Understanding LASIK Surgery: Who Is It For?

By Arl Adoreno

 

What is LASIK surgery and what conditions does it correct? What are the limitations and the risks involved in such a procedure? Are there any long-term side effects that may result from the operation? To better understand if LASIK surgery can help improve your vision, here are some things you definitely need to know.

LASIK Surgery 101

LASIK stands for "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis", a surgical procedure that can be used to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism (blurred vision). It involves reshaping the patient's cornea to remove his or her dependency on glasses and/or contact lenses.

LASIK surgery is fast and painless. The whole procedure can be completed within 15 to 20 minutes (for both eyes) and results can be seen within 24 hours. In addition, the results of the surgery are permanent. It is not uncommon for LASIK patients to enjoy a 20/20 vision after the surgery. As such, most people prefer it over other vision corrective therapies.

Who Is It For?

Basically, LASIK surgery is ideal for people who are:

• Over 18 years of age

• Have stable visionfor at least two years prior to the surgery. However, if your prescription is unusually high, your doctor may advise you against having the procedure.

• Have healthy eyes.You should have a healthy cornea, retina and eye pressure before undergoing surgery. Your cornea should likewise be of sufficient thickness to ensure good results. Patients with pupils larger than 8.5 mm in the dark and those with corneal scarring will not be considered as good candidates for LASIK treatment.

• Free from any pre-existing eye diseases. Dry eyes syndrome, cataract, advanced glaucoma and keratoconus can get you rejected.

• In good health.Patients with autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's disease, diabetes, hepatitis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are not advised to undergo LASIK surgery. Likewise, patients who have HIV or AIDS and/or a recent history of ocular herpes are not considered ideal candidates for such a procedure.

• Not pregnant.Pregnant or lactating mothers are not encouraged to undergo the procedure.

Limitations, Risks and Side Effects

LASIK surgery is designed to correct vision problems such as astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness. It does not guarantee that you will totally have no need for glasses as you age.
Since LASIK is a surgical procedure, there is always a certain degree of risk involved. Among the complications and side effects associated with the procedure includes the following:

• Temporary discomfort
• Minor vision disturbances (glare, hazy vision and dry eye symptom)
• Flap complications (irregular astigmatism, epithelial ingrowth, diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK), keratectasia or keratoconus)
• Dry eyes
• Incomplete corrections (under- or over-correction and residual astigmatism)
• Infection

LASIK surgery is one of the most effective and most sought after procedures that can be used to correct a patient's vision. Will it be able to help you correct your problem? Consult a qualified LASIK surgeon to know if it is right for you.

For more information on LASIK surgery and other available vision correction procedures, please visit 20/20 Image Eye Centers. They can help put your life in better focus!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arl_Adoreno

Vision Care Basics - Keep Your Eyes Healthy

By Mirabelle Potter

 

Do not put off visiting a vision care specialist until you experience severe problems with your eyesight. You should see an eye doctor as soon as you begin having symptoms of vision defects. Early detection helps you avoid more serious problems that can arise from neglect.

A good number of children experience visual impairment during their early years. Prescription lenses can correct most childhood eyesight problems quickly. An ophthalmologist or an optometrist may prescribe corrective lenses your child will use for a given time frame. You will have different needs as you get older. Make sure you visit a specialist every now and then to check the health of your eyes.

What causes visual impairment?

Many factors can cause eyesight problems. Some conditions are hereditary and will manifest over time, while others may be a congenital defect. Myopia or nearsightedness is a very good example of a problem that may stem from genetics.

Other problems arise from neglect and bad habits. Your eyes need vitamin A and lutein. Vitamin A helps maintain your eyesight, while lutein keeps your eyes lubricated and protects it from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Not having enough of these two hastens the deterioration of your vision. Reading habits such as reading in poorly-lit places, reading for extended periods of time, and reading at an uncomfortable angle makes your hereditary condition worse.

Aging affects your eyesight dramatically. Your body's capacity to retain the nutrients needed for healthy eyesight decreases as you get older. This can lead to nearsightedness and farsightedness, astigmatism, and more serious conditions like glaucoma, retinal detachment, and cataracts.

What types of treatment are available?

Prescription lenses correct most eyesight problems. You either have to wear it for a limited time or wear it for the rest of your life. This will depend on what condition you have. Most people begin with corrective lenses as children, and move on to reading glasses once they start aging. You will need to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist for proper diagnosis of more serious conditions. They will give you an eyeglass prescription and tell you whether or not your condition is still reversible.

Other disorders may require surgical procedures. Those with advanced myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism may qualify for LASIK eye surgery. It involves the use of laser to reshape and remodel your cornea. Conditions like cataracts and glaucoma require traditional surgical procedures. Retinal detachment, meanwhile, will need emergency surgery to stop the retina from detaching completely.

Tips on Caring for Your Eyes

Make sure you eat a healthy diet rich in vitamin A and lutein. Squash, broccoli and spinach are good examples of lutein-rich food, while red pepper and carrots are rich in vitamin A. You should also mind your reading habits. Read at a comfortable angle and ensure you have ample light. Rest your eyes every now and then when reading for an extended period of time. You can exercise your eyeballs by looking up, down and sideways. Finally, make sure you visit a vision care specialist every two years, and that you keep your prescription updated. Wearing the wrong prescription lenses does more damage than good.

Mirabelle Potter shares vision care tips and proper selection of prescription lenses in an online magazine.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mirabelle_Potter

Cataracts and Eye Care

By Norma Holt

 

Everyone faces age related problems and they may take many forms. One of the most worrying appears to be cataracts. The fear of losing one's eyesight is frightening. But those fears are misplaced now with the modern techniques that are safe, effective and quick. In fact cataract operations are done in a few minutes with very little after-effects.

Like everyone else my eyes had to be done a couple of years ago and the panic attacks set in with all the possibilities dreamed up of what could go wrong. Fortunately the doctor was very convincing and when the time came the operation, one eye at a time a month apart, was a breeze.

Drops are put in for an hour or so beforehand and then a local anaesthetic removes any feeling and also any vision in the eye in question. The worst thing is the water running down the cheek if it is not stopped. But the surgeon usually has that under control as well. A patch is placed over the eye for a few hours and then drops are applied twice a day for a couple of weeks and then once a day for another 2 weeks.

The length of the procedure is about 20 minutes and there is a nice cup of tea and sandwich waiting on the other side of it. After that you are free to leave with your drops and a sheet of instructions.
Once the final visit to the specialist is over the sight is virtually restored to a point that is far better than years before. Few people actually need reading glasses afterwards. The problems faced beforehand are certainly not worth putting up with when the cure is so easy.

All that is required is to make sure the eye specialist is someone you can trust and that you have someone to drive you to and from the hospital. Your head will feel rather numb for a few hours afterwards and the nurses certainly won't let you drive on your own. You can't do it anyway with one eye out of action.

My apprehension about having the surgery was quickly dispelled once the surgeon's reassurance was given. Now others can benefit from my cataracts and eye care report. The other thing to be wary of is the hideous side of diabetes and that disease is preventable to a large extent.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Norma_Holt

Children's Eye Care: When to Start Visiting the Eye Doctor

By Dr. Charles Simon

 

Good vision is essential to a child's success as they enter school-age years. As much as 80% of everything students learn is through their eyes, and if their vision is not performing properly their academic performance can suffer. As children progress in school, so does the demand on their visual capabilities; therefore, it is important to start monitoring your child's eye health long before they're in the classroom.

Between the ages of 2 and 5 years old, a child's visual abilities become more and more fine tuned from the abilities they were born with. That is also the frame of time that vision problems can start to develop. Crossed or lazy eyes are problems that can be spotted, but approximately 10% of all preschoolers have vision problems, and most children at that age do not voice their complaints about eye sight. Keep an eye out for these signs that your child may be having vision problems:

1. Short attention span for their age
2. Difficulty recognizing colors, shapes, letters, numbers
3. Sitting close to the TV/holding a book close to their face
4. Squinting
5. Difficulty with hand-body coordination

By the time your child 3 years old you should take them to an optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam to be sure their eyes are developing properly, and are clear of any signs of eye diseases. With today's diagnostic tests, a child does not need to know the alphabet or be able to read before having an eye exam. You can aid your pre-school age child's visual development at home by engaging in some simple activities such as: playing catch or other hand-eye coordination games, using finger paints, reading, memory games, and interacting with other children.

For more information on eyeglasses and vision please visit our website: Simon Eye Associates.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Charles_Simon

The Importance of Eye Exams for Children

By A Aaronson

 

Having children necessitates keeping everything in order. Whether you have to think about sport's schedules, you kid's relationships, or teen activities, you will also have to keep track of your children's eyes. It is very important to take your child in for eye exams periodically so that any problems can be discovered early. It is good for kids to get their eyes checked at school vision tests, but this does not cover every area.

If your child complains of headaches or not being able to see the chalkboard then it is important for you to listen to them and make an appointment for a check-up. If your child is having trouble seeing the board then it could mean that they are nearsighted and need glasses. Maybe they get headaches while reading. This could actually mean they are farsighted. This will also probably necessitate glasses.

Perhaps one of your children does not mention having any trouble but you notice that they are squinting. It is important for you to check into this and ask them some questions. Their problem could be that they have gotten in a habit of squinting, they could need glasses, or there are other issues that your children could have with their eyes if they are having trouble seeing, so it is important to err on the side of caution and have them get a thorough check-up. If your children are fairly young then you will want to find a doctor who works with young children often and is used to dealing with them for eye exams.

As you look for a doctor to do eye exams for your family and specifically your children, take the time to really do some research. If you can, you should look at a few doctors before deciding on one. Make sure and visit the doctors before making your final decision. You would be wise to bring your children with you because kids will likely tell you if they do not like someone. A doctor who deals often with children should be able to put a child at ease. Hopefully visiting the doctor's office in advance will help your child to be more comfortable when the appointment time comes.

Hopefully your children will not have a vision problem, but at least you will know if you take them for periodic eye exams. You should definitely do it when they are experiencing a problem, but you should also ask your doctor how often to bring your children for eye exams even when they are not experiencing any vision changes.

Philadelphia eye exams are an important part of a child's development. For information on contacting a specialist, please visit: http://www.allenrichmondmd.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A_Aaronson

General Eye Care Advice

   

By Churchill Wright

 

Opticians provide people with general guidelines as to how they should take care of their eyes. If these tips are kept in mind at all times and followed, there is no reason why your eyes will ever cause a problem. Here are some general tips which you can follow to ensure that your eyes and vision are both well protected at all times!

Our eyes are one of the most important organs in our body. Our eyes help us to see and are our only source of vision. That's why we must take care of our eyes and ensure that they are well protected at all times. There are many eye problems which people can develop and in order to stay away from these problems, a person must take care of his/her eyes.

• If you have been prescribed glasses, wear them! There are many people who do not like wearing glasses, but there is nothing you can do about this. Avoiding wearing glasses will only make your eyesight worse. If you feel uncomfortable wearing glasses, you could always opt for contact lenses.

• Eye care for children: these days many children have started to have difficulty in seeing properly. This is why many are given prescription glasses from an early age. In order to prevent this, you must ensure that your child does not spoil his/her eyes. This could be done by ensuring that too much time is not spent watching television or sitting on the computer. When studying, make sure that your child maintains a certain amount of distance between his face and the book.

• Always go for eye exams: despite what many people think, eye exams are important. Going for regular eye checkups can help in finding out eye problems at an early age if any does exist. This would prevent you from having to deal with an eye problem later on.

• Contact lenses: lenses come in two types; hard and soft. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. You could visit your optician who will guide you and help you in finding contact lenses which are fit for you.

It is only these small and general things which can prevent eye problems from occurring. If prevention is taken from an early age with eye exams and eye tests being carried out regularly, there is no reason why you or your child cannot have healthy eyes and vision for long!

The author is interested in the role eye tests play in preventing sight problems and also works part time in an optician where he learns about eye care.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Churchill_Wright