3 Cool Facts About The Cornea

Unless you have visited a cornea specialist lately, you can be forgiven for overlooking the importance of this vital eye part. Corneas appear transparent, so they are harder to see than the iris, sclera, or pupil. Nonetheless, they serve multiple important purposes. These interesting facts highlight some noteworthy information about the cornea and the reasons why it exists:

1. Although complete eye transplants remain impossible, this is the one part of an eye that can be transplanted. The first operation of this kind was completed by a new-found cornea specialist over a century ago. Sharks have corneas resembling those in human eyes, so doctors have sometimes utilized the shark cornea in human operations. Most organ donors can contribute eyes, even if they were blind or suffered from cancer.
2. Cornea tissue performs two major tasks. In combination with the eye lens, it helps refract light and enables people to see. Corneas also protect eyes from harm. However, blindness may occur if this protective layer suffers heavy damage as a result of injury or illness. This problem causes about 1 out of 10 instances of blindness. A cornea specialist will examine your eyes and check visual health.
3. The cornea seems simple because it looks clear and lacks blood vessels. However, it actually consists of five major layers. They achieve a variety of goals, such as conducting light, healing damage, and collecting nutrients. One layer is devoted to keeping germs and dust out of the eye, while another portion protects it from injury.

Unfortunately, this part of the eye can experience several different disorders. They include things like infections, allergic reactions, abnormal dryness and trauma-related damage. A cornea specialist can correct many problems by performing surgery. These professionals even have the ability to reverse corneal blindness with transplants. As always, be sure to speak to a doctor if your vision changes or you undergo significant amounts of eye discomfort. Read more about cornea specialists.

Is There An Age Limit For LASIK Surgery?

LASIK surgery is one of those surgeries where age does not play a large factor when it comes to the suitability of the patient as a candidate. The main consideration is whether or not the patient has a healthy eye. Doctors also consider someone who is generally healthy, with no serious underlying medical conditions that could affect the outcome of the surgery.

General Considerations

A good candidate for LASIK surgery is someone who otherwise has healthy vision. According to doctors, the lens has to be clear and the patient must understand that LASIK surgery cannot prevent cataract development in the future. According to one eye specialist, the ideal candidates are those with hyperopia or myopia, and who also have astigmatism, but whose eyes need little correction.

Over 50

Pre-existing diseases are common in middle-aged and senior patients. This is the reason why LASIK candidates who are over 40 or 50 are considered on a case-to-case basis. Doctors will look for signs of macular degeneration and basement membrane abnormalities; as well as a history of corneal disorders, glaucoma or diabetes. Doctors will also likely look at the medications taken by older patients to see if these pose potential side effects.

Under 18

Most eye doctors will not perform LASIK on patients who are under 18 years old. This is because the eye has not yet fully matured, and surgery done could affect the normal growth of eye tissue. In most cases, candidates are advised to wait until they reach 24 or older to have the procedure. However, doctors can perform the surgery on young patients under exceptional circumstances, such as those with severe eye problems that do not respond to conventional treatments. 

There are no set rules on the age spectrum allowed for LASIK surgery; thus, it’s not really about age as much as it is about the effectiveness of the procedure for each patient- especially those over 50. Experts usually look at industry practices, experience, and each patient’s personal framework to determine who is a good candidate for LASIK surgery, and who is not. If LASIK is right for you, find out now.

3 Benefits Of Seeing An Eye Specialist

The eyes they say are the windows to the soul. They can also tell a lot about your body and the manner in which it is functioning. Some diseases, such as, diabetes and high blood pressure, can be detected when an eye specialist examines your eyes.

What To Expect During Your Eye Specialist Consultation

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regular eye exams are necessary because they enable early detection of visual medical conditions such as, glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration.

Finding The Right LASIK Surgeon In Houston

If you have decided to have laser eye surgery, you know that a Houston LASIK surgeon is right for you. Now all you have to do is find that surgeon. Bad eye procedures can affect the rest of your life in a very negative manner.

Three Ways LASIK Can Improve Your Vision And Your Life

Patients considering LASIK surgery already know that the procedure will give them better eyesight; sometimes even better than 20/20 vision. What many people don't realize is that this procedure has unexpected and lasting benefits that go beyond seeing more clearly.

How To Get The Best LASIK Results?

Your sight is a precious gift. It's the way that you interact with the world; and the world around you is oriented towards people with perfect sight. Unfortunately, there are many people out there who don't see quite as well as they would like.