laser eye surgery orange county Tag

Eye Experts Discuss Sports Glasses

For many sports, optimal vision plays a key role in the success of the player. That’s why so many athletes have looked into LASIK at Excel Laser Vision Institute. Along with high visual acuity, players must invest in eye protection that will reduce glare, block UV rays, and prevent anything from hitting their eyes. Sports glasses can significantly enhance a player’s performance by helping them overcome environmental conditions so that they can react faster in the game. 

Professional athletes agree that sports glasses can make or break your performance in a game. Paired with laser eye surgery, this is the ultimate secret weapon. Not everyone has a perfect vision, but many people can achieve this with the right resources. That’s why many professional sports teams hire an eye doctor to support their players throughout the season. According to Doctor Moosa, a LASIK surgeon in Orange County, sports glasses can give athletes an edge in many ways, including:

• Increasing Contrast – This lets players better distinguish objects at a distance. Sports that most benefit from this feature include baseball, hockey, golf, and tennis. 
• Reducing Glare – This allows players to react quicker in bright conditions, which is especially helpful for outdoor sports.
• Ensuring Clarity Between Light Settings – With this, players can easily transition between light and dark environments, allowing them to react quickly in a game. 
• Protection – Sports glasses can ultimately protect players from injury of flying objects or limbs as well as UV rays. 

With all of these features, sports glasses can improve a player’s precision, comfort, safety, and confidence in their sport.  There are sports glasses for just about every outdoor sport and hobby. For example, basketball players can find wraparound glasses, cyclists can find glasses with anti-scratch and anti-fog coating, golf players can find polarized transition sunglasses, and runners can find polycarbonate lenses that protect against debris and wind. Football players typically have impact-resistant polycarbonate shields on their helmets and professional snowboarders or skiers can find polarized sunglasses with mirror-coated lenses. The list goes on and on. Essentially, for any sport, there is sportswear that is made to protect the eyes and improve a player’s overall performance. 

If you are an athlete and would like to level up your skills, then speak to an eye care 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 you invest in those expensive sports glasses. 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 office, we also have Dr. Moosa, a well-esteemed LASIK surgeon that has a Harvard education and a wealth of experience working with different prescription levels. 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/ 

LASIK Experts Share Home Remedies for Dry Eyes

Many people experience dry eye syndrome to varying degrees. For some, it’s common during allergy season or when they wear their contacts too much. For others, it’s a constant struggle. Some people report minor symptoms of dry eye after laser eye surgery, which is why LASIK doctors in Orange County like Doctor Moosa are quite knowledgeable on the subject. 

Dry eye can be caused by environmental factors, medical conditions, and certain medications like antidepressants, antihistamines, nasal decongestants, oral contraceptives, and acne medication. There are certain demographic and lifestyle factors that can increase your risk for dry eye as well. These include being a woman, aged 65 and over, frequently using contact lenses, prolonged screen use (low blink rate), smoking, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and diabetes. 

Dry eye can be uncomfortable and can increase your risk of developing infections. That is why it is important for your LASIK surgeon to determine if your condition is too severe for laser eye surgery before you are approved as a candidate. Regardless, it is a good idea to have some home remedies on hand to mitigate these symptoms. If you notice your eyes becoming drier after getting laser eye surgery in Orange County, then speak to your eye doctor about prescribed eye drops and other medical solutions.

Here are some of the top home remedies for relieving dry eye: 

Conduct a Simple Cleaning Procedure

If your eyes are feeling dry, then that means that they are not producing enough tears. Use warm water and a gentle, chemical-free soap to wash your upper and lower eyelids. Follow this with a warm compress to help your eyes properly moisten. 

Rest Your Eyes

Too much screen time can contribute to dry eye syndrome. If your eyes are irritated from computer screens or tv screens, then you might need to look away for a while. Consciously increase your blinking rate and maybe even shut your eyes for a few minutes.

Consume More Essential Fatty Acids

According to Doctor Moosa, a leading LASIK expert in Orange County, foods like salmon, flax seeds, and walnuts are high in omega-3. This is great for your vision and your tear glands! Incorporate more fatty acids into your diet in order to improve your dry eye. 

Try Vitamin Supplements

Researchers have found a link between dry eye and low vitamin D intake. If you have known vitamin deficiencies, then you should definitely supplement this with some eye-friendly vitamins. Your eye needs vitamin D, C, E, B6, B9, B12, A, riboflavin, niacin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and thiamine. 

Consume Less Alcohol

The National Institutes of Health have detected higher cases of dry eye with those who indulge in alcoholic beverages due to the dehydrating effects of alcohol. If you are struggling to keep your dry eye symptoms under control, it can’t help to eliminate this possible cause. 

Drink More Water

When your eyes lack lubrication, a good thing to do is drink more water. Hydrating your body will allow your eyes to produce more tears, clean out debris, and blink more often. Experts recommend eight to ten glasses of water a day for proper hydration. 

Sleep More

Did you know that lack of sleep can affect your tear ducts? According to the National Institutes of Health, dry eye can be worsened for those that don’t get enough sleep at night. Experts recommend 7 to 8 hours of regular sleep. 

LASIK Experts Discuss What Shingles Does to the Eyes

Some of us may be familiar with the viral infection known as shingles. It’s often referred to as “chickenpox for adults.” However, many people don’t know that shingles (otherwise known as herpes zoster) can affect eye health. According to LASIK experts in Orange County, the viral infection can lead to eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, and scarring of the cornea.

The reason that shingles is likened to chickenpox is because both infections are caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This virus can actually remain dormant in a person’s body. If, for example, someone had and recovered from chickenpox as a child, then that virus may be reactivated as shingles later in life. Experts who perform laser eye surgery in Orange County say that shingles affects about 1 in 3 Americans each year. 

For the most part, shingles affects people later in life. Usually, after age 50. Medical experts believe that the natural decline in a person’s immune system is one of the reasons the virus becomes activated. When your immune system weakens over time, it may not be able to recognize certain viruses or know how to attack them. Other conditions that affect your chances of developing shingles include auto-immune diseases, HIV, and cancer. If you are taking steroids, transplant medications, or chemotherapy drugs, you may also be susceptible to the virus. 

Shingles manifests in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most common symptoms that you might notice:

• Burning, tingling, or numb skin
• Skin sensitivity
• Painful rashes 
• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Upset stomach
• Fluid-filled blisters
• Mild itching 

According to Doctor Moosa, a LASIK surgeon in Orange County, 10-20% of people who get shingles can also develop ophthalmic herpes zoster, which is shingles around the eyes. This can lead to cataracts, corneal scarring, glaucoma, and vision loss. If left untreated, the virus can affect the nerves of the eye, causing symptoms such as:

• Dry eye
• Blurry vision
• Redness/rashes in and around the eye
• Face tingling
• Pink eye 
• Throbbing pain
• Light sensitivity
• Optic nerve swelling

Fortunately, there are some treatments available to those with ophthalmic herpes zoster. Antiviral medications  may be given within the first 72 hours of a patient showing symptoms. Numbing medicine or cream may help relieve uncomfortable symptoms. Painkillers may also be given to relieve the patient, although they will not stop the infection itself. Hydrating eye drops, cooling compresses, and anti-bacterial eye drops will help target symptoms affecting the eye. 

If shingles have affected your eyes, then you may require procedures such as cataract surgery from a LASIK clinic. Be sure to contact your eye doctor in Orange County such as Doctor Moosa immediately after noticing symptoms. The eyes are a sensitive part of the body, which means that they require excellent care and attention. The effects of shingles may last a long time if your eyes are having a hard time healing. Follow the care routine set in place by your doctor and schedule regular checkups to track your progress. Shingles typically last 2-4 weeks and, while it is possible to get it more than once, most people don’t. 

What Your Eyes Reveal About Your Health: LASIK Experts in Orange County Explore Possible Signs of Alzheimer’s

Can our eyes predict our overall health? This is the question that many ophthalmologists are asking now that new studies have shown a perceptible link between brain health and retinal changes. Eye examinations have long been important for detecting ocular diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration but according to Doctor Moosa, one of the top ten LASIK experts in Orange County, our eyes may be able to tell us more about our overall health.

For decades, medical professionals have been using fundus exams, which examine the back of your eye, to discover early signs of diabetes, heart disease, and cancerous tumors. These examinations focus on the nerve cells and blood vessels in the retina in order to gather greater information about bodily health. Everything in our body is connected to or reliant on another part, which is why it makes sense that our eye health would affect or reflect other aspects of our physical functioning.

Laser eye surgery clinics in Orange County specifically Excel Laser Vision Institute have been following a recent study in the U.K. which hypothesizes a link between retinal changes and Alzheimer’s disease. For the study, researchers conducted retinal scans on one hundred and twenty subjects, all considered to be elderly. In twenty-five percent of the subjects with Alzheimer’s disease, researchers found yellow deposits of calcium and fat in their eye examinations. Only four percent of subjects without Alzheimer’s displayed this same symptom.

Calcium and fat deposits behind the eye, otherwise known as hard drusen, are signs of oxidative stress. This means that there is an imbalance between antioxidant defenses and free radicals in the body. While this does not pose a threat to vision, it does suggest a risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. If you speak to a LASIK surgeon about oxidative stress, you will learn that this condition often implicates other health concerns like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, atherosclerosis, inflammatory issues, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease.

While following this U.K. study, LASIK clinics in Orange County specifically Excel Laser Vision Institute learned that the patients with Alzheimer’s also tended to reveal thicker blood vessels in their examinations, which suggests that they had poor circulation and blood flow. This is a known risk factor of Alzheimer’s and plays a large role in memory loss. This study has shown that there may be more ways to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s and perhaps even prevent it from developing in certain individuals. Currently, there is no one, conclusive test to diagnose Alzheimer’s. However, this study provides a greater range of knowledge and tools to help fight against it.  

Since our eyes do so much for our day-to-day and reveal much about our health, it is important to have yearly eye exams in order to monitor their progress. Search “LASIK surgeons near me” to find a clinic where you can schedule a full examination and consultation about your vision needs. LASIK eye surgery is known to treat refractive errors such as astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. Many patients are even able to achieve 20/20 vision or better. Say goodbye to glasses and contacts and hello to clear vision!  

How Laser Vision Correction is Safer Than Contacts

For many people, wearing glasses is an inconvenience, but they require some form of vision correction to be able to go about their daily lives. This is when many people will switch to contact lenses. However, according to LASIK experts in Orange County like Doctor Moosa, the safety risks that come with regular contact use are actually greater than undergoing laser eye surgery to correct vision long-term. 

The reason that LASIK is recommended over contact lenses is that, once performed, laser vision correction requires no maintenance. Contacts, however, must be continuously applied, removed, cleaned, and so on. According to Doctor Moosa, one of the best LASIK surgeon in Orange County, those who wear contacts risk developing an infection from constant hand-eye contact. Recent studies show that 40-90% of contact lens wearers don’t follow proper care directions. One reason for this is that people lead busy lives and often forget to maintain their contacts as they should. This can have drastic impacts on a person’s ocular health. Here are some of the ways you risk infection when wearing contacts: 

• Touching eyes with contact solution bottles
• Touching eyes with unwashed hands
• Improperly disinfecting lenses
• Storing lenses wrong
• Wearing contacts too long

Even when following proper care instructions, contact wearers cannot completely eliminate the risk of infection. Contact-related infections can arise as a result of microbes in your tears, your immune system, and hygiene habits. In many ways, getting laser eye surgery from a clinic in Orange County can save you the trouble and worry of these risks.

LASIK Surgeons Near Me

When you visit a LASIK clinic in Orange County like Excel Laser Vision Institute, you will be given a comprehensive eye exam and consultation before you are determined to be eligible for laser eye surgery. This ensures that your procedure runs smoothly and you receive the best possible results to achieve your vision goals. LASIK surgeons have extensive training and certification in order to perform the procedure and they have state-of-the-art technology that ensures precision and safety. Most people who receive LASIK can achieve 20/20 vision or better and no longer have a need for wearing contacts or glasses. This significantly reduces the risk of eye infections or any other health complications as a result of eye contamination. 

According to researchers, the complication rate for LASIK surgery rests at less than 1%. Laser eye surgery has a long history of practice and a high satisfaction rate among patients. This refractive surgery is also more affordable than ever with available financing packages and promotions at certain clinics. Now that LASIK is more readily available, more people are able to enjoy its benefits. LASIK allows greater freedom for those with a busy lifestyle or who seek to participate in active careers and hobbies. Whether you’re tired of your contacts or you just want to live a more spontaneous life, laser eye surgery can help you achieve those goals. 

If you are interested in LASIK, you can schedule an appointment at the Excel Laser Vision Institute, one of the best laser eye surgery clinics in the Orange County and Los Angeles area. With a team of experienced staff and a Harvard-trained surgeon, you will receive the most care and attention possible. Start your LASIK journey today and achieve your vision goals! 

Why Get the SMILE Vision Correction Procedure?

Many people don’t realize that LASIK clinics in Orange County like Excel Laser Vision Institute can offer more than the standard LASIK procedure to qualified patients. In fact, there are quite a few alternatives that can produce the same long-term results and may even suit a patient better than traditional LASIK. Below, Dr. Moosa, a Harvard-trained surgeon at the Excel Laser Vision Institute, discusses some of the choices that patients have to improve visual acuity: 

Out of these corrective procedures, SMILE is the newest innovation in laser vision technology. According to Doctor Moosa, a LASIK surgeon in Orange County, SMILE stands for small-incision lenticule extraction. Much like LASIK or PRK, SMILE is a refractive surgery that can significantly increase your clarity of vision and may even eliminate your need for contacts or glasses entirely.

The method for SMILE eye surgery is very similar to LASIK in that its goal is to reshape the eye in order to allow for light to focus better. However, it can achieve this without the surgical creation of a corneal flap. When performing SMILE, eye doctors remove excess tissue through a tiny incision rather than making a flap. This option is ideal for patients with more sensitive eye conditions and therefore would benefit from a no-flap laser eye surgery. Recovery from a SMILE procedure has the potential to be quicker and more efficient, according to a patient’s lifestyle. For those at risk of future injuries (i.e. athletes), SMILE may reduce the chances of complications in the case that the eye is damaged. 

Recent studies have shown that 99% of SMILE patients achieve 20/40 vision or better within six months and 88% of people acquire 20/20 vision at the six-month mark. SMILE specializes in correcting myopia (nearsightedness) between -1 and -8 diopters. An eye care professional at a LASIK clinic can assess your eye health in order to determine if you qualify for the procedure.

At your eye exam, the eye care expert will examine the size of your pupils, the thickness of your cornea, measure your visual acuity, and discuss your eye health history. This is a good time to discuss LASIK, PRK, and SMILE as your vision correction options. Once you decide on the best alternative to achieve your vision goals, the surgeon will walk you through what you can expect on the day of the procedure as well as after-care. SMILE procedures are over in a matter of minutes and most patients experience no pain or discomfort at all. Eye drops are often prescribed in order to prevent any swelling and discomfort after the surgery.

SMILE is a proven alternative to LASIK that can offer the same benefits to patients in need. For many people that do not qualify for LASIK or PRK, SMILE may actually be a viable alternative to achieve one’s vision goals. In terms of cost, it is comparable to LASIK at around $2,000 an eye. If you are interested in learning more about this procedure, then you should call the Excel Laser Vision Institute. Once you make an appointment for an eye exam, an eye care professional will be able to tell you if you qualify for this vision correction procedure.  

Choose a LASIK Surgeon That You Trust

Laser eye surgery has become increasingly accessible to people with varying degrees of vision problems, thanks to innovations in eye correction procedures and methods. Patients can visit a LASIK clinic like Excel Laser Vision Institute in order to treat astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness as well as achieve 20/20 vision or better. However, this life-changing procedure would be nothing without the dedicated ophthalmologists that have acquired the skill and experience to perform the surgery. At clinics like Excel Laser Vision Institute, there is one surgeon who attends to every individual patient. Dr. Moosa describes the kind of personalized care that he can give at this eye center: 

Typically, vision problems occur as the shape of the lens starts to alter over time. This challenges the eye’s focusing capacity and causes blurriness. The reason that so many people consider laser eye surgery is because it provides them with clarity of vision that isn’t dependent on contacts and glasses. LASIK patients affirm the fact that the surgery is brief, painless, with a quick recovery. Most people are able to return to work and driving the next day. The LASIK surgeon plays a large role in the success of each procedure as well as the long-term results. This is why it is so important for patients to choose an ophthalmologist that is in the top tier of their field. As laser technology continues to advance and become more customizable, ophthalmologists must adapt to new methods and strategies that will best fit each patient.

There are some actionable steps that every patient can take in order to find the right surgeon for their laser eye surgery. The FDA has their own recommendations based on their knowledge of the industry. Here is their advice to prospective LASIK patients: 

Know your surgeon’s background. 

You can compare surgeons based on their level of experience and reputation in the field. One of the best ways to vet a LASIK surgeon is to look at patient reviews and testimonials. If they have served a wide range of patients with excellent results, then they are a good option for you.  

See what they promise. 

LASIK has a history of improving the visual acuity of patients with many different prescriptions. However, it is not a miracle-worker. Every prospective patient at Excel Laser Vision Institute, a LASIK clinic in Orange County, must be properly evaluated for their eye condition and overall health. If a LASIK surgeon promises you the world without a proper test and consultation, then they are acting as a salesman instead of a doctor.

Ask about the technology they are using. 

A good LASIK surgeon will be able to walk you through the laser eye surgery process in a comprehensive manner. This includes informing you about the machines that they are using. If they are utilizing the newest technology, then they have the best resources under their belt to deliver more accurate results.

When beginning your LASIK journey, you should have a surgeon that you can trust. Ophthalmologists can make or break your experience with laser eye surgery. That’s why it’s so important to do your research and ensure that your LASIK surgeon is the right fit for you. This will not only make you more comfortable as you undergo the life-changing process but it will also improve the accuracy of the procedure and strengthen the long-term results. Call or visit Excel Laser Vision Institute’s Orange County branch to learn how you can get started on achieving your vision goals! 

What Is the Cost of Laser Eye Surgery?

As an elective surgery with one of the highest patient satisfaction rates, LASIK is drawing much-deserved attention from people all over the world. The speed and precision with which a LASIK surgeon in Orange County can perform a life-changing procedure is groundbreaking. However, many people are intimidated by the incredible nature of this surgery and immediately assume that it is out of their price range. 

While LASIK is certainly an investment, many people don’t realize that, in this day and age, laser vision correction is more affordable than ever. With countless financing plans that offer no down payments, no interest, and extended payment periods, LASIK is quickly becoming accessible to various income levels.

If you ask a LASIK clinic in Orange County like Excel laser Vision Institute what they charge for LASIK, you may hear estimates that range from $1,000 to $3,000 per eye. The price will depend on many external factors including the clinic, the surgeon, the access to resources, and the individual prescription of the patient. Financing options allow patients to control their out-of-pocket costs and manage a payment timeline.

The total cost of laser eye surgery reflects the attentive nature of the clinic, the quality of the laser equipment, and the experience of the LASIK surgeon in Orange County. These are the services that make up the total cost:

• Pre-surgery appointments
• Eye surgery and medications
• Post-operative appointments

The right LASIK clinic in Orange County will guide you through every step of the laser vision correction process and make sure that you understand what you are paying for. If you are confused about any aspect of the bill, you can ask for a detailed breakdown of each fee as it relates to your individual surgery.

You will hear many people say that LASIK is an investment. This means that you might have to pay a little more upfront, but you will experience a great deal of value over a lifetime. As a long-term solution, laser vision correction costs are comparable to wearing and maintaining glasses and contacts. Consider how much you spend normally on replacing your frames, contacts, buying contact solution, and getting prescription sunglasses each year. With temporary corrective lenses, the price can significantly accumulate over the years. 

The value that you gain from laser eye surgery is even more than economic. There are countless stories of people who were able to follow their chosen career paths and passions because of the clear, independent vision that LASIK afforded them. Inspiring photographers, firefighters, athletes, and pilots are just some of the people who can achieve their dreams through laser vision correction. Advanced precision technology has also allowed LASIK to become safer and more customizable than ever.

Now that LASIK is a more affordable vision correction option, more people are able to achieve their vision goals. If you desire independence from corrective lenses, then laser eye surgery may be the right solution for you. Visit a LASIK clinic for a comprehensive exam and consultation with an eye care professional to see if you would be a good candidate for the procedure. 

SMILE vs LASIK – Experts Weigh In On the Best Laser Eye Surgery

If you have nearsightedness, like many people in America, then you may be thinking about SMILE vs LASIK eye surgery. While both of these procedures deal with refractive errors, their treatments vary slightly in their method. You can get in touch with a LASIK surgeon in Orange County like Doctor Moosa to have them determine whether you are eligible for one or both of these options. LASIK is a widespread vision correction procedure that has gained high-esteem from medical professionals and patients alike. SMILE, while newer to the scene, is proving to be a very worthy competitor.  

SMILE gained FDA approval for use in the United States in September 2016 and has achieved such satisfactory results as to create the ongoing SMILE Relex vs LASIK debate. Here are the essentials about SMILE laser eye surgery from the LASIK experts in Orange County.

What Is SMILE Laser Surgery? 

The word ‘SMILE’ is an acronym for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, which is a lot to say in one go and not so easy to retain in our lexicon. SMILE laser eye surgery is performed by the lasik surgeon in Orange County using a VisuMax femtosecond laser. 

During a SMILE procedure, the surgeon uses a femtosecond laser to create a small, lens-shaped piece of tissue, referred to as the lenticule within the cornea. Afterward, with the same laser, a small arc-shaped incision is made on the surface of the cornea, and the surgeon extracts the lenticule through this incision and disposes of it. 

A lasik surgeon in Orange County explains that when the small lenticule is removed, the shape of the cornea changes, correcting nearsightedness. The incision created in the cornea heals within a few days without stitches, and sharper vision happens very rapidly.  

SMILE laser eye surgery in Orange County can correct up to -10.00 diopters (D) of nearsightedness. To qualify for SMILE eye laser surgery, candidates must be at least 22 years old, have no more than -0.50 D of astigmatism, and their eyeglass prescription must be stable for at least 12 months.

When Is LASIK A Good Option?

For your eye surgeon to consider you as a good candidate for LASIK, a patient has to have enough corneal thickness. The reason for this is because a flap is created during the procedure. Therefore, a certain corneal thickness is needed and those with thin or irregular corneas cannot receive LASIK eye surgery. When an optometrist diagnoses a patient with thin or irregular corneas are usually better candidates for SMILE or PRK. 

If a patient is prone to chronic dry eye symptoms, SMILE may be a better option. LASIK is notorious for having a higher risk for postoperative dry eye symptoms and can increase a patient’s previously chronic dry eye condition. 

The Advantages Of SMILE

Studies have revealed that SMILE produces basically the same visual acuity as LASIK for the correction of nearsightedness, without the lasik surgeon Orange County having to create a LASIK style corneal flap. 

A study with 328 participants who went through the SMILE procedure, had uncorrected visual acuity  (UCVA) of 20/40 or better after surgery except one of them, and eighty-eight percent had UCVA of 20/20 or better.

Additionally, there is evidence of less risk of dry eye symptoms after SMILE, compared with LASIK. There may be a couple of reasons for this, such as SMILE takes place within the cornea without a large corneal flap, less corneal nerves are impacted by the procedure. 

The tiny SMILE incision may also help the cornea have more biomechanical stability after SMILE, in contrast to its ability to keep its shape, particularly following trauma after LASIK. 

Ultimately, if you have a high degree of nearsightedness, with LASIK there is a higher risk of requiring an enhancement procedure to obtain the clarity of vision a patient wants without glasses. There seems to be less risk of requiring another procedure after SMILE for correction of severe amounts of myopia, most likely since less dehydration of the cornea happens during the SMILE procedure. 

What To Expect From A SMILE Procedure?  

At the moment, SMILE laser eye surgery in Los Angeles and Orange County is the most advanced FDA-approved laser vision correction procedure. Here is what to expect from a SMILE procedure.

It Is A One-Step Laser Procedure

The key difference between SMILE and its predecessors is that it is a one laser procedure. PRK and LASIK utilize an excimer laser, but that is not the case in a SMILE procedure. Instead, your eye surgeon will use a femtosecond laser to cut a very small incision in the cornea and use it to remove a tiny piece of corneal tissue, the lenticule. 

It Is Less Invasive Surgery

SMILE is a far less invasive laser eye surgery procedure than LASIK. During a LASIK procedure, your eye surgeon creates a flap that is 20mm in circumference. A PRK procedure creates an 8mm diameter surface removal. Nevertheless, a SMILE procedure only creates a 3mm corneal key-hole incision. This provides a more corneal stability post-surgery and less disruption to the corneal nerves during surgery.  

It Is Quiet, Odorless, And Blade-Free

During a LASIK and PRK procedure, an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. While the eye surgeon is carrying on with the procedure, you will hear a clicking sound that creates an apparent odor. Because the excimer laser isn’t used in a SMILE procedure, it is quiet and odorless. 

There Are No Flap-Related Complications

As a result of the surgeon not having to create a flap in a SMILE procedure like LASIK, there is no risk of flap-related complications after surgery. 

There Is Safe, Accurate, And Fast Visual Recovery

Clinical trials that were carried out on SMILE revealed that it is just as safe and accurate as LASIK in Orange County. 

What Are The Disadvantages Of Smile? 

Although SMILE has a lot of benefits, there is one downside to this procedure. That disadvantage is that it is not yet available to treat farsightedness or astigmatism. Therefore, if you have nearsightedness, and your eye surgeon feels that it is the best option for you, then SMILE is for you!

Plus, visual recovery takes a little bit longer than LASIK. After a LASIK procedure, a patient can experience immediate visual recovery, whereas SMILE’s visual recovery can take about one to two days. 

If you want to learn more about SMILE vs LASIK and want a solution for your nearsightedness, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at +1-866-923-9235 today. 

Laser Eye Surgery Cost: What You Need to Know Before Your Eye Correction Procedure