Alan James asked:


Fundamental of LASIK Eye Surgery is an article which can provide people an overall process of LASIK Eye Surgery. It is also a kind of medical treatment of eyes to eliminate the errors of patient which is related with their vision that may be myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. LASIK stands for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. LASIK Eye Surgery is not for every problem of eye but only for the vision problem like for the farsightedness or nearsightedness that means the people who are not able to see the clear image of distant object they will be able to see them clear and the people who are not able to see the clear image of close to object they will be able to see them clear.

Cause of vision problem:-

 As a fact, the ability of vision of an individual depends on her or his cornea which focuses the light on the retina of eye to structure the figure of any object.  It works exactly like a camera. When the shape of cornea gets little flawed due to gathering of many dead tissues over the cornea of eye, it causes the defect in the focusing ability of eye. To cover these fault the people used glasses and contact lenses but  some people thought that these decreases the value of their face and want to get released form these. For them LASIK Eye Surgery is a convenient substitute to take their specs and lenses away from their eyes.        

Procedure of LASIK Eye Surgery:-

 As above clarify that during this surgery the surgeons take out the dead tissues that assembles on the cornea of patient’s eye. Usually the surgeons use laser rays to remove these, devoid of disturbing the neighboring cells of the eye.  LASIK Eye Surgery is almost painless and faster than any other eye surgeries procedure because the surgeons make use of painkiller drops to numb the eye of the patient. The patients who are getting operated with LASIK Eye Surgery they gain much improvement in their vision just within sometime of surgery. 

For minimum risks and complications:-

Unlike any other surgeries, LASIK Eye Surgery also contains some risks and complications too. So it is important for patient that they choose a well qualified and experienced surgeon for LASIK Eye Surgery and before you deciding for LASIK Eye Surgery consult with the surgeons or your family doctor to get aware with all the risk factors of LASIK Eye Surgery.    

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.

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.

nlwest21 asked:


The price for LASIK eye surgery can vary between the different providers and it can also be based on many different factors. Usually the provider will quote you a price that will be based per eye. That is because one treatment of LASIK procedure is only done on one eye. This doesn’t mean that you won’t fix both eyes in the same day. Just remember that the price you are quoted will need to be doubled if you are planning on correcting the vision in both eyes.

Surgeons performing the procedure might also tack on extra charges depending on whether or not they are using a newer technology for better precision. The most common new technology that they wil use is IntraLase. During this LASIK procedure the surgeon will use a laser in place of a bladed instrument.

In 2008 analysts made a list of the average costs of LASIK surgery:

$1,662 for the non-customized LASIK in which the surgeon will use a bladded instrument and excimer lasers that are not guided by the use of wavefront analysis.

$2,105 for LASIK laser based vision correction where only a single price is quoted.

$2,341 for the LASIK procedure procedure where the surgeon will use IntraLase.

Keep in mind that there are wide variations that can be included in the price. Some advertisements will quote a great price – but will have hidden charges in the fine print. Very few people are quoted an incredibly low price without the addition in fees and other charges. Most people will need corrective surgery and follow up appointments after the original procedure.

But it seems that LASIK surgery is still becoming a bit more affordable then they were a few years ago. Reports show that in 2006 the average LASIK price was $1,950. In 2007 LASIK cost an average of $2,099 at a single price and with no extra charges. In 2008 the average cost did rise slightly to $2,105.

When you compare these prices to those in 2002 through 2005 ($1,550 – $1,965) you will notice that they are lower – but they do not include new technologies and more improved procedures. These new technologies make LASIK procedures more effective.

These are the average costs of LASIK surgery – but to understand completely how much the procedure will cost you should ask your local eye surgeon. They will understand your problem and inform you how many procedures you will need and how much you will need to pay for it.

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.

Laura Smith asked:


If you have ever worn glasses or contacts you have probably considered the benefits of Lasik eye surgery. Here we will look at what this surgery consists of and how it may be beneficial to you.

Lasik was developed around 1990 as a modification and blending of two other procedures that had been around since the 50′s. It is the process of using laser equipment to make a small flap that is pulled back, allowing access to the tissue below for reshaping by the laser.

The surgery has been successful in treating a range of vision problems. It has been found effective on patients with myopia, hyperopic and astigmatism.

PRE-OP

The procedure itself is quick and painless. If you wear soft contacts, it is suggested that you remove them for a minimum of 5-21 days before the surgery. For hard contact patients the requirements are a bit stiffer. Hard contact wearers should remove their contacts for six weeks before the surgery and an additional six weeks for every three years they have had them.

POST-OP

Once the surgery is complete, the patient will be prescribed a round of mild antibiotics and anti-inflammatory eye drops. In addition, you should get plenty of sleep and wear both darkened sunglasses during the day and goggles to prevent rubbing your eyes at night. This will decrease the chances for postoperative complications.

OUTCOME

The results have been most adequately calculated by patient satisfaction. In 2008, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery did an analysis on worldwide patient satisfaction over the past ten years and found that 95.4% were very satisfied with the outcome.

RISKS

As with any surgery, there are of course risks to consider. Below is a list of possible problems after Lasik surgery.

- Dry eyes: This is the most common complaint after Lasik surgery. It occurs because nerve endings in the cornea are responsible for tear production. Many times this side effect will go away several weeks after surgery, but in some cases, it may be permanent.

- Overcorrection or under correction

- Visual acuity fluctuation

- Light sensitivity

- Ghost images or double vision

These are a few of the more common side effects of Lasik surgery. A proper preoperative examination is crucial to minimizing these risks.

COST

The cost of Lasik will vary depending on provider and the condition of your eyes. The more complicated the surgery and follow up the more expensive it will be.

That being said a recent study of 2008 costs estimate the range to be between $1,000 and $3,000 per eye. Beware of advertisements that offer Lasik for as little as $500 per eye, there are often strict guidelines for this cheap alternative that most people will not fall into. These offers often come with a necessary deposit, which is non-refundable if you opt to not have the surgery.

CONCLUSION

Lasik eye surgery is a great option for some people. As technology increases the procedures become better and better. However, the advice is to seek out all the possible side effects and be sure that you could live with them. The incidence of problems is small, less than 5% of Lasik patients have any complaints but it is better to be safe than sorry.

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.

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.

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.

Alex Bellweather asked:


Lasik eye surgery has performed by the eye surgeon to the patients who are suffering from the various diseases like myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

The lasik surgery can cure all the problems and improve the vision.

1. People normally perform the lasik surgery needs extra care after the surgery. People who performed the lasik surgery and needs special care and wear lenses or glasses for extra care.

2. The doctor given the eye drop to protect the eyes, you must have to put the drop at regularly. The after care treatment is more important. It will take time to correct the eyes.

3. The post operative position is essential in the lasik eye surgery to take care of the eyes. The lasik surgery needs few weeks and it requires treatments properly to take extra care in the post operative position. Once the lasik surgery performs than the post treatment anti-inflammatory and anti-biotic medicine are used for the treatments.

4. Post operative eye care is one of the essential tasks to take care of eyes. You must have to follow the guidelines like you must have to wear the dark glasses and follow the strict instructions given by the eye surgeon. It is essential to keep the proper treatment to give better care of the eyes.

5. You must have to take care of your eyes and avoid any types of infections till the healing of eyes. It is essential to avoid such types of complications. It is better you can strictly follow the guidelines under post operative condition.