Medical Ophthalmology » Lasik Procedure

How Laser Eye Surgery Works – Lasik and Photorefractive Eye Surgery

admin — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:48:34 +0000

People with eye-related problems are becoming more and more interested in laser eye surgery and its benefits because this is known to be the most exciting ophthalmologic procedure.

To be more precise, this is a refractive eye surgery that can correct all types of refractive errors such as: astigmatism (distorted vision), myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness).

Even if the medicine offers various types of surgical techniques for correcting refractive errors, the laser eye surgery was labelled by the American Academy of Ophthalmology the most technically advanced and precise one.

The excimer laser was the first laser ever approved for eye surgery and it’s used to correct myopia. Now, this laser is used in two different procedures: Laser in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) and Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK).

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

The surgeon maps and measures the patient’s eye before the procedure in order to analyse the problem. Then, he uses a few local anesthetic eye drops and reshapes the cornea eliminating tiny amounts of tissue from the outer surface.

Next, the doctor uses an ultra violet beam of light and cuts notches the size of human hair. Each pulse of light can remove a 39 millionth of an inch of cornel tissue in only 12 billionths of a second.

According to same studies, only 5% of the patients still use permanent glasses after the surgery while 15% need visual aids only when driving.

Laser in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)

The LASIK procedure is more complicated than PRK but it’s a solution for solving all types of myopia.

The surgeon uses the Microkeratome to cut a corneal tissue flap in order to replace it. Everything depends on the doctor because with LASIK he has to make a very precise incision.

The patient only feels a little discomfort and sometimes an irritation but those won’t last too long. In most cases, the patients returned to their normal life in only two or three days.

With LASIK there can be only one side effect and that is occasional glare at night.

Anyway, everyone should know that even if the results are said to be permanent, the age can influence the final results and in some cases the doctor may even suggested re-surgery.

By: Ricky Lim

The History LASIK Surgery

admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:41:10 +0000

Almost everyone today has heard about Lasik eye surgery, but it wasn’t long ago that it was viewed as a brand new and revolutionary innovation. Lasik is actually an acronym that stands for laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis. It was development thanks to several advances in ophthalmologic technology, the first of which was the microkeratome blade invented in by Spanish ophthalmologist Jose Barraquer in the 1950s.

The microkeratome is an instrument containing an ultra-fine oscillating blade that is used to cut a thin flap in the eye’s cornea. In the decades that followed the invention of the microkeratome advances in laser technology would develop that enabled the eventual creation of the Lasik procedure.

The Excimer Laser

The first successful, working laser was tested in 1960. Researchers afterwards began developing more precise and powerful lasers. In the 1970s the Excimer laser was invented and it became one of the most crucial innovations in the field of ophthalmology.

The thing that made the Excimer laser unique was that, unlike previous lasers, it did not burn through tissue in order to make incisions. Rather it delivered enough energy to the targeted area that it actually caused the molecular bonds holding the tissue together to disintegrate into the air. Thus it was able to make ultra-precise cuts without burning tissue and risking possible thermal damage to surrounding areas. This meant that eye surgeries could now be conducted in a safer and more precise manner.

In the 1980s, Dr. Ioannis Pallikaris pioneered the concept of using the microkeratome invented by Barraquer in the 50s in conjunction with the Excimer laser. The microkeratome was used to cut the initial corneal flap. Once the cornea was accessed adn analyzed through corneal topography, the Excimer laser was used to do the actual re-shaping. Dr. Pallikaris himself conducted the first Lasik procedure in 1989.

LASIK Surgery Today

Since 1989 laser technology has only become more complex and precise. New procedures have made even the long-used microkeratome blade obsolete. In procedures such as epi-Lasik and IntraLase, a laser blade is used instead of the metal one to cut the flap in the cornea. This results in more accurate incisions that cause less discomfort and pain.

By: Ryan Frank

LASIK and Beyond: Can You Throw Away Your Glasses Now?

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:43:09 +0000

LASIK is the most commonly vision correction surgery in the United States. For millions, the thought of living without glasses has become a reality. So, once you’ve had the LASIK procedure, can you throw your glasses away? Ophthalmologists will tell you yes and no.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, LASIK is the most studied elective procedure around. As such, those studies have shown that the procedure is both safe and effective, with complications only happening in rarely. The long-term results from those studies have shown that visual acuity of those who have undergone LASIK can be 20/20 to 20/40, but on average is around 20/25.

However, as with any aging body part, vision may continue to change. Patients should not only have realistic expectations about their vision outcomes, but also have a good idea of what to expect long-term.

Realistic LASIK Post-Op Expectations

After the initial healing period of 3 to 6 months, most LASIK patients find their vision has stabilized. LASIK results have proven to be fairly constant.

Post-Op Expectations for Those Beyond Age 40-45

Again, by the six month time frame, LASIK patients should know the cumulative effect of LASIK surgery and have stable vision. The ophthalmologist will want to check the patient’s eyes at this point in a follow-up visit to assess current vision. Visual acuity should remain fairly constant for those that are 40 to 45 years of age for the rest of their lives, assuming that cataracts or other age-related eye diseases don’t develop.

Post-Op Expectations if Below the Age of 40

As anyone approaches their forties, their near-sightedness will change, as it does even for those who never needed glasses or contacts. This is due to presbyopia, which usually takes place between the ages of 38 and 42. While distance vision remains crisp from the previous LASIK surgery, it may be more difficult to see things close up. People at this age often complain that their arms need to be five inches longer to focus on a page. At this point, most LASIK patients will likely need some type of correction for reading, unless they choose to have further surgical treatment called a LASIK touch up.

Considering a LASIK Touch up

Follow-up LASIK treatments may be advisable if normal and natural vision has changed since the original procedure. Some people will choose to forego or postpone LASIK touch ups by utilizing glasses or contacts. However, after a life without visual aids, most patients choose to have an enhancement done. Follow-up procedures are rarely as extensive as the original LASIK surgery, so patients can consider a touch up LASIK procedure if:

Vision has changed in one or both eyes A strong preference for life without glasses exists A sufficient corneal thickness remains ( an ophthalmologist can make that determination through testing)

By: Erich Shrefler

What to Look for in a Lasik Surgeon and Lasik Surgery Facility

admin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:32:50 +0000

Compared to brain or heart operations, of course, LASIK surgery is not particularly difficult or risky. But a negative outcome can affect your life tremendously, since the procedure involves crucial sensory organs, the eyes. Therefore, you must seek and choose your eye surgeon with the same diligence you would apply to finding a heart specialist.

The LASIK procedure is a kind of “refractive surgery,” and individual doctors, clinics and even major medical centers are now advertising this specialty on television and radio, and in magazines and newspapers. Many of these ads are quite informative, contain compelling information and end with a strong pitch and a “bargain” price. But reading ads and comparing prices is just the beginning of this decision process.

Surgeons associated with academic medical centers are somewhat more likely to keep up with current information in their fields. If they are isolated in their clinics or offices, they may not have the constant exposure to new procedures and developments. Being in good standing with the leading teaching hospitals is an additional positive reference for a LASIK surgeon, while additional assurance is provided by choosing a doctor who is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, as the credentialing process is quite thorough.

The same due diligence should be applied to your research on the clinic, hospital or outpatient surgery center where the procedure is performed. You can accumulate a great deal of information from the Internet, from your own family physician and from private and governmental watchdog groups. However, it is probably best to focus your search on the doctor and then the surgery center, in that order.

For one thing, once you develop a trusting relationship with your LASIK surgeon, he or she can then inform you about the location where the procedure will take place. You can then do some research to validate the recommendation. The most valuable information you assemble will be from people and organizations with reputations for trustworthiness and honesty, and you may wish to check with the American Academy of Ophthalmology for detailed information about a particular surgeon’s standing among his peers.

You should also go ahead and call the various refractive surgery centers where you live, or as far as you are willing to travel for the procedure. Many are in the yellow pages, and can easily be found with a targeted Internet search on a site like DocShop.com. The bottom line is, this is your eyesight you are dealing with and you cannot be too careful. Confirm all claims you hear or read about the LASIK surgery, or a potential surgeon, with independent sources.

By: Monica Keller

LASIK Detroit – What To Know

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:54:47 +0000

If you’re considering Detroit area LASIK surgery, here is some information about the LASIK procedure that will help you make an educated decision.

LASIK, or laser assisted in situ keratomileusis, eye surgery is a corrective ophthalmological procedure developed to treat a number of vision problems. The principal conditions that LASIK may be recommended for include:

1. myopia, or nearsightedness, an ophthalmological condition where the patient can clearly see only objects at a relatively close distance;

2. hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, the condition where one can see objects at a distance more clearly than those close to the subject; and

3. astigmatism, or blurred vision caused by an uneven corneal surface.

All of these conditions may be treated with corrective lenses or glasses. However, LASIK is an option for those patients who would prefer not to wear glasses or contact lenses. There are also important medical reasons for choosing LASIK over wearing contact lenses or glasses. For example, contact lens wearers are at greater risk for developing eye infections than patients who have undergone LASIK eye surgery. Eye glasses, while relatively safe, may be uncomfortable to the wearer and, of course, they only afford corrected vision within the frame of the lenses.

As its name implies, LASIK eye surgery involves the use of a laser. LASIK eye surgery is an important recent advance in ophthalmological surgery that requires only a short recovery period and involves minimal pain. As with any surgery, there are some risks to be aware of. These risks include over- or under-correction of the eye conditions for which treatment is being sought, the appearance of halos around light sources, the development of double vision or blurred vision after the procedure, and extreme dry eye. All of these potential complications, however, can be treated with corrective procedures. Moreover, very few patients experience, any side effects and the vast majority is quite satisfied with the results of LASIK eye surgery and that they did not experience any complications associated with the procedure.

While technological advances have certainly played a part in reducing the occurrence of complications, it is equally important to select a qualified surgeon when considering LASIK eye surgery. When selecting a LASIK surgeon, be sure to ask for references. It is also important that a LASIK surgeon be certified to perform LASIK eye surgery. Be sure to discuss with your ophthalmologist any medical or health conditions that may affect your eligibility for LASIK and your recovery from the procedure. For example, postoperative treatment after LASIK eye surgery typically involves the prescription of antibiotics so it is important to disclose any allergies ahead of time so that the appropriate steps may be taken.

Considering the low incidence of complications and the high incidence of patient satisfaction, LASIK eye surgery is an important corrective procedure that offers a long-term solution to common ophthalmological conditions.

By: Carey Conner