Archive for November, 2006

Lasik eye correction surgery is fast becoming a popular choice for individuals that have to rely on glasses or contacts everyday. Many people can have Lasik vision correction surgery, but there are some people who should not. There are many factors to consider when looking into Lasik vision correction. Are you a good candidate for Lasik?
To fall into the category of being a good candidate there are a few widely accepted medical criteria for this surgery. The potential patient should be eighteen years of age or older, have a current prescription for eyeglasses or contacts, should be affected by one or more eye conditions and should not have eye disease.
All potential Lasik candidates should be over the age of eighteen and should have a prescription for at least two years. Those who are younger than eighteen can experience too many changes in the eye, which would affect the outcome of the Lasik procedure. Also, candidates should have a stable eyeglass or contact prescription for at least two years prior to surgery. This assures that the eye is not constantly changing, which could also negatively affect the outcome.
Candidates for this procedure should be affected by at least one eye condition. These eye conditions can include vision problems such as myopia-also called nearsightedness, astigmatism-which is blurred vision caused by an irregular shaped cornea, hyperopia- also known as farsightedness or a combination of any of these. In addition, potential patients should have a sufficient corneal thickness so that the Lasik surgeon can create a clean corneal flap of appropriate depth. Pupils should also not dilate more than seven millimeters in the dark. This could indicate night vision problems such as halos or glare.
Another indicator of being a good candidate for Lasik eye correction surgery is that any type of eye disease should not affect the patient. This can include any surgery, whether it relates to the eye or not that can negatively affect the outcome or the healing process of the surgery. Potential patients should have no herpes infection in the eye since Lasik can cause a recurrence. Patients should not suffer from any autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Hepatitis, or Crohn’s disease.
In addition, the potential patient should not have had any eye infections or eye injury for one year prior to the surgery and there should be no scarring on the cornea. Those who suffer from dry eye syndrome are also not good Lasik surgery candidates. Dry eye can become worse after the Lasik procedure. Lasik candidates will also not be considered if they are pregnant or nursing at the time of the surgery because changes in the hormone levels can cause fluctuations of the tissue in the eye. There are also certain conditions that automatically exclude patients from qualifying for the Lasik procedure. Those suffering from cataracts, advanced glaucoma, corneal disease, corneal thinning disorders or other pre-existing eye diseases are not good candidates.
It is important to remember when considering Lasik surgery that this surgery is performed to help the patient’s vision. It can help cut down on the dependency of using eyeglass or contacts. It may not completely eliminate the need of glasses altogether. While most patients are satisfied with the outcome of their Lasik procedure, there are some patients that may not get the desired outcome. Lasik surgery does not provide perfect vision every time. Most patients who have an adequate outcome experience improved vision and most with low to moderate nearsightedness have 20/40 vision or better after the procedure.
There are risks associated with Lasik vision correction surgery. Potential patients should thoroughly understand the risks associated with Lasik surgery and should have realistic expectations. Those who are not willing to accept these risks should not take part in Lasik surgery. It is recommended that patients not give informed consent for the surgery. It is necessary for the patient to completely understand the procedure and the benefits with the surgeon prior to the procedure. The final outcome and the healing time will vary from person to person. Each patient should fully understand these risks before giving consent.
Anyone who considered having Lasik vision correction surgery should consult their ophthalmologist and understand both the benefits and the risks associated with this surgery. This procedure may be ideal for a healthy person with low to moderate vision problems.

It may seem paradoxical, but the large and constantly growing number of Lasik surgeons available, combined with the enormous amount of information available on the Lasik procedure, combined with the countless number of enticing claims, offers and testimonials for Lasik surgeons have NOT made it easier to select a Lasik surgeon. While wading through all this information that enables you to make an educated choice (and you WILL need to do your research), it might be wise to consider a much smaller body of information: two tips on how NOT to choose your Lasik eye surgeon:
Cost: Lasik is expensive, not as expensive as it once was but it has not reached the point where its affordable for most people. Most health insurance will not cover Lasik surgery because it is considered an elective procedure. Considering these two factors, the financing offers now being made by the biggest Lasik clinics and the low-ball prices many others are offering are no doubt tempting; but you need to take a pledge NOT to give into that temptation . . . not until you’ve considered many other factors.
Advertising: Unfortunately some percentage of Lasik surgeons will make promises in their advertisements that are, to put it kindly, deceptive. The images, claims and testimonials used in Lasik advertising, can make a Lasik surgeon seem like the best surgeon in the world and can make the Lasik procedure itself seem as simple as trimming your toenails. The Lasik surgeon in question very well might be among the best of the best, but then again, the claims may just be hype; and while the Lasik procedure is wonderful, it’s hardly simple. Lasik is a very complex surgical procedure requiring precise manipulation of two pieces of very complex equipment by a skilled operator. So ask yourself: do you really want to put your eyesight on the line based on the word of a paid spokesman, a slick ad copywriter or a possibly unethical surgeon?
There IS a better way: Once you realize that you cannot rely on Lasik advertising and that cost is one of the last considerations in choosing a Lasik surgeons you’re ready to be armed with the following tips that will help you choose a Lasik surgeon the right way:
Research: There are many books, pamphlets and reliable Internet sites that can give you straight information about the Lasik procedure itself, the risks of the procedure, the complications you may expect and the results that may be expected from a successful procedure. Read as much of this information as you can, it will not only educate you, it will be invaluable knowledge that you can use during your initial consultations. One tip on Internet research: Lasik has only been a FDA approved procedure since 1998 and since then there have been many improvements in the procedure, in the equipment and in the criteria for patient selection; make sure you are reading recent material so you have the most current information. Much of the material on the Internet is hard to date.
Ophthalmologists in your area: The American Academy of Ophthalmology has an informative, reliable web site (http://www.aao.org/) that is mostly devoted to the Ophthalmologists among their membership but it also has informative links that will help you understand eye health and search for a member of the Academy who is located in your area.
Look for the FACS accreditation: The letters FACS after a surgeon’s name means that the surgeon is a ‘Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.’ Any surgeon who has earned that FACS designation has passed a thorough evaluation in the areas of education, training, qualifications, competence and conduct. Obviously, the best choice for a Lasik surgeon is one who proudly displays the FACS designation.
Ask your optometrist: If you are considering Lasik, it’s a good bet you have an optometrist in your past. Talk to your optometrist and see if he or she has a recommendation for a Lasik surgeon.
Consultations (plural intended): After your research you should have a list of accredited Lasik surgeons in your area — it may be a short list or a long one. Prepare a list of questions and concerns and arrange for appointments with all the surgeons on your list. After each consultation, after you’ve asked your questions, heard what the doctor had to say, looked around the facility and observed the clinic’s operation you will have some definite impressions of the surgeon, the facility and the staff. Don’t trust your memory, write your impressions down so you can go back later, after all your consultations, and compare your experiences in each clinic. Eventually you will narrow down your list to one Lasik surgeon that you feel you can trust, talk to and work with.

Lasik vision correction surgery is the process in which a patient’s vision is corrected or improved using laser surgery. This procedure is performed on thousands of people and usually has a good outcome. Those who experience low to moderate vision problems and have little or no pre-existing health concerns are usually good candidates for this procedure. When considering Lasik eye surgery, it is always a good idea to think about surgery preparations. There are five major no-no’s in preparation of Lasik eye surgery.
Just as with any surgery, patients should expect to adequately prepare for surgery. While some surgeries require no eating or drinking before the procedure, Lasik also has preparations that patients should be aware of before going into surgery. Proper preparations for the procedure will ensure the best possible outcome after the procedure is performed. When it comes to the eye, no one wants to take chances.
Post-operative care instructions: First, when preparing for Lasik surgery, patients should never ignore post-operative care instructions. Before going into surgery, it is crucial to obtain your appointments for post-operative care, either with the surgeon who performs the procedure or with your own eye care professional. Usually, post-operative care appointments are made one week, one month and three months following the Lasik procedure. Making these appointments assures that your eyes are healthy and healing as expected after the Lasik procedure. These appointments are critical for a positive Lasik surgery outcome.
Make arrangements for transportation: When it is time for your Lasik surgery procedure, do not forget to secure transportation home. Patients should have dependable transportation to the surgery center and back home. Lasik surgery patients are not supposed to drive for at least three days after surgery. Also, if you have children, do not forget to find transportation and care for them for after the surgery. Patients are encouraged to not bring children to the surgery center. Make sure you arrange for care for your child for during and after the surgery. Also, depending on the type of work you do, you may be required to miss work for up to four days. Make sure you tell your employer and request those days off of work.
Do not wear make-up or cologne: Some Lasik surgery centers differ on this policy, but as a general rule, Lasik patients are asked to NOT wear any time of make-up, including lipstick and facial creams for three days prior to surgery. There should be no trace of any make up on the day of the procedure. Many Lasik surgeons will cancel surgery if make up or lotions are present on the face. This can cause contaminants to enter the eye during surgery and put your eyes at a greater risk for infection. In addition, you should not wear any cologne or perfume on the day of the surgery. Also, any hair product containing alcohol such as hairspray or mousse is not allowed on the day of the procedure. These types of products have been known to alter the outcome of the Lasik surgery.
Do not expect perfect vision after the procedure: While many patients who receive Lasik are satisfied with the results, it is unrealistic to expect perfect vision. Lasik vision correction surgery can improve vision, but oftentimes, does not make it perfect. Most people experience a 20/40 outcome with Lasik. Lasik surgery will probably reduce the need for glasses or contacts but will probably not completely eliminate the need. Before going into surgery, it is important to understand the potential outcome.
To not ignore the risks involved with the Lasik procedure: Most people who undergo the Lasik vision surgery have little or no problems with the procedure. However, it is important to understand that there are risks involved with Lasik. It is important to have thorough eye examinations and medical exams before undergoing this treatment. This will often eliminate people who will experience a less-than-favorable outcome. If you experience eye disease or suffer from an autoimmune disease, you should not consider Lasik surgery. Also, remember that sometimes Lasik re-treatments or enhancements are needed for the best possible outcome. This can often be done three months after the original procedure, but may cost extra. Sometimes, even after re-treatment, vision can actually be worse than before the procedure. Some people experience glare or halos around lights in dark conditions. Sometimes these issues disappear a few months after surgery, but sometimes they do not. It is important to understand to all the risks before signing the consent forms.