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.