Archive for October, 2008

One of the best laser treatments in our world today is the LASIK eye correction surgery. It provides a fast healing process and it involves the use of the finest equipment for your eyes’ use. Because of this type of therapy, it is now greatly possible to have walk-in operations which last for only about thirty minutes. Patients are not usually required to admit themselves into a hospital room for this type of treatment. As an out-patient procedure, the LASIK eye correction surgery remains to be the best way to treat your visual problems.

LASIK Eye Correction Surgery Versus PRK

The LASIK eye correction surgery is not that different from a Photo Refractive Keratotomy procedure. They both involve eye freezing steps which make up the first step of the laser vision correction surgery process. Both also involve the removal of the epithelial layer of the cornea. However, the process of removal is not the same for the two types.

The other involves a scraping off mechanism while the other offers a flap like removal alternative. The LASIK eye correction surgery will provide you of the latter step. Compared to the PRK, LASIK can provide you a faster healing process. Most surgeries today are done in this type of eye treatment. Many believe that LASIK is far more advanced and effective than the PRK.

LASIK Eye Correction Surgery And The Step By Step Process

The doctor needs to follow a series of steps in the LASIK eye correction surgery procedure. These steps should be meticulously performed and calculated to ensure you of a vision that is good and to assure you of a risk-free therapy.

The first step in a LASIK eye correction surgery involves the administration of optical anesthesia which is basically done to numb your eyes. The doctor then instills several drops of an ink like fluid which serves as the doctor’s basis for his flap structures. These inks are proven to be safe as they are water soluble and will cause no irritation in the eyes.

The next step would include placement of the “stability ring” to hold your eye in a steady position. After which, the doctor lifts your corneal lining to create a flap like structure. The structure is then lifted or shifted towards the side to provide exposure to the remaining cornea. The next step would require the use of laser beams for the fixation process. The cornea is then shaped properly to ensure that the right focus is achieved. Lastly, the doctor would let you lay still and observe you for a couple of minutes.

If the LASIK eye correction surgery is done correctly, you will be assured of a successful treatment plan. You can benefit from this for many years and you can continually make good use of your normally functioning eyes.

A lot of people refuse help from Lasik surgery because they are afraid of the complications and the Lasik surgery risks involved. The truth about the risks is never as interesting as the fiction about them and would likely not sell as many newspapers. Learning that a surgical procedure that is cutting edge is generally safe and produces good results is simply not “news” in comparison to having an assortment of alleged failed surgical procedures and a long list of associated Lasik surgery risks. This type of publicity generates a lot of negativity towards an industry and a technological advance that is doing lots of positive good in the world.

As with anything in life, the proper preparation and the truth in information will enable you to get to the heart of the matter and solve the issue. With Lasik surgery risks, it pretty much all comes down to preparation. You can avoid any possible risks by knowing what you are getting into and by finding the best doctor for your money. With this type of complete information, your Lasik eye surgery procedure will go as planned and will provide great results that you can be proud of and be confident in. Without any preparation or information, you may be looking at a more complex case.

Discovering the Risks

The confidence in Lasik surgery has increased through the years as we begin to learn more about the procedure and more about the possible Lasik surgery risks. With this knowledge, we can begin to tweak the procedure and augment some of the problem areas. As we end up developing the procedure further, we end up reducing a lot of the risk factors and becoming capable of spreading more information to clients on how to reduce these risks with preparation and information. The best way to avoid risks in Lasik surgery is to consult with your doctor about your specific case.

Serious complication risk rates in terms of Lasik surgery is now around the one percent mark. Prior to a period of extensive study, the percentage of people that encountered a form of Lasik surgery risks was around five percent or less. With a period of extensive study came trade journals and other aspects that allowed the doctors to communicate with one another about the risks. From this communication came greater responsibility and information that backed up the industry with confidence.

When considering lasik eye surgery to correct vision problems caused by refractive deficiencies, people should first look into the lasik eye surgery statistics compiled by Food and Drug Administration to determine if the potential benefits outweigh the risks. However, since these results are based on a national average, it will be better to talk to local lasik surgeons about their individual lasik eye surgery statistics to help them choose the right doctor.

One factor not considered when the government compiled the lasik eye surgery statistics is the type of equipment used for the procedure. There are two basic types of equipment, but the experience of the surgeon on the equipment they use is the most important aspect of choosing the right doctor. It is also important to know when considering lasik surgery that nationally, about three percent of the patients have reported worse vision than they had before the procedure.

In a majority of states, visual acuity of 20/40 is required for driver license exams with or without corrective lenses. In about 92 percent of the patients who underwent lasik eye surgery, statistics show their vision was corrected to that level. About 55 percent show they experienced 20/20 vision with the surgery. Again, the lasik eye surgery statistics from individual surgeons may vary and potential patients should discuss the laser eye surgery statistics with the surgeon before choosing a surgeon.

All Risks Should Be Considered Before Undergoing Surgery

There are some anticipated risks associated with laser eye surgery, including glare or sensitivity to light, fluctuations in visual acuity and halos. lasik eye surgery statistics show that about three and a half percent experience halos, that is a shadowy light around other lights following the procedure. It should also be pointed out that over one million people undergo lasik surgery a year, making the chance of experience these side effects very low.

Visual fluctuations have been experienced by about two and a half percent of patients and, according to lasik eye surgery statistics, less than two percent suffer from seeing glare or have a sensitivity to light. Dry eye is another expected complication from lasik surgery, but like many of the other side effects, they tend to lessen in severity over time.

On average, a person can expect their vision to be restore to the new level of acuity within three or four months but lasik eye surgery statistics indicate that a few may not experience the full benefit of the surgery for up to a year.