Laser Eye Surgery Benefits for Playing Sports – Will It Improve Your Game?
When it comes to sports, your eyesight is a critical component in your success. Take tennis for example. This racquet sport requires precise hand and eye coordination and you need to be able to not only focus on the ball as it crosses the net, but also spot how a player will react; and that requires being able to see clearly a long distance away. While you could wear prescription sports goggles during play, this type of eyewear can limit your field of vision and actually hinder your performance. That is why it is no surprise that plenty of professional tennis players, including Wimbledon stars, have undergone laser eye surgery.
You don’t have to be a professional tennis player or even a professional athlete to benefit from laser eye surgery. However, if you have a love for the game, you may want to utilise this cutting-edge technology to help improve your sport and performance on the courts.
How Does Laser Eye Surgery Help Athletes?
When tennis players and athletes are on the court or field, their vision is a critical tool that determines their performance. Wearing glasses or contact lenses can hinder your precision when it comes to hand-eye coordination or even visual acuity. Here are some important benefits of laser eye surgery for individuals involved in sports activities, including professional tennis:
1. No more risks from debris.
When you are wearing contact lenses, a little dust coming off the court or field can lodge itself between your eye and the lens. This could force you to miss a critical play or even scratch your cornea, thus taking you out of the game temporarily.
2. No more broken glasses
Tennis is not a contact sport, but tennis players are known for leaping and diving to get the ball and make their final play. If you were to drop your glasses or fall, you could accidentally shatter them and also hurt yourself.
3. Recovery is quick
While you may have to keep away from practice sessions and games for a few days or weeks (depending on your surgeon’s recommendations), the recovery is still relatively quick when you consider how your eyesight will rapidly improve.
4. Complications are very rare
While there are some complications and risks associated with any type of medical procedure, the complications of laser eye surgery are rare. As long as you follow your post-operative instructions, you should recover without any issues.
Famous Athletes Have Had their Vision Corrected – You Can Too
From famous golfers to tennis players and football players, there are plenty of professional athletes that have opted for laser eye surgery to help improve their game. If you have difficulty seeing clearly at a distance, find out whether you are a suitable candidate for laser corrective procedures.
Take the time now to have your candidacy assessed for laser eye surgery and speak with the team at Optilase. Our surgeons are here to help you as an athlete improve your eyesight and get back to your sport as soon as possible, with clearer vision.
For more information, fill out an online enquiry form or schedule a consultation by calling us on 0489 043 8397 in Northern Ireland and 0800 511 8005 in the UK.
Brad Pitt, Richard Branson, Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Courtney Cox have one thing more in common other than being Hollywood stars: they all have had laser eye surgery. Laser corrective procedures have been popular among movie stars for years; from hair removal to cosmetic procedures. One laser procedure that is gaining more momentum today is that of vision correction.
Movie Stars do not have time to go through their hectic schedules and travel routines with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, but they do need excellent vision. From reading scripts to teleprompters to just engaging with the press, perfect vision is almost a job requirement to be in Hollywood.
Why Are Movie Stars Turning to Laser Eye Surgery?
Movie stars are constantly turning to the latest technology to make their careers and lifestyles easier. LASIK and other laser corrective procedures are becoming popular because:
1. No More Glasses for Reading Scripts
A movie star’s career is based on their ability to deliver a script flawlessly on camera. So, it is no wonder that stars want to make the task of reading their upcoming scenes a little easier. Courtney Cox, for example, received laser eye surgery to rid herself of wearing glasses for that very reason.
2. Acceptance Speeches Are Easier Too
When stars are awarded, they have acceptance speeches prepared and ready to read on camera and stage. With laser eye surgery, they do not need glasses when it is time to accept their award.
3. Movie Roles Are Easier to Cast
When stars rely heavily on glasses or contacts, they may not be suitable for all roles. With laser eye surgery, their vision is no longer a deciding factor in what jobs they can take on.
4. It is Quick and Painless
While there is some minor discomfort, it is definitely one of the more pain-free options out there for stars. From all of the cosmetic procedures, laser corrective surgery is one that improves a movie star without a lot of downtime or painful recoveries.
You do not have to be on Hollywood’s “A” List to get laser eye surgery. In fact, Optilase makes it easy to improve your vision even on a limited budget. With numerous laser vision corrective procedures, affordable prices and convenient clinics, we can improve your vision this year for your career.
Meet with an experienced eye surgeon at Optilase today to see if you are a candidate for laser eye surgery. You can book your consultation online today.
Technology has certainly become more advanced over the past few years, but the majority of technological advances have relied heavily on the use of digital devices. That means to enjoy or utilise the technology, you must also stare at a screen.
Excessive screen time could lead to digital eye strain, according to a new American study by the Vision Council. The study concluded that 65 percent of those surveyed reported eye strain, with the highest number of those reporting strains being individuals under the age of 30. Eye care professionals are also noticing an influx in patients with eye problems. Patients come in reporting symptoms of digital eye strain, such as dry eyes, head and neck pain, migraines and even blurry vision.
While the study did open the eyes of professionals as well as consumers, not all eye care professionals feel that digital devices will damage the eyes. One thing they do agree upon, however, is that digital eye strain is a common culprit for causing dry eyes.
Relieving Dry Eyes – More Than Just Looking Away from a Screen
Some people have jobs or tasks that require them to stare at screens for long periods of time. While frequent breaks are best for the eyes, there are other things you can do to prevent chronic dry eyes. These include:
1. Monitoring breaks
If you are online or using a screen, you should follow the 20-20-20 rule. That means at the 20-minute mark, look 20 feet away from your computer screen and do so for at least 20 seconds. More ideal would be every 10 minutes. This forces you to blink, which naturally washes your eyes.
2. Keep from squinting
Squinting at a screen reduces your blink rate. If you cannot make out clearly what you are reading on the screen, get your eyes checked. There are laser corrective procedures that can help correct your reading vision.
3. Use artificial tears
Do not use the drops that are designed for redness, as they do not do the same thing. Artificial tears are designed to lubricate.
4. Take supplements
Sometimes, adding Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet can produce more natural tears.
5. Use a humidifier
When the air conditioner or heating unit is in full swing, the air can become unnaturally dry. Use a humidifier to moisten the air and alleviate your dry eye symptoms.
While looking at a screen most likely will not lead to permanent damage, you should still have your eyes checked at least once a year. If you notice other vision issues developing, you may want to consider laser eye surgery.
Meet with a surgical eyecare professional at Optilase today to assess your candidacy for laser vision correction surgery. You can book your consultation online.
Michael O’Neill guided our wee country to its first appearance at major finals for the first time in 30 years. He is known for always having his eye on the prize and now he has his eyes on something else: laser eye surgery! Euro 2016 is quickly approaching, and O’Neill wants to be ready for the action with perfect vision.
O’Neill knows the importance of excellent eyesight, but he also values the importance of picking the right surgeon to perform the procedure. That is why he has turned to Optilase Eye Clinic for his corrective surgery. He has already scheduled his consultation – and that is the most important step in laser vision correction.
A few reasons why it is important to book a consultation before deciding to go in for laser eye surgery:
Everyone Has Different Vision Requirements
What your eyes need may not be the same as what Michael O’Neill or anyone else needs. Everyone has unique vision requirements and lifestyle factors, such as sports, work, social activities, etc. All of these make demands on a person’s vision as well as their candidacy for laser corrective surgery. There are a variety of corrective laser procedures available and the consultation appointment can help the surgeon decide which is right based on your vision requirements and lifestyle needs.
Your Candidacy is Limited by Overall Health Conditions
During the consultation, you will go over your medical and vision history with the surgeon. The surgeon will perform an eye examination, take measurements and do a few tests to also ensure you qualify for laser eye surgery. Certain illnesses and conditions can disqualify you for candidacy, including:
1. Age – You need to be at least 18 years old.
2. Pregnancy – Hormonal changes during pregnancy as well as immediately after childbirth will dramatically affect your vision; therefore, a surgeon will wait until you are no longer pregnant or nursing, before approving your procedure.
3. Eye Disease – If you suffer from a degenerative eye disease, you may be disqualified. Some conditions can be managed through laser eye surgery, but conditions like glaucoma cannot.
4. Medical Conditions – Certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, diabetes and immunodeficiency statuses can disqualify you as well because they will interfere with your body’s ability to heal.
Costs of Laser Eye Surgery and What to Expect
Lastly, you and the surgeon will discuss the likely outcome of your procedure as well as any associated risks based on your assessment. Then, you will be able to discuss the cost and potential payment options.
Join Michael O’Neill and thousands of others by having your vision corrected using the latest laser technology. The board-certified professionals at Optilase can help improve your vision. For more information or to schedule your initial consultation, fill out an online form today.
Golf is a game of patience and skill. However, all of the patience in the world and the best drive will not make up for poor vision. Today, more professional and weekend golfers are turning to laser eye surgery to improve their game. After all, it is hard to be a pro golfer when you cannot see the flag or even your ball a few hundred yards away. Some of the world’s best golfers have had laser surgery, including Tiger Woods, Rory Mc Ilroy, Retief Goosen, Padraig Harrington, and Lee Westwood, to name a few. This begs the question—could laser surgery improve your game of golf?
How Laser Eye Surgery Can Make You Shine on the Golf Course!
If you have been considering laser eye surgery for your own vision problem, here are a few benefits you should be aware of:
1. Rid Yourself of Glasses and Contacts for Good
For those that wear glasses and contact lenses, playing golf can become difficult. After all, attempting to hit a ball while balancing your eyeglasses can be challenging. As the weather warms up, hot, humid days make eyeglasses even more uncomfortable during play. When the weather is slightly breezy or allergy season hits, wearing contact lenses can be painful and may affect your game. With corrective surgery, you can eliminate your need for contact lenses and eyeglasses. Play your favourite game of golf with sharper vision and minus the discomfort.
2. The Surgery is Shorter than a Game of Golf
Laser eye surgery is considerably shorter than a round of golf – if that puts it into perspective. Immediately, you will start to notice the results, though it could take a few days to see the full benefit.
3. You Can Concentrate Solely on the Ball and Game
When eyeglasses and contacts are not in the way, you can concentrate only on the game and focus on striking the back of the ball. You will not have to worry about whether you will drop your expensive prescription glasses!
4. You Will See Down the Fairway and Greens
One improvement you will notice is how easily you can stare down a fairway and green and spot the flag from a distance. Your perception of distance also improves, which helps you commit more to your shots.
While improving your vision will not turn you into a pro golfer, it can certainly help your score. When you are not fumbling with glasses or worrying about contacts and dry eyes, you can focus on the game and hopefully, lower your handicap.
Meet with a vision correction professional at Optilase today to see if you are a candidate for laser eye surgery. You can book your consultation online today.
Pursuing your career dreams and aspirations is all about staying focused. It will require hard work, keeping your skills up-to-date and never letting go of your drive to succeed. But, sometimes it takes more than perseverance to land your dream job. To ensure a candidate performs their very best, some careers require that their applicants have impeccable vision.
There are several jobs throughout the UK that require perfect vision. Most of these jobs involve situations where other people’s lives are at risk. From seeing far distances with ease to reading up close and even identifying colours, vision plays a heavy role in the success of these top career fields.
Jobs That Require Perfect Vision
Even if your vision is not 20/20, you could still find a job in these fields – but you will need prescription eyeglasses or lenses to compensate your for your defect. Refractive laser eye surgery can also help by correcting the issues leading to your vision problems – so that you can pass the eye examination and land your dream job.
Just a few jobs that require perfect vision include:
1. Fire Brigade
Firefighters have extremely stressful and dangerous jobs. They are committed to saving people’s lives and therefore, must take steps in order to ensure they are ready for the job. To join the fire brigade, you need an uncorrected distance vision of no worse than 6/18 to 6/24. You also need distance acuity and excellent near vision. If you do have laser eye surgery to correct your vision, the brigade may require that you wait up to one year before applying and having your eyes examined.
2. Military
Not all positions in the military will require perfect vision, but one that will does is an army pilot. If you are flying the latest technology (which is extremely costly), the military wants guarantee you will be able to do so safely. The British Army only allows pilots to wear spectacles between -0.75 and +1.75 and have an astigmatism of no more than 0.75 dioptres. You will also have to pass a test where you look at a series of coloured plates and highlight colour defects within those plates. Laser eye surgery can help you see better, but some branches may not accept you into their pilot program. That being said, you will be able to join the force in a different career field.
3. Airline Pilots
Commercial airlines pilots carry cargo and thousands of people across the world each day. This requires an ability to cope with high levels of stress, but also requires excellent vision. Eyes are examined for issues like farsightedness, near-sightedness, and astigmatism. In order to qualify, you must meet their minimum parameters or have laser corrective surgery without any post-operative defects.
4. PSNI
The Police Service of Northern Ireland also requires excellent vision. Officers must be able to see without issue while using their vehicles, be able to see at far distances to spot potential harm, and more. They rely heavily on their vision and in order to qualify for the PSNI training, you must pass a rigorous health and vision examination.
Do not let poor vision be the reason you do not get into your dream career or you must leave your dream career. Instead, see if the team at Optilase can help improve your vision through refractive laser eye surgery. Schedule your consultation today by calling us on 0489 043 8397 in Ireland and 0800 511 8005 in the UK. Have questions? Fill out our online enquiry form.
Laser eye surgery is actually an umbrella term used to describe several types of surgical procedures; all of which are designed to correct refractive errors. The most common types of laser eye surgeries include LASIK, PRK, LASEK and EpiLASIK. Each of these procedures has their own specific technology and not all can be used to correct the same type of refractive error.
The Four Common Types of Laser Eye Surgery
You will need to meet with a laser eye surgeon to identify which type of procedure is right for you. The four most common types are:
1. LASIK
Known as Laser in Situ Keratomileusis, this procedure is the most common laser eye surgery performed in the UK. It involves creating a thin flap in the cornea and the surgeon then uses a laser to cut the flap, reshape the cornea and correct the refractive error.
2. PRK
Photorefractive Keratectomy is the second most common type. It involves removing a portion of the surface of the cornea tissue and does not require a flap like LASIK because the tissue grows back.
3. LASEK
Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis is similar to PRK and LASIK, but starts out with an application of alcohol to the corneal epithelium. This will loosen the corneal cells and lets the surgeon move them out of the way without actually removing them. After reshaping of the stroma is done using an excimer laser, the surgeon replaces the epithelial cells and puts in a contact lens.
4. EpiLASIK
Referred to as Epithelial Laser in Situ Keratomileusis, this procedure starts similar to LASIK, but the flap is much thinner and comprises only of epithelial tissues. Once the flap has been created, the surgeon reshapes the stroma with the excimer laser. The flap is then replaced and covered with a contact lens bandage to heal.
All four procedures use state-of-the-art laser technology. These lasers are so advanced and precise that the margin of error is almost non-existent. The treatment itself is painless and can be done in a single day.
If you are interested in laser eye surgery, contact Optilase. Our experts can assess your vision and find the right laser eye surgical procedure for you. To schedule a consultation, call us on 0489 043 8397 in Ireland and 0800 511 8005 in the UK. Have questions? Fill out our online enquiry form.
While you do want to improve your vision, you do not want to incur unnecessary spending in the long term. If you are like most consumers, the cost of laser eye surgery has probably been the main reason you have avoided the procedure; even if your eyeglasses and contact lenses are driving you barmy. Here is what you may not have realised. You think you are saving more with contact lenses, but you will be surprised at the cost-effectiveness of laser vision correction procedures. Before you abandon the idea of laser eye surgery, consider a true cost comparison with wearing lenses.
Assessing the Costs
Laser eye surgery costs vary depending on the type of procedure. This cost typically includes all expenses associated with the procedure, including the pre-surgical consult, post-surgery follow-up care appointments and the procedure itself. While a few thousand may seem like a lot to pay upfront, you must also consider the long-term costs of wearing contact lenses.
When compared to the daily use of contact lenses, you will save significantly when you have your vision corrected with laser eye surgery. This is because, on average, you will spend a few hundred per year on contact lenses. In 10 to 20 years, you will have paid just as much for contacts as you would for laser eye surgery; so eventually, the procedure does pay for itself. If you wear daily contacts, the kind that you wear and throw out after a single use, your laser eye surgery will pay for itself as quickly as two to five years.
Other Benefits of Laser Eye Surgery
The cost is not the only reason you may want to consider laser eye surgery. Just a few other benefits to having your vision corrected include:
1. No longer having to travel with so much eye care gear
2. No more dealing with the discomfort of wearing and caring for contact lenses
3. No more risk for infection due to improperly sanitised contact lenses or dirty hands
4. Saving time each day when you get ready
5. No more having to worry about packing prescription sunglasses as well as prescription eyeglasses each time you leave your house
6. No more worrying about tears in your contacts or lost contact lenses (and their costly replacement)
Skip the hassles and costs associated with contact lenses and see if you are a candidate for laser eye surgery. You can meet with an Optilase surgeon today by calling us on 0489 043 8397 in Ireland and 0800 511 8005 in the UK. Have questions? Fill out our online enquiry form.
Your eyes, just like the rest of your body, will eventually encounter some problems. Not all of these issues will be age-related or genetic. Whether it is a temporary concern or something that could affect your daily life, it is important to be aware of the most common eyesight problems. If you experience any of them, visit your eye care professional right away. The sooner you seek treatment, the better the outcome may be.
What are Common Problems with Eyes?
Most eyesight issues appear as you age and are part of the normal aging process. However, there are some that can also affect an individual at any age. These common issues include:
1. Presbyopia
This is when you cannot see objects close or in small print. It is a common condition that can happen over a lifetime, but you may not notice significant issues until past 40. It can be corrected with reading glasses as well as LASIK eye surgery.
2. Floaters
This is when you see tiny spots or specks that float across your field of vision. This condition is noticeable in a well-lit room as well as outdoors. Floaters are normal, but they can also be a sign of retinal detachment. If you notice these, go to see your eye doctor right away.
3. Cataracts
Cataracts create cloudy areas inside your eye lens. Cataracts will form slowly and some stay so small that they never truly impact your eyesight. If they do, they can be corrected with laser eye surgery.
4. Glaucoma
Glaucoma occurs as pressure builds up in your eye. As the pressure increases, it can damage the optic nerve. Treatment for glaucoma will depend on the severity, but can include eye drops or surgery.
5. Corneal Disease
Your cornea is a clear, dome-shaped window at the front of your eye. It is what allows light to focus. Diseases or infections to the cornea can damage it and even lead to halos, reduced vision or pain. It is typically treated with prescription eye drops, prescription eyeglasses or surgery.
6. Macular Degeneration
This is the leading cause of vision loss in multiple countries – especially in those over the age of 50. It can develop at any age and the treatment will depend on the type and severity. In some cases, surgery is required.
If you have severe changes in your vision or you have noticed that you no longer can see as clearly as you did before, have your eyes examined right away. The team at Optilase can examine your eyes and help determine which laser eye surgery procedure is right for you.
Schedule your consultation or enquire further by calling us on 0489 043 8397 in Ireland and 0800 511 8005 in the UK. Have questions? Fill out our online enquiry form.
When it comes to your eye health, you know the importance of receiving regular eye examinations. However, you may find yourself unsure about which type of specialist to see. Opticians and laser eye surgeons may seem as though they have similar sets of services, but in reality, they have two very distinct roles.
To choose the right expert for your needs, you need to first understand the difference between each one.
What Does an Optician Do?
An optician, in general, helps you make the right selection and adjusts fitting for your prescription lenses (including contacts). Opticians can perform general eye examinations – as long as you are looking for a prescription for glasses or need to adjust your current corrective lens prescription. Optician, however, is a loosely used term and sometimes optometrists refer to themselves as opticians. An optometrist is a doctor of optometry (OD) who is trained to treat and manage eye diseases, prescribe glasses, monitor eye health and even remove foreign bodies from the eye. An optician can:
1. Evaluate prescriptions written already by an eye doctor
2. Dispense, adjust, replace or repair eyeglass frames, contacts or lenses
3. Take measurements of your face to match you with a new pair of frames and make sure your lenses match your eye placement
4. Determine which lenses are appropriate for you based on your vision needs
5. Provide you with guidance on picking eyeglass frames to match the lenses prescribed to you
What Does a Laser Eye Surgeon Do?
Optometrists and ophthalmologists both can offer laser eye surgery. Ophthalmologists perform LASIK and PRK procedures, while the optometrist is the one that examines your eyes and determines if you may be a possible candidate to go in for a consultation you’re your laser eye surgeon. If you have been told you need laser eye surgery, the ophthalmologist will assess you for candidacy.
After laser eye surgery, you will meet with your ophthalmologist that performed the procedure for a follow-up eye examination. However, this examination is only performed to check the progress of your procedure.
If you would like to assess your candidacy for laser eye surgery, speak with the team at Optilase. Our surgeons can assess your current eye condition and find a corrective laser eye procedure that will help improve your vision and overall eye health. For more information, fill out an online enquiry form or schedule a consultation by calling us on 0489 043 8397 in Ireland and 0800 511 8005 in the UK.
