LASIK or Cataract in Columbia, SC

Patients with glaucoma are at risk for significant vision loss – even blindness – and that is a scary thought for the millions of Americans who suffer from this disease.  The only treatment for glaucoma is to lower the pressure inside of the eye.  Speaking broadly, this is done by either causing the eye to make less fluid or allowing the fluid to better drain from the eye. It is well proven that cataract surgery will decrease the pressure inside the eye, and thus lower the chance of glaucoma progressing. Great, but is there anything else we can do? Some cataract surgeons offer Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation , or ECP. Ok, that is a big word. What does it mean? ECP is a laser procedure performed at the same time as cataract surgery. It allows delivery of laser energy in a precise and efficient manner with a goal to lower the eye pressure even further. A study in the August 2014 Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery demonstrated that ECP helped lower the pressure e...

If it’s time to kiss eyeglasses goodbye in favor of Lasik surgery, you might discover there are more options available than just one. If your doctor happens to perform thin flap Lasik and you’re a candidate for the procedure, you may discover this option carries some rather attractive advantages. Thin flap Lasik is a variation on this laser surgery that can, in most cases, correct vision imperfections that are related to astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness. The basic Lasik procedure involves treating these refractive errors by reshaping the curvature of the cornea. About the Procedure The thin flap Lasik procedure takes about 20 minutes to perform. The eye is numbed prior to the surgery’s start. Once surgery begins, your eye doctor will create a flap and gently lift and fold back the cornea. Using a laser, the surgeon will then remove tissue to carefully reshape the cornea and improve vision. The flap is then placed back into its original position without the need...

Going in for routine annual eye exams might seem like overkill to those with perfect vision, but there are some rather compelling reasons to put this regular checkup on the must-do list. Even when vision is 20/20, the reality is eye doctors are just as important as family physicians and dentists in the annual routine. Not sure you really need to make an appointment? Consider these benefits of getting established with a reputable, skilled eye doctor: Gaining the Ability to Track Vision Closely Minor changes in vision can cause major problems for those who suffer from them. If you’re used to seeing the world through 20/20 eyes, even a slight deviation from normal can cause you issues. When you go in for routine appointments, your doctor can track your vision, any slight changes, and help you make any necessary adjustments. The reality is people’s vision can change as they get older, so having an established relationship with a good eye doctor can make you feel a whole lot...

LASIK surgery has revolutionized the world of vision improvement. No longer are those of us with vision impairments dependent on the two traditional choices of glasses or contact lenses to improve our sight. Now, those who are possible candidates for LASIK are able to undergo a five to ten minute procedure to reduce their dependence on corrective eyewear. And as LASIK continues to accrue a track record of results and grows in popularity, it remains a go-to choice for those who want to resolve their vision issues without the inconvenience of glasses or contact lenses. In 98% of LASIK cases, the outcome is enormously successful with patients having a visual outcome of 20/40 or better. Millions of people have undergone LASIK surgery so it may seem as though anyone can have the procedure if they choose. But not everyone is a candidate for LASIK. Candidacy factors include: * Those with nearsightedness (myopia) with or without astigmatism. * Those with farsightedness (hypero...

It doesn ’ t matter whether you need a simple eye exam or it ’ s time to consider cataract surgery to protect your sight, expertise in care matters. That ’ s why it ’ s so important to choose the best Columbia eye center for your care. Finding a reputable eye doctor isn ’ t necessarily difficult, but finding a practice that can attend to all your needs can prove to be tricky. Tips for Finding a Good Eye Center When you want to find a full-service eye center where all your eye care needs can be taken care of under one roof, it ’ s important to seek out the best. Here are some things to help you find an eye center that can expertly handle a wide variety of eye-related concerns: •       Look for a diversity of specialties – While an eye doctor might just offer routine care, a full service eye center in Columbia will bring together a number of specialists that each bring critical skills to the table. The best practices can handle everything from routin...

So if you have finally decided to give modern medical science a chance to correct the refractive problems of your eyes with laser eye surgery, you have made a wise decision. As revealed by studies, wearing contact lenses your whole life has a higher risk of problems as compared to laser eye surgery. However, as a patient, you should take preventative measures for minimizing any associated risks. Here are some suggestions that can reduce the risks associated with laser eye surgery : First of all you should select the most experienced surgeon you can find. Highly experienced surgeons can minimize any risk associated with the process. These prominent surgeons offer the latest technology driven operation processes, such as blade-less refractive eye surgery, which also reduces the risk. The cost of the surgery obviously matters, but do not let cost determine your choice. Before deciding to have laser eye surgery, be sure to discuss your medical history in detail with your doctor, so t...

If you are thinking about having LASIK surgery, the first step is to schedule an appointment with a LASIK surgeon for a consultation. The process mainly involves an evaluation of your candidacy for the procedure and informing you about how it will work. Usually patients using contact lenses are instructed to remove their lenses a week or so prior to the consultation. Contact lenses change the original shape of the cornea and the doctor will need to examine the exact shape of your natural cornea before determining your candidacy. Laser eye surgery consultation is expected to start with a discussion about your eyeglasses, or lenses, the reasons why you want to have LASIK, and also about your goals. The doctor will also inform you of any risks they may occur during the procedure. During your consultation, it is also important to inform your doctor about your health history, and any medications or treatments you are undergoing, or have just completed. Finally, the surgeon will check ...

Dry Eyes has shown an increased rate of occurrence across the world. According to the reports published by the American Association of Ophthalmology, approximately 1.7 million men and 3.2 million women, all over the age of 50 suffer from chronic dry eyes and or some of its symptoms.  Tip to deal with dry eyes Preventing the onset of the condition in the first place is key.  However, if you have already started to experience dry eye symptoms, it is suggested to schedule an eye exam to receive recommended treatments from your eye doctor.  If you are suffering from dry eyes , in addition to using the prescribed medications from your ophthalmologist, you should also take care to protect your eyes from external factors such as wind and sun light.  Do not strain your eyes excessively. If your work involves spending long hours on a computer, take a break every 20-30 minutes, and remember to blink periodically. It will help to reduce the stress on your eyes. A...

A clouded natural lens of the eye due to aging is known as cataract. The condition reduces clear vision and can even cause complete loss of vision if untreated. The progress of the condition occurs slowly and often patients just accept their vision as it changes with cataracts. The common symptoms of cataracts include decreased vision, cloudy vision, glare, double vision, decreased contrast etc. Worsening of cataracts might make your daily activities more difficult. Most cataracts are a part of the normal aging process and they cannot be reversed with the application of medicines;  however, with the latest cataract treatments available, patients can get back to their regular schedule within a short period of time. Cataracts can be removed with surgery, and patients can have completely normal vision within a few days of their surgery and subsequent medication. In cataract surgery, the clouded lens of the eye is removed and replaced with a new, clear artificial lens. High end sur...

Dry eye is a condition in which the eye produces insufficient tears to nourish and lubricate the eye. Tears are extremely important for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye, which in turn, helps in providing clear vision. People with dry eyes either have a poor quality of tears or their eyes do not produce sufficient tears. Dry eye is one of the most common eye problems, especially in older adults. Dry eyes is a chronic condition, and those who have this problem should visit a good dry eye clinic where an optometrist can prescribe the best dry eye treatment to keep your eyes healthy, comfortable, and also make sure that vision is not affected. The primary suggestions that a dry eye clinic may advise are-   Adding tears with the help of over-the-counter artificial tear solutions   Conserving tears by blocking the tear duct through which tears drain.   Increasing tear production with the help of eye drops   Treating inflammation that ...