Posts Tagged ‘lasik eye surgery’
Saturday, September 26th, 2009
by Janie Lemore
It is a hassle to have to put on your eye glasses or contact lenses every day. This is one of the prime reasons that it seems that no one wants to wear them anymore. A popular alternative is vision correction surgery. Let’s discuss the subject of Lasik, which is a type of vision correction surgery.
Lasik is also known as Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, but most people just know it as Lasik. As you can imagine, not many people use this drawn out name. With that said, this procedure improves vision by reshaping the eyes with a laser.
During this procedure, the surgeon uses a microkeratome blade to cut a small flap in the patient’s cornea. After folding the flap back, the surgeon uses the laser to vaporize a portion of the stoma. After this is done, the surgeon very gently places the flap back into place.
Lasik works because the stoma cannot heal itself after the procedure. Once the eye surgeon makes the alteration, it will not change from how he or she left it. In comparison, the cornea, where the flap was placed, will heal on its own.
Let’s describe the role the cornea plays in our vision process. It gathers the light in from outside your eye and focuses and bends the light to make an image on your retina. This is why reshaping your eye permits your eye’s ability to focus to increase.
When you visit an eye surgeon, don’t be surprised if he or she doesn’t want to treat you with Lasik eye surgery. The reality is that Lasik is not always the answer. There are other alternative such as Photorefractive Keratectomy or Lasek eye surgery.
As a quick refresher, Photorefractive Keratectomy is where a surgeon does not cut a flap in the cornea to access the stoma. Instead, the surgeon removes the cornea’s surface cells to reshape the eye. In Lasek, the same procedure is used but alcohol is used instead of a metal blade.
In summary, a useful tool in the battle for perfect vision is Lasik eye surgery. A word of caution though; do not have the expectation that Lasik is the only answer to your vision problems. Other alternatives may be better for you, as we have shown.
Tags: eye sight, eye surgery, laser eye surgery, LASIK, lasik eye surgery, lasik surgeon, medical procedure, vision
Posted in laser eye surgery | No Comments »
Friday, September 18th, 2009
Ophthalmology is a specialized field in medicine that deals with the medical aspects of human eyes which uses the latest technologies available today to enhance its approaches to treating the ill. LASIK eye surgery is one of the methods that is used to treat eye problems. People who shun eye glasses or contact lenses go for LASIK eye surgery. Custom LASIK is one of the types of these treatments. Wavefront is another term that is commonly used to refer custom LASIK. LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis.
Not every one is suitable to undergo the Custom procedure of LASIK eye surgery. Food and Drug Administration has stringent guidelines on who should be considered for this type of treatment. Only those who qualify these stipulations will be given custom LASIK treatment.
Amongst the other forms of eye surgery procedures, Custom LASIK method is considered to be the most expensive form of treatment. However, not all forms of corneal aberrations can be corrected using custom LASIK procedure. Only aberrations such as astigmatism, hyperopia and myopia can be treated using this method. Your physician would be the best person who can decide on the type of LASIK treatment you would need.
The reason why Custom LASIK is called Wavefront LASIK is due to the usage of wavefront device to diagnose the corneal aberrations. The wavefront device creates a 3D map which helps the surgeon during the operation. Many go for Custom LASIK because it has very little post operative complications when compared to other forms of eye surgery.
There are number of steps to be followed for LASIK eye surgery. The preparation stage starts at least 7 days a head of the procedure. The patient is asked to stop the usage of any contact lenses he or she may have been using. During the preparatory stage the corneal thickness is measured to help the surgeon understand the problems in the cornea. The patient for Custom LASIK is prescribed antibiotics to prevent post surgery infection.
The next step in the LASIK eye surgery is the surgery itself. For Custom LASIK procedure, the candidate is not given total anesthetic to ensure that the patient is awake. They are given mild dose of anesthesia and anesthetic eye drops. Once prepared this way, the next step is to create a flap in the cornea. The flap that is created is folded back and held in position so that the surgeon can reshape the cornea beneath the flap created. The remodeling is done through laser beam.
Once the inner layer of cornea is reshaped the flap created in the previous stage of the custom LASIK procedure is put back to its original form. So special material is used to seal back the flap in the eye surgery. It heals naturally.
After the LASIK eye surgery extra care and attention are to be given to ensure that no post operative infections occur. As mentioned earlier one of the advantages of custom LASIK procedure is it has very few side effects of the regular forms of LASIK eye surgery methods. However, even after Custom LASIK procedure, the regular form of post operative care is given. They are also given protective dark glasses to protect the eyes from bright light until the eye heals naturally and gains its corrected vision.
Before you talk to a salesperson at the surgery center get the unbiased truth about the pros and cons of the custom lasik procedure. Find all the best insider tips on lasik eye surgery.
Tags: custom lasik, eye surgery, eyesight, find a doctor, find a surgeon, health, home, ilasik, LASIK, lasik eye surgery, Lasik surgery, lasik vision correction, sight, vision correction
Posted in Lasik surgery | No Comments »
Sunday, August 2nd, 2009
by Kevin McClury
As the popularity of Lasik continues to rise, it has become that much harder to choose the right Lasik eye surgeon. This is because the medical community has made Lasik seem so safe (even though there are always potential complications, just like with any other surgery). Because of the complacency that has been created, this article seeks to emphasize the importance of choosing the right surgeon and how to properly do it.
In order to ensure you get the best possible doctor that you can afford, you should meet with four eye surgeons. This is imperative since there will be a huge difference between their experience and skill levels. To find 4 Lasik eye surgeons, you should ask your family and co-workers if they can recommend someone. If that fails, you can perform an Internet search to locate potential surgeons.
After you have selected the surgeons, you will want to ensure they are medically certified to operate in your state. This can be done by calling up your states Medical Board of Examiners. Please ensure you complete this step, as you want your surgeon to be certified.
After completing this step, you will visit the surgeons offices for a consultation. This is your opportunity to interview the surgeon. You should walk out of the office feeling comfortable and confident of the surgeons abilities.
Of course, you may now be wondering, what am I supposed to do at the consultation? First, you will gather additional information about how the surgeon performs this procedure. Don’t be surprised if the surgeon tells you that Lasik isn’t for you. Lasik eye surgery is not always a cure all eye surgery.
Second, the consultation allows you to get a feeling for how the surgeon works. Does he seem genuinely interested in your concerns? Does he explain the possible complications? Or does he make everything just sound too routine?
After you have finished your visits with 4 different doctors, you can choose the one that you feel the most comfortable with. If you use this guideline, you will feel more at ease on the day of your surgery.
In conclusion, the main way to find the proper surgeon is to determine how comfortable you feel with him or her. Do not, and we repeat, do not use the surgeons fee structure as your sole decision point.
Tags: eye sight, eye surgery, laser eye surgery, LASIK, lasik eye surgery, lasik surgeon, medical procedure, vision
Posted in laser eye surgery | No Comments »
Saturday, July 11th, 2009
by Evgania Mehler
If you can’t read what’s in front of your face, or you can’t see anything more than a foot away from you, you might be considering Lasic Eye Surgery to correct the problem. That would be a mistake. Don’t fumble around looking for your glasses. Read this article to find our how to improve your eyesight without surgery.
A procedure that permanently changes the clear covering of the front of the eye, called the cornea, is Lasik surgery. Medical term is Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. This popular surgery promises miracles, like having 20/20 vision afterward. If this sounds too good to be true, it’s because it is. 95% of people are satisfied with the surgery. That is according to the industry, not the patients.
The F.D.A’s website lists some of the risks of Lasik surgery. They are: debilitating visual symptoms such as glare, halos, double vision or having worse night vision than you did before the surgery. Others are loss of vision lines on a vision chart that can’t be corrected with glasses, contacts or additional surgery. If you need additional treatment, that may not be possible and you’ll still need glasses or contacts.
If you develop dry eye syndrome after Lasic Eye Surgery, it can reduce visual quality as well as being uncomfortable. The condition may be permanent. If you have large refractive errors, the surgical results are not so good. If you’re farsighted, the improvement you got with surgery may diminish with age. Because Lasik is still a relatively new procedure, the long term safety and effectiveness is not known.
After Lasic Eye Surgery, some people who previously wore glasses for everyday use and glasses for reading, lose that option. They say it’s like keeping your contacts in and trying to read with them. This was reported in the New York Times, March 2008.
In 2006, the F.D.A. put together a task force to design a clinical trial to study the subject of Lasic Eye Surgery. Between 1998 and 2006, they received 140 negative reports and suspected many more were not being reported. Five to ten percent of adults who have the surgery need fine tuning afterward because Lasik can overcorrect or undercorrect the visual problem.
Click here to read more about Lasic Eye Surgery
Tags: laser eye surgery, lasic, Lasic Eye Surgery, lasic surgery, LASIK, lasik eye surgery, Lasik surgery, natural vision improvement, vision correction
Posted in laser eye surgery | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009
by Jayson Lee
If you are considering LASIK surgery to correct your vision problems by far the most crucial choice you will have to make is the doctor. A good surgeon will guide your decision. He or she will help you determine if laser vision correction surgery is right for you. They will go over the pros and cons with you and answer any questions that you have.
It is impossible to convey exactly how important the doctor you choose is. You may get the impression that some Lasix centers or even doctors feel that the role of the surgeon is not as important as the equipment used. That is nowhere close to the truth. While they may emphasize the technology or the tools that the center uses, it is the doctor who makes all of the decisions and overseas your treatment and recovery.
Selecting a surgeon to conduct your LASIK eye treatment could come down to picking the doctor who makes you feel the most comfortable. Comfortable meaning being satisfied with their experience, their training, their offices, their staff and the way your questions or concerns are addressed. Your doctor should communicate a true sense of interest in your well being.
You may encounter other factors that attempt to influence your choice but it is important that they don’t. For example adds touting low-cost LASIK surgery should not impact your choice. These ads are designed to get a response not to assure the best care. If you ask your regular eye doctor for a recommendation, you should also ask if your doctor has a compensation arrangement with the doctor he is referring you to. Such arrangements can lead to biased recommendations so you should be aware if they exist.
You’ll also want to investigate the doctors credentials. If possible, talk to other patients who have had their surgery with the doctor you are considering. Most doctors will volunteer information about their credentials and certifications so don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask.
Nothing will impact the outcome of your LASIK surgery more than your choice of doctor. Ask yourself if the doctor you are considering makes you feel comfortable. Do his credentials and his manner make you feel as though you are in good hands? Has the doctor done a good job of addressing all of your questions and concerns? Finding the right doctor for you is an extremely personal and important decision so it is important that you take your time and wind up comfortable with your selection.
Tags: eyecare, laser eye surgery, LASIK, lasik eye surgery, lasik procedure, Lasik surgery, vision
Posted in laser eye surgery | No Comments »
Monday, May 25th, 2009
by Jayson Lee
Unfortunately, not all LASIK patients come away with 20/20 vision following their initial procedure. While most people achieve satisfactory results from their LASIK surgery, some people require additional treatment. Their eyesight may be better, but not quite perfect, prompting them to contact their doctor to discuss having another LASIK treatment. These follow-up surgeries are referred to as enhancements.
Most patients do not require or elect to undergo a second treatment. Patients initially requiring a higher degree of correction are more likely to need enhancements. An enhancement procedure may be performed on only one eye or both.
Of those people who do undergo a second LASIK surgery, most experience significantly improved vision. Even if after your first procedure there were no complications, it is possible to experience issues following your enhancement. There is also the possibility that your vision ends up poorer than before. You will want to speak with your doctor about the risk factors when considering an enhancement.
If after your first LASIK procedure your vision is improved, but not as good as you had hoped for, re-treatment might be an option. The decision to have a second procedure is as important as the decision you made to have the initial surgery. After speaking with your doctor, you may decide that you are satisfied with sometimes needing to wearing glasses. If, for example, the only time you have problems with your vision is when you are driving a car in low light conditions, such as at night, you might decide that an enhancement procedure is not necessary. Your doctor can help you make this decision based on your circumstances.
People are often motivated to pursue a LASIK enhancement by frustration or the desire to completely rid themselves of their dependence on corrective lenses. If the results do not meet your realistic expectations, it is often a good idea to discuss the topic of re-treatment with your doctor. Additional fees may be charged for enhancements.
If you do decide on having enhancement surgery, the procedure will be familiar to you. You may be less fearful if you were anxious prior to the first treatment. You will have gone through the healing process before, so taking care of yourself after the surgery will be familiar and easier. That does not mean that you should not ask your doctor any questions you may have or that there is less risk.
If after having LASIK surgery, you are not totally satisfied with your results additional treatment is an option. Speak with your doctor to find out if you can undergo a second procedure. There may be additional costs involved or your doctor may feel that further surgery is not a good option. If you are considering having LASIK surgery for the first time you should be aware that your results may not be perfect and that additional surgery is a possibility.
Tags: eye surgery, eyecare, LASIK, lasik eye surgery, Lasik surgery, vision, vision correction surgery
Posted in Lasik surgery | No Comments »
Sunday, May 24th, 2009
by Jayson Lee
If you suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, you might be thinking about having LASIK surgery. Your choice of doctors is an important part of your treatment. Your doctor will assist you in all stages of the process. This includes before during and after LASIK eye surgery.
Choosing the right doctor is perhaps the most important choice you have to make when considering the LASIK procedure. In researching different facilities you may get the idea that your choice of doctor is not very important. This is, of course, not true whatsoever. While the laser used and the facilities where your procedure will be performed are important considerations, your doctor is the one who determines how you will be treated and plans your pre-and post-surgical care.
Selecting a surgeon to conduct your LASIK eye treatment could come down to picking the doctor who makes you feel the most comfortable. Comfortable meaning being satisfied with their experience, their training, their offices, their staff and the way your questions or concerns are addressed. Your doctor should communicate a true sense of interest in your well being.
There are some things you should not allow to influence your decision. When choosing a doctor for your LASIK eye surgery, beware of ads claiming extremely low prices for LASIK surgery. The price you see advertised is often not the price you will end up paying. You also want to be careful of and I doctor’s referral. Some are doctors have financial arrangements with a particular LASIK Center so you may not be getting objective recommendations.
Researching the doctor’s credentials is another step you will want to undertake. Speak with others who have had LASIK surgery performed by the doctor you are considering if possible. A doctor should not shy away from disclosing their experience their education or their training so you shouldn’t feel awkward about asking.
Nothing will impact the outcome of your LASIK surgery more than your choice of doctor. Ask yourself if the doctor you are considering makes you feel comfortable. Do his credentials and his manner make you feel as though you are in good hands? Has the doctor done a good job of addressing all of your questions and concerns? Finding the right doctor for you is an extremely personal and important decision so it is important that you take your time and wind up comfortable with your selection.
Tags: eyecare, laser eye surgery, LASIK, lasik eye surgery, lasik procedure, Lasik surgery, vision
Posted in laser eye surgery | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
by Jayson Lee
If you are wondering whether you should have lasik eye surgery or not, you most likely have several questions. This article examines some of the more common questions potential lasik patients are likely to ask. For a more thorough discussion and to get all of your questions regarding corrective eye surgery answered, consult with your doctor.
Will I no longer have to rely on eyeglasses or contacts following lasik surgery? Almost all lasik patients will have 20/40 vision or better with most ending up at 20/20 or better following lasik. 20/20 is considered perfect. To put 20/40 in perspective, 20/40 is generally good enough to be issued an unrestricted driving license. You may find, however, that you still need reading glasses or that you need to wear eyeglasses when driving at night
How much does lasik surgery hurt? While you may experience some discomfort during the operation, there should be no pain. After surgery, your eyes may feel dry and be more sensitive to bright light. Your doctor will give you eye drops and detailed instructions on aftercare that will help you avoid any pain and expedite the healing process following the procedure.
What does lasik eye surgery cost? Since your health insurance likely will not cover lasik surgery, it is a good idea to get a sense of price. There is no standard price, however, and a number of factors could affect what you ultimately end up paying. For example, it might cost less if your vision requires only minor correction, but it might cost more if you opt for wavefront or custom lasik. Expect to pay between $1500 and $2500 per eye.
Can I be blinded as a result of lasik surgery? While blindness is, in theory, possible, there have been no known instances of blindness being caused by lasik eye surgery. Other risks include infection and chronic dryness of the eyes. Your surgeon will fully explain the risks involved with the procedure and address any questions or concerns you may have.
Will I be prohibited from participating in any activities following lasik treatment? Most patients are able to return to work within a day or two of their surgery. You won’t be driving until your vision permits it and you will have to take certain precautions to ensure proper healing. You will be instructed to protect your eyes from sunlight, refrain from using eye makeup and avoid getting water in your eyes in the days following your procedure. Your doctor will explain what you can or cannot do and answer any questions you have.
In this article, we looked at five very common questions about lasik eye surgery. If you are considering the procedure, you probably have quite a few more. Your doctor will discuss these issues and answer any additional questions you have about lasik surgery.
About the Author:
Jayson Lee once agonized over whether to pursue lasik surgery or not. Read what he found out about the
lasik surgery cost and the
lasik recovery process on his blog.
Tags: eye care, laser eye surgery, LASIK, lasik eye surgery, Lasik surgery, surgery, vision
Posted in laser eye surgery | No Comments »
Saturday, May 9th, 2009
by Jayson Lee
People considering lasik surgery often wonder how long the healing process takes. Every individual is different so it really is not possible to precisely determine how long the healing process will take for you. Understanding the healing process and following your doctor’s instructions are the keys to ensuring that you heal quickly and safely following lasik eye surgery.
Following surgery, you may notice that your eyes are reverting slightly toward their earlier condition. For example, if you were nearsighted before surgery, after surgery you may notice your vision fluctuating slightly toward nearsightedness. Lasik surgeons account for this minor tendency so over time, as your eyes heal and your vision stabilizes, your eyesight will sharpen.
Some patients may experience a larger degree of regression than was expected. Such people will have sharp vision following surgery, but their eyesight will revert to such an extent that their eyesight was undercorrected. In these cases, vision can be improved with an adjustment, meaning another treatment.
Whether you have laser vision correction surgery or not, it is important to protect your eyes from potentially damaging ultraviolet rays. Following lasik, it is especially important to wear sunglasses during the day as excessive exposure can interfere with your healing. If you enjoy outdoor activities such as golfing, playing tennis or visiting the beach, it is not necessary to avoid these things altogether, but it is important to take care of your eyes while participating.
Having a good relationship with your lasik provider can also affect the healing process. One of the reasons choosing the right doctor for you is important is quality aftercare. You want to be able to thoroughly discuss any issues you may be having and get your questions answered both before and after surgery. If you are not comfortable with your doctor or you cannot attend your post-surgery appointments, the healing process is highly likely to be negatively impacted.
The healing rate and response vary from person to person. Your healing response will affect your results. Outside factors such as not following your doctor’s instructions or not attending follow-up visits can also impact healing after lasik surgery. While you heal, your vision may fluctuate and once you are fully healed you may need to pursue further treatment. Take care to choose the right doctor and stay in contact with your doctor following surgery. Make sure you do everything in your power to ensure a health recovery.
Tags: eye care, laser eye surgery, LASIK, lasik eye surgery, Lasik surgery, surgery, vision
Posted in laser eye surgery | No Comments »
Friday, April 24th, 2009
by Carter James
The field of medicine has seen a tremendous improvement today. LASIK eye surgery is one of the outcomes of that improvement resulted by the technological advancement in the medical field. LASIK stands for Laser assisted in situ Keratomileusis. One of the most preferred form of LASIK eye surgery is custom LASIK.
Food and Drug Administration committee has laid down certain stipulations those have to be followed before anyone is considered for Custom LASIK form of LASIK eye surgery. So everyone will not qualify for this type of treatment. The physician has to examine the patient first to confirm the suitability of the patient for this form of treatment.
Custom LASIK is not suitable to treat all forms of corneal aberrations, it can be used only to treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. It is one of the most expensive forms of eye surgery procedures. The type of procedure required to treat your eye will be decided by your ophthalmologist after a close examination of your eye condition.
Custom LASIK is also called wavefront LASIK because of the wavefront tool it uses to diagnose the faults in the cornea. The wavefront tool is used to create a 3D image of the cornea. This 3D map will help the surgeon to decide the approach to LASIK eye surgery. One of the reasons why many people choose Custom LASIK is because it has very few post operative side effects.
LASIK eye surgery is performed through a series of steps including the one week preparatory period. As one of the procedures, the patient who is to undergo this surgery is asked to stop using their contact lenses. As part of the preparation, the surgeon measures the thickness of the cornea and the patient is also given antibiotics to ensure that there is no post operative infection.
During the Custom LASIK surgery the patient is kept in conscious state and only mild form of local anesthesia is administered. During the LASIK eye surgery a flap is created in the cornea. The flap created is held back while the surgeon restructures the tissues underneath the flap. Surgical laser rays are used for the operation.
After the remodeling of the inner corneal tissues the flap is placed in position. Custom LASIK does not use any additional material to hold the flap in place. The corneal tissue heals through natural means. Since LASIK eye surgery uses natural healing process, the side effects are very less.
Once the LASIK eye surgery is completed, extra care should be given to the patient to ensure that there is no attack of infections after the Custom LASIK surgery. At the post operative stage the operated eye should be protected from the exposure to bright light by wearing protective dark glasses. Though Custom LASIK procedure is one of the most popular forms of eye surgery due to its lesser post operative effects, one should not take chances. Basic care and attention that is normally given for the LASIK eye surgeries should not be missed.
About the Author:
Before you talk to a salesperson at the surgery center get the honest truth about the pros and cons of the
custom lasik procedure. Check out all the best insider tips on
lasik eye surgery.
Tags: a, custom lasik, e, eye surgery, eyesight, f, family, find a doctor, find a surgeon, h, health, Health & Fitness, home, i, ilasik, l, LASIK, lasik eye surgery, Lasik surgery, lasik vision correction, s, sight, v, vision correction, y
Posted in Lasik surgery | No Comments »