LASIK and Travel

Because you will need to return for a follow-up visit a day or two after your LASIK procedure, you should avoid travel, and plan to rest for a few days after surgery. If you are given the OK to return to work, someone else may have to drive you for a few days. More than likely you will wear a shield until your follow up visit, a couple days later.

LASIK patients usually can't drive until a few days after their procedure. Your eyes may be itchy, irritated and possibly feel like they are burning right after surgery. While over-the-counter pain relievers will control this discomfort, if you plan to travel by car, make sure someone else does the driving.

If your vision is hazy or blurry, often a result of dry-eye, your ability to rely on what you see will be compromised. Your LASIK surgeon will give you drops that will reduce the irritation as well as help you focus.

It would be wise to do some research before you travel. Air travel is safe after LASIK; however, if you plan to fly, or travel to an area that is dry or windy, dry-eye may be worsened. Air conditioning in hotels, jets, planes, and even cars can aggravate dry-eye. Dry, irritated eyes are more easily infected, so, talk to your surgeon and make sure your travel plans are OK, and that you are prepared to accommodate climate changes.

For more information please visit the website for the Carter Eye Center in Dallas, or contact them to schedule a free consultation. Dr. Harvey Carter and his team of eye surgery specialists are proud to offer you the highest quality of care possible.

Benefits of LASIK

It would be an understatement to say that the successful LASIK procedure has made it possible for many thousands of people to see better. In addition to vision improvement, LASIK usually eliminates the need for glasses, altogether. And when they are needed, it should certainly reduce that need to special circumstances, such as driving at night or in bad weather.

If you work in an industry that relies on accurate vision, LASIK has been approved for some of the most critical workers such as airplane pilots, astronauts, firefighters and emergency responders. LASIK is also sought by sports players because of its potential to eliminate the need for glasses and contact lenses.

A few of the many benefits of LASIK are:
LASIK patients typically achieve at least 20/20 vision, and often better than 20/20 vision. One study showed that 85% of 908 participants achieved 20/16 vision, and 97% of 34 patients received 20/20 or better
LASIK patients heal faster than those undergoing other procedures. Recovery can be I as little as two days to one week
LASIK patients experience less discomfort
LASIK patients recover faster. They can drive within three days of surgery.
LASIK patients experience instant visual clarity
Undesirable side effects, such as corneal haze, are very rare
LASIK is an outpatient procedure that takes about fifteen minutes per eye. The actual procedure takes only a minute or so, with the rest of the time spent in preparation. For such a small investment of time to produce such remarkable results, these are priceless benefits to LASIK.

Please take a moment to visit the website of the Carter Eye Center in Dallas. Please also contact them today for a free consultation.

Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)

Conductive keratoplasty, also known as CK or near-vision CK, differs from LASIK surgery in several ways. Most notably, it uses radio waves rather than a laser to reshape the cornea. CK treats farsightedness and presbyopia.

CK usually involves reshaping the cornea of the non-dominant eye to see close up for reading, and the dominant eye for distance, creating monovision. The process shrinks the collagen on the outer edges of the cornea to reshape it. It's a short procedure that takes only a few minutes per eye. It is a minimally invasive procedure with few complications and risks.

The monovision takes a short while to adjust to, and may decrease depth perception. But, most people adapt quickly and have no problems with adjusting to either change. In many cases, both eyes can be treated in the same visit. This painless procedure can produce immediate results, allowing you to read without glasses immediately.

If you are between the ages of 18 and 40, have a stable lens prescription, no eye-disease that can interfere with healing, and your eyes tear normally, you may be a good candidate for CK.

If you are interested in vision correction, and getting rid of your glasses or contacts, please contact Dr. Harvey Carter at the Carter Eye Center in Dallas for your free consultation appointment. Whether or not you qualify for CK, there are many solutions for better vision, regardless of your age, or other factors.