Archive for category: LASIK

Hormones play a vital role in many of the activities that our body carries out on a daily basis. Acting as messengers, they help with metabolism, growth, and even the way we see.

Also, hormones affect our eyes and vision, too. Depending on the hormone(s) involved, your gender, and your age, the effects on your vision can vary.

Which hormones affect our vision?

Here are some of the main hormones that affect our vision:

• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
• Estrogen
• Progesterone
• Testosterone
• Thyroid hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4)
• Insulin

Different life stages and vision changes

Other than refractive errors, such as myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness), changes to our vision can occur for other reasons, such as hormonal changes. These can occur naturally, due to age, like in menopause, or they can happen because of diseases, such as diabetes.

Adolescence: GnRH travels to the pituitary gland to signal the release of other hormones to begin puberty. Growth spurts during this time can temporarily lengthen the eyeball, causing myopia, or nearsightedness, in both boys and girls.

Middle-age for men: as testosterone levels naturally drop with age, men may experience dry eyes and blurry vision, in the same way, menopausal women do. This is due to changes in the tear ducts and the oily film in the eyes that keep them moist.

Pregnancy: fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can cause changes to the glands in the eyes and eyelids, causing dry, irritated eyes. An increase in estrogen can also affect the shape of the cornea, causing temporary vision changes that are typically reversed after pregnancy.

Menopause: a decrease in estrogen can cause the structures of the eye to become dry and less elastic, causing dry eye and blurry vision. Menopausal women also tend to have higher intraocular pressure which, if left untreated, could lead to glaucoma.

At any age: people who experience excessively high or low thyroid hormones can experience changes to their vision. For example, high levels of the T4 hormone can increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration. The thyroid hormones also contribute to the development of cones, the cells in our eyes responsible for color vision. Furthermore, for people with diabetes: low levels of insulin can make it difficult for your eyes to produce tears, causing dry eyes. This can affect people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

If you experience any sudden changes in vision, especially flashes of light or a dark “curtain” descending over your field of vision, it’s important to see an eye doctor right away.

LASIK candidacy and vision changes

The best way to determine if you’re a candidate for LASIK, or another laser vision correction procedure, is to book a comprehensive eye screening with us. If your vision has been stable for some time, you can likely get LASIK. However, some vision changes from hormones will require that you wait, like during pregnancy.

Let us assist you with your eyes and help give you brighter eyesight! Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat here on our website.

The natural lens in the front of the human eye helps keep the vision in focus by filtering light to the retina at the back of the eye. Presbyopia occurs when the lens begins to stiffen and change shape as we age. Near vision is slowly impaired as this lens loses the elasticity that supports crisp, clear focus.

1. You’ve reached 40 years old or older

Presbyopia is one of the most common vision issues for adults between 41 and 60. Near vision loss affects everyone differently, so pay attention to your eye health and see an experienced eye doctor if you notice any changes.

2. More Frequent Headaches

Eye strain from presbyopia can cause headaches. If you experience headaches after long periods of reading or computer work, ask your doctor if reading glasses could help.

3. Rubbing Your Eyes More Frequently

This is another symptom that can be chalked up to eye strain. In the initial stages of presbyopia, your eyes may feel irritated from working to overcome focusing challenges. Frequent eye rubbing can cause dark under-eye circles or bloodshot eyes.

4. Your Arms Suddenly Aren’t Long Enough

As presbyopia progresses, you may find yourself holding books, newspapers, or your phone further away from your face in order to see clearly. You may not even notice at first, but when you begin to use your full reach to hold your phone away from your face, it could be time for reading glasses.

5. Squinting More Often

Many people hold off on getting eyeglasses since presbyopia can progress slowly. However, if you are often squinting when trying to focus, then it is time to see the eye doctor.

6. You Have Unwillingly Scaled Back Your Makeup Routine

There is nothing wrong with barefaced beauty! But what happens when you want to wear makeup but you can’t focus well on up-close tasks like applying eyeliner? Talk to your eye doctor about presbyopia treatment options if you are a cosmetics lover who has started skimping on your makeup routine because vision gets in the way.

7. You See Halos Often

Circles of light can be pretty on holiday decorations, but not when they are impeding your vision while driving. If your vision blurs in a way that creates a halo-like effect around car headlights, street lights, or other objects, then it is time to check in with your eye doctor.

If you feel that you might have presbyopia, we can check your eyes and provide a corresponding solution — PresbyMax.

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 to inquire and set an appointment.