Thursday, June 26, 2014

Is LASIK Better Than Contacts?

A recent study has measured patient satisfaction with LASIK compared to contact lenses for vision correction. The study found that LASIK results in fewer vision problems with night driving both with former contact lens wearers and former glasses wearers. However, complaints about dry eye were common among people who had LASIK as well as those who wore contact lenses or glasses.

The study, led by Francis Price Jr., M.D., gathered patient satisfaction over a three-year period. Patients in the study were between 18 and 60 years of age and included:
  • 356 participants who wore contacts only
  • 448 participants who wore contacts then had LASIK
  • 154 participants who wore glasses and then had LASIK

Participants were asked if they would recommend LASIK or contacts to a friend or family member. The results were as follows:
  • 53% of patients who wore contacts agreed that they would recommended contacts
  • 87% of patients who wore contacts and then had LASIK agreed that they would recommend LASIK
  • 77% of patients who wore glasses and then had LASIK agreed that they would recommend LASIK

Another question asked of the group was whether patients believed LASIK works better than wearing contact lenses; 96% answered that they either “agreed” or “strongly agreed.”

Still another question addressed night vision difficulties. The rate of night driving problems decreased after LASIK for those participants who had previously worn contacts or glasses. “Overall, LASIK improves night driving vision and that was very significant,” said Dr. Price.

If you have been “on the fence” about having LASIK vision correction in Charleston, this new study may help you decide to take the first step toward improved vision. At Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery, we have performed thousands of LASIK procedures.

Learn more about the risks of LASIK, the benefits of LASIK and whether your eyes are right for LASIK by scheduling a free LASIK Consultation at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery. Call 843-856-5275 or visit charlestoncornea.com to schedule your appointment. Or take our free online LASIK Self-Evaluation here.  

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Celebrate the Summer Solstice

The summer solstice is Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 6:51am EDT. Hopefully you have plans to enjoy the longest day of the year with family and friends. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, some countries celebrate Midsummer’s Day which occurs near the solstice. Legend has it that the dew on Midsummer’s Day morning has special healing powers to make old people look younger, and Midsummer’s Eve is a time for wishes and magic.

Whether or not you believe in such folklore, this year’s summer solstice may be the perfect time to find out if your wish for better vision could come true. At Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery we have helped thousands of people reduce or eliminate their need for glasses and contacts through LASIK vision correction in Charleston. Many of our patients feel as though our LASIK technology truly is “magic” because after just a few short minutes of laser treatment they are already starting to see better. Of course, every patient heals at a different rate, but after a good night’s sleep most LASIK patients are able to see without glasses the next morning.

It’s important to note that even successful LASIK patients may require reading glasses later in life from a condition called presbyopia. This affects most people after age 40 and is caused as the eye lenses become less flexible as we age making it difficult to focus on up-close objects. So, the sooner you have LASIK as an adult, the longer you may be able to enjoy a lens-free life.

If you wish you could say goodbye to glasses or contacts, find out if LASIK might be right for you. Schedule a free LASIK Consultation at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery by calling 843-856-5275 or visiting charlestoncornea.com to schedule your appointment online. You can also take our free online LASIK Self-Evaluation anytime, day or night, to find out if you might be in the ballpark for this procedure. 

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Give Dad What He Really Wants

Father’s Day is June 15, 2014. Rather than the traditional neck tie or golf accessories, why not give Dad the chance at improved vision? If you know a Dad who wears glasses or contacts, think how much easier his life would be if he could work and play without those hassles. By arranging a free LASIK Consultation at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery, you just might set in motion one of the very best Father’s Day gifts ever.

Some people simply aren’t very proactive when it comes to scheduling health appointments for themselves. Your Dad may need a little extra push to schedule that LASIK Consultation. But you can assure him that this is a very simple and pain-free process that is only meant to provide him with information about:
  • His overall eye health
  • His vision characteristics
  • His vision correction options (LASIK may not be right for him)
  • His possibilities for 20/20 vision
  • LASIK technologies
  • LASIK costs
  • LASIK financing
You can also assure him that the LASIK Consultation will not include any hard sales tactics. The ultimate decision to proceed with LASIK in Charleston is his choice and his choice alone.

By the way, it also happens to be Men’s Health Week June 9-15, so it’s the perfect time to get Dad thinking about his overall health and well-being. Encourage your Dad to get plenty of sleep, stop smoking, exercise, eat healthy, reduce stress and have preventative check-ups. Included in this wellness checklist may also be that LASIK Consultation mentioned earlier.

If you have a well-deserving Dad in your life that might benefit from improved vision, contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery today at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com to schedule a free LASIK Consultation in Charleston for him. 

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Will Glasses Stand the Test of Time?

Popular Mechanics recently published an online article titled “10 Things That Will Disappear in the Next 110 Years.” We thought we would share that list with you:
  1. Eyeglasses
  2. Video game consoles
  3. Postage stamps
  4. C batteries
  5. Keys
  6. Snow tires
  7. Telephone poles
  8. Band-Aids
  9. Wallets  
  10. Flathead screwdrivers
The article didn't go into any specifics on why the publication’s editors felt these items would no longer be relevant. However, at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery we can take a guess at one reason why the #1 item on the list might phase out: LASIK vision correction. Charleston LASIK is already helping thousands of people in our area eliminate their need for glasses or contacts. It’s a laser procedure that corrects vision for people who are nearsighted, farsighted or who have astigmatism, but it’s not for everyone. If a patient’s corneas are too thin or if other eye problems exist, an alternative to LASIK may be recommended. The only way to know for sure if LASIK might reduce or eliminate your need for eyeglasses is to schedule a free LASIK Consultation at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery by calling 843-856-5275 or visiting charlestoncornea.com.

It’s possible that no one reading this blog will know for sure if all of these 10 things will be gone in 110 years. But it’s going to be interesting to see what the future holds for all types of technology, including vision correction.