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Halos After LASIK Surgery

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Why Do I Experience Glare and Halos After LASIK?

LASIK surgery has transformed the vision of countless patients, freeing many from the dependence on glasses or contact lenses. While highly effective in correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, it’s normal to experience temporary side effects, such as glare and halos after LASIK. Let’s explore why these effects occur and what you can do to manage them.

What Causes Glare and Halos After LASIK?

During LASIK, an ultra-thin flap is created on the cornea, and a precise laser reshapes the corneal tissue beneath it. This reshaping allows light to focus more accurately on the retina, resulting in clearer vision. However, as your eyes adjust to the new shape of your cornea, they may become temporarily sensitive to light. This sensitivity can lead to halos and glare, especially around bright lights and in low-light conditions, like nighttime driving.

Some factors that contribute to these visual effects include:

  • Corneal Healing: Fluid buildup and swelling during the early healing phase can temporarily distort light, leading to halos and glare.
  • Pupil Size: Patients with naturally larger pupils may experience more noticeable halos in low-light conditions.
  • Dry Eyes: Post-surgery dryness is common and can heighten glare. Using lubricating drops regularly can help.

How Long Do Glare and Halos Last?

For most patients, glare and halos after LASIK are most noticeable in the first week or two. The intensity of these effects typically fades within the first month, though some individuals may experience slight halos for up to three months as the cornea completes its healing process. If these symptoms persist or worsen, consult your eye doctor, as additional follow-up may be beneficial.

Tips for Managing Glare and Halos After LASIK

Here are some helpful tips to manage glare and halos during recovery:

  1. Wear Sunglasses and Hats Outdoors: Sunglasses and hats with brims help reduce sensitivity to sunlight, minimizing glare.
  2. Use Lubricating Eye Drops: Keeping your eyes well-lubricated reduces dryness, which can intensify glare.
  3. Limit Night Driving: If possible, avoid night driving early in your recovery, especially if halos and glare affect your night vision.
  4. Consider Prescription Eye Drops: In some cases, doctors may prescribe medicated drops to alleviate inflammation and reduce visual disturbances.

The Importance of Follow-up Visits

Attending all post-operative follow-up visits is essential to ensure your eyes are healing properly. During these appointments, your eye care specialist can monitor your recovery, address any concerns, and provide additional guidance on managing side effects.

When to Contact Your Surgeon

While halos and glare are expected in the early weeks after LASIK, contact your surgeon if you experience severe visual disturbances, such as flashing lights, sudden loss of vision, or symptoms that interfere significantly with daily activities.

Explore the Benefits of LASIK with Papale Eye Center

If you’re considering LASIK or want to learn more about post-operative care, the team at Papale Eye Center is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward clearer vision.

Additional Resources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19344821/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774

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Consider LASIK? 4 criteria to know

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LASIK laser vision correction is an incredibly popular procedure as patients grow tired of having to reach for glasses or spend time putting in contacts every day. How do you know if you’re a candidate for this procedure? Read on to learn about four criteria.

You are 18 years old or older. LASIK is an FDA-approved laser vision correction treatment for patients 18 years old and older. Your eyes have to achieve ocular maturity and be fully developed in order to be considered a candidate for LASIK. A consultation with your eye doctor will determine if your eyes have fully developed and you are a good candidate for surgery.

Your prescription is stable. It’s important that your prescription for glasses or contacts remains stable for at least one year prior to considering LASIK. LASIK treats a range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Once your vision stabilizes, there is less likelihood that your nearsightedness or farsightedness would progress. If your prescription changes, it could also mean you have an undiagnosed eye disease or condition that would prevent you from surgery.

You are in good health, and your eyes are generally healthy. Eye injuries, infections and certain diseases can make you ineligible for LASIK surgery. Your corneas much have appropriate thickness. Cataracts can affect results. If you have diabetes or an autoimmune disease or are pregnant, you may not be a candidate. Women’s bodies experience hormonal changes during pregnancy, which may temporarily affect your prescription. Medications such as corticosteroids and acne medications may affect the healing process. Be sure to tell your doctor about all health concerns and medical history, and bring a list of current medications with you to your appointment.

You have prepared and have realistic expectations. Do your research and come to your appointment prepared with a list of questions to find out of LASIK is right for you. During your appointment, your eye doctor will help you understand what to expect from the procedure, recovery and results.

Ready to discuss LASIK and find out if you’re a fit for this procedure? Call our office today at (413) 782-0030 to schedule a consultation.

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5 things to know about LASIK eye surgery

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LASIK is a life-changing eye surgery that treats a range of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. If you’re considering having LASIK done to improve your vision and help you ditch the glasses or contact lenses, here are a few things you should know about the procedure.

Your prescription needs to remain stable for one year prior to the LASIK procedure. If your prescription continually changes, it could mean you are dealing with an eye disease or another condition that would not make you a candidate for surgery. The goal of LASIK is to correct the refractive error present in the eyes at the time of the surgery.

The procedure isn’t painful. The surface of the eyes is numbed with anesthetic eye drops before the procedure. After surgery, most people have an increased sensitivity to light, dry eyes and a “gritty” sensation in their eyes. This is temporary and usually disappears within 1-2 days. Most patients are able to return to work at that time.

LASIK patients will see well the day after the procedure. The goal of LASIK is to reduce dependency on glasses and contact lenses. While there is no guarantee of perfect vision, the majority of patients see better than 20/30 without correction, and many see at 20/20 or better.

Most patients get both eyes treated at the same time. Treating the eyes together means only one healing period, minimizing discomfort and inconvenience. If you get only one eye done at a time, your doctor may have you wait for a certain period of time before having surgery on the other eye.

If you’ve been told you’re not a candidate for LASIK, there is another option. The implantable contact lens known as Visian ICL works with the eye to correct vision. It’s positioned inside the eye between the iris and the natural lens, where it stays indefinitely. If your vision changes dramatically, the implantable lens can be removed.

To learn more about LASIK eye surgery and whether you’re a good candidate for this procedure, contact our Springfield office today at (413) 782-0030 and schedule an appointment.

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Why 2019 Is the Perfect Year to Consider Lasik

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If you have one goal to set and stick to in 2019, it should be to see better. But how? Here at Papale Eye Center, we perform a corrective surgery called Lasik which can help patients, like you, kick your glasses and contact lenses to the curb.

Even though you may have heard of Lasik, you may not know the first thing about how it’s done. Luckily, we are here to explain. The main goal of laser eye surgery is to change the actual shape of the cornea which helps to improve the eye’s ability to focus. By using an excimer laser, we can sculpt the corneal tissue one microscopic layer at a time without affecting the surrounding minutes. Now that you know how the surgery is performed, let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of pulling the trigger on this surgery in 2019.

It’s Fast

One of the many unique benefits of laser eye surgery is that it’s really fast. In fact, surgery itself only takes a few minutes and in only a couple of weeks, there will be little or no evidence that surgery was ever even performed. But, you will have a clear vision to show for it.

No More Glasses and Contacts

A new year means new eye appointments. Rather than scheduling another eye exam for contacts and glasses, schedule a Lasik appointment instead. By kissing your glasses and contacts goodbye, you won’t’ have to worry about ordering another pair of either for years and years to come.

Rather than setting resolutions that you may not stick to, make it your goal in 2019 to see better. To learn more about Lasik or to schedule your consultation, contact our Springfield office today and give us a call at (413) 782-0030.

When to Back Away from LASIK

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There are some things that as an adult you may still say no to— those anchovies on your pizza, that liver staring at you from the kitchen table, and maybe even boiled Brussel sprouts. And although all of those are worth saying no to even as an adult, there are some other things— like LASIK eye surgery— that you may not know when or if you should say no to. Here are a few scenarios in which we will recommend another vision route.

You Have An Autoimmune Disease

If you have an autoimmune disease like lupus, then you may want to back away from the thought of getting Lasik eye surgery. Although Lasik eye surgery is a fast, easy, and effective way at restoring most people’s vision, if you have an autoimmune disease, it may put you at a higher risk of eye complications like dry corneas, corneal ulcers, corneal melts, corneal thinning, keratitis, scleritis, and more.

You Have Glaucoma

Another reason why we may recommend that you take a different route than LASIK eye surgery is if you have glaucoma. Although LASIK is safe for most patients, we do use a suction device when we are making an incision to create the corneal flap which can increase your intraocular pressure— a no-no to anyone who has glaucoma.

You Have keratoconus or Have a Family History of It

If you have keratoconus (a condition that can result in progressive deterioration of your vision and thin of your cornea— or if you have a family history of this eye disease, then we may encourage you to refrain from getting LASIK or any other eye related surgery.

During your initial Lasik consultation with Papale Eye Center, we will go over your medical history, family history, and any eye related issues that you currently have to help us determine if you are a good candidate for Lasik or not. If you are ready to take the next step in learning more about Lasik, schedule your consultation at our Springfield office today: (413) 782-0030.

How to Ditch Your Glasses Before Your Holiday Photos

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LASIK Surgery Springfield MA1,2,3 Smile! It’s that time of year— you know, the time of year when you have to practically bribe your children to sit still and smile for your holiday photos. Holiday photoshoots may as well be considered torture when you think about it: not only do you have to get everyone ready, you have to plan a location and wardrobes, and show up looking good yourself. If you wear glasses, you may be dreading sending out yet another holiday card with your glasses being front and center.

Luckily, with corrective vision surgery like Lasik, we at Papale Eye Center can help you get rid of your glasses for good and be the shining star of your holiday card.

What Is Lasik?

Lasik is a refractive surgery that is used to treat patients who suffer from a variety of vision problems including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. During this brief, in-patient surgery, one of our doctors at Papale Eye Center will make a tiny cornea slit. After which, one of our surgeons will use an excimer laser to sculpt the corneal tissue which helps to restore your vision.

How Long Does It Take to Recover?

One of the first questions you probably have about Lasik is how long it takes to recover. Aka, “Will I be healed and ready for my photoshoot?” Your eyes start to heal immediately after surgery, and we will schedule an appointment for you to come back into our office about 24-48 hours afterward to ensure that you are healing properly. Additionally, after a few days, the redness in your eyes should go down which means that most patients should be picture ready in about one or two weeks.

Standing in front of the camera with clear vision and confidence can turn your holiday cards from normal into fabulous.

Schedule your Lasik consultation at our Papale Eye Center office today!

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Why Do I Experience Glare and Halos After LASIK Surgery?

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LASIK surgery is one of the most popular and effective options out there for vision correction and enhancement. We help countless patients around the Springfield area reduce their dependence on prescription lenses thanks to this state-of-the-art laser vision correction procedure.

Of course, LASIK surgery has its share of side effects, halos and glare among them. Let’s take a moment to consider why glare and halos are an issue after laser eye surgery and what patients can do about these temporary problems.

About LASIK Surgery

LASIK surgery is a type of laser eye surgery. The procedure alters the shape of the cornea, and in the process improves the passage of light through the eyes. This helps focus light on the retina in an exact fashion, allowing people to see clearly without the aid of glasses or contact lenses.

LASIK is ideal for treating refractive errors, which you may know better by the following terms:

  • Myopia (nearsightedness)
  • Hyperopia (farsightedness)
  • Astigmatism

Why Halos, Glare, and Light Sensitivity After Surgery?

During LASIK surgery, a flap is created in the topmost layer of the cornea. A laser is then used to carefully reshape the cornea. The flap is set down again to heal.

As your eyes are healing, it will take a while for your eyes to get used to the changes in vision quality and visual information. As a result, there may be glare or halos around objects that are brightly colored. In addition, patients are likely to experience issues with light sensitivity.

Rest assured that these are all normal side effects and that they will resolve themselves in weeks after surgery as patients heal. That said, it can be somewhat alarming to have to deal with these changes in overall vision quality.

How Long Will Glare and Halos Last?

For most patients, the most serious glare and halos after LASIK will last for the first month. There may be fewer problems with glare and halos before that time, especially in the first week or so after surgery. Gradually with proper healing, these issues will pass. Some residual glare or halos may be present for several weeks after surgery, though these too will fade with time.

Tips for Dealing with LASIK Side Effects

When it comes to dealing with these LASIK side effects, the best option is to be aware that they will happen and to follow your post-op instructions carefully. Be sure to use eye drops to keep your eyes lubricated, as this can help reduce some irritation and vision issues. In addition, when outdoors, be sure to wear sunglasses or a hat with a brim. This will protect your eyes from the sun and reduce discomfort and issues with glare and halos in the process.

Attend Follow-up Visits as Scheduled

After you undergo LASIK surgery, a it’s common to undergo series of follow-up visits with your eye surgeon. These are intended to address any potential lasting side effects and make sure that you are healing properly. Be sure to attend all of these follow-up visits as scheduled and to ask any questions or voice concerns as they arise. This is a good way of making sure you recover properly and free from complications.

Learn More About LASIK Surgery

For more information about LASIK and how it can help you have excellent vision, be sure to contact our team of laser vision correction specialists today. The team at Papale Eye Center is here to help you see the world clearly.

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How Cigarette Smoke Affects LASIK Patients

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The entire eye care team at our practice believes in helping the people of Springfield see the world in a different light. Thanks to advanced laser eye surgery procedures like LASIK, people are able to see fine without the need for prescription glasses or contact lenses. But seeing the world also means having a different outlook on your future. Sometimes getting LASIK can help put some other habits in life into perspective.

With this in mind, we would like to consider how cigarette smoke impacts LASIK patients, particularly after the surgery. It’s important that patients listen to our advice, since it can help avoid problems and improve the overall results of LASIK surgery.

Smoking Can Have a Negative Impact on LASIK Recovery

Smoking is bad for you, that’s a given. It can lead to cancer, lung disease, heart disease, and so many other health problems. What’s more, it can also have an adverse impact on you as you are healing. People who smoke are more prone to infection and tend to heal slower than non-smokers. Combining these issues could lead to serious problems after you have undergone LASIK surgery.

Potential Post-op Complications Linked to Smoking

As noted above, the primary complication to worry about is infection. Since it takes longer to heal after surgery, the risk of infection increases as you recover. While the surgical procedure is safer now than ever thanks to advanced technology, smoking while you heal can be the cause of a post-op complication, such as a corneal flap issue or corneal flap inflammation.

Eye Irritation and Other Smoking Side Effects

Apart from the risk of infection, smoking can exacerbate post-surgical side effects. Your eyes will be particularly sensitive after LASIK, and the smoke from cigars and cigarettes can be extremely irritating. This can cause your eyes to water or, if you experience dry eye after surgery, can lead to severe discomfort of the eyes.

Stop Smoking Before Your LASIK Procedure

Before you undergo LASIK, it’s important that you avoid cigars, cigarettes, and other tobacco products. This will help put your body in the best condition to recover quickly. Keep in mind that this is a common pre-op instruction given to all patients.

Do Not Smoke While You Are Healing

After LASIK, you’ll want to avoid smoking for a few weeks so your eyes can full heal. This is just playing it safe and making sure that you will not trigger any serious attacks of dry eye or major eye irritation.

A Good Excuse to Quit for Good

After undergoing LASIK, a number of people feel that it’s a good excuse as any to finally kick the habit for good. By quitting smoking, you avoid so may health problems and can really enjoy what the world has to offer.

If you need help quitting, we can provide you with information and direct your to resources that can help make this a reality.

Speak with a Laser Eye Surgeon

For more information about LASIK and how it can improve your vision and overall enjoyment of life, be sure to contact our laser eye surgery center today. The team here looks forward to your visit and discussing these issues in greater detail.

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Is a Patient Ever Too Young or Too Old to Undergo LASIK?

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At the Papale Eye Center, we are often asked whether there is a “right” age to undergo LASIK. Some patients are concerned that they may be too old to benefit from LASIK, while others wonder whether LASIK might be appropriate for their teenaged children, perhaps as a gift for graduating from high school. We answer them that as long as a patient is at least 18 years old, age doesn’t really factor into a person’s candidacy for LASIK. However, it might influence their results, an issue that we cover as we discuss LASIK and patient age during consultations at our Springfield, MA eye care center.

Dr. John Papale is careful to evaluate potential candidates for LASIK to ensure that they can undergo the procedure safely before approving them for surgery. This evaluation is essential to promoting the best possible outcome, regardless of the patient’s age. If you would like to discover whether you are a good candidate for LASIK, and you are at least 18 years old, we encourage you to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Papale at the Papale Eye Center today.

LASIK and Young Adults

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of the excimer laser in LASIK for patients who have reached the age of 18. This does not mean, of course, that a person necessarily becomes a good candidate for LASIK upon reaching his or her eighteenth birthday. The FDA has approved LASIK for patients of this age because most people’s eyes are fully developed by the time they reach 18. However, this is not true of all people. Some people’s eyes continue to develop well beyond their eighteenth birthday, into their early twenties. If these people had gotten LASIK when they were 18, there is a good chance that the results they had achieved would have been largely undone by the time they reached 25.

Dr. Papale carefully examines the eyes of his younger patients to confirm that they have fully matured before allowing them to undergo LASIK. If he feels that a patient will benefit from waiting a year or two before undergoing the procedure, he will advise him or her honestly of this fact.

LASIK and Seniors

Age does not preclude seniors from undergoing LASIK. Many patients in their sixties and seventies have undergone the procedure with good results. However, in order to be considered good candidates for LASIK, senior patients must have healthy eyes, free from ocular disease and age-related vision problems. If they have cataracts, even if they aren’t yet affecting their vision, they should first have their cataracts removed and their natural lenses replaced with multifocal intraocular lenses, or IOLs. This surgery alone may restore their unaided vision at all distances, making LASIK entirely unnecessary.

Learn More about the Relationship between LASIK and Patient Age

If you would like to learn more about the connection between LASIK and patient age, or you wish to make an appointment with Dr. John Papale, please contact the Papale Eye Center today.

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LASIK and ICL offer Improved Vision without Glasses or Contact Lenses

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Most patients consider laser eye treatment to be the new standard when it comes to treating vision impairment. In the past, patients had to rely on glasses or contact lenses to improve vision that was affected by nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Today, there are options that provide longer-lasting results with greater convenience. Most patients are familiar with LASIK treatment to reshape the cornea and enhance natural vision, but this is not the only type of eye treatment for refractive errors. Patients may also consider ICLs, implantable contact lenses. Both of these treatments can help patients achieve 20/20 vision or better, without the need for removable prescription lenses. The eye doctors at The Papale Eye Center discuss ICLs vs. LASIK with our Springfield, MA patients so we can help them decide which treatment option is best for them.

LASIK

LASIK is the most popular form of laser vision correction and the one that the majority of patients are most familiar with. LASIK is a proven technique that improves vision by addressing the source of the problem – imperfections in the cornea. During LASIK treatment, a small flap is made in the surface of the cornea. After lifting this flap, a powerful and precise laser is used to reshape the corneal tissue in order to eliminate imperfections and allow light entering the eye to be properly focused. The success rate of LASIK surgery is high, with most patients no longer needing glasses or contact lenses. Additional benefits of LASIK include the long-lasting results, the minimal risks associated with treatment, and the relatively quick recovery period.

ICLs

ICLs, or implantable contact lenses, are a vision treatment that many patients don’t know much about. However, it is a procedure that can be just as effective as LASIK, and may be an ideal option for patients who are considered poor LASIK candidates. ICL treatment is different from LASIK in that it does not involve the reshaping of the cornea. Instead, a contact lens is placed inside the eye, between the iris and the natural lens of the eye. This lens corrects vision so that patients no longer have to rely on glasses or removable contact lenses. The implant can stay in place indefinitely to provide patients with long-term vision improvement. Benefits of ICLs include the effective results, the ability to improve vision without creating a corneal flap (one of the leading sources of concern regarding LASIK surgery), and the fact that the lens can be removed should the eye experience any dramatic visual changes.

Which Is Right for Me?

There are many factors that should be considered when determining which eye treatment is right for each patient. In some cases, the decision may come down to a matter of preference, while in others, the health of the eye may determine which technique is most appropriate. LASIK and ICLs both offer their own unique advantages, so the best way to choose a treatment that works for each patient is to schedule a consultation with an experienced eye doctor such as those at The Papale Eye Center.

Contact Us

If you are interested in learning more about eye treatment, contact us at your earliest convenience. The experienced eye doctors at The Papale Eye Center will be happy to answer any questions you may have about LASIK, ICLs, or any of our other vision correction services.

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