Is LASIK Eye Surgery a Safe and Effective Option for Teens?

Is LASIK eye surgery a safe and effective option for your children?

Here at InSight Vision Center, we will address all your concerns related to refractive surgeries and advanced eye care. From what is the right option for a teen and the ideal age to undergo a refractive surgery to the cons and consequences of LASIK for teenagers, every question regarding vision correction will be answered keeping your best interests in mind.

Why Myopia Has Become a Worldwide Epidemic?

Did you know that the number of short-sighted teens has grown tremendously in the recent past? Today a shocking 90% of teens leaving school wear glasses and the prevalence rate of short-sightedness has almost doubled in the USA over the past 3 decades. Research has confirmed that most myopia cases develop during school years and tend to stabilize by the early twenties. In rare cases, the condition continues to progress eve after the mid-twenties. Many genetic factors and environmental elements are also known to cause myopia which is why today most teens are suffering from vision problems.

Is LASIK the Right Choice for a Teenager?

At InSight Vision Center, we want that every patient receives utmost care and has a successful surgical experience. This is why our staff is very discerning when it comes to considering an ideal candidate for Lasik. Many factors are to be taken into consideration prior to deciding the eligibility for a LASIK procedure and one of it is the stability of the condition. The maturity of myopia plays a vital role in ensuring a sustainable positive outcome. A candidate is considered eligible for a refractive procedure only if he/she has a vision prescription that has stabilized over the previous year. As a teenager’s eyes are still in the development phase, the vision prescription keeps changing and that is why their eyes would need an enhancement procedure in the near future even after a successful LASIK procedure.

The Ideal Age to Undergo a LASIK Procedure

As soon as a teen learns that he/she needs to wait for a while for their vision prescription to stabilize, the first thing they want to know is how long they need to wait before surgery becomes a viable option for them to get rid of their glasses. Unfortunately, there is no definite age that can be considered perfect for undergoing a refractive procedure, as every patient is unique and the eyes change and develop at their own pace. Again, the best way to confirm that the eyes have reached a steady phase is a stable vision prescription. Most eye surgeons, therefore, recommend waiting until the age of 18. However, even at this age it is possible that the eyes may not have attained complete vision stability.

Best Alternatives to LASIK eye surgery

The best possible options to a LASIK surgery are reading glasses or contact lenses but none of these bring the freedom offered by a minimally invasive LASIK procedure. However, lenses and glasses are highly effective at restoring clear vision until the patient is eligible for a vision correction surgery.

Why Is It Wiser to Wait for a Little Longer for LASIK?

LASIK is a safe and effective procedure for treating myopia but in order to achieve lasting results, it is important to have a stable prescription. Lasik eye surgery efficiently restores vision but when the eyes continue to develop and change, it fails to give excellent results over the years. Glasses can be changed every year but a laser eye surgery cannot be treated as a top-up solution in case the vision continues to change post surgery. Most patients that undergo a refractive surgery in their early twenties experience excellent, long-lasting outcomes.

Should a Teen Still Consider a Laser Consultation?

Certainly, as some eyes tend to stabilize at an early age and there are surgeries that have been highly successful on patients who are as young as 18. An initial consultation will help in establishing the shape and the thickness of the cornea. This information helps the eye surgeon decide if the candidate can undergo a LASIK eye surgery or would need to wait a little longer. A consultation also helps in diagnosing an underlying eye condition known as keratoconus and this would mean that a surgery would not be possible at any age. A consultation also brings the opportunity to explore other vision correction surgeries such as implantable lenses. While most teens need to wait until they hit twenty, contact lenses are the most suitable, teenage-friendly option. They make a safe, comfortable and fuss-free solution.

Want to know if LASIK is right for your child? Talk to our LASIK surgeons at 559-449-5050.

Precautions To Take Before and After Lasik Eye Surgery

It is important to take care of your eyes. Sometimes you may experience eye defects like astigmatism, bifocal vision, nearsightedness and farsightedness. LASIK eye surgery is a surgical procedure used to correct eye defects. Here are some precautions which you need to take before, during and after surgery.

What to do Before LASIK Surgery?

1. To ascertain if you are a good candidate for LASIK, an eye examination must be performed. In order to have a good surgery you will have to stop wearing contact lenses weeks before the evaluation by the surgeon. Wearing contact lenses changes the shape of your cornea.
   • You must not wear soft contact lenses for up to two weeks before the surgery.
   • Toric lenses or gas permeable lenses must not be worn for up to three weeks before the surgery.
   • Hard lenses must be stopped four weeks before the surgery.
2. You must tell the surgeon about your medical history and any medication you are allergic to. Discuss with the doctor about the outcome of the surgery and the precautions to take.
3. Stop using perfumes, makeup, lotions and creams day before the surgery. Make arrangements to travel to and from the surgery centre.

What Happens During LASIK Surgery?

1. The lasik surgery procedure lasts for 30 minutes. During the surgery a mechanical microkeratome or laser keratome will be used. Your vision may be reduced or you might have some sort of pain during the surgery. Your vision may be blurred you will have to stare at a light for about 60 seconds. You are not the right candidate for LASIK if you cannot stare at this light for 60 seconds.
2. A shield will be placed over your eye at the end of the surgery. You must wear it.
3. You must not work on the day of the surgery.

What to do After LASIK Surgery?

You must have transportation available to take you home after the surgery. You will have some pain in your eye after the surgery but you must not rub the eye or touch it. You must take plenty of rest. Take some days off from work, university or school. If the pain increases and you feel a lot of tenderness in the eye please contact the surgeon. You must see the doctor twenty within four to forty eight hours after the surgery. You must also visit the doctor for the first six months at regular intervals after the procedure.

You will be given eye drops to lubricate your eyes. You must use these eye drops. Any medication to reduce pain and antibiotics must also be taken. Take precautions to prevent eye infections. You must wear sun glasses to protect your eyes from the harmful effects of sun light and dust. Don’t watch television or use computers for up to twenty four to forty eight hours after the procedure. Avoid drinking alcohol for a couple of weeks after the surgery. Don’t use contact lenses until your eye heals and also follow your doctor’s advice. Don’t take a shower for twenty four to forty eight hours after the procedure and after that take a bath instead of the shower.

You should not work for some weeks after the procedure. You must wait for up to four weeks before indulging in any sports. Don’t use creams, lotions and eye make up for up to two weeks after the procedure. Do not indulge in swimming activities, hot tubs or whirlpools two to three months after the procedure. Contact your doctor if there is pain and heaviness in your eyes.

Taking care of your eyes is very important to avoid complications before and after the LASIK surgery. If there is any problem with your eyes then you must consult your surgeon immediately. You must follow the advice of your doctor and your eyes will be healthy and your vision will be restored after LASIK.

If you want to learn more about LASIK, please contact our experienced eye surgeons at InSight Vision Center by calling 559-449-5050

Contact Lenses vs LASIK

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are worn directly over the cornea. They perform the same function as eyeglasses. Refractive errors are corrected by contact lenses and eye glasses. Contact lenses are safe to use and are a good alternative to eye glasses. 24 million people in the U.S.A. wear contact lenses.

Contact lenses are used to correct conditions such as:

• Presbyopia (Bifocals are needed)
• Astigmatism (Vision is distorted)
• Hyperopia (Far sightedness)
• Myopia (Near sightedness)

Choose an optometrist who is experienced. You must have a pair of eye glasses as a backup. Which contact lenses to choose depends on your medical condition. There are two kinds of contact lenses which are soft lenses and gas permeable lenses.

Contact lenses should not be worn for a very long time and must be removed at bed time. Damage can occur to the cornea if not properly used. The cornea can catch infections if it is not properly cleaned and cared for.

Intolerance can develop if lenses are not worn properly. Gas permeable lenses can cause damage to the cornea if not worn properly or worn during sleep. They can be hidden under the lid of the eye. They can pop out of the eye. Protein build up can cause lens related allergies. Discomfort and blurring can occur. It is important to clean the lens properly. People with allergies must use disposable or rigid gas permeable lenses.

Some conditions can stop you from wearing lenses:

• Not taking proper care of the lenses
• Dirty working environment
• Dry eye
• Allergies
• Eye infections

Contact lenses should be cleaned to remove germs and prevent any infections. They should be replaced every 3 months. Don’t use contact lenses solution again. Dispose off the lenses solution in the lens case after each use and let the case air dry. Do not put your lens in your mouth. Don’t use homemade cleaning solutions. Use only good quality eye drops. Wash hands before wearing lenses. Don’t share your lens. Don’t use fashion lenses.

Follow the guidelines of the optometrist. Consult an optometrist if your eyes are sensitive to light, your eyes are painful, your eye is red for more than two days, you have discharge coming out of your eyes, you have blurry vision or your eyes feel scratchy. Get your eyes checked every year as a precaution.

LASIK

LASIK is a better option for people with eye vision defects. This type of surgery is safer and has better long term benefits than wearing contact lenses. For the surgery your eyes will first be evaluated and surgery will then be scheduled.

Before the surgery don’t wear contact lenses for up to a week. Eat a light meal before the surgery and avoid wearing any head bands which may interfere in the surgery. The surgery lasts for 10 to 30 minutes. A medical device called microkeratome is used and the cornea is reshaped during the process. Local anesthesia is given to the patient during this time. Your vision may be blurred for some time after the surgery. This improves substantially after 24 hours and recovery is very fast. You must visit your doctor 24 to 48 hours after the surgery and at regular intervals for up to six months.

Advantages of LASIK:

The vision is corrected and you will have the desired vision after LASIK surgery. The patient experiences less pain because of the numbing drops which are used. Vision is corrected immediately or the next day. Bandages and stitches are not required after LASIK. Patients no longer need eye glasses or contact lenses after LASIK.

The possibility of eye infections is more in contact lenses wearers. An experienced surgeon must be consulted for LASIK. They must use the latest technology. Don’t let cost come in the way. Tell the surgeon your medical history. Consult your surgeon whenever needed.

Call us at 559-449-5050 to know which is the best option for you.

How Can a LASIK Eye Surgery Procedure Help Your Eyesight?

There are different types of refractive surgeries that improve eyesight problems and eliminate dependence on visual aids. Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is one solution that has become quite popular because of the many benefits it offers.

What is LASIK and What Are It’s Benefits?

LASIK is a laser operation that uses ‘excimer’ UV rays to alter the shape of the cornea. This corrects any errors that cause visual impairment, when light does not focus accurately on the retina.

Data collected by research firm Market Scope estimated that over 600,000 LASIK procedures were performed throughout the USA in 2011 alone. Why, then, is there such a high patient count for a procedure that has been around since 1991?

The answer lies in the benefits that patients enjoy. Here’s why is a good treatment choice for those who qualify for it:

1. 1. Lasting Solution and Quick Vision Correction

Sight improvement after a LASIK procedure is, in most cases, permanent. Sometimes, blurry vision can reoccur, in which case patients have to follow up with LASIK enhancement to restore their vision. However, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that LASIK surgery has a success rate of up to 90%, with most patients recovering anywhere between 20/20 and 20/40 vision. As it is a laser procedure, it is quick and almost painless. This is hugely beneficial and convenient for the patient. The surgery only takes around 10 to 30 minutes.

1. 1. Low-Cost Procedure and Saves Money

Compared to other refractive procedures, LASIK surgery is more affordable. The average cost ranges between $1,700 and $4,000 per eye, depending on your chosen eye care center, geographical location, your vision problem, etc. Many eye clinics also provide flexible financing methods (medical insurance, monthly installments, credit card payments, etc.). Since the results of this surgery last for years to come and may also last a lifetime. This saves you a lot of money as you no longer need to invest heavily in eyeglasses or contact lenses.

1. 1. Fast Recovery and Minimal Pain

Your eye surgeon will make a small incision on the cornea, to create a flap of tissue that will be lifted during the surgery. Since the laser correction surgery is minimally invasive, recovery times tend to be fast. Some patients report improvements within a day or two, and most recover full vision function within a week. Contrary to the belief, this procedure is minimally invasive and hence is almost painless.

1. 1. Natural Facial Attributes

An added bonus of this procedure is that it allows you to maintain your natural facial look. After prolonged periods of wearing prescription glasses, the eyes eventually look smaller or larger, since corrective lenses increase the eyes’ axial length (the retina continually adjusts backward or forward for clearer vision).

1. 1. Ability to take part in different activities

Professional activities such as acting, athletics, defense etc., require correct vision. LASIK provides safe, reliable, quick, long lasting results and a near perfect vision. This allows the person to take up different activities which require correct vision.

1. 1. Reduced Risks of Allergies and Infections

Many patients who underwent LASIK have shared cases of reduced allergy symptoms. These include reduction in sinus due to lack of pain resulting from glasses sitting on the nose, lesser headaches and lack of irritation and redness in the eye due to constant use of contact lenses.

1. 1. Better Quality of Life

By eliminating visual aids, LASIK provides many other benefits. For instance, there will be less eye irritation, redness or allergic reactions caused by contact lenses. What’s more, not having to wear glasses will:

1. • Eliminate sinus pain caused by the bridge of prescription glasses pressing on your nose
   • Get rid of headaches caused by the muscles in your eyes becoming overworked by corrective lenses
   • Improve side vision, which is usually blocked by the frame of eye glasses
   • Reduce glare from lenses that causes poor night time vision

Who Makes a Good Candidate?

LASIK is often recommended to patients who suffer from hyperopia (farsightedness) myopia (shortsightedness) or astigmatism (a vision defect associated with distorted or blurry images).

It can also correct vision problems caused by glaucoma disease, but only if there is no damage to the optic nerve and intraocular pressure remains normal when wearing contacts or eyeglasses. A vision test will determine the severity of glaucoma symptoms and determine whether this refractive surgery is a viable treatment option or not.

Patients with dry eyes or thin corneas may not qualify for this procedure, and it cannot restore cataract-triggered vision loss. If you’re unqualified for Lasik surgery, an ophthalmologist can suggest alternative refractive or laser technology procedures like PRK, which offer similar results.

Is LASIK Safe?

Like any surgical procedure, LASIK has risks. For instance, migrations of the corneal flap can cause complications such as inflammation, infections or even excess lacerations. There is also a possibility of developing dry eyes, double vision or haloes (mild glare) in the eye.

In rare cases, vision clarity may even deteriorate further, especially when patients miss follow-ups or fail to abide by post-operative care instructions. Some patients may be more predisposed to complications than others, in which case other alternative treatment options should be considered.

A professional consultation will help determine if you meet the medical requirements for a LASIK procedure. Contact the specialists at Insight Vision Center today!