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The LASIK Directory Blog

Welcome to the LASIK Blog, a resource for people interested in LASIK surgery. This consumer-friendly blog is intended to be used as a central resource to answer common questions about LASIK and to point you in the right direction.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

LASIK vs. PRK

There are a variety of refractive procedures available to correct vision problems caused by myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Two of the most common are LASIK and PRK. While these procedures both utilize an excimer laser to reshape your cornea, there are several important differences between the two in terms of the actual procedure and recovery time. It is important to understand these differences when choosing the right procedure for you.

In a LASIK procedure, your ophthalmologist will create a flap in your cornea. This can either be done by laser or with a microkeratome blade. An excimer laser is then used to reshape your cornea before the flap is secured back in place.

Recovery from LASIK is very quick. You will generally be able to experience vastly improved vision almost immediately. It is a good idea to take a few days off from work, and you will need to be careful when participating in vigorous activities immediately following surgery, but in general, your recovery will be short.

LASIK is not an ideal procedure for patients with very thin, flat, steep, or irregularly shaped corneas. These patients are generally better candidates for PRK.

PRK does not involve cutting a flap in your cornea. Instead, the epithelium layer covering your cornea is brushed away so that the excimer laser can reshape your cornea. You will need to wear a special contact lens for 4-6 days while your epithelium heals.

Recovery from PRK generally takes longer than LASIK. You may experience blurry vision for two weeks following your procedure, and it may take several months before your vision reaches its optimal level.

At your initial consultation, your ophthalmologist will evaluate your eyes to determine which procedure is best for you. To ensure the best results, it is important to undergo the appropriate procedure for your unique eye condition.

Please contact the LASIK Directory today to find a LASIK surgeon near you.

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Does LASIK Work All of the Time?

LASIK surgery is a very effective procedure to correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. While the procedure is appropriate for many people interested in undergoing laser vision correction, not everyone is an ideal candidate for LASIK. At your initial consultation, your LASIK surgeon will perform an eye examination to determine whether the procedure is right for you.

LASIK corrects refractive errors by using an excimer laser to reshape your cornea, enabling light to properly focus on your retina. In order for LASIK to effectively correct your vision, your cornea must be able to handle the laser reshaping procedure. If your cornea is too steep, flat, thin, or irregularly shaped, you are most likely not an ideal candidate for LASIK.

However, there are other factors beyond LASIK candidacy which contribute to the success of your procedure. Two very important factors to consider are:

  • The skill and experience of your LASIK surgeon
  • The technology used in your procedure

Before choosing a LASIK surgeon, you should thoroughly research his skill and experience. The majority of complications associated with LASIK occur due to a surgeon's inexperience. You should choose to work with a surgeon who has performed thousands of LASIK procedures on patients with the same refractive error that you possess.

The technology used in your procedure will also play a major role in the success of your procedure. LASIK is not cheap. Therefore, it may be tempting to opt for a less expensive procedure using older technology. However, be aware that you often get what you pay for. Procedures that use IntraLase technology to cut your corneal flap and wavefront guided computer technology to map your cornea will lead to higher quality results with less risk of higher order aberrations. In order to ensure the greatest likelihood of success for your LASIK procedure, you should opt for the best technology available.

Please contact the LASIK Directory today to find and experienced LASIK surgeon in your area.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

The Importance of Glaucoma Testing

We have just wrapped up Glaucoma Awareness Month, but that doesn't mean you should forget about the disease. If you are over the age of 40 and have not been tested for glaucoma recently, it is a good idea to visit your ophthalmologist for a screening in the near future.

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness, affecting millions of Americans each year. The condition is caused by a build-up of fluid which increases pressure in your eye. This increased intraocular pressure will eventually damage your optic nerve, which sends images to the brain. If this condition goes untreated, the optic nerve damage will eventually become so severe that you will go blind.

The loss of vision begins gradually, and often you will not notice the symptoms until the condition has progressed substantially along its course. Therefore, regular glaucoma screenings are essential so that you can detect the condition in its early stages. Ophthalmologists recommend screenings at least every two years after the age of 40. If you are in a high risk category, you may want to get tested even more frequently.

The following groups of people are at high risk for glaucoma:

  • African American
  • Irish
  • Russian
  • Japanese
  • Hispanic
  • Inuit
  • Scandinavian
  • Over the age of 40
  • Have a family history of glaucoma
  • Diabetics

Since optic nerve damage can never be repaired, vision loss caused by glaucoma is permanent.

Please contact the LASIK Directory today to find an experienced ophthalmologist in your area.

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Polish Immigrant's Boss Pays for Eye Surgery

This one certainly falls into the category of a feel-good story. Andrew Turowski moved to Chicago from Poland two years ago in order to earn money for his family. When he arrived in Chicago, he took a job tending horses for a local couple who were also Polish immigrants. The couple clearly recognized that Turowski's poor eye sight impacted his life, and they wanted to help.

Turowski's nearsightedness is so severe, he is considered legally blind. He is not a candidate for LASIK because his vision is too poor for the procedure to be effective. Ophthalmologists in Poland have told him for years that nothing could be done to correct his vision.

In an act of extreme generosity, the couple offered to pay for Turowski's implantable contact lens procedure, which generally costs about $8,000. They were happy to provide their employee and friend with the gift of sight.

Implantable contact lens surgery is similar to cataract surgery, except in this procedure, the eye's natural lens is not removed. Instead, an implantable contact lens is placed behind the iris and in front of the eye's natural lens. The results of the surgery are almost immediate.

Turowski shed tears of joy after his procedure. He has endured poor vision since childhood. When he finally returns to Poland, he will be able to see his family clearly for the first time.

Please contact the LASIK directory today to find a qualified ophthalmologist in your area.

 
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