Vision Conditions: LASIK Eye Surgery and Other Treatment Options

By Kristen Mozayeni           

 

    

Astigmatism
A very common eye condition, astigmatism occurs when someone's cornea is irregularly shaped, not allowing the retina to properly focus on light. Many people with astigmatism believe LASIK eye surgery is not a possibility for them. This is not true. If a LASIK specialist has invested in recent technology, then having astigmatism does NOT make you a non-candidate. Patients who desire to reduce their dependence on and possibly get rid of their eyeglasses or contacts should visit a reputable LASIK specialist to determine whether or not their eyes are suitable for LASIK eye surgery. During a LASIK consultation, you should expect the following at a minimum: a scan of your cornea, checking of your peripheral vision, pupil reaction, eye dominance, tear production, your entire health history (not just your eyes) and you should meet your surgeon on this day as well.

Reading Vision Correction
As we age, our internal eye lenses gradually get harder, losing the ability to change shape automatically and focus up close. Typically noticeable by 45, presbyopia (farsightedness or loss of close-up vision) is often correctable via LASIK eye surgery or other, non-surgical methods. LASIK options such as Monovision or Presby-LASIK can reshape the cornea so light once again bends correctly, allowing proper retinal focusing. For those not suitable for LASIK eye surgery, numerous solutions treat presbyopia, including:

• Bifocal glasses
• Multifocal glasses
• Monovision contacts
• Reading glasses

Distance Vision Correction
Many people are myopic, meaning that they can't see far away. This can happen at many stages of life, and in many cases, it is inherited. The good thing about myopia is that it is easy to fix. When someone is myopic, it means the surface of the cornea (the front of the eye) is too steep and light gets focused slightly in front of the retina. LASIK eye surgery is the process of reshaping the cornea to correct distance vision issues. Afterward, the eye can correctly bend light again, restoring clear vision. Patients deemed good LASIK candidates should look carefully at their surgeon's experience, level of patient care and technology. If your surgeon thinks you are a good candidate, then your surgeon can also recommend all-laser blade free LASIK or all laser blade-free PRK. In cases where individuals are not suitable candidates, they can be treated with a prescription for contacts and/or glasses to correct their distance vision.

Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a common condition that diabetic patients must monitor carefully. Untreated diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness and therefore should be closely monitored. Many times affecting both eyes, diabetic retinopathy is present in roughly 40% of Type I diabetes cases and 20% of Type II cases. Other than keeping blood sugar levels as close to homeostasis as possible, diabetics need to visit their eye care specialist regularly to keep check on their visual status. When caught in its early stages, diabetic retinopathy is much easier to manage and treat. A comprehensive eye exam can unearth diabetic retinopathy while quality diabetic eye care can maximize retinal health. Diabetic retinopathy does not automatically make you a non-candidate for LASIK. Diabetic patients should be carefully evaluated by a qualified LASIK specialist to determine if they are a candidate. Your diabetic history should be an integral part of that evaluation process and discussion about the best solution for vision correction.

Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea becomes abnormally thin, bulges like a cone and becomes distorted. This causes significant visual distortion. In the early stages of keratoconus, patients typically can be fitted with contacts that will give them acceptable vision. However, if the keratoconus does not stabilize and continues to worsen, a corneal transplant is ultimately required. Keratoconus patients are NOT LASIK candidates. LASIK can actually accelerate keratoconus.
There is excellent and exciting news on the horizon for keratoconus patients. Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL), which has been performed in Europe since 1997, has been in clinical trials in the United States. It is possible the procedure will be approved by the FDA by mid-2014, offering hope to those suffering from keratoconus. While CXL may not cure this disease, corneal cross linking may be the key in slowing keratoconus progression and reducing the chances of needing a corneal transplant. It is expected that there will be some keratoconus patients that may be LASIK candidates after successful corneal cross linking. This is something that should be discussed with a LASIK specialist who is also performing corneal cross linking when available.

Check out our blog at: http://www.providenceeye.com/blog/ to learn more about vision conditions, advanced LASIK technology and complete eye care treatments. Or, feel free to contact us to schedule a complimentary eye examination if you're interested in LASIK eye surgery: http://www.providenceeye.com/contact-us.php. Thanks for reading!

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What Do Eye Test Results Mean?

By Dr. Amrita Sodhi

     

You have been noticing a slight blurriness in your vision for a few months now. You manage to squeeze some time in your busy schedule for an eye test in one of the top eye hospitals. First-timers often have multiple thoughts running in their mind: What will I have to do? How would it be done exactly?


What happens in a regular eye test to check spectacle numbers?

Top eye hospitals often have an optometrist to first have a look at your eye. First, a complete history is sought. You are asked questions about what complaints brought you for an eye check, other illnesses (to find out if diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure could have a toll on your eyesight), the medications that you have been taking (some medicines may have an effect on your eyes in the long term), eye diseases that run in your family, the nature of your profession and few details of your lifestyle that could affect your sight like the number of hours spent at the computer, time spent in the sun etc.

Next, you will be checked for distance vision. This is done by asking you to look at a chart with alphabets of various sizes and identifying the smallest size that you can see clearly.
After that you are tested for near vision. A small hand held card with text of various sizes is held about 12-14 inches from your eyes.

Regular spectacle users who seek eye care in top eye hospitals are probably very well aware of all this. They often have questions about the prescription that is handed after the test: What do the numbers indicate? What do + and - mean? Patients are often left wondering what the codes on the prescription means. Even if it's one of the top eye hospitals, very few patients receive answers to their queries.


Understanding the test results:

The results of far vision testing are recorded as a fraction. While 6/6 is considered normal, a vision of 6/9 would mean that you can see at 6 metres what a normal person would be able to see at 9 metres. The results of near vision testing are expressed as N6, N8, N10, N14 etc. and N6 is considered normal.

The other components:

SPH / Sphere: This records if you are short sighted (- minus sign) or long sighted (+ plus sign) and by how much.

CYL / Cylinder: This means that your eyes are not perfectly spherical and you have astigmatism.

AXIS: This indicates the orientation of the astigmatism.

There might be an "Add" number which is usually seen in people above 40. It means that you need that much extra power for reading at close distances.

Apart from the above vision testing, additional tests may be needed to test your peripheral vision, colour vision, depth perception, eye muscle balance, eye pressure, retina (the back of your eye) etc. Top eye hospitals usually offer all these services under one roof which means that you need not worry about anything other than... just getting yourself to seek the elusive time for that appointment!

Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute (AEHI) is the most technologically progressive Eye hospital in Navi Mumbai. Our experienced team includes prominent ophthalmologists in eye care service areas like General Ophthalmology, Cornea & Refractive Surgery, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Vitreo-Retinal Surgery & Oculoplasty.

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School Vision Screenings Vs. Eye Exams

By Dr. Grace Kim

     

Because the ability to see well has such a direct relationship with a student's ability to behave and succeed in school, students across the nation are receiving vision screenings while in school. But what exactly does a school vision screening entail, and how does it differ from visiting your local eye doctor for a professional eye exam?

School Screening

Much of the learning that our children do is based entirely on being able to see their materials, whether that is the book in front of them, their test paper, or the teacher's notes on the blackboard. It comes as no surprise, then, that schools are invested in learning whether students can see properly and that they report their findings to parents out of hopes that the parents will fix the problem.

Schools regularly perform school vision screenings to check a child's eyesight and ability to see things far away. Vision screenings are often a parent's first professional notice that their child may be struggling to see. Sadly, they are no substitute for an eye exam. These screenings are often performed by school nurses, not by optometrists, and students are not thoroughly tested to determine all potential issues. The American Optometric Association specifically warns that school vision screenings are not able to accurately assess your child's eye health.

Eye Exam

In contrast, a professionally conducted eye exam puts you, your child, and a doctor in a room and ensures that your child's vision is fully tested to determine what issues, if any, exist. Should your child have vision difficulties, your eye doctor will be able to give them a prescription to correct their vision after the exam. Even children who pass their school vision screenings should be examined by an eye doctor to ensure that there are no issues that school screeners may have missed.

There is No Substitute for a Real Eye Exam!

Remember: although school vision screenings may help you to determine that your child's eyes are not performing at their best, they are no substitute for having a professional optometrist examine your child. School vision screeners have to examine a very high number of patients, and they are simply unable to take the time they need to ensure that they have a proper prescription for your child.
Instead, these screenings are largely intended to help parents know that their child needs to have an official eye exam and be fitted for glasses.

If your child has had a school vision screening and the screener recommended that your child be fitted for glasses, don't delay: schedule an eye exam with a doctor of optometry as soon as you can. Poor vision can have a wide-reaching effect on your child, including contributing to behavioral problems and poor grades. Giving your child the gift of healthy eyesight is often the best gift you could ever give them.
 

Dr. Grace Kim is Chairperson for Clinical Advisory Panel of America's Best, a nationwide eyeglasses retailer. With over 300 locations nationwide, America's Best provides thousands of high quality eyewear to customers every day. They carry a wide selection of designer eyeglasses and contact lenses in each of their stores, and they also offer eye exams. Learn more about designer eyeglasses at http://www.twopair.com/eyeglasses/designer-glasses/

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