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Is LASIK Permanent? Understanding the Longevity of LASIK Surgery

LASIK surgery is one of the most highly sought-after treatment methods for people suffering from refractive eye issues. Over 700,000 patients get LASIK surgery every year, due to the promise of immediate improvement in eye vision quality. While Lasik surgery is permanent, explore the different factors that can increase or decrease the procedure’s long-term effectiveness.

Understanding LASIK

What is LASIK?

LASIK is a surgical eye procedure that improves refractive eye errors, helping patients see clearly when focusing on certain things. By using precise and controlled movements, the corneal tissue of the eye is removed using a laser, which permanently reshapes the cornea. This results in clearer vision.

How Does LASIK Work?

There are three stages of LASIK, including preparation, surgery, and post-operative care:

Stage 1: Preparation

Before scheduling a procedure, it’s important to find a reputable surgeon who has years of experience performing LASIK surgery. Your surgeon should consult you about the treatment and its associated risks, including the potential need to make lifestyle changes including wearing contacts, makeup, and perfumes. Lastly, you should invite someone to attend your appointment so that they drive you home after your procedure.

Stage 2: Laser Surgery

There are two steps during LASIK surgery:

Corneal flap creation
Reshaping cornea with excimer laser

Through these two steps, the corneal tissue is removed to permanently reshape the cornea. With the laser’s precise mechanics, the procedure can take less than 20 minutes. However, depending on the severity of your eyes’ refractive error, more time may be required.

The procedure generally requires ten minutes of operating room time, during which the laser is used for less than a minute on each eye. However, the actual duration of the procedure may vary according to the type and amount of correction needed.

Post Operative Care:

After receiving LASIK surgery, it is important to keep your eyes safe from any external forces that can impact the effectiveness of your treatment including:

Wearing sunglasses
Avoiding swimming
Not smoking
Not wearing make-up the first week after surgery
Limiting the amount of time spent reading

How Long Does LASIK Surgery Take?

Though the actual procedure may take only 10 minutes for each eye, the overall surgery can last for 20 minutes. Most patients frequently finish their procedure within 30 minutes or less.

With a speedy recovery time, your eyes begin to heal immediately after the procedure is finished. Nevertheless, to reach full recovery, it may take four to six weeks to see full results.

How Long Does Lasik Eye Surgery Last? Is Lasik Permanent?

If you’re wondering “How long does LASIK last?”, the good news is that it’s permanent. Though LASIK is considered a permanent surgery (because of the cornea’s physical reshaping), the effectiveness of the procedure can decrease after a while. Most patients will experience the results for their entire lifetime, whereas about 2% of patients in the U.S. will need a touch-up.

Factors Affecting Longevity

Some eligible patients may wonder “Does LASIK wear off?”, and the answer is that there are many factors that can impact the longevity of your LASIK effectiveness including:

Age when the surgery was received
Prescription stability at time of surgery
Underlying eye conditions
Ability to follow post-operative care requirements
Lifestyle factors
Environmental factors

With 99% of patients achieving 20/40 vision after LASIK surgery, the procedure has a high patient satisfaction rate of 96%.

Vision Conditions Corrected by LASIK

Because LASIK improves how light rays affect the retina, eye conditions with refractive errors caused by eye shape issues are most likely to see benefits. Refractive errors can occur when a patient’s cornea limits light bending, leading to blurry vision. LASIK eye surgery most commonly fixes the following eye conditions:

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Occurs when your cornea is overly curbed or your eyeball is extra long, making it hard to see far-away objects.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

Occurs when your cornea is overly flat or your eyeball is too short, making it hard to see close-up objects.

Astigmatism

When your vision is blurry whether something is far away or near because of an irregularly shaped cornea.

Eligibility for LASIK Surgery

If you’re wondering “How old do you have to be for LASIK?”, we have all the answers. To be eligible for LASIK eye surgery, a patient needs to meet all eligibility requirements to meet safety regulations including:

Patients need to be 18 years of age or older
Have generally good eye health and overall health
Have had a stable eye prescription for at least one year
Understand the risks and complications associated with the procedure.

To ensure patients are equipped to handle all stages of the procedure, they must be fully evaluated by an ophthalmologist to limit risk and unexpected situations from occurring.

LASIK Enhancement Surgery

Though over 90% of patients achieve 20/20 vision, the long-lasting effects can diminish over time. Some patients may find that they need LASIK enhancement flap lift surgery to keep the quality of eyesight they gained during their initial procedure. Oftentimes, enhancement surgery is the preferred choice if you need a tune-up within 3-6 months of your first treatment.

There are a couple of factors that can impact a patient needing enhancement surgery including:

The initial severity of your refractive error
A more severe case of nearsightedness or farsightedness
A more severe case of astigmatism

Ready to Experience the Benefits of LASIK?

If you’re considering investing in LASIK eye surgery, it’s important to find a qualified eye surgeon with years of experience in the field.

At Speciality Eye Institute, we are committed to ensuring each of our patient’s vision problems are treated with the utmost level of care. For more information about our LASIK and LASIK enhancement flap lift surgery, reach out to our team.

Our board-certified ophthalmologists and eye doctors are the first-choice providers for residents in Mid-Michigan and Northwest Ohio.

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Why You Should Get A Second Opinion Before Cataract Surgery

Are you thinking about getting a second opinion before cataract surgery? The best way to get optimal healthcare is by exploring your options. This is especially true when it comes to cataract surgery or any other kind of surgery for that matter.

Why Second Opinions Are Important for Cataract Surgery

Only consulting one eye doctor for eye care will limit your knowledge and impact your decision-making process. When it comes to a health condition like cataracts, you will need to get a second opinion before scheduling a cataract surgery to become familiar with the best treatment options.

But first, What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a type of eye condition that causes cloudiness within the lens of the eye. This cloudiness will interfere with a person's ability to see. A cataract can result in blurry vision, faded colors, halos, and in some cases, blindness. Cataracts can be the result of aging, blunt force trauma, radiation exposure, or genetic diseases. If you don't trust a diagnosis you received from your previous doctor, get a second opinion from a different eye doctor before you determine whether or not to get cataract surgery or treatment.

What is Cataract Surgery Like?

In laser cataract surgery, the natural lens is removed from the eye. An artificial implant is inserted in its place. Before the surgery takes place, the eye care specialist will measure the size and shape of your eye to find an appropriate artificial lens for you. You may be asked not to eat or drink anything 12 hours before the cataract surgery.

Most cataract surgeries take place in under one hour. You will be awake during the operation, but you won't feel pain. Your eyes will be under numbing medication. Side effects after cataract surgery are rare. However, you could experience eye infection, bleeding, retinal detachment, pressure, or fluid buildup.

You will be asked to apply eye drops in the days following the surgery; this medication will help your eyes heal.

Tips & Insights: What is LASIK Eye Surgery?

Why Is It Important to Get a Second Opinion Prior to Cataract Surgery?

Not everyone needs surgery to treat cataracts. Some people prefer to only wear prescription eyewear to deal with cataracts. Obtaining a second opinion will help you assess the medical condition and determine if you need cataract surgery. Getting a second opinion from another doctor will confirm whether surgery is truly needed, and keep your mind at ease with these important questions answered.

Is Your Eye Surgeon Qualified, Trained, and Certified?

For 40 years, we have been recognized as one of the industry’s innovators. Through our experience, commitment to technology, and role in researching new treatments and techniques we can provide patients with the best possible eye care, both today and in the future.

Does Your Doctor Use Certified Medical Facilities and Safe Equipment?

Doctors at Specialty Eye Institute use certified equipment when diagnosing and treating your vision problems. Our comprehensive eye exams are designed to detect these common eye issues and other diseases in their early stages. Our doctors also participate in leading clinical technologies.

Will Your Doctor Inform and Educate You On All Your Options?

The team at Specialty Eye Institute is committed to educating all of our patients before surgery on all available options for the desired results. We provide many educational opportunities with free patient seminars, and informative newsletters and our team of trained patient consultants and surgical counselors are available to answer any questions. Questions? Let's talk!

Tips & Insights: View Our Keratoconus Treatment Options

Would Others Recommend it?

Read the reviews when researching your options for eye care and bigger procedures, like cataract surgery. You can view these on Google My Business, Facebook, or sometimes their website.

Questions To Ask Your Eye Doctor

When you visit the doctors for their expert opinions, be sure to ask these questions to compare:

1. How serious is my eye condition?
2. What are the different treatment options?
3. What is the best treatment option for my particular case?
4. What are the risks that come with this treatment option?
5. What happens if I don't receive treatment?

Also, consider seeking a second opinion from a completely different institute. Different eye health clinics will have different approaches to eye care. When getting a second opinion, feel free to bring along any test results and information gathered from the first consultation. Be open about what the second consultation is about: getting another appraisal.

Have More Questions: Visit Our Cataracts FAQ Page

How to Choose Between Your Options

If the second doctor disagrees with the first about laser cataract surgery, then it's time to evaluate the pros and cons of each treatment option. A third opinion may be needed if you don't know what to do.

In the end, you should go with the treatment plan that offers the best potential outcome. Need a second opinion? Contact Specialty Eye Institute today! With over 40 years of top-notch eye care, we have 10 locations across Michigan and Ohio.

Tips & Insights: The Benefits of Receiving Retinal Detachment Surgery

When Should You Have Cataract Surgery? Signs, Symptoms & Causes

How Do You Know If You Need Cataract Surgery?

At the beginning of cataract formation, it may be easy to improve your vision through glasses, magnification, bifocals, visual aids, and appropriate lighting. When the cataract progresses to the point that it impairs vision and the way of life, it may be the right time to have cataract surgery.

Aging is considered the primary factor of poor vision, but getting cataract surgery is painless and simple enough to get your clear vision back. According to PBA, visiting a certified ophthalmologist to perform cataract surgery is an excellent way to get your vision back, and it is the most successful surgery performed in the US, with more than three million Americans undergoing the surgery every year.

What are Cataracts?

A cataract is identified with the clouding of the natural lens in an eye. People who are over 40 are the most affected by cataracts when it comes to vision impairment. In addition, cataracts are the world’s primary cause of blindness.

To understand the seriousness of the widespread effect of cataracts, Prevent Blindness America (PBA) stated that cataracts are more common in comparison to the combined cases of diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Cataracts now affect approximately more than 22 million Americans over the age of 46, and PBA states that the figure will rise to 30 million by 2020.

What Are The Signs You Need Cataract Surgery?

Cataract symptoms often include blurry vision, similar to looking through cloudy glass. You may also become more sensitive to light. Driving at night may become a challenge because the headlights from oncoming cars may cause more glare than they used to. If you are struggling to see the contrast between different colors or the colors you observe appear less vibrant, this is a sign it's time to talk with a certified ophthalmologist about the advantages of having cataract surgery.

Tips & Insights: What Are The Signs of Macular Degeneration?

What Causes Cataracts?

The eye’s lens functions like the lens of a camera, it is used to focus light on the retina, and it adjusts the focus of the eye for you to see things clearly for both close or distant objects. The main components of the lens are protein and water.

The protein is organized in a way to keeps the lens clear for the light to easily pass through. Over time, the protein may build up and form a small cloudy part of the lens. The cloud may become larger over time forming a cataract, which will make it harder for you to see.

The reason why the lens changes as we age is unknown to us, but doctors have identified factors that cause a cataract; they include:

Diabetes
Hypertension
Obesity
UV radiation
Smoking
High Myopia
Previous inflammation or eye surgery
Hormone replacement therapy
Use of corticosteroid medications
Statin medicines
High intake of alcohol

One of the known theories about the formation of cataracts is the oxidative changes in the lens. Nutrition studies support this theory because vegetables and fruits that have antioxidants can help prevent the cause of distinct types of cataracts.

What Happens During Cataract Surgery?

When you talk with an ophthalmologist about having cataract surgery, you will become familiar with the process of removing the clouded lens in your eye with a clear intraocular lens (IOL). Intraocular lenses are plastic in nature.

Recent developments in IOLs allow patients to have lens options based on their lifestyle. There are 4 main types of IOLs:

Monofocal lens – These lenses can provide clear distance vision for patients without astigmatism.
Multifocal lens – These lenses can provide a range of vision from near to intermediate to distance.
Astigmatism Correcting (Toric) lens – correct higher levels of astigmatism and provide clear distance vision. You will still need glasses for near and intermediate vision.
Depth-of-focus lens – This lens provides a continuous range of vision at all distances to fit your active lifestyle.

Men should also be careful to know that some prostate drugs can cause IFIS (Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome) when cataract removal is being performed.

If there is a cataract in each of your eyes, typically cataract surgery is performed on your non-dominant eye first followed by your dominant eye 1-2 weeks later. The time between the two cataract surgeries is in case infection or complications occur.

Tips & Insights: What is the Recovery Timeline For LASIK Eye Surgery?

To prevent yourself from having cataract surgery, use antioxidant vitamins like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C, and also wear sunglasses to block UV rays when you are enjoying the sun. If you are struggling to read or drive at night, this is a sign of vision issues that need to be diagnosed by a certified ophthalmologist or optometrist. Our staff of ophthalmologists offers innovative eye care solutions such as LASIK eye surgery, blepharoplasty surgery, glaucoma treatments, corneal transplants, and keratoconus options. Give our team of ophthalmologists a call by phone at (877) 852-8463 to discuss eye care treatments.

Schedule your cataract screening today!

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What Happens During The LASIK Procedure? Step-by-Step

LASIK surgery can change the way that you see the world around you. With its typically quick recovery and mostly painless procedure, it’s easy to see why LASIK is one of the most popular eye surgeries in the US. If you’re considering it, too, it’s important to know what exactly to expect if you undergo the surgery.

We’ll discuss pre-procedure preparation, what will happen during the surgery, and what you can expect after in terms of recovery.

How To Prepare For LASIK Surgery

What To Expect

The first step on your journey to LASIK is to set up a consultation. At this point, your doctor will walk you through the process, explain the benefits, and warn you about the risks.

The benefits of LASIK include:

LASIK can give you improved vision that reduces your reliance on glasses or contacts
About 99% of people have vision of 20/40 or better after the procedure without glasses
More than 90% end up with 20/20 vision

There are some risks, though, including:

Issues with your cornea that require further treatment or surgery
Corneal ectasia, which is the weakening of your cornea
Inflammation or infection that will need to be treated with medication
Vision that’s worse than before you had LASIK, which will require treatment

Some side effects that you may experience are:

Glare around lights
Reduced night vision
Blurred vision
Tiny red or pink spots on the white of your eye
Sensitivity to light
Dry Eyes

Comprehensive Eye Exam

After your consultation, they will perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine your eligibility for the surgery. During your comprehensive eye surgery, they will look at:

Your general medical history
Any medications you’re currently taking
The shape and thickness of your cornea
Your pupil size
Your refractive errors
Any pre-existing ocular conditions

Once you’re approved, you can get your surgery scheduled.

Pre-Procedure Instructions

Your preparation for your LASIK surgery will need to start a couple of weeks beforehand.

Be Informed

Make sure that you’ve read any information that’s been given to you about the surgery, and ask any questions that you have. It’s better to go prepared with knowledge of what’s going to happen than to be surprised during the procedure.

Avoid Contacts

If you’re wearing soft contact lenses, most surgeons will ask that you stop using them about two weeks before your surgery.

If you’re wearing rigid contact lenses, then it may be asked that you stop using them about four weeks before your surgery.

Stop Using Make-Up and Lotions

On the day of your procedure, or even a couple of days before, make sure that you are not wearing make-up, perfumes, or facial moisturizers. These products can get into your eyes and increase your risk of infection.

Arrange For Someone To Drive You

After your surgery, you should not drive until your doctor has given you permission to. You will need to ask someone to drive you home after the procedure, as well as for your check-up the next day.

The LASIK Procedure: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Arrival and Pre-Procedure Prep

You are asked to arrive promptly at the appointment time for your procedure, especially if there is paperwork that needs to be filled out.

Anesthetic Eye Drops and Lid Speculum

Before the procedure begins, numbing eye drops will be administered to ensure that the surgery is as pain-free as possible.

Next, a small, metal instrument called a lid speculum will be used to hold your eyelids open and in place for the surgery.

Creating The Corneal Flap

Once the lid speculum is in place, a precision flap-making instrument will be meticulously put into position. You’ll be asked to focus on a special fixation light and the surgeon will activate the precision instrument electronically. This will fold away a corneal flap, making the middle layer of the cornea accessible.

Reshaping the Cornea

After, the cornea is reshaped by an excimer laser. This is done differently depending on which ocular condition you are trying to treat.

Myopia

The cornea is flattened to reduce the converging power of the eye. This is done by removing more tissue from the center of the cornea than around.

Hyperopia

The central cornea is steepened to enhance the converging power of the eye. This is done by removing more tissue from the periphery than the center.

Astigmatism

The cornea will be made more spherical by changing the pattern of the beam, which can remove tissue in one direction more than the other.

Repositioning The Corneal Flap

Once the reshaping is finished, the flap will be put back in place and will naturally be held there by the moisture in your eye for fast healing.

Immediate Post-Procedure Steps

Once the surgery is completed, you will be prescribed eye drops to help reduce inflammation and avoid infection while your eyes heal. It may cause slight stinging when you start using them, but this is normal and they should continue to be administered as directed by your doctor.

You may also be prescribed artificial tears to avoid dry eyes after surgery. The artificial tears should keep your eyes full of moisture and comfortable. They may also provide you with a shield to protect your eyes and stop you from touching them.

What to Expect After The LASIK Procedure

LASIK Recovery

In most cases, recovery from LASIK surgery is extremely fast.

Many can return to work within a few days and, with caution, can start driving again. A side effect of LASIK surgery is blurred vision, so be aware of the state of your vision before you get behind the wheel.

Some activities should be limited while your eyes heal. It is situational, but the general guidelines are:

Wait three days before exercising
Wait two weeks to use make-up or lotion near your eyes
Wait at least one month to play contact sports
Wait one to two months to swim or use hot tubs

Healing Timeline

Most people have 90% of their best vision possible after the procedure. Within a couple of days, you will notice an improvement. But it will take three to six months for your eyes to fully recover and heal.

For the first week after your surgery, you may experience:

Dry eyes
Watery eyes
Sensitivity to light
Discomfort or mild pain in your eyes
Puffy eyelids

It’s vital that you do not touch your eyes during this week so that they can heal.

Long-Term Care

For long-term recovery, you will need to attend check-ups with your doctor to monitor your progress. After your post-op check-in, you should be checking in with your doctor about once every one or two years, unless they recommend more frequent visits.

The LASIK Procedure With Specialty Eye Institute

LASIK surgery is a life-changing procedure with the ability to vastly improve your vision and reduce your reliance on glasses or contacts. It’s a huge decision that can cause monumental change, and you should only let the most experienced, skilled doctors help you make it.

The trusted team at Specialty Eye Institute is here to help you every step of the way, from deciding to undergo LASIK surgery, to efficiently and safely performing the procedure, to ensuring that your recovery goes smoothly.

If you’re interested in discussing LASIK surgery with us, call us at 866-435-8935 or request an appointment on our website. You can also take our LASIK self-test online for free.

See our list of FAQs about LASIK surgery for more information.

6 Tips On How To Maintain Good Eyesight

How To Maintain Good, Healthy Eyesight

Maintaining healthy vision is more important than getting a regular vision screening. Your overall health can impact your eyesight. Here are 6 tips on how to maintain good eyesight:

1. Eat the Right Foods To Protect Your Eyesight

Fill your plate with foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins C and E. These nutrients may help lower your chance of developing macular degeneration or cataracts. If you are looking for ways to indirectly maintain your eyesight, eat a healthy portion of green veggies, salmon, eggs, and citrus fruits. A healthy diet also decreases your chance of diabetes, which is one of the leading causes of blindness.

2. Gear Up with Protective Eyewear

An estimated 2.5 million eye injuries occur in the U.S. each year, so it is very important to wear proper eyewear to protect yourself from eye injuries.

Whether you’re on the job, working on a home improvement project, or playing hockey with the neighborhood, always wear protective eyewear or safety glasses to avoid the risk of anything making contact with your eyes.

3. Always Wear Your Sunglasses

Don’t just use the free pair of shades you picked up at a concert. The best way to keep your eyes healthy is to invest in a decent pair of sunglasses that will actually protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays. Too much UV exposure increases your chances of cataracts.

When picking out your sunglasses, look for 99-100% UVA and UVB radiation protection. And remember to never look directly into the sun!

4. Throw Away Old Makeup

Getting rid of old makeup is essential for maintaining your eye health, as expired products can harbor bacteria that pose a risk to your eyes. Ensure to adhere to expiration dates on your makeup products and prioritize eye safety by refreshing your makeup collection regularly.

Did you know bacteria grow fast in liquid makeup?
Replace your products every 3 months to avoid developing an eye infection.
Never share cosmetics with others and avoid store samples.
Always clean your face before and after using makeup.

Need Help? Our Ophthalmologists Are Committed to Preserving and Improving Your Vision

5. Take Frequent Screen Breaks for Eyesight Health

When you stare at a computer, tablet, or phone screen too long, you may experience eyestrain, dry eyes, neck and shoulder pain, and headaches. To avoid these things you should:

Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Take a screen break every 20 minutes by looking 20 feet away for about 20 seconds.
Find a supportive chair and make sure your screen is at eye level
Keep your glasses/contacts prescription up to date and suitable for staring at screens
Remember to blink!

6. Get Regular Eyesight Screenings

Everyone should be getting eye screenings on a regular basis. During the screening, your doctor may recommend you schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist if they believe there is a potential vision or eye problem.

Here are some things you can expect during a comprehensive eye exam:

A review of your health and family history of eye diseases, like glaucoma or macular degeneration
Vision testing
A dilated eye exam to check the retina and optic nerve
A refraction test to determine the sharpness of your near and distant vision

Anyone with symptoms or a family history of eye disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure should schedule an appointment with our team of ophthalmologists to determine how frequently their eyes should be examined.

Need an eye screening? Schedule your appointment with Specialty Eye Institute!