The Best and Worst Cities in the USA for Your Eye Health
Many people don’t consider the environment they live in a factor in their eye health. They don’t realize that external things like weather and living costs can contribute to all sorts of vision impairment problems, even if they practice good habits and hygiene with their eyes.
So, using a combination of factors such as altitude, humidity, temperature, pollution, etc., we’ve compiled a list of the best and worst cities to live in for your eye health.
The Best Cities in the USA for Eye Health
According to an expert LASIK surgeon in Orange County, the following ten cities are the best in the United States for your eye health. Notably, almost all of these are located either in the Pacific Northwest or the Southeast.
- Tacoma, Washington
- Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Mobile, Alabama
- Portland-Vancouver, Oregon and Washington
- Orange County, California
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Jacksonville, Florida
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Washington
The cities were chosen based on several factors. We’ll be explaining more about them below.
Altitude
Low altitude cities like Tacoma and Sarasota have an abundance of oxygen in the air. This is important because your eyes (particularly the cornea) lack blood vessels, which means they can’t get oxygen-rich blood from the heart. Our eyes had evolved to get oxygen from our environment instead to keep them nice and moist, preventing them from drying out. This is also why eye doctors recommend you take out contacts a few hours a day—your eyes need exposure to oxygen!
Sun Exposure
Rainy or cloudy days may seem gloomy, but you’d never catch your eyes shedding a tear over it. That’s because too much exposure to UV rays from the sun can cause a variety of diseases like cataracts, eye cancer, and eye growths!
There ain’t much sunshine in Portland or Seattle, but at least you’re protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays!
Humidity
As a provider of laser eye surgery in Orange County, we know how much of a pain in the butt humidity can be. Not only do we have to deal with extremely hot summers, but we also have to deal with being perpetually sweaty and sticky!
Nonetheless, there is a hidden benefit to high humidity. Cities like Orange County and Honolulu are good for eye health because they promote tear production and help our eyes retain moisture. You’re less likely to pull out the eye drops in these cities!
Pollution
While they may seem harmless, pollutants in the air have adverse short-term and long-term effects on your eyes. That’s why people living in cities with low pollution such as Jacksonville and Tacoma generally have healthier eyes—with less dust, dirt, and other irritants floating around in the air, their eyes are clean, moist, and healthy.
Computer Usage
People get distracted way too easily on the computer. Before long, their eyes are dry and tired after spending hours scrolling through Facebook or watching random videos on YouTube!
If you live in New Orleans or Mobile, you probably don’t spend as much time on your mobile phone or computer. We don’t know exactly why that is, but we’re not complaining!
Commute Time
The longer you’re out and about in the city, the longer you’re exposed to pollutants, sun exposure, and other things that can irritate the eye. Unsurprisingly, commute time is a huge factor in eye health given how many people have to commute every day for work or school.
Commuters in smaller cities like Charleston and Sarasota have a shorter commute time.
The Most Eye Health-Conscious Cities in the USA
While the previous section had a list of cities that were healthy for the eyes, this section has a list of cities that prioritize their eye health. Compiled by VSP Vision, the largest non-profit eye health provider in the country, residents in this city are the likeliest to visit their eye doctors for annual check-ups or vision problems.
- Reno, Nevada
- Boise, Idaho
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Redding, California
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Denver, Colorado
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
“An annual eye exam should be a part of everyone’s overall healthcare routine, not only to keep their vision healthy, but also to leverage its proven preventative health benefits,” says VSP Vision President, Kate Renwick-Espinosa. “Your eye doctor is often the first to spot signs of chronic conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It’s critical that you visit your eye doctor annually to ensure the health of your eyes as well as your wellness overall.”
Looks like the rest of the United States could take a page out of their books!
Another interesting tidbit they found was that women were more likely to visit the eye doctor than men in all cities, both good and bad. 58% of their total respondents were women. Why men are less likely to go for a check-up is another topic entirely, and you could read more about the fascinating psychology behind it here.
The Worst Cities in the USA for Eye Health
On the other side of the spectrum, the following ten cities are the least favorable places to live in for your eye health. If you want to keep your eyes safe and protected, then you need to take extra care and precaution. Otherwise, you’ll have to start saving up for laser eye surgery costs!
- Denver, Colorado
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Salt Lake City-Ogden, Utah
- Wichita, Kansas
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Kansas City, Missouri
- El Paso, Texas
- Chicago, Illinois
- Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
As you can see, the cities are a bit more spread out than in the previous list.
Altitude
High altitude cities like Denver and Salt Lake City have less oxygen in the air, and the weather can get very cold and biting during the wintertime. This combination can be aggravating on your eyes that have to work double-time to keep everything warm and moist!
When it gets snowy and icy in these cities, there’s another worrying condition you need to worry about—snow blindness. This happens when harmful UV rays from the sun are reflected on the ice and into your eyes. It can cause blurry vision, irritation, sensitivity, and even vision loss.
Protective gear like sunglasses isn’t just for summer—they’re also a must for winter.
Sun Exposure
Sunshine might be associated with happiness and joy, but it can get pretty dangerous for the eyes. Too much exposure to sunlight can permanently damage the surface of your eye before you even realize it! As we mentioned earlier, you can develop conditions like cataracts and eye growths easily if you aren’t careful enough.
Always wear sunglasses when walking around Las Vegas or Kansas City!
Humidity
All specialists in LASIK in Orange County would probably agree that low humidity has more disadvantages than high humidity. Not only does it dry out the eyes, but it also dries out the skin (e.g., hands, lips), sinuses, and hair.
Additionally, research has shown that low humidity increases the spread of viruses and bacteria. With less moisture in the air, airborne particles can easily travel around. Our hair-like projections in the nose and lungs called cilia also function less in low humidity, making it harder for them to protect us. This makes us especially vulnerable to viral eye diseases like conjunctivitis.
It would be good to have a humidifier if you live in cities like Mesa and Albuquerque.
Pollution
Larger cities like El Paso and Chicago typically have tons of pollutants coming from car and truck exhausts, factories, construction and demolitions, and more. This makes their residents susceptible to irritation because of all the particles rubbing against their eyes.
Life in the city may not be fun, but be prepared for the onslaught of pollutants!
Wind
If you live in windy cities with air pollution, the last thing you want to do is have the wind blow pollutants and irritants right into your eyes. Tulsa and Wichita ranked high only on this list because a good breeze is enough to have your eyes reddening and stinging.
Computer Usage
Computer vision syndrome (also known as digital eye strain) is a set of conditions caused by excessive screen time on devices. Due to things like extensive computer usage, poor lighting, high glare from screens, poor seating posture, improper viewing distances, and others, people eventually develop eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and more.
In major cities like Denver and Chicago where everything is well-connected on the Internet, computer vision syndrome is a major problem. Even worse, it’s not talked about as much because computer usage only boomed in the last decade or so. However, we can assure you that digital eye strain is very much a real thing and something to think about the next time you’re on your computer.
Commute Time
As we mentioned earlier, a longer commute time means longer exposure to the elements. Chicago has one of the longest commute times in the country, along with New York City, Washington D.C., and San Francisco. Additionally, many of the country’s public transportation systems are a haven for pollutants and bacteria, which only makes things worse for your eyes.
The Least Eye Health-Conscious Cities in the USA
If you’re contemplating getting laser eye surgery in Orange County, you’d already be faring a lot better than people living in these cities. According to VSP Vision’s report, people living in these areas are the least likely in the country to visit their eye doctors.
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Bakersfield, California
- Merced, California
- Akron, Ohio
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Detroit, Michigan
- Stockton, California
- Santa Rosa, California
- Bridgeport, Connecticut
- Salinas, California
Now, there are plenty of possible reasons why people won’t visit their eye doctors, but probably the most prevalent of them is the expensive cost or lack of coverage in their medical insurance. Indeed, if you take a look at the list, you’ll see that Californian cities comprise half of it. That’s not surprising considering that California is the third-most-expensive state in the country to live in!
Another reason why people don’t go is that they feel like they don’t have to. According to a CDC report done in 2011, many think visual impairments are quite common and are a natural part of the aging process. Thus, they miss out on treating preventable eye diseases early on in their lives and start paying for it twofold as they get older.
Whatever their reasons are, it’s super important to not follow their lead. Not only does taking care of your eye health prevent vision-related problems like glaucoma and cataracts, but it also stays on top of other diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure that can quickly become life-threatening.
Luckily, the state of health insurance has relatively improved since the CDC published its report in 2011. Many insurance companies have started offering eye care as part of their coverage, so annual check-ups to your eye doctor should not be as expensive and inaccesible anymore. Please make sure your insurance provider covers eye care. Some examples include Aetna, Opticare, and United Health Care.
Additionally, many eye clinics have special financing options so you can pay off your procedures without breaking the wallet. At Excel Laser Vision Institute, for example, which is a trusted provider of LASIK in Orange County, we offer CareCredit and Vision Fee Plan that features a 3, 6, or 12-month no-interest payment plan and other extended payment options. Perfect eyesight will never be out of reach for us as we firmly believe this is something everybody deserves.
Always remember that not being conscious of your eye health will cost you not only money but also your vision.
Conclusion
This article is not meant to hype up or bring down certain cities. We know that not everybody has the privilege to live wherever they want in the country. We just want you to be more aware of how geographical locations can affect your eye health as it’s something most people don’t even think about. You need to be cognizant of these various factors so you can take preventive measures for your eye health, such as wearing sunglasses in cities with high UV exposure or carrying eye drops around in cities with low humidity.
Additionally, you can be conscious of your eye health no matter where you live in the country. Take good care of your eyes by practicing good habits and making regular trips to the eye doctor. Your vision is one of the most important senses and it’s important to protect it!
If you’re looking to improve your vision with LASIK in Orange County, then please contact Dr. Ferzaad Moosa at the Excel Laser Vision Institute at (310) 905-8622 today. Alternatively, you can fill out a free consultation form here!
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.
Corrective Measure | Cost Per Purchase | Cost After 20 Years |
Eyeglasses | $400 for eyeglasses + $240 for doctor’s appointments + $160 for miscellaneous = $800 every four years | $4000 |
Contacts | $250 for a year’s supply of contact lenses + $240 for doctor’s appointments + $156 ($13*12 months) for cleaning + $7 for cases = $653 every year | $13060 |
LASIK | one-time payment of $4000 | $4000 |
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.
Can Laser Eye Surgery Correct Reading Vision Issues?
If you feel it’s getting more and more challenging to focus on words when you are reading a page, you are getting headaches after reading for long stretches of time, the LASIK Orange County eye doctors are here to let you know that you’re probably feeling the effects of age and you’re beginning to lose your reading vision.
Throughout the years, the eyes lose their muscular strength, making it more difficult to focus at close distances. The best laser eye surgery doctors in Orange County call this condition presbyopia. It’s an age-related refractive condition that develops in the loss of focus up close. The eye’s lens becomes less flexible, and it usually means that you’ll require eyeglasses to read.
Presbyopia can happen in individuals who in any other way have good vision, but it can also come about in people who are already affected by other optical conditions such as hyperopia, astigmatism, and myopia. Fortunately, there are vision correction treatments at Excel laser Vision Institute which can assist in correcting this very common problem.
What Are The Symptoms Of Presbyopia?
The LASIK Orange County eye doctors tell us that there are several common symptoms that people with presbyopia suffer from. So, if the following problems sound like something you’re going through, then you may have to think about your options, or book a consultation at Excel Laser Vision Institute to find out how we can assist.
Problems focusing on objects that are closeby
Suffering from headaches or eye pains when doing work close-up or reading.
Experiencing fatigue when focusing for long periods of time
Depending on brighter or increased lighting
You have to hold cell phones, books, and other reading materials at arm’s length to correctly focus on them
When presbyopia begins, it usually happens from the age of 40 and becomes more apparent after that. When a person reaches the age of 60, many individuals will have lost the elasticity in the lens that lets them focus on objects close up.
Can Reading Vision Be Enhanced?
When you come for your free consultation, the LASIK Orange County eye doctors will let you know about all your options. However, the most common option for individuals with reading vision issues is to wear reading glasses. These types of glasses are usually specially designed to help the lens focus at short distances.
Since reading glasses are only required for short distances, they can be slightly annoying. Some people place them on a chain around their necks so they can conveniently get to them. While others carry them around in a case. However, having to always put them on and take them off just to read a recipe or an article in the paper can get on a person’s nerves. This is when LASIK eye surgery swoops in and saves the day!
Do You Want To Get Laser Eye Surgery For Reading?
Due to advancements in technology and surgical procedures, there are currently many alternatives available that provide a more permanent solution to reading vision issues.
Laser eye surgery is very well known as a successful treatment for correcting reading vision. With the help of a precision laser, your eye surgeon will reshape your cornea to correct any vision impairments you may have.
There are several different laser eye procedures to treat presbyopia which include:
Conductive keratoplasty
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK)
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
Let’s take a look at each one in more detail.
Conductive keratoplasty
This is when your eye surgeon uses radiofrequency energy to apply heat to very small spots around the cornea. The heat makes the edge of the cornea to slightly get smaller, increasing its curve (steepness) and focusing ability. The outcome of conductive keratoplasty is different for everyone and might not last long.
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
This procedure involves the eye surgeon to cut a thin, hinged flap away from the front of the eye. Then the surgeon uses a laser to take off inner layers of your cornea to steepen its domed shape. LASIK recovery time is fast and less painful than other corneal surgeries.
Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK)
The eye surgeon makes a very thin flap just inside the cornea’s outer protective cover, also known as the (epithelium). Then the surgeon uses a laser to reshape the cornea’s outer layers, steepening its curve, and lastly replaces the epithelium.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
Similar to LASEK, but in PRK the surgeon completely removes the epithelium, then uses the laser to reshape the cornea. The eye surgeon doesn’t replace the epithelium because it will grow back naturally, adjusting to the cornea’s new shape.
Besides laser eye treatments there are these options.
Lens Implants
Some eye doctors use a procedure that involves removing the lens in each eye and replacing it with a synthetic lens. This is known as an intraocular lens.
Many types of lens implants are available for correcting presbyopia. Also, there are lens implants that let you see things near as well as far. There are some that change position or shape within the eye (accommodative lens). However, lens implants can result in a decrease in the quality of a person’s near vision, and you may still require reading glasses.
Your eye doctor will inform you of the possible side effects such as blurring and glare. Plus, this surgery has the same risks that are linked to cataract surgery, which are infection, bleeding, inflammation, and glaucoma.
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Corneal inlays
You could be one of those individuals who have huge success with a presbyopia treatment that consists of inserting a small plastic ring with a central opening into the cornea of one eye. The opening behaves similar to a pinhole camera and lets light focus inwards so the person can see close objects. If for any reason you don’t like the results of your corneal inlay procedure, your LASIK Orange County eye surgeon can take out the rings, and you can go forward with another treatment option.
If you want to learn more about Presbyopia, get in touch with the Eye laser Vision institute at (310) 905-8622.
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!
More About Contoura Vision Eye Surgery
The LASIK Orange County eye surgeon tells us that with the progression in technology in eye surgery, an eye surgical procedure has become more sophisticated, and the patient encounters fewer complications.
Doctor Moosa, one of the best laser eye surgery doctors in Orange County, tells us of one such example of an advanced eye surgery known as Contoura Vision. This surgical procedure is technically more advanced and provides more accurate results than your standard laser surgery. When the LASIK eye surgeon performs Contoura vision surgery, corneal mapping divides the cornea into different elevation points. This helps to eliminate the irregularities of the cornea to the smallest level resulting in more clear vision. The surgery does not involve any blades and has fewer post-operative complications.
Contoura surgery immediately improves vision with a greater reduction in dependence on eyeglasses and contact lenses. Since highly sophisticated and modern instruments and ophthalmic expertise are involved, Contoura Vision eye surgery’s cost is slightly higher than traditional LASIK. When considering a Contoura Vision surgery, the patient should always choose a reputable LASIK eye surgeon like the one found in Orange County.
What Is Contoura?
The most advanced and upgraded LASIK eye surgery technique is Contoura Vision. Presently, the LASIK technique is around fifteen years old and only corrects the eye’s refractive power. At the same time, Contoura is one step higher since it restores both the refractive power of the eye and the corneal irregularities. Because of this, a much better outcome than conventional LASIK treatment.
Can You Detect Contoura Vision?
Of course! Your eye doctor can detect Contoura Vision with corneal topography and slit-lamp examination. Nevertheless, it is tough to detect it with simple examination methods in medical evaluation.
What Are The Permanent Effects Of Contoura Vision?
During a Contoura Vision procedure, the corneal surface tissues are permanently removed from the cornea’s surface, located in the front of the eye and maintains long life and permanent effects.
Nevertheless, in some instances, because of changes that happen inside the eye lens, effects may worsen over time, leading to distorted and blurred vision. If an issue similar to this happens and becomes a nuisance, the follow-up enhancement procedure is performed to restore the vision to a normal and clear one.
What Is A Contoura Vision Procedure?
Contoura Vision works on the basis of topography and is performed by an expertly trained LASIK surgeon. It focuses on the natural axis of the eye, for example, the visual axis. The eye surgeon uses a special topolyser to pinpoint and eliminate abnormalities in order to improve the quality of vision.
What Are The Differences Between Contoura Vision And LASIK?
LASIK surgery has been around for about 15 years, whereas Contoura applies the most recent Lasik technology, the key differences being:
The eye surgeon supervises the Contoura technique at all times; meanwhile, LASIK is a surgery that uses a mechanized keratome technique.
Contoura Vision removes irregularities that exist on the corneal surface irregularities are removed. LASIK does not.
The Contoura vision works on the visual axis and the superior axis. In LASIK surgery, the focus is on the pupil axis.
Contoura Vision saves more contoura vision.
LASIK is sometimes blade-free, while Countoura is always blade-free.
Contoura vision can achieve results better than 6/6 vision, whereas LASIK may not.
Does Countoura Vision Use Any Blades?
No. Contoura Vision is bladeless and consists of the use of two lasers. The first is the Femtosecond laser used to make a corneal flap, and the second is the Excimer laser that reshapes the cornea. The procedure is bladeless, painless, and stitchless.
What Are The Advantages Of Contoura Vision?
Contoura vision was created to upgrade and do away with the side effects of LASIK surgery. The advantages of the Contoura vision are:
You can do it at any age.
Lessening the dependence on eyeglasses or contact lens reduces.
Difficulty in driving at night reduces
Sensitivity towards light scales down
Painless
No hospitalization is needed.
Blade-less
Stich-less
No injection is used.
Minor side effects
What Makes Countoura Vision Different Than Smile (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)?
The two have similarities, but it is crucial to understand the key differences, such as:
SMILE can only correct nearsightedness.
Every section of the eye is inspected in Countoura Vision, while SMILE focuses on the cornea.
Results of Countoura Vision have been better than 6/6. This is not always guaranteed with SMILE.
There are fewer reported side effects in Contoura Vision.
If you are considering Contoura Vision LASIK in Orange County and want to speak to someone about any questions you may have, do not hesitate to contact Excel Laser Vision Institute today!
What Are Your Options When You Have Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is an eye condition that many LASIK Orange County doctors find in older adults. In this condition, the lens can no longer focus on nearby objects.
For laser eye surgery Orange County doctors, this eye condition is a natural and usually frustrating part of aging. Typically, Presbyopia becomes noticeable in a person’s mid-40s and worsens until the age of 65. As a matter of fact, the term “presbyopia” comes from a Greek word that means “old eye.”
Doctor Moosa, a premier LASIK surgeon in Orange County tells us that you will become aware of Presbyopia when you begin to hold books and newspapers at arm’s length so you can read them. A simple eye exam can affirm Presbyopia. Fortunately, LASIK surgeons in Orange County have different treatment options such as contact lenses, eyeglasses, and surgery.
What Causes Presbyopia?
The LASIK Orange County experts tell us that the clear lens sits inside the eye behind the colored iris. It alters shape to focus light onto the retina, so your eye allows you to see. The lens is soft and flexible in younger eyes and easily changes shape, allowing you to focus on objects close-up and far away. After age 40, the lens becomes stiffer, and it doesn’t alter its shape as effortlessly. This makes it more challenging to read, thread a needle, or do other close-up tasks.
Unfortunately, you can’t stop or reverse the normal aging process that causes Presbyopia. Nevertheless, Presbyopia can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Individuals who have issues seeing both near and far can take advantage of progressive lenses. Modern medicine recognizes that one day presbyopia will be treated with eye drops. If you do not do something about your Presbyopia, you will suffer from headaches and eye strain.
Also, there is a risk of premature Presbyopia in some people. Patients with cardiovascular disease, anemia, diabetes, farsightedness, eye disease, and multiple sclerosis are at increased risk for premature Presbyopia.
The symptoms of Presbyopia include difficulty reading small letters, having a headache or eye strain. Such people have to hold the material farther away from the eye.
What Are The Treatment Options?
When you ask about laser eye surgery costs, you will find that various treatment options may help you correct this condition. Different options available are non-prescription glasses, prescription glasses, contact lenses, surgery, and orthokeratology lenses. Every option has its pros and cons, and your ophthalmologist may recommend an option that best suits you depending upon your condition and lifestyle.
Reading Glasses
If the only vision problem you have is Presbyopia (you don’t suffer from farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism), eyeglasses may be all you require. Reading glasses help correct close-up vision issues by bending (or refracting) light before it goes into the eye. You can purchase reading glasses without a prescription, but an eye exam should determine the distinguishing power of reading glasses that you require.
Bifocals, Trifocals, or Progressive Lenses
If you already wear eyeglasses for other vision issues now, you might need bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses.
Bifocals correct close-up and far vision. You may or may not notice a line that divides the lens. The bottom of the lens refracts light for close-up vision, while the top portion refracts light to let you view distant objects.
Trifocals have three lens areas to correct for close-up, mid-range, and far vision.
Progressive lenses correct vision such as bifocals and trifocals. But rather than a line that separates each refractive area, refraction changes slowly in the lens from top to bottom.
Contact Lenses
Some people would rather wear contact lenses over eyeglasses. There are two kinds of contact lenses that correct Presbyopia:
Monovision contacts. These correct one eye for distance vision and the other for close-up vision. You have to adapt to monovision lenses and train your brain to see this way. The issue that some people have with monovision is that you can misjudge something’s distance or speed.
Multifocal contacts. These lenses have many rings or zones set at different powers. With this design, you are only using both near and far vision at the same time. However, you can train your brain to automatically opt for the proper focus for what you want to see. You may notice that using a multifocal lens makes your vision less sharp compared to using a monofocal lens.
Surgery
When some patients want to achieve monovision, they do refractive surgery. This can reduce their dependence on glasses for near and far objects. With the use of a laser, an eye doctor alters the cornea for clear far vision in one eye and close-up vision in the other. In a lot of ways, this is like wearing monovision contact lenses. An eye doctor may advise you to try monovision lenses before having LASIK surgery. This will help you decide whether or not monovision is a comfortable option for you.
At Excel Laser Vision Institute, we have a team of skilled and committed staff who will quickly answer all of your questions and put you at ease about your surgery. We only use advanced laser vision correction technology to carry out vision correction procedures. Our Harvard-trained surgeon, Dr. Moosa, serves at our Orange County and the Los Angeles offices. After we have assessed your prescription and eye health, we can discuss which eye correction treatment is more suitable for you, the necessary financing you may require, and the next steps. Start your journey towards a clear vision that eliminates your dependence on eyeglasses and contact lenses today.
Are You a Good Candidate for a LASIK Procedure?
If you want the most successful LASIK procedure in Orange County, apart from having a highly experienced LASIK eye surgeon, you have to meet specific patient criteria to determine whether eye surgery is suitable for you.
LASIK and PRK results are usually always good; however, not everyone is a suitable candidate for vision correction surgery.
Below is a checklist from the best laser eye surgery doctor in Orange County to provide you with a good start to help you determine if LASIK or PRK is appropriate for you.
You Should Have Healthy Eyes
If you suffer from a condition that affects how your eyes respond to surgery or how they heal afterward, you have to wait until that condition is dealt with. Good examples of this are:
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Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
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Severe dry eye syndrome
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Infection
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Any type of eye injury
If you have persistent dry eyes, which means you do not produce sufficient tears to maintain lubricated and healthy eyes, LASIK surgery may worsen this condition. Common symptoms of dry eyes consist of burning or stinging, a gritty sensation in the eye, less tolerance to wind, intermittent blurry vision, and even excessive tears in some instances. If you have some of these symptoms, do not hesitate to discuss them with your laser eye doctor before surgery.
Your LASIK surgeon can conclude if you have dry eyes during your preoperative exam and can usually treat the condition successfully so you can then go ahead with laser eye surgery. Possible treatments include artificial tears, punctal plugs, medicated eye drops, flaxseed or fish oil supplements, or a combination of these methods.
Also, cataracts that interfere with your vision and uncontrolled glaucoma will usually prevent you from being a candidate for LASIK or PRK procedures.
Your Cornea Must Be Thick Enough
Many LASIK refractive procedures in Orange County improve visual acuity by modifying the eye’s front surface (cornea). Carrying out laser eye surgery on a very thin cornea or one that has a surface that is very irregular and askew, such as the case of those who suffer from keratoconus, could jeopardize results and impair your vision.
If the LASIK eye surgery team in Orange County previously informed you that you couldn’t have LASIK since your corneas are very thin, recent breakthroughs may mean you’re now an acceptable candidate for laser vision correction. For instance, your eye surgeon can use a femtosecond laser rather than a microkeratome that can help him or her create a thinner corneal flap and, as a result of that, keep more of the underlying corneal tissue for laser treatment.
Moreover, suppose you’re still not a suitable candidate for LASIK or PRK regardless of the advanced technologies and techniques. In that case, another kind of refractive surgery, such as implantable lenses (phakic IOLs), could be a good alternative.
You Shouldn’t Have Very Big Pupils
If you have naturally large pupils, you could be at a higher risk of side effects such as glares, halos, and starbursts in low light, particularly when driving at night.
Your Prescription Must Be Within A Specific Limit
If you have a very high prescription, whether it’s because of farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism, your laser eye surgeon may recommend that you do not do the LASIK procedure.
Plus, very high amounts of myopia, for instance, would need the removal of too much corneal tissue and put you at higher risk of vision problems.
If you suffer from a severe refractive error, another type of vision correction surgery may be a better alternative, such as phakic IOL implantable lenses or refractive lens exchange.
You Have To Be Old Enough
Particular procedures require you to be 18 years old, and there are others that need the patient to be 21 years old. Patients who are younger than these ages can be treated as an exception with the vigilance of a LASIK surgeon and with permission from the patient’s parent(s) or guardian.
Typically, an upper age limit to laser eye surgery does not exist. Nevertheless, it is critical to keep in mind that you may still require reading glasses to correct near vision when you reach your forties because of a normal, age-related condition known as presbyopia.
Obviously, your LASIK eye surgeon may also consider you as a candidate for surgical correction of presbyopia such as monovision LASIK, which can improve your near vision without reading glasses or bifocals.
Considering women are at a higher risk for dry eyes after menopause, men have a greater risk for dry eyes later in life. As mentioned above, you should treat a dry eye condition before LASIK surgery.
Your Vision Has To Be Stable
Teenagers and many young adults often experience adjustments in their contact lens prescription and eyeglass prescription from year to year. Refractive errors need to be stable for at least 12 months before undergoing LASIK or other refractive surgery.
Typically, it is nearsightedness that slowly becomes worse, but there may be other changes as well.
This is why younger people are not appropriate candidates until their eyes have settled down into one prescription. Your optometrist can inform you whether your prescription is stable.
You Have To Be In Good Health
Contraindications to laser eye surgery may include uncontrolled degenerative conditions or uncontrolled autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, type 1 diabetes, and AIDS. People infected with HIV who have good immune cell counts may be candidates for LASIK.
Essentially, if your body has any trouble with healing, you will have a higher probability of an unsatisfactory LASIK surgery result. Opinions vary among LASIK surgeons on which diseases are automatic disqualifiers and which ones might be acceptable risks in specific cases.
Additionally, particular medications can intensify risks linked with laser eye surgery. For instance, immunosuppressants may disrupt post-operative healing, and some medications may increase the chance and/or severity of dry eye syndrome.
Ultimately, the only way to know for sure that LASIK is the best eye correction surgery for you is to contact Excel Laser Vision Institute today!
What’s The Difference Between Relex SMILE and Contoura Vision LASIK?
It’s safe to assume that everyone has heard of laser eye surgery. However, not many are familiar with specific vision correction techniques of LASIK. SMILE, Contoura, and Orange County LASIK are different versions of laser vision correction techniques. However, many are asking Doctor Moosa, the LASIK surgeon in Orange County, which one is best for them.
LASIK experts in Orange County will help you understand which technique is the most advantageous and we justify why you should go for laser vision to do away with contacts and eyeglasses.
What Are LASIK, Contoura, And Smile Eye Surgery?
When you consider laser eye surgery cost, in its most advanced form, when carried out at Excel Laser Vision Insitute uses two separate lasers, a Femtosecond laser creates a hinged flap that is lifted, and the base underneath the flap is rebuilt with an excimer laser. The flap creation makes next-day vision recovery a possibility.
The excimer laser that executes the reshaping element allows the laser eye surgery in Orange County to utilize the most advanced treatment algorithm, Contura Vision, which at the same time perfects the corneal shape whilst correcting the glasses prescription. This has made room for a new paradigm of visual quality results, representing the first time a person can achieve vision 2 lines better than the vision achievable with glasses.
SMILE LASIK in Orange County is when the eye surgeon only uses a Femtosecond laser to perform the entire correction instead of just the flap creation.
The femtosecond laser cuts a lenticle of tissue from the substance of the cornea that is then extracted through an access incision.
Both procedures correct Myopia. SMILE was initially conceived to reduce the outcome of dry eyes and potentially have a lower risk of an unstable cornea, also known as ectasia. As time has evolved and a more accurate evaluation of the effect of SMILE has emerged, it reveals these advantages have not been correct. Research has shown an occurrence of both dry eye and ectasia that is statistically similar to LASIK.
Since SMILE Does Not Have Advantages Over LASIK, What About Its Disadvantages?
First of all, SMILE is less accurate than Femtosecond LASIK with Contoura Vision.
About 98% of patients achieve vision equal to or even better than 20/20 vision after only one treatment at Excel Eye Vision Institute with Contura Vision LASIK.
The RELEX SMILE procedure only reaches 20/20 vision in about 60-85% of patients in recent studies. The inaccuracy of ReLex SMILE comes from the fact that the smallest amount of tissue taken out with a femtosecond laser is to 4 microns compared to the 0.25 microns attainable with an Excimer laser. This associates with at least sixteen times finer accuracy for an Excimer Laser.
The fact that SMILE lacks accuracy explains the increased number of requiring enhancements, at up to forty percent. Femtosecond LASIK provides next-day recovery with minimal discomfort, while eye enhancements performed with PRK or another surface-based laser can result in more discomfort for about two days and can take a patient six to eight weeks to recover.
Even when SMILE is effective, it usually takes three weeks, which differs from the next day recovery a patient can achieve with LASIK.
SMILE has a more extensive reduced treatment range. It can only effectively correct up to 0.5 diopters of astigmatism, while LASIK can correct up to 6 diopters. Also, It can’t correct hyperopia or mixed astigmatism. It can’t perform the sophisticated surface-perfecting ability that a Contura Vision procedure can accomplish, and as a result, it can’t provide this level of visual quality.
LASIK Laser Eye Surgery
Lasik is an abbreviation for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. It is a laser procedure that improves vision issues and gets rid of the need for corrective lenses.
Lasik surgery corrects the following refractive errors:
Nearsightedness (Myopia): It is an eye condition that involves the person having the ability to see nearby objects clearly but has problems when seeing distant objects clearly.
Farsightedness (Hyperopia): It is a condition that involves a person who can see faraway objects clearly but has issues seeing nearby objects.
Astigmatism: It is an eye condition that involves a person struggling to see both nearby and distant objects. It occurs because of uneven corneal curves or flatness.
Presbyopia: Also known as ‘aging eye, Presbyopia is an age-related condition. It occurs when the eye’s natural lens begins losing its ability to focus on nearby objects.
During a Lasik laser procedure, the LASIK eye surgeon in Orange County creates a corneal flap using a microkeratome instrument and pulls the flap back to get into the corneal tissue in the first stage. In the second stage, the surgeon reshapes the cornea utilizing an excimer laser.
SMILE Laser Eye Surgery
SMILE is an abbreviation for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction surgery. It is a laser eye surgery that is a contemporary advancement in laser vision correction. A laser eye surgeon in Orange County may recommend SMILE surgery to treat Myopia. Also, it can treat astigmatism that’s up to 5 Diopters. Also, it is a minimally invasive surgery that is bladeless. Typically it’s known as Refractive Lenticule Extraction/RELEX.
Why Should You Go For SMILE?
Less Invasive
Uncomplicated
Blade-free and Painless
Quicker Surgery & Recovery
Better Results
Flapless
Painless
Beyond Lasik
100% sterility
SMILE is an FDA-approved procedure that is usually carried out on patients between 18 to 40 years of age. It is a completed automated next-gen procedure that gets done quickly, guaranteeing long-lasting and fixed results. SMILE is a laser vision correction surgery that does not require the eye surgeon to create a corneal flap.
When an eye surgeon performs a SMILE procedure, a laser is used to make a small incision in the cornea. Once that’s done, the laser is used to take out a lenticule (a small piece of corneal tissue). This is the method that reshapes the cornea, and helps to correct vision. SMILE is only done after all required tests are completed to understand the condition of the eyes.
Even though the recovery from SMILE takes a bit longer than Femto Lasik or similar procedures, it provides the least possibility of dry eye as corneal nerves are well preserved. The chances of retreatment are next to nil as it is a keyhole surgery that contributes to the patient’s quick recovery.
Contoura Vision Eye Surgery
Contoura Vision Lasik is a topography-guided technology that is meant to enhance the effects of Lasik. Moreover, this procedure is also referred to as Robotic Lasik. During this procedure, a large flap of 22 mm is created on the top of the cornea. Then another separate laser system, an excimer, is used to remove the spectacle error.
This procedure utilizes an advanced computer algorithm to get details of the cornea over more than 22000 points on its surface. Personalized LASIK techniques such as Contoura uses the excimer laser only. Unlike SMILE, which works on the most advanced femtosecond laser platform.
If you want to learn more about the advantages and differences of SMILE, LASIK, and Contoura, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute today!
How To Choose the Right Sunglasses After Your LASIK Eye Correction Surgery
Imagine you have just had a LASIK, PRK, or even Contoura in Orange County done, and one of the supportive LASIK team members hand over to you a part of post-operative sunglasses and ask you to wear them. These sunglasses will not be the oversized plastic Cataract shades, but they aren’t going to be a fabulous sporty pair of Ray-Ban aviators either!
The first thing that the best laser eye surgery doctor in Orange County will tell you is to go shopping and get yourself a good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. However, the million-dollar question is, “What makes a pair of sunglasses the best pair to protect your eyes?” The American Academy of Ophthalmology has created the criteria below to give you a helping hand when choosing the best sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun.
Which Sunglasses Should I Purchase?
If you think sunglasses are only a fashion accessory, think again. They are vital protection for your eyes against the harmful rays of the sun. You must understand what type of light you need to protect your eyes from and what type of light is not necessarily harmful. Here is some advice from a LASIK eye surgery doctor in Orange County on picking out the right pair of nonprescription sunglasses.
Sunglasses Should Block The Harmful Rays Of The Sun
Go for the sunglasses that block ninety-nine percent of ultraviolet (UV) rays. This is the most critical attribute of your sunglasses, and you should always choose sunglasses that offer this protection. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight is connected to eye disease, including cataracts. Some manufacturers’ labels claim UV absorption up to 400nm. This is the same as 100 percent UV absorption. Some glasses make additional claims for blocking infrared rays, but studies have not shown a close link between infrared rays and eye disease.
A more expensive pair of sunglasses doesn’t necessarily mean a better pair of sunglasses. Many types of affordable sunglasses provide 99 to 100 percent UV protection, so you don’t have to fork over tons of cash on a pair of sunglasses. Inspect the quality of the sunglasses. Besides UV protection, you should also check the optical quality of the lenses. The LASIK eye doctors in Orange County recommend you test the quality of sunglasses by looking at something with a rectangular pattern, such as a floor tile. Get a hold of the glasses at a comfortable distance and cover one eye. Move the glasses gradually from side to side, then up and down. If the lines remain straight, the lenses are good. If the lines zigzag, particularly in the center of the lens, try on another pair.
You want to look for impact-resistant lenses. All sunglasses must meet impact standards that the U.S. food and Drug Administration has set out for safety. No lens is really unbreakable, says the LASIK eye doctor in Orange County, but plastic lenses are not as likely to shatter when hit by a ball or stone. Polycarbonate plastics, utilized in many sports sunglasses, are incredibly durable but scratch easily. If you buy polycarbonate lenses, choose ones that have a scratch-resistant coating.
Make sure to use protective eyewear rather than sunglasses for hazardous activities. If you are going to be busy in outdoor activities such as water or snow skiing that put your eye in harm’s way for injury, don’t rely on your eyeglasses for protection. Protection eyewear is available with UV protection to safeguard your eyes from sunburn and glare.
Lens color tinting and polarization are personal options. There’s no medical reason to suggest one tint of the lens over another. The same goes for polarized lenses that work better at deflecting glare, but they’re not blocking any more harmful UV light than non-polarized lenses.
Undoubtedly you want a nice pair of polarized lenses after surgery. However, it is normal to experience some glare during your LASIK recovery, and polarized lenses are designed to reduce glare. You don’t have to opt for the most expensive pair of polarized lenses. You will know a pair of sunglasses are polarized since they will have a sticker or label indicating polarized.
When shopping for sunglasses, try to go for ones that provide full coverage. The sunglasses that your eye doctor will give you after surgery offer you lots of coverage, including peripheral vision, but you don’t need massive, bulky glasses for that. Try to find sunglasses with wraparound style lenses, which provide full coverage and often showcase a stylish design. It is best to find a pair that offers coverage for all angles of your vision.
When you find the right sunglasses, make sure you wear them, particularly in the summer when UV levels are about three times higher than in the winter. Also, be sure to wear them when taking part in winter sports, especially at high elevations.
Protecting your eyes as they heal after your PRK, LASIK, or Contoura surgery is essential. Unique, quality sunglasses will get the job done. Here at Excel Eye Vision Center, we can provide the sunglasses you need after your eye correction surgery. You are welcome to visit our clinic in Orange County and Los Angeles for a one-on-one consultation. Please call us at (866) 923-9235 if you want to set an appointment or ask questions about our available sunglasses suitable for post-PRK, LASIK, and Contoura cases.
At Excel Laser Vision Institute, we have a team of experienced staff and cutting-edge laser technology to perform Contoura, PRK, LASIK, SMILE, and other vision correction alternatives. Our Harvard-trained surgeon, Dr. Moosa, serves both our Orange County and Los Angeles offices. Once we assess your prescription and eye health, we can discuss which eye correction treatment is suitable for you, financing, and the next steps. Start your journey towards a clear vision that frees you from eyeglasses and contact lenses today.
Why Choose PRK over LASIK?
Patients who visit Excel Laser Vision Institute, a LASIK clinic in Orange County, always say the same thing, “I’m sick and tired of having to wear glasses and contact lenses just to be able to see!” Most of these same patients are very aware of the very sought-after LASIK procedure. However, what about its close cousin, a PRK procedure?
Patients’ most frequent questions for Doctor Moosa, a premier LASIK surgeon in Orange County, are about the differences between LASIK and PRK. LASIK eye doctors in Orange County regularly perform both procedures with excellent results. They are very aware of what each patient really wants to find out is which approach would be perfect for them.
Why Would Your Eye Doctor Recommend PRK Rather Than LASIK?
When patients review LASIK eye surgery costs, they usually know someone who has had LASIK, but not PRK.
Typically, when patients have their LASIK or Contoura consultation in Orange County, they are waiting for their eye doctor to let them know whether or not they are a suitable candidate for LASIK. In some cases, a LASIK eye surgeon in Orange County drops a bombshell during the consultation process by letting the patient know that they would find PRK more beneficial than LASIK.
Various anatomical characteristics of a patient’s corneas may make them better candidates for PRK over LASIK. For instance, such as corneal thickness (or thinness), corneal curvature, and corneal scarring all may be why your eye doctor recommends PRK over LASIK.
How Are LASIK and PRK Similar?
Almost every eye care professional can agree that LASIK and PRK are both regarded as safe and effective laser vision correction procedures, provided that the patient is a suitable candidate.
Both procedures utilize an excimer laser to correct vision. Since they have the same method of attaining enhanced vision without glasses or contacts, the final visual outcome for patients usually is very similar.
In most cases, the excimer laser technology that your eye surgeon suggests for your procedure has the most significant effect on your chances of gaining 20/20 vision and the quality of that visual result than if the correction is carried out with the PRK procedure when compared to the LASIK procedure.
LASIK and PRK usually have the same visual results since they both deal with a patient’s blurry vision by changing the shape of the cornea using the cool energy of an excimer laser. The cornea is the structure located in front of the iris that has most of the eye’s focusing ability. To give you a better understanding, this is the part of the eye where a contact lens is placed.
If the cornea is the incorrect shape for the patient’s visual system, the patient has blurry vision. In a nutshell, the excimer laser vaporizes microscopic quantities of tissue in an accurate, tailor-made pattern to sculpt the cornea and alter its shape to enhance the patient’s vision.
You have to know the basics of what makes up the cornea to understand how LASIK and PRK work fully. To begin with, the cornea has five layers. The primary layer, known as the stroma, is the cornea’s middle layer, which includes 90 percent of the cornea’s thickness and it consists of collagen tissue fibers organized to make the cornea translucent and a high refractive index. These are two significant features of a focusing lens.
The cornea‘s outermost layer consists of a layer of translucent epithelium tissue (skin) to protect the cornea from the environment.
Similar to the skin tissue on other parts of the body, the epithelial layer of the cornea grows back if it is removed or damaged; however, the collagen tissue that forms the stroma does not.
In the LASIK and PRK procedures, the excimer laser sculpts the stromal layer of the cornea, giving a permanent change to the shape of the cornea. When the shape of the cornea is altered correctly, the light that enters the patient’s eye is focused more accurately for enhanced vision and without glasses or contact lenses.
How Are LASIK And PRK Different?
Although LASIK and PRK usually have the same end visual results, they are performed differently, which allows each procedure its own series of pros and cons when compared to one another.
In some instances, a patient may only be suitable for LASIK or only a candidate for PRK. In other cases, the patient can be a candidate for both procedures and may opt for the procedure they would prefer the most.
The disparity between the procedures is how the eye surgeon accesses the cornea to alter its shape with the excimer laser. The epithelium (skin) tissue that covers the cornea must be removed or temporarily taken out of the way before the excimer laser’s energy is applied to the cornea so that the excimer laser sculpts the layer of the cornea that does not reappear. The way the laser and eye surgeon gets rid of the skin tissue in the first step is called PRK, and the method that briefly pushes it out of the way is called LASIK.
Who Are PRK Candidates?
If a patient has thin corneas, they are not suitable LASIK candidates. However, they can opt for PRK. Individuals with large pupils may find PRK a better option, which is also the case for those with irregular astigmatism. Moreover, if you suffer from dry eyes and want to improve your vision, your eye surgeon will recommend PRK.
Athletes in contact sports may go for PRK. Also, patients in physically demanding jobs may choose PRK since the nature of such sports and work intensifies the risk of flap complications.
As with either procedure, candidates must be at least 18 years of age and have a stable vision prescription for at least one year.
If you want more information about PRK and whether you are a candidate for the procedure, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute and schedule a consultation with Dr. Ferzaad Moosa. He and his highly experienced team will explain the procedure in detail and answer any questions you may have.