by EyeLASIK | Aug 18, 2016 | better vision, Eye LASIK, laser vision correction surgery
One of the most common question we receive is “am I too old/young for LASIK?” While there’s no standard minimum or maximum on the procedure, we’re here to discuss the right age for LASIK.
Am I Too Old For LASIK?
There’s an old adage that “age ain’t nothin’ but a number.” However, medically speaking, it can make some difference. However, you may not be “too old” for LASIK. While there is not a maximum age for the procedure, each patient should be assessed individually to determine eligibility. This is all taken care of during your complimentary consultation with EyeLASIK
Am I Too Young For LASIK?
Do you know the “right” age for LASIK?
If you’ve watch your child struggle with poor vision, you know how difficult this can be. Needing to wear corrective lenses, whether glasses or contacts, can be a hassle during school, in sports, or in social settings. The added responsibility of maintaining contacts or keeping up glasses can be especially cumbersome for children and young adults. However, LASIK is not typically recommended for people 18 years and younger. Like height and shoe size, the eyes still need to mature and stabilize before the procedure can be considered a success. We evaluate each person individually to determine eligibility.
What Is The Right Age For LASIK?
To qualify for the LASIK procedure, your vision must be stable for a defined period of time and you must have good eye health. People with cataracts or eye disease may not qualify as candidates for LASIK. Also, if you are wearing reading glasses now, the likelihood is that you will continue to need them. However, each patient is evaluated individually and is specifically assessed to provide the “right” LASIK age.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have about the procedure and the qualifying criteria that helps determine its success. You can set up your free consultation by filling out this form.
by EyeLASIK | Aug 4, 2016 | Children's Eye Health
August is Children’s Eye Health Month.
August is Children’s Eye Health month, which is convenient since it’s almost time to head back to school. While children are too young for LASIK procedures, we’re here to share some tips on how to keep your kiddos’ eyes as healthy as possible.
Schedule Regular Eye Exams
Unless your child has exhibited symptoms of a more serious eye conditions, eye examinations can generally begin around age three. Annual pediatric appointments will conduct basic eye tests. Your pediatrician should be able to determine if your child should see an ophthalmologist.
Childhood Eye Conditions
Most conditions, such as refractive errors, are easily corrected with glasses or contacts. This is incredibly common in school-aged children.. However, there are several other children vision conditions that are more serious and may require a spet to diagnose and treat. These include:
- Chronic eye infections
- Crossed or wandering eyes
- Drooping eyelid(s)
- Excessive squinting
- Lazy eye
- Color blindness
Eye Safety Tips For Kids
Kids need eye protection, too! Most children are incredibly active, whether in sports or just being kiddos. Be sure to provide protective sports eyewear whenever possible. HAP estimates that children make up the majorityof the 42,000 sports-related injuries that occur each year (https://www.hap.org/health/topic/eyemonth.php). It’s also important to carefully supervise children around sharp objects, such as scissors.
Additionally, kids need to protect their eyes against UV rays, just as adults do. Invest in hats and UV-blocking sunglasses to protect little eyes from photokeratitis (sunburn of the eye).
All of us at EyeLASIK want to make sure your little munchkins are seeing clearly and avoid any injuries. We want to see our smallest patients grow up with healthy vision!
by EyeLASIK | Jul 21, 2016 | Eye Facts
You eyes aren’t mechanical.
The human body is a mysterious thing and your eyes are, too. There are so many urban legends and old wives’ tales floating out there about your eye health. However, EyeLASIK is here to debunk five eye myths.
MYTH #1 – Sitting too close to the television or computer will ruin your eyes.
TRUTH – In fact, if you’re sitting too close to any device, it’s likely that your vision most likely needs a little help already. If you require an item to be near your eyes in order to see it clearly, you may be nearsighted. If you haven’t seen an optometrist, you should definitely set up an appointment. Also, nearsightedness is something LASIK can correct.
MYTH #2 – Looking directly at the sun while wearing sunglasses totally acceptable.
TRUTH – No. There’s zero reason to look directly at the sun. The sun emits damaging UV rays (you can read more about them here). Even the best sunglasses on the market cannot block UV rays 100%. These rays can cause a sunburn-like effect on your eyes known as photokeratitis, in additional to drying out your eyes and causing wrinkles. Just…don’t.
MYTH #3 – Eating carrots makes your eyesight improve.
TRUTH – This is semi-true. Carrots contain beta-carotene, which is a nutrient necessary to help with eyesight. However, carrots alone cannot do the job. Foods such as leafy greens, legumes, fishes high in omega-3’s, and whole grains can provide a boost in critical vitamins and minerals to boost eye function.
MYTH #4 – All vision problems are hereditary.
TRUTH – Some are, some aren’t. Vision issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism are most likely not passed down from your parents. However, diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts could make it down the family tree. Be sure to discuss your family history with your optometrist.
MYTH #5 – Once you have LASIK, there’s no need to continue seeing a regular eye doctor.
TRUTH – This is so false. SO false. While LASIK can definitely help correct vision problems. However, it will not prevent other issues, such as disease or infection. Many of these illnesses come with age, so it’s critical to continue with annual eye examinations.
EyeLASIK is all about educating our patients about how to improve their overall eye health. We hope we’ve helped you bust these five eye myths!
by EyeLASIK | Jul 14, 2016 | eye health
Remember to give your eyes a rest!
How is eye health a lot like plumbing? They’re both easy to overlook when things are going well! When you’re seeing well and have no irritation, you may think there’s no need to go to the eye doctor. However, problems or not, it’s still important to take care of your eyes! Oftentimes, when you wait until you notice a problem, it may be too late. Take a look at these easy ways to be practical about your eye health!
Go Easy On The Morning Coffee
While two servings of caffeine a day can protect against dry eyes, you should slow down on the java! If you have more than 2 servings, caffeine can reduce your tear film, causing your eyes to dry out! This can lead to some serious irritation. So, enjoy your daily buzz…but proceed with caution.
Keep Your Appointments
Having regular exams is critical to your eye health. Make sure your eye doctor knows your accurate health history, including any changes from the time of your last visit. Children should first see the eye doctor between the ages of 6 and 12 months. Adults should have annual eye checkups. And yes…even if you’ve had LASIK and see perfectly, it’s important to detect visual problems early to avoid problems down the road.
Chow Down On The Good Stuff
Eating healthy foods is great for your waistline, heart health, and your eyes too! There are so many great benefits of a healthy diet. Protect against macular degeneration by eating dark leafy greensm, which are rich in lutein, like Swiss chard, kale, and spinach. Choosing foods with high levels of Omega-3, such as fish and walnuts, have been known to reduce inflammation in the blood vessels of the eye.
Take A Break With The 20-20-20 Rule
In a world filled with technology, most people work in front of a computer all day. It is important to give your eyes (and your brain) a break! Remember the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. In addition to breaking the constant strain on your eyes, you can help to refresh them by increased blinking. When using a computer, try to stay an arm’s distance away to avoid dry eyes and strain on your eyes.
Toss The Contact Case Regularly
If you haven’t had LASIK and still wear contacts, be sure to replace your contact lens case every two to three months. The primary reason for contact lens complications is a nasty case. More often than not, contact cases are kept in humid bathroom environments. As clean as your bathroom may be, it’s still a breeding ground for bacteria. Replace your case often and keep it in a clean, dry place. As an extra precaution, entirely empty the case of all the solution daily. Thoroughly rinse and dry the case before putting it away.
EyeLASIK is here to help you take care of your eyes for a lifetime, not just to see clearly. Today’s tips are simple ways to be practical about your eye health so you can enjoy good eye health!
by EyeLASIK | Jun 23, 2016 | eye health, Seasonal Tips & Tricks
Happy Independence Day 2016!
Boom! Bang! Crack! Pow! Before you oooh and aaah over the amazing fireworks this Independence Day weekend, be sure to read our Fourth of July eye safety tips!
Stay In The Shade
The sun is one of the hardest things on your body, including your eyes. Staying in the shade can definitely prevent photokeratitis, the condition that is basically a sunburn on your eyes. An added benefit is that you won’t receive a traditional skin sunburn!
Get Your Grill On…Safely
Burgers, hotdogs, and other yummy foods are a big part of the Independence Day festivities. However, when using a grill, whether charcoal, wood, or gas, you should exercise extreme caution. Flames, smoke, and debris can cause serious eye damage if you aren’t careful. Read your user manual and remember…when it comes to fire, bigger isn’t always better.
Sunnies Are Awesome
Sunglasses are not only a great fashion statement. They also take a lot of the work out of keeping your eyes healthy. Choosing good quality sunglasses with proper UV protection can prevent photokeratitis, squinting (which can cause crow’s feet and wrinkles), and foreign objects from entering your eyes.
The Big Bang
Fireworks are obviously the showstopper of the holiday. It’s definitely important to be very careful around firecrackers. A few tips for preventing eye damage:
- Wear protective eyewear
- Never touch an unexploded firework
- Keep a bucket of water around to place used firecrackers in after they’ve popped
- Never get too close to the firecracker to prevent eye injury and burns.
- Always supervise child near fireworks (We found this video that may be really helpful to show your kids, too! https://youtu.be/BIu1jFLf5Qg)
Everyone at EyeLASIK wishes you an incredibly fun, safe, and happy Fourth of July!
