How Much Would You Pay For Lasik Eye Surgery?

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Health

Dean Caporella asked:


The average cost of lasik eye surgery can vary quite significantly from provider to provider and it’s imperative that prospective patients do some necessary due diligence before making any undertaking to have the procedure performed.

The average cost has been rising steadily during the past few years due mainly to new technologies and procedures such as custom lasik.

Did You Know?

Intralase is a new procedure introduced recently which uses a laser rather than a metal blade used in traditional laser methods. There are two lasers used in this procedure; one to create the flap and the excimer laser which removes abnormal growth.

Cost Factors To Consider

Recently, a close pal of mine who had been considering lasik eye surgery for some time took the plunge and had the procedure performed. The result: an extremely happy patient who after weeks of due diligence and homework now regrets not having had the surgery performed earlier. It set him back close to $3000 Australian dollars but in his own words…”it was money well spent!”
So how much can you expect to pay? Well, this depends on the amount of correction and follow up treatment required per eye. You see, it’s well and good to get excited about an ad advertising lasik at under $500 per eye but you need to consider several factors. The price advertised is more than likely for less intensive treatment and if this applies to you then all well and good. However, what most people find is the price they originally see advertised is a far cry from the quote they are finally given simply because they haven’t factored in the amount of correction required and in some instances, this can be extensive.

During 2002, the average cost of lasik eye surgery was about $US1500 but by the end of 2005, it had risen to just under $US2000. In 2006 and beyond, well, I’ve given you an example of $AUS3000 which equates under current currency conversions to about $US2300.

Testing And Screening Before Treatment Is Very Important

A common dilemma for prospective lasik patients is the great variance in fees and this comes down to pre-operative testing. This is something you must consider. Why? Well, in my friend’s case, he opted for proper screening before he agreed to have his surgery performed. He reasoned that this was a sensible way to avoid any unnecessary complications and it also ascertained whether he was a proper lasik candidate. If he had gone ahead with the procedure without the proper pre-operative test then it could have presented problems.

It must be remembered that while lasik has been a “god-send” in the world of eye surgery to millions around the world there are still those unsuitable for treatment because of a pre-existing condition.

There is one very simple way around this: get screened beforehand. Talk it over with your surgeon. Lasik is a time efficient procedure but people must remember it is still a complex one. “Cover all bases” before you commit to it.



Lasik Eye Surgery Can Restore the Color in your Bleak World

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Health

Sarah wilson asked:


Our vision is the most important aspect of our life, as we view the world and our surroundings according to our sight. If this vision is impaired our view of the world around us will undergo a complete change for the worse. If any problem occurs, we try to rectify it immediately by wearing spectacles or through the use of contact lenses. However, both these methods may cause discomfort to the wearer and great care is needed in maintaining such vision enhancing devices. A lasik eye surgery is the modern day method to get rid of an eyesight related problem forever. The high success rate of this operation has helped to create a popular space for this branch of medicine and it finds many takers who are visually impaired.

The advantage of a lasik eye surgery lies in the least amount of trouble to the patient in terms of maintaining the effects of the surgery on a long term basis. The duration of the surgery is also quite short and the recovery is speedy for the patient. The expertise of the surgeon is the primary criterion that needs to be well established before anyone agrees to go in for such a treatment. Our eyes are one of the most sensitive organs in our bodies and any surgery is bound to be a difficult procedure. Therefore, make sure that you are well acquainted with all the effects and side effects of the procedure before you agree for the operation. Clarify all your doubts from the surgeon who will be conducting the operation and only after you and your family are completely convinced about the process, should you opt for such a surgery.

Lasik surgery involves the complete reshaping of the cornea for vision rectification with the use of laser and requires extreme skill on the part of the surgeon. Any kind of eyesight defect like long sightedness or short sightedness and others can be easily rectified with this form of surgery and that too, within a short duration. The patient can easily get back to his regular lifestyle almost by the next day of the surgery and this short recovery period further adds to the advantage and convenience of the process.

Once you have got a lasik eye surgery done, you can say goodbye to your vision enhancing devices forever. Now no more do you need to cut your nails and wash your hands with soap each time you wear your contact lenses. The heavy and clumsy spectacles, which you were anyways reluctant to wear, can now be done away with completely. Lasik eye surgery provides you with a completely new and clear vision to help you view the world in it true colors. The eyes are the most important part of a person’s personality and this surgery helps you in making complete use of your natural eyes without aided vision. Therefore, if you are keen on improving your eyesight, you could discuss it with your doctor and in case you are a suitable candidate for lasik eye surgery, you can simply go ahead and change your life for the better.



Lasik Eye Surgery Exposed

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Health

Steve Knowles asked:


Lasik eye surgery stands for Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis. It actually reduces people’s dependence on their glasses or contact lenses and involves a simple short surgical procedure on your eye using a cool laser beam. The whole procedure is virtually painless, takes only minutes per eye and is a one day procedure so you may go home the next day.

The Lasik procedure is as simple as the following three easy steps.

1. The cornea is like a few layers of stacked paper. An instrument

called a microkeratome gently glides across the top two of these

layers creating a flap which has like a hinge.

2. The doctor then has access to the third layer or the stroma of your

eye. The Excimer Laser then alters the shape of the cornea by the effect it has on the stroma.

3. The flap is then repositioned back over the newly contoured stroma without the need for stitches as eye tissue binds together

very quickly and simply on its own.

After this simple process, you are then sent home to rest. You will feel a

little discomfort, rather like having an eye lash stuck in your eye for about 12 hours or so until the healing process is well under way.

On average, one in 5 people are not suitable for Lasik surgery and this

can only be determined by a professional. Those not deemed suitable for Lasik may be more suited to other types of surgery so it is important to be aware of your options.

One of the best parts about Lasik eye surgery is that by the next day, your vision will have improved to the point where you can at least drive a car. Many people report their eyesight having improved to 20/20 vision!

The end result hopefully of Lasik surgery is to return the cornea to as close to a normal shape as possible, and in doing so improve your vision. Although Lasik surgery appears to produce what seem to be miraculous cures, it is also possible that complications may be included in the end result.

For those in the forty plus bracket who decide to try Lasik surgery, they may discover that they still require eyeglasses for reading. If you are thinking about Lasik eye surgery, you would be well advised to do thorough research, gather all the facts and get a solid understanding of what you should expect before committing to the procedure.



How Safe Is Lasik Eye Surgery In The Elderly Years ?

May 10, 2011 by  
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MIKE SELVON asked:


It’s a pretty well-established fact that most people experience a decline in the quality of their vision when they hit their forties. And, with a very large population of baby boomers now in their forties and above, the demand for corrective eye surgery to help improve these common vision problems has been on the rise. But many senior citizens question if it is worth it to have Lasik eye surgery in their later years.

The answer, according to experienced ophthalmologists and laser eye surgeons, is that people are eligible for laser eye surgery at just about any stage of life. Those experiencing problems with their eyesight can enjoy improvement with correction laser vision surgery. The main vision problems that can be improved with corrective eye surgery are astigmatism, far-sightedness and near-sightedness.

Lasik eye surgery in virtually any stage of life is considered a very low risk procedure, overall. But, there are a few precautions that doctors recommend to those who are a bit older. One common condition that the elderly deal with is eye dryness and therefore, after Lasik eye surgery, the elderly are strongly encouraged to take extra care to be sure to keep the eyes well-hydrated and lubricated with eye drops.

Lubrication of the eyes after Lasik eye surgery is not only important for those who are having the procedure done in their later years. Keeping the eyes moist and keeping them from drying out is an important part of aftercare for everyone who has undergone corrective eye surgery, but it is even more crucial for the elderly and for anyone who tends to naturally have dry eyes.

Using eyedrops routinely after the corrective procedure is a very simple, yet very effective way to avoid problems and complications. The laser eye surgery clinic will provide the patient with the proper lubricating eye drops for post-surgery use.

One of the reasons why eye surgery in the later years is still safe and effective is because overall the procedure has proven to have very few complications and has very low risk. This is because the surface of the eye is not cut with traditional surgical instruments, which can cause damage to the cornea.

Instead, the small cut that needs to be made is accomplished with a laser beam. This means the incision will be tiny, accurate and extremely clean. All of these factors result in much less risk of infection and other complications.

However, even with a very good track record of success, eye surgery in general is not completely foolproof. Corrective eye surgery patients experience complications from the procedure or disappointing results approximately 5% of the time. When the procedure does not go well, the patient might end up having fluctuating vision, seeing halos around light sources, having increased sensitivity to glaring light, and possibly experiencing more dryness of the eyes.

Even though most laser eye surgeons are in agreement that Lasik eye surgery in the later stages of life is still a viable and effective option, they also mention that Lasik vision surgery is not the right procedure for everyone. There are conditions, such as glaucoma and presbyopia, which will not be corrected through laser eye surgery. In fact, with glaucoma, such a procedure can even worsen the condition.



Learn the Latest on Lasik Technology Used in Lasik Eye Surgeries

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Health

Monica Keller asked:


We live in a time of seemingly endless innovation and rapid technological progress. It is hard enough to keep up on the latest e-mail filters and cell phone video cameras, much less such specialized medical procedures as LASIK eye surgery.

But if you are considering laser vision correction of any kind—the popular and effective LASIK procedure or, if you are not a good candidate for that, an alternative such as LASEK or PRK—then it is no longer just a matter of passing interest. It is your responsibility to be an informed, prepared patient for any kind of surgery, so you need to learn the latest on LASIK technology used in LASIK eye surgeries as part of that preparation.

The best doctors and clinics want to ensure the very best possible results for their LASIK eye surgery patients, which often means having not one but several different kinds of equipment. There are technologies that are more appropriate for some patient conditions than others, which is why many practices are equipped with several examples of the latest equipment available.

There are at least five or six kinds of laser eye surgery equipment being used widely in the field today, and others are being developed all the time. Medical research and technology continues to make breakthroughs that improve and maintain people’s quality of life, and the last few years have been particularly good ones for advances in LASIK treatment.

The WaveScan™ Wavefront® System used by many specialists in LASIK eye surgery works by creating a “map” that shows how your optical system, as a whole, processes perceived light. This results in something akin to a “fingerprint” of each eye’s unique vision profile, meaning that each of your eyes can be treated for their own special imperfections during the LASIK eye surgery.

The VISX® Star S4™ laser, according to many of its proponents, brings a new standard of accuracy to laser vision correction with a combination of two different systems known as Variable Spot Scanning and 3D ActiveTrak®. With a laser calibrated to .25 microns, this hybrid system offers astonishing precision, and can treat many borderline conditions that were once beyond the scope of other technologies. (For comparison, human hairs are 60-80 microns in diameter.)

CustomVue™ systems match a specially created profile (again, a kind of “fingerprint”) of your vision to an “ideal” optical system. Once again using the VISX® Star S4™ laser, this profile data ensures precise, uniquely personalized LASIK eye surgery. If you are one of the particular LASIK patients who qualify for this kind of procedure, CustomVue™ allows the surgeon to eliminate microscopic flaws in your vision that cannot be corrected with either glasses or contact lenses.

One of the newest developments on the LASIK eye surgery scene is the IntraLase® laser. It uses a special technology and method for creating the corneal flap required in laser vision correction surgery. Replacing a standard metal blade, the IntraLase® laser produces a very precise flap.



The Truth About Complications From Lasik Eye Surgery

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Health

Dean Caporella asked:


The risk of complications from lasik eye surgery definitely exist but in reality, they are only minimal.

Obviously, surgery is not suitable for everyone and if you are considering lasik, you are not automatically guaranteed going under the surgeon’s laser. The pre-screening period is vital in assessing your suitability as a candidate for surgery.

If you are experiencing certain problems which will place you at risk or increase your risk of becoming impaired in some form or another, then don’t be surprised if you are not approved.

Less than one per cent of patients have experienced serious complications arising from lasik eye surgery. This figure just proves that there is risk associated with any kind of operation and while it’s only slight with this procedure it’s there nevertheless and you you should be aware of it.

So what are some of the complications from lasik eye surgery you could be at risk from? Let’s take a look at just a few.

Flap Complications

Issues with the flap can make up about 5% of lasik complications. Basically, problems can arise when the flap is not properly re-shaped and could either be too thin or too thick. Ill-fitting flaps may wrinkle soo after being placed on the eye’s surface.

The good news is on most occasions, this can be corrected with follow up treatment. Can it affect your vision? Yes, but in the majority of cases, only temporarily.

Cornea Issues

Double vision can arise from issues such as bad laser correction which doesn’t center on the eye. The cornea can also react to foreign debris which is caught under the flap. Inflammation usually occurs and permanent vision loss is a risk however, this is a slight risk provided follow up treatment is conducted in quick time.

Some of the other more common complications of lasik eye surgery include dry eye along with over and under correction. The issue of regression, meaning the eye returns back to it’s former condition after a certain time, is also a possibility but this cannot really be predicted.

As with most of the complications mentioned, follow up treatment will in most cases rectify any issues and this treatment doesn’t have to be more surgery. It could simply be medication prescribed by your doctor.

You will place yourself at great risk if you are initially rejected as a lasik candidate and then attempt to get the procedure performed elsewhere. Sure, get a second opinion but a quality and responsible eye surgery center will not want to perform treatment on your eyes if it means putting you at risk.



LASIK Eye Surgery Requires Careful Consideration

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Health

Alex Rider asked:


If you are thinking about having LASIK eye surgery consider the fact that some people may be unsuitable for this operation. LASIK surgery should possibly not be conducted on you if:

Your career could be subsequently placed on the line as a result of an eye operation. Various jobs implicitly state that eye modifications are prohibited, therefore it is imperative that you talk with your employer first.

Money is hard to come by at the present time. Currently, the majority of medical insurance doesn’t pay for surgeries of a refractive nature. Costs appear to be falling but still remain very high.

You are adverse to taking risks. A number of patients always receive particular complications. Additionally, since no long-term studies on LASIK have been performed you are effectively a guinea pig.

Your eyes are still changing yearly. If your glasses prescription has been modified within the last year constant surgical revisions would prove too costly and damaging to the eye. Eyes that are typically still changing are found in people 20 years of age or younger, those with diseases like diabetes that cause hormone imbalances, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people taking medication that affects their clarity of vision.

You are an active contact sport participant. Wrestling, boxing or martial arts involve many strong hits to the face and in particular the eyes.

You have a disease or medications that mean any wounds you receive will heal slowly. Particular ailments like states of immunodeficiency (e.g. HIV), autoimmune disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), and some medications (e.g. steroids and retinoic acid) can stop an eye healing after refractive surgery has been administered.

Your age is not 18 or older, since under this age this procedure is illegal.

Surgical safety and efficacy has not been established with people who have particular diseases. Talk with your doctor if you have a potential medical background associated with:

Keratoconus glaucoma, ocular hypertension, or glaucoma suspect past eye surgeries or injuries

herpes zoster (shingles) or herpes simplex

disease of the eye (e.g. inflammations of the eye; iritis/ uveitis)

If you are considering having eye surgery your doctor will need to run tests to see if you have other risk factors like:

Thin corneas. This clear covering over the iris of the eye is what is generally modified in refractive surgery since it holds the most power with regards to the eyes ability to focus. If thin then complications that could result in blindness increase in probability.

Dry eyes. This condition tends to be promoted by LASIK surgery.

Blepharitis. This inflammation of your eyelids and associated crusty deposits on the eyelashes can further your chances of getting an inflamed and infected cornea during the post-op recovery period.

Past refractive surgery such as PRK, RK or LASIK may prohibit further surgery to the eyes. When this is the case you have to consult your doctor about your specific situation.

Oversized pupils. Evaluations should be made in professional dark rooms. People who are young or are on particular medications may under dim lighting have larger than normal pupils. Such eyes are prone to symptoms such as halos, starbursts, glare or double vision (ghost images) following surgery. For some patients these visual complications can end up being highly debilitating.



Lasik Eye Surgery – A Refractive Eye Surgical Procedure

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Health

Barney Garcia asked:


Lasik eye surgery is a refractive surgical procedure that works wonders on the eyes of people suffering from nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. It reduces a person’s complete dependency on glasses and contact lenses. The full form of Lasik is Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that involves permanently changing the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye using an excimer laser.

How is Lasik surgery done?

The surgery should be done with great skill as it involves the most delicate part of human body. It is done with a knife called microkeratome and is used to cut a flap in the cornea. A hinge is done at one end of this flap and then the flap is folded back revealing the stroma, which is the middle section of the cornea. Instant pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap can be easily replaced.

How is Lasik advantageous over other surgical procedures?

Lasik eye surgery is quite advantageous over other surgery procedures because they often involve much less pain as an aftermath. Lasik unlike other eye surgeries also promise extremely good vision that can be achieved almost immediately or at least by the next day.

What to do in Lasik eye surgery?

But before you go for the Lasik surgery, you should have a proper test done by your physician. The optician will examine your eyes to determine their health, analyze the kind of visual correction needed and determine how much Lasik ablation is required. Risks like losing vision, developing debilitating visual symptoms, severe dry eye and large refractive errors are often associated with Lasik eye surgeries. So you consult a proper eye surgeon for the best results.

Once you are confident about undergoing the Lasik eye surgery you should follow certain rules to get quick results from the surgery. Following is a brief history of what should be done before, during and after Lasik:

Before surgery

§ Stop wearing soft contact lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses and hard lenses. § Do not feel pressurized by your doctor, friends and family § Stop using creams, lotions, perfumes and make-ups. § Keep removing all debris and residues from the eye surfaces.

During surgery

§ Apply a numbing drop to your eye that will clean the area around your eye and create a numb feeling near your eyes. § Wear the shield that holds the flaps in places. Wear it to prevent any sudden accidents or getting hit in your eyes.

After surgery

§ Consult your doctor immediately in case of any itching, eye irritation, mild pain or sudden discomfort. § Use eye drops given by the doctor to prevent infections or inflammations. § Never wear contact lenses at least for next fortnight.

Lasik eye surgery is hassle-free but you should take proper care for your eyes. In spite of such care, if you face any worsening symptoms you should immediately contact your doctor to prevent any further eye-related problems.



The Importance of Lasik Eye Surgery

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Health

Dan Sherman asked:


Are you near sighted? Or maybe you have trouble reading the book right in front of your face. Sure, you can reach for those glasses and all will come into focus. However, you’re back to square one when you take them off. This is no solution. It’s more like a temporary fix. Some individuals are just getting sick and tired of reaching for those glasses every time they need to look at something. Fortunately these days there are other options. Have you ever heard of lasik eye surgery? This is a procedure gaining popularity as time moves on. Many of us want the vision dilemma fixed permanently, and this is what lasik eye surgery offers. Have you ever had 20/20? Well, these days you can achieve that perfect vision, and do it without the burden of eyeglasses.

Do you wear contact lenses? Boy, were these all the rage in the 80′s. Everyone wanted to ditch there prescription eyewear and conform to a more attractive solution to vision impairment. The contact lense not only allowed users to see clearly, but it also granted peripheral vision, which was not possible with old-school glasses. Now, the only downside was having these darn things sitting in your eyes all day. Have you tried contact lenses? They are not as comfortable as advertised. Big surprise! In addition, they are a redundant maintenance. Each morning and night you have to take them out, clean them with saline, and then store them in a container. It’s time to ditch this hassle and look into lasik eye surgery. This new-age procedure is done for a reasonable price. You can acquire that 20/20 vision we all dream of. And the best part is it’s permanent. There’s no fumbling with contact lenses every morning or worrying about your glasses. With lasik eye surgery comes an actual solution to your vision affliction.

To learn more about lasik eye surgery, and the going rates in your area, you can hop on the World-Wide-Web. Read testimonials from others who’ve received lasik eye surgery and love the results. Virtually anything you wish to know regarding this innovative procedure can be found online for free. So stop wasting your time with the old-school temporary fixes, and get with the program. Hey, if my 82 year old grandmother can have 20/20 vision, then so can you.

So get on with your search and find the nearest place that offers lasik eye surgery.



Lasik Eye Surgery – A Boon For Everyone

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Health

Kevin Pederson asked:


Lasik Eye surgery is a surgical process that is aimed at reducing a person’s dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The article provides basic information on LASIK eye surgery.

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) surgery permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A flap in the cornea is cut using an special knife called microkeratome. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middlesection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced. This is just one of the techniques of Lasik.

Lasik Eye Surgery: Is this the right time? Examine your eyes with your eye doctor to start with. You must be in good general health and should be over 18 years of age. You should not have any eye diseases of concern like cataracts or glaucoma. Laser vision correction can treat a very broad range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Does the Lasik eye surgery hurt? Is it painful? The surgery may be a bit uncomfortable for a few patients. One good way to learn more about how it might feel is to talk to someone who has had the procedure, such as a friend or relative, or a staff member at the doctor’s office. Most of the times, its just the fear of the unknown. Anesthetic drops are used to numb the eye just before surgery begins and you may be given a mild sedative. After your procedure, your eye may feel a foreign body sensation or irritation for a few hours, but most patients are quite comfortable after taking a short nap. You will be given drops for your eyes to counteract the potential dryness you may experience for several days following the surgery.

Recovery period after Lasik Most Lasik patients usually see quite well the day following their procedure and may be able to resume most of their normal daily activities, but patients with higher prescriptions may recover more slowly. Although the speed of visual recovery depends on personal healing patterns, most patients notice dramatic visual results within the first few days following their procedure.

What are the risks from Lasik surgery? There are very few risks with the laser vision correction procedure. However, the chances of having a vision reducing complication have been documented in a number of clinical studies to be minimal. Do not forget that millions of people have had excellent results from laser vision correction.



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