Implantable Contact Lenses – Who Should Consider Them?

Posted on by admin

Contact lenses are quite popular due to the fact that you don’t need to wear glasses all the time. Your nose and ears will not have a hard time holding the glasses. Also, having glasses can affect your daily activity especially if you are in strenuous physical activities.

Although contact lenses can be a better option for eyeglasses, it also has lots of disadvantages. Contact lenses can become dry and blurry especially during the night time and you must not forget to remove them before sleeping.

The implantable contact lens is the better option

An implantable contact lens is now a better solution than regular contact lenses. It is a contact lens that is implanted in the cornea of the eye making it permanent so it doesn’t have to be removed. This procedure can enable a 20/20 vision for patients who are suffering from nearsightedness.

How is the procedure done?

The procedure is done by inserting a very tiny 3mm incision at the side of the cornea to make an opening. This opening will then be used to insert the implantable and foldable contact inside the incision. The contact lens is inserted it unfolds itself and attaches itself inside. This procedure can be completed in 20 minutes.

The implant is totally unnoticeable and unseen as it completely becomes a part of the eye. Another good thing about implantable contact lenses is that it requires no maintenance. So you can live a normal life seeing the things around you like a normal person.

People that would consider having an implantable contact lens

The implantable contact lens aka icl surgery is the best option for people who have severe or worst cases of myopia or near-sightedness. The extremely high degree of myopia will not qualify for LASIK surgery. Although PRK surgery is another option next to LASIK surgery, this may not work on a higher degree of near-sightedness. Therefore the best option is having implantable contact lenses.

Other good candidates for implantable contact lens

  • Those who are aged 21 to 45 are good candidates for this procedure
  • The measurement of the refractive error in your eye is between 3.0 to -20.0 diopters
  • You have been evaluated by an expert ophthalmologist and you meet all the physical requirements required for ICL implantation.

Remember to always have a regular eye check-up if you have frequent blurry vision. It is important to have an early intervention before things get worst.

What Is Corneal Cross-Linking, And Who Needs It?

Posted on by admin

When an eye problem occurs it affects the entire life of the person. It requires immediate attention and treatment to restore the person’s quality of life. There are different eye surgical procedures available today and one of them is the corneal cross-linking treatment. What kind of treatment is corneal cross linking and who can benefit from this type of surgical procedure?

What is corneal cross-linking?

Corneal cross-linking is a treatment in which the layers of the cornea are strengthened, thus preventing it from reshaping or bulging. It is a minimally invasive procedure that uses UV-A light and essential eye vitamins to help strengthen the bond of the layers. That is why this is called cross-linking because the layers inside the cornea are linked together to create a strong bond.

What is the procedure of corneal cross-linking?

The procedure starts with a series of eye examinations and tests. Once it was thoroughly diagnosed and examined, the prognosis is established which will allow the expert ophthalmologist to perform a specific task and prepare the patient for corneal cross-linking treatment.

For younger patients such as children, they may be put to sleep through general anesthesia while the adults can stay awake throughout the procedure. The doctor puts a ring in the center of the cornea. The outermost layer of the cornea which is the epithelium needs to be loosened and wiped away to expose the stroma or the thick innermost layer of the cornea. It contains collagen the binding protein found in the cornea.

Vitamin eye drops are then applied for 30 minutes until it is absorbed down through the stroma. This procedure is repeated before they proceed to the next step. The next step is shining the special UV light in the cornea which produces a chemical reaction between the vitamins in the cornea. This strengthens the bond of the collagen in the stroma so the cornea becomes rigid which locks itself into its current shape. This prevents the cornea from deforming into a cone shape or from bulging. The final procedure is the application of numbing eye drops and a soft contact lens which acts as a bandage while the eye is in the healing process.

Who needs this procedure?

People who have keratoconus need this treatment. Keratoconus is a progressive disease the causes the cornea to bulge out and become a cone shape. This affects the vision of the person because the distortion hinders the light from reaching the back of the eye which can result in blurry vision over some time.

Does LASIK Eye Surgery Work For Everyone?

Posted on by admin

Eye problems are extremely common, especially in those that are aging or have congenital issues. That is why we see a lot of people wearing glasses and contact lenses to help with their eye issues.

One of the best solutions for eye problems is LASIK eye surgery. This type of eye surgery has been very popular for over 20 years and is now commonly used to treat vision problems. However, considering the different types of eye diseases and other problems that people suffer, that raises the question whether this type of surgery will work for everyone.

What is LASIK surgery?

LASIK is the abbreviation for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. Keratomileusis is a Greek term for carving and cornea. Using this word we can simply define LASIK surgery as the operation to shape the cornea of the eye to treat certain kinds of eye conditions.

Using the laser technology it can perform a precise sculptor activity in the eye that carves the cornea into a precise shape without damaging other portions of the eye. The heat in the laser is precise and controlled so the portions that are to be removed in the cornea are the only ones that will be removed. The laser technology used by the surgeons is the excimer laser.  A laser technology that is so accurate it can even carve words and letters in the hair.

Popular applications of this surgery

Since the target of the surgery is the cornea of the eye, it has specific applications that work on specific eye problems. The cornea of the eye has something to do with vision. As the person gets older or as it is affected by a disease or a trauma, the cornea of the eye has something called refracted errors. This is an imperfection in how the eye focuses on incoming light. Therefore people with myopia or far-sightedness, hyperopia or far-sightedness, and astigmatism are the ones where this particular eye surgery is commonly applied.

So does it apply to everyone?

Although there is wide varieties application regarding this surgery and it seems that the possibility might be more. We can still say it does not apply to all types of eye problems. Glaucoma for example which is the problem of fluids that gives pressure to the eye is one of those where LASIK may not work effectively. That is why we have different types of eye surgery.

PRK Surgery: When It’s A Better Choice Than LASIK

Posted on by admin

The two most popular eye surgeries today are LASIK and the PRK surgery. LASIK stands for Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis while PRK stands for photorefractive keratectomy. Both are different procedures which may be advantageous when used to treat a specific condition.

PRK as the predecessor of LASIK

There is a reason why PRK is the direct predecessor of LASIK surgery. Although LASIK surgery is effective for many eye problems such as myopia or near-sightedness, hyperopia farsightedness and astigmatism problems, there is a good reason why PRK type of surgery existed. To better explain why and how PRK can be a better choice than LASIK, we will explain the procedure.

The Process of Laser Eye surgery

The procedure in LASIK and PRK surgery is almost identical. Both of them use Excimer laser to perform the task of reshaping the cornea. The stroma which is the deeper layer and the permanent tissue of the cornea are both being targeted and shaped by the Excimer laser in both of these procedures.

The procedure of LASIK surgery

The process in LASIK eye surgery starts by scraping the epithelium or the outer layer of the cornea. The epithelium can quickly regenerate itself within a few days so they create a thin circular flap using microkeratome or femtosecond laser in the surface of the cornea so they can have access to the stroma. When that happens the excimer laser is used to remove specific amount of tissue to reshape the cornea. It is guided by the computer so the reshaping is accurate based on the refractive error of the patients cornea. The removed flap will then be returned to its place to regenerate. LASIK is a painless procedure and the patient can experience improved vision quickly.

The procedure in PRK eye surgery

The PRK eye surgery is almost similar to that of LASIK. The difference is that the epithelium is completely removed and no flap is was created before the eximer laser is applied. In this procedure the stroma is exposed which would take longer to regenerate and the results of having a better eye sight would take days. Patients would also experience haziness of vision and discomfort after the first few days.

However, PRK eye surgery can be a better option for patients who have a very thin cornea for LASIK treatment and those who have a higher level of myopia. Flap related complication risks can also be avoided in PRK.

Can You “Fix” Glaucoma – Or Do You Just Have To Live With It?

Posted on by admin

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye condition that affects the optic nerve of the eye. This optic nerve is located at the back of the eye, and provides information to the brain. The problem with glaucoma is that the eye suffers a tremendous amount of pressure that can damage the optic nerve, resulting in the loss of eyesight. Eye pressure plays an important role in the eye, and when it is higher than the normal range it can damage your optic nerve. When the optic nerve is damaged you may become permanently blind. We all know that a damaged nerve can never be replaced.

Prevention and treatment

This condition can be prevented by managing eye pressure. Lowering the pressure of the eye can lower the risk of developing glaucoma. That is why it is better to have your eye pressure checked regularly contact glaucoma specialists and maintain the health of your optic nerve.

Since we know that excessive eye pressure is the reason for this particular condition, it becomes the primary cause. Other people who have diseases that affect the eye such as diabetes or congenital diseases will most likely have this problem.

How it is diagnosed?

Similar to how it would be prevented or treated, diagnosing such a condition starts by looking at the pressure within the eye. Your eye doctors will see if the pressure is normal or high. If the pressure is high then you have a huge risk of developing glaucoma. Another way to diagnose is by testing the individual field of vision of the eye and examining the optic nerve at the back of the eye in detail.

Can this be fixed?

There are different treatments for this condition such as eye drops, laser surgery, and surgery. These treatments can be effective in different levels of glaucoma. With the help of various surgical techniques that we have today, as well as the laser treatment we have good results fast. Once the source of increase of fluid and pressure in the eye is detected and removed, complete treatment can be achieved.

Other laser treatments provide better drainage for the fluid of the eye. This can help reduce the pressure which will save your optic nerve from being damaged. So you don’t have to live with it, we have various solutions for this particular problem. However, if it’s too late to recover the damaged nerve, you could live with a blind eye throughout your life. That is why it is important to have your eye checked regularly.

Don’t Be Afraid Of Cataract Surgery – It Can Change Your Life

Posted on by admin

Having a cataract can affect the quality of a person’s life. Impaired sight changes virtually everything they can see and do, meaning the patient can no longer function the way they used to, nor can they fully enjoy the things around them.

The condition of having cataract

Cataract refers to the covering of the outer lens of the eye, which causes blurring or loss of vision. Since it is covered, the eye is incapable of receiving all of the light which helps us process the objects we see.

What commonly causes cataract is aging. However, some causes like ultraviolet rays from sunlight, uncontrolled diabetes, and smoking can be controlled or prevented. That is why it is advised that people should wear sunglasses under the sun, reduce smoking and maintain their blood sugar level.

It’s not too late for those who have cataract

The good thing about cataracts is that the optic nerve is not damaged like that of glaucoma. It can be easily removed through laser surgery and other effective techniques. However, some people are afraid to have cataract surgery due to some anxieties and misconceptions. So we will provide you some reasons why you should not be afraid of having surgery. Here are the following.

There are quick and painless surgery nowadays

If you are afraid of pain or discomfort, there are laser surgeries that can be done in minutes. The recovery is quick and you will have an improved vision overnight. These are all outpatient surgery so the patient will have less downtime and they can go back to their regular activities in no time.

There are various surgical techniques today

Surgeries have gone up to a higher level in this modern time. There is no longer the issue between whether it’s effective or not but on which surgery is the fastest, less evasive, painless, and quick recovery. You can discuss these procedures with your eye doctor and he or she will explain them all to you.

This will change your life

The goal here is a total change of life. So if you are looking for that goal that you can see clearly again and you can enjoy the things that you have not enjoyed when you have that cataract, then there is no reason for you not go for cataract surgery. Imagine the change in the quality of your life if your cataract is totally gone. You can enjoy TV, movies, all the things you can see in this world and your loved ones.

How Expert Ophthalmologists Treat Dry Eye Syndrome

Posted on by admin

What is dry eye syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome sometimes occurs when a person is exposed to light for long periods. Spending large amounts of time in front of a computer or cell phone, for example, may cause dry eyes. Some other major causes of dry eye syndrome are exposure to dust, allergens, and bacteria.

Dry eye can be determined by itchiness and irritation of the eye, causing redness and sometimes inflammation. There may also be abnormal tears coming out from the eye, often excessive and constant tearing. This is because the fluid that is supposed to lubricate the eye is not present. Your eye has to constantly be lubricated to prevent your eyes from drying.

What you need to do when you have a dry eye syndrome

If you have this kind of problem you should consult the nearest ophthalmologist in your area so you can get proper dry eye treatment. Over-the-counter medicines will not help your problem. If you think antibacterial eye drops can help with the itching, you are wrong. That is why you need to visit an expert eye doctor near your area.

How dry eyes are treated by expert ophthalmologists

If you will visit the ophthalmologist in your place, the check will start with an investigation process. The doctor will ask questions to diagnose your problem and see what causes the dryness of your eye. Once the culprit is spotted the doctor will advise you to minimize exposure to them. For instance, if the dry eye problem is caused by your exposure to a computer then you should minimize exposure to it. However, if that is the nature of your job and you need to work in front of your computer at all times. The doctor can provide you certain solutions that will help you.

The doctor will prescribe an artificial tear solution to lubricate your eye in mild cases. However, various treatments can be used for a different levels of dry eye syndrome.

  • The doctor can prescribe drugs that can reduce inflammation of eyelids such as antibiotics, eye drops, or ointments.
  • Cornea inflammation must be reduced as well so the doctor will prescribe a medicinal eye drop to reduce the inflammation.
  • There are also what they call eyelid inserts. This can help produce artificial tears.
  • The doctor can also prescribe drugs that can help stimulate your tears.

In some cases, surgery has to be administered like the surgery of the eyelids or oculoplastic surgery. There are also other procedures such as eyelid massage, light therapy, the closing of the tear ducts, using special contact lenses, and many more.