Saturday, April 3, 2010

Eye Care After Laser Eye Surgery

A person who is considering a LASIK procedure is to improve their vision has two main tasks: choosing the best surgeon possible for their budgets and understanding and follow-up eye care after the Lasik operation is done. Most LASIK procedures go very well, and over 90% of patients are satisfied with their improved vision and have no lasting side effects. Part of this success is due to the good care at home as soon as the LASIK procedure is complete.

The first step with the best care, after a LASIK procedure is exactly understand what is done by the Lasik doctor. The potential Lasik patient should have a good understanding of the entire process for the first time you visit a Lasik center of the physician and staff interviews given. The day of the procedure, a member of the staff should very carefully go over exactly what steps should be done to encourage optimal eye health and healing after the Lasik operation.

One thing that the patient should ask, what are the side effects are expected after the LASIK procedure, would be how long, and which symptoms should be promptly told to the Lasik physician or member of the staff. A number of symptoms such as vision or fluctuating halos around lights, are to be expected and are not a cause of worry. Ask the staff about any postoperative symptoms that are unclear, to make sure they understood.

Each Lasik physician has their own recommended LASIK procedure to their patients, but here are some typical suggestions that most Lasik centers recommend. First, sleep as soon as possible, carried out after the LASIK method. This gives a great boost results for the healing process. Second, you avoid any contact, bumping or rubbing your eyes for at least five days after LASIK. Most Lasik centers have some kind of eye guards to wear at night to prevent patients from rubbing their eyes in their sleep.

Third, try to avoid eye strain for a few days after LASIK. It is tempting to try to read all of the signs and words that were previously blurry, but avoid this temptation at least for the large part. If any light sensitivity or glare is noticed, wear sunglasses for several days until the problem disappears. Some common Lasik side effects are temporary halos around lights, especially when seen in the night, but this is not a problem to be worry with.

It is very important to keep the eyes lubricated in the days after the Lasik operation. Every Lasik physician eye will give eye drops to help this, and patient should be especially aware of this before going to sleep. A Lasik procedure may increase eye dryness temporarily, and during sleep this may make the eyelid stick slightly to the eye. If the patient wakes up, opening the eyelid is equivalent to rubbing the eye. Your doctor should be informed when this happens, because there are other kinds of eye drops that will solve this problem.

Taking these simple steps will give nearly all Lasik patients an easy postoperative experience without any problems.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Good Candidate for LASIK

If you are interested in the Lasik eye correction procedure, and want to know the benefits, risks, and how the Lasik procedure works. One of the first things you should consider is what requirements you must meet in order to have a successful Lasik procedure. Although each case must be discussed with a qualified Lasik doctor, here are some guidelines to see if you are a good candidate for vision correction laser LASIK.

First, the eye should be properly matured. This means that anyone under the age of 18 really needs to wait. In this age, likely the shape of eye will continue to change for several years. If the eye shape changes after the Lasik operation, the clarity of vision will be affected. Some Lasik physicians recommend waiting until age 25 in some cases.

In addition to an age limit, the vision prescription for the Lasik candidate should be stable for at least one year. It's the same reason as above, that the LASIK procedure will be effective only if the eye shape remains constant after the surgery.

One comment about age cutoffs should be made with regard to Lasik surgery. There is no maximum age, as many patients in their fifties to their eighties still have had a very successful LASIK procedure. The main consideration in these cases is enough tear production for successful healing and lubrication after the Lasik Vision Correction.

The eyes of LASIK candidates must be in good health. This means that everyone must undergo LASIK procedure should have had no eye infection or injury for at least a year and should not have scars on the cornea of the eye. In addition, the problem of eyes, they are not recurring, such as a history of herpes in the eyes.

The medical history of Lasik potential customers also plays an important part. Certain chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases like lupus, which prevent some people from being able to Schedule LASIK procedure. You must be very clear on all the medical conditions that are underway or already completed in the past. Women who are pregnant or nursing should wait to have scheduled a LASIK procedure.

A good Lasik physician will also not schedule people with dry eye syndrome for Lasik vision correction. Having sufficient tear production is important, though for minor problems this may be aided by medication during the healing process. In addition, those people with eyes that dilate very widely are not good candidates for Lasik.

These are most of the most common reasons that a person should look at some other eye improvement choice other than Lasik. Most generally healthy people with standard vision problems benefit greatly from a Lasik procedure done by a trained, professional Lasik physician. Look for a good Lasik center in your area and discuss your individual case in detail.

Monday, March 8, 2010

LASIK Cost have been more affordable for everyone

Lasik surgery has been gaining in popularity over the past years and one of the reasons is that LASIK Cost has been declining making it more affordable for everyone. Lasik is also popular because it is easy, the recovery period is short and it is safe compared with other vision correction surgery.

LASIK Cost differs widely from one provider to another and depends on many factors. LASIK eye surgery cost may or may not include any of the following factors:

  • Royalties owed to laser manufacturers.
  • Purchase and maintenance of surgical and technical equipment.
  • Surgical gowns, gloves, masks, and other sterile and disposable materials.
  • Medications used before, during, and after surgery, including anesthesia, eye drops, and oral pain medications.
  • Rent for surgical and office facilities.
  • Surgical and office staff salaries.
  • Advertising fees.
  • Pre- and post-operative evaluations for up to one year after surgery.
  • Post-surgical enhancement, if needed.
The only universal standard is that LASIK and other refractive surgery Cost are quoted per eye. One LASIK procedure equals only one eye even if both eyes are corrected on the same time. So the LASIK Cost quoted for a procedure doubles if you intend to have both eyes corrected.

Since many of these LASIK eye surgery Cost quotes are variable according to office location, the technology employed, and other factors specific to each surgeon, it is important for prospective patients to fully research what they are paying for when they have LASIK laser eye surgery. Be sure to ask surgeons to clearly outline what is and what is not included in their LASIK Cost before agreeing to any payment plans or methods.

Another cause for variations in LASIK eye surgery Cost is the type of laser and technology used. Usually, LASIK costs between $2,000 to $5,000. Various laser centers will differ in cost, but not quite as much as the public thinks. Many of the lower fees quoted are simply bait and switch techniques, or they may be using an older, outdated laser.

Keep in mind that the LASIK surgeon is the most important factor in your surgery outcome. (Your choice of surgeon should not be based on cost.) Experienced eye surgeons well-known in the LASIK community will generally be more expensive than lesser-known surgeons. Furthermore, some surgeons may charge less for LASIK because they do not have the experience or technology that other, more expensive surgeons may possess. On the other hand, paying a higher price does not necessarily guarantee that you will get the best LASIK surgeon. To ensure that you find a skilled LASIK surgeon to perform your surgery, spend ample time researching the credentials of the eye surgeons.

Many experts recommend avoiding discount laser eye surgery centers with aggressive advertising campaigns. Such centers often employ bait-and-switch tactics by bringing customers in with the promise of a low LASIK eye surgery price, then tagging numerous added fees onto the final cost of the surgery. Some surgeons advertise a low price, but patients come to realize this price applies only to patients who need very minimal corrections, and more extensive corrections boost the cost of LASIK eye surgery. Furthermore, some surgeons may charge less for LASIK because they do not have the experience or technology that other, more expensive surgeons may possess.

Although most insurance companies consider LASIK to be an elective treatment and do not cover the procedure, many surgeons offer no-interest financing to help with the cost. LASIK financing is sometimes available if you can’t afford to make the full price up front. Financing will allow you to break the total cost into smaller monthly payments according to your personal budget.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

LASIK Eye Surgery and Glaucoma

The most common type of glaucoma will show no symptoms until loss of vision has begun, but can be diagnosed with a complete eye examination. Glaucoma is a condition in which the Internal Ocular Pressure (IOP) of the eye is elevated, causing damage to the optic nerve.

In general, glaucoma can be successfully treated if diagnosed. Glaucoma can be a devastating disease if not diagnosed and treated. Chronic Glaucoma slowly destroys the nerve fibers of the retina causing a slow deterioration of the optic nerve and progressive loss of sight. Glaucoma treatment may include either changes in lifestyle, medications or surgery. Glaucoma has been treated as a silent thief because it can rob people of their eyesight before they realize it, especially if they are not subjected to eye exams annually. Glaucoma can be treated with medicinal eye drops, laser surgery and conventional surgery.

Some risk factors for glaucoma include family history of glaucoma, the descent of the Negro race, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, advanced age, corticosteroid use, trauma and previous ocular . If you have already received a diagnosis of glaucoma or are a member of a group at risk for glaucoma, be sure to discuss with your refractive surgeon any concerns you may have regarding refractive surgery and glaucoma.

Many patients with glaucoma May have been told previously by another surgeon for LASIK because of the rise in pressure in the eye, they are not considered a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery.

People with very highly IOP or predisposed to glaucoma may not be appropriate for conventional or custom LASIK Wavefront, All-Laser LASIK, or Epi-LASIK, but May be appropriate for other types of refractive surgery as PRK, LASEK, NearVision CK, P - IOL, or RLE. Although glaucoma is not automatically exclude a person of many techniques of refractive surgery, glaucoma must be treated and stabilized before considering refractive surgery.

If you have glaucoma and turned down to LASIK surgery, it might be wise to consult specialist glaucoma or other LASIK surgery, which took the experience to perform LASIK on patients with glaucoma. Each time a patient has been refused LASIK by one LASIK surgeon must be aware that they are at higher risk of having LASIK than other patients. This does not mean they can not have good results with LASIK eye surgery. It only takes precautions must be taken and a high level of confidence must be obtained from a LASIK surgeon before undergoing LASIK.

Despite the fact that glaucoma patients are treated for their eye condition, laser LASIK or another vision correction may still be an option for patients who are nearsighted, farsightedness or astigmatism. If glaucoma is under control, it might be a chance that LASIK is still an option.

First, the prospect of LASIK eye surgery must undergo a medical examination, including an examination of the retina. During the examination, the LASIK surgeon will make many critical observations and measurements to determine if LASIK is a possibility.

Even in seemingly simple cases, complications can occur. While LASIK is never 100% guaranteed, it has provided freedom from contact lenses and glasses for millions of people. It is not recommended for everyone but glaucoma is not an absolute contraindication for LASIK.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Lasik Risks and Lasik Complications

Do you dare take the risk to jumps from aircraft using a parachute? Do you want to remove glasses and to correct your vision through LASIK surgery or laser-Assisted in situ keratomileusis.

Millions of people of North America had do the procedure and satisfied with the results. However, at this time Food and Drug Administration (FDA) want the warning on the information material to patients about the effect of complications.

But The problem is just like as the parachute that failed to open, it can also occur a harmful surgery complications.

permanently LASIK surgery change the curve of the cornea shape , the transparent membrane at the front of the eyeball and transparancy. A laser device is used to make the incision flap (layer) on the eye cornea and leaving some still stick to the flap at the end of the cornea.

Then the laser computer vaporizing the tissue that under the flap, then the flap returned again to the original positition. The satisfied results are very interesting, who does not like the vision is better without the contact lens and eye-glass.

However there are many posts about the benefits of LASIK surgery will be more prudent for the prospective patients to know the potential risk.

After LASIK surgery, the flap in the cornea that was sliced and then returned to the original position, there possibility can be shifted, causing the occurrence of a problem.

And possibility infection will also cause at any time, anywhere at the sliced is made on the body. This may require an intensive treatment and may lead temporary vision loss or even permanent blindness.

And it is important to remember that laser machine tools may not always do what they should do.

Some patients are suffer side effects that ruinned the quality of vision even though have improved their vision sharpness. For example, although the vision test with the eye chart (a test to measure off the vision sharpness) shows good results, some patients still can not see in light conditions with low contrast, such as when driving at night or in foggy conditions.

There is study, 41 percent of patients have good vision in the daytime, but some have lost their vision at night.

In another study, people who have a short-distance vision (short-sighted) who undergo laser surgery, 80 percent can not see the traffic sign on 15 cars distance, and 40 percent can not see the traffic sign on 4 cars distance.

This is worrying, as a drunk driver. But with millions of people who undergo LASIK surgery, it should be asked how much the trip will be done at night.

Moreover, laser surgery can not stop the aging, the vision in the night of course have been decreasing. This causes double-whammy.

Some patient post-surgery has suffered a decrease in quality of vision problems such as double vision, or about there is a garish light circles on the vision.

May also occur the action of unprofessional treatment or excessive in the patient, resulting a vision in less than 20/20.

In one study, 36 percent of those who perform surgery on both eyes still need glasses. The another report states that 2 percent from 10 percent of people still need glasses after LASIK surgery.

The other suffered dry eye syndrome. In this case, the eye is not able to produce enough tears to keep eyes stay moist. This does not only cause restlessness, but sometimes also a blur, and this may become permanent.

And what all this means? This column does not currently intend frighten people who want to perform LASIK surgery. This is the wise expression for patients to follow the advice of the Roman era have been proven effective in a long time (time-tested), which is "examine before buying a".

Only, you must be a patient who fully understand the information before agreeing LASIK surgery. And someone who says to you that there will be no cereal bowl-pplications, is a liar or stupid people.

Decision even more difficult when LASIK surgery is done only for convenience not because it needs, given that the majority of cases end with good results.

The problem is, you will not know when there will be a rare complication. It is a grisly sight when the loss occurred only because you want to remove the glasses.

So you should always be prepared to accept the risks when considering to perform LASIK surgery. Do not forget that on rare occasion, even a perfect parachute can fails to open.

Lasik Surgery Complications

Who have lived most of their lives under the mercy of eyesight problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, LASIK is alluring. The benefits of having the lasik procedure are obvious and well documented. The promise of LASIK is indeed very inviting, but before you decide to have it, you must be aware of the LASIK risks so that you won’t regret your decision.

Though rare, there are still LASIK surgery patients that complain about post surgical problems. However, if you have an experienced surgeon by your side, the rate of surgical complications is greatly reduced. Common sense aside, one should base their decisions on the actual facts reported by their treatment provider. Overall, the number of complications are generally reported to be less than 1%. Most of the reported problems are handled through laser re-treatments or enhancements.

This article presents a brief overview of some of the potential complications that could result from lasik surgery. While it is rare, patients who have chosen an incompetent LASIK can end up with bigger problems after the surgery. They can have complications as serious as the one described above, or worse, they can lose their eyesight altogether. Make sure that the doctor you get has had a solid reputation of performing successful LASIK operations in the past. It is important that you talk to your doctor extensively when considering lasik surgery so that you have realistic expectations and are aware of the risks and potential pitfalls as well as the upside of laser eye surgery.

Some of the more common types of LASIK complications are improperly formed LASIK flaps: Sometimes after the first surgery, a patient might experience an improperly formed flap. This might create an irregular surface and cause various vision defects. In such cases, LASIK surgery needs to be repeated one or more times to make the eye surface smooth. That’s why you really need to speak to LASIK doctors about these sort of issues to understand the risks involved here.

Dry eye is the most common complication of LASIK. Most patients receive a prescription for eye drops to help lubricate the eyes and prevent infection, but eye drops may not be enough. Dry eye can persist and become painful necessitating further treatment. Corneal nerves that are responsible for tear production are severed when the flap is cut. Medical studies have shown that these severed nerves never return to normal densities and patterns. Symptoms of dry eye include pain, burning, foreign body sensation, and eyelid sticking to the eyeball.

LASIK results in loss of visual quality. After lasik surgery, some patients are left with poor vision at night or in lower light situations. Seeing halos around objects or excessive glare at night are symptoms of this complication. This may stop over time or one may need eyeglasses when driving at night. Have more difficulty seeing detail in dim light (loss of contrast sensitivity) and experience an increase in visual distortion at night (multiple images, halos, and starbursts). A published review of data for FDA-approved lasers found that six months after LASIK, 19.7 percent report glare (starbursts), 17.5 percent of patients report halos, 21 percent complain of eye dryness and 19.3 percent report night-driving problems.

after LASIK, The cornea is incapable. Researchers found that the flap heals to only 2.4% of normal tensile strength. LASIK flaps can be surgically lifted or accidentally dislodged for the remainder of a patient's life. The FDA website warns that patients who participate in contact sports are not good candidates for LASIK.

It is extremely important if you are considering lasik to speak at length with your doctor in order to fully understand the complications that could set in as well as the advantages in order to make the right decision about lasik surgery for you.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

LASIK Bye-bye Eyeglasses

Although is looking cool, by wearing an eyeglasses or contact lens some times make us uncomfortable. The eyeglasses even can make worse our appearance. Now, you do not need to be worried about this.

LASIK or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, it is a surgical operation procedure that have been a phenomenon in this time, because it can improve the problem of eyes, like long sighted, near sighted and also another eyes problem in short time. Is not surprised if this procedure (LASIK) is more and more interest, because is safe, effective and fast recover.

This article will be giving an explanation about LASIK, of course to make you knowing well what LASIK is and its procedure.

What is LASIK?

LASIK arose from various refractive surgical technologist developments. Basically, there is 2 phases on LASIK process. First is removing/opening a micron-thick layers of tissue from the cornea and the second is redesigning the cornea by using the laser. Then repositions the flap over the cornea and patch it to the recovery done.

The basic of LASIK work/procedure by doing a removing on the cornea is starting from 1950, at the time the microkeratome is discovered, that is a mechanical metal knife that using to open the cornea.
For many years, the microkeratome is continued perfectibility and until now the process of removing the cornea have been safely and pleasant.

The second innovation of LASIK is appeared on 1980 at the time the ultraviolet laser is discovered that can effectually strike a tissue by without injuring another tissue around it. Two years then, a potential and a functions of the laser in surgical operation was declared.

How LASIK Works?

The cornea is the key in LASIK. Because the cornea is play role of all refraction in eyes. Therefore, modified a cornea also is changing eye refraction status. This is the basic principle behind of LASIK Surgery and also for other refratif corneas surgical.

For myopia treatment or long sighted treatment is by make tinkers the center of the cornea to reducing cornea refraction. For hyperopia treatment or short sighted treatment is by make it sharper to increase the cornea refraction.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

The LASIK Procedure

Before patients undergo with LASIK, there are a few thing and examination activities that should be undergo:

1. Before the examination, the patient should have been wearing soft contact lenses at least 2 week and for the hard contact lenses or RGP at least 1 mount, this aims to restore the cornea become normal.

2. Patient should not come alone, because in generally if required an examination with dilatation or pupil silation on the retina to check thoroughly, then the vision will become blurred for about 4-5 hours, so it can help the patient on the way to go home.

3. At the time of the registration, patients will describe about how the LASIK process.

4. Undergo with examination by Refractions Optician, including measurement of pupil width, size refraction, cornea topography examination, aberration inspection and examination of cornea's thick.

5. Then consultation and undergo examination by a specialist eye doctor, includes refraction examination, cornea, tears, fundus and to determine the feasibility to get LASIK.

6. Scheduling a LASIK day on the agreement of the doctor and the patient.


On the Day of LASIK

It is advisable to eat enough, do not need to fast

Should invite someone to accompany you, to help on the way go home.

No driving is allowed on the day after LASIK, until permitted by your doctor.

Do not wear perfume, body lotion, body spray, aftershave, hair oil, etc. all heavily fragrant.
It is recommended bathing and washing hair.

Do not wear make-up around the eyes such as eye shadow, mascara etc. before and after surgery, until permitted by your doctor.

Drink sedation if needed, so you can be calmer and relax.

During the action LASIK, you should always follow the instruction and cooperative with the doctors and staff.


LASIK Stages:

LASIK surgery is an action without having to Inpatient.

Phase 1
Make a flap (a layer) on the cornea by using mikrokeratom.

Stage 2
After the flap is open, the laser machine to work immediately on the eye cornea. Some flap still stick on the cornea.

Stage 3
After the laser action, the flap will be returned and the position will need to adhere closely without sewing.