Cost Of Lasik Surgery: You Get What You Pay For

Lasik surgery is the preferred vision correction surgery these days, despite its high cost. The procedure has grown in popularity since the 1980s and is used to improve eyesight in those suffering from vision problems like myopia, presbyopia and astigmatism. In English, that means far or near sightedness and general decrease in visual acuity brought on by age. At any rate, Lasik surgery is fast, relatively painless and can be done on an outpatient basis. No hospital stays, no delayed recuperation and best of all, no knives that actually cut deep into the surface of the eye.

That doesn't mean that just any doctor can perform Lasik eye surgery however, so make sure you find someone well trained and experienced in this method of surgery before deciding on the one who will be working on your vision. The only drawback to Lasik eye surgery is the prohibitive cost. In most cases, the cost of Lasik surgery can range from $1,000 to $2,500 an eye, depending on your particular vision problems.

Sometimes, we all see ads in magazines and newspapers that advertise a much lower price for the procedure, but such a price is offered for those with the most minor vision problems. Also keep in mind that you get what you pay for. While it's nice to save money on things, you might want to leave that to retail sales, automobiles and things like that. Your eyes are priceless, and you want only the best when it comes to eye surgery. That doesn't mean that the most expensive procedure is the way to go, however. Some doctors just charge more than they should, but that price doesn't mean that they're better than the next guy. Always check with your local medical association for reports on malpractice and complaints filed against any particular doctor or surgeon before you choose them to perform your surgery.

Unfortunately, most vision insurance companies in the United States don't offer coverage or reimbursement on Lasik eye correction surgery, as they still are of the opinion that Lasik is an elective procedure. They feel that eyeglasses and contact lenses will provide the same results, so why pay for Lasik? Perhaps, with pressure, they will eventually change their minds, but for now, very few vision insurance providers pay for it. Another option to confront the cost of Lasik surgery may be to save up for it in a separate savings account. If both eyes need to be done, figure saving at least $5,000 to be on the safe side.

Why does Lasik cost so much? Basically, you're paying for the technology that allows surgeons to correct vision without damaging eye tissues with traditional operating tools. The Lasik procedure is completed with the use of a laser light that is able to adjust the curvature of the cornea to better refract light rays for optimal vision acuity. At any rate, talk to the provider of Lasik surgeries in your area to see if they will agree to payment plans. Most of them will. Eyesight is a gift that many of us take for granted, and no one should have to suffer when the procedure is available.

About the Author:

Is the cost of lasik surgery stopping you from having your vision corrected permanently? Find out more at http://LasikRevealed.com .

Cost Of Lasik Surgery

You may be asking yourself, "can I afford Lasik?" When you are looking into Lasik eye surgery there are many factors you need to consider. The price of vision correction surgery is something that everyone needs to think about. This cost is something that varies depending on your location and the doctors and services that you choose.

Insurance is something that does not, in general, cover laser eye surgery. It has not yet been added to most insurance plans, but most certainly will be one day in the near future. Laser eye surgery is growing in popularity. This will force insurance companies to add laser vision correction surgery to their plans.

This type of laser surgery can be expensive, but what you need to put into perspective is the quality of results that you'll see once the surgery is completed. If your vision is important to you, then the price of the surgery should not be something that is as important.

There are many determining factors of the price of your laser eye surgery, including:

* Your insurance policy
* The doctor you choose
* The country in which you live
* The length of the procedure

Once you have all of these factors into account, you can estimate the amount of money it will cost you to engage in this surgery. Laser surgery incorporates the most advanced forms of surgical technology in the world today; It's a surgery that is like no other. One simple surgery can correct your vision. This is an opportunity that couldn't have even been dreamed of 20 years ago, but is now available to you.

You can discover the amount your laser surgery will cost simply by visiting your local doctor. They can give you an estimate. There is no one specific price for vision correction surgery, but if you use the details in this article, you will have a better idea regarding the amount you will have to pay for this investment.

About the Author:

David Williams contributes to several web magazines, on health information and wellness and health topics.

Clear Natural Vision Is Just One Of The Possible Benefits Of Lasik Eye Surgery

There are several LASIK benefits, which can be easily realized by going in for an experienced eye surgeon. It is necessary that you weigh the pros and cons before going in for an eye surgery. And much to your relief, as far as LASIK is concerned, the benefits far outweigh whatever minimal risk is involved. LASIK is by far the most preferred procedure when it comes to eye corrective surgery. LASIK benefits typically include:

- Clear natural vision
- Need for glasses or contact lenses is eliminated
- It simply widens the horizon for recreational opportunities
- Quality of vision is better than that with glasses or contact lenses
- Greater self-confidence
- More career opportunities
- Enhanced natural appearance – in many cases
- No risk of infection or inflammation generally associated with contact lens overuse

The above are only a few major positives that come out of the LASIK procedure. LASIK has superlative scientific technology at its disposal. High-precision lasers, computer-controlled tracking devices, all enable the surgeon to perform the operation with ease and finesse. Furthermore, complication rates of a meager 1% to 5% strengthen the belief that LASIK is a completely safe procedure.

LASIK does not require the removal of the corneal surface tissue, and this substantially reduces the post-operative pain. In general, the visual acuity is restored within a day or two. Other procedures like PRK may require a week or so for sharpness of vision to be restored. LASIK surgery also possesses a greater stability. That is, the corrected vision lasts permanently, provided a complication does not arise during the procedure. Moreover, most patients are able to pass the driver’s license test without the aid of glasses or contact lenses.

If you are in quest for a corrective eye surgery, LASIK is sure to satisfy your needs. All you need to do is look for an eye surgeon who is highly skillful and qualified.

About the Author:

Nicola Kennedy publishes articles and reports and provides news, information and views about the benefits of LASIK eye surgery at Your Lasik Information. http://www.Your-LASIK.info Copyright http://Your-LASIK.info All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

Choosing A Lasik Surgeon

You're tired of bad eyesight. You've decided to have Lasik. What's next? After you've decided to undergo Lasik corrective eye surgery, you'll need to think about finding a reputable Lasik surgeon. There are several ways to go about locating and choosing the best Lasik surgeon for you.

The first place to look when choosing your Lasik surgeon is the Lasik website, at http://www.lasikinstitute.org. When you visit the Lasik website you will find tools that make it easy to locate Lasik surgeons in your area. Lasik makes this search as easy for you as possible by providing the list of surgeons and doing the research for you. Once you've located a list of the doctors in your area, it's time to narrow down your search. If you live in an area where there are no Lasik doctors available, you need to decide if this procedure is worth traveling to another city. Lasik, with all of its great benefits, may prove worth that effort. Keep in mind, however, that some people do suffer more pain, or interpret pain differently, than others. So you may not feel like travelling for several days after surgery. In that case, a clinic in your own town or city would be best for you.

Once you have narrowed down your list of Lasik surgeons, you need to look for one simple characteristic -- experience. Experience is the most important deciding factor to consider when choosing your Lasik surgeon. With plenty of experience and the proper technology at their disposal, a good surgeon develops a reputation fairly quickly. You will be able to choose the perfect Lasik surgeon for you by talking to former patients, reading opinions on web sites, and asking friends and coworkers for the "word on the street."

There are thousands of surgeons in the world today that are qualified to perform Lasik eye surgeries. You will have no trouble finding the best Lasik surgeon for you when you use a search engine on the Internet or visit the Lasik website listed above.

About the Author:

Barbara Smith is an author for several well-known online magazines, on wellness and health and healthy living tips subjects.

Can You Avoid Lasik Problems With Screening And Tests?

The complexity of the LASIK surgery procedure is often obscured by the office-like milieu of the surgery room, the fact that it takes only a scant few minutes to accomplish the procedure, and the fact that the patient experiences virtually no pain. But, LASIK is in fact a complex surgical procedure with associated complications and risks, and it is certainly not apt for everyone. In order to determine your suitability, and to avoid potential LASIK complications, the best way is to get screened and tested prior to undergoing surgery.

Before the surgery, the patient’s corneal surface is examined with a computer-controlled scanning device. A topographic map of the cornea is created to determine irregularities in the shape of the cornea and also help detect astigmatism. Such preoperative examination is crucial in determining whether the patient is a viable LASIK candidate or not. Comprehensive testing and screening is helpful in avoiding LASIK problems at a later stage, since an inappropriate subject can be ruled out at the outset.

Laser eye surgery has its inherent limits as to how much vision correction it can accomplish. Patients with gravely poor eyesight are not apt for LASIK surgery. The limits prescribed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule out those patients with more than -14 diopters of myopia, more than +6 diopters of hyperopia, or more than 6 diopters of astigmatism.

Another important consideration is that of the viable age for LASIK laser eye surgery. Since, the visual acuity constantly changes until the age of 18, eye surgeons prefer to operate patients who are well over 18 and whose prescription has completely stabilized. A simple refractive examination followed by a meticulous comparison with the patient’s early medical records would reveal whether the prescription has stabilized or not.

The eye surgeon should also carry out comprehensive tests of the eye anterior (front) and posterior (back). This is helpful in determining certain eye ailments that might rule out LASIK surgery as a treatment option. For instance, a posterior examination might identify eye diseases, such as ocular hypertension, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. All in all, prior screening and tests are valuable and rather indispensable in the sense that they determine the possible candidature of a patient for LASIK surgery.

Finding a LASIK surgery that you are confident of working with will ease your concerns about problems with LASIK eye surgery.

About the Author:

Nicola Kennedy publishes articles and reports and provides news, views and information about LASIK surgery problems at http://www.Your-LASIK.info. The LASIK Surgeons Directory http://www.find-lasik-surgeon.com is a useful resource. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

Can Everyone Have Lasik Surgery?

LASIK surgery is one of the most common vision correction procedures and it is an outpatient procedure, with the treatment itself taking only minutes. LASIK surgery is performed on approximately one million eyes every year in the world and it is no different than any other surgery, but its drawbacks may be a little different than others. Whatever some people might claim LASIK surgery have risks to it, but luckily they are few and far between.

Treatment with a Laser

Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is intended to eliminate or reduce dependency on eyeglasses or contacts. Laser eye surgery has become more and more popular as the decades progress but still Laser Eye Surgery is not for everyone. The surgery procedures like PRK and LASIK are excellent alternatives to glasses and contact lenses for patients suffering from myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.

A procedure like this can permanently reshape the cornea, which is the clear covering of the front of the eye with the help of a laser. Most patients do not report any problems after the laser surgery. There are a wide variety of different optical lasers used in this procedure but common for all of them is that the laser will remove some tissue from the cornea.

Who Should not Become LASIK Patients

Patients who have reached or are close to reaching the age of 40 should consider that their vision may be affected by conditions that cannot be treated with LASIK surgery, such as presbyopia. Patients with certain medical conditions or taking certain medications should not choose LASIK surgery because of the implication that it might give. If you’re pregnant or nursing you will fall out of the ideal candidate classification and better wait a little.

Patients stricken with a condition called keratoconus are ineligible for the procedure and so are patients who have high levels of refractive error. Both parties are at a slightly higher risk for post-surgical astigmatism.

Glasses

Glasses and contacts can be a hassle and especially for active people on the go. Glasses are often lost or broken and contacts can make eyes irritated if not taken care of properly. A LASIK eye surgery operation can correct your eyes once and for all and free you of glasses for life.

LASIK surgery is an extraordinary procedure that has helped thousands of people see better and is an exciting opportunity for anyone who suffers from vision problems. LASIK surgery is the preferred vision correction surgery these days, despite its high cost. This type of surgery is however generally not the best option for older patients suffering from age-related conditions. Often these conditions can’t be treated with the LASIK procedure.

About the Author:

Find out more about LASIK at www.mrieck.com

Boulder Lasik Vision Correction: After You’re Done

Throughout the area of Boulder, lasik vision correction centers are performing more and more lasik procedures on patients that want to improve their vision and ultimately not have to wear contact lenses or glasses any more. The rewards are many, but the road to recovery isn’t as quick and simple as you may think. You should learn what happens before you have a lasik procedure as well as what happens during it. But, success also comes from what happens after the surgery.

Right after you have had your lasik procedure, your doctor will cover the eye with an eye shield. It may burn and itch, but don’t scratch as this just means your doctor will need to readjust it. Eye drops may be given to you to help with these sensations. During those first hours, you may have blurry or hazy eye sight. You may also have trouble moving around. You will want to insure that you have help throughout this time.

You will need to come back to see your specialist within the first day or so after you have had the procedure. During this time, your doctor will examine your eye and test the quality of your vision. He may provide you with medication or eye drops. You’ll then need to come back several times throughout the next few months until you reach the level of being healed to the best possible point. It does take months for your eyes to reach their full potential!

Its important that during those first days that you refrain from doing anything that could put your eye at risk. You should also read thoroughly the instructions given to you in how to care for your eye by your doctor. You need to follow these instructions so that you can improve your eyes without cuasing infections for yourself. Throughout Boulder, lasik eye correction is successful because of the quality of care you can get both before and after you have the procedure.

About the Author:

For more observations about laser eye surgery from Frank, click the link.

Blade Versus Bladeless Lasik Eye Surgery: What Is The Difference?

Patients considering LASIK eye surgery may come across medical jargon, such as "blade" and "bladeless" LASIK. To a layman, such terms might appear overwhelming. However, as a patient you must know the difference between the two surgery types, and the rewards and risks associated with each.

Traditional LASIK makes use of a microkeratome to cut a thin hinged flap in the cornea. The flap is then folded back to reveal the stroma – the middle layer of the cornea. A high precision laser, called the excimer laser, is used to reshape the corneal surface so as to correct any refractive error. The flap is then repositioned to act as a natural bandage. Since the microkeratome used to create a flap is in fact a surgical blade, the procedure is also known as blade LASIK.

A more recent innovation, introduced in 1999, makes use of a high energy laser (IntraLase or femtosecond laser) to create a flap during surgery. As opposed to traditional LASIK, IntraLase does not employ a surgical blade, and hence the procedure is often marketed as "bladeless" or "all laser" LASIK. The term itself has raged a debate among eye surgeons, as to whether it should be used in IntraLase advertisements or not. Several surgeons assert that the term "bladeless" implies that traditional LASIK, which makes use of a surgical blade (microkeratome), is a scarier proposition, when in fact it’s not.

The creation of the flap is an important part of the laser eye surgery procedure. It’s true that flap predictability is better with a laser flap, that is, with bladeless LASIK. Moreover, there is a reduced possibility of flap complications, such as partial flaps, flap dislocation, free flaps etc. However, an expert surgeon wielding a contemporary microkeratome can very well match the finesse of bladeless LASIK. Although the chances are rare, there is an issue of transient light sensitivity as well – a unique risk associated with bladeless LASIK. Moreover, the bladeless LASIK procedure costs an extra $300 per eye, when compared with traditional LASIK.

All said and done, LASIK itself is one of the safest refractive surgery procedure. Whether it’s blade or bladeless, it largely depends on the eye surgeon of your choice. If the surgeon has loads of experience carrying out microkeratome procedures, it’s better to have it that way. If otherwise, you may go in for the relatively new bladeless LASIK surgery.

Finding a LASIK surgery that you are confident about will be able to give you more information about blade and bladeless LASIK.

About the Author:

Nicola publishes articles, reports, news, views and information about LASIK surgery problems at http://www.Your-LASIK.info. LASIK Surgeons Directory http://www.find-lasik-surgeon.com is a useful resource. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. Copyright http://Your-LASIK.info

Bad Lasik Eye Surgery: Steps You Can Take To Make Your Surgery A Success

Considering LASIK eye surgery? The LASIK Vision Institute claims that they have done over half a million procedures to date, and almost everyone knows someone who has had the laser eye surgery. The surgery can especially help if you have astigmatism and cannot wear contacts, or have to have custom eyeglasses. However, being optimistic about the results does not make the possible complications disappear. As with any surgery--especially new surgeries with no long-term data--there are complications.

Reliable Information Source

LASIK eye surgery has helped hundreds of thousands of people, but what the doctors gloss over are the percentage of patients who experience complications. Patients may lose ability to see in low-contrast situations (such as at night or in the fog), may be over- or under-treated, may develop dry eye syndrome, the results may diminish over time, and a small percentage of patients lose partial or full vision. Because this is a new technology (the first laser eye surgery procedure was approved in 1998), the long term effectiveness of LASIK is not known, and many doctors do not have adequate training in the machinery.

Before making the decision to go through a LASIK eye surgery, you should research and understand the problems that can occur and the procedure. There are many ways to do this, including going on-line or calling your doctor. Records of bad LASIK eye surgery and studies of surgical vision correction are easily available and may help you to make the decision.

While you may find a lot of anecdotal evidence on-line, Internet research may not give you accurate information. Make sure you know who is posting the information (if you go to a LASIK website, you'll probably have to search very hard for the complications).

Consulting a doctor may also be useful, but also be aware that some doctors are interested only in the money they receive. If you want more reliable, more unbiased, sources speak with relatives and friends that have undergone a LASIK eye surgery. People you know will be happy to share with you both the problems and the successes.

What Can Go Wrong?

The consequences of a bad LASIK eye surgery can be very serious, devastating, and difficult to live with. One of the most serious consequences is the complete loss of eye sight. One wrong move made by the doctor and or faulty equipment can leave you with worse vision than when you arrived at the doctor's office. Also, infection or other post-operative complications can lead to loss of eye sight.

One of the most important phrases in our consumer culture is “Let the Buyer beware!”. No where is this more important than in medical procedures. Informing yourself, reliable sources such as health organization, family, friends, and doctors, about the safety of the procedure before making the decision is a smart idea.

Even if LASIK eye surgery is widely used, and--if successful--can be beneficial, there is no guarantee you will not have a bad LASIK eye surgery, and the effects can be devastating and life-long.

About the Author:

Find all the lasik eye surgery information you need to make a decision about your lasik eye surgery including details on likely costs, benefits and potential complications at http://www.best-buy-laser-eye-surgery.com

Beverly Hills Lasik Vision Correction: Tips For Making The Right Decision

Throughout Beverly Hills, lasik vision correction is available by some of the world’s best eye surgeons. Those that are looking forward to having improvement in their eye sight should consider what lasik can do for them. Although many don’t realize it, the benefits of lasik are many and they allow you to improve your quality of life and they help you to improve your overall health. For many individuals, there are things that should be taken into consideration about this surgery, though.

Here are a few tips that you should follow when considering lasik.

• Schedule a meeting with several lasik eye correction professionals. When you do this, you are able to compare their experience, qualifications, and their personality. You’ll also know which offers the best possible benefits.

• Talk to your insurance company. Don’t assume that they will cover this type of care because most of the time the entire procedure will not be covered. Most Beverly Hills lasik vision correction locations do offer some forms of financing, though.

• Ask your eye surgeon to walk you through the process. Even from the point of sitting in the chair. You want to have a full understanding of what will take place before, after and during the process. This will also help to put you at ease during the process.

• Make sure you talk to someone that can help you through the process. Once you have the procedure done you won’t be able to see for some time, perhaps hours or longer. For that reason, you need to have arrangements ahead of time so that you can have someone to help you.

• Really get your questions answered. Don’t assume anything, just ask. All doctors will go through the process and will allow you to ask questions. Don’t leave without knowing it all.

These things can help you feel comfortable walking into your Beverly Hills lasik vision correction center. It will prepare you and help you to make the right decisions, too.

About the Author:

For more observations about laser eye surgery from Frank, click the link.

How Long Is The Healing Time After Lasik Eye Surgery

LASIK is the most prevalent of all refractive eye surgery procedures. Though it’s quite intricate when we take into account the technology wielded by it, superficially, LASIK is a simplistic procedure that takes only about half an hour to accomplish. However, it is the postoperative period of LASIK that is often a source of mild discomfort to the patients. This is when the corneal flap, which was cut out during surgery, acts as a natural bandage and the cornea is healed – the healing time after LASIK surgery.

In general, LASIK allows for a rapid visual recovery. Most patients experience enhanced vision within a few days after surgery. However, don’t expect to jump off the operation table after surgery – the effects are not instantaneous. The refractive error will be corrected at the time of surgery but your vision may be blurry or hazy for the first day at least. It’s better to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery, since you certainly won’t be in a position to do it by yourself.

Though LASIK has several potential complications that might set in during the healing period, one of the most common is the dry eye condition. The surgeon would typically prescribe certain eye drops to avert infection and moisten the eyes. Regular postoperative checkups are pivotal during the healing period, since they help evaluate the recovery progress. The first follow up visit should typically be around 24-48 hours after surgery, and should be followed by regular visits until the first six months after surgery.

God forbid, any complications occur, your visual acuity will be restored within a few days. Any fluctuations or side effects normally subside and the prescription stabilizes within six months following surgery. However, the complete healing of the corneal flap may take up to a year or so, and the healing period may vary from one patient to another. What’s imperative is that the healing process must be meticulously monitored by the surgeon. Thus your main concern is to stick to a follow up visit schedule, and to heed to your surgeon’s advice on postoperative care.

If you find a LASIK surgeon that you are confident with, you will be able to get more information about post LASIK healing times.

About the Author:

Nicola publishes articles, reports, news, views and information about LASIK eye surgery at http://www.Your-LASIK.info. LASIK Surgeons Directory http://www.Find-Lasik-Surgeon.com is a useful resource. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. Copyright http://Your-LASIK.info

Are You A Bad Candidate For Lasik Eye Surgery?

Lasik eye surgery is not the right thing for everyone. Although there are many individuals that can see remarkable improvement with eye surgery, some are just not the right candidates for the job. That’s because of the eye conditions or the risks that they face. The eye surgeon that you are working with will talk with you specifically about your actual benefits versus the risks of lasik. They will also tell you if you even are a person that can consider having lasik eye surgery at all.

Some of the reasons why lasik eye surgery may not be right for you include these.

• If you are talking medications like steroids or medications that will limit the healing that your body can do, you may not qualify.

• If the costs are too high and you simply do not have coverage with your insurance company, you too may be limited.

• If you have an autoimmune disease or some other type of major illness or chronic condition, you may not qualify. This will depend on what condition you have.

• If you have a prescription for glasses that is quite strong, have a prescription that changes often, or you have a need to wear your glasses only some times, you may not qualify.

• If your career depends on your eye sight, you may want to consider your options closely.

• Your eye’s physical condition may also make a difference. Things like the pupil’s size, the amount of tear production that you have as well as the corneal thickness that you experience, all matter.

Although many individuals are the perfect candidate for lasik eye surgery, others have other conditions that stop them from having lasik performed. Your doctor will work with you to determine your level of risk and ability to have it before making any promises to you.

About the Author:

You can read more of Frank’s articles about laser eye surgery at http://www.lasereyesurgeryplanet.com

How To Find The Right Lasik Eye Surgeon In Los Angeles

It's not easy to let just anyone mess with your eyes, even if it's a non-invasive eye surgery such as any type of Lasik eye correction procedure. Finding the best doesn't necessarily mean the most expensive, however, and if you're fortunate enough to live in a large urban area like New York or Los Angeles, you may have more opportunities to find just the right surgeon to perform your Lasik procedure.

Because of the high demand of this type of laser surgery in the entertainment capital of the world, competition, and pricing, is fierce. While most Lasik eye correction surgeries can cost up to $2000 an eye, some are less. If you find yourself dipping under about $500 an eye however, warning flags should go up, unless there is a very good reason for such a cost quote. For some individuals, the amount of vision correction is very minimal, which may account for such a low cost, but generally, expect to find prices ranging between $1000 - $2000 an eye.

Eye surgeons in Los Angeles perform more Lasik procedures than any other city, not only in the United States, but the world. The wealth of movie and modeling agencies, as well as the business of thousands of hopeful actors and actresses, help to insure the continuance of such healthy competition between private and group vision correction providers.

Be advised that there is a difference between Lasik eye surgeons and even Lasik centers, so always research and carefully consider choices. Remember, this is eye surgery, even though the typical operating room is absent during this procedure. While Lasik is often performed as outpatient surgery with minimal attendance of surgical team members, it is surgery and risks are always present. When considering a particular surgeon or center to perform your Lasik procedure, do your homework and check to make sure there are no complaints or lawsuits pending against your surgeon of choice. In addition, try to obtain at least two opinions as to the type of surgery that is recommended for your eye vision correction needs.

While the reputation of a doctor is always something to consider, so should experience. Your eye surgeon may have a history of performing successful and traditional eye surgeries but may be new to one or more Lasik techniques. Always check to make sure your surgeon is experienced with the procedure that is suggested for you. In addition, if possible, find out what type of equipment your Lasik surgeon plans to use for your procedure. Make sure that the surgeon you choose is using the latest and most updated equipment when it comes to your vision.

There are several different types of Lasik surgery, such as Epi Lasik, Wavefront and IntraLase. It's a good idea to know what each of these are, how they differ from one another, and which technique or procedure the doctor of your choice specializes in before making a choice. Of course, cost is always a factor, but these are your eyes we're talking about. Don't go for the lowest cost provider, but at the same time, spending the most doesn't guarantee better skills or service. Be informed. Check around before you risk your eyes to just anyone.

About the Author:

Looking for the right Lasik Los Angeles option for you? Find out more at http://LasikRevealed.com.

An Overview Of Lasik

Many people are talking about LASIK this and LASIK that, but you don't understand what LASIK is? If you are wearing contact lenses or glasses, probably you might be interested in LASIK. LASIK is an acronym for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It is a type of eye surgery to reshape cornea and improve your visual acuity. With LASIK eye surgery, many people have achieved better vision without having to wear glasses or contact lenses.

LASIK eye surgery uses laser beams to remove the corneal tissue without disturbing nearby cells. Before that, a hinged corneal flap is created with microkeratome blade or laser (IntraLase method) and after the underlying corneal tissue has been removed, the corneal flap is repositioned. The flap will stick to the underlying cornea on its own and heals quickly. It is a painless procedure because the LASIK surgeon will use anesthetic eye drops to numb your eye. You may feel a little uncomfortable because your eyelids are secured with a small instrument to keep your eye wide open during the LASIK eye surgery.

LASIK eye surgery has been the most popular eye surgery these days because the cornea healing with LASIK procedure is faster and less painful than other eye surgeries, such as PRK (Photo Refractive Keratectomy). It has been performed on more than one million people in the world. In the United States, the practice of LASIK surgery is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including the approval of all medical devices used for the procedure, especially the lasers used for LASIK. However, FDS does not have the authority to set the price for LASIK, recommend any LASIK surgeons or clinics or laser centers or provide ratings of lasers approved for the LASIK procedure.

However, not every eye problems can be treated with LASIK eye surgery. LASIK eye surgery is for people with common vision problems as follows:

- Nearsightedness (myopia)

People who are near-sighted are only able to clearly see things near them and things that are far away may seem blur to them.

- Farsightedness (hyperopia)

People who are far-sighted cannot see near things clearly but able to see clearly things that are far away.

- Astigmatism

People with astigmatism are difficult to see things clearly at any distance because of irregularities in the cornea or the lens of the eye.

It can also treat people with a combination of above problems, such as myopia and astigmatism or hyperopia and astigmatism.

LASIK cannot correct or prevent presbyopia, which is a type of vision problem in people at the age of 40 or older. This means that if you have had LASIK surgery, you still have to wear bifocal glasses when you already have presbyopia.

So, if you are really interested in LASIK to eliminate your dependence on glasses or contact lenses, consult with your doctor to determine if you are eligible for LASIK or not and make sure you know the risks and complications that LASIK eye surgery may cause. Comprehensive eye examinations, using a number of medical equipments will be taken and a few questions will be asked before you can undergo LASIK.

About the Author:

Lina Lee is a successful webmaster and publisher of LASIK Web, a website that provides complete guide and infomation about LASIK Surgery. Check out the website here http://lasikweb.info

Are You Considering Having Lasik Eye Surgery?

LASIK eye surgery is a procedure designed to help people who depend on glasses or contact lenses to correct their eyesight. This laser surgery reshapes the cornea of the eye, helping to change its focusing power.

Many people have undergone LASIK surgery easily and painlessly, with good results. However, LASIK is not for everyone. It is very important to consult with your doctor if you are considering this treatment. There are both benefits and risks to this surgery, and you should be aware of all of them before you decide to have the treatment. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether you are a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. You will want to be in good health before considering surgery, as it is much easier for your body to recover from any kind of treatment if it is healthy to start with.

Do your research: gather up information on LASIK from different sources. A doctor or hospital will have pamphlets or other documents you can read. The Internet is a great source of information as well, with websites such as the National Eye Institute (nei.nih.gov) providing specific information on procedures such as LASIK eye surgery. You may also find it helpful to speak with someone who has undergone this treatment. Find out what their experience was like. Ask questions like, how long did the surgery take? Was it painful? How long did it take for you to recover? Have you noticed a big improvement in your eyesight? Have you noticed any side effects?

If you decide to undergo LASIK treatment, recruit a friend or family member to be with you during this process. It is always good to have the support of another person, and you will need them there for practical reasons, as well. For example, you will need to be driven home following the surgery. And, if you have taken any anesthetic or other painkillers, you will want your friend to listen in as the surgeon or nurse explains to you the proper care for your eyes. Then, if you forget any of the details, your friend will be able to remind you.

Following your surgery, you will need to rest as much as possible to allow your body to heal. You should book some time off from work - a couple of days at least.

Although it may seem complicated and even a bit frightening, LASIK eye surgery is a widely-practiced procedure that has helped to improve the eyesight of many people. If you feel this is something you want to do, and if your doctor says it is right for you, be confident as you look forward to the surgery, and to better eyesight!

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Learn more about LASIK Eye Surgery at http://eyesurgery.factsandnews.com/

Could You Be A Candidate For Lasik Eye Surgery?

Does wearing spectacles or contact lenses seem cumbersome to you? Are you considering LASIK eye surgery – one of the most prevalent and successful refractive surgery techniques? I suggest you hold your horses and rather request the valuable assistance of an expert surgeon, since LASIK eye surgery is not for everyone. Read on to see whether you are a potential candidate for LASIK surgery.

An important aspect to bear in mind while considering LASIK surgery is the patient’s age. Since the vision typically experiences a continuous change until the age of 18, you must be at least 18 years old (21 for some laser ablations) to undergo LASIK. Furthermore, if you are myopic, you should defer LASIK awaiting your refraction to stabilize, since myopia may continue to increase until a patient’s mid to late 20s.

Pregnant or nursing mothers are advised against undergoing LASIK, though they might go for LASIK at a later stage in life. Also, you must not be taking certain prescription drugs, such as oral prednisone or Accutane. To be a potential LASIK candidate, your eyes must be healthy with a stabilized refraction. Moreover, LASIK is typically not recommended for patients with herpes infections of the eye, diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, glaucoma, or cataracts.

LASIK is not a panacea for all vision anomalies. You must have realistic expectations while you consider LASIK eye surgery. Consult your surgeon to check out if you are a potential candidate for monovision. LASIK can be used to impart monovision, that is, one eye corrected for near vision and the other for distant vision. The crucial aspect is to adjust to this particular type of vision correction. If you can do the same, your dependency on eyeglasses or contact lenses may be eliminated.

It is imperative that you discern whether you are a potential candidate for LASIK surgery or not. You must weigh the pros and cons before undergoing surgery. If you are happy wearing contact lenses or eyeglasses in order to compensate for the refractive error, and you certainly don’t believe that wearing eyeglasses cramps your style, then you could very well forego LASIK surgery. After all, LASIK is a surgical procedure and hence it’s bound to have associated risks and complications.

A local opthalmologist or LASIK practitioner will be able to help you further.

About the Author:

Nicola publishes articles and reports and provides news, views and information about LASIK surgeons at http://www.Your-LASIK.info. The LASIK Surgeons Directory http://www.find-lasik-surgeon.com is a useful resource. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

An Introduction To Lasik

With the Baby Boomer generation now reaching their retirement years, the number of Americans who need some sort of corrective lenses may be even higher than the earlier estimated one in two who will require them at some time during adulthood.

As a result, any medical procedures which can enhance defective vision are receiving considerable attention, and at the head of the pack is LASIK. LASIK has nothing to do with high blood pressure, and is actually the acronym for Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis. Now you know, but you don’t know much.

LASIK surgery is designed to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It may also help with a number of less common optical defects, which can remain hidden for years without affecting a person, and require a professional optical exam to discover them.

How LASIK Procedures Work

While LASIK surgery is not cheap, it is usually amazingly fast. It requires the eye surgeon to cut a flap in the first or first two, layers of the cornea, lift the flap, and expose all the tiny tissue irregularities that accumulate over time within or beneath the cornea. These bumps, fissures, and wrinkles will hinder the proper refraction of light entering the cornea, and poor vision is the result.

If the accumulated tissue forces the cornea into a steeper than normal angle, shortsightedness ensues. If the cornea is too flat, farsightedness ensues. And if the excess tissue is just clogging thing up without reshaping the cornea, astigmatism, accompanied by halos, starbursts, ghost images, and poor night vision, ensues. Depending on the condition being treated, the eye surgeon will either reshape the cornea, or clean it out.

The obvious benefit to having LASIK surgery is that your sight will be so improved that you can give up your eyeglasses or contacts. And the entire procedure, amazingly, normally takes less than sixty seconds, one little minute, per eye.

The Cost Of LASIK Procedures

All that magic, of course, has its price. As the technology of the lasers involved in LASIK surgery advances, so does their price, and so does the amount you’ll pay for a LASIK procedure. In parts of the US, LASIK surgery can be as much as a thousand dollars per eye. But if there is an older procedure which will work for you, and you’re not someone who feels comfortable only with state-of-the-art technology, you can have LASIK surgery at a much reduced price.

You should also educate yourself on the side effects which sometimes come with LASIK surgery; they range from dry eye and inflammation to infection, oozing, and even a reappearance of the original defect. But the incidences of all LASIK surgery side effects have decreased greatly over the past decade, as LASIK surgeons gain experience in the workings of the human optical system. For more info see http://www.2020lasikeyesurgery.com/Articles/Lasik_Eye_Surgery_Risks.php on Lasik Eye Surgery Risks.

Finally, you’ll need to determine if you are a suitable candidate for LASIK surgery. Anyone under eighteen is not, because the human eye continues to change its shape for at least eighteen years. Expectant mothers also may experience pregnancy-related vision problems which correct themselves after delivery. The only way to determine if you qualify for LASIK surgery is to consult with your ophthalmologist.

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You can also find more info on Lasik Eye Surgery Canada and Lasik Eye Surgery Price.

Correction! Lasik

How long have you been experiencing eye defects? How long have you been wearing corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses? Have you grown tired of waking up each morning and having blurry vision, often leaving you in difficulty as you grope for your eyeglasses or contact lens kit? Perhaps it may be time for you to consider getting corrective laser eye surgery in order to rid yourself of those numerous eye troubles.

Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis – more distinctly known as LASIK, is a type of surgical process performed by eye surgeons for the purpose of correcting vision. In case you haven’t known, it is a way for you to “receive your sight back”. More and more people today are being drawn into choosing LASIK as an alternative to wearing eyeglasses or corrective lenses. Over a decade ago, it was being taught in schools and made known to ophthalmology patients that there would be no real method for curing eye problems such as nearsightedness, astigmatism, and the like – except for using corrective lenses. Today, LASIK has changed all that and is becoming more popular as people who have undergone this type of surgery have testified that it works and that their lives have become less worrisome, thanks to a new 20/20 vision. In fact, surveys have stated that over 90% of LASIK patients were found to be very much satisfied with the whole procedure.

What are the advantages of LASIK as compared to other types of laser eye surgery? With LASIK, healing is usually faster than with other procedures, and “new” vision can be achieved rather quickly (sometimes, even only after a day). In other types of laser eye surgery, such as photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), good vision will gradually occur after weeks or even months. Another advantage would be the time spent during operation. In LASIK, the whole procedure would take roughly ten minutes only, which is very quick, and is painless. Ten minutes is not enough time to even make you feel uncomfortable – it passes by rapidly; before you know it, the surgery would be finished.

LASIK also has its disadvantages. There would be mild complications, especially after surgery. A patient might experience glare, when the lights around you would seem to be much brighter than usual. In the healing process, you are required to be disciplined in following the instructions of your ophthalmologist, such as how many eye drops to take per day, how much you have to limit outdoor exposure, and others. This will go on for a few months, along with frequent visits to your doctor. LASIK, being the pain-free and fast procedure that it is, uses high-tech equipment which cost a lot to purchase and operate. Naturally, the patient will have to invest a lot of money for this procedure to take place. Be prepared to set aside more or less $1500.

If you’ve decided to undergo the LASIK procedure, make sure to consult a reputable ophthalmologist first. He will examine your eyes to see if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Any unwanted complications prior to actual surgery must first be treated, such as dry eyes. A thorough examination of the patient’s eyes will reveal that. Health problems such as diabetes are also causes for concern. The eye doctor will be the one to declare whether you are fit to go on with the surgery or not.

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About the Author:

Do not take LASIK eye surgery lightly. Get the information from Jay about LASIK before you make a decision. http://perfectlasik.info

Am I A Good Lasik Candidate?

LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The goal of this Web site is to provide objective information to the public about LASIK surgery.

Eye Examination

A complete eye examination will be done before surgery to make sure your eyes are healthy. Once this is determined, the doctor will measure the curve of the cornea and the size and position of the pupils, the shape of the eyes (making sure there are no irregularities that would prevent LASIK as an option), and the thickness of the cornea (making sure there will be enough tissue left, once the cornea is cut and reshaped).

A signed informed consent form is needed before the procedure, confirming knowledge of the risks, benefits, alternative options, and possible complications.

Am I a Good Lasik Candidate?

A large percentage of nearsighted, farsighted, and astigmatic patients are potential candidates for LASIK. Patients who are 18 years of age or older, have healthy eyes that are free from retinal problems, corneal scars, and any eye disease are suitable. Along with being medically suitable, the best candidates are people with a lifestyle or occupation in which they are dissatisfied with their contact lenses or glasses. By having an evaluation, examination, and consultation with you, the doctor will be able to determine if you are a good lasik candidate.

Only after a comprehensive examination and consultation can you really be sure you are a good candidate for LASIK Laser Eye Surgery or Custom LASIK Eye Surgery.

How Soon After LASIK Can I Exercise?

Non-contact sports can be resumed as soon as you feel capable. Eye protection is always recommended for racquet sports or rough sports where there is a risk of being hit in the eye.

We urge you to find out more about Lasik Eye surgery and find out how it can benefit you today!

About the Author:

LASIK is the most commonly performed refractive Eye Surgery procedure. Find out more about Eye Surgery at http://EyeSurgery.ewhy.info

About Lasik ComplicationsAbout Lasik Complications

Some people who undergo LASIK surgery have experienced some kind of complication . However, if you have an experienced surgeon by your side, the rate of surgical complications is far reduced. Common sense aside, one should base their decisions on the actual facts reported by their treatment provider. Overall, the number of complications are generally reported to be less than 1%. Most of the reported problems are handled through laser re-treatments or enhancements.

In order to understand the kind of complications people have your should understand what a LASIK treatment is all about. During LASIK surgery a laser beam is used to cut a very thin, hinged flap into the front of the eye. The flap is then lifted and the laser is applied to re-shape the eye, and then the flap is replaced to heal.

Some of the more common types of LASIK complications are improperly formed LASIK flaps: Sometimes after the first surgery a patient might experience an improperly formed flap. This might create an irregular surface and cause various vision defects. In such cases, LASIK surgery needs to be repeated one or more times to make the eye surface smooth.

Inflammation: Sometimes there might be inflammation that can develop in areas where the flap comes in contact with the eye. Such a condition, is called diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK). It may create symptoms such as sensitivity towards light and loss of Vision .

Epithelial In growth: If there is any kind of initial swelling in the eye it might create a common LASIK complication called Epithelial in growth, This condition can be best described as a type of scarring which leads to an irregular eye surface and other vision distortions. In such a condition the surgeon lifts the flap and scrapes out the epithelial growth from inside. This is certainly not a full proof method. It has been noticed that in many cases the epithelial in growth reoccurs.

Some other common types of LASIK complications include dry eye, infections and night vision problems such as glaring around the lights.

Many trained surgeons feel that by using better technology and more precise instruments the chances of having a major LASIK complication can be avoided. People who have had a history of eye complications or infections are not advised to go for these surgeries.

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We researched LASIK information for those looking into the common LASIK treatments, costs and complications normally found with Laser Eye Surgery.

A Lasik Eye Surgery Checklist

If you are considering going through Lasik eye surgery here are a few things you will want to take into consideration :-

Will there be any impact on your career - does your job prohibit refractive surgery?

Is the financial cost to high - can you really afford this procedure?

Existing medical conditions - e.g., do you have an autoimmune disease or other major illness? Do you have a chronic illness that might slow or alter healing?

Current eye conditions - do you have or have you ever had any difficulties with your eyes except needing glasses or contact lenses?

Are you taking any medication - do you take steroids or other drugs that might prevent healing?

Are your eyes in a stable condition - has your prescription altered in the last year?

How strong or weak are your glasses - do you use glasses/contacts only some of the time? Do you need an exceptionaly strong prescription?

Do you have an unusual pupil size - are your pupils extra large in dim circumstances?

Is the thickness of your Cornea ok - do you have thin corneas?

Dry eye - do you have dry eyes or is your tear gland working properly?

Overtreatment or undertreatment - are you willing and able to have extra surgery to get the desired result?

You may still need reading glasses - do you have presbyopia?

The results may not be lasting - do you think this is the last correction you will ever need? Do you realize that long-term results are not known?

You could suffer permanent loss of vision - do you know some patients may lose some vision or experience blindness?

Dry eyes - do you know that if you have dry eyes they could become worse, or if you don't have dry eyes before you could develop chronic dry eyes as a result of surgery?

You could develop various visual symptoms - do you know about glare, halos, starbursts, etc. and that night driving may be difficult?

Contrast sensitivity - do you know your vision could be severely reduced in dim light circumstances?

Bilateral treatment - do you know the additional risks of having both eyes treated at the same time?

Patient information - have you read the patient data booklet about the laser being used for your procedure?

What is your doctors experience - how many eyes has your doctor performed LASIK surgery on with the same laser?

Does he have the correct equipment - does your doctor use a FDA-approved laser for the procedure you need?

Have you been given all the Information - is your doctor keen to spend the time to answer all your concerns?

Will your doctor provide long-term care - does your doctor encourage follow-up and management of you as a patient?

Your preop and postop care may be provided by a doctor other than the surgeon.

Make sure you are comfortable - do you feel you know your doctor and are comfortable with an equal exchange of information?

No contact lenses prior to evaluation and surgery - can you go for an extended period of time not wearing contact lenses?

Have a thorough exam - have you arranged not to drive or work after the exam?

Read and understand the informed consent - has your doctor given you an informed consent form to take home and answered all your queries?

No makeup before surgery - can you go 24-36 hours without makeup prior to surgery?

Arrange for transportation - can someone drive you home after surgery?

Plan to take a few days to recover - can you take time off to take it easy for a couple of days if necessary?

Expect not to see clearly for a few days - do you know you will not see clearly immediately?

Know sights, smells, sounds of surgery - has your doctor made you feel comfortable with the actual steps of the procedure?

Be prepared to take drops/medications- are you willing and able to put drops in your eyes at regular intervals?
Be prepared to wear an eye shield - do you know you need to protect the eye for a period of time after surgery to avoid injury?

Expect some pain/discomfort - do you know how much pain to expect?

Know when to seek help - do you recognize what problems could occur and when to seek medical intervention?

Know when to expect your vision to stop changing - are you aware that final results could take a long time?

Make sure your refraction is stable before any further surgery - if you don't get the desired outcome, do you know not to have an enhancement until the prescription stops changing?

This may all sound very daunting but the vast majority of people who have Lasik eye surgery experience a very good result, by taking the time to prepare properly, you will greatly increase your prospects of a good result also.

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For all the latest information about Lasik eye surgery check out http://www.lasikpulse.com You may reprint this article provided you maintain a live link back to http://www.lasikpulse.com

A Healthy Lasik Alternative For Improved Vision

People today are too busy to deal with the daily hassle of cleaning and sterilizing their contact lenses. They don’t want to worry about packing glasses, contact lens solution, cases and extra contacts when they travel out of town. With the new extended wear lenses, these concerns are a thing of the past.

Today you can find contacts made specifically for longer-term wear, whether it’s overnight, a week or two, or even a month. These products, when worn, are made to deliver more oxygen to the eye. They allow eyes to “breathe”, and they cut down on infections that thrive in oxygen-poor areas. These lenses are made from a newer material, silicone hydrogel, which makes for a more enjoyable lens-wearing experience.

Not only do these lenses provide a more comfortable wear, they can also reduce potential eye infections. Each time the lenses are removed, they’re disposed of, and a new pair is worn. This eliminates the chances of reintroducing bacteria to the eye. Also, the chance for contact lens loss is greatly reduced, as they are touched much less frequently than daily lenses.

They’re not without their risks, however. They do need to be changed as directed. They may not correct certain vision problems, like severe astigmatism. But to wake up in the middle of the night and clearly see the clock is a dream come true for some who’ve been tethered to thick glasses all their lives. Imagine getting ready for work in the morning with little thought to your vision. These lenses make it possible.

Some who’ve considered LASIK have even passed up the surgery in favor of essentially carefree lenses. These lenses don’t require any invasive surgery, yet they’re a simple way to obtain perfect to near-perfect vision. Handling lenses once a month is a very welcome change from a daily regimen that includes contact lens removal and insertion.

You may be able to enjoy the fantastic, low-maintenance vision you’ve always wanted. Check with your eye care professional to determine which contact lens option is right for you.

About the Author:

Suzanne Hughes is a eyeglass frame stylist for www.readinstyle.com, online reading glasses boutique, where she helps people understand the ins and outs of everyday vision for a lifetime of healthy eyes.

A Day In The Life Of A Lasik Procedure

It is 9:00am, I must get up, I have been waiting for this day my entire life. As far as I can remember I have needed glasses, not the kind that would flatter a person, the kind that would bring pity to the faces of strangers who looked at me. I mean, my glasses where thick! . This is the day I am going to have LASIK. LASIK is an acronym for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis, which refers to creating a flap in the cornea with a microkeratome and using a laser to reshape the underlying cornea. I have done the research, I have met with the surgeon, there is no turning back, its almost show time.

On my way to the doctor’s office, my mind is racing, am I making the right decision? Will I experience the debilitating side effects that others have warned me about? My journey originally began at my eye doctor’s office, who does not perform LASIK. I asked him for a referral, and he suggested a local Ophthalmologist. An Ophthalmologist is a Medical Doctor who is licensed to perform LASIK procedures, after additional LASIK-specific training. After an extensive checking of his credentials, and experience, this was going to be my LASIK doctor.

I finally arrive, and a very friendly, and helpful staff greets me, and assures me that this procedure will be painless, and quick. Easy for them to say, they all probably have perfect vision. My name is called; I proceed to a cold, large room, which looks like a scene from the movie Independence Day. My hour of reckoning is here, I think about going blind, what I would miss most. I have to start thinking positive thoughts. I briefly meet with the Surgical Counselor who explains to me the different steps I am about to go through. He asks me if I require a sedative, I tell him a Bombay Sapphire Martini would do just fine. He reminds me it is 10:00 am in the morning. I opt out of taking any sedative; I want to be awake for the entire procedure. With this, in walks his royal highness, THE LASIK SURGEON.

I lay down on what is referred to as the treatment bed, a bit hard, but totally acceptable. The surgeon places drops in both of my eyes, within seconds my eyes feel very heavy, and numb. He assures me this is normal, and will not affect my brain. He starts on the right eye first, he places clamps under my eyelids to keep them wide open. My heart is racing; I want to cry out for my mommy. Next he places a contraption on my eye, that he calls a keratome, the instrument that will be used to create the cornea “flap”. At this point, I only feel some pressure on my eye, absolutely no pain. His assistant is constantly pouring artificial tears in my eyes to keep them wet since I cannot blink. I am now directed to focus on a red fixation light, which I do obediently. The surgeon activates the keratome, I hear a noise my cornea is being sliced like a bologna, and I still feel no pain. Next the laser is activated, I smell something like burning hair, again no pain, just pressure. Within minutes the surgeon is finished with the right eye, on to the left. The entire procedure lasted about 20 minutes. That is it!

My procedure is over, and I am in recovery. I am almost in tears, I open my eyes, and for the first time in my life I have VISION, a bit cloudy, but vision nonetheless. I am overwhelmed at this point. The LASIK surgeon walks in, checks me briefly, and informs me everything went well. I wanted to hug and kiss him, however there is a time and place for everything. I am given some drops, and instructions, and within 24 hours of surgery I am back at work. Absolutely amazing, how quick the recovery period was. My vision at this point is cloudy, and I am told this is normal, since the cornea is still swollen.

Six weeks have passed, and I am doing great. The vision in my right eye is 20/20, my left is 20/25 all with no glasses, or correction. The cloudiness is completely eliminated, I still have a noticeable glare at night, but far from debilitating. There is no dryness in my eyes at all, and I rarely use lubricating drops. I am completely satisfied with my entire experience, and highly recommend it to any potential candidate.

About the Author:

Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for The Contact Lens Resource Visit http://1contactlenses.com/ for more information.

A Brief Ovierview Of Lasik Eye Surgery

LASIK, an acronym for Laser-assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a form of refractive laser eye surgery procedure performed by ophthalmologists intended for correcting vision. The procedure is usually a preferred alternative to photorefractive keratectomy, PRK, as it requires less time for full recovery, and the patient experiences less pain overall.

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.

About the Author:

Lasik eye surgery has been perfected in recent years, and most of the associated risks are no longer a significant concern.

A Better Option For Lasik Surgery: The Intralase Method

Improvisation is the key to better performance always, and this holds good for lasik surgery too. Over the years, scientists have been looking at ways and means to improve the quality of lasik surgery.

The surgery has involved two steps: cutting open a flap of the cornea and then making the required adjustment. Usually, the cornea is cut using a hand held device called a microkeratome having an oscillating metal blade.

With the invention of the IntraLase method, this inconsistency is now taken out of the equation. The IntraLase method, also commonly called 'bladeless lasik', is a breakthrough innovation in lasik surgery.

The IntraLase method takes away the need for a handheld blade during the surgery. The hand-held microkeratome while being extremely useful, came with its own set of problems.

While this process has been relatively safe, the one area where it has failed to deliver is the ability to provide consistency in depth and thickness while making an incision. This is primarily because of the inconsistency in the precision levels provided by the microkeratome. Besides there have been other risk areas, such as the flap being too thin, often leading to a tear in the flap, or the flap not being cut out entirely.

IntraLase is a computer-controlled technology used in lasik surgery that enables a surgeon to cut through the corneal surface and create the required flap with utmost accuracy and precision.

It delivers pulses of light in rapid succession, at intervals of one quadrillionth of a second to a specific depth. The depth to which the pulses are to be delivered can be fixed prior to the procedure itself, as also the position at which the flap is to be made.

IntraLase is the first of its kind used for lasik surgery, and the bladeless aspect of the procedure is a big plus for surgeons looking for the right depth and positioning.

While a microkeratome can create a cut that is one-dimensional, the IntraLase technology enables surgeons to detail all the specific aspects of the flap – the thickness of the flap, the exact location on the cornea where it is to be created, the circumference of the flap, the angles of the edges of the flap.

This possibility enables surgeons to provide highly specific flaps for each patient, something that was not possible with the microkeratome. This is a huge advantage over other existing procedures of lasik surgery, as it increases manifold the accuracy and specificity of individual procedures for different patients.

The wide acceptance of this new technology of lasik surgery is evident from the numbers – over 1,000,000 surgeries have been performed to date using the IntraLase method.

One of the greatest advantages of the IntraLase is consistency in the positioning and dimensions of the flap. The second major advantage is that there is no physical contact of a blade with the eye; the cut is done using a laser.

There are considerably lesser side effects, with patients reporting reduced instances of inability to see well in places having a low light source. Besides, a corneal flap created using the IntraLase method of lasik surgery ensures that the flap falls back in the exact location after the procedure.

About the Author:

http://www.TheLasikZone.com brings you the latest on Lasik. Lasik is very popular, and we want to bring you the most up to date information online! Be sure to check out our latest information page on Lasik surgery.

Article Tags: flap, lasik, surgery

10 Reasons For Eye Surgery Lasik!

There is no "best" method for correcting vision errors. The most appropriate correction for you depends on your eyes and your lifestyle. You should discuss you situation with your ophthalmologist or eye doctor to decide which correction will be most effective for you.

10 Reasons for Lasik!

1. Nothing is as sweet as the freedom from the hassles and inconveniences of contacts or glasses.

2. You save money! Over the years, the costs of lenses, solutions and glasses amounts to thousands of dollars.

3. You save time! In one year, the average contact lens wearer spends nearly 60 hours wetting, soaking, rubbing, cleaning and otherwise maintaining them. This is about 2.5 whole days!

4. Imagine waking up in the morning, and being able to see the clock!

5. You get to go swimming, scuba diving and be able to see things!

6. You are able to spontaneously go camping or stay overnight.

7. You are able to take a nap when the mood strikes without first having to remove lenses. Imagine the hassle saved!

8. You will be able to see while putting on makeup or shaving, no more squinting!

9. You will be able to participate in outdoor sports without glasses that fog or get splashed with rain or lenses that dry out in the wind.

10. And most important of all, you w ill be able to avoid the negative consequences of long term contact lens wear!

Clinicians wishing to undertake laser eye surgery should ensure that patients understand the benefits and potential risks of the procedure. So the better you understand your LASIK surgery, and what happens after your surgery, the better prepared you'll be for your surgery. Patients should be counseled on the potential risks and benefits of LASIK, then make an informed decision. No matter what your motivation may be, the decision to have eye improvement surgery is no small task and it should be considered carefully. If you decide Lasik surgery is for you, consulting your eye doctor is critical to making an informed decision.

About the Author:

LASIK is the most commonly performed refractive Eye Surgery procedure. Find out more about Eye Surgery at http://EyeSurgery.ewhy.info

7 Tips About Lasik Procedures

For many people wearing glasses is a signal that you are somehow different from everyone else. The other kids at school drill this into your head as child. Therefore, when the chance to get rid of glasses forever was introduced, the surgery, known as the LASIK procedure was embraced with open arms. Unfortunately, the price of the surgery kept it out of reach for some people. Thankfully, the price is going down and interest is being renewed.

1- Before jumping into a LASIK procedure, it is important to know what to expect and how to pick the doctor who will perform the surgery for you. When you visit you eye care professional to discuss if this option is right for you, there will be some tests that need to be completed. These tests will let the doctor know if you are a candidate for the LASIK procedure and, if you are, how much tissue needs to be removed from your cornea to improve your vision.

2- When you enter the room where your procedure will take place you will see a recliner type chair. This is where you will be sitting for the surgery, so get comfortable. There will also be a large machine, with which the surgeon will perform the surgery. This machine might look clumsy, but it is a precision piece of equipment.

3- The first thing that will happen is your eye will get a washed out with a numbing solution. The lid will then be held in an open position with special clamps to prevent blinking. Once the numbing solution has started to work, the surgeon will use the machines magnifying lens and a scalpel to cut a flap-like incision in the cornea.

4- The incision will allow the laser access to the tissues below the cornea that need to be removed. The tests that were performed during your initial visit to the eye doctor determined how much of this tissue was to be removed. The machine that is in the room houses the laser and is attached to a computer.

5- The laser works based on pulses, when enough tissue is removed, the computer tells the laser to shut off. The surgeon then closes the flap of the cornea. That's it; your LASIK procedure is complete!

6- The surgeon does not use any sutures to close the incision on the cornea, instead a patch will be placed over the eye for protection during the healing process. You will end up looking like a pirate, but the patch will protect the cornea from the scratches and bumps of everyday life.

7- Most LASIK procedure patients return to work with in a couple of days and to normal everyday activities gradually over a couple of weeks. Be prepared to have blurry vision and sensitivity to light. These will both pass, and your vision will be as clear as it was with glasses or better.

About the Author:

John Mancini has been writing about Laser Hair Removal online and offline for a long time. Visit http://get-laser-hair-removal.info or http://laser-hair-removal-now.net to read more about matters like hair removal for man and facial hair removal.

5 Complications Associated With Lasik 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.

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.

About the Author:

John Mancini has been writing about Eye Surgery online and offline for a long time. Visit http://ez-laser-eye-surgery.info or http://laser-eye-surgery-center.com to read more about matters like laser eye surgery and eye surgery.

Exercise Your Eyes and Avoid Laser Eye Surgery

As time passes and your vision deteriorates, you start considering contact lenses or eyeglasses. You need them, in order to see clearly and be able to live like a normal person. You want to read, you need to drive, you even might want to watch television wearing corrective contact lenses or eyeglasses.

But what happens when you want to get rid of your contact lenses or eyeglasses? Well, that moment is when you are thinking about having an eye surgery. They are fast, your vision will be improved in under 30 minutes, and you might even stop wearing contact lenses or eyeglasses altogether.

But I want to tell you now that there are certain risks associated with any surgery. And you are better off trying first some eye exercises before having Laser Eye Surgery. These exercises can take anywhere from 30 days to 90 days to achieve your desired results, but they are natural, and risk-free.

As you know, eyes are surrounded by muscles, and they need constant exercise. But in modern life you spend more time in front of a computer display, or reading while studying, as well as using artificial light as in your office, or place of work or study.

Don't be afraid. All these problems can be corrected. The light positioning, for example, is proved to be better located behind you, coming from behind one of your shoulders. But always avoid reflections of light, in your computer display or paper of your book. When you have the light in front of you, your eyes are getting a lot of pressure to focus on. It is like when you want to take a photograph of a person, with the window behind, having all the light coming from behind the person. What happens is that you take the photo, without flashlight, and the person will appear black or like a shadow. So what do you do while reading. Well, find the best spot considering the source of light.

Keep exercising your eye muscles. Every ten minutes, stop reading for a second, and look out of the window. The goal is to keep refocusing. Your book or computer display is near you, so you want to look at an object far from you, for a small second. Refocusing is a great exercise for your eyes.

There are many exercises that will improve your vision when you have already developed eye problems. These exercises are basic, there are other exercises that are natural as well and will definitely improve your vision. They need to be done at different times during the day, but since they are free they are great to avoid expensive eye surgery. And also you will avoid the risks of the surgery.

Keno Toriello is a successful Expert Publisher in the Eye Care and Vision industries, and Webmaster of http://www.Eyes-Doctor-Secret.com specialized in Natural Vision Correction, Lasik Eye Surgery, Contact Lenses and Prescription Sunglasses. You can even try a Free Eye Test! He has spent countless hours studying and conducting research, and now he shares his insightful and powerful secrets to you.

Copyright 2008

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