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 Better Vision Can Naturally Enhance Your Emotional Well-Being
Many people consider LASIK in Orange County to be a viable, long-term solution to eyesight problems. While this is largely true, you might be stunned to discover that strengthening one’s vision can considerably enhance one’s mood and alleviate symptoms of hopelessness and depression. So what does the research say about this topic?
Depression and Eyesight
It’s natural for our vision to deteriorate as we get older. However, sometimes people face considerably faster vision loss than what is considered typical. According to research, this has a strong link to the risk of developing depression and other mood disorders. Consider the following statistics:
- Adults with poor eyesight are 30% more likely to be depressed than those who have good vision.
- More than 10% of people who have eye issues also have serious depression symptoms.
- When compared to persons without impaired vision, those with poor eyesight (11.3 percent) were more likely to be depressed (4.8 percent).
On an even lower note, the data also reveals that those with vision problems are more likely to be depressed than people who are completely blind. Eyesight is one of our most important senses, and even little abnormalities can cause substantial emotional disorders. These problems can significantly limit what you can do on a day-to-day, including:
Ways In Which Vision Affects Our Emotional Well-Being
Driving
Naturally, it’s difficult to complete normal activities and meet goals when you can’t drive securely at night or even during the day! This can make you truly feel helpless not being able to get yourself where you need to go. Not to mention Lyfts can take forever to get to your house!
Difficulty recognizing others
The inability to recognize friends and loved ones has a far greater impact than most may imagine. According to a recent study, being unable to recognize faces leads to decreased social engagement, reduced confidence, and higher rates of anxiety, despair, and loneliness.
Recreational activities
People with unstable eyesight are often not able to fully enjoy some of their favorite hobbies during their free time, such as playing sports, reading, gaming, or even spending time with their friends and family.
Less satisfactory work performance
Poor vision directly impacts your career. Employees with vision problems are more likely to take sick days, be looked over for promotions, and have lower productivity and job satisfaction, according to studies.
Physical health complications
Poor vision can lead to migraines, nausea, and other health problems. Wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses, contrary to popular belief, might exacerbate this effect, particularly when prescription difficulties emerge.
How Laser Eye Surgery Can Help You
While wearing prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses can help with worsening eyesight in the short term, it’s worth speaking with a Orange County LASIK surgeon to learn about more effective choices. LASIK surgery is a revolutionary method that can help people regain their vision. It has an incredibly high success rate, and further complications are uncommon proceeding the treatment. The long-term benefits of laser eye surgery can help ease depression symptoms and improve quality of life.
Don’t hesitate to contact the Excel Laser Vision Institute if you think LASIK in Orange County is right for you. Our eye physicians can help you make an informed selection and assist with the cost of LASIK eye surgery. To learn more, please contact us.
Am I The Right Age for LASIK?
You might have heard about the Goldilocks Effect—it’s a principle derived from the classic fairytale, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” Here, a young girl named Goldilocks breaks into a Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear’s house, eats their porridge, sits on their chairs, and sleeps on their bed. In the story, Goldilocks chooses everything the Baby Bear owns because everything was ‘just right.’
The Goldilocks Effect describes how people naturally gravitate towards things that are ‘just right.’ In astronomy, a Goldilocks planet is neither too near the star to be too hot, nor too far to be too cold, allowing living beings to survive. In economics, it refers to three pricing tiers (i.e., high-tier, mid-tier, and low-tier) that cater to all corners of the market. But, did you know that the Goldilocks Effect applies to corrective eye surgery too?
Optimally, you need to be at an age that’s ‘just right’ to get LASIK. That’s because your eye health changes as you age—this affects how well LASIK works.
Now, that doesn’t mean only people of a certain age range can get LASIK! It just means that others need to jump through more hoops to achieve the best results. You must understand how age is a factor in LASIK so you can know what to expect and calculate LASIK eye surgery costs.
What Age is Too Young?
Generally, LASIK isn’t recommended for people younger than 18-years old. Some doctors even recommended their patients wait until they’re 21! That’s because your eyes are still developing at this stage—your near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism can still worsen until you reach your 20s. If you undergo LASIK too young, you risk fixing your vision before it’s set, making LASIK less effective.
As you probably already know, LASIK can be pretty expensive. LASIK in Los Angeles, for example, can get up to $4000 per eye! So, unless you’re ready to shell out that kind of money twice, it’s much better to just wait until your vision has stabilized.
What Age is Too Old?
Fortunately, there isn’t a real cut-off age for LASIK. You can even get LASIK well over 60 as long as you meet the necessary qualifications! According to WebMD, a study of 424 LASIK in their 40s to 60s showed that LASIK can still be effective even with the age difference, though they were more likely to get enhancements or repeat procedures.
However, take note that a couple of age-related eye issues will probably make things harder for you. It can affect how well LASIK works the first time you get it, or may even disqualify you from getting LASIK altogether. Here are some of the most common issues:
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is characterized by the gradual hardening of your eyes’ lenses. Because it’s less flexible, it can’t focus as well on close-up objects, making everything look blurry and out of focus. Symptoms of presbyopia include holding objects at an arm’s length to see them clearer, blurred vision, and frequent headaches after using your eyes too close up too long.
Presbyopia is a natural side effect of aging. It starts manifesting as early as your 40s.
Because LASIK only works on the cornea, it can’t do anything to stop presbyopia in your lens. You’ll probably still need glasses if you want to do anything close-up. However, some LASIK doctors address presbyopia by optimizing one eye for close vision and one eye for distant vision. You should discuss presbyopia options with your doctor first to see if they can work for you as this option doesn’t work for everyone.
Cataracts
Cataracts are cloudy areas in your eye that develop when proteins clump together. This prevents your eye from getting clear images, and when left untreated, can cause total blindness. This is commonly seen among older people—according to the World Health Organization, approximately 65.2 million of them around the world are affected by cataracts.
The prevention and treatment of cataracts are totally irrelevant to LASIK. If your vision is affected because of your cataract, LASIK isn’t going to do anything to help it. You’ll need to get your cataracts removed first before you can get LASIK surgery, and a separate surgery is needed to get cataracts fixed if you get them after LASIK.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition in which your eye’s optic nerve is damaged. It is caused by high pressure in your eye and can lead to total blindness. There is no cure for glaucoma, and you’ll really need to monitor your progress every few years to prevent it from progressing further.
LASIK works on the cornea of your eye, making it thinner. This, then, makes it harder to diagnose glaucoma in its early stages and monitor glaucoma in its moderate and severe stages. If you’re someone with glaucoma or are at high risk of glaucoma, we don’t recommend getting LASIK.
What Age is Just Right?
Many eye health experts agree that age 25 to 40 is the ideal age for LASIK. At this point, your prescription has stabilized and will likely remain consistent for years to come. Depending on your health (e.g., family history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease that are risk factors for cataracts) and eye health (e.g., dry eye syndrome, which disqualifies patients because of decreased tear production), most people at this age are likely to be approved for LASIK.
Conclusion
In short, Goldilocks should probably get LASIK when she’s around 25-40 years old, though she can get it as early as 18. This age range is ‘just right.’ Anything below 18 should not be considered.
Once Goldilocks is past 40, she’ll need to have her doctor screen her eyes for age-related eye conditions that can affect the effectiveness of LASIK. There’s still a huge chance she can get LASIK at this age, but she needs to be aware that the outcome may not be quite the same because of presbyopia, or that she needs to deal with more serious eye issues like cataracts and glaucoma first before thinking about getting LASIK.
Now, before anything else, Goldilocks needs to have a consultation with a professional LASIK surgeon. This article is only a guideline, so she’ll need more expert advice to see if she’s qualified for corrective eye surgery. A LASIK surgeon will take her general health, eye health, and age all into consideration and figure out the best way to achieve the perfect vision for her.
If you’re just like Goldilocks and need an expert opinion from a LASIK surgeon, then Dr. Ferzaad Moosa will be glad to help. He has performed LASIK in Los Angeles and Orange County for the past 23 years and is a certified member of the Board of Ophthalmology. And what’s more—his consultations are free of charge!
Contact his clinic today at (310) 905-8622 or visit his online consultation form here to get started.
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!
A Comparative Breakdown of Eyeglasses, Contact Lenses, and LASIK
Advantages and Disadvantages
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are at least 2.2 billion in the world with some type of vision impairment. In most cases, vision impairment either could have been prevented easily or has not yet been addressed with corrective measures like eyeglasses, contact lenses, or LASIK.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the different ways to correct eyesight and their various advantages and disadvantages.
Eyeglasses
Wearing eyeglasses is the easiest way to correct your vision. In fact, some people even wear eyeglasses despite not having any vision problems—it’s seen as a fashion statement that can complement your outfit, make you look smarter and more knowledgeable, and improve your look overall. There are tons of eyeglasses designs with different shapes, styles, and colors to choose from.
Eyeglasses are also pretty nifty because they’re easy to maintain. If the lenses are dirty, you can wipe them with a clean cloth or even the bottom of your T-shirt. They’re also easy to put on and remove, making it easy to switch to a different pair or take them off right before heading to bed.
The disadvantage to a good old pair of eyeglasses is their inconvenience. You can’t wear them for every occasion—you can’t swim in a pool or ride a roller coaster, for example, and if you get them wet or foggy, you’d need to take them off and clean them before you can see properly again. What’s more, you can’t wear certain things like sunglasses or goggles because of it too.
Additionally, eyeglasses are clunky and ridiculously easy to lose. As a four-eyed person, I can’t remember how many times I’ve acted like Velma in Scooby-Doo and gone out of commission due to losing my eyeglasses. And it’s not like you can slip them into your bag whenever you need to either, as the lenses get scratched and damaged easily.
So, while eyeglasses are certainly quirky and easy to wear, they definitely leave a lot to be desired.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are the answers to problems eyeglasses pose.
They are extremely thin films put directly on your cornea—they’re basically your eye’s second skin. You can go about your day-to-day activities and not feel them bothering you, and you can even do things like ride roller coasters and snorkel with contacts on (although it’s not recommended to open your eyes underwater with contacts on)! They also won’t change your appearance, which is good news for anyone who hates the way they look with eyeglasses on.
The downside to contact lenses, though, is how annoying they can be to maintain. Every morning and every night, you need to spend a few minutes putting contacts on carefully, so they’re smooth and aligned perfectly to your iris. You need to soak them in a cleaning solution and store them properly, too, as they get dirty quite easily and can seriously infect your eye. Lastly, contacts can be quite aggravating to those with sensitive eyes and scary for newbies. After all, the idea of something pressed that close to your eye can be intimidating.
LASIK
LASIK is the only permanent solution to vision impairment on this list. It involves cutting into your eye and altering the inner tissues carefully with high-precision lasers.
The best part about LASIK is that it’s, like we said, permanent. Once you have LASIK, your vision is mostly corrected, and any remaining issues can be easily resolved with a few more minor surgeries. Your vision will be as good as new, and you won’t have to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses for the next few years.
Some things turn people off from LASIK, however. For one thing, it can be pretty daunting. Nobody likes the idea of having their eyes cut open and having lasers shot at them. There are also plenty of misconceptions about LASIK—although untrue, many people still believe them.
Additionally, LASIK can be very expensive for some. The cost per eye is somewhere between $1500 and $4000, depending on where you live. With rising prices on everything, it’s definitely a huge investment you can’t take lightly. Some would consider the hassle of eyeglasses and contacts preferable to expensive LASIK costs.
Cost Breakdown
But is LASIK really too much money for what it’s worth? Let’s break it down.
To make things clearer, we’ve calculated the total costs of eyeglasses, contacts, and LASIK in twenty years. Let’s assume that our patient is Samantha, a 25-year-old nearsighted female with a moderate case of astigmatism. She has both eyeglasses and contacts, and her prescription increases every four years. She’s now considering doing LASIK in Orange County, California, where she lives.
Eyeglasses
The national average cost of eyeglass frames is around $250, so Samantha expects to pay at least that much whenever she purchases a new pair. The actual price Samantha pays for her glasses will depend on the eyeglass design she picks (e.g., Target, Ray-Ban, Dolce & Gabbana, etc.), the lenses she picks (e.g., plastic, polycarbonate, bi-focal, etc.), her prescription, and her health insurance coverage.
It will also depend on whatever add-on she chooses—some retailers offer transition lenses, thin and lightweight lenses, blue light protection anti-reflective coating, and hydrophobic coating. That’s not included in the price, so that’s an additional cost.
All in all, let’s say a pair of eyeglasses for Samantha will cost her around $400 with all the bells and whistles.
Now, let’s calculate the doctor’s appointments. Samantha will need to visit her doctor so they can prescribe new eyeglasses for her. Eye exams range from $50 and $250 but are covered by most health insurances, so let’s say this brings down her total expenses to $120. She’ll need to visit the doctor again sometime afterward to check up on her new glasses, adding another $120 to her cost for a total of $240.
Lastly, with a pair of eyeglasses that expensive, she needs to buy the necessary supplies to take care of them! She needs a cleaning cloth, a cleaning spray, and a case to maintain them. The average cost of these on Amazon is around $20 and will last her, say, six months.
So, the total cost for her pair of eyeglasses is $640—$400 for the eyeglasses and $240 for doctor appointments and eye exams. She pays $20 every six months for cleaning supplies.
Contact Lenses
How much Samantha will spend on her contact lenses will largely depend on the kind of contact lenses she uses. Some contact lenses are designed to be replaced and disposed of daily, weekly, or monthly. Some contact lenses increase in price depending on prescription, astigmatism, and add-ons like UV protection. Some contact lenses are more expensive simply because they’re a different color.
We already know that the average cost of doctor’s appointments, eye exams, and fitting sessions is $240 from the last section. You will need to have a prescription before buying contacts.
Now, Samantha would prefer to change her contacts daily as she feels this is more hygienic, and she tells her doctor this. She also wants lenses with UV protection as she lives in very sunny California. So, after a thorough examination of her eye and considering her wishes, Samantha’s doctor prescribes 1-Day Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism.
These contacts come with 90 lenses per pack. Samantha plans on buying a year’s supply as it’s cheaper than buying monthly. As a reference, Walmart offers a yearly supply of these contacts for $340 ($85 per box)—Samantha could still get it for a cheaper price depending on her health insurance and any other discount programs. So, let’s say that Samantha pays $250 for the year’s supply in the end.
Now, she needs to buy a couple of things to keep her contacts nice and clean—firstly, a standard 12 oz. bottle of contact disinfecting solution. A bottle usually lasts one month and costs around $8. Secondly, eye drops to keep her eyes lubricated the whole day. This will cost her around $5 per month. Lastly, Samantha needs a case to keep her lenses protected when not in use—they average around $7 for several pieces.
So, in total, Samantha spends $13 for contact lens care and maintenance, and $7 for cases that need to be replaced every three months.
It’s important to note that people who wear contact lenses are encouraged to visit their doctors yearly instead of bi-yearly. This is because contact lens complications can get serious very quickly due to the delicate nature of the eye.
LASIK
Now, an average LASIK surgeon in Orange County typically charges $1500 to $3000 per eye, so let’s say Samantha is paying $2000 for each eye—$4000—with an esteemed eye surgeon. LASIK isn’t a procedure covered by most health insurance companies in the United States, so she has to pay for this out of pocket.
That $4000 should cover everything from pre-surgery consultation and evaluation, the surgery itself, and any post-surgery check-ups and medications like eye drops. Because her eye surgeon was a good one, she left the surgery with perfect 20/20 vision and does not need any additional surgeries (though even if she did, that $4000 should still cover it).
Her vision has now been permanently corrected. She will not run into any problems for the next twenty years. When she turns 45, she starts experiencing presbyopia, which is the gradual inflexibility of the lens. This is something most people her age goes through and is irrelevant to the effectiveness of her LASIK.
Table of Computations
This is a table of Samantha’s total expenses. Take note that these computations were made assuming Samantha was going to replace eyeglasses every four years and contact lenses every year. This table also assumes that prices will be stable for the entire twenty years—the actual total could be a lot different.
Analysis
Now, eyeglasses may be annoying to wear at times, it’s probably the most budget-friendly option here. If taken care of properly, they can last up to four years, and the total cost in twenty years is easy to pay as you don’t have to pay all of it at one time. Additionally, this computation assumes Samantha pays for high-quality eyeglasses with extra perks—you can totally get a pair that’s cheaper if you find that easier.
Contact lenses are the most expensive as it needs takes a lot to care for them. They need constant cleaning, constant replacing, and constant trips to the doctor because of how dangerous improper maintenance of contact lenses can be. In twenty years, you’ll have spent more than three times as much as you had spent on eyeglasses!
Lastly, while LASIK is the most expensive option in this article, you can’t deny that it’s a great investment. In twenty years, Samantha will have completely made up for the LASIK eye surgery cost, and all that without visiting the eye doctor regularly, getting new prescriptions every year, caring and maintaining for eyeglasses and contacts, and other hassles that they bring. With LASIK, she will have little to no issues for the next twenty years.
Conclusion
Eyeglasses, contact lenses, and LASIK offer various advantages and disadvantages depending on your prescription, financial capabilities, and preferences. If you’re looking to correct your vision and are currently weighing your various options, we hope that you can look to this article to find your best bet.
As an expert on LASIK in Orange County, Dr. Ferzaad Moosa would no doubt recommend laser eye surgery. It’s quick, painless, convenient, and a good bang for your buck. If you’re interested in learning more about LASIK, including questions about the process, costs, and health insurance coverage, feel free to contact our clinic at (n310) 905-8622 or at our website.
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.
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.
How Should I Choose a Good LASIK Eye Center?
Now that you know the risks of cheap LASIK, 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 had already undergone surgery.
Be Wary of Shady Tactics and Gimmicks
In this article, we emphasized how cheap LASIK is marketed. They always come at a cost, whether it be hidden and exclusive fees, poorer quality of surgery, and outdated technologies. Hopefully, you’ve learned to be more skeptical about them and always ask questions.
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 fifteen years and is a certified member of the American Board of Opthalmology. 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!
How Long Does Laser Eye Surgery Last?
If you have been thinking about getting laser eye surgery at Excel Laser Vision Institute’s Orange County clinic, one of the main questions you could have is how long does laser eye surgery last? Honestly, Doctor Moosa, a LASIK surgeon in Orange County, tells us that there isn’t one surefire answer to how long laser eye surgery will last a person. This is because we are all different, and similar to any procedure or surgery, the results will vary.
Also, there’s so much more that goes into it, and the experienced LASIK Orange County staff understands that choosing laser eye surgery to improve your eyesight is most likely a serious decision you’ll make. That’s why this matter is broken down in more detail down below.
How Long Does Laser Eye Surgeries Such As LASIK Last?
If you’re getting sick and tired of squinting when you have to read small print or you find yourself reaching for your glasses to read anything from an intriguing article in your favorite rag to instructions on food packaging, you may be considering laser treatment to correct your eyesight as a long-term solution. With a laser eye treatment, you will definitely improve your vision and correct most of your refractive errors because the procedure reshapes the cornea.
When Should I Consider Laser Eye Surgery?
If you are affected by the following symptoms below, you should consider a laser eye surgery procedure and ask about LASIK eye surgery cost.
If you are affected by the following symptoms, you should consider LASIK:
You get headaches when you read for a few minutes.
You lose focus when looking at the small print.
You find you always have to put your reading glasses on.
You are getting embarrassed by the fact you have to squint at labels, and you still can’t make out what they say.
When text is too close, you see it blurred.
If the above speaks to you, bear in mind you’re not alone. As we age, our eyes lose their muscular power and flexibility. When this happens, it becomes more challenging to focus on words or objects that are nearby, LASIK Orange County eye doctors refer to this condition as presbyopia. It affects a majority of people who are age 40 and over, and it usually means you have to wear glasses for reading.
Nevertheless, there’s an option to become reliant on glasses or contact lenses and Excel Laser Vision Institute has many vision correction treatments which can easily correct this common eye condition.
What Are The Top Long-Lasting Laser Eye Surgery Solutions?
Excel Laser Vision Institute has three different laser eye surgery solutions for achieving exceptional long-term vision: LASIK, LASEK, and SMILE.
LASIK: This is the most common laser eye surgery procedure. The eye surgeon uses a laser to make a flap in the eye which is lifted to help reshape the cornea.
LASEK: When a patient is not suitable for LASIK because they have dry eyes, thin corneas or serious problems with focusing. Even though LASIK makes a flap, LASEK consists of loosening the surface of the cornea and folding it back to then reshape it.
SMILE (ReLEx SMILE): It is a less invasive treatment that helps to reshape the cornea through a keyhole procedure rather than creating a flap.
How Long Should Expect LASIK, LASEK, Or SMILE To Last?
If you’re thinking about LASIK, LASEK, or SMILE and would like more information about how long laser eye surgery lasts. You’ll be happy to learn that all three eye laser procedures are permanent.
Besides the fact that these procedures are permanent, most patients who get LASIK surgery achieve 20/20 vision, which means they can see an object that’s twenty feet away. For your information, 20/20 vision is when a person has ‘normal’ eyesight, without requiring eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Nevertheless, regardless of whether you opt for LASIK, LASEK, or SMILE laser eye treatment, it is crucial to be aware of specific factors which may result in vision changing after the procedure. To be fair, there is no clear-cut answer to how long a laser eye surgery lasts. Everyone is an individual, and just like any surgery or procedure, the results will vary.
For instance, when the eye begins to age naturally it leads us to presbyopia territory, even after having laser eye surgery, some people may find we still require eyeglasses for tasks such as driving or reading small print. Although in some instances a person’s need for glasses will be significantly reduced.
Is Laser Eye Surgery A Permanent Solution For Everyone?
Bear in mind that there are other factors which can result in vision changing after the procedure such as vision slowly going back towards your original prescription, even though this is rare.
Plus, specific health conditions can affect the result of how long laser eye surgery lasts. For instance, in the unlikely probability that the surgery does not heal properly, or if hormonal imbalances happen, such as during pregnancy or menopause, or if a person has diabetes.
Another eye issue such as a cataract could also have a negative influence on a person’s eyesight after laser eye surgery.
Who’s A Good Candidate For Laser Eye Surgery?
When you have your first consultation at Excel Laser Vision Institute, your LASIK Orange County eye surgeon will assess your eyes to make sure you are a good candidate for laser eye surgery. They will be looking out for the following criteria:
A healthy eye and cornea
A constant eyeglass prescription for about two years
Can Laser Eye Surgery Correct Astigmatism?
Yes. If you have astigmatism, laser eye surgery can help you correct it. Also, it can correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and the symptoms of presbyopia.
If you are starting to get frustrated with your bad vision and you can’t tolerate eyeglasses or contact lenses any longer, laser eye surgery may be just the solution you’re looking for. It can help you achieve permanent vision correction, so you no longer have to live with limitations. Make sure to contact Excel Laser Vision Institute to book your free LASIK Orange County eye consultation with us today!
How To Reduce The Possible Pain and Discomfort After A LASIK Procedure?
Doctor Moosa, a Lasik Los Angeles surgeon, wants to make it perfectly clear that LASIK is the safest and most successful surgical procedure anyone can undergo. Overall, the recovery time after LASIK is very quick and comfortable, particularly when there are no complications during the surgery itself.
At Excel Laser Vision Institute, LASIK pain and discomfort is nevertheless a possible risk; however, we reduce that risk by utilizing only the most state-of-the-art laser vision correction technologies and techniques. Also, our LASIK eye surgeons use a thorough screening process that makes sure that only the most suitable candidates will be submitted to undergo the procedure.
At Excel Laser Vision Institute, you’ll find a cutting-edge LASIK Los Angeles eye care facility that always puts patient safety, comfort, and overall satisfaction above everything else.
Although when you get your corrective eye surgery done, our team will do everything possible to make sure you have a fast, comfortable recovery, you will have obligations as a patient, too. You will be handed a set of instructions on the dos and don’ts, and you have to follow it to a ‘T’ to ensure you make your healing process as free from stress and discomfort as possible.
What Does LASIK Surgery Involve?
As mentioned above, LASIK is the safest and most effective surgical procedure in the world. People who experience blurry vision because of farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism are suitable candidates for traditional LASIK, custom LASIK (which includes the use of wavefront mapping to correct higher-order aberrations), or bladeless LASIK (which is the use of a femtosecond laser rather than a blade microkeratome to make the corneal flap to get clear vision. Nonetheless, regardless of the LASIK treatment patients opt for, there are still those who report some level of discomfort after surgery.
What’s Basic Discomfort After LASIK Surgery?
Once you have found out the Lasik eye surgery cost and decide to go through the LASIK Los Angeles procedure, you should keep in mind what to expect. Fortunately, severe pain after LASIK surgery is very rare and should not be anticipated on the whole. Nonetheless, some minor discomfort and soreness can be expected. This discomfort could be burning or itchiness, and more commonly, patients experience a sensation of something foreign in their eyes.
Additionally, patients may feel sensitive to light and experience extreme tearing throughout the first few hours after surgery.
Your Harvard-trained LASIK surgeon, Dr. Ferzaad Moosa, may prescribe you a pain reliever to help alleviate this discomfort. Also, you may find using liquid tears handy in managing any burning, itching, or redness that you’re feeling. Overall, though, these unwanted side effects will lessen within three days, if not within a couple of hours after your surgery.
What’s Severe Pain After LASIK Surgery?
Even though it’s very rare, severe pain has been reported by some patients after LASIK surgery. If you ever experience severe pain, particularly if it’s followed by tearing, you should get in touch with your eye care clinic as soon as possible. You should be seen immediately so that an eye doctor can diagnose the reason for your pain. The most common reason for severe pain is flap distortion and other flap-related issues, which can be fixed.
One of the most prevalent causes of flap issues is a failure to follow post-operative instructions. For example, patients should not rub their eyes within a week of surgery, no matter how itchy or irritated their can might get. When you rub your eyes right after LASIK surgery, you could cause the corneal flap to become dislodged. Similarly, patients should stay away from streaming water coming into contact with the eyes, for instance, which can happen during a shower. When these instructions are not followed, it can lead to painful flap-related conditions.
Other Ways To Reduce Pain And Discomfort
Here are other methods you can alleviate discomfort immediately after your LASIK surgery.
Take A Nap Right After Surgery
When surgery is being performed, the eye surgeon applies numbing eye drops to the patient’s eyes. These drops stop any discomfort during the actual procedure. So, patients only feel pressure on the eye while the surgeon creates the corneal flap and the cornea tissue is reshaped. Nevertheless, when the numbing eye drops wear off, which usually happens within an hour after surgery, patients start to feel discomfort. The pain is normally its worst for a few hours after the numbing medication loses its effects.
While this is happening, eye doctors will recommend taking a nap. When you keep your eyes closed, the eyelid is halted from rubbing against the healing corneal flap. Plus, the eyes will probably not dry out when they are closed.
Despite the fact that patients may feel they can’t take a nap, particularly if the surgery is carried out in the morning, the calming medication that is distributed before surgery can lead to patients feeling drowsy after surgery. When patients take advantage of this fatigue, they can sleep through this time that’s linked to the highest level of discomfort.
Apply Lubricating Eye Drops
Even though most of the discomfort is gone by the next morning after surgery, some patients say they experience a dry, gritty feeling in their eyes. Applying lubricating eye drops can ease this kind of discomfort. Make sure to check the eye drop’s label to prevent overuse.
Take Pain Medication
Patients should be ready to take pain medications before any discomfort appears. Most patients take their first dose of medication instantly before or after surgery is completed. When this is done, the pain medication takes effect before the numbing eye drops wear off.
Patients should make it a point to take the second dose of pain medication on time instead of waiting for any pain to become apparent because discomfort is normally at its worst the day the surgery is performed, pain medication should be taken based on the label’s instructions for the first day after surgery.
At Excel Laser Vision Institute, LASIK eye surgery enhances your vision. Nevertheless, proper care has to be taken before and after the LASIK surgery. If you want to know more about LASIK Los Angeles surgery, please do not hesitate to call us at (866) 923-9235.
