Lasik eye surgery is a procedure that helps to correct poor vision. It takes place in an office setting and it takes very little time to complete. In addition, it is relatively painless. To date, millions of people have benefited from this procedure.

Despite its simplicity and the number of people who have taken advantage of this innovative technique, there is potential for serious medical complications. Before going through with the procedure, therefore, the doctor asks a series of health related questions and completes a complete examination. Afterward, Lasik eye surgeons often define candidates into three categories: the ideal candidate, the less-than-ideal candidate, and the non-candidate. The following are some health issues that can decrease a patient’s status when determining whether or not he is a good candidate for Lasik eye surgery.

Extremely Low Vision

Lasik eye surgery is limited in the amount of vision it can correct. Therefore, some people are beyond the procedure’s ability to help. For this reason, the FDA does not allow patients with more than +6.00 diopters of hyperopia or –14.00 diopters of myopia to undertake the surgery. In addition, patients with more than 6.00 diopters of astigmatism are ineligible according to FDA standards, as well. The doctor can determine this information easily with a refractive eye exam.

Changing Prescription

While we grow, our eyes continually change size and shape. For this reason, a young person’s prescription for eyeglasses or contacts is constantly changing. Most prescriptions, however, stabilize by the time a person reaches the age of 18. For some people, this stabilization doesn’t occur until sometime in the 20’s. For this reason, surgeons prefer operating on patients over the age of 18 and whose prescription has remained stable for at least two years. This helps ensure that the eyes have stopped developing. Otherwise, operating on eyes that are still growing can create complications and the vision correction will become non-existent as the eyes continue to change.

Patient Health

Certain health factors can prevent a potential Lasik candidate from being considered ideal. For example, certain autoimmune disorders that slow the healing process make Lasik eye surgery a higher risk. In addition, patients with conditions requiring medications such as immunosuppresants and steroids are also considered less-than-ideal because these medications also slow the healing process and increase the risk of complications.

Patients who are pregnant or who are nursing are also not considered ideal candidates for Lasik eye surgery. This is because the shape of the eyes can be temporarily changed by hormonal changes during these times of a woman’s life.

Patient Anterior Eye Health

Most doctors divide the eye into two portions: anterior, or front, and posterior, or back. The anterior portion of the eye includes the iris, the eyelids, the cornea, the conjunctiva, the sclera, and the lens. The Lasik surgeon will check for abnormalities in these areas using a biomicroscope, called a slit-lamp. In order to complete this test, the patient needs to put his chin on a chin rest located over the examining chair. The doctor will then shine a line into the patient’s eyes to examine the anterior area of the eye. Abnormalities in this area can decrease a patient’s likelihood of being considered an ideal Lasik eye surgery patient.

Patient Posterior Eye Health

Specific eye diseases, such as ocular hypertension, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, can be detected through a posterior eye exam. This area includes the optic nerve, the retina, and blood vessels. An exam of the posterior region is called a fundus exam. Shining a light into the patient’s eye and looking through his pupil accomplish the exam.

Irregularly Shaped Cornea

A cornea that is extremely irregularly shaped is impossible to operate on. Patients with the condition keratoconus, for example, are ineligible for the procedure. This is because it gradually makes the shape of the cornea steeper until it finally becomes cone-shaped. A small amount of irregularity in the cornea shape is fine, as with patients who have mild to moderate astigmatism. The surgeon examines the patient’s corneal topography prior to surgery. This will help determine whether or not he is an ideal candidate for Lasik eye surgery.

Thin Corneas

Some patients have corneas that are too thin; this makes it impossible to create the “flap” necessary to perform the procedure. Therefore, Lasik surgery will actually make the patient’s vision worse instead of better. The doctor measures the thickness of the patient’s cornea using a pachometer.

Lasik surgery is an extraordinary procedure that has helped thousands of people see better. Through a thorough examination and proper treatment of your visual difficulties, you, too, can experience the wonders of Lasik.

Source: http://www.solveyourproblem.com/lasik-eye-surgery/the_wonders_of_lasik.shtml

A Lasik procedure IS surgery and with any type of surgery complications are possible. It’s normally the best practice to allow the surgeon who performed your surgery to treat any complications. If for any reason, you have lost confidence in your doctor’s treatment, or you just feel that there might be a better solution, you should definitely seek a second opinion. There is no reason to feel uncomfortable about asking your doctor for a referral, it’s a common practice; optionally, you can select another Lasik specialist for a second opinion and then inform your doctor.

Fewer Complications Today! Lasik surgery has become the most commonly requested of all the elective surgeries. Over six-million people worldwide have received Lasik and an estimated 99% of them have reported no serious complications past the normal healing period. That number used to be a bit higher. In the earlier days of Lasik, up to 5% of people who underwent the procedure reported some type of post-Lasik problem. Three factors have reduced that number to where it is today, two of these are fairly predictable. Over time there were improvements in the equipment used to perform Lasik and Lasik surgeon’s have increased their skills as they became more comfortable with the equipment and with the procedure. Lasik surgeons have also increased their skills in one other area, identifying suitable patients for the Lasik procedure.

The best candidates for Lasik. The best candidates for Lasik are young (less than 44-years old) and healthy with common vision problems. Short sightedness (Myopia), the inability to see things at a distance; long sightedness (Hyperopia), problems reading or seeing things up close; and astigmatism, distorted vision caused by an abnormally shaped cornea are all problems that are correctable with Lasik, with very minor, usually short-term complications.

Not everyone is suitable. Not everyone who desires Lasik surgery is a good candidate for Lasik.

You are probably NOT a good candidate for refractive surgery if:

• you are not comfortable with the risks of Lasik, as explained by your Lasik surgeon. Certain complications are unavoidable in a percentage of patients.
• the possible complications of Lasik will jeopardize your employment. Some employers do not allow their employees to undergo certain refractive surgeries.
• the cost of Lasik will be a problem. Lasik is less expensive now than in the past but it is still not inexpensive and most medical insurance will not pay for refractive surgery — they consider it elective surgery.
• you actively participate in contact sports; especially sports where your head might be subject to injury.
• you are not an adult. No laser surgery techniques are FDA approved for persons under the age of 18.
• your vision changed enough in the last year to require a change in your eyeglass or contact lens prescription. This is called “refractive instability” and it may be caused by: unstable hormone levels, certain illnesses or diseases, or side-effects of medications you are using to treat other medical conditions.

Some of the diseases and conditions that may make you unsuitable for Lasik surgery are:

• Herpes simplex or ’shingles’ that involve the eye area
• Glaucoma or ocular hypertension
• eye diseases such as uveitis/iritis (inflammations of the eye)
• eye injuries or previous eye surgeries
• Keratoconus
• Blepharitis (an inflammation of the eyelids)
• large pupils
• thin corneas
• Dry eye

When complications occur. When post-LASIK complications do occur, they can often be resolved with medication, laser re-treatments or enhancements of the eye. Permanent vision loss is a slight possibility as is degradation of vision from its pre-surgery condition.

The normal healing period for Lasik surgery is six months. Most complications should resolve themselves within this six month period but, in the case of a serious or particularly troublesome complication, six months may be (or at least may seem to be) far too long. A second opinion from another qualified Lasik surgeon, no matter how it is obtained, may turn out to be the key for resolving troublesome complications or it may result in an endorsement of your current course of treatment; whatever the result it should provide you with increased peace-of-mind.

There is an organization that has come into existence specifically to address the needs of patients with LASIK complications and to provide doctors with an additional source for information on Lasik complications. The organization is the CRSQA (Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance) and their online information page, ComplicatedEyes.org can be found at: http://www.complicatedeyes.org/

Source: http://www.solveyourproblem.com/lasik-eye-surgery/second_opinion_for_lasik_surgery.shtml

Your eyes are important. When you are thinking about having the Lasik vision correction you want to make sure that you are making the right decision for yourself. Many people have the Lasik procedure every year with very good results. The Lasik procedure is designed to help people with vision problems improve their vision. Lasik is a quick and painless surgery and most people experience improved vision the day their surgery is complete.

For doctors, the best patients are those who are well informed of the procedure and have realistic expectations about their potential outcome. A good Lasik doctor will carefully exam your eyes and take a thoroughly health history before deciding whether or not the Lasik vision correction surgery is right for you.

As a patient, you should fully understand the benefits as well as the risks and complications involved with the Lasik procedure. While most people do have positive outcomes after the surgery, there are some that do not. Some people experience reduced night vision and daytime vision and have infection in their eyes following the surgery.

After you have chosen a Lasik eye surgeon, there are a few questions that you should ask before your schedule your surgery. Knowing the answers to these questions will often help you have a positive outcome with your Lasik vision correction surgery.

Am I a good candidate for Lasik surgery? Your Lasik doctor will carefully consider whether or not you are a good candidate for Lasik vision correction. It has been proven that those who are not good candidates for the procedure, but still have it done, do have complications. Your doctor should be fully aware of any health concerns or problems before agreeing to operate on your eyes.

How long will the recovery last? This is an important question to ask your Lasik doctor because each Lasik surgeon has different rules about recovery time. Depending on the depth of your surgery, you may have a longer recovery time. You may also need to take off of work longer.

How much does the Lasik procedure cost? A Lasik procedure can vary from doctor to doctor or depending on the area where you live. In addition, depending on the severity of your eye, your procedure may cost more or less. You can plan to spend around $2000 on your Lasik procedure and that is just the base cost.

What is included in the cost the Lasik surgery? Most Lasik doctors will include all costs relating to your Lasik procedure in the cost. It is still important to know this for certain. Make sure that there are no hidden costs when your fees are calculated.

Do you have payment plans? Most insurance plans will not cover the Lasik procedure. Unless you have saved at least $2000 for your surgery, you should know what kind of payment options are available to you.

What kind of Lasik procedure will be used? There are several techniques with Lasik surgery. Your doctor may specialize in one certain way or may be able to perform many types. You need to know what procedure will benefit you the most and make sure your Lasik doctor is skilled in that technique.

What will happen during surgery? You should know every step of your surgery so you understand exactly what to expect. Most patients are awake during the procedure and are given drop to numb the eye area. For those who are uncomfortable with the surgical process, they can be given a mild sedative to calm them during the procedure.

What can I expect after surgery? It is very important for patient to understand what to expect after the Lasik surgery. Some people experience no problems or pain, but your doctor should discuss expectations with your prior to the procedure.

What risks and complications are involved with the Lasik procedure? Most people have positive outcomes with the Lasik surgery procedure. There are some risks and complications involved with the procedure. It is beneficial for the surgeon to fully discuss these risks and complications with your before your schedule your procedure.

What are the post-operative instructions? After your surgery, you will have instructions for post-operative care. Your doctor will discuss with you when it is ok to return to work and physical activity. In addition, you will be instructed on when to wear make up, use soap or lotion on the face and when to go to your post-operative care appointments.

Source: http://www.solveyourproblem.com/lasik-eye-surgery/10_lasik_surgery_questions_to_ask.shtml

Monovision is an option for some people who are considering Lasik surgery; Monovision refers to the use of one eye for distance viewing and the other eye near vision. This procedure has been used with a good degree of success for over 20 years; the Lasik surgeon will ‘correct your strongest eye for distance vision and your weakest eye for near vision.

A major factor in the Lasik surgeon’s decision to recommend the Monovision option is your age. At approximately age 40 your eyes’ ability to change focus from far to near starts to deteriorate; this condition, the loss of focusing ability, is called ‘presbyopia.’ Performing Lasik on both eyes of a person over 40, to allow them excellent far vision in both eyes will, in most cases, mean that the patient with some degree of presbyopia will need reading glasses for clear close vision.

Not a “blurry” life. This procedure may seem, at first, like it will create a very blurry, confused vision problem that causes you to go through life with one eye open and one eye closed at all times but it’s not like that at all. The vision part of our brain tends to compensate for Monovision by ‘filtering out’ the image from the eye that is not in clear focus. In other words, if your left eye is your distance eye and your right eye is your near eye, when you are sitting reading a book, your brain will ignore the unfocused image from your left eye.

Two important things to remember are:

• The ability to change focus only goes from far to near, i.e. if your eye is corrected for near vision it cannot change focus to clearly see distant objects where, conversely, if your eye is correct to see clearly at a distance it CAN, if presbyopia is not a factor, focus from far to near.
• The brain adjusts to ignore the out-of-focus eye and should fully adjust to Monovision within 6-8 weeks.

Monovision considerations. Most Lasik surgeons will not recommend Monovision if you are under the age of 35 because, at that age your eye should still be able to shift focus and should be able to do that for a number of years. Another factor is that, by the time you might benefit from Monovision, there might be a much better treatment for presbyopia.

The most serious consideration when considering Monovision is the resulting loss of depth perception. Driving a car with one eye closed can cause severe anxiety until and unless you are accustomed to driving with just one eye — that is, in effect, the effect of Monovision. Your brain will be ignoring one eye or the other, as it is being trained to do.

What to do? It would appear that the best course of action for someone who is unsure about or scared of the Monovision option would be to get both eyes corrected for the best possible distance vision and then plan to use reading glasses for up-close work. If, however, you want to “try” Monovision to see if it works for you and then decide you don’t like it, there is a Lasik procedure that can “enhance” the near eye so that it matches the far eye which, again, leaves you with the reading glasses option.

Glasses in your future? If you do not have presbyopia now you probably will as you and your eyes get older; if you have it now it will get worse. Lasik distance vision correction in both eyes will not, except in a few cases, prevent the patient from “ever” wearing glasses. The benefit of having the Monovision procedure is that you are unlikely to have a need for glasses for up close work or reading as you get older.

The contact lens option. If you are not completely against contact lenses and want a non-surgical option, contact lenses can be prescribed for you by your optometrist that will allow you to try Monovision. Just like with the Lasik option, it will take some time to get your brain to adjust to Monovision and, additionally, you will need to adjust to using contacts if you have never tried them.

Results. A survey of Lasik patients with the Monovision correction has determined that approximately 85% of the patients liked Monovision enough to keep it for the long term. The other 15% were uncomfortable enough with the procedure or were unable to adjust to it and decided to give it up in favor of having the near eye adjusted to match the far eye.

Still another option. If you choose the Lasik Monovision option and find certain activities to be problematic, you can get a contact lens fitted into one eye (usually the near eye) to have it match the other eye.

Source: http://www.solveyourproblem.com/lasik-eye-surgery/lasik_option_whats_monovision.shtml

It is always important to check to make sure that a doctor is right for you before you decide to make a Lasik visit and go through with an eye surgery. There are several ways to check credentials of a doctor before you decide to go into the doctor’s office. By doing this, you will save a lot of time and energy later. If something goes wrong during your Lasik surgery, you will know before you get the surgery whether the doctor you choose will respond in the proper way and repair the problems that may occur. By choosing the right doctor, you will be able to have an easy Lasik visit, as well as surgery.

The first thing to do when checking credentials with an eye surgeon is to communicate with them over the telephone or through other means. By doing so, you will be able to determine if they are going to be trustworthy and let you know what is going on during the surgery as well as after. If there are complications, you want to make sure that the doctor is going to let you know. By talking with them, even for a short time, you can tell if they will be personable and respond to your needs and questions.

Another way to check to see if the doctor is trustworthy is to check with other patients about their surgery. If they had something go wrong with their surgery, check to see if it was immediately resolved, or if the problems were set aside. By the word of mouth through other patients, you will be able to tell if the doctor is in good standing with patients when they are receiving surgery. Usually, by checking with more than one patient, you will notice that the responses that the patients got are somewhat consistent because of the doctor’s practices and habits in the surgery room and during a regular visit.

There are several other ways to research the doctor which you are going to. Many doctors now have websites that gives their credentials, as well as the outcomes from patients. You can always find out about a doctor’s history with other patients and his relations in the medical fields by doing some research over the internet or through local areas. Scientific journals that give information on Lasik surgeons are also available for investigation. There are several places to find references in relation to the doctor and their practice. Sometimes, it is best to take the time to find out the details of the doctors practice before you make an appointment with them.

When finding which Lasik surgeon to go to, it may be beneficial to find two or three different doctors and compare them. You may even schedule different appointments in different places in order to see which doctor is going to be right for you. By doing so, you will be able to make a better decision about which doctor is going to serve you best. You can compare them by visiting with staff or even the surgeon before the Lasik visit. If the staff do not treat you well and don’t take the time to take care of you before your visit, they will most likely not take care of you when you go in for your surgery. This attitude will most likely be present with the doctor as well.

When you go in to consult with the doctor, it is important to listen to the different things that they are telling you. They should tell you the procedure that you will be going through as well as the problems that may occur when you are going through the surgery. They should not only be personable, but straightforward about the surgery and what it includes. If they are not that available for your needs or don’t tell you about the details of the surgery and what may happen after the surgery, it is best to go and find another doctor for the Lasik surgery.

By checking a doctor’s credentials, you can determine to have an easy surgery with the proper response for your needs. This will save you time and money as well as severe problems that may accumulate from the surgery later on. By investigating the doctor’s credentials by word of mouth and your own investigations, you will know which doctor is right for your needs.

Source: http://www.solveyourproblem.com/lasik-eye-surgery/check_your_lasik_doctors_credentials.shtml

Referral sources for lasik eye surgery procedures:

• Internet
• Magazines
• Medical periodicals
• Former lasik patients

The internet is the best place to find sources for lasik eye surgery procedures. Using a search engine such as www.google.com, you can find information on just about anything. Searching something as simple as “lasik” returns over four million websites. That’s correct: four million. You can narrow your search by getting a little more specific. For example searching for “lasik pricing” yields two hundred thousand results. You can use the internet to search for local eye doctors that do lasik in your area. A search for “lasik in Shreveport, Louisiana” yields fifty three thousand results. You can use just about any search engine. You may not find the site you need with your first try, but you will be lead in the right direction. Using the internet you can have all your questions answered about lasik, the procedure, the side effects, the pricing, and just about anything else you wanted to know, but was afraid to ask. You may even have some questions answered that you did not even think to ask. The internet is the most common referral source for lasik.

The second most common source for referrals is magazines. If you have ever had to go to the doctor or the dentist, you have seen tons of medical magazines in the waiting room. Most new innovations in medical science can be found by perusing these magazines. Doctors are in the business to make money, so it would make since that they would advertise. If it is a new innovation, you may even be able to read up on it in these magazines. The downside of using magazines to research is that there is no real organization or way to search them by topic. You have literally search through many magazines to find the one article you need that may or may not have all the information you need. The up side to magazines is that they are good about getting your attention and making you aware of certain innovations that you can later look up on the internet with a standard search engine.

Medical periodicals is another source that many over look. You can usually find out all the details of a procedure using medical periodicals. The down side is that these usually read like stereo instructions and they are rather boring. They are good to put you to sleep at night, and, like magazines, are good starting points. They can give you the lead you need to start an internet search.

The most overlooked resource you have is first hand knowledge from people who have had lasik. You can ask any eye doctor and they should be able to give you a reference list of patients that have agreed to talk to potential patients. Usually they will give you the best idea of what to expect. They will tell you what the internet and doctors leave out. They have gone through the operation. They know what it feels like, what the after effects are like, and if it is worth it. Now don’t go by just what one person says. Ask as many as you can. Ask anyone you know if they know someone who has had it done.

These four things are the best referrals there are on lasik. The internet, by far, has the most information at your fingertips, but keep the others in mind as well. They were around before the internet and will be around for years to come. The information they provide is very valuable and should not be over looked. If you use there sources, you will be very educated on what to expect when you go into a consultation with any eye doctor. That education will give you a leg up. You will be able to tell when a doctor is just trying to sell you something, or if he/she is really trying to help you. You are a person too, not just a paycheck. You know that, so make sure he/she does too. Once those boundaries are set, then you can feel more comfortable letting him/her operate on you. Knowledge is power, and in this circumstance, that old cliché holds true.

Source: http://www.solveyourproblem.com/lasik-eye-surgery/referral_resources_for_lasik_surgery.shtml

Lasik surgery is a dream come true for many people. It can restore their vision to 20/20 or better.

Now let’s get realistic.

How effective is lasik eye surgery? Can it really repair everyone’s eyes to perfect 20/20 vision or better? Can you really throw your glasses and contact lenses away, never to have to worry about them again? The answers to these questions may surprise you. The truth is that not everyone gets 20/20 vision when the surgery is complete. The sad thing is that no matter how much research you do, getting exact statistics is impossible. A statistical chart on www.corneatexas.com shows that they have a 96% success rate. According to www.aapecs.com only about 55% of people have 20/20 vision after surgery; however 92% have 20/40 vision. 20/40 is the minimum vision requirement in the United States to get a drivers license.

You can see that statistics can be easily manipulated to mean anything you want them to mean. You can not base your decision on having surgery simply based on the statistics that your doctor gives you. Remember that he is in business. You are a sale to him. He will tell you what you want to make a sale. Statistics should be considered, but not be the basis for your decision.

Everyone’s eye is different. The decision to go ahead with surgery should be done after have a consultation with a competent doctor. Don’t go to someone you don’t know or trust, especially if they are going to be the one doing the surgery. They just want your money. If you have a regular doctor that you have been going to for years his/her opinion would be valuable. Over the years you have learned to trust this doctor and his consultation has a better chance of being unbiased.

Do not trust anyone who claims you can throw away your glasses forever or that they guarantee 20/20 vision or your money back. There are no guarantees in medicine. The truth is most people still need glasses when they are done with surgery. You may need a weaker prescription, but still you may need corrective lenses. You have to accept that risk before going into surgery.

Many people go into surgery not expecting or even knowing about any of the side effects or complications. You need to research and understand these complications before having the surgery. You also need to ask yourself, “What can I reasonably expect from this surgery.” You also need to know what to expect after the surgery. Although the surgery may only take about 20 minutes, the recovery can take up to six months. No, you will not have patches on your eyes and you won’t spend six months in pain waiting for your eyes to heal. But it will take about six months to know if the surgery truly worked. If it did not work, your eyes may go back to their original shape within those six months. Also within that six month window, some of the negative side effects may manifest themselves. The first six months is critical. If you experience anything out of the ordinary, report it to your doctor immediately. They key to repairing any potential damage is timing. Don’t wait if you feel pressure behind your eyes, or extreme dry eye, or reduced vision, or glares, or anything that is not normal. Your doctor may still be able to fix these problems, but not if you don’t tell him or wait too long to tell him.

The honest truth is that you may still need glasses or contacts when it’s all said and done with. You need to know the risks involved and have realistic expectations. Going in prepared will help guide you through the entire process. “Knowledge is Power.” The saying may sound cliché, but it has always held true. Do your homework first. Research the surgery. Research the side effects. Research your doctor. Ask questions, even if you think it is a stupid question. It never hurts to ask questions and educate your self. A competent doctor will answer you questions honestly and not just sell you on the miracles of not wearing glasses ever again. Then make an educated decision about having the surgery. Then you can walk into surgery with confidence.

Source: http://www.solveyourproblem.com/lasik-eye-surgery/actual_results_of_lasik_surgery.shtml

Lasik eye surgery is a relatively simple procedure that causes very little stress to the body. Patients of the surgery are capable of walking into the surgery center without assistance and walking out without assistance. In addition, the procedure itself generally takes less than one minute to complete and the patient remains awake the entire time!

Getting Prepped for Surgery

Sometimes, a doctor chooses to provide the Lasik eye surgery patient with a mild oral sedative before beginning the procedure. This is generally used for a patient who is particularly nervous or worried about the procedure. In addition, the doctor will place a few drops of anesthetic in the patient’s eyes to help reduce the pain. In fact, most patients don’t feel any pain at all during the procedure.

Getting Started

After the doctor sufficiently prepares the patient for surgery, he will ask that she lie down. This serves to get the eye placed directly beneath the laser. Only one eye is operated on at a time. For the selected eye, a special type of retainer is put over the eye in order to keep the eyelids open. The retainer also has a suction ring, which keeps the eye pressurized. This generally is not uncomfortable for most patients, but it greatly helps with the surgeon’s ability to cut the corneal flap.

X Marks the Spot

After getting the retainer in place, the surgeon uses a special ink marker to mark the position of the flap that is to be created. He then creates the flap with either a microkeratome blade or with a laser. Which method is used depends upon the surgeon’s preference. The patient doesn’t actually see this flap because it is very thin.

The Procedure

After creating the flap, the doctor will use a computer to help adjust the laser to meet the patient’s specific needs. The doctor asks the patient to look at a target light for a period of time. During this time, the doctor watches the patient’s eye through a microscope as the laser sends pulses of light to the cornea.

It is sometimes critical that the patient’s eye remains fixated on the target light with some lasers. Otherwise, the results might not be as good. Yet other lasers have a special tracking device. This device follows the eye even when it moves to help ensure the best results.

As the laser sends pulses of light to the cornea, it removes tissue in order to reshape the cornea. This is generally pain free for most patients. As this occurs, the patient will be able to hear a steady clicking sound. This is simply the laser at work. In addition, the patient will probably smell a mildly acrid scent. This is the result of the tissue being removed. The poorer the patient’s eyesight, the longer this surgery will take.

While the Lasik eye surgery is actually performed by the laser and computer, the surgeon has complete control of the laser at all times and can turn it on and off as necessary.

Now That You’re Done

After the procedure is complete, it is necessary for the patient to rest for a little while. If both eyes are being done on the same day, the surgeon generally waits for a short period of time before proceeding to the other eye. In some cases, patients prefer to wait for a week to get the second eye operated on.

In addition, the doctor might prescribe medication to assist with the post-operation pain. Many people, however, feel little more than mild discomfort after the procedure is completed.

Down the Road

After being released by the doctor, it is important for the patient to strictly follow the doctor’s instructions. Prescriptions should be filled and used and the patient should be sure to get proper rest. In addition, the patient should contact the doctor immediately if he suspects a problem. Events after the surgery can affect the outcome of the surgery just as much as the surgery itself.

It is necessary for a Lasik patient to have someone available to drive him home after surgery. Once home, the patient should rest for at least a few hours to give the eye time to heal. It is often possible to return to work the day following the procedure, but it is really best for a patient to take a couple days of in order to rest. Strenuous exercise should also be avoided, as it can cause trauma to the eye and impede the healing process. In addition, patients should avoid rubbing the eye, which can cause the corneal flap to become dislodged.

Source: http://www.solveyourproblem.com/lasik-eye-surgery/the_day_of_lasik_surgery.shtml

One critical factor after your Lasik procedure is the healing of the hinged corneal flap that is created to allow the laser to reshape the inner corneal surface. What is required is the eventual healing and re-bonding of the flap to the outer surface of the cornea. This is a great area of concern for most patients as they picture their corneal flap ‘flapping in the breeze.’ It’s comforting to realize, however that even complete corneal transplants ultimately heal, such is the healing power of the eye.

The normal healing period for the post-Lasik patient is six-months, by that time, in the vast majority of cases, any problems you were having with your vision will have disappeared or dissipated to the nearly unnoticeable stage. Some things do take longer however. Complete healing of the corneal flap may take up to two-years, but the fact that it is not completely healed should not be a concern nor should it cause a vision problem.

After your Lasik procedure you will most likely be scheduled for a minimum of five follow-up visits — the first one will be within 24-hours of your surgery. It is very important that you make it to all of these appointments so that your healing process can be monitored and any adjustments can be made to your post-op treatment.

You will, in most cases be required to use eye drops for the first two-to-four weeks after your procedure. These will help alleviate any discomfort you feel in your eyes during this initial healing period. Some discomfort (not pain) is normal as are:

• Watery eyes and a runny nose
• Sensitivity to bright light
• Redness and minor swelling of the eye
• A dry feeling in your eyes
• Slightly blurred vision

Other post-op tips are:

• You might need to take an OTC medicine that does NOT contain aspirin, like Tylenol or Advil, for minor discomfort.
• Make an effort to protect your eyes from bright light or sunlight (sunglasses) and water.
• Rest your eyes as much as possible and try to get some extra sleep for at least the first two or three days after your procedure.
• You will be given a mask (an eye shield) to wear — use it for the first two-hours after your procedure and then while you sleep for the next three-or-four days.
• Avoid all water sports and water related activities (hot tubs, whirlpools, swimming, etc.) for the first two weeks.
• Don’t go scuba diving for at least six weeks.

Complications. Your risk of complications after Lasik surgery and the possible need for touch-up surgery depends on a number of factors. One such factor is the state of your pre-operative vision; the worse your eyes were going into a Lasik procedure that greater the chance that a) you will not be completely satisfied with the results and b) your surgery will result in some complications. As an example, if you needed reading glasses before your surgery, you may still need them post-op and if you had a small amount of astigmatism before your results might not seem be satisfactory. Touch-up surgery is not highly unusual and it is usually covered by the cost of the Lasik treatment program but it’s still an additional surgery that it would be nice not to have.

One guarantee about surgery is that there are no guarantees. Fact of the matter is everyone heals differently, some of us are lucky enough to have amazing healing powers while some of us are rather slow getting our health back after a sickness or a surgery.

A thorough pre-op evaluation and complete honesty between the perspective patient and the Lasik counselor can eliminate problems for both parties. Not everyone should have Lasik! Some of the determining factors that should eliminate a perspective Lasik patient are:

• Refractive instability indicated by requiring a new vision prescription within the year prior to your evaluation.
• Age! Someone who is between 19 and 24 years old is a bad risk for a trouble-free Lasik procedure.
• If you are pregnant or breast feeding any unnecessary surgery is unwise.
• If you have a disease such as HIV, herpes, diabetes eye surgery could lead to disastrous results.
• Eye conditions such as large pupils and thin corneas also spell trouble.

Source: http://www.solveyourproblem.com/lasik-eye-surgery/post_op_lasik_surgery.shtml

Lasik is the acronym used to describe Laser in Situ Keratomileusis. It is a special type of refractive laser eye surgery that can only be performed by ophthalmologists. The surgery is intended to help correct poor vision.

Development

Dr. Jose Barraquer created a procedure that was the first step toward the development of Lasik in 1970. At this time, he created a microkeratome, which was used to change the shape of the cornea and to cut the thin corneal flaps. This procedure was called keratomileusis.

In 1990, Dr. Lucio Buratto of Italy and Dr. Ioannis Pallikaris of Greece developed Lasik surgery as it is known today. This was accomplished by combining Dr. Barraquer’s technique with photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK. PRK is a form of laser eye surgery that permanently changes the shape of the anterior central cornea by burning off a small amount of eye tissue from the corneal stroma. Today, this procedure alone is not preferred because it takes longer for patients to recover from surgery and is more painful than Lasik.

The combination approach, however, was shown to have a lower number of complications and to be more precise in correcting vision. Dr. Stephen Slade and Dr. Stephen Brint first performed the procedure in the United States in 1991. That same year, German doctors Thomas Neuhann and Tobias Nuehann completed the first automated Lasik surgery in Munich.

Pre-Surgery

Before beginning Lasik surgery, the surface of the corneas must first be examined using a computer controlled scanning device. This serves to determine the exact shape of the cornea. Low power lasers are then used to create a topographic map of the surface of the cornea. This allows the surgeon to also determine the degree of astigmatism, if any, as well as other irregularities that might be present in the cornea’s shape.

This information helps the surgeon determine how much corneal tissue needs to be removed, and from where. Generally, the patient is also prescribed antibiotics beforehand. This helps to minimize the risk of developing an infection after the procedure is completed.

In addition, Lasik patients who wear contact lenses are encouraged to stop wearing the contacts for days, or even weeks, prior to the surgery. This is because the cornea needs to absorb oxygen in order to fully function. Low-oxygen permeable contact lenses reduce the ability of the cornea to absorb oxygen. This can result in blood vessels growing into the cornea in a process called corneal neovascularization. This condition can cause an increase in the inflammation of the area and lead to a longer healing time. It can also cause additional discomfort during surgery.

The Procedure

The patient remains awake and fully functional throughout the entire procedure. Usually, a mild sedative is used, along with anesthetic eye drops. The surgeon will then use lasers to make all of the necessary incisions. As this takes place, the computer system keeps track of the patient’s eye position at a rate of 4,000 times per second. In this way, it can redirect laser pulses to maintain precise placement of the laser.

Using a blade or a femtosecond laser, the surgeon cuts a flap in the cornea, but leaves a “hinge” on one end. The flap of corneal lining is pulled back to uncover the stroma, which is the middle portion of the cornea. Using an excimer laser, the surgeon reconfigures the corneal stroma by effectively vaporizing tissue. This procedure does not, however, damage the adjacent stroma.

Post Surgery

Lasik surgery does have potential complications, though these are fairly uncommon. Some potential complications include: dry eyes, halos or starbursts around light sources, over or under correction, sensitivity to light, double vision, wrinkles in the “flap,” debris under the “flap,” induced astigmatism, and epithelium erosion.

Many of the potential complications occur as a result of the flap detaching from the rest of the cornea. For this reason, most doctors recommend going home to sleep after the surgery, as this will decrease the likelihood that it will become detached completely. In addition, it is possible to develop an infection under the corneal flap.

Lasik eye surgery is an innovative procedure that utilizes cutting edge technology. But, care should be taken to learn all of the potential risks, both short term and long term, associated with the procedure before having it done.

Source: http://www.solveyourproblem.com/lasik-eye-surgery/lasik_surgery_procedure_review.shtml