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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, January 31, 2012

LASIK with Corneal Inlay May Help Treat Presbyopia

A new study is showing that LASIK with the implantation of small-aperture corneal inlays helps to treat presbyopia. The Hawaiian study was performed on 2000 patients between the ages of 40 and 65. All patients underwent LASIK and were implanted with the Karma intracorneal inlay. Around 85% of those in the study were still satisfied a year after the 2011 study.

Presbyopia is an age related condition in which eye patients begin to lose the near vision. Most patients make do with reading glasses, even if they have undergone LASIK in the past.

Corneal inlays are made to closely resemble the surface of the eye and are made of biocompatible material. Like contact lenses, they alter the way light enters the eye. However, they are implanted into the eye and do not need further care. In this case, they are implanted at the same time as LASIK surgery.

The Karma corneal inlay is not approved yet by the FDA, but is under an investigational device exemption clinical trial. It was made to block light rays reflecting from objects nearby that would affect the vision of eyes with presbyopia. Its inclusion into the LASIK procedure as something positive may help rid patients of reading glasses, even though they have perfect far-sightedness.

If you would like to learn more about LASIK and treatment of presbyopia, please contact an experienced eye surgeon in your area today.

Monday, January 23, 2012

PRK Reduces the Risk of Epithelial Ingrowth after LASIK Regression

The PRK procedure reduces the risk of epithelial ingrowth when the procedure is used to correct for regression after LASIK, according to a report from Ocular Surgery News.

Regression occurs when your cornea begins to return to its original vision error. Serious regression after LASIK occurs to only a small percentage of patients, and most often to patients with farsightedness (hyperopia). Some people experience regression many years after their LASIK surgery. A second LASIK procedure is often used to correct regression, which typically involves re-lifting the original corneal flap, instead of cutting a new one.

Unfortunately, these "lift-flap enhancement" procedures run the risk of causing epithelial ingrowth, a complication in which epithelial cells (cells on the outer surface of the cornea) grow underneath the corneal flap.

Epithelial ingrowth tends to occur with flap procedures. In PRK, a corneal flap is not created. Instead, the outer surface of cells is vaporized, or "ablated." Apparently, patients experiencing regression can still achieve corrected vision with PRK while avoiding the risk of epithelial ingrowth.

To learn more about LASIK, please contact an experienced eye surgeon in your area.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

LASIK Candidacy for People with Glaucoma

Glaucoma – a collection of eye diseases affecting more than 60 million people worldwide – is receiving special attention this January, which is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve of your eye and causes vision loss. In some cases, glaucoma leads to blindness.

Glaucoma does not necessarily make you a poor candidate for LASIK; however, there are often several vision correction options that may be less risky for people with glaucoma.

The two most common forms of glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma, cause the pressure inside your eye to increase. This pressure is called "intraocular pressure" (IOP). IOP is actually the pressure of the fluid in your eye.

LASIK procedures that use a microkeratome blade may not be recommended for people with glaucoma. IOP is increased while the microkeratome is being utilized. If you already have high IOP, your eye surgeon may advise against increasing it even more during a LASIK procedure. On the other hand, your eye surgeon may determine that it is reasonably safe for you to undergo LASIK if you are receiving treatment for glaucoma, and if your intraocular pressure is under control. Otherwise, a LASIK alternative may be recommended, which may include:

  • PRK
  • IntraLase
  • Implantable lenses

For those who have not been diagnosed with glaucoma, Glaucoma Awareness Month is an important reminder to be screened regularly for glaucoma during an annual eye exam.

To learn more about your candidacy for LASIK, please contact an experienced eye surgeon in your area.

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

More Health Services, including LASIK, Popping Up on Daily Deal Sites

According to a recent Associated Press story, daily deal websites like Groupon and LivingSocial are offering more health-related deals, and people are using them. These discounts are even being offered for LASIK eye surgery.

Traditionally, these sites offer limited-time discounts at participating restaurants, hotels, spas, and for other goods and services. Consumers purchase the deal online, and then redeem the deal at some point before it expires. Dentists, doctors and ophthalmologists have begun offering discounts for medical services on these websites. About one of every 11 deals offered online are for a health service, according to the AP story.

One man saved more than $1,300 on his LASIK surgery, according to the article. He may have been otherwise deterred from pursuing the procedure. Millions of Americans do not have health insurance, and for people who are insured, policies covering LASIK often cover only a small percentage.

As someone who is interested in LASIK, you should not be prevented from achieving better vision because of inadequate financing.

Even with the great deals sometimes offered on these sites, you should not neglect careful research and selection of your LASIK surgeon. Surgeon experience, education, training and other qualifications are important to consider, not cost alone. Most LASIK surgeons offer some form of financing. Paying for your procedure may include:

  • Cash
  • Credit card
  • Personal check
  • In-house payment plans
  • Third-party loans

When considering LASIK, cost should be just one of many factors influencing your decision. You should feel confident you are not sacrificing quality of results for expense. Fortunately, many LASIK surgeons have financing consultants committed to helping you plan for the expense.

To learn more about LASIK and financing available for LASIK, please contact an experienced LASIK eye surgeon in your area.

 
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Disclaimer: The content on our website and this page about LASIK surgery is for informational purposes only. To learn more about LASIK surgery in your area and situation, please contact a LASIK surgeon above or click here to let us find an eye doctor for you.