LASIK for Astigmatism

In the early days of LASIK, patients with astigmatism were often not deemed good candidates for the procedure. Today, advances in LASIK technology allow many astigmatism patients to achieve better vision through this vision correction procedure.  

What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a very common refractive error caused by an irregular shape of the cornea (the clear front of the eye) or by the curvature of the lens in the eye. Astigmatism eyes will not be the typical round shape, but rather football-shaped, which causes multiple focus points to occur on the front and/or back of the retina. This causes blurry or distorted vision for both near and far objects. Astigmatism can also be found in patients who are nearsighted or farsighted.

Not all astigmatism patients are good candidates for LASIK. The only way to know for sure is by having a full eye exam in Charleston with an ophthalmologist to have your eye anatomy analyzed. Conditions like corneal thickness, corneal topography and your medical history will be reviewed. At Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery, Dr. O'Day will only approve patients for advanced LASIK in Charleston if he feels the conditions are perfect for a good outcome. No doctor can guarantee 20/20 vision after LASIK, but by only treating patients who are good candidates the odds are improved.

If you have astigmatism and must wear glasses or contacts to improve your vision, contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery to schedule a free LASIK Consultation in Charleston. There is no obligation to proceed with the procedure, and it will provide insight into your own eye health and help you fully understand your vision improvement options.

Call 843-856-5275 to speak to the practice directly or visit charlestoncornea.com to schedule an appointment online any time day or night. 

LASIK Reality Show?

Reality shows: Whether you love them or hate them, they have definitely taken over television programming. There are too many makeovers and lifestyle shows to list, but shows like the Biggest Loser, Undercover Boss, Love It or List It and Intervention tend to feature how less-than-ideal situations can be improved.

Wouldn’t it be interesting to have a LASIK Makeover reality show? Here is the pitch:

“24-year-old Joe has worn glasses and contacts since childhood. An avid outdoorsman, he finds it impossible to really pursue his adventurous side due to his vision limitations. After LASIK at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery, Joe takes off on a journey worthy of a spin-off TV show…skydiving, rock climbing, extreme kayaking. Now Joe’s possibilities are limitless…thanks to LASIK.”

A LASIK Makeover reality show probably wouldn’t impress TV executives, but Dr. O'Day's happy LASIK patients at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery might beg to differ. Even if you aren't considering LASIK in Charleston to climb Mount Everest, improving your vision to 20/20 can still be a life-changing event.

Of course, not everyone who wears glasses or contacts is a good candidate for LASIK. If you have poor eye health or if your corneas are too thin, a different vision correction procedure might be safer. The only way to know for sure is to schedule a free LASIK Consultation at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery. Dr. O'Day won’t approve you for LASIK unless he is 100% sure your eyes are right for the procedure. 

Start on your own LASIK Makeover reality…schedule your free LASIK Consultation today by calling 843-856-5275 or going online at charlestoncornea.com. 

LASIK & Pink Eye

Conjunctivitis is aptly named “pink eye” because the eyes actually look pink, red or bloodshot due to an inflammation of the clear membranes on the white of the eyes and inside the eyelids. This is a highly contagious condition that is easily spread when it is caused by a virus or bacteria.

People of all ages can get pink eye in Charleston. The more you are in contact or close proximity with other people, the greater your risk of contracting pink eye because it can spread through sneezes, coughs or by using an object that was previously used by a person who already has pink eye.

Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to prevent pink eye, and you can contract the condition at the most inopportune times. For example, if you have a Charleston LASIK procedure scheduled and you contract pink eye, you will have to have the pink eye treated before having LASIK. Your eyes must be healthy to avoid LASIK complications.  

Pink Eye Treatment

Viral conjunctivitis will typically clear up over several days, but bacterial conjunctivitis may require medicated eye drops or ointments. It may take 10 days or more for a bacterial infection to clear up. Dr. O'Day at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery can determine when it is safe to have LASIK after pink eye in Charleston.

Pink Eye Symptoms

Besides red eyes, other symptoms of pink eye include:

• Excessive eye watering
• Swollen eyelids
• Burning and itching
• Crusty eyelids in the morning
• Light sensitivity
• Gritty sensation
• Yellow discharge

If you are considering LASIK in Charleston, schedule your free LASIK Consultation at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery. Call 843-856-5275 or visit charlestoncornea.com. Dr. O'Day will examine your eyes and tell you if your eyes are healthy enough for this amazing vision correction procedure.

Of course, even after successful LASIK, you can still contract pink eye. It’s important to take measures to protect yourself against pink eye, such as:

• Wash hands frequently
• Avoid touching your eyes
• Use hand sanitizers
• Avoid sharing hand towels and personal items
• Wear goggles when swimming
• Follow contact lens wear instructions