A LASIK Overview

LASIK is a delicate corrective procedure that is used to improve eyesight.  Not everyone is a good candidate for laser corrective surgery however for millions of patients, LASIK surgery is done with success. 

Basics In LASIK

Most people who wear glasses or contacts think about corrective surgery at one time or another. During the LASIK procedure a laser reshapes your cornea (the dome which is located at the front of the eye) to increase light rays focusing on the retina. 

Here are some things to consider before you schedule your Free LASIK, laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, surgery.  Consider the following:

  • LASIK can’t be reversed.  It is a complicated surgery to a delicate part of the eye.
  • Laser vision corrective surgery doesn’t come without possible complications or risks.
  • Eye surgery is not for everyone; however, LASIK has been performed successfully on millions of people throughout the United States.
  • Although many patients end up with near perfect vision but there is a chance that the LASIK procedure will not end up giving you perfect vision, it is possible to end up with slightly diminished precise vision.
    • 9 out of 10 patients end up with 20/20 and 20/40 vision – 20/40 vision is often not sharp enough for certain types of work.
  • LASIK is used to correct distance vision. It is likely that patients may still require reading glasses in their 40’s.  LASIK is not used for correction or prevention of presbyopia which is an age-related loss of the eye being able to focus on objects nearby. 
  • Nearsighted patients that don’t need reading glasses before the surgery might need them after.

LASIK benefits may decrease overtime.  In fact, more than 10% of patients may require a second surgery which is known as a retreatment.  This will restore the patients desired vision.  This process is more common in patients who had higher nearsighted or farsightedness or a higher degree of astigmatism. 

LASIK surgery is a procedure that is not covered under most insurance plans. For most candidates they can expect to pay up to $3,000 per eye for the LASIK procedure.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

When Should I Have LASIK Performed?

No matter how young or old you are the health of your eyes is of the utmost importance. Our eye sight is an essential element in our everyday lives.   It is important to remember this when making decisions regarding your vision.  There are many choices when it comes to correcting issues with your vision such as eye glasses, contacts, and LASIK.  When choosing an option that is right for you a lot of people start to consider undergoing the LASIK procedure.  The thing most people are worried about is that they aren’t the right age to have the LASIK procedure performed.  If that is you, keep on reading.

What is the perfect age to have LASIK performed?

Ophthalmologists and LASIK surgeons both agree that a patients age means less than the stability of their vision when determining if they should have laser vision correction performed.  Patients that have has the same prescription for a period of time are most likely ready to have the LASIK procedure done.  This often occurs for patients in their twenties. 

Are there career benefits to LASIK?

Depending on your career, clear vision without the hindrance of eye glasses or contacts can be extremely beneficial.  Athletes are one category of individuals who would have an advantage with laser vision correction.  Contacts are not the same hindrance as eye glasses can be however there is always the concern about losing one or getting dirt in it while in the midst of an activity.

Can my eyesight continue to change one it has been corrected by LASIK?

Your vision can still change once the LASIK procedure is performed.  Laser surgery helps to increase your vision to its best but even after LASIK it can still continue to change naturally over time. Statistics show that about 10% of LASIK patients will need to have touch up procedures performed after LASIK is done. This is especially true the more drastic your vision correction was. 

If you are interested in finding out more about LASIK and how it can benefit you talk to family, friends, co-workers, and the people you trust for LASIK surgeon recommendations.  This allows you to narrow down providers before hitting the internet for reviews and scheduling consultations. 

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

Preventing Complications With Proper Care After LASIK

Eye care after laser vision correction is crucial in ensuring the success of your surgery.  Complications can occur with LASIK but are lessened with proper care before, during, and after the procedure.  One of the most important aspects comes just hours after the surgery.  It is recommended to rest for a minimum of four hours after surgery.  Take a nap and rest your eyes.  Some patients choose to wear protective eye shields. 

Eye shields are recommended to use when sleeping for the first few days after surgery to prevent unnecessary rubbing from occurring.  It is crucial to prevent any eye-rubbing while your eyes are healing after laser surgery.  It is important not to rush recovery which is easy to do since most patients experience a return in eyesight quite quickly. 

Post LASIK care has a great deal of importance, it is as important as the surgery itself.  In order to receive the most out of your LASIK experience follow the tips below.

  • Plan Follow-Up Appointments:  Appointments will be scheduled to follow up with your eye doctor/surgeon during the first three months after the surgical procedure.  After this time period annual eye exams are necessary to ensure the health of your eyes. 
  • Follow Your Doctor’s Orders:  Along with keeping follow up appointments with your LASIK surgeon it is imperative to schedule appointments with your primary eye doctor, ophthalmologist to keep up on changes in your vision.  Annual eyes exams allow future issues to be caught quickly and immediately.

LASIK Healing Timeline

  • The First Week: Rest your eyes.  Use prescribed eye drops to prevent dry eyes, infection, and inflammation.  If you experience any issues, big or small, immediately call your LASIK surgeon.
  • Months After: Continue to follow up with your eye doctor and report changes that occur during the healing process.  Monitoring the health, comfort, and vison changes of your eyes is necessary for preventing complications.

Returning to Normal After LASIK

For many patients they will return to work within a day or two of the LASIK procedure.  The restrictions below are a guide to follow until you are feeling ready to return to normal activities.

  • Don’t drive until your LASIK eye surgeon says your vision has returned.  This normally occurs within a day or two.
  • Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes all the time but especially the first week after LASIK.
  • Use restraint in reading and computer usage for the first days after your procedure.
  • Makeup should not be worn for at least a week after laser vision correction surgery.
  • As stated above do not rub your eyes for at least once a month after LASIK.
  • Exercise should be avoided for at least once a week. Contact sports should be avoided for a month.
  • Patients should avoid swimming, hot tubs, or whirlpools for a week after LASIK surgery.
  • Prevent dust and dirty environment to help eliminate the risk of getting something in your eye while your eye heals.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

Do the Benefits of Glaucoma Surgery Outweigh the Risks?

As with any surgical procedure there are potential risks that need to be weighed against the benefits, Glaucoma is no different.  Even the most advanced cases of Glaucoma can be treated, patients need to collaborate with their eye surgeon to ensure the benefits offset the risks.

Glaucoma is a disease that is associated with aging.  It is a disease of the eye that causes advanced decline of the optic nerve.  The optic nerve which is at the back of the eye carries the visual message from the retina to your brain. Glaucoma is caused by increased pressure within the eye that doesn’t provide an environment for the nerve’s health.

In order to treat Glaucoma, the IOP (intraocular pressure) must be lowered.  Lowering the intraocular pressure prevents (or slows) the damage to the optic nerve.  Treating Glaucoma begins with the use of medication.  If this fails to treat or your eyes do not tolerate the treatment your ophthalmologists will often turn to surgical procedures.

There are two different types of surgery that can be performed to treat Glaucoma.  One method is using a miniscule incision into the trabeculectomy.  This can be done with or without the ExPRESS microshunt implantation, tube shunt implantation (which is a glaucoma drainage device), and cyclophotocoagulation.  Another surgical Glaucoma procedure that is often performed is known as MIGS, or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.  Surgical procedures all have their own unique set of risks and rewards. Before you have any surgical procedure on your eye, especially for the treatment of Glaucoma, it is important to have talk with your surgeon about your specific diagnosis and the benefits and dangers of the specific Glaucoma surgery best for your specific situation.

Glaucoma Surgery Benefits Outweigh the Risks in Most Situations Even in Advanced Cases

There are risks involved with any surgery however, the results with Glaucoma surgery are typically successful.  Success in Glaucoma surgery slows the progression of the disease.  Success means that the intended eye pressure was achieved.  If Glaucoma was left untreated, the loss of your vision is almost guaranteed. Surgery can help to prevent additional vision loss, often improving your vision.  This however is temporary as the damage with Glaucoma has already occurred and is permanent.  Surgery doesn’t reverse the damage it does however slow down the progression.

Although side effects do occur with Glaucoma, they are rare.  Here is a list of occasional side effects that patients have reported:

•     Vision Loss

•     Bleeding

•     Infection

•     Eye Pressure

•     Scarring

•     Cataracts

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

Answering Questions Common to LASIK Surgery

Preparing for any surgical procedure comes with its fair share of anxiety, LASIK is no different.  Laser surgery for vision correction has a number of benefits.  Knowing the end benefit, vision without corrective contact lenses or glasses, is only half the battle.  Preparation ahead of time to put your mind at ease is the other half.  Below we will answer the top questions we get during LASIK consultations.  As always, if you have questions that did not get answered during your FREE consultation with the LASIK specialists at Rohr Eye & Laser Center, patients can call the office at any time.

Will LASIK hurt?

The number one question we are asked involved the pain level that is experienced with LASIK.  The truth is that most patients experience very little pain or discomfort during surgery.  In fact, many patients explain the sensation as a slight pressure that is felt as the laser is reshaping the cornea.  Of course, everyone’s pain tolerance is different but overall this is the experience patients have described after their procedure.

What occurs during the LASIK procedure?

The actual LASIK procedure itself is fairly quick and easy.  Numbing drops are applied to the eyes.  Once this occurs, doctors will cut a very thin flap on the surface of the cornea.  The surgeon will use the laser to shape the cornea according to the prescription from the most recent eye exam.  After this is finished the eye surgeon will carefully place the flap back into place and perform the same procedure on the other eye.  Lasers are used in both the creation of the flap and shaping the cornea although in the past a thin blade had been used to create the flap.

Is LASIK performed on both eyes at the same time?

YES!  Laser vision correction can be performed on both eyes at one time.  With LASIK, vision improvement is virtually instantaneous, and healing is minimal.  During LASIK the laser is only used for about 60 seconds per eye.  Although LASIK can be performed on both eyes at the same time some patients prefer to have one eye done at a time.  This is possible however, rare.

Do surgeons use anesthesia during LASIK?

No, anesthesia is not given during the LASIK procedure but instead eye drops are put into the eye just prior to the procedure.  Some patients with higher levels of anxiety about the procedure require oral medication to be given for relaxation.  Needles and intravenous drugs are not required.

How long does the LASIK process take?

LASIK is a quick process surprisingly.  On average the procedure can take less than 15 minutes once the patient is settled in the treatment room.  The laser aspect of the procedure usually takes less than 60 seconds per eye.

If I blink during LASIK what happens?

Surgeons use a speculum to keep patients’ eyes from blinking.  Some patients remark that there is a slight pressure from the speculum.  Patients are told to focus on a blinking light throughout the procedure.  Movements of the eye are expected, lasers that are used include an eye tracker which accounts for movement and helps to ensure accurate delivery of laser pulses.  

What are the side effects of LASIK?

Although infrequently experienced there are some side effects that patients experience following LASIK.  The most common side effect is dry eye which is easily remedied through over-the-counter artificial tears.  Rare side effects include:

  • Inconsistent vision
  • Difficult night vision with halos
  • Sensitivity to light

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

What Should I Expect at My LASIK Consultation?

When you seek a consultation from a surgeon specializing in LASIK it is to determine if you are a candidate for laser vision corrections surgery.  If it is determined that you are a candidate, the surgeon will begin discussing the most appropriate surgical option to correct your unique vision issue.  During the consultation you will be educated on the benefits and risks of LASIK surgery.   It is important to remember that a consultation with a LASIK surgeon does not obligate you to have the procedure nor does it mean that you are no longer able to ask questions and gather more information.  A consultation is the starting point into the process of determining if surgery is the vision correction route best suited for you.

Candidates must meet a certain set of criteria before they are considered for LASIK which includes:

Age:

LASIK candidates must be eighteen years or older.

Health:

In order to be a candidate for LASIK, patients must be generally healthy.  They should be free of health problems such as diabetes, vascular disease, autoimmune disease, or on medication that interferes with the immune response. 

Eye Health/Problems:

Candidates should also be free of eye disease including: glaucoma, cataracts, corneal diseases, retinal and optic nerve disease, or keratoconus.  They should also not have eye conditions such as herpes zoster and simplex.  Surgeons will do an eye exam before surgery however, it is important that candidates inform them of issues such as lazy eye, eye muscle imbalance, and other eye conditions that can affect healing.  Candidates should also inform eye surgeons of other health issues such as mental health or issues with health.  Obviously, the eye should also be free of any injury or infection.  Dry eye should also not affect candidates.

Pregnancy/Nursing:

If you are pregnant or nursing you will not be eligible for LASIK.  In fact, LASIK candidates must have had at least three menstrual cycles after they are done nursing and not expecting in order to be eligible for laser surgery.  Pregnancy hormones may affect the effectiveness of your prescription which also makes them ineligible for LASIK.

Stable Vision:

LASIK vision candidates need to have had stable vision for at least one year before they are considered for laser vision surgery procedures. 

Contacts:

In order for patients to have LASIK they must stop wearing their contacts for at least two weeks prior to the surgery.  This helps to stabilize the cornea and will give surgeons an accurate valuation of your prescription prior to the procedure.

LASIK is a viable option in the treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatisms.  The goal of LASIK is to reduce the dependency of glasses and contacts with the end goal of 20/20 vision, although this is not guaranteed.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

LASIK: A Popular Laser Eye Surgery Method

LASIK is a widely practiced method of laser eye surgery.  Vision is improved using laser vision correction techniques like LASIK through a reshaping of the tissue underneath the top later of the eye.

It is often hard to really describe what LASIK is and what is involved without using a lot of technical mumbo jumbo.  The jest of it boils down to the fact that when vision needs correcting and a surgical option is sought, whether we are correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatisms, a procedure using a refractive laser is performed to restore proper vision in the eye.  LASIK is the most popular and most widely accepted surgical method used in treating refractive errors and is done by reshaping the cornea in a manner that allows light to focus properly.

LASIK surgeons create a flap near the front of the eye that exposes the inner layers of tissue on the cornea to allow the laser to shape the cornea.  This is done by removing exposed tissue that is preventing the light to focus as need be.  The surgery is completed when the surgeon seals up the eye by closing the flap.  The eye is given time to heal and vision often returns to near perfect within a matter of twenty-four hours.

Benefits of LASIK

  • Experience: LASIK is a form of laser vision correction that has been in place form more than twenty years. Surgeons have been performing this procedure for many years and are very experienced correcting several defects within the cornea of the eye.
  • Recovery: The recovery process is unlike any other. Your vision starts to become clearer within just a couple hours of surgery.  What other surgical procedure of this nature do you see drastic results like this?
  • Obtainability: LASIK is a very popular procedure and performed across the state of Michigan. Rohr Eye & Laser Center sees patients from all around the area.  It is safe to say that almost every office offering laser vision correction offers LASIK as an available procedure.

Possible Side Effects

All surgeries have the potential for side effects and LASIK is no different, although highly rare.  Possible side effects can include:

  • Flap Complications: In order to reach the cornea a flap is made in the outer layer of the eye. Side effects to the flap specifically can include infection, inflammation, and dislocation.  The flap is intended to adhere back into location right after surgery however is it doesn’t seal back together with the corneal tissue, issues can arise.  The flap rests on the eye so there is opportunity present for it to dislodge during healing.  Therefore, it is recommended to lay low and avoid any contact sports or intense activities during the healing process.
  • Dry Eye: Dry eyes can occur after laser vision correction surgery. Nerves in the eye are cut during the procedure which can reduce the sensation to blink.  When a person doesn’t blink often enough it will not stay as lubricated as it needs to.  Although uncomfortable, dry eyes will often improve quickly.

LASIK is one of many laser vision correction methods performed at Rohr Eye and Laser Center.  For a detailed, FREE consultation call the office to schedule a time to meet with our dedicated team.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

 

 

Recovery After Lasik: What to Expect

LASIK is a common surgical procedure that is performed everyday throughout the United States.  The biggest concern that most patients have surrounds recovery.  It is important to note that although the surgery last only a few minutes per eye, the long-term recovery process, complete healing, can take upwards of six months.  Here are some common side effects and how you can relieve them.

Overall Discomfort and Minor Pain

Most LASIK patients describe a certain level of discomfort during and after laser vision surgery.  The most common sensations are light sensitivity, burning, or ripping.  Some patients say they barely notice these symptoms while others find them to be quite bothersome.  Symptoms can vary a great deal between what LASIK procedures and technique was used.  This minor pain and overall discomfort should dissipate in about two to four hours after the surgery.

Redness

Redness is a normal side effect of laser vision surgery and recovery.  Some patients experience dark red spots in the whites of their eyes for a couple of days after their surgery.  These spots are very similar to bruising and can take weeks to completely disappear.

Dry Eyes

One of the most common symptoms after LASIK is dry eyes.  More than fifty percent of patients express their need for eye drops after surgery.  Surgeons will recommend you purchase eye drops before the surgery in addition to the prescription eye drops that are prescribed to prevent infection and inflammation.

After the procedure you will be required to meet with your surgeon the next day for a post-operative appointment.  During this appointment you will have your vision checked and the ophthalmologist will check to make sure that your corneas are healing.  This is the time to address any symptoms you are experiencing with your doctor.  You will have several appointments throughout the healing process to verify that they process is occurring properly.  The intervals for these appointments will be one month, three months, and six months.  At the sixth month visit your eyes should be completely healed and your vision stabilized.

After surgery, to avoid complications, there are a number of activities that should be avoided including from wearing make-up to avoiding strenuous activities.  It is also important to avoid getting soap and water in your eye and you should avoid swimming or any activity in which you submerse your head in water.   Computer use should also be avoided or used cautiously.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

 

 

Recovering from Cataract Surgery

Recovering from cataract surgery should be relatively short and unexciting especially when your health is good and there aren’t any other major issues with your eyes.  Based on statistics, once a cataract has been removed your chances of an excellent outcome and sharper vision.

Cataract surgeries without complications most often takes under ten minutes from start to finish.  Right after surgery patients will rest in a recovery room until the affects of sedation and anesthesia wear off.  Recovery usually lasts anywhere between a half hour to an hour. You will not be able to see clearly right away so it is important to have someone available to drive you home after cataract surgery.  Patients are given a pair of sunglasses for the ride home to protect their eyes from the sunshine and light glare.

Once patients are at home they are advised to take it easy for the rest of the day.  Your surgeon will tell when you can take off the protective shield that has been placed over your eye.  This is usually possible after several hours however, it is important to follow the instructions that you are given for your unique situation.  Remember that you will need to use the protective shield when you are sleeping for protection while your eye is recovering from surgery.  This will need to be done for several days.

Recovery Time

Your vision will appear cloudy and distorted for awhile once you have removed the shield from your eye.  Your vision can take some time to adjust after the removal of a cataract.  Once your eye adapts to the intraocular lens that has replaced your natural lens the cloudiness in your eye will disappear. However, during this process some patients mention that their vision is a bit wavy and distorted.  If you experience this, it is important to note that it should last only about an hour.

After cataract surgery you may notice that your eyes are redder and bloodshot.  This is temporary because of damage to the blood vessels on the surface of the white part of your eye that can occur during surgery.  As your eye heals from cataract surgery this redness will disappear.

Many cataract patients report that their vision is clear within hours after surgery.  This however, varies from patient to patient.  Each person heals at a different speed.  It is crucial that you do not rush your recovery.  Even though some patients see clearly within hours of surgery some take as long as a week or two before they see sharp images.

Cataract patients will most often see their surgeon the day after their surgery to look for signs of complications.  After this period, it will be up to each patient individually to contact their surgeon if they have concerns or don’t feel the improvement in their vision is occurring how they thought it would.

Some people report dry, scratchy eyes right after cataract surgery however, as your eye begins to heal this will slowly fade.  About a month after cataract surgery patients are considered recovered and their eyes should be completely healed.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com

An Overview on Cataracts

What is a cataract? 

Cloudiness over the natural lens of the eye, which sites in back of the iris and pupil is an eye disease known as CATARACTS.

Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss for people over forty.  In fact, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness throughout the world.  More cases of cataracts are diagnosed worldwide than diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma put together.  There are currently more than twenty-two million Americans over forty with cataracts which is expected to grow to over thirty million by the year 2020.

The Three Types of Cataracts

Subcapsular Cataracts: Subcapsular cataracts often affect people with diabetes or those taking high doses of steroid medication.  This type of cataract occurs at the back of the lens.

Nuclear Cataracts: Nuclear cataracts are most often associated with aging and are located deep within the central zone, nucleus, of the lens.

Cortical Cataracts: Cortical cataracts start in the periphery of the lens and work toward the middle like the spoke of a wheel.  This type of cataract occurs in the lens cortex.  The lens cortex is the part of the lens that surrounds the center nucleus.

The Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts

At first a cataract has very little effect on your vision as it starts out small.  Your vision may appear a bit hazy or blurred at first, as if you are looking at life through a cloud.  If you start to notice you are seeing things a bit blurrier than you once did it may be time to have your eyes tested to see if your vision issues are caused by cataracts.

When you have a cataract light of all kinds, natural and artificial, may appear intense.  When you are driving at night the headlight may glare more vividly than they previously had been seen.  Depending on the type of cataracts that you have could determine the symptoms you have and when they will start to appear.  When the most common cataract, nuclear, first begins to develop a temporary improvement in your close-up vision may occur.   This is often referred to as “second site.”  This vision improvement only occurs for a short period of time and disappears as the cataract continues to develop.  Subcapsular cataracts, on the other hand, may not produce symptoms until it has developed completely.

To diagnosis cataracts you must schedule an appointment to meet with your ophthalmologist.  Once they have completed a thorough eye exam they can suggest a treatment option, surgical or not.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.