According to Market Scope, around 10 million Americans have had LASIK surgery since it was first approved by the FDA in 1999.

Deciding to get LASIK surgery can be overwhelming. There are two doctors involved in this surgical process, your eye doctor and a LASIK surgeon, will work together to ensure you receive the optimum results.

With LASIK co-management your eye doctor can provide you with an initial eye exam and the information you need to make your decision. Once you have decided to have LASIK eye surgery, the eye doctor will refer you to an eye surgeon.

These doctors can co-manage the entire journey ensuring patients receive the best care and vision.

If you are interested in LASIK surgery visit your eye doctor to find out if you are a good candidate. 

The Find an Eye Doctor directory provides a list of eye doctors near you that can conduct a consultation and discuss LASIK co-management with you.

SEE RELATED: Glasses After LASIK?

LASIK co-management

Co-management is when an eye doctor works together with a LASIK surgeon. An eye doctor will provide the pre- and post-operative care while the LASIK surgeon will perform the surgery.

When an eye doctor and LASIK surgeon co-manage, the eye doctor may exclusively refer their patients to a specific surgeon. This is beneficial to patients at the eye doctor and LASIK surgeon has a relationship and can communicate with one another on the patient’s eye history and work together to come up with a post-operative recovery plan.

LASIK evaluation

Both an eye doctor and LASIK surgeon will conduct their own comprehensive eye exams.

The eye doctor will conduct a preoperative evaluation to see if the patient is a good candidate for LASIK surgery. If they suspect that the patient is a good candidate they will refer them to a LASIK surgeon.

The LASIK surgeon will also conduct their own preoperative evaluation by examining the vision and a more detailed analysis of the cornea and eye health by analyzing 3D maps of the cornea.

Following these in depth exams the LASIK surgeon will determine if the patient is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery and what the best vision outcomes could be after the surgery.

LASIK post-operative care

Your eye doctor, who conducted the pre-operative care, will also conduct most of the post-LASIK consultations.

There are several factors involved in LASIK post-operative care, such as follow-up appointments with the surgeon, a recovery plan to follow, and specific guidelines to keep in mind, such as no eye rubbing. As every person’s eyes are different, each post-operative plan is unique.

Within the first 24-48 hours after LASIK surgery, patients need to see their eye doctor so they can check on their vision and healing. The eye doctor will also assess if there needs to be any alterations to the recovery plan.

At least six months after surgery, follow-up appointments should be continued, to ensure that recovery is going as planned.

If during the recovery period vision seems to be getting worse or not resolving, it is recommended to call your eye doctor.

LEARN MORE:  Optical and Contact Lenses

If you are currently looking into LASIK surgery, contact an eye doctor near you to schedule an appointment, they will provide you with information about LASIK and see if it best suits your needs.

The post LASIK Co-Management appeared first on Optometrists.org.

If you are considering laser vision correction surgery, an implantable contact lens (ICL) could be an option to provide you with the best vision.

The first ICL surgery was performed in 1993, with over 1 million ICLs implanted globally since then.

With many options in vision correction, it can be difficult to determine which is the best option. While LASIK is the well known name for improving vision through laser eye surgery, it may or may not be the best fit for you and your eyes.

Over the years, ICL surgery has continued to gain in popularity as ICL delivers a lens implant as a no-maintenance and permanent solution to improving vision.

If you are interested in ICL surgery visit your eye doctor to find out if you are a good candidate. 

What is ICL?

The Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL), or Implantable Contact Lens as it is commonly called, is a successful alternative to laser vision correction surgery.

During Implantable Contact Lens surgery (ICL), a lens implant made from a very thin biocompatible material is placed inside the eye between the iris and the natural lens. The ICL does not replace the eye’s natural lens, but is specifically shaped to help correct vision problems just like glasses or contact lenses.

The ICL lens is not like a regular contact lens (that is placed on the cornea) but rather the ICL is inserted into the eye. The difference between ICL and glasses or contact lenses is that the lens is surgically placed into the eye and requires no maintenance from the patient.

The ICL lens implant can not be seen or felt.

Laser Eye Surgery or ICL

Laser eye surgery, or laser vision correction, uses lasers to reshape the front surface (cornea) of the eyes so that it can focus better. It can correct farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism.

Laser eye surgery is suitable for most people over the age of 18, when the eye stops growing. Lens surgery is also suitable for those who have a high prescription or later in life.

There are 3 main types of laser eye surgery: LASIK, SMILE and PRK;

• LASIK – LASIK uses two lasers, one laser is used to open up a thin flap in the surface of the cornea, the epithelium, and another is used to reshape the cornea underneath. The protective flap is then smoothed back over and stays in place without stitches.
• SMILE (SMall Incision Lenticule Extraction) – SMILE uses a laser to create a small, lens-shaped section of tissue within the cornea, called the lenticule. With the same laser, a small arc-shaped incision is made in the surface of the cornea. The surgeon then extracts the lenticule  through the incision. The corneal incision heals within a few days without stitches.
• PRK (surface laser treatment) – PRK uses a laser to remove the surface epithelium covering the cornea so the surgeon can reshape your cornea. The epithelium then grows back naturally over the next few days.

Contact an eye doctor near you who can conduct a consultation and discuss the ICL option with you.

SEE RELATED: ICL Surgery: What to Expect

Who Is Suitable for ICL Surgery?

Since LASIK removes tissue from the cornea, you might not be a good candidate if you have a thin or irregular cornea. In this case, ICL surgery might be a better choice.

Sometimes laser eye surgery is not an option, and your eye doctor will advise against laser refractive surgery and may recommend ICL.

The best candidates for ICL are patients with;

• a very high prescription: -3.00 to -20.00 diopters
• a thin cornea or a corneal condition
• dry eyes
• irregular astigmatism

Benefits of ICL

Implantable contact lens (ICL) surgery is a safe, effective, and quick procedure that offers long-term vision correction. ICL surgery benefits include:

Minimally Invasive – An ICL procedure is short, requiring only a microscopic incision. There is no need for stitches and minimal downtime afterward.

Completely Reversible – The ICL can be replaced or removed if any problems occur or there is a change in a patient’s vision.

Successful for Patients Ineligible for LASIK – Irregular or thin corneas, large pupils, very high prescriptions, or dry eye syndrome, can disqualify someone from LASIK surgery. An ICL is a great alternative since it does not affect these issues.

Excellent Visual Quality –  With ICL, the quality of vision is excellent because the eye maintains a natural corneal shape, especially with higher prescriptions.

No Dry Eye – During ICL implantation, the corneal nerves are not disrupted, as happens with laser refractive surgery (LASIK), avoiding dry eyes commonly experienced after laser surgery.

LEARN MORE:  Optical and Contact Lenses

If you are currently looking into corrective vision procedures, contact an eye doctor near you to schedule an appointment, they can discuss the options of laser and ICLs, to see which best suits you and your eyes.

The post Guide to Implantable Contact Lenses appeared first on Optometrists.org.

While LASIK eye surgery has become the most popular refractive surgery in the U.S, there are many misconceptions regarding this procedure that prevent people from even discussing LASIK with their eye doctors.

Myth #1: LASIK surgery is painful.

Fact: LASIK is a quick and painless procedure. 

Prior to the procedure, your LASIK surgeon will apply numbing drops to ensure that you don’t feel any pain. You may feel slight pressure when the corneal flap is made, but you shouldn’t feel any pain.

LASIK is performed as an outpatient procedure and you will be able to return home after about two hours. In most cases, you will be able to return to your regular activities within a couple of days after your procedure.

Myth #2: LASIK surgery only corrects myopia (nearsightedness).

Fact: LASIK surgery can correct all types of refractive errors.

While in the past, LASIK was first used as a treatment for myopia, it is now used to also correct hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism.

SEE RELATED: Guide to Implantable Contact Lenses

The Find an Eye Doctor directory can provide a list of eye doctors near you that can discuss the benefits of LASIK surgery and answer any questions you may have about this vision correcting procedure.

Myth #3: A complication of LASIK surgery is permanent vision loss. 

Fact: Blindness is not a complication of LASIK surgery.

LASIK surgery involves the reshaping of the cornea, the front surface of the eye. As with any other surgical procedure, there are possible complications and risks that accompany LASIK surgery, such as dry eye or blurry vision for a couple of days.

However, complications from this procedure are actually quite uncommon and can generally be corrected if needed.

Additionally, your eye doctor will provide detailed instructions regarding any post-surgical medications that may be required to prevent an infection, as well as how to care for your eyes while they heal.

Myth #4: LASIK surgery is not affordable.

Fact: LASIK is generally affordable.

As a result of advanced technology and an increase in the number of people undergoing LASIK surgery, the cost of the procedure has significantly decreased over the years. 

Don’t let the cost of the procedure prevent you from discussing it with your eye doctor. There are many vision insurance plans as well as financing options that can help you to cover the cost of the procedure, without breaking the bank.

Myth #5: You have to be a certain age to benefit from LASIK surgery.

Fact: There is no ideal age to undergo LASIK surgery. 

Though, most eye doctors will recommend waiting until age 18— when the eyes have stopped growing.

Your eye doctor may explain to you that as you age, your risk for developing serious eye conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts, increases. These eye conditions can prevent you from being a candidate for LASIK surgery.

LASIK surgery is a safe procedure that has helped millions of people correct their vision, without the need for eyewear.

LEARN MORE:  Optical and Contact Lenses

If you are interested in learning more about LASIK surgery, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor.

Understanding the facts about LASIK surgery as well as its benefits can help you to make an informed decision that can change the way you “view” life.

The post LASIK Eye Surgery: 5 Myths and Facts appeared first on Optometrists.org.

If you have had laser eye surgery but still have blurry vision, scleral lenses could be the solution.

If you are having post-laser surgery complications and still require eyewear to fully correct your vision, your sensitive cornea may not be able to tolerate soft contact lenses anymore. Thankfully, scleral lenses are uniquely designed to correct vision problems while promoting corneal healing.

If you are experiencing post-laser surgery complications, the ‘Find an Eye Doctor’ directory provides a list of eye doctors near you that may provide scleral lenses for clear and comfortable vision.

SEE RELATED: Scleral Lenses for Dry Eyes 

What is laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery is a common procedure that is performed to eliminate the need for corrective eyewear.

The are many benefits to have laser eye surgery over wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses. Laser eye surgeries, such as LASIK, PRK and SMILE are common procedures that alter the shape of the cornea for the correction of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism.

While up to 98 percent of patients achieve 20/20 vision with laser eye surgery, post surgical complications can still occur. 

The most common post-laser surgery complication is called corneal ectasia.

This condition is characterized by a corneal distortion or irregularity that causes the cornea to weaken and bulge.

Surgical complications that lead to corneal ectasia can lead to vision problems which can no longer be corrected with soft contact lenses.

Attempting to wear soft contact lenses with corneal ectasia can be extremely painful and even cause further corneal damage to your already sensitive cornea. Moreover, an irregularly shaped cornea will often cause contact lenses to easily dislodge from the eye.

As a result, eye doctors recommend specialized contact lenses called scleral lenses for vision correction following laser eye surgery.

Scleral lenses are the ideal option for clear and comfortable vision when corneal ectasia and other post-laser surgery complications occur. 

What are scleral lenses?

Scleral lenses are customized rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses that are larger in diameter than standard contact lenses. These lenses are designed to vault over the cornea, instead of resting directly on its surface.

Scleral lenses are commonly prescribed for dry eye or other corneal conditions.

By arching over the cornea, scleral lenses create a dome-like space between the cornea and the contact lens that acts as a liquid reservoir. This liquid reservoir provides constant hydration to protect the cornea, promote healing post laser surgery and increase comfort for all-day contact lens wear.

Scleral lenses contain a rigid surface with a personalized fit— enabling sharper visual acuity than standard soft contact lenses, with a high level of comfort.

Scleral lenses are the preferred contact lens option for corneal ectasia, as they correct astigmatism, myopia and hyperopia, and are both safe and comfortable to wear post-laser surgery.

LEARN MORE:  Optical and Contact Lenses

For sharp, clear and comfortable vision following laser surgery, speak to an eye doctor about scleral lenses. 

The post Scleral Lenses After Laser Surgery appeared first on Optometrists.org.

If you wear corrective lenses for nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, you may be wondering about the advantages that contact lenses and laser eye surgery have to offer.

Contact lenses are a great solution if you would like to be free of your glasses, but laser eye surgery, also called laser refractive surgery, can help to eliminate the need for corrective eye wear altogether.

If you suspect you have an eye condition, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: Guide to Implantable Contact Lenses

Contact lenses

What are the advantages of wearing contact lenses?

• Clear vision with a greater field of view
• Increase peripheral vision
• Enhance the feeling of ‘natural vision’
• Elevate self-esteem
• Reduce the risk of damaged or lost eyeglasses
• Eliminate foggy or rain spotted lenses
• Facilitate easier wear of protective eyewear
• Improve vision for sports:
  • Reduce the risk of eye injuries
  • Provide more stable vision

What are the disadvantages of wearing contact lenses?

• Cleaning and disinfecting can be inconvenient
• Good eye-hand coordination is necessary for proper insertion/removal
• Increased risk of eye scratches and infections
• Lenses can fall out, get damaged, or lost during the day
• Blurred vision can result if lens moves too much
• Higher frequency of visits to the eye doctor
• Additional expenses

Who is not a candidate for contact lenses?

While most people adjust to wearing contacts without much difficulty, there are certain circumstances that can prevent you from adapting easily. If any of the following factors affect you, you may want to think about having laser eye surgery instead.

• Eye allergies with severe eye irritation
• Chronic dry eyes
• Dusty work or living environment
• Chemical exposure on regular basis
• Overactive thyroid
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Severe arthritis in your wrist/hand

Laser eye surgery

What are the advantages of laser eye surgery?

• Long-term vision correction
• Total elimination of eyeglasses and contact lenses
• Reduced risk of eye infections

Laser eye surgery has been proven safe and effective for those who qualify as candidates for the surgery.

Your eye doctor will determine if you are a candidate for laser eye surgery based on a comprehensive exam— assessing your overall ocular health, as well as the thickness and shape of your cornea.

Over 16 million people have had LASIK eye surgery, and up to 98 percent of patients achieve 20/20 vision.

What are the disadvantages of laser eye surgery?

•  Dry eyes or glare following the procedure
• Full correction may not be achieved
• Glasses and/or contact lenses may still be necessary for reading fine print or nighttime driving

Still not sure which method of vision correction is right for you?

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor to discuss your visual needs and other factors that may affect your decision.

LEARN MORE:  Optical and Contact Lenses

Your eye doctor will evaluate your eye health and vision and inform you of your candidacy for contact lenses and/or laser eye surgery. 

With your eye doctor’s professional advice, you will be able to make an informed decision about which method is best for you.

The post Contact Lenses or Laser Eye Surgery? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

If you notice a sudden appearance of halos or they’re accompanied by pain, blurred vision or other severe symptoms, seek immediate medical care, as this can signal a serious eye condition.

Why do halos appear?

Halos are bright, colorful circles that appear around lights. They are most often noticed at night time around street lights and headlights and can significantly affect vision clarity while driving.

The appearance of halos around light sources can be caused by a variety of eye conditions, specifically those that alter the shape of the cornea and cause the light that enters the eye to bend in an unusual way.

How is a clear image produced?

In order to produce a clear image, the eyes must complete a specific process that heavily relies on the integrity of each of the ocular structures.

When we look at an object, the light that is reflected off of the object enters the eye through the clear front layer of the eye, called the cornea. The cornea bends the light before it passes through a watery substance that fills the area behind the cornea (aqueous humor), on its way to the pupil.

The light then passes through the pupil to the lens behind it. The lens adjusts its shape to bend and focus the light a second time, to ensure that a clear image will be seen.

After it bends a second time, the light travels to the back of the eye which is filled with a clear, gelatinous substance (vitreous) until it reaches the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye.

From the retina, the visual information is sent to the brain where it is interpreted and processed for the production of a clear image.

The process of seeing is dependent on the perfection of the eye and all of its structures, including:

• Eyeball shape
• Corneal shape and integrity
• Lens clarity and curvature
• Retinal health

If any of these components do not function properly, or are irregularly shaped, vision problems can occur.

Since the cornea is responsible for bending light as it enters the eye, if you are seeing halos around lights, you may have an eye condition that is affecting the shape of your cornea.

If you see haloes, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat any underlying vision condition.

SEE RELATED: Headaches and Migraines 

Eye conditions that affect corneal shape

1. Dry eye syndrome

Dry eye syndrome (DES) occurs when the eyes are chronically dry. When this occurs, it can alter the shape of the cornea and cause light entering the eye to scatter— resulting in the appearance of halos around lights.

2. Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is irregularly shaped. This can cause the light that enters the eye to bend in an unusual way and result in the appearance of halos.

3. Cataracts

Seeing halos around lights is one of the most common symptoms of cataracts. 

A cataract develops when the eye’s naturally transparent lens becomes cloudy or opaque. Cataracts are most often seen in older adults, though they progress slowly over time and usually begin to develop around age 50.

When the lens becomes cloudy, light is bent in an unusual way and scatters as it enters the eye, causing the appearance of halos around lights.

Cataract surgery to replace the cloudy lens with a plastic intraocular lens can also lead to the appearance of halos— this is a common side effect immediately following cataract surgery.

4. Fuch’s dystrophy 

Fuch’s dystrophy is a progressive genetic disease that causes the cornea to swell. When the cornea swells, its shape is altered and light can no longer enter the eye at the correct angle. This often results in the appearance of halos around lights.

Symptoms of Fuchs’ dystrophy usually appear between the ages of 50 and 60.

5. Glaucoma

Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve becomes damaged due to elevated pressure within the eye, and is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Seeing halos around lights can be an early sign of acute-angle glaucoma, which is considered a medical emergency.

If you notice a sudden appearance of halos around lights, along with a headache, vomiting, blurred vision, eye pain or weakness, seek immediate medical care. 

6. LASIK surgery

The appearance of halos is a common side effect following LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis) surgery and is generally not a cause for concern. The halos will typically disappear after a few weeks.

When to see your eye doctor 

Seeing halos around lights could indicate the presence of an eye condition such as cataracts or glaucoma, but may also be a common side effect of dry eye or LASIK surgery. 

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

Since halos can appear from a variety of conditions, if you are seeing halos around lights, it is always a good idea to schedule an eye exam to rule out any serious eye conditions.

An early diagnosis of an eye condition can increase your chances of optimal treatment results. 

The post Why Am I Seeing Halos? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

We have provided the top 10 most frequently asked questions about ortho-k to help you decide if this myopia management technique is right for you.

1. What is ortho-k?

A: Ortho-k lenses are rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses that are designed to be worn overnight and removed in the morning. 

Ortho-k lenses gently reshape the curvature of the eye to improve vision and control myopia progression. Ortho-k lenses are designed to float on top of the eye’s tear film and apply gentle water-based (hydraulic) pressure to the front layer of the cornea, called the epithelium.

The hydraulic pressure causes the cells of the epithelium to move from the center of the cornea to the periphery. This migration of corneal cells leads to a temporary reshaping of the cornea and correction of the refractive error.

2. Is ortho-k safe?

A: Studies have compared the safety of regular contact lenses to ortho-k lenses and have concluded that ortho-k lenses do NOT increase your risk of contact lens complications.

Some of the most common contact lens complications include eye infections, hypoxia, corneal abrasions and corneal staining— all of which can lead to more serious conditions that can even threaten permanent vision loss.

To prevent contact lens complications that can occur with any type of contact lens, always follow your eye doctor’s instructions on how to properly handle and care for your ortho-k lenses, as well as when to wear them and how often to replace them.

3. How long do the effects of ortho-k last?

A:  After the ortho-k lenses are removed each morning, improved vision is generally noticed for 24 to 72 hours. 

For optimal results, follow your eye doctor’s instructions on how often to wear your ortho-k lenses— some patients require nightly wear, while others may be able to wear their lenses every other night.

4. How does ortho-k control myopia progression?

A: Ortho-k has been proven to reduce the rate of myopia progression in children by up to 50 percent.

Conventional methods to correct myopia and improve distance vision include eyeglasses and contact lenses— though over time, many patients experience a gradual increase in their optical prescriptions with these traditional methods.

By reshaping the cornea for vision correction, ortho-k can help to reduce the rate of myopia progression.

As a result of its safety, efficacy, and convenience, ortho-k has become one of the most recommended methods for myopia management and vision correction.

If your child has myopia, contact an eye doctor near you, who can discuss the best options for myopia management.

SEE RELATED: Why Do Adults Choose Ortho-K?

5. Who can benefit from ortho-k?

A: Ortho-k can be prescribed for children, teens, and adults. 

Children as young as eight years old can benefit from ortho-k for myopia management.

Ortho-k is also a great solution for patients who are not eligible for LASIK surgery due to thin or irregular corneas, high refractive errors, unstable vision or severe dry eyes.

Ortho-k is especially convenient for athletes, as well as for patients who live in dusty, windy, dry environments or extremely hot or cold climates.

6. Do all optometrists fit ortho-k lenses?

A: Ortho-k lenses require a specialized contact lens fitting, and not all optometrists who fit regular contact lenses also fit ortho-k lenses. 

Optometrists and eye doctors who provide myopia management and prescribe ortho-k lenses have undergone specific extensive post-graduate training.

During your ortho-k lens fitting, your optometrist will measure and map out the surface of your cornea using a digital corneal topographer. This device allows your optometrist to accurately fit your child’s ortho-k lenses to the shape of their eye.

If you are interested in ortho-k, it is a good idea to check that your eye doctor has experience in ortho-k and myopia management before scheduling an appointment.

7. What can you expect when you first begin wearing ortho-k lenses?

A: When you receive your lenses, your optometrist will provide detailed instructions on proper care and handling, as well as how often to wear your ortho-k lenses. 

It is not uncommon to feel the ortho-k lenses in your eyes until you get used to wearing them— this may take a few days. Don’t be discouraged, ortho-k lenses become more comfortable over time.

Additionally, you may notice blurred vision, halos around lights and increased sensitivity to glare until your eyes adjust to the new lenses and reach full correction.

8. How much will your vision improve with ortho-k?

A: Many ortho-k patients are able to achieve 20/20 vision without needing any daytime optical correction.

According to a nine month FDA clinical study:

• 95% of patients achieved 20/40 vision or better
• 73% achieved 20/20 vision or better

9. How long does it take to notice maximum results from ortho-k?

A: The amount of time it takes to notice maximum results from ortho-k depends on the severity of your myopia when you begin wearing your ortho-k lenses.

For mild myopia, improved vision may be noticed after one or two days of wearing your lenses. Though, for higher optical prescriptions, it can sometimes take around two weeks to notice for maximum results.

Your eye doctor may recommend wearing glasses during the day with a low prescription until you are able to reach your desired results.

10. Can I have LASIK surgery after ortho-k?

A: Yes. If you would like to permanently correct your vision, LASIK surgery can still be an option, even if you have been wearing ortho-k lenses. 

Unlike LASIK surgery, ortho-k is temporary and the results only last as long as you continue to wear your lenses.

Several months prior to your scheduled LASIK surgery, your eye doctor will  instruct you to stop wearing your ortho-k lenses. This will allow your corneas to revert back to their original shape and ensure optimal LASIK surgery results.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Myopia Management

Schedule an appointment with an optometrist experienced in myopia management to find out if ortho-k lenses are right for you or your child.

The post Ortho-K: Top 10 FAQs appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Many people believe that the only way to correct vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses is to undergo LASIK refractive surgery. 

What you may not know is that ortho-k can improve your vision while you sleep, enabling you to be glasses and contacts-free throughout the day. 

Ortho-k may be just the solution you have been searching for.

What are ortho-k lenses?

Ortho-k lenses are rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses that are worn at night while you sleep and are removed each morning upon awakening. These lenses float on top of the eye’s tear film, applying gentle pressure to flatten the surface of the cornea and alter its shape. The effects last throughout the day, allowing you to see clearly, without any day-time glasses or contact lenses.

Ortho-k lenses are prescribed by specific eye doctors who have undertaken years of post-graduate training.

Ortho-k versus LASIK surgery

While LASIK surgery is an effective treatment for long term vision correction, more and more patients are choosing ortho-k as their preferred method of treatment.

Find out why below:

Less risk of serious side effects. Many people shy away from LASIK surgery because of the risks involved.  The most common side effects of corrective laser eye surgery typically include dry eye, over or under-correction, blurred vision, and eye infections.

In some cases, follow-up procedures may be required as well— further increasing the risks of complications.

Ortho-k on the other hand, can be just as effective in correcting vision, without the risk of serious side effects.

Irregular eye conditions. Ortho-k is a great solution for patients who are not eligible for LASIK surgery due to thin or irregular corneas, high refractive errors, unstable vision or severe dry eyes.

Affordability. While more expensive than regular contact lenses, ortho-k lenses are less expensive than laser eye surgery.

Available to children. Ortho-k can be prescribed for children (sometimes as young as eight years old) and teenagers, to control myopia progression and correct vision. In contrast, LASIK surgery is only available for patients over the age of 20— the age in which the eye generally stops growing.

Total vision correction. Ortho-k lenses are custom made to deliver results that can completely eliminate the need for glasses and contact lenses during the day. In contrast, following LASIK surgery, some patients may still require corrective eyewear.

Reversible. With ortho-k, the cornea will return to its original shape when the lenses are not worn. As a result, no permanent changes are made to the cornea and LASIK surgery can be an option at another point in time.

If you have myopia, contact an eye doctor near you, who can discuss the best options for myopia management.

SEE RELATED: How Does Ortho-K Work?

Is ortho-k right for you? 

Ortho-k lenses provide clear vision throughout the day and have become a preferred method of vision correction for many optometrists and their patients.

If you would like to shelve your glasses or contact lenses and enjoy the benefits of being free from daily corrective eyewear, talk to your optometrist about ortho-k.

Ortho-k may be just the solution you have been searching for.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Myopia Management

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam, and to discuss the best options for your myopia.

The post Why Do Adults Choose Ortho-K? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

The COVID-19 pandemic arrived at our doorstep in late 2019, and now almost a year later we are still trying to understand how this contagion will change the world we live in.

Being forced to stay at  home, many people have rediscovered the wonders of their local environment — many people are spending more time with close family members and introducing themselves to neighbors.

Other people have devoted more time to home improvement projects, as evidenced by the dramatic increase in mid-year Home Depot earnings and the busy schedules of building contractors.

These seemingly small things are helping people to cope with the stress of the pandemic.

Moreover, an increasing number of people have also begun to appreciate the need for focusing on their medical care— which they may have ordinarily delayed or maybe even ignored altogether.

COVID-19 and visual health concerns

In the last few months, eye doctors have noticed an increase in the amount of patients looking to correct their vision once and for all. The most sought after surgical procedures include refractive eye laser surgery (LASIK), and cataract surgery. 

Some eye surgeons have more than doubled their number of scheduled eye surgeries as a result of the ongoing pandemic. 

Away from usual distractions, and with more time to reexamine life priorities, many people seem to have discovered a truth about eye care and eye health. More specifically, that improved sight leads to an improved life.

Market research studies have repeatedly shown that 80% of people that need glasses or contact lenses for clear vision, would strongly consider refractive laser surgery if they fully understood the benefits. Though, for some reason, most people don’t ask their eye doctors for information…until now.

According to studies, 95% of people are satisfied with the results of their laser eye surgery and state that LASIK surgery has improved their quality of life.

Additionally, evidence strongly suggests a positive correlation between cataract surgery and quality of life. When it comes to cataracts, one of the greatest fears of the older population is falling. With cataract surgery, not only does the patient experience a sense of freedom— from both eyeglasses and blurred vision— but also a reduction of anxiety.

If you have been thinking about laser eye surgery or are concerned about your worsening cataracts, visit your eye doctor to discuss the benefits of eye surgery.

Your improved sight can lead to an improved quality of life.

The post Improve Your Sight, Improve Your Life appeared first on Optometrists.org.