Firmoo.com

Archive for the ‘Lasik & Vision Surgery’ category

« Older Entries

Myopic Operation Cannot Eradicate but Correct Myopia

March 28th, 2011

With the development of surgery technology, the success rate of operation becomes higher and the effect is also getting better and better. However, operation can only make you take off your eyeglasses but not change the fact that you are still myopic.

For instance, if your eye degree is 1,000 before the operation and your naked vision reaches 1.0 after the operation so you don’t need to wear myopic eyeglasses any more. But your eye structure and retina remain in a high myopic condition and all complications such as glaucoma, amotio retinae and so forth may happen. Therefore, don’t think that everything is just fine after the operation even if its effect is ideal.

What’s more, people who have had the myopic operation will feel their visions are lost at evening or when there is a cloudy or rainy day. That is to say the eye’s vision function is recovered but its other functions are still the same as that of the myopia. The vision is corrected, which only means the dioptor of the eye is regulated, but the high visual quality involves astigmation, contrast sensitivity, night vision, tear film stability, etc. For this reason, after the LASIK operation, the contrast sensitivity of the sufferer’s vision will be reduced and the astigmation will be increased.

Apart from what I said above, the experts indicate that the people who have had myopic operation should protect their eyes well from being hit as their corneas become thinner and the compression resistance hereof becomes weaker as well.

Additionally, I want to mention that there are no absolutely safe operations in the world. You should be cautious to choose hospitals and doctors when you prepare to do the LASIK operation. Only if you know the condition of your eyes well to see which kind of laser operation is best for you can you ensure the safety of your eyes.

Comments Off on Myopic Operation Cannot Eradicate but Correct Myopia »

Posted in Lasik & Vision Surgery

Tags:

The risk of a Laser vision correction

February 20th, 2010

There are many types of Laser vision correction surgery, including PRK, LASEK, RLE, LASIK vision correction surgery, and so on. Among which LASIK vision correction surgery is the most commonly used Laser vision correction surgery with the purpose of improving the visual acuity. With a successful LASIK vision correction patient will needn’t to ware eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, like other Laser vision correction surgery, LASIK vision correction surgery has risks in the long term effects. Some patients, although they may see better than that of before the LASIK vision correction surgery without glasses, will still need glasses or contact lenses for their best vision.

The risks of a Laser vision correction also include the following potential complications. The most common risk from Laser vision correction surgery is dry eyes, which if left untreated can compromise the visual outcome and result in regression of the effect of Laser vision correction surgery. Artificial tears, prescription tears and punctal occlusion are some of the successful treatments for dry eyes caused by Laser vision correction surgery. A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a common and minor post-LASIK vision correction surgery complication.

A patient with Laser vision correction surgery may also suffers from disturbing visual side effects, such as halos, double vision (ghost images), loss of contrast sensitivity (foggy vision), light sensitivity and glare. Other risks include overcorrection, undercorrection, wrinkles in flap, thin or buttonhole flap, floaters, and so on.

So it is important to take into account the risk potential of a patient before they carry out the Laser vision correction surgery.

No comments »

Posted in Lasik & Vision Surgery

Tags:

The cost of LASIK eye surgery

January 13th, 2010

Some national chains advertised LASIK eye surgery prices as low as $299 per eye, but the financial reports of those same chains showed that the average LASIK cost is about $1,350 per eye in 2002. New technology increases LASIK cost, such as laser flap technology and custom or wave front LASIK. Laser flap technology of a LASIK eye surgery is a procedure, in which the LASIK flap is created with a laser rather than a micro keratome, and the patient may has fewer flap complications and has a greater likelihood of achieving 20/20 acuity or better. So it typically costs more than traditional LASIK eye surgery. Custom or wave front LASIK eye surgery involving using wavefront technology to measure and map the aberrations and vision problems may used when the eye fails to focus light rays correctly, also increases LASIK cost.

After rising for several years, LASIK cost seemed to stabilize from 2006 to 2009. Industry sources report that the average LASIK eye surgery price in late 2006 was about $1,950. In 2007, LASIK eye surgery and laser-based procedures charged at a single price cost an average of $2,099. And at prices reported in 2008, the average of LASIK cost rose only slightly, to $2,105. The average LASIK cost reported in 2009 was $2,140.

Note that the price of LASIK eye surgery may varies from about $1,400 to $3,600 per eye based on many factors, including your individual prescription, where you live, and which surgeon you choose and which technology is used. Many eye surgeons don’t charge a separate fee for new technologies used in LASIK eye surgery, and instead quote their price as a single fee.

Other laser eye surgery average price in 2009 is listed below: CK: $1,500 to $2,900; PRK, Epi-LASIK and LASEK: about the same as LASIK; Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE): $2,500 to $4,500 per eye or more, depending on extra costs such as facility fees.

No comments »

Posted in Lasik & Vision Surgery

Tags:

The procedure of PRK

December 31st, 2009

PRK is short for photorefractive keratectomy. PRK is a laser vision surgery procedures intended to correct eye vision by changing the shape of the anterior central cornea using an excimer laser.

Before the vision surgery, the patient’s corneas are examined with a pachymeter to determine their thickness and other irregularities in the shape of the cornea, and with a topographer to measure and draw their surface contour map. This process before PRK also measures astigmatism for the vision surgery. Using this information, the eye doctor calculates the amount and the locations of corneal tissue to be removed during the vision surgery.

In the process of PRK, the first step is to create a flap of the outer layer of the cornea in the middle section of the cornea, with a hinge left at one end. Then a small amount of tissue from the corneal stroma just under the corneal epithelium is ablated by an excimer laser. During this step of PRK, a computer system is used to help redirecting laser pulses for precise placement 60 to 4,000 times per second. The last step of the vision surgery is to fold back the flap made in the first step is carefully over the treatment area after the laser has reshaped the cornea.

As with other forms of refractive vision surgery, Lasik, Epi-Lasik, Lasek and so forth, the complications of dry eyes is the most commonly occurred after PRK and can be permanent. Some patients after having PRK surgery have suffered glare, halos, and starburst aberrations, which may be the result of postoperative corneal haze that may develop during the healing process. And about 1~3% of the cases, loss of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) may occur. Compare with PRK, other laser vision surgery procedures are more stable, such as LASIK and LASEK.

No comments »

Posted in Lasik & Vision Surgery

Tags:

Are you eligible for a Lasik surgery?

December 5th, 2009

In order to get clear vision, the eye’s cornea and lens must refract light properly so that images can be focused on the retina of the eye. If the cornea can’t work properly the images become blurry. In this refractive error condition people may need glasses or contact lens to correct vision or a laser surgery. Lasik surgery (short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is an eye laser surgery that changes the shape of the cornea (the clear covering on the front of the eyeball) permanently by a laser in order to correct vision and eliminate the patient’s dependency on eye glasses or contact lenses. Laser surgery is extremely favored by fashion people who are myopia.

However Lasik surgery is not suitable for everybody, even those with myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Comprehensive eye examinations, using a number of medical equipments will be taken and a few questions will be asked before you can undergo laser surgery. First you should be at least 18 years old for Lasik surgery(21 in some cases, depending on the type of laser surgery), since the vision of people younger than 18 continues to change. Your eyes must be healthy to have a laser surgery. The curve of the cornea, the size of the pupils and the thickness of the cornea is measured to determine if there is enough cornea tissue left for a Lasik surgery. Lasik surgery may not be recommended for patients with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glaucoma, herpes infections of the eye, or cataracts. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding are not recommended for Lasik surgery. After the examinations, the laser surgery doctor will tell you the risks, benefits, possible complications and alternative options, such as PRK and LASEK. After all these, your eye doctor will do Lasik surgery for you.

No comments »

Posted in Lasik & Vision Surgery

Tags:

Cheap Lasik – Is it really cheap?

December 1st, 2009

Nowadays, the average cost of advanced Lasik eye surgeries, which includes the use of Custom Wavefront 3D mapping system and all laser IntraLase, is about $2000. And even the average cost of the cheaper type of Lasik is about $1000. However, it is easy for you to find advertisement on the internet or in the newspapers that some clinics charge Lasik eye surgery for only $699, $499, and even $299. How can it be so cheap? Does it really cheap as we have seen on the advertisement?

We may read carefully about the $299 Lasik eye surgery ads. So the first purpose of the ads achieved. The ridiculous low price is probably aimed to get your attention about the Lasik surgery provided in that clinic. Then go on reading the ads, you may find not this cheap Lasik eye surgery is not for everyone, but only a few meet their requirement, for example the vision of the patient must have -1.25 or better with no astigmatism, which is a minor vision problem that can be corrected with reading glasses from any eye clinics. The reading glasses usually only cost $5. What does that mean if you undergo the Lasik regardless of the truth of the ads? It means you pay $299 for things that $5 is enough.

So finally we understand it is just not a cheap Lasik surgery ads but something looks like cheap which will actually cost you more. The extremely low price is just there to attract your attention. Since eyes are very important to everybody, it is not the things that can be taken for granted. Therefore, it is very important to know more about the eye surgery, from the initial exam to the post care medication and follow up treatments and the process of the Lasik surgery itself, not only the price of it.

No comments »

Posted in Lasik & Vision Surgery

Tags:

Causes for the failure of LASIK surgery

November 26th, 2009

No one can deny the fact that eyes can sometime represent the inner personality of people. Thus a pair of clear and nice eyes is very essential. But sometimes there are some factors that can always cause harm on your vision, as for the sake of birth, genes or pressure. All these factors are proved to be the potential reasons for bad vision. If one has some vision problems, he is advised to see an eye doctor, but as for the matter of receiving surgery, it should depend on one’s physical conditions.

Reasons for such surgery

Before receiving such surgery, one should have an understanding of it. It is such a complicated process that requires high on every aspect. Such as, a well-experienced doctor is needed. Of course, the surgical methods and one’s physical conditions matter a lot too. All these factors play very important role on the success and recovery of the surgery.

An eye doctor is very important, for he might have diagnosis on your problems and provide you with the best way for solution. He will also have an understanding of the potential risks. Nowadays, the most welcomed method is laser eye surgery.

Why so many people choose laser eye surgery?

The reasons why laser eye surgery is so welcomed vary. For example, its procedure is not complicated as others; it will take little time to take on such surgery, which will cause no pain on patients. Of course, the foremost important reason is its high rate of success, much higher than other methods. Minor complications, however, as infections and long time for healing can not be avoided in such surgery. Fortunately, if the patients follow the advices of the doctor, such side effects can also be avoided.

What is the procedure?

Among all the eye surgery methods, laser surgery is the simplest one, which provides with the best results in many eye problems, myopia and astigmatism in particular. Before starting, some special drops will be put on the eyes, which can reduce the possible pains. Later, the laser will reshape the cornea very delicately, so as to assure a better vision. In no less than one day, one’s vision can be recovered, and he can dispose of glasses or lenses.

Who can not receive laser surgery?

As for the laser surgery, there are some prohibitions. People with eye infections or other medical disorder can not receive such surgery. Also, people with diabetics and pregnancy are not suggested either.

A responsible eye doctor should understand all the potential risks or who can not receive such surgery. And such information should also be informed to his patients. Such understanding is crucial for the patient’s health. Especially, it can help the patients decide whether to receive it or not.

No comments »

Posted in Lasik & Vision Surgery

Tags:

Categories of Laser Eye Surgery

November 23rd, 2009

More and more people choose to do eye surgery to correct eyes because they are bored with wearing eyeglasses and contacts. However, the categories of laser eye surgery vary greatly among each other and they actually fit different eye situations. So if you really opt to do eye surgery, you are recommended to do some studies on laser eye surgery.

LASIK, which is short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is considered to be the most common and popular kind of laser eye surgery and it is effective to correct the situations like myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Before your doctor is ready to do the surgery for you, they will request you to take off your contacts for a couple of weeks. Only in that way they can measure the amounts of corneal tissue to be removed in each eye during the surgery. The procedures of LASIK include flapping and remodeling process of corneal tissue. During the flapping procedure, you are required to keep your eyes wide open to let your surgeon use a metal blade to create a flap of corneal tissue. Then the surgeon will reach to the middle layer of cornea with the help of flap and do the cornea reshaping. Finally, the flap is repositioned and the surgery id done. However, you have to pay attention to lots of notice items after surgery. For example, you should use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drop to prevent any eye infection. You should be away from strong lights to prevent any hurt to eyes again. So we can say both the surgery itself and healing process are important for a successful eye surgery.

PRK and LASEK, which mean photorefractive keratectomy and laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy separately, are two revolutionary kinds of laser eye surgeries being completely different from LASIK. There is only one procedure during the both two operations, which is achieved by the way of ablation to vaporize a small part of tissue from the front eyes in order to reshape the cornea. As the corneal epithelium is regenerative and can be built for a short time, you do not have to worry about the discarding of corneal. The fact that the operations do not have the process of corneal cutting makes them to be well-known as no touch laser vision correction. These surgeries are characterized as no manual surgical instruments and only one excimer laser from the beginning to the end of the surgery.

Since you know the main categories of laser eye surgery and both their advantageous and disadvantageous, you can choose one that is most suitable for you. Good luck!

No comments »

Posted in Lasik & Vision Surgery

Tags:

Candidates For LASIK Surgery

November 18th, 2009

LASIK eye surgery, an innovative operation on eyes, is thought to have brought many benefits to people of eyesight problems, be hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), or astigmatism ( a common condition where cornea is irregularly shaped). Most people are quick to have one to get their vision clear. However, not everyone is suitable to have a LASIK surgery, here are a list of them:

People under 18 years old are thought be not suitable, because teenagers are in their time of unimpeded growth, at which age the vision prescription is not stable. Any eye surgery, including LASIK surgery is usually most successful for those who have a stable vision prescription for a period of time.

People having certain diseases, such as the diseases that cause hormone levels to fluctuate, and those are taking certain medications are advised not to take a LASIK surgery. Because some diseases and medications may have side-effect of hindering the healing process after laser eye surgery. Therefore, before an operation, your eye doctor will ask you relative questions and ask for an overall eye examination.

Besides, even if you do not have certain diseases, if you are examined to have certain eye problems, such as large pupils, and thin corneas, etc. you are not the best candidate for an eye LASIK surgery. Even if you already have another eye surgery before, you are not suggested to undergo a LASIK surgery.

Other groups who are not for LASIK include those in bad health condition, those having had inconsistencies in their glasses, those participate in sports frequently and so on so forth.

After checking all the problems above, and if you are qualified. Then come to the issue to choose

After checking all the problems above, and if you are qualified. Then come to the issue of choosing your eye doctor. Things need consulting include the eye doctor’s education, professional membership, and board certification and relative laser eye surgery he or she has ever undergone.

However, you should not only believe an exparte statement of the eye doctor himself or herself, since everyone is selfish. Another way to get to know more information about the eye doctor is to search in the Internet, checking others’ judgements on him or her

No comments »

Posted in Lasik & Vision Surgery

Tags:

An Introduction of Wave Front LASIK Surgery

November 15th, 2009

If we now want to take eye Surgeries, our eye doctors may recommend us to get Wave Front LASIK surgery, which is the best choice for many glasses wearers. This method has integrated the latest technologies and is employed in the treatment of eye problems since 2002 with the approval of FDA. With a device connected with a computer, the eye doctors can have a very clear picture of our eyes. Compared with traditional LASIK surgeries, this method can be operated in a very accurate way and it will reduce the possibility of complications in the surgery.

The information of our eyes will be reflected on the screen of the computer in pictures of three dimensions. Then eye doctors can see our eyes very clearly, analyze the problems of our eyes and fix the areas, in which the surgery is operated.

The information of problems and ailed areas will be delivered onto the screens. This detecting process can enhance the accuracy of the operation. Still more, some potential eye problems can also be detected

All the information of the patients will be analyzed by the computer, which will design some schemes based on the patients’ individual conditions. The surgery will be very successful, and receivers will also enjoy perfect visions once more. Side-effects in other surgeries, as dryness, redness, etc, can be greatly reduced in Wave Front LASIK surgery. The reason is all potential complications and problems can be detected before the surgery.

No comments »

Posted in Lasik & Vision Surgery

Tags: