4109 N. Midland Dr. Midland, TX 79707 // [email protected]

Lasik Eye Surgery May Not Be For Everyone

Lasik Eye Surgery May Not Be For Everyone

Lasik Eye Surgery May Not Be For Everyone

So many people talk about how Lasik Eye surgery has changed their life. We love hearing that, and seeing people who have been referred by our friends who have already seen the benefits of laser vision correction surgery.

There are times, however, people may not be an idea candidate for the procedure. Here are some reasons why Lasik isn’t your best choice. Lasik eye surgery is generally not recommended for patients presenting with non correctable vision problems.

Non correctable vision problems may include any condition where the vision cannot be corrected to a useful degree with either glasses, contacts, or refractive surgery (Lasik/PRK).

Lasik is usually not recommended for patients that have abnormally thin, extremely warped, or extremely damaged corneas (clear window at the front of the eye).

Lasik is also not recommended for people that present with double vision because of an abnormal eye turn (strabismus) that is only corrected with glasses, it is recommended that these patients be consulted by a strabismus surgeon prior to proceeding with Lasik.

Lasik surgery is generally not performed on patients with active ocular disease or infection, as well as patients with certain uncontrolled system problems, such as uncontrolled diabetes.

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for Lasik surgery is to visit Eye LASIK Midland for a comprehensive Lasik consultation. Click HERE or on the image below for your free evaluation.





LASIK Surgery with the Advanced Precision IntraLase

LASIK Surgery with the Advanced Precision IntraLase

We know the decision to have LASIK surgery is a big one, so we take great care to determine what’s best for you as our patient. That’s why we offer IntraLase as step one in your LASIK treatment.

With IntraLase, a beam of laser light is used to create your corneal flap, which is then lifted so the second step of LASIK—the reshaping of your cornea—can be performed. When your LASIK treatment is over, the flap is securely repositioned into place. This bladeless, computer-guided technology is 100 percent more accurate than most of the mechanical microkeratomes (hand-held device with a thin metal blade) that surgeons may also use to create a corneal flap.*

Because of the superior accuracy of IntraLase, certain patients who were ineligible for LASIK may now be able to have treatment. Ask your doctor today if you are a candidate.

IntraLase Offers Assurance and Comfort:

IntraLase has been used successfully on hundreds of thousands of eyes and we trust this advanced technology to deliver exceptional results. Our commitment is to provide you with the ultimate in comfort, safety, and outstanding vision. LASIK with IntraLase can help you achieve all of this—while it delivers the added assurance of knowing you’re being treated with the most advanced technology there is.

How IntraLase works:

 

Unlike mechanical instruments, IntraLase technology is uniquely able to program the dimensions of your flap based on what’s best for your eye. Then the IntraLase laser creates your flap from below the surface of the cornea—without ever cutting it. How?

1. IntraLase uses ultrafast pulses of laser light to position microscopic bubbles at a precise depth determined by your doctor.

2. The laser light passes harmlessly through your cornea. Then the laser creating rows of these bubbles just beneath your corneal surface as it moves back and forth across your eye in a uniform plane.

3. Next, the IntraLase laser stacks bubbles around your corneal diameter to create the edges of your flap. These bubbles are stacked at an angle that is determined by your doctor and is individualized to the way your eye is shaped.

4. The process takes only about 30 seconds from start to finish—it’s quiet and it’s comfortable.

5. Your doctor then gently lifts the flap to allow for the second step of your LASIK treatment. When treatment is complete, the flap easily “locks” back into position and rapidly begins to heal.

LASIK performed with IntraLase is preferred by patients

In a survey of clinical practices, the vision in the IntraLase-treated eye was preferred up to 3 to 1 by patients over the vision in the mechanical blade-treated eye (among those who stated a preference).**

LASIK performed with IntraLase delivers superior visual results

In a clinical study comparing the IntraLase laser to the leading microkeratome, more patients achieved 20/20 vision or better in standard and custom LASIK surgery when IntraLase was used to create the corneal flap.***

Sources:
*Wang M. Femtosecond technology: is now the time to buy? Refractive Eyecare for Ophthalmologists. May 2003;5:7.

** Daniel S Durrie, M.D.: Randomized prospective clinical study of LASIK: IntraLase versus mechanical keratome. Subsets presented at the Joint Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology & the International Society of Refractive Surgery, November 14, 2003, Anaheim, CA, the Symposium of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, May 4, 2004, San Diego, CA, the International Refractive Surgery: Science and Practice, October 23, 2004, New Orleans, LA, and the Symposium of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, April 18, 2005, Washington, DC.

*** Durrie, DS, MD, Kezirian GM, MD. Femtosecond laser versus mechanical keratome flaps in wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis: Prospective contralateral eye study. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2005;31:120-126.

Mkt Doc 213 Rev. A IntraLase is a registered trademark of IntraLase Corp.

Contact Eye LASIK Midland for a complimentary evaluation to learn if laser vision correction surgery is for you HERE or by clicking the image below.





5 Vitamins For Healthy Eyes

5 Vitamins For Healthy Eyes

Eye LASIK Midland offers a new approach to laser vision correction – allowing patients to work with the primary eye doctor they’ve known for years.  This means the patient’s optometrist performs all the work preceding the laser procedure, as well as all the follow-up visits. With Eye LASIK Midland, patients receive premium care from all the doctors they know and trust.

Ready to find out of laser vision correction is for you? Click HERE to request a free consultation.

These Tory Burch sunglasses would be another great way to protect your eyes! Sign up for our newsletter by clicking on the image below and be entered to win.






Optimum Age for Laser Vision Correction Surgery

Optimum Age for Laser Vision Correction Surgery

Nobody likes to think about aging and getting on in years, but for those considering laser vision correction surgery, it’s something that needs to be considered before making a decision.

The Perfect Age for Laser Vision Correction Surgery

The easy answer to the question “is there a perfect age for LASIK?” is no. A patient can have laser vision correction surgery at any age and do well provided the eyes are healthy. The main consideration for LASIK surgery is a prescription that has been stable for at least one year.

This is why the FDA recommends that patients be at least 18 years or older before undergoing the procedure. The growth experienced during adolescence causes constant changes, which includes the eyes. However, there are some teenagers who are good candidates for LASIK because their prescription has been stable for a year or two.

Patients over 50

LASIK, like plastic surgery, has become more popular with people of the baby boomer generation. Many patients over the age of 50 are now considering laser vision correction surgery because they are very active and enjoy activities such as tennis or boating where freedom from glasses for distance would be beneficial.

There is no reason a patient over 50 can’t have LASIK surgery provided they do not have any signs of diseases such as corneal thinning or cataracts which could cause problems during or after the procedure. A family history of glaucoma or other eye disease also needs to be carefully considered before the patient undergoes treatment. Likewise, the patient needs to be healthy systemically, meaning they should not have conditions such as diabetes that can cause changes in the vision on a day to day basis. The patient’s current medications should also be taken into consideration.

Problems with Reading

Patients over 50 also need to be aware that they will most likely need reading glasses after a LASIK procedure. However, there is the option of being treated with what is termed monovision laser vision correction surgery. With monovision, one eye is corrected for distance and the other is corrected for reading up close.

When considering laser vision correction surgery, it’s imperative to have a consult with the surgeon prior to making a decision. Ultimately, it’s up to the ophthalmologist performing the procedure to decide whether or not the patient is a good candidate for surgery, regardless of age.

Find out if Laser Vision Correction Surgery is for you. Schedule your free initial consultation HERE or by clicking on the image below.





Surviving West Texas Allergy Season

Surviving West Texas Allergy Season

Ahhh Spring in West Texas. With all the dust, wind & allergens in the air, it’s no wonder this could be some peoples least favorite season. Don’t let misery keep you inside! If you have dry eyes in addition to spring allergies, your misery this time of year can be compounded. Dry eyes need special care during allergy season until pollen counts lessen and seasonal symptoms subside.

One key to surviving allergy season is prevention. Be sure that you are continuing your usual dry eye care routine as recommended by your physician in order to keep dry eye flares and symptoms to a minimum. Uncontrolled dry eye can make allergy symptoms worse since the eyes do not have enough tears to dilute pollen that gets into the eye. Controlling your spring allergies and your dry eye simultaneously is very important to maintaining your eye health and comfort.

To help keep spring allergies in check it’s best to avoid allergens as much as possible.

Some suggestions during allergy season include:

  1. Watch local pollen counts and try to stay inside when pollen is high or on very windy days.
  2. Use a Hepa filter air cleaner in your home or turn on your air conditioning to filter the air.
  3. Cleanse face and hands after being outside to remove pollen.
  4. Remove outer clothing and shoes before coming into the house to avoid bringing allergens indoors.
  5. Bathe in the evenings to keep pollen out of bedding.

If your efforts at prevention are just not enough, medications are generally used to control allergies. However, for people with dry eye, over-the-counter (OTC) oral antihistamines and allergy eye drops can reduce tear quantity and quality and result in increased dry eye symptoms.

Some of the other steps you can take during allergy season?

  • Increasing the use of artificial tears may help flush out pollen and provide some relief.
  • Using cold compresses can help reduce inflammation.
  • Avoid rubbing the eyes if they are itchy as the action worsens the allergic reaction and can damage the eye.

If you’ve tried everything possible and you are still having significant allergy symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor who can prescribe stronger drops, ointments, or other medications for short-term use to help you through allergy season with minimal discomfort or flaring of your dry eye symptoms.

If your contacts bother you during allergy season, laser correction surgery may be for you! Imagine the comfort & convenience of not having to worry with contacts or glasses. We invite you to take advantage of our complimentary consultation with Eye LASIK Midland. CLICK HERE or on the image below.