LASIK: Good Enough for NASA

If you’re still concerned about the safety of LASIK, consider this: The National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) now accepts astronaut applicants who have undergone LASIK. Many studies were done to ensure that acceptable vision quality was achieved after the procedure. There were also concerns about the stability of the corneal flap that is created for the first step of the surgery. By folding back this flap, the surgeon has access to the underlying corneal tissue to correct the nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. When the procedure is complete, the corneal flap is folded back into place so it can re-adhere.

The extensive research showed that advanced LASIK provided excellent results:

·         Corneal flap fared well in extreme conditions (especially when created with blade-free femtosecond laser technology as opposed to conventional procedures using a metal blade)

·         Wavefront-guided LASIK produced superior results (this is technology that uses laser light to identify imperfections in the patient’s eye and create a 3-D map to guide the laser treatment for the most precise vision correction possible)

People in the aerospace environment benefit from being able to see without the hindrance of glasses or contacts (think about glasses floating through the air or trying to clean contacts without gravity!). LASIK has also made it possible for nearsighted people to become astronauts (this wasn’t possible in the past).

Even if you haven’t set your aspirations on being an astronaut, LASIK can open up a whole new universe of possibilities for your everyday life. Many people achieve 20/20 vision – or better – after the procedure and enjoy years of their lives without glasses or contacts.

Of course, not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK. Your corneas may be too thin, you may have medical conditions that will interfere with your healing or your vision problem may be better corrected by a different type of procedure. A quick glance won’t let you know if LASIK is right for you – you need a full eye examination. 

If you’re ready to fix your vision, visit the website of Dr. Davis  at Davis Eye Center to schedule a LASIK Consultation in Cuyohoga Falls. Visit www.daviseyecenter.comm or call 330 923 5676 today.

Got the “Luck ‘o the Irish” When it Comes to Your Eyesight?

If you look up the origin of the saying, “Luck of the Irish,” you’ll find that most people use it to mean you are actually lucky. Ironically, Irish history states that the Irish often had bad luck. 

Regardless of how you might use that popular Irish saying, let’s take a moment to think about luck when it comes to your vision. Let’s face it, some people are just born with great genes and perfectly shaped corneas, while others have refractive errors that lead to problems with how the eye focuses light. You may have:   

·         Corneas that are longer and steeper than normal, resulting in nearsightedness (or myopia) where close objects are seen clearly and far away objects are blurry

·         Corneas that are shorter and flatter than normal, resulting in farsightedness (or hyperopia) where far away objects are seen clearly and close objects are blurry

·         Corneas that are football-shaped instead of round-shaped, resulting in astigmatism where you may have some degree of blurred vision at all distances

·         Eye lenses that become stiffened over time, making it harder to focus properly, especially up-close, resulting in presbyopia

No, it’s not fair. But there is a way to combat what Mother Nature gave you: LASIK Surgery. Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK; however, if you have the right eye health and corneal thickness, your corneal shape might be corrected through this procedure. LASIK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. A LASIK process called Blended Vision is sometimes used to correct presbyopia, by correcting one eye for near vision and one eye for far vision to eliminate the need for reading glasses.

There is no need to be miserable with your eyesight – especially when LASIK financing exists to help you afford this amazing procedure. Even if LASIK isn’t right for your eyes, there may be other vision procedures that can be done to produce the results you desire.

So, Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Let Davis Eye Center  help you get the good “Luck of the Irish” in regard to your vision. Go ahead and enjoy yourself on March 17, then call us to schedule your free LASIK Consultation so we can discuss your unique situation. Call 330 923 5676 or visit www.daviseyecenter.com/.

Daylight Savings is Coming Soon – Get Your Eyes Ready for Spring

Daylight Savings this year is Sunday, March 10, 2013. That means the start of longer days, more sunshine, warmer temperatures and spring just around the corner (in fact, only 10 days after we “spring forward!”). This also means the start of spending more time outdoors enjoying the activities you love.  

If your glasses or contacts hinder your outdoor fun, and you’ve been considering treating yourself to LASIK to improve your natural vision, now is the perfect time to explore your options.

By scheduling a LASIK consultation now, you can find out if your eye health and corneal thickness is right for this procedure – and if it might give you 20/20 vision. Picture yourself camping, bicycling, hiking, swimming or just enjoying a barbeque with friends – without those annoying plastic covers on your eyeballs or heavy frames sliding down your nose.

Once you are given the green light for LASIK, learn all about the risks and rewards and locate a surgeon with which you feel 100% confident, you’ll be amazed at how quick the LASIK process really is. In fact, most people see improvements in their vision immediately after the procedure (which only takes a few minutes per eye).

At Davis Eye Center we’re excited that Daylight Savings Time is coming and we’re ready to help you see your way through spring and summer (and beyond!) more clearly. Contact us today to schedule your free LASIK consultation. Call 330 923 5676 or visit www.daviseyecenter.com.

What Really is 20/20 Vision?

It’s widely known that LASIK eye surgery can give some patients 20/20 vision. But what does 20/20 vision really mean?

According to the American Optometric Association, “20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance.”

There are varying degrees of vision based on what research has shown that a “normal” person can see. Other examples include:

·         20/10 vision means that you can see at 20 feet what can normally be seen when standing 10 feet away (your vision is better than normal)

·         20/40 vision means that you have to stand 20 feet away from something to see what you should be able to see at 40 feet away (your vision is worse than normal)

·         20/100 vision means that what should be normally seen at 100 feet away requires you to stand 20 feet away to see it (your vision is poor)

·         20/200 vision is considered legal blindness in the United States

Having 20/20 vision does not mean you have perfect vision because other factors, such as peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision, eye coordination and focusing ability play into your overall visual attributes.

If you have less-than-ideal eyesight that causes you to need glasses or contacts to correct your nearsightedness (good close-up vision/bad distance vision), farsightedness (good distance vision/bad close-up vision) or astigmatism (impaired distance and close-up vision), LASIK may help correct your refractive error and put you into the “normal” 20/20 vision range. LASIK surgeons take into consideration many of your unique attributes before recommending LASIK surgery, including your overall eye health, corneal thickness and medical history. 

To find out if LASIK might be able to give you 20/20 vision, contact Davis Eye Center in Akron, Columbus and Cuyahoga to schedule your free LASIK Consultation. Call 330 923 5676 or visit www.daviseyecenter.com/index.php .

Financing LASIK

Nearsightedness. Farsightedness. Astigmatism. These are the refractive errors that cause people to need corrective lenses. The hassles of keeping track of glasses and contacts and buying new lenses and contact solutions should be enough to encourage everyone to consider LASIK eye surgery. However, what stops many glasses-wearers in their tracks is the cost of LASIK.

In 2011, the average cost of LASIK in the United States was $2,146 per eye. Of course, fees for LASIK vary greatly from surgeon to surgeon depending on where you have the surgery performed and what types of technologies are used. But generally people can expect to pay approximately $3,000-$5,000 for top-notch LASIK vision correction in both eyes.

The good news is that financing is usually available for LASIK. Most reputable LASIK surgeons team up with financing companies like CareCredit® to help their patients afford LASIK through 0% interest or low-interest monthly payment plans over a specified number of months or even years. The monthly payment amount can be set to meet your budget. Often the LASIK practice will help you fill out and submit all of the necessary forms.

Using Flex Plans for LASIKIf your employer offers a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you may be able to set aside pre-tax dollars to use for your LASIK procedure. Make sure you know the limits of your specific plan: Most FSAs require you to use the money within a specific timeframe. Also, make sure you are a definite candidate for LASIK surgery before signing up through your FSA. If you find out you cannot have LASIK surgery, and you have put money into your Flex Account for that specific procedure, you will probably lose that money.
When you consider how much you spend every year on glasses, contacts and related items, LASIK eye surgery may actually be a money-saver. You have to decide: What is your visual freedom worth?
Dr. Charles Davis at Davis Eye Center  can determine if LASIK can give you 20/20 vision and discuss your financing options. To schedule your free LASIK consultation, visit www.daviseyecenter.com call 303 923 5676.
 

Scared of LASIK? Get the Facts!

If you’ve been living for years with nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, constantly annoyed with contact lenses and glasses, you’ve undoubtedly heard about how LASIK can improve your vision. You may have even gone so far as having a LASIK consultation to find out that you are, indeed, a good candidate for the procedure. So why haven’t you taken the plunge and had LASIK eye surgery?

Maybe it’s the cost of the procedure (although there are excellent financing options available). But maybe you are apprehensive – scared, even – about having someone perform a procedure on your eyes. It is understandable to have anxiety about LASIK, but consider this: According to the Eye Surgery Education Council, “LASIK vision correction has the highest patient satisfaction rate of any elective surgery: 95.4%, according to a 10-year survey of scientific studies from around the world. And new advances in technology now deliver better outcomes than ever. The majority of patients enjoy 20/20 vision or better after laser vision correction. Nearly all patients achieve 20/40 or better, which is fully functional and good enough to drive legally in most states without corrective lenses.”

Other studies have shown that there are more than 700,000 LASIK procedures performed in the United States every year. Satisfied patients express feelings of amazement because they can see with clarity, first thing in the morning; play sports, swim and travel without worrying about glasses or contacts; and have clear peripheral vision.

LASIK is not something to jump into; you should take time to fully research the LASIK surgeons in your area to determine who offers the best technologies and has the best track record of success. Notice we didn’t mention finding the best price. Advances in LASIK technology have bumped up the cost of LASIK slightly, but the overall results are superior and, according to most who’ve had it, well worth the money.

You should also be fully aware of the potential complications of LASIK, which can include:

·         Dry eye syndrome

·         Possible need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery

·         Potentially debilitating vision problems like glare, starbursts, halos or double vision

·         Vision loss

If you want to find out all the facts about LASIK, contact Dr. Davis at Davis Eye Center to schedule a free LASIK consultation at daviseyecenter.com or call 330-923-5676. You can also take a free online LASIK Self-Evaluation.

Give Your Valentine the Gift of 20/20 Vision

If you are searching for the perfect gift for your sweetheart, consider giving the gift of LASIK…and the possibility of 20/20 vision. Valentine’s Day is all about showing loved ones how much you care, and what better way to show your love than by arranging a free LASIK consultation?

LASIK eye surgery can correct the refractive errors that cause nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. These are the conditions that cause people to need glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. Unfortunately, not every person is a good candidate for this procedure. The only way to determine if your loved one is a good LASIK candidate is through a comprehensive consultation and eye exam by a reputable LASIK provider.

If your loved one finds out that LASIK is right for his or her eyes, you can decide together how to proceed. There are often LASIK financing options available to help pay for the procedure, which costs, on average, $1,600 - $2,500 per eye, depending on the type of technology used. Steer clear of discount LASIK providers that advertise the procedure for less than $600 per eye – these often have hidden fees, are performed with inexperienced surgeons or use outdated technologies that can lead to vision complications.

When performed by a reputable and experienced LASIK surgeon, many LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision – or better – after the procedure, and they often experience a visual freedom they have never had in their lives. Now that’s an amazing Valentine’s Day gift!  

Of course, risks accompany any type of surgery and LASIK is no exception. Vision changes, such as halos, glare, double vision and starbursts; dry eye syndrome; vision loss and the need for glasses after LASIK are some of the risks. Discuss these complication possibilities with your LASIK provider.

Wouldn’t it be great to gaze into your sweetheart’s eyes – without looking through glasses? Contact Dr.Davis at Davis Eye Center today to schedule a free LASIK consultation and learn about financing options to help you afford this thoughtful gift. Visit daviseyecenter.com or call 330-923-5676.