Vision health is an often-overlooked aspect of our modern lives. Many people put incredible strain on their eyes without considering the long-term effects. Yaldo Eye Center wants all people to take care of their eyes.
Save Your Vision 2015 is focused on the eye-care needs of the 21st Century. They are trying to raise awareness of how digital technology impacts users’ eyes.
The doctors at Yaldo Eye Center have listed several eye health tips below!
- There are no shortcuts. While there are mobile apps and electronic tests online that claim to offer comprehensive eye exams, they have not replaced the traditional visit to an optometrist’s office. See your doctor once yearly to get a full exam.
- Follow the 20-20-20 Rule. Yaldo Eye Center recommends that users take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something three-dimensional at least 20 feet away. This easy principle takes discipline, which makes it an important habit for children to develop because they are using digital devices more every year.
- Be careful shopping online. Consumers believe that shopping for eyeglasses online is a way to save money. Yaldo Eye Center wants to raise awareness of the hidden costs and dangers of online eyewear shopping. Arm yourself with knowledge and avoid paying for eyewear that could be hurting your vision.
Learn about Computer Vision Syndrome
Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), also known as Digital Eye Strain, is a group of eye and vision problems that are associated with extensive use of computers, cell phones, e-readers and tablets. The following symptoms are commonly associated with CVS:
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Dry eyes
- Eyestrain
- Neck and shoulder pain
Evidence indicates that the severity of these symptoms is often dependent upon pre-existing vision abilities and the time spent looking at digital screens. Some may experience symptoms of greater severity or variety if they have uncorrected vision problems like astigmatism, farsightedness, or poor eye coordination.
Older individuals may experience greater difficulty in viewing screens due to age-related changes of the eye like presbyopia. Some other causes of CVS symptoms are:
- Glare on a digital screen
- Poor seating posture
- Poor lighting
- Improper viewing distances
What Causes CVS?
Computer and digital screens make eyes work harder. Looking at a screen is different than looking at print on paper. Lettering on screens may not be sharply defined, causing users to struggle to read it.
Excessive visual demands on an individual, requiring eyes to perform tasks that take the greatest effort to focus, will cause CVS. Those at greatest risk of the syndrome are those who spend two or more hours in front of a screen every day.
At Yaldo Eye Center we encourage people to take the time to consider the health of their eyes. Everyone uses their eyes for many tasks, so make sure they will last a lifetime.
Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions regarding LASIK surgery at (800) 398-3937.
Many considerations go into determining whether a patient is a good candidate for LASIK, such as cost, your degree of vision impairment, and potential side effects. Since astigmatism affects most people at some level and is a frequent companion of common issues like nearsightedness and farsightedness, knowing whether LASIK can correct the condition can also be an important factor.
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or the lens of the eye has curved into an oblong shape. This can occur naturally or be caused by an injury. For people who have some degree of astigmatism, this can cause blurred vision and lead to discomfort and headaches. Severe cases may even require a corneal transplant. Astigmatism can be corrected with glasses, contacts, or laser eye surgery.
During the procedure, LASIK corrects astigmatism by extracting the inner corneal layer from the eye. This alters the oblong shape that can cause the blurriness associated with astigmatism. There are other ways of treating astigmatism, including another surgical procedure which removes more tissue. LASIK has the extra advantage of correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism with a 96% success rate.
LASIK also has the added benefit of being nearly painless, and it has a very quick recovery time. For those who have mild or moderate vision problems, LASIK is a great vision correction option to consider.
As always, you should consult your ophthalmologist when considering LASIK or any other procedure. Only a physician can evaluate your unique situation and recommend the best course of action for you.
Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions regarding LASIK surgery at (800) 398-3937.
QUESTION:
Does your vision have to be 20/20 to be a surgeon and will LASIK be a good option for bad eyesight?
ANSWER:
Being a surgeon requires excellent vision. Some types of surgeons require more excellent vision than others. Microsurgeons such as ophthalmologists, neurosurgeons and vascular surgeons need particularly sharp vision. Know that people who have 20/25 or even 20/30 see very well, and in my opinion can function quite well as surgeons, again, depending on the visual demands. Orthopedic surgeons, for example, tend to work with larger instruments, and heavier sutures, which may allow for less than 20/20 vision. And, as time goes on, we are seeing more “robotic” surgery (ie DaVinci) in various fields, which will extend a mortal surgeons’ limited dexterity (and possibly vision) to superhuman levels.
QUESTION:
Is it possible to go through LASIK surgery before 22 years of age?
ANSWER:
Yes, most lasers are FDA approved to treat patients 21 and older (some lasers are approved for 18 and over). More importantly, you and your surgeon should evaluate whether your vision is stable, or if your myopia has been steadily increasing over the last year or two. If your prescription is not stable, you may become slightly nearsighted again following your LASIK. And finally, at -11D your prescription is severe. It is vital that your corneas be thick enough to allow for a full correction.
If you are between 21 and 45 and nearsighted, you may be a candidate for the Visian ICL. Unlike traditional contact lenses that go on the eye’s surface, the Visian ICL is positioned inside the eye between the iris (the colored part of the eye) and the natural lens, which stays indefinitely. In an emergency, it can also easily be removed from the eye.
QUESTION:
Which is best, iLASIK or zLASIK?
ANSWER:
iLASIK and zLASIK are simply terms coined by various equipment manufacturers to “brand” their version of custom, blade-free LASIK. If you’re really asking, “what is the best brand of equipment to have for my LASIK?” the answer is all of the major excimer laser (Visx, Allegretto, Bausch & Lomb, Nidek) and femtosecond laser (IntraLase, Ziemer) manufacturers offer excellent products which when used in skilled surgeons’ hands, deliver outstanding results. Much like a race car and driver, you need to have great equipment AND a great surgeon. Technical specs on a laser can often be less important than who is behind the laser operating it. Corneas should be of normal shape, without signs of keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, or other structural abnormalities. Corneal thickness should be sufficient to allow a 275 to 300 micron residual bed minimum after ablation. Pentacam is currently the gold standard when it comes to measuring and analyzing the shape of the cornea preoperatively.
LASIK surgery is a common dream shared by many people who suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. This surgery, performed by an opthomologist, corrects vision using a laser to re-shape the cornea, improving visual acuity, which is the clearness and sharpness of images. LASIK surgery is a relatively safe, minimally invasive surgery that significantly improves the lives of recipients, who are usually able to discontinue the use of eyeglasses and contact lenses. However, for the woman who is pregnant or nursing a baby, there are several important factors that must be taken into consideration before choosing to go ahead with this procedure.
Physical Changes in Eyesight Due to Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of change in a woman’s body. Some of these changes involve the eyes and eyesight. Some are only temporary, while others may be permanent. Because of fluctuations in hormone levels, many women experience changes in vision, such as new or increased levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. The shape and thickness of the cornea can change, and because of fluid retention, may also swell. Changes in eyesight can also be caused by the development of hypertension and diabetes, which can develop during pregnancy. Dry eyes are another common complaint. These physical changes in a pregnant woman’s body make her a poor candidate for LASIK surgery, as the correction achieved may not be right if the eyes change again after the birth of the baby.
Safety Issues During Pregnancy
There are many changes in a pregnant woman’s eyes that warrant waiting to have LASIK surgery, but there are certain safety issues as well. LASIK surgery patients are prescribed medications during and following surgery that may enter the bloodstream through mucous membranes. Many of these medications have not been tested on pregnant women, and cannot be guaranteed to be safe for the fetus. The doctor must dilate the eyes prior to surgery, and drugs are often given, such as Valium, for relaxation during the procedure. There may be antibiotics and steroid eye drops after surgery. These can all enter the bloodstream and pose potential risks to the baby. There is also a small risk of radiation from the lasers themselves. These safety concerns are red flags to any pregnant woman that this is not the best time to explore LASIK surgery.
Considerations For the Nursing Mother
It is clear that a pregnant woman should wait until after pregnancy to have LASIK surgery. However, for the nursing mother, there are concerns as well. She will experience hormonal changes even after the birth. These can have a detrimental effect on healing after surgery. Breastfeeding can also cause changes in the cornea that may not be resolved until after weaning.
There is also an increased risk of medications making their way into the breast milk. Post-operative medications, antibiotics and steroid eye drops all enter the breast milk, even in small amounts. These medications are not tested on babies, so there is no safety guarantee, and they could be potentially dangerous to the nursing infant.
It is clear that the months during pregnancy and breastfeeding are not the time to consider having LASIK surgery. The physical changes that occur in a woman’s eyes, as well as the safety hazards involved in certain types of medications will not be fully resolved until after the breastfeeding period is over. Most doctors recommend that women wait to have the procedure for approximately two to three menstrual cycles after the baby is weaned for best results. So, being patient, following doctor’s orders and waiting the proper amount of time are the right ways to ensure the best results possible from LASIK surgery.
Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions regarding LASIK surgery at (800) 398-3937.
Listed below is how to correct astigmatism in the most efficient and effective way possible via modern technology.
First, what is astigmatism and how can it impact your vision?
Astigmatism involves an irregular curvature of the cornea, which means that light is no longer being properly focused on the retina at the back of your eye. This condition can cause light to focus in multiple points instead of one, which creates a blurry image.
Unfortunately, astigmatism affects about 28% of the population to some degree, causing blurred vision at all distances, headaches, and strained eyes. It’s mainly hereditary, though it can also be the result of an eye injury. If left untreated, it can also get worse.
Since it affects so many individuals, understanding how to correct astigmatism is crucial for optometrists and LASIK surgeons alike. Of course, there are always contact lenses and glasses, but those simply mask the inherent problem. On the other hand, laser eye surgery can actually reshape your eye’s lens so it can properly focus light once again.
Both LASIK and PRK correct the distorted corneal shape. It’s normal to feel discomfort for a short amount of time after the procedure (usually a few hours for LASIK and up to a few days for PRK), but it’s worth it!
Wondering how to choose a LASIK Surgeon? Finding the right LASIK surgeon is a crucial decision – after all, laser vision correction can have a huge impact on the rest of your life! So what’s important to remember while you’re still on the search? We recommend starting with a list of questions.
For example, ask them what kind of laser they use, what financing options they offer, and how long they’ve been performing LASIK procedures. The main objective is to determine their level of expertise, experience, and safety although cost is always a concern. While going with the least expensive surgeon in town is certainly not a great rule of thumb, choosing the most expensive one does not mean that you’ll receive superior services either.
There are multiple other aspects to consider as well – look into their licensing and board certification along with verifying whether they are credentialed by the American Board of Ophthlamology or American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Determining how to choose a LASIK surgeon can and should be a deeper process than that of course. You’ll probably want to visit the office for an initial examination — most practices (like Yaldo Eye center) offer this for free. It always helps to be able to interact with the staff firsthand, asking further questions such as if they charge extra if an enhancement is required.
Finally, ask around – request a referral from your friends or family, doctors, and read online reviews (if available). This allows you to get a “second opinion” of sorts from other sources so you can effectively choose between your existing options.
Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions regarding LASIK surgery at (800) 398-3937.
At Yaldo Eye Center, we pride ourselves in having the
capability to offer our patients a complete selection of vision
correction procedures that can be customized to their unique needs
and provide the best possible outcomes. That’s why we’re excited to
offer the Visian ® ICL™ (implantable Collamer® lens) at our center,
an advanced vision correction option for our potential patients that
is growing in popularity. To date more than 450,000 Visian ICLs have
been implanted in patients worldwide. The Visian ICL is a thin, soft
lens made of Collamer implanted in the eye to permanently correct
moderate to severe nearsightedness.
VISIAN ICL FAQs
The Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is made of an advanced
soft-material lens, composed of 100% biocompatible collagen
copolymer, that provides not only UV protection and permanent vision
correction, but also a quality of vision that is sharper, clearer,
and more vivid than that what one can achieve with glasses or contacts. Additionally, unlike LASIK, the Visian ICL procedure does
not permanently alter the shape of your cornea. There is no maintenance associated with the lens, and it is intended to remain in place as long as you are satisfied with your vision. If at any point your vision changes or you wish to have them removed, it can
be done easily and because your cornea is in its natural state, you are able to pursue other vision correction options.
What are the advantages of the Visian ICL?
Question:
What are the potential risks and side effects that come with the ICL procedure?
Answer:
Most common risks/side effects of the ICL procedure include accuracy issues (slight nearsightedness or farsightedness following the procedure), night glare and halos, and dry eyes. Even so, these risks are small.
More rare risks include glaucoma, inflammation inside the eye, cataract, retinal detachment, and infection inside the eye.
Question:
It has been 7 months since my operation, I still have dry eyes and blurry vision. Is this an issue to address with my Doctor? Or will it heal over time?
Answer:
Understand that if your eyes were dry before surgery, they will always be dry. I’m assuming they are now drier than they were. Although it can take a year or more for dryness to resolve following surgery (you don’t say whether you had LASIK or PRK), at 7 months typically it has resolved for most patients. PRK has a lower risk of permanent dryness than does LASIK. I would recommend discussing this with your doctor. In the interim, while you are waiting (and hoping) for it to improve, there are several things you can do to help the dryness. Artificial tears, nighttime lubricating ointments, Restasis prescription eyedrops, and punctum plugs are all very helpful at treating post-surgical dryness.
As far as the blurry vision, it may be from the dryness, or it may be unrelated. A consultation with your surgeon can easily determine the cause and how to address it.
Question:
I am 19 years old. I have -9 and -11 nearsightedness. Corneal thickness is 510 and 508. Which eye surgery should I consider?
Answer:
Your prescription is high, and your corneas are thinner than normal. If your corneal topography is at all abnormal, I would NOT consider any laser treatment such as LASIK or PRK (LASEK); rather, I would consider the ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) procedure, which is extremely effective at correcting large amounts of myopia. If your corneal topography is perfectly normal, you could consider a corneal laser refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK. If you choose LASIK, I would recommend the all-laser approach with a thin flap in order to conserve corneal bed thickness.
Different surgeons might have different recommendations for you regarding the various procedures. There’s no absolute right or wrong answer in your case as far as which is the best way to go. In my opinion, the ICL would give you the best vision with the lowest risk of any side effects or complications.