Lasek Eye Surgery

In previous articles, I have written about the advantages of Lasik over other forms of eye surgery. But as with everything else in the field of medicine, there are some disadvantages as well. Here are the top four disadvantages of Lasik surgery:

Lasek Eye Surgery

1. Repeat Surgeries

This could be viewed as both a pro and a con to having Lasik. This type of eye surgery doesn’t always produce the optimum level of vision correction on the first attempt. So additional follow-up procedures may be necessary to further improve the patient’s vision. That’s the down side. The up side is the very fact that patients may undergo repeat treatments for even better vision. Of course, with each additional procedure, there is an extra medical bill as well.

2. A Lot of Aftercare

After a Lasik procedure, a patient will have to follow a regimen of medicine usage, as well as close monitoring by the eye surgeon. In some cases, this aftercare process can go on for several months. While this post-Lasik treatment can certainly be inconvenient, most patients view it as a small price to pay for better vision.

3. Potential Halos and Glares

In some cases, patients of Lasik surgery experience glare or halos around objects, especially at night and in the days immediately following your procedure. The most common reason for this is a corneal flap that did not adhere correctly after it was replaced by the surgeon. In most cases, halos and glares will subside within the first month after surgery. In other cases, additional treatment is needed to correct the problem.

4. Not Always Covered by Insurance

Insurance companies are seemingly random when it comes to Lasik eye surgery. For everyone company that covers the procedure, there’s another company that does not. Some insurance providers consider Lasik to be an elective surgery that is not necessary (since the vision problem can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses). If the provider does not cover the surgery, then the patient must either pay out of pocket or switch insurance companies altogether.

All surgeries have their pros and cons, and Lasik eye surgery is no different. If you are considering this type of procedure, there are several key actions you should take. Educate yourself about the process, ask your surgeon plenty of questions, talks to your insurance company about coverage and, ultimately, make a well-informed decision.

Top 4 Disadvantages of Lasik Eye Surgery

If you are a wearer of glasses or contact lenses then you have probably looked into the possibility of getting LASIK eye surgery performed. This surgery has become increasingly popular as the costs associated with it have come down and the number of doctors performing it has gone up. While you are looking into have the procedure done, be sure to check out the complications that can arise from this, mostly uncomplicated, surgery.

Lasek Eye Surgery

1- The most obvious danger with any surgery that is being performed on your eyes is the loss of sight. This is also true with LASIK eye surgery, although it is not a very common consequence. A more common issue with this procedure is actually the partial loss of vision. This includes losing bands of sight on the reading chart, if this happens the use of glasses or contacts will not be able to correct the situation.

2- There are a fair amount of people that complain of distorted vision as a result of the LASIK procedure being performed. These complications include seeing halos around objects, blurred vision, and an increased difficulty seeing in adverse conditions such as nighttime or foggy weather. This is because of the diminishing contrasts in colors in these types of situations.

3- Another common complication that can arise from the LASIK surgery is the condition known as dry eye. This is when the eye does not produce enough tears to keep the eye moist. There are people that have this issue without ever having LASIK surgery; however, there is a very high incident rate among recent patients after the surgery. Most people do experience some relief from dry eye after about a month or so into the healing process. However, for most patients, the symptoms do not disappear entirely.

4- It is important to note that if any of these complications do arise because of your decision to get the LASIK surgery done on your eyes, that corrective eyewear will no longer be an effective solution to your vision dilemmas. Be sure to consider this when researching the surgery.

5- Talk to your surgeon about all of the risks that are associated with the LASIK surgery. You will need to weigh them against the potential gains in your self-esteem and even perhaps the future savings of not having to purchase glasses or contact lenses. Your doctor will be happy to talk to you about these potential problems and let you know how you can help to avoid having them happen to you.

5 Complications Associated with LASIK Surgery

In the vast majority of cases, recovery from LASIK eye surgery is quick and uneventful. However, as with most all medical procedures, there are certain risks, but if you take the recommended precautions, you’ll have little to worry about.

Lasek Eye Surgery

One of the most important aspects in promoting the healing process is to avoid dry eyes. Dry eyes can act like an abrasive to the cornea and invite infection. You’ll want to use artificial tear drops on a regular basis during healing, especially if you sense dryness. An additional unwanted side effect of dryness is the increased tendency to want to rub your eyes.

Rubbing, particularly during the first week or two should be strictly avoided. Rubbing can scratch the cornea or even worse – it can cause the corneal flap to become detached, requiring medical assistance for correction.

During the first four hours after LASIK eye surgery, your doctor will prescribe certain medications to be applied frequently, usually at 15 minute intervals. These medications will usually consist of steroids to promote healing and antibiotics to prevent infection. Be sure to adhere to the prescribed regimen of applying these medications.

You may want to limit reading, watching television or working at the computer for the first couple of days after LASIK eye surgery. Even though you’ll notice a marked improvement in your vision, you may be subject to headaches if you overdo things during the early stages of your recovery.

Avoid any dusty areas or anywhere that has particulate matter in the air. For example, don’t mow the lawn, as the mower can still up grass clippings or other debris that can enter your eyes and cause complications. Also be aware that pet hair can sometimes float in the air and get in your eyes, even if you don’t notice the intrusion.

Be careful when showering so that you don’t allow the stream of water to hit your eyes. Also, don’t allow soap or shampoo to enter your eyes. Avoid steam rooms and swimming pools during the healing process. It’s also a good idea to forego any strenuous exercise or sports activities. It’s important that you protect your eyes from any undue pressure and don’t let any foreign objects come into contact with your eyes.

During the healing process, you may notice that your eyes are very sensitive to bright light, so be sure to wear sunglasses if you go outdoors.

Complications during recovery from LASIK eye surgery are rare, but they do occur. If you notice anything questionable during your recovery period, be sure to consult with your doctor immediately.

LASIK Eye Surgery Recovery Issues

When interested and potential patients inquire about refractive eye surgery, they ask: How does laser eye surgery work? How does LASIK work? For LASIK has become synonymous with laser eye surgery.

Lasek Eye Surgery

Some facts about LASIK are needed before one can get to the answers of: how does laser eye surgery work?

LASIK stands for Laser In-situ Keratomileusis and FDA has approved this surgical technique since 1998. Eye surgeons normally prescribe this laser eye surgery procedure for persons who have nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism and who have thick corneas.

The preliminary step begins with the eye surgeon administering tests to check your suitability for LASIK. If you have dry eye syndrome, diseases like glaucoma, cataract or diabetes, you will be strongly advised not to undergo the treatment. Reputable clinics report that at least 50% of those who come in for an initial consultation are rejected.

So how does LASIK? How does laser eye surgery work?

First phase of the operation

To begin, you are positioned on a reclined chair, and a numbing drop of solution placed in your eye. Afterwards the cornea is cleaned of floating foreign matter, and then instrument called a lid speculum is put over your eyes to keep the eyelids open. The ring is place right on the eyeball. Suction is then applied around your cornea. You’ll experience blurring and dimming of your vision. Then the surgeon uses a microkeratome (surgical knife) to create a thin, circular flap in the cornea.

Second phase

Afterwards, the microkeratome and ring are removed. The doctor then asks you to stare at the light. This is to get your eye stay focused on a fixed object, so that the doctor can proceed to the final phase of the operation.

Third phase

The pre-programmed laser then cuts corneal tissue, thereby reshaping it. After the cornea has been reshaped, the flap is replaced back with a preventative shield is placed over your eyes to protect them from irritants.

The actual operation would have taken you less than a minute, with improved vision apparent in 24 hours.

Post operative care is as important as the operation itself. So don’t drive for a few weeks. Don’t do contact sports. Go for the post operative check ups the eye surgeon has scheduled with you.

Follow the do’s and don’ts faithfully, so you’ll be able to answer the question: How does a safe laser eye surgery work? With a bright smile and clear vision.

LASIK – How Does This Laser Eye Surgery Work?

LASIK eye surgery is utilised to handle people who have vision problems. The operation – also known as situ keratomileusis – utilises a laser to make its way underneath the flap of the cornea to help remold the cornea itself. When done the right way LASIK eye surgery will be efficient to repair certain vision problems that makes some people to put on contacts or glasses.

Lasek Eye Surgery

All The Same, like with any medical procedures there are particular pros and cons to deliberate. Many health experts do think that LASIK is a very good process and the majority of patients are pleased with the effects from it. Still, there are gambles involved that people should be made aware of. These risks should be weighed before you make you concluding decision to go through with the operation.

Under Eye Corrections

Betting on how advanced your vision problem is and how well the surgery is didst will determine whether or not one operation is adequate to adjust the trouble. While the majority of people see instant results after only just one operation there are others who are determined to do two in order to mend the problem and see any effects. This second operation will be utilized to focalize the vision and is most commonly for people with truly profound prescriptions. In order to implement the second surgery the patient must hold a few months after the first one to permit the eyes to heal and adjust.

Still Need Contacts And Glasses

It is very rare that individuals will have to wear glasses or contacts even after the operation – but it can happen. This will count on whether or not you have various vision problems and which one you are rectifying. It is best to talk to your doctor about this possibility.

Non Permanent Results

This is also very rare. There are some patients who will have their vision troubles come back after several years since the surgery was performed. Having this problem is more common in people who are older and whose vision is passing due to old age. It is possible to have another LASIK eye surgery to repair the troubles over again.

Visual Aberrations

Visual aberrations are specified visual effects that can occur during the reduction of visual quality and LASIK surgery. The most popular of these is anisometropia – the difference in the refractive power between both eyes, aniseikonia – the difference in the size of the image that is between both eyes, hazy vision, double vision, and the fluctuation of vision during the day time. These troubles are rare and may never go away.

Dry Eye

Several people will have symptoms of dry eye after the surgery. These symptoms may get worse and lead to inflammation, burning, and a reduction in vision after the surgery. The majority of the time this is a enduring condition – but there are medicines that can help you to produce tears.

Loss Of Vision

One of the worst LASIK eye surgery risks can induce such horrible vision problems that glasses and contacts cannot help to improve it. This could be caused by scarring, malfunctioning equipment, infection, or extreme corneal shape alterations.

LASIK Eye Surgery Dangers

A Lasik eye surgery can be used to improve one’s vision and also enhance the shape of the cornea. This procedure will have different price points because of number variables. Research studies indicate that the Lasik surgery cost seems to have decreased during the past year. As a result of technology advancements, the results arrived at in this particular eye surgery price have been outstanding when it comes to results and also in terms of time.

Lasek Eye Surgery

If you are planning to do this procedure you should know the most inexpensive eye operation could start from about three hundred dollars. Keep in mind that this is what is known as a discount Lasik. Whenever you are examining the different price options it is very important to carefully read the fine print details. More often than not, most patients will not be eligible to get a discount Lasik. Furthermore, the patients who meet the requirements will also need to continue with follow-up sessions, prescriptions and various other treatments following the surgery which are at times not incorporated in the cost.

The average cost for this surgery is about 70 – 57 for each eye. But, the actual cost is determined by the laser technology which is selected, as well as the surgical equipments used to make the corneal flap. Additional factors for instance the pre-op and the post-op examinations, medicines, and re-treatments, in addition to whether or not they are incorporated in the price will also ascertain the overall operation cost.

You will discover insurance companies which offer a discounted price or policy to their workforce that can counterbalance the Lasik eye surgery cost, helping to make it less expensive for individuals who want to get this procedure. Whenever you are deciding on a surgery, being informed will help you to understand what to expect and also know about the different Lasik options to include in the quoted price.

Need To Correct Your Vision – What Is The Lasik Eye Surgery Cost?

What are these black spots in my vision?

Lasek Eye Surgery

Black spots in the vision and line of sight are pretty common and whilst it isn’t something that you should worry about, it is certainly worth taking the time to understand what is happening and why you are experiencing the symptom.

The black spots are actually more commonly referred to as floaters and have the tendency to float around in and out of the field of vision. Sufferers can get this in one eye or both and it is especially noticeable in areas of bright sunshine or lightly colored frames. The shape and shade of the so-called floaters are subjective – they have been described as fine lines, ovals of varying sizes and even spiders. They are indeed believed to be dead cells (including red and white blood cells) and fine aggregates (lumps) of vitreous protein that are opaque enough to throw a shadow on the retina.

Behavior and What they look like

Floaters can be particularly annoying especially those that occur frequently, easily noticeable and in the line of sight. In most instances, despite being an annoyance, they are usually innocuous however you should pay particular attention to floaters that appear very abruptly and are very noticeable as these may be signs of some kind of hemorrhage into the vitreous body and retinal break. If this occurs then you should definitely book an appointment with your local GP and it’s likely that you’ll be referred straight to an eye specialist.

How to remove these floaters

There is a surgical procedure that is designed to remove the debris from the vitreous body in your eye – it’s called a “vitrectomy”. This is a fairly invasive surgery, often expensive and requires significant recovery time. It’s only really an option of the floaters are considered as a real annoyance or at the point of becoming a disability.

Natural remedies involve the supplementation of Lutein (a green pigment found in leafy green vegetables such as kale, collard greens and spinach) and Taurine which helps to regenerate tissues in the retina. The recommended doses are 6 mg and 180 mg respectively. Alternative ophthalmologists also recommend antioxidants – whilst there is firm evidence that antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, selenium and zinc can help stop the formation of free radicals (which can cause oxidative damage – kind of like internal rusting) there is no direct evidence linking antioxidants to the removal of “floaters” from the vision.

Finally, eye exercises can help to remove and reduce the severity of black spots. Exercises for relaxation and to strengthen the muscles attached to the lens have been shown to improve overall eyesight performance including floater reduction.

A Black Spot in Vision – What You Should Know

The incidence of lasik eye surgery risk will come down to two factors. Firstly, it will depend on you and how truthful you are during the pre-surgery stage and secondly, the skill of the surgeon you select.

Lasek Eye Surgery

Let’s take a look at the first reason and expand a little on it. When we say it comes down to you and how truthful you are remember, some conditions can be predetermined during the initial examination phase but if there’s anything you’re aware of and you don’t tell your doctor about, then you will be putting yourself at risk.

Avoiding lasik eye surgery risk starts with you and the very first moment you meet your surgeon. This pre-screening phase is so vital to the overall outcome of your lasik surgery it cannot be understated.

Resist the temptation to keep any health conditions you have to yourself. Lay everything out on the table and let the surgeon make the assessment about whether you’re a good candidate for lasik.

Choosing A Skilled Lasik Surgeon

Many people are “blinded” by smart marketing and are dazzled by some of the cheap lasik prices being advertised. Remember, these prices are similar to any major advertising campaign and designed to get you “into the shop.”

Truth is, very few people qualify for the prices being advertised. It’s a case of reading the fine print. The skill of your surgeon matters greatly.

There are two reasons why:

- Obviously the skill of a surgeon is crucial during the operative stage and

- A skilled, experienced and reputable surgeon will always put you first before dollars and cents.

In other words, it’s almost as if you have to earn your lasik surgery. A reputable surgeon will make sure you’re properly and expertly screened to determine if you are a good candidate.

Even if you are not, you could still qualify for other forms of eye surgery and this will be explained to you during the pre-screening phase.

Cutting down the incidence of lasik eye surgery starts with you. If you hide anything which could threaten the success of the surgery, then it doesn’t matter how good a surgeon is, the risk of complication will be high.

Lasik Risk – How To Avoid Lasik Eye Surgery Risk

Deciding on Lasik eye surgery is a big decision for many people and given the overall success rate of this procedure, it’s one which has many benefits to the patient.

Lasek Eye Surgery

However, if you are still “stuck in two minds” about Lasik eye surgery, then this article will highlight some things you need to know before taking that first step into the surgeon’s consultation room.

Asking questions should be your main priority when coming face-to-face with a Lasik eye surgery specialist. This will give you greater peace of mind and will help the surgeon understand your needs and fears better.

Your aim is to create enough confidence in the people you’ll be dealing with and you need to be rest assured that they will take this confidence seriously.

4 Lasik Related Questions You Should Ask

1. You need to establish cost factors. It’s expensive and unless you know what you’re paying and who gets paid for what then you could be setting yourself up for a nasty shock when the bill is presented to you.

2. Ask whether the surgeon will be performing any follow up after the procedure. There are two reasons for this a) more work could be required and b) who fits the bill for the follow up treatment.

3. Be clear on the laser treatment you’re receiving. Believe it or not, you could be charged a tidy sum for technology considered to be outdated. Ask whether the tecnology being used is the latest and whether the surgeon performing your treatment is proficient at using it.

4. Your age is very important. If you are under 40 you need to ask whether the lasik eye surgery treatment you receive will carry you through your forties and fifties. You need to take into account your vision will continue to deteriorate as you get older.

It’s only natural and the most notable difference will be in your ability to read text. So, get options if you’re under 40 because you don’t want to be forking out thousands of dollars again for more Lasik in 5-10 years time.

Lasik Eye Surgery – 4 Things You Should Know Before Lasik Surgery

Many people don’t fully understand the details of LASIK eye surgery, even those who are undergoing or about to undergo the procedure. Don’t be someone who waits until afterwards to discover the things you should have known beforehand. Be an informed consumer, especially with something as important as your vision.

Lasek Eye Surgery

The following are the pros and cons behind two of the most common misconceptions about LASIK.

1. “After the procedure, I’ll never need glasses or contacts again!”

Depending on your age at the time of the procedure and the issues with your vision that you’re trying to correct, you may or may not continue to need glasses or contacts, either immediately after surgery or possibly later on, as you age.

This is not to say that the procedure can’t be both effective and life-changing. It can be, and it generally is. The vast majority of patients who undergo the procedure report significant improvement in their vision.

It allows them to drive without glasses within days of their surgery. A small percentage require “enhancement” surgery, which is a second procedure, conducted to fix any over- or under-correction of your vision resulting from the first procedure.

Also, many people, as they age (generally between the ages of 40 and 50), develop poor vision for reading (called presbyopia). If you had LASIK surgery prior to developing presbyopia, you could still need reading glasses as you get older. Presbyopia is sometimes treated with Monovision LASIK, which corrects one eye for distance vision and the other eye for close vision.

However, even patients with Monovision are counseled to keep glasses on hand for those times when perfect distance or close vision or good depth perception (which requires both eyes) is necessary.

For most people, eye surgery reduces their use of glasses to only very specific situations and specialty vision needs, but it doesn’t remove the need for corrective lenses all together.

2. “LASIK wouldn’t be so common if it were risky.”

LASIK is surgery, and all surgeries come with certain risks. More than one million people had the procedure in the United States in 2006, and less than 1% of those patients experienced significant complications. This means that statistically, your chances of having an experience without significant complications are very, very good.

However, given that this is surgery on your eyes, and your eyes play a vital role in your everyday life, the risks are something you want to be aware of and take into consideration when deciding what’s right for you.

Possible complications range from minor (and temporary) increases in dry eye symptoms, to visually debilitating and permanent dry eye symptoms. A small percentage of patients lose vision at specific distances, which cannot be fixed with any kind of corrective lenses or follow-up surgery. Another small percentage of patients develop glare, halos, or double vision. For some, these problems are permanent, and Unfortunately, they’re especially noticeable in challenging visual situations, such as at night or in fog.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, LASIK eye surgery is safe and effective for most corrections. (The worse your vision is prior to surgery, the less likely that this surgery is right for you.) Many ophthalmologists believe that the risks of long-term contact lens use may exceed the risk of LASIK, although the fact that the surgery has been around for less than 2 decades means that the long-term effects can not yet be known.

Conclusion

In general, the thing to keep in mind is that almost all LASIK patients end up with improved vision and good results. However, those who experience complications tend to be VERY unhappy (and vocal) about it, because our vision and our eyes play a central role in our lives. You don’t get your money back (generally) whether your vision is better or worse after surgery.

You shouldn’t let a vocal unhappy minority convince you that LASIK eye surgery is terrible, any more than you should let slick marketing campaigns convince you that it’s risk-free. Carefully discuss the visual situations you hope to correct, your various expectations, and all potential risks and complications with your surgeon in a consultation prior to surgery. And, as with any major medical procedure, it’s wise to get a second opinion.

LASIK Eye Surgery – The Truth Behind the Misconceptions