I am an Optometrist, Ask me Anything.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by TheGrimm

Hi Hesla,
Big thanks for doing this for the community, it's great that you are helping educate us on eyesite.. As a person with KC, it's one of those things you take for granted until you have issues.

What are your thoughts on LASIK versus ICLs? I know there are a few kinds of ICL out now and a friend of mine is paranoid of LASIK because I told him about the risks of corneal ectasia and dry eyes.

I know ICL's are a relatively newcomer to the field, however to me, the fact that you aren't burning off a layer of precious cornea seems to be a big plus? Have you seen it done, are the results as good as LASIK?

I personally think that implanted contact lenses will one day overtake Laser surgery as the go-to refractive procedure. However, I would wait a few years to get it as it is relatively new. The benefit is that it is reversible (you can take the implant out later). The downside to is an increased risk of the more serious complications due to actually exposing the inside of the eye to the outside world (vs. shaving off the front of the cornea).

Another potential benefit with ICL is that one day Multi-focal lenses could be implanted allowing someone to potentially not need reading glasses when they are older.

If you are someone with a high rx i always recommend ICL over laser.

As someone with Keratoconus you should absolutely NOT get LASIK.

Have you had an assesment for a Corneal Cross-linking procedure for your KC ?

[ratech]

I just got new glasses yesterday with a new prescription that only changed slightly from the old one. Does it usually take time to adjust to this new prescription? These glasses are making me all weird. Thanks

[TheGrimm]

Originally Posted by Hesla

I personally think that implanted contact lenses will one day overtake Laser surgery as the go-to refractive procedure. However, I would wait a few years to get it as it is relatively new. The benefit is that it is reversible (you can take the implant out later). The downside to is an increased risk of the more serious complications due to actually exposing the inside of the eye to the outside world (vs. shaving off the front of the cornea).

Another potential benefit with ICL is that one day Multi-focal lenses could be implanted allowing someone to potentially not need reading glasses when they are older.

If you are someone with a high rx i always recommend ICL over laser.

As someone with Keratoconus you should absolutely NOT get LASIK.

Have you had an assesment for a Corneal Cross-linking procedure for your KC ?

Hey sorry, I probably wasn't as clear as I could have been, I am not contemplating either procedure at this point. It was for a friend of mine, he has moderate myopia, nothing crazy.. I just personally am nervous for people considering LASIK that they are not going getting screened properly to ensure they have adequate cornea thickness etc. Weakening the structure of the cornea to correct vision still seems ill-advised to me.

I actually did have the C3R treatment done about 4 years ago as well as the Intac in my OD. I am happy to report that in 4 years my corneas have both been quite stable. For me it's just a case of finding adequate vision correction. What is your usual suggestion as far as contacts go?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by TheGrimm

Hey sorry, I probably wasn't as clear as I could have been, I am not contemplating either procedure at this point. It was for a friend of mine, he has moderate myopia, nothing crazy.. I just personally am nervous for people considering LASIK that they are not going getting screened properly to ensure they have adequate cornea thickness etc. Weakening the structure of the cornea to correct vision still seems ill-advised to me.

I actually did have the C3R treatment done about 4 years ago as well as the Intac in my OD. I am happy to report that in 4 years my corneas have both been quite stable. For me it's just a case of finding adequate vision correction. What is your usual suggestion as far as contacts go?

KBA or Synergeyes Truekone. One of the doctors in my office specializes in difficult fits, so I usually defer to her on Kerataconic fits.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by ratech

I just got new glasses yesterday with a new prescription that only changed slightly from the old one. Does it usually take time to adjust to this new prescription? These glasses are making me all weird. Thanks

It can, especially when there are changes to astigmatism. If it still feel's "off" afte a week head back to optical you got it from.

[Icon]

I haven't been at an optometrist in probably 15 years (don't wear glasses/contacts, had "30/20" vision when I was young, last checkup was "20/20")... I presume I should probably go for a checkup one of these days...

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Icon

I haven't been at an optometrist in probably 15 years (don't wear glasses/contacts, had "30/20" vision when I was young, last checkup was "20/20")... I presume I should probably go for a checkup one of these days...

Yes. Baseline health checks are very important. They make it so there is something to compare things to if something goes wrong later.

[Burninator]

What are your thoughts on Transition lenses? Pros/cons?

[Robotic]

My brother told me the other day that he has a hole in his retina. His optometrist told him it's nothing to worry about. It sounds kinda scary. Is this something serious, and what should be done to help/correct this?

[Nyah]

Hi - I'm not sure if thise would be something an Optometrist would advise on, but I always consider you guys 'eye doctors' so meh: At what point would I get my twitchy lower right eyelid looked at? It's been twitching on & off for about 2 weeks and it's really irritating! Is it something I should be concerned about (eventually)?

[rd_aaron]

Originally Posted by Nyah

Hi - I'm not sure if thise would be something an Optometrist would advise on, but I always consider you guys 'eye doctors' so meh: At what point would I get my twitchy lower right eyelid looked at? It's been twitching on & off for about 2 weeks and it's really irritating! Is it something I should be concerned about (eventually)?

Are you getting enough sleep?

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by Nyah

Hi - I'm not sure if thise would be something an Optometrist would advise on, but I always consider you guys 'eye doctors' so meh: At what point would I get my twitchy lower right eyelid looked at? It's been twitching on & off for about 2 weeks and it's really irritating! Is it something I should be concerned about (eventually)?

Originally Posted by rd_aaron

Are you getting enough sleep?

Get more sleep and drink less coffee. Whenever I've had an eye twitch, it's been from multiple consecutive days of 4-5 hours of sleep.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Komskies

Get more sleep and drink less coffee. Whenever I've had an eye twitch, it's been from multiple consecutive days of 4-5 hours of sleep.

I get them from stress.

[Nyah]

Originally Posted by rd_aaron

Are you getting enough sleep?

Plenty of sleep and zero caffine. I've also stopped drinking alcohol for the past week thinking that would help, and I'm not very stressed either...well, besides about the fact that my eye is twitching constantly.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Burninator

What are your thoughts on Transition lenses? Pros/cons?

Pros:

Not having two pairs of glasses
can adjust the amount of tint/color of tint
Much better now than in the past.

Cons:

Does not work in a vehicle (UV blocked up the windshield).
In really cold conditions it can stay dark longer.

It really comes down to when you need the tinted lenses. If you want them for driving then you are better off getting prescription sunglasses. If you want them for outdoorsy stuff then it is good.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Robotic

My brother told me the other day that he has a hole in his retina. His optometrist told him it's nothing to worry about. It sounds kinda scary. Is this something serious, and what should be done to help/correct this?

There are different types of Retinal holes. Atrophic retinal holes are nothing to worry about as they most likely have been there for a long time and have healed themselves. A hole in the retina is an issue if it is symptomatic (has flashing lights/blurry vision associated with it.

They will laser around a hole like the later to prevent its spread, but that kills retinal tissue. Therefore, it is only done in select cases.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Nyah

Hi - I'm not sure if thise would be something an Optometrist would advise on, but I always consider you guys 'eye doctors' so meh: At what point would I get my twitchy lower right eyelid looked at? It's been twitching on & off for about 2 weeks and it's really irritating! Is it something I should be concerned about (eventually)?

There are many causes of a twitching eye, all of them not serious.

Stress, lack of sleep, an increase or decrease in Caffeine, an increase or decrease in Nicotine, and eye strain can create a twitch.

Your eyelid muscles are on a "hair-trigger" due to the fact they have to protect the eye in a hurry if necessary. They are prone to sudden changes in the body.

If the twitch becomes a spasm (visible to others/affecting the vision) then you should get it checked.

[Baxter Renegade]

This is an awesome thread! That's why I love CalgaryPuck: You got a resident Optometrist, Real Estate Agent, a wicked thread pertaining to interesting science news, a hilarious picture thread, various video game threads, an NHL 12 club (that's awesome) and some of the finest hockey discussion and breaking news I've ever seen!

This might not be a question for an optometrist, but what do you know about Chalazion Cysts? I got a couple severe ones last year on either eyelid, and recently had the signs and symptoms of a third one this last month (that i managed to subdue/kill with hot compresses, massages, and squeezing of the gunk through the eyelash holes)... Can you recommend anything that will avoid these nasty things from happening? Am I doomed to get them all the time like some sections of the internet suggest?

[Knut]

^ Some people are prone to them and need to be very vigilant in eyelid cleanliness.

The best thing you can do is pick up some of this


Use it every day to wash your eyelids, especially along the margins (the flat part that presses against the eye). They are no-tears so you can get it in the eye without stinging. You should do a hot-compress and then use the thera-lid on the eye afterwards.

You may also have a mild Meibomian Gland disorder (DONT GOOGLE) that requires eye-lid massage on a regular basis.

Sometimes you just have to do what you described if necessary as they may happen from time to time.

[Baxter Renegade]

Originally Posted by Hesla

^ Some people are prone to them and need to be very vigilant in eyelid cleanliness.

The best thing you can do is pick up some of this


Use it every day to wash your eyelids, especially along the margins (the flat part that presses against the eye). They are no-tears so you can get it in the eye without stinging. You should do a hot-compress and then use the thera-lid on the eye afterwards.

You may also have a mild Meibomian Gland disorder (DONT GOOGLE) that requires eye-lid massage on a regular basis.

Sometimes you just have to do what you described if necessary as they may happen from time to time.

Thanks for the advice, Hesla!

Do you have an office in the city? I would be more than happy to make you and your team my family's choice Optometry center. You're obviously knowledgeable and very passionate.