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The Dangers Of Sleeping With Contact Lenses On

How To Protect Your Eyes After Laser Surgery

If you have decided to go through LASIK eye surgery, you have made the right choice to improve your overall vision. However, LASIK eye specialists in Orange County want to clarify that you still have to protect your eyes even after you have had the procedure. 

 

Therefore, after you have had the best laser eye surgery, make sure you get the best post-operative results and safeguard your vision with these important steps to protect and promote your overall eye health. 

 

After your LASIK eye surgery procedure, your ophthalmologist will give you post-operative instructions to follow to assist in a smooth recovery. Nevertheless, when you have completely recovered, you should still practice specific things to make sure you protect your eyes. 

 

Below are some of the best practices to protect your eyes after having LASIK eye surgery. This will allow you to get the best results after your procedure and also help you to protect your eyes from future diseases and injuries. 

 

Best Practices After LASIK Eye Surgery

 

Carefully Plan Out Your Activities

 

One of the biggest benefits of LASIK eye surgery is the fact that it provides a fast recovery time, and most patients return to their normal routines within 24 hours. Still, you won’t be able to participate in every activity immediately. For instance, you won’t be able to do certain strenuous activities for at least a few days or a week in some situations. This is why your eye surgery and you should have a recommended activity schedule to follow accordingly. 

 

For example, it is important to refrain from any activities that could lead to your eyes being poked, rubbed, or touched on surgery day. You will have to forget showering since you don’t want to get water and soap in your eyes. Also, you won’t be able to drive, and your doctor will make it clear to avoid alcohol. 

 

Nonetheless, three days after your surgery, you should be able to carry out light exercise or outdoor activities. Also, if you feel like taking a dip, you can wear goggles while you swim, wear eye makeup, and suntan. One week after the procedure, you can move forward with more vigorous activities, such as sailing or swimming, without the need for goggles. 

 

You must remember that even when you are completely recovered and can participate in many activities, you must use the appropriate protective gear, such as safety goggles. This is very important if you have a job in which eye injuries are highly likely in the workplace. 

 

Go To Post-Operative Exams And Appointments

 

After your procedure, Excel Eye Vision will schedule several mandatory post-operative exams for you to monitor your progress during your recovery. These usually take place at the following times: 

• 24 hours post-procedure
• 2 weeks post-procedure
• 1-year post-procedure

 

It is also crucial that you regularly attend your eye exams. This is only to check the results of your LASIK eye surgery and also to keep track of your overall eye health. This is essential even if you aren’t experiencing any obvious problems with your vision since many eye issues stay under the radar, such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration.

 

For adults who are younger than 40 who don’t have any known eye issues or symptoms, it is usually recommended to have a routine eye check-up every two years. Nevertheless, since eye health usually deteriorates with age, individuals who are 40 years old and older should get their eyes checked every 1 to 2 years. Those who have a history of eye problems should think about seeing their eye doctor at least once a year. 

 

Treat Dry Eyes

 

Some patients experience dry eyes after laser eye surgery, even though this side effect is only temporary in many situations while the eyes heal. Dry eyes are distinguished by the following symptoms: 

 

• Burning, red, or itchy eyes
• Excessive tearing
• The sensation of sand in the eyes

 

There are several ways to treat dry eyes. For instance, the most usual methods to treat dry eyes consist of over-the-counter drugs or prescription medications. Additionally, you can find pain relief from the symptoms by putting a warm, wet cloth over the eyes for five minutes, massaging the eyelids with a mild soap (i.e., baby shampoo), or trying Omega-3 supplements and castor oil drops.

 

Additionally, you try a comfort plug, which is a microscopic plug inserted into a patient’s tear duct. It helps to boost the level of the tear film, which then helps to regulate moisture levels and reduce the discomfort you have when experiencing dry eyes.

 

When Outdoors, Wear Sunglasses

 

This goes for everyone and not just those who have had LASIK eye surgery. Wearing sunglasses is important to make sure your overall eye health is good. Especially, sunglasses are important for protecting the eyes from the sun’s UV rays, which can cause cataracts and macular degeneration, among many things.

 

Be careful since not all sunglasses are made the same. Wearing sunglasses that don’t have enough protection will not do much to protect your eyes. As a matter of fact, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends looking for sunglasses that have a tag or sticker pointing out they block 99% to 100% of UV rays.

 

What’s more is that your eye surgeon will instruct you to wear a special pair of sunglasses right after your LASIK eye surgery, which the clinic will provide you with. You should wear these sunglasses rather than your personal pair, which may not give enough protection. Afterward, keep wearing quality sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of UV rays when outdoors.

 

Protect Your Eyes From Digital Eye Strain

 

Digital eye strain (also referred to as computer vision syndrome) refers to a myriad of vision-related problems caused by long exposure to digital devices. It’s identified by symptoms such as:

• Eyestrain
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Dry eyes
• Neck and shoulder pain

 

Digital eye strain has been linked to many short and long-term health problems. Whether you work at a computer or just scroll through a phone or tablet in your personal time, taking steps to protect your vision from the blue light emitted by digital screens is crucial to ensuring overall eye health.

 

Learn About Some Eye Laser Procedure Alternatives

Doctor Moosa, an ophthalmologist and a LASIK surgeon in Los Angeles, will go out of his way to make certain he provides you with the best vision correction option. Without a doubt, LASIK eye surgery is probably the most popular choice, and we have the best LASIK surgeons who can professionally provide this procedure to patients; however, it may not be the best way to go for everyone. 

 

So, the experienced LASIK team in Los Angeles wants to let you know about some LASIK eye surgery alternatives. Many of our highly skilled LASIK surgeons have hands-on experience with a vast range of vision correction procedures. 

 

LASIK Alternatives

 

At the LASIK clinic of Excel Laser Vision Institute in Los Angeles, we provide many refractive options for vision correction. Depending on your individual requirements and goals, one of these vision correction procedures could be most suitable for you: 

 

Visian ICL

 

Visian ICL is an Implantable Collamer® Lens that provides many advantages, especially for patients who cannot have LASIK surgery because they suffer from a high level of myopia (nearsightedness), thin corneas, or dry eye. Visian ICL does not cause Dry Eye Syndrome, which can be a worry when undergoing LASIK. Visian ICL also offers UV protection and has an excellent patient satisfaction rate.

 

Visian ICL is implanted behind the iris, in front of your eye’s natural lens during a 20–30-minute procedure. The patient can expect quick vision improvement with minimal recovery time, and the individual will not be able to see or feel it when it is inserted. Contrary to LASIK, which permanently alters the shape of the cornea, Visian ICL is an additive technology that can be removed if there is a need to do so. The best candidates for Visian ICL are aged 21 to 45 with moderate to severe nearsightedness (prescription between –3D and –20D) and a prescription that has been stable for at least one year. Also, Visian ICL can treat astigmatism (1.0D and 4.0D).

 

LASEK

 

LASEK, or(laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis) surgery, is different from its LASIK sibling. LASIK focuses on corneal sculpting, whereas LASEK concentrates on the cornea’s very top layer or epithelium. An instrument is used to create a flap of corneal tissue; then, the eye surgeon applies an alcohol solution to loosen epithelial cells. After that, the cornea itself is sculpted. Healing normally takes around four days.

 

PRK

 

Photo-Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) is a laser vision correction surgery that involves removing the outer layer of the eye’s surface to avoid an incision in the cornea. Like LASIK, a laser is then used to vaporize the cornea to correct refractive errors. Visual improvement and recovery time may take slightly longer than LASIK eye surgery or Visian ICL lens implantation procedures, but it is still an excellent option for many people.

 

PRK may be an option for patients who cannot have LASIK surgery because they have thin corneas but can only correct nearsightedness with a prescription up to -8 D. The most suitable candidates for PRK are over 18 and have had a stable prescription for at least one year.

 

CLE

 

Clear Lens Exchange (CLE) is a vision correction surgery that involves an experienced eye surgeon replacing the eye’s natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL), just like cataract surgery. CLE can correct a vast amount of vision errors depending on the type of IOL that is selected.

 

If this procedure sounds familiar to you, it is because it is very similar to cataract surgery and is usually performed on one eye at a time. 

 

Wavefront-guided LASIK

 

During a traditional LASIK procedure, the laser is programmed to carve the cornea based on the patient’s vision correction prescription, focusing on 20/20 vision. Unlike wavefront-guided LASIK, which has the laser programmed with the patient’s wavefront data, which creates a three-dimensional model of the existing cornea, the laser can sculpt it more precisely for vision correction. 

 

This three-dimensional map looks very similar to a mountain range, allowing technology to correct smaller abnormalities on the surface, getting better correction than just a prescription number for glasses or contact lenses. Also, this procedure lowers the risk of side effects such as problems with night vision or light sensitivity. 

 

EpiLASIK

 

Just like LASEK, this procedure concentrates on the epithelial tissue of the cornea. A special microkeratome, called the epi-keratome, separates a thin sheet of epithelial tissue from the cornea and is lifted to one side. After it is treated, it may be replaced or removed, depending on the requirements of the reshaped cornea to create perfect vision.

 

Conductive keratoplasty (CK)

 

It is a non-invasive procedure that precisely treats mild to moderate farsightedness in patients over the age of 40, usually when presbyopia develops. This utilizes thermal refractions created to radiofrequency (RF) energy rather than a laser, applying heat to the cornea to change it. Instead of removing layers of cells, the RF emissions make the peripheral areas of the cornea contract, tightening it like you would a belt, which increases the curvature of the cornea itself. Also, CK is used to create monovision, or blended vision, which improves a person’s ability to focus on all depths. One eye’s near vision is enhanced while the other eye is set to far vision. For the majority of people, farsightedness will return as the eyes continue to age.

 

How To Choose The Right Vision Correction Surgery

 

There are many elements and influences to think about when deciding on a vision correction procedure. Your eye doctor is the best person to make a suitable choice for you based on your prescription, lifestyle, and the advantages you are looking for. At Excel Laser Vision Institute in Orange County, our advanced eye care team has the experience that is vital when trying to find the right procedure for you. Call Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 957-3255 or visit our website to learn more about LASIK alternatives or to schedule an appointment. 

 

 

Celebrities Who Have Had LASIK Vision Correction

Nowadays, it isn’t common for someone you know to have gone through a LASIK procedure. So, many people have done this laser eye surgery in Orange County, and that includes many of your favorite celebrities. Stick around to find out who has had LASIK eye surgery.

 

 

What Is LASIK Surgery?

 

LASIK, also known as (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) surgery, is a vision correction procedure that allows a person to see clearly without eyeglasses or contacts. During this LASIK procedure, tiny precision lasers alter the shape of your cornea so that the patient’s retinas focus properly. So, you can eliminate refractive eye errors such as myopia, astigmatism, or hyperopia! The whole process by a LASIK surgeon only takes 15 minutes for both eyes, and one to three days later, the patient has perfect vision. 

 

Some people decide to go for Lasik treatment as the best way to correct serious vision issues, while others just want to live their lives without having to bother with eyeglasses.No matter what the reason is, 98 percent of patients love their results and claim that making the decision to have LASIK was one of the best decisions they have ever made. 

 

LASIK surgery is very safe, effective, and, most importantly, it is painless. Also, it is the most common elective surgery in the world. You probably don’t know anyone who has gone to Excel Laser Vision Institute, a LASIK clinic in Orange County, to have this procedure, but you have most likely heard of many LASIK success stories.

 

Find out about the ten most famous celebrities who have had LASIK and don’t regret a thing. 

 

Bonnie Tyler 

If the 1990’s top 40 was your thing at one time, you may remember Bonnie Tyler for super hits such as “Holding Out for A Hero” and “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Whether you do or not, it is good to note that she once struggled with astigmatism, farsightedness, and presbyopia. She is still in awe at how clear her vision became as soon as she did her LASIK surgery. She even goes on to say that she wishes she had done it sooner. 

 

Courtney Cox

Courtney Cox once had such poor vision that it almost made her acting career go off the rails. She had 20/400 vision that made it almost impossible to read scripts, read cue cards, and even recognize her Friends co-stars.

Eventually, she decided to ditch her eyeglasses and contacts and correct her vision permanently with LASIK. 

 

Cindy Crawford

During her international supermodel days, Cindy Crawford had to wear contacts. She finally decided to get LASIK when she got fed up with managing her lenses under layers of eye makeup. Needless to say, the procedure changed her life for the better. So much so that if you ask her today about having LASIK surgery, she will highly recommend the procedure to anyone without any uncertainty. 

 

Lisa Ling

Lisa Ling says that she wouldn’t have gone as far as she did with her journalism career without LASIK surgery. She claims: “As someone who is constantly on the road for her job and sometimes unable to find the most sanitary of conditions, liberating myself from contact lenses and glasses has made my life infinitely easier. It’s been more than a decade since the surgery, and I can see just as clearly as ever.”

 

Elton John

World-famous singer and pianist Elton John made his over 250,000 pairs of bedazzled, feathered, and multi-colored glasses part of his act. However, getting each pair decked out with a prescription cost him a fortune, so he decided to get LASIK instead. Nowadays, he can freely change his glasses without spending tons of cash. 

 

Drew Carey

Drew Carey had LASIK surgery way back in 1999, but you may notice that he still wears glasses. Funny thing, right? Well, the story goes that he tried not wearing them for a while, but he soon realized that people didn’t recognize him. Now he just wears his black-framed eyeglasses for aesthetics and his own way of giving himself brand recognition. And that goes with anyone – if you like the way you look in glasses, but you still want to correct your vision and not have to rely on eyewear to see clearly, you can do so with LASIK.

 

Kim Kardashian

Since LASIK surgery is so fast and convenient, many people decide to get it done before special occasions such as weddings and graduations. As a matter of fact, Kim Kardashian had the procedure in 2009 before she got married to her first husband, Kris Humphries. Although her marriage didn’t work out, she still loves the fact she doesn’t have to wear eyeglasses that hide her beautiful face. 

 

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman was almost declared legally blind before she had LASIK. Before that, she struggled with blurry vision her entire life but decided to have the procedure after being nominated for an Oscar. She mainly did the procedure because she wanted to read her acceptance speech without glasses or contacts. Now she is way happier with her 20/20 vision. 

 

Dennis Quaid

Before Dennis Quaid decided that a LASIK procedure was the best option for him, he was well-known for losing his reading glasses. He used to leave his house with five pairs and return home without a single one! So, Quaid did LASIK surgery so he would stop spending silly amounts of money buying numerous pairs of glasses to read scripts with clearer vision. 

 

LeBron James

Many athletes opt for LASIK since eyewear can get in the way when they are on the court or field. One famous athlete, basketballer LeBron James did the procedure in 2007 and let reporters know that he can see the rim and net a lot better now. Indeed, his field goal percentage jumped three points to an extraordinary 49 percent. Without having to wear contacts, he doesn’t have to worry about sweat irritating his lenses or a lens popping out while he is running up and down the court. 

 

If you have seen one of your favorite celebrities on the list above and want to learn more about LASIK, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 957-3255 or visit our website. 

 

 

What’s The Difference Between VISIAN ICL and LASIK?

Patients often get confused about the differences between Visian ICL and LASIK. Doctor Moosa, a LASIK surgeon in Orange County, is quick to tell us that it boils down to individual factors. Some patients are usually best suited for one procedure over the other, depending on their own personal requirements. Nonetheless, there are various differences between these two procedures. 

LASIK is a laser eye surgery procedure that is able to correct myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism by reshaping the cornea using an excimer laser. On the other hand, Visian ICL is only suitable for myopia. It is very similar to having permanent contact lenses, so the cornea’s shape is not altered. 

To be fair, Doctor Moosa, a LASIK surgeon in Orange County, stresses the fact that many types of refractive errors can be corrected with LASIK. However, individuals who have thin corneas or chronic dry eye may select Visian ICLs instead to avoid possible side effects.

Some patients will be happy to learn that LASIK is a shorter procedure, less costly, and has a faster recovery time compared to Visian ICL. The lenses used with Visian ICL may offer a reduced risk of side effects, better long-term correction, and they can be removed if the patient wishes to do so. 

The procedure you choose is fundamentally up to you and your eye doctor. LASIK Eye professionals in Orange County can recommend the best option for you and your specific situation. 

The Many Differences Between Visian ICL vs. LASIK

For several years, people who suffered from refractive errors had only two options for managing their condition: glasses or contact lenses. These options need regular eye exams to monitor the advancement of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Afterward, regular updates to the lens prescription are required to continue correcting changes in the cornea.

Medical researchers have been working on new and improved methods since the 1990s to manage refractive errors. These include implantable lenses and laser-based surgery. These new treatment methods provide patients more options than ever before and can, in the course of time, free them from having to wear contact lenses or eyeglasses on a daily basis. 

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is one of the most well-known developments since contact lenses for correcting refractive errors. A laser removes tissue from your cornea to reshape it, which causes light to refract more clearly to the back of your eye. There, the retina receives the light and transmits it to your brain through your optic nerve.

LASIK has allowed millions of people all over the world to stop wearing glasses or contact lenses. It provides an easy, fast solution that can be positively life-changing.

On the flip side, they could be a reason that an eye surgeon does not recommend someone as a good candidate for LASIK. Hence the fact, that this has made scientists research other options. Implantable contact lenses, such as the Visian ICL series, let people who have thinner corneas or other eye conditions stop wearing glasses or contact lenses for years without undergoing laser-guided surgery.

Visian ICL vs. LASIK

LASIK and Visian implantable Collamer lenses (ICLs) are very different technologies that can correct your refractive error to 20/40 visual clarity or better in specific circumstances. Before you make your decision on which is more suitable for your requirements, it is best to have a good understanding of both procedures. 

LASIK

Even though there are various types of laser eye surgery to correct refractive errors, LASIK is the most recognized type of this procedure and what most eye surgeons perform. This outpatient operation can correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness not due to aging), and astigmatism, so you can often see 20/40 or better.

The process doesn’t take long at all, usually 15 minutes per eye, with much of that time involving prep for the operation. The patient receives numbing eye drops and a device to hold your eyelids open. Then, either a microkeratome (a special, small surgical knife) or a laser will cut a flap from the top of the patient’s cornea.

Then, an excimer laser removes tissue from strategic locations on the inside of the cornea to alter its shape. The surgeon puts the flap back in place and sends the patient home to relax for the rest of the day.

Many people experience good vision the next day, although having dry eyes is expected. Also, it is possible to experience halos or glares around lights and some blurry vision for a few days. Most people experience a slight decrease in these symptoms over six months while their eyes heal.

Visian ICL

Despite the fact that some surgery is involved with Visian implantable Collamer lenses (ICLs), no lasers will remove tissue from the patient’s cornea to reshape that part of your eye. Instead, Visian ICLs are a brand of phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs) similar to permanent contact lenses. Visian ICLs are manufactured by Staar Surgical, and they are designed to be implanted behind the iris but in front of your natural lens. They were approved for use in adults by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005 to treat nearsightedness.

On the contrary to LASIK, Visian ICLs and other types of phakic IOLs do not treat other refractive errors such as farsightedness. If you have astigmatism and myopia, you may experience some improvement in your astigmatism, but they are not meant to treat just astigmatism.

Similar to LASIK, the implantation process for these flexible Collamer lenses takes around 15 minutes per eye, using a very small incision from a laser or a microkeratome. Recovery time after this outpatient procedure is slightly longer than LASIK, with vision returning to almost full clarity after seven days. Even though healing takes more time, there are fewer side effects reported with Visian ICLs.

If you want to learn more about how LASIK or Visian implantable Collamer lenses can help your eyesight, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 957-3255 or visit our website. Our expert team and highly reputable LASIK surgeon, Dr. Moosa, are happy and willing to answer all your questions. 

Getting Blurry Vision? Know More About IOL Here

If you are age 60 and above and have noticed a decline in your vision, it could be time to get in touch with a surgeon at Excel Laser Vision Institute, a cataract and LASIK clinic in Los Angeles. Doctor Moosa, our LASIK eye surgery doctor, says that it is very normal for people at this age to experience blurry or even cloudy vision, which may be a tell-tale sign that they have cataracts. It is a typical condition in older adults and can be treated by your eye doctor in Los Angeles through laser vision correction.

What Are The Symptoms Of Cataracts? 

Cataracts usually start off slowly. As a matter of fact, eye specialists at a cataract and LASIK clinic in Los Angeles say that you may not know you have them until they begin to block light. After that, you may notice the following:

• Vision that is cloudy, blurry, foggy, or filmy
• Nearsightedness (in older people)
• Changes in the way you see color
• Complications driving at night (glare from oncoming headlights, for example)
• Problems with glare during the day
• Double vision in the affected eye
• Issues with eyeglasses or contact lenses not working well

What Causes Cataracts?

Cataracts happen when protein accumulates in the lens of your eye and makes it cloudy. This prevents light from passing through clearly. As a result of this, a person may experience loss of eyesight. Also, there are many types of cataracts. 

How Your Eye Functions

Your eye has a lens, which is a window made of clear protein and water that sits behind the pupil. The lens focuses light onto the retina, which transmits it to your brain. 

As a person starts to get older, the proteins alter, and parts of your lens turn cloudy. This is referred to as a cataract. It can make objects appear blurry or give them a brownish tint.

Cataracts are the main cause of blindness, particularly in the elderly. However, they can be corrected through cataract surgery that is performed over 2 million times a year in the United States. 

What Is An Intraocular Lens Implant?

If you are considering corrective eye surgery at a cataract and LASIK center in Los Angeles, it may be a good idea to understand what an intraocular lens implant is. Essentially, an intraocular lens implant (IOL) is an artificial replacement for the lens of your eye. It forms part of the surgery to treat cataracts.  An intraocular lens implant, or IOL, consists of clear plastic material, and it is around a third the size of a dime. There are various different types:

Monofocal IOL

This is the most common intraocular lens implant. It is very different from your natural lens, which can stretch or bend to help your eye focus since this implant stays focused at one fixed distance. If yours focuses at a distance, you might be able to see things far away but need glasses to read or see close up.

Multifocal implant

This implant is similar to glasses with bifocal or progressive lenses because this lens has areas that help you see things at different distances. It could take several months for your brain to get used to so your vision appears natural. Keep in mind that it can sometimes cause more halos or glare around lights than a monofocal lens. 

Accommodating IOL

This is a more flexible option, especially if you are looking for a lens that mimics a lot like your natural lens and focuses at more than one distance. It can prevent you from requiring reading glasses.

Toric IOL: Your eye surgeon may recommend this if you have astigmatism or a cornea that’s more football-shaped than round. This can make vision blurry all over, not just close up or far away. This lens reduces astigmatism, so you won’t need glasses to correct it after your surgery.

How Is the Surgery Performed? 

If you have a cataract, you should visit an ophthalmologist. This doctor specializes in cataract surgery and other issues requiring surgery. They will most likely let you know that it is recommended to remove the cataract until it begins to affect your daily life. They can perform the surgery at a hospital or an outpatient clinic. 

To prepare you for surgery, your doctor will do the following:

• Measure your eye. This will help them select the right implant for you.
• Give you medicated eye drops to take for a few days ahead of time
• Ask you to stop taking some medicines or to avoid wearing contact lenses for several days beforehand

On the day of surgery, they will tell you to do the following:

• Numb your eye
• Administer a drug to help you relax. You may see light during the procedure, but you should feel nothing or only gentle pressure.
• Create a tiny cut through your cornea to get to the lens
• Break the lens up into pieces and remove it bit by bit
• Put the implant in place.
• Let the cut heal by itself. You will not have any stitches.

You can usually go home in less than an hour, but it is important that someone else drives you. 

Follow-Up Care

It takes around 8 to 12 weeks to heal fully. During that time:

• Keep your eye protected with sunglasses as much as possible, and sleep with your eye shield at night.
• Don’t rub or press your eye, even if you have the urge to scratch it or you notice the eye begins to ooze a bit of fluid.
• Take the medicated eye drops your doctor prescribes. You may have to use them for several weeks to help your eye heal.
• Avoid most exercise or heavy lifting. The doctor will advise you when you can do those things again.

If you want to learn more about intraocular lens (IOL) implants, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 957-3255 or visit our website. Our expert team and well-esteemed cataract and LASIK surgeon, Dr. Moosa, is ready to answer all your questions. 

How To Delay The Progression Of Cataracts

Patients often ask whether there is a way of delaying cataracts since they may have a family member who has it. Laser eye surgery doctors in Los Angeles tell us that cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way to prevent them, but making some lifestyle changes could reduce your risk of getting them. 

How Do Cataracts Happen?

The doctor at Excel Laser Vision Institute, a LASIK eye center in Los Angeles, points out that the real reason why medical professionals can’t find a way to delay cataracts is that it is more complicated than keeping a clear lens from becoming cloudy. So, the whole point isn’t about keeping the lens clear but more about how to stop it from aging. For now, scientists haven’t found a way to delay aging. However, they have a good idea of what causes it biochemically. And the same can be said for cataracts. 

Every year, the lens in your eye lays down new layers, kind of like how a tree lays down new rings each year. Over time, the center of the lens gets more compressed, and it results in hardening and cloudiness. There is a type of biochemical bond referred to as a disulfide bond, and it occurs between the cysteine amino acids of the crystalline proteins in the eye. LASIK eye surgeons in Los Angeles confirm that there is no way to stop it or delay it.

How Do You Prevent Cataracts From Getting Worse?

Nevertheless, Doctor Moosa, a LASIK surgeon in Los Angeles, gives us five ways to prevent cataracts or keep them from getting worse. These methods are not difficult to incorporate into a healthy lifestyle, but they can possibly prevent you from becoming blind. 

Stay Away From Lengthy Exposure To UV Light

Although a small amount of exposure to the sun is healthy, prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can intensify cataract progression. 

This doesn’t mean you have to lock yourself indoors most of the time. It is okay to go out as long as you protect yourself from the dangers of prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. 

When the sun is out, and you want to be outside, make it a point to wear sunglasses. As mentioned above, lowering the amount of ultraviolet light that reaches your eyes will help you prevent getting cataracts. 

Also, don’t be fooled when there is a cloudy day since the sun’s rays can pass through thin clouds. The peak hours of the day for sun exposure are between 10 am, and 3 pm or else 11 am and 4 pm daylight savings time. 

Don’t Use Steroid Drops

Sometimes ophthalmologists will prescribe steroid eye drops to treat dry eyes and arthritic flare-ups in the eyes. These steroids imitate the effects of cortisol in the body to lower inflammation. 

Although steroid eye drops are useful when administered properly, they can have damaging side effects, which consist of the acceleration of cataracts. 

If you do have to use steroid eye drops on a regular basis, you should have regular eye exams carried out. If you notice cataracts developing, speak to your optometrist or ophthalmologist as soon as possible. 

Look Out For Medicinal Side Effects

Commonly prescribed medications have side effects that could trigger the cataract progress. If you are at risk for cataracts and take medication on a regular basis, ask your medical professional about any side effects you have to be aware of. 

If you are taking necessary medication that could speed up cataracts, it is crucial that you avoid sunlight during peak hours, wear sunglasses or a hat during sunny days, and have regular eye exams. 

Taking medication to enhance your life may not be worthwhile if it results in cataracts. So, think about your options carefully. 

Think About Cataract Surgery

When cataracts have already set or progressed to a point where it disrupts many aspects of your life, you should think about having cataracts removed. 

You can only remove it through cataract surgery, a process that involves removing your eye’s natural cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. One of the leading eye surgeons at Excel Eye Institute will discuss and advise you of the options for corrective lenses that are appropriate for you. 

This is the best way to treat cataracts that have already set in, but it may not be the best solution for everyone. Make sure to contact your laser eye clinic to figure out if cataract surgery is the right option for you. 

Live A Healthy Lifestyle

Research has shown that a healthy lifestyle can lead to reducing the development of cataracts.

And this is a very logical finding since a healthy lifestyle helps to fight against many ailments. But, what exactly comprises a “healthy lifestyle”?

Here are a few suggestions from existing studies:

Diet Guidelines

• People who have a diet that consists of colorful fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may show a reduced possibility of developing cataracts.
  • Studies suggest that antioxidant vitamins in these fruits and vegetables may lower the risk of cataracts.
  • Carrots are a great source of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body and is excellent for eye health.
• The consumption of fish has been linked to a reduced risk of cataracts.
  • Fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been known to reduce cataract progression.
• A diet high in carbohydrates may speed up cataract progression.
• Foods that are rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals may delay cataracts.

Lifestyle Guidelines

• Dehydration can quicken the development of cataracts.
• Alcohol may accelerate the development of cataracts.
• Smoking will increase the chance of developing cataracts.
• Obesity may increase the chances of developing cataracts.
• Individuals with diabetes may be at a higher risk of developing cataracts.

Many people over the age of 50 will eventually develop age-related changes in their lenses, known as “early cataracts.” It may be challenging to prevent cataracts from progressing entirely, but you could live cataract-free by taking account of these guidelines. 

How Does LASIK Eye Surgery Work?

LASIK eye surgery is one of the most requested laser refractive surgeries in Orange County and is used to correct vision issues, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

If you are thinking about getting the best laser eye surgery, you may be curious about what to expect from the procedure. Below, the LASIK eye surgery professionals explain how LASIK surgery works and what patients can expect from their experience. 

How LASIK Eye Surgery Works

Vision problems usually occur because of an error in how our eyes refract light. During the vision process, light rays go through various structures of the eye. This consists of the cornea, which is the transparent, dome-shaped structure covering the front of the eye, and then the crystalline lens, which is the natural lens that gets light rays refracted by the cornea and focuses light into an image on the retina that lines the back of the eye. Still, if the light is bent improperly, laser eye doctors say that it prevents an exact image from forming, resulting in blurred or weakened vision. 

As LASIK professionals emphasize, eyeglasses and contact lenses are just a temporary fix to improve vision. It allows the eye to focus light in the correct spot on the retina, which produces the clearest image whenever possible. Nevertheless, LASIK eye surgery is devised to offer a long-term solution by reshaping the cornea itself to repair the refraction. LASIK is an abbreviation for Laser in Situ Keratomileusis, and as its name implies, it uses a laser to change the cornea’s shape.

During the operation, the surgeon will usually use an instrument known as a microkeratome to make a flap in the cornea, which can be pulled back to reveal the underlying corneal tissue. If that turns you off from doing the procedure, there are also bladeless forms of LASIK that use a high-energy laser to produce the same flap. At that point, the surgeon uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea to correct the patient’s vision. 

However, in the back of your mind, you may be wondering how the surgeon knows the correct shape to reshape the cornea into. Before the procedure, the surgeon creates a pre-specified cornea pattern. This is carried out using advanced diagnostic technology and numerous extensive pre-operative tests to measure the thickness and shape of the cornea. This provides a three-dimensional map of the cornea’s structures. 

This helps the surgeon to determine beforehand what shape the cornea should be to correct the patient’s vision issues.  

What to Expect Before, During, And After LASIK

You don’t have to worry about experiencing a lot of downtime after your LASIK procedure. It provides the quickest and easiest recovery periods, especially when you compare it to other types of procedures. The majority of people return to their normal routines within 24 hours. 

Nonetheless, you have to keep in mind that LASIK is a process. To ensure that the best results are possible, LASIK patients can expect to go through the following experiences that lead up to and after their surgery. 

BEFORE THE PROCEDURE

If you are interested in a LASIK procedure, you have to attend a pre-operative consultation to find out of you are eligible for LASIK or any other vision correction procedure. During your consultation, an eye doctor takes a look at your vision and eye health. An experienced optometric physician can explain the procedures and answer any questions or address any concerns you may have. 

The first consultation usually involves several painless tests to determine whether or not you are a suitable candidate. Depending on your prescription, the patient’s pupils may require dilation.

DURING THE PROCEDURE

On the day of the surgery, your doctor will verify your eye prescription again, and your pupils are measured to ascertain the best results. The surgeon will also let you know what to expect during the procedure, review post-operative care instructions, and fill out the remaining paperwork. If you wear contact lenses, which can change the cornea’s shape, you have probably been already told to stop wearing them for a specific amount of time before the surgery. 

Generally speaking, you will most likely be at the clinic for about 3 to 4 hours on the day of the procedure. LASIK eye surgery only lasts about 15 minutes, and the laser is used for less than 10 seconds on each eye. You will be asked to take a seat and given numbing eye drops. The surgeon uses an instrument to keep your eyes open, a suction ring is placed over your eye before they cut the corneal flap. The patient may feel pressure or dimness in their vision.

When the flap is created, the surgeon folds it back to get to the area of the cornea that needs reshaping. Using a laser, the surgeon starts the reshaping process. The patient will be asked to focus on the point of light, which keeps their eye fixed while the laser reshapes the cornea. Each laser pulse removes a part of the corneal tissue. Then the surgeon lays the flap back into place when the corneal shape is acceptable; the flap heals on its own.  

AFTER THE PROCEDURE

Normally, patients experience some form of irritation after the procedure. The eyes may feel itchy, burning, or watery. Also, a person’s vision will probably be blurry. Overall, LASIK eye surgery is a painless procedure. 

LASIK eye surgery is one of the safest and most convenient elective surgeries around. It offers a long-term solution to vision issues and can transform the quality of life for so many people. If you want to learn more about LASIK eye surgery and other correction options, book a free consultation at any of Excel Laser Vision Institute’s clinics in Orange County or Los Angeles or call (888) 957-3255, or visit our website to get more details: https://www.exceleye.com/.

Find Out From LASIK Surgeons How Smoking Can Affect Your Eyes

Any medical professional will tell you that smoking is very harmful to your health. As a matter of fact, LASIK doctors and ophthalmologists will go into a huge rant on how smoking can make a huge negative impact on your eyes. 

The best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles, like Doctor Moosa, let us know that cigarettes contain about 4,000 chemicals. The reality is that some of these poisonous chemicals can result in long-term cellular damage in the eye, increasing the risk of corneal infections and prolonging healing time. 

The LASIK surgeons take a look at five different diseases that have a higher possibility of developing in smokers. Some of these diseases are so dangerous that they could result in permanent blindness. 

Five Ocular Diseases That Smokers Might Get

Cataracts

The LASIK eye specialists make it clear that daily smoking can put you at increased risk for cataracts. Cataracts, which are the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, occur to almost everyone when they reach the age of 80. 

When cataracts begin to develop, they can result in blurry vision and, with some extreme case scenarios – complete blindness. A recent study revealed that there is a strong connection between smoking and the increased risk of age-related cataracts. Not surprisingly, those who smoke cigarettes regularly are most likely to get cataracts at an earlier age than non-smokers.

Graves’ Ophthalmopathy

Not only does smoking tobacco harm your lungs, but it also increases your risk of developing eye-related problems caused by thyroid disease. Graves’ ophthalmopathy affects the immune system, in particular, the thyroid. 

As a result of this condition, the tissue and muscles around the eyes are damaged. Complications start because of this disorder, and a person can suffer from double vision, eye-bulging, eye inflammation, eye pain, and vision loss. 

Uveitis

Doctor Moosa, one of the leading LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles points out that exposure to toxic chemicals, especially those found in cigarettes, causes uveitis – an inflammation of the eye. Also, it can affect the iris, which is the colored part of the eye. In general, smoking can put you at a higher risk of acquiring this disorder, leading to serious complications such as glaucoma and vision loss. 

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

If you are a daily cigarette smoker, you are three times more likely to get a chronic disease known as age-related macular degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration, otherwise known as AMD, causes the macula, the oval-shaped pigmented area near the retina’s center, to deteriorate and lead to vision loss. The macula is the part of the eye that provides acute vision. If you have AMD, your central vision will be impaired. As a result of this, you probably will not be able to participate in everyday tasks that involve your eyesight, such as reading, writing, or driving. 

Diabetic Retinopathy

You have a higher risk of getting diabetes if you are frequently exposed to tobacco smoke. Diabetes can cause an eye disorder known as diabetic retinopathy, which occurs when the eye’s blood vessels are damaged. As a result, there are many vision complications, such as blindness. 

With all this information around, it is vital that you are aware of the negative impact cigarettes can have on your overall health. It is advisable that if you are currently a regular smoker, that you should consider kicking this bad and harmful habit. Quitting smoking is the first step forward in lowering your chances of developing harmful ocular diseases and enhancing your health. 

Dry Eyes

When a person experiences dry eyes, they usually don’t have enough tears on the eye’s surface, which are required to preserve eye lubrication and keep them healthy. Those who suffer from dry eyes can experience eye redness, itchiness, a sensation that something foreign is in their eye, and watery eyes.

Tobacco smoke is a well-known eye irritant and aggravates dry eyes even when the smoke is derived from second-hand smokers, and it is especially harmful to contact lens wearers. People who smoke have twice the likelihood of developing dry eyes. 

Smoking And Infant Eye Disease

Women who smoke while pregnant can transmit dangerous toxins to the placenta, harming the unborn child. Smoking during pregnancy can increase the possibility of any fetal and infant eye disorders and other serious health problems. 

These eye issues include strabismus (crossed eyes) and underdevelopment of the optic nerve, which is a leading cause of blindness in children.

Plus, women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to give birth prematurely. Most babies born prematurely are at higher risk of eye issues than full-term babies. 

Premature babies usually have vision problems that include retinopathy of prematurity, a potentially blinding disease.

If you are a smoker, especially one who has been smoking for many years, or is experiencing some unusual vision loss, or is concerned about your eye health, then it is a good idea to talk to an eye care professional at Excel Laser Vision Institute, a reputable LASIK clinic in Los Angeles.

Laser eye surgery can treat some eye diseases, such as cataracts that cigarette smoking can cause at an earlier age. LASIK professionals will conduct a thorough evaluation of your eye health and condition before deciding if you are eligible for LASIK eye surgery or a similar procedure. 

If you are serious about quitting smoking and want to check or improve your eyesight, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 957-3255. Our team of staff is highly trained and experienced. Our leading eye surgeon, Dr. Moosa, a well-esteemed LASIK surgeon in Los Angeles, has a Harvard education and a wealth of experience working with different prescription levels. Dr. Moosa has helped many professionals achieve their vision goals, from athletes to models to military personnel. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.exceleye.com/.

The Different Types Of Refractive Errors According To LASIK Professionals

LASIK eye doctors in Orange County can recognize a refractive error, which is an alteration in the shape of the eye that leads vision to become blurred. The LASIK surgeon educates that refraction, or the bending of light, is what helps all of us to see. 

When you look at an object, the light rays it reflects are refracted through the clear, outermost layer of the eye – known as the cornea – onto an inner lens. Then the lens focuses light onto the retina, a layer of light-sensitive tissue located at the back of the eye. 

The retina changes patterns of light into electrical signals and transmits these signals to the brain through the optic nerve. In the brain, these signals are identified as images of the objects you notice all around you.

As Doctor Moosa, a LASIK eye surgery professional in Orange County says, a refractive error happens when the eye cannot bend and focus light correctly onto the retina. Vision may become blurry, hazy, or doubled, which results in a person having to squint and strain their eyes. Other usual symptoms include headaches because of the eyestrain or difficulties reading. 

When it comes to children, the ophthalmologists confirm that a refractive error can affect a child’s reading level and have a negative impact on their overall learning. It can even result in permanent and uncorrectable degradation in vision, referred to as refractive amblyopia. When adults have a refractive error, they usually experience blurry vision, which can be very uncomfortable, inconvenient, and even unsafe, particularly when they have to drive or operate heavy machinery. 

Ophthalmologists and LASIK eye doctors At Excel Laser Vision Institute can quickly ascertain the type of refractive error that is causing you vision loss. 

Myopia

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is when a person can’t see distant objects clearly. When you have myopia, objects at a distance look blurred, making it a challenge to read a school blackboard or street signs. Myopia happens when refracted light is focused in front of the retina rather than onto the retina. This may happen if the eyeball has an extended shape or if the cornea has too much curvature. 

Myopia is usually first discovered in childhood and is common to run in families. Most of the time, myopia worsens over the years throughout an individual’s school-age and adolescent years. Eventually, myopia balances itself out when the person is in their 20s.  

Many people with myopia, particularly those younger than age 35, can see objects up close without any issues. Those who are older than the age of 35 may experience presbyopia too, which makes it challenging to see objects up close. 

Hyperopia

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, happens when distant objects are easier to see clearly than nearby objects. If hyperopia is considerable, the person’s vision may be blurry at any distance. Hyperopia happens when light is refracted behind the retina rather than onto the retina. This may happen if the eyeball is too short or if there is too little curvature in the cornea. 

Hyperopia can happen at any age. Sometimes children can experience slight hyperopia that corrects itself by the time they are adolescents. 

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is blurred vision that is caused by an unusually shaped cornea. When a person has astigmatism, the cornea is shaped very similar to a football or an egg instead of a sphere. 

When light hits an eye with astigmatism, it gets distorted and refracted to many focus points within the eye rather than on one focus point on the retina. Normally, people with astigmatism have issues seeing objects close up and far away. 

Astigmatism can be categorized into two types: regular, in which the eyeball is not spherical but is symmetrical, and then there is irregular, which means the eyeball is not spherical and not symmetrical. 

Regular astigmatism is a lot more usual than irregular astigmatism. 

Sometimes people are born with astigmatism, and children are usually diagnosed with this refractive error. It usually affects both eyes. There are instances when only one eye is affected – such as an eye injury such as a cut or puncture that results in a scar on the cornea. Also, astigmatism may be caused by a condition known as keratoconus, which is when the cornea thins and starts to bulge outward. 

Presbyopia

As you get older, you may realize that your ability to focus up close, especially as you read, gets worse. Presbyopia occurs to many people at some point after the age of 40 since the eyes’ lenses, which focus light, slowly lose their ability to change their shape to let you focus on nearby objects. 

Presbyopia and macular degeneration are not the same. Macular degeneration occurs when the macula, located near the center of the retina, is damaged. It usually happens in individuals who are older than 70 and causes blurriness in the central field of vision when you look at objects that are close up or far away. 

On the other hand, presbyopia only changes the lens of the eye and causes the whole field of vision to blur when you try to focus on something up close.

Only a thorough examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist can identify common age-related changes in the eye, such as presbyopia and changes in vision-related to macular degeneration.

If you have any other questions or concerns about refractive errors, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 957-3255. Our team of staff is highly trained and experienced. In the office, we also have Dr. Moosa, a well-esteemed LASIK surgeon in Orange County that has a Harvard education and lots of experience working with different prescription levels. Dr. Moosa has helped many professionals achieve their vision goals, from athletes to models to military personnel. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.exceleye.com/.