Jason Randall Smith, OD,MS

Under most circumstances, LASIK takes approximately 30 minutes but this can vary from surgeon to surgeon. In order to receive a definite answer, please consult with the doctor and have all of your questions answered so that you can make a knowledgeable, informed decision. Good luck and best wishes.

This question can only be answered by the doctor who diagnosed your conjunctivitis because there are many types of conjunctivitis and the treatment is different for all types. As an example, if you have a bacterial conjunctivitis, an antibiotic eye drop must be prescribed. If you have a viral conjunctivitis, this usually goes away on its own and can be treated by an eye doctor with preservative free artificial tears and cold compresses. Not using any drops, a viral conjunctivitis will usually go away after 2-3 weeks. Allergic conjunctivitis can be treated with preservative free artificial tears, cold compresses, anti-allergy drops, or oral medications. It is my suggestion to have your eye doctor or medical doctor properly define for you what type of conjunctivitis you have and to treat it accordingly. Good luck and best wishes.

There may be several reasons for blurry vision including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism. The over 40 age group also has a problem with close vision called presbyopia. In order to properly diagnose what you may have or what the problem may be, please see an eye doctor. If there is a needed prescription, glasses or contact lenses can be prescribed for clear and comfortable vision, distance and close all of the time. Refractive surgery may be an option if you are a candidate for such a procedure. Good luck and best wishes.

If you do have astigmatism, this can change as we age, it is totally normal. The way to correct astigmatism is to have glasses or contact lenses prescribed for you. Another option is refractive surgery, if you are a candidate. I would see the eye doctor who diagnosed your astigmatism and to determine what your best options are. Good luck and best wishes.

You have a condition called photophobia, if it is the bright lights that are causing your problem. It may be possible that there is an allergy issue or an air pollution issue depending upon where you live, inner city being more of a problem than living in a rural environment. There are transition lenses or UV sunglasses that may help. I have many patients with a lighter color iris who seem to be more at risk because more light is being absorbed in a blue-eyed or green-eyed person than someone with a brown iris, where more light is being reflected. I would see an eye doctor in order to receive a proper diagnosis and also to determine if an eyeglass prescription may need to be included in order to see more clearly and comfortably. Good luck and best wishes.

This really depends upon the type of drop that you are using. If you have dry eyes, using an artificial tear should not be a problem. Some decongestant eye drops can be a problem for those people who have narrow angles in their eyes. And, anti-redness drops should only be used for a short period of time, as in the case of red eyes due to seasonal allergies. Hopefully you are not continuing to use a steroid drop which needs a prescription, because long term use can create a problem called steroid induced glaucoma. I would strongly suggest that you see an eye doctor in order to know exactly what your eye problem is and to properly treat it. Good luck and best wishes.

The answer to this question is YES, BUT.......Glaucoma eye drops definitely can help reduce your eye pressure depending upon the type of glaucoma that has been diagnosed, and there are many types of glaucoma problems. If you have an open angle type of glaucoma, then your eye doctor will initially prescribe 1 or more drops in order to determine if your pressures are low enough so that there is no potential for optic nerve damage. There may be a need to change the dosage or the drop depending upon a "trial" of the initially prescribed drops. Another type of glaucoma is narrow angle or closed angle glaucoma which is usually treated with a laser surgical procedure in order to allow the aqueous fluid to flow normally and to reduce your eye pressure. Drops may not be needed. It is very important that you follow your eye doctor's plan and to always get your follow up examinations which will include dilation to check the optic nerve, visual field tests, pachymetry/corneal measurements, and exact monitoring and usage of any prescribed glaucoma eye drops. Good luck and best wishes.

Too much screen time will not "damage" your eyes to the point that you have some irreversible problem. We are all looking at lap-top computers, desk -tops, cell phones, Kindles, I-Pads, etc. and the best suggestions are to take occasional visual breaks from looking at close work and let your eyes assume a "position of rest" by looking in the distance.
Many people are experiencing computer vision problems that can be treated by an eye doctor. If you are experiencing eye strain, the biggest question is; are you using eye-glasses or contact lenses for your close work? Depending upon your age and how long you are using a computer for work and for social reasons, a prescription can be of some help in order to reduce or eliminate any strain, headaches, or other visual symptoms that you may be experiencing.

I would see an optometrist in order to have a full eye examination in order to determine if a prescription will help you. Here is an excellent website that covers some of the topics that I have mentioned. Good luck and best wishes.

https://www.visiontherapycanada.com/vision-therapy/position-statements/the-impacts-of-screen-time-on-visual-and-mental-well-being/

You should not swim in any body of water nor get water in your eyes any time you have an eye infection. If you do have an eye infection and you were prescribed drops or an ointment, you will be diluting the treatment that is being used in your eyes, if water does get into your eyes. In the case of swimming in a pool that uses chlorine as a bacterial agent, some bacteria and viruses can survive in chlorine, let alone you do not want to get chlorinated water in your eyes, also. Whatever "sea" you are referring to, there are too many pollutants, chemicals, and contaminants in this type of water to mention. You do not want them getting into any infected eye. And if you were to swim with an infection in your eyes, it is possible that you can spread this infection to other people. And, swimming with an infection can possibly increase your exposure to a longer-term infection or another type of infection depending upon how strong your immune system is. Please check with your eye doctor who hopefully diagnosed your problem in order to advise you how long your treatment will last and if you have any other questions. If you self-diagnosed your eye infection, please remember that there are many types of conjunctivitis problems including bacterial, viral, and allergic and they are all treated differently. Good luck and best wishes.

"Short-sightedness" is another term for near-sightedness or myopia. There are several "refractive/eye" conditions including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. What you have is based on your eye's anatomy (the structure) and its physiology (its function). If you think of your eyes as a camera, people who have myopia see things clearly up close but things in the distance will be blurry. Your vision up close and in the distance may also be affected if there is any associated astigmatism which is very common.
Other factors that will determine your myopia may include age, medications, eye health, general health, and genetic issues.
Myopia is not a disease that can be cured. It is a condition that can be treated with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. None of these treatments are a permanent "cure", but each one will resolve your vision issues for a period of time until your eyes normally age and change. By placing eyeglass lenses or contact lenses in front of your eyes, things will be properly focused so that you can see at any distance.
I would suggest to you that you discuss your options with your eye doctor who diagnosed your myopia in order to determine which options are best for you. Good luck and best wishes.

LASIK recovery time averages 2-3 months with mostly clear vision occurring by 6 months in time. But this is an estimate and an average and will vary depending upon your age, corneal health issues, eye health issues, and other factors related to you and your eyes specifically. If this refractive surgery procedure is something that you want to pursue, I would make an appointment with an ophthalmologist/refractive surgeon who can fully evaluate you and your eyes, then determine if you are a candidate for any refractive surgery procedure. At this appointment, please come prepared to ask every question that you think is important to you. Many of your questions may be asked and answered on Google. Good luck and best wishes.

You will need a driver to your initial evaluation appointment because your eyes will be dilated, the day of the surgery, for your 1-day post-op appointment, and any other appointments if you have not been cleared to drive.
It is usually okay to drive 24 hours after your LASIK eye surgery. Your first post-operative appointment will be the day following your LASIK. Once your vision has been checked and deemed to be legal for driving, you should
be able to drive. Your eye doctor will advise you as to all of your options once he sees how your eyes are healing. Follow all directions and always be safe. Good luck and best wishes.

"Is there any benefit to blue light glasses?
Some blue light glasses may help filter out some artificial blue light, but no, there's no real benefit to wearing them.
You’re not getting any extra protection or health benefits because the blue light wasn’t harming you to begin with.
https://www.today.com/health/do-blue-light-glasses-work-rcna101630

and:
“There is currently no evidence that blue light or screens are causing any irreversible, permanent damage, which is why the American Academy of Ophthalmology does not recommend any special eyewear for computer use," says Maturi.

Some people may feel a little bit more sensitive to blue light from our screens and monitors. ... The reality is blue light is healthy and safe, and it is not going to harm our eyes. (same website)

Myopia is not a disease that can be cured with medications. It is a refractive condition where things that you look at focus in front of the retina instead of on the retina. Myopia is based upon the anatomy of your eye, specifically. That is why objects will appear blurry in the distance and be clearer up close depending upon how much myopia you have, and if there is, or is not some associated astigmatism. There are treatments for myopia including glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. I would suggest that you consult with the eye doctor who diagnosed your myopia in order to best be treated depending upon your job, social activities, age, and personal needs. Your eye doctor can best advise you as to what your options are, and please remember that myopia can change as we all age. Good luck and best wishes.

The biggest disadvantage can be the cost because currently, most insurances do not cover the cost of this laser procedure.
Using a laser allows the surgeon to make precise incisions in less time. It can improve accuracy and consistency. In some cases, the laser can provide more correction than traditional surgery. Studies do not show that laser surgery results in fewer complications. Also, studies haven't found that laser surgery provides better outcomes. Your outcome depends in large part on the skill and experience of your surgeon. I would decide upon the surgeon that you want to use, then be evaluated with a full eye examination. And be ready to ask every question that you are concerned about including costs, insurance coverage, risks, complications, and recovery time to name a few. Good luck and best wishes.

The answer to your question is as follows; astigmatism is not a disease that can be "cured". But there are various options for you to consider. Astigmatism is a refractive condition that has a certain amount and a certain location measured in degrees. Things that you look at can be blurry depending upon how much astigmatism you have and whether there is some associated nearsightedness or farsightedness. Glasses and/or toric contact lenses can resolve the astigmatism while you are wearing these devices, but using glasses or contact lenses will not "cure" the astigmatism. And astigmatism can change as you age. There are refractive surgeries that can correct your astigmatism. If this is something that you want to consider, you should make an appointment with a refractive surgeon/ophthalmologist who can fully evaluate your eyes including a refraction that checks your prescription in both eyes at the distance and at near, eye pressure measurements, corneal measurements (pachymetry), a dilated exam that checks all internal eye structures, and an overall eye health assessment. Good luck and best wishes.

I would highly recommend that you wear sunglasses, always in order to protect your eyes and the skin around your eyes from the harmful UV A and UV B rays. Wearing sunglasses after LASIK serves a few important purposes. Sunglasses help to protect the eyes from impact or debris. Sunglasses might prevent a branch from poking you in the eye or dirt or dust from flying into the eye. Sunglasses can deter you from rubbing or scratching the eyes. Sunglasses reduce the amount of light getting to the eyes, decreasing light sensitivity.
If you have any other specific questions concerning your eyes or what you should be doing or not doing, please contact your eye doctor who has all of the specifics about you, your eyes, and your surgery. Good luck and best wishes.

It is quite normal to have post-op LASIK dryness which can last 6-12 months or longer. When you had LASIK, your corneal nerves were cut, which in time tend to regenerate. These corneal nerves serve to react to your eyes being dry and your "reflex tearing" can be affected. The tears serve an important function especially to wet the corneas and conjunctivae. There are artificial tears, gels, or ointments that should have been prescribed to you post-op. If this is a bigger problem for you, punctal plugs can be used in the short term or long term. These are plugs that are placed in the puncta of the eye where your tears drain. The plugs can be applied to the superior (above) or inferior (below) puncta depending upon how severe the problem is. Please contact your eye doctor's office in order to see what should be done in your case. Good luck and best wishes.

Great question.... the answer to your question can only be answered by your eye doctor after a face-to-face visit; maybe yes, maybe no. The nature and the reasons for your dry eye must be evaluated by doing a Schirmer tear test which will determine if your tears are forming adequately, a tear break-up time test, a fluorescein test which will show how dry your eyes actually are. And a big question is, "is there any significant corneal dryness" that can be treated or needs to be treated. Also, corneal measurements, eye pressure measurements, a refraction to determine your actual prescription, and a retinal evaluation and ocular health assessment must all be done. Other factors that need to be considered include your age, health concerns, and medications being used. As 1 example, antihistamines can contribute to a dry eye problem. Once your eye doctor has the "full picture", he or she can offer you what may be available including highly oxygenated and high-water content daily lenses or something that you may use as needed. There may also be drops prescribed such as rewetting drops to be used with the contact lenses and a dry eye drop or ointment that would be used when the contact lenses were not being worn. Good luck and best wishes.

You will be provided with an informed consent form to sign so that you are aware of all possible consequences. On a positive side, your vision will be much clearer and colors should be much brighter and defined. Whether you may need glasses for distance, driving, or reading will depend upon your age and the type of implant being used. If monovision is being considered (one eye for near, one eye for distance), then you may not need glasses at all. And bifocal implants should provide you clear vison in the distance and close with both eyes at the same time.
There are always risks of retinal tears, corneal changes, and in the future, cloudiness that can be corrected easily with a laser. Good luck and best wishes.