What is LASIK surgery? - An Overview of the Popular LASIK Procedure

Many people don't understand what LASIK surgery is, and how it can change their lives, so hopefully we can clear up any misconception you might have. LASIK surgery is eye corrective surgery, which allows patients to have better vision and avoid using glasses. This type of surgery is becoming more and more popular all around the world. This is because the procedure is becoming less expensive and much quicker and safer to do. Still, it is surgery, so you just can't walk into any surgeon's office and tell them you want to have LASIK surgery. There are still risks and these are worth serious consideration before making the decision.

LASIK surgery involves using lasers to reshape and reform the cornea. This reshaping of the cornea allows for better vision and for people to avoid using eyeglasses. Depending on the type of LASIK procedure you undergo, the recovery time can be as little, as a day. But, because not every person's eye is the same, and because people have different eye shapes, different cornea shapes, the LASIK process is not for everyone.

Let's use an example here: Let's assume you wear glasses for your every day visual needs, but you also need reading glasses, or bifocals, then when you decide to do LASIK surgery, you will still need the reading glasses, but you won't need glasses for your every day visual needs.

Now, if you have medical conditions, some LASIK surgeons will not perform surgery on you. They won't consider you to be a candidate if you have any severe eyesight problems like severe astigmatism either.

Even though, I have explained that this refractive surgery is fairly easy, with minimal side effects, or recuperating time, I have also mentioned that it is "surgery" and as such you need to choose a surgeon you are comfortable with. To do that, you need to ask about a doctor's experience. Find out how much surgery the doctor has done, what his success rate is, etc.

Most doctors that have a high success rate, and who are exceptional surgeons love to brag about their accomplishments, so you shouldn't feel embarrassed about asking. Remember the doctor wants to answer any questions that will lay your fears to rest. Ask the surgeon how long he has been associated with the clinic or the hospital etc. Find out what organizations he is associated with.

Remember you never have to stick with just one doctor, you can get several estimates, visit with several doctors, until you find one that you are comfortable. From there you can continue with surgery with confidence. We hope this has cleared up any doubts you might have as to what is LASIK surgery and how it is performed.

The Cost of Lasik Eye Surgery

Lasik eye surgery is the most commonly suggested treatment for myopia in the United States. Lasik eye surgery cost has come down considerably in recent years. Earlier, it was not affordable for the common man.

Lasik eye surgery cost is decided depending on many factors. The cost of the machinery is the most important reason for the high price of the treatment. The price also depends on the proficiency of the doctor. According to statistical reports, the living cost of the geographical location also reflects on the cost of the surgery. The gravity of the disease is another important factor in fixing the charges. The use of advanced and specialized tools will also increase the cost of the surgery.

The cost of lasik eye surgery is fixed in proportion to the entire expenses incurred by the clinic such as equipment cost, price of accessories for the surgery, administration cost, patient acquisition costs, insurance cost etc. Lasik eye surgery can be performed for $1500 at a reasonable eye clinic. It is inclusive of pre-surgical charges and follow-up costs. The standard rate varies between $850 and $2000.

Lasik eye surgery cost information is available from magazines and Internet sites of the eye clinics. Often, deceptive advertisements with reduced costs also appear. Hence, you have to make a thorough study of the rates and the possible hidden charges. Most insurance packages do not cover lasik treatment, as it is an elective treatment. Financing is available from many companies to meet the cost of lasik surgery.

Lasik provides detailed information on Lasik, Lasik Eye Surgery, Lasik Surgery, Lasik Complications and more. Lasik is affiliated with Lasik Eye Surgery Information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Stith

LASIK Risks During Surgery

LASIK risks during surgery occur at a relatively small rate, between 3 to 5 percent of all cases; however, it is important to be aware of all of the LASIK risks which may occur during this procedure when considering this surgery. The rate of risk has steadily been decreasing since the late 1990's, with more experienced surgeons and further advances in LASIK technology greatly improving the outcomes of this procedure.

General confidence has also increased due to the high success rate of this procedure as reported by the US military, which has been using this surgery favorably since the year 2000 to reduce the need for cumbersome glasses and contact lenses. Of the more than 16,000 military personnel who have undergone LASIK surgery, the number of LASIK risks during surgery were small, with studies revealing that 86% achieved vision of 20/20 or better without glasses or contact lenses, and 98% achieving vision of 20/40 or better without glasses or contact lenses.

The February 2005 issue of Ophthalmology also stated that the side effects associated with the patients in this study were infrequent. Most risks associated with this surgery can be corrected, and the LASIK surgery procedure is considered to be one of the safest eye surgeries. And on a final note, one may consider the fact that the rate of severe complications for contact lens wearers is 3% as well, with complications such as corneal abrasions, papillary conjuctivitis, and more often requiring surgery to treat. For more information regarding LASIK risks during surgery, please see the list below:

Over correction/Under Correction

LASIK surgery can only correct and re-shape the cornea to a certain degree, even with the most advanced technology and experienced surgeons that are available today; although oftentimes this is sufficient for the majority of patients, there will be a certain number of cases in which over correction or under correction results. In these instances these patients are usually required to wear a weaker prescription of glasses or contact lenses after the surgery.

Irregular Flap/Flap Wrinkles

During the LASIK surgical procedure, a flap is created to remove an amount of corneal tissue and re-shape the cornea; this flap is closed after the cornea is re-shaped, and adheres naturally after closing. However, if the flap is either not cut correctly, or cut too thin or thick, it may not adhere correctly or smoothly, but instead may wrinkle. Other causes of flap wrinkles include the patient shutting the eye tightly within the first day after surgery. Overall, though, this is a very rare complication, occurring in less than 1 percent of all cases; if there are no additional problems occurring as a result of this wrinkle then this condition is fixed in almost all cases through re-treatment and surgery. However, there are a number of additional problems which may result from a flap wrinkle or irregular flap that require additional types of treatment:

1. Keratoconus - this is a condition which results from a flap that is cut too deeply or when too much tissue is removed form the cornea during LASIK, resulting in a bulging of the eye's surface and a distortion of the patient's vision. Unfortunately, these conditions can not be treated with additional laser enhancement, and rigid contact lenses or implants may be necessary to hold stabilize the cornea.

2. Irregular Astigmatism - this can result from the bumps resulting from a flap wrinkle and the irregular corneal surface it creates. This condition is characterized by double vision, otherwise known as diplopia, and is treated with additional laser surgery.

3. Central corneal islands - this is a condition which results from corneal tissue that is not removed uniformly, resulting in tiny bumps of corneal tissue on the cornea surface. Although this complication usually heals itself within a few months, additional enhancements or contact lenses may be needed to smooth the cornea surface.

4. Halos and starbursts - these affect the patient's night vision since they occur at night when looking at bright lights, and are characterized by blurred images with circles radiating from the center; if untreated they may prevent the patient from driving at night. Although they often heal themselves within two months, glasses or additional surgery may sometimes be required to correct these.

5. Visual Regression - this condition is characterized by visual dimness and loss of visual clarity, and typically heals itself within the first three months of surgery.

Diffuse Lamellar Keratosis

This condition results from any cellular debris which may have been loosened from the LASIK surgical procedure and become embedded underneath the corneal flap, creating inflammation underneath the flap as the cornea reacts to the presence of this foreign debris. Scarring may occur in rare instances, resulting in permanent vision loss if not treated immediately with antibiotics; this condition may also need to be treated with additional surgery to lift the flap and remove the inflamed cells.

Infection/Inflammation

Any surgical orocedure contains the risk of infection and resulting inflammation, and LASIK surgery is no exception. Antibiotic eyedrops are routinely prescribed after all LASIK eye surgeries to prevent infection, and these kill most bacteria which may have entered the system through surgery. If the patient's infection does not respond to antibiotic eyedrops then anti-inflammatory medications such as steroids may be prescribed as well.

Epithelial ingrowth

This is among the rarest of all LASIK risks occurring during surgery, occurring when the corneal epithelium cells begin to multiply uncontrollably underneath the corneal flap to the point where they alter or affect the vision; this is treated with surgery that removes the ingrown cells under the corneal flap. This complication occurs in less than 1 percent of all LASIK surgeries.

In 2006, a study was done that concluded that contact wearers are at a greater risk for infection than individuals who have had Lasik eye surgery. In the past 10 years, over 3 million people have experienced the benefits of Lasik with nearly perfect results. Would you like to be one of them? Lasik risks are small, todays technology has proven to be successful for thousands of people every year. Find out today what Lasik eye surgery could do for you: http://OnlineLasikInfo.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Becki_Andrus

Expectations For Lasik Surgery Recovery

In the world we live in perfection comes in many forms, but when it comes to the human anatomy some perfection comes naturally, other perfection must be obtained. Vision is no exception to that rule and with today's advancement in vision technology and the surgeries that have been perfected from those advancements just about everyone can now throw away their glasses and contacts. Such is the beauty of Lasik surgery.

Once the decision has been made to commit to this type of procedure many wonder what to expect after the surgery is complete. Will they be able to see immediately? How long does it take to heal? How long do the results last? Are there complications? If so, what kind and how are they treated? As with any kind of surgery there is the possibility of post-op problems but in the case of Lasik surgery these types of incidents are rare for the majority of patients. Immediately after surgery the patient should note improvement in eyesight. Hazy vision may be experienced for several days after the surgery. Complete stabilization of the eyes normally occurs between 4 and 6 weeks post-op, sometimes longer, but normal activities can be resumed one or two days after surgery in most cases. About 1% of patients experience dry eyes but these patients are also the ones who experienced this problem before surgery. Night blindness and seeing halos around lights when driving at night can happen immediately after surgery but resolve within a few months for 99% of the patients receiving Lasik surgery. Eyes are covered for the first day after surgery to make sure no foreign objects can enter the eye. Pain is rarely a problem but watering of the eyes and a mild burning or gritty sensation may be experienced for 2 to 12 hours after surgery. The best resolution for this is to rest in a dark room or take a nap soon after surgery is complete. Patients are given guards to wear at night to keep them from rubbing their eyes. There is always the risk of developing and eye infection so eye drops are administered for about four days to control inflammation and help to avoid infection.

How long this procedure will last varies from patient to patient. Whether or not a patient will still need glasses as an assist after surgery depends on the individual circumstances also. Older patients may need glasses just to read up close or glasses may be needed for driving at night. There is no way to determine what may need to be done, if anything, until after the surgery is complete and eyes have had time to stabilize. Eyes continue to age normally and the prescription can change slightly from one year to the next, in which case glasses may be required or there is always the option of corrective enhancement surgeries. Comparing the risks to the benefits, what is to be expected after Lasik surgery is better vision and the benefits of that far out weigh any risks that might arise. Work closely with your surgeon, discuss your concerns and follow his directions concerning post operative care. These small details will help to insure that your outcome will be the very best it can be and so will your eyesight.

If you are interested in Lasik surgery or would like more information, please try San Jose Lasik.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sara_Spencer

The Numerous Lasers Utilized in Lasik Eye Surgery

Lasik eye surgery is a special medical procedure that works to correct different visual problems that people might be dealing with. If done properly the patient will no longer have to wear glasses or contacts. There are other types of lasers that the operating surgeon may utilize that depend on the visual problems that the patient has. These lasers are; Lasik, Lasek, PRK, ALK, and LTK.

Lasik

Lasik is apparently the more common type of laser that is used and is the reason why many people when referring to this surgery use its name. This is actually a nickname that stands for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis. This type is used by the operating surgeon to remove a portion of the corneal tissue. This in turn will aid to remold the cornea and better eye problems from astigmatism, hyperopia, and myopia.

Lasek

This type of laser stands for laser epithelial keratomileusis. This process is similar to that of Lasik except that the operating surgeon will take off a much smaller piece of the cornea. This is utilised for individuals who have highly thin corneas and do not have the power to use the Lasik procedure. That is because this procedure does not have as much risk and is less invasive.

PRK

This used to be the standard procedure that was used before Lasik. But over the numerous years it has been replaced due to the advantageous effects from Lasik surgery. People that have little to medium refractive errors will ordinarily prefer the PRK. During this procedure the physician will polish off a small level of the cornea and will not replace it. Instead the cornea will mend itself after a certain amount of time. People who choose this procedure will discover the beneficial outcomes over the course of a few months as the cornea heals.

ALK

Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty is often times employed when addressing mild forms of farsightedness and advanced forms of nearsightedness. The surgeon will snip the flap of the cornea and utilise a microkeratome to eliminate any material below the flap. This procedure is rather short.

LTK

Laser thermakeratoplasty is one of the newest operations that is being employed to treat astigmatism and farsightedness. The heat that comes from the laser beam will reduce and reshape the cornea instead of taking away anything. This helps the patient to heal much quicker than normal and is less invasive. Unfortunately the solutions from this process do not last as long.

It is best to find out the most Lasik Surgery Information that you can about the different Lasik Eye Surgery Types.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Naomi_West

LASIK Laser Eye Surgery Basics

"Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis" or LASIK in short, either way sounds frightening and rather like a way of ancient torture than a highly specialised laser eye surgery. The clear covers in front of your eyes are called the cornea and LASIK or laser eye surgery is used to serve as a solution to transform the profile of the cornea. Simple impaired vision conditions are mainly caused by the irregular shape or profile of the cornea.

Astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness are all corrected by either set the irregular shape of the cornea to the appropriate appearance or to decrease or increase the curve of the cornea.

A particular excimer laser is used to perform the delicate surgery. One of two incision methods can be used, either a microkeratome blade or a femtosecond laser. However, a four-sided figure incision is made with one side left in tact in order to flip it over to expose the centre of the cornea, the stroma. With the stroma exposed, the modification to the cornea can be performed where a technologically advanced laser beam performs the remedial actions. On completion the incision flap is restore to the initial spot.

A Spanish ophthalmologist by the name of Jose Barraquer from Colombia exploited this significant method of surgery in 1950. He developed the preliminary process of micro-keratome in order to bring about microscopic slits on to the cornea in order to alter the contours, a process that is identified as keratomileusis.

LASIK or laser eye surgery of whichever nature can make an overwhelming change to the quality of life you are living. It has the ability to change your life for the better or for the worst, depending on the LASIK surgeon you appoint. It is imperative that the surgeon performing the surgery is lauded for his work.

After choosing the LASIK surgeon you want to make use of, a thorough assessment will be done in order to determine the exact location and amount of surgical correction needed. Procedures like custom LASIK can be expensive yet effective for particular cases.

The numbers of negative factors regarding LASIK laser eye surgery are far less than the positive aspects. As can be expected typical tenderness will be experienced for about 48 hours after the surgery. Apart from that, haloed vision, dry eyes and blurriness can come forward, but is extremely unusual. Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis surgery is regrettably to a certain extent costly, $2000 to $2500 per eye. However, if one take the price of proper clear sight into account, it is worth the expense.

The positive factors are ample and a brief overview of the main advantages comprise of the effectiveness and success thereof. After LASIK surgery, the improvement of sight is almost instant but can take up to 24 hours thereafter and more than 80% of patients' eyesight reverts to their customary vision. Patients recover fast from LASIK surgery and no stitches or bandages are involved. However, plenty of rest and sleep is recommended in the first 24 hours. In addition, apart from the fact that the whole procedure is almost painless, the best part of it all is that you can put away your previously used corrective eyewear.

Going with laser eye surgery is a great way to eliminate your need for contact lenses or glasses. New advancements in technology like custom LASIK have made LASIK procedure more successful than ever.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Rodriguez

Lasik Operation - A Boon to Mankind

Discomfort, ailment, deformities of people are challenging modern technologists and the old proverb 'invention is the mother of necessities' proves it authenticity. Few men accepting the challenge and total mankind is being benefited. One good example is vision correction operation. If done by a skilled surgeon it is better vision for you -guaranteed.

First to know the basic of eye sight. A perfect vision is a result of perfect positioning of retina and eye lens. Lens converges light, reflecting from an object, on a proper spot on cornea. What the operation does is it corrects the retinal shape. Reshaping the cornea brings the points where convergent light makes a perfect vision. Total system is computerized and laser bean here replaces scalpel and scissors. This procedure if done by a skilled doctor is simple and straight forward. IT takes very short time and patient doesn't needs to stay at hospital and even bandage is not necessary.

After surgery a few day staying at home and wearing a black glass is all a patient needs besides doctor's specific prescription which patient specific. In the point of view of risk factor all surgery has its definitive risk factors. In this case most confronted problem is slight eye irritation. If other worse symptoms arise the patient should consult his doctor immediately. Some time very high power can't be rectified 100%, another operation may be requires later to gain perfect vision. Simple laser eye surgery is a boon to people with vision problems to enjoy better eye sight that means better quality of life.

Author loves writing articles about current development of applied technology in the field of medical science. He writes informative articles for laymen without using technical parlances. His blog- freedom-from-glasses.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_M_M