After Lasik eye surgery, life can become very different and quite often considerably better. Lasik eye surgery is a type of refractive surgery, which is a procedure that corrects vision. Lasik surgery is, in fact, the most commonly performed surgical surgery for the eye and the name is actually short for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis”.

Lasik eye surgery is popular because of the general ease of the procedure. Patients discuss a relative lack of pain after Lasik eye surgery and almost immediate occurrence of excellent vision. The quick and easy results, as well as the lack of pain, make this procedure very popular.

What to expect following Lasik eye surgery

Lasik eye surgery is a surgical procedure, but one can essentially come and go from the hospital before and after the procedure with little to no assistance. The procedure takes place while the patient is conscious although sometimes a mild sedative is given to the patient upon advice of the surgeon. The entire process takes, in normal circumstances, less than sixty seconds. Most people do not feel any pain at all during the procedure as drops of anaesthesia are administered directly to the eye prior to the surgical procedure.

After the procedure, the patient rests for a short period of time. Some patients elect to have both eyes worked on, so a short break is taken between procedures and then the other eye is sought to. Some patients choose to book two appointments, one for each eye, due to time constraints or other personal preferential matters.

It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions specifically, as it is with all medical procedures. Proper rest and the administering of any necessarily prescriptions is important to the completion of a successful Lasik eye surgery process. It should be noted that following the procedure, the patient should have somebody else drive them home.

Long-term

In most cases, after Lasik eye surgery the vision improves almost instantly however in some cases patients that their vision improves to an even greater degree after days and weeks pass. Most people end up with 20/20 vision after Lasik eye surgery, but some still need glasses or contact lenses to assist with proper sight requirements. Their prescription levels, of course, would be much lower than before the surgery.

There are a few complications that should be noted, however they rarely occur. Some patients experience infection or glare and normally consult their surgeon for a small adjustment procedure that is equally simple.

Source: http://eyesurgery.factsandnews.com/What-to-Expect-After-Lasik-Eye-Surgery.php

The following is a brief overview of the elements involved in the Lasik eye surgery procedure. Lasik eye surgery is still fairly new on the scene and is becoming very popular with many because of the ease, painlessness, and overall satisfaction of the procedure. Still, the Lasik eye surgery procedure leaves a lot of people curious as to what it entails and how it is done.

Do you qualify?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has a basic set of guidelines to determine if you qualify for the Lasik eye surgery procedure. First, the procedure is not done on anyone under the age of 18 since the vision of those under 18 tends to still evolve and possibly change or improve given time. Also, pregnancy or nursing is considered as these biological conditions can actually change the makeup of the eye and alter the shape of the eyeball.

Eyes must be healthy and in stable condition in order to be a candidate. Due to the changing specifications of the eyeball because of various eye afflictions, Lasik eye surgery is often postponed by surgeons in order to determine if the eye is suitable for the procedure. This is simply a precaution as not everyone is a good candidate for the surgery. The best way to determine this is to consult your medical professional.

The procedure

Lasik eye surgery is a quick and painless procedure that involves a local anaesthetic in the form of an eye drop on the surface of the eye. The surgery can range anywhere from ten to fifteen minutes per eye, but in some cases can be completed in less than a minute.

A special device or laser cuts a flap on the cornea and lifts it out of the way. The laser then reshapes the tissue of the eye underneath the flap and the flap is replaced. No stitches or sutures are required and the flap automatically heals itself and reattaches to the corneal tissue almost immediately. A shield is placed over the eye to protect the cornea while the healing process takes place.

Many patients take time off after surgery. The standard is a few days as the eye can properly heal in that amount of time. After Lasik eye surgery procedure, it is important to have a friend or trusted associate transport you home because your vision will likely be blurry. There may also be a mild burning or itching sensation following the procedure, but it is important to remember not to rub or touch your eyes. The medical professional will prescribe medication to ease this discomfort.

Source: http://eyesurgery.factsandnews.com/A-Brief-Outline-of-Lasik-Eye-Surgery-Procedure.php

Radial Keratotomy

The history of laser eye surgery goes back almost 100 years. Lans, a Dutch Ophthalmology professor, explained the basic principles of keratotomy in 1898. Sato, a doctor from Japan, did some pioneering trials with corneal incisions during the ’30s. However, many of his patients suffered from late corneal decomposition after the treatment.

Radial keratotomy was put in practice by Dr. Fyodorov in Russia in 1970s, to treat a case of eye trauma. He used this technique to treat a boy who suffered from corneal lacerations after breaking his glasses. After treatment, the patient’s vision was better than before injury. This success determined Fyodorov to make some research on past efforts in this field. His findings caught the attention of American ophthalmologists in 1978.

Dr. Leo Bores was the one to bring the technology to the United States after visiting Dr. Fyodorov in Russia. Since then, over 2 million people received radial keratotomy only in the United States.
The discovery of certain limitations of radial keratotomy determined doctors to research alternative forms of eye surgery.

The Excimer Laser

The use of the Excimer laser was another important step in the history of laser eye surgery. Dr. Srinivasin was the first to discover its potential in interacting with biological tissue while working in the IBM research labs. Dr. Steven Trokel was the one to use it for the first time in reshaping corneal tissue. This laser device emits a cold beam that when interacting with corneal tissue, destroys carbon-carbon bonds between molecules, causing tissue ablation.

The excimer laser has been used in refractive surgery worldwide since 1987 and proved a high level of effectiveness and safety. Millions of patients suffering from various eye conditions have undergone this procedure.

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

Photorefractive keratectomy was also an important progress in the history of laser eye surgery. The first PRK surgery was held in 1988 in Germany. Millions of surgeries have been performed since then all over the world.

Laser Assisted In-situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)

LASIK is a more recent discovery in the history of laser eye surgery. The surgeon uses a blade to cut a flap of the cornea and then a laser to remove tissue underneath the flap. Compared to PRK, this procedure allows the cornea to remain mostly intact. Therefore, the patients who have LASIK feel more comfortable and recover better and faster after surgery.

Surgeons have been performing LASIK for about 15 years now. The first surgery was performed in United States trials in 1991. However, the main components of this procedure have a much longer history. Ophthalmologists have been using different methods to reshape the cornea for over 50 years, creating protective layers for over 40 years and using an excimer laser since late ’80s.

In 1996, the FDA approved the laser treatment for myopia up to -6.00 diopters and in 1997; this procedure was approved for treating astigmatism up to -4.00 diopters.

Recent progress in the history of laser eye surgery includes advanced procedures to overcome the risks associated with laser treatment. Current technologies such as IntraLense use an extra laser instead of a blade and provide better safety and faster recovery. Other techniques allow an advanced level of accuracy and predictability, increasing the chance for a successful procedure.

Source: http://eyesurgery.factsandnews.com/History-of-Laser-Eye-Surgery.php

Halos around lights, making driving difficult at night is often touted as a minor laser eye surgery complication but it can have significant effects on the practical lives of the people who have to live with this laser eye surgery complication.

If the only reason you are considering laser eye surgery is so you can get rid of your glasses or contact lenses, you may want to give this a lot of thought. Yes, millions of people have had some form of laser eye surgery and yes, it is successful most of the time. Realize, though that laser eye surgery is irreversible and any damage that occurs will be irreversible as well.

We’ve all seen those circles around the lights, or the halo effect, when it rains. However, for those who experience this particular laser eye surgery complication, it’s an every day pest. For some, it is so severe they are unable to drive, not only at night but on cloudy days as well. The halo effect as it is experienced after laser eye surgery is the most common laser eye surgery complication.

One woman who could read the eye chart perfectly after her laser surgery experienced the halo effect and glare to such a degree that she could no longer drive and had to rely on public transportation. As she had only wanted to eliminate the need to wear her glasses, she was quite upset about the outcome of her surgery. She had been aware of the risks beforehand but relying on the overwhelming number of success stories, she decided to take the risk. She’s sorry now that she didn’t pay more attention to this laser eye surgery complication.

With laser eye surgery still being so new, the long-term effects won’t be known for some time. As successful as it has been, what will the effects be 15 or 20 years down the road. If someone has laser eye surgery at the age of 20 and we later learn that it’s only good for about 20 years, that person will only be 40 years old when their time runs out.

Laser eye surgery is a great choice for a lot of people. It has improved vision slightly and it has improved vision greatly. Only you can decide if the benefits outweigh the risks for you. The best thing you can do for yourself is arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible so that you can make an informed decision.

Source: http://eyesurgery.factsandnews.com/Have-You-Thought-About-This-Laser-Eye-Surgery-Complication.php

Laser vision corrective eye surgery is becoming extremely popular in today’s age due to the general affordability and the desire of many in society to maintain good vision without the help of glasses or annoying contact lenses. This surgical procedure is offered in such a varied number of individual avenues that there is certainly a type of laser vision corrective eye surgery that is right for anyone.

Eye surgery is also known as “ophthalmic surgery” or “ocular surgery”. Laser vision corrective eye surgery is not necessarily the same as “refractive surgery”, although many often assume the terms to be interchangeable. Refractive surgery does not always involve lasers to make the incision but rather refers to the general purpose of the procedure to reshape or “refract” the cornea.

The FDA first approved the laser as a surgical tool in 1995, so the advances in the field of laser surgery are generally recent. The agency did, however, restrict the use of the laser to trained surgeons experienced in the field of laser surgery and in the operation of the laser, specifically.

Types of Laser Eye Surgery

There are many types of laser vision corrective eye surgery that can repair many ailments that affect vision and the eye. Cataracts refer to a clouding of the vision or the eye’s lens. They tend to affect the elderly the most and can distort vision to degrees mirroring legal blindness. Laser surgery can correct the problems that come from cataracts by simply reshaping and removing the “clouds” and changing the environment that creates them.

Glaucoma is an eye disease that can lead to blindness due to blood pressure on the eye. Affecting an estimated 3 million Americans, glaucoma is known as the leading cause of blindness. There are several types of glaucoma which are mostly classified due to the urgency of the onset. Laser surgery can stop the spread of the symptoms by relieving the pressure on the eye.

Macular regeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly and those 65 years of age or older. Macular regeneration affects the retina in that it breaks down or “regenerates” thus causing problems with the area of the eye responsible for sharpness and contrast in vision. Laser surgery can treat macular regeneration but cannot entirely cure it, so the symptoms can be controlled but the process cannot be entirely stopped.

Laser vision corrective eye surgery can repair and ease the pain of several eye ailments and improve the quality of life for many.

Source: http://eyesurgery.factsandnews.com/Seeing-Straight-with-Laser-Vision-Corrective-Eye-Surgery.php

Laser eye surgery is a medical procedure consisting of the use of laser for reshaping the surface of the cornea. It is used to improve myopia (shortsightedness), hypermetropia (long sightedness) or astigmatism. The first information on laser eye surgery dates back from over twenty years ago.

During laser eye surgery, an excimer controlled by a computer is used to remove tiny amounts of corneal tissue. The aim of the procedure is to restore normal vision, relieving the patient from wearing glasses or contacts.

In one type of laser eye surgery, the outer layer of the cornea, also called epithelium, is removed and an excimer laser is used to reshape underneath tissue. This procedure is called photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

In a newer procedure, a microkeratome is used to cut a flap in the corneal tissue, which is then lifted and an excimer laser is used to reshape underlying tissue. In the end, the flap is put back to its place. This type of laser eye surgery is called laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Nowadays, it is more commonly used than PRK.

Information on Laser Eye Surgery Procedure

The excimer laser is a special type of laser that does not burn the corneal tissue, but vaporizes a small quantity of the cornea each time a beam is pulsed onto the eye surface. The number of pulses and diameter of the beam are carefully controlled by a computer to enhance accuracy.

Local anesthetic eye drops are used before the surgery. The procedure takes a few minutes per eye. The actual time when the laser is used for reshaping the corneal tissue is generally less than a minute.

Various eye conditions require different types of treatment:
l Myopia - the central peak of the cornea has to be flattened in order to reduce short-sightedness and improve vision.
l Hypermetropia - the central peak of the cornea has to be made steeper in order to improve vision. The laser is applied to the edges of the cornea.
l Astigmatism – this is a condition where the cornea is not evenly curved. The laser is applied more linear to improve vision.

Information on Laser Eye Surgery – Post Surgery

After laser eye surgery, you should expect some minor discomfort. However, you should be able to see, although not very clearly. You won’t be able to drive on your own, so you need to have someone drive you home or take a cab.

Information on Laser Eye Surgery Possible Side Effects

Just like any operation, laser eye surgery involves a few risks as well. You should have some information on laser eye surgery and its possible complications and side effects before deciding you want to have this type of surgery.
l Treatment not successful – this may be the result of either under treatment and over treatment. You may need another surgery to enhance vision.
l Dry eyes - you might have to use eye drops.
l Delayed healing – the flap or the outer layer of the cornea might not heal properly and require follow-up treatment.
l Infection – in case of an infection, you may need to follow an antibiotic treatment.
l Superficial scarring – a second procedure might be needed to repair scarred tissue.
l Excessive thinning of the cornea – vision problems may return and you might need to use contacts or have another surgery.
l Sensitive eyes - some patients experience excessive sensitivity to glare, which makes driving more difficult.
l Blurred vision – ‘halos’ might result from the surgical procedure, but usually they fade out over time.

Before deciding on a certain type of laser eye surgery, you should consult a doctor to examine your eye condition thoroughly, provide you with information on laser eye surgery risks and benefits and give you some advice on which procedure is best for your specific problems.

Source: http://eyesurgery.factsandnews.com/Information-on-Laser-Eye-Surgery.php

A good decision is based on a little “market research”. When you are going through the consideration process, you need to find out what the average cost of lasik eye surgery is going to be included in the price can help you to choose the best eye center or doctor.

LASIK Price Increase

In the last years the prices have been rising, on the one hand because new procedures are used such as “custom LASIK” which is more expensive than traditional LASIK, and on the other hand new technologies such as intralase technology, increases procedures costs.

In 2002 the average cost of lasik eye surgery was between $1,550 and $1,600, but by October 2003 the average had risen to $1,710. At the end of 2004 the average cost of lasik eye surgery was a little over $1,800, and in 2005 it was $1,965.

Why the Prices Vary?

One reason prices vary is that different providers perform different levels of preoperative testing so it is very important you should determine if in the quoted price are included appropriate testing.

Also the cost of testing and surgery equipment varies widely. Technologies for tear film analysis, eye tracking, and measurements of corneal thickness, the laser and corneal topography and pupil size, are available at various prices and are reflected in the procedure fees.

What Are You Paying for?

Refractive surgery fees should cover a variety of costs such as lease or purchase and maintenance of the laser, corneal ring segments, microkeratome and/or other devices used. The excimer laser manufacturer receives a royalty fee of $100 to $150 per eye to develop the machine. If it’s a custom procedure the royalty fee per eye is between $145 and $250, depending on the laser manufacturer.

In the cost of lasik surgery are also included masks, gloves, gowns and other items to make sure the operation is kept sterile.

And let us not forget about surgical solutions, medications and microkeratome blades used during the surgery; office and surgical staff benefits and salaries, office equipment, rent, and office administration; insurance, patient acquisition costs, which include seminars and advertising, and surgeon’s fees if he or she is not on staff.

LASIK is a relatively new technology and thus the long-term effects are not well known. You should take into account the average cost of lasik eye surgery but don’t make your decision relying simply on cost, ask your surgeon what is included and what is not included, what will you have to pay for if enhancement surgery becomes necessary or complication occur, and of course a good surgeon is better than a good price!

Source: http://eyesurgery.factsandnews.com/Average-Cost-of-Lasik-Eye-Surgery.php

If your spouse or significant other is about to have Lasik corrective eye surgery, it will probably fall to you to see that he uses his eye drops whenever he should and follow all post-operative instructions. If possible, try to be available for a couple of days after the surgery. Your loved one will probably not be in the best of moods just because at first the dry eye and itch can be so irritating.

Make sure he continues to wear the protective covering put over his eye by the doctor. Even while sleeping, hair or bacteria could get into the eye and cause a lot of discomfort, possibly even infection. If you have pets, try to keep them away from him during these first few days to prevent any stray animal hairs from finding their way to his eye. You may also need to assist in administering the eye drops.

A stinging sensation such as sand and dirt in the eye has been reported among some Lasik corrective eye surgery patients. If your loved one complains of this stinging sensation or any other pain, give him the pain pills the doctor most likely will prescribe. Try to be understanding and if you’re up to it, take a supper tray to where he’s lounging

He will most likely be sensitive to light for the first few days so you might want to keep your home darker than normal. When he does venture outside, he will probably appreciate sunglasses for at least a few days. The initial healing process from Lasik corrective eye surgery should just take a few days and then everything will be back to normal.

Don’t allow him to drive until the doctor has given the go-ahead and be sure he makes that first post-operative appointment. Go with him if you can and convey your observations to the doctor, both positive and negative. It may take several months for his eye to completely heal and his vision is likely to fluctuate during this time of healing.

Try to remain optimistic and encourage him. Write down notes about his progress to share with the doctor. Additionally, write down any questions the two of you have to be asked at the next appointment. Of course, if he develops any unusual symptoms or severe pain, contact the doctor immediately.

You may very well feel your nerves on edge a bit during this process but it will be worth it in the end. He’ll thank you for helping him get through the first few days after Lasik corrective eye surgery.

Source: http://eyesurgery.factsandnews.com/How-to-Care-for-Someone-Having-Lasik-Corrective-Eye-Surgery.php

So, you have decided to undergo LASIK eye surgery. Your eye doctor has cleared you as a good candidate and you have learned about and considered all the risks involved, and you have decided to have the surgery. But now, a couple of questions remain. How much is the procedure going to cost? And why is there so much variation in the cost of LASIK procedures?

The cost of LASIK procedures depends on a number of aspects. The most variable factor to cost is the patient’s current eyesight. If a person’s eyesight is worse, then the procedure is going to cost more per eye due to extensive correction. A discount LASIK center may advertise their lowest cost, and that cost would be most likely for a person with average or minimum refraction correction. The only constant in costs for LASIK surgery is that the costs are determined per eye.

The cost of LASIK surgery also varies by location. According to the Review of Ophthalmology, in 2003 the average cost for LASIK eye surgery was $1,700. However, the averages in the Midwest and South were $100-$200 less. The lowest minimum cost for LASIK was found in the West in 2003. Next, lowest minimum was found in the Midwest. The survey was compiled out of the responses of 60 surgeons. The Review of Ophthalmology did a follow-up survey several months later and found that prices had risen in just few short months. The average price for LASIK nationwide had increased to over $1,750 by July. The original survey was taken in February; just a four month period. But at the same time, prices increased in regions and decreased in others. Essentially, these statistics further demonstrate the varying costs of LASIK depending on eye refraction correction and the surgeon.

According to All About Vision.com in 2002 the average price of LASIK was between $1,550 and $1,600. By fall of 2003, the number had risen to $1,710 and to more than $1,800 by the end of the 2004. In the second quarter of 2005, it was reported that the average cost of LASIK was $1,965. AllAboutVision.com also reports that the highly-advertised multi center TLC Laser Eye Centers’ prices have also risen over the years. The average in 2002 was $1,800. By the end of 2004, that average price had reached $1,957. By the second quarter of the 2005, the average TLC’s LASIK surgery was running around $1,983.

AllAboutVision also reports on another recognizable name in the LASIK eye surgery market: LasikPlus. The reported average price in the second quarter of 2005 for LasikPlus customers was $1,344. That number is up a bit from the first quarter of 2003. Reported averages from that quarter were $1,173. However, those changes in cost are not as significant as the increases seen with TLC Laser Eye Centers. The differences could be upgrades in technology. More patients could be opting to spend a bit more money to have the latest in technology, or to have custom LASIK performed, which uses a more advanced technology called wavefront.

Source: http://aboutlasikeyesurgery.com/lasik-cost.html

Wavefront technology is used to measure and track the aberrations in the eye’s visual field to target specific abnormalities that prevent perfect vision. The human eye has many special characteristics that vary from person to person. The wavefront technology attempts to capture that information to help surgeons perform a personalized procedure to get the desired effect out of a LASIK procedure. Combined with the excimer lasers, wavefront has proven more successful in achieving perfect 20/20 vision in patients. The wavefront technology is also approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

The wavefront technology is helping to achieve better results because it detects the intricacies of each eye. Even though two people might share the same eye refraction or prescription, each eve is different. The custom LASIK procedures using wavefront detect those characteristics and the surgery is adjusted to fit the eyes.

However, with increasing and more sophisticated technology, costs do tend to increase. In January 2004, The Wall Street Journal reported in 2004 that adding the wavefront technology to a LASIK procedure increased the cost of the procedure by $100 - $400 per eye. This cost to the surgeon translates into a $500 - $2,500 cost per eye passed along to the patient. Premiums for custom LASIK average between $375 and $500 per eye. Some doctors only do custom LASIK and their fees are priced accordingly as one cost; not an extra fee for wavefront in addition to the conventional LASIK.

There are also other factors that contribute to the bottom line costs of LASIK procedures that patients might not see on their bills, but contribute to the overall cost. Most manufacturers of the lasers, or microkeratome carry a per eye royalty fee per procedure to cover the machine development costs. This cost can be anywhere from $100-150 per eye. There are other costs that trickle down into the bills of patients like the cost to lease equipment and supplies like gloves, masks and other sterile equipment for surgery. Extra costs factored into the overall cost of procedures are also derived from overhead for the doctor’s office and insurance costs.

In addition, pre-operative procedures can add to the cost of LASIK procedures. Candidates for LASIK need to inquire if pre-operative screenings and tests are included in the overall estimated fee for the surgery. However, the importance of pre-operative procedures should not be diminished. It is essential that the doctor you choose performs through pre-operative procedures and tests. First of all, these pre-operative screenings determine if you are a good and healthy candidate for the surgery, and can detect ahead of time if preexisting conditions make you a poor candidate for the procedure. Also, these tests help to avoid problems before and after the procedure. If you are opting for the wavefront, custom LASIK, you might find that the pre-operative screening is more extensive, and should plan for additional costs related to the advanced technique.

Source: http://aboutlasikeyesurgery.com/wavefront-lasik.html