Dry Eyes

It took a while to happen, but I am noticing that if I don't get enough rest, I develop dry eyes.

Nothing serious. However, there is a slight reduction in visual acuity that accompanies it. So far all my checkups have been great, so I'm not overly worried about it. I'm guessing that staying up quite late, staring at a computer screen, and dry heated indoor air are combining to annoy my eyes.

In particular, if I go outside on a cool day, the eyes water more and the visual acuity sharpens right up.

Finally, this may freak you out, but the other night, when I stayed up way too late working on the computer, my eyelid was stuck to my eye when I woke up. Heck, that freaked me out! When I first went to open my eye, it didn't open. When I forcefully blinked it open it there was some discomfort involved.

Tags: Dry Eyes, Stuck Eyelid

New Hope via Optical Implant Procedure

Things keep moving forward. I was impressed recently when I read that a lens that had become somewhat opaque could be replaced by a synthetic lens. If I'm not mistaken, the new implant procedure described below is not a replacement, but a corrective measure that is much less traumatic than current convential laser surgeries.

New Vision Correction Surgery Debuts In Madison
A Sauk City woman became the first person in the U.S. to undergo a revolutionary new vision-correction surgery in Madison on Tuesday.

The surgery involves a newly approved, second-generation optical implant that provides clear vision. The implant was given the thumps up by the FDA only a couple of weeks ago.

The surgery could provide hope for those of us who are not candidates for laser-vision correction.

...

The implant, like the one placed in Breunig's eye, is custom designed for each patient. It's no thicker than a piece of paper. One of the things that sets this implant apart from the first implants approved two years ago is a no-stitch incision.

"It is put in through a very small incision. It's just a microsurgical incision that self-seals," Vukich said.

Using an injector, the implant is placed behind the iris, or colored part of the eye. As the foldable implant is squeezed out of the injector, it unfolds and falls into place.

Interesting times indeed. Between lens replacements, optical implants and corneal reshaping via standard LASIK/PRK strategies, there are a lot of options available. Take your time and investigate what might be best for you, most facilities lean towards a certain style of procedure, so don't just accept whatever they tell you.

Tags: Optical Implant, Vision Correction