Ranju Kumar asked:


LASIK eye surgery is a medical procedure that can correct your vision by altering the physical properties of your eye. Unlike traditional surgical procedures that depend upon the skills and steadiness of the surgeon’s hand, LASIK eye surgery is computer controlled.

The more progressive LASIK surgery centers perform in-depth analysis of your eyes as an evaluation procedure to determine if you’re a good candidate for the LASIK procedure. The evaluation process, which is largely controlled by computer itself, maps the overall physical makeup of each eye. A traditional eye exam determines your visual abilities and then an exhaustive computer analysis determines if your eyes can be enhanced by the LASIK procedure.

In addition to determining whether or not you’re a good candidate for LASIK, the procedure also records quite a bit of data that’s specific to your eyes. If you choose to proceed with the LASIK surgery, this data is used to program the computer controlled LASIK equipment to insure that your eyes are modified exactly in the proper manner so as to provide maximum benefit.

How Your Eyes Work

The cornea of the eye is responsible for projecting light onto the retina in order to produce an image. When the cornea is not shaped properly, distortion of the image will occur. This is called a refractive error. LASIK eye surgery can correct refractive errors.

There are three primary types of refractive errors -

1) Myopia is a refractive error in which a person has trouble seeing things at a distance, but they can see things that are close up.

2) Hyperopia is when a person will be able to see things clearly at a distance but cannot see things that are close to them.

3) Astigmatism is the distortion of images caused by irregularities in the shape of the cornea.

LASIK eye surgery is also called refractive surgery because it will reshape the cornea, therefore improving the ability to focus clearly.

Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. To be a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, you have to be willing to accepts the risks that go along with this type of surgery. Your eyesight should be stable, meaning that it hasn’t changed appreciably over the past several years. Also, you shouldn’t have any existing health conditions that would put you at risk while having LASIK eye surgery.

Risks of LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK eye surgery does carry some risks, such as loss of vision. In some extremely rare cases, the patient may lose vision due to equipment malfunction, scarring or healing related complications.

One common risk of LASIK eye surgery is that any dry eye condition that is experienced right after surgery may hamper the healing process. Signs of dryness are burning, redness and decreased vision. If this dry eye condition persists, you may have to medicate to improve tear duct function and use artificial tears to maintain the proper level of moisture. You must keep your eyes moist after LASIK surgery in order to promote healing.

Things to do Before LASIK Surgery

If you wear contact lenses, either soft contacts or rigid contacts, you should stop wearing your contacts at least three weeks before your initial evaluation by the doctor. On the day of surgery, you shouldn’t wear makeup or perfumes. Also, don’t wear any fuzzy clothing that is likely to disperse lint.

Make sure that someone goes with you on the day of surgery, since you’ll need someone to drive you home after the LASIK procedure. Before the surgery, the doctor may give you medicine to relax you and your vision may be a little blurry immediately following surgery. Also, special eye drops are administered prior to the procedure which can cause additional, but temporary blurriness.

LASIK eye surgery is relatively safe and it can free you from glasses and contacts. Before you commit to LASIK surgery, make sure that you consider all the advantages and disadvantages of having the procedure. Ask the doctor lots of questions so that you can make an informed decision about whether LASIK eye surgery is the right choice for you.



Troy

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.



Betty

Abstinence_Education asked:


You can Google for websites of people who share their experience, many of them are negative. Lasik doesn’t give vision as good as glasses but costs $4000+ and is high risk. Why get lasik now and not wait for better technology?

Ella

Patricia Woloch asked:


 

You may have heard the term LASIK surgery for years. You may know people who have had it done and no longer wear glasses or contacts. Still, you may have questions. If you are nervous, as most of us are, about having anything called “surgery” done to your eyes, having questions is a great thing. Here are some of the more common LASIK questions and answers to help dispel your fears or concerns.

Is LASIK safe?

There are inherent risks associated with any surgical procedure. Having said that, be sure you select a highly skilled and experienced LASIK surgeon who will determine whether or not you are a good candidate. The success rate for LASIK surgery performed by experienced eye surgeons is around 95%.

Are there any side effects with LASIK surgery?

There are a few common side effects. They include seeing a starburst effect, a problem with glare or driving at night, and feeling as though something is in your eye. Most of these side effects disappear within a few days or weeks of the initial surgery. One to two percent of LASIK patients may have side effects that are permanent.

Does LASIK surgery hurt?

Most patients report an initial bit of discomfort but basically no pain. This is mostly because so little tissue is affected during the short procedure. Any mild discomfort is easily treated with a standard pain reliever.

What kind of results can I expect after the LASIK procedure?

That question is best left to your LASIK surgeon to answer. He or she will give you a complete and detailed eye exam prior to scheduling your LASIK procedure. Based on your current vision, overall health and post-procedure expectations, they should be able to give you a realistic idea. However, over 50% of LASIK patients have reported 20/20 vision and more than 90% reporting at least 20/40. Keep in mind that, as you age, your eyes will continue to change naturally so you may find yourself needing reading glasses down the road.

How much does LASIK surgery cost?

There is as wide a range in costs as there are in skill levels when it comes to LASIK surgeons around the country. In the Denver, Colorado area, the most respected and highly qualified LASIK surgeons are very reasonable in their pricing and most offer payment plans to help in your budgeting. This is your eyesight we’re talking about. You don’t really think skimping on price for this type of surgery is a good idea, do you?



Charlie

charlie brown asked:


Have been thing about having lasik but not sure who or what place to have it done. Will be in phoenix arizona anyone have any recommend or experiences? What’s regular lasik and custom does it really make a difference?

Duane

Sunny l asked:


I am looking for a lasik surgeon in San Diego or Orange county. Any suggestions? How can I check the credentials of the doctor? Thanks

Kathy

mizbebe asked:


I was informed all about Lasik but once it came down to it the doctor said I could only have PRK laser surgery and not Lasik. I don’t know much about PRK.. I mean I know it takes longer to heal and I basically know the procedure.. but I wasn’t informed of the side affects it may have and I can’t seem to find the information I need online. Has anyone had this surgery? WHta were your results and did it hurt? I need as much information as possible please before I make a decision. I will be calling the doctor tomorrow, but I would rather hear about it from people who have actually had it done. Thanks in advance.

Gabriel

Random E asked:


Im planning to have lasik surgery next month. can anyone state all the risks after surgery or after several years have passed? by the way, im planning to get it done in Lasik Vision Institute in Houston.

Roberta

Keion Moradi asked:


Lasik is a popular laser eye surgery that has helped millions of patients with vision correction. Patients who are farsighted, nearsighted or suffer from astigmatism may be able to reduce or eliminate the need for corrective eye wear. But not every patient is right for Lasik. There are criteria that must be met in order to qualify. Learn more about what makes a poor candidate for Lasik eye surgery and schedule a consultation with your doctor.

What is Lasik Eye Surgery?

Lasik is a laser eye surgery conducted in an outpatient facility. The procedure takes about 15 minutes and involves a nominal recovery time. Since inception, Lasik eye surgery has seen many improvements. But even with medical advancement and increased precision, Lasik, as with all surgical procedures, still occupies a degree of risk.

Lasik eye surgery results are different for each patient. Due to the eye’s changing nature with age, results may not last. Additional procedures if applicable, may be necessary. Patients over 40 will likely need to continue wearing reading glasses.

Your Responsibility as a Candidate for Lasik Eye Surgery

The risks associated with Lasik can be substantially reduced. Doing your part by following post-operative instructions can improve your outcome. The doctor can appropriately judge your candidacy for Lasik eye surgery.

Lasik Surgery and Your Health

The doctor will examine the condition of your eyes as part of the screening process for Lasik surgery. Large pupils under dim light may indicate poor candidacy for Lasik. Certain medications may affect the size of your pupils. This condition indicates a risk for complicates such as glare, halos and double vision.

The doctor will also check the thickness of your corneas. Patients with thin corneas should not have Lasik. Lasik is performed by creating a flap in the outermost layer of the cornea. When the cornea is too thin, it can cause serious complications, including blindness. Among other eye conditions that may enhance the risk of Lasik eye surgery are inflammation, dry eyes and crusting of the eyelids.

Patients who experience refractive instability should wait to have Lasik eye surgery. Refractive stability, or vision fluctuation is common among patients with diabetes, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. You must be at least 18 and have no recent vision prescription changes in order to qualify for Lasik surgery.

Medical conditions that weaken the immune system should be discussed with your doctor. Conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, HIV or other immunodeficiency states, can compromise the Lasik surgery recovery process. Certain medications can also affect the immune system. Be sure to inform your doctor if you are taking steroids, retinoic acids, or any other medications.

Certain professions may limit your candidacy for Lasik. Check with your superior regarding restrictions on laser eye surgery. Certain contact sports may also curb your ability to have Lasik.

The Cost of Lasik Eye Surgery

The cost of laser eye surgery can range from $499 to $2500 per eye. Lasik is considered an elective surgical procedure. As a result, you may not receive coverage through an insurance policy. There are a number of financing options available. Inquire with you’re your Lasik surgeon about possible financing alternatives.



Paul

Miodrag Trajkovic asked:


Let’s walk through what a client experiences when attending a Lasik center for a Wavefront Lasik procedure. The procedure itself generally only takes between five and ten minutes for each eye in total, and both eyes are done during the same procedure. The actual time to reshape the eye with the Lasik excimer laser is usually less than 15 seconds per eye.

Any person’s vision problems are generated by small “aberrations” within the eye that prevents the light from focusing objects as they should. The Lasik equipment locates and classifies these aberrations and then processes them so that the Lasik physician will correct these and allow the light to focus properly once the eye has healed.

In a Wavefront Lasik procedure, the patient stares at one point while a light is sent into the eye, which is reflected back and read by a Lasik Wavefront sensor. The distortions in this reflected light are mapped using a small computer within the Lasik system, and then this information is used to guide the laser that treats the eye.

Once the light creates the map for the eye, the Lasik surgeon has to create a small flap to access the cornea. This is done using a laser (this type of Lasik procedure is known as IntraLasik, or bladeless Lasik) or a small blade known as a microkeratome.

This flap is then opened to allow the cornea to be reshaped by the Lasik system.The excimer laser actually reshapes the cornea, which is the crucial part of the Lasik procedure. In order to determine exactly how to reshape it, the map created earlier by the Wavefront sensor is used to direct the beam of light accurately. The Lasik physician uses these precise tools to get the clearest vision results possible.

This custom Lasik procedure can not only correct such standard problems as nearsightedness, but can also address aberrations that create light halos, glare, haze, or starburst patterns. Once the Lasik physician determines that all relevant aberrations have been eliminated, he replaces the flap in its proper position, where it adheres normally and will heal naturally.

As mentioned earlier, this entire Lasik process takes between ten and fifteen minutes per eye. A patient gets a mild sedative and eye numbing drops to make the procedure both relaxing and painless. Most people notice an improvement in vision due to Lasik almost immediately.

Once the Lasik procedure is finished, you will get some eye drop medication to lubricate and protect your eyes. This medication (and the liquid in the drops themselves) may cause some blurring, and so for this reason (and to avoid any eyestrain) you should arrange for someone else to drive you home. It is also a good idea to go to sleep as soon as possible after the Lasik operation in order to promote even faster healing.

To promote optimal healing the Lasik physician often gives a plastic shield to wear over your eyes for the first night or two. Follow closely any recommendations by the Lasik physician. Do further investigation into this great new Lasik procedure, and get a clearer focus on your future!



Jeanne