LASIK or Cataract in Columbia, SC

Glaucoma is an eye disease that’s connected to the elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) within the eye where it damages the optic nerve, causing loss of vision. Three million Americans have Glaucoma, but only 50 percent know about it because the disease doesn’t usually show symptoms which could damage to the optic nerve without one realizing it. Here are the common types of glaucoma: • Low-tension glaucoma-Individuals with normal eye pressure may experience optic nerve damage as well as narrowed side vision. Use of medicines may help to lower the eye pressure by 30 percent in some people. However, the disease may worsen in other persons despite the low pressure. An ophthalmologist will need to obtain detailed medical history of the patient to learn about other possible risk factors that could contribute to low-tension glaucoma. • Angle-closure glaucoma -In this case, the fluid at the front of the eye is not able to flow properly to the drainage spot, and leave the eye. The iris...

There are numerous eye conditions that could be interfering with your sight, and could possibly pose long-term problems if not addressed quickly or correctly. Here are some of the common eye conditions that could be affecting you or your loved one, and may require that you contact a reliable eye care center in Columbia for help. • Cataracts- A cataract refers to a clouding of the eye’s lens, and it often leads to progressive dimming or blurring of vision. It’s a leading cause of blindness in the world, and one of the most common conditions associated with aging. In its early stages, the doctor may recommend stronger glasses and to adjust your lighting to minimize glare. But if cataracts affect your daily routine, the doctor may suggest cataract surgery. It’s among the most successful and frequent surgeries in the U.S. • Diabetic eye disease -Caused by diabetes, the condition occurs when blood vessels located at the back of the eye become weak and leak fluid. At times, abnormal v...

Being told that Columbia cataract surgery is required to protect and preserve vision can be a little intimidating. After all, it wasn’t too long ago that this required hospitalization, a complicated operation and a lengthy recovery period. The times, however, have changed. Thanks to the introduction of laser cataract surgery, this procedure isn’t nearly as complex as it once was. Cataract surgery is recommended when this progressive condition begins to impair vision. If left unchecked, cataracts will lead to blindness. When a doctor recommends Columbia cataract surgery, the procedure can restore vision while stopping cataract-related concerns in their tracks. Here are a few things patients need to know if the recommendation for laser cataract removal has been made: • Laser procedures are performed on an outpatient basis – Patients are generally asked to report to an outpatient surgical center to have cataracts removed. This means they can go home the very same day the surgery is...

People who suffer from moderate to serve dry eye on a regular basis may find that over-the-counter products simply don’t provide the relief they seek. When a more effective treatment is required to reduce or eliminate pain, burning and discomfort, Lipiflow might provide the help needed. Lipiflow is a cutting-edge treatment that directly addresses the leading cause of dry eye: blocked Meibomian glands. The treatment is generally performed right in an eye doctor’s office and only takes a short time to provide relief.  Lipiflow works through the use of a special thermal pulsator that delivers directed, controlled heat to the inner layer of the eyelid. This allows the oils that are blocking the Meibomian glands to be released. When this occurs, the body is better able to resume normal lipid production so that eyes may be kept properly lubricated. The procedure is virtually painless and has been shown to provide significant relief for many people who suffer from dry eye symptoms. ...

Many people remember to go in for their annual physicals with their family doctors. Some may even keep up with their routine checkups and cleanings at a dentist’s office. Following through with regular eye appointments, however, may fall off the radar. This is especially so if vision hasn’t undergone any major changes. There are some important reasons why making an annual appointment – and keeping it – can be smart even if vision is practically perfect in every way. A full-service Columbia eye care center, South Carolina residents will find is a valuable partner that can help them protect and preserve vision throughout life. When a routine appointment is made with a Columbia eye care center , South Carolina patients will discover even those with 20/20 vision can benefit. Aside from gauging the clarity of vision, a routine exam will also involve such things as: • A visual inspection of the eyes – During regular exams, doctors will carefully examine structures of the eyes to look ...

The burning, itching and overall discomfort of dry eye is a common complaint that many people experience throughout life. Whether it’s a fleeting concern or a persistent one, there is help available. When the eye’s natural tears no longer serve to properly hydrate, solutions ranging from simple tear replacements to surgery to correct structural problems in the tear ducts may make a difference. Recommended dry eye treatments will vary based on the suspected cause of the concern. Contact lens wearers, for example, may find vision care professionals recommending an entirely different treatment than a person whose tear ducts are faulty. Some of the more common treatments for dry eye include: •    Artificial tears – These are specialized eye drops that are used to hydrate and lubricate the eyes. This option is often recommended to people who wear contact lenses and those who suffer from occasional dry eye prompted by such things as changes in the weather or computer-related ...

The prospect of doing away with glasses or contacts without comprising vision in the process leads hundreds of thousands of people each year into eye doctors’ offices seeking information about laser eye surgery. Procedures, such as LASIK, have become a common – and highly effective – alternative to corrective lenses. Despite their large and ever-growing popularity, however, not everyone knows exactly what to expect from seeking out this route. Here are some of the basics people considering laser eye surgery need to know: • The procedures have been around for a long time – The thought of correcting vision with a laser might sound like science fiction, but it’s been science fact for more than two decades. While laser procedures were only introduced about 25 years ago, ophthalmologists have actually been reshaping corneas to improve vision for more than 50 years. • The surgery is considered more or less permanent – Laser eye surgery permanently reshapes the cornea to add...

Most people expect and accept their vision will change as they age. After all, reading glasses are practically a hallmark of aging courtesy of the extreme commonality of presbyopia. It’s important for people to be very aware, however, that not all vision changes that may appear in middle age or later are “normal” or “expected.” Any changes in vision really do demand diagnosis from an eye doctor to ensure that more serious conditions aren’t to blame. Here are some of the other causes of vision change that may prompt the need for intervention to preserve and protect sight: •    Extended use of contact lenses – People who wear contact lenses may notice changes in vision over time that are not positive. Long term use of lenses can cause dry eye symptoms and may result in the accumulation of debris on the lenses. This, in turn, can lead to eye infections and other concerns. Avoid issues by cleaning contacts thoroughly and seeking out medical advice if concerns about infecti...

If LASIK surgery is a vision correction option that’s under consideration, chances are you have lots of questions. While you probably know the surgery has been used for decades to help people walk away from a dependency on glasses or contacts, the prospect can still be a little intimidating. After all, choosing to have eye surgery is a pretty big decision to make. Should LASIK be the refractive procedure recommended by an eye surgeon , here are some facts that can help in the decision-making process: •    LASIK procedures are very common – It is estimated that eye surgeons perform about 700,000 LASIK procedures each and every year. This form of eye surgery is extremely common for helping people with a host of vision concerns correct sight on a more permanent basis. •    LASIK has a strong track record of success – While eye surgeons cannot guarantee 20/20 vision after the procedure, more than 90 percent of patients attain this result. It is estimated that...

Being diagnosed with cataracts can be a scary proposition for those who know little about this concern. After all, being told that a condition is present that will slowly rob eyesight is frightening. Understanding the facts about this condition and how it is addressed can make the news a whole lot easier to bear. Here are just a few of the things people need to know about cataracts : •    It is a very common concern – Cataracts form when the proteins in the eye begin to clump together to form an area of cloudiness on the lens. The condition typically begins with a small area of cloudiness, but it spreads as time passes. The condition is generally associated with aging, but may also present in young children and as a result of trauma to the eye. Cataracts is considered the No. 1 cause of blindness in the world and is estimated to affect more than 22 million Americans. •    There are some risk factors people can control – While most people will develop cat...