At LasikPlus, we understand that opting for LASIK surgery is a significant investment in your vision and overall well-being. LASIK offers remarkable benefits, such as enhanced vision and reduced dependence on corrective eyewear. However, it’s crucial to recognize that the journey towards optimal eye health doesn’t end after the procedure. Regular eye exams remain a cornerstone of maintaining excellent vision and safeguarding your eye health for the long term.

Why Annual Eye Exams Matter

Annual comprehensive eye exams are not merely routine check-ups; they are essential for monitoring your eye health and detecting any potential issues early on. Your eyes serve as windows into your overall health, providing valuable insights that extend beyond vision correction. Through thorough examination, your optometrist can identify various conditions, including those that may not exhibit noticeable symptoms.

Detecting Silent Threats

Many eye diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration, can silently progress without causing obvious symptoms until irreversible damage occurs. Early detection through regular eye exams is critical for initiating timely interventions and preserving your vision. By monitoring changes in your eye health, your optometrist can implement proactive measures to mitigate risks and optimize treatment outcomes.

Beyond Vision Correction

While LASIK surgery can significantly improve your vision, it’s essential to recognize that your visual needs may evolve over time. Factors such as aging, environmental factors, and underlying health conditions can influence your eye health and visual acuity. Regular eye exams allow your doctor to assess any changes in your vision and recommend appropriate interventions.
 

What to Expect During a Comprehensive Eye Exam

During your annual eye exam, the optometrist will conduct a comprehensive assessment to evaluate various aspects of your eye health and visual function. Here are some key components of the examination:

Vision Testing

The Optometrist will assess your visual acuity to determine if you require any corrective measures, such as glasses or contact lenses. Additionally, they will evaluate your depth perception, color vision, and peripheral vision to gain a comprehensive understanding of your visual capabilities.

Eye Health Evaluation

Using advanced diagnostic techniques, your doctor will examine the internal and external structures of your eyes to detect any abnormalities or signs of disease. This includes assessing the health of your retina, optic nerve, and lens, as well as screening for conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal disorders.

Refractive Assessment

If you’ve undergone LASIK surgery or other vision correction procedures, your optometrist will monitor the stability of your vision and assess the need for any additional treatments or enhancements. Our goal is to ensure that you continue to enjoy clear, comfortable vision long after your initial procedure.
 

Maximizing the Benefits of LASIK Through Ongoing Care

While LASIK can yield remarkable results, it’s essential to recognize that maintaining optimal eye health is a collaborative effort that requires ongoing commitment and proactive care. By prioritizing annual eye exams you can:

Monitor Vision Changes:

Regular exams enable your optometrist to monitor any changes in your vision carefully. Addressing these changes promptly helps maintain your visual clarity and prevents further deterioration.

Preserve Eye Health:

Early detection and management of eye conditions are crucial for preserving your long-term eye health. The goal is to ensure that your eyes remain healthy and vibrant.

Ensure Long-Term Satisfaction:

We are dedicated to ensuring your continued satisfaction with the results of your LASIK procedure. Whether you need additional treatments or adjustments in the future, our team is here to provide ongoing support and guidance.
 
Conclusion

Visiting your optometrist once a year provides a baseline against which to measure potential vision changes and the progression of eye conditions or other medical problems. It makes a significant difference in your vision, your health, and your quality of life.

For LASIK surgeons who provide a lifetime guarantee on laser-corrected vision results, eligibility for future enhancements may be based on having an annual eye exam.

The post Why You Should See an Optometrist After You Get LASIK appeared first on LasikPlus.

What are Eye Floaters?

Your eyes are like an advanced camera system with many components. The vitreous humor, a gel-like substance occupying the back chamber of the eye, helps maintain the shape of the eye and provides important nutrients As we age, this gel can undergo changes, clumping together and forming microscopic threads and flecks. These clumps cast tiny shadows on the retina, the light-sensitive film at the back of the eye, and those shadows are what we perceive as eye floaters.

Anatomy of the Eye and Vitreous Humor

To fully understand floaters, let’s take a quick peek inside the ocular camera:

• Cornea: The transparent outer layer that focuses light entering the eye
• Lens: A flexible structure that further focuses light onto the retina
• Iris: The colored part of the eye that controls pupil size.
• Pupil: The black opening that allows light to enter the eye.
• Retina: The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that sends visual signals to the brain
• Vitreous Humor: The gel-like substance filling the space between the lens and the retina

So, those pesky floaters are essentially tiny specks floating within the vitreous humor, casting fleeting shadows on the retina

Types of Eye Floaters?

There are various types of eye floaters, ranging from transparent ones that resemble cobwebs to darker, shadowy shapes. Some floaters may appear circular or squiggly. Understanding the different types can provide insights into potential underlying causes.

The shapes and descriptions of floaters can be quite vivid, often eliciting comparisons to:

• Threads or strings: Think cobwebs, spiderwebs, or even worm-like shapes
• Rings or circles: These can appear as halos or closed loops of various sizes
• Dots or blobs: These smaller floaters might resemble dust particles or tiny specks
• Amoeba-like shapes: Irregular blobs with undefined edges that seem to shift and change form.

Causes of Eye Floaters?

Age is the most common culprit behind floaters, as the vitreous humor naturally thickens and liquefies over time. However, other factors can also play a role such as: 

• Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD):
  
  When the vitreous humor pulls away from the retina, it can cause flashes of light and a sudden increase in floaters. PVD is usually harmless, but if you experience sudden flashes or a shower of new floaters, seek immediate medical attention as it could indicate a retinal tear.
• Retinal Tears and Detachment:
  
  In rare cases, PVD can cause tears or detachment in the retina, a serious medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. Symptoms include sudden onset of many new floaters, flashes of light, and distorted vision.
• Uveitis and Other Inflammatory Conditions:
  
  Inflammation within the eye (uveitis) can also cause floaters by affecting the vitreous humor.

Treatment Options for Eye Floaters

In most cases, floaters don’t require treatment. However, in rare instances where floaters significantly impair vision, surgical options like vitrectomy (removal of the vitreous humor) may be considered. This is a delicate procedure with potential risks, so it’s only recommended in severe cases. 

Some treatment options are:

1. Laser Therapy (Laser Vitreolysis)

Laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment option that aims to break apart the floaters, making them less noticeable. During the procedure, a laser is used to target and vaporize the floaters. This treatment is generally considered safe and is suitable for certain types of floaters.

2. Vitrectomy Surgery

In more severe cases where floaters significantly impair vision and quality of life, vitrectomy surgery may be considered. This surgical procedure involves removing the vitreous humor – the gel-like substance inside the eye – and replacing it with a saline solution. While effective, vitrectomy comes with potential risks and complications, and it is usually considered only when other treatments are not viable.

Prevention of Eye Floaters

While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent eye floaters altogether, practicing good eye health habits can reduce the risk of developing them:

• Regular eye exams: Schedule regular eye exams with your ophthalmologist, especially as you age.
• Protect your eyes from UV rays: Wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays to protect your eyes from sun damage.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and managing stress can contribute to overall eye health.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding and navigating eye floaters are crucial for maintaining optimal eye health. Whether you’ve recently noticed floaters or have been living with them for a while, seeking professional advice is essential for comprehensive eye care.

The post What Causes Floaters in Your Eyes? appeared first on LasikPlus.

Afraid of LASIK? Wait Until You Know What Could Be Crawling on Your Contacts.

The decision to not get LASIK often boils down to one sentiment: people don’t want doctors operating on their eyes. No matter how proven the procedure, or how easy it is, some are still more willing to endure the annoyance of a daily contact lens routine.

But aside from the vast amount of success and even affordability of LASIK, there’s another reason people should kick their contacting lenses to the curb. Because if you aren’t rigorously maintaining them – or if you like to do fun things like swim in the summer – contacts can pose a pretty serious risk.

Contacts Get Gross

Your contact lenses are a breeding ground for bacteria. Per the American Society for Microbiology: Microorganisms, especially gram-negative bacteria, are considered to play a role in the etiology of certain corneal infiltrative events (CIEs) observed during soft contact lens wear.

Translation: if you wear contact lenses and get an eye infection, it’s most likely related to bacteria.

Additional research out of the University of Liverpool (ULIV) focuses primarily on the bacteria known to cause keratitis, which is the most common infection related to contact lenses. Keratitis – an infection of the cornea, the transparent covering of your eye – is marked by intense pain, photophobia (light sensitivity), red eye and a ‘gritty’ sensation. This infection can cause vision loss or blindness and should be taken very seriously.

Another dangerous bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, can also cause a rapid infection of your cornea and leave a hole in your eye, which can threaten your vision permanently.

Of course, these dangers are associated with extended contact lens usage and user negligence. But the threat goes beyond negligence. For example, if you plan on swimming with your contacts in, you could end up with a problematic parasite.

Per a new study spearheaded by the University of New South Wales’ (UNSW) Scientia Fellow Dr. Nicole Carnt, all contact lens wearers should minimize mixing contact lenses with water and improve standards of personal hygiene, to mitigate the risk of contracting the Acanthamoeba parasite, known to cause Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK).

The Acanthamoeba parasite thrives in water sources such as oceans, rivers, and lakes. But it’s also found in domestic tap water, hot tubs, and swimming pools. Its symptoms are incredibly disruptive, causing your cornea to become inflamed and painful.

Protect Yourself With a Permanent Solution

Per WebMd.com, the most immediate thing you can do is to stop wearing your current pair of contact lenses should you experience any redness, swelling, pain and many more irritating symptoms.

But there’s a much more effective solution, one that offers permanent protection from all that nasty bacteria, without a daily routine: LASIK eye surgery.

The term “LASIK” actually stands for laser in situ keratomileusis, and it’s the most common form of laser eye surgery. It’s widely considered the best option for people living with nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and even astigmatism.

Vision is arguably our most coveted sense, and people are right to be cautious of anyone performing surgery on their eyes. But consider this: since 1991, it’s estimated that some 40 million people have had LASIK corrective eye surgery.

Is LASIK Right For You?

Let’s just be honest: many may still opt for about with bacteria before laser corrective eye surgery. But when you weigh the common fear of LASIK – a procedure that takes just minutes, has an extremely high success rate and has lasting benefits – against a cumbersome time-suck like a contact lens routine, and the consequences for not adhering to it BRING BACTERIA – the decision seems clear.

For a better understanding of what happens to your eyes during a LASIK procedure, click here. Or if you’re ready to have a conversation with a LASIK expert, you can click to schedule your free consultation.

But the reality is, sticking with contacts lenses means either rigorous upkeep or the possibility of microscopic critters crawling on your eyes. LASIK solves for both.

Learn more about the lasting benefits of this simple procedure by clicking here.

The post Are Contact Lenses a Breeding Ground for Bacteria? appeared first on LasikPlus.

Treat Occasional Complications

Complications related to laser vision correction procedures are uncommon, especially after the initial postoperative period. Very rarely, a trauma, such as a pet scratching the patient’s cornea, may cause the LASIK flap to be moved and require repositioning. A corneal abrasion may require treatment and a course of topical steroids to prevent inflammation.

Chronic conditions, such as dry eye, may cause foreign body sensation, tearing, fluctuating vision and haloes at night. Most often, proper treatment with doctor-provided eye drops will help restore optimal vision. LASIK does cause a temporary reduction in tear production, a side effect that is usually bothersome for two to four weeks at most. Normal tear production levels return by six months after the procedure. LASIK patients with preoperative dry eye will, of course, continue to have the condition and require appropriate care.

Assure Proper Response to Treatment

While side effects are an issue, most patients are more concerned about the long-term stability of their improved vision. Will LASIK or PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) last? Will they have to keep coming back for retreatment? Laser retreatment (or enhancement) is uncommon after patients pass their one-year treatment anniversary. In most cases, retreatment is required because of an over-response or under-response to treatment. These issues are usually recognized and treated three to six months after the original procedure. If retreatment is required, LASIK flaps are lifted and several seconds of laser treatment are applied to correct the small remaining refractive error. If more than two years have passed since the procedure, the doctor may opt to perform a PRK procedure. This reduces the risk of surface cells growing under the flap. While some patients require retreatment, most remain stable or have insignificant changes in refractive error and vision long-term.

Monitor for Eye Diseases

A major reason to seek regular eye care is to prevent and detect eye diseases — for example, cataracts and glaucoma. Cataracts, or clouding of the eye’s natural lens, can cause changes in vision. While more common in the elderly, cataracts can occur at any age. Vision changes due to a cataract are treated by removing the cataract — not laser retreatment.

While cataracts will eventually result in visual symptoms, many eye diseases will not show symptoms until damage is severe. Glaucoma is actually a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, resulting in blind areas. Untreated, it can result in complete blindness. Perhaps a third of glaucoma-related conditions will occur with no recorded elevated eye pressure. Only a detailed optic nerve examination or special diagnostic testing can diagnose the problem prior to damage. Glaucoma can occur at any age and is without symptoms in the early stages. After LASIK or PRK, a patient’s cornea will be thinner and traditional pressure testing devices may record an artificially low reading. Therefore, a complete eye exam is even more important to insure eye health.

Retinal tears or detachments can be asymptomatic (displaying no symptoms) in the initial stages. Of course, if patients see flashing lights or new-onset floaters, plus experience a decrease in vision, immediate evaluation is required. Routine care can often detect asymptomatic retinal pathology that increases the risk of detachment.

For all diabetics, annual retinal exams are critical. If bleeding or swelling are detected, early treatment may preserve a patient’s vision.

Regular check-ups with your eye doctor are critical — whether a patient has had laser vision correction or currently wears prescription eyewear. A qualified eye doctor can make sure that the eyes are healthy and functioning properly.

The post Continued Care After the LASIK Procedure appeared first on LasikPlus.

Myopia often begins in school age children, as early as grade school for some, when the vision problem is detected during a vision screening test at school or when a teacher notices the child cannot see the chalk board.  Other people may not be affected until their high school years or early twenties.  People often first suspect that they are nearsighted when they realize they need to “squint” their eyes to see better at night or in low light conditions.  Partially closing or “squinting” your eyelids reduces the amount of scattering of light by the myopia and usually helps you see a little clearer.  Usually poor night vision is one of the first signs of myopia but day time vision also worsens as myopia progresses.  Myopia may be slowly progressive throughout your life or it may “stabilize” in your 20’s or 30’s.

My Struggle With Nearsightedness

I first started developing nearsightedness when I was in high school, although I did not realize it.  One of my jobs on the high school football team was returning punts.  We had practices after school when it was daylight and I had no problem seeing the ball.  However, during our Friday night football games, under the stadium lights, I had more difficulty seeing the ball.  I had to “squint” my eyes to see the ball more clearly.  Also the scoreboard numbers were hard to see and the individual lights appeared fuzzy with starbursts around them and looked like Christmas tree lights.  I also noticed it was much harder to read street signs when driving at night.  In retrospect, these were early signs of myopia.  My myopia slowly progressed and I eventually had an eye exam and was prescribed a pair of glasses.  I was amazed how well I could now see the chalk board and see the “leaves on the trees.”  Lights at night looked clear and without glare.  My myopia did progress to the point that I needed to wear glasses or contacts at all times to see clearly.  I was very active and I hated wearing glasses or contacts for sports, swimming, scuba diving or any other activity.  My glasses had nose pads that used to “dig into” the sides of my nose and make my skin red and sore.   Also, I hated wearing sunglasses or goggles on top of my glasses or contacts when snowboarding or skiing.

My Life After LASIK

In 2002, I had laser vision correction of my myopia at LasikPlus and my vision has been great ever since.  I am able to play sports, swim with my kids, drive at night, read street signs and books all without the need to wear glasses or contact lenses.  My experience with myopia is similar to many of my patients’ experiences.  I have now done more than 78, 000 laser vision correction procedures and the majority of those have been patients with myopia.  It has been quite satisfying for me to dramatically improve the lives of so many thousands of “nearsighted” people.  If you have myopia, you may want to see if you are a candidate for laser vision correction.

The post Eye Diseases 201: Myopia appeared first on LasikPlus.

Common causes of Astigmatism?

Corneal Astigmatism

The curvature of the cornea may develop an oblong corneal shape, as opposed to the desired spherical corneal shape, which in-turn causes a refractive error. This refractive error prevents light from coming into a single focus on the retina. That is, the light will fall into multiple focus points behind or in front of the retina, or even both, which causes blurry, distorted, or double vision.

Lenticular Astigmatism

Similarly, to corneal astigmatism, lenticular astigmatism is caused by an imperfect curvature of the lens which focuses light behind or in front of the retina. The symptoms of lenticular astigmatism are the same as corneal astigmatism.

What are eye meridians and how do they relate to Astigmatism?

Eye Meridians ( Ocular Meridians ) are lines that mark degrees from 1 to 180 as depicted in the graphic.

Astigmatism, as described above, occurs when the light is not focused to a single point on the retina. In astigmatism, the corneal surface is typically toric, causing each of the ocular meridians to refract light uniquely. Principal Meridians are those meridians which refract the most and the least amount. Each of the two principal meridians focuses light on different points. There are three forms of astigmatism. That is, regular astigmatism, irregular astigmatism, and oblique astigmatism.

Regular astigmatism

Regular astigmatism occurs when the principal meridians are separated by 90 degrees on the 90° and 180° lines. An example being 180° / 90° ).

Irregular astigmatism

Irregular astigmatism, which is typically caused by a physical injury that caused scarring on the cornea, occurs when the principal meridians are not perpendicular to one another.

Oblique astigmatism

Oblique astigmatism is identical to regular astigmatism, where the principal meridians are perpendicular to one another, with the difference being that they are not at 90° or 180°, respectively. Oblique astigmatism is a tilted version of regular astigmatisms, such as 40° / 130°.

Three main most common types of Astigmatism?

The three commonly known types of astigmatism are myopic astigmatism, hyperopic astigmatism, and mixed astigmatism.

What is Myopic Astigmatism?

Myopic Astigmatism occurs when one or two principal ocular meridians focus light in front of the retina (are nearsighted).

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What is Hyperopic Astigmatism?

Hyperopic astigmatism occurs when one or two principal ocular meridians focus light behind the retina (are farsighted).

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What is mixed astigmatism?

Mixed astigmatism occurs when one principal ocular meridian focuses light behind the retina ( is farsighted ) and the other principal ocular meridian focuses light in front of the retina ( is nearsighted ).

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Is LASIK or PRK at LasikPlus a long-term solution to correcting astigmatism?

Yes! Both LASIK and PRK are types of “refractive surgery” and can safely and permanently correct most types of astigmatism. Not only that, these procedures can also correct nearsightedness and farsightedness. If you are interested in learning more, visit our LASIK or PRK sections or contact a LasikPlus location near you for a free eye exam and consultation. LasikPlus doctors are revered as the most capable eye surgeons in town. Research on Yelp, Google, and other credible places on the web to see what people are saying about their experience having astigmatism correction via LASIK or PRK at LasikPlus.

The post What is Astigmatism: Causes and Symptoms appeared first on LasikPlus.

What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism – is the result of the cornea (the front of the eye) becoming more of an asymmetrical shape instead of its normally round curve. During the LASIK procedure, a LasikPlus surgeon uses a special laser that’s programmed to reshape the cornea to be more spherical, correcting the way that it will bend and focus light.

Does LASIK Work for Astigmatism?

The short answer is: yes! LASIK surgery is considered one of the best ways of permanently and effectively treating astigmatism.

Tailored to address the issues related to astigmatism, LASIK surgery provides the opportunity to reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses or contacts.

Are There Types of Astigmatism that LASIK Can’t Fix?

Most patients who are good candidates for LASIK will be able to proceed with laser eye surgery for astigmatism. But while most types of astigmatism can be easily treated with LASIK surgery, there are a few that cannot. For example, irregular astigmatism may not be able to be corrected by LASIK.

During your free 60-90 minute consultation, a qualified LASIK specialist will determine if you’re a candidate for laser vision correction, depending on your type of astigmatism.

Will Your Insurance Cover the Cost of LASIK for Astigmatism?

Insurance companies consider LASIK for astigmatism an “elective treatment,” no matter how necessary the procedure is.

But don’t lose hope! LasikPlus offers LASIK discounts through most insurance & vision plans. Head over to our Insurance Plans page to see if your provider is listed.

Our financial coordinator will be able to help you during your free LASIK examination, to check your insurance to determine which discount you may be able to apply, and can assist in filing the claim on our behalf if an allowance pertains.

After Getting LASIK for my Astigmatism, How Long Will it Take to Recover?

While most of the patients who get LASIK for astigmatism notice a difference right away, it usually takes your eyes about three to six months to fully recover and heal.

To ensure that you make a safe and full recovery, and to prevent any unforeseen complications, it’s important to follow your surgeon’s post-LASIK instructions as close as possible.

Even though there are types of astigmatism that LASIK can’t treat, you always have options- and the team at LasikPlus is here to help! Call us today (877) 679-4937 to talk with a licensed professional and see if LASIK is the right choice for you.

The post Will LASIK Cure My Astigmatism? appeared first on LasikPlus.

Today, most LASIK surgeries are all-laser procedures that use no blades, giving you the peace of mind that comes with a technique that uses computer-controlled precision to treat your vision. And the LASIK field is founded on 40 years of innovation in a constant effort to continually improve the procedure’s safety and effectiveness.

Then & Now: Advancements in Eye Surgery Technology

Mid-1970s: One of LASIK’s forbearers was radial keratotomy. The procedure cost was approximately $8,000 and was performed by a surgeon using a scalpel. To monitor progress and avoid complications, the procedure was first performed on one eye at a time. The patient would then wait two weeks for the procedure to be performed on the other eye.

1988: LASIK surgeons began using a microkeratome, an extremely thin blade, to cut a flap in the upper layer of the cornea, followed by an excimer laser that removed tissue from the eye’s surface and reshaped the underlying cornea to match the patient’s prescription. The surgery took approximately 15 minutes.

2000s-Today: Doctors using advanced technology and techniques now use an all-laser technique, as the bladed microkeratome method has become obsolete. Instead of creating the corneal flap with a blade, the surgeon uses a femtosecond laser. This bladeless approach creates a more consistent incision and is a great option for patients with thin corneas who previously weren’t good LASIK candidates. Some experts believe bladeless LASIK is more precise, which can be reassuring for patients and surgeons. Another technology available is Wavefront LASIK, or custom LASIK, approved by the FDA in 2002. The widely available procedure uses three-dimensional measurements of the eyes to create a laser vision correction treatment tailored to each patient.

The Future of LASIK: Advancements continue as technology and the technique are constantly monitored to ensure the best possible procedure is available. For example, corneal cross-linking is an effective technique used to strengthen the cornea, and is now being considered for use in potential LASIK patients who would need greater amounts of corneal tissue removed. Combining cornea cross-linking with the LASIK procedure allows patients with thinner corneas and keratoconus to now be considered as candidates for LASIK.

LASIK Statistics

The technology and processes have advanced over the years, and a quick review of some data proves that these innovations are impactful. As you research the LASIK procedure, consider the following statistics to calm any of your concerns.

1) 700,000 Americans undergo LASIK each year.
2) More than 95 percent of LASIK patients are satisfied with their results.
3) 55.3 percent of LASIK patients achieve 20/20 visual acuity or better, while more than 92 percent achieve 20/40 visual acuity or better.
4) LASIK makes up 96 percent of refractive procedures performed today.

Consult a Specialist

Even with technological advances and impressive statistics, LASIK is still surgery, and like all surgeries, involves some risks. Side effects can include dry eyes and reduced night vision; however, most issues are temporary and improve as the eyes heal.

Consult a qualified LASIK specialist to learn if the procedure is right for you and to answer your questions. They can help turn your anxiety into the exhilaration of improved vision.

The post Innovations Continue to Improve LASIK Effectiveness appeared first on LasikPlus.

Early Childhood: Lazy Eye

Lazy eye, or amblyopia, is a condition that develops when a child’s vision begins to favor one eye over the other. It can result from a misaligned or uneven focus. If untreated, the vision in the underutilized eye can diminish, so it’s important that lazy eye be identified and corrected as soon as possible.

Once a full exam provides the doctor with a complete understanding of the health of both eyes, the condition is normally treated by having the child wear a patch over the stronger eye. A newer option is the use of eyedrops that blur the stronger eye’s vision. In both cases, the goal is to strengthen the weaker eye by forcing it to compensate for the lack of vision in the stronger eye. To detect lazy eye and other early eye health issues, vision is often checked at well-baby visits. A first comprehensive eye exam should be done between the ages of three and five.

Childhood to Early Adulthood: Nearsightedness

Nearsightedness, or myopia, usually develops in childhood and progresses until stabilizing in young adulthood. Almost a third of the population of the United States has some degree of nearsightedness, and theories propose that the cause is linked to both heredity and stress to the eyes caused by close-up focusing (e.g., reading and using computer screens).

Nearsightedness is normally diagnosed when the patient describes difficulty clearly seeing objects across a room or at some distance. Eyeglasses are the first resort for most patients. Contact lenses are another option, though they are normally not a viable choice for young children due to the amount of necessary care and maintenance. Once the prescription stabilizes in early adulthood, LASIK or other types of laser vision correction can be done to reshape the cornea itself, improving vision.

Middle to Late Adulthood: Farsightedness

Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is the condition in which distant objects remain clear, but close focus is blurry. Like myopia, hyperopia is easily treated with glasses, contacts or surgery. Unlike nearsightedness, farsightedness often requires treatment when the patient reaches a more advanced age.

Late Adulthood: Cataracts

A cataract is a cloud in the lens of the eye that prevents visual images from getting to the retina. Cataracts most frequently develop due to age, but they can also be caused by an injury or health condition, or even be present at birth.

If a family member experiences or complains of difficulty focusing or experiencing glare in bright light, a cataract may be the cause. When a cataract grows to the point where its resulting poor vision hinders the patient’s quality of life, elective surgery can be done to remove it.

This is a short list of common eye conditions, but many more often arise — everything from conjunctivitis to glaucoma, astigmatism to retinal detachment. Most eye conditions are treatable, but early detection is key. Make sure that all of your family members see your eye care professional for annual checkups and whenever any concerns arise. While certain conditions occur at particular times of life, eye health should be a matter of concern at all times.

The post Family Eye Care Tips & Considerations appeared first on LasikPlus.

What to Expect

An ophthalmologist, optometrist or orthoptist is qualified to conduct your eye exam, and you can get that exam at a variety of locations.

1) Offices of independent eye care professionals

2) Clinics with eye care departments

3) Group eye care practices

4) Eyeglass retailers that have an affiliated eye care professional

5) Optical departments of large retailers

Depending upon individual health history and risk factors, the eye exam includes most of the following steps:

1) An oral questionnaire inquires after noted changes to vision or health.

2)  Visual acuity is measured by asking a patient to read letters on a Snellen chart. This test is often a first indicator that patients require corrective lenses or that their prescription for corrective lenses needs to be updated.

3)  Retinoscopy and refraction assessment refine a patient’s prescription by having her compare vision while clicking through a series of lenses.

4)  Pupil function
is checked by tracking the behavior of the pupil in response to light. This tests how the individual pupil responds to light, and it ensures that both pupils respond to light in tandem.

5)  Extraocular muscle motility is demonstrated by having the patient follow the motion of an object with his eyes. This ensures that the muscles related to eye movement, and the parts of the brain controlling those muscles, are functioning correctly.

6)  Perimetry tests measure the patient’s visual field and peripheral vision. Loss of peripheral vision is often an early sign of glaucoma.

7)  Ophthalmoscopy checks the health of the retina by dilating the pupil with special drops and viewing the back of the eye with a special light. This helps detect conditions such as retinal detachment, optic nerve swelling, damaged blood vessels in the retina from high blood pressure or diabetes, cataracts and other problems.

8)  Colorblindness testing includes an Ishihara exam where a patient reviews images to confirm the ability to differentiate between different colors.

9)  Tonometer testing checks for increased intraocular pressure, a symptom of glaucoma. Once the eye has been numbed, an applanation tonometer machine barely touches the surface of the eye and measures the pressure of the fluid within the eye.

Ask your primary medical care provider to recommend a qualified eye care professional for your annual exam.

The post Why Your Annual Eye Exam Is Important appeared first on LasikPlus.

Vitamins, Minerals and Where to Find Them

Vitamins and minerals important to eye health include:

1) Vitamin C

2) Vitamin E

3) Lutein

4) Zeaxanthin

5) Beta-carotene

6) Zinc

7) Omega-3 fatty acids

Adequate amounts of these vital nutrients help prevent macular degeneration, cataracts, retinopathy and other eye diseases. (Read our Top Seven Super Foods for Your Eye Health post for additional information.)

Experts agree that a healthy diet with balanced and varied nutrition will work to provide these important nutrients and keep the eyes and the body healthy and functioning as well as possible.

Here’s a short list of foods to focus on. (Pun intended!)

1) Leafy greens like spinach and kale

2) Vegetables like peppers, squash, broccoli and carrots

3) Oily fish like salmon and tuna

4) Protein sources like nuts, beans, soy and eggs

5) Fruit like citrus and berries

An Ounce of Prevention…

Good nutrition not only keeps eyes healthy — it also helps prevent the onset of diseases and conditions that can damage your eyes. Diabetes is one example. A healthy diet can lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, therefore avoiding the leading cause of blindness in adults. Another example is high blood pressure, which can damage blood vessels in the eyes and throughout the entire body.

Regular exercise provides benefits that the best nutrition cannot, such as maintaining bone strength and cardiovascular health. So, in addition to working to include varied healthy food sources every day, it makes sense to make exercise as easy as possible to fit in to each day. One way to do this is to seek out cardiovascular and strength workouts that are convenient and enjoyable. Another is to schedule them into the day at times when energy is highest. Also, consider how to make exercise flow seamlessly into your routine. Perhaps it’s as simple as packing your gym bag each evening to grab during the morning rush.

Whatever choices you make to add healthy nutrition and exercise regular, enjoyable parts of your daily life — your eyes will thank you!

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Don’t Let Temporary Nuisances Become Permanent Problems

In addition to reducing annoyances such as headaches, blurred vision and dry eyes, avoiding or limiting exposure to eye irritants reduces the risk of developing more serious eye conditions and diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. Help ward off those problems at their source by following these tips:

1) Regularly treat allergies. Although allergic conjunctivitis doesn’t pose a serious health risk, proper treatment relieves the discomfort it causes. Avoid rubbing your eyes when suffering from allergies — it will only make the problem worse.

2) Treat all infections immediately. Untreated infections can result in styes, uveitis, corneal ulcers, loss of vision and other complications.

3) Wear goggles when swimming in salty or chlorinated water. In addition to temporary irritation from the chemicals or salt, contaminates in both types of water can cause infections.

4) Monitor your use of computers, smartphones and tablets. Overusing these devices causes eyestrain and discomfort.

5) Limit eye fatigue by periodically giving your eyes a rest from close-up work. Much like using a digital device for too long, eye fatigue causes general discomfort and strain.

6) Adjust lighting at home and work to avoid eyestrain.

7) Be careful using decorative contact lenses for costume parties. Use these lenses improperly and you could suffer from infections, corneal scarring and other complications.

8) Be tobacco free. In addition to immediate eye irritation, smoking can lead to macular degeneration and blindness.

9) Increase the amount of omega-3 in your diet to help keep eyes lubricated and prevent dry eye syndrome.

10) Protect eyes from exposure to ultraviolet and high energy visible light. These harmful rays from the sun contribute to cataracts, macular degeneration and corneal damage.

11)  If you wear eye makeup, avoid infection by getting rid of outdated products. As mentioned above, eye infections can lead to a number of serious complications.

12) Use eye protection for sports activities. Common sports-related injuries include corneal abrasions, subconjunctival hemorrhage and damage to the bone surrounding the eye.

13) Maintain a healthy blood sugar level to avoid diabetes. Diabetics are at greater risk of developing glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy.

Find a Good Eye Doctor

If your vision is good, and you aren’t experiencing any eye problems, you might think visiting an optometrist or ophthalmologist is unnecessary. Again, proactive prevention is key. Annual checkups ensure you build a solid relationship and good communication with your eye doctor, so she can monitor your eye health over the years.

As with any health matter, you should see a physician if eye irritation worsens, persists or interferes with your daily functioning. Of course, an established history with a qualified eye professional can help you get any issues treated quicker and easier.

The post Avoid Eye Irritation & Keep Eye Heath [Tips] appeared first on LasikPlus.