Implantable Contacts May Provide a Safer Alternative to LASIK

While LASIK surgery has become very safe and experiences one of the highest success rates of any surgical procedure, it is still accompanied by some degree of risk. A recent study has identified an alternative treatment which may provide you with similar results accompanied by an even greater safety record.

Implantable contact lenses have become a highly effective alternative for patients who are not ideal LASIK candidates. A surgical procedure is employed to insert an artificial lens inside your eye in order to improve refractive errors in vision. Implantable contact lens patients have experienced similar improvements in their vision compared with LASIK patients. However, they do not experience some of the common LASIK risks, such as glare, halos, and night vision problems.

Implantable contact lenses offer some other benefits compared to LASIK. Unlike LASIK, which permanently reshapes your cornea, the implantable contact lens procedure is reversible. You can have the lens changed or removed at any time. Implantable contact lens patients also experienced clearer contrast between light and dark than LASIK patients.

However, there is one downside to the implantable contact lens procedure. It may increase your risk of cataracts.

If you are considering laser vision correction, you might want to ask your ophthalmologist about implantable contact lenses as well. You might discover that they are a better option for you.

Does LASIK Hurt?

One of the most common questions a LASIK surgeon is asked during an initial consultation is, "Does LASIK hurt?" This question makes perfect sense. After all, a laser is being used to reshape your cornea. However, the truth is that LASIK not very painful at all. In fact, most patients do not experience any more than mild discomfort.

Your LASIK surgeon will provide you with anesthetic eye drops to numb your eyes during the procedure. As a result, you will most likely only experience a mild feeling of pressure while the laser works to reshape your cornea.

For the majority of patients, the greatest discomfort results from the instrument used to keep the eye lids open. However, your level of discomfort will depend on how much you fight against this instrument. If you are able to keep your eyes relaxed during your procedure, this instrument will not cause very much discomfort.

The actual process of laser reshaping is very painless. The excimer laser used in the surgery does not generate any heat, and it should not irritate your eyes.

You will most likely experience some mild discomfort during the recovery period, including stinging and dryness. However, this will generally subside within a day or two, and you can expect to resume regular activities within 48 hours of your procedure.

Don't let the fear of pain deter you from undergoing such a life-changing treatment. The mild discomfort you may experience is well worth the reward of clear vision.

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

What Problems Can LASIK Correct?

LASIK, which stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a type of refractive surgery correcting several vision disorders.

Myopia – Nearsightedness, or myopia, can often be treated with LASIK surgery. Dependent on the severity of myopia, a candidate needs to have a certain level of nearsightedness to be considered a good candidate for LASIK. Typically, vision should be rated at less than -14.00 diopters of nearsightedness for the candidate to receive the maximum benefit from LASIK.

Hyperopia – Farsightedness, also called hyperopia, is the condition of being able to see distant objects with clarity or greater clarity than close objects. LASIK is often a good option for patients with hyperopia whose vision is below +6.00 diopters of farsightedness. Hyperopia, which may be present at any time of life, should not be confused with Presbyopia.

Presbyopia – As your eye age they may develop difficulty viewing objects or text at close range. This condition is called presbyopia, or aging eyes. In many patients presbyopia will develop and then become relatively stable, allowing for the use of over-the-counter or prescription reading glasses to compensate for the vision change. Depending on the candidate, presbyopia may be treated with LASIK.

Astigmatism – When the lens of the eye is more ovular than round the condition creates blurry vision and is referred to as astigmatism. For many patients astigmatism can be treated and permanently corrected with LASIK.

To learn more about LASIK to correction vision problems, please contact an experienced LASIK surgeon near you today.

Corneal Thickness and LASIK Candidacy

One of the considerations Dr. Huynh will make when evaluating your eyes for Custom LASIK surgery is the thickness of your cornea. Some laser surgery, such as PRK, is used to reshape the outside of the cornea in the same manner as RK, only with more precision. With LASIK, a small flap of the cornea is shaved off and folded over like a hinge. The laser is then used to reshape the interior of the cornea to the desired specifications.

In order to perform LASIK, the cornea must be thick enough to allow for an adequate corneal flap. Careful measurements are made prior to surgery to ensure that there is enough corneal material to use. If you are not eligible for LASIK, you may still benefit from laser vision correction with PRK.

To find out if you are a good candidate for LASIK vision correction, it is important to see a qualified laser vision specialist. If your regular eye doctor is unsure of whether your cornea is thick enough for surgery, you may want to seek a second opinion.

If you are looking for permanent vision correction and would like to do away with eyeglasses and contacts forever, you might consider LASIK vision correction. Please contact a laser vision specialist near you to schedule a thorough evaluation.