Latest News Blog

LASIK is the most commonly performed refractive surgery in the United States. LASIK is relatively painless and patients usually achieve better vision as soon as the next day. While most people will be able achieve 20/20 vision, it is not guaranteed for everyone.

The process begins with your doctor using eye drops to numb your eye. Next a suction tool is placed on your eye to give stability to your cornea. A slight squeezing sensation may be felt at this point. The doctor then creates a corneal flap using a microkeratome or laser. Using a special instrument the flap is folded back so that the excimer laser can reshape your cornea.

The excimer laser uses a cool, ultraviolet light beam to remove small bits of your cornea and reshape it. This process is done with small laser pulses controlled by a computer. The pulses are based on measurements taken by your doctor in a pre-operation exam. The whole laser process only lasts a few minutes, after which the flap is returned to its original place and smoothed with a medical sponge, removing wrinkles and gas bubbles.

There are both long and short-term risks associated with LASIK surgery. However, less than 1% of patients who have had LASIK surgery experienced serious, vision threatening problems. It is important to consult your eye care provider to see if you qualify as a good candidate for LASIK surgery.

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service - if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. These famous words of Charles Dickens are playing out today more than ever in the area of technology.

We are living in the best of times to obtain knowledge at the push of a button. But smartphones, laptops, iPads, video games, smart boards, tablets can all add up daily total screen time. Research shows the impact can adversely affect your eyes, your focusing, your moods, and even your ability to sleep and relax. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended only two hours of screentime per day as a standard for children.

What are the symptoms of too much screen time on the eye, and how can you combat these symtoms?

Doctors are seeing an increase in dry eye syndrome because patients do not blink as often when they are staring at the screen for a prolonged period of time. This causes burning or watery eyes, rubbing of the eyes, and frequent headaches.

The key to combatting these symptoms is to consciously blink more, use rewetting eye drops, and take frequent breaks. Perform a visual exercise where every 5-10 minutes, you focus on a distant target for 10 seconds, then return to your screen. Your eye care practitioner can also recommend specialized computer lenses with anti-glare properties to mininmize fatigue.

It is important to reiterated that screentime is not bad if used with moderation and freqeunt breaks. In fact, many computer programs are used to help patients strengthen their eye muscles and promote hand eye coordination. So the key is to enjoy the use of your technology, and remember that balance is the key to life.

So take frequent breaks, and use preventative measures such as re-wetting eye drops, anti-glare computer lenses, and eye exercises to minimize negative impact of screen time on your precious eye sight.

The content of this blog cannot be reproduced or duplicated without the express written consent of EYEiQ

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service - if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.