What to Do Before Your LASIK Vision Correction
If you are suffering from severe nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, there is a good chance that you have been recommended to undergo LASIK eye surgery at a local LASIK eye center in Los Angeles. The procedure is often entirely optional, but there is no denying the numerous benefits of undergoing the procedure now rather than later.
Preparing for Your Procedure at a LASIK Eye Center
If you have already scheduled eye surgery at a LASIK eye center in Los Angeles, it’s only natural to prepare yourself as well as you can before the day of the procedure. One of the keys to quick and proper recovery after LASIK surgery is adequate preparation. Here are a few ways you can better prepare yourself for the upcoming procedure.
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Inform Your Surgeon of Any Special Medication
Before confirming the date of your procedure, make sure you inform your surgeon about any particular medication you may be taking (i.e., hypertension, blood thinners, etc.). Your surgeon needs to know about these because certain medicines may interfere with the effects of the anesthetic eye drops used. If there are any, your doctor may need to postpone the procedure and consult your regular physician to see if there is any medicine you can stop taking for a few days until your scheduled LASIK vision correction in Los Angeles.
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Kick Your Bad Habits to the Curb
If you smoke tobacco products or consume alcoholic beverages on a regular basis, it is highly advised that you quit several weeks before the procedure. Both drinking and smoking significantly slow down the body’s ability to heal itself, which will prolong your recovery period. The risk of complications may also increase if you continue to smoke or drink. If you’ve been looking for extra motivation to kick these bad habits to the curb, your upcoming surgery may be the reason you need to finally quit.
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Prepare Meals Ahead of Time
Getting enough rest following the procedure is vital for faster recovery following LASIK surgery. It’s a good idea to prepare a few meals the day before your scheduled procedure. This is so that when you get back home from the LASIK eye center in Los Angeles, you can just lie down and not have to worry about preparing a meal for yourself. Additionally, many patients still feel quite groggy or a little lightheaded a few hours after the procedure, which can make it difficult to cook. This is when placing a pre-cooked meal in the microwave can be a boon.
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Ask a Friend to Drive You Home
One week before your procedure, it’s a good idea to give a family member or close friend within the area a call and ask him or her to accompany you to your procedure. As you can probably imagine, you will not be in a condition to drive properly following the LASIK vision correction since the affected eye will be covered as a form of protection. It is recommended that your family member or friend accompany you going to the vision center as well since it is possible that your procedure goes smoothly and wraps up earlier than expected. You may also want to ask if he or she can keep you company at home a few hours after the procedure just so there’s someone around in case of an emergency.
These are only a few ways to prepare yourself better for upcoming LASIK eye surgery. Be sure to consult your LASIK surgeon before your procedure for other tips you need to follow. Bookmark this page to discover more tips about LASIK eye surgery in Los Angeles. LASIK vision correction is a crucial procedure so you should not take special preparations for naught.
4 Ways to Know If You Need to Undergo LASIK Surgery
LASIK surgery is the most common laser vision correction procedure in the United States. In fact, out of all refractive procedures in the U.S., 96% of them involve LASIK surgery. It’s not difficult to see why LASIK surgery in Orange County is so popular. It boasts an exceptional success rate and presents a negligible risk of complications. All of these make LASIK surgery an excellent option for many people struggling with vision problems.
LASIK surgery is an optional procedure. Some people prefer to undergo LASIK surgery early on to correct their vision, while some try to postpone it for as long as they possibly can. When you decide to undergo LASIK surgery is up to you, but there are certain situations when undergoing surgery the soonest possible is much better than leaving it for a later date.
When should LASIK surgery be your top priority?
Here are a few scenarios when going through LASIK surgery should be a priority:
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Moderate to Severe Nearsightedness/Farsightedness
Changes in vision are a part of the aging process. While prescription glasses help correct milder versions of nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia), they are often not an ideal choice for some people with severe cases of either vision problem. Glasses with high grades are often uncomfortable to wear, and the discrepancy between wearing glasses and not wearing them can be quite jarring, with some people experiencing dizziness or even vertigo. In such cases, corrective eye surgery in Orange County may be a better option.
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Large Discrepancies in Astigmatism
Astigmatism is another vision problem that affects a large number of Americans. The condition occurs when the cornea flattens or curves at different rates. It isn’t uncommon for astigmatism to affect both eyes at different rates. However, if the discrepancy between the two eyes becomes too large, it may lead to nausea and migraines. Severe astigmatism can also make it difficult to see at night due to blurry vision. Although prescription glasses may help correct astigmatism, it does not address the actual issue. As such, astigmatism may progress further. LASIK surgery offers a longer-lasting solution.
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Your Employment Status Depends on Your Eyesight
Some careers require people to have a near perfect vision at all times; an example is airplane pilot. Unfortunately, refractive errors can still affect these people. In some cases, wearing corrective glasses or contact lenses may not be ideal for these professionals as they can interfere with their work. If the same applies to you, it might be best to undergo LASIK surgery in Orange County as soon as possible.
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You’ve Been Told to Undergo LASIK Surgery, But Haven’t Done So Yet
Some people have already been recommended to undergo corrective eye surgery in Orange County in the past, but have yet to do so. Reasons may vary, with some people simply unsure about the risks of LASIK technology during its earlier years, while others simply did not have the time or resources to undergo the procedure in the past. Now is the perfect time to get LASIK surgery. The technology surrounding the procedure has improved by leaps and bounds over the last decade, significantly reducing risks and complications.
Take note that you do not necessarily need to experience any of the above before you can opt to undergo LASIK surgery. The procedure is completely elective after all. If you are interested to see if LASIK surgery is a viable option for you, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with our resident surgeon, Dr. Ferzaad Moosa.
Consult With The Best LASIK Surgeons
If you are having laser eye surgery, then you should always seek out the best LASIK surgeons Los Angeles. You want to find someone with a great reputation and someone around whom you feel comfortable. Once you’ve found that person and had the procedure, you’ll want to be prepared for the recovery process. Here are some things for which you should be ready during the first few weeks post-surgery.
Steps For A Speedy Recovery
Right after the surgery, you will be given eye shields or goggles to wear. You’ll need to have them on as you sleep for the first few nights. They’re a little uncomfortable, but don’t remove or jostle them. You don’t want to touch your eyes in any way for the first couple of days, even by accident. For several days after the procedure, don’t rub your eyes. That’s hard to remember sometimes, but it’s imperative that you do so in this case.
Use Your Eye Drops
You’ll be given a series of different eye drops for after the procedure. Administer them exactly as your doctor told you. They will help you heal. Wash your hands periodically, and try to keep them away from your face if they might be dirty, especially when you’re about to apply the eye drops. You want to avoid infection, especially immediately after the surgery. Avoid wearing makeup for at least a week after the surgery, and wear sunglasses when you go outside. Your eyes will be very sensitive, and you’ll want to avoid direct sunlight. Some people even like to wear sunglasses indoors.
Stay In Clean Environments, And Get Lots Of Rest
After laser eye surgery, stay in sterile environments. No one should be smoking around you, and you should stay away from places that are dusty, or where there is any chance of chemical vapors or anything else abrasive in the air. Resting your eyes is important too. Sleep is when our body repairs itself, and that is especially true after any surgery.
Recovering from any surgery can be a pain. It requires patience, and you might experience halos in your vision or a gritty sensation in your eyes for a while afterward. These should be temporary though, and a few weeks down the line, you should not only be feeling better, but your vision should be much improved. You will change your life for the better by having LASIK.
With Trusted Cataract Surgeons, Your Vision Is Sure To Improve
If you’re on an older person, and you’re having problems with cataracts, you’ll be pleased to know that there are surgical options available today that can likely help with the issue. You should find the best cataract surgeons Los Angeles, and then you can talk about your options with them. If you’ve decided to got through with the procedure, you’re going to need to know what to do to prepare yourself beforehand. Here are some of our best suggestions in that regard.
How To Prepare
Cataract surgery is when the lens of your eye is removed and usually replaced with an artificial lens. The cloudy effect caused by cataracts will hopefully be diminished as a result of the procedure, or eliminated entirely. The ophthalmologist will do the outpatient procedure, probably in his or her office, so you won’t need to worry about staying in the hospital. Approximately a week before the surgery, the doctor will perform an ultrasound test. It’s painless, and it will measure the shape and size of your eye. This will help the doctor determine the correct type of lens implant.
If you’re taking certain medications, especially ones that could increase the risk of bleeding during the procedure, you’ll be asked to discontinue those. If you’re taking medications for prostate problems, let your doctor know. Some of these can interfere with a surgery of this nature. You’ll fast before the surgery. In most cases, you’ll not eat drink or eat anything for twelve hours beforehand. To reduce infection risk, you’ll also use eye drops. These are special antibiotic drops that you’ll use starting a couple of days before the procedure.
Be Prepared For Your Recovery
The same day as your surgery, you’ll usually be able to go back home. You won’t be able to drive, though, so have a friend or family member handy to act as your chauffeur. You’ll also need to have somebody to help you around the house for at least a couple of days afterward. Your doctor will probably limit certain activities, like lifting things, for up to a week after the surgery.
The most important thing to remember about cataract surgery is that it is very safe and that it has been performed many, many times. Provided you have a trusted surgeon and you’re a good candidate, the possibility of there being complications is minimal. Your vision should be significantly improved, and it will undoubtedly impact your life in a positive way.
Your LASIK Surgeon Can Give You Advice About Proper Nutrition After Surgery
If you’re having vision trouble, you might have considered seeking out a LASIK surgeon Orange County. If you have sought one out and you’ve decided to move forward with LASIK, then you probably have some questions about how best to take care of yourself after the procedure. To ensure that you heal as quickly as possible, you need to eat the right foods. In this article, we’ll talk a little about that.
Proper Nutrition Is Important
Nutrition is always necessary, but it might be even more so when your body is healing from surgery. You’re going to want to limit your consumption of processed and prepared foods. Instead, go for protein, which contains amino acids that will help with tissue regeneration and will speed up healing. Lentils, nuts and beans, low-fat dairy products, eggs, fish, and poultry will all be useful to you during the weeks after the procedure. Cold water fish are loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, and these are good for eyesight. They also improve the tear film’s oily layer, which is especially handy because the eyes are drier than usual following LASIK.
Carbohydrates are also beneficial, just make sure that they’re the right ones. Eat high-fiber carbs during the healing process, including vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Avoid white bread or refined carbs. You can also eat beans, legumes, and carrots. Carrots are perfect snack food while healing because they are full of Vitamin A, which improves eyesight.
You’re going to want vitamins, but most especially A and C. There are pill forms for both, but you can also get them in food by eating sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, dark, leafy greens, tomatoes, and sweet bell peppers. Most LASIK surgeons will probably tell you to consume Omega-3 pills for several months after the surgery. Flax-seed oil serves this purpose as well.
With the right diet, the chances are much higher that there will be no complications, and you will enjoy the full benefit of your surgery. In addition to eating the foods mentioned above, you should drink plenty of water, to flush any toxins out of your system that might be sticking around following the procedure. Eight 8-ounce glasses of water are the minimum recommended. With the right fuel in your body, you should be able to heal fully, and hopefully you’ll have the vision improvement for which you were looking.
There Have Been Advancements In Laser Eye Surgery
If you’re experiencing vision problems at any age, you’ll be pleased to know that medical advancements have progressed to the point that there are many options available to you. If you’re thinking about laser eye surgery Orange County CA, you should consult with your eye doctor about which procedure might be right for you. In this article, we’ll discuss how laser eye surgery has evolved.
Corrective Eye Surgery Advancements
In the past quarter-century, corrective eye surgery has grown by leaps and bounds. Radial Keratotomy, or RK, was pioneered during the 1980’s. It involved incisions to flatten the surface of the eye, and it was used to correct nearsightedness. Some of the individual results didn’t work out so well in the long term, though. Regression and fluctuating vision were the most common problems. RK is now considered to be obsolete, as new and better techniques have come along.
Photorefractive Keratectomy, or PRK, was then developed. It was the first laser vision procedure to remove tissue directly from the surface of the eye to change the cornea’s curvature. It is still used somewhat today, but LASIK has replaced it as the most popular corrective eye surgery.
LASIK was developed not long after PRK, and it reshapes the cornea so that light entering the eye can be properly focused on the retina. The result is clearer vision. The reason that LASIK has taken over as the most popular procedure from amongst these is that it is very safe, and it can be used to treat so many conditions, including astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness.
Which Is The Right Procedure For Me?
You will need to talk with your doctor about which surgery is right for you, or if surgery is a viable option at all. Even if you and your eye doctor decide to pursue LASIK as the avenue through which you will regain clearer vision, there are several different versions of it, depending on your age and the exact nature of your vision problem. There is LASEK, epi-LASIK, bladeless LASIK, and PRK. Your doctor should be able to go over each of these in detail, and between you both, you should be able to figure out which option is most likely to be beneficial.
There Are Different Options Available For Cataract Surgery
Have you considered cataract surgery Los Angeles? If you’re age fifty or over you might have visited an eye doctor, and they said you were developing cataracts. This occurs when the eye lens becomes cloudy. Cataracts might sound scary because you cannot correct them by LASIK, contact lenses, or glasses. However, cataract surgery is a safe and viable option these days, and it can often clear up your cataracts while also reducing your dependency on eyeglasses.
How Does It Work?
In cataract surgery, the cloudy lens inside your eye is taken out and replaced by an artificial lens referred to as an intraocular lens, or an IOL. In this way, clear vision is restored. This is generally an outpatient procedure, not requiring an overnight stay in a clinic or hospital. Most of these procedures involve using an ultrasonic device which utilizes a high frequency to break up the cloudy lens into tiny pieces. These pieces are then carefully removed using suction. These days only a small incision is required, which leads to faster healing and reduces the risk of complications like retinal detachment.
After the surgeon removes all the pieces of the cloudy lens from the eye, they then insert a clear IOL, positioning it between the pupil and iris, in the same spot previously occupied by your natural lens. The incision in your eye is then closed, sometimes requiring a stitch, sometimes not. A protective shield is left over the eye to keep it safe as it heals, and once it does, your vision should be vastly improved.
Other Options
There is also such a thing as laser cataract surgery. This is when femtosecond lasers, like the ones used to create the corneal flap in LASIK procedures, are used for certain steps in the cataract surgery. This is recent technology, and it reduces the need for hand-held tools and surgical blades. These lasers can be used to remove the anterior capsule of the lens, fragment the cataract, or create peripheral corneal incisions so that astigmatism can be reduced. This procedure can sometimes be more expensive than traditional cataract surgery. For the latest information about it, consult with your surgeon.
Technological and medical advancements mean that there are more options available than ever for dealing with cataracts. Talk to your eye care professional and figure out what makes the most sense for you.
There Are Some Who Need An Enhancement To LASIK Eye Surgery
LASIK eye surgery Los Angeles is a relatively simple procedure, and one that boasts a high success rate. There are thousands of people who have had it done, and their vision has improved significantly. You should go into this procedure with your eyes open (so to speak) and understand that there are sometimes complications that arise, just like with any surgery. In this article, we’ll talk a little about LASIK enhancement.
What Is It?
When a surgeon talks about LASIK enhancement, what he or she usually means is that a follow-up procedure has become necessary after the original surgery. The usual reasons for this are either the results of the first surgery being less than satisfactory or if your vision has significantly changed again sometime after the original one took place. Retreatments are seldom needed these days, due to the ever-improving technology. That does not mean that everyone who receives LASIK will come away with perfect 20/20 vision after just one procedure though. Each case and each person is unique. Sometimes another procedure is required to get that clarity of vision for which you’re searching.
How Do I Know If I Need Another Procedure?
Different factors will determine your rate of satisfaction following the initial procedure. These include your age and expectations, whether you have dry eyes following LASIK, whether you are still near or farsighted or have astigmatism, or the health and characteristics of your corneas. Remember, what you want from LASIK is for your dependency on glasses and contacts to decrease, and you to be able to see reasonably well without them. You’re looking for improvement, but it would be unwise to hope that your procedure will result in perfect vision and no glasses or contacts necessary under any circumstances at all. Results vary, and no two people have the same experience.
You’ll need to talk to your surgeon if you think that the treatment didn’t work as described, or if you feel strongly that additional surgery might be in your best interest. The doctor will examine your corneas, and together you will discuss your options. While it is accurate that the overwhelming majority of those who have LASIK see significantly better afterward, there are some who only experience visual acuity after a second surgery.
Tips for Fast and Smooth Recovery from the Best Eye Surgeon in Orange County and Los Angeles
Laser eye surgery is a typical procedure performed throughout California including Los Angeles and Orange County. In fact, roughly half a million procedures are done every year! As such, it isn’t unusual for the best eye surgeons in Orange County to complete thousands of procedures in a year.
Dr. Ferzaad Moosa
Our resident doctor here at Excel Laser Vision Institute has earned professional reputation in the field of Lasik surgery. He has handled various eye cases and has the proven track record to provide the best laser eye surgery in Los Angeles and all of California.
The discussion below aims to provide Lasik surgery patients with proven tips to protect their eyes after the procedure. Learn from the words of the best eye surgeon in Orange County, and discover more ways to better your eye condition!
Tried and Tested Recovery Measures to Complement the Best Laser Eye Surgery
The best laser eye surgery is accomplished without complications. However, how you take care of yourself post-op plays a significant role in helping you recover faster and without issue. Be sure to follow these important tips to help ensure you experience a smooth recovery.
- Keep Your Hands Away from Your Eyes
Many LASIK patients report slight eye irritation after the procedure. This is normal as your eyes are adjusting to the effects of LASIK surgery. Make sure that you keep you avoid touching your eyes though. In particular, never scratch your eyes while they are recovering. Scratching your eyes may damage the lens and reverse the effects of the procedure.
- Take a Relaxing Bath Instead of a Long Shower
If you feel a little sticky or grimy in the evening, it’s natural to want to take a nice warm shower. This can be a bad idea, however, if it has only been a few hours after your LASIK surgery. This is because water droplets from your shower may contain bacteria, which may cause an infection in the eye that underwent surgery. If you want to clean yourself after a long day, it’s a better idea to draw yourself a warm bath in the tub instead. Also, a soak in the tub is way more relaxing than a shower! - Wear Sunglasses with UV Protection
For the first few days immediately following the laser eye surgery, your eyes will be quite sensitive to the light. In fact, intense bursts of light may cause damage to the lens of the eye that underwent LASIK surgery. If you need to leave your home during the day in the middle of your recovery period, make sure you wear sunglasses that are rated for UV protection to help shield your eyes from intense sunlight. - See Your LASIK Surgeon
Your surgeon will require a consultation few days after the procedure. Don’t forget to see your doctor! This follow-up is a standard as it will help your surgeon assess how well your eye is healing. He may also check if there are any complications developing so that he can correct them before they get worse.
Let’s Talk
Even if you get the best laser eye surgery in Los Angeles and all of California, all of these will be for naught if you do not follow these simple tips. Make sure that you follow these recommendations to avoid any eye complications.
Do you have questions about your eyes? Schedule a consultation now!
Before Your Laser Eye Surgery, Ask The Important Questions
If you’re considering getting laser eye surgery Orange County, you should know that the procedure has been done thousands of times now, and it’s nothing of which to be frightened. Medical science has advanced to the point where it’s quick and efficient, and the success rate is very high. You’re going to want to be positive that you’re getting the right surgeon for the job, though. To that end, there are some questions that you’ll want to ask your surgeon beforehand.
What Should I Be Asking My Surgeon?
Inquiring how many procedures a surgeon has done is a great place to start. You want someone with plenty of experience. Ask them about their complication rate, and how it compares to the national average. You can ask about the availability of the billing department, and whether they can explain and break down all the costs involved in the procedure. Ask if they charge extra for an enhancement, which is a follow-up to the procedure if the outcome of the original vision correction surgery is not entirely satisfactory. If they do charge extra, how much of a price break can you expect? And finally, if they don’t charge extra for an enhancement, then what is the cutoff date after the initial procedure for addressing any complications that might occur?
Other Possible Questions
You might also ask if the surgeon performs the procedure at their center, or if any travel will be required. You can ask about outcome statistics, and whether they’re in line with the national average. Ask about whether the center has ever had an outbreak of eye infections, and if so, how long ago it was and what caused it.
You should feel happy and satisfied with the answers you get to all of these questions. A surgeon should not act like it’s a hassle to address any concerns you might have. On the contrary, a responsible surgeon should be glad that you’re taking steps to make sure that they’re the optimal choice for the job. If they’re reluctant to go over your questions, if they seem annoyed or they won’t give you a straight answer about anything, then you might want to consider looking elsewhere.