Posts Tagged ‘Lasik surgery’

An Explanation of Lasik Eye Surgery

Monday, October 12th, 2009

It has been said that you can look at someones soul through their eyes. This perhaps is the main reason why the eyes are regarded as the most attractive facial part of a person. However, there are some people who may not be able to appreciate their eyesight because of some eye problems that could have been caused by trauma, hereditary eye problems and even some congenital eye problems.

Considering this, there can be several approaches that are used by physicians in order to restore the eyes’ vision, granted that they are qualified for surgery. First though, there will be several diagnoses made and then it would be decided if a surgery is possible or not.

If you have an eye problem, consult a reliable eye doctor, also known as the ophthalmologist and they will be able to assist you with your problem. The ophthalmologist will advise you regarding your needed operation and the various factors that you should take into consideration. One of the most common eye surgeries is known as the Lasik eye surgery.

Most doctors and patients prefer Lasik eye surgery due to the fact that it is absolutely painless and less time consuming. Its success rate is also significantly higher compared to other options for eye surgery.

Studies have shown that the side effects of Lasik can be minimal to zero after the operation, which is something to consider. Healing may be a little bit slow and minimal infection can be experienced. These are the only common side effects reported with Lasik. Now, if you do proper eye care as advised by your doctor, then you dont have to worry about the side effects at all.

What is the process behind Lasik eye surgery? This laser approach is not that complicated compared to other traditional surgeries. In order to prevent the patient from experiencing pain during the procedure, anesthetic eye drops will be placed on the eyes. Then the laser is used on the cornea. Of course, a lot of skill is needed when using the laser in order to improve the patient’s vision. And within a day, the eyes will recover so you will not have to use your eyeglasses or contact lenses anymore.

The surgery has its restrictions. Patients who frequently have eye infections or other disorders are not advised to undertake the operation. Also, those who are pregnant and diabetic should not undergo this type of eye surgery.

If you are in doubt about whether or not you are eligible for Lasik eye surgery, consult your ophthalmologist for his or her professional opinion. We recommend you research the pros and cons of the surgery before you meet with the surgeon so you know what to expect.

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Custom LASIK - The Most Preferred Eye Surgery

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.

Lasic Eye Surgery - The Alternative Solution!

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

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

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How to Pick the Right Lasik Surgeon for You

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

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.

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The Lasik Enhancement

Monday, May 25th, 2009

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.

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Choosing the Right Doctor for Your Lasik Eye Surgery

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

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.

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Five Common Questions About Lasik Eye Surgery

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

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.

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How expensive is Lasik surgery?

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

A LASIK procedure can be expensive, and there aren’t many insurance companies that will cover the surgery. Those facts make it difficult for a lot of people to afford. But, the procedure can be a little more affordable, if you learn from the pointers offered in this article.

Make sure your surgeon has a good reputation. Picking a trustworthy doctor can not only save you time and money, but it is also essential to the health of your eyes. A lot of newer, inexperienced surgeon might suggest unnecessary surgeries in addition to the LASIK procedure, and they may also have a higher rate of complications. Don’t skimp when it comes to eye surgery. On the other hand, be alert. Some surgeons may overcharge you knowingly. Do some research, and choose a doctor that you’re comfortable with. Don’t just settle for the first one you meet.

Try to avoid discount and package deals. A city doctor might try to lure you by promising that you’ll get perfect vision, or they’ll offer a huge discount. Generally, there’s no guarantee with LASIK surgery, because the doctor cannot surely predict what will happen. Doctors that offer discounts usually can afford to do so because they also offer less service.

If you’re intending to get LASIK surgery, and you think that you will qualify for the exemption if you do so, there couldn’t be a better opportunity to save..

You may also save by not having to buy glasses or contacts yearly, and you won’t have to worry about exams and fittings. Although, you should consider that you may still need corrective lenses after you get LASIK, and if you don’t need them immediately, you will most likely need them when you get older.

Quite a few work places have a program that permits employees to set aside a little money every month in order to be able to pay for medical procedures and medicines. Use your flexible spending account to pay for LASIK because it’s tax free.

As mentioned before, LASIK isn’t covered by insurance, and it can be pricey. Quite a few surgeons are now accepting monthly payments. These plans sound like a good idea on the surface, and they can save money. But, as with all contracts, read the fine print so there are no surprises.

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Lasik Surgery Payment Options

Monday, May 18th, 2009

When you have moved past the research stage and have concluded that you wish to pursue lasik surgery, paying for the procedure is one additional detail that needs to be worked out. If your insurance will not cover it and you don’t have enough in the bank to pay in cash, thankfully there are options.

As with almost all health insurance plans, my coverage provider considered vision correction surgery an elective operation and would not pay any part of the cost. Fortunately, I did have other options available to me. The choices which were available to me will probably be available for you as well so if you want to have lasik surgery it is still quite possible despite your health insurance not covering it.

The center where I had my lasik surgery offered me a payment plan. Their payment plan called for a reasonable down payment and they did not charge interest on the outstanding balance. There were a couple of lasik centers near my home that offered no down payment, no interest payment plans so make sure you discuss financing options and terms with your provider.

Third-party financing is also an option if the lasik center you choose does not offer a payment plan. Companies such as CareCredit will finance your lasik surgery. Having bad credit could be an obstacle if you are considering using a finance company, though. Your doctor may be able to recommend or provide you with a list of outside financing companies so ask if you are interested.

If you have enough available credit, your lasik provider most likely will accept credit cards. Many patients end up just using their credit card as it requires no additional paperwork or qualification. Before you hand over your credit card, though, compare the interest rate, late fees and minimum payment to those offered by the outside finance companies you doctor can recommend. You may find that your credit card is not the best deal.

Saving regularly until you have enough money to pay for the procedure is another option. You may be in no hurry to have lasik surgery. You may not wish to use credit to pay for your surgery. If you do not anticipate having surgery in the near term, then there is no reason not to put some funds aside to go toward it when you are ready.

If you participate in a flexible savings account offered by your employer, the money in your FSA can be used to pay for part or all of the cost of your lasik surgery. Flexible savings accounts are convenient and easy to set up so if you are not sure if your company offers them, ask at work.

As you can see, if you decide on lasik surgery, but your health plan does not cover it, you are not simply out of luck. You can save until you have enough or you can finance. There is a payment option that makes sense for everyone.

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An Overview of Lasik Surgery Risks

Friday, May 15th, 2009

When considering lasik surgery, it is critical to understand not just the potential benefits, but the risks involved as well. In this article, we will touch on some of the risks associated with having lasik surgery. In order to set your expectations and make the right choice, speak at length with your doctor until you fully understand all of the risks of lasik eye surgery.

20/20 vision is by no means guaranteed, particularly if your eyesight requires a high degree of correction. You may find after your initial lasik surgery that contacts or glasses or additional enhancements in the form of more surgery are required. Do not undergo the procedure with the expectation that your vision will be perfect afterward. It may be or it may not.

To maintain their health, your eyes require tears to keep them moist and comfortable. In some cases, patients develop chronic dry eye following lasik surgery due to their eyes being unable to produce tears sufficiently. While it is normal post lasik for your eyes to feel dry and require the use of drops, this condition can linger causing severe discomfort and requiring further treatment.

Seeing halos, starbursts and glares in darker settings such as at night is a possibility post lasik surgery. You may find yourself unable to drive at night without your eyeglasses. These issues may lessen as time passes or they may warrant additional surgery.

Lasik eye surgery is a newer type of surgery. The long term effects and effectiveness of the procedure are not altogether clear. You must be willing to accept the risk that comes with undergoing a procedure for which extensive data does not exist.

Most people who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses would be quite happy no longer having to rely on them all the time so the potential benefit of lasik surgery is easy to understand. It is extremely important, however, to understand the risks as well. If you are considering lasik eye surgery, speak with your doctor and weigh the potential benefits versus the risks before you make your decision.

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