Lasik Eye Surgery For Perfect Eye Sight

May 10, 2011 by admin  
Filed under Medicine

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.



How Safe Is Lasik Eye Surgery In The Elderly Years ?

May 10, 2011 by admin  
Filed under Health

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.



What is LASIK Eye Surgery and is it Suitable For You?

September 11, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Diseases And Conditions

lasik-eye-surgery

April Kerr asked:

Everywhere you look there seems to be ads for LASIK eye surgery. The way they advertise the procedure can make you think that is will be the perfect solution to your vision problems. No more straining to read the ingredients on food packets or road signs. Simply undergo LASIK surgery and all there hassles will be a thing of the past.

However it is important to note that LASIK eye surgery may not be suitable for everyone so it’s important to read up as much as possible out the procedure.

The acronym LASIK means laser in-situ keratomy, eye surgery and uses an excimer which is a powerful laser. These have been specially designed to work on the delicate eye area. The laser can quickly re-shape the cornea (for treating nearsightedness) or the hyperopia (for treating farsightedness).

When the cornea is reshaped what happens is that tissue underneath is removed. So that the tissue can be worked on, a very small flap is pulled back from the surface of the cornea. The laser or microkeratome blade can be used to create this flap.

The laser zaps away excess tissue determined by the ophthalmologist whilst viewing an extremely detailed image of the cornea. This process can take only a matter of minutes and the patient won’t feel a thing. Vision can be corrected so swiftly that they are able to drive home aftwards.

The primary consideration when deciding if LASIK is for you is to look at the costs involved. Many health plans don’t cover this procedure as they believe it to be purely cosmetic.

The cost of surgery can vary greatly however the costs generally reflect the use of a reliable and experienced ophthalmologist and will cost several thousand dollars per eye. The cost is certainly not insignificant.

Cost isn’t the only consideration however. You can only undergo surgery if you have healthy eyes which have stopped changing. Other situations can also arise which prevent surgery.

When you go for your first consultation a number of tests will be performed to detect eye problems or diseases which could cause problems with the surgery. Because of hormones, LASIK surgery cannot be performed on pregnant women or on people with suppressed immune systems.

If you have the money to spend on surgery then LASIK may be a good way to improve your vision. The success rate is very high and the procedure is painless. There aren’t many reasons not to go ahead with treatment.

Wavefront Lasik May Be the Superior Lasik Eye Surgery Procedure

July 12, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Health

Chris Crowe asked:


Wavefront Lasik is called by some a slightly better procedure than the traditional lasik eye surgery operation. Also called custom wavefront lasik, this procedure is more precise than other procedures

because it maps corneal irregularities before the surgery begins.

This means that the wavefront lasik procedure (which is also more expensive) is more attuned to the actual eye it is being performed on. With a detailed map of the specific eye, in theory the procedure can be more effective in solving the particular vision deficiencies of the patient.

Traditional lasik utilizes a similar way of measuring the eye as when you get fitted for contacts or glasses. For people with minor vision modifications needed, this is fine. But for people with higher order aberrations, they may need a more exact procedure.

Nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are some of these lower level problems that the normal lasik eye surgery may be used with great effect on. Other problems may require more specialization.

Wavefront lasik eye surgery works in a few steps. First, the doctor shines a light into the eye. A computer inputs the data (which will show any abnormalities in the eye) and analyzes the data. Then a three dimensional model of the eye is created and the laser is put to use.

A beam of laser light then shapes the inside layers of your cornea to replicate the particular prescription the patient has in glasses or contacts. In addition, it looks for other repairs that can be made to the eye to improve vision. Wavefront uses more technology–the name is derived from the fact that light waves are used to scan the eye and gather information about the cornea and any necessary vision corrections. Some people have had great outcomes with this surgery.

Some people have trouble with glasses and contacts and just can’t seem to avoid annoying vision problems like glare and the halo-effect of lights at night when they wear glasses. People who just don’t want to deal with glasses and contact lenses also may opt for lasik surgery. It’s very important to talk to qualified physicians about the procedure and be guided by them throughout.

The wavefront lasik procedure can take as little as a half-hour or even shorter, depending on the vision doctor and whatever guidelines he or she follows.

Since the corneal flap that is created is so tiny and is in a high-blood area of the face (the eye) recovery time is very quick. Most doctors recommend lots of fluids and that the patient avoids any kind of eye-straining activities. Reading and even watching television may be considered “too much.”

But even then, the healing process takes only two or three days. Lasik is a procedure that shouldn’t be taken lightly even though the process and the healing seems so quick, relatively painless, and easy. It is always necessary to find a vision specialist you trust and to find advice from people who have undergone the procedure, general basic information about the procedure, and any other information you can find to prepare yourself.

If you are not convinced that one doctor is right, you can always consult others to get a different perspective on your health needs. You only have one pair of eyes–you should take care of them.



What Complications You Can Face After A Lasik Eye Surgery

July 8, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Non Fiction

John Porter asked:


Lasik eye surgery has gained tremendous popularity since the time it was introduced in the last decade. The main reasons for this has been its efficacy and the realtivly high rate of success compared to most other operations. But at the end of the day it is a question of your eyes and it is always better to be properly educated about the operation and the kind of complications you might face.

It is generally your optometrist who will first provide you with the details of the operation. In this article we just provide you an overview.

This eye surgery is used to cure three main types of eye conditions-myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Myopia, also know as nearsightedness is the problem of not being able to see what is far away without glasses. Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is the other way round. Astigmatism is something different where the patient has irregularities in his cornea which as a result distorts the image formed on the retina of the eye. The complications that one can face after surgery are discussed below.

The capacity to distinguish an item from its neighboring backdrop is a problem of contrast sensitivity. The reduction in contrast sensitivity is a comparatively common occurrence after LASIK surgery, particularly in patients with high amounts of myopia.

The occurrence of a second, generally fainter, image of an object next to the original object, creating an indistinct vision is what double vision or ghosting is. This problem is generally an effect of irregular astigmatism brought on by surgery. Like several other lasik-related vision problems, double vision often goes away over a period of time.

Then there is the problem of halos where one can see halos around lights. It must be noted that corneal swelling after this operation can cause halos for the first few weeks. In fact it is quite normal. However, if you think that the halo has persisted over a normal period of time, then it might be necessary for you to go for treatment again.

Another eye surgery related complication, starbursts cause a person to see lights as blurred. Often spikes or rays of light seem to radiate out of the center of the light source. Generally it affects night time vision, but in some cases, it might be a problem for all light sources at any time of the day.

Lasik has become a wildly popular surgery and while it does have some risks and occasional complications, it usually results in greatly improved vision for many people. To have the best chance for a successful recovery be aware of the restrictions after eye surgery. Here are the most important:

Prior to your lasik procedure, your eye care professional will have already performed an in-depth eye exam. In addition to an eye exam, you doctor needs a thorough health history to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for this procedure.

Many factors can make or break your eye surgery. To have the expected outcome, you must be a good candidate, you should follow all pre-operative instructions and you should always follow the post-operative instructions.

When you are ready for your operation procedure, your doctor will discuss several things to look for after surgery. He or she will also give you detailed post-operative instructions. Some of these restrictions may include not driving or working for several days, going to your check up appointments when scheduled, avoiding make up or touching the eye and refraining from physical activity.



An Overview of Lasik Eye Surgery

June 25, 2009 by admin  
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.



Tips For Fast Recovery After Lasik Eye Surgery

May 26, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Health

MIKE SELVON asked:


In this day and age of high-tech solutions to just about every situation, it should be no surprise that there is a high-tech solution to vision problems through Lasik laser eye surgery. This procedure has become quite popular and for a number of good reasons.

There is a fast recovery time, the vision improvement is virtually immediate and the risk of complications is super low. But, to be sure that the best results are achieved and to further minimize potential problems, there are a few things patients need to do after Lasik eye surgery.

One of the first things that people want to know when they are considering corrective eye surgery is how long it will take, after the surgery, before they are able to return to their normal daily activities. The good news is that recovery from this type of laser eye surgery is quite rapid and within a couple days after the procedure, most people can get back to life as normal, except without the hassle of needing their eyeglasses or their contact lenses.

Immediately after Lasik eye surgery, it is strongly advised to carefully avoid any kind of activity that might result in something touching, rubbing or poking the eyes. For the first few hours after the laser eye surgery in the clinic, the patient is advised to rest and keep their eyes closed as much as possible.

Once these few hours have passed after surgery, the patient is then able to get back to their routine activities, either at home or at work. Still, rubbing the eyes should be avoided for a few days and if dryness or itchiness occurs, then the patient should used lubricating eye-drops to help alleviate the irritation and to sooth the eyes. Most Lasik eye center facilities will provide the patient with drops for their eyes for this very purpose.

After corrective eye surgery, it is also recommended that patients wear a soft protective eye-mask at night so that the affected eyes are buffered and protected from any inadvertent bumps, scraping or rubbing. This also helps to make sure that no foreign objects enter the eyes during this brief period of recovery from the Lasik vision surgery.

While there is historically very little occurrence of infections with laser eye surgery in general, some surgeons will prescribe antibiotics as a precaution. If antibiotics, or any other medications, have been prescribed, it is important to take these medications exactly as prescribed by the Lasik eye doctor. Also, most doctors will recommend that you drink plenty of water in order to be sure the eyes are properly hydrated during the healing process.

After Lasik eye surgery, it is also a good idea to avoid showering in order to keep soap and water out of the eyes. The patient can quickly return to normal reading, watching TV and working at the computer screen as long as they remember to keep their eyes well lubricated with artificial tears. With these few precautions, soon the patient will simply be enjoying better vision.