Living Well 60+ November – December 2015 | Page 7

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 Clearer, Sharper Vision in Minutes 2. A simple, short procedure. It is also accurate and safe with a fast recovery. 3. Quality control even years later. The procedure allows adjustments to be made later on. Having an understanding of what this surgery can and cannot do is imperative. About 90 percent of people undergoing LASIK surgery will have between 20/20 and 20/40 vision. This surgery allows for most activities to be done without eyewear, but if perfect vision is expected, there may be some letdown. LASIK may be used for clearer vision for older adults, usually before age 70, depending upon their health. There is a small chance, says Web MD, the patient may not be able to see as well after surgery as before. Some people experience side effects such as blurry vision, eye dryness and difficulty with light sensitivity after surgery. The light sensitivity may include seeing halos, fluctuating vision or difficulty with night vision. For some, this is a temporary process, but the side 7 effects could be permanent. A new study in the Journal of Ophthalmology noted that the safety and efficacy of LASIK procedures has increased significantly for patients to 70 years of age. The cost is modest, starting at $250 per eye and up. A person with a history of diabetes or glaucoma or other eye problems is generally not a good candidate for LASIK surgery. Preparation for the surgery consists in meeting with a coordinator and having certain tests and measurements done. After surgery, there may be some blurriness for a day or two. Drops will be used and the person is asked to rest. Followup with the surgeon takes place a few days later. About the Author Jean is an RN with an MSN from the University of Cincinnati. She is a freelance writer and a staff writer for Living Well 50 Plus and Health & Wellness magazines. Currently she can be seen in Christian Living in the Mature Years magazine and has been previously published in such magazines as Diabetic Health. She resides in Cincinnati. With LASIK, you can get rid of the glasses by Jean Jeffers, Staff Writer Do you want clearer vision? Would you like to take off those glasses and see clearly without them? Would you like to minimize your difficulty with near vision without using eyewear? Such dreams are coming true today, thanks to recent advances in eye surgery. Many people gain better vision without glasses through LASIK – laser eye surgery – or other refractive surgeries. LASIK, which stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis, is a popular surgery used to correct vision in people who are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism. In most cases, the surgery is pain free and can be completed in a matter of 15 minutes or so. LASIK vision correction surgery works by reshaping the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, so light traveling through it is properly focused into the retina, located in the back of the eye, according to Web MD (www. webmd.com). With LASIK, an ophthalmologist creates a thin flap in the cornea using a laser. The surgeon folds back the flap, removing a part of the corneal tissue, then puts the flap back in place. Advantages to LASIK eye surgery include: 1. Better quality of vision. Around 96 percent of patients will gain their desired vision after the procedure. For those not completely satisfied on the first try, an enhancement may further increase the likelihood of clearer vision. Bring in this ad for a VALID FOR FIRST VISIT ONLY complimentary POWER HOUR boxing or kickboxing fitness workout for you and a friend. Each Power Hour starts with warm up exercises, continues with boxing or kickboxing combinations and finishes with core-focused exercises. All fitness levels are welcome — beginners to pros. Come ready for a fun hour of total-body fitness. The Power Hour is unlike anything else—try your First Shot Free! 171 W. Lowry Lane / Regency Centre Lexington / KY 40503 859.26.TITLE (268.4853) TITLEBoxingClub.com