Mitchell’s life just got a whole lot clearer—literally. As the lucky winner of free LASIK at the Vikings Training Camp, he no longer has to rely on glasses or contact lenses to enjoy the things he loves most. Whether it’s catching every detail of a Vikings game, hitting the slopes, or taking a relaxing vacation, Mitchell now experiences it all with the freedom and clarity LASIK provides.

For years, Mitchell had struggled with the hassle of glasses fogging up in the cold Minnesota winters and the expense of constantly replacing contacts. LASIK not only solved those frustrations but also gave him a fresh perspective on life. Now, he’s free to enjoy every moment—whether it’s playing sports, traveling, or simply waking up to a world that’s clear.

This life-changing procedure is more than just about vision; it’s about gaining freedom, confidence, and convenience. Mitchell no longer worries about packing extra contact lenses or losing a pair of glasses. And with the money he’ll save, he can focus on creating new memories—like cheering on the Vikings in crystal-clear detail.

At Minnesota Eye Consultants, we’re proud to partner with the Minnesota Vikings to help people like Mitchell see the world as it was meant to be seen. Are you ready to trade the hassle of glasses and contacts for a life of clarity and freedom? Request a LASIK consultation today by calling us at (952) 888-5800 or using the link below to start your journey to better vision.

The post How LASIK Transformed My Vision and My Life appeared first on Minnesota Eye Consultants.

Understanding Keratoconus 

Keratoconus is a condition that affects the cornea, which is a clear, dome-shaped window that focuses light into your eye. Keratoconus occurs when the cornea thins out and bulges like a cone. The change in shape brings the light out of focus, resulting in blurry and distorted vision.  

Causes of Keratoconus:  

While the exact cause of keratoconus is not well known, it is believed to have a genetic component. Approximately 1 out of 10 people with keratoconus have a parent with the condition. Other factors may include:   

• Eye allergies  

• Excessive eye rubbing  

• Connective tissue disorders  

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Keratoconus  

Typically starting in late teens to early 20s, Keratoconus progresses over 10 to 20 years. It often affects both eyes, though the severity can differ between the two. Early symptoms may include:  

• Mild blurring 

• Slightly distorted vision  

• Increased sensitivity to light and glare  

• Eye redness or swelling  

In later stages, symptoms can include significantly blurred and distorted vision, increased nearsightedness, astigmatism, and difficulty and discomfort when wearing contact lenses.  

Keratoconus can be detected during a routine eye exam. Your primary eye doctor will examine the cornea and take measurements of its curvature to detect changes in shape. Corneal mapping can also provide a detailed image of the surface, helping to confirm the condition.  

Historical Treatments for Keratoconus  

In the past, treatment options for keratoconus were limited and/or involved invasive procedures. Often, eyeglasses or soft contacts were used just to correct the nearsightedness and astigmatism. As the condition progressed, doctors used the following methods:  

• Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses: These lenses provide a smooth, stable surface to correct vision and act as a second surface for the eye. They compensate for the cornea’s irregularities and function as the eye’s new reflective surface.  

• Corneal Transplant: When all other treatments failed, a corneal transplant (keratoplasty) was used as a last resort. During this procedure, a damaged cornea was replaced with a healthy donor cornea. While generally effective, this procedure has a lengthy recovery period and a higher risk of infection and rejection.  

Modern Advancements in Keratoconus Treatment

In recent years, significant advancements have been made, offering less invasive options with promising outcomes.  

• Corneal Crosslinking (CXL): Corneal Crosslinking is a minimally invasive procedure that strengthens the corneal tissue to halt the progression of keratoconus. During CXL, drops are applied to the cornea, and then exposed to ultraviolent (UV) light. The UV light activates the drops creating bonds between collagen fibers in the cornea, increasing its strength and rigidity. This procedure can stabilize keratoconus and, in some cases, even improve shape and vision.  

• Advanced Laser Keratoplasty with Regional Segments (ALKRS): ALKRS is an innovative treatment that uses donor corneal tissue in a ring layer of the cornea. The donor tissue is cut to an exact size, allowing the surgeon to target the most irregular sections of the cornea. Unlike a full cornea transplant, ALKRS tissue is placed into a pocket within the natural cornea created by a laser during the procedure. The approach, often done in conjunction with Crosslinking, provides a more customized treatment with a faster recovery.  

What to Expect After Treatment 

Vision following keratoconus treatment can vary. Typically, one eye is operated on at a time, allowing patients to return to their normal activities within a few days. Glasses or contact lens prescriptions may change for a few months after the procedure, and the other eye is treated once the first eye is stabilized.  

Patients are advised to avoid submerging in water for two weeks to prevent contaminated water from getting into the eye. Additionally, controlling allergies, avoiding eye rubbing, and not sleeping on your face are essential to prevent keratoconus progression. 

Conclusion   

Keratoconus treatments have evolved dramatically, providing patients with more effective and less invasive options. Corneal Crosslinking and Advanced Laser Keratoplasty with Regional Segments represent significant advancements, offering new hope for those affected by this challenging condition. At Minnesota Eye Consultants, we are dedicated to staying at the forefront of these advancements, ensuring our patients receive the best possible care. If you are experiencing any symptoms of keratoconus or discomfort in your eyes, call Minnesota Eye Consultants to schedule an appointment at (952) 888-5800 or request an appointment.   

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Astigmatism: What is it?

Astigmatism is characterized by an irregular curve in the cornea. This curve results in the distortion of images once they reach the retina and can also make your vision blurry. When someone has astigmatism, their eye (which is normally shaped like a sphere) is shaped similar to a football. This makes it difficult for your eye to properly focus on light. Astigmatism is usually managed through eyeglasses, contact lenses, or LASIK surgery.

Some symptoms you may experience if you are dealing with astigmatism are:

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Eyestrain or discomfort
• Headaches
• Difficulty with night vision
• Squinting

Cataracts: What are they?

Cataracts are currently the leading cause of vision loss among adults over the age of 60. More than 22 million people worldwide are affected by this condition. Cataracts occur when the lens of your eye, which is normally clear, becomes cloudy. This makes it difficult for complete the everyday activities that were once easy. Cataracts develop slowly over time, which means you may be unaware of their presence for a long time. As your cataracts continue to grow, the symptoms start to become more apparent.

People who have cataracts usually have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Blurry vision.
• Glare, or sensitivity to light.
• Double vision in one eye.
• Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription.
• Difficulty in reading in low light.
• Declining night vision.
• Fading or yellowing of colors.

Treatment For Cataracts and Astigmatism Simultaneously

As of right now, the only way to improve your vision when you have cataracts is by undergoing cataract surgery. Luckily, cataract surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in the world, making it one of the safest and most effective.

When surgeons perform cataract surgery they remove the lens that has been affected by cataracts and replace it with an artificial, clear lens known as an intraocular lens. This lens also contains refractive power much like a contact lens. This means that you can treat astigmatism with this lens as well as fix cataracts. The intraocular lens will have the needed correction built in the lens to correct your astigmatism.

Treating both cataracts and astigmatism at the same time has proven to be very effective as well as time-consuming. Cataracts surgery is normally a 15-20 minute long procedure and fixing astigmatism only adds 5 additional minutes to the procedure.

Next Step

Here at Minnesota Eye Consultants, we care about your vision and eye health. If you or someone you know is dealing with the effects of cataracts or astigmatism, contact our Minneapolis location today! We are happy to provide information regarding the next steps to living your life with clear vision!

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