Even amidst a lot of options, laser eye surgery is the preferred eye corrective surgery. Prolific technology has lead to the invention of improved lasers, which boast of immensely high precision. Such advanced technology ensures that laser eye surgery retains its top spot among corrective eye surgeries and remains a safe procedure.

Another option for eye correction is lens transplant. This is a popular alternative to laser eye surgery. Essentially, lens transplant is the same as cataract extraction, where the faulty lens is extracted and a clear intraocular lens is implanted. Though this procedure can be used to treat many types of vision impairments, it is highly beneficial in case of farsightedness with a high refractive error.

Lets face it. Not everyone is comfortable with a surgical procedure. For years now, people have donned spectacles or contact lenses to correct their vision impairments. Spectacles and contact lenses are a much safer proposition than a surgery, and pretty much affordable as well. With spectacles coming in great styles and designs, they could well be a strong fashion statement for you. If your job involves substantial field work, or you are the sporty type, you would rather go in for contact lenses. Spectacles and contact lenses are a simple and affordable alternative to surgery.

Only you can be the judge of which alternative to choose. Carry out a basic research, thoroughly examine and discuss your case with an experienced doctor, and then only decide on what procedure can be the best bet for you. Eyes are precious, so dont jump on any conclusion without carrying out sufficient research.

Related posts:

1. How You Might Cure Your Blurred Vision
2. The LASIK Vision Institute – Offering A Solution To Your Vision Problems
3. Lost Your Contact Lenses Again?

It is reported that LASIK helps restore vision clarity shortly after the surgery. However, there are a few exceptions and LASIK does have associated complications. During recovery, a patient may suffer from halosstarbursts, light sensitivity, astigmatism, dry eye syndrome, or other minor side effects. But these conditions normally dissipate over a period of a few weeks. Moreover, instances of such complications are minor a mere 5.

In general, your eye surgeon would schedule post-operative meetings, in order to test your vision and assess the results of the surgery. These post-operative visits are highly beneficial for a speedy recovery, since the doctor may advise certain valuable tips and precautions that you must take. Though quite rare, a few patients might require enhancement procedures to attain optimum visual acuity. Such aspects may be discussed at these post-operative visits.

Following the LASIK surgery, you should be able to resume your daily life fairly quickly. However, it is recommended that you should not take part in any major sporting activities for at least a month or so after the surgery. For instance, tiring contact or water sports are highly detrimental to recovery.

LASIK is the preferred choice of many among the available types of refractive surgery. After LASIK surgery recovery, majority of patients have had excellent results, without any serious or long-term complications. Furthermore, they have been able to see as well as they did with their eyeglasses or contact lenses – a dramatic change in a persons life, with a whole new range of activities available that he or she could not enjoy while wearing eyeglasses.

Related posts:

1. How Long Is The Healing Time After LASIK Surgery
2. Does Age Matter? Correcting Your Vision With LASIK Eye Surgery
3. The LASIK Vision Institute – Offering A Solution To Your Vision Problems

The LASIK technique was made possible by Dr Jose Barraquer Colombia, who around 1960 developed the first microkeratome, used to cut thin flaps in the cornea and alter its shape, in a procedure called keratomileusis. This procedure was developed and pioneered by the world leading Barraquer Clinic, based in Bogota, Colombia.

LASIK surgery was developed in 1990 by Dr. Lucio Buratto Italy and Dr. Ioannis Pallikaris Greece as a melding of two prior techniques, keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy. It quickly became popular because of its greater precision and lower frequency of complications in comparison with these former two techniques.

In 1991, LASIK was performed for the first time in the United States by Drs. Stephen Brint and Stephen Slade. The same year, Drs. Thomas and Tobias Neuhann successfully treated the first German LASIK patients with an automated microkeratome.

Patients wearing soft contact lenses typically are instructed to stop wearing them approximately 7 to 10 days before surgery. One industry body recommends that patients wearing hard contact lenses should stop wearing them for a minimum of six weeks plus another six weeks for every three years the hard contacts had been worn.

Before the surgery, the surfaces of the patient’s corneas are examined with a computer-controlled scanning device to determine their exact shape. Using low-power lasers, it creates a topographic map of the cornea.

This process also detects astigmatism and other irregularities in the shape of the cornea. Using this information, the surgeon calculates the amount and locations of corneal tissue to be removed during the operation. The patient typically is prescribed an antibiotic to start taking beforehand, to minimize the risk of infection after the procedure.

The operation is performed with the patient awake and mobile; however, the patient typically is given a mild sedative such as Valium or diazepam and anesthetic eye drops.

Lasik is performed in two steps. The initial step is to create a flap of corneal tissue. This process is achieved with a mechanical microkeratome using a metal blade, or a femtosecond laser microkeratome that creates a series of tiny closely arranged bubbles within the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back, revealing the stroma, the middle section of the cornea. The process of lifting and folding back the flap can be uncomfortable.

The second step of the procedure is to use an excimer laser 193 nm to remodel the corneal stroma. The laser vaporizes tissue in a finely controlled manner without damaging adjacent stroma by releasing the molecular bonds that hold the cells together. No burning with heat or actual cutting is required to ablate the tissue. The layers of tissue removed are tens of micrometers thick.

During the second step, the patient’s vision will become very blurry once the flap is lifted. He or she will be able to see only white light surrounding the orange light of the laser. This can be disorienting.

Currently manufactured excimer lasers use a computer system that tracks the patient’s eye position up to 4,000 times per second, redirecting laser pulses for precise placement. After the laser has reshaped the cornea, the Lasik flap is repositioned over the treatment area by the surgeon. The flap remains in position by natural adhesion until healing is completed.

Performing the laser ablation in the deeper corneal stroma typically provides for more rapid visual recovery and less pain.

Related posts:

1. Blade Versus Bladeless LASIK Eye Surgery What Is The Difference?
2. What You Should Know About Lasik Eye Surgery
3. Lasik Replaces Eye Glasses!

LASIK is the most popular refractive surgery procedure used today and stands for Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis. Due to advances in technology, there are newer procedures however most are focused on delivering a better result for the patient. Due to the increase in popularity, the price of refractive corrective surgery has continued to drop

Do not assume however that the way to find the right doctor is by price alone. Here’s a short checklist to see if the doctors or eye care facilities that are being considered should stay on the short list of possible prospects

1. Education. Medical licenses are typically a general authorization to practice almost any type of medicine. Just being a medical doctor isn’t enough. Look for someone with specialized refractive eye surgery education. Although all ophthalmologists are considered specialists, they all aren’t qualified to do refractive surgery.
2. Experience. How many of the surgeries has the doctor successfully completed? Although technology continues to make it easier to obtain a satisfactory result, experience does matter.
3. Equipment and procedure to be used. Today there are many difference “flavors” of Lasik. Customer Lasik using Wavefront technology offers some of the latest advances in this field. No need to go to someone using yesterday’s technology when the newest equipment is out there and available.

Finally, there’s price. Looking in almost any major city Sunday newspaper and it becomes evident where the larger eye centers and Lasik Centers are located. These are the ones that advertise using expensive full page and color pages in the newspaper. Although most focus on price, note that due to their size, these groups and Lasik surgeons typically do a lot of business. This means experience! It also suggests that they have the capital to purchase the latest equipment. So don’t be quick to eliminate the heavy advertisers without due consideration.

Finding the right Lasik MD is not difficult considering the growth of this field. Due to competition, many doctors and eye centers, even those using the latest technological advances, are very price competitive. The most important part of finding the right medical facility to doctor is not to decide who will do your procedure based solely on price alone

Related posts:

1. The LASIK Vision Institute – Offering A Solution To Your Vision Problems
2. Custom Lasik Surgery Today
3. What are the Hidden Costs of Lasik Eye Surgery?

The sheer number of different of surgical procedures for correcting vison problems can leave you uncertain of the best one for you. However, whatever may be your procedure of choice, attaining excellent results is largely dependent on the expertise of your eye surgeon. lasik is by far the most preferred corrective eye surgery, and hence it is imperative that you choose an eye surgeon with a great deal of experience.

If you are thinking of going in for lasik eye surgery then this is what you can expect. Before getting lasik you will be examined by a qualified eye doctor or ophthalmologist. During this examination standard eye tests and computer images of the cornea will be taken to build up a picture of the eye and ascertain what corrections need should made. In addition your overall health is also considered when deciding if you will be a good lasik patient. Any conditions, such as dry eye syndrome, may affect your ability to get this type of eye surgery, but in these cases other treatment may be available.

You will be able to go home on the same day as you eye surgery and should have recovered within just a few days. Minor irritations may take up to a month to disappear. The vast majority of people who undertake this surgery will be able to see much more clearly straight after surgery and this improves still further over the next few days.

Some people may experience some side effects like light sensitivity or night time vision problems. In even more rare cases other difficulties like infections can also occur, but most often, if you follow your doctors orders these things can be avoided or cured quickly with eye drops of medication. Other side effects are more long term. These can occur for 6 months or longer. These are dry eyes, blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, light sensitivity, glares, and vision fluctuations. If you cannot handle any of this, then this eye surgery is not for you. Attaining excellent results is largely dependent on the expertise of your eye surgeon. Lasik is by far the most preferred corrective eye surgery for many, and so it is imperative that you choose an eye surgeon with a great deal of experience and who is using the best medical equipment available.

This type eye surgery has been big news over resent years as the changes to peoples vision and quality of life can be astounding. People who could not see without glasses are getting almost 20.20 vision and word of mouth about these ‘miracles’ spreads fast.. With many people flocking to have the procedure done it has become one of the most popular eye surgeries. However, before committing to the surgery you should look into what lasik is and what it can do for vision in general and your sight in particular.

Before committing yourself ask to speak to people who have had the operation with the organisation you are thinking of using yourself. Ask about the good and bad points of both the operation and the company itself.

As lasik is a fairly new medical procedure the long term risks are not known and it is not possible currently to cure the need for reading glasses as this is problem is more connected with the weakening of the eye muscles over time rather then the corner. As a potential candidate for lasik you must discuss all your concerns and expectations with your surgeon before the procedure is carried out to ensure you completely understand the process and outcome possibilities for you as an individual.

Finally, many people can’t even think about anyone touching their eyes, never mind someone pointing a laser into them. If you are reading this article and are feeling a bit squeamish then perhaps lasik is not for you!

Related posts:

1. What You Should Know About Lasik Eye Surgery
2. Does Age Matter? Correcting Your Vision With LASIK Eye Surgery
3. How Long Until Vision Clarity? Recovery from LASIK Eye Surgery

There are four main types of refractive eye surgery procedures flap and photoablation procedures; corneal incision procedures; thermal procedures; and implants. Currently, the most common refractive eye surgeries involve the use of lasers to reshape the cornea.

Flap procedures involve cutting a small flap in the cornea so that the tissue underneath can be reshaped to correct the refractive error. LASIK, short for Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis, is the most popular refractive surgery and is used to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The LASIK procedure involves using a microkeratome or IntraLase to cut a flap into the stroma, moving the flap out of the way, removing excess corneal tissue with an excimer laser, then replacing and smoothing out the flap. LASEK is best suited for individuals with thin or flat corneas. The LASEK procedure uses a small trephine blade to cut into the shallow epithelium, after which the eye is bathed in a mild alcohol solution to soften the edges of the epithelium. The flap is gently moved out of the way so that an excimer laser can remove excess corneal tissue, after which the flap is replaced and smoothed out. Epi-LASIK, like LASEK, involves a shallow cut into the epithelium, but makes use of epikeratome to create a thin epithelium sheet for removal instead of the harsher blade and alcohol.

Photoablation, the second stage in flap procedures, makes use of ultraviolet radiation to remove excess corneal tissue. PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, was the original laser eye surgery procedure. PRK involves numbing the eye with local anesthetic eye drops, and reshaping the cornea by destroying miniscule amounts of tissue from the surface of the eye. The laser used, an excimer laser, is a computer-controlled ultraviolet beam of light. It burns cool so as not to heat up and damage the surrounding eye tissue.

Corneal incision procedures such as radial keratotomy and arcuate keratotomy use miniscule incisions in the cornea to alter its surface and correct refractive errors. Radial keratotomy, or RK, uses a diamond tipped knife to make a number of spoke-shaped incisions in the cornea. The result of the incisions is that the cornea flattens out, minimizing the effects of myopia. Arcuate keratotomy, or AK, is very similar to RK. The diamond knife is used to cut incisions that are parallel to the edge of the cornea, as opposed to the spoke-shaped incisions of the RK procedure. These procedures have been much less common with the emergence of laser-assisted refractive eye surgeries.

Thermal procedures use heat to correct temporarily hyperopic refractive errors, or farsightedness. The thermal keratoplasty procedure involves putting a ring of 8 or 16 small burns on the eye immediately surrounding the pupil. The application of the heat increases the slope of the cornea, making it steeper, through thermal contractions. There are two main types of thermal keratoplasty. Laser Thermal Keratoplasty, or LTK, is a no-touch procedure that uses a holmium laser. Conductive Keratoplasty, or CK, uses a high-frequency electric probe.

The final type of refractive eye surgery involves the use of implants. Implantable contact lenses, or ICL, can be used to correct severe levels of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The implants are actually tiny contact lenses that are inserted through a small incision in the side of the cornea. Implants are seated so they sit immediately in front of the eye’s natural lens just behind the cornea. ICL works in conjunction with the eyes natural lens to refocus light on the retina and produce a crystal clear image.

Each of these procedures has its advantages and disadvantages, and not all individuals are suitable candidates for refractive eye surgery. Individuals who are interested in learning more about surgical options should contact their ophthalmologist for more information about these procedures, as well as inquire about other new cutting-edge procedures. Since ophthalmologic surgery is constantly growing and changing with emergence of new technologies and methods, there are always new techniques in development. As new equipment is developed and methods refined that can improve the success and minimize the side effects of refractive eye surgery, new procedures will emerge to replace outdated techniques.

Related posts:

1. Blade Versus Bladeless LASIK Eye Surgery What Is The Difference?
2. Do I Really Need Lasik Eye Surgery?
3. Risks And Complications Of Laser Eye Surgery

First, if you are already firmly set in your decision to have LASIK, read these pointers

1. Make sure you go to a doctor who uses the new Interlase laser for making the corneal flap.

Why? Because the Interlase is 100 times more precise than the “old fashioned” method of using a microkeratome to cut the initial flap. Many speculate that most of the problems that come from LASIK surgery have been due to the impreciseness of the microkeratome device used to cut the cornea.

2. Most definitely insist on a custom wavefront laser to do the actual reshaping of the cornea.

Why? Because the custom wavefront can get rid of what is called higher order aberrations.

What does this mean to you? It means much sharper vision after the surgery and a significantly reduced chance of having halos, starburst and other “complications” from LASIK.

Repeating Make sure you go to a surgeon who is using both Interlase and Custom Wavefront technology to do LASIK surgery. Relatively few practices have these new technologies. Consider that surgeons who invest in these technologies may have more of your interests at heart.

One of the top 5 LASIK surgeons lives in Kansas City. Check out his site durrievision.com Look at the information on his site including the videos where he explains what LASIK is all about. Compare your perspective surgeons website to his and you may detect a difference.

Next, you should be aware of the potential problems of LASIK surgery as you review www.surgicaleyes.com – you may find that these horror stories came from procedures that didnt use interlase and custom wavefront technology together. See-there is a reason to go with the newer technologies. You can email the people on this site and ask them questions about their procedures and the complications that they faced or are still facing.

One of the problems with LASIK, has been the LASIK 2020 phenomenon. Some people do technically see 2020 after the procedure but it is not normal. Instead, it is hazy or blurred. This is probably due to the higher order aberrations mentioned earlier. That is why it is important to get custom LASIK done. The custom wave front lasers can remove those aberrations, hopefully allowing you avoid the LASIK 2020 phenomenon.

If your doctor says that you dont need the custom treatment, I would ask him if he has a custom wave front machine. There may be a few legitimate reasons to not have the custom procedure done, but I seriously doubt there are many.

If he doesnt have such a machine, I would wonder if his recommendation is based on the best thing for you as the patient. It always pays to get a second opinion anyway and in this case, you should.

These are your eyes that we are talking about and you owe it to yourself to get educated on every aspect of this surgery before undergoing treatment. The surgical eyes web site mentioned above is worth investigating. You need to know what could go wrong and how to choose a doctor and equipment that will allow you to avoid problems.

I will say it again. Try to go with Interlase to cut the corneal flap and try to go with a custom wavefront laser to reduce your risk of complications! I cannot stress this enough.

I went through a screening process to get LASIK done and was categorized as an excellent candidate. They even wanted me to participate in a study program that would save me about 600. I still turned it down. In the end, I decided that I didnt want to get my eyes lasered.

Of course, there is something to be said about not wearing glasses or contacts anymore and there are many happy patients out there. I just want you to be aware of both the pros and the cons.

Do you really need to have LASIK done? I think its worth it to investigate natural vision therapy and see what you can do about correcting your vision naturally before permanently etching your current prescription into your cornea.

Many people have gotten results from vision therapy. A few have even gotten rid of their glasses and or contacts forever. An industry insider has informed me that this does happen but not very often.

There are a couple of books to check out on natural vision improvement if you are interested in that alternative. Relearning to See by Thomas Quakenbush is one that comes to mind.

The original pioneer in vision improvement was Dr. Bates. He was an early 20th century ophthalmologist who really stuck his neck out to go against the prevailing theories of the day that still persist. Many of the people who he helped were very grateful, Im sure.

I have dabbled with naturally improving my vision. I have experienced a decrease of tension, but I have not recovered 2020 vision. This type of improvement does take work and determination.

That is why there is LASIK today; everyone is different in their wishes and expectations. If you are in a hurry and you dont mind the permanent etching of a prescription in your cornea, LASIK might be for you.

I hope this helps you on your quest to learn more about LASIK Surgery and point you in the right directions to gain more information so that you can make an informed decision before deciding to undergo this often expensive elective procedure.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or suggest treatment for any health condition. Please consult a health care professional if you have or suspect you have any health related problem for proper diagnoses and treatment

Related posts:

1. Custom Lasik Surgery Today
2. Does Age Matter? Correcting Your Vision With LASIK Eye Surgery
3. The LASIK Vision Institute – Offering A Solution To Your Vision Problems

A few people are anxious about LASIK surgery. But LASIK surgery is a relatively safe and reliable procedure that often enhances visual acuity. Moreover, the procedure entails a speedy recovery and minimal discomfort during the recovery period. In some people, the vision is significantly improved compared to what they achieved through eyeglasses or contact lenses.

LASIK Vision Institute boasts of its highly skilled optometrists, which work on site at each of LVIs laser eye centers. Therefore, LVI may dispense with any referral fees, which it may otherwise be required to pay to optometrists that provide the LASIK surgery referrals. With referral fees out of the equation, LVI can afford to provide LASIK surgery at an affordable price to the masses. Furthermore, the institute owns all the lasers that it wields during its surgeries, and that does help the situation.

LASIK Vision Institute has elaborate operations throughout the United States. It has medical facilities in several US states and operates through a chain of such centers. At these centers, LVI delivers treatments options including all the major types of refractive surgery, such as traditional LASIK, custom LASIK wavefront-guided LASIK, PRK and LASEK.

LASIK Vision Institute website offers valuable information on the LASIK procedure, a free consultation, thorough pre-operative examination, and advice on post-operative care and precautions. LASIK Vision Institutes possesses state of the art technology and equipment that would help you to dispense with those eyeglasses of yours. You could enjoy all your favorite sports without being anxious about the eyeglasses.

Related posts:

1. How Long Until Vision Clarity? Recovery from LASIK Eye Surgery
2. Does Age Matter? Correcting Your Vision With LASIK Eye Surgery
3. How Long Is The Healing Time After LASIK Surgery

Early Postoperative Complications

A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a common and minor post-Lasik complication. The incidence of refractive surgery patients having unresolved complications six months after surgery has been estimated from 3 to 6. The following are some of the more frequently reported complications of Lasik

Dry eyes
Overcorrection or undercorrection
Visual acuity fluctuation
Halos or starbursts around light sources at night
Light sensitivity
Ghosts or double vision
Wrinkles in flap striae
Decentered ablation
Debris or growth under flap
Thin or buttonhole flap
Induced astigmatism
Epithelium erosion
Posterior vitreous detachment
Macular hole

Late Postoperative Complications

Glare is another commonly reportedly complication of those who have had Lasik . Halos or starbursts around bright lights at night are caused by the irregularity between the lasered part and the untouched part. It is not practical to perform the surgery so that it covers the width of the pupil at full dilation at night, and the pupil may expand so that light passes through the edge of the flap into the pupil.

In daytime, the pupil is smaller than the edge. Newer equipment is available to properly treat those with large pupils, and responsible physicians will check for them during examination.

Safety and Efficacy
The reported figures for safety and efficacy are open to interpretation. In 2003, the Medical Defence Union MDU, the largest insurer for doctors in the United Kingdom, reported a 166 increase in claims involving laser eye surgery; however, the MDU averred that these claims resulted primarily from patients’ unrealistic expectations of Lasik rather than faulty surgery.

A 2003 study reported in the medical journal Ophthalmology found that nearly 18 of treated patients and 12 of treated eyes needed retreatment. The authors concluded that higher initial corrections, astigmatism, and older age are risk factors for Lasik retreatment.

In 2004, the British National Health Service’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence NICE considered a systematic review of four randomized controlled trials before issuing guidance for the use of Lasik within the NHS.

Regarding the procedure’s efficacy, NICE reported, “Current evidence on Lasik for the treatment of refractive errors suggests that it is effective in selected patients with mild or moderate short-sightedness” but that “evidence is weaker for its effectiveness in severe short-sightedness and long- sightedness.”

Regarding the procedure’s safety, NICE reported that “there are concerns about the procedure’s safety in the long term and current evidence does not appear adequate to support its use within the NHS without special arrangements for consent and for audit or research.” Leading refractive surgeons in the United Kingdom and United States, including at least one author of a study cited in the report, believe NICE relied on information that is severely dated and weakly researched.

Satisfaction
Various surveys have been performed to determine patient satisfaction with Lasik.

According to a 2005 survey, 92.2 of patients reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their surgery.

Related posts:

1. Blade Versus Bladeless LASIK Eye Surgery What Is The Difference?
2. How Long Is The Healing Time After LASIK Surgery
3. How Long Until Vision Clarity? Recovery from LASIK Eye Surgery

These imperfections in the focusing power of the eye are called refractive errors. There are three primary types of refractive errors myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Persons with myopia, or nearsightedness, have more difficulty seeing distant objects as clearly as near objects. Persons with hyperopia, or farsightedness, have more difficulty seeing near objects as clearly as distant objects.

Astigmatism is a distortion of the image on the retina caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens of the eye. Combinations of myopia and astigmatism or hyperopia and astigmatism are common. Glasses or contact lenses are designed to compensate for the eye’s imperfections. Surgical procedures aimed at improving the focusing power of the eye are called refractive surgery.

In LASIK surgery, precise and controlled removal of corneal tissue by a special laser reshapes the cornea changing its focusing power.

Most patients are very pleased with the results of their refractive surgery. However, like any other medical procedure, there are risks involved. That’s why it is important for you to understand the limitations and possible complications of refractive surgery.

Before undergoing a refractive procedure, you should carefully weigh the risks and benefits based on your own personal value system, and try to avoid being influenced by friends that have had the procedure or doctors encouraging you to do so.

It is important for you to read the patient handbook provided to your doctor by the manufacturer of the device used to perform the refractive procedure. Your doctor should provide you with this handbook and be willing to discuss hisher outcomes.

Related posts:

1. Lasik Replaces Eye Glasses!
2. Eye Makeup After Lasik!
3. Blade Versus Bladeless LASIK Eye Surgery What Is The Difference?