LASIK Experts Discuss What Foods Impact Your Eye Health
The food that we chose to put in our bodies can greatly affect how we feel. Why is this? Food is fuel. If we eat unhealthy meals, then we are giving ourselves bad fuel, which in turn can lead to health problems down the road. Conversely, good food can make our bodies operate at its highest capacity. According to Doctor Moosa, one of the top LASIK professionals in Los Angeles, there are many types of food that can impact our eye health in particular.
Here are some of the best foods to eat for ocular health:
Berries
The best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles say that berries contain high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C! This means that they are a great food to incorporate in your diet for healthy eyes. Blackberries and raspberries are especially high in these nutrients. If you’re eager to add more fruit into your diet, then you may also want to try more grapefruit and oranges, which also offer vitamin C and antioxidants.
Corn
While sometimes debated for its health benefits, corn has actually been found to have high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin. These are macular pigments that act as a natural shield from harmful sun rays. With more lutein and zeaxanthin in your diet, you decrease your risk for developing eye problems like cataracts.
Eggs
LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles particularly Doctor Moosa vow by eggs for eye health. Why? While they provide lutein and zeaxanthin, the yolks also have high levels of zinc. By eating more eggs, you can help fight against macular degeneration. And, after all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!
Leafy Greens
Brussel sprouts, broccoli, and kale…oh my! Green vegetables are great for your eyes. Whether it’s a handful of spinach in your smoothie or some chard in your sandwich, you can incorporate these veggies in many ways. Green vegetables are known for their high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin. The more vegetables you eat, the better chance you have for increasing your ocular health.
Legumes
If you ask a LASIK expert in Los Angeles how to help your retinal health, then they may recommend legumes! Everything from lentils to black-eyed peas to kidney beans contain bioflavonoids and zinc. These ingredients protect your retina, which can lower your chances for health problems in the future.
Salmon
The key to eye health is omega-3 fatty acids. There are a variety of food options that provide this, but salmon is at the top of the list. Salmon is a healthy and light protein that can provide those omega-3s, which protect your blood vessels.
Turkey
Last, but certainly not least, is turkey! If you’ve always been a fan of Thanksgiving, then you’ll be happy to hear that turkey has lots of zinc, niacin, and vitamin B! These ingredients can help protect your eyes from developing cataracts.
Conclusion
Now that you know what foods promote good eye health, you can tackle your next meal with confidence. Foods that are not conducive to ocular health include fried food, margarine, and sugary drinks. Swap out your unhealthy choices for something more nutritious and enjoy your healthy eyes.
What to Know Before Getting in the Water After LASIK
It’s almost summertime, which means that many people are already making beach-day and pool-day plans. There’s nothing like a dip in the water to cool you down. If you’ve recently had LASIK eye surgery, then you may be wondering how this will affect your summer plans. LASIK experts in Los Angeles particularly Doctor Moosa are here to answer all your post-surgery questions and let you know the best way to protect your eyes while you’re enjoying the sunshine.
One of the reasons that people get corrective eye surgery is because it allows them to do certain physical activities more freely. Swimming, for example, can be a pain with glasses or contacts. Either you have to swim blindly, with your glasses on the side of the pool, or you run the risk of losing your contacts in the water and developing an eye infection from bacteria and chemicals. Once patients receive laser eye surgery, they are liberated from this summertime struggle.
The best way to approach your life, post-LASIK, is to follow the instructions given by your LASIK surgeon. They know the status of your eyes better than anyone and will evaluate their healing process in order to give informed opinions about how careful you should be. Predictably, you might need to wait a little before you can enjoy certain activities in order to avoid irritating your eyes while they are in the stages of healing. Here are some general guidelines that you may hear from your doctor after getting laser vision correction in Los Angeles:
- After One Week: The corneal incision is likely still recovering. LASIK patients should stay away from pools to avoid developing an infection.
- After 2-3 Weeks: By now, the corneal incision has likely closed up. However, it is still a good idea to avoid any activities that require water submersion (lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc.).
- After One Month: At this point, doctors will typically allow patients to swim again. However, they will suggest wearing goggles and not opening eyes underwater.
Beyond this, LASIK surgeons recommend always wearing sun protection when spending an extended period of time outside. Whether or not it is a sunny day, sun exposure can have a damaging effect on eyes. Sunglasses should have 100% protection from UVA and UVB rays. LASIK experts also recommend wearing a wide-brimmed hat, along with glasses, to prevent any irritation or sunburns.
Summertime is the perfect time to enjoy your crystal clear vision from LASIK. So, make sure to follow the recovery steps and exercise caution in order to preserve the work of the surgery. LASIK professionals recommend drinking plenty of water in order to offset any dry eye symptoms. This will support the eye’s tear ducts and prevent extreme irritation. Eye drops may also be prescribed to help alleviate any discomfort. Use your drops every day as directed by your surgeon.
You may need to wait a little bit before enjoying your cold plunges into the pool, but it will all be worth it! Before you know it, you will be splashing away the summer days. To learn more about LASIK recovery or to determine if you are a LASIK candidate, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 363-1583.
Why You Should Consider Getting LASIK This Spring/Summer
We’re in the thick of spring. The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and more people are getting their vaccines! What better time to look into getting LASIK in Los Angeles? For many people, this coming summer represents a much-needed sigh of relief. Finally, families can rest assured that their loved ones are protected and enjoy public activities again.
Here Are Some Of Our Top Reasons For Considering Laser Eye Surgery This Spring or Summer:
Enjoy Stylish and Convenient Eye Protection
Are you tired of wearing that one pair of prescription sunglasses that you own? Don’t want to worry about putting in contacts when you’re at the beach? With 20/20 vision, you won’t have to rely on corrective lenses to enjoy your time in the sunshine. Prescription glasses can be an expensive purchase (and also vulnerable to activities like biking, volleyball, and swimming). Enjoy your vacation and protect your vision without worrying about losing your one pair of prescription sunglasses.
Swim Freely
Taking a dip in the pool when it’s hot out can be just the thing for a summer day! Unfortunately, for those who wear glasses or contacts, swimming can be a huge challenge. If you take off your prescription lenses to swim, then you won’t be able to see! Those who wear contacts may fear losing their invisible lenses in the pool or contaminating them with the chlorine. This can lead to costly replacements or even an eye infection! When you achieve your vision goals through LASIK, you can swim freely with peace of mind.
Avoid Accidents
When the weather is warmer, many people like to get outside and do something active, whether that be exercising or playing sports. Glasses or contacts can be a hindrance to these kinds of spring and summer activities. Perspiration and heat can cause fogging, streaks, and other visual barriers for those who wear glasses. Meanwhile, those who wear glasses run the constant risk of developing an infection from dirt, dust, and other outside particles that attach to the lenses. With clear vision, you won’t have to worry about losing or damaging your only vision source.
Mitigate Allergies
During the spring and summer, there may be a greater concentration of pollen in the air. This can be difficult for those who experience eye irritation with their seasonal allergies. Contact lenses can exacerbate the situation by trapping dirt and pollen or drying out. Even wearing glasses can be a hassle when your eyes are red, itchy, swollen, and dry. Visit Excel Laser Vision Institute, a LASIK eye center in Los Angeles, to learn how laser eye surgery might improve your seasonal allergies over the long term.
Savor the Spring and Summer
It finally feels like we’re reaching the light at the end of the tunnel! Celebrate this time with a life-changing procedure. LASIK has helped many people achieve their vision goals and improve their overall quality of life. Schedule your free LASIK consultation at Excel Laser Vision Institute. Our team of skilled eye care professionals will determine whether you are an eligible candidate for laser eye surgery and will jumpstart the process so you can savor the days ahead with clear vision.
How Your Blood Pressure Can Affect Your Eyes – A LASIK Expert In Los Angeles Explains
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force that it takes for your heart to pump blood throughout your body. According to Doctor Moosa, a LASIK expert in Los Angeles, having a blood pressure that is too low or too high can have significant effects on your eyes. Twenty-six percent of the world’s population has high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This means that the heart is working extra hard to circulate blood in the body. Meanwhile, thirty-one percent of the world’s population deals with low blood pressure, or hypotension. This indicates that the heart is not working hard enough, which contributes to improper circulation. People on the low/normal end of the blood pressure spectrum may have perpetually cold feet and hands.
It is normal for our blood pressure to fluctuate during the day. However, when an abnormal rate is sustained for a long period of time, this can cause physical ailments that affect the whole body. The best LASIK surgeons say that patients with abnormal blood pressure may require medication or lifestyle adjustments in order to maintain a healthier balance. Some of the most typical causes of high blood pressure include sleep apnea, kidney disease, abnormal thyroid function, tobacco smoking, diet (too much salt), obesity, pain relievers, decongestants, and other medications. Low blood pressure can be caused by stress, not breathing properly, orthostatic hypotension, and certain prescription medications.
LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles particularly Doctor Moosa say that high blood pressure can affect the retina by damaging connecting blood vessels and causing fluid buildup. This can, in turn, lead to hypertensive retinopathy or an eye stroke. Patients with high blood pressure thus risk damage to their optic nerve and even vision loss. Fortunately, if you do regular exams, your doctor should be able to prevent these serious symptoms by detecting high blood pressure early. If you begin to notice an onset of pain, blurry vision, or sudden floaters, then you should speak to your eye doctor and have a thorough examination.
Many people have a blood pressure that is slightly lower than normal, but do not experience symptoms. This is known as low/normal blood pressure. When blood pressure begins to drop too low, patients may begin to have difficulty concentrating, nausea, weakness, and light-headedness. Low blood pressure can also cause blurry vision or fading vision because the eyes are not getting sufficient blood supply. In order to avoid these problems, people should schedule regular checkups with their primary care physician and eye doctor.
If you are wondering how your blood pressure might affect your ability to get a procedure like LASIK in Los Angeles, then feel free to call Excel Laser Vision Institute and speak to one of our experienced staff. LASIK is a refractive surgery that has been proven to correct certain levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. We can help you determine if you are eligible for LASIK or other vision correction alternatives such as PRK and SMILE. Call Excel Laser Vision Institute at (877) 981-3003 and schedule your free LASIK consultation.
How Hormones Affect Vision and LASIK
Hormones are responsible for many processes in our body, including growth, metabolism, and even vision. As we age and go through bodily changes like pregnancy, our hormones can shift slightly, altering the quality of our eye sight. It’s no wonder that prospective patients for LASIK are examined closely and consulted on any current physical conditions before their surgeon will move forward with the procedure.
Different kinds of hormones carry out different functions in our body. When levels are unbalanced due to pregnancy or other conditions, this can affect a patient’s natural prescription. Those who are interested in laser vision correction in Los Angeles will be vetted thoroughly to ensure that hormonal imbalance, among other things, is not an issue. Here are some of the critical hormones that can affect our state of vision:
- Testosterone
- Progesterone
- Estrogen
- Insulin
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
- Thyroid hormones: tetraiodothyronine and triiodothyronine
Hormonal changes may happen as a result of age, such as menopause, or from a condition such as diabetes. People may experience slight or drastic changes in their hormones that affect their vision through a variety of life events. Here are some of them:
- During puberty, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone travels to the pituitary gland and begins the release of other hormones. Pre-teens may experience growth spurts that temporarily change the shape of their eyeball, which can cause nearsightedness. Patients must be at least 18 years of age to get LASIK in Los Angeles, which helps eliminate the risk of hormonal imbalance from this stage of maturation.
- During pregnancy, fluctuations in progesterone and estrogen can affect the glands of the eyelids and eyes. This may cause symptoms of irritation such as dry eye. Estrogen may also change the shape of the cornea, which can cause a temporary vision impairment. Usually, this is reversed after pregnancy, which is why doctors suggest waiting for hormones to rebalance before getting your corrective eye surgery.
- During menopause, eyes may become drier and less elastic as a result of a decrease in estrogen. This can lead to a more serious case of dry eye or even blurred vision. Women who have reached menopause may also have a higher level of intraocular pressure that could increase their chances of developing glaucoma. Eye care is especially crucial during this time of life to preserve vision and health.
- Middle-aged men may experience a drop in testosterone levels, which can lead to blurred vision and dry eye. This hormonal shift is similar to the stage of menopause for women. Men who are experiencing issues with creating moisture in their tear ducts should seek out an eye care professional for an expert opinion.
- Anyone with excessively low or excessively high thyroid hormones will also experience vision changes. High levels of the T4 hormone can actually increase a patient’s risk of age-related macular degeneration. Thyroid hormones can also affect the cells responsible for color vision.
- Anyone with diabetes may notice excessive dry eye as a result of low insulin levels. This affects both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients. If you are interested in getting laser eye surgery and have diabetes, then you should definitely consult an expert on your condition. Some patients may not be eligible for LASIK, but may qualify for an alternative refractive surgery.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in LASIK
Our world is no stranger to artificial intelligence. Technology like Siri, face recognition, and geo targeted ads are perfect examples of how artificial intelligence has been slowly integrated into our day-to-day life. AI can do more than entertain. It provides convenience, security, and precision. For that reason, it has proven to be a valuable asset in the healthcare world, specifically for eye care procedures like LASIK.
By definition, artificial intelligence is a form of technology that mimics human behavior and thought-processes. AI can “learn” much like humans by sifting through the given data while following its programmed course. In the healthcare system, AI is used to analyze medical imaging. Technology has advanced so that artificial intelligence can now detect certain skin and lung cancers as well as tuberculosis from x-rays.
Ophthalmologists who perform laser eye surgery in Los Angeles say that artificial intelligence has played a part in preventing blindness. AI can be applied to optical coherence tomography and visual fields as well as fundus photographs to identify diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and other health issues in the eye. Here are some more examples of artificial intelligence being used in eye care:
- One British AI company is working with a hospital in London to identify the development of exudative age-related macular degeneration.
- Researchers at a specialty hospital in New York have created an algorithm for AI to identify age-related macular degeneration in patients. This solution is both convenient and inexpensive, given that the required technology is basic.
- One Dutch-American retinal specialist created the first autonomous diagnosis system for diabetic retinopathy, which was approved for use in the U.S. in 2018.
As you can see, artificial intelligence is slowly transforming the world we live in through bettering healthcare practices. In the world of eye care, AI is particularly useful for its effectiveness in analyzing images. Eye exams at a LASIK eye center such as Excel Laser Vision Institute in Los Angeles require high-quality images and maps of the patient’s eyes. With the right algorithm, artificial intelligence can be taught to detect diseases during these routine exams and help prevent the onset of blindness. AI may also eventually allow for remote imaging in the future.
There are some limitations to AI which can be supplemented by other technology and manual skills. When you receive LASIK in Los Angeles, you are not given over entirely to an automatic machine. On the contrary, there is an experienced surgeon monitoring and controlling the instruments that correct your refractive error. In this way, machines and humans can work together to help patients achieve their vision goals. When utilizing AI in procedures like LASIK, eye surgeons can improve the speed, precision, and effectiveness of the surgery.
While artificial intelligence is an impressive feat for mankind, it is no replacement for the human brain. The existence of increasingly technical AI is exciting, but it does not signal the end of medical professionals. Rest assured, you will still have your eye doctor. Instead of replacing the skills of ophthalmologists, AI operates as a high-functioning aid for exams, diagnoses, and treatments. Statistics show that diabetic retinopathy scans controlled by AI are 95.7% accurate at detecting damage that requires a specialist referral and 100% accurate at detecting moderate to severe forms of the disease that might lead to vision loss. As we move into the future, AI moves with us and allows us to achieve greater things than we could have ever imagined.
LASIK Surgery Will Save You from Having to Deal with Foggy Glasses
One of the reasons that so many people get excited about LASIK surgery in Los Angeles is because it can often free an individual from wearing contacts or glasses. This independence from corrective lenses is not only convenient; it’s life-changing. With recent health orders asking people to wear facemasks in public, more and more individuals that rely on glasses are struggling with the common problem of foggy glasses.
Foggy glasses are hard to avoid when a face covering is necessary for most public spaces, especially now that we are entering the winter season. Even with masks that have tight, bendable nose bridges, air escapes and obstructs the vision of anyone wearing glasses. This is both inconvenient and dangerous. People walking in public, driving, and working can not effectively see because they are constantly dealing with foggy glasses. Plus, their risk of contracting a virus increases with the amount of adjusting they must do to compensate for this fogging-up problem. Many people are starting to search for the best laser eye surgery in Los Angeles as a long-term solution.
When the world was first struck with a new virus, many people were warned against wearing contact lenses. Glasses were a safer alternative because they did not require direct contact with the eye. This recommendation still stands. However, glasses present their own problems. Besides fogging up, glasses are easily breakable and can be lost, making it difficult for people to always rely on them. There are some temporary solutions to glasses fogging up, like using soap and water to wash the lenses or an anti-fog spray. However, these are not fool-proof solutions and can only provide so much of a barrier from moisture.
According to LASIK experts such as Doctor Moosa, the key to foggy glasses is that our breath is both warm and moist. This presents the same problem as a car windshield in the wintertime. When exhaling with a mask on, the water vapor is trapped and concentrated. All it takes is a little gap in our facemasks to cause this air to shoot upward onto our prescription lenses. The surface tension of the droplets causes them to spread like a thin film. The fog will only last until the water evaporates. However, by then, you have probably exhaled again and the fogging process begins all over again.
Fortunately, foggy glasses do not have to become the norm during this time. Many people are looking into LASIK as a permanent method of vision correction so that they may be less dependent on other means. LASIK eye surgery cost is more affordable than ever, especially with various financial plans available. If you are interested in laser eye surgery, then you can schedule an appointment with a LASIK clinic for an eye exam and consultation. Make sure to ask all of your burning questions about the procedure, such as how long does it take and how much is laser eye surgery. You will be well taken care of by experts and guided through the process to reach your vision goals.
Am I Too Old to Get LASIK Surgery? Debunking the Age-Limit Myth
In order to qualify patients for laser eye surgery, there are certain guidelines that LASIK clinics in Los Angeles must follow. One of the guidelines states that you must be 18 years of age or older to receive the procedure. However, there is no age-limit to receive laser eye surgery.
According to Doctor Moosa, one of the best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles, individuals in their 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s may very well be good candidates for laser eye surgery, depending on other factors like eye health. Generally, people under 18 are not considered good candidates because their eyesight is not within a stable prescription yet. Many people, even in their twenties, are asked to wait until their prescriptions have not changed for up to a year before committing to the procedure. However, there is currently no age limit that restricts qualified patients.
LASIK eye surgery can treat myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. In patients over 40, LASIK surgeons see a trend of presbyopia, which is age-related farsightedness. This can affect the flexibility of the eye lens and cause blurry vision. Fortunately, presbyopia as a condition does not immediately disqualify patients for LASIK eye surgery. There are methods by which a LASIK surgeon can still correct refractive errors and reduce dependency on corrective lenses.
Once individuals reach age 55, they may start to develop cataracts which cause lens clouding and blurriness. LASIK cannot treat cataracts, but patients may undergo cataract surgery and then consider LASIK surgery after, in order to further treat farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism. Therefore, LASIK may still be an available option, even for patients who are at an older age and are experiencing certain age-related conditions.
Besides being 18 years or older, there is no age requirement for LASIK patients. When evaluating a patient for laser eye surgery, doctors will consider their prescription, eye health, and general health. As long as someone has no medical conditions that will interfere with the surgery, they may very well be eligible for LASIK. The only way to know for sure is to speak to a qualified LASIK surgeon. When you go in for a consultation, you may ask questions like “how much is LASIK surgery?” and “how long does the procedure last?”. This is the perfect time to get clear on your vision goals and learn how refractive surgery can help you get there. Many people are fortunate enough to receive 20/20 vision after LASIK and can live independently from their glasses or contacts.
While age limits may not exist for laser eye surgery, there are other factors that may disqualify a patient for LASIK eye surgery. Here are some of them:
- Thin corneas – Patients with thin corneas may be better suited to alternatives like PRK.
- Medical conditions – Patients with autoimmune disorders or diabetes may have to take medications that could interfere with LASIK healing. Consult a LASIK specialist to see if your medical condition disqualifies you as a candidate.
- Eye diseases – Patients with corneal diseases, severe dry eye syndrome, amblyopia, keratoconus, glaucoma, and cataracts may not be eligible for LASIK eye surgery. However, in the case of cataracts, patients may be able to receive treatment for their condition and then be eligible for LASIK after.
- Eye infections or injuries – Patients that have suffered trauma to the eye or are fighting off infection may not be eligible for LASIK. However, they may be redirected to come back to the clinic for an evaluation after their eyes have fully healed.
- Pregnancy or nursing – Patients that are pregnant or currently nursing are not considered eligible for LASIK because of the hormonal fluctuations in their body. They may be eligible to receive laser eye surgery once their hormones have rebalanced.
What to Expect After Your LASIK Surgery
When you visit a LASIK clinic in Los Angeles particularly Excel Laser Vision Institute, you will be attended with the utmost respect and care. This is one of the reasons why laser eye surgery has become such a popular vision-correcting alternative in recent years. Not only is it precise and accurate, but most patients describe feeling safe and comfortable throughout the whole process.
Your surgeon at a LASIK eye center will first conduct a thorough examination of your eye in order to determine if you are eligible for the procedure. Once you are cleared as a qualified LASIK patient, they will run through the surgery with you in order to help you prepare mentally and physically. Typically, surgeons will ask that you come into the surgery wearing comfortable clothes with no makeup on and a designated driver to get you home. They will describe the various instruments that will be used to correct your refractive error and answer any questions you have about the surgery.
If you don’t have much experience with laser eye surgery, then it is important to ask as many questions as you can. This will help ease your mind for the day of the surgery and allow you to relax fully during the procedure. As you may or may not know, LASIK is known for being quick and painless. Some patients are done in under fifteen minutes and get to experience immediate results! Depending on your vision goals and the extent of your refractive error, your surgery and recovery process may vary. However, this is what most patients at a LASIK clinic will experience after their surgery:
- Improved vision immediately after the surgery – Not 100% clear, but astonishing for some patients who have relied on contacts or glasses for so long. Patients have described it as opening your eyes underwater.
- Ability to drive after 24 hours – Patients are asked to bring a designated driver with them to the surgery. Once it is finished, they typically notice their vision clearing up in the next few hours. Most patients can return to their normal routine in the next day or so.
- Protective shields – Many LASIK doctors recommend protective shields to their patients after the surgery to protect their eyes from injury and light sensitivity. This will be assigned for a certain period of time, depending on your eye needs.
- Prescription eye drops – In order to prevent infection and minimize inflammation, LASIK doctors will often prescribe eye drops to their patients. They may also recommend non-prescription drops to lubricate the eyes if any dry eye symptoms are noticed.
- Post-surgery rest – Patients typically describe LASIK as painless because the procedure is completed with the help of numbing drops and medications. However, once the anesthesia wears off, there may be some initial discomfort during recovery. In addition to eye drops and protective shields, LASIK doctors recommend that patients close their eyes and rest for the first four hours after their surgery.
- Post-surgery check-ups – LASIK patients can expect to have a post-op check-up on the day after their surgery. This is to ensure that the healing process is running smoothly and the surgical treatment is satisfactory. Patients will likely have a second check-up a week later. Make sure to tell your doctor about any symptoms that you may have noticed and ask any questions about the recovery process.
LASIK Eye Surgery Near Me
If you are looking for a qualified surgeon to correct your vision errors, then look no further than Dr. Moosa at the Excel Laser Vision Institute. As a Harvard-trained surgeon with thousands of surgeries under his belt, Dr. Moosa has the experience and the confidence to help you achieve your vision goals. Excel Laser Vision Institute has offices in Los Angeles and Orange County.
Tips To Slow The Progression Of Myopia
When you look at the number of people with vision problems on a global scale, you’ll see that myopia (otherwise known as nearsightedness or short sightedness) is one of the most common refractive errors. LASIK clinics have seen this trend increase over the years and recent studies have predicted that the percentage of people affected with myopia will nearly double over the next thirty years.
According to eye specialists, myopia happens when your cornea is too curved or your eyeball is too long. This distortion makes light focus incorrectly. Instead of falling directly on the retina, it focuses in front of it, which makes far away objects appear blurry. This is the complete opposite of hyperopia, in which far objects appear clear and closer objects are blurry. Many people seek LASIK eye surgery to improve their visual acuity as a cost efficient alternative to glasses and contacts. LASIK is known to treat myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Myopia usually starts developing for people in elementary school and then halts not long after they reach puberty. The condition, itself, is irreversible. However, treatments can be aimed at stopping its progression. The main goal is to achieve eye health at whatever level possible. Doctors are concerned about the recent increase in myopia because more severe cases are often linked to degenerative eye diseases. The World Health Organization cites myopia as the largest risk factor (other than age) for myopic macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachments.
LASIK surgeons hypothesize that the integration of technology in daily life has contributed to the rise in myopia and the greater willingness for people to look into laser eye surgery cost and benefits. People around the globe, especially those who have office jobs, are spending over 8 hours a day staring at a screen. Even children are spending up to 5 hours a day on various handheld devices. It’s hard for our eyes to relax when they are constantly fixated on a TV, phone, computer, or tablet.
Fortunately, the advancement of technology over the last few decades has also allowed for the invention of more precise vision correcting lasers and methods of refractive surgery. If you look up “LASIK surgery near me” on a search engine, you will see that the availability of this procedure is growing exponentially. Not only can more people be qualified for LASIK, but it is also more affordable than ever.
Vision correction surgery is a convenient alternative to wearing prescription glasses or contacts and more people are starting to see this as a viable option. If you believe that laser eye surgery may be right for you, schedule a consultation with a reputable LASIK clinic in Los Angeles like the Excel Laser Vision Institute. Until then,
Here are some actionable steps that some individuals can take to slow the progression of myopia:
20-20-20 Vision Break
When staring at a screen for a long period of time, take a 20-20-20 vision break every so often. This means a 20 second break every 20 minutes by looking at something 20 feet away.
UV Protection
Spending time outdoors is a great way to get off digital screens. However, it is important to always wear UV protection. Studies have shown that children who are exposed to about 2 hours of natural light a day can decrease their risk of myopia.
Antioxidants
If you want to treat your eyes well, eat lots of foods that are rich in antioxidants. This includes fish, nuts, seeds, citrus, and green leafy vegetables. You can also take vitamin supplements to add to a balanced diet.
Eye Exams
The only way to know if you have myopia or if it’s getting worse is to have your eyes checked by a professional. Make sure to schedule regular eye exams in order to monitor your eye health. This is especially important if you currently have a prescription to correct myopia.