Another small side effect of the blade free LASIK surgery, or Intralase, is the increased chance of having a hemorrhage in the eye. It sounds much worse than it is.
Because of the time needed (up to a minute) for the suction ring to be placed on the eye to create the eye flap during the Intralase procedure, there is an increased risk of bleeding. This bleeding is referred to as a hemorrhage.
a bilateral submacular hemorrhage after LASIK surgery in an extreme myo pic patient. A 31-year-old man underwent bilateral surgery for correction of -16.75+0.75270° and -16.50+0.50255°.
One day after surgery the patient's uncorrected visual acuity was in the 20/50 range OU and by 17 days after surgery his visual acuity had declined to 20/200 range. Fundus examination showed multifocal subretinal macular and posterior pole hemorrhages. Fluorescein angiography showed some macular lesions compatible with lacquer cracks.
Preoperative and postoperative fundus examination is important to detect this phenomenon. Patients should be informed of this rare complication
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Thursday, August 17, 2006
How To Get the Best Results from Lasik Eye Surgery
Lasik surgery is a dream come true for many people. It can restore their vision to 20/20 or better. Now let's get realistic. How effective is lasik eye surgery? Can it really repair everyone's eyes to perfect 20/20 vision or better? Can you really throw your glasses and contact lenses away, never to have to worry about them again? The answers to these questions may surprise you. The truth is that not everyone gets 20/20 vision when the surgery is complete. The sad thing is that no matter how much research you do, getting exact statistics is impossible. A statistical chart on www.corneatexas.com shows that they have a 96% success rate. According to www.aapecs.com only about 55% of people have 20/20 vision after surgery; however 92% have 20/40 vision. 20/40 is the minimum vision requirement in the United States to get a drivers license.
You can see that statistics can be easily manipulated to mean anything you want them to mean. You can not base your decision on having surgery simply based on the statistics that your doctor gives you. Remember that he is in business. You are a sale to him. He will tell you what you want to make a sale. Statistics should be considered, but not be the basis for your decision.
Everyone's eye is different. The decision to go ahead with surgery should be done after have a consultation with a competent doctor. Don't go to someone you don't know or trust, especially if they are going to be the one doing the surgery. They just want your money. If you have a regular doctor that you have been going to for years his/her opinion would be valuable. Over the years you have learned to trust this doctor and his consultation has a better chance of being unbiased.
Do not trust anyone who claims you can throw away your glasses forever or that they guarantee 20/20 vision or your money back. There are no guarantees in medicine. The truth is most people still need glasses when they are done with surgery. You may need a weaker prescription, but still you may need corrective lenses. You have to accept that risk before going into surgery.
Many people go into surgery not expecting or even knowing about any of the side effects or complications. You need to research and understand these complications before having the surgery. You also need to ask yourself, "What can I reasonably expect from this surgery." You also need to know what to expect after the surgery. Although the surgery may only take about 20 minutes, the recovery can take up to six months. No, you will not have patches on your eyes and you won't spend six months in pain waiting for your eyes to heal. But it will take about six months to know if the surgery truly worked. If it did not work, your eyes may go back to their original shape within those six months. Also within that six month window, some of the negative side effects may manifest themselves. The first six months is critical. If you experience anything out of the ordinary, report it to your doctor immediately. They key to repairing any potential damage is timing. Don't wait if you feel pressure behind your eyes, or extreme dry eye, or reduced vision, or glares, or anything that is not normal. Your doctor may still be able to fix these problems, but not if you don't tell him or wait too long to tell him.
The honest truth is that you may still need glasses or contacts when it's all said and done with. You need to know the risks involved and have realistic expectations. Going in prepared will help guide you through the entire process. "Knowledge is Power." The saying may sound cliché, but it has always held true. Do your homework first. Research the surgery. Research the side effects. Research your doctor. Ask questions, even if you think it is a stupid question. It never hurts to ask questions and educate your self. A competent doctor will answer you questions honestly and not just sell you on the miracles of not wearing glasses ever again. Then make an educated decision about having the surgery. Then you can walk into surgery with confidence.
About the Author
Isabelle Boulay also is author of articles on cataract symptoms and diagnosis and preparation for Lasik eye surgery at Medopedia.com
You can see that statistics can be easily manipulated to mean anything you want them to mean. You can not base your decision on having surgery simply based on the statistics that your doctor gives you. Remember that he is in business. You are a sale to him. He will tell you what you want to make a sale. Statistics should be considered, but not be the basis for your decision.
Everyone's eye is different. The decision to go ahead with surgery should be done after have a consultation with a competent doctor. Don't go to someone you don't know or trust, especially if they are going to be the one doing the surgery. They just want your money. If you have a regular doctor that you have been going to for years his/her opinion would be valuable. Over the years you have learned to trust this doctor and his consultation has a better chance of being unbiased.
Do not trust anyone who claims you can throw away your glasses forever or that they guarantee 20/20 vision or your money back. There are no guarantees in medicine. The truth is most people still need glasses when they are done with surgery. You may need a weaker prescription, but still you may need corrective lenses. You have to accept that risk before going into surgery.
Many people go into surgery not expecting or even knowing about any of the side effects or complications. You need to research and understand these complications before having the surgery. You also need to ask yourself, "What can I reasonably expect from this surgery." You also need to know what to expect after the surgery. Although the surgery may only take about 20 minutes, the recovery can take up to six months. No, you will not have patches on your eyes and you won't spend six months in pain waiting for your eyes to heal. But it will take about six months to know if the surgery truly worked. If it did not work, your eyes may go back to their original shape within those six months. Also within that six month window, some of the negative side effects may manifest themselves. The first six months is critical. If you experience anything out of the ordinary, report it to your doctor immediately. They key to repairing any potential damage is timing. Don't wait if you feel pressure behind your eyes, or extreme dry eye, or reduced vision, or glares, or anything that is not normal. Your doctor may still be able to fix these problems, but not if you don't tell him or wait too long to tell him.
The honest truth is that you may still need glasses or contacts when it's all said and done with. You need to know the risks involved and have realistic expectations. Going in prepared will help guide you through the entire process. "Knowledge is Power." The saying may sound cliché, but it has always held true. Do your homework first. Research the surgery. Research the side effects. Research your doctor. Ask questions, even if you think it is a stupid question. It never hurts to ask questions and educate your self. A competent doctor will answer you questions honestly and not just sell you on the miracles of not wearing glasses ever again. Then make an educated decision about having the surgery. Then you can walk into surgery with confidence.
About the Author
Isabelle Boulay also is author of articles on cataract symptoms and diagnosis and preparation for Lasik eye surgery at Medopedia.com
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Demystifying Laser Eye Surgery
Over the last number of years the world has witnessed amazing advances in the field of medicine, especially with the advent of LASIK laser eye surgery. This revolutionary procedure has both given hope and excited those who experience problems with their eyesight.
But what exactly is LASIK eye surgery?
What happens during LASIK laser surgery is that the lasers correct refractive errors in the cornea. The laser perfectly controls the tearing of the corneal tissue, thereby reshaping the cornea and changing its focus. LASIK surgery follows a simple two step process:
1. A slight, thin flap of tissue is created on the outside layer of the eye or cornea. This flap encourages healing and provides comfort on the way to better vision.
2. The surgeon folds open the flap on the inner cornea to correct the eyesight. Once this is done, the flap is closed to its original position and sealed with stitches.
The word LASIK refers to Laser-Assisted In Sutu Keratomieusis, a process which is characterized by the reshaping of the cornea to refract light in the lens. While LASIK eye surgery is by no means perfect, it is a very viable and increasingly safe surgery.
Government regulations have led to improvements regarding the types of lasers to be used for LASIK laser surgery. If you or anyone you know are considering LASIK laser surgery I would advise you to carefully research the types of lasers used by your local doctors when performing LASIK.
New improvements coupled with the regulated costs of doctors mean that LASIK surgery has become more affordable, making it a possibility for some who could only dream of such improvement a few years back. Some surgeries are referred to as “bladeless” or “custom” LASIK, meaning they are more tailored towards the individual and are therefore more effective
Finally LASIK surgery is an exciting prospect to anyone who has suffered from vision problems in the past. However, just as when buying a car or house, you need to carefully consider all your options before embarking on LASIK.
The author L Jimmy Roos writes widely, offering solutions on various topics that affect the human condition.For more information on Lasik laser eye surgery and how it can help you, please visit now
But what exactly is LASIK eye surgery?
What happens during LASIK laser surgery is that the lasers correct refractive errors in the cornea. The laser perfectly controls the tearing of the corneal tissue, thereby reshaping the cornea and changing its focus. LASIK surgery follows a simple two step process:
1. A slight, thin flap of tissue is created on the outside layer of the eye or cornea. This flap encourages healing and provides comfort on the way to better vision.
2. The surgeon folds open the flap on the inner cornea to correct the eyesight. Once this is done, the flap is closed to its original position and sealed with stitches.
The word LASIK refers to Laser-Assisted In Sutu Keratomieusis, a process which is characterized by the reshaping of the cornea to refract light in the lens. While LASIK eye surgery is by no means perfect, it is a very viable and increasingly safe surgery.
Government regulations have led to improvements regarding the types of lasers to be used for LASIK laser surgery. If you or anyone you know are considering LASIK laser surgery I would advise you to carefully research the types of lasers used by your local doctors when performing LASIK.
New improvements coupled with the regulated costs of doctors mean that LASIK surgery has become more affordable, making it a possibility for some who could only dream of such improvement a few years back. Some surgeries are referred to as “bladeless” or “custom” LASIK, meaning they are more tailored towards the individual and are therefore more effective
Finally LASIK surgery is an exciting prospect to anyone who has suffered from vision problems in the past. However, just as when buying a car or house, you need to carefully consider all your options before embarking on LASIK.
The author L Jimmy Roos writes widely, offering solutions on various topics that affect the human condition.For more information on Lasik laser eye surgery and how it can help you, please visit now
Monday, August 07, 2006
17 Tips On What To Expect After Lasik Surgery
17 Tips On What To Expect After Lasik Surgery by Isabel Baldry
LASIK, or Laser in-situ keratomileusis, or simply Laser Eye Surgery, is a common eye surgery today and is often the most effective one for deserving candidates compared to alternative methods. However, this procedure is to be treated like a common operation and certain post operative care is essential for the operation to get its intended results. What is to be expected after a LASIK operation? Well, the symptoms differ from person to person, however, a few common ones which are seen in most patients are as follows:
Immediately After the Operation
* Fluctuation of Vision. The vision will not be very clear in the first couple of hours and will fluctuate from blurred to very clear for certain period of time.
* Dry Eyes. The eyes will be devoid of the natural tear producing characteristic. This is one of the common problems observed in most patients.
* Sensitivity to Light. The eyes will prefer darkness and will feel irritated in bright light, including artificial light. Exposure to bright light immediately after an operation is ill-advised.
* Glares and Halos. The patient might see a halo around objects on which he/she focuses. This is due to the retina taking some time to adjust to the change in the focal lens.
* Burning, Itching and feeling of dust like particles within the eye. Post Operative Symptoms
* Patients with a case of far sightedness might see a sudden improvement in their eyesight within a day of their operation. Distant objects might appear blurry for a few days, but soon the vision should correct itself. Cases of irritation and dry eyes have also been reported in a number of patients.
* Patients suffering from near sightedness will take some time to heal and will start to see distant objects within an hour's time. These patients might experience some trouble in reading immediately after the operation, but as the eye heals, this condition will improve. They are normally subscribed reading glasses for the duration while the eyesight improves.
Adherences to certain precautions after the LASIK operation are advisable for all patients. These are enumerated below:
* Take an appointment with your ophthalmologist and keep it.
* Don't assume your eyesight has become better just after beginning to see clearer. It might be a temporary condition. Post operative care is essential to sustain this improvement.
* After the operation, keep some one nearby to take you back home. Don't try testing your newly improved eyesight on the road.
* Do not expose your eyes to bright sunlight or to glaring fog/car lights.
* Avoid computer screens, movies and video as much as possible for a few days.
* Avoid dust and other contaminants from entering your eyes after an operation and for a few days after that. * Wear eye shield at night for the prescribed time.
* Try not to play very strenuous sports or go to the gymnasium.
* Try and avoid the swimming pools and water parks for approximately 8 weeks after the operation.
* Contact your doctor immediately in case of a problem, which is not listed above, or in persisting problems. It's better to be safe than sorry.
The success of a LASIK surgery depends as much on the operating ophthalmologist, as it depends upon the patient. Proper care goes a long way in assisting the eye to recover faster and better.
About the Author
Isabel Baldry is a freelance writer who writes passionately about a number of subjects. Learn more about what to expect after lasik surgeryhere.
LASIK, or Laser in-situ keratomileusis, or simply Laser Eye Surgery, is a common eye surgery today and is often the most effective one for deserving candidates compared to alternative methods. However, this procedure is to be treated like a common operation and certain post operative care is essential for the operation to get its intended results. What is to be expected after a LASIK operation? Well, the symptoms differ from person to person, however, a few common ones which are seen in most patients are as follows:
Immediately After the Operation
* Fluctuation of Vision. The vision will not be very clear in the first couple of hours and will fluctuate from blurred to very clear for certain period of time.
* Dry Eyes. The eyes will be devoid of the natural tear producing characteristic. This is one of the common problems observed in most patients.
* Sensitivity to Light. The eyes will prefer darkness and will feel irritated in bright light, including artificial light. Exposure to bright light immediately after an operation is ill-advised.
* Glares and Halos. The patient might see a halo around objects on which he/she focuses. This is due to the retina taking some time to adjust to the change in the focal lens.
* Burning, Itching and feeling of dust like particles within the eye. Post Operative Symptoms
* Patients with a case of far sightedness might see a sudden improvement in their eyesight within a day of their operation. Distant objects might appear blurry for a few days, but soon the vision should correct itself. Cases of irritation and dry eyes have also been reported in a number of patients.
* Patients suffering from near sightedness will take some time to heal and will start to see distant objects within an hour's time. These patients might experience some trouble in reading immediately after the operation, but as the eye heals, this condition will improve. They are normally subscribed reading glasses for the duration while the eyesight improves.
Adherences to certain precautions after the LASIK operation are advisable for all patients. These are enumerated below:
* Take an appointment with your ophthalmologist and keep it.
* Don't assume your eyesight has become better just after beginning to see clearer. It might be a temporary condition. Post operative care is essential to sustain this improvement.
* After the operation, keep some one nearby to take you back home. Don't try testing your newly improved eyesight on the road.
* Do not expose your eyes to bright sunlight or to glaring fog/car lights.
* Avoid computer screens, movies and video as much as possible for a few days.
* Avoid dust and other contaminants from entering your eyes after an operation and for a few days after that. * Wear eye shield at night for the prescribed time.
* Try not to play very strenuous sports or go to the gymnasium.
* Try and avoid the swimming pools and water parks for approximately 8 weeks after the operation.
* Contact your doctor immediately in case of a problem, which is not listed above, or in persisting problems. It's better to be safe than sorry.
The success of a LASIK surgery depends as much on the operating ophthalmologist, as it depends upon the patient. Proper care goes a long way in assisting the eye to recover faster and better.
About the Author
Isabel Baldry is a freelance writer who writes passionately about a number of subjects. Learn more about what to expect after lasik surgeryhere.
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