The Real Cost of Cheap LASIK: Is It Worth Your While?
Is a Cheap LASIK Eye Surgery Cost Good for You?
Let’s face it—LASIK can be very, very expensive. LASIK in Los Angeles, for example, can get up to a whopping $4000 per eye! However, you need to step back and take a look at things clearly (pun intended).
This is your vision we’re talking about—a sense that you use every day to process information, do day-to-day activities, and look at the people you love. Is it really worth sticking to the cheapest option around when it comes to fixing and improving your vision? Wouldn’t you want to look at your options first and weigh out all factors besides the cost?
In addition to that, many cheap eye surgeries aren’t actually cheap at all. They come with a price. Here’s the truth about cheap LASIK:
False Advertising
In the marketing world, there are plenty of tactics marketers use to lure customers in. This includes phrases like “for as low as” or “with a minimum purchase of” to trick people into thinking their products and services are a lot cheaper than they are.
So, if you ever see one of these in a LASIK advert, take it with a grain of salt. You’ll probably find there are tons of hidden fees not included in the advertisement and a bunch of other hoops you need to jump through.
Narrow Terms and Conditions
Have you ever looked at the fine print on coupons and realized that a coupon was essentially worthless for you? It’s the same thing with cheap LASIK surgeries! They come with a ton of qualifications that only a small percentage of the population fit.
One common qualifier is your prescription. Some clinics will only offer cheap surgeries for mild levels of correction, say 20/40. Anything higher than that won’t qualify you. Another is your type of correction—if you’re farsighted or have astigmatism, then you probably won’t qualify either.
While it’s certainly annoying, it’s important to read the terms and conditions.
Inexperienced Doctors
It takes lots of years and experience to become a distinguished doctor in the field. Sometimes, an inexperienced doctor will try and tempt people with cheaper LASIK costs.
Now, I’m not saying that all young, inexperienced doctors are bad. Some of my younger peers offer great laser eye surgery in Los Angeles despite only being around for a decade or so. But, if you insist on getting cheap LASIK from a doctor who hasn’t been around for too long, then expect to be someone’s guinea pig.
Exclusive Fees
The cost of LASIK isn’t just the cost of the procedure. It also includes pre-surgery care including consultation and equipment, and post-surgery expenses like medication and follow-ups. So, if the price of LASIK seems too good to be true, then it probably doesn’t include these. This will be an additional load on your pocket that you didn’t expect to pay.
Older Technologies
Since its development in the late 2000s, LASIK has gone through so many technological advancements. For example, custom LASIK surgeries can now measure the eye with revolutionary wavefront technology, creating a 3D image of your eye to determine what needs to be changed. A few years ago, LASIK patients got a standard treatment that was applied to everyone regardless of different needs.
Some eye clinics can be cheaper because they don’t have the most up-to-date technologies. This could make your surgery less safe and less effective.
Low Success and Satisfaction Rates
No eye surgery clinic should ever claim they have 100% success and satisfaction rates. It’s simply impossible. LASIK eye centers in Los Angeles, for example, have 99% success rates and 96% satisfaction rates, and some of these are the best (and the most expensive) the business has to offer!
So, don’t be surprised to see lower success and satisfaction rates at cheaper eye clinics. As a general rule of thumb, the lower the price rates, the lower the success and satisfaction rates too. And the cheaper your surgery is, the likelier you’ll have to go back multiple times for enhancement procedures, adding to your overall costs.
Dealing With LASIK Promotions and Discounts: Are They Worth It?
LASIK eye surgery can be a transformative experience, improving not just vision but overall quality of life. However, as with any significant medical procedure, the cost can be a major consideration. In Los Angeles, where LASIK is popular, many providers offer various promotions and discounts to attract patients. But are these LASIK deals truly worth it? Here’s what you need to know about evaluating the legitimacy and value of LASIK promotions and discounts at clinics in Los Angeles, including key factors to consider before you commit.
Understanding LASIK Promotions and Discounts
Promotions and discounts on LASIK can appear very appealing. Common offers might include a percentage off the total cost, a fixed price for both eyes, or other financial incentives such as deferred payment plans. These promotions are often designed to draw in patients who might be considering LASIK but are concerned about the price.
What to Watch for with LASIK Discounts
1. Read the Fine Print:
Always read the details of any promotion carefully. Some discounts may only apply to certain types of LASIK procedures or may exclude necessary pre- or post-operative care. Understanding exactly what the promotion covers can help you avoid unexpected costs.
2. Check the Expiry Date:
Many LASIK promotions are time-sensitive. Ensure you know when a deal expires and what conditions must be met to qualify for the discount. This can prevent any surprises if you decide to proceed.
3. Research the Clinic and Surgeon:
The quality of care should never be compromised for cost. Research the reputation of both the LASIK clinic and the surgeon. Look for reviews, ask about the technology they use, and check their track record for patient outcomes. A reputable clinic like the Excel Laser Vision Institute, led by Dr. Ferzaad Moosa, ensures that even with discounts, the quality of care and technology remains top-notch.
Are LASIK Discounts Truly Beneficial?
1. Quality vs. Cost:
While finding a cost-effective solution is naturally appealing, price should not be the sole factor in your decision-making process. The expertise of the surgeon and the technology employed are critical to the success of your LASIK surgery. At Excel Laser Vision Institute, Doctor Ferzaad Moosa utilizes advanced technologies like the WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser and the VisuMax® laser, which are known for their precision and reliability. Opting for a slightly more expensive option that leverages such high-caliber equipment and a highly qualified surgeon like Doctor Moosa can provide significant long-term value, enhancing both the safety and the effectiveness of your vision correction results.
2. Comprehensive Care:
Ensure that the discounted cost includes comprehensive care, meaning pre-surgery consultations, the surgery itself, and follow-up care are all covered. At Excel Laser Vision Institute, promotions are structured to maintain comprehensive care standards, ensuring that patients receive full support throughout their LASIK journey.
3. Patient Satisfaction and Outcomes:
Ultimately, the success of your LASIK eye surgery and your satisfaction with the results should be a priority. Discuss with your surgeon what to expect in terms of outcomes and ensure that the promotion or discount won’t limit the success of your procedure.
How Should I Choose a Good LASIK Eye Center?
Now that you know the risks of cheap LASIK and what to watch out for before falling in for any discounts, you might be wondering: how do I find the best LASIK for me? Well, here are several things you need to think about when making your choice:
Choose Your Eye Doctor Carefully
A great LASIK surgery is at the hands of a great LASIK surgeon and their clinics. It’s important to know all you can about a surgeon before jumping into surgery with them.
One way to do this is by asking how long they’ve been in the business. Have they been around long, or did they just start practicing? Doctors with years in their belt are oftentimes the most qualified in their fields because they’ve done countless procedures before.
Another thing you could look at is their success and satisfaction rates. Sure, the doctor may be young, but if their rates are 95% and above, then they must do a fantastic job with their patients. Read patient reviews, too—they give a good idea of what to expect from people who have already undergone surgery.
Be Wary of Shady Tactics and Gimmicks
When evaluating discounts for LASIK eye surgery, it’s essential to be cautious of unusually low prices and high-pressure sales tactics that seem too good to be true. These could indicate substandard care, lack of comprehensive services, or hidden costs. Discounts that pressure you to make quick decisions or fail to provide clear details about what the surgery includes can often lead to expenses that were not initially disclosed or compromise the quality of care. Always research the credentials of the clinic and surgeon, understand exactly what the offer covers, and ensure that there are no compromises on the technology used or the comprehensiveness of pre- and post-operative care.
And on that note…
Do Your Research
It’s very, very important to do your own research. You need to look at things with your own eyes (ha!) and not believe everything people tell you about LASIK. As we mentioned earlier in the introduction, it’s important to make careful decisions about it because our vision (and wallet) are at stake. LASIK is a huge investment, and you wouldn’t want to watch your hard-earned money fall down the drain, would you?
Now that you’re here and considering all your options, might we recommend our very own Dr. Ferzaad Moosa? He has been providing LASIK eye surgery for Orange County and Los Angeles residents for over twenty seven years and is a certified member of the American Board of Ophthalmology. He’ll definitely make sure your LASIK investment will be worth your while—take it from his happy clients!
Get in touch with us at (310) 905-8622 or here for a free evaluation!
Tips for Aging Eyes
According to eye specialists at a Los Angeles LASIK clinic, there are many age-related issues that can affect our eyes as we get older. As each generation reaches their retirement age, eye doctors are observing new connections between eye health and lifestyle. It turns out that our daily habits, hobbies, and diet can all significantly impact the condition of our eyes as we get older. Eye doctors are now trying to spread this information in order to help prevent people from developing things like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Fortunately, many of these age-related issues can be minimized or completely eliminated with a little extra attention to our eye care routines. Here are some of the best ways to reduce the risk of poor eye health later in life:
Attend Regular Eye Exams
Even if you don’t require prescription lenses, you should attend annual eye exams in order to monitor your general eye health. Doctors may be able to spot the early signs of a condition before it turns into anything serious. Exams allow doctors and patients to get a sense of what can be improved in terms of eye care.
If you have received laser eye surgery from a LASIK eye center in Los Angeles like Excel Laser Vision Institute, then this does not mean that you should skip out on eye exams. LASIK specialists recommend that you go in for regular checkups following the surgery because your eyes still have the ability to develop age-related conditions.
Protect Your Eyes From the Sun
Eye protection will always be important when you spend time outside because the risk of damage from UV rays is so high. Eye doctors recommend always having sunglasses and a hat on hand in order to serve your eye health.
Sunglasses must have 100% UV protection (otherwise known as UV 400) and provide full coverage with a large frame or wraparound style. Baseball caps can add another layer of protection by blocking light from coming directly overhead. Wide-brimmed hats are another functional and stylish accessory to wear with glasses.
Practice Eye Safety
Protect your eyes from injury by donning appropriate eye protection during activities that become a risk of eye injury, such as home improvement projects, yard work, and sports activities. Wear safety glasses or goggles with impact-resistant lenses when working with tools, chemicals, or flying debris to prevent eye injuries and preserve your vision.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Adopting a healthy lifestyle can totally and positively impact your eye health as you age. Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and foods incredibly high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins C and E, and zinc, which are beneficial for your eye health. Stay hydrated by consuming plenty of water, and reasonably limit your intake of processed foods, sugary snacks, and high-fat meals. Additionally, avoid smoking and too much alcohol consumption, as these habits can significantly up the risk of eye diseases and vision loss.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is crucial for overall health, including eye health. Proper hydration helps maintain moisture in the eyes and can prevent dryness and irritation, particularly as you age.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is a significant risk factor for several eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Quitting smoking can help superbly reduce your risk of developing these conditions and slow the progression of existing eye diseases. If you currently smoke, seek support from healthcare professionals, smoking cessation programs, or support groups to quit for good and protect your vision.
Manage Chronic Conditions
Many chronic health conditions, such as conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, can affect your eye health and superbly increase the risk of developing vision problems. Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for managing these conditions, including taking prescribed medications, monitoring blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and making lifestyle modifications such as maintaining a healthy diet and participating in exercise regularly. By managing chronic health conditions effectively, you can help protect your vision and totally reduce the risk of eye complications.
Limit Screen Time
Prolonged exposure to screens, such as those from computers, tablets, and smartphones, can lead to digital eye strain. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break, and look at something 20 feet away to reduce eye strain.
Stay Active
Regular physical activity and mental stimulation are super essential for maintaining holistic physical health and well-being as you age, including eye health. Stay active by participating in regular exercise such as walking, swimming, yoga, or tai chi, improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and supporting eye health. Additionally, stay socially connected and mentally engaged by participating in social activities, hobbies, and intellectual pursuits that stimulate the mind and promote emotional well-being.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing diabetes and other conditions that can affect eye health. Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise to reduce these risks.
Follow Eye Care Guidelines
Follow your eye care provider’s recommendations for proper eye care and vision correction, including wearing prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses as prescribed, using lubricating eye drops to relieve dryness or irritation, and practicing good hygiene habits such as thoroughly washing your hands before making contact with your eyes or handling contact lenses. By following these guidelines, you can maintain healthy eyes and superbly reduce the risk of eye infections, discomfort, and complications.
Practice Proper Eye Hygiene
Wash your hands regularly, avoid rubbing your eyes, and follow proper contact lens care to prevent eye infections and irritation.
Visit a LASIK Clinic
If you currently have vision problems and you haven’t looked into laser eye surgery, then you may think about visiting a LASIK clinic in Los Angeles such as Excel Laser Vision Institute. LASIK is a procedure that has helped many people achieve their vision goals without relying on glasses or contacts. This corrective eye surgery can improve the eye’s focusing abilities by reshaping the cornea. Many patients say that LASIK is not only convenient for their day to day routine but it can also be lifechanging. If you’re interested in LASIK, call to schedule an appointment with an eye specialist and see if you qualify for this corrective eye surgery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, maintaining healthy eyes as you age requires a proactive approach to eye care and overall health. By incorporating dietary and lifestyle changes, protecting your eyes from UV rays, managing chronic conditions, and scheduling regular eye exams, you can help preserve your vision and reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases. Additionally, considering LASIK eye surgery at Excel Laser Vision Institute, under the expert care of Dr. Moosa, can provide a long-term solution for vision correction, enhancing your quality of life and independence as you age.
Everything You Need To Know About The SMILE LASIK Procedure
For more than 30 years, LASIK has been used in refractive laser eye surgery in Los Angeles. Additional techniques are also available for better options like the small incision lenticule extraction, also known as SMILE. SMILE is a refractive surgery procedure that offers similar results to advanced LASIK. However, compared to LASIK, this procedure has limited issues. This procedure can be performed using the VisuMax equipment. Learn more about this procedure as shared by experts from the LASIK eye center in Los Angeles.
Procedure
The SMILE procedure is known best for people with dry and irritated eyes. Using this procedure for vision correctness can decrease the disruption on the surface of the eyes, which could bring discomfort to the patient. SMILE gives a more gentle healing process on the ocular surface compared with other procedures. The procedure is also recommended for athletes or sports-oriented people. The SMILE process is not a flap-based procedure which is also an advantage for those who do not want that kind of treatment. This process can be performed using one laser system like the WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser. The SMILE procedure is a promising treatment for those who want to undergo a vision correction process.
Advantages
In addition to the benefits of SMILE procedure mentioned previously, it is also known that this process utilizes a smaller incision. Approximately 4mm or a smaller incision is made for the procedure. The small incision offers less disruption to the nerves located at the cornea. Disruption of these nerves could lead to denervation, which could cause the dryness of the eye. The effect of this step (i.e., the smaller incision) is more prominent during the early postoperative period, where there is significantly less dryness in the eye observed compared to the LASIK procedure. In addition, there is less possibility of flap complications. Overall, SMILE offers a better way towards the biomechanical stability of the cornea.
Risks
Before choosing an option for vision correction, it is better to determine the risks and benefits offered by the procedure. The risk associated with SMILE procedures includes inflammation, clouded vision, dry eyes, and incomplete tissue removal.
Incomplete Tissue Removal
The SMILE surgery implements the separation and extraction of tissue from the mid-cornea layer. This step is unique to this technique which could add complications to the incomplete removal of tissue. If there is corneal debris left in the performed area, this could lead to abrasion, incisional tears, and adhesions. However, this debris can be flushed out using non-invasive treatments. Debris symptoms are temporary but could affect the recovery period and could lead to complications.
Inflammation
Inflammation is another risk which is a natural consequence for those undergoing an invasive procedure. This risk can affect the healing period, and SMILE has a greater potential for post-op inflammation than LASIK. Patients undergoing SMILE procedure should communicate with experts in LASIK Los Angeles if they have inflammation after the operation.
Hazy Vision
There is also a greater chance of having a hazy vision for those undergoing the SMILE procedure. People who undergo this operation mostly observe blurry vision and light sensitivity. These symptoms are usually observed during the first few months after the surgery.
The last symptom on the list is dry eyes. Dry eyes are common for those undergoing laser surgery. However, compared to other procedures, SMILE patients tend to have less dry eyes than those undergoing LASIK. This is because the SMILE approach creates fewer disruptions in the corneal nerves, which is related to post-op dry eye problems.
Conclusion
The SMILE procedure is a promising option for those who want to undergo LASIK in Los Angeles. This laser eye surgery has its own benefits and risks, which are common for any operation procedure. There are factors to consider when choosing the procedure you want for vision correctness, such as benefits, risks, and LASIK eye surgery cost. It is always important to weigh these factors before undergoing the operation. To further understand and give you enlightenment, it is recommended to always seek professional advice. Experts at the Lasik eye center in Los Angeles can help you choose the appropriate procedure for you.
LASIK or Smile? Which Procedure Will Keep You Grinning?
If you, like millions of others, suffer from nearsightedness, you may be contemplating whether you should undergo SMILE or Los Angeles LASIK eye surgery. While each of these procedures deals with refractive problems, the methods used to treat them differ slightly. You can contact a highly reputable Los Angeles LASIK eye center such as Excel Eye to see if you are eligible for either of these procedures. LASIK is a popular vision repair surgery that has received high praise from doctors and patients. While SMILE is a newcomer to the industry, it quickly establishes itself as a formidable opponent. In September 2016, the FDA approved SMILE for use in the United States, and the surgery has produced such positive results that the SMILE Relex vs. LASIK controversy has erupted.
Here is what you should know:
What Exactly is SMILE Laser Surgery?
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) is an acronym for small incision lenticule extraction. A VisuMax femtosecond laser is used to conduct the surgery. The surgeon uses a femtosecond laser to generate a small, lens-shaped piece of tissue called a lenticular within the cornea during a SMILE operation. Following that, a small arc-shaped incision is produced on the cornea’s surface with the same laser, and the surgeon extracts and disposes of the lenticular through this incision.
When the little lenticule is removed, the shape of the cornea changes, correcting nearsightedness, according to a Los Angeles laser eye surgery specialist. The corneal incision heals without stitches in a few days, and more precise vision appears almost immediately. Nearsightedness can correct nearsightedness of up to -10.00 diopters (D) with SMILE laser eye surgery candidates must be at least 22 years old, have no more than -0.50 D of astigmatism, and have had their eyeglass prescription stable for at least 12 months to be eligible for SMILE eye laser surgery.
Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK?
A patient’s corneal thickness must be sufficient for your eye surgeon to consider you a good candidate for LASIK. The reason for this is that during your procedure, a flap is formed. As a result, a particular corneal thickness is required, and LASIK eye surgery is not accessible to individuals with thin or uneven corneas. Patients with thin or uneven corneas are usually better candidates for SMILE or PRK. SMILE may be preferable if a patient is prone to prolonged dry eye issues. LASIK increases a patient’s previously chronic dry eye problem by increasing the risk of postoperative dry eye symptoms.
Pros of SMILE
According to studies, SMILE produces about the same visual acuity as LASIK for the treatment of nearsightedness without requiring a LASIK-style corneal flap to be created by the surgeon. Except for one participant, all 328 who underwent the SMILE treatment had uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/40 or better following surgery, and 88% had UCVA of 20/20 or higher. Furthermore, compared to LASIK, there is evidence that SMILE has a lower incidence of dry eye issues. There could be several reasons for this, including that SMILE is performed within the cornea without a huge corneal flap, affecting fewer corneal nerves.
The small SMILE incision may also help the cornea have better biomechanical stability after SMILE, as opposed to its ability to preserve its form after LASIK, especially the following damage. Finally, if you have a significant degree of nearsightedness, you may need enhancement surgery after LASIK to achieve the clarity of vision you desire without glasses. Because there is less dryness of the cornea during the SMILE treatment, there appears to be a lower likelihood of requiring another procedure after SMILE for correction.
Does SMILE Have Any Downsides Compared to LASIK?
SMILE has many advantages, but it does have one disadvantage: it cannot be used to correct farsightedness or astigmatism at this time. As a result, SMILE is for you if you have nearsightedness and your eye surgeon believes it is the best option for you. Plus, unlike LASIK, visual recovery takes a little longer. A patient can have immediate vision recovery after a Los Angeles LASIK treatment; however, SMILE’s visual recovery can take one to two days.
If you want to learn more about SMILE vs. LASIK or your nearsightedness, including the specifics of the procedure or the cost of LASIK eye surgery, please get in touch with our Encino or our Brea office today.
How a Sinus Infection Can Be Detrimental to Your Eyesight
When you get a sinus infection referred to by doctors as sinusitis, naturally, you are most likely to be concerned with how your nose and your head feel. It is normally caused by seasonal allergies, with over 3 million cases each year in the United States. It normally means no need for panic; however, this relatively brief illness can also negatively impact your eyesight, even if you do not experience any pain. Our Los Angeles LASIK team wants you to understand how you can better take care of your eyes if you are more prone to bouts of infections such as these.
There are 3 types of sinus infections that we should be familiar with:
Acute sinus: The symptoms are present for 4 or fewer weeks.
Subacute sinusitis: The symptoms last between 4 to 8 weeks.
Chronic sinus: The swelling of the sinus has been occurring for more than 3 months. Medical attention is necessary.
The most predominant symptoms of sinus infection include:
Basic congestion
Cough
Facial pain or pressure
Fatigue
Headache
Heavy eyelids
Mucus dripping down the throat
Pressure alongside the temples
Runny nose
Sore throat
Stuffy nose
Unpleasant breath
Now, while sinus infections rarely stay for the long haul, the big and quite unfortunate catch is that a more serious case of the illness can actually bring about permanent damage to your eyes. Since your sinus cavities can swell as a result of sinus infections, which are located in the bones around your nasal passages around your eyes, naturally, it can cause them to become irritated. This potential permanent damage to your eye socket can result in either blurred vision or even blindness, and unfortunately, Los Angeles LASIK eye surgery is not equipped to treat these conditions.
How to Treat a Sinus Infection
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, a variety of treatments may be necessary. You may be able to take over-the-counter antibiotics, saline nasal spray, or allergy medication if you are experiencing acute sinus. If you find that these methods aren’t working even after a few weeks, then you might be experiencing a more serious form of the illness and should consult a doctor before it’s too late. Be clear with your doctor if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort in any area of your body so that the problem can be properly assessed and diagnosed.
How to Prevent Your Chances of Getting Sinusitis
Drink an adequate amount of water each day
Clear excess mucus from your passages by running water through them once a day
Inhale steam
Avoid dry environments when possible
Avoid contact with others who are ill
Once you are healthy again, if you are interested in undergoing LASIK in Los Angeles, go ahead and reach out to our Encino office at (310) 905-8622. Our Harvard-educated and trained physician, Dr. Moosa, as well as his committed team, can make your dream of a clear vision a reality. Schedule your free consultation appointment with us to discuss the specifics of your procedure, including LASIK eye surgery cost as well as the outcomes. Our Los Angeles LASIK center has proudly accumulated more than tens of thousands of satisfied patients accumulated over the last 23 years, and you are bound to become one of them!
How Poor Vision Can Impact Learning
We have all heard of the three predominant learning styles, visual, auditory, and tactile – but what about people who may learn best visually but cannot see very well? It doesn’t take a doctor to know that it can be more difficult to learn if you have poor eyesight. According to research, 65 percent of the general population are visual learners. So in a sense, a majority of people truly need to “see it to believe it.” If you learn better by seeing things but were not blessed with the best vision, you may find that you are not reaching your full potential in your academics or in your professional life. This is where you may turn to LASIK surgery in Los Angeles to solve the problem.
You may try to compensate for your low vision by trying the other learning methods, possibly if the conversation about the cost of LASIK eye surgery sends a shiver down your spine. While some people may be able to work with multiple learning styles, it may or may not be the case for you. Perhaps you find it difficult to read directly from a textbook and you do not enjoy audiobooks or there are none available. Studies have proven that having bad eyesight also directly impacts one’s ability to retain information. “Blurry vision equals blurry brain,” says Dr. Lynn Greenspan, an optometrist based in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. “With bad input, the brain doesn’t receive a complete picture and needs to work hard to fill in missing details.” It goes without saying that if you have difficulty remembering new information, then learning new information will serve as a particularly tall order for you. Those who struggle with memory have also been found to have more emotional health issues. A 2016 Japanese study found that those who chose to undergo LASIK “significantly improved vision-related psychological concern and physical function,” this increasing patients’ HRQOL (health-related quality of life). Think of it this way, after undergoing Los Angeles laser eye surgery, you will no longer have to worry about forgetting or losing your glasses. You can walk out of the house feeling more confident than you ever have before!
So if you have always wanted to enhance your eyesight, then you are in good company. Perhaps you are a current post-secondary school student, whether you are an undergraduate, a graduate student, or in a doctorate program, who wants to enhance your vision so that you can perform more accurately in your studies. You might be tired of the glasses or contacts you have grown accustomed to wearing since your childhood. If so, you have come to the right place. Please reach out to us by calling our staff at (310) 905-8622 for a free Los Angeles LASIK consultation. We strive for the highest quality of professional service for every patient who visits our offices. With 23 years of excellence provided by Dr. Moosa and his team, we firmly believe the decision to get Los Angeles LASIK eye surgery with us can be one of the best decisions you will make for yourself for years to come.
Can I Drive After Having LASIK?
There are a good number of LASIK Los Angeles patients who want to get rid of their dependence on eyeglasses with LASIK surgery. Vision issues, such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism, can be corrected with laser eye surgery in Los Angeles. No matter the LASIK eye surgery cost, LASIK is an effective procedure. However, your eye surgeon will warn you prior to the surgery that it can make your vision blurry immediately afterward, which makes it unsafe to drive straight away.
Typical Patient Questions Before A LASIK Procedure
Prior to a patient’s decision to undergo LASIK surgery, many candidates have questions about what they can or cannot do after the LASIK Los Angeles procedure. They have questions such as:
When can I take a shower?
How soon can I wear makeup?
Will I need glasses?
When can I drive?
When can I go back to work?
Keep on reading down below to get the answers to these questions and more.
How To Prepare For LASIK Surgery?
Once you have booked a date at LASIK Los Angeles procedure, you’ll have to arrange a lift to drop you off at the clinic or travel on public transport. After the surgery has been performed, LASIK eye center Los Angeles surgeons like Doctor Moosa do not recommend going back home alone. If you want to use public transport for your return home, do so with someone accompanying you. The best-case scenario is that someone picks you up after your treatment.
How Soon After LASIK Can I Wear Make-Up?
Eye surgeons recommend you not wear eye makeup after LASIK because it can get into your eye and cause an infection if the makeup is not put on and taken off carefully. Therefore, most LASIK eye doctors will recommend you wait a week after LASIK before putting on eye makeup. Again, it depends on the patient, and some may be ready to put on makeup after a few days, but plan for a week. So, keep that in mind when making your appointment. If for any reason, you have to wear makeup less than a week after a LASIK procedure, it’s probably best to put the surgery on the back burner for a while.
How Soon After LASIK Can I Take A Shower?
You don’t have to skip out on your showers after LASIK. However, you will have to make it a point to make sure you keep your eyes completely closed to stop any shampoo, soap, and water from getting into your eyes. Also, you’ll have to avoid rubbing your eyes when you’re washing your face.
Will I Require Glasses After LASIK?
The short, sweet, and honest answer is, maybe. The main reason why some LASIK patients will have to wear glasses after LASIK is for reading.
As we age, the ciliary muscles in the eye start to lose elasticity. This elasticity is what lets people focus on objects, such as the things they are reading up close. This is known as presbyopia and is usually a part of aging, which is a reason why some people who have never had to hassle with wearing glasses in their life require reading glasses when they get older.
Most of the time, LASIK is carried out to correct distance vision problems and other issues such as refractive errors instead of presbyopia. Nevertheless, the requirement for glasses can lessen if the patient decides to undergo monovision. This procedure corrects one eye for seeing distances, and the other is corrected for seeing near. This is not as adequate for repairing vision, but it helps to relieve the requirement for reading glasses after a LASIK procedure.
When Can I Go Back To Work?
For many patients, about two days off work after a LASIK procedure is the only time they need. Nonetheless, you should remember that you may need up to a week off. Considering that everyone is different, it completely depends on the type of laser eye treatment you have undergone and how quickly you can heal. Your laser eye surgeon will talk to you about this during your free consultation and your first post-op examination.
How Soon After LASIK Can I Drive?
Not everyone’s the same, so everyone’s recovery is going to be different. However, most patients can notice an improvement in their vision within the first 24 hours of their surgery. Throughout that time, any medications would have also subsided. A day after surgery, you’ll be expected to return for a post-operative exam, have your vision tested, and have the eye doctor confirm that your eyes are healing. If your eyes aren’t sufficiently recovered to drive, you’ll only require another day or so to completely heal.
Once Your Eye Doctor Gives You The Okay To Drive
When your LASIK Los Angeles doctor tells you it’s fine to start driving again, there are still a few things you have to keep in mind after surgery.
Some people experience glare, particularly from bright lights, in the weeks after LASIK surgery. As a result of this, you could face some challenges when driving at night when encountering oncoming headlights. That’s why it’s a good idea to be a passenger at night first, to check whether you feel comfortable driving yourself.
Issues with glare usually improve greatly within the first couple of weeks after treatment and carry on improving over the first three months.
Also, you should consider that even though laser eye surgery Los Angeles can significantly enhance your vision, it isn’t a 100% cure, and you may find that you still need your eyeglasses for specific tasks such as driving.
If you’ve still got questions about laser eye surgery, Excel Laser Vision Institute would love to assist you. Book a free, no-obligation consultation with Dr. Ferzaad Moosa to find out if you’re a suitable candidate here.
Should I Get Contoura or LASIK Surgery?
Over the years, the LASIK eye doctors in Los Angeles have seen technologies advanced in the healthcare field, which has made patients feel more comfortable and healthier. The laser eye surgery professionals stress that it is essential that there are technological advances in the medical field since many patients can’t take advantage of the technologies available in the industry. For instance, some patients are suffering from a new disease or have gone into an advanced stage and are not being treated with the present system of medications and surgery.
And when we talk about the LASIK eye surgery cost, eyeglass removal surgery is not set apart from these advancements. Researchers are attempting to do their best to make surgical treatment with very few complications and the most desired results. An example of such an advanced eye surgery at the LASIK eye center in Los Angeles is Contoura Vision surgery, which is also referred to as Topography-guided LASIK surgery.
When any patient asks for LASIK eye surgery cost, they find out that a Contoura Vision surgery is a version of LASIK surgery and offers enhanced benefits to patients thinking about undergoing spectacle removal surgery. Besides the fact that this surgery is very effective, it gives excellent results to patients who were initially not eligible for LASIK surgery because of irregularities in the cornea. The LASIK eye specialist in Los Angeles informs us that USFDA has approved Contoura technology for specs removal surgery.
History Of Contoura Eye Surgery
Wearing eyeglasses to correct vision dates back to the 13th century. In the 1800s, contact lenses were ready for use in Switzerland and were manufactured from hand-blown glass. Back then, these were non-invasive ways for correcting a person’s vision and improving clarity. Nevertheless, these devices lead to discomfort for those who wear them and need a lot of careful handling.
As a result of this, invasive methods were introduced to correct vision. A Russian eye specialist created radial keratotomy, which consisted of the use of a diamond knife to make an incision on the cornea and change its curvature. The process is still used today to manage astigmatism. Afterward, in the 1990s, USFDA approved a more robust procedure for correcting the vision. The process is referred to as photorefractive keratotomy, which has a prolonged vision correction effect. LASIK needs the benefits of both the above techniques and eliminates their disadvantages, leading to more comfort to the patient. These techniques are highly successful and still believed to be the Gold standard in vision correction surgery.
In 1999, a customized procedure came out and was carried out through LASIK with wavefront analysis. The technique was called the Contoura technique and gave 22000 points on the cornea. Compared to Contoura, the conventional LASIK maps just 200 points on the cornea.
Who Is NOT Eligible For Contoura Vision Surgery?
Unfortunately, not everyone who has vision problems can have Topography-Guided LASIK treatment. Typically, the LASIK ophthalmologists in Los Angeles conduct a thorough evaluation of the patient’s eye health to determine whether Contoura vision surgery would benefit in improving visual clarity or correcting refractive error. Below is the criteria for patients who are NOT eligible for undergoing Contoura vision surgery:
Individuals who are less than 18 years of age due to instability in vision.
Those suffering from immunodeficiency diseases
Individuals with vascular disease
Persons with myopia higher than 9.00 D
Those with prominent nose and brow that obstructs reflection.
What Is The Difference Between Contoura Surgery And Lasik Surgery?
Here are a few differences between Contoura vision surgery and LASIK:
Better outcome: The outcome achieved with Contoura surgery is better than LASIK when it comes to visual clarity and correction in refractive error. On average, patients experience corrections better than 6/6.
Broader scope: The whole point of Contoura is not restricted to vision correction. Instead, it can treat the abnormality found within the corneal curvature.
Advanced technology: The technology used in Contoura surgery is more state-of-the-art compared to traditional LASIK surgery. Although traditional LASIK surgery maps only 200 points on the cornea, the Contoura vision surgery maps 22000 points on the cornea.
Fewer complications: Contoura vision surgery has more minor complications than traditional LASIK surgery, and the damage to the tissue is nearly more minor and has a faster healing time.
What Are The Advantages Provided By Contoura Vision Apart From Vision Clarity?
Here are some of the advantages provided by Contoura vision surgery:
High safety standards: The Contoura LASIK has high safety standards. The complications are lower, and the healing is quicker.
USFDA approved: Contoura LASIK has been approved by USFDA for vision correction. This proves the safety, efficacy, and authenticity of this technology.
Patient’s comfort: Contoura surgery has no stitches, no bandages, no injections, no pain, and the patient can go home the same day of surgery.
What Is The Procedure For Contoura Vision Eye Surgery?
Contoura vision surgery’s process is similar to LASIK surgery. However, the technology involved is different from traditional LASIK surgery. Detailed eye check-up of the patient is done to exclude any disease or infection. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia. In this advanced technology, the machine used produces about 22000 points on the cornea through topography.
Every point is analyzed for abnormality and is corrected through LASER. The machine used in the Contoura vision includes WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser Systems and WaveLight TopolyzerVario Diagnostic Device. Post-surgery eye care is a crucial part of the treatment to get the targeted result. Different eye drops, including anti-inflammatory and antibiotics, are prescribed to the patient to counteract inflammation and infection.
How Diabetes Affects the Eyesight of Patients Who Need LASIK
LASIK eye doctors in Los Angeles advise those who have diabetes to make sure they have their annual eye exam because it could save their sight. The Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Diabetes Association encourage everyone over 65 to have yearly eye exams.
Doctor Ferzaad Moosa, laser eye surgery doctor in Los Angeles tells us that Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, affects over 30.3 million Americans. This includes one-fourth of individuals over 65. Also, for those with diabetes, about a quarter don’t even know they have it and are blissfully ignorant of any threat of vision loss.
How Does Diabetes Deteriorate Eyesight?
The LASIK eye center doctor in Los Angeles lets us know that diabetes can harm the eyes, nerves, organs, and limbs because the body can’t effectively use insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas.
The pancreas and insulin are very important since they are responsible for the processing and shipping of blood glucose from your food to your body’s cells.
The LASIK eye expert in Los Angeles says that blood sugar serves as your primary energy source when everything is running smoothly. However, when you intake too many foods that spike your blood sugar or your pancreas starts to slow down, glucose just hangs out in your bloodstream instead of reaching your cells. When this process happens, it can spark vision loss and, eventually, blindness.
That is why it’s important to be diagnosed with diabetes as early as possible so you can get a better visual outcome. You always want to find changes to the eye before the damage is irreversible.
Diabetes affects the small blood vessels. For this reason, excess blood sugar destroys the body’s smallest blood vessels and restricts blood flow, which fasts the tissues’ capillary feed. As a result, there are leaking blood vessels, swelling, and other horrible complications.
Fluid leaks can change the shape and size of the eye’s lens, causing cataracts. Also, these leaks can destroy the retina, which is the back of the eye, where visual images are created.
Diabetes can generate hemorrhages (bleeding) and edema (excess fluid) in the retina that can seriously affect vision. The LASIK eye doctors in Los Angeles say that diabetic retinopathy is the fourth leading cause of blindness in the world.
When your eye bleeds or has retina detachment, it requires surgery, so don’t ask about LASIK eye surgery cost. Because if you don’t get eye surgery in time, severe vision may be permanent. Macular edema is swelling in the retina as it can happen at any stage of diabetes. Hungry capillaries also give rise to glaucoma, an eye disease that harms the optic nerve.
Eye Exams Are Important For Diabetics
Many diabetic patients do not experience visual symptoms. They could experience blurred or wavy vision or patches of lost sight without being aware that these are serious. If you are diabetic, it’s important to get your eye exams to find these conditions early before they cause permanent vision loss or blindness.
Don’t settle for just any visual exam. What you need is a complete comprehensive vision examination. Your eye doctor will dilate the eyes with drops so they can perform a thorough retinal exam.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease. The condition happens after having long-term high blood sugar levels harm blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensing tissue that lines the back of the eye.
The first stage of diabetic retinopathy is called nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. This happens when the blood vessels become blocked and start to cut off blood supply to the retina.
When the retina lacks sufficient blood supply, new, abnormal blood vessels start to proliferate (develop) in the retina. Unfortunately, these abnormal vessels can develop scar tissue and leak, which can cause a retinal detachment. Vision loss and various other eye diseases also can happen without early and proper treatment. This more advanced stage is referred to as proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Although diabetic retinopathy only affects individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it is possible for someone who does not have diabetes to have retinopathy, another condition that arises from damage to the retina.
Macular Edema
Macular edema is directly linked to diabetic retinopathy and is a result of fluid from abnormal blood vessels that collect in the macula. The macula starts to swell and thicken as fluid gathers, which distorts eyesight. Important, detailed vision needed for driving and reading depends on the macula, making any related distortion a medical emergency.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is defined by increased pressure within the eye. Leaking blood vessels caused by diabetic retinopathy can increase eye pressure and lead to neovascular glaucoma. As pressure carries on to build, the optic nerve may become damaged, and vision may be affected.
Retinal detachment
Diabetic retinopathy can cause the growth of scar tissue on retinal blood vessels. As more scar tissue develops, its weight can pull the retina away from its connective tissue. This development, known as retinal detachment, needs immediate medical attention, as it can lead to vision loss.
LASIK eye surgeons can help the median stages of diabetic eye disease with laser surgery and injections to the eyes to prevent retina’s swelling and abnormal blood vessels’ growth, known as neovascularization.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that these types of injections can enhance vision in one-third of patients and stabilize the excess of capillaries in nine out of ten.
You can quickly check your blood sugars with an A1C blood test that measures the amount of sugar that sticks to hemoglobin molecules within the body’s cells.
If you have diabetes, make an appointment with Excel Laser Vision Institute in Los Angeles to discuss ways of treating and preventing eye conditions caused by diabetes.
The Dangers Of Sleeping With Contact Lenses On
We have all been there, but some more than others. You know that feeling of struggle you have after a long day to do even the simplest and basic tasks such as washing your face or brushing your teeth. Suffice to say. It can be a tough assignment. And if you are someone who has to wear contacts, taking them out before you get forty winks isn’t your top ten things to do.
Nevertheless, just like skipping out on brushing your teeth can damage your oral health, laser eye surgery doctors, particularly Doctor Moosa in Los Angeles, warn us that wearing contacts while you sleep can impair and injure your eyes.
Physicians, professors, medical specialists, optometrists, and LASIK specialists like those at Excel Laser Vision Institute in Los Angeles agree that no one should sleep in contact lenses. Although this is practically common sense – you shouldn’t sleep with contact lenses in; it just mistakenly happens. For instance, you “mistakenly” ate a dozen donuts or “mistakenly” maxed out your credit card on your recent Amazon shopping spree.
If you think this is just mere talk from the LASIK medical professionals in LASIK Los Angeles, think again. Some people go blind as a result of catching a few zzzz’s with their contact lenses. Therefore, if you or a loved one wears contact lenses, it would be a good idea to discover the possible risks. Keep on reading to get some more helpful information about this risky habit.
Contacts Prevent Oxygen From Going To Your Eyes
The LASIK eye center staff, specifically those at Excel Laser Vision Institute in Los Angeles, let us know that when our eyes are open, they get oxygen from the air, which, just like other bodily functions, is required to perform correctly. That means when you put in contacts, your eyes receive a little less oxygen. And when you close your eyes, the supply of oxygen decreases even further. This makes your eyes more susceptible to irritation and redness, which is responsible for impaired vision.
This deterioration of oxygen supply can also escalate your risk of getting bacterial or fungal infections, along with corneal ulcers.
How Bad Is It To Sleep In Contact Lenses?
If you want the truth from Doctor Moosa, a LASIK specialist in Los Angeles, it is incredibly hazardous to your eye health.
Without a doubt, the LASIK eye center surgeon will tell you that sleeping with your contacts is an awful idea.
Sometimes the only way to make people understand and give them a little motivation is with shock therapy. Here are some frightening problems that could happen if you fall asleep in your contacts:
You Could Get Pink Eye Sleeping In Contacts
A widespread eye problem to arise when you sleep with your contacts is conjunctivitis, better known as pink eye. Generally, this eye infection can also be caused by allergies or contact with someone else who is infected, but it is usually caused by wearing contacts overnight.
What is the reason for this? Sleeping in contacts can make your eyes more vulnerable to microscopic tears on the cornea and can triple your odds of bacteria, as well as fungi, getting in and staying in your eye for an extended period. If you want to prevent a severe case of pink eye, remove your contacts before you zonk out.
You Could Get An Eye Ulcer Sleeping In Contacts
If you sleep in contact lenses, you are at high risk of developing corneal ulcers. A recent study found that corneal ulcers are one of the leading causes of blindness around the globe. Fundamentally, a corneal ulcer is a tiny, open wound in your eye. As mentioned above, contact lenses are notorious for blocking your vision. Therefore, when your eyelids are shut during the night, your cornea is refused the necessary oxygen it needs. As a result, the perfect breathing ground of bacteria reigns over, causing a disruption in the epithelium, bringing about an ulcer.
Not getting treatment quickly can cause lifelong vision damage, so eye doctors strongly recommend that this condition should be treated immediately.
Severe Red Eye Could Happen If You Sleep In Your Contacts
If you nap in your contacts, you could be prone to an eye condition called CLARE, also known as Contact Lens Acute Red Eye. This eye condition brings symptoms such as light sensitivity, redness, tearing, and decreased vision. Some people also refer to it as Tight Lens Syndrome or Contact Lens Overwear Syndrome.
Although you probably can’t stand wearing glasses, which is most likely the reason you wear contacts, to begin with, you may want to change your frames at night, so you don’t forget to remove your contacts before hitting the hay.
Your Contacts Could Start To Fit Incorrectly
Wearing your contacts overnight or for long periods can lead to severe irritation causing bumps to form underneath your eyelids. Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) makes the inside of your eyelid red, swollen, and irritated. Individuals who wear contact lenses when they are sleeping have a high risk of experiencing this awful condition.
The bumps that come out when you have giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) make them fit improperly and are challenging to clear up. If you notice this happening to you, avoid wearing contacts for at least a week and see if your symptoms have eased off.
How To Lower Your Exposure To Contact Lens-Related Eye Infections
To lower the dangers of developing any awful symptoms or an eye infection, here are some sound principles of behavior to obey if you are a contact lens wearer.
Don’t reuse disposable contacts.
Never go to sleep in your contact lenses.
Remove your contacts before swimming.
Change disposable contact lenses frequently.
Don’t touch or rub your eyes with unclean hands.
Always use clean, sanitized hands when putting in/taking out your contacts.
Never share your contacts with anyone else.
Do not purchase fashion contact lenses.
Sadly, contacts cause headaches, so do your best to follow the guidelines above when wearing lenses. If you ever experience redness, light sensitivity, pain, decreased vision, or swelling while wearing your contacts, delicately remove them and contact your eye doctor.
