By Eli Zaret, Yaldo Eye Center Spokesman
As a spokesman for Dr. Yaldo, a leading Michigan lasik eye surgery specialist, people ask me questions like, “How will I know if Lasik is right for me?” or, “Can I get Lasik if I have astigmatism? My Eye Care Provider says I can’t.”
My answer to #1 is, “Go see Dr. Yaldo for a free evaluation. The good news is that almost everybody is a Lasik candidate.”
My answer to #2 generally goes, “Yes, astigmatism is easily treated with custom, topography guided Lasik from Dr. Yaldo.” here are many reasons why an Eye Care Provider may not recommend surgery to treat astigmatism. Please get a second opinion from a surgeon who determines patient candidacy day in and day out. Contact us today.
With all due respect to optometrists, there is a significant difference between optometry training and the training required for ophthalmologists. Optometrists go to optometry school for four years. Ophthalmologists go to medical school for four years, followed by four years of residency.
In other words, an ophthalmologist is a medical doctor and an optometrist is not. Ophthalmologists do eye surgery and optometrists prescribe glasses and contacts. 
Another question came from someone who got Lasik from Dr. Yaldo and was beside herself with joy. She had had awful vision and couldn’t function without her glasses or contacts. With Lasik, she had better than 20-20 and never had to again worry about eye exams or fumbling around without glasses. She asked, “Will there come a day when everyone gets Lasik and optometrists go out of business?”
It’s a thought. In fact, it is reported that 96% of all Michigan Lasik eye surgery patients get 20-20 vision or better. And although about 600,000 people get Lasik every year, it still leaves many millions to continue to update changing prescriptions and allow the old technology of eye glass and contact lens machine to keep humming along.
Still, technology continues to upend industry after industry. I answered her question by saying that I doubted that glasses and contacts would be going the way of the Telex machine anytime soon.
25 years ago, the Telex machine was a game changer. You could send a document across the country in a matter of minutes. But in the 90’s, the Fax machine came along and every Telex machine was soon tossed in the dumpster. 15 years later, scanners came along and fax machines were almost instantly obsolete.
Eye surgery is a much tougher decision than buying a better phone, car or piece of office machinery.
But, getting a regular eye exam isn’t an elective decision, it’s a “must do” decision.
Should I see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist for regular eye exams?
In fairness, you can see either one. Optometrists can certainly determine your prescription and are also capable of detecting the “Silent” problems that can affect your vision, like Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Cataracts and Diabetic retinopathy which can have devastating consequences if not addressed in a timely manner. You can even visit a Michigan lasik eye surgery clinic for your regular eye exams.
If you’re younger than 40 and have no eye problems, you should still get a routine exam every two-years. If you’re 40 or older, you should get your eyes checked every 1 to 2 years.
If you’ve had eye trouble in the past, or if you’re at risk for developing an issue that someone in your family has, you should see an eye doctor every year. And this is especially so if you have high blood pressure or diabetes which can seriously affect eyesight.
It’s easy and health insurance generally covers it. Don’t worry if you don’t have vision insurance. That’s a different thing altogether. Eye exams are considered basic and essential medical care.
Call 1-800-398-EYES and get an eye exam. And see one of the top ophthalmologists in all of Michigan. And while you’re at it, you can ask about being a candidate for Lasik or one of the other miraculous procedures that can end your dependence on glasses and contacts.
You can even sign up on line. Just don’t request it by Telex or fax!
Who We Are
The Yaldo Eye Center is Michigan’s leader in eye care. From the most state of the art lasik technology to cataracts and glaucoma, the Yaldo Eye Center does it all. Dr. Yaldo began the practice in 1993 and now features 2 locations in Farmington Hills and Garden City. Schedule an appointment today and let the vision experts at Yaldo Eye Center treat your condition. If you are looking for a Michigan lasik eye surgery provider, who has years of experience with Michigan lasik eye surgery, look no further.
