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

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

Keion Moradi asked:


Medical advancement has improved the precision and safety of traditional Lasik. It has also made room for other forms of Lasik. Patients who find they do not meet the ideal standards as a candidate for Lasik have other options. Lasik eye surgery can now accommodate a variety of needs for vision correction. Learn about how to improve your night vision with Lasik.

Traditional Lasik

Lasik is the preferred procedure for many Americans with nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. An outpatient procedure that usually takes about 15 minutes, Lasik is performed with a microkeratome blade. The laser eye surgeon creates a flap in the outermost corneal layer. An excimer laser reshapes the cornea, and the flap is then replaced as a natural bandage.

Low Order Aberrations Vs. High Order Aberrations

Lasik is a simple procedure, but many patients have vision correction needs that traditional Lasik is not designed to address. Traditional Lasik is most beneficial to patients with low-order aberrations. Refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism are low-order aberrations that can be corrected with traditional Lasik.

Improve Night Vision With Custom Lasik Surgery

Custom Lasik addresses not only low-order aberrations, but also more complex, difficult-to-detect aberrations. Patients with large pupils, low contrast sensitivity and thin corneas may be able to improve night vision through Custom Lasik. Low-contrast sensitivity is a high order aberration which makes it difficult to see an object against a low-contrast background. People with large pupils are not only prone to poor night vision, but traditional Lasik can also worsen the aberration.

Custom Lasik, Custom Results

Custom Lasik uses wavefront technology to pinpoint refractive errors that are undetectable through traditional Lasik. Wavefront technology creates three-dimensional chart of the cornea, measuring how your eye focuses light. Custom Lasik corrects visual acuity, as well as, visual quality. Lasers guided through wavefront technology are more precise and individualized for each patient.

Custom Lasik may also be the best option for patients with previous laser eye surgery. Custom Lasik can be the answer for correcting past laser eye surgery, with unsuccessful results. Patients who experience complications from traditional Lasik, such as light sensitivity, night glare and halos, may find relief through Custom Lasik.

Lasik Cost

The cost of Lasik surgery can range anywhere from $499 to $2,500. Cost is determined based on the type of Lasik surgery and the condition of your eyes. When making a decision about which type of laser eye surgery will work best with your needs and budget, keep in mind any conditions that may increase the risk of postoperative complications associated with traditional Lasik. Custom Lasik is the most expensive for of Lasik surgery, but may also prevent the need for additional surgeries. If you’re looking specifically to improve night vision, Custom Lasik may be the best route to take.

Because Lasik is considered an elective procedure, most insurance companies will not cover the cost. However, there are many financing options available. Your Lasik surgeon may provide a payment plan. He or she may also work with a few financial institutions. In this case, you may be able to take care of the application process directly at the doctor’s office.



Nicole