Things to Know Before Getting LASIK Surgery lasik durham nc, nearsightedness and astigmatism, Existing eye

Millions of Americans wear glasses or contacts to correct vision problems like farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. However, both options do have downsides: glasses can fall off during strenuous activities, while contacts can be complicated to put on. Many of those who suffer from some degree of vision impairment certainly welcome other ways to get vision correction.

In recent years, LASIK surgery has become the answer to that need. In this procedure, lasers are used to remove tiny parts of the cornea to correct the latter’s shape, thus leading to improved eyesight. Before getting the procedure, however, you need to check if you meet the conditions of a suitable candidate.

Good Health

As in all surgeries, even minor ones like LASIK, patients should ideally be in good health to avoid complications. If you have untreated diabetes, autoimmune diseases or collagen vascular ailments, LASIK surgery might not be for you.

Other Eye Problems

Existing eye problems like strabismus (muscle imbalance) or amblyopia (lazy eye) can affect the surgery’s success and impede healing, so make sure to disclose all eye conditions to your doctor before the procedure.

Break from Wearing Contacts?

Prior to surgery, your doctor will map out your cornea’s shape to determine how much to remove. However, wearing contact lenses for prolonged periods can change your cornea’s shape and throw off the measurements. To avoid this, you’ll be asked to stop wearing contacts and allow your cornea to return to its original shape prior to the surgery.

When Blurred Vision Gets in the Way

Nearsightedness defined

Myopia is an eye condition where the eyeball is too long for the cornea’s and the lens’ ability to focus, making it difficult to clearly see from afar. The condition can also happen when the eyes’ cornea and lens are too curved relative to the eyeball’s length. Myopia can be inherited and generally starts in childhood, particularly between ages 8-12.

What are the symptoms?
Nearsighted persons have blurred distance vision and are likely to squint their eyes frequently. More often than not, someone afflicted with myopia also experiences frequent eye strains or headaches.

How to treat myopia

A professional eye doctor will diagnose the degree of nearsightedness by means of a comprehensive eye exam. The blurred vision can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery.

Eyeglasses and contact lens prescription will typically be preceded by a minus sign to indicate the degree of nearsightedness. Essentially, a higher number means that you are more nearsighted and you may need to wear your glasses or contact lenses all the time.

While surgical procedures are deemed to be more expensive, they can lessen the need for contacts or glasses. Laser technology or manual incisions are used to remove small amounts of corneal tissue to allow light rays to better focus on the retina.

What is Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis?

If you think that your eyesight is not as good as it used to be, then you should consider undergoing a LASIK treatment from a reputable ophthalmologist. It involves applying a special laser to your eye in order to correct any discrepancies in its focusing power. With LASIK treatment, any nearsightedness or farsightedness you’ve encountered before can be eliminated and you may no longer need to use glasses and contact lenses to see clearly.

The laser used in a LASIK treatment is known as an excimer which emits a concentrated beam of ultraviolet light using halide gases. It is designed to alter the shape of the cornea by removing some parts of it, and a doctor will need to exercise extreme caution to avoid inflicting any permanent damage to the eye. Choosing the best ophthalmologist for the treatment is highly recommended because an inexperienced practitioner may fail to correct your vision or worse, render you completely blind.

To improve your chances of a successful treatment, you should avoid wearing your prescription glasses and lenses for at least two weeks prior to the surgery to help your eyes adjust. Applying makeup, especially on your eyelashes, is also discouraged a day before your treatment to prevent the laser from triggering any unwanted chemical reactions in your skin. Finally, give your eyes plenty of rest, so you may want to avoid staring at the TV or the computer for a while. 

A Look into Cataract Surgery

When asked, most people will say that they want to grow old gracefully, but this means different things for different people. For some, it means resorting to cosmetic surgery to change their looks or make them look younger. For others, it means living life as they've normally done, without assistance from anyone. However, the latter is not possible if they suffer from the eye condition known as cataracts.

Cataracts occur when the eye lens begin to cloud, and vision becomes impaired. This condition is mostly age-related and is common in Americans age 65 and above. Since cataracts lead to impaired vision, those suffering from the condition are likely to experience difficulties in accomplishing household tasks on their own, like cooking or gardening. It can pose safety risks if a sufferer still insists on driving a vehicle himself.

Having someone help out with household tasks and someone to drive him to the places he needs to go to can provide a cataract sufferer relief and peace of mind in these situations. However, a better solution would be to see an eye doctor who can treat the condition and improve the vision, typically through prescription eyeglasses. In extreme cases when eyeglasses are barely any help in vision enhancement, the eye doctor will most likely recommend cataract surgery.

Undergoing LASIK in Durham, NC Allows You to Live a Lens-Free Life

"If you want to experience a lens-free life, all you have to do is visit an ophthalmologist that offers LASIK in Durham NC. Make sure that the doctor is board-certified with enough credentials so you can freely discuss your options. One important benefit that you can also get from the surgery is the cost involved. There's no question that you can spend much on contacts, solutions or glasses. On the other hand, undergoing a one-time professional LASIK surgery in Durham NC will eliminate the need to replenish optical supplies that can cost you a thousand dollars annually. Even if the procedure is a major financial investment, it can save you more money in the long run."

http://www.nceent.com/undergoing-lasik-durham-nc-allows-live-lens-free-life/

Your Durham, NC Eye Doctor Can Prescribe the Perfect Glasses for You

"Another black mark against glasses purchased online is that, according to the journal Optometry, almost half of them don't meet impact testing standards. This is an important requirement since the Food and Drug Administration considers all prescription glasses as medical devices. If the lenses shatter or crack easily, they can cause serious damage to your eyes. Since most glasses have to be replaced every two or three years, it's understandable why people are looking for cheaper ways to buy them. However, protecting and prolonging your eyesight is a worthy investment. If you're thinking about buying your glasses online, consult first with trusted eye doctors in Durham, NC like those from the North Carolina Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat."

http://www.nceent.com/durham-nc-eye-doctor-can-prescribe-perfect-glasses/

LASIK: What You Need to Know

People with very poor vision have different methods at their disposal to correct it such as wearing prescription glasses or contact lenses. However, there is a more effective way to correct poor vision and permanently eliminate the need for glasses or contacts altogether: the LASIK eye surgery. A long-standing procedure, the LASIK or “Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis” is a common surgical procedure performed to treat hyperopia or farsightedness, myopia or nearsightedness, and astigmatism.

The eye is covered by a transparent layer called the cornea, which is responsible for controlling the entry of light into the eye. As we age, the cornea starts to lose the ability to change shape. Thus, the LASIK eye surgery calls for the use of an excimer laser to reshape the cornea, allowing for the refocusing of the light entering the retina and improving one's vision in the process.

Prior to LASIK surgery, patients have to undergo a medical evaluation. A thorough exam will be administered to check the benefits or risks of the surgery. Information pertaining to the expectations and responsibilities of a candidate before and after the surgery will also be provided. If you are qualified for the surgery, it is highly recommended to give yourself plenty of time to review or to ask the necessary questions before signing a consent form.

Can Cell Phones Damage Your Eyes?

Less than a decade ago, a cell phone that could receive email was already considered smart. But cell phone capability nowadays has gone beyond a simple email send button. The cell phone has become more technologically advanced with its various applications from social media apps to strategic games. It's not surprising then that people's eyeballs are always glued to this gadget. Chances are, the first thing you do in the morning is to check your phone for text messages, tweets or status updates that came in while you were asleep. But with all the time you spend staring at a cell phone, do you ever wonder if it damages your eyes?

Cell phone screens are tiny compared to those of other mobile devices like laptops and tablets. With a small screen size, you're more likely to squint and experience eye strain as you browse through websites and read e-books. In fact, the Israel Institute of Technology conducted a study wherein calf eyes were exposed to heat and microwave radiations similar to those given off by a cell phone. After the exposure, the researchers concluded that the eyes showed early signs of cataracts, saw blurred images and couldn't focus well.

Having a computer that fits in your palm is a giant leap in this technozoic era. However, too much of a good thing can be bad too, especially for your eyes. Mind your cell phone usage and have regular consultations with your eye doctor to protect your vision.

Battening Down for LASIK Surgery

So you’ve decided to take the plunge and undergo LASIK surgery. It is a good choice if you’re looking to get your sight back to 20/20 or even 20/15 after years of eyeglasses and contact lenses. You may know of some people who have successfully had their eyes treated and has reaped many benefits from LASIK. Since you’re next in the operating room after having passed through the requisite tests, how do you even prepare?

Do not use any facial healthcare products such as moisturizers in the days before your appointment, about three days should do. You may have to arrange a few days off from work to allow yourself ample recovery time. Arrange for a loved one to be with you to and from the practice, because the doctor will not allow you to drive or travel alone.

Prepare for the procedure by eating a light meal and taking your normal medication. Be prepared to sign the consent forms before the operation and your loved one should be the witness. Most importantly, stay calm and if you have to, ask for anti-anxiety medication. A LASIK operation will usually take no more than 30 minutes but it can be one of the most exhilarating times of your life yet.

Correcting Astigmatism

Astigmatism may be one of the most common vision problems yet it is often misunderstood. It is defined as inability of the eyes to properly focus on light sources, because the light is directed at other sections of the retina. You know you have astigmatism when you are forced to squint to see an object more clearly. There are ways to correct them that an eye doctor can help you with.

Corrective treatments are the first option, and eyeglasses are a popular choice among the patients. The practitioner will first test your eyes through various methods and determine the right grade for the lenses. The patient will then have to choose the material for the frame. In some cases, however, the patient may opt for glasses and a pair of contact lenses. The eye doctor will then determine whether soft or extended-wear lenses are appropriate, depending on your level of activity, as well as explain the maintenance options for the lenses.

A more or less permanent solution to eliminating astigmatism is to undergo refractive surgery. LASIK, where the cornea’s flap is cut open and a laser beam shapes the cornea underneath, is a highly popular option because of its relatively fast healing time and the excimer laser used in the procedure does not generate heat. PRK is also the same as LASIK, but has longer recuperation time.