Paula Blackburn asked:


You may be considering having your vision corrected through LASIKbut you may be worried about the risks with this surgery. Then you will be glad to know that complications from LASIK are rare, and permanent vision loss is virtually unheard of. For those minor complications that can occur, retreatment or eye enhancements can solve the problem. LASIK actually stands for Laser Assisted in situ Keratomileusis; LASIK reshapes the cornea to increase clarity of vision.

The most important step in undergoing LASIK is to choose a highly qualified eye surgeon. Your surgeon should have performed hundreds, if not thousands, of LASIK procedures before you commit. Competent eye surgeons will carry out proper screening before performing LASIK surgery to ensure the health of your eyes today and in the future.

LASIK Popularity

In the United States, LASIK is a popular procedure with a solid success rate that has been performed millions of times. Increasingly sophisticated technology provides very favorable outcomes for all patients. In fact, the U.S. military uses LASIK to help soldiers decrease dependence on eyeglasses and contact lenses. Overall, serious rates of complication are below one percent. This is due in large part to experienced LASIK surgeons who carefully screen and select patients based on best suitability for specific refractive procedures. Some patients are not good candidates for LASIK due to health problems, eye problems, age, pregnancy and nursing. This highlights the importance of speaking frankly with your eye surgeon during your vision consultation.

LASIK Complications

Most rare LASIK complications are associated with the creation of the corneal flap, an integral part of LASIK eye surgery. The April 2006 issue of American Journal of Ophthalmology indicates flap complications occur in .3 percent to 5.7 percent of all LASIK procedures.

Still, no surgical procedure is risk free. LASIK complications may include:



Double vision

Dry eye

Glares or halos at night

A sandy feeling in the eye

Removal of too little or too much corneal tissue



Since LASIK was approved in the 1990’s, it has continually improved. Many people who could not have LASIK in the past are now good candidates as the procedure has evolved so much. The original LASIK procedure is now referred to as Traditional LASIK and has been supplanted in popularity by the more sophisticated Wavefront-Guided LASIK.



Allison

Steven Walters asked:


Lasik surgery has been gaining in popularity over the past years and one of the reasons is that lasik costs have 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.

Really when you think about all the benefits you receive from lasik surgery the total cost of lasik is quite low. Just think, after your lasik surgery you’ll never have to pay for contact lenses, saline solution or glasses ever again.

Just remember that costs can and do vary widely for lasik surgery. The price is determined by many things such as the doctor performing the lasik, the problem being corrected, the facility where the lasik is performed and the lasik technology being used. You’ll also find that the area of the country you live in will effect the lasik cost.

No doubt you’ve seen ads that promise just $500 per eye for laser vision correction surgery. Don’t be fooled by these low low prices. Usually they don’t include pre-operative and post operative appointments and may also not include testing that can make the surgery safer. A much more realistic lasik cost is between $1000 and $2000 per eye if you include everything.

With all the benefits of lasik it’s a shame that the high cost still puts it out of reach for many people. Insurance usually will not cover the cost of lasik surgery since it is considered elective surgery and even if it is covered the insurance often will only pay a small amount of the total cost of lasik.

Lasik financing is another option used to pay for the surgery and this helps many people to afford their lasik procedure. If you can find a way to make lasik surgery a possibility for yourself you’ll love the freedom you gain from your contact lenses and glasses. Many people think that this freedom justifies the cost of lasik eye surgery and makes it completely worthwhile.

Even with the high cost of lasik people are choosing to accept the price and have lasik done in increasing numbers. Lasik surgery centers have never been so busy and the competition fortunately is causing the price of lasik surgery to decrease. Adding to this is the number of baby boomers that are beginning to have vision problems due to their increasing age. This is a group that is huge in the U.S. and has the money to indulge themselves with lasik.

Many people find that the benefits of lasik surgery outweigh the cost of lasik and this trend should continue into the future as prices continue to decline. Actually, any lasik cost is very likely to be balanced by the savings you’ll get once you no longer need to buy glasses, contacts and saline solutions. Lasik is a very good investment for the future.



Kathy

Joaquin Costa asked:


I had my Lasik Surgery last year and I found important to write an article abou it

For many of you oth there it no clear information about LASIK, LASIK can be a solution to imporve your eye sight.

LASIK is a shortened term standing for “LA ser in SI tu K eratomileusis”. This correction procedure utilizes two devices to alter the degree of near-sightedness in an eye. LASIK is usually safe, provided you are a good candidate. The success rate for LASIK averages above 95 percent for most experienced LASIK surgeons. LASIK Eye Surgery can eliminate or reduce your dependence on glasses or contacts. That’s the whole idea behind this operation, to set you free and to recover your vision.

LASIK is done most often on people who use glasses or contact lenses because of myopia (nearsightedness). It is occasionally used to correct farsightedness .

LASIK eye surgery is a safe and effective treatment that has continued to gain popularity among patients. LASIK is a surgical procedure that can reduce a person’s dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The procedure permanently changes the shape of the cornea (the delicate clear covering on the front of the eye). Lasik stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. Basically what’s happening is a small flap is cut on the cornea, the clear covering of the eye.

LASIK Houston is a popular destination, but not all clinics are the same. Be sure that you’re getting what you need and want from your vision correction, and that you feel safe with a surgeon who has performed thousands of successful LASIK procedures . LASIK eye surgery may be an option for you if you have nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) or astigmatism. Nearsightedness occurs when the eyeball is slightly longer than normal or when the cornea curves too sharply, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina and blurring distant vision. Lasik actually produces, instead of a spherical cornea, an aspherical cornea.

LASIK can be difficult to understand for some candidates . Once better educated, patients can proceed to find and contact qualified surgeons in their area by searching our directory of practices. LASIK is a surgical option for correcting your vision. It is a way to fix your eyesight, without the use of glasses or contacts, and a way for you to be able to see the world as you are supposed to see it. If you want to get a top LASIK center, you need to find one with renowned and experienced surgeons. Trust me you want to get the best doctors for your laser eye surgeries.

LASIK laser eye surgery is performed in sterile conditions. The surgeon applies anaesthetic eye drops to eliminate any pain and a small ‘clip’ is used to keep the eyelid open. LASIK technology is quickly advancing, and we strive to be on the cutting edge. It is often tempting for other San Diego LASIK surgeons to use cheaper technologies to increase their profits. Lasik is not right for everyone. By having a wide base of surgical choices for your patients you can open the door to a new value proposition.



Steve

Jennifer Henrie asked:


Most people take their vision for granted, especially if they have never suffered from poor vision. For many, there is no other option except for eye surgery. Other people choose corrective surgery because they are tired of always having to use eyeglasses. As you start looking into your eye surgery options, you will find that there are many new techniques that are used in corrective vision surgery. How do you choose the right procedure? What are the differences between LASIK surgery and the new Epi-LASIK surgery?

The Difference between LASIK and Epi-LASIK Surgery

Epi-LASIK and LASIK surgery are different procedures for corrective eye surgery. These procedures reduce or eliminate a person’s need for glasses or contact lenses. Up until recently, the usual procedure for eye corrective surgery was LASIK surgery. LASIK surgery stands for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, and this procedure basically changes the shape of the eye’s cornea using a laser. During the procedure, a flap is cut in the cornea, and then this flap is folded back to reveal the middle section of the cornea. The laser then changes the shape of the cornea and the flap is then replaced.

Epi-LASIK surgery is also an eye corrective procedure that has evolved from LASIK surgery. It has combined the best elements of LASIK, LASEK and PRK procedures into one. It involves the separation of the epithelial from the top of the cornea, and this eliminates the need to cut into the cornea and create a hinged flap. As opposed to LASIK surgery, Epi-LASIK combines surface based procedures that do not need the flap procedure and the advantages of LASIK surgery, which produce less pain and faster recovery.

Epi-LASIK surgery is still similar to the LASIK technique because it still involves the use of a laser beam to reshape the cornea. It appears to be more effective with people who suffer from mild forms of farsightedness, astigmatism or nearsightedness. If a patient suffers from moderate to severe myopia, then LASIK surgery is still the best option.

Why is Epi-LASIK Surgery Better Than PRK and LASIK Surgery in Some Cases?

Epi-LASIK came about because of certain complications with PRK and LASIK techniques.

• PRK created a large abrasion when removing the epithelial cells and this would cause the patient discomfort. Plus, the procedure caused some haze in the cornea which created haloes around lights. These effects lessened after six months, but were still uncomfortable during that time period.

• LASIK creates a hinged flap, which is not really painful. However, it created other problems caused by the flap, problems such as dry eyes or scratchiness.

Epi-LASIK then tries to avoid the problems associated by both procedures by combining the advantages of surface based procedures that require no flap and the advantages of LASIK that provides less pain and a faster recovery. In essence, Epi-LASIK surgery gives you a shorter visual recovery time and reduces the risk of any complications.

Who does Epi-LASIK surgery benefit?

Studies have shown that people with thin corneas benefit more from this type of surgery, because LASIK surgery requires more corneal tissue in order to create the flap, and these patients don’t have enough corneal tissue.

It is also shown to benefit people who risk having the flap dislodged. These people risk being hit in the face or the eye for any number of reasons, people like athletes or people who work in violent fields, like the military or police fields.

Who Benefits More from LASIK Surgery Rather than Epi-LASIK Surgery?

Patients who have moderate to severe myopia tend to benefit more from LASIK surgery rather than Epi-LASIK. Epi-LASIK suits people who do not have such steep corneas.



Leo

Jones Taylor asked:


In the earlier days a vision problem would be corrected with glasses and a few years later the glasses were replaced with contact lenses. In both the cases the problem still persisted. But now with advanced technology in the field of ophthalmology many eye problems can be corrected using the very latest laser treatment options. The laser procedure known as LASIK is much sought after to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

If you are looking for a LASIK options in San Diego, then you are sure to find many good clinics and surgeons providing the very best in this technology. San Diego Lasik treatments are provided by ophthalmologists and refractive eye surgery specialists. So, your first step in having LASIK done is to look for qualified and experienced ophthalmologists or cornea and refractive eye surgery specialists. Some study about the various hospitals or clinics in San Diego would give you a number of options when you decide upon your choice of treatment. You will also need to look into the more advanced techniques offered at some of the centers, such as the San Diego Custom Lasik option as well. The custom Lasik treatment is an exclusive treatment procedure adopted to treat the unique characteristics of the individuals cornea. Every person’s cornea shape is different, making every vision problem also unique in nature. San Diego Custom Lasik would address the individual corneal irregularities in a manner where the patient would get the best possible vision.

The progress made in the field of eye surgery is absolutely unimaginable. Surgeries do not take much time, are less invasive, and the patients gets to go home within minutes of the procedure in most all cases. Another variation of the San Diego Lasik and the San Diego Custom Lasik is the San Diego iLasik, also referred to as the San Diego Intralase. The San Diego iLasik or the San Diego Intralase procedure involves the use of two lasers as compared to one in the Lasik treatment method. The first laser used is the Intralase laser which is responsible to create a flap, the first part of the lasik procedure. And the second laser is the Custom or the Standard lasik responsible for placing the prescription onto the corneal surface. San Diego iLasik or the San Diego Intralase can also go by other names such as Custom Intralase, or Standard Intralase, or Custom iLasik or Standard iLasik, depending on whether the second laser utilized in the procedure with the Intralase laser is a Custom or a Standard laser. Most these procedures can offer our patients fantastic results. The use of Intralase in the San Diego Custom iLasik adds to the level of safety of the procedure in that it eliminates the need for a microkeratome, an instruments containing a blade to create the flap.

Another name San Diego Intralase LASIK can be also referred to as is the San Diego Blade Free Lasik. San Diego is one of the best cities to find this highly sophisticated and progressive treatment option. In the recent months, the phrase San Diego blade free lasik has gained much publicity as it refers to the fundamental difference between the Intralase technology and the older Microkeratome. Blade Free Lasik has become one of the most sought after methods of correcting vision problems. This method is probably the most precise and safest of all making the outcome of the surgery far more predictable. The fact that the standard LASIK in the past involved the use of a microkeratome with a blade to create the flap used to make some patients somewhat apprehensive about the procedure. But, this needs not be the case anymore with the advent of technology and the availability of the Blade Free Lasik.

Now with the very best eye treatment facilities and technologies within reach, you can choose the one most suited to your vision needs.







Danielle