Dry Eye and LASIK Questions Answered

Prior to LASIK surgery, your doctor will check your medical history and look for a variety of conditions, including dry eyes. It is important to let your doctor know if you suffer from dry eye prior to surgery, as your surgeon may want to treat it before surgery.

LASIK surgery is designed to improve vision with minimal side effects.  Since the surgery involves altering the curvature of the cornea, which can affect the make up of tear film, dry eyes can sometimes result from LASIK. Dry eye is so common that as many as half of all LASIK patients report it after the surgery, although many had it before the surgery as well.

If you’ve had LASIK and seem to have a problem with dry eyes, you should consult your surgeon.  Dry eyes can be treated with preservative-free artificial tear drops.  If you suffer from dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) topical cyclosporine prescription eye drops can also be of benefit.  Increasing the frequency of blinking can also help.

If you have questions about the risks and benefits of LASIK or the likelihood of dry eye and LASIK, please consult Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com.

LASIK after 40

LASIK has changed the vision for the better for millions over the past decades.  For those 40 and over, LASIK may be a great option to improve or even correct vision.

As the eyes age, it becomes more likely a person will need reading glasses, especially after the age of 40.  Today, individuals in their 40s  and older are increasingly opting for laser surgery that assists in correcting near vision, or presbyopia, by correcting one eye for distance and the other for near vision.  Sometimes LASIK surgery improves vision substantially although patients might still find the need for reading glasses.

If you’re over 40 and considering LASIK, please contact us at 864-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com to schedule a LASIK consultation.  We’re happy to provide you with the information you need.

Types of Laser Eye Surgery

Everybody’s heard of LASIK right?  But did you know there are actually different types of laser eye surgery?

LASIK (laser-assisted-in-situ-keratomileusis) is often referred to as laser vision correction or refractive surgery.  It uses a microkeratome metal blade to cut the cornea flap and an excimer laser to reshape the eye.  It is the most frequently performed elective surgery in America.  During LASIK in Charleston, the surgeon creates a protective flap to access the inner corneal tissue.  The inner layers of your cornea receive pulses of cool laser light controlled by a computer.  You hear a clicking sound while this happens but don’t feel pain because of the numbing drops put in your eyes.  The laser gently reshapes the inner corneal layer to improve your vision.  Following this, the surgeon repositions and aligns the flap to its original position.  Some blurriness may be experienced following the procedure but will correct itself quickly.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratotomy) is a procedure for people with larger pupils, thin corneas, dry eyes or other corneal issues.  During PRK surgery, an eye surgeon uses a laser to reshape the cornea. This laser, which delivers a cool pulsing beam of ultraviolet light, is used on the surface of the cornea, not underneath a flap of the cornea

LASEK is a type of surgery often used for patients who aren’t suites for standard LASIK surgery, such as people with astigmatism.  Short for laser epithelial keratomileusis, this is a variant of PRK. An epithelial flap is created and then epithelial cells are loosened using an alcohol solution. A laser is used to reshape the cornea, then the flap is replaced and secured with a soft contact lens while it heals.

If you have questions about vision correction surgery, please contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com.  We can provide you with detailed information about the different types of eye surgeries.  If you’re considering laser eye surgery, you want to make sure that the laser and procedure are 100 percent FDA-approved and that your surgeon is experienced and Board Certified.

How Does LASIK Work?

Most people are familiar with the LASIK procedure but don’t always know how LASIK actually works.  LASIK starts and ends with manipulation of your cornea.

A LASIK surgeon uses an excimer laser to adjust and reshape your cornea (actually the stroma layer on your cornea).  The laser removes cells based on the amount of vision adjustment needed.  Your eyes are numb while this is going on.  Although you might smell an odor and hear a clicking noise, you should feel no pain.  With custom LASIK in Charleston, your surgeon adjusts for those who are farsighted, nearsighted and who have astigmatism.

The surgeon replaces your flap and may apply eye drops.  Healing begins immediately and your newly reshaped cornea should be evident in an immediate improvement in your vision.

To learn more about the LASIK procedure, contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston today!

LASIK Financing for Patients

If you are considering LASIK surgery, you may be wondering what financing options are available to you. Since LASIK costs several thousand dollars per eye, it can be a major financial decision.  Here are some tips on LASIK financing:

·         Commercial credit companies.  These include Care Credit, AccessOne and others; they offer financing for medical costs.  The terms of medical care financing can vary so be sure to study the terms carefully and find out what your payments will be.  If it’s not affordable, wait until it is or save and pay cash.  You don’t want to be stressed about paying for LASIK.

·         Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).  With an FSA, you are able to use pre-tax income to pay for medical expenses.  Check with your employer and see if this option is available.

·         Health Savings Account (HSA).  Also a great option for eligible medical expenses, the health saving account combines high-deductible health insurance with a savings account.

LASIK is considered a tax-deductible medical expense if certain conditions apply.  See your accountant for information.  For more information about LASIK, please contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com to schedule a LASIK consultation. 

LASIK Consultation Preparation

Here at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston, we believe preparation is the key to any successful treatment.  If you’re scheduled for a LASIK procedure, we advise you to do all you can to research the procedure, recovery and results in order to be as informed and prepared as you can.

Before you are scheduled for LASIK, you will have a consultation with a doctor at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston.  The goal of your consultation is to make sure that you are a good candidate for LASIK.  For some people, like those with dry eyes or other conditions, LASIK is not always a good option.  If LASIK isn’t right for you, you’ll be told why and offered alternative treatments.

If the doctor decides that you are a good LASIK candidate, our experts will help you understand the LASIK process and the results that can be expected.  For more information, contact us today.

LASIK versus Contacts: Which is Better for You?

Some contact lens wearers eagerly wait for the day when they can afford or qualify for LASIKsurgery.  But is LASIK right for every contact lens wearer?

Not every contact lens patient is suitable for LASIK surgery.  Some of the reasons that you may not qualify (or want) LASIK include if you:

•          Have a thin cornea
•          Have unusual or severe astigmatism
•          Have keratoconus, macular degeneration or        other incompatible conditions
•          Suffer from diabetes
•          Take certain medications
•          Have Glaucoma

There are other conditions that may preclude you from LASIK.  Contact lenses can be an ideal long-term solution for those people who are unable to have LASIK surgery.  For more information on contact lenses or to find out if you are a candidate for LASIK surgery, please contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com.

LASIK Pros and Cons

As with anything in life, LASIK has its pros and cons.  Here are 3 pros and cons to consider before a LASIK procedure at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston:

Pro: Improved visual acuity.  Most patients notice an immediate improvement in vision.

Con: Some patients notice nighttime vision problems, including glare, halos and sensitivity to bright light.  These often resolve after a period of time but in some people they do not.

Pro: No more glasses and contacts.  Can you imagine the money you could save on decades of prescription eyewear or contact lenses?

Con: Bruising of eye.  These subconjunctival hemorrhages appear as red spots on the white of the eye and are common after the LASIK procedure.  They can last from one week to one month and do not impact vision.

Pro: Reduced irritation from contact lenses.  That irritation from dry, scratchy contact lenses?  A thing of the past. 

Con: LASIK can cause a dry eye that can last for several weeks.  Eye drops can help with this.

Contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com today to learn more!

How Long Does LASIK Last?

Here at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston, we are frequently asked this question.  LASIK in Charleston represents an important investment in your eyes and you want to be sure that it is a worthwhile expense.

LASIK is meant to last for the rest of your life.  Although some people may need a minor adjustment after the procedure, most do not.  Of course, your eyes will age naturally and you may need reading glasses at some point, usually around the age of 40.  If you’re already over 40 and using reading glasses, it is likely that you will still need to wear them after LASIK.

For more information about LASIK or to schedule a consultation, contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Have LASIK?

Growing eyes are changing eyes.  LASIK, commonly referred to as laser vision correction, is a procedure meant for those who have a stable prescription.  A patient's eye prescription should be stable for at least one year prior to surgery. Until you’ve stopped growing and changing, you aren’t a good candidate for LASIK. 

In fact, the FDA has approved LASIK only for people who are age 18 and over.  Some eye surgery centers prefer to operate only on patients 21 and over, to ensure stability.  Appropriate education is given to the patient prior to the procedure.

For more information on LASIK, please contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com to schedule a LASIK consultation.

Laser Eye Surgery Procedure Time

After years of wearing eyeglasses or corrective lenses, you may be wondering how long it takes to have your vision corrected through LASIK.  It’s a common question patients ask when consulting with the staff at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston.

In the hands of a highly skilled LASIK surgeon like Dr. O'Day, laser eye surgery normally takes about 30 minutes.  Numbing drops are applied so that you don’t feel any pain, only some pressure.  An enhancement is sometimes needed months or years following the surgery, to fine tune the vision and get it to where it should be, although this is not common.

Hormonal changes and aging can also require further vision correction.  If you have questions about LASIK in Charleston, please contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery at 843-856-5275 or www.charlestoncornea.com.

Wearing Make-up After Cataract Surgery

Many cataract surgery patients want to know when they can start wearing make-up after laser-based cataract surgery. There is no set rule for how long you should wait; every patient will be different. At the very minimum, most patients should not wear any type of make-up (powders, foundation or eye make-up) for at least one week after surgery. Some patients may need to wait one month after surgery.

Wearing make-up too soon after surgery will increase your risk of make-up particles and/or applicators interfering with proper healing. You also run the risk of infection.

Don’t just assume your eyes are healed; always ask your doctor when you can start applying minimal eye make-up (eye shadow, eyeliner and mascara). You may also want to consider purchasing new eye make-up after cataract surgery to further reduce the possibility of infection.

So if you are planning to have a cataract surgery procedure, keep in mind that you’ll need to go for the “natural” look for a while after your procedure. If you are having surgery for a special event, be sure to plan enough healing time so you can look your very best for the event.

If you would like to learn more about bladeless cataract surgery, contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery today to schedule a Cataract Consultation.  Call 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com.

Will Sitting Too Close to the TV Ruin Your Vision?

Was Mom right when she yelled at you for sitting too close to the television?  

Mom is right most of the time…but when it comes to television viewing distance, she’s wrong – at least today. There is no evidence that children or adults will damage their vision if they sit too close to the television.

She may have been partly correct if you were a kid in the 50s or 60s. Televisions manufactured before the 1950s reportedly did emit higher levels of radiation that could increase the risk of eye problems. And in the 60s General Electric recalled television sets that emitted unsafe levels of radiation. But today’s modern televisions must comply with the Federal radiation limit. According to the Food and Drug Administration, “flat panel TVs incorporating Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) or Plasma displays are not capable of emitting x-radiation.”

Viewing shows or video games close-up can produce headaches, fatigue or eyestrain. However, children typically don’t experience eyestrain like adults do. Even so, this shouldn’t be an excuse to allow your child to spend hours in front of a screen every day. Make sure your child – and you – are engaging in other activities, like playing outdoors, to keep their minds and bodies healthy.

If your child routinely holds reading materials close to their eyes, you should schedule an eye exam to ensure that a refractive error is not the culprit. He or she may need corrective lenses to see clearly.

If a refractive error is to blame, you children may not have to live with glasses or contacts forever. When they are adults, blade-free LASIK in Charleston may help correct the eye shape or corneal curvature so clear vision can be achieved at all distances.

To learn more about Charleston LASIK, contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery today at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com to schedule a free LASIK Consultation. 

5 Tips on Choosing a LASIK Surgeon

If you’re looking for a LASIK surgeon, Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston recommends that you take the time to consider these five factors before making a decision. 

Recommendations.  Did your friends, family or co-workers recommend him or her?  If not, see if you can find a surgeon recommended by someone you trust or check online sources for strong, authentic reviews.

Professional qualifications. Check the qualifications of your surgeon.  How many procedures has he performed?  What is the success rate?  How often is a correction needed?

Friendliness.  This goes for the staff as well as the surgeon.  If you’re not getting a good vibe from your initial consultation, or the staff seems unfriendly, unavailable or inattentive, go elsewhere.

Technology.  What kind of technology does the eye surgeon use?  Is the patient able to select the type of technology used? Be sure to ask if the surgeon offers 100 percent all-laser LASIK (also known as 

Bladeless LASIK).  Some surgeons use a microkeratome blade although many patients prefer a Bladeless LASIK procedure.

Results.  Does your procedure come with a warranty for a certain period of time?  What does it cover?

If we can help you with questions on selecting a LASIK surgeon, please contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston at 843-856-5275 or www.charlestoncornea.com to schedule a LASIK consultation.

Can I have LASIK if I have Keratoconus?

Keratoconus (ker-uh-toe-KOH-nus) occurs when your cornea — the clear, dome-shaped front surface of your eye — thins and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape.

Keratoconus is a progressive disease. It can occur in one or both eyes and often begins during a person's teens or early 20s. 

LASIK is not a solution for this progressive disease due to several factors, including the thinning of the cornea and the shape of the cone.  There are, however, effective solutions available for this disease. In addition to custom toric lenses, gas permeable lenses and other lenses, Keratoconus can often be best treated with:

• KeraSoft lenses (Bausch + Lomb). These high-water silicone hydrogel lenses can correct up to 20 diopters (D) of nearsightedness or farsightedness and up to -12 D of astigmatism.
• NovaKone lenses (Alden Optical). These medium-water hydrogel lenses can correct up to 30 D of nearsightedness or farsightedness and up to -10 D of astigmatism.
• Corneal inserts received FDA approval for treating keratoconus in August 2004. The tiny plastic inserts are placed just under the eye's surface in the periphery of the cornea and help re-shape the cornea for clearer vision.
• A procedure call corneal crosslinking, which strengthens corneal tissue to halt bulging of the eye's surface.
• Corneal transplants are sometimes the best solution for people with this disease.

If you have any questions about LASIK and/or Keratoconus, please contact the staff at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston to schedule a consultation.  

Is LASIK Surgery Safe?

If you’re wishing you could wake up in the morning and not have to reach for your glasses or throw in a pair of contacts, you’re not alone.  Thousands of LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) procedures are performed each year for people who long for vision correction.  One of the top questions asked of the staff at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston before signing up is, “Is LASIK surgery safe?”

The FDA approved this procedure and it has been performed since the 1990’s.  During LASIK, a flap is created in the cornea so that a computer-controlled excimer laser can vaporize a portion of the stroma.  The stroma is located in the middle of the cornea. Once the flap is closed again, the curvature of the cornea is corrected, which improves vision.

A study conducted in 2008 by Spanish researchers on dozens of LASIK patients showed good long-term results.  The study followed patients for ten years and indicated good long term vision on the majority of patients.

If you have any questions about the safety of LASIK surgery, please contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston at 843-856-5275 or www.charlestoncornea.com to schedule a LASIK consultation.

What is The Average Cost of LASIK?

Wondering how much it costs to have LASIK surgery in Charleston?  Price is often a top concern of those considering corrective eye surgery.

Some surgeons quote a flat fee per eye, while others quote a price based on the amount of vision correction needed or the technology being used.

According to one source, the average cost overall for laser vision correction in 2013 was $2,073 per eye (up from $1,941 the previous year). The results show an average of:

• $2,223 per eye for laser vision correction procedures (LASIK, PRK, LASEK, etc.) at surgery centers where a single price is quoted regardless of technology or vision correction requirements.

• $1,543 per eye for non-customized LASIK using a bladed instrument and excimer lasers that are not guided by wave front analysis. 

• $2,177 per eye for wavefront-guided LASIK using a femtosecond laser-created flap.

Across the country, LASIK prices tend to stay in the range of $1500 to $3000 per eye.  Geographic regions with higher costs of living can also result in higher price tags for corrective eye surgery.

Fortunately, financing for LASIK may be an option to those who prefer it.  If you have any questions about LASIK pricing or the LASIK procedure, contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery at 843-856-5275 or www.charlestoncornea.com.        

Can LASIK Eliminate the Need for Reading Glasses?

The answer to this question is “yes” and “no.”

LASIK vision correction in Charleston is typically performed to correct a refractive error that has been present since childhood or acquired later in life:

•  Myopia (nearsightedness), which results in blurry distance vision
•  Hyperopia (farsightedness), which results in blurry up-close vision
•  Astigmatism, which results in blurry vision at all distances

Once adults hit their 40s, a different condition called presbyopia can begin to affect up-close vision. Presbyopia occurs as the eye lenses begin to lose flexibility, making it difficult to focus on things close-up. Over-the-counter reading glasses in Charleston are available in various strengths to help accommodate for this change in vision.

LASIK does not correct presbyopia. During a LASIK procedure, the cornea is slightly reshaped to allow light to properly focus on the retina (the back of the eye) to achieve clear vision. Because presbyopia is not caused by the shape of the cornea, LASIK in its basic form does not correct this vision condition.

However, there is a loophole!

Monovision LASIK in Charleston can be performed to provide clear distance vision in one eye and clear up-close vision in the other, affording clear vision at all distances. This technique can take some time to adjust to, so trial contact lenses may be prescribed before you have the procedure.

So if you don’t want to feel embarrassed about wearing your glasses to read…or feel like your grandmother with your reading glasses…you may want to consider monovision LASIK or other forms of vision correction. Contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston today to schedule a free LASIK Consultation to discuss the options. Call 843-856-5275 or visit charlestoncornea.com to schedule your appointment online. 

LASIK, Glaucoma & High Blood Pressure

If you have been considering having LASIK vision correction in Charleston, your eye health is one aspect that will be examined to ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure.

For example, people who have glaucoma in Charleston may be advised against LASIK. Glaucoma patients have increased eye pressure and the LASIK procedure may raise intraocular pressure if suction is applied during the creation of the corneal flap. However, only a trained ophthalmologist can determine for sure if having LASIK with your specific glaucoma diagnosis is feasible and safe – or if another type of refractive surgery is advised. This can be determined during a free LASIK Consultation at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston. 

LASIK & High Blood Pressure

A new study by researchers in Australia has found that long term hypertension increases a person’s susceptibility to glaucoma. In the past it was thought that high blood pressure could actually counteract high eye pressure by raising blood pressure levels for a short time. However, this has only appeared to work for younger patients.

What the study showed is that chronic hypertension may damage the eye’s blood vessels and limit the eye’s capacity to cope with elevated pressure.  

So, if you have high blood pressure, you may want to schedule an eye exam to ensure that you are not developing the “silent” condition of glaucoma. You can also find out if you can have LASIK with your high blood pressure.

If you are tired of wearing glasses or contacts, and want to pursue the option of LASIK, schedule a free LASIK Consultation at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery today to find out if your overall health, eye health and eye characteristics are right for the procedure. Call 843-856-5275 or http://www.charlestoncornea.com.

Television and Glaucoma

It may be possible to identify glaucoma and other eye diseases by observing the eye movements of people as they watch television. 

A team of researchers at City University London put this idea to the test by comparing 44 patients with glaucoma against 32 elderly patients who had good vision. Eye tracking devices were used to record every patient’s eye movements as they watched three television and film clips on a computer.

The researchers were able to note which scenes the participants could focus on and which they were missing. Saccade maps were then produced to compile these movements and identify which participants had failing vision, especially in the peripheral sections. A gradual decline in peripheral vision is a common symptom of primary open-angle glaucoma in Charleston.

Even if you have inherited good vision from your parents or have undergone LASIK vision correction in Charleston to correct your refractive errors, it is important to remember that anyone can get glaucoma. Because this eye disease is often “silent” (without major symptoms in the early stages) television vision testing may help to identify the disease for early treatment.

Regular eye exams will also detect eye diseases such as glaucoma. During these exams, you may also find out that you are a good candidate for vision correction procedures like Charleston LASIK. Dr. O'Day at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery has performed hundreds of vision correcting and vision saving procedures as well as treatments to protect failing eyesight.

Don’t wait until you experience eye problems. Schedule an eye exam at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery today and stay proactive with your eye health. Call 843-856-5275 or visit charlestoncornea.com today.