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.

anonymous asked:


The most commonly used refractive surgery procedure is the lasik eye surgery procedure and this is a very popular form of surgery that has the advantage of being less painful and resulting in a 20/20 vision in most cases, usually on the very next day.

The basic lasik surgery procedure involves an instrument which is known as a microkeratome which is used in the surgery to create a thin and round flap in the cornea. The surgeon will take the flap and fold it back so that it is not in the way and then takes away some corneal tissue that is underneath with the help of an excimer laser which uses cool ultraviolet light beams to exactly remove very small bits of tissue from the cornea in order to reform it.

Once the cornea is reformed into the correct shape it will work in an improved manner and focuses light into the eye as also onto the retina thereby getting the person to see clearly which will be better than what it was before the lasik eye procedure. Afterwards, the flap is replaced back in place and covers the area where the corneal tissue had been removed.

Corrects Nearsightedness, Farsightedness as well as Astigmatism

Lasik surgery procedure is helpful for nearsighted as well as farsighted people. In the case of nearsightedness the aim is to flatten the extra-steep cornea and with farsightedness, a steeper cornea is required. Excimer lasers are also used to rectify astigmatism through smoothening of the irregular cornea and getting it into a more normal shape and the lasik eye procedure will help to achieve this.

There are certain steps to follow before getting your lasik eye procedure performed and these include choosing a good surgeon, finding out whether you are the right person for this type of surgery as well as finding out whether you have any dry eye diseases which need to be treated and cleared prior to the lasik eye procedure.

There are different types of lasik eye procedures such as blade versus bladeless and also custom lasik or wavefront lasik procedures. The wavefront-guided lasik eye surgery procedure makes use of 3-dimensional measurements that figures out how the eye processes images and this is helpful for guiding the laser in reshaping the front portion of the eye that is called the cornea. The wavefront measurement of the lasik eye surgery procedure is extremely useful in extreme and precise individualized vision correction.

Kelly Wheeler asked:

Lasik eye surgery corrects blurry vision that occurs from a misshapen cornea. The cornea bends light rays to help them focus properly on the retina at the back of the eye. By cutting and lifting a small flap of tissue from the outside of the eyeball, a surgeon can use a laser to reshape the cornea before replacing the tissue, removing your need to wear corrective eyewear.

The procedure is done over two million times a year in the USA, with a very low rate of infection. Complications, like blurred vision, corneal scarring, dryness and haloes or starbursts around lights, generally occur in only 1% of cases and if your surgeon has performed over 1000 of these procedures, the risk is even less.

Lasik Eye Surgery Safety Tips

Lasik eye surgery is not a cure for any and all eye problems. Older patients often require reading glasses because of hardening of the lens, which can’t be corrected by laser surgery. The surgery also does not have a fantastic result for those with either very weak or very strong prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses. Being informed about your eligibility for the surgery will ultimately help you avoid disappointment and an unfavourable result.

Surgeons who offer you a “20/20 Vision Guarantee!” should most certainly be avoided. Many Lasik eye surgeries actually require a 3 month follow up and should not be taken lightly, by you or the surgeon. Only registered Ophthalmologists are permitted, and are qualified and experienced enough, to perform the procedure. So ensure that you choose your laser-wielding doctor wisely!

Lasik eye surgery does run the risk of a slight loss of vision and diminished night or fog vision that can’t be corrected by glasses or contact lenses. While a low risk, ensure that you discuss your options with the surgeon and that the benefits outweigh these risks.

Lasik eye surgery is a relatively safe procedure, with amazing benefits accompanying minimal risks. In order to have a positive experience, ensure that you’re well-informed and make educated choices, then simply enjoy your new clear vision!