Lasik vs Contacts For Correcting Vision

Are you or a loved on interested in LASIK?  Have you thought about how your life would change if you could see clearly without the use of glasses or contacts?  Laser vision correction may be a popular option for you to consider.  The first step in the process is to have a thorough eye exam that will help to determine if you are a good candidate for surgery.

LASIK eye surgery is most often done to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatisms.  Laser surgery involves reshaping the cornea in order for light entering the eye can focus properly on the retina which allows for clearer vision.  For most people their vision is improved within a matter of twenty-four hours after surgery.  If you are looking for clear vision without the need for glasses or contacts, LASIK can offer you that. 

There are a few things to remember when preparing for LASIK surgery including:

• Laser vision surgery can be done in both eyes during the same appointment.
• LASIK takes approximately ten to fifteen minutes per eye.
• Patients must be over the age of 18 to qualify for LASIK.
• Many LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision and no longer require the use of contacts or glasses.
• Recovering from LASIK often requires anywhere between a few days and a few weeks for your vision to return to normal.

For some patients LASIK can seem quite daunting and they will decide to trade in their glasses for contacts instead of laser vision correction.  Contacts are an ideal solution for patients who aren’t ready to commit to LASIK but no longer are interested in wearing glasses.  Most contact lenses are silicone hydrogel lenses which are a type of soft lens that can be worn daily.  Some contact lenses are known as extended wear lenses and can be worn overnight or continuously for thirty days.

There are a few things to remember when preparing to wear contacts:

• Contact lenses need to be replaced often to decrease the chance of contamination
• There are several types of contacts available to correct various vision issues
• Contact lenses can be customized for eyes that are difficult to fit
• Options in lenses include colored lenses, lenses for dry eyes, lenses with bifocals, UV reducing lenses, and even prosthetic lenses

Both LASIK and contacts are safe.  There are risks of infection with both if care is not taken but side effects are rare. 

Both LASIK and contacts are effective.  Vision is improved with both laser correction surgery and the use of contact lenses.  Adjusting for vision changes is easier with contacts however, LASIK patients can also adjust for vision changes with the use of glasses for reading or nighttime driving.
Both LASIK and contacts are affordable.  Laser vision correction ranges between $1,500 to $2,500 per eye.  Contacts are cost about $300 a year.  The only downside is that the cost of contacts never disappears.  You will need to purchase new contacts yearly.

Obviously, LASIK is a great option for correcting your vision on a permanent basis however, surgery is not for everyone.  Contacts are a wonderful change for individuals who want a change from wearing glasses to improve their vision.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

Common Myths about Cataracts

When it comes to taking care of your eyes as you age you will certainly receive a lot of information both accurate and inaccurate.  Wading through the information received can be daunting.  Cataracts are often a center of myths and tales associated with seniors and vision care.  We have centered this installment around breaking the myths that surround the formation and surgical procedures associated with cataracts. 

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness throughout the world, more than glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration collectively. They are more common in seniors than any other demographic.  Estimates suggest fifty percent of Americans will have had cataracts by the time they are eighty years old.  It is important that seniors have correct information, an understanding of their vision condition, and what options they have for correction.
The Myths and Truths of Cataracts

Myth #1: Cataracts Grow on The Eye
Truth: Cataracts have thought to be a growth on the eye however that is not the truth at all.  Cataracts are a result of protein fibers that clump together and creating a clouding of the lens of the eye.  The cloud causes light to be scattered or even blocked completely as it passes through the lens.  This does not allow the retina to receive a clear image.  Cataracts are caused by:

• Overexposure to Ultraviolet Light
• Eye Injury
• Result of Diabetes

Myth #2: The Only Symptom of Cataracts Is Blurred Vision
Truth: Although blurred vision is the most common symptom individuals report when experiencing cataracts, it is not the only one. Other symptoms include:

• Extreme Light Sensitivity
• Changes in Vision Prescription
• Double Vision
• Changes in Perception of Colors
• Night Vision Difficulty

Myth #3: Cataracts Are Preventable
Truth: Cataracts are not preventable.  There are different strategies that can be taken to reduce the risk of developing cataracts or to slow the progression of the disease.  These include:

• Yearly Eye Exams
• Healthy Diet Rich in Fruits and Veggies
• Don’t Smoke
• Avoid Excessive Alcohol Usage
• Wear Sunglasses with UVA & UVB Protection

Myth #4: Cataract Surgery is Dangerous
Truth: Cataract is in fact not dangerous, it is actually one of the safest vision surgeries.  With advancements in technology, individuals need minimal sedation and cataract surgery has a success rate of over ninety-five percent.  Recovery from cataract surgery includes:

• Refrain from Eye Rubbing
• No Lifting of Heavy Objects
• Avoid Driving

Myth #5: Cataracts Come Back
Truth: Once a cataract is removed from the lens through surgical means, it will not return.  A “secondary” cataract may develop.  This occurs when the membrane holding the foreign lens implant in place becomes cloudy.  This is corrected with a simple, painless procedure called a YAG laser capsulotomy.  An eye surgeon will create a small opening in the membrane to assist in restoring the sharpness in vision.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

Warning Signs Of Cataracts

Cataracts are a clouding in the lens of an eye that causes the impairment of an individual’s vision.  This eye disease affects over twenty-five million Americans that are 40 and over.  Once individuals have reached 75, over half of them will be diagnosed with cataracts. 

As adults age the eye’s lens starts to yellow and harden which creates blurry vision, dull perception of colors, and night time driving becomes difficult.  Cataracts do not get better and in fact get worse overtime.  In fact, cataracts have several stages as they progress.  It is important to treat the symptoms of cataracts in order to slow or stop cataracts from getting worse.  In order to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan it is crucial to visit an ophthalmologist.  Planning treatment for cataracts slows down the need for cataract surgery.

Early Warning Signs of Cataracts

Cataracts range in severity and the treatment will depend on the development and type of cataract you have.  Early signs of cataracts include:

Cloudy Vision:

Fuzzy spots are the most obvious early sign of cataracts.  If individuals start to experience small, fuzzy spots in your field of vision that seem to worsen over time, you may be developing one of the first sign of cataracts.   These signs will start to make normal, daily activities harder than ever before.  If you notice the quick onset of cloudy vision it is important to get into the eye doctor sooner rather than later.

Difficult Night Vision:

Individuals with the early stages of cataracts also mention a gradual decrease in vision at night.  Changes to vision may include darkening or dimming and may also lead to tinges of brown and yellow.  During the day changes may not be as noticeable because there is light to balance vision that is dimming however, at night it is instantly noticeable. 

Light Sensitivity: 

Individuals with emergent cataracts experience discomfort with bright lights.  This becomes more and more difficult to manage as cataracts worsen.  If you notice you are squinting or closing your eyes more around bright light or noticing headaches that come on quickly from flashes and bright lights, it is time to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist. 

Halos and Glares:

As cataracts worsen, the lens of the eye hardens and becomes cloudier.  Some cataract suffers mention the appearance of a glare or halo in their field of vision.  The light that passes through the cataract is diffracted which causes a glare and ringlets around bright sources of light.  During the day the halos and glares are less noticeable then that are in the evening. 

Vision Changes:

During the earliest stages of cataracts, individuals may notice changes in vision.  Regular eye exams are crucial for older adults.  In fact, ophthalmologists often detect cataracts before individuals notice a difference in vision. 

Cataract damage is not reversible however, there are some things you can do to slow down their progression.  It is important to talk with your eye doctor first to determine if cataract surgery is needed before cataracts worsen.  Some ways to increase the health of your eye include eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, wearing sunglasses, determine if your prescription medicine worsen the effects of cataracts, and treat dry eyes with daily eye drops. 

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.