Why LASIK Makes a Fantastic High School Graduation Gift
Has your child or grandchild recently graduated from high school? It’s still not too late to give them a meaningful gift that will forever impact their lives for the better! Perhaps they want to finally ditch those pesky glasses or contact lenses before the beginning of their first semester of college. Whatever the case may be, there are various reasons why a recent graduate who is at least 18 years old can benefit from Los Angeles LASIK surgery:
1. Learning comes easier with better vision.
Just because you finally earned that long-coveted diploma doesn’t mean you stop learning and researching. After all, learning is a continuous process, as the saying goes. When crunching numbers at work or staying up late studying in the college library, you should ensure that your eyes are as strong and clear as ever. By having LASIK eye surgery in Los Angeles, you can ensure that your vision is as good as it has ever been and that you won’t need to wear bothersome contacts or glasses to complete your future assignments.
2. Saves your graduate money in the long run.
Even though LASIK may initially seem like an extravagant expense, particularly after the high cost of attending college or graduating, it is the less expensive option for vision in the long run. Eventually, they will go on to have to pay their rent, groceries, student loans, and so much more! When you combine the price of lenses, solutions, office vision, broken frames, etc., the cost of contacts or lenses can quickly increase over time. When the cost is spread out over months or years, it might not seem as bad, but if you wear contacts for 20 or 30 years, the cost of corrective lenses could end up costing you thousands of dollars. This makes LASIK’s one-time price seem insignificant in comparison! Furthermore, is it possible to put a value on a lifestyle change that will enhance your quality of life in the long run?
3. Decreased risk of eye infection.
Young adults are at significant risk for contact-related eye infections. During college and the years following, young adults stay up late, share living space with other people, and cut corners to save money on things like contact lens solutions or renewing their disposable contact lenses. The risk of infections is much higher than average during these years.
4. Better self-esteem when entering university or the workforce.
Patients in the study also stated that their self-esteem significantly improved after receiving Los Angeles LASIK. After their procedure, patients had a more positive view of themselves and felt more assured in their personal and professional lives.
Learn more about the benefits of LASIK to students by scheduling an appointment with an Los Angeles LASIK surgeon by calling Excel Eye at (310) 905-8622. We can help you determine if LASIK is the right option for you and devise a plan to assist you with financing the cost of laser eye surgery. No matter who you are getting the surgery for, it will surely be the one gift they will never forget!
Why LASIK Is Beneficial for Military Service Members
If you are an active service member or planning to join the military soon, there are plenty of reasons why Los Angeles LASIK can be an excellent choice for you. The process of joining the U.S. armed forces can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking process, and we want to be there to help you make the transition from ordinary civilian to military life smoother for you.
Why should I get Los Angeles laser eye surgery before I head off to boot camp?
As with anyone who has a profession that requires a high skill level, you must have the ability to see as clearly as possible. Glasses and even contact lenses can be highly inconvenient for anyone in the service. You need to be able to think and act fast in this line of duty. During your basic training, you will need to prove that you are sharp enough to graduate from the academy, and having poor vision can limit what you are capable of doing. Having to keep replacing glasses or contact lenses or updating prescriptions is too time-consuming when you are in the military. That is exactly why seeking a highly-skilled Los Angeles LASIK surgeon is the best choice you can make if you experience vision issues. Stew Smith, a former Navy SEAL, has advised men and women who are specifically seeking to join the Navy to get any kind of eye surgery before enlisting.
Remember that each military branch has its own rules regarding vision requirements, so be sure to speak to your recruiter about the specifics, including whether or not you will require a waiver.
Can I be disqualified from a specific branch if I undergo LASIK?
At one point, one would be disqualified from the U.S. Army if they had LASIK. As of writing, you may qualify for a waiver. It will highly depend on various factors of your eye and overall physical health. Speak to a recruiter or any other active military personnel you may contact regarding the matter and a qualified laser eye surgeon to help you make the most informed decision for yourself.
LASIK for Aspiring Air Force Pilots
As of May 2007, those who have undergone LASIK and wish to join the U.S. Air Force can still qualify for service. All enlisted members, regardless of whether or not they have had Los Angeles laser eye surgery, must fulfill the vision requirements listed in AFI 48-123.
How long will I need to wait after LASIK to enlist?
Although the recovery time for LASIK is relatively quick, it is recommended to undergo LASIK between 6 months to 1 year before enlistment.
Allow us to serve you.
From all of us at Excel Eye, we congratulate you on taking the first steps into a fulfilling and truly groundbreaking career in the military and personally thank you for your service to our country. Our professional team can help you find the best vision correction option for you as well as help you finance the cost of laser eye surgery. If you think Los Angeles LASIK is the right laser eye surgery for you, please contact our office today to schedule your free consultation appointment!
Who Is Not A Good Candidate for LASIK?
LASIK in Los Angeles is a popular option for correcting vision problems, but not everyone is a candidate. Certain medical conditions and medications may make surgery impossible for you. Keep the following in mind if you’ve recently been looking for LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles:
Patients with unstable eyes
Any person with unstable eyes should avoid LASIK surgery. The laser doctors use in this procedure is designed to alter the shape of the cornea, but it is not strong enough on its own; thus, LASIK can lead to severe complications such as visible veins or retinal detachment!
People who suffer from severe myopia
Moderate myopia can be corrected with LASIK, but if you are not in the 10.00 to 13.50 D range, you may not be eligible for the surgery. A different treatment strategy will be recommended for patients with severe myopia.
Expectant mothers
Any kind of laser eye surgery is incredibly unsafe for a developing fetus, and it can also be harmful to your body while you are breastfeeding. As a result, the recommended amount of time to delay LASIK surgery is half a year after the child’s birth.
Minors
You must be 18 years old to receive laser eye surgery in Los Angeles. This is since a person’s vision does not fully develop until they reach adulthood.
Individuals with an autoimmune disease or specific particular medications
If you have lupus or rheumatoid arthritis and are thinking about LASIK surgery to improve your quality of life, you’ll have to turn to alternative treatments. Lasers can cause a flare in these conditions, making things even more difficult. One of the risks of this procedure is permanent eye damage from inflammation-related side effects such as retinal detachments. Furthermore, there is evidence that certain types may aggravate symptoms by activating the immune system, causing others to have lifelong chronic health issues.
Furthermore, people with heart disease, diabetes, or cataracts should consult an ophthalmologist before undergoing this procedure because it may increase the risks associated with these conditions during the postoperative period. If you are a woman using birth control, your prescription may be less accurate due to laser eye surgery, increasing your chances of an unplanned pregnancy.
Want to find out if LASIK is right for you?
While we would love to provide Los Angeles LASIK to anyone who walks into your office, it simply is not realistic. As a result, we sometimes decline patients and recommend alternatives to them, such as PRK or refractive lensectomy. Meanwhile, if you believe you are a qualified candidate, please get in touch with Dr. Ferzaad Moosa’s team here at Excel Eye today to schedule a consultation appointment. Our professional team will be able to devise the ideal strategy for you, ensuring that you receive only the highest quality results that will ensure your satisfaction. It is critical that you are not only completely satisfied but that your results last. Remember, you’re not paying that much money for anything, not paying that much money for nothing, are you?
How Diabetes Affect Eyesight?
If you have diabetes, you understand how difficult it can be to keep track of all the variables. Nearly every aspect of your life contributes to keeping your blood sugar under control. Failure to do so can endanger organs such as your heart, kidneys, and nerves. High blood sugar levels can also impair your vision. That’s why when it comes to managing your diabetes, you should be aware of how diabetes affects your vision and your risk of diabetic eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. You should also ensure that you have annual comprehensive eye exams with your ophthalmologist to stay on top of your overall eye health.
A general overview of the correlation between diabetes and eyesight from our Los Angeles LASIK experts.
As you already know, diabetes impairs your body’s ability to use or produce insulin effectively in order to control blood sugar (glucose) levels. High blood sugar levels can harm several different parts of your body, and this includes the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels.
Along with these vital organs, high blood sugar levels can harm your eyes in a variety of ways. This can result in damage to the tiny blood vessels in your eyes as well as fluid accumulation on the retina. If left undiagnosed or untreated, you may suffer irreversible vision damage or even blindness.
Fortunately for diabetics, 9 out of 10 percent of vision loss caused by diabetes can be avoided if detected early. The issue is that 2 out of 3 diabetics do not have regular eye exams. If you want to avoid diabetes-related blindness, early detection is critical. However, you must ensure that you receive the proper type of exam or you risk developing diabetic eye disease.
Do I qualify for Los Angeles LASIK if I have type 1 or type 2 diabetes?
There is no straightforward answer to this question. You will need to come in for a consultation appointment to not only evaluate the quality of your current eyesight, but also your blood pressure, and answer questions about medications you are taking as well as any other significant health conditions you are experiencing. Unfortunately, if your diabetes has truly affected your eyesight, you may not qualify for LASIK. It is critical that you are 100% honest with the Los Angeles LASIK surgeon, otherwise, you will put yourself at great medical risk. Luckily for you, consultation appointments at Excel Eye are completely free of charge.
Key Considerations for Diabetic Patients Considering LASIK:
1. Stability of Vision:
Diabetic patients need to have a stable prescription for at least a year prior to LASIK surgery. Fluctuations in blood glucose levels can lead to changes in vision, so stability is crucial for accurate corneal reshaping.
2. Control of Diabetes:
Good control of diabetes is vital. Patients considering LASIK should have well-documented control of their blood sugar levels, as confirmed by their primary care physician or endocrinologist. This stability reduces the risk of postoperative complications and improves healing.
3. Thorough Ocular Examination:
At Excel Laser Vision Institute, Doctor Ferzaad Moosa conducts comprehensive ocular health assessments to identify any diabetes-related complications, such as diabetic retinopathy or macular edema, which could impact the safety or outcome of LASIK surgery.
4. Risk of Complications:
Diabetic patients are at a higher risk of infections and slower healing after any surgical procedure, including LASIK. Detailed discussions with Doctor Moosa regarding the risks and benefits will help ensure that every patient makes an educated decision.
5. Post-Surgery Considerations:
Following LASIK, diabetic patients require close monitoring to manage any complications promptly. Doctor Moosa and the team at Excel Laser Vision Institute provide tailored post-operative care plans to address the specific needs of diabetic patients, ensuring optimal recovery and results.
The Role of Advanced Technology at Excel Laser Vision Institute
Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, such as the VisuMax® laser and the WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser, Doctor Moosa ensures precise and customized vision correction tailored to the unique needs of diabetic patients. These advanced technologies help minimize the risk and maximize the effectiveness of LASIK for patients with complex health backgrounds.
Want to find out if you’re a candidate for Los Angeles LASIK? Schedule a free consultation appointment today!
For diabetic patients in Los Angeles considering LASIK surgery, consulting with a knowledgeable and experienced LASIK surgeon like Doctor Ferzaad Moosa is crucial. At Excel Laser Vision Institute, we prioritize patient safety and personalized care, ensuring that all aspects of your health are considered before proceeding with surgery. If you’re managing diabetes and contemplating LASIK, let us guide you through your options for achieving clearer vision safely and effectively.
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.
The Deadly Dangers of Driving at Night
Did you know that most car accidents in the United States happen in the dead of night? In fact, according to the National Safety Council, 50% of fatal car accidents happen at night even though humans only spend a quarter of their lives driving at that time.
Below are the main reasons why driving at night is so dangerous.
You See Less at Night
Unless you’re a cat with enhanced vision in the dark, it’s extremely difficult to see things at night, even with perfect vision. Your headlights can only illuminate things to a certain extent—you’re still bound to miss certain road features like curves, potholes, sidewalks, and other things that can potentially harm you and your car.
Even worse, it’s a lot harder to see animals and people. How many horror stories have you heard about deer or moose suddenly appearing out of nowhere while you were driving at night? Not only can driving at night be dangerous to you, but it can also be dangerous for others—it’s a lose-lose situation for everybody.
You Have a Slower Reaction Time
Because your eyes see less at night, your body has less time to react to certain things. This is especially grimmer because people tend to drive faster at night—with less traffic around, people feel more confident about speeding.
This combination of slower reaction time and higher speed can be fatal. According to a study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents caused by speeding occur twice as much at night than during the day.
You’re Prone to Light-Related Issues
If you think that more light when night driving is a good thing, then think again! Light-related issues like glares, halos, and blurred vision can negatively impact your vision at night. It’s the same kind of pain and discomfort you feel when someone turns the lights on you while you’re sleeping—your eyes have a hard time adjusting to sudden, bright lights, and that can make all the difference between life and death.
You’re Sleepier at Night
If you’re driving late at night, chances are you’re lacking sleep. Being sleepy makes you less aware of your surroundings, making you more prone to accidents or poor driving decisions, or worse, falling asleep behind the wheel!
How to Practice Safe Driving at Night
Now that you’re aware of the risks of night driving, it’s time to learn how to mitigate them. Below are several effective ways to improve your safety when driving at night.
Avoid Driving at Night
The best way to avoid accidents caused by driving at night is, of course, to avoid driving at night altogether. As much as possible, you should squeeze in all of your outdoor activities in the daytime so you can be home safe and sound before the sun sets.
If you’re someone who can’t avoid driving at night due to things like night shifts or emergencies, then just make sure to take extra precautions. Reduce your driving speed. Drive in well-lit areas. Have a friend to keep you company so you won’t be tempted to fall asleep. All of these will up your safety considerably.
Keep Everything Clean
You’ve already got low visibility due to lack of light—don’t make it even lower with dirty cars!
Keep everything nice and squeaky clean, including your windshield, side mirrors, side windows, and rearview mirror. This way, you can readily see things whenever you need to. Remember to clean the inside part of your windows, too; many people forget that it gets just as dirty as the outside!
Also, keep your eyeglasses just as clean. Or better yet, invest in laser eye surgery costs so you’ll never have to worry about eyeglasses or contact lenses ever again.
Be Well-Rested
If you plan on driving at night, make sure you have a few hours of sleep beforehand at the very least, and never drive if you’ve been awake for more than 16 hours. If you find yourself yawning or struggling to keep your eyes open, then pull over for a nap or find the nearest accommodation as soon as possible and continue driving in the morning.
Sleep is an absolute must if you want to keep your mind alert on your journey.
Schedule Eye Exams with Your Doctor
Keep your eyes and eyesight in tip-top shape by making regular visits to your eye doctor. They’ll be able to assess any issues with your eyes, like astigmatism or cataracts that can affect your driving at night. They can also prescribe you medications and/or corrective measures to fix it.
Don’t forget to ask your doctor about anti-glare lenses, polarized glasses, or LASIK in Los Angeles!
Conclusion
There is no excuse for poor driving behavior and etiquette when driving at night. Not only are you a danger to yourself, but you’re also a danger to other people! Keep you and your loved ones safe at all times by driving extra carefully, keeping your car clean and fully functional, and being healthy (i.e., having your vision checked regularly and never driving with alcohol or drugs in your system).
If you’re a frequent night driver and are interested in learning more about improving your vision for driving at night, then might we recommend visiting your nearest Los Angeles LASIK surgeon, Dr. Ferzaad Moosa? He is an experienced surgeon with more than two decades of service under his belt. Schedule a free consultation with him today at (310) 905-8622 to see if LASIK can help keep you safer not only at night but the whole day!
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.
What to Expect After Getting the Best Laser Eye Surgery in Los Angeles
The best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles agree that proper aftercare is crucial to having a successful surgery. You need to treat your eyes with a lot of care and love as they just went through a lot of work, as I’m sure anyone would need if they had lasers set on them!
Here’s what to expect after getting your life-changing laser eye surgery.
The First Few Hours After Your Surgery
After the surgery is completed, your eye surgeon will let you take a little cat nap to let your eyes recover from the ordeal. Then, when you open your eyes again, you’ll notice that everything around you will be pretty foggy like you’ve just opened your eyes underwater.
This can be a little disconcerting, but you shouldn’t worry about it. It’s completely normal! Your vision will eventually clear up the more your eyes heal, though some of our past patients had reported being very impressed by what they could already see the second they opened their eyes.
However, since your vision is still pretty affected, you still won’t be allowed to move around on your own. All LASIK surgeons will require a companion with you to either drive you to and from the appointment or guide you around public transportation. This is for your safety and the safety of others.
Your surgeon will also require you to wear eye shields. These need to be worn the whole day after your surgery and often the next few days as they will protect your eyes from damage. Eye shields prevent you from accidentally touching or rubbing your eyes, especially when you’re asleep and can’t control your movements. It also protects you from bacteria moving from your bedsheets or pillows to your eye.
And speaking of sleep, you’ll be doing a lot of it once you get home from your surgery. Sleep is the #1 way to let the eyes heal, so have a minimum of four hours of shuteye for a faster recovery process.
Once you wake up for the second time, the effects of the anesthesia will have worn off. You might experience discomfort and even pain—some of our patients describe it as having something sharp stuck in your eye, or a burning sensation that won’t go away.
Use your prescribed medications to help soothe your eyes. They should help you manage your pain by preventing infection and reducing inflammation. They also stop your eyes from itching by keeping them well-lubricated.
Here’s a neat trick: if your surgeon allows it, you should refrigerate your eye drops! They feel so good in the eye and can wake you up really quick.
The First Few Days After Your Surgery
As we mentioned earlier, you’ll need to wear your eye shields for the next few days to protect your corneal flap. While they’re technically only required at night, we still highly recommend wearing them whenever you can, especially if you’re prone to reaching for your eyes.
While you’re outside, you can start switching to sunglasses—they’ll protect your delicate eyes from the harsh UV rays and is something everybody should do even without getting LASIK. This is also super important as your eyes will still be pretty sensitive to light post-surgery.
Now, when it comes to taking a shower, you need some extra protection. Having unfiltered water and chemical-laden shampoos in your eye is a first-class ticket for harmful bacteria and unwanted pain. That’s why we highly recommend wearing swimming goggles or face shields while you’re showering, as these will keep your eyes nice and dry while you wash off. Alternatively, you could also keep your eyes firmly shut while you wash your hair, and then quickly wipe off the water with a towel after you’re done.
Not showering at all is also an option, albeit a slightly smelly one.
Lastly, you’ll need to visit your doctor for a follow-up appointment a day or two after your surgery. They’ll need to monitor your early recovery to see if it’s going as planned. Here, you can tell them what kind of side effects you’re experiencing—if you have dry eyes, puffy eyelids, excess tears, or any other condition, your doctor can prescribe something to help.
The First Few Weeks After Your Surgery
While the recovery process for LASIK Los Angeles is pretty quick, there are some things you still need to limit.
For one, you need to spend less time in front of your computer or reading. These activities contribute to dry eyes. If you must, just make sure to use your eye drops frequently to keep them lubricated.
Secondly, avoid wearing makeup products altogether. Eyeshadows, eyeliners, mascara, and other products have bacteria in them that can get transferred over to your eyes. This is why you should avoid large bodies of water like pools, lakes, and oceans too—they’re cesspools of bacterial contamination!
Thirdly, avoid being in places that have a lot of dust, dirt, and smoke. The tiny particles can enter your eye and can exacerbate the itchiness. Trust us, when you’ve got a healing corneal flap, the last thing you want to do is get a dust particle lodged in there! Avoid gardening and heading to places with lots of air pollution.
About a month after your surgery, you’ll be cleared for vigorous activities like aerobic exercises and weightlifting. With that said, you’ll still need to wear polycarbonate sports glasses to prevent trauma, even if you’re not required to wear eye shields to sleep anymore.
Your vision will fluctuate during this period as your eye heals even more. This is normal. Contact your surgeon only if your vision gets worse or if you start feeling pain for no reason.
The First Few Months After Your Surgery
It’ll take up to six months for your vision to stabilize, and it’s important to have regular check-ups with your eye surgeon. As we mentioned earlier, they can track your healing process, prescribe medications, and identify any issues before they get any worse. Aim to visit them at least once every month.
As your vision stabilizes, you might have problems with halos, starbursts, glares, and others. They resolve themselves for the most part, but in some extremely rare cases, they might not be fixed. Your vision could also not be 100% even after proper healing. In that case, you can consult with your doctor and see if this is something that can be fixed with another surgery, free of charge.
LASIK in the Long Run
Now, keep in mind that LASIK isn’t a magic surgery that’ll make you immune to all future eye problems. LASIK only fixes irregularities in your cornea—it doesn’t prevent irregularities that eventually develop in other parts of your area. As you get older, you can become nearsighted or farsighted again due to conditions like presbyopia and hyperopia. You can also develop eye problems like glaucoma and cataracts.
However, these conditions don’t usually show up until you’re well in your 40s. You’ll have lots of time to enjoy the benefits of your LASIK, free of pesky eyeglasses and contacts. Savor it while you can!
10 Realistic Expectations Regarding LASIK
Realistic expectations are crucial when considering Los Angeles LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) surgery, as it’s a medical procedure that can significantly improve vision but may not guarantee perfect results for everyone. Here are some realistic expectations you should have about LASIK:
Improved Vision
LASIK can effectively correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. The primary goal of LASIK is to improve vision, often reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses for many everyday activities.
Reduced Dependency on Corrective Eyewear
While LASIK can significantly reduce dependency on glasses or contacts, it may not eliminate the need for them in all situations. Some individuals may still require reading glasses for close-up tasks due to presbyopia, a natural aging change in the eye that typically occurs after age 40.
Potential for Complications
Like any surgical procedure, LASIK carries risks and potential complications, although rare. These may include dry eyes, glare, halos, fluctuations in vision, undercorrections, overcorrections, and, in rare cases, more severe complications such as infection or corneal ectasia.
Realistic Vision Expectations
While LASIK can provide excellent visual outcomes for many individuals, it’s essential to understand that achieving “perfect” vision is not guaranteed. Factors such as the severity of refractive error, corneal thickness, pupil size, and individual healing responses can influence the final visual outcome.
Time for Healing and Stabilization
It takes time for the eyes to heal and vision to stabilize after LASIK surgery. While some individuals may experience improved vision immediately or within a few days, others may require several weeks or months for optimal results. Following post-operative instructions and attending follow-up appointments to monitor progress and address concerns is essential.
Possible Need for Enhancement
In some cases, additional procedures or enhancements may be necessary to achieve the desired visual outcome after LASIK surgery. This may occur if there is residual refractive error, undercorrection, overcorrection, or regression of the initial correction over time. Your surgeon can discuss the possibility of enhancements based on your circumstances.
Long-Term Results and Stability
While LASIK can provide long-lasting visual improvement for many individuals, the stability of the results can vary. Factors such as age, hormonal changes, eye health, and lifestyle factors can influence the long-term stability of the correction. Some individuals may experience changes in vision over time and may require additional vision correction.
Pre-Existing Eye Conditions
LASIK may not be suitable for individuals with certain pre-existing eye conditions or factors that increase the risk of complications. These may include cataracts, glaucoma, severe dry eye syndrome, corneal abnormalities, or autoimmune diseases affecting the eyes. It’s essential to undergo a comprehensive eye examination and evaluation to determine suitability for LASIK surgery.
Continued Eye Care
Even after successful LASIK surgery, it’s essential to maintain regular eye exams and follow-up care with an eye care professional. Routine eye exams can help monitor eye health, detect any vision changes, and address any potential issues promptly to ensure long-term ocular health and visual stability.
Satisfaction with Improvement
While LASIK can significantly improve vision and quality of life for many individuals, satisfaction can vary from person to person. Having realistic expectations and understanding that LASIK is not a guarantee of perfection but a treatment option that can substantially benefit many individuals is essential.
Conclusion
Having realistic expectations about LASIK surgery is essential for making an informed decision and achieving satisfactory outcomes. While LASIK can significantly improve many individuals’ vision and quality of life, it’s essential to understand the potential risks, limitations, and variability in results. By discussing your goals, concerns, and expectations with a qualified eye care professional, you can decide whether LASIK is the right choice for you.
If you’re interested in learning more about LASIK, why not contact the office of Dr. Ferzaad Moosa? He is a licensed, board-certified surgeon that has been offering high-quality LASIK in Los Angeles for the past 23 years. He’ll help you achieve the perfect vision with outstanding talent, revolutionary technology, and state-of-the-art care facilities.
Visit our website here and fill out our free evaluation form. You could also contact us at (310) 905-8622 to set an appointment.
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!
