Laser Hair Removal The Basics

Laser Hair Removal The Basics

Laser hair removal is getting more popular everyday. Most of us have our own conceptions about this treatment. it is important to know the science and the art of laser hair removal before you decide to get treated with lasers for hair removal.

What is laser- laser is the concentrated beam of light that is made of a single wavelength. This beam does not scatter light around but focuses it on one point. Therefore the energy emission is very high. In hair removal this laser energy is used to heat and burn the hair follicles. The full name of laser is Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

How laser removes hair- when laser is focused on skin, it get attracted to the pigment of the hair follicle. The laser heats the hair follicles and burns it at the root. The darker the color of the hair, better the results. Similarly the skin should be light colored otherwise the skin also attracts laser and gets blistered. With latest developments this possibility is getting eliminated, but you must talk to your physician about your hair and skin color and the results expected.

Please find out more about the number of treatments you may need, the expectation of results, the side effects and the proficiency of the technician before you proceed for treatment.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

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Lasik Replaces Eye Glasses

Lasik Replaces Eye Glasses
Lasik Replaces Eye Glasses

LASIK is a surgical procedure that can reduce a person’s dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The procedure permanently changes the shape of the cornea (the delicate clear covering on the front of the eye). For clear vision, the eye’s cornea and lens must bend (refract) light rays properly, so that images are focused on the retina. If the light rays aren’t clearly focused on the retina, the images you see are blurry.

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser.

What is the real difference between conventional Laser Eye Surgery and Custom LASIK Eye Surgery?

Conventional Laser Eye Surgery

Conventional Laser Eye Surgery treats the vast majority of common optical aberrations called “lower order” aberrations. These are responsible for causing nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Custom LASIK Eye Surgery provides a more precise treatment for patients who have “higher order” aberrations, which we can now measure with the Aberrometer. For these patients, customized laser eye surgery may provide a better quality of vision by measuring and addressing all of these aberrations as part of the treatment plan.

During LASIK surgery, a small incision is made in the cornea to create a flap. Then, a laser beam works within the cornea to reshape it for vision correction. After the reshaping, the flap is put back into place and serves as a sort of natural bandage.

Will I Need Reading Glasses After the Treatment?

Generally, patients under 40 years of age read well without glasses following the treatment. Patients over 40 may need magnification for reading fine print.

Presbyopia is the term that refers to the natural weakening of the focusing muscles that occurs in our early to mid 40s, causing us to need the magnification that reading glasses provide. The LASIK treatment does not correct or prevent presbyopia. We also will be glad to discuss another option called monovision.

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Types Vision Problems Can Corrected By Laser Eye Surgery

Types Vision Problems Can Corrected By Laser Eye Surgery
Types Vision Problems Can Corrected By Laser Eye Surgery

Visit this site to read an article from the FDA Consumer Magazine about laser eye surgery to correct vision problems. You will learn what types of vision problems can be corrected by laser eye surgery. Occasionally the vision through corrective lenses is actually worse after refractive or laser eye surgery than it was before. It usually has no effect on the final outcome of vision after laser eye surgery and can only be seen through an eye examination. Most patients notice improved vision within a few days after LASIK laser eye surgery.

LASIK laser eye surgery is can cause a loss of “best” vision with or without glasses at 1 year after surgery. Night vision treatment has become possible thanks to advances in laser eye surgery. LASIK refractive eye surgery provides vision correction by reshaping the cornea and changing its focusing power through the use of a laser. Improving vision without laser eye surgery. Accuvision provides laser eye surgery, laser vision correction and laser … This includes eye mapping, vision testing and medications related to the laser surgery. LASIK laser eye surgery patients often have good vision by the day after surgery. LASIK, or laser in-situ keratomileusis, is the most widely performed laser eye surgery for treating a wide range of common vision errors. Most reputable centers for eye laser surgery note that 20/20 vision from laser-corrected surgery may not be like 20/20 vision with corrective lenses.

The type of laser that is used in laser eye surgery is the Excimer laser. It is also the most expensive type of laser eye surgery. Finally, they answer some questions about laser eye surgery and decide if this type of operation is something they would consider for themselves. This type of corrective laser eye surgery is used to treat patients with open-angle glaucoma. This type of laser eye surgery is used to treat patients who have failed to respond to other types of surgery. However, if the eye disease manifests itself, there is one type of laser eye surgery that can be used: laser photocoagulation.

This guide provides an in-depth understanding of the laser eye surgery procedure, what can be expected, and possible complications. All in all, laser eye surgery is a potent procedure to correct a variety of refractive errors thereby enhancing a patient%u2019s visual acuity.

Clinicians wishing to undertake laser eye surgery should ensure that patients understand the benefits and potential risks of the procedure. Lasik, or laser eye surgery, is a surgical procedure designed to reduce dependency on glasses and contact lenses. The Wavefront laser procedure is carried out using computer aided equipment and doctors have reported improved eyesight results from Wavefront over traditional LASIK surgery.

With an exact map of the eye, they could precisely plan laser correction surgery, or create customized contact lenses, Olivier said. Bausch Lomb spokesperson Holly Houston said that the company is considering applications for both customized laser eye surgery and customized contact lenses. Around 100,000 people, tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses, undergo corrective laser eye surgery in the UK every year. Many people who have always worn glasses or contact lenses are now contemplating whether or not to have laser eye surgery. For some people, laser eye surgery means freedom from glasses and contact lenses.

Those considering laser eye surgery are often advised to have a full eye examination with an experienced surgeon. finding a LASIK surgeon LASIK LASIK has been the most widely performed and accepted form of laser eye surgery since it completed U.S. To gain the information you need to make a decision about Laser Eye Surgery, please consult with a plastic surgeon. During laser eye surgery, a surgeon uses a device called an Excimer Laser to change the shape of a patient’s cornea permanently. Finding a LASIK surgeon that you are confident about will be able to give you more information about laser eye surgery.

Doctors often recommend laser surgery before filtering microsurgery, unless the eye pressure is very high or the optic nerve is badly damaged. Medication following laser surgery In most cases, medications are still necessary to control and maintain eye pressure. Long-term benefits of glaucoma laser surgery Glaucoma laser surgeries help to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye. When laser surgery does not successfully lower eye pressure, or the pressure begins to rise again, the doctor may recommend filtering microsurgery.

have always been at the forefront of laser eye surgery earning an enviable reputation as THE clinic to … I’m hoping to get a referral for the laser eye surgery center affiliated w/my eye doctor’s clinic. Get your laser eye surgery done at a clinic that treats all kind of eye conditions not specialising in laser eye surgery. Lexum, which first performed laser eye surgery in 1993, performed 2,703 laser eye operations last year, according to clinic records. The clinic specializes in eye surgery, in particular laser eye surgery.

So you’ve checked it out, and you’ve found out that you are a viable candidate for laser eye surgery. Not everyone is a candidate for laser eye surgery. If you can prove that you have a stable prescription, you’re a good candidate for laser eye surgery. Initial readings are taken to determine whether or not they are a candidate for laser eye surgery.

http://www.laser-vision.info/laser-eye-surgery/

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How To Improved Vision After Lasik Laser Eye Surgery

How To Improved Vision After Lasik Laser Eye Surgery
How To Improved Vision After Lasik Laser Eye Surgery

Longer visual recovery time compared to LASIK laser eye surgery. LASEK laser eye surgery causes dry eye less frequently than LASIK laser eye surgery. LASEK laser eye surgery may cause more pain and discomfort than LASIK , but less pain than PRK laser eye surgery. Find out the facts about LASIK, where to go for LASIK, and how to talk with the people who know about laser eye surgery. During LASIK laser eye surgery, an instrument called a microkeratome is used to cut a thin flap in the cornea. Healing after LASIK laser eye surgery usually occurs very rapidly. Despite the pluses, there are some disadvantages: Changes made to the cornea cannot be reversed after LASIK laser eye surgery.

Most patients notice improved vision within a few days after LASIK laser eye surgery. Recovery is quick and usually no bandages or stitches are required after LASIK laser eye surgery. After having LASIK laser eye surgery, most patients no longer need corrective eyewear. Visit this site to find out more about laser eye surgery, particularly LASIK surgery. You may have noticed printed advertisements and television commercials that advertise a type of laser eye surgery called LASIK. The risk of corneal haze is much less with LASIK laser eye surgery than it is with PRK.

Learn about lasik eye surgery and other treatments for vision problems. Lopatynsky provides LASIK, vision correction, eye surgery, refractive surgery and eye care services. However, complications in LASIK surgery are rare and the vast majority of patients benefit from almost perfect vision without eyeglasses or contacts after surgery. One option in vision correction is LASIK eye surgery, which is rapidly growing in popularity.

Most insurance companies do not cover LASIK eye surgery, since they consider it as a cosmetic procedure. The popularity of LASIK surgery has risen in large part because of the eye’s rapid healing and the absence of pain following the procedure. In this article, you will find out exactly what happens during a LASIK procedure as you follow this author through his own eye surgery. It is also important for those who undergo LASIK eye surgery to have realistic expectations regarding the results of the procedure. The book explains: how the eye works, the entire Lasik correction procedure, it explained the surgery, and what you could expect after the surgery.

http://www.laser-vision.info/lasik-eye-surgery/

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Laser Eye Surgery Risks Flap Dislocation After Lasik

Laser Eye Surgery Risks Flap Dislocation After Lasik
Laser Eye Surgery Risks Flap Dislocation After Lasik

Though it is the most prevalent of laser eye surgeries, LASIK has its share of complications. The post-operative complication rate is estimated from 3% to 6%. LASIK eye surgery involves cutting a flap of the corneal tissue with a hinge being left at one end of the flap. The flap is then folded back to reveal the stroma, the middle section of the cornea. After reshaping the corneal tissue with the aid of a high precision laser, typically the excimer laser, the flap is repositioned so as to remain in place by natural adhesion until it heals completely.

The LASIK procedure entails certain flap complications. Among the post-operative flap complications, a slipped flap is one of the most common. The corneal flap created during the operation may inadvertently detach from the rest of the cornea. It is imperative that the patient goes home and sleeps after surgery so as to let the flap heal, since the chances of flap dislocation are the greatest immediately after the surgery.

Other types of flap complications include folds in flaps and undesired epithelial in-growth. Post-operative folds in flap typically necessitate repositioning of the flap. Flap related problems are relatively common when it comes to LASIK complications. But they rarely lead to a permanent visual acuity loss. Moreover, the occurrence of flap complications decreases with increased surgeon experience. An expert LASIK surgeon, wielding superlative equipment, is far less likely to commit an error during the surgery.

Since LASIK entails the removal of a part of the corneal tissue, the cornea becomes thinner as a result of the procedure. Myopic shifts at extreme altitudes have been attributable to this thinning of the corneal surface. LASIK technology has advanced in leaps and bounds, with much advanced and risk free procedures available today. Owing to this, the chances of flap complications are rather minuscule. Moreover, there isn’t a large body of conclusive evidence so as to assert the chances of any long-term flap complications due to LASIK.

In summary, LASIK is a viable and safe procedure when it comes to correcting a variety of refractive errors. Furthermore, whatever small flap complications may arise can be rectified with ease.

Finding a LASIK surgery that you are confident about will be able to give you more information about the risks of laser eye surgery.

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The Different Types Of Laser Eye Surgery

The Different Types Of Laser Eye Surgery
The Different Types Of Laser Eye Surgery

When most people think of laser eye surgery, they automatically think of LASIK. While it is true that LASIK is a type of laser eye surgery, there are a number of other laser procedures that can produce equally successful results for individuals suffering from myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. In fact, there are actually four different types of laser eye surgery: PRK, LASIK, Customized LASIK, and LASEK.

PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, makes use of a specialized cool laser beam, called an excimer laser, to remove excess corneal tissue. The removal of this tissue corrects the shape of the eye so that light entering the eye can be properly focused on the retina. The outer surface layer called the epithelium, is removed to expose the underlying corneal tissue. Once this tissue is revealed, the excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. The main distinction between PRK and LASIK is that PRK does not make use of a corneal flap. Instead, the epithelium is allowed to gradually heal through the body’s natural healing process. To protect the exposed cornea, surgeons fit patients with a lightweight contact lens to serve as a bandage for the eye. The contact lens also reduces discomfort. The lens is usually only worn for a few days, two to three days post-operative, at which time the eye is allowed to heal as normal with no bandage.

LASIK is the most widely known and performed type of laser eye surgery in the United States. LASIK stands for Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis, which literally means to “reshape the cornea from within using a laser.” LASIK differs from PRK in that a small flap is made in the stroma of the eye. This flap, made by either a microkeratome or IntraLase, is then peeled back to expose the underlying corneal tissue. An excimer laser is then used to reshape the cornea to correct any refractive errors. Once the cornea has been reshaped, the cornea flap is put back into place and smoothed out. The flap acts as a natural bandage to help the eye heal and protect the delicate cornea. The benefit of LASIK is that the use of the flap helps the cornea heals more quickly than it would using the PRK technique, and reduces much of the discomfort felt during the healing process.

Many ophthalmologic surgeons are now offered the next evolution in LASIK surgery, which they called Customized LASIK. The general procedure used to correct refractive errors is the same as is used for traditional LASIK procedures, with the addition of wavefront devices used to map the unique surface of the patient’s eye. The wavefront device passes a narrow ray of light through the systems and into the eye, measuring any optical distortions that result as the light exits back out the eye. Any irregularities identified are then fed back into the system so that the laser can automatically correct for aberrations on the surface of the eye. Proponents of Customized LASIK claim that the use of wavefront technology enables surgeons to treat higher order aberrations that can contribute to low-light visual disturbances such as halos and glare not corrected by traditional LASIK, eyeglasses, or contact lenses. Customized LASIK can provide patients who suffer from higher order aberrations with an increase in visual clarity.

The final type of laser eye surgery is LASEK, or Laser Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy. LASEK is especially helpful for patients who have a thin or flat cornea, making them questionable candidates for LASIK and Customized LASIK procedures. During LASEK, a small trephine blade is used to cut into the outer skin of the eye, called the epithelium. Once the cut has been made, the eye is bathed in a mild alcohol solution to allow the edges of the epithelium to soften. This permits the surgeon to gently tease the epithelium flap out of the way to expose the underlying tissue. An excimer layer reshapes the eye under the flap to correct any refractive errors, after which the flap is replaced over the treated cornea. As with LASIK, the replacement of the flap in LASEK speeds up the natural healing process and serves to minimize discomfort resulting from the procedure.

Although the end result of PRK, LASIK, Customized LASIK, and LASEK is the same – the reduction of refractive errors – the method by which these corrections are made differ. Each procedure has its advantages and disadvantages and is best suited for certain types of patients. Individuals who are considering laser eye surgery to correct their vision and reduce dependency on corrective lenses are urged to contact their ophthalmologist to inquire about available options and learn if they are a strong candidate for one of more of these procedures.

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Lasik Procedures Explained Can It Help Your Blurred Vision

Lasik Procedures Explained Can It Help Your Blurred Vision
Lasik Procedures Explained Can It Help Your Blurred Vision

LASIK is the most commonly performed refractive surgery procedure and stands for Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis. Owing much to the technological advances, several new refractive surgery procedures have been developed. However, the procedure is still the most potent and prevalent treatment of all surgical interventions for the eye.

The prevalence of LASIK has also ensured that it is very much accessible to nearly everyone who desires to undergo the surgery. Therefore, finding an efficient eye surgeon in your vicinity won’t be difficult at all. LASIK procedure can surely eliminate your vision problems and offer you crystal clear vision – something that every living soul desires.

In essence, the procedure makes use of a high-precision laser called the excimer laser, which is an ultraviolet chemical laser. The procedure involves cutting a flap in the cornea. The flap is folded back to make room for making incisions in the corneal tissue. Highly sophisticated computer-controlled equipment is used to perform the surgery. For instance, a sensor is used to measure the eye position around 4000 times per second. The laser is redirected to make precise incisions in order to reshape the cornea so as to ensure accurate refraction. This results in enhanced visual acuity.

LASIK is a reliable and rather safe procedure relative to other refractive surgery procedures. It is not that time-consuming either. Patients witness speedy recovery after the procedure. Most patients have a significant improvement in vision just after the procedure. Some patients may experience blurred vision, but this condition is alleviated within a week or two when the cornea is completely healed.

Another reason why this procedure is the preferred refractive surgery is because it has a minimal complication rate of 5%. Such a meager complication rate speaks volumes for the efficacy of LASIK. When you choose LASIK, you choose the best that technology has to offer. Therefore, you can easily rely on LASIK and need not be anxious about it.

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Lasik Surgery Frequently Asked Questions

Lasik Surgery Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lasik Surgery?

Lasik, an acronym for Laser-assisted, is a form of refractive laser eye surgery procedure performed by ophthalmologists intended for correcting vision. The procedure is usually a preferred alternative to photorefractive keratectomy, PRK, as it requires less time for full recovery, and the patient experiences less pain overall.

The Lasik Operation

The Lasik Operation is performed with the patient awake and mobile; however, the patient typically is given a mild sedative and anesthetic eye drops.

Lasik is performed in two steps. The initial step is to create a flap of corneal tissue. This process is achieved with a mechanical microkeratome using a metal blade, or a femtosecond laser microkeratome that creates a series of tiny closely arranged bubbles within the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back, revealing the stroma, the middle section of the cornea.

The second step of the procedure is to use an excimer laser to remodel the corneal stroma. The laser vaporizes tissue in a finely controlled manner without damaging adjacent stroma by releasing the molecular bonds that hold the cells together. No burning with heat or actual cutting is required to ablate the tissue. The layers of tissue removed are tens of micrometers thick.

Currently manufactured excimer lasers use a computer system that tracks the patient’s eye position up to 4,000 times per second, redirecting laser pulses for precise placement. After the laser has reshaped the cornea, the Lasik flap is repositioned over the treatment area by the surgeon. The flap remains in position by natural adhesion until healing is completed.

Performing the laser ablation in the deeper corneal stroma and under the Lasik flap fools the cornea into not knowing that it has had surgery. The wound response is muted, thus the patient is typically provided rapid visual recovery and virtually no pain.

Wavefront-guided Lasik

Wavefront-guided Lasik is a variation of Lasik surgery where, rather than apply a simple correction of focusing power to the cornea (as in traditional Lasik), an ophthalmologist applies a spatially varying correction, using a computer- controlled high-power UV laser guided by measurements from a wavefront sensor.

The goal is to achieve a more optically perfect eye, though the final result still depends on the physician’s success at predicting changes which occur during healing.

Nor are wavefront aberrations the factor to degrade vision; especially in older patients, scattering from microscopic particles plays a major role. Hence, patients expecting so-called “super vision” from such procedures may be disappointed.

Surgeons claim patients are generally more satisfied with this technique than with previous methods, particularly regarding lowered incidence of “halos”, the visual artifact caused by spherical aberration induced in the eye by earlier methods.

Although there have been a number of improvements in Lasik technology, a large body of conclusive evidence on the chances of long-term complications is not yet in place. Also, there is a small chance of complications, such as slipped flap, corneal infection, haziness, halo, or glare. The procedure is irreversible.

The incidence of macular hole has been estimated at 0.2% to 0.3%.

The incidence of retinal detachment has been estimated at 0.36%.

The incidence of choroidal neovascularization has been estimated at 0.33%.

The incidence of uveitis has been estimated at 0.18%.

Although the cornea usually is thinner after Lasik because of the removal of part of the stroma, refractive surgeons strive to maintain a minimum thickness in order to not structurally weaken the cornea.

Decreased atmospheric pressure at higher altitudes has not been shown to be extremely dangerous to the eyes of Lasik patients. However, some mountain climbers have experienced a myopic shift at extreme altitudes. Although there are no published reports documenting diving-related complications after Lasik, urban legends that describe eyes that have popped open during scuba diving still persist.

There are also concerns about possible Lasik-related problems with night vision, to the extent that some armed forces around the world advise aspiring air force and special forces personnel not to have the surgery.

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What Are The Lasik Procedures

What Are The Lasik Procedures:

The LASIK surgeon uses computer software to guide the IntraLase laser beam, which applies a series of tiny (3-micron-diameter) bubbles within the central layer of the cornea. The resulting corneal flap is created at a precise depth and diameter pre-determined by the surgeon. As occurs with a mechanical microkeratome, a small section of tissue at one edge of the flap is left uncut, forming a hinge that allows the surgeon to fold back the flap so that the cornea can be accessed and reshaped for vision correction.

LASIK has proven to be a safe and effective method of laser eye surgery as recently published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology by Ophthalmologist Professor Michael O’Keeffe reporting the results of a long term study commenced in 1998 and 1999 whereby LASIK patients were followed for a period of 5 years.

The LASIK Procedure

1. Anesthetic drops are applied to the eye.

2. A protective flap is created and gently lifted by the surgeon, revealing the inner corneal tissue.

3. Computer-controlled pulses of cool laser light are applied to the inner layers of your cornea. As the laser pulses, it makes a ticking sound. The inner corneal layer is reshaped with the laser to mimic your contact lens or glasses prescription.

4. The surgeon gently replaces the flap and aligns it to its original position. It heals naturally and securely.

5. Some patients may feel slight irritation for a few hours, but most are quite comfortable after a nap and rest.

Are there Follow Ups after Lasik Treatment?

Most patients are usually seen the day following the treatment and then at least 1 month and 3 months following the treatment. Some patients require more visits. Remember, we are available 24 hours a day when you have any questions, concerns or need attention.

So, we urge you to find out more about Lasik Surgery today!

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Using Laser Treatment To Help You Quit Smoking

Using Laser Treatment To Help You Quit Smoking

Using laser treatment to quit smoking is considered to be one of the most effective smoking cessation methods. This method was introduced to the public only in the recent years and is considered to be a rather modern and even innovation method.

The laser quit smoking system is based upon a simple and very old principle. It is a well known fact that certain point in human body are nerve centers and they can encourage changes in the body. This principle is used in many disciplines such as acupuncture, reflexology, shiatsu and more. The point is, if you apply pressure to certain points in human body, you can get certain predictable effects.

This principle is used in stop smoking laser treatment. Low intensity laser beam is applied to those specific point in your body. The result is an almost immediate reduction of the cravings that accompany the smoking cessation.

This way you can go through the first stages of quitting smoking without the cravings associated with them.

Naturally, reducing the cravings is not always enough, as there are more aspects to quitting smoking. Therefore, the laser treatment goes very well along with behavioral therapy that will eliminate the psychological aspects of addiction. The laser simply deals with the physical Nicotine addiction.

The treatment is very “clean” and has no side effects, like some of the medications people take to quit smoking.

So, is Laser treatment to quit smoking a good idea for you?

Well, you must consider the following:

* It could be quit expensive. Prices very, and you should compare a few clinics before choosing. Some health insurances cover the cost of this treatment, so check it with your health insurance.

* You should plan to combine the laser treatment with behavioral therapy. Undergoing a laser treatment only will not give you good results in many cases.

Besides from that, laser treatment to quit smoking is a good choice to make as a quit smoking aid. Just remember that you really have to want to quit in order to make it. Laser treatment will help, but it’s you that actually quits smoking.

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What Happens Before During And After A Lasik Eye Surgery Procedure

Since LASIK was approved by the FDA in the early 1990′s, the procedure has grown to become the most widely-performed eye surgery in the United States. LASIK is a surgical procedure performed on the eye to correct an individual’s vision and reduce dependency on eyeglasses or contact lenses. LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis, which literally means to “reshape the cornea from within using a laser.” The procedure has broad applications to treat refractive errors of the eye and can be used to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (an elongated cornea).

LASIK works by improving the ability of the eye to properly focus light. In a perfectly formed eye light entering the eye bends and directly hits retina, allowing the eye to produce a clear image. The majority of people, though, have imperfectly shaped corneas. Imperfectly shaped corneas do not properly refract the light on the retina, with the result that the viewed image is blurry and distorted. LASIK can correct these refractive errors by permanently changing the shape of the cornea. Once reshaped, the cornea is able to better focus light, eliminating the need for glasses or contacts.

LASIK patients will be given a detailed set of instructions to follow, beginning a few weeks before the procedure is to take place. It is critical that these instructions are followed if the surgery is to be a success. Patients wearing contact lenses will be advised to stop wearing their lenses anywhere from 2-4 weeks before the procedure, to give their eyes a chance to resume their natural shape. Certain foods, vitamins, beauty products, and medication can also affect the health of your eyes and may need to be avoided prior to LASIK. Failure to follow pre-operative instructions may result in a failed LASIK procedure, or the need to completely redo the surgery.

Patients remain awake and alert during surgery, although the doctor may administer a mild sedative to help keep the patient calm and relaxed. Numbing eye drops will be applied to the eye to serve as a local anesthetic. Since the eye’s natural tendency is to blink when it comes into contact with foreign items, it is necessary to secure the eyelids to keep them out of the way of the laser. This is done using an instrument called a lid speculum. Once the speculum is in place and the eye is cleaned, a small ring is placed on the cornea to apply a strong suction to the cornea. This part of the procedure can be a bit uncomfortable, but the strong suction ensures that the eyes remain immobile throughout the rest of the surgery.

Next a flap is cut into the cornea, leaving a small hinge to keep it attached to the eye. This flap may be made using a small razor sharp knife called a microkeratome, or by using a laser – also called IntraLase. The suction ring serves as a precise guide for the microkeratome to ensure that the flap is made cleanly and accurately. After the cut has been made the suction ring is removed and the flap is gently teased away from the cornea and peeled back (towards the hinge) to reveal the underlying stroma.

The doctor will then dry the eye and ask the patient to stare at a fixed light, without moving, until the end of the procedure. Once the eye is in the proper position, the excimer laser will be activated. The surgeon will have already programmed the laser to remove the precise amount of tissue from the exact location(s) on your eye before the start of the procedure. More severe refractive errors will require a longer laser treatment, since more corneal tissue will need to be removed. As the laser pulses a beam of light into the eye to remove the excess tissue from the eye, the patient will hear a ticking or zapping sound and may smell an odor similar to that of burning hair. Once the laser has ceased pulsing, the surgeon will replace the corneal flap on the eye and smooth it out to ensure no surface wrinkles develop.

Since an eye is vulnerable after LASIK, it is very important to take extra precautions to protect the eye during the healing process. The doctor will give the patient an eye shield to wear immediately after the LASIK procedure. This shield should be worn while sleeping to prevent a person from rubbing their eye and dislodging the flap. The eye shield also prevents a person from inadvertently putting any pressure on the eye. Antibiotic ointment should be used to prevent infection from forming, while eye drops may be used to keep dry and scratchy eyes well-lubricated as they heal.

The doctor will make a follow-up appointment to evaluate the patient’s eyes within 24-48 hours from the time of surgery. This will allow the physician to monitor the healing process, evaluate the eyes for any potential problems, and begin accessing the success of the LASIK procedure. After the initial follow-up appointment, the patient will be asked to return for regular visits every few weeks, then every few months, until such time that the surgeon is confident that the procedure was successful.

Keep in mind that LASIK is not a risk-free procedure and that not all individuals are good candidates for LASIK. If you are interested in finding more about this procedure, contact your ophthalmologist and request an appointment.

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Laser Eye Surgery A Risk Analysis For My Daughter

My daughter has worn glasses since being 8 years old. She switched to contact lenses at 16. She is 21 now and told me yesterday that she is considering using her savings from her part-time job to get laser eye surgery.

Now I wear glasses and can see that they are inconvenient at times. I tried contacts years ago, before the newest generation of soft daily wear lenses were developed. One day I will get around to trying them again. But I know nothing about laser eye surgery, so I told her I would find out more and then we could talk about it.

I have summarised what I found in the paragraphs below.

Laser eye surgery, or LASIK surgery (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis ) is one answer for those people who do not want to wear glasses all the time. The surgeon uses a laser to permanently change the shape of the cornea, the tough part at the front of the eye. Because the shape is changed, the eye’s own lens is more able to do all the focussing that’s necessary, reducing the need for glasses or contacts.

There are some risks attached to the procedure, as there are to all surgical procedures, but most patients are pleased with the results.

You do need to be aware of the specific risks and to weigh up how important these negative effects of Lasik surgery are to you.

Some patients develop extended blind spots, they cannot see certain lines on a reading chart or when reading a book and have to move their heads to overcome this.

If you have very strong lenses, for either near sightedness, or long sightedness Lasik surgery may not be very successful.

Some patients develop glare, halos and double vision. All of these symptoms can make life unbearable. Other patients lose vision in low contrast settings, like driving at dusk.

You may develop a severe case of Dry Eye Syndrome. This is a permanent condition that causes discomfort and occasional blurring of vision.

These risks put off a lot of potential patients from having laser eye surgery. They would certainly put me off, and I will do my best to persuade my daughter not to go ahead.

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