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Are you thinking of having laser eye surgery to stop wearing eyeglasses and/or contact lenses? What I would like to do here is to provide you with some pearls and practical insight in order to assist you in making an informed decision. This is based on my many years of experience with patients having undergone laser eye surgery. I had LASIK eye surgery myself in 1997 and for me it was a life changing experience. I also spent five years of my career working for a clinic directly providing care to laser eye surgery patients. I won't spend too much time providing detailed descriptions of the surgery itself, this is readily available and easy to access on the internet.
Ideal Candidates for Laser Eye Surgery Ideal candidates for laser eye surgery are adults with stable vision. This means a period of 1-2 years where your prescription for glasses hasn't changed. If you're someone in your twenties, I would recommend waiting closer to the 2 year mark to ensure stability before proceeding. There are exceptions of course, and those needing to do laser eye surgery to meet certain vision requirements for a career (such as police and firefighting) may not have the luxury of waiting. In my opinion, laser eye surgery works best, and is safest for those with a mild to moderate degree of myopia (nearsightedness) and/or a mild to moderate degree of astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea). If you have a very high prescription, more tissue needs to be removed from the cornea - this can increase the risk of post-operative complications. If you are hyperopic (farsighted), it is more difficult to correct and the results are less predictable. I generally do not recommend laser eye surgery for those who are farsighted because of the poorer outcomes compared to those who are nearsighted. Ask your optometrist if your prescription is ideal for laser eye surgery and what your odds are of successfully achieving good vision without glasses and contact lenses. You should feel confident of being glasses free after having the surgery (if you're over the age of 40, there's a caveat - more on that below). Other very important criteria include:
An Important Consideration for Those Over 40 If you're over the age of 40, in addition to what I discussed above, you have to factor in how your near vision (reading, using your computer and looking at anything within arms-length) will be affected. We will all experience presbyopia over the age of 40. Presbyopia is a normal part of aging that causes our eyes to lose the ability to see things clearly up close. Having laser eye surgery may cause your near vision to worsen. It is very important that you discuss the impact on your near vision with your optometrist - this will vary according to your vision and how you typically use your eyes during the day. There are techniques that can reduce your dependency on reading glasses following surgery, make sure to ask about these before deciding on surgery. Some Final Thoughts Having laser eye surgery can be potentially life changing (it was for me). My goal was to give you some general guidelines and advice based on my years of experience providing care to patients seeking and/or undergoing laser eye surgery. If you’re highly motivated to have surgery, first see your optometrist for a thorough, comprehensive eye exam and indicate your interest in having laser eye surgery. Your optometrist will be able to give you a good idea if you are an ideal candidate. Your optometrist may also be able to refer you to a reputable clinic and surgeon for a consultation. Also, do choose a reputable clinic and surgeon. The pre-operative consultation and testing is very important to ensure you will have a safe, successful outcome. Pay attention to how you're treated. Laser eye surgery is a medical procedure; you should be treated in a professional and compassionate manner as if you're a patient and not given a sales pitch as if you were a consumer shopping for a product. Assuming you’re a good candidate, once you’ve made your decision, you won’t regret it!  What is a cataract?
A cataract is when the normally clear lens within your eye becomes cloudy and opaque. Cataracts can vary from small areas of cloudiness to larger opaque areas that cause a noticeable blurring of vision. Cataracts develop without any pain or redness but do have symptoms which may include:
Cataracts are normally a function of aging and are most common in people over the age of 60. Occasionally they are found in younger people, including newborns. If you or a family member is in need of cataract care in Aurora, speak to us at Bayview North Optometry today. Risk factors for cataracts A cataract is usually the result of aging changes occurring within the eye that cause the clear lens to become cloudy and discoloured. By the time you reach 60, you will probably have some degree of clouding although your vision may not be impaired. Some other risk factors for the development of cataracts include:
Treatment for cataracts In the early stages of a cataract, where vision is only minimally affected, prescribing new glasses to give you the sharpest vision possible is usually done. When a change in glasses prescription can no longer provide functional vision and the cataract is starting to interfere with your daily activities, then a consultation with a cataract surgeon can be arranged. A cataract needs to be removed only when your vision loss interferes with your everyday activities such as working, driving, reading, or watching television. Your optometrist will help you make an informed decision about whether cataract surgery is right for you. Cataract surgery Cataract surgery is a safe and effective procedure to remove the cloudy lens from the eye and replace it with a clear implant. With current technology, many options exist for cataract surgery and the implants used. Latest technology cataract surgery can be done with lasers during the key steps of the surgery making for a safer surgery and improved visual outcome. Implants are now available can correct astigmatism, and reduce the dependency on reading glasses. Your optometrist will help you determine what the best options are for you. What does cataract surgery cost? Most of the cost related to having cataract surgery is covered in Ontario by OHIP. There may be additional charges for more advanced implants or measurement techniques for surgery - the cataract surgeon will discuss these with you. Currently, the most advanced cataract surgery technique being performed is called laser assisted cataract surgery. Typically, the laser assisted cataract surgery is being performed in private clinics with no reimbursement from the government (the patient is responsible for paying all the fees related to the surgery and implant). If you are interested in laser-assisted cataract surgery, ask your optometrist or call us at Bayview North Optometry for cataract care in Aurora, Ontario today. |
Joe BusharaWith over 30 years experience licensed optician Joe Bushara and his highly experienced team, bring you the latest trends in frames and technologies in lenses from around the world. Categories
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