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.  

“Bionic Eye” Becomes Reality

If you remember television shows from the 1970s, you’re sure to remember The Six Million Dollar Man. Actor Lee Majors played Col. Steve Austin, an astronaut severely injured in a crash who was later rebuilt with bionic implants in his right arm, legs and left eye. The “bionic man” had super strength, speed and vision. Viewers of this series undoubtedly fantasized about how it would feel to be like the bionic man.

Approximately 40 years later, technology has made the “bionic eye” a reality for patients with the degenerative eye disease retinitis pigmentosa. This disease slowly causes damage to the retina (the back of the eye) and eventually leads to almost complete blindness. The Food and Drug Administration has approved an artificial retina procedure being dubbed as a “bionic eye.” The system uses a tiny camera and transmitter in special eyeglasses to transmit impulses to the retina’s healthy cells to allow for limited restored vision.

Researchers continue to develop new technologies to restore or improve eyesight. Good vision is often taken for granted; but even when people have less serious vision conditions that require them to wear glasses or contacts (nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism) they are often on the lookout for new methods of vision improvement.

LASIK vision correction is one such method that can truly change the lives of people who wear glasses or contacts. LASIK has been around since 1996 and over 14 million Americans have undergone this popular surgical process. The LASIK process works by slightly altering the shape of the cornea with an excimer laser so light will focus properly on the retina at the back of the eye. When light focuses properly, clear vision can be obtained.

Dr. O'Day at Charleston Cornea and Refractive Surgery offers LASIK. He is dedicated to providing patients with detailed information about the LASIK procedure the risks of LASIK and what results may be achieved for each unique patient.

Charleston Cornea and Refractive Surgery can’t give you bionic vision; however, Dr. O'Day can analyze your eye characteristics and overall health to determine LASIK might be right for you. Call 843-856-5275 to schedule your free LASIK Consultation or visit charlestoncornea.com to schedule your appointment online.

Prepare Your Eyes for a Special Event

Weddings…reunions…barbecues…vacations…

Special events abound during the spring and summer months. Many people take measures to look their very best for special events – they go to the hairdresser, buy new clothing, maybe even lose weight. If you have a special event coming up, and don’t want to have to hassle with glasses or contacts, you may choose to add LASIK to your To Do list.

The good news is that most people can be back to their normal activities – and seeing with more clarity – the day after their LASIK procedure. It is advised that you not wait until the last minute to schedule your appointment. Some people simply aren’t good candidates for LASIK because of their overall eye health, the fact that their corneas are too thin or other health reasons.  It’s important to schedule a LASIK evaluation well in advance of your special event just in case a different type of vision correction procedure like PRK is warranted. Some LASIK alternative procedures require more recovery time even though they can provide similar vision outcomes overall.

LASIK is an investment in you. The procedure has helped millions of Americans have the visual freedom to live a lens-free life. Find out if LASIK can give you the same freedom.

Get your eyesight in tip-top shape for your next special event. Contact Charleston Cornea and Refractive Surgery to schedule a free LASIK Consultation at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com.

Can Diabetics Have LASIK?

Many people who have diabetes wonder if they can have LASIK to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. There is no singular answer to this question; it depends on many different factors surrounding the patient’s eye health and overall health. Any reputable ophthalmologist will demand to know your medical history and current medical condition and will perform an extensive screening process before recommending LASIK.

      LASIK should not be performed on diabetic patients who have:

• Diabetic Retinopathy, a disease that causes damage to the blood vessels in the retina (back of the eye)
• Uncontrolled blood sugar levels
• Unstable vision prescription

If you are a diabetic, the first step in finding out if it is safe for you to have LASIK is by scheduling a free LASIK Consultation at Charleston Cornea and Refractive Surgery. Board certified ophthalmologist Dr. O'Day will go to great lengths to ensure that your diabetes is controlled enough to support LASIK and allow for proper healing. It is possible for people with well-controlled diabetes to have successful LASIK procedures.

To learn more about diabetes and LASIK in Charleston, schedule a free LASIK Consultation by contacting Charlston Cornea & Refractive Surgery at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com today.

Wearing Make-up After LASIK

Many LASIK patients want to know when they can start wearing make-up after LASIK. The general rule for most patients is that you should not wear make-up or apply any facial lotions or soaps for one week after LASIK. After this one week mark, you should ask your doctor if you can start applying minimal eye make-up (eye shadow, eyeliner and mascara).

Some doctors allow patients to wear foundation and blush several days after LASIK, but you still run the risk of make-up particles and/or applicators interfering with proper corneal flap healing. You also run the risk of infection.

You may want to consider purchasing new eye make-up after LASIK to further reduce the possibility of infection.

So if you are planning to have a LASIK procedure, keep in mind that you’ll need to go for the “natural” look for at least one week after your procedure. If you are having LASIK 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 LASIK visioncorrection, contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery in Charleston to schedule a free LASIK consultation. Call 843-856-5275 or visit charlestoncornea.com.

How Alcohol Affects Vision

Researchers in Canada recently studied how drinking a “legal” amount of alcohol affects vision. What they discovered is that up to 30% of vision is impaired even before participants hit the legal blood alcohol concentration limit, which is 0.08% in most states.

The researchers used a process called the Hermann Grid for the study. One group of participants consumed nonalcoholic drinks; the other consumed enough alcohol to get just under the legal limit. Both groups then looked at a grid of black squares on a white background to estimate the number of ghost-like dark spot illusions they saw at the intersections of the grid.

Participants who consumed alcohol were 30% less effective in distinguishing contrast of the spots in the grid as they approached the legal blood alcohol limit.

The results of this study showed that drinking alcohol will make it difficult to distinguish differences between objects based on lightness and darkness. Your vision may be impaired by up to 30% when driving at night or at twilight under the influence of just one or two alcoholic drinks.

Everyone should take note of this study, whether you are nearsighted, farsighted, have perfect vision or have had LASIK vision correction. No one is immune from the effects of alcohol, and even if you “feel” good enough to drive after having one or two drinks, your vision may still be impaired.

At Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery we inform all of our patients when they can safely consume alcohol before and after eye procedures, such as LASIK. We encourage all patients to be responsible when drinking and always have a designated driver. To learn more about LASIK, including the cost of LASIK in Charleston, schedule a free LASIK Consultation with Dr. O'Day at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery. Call 843-856-5275 or visit charlestoncornea.com today. 

Enjoy March Madness Even More

March Madness begins March 18! Whether you plan to root for your college alma mater in the NCAA tournament or just love any kind of college basketball, you are bound to see exciting wins and devastating upsets. The question is, will you be watching the action through a corrective lens?

If you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism, you probably have to wear glasses or contacts to see clearly. And, let’s face it; glasses and contacts can get in the way of your celebrations. Wouldn’t it be much better to watch your favorite teams with your own lens-free eyes?

Charleston LASIK vision correction just might be the ticket to visual freedom. Of course, not everyone will see with 20/20 vision after LASIK, but when you choose an eye doctor in Charleston who has a great track record of success, uses advanced LASIK technology and performs a thorough LASIK screening process to ensure you’re a good candidate, the odds are definitely in your favor. Dr. O'Day is that surgeon and he’s ready to help you take those first steps.

Make a fast break to improve your vision. Call Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery today at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com to schedule a free LASIK Consultation in Charleston. 

Things You Can't Do With Cataracts

Things You Can't Do with Glasses

How LASIK Works

You’ve undoubtedly heard the term LASIK eye surgery, and you may even know someone who has had the procedure done. But do you really know what steps are involved in a LASIK procedure?

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, commonly referred to as LASIK, is a procedure to treat farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. In these vision conditions, the cornea is shaped so light does not focus properly onto the retina so clear vision is not achieved. LASIK uses a laser to actually reshape the cornea so light does focus properly.

LASIK is not performed on a “whim.” An experienced LASIKsurgeon will perform a detailed eye exam to determine your exact vision characteristics and determine if LASIK could help or hinder your vision. This procedure isn’t right for everyone; some people have corneas that are too thin to support the procedure…others have pre-existing eye health or medical conditions that will interfere with healing.

LASIK Steps

• Numbing drops are placed into your eye and a lid speculum keeps the eyelids open.
• A corneal flap is created using either a hand-held microkeratome surgical tool or a femtosecond laser. 
• Once the flap is created it is gently folded back to give the surgeon access to the underlying corneal tissue.
• Corneal tissue is removed/reshaped using a computer-controlled excmier laser.
• The corneal flap is put back into place where it begins to heal without stitches.

The entire process only takes a few minutes per eye and most people report that it is virtually painless.

There is a whole lot more to know about LASIK! If you are curious, contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery today at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com to schedule your free LASIK Consultation to get all of the facts about LASIK. 

Elephant Eyes

 In honor of National Elephant Appreciation Day on September 22, here are some facts about elephant eyes.

• Their eyes are very small, only about 1.5” in diameter
• The location of their eyes on the side of their heads allows for peripheral vision but not depth perception; the trunk creates a large blind spot in their vision
• They have three eyelids: an upper, lower and one that moves vertically for more protection
• Their long eyelashes keep foreign matter out of their eyes
• They have the same visual pigments as humans with red/green color-blindness
• Their range of vision is only about 30 feet - some people might say that elephants are nearsighted!

Because of their poor vision, elephants use their sensitive trunks to navigate. Their poor vision does not hinder their ability to orient themselves, and that’s a good thing since vision correction surgery just isn’t performed on elephants!

It is, however, performed on millions of Americans every year. At Charleston Cornea and Refractive Surgery, we’ve performed many LASIK vision correction surgeries to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. LASIK in Charleston is considered to be one of the safest medical procedures when performed by an experienced surgeon like Dr. O'Day. Of course, there are risks with any type of surgical procedure, so it’s always advisable to get all of the facts about LASIK before you decide to pursue this popular procedure.

One way to get the facts is by scheduling a free LASIK Consultation at Charleston Cornea and Refractive Surgery. You can find out if your eyes have the right characteristics for LASIK and you can get all of your questions about LASIK answered.

So don’t forget to take a minute to appreciate elephants on September 22 (an elephant wouldn’t forget). And, if you’re stuck wearing glasses or contacts, contact us today to schedule your free LASIK Consultation at charlestoncornea.com or 843-856-5275.

Glasses, Contacts and Sports – How to Improve Your Game

Recently we read that September is National Little League Month. We’re not sure how many people actually celebrate this observance, but it got us thinking about all of those boys and girls on the field who wear corrective lenses as they play. In turn, this made us think of “vision-challenged” adults who continue playing sports of any kind.

Being nearsighted, farsighted or having astigmatism can become a real nuisance in life, especially if you are trying to see to hit a baseball/softball, swim laps in a pool, putt a golf ball into a hole or any other type of sport. Forced to wear glasses or contact lenses as you play, you can face different challenges than those with “near-perfect” vision. Sweaty noses can cause glasses to slide, dirt and debris can get underneath contacts, glasses can be broken and contacts lost.

Think of how much you could improve your game of choice if you were lens-free.

When you add LASIK vision correction to your pre-season training activities, you may be able to erase corrective lenses from your sports equipment list.

Dr. O'Day at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery is ready to be your vision trainer. Schedule your free LASIK Consultation with us today at charlestoncornea.com or 843-856-5275 to find out if your eyes are in the right physical condition to handle LASIK. You can also ask questions about LASIK and learn more about Dr. O'Day's background and experience.