Time
The longer you’re out and about in the city, the longer you’re exposed to pollutants, sun exposure, and other things that can irritate the eye. Unsurprisingly, commute time is a huge factor in eye health given how many people have to commute every day for work or school.
Commuters in smaller cities like Charleston and Sarasota have a shorter commute time.
The Most Eye Health-Conscious Cities in the USA
While the previous section had a list of cities that were healthy for the eyes, this section has a list of cities that prioritize their eye health. Compiled by VSP Vision, the largest non-profit eye health provider in the country, residents in this city are the likeliest to visit their eye doctors for annual check-ups or vision problems.
- Reno, Nevada
- Boise, Idaho
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Redding, California
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Denver, Colorado
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
“An annual eye exam should be a part of everyone’s overall healthcare routine, not only to keep their vision healthy, but also to leverage its proven preventative health benefits,” says VSP Vision President, Kate Renwick-Espinosa. “Your eye doctor is often the first to spot signs of chronic conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It’s critical that you visit your eye doctor annually to ensure the health of your eyes as well as your wellness overall.”
Looks like the rest of the United States could take a page out of their books!
Another interesting tidbit they found was that women were more likely to visit the eye doctor than men in all cities, both good and bad. 58% of their total respondents were women. Why men are less likely to go for a check-up is another topic entirely, and you could read more about the fascinating psychology behind it here.
The Worst Cities in the USA for Eye Health
On the other side of the spectrum, the following ten cities are the least favorable places to live in for your eye health. If you want to keep your eyes safe and protected, then you need to take extra care and precaution. Otherwise, you’ll have to start saving up for laser eye surgery costs!
- Denver, Colorado
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Salt Lake City-Ogden, Utah
- Wichita, Kansas
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Kansas City, Missouri
- El Paso, Texas
- Chicago, Illinois
- Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
As you can see, the cities are a bit more spread out than in the previous list.
Altitude
High altitude cities like Denver and Salt Lake City have less oxygen in the air, and the weather can get very cold and biting during the wintertime. This combination can be aggravating on your eyes that have to work double-time to keep everything warm and moist!
When it gets snowy and icy in these cities, there’s another worrying condition you need to worry about—snow blindness. This happens when harmful UV rays from the sun are reflected on the ice and into your eyes. It can cause blurry vision, irritation, sensitivity, and even vision loss.
Protective gear like sunglasses isn’t just for summer—they’re also a must for winter.
Sun Exposure
Sunshine might be associated with happiness and joy, but it can get pretty dangerous for the eyes. Too much exposure to sunlight can permanently damage the surface of your eye before you even realize it! As we mentioned earlier, you can develop conditions like cataracts and eye growths easily if you aren’t careful enough.
Always wear sunglasses when walking around Las Vegas or Kansas City!
Humidity
All specialists in LASIK in Orange County would probably agree that low humidity has more disadvantages than high humidity. Not only does it dry out the eyes, but it also dries out the skin (e.g., hands, lips), sinuses, and hair.
Additionally, research has shown that low humidity increases the spread of viruses and bacteria. With less moisture in the air, airborne particles can easily travel around. Our hair-like projections in the nose and lungs called cilia also function less in low humidity, making it harder for them to protect us. This makes us especially vulnerable to viral eye diseases like conjunctivitis.
It would be good to have a humidifier if you live in cities like Mesa and Albuquerque.
Pollution
Larger cities like El Paso and Chicago typically have tons of pollutants coming from car and truck exhausts, factories, construction and demolitions, and more. This makes their residents susceptible to irritation because of all the particles rubbing against their eyes.
Life in the city may not be fun, but be prepared for the onslaught of pollutants!
Wind
If you live in windy cities with air pollution, the last thing you want to do is have the wind blow pollutants and irritants right into your eyes. Tulsa and Wichita ranked high only on this list because a good breeze is enough to have your eyes reddening and stinging.
Computer Usage
Computer vision syndrome (also known as digital eye strain) is a set of conditions caused by excessive screen time on devices. Due to things like extensive computer usage, poor lighting, high glare from screens, poor seating posture, improper viewing distances, and others, people eventually develop eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and more.
In major cities like Denver and Chicago where everything is well-connected on the Internet, computer vision syndrome is a major problem. Even worse, it’s not talked about as much because computer usage only boomed in the last decade or so. However, we can assure you that digital eye strain is very much a real thing and something to think about the next time you’re on your computer.
Commute Time
As we mentioned earlier, a longer commute time means longer exposure to the elements. Chicago has one of the longest commute times in the country, along with New York City, Washington D.C., and San Francisco. Additionally, many of the country’s public transportation systems are a haven for pollutants and bacteria, which only makes things worse for your eyes.
The Least Eye Health-Conscious Cities in the USA
If you’re contemplating getting laser eye surgery in Orange County, you’d already be faring a lot better than people living in these cities. According to VSP Vision’s report, people living in these areas are the least likely in the country to visit their eye doctors.
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Bakersfield, California
- Merced, California
- Akron, Ohio
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Detroit, Michigan
- Stockton, California
- Santa Rosa, California
- Bridgeport, Connecticut
- Salinas, California
Now, there are plenty of possible reasons why people won’t visit their eye doctors, but probably the most prevalent of them is the expensive cost or lack of coverage in their medical insurance. Indeed, if you take a look at the list, you’ll see that Californian cities comprise half of it. That’s not surprising considering that California is the third-most-expensive state in the country to live in!
Another reason why people don’t go is that they feel like they don’t have to. According to a CDC report done in 2011, many think visual impairments are quite common and are a natural part of the aging process. Thus, they miss out on treating preventable eye diseases early on in their lives and start paying for it twofold as they get older.
Whatever their reasons are, it’s super important to not follow their lead. Not only does taking care of your eye health prevent vision-related problems like glaucoma and cataracts, but it also stays on top of other diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure that can quickly become life-threatening.
Luckily, the state of health insurance has relatively improved since the CDC published its report in 2011. Many insurance companies have started offering eye care as part of their coverage, so annual check-ups to your eye doctor should not be as expensive and inaccesible anymore. Please make sure your insurance provider covers eye care. Some examples include Aetna, Opticare, and United Health Care.
Additionally, many eye clinics have special financing options so you can pay off your procedures without breaking the wallet. At Excel Laser Vision Institute, for example, which is a trusted provider of LASIK in Orange County, we offer CareCredit and Vision Fee Plan that features a 3, 6, or 12-month no-interest payment plan and other extended payment options. Perfect eyesight will never be out of reach for us as we firmly believe this is something everybody deserves.
Always remember that not being conscious of your eye health will cost you not only money but also your vision.
Conclusion
This article is not meant to hype up or bring down certain cities. We know that not everybody has the privilege to live wherever they want in the country. We just want you to be more aware of how geographical locations can affect your eye health as it’s something most people don’t even think about. You need to be cognizant of these various factors so you can take preventive measures for your eye health, such as wearing sunglasses in cities with high UV exposure or carrying eye drops around in cities with low humidity.
Additionally, you can be conscious of your eye health no matter where you live in the country. Take good care of your eyes by practicing good habits and making regular trips to the eye doctor. Your vision is one of the most important senses and it’s important to protect it!
If you’re looking to improve your vision with LASIK in Orange County, then please contact Dr. Ferzaad Moosa at the Excel Laser Vision Institute at (310) 905-8622 today. Alternatively, you can fill out a free consultation form here!
Can Laser Eye Surgery Correct Reading Vision Issues?
If you feel it’s getting more and more challenging to focus on words when you are reading a page, you are getting headaches after reading for long stretches of time, the LASIK Orange County eye doctors are here to let you know that you’re probably feeling the effects of age and you’re beginning to lose your reading vision.
Throughout the years, the eyes lose their muscular strength, making it more difficult to focus at close distances. The best laser eye surgery doctors in Orange County call this condition presbyopia. It’s an age-related refractive condition that develops in the loss of focus up close. The eye’s lens becomes less flexible, and it usually means that you’ll require eyeglasses to read.
Presbyopia can happen in individuals who in any other way have good vision, but it can also come about in people who are already affected by other optical conditions such as hyperopia, astigmatism, and myopia. Fortunately, there are vision correction treatments at Excel laser Vision Institute which can assist in correcting this very common problem.
What Are The Symptoms Of Presbyopia?
The LASIK Orange County eye doctors tell us that there are several common symptoms that people with presbyopia suffer from. So, if the following problems sound like something you’re going through, then you may have to think about your options, or book a consultation at Excel Laser Vision Institute to find out how we can assist.
Problems focusing on objects that are closeby
Suffering from headaches or eye pains when doing work close-up or reading.
Experiencing fatigue when focusing for long periods of time
Depending on brighter or increased lighting
You have to hold cell phones, books, and other reading materials at arm’s length to correctly focus on them
When presbyopia begins, it usually happens from the age of 40 and becomes more apparent after that. When a person reaches the age of 60, many individuals will have lost the elasticity in the lens that lets them focus on objects close up.
Can Reading Vision Be Enhanced?
When you come for your free consultation, the LASIK Orange County eye doctors will let you know about all your options. However, the most common option for individuals with reading vision issues is to wear reading glasses. These types of glasses are usually specially designed to help the lens focus at short distances.
Since reading glasses are only required for short distances, they can be slightly annoying. Some people place them on a chain around their necks so they can conveniently get to them. While others carry them around in a case. However, having to always put them on and take them off just to read a recipe or an article in the paper can get on a person’s nerves. This is when LASIK eye surgery swoops in and saves the day!
Do You Want To Get Laser Eye Surgery For Reading?
Due to advancements in technology and surgical procedures, there are currently many alternatives available that provide a more permanent solution to reading vision issues.
Laser eye surgery is very well known as a successful treatment for correcting reading vision. With the help of a precision laser, your eye surgeon will reshape your cornea to correct any vision impairments you may have.
There are several different laser eye procedures to treat presbyopia which include:
Conductive keratoplasty
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK)
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
Let’s take a look at each one in more detail.
Conductive keratoplasty
This is when your eye surgeon uses radiofrequency energy to apply heat to very small spots around the cornea. The heat makes the edge of the cornea to slightly get smaller, increasing its curve (steepness) and focusing ability. The outcome of conductive keratoplasty is different for everyone and might not last long.
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
This procedure involves the eye surgeon to cut a thin, hinged flap away from the front of the eye. Then the surgeon uses a laser to take off inner layers of your cornea to steepen its domed shape. LASIK recovery time is fast and less painful than other corneal surgeries.
Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK)
The eye surgeon makes a very thin flap just inside the cornea’s outer protective cover, also known as the (epithelium). Then the surgeon uses a laser to reshape the cornea’s outer layers, steepening its curve, and lastly replaces the epithelium.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
Similar to LASEK, but in PRK the surgeon completely removes the epithelium, then uses the laser to reshape the cornea. The eye surgeon doesn’t replace the epithelium because it will grow back naturally, adjusting to the cornea’s new shape.
Besides laser eye treatments there are these options.
Lens Implants
Some eye doctors use a procedure that involves removing the lens in each eye and replacing it with a synthetic lens. This is known as an intraocular lens.
Many types of lens implants are available for correcting presbyopia. Also, there are lens implants that let you see things near as well as far. There are some that change position or shape within the eye (accommodative lens). However, lens implants can result in a decrease in the quality of a person’s near vision, and you may still require reading glasses.
Your eye doctor will inform you of the possible side effects such as blurring and glare. Plus, this surgery has the same risks that are linked to cataract surgery, which are infection, bleeding, inflammation, and glaucoma.
Corneal inlays
You could be one of those individuals who have huge success with a presbyopia treatment that consists of inserting a small plastic ring with a central opening into the cornea of one eye. The opening behaves similar to a pinhole camera and lets light focus inwards so the person can see close objects. If for any reason you don’t like the results of your corneal inlay procedure, your LASIK Orange County eye surgeon can take out the rings, and you can go forward with another treatment option.
If you want to learn more about Presbyopia, get in touch with the Eye laser Vision institute at (310) 905-8622.
What Are Your Options When You Have Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is an eye condition that many LASIK Orange County doctors find in older adults. In this condition, the lens can no longer focus on nearby objects.
For laser eye surgery Orange County doctors, this eye condition is a natural and usually frustrating part of aging. Typically, Presbyopia becomes noticeable in a person’s mid-40s and worsens until the age of 65. As a matter of fact, the term “presbyopia” comes from a Greek word that means “old eye.”
Doctor Moosa, a premier LASIK surgeon in Orange County tells us that you will become aware of Presbyopia when you begin to hold books and newspapers at arm’s length so you can read them. A simple eye exam can affirm Presbyopia. Fortunately, LASIK surgeons in Orange County have different treatment options such as contact lenses, eyeglasses, and surgery.
What Causes Presbyopia?
The LASIK Orange County experts tell us that the clear lens sits inside the eye behind the colored iris. It alters shape to focus light onto the retina, so your eye allows you to see. The lens is soft and flexible in younger eyes and easily changes shape, allowing you to focus on objects close-up and far away. After age 40, the lens becomes stiffer, and it doesn’t alter its shape as effortlessly. This makes it more challenging to read, thread a needle, or do other close-up tasks.
Unfortunately, you can’t stop or reverse the normal aging process that causes Presbyopia. Nevertheless, Presbyopia can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Individuals who have issues seeing both near and far can take advantage of progressive lenses. Modern medicine recognizes that one day presbyopia will be treated with eye drops. If you do not do something about your Presbyopia, you will suffer from headaches and eye strain.
Also, there is a risk of premature Presbyopia in some people. Patients with cardiovascular disease, anemia, diabetes, farsightedness, eye disease, and multiple sclerosis are at increased risk for premature Presbyopia.
The symptoms of Presbyopia include difficulty reading small letters, having a headache or eye strain. Such people have to hold the material farther away from the eye.
What Are The Treatment Options?
When you ask about laser eye surgery costs, you will find that various treatment options may help you correct this condition. Different options available are non-prescription glasses, prescription glasses, contact lenses, surgery, and orthokeratology lenses. Every option has its pros and cons, and your ophthalmologist may recommend an option that best suits you depending upon your condition and lifestyle.
Reading Glasses
If the only vision problem you have is Presbyopia (you don’t suffer from farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism), eyeglasses may be all you require. Reading glasses help correct close-up vision issues by bending (or refracting) light before it goes into the eye. You can purchase reading glasses without a prescription, but an eye exam should determine the distinguishing power of reading glasses that you require.
Bifocals, Trifocals, or Progressive Lenses
If you already wear eyeglasses for other vision issues now, you might need bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses.
Bifocals correct close-up and far vision. You may or may not notice a line that divides the lens. The bottom of the lens refracts light for close-up vision, while the top portion refracts light to let you view distant objects.
Trifocals have three lens areas to correct for close-up, mid-range, and far vision.
Progressive lenses correct vision such as bifocals and trifocals. But rather than a line that separates each refractive area, refraction changes slowly in the lens from top to bottom.
Contact Lenses
Some people would rather wear contact lenses over eyeglasses. There are two kinds of contact lenses that correct Presbyopia:
Monovision contacts. These correct one eye for distance vision and the other for close-up vision. You have to adapt to monovision lenses and train your brain to see this way. The issue that some people have with monovision is that you can misjudge something’s distance or speed.
Multifocal contacts. These lenses have many rings or zones set at different powers. With this design, you are only using both near and far vision at the same time. However, you can train your brain to automatically opt for the proper focus for what you want to see. You may notice that using a multifocal lens makes your vision less sharp compared to using a monofocal lens.
Surgery
When some patients want to achieve monovision, they do refractive surgery. This can reduce their dependence on glasses for near and far objects. With the use of a laser, an eye doctor alters the cornea for clear far vision in one eye and close-up vision in the other. In a lot of ways, this is like wearing monovision contact lenses. An eye doctor may advise you to try monovision lenses before having LASIK surgery. This will help you decide whether or not monovision is a comfortable option for you.
At Excel Laser Vision Institute, we have a team of skilled and committed staff who will quickly answer all of your questions and put you at ease about your surgery. We only use advanced laser vision correction technology to carry out vision correction procedures. Our Harvard-trained surgeon, Dr. Moosa, serves at our Orange County and the Los Angeles offices. After we have assessed your prescription and eye health, we can discuss which eye correction treatment is more suitable for you, the necessary financing you may require, and the next steps. Start your journey towards a clear vision that eliminates your dependence on eyeglasses and contact lenses today.
Can Too Much Screen Time Really Harm Your Eyes?
We’ve all heard about how spending too much time on your computer or your cell phone can come with consequences for your eyes. Your parents may have set limits on how long you were allowed to watch TV when you were a child, but in a modern world highly motivated by technology, it can be difficult to catch a break when you need these devices for work or to stay in contact with members of your household. Hope is not all lost, though. Our LASIK Orange County specialists can teach you how to effectively manage your screen time and take better care of your eyes by becoming aware of the risks and how to monitor how much time you are really spending on all of your devices.
How much time are you really spending on your phone?
Based on several studies conducted, it appears that the average American spends between 3 hours and 15 minutes to 3 hours and 43 minutes a day on their cellular devices. People are also checking their phones an average of 58 times a day, 30 of those times being during work hours. As mobile device use increases, the amount of time spent watching television decreases. During the 2020 lockdowns, screen time only increased.
What is digital eye strain?
DIS, also known as computer vision syndrome, is a common vision problem that persists in individuals who are using their devices for 2 uninterrupted hours. It is disturbingly common, as it has been surveyed 58% of American adults suffer from DIS/CVS. While permanent vision damage from screen time is rare and it’s probably not going to lead you requiring Orange County laser eye surgery, it can lead to damage in your retina. If you do not take adequate breaks away from the screen, you may experience pain in your eye or headaches. If you are not drinking an adequate amount of water everyday, then you are more likely to experience frequent headaches. If you have pre-existing eye conditions, this can also escalate the problem.
Too much screen time can also be linked to other physical and psychological health problems, including obesity, insomnia, depression & anxiety, neck and back problems, and poorer grades.
Addiction just as bad as dependence on physical substances?
It’s easy to understand how easy it is to get immersed in the world of screens. Unlike the traditional television, you get to control what content you see and when you want to see it, and for how long. You can do just about anything on the Internet, almost giving you a sense of augmented reality, but can being addicted to a screen be just as bad as other forms of addiction such as gambling, alcohol or drugs?
Almost anything that triggers our reward system can become addicting because everyone wants to feel good all the time. Experts disagree on whether or not screen addiction should be approached the same as other forms of addiction. Mark Griffiths, a Nottingham Trent University behavior addiction professor has stated his own opinion on the topic, “I certainly believe that things like video games, social media, gambling, et cetera, can be genuinely addictive. [But] by my definition, very few people are genuinely addicted to video games or are genuinely addicted to social media.” In other words, he believes that screen activity addiction is serious, but the amount of people who actively suffer from this issue is exaggerated.
It also turns out that it’s not the screen itself that causes the addiction, but it is dependent on the type of content one is consuming. The faster the pace, the more addictive.
What is the 20-20-20 rule?
It is recommended that every 20 minutes you spend on a screen, that you do something else for 20 seconds, 20 feet away from your device. This can help reduce eye strain caused by looking at a screen for too long. You can also try to do some of your favorite activities offline. If you are an avid reader, for example, read the old fashion-way again and shop for physical copies of your favorite books.
Conclusion
If you feel that your eye strain may be caused by an underlying condition not caused by your screen time, talk to your eye specialist right away. They ask you questions regarding your optical and general medical history and run any necessary exams, but if you are someone who has difficulty even looking at screens due to preexisting vision problems, then you may be a candidate for Orange County LASIK eye surgery. If you are seriously considering this option for you and aren’t sure where to begin the process, give us a call today at (866) 923-9235.
What’s The Difference Between Relex SMILE and Contoura Vision LASIK?
It’s safe to assume that everyone has heard of laser eye surgery. However, not many are familiar with specific vision correction techniques of LASIK. SMILE, Contoura, and Orange County LASIK are different versions of laser vision correction techniques. However, many are asking Doctor Moosa, the LASIK surgeon in Orange County, which one is best for them.
LASIK experts in Orange County will help you understand which technique is the most advantageous and we justify why you should go for laser vision to do away with contacts and eyeglasses.
What Are LASIK, Contoura, And Smile Eye Surgery?
When you consider laser eye surgery cost, in its most advanced form, when carried out at Excel Laser Vision Insitute uses two separate lasers, a Femtosecond laser creates a hinged flap that is lifted, and the base underneath the flap is rebuilt with an excimer laser. The flap creation makes next-day vision recovery a possibility.
The excimer laser that executes the reshaping element allows the laser eye surgery in Orange County to utilize the most advanced treatment algorithm, Contura Vision, which at the same time perfects the corneal shape whilst correcting the glasses prescription. This has made room for a new paradigm of visual quality results, representing the first time a person can achieve vision 2 lines better than the vision achievable with glasses.
SMILE LASIK in Orange County is when the eye surgeon only uses a Femtosecond laser to perform the entire correction instead of just the flap creation.
The femtosecond laser cuts a lenticle of tissue from the substance of the cornea that is then extracted through an access incision.
Both procedures correct Myopia. SMILE was initially conceived to reduce the outcome of dry eyes and potentially have a lower risk of an unstable cornea, also known as ectasia. As time has evolved and a more accurate evaluation of the effect of SMILE has emerged, it reveals these advantages have not been correct. Research has shown an occurrence of both dry eye and ectasia that is statistically similar to LASIK.
Since SMILE Does Not Have Advantages Over LASIK, What About Its Disadvantages?
First of all, SMILE is less accurate than Femtosecond LASIK with Contoura Vision.
About 98% of patients achieve vision equal to or even better than 20/20 vision after only one treatment at Excel Eye Vision Institute with Contura Vision LASIK.
The RELEX SMILE procedure only reaches 20/20 vision in about 60-85% of patients in recent studies. The inaccuracy of ReLex SMILE comes from the fact that the smallest amount of tissue taken out with a femtosecond laser is to 4 microns compared to the 0.25 microns attainable with an Excimer laser. This associates with at least sixteen times finer accuracy for an Excimer Laser.
The fact that SMILE lacks accuracy explains the increased number of requiring enhancements, at up to forty percent. Femtosecond LASIK provides next-day recovery with minimal discomfort, while eye enhancements performed with PRK or another surface-based laser can result in more discomfort for about two days and can take a patient six to eight weeks to recover.
Even when SMILE is effective, it usually takes three weeks, which differs from the next day recovery a patient can achieve with LASIK.
SMILE has a more extensive reduced treatment range. It can only effectively correct up to 0.5 diopters of astigmatism, while LASIK can correct up to 6 diopters. Also, It can’t correct hyperopia or mixed astigmatism. It can’t perform the sophisticated surface-perfecting ability that a Contura Vision procedure can accomplish, and as a result, it can’t provide this level of visual quality.
LASIK Laser Eye Surgery
Lasik is an abbreviation for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. It is a laser procedure that improves vision issues and gets rid of the need for corrective lenses.
Lasik surgery corrects the following refractive errors:
Nearsightedness (Myopia): It is an eye condition that involves the person having the ability to see nearby objects clearly but has problems when seeing distant objects clearly.
Farsightedness (Hyperopia): It is a condition that involves a person who can see faraway objects clearly but has issues seeing nearby objects.
Astigmatism: It is an eye condition that involves a person struggling to see both nearby and distant objects. It occurs because of uneven corneal curves or flatness.
Presbyopia: Also known as ‘aging eye, Presbyopia is an age-related condition. It occurs when the eye’s natural lens begins losing its ability to focus on nearby objects.
During a Lasik laser procedure, the LASIK eye surgeon in Orange County creates a corneal flap using a microkeratome instrument and pulls the flap back to get into the corneal tissue in the first stage. In the second stage, the surgeon reshapes the cornea utilizing an excimer laser.
SMILE Laser Eye Surgery
SMILE is an abbreviation for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction surgery. It is a laser eye surgery that is a contemporary advancement in laser vision correction. A laser eye surgeon in Orange County may recommend SMILE surgery to treat Myopia. Also, it can treat astigmatism that’s up to 5 Diopters. Also, it is a minimally invasive surgery that is bladeless. Typically it’s known as Refractive Lenticule Extraction/RELEX.
Why Should You Go For SMILE?
Less Invasive
Uncomplicated
Blade-free and Painless
Quicker Surgery & Recovery
Better Results
Flapless
Painless
Beyond Lasik
100% sterility
SMILE is an FDA-approved procedure that is usually carried out on patients between 18 to 40 years of age. It is a completed automated next-gen procedure that gets done quickly, guaranteeing long-lasting and fixed results. SMILE is a laser vision correction surgery that does not require the eye surgeon to create a corneal flap.
When an eye surgeon performs a SMILE procedure, a laser is used to make a small incision in the cornea. Once that’s done, the laser is used to take out a lenticule (a small piece of corneal tissue). This is the method that reshapes the cornea, and helps to correct vision. SMILE is only done after all required tests are completed to understand the condition of the eyes.
Even though the recovery from SMILE takes a bit longer than Femto Lasik or similar procedures, it provides the least possibility of dry eye as corneal nerves are well preserved. The chances of retreatment are next to nil as it is a keyhole surgery that contributes to the patient’s quick recovery.
Contoura Vision Eye Surgery
Contoura Vision Lasik is a topography-guided technology that is meant to enhance the effects of Lasik. Moreover, this procedure is also referred to as Robotic Lasik. During this procedure, a large flap of 22 mm is created on the top of the cornea. Then another separate laser system, an excimer, is used to remove the spectacle error.
This procedure utilizes an advanced computer algorithm to get details of the cornea over more than 22000 points on its surface. Personalized LASIK techniques such as Contoura uses the excimer laser only. Unlike SMILE, which works on the most advanced femtosecond laser platform.
If you want to learn more about the advantages and differences of SMILE, LASIK, and Contoura, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute today!
What Contoura Vision is All About
Medicine and science are constantly evolving, and because of this, Orange County has seen numerous advancements in LASIK eye surgery techniques. These breakthroughs have been why so many people can now enjoy enhanced vision without having to wear corrective eyewear to see clearly.
Contoura Vision Eye Surgery, a type of laser eye surgery in Orange County, is another advancement in LASIK Surgery assisting your eye surgeons in creating a customized LASIK procedure to enhance the quality of your eyesight. Contoura Vision is the latest FDA-approved LASIK procedure that optimally lessens the corneal irregularities of your eyes.
According to clinical studies, Contoura Vision Eye Surgery has helped 30% of the patients obtain better than 6/6 vision (an ability to see at 6 meters what an average person can see at 6 meters). Therefore, helping them see better without eyeglasses or contact lenses than they did with them.
What Makes Contoura Vision So Special?
The most compelling feature of Contoura Vision is that it places a technological head start on the treatment compared to traditional LASIK surgery. Although the earlier laser vision correction techniques have successfully provided LASIK patients in Orange County with fantastic accuracy and precision while reshaping the cornea and focusing on visual refractive errors, Contoura Vision performed by LASIK surgeons in Orange County takes the treatment a step further.
How Is It So Unique?
When you consider laser eye surgery cost and the fact that LASIK just treats the eyeglass prescription, Contoura, on the other hand, uses unparalleled diagnostic capabilities such as a three-step correction technique utilizing a Femto Laser, Excimer Laser, and a Topolyser to locate and record the tiniest imperfections in the curvature of cornea thereby giving an aspheric correction of spectacle power while also correcting a person’s corneal irregularities and working on the visual axis.
The eye has two types of axis. The Pupillary Axis, which passes through the center, and Visual Axis, which goes through the line of sight, each have a difference of 5 degrees. While other laser procedures treat the Pupillary Axis, Contoura Vision is concentrated on the Visual Axis. Doctor Moosa, a LASIK surgeon in Orange County, takes down the measurements combined with eyeglass prescriptions to give the patient’s eyes a better focusing surface, thereby getting a much exceptional visual outcome. Besides that, even many side effects of various other LASIK procedures such as light sensitivity, problems with night driving, difficulty in reading, glare, starbursts, halos usually lessen with Contoura Vision.
Why Opt For Contoura Vision Eye Surgery?
Improved Quality Of Vision – Contoura Vision can correct even the most minor distortion in the cornea, resulting in enhanced quality of vision, with lesser side effects than a post LASIK procedure, which are remarkedly reduced or absent in a Contoura Vision.
Enhanced Quantity Of Vision – Contoura Vision allows the patient to have the possibility of improved reading capacity, which they could not achieve with corrective eyewear.
Enhanced Surgery Experience – Contoura Vision has the highest standards for safety and providing a painless experience. The surgery is performed with NO STITCHES, NO BLADE, NO BANDAGE, NO INJECTIONS, AND NO HOSPITALISATION. You can walk into a LASIK Orange County procedure without any concerns and leave with perfect and sharper vision. The treatment is efficient and effective to guarantee better vision.
Improved Post Surgery Experience – Many patients may feel discomfort or experience issues after undergoing a traditional LASIK surgery. Nevertheless, with Contoura Vision, you are entitled to a better post-surgery experience.
Enhanced Trust – Similar to the FDA’s proven survey results, 98% of patients who have undergone Contoura Vision Eye Surgery were very satisfied pleased with the procedure and said they would choose the procedure again.
How Is A Contoura Vision Procedure Performed?
Step 1 – The procedure starts with a detailed evaluation of the patient’s eye. In order to guarantee quality, the evaluation is carried out with a state-of-the-art diagnostic system. The assessment also includes a complete preoperative screening to assess the patient’s eligibility and safety of the LASIK procedure. If the patient has any retinal lesions (such as thinning/ hole/ tear), then they’re first treated with a barrage laser, and after one to four weeks, Contoura Vision LASIK is performed.
Step 2 – Depending on the outcome of the evaluation, your eye surgeon will create a customized treatment plan derived from the data provided by the diagnostic system mapping the corneal irregularities using 22,000 unique data points.
Step 3 – Based on the initial planning, Contoura Vision Eye Surgery is carried out by capturing the topographic images of the patient using a topolyser. Contoura Vision Femto-LASIK is executed on WaveLight Refractive Suite, which is believed to be the fastest laser ever. The eye surgeon creates a thin corneal flap using the Bladeless Femtosecond technology on the FS 200 laser. A topo guided laser ablation for refractive correction is performed on the EX500 Excimer laser.
Step 4 – When the procedure has been completed, within 30 minutes, you can leave the clinic. The recovery is short and helps the patient to resume their regular routine in a day or two. Typically, the patient is called in for an assessment at regular intervals to ensure everything is healing correctly. A customized post-surgery plan is given to the patient, including eye drops to prevent infection and assist in the healing process.
If you are considering Contoura Vision surgery to enhance your eyesight, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 957-3255. Our team of staff is experienced and highly skilled. Our leading eye surgeon, Dr. Moosa, a well-established eye surgeon in Los Angeles, has years of experience in Contoura Vision procedures. He received his training at Harvard University and has vast experience working with various prescription levels. Dr. Moosa has helped many professionals achieve their vision goals, from athletes to models to military personnel. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.exceleye.com/.
Do You Have To Keep Your Eyes Open During LASIK Eye Surgery?
Just the name laser eye surgery has some people shaking in their boots, but they don’t have to be scared, especially if they are going to get LASIK at Excel Laser Vision Institute in Orange County, where the most experienced eye doctor, Doctor Moosa, handles these procedures.
Perhaps the biggest fear many people have about LASIK is keeping your eyes open throughout the entire procedure. Heavens to Betsy, it does sound frightening, but the laser eye surgery doctors can guarantee you won’t feel a thing.
Patient’s Fears
Recently surveys revealed that this was the number one reason why people refused treatment, even before having an initial consultation. Surgical procedures require anesthetic most of the time, and LASIK is no exception even with just a few numbing eye drops. That is all that is administered to perform laser eye surgery while patients are completely conscious.
Although the LASIK surgeon in Orange County can understand that being awake during a surgical procedure doesn’t sound like a blast to anyone, LASIK is a far cry from your standard surgical procedure. Beginning with the matter that the procedure only takes a few minutes to perform.
However, what really changes the game up is that laser eye surgery, when done in expert hands by a LASIK expert in Orange County such as Doctor Moosa, is painless and, what is more, being conscious during the procedure does not in any way, shape or form put you at harm’s way, even if you try your utmost to.
What Happens If I Blink During LASIK Surgery?
You are not the only person who has this concern. However, you can stay rest assured that blinking and moving during LASIK surgery is usually not an issue. Numbing drops are administered to the patient’s eyes before surgery to make the LASIK procedure comfortable and decrease a patient’s natural urge to blink. Plus, a small device holds the eyelids open during the procedure so the patient can’t accidentally blink and your eyelids open during the procedure so the patient doesn’t unintentionally blink and their eyelids can’t interfere with any stage of the surgery.
Is It A Problem If I Move During Laser Eye Surgery?
Moving your head and body is also a serious concern. The patient usually lies down on a flat, comfortable, cushioned surface (about 20 minutes for both eyes). Depending on the type of laser your eye surgeon uses, many platforms have a contoured headrest that snugly supports the head during the procedure. Your LASIK surgeon may carefully hold your head in position to help you stay steady during specific stages of the procedure.
Nearly all lasers used for LASIK surgery performed in the United States are equipped with an advanced feature called an “eye tracker” that immediately keeps track of the position of the patient’s eye and modifies the laser treatment to compensate for any small, involuntary movements your eyes may make during surgery. This technology is crucial for custom LASIK and to carry out the most precise laser treatment of the patient’s eyes.
What To Do After LASIK Surgery?
When you have completed your laser eye surgery, you must follow your doctor’s guidance on the simple LASIK recovery steps so that your eyes can perform outstandingly well.
Have a friend drive you home after you had your successful eye surgery, and don’t forget to wear your sunglasses. Make sure to rest your eyes and keep them closed so that they remain comfortable.
You want to aim to keep your eyes closed for 2 to 4 hours as part of your critical LASIK recovery process. For this reason, taking a nap and wearing your clear plastic shields will help with the recovery process.
Don’t be alarmed if you feel mild sensitivity for a few hours, but there should be the slightest discomfort. When the two to four hours are up, remove the plastic shields and, as instructed by your surgeon, start using your prescribed eye drops for healing and to keep your eyes comfortable and lubricated.
Try not to rub, squeeze or touch your eyes after LASIK surgery because the surface of your eyes are still sensitive. Wear your plastic shields when sleeping and if your eyes still have issues tolerating light, wear sunglasses. If your eyes get dry or irritated, use preservative-free artificial tears to help keep your eyes comfortable.
Most LASIK surgeons will tell you to rest for the first 24 hours following your laser eye surgery. So, refrain from reading, strenuous activity, computer work, and television during this period.
When To Delay Your LASIK Procedure
If you constantly suffer from dry eyes, it may stop you from getting LASIK treatment. To find out if LASIK is the correct route for you, talk to your eye doctor at a reputable LASIK clinic. Your eye doctor will guide you on the most appropriate ways to receive LASIK with your dry eye condition.
Ultimately, scheduling your LASIK procedure may not be a huge deal; however, getting it done by the right doctor is very important. Although the technology used in LASIK is phenomenal, it has to be carried out by a qualified and experienced ophthalmologist to achieve the best results.
If you want more details about LASIK eye surgery, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 957-3255. Our team of staff is highly trained and experienced. Dr. Moosa, a well-known LASIK surgeon in Orange County, studied at Harvard University and has experience working with various prescription levels. Dr. Moosa has helped many professionals with their eye issues, from athletes to models to military personnel. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.exceleye.com/.
What’s The Difference Between VISIAN ICL and LASIK?
Patients often get confused about the differences between Visian ICL and LASIK. Doctor Moosa, a LASIK surgeon in Orange County, is quick to tell us that it boils down to individual factors. Some patients are usually best suited for one procedure over the other, depending on their own personal requirements. Nonetheless, there are various differences between these two procedures.
LASIK is a laser eye surgery procedure that is able to correct myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism by reshaping the cornea using an excimer laser. On the other hand, Visian ICL is only suitable for myopia. It is very similar to having permanent contact lenses, so the cornea’s shape is not altered.
To be fair, Doctor Moosa, a LASIK surgeon in Orange County, stresses the fact that many types of refractive errors can be corrected with LASIK. However, individuals who have thin corneas or chronic dry eye may select Visian ICLs instead to avoid possible side effects.
Some patients will be happy to learn that LASIK is a shorter procedure, less costly, and has a faster recovery time compared to Visian ICL. The lenses used with Visian ICL may offer a reduced risk of side effects, better long-term correction, and they can be removed if the patient wishes to do so.
The procedure you choose is fundamentally up to you and your eye doctor. LASIK Eye professionals in Orange County can recommend the best option for you and your specific situation.
The Many Differences Between Visian ICL vs. LASIK
For several years, people who suffered from refractive errors had only two options for managing their condition: glasses or contact lenses. These options need regular eye exams to monitor the advancement of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Afterward, regular updates to the lens prescription are required to continue correcting changes in the cornea.
Medical researchers have been working on new and improved methods since the 1990s to manage refractive errors. These include implantable lenses and laser-based surgery. These new treatment methods provide patients more options than ever before and can, in the course of time, free them from having to wear contact lenses or eyeglasses on a daily basis.
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is one of the most well-known developments since contact lenses for correcting refractive errors. A laser removes tissue from your cornea to reshape it, which causes light to refract more clearly to the back of your eye. There, the retina receives the light and transmits it to your brain through your optic nerve.
LASIK has allowed millions of people all over the world to stop wearing glasses or contact lenses. It provides an easy, fast solution that can be positively life-changing.
On the flip side, they could be a reason that an eye surgeon does not recommend someone as a good candidate for LASIK. Hence the fact, that this has made scientists research other options. Implantable contact lenses, such as the Visian ICL series, let people who have thinner corneas or other eye conditions stop wearing glasses or contact lenses for years without undergoing laser-guided surgery.
Visian ICL vs. LASIK
LASIK and Visian implantable Collamer lenses (ICLs) are very different technologies that can correct your refractive error to 20/40 visual clarity or better in specific circumstances. Before you make your decision on which is more suitable for your requirements, it is best to have a good understanding of both procedures.
LASIK
Even though there are various types of laser eye surgery to correct refractive errors, LASIK is the most recognized type of this procedure and what most eye surgeons perform. This outpatient operation can correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness not due to aging), and astigmatism, so you can often see 20/40 or better.
The process doesn’t take long at all, usually 15 minutes per eye, with much of that time involving prep for the operation. The patient receives numbing eye drops and a device to hold your eyelids open. Then, either a microkeratome (a special, small surgical knife) or a laser will cut a flap from the top of the patient’s cornea.
Then, an excimer laser removes tissue from strategic locations on the inside of the cornea to alter its shape. The surgeon puts the flap back in place and sends the patient home to relax for the rest of the day.
Many people experience good vision the next day, although having dry eyes is expected. Also, it is possible to experience halos or glares around lights and some blurry vision for a few days. Most people experience a slight decrease in these symptoms over six months while their eyes heal.
Visian ICL
Despite the fact that some surgery is involved with Visian implantable Collamer lenses (ICLs), no lasers will remove tissue from the patient’s cornea to reshape that part of your eye. Instead, Visian ICLs are a brand of phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs) similar to permanent contact lenses. Visian ICLs are manufactured by Staar Surgical, and they are designed to be implanted behind the iris but in front of your natural lens. They were approved for use in adults by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005 to treat nearsightedness.
On the contrary to LASIK, Visian ICLs and other types of phakic IOLs do not treat other refractive errors such as farsightedness. If you have astigmatism and myopia, you may experience some improvement in your astigmatism, but they are not meant to treat just astigmatism.
Similar to LASIK, the implantation process for these flexible Collamer lenses takes around 15 minutes per eye, using a very small incision from a laser or a microkeratome. Recovery time after this outpatient procedure is slightly longer than LASIK, with vision returning to almost full clarity after seven days. Even though healing takes more time, there are fewer side effects reported with Visian ICLs.
If you want to learn more about how LASIK or Visian implantable Collamer lenses can help your eyesight, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 957-3255 or visit our website. Our expert team and highly reputable LASIK surgeon, Dr. Moosa, are happy and willing to answer all your questions.
When Is The Best Time To Get LASIK?
If you are thinking about booking a laser eye surgery procedure in Orange County, you may be thinking about the best time to go ahead with it. This could bring about many questions for you, the entire LASIK procedure, and your personal life situation.
Apart from that, you are probably wondering if you are in the right phase in your life for LASIK? Is there an age that LASIK works better or worse? You shouldn’t be so concerned about scheduling laser eye surgery or the LASIK procedure because it is easier than you think.
LASIK surgeon like Doctor Moosa understands that you may be eyeglasses or contact lens wearer. Undoubtedly, there is going to come a time when you get fed up with fussing around with prescription eyewear and start to think about having a LASIK procedure. Also, this is when many people begin to wonder if now is the appropriate time to consider LASIK.
When Is The Best Time To Have LASIK?
Here are a few reasons that will tell you it is an excellent time to book your laser eye surgery.
You Want A Better Quality Of Life
The sooner you get LASIK eye surgery, the better. You have more years to enjoy the extraordinary advantages it brings. No matter how old you are, experiencing the freedom to see without wearing eyeglasses or contacts after you get LASIK is worth it.
You Are Planning A Getaway
If you are planning a vacation anytime soon, you know that glasses and contacts can be annoying. You know the deal; you have to make sure you pack contact lens solution and bring sufficient contacts for the duration of your vacation, and if you run out, finding contacts when you are abroad is a difficult task.
LASIK eye doctors can tell you themselves that just like many glasses wearers, you probably don’t have an extra pair of glasses to take with you, so what do you do if you break or lose your glasses during your holiday?
Plus, as most contact lens wearers who have flown know, your eyes can really dry out during a flight. LASIK is a good option so you can travel without any concerns about your glasses and contacts.
When You Are Just Over Wearing Glasses And Contacts
There are many reasons that individuals say they are completely done with glasses and contacts as a suitable vision correction solution. These include, but are restricted to:
- Contact lens-induced infections
- Broken or lost glasses
- Can’t see when waking up
- Activities such as scuba diving, swimming, running, exercise, etc. that are interfered by glasses and contacts
- Fed up of spending money year after year on glasses and contacts
LASIK is a good vision correction procedure if you want to stop using glasses and contacts as a temporary solution and you want to stop spending a lot of money every year.
For instance, a person in their twenties who wears disposable contacts could spend around $29,000 on contacts over their life. At Excel Laser Vision Institute, you only pay for your LASIK eye surgery once, and they are very reasonable payment options.
Weather Doesn’t Matter When You Have LASIK
You can have LASIK at any season, and it isn’t affected by things such as temperature or humidity. However, if there is a season in which you are particularly very active, it probably isn’t the best time to have LASIK. For most people, it is best to put it on hold until after the summer, so their surgical recovery won’t make it a problem for them to swim, boat, waterski, or just participate in any popular water activity in the summer.
You Don’t Have To Put Your Life On Hold
Since you don’t have to go through so much downtime, LASIK isn’t difficult to schedule in your life. You can even go to work a few days after their surgery, so it is probably a good idea to take a two-day vacation. If you have a physically demanding, you may want to schedule a week off, as strenuous activity can get in the way of the healing process.
If you have a big event on the calendar, make sure you consider your post-operative appointments when you are booking your LASIK surgery.
You Can Get LASIK At Any Age
You can receive LASIK treatment if you are 18 years or older. However, many eye experts will recommend the ideal age to have this procedure is when you are between the ages of 21 and 40. The reason being is that even though 18-year-olds can still go ahead with LASIK, eyes can change between 18 and 21.
When a person reaches over 40, the eyes can be affected by presbyopia, which needs a monovision procedure involving only one eye correction. Cataracts and dry eyes are common issues for older individuals, so cataract surgery may be a more suitable option.
You May Have To Put Off LASIK If…..
If you have persistent or have dry eye syndrome, it may prevent you from getting LASIK treatment. The only way to know if LASIK is a good option for you is to talk to your eye doctor at a reputable LASIK clinic. Your eye doctor will inform you of the most appropriate ways to receive LASIK with your dry eye condition.
Ultimately, scheduling your LASIK procedure may not be a big issue; however, choosing the right doctor is very important. Although the technology used in LASIK is extraordinary, it has to be in the hands of a qualified and experienced ophthalmologist to achieve the best results.
If you’re looking for an ophthalmologist or LASIK surgeon in Orange County, Los Angeles, Excel Laser Vision Institute is the best choice for you. For over 25 years, Dr. Ferzaad Moosa and his team have provided their patients with personalized eye care using top-of-the-line technology. For more information or schedule an appointment, call (888) 957-3255 or contact us through our website.
How To Check For Your Dominant Eye According To A LASIK Expert in Orange County
You have probably heard the term dominant eye and ocular dominance before whether from a LASIK expert in Orange County, on the internet, in books and magazines, or elsewhere. However, some laser eye surgery patients aren’t too sure about what they mean or how you perform a dominant eye test? Here are few elementary things you should know:
What Is A Dominant Eye?
In a nutshell, a dominant eye is an eye that gives you a slightly greater extent of input to the visual part of the brain and more precisely relays information about the location of objects. Normally, the term “dominant eye” is used when explaining the normal visual condition where two eyes work well as a team and have equal visual acuity. One eye is just the leading or preferred eye.
Nevertheless, there are times that the term dominant eye is used to describe the normally sighted ad functioning eye in dysfunctional cases such as amblyopia and strabismus.
Dominant Eye Test
You can do this simple dominant eye test at home to find out which eye is your preferred eye:
- Bring your arms out in front of you and create a triangular opening between your thumbs and forefingers by placing your hands together at a 45-degree angle.
- With both eyes open, center this triangular opening on a distant object — such as a wall clock or doorknob.
- Close your left eye.
- If the object stays centered, your right eye (the one that’s open) is your dominant eye. If the object is no longer framed by your hands, your left eye is your dominant eye.
You can also do this easy dominant eye test:
- Extend one arm out, holding the thumb of that hand in an upright position. (Or you could use your index finger instead of your thumb.)
- Keeping both eyes open and focused on a distant object, superimpose your thumb on that object. (Don’t worry if it looks like your thumb partially disappears — that’s normal.)
- Alternately close one eye at a time.
- The eye that keeps your thumb directly in front of the object while the other eye is closed is your dominant eye.
Both of these dominant eye tests are classified as “sighting” tests because they entail aligning a visual target with a makeshift sighting device. Essentially, this copy cats the “sight” on the barrel of a rifle).
Some studies have revealed that sighting dominant eye tests, even though they are easy to perform and are usually accurate, can be influenced by handedness and other non-visual factors.
To prevent these confusing aspects, some researchers bicker about the fact that non-sighting dominant eye tests could be a more precise method to find out a person’s dominant eye, which is also referred to as ocular dominance.
During these tests, the person has to keep both eyes open, and visual stimuli are shown to each eye separately just using special optical devices. So, this is the limitation of non-sighting dominant eye tests, the equipment, and expertise of a LASIK surgeon in Orange County needed to perform them are usually only located in specialized vision clinics such as the LASIK clinic, or research facilities. In many instances, straightforward sighting eye tests such as the ones described above will precisely reveal an individual’s dominant eye.
Eye Dominance And Handedness
The LASIK doctors in Orange County make it very clear that eye dominance and handedness ( whether you are right or left-handed) are not directly associated, these characteristics are greatly linked.
Studies conducted on a large mass of people reveal that around 90% of subjects are right-handed and about 67% are right-eye dominant.
Furthermore, research has shown that the probabilities of a person who is right-handed being right-eye dominant are high with about 2.5 times more probability than the odds of that person being left-eye dominant. So, it is unlikely you can predict eye dominance just on handedness alone.
Is It Possible Not To Have A Dominant Eye?
Is it likely that a person does not have a dominant eye? Yes, it is possible but very uncommon.
If there isn’t a strong level of dominance in a dominant eye test, it’s more likely the individual has mixed ocular dominance, which is sometimes known as ocular dominance. In a situation like this, one eye is dominant for specific functions or tasks, and the other eye is dominant at varying times.
Some people may do a sighting dominant eye test and realize that the visual target is not accurately aligned with the triangular opening between their hands with their thumb with either eye.
Sometimes eye dominance falls on a spectrum among certain individuals, and the same goes for handedness. Therefore, some people could have one eye that is very dominant, while others may have less of a difference in the dominance of two eyes.
To some extent, most of the time eye dominance is inbred in your brain.
The visual cortex, which is the part of the brain that processes visual information, are strips of nerve cells (neurons) known as dominant eye columns. These bands of neurons appear to respond alternatively to input from one eye or the other and are important to the development of binocular vision, varying and sometimes being incomplete in some people.
If you are a shooter, photographer, or athlete and would like to level up your performance, then speak to a LASIK professional at Excel Laser Vision Institute, a reputable LASIK clinic in Orange County. Laser eye surgery can treat many refractive errors and ensure that your vision is in tip-top shape before your next sporting event, hunting season, or the photo session you have lined up. LASIK professionals will conduct a thorough evaluation of your eye health and condition before determining if you are eligible for LASIK eye surgery or a comparable procedure.
Call Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 957-3255. Our team of staff is highly trained and knowledgeable. In our Orange County clinic, 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. Dr. Moosa has helped many professionals achieve their vision goals, from athletes to models to military personnel. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.exceleye.com/.
