How Long Does LASIK Take?

One minute may not seem like a long time, but here are just a few things you can do in this short timeframe:  

•   Get dressed
• Microwave a bag of popcorn
• Take a stretch break at your desk
• Heat a cup of tea
• Clean your computer monitor

Correct your vision with LASIK!

It may seem unbelievable, but it’s true that the actual laser vision correction aspect of LASIK only takes approximately one minute for most patients. That’s one minute to reshape your cornea to correct for imperfections that cause nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. That’s one minute toward the possibility of a lens-free life after LASIK.

The entire LASIK process (the amount of time patients are in the LASIK suite) typically takes about 15 minutes per eye. The surgeon uses this time to prepare the eyes for surgery, create the corneal flap, perform the vision correction and replace the flap back into position. Additional pre- and post-surgery time at the office is also suggested to help you relax before and after the surgery and allow the doctor to perform last minute tests, so you should schedule approximately 90 minutes for the entire process.   

Learn more about LASIK by contacting Buckley Chang Eye Institute at buckleychang.com or 719-444-3000. We’re ready to schedule your free LASIK Consultation in Colorado Springs so you can get all of the details about how LASIK might work for you.

Another Reason to Get Your Kids Outside

Getting your kids to play outside may not only help prevent obesity…it may also be beneficial for their eye health.  According to two studies done in Taiwan and Denmark, spending more time outdoors may help minimize or prevent nearsightedness (myopia) in children. The full research was published in the May issue of Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Genetics are often responsible for the development of myopia in children, but these studies have shown that the environment may also play a factor. According to Medical News Today, nearsightedness has increased in the United States by more than 65% since 1970, and researchers are studying why this condition is increasing so rapidly in the U.S. as well as in other countries.

The Taiwan study compared students who were required to spend 80 minutes of recess outdoors per day versus students who were not. Those who were required to play outdoors had fewer instances of myopia. In the Danish study, students’ axial eye length was tested for students in seven different groups with varying access to daylight hours. (When the axial eye length becomes longer, myopia worsens.) The children who experienced less daylight had larger axial eye growth than those exposed to more daylight.

Nearsightedness is one condition that can be corrected by LASIK eye surgery in adults. At Buckley Chang Eye Institute, we would rather help patients prevent nearsightedness, if possible, but we are also focused on helping adult patients correct their vision problems through LASIK.

If you are nearsighted and would like to see if LASIK could correct your vision, contact us today at 719-444-3000 or buckleychang.com to schedule a free LASIK Consultation in Colorado Springs.  

LASIK Joke of the Day

In honor of National Tell a Joke Day on August 16, here’s a “cornea” one for your enjoyment:

It’s been said ophthalmology is a “contact” sport.

There is a bit of truth in this! Ophthalmologists do deal with patients who wear contact lenses and glasses. In fact, at Buckley Chang Eye Institute we are concerned with helping people reduce or eliminate their need for these corrective lenses through LASIK eye surgery.

If you’ve been considering laser vision correction, remember that choosing the right ophthalmologist for your LASIK eye surgery is no joke. You should never choose a LASIK surgeon based solely on someone else’s recommendation. You should feel 100% confident in each one of the factors listed below by doing your own research before you put your trust into any doctor. You’ll want to determine things like:

·         The doctor’s medical training, certifications and professional organization affiliations

·         The doctor’s real world experience with LASIK

·         The doctor’s demeanor (do you feel a good rapport with him?)

·         The doctor’s LASIK success rate

·         Your confidence in the LASIK technology being used

·         The doctor’s willingness to discuss the potential risks or complications of LASIK

·         The friendliness and proficiency of the office and support staff

·         The cleanliness and comfort of the office

You can learn all about Dr. Buckley and Dr. Chang at Buckley Chang Eye Institute by scheduling your free LASIK Consultation in Colorado Springs. Not only will you find out if you are a good candidate for LASIK, you will also have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you want about our doctors credentials. Contact us today at buckleychang.com or 719-444-3000.

National Eye Exam Month Has Arrived

August is National Eye Exam Month. This observance is a good reminder about the importance of having regular eye exams. Often people take their vision for granted, especially if they don’t need to wear corrective lenses. Even those who are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism might become complacent about exams if their vision is stable.

The Mayo Clinic recommends the following guidelines for a healthy eye exam schedule:

·         Children: before entering first grade, then every two years

·         Healthy adults up to age 40: every 5-10 years

·         Adults age 40-65: every 2-4 years

·         Adults over age 65: every 1-2 years

Of course, if you have any family history of eye disease or vision problems, you should schedule eye exams more frequently.

Why Eye Exams are Important

Eye exams can detect vision problems that you may be completely unaware of (like glaucoma or cataracts), and allow for the earliest treatment possible. Some vision conditions can lead to blindness if left untreated, so early detection gives you the opportunity to consider a wider range of treatment options.

You may also learn that you are a good candidate for a vision correction surgery, like LASIK, which could reduce or even eliminate your need for glasses or contact lenses.

Be honest: when was the last time you had an eye exam? Don’t put it off another year. Schedule your eye exam or a free LASIK Consultation at Buckley Chang Eye Institute. You can schedule it online at buckleychang.com or by calling 719-444-3000.

The Effect of Vision Problems on the Collective American Wallets

Prevent Blindness America (PBA) recently commissioned researchers from the University of Chicago to determine how the cost of vision-related diseases affects the American economy. What they discovered is that the long-term effects of eye diseases/disorders and vision loss cost our government, insurance companies and patients approximately $139 billion every year…and there is no growth end in sight. The largest burden, $71.6 billion, falls on patients and their families. This makes eye diseases/disorders one of the most expensive medical conditions in the United States.  

Vision problems and vision loss can make a huge impact on a person’s ability to lead a productive professional and personal life. Having regular eye exams can act as a safeguard to stay on top of any obvious or “silent” vision changes that may be developing and allow patients to take proactive measures to preserve their sight. Eye exams can even help detect the presence of other medical conditions, such as diabetes.

At Buckley Chang Eye Institute in Colorado Springs, our goal is to help our patients live fuller lives through eye care. We do this through medical procedures like cataract surgery and LASIK eye surgery, as well as treatment/maintenance of conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration. We work hard to help our patients see with clarity to perform everyday tasks and remain productive members of society.  

Eye disease prevention, maintenance and research will go a long way toward keeping vision medical costs in check. We encourage you to schedule an eye exam/Vision Consultation today. Call 719-444-3000 or visit buckleychang.com.

(The University of Chicago report is titled: "Cost of Vision Problems: The Economic Burden of Vision Loss and Eye Disorders in the United States.")

Five Unusual Benefits of LASIK

Most people know that LASIK can potentially free them from the hassles of glasses and contact lenses. Of course that’s a great benefit, but we’ve come up with five more unusual benefits of LASIK that may persuade you to seriously consider this popular procedure.

#1 – Freedom to buy cool, but cheap, sunglasses to fit your every mood or fashion statement.

#2 – Ability to wander around the house at night without stubbing your toe on furniture.

#3 – Connection with your “inner dolphin” as you can see when swimming underwater with goggles.

 

#4 – Expanded Halloween costume options (think full face masks, costume make-up without glasses or novelty contacts)! 

#5 – Fewer “crow’s feet” wrinkles around your eyes because you won’t have to squint to see.

Ok, we admit these are silly reasons to have LASIK. But many people who have had successful LASIK do discover some unexpected benefits of their improved vision. Wouldn’t you love to see how your life might be improved with LASIK?

If you’ve been considering LASIK, call Buckley Chang Eye Institute to schedule your free LASIK Consultation. There’s no obligation, and you can learn if your eyes are right for the procedure. Call our Colorado Springs office today at 719-444-3000 or visit us online at buckleychang.com.