What to Ask Before Having Lasik

  1. Am I a good candidate? You should be over 18 with a stable refraction, free of eye and collagen-vascular diseases, have a prescription between +6.00 to -10.00 with or without astigmatism and enough corneal thickness and appropriate curvature to safely perform the procedure.
  2. What are the main risks? Under-correction and over-correction are the main risks, treated with an enhancement. Epithelial ingrowth, inflammation under the flap, and infection are less common complications. With over 20 million procedures in the US, there are no reports of blindness!
  3. How many procedures have you personally performed? Dr. Carlin has personally performed over 10,000 procedures.
  4. How well will I see after the procedure? In our practice, 100% see 20/40 or better and are able to pass a drivers license test without glasses. Over 94% see 20/20 with 80% seeing better than 20/20.
  5. What type of technology do you use? We use the latest Lasik technology, performing I Design Refractive Studio custom treatments with the STAR SR IR excimer laser. Flaps are created with the Ziemer femtosecond laser.
  6. Where and how long does the procedure take? Procedures are performed in our special, climate controlled, in-office Laser Suite and typically takes about 15 minutes for both eyes.
  7. What happens after the procedure? You will use eye drops for 4 days, shield over the eyes for 4 nights and sunglasses or safety glasses indoors and outdoors for 48 hours. Avoid rubbing the eyes for one week.
  8. What if I am not a candidate? As a truly comprehensive refractive practice, we perform all refractive procedures including PRK, EVO ICLS and refractive lens exchanges. We can select the best procedure for your particular situation.

The Optician: Your Partner in Vision

An eyeglass prescription specifies the power of lenses including the sphere, cylinder, bifocal, prism, etc. to provide your best vision. It is the Optician, who is trained and licensed, that turns the prescription into a pair of glasses. He/she decides what lens material to use, the quality, thickness, curvature, and centration. If a bifocal, will it be lined, not lined or progressive? If the latter, should it be optimized for distance, intermediate or near? Should lenses be tinted or would separate sunglasses be beneficial? The Optician then helps you select the frame. They consider your unique face shape in order to assist you in selecting which style and shape is the best fit for you. Lastly, the Optician measures the distance between your eyes and the distance from your face to the lenses.

This information is sent to a lab which fabricates the lenses, mounting them in the selected frame. When the glasses are received, the Optician checks to be sure the lenses and frame meets the exact specifications. The final cleaning and fitting is taken care of when you stop by to pick up, confirming the frame fits properly and comfortably.

It is clear the prescription itself is just one part of the process. Lenses that provide suboptimal or even distorted vision can scratch easily and cause headaches and eyestrain. Frames that are uncomfortable do not enhance your appearance. The Optician makes the difference between comfortable, durable glasses that allow you to see, look and feel your best.

Cataract Symptoms

If you are noticing increasing glare and haloes around lights when driving at night, lights in your house are too dim, or that your vision is not as sharp as it use to be, you might be developing cataracts. Cataracts are more common in certain families and normal as we age. They can be accelerated by certain diseases, medications and trauma. The only definitive treatment for cataracts is to surgically remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear implant. This procedure is essentially painless and performed in our own dedicated Surgery Center. The time to consider surgery is NOT simply because you have a cataract, but rather if it is bothering you in your daily life.

Sleep Crust: Normal or Not?

Sleep crust, (eye gunk, eye goop, etc.) is the term used to describe the “sleep” that you find in your eyes upon waking in the morning. The yellowish discharge can be hard, crusty or sticky and builds up in the corner of the eyes and along the lash line. This occurs because of residual tears and debris build up during the night when not blinking.

It is totally normal and harmless and can easily be removed by gently rubbing with a warm wet washcloth.

However; if it becomes green or excessive it may be a sign of dry eyes or infection, which would require treatment.

Stress and Your Eyes

We all know that stress affects the body, but elevated levels of cortisol and adrenaline produced when under stress can also cause increase eye pressure, light sensitivity, eye twitching, lured vision, eye strain, tunnel vision, dry or wet eyes and awareness of eye floaters.

While generally not serious and resolved with time, stress can be a concern in those with glaucoma or dry eyes.

Stress can sometimes be reduced by practicing deep breathing, regular exercise, practicing mindfulness, limiting social media and connecting with family and friends. Of course, professional help is always an option.

Glaucoma Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the optic nerve, which conducts vision from the eye to the brain, deteriorates resulting in a loss of peripheral vision leading to blindness. While there is no cure, the deterioration can be slowed or stopped by using eye drops, laser treatments, micro-invasive procedures or glaucoma surgery. As a life-long condition, successful treatment involves careful monitoring of the eye’s pressure, the eye’s appearance, the function of the optic nerve and compliance by the patient in using medications faithfully and following the doctor’s recommendations. Often as we age, treatments need to be modified or supplemented, which is why continued follow up and an honest relationship between the doctor and the patient is of paramount importance.

Specials

Lasik is $800 off during April and May only. This offer cannot be combined with insurance. Call 770.979.2020 option 2 to book your free evaluation.

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Buy one pair of glasses with our Hoya Digital Progressive no line lenses to receive 25% off our clearest & sharpest lens design. This offer ends April 30th, 2023. Visit our Optical Boutique Monday-Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm.