LASIK AND CATARACT
LASIK
LASIK
LASIK, short for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is the most common form of vision correction surgery. When the cornea is irregular in shape, light rays entering the eye do not focus properly on the retina. This can cause vision problems such as myopia (nearsighted), hyperopia (farsighted) and astigmatism (distorted vision). A surgeon performs LASIK surgery to correct the imperfections of the cornea.
With advancements in LASIK technology, the surgery is now blade-free and utilizes two lasers for a more accurate and less invasive treatment. The surgeon starts with a femtosecond laser to create an opening or flap in the cornea. An excimer laser is then used to reshape the cornea to properly focus light onto the retina. This is a quick and painless procedure that requires minimal recovery time.
Good candidates for LASIK include:
- Up to -12 diopters of myopia, up to +6 diopters of hyperopia, and up to 6 diopters of astigmatism.
- Stable prescription for at least 1 year
- Ideally over 21 years old for stability of prescription
- Good ocular and systemic health
While LASIK is considered a safe procedure, there are potential risks and side effects associated with the surgery. Risks of LASIK include:
- Dry eyes – this is the most common side effect of LASIK and typically only lasts for a few months
- Flap issues – The LASIK flap can dislocate while healing
- Corneal ectasia – When there is too much tissue removed, it can compromise the structural integrity of the cornea
- Regression – Although uncommon, some patients may notice their vision progressively worsening again after LASIK
We know surgery can be a daunting task. Here is a quick guideline of what to expect with LASIK:
- Before the procedure – Your eye doctor will run tests to determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK. These tests include checking for a stable refraction, healthy ocular surface, ruling out corneal abnormalities, and measuring the thickness of the cornea.
- During the procedure – LASIK surgery is a quick, painless procedure that is typically completed in under 30 minutes. The surgeon will make sure your eyes are properly numbed to ensure you don’t feel any discomfort.
- After the procedure – You will be given eye drops to help facilitate the healing process. It is very important to follow the medication regimen your doctor prescribes and temporarily discontinue strenuous activities to ensure proper healing. It is recommended to sleep with a shield over your eyes at night to protect the flap. Most people notice a significant improvement in their vision by the next day. Your vision will continue to improve over the next few days as the inflammation resolves.
At Eye Theory, we work with some of the top LASIK surgeons in the country. Our doctors are trained in preoperative and postoperative care for vision correction surgeries. If you are interested in LASIK or alternatives to glasses and contacts, book a consultation at Eye Theory with one of our doctors.
PRK
PRK
PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, is another form of vision correction surgery that can be used as a LASIK alternative. The main difference between PRK and LASIK is the initial step. Instead of using a femtosecond laser to create a flap, PRK uses an alcohol solution to remove the outermost layer of the cornea. The advantage of PRK is that there is no risk of flap complications that LASIK may have. The disadvantage of PRK is that it requires more recovery than LASIK. PRK may be a better option for people with thin corneas, high prescriptions and safer for high-impact activities as no corneal flap is created.
ICL
ICL
ICL, or Implantable Collamer Lens, is a vision correction surgery that places a thin lens implant between the iris and natural crystalline lens of the eye. Unlike LASIK and PRK, the shape of the cornea is left unaltered. Instead, a small incision in the cornea is made and a collamer lens is inserted behind the iris. This may be a better option for people with high myopia, high astigmatism, and thinner corneas.
Cataracts
CATARACTS
A cataract typically develops due to the maturing of the eye’s natural lens. Over time, the lens grows thicker and opaquer. In rare instances, cataracts can develop earlier due to external factors such as medications and trauma. As light passes through the cataract, it cannot focus properly on the retina. Visual complaints include decreased vision, difficulty seeing at night, and worsening of halos and glare from lights.
There are various types of cataracts depending on which portion of the lens is affected. It is not uncommon to be diagnosed with more than one type of cataract. The types of cataracts include:
- Nuclear Sclerosis Cataract (NSC) – The center of the lens hardens and discolors to a brownish-yellow hue. NSC makes colors less vibrant and dull.
- Cortical Cataract (CC) – Opacities develop at the outer edge of the lens. CC tends to cause significant glaring around lights.
- Posterior Subcapsular Cataract (PSC) – An opacity developing at the back of the lens. PSC typically start small and progresses rapidly. Due to the location of the opacity, PSC tends to have greater impact on vision compared to other types of cataracts.
- Congenital Cataracts – Some people are born with cataracts. They can be associated with genetics, infection or trauma in the womb.
Causes of Cataracts:
- Age of 40 or older
- Medical conditions
- Eye trauma or surgery
- UV exposure
- Chronic use of certain medications such as corticosteroids
My doctor says I have a cataract. What should I do?
Early stages of cataracts do not require treatment. Your eye doctor will monitor the cataracts at your annual eye exam. Once cataracts advance to the point where they significantly impact your vision, you will be referred for cataract surgery. During cataract surgery, the natural lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL). There are different types of IOLs depending on your visual needs. The two categories of IOL are:
- Standard IOL - These are basic lenses designed to help improve your distance vision.
- Advanced IOL – While standard lenses only correct for a single distance, advanced IOLs can correct both distance and near vision as well as astigmatism.
Your eye doctor will be able to make recommendations based on your visual needs and financial considerations. Our doctors at Eye Theory are trained in preoperative and postoperative cataract care and work closely with top-rated cataract surgeons in the country. If you have cataracts or decreased vision, schedule an appointment at Eye Theory to be evaluated by our doctors.
LASIK
LASIK, short for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is the most common form of vision correction surgery. When the cornea is irregular in shape, light rays entering the eye do not focus properly on the retina. This can cause vision problems such as myopia (nearsighted), hyperopia (farsighted) and astigmatism (distorted vision). A surgeon performs LASIK surgery to correct the imperfections of the cornea.
With advancements in LASIK technology, the surgery is now blade-free and utilizes two lasers for a more accurate and less invasive treatment. The surgeon starts with a femtosecond laser to create an opening or flap in the cornea. An excimer laser is then used to reshape the cornea to properly focus light onto the retina. This is a quick and painless procedure that requires minimal recovery time.
Good candidates for LASIK include:
- Up to -12 diopters of myopia, up to +6 diopters of hyperopia, and up to 6 diopters of astigmatism.
- Stable prescription for at least 1 year
- Ideally over 21 years old for stability of prescription
- Good ocular and systemic health
While LASIK is considered a safe procedure, there are potential risks and side effects associated with the surgery. Risks of LASIK include:
- Dry eyes – this is the most common side effect of LASIK and typically only lasts for a few months
- Flap issues – The LASIK flap can dislocate while healing
- Corneal ectasia – When there is too much tissue removed, it can compromise the structural integrity of the cornea
- Regression – Although uncommon, some patients may notice their vision progressively worsening again after LASIK
We know surgery can be a daunting task. Here is a quick guideline of what to expect with LASIK:
- Before the procedure – Your eye doctor will run tests to determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK. These tests include checking for a stable refraction, healthy ocular surface, ruling out corneal abnormalities, and measuring the thickness of the cornea.
- During the procedure – LASIK surgery is a quick, painless procedure that is typically completed in under 30 minutes. The surgeon will make sure your eyes are properly numbed to ensure you don’t feel any discomfort.
- After the procedure – You will be given eye drops to help facilitate the healing process. It is very important to follow the medication regimen your doctor prescribes and temporarily discontinue strenuous activities to ensure proper healing. It is recommended to sleep with a shield over your eyes at night to protect the flap. Most people notice a significant improvement in their vision by the next day. Your vision will continue to improve over the next few days as the inflammation resolves.
At Eye Theory, we work with some of the top LASIK surgeons in the country. Our doctors are trained in preoperative and postoperative care for vision correction surgeries. If you are interested in LASIK or alternatives to glasses and contacts, book a consultation at Eye Theory with one of our doctors.
PRK
PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, is another form of vision correction surgery that can be used as a LASIK alternative. The main difference between PRK and LASIK is the initial step. Instead of using a femtosecond laser to create a flap, PRK uses an alcohol solution to remove the outermost layer of the cornea. The advantage of PRK is that there is no risk of flap complications that LASIK may have. The disadvantage of PRK is that it requires more recovery than LASIK. PRK may be a better option for people with thin corneas, high prescriptions and safer for high-impact activities as no corneal flap is created.
ICL
ICL, or Implantable Collamer Lens, is a vision correction surgery that places a thin lens implant between the iris and natural crystalline lens of the eye. Unlike LASIK and PRK, the shape of the cornea is left unaltered. Instead, a small incision in the cornea is made and a collamer lens is inserted behind the iris. This may be a better option for people with high myopia, high astigmatism, and thinner corneas.
CATARACTS
A cataract typically develops due to the maturing of the eye’s natural lens. Over time, the lens grows thicker and opaquer. In rare instances, cataracts can develop earlier due to external factors such as medications and trauma. As light passes through the cataract, it cannot focus properly on the retina. Visual complaints include decreased vision, difficulty seeing at night, and worsening of halos and glare from lights.
There are various types of cataracts depending on which portion of the lens is affected. It is not uncommon to be diagnosed with more than one type of cataract. The types of cataracts include:
- Nuclear Sclerosis Cataract (NSC) – The center of the lens hardens and discolors to a brownish-yellow hue. NSC makes colors less vibrant and dull.
- Cortical Cataract (CC) – Opacities develop at the outer edge of the lens. CC tends to cause significant glaring around lights.
- Posterior Subcapsular Cataract (PSC) – An opacity developing at the back of the lens. PSC typically start small and progresses rapidly. Due to the location of the opacity, PSC tends to have greater impact on vision compared to other types of cataracts.
- Congenital Cataracts – Some people are born with cataracts. They can be associated with genetics, infection or trauma in the womb.
Causes of Cataracts:
- Age of 40 or older
- Medical conditions
- Eye trauma or surgery
- UV exposure
- Chronic use of certain medications such as corticosteroids
My doctor says I have a cataract. What should I do?
Early stages of cataracts do not require treatment. Your eye doctor will monitor the cataracts at your annual eye exam. Once cataracts advance to the point where they significantly impact your vision, you will be referred for cataract surgery. During cataract surgery, the natural lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL). There are different types of IOLs depending on your visual needs. The two categories of IOL are:
- Standard IOL - These are basic lenses designed to help improve your distance vision.
- Advanced IOL – While standard lenses only correct for a single distance, advanced IOLs can correct both distance and near vision as well as astigmatism.
Your eye doctor will be able to make recommendations based on your visual needs and financial considerations. Our doctors at Eye Theory are trained in preoperative and postoperative cataract care and work closely with top-rated cataract surgeons in the country. If you have cataracts or decreased vision, schedule an appointment at Eye Theory to be evaluated by our doctors.
SEE GREAT
Glasses and Contacts
We understand everybody is different. Our doctors make recommendations based off your lifestyle needs to help you achieve your maximum visual potential.
FEEL GREAT
Infection · Trauma · Loss of vision
CO-MANAGEMENT
LASIK and Cataract
