AlanIH asked:


I heard that if you have LASIK surgery, you can no longer ride a rollercoaster, pilot an airplane, or even ride a car with the top down. The so-called reason is that the flap in your eye created by the laser might open up again or come loose in the event of high-G forces or gusts of wind. Is this really true? I love roller coasters but am thinking about getting LASIK myself and would love to know the true answer to this myth.

Wayne

Keion Moradi asked:


Lasik has helped millions of patients with refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Lasik surgery is famed for a quick procedure with minimal recovery and direct results. Vision results vary depending on the patient. Discover more about what you can expect from Lasik.

Lasik Surgery

The procedure is performed by creating a flap in the outermost layer of the cornea with a microkeratome blade. The Lasik surgeon then uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea. The flap is replaced and serves as a natural bandage.

Your Responsibility During Lasik Recovery

The best Lasik surgery results are achieved through a healthy patient and a qualified Lasik surgeon. But success during the healing period also depends on you. Following postoperative instructions are essential to a quick Lasik recovery.

Schedule a Follow Up Exam After Lasik

In addition to abiding by instructions from your laser eye surgeon, you must also schedule follow up exams. The first follow up should take place one to two days after surgery. The surgeon will monitor the success of the procedure, and check the healing process, as well. This is an opportunity to address any concerns you may have.

Vision Results After Lasik

Vision results and healing period varies from patient to patient. As a guideline, you should notice visual improvement the first day. You can expect blurred vision directly after surgery, as well as halos, starbursts and sensitivity to light. But most Lasik patients report a 90 percent improvement within 24 hours after surgery. Many patients can see without glasses or contacts the day after Lasik. Vision will continue to improve during the first few weeks.

Lasik Healing Period

You may experience some discomfort during the first day or two after Lasik surgery. Common symptoms are burning and irritation. For the first three weeks after Lasik, do not rub your eyes under any circumstances. Rubbing your eyes during early recovery can disrupt the corneal flap.

As part of the recovery process, your Lasik surgeon will prescribe artificial tears, steroid drops and antibiotic drops. Eye drops promote healing and prevent infection. If you experience complications with dry eyes, you may need to administer artificial tears for the first three weeks.

Most vision related side effects subside within a few days following surgery. However, full recovery can take some time. Your eyes may take up to six months to fully adjust to Lasik surgery. Taking care of your eyes as directed by the Lasik surgeon aids the process.

You’re vision may continue to improve following Lasik surgery. But you may also experience periods of vision fluctuation. This is a common occurrence. Visual acuity is immediate, but visual clarity may take some time. During the healing period, you will notice your eyes slowly regaining contrast sensitivity, a term used to describe contrast sharpness between and object and the background.

Schedule a Lasik Screening



Wayne

Keion Moradi asked:


Lasik surgery cost ranges anywhere from $499 to $2,500. The cost of Lasik is based on your surgeon’s experience and the type of Lasik surgery performed. There are options when it comes to which Lasik procedure you can choose. Your decision should rest on an appropriate surgical procedure for your eye condition, a trusted Lasik surgeon and a price you’re comfortable paying. Understand the different types of Lasik eye surgery and decide which types of Lasik surgery is best for you.

Lasik Background

Lasik is among the most popular forms of laser eye surgery. Lasik eye surgery involves a procedure to permanently reshape the cornea and elicit vision correction. A microkeratome blade is used to create a flap in the thin outer layer of the cornea, called the epithelium. An excimer laser reshapes the cornea, and the flap is replaced. The procedure takes about 15 minutes and the recovery time is fairly fast. Most patients can return to normal activities the next day.

PRK as an Alternative to Lasik Surgery

PRK removes the epithelium with a metal surgical tool. The earliest form of laser eye surgery, PRK typically involves a longer recovery time, allowing for the epithelium to grow back. It can cause more discomfort than Lasik eye surgery. Results often take longer for PRK.

Though PRK involves a longer recovery process, it has been the preferred method for patients with thin corneas and large pupils. However, there are a number of newer variations to the original Lasik eye surgery. Many of these different types of Lasik surgery minimize the risk of original Lasik, and can be performed on patients with thin corneas and other eye conditions.

Lasek Surgery

Lasek is a refractive procedure that uses alcohol to separate the outer layer if the cornea, rather than a surgical blade. A laser reshapes the cornea and the epithelium is replaced. By eliminating the risk of a microkeratome blade, Lasek is an option for people with thin corneas.

Through its swift recovery process, Lasek may be a better alternative to PRK. However, Lasek is not without potential complication. The use of alcohol can cause eye irritation and inflammation.

Epi-Lasik

Epi-Lasik is similar to Lasik and Lasek, but employs a fine surgical blade, reducing the risk of a wide corneal flap. Instead of alcohol, a plastic cutting tool separates the epithelium from the eye. Epi-Lasek thereby eliminates possible irritation to the eye.

IntraLasik

IntraLasik, All-Laser Lasik, or Blade-Free Lasik very simply conducts the procedure through lasers, without the use of a microkeratome. IntraLasik is praised for precision through eliminating mistakes that can occur with a surgical blade.

While IntraLasik significantly lowers the risk associated with other refractive surgery, there are some possible complications to consider. The excimer laser is still subject to possible visual errors. A small percentage of patients have also reported issues with light sensitivity. The cost of IntraLasik can be substantially higher than other forms of Lasik surgery.

Wavefront Lasik

Wavefront Lasik is the most precise form of Lasik eye surgery. Much like IntraLasik, lasers replace blades during Wavefront Lasik. But where IntraLasik employs a freehand excimer laser, wavefront technology guides the excimer laser in Wavefront Lasik. The procedure also reduces the risk of night glare, a common complication associated with Lasik surgery. Though the most accurate, Wavefront Lasik is also the most costly among the different forms of Lasik.



Leo

Cruegirl asked:


Please i just want to know how long to wait after having lasik surgery done. Its been about a week and 2 weeks can anyone tell me if its ok to wear a contact lens. What are the risks and can i pull the flap off the eye still?

Teresa

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

David Riewe asked:


If you take the time to read any of the message boards or chat rooms on the Internet about Lasik surgery, you will wonder how anyone could get the courage to schedule a Lasik procedure, and why on earth they would want it. The various Lasik clinics sound anywhere from impersonal to something similar to Dr. Frankenstein’s lab, and the Lasik procedure itself sounds, well, surreal. It seems like the only people that would get Lasik are those with such bad vision that they cannot get out of bed without their glasses on.

Well, let me give you my story of how I chose Lasik. First of all, my vision is not good, but not terrible either. I can actually go to movies and see well enough to enjoy the film without glasses, but I need glasses to drive in order to read the street signs far enough away to act on the information. So for me, Lasik was not necessary, but I figured would simplify my life. I am outdoors very frequently, backpacking, climbing hills, and mountain biking. Glasses do not last long with me, and I am frequently grinding into the dirt which is not the best situation for contact lenses. For these reasons, Lasik looked very appealing.

The paragraph above might make you think I am a “manly guy” (hope so, think so!), so why on earth would I be afraid of a little Lasik scalpel? OK, technically Lasik does NOT use a scalpel but rather a “microkeratome blade”, but it is still a sharp object approaching my eye as part of the Lasik procedure. Nowadays Lasik physicians can get a laser to cut the flap in the eye, which is more than a little better than a sharp blade. But anyway, I had too many spills in my life to think any sharp object nearing my eye was a good idea, even under the skilled hands of a Lasik physician.

After talking with three (yes, three!) independent Lasik physicians, they each assured me that a 28 year old guy in nearly perfect health (OK, I exaggerate a bit) with moderate nearsightedness was one of the very best candidates for a successful Lasik procedure. I decided to schedule my Lasik procedure with the one that had the best track record, and coincidentally took the most time to explain everything about Lasik to me.

The Lasik surgery was not painful, though I accepted nearly everything they offered to give me comfort, including a sedative and a teddy bear. (I even went back to take a picture of me and the Lasik comforting teddy bear.) The only strange thing I remember about the Lasik procedure itself was a smell, something vaguely like hair burning. I suppose that was my eye. I am kind of glad they didn’t tell me to expect that before the Lasik procedure, I am not sure I would have gone in.

After a few years, I guess I was a nearly perfect Lasik client, as my eyes now have 20/20 vision and have remained stable long after the Lasik operation. I say that if you are a good candidate for a Lasik vision correction procedure, grab that teddy bear and go on in.



Cindy

Patricia Woloch asked:


LASIK. A word bandied about for years now. While most people know that it means going from wearing glasses or contacts to not wearing glasses or contacts, most people don’t really know what LASIK is.

LASIK is an acronym that stands for Laser Assisted In situ Keratomileusis. Basically, it is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea (the clear cover on the front of the eye) using an excimer laser.

An excimer laser is an ultraviolet laser that is used in refractive surgery to remove corneal tissue.

Wow. This is still just really too scientific. Let’s try to put it in layman’s terms, shall we?

LASIK surgery changes the way light is refracted or bent through your cornea so you can see more clearly and, almost always, without the use of glasses or contacts.

The actual procedure is pretty short and simple. To begin with, you relax in a reclining chair while numbing drops are put in your eyes. Once the drops have taken effect, a special device is used to gently hold your eyes open so you don’t blink during the procedure. Next, the LASIK surgeon cuts a small flap from the top of the cornea.

All the information you and your doctor discussed prior to your exam was entered into a computer connected to the excimer laser. That customized program is used as the laser quickly reshapes your cornea. Once that’s done, the LASIK surgeon puts the flap back down so it can seal and heal all by itself. No stitches required. And that’s it. From start to finish, the entire process only takes about 15 minutes per eye.

The morning after your LASIK procedure, you will probably be at about 90% for improved vision and you can go to work if you want to. The other 10% improvement will happen over the following two to three weeks, as the eye recovers from being worked on.

LASIK surgery has helped lots of people with truly poor vision see clearly again. Instead of having to grab your glasses before you are even able to get out of bed and walk around each morning, you may very well be able to open your eyes and see clearly all by yourself.

If you wear glasses or contacts, you owe it to yourself to find out how LASIK surgery can improve your view of Indianapolis every day. Besides, think how great it would be to buy lots of cool sunglasses right off the rack instead of having to change from sun to regular every time you go outside.



Ruben

David A Parton asked:


Many people are opting for lasik eye surgery as they find contact lenses increasingly uncomfortable and costly to maintain. Commonly taking around three to five minutes per eye, with LASIK vision you can have one eye done after the other in one session.

If you have an interest in overcoming the restrictions of hyperopia, myopia or astigmatism, do not have unrealistic expectations and understand the risks, you may be a good candidate for Lasik eye surgery. It’s possible that you may be ineligible, if you do not meet the following requirements.

**If your prescription has shown no significant changes in the last twelve months, you are a good candidate for LASIK vision.

**You cannot be breast-feeding or expecting a child.

**If your corneas are thinner than normal you might not be an ideal candidate for LASIK vision.

**The ideal candidate is 18 years old or older.

**LASIK vision isn’t a suitable option for you if you have blurry vision while reading as you will still need reading glasses after surgery.

How to regain 20/20 vision – starting from scratch with LASIK vision

In most cases LASIK vision is a very effective treatment where affected areas are removed from corneal tissue.

Creating a blueprint of your eye surface is the first step in determining for your eye doctor the best course of action for your LASIK vision.

Just before and during the procedure, a local anaesthetic is applied to the eyes with eye drops.

A knife, called a microkeratome, is used to cut a flap which has a hinge on one end, in the corneal tissue in the center of the eye.

Once the flap in the cornea has been created, the surgeon lifts back the hinged flap, and exposes the inner tissue of the cornea.

Only the very exact and precise sections of the cornea are removed to improve your vision. This was established by the mapping stage of the LASIK vision procedure. With great precision, the laser is used to sculpt the corneal tissue.

Once the surgeon has made all the necessary corrections, the hinged flap is restored to it’s former place on the cornea. Anaesthetic eye drops are applied to numb your eyes during the LASIK vision; The restored flap on the cornea will heal without the need for stitches.

People generally believe that surgery involves a considerable amount of pain and a long recovery-time. This is not the case with LASIK vision. It’s possible you may experience some mild discomfort. Your doctor will provide you with a prescription for an effective pain relief medication. The majority of patients can resume normal activities within 24 hours.However, it is recommended to rest a day or two before going back to work. Prior to LASIK vision a mild anaesthetic is used in the form of eye drops; antibiotics are prescribed, to be taken orally or in the form of eye drops. This is to reduce the chances of infection and inflammation during the healing process. If for some reason you are not suitable for LASIK vision, you can take advantage of other treatment options available.

After LASIK vision, patients often feel more outgoing as their faces are no longer concealed by glasses. You can easily eliminate your need for eyeglasses or contacts with a successful LASIK vision.



Sandra

Charles Moore asked:


Most people are likely familiar with the term “LASIK,” understanding it to be a form of eye surgery; however, many may not know what the acronym “LASIK” stands for, exactly what type of eye surgery it is, which techniques it involves, if this procedure is right for them, and how to find a LASIK clinic.

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, which actually translates to (and involves) reshaping the inside of the cornea – the clear “dome” that covers the eyeball – using a laser. Ophthalmologists, who are medical specialists and surgeons specifically trained to perform eye operations, perform this form of refractive laser eye surgery on individuals to treat a number of different eye-related medical conditions’ astigmatism (when an irregularly shaped cornea affects the vision), myopia (”near-sightedness”), and hyperopia (”far-sightedness”), as well as to provide an alternative to wearing corrective eye glasses or contact lenses.

But what does LASIK actually do? Basically, this surgery involves intricate procedures that change the cornea’s shape permanently, allowing it to better and much more accurately refocus light rays on the retina, thus enhancing and improving overall vision in the afflicted eye (or eyes).

A highly specialized device, called the excimer laser, is used for reshaping the cornea. Other devices commonly used include the microkeratome (a special knife that cuts a flap into the cornea) and a hinge, which is left at one end of the flap. Specific techniques and procedures can vary, depending on the LASIK surgery services and the particular surgeon performing the operation.

Not sure if you need or qualify for LASIK? Houston, Texas offers guidance through its private practices, clinics, and LASIK surgeons to help you determine whether or not this type of eye surgery is right for you. Not everyone with eye troubles needs or should undergo this intricate surgical procedure, but if you are near-sighted, far-sighted, have astigmatism, or would like to once-and-for-all get rid of your glasses or contact lenses, then LASIK is probably a good fit for you.

Whatever your eye troubles or problems, if you are considering LASIK, this city is home to a number of public and private practices either offering or dedicated to providing laser vision-correction services. While there are a number of LASIK Houston options for you, consider seeking out the services of a private practice or clinic that is dedicated to LASIK surgery and other laser vision-correction procedures and operations. This means that the medical specialists who work there specialize in eye-correction surgeries, including LASIK or, better yet, they may specialize in practicing LASIK surgery only. In this way, you can be assured you are receiving top-quality care from surgeons who not only know what they’re doing, but are highly trained, skilled, and experienced in LASIK surgery.

Besides specialization in LASIK surgery, there are other factors to consider when choosing a clinic or a specific LASIK Houston surgeon. You’ll want to find out what kind of equipment they use, what type of specific procedures and techniques they use, how long they’ve been in business, as well as the costs involved.

Ideally, you’ll want to choose to have the procedure done where they use only the latest, high-end, most technologically sophisticated diagnostic equipment, which helps surgeons to determine exactly how to reshape the cornea and how much of the cornea actually needs reshaping. Further, it’s best if you select a surgeon or LASIK surgery clinic in Houston that utilizes the best and latest technology to improve upon LASIK techniques and procedures for the actual operation. The latest technology available for this type of eye surgery is the highly advanced WaveLight Allegretto Excimer Laser System, officially named the “ALLEGRETTO WAVE Eye-Q Laser System.”

A good laser eye-surgery clinic will also work to match each patient with the right technique or procedure for LASIK surgery, since every patient has different needs. This individualization ensures that every LASIK patient receives the proper attention and care and receives the best possible outcome after the operation. Finally, make sure to check out how long a clinic has been in business, the qualifications of the LASIK surgeons, and how much the surgery is going to cost you.

Not sure how to find the right (or the best) LASIK services or surgeon? Check around locally in Houston, whether you live right in the city or close by, or head online to find out what’s available, and then research and compare each option thoroughly before making your decision so you can be sure you’ll be receiving the best LASIK Houston care possible for your vision correction.



Ella