Can LASIK Cure My Astigmatism?

Yes, LASIK can often correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is a common vision problem caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, leading to blurred or distorted vision. LASIK surgery reshapes the cornea to correct these irregularities, thereby improving vision.

Here is LASIK Surgeon, Dr. Christopher McCurry to explain what astigmatism is and how LASIK can correct astigmatism.

Do you experience blurry or distorted vision, especially at night or when looking at faraway objects? If so, you might have astigmatism. Astigmatism is a common eye condition that affects millions of people worldwide. But what exactly is it, and how can it be treated?

What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a common vision condition that affects how your eyes focus light. It occurs when the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) or the lens inside the eye has an irregular shape. Instead of being perfectly round like a basketball, the cornea or lens is more oval-shaped, resembling a football. This irregular shape prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, the light-sensitive surface at the back of the eye, leading to blurred or distorted vision.

Astigmatism – is the result of the cornea (the front of the eye) becoming more of an asymmetrical shape instead of its normally round curve. During the LASIK procedure, a LasikPlus surgeon uses a special laser that’s programmed to reshape the cornea to be more spherical, correcting the way that it will bend and focus light.

Types of Astigmatism

Astigmatism can be classified into two main types based on its location:

1. Corneal Astigmatism: This type occurs when the cornea is misshapen. It is the most common form of astigmatism.
2. Lenticular Astigmatism: This type occurs when the lens inside the eye has an irregular shape.

Astigmatism can also be categorized by how the irregular shape of the cornea or lens affects vision:

1. Regular Astigmatism: The principal meridians (the steepest and flattest parts of the cornea) are perpendicular to each other. This type is the most common and can often be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.
2. Irregular Astigmatism: The principal meridians are not perpendicular. This type is less common and usually results from an injury, surgery, or an eye condition like keratoconus. It often requires specialized contact lenses or other treatments.

Symptoms of Astigmatism

The symptoms of astigmatism can vary depending on the severity of the condition. Common symptoms include:

• Blurred or distorted vision at all distances
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Eye strain or discomfort
• Headaches
• Squinting

Many people with mild astigmatism may not notice any symptoms, while those with more significant astigmatism may experience considerable vision problems that impact their daily activities.

Causes of Astigmatism

Astigmatism is often hereditary, meaning it can be passed down from parents to children. It can also develop after an eye injury, eye surgery, or as a result of other eye conditions. Contrary to popular belief, astigmatism is not caused or worsened by reading in low light or sitting too close to the television.

Does LASIK Work for Astigmatism?

The short answer is: yes! LASIK surgery is considered one of the best ways of permanently and effectively treating astigmatism.

Tailored to address the issues related to astigmatism, LASIK surgery provides the opportunity to reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses or contacts.

Are There Types of Astigmatism that LASIK Can’t Fix?

Most patients who are good candidates for LASIK will be able to proceed with laser eye surgery for astigmatism. But while most types of astigmatism can be easily treated with LASIK surgery, there are a few that cannot. For example, irregular astigmatism may not be able to be corrected by LASIK.

During your free 60-90 minute consultation, a qualified LASIK specialist will determine if you’re a candidate for laser vision correction, depending on your type of astigmatism.

Will Your Insurance Cover the Cost of LASIK for Astigmatism?

Insurance companies consider LASIK for astigmatism an “elective treatment,” no matter how necessary the procedure is.

But don’t lose hope! LasikPlus offers LASIK discounts through most insurance & vision plans. Head over to our Insurance Plans page to see if your provider is listed.

Our financial coordinator will be able to help you during your free LASIK examination, to check your insurance to determine which discount you may be able to apply, and can assist in filing the claim on our behalf if an allowance pertains.

After Getting LASIK for my Astigmatism, How Long Will it Take to Recover?

While most of the patients who get LASIK for astigmatism notice a difference right away, it usually takes your eyes about three to six months to fully recover and heal.

To ensure that you make a safe and full recovery, and to prevent any unforeseen complications, it’s important to follow your surgeon’s post-LASIK instructions as close as possible.

Even though there are types of astigmatism that LASIK can’t treat, you always have options- and the team at LasikPlus is here to help! Call us today (877) 679-4937 to talk with a licensed professional and see if LASIK is the right choice for you.

The post Can LASIK Cure My Astigmatism? appeared first on LasikPlus.

Did you know that astigmatism, often mispronounced as “a stigmatism,” is different from farsightedness and nearsightedness? Unlike those conditions, astigmatism isn’t usually linked to eye disease or health problems. Instead, it’s a common refractive error caused by the shape of the eye.

What Causes Astigmatism?

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular shape, making it more oblong than round. This uneven curvature affects how light enters the eye, causing it to focus unevenly on the retina. As a result, objects at both near and far distances can appear blurry or distorted.

How Astigmatism Differs From Other Vision Problems

Unlike nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia), which are primarily related to how light focuses in front of or behind the retina, astigmatism affects the overall shape of the eye’s surface. It’s essentially a mechanical defect that alters light refraction, leading to vision that can be unclear at multiple distances.

Corneal Astigmatism

The curvature of the cornea may have a defect that causes an oblong corneal shape, as opposed to the desired spherical corneal shape, which in-turn causes a refractive error. This refractive error prevents light from coming into a single focus on the retina. That is, the light will fall into multiple focus points behind or in front of the retina, or even both, which causes blurry, distorted, or double vision.

Lenticular Astigmatism

Similarly, to corneal astigmatism, lenticular astigmatism is caused by an imperfect curvature of the lens which focuses light behind or in front of the retina. The symptoms of lenticular astigmatism are the same as corneal astigmatism.

Is Astigmatism Common?

Yes, astigmatism is very common and often occurs alongside other refractive errors like myopia or hyperopia. Fortunately, it can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery, such as LASIK, that reshapes the cornea for clearer vision.

What are eye meridians and how do they relate to Astigmatism?

Eye Meridians ( Ocular Meridians ) are lines that mark degrees from 1 to 180 as depicted in the graphic.

Astigmatism, as described above, occurs when the light is not focused to a single point on the retina. In astigmatism, the corneal surface is typically toric, causing each of the ocular meridians to refract light uniquely. Principal Meridians are those meridians which refract the most and the least amount. Each of the two principal meridians focuses light on different points. There are three forms of astigmatism. That is regular astigmatism, irregular astigmatism, and oblique astigmatism.

What is regular astigmatism?

Regular astigmatism occurs when the principal meridians are separated by 90 degrees on the 90° and 180° lines. An example being 180° / 90° ).

What is irregular astigmatism?

Irregular astigmatism, which is typically caused by a physical injury that caused scarring on the cornea, occurs when the principal meridians are not perpendicular to one another.

What is oblique astigmatism?

Oblique astigmatism is identical to regular astigmatism, where the principal meridians are perpendicular to one another, with the difference being that they are not at 90° or 180°, respectively. Oblique astigmatism is a tilted version of regular astigmatism, such as 40° / 130°.

What are the three main most common types of Astigmatism?

The three commonly known types of astigmatism are myopic astigmatism, hyperopic astigmatism, and mixed astigmatism.

What is Myopic Astigmatism?

Myopic Astigmatism occurs when one or two principal ocular meridians focus light in front of the retina (are nearsighted).

What is Hyperopic Astigmatism?

Hyperopic astigmatism occurs when one or two principal ocular meridians focus light behind the retina (are farsighted).

What is mixed astigmatism?

Mixed astigmatism occurs when one principal ocular meridian focuses light behind the retina (is farsighted) and the other principal ocular meridian focuses light in front of the retina (is nearsighted).

Is LASIK or PRK at LasikPlus a long-term solution to correcting astigmatism?

Yes! Both LASIK and PRK are types of “refractive surgery” and can safely and permanently correct most types of astigmatism. Not only that, these procedures can also correct nearsightedness and farsightedness. If you are interested in learning more, visit our LASIK or PRK sections or contact a LasikPlus location near you for a free eye exam and consultation. LasikPlus doctors are revered as the most capable eye surgeons in town. Research on Yelp, Google, and other credible places on the web to see what people are saying about their experience having astigmatism correction via LASIK or PRK at LasikPlus.

Resources:

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We might be stating the obvious here, but your eyes play such a huge role in your day-to-day life. If you’re struggling to see properly, it’s probably making things pretty difficult. At LasikPlus, we are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to the best solutions for improving their eyesight so they can live life to the absolute fullest.  

If you’re interested in learning more about custom LASIK, you’ve come to the right place! Today we’re talking about Custom LASIK; what it is, what it does and how it can potentially benefit you.

First, What is LASIK? 

If you’ve been doing any kind of research online about laser eye surgery, you might have come across the terms custom LASIK or conventional LASIK– and you’re probably wondering what the difference is. 

LASIK (short for Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is a vision correcting procedure that changes the shape of the cornea. It’s the most popular eye surgery used to correct refractive errors, like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. 

During a conventional LASIK procedure, the specialist makes a tiny (painless) flap in the cornea, then corrects the shape using a laser- so that the retina can focus light the way it’s designed to. The surgeon then lays the flap back down, and ~viola~ the procedure is finished. Since you’re given numbing drops prior to the procedure, you can expect to only feel a slight bit of pressure. 

LASIK is considered to be a highly effective and safe procedure, and it only takes about 10-15 minutes per eye! According to the FDA, approximately 700,000 patients opt for the LASIK procedure annually. Additionally, more than 8 out of 10 people who’ve chosen LASIK no longer need to use their glasses or contact lenses. 

Now that you have a better understanding of conventional LASIK surgery, let’s dive into what you should know about custom LASIK. 

What is Custom LASIK? 

Thanks to current technology, serious advancements have been made to further improve the outcomes of LASIK for our patients. We’re talking about wavefront technology. 

Along with blade-free LASIK, another significant improvement in the world of eyeballs has been the creation of wavefront-optimized procedures. With custom LASIK, your eyes are measured from front to back with a special laser using this wavefront technology- which is why custom LASIK is also referred to as Wavefront LASIK. 

Using the wavefront laser, we’re able to create a 3-D image of your eye which helps add a higher degree of personalization to your LASIK procedure. This is very similar to taking a “fingerprint” of your cornea. The doctors then use these measurements to perform a highly individualized LASIK procedure. 

In contrast to traditional LASIK, custom LASIK is a blade-free procedure, which helps reduce your risk of corneal infections and other post-surgery complications. The laser uses no heat, so there is no corneal tissue damage during surgery.

Wavefront laser technology makes the LASIK procedure superior for two reasons: 

Higher Amount of Precision and Accuracy

During your comprehensive eye exam, you will most likely be told to look at a chart across the room, while the doctor places several varying lenses in front of you. Sometimes the chart will appear to be the same, sometimes the difference will be obvious. This is how your prescription is determined for glasses and contacts. 

The wavefront corneal map that’s used is so incredibly accurate that your doctor can identify even the most tiny imperfections, allowing for better targeting during your LASIK procedure. 

Custom LASIK is More Targeted 

During an eye exam (while they’re trying to determine your glasses prescription) what they’re really evaluating is how your eye focuses the light. Once this is established, a single lens is determined for your eye as a whole, in the form of glasses or contacts.  

With custom wavefront LASIK, measurements are collected from multiple different points on your eye, creating a map of the refractive errors across the entire surface of your cornea. This information is then used to program the LASIK laser for a more targeted vision correction.

Since the 3-D map basically functions as a “blueprint” for each eye, your LASIK surgeon can provide more specific vision correction that’s customized to the unique features of your cornea- which wasn’t possible before the invention of this wavefront technology.

What are the Different Types of Custom LASIK?

When it comes to custom LASIK, there are a few different types of procedures:

Topography-guided LASIK 

Topography-guided LASIK is a form of advanced treatment for near-sightedness (myopia) and astigmatism. With this type of custom LASIK, the laser takes detailed measurements of the cornea, then programs the laser to address the refractive errors- as well as any corneal irregularities.

Traditional LASIK addresses refractive errors by correcting the overall shape of the cornea, whereas topography-guided LASIK also addresses abnormalities affecting the surface of the cornea. This provides a more personalized correction than most other laser eye surgery options.

Wavefront-guided LASIK

Wavefront-guided LASIK is performed after your eye structure has been mapped with wavefront technology- which works by creating a 3-D image of your eye, revealing even the smallest problems affecting your eyesight. 

The information from this wavefront-map is then used to guide the laser, addressing your individual eye anatomy and vision correction needs. Because of this personalization, wavefront-guided LASIK provides a more personalized vision correction than standard laser eye surgery.

How Much Does Custom LASIK Cost?

One of the questions we hear often is, “How much does LASIK cost?”  

There are several factors that dictate how much LASIK surgery will ultimately cost you, like your specific prescription, corneal thickness, pupil size, and eye health. 

Your initial LASIK consultation is complimentary regardless of whether you are ultimately a candidate for the procedure or not. The specific expenses will depend on the individual correction needs, but you should be able to qualify for insurance discounts. LasikPlus also provides appreciation discounts for military and civil servants. 

For more information about LASIK pricing, click here. 

Set Your Sights on Custom LASIK with LasikPlus

The appeal of custom wavefront LASIK is obvious: A chance to ditch the glasses, or the daily routine and expense of contact lenses, slippery cases, pricey bottles of cleaning and storage solutions. Over time, the LASIK procedure even makes sense economically and ethically. 

Finally hitting your breaking point with glasses and contacts? Do yourself a favor! Take our candidacy quiz here, or schedule a free consultation with one of our qualified LASIK doctors today to see if custom LASIK is right for you. 

Hopefully this article helped shed some light on the benefits of custom LASIK. But, if you still have questions, head over to these articles for more information:

• The LASIK Eye Surgery Procedure
• LasikPlus Surgeons: You’re In Good Hands
• Online Eye Exams; Do They Work & What to Expect
• Continued Care After the LASIK Procedure

The post What Is Custom LASIK? appeared first on LasikPlus.

Myopia often begins in school age children, as early as grade school for some, when the vision problem is detected during a vision screening test at school or when a teacher notices the child cannot see the chalk board.  Other people may not be affected until their high school years or early twenties.  People often first suspect that they are nearsighted when they realize they need to “squint” their eyes to see better at night or in low light conditions.  Partially closing or “squinting” your eyelids reduces the amount of scattering of light by the myopia and usually helps you see a little clearer.  Usually poor night vision is one of the first signs of myopia but day time vision also worsens as myopia progresses.  Myopia may be slowly progressive throughout your life or it may “stabilize” in your 20’s or 30’s.

My Struggle With Nearsightedness

I first started developing nearsightedness when I was in high school, although I did not realize it.  One of my jobs on the high school football team was returning punts.  We had practices after school when it was daylight and I had no problem seeing the ball.  However, during our Friday night football games, under the stadium lights, I had more difficulty seeing the ball.  I had to “squint” my eyes to see the ball more clearly.  Also the scoreboard numbers were hard to see and the individual lights appeared fuzzy with starbursts around them and looked like Christmas tree lights.  I also noticed it was much harder to read street signs when driving at night.  In retrospect, these were early signs of myopia.  My myopia slowly progressed and I eventually had an eye exam and was prescribed a pair of glasses.  I was amazed how well I could now see the chalk board and see the “leaves on the trees.”  Lights at night looked clear and without glare.  My myopia did progress to the point that I needed to wear glasses or contacts at all times to see clearly.  I was very active and I hated wearing glasses or contacts for sports, swimming, scuba diving or any other activity.  My glasses had nose pads that used to “dig into” the sides of my nose and make my skin red and sore.   Also, I hated wearing sunglasses or goggles on top of my glasses or contacts when snowboarding or skiing.

My Life After LASIK

In 2002, I had laser vision correction of my myopia at LasikPlus and my vision has been great ever since.  I am able to play sports, swim with my kids, drive at night, read street signs and books all without the need to wear glasses or contact lenses.  My experience with myopia is similar to many of my patients’ experiences.  I have now done more than 78, 000 laser vision correction procedures and the majority of those have been patients with myopia.  It has been quite satisfying for me to dramatically improve the lives of so many thousands of “nearsighted” people.  If you have myopia, you may want to see if you are a candidate for laser vision correction.

The post Eye Diseases 201: Myopia appeared first on LasikPlus.

What are the common causes of Astigmatism?

Corneal Astigmatism

The curvature of the cornea may have a defect that causes an oblong corneal shape, as opposed to the desired spherical corneal shape, which in-turn causes a refractive error. This refractive error prevents light from coming into a single focus on the retina. That is, the light will fall into multiple focus points behind or in front of the retina, or even both, which causes blurry, distorted, or double vision.

Lenticular Astigmatism

Similarly, to corneal astigmatism, lenticular astigmatism is caused by an imperfect curvature of the lens which focuses light behind or in front of the retina. The symptoms of lenticular astigmatism are the same as corneal astigmatism.

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What are eye meridians and how do they relate to Astigmatism?

Eye Meridians ( Ocular Meridians ) are lines that mark degrees from 1 to 180 as depicted in the graphic.

Astigmatism, as described above, occurs when the light is not focused to a single point on the retina. In astigmatism, the corneal surface is typically toric, causing each of the ocular meridians to refract light uniquely. Principal Meridians are those meridians which refract the most and the least amount. Each of the two principal meridians focuses light on different points. There are three forms of astigmatism. That is regular astigmatism, irregular astigmatism, and oblique astigmatism.

What is regular astigmatism?

Regular astigmatism occurs when the principal meridians are separated by 90 degrees on the 90° and 180° lines. An example being 180° / 90° ).

What is irregular astigmatism?

Irregular astigmatism, which is typically caused by a physical injury that caused scarring on the cornea, occurs when the principal meridians are not perpendicular to one another.

What is oblique astigmatism?

Oblique astigmatism is identical to regular astigmatism, where the principal meridians are perpendicular to one another, with the difference being that they are not at 90° or 180°, respectively. Oblique astigmatism is a tilted version of regular astigmatism, such as 40° / 130°.

What are the three main most common types of Astigmatism?

The three commonly known types of astigmatism are myopic astigmatism, hyperopic astigmatism, and mixed astigmatism.

What is Myopic Astigmatism?

Myopic Astigmatism occurs when one or two principal ocular meridians focus light in front of the retina (are nearsighted).

[clear]

What is Hyperopic Astigmatism?

Hyperopic astigmatism occurs when one or two principal ocular meridians focus light behind the retina (are farsighted).

[clear]

What is mixed astigmatism?

Mixed astigmatism occurs when one principal ocular meridian focuses light behind the retina ( is farsighted ) and the other principal ocular meridian focuses light in front of the retina ( is nearsighted ).

[clear]

Is LASIK or PRK at LasikPlus a long-term solution to correcting astigmatism?

Yes! Both LASIK and PRK are types of “refractive surgery” and can safely and permanently correct most types of astigmatism. Not only that, these procedures can also correct nearsightedness and farsightedness. If you are interested in learning more, visit our LASIK or PRK sections or contact a LasikPlus location near you for a free eye exam and consultation. LasikPlus doctors are revered as the most capable eye surgeons in town. Research on Yelp, Google, and other credible places on the web to see what people are saying about their experience having astigmatism correction via LASIK or PRK at LasikPlus.

The post Tired of wearing glasses? LASIK is the solution! appeared first on LasikPlus.

To make matters even more confusing, some of the terms seem counterintuitive. (A patient is farsighted, but she has trouble seeing objects near her.) Additionally, doctors refer to refractive errors in clinical terms the patient might not be familiar with. In this article, we clear up questions like:

• What causes refractive errors?
• What’s the difference between presbyopia and hyperopia?
• Which refractive errors can be treated by laser vision correction?

The four main types of refractive error are myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism. They are all caused by irregularities in the shape and angle of light as it passes through the eye.

Light enters the eye and is focused by the cornea and the lens onto the retina. The retina then sends the image to the brain via the optic nerve. If you’ve ever focused a camera lens or a projector image, you know that the tiniest change of distance makes the difference between a clear or blurry image. Refractive errors are different ways in which those distances can be imperfect.

Descriptions of Common Refractive Errors

Clinical term: myopia

Popular term: nearsighted, shortsighted

What it means: Eyes that are longer or more curved than normal cause light to focus too early, making it come to a point before it hits the retina. As a result, close-up objects are in focus, but ones further away are blurry.

Clinical term: hyperopia

Popular term: farsighted

What it means: Eyes that are shorter or flatter than normal cause light to focus too late, making it come to a point after it hits the retina. As a result, distant objects are clear, but close-up ones are blurry.

Clinical term: presbyopia

Popular term:aging eyes

What it means:Because the effects are similar, presbyopia is sometimes confused with hyperopia. However, the causes are different. Presbyopia occurs as people age, and the lenses of the eyes lose some of their flexibility. As a result, patients have difficulty focusing on close images. Presbyopia can occur in conjunction with nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Clinical term: astigmatism

Popular term:astigmatism

What it means:The clinical term is often used by laymen to describe an irregularly-shaped eye. Specifically, it means that the entire surface of either the cornea or the lens is not perfectly curved. Similar to an old, warped window, an imperfect corneal or lens surface results in an unclear visual image.

LASIK Treatment Options

LASIK is capable of correcting myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. A technique performed with LASIK, called monovision can correct presbyopia. However, not everyone is a candidate for this procedure, and an ophthalmologist must evaluate a number of factors to determine a patient’s candidacy. These factors include the patient’s refractive error, corneal thickness and overall eye health. Additionally, a patient must be at least 18 years of age and have a stable eyeglass prescription for one year.

Each patient and her circumstances are different. Consult with a qualified LASIK specialist to see if laser vision correction is right for you.

The post Why Does Your Vision Get Worse? (Updated 2020) appeared first on LasikPlus.

Did you go in for a preoperative LASIK consultation and learn that you weren’t a candidate for the procedure? Don’t give up hope. Other LASIK alternatives are available. There are several reasons that a LASIK doctor may determine that you are not an ideal candidate for the procedure. For instance, some patients have very thin corneas, severe refractive errors or other conditions that prevent them from undergoing LASIK. However, these patients can consider other procedures.

Non-Surgical Alternatives

These options do not involve surgery but can help improve vision. Over time, however, they may not be cost-effective or prevent age-related eye conditions like cataracts, which may eventually require surgery.

Pros:

• Non-surgical alternative
• Versatile (can choose provider, frames, customized lens)
• Doubles as a fashion accessory, offering style and functionality
• Initial low-cost investment
• Vision insurance can help cover some of the cost

Cons:

• Yearly prescription rechecks
• Yearly cost for upkeep & replacement
• Lack of convenience & flexibility
• Limited peripheral vision or peripheral distortion
• Dry eyes
• Frequency of eye infections
• Long term cost

LASIK Alternatives: Refractive Eye Surgery Alternatives

These are eye surgery procedures that are similar to LASIK and are most appropriate for those that do not qualify for the specific LASIK type procedure based on candidacy

Pros:

• Bladed and Bladeless technology
• Fast recovery
• Customized approach based on technology available and candidacy
• Convenience of lifestyle
• Lifetime benefit
• Flap and no flap options

Cons:

• Surgical approach
• Initial higher cost investment
• Possible discomfort during healing
• Considered elective surgery therefore insurance doesn’t cover cost

LASIK Alternatives: Lens Replacement Alternatives

These surgical options focus on replacing the natural lens of the eye with an artificial one, and are typically more appropriate for individuals with cataracts or certain corneal conditions.

Pros:

• Possibility of having it covered under medical insurance
• Some procedures can be reversed
• More permanent solution than glasses and contacts
• Another solution for vision correction if not qualified for anything else

Cons:

• Surgical approach
• Limited long-term data for certain procedures
• Can be a rather costly alternative
• Recovery time can vary and be up to about 8 weeks depending on type of lens replacement procedure

Is LASIK Right for Me?

Before deciding on vision correction surgery, it’s essential to consult with an eye care professional. They can evaluate your unique needs and recommend the most appropriate treatment option for you. Factors such as your eye health, prescription, and lifestyle all play a crucial role in determining the best procedure.

Ready to explore LASIK alternatives or find out if LASIK is right for you? Schedule a FREE LASIK Consultation with our local team at LasikPlus. We’ll assess your candidacy and discuss the best treatment options tailored to your needs.

Important: Choosing the right vision correction procedure is a life-changing decision. Consult our qualified eye care professionals to explore your options and achieve clear vision.

The post LASIK Alternatives: If You’re not LASIK Candidate appeared first on LasikPlus.

While having an operation to receive super human capabilities seems inconceivable, it is not as far from reality as it once was. Take eyesight for example. Since 1991, when LASIK was introduced, treatments and technology have advanced significantly.

Lasers & Sci-Fi

LASIK uses a laser that emits pulses of light in one quadrillionth of a second (also called femtoseconds) to ensure precision. In other words, the laser used during today’s vision correction procedures is quite a bit more advanced than lasers represented in an old science fiction movie.

Before the procedure, the doctor uses a computer to create a three-dimensional replication of the patient’s eye to provide a picture of the irregularities that need to be reshaped. During the procedure, the lasers then make necessary adjustments with the aid of the three-dimensional image.

Leading edge LASIK technology is based off the same military technology used in missile tracking. Eye function is analyzed, and the data is translated into a customized laser treatment. The eye tracker supplies accurate laser delivery to ensure a safe procedure, because it is not necessary for patients to stare at one focal point the entire time.

Not Bionic, But Still Innovative

One of the newest advancements is called custom or Wavefront LASIK, and it’s based on the same technology used in the Hubble Space Telescope. It uses the three-dimensional process mentioned above to perform highly individualized laser correction via a precise analysis of vision errors that occur as light rays travel through the eye.

Custom software reduces the possibility of a human data entry error as it maps out the path needed to correct the patient’s individual vision. This map of the cornea is as unique to an eye as a fingerprint is to a finger. Surgeons then use the “fingerprint” measurements to perform a custom LASIK procedure.

Before Wavefront technology, only lower-order vision errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism could be diagnosed and treated. With Wavefront technology, however, surgeons can also treat higher-order irregularities such as glare, halos and night vision difficulties. This is a key reason why Wavefront technology is so revolutionary — it has the potential to not only improve how much you can see, but also can improve the quality of how well you see.

While we may be a long way from procuring eyeballs that zoom and provide infrared vision like the Six Million Dollar Man’s, the advancements in LASIK are impressive and proof that the idea of bionic eyes might not forever be out of the realm of possibility.

The post What LASIK and “The Bionic Man” Have In Common appeared first on LasikPlus.

Ophthalmic genetic researchers have found that genetics determine the most common vision problems among children and adults. In the past 15 years alone, genetic experts have identified approximately 500 genes that contribute to hereditary eye conditions.

Inherited Conditions

Common conditions that can be handed down from parents to children include refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism (an irregularly shaped cornea), as well as color blindness and amblyopia (lazy eye). Glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration also seem to be influenced by genetics. Approximately 10 percent of primary congenital/infantile glaucoma cases are hereditary.

If both parents are farsighted, a child has a greater chance of also being hyperopic. A comprehensive optometric examination is needed for an accurate diagnosis.

Although the tendency to develop nearsightedness may be inherited, its actual development may also be affected by how a person uses her eyes. Spending time on a computer or doing intense close visual work could make it more likely for someone to develop nearsightedness.

Color blindness is another hereditary condition. While it rarely occurs in women, experts estimate one in 10 men have some form of the condition.

Early Detection

Parents who began wearing glasses in very early childhood should take their children for a full eye examination by the age of three years. Children of a parent with a serious eye disease, such as eye tumors, cataracts or childhood glaucoma, should be seen in infancy by a pediatric ophthalmologist. Early detection is critical in helping correct vision problems.

To determine a child’s refractive error, special drops are used to relax the focus and dilate the pupil of the eye. The doctor then uses a special machine, or hand-held light and lenses, to determine the actual refractive state of the eye, so that he can determine if correction is needed.

It can be helpful to sketch out your family tree to identify other family members affected by vision problems and to provide a complete picture of potential genetic disorders. If you or your child’s pediatrician suspects a problem with your child’s vision, eye alignment or eye appearance, you should schedule a comprehensive evaluation. Information from previous eye examinations, general medical history and a current examination can help the ophthalmologist determine a diagnosis and treatment plan. In consultation with a doctor, you can determine the cause of vision problems and select the treatment that best meets your child’s visual and lifestyle needs.

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Farsightedness

Farsightedness, or hyperopia, means that up-close objects tend to be blurry, but distant objects are clear. Under normal circumstances, light is focused on the retina, but with this issue, it is focused behind the retina. This occurs as a result of weak focusing power or a small eyeball. The lack of focus also occurs if the cornea isn’t curved enough.

Laser vision correction treats farsightedness by creating more curvature in the cornea. The laser targets the central corneal tissue and changes the profile of the curve. Corneal tissue is removed to create greater curvature, which improves the way light focuses on the retina.

Nearsightedness

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is the opposite of farsightedness. Nearby objects may be clear, while distant objects are blurry. Again, this is caused by improperly focused light hitting the retina — the eye’s optical length is not as long as its physical length. To correct this, doctors make the corneal tissue less curved.

LASIK for nearsightedness works by removing tissue from the inner layers of the cornea. The doctor removes a precise amount of tissue from the cornea with a laser, reshaping the cornea to flatten out excessive curvature.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia starts affecting most people when they reach middle age. It is characterized by difficulty focusing on objects that are nearby, making it hard to read or do close-up tasks. This occurs as a result of a loss of flexibility of the crystalline lens of the eye. Presbyopia is a normal result of aging and is not a disease.

Some surgeons have used the same LASIK procedure that corrects nearsightedness to treat presbyopia. Some consider this controversial, because the surgery may improve distance vision while possibly making up-close vision worse. Another option is a LASIK procedure called monovision. This treatment optimizes one eye for close-up vision and optimizes the other eye for distance vision.

As with other LASIK procedures, monovision is not for everyone. It takes time for patients to become accustomed to the “unbalanced” vision. In fact, patients wanting monovision must do a trial run with contacts to ensure they can adapt to this new way of seeing.

Astigmatism

Patients with astigmatism have corneas shaped like a football instead of a baseball. This prevents light from being able to properly focus on the retina, and distance vision is blurry as a result. Most people have some degree of astigmatism, but the condition is so slight, treatment isn’t necessary.

Many people with astigmatism are also farsighted or nearsighted. This combination is referred to as a refractive error, because the eyes cannot properly refract (or bend) light when it enters the eye. It is not fully known what causes this eye condition — it can be present at birth and can also be hereditary. When it’s present at birth, astigmatism can get better or worse over time.

LASIK corrects astigmatism by flattening the abnormal corneal curve. This causes the cornea to become more spherical, so it properly refracts light entering the eye.

Talk to your doctor about your specific condition and ask if there are possible treatments that can improve your vision.

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Types of Refractive Errors & When They Occur

The most common refractive errors are nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. All of these are caused by light not bending — or refracting — correctly as it hits the eye. Nearsighted individuals have difficulty seeing objects far away. Farsighted individuals have difficulty seeing objects up close. Those with astigmatism have football-shaped eyes, which causes objects to appear blurry.

Most children have clear distance and up-close vision. Starting in adolescence, some develop a refractive error and need corrective lenses. The prescription for these lenses may change often from adolescence into early adulthood. In adulthood the prescription stabilizes and varies little thereafter.

As many people enter middle age, they develop a condition called presbyopia. This is caused by the natural lens of the eye becoming inflexible, which affects the ability to see up close.

Types of Vision Correction

Glasses are the oldest method of refractive vision correction and have been around for hundreds of years. Contact lenses have been available since the 1950s. Both glasses and contacts change how light focuses on the retina, which corrects the refractive error and improves vision. Reading glasses help those with presbyopia see up close.

Since the 1990s, a laser vision correction method called LASIK (laser assisted in situ keratomileusis) has been available as a third option to correct refractive vision problems. LASIK reduces or eliminates refractive errors by changing the structure of the cornea, which is located on the front surface of the eye. This restores visual function.

LASIK is a two-step process. First, the doctor uses a laser to create a flap in the eye’s cornea to preserve the skin of the eye called the epithelium. In the second step, the doctor uses another laser to etch an individual’s own corrective lens prescription on the cornea below the flap. The flap is then put back in place.

No stitches are used in LASIK, and healing is fast for the majority of patients. In fact, many are able to return to work the next day. Numbing drops are used, so patients experience very little discomfort. While side effects and complications may occur, they are rare and usually temporary.

Patients with presbyopia may benefit from monovision LASIK. Monovision corrects one eye’s distance refractive error, while the other eye is left mildly nearsighted for near vision.

Symptoms Versus Cause

Glasses and contact lenses only improve the symptoms of refractive errors. LASIK reshapes the surface of the eye, therefore addressing the structural cause of blurry vision due to refractive errors. This allows the eye to focus without the use of glasses or contacts. LASIK addresses the cause of refractive errors, not just the symptoms.

Each person’s eyes are different. Always consult with a trusted, experienced ophthalmologist to determine which vision correction solution is best for you.

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Conventional LASIK

Conventional LASIK is one the most common laser vision correction procedures. It starts with the doctor cutting a small flap in the top layer of the eye’s cornea with a microkeratome blade. (A microkeratome blade is an extremely thin, machine-operated blade that oscillates back-and-forth very quickly.) Once the flap is gently pulled back, the doctor uses an excimer laser to reshape underlying layers of the cornea. According to the medical journal Cornea, this form of LASIK is virtually painless and has been proven safe for people with mild to moderate prescriptions. Conventional LASIK allows for vision correction within the first 24 to 48 hours (often sooner), with vision possibly continuing to improve in the weeks following the procedure. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology found that this type of LASIK was approved for use in the US Air Force in 2003 for non-flying military personal and for aviators in 2005.

IntraLASIK

Unlike conventional LASIK, IntraLASIK does not utilize a blade when creating the corneal flap. Instead, doctors use a femtosecond laser. According to the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, this allows doctors to have better control over the thickness of the flap created and helps them prevent any inconsistencies in thickness that may have been created by a conventional blade. As with conventional LASIK, individuals needing mild to moderate correction tend to benefit the most; however, individuals with glaucoma, or who may be at risk for glaucoma, may find IntraLASIK a better option. Some physicians believe that the use of the metal blade in conventional LASIK tends to raise a patient’s eye pressure. IntraLASIK significantly reduces this risk. Similar to conventional LASIK, recovery from IntraLASIK is generally painless. Patients see an increase in their vision almost immediately and may find their vision continues to improve in the weeks following the procedure. Perhaps the main difference between IntraLASIK and conventional LASIK can be found in the price. In an interview for All About Vision, Vance Thompson, M.D., assistant professor at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, reports the cost per eye to be approximately $300 more for IntraLASIK when compared to conventional LASIK.

PRK

Unlike conventional LASIK and IntraLASIK, a corneal flap is not created for a photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) procedure. Instead, doctors use a solution to gently loosen and remove a very fine layer of cells on the cornea. The remainder of the procedure is the same in that an excimer laser is used to reshape the remaining corneal layers. Recovery for PRK differs as well. Patients typically experience some discomfort as the cells re-grow. Doctors usually place a bandage contact lens on the eyes after the procedure and may tell the patient to wear it for several weeks. This contact lens will have no prescription, but it protects the thin layer of cells as they re-grow. Although it is possible for PRK to be performed on any patient with healthy eyes, it is more commonly suggested for those who have thin corneas or whose professions put them at risk of being struck in the face and eyes. According to Current Opinion in Ophthalmology, the U.S. Army and Marine Core suggest PRK.

To Customize or not to Customize?

Custom software maps out almost the exact path needed to correct the patient’s vision. This map is as unique to an eye as a fingerprint is to a finger. A study in Ophthalmology showed that this software helps doctors reduce the possibility of error and even increase patient satisfaction. Custom LASIK and IntraLASIK both carry a slightly higher price tag; however, patients find it comforting to know that custom LASIK may eliminate the need for future vision enhancement procedures.

What’s on the Horizon for LASIK?

LASIK technology is continuously improving. Currently, young to middle-aged adults benefit the most from laser vision correction. However, patients experiencing presbyopic, or age-related, vision changes can get excited. According to Der Ophthalmologe, trials for presbyLASIK are currently underway and show positive preliminary results — 91 percent of participants no longer need glasses or contacts.

Which LASIK is right for you? Only a comprehensive consultation with a skilled LASIK doctor can give you that answer. It’s important to remember that every procedure carries a certain amount of risk, and outcomes will vary.

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