The American Optometric Association designates March as Save Your Vision Month -- an annual campaign designed to remind Americans how important good vision and healthy eyes are.
One of the biggest factors in maintaining healthy eyes and good vision is getting regular Dallas eye exams. Catching and treating eye problems early is vital to saving your vision in the long-term.
For Save Your Vision Month, the AOA offers a few tips about healthy vision at the computer for people who sit in front of a computer screen for long periods of time -- which probably applies to many of us in this digital age!
1. Make sure you have the correct prescription contact lenses or eyeglasses
2. Wear glasses designed to function comfortably at the computer
3. Use a humidifier/artificial tears to prevent dry eye issues
4. Position computer monitor 20-26 inches from your eyes
5. Keep monitor free of fingerprints and dust (can reduce clarity)
Call Carter Eye Center at 214-775-2773 today to schedule your annual eye exam.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
What Are The Differences Between LASIK And PRK?
If you’re looking at vision enhancement solutions, you may already have heard about Dallas LASIK and PRK, but you might be confused about the difference between the two procedures.
Both are refractive procedures to correct poor vision, but there are many dissimilarities between the two. An ophthalmologist can best help you decide which is right for you, but before selecting a procedure or even scheduling your free consultation, it will help to understand what separates these surgeries.
How The Procedures Are Performed
LASIK, which stands for Laser In Situ Keratomileusis, is an eye surgery that uses a blade called a microkeratome or an excimer laser to cut a flap into the patient’s cornea. After the flap is cut, a laser sends pulses into the cornea, reshaping it to correct vision problems.
PRK stands for Photo-refractive Keratatectomy. This procedure utilizes a cool laser light to reshape the central cornea based each patient’s corneal characteristics. The top layer of corneal cells are removed, rather than creating a flap, and the laser is focused directly on the corneal surface, which is flattened or steepened depending on the vision issue being corrected.
Differences In Recovery Time
Because of the differences in the procedures, recovery will be different depending on which surgery you choose.
After the corneal flap is replaced in Dallas LASIK surgery, the eye’s natural suction will allow it to stay in place to heal. The patient should experience significant vision improvements the next day and continued improvement in the following few days. In fact, most patients can even return to work the day after surgery.
On the other hand, PRK patients will have no flap, and the healing of the eye will be on the cornea’s surface. These patients will not experience the complications that on rare occasions can result from flap creation (because there is no flap created), but the recovery time is longer. Patients who undergo this procedure will take on average three to seven days to reach functional vision levels, and it will be one to four weeks before maximum visual sharpness is reached.
Is The Level Of Discomfort Different For Each Procedure?
Because of the removal of the cornea’s epithelial cells in PRK, patients who undergo this procedure typically experience slightly more post-operative discomfort than LASIK patients. However, every patient varies, and some patients experience little or even NO discomfort.
Ideal Candidates For LASIK vs. PRK
Dallas LASIK corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. With increasingly improving technology, there are many more patients who are candidates for this procedure today than there were 10 years ago. It is the more popular choice, and is better suited to those with thick corneas who want faster results.
PRK also corrects the same vision problems, but it is the safer choice for some people. Patients who have corneal issues, such as scarring, irregularities or thin corneal tissue, might find that this is the better option for them.
While there are many differences between Dallas LASIK and PRK vision correction procedures, both have this in common: They can completely change your life! If you’re ready to get started on the path to glasses-free vision, schedule a consultation at Carter Eye Center today.
Both are refractive procedures to correct poor vision, but there are many dissimilarities between the two. An ophthalmologist can best help you decide which is right for you, but before selecting a procedure or even scheduling your free consultation, it will help to understand what separates these surgeries.
How The Procedures Are Performed
LASIK, which stands for Laser In Situ Keratomileusis, is an eye surgery that uses a blade called a microkeratome or an excimer laser to cut a flap into the patient’s cornea. After the flap is cut, a laser sends pulses into the cornea, reshaping it to correct vision problems.
PRK stands for Photo-refractive Keratatectomy. This procedure utilizes a cool laser light to reshape the central cornea based each patient’s corneal characteristics. The top layer of corneal cells are removed, rather than creating a flap, and the laser is focused directly on the corneal surface, which is flattened or steepened depending on the vision issue being corrected.
Differences In Recovery Time
Because of the differences in the procedures, recovery will be different depending on which surgery you choose.
After the corneal flap is replaced in Dallas LASIK surgery, the eye’s natural suction will allow it to stay in place to heal. The patient should experience significant vision improvements the next day and continued improvement in the following few days. In fact, most patients can even return to work the day after surgery.
On the other hand, PRK patients will have no flap, and the healing of the eye will be on the cornea’s surface. These patients will not experience the complications that on rare occasions can result from flap creation (because there is no flap created), but the recovery time is longer. Patients who undergo this procedure will take on average three to seven days to reach functional vision levels, and it will be one to four weeks before maximum visual sharpness is reached.
Is The Level Of Discomfort Different For Each Procedure?
Because of the removal of the cornea’s epithelial cells in PRK, patients who undergo this procedure typically experience slightly more post-operative discomfort than LASIK patients. However, every patient varies, and some patients experience little or even NO discomfort.
Ideal Candidates For LASIK vs. PRK
Dallas LASIK corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. With increasingly improving technology, there are many more patients who are candidates for this procedure today than there were 10 years ago. It is the more popular choice, and is better suited to those with thick corneas who want faster results.
PRK also corrects the same vision problems, but it is the safer choice for some people. Patients who have corneal issues, such as scarring, irregularities or thin corneal tissue, might find that this is the better option for them.
While there are many differences between Dallas LASIK and PRK vision correction procedures, both have this in common: They can completely change your life! If you’re ready to get started on the path to glasses-free vision, schedule a consultation at Carter Eye Center today.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Improper Care Of Contact Lenses Can Lead To Big Problems
Some recent studies and surveys are showing a startling -- and sometimes gross -- disregard for the proper care and wear of contact lenses. Some offenders are simply unaware of important rules regarding cleaning and wearing contacts, while others may simply think it’s just not that important to observe the rules.
Whether you don’t know or just don’t care about the guidelines, it’s time to pay attention to what your Dallas optical specialist tries to tell you each year at your annual eye exam: Poor contact lens care can lead to vision problems that can be easily avoided.
You Did What With Your Contact Lenses?
The majority of contact wearers will claim diligent adherence to the rules. In a recent survey by a clinical professor of ophthalmology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, though, a different story came to light.
Of more than 400 contact lens users, just 2 percent were found to actually follow the rules of proper contact lens care. Among the misuses most reported:
The study, by lens solution manufacturer Bausch + Lomb, found that consumers had turned to such bizarre products as baby oil, beer, coke, petroleum jelly, lemonade, fruit juice and butter as alternatives to contact lens solution. Many additionally report using saliva or tap water -- which Dallas optical service providers will tell you can potentially contain hundreds of damaging micro-organisms -- as a solution when inserting their lenses. Not only can these items be damaging to your eyes, they could also cause pain and discomfort when inserting contact lenses.
Why Is Proper Lens Care So Important?
There are a few reasons to follow the guidelines of proper lens care that your Dallas optical specialist recommends. The first, and most important, being your continued eye health.
Improper cleaning and wearing habits can lead to a range of infections -- some relatively minor, others that could lead to extreme pain and vision loss. For example, showering or swimming with lenses in can expose your eyes to Acanthamoeba, an organism commonly found in tap water and lakes. When left untreated, this parasite can burrow into the cornea and cause vision loss.
Such eye infections for contact lens wearers are rare, but the likelihood of suffering from an infection is even less when the appropriate precautions are taken.
Another good reason to follow good contact lens hygiene? Your own comfort! When contact lenses are properly cleaned, stored and worn, they will be more comfortable for the wearer.
It’s time to start taking better care of your eyes, and there’s no better way to do that than by choosing the top Dallas optical service center. Call Carter Eye Center today and schedule your eye exam!
Whether you don’t know or just don’t care about the guidelines, it’s time to pay attention to what your Dallas optical specialist tries to tell you each year at your annual eye exam: Poor contact lens care can lead to vision problems that can be easily avoided.
You Did What With Your Contact Lenses?
The majority of contact wearers will claim diligent adherence to the rules. In a recent survey by a clinical professor of ophthalmology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, though, a different story came to light.
Of more than 400 contact lens users, just 2 percent were found to actually follow the rules of proper contact lens care. Among the misuses most reported:
- Swimming or showering while wearing contact lenses
- Sleeping in contacts
- Using lenses longer than recommended before discarding
- Topping off solution in case rather than discarding and refilling daily
- Never replacing lens cases or replacing only after eye exam
The study, by lens solution manufacturer Bausch + Lomb, found that consumers had turned to such bizarre products as baby oil, beer, coke, petroleum jelly, lemonade, fruit juice and butter as alternatives to contact lens solution. Many additionally report using saliva or tap water -- which Dallas optical service providers will tell you can potentially contain hundreds of damaging micro-organisms -- as a solution when inserting their lenses. Not only can these items be damaging to your eyes, they could also cause pain and discomfort when inserting contact lenses.
Why Is Proper Lens Care So Important?
There are a few reasons to follow the guidelines of proper lens care that your Dallas optical specialist recommends. The first, and most important, being your continued eye health.
Improper cleaning and wearing habits can lead to a range of infections -- some relatively minor, others that could lead to extreme pain and vision loss. For example, showering or swimming with lenses in can expose your eyes to Acanthamoeba, an organism commonly found in tap water and lakes. When left untreated, this parasite can burrow into the cornea and cause vision loss.
Such eye infections for contact lens wearers are rare, but the likelihood of suffering from an infection is even less when the appropriate precautions are taken.
Another good reason to follow good contact lens hygiene? Your own comfort! When contact lenses are properly cleaned, stored and worn, they will be more comfortable for the wearer.
It’s time to start taking better care of your eyes, and there’s no better way to do that than by choosing the top Dallas optical service center. Call Carter Eye Center today and schedule your eye exam!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Do's And Don'ts After LASIK Surgery
Aside from the actual surgery, post-operative care is one of the things that Dallas LASIK surgery patients worry about most. Will I be in pain? Can I drive? When can I go back to work?
Laser eye surgery is one of the most minimally disruptive procedures you can undergo in terms of recovery time. There are some vital after-care instructions you can expect from your ophthalmologist, though. Following your surgeon’s list of do’s and don’ts after LASIK surgery is crucial for your healthy and swift recovery.
If you’re considering laser eye surgery, here are some of the do’s and don’ts that you can expect after your procedure.
Do’s After LASIK Surgery
DO have a friend or family member drive: After your surgery, you’ll need a designated driver to get you home safely.
DO use eye drops as directed: Carter Eye Center directs patients to use the prescribed eye drops every two hours the night surgery is peformed. When doing so, you will be instructed to remove your eye shields, add drops, and immediately replace your eye shields. Don’t worry -- the shields will only need to be worn while sleeping, and only for the first two weeks after surgery.
DO eat or drink what you want: Post-operative LASIK patients are advised to indulge in whatever foods or liquids they want, except for alcoholic beverages. Craving ice cream? Go for it! Feel the need for a cheeseburger and fries? Enjoy!
DO wear safety glasses during sports or high-risk activities: It’s not necessary to live in a bubble after undergoing LASIK surgery, but if you will be engaging in activities that increase your risk of eye injury -- for example, sports or lawn-mowing -- using safety glasses is recommended.
DO feel free to return to work and regular activities: There’s no need to seclude yourself for weeks after LASIK surgery. Normal activities can be resumed the next day.
Don’ts After LASIK Surgery
DON’T worry if you experience discomfort: Some eye discomfort is to be expected after undergoing any medical procedure. To minimize this, keep your eyes closed as much as possible after your surgery, until you wake up the next day. It’s OK to open them for short periods to eat, drink and use eyedrops. Over-the-counter pain relievers are also acceptable to use.
DON’T rub your eyes: For two weeks after surgery, it is very important NOT to rub your eyes.
DON’T get soap or water directly in your eyes: Avoid this for two weeks after your procedure. If soap or water does get into your eyes, put your head down and blink, so that your tears will wash them out. Swimming, hot tubs and water sports should be avoided during these two weeks.
DON’T wear eye makeup: Mascara and eyeliner should not be worn for three days after LASIK surgery. Waterproof eye makeup should not be work for two weeks. Extreme caution should be observed when removing makeup.
DON’T forget post-op appointments: Follow-up care is extremely important after LASIK surgery, so be sure to attend all post-operative appointments and bring your post-op kit with you. Your first appointment after surgery should last about 30-45 minutes.
If you’re ready to start the journey toward glasses-free vision, call Carter Eye Center today and schedule your Dallas LASIK surgery consultation!
Laser eye surgery is one of the most minimally disruptive procedures you can undergo in terms of recovery time. There are some vital after-care instructions you can expect from your ophthalmologist, though. Following your surgeon’s list of do’s and don’ts after LASIK surgery is crucial for your healthy and swift recovery.
If you’re considering laser eye surgery, here are some of the do’s and don’ts that you can expect after your procedure.
Do’s After LASIK Surgery
DO have a friend or family member drive: After your surgery, you’ll need a designated driver to get you home safely.
DO use eye drops as directed: Carter Eye Center directs patients to use the prescribed eye drops every two hours the night surgery is peformed. When doing so, you will be instructed to remove your eye shields, add drops, and immediately replace your eye shields. Don’t worry -- the shields will only need to be worn while sleeping, and only for the first two weeks after surgery.
DO eat or drink what you want: Post-operative LASIK patients are advised to indulge in whatever foods or liquids they want, except for alcoholic beverages. Craving ice cream? Go for it! Feel the need for a cheeseburger and fries? Enjoy!
DO wear safety glasses during sports or high-risk activities: It’s not necessary to live in a bubble after undergoing LASIK surgery, but if you will be engaging in activities that increase your risk of eye injury -- for example, sports or lawn-mowing -- using safety glasses is recommended.
DO feel free to return to work and regular activities: There’s no need to seclude yourself for weeks after LASIK surgery. Normal activities can be resumed the next day.
Don’ts After LASIK Surgery
DON’T worry if you experience discomfort: Some eye discomfort is to be expected after undergoing any medical procedure. To minimize this, keep your eyes closed as much as possible after your surgery, until you wake up the next day. It’s OK to open them for short periods to eat, drink and use eyedrops. Over-the-counter pain relievers are also acceptable to use.
DON’T rub your eyes: For two weeks after surgery, it is very important NOT to rub your eyes.
DON’T get soap or water directly in your eyes: Avoid this for two weeks after your procedure. If soap or water does get into your eyes, put your head down and blink, so that your tears will wash them out. Swimming, hot tubs and water sports should be avoided during these two weeks.
DON’T wear eye makeup: Mascara and eyeliner should not be worn for three days after LASIK surgery. Waterproof eye makeup should not be work for two weeks. Extreme caution should be observed when removing makeup.
DON’T forget post-op appointments: Follow-up care is extremely important after LASIK surgery, so be sure to attend all post-operative appointments and bring your post-op kit with you. Your first appointment after surgery should last about 30-45 minutes.
If you’re ready to start the journey toward glasses-free vision, call Carter Eye Center today and schedule your Dallas LASIK surgery consultation!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Help Raise Awareness Of AMD In February
Prevent Blindness America recognizes February as a month to raise awareness of age-related macular degeneration, also called AMD.
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in those 65 and older and a vital health issue that many people aren’t aware of. There is currently no cure, but early detection and treatment are crucial to slowing the progression of the disease and lessening its severity.
Risk factors for age-related macular degeneration include being 65 or older, smoking, eating a low-nutrient diet and having a family history of the disease. It is also more common among Caucasians.
Getting regular eye exams is key to catching any eye-related health problems. Call Carter Eye Center to schedule your comprehensive eye exam today!
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in those 65 and older and a vital health issue that many people aren’t aware of. There is currently no cure, but early detection and treatment are crucial to slowing the progression of the disease and lessening its severity.
Risk factors for age-related macular degeneration include being 65 or older, smoking, eating a low-nutrient diet and having a family history of the disease. It is also more common among Caucasians.
Getting regular eye exams is key to catching any eye-related health problems. Call Carter Eye Center to schedule your comprehensive eye exam today!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Is LASIK Surgery Safe?
Most patients who suffer from poor vision dream about a day when they can see clearly without the use of corrective lenses. For many of them, having Dallas LASIK surgery is a great way to realize that dream.
Advancements in laser eye surgery have made it an extremely safe procedure. In fact, with an experienced surgeon, the risk of serious complication is less than 1 percent. As a medical procedure, it still carries a small risk. However, improvements in the field of laser vision correction have advanced dramatically and continue to improve results and decrease risk.
Will My Age Affect The Outcome Of LASIK?
In the past, it was far less common to perform Dallas LASIK surgery on older patients as it was believed age could increase risk of complications. Today, however, studies suggest there is little difference in the success of this procedure for patients whether they are in their 20s or 40s and older. New technologies allow surgeons more options for treating vision problems, no matter the age.
For example, CustomVue Wavefront-guided LASIK, a tool for both diagnosis and guiding the corneal correction, allows for a more exact mapping of each person’s corneal imperfections. This map is used to guide the laser in correction those aberrations, allowing for a more precise correction of a broader range of vision problems.
Increasing Patient Satisfaction With LASIK
They vast majority of LASIK patients find the experience extremely satisfying and the results spectacular. However, a few things have helped increase even more these satisfactory outcomes.
Better screening procedures: Not everyone is an ideal candidate for the surgery. While for many people, it provides superior vision, the quality of results will depend entirely on each individual’s case. Technology advancements have improved both the level of correction for patients who, in the past, may not have been LASIK candidates and the screening process for determining who would benefit from the surgery
Training and experience: Using an experienced, well-qualified surgeon can greatly diminish the chances of complications and dissatisfaction after surgery. Not everyone’s eyes are the same; in fact, hardly anyone’s are. A doctor who is using the most advanced laser technologies like CustomVue can give you better, more individualized results.
Potentials Risks After Surgery
There are a variety of possible complications a LASIK patient might experience. The most often reported complications are glare and sensitivity to light; visual fluctuations; halos or starbursts surrounding light sources; and dry eyes.
Even the most common of these are temporary complications and resolve on their own a few days after the surgery. Decreasing the risk of complications from LASIK eye surgery starts with finding the right doctor. An experienced surgeon will give better results and decrease the risk of complications.
If you’re ready to discover whether you are a candidate for Dallas LASIK eye surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr Harvey Carter today.
Advancements in laser eye surgery have made it an extremely safe procedure. In fact, with an experienced surgeon, the risk of serious complication is less than 1 percent. As a medical procedure, it still carries a small risk. However, improvements in the field of laser vision correction have advanced dramatically and continue to improve results and decrease risk.
Will My Age Affect The Outcome Of LASIK?
In the past, it was far less common to perform Dallas LASIK surgery on older patients as it was believed age could increase risk of complications. Today, however, studies suggest there is little difference in the success of this procedure for patients whether they are in their 20s or 40s and older. New technologies allow surgeons more options for treating vision problems, no matter the age.
For example, CustomVue Wavefront-guided LASIK, a tool for both diagnosis and guiding the corneal correction, allows for a more exact mapping of each person’s corneal imperfections. This map is used to guide the laser in correction those aberrations, allowing for a more precise correction of a broader range of vision problems.
Increasing Patient Satisfaction With LASIK
They vast majority of LASIK patients find the experience extremely satisfying and the results spectacular. However, a few things have helped increase even more these satisfactory outcomes.
Better screening procedures: Not everyone is an ideal candidate for the surgery. While for many people, it provides superior vision, the quality of results will depend entirely on each individual’s case. Technology advancements have improved both the level of correction for patients who, in the past, may not have been LASIK candidates and the screening process for determining who would benefit from the surgery
Training and experience: Using an experienced, well-qualified surgeon can greatly diminish the chances of complications and dissatisfaction after surgery. Not everyone’s eyes are the same; in fact, hardly anyone’s are. A doctor who is using the most advanced laser technologies like CustomVue can give you better, more individualized results.
Potentials Risks After Surgery
There are a variety of possible complications a LASIK patient might experience. The most often reported complications are glare and sensitivity to light; visual fluctuations; halos or starbursts surrounding light sources; and dry eyes.
Even the most common of these are temporary complications and resolve on their own a few days after the surgery. Decreasing the risk of complications from LASIK eye surgery starts with finding the right doctor. An experienced surgeon will give better results and decrease the risk of complications.
If you’re ready to discover whether you are a candidate for Dallas LASIK eye surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr Harvey Carter today.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Outreach Program Provides Free Cataract Screening For Seniors
As we age, the possibility of suffering from vision problems increases. For senior citizens, regular eye exams and cataract screenings are important to catch any problems early.
To improve access to proper eye care, Carter Eye Center provides free vision and cataract screening services to senior citizens in the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex area. Our Mobile Vision Van Teams schedule visits to senior centers, grocery stores, pharmacies and other centrally located venues that are convenient to seniors who live in the area.
There are sites schedule every day, Monday through Friday. Our team welcomes seniors ages 65 and older on a first come, first served basis from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Our mobile vision van is outfitted to screen two people at a time. The screenings -- for vision and cataracts -- take about 15 minutes per person.
To find out more about our Community Outreach services or schedule a Dallas cataract screening, contact Carter Eye Center today at 214-696-2020.
To improve access to proper eye care, Carter Eye Center provides free vision and cataract screening services to senior citizens in the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex area. Our Mobile Vision Van Teams schedule visits to senior centers, grocery stores, pharmacies and other centrally located venues that are convenient to seniors who live in the area.
There are sites schedule every day, Monday through Friday. Our team welcomes seniors ages 65 and older on a first come, first served basis from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Our mobile vision van is outfitted to screen two people at a time. The screenings -- for vision and cataracts -- take about 15 minutes per person.
To find out more about our Community Outreach services or schedule a Dallas cataract screening, contact Carter Eye Center today at 214-696-2020.
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