Info Articles

How To Treat Lazy Eye

Lasik surgeons in Los Angeles have treated many children for an eye condition referred to as  ‘lazy eye’, known in the medical field as amblyopia. It develops when the sight within one of the child’s eyes doesn’t form as it should.   

What Causes Amblyopia?

Amblyopia is a vision development disorder that causes an eye to fail, preventing it from acquiring normal visual acuity, despite the use of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Normally, a lazy eye starts during infancy and early childhood. Lasik surgeons in Los Angeles noted that in many cases only one eye is affected. However, there have been some instances in which amblyopia has affected both eyes. 

If the lazy eye is left untreated, the child’s brain will be trained to pay no attention to the image that comes from the respective damaged eye. If as a parent you allow this to happen, your child’s vision could be harmed permanently. Fortunately, if amblyopia is diagnosed early in life and treated immediately, impaired vision in the child can be prevented. On the other hand, an untreated lazy eye can lead to permanent loss of sight in the affected eye. Roughly 2 to 3 percent of the U.S. population has some degree of lazy eye. 

Here are the three types of lazy eye infants and children could be affected by:

Strabismic amblyopia: This is the most common cause of lazy eyes. To prevent double vision due to poorly aligned eyes, the brain will disregard the visual input from the misaligned eye, which results in amblyopia in the eye. 

Refractive amblyopia: There are times when a lazy eye is caused by unequal refractive errors in the two eyes, despite perfect eye alignment. For instance, one eye could have significant nearsightedness or farsightedness, while the other eye does not. In this circumstance, the brain depends on the eye with the less uncorrected refractive error and ignores the blurred vision from the other eye.  This results in amblyopia in that eye because it isn’t being used. 

Deprivation amblyopia: Similar to a congenital cataract, certain lazy eyes can occur when light is prevented from entering and focusing within a baby’s eye. 

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Amblyopia?

Since amblyopia is often an issue of infant vision development, symptoms of a lazy eye can be a challenge to recognize. Most of the time, the common cause for lazy eye is because there is a misalignment of the eyes, otherwise known as strabismus. 

Lasik surgeons in Los Angeles are adamant that if you notice your baby or toddler has crossed eyes or other obvious eye misalignments, book an appointment with an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

If you are on the fence on whether your child has a lazy eye or not, try to cover one of their eyes. If he or she throws a tantrum, then your child might have amblyopia. This is a simple screening test that can be done at home.

If your child stays calm and collected when one eye is covered but cries when the other is, this may mean that the covered eye is the “good” eye. Meaning the uncovered eye is lazy and causing cloudy vision. 

Obviously, this simple at-home test can’t replace a thorough eye exam. Many eye doctors will agree that a child’s first eye exam should be at around 6 months to be certain their sight is developing properly and their eyes are synchronized.   

How to Correct a Lazy Eye?

When the lazy eye is caused by refractive amblyopia (the eye has unequal refractive errors), seeing normally is possible by completely correcting refractive errors in both eyes with glasses or contact lenses. More often than not, the good eye has to wear a patch to force the brain to focus on the visual input from the lazy eye and make normal vision development possible in that eye. 

Treating strabismic amblyopia (lazy eye that occurs with misaligned eyes) usually includes strabismus surgery to align the eyes, accompanied by regular use of an eye patch on the dominant eye and some method of vision therapy ( particular lazy eye exercises) to assist both eyes to work simultaneously. 

The child may need to wear an eye patch for a duration of time to make the brain use the lazy eye normally. If the child has a habit of taking off the eye patch, you might want to think about getting a specially designed prosthetic contact lens that stops light from entering the good eye and does not alter your child’s appearance. 

Even though prosthetic contact lenses are more expensive than eye patches and a contact lens exam and fitting are needed, they work very well in difficult circumstances of amblyopia treatment when the eye patch method doesn’t work. 

Another method to treat lazy eye is with atropine eye drops. They work by blurring the vision in the good eye, causing the brain to have to use the eye affected with amblyopia. This strengthens the lazy eye without using eye patches or contact lenses.

If you think your child or you are suffering from amblyopia (lazy eye), do not hesitate to contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at + (818) 907-8606 to schedule a FREE evaluation.

What Is Anisocoria?

If you carefully take a look at your eyes in a mirror, you might notice that one of your pupils is significantly bigger than the other. If that is the case, corrective eye surgery specialists claim you might have anisocoria. 

What’s Anisocoria? 

Anisocoria is a medical condition that causes a person’s pupil in one eye to be different in size than the other. Just to be clear, the pupils are the black circles located in the center of the eyes. Most of the time, pupils are the same size. 

Corrective eye surgery specialists agree that anisocoria can be brought on by many factors. For instance, you can be born with it or develop it later in life. It is possible to experience anisocoria either on a permanent basis or just temporarily. There is the possibility that while the doctor is examining your eyes, he or she diagnoses an underlying medical condition or another cause for anisocoria. 

What Causes Anisocoria? 

Most of the time, mild anisocoria is normal and there isn’t any hidden illness or history of trauma that has brought it on. In most cases, these instances of anisocoria where one pupil is bigger than the other by less than 1.0 mm with no probable cause are referred to as simple anisocoria, benign anisocoria or physiologic anisocoria. 

Researchers conducted a study on anisocoria in which they photographed 128 normal participants in dim light for five consecutive days. Photographs were taken daily in the morning and afternoon. 

Around 52 of the participants (42 percent) had an anisocoria of 0.4 mm or more a few times during the five days the study was conducted.  About 19 percent of the study’s participants showed evidence of mild anisocoria. 

Anisocoria did not alternate in response to the time of day or from one day to the next. Also, it was not affected by the gender, age, or eye color of the participant. 

Other studies revealed that around 20 percent of the population has mild benign anisocoria. 

On the other hand, critical anisocoria has several causes, several of which are medical issues. Some reasons for significant anisocoria include the following: 

• Eye trauma. Getting punched in the eye. (e.g. David Bowie)
• Some eye medications such as pilocarpine eye drops which are used to treat glaucoma can make the pupil of the treated eye smaller than the other pupil.
• An inflamed iris. Iritis (anterior uveitis) can result in anisocoria that is usually followed by severe eye pain.
• Adie’s tonic pupil. It is a benign condition that is also known as Adie’s pupil, tonic pupil, or Adie’s syndrome and usually causes one pupil to be significantly bigger than the other. The pupil that has this condition does not react to light. In many cases, the reason for Adie’s pupil is a mystery. However, it can be linked to eye trauma such as trauma from complicated corrective eye surgery, lack of blood flow (ischemia) or infection. 
• Neurological disorders. Several conditions that cause damage to the nerves in the brain or spinal cord can result in anisocoria. One of the most common is Horner’s syndrome. Individuals who suffer from nervous system disorders that end up with anisocoria usually have a drooping eyelid, double vision and/or crossed eyes. 
• Brain disorders that are connected with anisocoria are strokes, hemorrhage (impromptu or because of head injury) and, very rare, some tumors or infections. 

What’s Horner’s Syndrome?

Horner’s syndrome is a combination of signs and symptoms that are a result of a disrupted nerve path that starts at the brain and travels to the face and eyes on one side of the body. Common signs and symptoms that a person is affected by Horner’s Syndrome are the following:  

• A regularly small pupil (miosis)
• A massive difference in the pupil size between the two eyes
• Very little or lag when the affected pupil opens (dilates) in dim light
• Upper eyelid droops (ptosis)
• The eye has sunken appearance
• Lower lid lifts, sometimes known as upside-down ptosis

Normally, pupils can dilate within five seconds when the lights in a room are dimmed. A pupil infected with Horner’s syndrome usually takes 10 to 20 seconds to dilate in dim lighting or a darkened room. 

Horner’s syndrome is usually brought about by an underlying medical issue, for example, a stroke, tumor, or spinal cord injury. However, corrective eye surgery specialists have seen some instances in which no cause can be found. 

There is no particular treatment for Horner’s syndrome. However, if there is a link to an identified medical problem, treatment of that issue might be the solution for symptoms of Horner’s syndrome including anisocoria.  

So, What About David Bowie’s Eyes?

David Bowie was an amazing singer, songwriter, and producer. Although he is famous for his music, he is also known for having particularly unique eyes. For those unfamiliar with David Bowie, he had two different colored eyes!

Many people think he had two completely different eye colors, which is a condition known as heterochromia. This is a misconception, the real reason for David Bowie’s fascinating eyes was due to anisocoria. David Bowie was born with blue eyes, but he was involved in a fight leaving one of his eyes permanently dilated. This gave the injured eye a much darker appearance. 

While some wouldn’t mind looking like David Bowie, if you feel your pupils are inconsistent in size or if your symptoms persist and worsen it is best to seek medical attention immediately.  If you need professional and caring corrective eye surgery advice, call Excel Laser Vision Institute at + (818) 907-8606 today. 

Who Needs Cataract Surgery in Los Angeles?

Are you seeing objects less clearly? Are they appearing blurry or foggy? If yes, it might be time to schedule a consultation for cataract surgery Los Angeles to try and remedy your vision problems. Before you undergo eye surgery, here are some information to understand what cataracts are and what the best solution to help you see 20/20 again is!

What Are Cataracts? 

The eye contains a natural lens which bends, or in ophthalmology terms, refracts light rays that enter the eye to help us see. This lens should be clear to have optimal vision. Normally, when the eye is healthy with a clear lens, light passes through and focuses on the retina. 

When a person has cataracts, the clear lens in their eye becomes cloudy. Many patients with cataracts see things as if they were looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. When light passes through the cloudy lens, it can’t focus clearly on the retina and that causes objects to appear hazy or blurred. This clouded vision can impact reading, driving a car (especially at night) or even seeing expressions on friends’ faces. When dealing with cataracts, you must address them quickly as to avoid becoming like people who have them and experience a blurry and less colorful vision.

Unfortunately, cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 40. It is actually the main cause of blindness throughout the world! That is why it is so important to consult with a medical professional for cataract surgery in Los Angeles if you suspect you have them. The following are several common types of cataracts: 

Cortical cataract: This is distinguished by white wedge-like opacities that begin in the periphery of the lens and travel towards the center in a spoke-like way. This cataract happens in the lens cortex, which is the part of the lens that encircles the central nucleus. 

Nuclear cataract: This is formed deep within the nucleus of the eye’s lens. Nuclear cataracts are usually found in older patients.

Subcapsular cataract: This happens at the back of the lens. Diabetics or individuals taking high doses of steroid medications have an increased risk of developing subcapsular cataracts. 

Congenital cataract: This type you are born with or develop during childhood. Congenital cataracts can be genetic or linked to an intrauterine infection or trauma. They also occur because of specific conditions such as myotonic dystrophy, galactosemia, neurofibromatosis type 2 or rubella. Some people with congenital cataracts have no issues with their vision. However, if they do, the cataracts are typically removed as soon as they are discovered. 

What Are The Symptoms of Cataracts? 

When you start to see the below changes in your vision, you may want to consider cataract surgery Los Angeles.

• Extra sensitivity to light
• Blurry vision
• Seeing double
• Trouble seeing at night, or you require more light when you read
• Bright colors seem faded or yellow

How Do You Get Cataracts? 

The most common reason why people develop cataracts is simply due to aging. At around the age of 40, the eyes begin to deteriorate. The normal proteins in the lens begin to break down and the lens can become cloudy, though many might not experience vision complications until years later, if at all. Other causes of cataracts are the following:

• Medical conditions such as diabetes
• An eye injury, eye surgery, or radiation treatments on the upper body
• Parents, siblings or other family members who have cataracts
• Spending time in the sun without sunglasses with UV protection
• Taking medications such as corticosteroids or statins can cause early-onset cataracts
• Hypertension
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Hormone replacement therapy
• High myopia

A majority of age-related cataracts develop gradually. However, other forms of cataracts can develop rapidly, such as the types found in younger individuals or diabetics. Sadly, there isn’t a way for doctors to predict how fast a patient’s cataract will develop. 

Can Lasik Surgery Correct Cataracts?

When a trained ophthalmologist discovers a patient has cataracts, many people think that LASIK is the sure solution. However, LASIK surgery often cannot correct vision loss caused by cataracts. 

Cataracts worsen over time; which means cataract surgery is a more suitable option. That’s why LASIK surgery isn’t usually recommended to correct cataracts. 

Despite this fact, there are exceptions. If an individual has small congenital cataracts that are steady and are not immensely affecting the person’s vision, LASIK may still be an option. Again, it all depends on the size and stability of these. 

For other types of cataracts, as soon as the symptoms begin to appear, you can improve your vision for a while with a pair of new glasses, strong bifocals, magnification, the right lighting or other visual aid methods. Your doctor will consider you for surgery when your cataracts have developed to the extent that they are impairing your vision and preventing you from carrying out your daily routine. 

Some people take aging and poor vision hand in hand, however, cataract surgery Los Angeles is a simple and painless procedure that can help you regain your vision and improve your life. If you think you might be suffering from cataracts or are still researching your options, call our representatives at Excel Laser Vision Institute who will be happy to help. Contact us at +1 866 923 9235 to discuss cataracts or laser eye surgery, advantages, and other aspects you are concerned about.

Can Laser Vision Correction Los Angeles Treat Double Vision?

Double vision, or diplopia, is an eye complication that has an entire range of underlying reasons why someone might experience it. It’s like waking up with a dull headache and wondering how you got it. So, before you book laser vision correction Los Angeles, read the list of causes for double vision. However, we must warn you, there are so many possibilities to consider that after reading this you might be seeing things in twos!

What Is Double Vision?  

Unfortunately, many of us take for granted that when we open our eyes we see, and view our surroundings clearly and in one single image. Normal eyesight happens through a complex process that requires many parts within your eye to work harmoniously without any hitches. 

A person can have double vision in just one eye or both. If you notice that you are experiencing double vision in one eye when the other one is closed, there is very little to worry about. It is still something you should point out to your doctor when you visit laser vision correction Los Angeles. However, if double vision is occurring when both of your eyes are open, it could be caused by a serious disorder. 

To understand how the eye malfunctions, here is a brief and simple biology lesson on the parts of the eye and how they work as one. 

You are experiencing double vision when the injured eye is open:

Cornea: Think of it as the clear window into your eye. Its primary job is to focus light. If your double vision disappears when you cover one eye, this could be a sign of a damaged cornea in the uncovered eye.  

If only one cornea is distorted, you may see only double in that eye. Damage can be brought about by:

• Scars
• Dryness
• Infections, such as shingles or herpes
• Keratoconus, when the cornea turns into a cone shape

Lens: Located behind your pupil, these help focus light onto your retina. 

The most common lens complications at the laser vision correction Los Angeles are cataracts, which can usually be treated with surgery. 

You are experiencing double vision when both eyes are open:

Muscles: They manage eye movement and help control them so they are aligned with each other. Whenever you notice a person’s eye is not moving in sync with the other, that is due to weak muscles in one eye unable to keep up with the other. When this happens, looking into a direction that the weak muscle is controlling will lead you to see double. Eye muscle issues can be caused by any of the following: 

• A complication with the nerves that control them.
• Graves’ disease, a thyroid condition that disturbs eye muscles. This can result in vertical diplopia, which is when the person sees one image on top of the other.
• Myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that prevents nerves from telling muscles what to do. Early symptoms are double vision and drooping eyelids. 

Nerves: These are the messengers that convey information from your brain to your eyes. Any issues with them can create double vision:

• Multiple sclerosis can negatively influence the nerves in your brain or spinal cord. If the illness damages the nerves that manage the eye, you may start to see double.
• Guillain-Barre syndrome is a nerve condition that results in paralysis. The initial symptoms are usually in the eyes, including double vision. 
• Diabetes can bring about nerve damage to the muscles that are responsible for moving your eyes. This could also result in double vision. 

Brain: The nerves that manage your eyes link straight to your brain, where images are processed. Many reasons for double vision begin in the brain. Here are some examples:

• Brain tumors
• Migraine headaches
• Strokes
• Aneurysms
• Extreme pressure inside the brain caused by trauma, bleeding, or infection

What Are The Symptoms Of Double Vision? 

The symptoms for double vision really depend on the cause, but if you have it, you may notice the following: 

• Nausea
• Headache
• Droopy eyelids
• Weakness in your eyes or elsewhere
• Pain around your eyes, such as your temples or eyebrows
• Pain when you move your eye
• Misalignment of one or both eyes, such as a wandering eye or cross-eye presence

 Since there are so many reasons for seeing double, it’s important to find out why you can’t see just one image. 

As is standard procedure, your doctor might use several methods to determine what is causing your double vision. This can be done through blood tests, a physical exam, or imaging tests like computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 

Also, another effective tool the doctor has on hand is you! Be honest when answering your medical practitioner’s questions which could include the following: 

When did you begin to see double?

Were you involved in a car accident?

At any time recently, have you hit your head, fallen or been unconscious?

Do you feel the double vision is worse after a long day, or when you are exhausted? 

Are you experiencing other symptoms besides double vision?

Do you find you have to tilt your head to one side to view objects properly?

Do you have double vision in both eyes or just when one eye is open? 

Can Lasik Surgery Fix Double Vision?

When you start to experience double vision, it’s important to try to eliminate any potential causes. For instance, stop drinking excessively, walk away from your computer screen every hour to refresh your eyes, or use drops to lubricate dry eyes.

When all is said and done, there are restricted cases in which LASIK can be used to correct double vision. It isn’t a straightforward issue and a consultation from an experienced, board-certified ophthalmologist and respected Lasik surgeon such as Dr. Ferzaad Moosa is necessary. If you are seeing double, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at + (818) 907-8606 now to schedule a FREE evaluation and see if you’re a good candidate for LASIK treatment!

The Advantages of Corrective Eye Surgery vs. Eyeglasses for Drivers

Many drivers who struggle with eye problems try to compensate by wearing eyeglasses behind the wheel. However, this presents its own problems since visual issues can change over time, and eyeglasses don’t always address such developments, among other things. Stay safe when driving by choosing the permanent, proven benefits of corrective eye surgery instead.

Signs of Eyesight Problems while Driving

Eyesight issues typically develop over time, which means it can sneak up on drivers who don’t immediately notice the effects of their deteriorating eyesight. These questions can help you determine whether your vision needs intervention:

• Do you find it difficult to drive at night?
• Do you get agitated, anxious, or confused while on the road?
• Do you struggle to read traffic lights, street signs, and highway signs?
• Do lights, especially at night, appear with halos or glares?
• Do you find it hard to drive at the speed limit?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then you might be a great candidate for corrective eye surgery. Eyeglasses might offer a quick fix, but the long-term advantages of Lasik surgery make it the best option for drivers.

Advantages of Lasik Surgery over Eyeglasses

Eyeglasses may clarify your vision while you’re wearing them, but the unique visual challenges of driving can make them an unsuitable choice. Corrective eye surgery from an excellent Lasik eye center in Los Angeles offers a better alternative for drivers for these reasons:

• It does not add another layer of glass to your line of sight.

Car windshields, especially when it’s raining, are already hard to look through if you’re suffering from visual issues. It becomes doubly difficult to see the road clearly when you’ve got another layer of glass adding to the challenge.

Lasik surgery removes the need for eyeglasses or contacts by restoring your perfect vision, allowing you to focus on the road ahead without additional obstructions.

• It reduces the risk of glare.

Glasses easily catch glare, especially when you’re driving under direct sunlight or looking at street lights and car headlights at night, making it hard to see objects and other vehicles.

Since its results aren’t reliant on eyeglasses, laser eye surgery dramatically reduces the incidence of glare. The procedure also diminishes similar issues such as halos and blurriness when driving at night.

• It treats vision problems correctly.

It can still be difficult to identify road signs while wearing glasses, especially if you have the wrong prescription or your current one does not properly address your specific visual conditions. Eye problems like astigmatism or myopia often require prescription changes once every two years.

Before undergoing corrective eye surgery, your Lasik surgeon will first diagnose the exact eye issue you have. Coupled with a stable prescription for at least one year, laser eye surgery brings back your clear eyesight by correcting the vision problem itself. It doesn’t just address the symptoms of your visual issues the way eyeglasses do.

• It improves your visual skills.

Since visual issues tend to worsen over time, regular eyeglasses prescription updates are a must.  Otherwise, your eyeglasses can contribute to the deterioration of your general vision, especially those that are critical for driving such as field of vision, color vision, night vision, depth perception, and more.

This problem is removed when you choose laser surgery —you get to practice your visualization skills to the fullest without worrying about a worsening prescription.

Improve Driving and Road Safety with Lasik Surgery

Stay safe when driving by restoring clear eyesight! If you’re struggling with driving due to your vision, visit a Lasik eye center instead of reaching for your eyeglasses. Consult the best Lasik surgeons in Los Angeles here at Excel Laser Vision Institute to determine the best treatment for your vision problem. Call us today at + (818) 907-8606 to set an appointment!

Understanding the Lasik Eye Surgery Cost for Correcting Astigmatism

Preparing for Surgery at the LASIK Eye Center in Los Angeles

Your preparations for your LASIK operation should not be limited to scheduling it with your LASIK eye center in Los Angeles. Otherwise, you’ll risk complicating the procedure or hindering your recovery. Make sure you know what you should and shouldn’t be doing to have a stress-free operation.

Dos and Don’ts for LASIK Patients

Depending on your habits and health background, your LASIK preparations may have to start weeks before your surgery. Follow these guidelines for the best LASIK experience:

DO: Ask someone to take you home after your operation.

It’s dangerous to go home on your own after getting LASIK surgery on your eye(s). Driving while your eyesight is compromised is a big no-no—even if you’ve only had the procedure done on one eye. Commuting is also not advisable. Even if you know your route like the back of your hand, there are too many unpredictable factors along the way to guarantee safe travel.

Your best option is to ask a friend to drive you home. Ask two friends in case something comes up and your original travel buddy is suddenly unavailable. Let them know who’s the fallback.

DON’T: Hold back any information about your medical background.

Be transparent about your healthcare practices. Tell your surgeon if you’re taking maintenance medications. Certain kinds of medicine can interfere with the effects of the anesthesia during the operation. In case your medication is one of them, you may need to delay your operation.

DO: Ask questions during your pre-op consultations.

Not only will asking questions set your mind at ease, but it’ll also give you a deeper understanding of the surgery. Don’t hold back your queries. If you can’t afford to pay for the procedure immediately, know that there are various options for LASIK financing in Los Angeles. Don’t hesitate to ask your eye center about theirs.

DON’T: Wear contact lenses.

Stop wearing your contacts before your baseline evaluation., which is conducted several weeks before the procedure. Stick to your glasses. Contact lenses can affect the shape of your cornea. Depending on the type you’re using, the effects can last for up to weeks after you’ve stopped wearing them.

DO: Take it easy post-operation. 

After the surgery, you need to spend at least the first 24 hours resting. Avoid doing anything tiring and visually stimulating. Before you go under the knife of some of the best eye surgeons in Orange County, prepare a few microwaveable meals. That way, you won’t have to worry about your food once you get home. It’s also a good idea to download audiobooks and podcasts for leisure since it’s not advisable to use digital devices.

DON’T: Use facial creams and makeups.

This a huge no-no, especially the day before the procedure. Lotions, perfumes, facial creams, and makeups can leave debris along the eyelashes, increasing the risk of infection after the procedure. To avoid this, start laying off these products on the days leading up to the operation.

Have a Hassle-free LASIK Surgery!

Leave nothing to chance for your upcoming procedure. Know what you should and shouldn’t do for the operation and follow all of your LASIK surgeon’s instructions.

As a trusted LASIK eye center in Los Angeles, Excel Laser Eye Vision Institute has all your eye surgery needs covered. We promise precise procedures by qualified experts with excellent financing options. Complete the form on our website or contact us at 866-923-9235 to get a FREE evaluation!