Is LASIK Safer than Contacts?

Some studies have shown that LASIK can be up to five times safer than contacts* due to lens-related eye infections over long-term use. There are quite a few “human” errors that may account for many of the complications from contact lenses.

If you wear contacts, you were probably instructed by your eye doctor about the proper way to care for your contacts. But do you really remember all of that advice? Take a minute to read through this list and audit your own contact lens habits. Do you follow every one of these recommendations?

• Follow the usage instructions of your contacts implicitly; don’t wear contacts longer than they are meant to be worn – this can lead to infection
• Don’t sleep in contacts; this will further deprive your eyes of oxygen
• Replace your lens case every three months, even if you wash it regularly, to avoid bacteria build-up
• Keep tap water (from sinks or even showers) and chlorinated water (from swimming pools) away from your lenses; these water sources are not sterile and may lead to infection
• Wash your lens case regularly with cleaning solution (not tap water), but make sure you allow it to dry completely before closing it
• Never reuse contact cleaning solutions; yesterday’s solution probably has bacteria in it and you don’t want your lenses soaking in a dirty solution today
• Never use your own spit to clean lenses; your saliva is riddled with bacteria
• Avoid buying cheap lens cleaning solutions; you should ask your doctor what the best cleaning solution is for your unique eyes to avoid having eye sensitivities
• Throw away old contact lenses and old cleaning solutions; check expiration dates to avoid the risk of infection
• Don’t wear contacts if your eyes are irritated or if the contact appears damaged; this can lead to infection or a scratched cornea
• Wash your hands before putting in your contacts
• Avoid waterproof makeup; it can stick to your lenses

If this list raised some red flags for you regarding your contact lens usage, it might be time to consider LASIK to correct your nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. At Lake Dillon Eye Care we offer LASIK vision correction in Dillon, Colorado to help our patients reduce or even eliminate the need for contact lenses.

Contact us today at 970-468-0389 or lakedilloneye.com to schedule your free LASIK Consultation. It might just help the overall health of your eyes and help you live a lens-free life.

* Sources: Mathers, W.D. Archives of Ophthalmology, October 2006; vol 124: pp 1510-1511. William Mathers, MD, professor of ophthalmology, Oregon Health & Science University Casey Eye Institute, Portland, OR.

Save Your Vision Month

March is Save Your Vision Month. Sponsored by the American Optometric Association, this observance is to remind Americans about the importance of having regular eye exams to help preserve and maintain their eye health. The following is a general eye exam schedule for people with normal eye health and good overall health:

• Infants: Pediatrician screening at 6 months
• Preschool children: Pediatrician screenings from age 3 to 6
• School-age children: Regular vision screenings at school
• Adults: Every 2 years
• Adults over 60: Annually

If your child’s pediatrician or school suspects a vision problem, or if you have a history of eye disease or eye problems in your family, a full eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist will be recommended. Children and adults who wear glasses or contacts should have an eye exam every year.

Even if you’ve had LASIK vision correction in Lake Dillon and no longer need glasses or contacts, it’s important to maintain contact with your eye doctor in Lake Dillon to preserve your eye health. You probably know that regular eye exams can identify common eye diseases, even those that have no outward symptoms, such as diabetic retinopathy. Even if you are not experiencing any vision changes, certain conditions like glaucoma or cataracts can be “silently” stealing your vision – even if you’ve had Lake Dillon LASIK. Early detection will help protect and preserve your vision.

Eye exams not only protect your eyes…they can also protect your overall health! By looking at the blood vessels in the eyes, your eye doctor can also identify chronic systemic diseases, such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

March is definitely the month to focus on your eye health; it’s also National Eye Donor Month (to promote cornea transplant awareness) and Workplace Eye Wellness Month (to promote reducing eye injuries while on the job).

Lake Dillon eye exams are typically quick and painless, so there’s no excuse to put this health maintenance appointment on the back-burner. Schedule your eye exam today! Call our doctors at Lake Dillon Eye Care to schedule an eye exam in Lake Dillon.  

Enjoy March Madness Even More

March Madness begins March 18! Whether you plan to root for your college alma mater in the NCAA tournament or just love any kind of college basketball, you are bound to see exciting wins and devastating upsets. The question is, will you be watching the action through a corrective lens?

If you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism, you probably have to wear glasses or contacts to see clearly. And, let’s face it; glasses and contacts can get in the way of your celebrations. Wouldn't it be much better to watch your favorite teams with your own lens-free eyes?

Lake Dillon LASIK vision correction just might be the ticket to visual freedom. Of course, not everyone will see with 20/20 vision after LASIK, but when you choose an eye doctor in Dillon, Colorado who has a great track record of success, uses advanced LASIK technology and performs a thorough LASIK screening process to ensure you’re a good candidate, the odds are definitely in your favor. Our doctors are ready to help you take those first steps.

Make a fast break to improve your vision. Call Lake Dillon Eye Care today at lakedilloneye.com or 970-468-0389 to schedule a free LASIK Consultation. 

LASIK & Large Pupils

If you have large pupils, you may have heard that having LASIK vision correction in Dillon, Colorado might increase your risk of certain side effects, such as halos/glare around lights at night.

There have been numerous studies over the past 10+ years about the effect of pupil size on LASIK outcomes. While there is no conclusive evidence, researchers have found some correlations in the size of the surgical ablation zone (the section of the cornea that is reshaped by the laser), the follow-up period and night vision problems.  

No Night Vision Problems

• Ablation zone 6.0 mm in diameter or larger
• Follow-up period at least three months

Some Night Vision Problems

• Ablation zone smaller than 6.0 mm in diameter
• No ablation size specified
• Less than three months follow-up

The advanced LASIK technologies we use at Lake Dillon Eye Care may reduce the chance of night vision problems for many patients. However, if you are considering LASIK and are concerned about night vision problems, it’s best to schedule a free LASIK Consultation in Dillon to first find out if your eyes are right for LASIK. During the Consultation you can ask the doctor specific questions about LASIK side effects and inquire about the results of past LASIK patients.

Call 970-468-0389 or visit lakedilloneye.com today to schedule your LASIK Consultation. You can also take our free online LASIK Self-Evaluation prior to your appointment.