Knowing if LASIK is Right for You!

NBA Star Opts for Lasik Surgery

2007-11-23T06:01:00.000-08:00

The popularity of Lasik eye surgery is obvious when high-profile sports figures opt to get it done. LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers is but one more sports celebrity that decided Lasik surgery was the way to go. Lasik can eliminate the need for contacts, while giving the customer 20/20 vision.

On the court, or anywhere else in life: it pays beg dividends to be able to see clearly. Your best bet is to check with a qualified Lasik surgeon to discuss all the variables.

Great Lasik News for People with Both Near and Far Sightedness

2007-11-10T14:55:00.000-08:00

The FDA has recently cleared the first Lasik device that is able to correct one a patient’s eyes to see far, and the other eye to see objects close up. The CustomVue Monovision Lasik device is able to correct the nearsightedness in the patient’s dominant eye, and fixes only a portion of the nearsightedness in the less dominant eye.

Some surgeons may recommend trying contact lenses first to correct the eyes. There may be some drawbacks associated with the procedure, such as decreased depth perception or blurred vision on the eye that focuses on near vision. Whatever the procedure you are faced with, you should always get the best up-to-date information possible.

Preventative Eye Care

2007-11-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

One of the leading causes of blindness in the United States is glaucoma. Among African Americans, it is the leading cause of vision problems. There are more than three million people stricken with the disease, and over half do not recognize it because there are no symptoms.

As many as 16 million people in the United States are diabetic, and a third of them never know it. Diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness in the United States, and the numbers indicate a person is 25 more times likely to become blind than a person without diabetes. You can prevent the unthinkable from happening by scheduling annual dilated eye exams.

Among people aged 65 years and older, macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss, and affects more than 10 million people. Macular degeneration can cause a sudden and severe loss of vision in the middle of your visual field. Generally, it will leave the side vision (peripheral) unaffected.

Any sudden vision changes should indicate it is a good time to see your doctor.

Unveiling the Mystery of Wavefront LASIK

2007-11-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

Wavefront LASIK is adapted from the same type of technology that allows land-based telescopes to produce images comparable to those of the Hubble Space Telescope. With Wavefront, a wave of light from a laser is sent through the eye and focuses on the retina. The light is then refracted back through the pupil and lens. Irregularities, if any, are measured at the front of the light wave as it emerges from the eye.

The data is translated into a mathematical formula, which is programmed into the laser to make the necessary corrections on the cornea. Higher order aberrations, such as glare, halos, and blurry images, can thus be corrected. Presently, these higher order aberrations can only be detected by Wavefront LASIK, and the visual results are far more predictable. Studies show that 90 to 94 percent of patients receiving Wavefront LASIK achieve visual acuity of 20/20 or better, while only 80 percent of people receiving conventional LASIK achieved 20/20 or better.

Your LASIK doctor has the information you will need, and can administer the best advice.

Should LASIK be performed on Children?

2007-10-27T13:53:00.000-07:00

Most of the surgeons that perform LASIK will not recommend the procedure for children. It has to be an extreme case for this to happen. The reason being, a child’s eye is not fully developed until adulthood, and this usually occurs around the age of 18. Children’s eyes are constantly growing and readjusting during the adolescent stages, and a child undergoing LASIK surgery will more than likely need adjustments down the road.

Another key concern is that children are restless, and may have to be heavily sedated during the procedure. Adults are able to remain fully awake. Presently, there is very little evidence on the books to suggest that LASIK is safe for children, whereas in adults, thousands of operations have been performed from which to draw data. Glasses or contact lenses are normally prescribed for children with lazy eye, or, a patch will be placed over their good eye to help stimulate and improve the vision of the bad eye.

There are many fine LASIK surgeons in the city of Los Angeles that would be glad to give you or your children a screening to see if you qualify for the procedure.

UCLA LASIK

2007-10-25T20:09:00.000-07:00

The Jules Stein Eye Institute of Los Angeles, offers superior vision correction in an environment that is patient-centered. If you are considering LASIK and you live in the metropolitan area of Los Angeles, there are a wide array of services available. Here, the surgeons specialize in a broad range of refractive procedures that include LASIK, custom LASIK, conductive keratoplasty, natural lens replacement, phakic intraocular lens implantation, and accommodative intraocular lens implantation.

The UCLA and Jules Stein Eye institute is world-class, and is ranked #1 in the West. It also holds the honor of being one of the top five eye institutes of its kind in the United States. The UCLA Medical Center is world renown, and presently holds a ranking of #3 with respect to hospitals nationwide. If you are serious about LASIK, can you think of a better place to begin the adventure?

PRK LASIK

2007-10-23T16:03:00.000-07:00

Some patients will naturally have minimal corneal thickness, and others will have either very steep or very flat corneas. In these instances, performing a standard LASIK procedure might be unwise. Your doctor might recommend a PRK (Photo Refractive Keratectomy) procedure.

This type of surgery is also known as a “flapless” procedure, and sculpts the eye without cutting a flap. The surgery is almost routine in today’s world. Computer controlled laser pulses are applied to the treatment area using variable spot sizes and repetition rates. Barring any complications, you are in and out in no time.

The recovery period might be a little longer than with traditional LASIK, but patients can normally return to work within 3-4 weeks. Your doctor can fill you in on all the details about the procedures you qualify for.

Avoiding Eye Injury

2007-10-20T17:38:00.000-07:00

There are over 50 million eye injuries in the United States each year. Over half of them will occur at home, and up to 90% of them could have been prevented with safety in mind. If you are using products in the house, make sure the spray nozzle is pointing in a direction away from your eyes. Detergents, ammonia products, and cleaning fluids are the main culprits to watch out for. If the chemicals you sometimes work with are powerful, it makes perfect sense to wear goggles.

Projects in the workshop are another place that injuries happen in abundance. It is very easy for an object to fly into your eyes if you are using power tools. Things like flying fragments, dusk particles, sparks, fumes, and chemical splashes can occur at any time. Safety glasses will prevent a host of accidents.

Even the toys and games your children play with can be harmful to their eyes. An important thing to take into consideration when buying for children is their age bracket. Darts at any age should be used with extreme caution, and pellet guns fall into the same category. There is a also a correct way to handle pencils and scissors, and children as well as adults should follow the safety rules.

Outdoors, garden tools and chemicals are the cause of most eye injuries. When using the lawnmower, everyone should be kept at a safe distance. You should sweep the lawn for rocks and stones because they can be repelled from the rotary blades at extremely high speeds. Safety is everyone’s job, and should be a household priority for each member.

What Does Board Certified Mean?

2007-10-20T15:15:00.001-07:00

To be board certified, an ophthalmologist has taken and passed rigorous examinations, which cover all comprehensive aspects of medical and surgical eye care. For the patient, it is good to note that these examinations are voluntary by the ophthalmologist. He or she does not have to be board-certified to practice their profession.

The ABO (American Board of Ophthalmology) is the prevalent certifying body for ophthalmologists in the United States. Medical boards, including the ABO, have an accredited “umbrella” organization that sets the standards for physicians looking to be certified in their field.

For the consumer, certification is an added assurance that the surgeon has done everything to stay on top of his or her field. It also means the surgeon is willing to go the extra mile to insure the best possible service for the patient.

Who is Qualified to Perform LASIK?

2007-10-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

Only a qualified (CERTIFIED) ophthalmologist, an eye M.D., or doctor of osteopathy who specializes in surgical and medical treatment of eye diseases and disorders, is qualified to perform eye surgery. Many ophthalmologists also double up on their duties and provide routine vision care services. An ophthalmologist’s training includes at least 4 years of medical school along with a one-year internship in general medicine. After this, there is a 3-year residency required at an accredited teaching program.

When doing the initial research, it is a good idea to get as much information on the background of the performing surgeon as possible. If you cannot see the credentials in plain view, it might be best to find the door as quickly as possible. Most importantly, you should feel free to field any questions that are on your mind during and after the consultation period.

LASIK Surgery with Monovision

2007-10-20T05:19:00.000-07:00

By the age of 40, we usually begin to lose the ability to properly focus the lens of the eye. This is a common occurrence, and is usually not caused by an illness or disease. Glasses or contact lenses at different focal lengths are required for near and distance vision. In the case of Monovision, the eye that is correct for distance is the dominant eye. You can generally tell which eye is dominant by raising a thumb in front of an object both eyes are focused on. Once the object is blocked, close one eye or the other. The eye that cannot see the object is the dominant eye.

Patients over the age of 40 have to make a choice. Either both of the eyes are corrected for distance, or one eye is corrected for near and the other for distance. If the patient is unsure, contacts can be used after surgery for desired results. If you are presently wearing reading glasses or bifocals, your initial consultation with the eye surgeon can inform you if Monovision LASIK will be the best procedure.

If you are a patient over 50 and do not wish to have Monovision LASIK, reading glasses will usually be required after the surgery. For patients over 50, and who wish to bypass Monovision or the use of reading glasses, far and near vision may be managed by exploring the options of lens replacement. Consulting with your surgeon is the first step, and will answer all your questions and concerns. Understanding everything involved will help to give you realistic expectations about the surgery and all possible outcomes.

If you can close the gap between knowing and uncertainty and you decide to undergo LASIK, you will more than likely review the final results in a far more positive light.

Tiger Woods and LASIK

2007-10-17T17:52:00.000-07:00

If you are wondering how effective LASIK surgery is, just ask the world’s number one golf superstar. It has been more than five years since Tiger underwent the procedure, but what most people do not know is that without vision correction, Tiger would be hard pressed to see the ball resting on the tee.

Today, his vision is 20/20 and as perfect as the day after his surgery. For Tiger, it is an unbelievable experience not to have to deal with the hassles of contacts or surgery. An unimaginable amount of practice and subsequent wins has placed him at the top of the world in his sport. Needless to say, it would have been impossible to be where he is today without the benefits of “eagle” vision.

For an athlete of Tiger’s caliber, one can only imagine the initial apprehension over the prospect of LASIK eye surgery. There are always risks involved in any surgery, but the benefits are obvious to the thousands and thousands that have successfully undergone the surgery.

LASIK Payment Options

2007-10-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

From your initial consultation, you should be able to decide the best options in paying for your LASIK surgery. The cost can very from $1300 to $3000 or more per eye, and this largely depends on your area of the country and the procedure. The type of equipment used can also have considerable impact on the overall cost. You will also be factoring into account the surgeon’s skills and potential follow up.

You can consider paying by cash, check, or credit card. Some companies have a flex plan in place that will pay for the procedure. This is usually implemented by holding back a defined amount of pretax dollars from each paycheck. Your LASIK center may have an affordable payment plan in place for its patients that qualify. Such plans will have varying interest rates, and with a little searching, you might even find a plan that allows for no-money-down.

The goal of most LASIK centers is to make the surgery affordable, and many will work to find a plan that fits your budget. Another option is that you save over time. Perhaps, this is the surest method of having the cash available to cover the surgery. In any event, the overall fee will usually be calculated depending on your individual insurance, and any other employer benefits that may or may not apply. It all starts with the initial consultation which will determine your candidacy for LASIK surgery.

Tips on Avoiding Eye Problems

2007-10-14T16:00:00.000-07:00

Keeping your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible goes a long way in protecting the health of your eyes. Any improvement in your glucose levels will reduce the risk of eye problems. Big improvements are wonderful, but even the small improvements sustained over time will make a huge difference.

Avoiding high blood sugars tends to be an immediate benefit for the health of your vision. Many people find their vision blurring when their blood sugar levels are high. Getting your eyes checked should be a priority. The only way to diagnosis eye problems early is get your eyes examined by a qualified doctor.

Visions changes that part from the norm should send up a red flag, and you should call a health care provider immediately. When it comes to good health, there is no such thing as jumping-the-gun. Diabetes is still the leading cause of people going blind in the United States, and if you have the disease, you are at risk of developing glaucoma and cataracts in addition to the more common problem of retinopathy.

Setting Realistic LASIK Goals

2007-10-14T11:46:00.000-07:00

The expectations of LASIK surgery results should be set for each invividual. There may be special considerations for a person’s prescription, occuapation, age, and other personal factors.
For each individual, with the help of the LASIK surgeon, it means establishing a workable set of goals and objectives, such as tasks a person wishes they could do better, or the desire to live comfortably without glasses or contacts.

By explaining in detail what your expectations are, the surgeon or his or her staff will be able to determine what is achievable and what is not. LASIK surgery by far, is the most successful surgery performed in any medical field. However, it is still difficult for a skilled doctor to guarantee the results. You are an individual, and your eyes are going to heal differently than that of another person.

By establishing a set of goals related to your own unique lifestyle, the chances greatly increase that your surgery will come out a success. Even after LASIK surgery, your eyes may experience change. It is normal, and in the case of most LASIK patients, the change is minimal enough not to need an additional follow up. Getting all the facts straight on the front end will help you to better realize the success and benefits of the surgery.

Wondering If You are a LASIK Candidate?

2007-10-13T13:25:00.000-07:00

Your doctor will do a thorough examination and ask you a series of questions to determine if you are a LASIK candidate. However, it does not take rocket science to pin down the obvious reasons for wanting to undergo the surgery. If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, it may be a sure sign that you are ready to take the next step

Are you constantly afraid of misplacing your glasses or contact lenses?

Are you concerned about the image of glasses, and how they define you?

If you are into recreational sports, are your glasses or contacts preventing you from pushing it to the edge?

If there were an excellent chance of being able to toss the contacts or glasses, would you consider LASIK?

Are you in a profession that requires perfect vision?

If you wear contacts, are you able to wear them for as long as you want?

Finding the answers starts with your LASIK surgeon. Only he or she can provide the necessary information and administer the right examinations to qualify you.

LASIK--Considering the Alterntives

2007-10-13T07:58:00.000-07:00

With advances in eye care health and treatment of eye conditions, new technology will emerge at a rapid pace. Medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies will often use aggressive marketing tactics aimed at healthcare consumers and professionals. These “tactics” often create patient demand for a particular product, and it forces a surgeon to offer a new product or treatment so they will not appear to be out of date by potential and existing patients.

This practice falls under the category of human nature, but the LASIK center that is grounded in integrity and good customer service, will provide the best technology at a price the consumer can comfortably afford. After all, no business can exist without a solid and continuing customer base.

What the patient needs is a calm and objective understanding of the alternatives available—and this means doing the necessary research. The medical profession is well aware of how a negative image could impact the business, and there is a consensus within the industry to provide the best care possible. However, at the end of day, it is still up to the consumer to gather all the available facts and make his or her best-informed decision.

Nail Down the True Cost of LASIK

2007-10-13T05:33:00.000-07:00

LASIK is a safe, effective, and predicable procedure when performed by experienced surgeons. The patient should be carefully selected and counseled—while having a set of realistic goals. However, a common misperception is that advertisement for low cost LASIK means the patient is privy to low fees. Be aware! There are definite terms and conditions that must be met to get the low price for LASIK.

Read the fine print! Make sure your doctor or his or her staff fully discloses the LASIK eligibility requirements associated with low prices. Total costs should include the cost of the consultation, follow-up care, and enhancements if needed.

The patient should never agree to give a non-refundable “deposit” in a consultation appointment. LASIK is a business, and such a tactic can entice the patient into being “upsold” into other expensive procedures. You should always be clear the price advertised includes any necessary enhancements within at least the first twelve months after the initial surgery.

The key is to do your homework thoroughly. LASIK can be a worthwhile experience, but like anything else in life, a lack of knowledge can create “buyers remorse”.

The Untold LASIK Story

2007-10-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

While LASIK surgery has enhanced the vision of millions of people, there is another side of the LASIK story. The Food and Drug Administration warns that LASIK can cause serious complications that sometimes cannot be corrected, and offers and Adverse Event Reporting Program to the consumer. There are risks noted in patient consent forms that require signing before undergoing the surgery.

The risks include:

A Loss of vision on the vision chart

Severe Dry Eye Syndrome

Sub-par results for patients with very poor vision

Thinning of the cornea that can lead to blindness or bulging of the eye

Under correction or overcorrection

Post surgery complications may often be obscured by a lack of regulation and reporting. Health insurers do not track LASIK complications—because they do not for the LASIK procedure. At present, the FDA does not require reports from LASIK surgeons, and as the surgeries increase, the problems accumulate.

There are risks involved, and before making the decision to undergo LASIK, the patient should read and thoroughly understand what is in the fine print.

Key Topics You Should Cover with a LASIK Surgeon

2007-10-10T18:38:00.001-07:00

For the vast majority of potential LASIK patients, the journey begins by asking questions. Acquaintances that have had LASIK eye surgery can be very helpful in suggesting the name of their surgeon. People in the medical profession network extensively, and are happy to offer leads for you to follow up on—simply for the asking. By arranging a screening or consultation, you will be able to find out if you are a candidate for the procedure, and if a particular surgeon is right for you. The following are a list of key topics you should cover with either the doctor or his or her staff.

It is important to know when the surgeon first started performing Laser Eye Surgery to correct both near and farsightedness. In 1995, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved Laser Eye Surgery with the use of the Excimer Laser. In the immediate years following, a large number of surgeons acquired the necessary training in order to become certified in Corneal and Refractive surgery. To date, many of these surgeons have performed LASER Eye Surgery for over ten years.

Another important aspect to consider is the number of years the surgeon has performed the surgery on a consistent basis. Three or more years is an excellent benchmark in determining the surgeon’s experience. You can even narrow the question down and ask how many times in the past 12 months the surgeon has performed LASIK. Twenty procedures per month, at a minimum is a safe number to consider. It would be reasonable to expect that at least 95% or more of the surgeon’s patients would be able to pass a drivers vision test without the uses of contacts or glasses.

No surgeon will be able to treat every candidate that applies for the treatment, so there should be an acceptable percentage of prospects that are unsuitable. The screening process should be rigorous, as this will automatically reduce the number of viable candidates.

No surgeon is perfect, and there will be a number of complaints registered. You may want to inquire how those complaints were handled. The list could include complaints about dryness of eyes, problem night vision, and halos. If these problems were not corrected within a six-month period, there may be cause for concern.

It is reasonable to assume that at some time or other, a patient may have filed a malpractice lawsuit against the surgeon. It might be a tough question to ask a surgeon, but it is well within your right to know. Be patient and hear the surgeon out if he or she agrees to explain the details. After all, honesty is a virtue, and may just be the deciding factor that allows you to give the surgeon a thumbs-up!

You should also inquire about the worst LASIK result the surgeon has ever experienced. How he or she handled the situation is a sure sign of their abilities and integrity. If a former patient is still on the customer service roster, it is a good sign the surgeon came through with a passing grade. It is also a great idea to write all of your questions down so that nothing is overlooked or left unanswered.

Indvidualized Vision Correction with Wavefront LASIK

2007-10-08T17:43:00.000-07:00

You may have already come across the term “Custom LASIK”. This is simply another term for Wavefront LASIK. This is the latest arsenal that surgeons work with in correcting vision problems such as near or farsightedness. Wavefront uses 3-dimensional measurements to chart the topography of the eye--which gives a unique insight into how well the eye can pocesses images. Reshaping the cornea is the key to correcting vision problems. With Wavefront measurements, extremely precise vision correction is the standard outcome—which would be impossible to achieve with traditional LASIK surgery, eyeglasses, or contact lenses.

Just like traditional LASIK techniques, Wavefront technology corrects the eyes ability to focus light rays. The element that makes all the difference in the world with Wavefront technology, is a 3-D map that demonstrates irregularities in how the eye actually processes images. The information contained in the map guides the laser in reshaping your eye’s cornea.

The standard LASIK procedures can treat ordinary vision defects such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. However, other problems associated with the eye’s optic system are out of range with the standard LASIK operation. Wavefront technologies, address these irregularities, and are able to correct them.

There is a difference in how well you see—with respect to how much you see. How well a person sees takes into consideration visual distortions known as “higher-order aberrations”. These types of aberrations can include such disorders as night vision, halos, shadows, and glare. How much a person sees depends on the lower-order defects, and these include myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. These defects, the standard LASIK procedure can treat.

The advantage of Custom LASIK (Wavefront) is that it treats both the higher and lower aberrations. The advantages are obvious: It is actually possible to achieve better than 20/20 vision. There is also a reduced chance in losing your best-corrected vision, contrast sensitivity, and visual acuity. There is also a possibility of treating people that may have lost their best-corrected vision through past corrective surgeries such as LASIK, PRK, and RK.

The best bet is to consult with you Doctor: He or she can give you all the updated facts and determine the best course of action.

Is it Tough to Find Insurance Coverage for LASIK?

2007-10-07T07:19:00.000-07:00

Educating yourself on everything associated with LASIK surgery is job-one! Typically, most companies or insurance plans do not pay for the LASIK procedure, even in cases where the procedure is deemed necessary. Insurance carriers look at the procedure as being cosmetic surgery.

The expense of LASIK is due to the technology behind the surgery. A laser will usually cost more than a 3500 square foot home. It is no small wonder that the consumer winds up paying the tab. It is highly recommended that you shop around and diligently do your homework. Treat it as if you were on a comparative shopping assignment. Eventually you will be able to find the surgeon that fits your pocket book or wallet.

It means saving up for the surgery if need be. The benefits of LASIK are tremendous, and if having it done is of major importance to you, taking the time to fill in all the blanks will save you a lot of time and money in the long run. CareCredit, a GE money company, might be worth looking into. Besides, a little knowledge never hurts!

What are the Risks of Having LASIK Surgery?

2007-10-07T06:52:00.000-07:00

LASIK is a relatively safe procedure, and thousands of operations have been safely performed. No one knows the true number of LASIK related complications, but there are studies that suggest that incidences of minor problems such as nighttime glare is approximately 3% to 5%. Minor complications include the following:

Halos- After surgery, some patients will see halos or starburst around objects in low-light conditions. For most patients, these are temporary symptoms. In some cases, the patient will continue to experience these conditions for several months or longer. It is during the pre-operative stage that a refractive surgeon can determine if the patient is at high-risk.

Dry Eyes- Immediately following LASIK, some patients experience the condition of dry eyes. The doctor will usually give the patient lubricating eye drops, and if the condition continues, it is highly recommended to consult with your doctor to see what other options are available. Pre-operative evaluations usually help determine if a candidate is at risk for experiencing dry eyes.

Infections- Eyes becoming infected is not a common occurrence with LASIK. It may occur with a 1-2500 chance, and this is comparative to normal eye surgery. With the advances in LASIK technology coupled with the skills of LASIK surgeons, the procedure has proven to be a great benefit to millions of people worldwide.

What Does 20/20 Vision Really Mean?

2007-10-06T13:37:00.000-07:00

You are probably like the vast majority of people that are familiar with the term—but really are not sure what it means. 20/20 vision refers to the normal vision acuity that a person should have at a distance of 20 feet. As an example, suppose your vision is 20/100! This means that what a person with excellent vision can see at 100 feet, you must stand as close as 20 feet to have the same visual clarity.

However, a person with 20/20 vision does not necessarily have perfect vision. At first, this might seem a little confusing and perhaps even conflicting! The truth is, we all have other important vision skills that come into play such as: peripheral vision (side vision), depth perception, color vision, and focusing ability. All of these attributes are the factors determining a person’s overall visual acuity.

Even the term farsighted and nearsighted can often be misleading. It helps tremendously if you use a simple technique for determining what your visual strengths or weaknesses are. The condition of hyperopia (farsightedness) means that a person can see well at a distance, but is unable to focus clearly on things close. The other condition (myopia), or nearsightedness, means a person can see items up close well enough, but has trouble seeing objects at a distance clearly.

In the future, when you hear these terms, hopefully they will make a lot more sense. LASIK surgery corrects these common vision problems by reshaping the cornea of the eye. By bending light, a more perfect image is refracted onto the retina, and the information sent to the brain is far more reliable.

The Advantages of LASIK Surgery

2007-10-06T06:12:00.000-07:00

Having LASIK surgery done should never be a quick decision. There are always pros and cons to weigh in any situation. However, there are many benefits if you give the decision a green light.

LASIK surgery actually works! Around 80% of the people that undergo the surgery will have their desired vision. If an enhancement is necessarry, it is at the discretion of the surgeon, and is usually performed about three months after the initial procedure.
With LASIK, there is very little pain involved. A topical anesthesia (eye drops) is administered, and the patient is aware during the entire procedure. You can expect about 5 minutes for each eye. Once the surgery is finished, you will be allowed to go home without the need for hospitalization.
The patient will usually experience immediate vision correction. For some patients, the desired effect will be the following day. LASIK surgery recovery is amazingly quick, and usually no stitches or bandages are required.
If there is an adjustment to be made, even years later, it does not present a major problem. Your doctor can make the necessary adjustments as needed to further correct your vision.
After the LASIK surgery is performed, the vast majority of patients no longer need corrective eyewear such as glasses or contacts.

Being able to toss your glasses or contacts is a benefit that many people could never imagine before having the surgery done. It can literally be a life changing experience.

LASIK Basics

2007-10-05T16:39:00.000-07:00

Knowing the basics of LASIK will go a long way in helping you make the decision if the procedure is right for you. Technology has developed a great deal since Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals in the 1700’s. Laser eye surgery has been around since the late 80’s in Canada, but was not approved by the FDA in the United States until the mid 90’s. The basics of LASIK eye surgery are easy to comprehend.

The eye in many ways works much like a camera, and it helps if you can imagine the eyelid being the shutter, while the eye’s primary purpose is to focus light. For the eye to see, the incoming light rays need to be bent so they will meet at a single point at the back of the eye. It is the job of the cornea to bend, or refract, these light rays.

If everything is working well, the light entering through the lens is fine tuned properly on the retina. The retina is composed of a layer of nerves that are connected to the brain. You might say that the retina is the “film” in the camera. Clear vision is the result of light from an object being properly refracted by the cornea—and focusing directly onto the retina. Blurry vision occurs if the light focuses either in front or behind the retina.

Approximately 80 percent of people are nearsighted, and have difficulty seeing objects at a distance. This is why there are so many people wearing glasses before they reach the age of 40. Nearsightedness is the easiest eye condition to correct, and can be accomplished with either corrective lenses or the LASIK procedure. LASIK surgery can correct both nearsightedness and farsightedness.

LASIK surgery is primarily a two-step procedure. A laser cuts a flap in the cornea, which is lifted allowing the cornea to be reshaped. Once the cornea is reshaped to refract light perfectly, the flap is returned to its original position. You are in an out of the surgeon's office in what can literally be coined—the blink of an eye.