Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Eye Makeup After Lasik

Eye Makeup After Lasik! by Oswald H.Seifert


LASIK, or "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis," is the most common refractive surgery procedure. Refractive surgeries, including LASIK, reshape the cornea to correct distorted vision often eliminating the need for glasses or contacts.

Higher-order aberrations are visual problems not captured in a traditional eye exam. In a young healthy eye, the level of higher-order aberrations are typically low and insignificant. Concern has long plagued the tendency of refractive surgeries to induce higher-order aberration not correctible by traditional contacts or glasses. The advancement of lasik technique and technologies has helped eliminate the risk of clinically significant visual impairment after the surgery.

The following are some of the more frequently reported complications of LASIK:

1. Dry eyes
2. Overcorrection or undercorrection
3. Visual acuity fluctuation
4. Halos or starbursts around light sources at night
5. Light sensitivity
6. Ghosts or double vision
7. Wrinkles in flap (striae)
8. Decentered ablation

How Soon Can I Use Eye Makeup? You may resume wearing eye makeup starting 1-2 weeks after your treatment. We strongly recommend that you purchase new eye makeup, specifically mascara, to avoid potential infection following your treatment.

The most important thing for anyone considering LASIK surgery is to determine if they are a good candidate. Finding a surgeon who will honestly assess compatibility is extremely important, and vastly preferable to a provider who does not do a careful examination, and thus risks serious side effects.

LASIK is an outpatient surgical procedure and will take 10 to 15 minutes for each eye.

The only anesthetic used is an eye drop that numbs the surface of the eye. The procedure is done with the person awake. LASIK may be done on one or both eyes during the same session.

During LASIK, a special knife (a microkeratome) is used to cut a hinged flap of corneal tissue off the outer layer of the eyeball. The flap is lifted out of the way and a special laser is used to reshape the underlying corneal tissue.
About the Author

LASIK is the most commonly performed refractive Eye Surgery procedure

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Lasik Eye Surgery Complications

Lasik Eye Surgery Complications by Beth Gabriel


What are some of the possible complications of Lasik eye surgery?

Undercorrection - this occurs when the expected vision correction falls short of the desired outcome. This occurs more commonly with patients who have a high degree of nearsightedness (only objects close up are clear), farsightedness (only objects far away are clear) or astigmatism (images both far and near are distorted). Why? There is more laser corneal sculpting that needs to occur with patients having higher degrees of vision imperfection. When choosing your Lasik eye surgeon, it's important to ask them what percentage of their patients need retreatment for undercorrection. This should be something that they are willing to freely discuss with you. If not, walk away! This is not to be confused with a planned slight undercorrection for nearsighted patients over forty years old which aids their reading vision. But this is something that you and your Lasik eye surgeon would have discussed before your surgery.

Overcorrection - this complication occurs less frequently than undercorrection and results when the amount of correction (corneal laser sculpting) exceeds what is planned. Slight overcorrection can be temporary and may resolve itself in the first month following Lasik eye surgery. Patients can manage slight overcorrections by wearing glasses until their vision resolves. Some patients with overcorrection may need additional Lasik eye surgery 3 to 6 months following their first surgery.

Dry Eye - many Lasik eye surgery patients may experience the feeling of 'grittiness' in their eyes following surgery. This condition usually resolves itself in 3 to 6 months and may be helped by using lubricating eye drops. Patients using birth control pills and patients going through menopause may experience this condition more often. If 'dry eye' continues beyond 6 months, your Lasik eye surgeon may recommend blocking your tear ducts with tiny silicon plugs to prevent tears from draining away too quickly.

Corneal abrasion - a small percentage of Lasik eye surgery patients may develop a small corneal abrasion (scrape) caused by the microkeratome (instrument used to create corneal flap) used during surgery. This abrasion is generally not serious and will heal quickly. Your Lasik eye surgeon may temporarily place a thin bandage contact lens on your eye to promote healing. While your abrasion is healing, your vision will be blurry.

Night glare - this annoying condition may not affect your vision clarity but patients may see halos or ghosting of images at night during the first month following surgery. Night glare generally improves in 3 months and often disappears within 6 months. Patients with large pupils and more severe vision impairment may be more prone to night glare.

Corneal flap complication - this occurs when the corneal flap is too small, too thin or is an irregular shape. In some cases the corneal flap may shift slightly following surgery if a patient rubs their eyes during the first 6 hours after surgery. If the flap does shift, 'wrinkles' can form causing distorted vision. A second procedure may be necessary to 'smooth out' the wrinkles and improve vision.

Infection - although this is the most feared complication of Lasik eye surgery patients, it is extremely rare. If your eye is going to become infected, chances are it will happen in the first 72 hours following surgery and will be treated with antibiotic eye drops. For this reason it is very important to avoid eye makeup, hot tubs and swimming pools for at least the first week following Lasik eye surgery.

The risks of Lasik eye surgery are low with an experienced Lasik eye surgeon but you need to be aware of possible complications prior to surgery. Your Lasik eye surgeon should freely discuss all possible complications of Lasik eye surgery prior to surgery. Do everything you can to put your eyes in the best possible hands.

About the Author
Beth Gabriel is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Lasik-Solutions.com.

Saturday, May 20, 2006

What Is The Cost Of Lasik Eye Surgery? Are You Worth It?

What Is The Cost Of Lasik Eye Surgery? Are You Worth It? by Bill Urell
Lasik eye surgery is the most advanced laser procedure that can be performed on the eyes. It can correct several common eye defects such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. This eliminates the need to wear clunky spectacles or even contact lenses. Lasik eye surgery can give you greatly improved eyesight and even up to a 20/20 vision.
This procedure makes use of special laser that directly treats the cornea and corrects the abnormality. First, the surgeon will slice off a thin flap in the cornea, and then use a special laser to reshape the cornea. The flap is then returned, and should heal in about an hour. This procedure can be done all in the span of around 10 to 15 minutes per eye, and involves minimal pain or discomfort to the patient.
This quick and easy-to-do nature of this operation has naturally made this very popular, even among those who are normally reluctant to go under any kind of surgery.
There are now many Lasik eye surgery centers making this procedure easily available to everyone.
The cost of Lasik eye surgery can range anywhere from $500 to $5,500 per eye and the average cost is about $2000. The prices can vary depending on the region and the reputation of the surgeon performing the operation. The equipment that the center uses is also a factor. Those opting for custom Lasik should expect to pay $200 to $400 more.
It's important to be cautious of advertisements offering low-cost Lasik surgery. Surgeons advertising Lasik for less than $1000 per eye are probably of substandard quality or these offers actually contain many additional hidden fees. These can include things like consultation fees and essential follow-up care.
They might also require special requirements or are only applicable to certain circumstances. When all these hidden costs are added up, the overall price of these low cost operations might even surpass that of other Lasik eye surgeons, that openly includes these expenses in their evaluation.
There are things to consider when choosing a Lasik eye surgeon. Be sure to make sure to have all the necessary information regarding the surgeon performing the operation, the price of the operation and what this price covers. Be sure to make all the necessary inquires. This is especially true for those advertising discounted Lasik surgery.
Be sure to ask if there are any additional charges for further enhancement surgeries and follow-up care. Ask how many follow up visits will be made. Centers only offering one or two are follow up visits or ask for an additional fee per visit are discouraged. Any necessary medical enhancements should be covered for up to 1 year after the surgery. If not, be sure to be aware of any additional charges that are to be made.
Find out the cost of the medication needed. This includes painkillers, etc. Also special protective goggles or glasses might be needed as well. If you are considering Lasik eye surgery it is important to remember to prioritize the safety of your eyes over the potential cost. Although minimal, there is a risk involved with undergoing any surgery. It is advisable to choose a reputable eye surgeon who's done at least 1000 successful Lasik eye surgeries, even if it might cost more, to minimize the risk of complications occurring.
Most Lasik eye center offer very reasonable payment plans, so that anyone can get Lasik surgery and pay for it in a way that works for them.
About the Author
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Sunday, May 07, 2006

Flap Dislocation After LASIK

Laser Eye Surgery Risks: Flap Dislocation After LASIK By Nicola Kennedy

Though it is the most prevalent of laser eye surgeries, LASIK has its share of complications. The post-operative complication rate is estimated from 3% to 6%. LASIK eye surgery involves cutting a flap of the corneal tissue with a hinge being left at one end of the flap. The flap is then folded back to reveal the stroma, the middle section of the cornea. After reshaping the corneal tissue with the aid of a high precision laser, typically the excimer laser, the flap is repositioned so as to remain in place by natural adhesion until it heals completely.

The LASIK procedure entails certain flap complications. Among the post-operative flap complications, a slipped flap is one of the most common. The corneal flap created during the operation may inadvertently detach from the rest of the cornea. It is imperative that the patient goes home and sleeps after surgery so as to let the flap heal, since the chances of flap dislocation are the greatest immediately after the surgery.

Other types of flap complications include folds in flaps and undesired epithelial in-growth. Post-operative folds in flap typically necessitate repositioning of the flap. Flap related problems are relatively common when it comes to LASIK complications. But they rarely lead to a permanent visual acuity loss. Moreover, the occurrence of flap complications decreases with increased surgeon experience. An expert LASIK surgeon, wielding superlative equipment, is far less likely to commit an error during the surgery.

Since LASIK entails the removal of a part of the corneal tissue, the cornea becomes thinner as a result of the procedure. Myopic shifts at extreme altitudes have been attributable to this thinning of the corneal surface. LASIK technology has advanced in leaps and bounds, with much advanced and risk free procedures available today. Owing to this, the chances of flap complications are rather minuscule. Moreover, there isn’t a large body of conclusive evidence so as to assert the chances of any long-term flap complications due to LASIK.

In summary, LASIK is a viable and safe procedure when it comes to correcting a variety of refractive errors. Furthermore, whatever small flap complications may arise can be rectified with ease.

Finding a LASIK surgery that you are confident about will be able to give you more information about the risks of laser eye surgery.
The LASIK Surgeons Directory - find a LASIK surgery. Nicola Kennedy publishes articles and reports and provides news and views about risks of laser eye surgery at Your Lasik Information.