Are You a Good Candidate for LASIK?

If you wear glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision, you may be wondering if LASIK in Charleston could provide you with the clear vison you’ve always wanted.

The truth is, only an experienced ophthalmologist can determine if your eyes are healthy enough for this procedure. Even if you have the same vision prescription as a friend, your eye anatomy may not be suitable for LASIK. Dr. O'Day at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery offers free, no-obligation, no-risk LASIK Consultations to identify all-laser LASIK candidates in Charleston.

General Guidelines for Good LASIK Candidates

• You have been diagnosed with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) or astigmatism
• You are age 18 or older
• Your corneas are thick enough
• You do not have eye disease or eye problems
• Your vision prescription has been stable for at least one year
• You are not pregnant or breastfeeding
• You are overall healthy
• You do not have uncontrolled dry eye syndrome
• You understand the risks of LASIK
• You have realistic expectations for the outcome of surgery
• You want to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts

At Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery we also offer a free online LASIK Self-Evaluation to help people take the first step toward LASIK.

With our free services, there is never any pressure to have the procedure: the Consultation and Self-Evaluation are simply resources to provide you with solid information about your own eye health so you can make your own informed decision about LASIK.

Sometimes candidates who aren’t good candidates for LASIK can benefit from LASIK alternatives in Charleston, such as photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Different methods can produce the same end result as LASIK but be safer for certain patients.

To find out if LASIK is right for you, contact Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery today at 843-856-5275 or charlestoncornea.com. 

Choose Sunglasses Wisely

One of the top benefits that LASIK vision correction provides is the opportunity to wear any type of sunglasses you want. Patients who achieve 20/20 vision after LASIK are usually excited to get rid of their expensive prescription sunglasses and start choosing a variety of fashionable sunglasses off-the-rack.

While most people know that it’s important to wear sunscreen with a high SPF to protect their skin from sun damage, few worry about UV protection in their sunglasses. The fact is that UV radiation can lead to serious eye problems, including cancer, cataracts, macular degeneration, painful sunburns of the cornea (photokeratitis) and damage to the eye lens and other parts of the eye. You should wear sunglasses any time you are outdoors – even in the shade, even in winter, even if you wear contact lenses that block UV rays.

At Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery, we not only help people achieve better vision through our advanced LASIK technologies in Charleston, we also want our patients to keep their eye health a priority after LASIK. When choosing sunglasses after LASIK, it’s important to look for UV protection details on the labels and choose shades that provide 100% UVA and UVB protection. The color and darkness of the lenses has no impact on the amount of protection. Frames that wrap around and cover the sides of the eyes are also beneficial in protecting your eyes from harmful rays. 

This subject is so important that scientists in Brazil have developed and installed a free self-serve sunglass UV testing kiosk in San Carlos so people can test how well their sunglasses block UV rays. In a test of 800 users of the kiosk, 20% found their sunglasses provided inadequate protection. If you are unsure about your own sunglasses, talk to your optician, optometrist or ophthalmologist or invest in a new pair of sunglasses that meet the right requirements.

To find out if you might benefit from LASIK and have the opportunity to choose any sunglasses you want, take the free online LASIK Self-Evaluation at charlestoncornea.com. Then call Dr. O'Day at 843-856-5275 to schedule your free LASIK Consultation. 

LASIK & Large Pupils

If you have large pupils, you may have heard that having LASIK vision correction in Charleston, South Carolina might increase your risk of certain side effects, such as halos/glare around lights at night.

There have been numerous studies over the past 10+ years about the effect of pupil size on LASIK outcomes. While there is no conclusive evidence, researchers have found some correlations in the size of the surgical ablation zone (the section of the cornea that is reshaped by the laser), the follow-up period and night vision problems. 

No Night Vision Problems

• Ablation zone 6.0 mm in diameter or larger
• Follow-up period at least three months

Some Night Vision Problems

• Ablation zone smaller than 6.0 mm in diameter
• No ablation size specified
• Less than three months follow-up

The advanced LASIK technologies we use at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery may reduce the chance of night vision problems for many patients. However, if you are considering LASIK and are concerned about night vision problems, it’s best to schedule a free LASIK Consultation in Charleston to first find out if your eyes are right for LASIK. During the Consultation you can ask the doctor specific questions about LASIK side effects and inquire about the results of past LASIK patients.

Call 843-856-5275 or visit charlestoncornea.com today to schedule your LASIK Consultation. You can also take our free online LASIK Self-Evaluation prior to your appointment. 

LASIK & Large Pupils

If you have large pupils, you may have heard that having LASIK vision correction in Charleston, South Carolina might increase your risk of certain side effects, such as halos/glare around lights at night.

There have been numerous studies over the past 10+ years about the effect of pupil size on LASIK outcomes. While there is no conclusive evidence, researchers have found some correlations in the size of the surgical ablation zone (the section of the cornea that is reshaped by the laser), the follow-up period and night vision problems. 

No Night Vision Problems

• Ablation zone 6.0 mm in diameter or larger
• Follow-up period at least three months

Some Night Vision Problems

• Ablation zone smaller than 6.0 mm in diameter
• No ablation size specified
• Less than three months follow-up

The advanced LASIK technologies we use at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery may reduce the chance of night vision problems for many patients. However, if you are considering LASIK and are concerned about night vision problems, it’s best to schedule a free LASIK Consultation in Charleston to first find out if your eyes are right for LASIK. During the Consultation you can ask the doctor specific questions about LASIK side effects and inquire about the results of past LASIK patients.

Call 843-856-5275 or visit charlestoncornea.com today to schedule your LASIK Consultation. You can also take our free online LASIK Self-Evaluation prior to your appointment. 

Facts About LASIK Recovery

LASIK eye surgery is amazing technology that can correct a person’s nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism (the refractive errors that cause people to need prescription lenses). You can live your whole life with these refractive errors, find out you are an excellent candidate for LASIK and have the procedure done in just minutes per eye – effectively erasing the vision problems.

For most patients, the recovery period for LASIK is faster than you might think. In fact, you may be able to return to work or other normal activities the day after your procedure.

LASIK recovery steps may include:

• Wearing dark sunglasses when you leave the office
• Wearing a protective eye shield the first few nights to prevent rubbing while you sleep 
• Taking eye drops to moisten your eyes
• Taking antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medication
• Resting at home for a few hours following your procedure, limiting  reading or television watching
• Taking over-the-counter pain medications, if needed (although most patients do not experience any pain or discomfort during or after the procedure)
• Taking a bath instead of a shower for the first 24 hours after the procedure
• Avoiding rubbing your eyes
• Avoiding eye makeup for several days
• Avoiding areas that are dusty or smoky for several days
• Avoiding alcohol consumption for 48 hours after surgery
• Returning to your LASIK provider for a post-op appointment the day after your procedure

Because your eyes will need to relax, you cannot drive yourself home after LASIK, but you should be able to drive yourself to your post-op appointment the following day. The post-op appointment will identify any complications, such as infection, so it is important to keep your scheduled appointment to ensure your LASIK is successful.

      As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with LASIK, including:

• Mild, moderate or severe dry eye 
• Vision problems, such as halos, glare, starbursts and double vision 
• Need for glasses or contacts after surgery 
• Loss of vision

With or without LASIK surgery, many people develop presbyopia (or the need for reading glasses) as they grow older. 

 

To learn more about LASIK recovery and all the facts about LASIK, contact Dr. O'Day at Charleston Cornea and Refractive to schedule a free LASIK consultation at charlestoncornea.com or call 843-856-5275. 

Enjoy Winter Activities Without Glasses

It’s February and most U.S. states are in the full swing of winter. Whether you live in a cold climate or travel many miles to enjoy skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing, just think of how much more you could enjoy these activities if you didn’t have the hassles of glasses or contacts.

LASIK eye surgery can provide the freedom to wake up in the morning seeing clearly and go all day without worrying about fogged-up lenses or irritated eyes from contacts. You could enjoy après ski by a roaring fireplace and not think once about contact lens solutions or accidentally breaking your frames.

Let’s face it: Even if you don’t care for cold weather sports, LASIK can bring a whole new level of enjoyment to your everyday activities. The simple action of rolling over in the morning to see your alarm clock – without glasses – should be enough to spur you to consider LASIK. Many LASIK surgeons offer free consultations to let you know if you are a good candidate for the procedure, how much it will cost and if there are LASIK financing options available. 

Know the risks: LASIK can result in dry eye syndrome; vision loss; vision issues such as double vision, halos, glare or starbursts; and the need for glasses after surgery.

Before your next trip to the mountains or frolic in the snow, have a LASIK consultation to see if you can eliminate your nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism through LASIK.

Dr O'day at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery offers free LASIK consultations and a free online LASIK Self-Evaluation to take the first step in the LASIK discovery process. To schedule your consultation, visit www.charlestoncornea.com or call 843 856 5275.

Give Your Valentine the Gift of 20/20 Vision

If you are searching for the perfect gift for your sweetheart, consider giving the gift of LASIK…and the possibility of 20/20 vision. Valentine’s Day is all about showing loved ones how much you care, and what better way to show your love than by arranging a free LASIK consultation?

LASIK eye surgery can correct the refractive errors that cause nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. These are the conditions that cause people to need glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. Unfortunately, not every person is a good candidate for this procedure. The only way to determine if your loved one is a good LASIK candidate is through a comprehensive consultation and eye exam by a reputable LASIK provider.

If your loved one finds out that LASIK is right for his or her eyes, you can decide together how to proceed. There are often LASIK financing options available to help pay for the procedure, which costs, on average, $1,600 - $2,500 per eye, depending on the type of technology used. Steer clear of discount LASIK providers that advertise the procedure for less than $600 per eye – these often have hidden fees, are performed with inexperienced surgeons or use outdated technologies that can lead to vision complications.

When performed by a reputable and experienced LASIK surgeon, many LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision – or better – after the procedure, and they often experience a visual freedom they have never had in their lives. Now that’s an amazing Valentine’s Day gift!  

Of course, risks accompany any type of surgery and LASIK is no exception. Vision changes, such as halos, glare, double vision and starbursts; dry eye syndrome; vision loss and the need for glasses after LASIK are some of the risks. Discuss these complication possibilities with your LASIK provider.

Wouldn't it be great to gaze into your sweetheart’s eyes – without looking through glasses? Contact Dr. O'Day at Charleston Cornea and Refractive Surgery today to schedule a free LASIK consultation and learn about financing options to help you afford this thoughtful gift. Visit charlestoncornea.com or call 843-856-5275.

Researching LASIK Surgeons

You can spend years deciding to improve your vision though LASIK. Research on the Internet and feedback from others who have had similar experiences can aid in your process. However, regardless of how many people you ask about LASIK, without a full LASIK consultation you will never know for sure if you are a good candidate.

The LASIK consultation also allows you to “interview” the surgeon to make sure you are putting the best possible professional in your corner. Below are some questions you should ask your LASIK provider. If he/she cannot or will not give acceptable answers, it is best to continue researching other providers.

LASIK Surgeon Questions

• What professional organizations are you certified by and what organizations to you belong to?
• What specific training do you have in LASIK surgery?
• How many years of LASIK surgery experience do you have?
• How many LASIK procedures have you performed?
• Where do you perform LASIK procedures?
• What are the potential risks and complications of LASIK and how are they handled?
• Does my overall health make me a good candidate for this procedure?
• Do you think LASIK will produce the results I want?
• How much will LASIK cost? Are there any hidden charges? Are there financing options?
• Exactly how will LASIK be performed?
• What type of technologies do you use?
• What do I have to do before, during and after LASIK?
• What will the recovery entail and what kind of external help will I need? 
• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with my surgical outcome?

Armed with this information, you can make an informed decision about improving your vision through LASIK.

Dr. O'Day at Charleston Cornea and Refractive Surgery offers free LASIK consultations and a free online LASIK Self-Evaluation to take the first step in the LASIK discovery process. To schedule your consultation, visit www.charlestoncornea.com or call 843-856-5275.

Reasons for a LASIK Consultation

More than 14 million Americans have had LASIK eye surgery to correct their nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Although this procedure is typically very safe and effective, it is still important to make sure you have all of the facts about LASIK, be 100% confident in the abilities of your surgeon and have the right eye conditions for LASIK. The only way to do this is through a face-to-face LASIK consultation.

Most LASIK surgeons provide free consultations to help you determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK. This is a two-way street; you must be completely honest with the surgeon in explaining your vision expectations and your medical history. You can also determine if you feel a good rapport with the surgeon. First impressions go a long way.

During the consultation you can also discuss:

• The surgeon’s qualifications (you can ask for patient referrals)
• Your overall health and lifestyle choices
• Your vision correction options (these may be different than what you expected)
• What to expect before, during and after LASIK
• Potential risks and complications of LASIK
• How much LASIK will cost and what type of financing options exist

Referrals from family members, coworker or friends are beneficial when researching vision correction procedures like LASIK; however, this is not a decision to make lightly. Choose the surgeon that feels right for you.

Dr. O'Day at Charleston Cornea and Refractive Surgery offers free LASIK consultations and a free online LASIK Self-Evaluation to take the first step in the LASIK discovery process. To schedule your consultation, visit www.charlestoncornea.com or call 843-856-5275.