Have you ever suffered from issues with your eyes? Those of us who do know how hard it is to deal with these things. Computers and cellphones (which train our eyes to focus on short distances) continue to play an ever-increasing role in our lives.
It seems a sure bet that there will be more and more who also suffer from issues with their eyes and vision. We need to be well informed and prepared to take action sooner rather than later. Do you know what the signs really are? And what they mean? Would you know what to do about it and how to choose the best doctor?
Did You Know?
- Nearsightedness is a problem of endemic proportions. Approximately 30-40 percent of adults in the United States are nearsighted; in the United States a study by the National Eye Institute found that in the early 1970s, approximately 25 percent of Americans between the ages of 12 and 54 were nearsighted, but thirty years later that number had skyrocketed to 42 percent.
- For those of us growing older, the same study showed a drastic increase in Farsightedness beginning with the 55-59 age group.
- In the USA alone, approximately 1 in 6 (16.54% or 45 million people) suffer from some type of Astigmatism.
- The US National Library of Medicine has stated that uncorrected Presbyopia has led to visual impairment among more than 1.04 billion people globally.
How LASIK Works
LASIK surgery is a fairly straightforward procedure. Our cornea accounts for a large percentage of our eye’s ability to focus. Any irregularity or abnormality can cause blurry vision. LASIK can often compensate for blurred vision by virtue of reshaping our cornea. No stitches are required, and postoperative discomfort is usually minimal. Within two to three days, most people experience a marked vision improvement (although full stabilization can take longer).
The four most common vision-related problems are:
- Nearsightedness(myopia): You can see things up close, but things far away appear blurry.
- Farsightedness(hyperopia): You can see objects far away better than those up close.
- Astigmatism: Astigmatism is a condition in which your eye, rather than being round, is shaped more like a football.
- Presbyopia: Presbyopia is an age-related vision problem that typically begins after age 40 and worsens with increasing age
Each of these can be corrected with LASIK surgery, the most popular corneal refractive procedure worldwide. With more than 800,000 procedures performed each year in the U.S. alone, this surgery produces excellent results when performed by a skilled eye doctor.
For example, Stahl Eyecare Experts is one company that offers many forms of refractive surgery. It’s important that eye specialists tailor the correct procedure to each patient’s needs. The highest level of professionalism, combining innovative science and a philosophy of compassion and helping patients by providing expert care in everything they do are the traits we all look for from doctors we choose for everything from routine eye examinations to glaucoma procedures.
High Rate of Success
Before proceeding, always seek a consultation with a LASIK doctor, ensuring a full evaluation to determine if LASIK is a good option for you.
More than 90 percent of patients undergoing LASIK are satisfied with the results of their surgery. Millions of people have undergone LASIK, with NASA and U.S. military adopting the procedure for their aviators.
Do your homework, get your facts together, and with the right doctor, you can remove those annoying glasses or contacts and see the world through brand new eyes.
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Tom Lowery is an entrepreneut, writer and corporate training specialist who enjoys writing about people, interpersonal skills and business.