LASIK, Contact Lenses & Dry Eyes

“Contact lenses of all types can cause dry eyes and this should be addressed as part of your LASIK consultation,” said Birmingham LASIK Surgeon & Corneal Specialist Marc Michelson, M.D. of Michelson Laser Vision. This is important information to know about contact lenses and dry eyes for contact lens wearers considering LASIK. “Dry eyes can be a very real problem for both rigid and soft contact lens wearers. Researchers reporting in the Eye & Contact Lens: Science & Clinical Practice showed that both rigid and soft contact lenses negatively impact the tear film surface quality,” said Dr. Michelson. “This research is important to keep in mind when contact lens wearers present for LASIK consultations since the evaluation of the tear film quality and quantity is a critical consideration of determining the patient’s candidacy for any type of Laser Vision Correction-but especially for LASIK surgery,” further explained LASIK Specialist Dr. Michelson “Given that a considerable number of our patients having LASIK are contact lens wearers, we need to be aware that some of the tear film abnormalities that we find during a consultation are actually due to their contact lens wear. Fortunately, with a sufficient amount of time without contact lens wear many contact lens wearers who want LASIK will recover a normal tear film surface quality and be able to proceed with Laser Vision Correction,” noted Dr. Michelson.

Contact lens patients considering LASIK or any type of Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction are encouraged to find the best LASIK Surgeons in their area and have a thorough evaluation, examination and consultation in order to find out if they are good candidates.

If you or someone you know has a question about LASIK, contact lenses, dry eyes or would like to schedule a Free LASIK Consultation please call Michelson Laser Vision at 205-969-8100, visit Michelson Laser Vision or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision are leading Birmingham eye care practices with offices at 327 Summit Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama 35243, and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, 1201 11th Avenue S., Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

LASIK with Glaucoma: Is it Possible?

Birmingham Alabama LASIK Surgeon Marc Michelson, M.D. commented, “There are many patients wearing eyeglasses that also have glaucoma or even elevated intraocular pressure and are glaucoma suspects, who would prefer to have LASIK and not be dependent on their glasses for seeing clearly at distance. We would consider performing LASIK for certain patients with glaucoma-but it is really quite an individual determination and depends a great deal on the stability of the glaucoma and whether and how much damage to the optic nerve the disease has caused,” explained Dr. Michelson of Michelson Laser Vision. Generally, unless the glaucoma is severe it is possible that LASIK could be an option for most patients. Other types of laser eye surgery for vision correction such as PRK might be preferred. In some cases it might actually be beneficial to have lens replacement surgery using advanced technology lens implants for vision correction.

If you or someone you know has glaucoma or is a glaucoma suspect and is considering LASIK, we would be happy to provide a free consultation to help determine if they are a LASIK candidate or perhaps a better candidate for another type of Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction or Lens Replacement Surgery please schedule a Free Consultation in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting Michelson Laser Vision or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists & Corneal Specialists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.

Alabama Surgeon on Being Too Old

Birmingham Alabama LASIK Surgeon Marc Michelson, M.D. offered thoughts on whether you could be too old for LASIK. “Over the years I have examined and provided LASIK consultations for many active and healthy 60-70 year old patients who were pretty nearsighted and just wanted more freedom to be able to see clearly at distance without having to wear glasses. If their general health, eye health, corneal health, shape and tears were healthy-we certainly would accept them as a LASIK candidate regardless of their age,’ commented Dr. Michelson. “In 2013 however, we also have excellent multifocal lens implants that we could also recommend to patients as they would correct both the far vision and the near vision at the same time-which might be important for some patients. If the patient presenting for a LASIK consultation has even a trace of cataracts at that age we would certainly counsel them to opt for the lens replacement surgery with the multifocal lens implant,” Dr. Michelson further explained. “As long as they have a tangible reason for wanting LASIK so that it will improve their lifestyle, people thinking about having Laser Eye Surgery can do so without worrying about being too old for LASIK as long as they have healthy eyes, a health cornea, sufficient tears and are free of cataracts or retinal diseases.”

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about LASIK or any Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction or Lens Replacement Surgery please schedule a Free Consultation in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting Michelson Laser Vision or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists & Corneal Specialists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.

LASIK for Alabama Motorcycle Riders

With some caveats, LASIK is a good potential choice of vision correction for motorcycle riders in Alabama who wear glasses or contact lens wearers. “Contact lenses and eyeglasses can be a real challenge for motorcycle riders-so more and more ask about LASIK,” stated Marc Michelson, M.D., a Birmingham LASIK Surgeon & Corneal Specialist at Michelson Laser Vision. “I do take the opportunity to discuss with motorcycle riders who want LASIK that they should always use proper eye protection from the sun, bugs, small rocks and pebbles and especially the wind, which can really contribute to dry eye symptoms,” he explained. “Further I always remind bike enthusiasts about the potential for eye irritation and motorcycle dry eye caused by the wind, exhaust fumes, pollen and pollution-as well as the Alabama sun and heat.”

At your LASIK consultation the staff will be exploring your lifestyle needs and activities. As a potential LASIK patient we want to take the time necessary so that we can carefully counsel you in order to get the best results and help meet your expectations. Please take the time to tell us about your motorcycle riding interest as well as all of the ways in which you are hoping to benefit from LASIK.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about LASIK or any Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction please schedule a Free LASIK Consultation in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting Michelson Laser Vision or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists & Corneal Specialists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.