by EyeLASIK | Jun 9, 2016 | Eye LASIK, Procedure
Just remember to relax…a lot!
Simply put, LASIK eye surgery is life changing. The procedure is now one of the safest vision correction procedures you can have. It’s no wonder millions of people have chosen to have LASIK. Although the surgery is a simple procedure, there is still a recovery period. However, recovery after LASIK is usually quick and is relatively pain free! Although you may have discomfort for a day or two after the procedure, there is less recovery time than many other same day procedures. Here’s our list of things you can do to ensure that you have a successful LASIK recovery!
Get Your ZZZ’s
After your procedure, go home and take a nap. Allow your eyes to rest. Although LASIK is a safe and simple procedure, your eyes will still need time to recover. The best way to promote healing is to keep them closed. Most patients experience some irritation once the topical anesthetic wears off. By keeping your eyes closed, you can minimize this irritation.
Protective Eyewear Is Important To A Successful LASIK Recovery
You’ll be given safety glasses or goggles to wear after your procedure. Anytime you are outside to prevent any dirt or debris from getting into your eyes, especially during the first 24 to 48 hours during your LASIK recovery, you should wear these. Wearing your protective eyewear anytime you sleep for the first week after the procedure will help prevent you from accidentally hitting or rubbing your eyes during your sleep.
Avoid The Rub
Rubbing your eyes during your LASIK recovery period can cause complications. It can cause the flap created during the procedure to become irritated. That can lead to blurry vision and possibly the need for more surgery. This is another great reason to take a nap after your procedure. Sleeping will keep you from feeling the need to rub your eyes while you’re asleep.
One Drop At A Time
You’ll be given a prescription for eye drops to use post-operatively. It’s important to use them as prescribed by your ophthalmologist during your LASIK recovery. These drops will most likely include an antibiotic, a steroid, and possibly an anti-inflammatory medication to prevent infection and swelling. It also helps alleviate some of the irritation you may feel shortly after the procedure. If you have any questions on how to use your drops, ask your physician before you leave the surgery center.
Use Artificial Tears During Recovery
In addition to prescription drops, you will receive drops in your LASIK kit that can be used to moisturize your eyes. Use them! Artificial tears will help with the discomfort following your LASIK procedure. They also keep your corneas hydrated, which will allow them to heal quickly and properly. These drops can be used as often as needed. If you will be using them at the same time as your prescription drops, use the tears first and then wait five minutes before instilling the prescribed drops.
Using these five tips will help to ensure a smooth LASIK recovery and help alleviate any discomfort. If you have any questions, be sure to check with your surgeon or one of our great staff members if you have any additions questions or need more recommendations!
by EyeLASIK | May 26, 2016 | eye health
Don’t shy away from these unusual eye conditions!
Your eyes are incredible. Many writers have waxed poetic about them, including calling them windows to the soul. But your eyes can also do some really odd things, causing you to ask, “Is my eye condition serious?” There are many unusual eye conditions out there that sound much more official than they are in actuality. EyeLASIK is here to share more!
Official Name: Myokymia
Layman’s Term: Twitchy eyelids
It starts out innocuously enough, then your eyelid just starts going crazy and you feel like your eye is going to take flight. While it’s incredibly annoying, twitchy eyelids are relatively harmless. Alternating hot and cold on your eyes while resting your eyes can help alleviate the symptoms. If you’re experiencing continuous symptoms, be sure to contact your doctor.
Official Name: Photophobia
Layman’s Term: Light sensitivity
Photophobia isn’t an aversion to having your photograph taken. It’s actually an extreme sensitivity to light. While this isn’t an eye condition in itself, it is a symptom of several possible conditions. Talk to your healthcare professional to determine the best way to proceed and during that time, be sure to wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.
Official Name: Conjunctivitis
Layman’s Term: Pinkeye
While incredibly contagious, most cases of pinkeye clears up on its own or after a round of antibiotic drops. It’s essentially an infection of the conjunctiva and causes the blood vessels of the sclera, the clear “film” overlaying the eye, to become red and itchy.
Official Term: Pinguecula
Layman’s Term: Bumps on your eyeball
These non-cancerous bumps appear to be yellowish and appear to be slightly raised. Pingueculae are caused by UV exposure. For the most part, these are mostly cosmetic, though they can become inflamed (be sure to ask your doctor to confirm your diagnosis). If they’re particularly bothersome, they can be surgically removed. Wear your shades and prevent these!
We hope this has taken some of the fear out of some crazy sounding eye conditions.
by EyeLASIK | May 11, 2016 | Eye LASIK
LASIK Surgeons 411
Many people spend a lot of time researching before purchasing a new car: gas mileage, safety rating, and pricing. Choosing LASIK surgeons is very similar to researching any other major purchase. It’s important to choose the best surgeon available…and EyeLASIK is here to share our tips!
Finding Good LASIK Surgeons
There are several factors to consider when you check for a qualified surgeon, such as great credentials and willingness to work with a patient to resolve if a possible problem arises following a procedure.
- Licensing: You should validate a surgeon’s credentials through a state licensing board.. You also can check a surgeon’s credentials through the National Practitioner Data Bank.
- Board Certification: A board certified surgeon goes beyond simply having a basic license to practice medicine. It ensures that an impartial entity recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties has certified the surgeon to practice in his or her specialty. The American Board of Ophthalmology is one such entity that requires board-certified physicians to complete specific training and continuing education related to the specialty.
- Membership in the American College of Surgeons (ACS): The ACS upholds ethical standards of conduct for all members, who must be board certified.
- Referrals & Reviews: Ask for a referral from your regular eye care practitioner, whether an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. EyeLASIK has a large network of referring doctors (https://eyelasikmidland.com/doctors-networks/). You should also read reviews on social networks such as Facebook and Google+…it’s a great way to see how other patients felt about their experience.
- Advertisements: As with any advertisement, some ads are more informative than others. Some tout extremely good pricing. But while this can be a starting point, keep in mind that an ad or a procedure price should not be your only criterion when choosing a doctor.
- Other resources: Visiting the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s website (aao.org) is a start! Utilize their “Find an Eye MD” feature (be sure to specify “refractive surgery” under “specialty”). The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) also maintains an online membership list and “Find a Surgeon” feature.
With over 30 years of experience and over 30,000 surgeries, you can be assured that the surgeons at EyeLASIK are the most experienced in West Texas. The doctors of Eye LASIK Midland selected Dr. Tschoepe and Dr. Walters to provide surgical services because of the excellent results they achieve and their history as innovators in eye surgery.
Both of our surgeons are:
- Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology;
- Members of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery;
- Members of the Texas Ophthalmologic Association;
- Members of the Texas Medical Association; and
- Members of American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Since 2000 Eye LASIK Midland has been the most trusted laser center on the Permian Basin as evidenced by those who know us best. More eye doctors refer their family members and their patients to Eye LASIK Midland than any other provider in this area. Schedule your free consultation with our amazing team today!
by EyeLASIK | Apr 28, 2016 | Uncategorized
Most native West Texans know that protecting your eyes from the sun is important. We’re going to take a closer look at how UV rays affect your eyes and how you can prevent damage.
Do you know how to pick protective eyewear?
There are several types of ultraviolet (UV) rays, including UVA, UVB, and UVC. Both UVA and UVB rays are attributed as the root cause of sunburns. UVA rays are longer and can penetrate to the middle layer of skin (dermis), whereas UVB rays are shorter and only reach the surface layer. Both of these can cause eye damage.
Excessively exposing your eyes to natural sunlight or any other UV light source (like a tanning bed or a welder’s spark) can cause a condition know as photokeratitis. This is a painful condition similar to getting a sunburn. However, instead of your skin burning, your corneas and conjunctiva are burned. It can take several hours for you to realize that you’ve damaged your eyes. Patients report symptoms including excessive eye watering, constant irritation (similar to having dirt in your eye), or pain.
Long-term effects of repeated UV exposure are various. While chronic photokeratitis sounds uncomfortable, UV exposure can be attributed to several more serious conditions. These include ocular cancers, pterygium (also known as “surfer’s eye”), and cataracts. More cosmetic issues include wrinkles and crow’s feet around the eyes, usually due to squinting.
How To Protect Your Eyes
The easiest way to protect your eyes from damaging UV rays is also very fashionable: simply wear proper sunglasses or wear a hat!
Some tips for choosing a great pair of protective eyewear:
- Make sure your shades of choice include UV-blocking lenses. These should reduce both kinds of UV rays by at least 99%.
- Choose grey-tinted lenses, as they will help to provide more color definition than other tint options.
- Pick lenses that also block out 75-90% of visible light
EyeLASIK hopes we’ve given you an idea of how UV rays affect your eyes and some great reasons to protect them! Be made in the shade(s) this spring and summer!
by EyeLASIK | Apr 14, 2016 | Eye LASIK
Increase Your Confidence Level With LASIK!
Springtime is all about new beginnings. Those of us here at EyeLASIK are no different! We’re here to share some of the great benefits of the procedure, so you can start some new beginnings after LASIK!
Save More!
Wearing glasses and contacts can be expensive, even with insurance. If you’re a candidate for the LASIK procedure, you can save the following amounts:
| Product |
Estimated Cost Per Year |
| Contacts |
$275.00 |
| Contact Solution (4) |
$50.00 |
| Contact Exam |
$125.00 |
| Frames |
$300.00 |
| Lens |
$200.00 |
| Annual Total |
$950.00 |
Over the course of ten years, wearing contacts or glasses can run upwards of $10,000!
Healthier Days Are On The Horizon
One of the biggest drawbacks of contacts is eye infections! Ditching those contacts after LASIK is definitely a new lease on life!
Confidence Booster
Sometimes, it just isn’t the right time for glasses…no one wants to wear frames to their wedding or other formal event! Unfortunately, contacts also don’t always fare well here in West Texas due to allergens, wind, and excessive amounts of dust. LASIK frees you to be able to see clearly without concern over frames obscuring your face or your contacts getting dried out. You’re free to be yourself without dealing with the hassle and that’s a massive confidence booster.
Lose Some Baggage
If you’ve ever tried to travel with an assortment of glasses or contacts, you know what a pain it is. Rewetting drops, cloth cleaners, and contact cases are just a few of the things you have to keep in a travel kit. LASIK allows you to lighten your load a bit and travel more freely.
You Only Have One Pair Of Glasses To Keep Up With
…and those are you sunnies! EyeLASIK always recommends wearing sunglasses, whether you’re our patient or not! Only having to keep up with your sunglasses is a great benefit of LASIK!
We hope we’ve given you some great insight into what your future holds after LASIK. Talk about some bright rays of sunshine! Be sure to look into our complimentary LASIK consultations here!
