Lasik Explorer

What do I Need to Know About Lasik or Laser Eye Surgery?

2009-01-28T16:56:00.001-08:00

There are many famous, as well as diverse, laser eye surgery centers that present the best attainable procedures at the most affordable prices and also accomplish high quality clinical distinction. Laser eye surgery could cost in the region of $1000 and the swift and uncomplicated procedure offers freedom from blurred and incorrect vision and gives an alternative to wearing glasses as well as contact lenses.

I know how frustrating it can be to be wearing glasses each and everyday; that's why the solution for you is now Laser eye surgery. Also known as reflective surgery, laser eye treatment is increasingly becoming the most preferred way of treating eye problems. Many people, the world over, who have had laser eye surgery done on them have said only good things about this method.
Some explanation on how this works is now important.

Lack of clear vision can be attributed to one's corneal tissue not doing what it's responsible for doing. Light rays from objects are usually refracted or the cornea bends them for the purpose of getting them to fall solely on the retina; and the retina itself is just a really thin sensitive light layer. Lack of the light rays converging on the retina is known as a refractive problem. This problem usually causes haziness in the vision of patients.

The conditions known as farsightedness or shortsightedness really depends on precisely how refracted the light rays are. A very powerful laser, particularly called Excimer corrects this problem in the laser eye surgery by repairing the corneal tissue.

With this repair, the light can now fall, without problems, on the retina -- thereby allowing the patient to see very well. I was shocked when I discovered that the entire procedure just takes minutes! If you think lasik or laser eye surgery as it is sometimes called will make you bedridden for days, think again -- you can get out in the same day.

Choosing Glasses For Computer Workers

2009-01-27T22:02:00.001-08:00

Computers are now pretty much commonplace at home, at work and at school.Most of us seem to spend a large part of our days squinting at a monitor and with more of our shopping and entertainment being driven by the Internet, computer use is surely going to increase. For many of us, that’s not a problem. If you spend more than two hours a day at a PC, then it’s likely that you will experience symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).
CVS can be caused by several factors.A decreased rate of blinking while you’re focusing on a computer screen is thought to be significant.Studies have shown that the blink rate decreases to as low as 6–8 blinks per minute if you’re focused on a display (the normal blink rate is 16-20 per minute).This leads to dry eyes and also puts strain on the ciliary muscles of the eye. The most common symptoms of CVS include headaches, focusing difficulties, aching eyes, dry eyes, double vision, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and neck and shoulder pain.
CVS can also accelerate the early onset of a condition called presbyopia (usually associated with aging) where you experience difficulty reading fine print, particularly in low light conditions, or momentarily blurred vision when shifting between viewing distances.
The good news is that it is relatively simple to ease these symptoms. Daft as it may sound, try blinking more often!f you are not a glasses wearer, simple changes like making sure the screen is clean, correctly positioned, and set up properly will make a difference.
If you do wear glasses, then ensuring your lenses are clean and smear free will help to reduce glare and reflections. Anti-Reflective coatings on your lenses (usually available free of charge if you ask for it through suppliers like SelectSpecs.com) will reduce or eliminate surface reflections and ensure clear vision day or night. Anti-Reflective coatings also make the lenses of your glasses appear almost non-existent, so your eyes look more natural.
Whether you wear glasses of not, you can improve your vision at work by having regular eye examinations, taking frequent breaks to give your eyes a rest every 20 minutes or so and avoiding glare or bright reflections on the screen. If you are using a CRT display, consider changing to an LCD screen.Buy a 19 inch screen with the highest resolution possible and a dot pitch of .28 mm or smaller. They lack the “flicker” of CRT monitors, are easier on the eye and usually have an anti-reflective surface.

The even better news is that If you you use a computer or VDU screen habitually as a significant part of your normal work (i.e. for at least an hour most days), then according to the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, your employer is obliged to pay for regular eye examinations. Your employer may have an arrangement with a local optometrist or more likely they will refund you the cost of an examination. If that examination reveals that you require glasses specifically for Display Screen Equipment use, your employer must also pay for budget glasses.

What's The Celebrity Power of Designer Glasses

2009-01-26T01:08:00.001-08:00

The Celebrity Power of Designer Glasses
The right Designer Glasses can make the man (or woman!). Designer glasses have come into their own in recent years with names like Gucci, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Prada, Tommy Hilfiger or YSL being seen in most opticians’ windows.Often it’s the other way round. Sophia Loren, who now has her own range of designer glasses bearing her name, was once more associated with Foster Grant,   at least for sunglasses.She was the mainstay in the "Who's That Behind Those Foster Grants?" advertising campaign (voted among the best 100 campaigns ever) along with Raquel Welch and Mia Farrow
John Lennon was indistinguishable from the round lens Windsor style. First introduced as far back as 1880, the iconic round lens (in a variety of colours), nose saddle with no nose pads and temples that loop behind the ear became a “must have” and is now much more commonly referred to as a “Lennon”.    That’s unfair really.They could just as easily been called after Ernest Hemingway, Groucho Marx, Mahatma Gandhi, or Joseph Stalin, - they all wore the same style - although a pair of Groucho’s does sound rather better than a pair of Mahatma's.
n comedy, the two Ronnies are the perfect example. Messer’s Corbett and Barker flaunted their horn rims, and indeed the specs were all the logo the show needed.Where would Harry Hill be without his ludicrous glasses and would he really be able to deliver stupid lines like; “I have a really nice stepladder. Sadly, I never knew my real ladder.” without them?
Surely the most cringingly corporate, sickeningly sycophantic and ultimately naff designer glasses were Steve Wozniak's, then of Apple Computers, who went so far as to have Apple -shaped glasses made for him. Steve Jobs didn’t like them much obviously. Some celebrity designer glasses are not intended to boost ego and effect, but to improve performance.   The best example of this must be snooker player Dennis Taylor's famous glasses which were designed by Jack Karnehm, better known as BBC TV’s snooker commentator from 1978 to 1993. He developed Taylor's distinctive, swivel-lens, upside-down design (he had served a five year apprenticeship).Those designer glasses helped Taylor win the 1985 world snooker title and made him seem almost exotic!
Perhaps the most unusual celebrity designer glasses wearer was Eric Sykes.A recognised comedy genius and excellent writer, Sykes was never seen without his black horn rims. But that was because he became profoundly deaf as an adult.The glasses he wore were actually a bone-conducting hearing aid and contained no lenses at all. Designer glasses, what celebrity are yours?

Why Does Cool Go With Designer Sunglasses

2009-01-24T23:38:00.001-08:00

Some think that the epitome is Top Gun Aviators.Others worship Blues Brothers' Ray Bans or the Dude Lebowski.The Dude appears to be wearing Ray-Bans, but no one is certain.Perhaps they are a discontinued line as most of the wardrobe in the movie was Bridges' personal gear!   Not many are thinking Dr Strangelove when it comes to designer sunglasses!   For others it might just be the brand name of their designer sunglasses that’s vital: Animal, Burberry, D&G, Diesel, Emporio Armani, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Ray-Ban, Prada, Tommy Hilfiger or YSL.
So why is “Cool” important?   After all, the primary purpose of sunglasses, designer or not, is to offer protection to your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.The main job of sunglasses is to protect your eyes from UV radiation, even more important with Ozone layer depletion.At very least they should prevent glare.
“Cool” is peer group pressure writ large and made commercial by major corporations.   Cool is the development of what we learn as infants and teenagers: a smile, a certain savoir faire, attitudes or mannerisms that gets us the most positive response from the people we want to impress.As a teenager, friends and peers are the in crowd.As and adult, those people are likelier to be potential sexual partners.
Whatever brand or style your choose, select what looks best on you. Sunglasses that look good on your mates may not look so great on you. Buy sunglasses that suit your facial shape, hair colour and skin tone. Take things like frame colour and shape into consideration when choosing. Choose sunglasses with a frame colour that complements your complexion.If fashion is important to you, then match designer sunglasses to your outfits by all means! Buy several pairs to go with your extensive wardrobe.
Let's not start to dismiss the notion of "Cool" altogether, because self esteem is also important.We all need to feel good about ourselves. More important (because it's the one area we do control) is what we do with our own talents.That is the essence of self-esteem.   And if thinking you look cool or good in a pair of designer sunglasses reinforces that perception and self esteem and encourages you to be confident and assertive, then where’s the harm in that?

Finding The Best Lasik Surgeon

2009-01-24T17:27:00.001-08:00

Eye problems have grown increasingly common in modern times. This has naturally resulted in more patients who wish to regain good eyesight. If you have vision problems such as astigmatism, myopia or other similar conditions, lasik eye surgery can provide you with a solution. This medical treatment has become popular in Asia due to its high success rate, among other cosmetic procedures such as double eyelid surgery in Singapore.

There are steps that have to be taken in order to find the right surgeon for a lasik procedure. These are precautions that anyone has to observe in order to avoid the chances of a failed operation, which would exacerbate the original condition instead of improving it.

The first thing you can do is to ensure the surgeon is qualified and accredited with the country's national plastic surgery association. If he or she is listed in the association registrar, you can be assured that they are qualified to practice. This will help prevent going under the laser of an unethical doctor.

Seek multiple diagnoses from different doctors. This allows you to get the best possible one and reduces the margin of error. You might have to pay more in terms of total consultation fees but this is a minor inconvenience compared to its advantages.

Never fail to check each doctor's past surgical track record. Their overall success rates should be made known to you, as well as the level of care they provide after the surgery. You can ascertain the top surgeons as they will be honest about their records and provide excellent after surgery care.

It would be prudent to find out if your surgeon is familiar with more than one lasik procedure, such as epi lasik eye surgery in Singapore. Normally, those with knowledge and practical experience of different methods are often the ones who are better at what they do. It will help assure you and provide a boost in confidence.

Do not be shy about price comparison and shopping for the best quotes. But do not just choose the surgeon who offers the cheapest procedure. You should focus more on receiving a successful outcome from the surgery instead of sacrificing health for some monetary savings.

Lasik surgery can provide many benefits if you suffer from eye problems. It is a solution that should be encouraged widely so that more people can enjoy healthy vision. With the right surgeon in hand, it will help to boost the possibility of that happening even higher.

How Subliminal Messages Will Easily Improve Your Eyesight

2009-01-22T18:44:00.001-08:00

Eyes are our windows to the world, but with age their functionality decreases. However, you can take action to improve your eyesight and enjoy the benefits of your eyes no matter what the conditions! Thefollowing techniques (from eye exercises to subliminal eyesight improvements) are some simple and easy self help techniques and exercises which can help in improving your eye sight

Eye exercises

Exercise 1

This exercise is very popular in eastern countries and is believed be extremely beneficial for one’s eye sight. You can practice the following simple steps every morning after brushing your teeth:

Step 1-Fill your mouth with water but don’t drink it

Step 2-Keep your eyes wide open and splash water on your face 20-25 times

Step 3-Relax and spit out the water

Exercise 2

If you like reading or spend a lot of time in front of your computer, you are likely to weaken your eyesight. Ensure your eyes don't get tired by having a break every forty five minutes and blink your eyes rapidly. After blinking 10-20 times, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths then return to work.

Subliminal messages

Our subconscious is extremely powerful and is believed to influence all our mind and body functions.Subliminal health cds work by influencing and re-programming our subconscious mind. Subliminal messages are best used in audio form (i.e. as CDs or MP3s) where your mind will not even realize you are receiving any messages. Subliminal messages can be used repeatedly - not only to restore your vision but they will can also increase the circulation and blood flow to your eyes. This means that you should experience quick improvements in your eyesight and also that these improvements will stay with you into the future

Good eyesight is truly a blessing; the least we can do to honor and value it is to take proper care of our eyes.

How To Choose A Lasik Surgeon

2009-01-20T20:37:00.001-08:00

LASIK is a simple procedure that allows the surgeon to correct visual errors in only a short period of time, usually a few minutes.

When you decide to have the surgery you´ll have to be very careful when choosing the doctor because its level of expertise is vital for you. Everything will last only half an hour and you´ll only feel a brighter discomfort that will disappear right away.

After the procedure you will be able to use your visual function without any problems.
The procedure is pretty much standard but in some cases there might be some complications and risks involved. That´s why the pre-op evaluation is important because your doctor will answer all your questions and together you´ll decide which the best option for you is.

That´s why before visiting the doctor you might want to do a research so that you´ll know what to ask.

Also, you must make sure that the doctor is licensed for this type of surgery and that its certifications are in order.

As I said before, the surgeon is the most important factor and that´s why you should ask him how many procedures he completed and what were the results. The references are very important and you shouldn´t be ashamed to ask all these details.

You can also ask for references from a former patient because like that you can find out many important things that will influence your decision one way or another.

Honesty is very important in the doctor-patient relationship and that´s why you must receive a true answer when you ask about bonuses offered by the Lasik equipment manufacturer. Sometimes the doctors use their number of patients to gain bonuses and that´s not necessarily a good thing.

A large number of procedures will keep him from being very accurate with every single patient. Remember: your eyes are not a play toy.

You should take into consideration experience, certifications, training, price and the comfort level offered to you by the centre before deciding for a doctor in your area.
Good luck in finding a great surgeon that will solve all your eye-related problems.

If you live in colorado, learn where to find the best colorado lasik surgeon. Also learn more about lasik plus vision centers all across the country.

Buy Sunglasses That Not Only Look Good But Will Protect Your Eyes

2009-01-15T14:37:00.001-08:00

Most of us wouldn't go out in the hot sun without at least one application of sunscreen. However, many still risk damage to their eyes without the proper UV protection good quality sunglasses can provide. Buying a pair of sunglasses with UV filtering will make sure you are protected and let you enjoy yourself in the sun.

The number one tip is to always make sure you are wearing sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection when you are in the sun no matter what month of the year it is.

Skiers and snowboarders need to make sure they are protected however odd this may sound. While the air is chilly, the harmful rays can reflect off the snow during winter and increase their intensity. There is no point in taking the risk of retina damage or increasing your chances for developing cataracts, which has been linked to extended UV radiation exposure.

If you want a good pair of sunglasses for wearing while driving, you may want to check out polarised lenses. These type of lens usually offer UV protection and will help to reduce the glare of the sun of those bright days while out in the car. Wrap around Oakley sunglasses also offer additional protection while you are out and about. Choose brown, green or grey lenses and the larger the lenses are, generally the more protection they will offer.

It is always a good idea to buy your sunglasses (whether it be offline or online) from a licensed supplier of branded goods. This is not just to ensure you really are getting authentic Chanel sunglasses, D&G sunglasses or other brand you choose. Buying from unauthorised vendors or from street markets is very risky and there is no guarantee that the shades will offer the level of protection against UR rays required.

A Clear Vision with Lasik Eye Surgery

2009-01-12T17:48:00.001-08:00

Usually if we need our vision corrected we wear graded eyeglasses or contact lenses. These would work great and oftentimes solve our vision problems. But would it be great if there is some other way to see clearer. Eyeglasses tend to be awkward to use especially when you are engaged in physical activity. On the other hand, contact lenses are very troublesome to wear. You really need to maintain it a lot and if you are not careful this might irritate your eyes. Now there is a medical procedure that could improve you vision without going through the ordeals of having eyeglasses or contact lenses; this is the Lasik Eye surgery.

Lasik (laser-assisted in situ keartomileusis) is a type of lasik eye surgery used to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. This technique was developed in the 1950’s by Dr Jose Barraquer of Spain. He is the one who developed the first microkeratome which is used to cut thin flaps on the cornea. In 1958 Dr. Mani Lal Bhaumik and some group of scientist developed the excimer laser. These discoveries lead to the enhancement of Lasik surgery which we know today.

This procedure could both benefit near-sighted and far-sighted people. For near-sightedness the corneas are usually flatten. For far-sighted people the goal is to make the cornea contour steeper. It could also smoothen out irregular corneas, which is the case for persons with astigmatism.

Before undergoing the procedure, patients with contact lenses are advised to stop wearing them for 5 to 7 days before surgery. Doctors then will determine the thickness of your cornea by using a pachymeter. Using a topographer, the doctors will make a topographic map of your corneas. This will enable them to see the exact shape and contour of the cornea. It is needed so the doctor could determine the exact location and amount of the corneal tissue that will be removed.

The operation is performed in a clinical setting with a patient wide awake. A patient could be given a mild sedative (like valium) or some anesthetic eye drops.

The first thing that the doctor will do is to make a flap in the cornea. A corneal ring is applied to the eye so that it will be immobilized. Once immobilized a flap is created by using a mechanical microkeratome with a metal blade. A hinge must be left at the edge of the flap so that it could be folded back; this procedure could be irritating. Once it is folded back it will reveal the middle section of the cornea which is the stroma.

The second part is where the excimer laser will cut off excess tissue of the stroma. Removal of tissue is done is microns and no heat is generated during this procedure.

Finally the flap is returned back again to its original position. The flap does not need to be sutured back into place as it will heal and adhere naturally

After all this the patient could continue back to his or her normal life with an assurance of a much clearer vision ahead.

Who are Good LASIK Surgery Patients

2009-01-11T10:09:00.001-08:00

LASIK are becoming popular and there are plenty of eye patients interested, and want to know the benefits, the risks, and how the Lasik procedure works. The first LASIK operation consideration are the requirements to meet for each candidate. Before you undergo with the procedure, you must talk about your case with your doctor; here are some tips you can follow first hand.

First, only mature a fully grown eye can qualify. Individuals 18-years old and younger cannot undergo LASIK, for it is likely that the shape of their eye will continue to shift for several years. If the eye shape change after the Lasik operation is done, the clarity of vision will be affected. Some Lasik doctors recommend waiting until age 25 in some cases.

Asside from the age minimum limit, the patient's grade should have been steady for a year or more for LASIK. The reason being that LASIK procedure can only be successful if the eye stops changing its shape.

One comment about age cutoffs should be made with regard to Lasik surgery. There is no maximum age, a lot of patients in their 50s and 80s have seen dramatic sight improvment after LASIK. The important consideration in these cases is sufficient tear production for successful healing and lubrication after the Lasik sight correction.

The eyes of the Lasik candidate should be healthy. That is to say the patient should not have suffered any eye injury or infection a year before the operation. In addition, they must not have any recurring eye problem, such as a history of herpes infection in the eyes.

The medical history of a prospective Lasik client also plays an important part. Some long-term conditions, like an autoimmune diseases like Lupus, will prevent some people from being considered by the LASIK doctors surgery procedure. Be on the lookout for current eye conditions you might which you do not know, or even to those past conditions too. Moreover, pregnant or lactating mommies should postpone LASIK operation scheduled.

Patients with dry eye condition are prohibited to take LASIK, mainly because LASIK dry eyes is a serious concern for many doctors. The tear production is crucial for a successful LASIK, although this can be remedied using artificial tear drops. In addition, those people with eyes that dilate very widely are not good candidates for Lasik.

If you do not meet the above criteria for a good LASIK patient, you should look for another alternative. Otherwise, if you are healty and your eye meet the criteria, a LASIK procedure should be the best for you by a qualified, professional Lasik physician. Visit the nearest respected LASIK center in your area and ask the full implication of the operation now.

How Much Does Lasik Surgery Cost – What Affects Lasik Eye Surgery Price?

2009-01-08T23:03:00.001-08:00

The first thing that must be considered when you consider lasik laser eye surgery procedure is the price. It´s hard to offer a fixed price because there are several factors that change the final amount from one case to another.

The first one is the geographical location. For example: a famous surgeon from Beverly Hills is considerably more expensive than another one from Pennsylvania.
Also, the treatment facility must be taken into account because a small private clinic won´t charge the same price as a hospital or a specialized eye treatment center.

Another important factor is the reputation of the surgeon and of the center. It´s obvious that a professional doctor will ask more money for the procedure than any his colleagues.

After considering all the above mentioned factors you´ll probably want to know the average price for the lasik laser eye surgery. Well, the standard rate used globally is about $2000.

But to this amount, you should add money for local taxes, surgeon´s reputation, geographical location and last but not least the doctor´s royalty fee. Either way, you should know that for most surgeons the price is pretty much the same.

If you wonder about additional costs, you should know that your doctor must quote the total amount during your first eye-consult. In addition to all that you´ll have to pay for the follow-up treatment and post-op medication if needed.

There are strong competition in the field of lasik eye surgery and that´s why many surgeons offer some form of discounts in order to remain competitive. Usually they publish the coupons on the local newspaper or on the Internet but just to be sure, when you go see the doctor for the consult you might wanna ask him about any discounts offers.

For example there are a few surgeons that offer discounts to patients that pay cash for the procedure while others offer senior citizen discounts.

Also, if you´re really looking to find a good bargain for your surgery and you don´t mind going to other cities then you should start a research on the Internet.

As I said before the geographical location is very important and if you´re lucky you can find an affordable treatment center perfect for your budget. This means that you´ll get your surgery and you´ll enjoy a very pleasant vacation in the same time.

Wondering how much does lasik surgery cost? Visit my lasik eye surgery site for more information.

Trust LASIK to Cure Your Sight Problems

2009-01-08T19:52:00.001-08:00

Today I want to tell you about my personal experience with LASIK procedure and how LASIK in fact changed my life.

When I got to talk to the Lasik docotr, he was encouraging but realistic. He stated that one of my eyes would be a good candidate for total vision correction, but the other eye would likely see only some (though possibly major) improvement. He stated that about one of his Lasik procedures per month are with clients with the same level of poor vision of my worst eye. So that made me feel good!

I would also like to encourage those people with some problems to go ahead and visit their local Lasik center (in my case I went to the Denver Lasik Eye Surgery clinic and I can't complain!) to talk to the professionals there. As I mentioned earlier, I have had some occasional problems with dry eyes. I also have pupils that dilate easily. My conditions are reasons for the procedure not to push through, but the doctor said that my conditions were only minor. Do go and discuss your individual case.

I cannot say that the information I was given made me totally relaxed about the whole procedure. I did talk myself into and out of the Lasik procedure several times during the weeks before it was done. I followed all what the Lasik doctors told me to do after the procedure, and I am so happy with the results! I could see much better even directly after the operation was over, and things have continued to improve. I personally do not have any of the problems that are often mentioned as effects, such as halos around lights, etc. I would strongly encourage anyone to be brave enough to go down to your Lasik center and at least talk about the Lasik procedure with a knowledgeable professional.

Get Educated By Discovering The Laser Eye Surgery Facts

2009-01-07T20:30:00.001-08:00

Individuals who grow weary of wearing glasses or think they look nicer when their not donning them may turn to corrective surgery applying laser technology to reconstruct their sharp-sightedness. Before heading down to an 24 hr laser surgical clinic people should to gain all the laser eye surgery truths they can learn to verify that they are making the appropriate choice. Lasik vision surgery isn't for all people and you can promptly decide whether or not you qualify beforehand by considering all of the applicable facts. They can then read about what to anticipate to determine if they desire to carry on with the operation.
There are likewise some essential facts that help to verify the success of a laser eye surgery process. Discovering what can be anticipated before the surgical procedure, during the operation and the right follow through care is an important component of the decision-making process and the laser eye surgery facts can help provide that information as well. One of the consequential facts is that nearly all insurance policies do not cover the surgical procedure if it is being done strictly for cosmetic intentions.

Those who wear contact lenses could have to delay while their eyes revert back to their normal form before receiving the surgery, entailing they must wear spectacles until the day of the procedure. They may likewise need to wear glasses to rectify the sight in the one eye that is not righted according to the available laser eye surgery facts.

Success Rates Are In Potential Patients' Favor

In spite of the risks related with laser surgery, the lasik eye surgery statistics are in favor of the patients as there are many more success stories than there are of surgeries that go horribly wrong. While the danger elements are included in the laser eye surgery facts, the experience and expertise of the surgeon doing the process will greatly increase the chances of success.

The patient will be under local anesthetic simply with a localized sedative for the eyeball on which the procedure is being executed. In most cases, the patient will go home the same day to begin the recuperative process and with the proper follow up care, after their recovery they will end up with much stronger sight than they had pre-op.

The price of the procedure is quite intimidating for a lot of people, but when the cost of eye examinations and contacts over their lifespan is figured, the laser eye surgery facts point out that it can be a noteworthy price savings over the years succeeding the operation.

How Laser Eye Surgery Works – Lasik And Photorefractive Eye Surgery

2009-01-06T18:57:00.001-08:00

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.

Learn more facts about lasik surgery and where to get the best lasik treatment travel package at my lasik eye surgery site.

Lasik Eye Procedure – What Happens During A Lasik Eye Surgery

2009-01-05T05:15:00.001-08:00

People that were forced to wear contacts or glasses all their life can now leave these aids behind by using a new and innovative LASIK procedure called the LASIK eye surgery.

This new type of refractive eye surgery can be risky but in most cases after detailed testing and consultation the final result is a good one. If you worry about the duration of the surgery, you should know that everything lasts only a few minutes but in order to obtain good results you should be very careful about the pre and post operative appointments.

It is very important to choose a good eye surgeon and after he evaluates he´ll establish the details of the procedure. He´ll let you know if you´re a good candidate or not, he´ll explain the procedure, the complications, the risks and the final result and together you´ll set the post-op appointment.

A few weeks before the LASIK eye procedure it´s recommended that you use only glasses and no contact lens because the shape of the cornea plays the most important role during evaluation.

When the procedure starts you´ll be sitting in a chair while the doctor will put numbing drops in your eyes. After he cleans up the area around the eyes, he´ll use a machine that will keep your eye lids open.

You might feel pretty weird because our eye lids are programmed to shut but if you stay relaxed you won´t feel a thing. The lasik eye surgeon use various types of machines and that´s why the level of discomfort can vary a lot from one patient to another.

Next, you´ll have to look straight into a laser placed over your eye while the surgeon will complete the procedure.

Everything happens very fast and the discomfort will only last a few seconds. All the above mentioned details sound scary and when you think that everything happens in the eye you might reconsider but you shouldn´t. LASIK eye procedure is very safe and most candidates leave the hospital with excellent results.

Wondering how much does lasik cost? Visit my lasik eye surgery site for more information.

10 Cardinal Rules After Laser Surgery.

2009-01-04T06:43:00.001-08:00

Laser eye surgery unlike other surgical procedures are normally almost a painless experience. You are awake and aware of what is going on during the procedure. The procedures itself normally takes only around 10 to 15 minutes.

Nevertheless there are still some simple do it yourself eye care treatment that you have to follow. Also there are some action that could be dangerous to your eyes that you have to avoid.

Here are 10 basic rules of what you should and should not do after the surgery.

1) First and foremost do not skip your follow up treatment with your eye doctor. Follow up appointment is very important to check up your eyes and make sure that the surgery was successful and also to detect if there is any negative side effects.

2) Use the medicated eye drops that was prescribed by your eye doctor. Follow the direction as to how often and how long you should use them.

3) If your doctor prescribed you with medication such as antibiotic or anti inflammatory, do take them according to your doctors instructions.

4) Keep your hands away from your eyes. No excessive touching or rubbing. Use your eye drops to relief your eyes from itchiness.

5) When taking a bath make sure that no soap or water will enter your eyes. Avoid swimming or bath tub shower or any other activities that expose water to your eyes.

6) Plan to look like a secret service for some time. Always keep a pair of dark sunglasses with you. You may need it at any time when you are outdoors. Your eyes are still very sensitive to sunlight and you want to avoid your eyes from Ultra Violet Light exposure. Also keep your eyes from any bright light.

7) For ladies, try not to apply any facial makeup for some time. Chemical ingredients in your makeup could irritate skin around your eyes and may lead to eye infections.

8) Avoid any games or activities that require rough physical contact. Your eyes still need some time to be well adjusted.

9) Make sure to wear eye goggles when you go to sleep. Your eyes need to be protected from any unintentional harm or injury while sleeping.

10) Avoid watching television, doing work on the computer or reading during the first 24 hours after the surgery. Spend more time lying down relax and close your eyes.

Normally you could be back to work within one to three days after the surgery. Again it depends on the case by case basis, since every surgery is different so does every patients.

The above recommendations are the basic precautions that everyone should take after eye laser surgery in order to avoid any complications that might occur and also for fast recovery.

Does Lase Eye Surgery has Negative Side Effect?

2009-01-02T23:32:00.001-08:00

As recent as in the last few years, laser eye surgery has become a very popular alternative to people who has been dependent on their eye glasses or contact lenses all their lives.

In a rush to leave their glasses and contact lenses behind people are rushing for this new treatment. Likewise wee see lasik eye surgery treatment centers and private clinics mushrooming in every cities.

What many people are unaware of is that there is risk involved in the surgery procedures. A laser surgery is not for everyone.

The procedure is not suitable to some people due to their health and medical condition. The eye surgeon would normally advise the patient during consultation if they are the right candidate for the surgery.

Laser eye surgery complications does exist to a certain degrees. Although the percentage is very very small and almost negligible.

May be most people might have thought of complications in terms of serious consequences such as blindness or serious infections.

The fact is that the most common complications or rather side effects is called regression. Regression is simply your eye sight vision turns back to the state before the surgery.

This includes blurred vision again or your eyes might become very sensitive to lights and also another problem is dry eyes that could become painful at times.

So mistakes do happen sometimes due to eye doctors misjudgment or patients willingness to take risk despite chances of higher risk in some people.

The bottom line is to get yourself educated with all the fact and figures before jumping into the surgery room. Find the eye doctor with the right credential and experience to work with.

Don't be afraid to ask questions and clear any doubt that you have during the screening process. This is very important in order to determine the right surgery procedures that you need.

Majority of people have a great success with laser eye surgery. The failure rate is far too small to outweight the success stories.

Dealing with LASIK Complications

2009-01-02T19:29:00.001-08:00

Though rare, there are still LASIK surgery patients that complain about post surgical problems. However, if you have an experienced surgeon by your side, the rate of surgical complications is greatly reduced. Common sense aside, one should base their decisions on the actual facts reported by their treatment provider. Overall, the number of complications are generally reported to be less than 1%. Most of the reported problems are handled through laser re-treatments or enhancements.

In order to understand the kind of complications people have, you should understand what a LASIK treatment is all about. During LASIK surgery a laser beam is used to cut a very thin, hinged flap into the front of the eye. The flap is then lifted and the laser is applied to re-shape the eye, and then the flap is replaced to heal.

Some of the more common types of LASIK complications are improperly formed LASIK flaps: Sometimes after the first surgery, a patient might experience an improperly formed flap. This might create an irregular surface and cause various vision defects. In such cases, LASIK surgery needs to be repeated one or more times to make the eye surface smooth. That's why you really need to speak to LASIK doctors about these sort of issues to understand the risks involved here.

Inflammation - Sometimes there might be inflammation that can develop in areas where the flap comes in contact with the eye. Such a condition, is called diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK). It may create symptoms such as sensitivity towards light and loss of Vision .

Epithelial In growth - If there is any kind of initial swelling in the eye it might create a common LASIK complication called Epithelial in growth. This condition can be best described as a type of scarring which leads to an irregular eye surface and other vision distortions. In such a condition the surgeon lifts the flap and scrapes out the epithelial growth from inside. This is certainly not a full proof method. It has been noticed that in many cases the epithelial in growth reoccurs.

Some other common types of Lasik Eye Surgery complications include dry eye, infections, and night vision problems such as glaring around the lights.

LASIK surgeons know that technological advancement can reduce the post LASIK procedure complications. People who have had a history of eye complications or infections are not advised to go for these surgeries.

LASIK Procedure to Correct Several Eye Problems

2009-01-01T00:05:00.001-08:00

The term LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileuses. LASIK eye surgery is a medical procedure performed on a patient who has eye problems. These eye problems can be any of the following: being farsighted or nearsighted, and astigmatism. Furthermore, LASIK eye surgery is performed so that a person with any of the aforementioned eye problems would not have to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses. Nowadays, LASIK eye surgery is one of the most common medical procedures that an eye doctor performs on a patient.

Obviously there are still a lot of people with concerns regarding Lasik and these is based on the larged amount of LASIK doctors available now a day. Once a patient decides to undergo this kind of surgery, the shape of the cornea will be permanently changed. The removal of a part of the cornea to correct the eye problem makes the result permanent. Afterwards, with the use of laser or an instrument called the ‘microkeratome’, there is a part of the eye which will be vaporized to correct the eye problem.

LASIK eye surgery has become quite popular in the medical circle because of its painless-free operation. One more advantage that it has over other medical procedures to correct an imperfect vision is that the results are instantaneous. Right after the operation, you just need to let a day or two pass and you will see a definite improvement with your vision. However, there are some disadvantages to this type of medical procedure. The number one concern is that LASIK surgery is among the most expensive surgical procedure these days.

And since LASIK is like any other medical procedure, there are still possible unwanted complications a patient might suffer after the procedure. Third, some job types will not allow an employee to undergo any form of eye surgery. If you decide to go for LASIK eye surgery, you need to do your part and research so that you will know everything about the procedure. Also, have a thorough talk with your doctor so that you would know what to do before the operation. Finally, you can ask about the results and improvements with your vision problem right after your LASIK eye surgery.

Corrective Laser Eye Surgery – Advances In Lasik Eye Surgery Procedures

2008-12-29T22:05:00.001-08:00

In order to correct vision, surgeons use lasers to reshape the cornea by intervening on the tissues on the underlying or stromal layer. The medicine currently comprises two very effective types of laser eye surgery: the Photo Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) and the Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK).

In Photo Refractive Keratectomy, the doctor manually scrapes away the cornea and corrects the vision using an excimer laser. Unfortunately the epithelium layer will grow back in time, not to mention that the recovery period is longer than with LASIK.

On the other side, PRK procedure involves fewer risks because the surgeon doesn´t cut the cornea.

LASEK (Laser Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratomileus) is the new and improved PRK and uses a solution with alcohol to soften the area before removing the epithelium. After the excimer laser reshapes the stroma, the surgeon replaces the epithelium. With LASEK the healing process is shorter than with PRK.

Next, LASEK developed into Epi-LASEK. The doctor preserves a living layer of the epithelium using a separator and after the vision is corrected with excimer laser, the layer is replaced. The healing process is even shorter now.

LASIK or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis cuts the cornea flap with a microkeratome metal blade, reshapes the eye with an excimer laser and repositions the flap. This procedure corrects vision right away and the patient will only experience some blurriness during the next 24-hours.

Custom Vue LASIK is pretty much the same thing as LASIK but it uses Wavefront software. The technology used is 25% more accurate than any standard method and is used to map the optical system and to guide the laser to change the stroma.

With Custom Intra LASIKthe flap is made using a femtosecond Intralase laser. Then with the help of Wavefront guidance the excimer laser corrects the visual errors.

According to the experts this is the most advanced procedure for corneal flap creation but unfortunately it is also the most expensive one.

Learn more about lasik eye surgery as well as the common lasik eye surgery problems.

Eye Care Professionals Help With Seeing Clearly

2008-12-28T13:10:00.001-08:00

When it comes to your eyes it is important to treat them well. You take care of your eyes and they will take care of you. That is why it is necessary to visit eye care professionals at least once a year. A family eye care center is an ideal place to take all of your family, as it can serve as your one stop shopping experience when it comes to vision care. But you may be having questions about what will be happening to you and who you will be seeing.

Eye care professionals are divided into three categories. You have the ophthalmologist, the optometrist and the optical technicians. The ophthalmologist can perform routine vision tests, give you an eye examination and even operate on your eyes. They are licensed to prescribe medical ointments for any type of eye problem. The optometrist is similar in all the job duties of the ophthalmologist, except they are not trained to operate on the eyes. The optical technicians are the ones who will get your glasses or contacts prepared and have you fitted.

For vision care to work you must have a vision care plan. The vision care plan is a scheduled set of visitations for routine checkups for the entire family. If something is found, such as glaucoma, then you will have to visit the doctor more often. He or she will probably want to see you at least every six months and sometimes as frequently as every three months just to check on the condition of the eyes.

Once you have seen the doctor, it may be time to get a fitting for glasses, custom lenses or a contact lens fitting. This is done by the optical technicians. They will measure your face to find out the specific measurements in order to fit you with glasses. In the case of contact lenses, the technician will take the doctor's orders and find you contacts based on your ocular fit. This is the point that you may be able to pick out certain brands and colors to wear but don't buy from here, you will find contact lenses far cheaper online.

Eye care professionals have many jobs but their number one priority is keeping your vision healthy. Certain diseases, such as diabetes, can affect your eyes. That is why it is important to let your ophthalmologist or optometrists know if you are having any problems with your vision or if you have problems with you health. It is also important to keep him or her apprised of any family history of macular degeneration, glaucoma or cataracts.

The cost of contact lenses adds up to a substantial amount over the course of the year yet most folk just keep handing over the check to their eye care specialist without giving a thought to shopping around. Did you know for instance that online you can get the exact same contact lenses offered to you by your eye care professionals at up to half the price? To see more: "Click Here"

Just What Can Be Done Through Cosmetic Eye Laser Surgery?

2008-12-27T09:34:00.001-08:00

Did you know that you can have cosmetic eye surgery performed on your upper and lower eyelids? The tissues around the eye can have certain age-related changes; the elasticity decreases causing the skin tone to change, the eyebrows start to droop and additional skin accumulates on the upper and lower eyelids.

It is also quite common to have areas of fatty skin cumulate around the eyes. Then there are eye diseases like facial nerve palsy or disthyroid which can also cause these skin problems even with youthful people; so do you have any questions on the types of laser eye surgery you want answered? Read on.

Blepharoplasty: a popular cosmetic eye surgery procedure

This is one form of cosmetic eye laser surgery that can be done to enhance the facial features and reverse any age related changes to the eye. During this procedure all unwonted skin is removed with the help of a laser. The lasers can also be used to remove fatty deposits from under the eye and erase wrinkles from the lower eyelid.

Lasers, a world of benefits

Using lasers for cosmetic eye laser surgery provides several additional benefits. One big advantage is that the surgeon can see the organ he's working on much, much better since he has the ability to very quickly seal any blood vessels. This obviously allows the surgeon to work with much higher precision. Also a patient who undergoes cosmetic laser eye surgery will normally suffer far less swelling after the operation. Once the cosmetic surgery is over: Once terminated the procedure just like with any other types of laser eye surgery you will experience a pain from increased light sensitivity and blurred vision. This is quite normal and in a lot of cases your doctor will probably give you some medication to deal with this problem. After a few days your eyes will return to normal and you can resume normal activities.

It is normal for doctors to thoroughly check your eyes over before allowing any kind of surgery, even in the case of cosmetic laser eye surgery. Be sure to consider all aspects of a cosmetic eye laser surgery procedures before deciding to go through with the procedure. As with all surgical procedures there are both benefits and risks that should be weighed carefully before proceeding.

Eye care Advice

2008-12-26T00:36:00.001-08:00

Your eye care health is important to your entire well being. Your eyes are your most valuable resource and should be cared for properly. That is why it is important for people to visit an eye care professional each year to determine if their vision has changed or any diseases of the eye are present. As you probably know, the body ages and with it the eyes age too. Your vision may change and you might be required to wear corrective lenses. You are also in danger of developing such diseases as glaucoma or cataracts.

During eye care exams, you can expect a barrage of tests. The doctor will measure how accurately you can see with both eyes open and then he or she will measure to see how far or close you can see with each individual eye. Eye doctors will also peer into your eyes with a bright, magnified light called a slit lamp. It is used to view the cornea, iris and the optic nerve.

If there is a problem with the optic nerve being too large or irregular in size, then your doctor may wish to test for glaucoma. Should it turn out to be glaucoma, there is glaucoma treatment, such as operating on the eye itself to correct the problem. The doctor may decide to give you a field vision test to determine how advanced the glaucoma is and they will measure the pressure in the eye.

When you have a field vision test you will stare into a machine at a small black dot. You have to keep your eyes focused on this dot, as bright lights flash in your peripheral vision. You will press a small button every time you see one of these lights. It is not a complicated eye care test but it can be used by doctors to determine if your optic nerve is damaged and whether or not this is caused by glaucoma.

For vision care to be received you are either going to have to pay for it yourself, which can be costly, or you can have your vision insurance company pay for the treatments and the visits. It is important to have your eyes checked, so if you do not have insurance, then you may still want to invest your money in optical examinations. Getting the appropriate care for your eyes is very important and it should not be overlooked.

You need to schedule an eye care checkup at least once a year. If glaucoma is detected or if you have a family history of glaucoma, then your ophthalmologist may request to see you every six months to keep track of the disease. The earlier they can catch it, the easier it will be to fix it. Never forget to schedule an eye examination every year. Your vision will thank you for it.

Have you had your eye care checkup this year? It is important to visit a vision specialist at least once a year to ensure that your vision is healthy and that you are wearing the right prescription for your needs. You may have to go to a local vision care specialist but that does not mean that it stops there. If you want to wear contacts then you need to do your shopping elsewhere. You will find discounts not available from your local eye care specialist. To compare just how much you can save on contact lenses by buying online: "Click Here"

Eyecare Conditions

2008-12-25T21:18:00.001-08:00

It is a shame to take your vision for granted. Everyone needs to see an eye care professional at least once a year. A routine examination can be all that stands between you and any number of eye conditions that people are afflicted with daily. It might be something as simple as needing glasses or it could be an eye disease that if left untreated could mean the loss of your vision. Do yourself and your eyes a favor by getting checked out once a year.

An eye examination is pretty simple. Eye doctors will check for any number of conditions. One of the primary reasons why people seek out eye examinations is because they are having trouble seeing things at a distance or close up. If you are having trouble seeing, then it may be a case of myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). Myopia means that you can see things close up but have trouble seeing things that are far away. Hyperopia is the exact opposite. You can see things far away but cannot see things close up.

There are certain conditions an eye care professional will look for. These conditions may be glaucoma, astigmatism, cataracts or even conjunctivitis. If glaucoma is present, then there will be a rise in the intraocular pressure found within the eyes. Glaucoma treatment usually involves careful monitoring of the pressure and surgery may be needed. Do not let age fool you. Many people are born with glaucoma and have to monitor it throughout their lives. An eyecare checkup will determine this for you.

Astigmatism is when the cornea is oval shaped instead of its natural round shape, yet it is generally not a major condition. Many people have this problem and must wear special glasses or contact lenses to correct it. Cataracts are definitely a problem. Cataracts occur when the lenses become cloudy and an eye doctor will have to operate to remove the cloudy material. This condition is fairly common in the elderly.

Next on the list of conditions is conjunctivitis. This is a condition where there is an infection of the conjunctiva. Many people know this condition as "pink eye." It can be treated by your family care physician or it can be treated by eye doctors. The usual method of curing this condition is to provide drops that will clear the infection. It should be noted that conjunctivitis is extremely transmittable.

As you can see, eyecare is extremely important to correct diseases of the eyes and for seeing clearly at any range. That is why it is so important to seek out optical eye care professionals whenever there is a problem and even seek them out when there is no problem present. It is important to make sure you see a professional at least once a year to monitor the health of your eyes.

It is easy to forget about your eye care needs. Even if you wear prescription lenses, it is easy to forget to schedule a yearly visit to an optometrist. Most people cannot afford to go to the eye doctor every year. The economy is forcing a lot of cutbacks in how people spend their hard earned money. If you wear contacts then you know how expensive they can be but have you tried shopping for your contacts online? To see more: "Click Here"

What Is The Price For Laser Eye Surgery

2008-12-24T10:30:00.001-08:00

If you are thinking about lasik laser eye surgery procedure, probably the next thing in your mind is how much does it going to cost you. Unfortunately the price is going to differ widely depending upon many different factors. There are a lot of factors that determine the price.

Geographical locations is one of them. Depends on where you are. For examples in the USA Beverly Hills laser eye surgery is going to cost differently from Pennsylvania lasik eye surgery.

Treatment facility is another factor. The cost of eye surgery at the hospital is going to be different from a specialized eye treatment center and again different from a small private clinic.

A treatment center with good reputation and famous eye doctors with cost you more than the regular hospital. Of course the treatment facility and the doctors credential will determine the price too.

You might be wondering, is there a typical price?

There is an average price above all the other factors. Normally for the laser procedure each eye would cost around $2000 dollars. This is the base price and you will not find much variation across the board.

Those factors that are mentioned above that makes the price differences.These factors such as local taxes, geographical locations, the qualifications of the surgeon performing the surgery and the royalties that the surgeon would have to pay. Nevertheless the lasik procedure price normally be within the range.

Would there be an extra cost?

Under normal circumstances, the cost that are quoted to you during consultation are pretty much the total cost that you would have to pay. Other additional cost incurred if any, would be the follow up treatments, post surgery medications if there is any complications involved.

Are there a Discount Price?

Well, eye surgeons are running a business. Just like any other business there are a lot of competition around and they have to be competitive in order to stay open. Therefore they do offer various forms of discounts to patients.

Check your local yellow pages, mail in coupons, newspapers or the internet for lasik eye surgery coupons and discounts. Find the one that you like and arrange for an appointment and consultation.

Some lasik surgery doctors may give discounts to patients who pay cash instead of arranging for financing.

If you are above 65 you might get a senior citizen discounts at some lasik surgery centers. Be sure to inquire about the discounts during consultation.

Can You Find a Bargain?

If you don't mind traveling to other cities to find bargain for lasik surgery, then internet is the best place for you to do bargain hunting. As mentioned above there is a price disparities between different geographical locations.

It would be great if you could get a bargain at a city that you always wanted to travel. You could kill two birds with one stone. Go for a vacation and come back with a new vision.

Eye Diseases That Could Be Found With Regular Check ups

2008-12-14T22:36:00.001-08:00

In a perfect world no one would ever need to see an eye care professional about a vision problem. They would never need corrective lenses to improve their visual acuity nor would they worry about any eye diseases. Everything would be okay and everyone would be safe in knowing that their vision would not change in any way. But this is not a perfect world and a visit to an eye care center is important. Each year a check up should be performed in case there is a change in your eyes.

Eye diseases can forever change your way of life. It is far more than just having an astigmatism, myopia or hyperopia. Certain diseases can end your eyesight for good. Most slowly creep up on a person until their vision is so distorted they can no longer see correctly. A simple eye examination can uncover whether or not you have an eye disease and the eye doctor can give you options on how soon it can be treated.

There are a variety of diseases that affect the eye. These range from ocular herpes to macular degeneration. Ocular herpes occurs when the herpes virus makes its way to the surface of the eye. This condition could lead to clouded and scarred lenses or severe eye discomfort. It is generally treated by oral and topical, antiviral medications. Macular degeneration is another disease that affects eyesight. It is where the center of the eye thins, suffers atrophy or bleeding. This disease is treated with injections.

Eye examinations may also show whether or not you have glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment or diabetic retinopathy. If you have glaucoma, then the pressure of the inner eye increases and can lead to blindness. The only way to correct this problem is through surgery to eliminate the pressure. Cataracts develop when the lens becomes cloudy and you can no longer distinguish shapes from backgrounds. It can lead to blindness as well. The treatment for this disease involves an eye care professional removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a plastic lens.

Retinal detachment and diabetic retinopathy are diseases discovered through an in-depth eye examination. Retinal detachment occurs when the retina has detached from the rest of the eye. This condition is corrected by making a bridge so that the retina can heal. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when blood vessels are present in large numbers on the surface of the eye. Treatment by an eye care professional involves shrinking the blood vessels to help improve vision.

Having any one of the above eye diseases can mean a diminished quality of life. These are serious conditions that could mean the difference between seeing clearly and not seeing at all. Far too many people ignore their vision problems and do not have yearly checkups. You do not want to be one of these people. Make an appointment with an optical eye care doctor as soon as possible to have your eyes checked out. You will be glad you did.

Have you had your eye care checkup this year? It is important to visit a vision specialist at least once a year to ensure that your vision is healthy and that you are wearing the right prescription for your needs. You may have to go to a local vision care specialist but that does not mean that it stops there. If you want to wear contacts then you need to do your shopping elsewhere. You will find discounts not available from your local eye care specialist.

To compare just how much you can save on contact lenses by buying online: "Click Here"

Differentiate the Myth from the Truth about LASIK Surgery

2008-12-13T18:37:00.001-08:00

Let's face it, in the last 10 years we have heard and read a lot about the famous Lasik operations, but still many people out there seem to have a lot of trouble finding the right doctor.

Now that Lasik vision correction surgery has been accepted for a number of years, there are several popular options for the procedure. One of these is IntraLasik, or Intralase, or bladeless Lasik. As the name implies, there is no cutting of the eye with a blade involved, instead the flap in the eye is made using a laser. Since bladeless Lasik is a newer procedure, there are a number of opinions around about how well this procedure works. These opinions warrant the need for a second look, so let's check them one by one.

First, more Lasik clients get 20/20 vision or better using IntraLasik. Any Lasik procedure cannot guarantee perfect vision for every client, though more than 90% get results to at least 20/40 vision. However, it is true that the new techniques of IntraLasik do get even better statistics for giving clients clear vision.

Some are concerned that the laser that makes the corneal flap is standard, and cannot be tailored to each individual eye like what a Lasik surgeon can do with a blade. This is not true. The Lasik physician has control over the use of the laser for each individual in the same way that he can control the microkeratome blade.

IntraLasik can be used for both a standard and a custom Lasik procedure. This is true. Custom Lasik procedures using Wavefront technology (another somewhat recent advances in Lasik vision correction) can easily be used with a laser to make the initial flap. This custom Lasik procedure, though more costly, is of great benefit for people with unusual eye shapes or problems. It is in this moments where you don't really want to go cheap and you want to be sure you are investing the right amount in finding the proper doctors that you need.

Some have heard that using the laser is less accurate than the standard Lasik procedure. This is not true since lasers can be controlled to micron level accuracy. This gives the Lasik Eye Surgery physician extreme control to create exactly the flap needed for this particular individual eye: the precise size, shape, and depth for successful completion of the Lasik procedure.

Another common fallacy is that IntraLase has not been around long enough for trusted Lasik physicians to have confidence in it. On the contrary, many of the most honored Lasik physicians strongly endorse IntraLase due to the good track record from the Lasik procedures. In addition, the quality of the machines and the precision that they give these Lasik physicians is very impressive. So the question is: which are the best LASIK Doctors out there? Well, this is not an easy question to answer. But in my personal point of view, and please remember that this is 100% subjective, I will recommend LASIK Massachusetts, mainly because they have the top doctors for this procedure in the country.

Many of the top notch Lasik doctors recommend this as a procedure of choice, assuming cost is not a significant variable in the decision of which Lasik procedure to use. That's why the only determinant on whether a patient should undergo LASIK or not is the cost. The procedure is relatively pricey. But, you really need to understand that this is one of the top procedures in the world. So if you want the best, you do need to pitch in some amount.

Similar to the contentions above, some people think that Intralase is not a sufficiently tested Lasik procedure option. On the contrary, more than one million of these procedures have been performed, and the impressive track record for this Lasik procedure has been discussed above. More and more Lasik physicians are trained in this option, and we will see many more such Lasik procedures in the future.

As a last advice, I can only recommend that you take your time choosing the proper doctor, this is a serious procedure and you should only do it with the medical team you feel comfortable with. Best of luck and thanks for reading.

Lasik Eye Surgery For Your Vision Improvement

2008-12-11T22:31:00.001-08:00

Consideration of the size of your eyesight would be done if you were expecting a good result after laser eye surgery. However, a size of eyeballs is age determinant and is often referred to as part of the process of aging. The size of the eyeballs in this respect determines if the positioning of the cornea if laser light were beamed on it.

It is a good idea for you to anticipate the unknown in terms of possible ramifications from the surgery. Once you put in your guard against such, you will never be taken unaware. Being on this frame of mind will permit you to cure much faster and get the reconstructed eyesight you have ever desired.

Do you have a vessel sickness? If yes, I think you better stop considering laser eye surgery as an option in treating your eye disorder. This could genuinely be serious for you and very severe. Remember that your eye is the most important part of your body. So do not play with it. Refraining from laser eye surgery if you have this problem is a wise choice.

You went to a doctor and he recommends that you need to undergo laser eye surgery in order to correct your eye disorder. How will you absolve this news? Well, it is imperative that you know what in essence is laser eye surgery. In a simplistic way, having surgery on your eyes using laser is a medical operation performed on patients who have myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. The procedure is basically to correct these disorders.

The time it would take your sight to improve after laser eye surgery is usually short compared to other kind of surgeries. You should be able to get your required vision back at least three days after the procedure. However, your ability to heal fast will still depend on you abiding by the post surgery instructions.

You can use the Internet to get all the information you want to know regarding laser eye surgery. Make sure you take a break and make your research. You will come across links that will give you websites on the places where this surgery can be done. Also, the quotes from different specialists could be available for your comparison.

Unlike any other type of laser eye surgery, LASIK type has far more benefits than the others. The practiced of method will for good correct your disorders. Moreover, by the result achieved, you will not have the need to worry about the buying and maintenance of contact lenses.

It is imperative that you get an examination with a surgeon; it is a must for you to be aware of your eye condition before the surgery. If your physician did not do this step; he might missed it or your should check his capability. The fortune of a flourishing operation is in your hand.

Jon Ferriss provides insightful information about the cost of laser eye surgery on his website.

Natural Vision

2008-12-10T08:21:00.001-08:00

Message

Contacts and glasses may not be needed if you practive natural vision improvement. Your eyes are meant to be exercised as much as the rest of your body. Think of your eye as a part of your whole body, and not an extension of it. Contact lenses are good if they are for "you". However, natural vision therapy may help you to even get rid of those. We think we see what there is...but, we don't. Eye illusions, or optical illusions are everwhere in our daily lives.

Reading glasses are a great help, but be careful, needing glasses may be a sign of macular degeneration. Check it out! Eye glasses are a wonderful help but, do not use them as a crutch. The same with laser surgery. There are natural ways to help improve your eye sight.

The human eye is more complex than the biggest computer in the world. Think about that. Eye charts - or - snellen eye chart are used to measure the strenght of our eyesight.

There are many different eye problems, and some you can help improve and even get rid of, others you cannot. Eye infections can be simple, but, they can also be very serious. Always check with an eye professional!

Laser eye surgery has become ver popular, but, when something goes wrong with this, it is devastating. You need to think long and hard if you want to take this chance.

Some eye problems you can help are: lazy eye and dry eye. However do yourself the favor and always see an eye doctor.

Eye surgery can be used to improve your vision. (Not laser surgery) For the more serious problems there are now advanced surgeries to help you improve your sight.
Eye exercises help improve your vision. Your eyes are like your body...they need exercise!

Eye health should be a very deep concern for you. Especially as you age. Catch the problems before they become too serious. Natural vitamins are available. These are vitamins chosen specifically for your eyes.

Stress can cause tremendous eye strain. It sounds simple, I know, but you need to control and get a handle on your stress. There are ways to help your eyes during stressful times. This is a whole different topic.

ps always check with an eye professional for any eye issues!

LASIK Eye Surger - No Need For Glasses

2008-12-09T05:11:00.001-08:00

If your vision is imperfect, then you have probably considered lasik eye surgery at one point or another. Most people who are in this situation often pass this option up, however, because it seems expensive and time consuming. What people don't understand is that this surgery is not nearly as expensive and they think.

Indeed, in comparison to the expense of an annual change of eyeglasses or contact lenses, as well as the accompanying visits to your ophthalmologist, lasik eye surgery is not very expensive. You can spend a great deal of money throughout your life if you wear spectacles of any kind. And as you age, and your sight experiences deterioration, the cost involved only increases.

If you see the situation this way, laser vision correction appears to be one of the greatest things you can ever do. Many benefits come from this process, and the most vital is that you'll truly save money over the duration of your life. Once you've had lasik eye surgery, you won't have to worry any more about the costs of contacts or glasses.

This means that this form of vision correction might actually be the cheapest route to take. There are tons of deals going on through various eye doctors and professionals. If you get your surgery during one of these deals, you stand to save even more money. Call around your local area to see what doctors are offering there.

Because your vision is not something that you can ignore, you must put out some money for this at some point. If you want to drive, read, or participate in other activities in your daily life, then you need to be able to see. It is vital to your overall standard of living, that you know how to see both close up and far away.

On comparing lasik eye surgery with glasses and contacts you will find there is not much difference in their cost. The fact that you have to pay for the surgery upfront does not mean that over a period of your life time you will not be spending as much or even more otherwise.

LASIK is becoming a confusing topic among consumers thinking of this highly technical lasik eye surgery. Dr. Martinez of Bethesda Maryland has produced a FREE report titled: "How LASIK & PRK Can Help You See Clearly. Visit http://www.lasik-pages.com to get the insider details.

Why Do We BlinK So Often?

2008-12-08T05:12:00.001-08:00

We blink so that our eyes are oiled, lubed and filtered.

Blinking, not batting, our eyes will automatically cause two forms of moisture to to develop for our eyes, thast is so they will not dry out and also so no foreign matter will enter our eyes. Our eyelids, which are really our natural "eyeshield wipers" are really just folds of skin. These are controlled by our muscles which are so capable of moving fast, that blinking does not even interrupt our vision.

Our eyelids have approximately 20-30 sebaceous, oil-producing glands, these are located between your eyelashes, and they are invisible to our eye. Blinking automatically puts a coating over our eyes. Mother nature does it best!

Blinking also irrigates the eyes. The eyelid automatically draws the same fluid we cry with from our tear duct over the eyeball, this irrigates and moisturizes the eyes.

Such an amazing and natural process, our eyes are more complicated than the biggest computer. And, natural vision care is possible. Become pro-active with your vision care!

Of course the other benefit of blinking is that it stops any foreign object from irritating our eys. Our eyelashes serve as dust catchers. Wow, the blinking reflex actually causes the eyelashes to automatically lower during exposure to harsh elements.

Also, you may be a "starer": To break the habit of staring:

(1) Make sure you shift your eyes when focusing on an object. If you stare, you stop the blinking causing stress and eyestrain and eye irritation.

(2) When you find yourself staring, or focusing too long on an object, try to close your eyes for a few seconds (not during a time when it is dangerous to do this, of course). This will re-establish your blinking pattern.

Do get yourself away from the habit of staring or intensely focusing on an object for long periods of time!

And, for more ways of looking after the health and care of your eyes check out this Rebuild Your Vision Site

Pros and Cons for Lasik with IntraLase

2008-12-07T16:02:00.001-08:00

Pros and Cons for Lasik with IntraLase

Those who have had a Lasik eye surgery technique done, and those who are investigating having a Lasik vision correction procedure, know that the first step of that procedure is to create a small flap in order for the Lasik physician to reshape the cornea. This flap is created by the surgeon, and can be done using a small blade or using a laser. Using the laser is generally called a bladeless Lasik procedure, or IntraLasik, or IntraLase.

For those that are considering a Lasik procedure, this review should be helpful in order to determine the pros and cons of the Lasik procedure using IntraLase. One comment to be made is that the risks and complications possible using the small blade are well known and documented, since that procedure has been done for years and has a database of millions of patients.

Granted, 90% or more of all Lasik patients have no serious side effects or even minor lasting side effects, but it is true that a large part of the complications from Lasik procedures stem from the flap made with the microkeratome blade. Over the years additional techniques have been developed to further minimize such problems from the standard Lasik procedure.

The introduction of the laser to create the flap is a new frontier in the Lasik procedure. The laser is used in combination with state of the art software to create a flap of a pre-programmed size at a specific depth and position. During this process, a soft suction ring holds the eye in place, but this causes no discomfort to the Lasik client. Generally the only effect noticed by most Lasik patients is a dimming of vision in the eye being worked on for the duration of the treatment of that eye.

The use of the laser creates very small bubbles of water and carbon dioxide that serve as a good buffer between the flap and the cornea itself, and so this Lasik procedure conserves the eye very carefully. The whole process of creating a flap for one eye takes approximately one minute.

The advantages of using a laser to make the flap for the Lasik vision correction procedure is that there is no way that the cornea can be abraded, nor any chance of the wrong size or depth of flap, since it is all pre-programmed with Lasik software. The exact vertical edges of the flap produced using this Lasik procedure help healing, and also decrease the possibility that the flap might slip or wrinkle if the eye is accidentally bumped or rubbed during the healing process.

There are very few cons to using a laser to create the flap during a Lasik procedure. One is that the process takes a bit longer, up to a minute. A second reason is that the low level suction during this phase of the Lasik operation does result in eye redness for about 5% of the patients, but this goes away within a few days. The last reason is that there is still a difference in cost between intralase eye surgery and the traditional Lasik eye surgery, but hopefully that will decrease as the years progress.

Questions about Lasik eye surgery

2008-12-06T13:28:00.001-08:00

Questions about Lasik eye surgery

Many people that wear glasses or contact lenses have listened to the claims of how Lasik can give them perfect vision. They have also heard great Lasik success stories, as well as stories from people that were not sure they had given the decision enough thought. This guide lists the most common questions asked by people who are considering Lasik vision correction, and answers given by reputable physicians.

The first and most important question asked about Lasik is, not surprisingly, "Is Lasik safe?" The answer is that it is normally quite a safe procedure, with success rates above 95 percent for good, experienced Lasik surgeons, and 90 percent average over all physicians that perform the Lasik procedure. This statistic about Lasik success assumes that the patient is a good candidate for Lasik surgery. The requirements have some specific details and should be gone over with the physician that will perform the Lasik procedure.

It is a very good idea to ask the Lasik physician which patients he has declined to perform the Lasik procedure on, to make sure that the particular physician has and operates with good standards. Any Lasik practitioner that tries to imply that everyone that comes in to his office is a good candidate for Lasik vision correction should be viewed with some skepticism. In any case, it is wise to interview several different physicians that perform the Lasik procedure before deciding on one.

A second frequently asked question about Lasik is "What are the possible complications from Lasik surgery?" Common side effects are starbursts or halos when looking at a light, sensitivity to light and difficulty with glare and night vision, and some sensation that a foreign body is in the eye. Most of these effects will pass within a few days after the Lasik procedure. Between 1 and 3 percent of patients will have a lasting side effect such as halos or some vision fluctuation.

It is a very good idea to discuss your particular situation with the Lasik physician to determine if you might be prone to any complications. There are also variants of the standard Lasik procedure, one of which uses additional waveforms to map out an individual eye, or techniques that only use lasers rather than a scalpel and a laser.

One question we all hesitate to ask is "Will the Lasik procedure be painful?" Since our eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of our bodies, it is comforting to know that having Lasik vision correction is usually nearly painless. There is often some mild discomfort after the procedure, but this is effectively controlled with medication.

"Will I have 20/20 vision once the Lasik correction is done?" Though many patients do get nearly perfect vision, not all patients have their vision totally corrected. You can definitely expect to have improved vision and minimized dependency on any glasses or contacts.

"What is the cost and how do I pay?" A typical Lasik eye surgeon charges between $500 and $2500 per eye, depending on the patient and the surgeon. However, a Lasik physician should be selected on experience level and track record, not on the lowest price. Insurance rarely covers the cost of Lasik, but many Lasik centers have a type of financing program offered to their clients.

Consider Lasik eye surgery as one way to significantly improve the quality of your life.

Lasik Eye Surgery or ICL?

2008-12-04T23:37:00.001-08:00

Lasik Eye Surgery or ICL?

A number of people who are considering the Lasik procedure to correct their nearsightedness or farsightedness have of some potential problems of Lasik, and are wondering if there are other options. Though more than 95 percent of the Lasik patients have a very successful procedure without any major side effects, there are choices for people who wish to improve their vision. Let's compare two, and discuss these choices with a reputable ophthalmologist.

Traditional Lasik surgery uses a scalpel to create a small flap in the eye, and then a laser reshapes the eye in order to focus accurately. There are two more recent forms of Lasik, one that entirely uses a laser and does away with the scalpel. Another variation uses a three dimension waveform for people with unusual eye shapes, and both of these are worth discussing with your ophthalmologist.

Those people with very thin corneas or other issues that make Lasik not a good candidate for their particular case can consider implantable contact lens surgery. This is known as ICL in the eye surgeon's lingo, and is a good alternative to Lasik to permanently correct vision. These lenses function in exactly the same way as removable lenses, except that they remain permanently in the eye. Like Lasik, they reshape the eye in order for it to focus accurately. The patient will not feel the lens once the operation has been performed.

Lasik and ICL are similar in several ways. Lasik can improve vision affected by nearsightedness and astigmatism, and ICL can improve these vision deficiencies also. Both Lasik and ICL also have some of the same risks, one of these being that the correction is not accurate after the first operation is done. Lasik is a much more frequently performed procedure, and less than 3 percent (according to the FDA) of these patients need to undergo additional surgery to further correct vision after the first Lasik procedure is done.

Like any operation, there is a chance of infection in either a Lasik procedure or an ICL operation. Good post-operative care by the patient will minimize this and regular checkups at the Lasik or eye care center will nearly always clear this up without further complication. In a small percentage of the cases, either Lasik or ICL patients may not achieve perfect vision and may need to continue to wear corrective eyewear, though usually not at the same strength as the original eyewear.

One advantage of ICL over Lasik is that ICL is a reversible procedure, where the implanted lens can be removed later if that becomes necessary. Lasik involves the reshaping of the cornea to bring objects accurately into focus, and is permanent. However, for a typical, healthy patient either Lasik eye surgery or ICL will generally bring about the desired improvement in vision.

Lasik eye surgery is generally a less invasive procedure, and this is reflected in the current cost of the operation. The current price for a Lasik procedure is between $500 and $2500 per eye, depending on the type of procedure and the presiding physician. A typical price for ICL is between $1500 and $3000 per eye. Do some investigation into the options offered, and select the eye care procedure that is best for your personal case.

Solving a Lasik Post Op Problem

2008-12-04T18:50:00.001-08:00

Solving a Lasik Eye Surgery Post Op Problem

I had Lasik vision correction surgery two years ago, and am quite glad I did. I think that my Lasik story might be helpful to some that consider that they might not be a perfect Lasik client, and are concerned about side effects after the Lasik eye surgery. I did have a significant side effect after my Lasik operation, but have weathered it well, and still recommend the operation highly.

My operation went exactly as described, with no pain or real discomfort at all. My Lasik physician was clear, stating each step that he completed so that I would know the Lasik procedure was proceeding as expected, and more quickly than I had imagined. I know that all of the discussion I had earlier with the Lasik professionals stated the operation generally took less than twenty minutes, but I was still surprised.

At the end of the operation, my Lasik doctor replaced the flap to its correct position in my eye and covered it with some kind of clear goop. Even at that time I could notice a distinct improvement in my vision. I was instructed to wear goggles over my eyes for five nights in order to prevent me rubbing my eyes while I was sleeping. I guess they assumed that any good Lasik patient would not do that when awake.

In addition, I followed all post-op Lasik procedure instruction to the letter. I slept immediately after the Lasik procedure was done (after I made it home, of course), used the eye drops religiously, and did not try to strain my eyes by reading everything that I could. I was amazed the immediate improvement in vision that Lasik makes, just as if there was a set of weightless contact lenses. Very impressive.

My biggest problem in Lasik eye surgery recovery was a result of epithelial erosion. The flap that is made in the eye during the Lasik procedure is made from epithelial cells. Once the flap is replaced at the end of the Lasik procedure, these cells start to regenerate in order to fill in the line where the flap has been cut. All of this is normal post-op Lasik healing. However, in my case the cells would grow fine, but at night my eyes tended to dry out when I was asleep. So, when I woke up, my eyelid would pull up some of the new cells from their place where they belonged, where if my eye was sufficiently moist they would have stayed in place.

I told this to my Lasik eye surgeon, who said this side effect just makes healing a little longer and it was not a serious side effect. When I went for a checkup to the Lasik center (which I highly recommend any time a Lasik client has any post-op worries or questions) they decided that I needed a thicker, more jelly like version of the eye drops to use at night. This worked well, and the rest of my post-Lasik recovery went well.
I am a strong advocate of the Lasik vision correction procedure. I also strongly suggest interviewing a number of positions, and do not put low cost as the highest priority. Your eyes are very important, and a highly competent Lasik physician is the most important factor.

Lasik Surgery Statistics

2008-12-03T16:34:00.001-08:00

Lasik Eye Surgery Statistics

The Lasik operation can be a wonderful, life-changing option for many people whose vision is less than perfect. There are several different types of Lasik operations now available, from the original and well documented procedure to Lasik procedures done with three dimensional wavefronts, or done entirely with lasers. Each of these variations of the Lasik procedure should be discussed with the physician that is to perform the operation.
Like any surgery, Lasik does have the potential for side effects.

Sometimes reading the horror stories of the outcomes of a Lasik procedure can deter people from seriously considering such a choice. It is also true that the vast numbers of people who have a successful, trouble-free Lasik surgery tend not to report a long and detailed story of their experience, unlike those that have experienced trouble afterward.

However, it is good to know what the possible side effects of the Lasik procedure are, and also the likelihood that one of these side effects will occur for a particular patient. Just like any medicine we take, each has a possible number of side effects, but we generally assume that the likelihood of a serious side effect is small, and we take the medicine anyway. This article will hopefully put concerns of the prospective Lasik patient into perspective so that they can calmly and thoughtfully ponder having a Lasik procedure done in the future.

More than one million Lasik procedures are done in the US every year, according to the FDA. This arm of the national government has accumulated the following statistics for the most common side effects of the Lasik procedure. These statistics will also vary by the physician performing the surgery, so make sure to get as much information on the prospective Lasik physician as possible.

After Lasik surgery, 1.7 percent of patients experience some glare or sensitivity to light after the operation. This varies by patient, but this sensitivity is especially noticeable when looking at a bright light, such as a streetlight when walking at night, or other strong light and dark contrast. Another light related side effect is a halo around a light, and this occurs in 3.5 percent of Lasik patients.

The new, corrected vision can be noticed quickly by some Lasik patients, in as little as a few hours after surgery. Most patients that have undergone the Lasik procedure find the change is permanent within a few days. In 2.6 percent of clients that have had a Lasik procedure done, there is persistent visual fluctuation within at least a part of their sphere of vision.

Finally, some patients do not get a fully corrected sphere of vision after their Lasik procedure. This happens with a small number of clients, and the FDA statistics are that only 3 percent of patients have this effect. In all or nearly all cases, the physician in charge will perform an additional Lasik procedure to improve this.

This detailing of the major permanent side effects of the Lasik procedure should put any personal horror stories into perspective. Notice that none of the percentages are above 3 percent, and this should bring comfort to most prospective Lasik clients. However, it should also motivate them to look carefully at the Lasik eye surgeons personal record.

Stories From the Lasik Surgery Waiting Room

2008-12-02T13:48:00.001-08:00

Stories From the Lasik Surgery Waiting Room

As an experienced Lasik patient I thought I might give a glimpse into the worst part of the Lasik procedure... the waiting room. I have had a Lasik procedure twice, the second being a follow up since one of my eyes needed additional work after the healing procedure was complete. I was distinctly less nervous about the second procedure, and observed and talked to a number of the other Lasik clients that were waiting with me.

One was a young woman in her early twenties who talked incessantly trying to keep her mind off of any of the Lasik brochures and information on the table. She had been thoroughly oriented to both the Lasik operation and post-op procedures, but had brought along a few stuffed animals to keep her company during the operation. Most Lasik physicians recommend a minimum age of 18 due to sufficient maturity of the eye, but maybe waiting for some emotional maturity might be another factor. On the other hand, I wondered what I looked and sounded like waiting for my first Lasik operation.

Talking to a few of the other Lasik clients, I realized I was not the only one in for a second Lasik procedure. Two others were like me in that they did not get sufficient improvement in their vision to satisfy themselves or the Lasik surgeon. In all of our cases, our first Lasik procedure of several months earlier went well, and none of us were particularly nervous.

It did surprise me, considering that it was 6:30 AM, of the variety of clothing styles of the Lasik clients. Most of us, considering the hour and the rather frigid temperature of the Lasik operating room and the waiting room, were dressed in snug and warm sweat suits or other comfortable wear. One Lasik patient was dressed in formal business attire with full makeup.

This puzzled me for at least two reasons: any makeup, lotions, or other things that could get into the eye are forbidden for at least 24 hours before the surgery, and it is highly recommended to go home and sleep as quickly as possible after the Lasik procedure. The only thing I could figure out was that she wasn't actually getting a Lasik procedure, but no one else is there at 6:30 AM. Her dominating and withering look made me decide that any pre-Lasik conversation with her was better left unsaid.

I was probably the fourth person escorted into a waiting room for a final discussion on Lasik post-op procedures, but I could not tell how long I had been waiting. I think they avoid clocks for a very good reason. The lady two seats down from me was calm enough about her Lasik procedure to go back to sleep while waiting, which seemed like an eminently sensible idea.

Each patient is offered a mild sedative before the Lasik procedure starts. It is mainly for psychological purposes, as my first Lasik experience was not painful at all. I did take it for my first experience, but my own Lasik history and the others I have heard in the waiting room make me think that I don't need it. But I take it anyway, just in case.

I hope that this window into a Lasik waiting room helps give the attitude that for most people it is not a dreaded procedure, and for those of us that have had Lasik eye surgery performed, a rather uneventful one.

Talk to Your Lasik Surgeon!

2008-12-01T08:16:00.001-08:00

Talk to Your Lasik Surgeon!

For anyone considering a Lasik procedure to correct vision, it is crucial to find a physician that is reputable and caring. It is also very important that they are experienced and knowledgeable in the Lasik procedure, and that they have a track record of patients that are happy with the treatment they received and the results that they got.

This guide gives a number of basic questions that you should ask when deciding on which Lasik center and which doctor to select for your Lasik procedure. The comfort you have during the process, and even the results that you receive, may depend on getting good answers to these questions. It is important to realize that the answers to these questions will vary from physician to physician.

The first question to ask is "How many years have you been performing this type of Lasik surgery?" There are several variations of the Lasik procedure, and the doctor should have a track record of at least three years in doing Lasik procedures. This amount of time also allows the doctor to watch his patients and the long term success of their Lasik procedures.

Next, ask the physician for the number of Lasik procedures they have performed in the last two years. The physician should do the operation frequently enough that he is well versed in current procedures. Also, he should be successful enough that prospective Lasik patients feel comfortable in coming to the Lasik center. The physician should perform at least 500 Lasik surgeries in the last two years.

At this point, ask what percent of his clients that underwent Lasik surgery ended up with 20/40 vision or better. Notice that not all patients will achieve 20/20 vision, and that is acceptable. However, it is important that 90 percent of the patients get at least a 20/40 correction after the first Lasik procedure. Claims of much more than 90 percent might make him seem much better, but in this case ask for evidence that that number is true. There are some exceptional physicians out there, but also a few Lasik doctors that make unfounded claims. Asking the doctor what percentage of Lasik patients achieve 20/20 should run about 50 percent. Again, if the number is greatly higher, ask for evidence.

Finally, ask about post-Lasik complications. The percentage of patients that experience complications after 6 months is complete should be 3 percent or less. If the physician claims that complications are so rare that he doesn't keep records, you should be very suspicious and ask for evidence, if any. No doctor is perfect. Similarly, when asked the percentage of patients that require an additional operation to achieve clear vision, the number should be less than 10 percent.

To wrap up the interview, ask the physician what types of Lasik procedures he recommends and practices, and under what circumstances he denied a Lasik procedure to a patient. Not all vision challenged people are good candidates for a Lasik operation, and the doctor should at least have a few examples of people he dissuaded from the operation.

Finally, ask about the cost of the operation and if financing plans are available through the Lasik center. A physician that is willing to sit down and discuss these questions is often a physician that will address any other medical issues that come up, and is a good prospect to perform your Lasik procedure.

Lasik Surgery - a personal view

2008-11-30T05:11:00.001-08:00

Lasik Surgery - a personal view

I have noticed that more people I work with are talking about, or undergoing, the Lasik vision correction procedure. I don't know really know why Lasik has suddenly become more popular in my company, but I do know that there are a number of rumors about Lasik that I am not sure are true. Let me just talk about my long term experience with Lasik.

It has been more than eight years since I had the Lasik procedure, so I was one of the early and brave pioneers! Perhaps I wasn't that brave when considering Lasik, for my vision in each eye was worse than -9. Even now, Lasik physicians consider that a very strong case and do caution prospective clients that the Lasik process will likely improve their vision, but may not eliminate the total need for glasses.

The Lasik operation itself had mild pressure and some unusual feelings, but no real discomfort or pain. This is still true in modern Lasik procedures, and hopefully they are even better at keeping the client comfortable. I do notice that now Lasik physicians also give a mild sedative mainly for psychological reasons, which I think I would have appreciated back then.

Two or three days after the Lasik operation I was astounded to find I had VERY clear vision in each eye, at least 20/20. Considering my previous prescription, you can imagine how fervently I thanked my Lasik physician. However, I did also have temporary symptoms of considerable dryness in each eye (which was helped by eye drops), and also halos around lights at night.

A few months after the Lasik procedure I noticed my vision changing a bit, though very slightly. The best way I can describe it is that the crisp edges no longer looked exceedingly crisp, but each object still seemed to be in focus. At my one year Lasik correction anniversary my physician said that one eye was still at 20/20, but the other had changed slightly to 20/40. However, I was still a great statistic for the Lasik correction procedure, and we were both still happy with the results.

In the years between the original Lasik procedure and now, my vision is still 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other. I do have a pair of glasses and one contact lens for that eye, but rarely bother with them unless I am doing something like watching a movie. My long track record after the Lasik procedure has given hope to a number of other people in my office. I do want to say though that I was over 35 when I had the operation, and my Lasik physician said that the stability of my eyes and my age were good indicators that the Lasik results would be long term.

I hope this encourages people with bad vision to talk to a local Lasik physician about scheduling a Lasik procedure. Find a physician that has a good track record, and one that you trust, and I hope that your long term Lasik results will be as good as mine!

What Happens After the Lasik Procedure?

2008-11-29T04:14:00.001-08:00

What Happens After the Lasik Procedure?

After you are fully prepared, the Lasik procedure takes less than fifteen minutes to complete for both eyes. This will seem a remarkably short time to have a permanent change to your vision, and in this regard Lasik seems almost too good to be true. In addition, most Lasik patients notice improved vision immediately or within a few hours after the Lasik procedure has been performed.

This does not mean that you should expect to walk out of the Lasik clinic with perfect vision and without any need to treat your eyes carefully for the next several days. It also means that some Lasik patients will need more time to see the total results for the Lasik procedure, sometimes as much as six months for their vision to stabilize permanently. Anticipate good vision, and take the time and care for the operation to produce its best result.

Usually the Lasik physician will give the post-procedure patient a protective shield for their eyes. This should be worn as long as the physician specifies, and usually only at night for one or two nights. He may also recommend sunglasses during the day if you experience sensitivity to light after the Lasik procedure is done. Discuss these options in detail at the Lasik center before the operation, so you know how to best take care of your eyes.

Many patients at the Lasik centers often get eye drops to keep their eyes moist for some time after the Lasik procedure is done. Again, this varies by patient and by physician, so ask about your particular situation, especially if you are prone to eye dryness on an occasional basis even before the Lasik procedure. Also, it might be helpful to keep any ceiling fans or other air circulation devices off in the household for the first few days.

Most clients can return to work and normal daily activities the day after the Lasik procedure is done, and do not require any extra assistance from other friends or family members. There is usually little to no post-operative discomfort after Lasik has been performed. It is recommended that patients go to sleep as quickly as possible after the Lasik surgery in order to minimize any post-operative discomfort. Upon waking, improved vision from the Lasik corrections should already start to be visible.

This improved vision may not be the final product of the Lasik eye surgery. The improvement to nearsightedness after Lasik is usually quick and dramatic, though there may be some problems in reading easily for the first few days after the Lasik operation. This is perfectly normal, and should clear up before the week is out.
Patients that use Lasik to improve their farsightedness usually find a dramatic improvement the day after the Lasik surgery. It might be that there is a temporary blurring of objects in the distance, but this will resolve itself. If this condition remains for more than a few days, the Lasik physician can recommend and prescribe temporary glasses until vision is stabilized.

These are all typical post-operative recommends for a Lasik patient, in order to feel comfortable with what to expect after the Lasik procedure. As with any medical treatment, get all of your questions answered by the staff of your Lasik eye center for your individual case.

The procedure for wavefront lasik eye surgery.

2008-11-28T02:37:00.001-08:00

The procedure for wavefront lasik eye surgery.

Let's walk through what a client experiences when attending a Lasik center for a Wavefront Lasik procedure. The procedure itself generally only takes between five and ten minutes for each eye in total, and both eyes are done during the same procedure. The actual time to reshape the eye with the Lasik excimer laser is usually less than 15 seconds per eye.

Any person's vision problems are generated by small "aberrations" within the eye that prevents the light from focusing objects as they should. The Lasik equipment locates and classifies these aberrations and then processes them so that the Lasik physician will correct these and allow the light to focus properly once the eye has healed.

In a Wavefront Lasik procedure, the patient stares at one point while a light is sent into the eye, which is reflected back and read by a Lasik Wavefront sensor. The distortions in this reflected light are mapped using a small computer within the Lasik system, and then this information is used to guide the laser that treats the eye.
Once the light creates the map for the eye, the Lasik surgeon has to create a small flap to access the cornea. This is done using a laser (this type of Lasik procedure is known as IntraLasik, or bladeless Lasik) or a small blade known as a microkeratome.

This flap is then opened to allow the cornea to be reshaped by the Lasik system.The excimer laser actually reshapes the cornea, which is the crucial part of the Lasik procedure. In order to determine exactly how to reshape it, the map created earlier by the Wavefront sensor is used to direct the beam of light accurately. The Lasik physician uses these precise tools to get the clearest vision results possible.

This custom Lasik procedure can not only correct such standard problems as nearsightedness, but can also address aberrations that create light halos, glare, haze, or starburst patterns. Once the Lasik physician determines that all relevant aberrations have been eliminated, he replaces the flap in its proper position, where it adheres normally and will heal naturally.

As mentioned earlier, this entire Lasik process takes between ten and fifteen minutes per eye. A patient gets a mild sedative and eye numbing drops to make the procedure both relaxing and painless. Most people notice an improvement in vision due to Lasik almost immediately.

Once the Lasik procedure is finished, you will get some eye drop medication to lubricate and protect your eyes. This medication (and the liquid in the drops themselves) may cause some blurring, and so for this reason (and to avoid any eyestrain) you should arrange for someone else to drive you home. It is also a good idea to go to sleep as soon as possible after the Lasik operation in order to promote even faster healing.

To promote optimal healing the Lasik physician often gives a plastic shield to wear over your eyes for the first night or two. Follow closely any recommendations by the Lasik physician. Do further investigation into this great new Lasik procedure, and get a clearer focus on your future!

The Facts About Intra Lasik Eye Surgery

2008-11-27T08:48:00.001-08:00

The Facts About Intra Lasik Eye Surgery

Now that Lasik vision correction surgery has been accepted for a number of years, there are several popular options for the procedure. One of these is IntraLasik, or Intralase, or bladeless Lasik. As the name implies, there is no cutting of the eye with a blade, instead the flap in the eye is made using a laser. Since bladeless Lasik is a newer procedure, there are a number of opinions around about how well this procedure works. Let's look at several of these and determine which of these are true or false.

First, more Lasik clients get 20/20 vision or better using IntraLasik. Any Lasik procedure cannot guarantee perfect vision for every client, though more than 90% get results to at least 20/40 vision. However, it is true that the new techniques of IntraLasik do get even better statistics for giving clients clear vision.

Some are concerned that the laser that makes the corneal flap is standard, and cannot be tailored to each individual eye like can be done by the Lasik surgeon when using a blade. This is not true. The Lasik physician has control over the use of the laser for each individual in the same way that he can control the microkeratome blade.

IntraLasik can be used for both a standard and a custom Lasik procedure. This is true. Custom Lasik procedures using Wavefront technology (another somewhat recent advance in Lasik vision correction) can easily be used with a laser making the initial flap. This custom Lasik procedure, though more costly, is of great benefit for people with unusual eye shapes or problems.

Some have heard that using the laser is less accurate than the standard Lasik procedure. This is not true, since lasers can be controlled to micron level accuracy. This gives the Lasik physician extreme control to create exactly the flap needed for this particular individual eye: the precise size, shape, and depth for successful completion of the Lasik procedure.

Another common fallacy is that IntraLase has not been around long enough for trusted Lasik physicians to have confidence in it. On the contrary, many of the most honored Lasik physicians strongly endorse IntraLase due to the track record of very good results from the Lasik procedures. In addition, the quality of the machines and the precision that they give these Lasik physicians is very impressive. Many of the top flight Lasik doctors recommend this as a procedure of choice, assuming cost is not a significant variable in the decision of which Lasik procedure to use.

Similar to the objection above, some people think that Intralase is not a sufficiently test Lasik procedure option. On the contrary, more than one million of these procedures have been performed, and the impressive track record for this Lasik procedure has been discussed above. More and more Lasik physicians are trained in this option, and we will see many more such Lasik procedures in the future.

We hope that this discussion of bladeless Lasik has given more accurate information to those considering this Lasik technique. Please discuss this option with the professionals at your local Lasik center.

What is the Initial Lasik Eye Exam Like?

2008-11-26T16:25:00.001-08:00

What is the Initial Lasik Eye Exam Like?

The first significant step before the Lasik surgery is to have a comprehensive eye examination, in order to be sure that you are a good candidate for the Lasik procedure. A map of your eye will be created during this exam. This map is used in order for the Lasik physician to determine how to reshape your eye to give you the clearest post-operative vision possible.

This eye exam will do several things. Your eyes will be dilated in order to see if there are any irregularities within the eye itself. The thickness of the cornea will be measured, and a precise map of the cornea will be generated. The "refractive error" (or the reason why your vision isn't currently perfect) will be accurately analyzed in order for the Lasik procedure to get the best results possible. Finally, how your eyes generate tears will be closely looked at, as good tear production is essential for the health of every eye.

Before or after these measurements, the Lasik physician will discuss your past medical history to see any previous operations or any ongoing health problems. A few chronic conditions may make the Lasik procedure not a good option for some people, and also women currently expecting should wait for some time after delivery. The physician also will discuss the expectations the Lasik client has about the operation and subsequent changes in their lifestyle.

Though most people pass through this Lasik eye exam with flying colors, be prepared for some suggestions or serious discussion. Your eye map may indicate that a newer form of Lasik procedure might be better, such as one that generates a three dimensional waveform for each eye. Tear production issues may indicate that the Lasik procedure is not the best option for you, and the Lasik physician may recommend another solution.

If all goes well and the Lasik procedure is scheduled, the physician will review the treatment plan and what the client should do to prepare for the Lasik surgery. This plan may vary slightly between patients, but in general will look something like the schedule below. Always follow the recommendations of your Lasik physician closely.
First, contact lenses should be avoided for several weeks prior to Lasik vision correction, since contacts can slightly affect the shape of your cornea. It is important to let your eyes rest in order to get the most accurate Lasik vision improvement possible. Hard contacts should be avoided for a month, soft contacts for at least two weeks.

Stop using any lotions, makeup, or anything else that could possibly get into the eye the day or two before surgery. It is important to have your eyes as rested as possible before the Lasik operation. Also, arrange for someone else to drive you home after the Lasik procedure itself.

These are the most common steps to prepare you for an easy and successful Lasik procedure. Make sure you give the doctor all information needed for your case, and follow his directions closely. The Lasik eye surgery will give you a new outlook in life!

The Lasik eye surgery pioneer!

2008-11-25T20:58:00.001-08:00

The Lasik eye surgery pioneer!

One of the first publicized physicians that perform the Lasik eye corrective operation was Dr. Boothe, of Dallas Texas. He has performed the Lasik operation for a number of different clients, including members of the NFL Dallas Cowboys football team. There are countless testimonials of how satisfied his Lasik clients were with the surgery, even a number of years later.

One of the important considerations for any doctor is kindness, and Dr Boothe's Lasik patients comment on this trait after their procedures. They all agree that Dr. Boothe made them feel very relaxed about the procedure, and took time to answer any and all questions that they might have. This is especially important with the Lasik process, as eye health is crucially important, and confidence in the doctor makes considering the Lasik option much more feasible.

Dr. Boothe became a specialist of the eye, and especially the cornea, in 1987.

He has performed more than 80,000 Lasik laser vision corrections in that time. He has also contributed to the field of expanding Lasik practice, with the new VISX three dimensional wavefront procedures. These procedures are especially useful for those people with unusual configurations of their eyes.

One of the other newer Lasik procedures uses only the laser, instead of the usual Lasik operation using both scalpel and laser. He is the leader in the performance of this field, and has done more than 45,000 of these operations. This type of Lasik procedure holds new promise for the field, and should be investigated by anyone considering any type of Lasik procedure.

Looking at some of Dr. Boothe's background will help prospective Lasik clients to look for a physician of similar quality in their area. Dr. Boothe's center itself is located in the Dallas metropolitan area, but there are many fine doctors that practice Lasik procedures in all parts of the country. He has taught a number of other laser eye surgeons in the technique, and so one question that should be asked is where the physician received his training in the Lasik procedure, and which doctors taught the technique.

A most critical part of traditional Lasik surgery is using the microkeratome to make and lift a flap in the eye. Dr. Boothe's love of medicine and absorption in furthering the techniques used in Lasik make him a pioneer in the field of ophthalmology. He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, and emphasizes that any patient should check the board certification for any physician they are considering for performing the Lasik procedure in addition to standard medical certifications, such as the American Medical Association.

One reason that Dr. Boothe entered the field of Lasik surgery was because a good eye surgeon can dramatically improve the quality of life for his patients, as is attested by his many thousands of satisfied patients. The doctor that a patient selects for the Lasik procedure should have high standards for safety, accuracy, and precision. This should be reflected in the results and opinions of the patients that the doctor has. Lasik can be a life improving procedure, and careful selection of a physician in the same mold as Dr. Boothe can make it much more certain.

What is Wavefront Lasik Eye Surgery ?

2008-11-24T17:53:00.001-08:00

What is Wavefront Lasik Eye Surgery ?

The wonderful results of Lasik surgery have been improved by research adding new methods, such as Wavefront technology. This technology gives a Lasik physician the ability to see and accurately map even slight variations in the surface of the eye. This gives the physician the ability to more accurately tailor a Lasik operation to the individual, and result in even clearer vision.

The concept behind Wavefront technology was originally developed by astronomers, in order to indicate if a mirror or a lens had slight imperfections in it. It is very important in astronomy to get near perfect optics in order to clearly see the small light sources million of miles away in the universe. In the 1970s a sensor was created to electronically check these surfaces, and a type of this sensor is now used in the Wavefront guided Lasik procedures.

The idea to apply this technique, or to use this sensor, to the field of ophthalmology and later to the specific area of Lasik vision correction, was begun in Germany. The physician Josef Bille began using the sensor in his practice, and this started others to refine the sensor and how it is used and to apply it to Lasik technology. In 1997 the improved sensor, with greater accuracy and speed, was announced to the Lasik laser manufacturers. This allowed the companies that manufacture the Lasik equipment to develop tools using the Wavefront concept for each of their own laser systems.

The FDA approved the first Wavefront guided Lasik vision correction system for general use. Initially, the Wavefront sensor makes a map of the eye's imperfections, and this map is sent to the laser that is used in the Lasik vision correction portion of the operation. This allows for precise eye alteration in order for Lasik to present the best vision correction possible.

The Wavefront technology used in Lasik can be described easily at an informal level. A small, flat sheet of light (called a wavefront) is passed through the eye, reflected off of the retina, and passed back through the eye and is captured by the Wavefront machine. If the eye were perfect, the light would return as a flat sheet and be captured that way by the Lasik machine. However, any imperfections changes the way that the light returns, and this is detected by the Wavefront part of the Lasik process.

A number of these small, flat sheets of light are sent into each eye from various directions and the results returned generated a three dimensional map of the eye to be used in the Lasik vision correction process. In addition to the commonly known problems of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, there are more than 60 other patterns that are known and can possibly be corrected for.

All of this information generated by the Lasik sensor is converted by software into a set of directions to be carried out by the Lasik excimer laser. Ask your doctor about this exciting advance in Lasik vision correction, and see if this procedure is right for you!

Eye care after lasik surgery

2008-11-23T07:13:00.001-08:00

Eye care after lasik surgery

A person that is considering a Lasik procedure to improve their vision has two major responsibilities: selecting the best surgeon possible for their budget, and understanding and keeping up with eye care after the Lasik operation is done. Most Lasik procedures go very smoothly, and more than 90% of the patients are happy with their improved vision and have no permanent side effects. Part of this success is due to good care at home once the Lasik procedure is complete.

The first step in having the best care after a Lasik procedure is to understand exactly what is directed by the Lasik physician. The prospective Lasik patient should be given a good understanding of the entire process when they first visit a Lasik center to interview the physician and the staff. On the day of the procedure, a member of the staff should very carefully go over exactly what steps should be done to encourage optimal eye health and healing after the Lasik operation.

One thing that the patient should ask is what side effects are to be expected directly after the Lasik procedure, how long they should last, and which symptoms should be promptly told to the Lasik physician or member of the staff. A number of symptoms, such as fluctuating vision or halos around lights, are to be expected and are not a cause of worry. Ask the staff about any postoperative symptoms that are unclear, to make sure that they are thoroughly understood.

Each Lasik physician has their own recommended procedures for their patients, but here is a list of typical suggestions that most Lasik centers recommend. First, get some sleep as soon as possible after the Lasik procedure is done. This gives a great boost to the healing process. Second, avoid any contact, bumping, or rubbing of the eyes for at least five days after the Lasik procedure. Most Lasik eye surgery centers have some kind of eye guards to wear at night to prevent patients from rubbing their eyes in their sleep.

Third, try to avoid eyestrain for some days after the Lasik procedure. It is tempting to try to read all of the signs and words that were previously blurry, but avoid this temptation at least for the large part. If any light sensitivity or glare is noticed, wear dark sunglasses for several days until this problem resolves itself. Some common Lasik side effects are temporary halos around lights, especially when viewed at night, but this is not a problem to be concerned with.

It is very important to keep the eyes well lubricated in the days following a Lasik operation. Every Lasik physician will give eye drops to help this, and patient should be especially aware of this before going to sleep. A Lasik procedure may increase eye dryness temporarily, and during sleep this may make the eyelid stick slightly to the eye. When the patient wakes up, opening the eyelid is equivalent to rubbing the eye. The physician should be notified if this happens, for there are other varieties of eye drops that will solve this problem.

Taking these simple steps will give nearly all Lasik patients an easy postoperative experience without any problems.

Have no fear of Lasik eye surgery!

2008-11-22T00:06:00.001-08:00

Have no fear of Lasik eye surgery!

Thinking about eye surgery using a Lasik procedure is a big step, and many people are a little hesitant to ask the questions that they have. The Lasik procedure, though widely talked about, is not discussed in detail, and people tend to fear the unknown. This report addresses some of the more commonly held fears, and talks about the experience for the vast majority of people that undergo a Lasik procedure.

A most common fear when thinking about a Lasik procedure, or really thinking about any surgery in general, is the possibility of pain during or after the operation. Since the Lasik surgeon works on patients that are conscious, this is a widely held apprehension. In every operation the Lasik surgeon applies numbing drops into the eyes before the procedure starts, and the patient is also given a mild sedative to relax them and make sure that they are comfortable. Though a small pressure to the eye may be felt during the Lasik procedure, the process itself is relatively pain free.

The surgeon does use a laser in the eye to help reshape the cornea during the Lasik procedure. Many folks are worried about the laser being shone directly into the eye, or that they might look away and, due to this, develop a serious complication with their eyes and the Lasik laser beam effects. In actuality, the laser is only active for ten to fifteen seconds for each eye, and the Lasik machine has a tracking system that allows the beam to be on only when the eye is in the correct position.

Another general fear for people contemplating a medical procedure is fear of "the scalpel". Any Lasik procedure uses only a very small microkeratome blade to approach the eye, or some more recent Lasik innovations have the laser itself created the flap and avoid using any hard surface at all. There is no reason to be concerned about a scalpel, for the Lasik physician does not use one.

Many wonder about the horror stories they hear about this or any other operation, and wonder about serious consequences like going blind. According the government statistics taken by the FDA, there are no reported cases of blindness due to a Lasik operation. Actually, the risk of a serious permanent complication due to the Lasik procedure is less than 1 percent, and the risk of any permanent complications even if not serious (such as light halos) is 3 percent or less. It is extremely rare for a patient to not have improved vision after a Lasik procedure.

If the thought of being awake and having your eyes open during the Lasik procedure bothers you, remember that you will be given a mild sedative for the procedure, and that your eyes will have numbing drops administered to them. If the thought of actually seeing the Lasik physician's hand approaching your eye is bothersome, be comforted that the surgeon applies drops to the eye that blacks out the vision in that eye for ten to fifteen seconds, which is long enough for the procedure to be done for that eye.

This introduction has hopefully addressed the most common fears about the Lasik procedure. For anyone that might gain a better life quality with improved vision, please visit your local Lasik eye surgery clinic and discuss the procedure in detail with the professionals there.

Is Lasik Eye Surgery for you?

2008-11-20T22:28:00.001-08:00

Is Lasik Eye Surgery for you?

So many people are interested in the Lasik vision correction procedure, and want to know the benefits, the risks, and how the Lasik procedure works. One of the first things to consider is what requirements a person should meet in order to have a successful Lasik procedure. Though each individual case should be discussed with a qualified Lasik physician, here are some guidelines to see if you are a good candidate for Lasik vision correction.

First, the eye should be properly matured. This means that anyone under the age of 18 really needs to wait before a Lasik procedure is done, for it is likely that the shape of their eye will continue to change for several years. If the eye shape changes after the Lasik operation is done, the clarity of vision will be affected. Some Lasik physicians recommend waiting until age 25 in some cases.

In addition to an age cutoff, the vision prescription for the Lasik candidate should be stable for at least one year, and preferably for longer than that. This is for the same reason as above, that the Lasik procedure will only continue to be effective if the eye shape remains constant after surgery.

One comment about age cutoffs should be made with regard to Lasik surgery. There is no maximum age, as many patients in their fifties to their eighties have had a very successful Lasik procedure. The main consideration in these cases is enough tear production for successful healing and lubrication after the Lasik vision correction.

The eyes of the Lasik candidate should be healthy. This means that any person undergoing a Lasik procedure should have had no eye infection or injury for at least a year, and must have no scarring on the cornea of the eye. In addition, they must not have any recurring eye problem, such as a history of herpes infection in the eyes.

The medical history of a prospective Lasik client also plays an important part. Some chronic conditions, such as autoimmune disorders like Lupus, will prevent some people from being able to schedule a Lasik procedure. You should be very clear about any and all medical conditions that are current, or even completed ones in the past. Also, women who are pregnant or nursing should wait to have a Lasik procedure scheduled.

A good Lasik physician will also not schedule people with dry eye syndrome for Lasik vision correction. Having sufficient tear production is important, though for minor problems this may be aided by medication during the healing process. In addition, those people with eyes that dilate very widely are not good candidates for Lasik.

These are most of the most common reasons that a person should look at some other eye improvement choice other than Lasik. Most generally healthy people with standard vision problems benefit greatly from a Lasik procedure done by a trained, professional Lasik physician. Look for a good Lasik eye surgery center in your area and discuss your individual case in detail.

Choosing a good laser eye surgeon

2008-11-19T02:06:00.001-08:00

Choosing a good laser eye surgeon

Improving your vision with a Lasik procedure could be one of the greatest gifts you could get for yourself. However, as my mother used to say, "Your eyes are precious." It is important to entrust the Lasik operation to a doctor that you trust and have confidence in.

Let's begin with three factors that should NOT be the sole reason you select a doctor for the Lasik procedure. The location of the office is not particularly important, and a number of people travel long distances to have the Lasik procedure done, for a truly professional doctor will only need to be visited two or three times. Also, cost or the type of Lasik technology used should not be the sole factor. The range in surgical skill for a Lasik operation does vary, and there is the old saying "you get what you pay for." Further, though the newer types of Lasik procedures do have their benefits; many eye doctors in a large metropolitan area often offer two or three Lasik variants.

There are several ways to determine which is the best doctor for you in your area. One of the qualities to look for in a good Lasik physician is someone who can accurately assess your situation, and advise you if Lasik is even a good choice for you and your lifestyle. A physician that takes the time to discuss your own physical condition and situation with you is a good indicator that this is a Lasik physician that you can rely on.

Look for a Lasik eye surgeon which has a solid reputation in the area, and has a good track record. A physician that advertises in a magazine is not a sufficient recommendation to put your trust in that doctor, and needs more investigation before agreeing to have him do your Lasik procedure. Sometimes a Lasik center with a large advertising campaign and discounted prices may be indicating that the quality of the surgery is not excellent, and this could be a red flag to avoid that center.

A good Lasik doctor should be involved in the entire Lasik process. As mentioned above, he should take time to assess your particular case and discuss it with you. Not only should he do the exam, but he should also perform most or all of the preoperative exam, and also should meet with you personally to monitor the success of the procedure at the dates for checkup. There are stories from some Lasik centers of the patients never seeing the physician again after the operation until they complained strenuously of some particular problem.

Make sure the physician is honest in their assessment of the general Lasik procedure, and his track record in particular. Ask for individual examples of patients that the physician dissuaded from having the Lasik operation, and why. Ask how many Lasik procedures the doctor has done in total, and how many in the last two years. An experienced surgeon should have performed in the neighborhood of 1000 Lasik procedures, with at least 500 of those in the last two years.

Use these questions as a starting point to investigate the Lasik eye centers in your area, and even the highly recommended ones in nearby major metropolitan areas. It will be time well invested, and the first step to a clearer future.

Eye Care

2008-11-18T11:20:00.001-08:00

Eye Care

Regular eye exams are important even for people who are not having eye trouble. These are in-depth routines that are normally performed by either an Ophthalmologist or Optometrist. How often a person needs an eye exam hinges on a number of elements including age, overall health and whether or not eye disorders run in the family.

Kids with no eye trouble need only have their eyes checked out during regular visits to their pediatrician. This evaluation is ordinarily referred as a vision screening and ought happen at a minimum, every 2 years. A vision screening isn't as across-the-board as an eye exam, but it is priceless in noticing early signs of eye/vision trouble.

For grownups without eye trouble, eyes ought be tested once between the ages of 20-29, twice during the next 10 years, 2-4 times during the next 10 years and after age 65, eyes should be examined once every 1-2 years. People wearing corrective lenses should have their eyes tested annually. Those with eye disorders should work out an testing schedule with their eye doctors.

What is involved in an eye exam

Employing a light source, an external examination ascertains that the eyes 'look' right. You will follow the doctor's pen (or other object) with your eyes to ensure the eye muscles function properly. Whilst you read the illuminated chart with letters that get smaller the further down you go, your doctor is checking out your visual acuity. If you need corrective lenses, you'll get a refractive appraisal, a test that determines how light wave bend. The outcomes of these tests help the doctor decide your prescription. He may put a Phoroptor, a device that resembles a big black mask, over your eyes in order to fine-tune these measurings.

Your peripheral vision will be screened. A slit lamp exam uses a microscope that emits a sharp ray of light to evaluate the cornea, lens and iris. The back of the eye is also analysed and lastly your eyes will be tested for glaucoma.

Differences between the eye care specialists.

Ophthalmologist vs. Optometrist

The duties and skills of an Ophthalmologist and an Optometrist are generally different, all the same just about most people erroneously use these terms interchangeably. Both professions involve eye care nonetheless the primary difference between the two is the presence of a medical degree. It's this degree that denominates an Ophthalmologist as a medical doctor who's been trained in all areas of eye care including the power to diagnose and care for eye disorders and diseases.

Ophthalmologists are qualified to perform eye surgery and they likewise know how to conduct proper eye measurements so they can precisely prescribe corrective lenses. Their training helps them administer advice for preventing blindness and also enables them to attend to those who are blind. In addition to advanced educational training, Ophthalmologists must be trained in clinical and surgical settings.

Optometrists routinely perform eye tests. During such eye examinations, Optometrists will also find out the need for, fit and prescribe corrective eyewear and/or lenses. Optometrists can likewise screen patients for certain eye disorders.

Is LASIK Surgery an option for you?

2008-11-17T02:39:00.001-08:00

Is LASIK Surgery an option for you?

Many patients are very satisfied with the improved quality of life that they experience after LASIK Surgery. Read on to decide whether LASIK Surgery is right for you.

The different types of LASIK Surgery

There are two basic types of surgery: Standard LASIK and Custom LASIK. With either type, the preparation work and post-operative procedures are similar. The difference between the procedures involves the customization of the laser.

Standard LASIK

Prior to the scheduled procedure date, the eye surgeon meets with patient to re-test for certain eye problems and diseases. When it's confirmed that the patient meets the requirements, a procedure date is set.

On the day of the procedure, the eye doctor may perform another corneal topography to confirm that nothing has changed that would require changing the procedure. Three types of eye drops are then administered. The drops anesthetize the eye, protect the eye from post-operative inflammation and protect the eye from infection.

Next, the patient reclines and the laser is positioned overhead with the eye surgeon above it. To remove the flap, the patient's eye must first be stabilized. The eye is kept from blinking by placing it into a restrainer. Suction is administered to the eyeball and the microkeratome makes one swift slice across the top of the cornea. The resulting flap (which should still be hinged to the eye) is pulled away with tiny tweezers.

The laser then emits a pre-determined number of laser pulses to remove the excess tissue, a process which takes literally seconds. The flap is pulled back into place and saline solution clears the eye of any debris. The eye is covered and the procedure is finished unless the other eye is receiving a LASIK Surgery treatment.

Custom LASIK Surgery

In standard LASIK, the computer inside the laser determines the number and location of laser pulses based solely on the patient's prescription. With custom LASIK, the eye surgeon creates a three-dimensional image of the eye. The image results are then fed into the laser's computer and the patient receives a laser treatment that is truly customized to that eye.

Risks and complications

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with LASIK Surgery. The procedure may under- or over-treat the eye. Under-treatments can be corrected with additional surgery however over treatment generally results in the patient needing to continue wearing corrective lenses. Loss of vision or compromised vision, especially at night, are other risks. Dry eye syndrome can develop. And vision that has been surgically corrected may decline over time. Another serious risk involves using an inexperienced ophthalmologist.

Tips on selecting a LASIK Surgery surgeon

Get referrals from people you trust and then make arrangements to interview several candidates.

Make the most of the pre-procedure consultation. Prepare a list of questions to ask each surgeon and record the answers. It's important to understand what care the ophthalmologist intends to provide during all stages of surgery: before, during and afterwards as well as all costs.

Remember that low cost doesn't mean top quality. Your eyesight is far too valuable to allow cost to be the determining factor.

Information on Corrective Eye Surgery

2008-11-16T03:37:00.001-08:00

Information on Corrective Eye Surgery

Several types of correct eye surgery exist today and these different types of corrective eye surgery fall under two main categories: Excimer Laser procedures and Non-Excimer laser procedures. As is the case with other conditions that affect the body, major technological advances have been made in recent years in the field of corrective eye surgery. The following is a brief introduction to the two categories.

Excimer Laser Procedures

An Excimer laser is a tool that was approved for the treatment of nearsightedness ranging in severity from mild to moderate. Use of the Excimer laser is complicated and it's important to work with ophthalmologists who are both trained in the surgical procedure and who have demonstrated the ability to properly operate and calibrate this precision instrument.

The Excimer Laser was originally approved for PKR, or Photorefractive Keratectomy and its usage was later expanded for LASIK procedures, or Laser in situ Keratomileusis. With PKR, the cornea is reshaped by eliminating excess tissue from the cornea's outer surface. With each computer calculated lightening-fast laser pulse, a microscopic ultraviolet light beam removes the excess tissue. After only a few minutes and the application of local anesthesia, the procedure is over. In just a day or so, patients can resume normal activity.

In a LASIK procedure, the eye doctor rather than the laser's built-in computer determines where incisions will be made and how much tissue will be removed. This is a more complex and invasive procedure and it is one that is recommended for more severe refractive conditions. Using a microkeratome (a knife), the eye surgeon slices and then pulls back a flap of the tissue covering the cornea. With the tissue out of the way, the laser is then used to remove tissue and reshape the cornea. The flap is put back into place and the patient typically can see well enough to drive home after the procedure. LASEK and epi-LASIK are variations of the LASIK procedure.

Non Excimer Laser Procedures

These are procedures that rely on artificial implants, surgery and reshaping to correct eye problems. Lens implants are effective for individuals who have cataracts, nearsightedness and farsightedness. Intraocular lenses or IOLs are used as replacements for the damaged cloudy lenses caused by cataracts. New and improved artificial lenses now incorporate the use of hinges that allow the eye to move and act like a real lens.

Other types of implantable contact lens can correct nearsightedness and farsightedness. They act much like removable contact lenses but require no maintenance and wearers cannot feel these lenses and implants.

Thermokeratoplasty involves the use of heat to manipulate the collagen within the cornea. In doing so, refractive errors can be corrected in a matter of minutes. There are two types of Thermokeratoplasty procedures. Laser thermal keratoplasty or LTK involves the use of holmium YAG laser and CK or conductive keratoplasty involves use of radiofrequency waves.

Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK) involves cutting the cornea in order to reshape it. However, its use has diminished since laser treatments involve less risk and are far more effective at reshaping the cornea.

Information on LASEK Laser Eye Surgery

2008-11-15T08:44:00.001-08:00

Information on LASEK Laser Eye Surgery

LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis) laser eye surgery takes the most beneficial elements of two other types of laser eye surgery and combines them into one very effective surgical procedure. These other two laser eye surgeries are LASIK and PRK.

Unlike the LASIK procedure which involves using a sharp blade to slice off the top of the cornea, LASEK uses a solution consisting of diluted alcohol to loosen a thin layer from the epithelium so that it can be moved off to the side.

Benefits of LASEK laser eye surgery

One benefit of LASEK laser eye surgery is that it eliminates the risks associated with the corneal flap. With LASIK surgery, a very sharp blade called a microkeratome is used to cut the corneal flap. There have been cases in which the flap was cut too deeply or cut off completely instead of leaving it attached with a hinge, both of which are capable of causing any number of serious vision problems.

Healing is faster with LASEK because there is no cutting and because the epithelial flap can be used somewhat as a natural bandage after the procedure is finished. And unlike PRK, the chances of developing a glare after the operation are greatly diminished when using LASEK.

Risks/disadvantages

Risks associated with LASEK laser eye surgery are greatly diminished mainly due to the fact that no sharp device is being used to cut the cornea. There is some pain but it is minimal and is most often treated with over the counter medicines. Also, it is not possible to guarantee any type of vision results and glare, halos and dry eyes are potential side effects.

The LASEK procedure

Prior to the LASEK procedure, a patient must provide the eye surgeon with a complete medical history. Eye tests and other diagnostic procedures are undertaken to ensure the patient is a good candidate for LASEK laser eye surgery. On the day of the procedure, the eye is cleaned and prepped and an eye drop to numb the eye is administered. A special tool will hold the eyelids in place, preventing them from blinking.

The diluted alcohol solution is applied, the epithelium loosens, and it is gently pushed out of the way. The pre-calculated beams of ultra violet light are then pulsed onto the cornea and in just a minute or so, the procedure is complete.

Most patients will have blurred vision at first and won't be able to drive home from the procedure. Most need a day or two to rest. Vision will vary over the ensuing months.

For best results, always use an eye surgeon who has experience with the LASEK laser eye surgery procedure. Never be afraid to ask a surgeon you're considering for the names and contact information of previous patients. If you get a list of contacts, be sure to call and ask about their experiences.

About Epi-LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

2008-11-14T20:53:00.001-08:00

About Epi-LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

The most advanced of the surgical eye procedures using laser technology, Epi-LASIK laser eye surgery combines the best of traditional LASIK surgery with the best of the LASEK and PRK laser procedures. Epi stands for Epithelial and LASIK stands for Laser in situ Keratomileusis. Basically this newest procedure involves gently separating the epithelial from the top of the cornea using an epikeratome rather than slicing the top of the cornea and creating a hinge as is the case with LASIK.

A good candidate for Epi-LASIK laser eye surgery is someone who has a very thin cornea and who also has mild to moderate farsightedness, nearsightedness or astigmatism. As with the other types of laser eye surgery, best vision is achieved by using laser beams to reshape the cornea.

Benefits of Epi-LASIK laser eye surgery

The two main benefits of the Epi-LASIK procedure are its quicker recovery time and the speed at which vision is restored. Because the cornea is not cut with a microkeratome (a sharp blade) the cornea does not have to heal. And because only a thin layer of the epithelial is separated, it too has the ability to heal quickly. This type of procedure eliminates the potential risks associated with incorrectly cutting the cornea, which in some cases can cause a number of vision problems including a permanent loss of vision. There also is less pain.

Risks of Epi-LASIK

While no surgical procedure is without risk, proper candidate screening including thorough diagnostic testing will significantly reduce the risks associated with Epi-LASIK surgery.

The Epi-LASIK procedure

As with the other laser eye procedures, the Epi-LASIK procedure also takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Anesthetic drops are placed into the eye to minimize pain and discomfort. From there, the epithelial must be moved off to the side so that the laser can reach the intended target area.

Specialized equipment is used to first stabilize the eye. Then, the epithelium separator makes a pass across the eye and flattens the cornea which makes it easier to separate the epithelial. It is not separated completely, rather it remains attached in the middle instead of at one side as happens with the LASIK procedure. A small spatula-type tool is used to move the flap out of the way.

The laser then begins emitting pulses of ultraviolet light, quickly removing the excess tissue from the cornea. As the laser pulses, the cornea is being reshaped. This continues until the proper amount of excess tissue is removed, as determined by the eye surgeon. When finished, antibiotic drops are placed in the eye to protect against infection, and a contact lens-like bandage is applied. Those opting for the Epi-LASIK eye surgery can usually resume normal activity the day after the procedure. Several follow-up visits are required to monitor healing and vision.

It's important to choose an Epi-LASIK eye surgeon with care. Discuss the surgeon's experience with this type of procedure including success rates. Also discuss the type of care that will be provided during all stages: before, during and after the procedure and associated costs.

Lasik eye surgery

2008-11-13T07:13:00.001-08:00

Lasik eye surgery

Advertisements for LASIK surgery are everywhere. Anyone who wears contact lenses and eye glasses can relate well to the feeling of finally being free of the maintenance and bother involved in wearing either. As tempting as the advertisements are, LASIK Surgery may not be right for everyone.

Understanding LASIK Surgery

LASIK is the acronym for laser in-situ keratomy, eye surgery involving use of a powerful laser called an Excimer. The Excimer has been designed especially for working in the delicate eye area. The laser works quickly to reshape a person's cornea, which generally is all that is needed to correct myopia (known also as nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatisms.

Reshaping the cornea generally is a simple matter of removing excess tissue from beneath the cornea. In order to get at this tissue, a tiny flap must be pulled back from the cornea's surface. The laser can create this flap, and so can a tool called a microkeratome blade.

Laser pulses zap as much excess tissue as the ophthalmologist determines after reviewing a very detailed image of the cornea called a corneal topography. In literally a matter of minutes and often without feeling any pain, the shape of the cornea is corrected and vision restored. In fact, vision is usually restored so quickly that a patient can drive him or herself home from the procedure.

Deciding on LASIK Surgery

One of the biggest decisions a person interested in LASIK Surgery needs to make is whether this type of eye surgery is affordable. It is categorized as a cosmetic type of surgery and therefore many health insurance plans won't provide coverage.

The costs for this surgery vary considerably, but generally the costs of using a reliable and knowledgeable ophthalmologist will run several thousand dollars – per eye! So cost is definitely one big consideration.

If it's decided that the costs are justifiable, there are some individuals for whom this type of surgery may not be effective. Only healthy eyes and eyes that have stopped changing can be operated on. There also are certain prescription limitations which automatically disqualify a patient from this type of surgery.

A comprehensive review of a prospective patient's medical history is undertaken prior to LASIK Surgery. A number of tests are also performed at an initial consultation for the purpose of detecting eye problems and/or diseases which could affect the surgery. Due to hormonal considerations, LASIK Surgery cannot take place when a woman is pregnant or when either a man or a woman has a compromised immune system as this condition could jeopardize the eye's recovery.

To summarize, if such a procedure is affordable and the eyes meet the procedure requirements, LASIK Surgery may be a good option to pursue. The surgery itself has a very high success rate and combined with the fact that it's practically painless, it probably makes sense to give it a try.

The next section will review the different types of LASIK eye Surgery that are available and the risks and possible complications of each.

Contact lenses and children

2008-11-12T12:32:00.001-08:00

Contacts lenses and children

There's no age restriction on contact lenses for kids. In fact, even very young children can wear them and many do for a variety of reasons. How can one decide whether contact lenses for kids make sense? Like any decision, it's important to consider the benefits against the disadvantages.

Contact lenses for kids make sense for the same reasons they do for adults. They help enhance appearance, they are comfortable to wear and they are a good choice for improving vision. Add to these reasons the facts that fitting a child isn't an issue and that children have all the same options as adults including daily wear, extended wear, continuous wear and disposable and it's difficult to argue against contact lenses for kids.

Kids who participate in sports find that wearing contact lenses is much easier than dealing with the hassle involved in wearing eyeglasses. Eyeglasses and sports aren't always a good match. They break more frequently and replacing children's eyeglasses isn't cheap!

Kids can be cruel, and children who wear eyeglasses find that they're frequently subjected to unnecessary taunting and name-calling. Such behavior can seriously impact a child's self-esteem and confidence, especially when they're young and don't know how to disregard the words being said.

Studies have shown that contact lenses for kids, in particular rigid gas permeable styles, have the added benefit of helping to keep nearsightedness from progressing.

There is something else to consider before making a final decision, however. Although a child's age isn't necessarily a consideration, a parent may wish to consider a child's maturity level. With the decision to wear contact lenses comes an understanding that the wearer has certain responsibilities that must be upheld. Since no two children mature at the same pace, a parent really is the only person who can make this determination.

It helps to think about the ways in which the child does or does not currently show responsibility. For example, how is the child at caring for pets, or at finishing chores or at completing school assignments?

If a child isn't yet mature enough to handle the responsibility, the parent then has to determine whether he or she is willing to take responsibility for cleaning, maintenance, insertion and removal of the contact lenses and also for scheduling eye examinations and follow-up visits as necessary.

If a child is mature and is motivated, that child likely will be a good candidate. And since most children take instruction well, especially when someone other than a parent gives it, they generally are very good at wearing and caring for contact lenses as they've been instructed by the eye doctor.

Contact lenses for kids do present the same risks as adults have including a higher incidence of eye infection, dryness or abrasion. Some children, even though they may be very motivated, are not good candidates for wearing contact lenses either.

As always when in doubt, talk the decision over with someone who has experience prescribing contact lenses for kids.

Colored Contact Lenses

2008-11-11T06:42:00.001-08:00

Colored Contact Lenses

Changing your eye color to match your mood or your outfit with colored contact lenses has never been easier! They are a great fashion accessory and even if you don't need them for vision corr, that doesn't matter. You can still get colored contact lenses in an assortment of vibrant colors.

Right now it's estimated that only a small percentage of contact lens wearers realize they're good candidates for colored contact lenses. Most don't realize that there's been an explosion of availability and that now almost every contact lens prescription is available in practically every standard color option. And even when people do realize this, many are hesitant to give colored contact lenses a try. But don't worry. The color change can be subtle or it can be dramatic and that's part of the fun of wearing them.

Even though you may not need them to correct your vision, if you want colored contact lenses you will have to visit an eye doctor to obtain a prescription. A prescription for contacts that doesn't include vision correction is called a plano prescription. This type of prescription measures the width and the curvature of the eye and will insure that the contact lenses fit properly. If they don't fit right you'll know in a moment because the pain will be persistent and irritating.

Unfortunately, there's a belief among wearers of colored contact lenses that because a pair lacks vision correction it's okay to share the contact lenses with others. This is wrong! Under no circumstances is it ever a good idea to share contact lenses so don't. Not only might they be the wrong size and cause discomfort, if they haven't been cleaned, the other person likely will introduce harmful bacteria into the eyes which can cause irritation and other eye problems.

Within the world of colored contact lenses you'll find many options and it's important to understand what these options are. For example, opaque colored lenses are absolutely necessary when a person wants to completely change eye color. Colored lenses are actually tinted, and besides changing color you'll find other types of tints, some of which aren't necessarily designed to change eye color.

One of the benefits of a visibility tint is that the tint makes the lenses easier to handle by making them easier to see. Clear contacts can end up anywhere when they're dropped and they'll be invisible and nearly impossible to find. But the colored tint on the lens will help pinpoint their location. Enhancement tints have a deeper tint that will enhance and intensify a person's eye color.

Lenses that are coated with UV/UB protection tints are preferred among those who participate in outdoor sports. The tints help to reduce glare which improves vision and hopefully the game. And speaking of sun protection, there is a brand of colored contact lenses that darken to a color that resembles that of sunglass lenses when exposed to light. Once inside, the color transitions back into clear.

Would you be able to match your glasses to your personality?

2008-11-10T02:13:00.001-08:00

Match your eye glasses to your personality

In this competitive world of ours, image is everything. And even if you don't think of yourself as being 'image-oriented' deeper insight into your personality might lead to startling revelations. Either way, when it comes to choosing eyeglasses, it'll be worth your time to look for a style that fits your personality.

That's not to say that if you're feeling blue, you should opt for blue-colored frames or lenses. What it means is that before you head over to the 'discounted frame' section, you need to stop and think about who you are and how you live.

Are you older, younger or somewhere in between? Do you consider yourself to be trendy or conservative? Do you have a career or are you a student? What is your career or your area of study? Are you driven by name brands or do names not impress you? Do you look at eyeglasses as a fashion accessory or a necessary evil?

If you've answered these questions, you might wonder, 'Now what? So what if I'm days away from becoming a Baby Boomer and I work a desk job? How is this going to help me choose an eyeglass style?'

Well, one solution is to discuss these self-analysis results with your optician so that together you can work towards finding a suitable pair. A good optician will know which styles are 'in' and which are finally on their way 'out'. He or she may also be familiar with matching eyeglass shapes, styles and coloring to face shapes, much in the same way as a hairdresser can usually recommend a flattering hairstyle.

Plus an experienced optician will know the inventory well. He or she will know how long a particular pair will take to order, about the materials used in each of the various manufacturing processes and whether they're durable or delicate, about the total costs involved from start to finish for the various styles, and other types of useful information that you may not have thought about.

But if you're still confused as to which eyeglass style will best match your personality, here are a few more tips.

If you run in conservative circles, stick with conservative styles and colors. Neutral colors including brown, gray and silver and standard lens shapes such as rectangles and ovals are good choices.

If you prefer to be the center of attention, then choose eye glass styles that will get noticed. Look for unusual shapes and bold colors. If the price is right, get several pairs so you can mix and match with your wardrobe and other accessories.

If you like trends but want a style that has staying power, look at the newest materials being used for eyeglasses such as titanium, stainless steel and memory-metal.

Students and those with a creative or artistic flair look best in styles that help express their individuality. There are no rules here except to steer clear of 'traditional' styles.

Choose specialty styles if you need eyeglasses for a specific purpose such as working at a computer, eye protection, sports and hobbies or driving.

Information on Cataracts and Cataract Surgery.

2008-11-09T08:33:00.001-08:00

Eye Care– Cataracts and Cataract Surgery

More than 60 million individuals around the world have cataracts. Cataracts are the #1 cause of blindness but fortunately, cataracts are highly treatable with cataract surgery.

What is Cataract?

Over time the eye's lens, which is transparent in a healthy eye, starts to become cloudy or opaque. As individuals age, protein levels in the eye begin to decrease which is why there is no way to effectively prevent cataract from developing. Other factors can cause cataract such as head injury and certain diseases, but their appearance is primarily due to age.

There are 3 different types of cataracts and each type affects a different part of the eye. At the center of the lens is the nucleus and the most common of the cataracts affects this region. Cortical cataract and subcapsular cataract are more common in individuals who have diabetes.

Symptoms of Cataract

Vision that is cloudy or blurred is the most obvious symptom of a cataract. Nearsightedness can increase and images that were once clear can appear distorted when cataract is present. Less noticeable symptoms include the need for more and brighter light when reading, sensitivity to light, trouble seeing at night, double vision and colors that fade or seem 'yellow'. These symptoms develop because the cloudiness on the lens prevents it from refracting light properly.

Who is at risk?

Everyone is at risk of developing cataract and the likelihood that this type of eye problem will develop increases with each passing year. Simply stated, anyone fortunate to reach old age will likely develop cataract.

Risks increase if there is a family history of cataract. Steroids and some medications can also increase the chances of developing cataract as can eye injury or previous eye surgery. Those with diabetes also have an increased risk.

Early detection/treatment

A routine eye examination is the most effective way of detecting the presence or development of cataract. Because blurred vision can be caused by a number of factors, proper diagnosis is important.

It used to be that a person with cataract in one or both eyes would have to endure painful surgery to remedy the situation. But today, cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that involves replacing the cloudy lens with an intraocular lens (IOL). The success rate of cataract surgery is extremely high. And surgery is the only option.

Cataract surgery is not recommended until the loss of vision becomes troublesome and impacts quality of life. Cataract generally develops gradually so in many cases, vision in the early stages can be corrected with prescription eyeglasses. An ophthalmologist can determine the stage at which cataract surgery is necessary.

It's important to note that some people with cataract also have other types of eye problems. For them, cataract surgery may not restore vision. Again, an ophthalmologist can help with this determination.

When cataract surgery is performed, an amazing 95% of the surgeries involve no complications whatsoever. Local anesthesia, tiny instruments and a microscope are generally all that is needed to perform successful cataract surgery.

What causes Blepharitis?

2008-11-08T17:45:00.001-08:00

Eye Problems – Blepharitis

What is Blepharitis?

When the eyelids can become inflamed, the problem in most cases is a chronic eye disease called Blepharitis. Similar in nature to the skin condition called eczema, in case of Blepharitis, the eyelids become red, scaly and irritated.

There are two basic types of Blepharitis: Seborrheic Blepharitis and Staph Blepharitis. The most notable symptom of either type is inflammation on and around the eyelids that can be accompanied by irritation and painful itching. In some cases, tiny ulcers develop along the eyelid margins which are the areas that touch one another once the eyelid closes.

Symptoms of Seborrheic Blepharitis

Individuals suffering from Seborrheic Blepharitis generally also suffer from skin conditions that affect other parts of the body including the scalp, chest and back.

With Seborrheic Blepharitis, there is a problem with the tear film that the body produces to help protect and lubricate the eyes. It can be either a problem with the quality or the quantity but regardless, the resulting tear film causes greasy scales to form at the base of the eyelashes. These scales flake off easily and cause irritation. When insufficient quantities of tear film are produced, usually because the glands are blocked, the eye does not get lubricated properly. The dry spots cause the eyes to feel gritty.

Symptoms of Staph Blepharitis

Staph Blepharitis is actually a childhood eye disease that is caused by a bacterial infection. This condition generally does not go away. Its symptoms include the development and accumulation of crusty material at the base of the eyelashes. The crust often affects a person's ability to open their eyes after sleep. Sometimes, after the crusty matter is removed, tiny ulcers remain that begin to bleed or otherwise ooze. Sties can develop, as can red eye, and the eyelashes can become weak and break. If the infection is not treated properly, over time, the cornea can become scarred.

Who is at risk?

Both adults and children can develop Blepharitis however it is more prevalent in adults. There is an increased risk in children diagnosed with Down's syndrome.

Early detection/treatment of this eye problem

As with other diseases of the eye, Blepharitis is typically diagnosed during a routine eye exam. Since one cause of this condition is poor hygiene, the most effective treatment for Blepharitis involves keeping the eyelid margin area super clean. To prevent irritation from excessive cleaning, it is often recommended that this area be cleaned with a shampoo that is formulated for babies. A washcloth can also be used to help remove the scaly deposits.

A hot pack or warm compress applied to the affected areas is effective at reducing pain and swelling. When ulcers are present, a hot pack can also help speed the healing process.

When the condition is caused by dry eyes, lubricants are effective treatments. If necessary, antibiotic ointments and creams can be applied to affected areas. Some people are prescribed steroids to help reduce the inflammation however their use should only be a short-term treatment option.

How conjunctivitis affects your eyes.

2008-11-07T10:11:00.001-08:00

Eye Care – Conjunctivitis

What is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is an eye problem in which the conjunctiva, which is the mucous membrane that covers the eyelid and the white part of both eyes, becomes inflamed. There are two main types of Conjunctivitis, or pink eye as it is more commonly referred to. The first results from a bacterial or viral infection and the other results from an allergic reaction.

The infective form of Conjunctivitis, if it's caused by bacteria, is highly contagious with the hands being the primary vehicle for transmission. Conjunctivitis that results from an allergic reaction is typically a seasonal condition as are most allergies.

Conjunctivitis can also result when a person is sensitive to certain facial products and cosmetics. This latter form is sometimes referred to as irritant Conjunctivitis. Allergic and irritant Conjunctivitis are not contagious.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

The symptoms of the infective form of Conjunctivitis include discharge that is watery or sticky, eyes that water and feel gritty, and eyes that feel as if they have been glued together upon waking. Mild soreness is sometimes a symptom. The part of the eye that is normally white will also become red or pink, which is why Conjunctivitis has earned the nickname 'pink eye'. Because Conjunctivitis often develops along with a common cold, a person may also have symptoms of a cold including runny nose, mild fever and a sore throat.

With the allergic form of Conjunctivitis, eyes are itchy and the eyelids may appear puffy. There may also be a discharge from the eyes that appears white or watery or ropy.

Who is at risk?

Anyone is at risk of getting Conjunctivitis. Because it can be contagious, a person with Conjunctivitis needs to take measures not to spread it. It's difficult because it is normal to rub the infected eye as a way of providing temporary relief. However, if hands are not washed afterwards and the cause is bacterial, the bacteria can be transferred to another individual by coming into contact with the infected hands.

People who have a history of allergies, particularly hay fever, are at increased risk of developing the allergic form of conjunctivitis.

Early detection/treatment

Infective Conjunctivitis with its notable pink eye often will accompany a common cold making this eye problem rather easy to identify. Likewise a person with known allergies knows whether or not he has allergic Conjunctivitis.

Treatment for infective Conjunctivitis that is caused by bacteria includes the application of antibiotic ointment or antibiotic drops. If it is caused by a virus, typically the condition is left to heal on its own, much like a cold. Generally however, it is difficult to determine whether infective Conjunctivitis has resulted from bacteria or a virus so oftentimes, no treatment is prescribed.

In either case it is important to wash hands after coming into contact with the infected eyes using warm water and soap. Those with infective Conjunctivitis should not share their towels or pillows with others. Also when Conjunctivitis is present, contact lenses should not be worn until it has cleared.

How does astigmatism affect your vision?

2008-11-06T21:52:00.001-08:00

Eye Problems – Astigmatism

What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a common eye problem in which a person's cornea or lens has an irregular shape. These problems are known as Corneal astigmatism and Lenticular astigmatism respectively.

The cornea is a clear layer that completely covers the part of the eye that has color. Ideally, the shape of the cornea is round, like a tennis ball. The cornea's job is to bend rays of light that enter the eye so that these light rays can be better focused on the lens enabling the retina to produce a clear image.

When the cornea has a more oval shape, like that of a football, light cannot focus properly. Instead of one focus point, as is what happens when the cornea is properly shaped, the misshapen cornea focuses light onto two areas of the retina. That is what results in blurred vision and/or the appearance of doubled vision.

Symptoms of Astigmatism

Blurred vision, 'ghosting' or images that are doubled are the most common symptoms of astigmatism. These types of vision problems occur at all distances. Fatigue, eye strain and frequent headaches are other symptoms that may indicate astigmatism.

Who is at risk?

The shape of the cornea can be affected by anything that causes the eyelids to exert excessive pressure on the cornea. Other risk factors for astigmatism include hereditary, poor posture and performing redundant and excessive amounts of up-close work. Those who are nearsighted or farsighted are also at higher risk of developing astigmatism. Other factors that can increase the appearance of astigmatism include head trauma or a cut, tear or scar on the cornea.

Keratoconus, a condition which over time causes the cornea to thin and take on a more cone shape can also cause astigmatism. This condition develops around puberty and affects more women than men. It's also caused by excessive rubbing of the eyes.

Finally, diabetics are at increased risk of developing astigmatism as elevated blood-sugar levels can cause the shape of the lens to change.

Early Detection/Treatment of this eye problem.

A routine eye exam is the easiest way to detect astigmatism. The eye doctor will do a number of tests to determine vision clarity. To determine how light rays focus on the retina the eye doctor can perform a refractive evaluation. Reading the eye chart is a good way to determine visual acuity. Checking eye muscle performance, eye coordination and eye focusing capability are also part of a routine eye exam and can all help determine the presence and degree of astigmatism. Astigmatism is measured in terms of diopters and ranges from mild to severe.

Since astigmatism is an eye condition and not an eye disease, it is highly treatable. Common treatment options include corrective eye glasses and (toric) contact lenses.

Surgical treatment options have been highly successful at correcting the shape of the cornea. Photorefractive Keratectomy or PKR uses laser beams to change the cornea's shape. LASIK surgery involves making small incisions on the sides of cornea using laser beams. With Radical Keratectomy, laser beam incisions are made into the cornea.

The link between allergies and eye problems.

2008-11-05T10:43:00.001-08:00

Eye Problems – Allergies

When a person has an allergic reaction, the eyes frequently become affected. Eyes turn red, become itchy and irritated, and they can also become watery. Rubbing the eyes seems to offer comfort, but the reality is that rubbing eyes that are responding to an allergic reaction often compounds the discomfort.

What are Eye Allergies?

Most often, eye allergies accompany nasal allergies, but they can occur without involving the nose. Eye allergies are triggered when an allergen makes contact with the eyes. The mast cells, which are cells inside the eyes, release histamines and other chemicals and their release triggers symptoms including irritation and inflammation.

Conjunctivitis allergies are a specific category of allergies that affect the eyes. Conjunctivitis is generally triggered by an outdoor seasonal allergen such as ragweed or grass. Conjunctivitis allergies are also known as Hay Fever conjunctivitis.

Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis is seasonal in nature and primarily impacts children. With this form of eye allergy, the edges around the outside of the cornea are affected. Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis is similar with the difference being that it affects adults. It is a chronic condition and it's one that can cause the eyes to become scarred if not treated.

Symptoms of Allergies

When exposure to an allergen occurs, the body reacts by releasing histamines. Histamine release causes fluids to build up in the nasal cavity, sinuses and also on the surface of the eye as well as the insides of the eyelids. This release is also a source of significant irritation. In addition to irritation, the eyes may become red and watery, and the eyes and eyelids can become swollen. In addition to the visible symptoms, eye allergies may cause a feeling that something is stuck inside the eye or a feeling that the eye is being scratched. Vision can also become blurry or hazy or otherwise unclear.

Who is at risk?

Any person regardless of age can develop eye allergies.

Early detection/treatment of this eye problem

The most effective treatment for allergies is to stay away from those items that trigger allergic reactions. Many everyday cosmetics including mascara, eye liners and eye brow pencils and face creams can all trigger an allergic reaction. In some individuals, eye allergies can be caused by wearing contact lenses. Dust mites, mold and pet dander can also cause eye allergies.

When allergies are suspected, detection is the key to effective treatment. It's important to note what a person had been exposed to immediately before the allergic reaction occurred. Over time, patterns will become apparent. Once the culprit has been identified, steps should be taken to restrict exposure to the allergen.

Changing the brand of cosmetics and other personal care products can help as can discussing the possibility of obtaining a different contact lens prescription with your eye care professional.

In addition to these changes, over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants and eye drops can all help alleviate the symptoms of eye allergies. If allergies are troublesome and/or persistent, it may be time to see an allergist who can recommend prescription medications and eye drops to treat the symptoms of eye allergies.

What Is Age Related Macular Degeneration?

2008-11-04T08:12:00.001-08:00

Eye Problems – Age Related Macular Degeneration

What is Age Related Macular Degeneration?

As the name implies, Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is an eye disease that is primarily triggered by age. There are two types of ARMD, wet and dry. Either can affect one or both eyes. The dry form is more prevalent, occurring in 90% of the cases. It's slow to develop and vision loss is gradual, although not necessarily severe. The wet form is much more damaging, causing rapid and severe vision loss.

Even though vision loss is not complete, it is significant enough for an individual to be considered legally blind and for quality of life to be severely affected.

Vision loss is not total because ARMD affects the central vision, not the peripheral vision. When the macula is damaged, a person cannot create a clearly detailed image. Since the macula is in the center of the retina, central vision is affected. The macula is a group of nerve cells that utilize light to create and send images to the retina.

Symptoms of ARMD

Those affected by ARMD will notice a spot in their vision that is clearly indistinguishable. For example, when looking directly at an image of a person, legs and head will be clearly visible, but the body itself, the part right in the center of vision, will appear to be covered with an area that appears either empty or dark. Besides blurred vision, straight lines may seem wavy and a person may not be able to recognize images that should be familiar.

Who is at risk?

Age is a primary risk factor of ARMD, with the majority of the cases developing in individuals aged 60 and over. However, hereditary and the environment can also trigger the onset of the dry form of this eye disease. Females develop ARMD more often than men.

Free radicals cause much of the cell damage that occurs inside the retina therefore cigarette smoking and hypertension increase the risks of developing ARMD. Those who do not eat a nutritionally-balanced diet may also be at risk as they are not providing the body with the antioxidant protection it needs to inhibit the damage caused by free radicals.

Early Detection/Treatment of this eye problem

It's difficult to detect ARMD. The dry form is slow to develop, and generally develops only in one eye. The unaffected eye compensates for the damaged eye, so symptoms are not readily noticeable.

Yellow deposits called drusen on the retina can usually be observed during an eye exam. The eye chart and dilating the pupils are two methods of detection. When wet ARMD is suspected, the eye doctor will use an Amsler grid or fluorescein angiography.

Unfortunately, no treatment can restore this type of eye damage. Glasses will not help, but vision aids and counseling can help a person adjust to life with a reduced vision loss.

Laser eye surgery treatments and photodynamic therapy have had limited success on wet Age Related Macular Degeneration. Other treatment options such as medication and radiation are still being studied.

The proper wear of contact lenses.

2008-11-03T21:22:00.001-08:00

How To Wear Contact Lenses

Contact lenses in decades past were hard, uncomfortable and prone to breaking or getting lost. None of that is true today, provided you use them properly.

The first step, obviously, is to get ones that are just right for you, after an exam by your eye care professional. He or she will write you a prescription, taking into account the wear characteristics you want, such as disposable, extended wear and more. Contemporary equipment and experience allow eye doctors to fit everyone with contacts that are individually perfect for them and that fit exactly.

Note that word 'exactly'. While certain lenses require a break in or adjustment period, they should not be uncomfortable for very long. RGP lenses, for example, are firmer than soft contacts. They will take a few days longer than soft lenses to feel right.

During that period, you're getting used to something that is new and your eyes are conforming to the lens and vice-versa. Soft lenses should feel comfortable within a day or two at most. You should adjust to any contact lens by the period described by your doctor. Any longer than that and it's time to take them back.

Before deciding that the lenses are not right for you, though, make sure you're using them correctly.

Toric lenses for example, used by those who have certain types of astigmatism, can only go in correctly one way. Because they combine multiple shapes to correct the condition, if they are rotated upside down, they won't fit right, nor correct your vision appropriately. Similar comments apply to bifocals or progressives, which are often designed to be worn only one way.

Further, for most people, contact lenses differ between left and right. Getting them backwards will, it should be obvious, not give you optimal correction. It should be obvious, but it isn't always. The reason is that your eyes may differ only by a small amount and other things can interfere with optimal vision, such as cloudiness on the lens from improper cleaning.

The solutions here are simple.

Make sure you clean your hands and the lens properly before use. Small contaminants make a big difference when it comes to something as carefully crafted as your contacts. Protein buildup and bacteria buildup are much more likely, much quicker on lenses that aren't prepared correctly.

Also, make sure you put them in correctly. With eyes that only differ a little, it's easy to get them backwards and not know it. Some designs simplify the issue by actually imprinting a tiny L and R on the lens. Others rely on you to see that the left and right are correct after they're inserted, and reverse them if they're not. Toric lenses make clear which way they are to go - follow that.

Wear according to designed use. That is, if you have daily wear lenses, don't treat them like extended wear models. Take them out before bed. If you fall asleep with the lenses in, even during the day, use eye drops and allow the eye to get moisturized before removing them. Ironically, closed eyelids during sleep can cause them to dry out, since you produce less tear solution then. Allow your eyes time to adjust.

Some soft lenses can accidentally flip inside out. But even single vision lenses are designed to only be worn one way. Before inserting, ensure they look like a slice of a sphere with no ridges. If there's a tiny lip, they likely have gotten turned inside out. Firmer lenses, such as RGP models, show this more prominently, but it should be visible on others, too. Yes, it can be hard to see without your contacts in. Have a pair of glasses handy or get used to feeling for the small ridge.

With proper care and use, your lenses should not be irritating. That can lead to eye health problems. If they bother you, consult your eye doctor and ensure that your prescription and practices are both what the doctor ordered.

Cheaply Change Your Look With Color Contacts

2008-11-02T20:21:00.001-08:00

color contact lenses

Colored contacts are a great way to sharpen and enhance the look of your eyes. Unlike traditional contacts, colored lenses are a great way to show off your contacts, with colors that are completely fun. You can have a lot of fun with colored lenses - especially when you show them off to friends and family - who don’t know you have them.

All around the world, thousands and thousands of people wear colored lenses. Contact lenses themselves are the best alternative to glasses, with color contacts lenses being the next best thing. Colors add flair and personality to contact lenses, giving people the chance to be different. When you add color to your lenses - you are telling the world that you are different.

No matter what color you are interested in, you can find colored lenses that match your preference. There are hundreds of different styles available, from kids to adults. You’ll also have several different manufacturers to choose from as well, which makes it easier than ever to get a pair of colored lenses that you can depend on.

Although there is a large popularity over colored lenses, there is also a group of individuals who feel that they may cause damage to the eyes. Colored lenses work exactly the same as traditional contacts, and won’t damage your eyes as long as you clean them and take care of them. There shouldn't be much worry if the contacts are cleaned and maintained on a regular basis.

Each and every colored contact has the color or design coded on the contact itself. When you wear a pair of these lenses, it is actually the color that has been coded into the contact that projects the colored image everyone sees when they look in your eyes. The color of the contact shines through, making it appear that your eyes are indeed the exact same color as your contacts.

Colored contacts work the same as other types of contacts. Select the color of the contacts that you choose using your prescription. If you are ordering them online, you’ll find hundreds and hundreds of different colors and images. There are more colors and selections available online - making it the best way to invest in your contact lenses.

If you’ve been thinking about adding some flair to your colored non prescription contacts, you should look into getting a pair of "cat looking" lenses. They will give you the vision you need, along with different colored “eyes” that can really mess with someone’s head. Kids love them as well, as they give them the chance to express themselves. From kids to adults - colored contact lenses are the ideal way to be different - and improve your vision at the same time.

Contact Lenses and How The Eye Works

2008-11-01T05:07:00.001-07:00

Contact Lenses and How The Eye Works

The human visual system is both simple and complex. Complex, because there are so many parts that have to work together to make sight possible. Simple, because those parts and the process can really be explained without in-depth knowledge of anatomy and biology.

An ordinary glass lens, such as a magnifying glass, focuses the light that moves through it by bending the rays toward a focal point. That's the bright spot you see when you hold one over a newspaper, for example. Something similar happens when light enters the eye through an opening called the pupil, behind a clear protective portion called the cornea.

The pupil is surrounded by the iris, the colored portion of the eye. The pupil can narrow or widen to regulate the amount of light admitted, from as small as about 2mm to as much as approximately 8mm. The iris contains the muscles that change the diameter of the opening. Just behind the pupil is the lens, the part that focuses the light rays similar to the magnifying glass.

But there's an important difference between a magnifying glass and the eye. The magnifying glass's focal point is fixed. The eye, by contrast, contains muscles that help shape the lens and that shaping process performs a number of important tasks. Most importantly, it makes it possible for the focal point to change.

A camera lens is a good analogy. Because the camera lens contains multiple pieces of glass that can be moved by turning the barrel, objects at different distances can be brought into focus on the film. The muscles attached to the lens perform a similar function in order to focus light onto the retina, which is like the film.

Focused light rays strike the cells of the retina, the cones and rods. The names come from the shapes of the cells. The cones - 7 million cells in the central part of the retina, called the macula - are responsible for sharp, detailed vision and color vision. The approximately 100 million rods around them help us see in dim light and provide peripheral vision.

When those focused light rays hit the cells chemical reactions occur that stimulate the optic nerve attached to the back of the retina to produce electrical impulses. Those impulses are then transmitted to the visual cortex, the part of the brain that organizes them. Many parts of the brain cooperate to cause the mind to conclude: 'Ah, a car.' But the visual cortex does the initial heavy lifting.

When the parts and process of vision work correctly, you see sharp, colored entities out in the world. When things go wrong, the need for contact lenses or eye glasses arises.

Toric Contact Lenses

2008-10-31T14:17:00.001-07:00

Toric Contact Lenses

For many years after their introduction contact lenses were able to easily correct nearsightedness or farsightedness, but nothing else. Changing the point at which light rays focus is a fairly straightforward task, though it does require careful crafting of the lens. But correcting some forms of astigmatism still required wearing glasses. Toric contact lenses ultimately solved that problem.

Nearsightedness causes light rays to focus in front of the retina. Farsightedness causes light rays to focus behind the retina. But, astigmatism denotes a condition in which the cornea, lens or the eyeball as a whole is misshapen. The effect is subtle, but small differences in the eye produce a large effect. Light rays get scattered in different directions, not just ahead of or behind the retina. Blurred vision results.

That multiple direction effect makes it more difficult to produce contact lenses (or even glasses) that will correct the condition. Toric lenses solve the problem by combining shapes. Regular contacts are shaped like a portion of a sphere. Toric lenses combine a spherical surface with a toroidal surface. A donut for example is a toroid, so is a cylinder when it wraps around to touch itself.

Though shaped differently, toric lenses are made of the same materials as other contact lens types. So, they can be soft, RGP or hard. But because they are a combination of shapes they can't be allowed to rotate around the eye like ordinary contacts. Also, all toric lenses are designed with multiple powers to tackle more than one vision problem at the same time, such as astigmatism and farsightedness together. Those features make them more difficult to manufacture correctly and eye exams and fitting are more complicated.

As a consequence, toric lenses tend to be more expensive and so are doctor visits to prescribe them. For some with only a mild astigmatism the extra expense can be avoided by using regular contact lenses. To a degree, the cornea will tend to conform to the shape of the lens. If the astigmatism is mild enough toric lenses may not be necessary. Only your eye care professional can say for sure, after an exam.

For those who do need toric lenses, the full range of choices is available and they work very well. Often, those with an astigmatism require contacts that achieve multiple goals. Multifocal lenses are an option. Toric lenses are available in disposable lens types, whether 2-day or 7-day or even 30-day. Many extended wear lenses come in a toric option, too.

For those who want to add a bit of color to their contact lens, toric styles also provide that range of options. Visibility tints make lenses easier to see, making them easier to handle and harder to lose. Enhanced or full color tints can subtly influence eye color or change it entirely. Colored toric lenses are available for that, too.

Check out the full catalog of choices in toric contact lenses and you're sure to find one just right for you.

How Contact Lenses Are Made

2008-10-30T04:40:00.001-07:00

How Contact Lenses Are Made

The history of the contact lens reaches back as far as Da Vinci, who sketched samples as early as 1508. The corneal contact lens was suggested later by the famed mathematician and philosopher Rene Descartes, in 1632.

But the modern contact lens really has its beginning around the turn of the 20th century. Adolf Fick gets the credit for inventing the first practical pair in 1887. But, it was Carl Zeiss, the famed lensmaker, who developed a glass contact lens that fit over the cornea that formed the prototype for all later work.

It was still to be several decades before Touhy invented the first plastic corneal lens, using Plexiglas as a material. In 1954 the keratometer was invented, making it possible to take eye measurements without physical contact, eliminating the need for molds from impressions of the eye. While work began in 1952, it wasn't until 1971 that the modern hydrophilic soft contact lenses came on the market.

That word, 'hydrophilic' (which means 'water loving'), is the key to contemporary contact lenses. Today's lenses are made of a plastic polymer (pHEMA) that allows the contact lens to absorb water. That makes it flexible and therefore comfortable.

Some lenses were formed in a molding process called spin-casting, where the plastic is spun into the desired shape. Today, injection molding is more common. Early methods required final shaping with a lathe, but today the process is so accurate the lenses can be made entirely through molding alone.

The lathe process may still be used in some areas of the world, though, especially for hard contact lenses that still make up anywhere up to 25% of those sold. The percentage varies by country. In this method a small circle called a blank is cut from a plastic rod and fastened onto a lathe with wax. It is spun rapidly and cut using a diamond or laser. The lens is then polished with a specially formulated abrasive.

The lens has to be finished to fit the patient's eye exactly. That's carried out by polishing the result into precise curves on both sides of the lens. Today, a computer controls the process, which is kept accurate by being fed information from the individual patient using data gathered during the eye examination.

The lens is then sterilized, often by being boiled in salt water for several hours, which also softens it. They're then packaged in a glass vial containing a sterile saline (salt water) solution. Because the lens material is hydrophilic it absorbs much of the solution, making it up to 75% water in the end. Because the solution is similar to human tears that moisturize the eye, the contact feels good and works well during use.

Research continues into finding materials that are longer lasting, more comfortable and safer to use. Some relatively recent advances, for example, include the Rigid Gas Permeable lens (RGP) invented in 1979, but marketed much later. They allow more oxygen to pass directly to the eye. That makes them more comfortable and safer to use over the long term.

Disposable lenses continue to advance, adding UV absorption to their attributes. Extended wear lenses, too, have improved in the past few years. Many can now be worn continuously for as long as a week to a month. On the leading edge are new implantable contact lenses that are actually placed into the eye and never require changing or cleaning.

Understanding Laser Eye Surgery Risk

2008-10-29T19:23:00.001-07:00

There is nothing better or safer then having perfect vision, when it comes to eyesight. There is a lot more to it then just not having to deal with contacts or glasses anymore and blurred vision can really affect your day-to-day living. You are generally stuck unless you carry around spares, if you break your glasses while out or find that you have dropped a contact.

More and more people are turning to laser eye surgery to correct their vision because of all of the inconveniences of not having perfect vision. There must be an understanding that there is a laser eye surgery risk involved, before anyone goes and makes the leap to perfect vision.

There is a lot that must be clearly understood before taking on such a procedure when it comes to laser eye surgery risk. When you are dealing with your eyes, you really should pay extra attention to your chance of encountering a terrible risk, as you could be left blind, of course, as with any type of surgery, there are always risks involved. It is much easier to make an informed decision on whether or not you want to go through with the procedure, once the laser eye surgery risk is clearly understood. It is found that even though there is a laser eye surgery risk involved, many people still go through with the surgery and come out with excellent results.

Risks Involved

When speaking of laser eye surgery, most people believe that lasik eye surgery is the only way to go, but that is just one of the many different eye surgery options out there. As with them all, the lasik eye surgery risk is still there and should be thought about carefully. Most of the eye surgeries have the same type of risks involved, generally speaking. It is important to understand the laser eye surgery risk is there for the few that end up with complications, the chances of true vision-threatening risks are small, but they are still there.

There is the chance of infection, as with any type of surgery, or just the matter of taking a lot longer to heal then expected or desired. there is the small chance that your eyes will be overcorrected or even under corrected, because this type of procedure is not yet a perfect art. Also, a laser eye surgery risk is regression, which means that slowly, over time, the eyes will go back to having the bad vision they started with. Regression is the simplest risk because no real harm is caused and a second surgery is generally acceptable, unlike the other types of risks.

When it comes to laser eye surgery risk, there is a lot that must be clearly known before undergoing such a operation...Read more no cost articles at www.lasereyesurgery.jsgenterprises.com.

Lasik Eye Surgery Tips

2008-10-28T13:44:00.001-07:00

The eye is a fragile and delicate structure that supplies the brain with information about the world that we see. Problems affecting the eye range from infections to impaired vision. The image forming mechanism of the eye consists of the cornea, iris and retina. Recent technology has made Lasik Eye Surgery an easy alternative to failing eyes and eye care problems. Impaired vision is the result of a problem with the retina and the cornea, since the brain receives and interprets electrical impulses generated by images falling onto the retina.

Long sightedness is a visual impairment resulting from too short a distance in the eye between the cornea and the retina. Focusing the eye on close objects becomes difficult. Conversely, short sightedness is caused by too long a focal length in the eye or excessive curvature. As a result, the eye will find it hard to see objects at a distance. Astigmatism is another vision disorder that results if the eyeball is not a perfect sphere. We cannot see clearly if the eye is not in the right shape to allow proper focusing of the image attributes on the retina.

All these refractive errors can be corrected using lenses. The power of these lenses is prescribed by our ophthalmologist after testing our eyes. Many people do not like to wear prescription glasses because they are a hassle for those with active lifestyles and they tend to become an eyesore in social situations. For people looking for an alternative to wearing glasses, lasik eye surgery is a fantastic option. Lasik eye surgery, also known as laser in-situ keratomileusis, lifts a section of the cornea allowing a laser to remove any exposed tissue before the cornea section is replaced. If seeking an eye surgery that is less painful and faster to recover from, lasik eye surgery is the way to go.

The only major qualification is a thick cornea, so it is ideal for most. People with vision impairments, such as short sightedness and mild long sightedness, tend to show the best results. For individuals who do not wish to wear corrective lenses, lasik eye surgery is a viable alternative. It is recommended however that individuals who have had lasik eye surgery have regular eye exams to prevent complications from arising. It is also important to remember that the eyes should not be rubbed vigorously following the procedure.

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Understanding There Are Lasik Eye Surgery Side Effects

2008-10-27T04:38:00.001-07:00

Whether you are going for a major surgery that involves an extended stay in a hospital or you are going to the eye doctors for lasik eye surgery, there are always risks involved and it is important to make sure that you have done your homework so that you are fully aware of what you are getting into. Lasik eye surgery side effects are a real thing and it is something that should be taken seriously as the side effects can be anywhere from inconvenient to very painful.

Whether you are taking the time to sit one on one with your eye care professional or you are just doing extensive research on the internet, it is important to make sure that all of your questions and concerns are addressed and answered in a way that you fully understand everything. Most of the procedures done are completed with excellent results and no troubles at all as lasik eye surgery side effects do not happen in most patients. This means your chance for actually being the person that ends up with laser eye surgery complications is small, but it is always present.

The Most Common Problems

The most complained about problem with lasik eye surgery side effects is that of regression. Regression is where your eyes slowly go back to having bad vision, which means that after the surgery, a person could find that they still need to have glasses or contacts. While this is not painful in any way, it can be extremely irritating after everything the person went through in hopes of having better vision. It also means more money and more chances or lasik eye surgery side effects if they want to go through the procedure a second time in hopes of getting it right.

One thing that could be very painful though is that of an infection as infections can cause the healing process to slow down a good bit. It can be messy and painful but normally not vision threatening. While these are the more common of the lasik eye surgery side effects, there are many more to read about.

Some of the side effects are so small that if a person did end up with them, they may not even notice. Either way, it is important to know everything there is to know about lasik eye surgery side effects before heading in to make your appointment. Being informed is the best thing you can do for your eyes and for your overall health.

lasik eye surgery side effects do not happen in most patients as most of the operations done are completed with excellent outcomes and no troubles at all. Also, visit www.lasereyesurgery.jsgenterprises.com.

A Holistic Approach To Vision Care

2008-10-26T01:14:00.001-07:00

Message

Improving Your Vision Naturally is a holistic approach to rebuilding your vision.

The analysis of what we see occurs in the brain. Our eyes gather information in the form of light, our brain then takes this information and analysis it, creating our very own world of vision. When we practice vision care it does not only allow us to see better, it also helps us perceive our surrounding better.

Most people will use natural vision improvement to see better. These same people become surprised when they start to improve in unrelated areas, like sports. They will more easily understand what they are reading, perhaps play better if they are musicians. And, they may even become less stressed and become more creative Every person will benefit in a different way from natural vision improvement. But, everyone will benefit. Now, remember, that vision improvement may not work when there are certain conditions, or certain diseases present.

Dr Bates actually was the forefather of natural vision improvement. He developed this theory many years ago.

You can actually do this system from home. There is a reputable Rebuilding Your Vision system available. Depending on your own health condition, the following could be helped by this holistic approach.

Are you nearsighted?
Or, farsighted.
Are you suffering from aging vision?
Or, astigmatism?
Even tired eyes can be helped.
Does bright light bother you?
Computer eye strain (CSS)
Or how aboaut any of these: strabismus and amblyopia, glaucoma, macular degeneration.

Become pro-active with your eye care.

Here are some of the benefits of vision improvement by natural means:
Increase how clear you can see long distance,
See clearer close up,
Learn how to focus quicker,
Your eyes will become healthier, stronger and more fit,
Learn how to manage computer related strain,
Reduce your need for glasses/contacts,
Improve your depth perception,
Adapt much faster to light changes, dark or light,
And, you will have better balance, better results in activities that use your eyes.

We exercise and look after all the other parts of our bodies. Many health minded persons go to the gymn so they can have a healthy body. Why not do the same with our eyes. Let's get involved in our eye care.

The Window To The Soul. Make Sure You Preserve It

2008-10-25T11:39:00.001-07:00

This mystery goes straight from the eyes to the brain...and then, where does it go from there?

I am searching and delving into the mystery of the eye. How is it that our eyes are an actual extension of our inner being, a mirror to our soul and spirit? What is it that our eyes are connected to that gives them so much life? So much expression?

The eyes, as we all know by now, are more efficient than any computer created by man. We already know that the eyes are connected to the brain, physically.This connection makes the difference between what we see, and how our brain interprets what we see. The eyes look...the bran tells us what we see when we look.

This is where the vast field of illusions comes into being. We see what we see, our eyes do not fool us, but our brain does, it turns around and says “nope, that is not what you see...this is what you see”. Amazing isn’t it. Our brain and our eyes are at war. Mostly the brain wins.

But, where does the physical eye connect to so that we are able to see hate in someone's eyes?Let me say it another way. How is it possible that we can express emotions in our eyes? I mean, to actually see this emotion in the physical appearance of the eyes. Where does that come from? How does that happen?

This is why we all like to look into each others eyes when we talk. When we love someone, we can stare for hours into our partner's eyes. Obviously, it’s not just to look at two marble like objects. So, where do our eyes connect so that we can see love in each other, actually see love physically?

What's that about, that our eyes can connect to our soul, our spirit, and convey what we feel?

I remember on one occasion, at someone's funeral, it was the first time I had a true glimpse into a friend's soul, just by looking into their eyes. It is a moment I will never forget. EVER!

What about when you look at someone and you see hate? Is that person allowing you to see this emotion, or, is this emotion a part of the natural process of us being human, and so it naturally shows itself?

We see hate in the eyes, we see love, fear, compassion and even confusion in the eyes.

How often have you looked deep into a friend’s eyes, and seen tenderness?

The eye is a little oval object in our body. Yet, it seems to be able to hold the very essence of our being at any given time.

This mystery goes straight from the eyes to the brain...and then, where does it go from there?

Keep your eyes healthy for as long as you can. Become pro-active in your eye care

What is a Laser Eye Correction Surgery?

2008-10-24T17:14:00.001-07:00

People who need restoration of their normal eyesight can choose to get laser eye corrective surgery. If you have been experiencing severe eyesight problems and you want to cure it in a fast and easy way, then you can decide on a corrective laser eye surgery. You can easily regain the lost vision that you have greatly suffered from for years, by subjecting yourself to a minor operation. You can instantly reverse your vision problems and bring it back to a perfect 20/20 vision, through a simple clinical procedure.

Laser Eye Correction Surgery and its Types

Basically, there are two known types of a laser eye correction surgery, namely: the PRK (PhotoRefractive Keratectomy) and LASEK (Laser Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratomileusis). The two procedures work in an almost similar way. However, there is slight difference with the use of both techniques. Perhaps the first difference would be the method on how to correct the cornea, and the second would be the healing process.

Both follow the same process of numbing the eye by drop instillation, even though they are considered to be two different procedures. While the patient is wide awake, the first step in the surgery is performed. Of course, the patient should be relaxed at the time of the surgery to ensure safety and security while the procedure is being conducted.

A PRK laser eye correction surgery involves a scraping process or ablation of the cornea to remove the "defective" epithelial lining. In the LASEK procedure, a cutting method is used to create a flap or a new layer of cornea instead. The first step of the procedure is the removal of the topmost lining of the cornea. It will be followed later on by growth of a new layer through the Excimer laser. There are varying degrees as to how the reshaping process should come about in every person. If precise measurements (mapping and reshaping) are used better results are to be expected.

Laser Eye Correction Surgery and its Uses

A laser eye correction surgery can be used for several means. Nowadays, it has been widely used by people to correct the simplest or the most complex of problems. If you are financially capable of a laser eye correction surgery, then you can be ready to eliminate your vision problems anytime you want to. All you need to do is find a good doctor who can perform it on you and the rest follows as your surgeons have planned.

Depending on the cause of the condition, Laser eye correction surgery can be used for blindness. More often than not, the patients who subject themselves to the operation are those who are suffering from eyesight problems. If your vision used to be 70/150, it can easily be corrected by laser to a near 20/20. Truly, the laser eye correction surgery is one of the most useful tools ever innovated in man's history.

If you have been experiencing terrible eyesight problems and you want to cure it fast, then you can decide on a laser eye correction surgery. Visit http://www.lasereyesurgery.jsgenterprises.com for more articles.

Eye Care Exams Help You Maintain Good Eye Sight

2008-10-23T17:45:00.001-07:00

Being your windows to the world it is important to keep your eyes in good condition. Remember your eyes are subject to wear and tear be it from the ultra violet rays of the sun, pollution and dust in the air, transmittable diseases or stress from looking at a computer screen all day.

We all regularly go to our family doctors for a physical exam to check how our overall health is. The minority take their health for granted. Why is it then that many of us exclude our eye sight from the annual checkup? To guarantee healthy and normal vision, an annual visit to your eye doctor for your eye care exam is important.

Our brain receives sensory information from our eyes giving us a clear picture of our surrounds. Therefore keeping them in optimum shape will ensure proper signals being received by the brain insuring consequential action and reactions. If your vision is deteriorating your life performance will be affected.

We recommend that eye care exams should start from a very early age, that is even babies of 2-6 months should have their eyes checked to correct any abnormalities, while children entering primary school and again when entering secondary school should also have eye care exams which will detect any vision problems allowing corrective action to be taken to rectify the problem.

Unfortunately, as we age it becomes more important to have an eye care exam performed yearly, so that every time you visit your eye doctor they can evaluate any changes in your vision condition and help you correct any difficulties that you may have with your sight. Early diagnosis of problems will decrease the chance of severe damage to our sight.

It is proven that Elderly citizens are more susceptible to vision loss, they should be aware that the probability of having vision disorders increases with age, even though you might not be experiencing any problem, therefore you should visit your eye doctor regularly for an eye care exam.

Eye care exams are painless and informative methods for the assessment of your eyes. The eye doctors will test your visual acuity, (the clarity of your vision). During the eye care exam, the doctor will also check the muscles of the eyes, eye pressure, fluid circulation, retina and general condition of your eyes.. The routine eye examination is not painful or uncomfortable.

Doctors Who Do Eye Care Exams

Ophthalmologists are doctor’s who specialize in the comprehensive care of the eyes and visual system in the prevention of eye disease injury. They are medically trained specialists who can deliver total eye care exams, primary, secondary and tertiary care services and diagnose general diseases of the eyes.

Whereas the Optometrist is the health care professional who provides only primary care services. The services included are the comprehensive eye health and vision examinations: treatment and diagnosis of the vision disorders and eye diseases; the detection of general health problems; they prescribe the glasses, contact lenses, vision therapy, low vision rehabilitation and medications.

How Often Should You Have A Regular Eye Care Exam?

If you are having difficulties with your eyes, pain or visual disturbances or any other problem in the eyes, you should immediately make an appointment to see an eye doctor. However, if you are in good health and no known ailments, no vision problems, you can have an eye exam every two to four years provided your age is below forty. However, for people with diabetes, you need frequent eye examinations to maintain good eye health.

The old adage "prevention is better than a cure”, so make sure you are aware of your vision and if you note any deterioration get on down and have an eye care exam.

Laser Eye Surgery Facts Help Patients Understand The Process

2008-10-22T07:00:00.001-07:00

People who grow tired of wearing glasses or believe they look better without them may turn to corrective surgery using laser technology to restore their visual acuity. Before heading out to an all-night laser surgical center people need to get all the laser eye surgery facts they can find to insure they are making the right choice. Not everyone will make a good candidate for lasik surgery and by perusing the available laser eye surgery facts people can quickly determine if they qualify. They can then read about what to expect to determine if they want to follow through with the operation.

Pointing to the success rate of the procedure there are several laser eye surgery facts. Learning what can be expected before the surgery, during the surgery and the appropriate follow up care is an important part of the decision-making process and the laser eye surgery facts can help provide that information as well. If it is being done strictly for cosmetic purposes most insurance policies do not cover the surgery.

Those who wear contacts might have to wait while their eyes return to their normal shape before having the surgery performed, meaning they will have to wear glasses until the day of the operation. They may also have to wear glasses to correct the vision in the one eye that is not corrected according to the available laser eye surgery facts.

Success Rates Are In Potential Patients' Favor

Despite the risks associated with laser surgery, the lasik eye surgery statistics are in favor of the patients as there are many more success stories than there are of surgeries that go horribly wrong. While the risk factors are included in the laser eye surgery facts, the experience and knowledge of the surgeon performing the operation will greatly increase the odds of success.

The patient will be under local anesthetic only with a local sedative for the eye on which the operation is being performed. The patient will go home the same day to begin the healing process in most cases and with the appropriate follow up care, their recovery ends with much better vision then before the operation.

Being able to afford the operational costs may seem daunting for some. The laser eye surgery facts point out that it can be a significant cost savings over the years following the surgery when the cost of eye exams and glasses over their lifetime is calculated.

Thiking about getting laser eye surgery? Check out this awesome no cost article, Laser Eye Surgery Facts. To browse more articles on laser eye surgery visit, http://www.lasereyesurgery.jsgenterprises.com.

Non-surgical Alternatives to LASIK

2008-09-22T05:59:00.000-07:00

If LASIK is not right for your eyes, or if the thought does not appeal to you, consider contact lenses, Orthokeratology (Ortho-K), or, that old standby, eyeglasses. These options are cheaper, may fit your life better and be less scary than surgery. They are less invasive, less risky, and have the benefit of reversibility.

Setting LASIK aside, consider the variety of contact lens designs for usual and special needs. They are now available in bifocal prescriptions. And, sensitive eyes even have the option of extra thin lenses. There are soft, comfortable lenses that you can discard after a day or a month, and rigid gas permeable lenses that can last years and provide sharper, clearer vision than soft lenses.

Soft lenses absorb moisture and conform to the eye with more ease. They are cheaper initially than rigid lenses, but more expensive in the long run. Some patients count this cost when comparing with LASIK.

Rigid lenses are more durable, but take more getting used to. They are more resistant to buildup of deposits. LASIK deals with astigmatism. With rigid contacts, you can differentiate between the left and right eyes and select toric lenses for astigmatism. Seven-day continuous wear lenses and 30-day continuous wear lenses have recently been approved by the FDA.

LASIK uses surgery to change the shape of the cornea. Ortho-K uses rigid gas permeable contact lenses to train the shape of the cornea. In both, this improves the eye's ability to refract light and focus. While not a permanent result, with continued use, a person's vision may improve drastically, up to 20/40 or even 20/20 vision.

In the beginning of the Ortho-K therapy, the contact lenses are worn about eight hours each day. After LASIK, vision improvement occurs in days. With Ortho-K, as the cornea changes shape over the weeks, improving the vision, the lenses are worn less frequently. Wearing time shortens to a few hours at a stretch every few days. Stopping the use of the Ortho-K lenses causes the corneas to revert to their original state. Occasionaly, the effects of LASIK may fade, too.

Clarity of vision may fluctuate, and it may take several months to change the vision measurably. Accelerated Ortho-K therapy may be used to get the desired effect more rapidly. People with low levels of nearsightedness and/or slight astigmatism are the best candidates for Ortho-K.

If LASIK or contact lenses are not for you, there is another alternative. Sticking with your eyeglasses may be the choice you need make. Eyeglass frames are more durable and flexible than ever. Lenses are lighter, stronger, more scratch resistant. New options for glasses include tinting that changes more rapidly, progressive bifocal lenses, anti-reflective coatings, UV protection and greater impact resistance.

Some advantages to this option are less expense than contact lenses or LASIK surgery, greater ease in changing your mind, and fashion-forward styling. The greatest benefit may be the guarantee that the good eyesight they have provided to you for years can continue indefinitely.

If you cannot have LASIK surgery now, or even if you never choose to have that procedure, these are viable, safe, money-saving choices. Even if you decide to have LASIK surgery at some future date, choosing contact lenses, Ortho-K therapy, or eyeglasses can keep you going until you make that decision.

What is Lasik Eye Surgery?

2008-09-10T06:06:00.000-07:00

You may have heard of surgery for vision instead of glasses or contacts. In the United States, lasik is the primary surgery used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. In less than thirty minutes per eye, it reshapes the stroma, the middle portion of the cornea.

The Lasik Procedure
In order to access the stroma, the surgeon cuts a flap in the upper portion of the cornea, right above the pupil. Numbing drops are put into the eye, the cornea is marked to aid in replacing the flap, and then the eye area is cleaned.

A lid speculum holds the eye open. High pressure is applied to the eye with a suction ring that is briefly placed directly on the eye. Then the flap is cut. This is called a keratectomy, which may be done by either of two methods.

The time-tested way uses a microkeratome, a cutting instrument or blade. The newer method of cutting the flap is by "laser-only" or femtosecond lasik, sometimes known by the brand name "IntraLase." After the suction ring is removed, both lasik methods are nearly identical.

The corneal flap is folded back, and the exposed tissue is allowed to dry. Then, the patient is asked to stare at a light for about sixty seconds to help keep the eye fixed and immobile. In less than one minute, the lasik computer pulses high-energy ultraviolet light removing the tissue that was previously determined to reshape the cornea most effectively and accurately.

The lasik laser makes clicking sounds, and there may be a smell of burning tissue. After very precise amounts of tissue are removed from the stroma, the surgeon lays the flap back into place. The eye is observed for a few minutes to make sure that proper bonding is taking place.

After the Surgery
Once the surgery is complete, a protective shield is placed over the eye, to prevent pressure and anything from bumping the eye. Since there are no stitches in lasik surgery, these precautions must be taken to ensure that the flap remains in place.

Some patients return to work the next day, but most doctors recommend that you wait a few days. Strenuous activity, and non-contact sports should be avoided for up to three days. Facial products and makeup are out for up to two weeks. The eyelashes may need to be scrubbed fairly often during this time to help prevent infection.

No contact sports are allowed for at least four weeks. Expect to leave off swimming, hot tubs, whirlpools and saunas for up to eight weeks.

Expected Outcomes from Lasik
Most lasik patients see huge improvements in their vision by the next day. Vision may continue to improve for three to six months post-operatively. While visual fluctuations may occur temporarily throughout the day, this tendency diminishes over time.

Lasik eye surgery is not for everyone. Most good candidates follow their surgeon's pre and post-operative directives faithfully. They find their vision, and therefore their lifestyle, greatly enhanced by this laser procedure.

Is Lasik Right For Me?

2008-08-23T03:58:00.000-07:00

Clear unrestricted vision is a dream for those with long standing visual deficiencies. With lasik eye surgery, that dream is becoming a reality for millions. It's not for everyone. Among factors to consider are age, career, activities, cost, risks and other health issues.

Consider Sandy. In reviewing all the options, she chose lasik. Although she's young, she's beyond the lower age limit of 21. She's not into contact sports, so those risks are negligible.

Sandy's insurance would not cover lasik procedures, but she lives frugally and had saved the money for it. She estimated that the costs of lasik surgery would be cheaper than other solutions when considered over a ten-year period.

Her vision had stayed at the same prescription for over a year, so her visual stability was good. Sandy wasn't pregnant and expect to be in the next year, so her hormones should not cause her visual stability to fluctuate. She had no problems with dry eyes, nor did she have any previous incidences of eye disease or injury.

Lasik was perfect for her. Sandy had the procedure on a Thursday and was back at work on Monday. Even better, she was delighted with the results.

Then there's Lynn who's also been thinking about lasik. She's 32, and her insurance covers the procedure. With her perfect medical history, she has the sick time available and should be able to recover at home for a few days before returning to work. And, fortunately, there are no restrictions on lasik corrections in her type of job.

Trouble is, she just found out that she's pregnant. That immediately rules out lasik for her right now, because pregnancy hormones can cause visual instability. Her optometrist recommends she wait at least a year after completing breastfeeding. Since this is her first child, and she wants other children, she'll try for lasik eye surgery again in about five years.

Now, let's talk about Thomas. He's 45 with vision in only one eye. His astigmatism is such that his lasik surgery would be more extensive than usual. Furthermore, his vision has not been stable lately; he's becoming more farsighted. And, the results of the surgery could diminish rapidly over the next few years, because of his increasing farsightedness.

Right away, he determined that lasik is not an option for him. Besides, the risks are just too great if you are already blind in one eye. His optometrist recommends contact lenses and reading glasses for close work.

Finally, there's Mary. She's nearsighted, with no astigmatism. At forty, she's not pregnant, not into contact sports, and has no restrictions on the procedure due to her visual health. So, she's a good candidate for the lasik procedure, but she's concerned with the relative newness of laser eye surgery.

Her insurance will not cover the procedure, and her financial situation won't cover the cost right now. With her stable vision, she's setting aside lasik for now and looking into contact lenses.

Lasik eye surgery is becoming more popular. It isn't for everyone, but many have gone through with the procedure and are happy with the outcome. Others have considered it, rejected it, and in so doing, have discovered new options for their visual health.

Lasik Explorers Out There

2008-08-21T03:30:00.001-07:00

Lasik - the common conversation topic by many as age catches up and especially for those who eye sights are getting from bad to worse. I have heard from my circle of family, friends and colleagues who have either gone for the lasik surgery and have talked about it that it is so far a safe operation with 100 percent success rate and very minimal side effects. Yet to find out more on this.

LASIK is acronym for "Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis". It is a refractive laser surgery on the eye, being performed to correct myopia. Once this surgery is done, a person would say good bye to his or her glasses or contact lens and say hello to better vision.

On visits to some general practitioners, advertisements abound at their clinics to promote this eye surgery. But it is an expensive surgical operation and even if you could afford, each have to go through an evaluation if you are suitable for the lasik surgery. Indeed there is more than meets the eye.