Risks of Lasik Eye Surgery

September 21, 2009 by  
Filed under Wellness

Carson Danfield asked:


Refractive surgery (LASIK) often produces amazing results, however, as with any medical procedure, there are risks involved. If you’re considering LASIK, it’s important that you are aware of the limitations and possible complications that may arise.

According to FDA reports, nearly 100% of LASIK patients have good results and no complications, but you need to be aware that there are things that can and do go wrong. Some problems include double or triple vision, light distortion so severe that patients can’t drive at night, or eyes so dry that they have to wear goggles when going outside.

Some patients experience infections, inflammation of the eye, redness, blurriness or eye irritation. In many cases, LASIK eye surgery can eliminate your need for corrective lenses, but that’s not always the result. Sometimes, LASIK will drastically reduce your dependence on corrective lenses, but you may still require corrective lenses for some activities, such as reading. It’s best to think of LASIK as reducing your dependency upon corrective lenses – not necessarily as eliminating your need for them.

Diffuse lamellar keratitis is a post operative LASIK risk that happens when a foreign substance, such as a hair or speck of dirt gets trapped behind the corneal flap. If this happens to you, you may experience pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, along with the sensation that something is trapped in your eye. Rubbing will only intensify the problem and may lead to further complications, such as infection or tearing or dislodging of the corneal flap. Diffuse lamellar keratitis usually occurs as the result of the patient not exercising proper precautions during the healing period after LASIK eye surgery.

One of the most common complications of LASIK eye surgery is a slipped flap. The flap that was created during the LASIK procedure may become detached from the rest of the cornea. Most doctors recommend that you go home and sleep for several hours after completing the LASIK procedure in order to allow the cornea to start its healing process. That’s good advice and can substantially reduce your chances of experiencing a slipped flap.

Even without LASIK eye surgery, it’s expected that everyone’s eyes will change slightly with the passage of time – it’s just a natural part of life. After LASIK, your eyes will still follow their natural course of changing with time, so LASIK shouldn’t necessarily be considered a permanent solution. For most people however, their vision will not change enough to require any additional treatments, especially when the original procedure was done to correct for poor distant vision.

The information provided here is not intended to scare you away from LASIK eye surgery, since it has been a blessing to a great many people. For many who have chosen LASIK, it has meant that they are no longer dependent on corrective lenses in order to have good vision. It’s highly recommended that you talk with your doctor about LASIK and how any possible risks or side effects relate to your own personal circumstances.



LASIK Eye Surgery — A Practical Guide to Laser Vision Correction

August 7, 2009 by  
Filed under Non Fiction

Louis Zhang asked:


LASIK eye surgery is a procedure that treats nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis.

A laser or a surgical blade is used to cut a flap in the cornea. Then, a laser removes tissue beneath the flap, permanently changing the focusing power of the cornea, thereby improving vision.

Laser eye surgery is relatively painless, quick and convenient. There are two surgical methods from which to choose.

Do your research, ask lots of questions and follow all of the surgeon’s directives both prior to and following the lasik procedure to improve its effectiveness.

The Lasik Procedure In order to access the stroma, the surgeon cuts a flap in the upper portion of the cornea, right above the pupil. Numbing drops are put into the eye, the cornea is marked to aid in replacing the flap, and then the eye area is cleaned.

A lid speculum holds the eye open. High pressure is applied to the eye with a suction ring that is briefly placed directly on the eye. Then the flap is cut. This is called a keratectomy, which may be done by either of two methods.

The time-tested way uses a microkeratome, a cutting instrument or blade. The newer method of cutting the flap is by “laser-only” or femtosecond lasik, sometimes known by the brand name “IntraLase”.

After the suction ring is removed, both lasik methods are nearly identical.

The corneal flap is folded back, and the exposed tissue is allowed to dry. Then, the patient is asked to stare at a light for about sixty seconds to help keep the eye fixed and immobile.

In less than one minute, the lasik computer pulses high-energy ultraviolet light removing the tissue that was previously determined to reshape the cornea most effectively and accurately.

The lasik laser makes clicking sounds, and there may be a smell of burning tissue. After very precise amounts of tissue are removed from the stroma, the surgeon lays the flap back into place. The eye is observed for a few minutes to make sure that proper bonding is taking place.

After Lasik Eye Surgery Once the surgery is complete, a protective shield is placed over the eye, to prevent pressure and anything from bumping the eye. Since there are no stitches in lasik surgery, these precautions must be taken to ensure that the flap remains in place.

Some patients return to work the next day, but most doctors recommend that you wait a few days. Strenuous activity, and non-contact sports should be avoided for up to three days.

Facial products and makeup are out for up to two weeks. The eyelashes may need to be scrubbed fairly often during this time to help prevent infection.

No contact sports are allowed for at least four weeks. Expect to leave off swimming, hot tubs, whirlpools and saunas for up to eight weeks.

Expected Outcomes from Lasik Most lasik patients see huge improvements in their vision by the next day. Vision may continue to improve for three to six months post-operatively. While visual fluctuations may occur temporarily throughout the day, this tendency diminishes over time.

Lasik eye surgery is not for everyone. Most good candidates follow their surgeon’s pre and post-operative directives faithfully. They find their vision, and therefore their lifestyle, greatly enhanced by this laser procedure.



Lasik Eye Surgery Recovery Issues

July 15, 2009 by  
Filed under Wellness

Carson Danfield asked:


In the vast majority of cases, recovery from LASIK eye surgery is quick and uneventful. However, as with most all medical procedures, there are certain risks, ut if you take the recommended precautions, you’ll have little to worry about.

One of the most important aspects in promoting the healing process is to avoid dry eyes. Dry eyes can act like an abrasive to the cornea and invite infection. You’ll want to use artificial tear drops on a regular basis during healing, especially if you sense dryness. An additional unwanted side effect of dryness is the increased tendency to want to rub your eyes.

Rubbing, particularly during the first week or two should be strictly avoided. Rubbing can scratch the cornea or even worse – it can cause the corneal flap to become detached, requiring medical assistance for correction.

During the first four hours after LASIK eye surgery, your doctor will prescribe certain medications to be applied frequently, usually at 15 minute intervals. These medications will usually consist of steroids to promote healing and antibiotics to prevent infection. Be sure to adhere to the prescribed regimen of applying these medications.

You may want to limit reading, watching television or working at the computer for the first couple of days after LASIK eye surgery. Even though you’ll notice a marked improvement in your vision, you may be subject to headaches if you overdo things during the early stages of your recovery.

Avoid any dusty areas or anywhere that has particulate matter in the air. For example, don’t mow the lawn, as the mower can still up grass clippings or other debris that can enter your eyes and cause complications. Also be aware that pet hair can sometimes float in the air and get in your eyes, even if you don’t notice the intrusion.

Be careful when showering so that you don’t allow the stream of water to hit your eyes. Also, don’t allow soap or shampoo to enter your eyes. Avoid steam rooms and swimming pools during the healing process. It’s also a good idea to forego any strenuous exercise or sports activities. It’s important that you protect your eyes from any undue pressure and don’t let any foreign objects come into contact with your eyes.

During the healing process, you may notice that your eyes are very sensitive to bright light, so be sure to wear sunglasses if you go outdoors.

Complications during recovery from LASIK eye surgery are rare, but they do occur. If you notice anything questionable during your recovery period, be sure to consult with your doctor immediately.



Lasik Eye Surgery – Understanding Its Different Types

July 7, 2009 by  
Filed under Health

Ventura Eye Institute asked:


When it comes to the matter of eye surgery, the first thing that comes to our mind is Lasik surgery. For corrective vision procedures, Lasik surgery is all what we think about. There are various alternatives to Lasik surgery today. You can choose the option that rests upon your eye condition, the surgeon who is going to operate and the budget you are comfortable in paying. Hence it is important for you to know the different types of Lasik surgery available so that you make the right click.

LASEK SURGERY: This type of surgery is a refractive procedure that uses alcohol to separate the outer layer of the cornea. The recovery time with Lasek surgery is longer as compared to Lasik surgery. It is useful for people with thin cornea.

PRK: It removes the epithelium with a metal surgical tool. The tissue is removed from the cornea under this treatment. It is a longer recovery process and is suitable for people with thin cornea and large pupils. It is effective for treatments including near-sightedness and far-sightedness. As compared to other forms of refractive surgery, ‘dry eyes’ is the most common complication of this surgery.

EPI-LASIK: A technique used to reduce dependency of a person on contact lenses or eyeglasses. It is a refractive surgery which is similar to Lasek without any use of alcohol. It makes use of a fine surgical blade that reduces the risk of wide corneal flap. A device similar to a microkeratome (called epi-keratome) slides over the surface of the cornea, just underneath the epithelial layer of cells while suction is applied. Epi-Lasik surgery involves less pain and is a fast healing process.

INTRAOCULAR LENS: It is a form of refractive surgery to change the eye’s optical power. In other words, it is done on the patients suffering from cataract. These intraocular lenses are implanted in the eye by replacing the existing crystalline lens. Most of the intraocular lenses are fixed monofocal lenses matched according to the distant vision. The procedure of surgery in the hands of experienced ophthalmologist takes less than 30 minutes and the recovery period is usually 2-3 weeks.

CK: In this type of refractive surgery, radio waves are passed to adjust the contour of the cornea by shrinking the collagen around it. Conductive Keratoplasty is a very fast procedure and a non-invasive alternative to other types of eye surgery.

Majority of people are not aware of the types of surgery best suited to improve their kind of vision impairment. Hence it is important to be well informed about your health so that you can make the right choice of treatment. Moreover, it is crucial to take advice from friends and relatives who have gone through these procedures while making the right choice of surgeon.



To Have or Not Lasik Eye Surgery

July 4, 2009 by  
Filed under Health

Joaquin Costa asked:


One of the most difficult you can take in life is an eye surgery. There are many options, Lasek surgery or even Lasik surgery, so today I want to explain you about the differences of this type of prodedures

Laser eye surgery prices can depend a lot on the location of the eye care center where the surgery is being performed. As with all products and services, this variation has a lot to do with the idea of supply and demand. To be safe you need to find experienced leading surgeons, safe sophisticated equipment and the highest standards.

Patients who are not qualified for the Lasik surgery may qualify for Lasek surgery. This type of surgery is done by cutting the outer layer of the cornea. Patients who are unable to cooperate or follow commands, including patients with dementia, nystagmus, deafness or inability to communicate because of language, do better under a regional block with IV sedation.

Patients with these risk factors are more likely to experience complications with traditional LASIK surgery. This procedure allows a surgeon to use a fine tool (trephine) instead of the microkeratome to cut the corneal flap needed to perform laser surgery.

Laser refractive surgery was made possible through the development of the excimer laser. This laser produces a beam of light that is capable of vaporizing thin layers of the cornea, effectively sculpting it into a more appropriate curvature for the eye.

Laser treatment is then programmed to each tiny part of the corneal surface so that every area of the cornea gets the optimised dosage. Contrast sensitivity in low lighting levels is increased and the risk of developing night time halos and glare is greatly decreased. Lasers need to be recalibrated during the surgery day to ensure accurate treatments. We recalibrate our laser between each eye of each patient to ensure the most accurate results.

Laser surgery can open this membrane, helping to clear vision without an operation. This laser procedure is called a capsulotomy.

Lasek, for example, is used mostly for people with thin corneas since LASIK requires more corneal tissue to be successful. PRK is often preferred for patients who may be susceptible to dry eyes since dry eyes are more often a complication of LASIK. LASEK has significantly more short-term side effects than LASIK, not least of which is wearing a contact lens for 4 days – I **** contact lenses at the best of times! I really cound’t use a computer or watch television for those 4 days, and even going to the super market gave me a massive headache. LASEK is similar to LASIK eye surgery and might be an option if you aren’t eligible for LASIK.

Cataract surgery and clear lens extraction for high myopia or hyperopia are also offered in a hospital setting. Cataract patients now have an option to see at both near and far distances after cataract surgery! Individuals suffering from cataracts previously had only a mono-focal lens implant option after surgery. Cataracts can only be removed through surgery. No medications or eye drops will make cataracts disappear.

Cataracts account for more than half the cases of blindness in the world. So as you can see many eye surgeries are perfectly safe and you need to consider all the options to go for the safest one.



Lasik Eye Surgery After Effects

June 26, 2009 by  
Filed under Uncategorized

Carson Danfield asked:


One of the fairly minor after effects you may experience with LASIK eye surgery is dry eye. If your eyes start to itch, you’re probably experiencing dry eye. You can relieve dry eye by using artificial tears. Right after surgery you doctor will probably tell you to use these artificial tear drops every 15 minutes for the first four hours and then as often as needed. In some cases, dry eye may persist for 3 to 6 months.

Upon completion of LASIK eye surgery, the nerve impulses that trigger your lacrimal gland to produce tears may be interrupted, causing dry eye. This is considered a normal reaction to the procedure, so it isn’t unexpected. Remember to relieve any such discomfort with artificial tear drops. Use the artificial tears as often as needed – besides making you feel better, they also hasten the healing process.

Another after effect that sometimes occurs is halo or glare at night, especially when viewing bright lights. With new advancements in the LASIK process, this problem has become increasingly rare. If you do experience the halo or glare, it will most likely clear up within a short period of time.

The first thing to expect after LASIK eye surgery is that your vision may be blurred. This blurring usually begins to resolve itself and goes away normally within a day or so.

You may also feel that your eyes are irritated after completion of your procedure. Some people describe this irritation as feeling like you have a grain of sand in your eye. A normal reflex action is to rub your eye, but you must avoid such an urge to allow the corneal flap to heal. It may help if you use some artificial tears to lessen the sensation of irritation.

In very  rare cases, your eye may develop an infection. However, most doctors prescribe an antibiotic to be used frequently during the first week or two after LASIK eye surgery, so be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions. If for some reason you do develop an infection, consult your doctor right away.

Although you can expect a sudden improvement immediately after LASIK eye surgery, you will also notice that your vision will continue to further improve over time. It can actually take up to six months for your new vision to reach its full potential.

In almost all cases, undesirable after effects are minimized with LASIK eye surgery. Follow your doctor’s instructions and you’ll be fast on the road to problem free recovery.



An Overview of Lasik Eye Surgery

June 25, 2009 by  
Filed under Health

Lina Lee asked:


Many people are talking about LASIK this and LASIK that, but you don’t understand what LASIK is? If you are wearing contact lenses or glasses, probably you might be interested in LASIK. LASIK is an acronym for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It is a type of eye surgery to reshape cornea and improve your visual acuity. With LASIK eye surgery, many people have achieved better vision without having to wear glasses or contact lenses.

LASIK eye surgery uses laser beams to remove the corneal tissue without disturbing nearby cells. Before that, a hinged corneal flap is created with microkeratome blade or laser (IntraLase method) and after the underlying corneal tissue has been removed, the corneal flap is repositioned. The flap will stick to the underlying cornea on its own and heals quickly. It is a painless procedure because the LASIK surgeon will use anesthetic eye drops to numb your eye. You may feel a little uncomfortable because your eyelids are secured with a small instrument to keep your eye wide open during the LASIK eye surgery.

LASIK eye surgery has been the most popular eye surgery these days because the cornea healing with LASIK procedure is faster and less painful than other eye surgeries, such as PRK (Photo Refractive Keratectomy). It has been performed on more than one million people in the world. In the United States, the practice of LASIK surgery is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including the approval of all medical devices used for the procedure, especially the lasers used for LASIK. However, FDS does not have the authority to set the price for LASIK, recommend any LASIK surgeons or clinics or laser centers or provide ratings of lasers approved for the LASIK procedure.

However, not every eye problems can be treated with LASIK eye surgery. LASIK eye surgery is for people with common vision problems as follows: – Nearsightedness (myopia)

People who are near-sighted are only able to clearly see things near them and things that are far away may seem blur to them. – Farsightedness (hyperopia)

People who are far-sighted cannot see near things clearly but able to see clearly things that are far away. – Astigmatism

People with astigmatism are difficult to see things clearly at any distance because of irregularities in the cornea or the lens of the eye.

It can also treat people with a combination of above problems, such as myopia and astigmatism or hyperopia and astigmatism.

LASIK cannot correct or prevent presbyopia, which is a type of vision problem in people at the age of 40 or older. This means that if you have had LASIK surgery, you still have to wear bifocal glasses when you already have presbyopia.

So, if you are really interested in LASIK to eliminate your dependence on glasses or contact lenses, consult with your doctor to determine if you are eligible for LASIK or not and make sure you know the risks and complications that LASIK eye surgery may cause. Comprehensive eye examinations, using a number of medical equipments will be taken and a few questions will be asked before you can undergo LASIK.