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Posts Tagged ‘Lasik Surgery’

Patient Tips: Questions for Lasik Recovery

Wednesday, June 18th, 2008

The option to have Lasik procedure can be difficult. Though many strive to be freed from vision problems it is often difficult to undergo any procedure. Many questions arise after a Lasik procedure which long to be answered.

Below are a few tips for after care that may ease your worries:

Tip 1: Ask Questions- Though this is quite the obvious. Many feel insecure with doing this. Doctors understand that you are worried and they expect you to have some questions.

*Note: Remember to keep all questions simple and to the point. This will allow time for the doctors to answer your questions & those questions of others as well.

Tip 2: Make sure you understand your instructions- Getting clear and understandable instructions is very important. You may have already asked the same thing two or three times- if you still are not sure—ask again! Do not worry about what they think; or feeling incompetent… it is you that will be going home to do this. You must understand each step of your aftercare to ensure there are no complications.

Tip 3: Follow your instructions: Though its sounds petty and a bit on the childish side, doing as your doctor has instructed will help lower your risk for infections and complications. Although nothing is 100% your chances of a full and healthy recovery will be greater.

Sometimes after a procedure we forget to ask some things. Having someone with you that can ensure that everything is done and understood is very important. Making a list of things to ask before you leave is also a smart step to take. They want the best for you and your health should be first on your list!

Discovering Lasik

Tuesday, June 10th, 2008

Millions of Americans are discovering a whole new way to see. Freedom from glasses or contact lenses can be achieved with today’s new vision correction methods. Lasik surgery is a great way to improve your sight. It will reduce your prescriptions if you have severe nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, or give you excellent vision if you have mild to moderate nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.

The loss of vision is a scary feeling to most. Learning that there is hope and finding a way to be free from restricting glasses or contacts is a treat in itself. One of the great benefits to Lasik or Laser In Situ Keratomileusis is that is has some benefit in seniors who are experience difficulties due to age. This is called Loss of Accommodation. There are some procedures like Blended or Mono vision which is when they correct one eye improving distance vision and the other improving near vision.

The reason many older people experience difficulty with sight isn’t necessarily do to health conditions. which can have an effect as well. But because when the lens in eye is young it has more elasticity…it bends to the curvatures much better. As we age the eye lens becomes stiffer. The curvatures are not as able to bend. As a result some near vision is affected.

Before you receive Lasik Surgery you must have an evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate for Lasik.

Below are a few things that you should expect in the evaluation:

High Prescription check: The surgeon will often check the strength of your prescriptions because people will high prescriptions aren’t always good candidates for this procedure.

Thin Corneas: If you have thin corneas typically the surgeon will not preform this kind of procedure on you. When your cornea is thin it leaves you vulnerable to weakening of the cornea.

Pupil Size: If you have large pupils you may not be a good candidate for Lasik because you could be at higher risk for night vision problems.

In the end the decision to get Lasik should be researched well. It will provide you will lots of benefits. Lasik can help you have freedom again. It will show you a new way to live and enjoy the beauty we take for granted.

If you are not a good candidate for Lasik don’t despair. There maybe other procedures that might be right for you and provide the visual freedom you are looking for.

Lasik Surgery History and Complications

Friday, May 30th, 2008

Lasik surgery has increased in popularity in the last decade. More people are learning the benefits of this treatment. Lasik surgery is making it much easier for people to enjoy life without glasses or contact lenses. Only 3-6% of patients have continued complications after Lasik surgery.

Before deciding to undergo Lasik eye surgery you should evaluate your individual risks, as well as determining a good Lasik surgeon as this is an important factor in the effectiveness of the procedure. Making sure you ask questions and are comfortable with your surgeon is very important. There are different ways the procedure is performed and understanding what is going to happen during the procedure is additionally important.

History-

Some Lasik procedures have been around for the better part of 50 years. In 1950 Dr. Jose Barraquer MD. Developed the first microkeratome. Shortly there after in 1968 the first Excimer Laser was used world wide. These things made way for the first patent for Lasik surgery in June of 1989 given to Gholam A. Peyman MD. The patent was listed under the title name “Method for Modifying Corneal Curvature”. Inch by inch they made there way to Lasik surgery. Though we now have much more advanced instruments and techniques we still have much more to learn.

Complications-

As with all procedures there are some risks and complications can play a part in our comfort. Though only a small percentage of patients suffer complications greater than 6 months each patient should be aware of what they are:

Over or under correction

Flap Wrinkles

Infections

(DLK) Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis

Astigmatism

Corneal Ecastasia

Remember that there can be complications in any procedure. Talking to your doctor and feeling comfortable with your surgeon is important. Asking any additional questions about how the procedure is done, healing time, risks, etc…will ease your mind. Lasik surgery can improve your mild nearsightedness, some degrees of farsightedness and some astigmatism to “excellent” without the use of your glasses and contact lenses.

Finding a Good Lasik Surgeon

Monday, May 26th, 2008

Much like finding a general physician or Family Doctor; finding a Lasik Surgeon requires research. Making the decision to have Lasik surgery is a big choice. Making sure that you have the right surgeon can effect how your result turn out. A surgeon with more experience can give you a better result and you can be less likely to have complications with the surgery.

Lasik surgery is a delicate procedure and requires a special touch. The results of Lasik surgery are excellent. It can free a person with mild nearsightedness from wearing glasses or contacts.

Below are some things to take into consideration when looking for a surgeon for Lasik Surgery:

Make sure the surgeon is sincere and has you best interest in mind- As with all doctors, specialists, and surgeons you need to know that the surgeon cares. You should feel comfortable with the surgeon you select and they are listening to you and will consider your feelings before, after, and during the procedure.

Know what type of Equipment the Surgeon uses- Now I know this one sounds a bit silly; however the type of equipment a surgeon uses can effect the outcome of the procedure. Making sure that the surgeon uses double sterile equipment is also important. When a surgeon does work on both eyes they should have two sets of equipment. This is a question you should ask before going into the procedure. Sometimes a single sterile kit is used. This means the same set is used for both eyes. This can cause infections, and other issues later.

How long they Trained- This is important because we all know that the more training a surgeon has the more qualified they would be. Finding out if their training was hands on may also give you an idea on how much experience they have as well. Learning from a class or book is a must; but it doesn’t compare to actually performing the procedure.

Asking questions is the best way to determine whether the surgeon is right for you. Lasik surgery is a great benefit to many and making sure that you have found the right surgeon is very important. Never be afraid to ask questions. After all they are their to help you and your vision!

 

Exploring Lasik Eye Surgery

Friday, May 23rd, 2008

For millions of Americans everyday the burden of poor vision has been difficult. Finding new ways to gain freedom from eye wear was a hope we often clung too. However now people are seeing clearly for the first time without the use of glasses and contacts. Lasik Eye surgery is bringing new life to many across the country.

Lasik eye surgery is the most common refractive procedure in the United States today. Lasik eye Surgery or (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is done by creating a small circular flap in the cornea. They will then use the excimer laser to remove gently break the modular bonds of the cornea to reshape the cornea. This will help you see clearer and can give you better vision in as little as 1 day.

The cost of Lasik surgery can often discourage many people. But how much is it worth to you to have your vision restored? The Lasik procedure can help people with nearsightedness and farsightedness. It can also help correct astigmatism.

After the Procedure-
As with all surgeries the doctor will keep you a bit in the office. They will request when you return home to get lots of rest. It is important for you to not touch or rub the eye because that can dislodge the flap and can create complications.

You may feel ok within a matter of hours but you should get rest because your vision may still be blurry. It is important for you to take it easy for the first week much of our balance is coordinated with our eyes and doing things too quickly can also create complications.

Some people may still require glasses or contacts after surgery for vision however the prescription will not be as strong. Also there maybe some complications later and you may need what is called a “touch up”. Below are some complications common in Lasik:

Dry eye
Infection
Irritated eyes
Scratchy eyes
Irregular flap
Over/under correction

It is important to find a qualified eye surgeon to assist you in this procedure. Making sure they have experience in this field will ease your mind and reduce the chance of complications. There are many available Online and you can find many by look up Lasik Los Angeles. As with all procedures there will be some risks. However if you are serious about your vision and want to be free from your glasses or contact lenses Lasik eye surgery could be right for you.

Lasik Surgery: Determining a Good Candidate

Monday, May 5th, 2008

A large part of the worlds population have some eye conditions and vision loss. Many of us want to have 20/20 vision and I am sure that more then a quarter had dreams of it growing up. Though the ideal goal is to get to perfect vision we must understand that not all of us can. While Lasik Surgery we are making medical advances there is still far to go. Determining if you are the right candidate for the procedure is important. As with all surgeries you must prepare yourself and the ones it will effect.

There are several things you should consider before undergoing Lasik Surgery. Below are a few things to help you determine if it maybe right for you:

Tip 1: You should be over the age of 18 in some cases you should be over 21. Under the age of 18 your eyes are still changing and you should wait until your eyes have reached maturity.

Tip 2: You should not undergo Lasik surgery if you are pregnant or nursing. When a women is pregnant many aspects of her body changes and in some the vision is affected. Waiting until you have the baby and are no longer nursing is best.

Tip 3: You shouldn’t undergo the procedure if you are taking oral steroids like Prednisone or other types of medication. Talking with you eye doctor about it is a wise decision.

Tip 4: If you have some health conditions it is not safe for you to undergo surgery. Things like: Diabetes, Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or glaucoma are just a few to check with your doctor about.

Tip 5: Making sure your eyes are healthy before getting Lasik Surgery is important. Things like Myopia may change the way your eyes are affected. Myopia can effect your sight until you are in your mid 20’s.

There are also risks and complications associated with Lasik surgery that should be taken into consideration before having it done. As with all surgeries there will be risks and talking with your doctor ahead of time is wise. Making sure all your questions have been answered and you are comfortable with the procedure can also help the healing process.

Below are a few side effects of Lasik Surgery:

Over or Under Correction: This is usually treated with glasses and contact lenses.

Corneal Infections: As with all procedures infections can occur if the area is not properly cleaned. Making sure you know how to care for it is important.

Problems with night vision: This can be treated with glasses as well.

Flap Problems

In the end the decision is up to you. Knowing the benefits as well as the risks before going in can ease your stress level and give you an objective opinion. Talk with your eye doctor before deciding on this procedure and learn more about where to go for Lasik in Los Angeles.

 

The Fright of Lasik Eye Surgery

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

Many of the worlds population have concerns when it comes to eye surgery even eye appointments. Hearing that you will have to decide on Lasik eye surgery is no different. There are many things to be considered for Lasik eye surgery or any other form of surgery before having it done. Today we are going to discuss things to remember before the Lasik eye surgery and what things to speak with you doctor about before proceeding.

Before the Procedure-

Before a decision is made your doctor must perform a basic evaluation. This will determine if any other treatment can be done and if you are a good candidate for the procedure. As with all procedures they take into consideration your current health and any other conditions you might have like: if you have high blood pressure or are diabetic, etc.. Once they have completed the basic initial evaluation and determine you are a good candidate there are a few things you will need to do to prepare you for the Lasik eye surgery. Below are a list of things to do and look for:

If you wear contact lenses you should:

Stop wearing them before the procedure-

SCL or Soft Contact lenses- 3 days before

TSI or Toric Soft Lenses- 3 days before

RGP or Rigid Gas Permeable -3 weeks before

Hard lenses – 34 weeks before

The day before the procedure you should:

Stop using-

Lotions

Creams

Perfumes

Makeup

The reasons for this is because they are not safe by your face during the procedure. The doctor can explain why to you during your appointment. Also make sure you tell the doctor about any medications you are taking. This includes any over-the-counter medication or nutritional supplements you are on. Make sure you tell the doctor all of the allergies you have to medication and any past or present conditions you suffer from.

The doctor can explain all the risks involved with the Lasik eye surgery as well as the benefits. Don’t be afraid to voice your concerns with them at that time. Ease your mind and learn as much as you can. You doctor can only assist you if they know what your concerns are. There are many good Lasik Surgeons in Los Angeles and across the US. To look up a great surgeon near you look up Lasik Los Angeles and help your self to a better way of life.