By: Peter Rankin

Many consumers that where eye glasses believe that Lasik surgery is out of the question for them because of the price tag that can go along with it. The cost of having Lasik vision surgery can really be rather expensive for many looking into the procedure. Since this particular surgery is considered elective most peoples health insurance will not cover it. However there is hope to pay for Lasik surgery if you happen to be on a budget.

A lot of people that wear glasses think that the possibilities of Lasik corrective surgery for their eyes are very appealing. The Lasik vision correction procedure is highly customized for each specific eye patient. The patient almost always experiences improved vision immediately after the Lasik procedure is preformed. While the need for glasses is not always eliminated it can greatly improve eyesight. While most businesses do not offer insurance covering Lasik procedures there are some employers that offer expanded vision plans to their employees that will cover getting Lasik vision correction surgery. Some companies are in agreement with specific Lasik surgery centers so their employees can get a reduced rate on Lasik procedures.

There are several different options available to patients for patients that do not have the insurance to cover the procedure. Many surgery centers offer a variety of payment plan options. While many think it would be a wise idea to select the surgeon that will charge the least amount of money for Lasik surgery that is not the case at all. You should choose the Lasik eye surgeon that has the most experience doing this corrective eye procedure. This is the best possible way to make sure you will be getting the most favorable results from your surgery.

You should check right away to see if you would be a likely candidate for a second eye surgery. The price of this second procedure often varies from doctor to doctor. Some surgeons will not charge patients a fee for the second surgery if it is done within a certain time frame from the first surgery. Others charge a reduced fee while other surgeons will charge full price. It is a smart idea to find out this information in advance.

If you are on a budget it is very important to find out everything that a surgeon includes in a corrective eye surgery. Costs involved with these types of procedures can vary greatly from surgeon to surgeon. There are some patients that end up needing two surgeries. You need to find out if things like medications follow up visits and second surgeries are covered in the price that you are quoted. This can make an enormous difference in the doctor that you end up choosing. Most all Lasik eye surgeons include all surgery and aftercare expenses in one quote but no one likes to be surprised by extra expenses so it is best it ask right away.

You might want to consider looking for a Lasik surgery center that might offer a financing option to its patients. This is a great way to go if you happen to be on a budget. Most Lasik vision surgery centers will offer some type of payment plan option to most of their patients. Some surgeons that perform this type of surgery will suggest a local bank that may offer a low interest loan to pay for their surgery or very well may let some of their patients pay for their Lasik surgery in several installments.

Check and see if your employer offers a flexible spending account. A flex-spending account is an account offered by employers to their employees that can be spent on things like Lasik surgery. You simply deposit a certain amount of money into the account and it is set aside for procedures that your insurance does not cover. Many people use flex-spending account money in order to pay for co-payments for procedures. If you should happen to have a flexible spending account you may very well be able to use it for Lasik surgery. This could greatly reduce the amount you would have to pay for Lasik surgery or could eliminate the cost all together.

You could check and see if your corrective vision surgery could be deducted from your federal income tax as a health claim. You should definitely consult with your tax professional before making the decision to try and pay for your Lasik surgery in this manner. They will be able to inform you whether or not you could qualify for this type of deduction.

Source: http://ultimatearticledirectory.com/article31227-Lasik+Eye+Surgery+On+A+Budget.html

By: Jim Grayson

Here are some interesting LASIK eye surgery terminology and facts. If you are planning on having this type of surgery it is always good to familiarize yourself with it and the lingo.

Dr. Jose Barraquer from Colombia in 1970 was the first person to develop the Microkeratome, an instrument that could cut thin flaps in the cornea and alter its shape. He is ultimately the one who made this type of corrective eye surgery possible.

This type of surgery is very safe and painless. Patients experience very little pain and usually fully recover within 24 hours. Their vision is noticeably improved as soon as the surgical procedure is finished. Patients are awake during the procedure and do go temperately blind while their cornea is being worked on. This sometimes frightens patients but only lasts for a short period of time.

Here are some terms for your interest.

Laser-assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a form of refractive laser eye surgery. This type of procedure is performed by an Ophthalmologist and is designed to help correct vision.

Microkeratome - A Microkeratome is a precision surgical instrument with an oscillating blade designed for creating the corneal flap in LASIK or ALK surgery

Eye Surgery - Ophthalmic surgery or ocular surgery, a surgical procedure performed on the eye or its adnexa.

Adnexa - Appendages of an organ.

Refractive - The turning or bending of any wave, such as a light or sound wave, when it passes from one medium into another of different optical density. It is also the ability of the eye to bend light so that an image is focused on the retina, allowing the image to be sent to the brain for processing.

In Situ - In situ is a Latin phrase used in many different contexts and means ‘in place’.

Keratomileusis - A procedure for the correction of the refraction of the cornea by removing a deep corneal lamella, freezing it, forming it to a new curvature, and then replacing it.

Ophthalmologist - A physician who specializes in ophthalmology.

Ophthalmology - Branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, functions, pathology, and treatment of the eye.

Isn’t medical technology amazing? Just knowing that if you were born with bad eyes that you can go spend a few thousand dollars and transform your sub-par vision into perfect 20/20 should bring some ease to your life. To your heath and to your life – farewell!

Source: http://ultimatearticledirectory.com/article11088-LASIK+Surgery+-+Terms+You+Should+Know.html

By: Lisa Scott

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.

Source: http://ultimatearticledirectory.com/article15122-A+Brief+Ovierview+Of+Lasik+Eye+Surgery.html

By: David Allamby

What is the difference in the two main laser eye surgery procedures?

There are basically two laser refractive procedures to correct myopia (short sight), hyperopia (long sight) and astigmatism: 1) LASIK and 2) LASEK. [You might also have come across the PRK laser procedure. You can consider LASEK and PRK as basically the same procedure for most discussions - they are both forms of ’surface’ laser eye surgery with pretty much identical results].

LASIK is a two stage procedure. Firstly a superficial flap is created in the top part of the cornea (the clear window at the front of the eye). The vision correction laser is then used to reshape the inner part of the cornea and so eliminate the need for glasses. The first flap creation stage used to be carried out with a mechanical blade device, but modern clinics are now using a special so called ‘femtosecond’ laser to prepare the flap in a safer and more accurate way. There will be grittiness for 3-4 hours only and vision is usually fairly clear within several hours.

In the LASEK procedure, there is no structural flap made as in the LASIK method. In LASEK, the surface skin cells are brushed to the side, the laser applied to correct the vision, and the cells brushed back into place. A contact lens is then placed on the eye. This procedure is painful for the first 2-3 days and vision recovery takes 4-7 days.

Both LASIK and LASEK procedures are very safe and will give you the same final results. It can be quite confusing if you are thinking about laser vision correction and want to know which procedure would be best for you. While both LASIK and LASEK can give you excellent vision in a safe and reliable way, some surgeons prefer one or the other, or may indeed only offer one type anyway!

How is the prospective patient supposed to decide?

What happens in practice is that patients are greatly influenced by what their particular clinician says, and understandably so. It is always worth seeking a second opinion and comparing the findings and comments of each centre. This shouldn’t threaten any clinic worth its salt. Some patients feel more confident with one person or another, based on perhaps only “chemistry”, but it is very important to know the difference in the techniques.

About 90% of all laser eye surgery treatments are done with the LASIK method. The lack of pain and the very rapid vision recovery are very appealing to most patients.

There are some patients who are not suitable for the LASIK method, usually due to anatomical factors in the eyes and may be eligible though for a LASEK surface laser technique.

It is worth noting that with the arrival of femtosecond lasers, such as the Ziemer LDV system, that some patients who were previously pushed into the LASEK group due to e.g. thin corneas, can now still have dual laser blade free LASIK. This is because the femtosecond lasers can create a very thin predictable flap and so preserve corneal strength.

LASIK and LASEK are both very effective procedures and can be used to treat myopia (short sight), myopia myopia(long sight), astigmatism (irregular corneal shape).

However, for reading vision problems, please be aware that many clinics do not have the correct technology required to correct these vision problems, including higher levels of long sight.

Source: http://ultimatearticledirectory.com/article95990-Lasik+Or+Lasek+-+Which+Laser+Eye+Surgery+Procedure+Is+Right+For+Me%3F.html

By: Frank Montes

When it comes to lasik, California has the largest number of doctors that provide this surgery. But, remember, numbers don’t mean anything. Lasik eye surgery is a wonderful innovative technology that allows you, the patient, to improve your eye sight to near perfect standards. For this to happen, several key things must play a role in the process. You need to have the right diagnosis and the right equipment to take care of you. One of the foundations of your care will come into play with the skill of the professional eye surgeon that will do the work, too.

There are many aspects of that doctor’s care that should be addressed. For lasik, California does have the largest sector of qualified physicians, but even this should not be enough for you. There are key elements that you must address.

• What type of experience does the doctor have? Good and bad should be discussed.

• What type of equipment will your doctor be using? It must be FDA approved lasers that are specific for this procedure.

• What type of personality do they have? Are you comfortable with them and put at ease? Do you feel as if you could ask anything?

• What type of follow up care do they provide? IS this included in the charge or does it become extra cost?

• What do they see as your potential benefits and drawbacks?

All of these things are essential to ask and to know about the eye surgeon that you take into account. Although there are plenty of physicians that can provide lasik, California residents need to invest the time and research to find out who is the best qualified to provide their services. With the skill that’s necessary and the understanding that makes the difference anyone can feel good about having their lasik procedure done.

Source: http://ultimatearticledirectory.com/article37269-Qualifications+For+Lasik%3A++California+Residents+Listen+Up%21.html

By: Roger Overanout

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.

Source: http://ultimatearticledirectory.com/article1251-A+LASIK+Eye+Surgery+Checklist.html

By: Frank Montes

When considering lasik, Dallas area residents have a lot to think about. There are countless opportunities for you to find the results you are after with many qualified lasik eye surgeons in this area. Yet, the process of having lasik is quite unique and often relies on the aspects that you set forth. For most patients, the need for this surgery is one that seems simple and an easy decision. You should know, though, that there are countless opportunities but still some risks involved. One thing to consider is what has to happen before your can have lasik done.

One thing to realize is that you can’t wear contact lenses for an extended period of time before having your evaluation and surgery done. This extended time could be just days or it could be weeks. Do you have glasses that can be worn or do you have the ability to see well enough to go without?

In addition to this, the exam itself will be thorough. You will need to schedule a separate appointment in which your lasik eye surgeon will examine your eyes in depth. They will then work on developing your diagnosis doing a number of tests to determine what needs to be done for you. The exam will take about an hour but because of the testing that is required, you should plan on having someone take you and pick you up because you won’t be able to drive afterwards. You may not be able to work that day either.

Learning what to expect is essential when it comes to lasik. Dallas area residents can often find many rewards by simply investing the time in talking with their doctors about what their pre-operative care will be. Having all of your expectations in line for lasik is essential to having a successful experience.

Source: http://ultimatearticledirectory.com/article37262-Lasik%3A++Dallas+Expectations.html

By: Lucy Bartlett

For Julie, my best friend, world meant black without her spectacles. The poor myopic girl became the butt of social ridicules because of these thick glasses of hers. At twenty five she used to look like forty years old because of her glasses. Yes, she tried contact lenses once, but she wasn’t comfortable with them and the glasses were the only bridge between her and the world, until the summer of 2000, when she underwent laser eye surgery. Since then everything has changed for her. In her own words surgery brought her freedom; freedom to see the world with her own eyes without any kind of dependence.

Julie is not alone in her experience. There are thousands all across the USA, who are taking to Laser Eye Surgery, the most exciting advancement in ophthalmology. The traditional corrective measures for problematic eye sight involve using spectacles or contact lenses. But in recent years laser surgery seems to replace these traditional devices of correcting eye sight problem.

But what is laser eye surgery?
Laser eye surgery is a surgical procedure intended to correct common vision disorders, referred to as refractive disorders in ophthalmology which include myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsightedness and also astigmatism or distorted vision.

In this surgery, the laser is aimed at the cornea, which is the outer and clear round structure covering the iris, the colored part of the eye and the pupil. The surgery intends to gently reshape the cornea by changing the thickness of the tissues of cornea. No matter whether you are far sighted or near sighted, the surgery will help your eyes bring the images into proper focus.

Can you opt for different types of laser surgery?
Yes of course you can. Currently there are mainly three types of laser eye surgeries, which you can choose from depending on the type of your eye problem and your budget.

So far LASIK is the most popular type of eye laser surgery that uses the most advanced technological equipment. This is a procedure, which involves carving out of a thin layer of cornea to create a flap. The objective of this procedure is to direct the laser to the tissues lying underneath. The flap which is replaced grows back naturally. And you get an improved vision almost instantly.

The next option is EPIFLAP or LASEK surgery. In this process, the outer layer of cells on the eye is partially removed to expose the cornea. Then laser is applied to flatten or reshape the cornea and the outer cells are pushed back. Just a matter of few days and you get impeccable vision.

The last and oldest option is PRK, which is performed on an outpatient basis with local anaesthesia. In this refractive surgery, laser is applied to remove microscopic amounts of tissue from the outer surface to reshape cornea.

Is it safe?
The laser eye surgery is a surgical procedure, approved by The US Food and Drug Administration. So you can understand there can be no question regarding its safety. But of course there are certain differences of opinion relating to its result, because the procedure is relatively new and long term effects of this surgery are still unknown.

If you are still doubtful, let me share with you a piece of information: according to a certain estimate, more than one million Americans every year undergo laser eye surgery to get rid of their glasses and contact lenses and the number is still increasing. A more valid proof of its growing popularity is the diminishing cost of the procedure.

Source: http://ultimatearticledirectory.com/article14892-Throw+Away+Those+Glasses%3A+Go+For+Laser+Eye+Surgery.html

By: Lucy Bartlett

Sam was a famous boy in our school. No he was not great at any kind of sports, also it never occurred to any of our teachers that Sam was academically promising. Nor had anybody ever heard or saw him taking part in any kind of extra curricular activities. You might be wondering, then why on earth the boy was famous in the school! Well, he was famous, or should I say made famous by his oversized and thick glassed spectacles. We never met since we had left the school in mid- 1990’s until recently, and believe me it came as quite a shock! Where has gone that bespectacled boy, whose eyes seemed to get lost for ever in the numbers of his thick glasses? Before me stood a new man altogether, smart, handsome and most importantly full of confidence.

Yes, this is what a laser eye surgery can do for you. It can transform your personality, it can enhance your looks, and it helps you to get rid of dependence on sight corrective devices, it promises you freedom to view the world as you wish. Well, there are differences of opinions regarding the result of the surgery. But use your common sense and judge for yourself. Why is it that millions of people in the USA are bidding good bye to their spectacles and undergoing laser eye surgery? The prices of surgery also came down only to indicate their soaring popularity. So definitely people are getting benefits from the procedure. Let us examine, what are these benefits?

The benefits from various types of laser eye surgery are obvious and extensive. These surgeries are aimed at correcting mild to moderate refractive errors of your eyes which are more commonly known as myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsightedness, and astigmatism or distorted vision. And the best thing about this surgery is that it is a permanent correction. Thus the cosmetic and utilitarian value of laser eye surgery is beyond imagination.

Currently, there are three options available if you choose to correct your vision through laser surgery. Among them is PRK or photorefractive keratectomy, being the oldest as well as simplest the reshaping of the cornea takes place with the help of computer-controlled beam of laser. LASIK, the acronym for laser in situ Keratomileusis is a complex procedure targeted at all degrees of nearsightedness. Here a surgical blade called microkeratome is used to curve out a flap from corneal tissue. After removing the tissue beneath it, the flap is replaced back. The third option is that of EPIFLAP or LASEK, where cornea is revealed by partial removal of epithelium and after the cornea has been gently reshaped, the epithelium is replaced back to its place.

So now you can understand how laser eye surgery works. If you are scared thinking the procedure might be painful, you are mistaken. You can also get back to your normal routine within three days time. And the most interesting thing is the time. It takes just about 15 to 40 seconds!

Thinking about the risk factors? Can you find any kind of surgery, where the surgeon does not warn you about the probable risk factors? In this case you can avoid risks by asking your doctor whether you are right candidate for laser eye surgery. Maybe some time you will get dry eyes or glare around lights at night, but the benefits you get from the surgery are much more valuable than these little inconveniences of life.

Source: http://ultimatearticledirectory.com/article15067-Sceptical+About+Laser+Eye+Surgery%3F++Learn+The+Basic+Facts+And+Clear+All+Your+Doubts.html

By: Camry James

LASIK is a surgical procedure that can reduce a person’s dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The procedure permanently changes the shape of the cornea (the delicate clear covering on the front of the eye). For clear vision, the eye’s cornea and lens must bend (refract) light rays properly, so that images are focused on the retina. If the light rays aren’t clearly focused on the retina, the images you see are blurry.

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser.

What is the real difference between conventional Laser Eye Surgery and Custom LASIK Eye Surgery?

Conventional Laser Eye Surgery

Conventional Laser Eye Surgery treats the vast majority of common optical aberrations called “lower order” aberrations. These are responsible for causing nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Custom LASIK Eye Surgery provides a more precise treatment for patients who have “higher order” aberrations, which we can now measure with the Aberrometer. For these patients, customized laser eye surgery may provide a better quality of vision by measuring and addressing all of these aberrations as part of the treatment plan.

During LASIK surgery, a small incision is made in the cornea to create a flap. Then, a laser beam works within the cornea to reshape it for vision correction. After the reshaping, the flap is put back into place and serves as a sort of natural bandage.

Will I Need Reading Glasses After the Treatment?

Generally, patients under 40 years of age read well without glasses following the treatment. Patients over 40 may need magnification for reading fine print.

Presbyopia is the term that refers to the natural weakening of the focusing muscles that occurs in our early to mid 40s, causing us to need the magnification that reading glasses provide. The LASIK treatment does not correct or prevent presbyopia. We also will be glad to discuss another option called monovision.

Source: http://ultimatearticledirectory.com/article15946-Lasik+Replaces+Eye+Glasses%21.html