By |
Are you tired of wearing glasses or fussing with contacts?
A study in JAMA Ophthalmology found that 92% of Medicare beneficiaries over the age of 65 used some sort of glasses, contacts, or other vision correction.1 Most of the vision problems faced by seniors are the same they might have faced as younger adults, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
If you’re tired of dealing with corrective lenses and contacts, laser eye surgery might be a great option for you. First made available in 1999, this easy outpatient procedure is now quite common, with 30 million people across the world getting it each year. And of those who get the surgery, eight out of ten can see clearly without glasses, contacts, or other vision correction.
The vast majority of laser eye surgery is obviously successful. But as with any medical procedure, even the simplest ones, there is an element of risk. Let’s look at what seniors may expect from laser eye surgery.
What is Laser Eye Surgery?
As the Cleveland Clinic explains, laser eye surgery corrects vision problems by changing the shape of the cornea. This change in shape then improves the way the light comes into your eye and hits the retina. The result is a marked increase in the clearness and quality of your vision.2 Laser eye surgery is most effective when treating nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
There are several different types of laser surgery for the eye. LASIK is the most common and well-known of these surgeries.
LASIK stands for “Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis.” During the surgery, a flap is created in the outer layer of the cornea. This flap folds back, exposing the tissue beneath. A surgical robot removes just the right amount of tissue in a very quick and easy procedure. The flap is then returned to its original position to heal.
Recovery time from LASIK often surprises patients. You might feel some discomfort for a few hours. But by the following morning, it is not unusual to wake up with 20/20 vision.
There is another, similar surgery known as LASEK. LASEK stands for “Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis.” This procedure polishes away part of the cornea while removing the amount of tissue required from the cornea itself. This is usually used for those who have scarring on the cornea or similar problems that blur or obstruct vision.
The recovery for this takes a bit longer. You might feel the same mild discomfort in the hours after the surgery. Recovery takes from four to five days for most patients and requires you to wear a protective contact lens that serves as a sort of bandage over the surgical site. Expect your vision to improve over a matter of weeks to 20/20 or very close to that.
If these aren’t right for you, there are other laser surgeries that can improve your vision. The one you and your doctor choose should be based on your medical history, the current issue with your eyes, and the expected recovery.
Any sort of eye surgery warrants the use of an emergency alert system. Why? Though LASIK and other laser surgeries are very effective and can lead to dramatic improvements in vision, those improvements are still a significant change from what you’re used to seeing when you look around.
That change can make you see the world differently – quite literally – and that difference in what you’re seeing can make you a little unsure and unsteady on your feet. During the days when you adjust to a new level of vision, falls become more likely. Medical alert technology ensures that if a fall does happen, you can get the help you need right away.
What to Expect
Your eye doctor will talk with you about whether you are a good candidate for surgery. Expect a consultation appointment (or perhaps a few) before the surgery is scheduled.
You’ll have a short list of requirements before the surgery. Though these will be tailored to your situation, the basics include not using lotion, makeup, or moisturizer around the eyes the day before the surgery. Someone will need to drive you to and from the appointment.
Here’s what happens during the surgery:
· If you’re nervous, you might be offered a mild sedative.
· You will sit still in a comfortable chair. The surgeon will put eye drops in your eyes and wait a few minutes. These drops will numb your eyes so you won’t feel any pain.
· When your eyes are numb, the surgeon will place a suction ring and eyelid speculum on each eye. This sounds painful, but it’s not at all. The suction ring holds your eye in place and the speculum keeps your eye open by preventing you from blinking.
· You might feel pressure on your eyelid. This is similar to what you would feel if you closed your eye and pressed your thumb against it. At this point, your vision will become dim and blurry.
· The surgeon will open the flap on your cornea. You might see the movement but you won’t feel any pain.
· The surgeon will then ask you to stare at a light aimed at your eye. This is the laser. It measures your eyes 500 times each second as it performs the short procedure. This part of the surgery might last for a minute or two, at most. During this time, you will continue to feel pressure. You might notice a clicking sound or an unusual smell. (That smell is a chemical reaction between the laser and the fluids of your eye.)
· The surgeon will put the flap back in place. You’ll rest for a little while before you’re allowed to get up and walk out of the office.
What to Expect During Recovery
The entire procedure usually takes 30 minutes or less.
When it’s done, your doctor will give you a few items and the instructions on how to use them. These include a shield that protects your eyes and prevents you from touching them, antibiotic and steroidal eye drops to prevent infection and inflammation, and lubricating eye drops in case you develop dry eyes after the surgery.
You won’t be able to drive that day, but you might be able to drive safely the following day. This is usually when you go in for a post-operative appointment.
During the first 24 hours or so, you will need to rest your eyes as much as possible. This is an excellent excuse to take long, rejuvenating naps!
During that first week, you might experience mild discomfort from time to time, as well as headaches. This is from your eyes healing and adjusting to the new light coming into the retina. You might also experience sensitivity to light, as well as dry eyes, watery eyes, or puffiness around the eye. These are all normal and will dissipate as your eyes adjust and heal.
Some find that the worst side effect is itching. That’s the natural sensation of your cornea healing. It can be incredibly tempting to rub your eyes, but you should do everything you can go avoid that. It’s very important not to touch your eyes for that first week after the surgery, as you might damage the healing cornea or introduce bacteria that could cause an infection.
Medical alert systems for seniors can bring you solid peace of mind during your recovery period. As your vision changes, you are at greater risk of falls. Being able to reach out to the professionals at the monitoring center at a moment’s notice, no matter the hour, can ease some of your worries and make your recovery feel much smoother.
Other Things to Know
If you’re thinking about getting LASIK or any other laser eye surgery, there are a few other points you need to know.
· The appointments before the surgery can be time-consuming. The surgeon must be sure you’re a good candidate for the surgery, so they will take the time to detect any underlying problems that might interfere with the procedure or your recovery. Expect to go through several different eye screenings during the pre-surgical appointments.
· It can be expensive. According to Clinical Ophthalmology, the cost of LASIK in the United States ranges from $1,000 to $4,000 for one eye, depending on the extent of the procedure. The average cost is $2,632 per eye.3
· Insurance rarely covers LASIK. It’s usually considered a corrective procedure meant to enhance quality of life, but is not medically necessary.
· You should abstain from alcohol the day prior to your surgery. If you are a smoker, now is the time to quit – the smoke will easily irritate your eyes after surgery.
· Dry eyes are the most common side effect, bothering up to 30% of patients. The dry eye problem tends to peak at three months post-surgery and gets better after that.
· There are rarely any complications from the surgery. In fact, 99% of all individuals who get the surgery heal without incident.
The Potential for Follow-Up Treatments
Though LASIK is highly effective for most people, there might be some tweaks necessary in the first year or so to ensure you have the best vision possible. The most common need for follow-up procedures is among those who had a high correction prescription at the start of the surgical journey.
Remember that the eye is a living organ that is constantly changing. Even if LASIK works very well for you, your vision might begin to change a bit in the years to come. That’s because your eye will continue to age even if you have turned back the clock on your vision. Expect to be free of glasses and contacts for several years, but eventually, you might need corrective lenses for reading, driving at night, and the like.
If you have any vision issues at all – whether you opt for LASIK or not – a fall alert for seniors is an excellent idea. Low vision doubles the risk of falling, according to the CDC, and those falls can lead to serious injury. By having a medical alert wireless system at your fingertips, you can get the help you need if you do fall down. By choosing an alert with fall detection, you can count on even more protection. Don’t hesitate to get the system that’s right for you.
